Author's note - Disclaimer still in place. It was pointed out to me that I did not address the burn well medically, and I will be sure to address this in my revision once the story is over. Thank you for your input!
Chapter 3
Severus sat down on the couch next to Hermione. Cheyenne was chatting animatedly about how her daddy was here and how they would go to the park and the mall and the school and the fair and the bookstore and the…the list went on for quite awhile. Severus was sure she was going to list every single place she had ever been. And she just about did.
"…and we can show our old neighbor that I DO have a father, and wait until you see Mrs. Ruff's face when she sees my daddy! And we can go to the school and show that mean old teacher; oh she will be so embarrassed!" The little girl was going around the flat picking things up and showing them to Severus while not skipping a beat in telling him all the places they were destined to go. When she went into her room to pick out some things to show him, he took the moment to say to Hermione,
"I want to see her. I want to get to know her, but I can't handle us getting back together. I'll take care of you for taking care of her, but you still left me and kept me from her for so long. I still want nothing to do with a relationship with you." While the words were cold, his tone was not. It was the tone of a man who just realized what all he had missed, of the precious gift that was held away from him, and knowing that he would never get that time back. It was the tone of a man who finally realized what he was missing all those years, and whose emotions could not be described as they were so very different yet all occurring at the same time. Hermione knew that he was not ready for a relationship, and to be frank she did not want one herself.
"That's fine. Just don't you dare try to take her away from me."
"…and we can go show Bernie Longhorn and he will be sorry he ever said I was a no body! Look, Daddy, this is Goose. He is my best friend. He goes with me absolutely EVERYWHERE. And he likes to eat carrots and pie. You know, I like carrots and pie but not together that's yucky." Severus realized if he didn't say something soon she would never quit talking. While it was quite apparent that Cheyenne was excited to have a father, it was also noticeable just how nervous she was about him seeing her for the first time and wanting to impress him.
"Cheyenne, please quit that incessant chatter. We will go everywhere at some point but not today. I think today your mother and I would like to take you to my house so you can see where I live." He looked at Hermione, unsure of what she would say. Of course, he hadn't talked to her about that, but while he expected her to be angry she just looked defeated.
"No, I think just you and your daddy can go. Mommy needs to take care of some things here." Hermione got up and went into the bedroom to get Cheyenne's shoes and an extra coat.
While she was in there, Cheyenne walked up to Severus – quiet for the first time since they met. She tilted her head, leaned forward, and asked, "Why is your nose so big?"
Severus laughed again. This little girl was nothing like he expected. "It's big because I like to smell the potions I brew."
"Like mommy?" Severus didn't know what Hermione did for a living, and if she was brewing potions surely she could afford more than this. He started to get angry, but didn't let it show.
"Yes. Now, I need to find your mother and then we will leave." Cheyenne nodded and sat on the couch bouncing her legs with anticipation. Severus went into the room that Hermione was in, and found her with a pair of shoes in her hand with socks stuffed into one shoe, a coat over her arm, and a letter in her hand. She looked up, startled, set the letter down on a desk and smiled. Gesturing out of the room, the two of them went into the living room where Cheyenne was still sitting on the couch and bouncing her legs non-stop.
"Cheyenne, quit bouncing so I can put your shoes on, please." Cheyenne did, but only one leg at a time. She was too excited to be calm now. Once Hermione got both shoes on, gave the coat to Severus, and sent them on their way did she finally let sink in what was happening to her.
The letter she had received while getting the shoes was it. Severus wouldn't be able to help in time, and she honestly didn't want to resort to asking him for help anyways. She might have to, but she sure as hell didn't want to. That letter was an eviction notice, effective immediately. She remembered in the muggle world a landlord had to give so many days notice – apparently that was not so in the wizarding world. Still, she knew this day was coming. She already had boxes ready to be packed. With a few flicks of her wand, she had everything neatly packing itself into the boxes she had. A few more flicks and the boxes were shut, sealed, and shrunk. To see her life in the palm of her hand, and knowing it honestly wasn't much more when it wasn't shrunk, she pocketed the boxes, and began with the furniture. She shrunk everything, until she got to the desk. That was when she decided to write Severus and ask him to keep Cheyenne overnight while she found a place to stay. Well, she didn't say it like that.
Severus,
Something has come up and I have to go into work.
Please keep Cheyenne overnight. I will owl you tomorrow.
Thank you,
Hermione
Sending off the letter, she shrunk the desk. Looking around her fourth flat in three years, she was used to seeing it empty. It still pulled at her heart strings, as each time she left so many memories with it. She knew she couldn't stay there any longer. Leaving the flat and walking to her landlord's door, she dropped the keys in front of the door without so much as knocking. Leaving the building, Hermione couldn't help but feel that this was all rushed. That the past few weeks were rushed. Hermione got back in touch with friends, Cheyenne met her father, they were evicted, and she was sure that her boss was going to fire her when she went back because she had to miss work today due to Cheyenne's mishap last night and that Mrs. Ruff would no longer watch her properly.
With an overdue sigh, Hermione began to walk. She didn't know where she was going with all of her possessions in her pocket, but she had to go somewhere. Mindlessly she walked into a nearby café, where she sat and began to think. She had no money, so she couldn't get anything. But she sat there.
Then she saw a Daily Prophet from earlier this morning. Picking it up, it had the same usual drabble about Quidditch, the minister's latest actions, and social gossip, but in the back were ads. Ads for places to live and jobs, both of which she needed. She opened to the ad's page, and began looking.
Meanwhile, at Severus' house (which was more like a manor), Cheyenne was loving the banisters on the staircases. When she first jumped on one and began to slide, Severus almost had a heart attack and charmed the banister to not let her fall off. She was also loving the smooth floor she could slide around on in her socks – again, Severus about keeled over when she ran into a suit of armor. She had laughed, while his heart was pounding in his ears. Did this child no nothing of decorum? He asked her such, and her reply was,
"Deck what? Silly goose, he is made of metal I can't deck him! I'll hurt my hand!" It took him all of five minutes to realize what she said. Then he realized – I am talking to a six year old. An absolutely crazy six year old. He realized they had been playing at his house for hours, and he remembered that she hadn't eaten at Hermione's.
"Aren't you hungry? It is about lunch time and you didn't even eat breakfast!" Her reply broke his heart. Literally.
"I didn't know you had food. I don't ever ask for food because when I do I see mummy crying and I didn't want to make you cry. Please don't cry. But I am hungry, I haven't eaten in days." He almost thought this was an exaggeration, but he stopped himself. There was a good chance she was completely serious. Snapping his fingers, a house elf appeared.
"Yes, Master Snape."
"Go fix a large lunch for my daughter and I. We will be in the dining room in ten minutes." The house elf – who had heard his master's rantings for the past few weeks, curiously looked at the girl trying to do a hand stand.
"Right away, Master." And with a pop, he was gone. Severus turned around in time to see Cheyenne upside down, her pretty, long, black hair falling all over the floor and a smile that showed a toothy grin and let out a childish laugh. His heart warmed, yet he still didn't believe it was all real. Walking over to her, he picked her up by her feet and she dangled in the air, squealing delightfully. This was the purest feeling Severus had ever felt. He had no ulterior motive when he played with Cheyenne. Not once did he think about what he would get for himself out of being with her. He only thought how he could keep her with a smile on her face. His daughter. It was becoming clear that he could never go back to being the same snarky git he once was. Well, he still would be to his students and those adults who may as well be first years, but with her – she would never…ever…see that man in him. To her, he would become her handsome prince.
Hermione was waiting impatiently on a bench in the park. She was waiting for her owl to return with any response to the dozens of letters she sent out about jobs, flats, and nannies. She wasn't sure why she sent out for nannies, but she also wasn't sure Severus would want to stick around once Cheyenne had her first fit around him. He wasn't the pleasantest of men, nor was he the most understanding. It was just a precaution. As she waited, she watched people play on the swings, in the jungle gyms, and run around the field. Kids of all ages were out with their parents. A little girl was jump roping while singing a rhyme, a boy just pushed another and a fight was about to start, a mother was pushing her toddler on the swings – probably for the first time. She began to remember all of her firsts with Cheyenne.
…
"Come to mummy! Cheyenne, come on! Just a little further…"
…
"Oh isn't is food good? Num num num! Yay, Cheyenne!"
…
"Oh my god…did you just say your first word? Say it again!"
"po'chen"
"Potion! Oh baby, that's wonderful!"
…
"You got it! Keep straight! Fly, baby, just be careful!"
There were moments when Hermione wanted to strangle Cheyenne, like the time she threw up on an interviewer, or the nights where she would cry non-stop. But never, not once, did she realize how hard it would be to share her. Severus had every right to see her, she kept telling herself, but that didn't mean it was easy to share her daughter. Cheyenne was HER daughter, she gave birth to her, she raised her…
"And look where it's got me, homeless, most likely unemployed…Cheyenne deserves better than me. Severus can take care of her…" She had to stop thinking like that. Cheyenne deserved both her parents, she couldn't resent Severus for being her father and she couldn't resent her situation. She just had to persevere.
Just then, her owl returned. Attached were several letters. Hermione took a deep breath, and went through them. Every single one of her inquires had received responses, most likely because Constantine would not leave without one. Taking a deep breath, she began to open the letters.
Dear Miss Granger,
I regret to inform you that you do not qualify for the
secretarial position at BNL Figstems, Attorney at Magical Law
Hope this finds you well,
Louis Figstem
…
Dear Miss Granger,
I apologize, however you will not be chosen to fill the position
of caregiver in the De'Lour household.
Antonia De'Lour
…
Miss Granger,
Please get a new owl, yours is persistent.
You didn't get the job at Books and Looks.
George Frank
…
Dear Miss Granger,
I hope this letter finds you well. You have qualified
for an interview today at 2:00 PM. Please see the front
secretary when you arrive.
I will talk to you soon,
Gerber Goodfreed
Magical Maladies Remedies
Hermione could not believe her luck. She expected all of the denials that she received, however did not expect to be given an opportunity! This could be the blessing that she had been praying for. Rushing to find a secluded area, Hermione pulled out the boxes she had in her pocket. Carefully reading the labels on the side (which she had written extra large for this purpose) she located the box that contained her clothing. She enlarged it, and began to sort. Her absolutely had to get this job. If she didn't, Severus would probably never let Cheyenne back with her. They had been homeless before, but never for more than a night or two. When it happened previously, an inn-keeper often took pity on them for a little while if they were slow. Hermione didn't want Cheyenne to know they were homeless again. Hermione about cried when she realized the best clothes she had were either stained or ripped. There was no way she would get the job dressed like that.
Stopping, she realized she hadn't even opened the rest of her mail. She would open them once she was changed and had her stuff put up. She didn't want to take the chance that someone would find her in this ally and try to rob her or worse. People now a days were not nice. Especially to people living on the streets. Especially to a woman living on the streets. Finally, she settled on her cleanest pair of jeans and a nice blouse with only one tear on the sleeve. Her interviewer would hopefully understand.
Quickly changing, putting her stuff up, shrinking the box, and returning to the main road, Hermione tried to find another bench to sit on. She found one about thirty feet away from her original bench, and it was secluded. That was perfect. Carefully bringing the letters out of her pocketbook as to not spill a box, she opened the last few pieces of mail.
Granger-
Where the hell are you? You better be dying, because
you no longer have a job here! Don't bother coming back to clean out
your desk, I already threw your stuff out and hired someone else.
Mr. Radhuber
…
Hermione,
Why haven't you written to me since the wedding?
I know it has been a long time, but come on, I am
your friend.
Harry
…
Miss Granger,
Your application for housing in Diagon Alley has been declined.
Have a pleasant day!
Beatrice Kelly
Head of Diagon Alley Housing
…
Hermione,
You sound like a wonderful person. As I had stated in the
ad, I have a spare room available. The person that lives there will
need to be able to be there overnight, as I am an old woman
with no family left and I need someone young enough to care
for the house. I have no problem with you bringing your
daughter, she might bring me joy. Please let me know
when you can meet me in London today to discuss the
living situation. I look forward to hearing from you,
Augusta Willard
…
Miss Granger,
Your request for financial aid from the ministry has been denied.
We help people who have lost the male figure, not those who
never had one.
I hope this finds you well,
Sincerely,
Don Ward
Head of Children and Families Aid
The news wasn't all bad. Hermione had expected to lose her job, but now she had an interview. Hopefully that would go well. The living situation was not ideal, taking care of an elderly woman on top of a six-year-old, but it was better than her current. Still, nothing was sure. She began writing her replies.
Severus received Hermione's letter, and he knew something was wrong. But now was not the time to investigate, as Cheyenne had fallen while running and was currently crying at the top of her lungs – an unreal pitch that hurt his ears…and his heart. He could not explain why he fell in love so quickly with this girl, but he had and he could not go back. He held her, soothing her gently and telling her it would be okay. Finally, she sniffled a little and looked at him.
"Are you going to sing the boo-boo song?"
"I do not know that song."
"Everyone knows it! Boo-boo, go away, quit hurting Cheyenne this way, boo-boo, no more mean, I wave my wand and Cheyenne is clean!"
"I am not going to sing that song. You are fine."
"Sing it or it will keep hurrrrrrting," she began to cry again. Severus sighed.
"Boo-boo, go away, quit hurting Cheyenne this way, boo-boo, no more mean, I wave my wand and Cheyenne is clean." He did wave his wand and murmured a little spell and the scrape was healed. Cheyenne squealed with happiness, hugged him, and then kissed him on the cheek. She got up and continued playing while Severus sat there, his hand on his cheek, and his eyes wide. He wondered how many more times this little girl was going to surprise him. He loved it, he couldn't deny that fact. In fact, he loved her more each time, if it were possible.
"Cheyenne, I believe it is time we get cleaned up for dinner. It will be served soon." She nodded and raced him up the stairs to the restroom. He wasn't racing her, but he was still called a rotten egg for being the last one up the stairs. He chuckled. Watching her clean her hands to another song, he wondered how many more ridiculous rhymes he would have to learn when she was around. He was not a singer, he never was, never would be. Those rhymes were silly, and they never healed or did anything. As the thought about this, he came to the realization this his life would never be the same as it once was, and all propriety and standards went out the window.
Here is the third chapter, longest yet. Again, I am trying to get as much out as possible during break. Let me know what you think, anything you notice that needs work, and what you would like to see. Hermione and Severus still have a lot to talk about, and their relationship is not going to come quickly. I am sorry, but after the pain they both have been through I think it will take a lot of mending. So get ready for a long haul! Let me know your opinions, they keep me encouraged.
Until next time,
Mummy Goose