Hermione gasped as she looked up at the house standing in front of her. It looked to be the size of a small mansion. The exterior looked like a turreted chateaux that looked to Hermione as though it was from a fairytale. The house was made of light stone, and had many windows and some French doors in front of the house to allow natural light in. She noticed that the French doors led out to small balconies, and she hoped her room had one of those. She looked behind her to see that there was a rather large fountain in front happily spraying water in the air to the delight of a couple of ducks that found themselves floating amongst the water lilies. Beyond the fountain were acres upon acres of beautiful rolling farmland and pastures that were brilliant greens, yellows, and light browns with crops and grass and flowers. Here and there she could see little moving creatures in the pastures and was delighted to make out that they were horses and cattle. The house was surrounded by rolling hills and some patches of woodland, and farther in the distance were mountains. Where the three of them stood, she finally noticed the gravel under her feet as they stood in the center of a circular drive. She was completely in love with the house and the land. She couldn't wait to have a look inside as she imagined that the house had an even more breathtaking interior.

Happy to see that Hermione seemed to be in awe of the house, Severus felt encouraged to give her a tour of the inside. He gently put a hand on her shoulder as he said, "Let's have a look inside so that I can give you the grand tour."

Hermione nodded eagerly as Severus led her inside closely followed by Albus who was excited to see everything was going smoothly so far. As they walked into the foyer, Hermione's jaw dropped open. The interior was more of a Victorian Gothic style. There were light brown, natural hardwood floors that looked like they went through the entirety of the house. There were reddish brown wood panels along the walls and along the ceilings. All of the ceiling panels had a hand carved argyle pattern molding and along the center of the ceiling was pure white, not made of wood and without any moldings where ornate, wrought iron chandeliers were hanging with modern recessed lights. As she looked up, she could see the wrap around walkways of the second and third floors. It was a large open floor plan with wide openings into the other rooms and tall ceilings. There was a grand staircase that was made of the same reddish-brown wood, but had hand carved white marble railings. To her right was a grand fireplace that was made entirely of the same white marble as the staircase.

"This is the foyer," Severus started the tour. "The manor has four levels. On the bottom level is the basement, and also where I have my potions lab. You are NEVER to enter my lab without me there, is that clear?"

Hermione nodded. She guessed that was the same as maybe a chemistry lab, and she knew that chemicals could blow up so she supposed potions may be able to as well. Satisfied Severus continued, "This is the main level," he told Hermione as the little group walked through to each individual room. "This is the level where the formal dining room and sitting area, the informal family dining room and living room, where we will be spending the majority of our time, the kitchen, my study and the library are. The rooms of my two house elves are also on this level whom you will meet tomorrow."

Hermione frowned at Severus as she asked, "What's a house elf?"

"A house elf is a magical creature that's main goal in life is to serve a wizarding family from the time they are born to the time they die. House elves usually keep wizarding homes clean, meals made, and other house duties in order. They also do not work for pay, but rather their honor as it is greatly frowned upon in the house elf community to not have a family to serve. They will literally die of shame and dishonor as they will be an outcast if they have no one to serve. You must never present one with any type of clothing as that is the way you tell a house elf they are to leave the house and be "free". Some wizarding families do mistreat their elves which I do not agree with, so you will respect the two house elves here at all times. They are not here to do your every whim or for you to become lazy. They have been a part of my family for generations, and I will not have them used as personal slaves. I am not saying that you will abuse their helpfulness, or that you are lazy, but I do not want that to ever happen or we will be having a talk. Is that clear? Did I answer your question?" Severus slightly raised his eyebrow in question, waiting for her to respond.

She quickly nodded her head. So in order to stay she wasn't to be lazy. She could do that. Severus eyed her for a moment longer and then continued the tour, walking up the grand staircase to the second floor.

"The second floor is where all the bedrooms are located. There are ten bedrooms total. Each bedroom has its own ensuite. There are five bedrooms to the right of the staircase and five to the left. My room is at the very end of the hall to the left overlooking the back of the house. Your room will be on the left side as well but on the other far end so that you can look out at the front of the property. The natural light is better at that end of the house too."

"So my room is one of the rooms that have a balcony off of it?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes, it does," Severus answered, extremely glad that she was happy with her arrangements. "However, if you are not happy with your room, we can find another one that you may like better. Apart from my room, since it is the master bedroom, all the other rooms have the same basic layout with a slight difference and a somewhat different view of the grounds."

"I'm sure it will be perfect," she told him, her excitement at seeing her room evident.

"I'll show you your bedroom at the end of the tour," Severus told her as he led the group further up the grand staircase to the third floor. Hermione couldn't help but run to the railing and lean over, looking down into the foyer. She couldn't believe how high up they were. From the outside, Hermione didn't think it had looked this big. Maybe this was also magic?

"Come away from there, Hermione," Severus said, panicking slightly at seeing her lean over the railing so far. "It wouldn't do for you to get hurt or even worse on your first day at your new home. You want to enjoy it a little longer, don't you?"

"Sorry," she muttered as she quickly came away from the railing, looking at Severus with those hazel, puppy dog eyes.

Severus nodded, and turned his attention back to the third floor. Hermione examined the third floor as well, and noticed that while it was the same layout as the floor below, instead of having ten doors leading to ten rooms around its walkway; it only had two doors, one to the left of the staircase and one to the right. Before Severus could finish the tour, Hermione blurted, "What are in these two rooms, sir?"

For whatever reason, when she addressed him as "sir" it sounded very awkward. If he were honest with himself, he didn't really like her calling him that. He would much rather she called him by his name.

"It's Severus, Hermione," he clarified to her first, "and the door on my right is simply a large room for storage."

Severus led them over to that door, and opened it so that Hermione could see for herself, and she wouldn't be too curious to go exploring in there. He then closed the door and led them around the walkway to the door that was on the left. Before opening it, Severus addressed Hermione with a warning about this space as well, "This is a special room, Hermione. When you are older, and more skilled in magic, you and I will use this room while you are home over the summers. However, until then, this is another room that you do not go into unless I am with you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," she said dutifully. Upon seeing Severus' raised eyebrow she quickly amended, "I mean, yes, Severus."

He nodded to her with a faint smile, and opened the door. All three stepped inside, and looking around the room, Hermione said, "It's just an empty room."

"Not just any empty room, my dear," this time Albus answered her. He too looked around the large empty room, and addressing Severus said in admiration, "I never knew you had one of these rooms, Severus?"

"You never asked," Severus answered plainly.

"How was I to know to ask about this?" Albus asked in disbelief, waving his hand around indicating the room.

"Umm, what is this, exactly?" Hermione asked, looking between Albus and Severus.

"This is a very special dueling area, Hermione," Albus finally answered her with a large smile.

"A dueling area?" Hermione parroted back, still not understanding.

"Yes pet," Albus explained. "In the wizarding world, there are times when witches and wizards may have to participate in a duel. This is where opposing witches and wizards use their wands to send offensive spells towards their opponents to effectively stop them from winning the duel, or use spells to defend her- or himself from the attacking spells the opponent is using against them. Sometimes witches and wizards will duel for sport, practice, or competition. However, there are other times, like in war, where witches and wizards duel to save their lives."

Hermione was staring at Albus with wide eyes, soaking in the information. Severus took the opportunity of Hermione's silence to further explain, "When you attend Hogwarts, you will learn different offensive and defensive spells that are appropriate for your year. Starting your fifth year, you will be learning more advanced spell work to prepare for your exams. As you get older, we will use this room to practice the spells you have learned throughout the year, and apply those spells to your dueling strategy, so that should you ever need to use those spells in a duel, it will be second nature."

Hermione nodded her head, her eyes still wide and staring at Severus. All she could say in an awestruck voice was, "Wow."

Frowning slightly, Severus knelt down to Hermione's eye level and said softly, "I will remind you of this every summer before you go to school, so if you don't remember for now that is alright, but please try to remember to stay away from duels. When you are older, I will teach you how to properly duel. While you are at school, there may be students who have been born and raised in magical homes who may try to duel who think they know what they are doing, and may want to prove something. Unless there is a teacher with you who is teaching something for his or her own class and can provide supervision, do not duel anyone. That is when a lot of children get hurt. Also never, ever get into a situation where your life depends on dueling your way out. Chances are if you are in that type of situation, you are dueling against someone with years of experience on you, and no matter what year you are, your chances of surviving that duel would be very slim. Promise me that you will stay away from them when you can."

"Yes, Severus," Hermione said, looking concerned, "I promise."

"Good girl," Severus said smiling slightly as he stood back up.

They were about to leave the room when Hermione asked, suddenly remembering Albus' words, "Wait what makes this a 'special' dueling area?"

Before Severus could answer, Albus explained, "This area is special because when the dueler or duelers step into the center, the room changes to imitate different environments someone may find themselves in. For example, if two people are dueling for practice, the room may change into an open field, but it could be snowing. Or it could be an open field but with tall grasses. Both scenarios are a possibility as no one chooses where they duel most times, and both scenarios add a level of realistic difficulty as you may not always be able to see your opponent head on, or the elements may also limit your physical abilities as well. If a person is alone and wanting practice, then the room will conjure up a random environment for you and is spelled to send different spells at you by an attacker."

"How does it know to do all of this?" Hermione asked puzzled.

Albus winked at her before leading her around the outside perimeter of the room along the wall with Severus following behind. When they reached a particular panel in the wall, Albus stopped and said, "This is a special panel here on the wall that if you feel it, it feels very different than the other wooden panels, almost like a sponge material. In order for the room to know which spells to send at you for practice, you would fire those spells at this panel. The panel absorbs and registers the spells and uses them at random times throughout your practice. After every practice session, one of the duelers must say a spell to reset the panel. If you do not reset the panel, then it will use whatever spells you registered last in your next practice. It is actually very spiffy."

Albus indicated to Severus to lead them back around. When they got to the exit, Hermione asked, "How come we had to go around the room? Why not just walk through the middle?"

This time Severus answered, "As Albus said earlier, if someone steps into the center of the dueling area that will trigger the room to set up a dueling environment. Even though Albus and I are skilled duelers, we would rather not have you in the middle of all that. Also to imitate the reality of dueling, the room will not reset itself until someone, or the majority of people if it is more than two people practicing, has been knocked unconscious."

Hermione looked at Severus in disbelief. Who knew an unassuming room could be so dangerous? Severus gently guided Hermione out of the room, and as he closed the door behind the three of them said, "You have no reason to fear this room if you do not come in here. Please stay away from this room, Hermione."

"Yes, Severus," Hermione said planning on definitely keeping her promise in regards to this room.

As the trio made their way down to the second floor Hermione asked eagerly, "May I go see my room now, please?"

"Yes, you may," Severus said. He was going that way anyway, but allowed her this one time to run to her room.

Hermione was so excited as she ran to the room at the end of the hall that Severus had said earlier was hers. Unable to wait for the two men to catch up with her, she quickly pushed open the door and upon seeing the inside of her room just stood in the doorway in shock. She had known that her room would be perfect, but this looked like a room that a Disney princess would live in. Just like the rest of the house her floor was made of that light brown, hardwood, she had high ceilings with a large wrought iron chandelier hanging in the middle over a large four poster bed. The color scheme in the room was dull for a ten year old girl, but it was elegant in light beige walls with white base boards and crown molding. The bed and curtains were a dark grey tone that matched with the beige and white walls and ceiling. To her right was her ensuite that she ran to and also found beautiful. For a house that she figured to be old, there seemed to be a nice balance of old and modern. For example, there was a large, claw foot bathtub next to a large stand up shower with beautiful tile work on the wall and floor. The vanity was an impressive size made of granite with a large sink in the middle with a brushed nickel faucet. The floor tiles looked to be of the same marble that was on the grand staircase and fireplace in the foyer. Walking out of the bathroom directly in front of her was the French door she had seen on the outside which was in the middle of two large windows that were at least eight feet tall. Even in the waning hours of the day as it was now, there appeared to still be a lot of natural light. Racing to the French doors and flinging them open, she stepped out onto her balcony that was complete with a small metal garden table and two chairs. The view from the balcony was stunning. She saw all that she saw earlier from the circular drive, but from a better vantage point. This felt like a place that she could lose herself in, and look forward to coming to. This place felt very much like home.

Severus and Albus had reached her room in time to see her examining her bedroom, then race to the bathroom and examine it, and then race to her balcony. They watched as she stood outside soaking up the rays of the setting sun, looking as peaceful as the scenery she was gazing upon. Turning to Albus, Severus asked quietly, "Do you think she likes it here?"

"My boy, I think 'like' is an understatement," Albus said, giving Severus a smile as he patted the younger man on the back. "I think you both will do very well here together."

"Do you honestly believe she will want to stay, Albus?" Severus asked. Usually Severus would have asked that question in a snarky tone, as though her wanting to stay or go did not concern him much. However, now it concerned him a great deal. His tone was almost pleading Albus to say she would stay.

"I honestly believe she will, Severus," Albus answered, and Severus could tell that the man was genuine in his beliefs. "Why don't you tell her that she can stay here and enjoy her room and unpack her belongings, while we go down to the living room and talk until she comes down?"

Severus nodded. He needed to talk with Albus anyway. He walked towards Hermione who was still enjoying the view off of her balcony. Gently he placed his hand on her shoulder and asked quietly, "Do you like your new home, Hermione?"

"Yes!" Hermione said gleefully. "I love it!"

Then unexpectedly she quickly turned around and hugged him. Still getting used to the idea of someone wanting to hug him, let alone that someone enjoyed hugging him, and even more so himself giving and receiving hugs, he automatically hugged the little girl to him in return. As he got used to them hugging he started to relax, and the hug started to feel more natural. He was glad that she loved the house, and that she was happy. He was startled by how quickly he had come to love this little girl, and that her opinion was the world to him. No one had been able to become a part of his heart like this other than Lily. As he continued to hug Hermione, he looked up at the sky and mentally said, "I'll take good care of her, Lily, just like I should've taken care of you all those years ago. I'll not let anything bad happen to her."

Pulling out of the hug, Severus looked down at her and gave her a small smile as he said, "I am glad, Hermione, truly. Now how about you unpack your belongings, and take some time to settle in. When you are ready to join us, Albus and I will be in the living room. Do you remember how to get there?"

"I'll find it," Hermione answered, unable to keep the smile off of her face. Severus nodded, and then left her to get her belongings from Albus who still had her suitcase shrunk in his pocket. Taking it out of his pocket, Albus returned it to its full size, and then levitated it to the foot of her bed where it gently settled on top. Hermione came back into the room as she saw this in order to see more magic. She had assumed that there would be a lot more magical things happening around the house. She was a little disappointed that there wasn't, so whenever either Albus or Severus performed magic, she wanted to see it.

She focused her attention again when Severus called her over to him, and he said, "Take your time, Hermione. If you aren't down in at least two hours, I will come and check on you. And remember where I instructed you NOT to go exploring, young lady."

Severus raised his eyebrows in question until she answered, "Yes, Severus."

"Very well. We will be downstairs." With that the two wizards left Hermione to her own devices.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Severus sat in his usual chair with a glass of Firewhiskey and a potion from a cabinet strategically placed in his living room for his cut eye and split lip. They had finally gotten Hermione home, and he was starting to feel exhausted. Between dabbing the potion to his face, he was taking small sips of alcohol. He was looking forward to sleeping. However, now was not the time for sleep as he wanted to share with Albus what he had found in Hermione's old bedroom. He waited for Albus to get settled on the sofa with his cup of tea before he began.

"Albus, while I was at the Granger's house this afternoon, I looked around Hermione's old bedroom."

"Was this before or after you rendered the Grangers unconscious?" Albus asked, looking over his spectacles.

"This isn't the time for a lecture, Albus!" Severus said between gritted teeth. He had more important things to discuss instead of being scolded like a school boy.

"Please tell me you wiped their memories, and that their injuries will heal by the time of the trial?"

"Of course I wiped their memories, I'm not an amateur," Severus answered; somewhat offended that Albus would think he was so careless. "However, I do not know if their injuries will heal by the time of the trial." Maybe he had been a bit careless….

"Then apparently now is the perfect time to lecture you," Albus retorted sternly. "I hope your vigilante justice doesn't seriously affect this trial. As the chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I cannot condone your actions in court when their injuries come into question, Severus! However justified, it was incredibly careless of you."

Severus actually did feel like a school boy being lectured. Rather than argue he thought it best to merely say, "Yes, sir."

Albus' features seemed to soften as he said, "I just do not want you to lose Hermione. I can see already that she means a great deal to you…as she does for me. You both do."

At this Severus paused, unsure that he had heard that last of what Albus had said, "I beg your pardon?"

"Oh Severus," Albus sighed. "You know that you have always been like a son to Minerva and I. Ever since the night you came to me about Lily. I know how hard it has been on you, and Minerva and I have tried to help you as much as you will allow us to. Like you, Minerva and I have also faced loss and experienced regret when it comes to someone we have loved and lost…."

Albus stopped, looking sad and every bit of the age he was. As dark brown eyes looked into light blue ones, Albus continued, "What we have tried to say all of these years without actually saying it to you is that we love you like our child. I know this may be inappropriate since you see me as your employer and former Headmaster, but that is how Minerva and I feel. I have also gotten to know Hermione a little over the past couple of days, and have grown very fond of her too as I know Minerva will as well. If she legally becomes your child she will be like a grandchild to us as well. I would be very sad if we missed that opportunity to have a family, as strange as we may be."

Severus could do nothing in that moment but stare. His world seemed to be changing every moment. He had known that Albus and Minerva cared about him, but loved him like a son? Albus was right in that it was rather strange as he had always been his Headmaster and later employer, but Albus was always the one that was there for him. Minerva was always there for him as well, but in different capacities. Now that he looked back at their relationships over the years, he could see a father/mother/son relationship between them when no one was looking. Also if he was honest with himself, he enjoyed both of them despite Albus' meddling ways. He couldn't deny that all three of them did have a peculiar family dynamic.

Severus was silent for so long that Albus was afraid that he had divulged too much. What he had said though was true. Severus was the son that he and Minerva could never naturally have. He did enjoy his time with Severus, and took pride in the man Severus had become, and was now growing into. It also had pained him when he had had to turn Severus spy for them in the First War, and was very worried and scared when Severus would return injured after missions. Severus was someone he would trust with his life. Now he was seeing a second chance for Severus to love someone again, and the thought that that opportunity may slip away because of Severus' temper did make Albus upset. Not only was he upset on behalf of Hermione and Severus losing this chance at a family, but for him and Minerva as well. They would love a grandchild. Even though they both worked with children, it was not the same as having a child in your family.

Both were quiet for a long time, looking anywhere but at each other. Finally, Severus broke the silence as he cleared his throat and said, "Well, that is a lot to take in, Albus. At this moment, I do not know how to properly form a response to your sudden outpouring of feelings…."

Albus held up a hand as he said, "I understand, Severus. Think on it. Whatever you decide to say to me, and however you decide to handle how I feel about you and Hermione, I will respect your decision."

After a few more minutes of silence, Albus spoke, "Before I interrupted, you were saying that you had been in Hermione's old bedroom. Did you find something that you wish to talk about?"

Thankful for the distraction, Severus answered, "Yes, I did find something. Also yes, I would like to discuss it with you as it does concern Hermione."

Albus inclined his head to indicate that he was listening, and for Severus to start. Before he began, Severus reached into his pocket and brought out Hermione's book and notebook that he had shrunk down earlier. Returning them to full size he started, laying them down on the coffee table beside him, "When I went back to retrieve Hermione's book, her only meaningful possession, I might add, I also found this notebook on her desk as well. Inside is a wish list made by Hermione, and I wanted to read it to you."

At Albus' nod, Severus read through Hermione's wish list slowly for Albus to catch every word it said. When Severus had finished, Albus was looking the saddest Severus had ever seen the old man. It actually made his heart clench. Albus rubbed his face with both of his hands, his tea forgotten on the side table by now. Sighing Albus asked, "What else did you find?"

Severus explained the pictures he had found that Hermione had drawn of different aspects of her dream life, her family portrait she drew, the state of her wardrobe or lack thereof, the secondhand nature of her bedroom furniture and her bedding, her old toys, and the creaky floorboard that concealed food. By the end of Severus' lists of findings, Albus not only looked incredibly sad, but also very angry at the same time.

"I apologize for lecturing you about wounding the Grangers," Albus stated quietly after he registered everything. "That poor little girl, Severus, she has lived through more than we initially realized."

"I know, Albus," Severus agreed. "We have a lot of work ahead of us."

"We?" Albus asked, echoing Severus' words like Hermione had been doing to him all day.

"Of course," Severus drawled, "Hermione is going to need her entire family to help her through this. Don't be daft, Albus."

Albus couldn't help but smile. Throwing back the rest of his whiskey Severus continued, "To be honest I have always seen you and Minerva as like parents to me. It would be nice to officially, yet unofficially, be a family."

To his horror, Severus thought he saw tears in the old man's eyes. "Don't you dare cry all over my house, old man!"

Albus chuckled as he wiped under his eyes, and said in a husky voice, "Thank you, Severus. You have made an old man very happy. Also I keep telling everyone, I am experienced in life, not old."

As Albus continued to wipe under his eyes, and Severus continued to look very uncomfortable, both looked up as they heard a small voice ask, "Albus, are you crying?"

Hermione was standing in the doorway, wringing her hands, and looking in between both the adults. She had no idea what could have happened, but it must of have been bad to make Albus cry.

As if sensing her hesitation and confusion, Albus held out his arms to her. She ran to him, hugging him as she sat on his knee. Looking up at his face, she could see his tear tracks, and she reached up and gently tried to wipe the tears away. Albus chuckled as he caught her hand and held it saying, "Do not worry pet. These are happy tears."

"Happy tears?" Hermione echoed him yet again causing him to laugh.

"Yes, my dear," Albus told her. "Please forgive me as I am a sentimental old man."

Severus snorted into his glass as he went after a tiny drop of alcohol. He looked up at the two of them to find them staring at him. Clearing his throat he mumbled, "My apologies."

Turning his attention fully onto Hermione, he asked, "So were you able to get settled?"

"Yes, Severus," she answered, still sitting on Albus' lap.

"And is everything to your satisfaction?" Severus asked, hoping that everything was.

"Oh yes!" she said, sliding off of Albus' lap, and coming over to Severus to sit on his. "Everything is perfect! I love everything about my room! It's better than anything I could have dreamed of! Thank you so much!"

With that she hugged him again. Between Hermione and Albus, there was so much emotion going on that he was starting to feel a little overwhelmed. While he did enjoy hugs from Hermione, he had also perfected hiding his emotions over the years to the point of feeling nothing, and within three days everything was being undone just a little too quickly for his taste. Before he could stop himself, he was pushing Hermione off of him, and trying to hide his actions by saying, "I think Albus needs your hugs as he is still a bit teary eyed."

The look on Hermione's face of confusion, hurt and apprehension forced Severus to leave the room for a little bit with the excuse that he needed to refill his glass. The little girl sadly watched him go, and shyly she turned to Albus and asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No pet," Albus answered, once again opening his arms to her, but this time he noticed she moved slowly towards him. Once she was within arm's reach, he brought her into a hug and explained, "We have all had a very long day. Also Severus isn't used to so much emotion. For a long time he worked on hiding his, and now he may be feeling a bit uncomfortable."

"Did I do that?" Hermione asked in a tiny voice. Great, she had already messed everything up, and she hadn't even been here a full day!

"Of course not, dear heart," Albus said soothingly. "This is something that Severus has to work through. You are in no way to blame, okay?"

Not completely believing Albus, Hermione nodded anyway. She sighed sadly as Albus said, "It may still be a little early, but I think it would be best if you went to bed. You've had a long day, and it is only your first day out of the hospital."

She nodded and silently slid off of Albus' knee, and taking Albus' hand walked up to her bedroom. As they entered her room, Albus said, "How about you brush your teeth and wash your face and change into your night clothes while I turn down the bed and get your potions ready?"

Not saying a word, Hermione did as she was told. She washed her face and brushed her teeth and used the toilet. However, the only issue was that she didn't have night clothes. The only thing she had was the hospital gown. Embarrassed she didn't know how to tell Albus.

"What's wrong pet?" Albus asked, seeing her embarrassment and discomfort.

"I don't have any night clothes, just the hospital gown," Hermione said quietly, wringing her hands and looking down at her feet.

"That's not a problem," Albus said as he placed the hospital gown on the bed. With a flick of his wand, the hospital gown was transfigured into a summer night gown. Minerva also had a nightgown somewhat like this that she said was her favorite summer nightgown. However, instead of putting a cat pattern on the gown like Minerva had, he put little lemon drops. "There you are, Hermione."

Hermione's mouth was slightly hanging open in awe at the transformation that had taken place. She carefully picked the gown up off the bed and examined it. It felt light which was appropriate for the summer. It even smelled good as though it had just been washed. She took it into the bathroom and changed. It fit her perfectly, and it felt so soft against her skin. Coming back into her bedroom, she saw that Albus had turned down the bed, and on the bedside table were three little vials, each with a different colored liquid in them. She carefully climbed into bed where Albus was waiting, and after she got nestled in, he handed her one vial at a time.

"This is a pain reliever…this is a fever reducer, just in case…this is a Dreamless Sleep potion…."

"A what?" she asked before she gulped it down.

Albus sat on the edge of the bed beside her as he softly explained, "With this being your first time in a new place, and with what has happened to you over the past few years, I am sure that you may experience some dreams…or nightmares?"

Hermione looked down at her hands and nodded. She did have nightmares that, now that she thought about it, had never woken her parents up despite her screaming and crying out. Probably one of her freak accidents. She assumed she did all that as her throat was usually very sore the next morning. Looking up at Albus with those puppy dog eyes, he nodded as he said, "I thought so. You deserve some good sleep where you will feel rested. Severus deserves some good sleep as well so that he is not cross, and is in prime condition to receive your hugs."

"Are you sure I didn't upset him earlier?" Hermione asked, still holding the vial of potion.

"I am sure pet," Albus stated resolutely. "Severus will eventually let his walls down. Just give him some time, just as it will take time for you to take all of your walls down around him."

Albus smiled at Hermione as she still looked uncertain at him. He couldn't help but chuckle as he said, "Now as soon as you take this you will go to sleep and hopefully will not wake until morning. So with that being said, goodnight Hermione. I will see you tomorrow. Also Minerva will be coming with me to meet you if that is alright?"

Hermione nodded. She obviously didn't know Minerva yet, but she couldn't help but think that she would like her. Hermione smiled at Albus before she swallowed the potion down in one gulp. Albus helped her settle down into her pillows as Hermione groggily told him as she fell asleep, "Good night, Albus."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Once Albus had made sure that Hermione was settled in, he went in search of Severus. He found Severus in the kitchen standing over the sink looking up at the moon that was visible through the window. He didn't turn around as Albus entered the room, but did ask, "How is she? Did you give her all of the potions, including Dreamless Sleep?"

"Yes, I gave her all of her potions," Albus answered, joining Severus at the sink to look up at the moon. "However, you have some making up to do Severus. She thinks she did something wrong since you left so quickly."

Severus sighed. He knew when he had left that he would be explaining himself to her later. "Did you tell her that she didn't do anything wrong?"

"Of course I did," Albus said.

Severus nodded. "Thank you, Albus. I think it was a good decision to have you and Minerva here for Hermione when I fail miserably like I did just now."

"It takes a village, Severus," Albus said sagely, "and you will fail in regards to Hermione time and time again. As will I. As will Minerva. We will need to help each other raise her."

"Well, thank you again," Severus said in a rough voice as he turned from Albus to head upstairs. "Will I be seeing you and Minerva tomorrow? If you both could come after lunch tomorrow so that I can talk to Hermione some that would be appreciated. Also so we can sleep in a little."

"We will," Albus agreed. "Good night, Severus."

"Good night, Albus." With that he went upstairs to check on Hermione.

Severus quietly opened Hermione's bedroom door, and could hear her softly snoring. The corners of his mouth twitched as he heard this, and he couldn't help but smile outright as he watched her peacefully sleeping. He sat on the edge of the bed beside her as he said to her sleeping form, "I apologize, Hermione. You did not do anything wrong. It is my own fault. We will get through this. Now I have reinforcements to help you when I fail you. I do care about you, child. I am sorry I couldn't be here for you tonight. I will try and do better, I pinky promise."

At his last statement, he locked his pinky with hers as she had her arm out from underneath the covers. "Good night, Hermione. Welcome home."