Resolutions
'I cannot believe that I actually allowed Hermione to talk me into making that completely asinine resolution,' Severus muttered to himself as he applied even more pressure to his temples. This was another vain attempt to ease the incessant pounding in his skull. Wearily, he eyed his colleagues' coffees, and then left the Head Table in total disgust. The one thing he needed the most to get through another dunderhead-filled day was again being denied to him. This morning he couldn’t stand the aroma, let alone the exuberant persons who were currently salivating over what he desired above everything else.
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Alone in her bedroom, Hermione struggled to pull on her trousers. They refused to go over her bum as easily as before. 'Damn resolution,' Hermione cursed as she tugged. Hall patrolling and calorie counting made no difference. She couldn’t lose one measly bit of extra weight. ‘Good child bearing hips my arse,' she muttered. Dolohov killed that fleeting hope years ago. She clenched her muscles, hopped up and down, then quickly flopped back on the bed the moment she felt her trousers move. She fastened and zipped before finally releasing her breath. ‘I wonder if Severus knows a weight-loss potion.’
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Much later in the day, over a glass of wine, Hermione found herself in her quarters staring into the fire. After a completely horrid day of teaching Charms, it took all she had not to break down and cry. A sharp rap at the door brought her out of her revere. She called out, 'Come in,' and waved her wand at the door to drop the wards.
Severus stormed into the room, his fingertips vigorously rubbing his temples. 'Hermione, I can't do this anymore,' he said when he was finally able to hear himself over the throbbing in his head.
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Hermione couldn't even look at him. 'Fine, Severus. I'll have a house elf bring your things to you. Now, would you please lea...' Hermione's voice broke, unable to keep her tears at bay.
‘For Merlin’s sake...' Severus muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'I'm referring to our damned resolutions. I can't go without my coffee. I know you want me healthy and as relatively stress-free as possible. To be honest, I can't take the withdrawal. Even my strongest pain-relieving potion doesn't help. I can't deal with that agony on top of the students' daily attempts to hex themselves stupid.'
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Hermione wept in relief. 'I can't tell you how relieved that makes me. I can’t keep up with the calorie counts and the extra patrols. I'm completely exhausted all the time. I can't focus on teaching some of the most basic Charms. If I ever again suggest something so foolish, I give you permission to hex me.'
The deep chuckle that resonated from Severus' throat took Hermione by surprise. It also eased some of the tension in Severus' head. 'Perhaps we can find a much more effective and pleasurable way for both of us to make progress with our resolutions.'
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Hermione looked up at him with hope and desire burning in her eyes. ‘You know of something more pleasurable than patrols and dieting? Whatever could that be?’ she asked coyly as she slowly reached for his proffered hand.
He quickly pulled her from the chair and held her close as he gently caressed her face. He said, ‘A thoroughly pleasurable and effective method which will give us both exactly what we need. You are in need, aren’t you Hermione?’ he asked with his brow raised in uncertainty.
‘I know that you have precisely what I need Severus,’ Hermione breathlessly replied.