Hermione was silent when she brought Severus breakfast the next day, he didn't even look at her as she helped him eat.
"So this is how it's going to be is it? and there was me thinking you were a grown man, mature perhaps." Hermione sighed, staring at the wizards emotionless face.

Her nerves shook as his eyes finally met hers.
"Grown man..." he mumbled, laughing to himself bitterly. "And yet, I'm not much of a man am I? I cannot give you what a grown man can... I'm just an incontinent, impotent heap of flesh that sits here day after day. How could I class that as being a fucking man." He spat, his eyes glistening with the ache he felt.

"That was not what I meant and you know that Severus!" Hermione groaned in exasperation, "I know that's not what you meant but its how I feel!!" He sighed, pulling his head away as Hermione tried to comfort him.

"I don't need your pity, what you're feeling for me is just because of a pathetic obligation you think you have Hermione... it's not real."

"It is real. Yes, I vowed to take care of you after I saved you but why do you think I saved you in the first place? I let friends die so you didn't have to and..." "that's what Potter told me and you denied it, because it isn't true!" He cut her off, unable to take any more confusion and stress.

"Only because you would have rejected me there and then, gods Severus I have loved you since I was a 5th year... and what you're going through now changes nothing."

He didn't know what to say, he couldn't take it all in. She loved him before and she still does even with his situation, he wondered what he had ever done in his life to deserve such a love? "You deserve so much better Hermione, I cannot deny that I'm so tempted to give you my heart but I cannot put you through anymore, you have done more than enough for me." He sighed, returning his eyes to meet her gaze. This time softly, innocently.

"I'm not doing this for you Severus Tobias Snape. Being with you is my idea of happiness... so it's purely selfish." She smirked playfully. He couldn't help but chuckle once her cheeky smirk dissolved into a perfect smile that danced across her face.

"Will you give me time? I'm insecure at the best of times, I cannot promise you that I won't mess up, push you away, or satisfy any part of your heart, body and soul." He stated firmly as Hermione slowly got closer to his limp frame. "Patience is a virtue, I'm not going anywhere." She whispered, pushing her lips to his gently.

No passion or lust, no tongues or school yard groping. Just a kiss as delicate as the petals on a rose.

He didn't pull away...

For the first time in his life he had finally let his guard down,
He cared not for feeling vulnerable in that moment, he cared only for her.
Perfect Hermione.

He returned her gentle kiss...