Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. Anything recognizable belongs to JK Rowling. I only have my characters and the plot.

Always a Stranger

Chapter 4

The Snapes once again took hold of a Portkey, and an instant later they were gone.

They appeared a moment later in the next safe house.

The first thing Hermione noticed was the sound of howling wind. The next, icy blue light streaming through uncovered glass windows, followed by the emptiness of the house.

Severus also noted that the house seemed empty. He quietly signaled to Hermione to stay with the children, and for Ronan to follow him. Their search was straightforward. There were no trapdoors, no apparent cellar. The house was made of stone with plaster walls. Multi-paned windows and a fenced off kitchen garden completed the "cottage by the sea" look. The house was, indeed, by the sea located up on a steep rocky cliff and the look out the windows would have been magnificent under different circumstances. As it was, the wind whipped around the little cottage, and it seemed to increase the feeling of emptiness. The waves crashing on the surf far below the rocky ledge made the whole area seem desolate.

Inside, at least, seemed well insulated. There was a large sitting room with a table off to one side. Four doors led off the main room. On the eastern side was the front door, leading directly outside; the sea to the west, behind them. To the north were two doors. One door revealed a loo with a claw-foot tub. Beside it was a small galley kitchen and pantry. The cupboards were filled with non-perishable canned goods as well as dishes, pots, and utensils. In the ceiling there were a set of pull-down stairs which led to a dry, empty, crawlspace attic. On the opposite wall another door opened into a large bedroom with two double beds. The beds were made and several books as well as a checkers and chess set were laid out on a small table.

After giving the all clear. Hermione and Severus went to start a fire in the empty hearth, and since they were alone, they allowed the children time to explore, relax, and play. It would be a few hours before lunch, and in the evening they would be receiving their next set of instructions, so Severus and Hermione decided to take a little time for themselves as well. They both sat on the couch staring into the fire. Hermione leaned her head to rest over Severus' heart and he tucked the top of her head under his chin. She wove her arms around his waist, and he held her close.

She tried to push all thoughts of the future out of her mind. She was frightened, to be sure, but her family was together and for now that was enough. She drew on her love for her husband and inhaled deeply, trying to relax. She was almost asleep, when she felt him flinch; in an instant he was up again, pacing.

"Severus, please! Slow down, what is wrong?"

"What is wrong?!? What is wrong? What is possibly not wrong?" he scoffed.

Then, just as abruptly, he turned to her with the most vulnerable expression on his face.

"Gods, Hermione, I just feel so helpless. My family is in danger, it's entirely my fault, and I'm powerless to help them. Their safety is completely dependent on a plan I know nothing about. And I'm just about crazy with the thought of what would become of me if anything happened to any of you!"

Getting up, she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him into the kitchen and closed the door behind them.

She knew her husband, and knew this would be coming eventually. Obviously, he would never emote like this in front of another soul. She also felt that venting was a good and healthy thing; however, she didn't need her children to be freaking out at this point by walking in on their father like this. She discreetly locked the kitchen door, and turned to him.

"Severus Snape, listen to me!"

"I love you more than I've ever loved anything in my whole life." Hermione continued, more gently, "You are marvelous, cunning, and absolutely brilliant. You've come up with a plan that gives us a pretty good chance of finally defeating You-Know-Who forever. I would do anything to preserve the knowledge in that beautiful head of yours!"

"Please, sit down. I'll make you some tea." Severus complied as Hermione put the kettle on to boil.

She moved around to stand in front of him; she ran her hands through his hair and laid his head upon her breast. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her hips. He just rested, breathing in the comforting scent that was Hermione. "Severus, you have to know, this is not how it was in the beginning, seventeen years ago. Back then, when Harry attempted his first defeat, and your true loyalties were revealed, they wanted revenge. Voldemort needed to see you punished for your betrayal. Now it's something altogether different. Severus, you are a weapon. You are a most powerful wizard, and you have the knowledge to defeat him. Between you, Harry, and Dumbledore, he doesn't stand a chance, and he knows it. This is a setback, to be sure – but you must know that if the Order lost you, they would be crippled. We need you, as much as we need Dumbledore, Harry, or the prophecy. Of course, they will go to any lengths to protect us. We just need to keep our heads together, and wait it out. I don't know where we'll end up, or what will happen - as long as we are together, there is a part of me that doesn't even care! I don't care, as long as we are all safe, together."

Severus looked up to her, eyes imploring, "I hope you are right, I would hate for you or the children to suffer in some mad hidey-hole for Merlin knows how long until the potion is complete."

That was it, Hermione was on fire now.

"I don't care how long we have to wait – as long as in the end the bastard is dead! As for the children, they'll adjust. They are made of strong stock. As for me, hell, I've lived with this war over my head since I entered Hogwarts. For the past twenty-four years, I've had to live with the threat of that snake-faced mutant! I would do just about anything if it meant my children didn't have to grow up in that same world."

The kettle started to whistle.

Hermione moved away, and rummaged through the cupboards until she found two mugs. She moved to the sideboard where she found the Brown Betty tea pot and a box of PG Tips. She had the feeling these small comforts would have even more meaning in the days to come. She moved to the table with the tea.

"Now, Wife, what were you saying about me being indispensable to the wizarding world?" he asked with a velvety chuckle.

"Severus?"

"Yes, Wife?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

Just as they started to deepen their kiss, and Hermione crawled into Severus' lap, they heard the rattle of the doorknob.

"I found them!" they heard the voice of Nikolas, who was unrelenting in his relay of information. "The kitchen door is locked; do you imagine they fancied a snog?" He called loudly to his siblings.

His two brothers groaned audibly.

"Gentlemen, keep it clean." Severus half-heartedly rebuked.

"Time for lunch!" announced Hermione as she opened the door. "Boys, youngest to oldest, start in the bath. There are fresh towels, and I brought along your toothbrushes. I also noticed a fresh set of Muggle clothing for each of you. I want you each to wash and change. Take advantage of it now, I cannot promise when it will come again."

By the time they were finished, a pleasant lunch was laid out on the table. Hot soup with crackers and smoked salmon filled everyone up.

After washing up from lunch, Severus met with the boys in the sitting room as Hermione bathed the girls.

After they were seating comfortably, Severus began a discussion with his boys. "This pertains mostly to you older two, but Jean-Luc, I want you to hear what I have to say as well. As you already know, underage magic outside Hogwarts is forbidden. You also know that our family finds itself in perilous conditions in which magic is completely forbidden. I do not mean to scare you, but if we were to use any magic at all, the enemy would know where we are. Right now, they are after us because I have information on a weapon we can use against You-Know-Who. At present, Ronan and Nikolas, I am in conflict as to what to do and, as my quandary concerns you, I'd like your input. I've thought long and hard about what to do with your wands. One option would be for them to keep with you, or at least, Ronan, for you to keep your wand. We in no way want you to be defenseless, but even magic used in defense would bring Death Eaters down upon us. However, that is not to state that you might not hazard circumstances in which your wand may save your life. Therein lays the crux of the problem."

Severus sat back and gave his children time to digest this information. He could see Ronan thinking, concentration evident in his eyes, although any sign of consternation on his face was hidden behind an impervious mask. No such pretense was present with this second son. He furrowed his brow, and looked to be in deep thought as well, various emotions flickering across his face. Severus allowed himself a moment of paternal pride toward his sons, Ronan the embodiment of a proper Ravenclaw and Nikolas a Gryffindor through and through. He chuckled to himself - each house's characteristics so evident in the boys. Next, he appraised Jean-Luc. He did not fancy himself one of these parents who went on and on trying to prematurely guess their child's eventual Hogwarts house status. Well, that is to say, he was not obsessed with it. He thought it only natural that a Hogwarts alumnus and professor would be curious as to where the Sorting Hat would place certain people. If he thought that if it were possible to have a child in Hufflepuff, it would be Jean-Luc. He was loyal, easygoing, and so honestly nice. He was uncommonly brave, yet not fiercely independent or headstrong. If his sorting were tomorrow, Severus would place his bet with Hufflepuff. As for Slytherin, he was pretty sure that would be the house for his girls. It really was too early to tell, however, they both exhibited some pretty Slytherin tendencies. They would all have to wait and see.

Severus was roused from these musings by the sound of Ronan gently clearing his throat.

"Father, if it is acceptable to you, I'd like to give you possession of my wand for the time being. Obviously, as your son, I willfully submit myself to your rightful authority and believe you will always act in our best interests. I have no immediate fear for my safety while in your charge. I do thank you however for your consulting us. It means a lot to me to think that my opinion matters to you." came Ronan's gentle reply.

Relief washed over Nikolas as he responded with a smile, "Yeah, Dad, take mine too. I don't even want it. I would never want to be responsible for bringing the Death Eaters here!"

Severus was also relieved. He smiled fondly at his boys. They all smiled back. He held out his hand to the eldest two for their wands. After they were firmly tucked up his sleeve, Severus turned to the boys and asked, "Now, who will be the first to challenge me in a game of chess?"

The stress of their situation was forgotten for a while as they spent some time together as father and sons.

Hermione took her time to bathe and dress the girls. There were fresh sets of Muggle clothing for each member of the Snape clan. As Hermione dressed the girls in clean pants, shirts, and jumpers, she was pleased to realize they would have time for the girls' hair to dry before they had to be moving on again. No drying spells. No detangling charms. OK… you can do this. Hermione thought to herself thinking of her own hair.

After their bath, Hermione and the girls settled on one of the beds with a story book. Not long after, the two girls had snuggled under a blanket and were fast asleep. Hermione looked down on them, and momentarily thought of a nap herself, when her husband poked his head in the door.

Walking over to the bed, he announced, "Ronan just thoroughly, legitimately, trounced me in a game of chess. I have officially determined that all bets are off with that lad."

"Ah, then his status in the illustrious house of Ravenclaw is not mislaid. Comforting."

"Do I detect a note of negative humor, Wife?" Severus purred, and slid in behind his spouse.

He started rubbing her shoulders, kneading the knotted flesh beneath nimble fingers. "Gods, woman, you are tense."

"Yes, something about being on the run from a horde of evil, dark wizards must do that to me."

"Tut, tut, Madam, I think you need to take a nice long soak in the tub and relax for a bit."

"Mmmmm yes, I'd like to relax for a bit." Hermione sighed, wriggling herself deeper into his embrace.

"As much as I would love a… distraction, at present, I must insist you cease these advances immediately." Severus playfully growled, then leaned in closer to her ear. His breath warm on her skin, he whispered, "Trust me, Wife, when the time comes, I will not hesitate to take you in every way imaginable."

Fortified with the promise of things to come – Gods knew whenever that would be- she padded out of the door for the aforementioned bath.

Indeed, a nice long soak did Hermione a world of good. She braided her hair, and gathered it together in a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Complete, with a green jumper and a pair of black jeans, she donned her black dragon-hide boots, and was ready for another venture into the unknown.

When she came out of the loo, Severus was asleep on the bed she recently vacated.

After a quick check on the boys, who were now firmly ensconced in their own game of chess, Hermione went into the kitchen to start on supper.

Taking inventory, she quickly got to work. There were several cans of meats, vegetables, and soups. She started with several cans of chicken breast, added it to a few cans of broth, a can of cream soup, a can of carrots and peas, and let that warm up. When this was hot, she added just enough flour to make rich gravy, and as luck would have it, she located a boxed mix, so dumplings were added to the stew. Hermione also considered them fortunate to find a few cans of pears, as well as some cans of pudding and a small tin of biscuits. It felt like camping, but all things considered, it was a veritable feast.

As Hermione was cooking, Severus woke up, showered and dressed.

The girls woke up soon after, and everyone washed up for supper. As the family tucked into the meal, the adults tried to keep the conversations light. They talked about the latest potions research, Quidditch, and books. No one spoke of the situation they were in, or anyone they knew; no one mentioned Hogwarts or home, even though it was on everyone's mind.

After the dishes cleared, the family went around the house making sure everything was as they found it.

They all stopped as they heard a knock at the door.

"Open up Severus, it's me Tonks! It's freezing out here!"

"Prove it!" he barked through the door. He peered through the peep hole.

Tonks muttered something like "Constant bloody Vigilance" under her breath as she morphed into Molly Weasley, then Ron Weasley, followed by Minerva McGonagall.

"Well, quit showing off and get in here." gruffed Severus.

Tonks' face brightened when she stepped into the room. "Wotcher, Snapes!"

"Oh, Tonks!" Hermione cried, as she leapt up to embrace the other witch. "It's good to see a familiar face."

"You lot as well," replied Tonks, "we have been really worried about you."

"Well, we're doing well. Just waiting for our next set of instructions." affirmed Hermione.

"Yes, what news have you to share?" asked Severus.

"I'm afraid, not much. Not much new on the Slughorn situation. His body is being held at the Ministry, 'pending investigation', or some such rubbish. The Death Eaters have not officially taken credit for that, although we know it was them, there was no Morsmorde cast. Although odd, perhaps they wanted to send a signal, or keep things on the sly. Albus is looking into it."

"As for your next stop over, I can only give you the location."

Handing Severus a portkey, Tonks announced to them all:

"You're off to the Land of the Elves!"

"Cool, Iceland!" howled Nikolas, as he ran over to his parents.

The other children soon followed and not long after the Family Snape was gathered around another Portkey.

They Portkeyed away.

Tonks whispered into the empty air, "Good luck, Snapes. We're doing everything we can to keep you safe."

Author's notes:

Just a few clarifications. Hermione states she has had to live with the threat of the snake-faced mutant for 24 years. That is since she entered Hogwarts. At the time of this story she is 35 years old. A Brown Betty teapot is a British teapot. The design and the clay it is made from make a superior cup of tea (in my humble opinion.) and PG Tips are the UK's most popular brand. Yum. For more info: Thanks to all who have read! Please review!