Two days alter Hermione was asked to attend the interview at the given address. It was a small café in Muggle London. It was in a quiet area with low pedestrian traffic, perfect for apparating if necessary. Hermione could not find a baby sitter so she regretfully brought Ryalta along with her. Hopefully Ryalta behaved long enough not to embarrass her mother. Cautiously she walked in and was met by a waitress.

"What will you be having?" asked the waitress.

"A tea for me and orange juice for my daughter." She answered. The waitress left and returned a few minutes later with the order. They sat there in relative silence. At noon exactly the front door swung open with the tinkling of bells. Hermione looked up to find the unexpected. There stood Severus staring her down. He wasn't in his usual teaching robes but still wore all black. He sat at the table across from Hermione and Ryalta. "So you're my potential boss?" Asked Hermione with a slight smile. At least it was someone she knew and knew how to handle.

"Granger." Responded Severus while pouring himself a cup of tea. Severus looked over his cup at the small child quietly eyeing him. "And may I ask who this is?"

"This is my daughter Ryalta. I'm sorry, I couldn't find a babysitter." Severus sat quietly for a moment.

"We can have this meeting somewhere else…with better tea." Severus stood and paid the tab. "Come with me." he said. Hermione picked up Ryalta and followed Severus. His hair had gotten longer and he filled out, no longer the painfully thin potions master of old. Severus walked around the corner to a quiet alley, stopped and turned to find Hermione with Ryalta in tow a few feet away. "Is she okay to apparate with?"

"Oh, yes she is." Severus nodded his head peering down at the dark haired child. He grabbed on to both securely and they apparated. They landed in front of a house on the edge of a forest. "Where are we?"

"This is my home and workplace." Severus steadied Hermione who was off balance due to Ryalta. "I figured we could talk while Ryalta played in the yard." He said as he walked around to the back of the house. For a moment Hermione was stunned. The back yard was huge with a sizeable greenhouse on one side.

"Oh." Hermione was surprised. He was being nice. "Ryalta, This is Mr. Severus Snape. He was my teacher in school. He will let you play in the garden so long as you promise to behave." She said as she pushed Ryalta's curls out of her face. "Promise?"

"Yes mommy." Ryalta turned to Severus. "Thank you Mister." Hermione put her down and Ryalta made an instant beeline for the grass. When She was far out of earshot and no longer paying attention Severus began his questions.

"How old is she?"

"She's three. She'll be four in August."

"Who is the father?" Severus was dreading the answer would be Potter or Weasley.

"I…I don't know." Severus was about to ask but she stopped him with her hand. "I got drunk one night and decided to have a one night stand. It was consenting on both our parts but I don't remember who the man was." Severus mulled this over.

"How have you been faring?"

"I was employed but once I got pregnant while unmarried I was fired for my post and there was nothing I could do. I hid it for a while before anyone noticed. I didn't get morning sickness or anything. I didn't start to show until my eighth month. How I've been faring since then? Just barely, I had the money I was awarded after the war along with my parents inheritance but a child is expensive."

"No one to help you?" He was very confused now. how was there no one to help her. He understood that her parents were dead but what about her friends?

"No, after the war Ron and I split. It was anything but amicable. Harry left the country. Ginny has a busy life. Luna teaches at Hogwarts now and is always busy and Neville is leading a busy life as well. The Weasley's banished me when Ron and I split. So no, there is no one to help me. And I could use the help. Her magic is starting to become apparent." Severus mulled this information. The trio had disbanded. She was alone and she was stressed. Dealing with a small magical child was not an easy task. He would know from experience after dealing with Draco.

"Ms. Granger I have looked over your resume and seeing as how I was your teacher for six years I know what you are capable of and I will hire you but we need to work out something for you and Ryalta." Hermione turned and stared at Severus. She didn't expect him of all people to hire her but her she was.

"I…umm…thank you." Severus nodded his head. I have more than enough room in my home should you want to stay but I know of a house that is in town that you and Ryalta could look into but we would be the only magical kind for miles around." Hermione turned back to look at Ryalta who was bending down inspecting the flowers without touching. It was then that Ryalta stood and came running to her mother and wrapped her small arms around her mother's leg. Severus was in awe of the child. She was a miniature of her mother only with black hair and blue eyes. She was far more tamed than her mother was as his student. As a matter of fact Hermione was much calmer now, though war and having to raise a child alone would do that.

Hermione herself had grown a few inches taller, now reaching up to his eyes. Her hair was a little more tamed but still curly and much longer. She had a womanlier figure. But that would be expected. The last he'd seen of her she was painfully thin from being on the run and not having enough to eat. He suspected neither of the trio could cook. Her countenance as a whole was evidence that she had grown up.

"I don't think I have the money to rent or buy a house. Are you okay with us moving in with you?" asked Hermione as she picked up Ryalta. Ryalta reached out to Severus with a chubby hand. Severus took the hand and the little girl smiled. It was a very rare occasion that children took a liking to him.

"I'm sure."

"Well then, Ryalta." The little girl turned her attention to Hermione without letting go of Severus. "We will be living here now? What do you think?" the child was quiet for a moment.

"Will I be able to look at the flowers and play in the grass?"

"Yes." Answered Severus. Ryalta grinned and giggled in her mother's arms.