Biding Time
by
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Snape/Molly
Word Count: 317
Disclaimer: All the characters are Rowling's. The situations they're in are mine. No profit was made.
Summary: The long-widowed Molly makes a startling discovery during one of Severus's weekly visits...
"I appreciate the tea."
"Thank you, Severus."
The silence fell as it usually did, but he made no move to get up, almost hugging the teacup to him as if proving he had a reason to be there. She saddened.
"Severus?" She placed her hand on his arm when he jumped and was startled by the unexpected look in his eyes: desire mixed with miserable guilt, quickly blinked away.
She considered now the months of what she thought were weekly duty visits since he'd gotten out of Azkaban and had, surprisingly, accepted her invitation to tea. She suddenly realized she felt more than sympathy for this man. He'd long driven her to exasperation with his secretive ways, but then, as the war had proved, he had a reason for them. She could respect that, and even admire it. That and their long years of acquaintance were more than enough basis for whatever might grow of this newfound realization.
"How long?"
"Pardon?"
"How long have you felt this way? And how long are you going to keep coming by for tea instead of telling me what it is you really want?"
"Molly..."
She smiled. "So you do know my name."
He swallowed and she touched his familiar and beloved face for a moment, feeling a deep thrill when he blushed and closed his eyes and then leaned his cheek into her palm.
"The war has been over for ten years, Severus. You paid your debt. You've been free for almost a year now. That's almost eleven years I've been a widow. Don't you think that's long enough to mourn? Long enough for both of us to stop living in the past?"
He took her hands in his. His trembled and she squeezed them.
"I've got you," she said quietly, gently.
When he drew in an uneven breath and moved to kiss her, she realized that she did, indeed.
~ FIN ~
Posted: 3 December 2006