Snape didn't know how to feel, A week had passed since their conversation and Hermione was finally up and about.. not once had she stopped by to speak to him.

"How long are you going to avoid me?" He sighed, as she left the potions classroom one afternoon. "I'm not avoiding you, well.. maybe I have been and I'm sorry." She replied sadly. Before he could reply she had approached him and wrapped her arms around him, "you have no idea how much your words meant to me, and please know that I feel the same. It's just that my feelings are partly to blame for all I've been going through. It's not just the fact that during the war I saw so many dreadful things..." Hermione smiled gently, before turning to leave.

Snape grabbed her arm gently and slunk around her to face her, lowering his head and speaking softly, "what do you mean? Please, just be honest with me."
Hermione looked up into his obsidian eyes and melted, how could she not tell him the truth?

"When i lost so many of my friends it broke my heart, but nothing pained me as much as thinking I had lost you.. Severus, I've been in love with you since long before the war." Hermione explained honestly, with a slight nervous stammer.
"You felt that way for me all that time? Hermione, the war is over now. I'm not going anywhere. I promise..." Snape whispered gently, his words soothing the young witch as his hand stroked her face.
"I know that, I know it's illogical but I still fear that feeling.. don't you think it's possible to love someone too much?"

Snape stood frozen in place as she left the room, he couldn't find the words to reply.
"Nice one you idiot." He scolded himself, wondering if had he pulled her to him and kissed her she would see sense.
He knew he had to make her see that he wasn't going anywhere but it would obviously take a gesture more grand than he previously assumed, and a lot more time.

〰〰〰〰〰〰

Hermione glanced over at the staff table at dinner, she gave Snape a small smile which he returned openly, she had to admit to herself that public kindness was not something she would associate with the bat of the dungeons.

Sniggers and profanities filled the room as he stood and struck a fork to his glass to get everyone's attention. "If I may say a few words.." he spoke, causing the hall to fall silent. "Severus? What on earth are you doing?!" Minerva gulped as he slunk over to where Albus would normally stand to address the school.

"I'm aware that this past year has been a difficult one for each and every one of you.. however it is imperative that you all understand that fear should never hold you back from moving forward. Do not allow yourselves to be too afraid to follow your heart or goals." He drawled, his eyes fixing on a certain witch. The whole hall looked on in shock, surely this was not the dungeon bat talking?

"I'm also aware that it's one thing to say these words without following them myself but from this day on, I too, will not give in to fear.
Fear of being hurt, fear of rejection, fear of failure.. and so...." he continued, before taking a deep breath. "Miss Granger, could you come here please?"

Hermione couldn't say no, she could see how his confidence was forced and that he was far from his comfort zone. As she arrived in front of him he took her hand and pulled her to him, kissing her lips in a gentle yet domineering way.

The hall erupted in shrieks of disgust and shock, with a few younger students sighing with glee as if butterflies were dancing.
"Hermione.. I'm not going anywhere, and I have just destroyed my bat of the dungeons persona in front of the whole school, I found the strength to do that.. if you meant what you said I urge you to face your fears too."

"I think that it's time for everyone to return to their dormitories!" Professor McGonagall  shrieked, ushering the students out of the hall with a shooing gesture, "Not you Miss Granger." She whispered as Hermione tried to leave. "I'm going to deal with the students, I want to see both of you in my office in one hour!" The elderly witch insisted, darting out of the hall after the students.

"Severus, what the hell was that?!" Hermione sighed, "that My love, was my way of proving to you that you have nothing to fear. I made a vow to you that I would fix you and I shall not go back on my word. You felt it when I kissed you and you know it!"
Hermione brought her lips to his and they melted into each other, this time the kiss was lingering. "I want you to help me, I don't recognise myself anymore! I don't want to be like this, or feel like this..." Hermione choked, giving in to her emotions. "I know, my love... and that's the first step to recovery... allowing someone who loves you to help you."