Beta: Ms. Marauder-Cullen

Unexpected Family

Severus slipped into a pair of deep blue jeans, a long sleeved, button up deep green shirt, and a pair of black boots. He slipped his wand up his sleeve. He walked outside the gates of Hogwarts. He needed to clear his head. He'd sat in his chambers and walked around the school grounds for a week. It was time for a change of scenery and the only place that helped was the park in the muggle world. He thought of the park and was gone with a faint pop.

Severus appeared on a wooden trail that leads to the park. He walked onto the grounds and over to a bench and watched the children play. He had wanted a family for years, but the war and spying hadn't let him pursue that dream. He didn't want them in danger. So he put it on hold. The Ministry had passed the Marriage Law and would now allow him to have that dream.

He thought of Hermione and Tobby. The idea of her marrying another man and that man raising his son instead of him, made him sick. The more he thought about Tobby, the more he wanted to be in his life. He was his flesh and blood. He was his son.

Severus turned his head and his heart stopped at who stood before him. It was Hermione Granger. He had forgotten that she had moved to Westside after her parents divorced and her mother left her and John alone. He couldn't help but notice the change. She had gotten beautiful and turned into the woman he knew she would be.

Hermione's once unruly curly hair was in slick ringlets that stopped at the middle of her back. She wore light makeup that enhanced her facial features; especially her bright brown eyes. She wore clothes that showed off her woman figure.

Severus could tell she had a child by the small amount of weight in her stomach area and hips. She wore clean cut clothes that hid it quite well. He thought that it made her look more beautiful. She looked much healthier and the glow of motherhood shown from her. He didn't see Tobby. He figured that Mr. Granger was looking after him to give her a small break.

Hermione walked over to the bench and smiled. "May I join you?" she asked.

Severus realized that she didn't recognize him. He had changed, since he'd removed the charm. He smiled. "Yes." He slid over and she sat down.

"I'm Hermione Granger," she said, holding out her hand.

Severus thought fast and said, "Sebastian Prince." He shook her hand.

He figured he'd get to know her on a personal level much easier if he introduced himself by his middle name and his mother's maiden name; he wouldn't be lying about who he was. He could be himself with her and maybe meet his son and a find house, since Spinner's End had burnt down during the war.

"Do you have any children?" Severus asked, trying to make small talk.

Hermione smiled at the man. "Yes. Tobby's five weeks. Tobby's godfather, Harry, is watching him. He told me I needed a break and to take a walk."

Severus nodded. He could tell she was exhausted from lack of sleep. "Yes, newborns can be hard work. I don't have any children, but I have a baby sister and I had to watch a good bit when my mother wasn't able. Constance lives in Wales."

"Are you new to the neighborhood? I haven't seen you around here." Hermione asked him.

"I'm actually looking to buy. I've heard this is a good place to live."

"Oh, that's great. Do you mind taking a walk with me? A house for sale isn't far from here." Hermione said excitedly.

Severus stood up and extended his hand to her. She smiled and took his hand. They walked out of the park and down the sidewalk. He told her that he was a chemist and liked to garden herbs and made oils and bath supplies during his free time. He would like to have a place with a nicely sized yard and a basement to set up a small lab.

"Here we are." Hermione told him.

The house was a two story brick house with a small front porch, large back yard and a patio with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large attic, basement, and a standard kitchen.

Hermione looked for the key mumbling to herself. Severus gently pressed his body against her back and reached inside the bottom of the outside light. He unlocked the door. "My dad must have moved the key." she told him.

"It's quite alright." He opened the door for her. "Ladies first."

Hermione walked into the house. "You truly are one of a kind Sebastian Prince." she said with a small smile. He walked into the house, leaving the front door open for light.

The living room was floored with cream white carpe and had a large stone fire place. The hall on the right lead to the stairs to the second floor. The kitchen was across the living room. It had a counter in the center that broke it off from the sitting area to the cooking area. A door on the right lead to the back yard.

"Yes, this will work nicely." He said in approval.

"Great. I'll tell dad, once he returns from his office." Hermione told him and looked at her watch. "Sweet Merlin, look at the time. It's nearly five. It was nice meeting you Sebastian. I'll see you soon."

He nodded, locked the door, and placed the key back in the light. "It was nice meeting you Hermione." They went their separate ways.

Hermione had informed her father about Sebastian Prince and that he wanted to buy the house down the street on the right. She knew John had been trying to sell the house, since he started to sell homes. Because once he and Hermione had moved, he sold his denial clinic.

John met Sebastian and they discussed a payment plan. He knew that Sebastian had money and ended up paying for the home within three months in advance and than paying the rest gradually over the course of several months. He told John he hated leaving loose ends, when he could take care of it during a short period of time. John couldn't argue with the man, because he did the same thing.

****

Hermione walked down the street with Tobby in the baby carrier. Sebastian was moving into the neighborhood. Harry had gone to see his boyfriend Draco at Malfoy Manor. John had to work. She knew that Sebastian would most likely need help settling into his home.

Hermione knocked on the opened door. She stuck her head into the small entrance hall and saw boxes all over the living room. "Hello," she called, "Sebastian?"

Severus walked down the stairs when he heard his name being called. He smiled at Hermione. "Hello Hermione." He said and looked down into the carrier and saw Tobby sleeping. "This must be Tobby." She nodded her head. "Come in." He stepped aside and Hermione stepped over the threshold.

"I thought you would like some help. I know how it can be moving into a new house. It takes days to get settled in." Hermione told him.

"I'd love the help." He told her, watching her put the carrier down on the floor with the baby bag. "He's a very beautiful baby," He said, kneeling down and gently stroking Tobby's small hand. He couldn't help but be amazed. "He looks like you."

Hermione shook her head, and then opened one of the boxes labeled living room. "He looks like his father."

Severus didn't push the subject. He only nodded and helped her unpack boxes. They went through boxes in comfortable silence, and then Tobby began to fuss. Hermione moved over to her son. She grabbed Tobby from the carrier. Severus held out a bottle to her.

"Thank you Sebastian." Hermione said with a smile, then leaned again the wall.

Severus sat down next to her. He watched Tobby open his eyes. Severus's breath caught in his throat. He was the perfect blend of his mother and father. Hermione turned her head to the left and smiled at the man next to her.

"I've wanted children for a very long time. I just haven't found the right woman to settle down with yet."

"Do you want to feed him?" Hermione asked him. She watched him closely. She could tell in his eyes he wanted to, but he was fighting himself. "Sebastian, it's just like you did with your little sister when she was baby."

Severus took a deep breath. It would be the first time he'd hold his son. He slowly nodded his head. He took Tobby from Hermione and took the bottle. Severus felt his chest swell with pride and love. It was beyond anything he'd felt before. Severus turned and looked at Hermione. She saw overwhelming pride and love that shined. She didn't know why she was blushing. He smiled and turned his attention back to Tobby.

"He's incredible." He whispered, placing him back into the carrier. They quietly got back to work.

Hermione couldn't help but wonder why he looked like a man that was holding his son for the first time. She mentally shook her head. She grabbed the radio and turned it on low. He watched her dance around unpacking. Severus couldn't help but stand back and watch her. Hermione Granger was truly one of a kind. It was something had never noticed before. He only saw her as a student and not as the woman in front of him.

Harry knocked on the opened door. "Hello, I'm Harry Potter." He introduced himself, holding out his hand.

"Sebastian Prince." He said and shook his hand. "I assume you are here to take Hermione and Tobby back with you." Harry nodded. Severus motioned for Harry to come inside.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked, looking up at the clock on the mantle. "Oh good heavens. It's nearly supper time. I lost track of the time."

"It's alight Mia." Harry said. He had started calling her that after Draco had given her the nickname. "Draco's staying over for supper." He had moved in with her and John after Tobby had been born, so he would be there to help with Tobby.

Severus handed Harry Tobby, who was sleeping in the carrier. He took the baby bag and turned to Hermione. "Thank you for your help."

He kissed her cheek in a friendly guesser. Hermione blushed. They left the house. Severus sighed and closed the door behind them. He looked around; the house felt empty and too quiet. He shook his head and went to fix himself some supper.

****

Draco kissed Hermione on each cheek and pulled her into a hug. He had changed after the war. He had been with her at the hospital when Tobby was born. He had been at the raid when she was raped and saw how hard it had been on her.

Then during the war, he had saved Harry from a curse before it hit him in the back. They had worked things out between them, and they had found out they had crushes on each other since they were in their fourth year. They had been together since. Hermione, John, Narcissa, and Lucius knew they were a couple. And to the couple's surprise, Draco's parents supported them.

Draco got his 'nephew' from the carrier and smiled. He was crazy about Tobby and could tell that he was going to be very powerful. He wasn't surprised, knowing who his parents were. He knew that Tobby Snape was going to be very intelligent.

The family enjoyed a nice supper. Hermione told them about Sebastian. Draco looked at Hermione in surprise. "Sebastian Prince?" He immediately knew that was his godfather, Severus Snape, because his family called him Sebastian.

After supper, Draco stayed for a few hours, before he left to go back to the manor. He wasn't going home though. He was going to see Severus. He walked down the road and saw him sitting on the front porch.

"Well, well look who I caught in my net." said Draco with a smirk. "Sebastian I hope you know that this won't last long." he said, sitting down next to him. "Once you return to Hogwarts, Hermione will know the truth."

Severus ran his fingers through his hair. "I know. I know. She didn't recognize me, Draco. I just wanted to get to know her. I met my son today." he smiled. "I've never felt anything like it. It was incredible."

Draco stood up. "Sebastian, just don't go and fall in love with her." he told him and left.

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