None of this belongs to me. I'm just a measly college student finding ways to spend her time besides homework :)

Neither of them said anything for a long time. Severus dark eyes didn't leave her, but Hermione stared at the floor as she controlled her tears.

What am I to make of this? 'Little Draco?' Is she pregnant with his child? That must mean they've been having an affair longer than I thought. He's who she's going to run off with if this law gets repealed.

"He was right, you know." Her voice was so soft, but it still broke though his thoughts. When he didn't speak, she continued. "I refused him because of you. I would never cheat on you."

"The scene I walked in on said otherwise." Severus forced himself to keep his voice calm.

"You walked in and took it the wrong way!" she hissed. "You can give me Veritaserum if you don't believe me. Use your Legilimancy on me. Draco and I have told you the truth."

Severus didn't need any encouraging. He burrowed his hand in her mess of hair and jerked her head back. Wordlessly he entered her mind and replayed the events of the night. After watching everything he felt a pang in his chest.

What is this I keep feeling?! he growled in his mind. It seems... familiar.

Focusing again on the witch still in his grasp, he noticed tear tracks running down her face. Once he felt the pang again, he realized Hermione was the cause of them. He quickly brought his hand away from her and, with one last glance, fled from the room.

He needed some fresh-air to think this through.

Severus was only standing at the top of the Astronomy tower for a few minutes when he was joined by a visitor.

Minerva McGonagall took a place next to the dour Potions Professor. Neither of them said anything for the longest time; each taking in the beauty of the starry night. Severus' mind was busy with what he had viewed in Hermione's head and Minerva was thinking how to best broach the touchy subject with the man.

Although Minerva tried to fill the whole after Dumbledore's death, nobody would be as close to Severus as the previous headmaster had.

"I hear your young Mr. Malfoy came for a visit this afternoon," Minerva said softly.

"You seem to have mastered the 'know-all' skill required of all headmasters," Severus said dryly, not moving his eyes away from the scenery. "Now all you have left to master is the twinkling-eyes."

Minerva smiled despite the fact he was trying to change the subject. "I take it the visit didn't go well?"

Severus didn't respond right away. He didn't know what to make of the situation. If Dumbledore was still alive Severus would have gone to him for advice. Maybe this woman could be of some help. "When I came back from rounds I found Mr. Malfoy and my wife... in a peculiar situation." When Minerva didn't say anything he whispered very quietly, "I accused her of having an affair."

Minerva was shocked out of silence. "You didn't. Hermione would never do such a thing. That woman would move both the muggle and wizarding world for you if you asked it."

What Severus said next put Minerva in another bout of silence. "I'm beginning to realize how priceless she is." He let her process what he said and continued, "I don't know how to do this though."

"Do what?"

"Be a husband. Treat her the right way. I don't know if that is what I even want."

Minerva thought for a moment. "Do you remember what your life was like before the marriage law?"

Severus didn't hesitate, "Dark and lonely."

"And what about now?" she prompted.

This time Severus hesitated. "She gave me Esther. She has a... presence that can't be ignored."

"How would you feel if they weren't there anymore?" She didn't need him to answer; the pain etched onto his face said it all. "Then I suggest you do something about it."

"Do what?"

"That is something you have to figure out for yourself." She looked back over Hogwart's grounds one last time before leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Hope all is well:)