AN: I own nothing. Still. As always.

Thank you all so much for the reviews, for adding to your favorites, or for following. I still get tickled when I get that notice in my e-mail that someone has found my stories interesting enough to follow or fave. Or me, for that matter.

I'm so sorry for the wait. I meant to have this up last weekend, when I had the house (gloriously) to myself, and had plenty of time to write, but then I got side tracked finishing up some crafts for the local craft fair next weekend, and...I'm just sorry. But, it's here now, and hopefully it was worth the wait.

Oh, btw...Did I mention that Hermione's going to be OOC in this? Well, if I didn't before, I am now. You'll see what I mean.

Alrighty...I think that's enough of me. Enjoy!


Warnings: Language; implied slash sexual situations; mention of character death


Hermione's flat - 7:30 PM

"Oh, for the love of Merlin, just go, Harry." Hermione sighed, seeing her best friend look at his watch for the hundredth time. Harry was too nice to say anything out loud, but she knew her friend. He was extremely anxious to go on his date, which, as he confessed earlier, he was hoping was going to be the night for him and Draco.

"What?" he frowned, trying to get his twitchiness under control. Harry didn't want to be rude, but he was due to meet Draco in just about an hour, and needed to get going so he could get ready.

"Go." Hermione repeated, pointing at her floo. "Go home, love, and get ready for your date with Draco." she finished with a chuckle.

"Nah, it's fine." he said, shaking his head. "I...have some time." he added awkwardly.

Hermione shook her head, sighing again. "Harry, I appreciate the help, truly. But, do me one favor?" she asked. "Remember what I said earlier - don't put off things that are important to you just because you think I need help. I'll be fine."

"You sure?" he frowned, glancing between her and Aiden, who was lying very contentedly in her arms, observing his new surroundings.

"Positive." she nodded. "As soon as you're gone, I'm gonna bathe Aiden, hopefully put him to bed for more than three or four hours, eat dinner myself, and then..." she paused, adding with a scoff, "probably pass out on the couch for a few hours until Aiden wakes up demanding food."

"Mione..."

"Harry," she sighed again, frowning at him, "are you really gonna pass up the chance of possibly having hot, sweaty sex with Draco Malfoy because you showed up looking...scruffy...just to stay here with me for a few more minutes?" she asked.

"I wasn't going to show up looking scruffy, as you put it." Harry said. "I was gonna cast a few cleansing spells and transfigure this," he said, giving his old blue shirt a few tugs, "into something nicer." he finished lamely.

"Oh, Harry...no. Just...no." Hermione said, shaking her head. "Don't get me wrong, I love magic for most things. But a cleansing spell isn't nearly as effective as an actual shower." she said. Holding up a finger when he started to say something, she added, "Trust me. Draco will appreciate it, and later, when you two are tangled up in his no-doubt very expensive silk sheets, you'll thank me." she teased. "Besides, what happened to the plan earlier to wear those fancy boxers of yours, huh?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um..." he stammered.

Hermione sighed. If she were honest, she was more than a bit disappointed. Here her friend had the chance to have a memorable night with his lover...or soon to be lover, at any rate...and he was hesitant to go just to stay with her for a while longer. Which, if she were honest, was sweet, but also frustrating.

"Harry, make tonight about you and Draco, not me." she stressed.

"Well..." he said, "if you're sure you'll be okay..."

"Positive." she nodded, smiling at him now. "It's like I told Gin and Dean earlier when they felt bad for leaving - I'll be fine. Believe it or not, I have been alone with Aiden before." she laughed.

"Okay, okay, you win." he said, holding his hands up. "I'm going. And hey - lunch tomorrow at Fortescue's?" he suggested.

"I'll be there, and if he wants, bring Draco along." Hermione said. "If he's changed as much as you say, I'd like to meet the new Draco."

"I'll ask him." Harry promised, standing. "You know I love you, right?" he asked, bending over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"I do know, actually." she said, letting out a little yawn.

"Get some sleep, Hermione, and I'll see you tomorrow." he said, throwing some floo powder down, giving her a wave as he stepped into the fireplace.

"See you." she waved, smiling.

"Grimmauld Place." he said, disappearing in the green flames.

With a deep sigh, Hermione eased herself and Aiden off the sofa. "Okay, kid. Let's get you cleaned up and into bed, shall we?" she asked, chuckling when he kicked his feet, babbling in what Hermione hoped was excitement. Nodding, she said, "Oh, I agree. It's going to be loads of fun."


Severus' flat - also 7:30 pm

'Well, Severus, that's finished.' his mind whispered. 'Now what's stopping you, hmmm?'

"Oh, do shut up." he said, promptly feeling silly for talking to himself.

However, looking around his newly furnished - with everything set up by himself - flat, he realized there was nothing stopping him. For the past few hours, since he'd come back in from the balcony, he'd been debating whether or not to pay Miss Granger a visit. There were many things he wanted to say to her, and felt the sooner, the better. There was no use in putting it off for too much longer.

Severus still remembered the last time they talked. Or...rather, the last time she talked, anyway. Who knew Miss Granger could be so chatty?

SS

As Severus came to, one of the first things he noticed was that his throat was numb. Not even the dry swallow was felt, sending him into a temporary panic. Slowly inhaling deeply, he detected the unique smell of antiseptic, which could only mean that he was at St. Mungo's.

'Well...fuck it all.' he thought, mentally sneering. 'I survived. I hope you're happy now, Lily.'

A crunching noise broke through his thoughts, making him silence himself and pay attention.

"...of course, now I know, but, as they say, hindsight is twenty/twenty." he heard through the crunching. "You know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and all that tripe."

'Granger.' he thought, silently sighing. 'That's it...the gods hate me.'

"I mean, she's forgiven me now, but let me tell you, back then I think she was one of the ones hoping I bit it during the war. Not that I blame her, of course. Marietta's all cleared up, so there was really nothing to be bothered about now. Besides, it wasn't my fault it lasted so long. The curse was only supposed to be temporary, not last for four years, but..."

'Can I go ahead and die now?'

"I'm sorry if I'm rambling, which I know I am, but I just don't know what's gotten into me. I haven't talked this much since...well, ever, I think. But, it's not like you can tell me to shut it, or anything. Hmmm...maybe that's why. There's nobody to interrupt me for once."

'Where were you when the Dark Lord was looking for new torture methods?'

"You know, I always thought you were quite prickly..."

'You don't say?'

"I mean, I understand why now, but let me tell you, there were a few times back then I really wanted to pop you one. And I would have, too, if you weren't my teacher. But, you would have had it coming, and you know I'm right. I usually am, but that's beside the point."

'Merlin, Granger...tell me how you really felt.'

"Anyway...I know you're not going to be very happy when you wake up, but I don't care. You're alive, at least, to be hacked off, so that's something. I don't know if I'll ever tell you this to your face...when you're awake, I mean...but I'm not sorry I saved you. I saw too damn many people...good people who didn't deserve to die...fall that day, and dammit! Saving you was the least I could do. You can yell at me, or curse me, or whatever when you're better, but I'm still not going to be sorry. At least you're alive to be upset."

'That's it, Granger, just pile on to my guilt.'

"Besides, I spent nearly two and a half hours going 'round and 'round with Bellatrix, and let me tell you...after that crazy bitch, not much scares me anymore, so just give it your best shot, Professor."

'I should say not.'

"And now, knowing how the Marauders tortured you during your school days, I'm sure you're going to do a jig when you...when you hear...hear that Remus...Remus was one of the fallen..."

'Fuck. I'm not that horrible, Granger. Besides, Remus was the most tolerable of the four.'

"...along with Tonks. Funny, sweet, full of life Tonks. She just had a baby, you know? And now Harry's filled with guilt...well, even more than usual, anyway...because they'll never know their son..."

'Gods, please stop crying, Granger.'

"...and poor Mrs. Tonks has lost everyone she loved..."

'Stop crying, you cloth-eared bint!'

"...except for Teddy and Mrs. Malfoy, and that's just a whole other story."

'What the shit? How can she cry and still eat? Mmmm...smells good, though.'

"I'm sorry, Professor. I'm sure if you were awake you'd be telling me to stop crying. And I've tried, trust me, but it's not easy. I've spent the last several weeks crying over someone, or being force fed by Molly who seems to think I need to weigh more than I used to."

'Ha! Welcome to the club of the underfed according to Molly, Granger.'

"I know I lost quite a bit of weight during this last year, but really. How much does the woman think I eat in one go? I'm not Ron."

'Indeed. I swear that boy could eat the backend off a hippogriff if he wanted.'

"I swear, without even trying, I think Ron could eat the arse off a hippogriff."

'I just said that, Granger.'

"I have more to talk about, but I should be getting back to Hogwarts. I've been given the task of cleaning up the library with Madam Pince, and it's coming along just slowly."

'I imagine it is, if you spend all your time eating.'

"I'll come back later, Professor."

'Bloody hell! I am not a child to tuck in, Granger!'

"Bye, Professor."

'Thank fuck she's gone.'

Slowly, once he was sure he was alone, Severus opened his eyes, blinking against the harsh light of day coming in through the windows.

'Well...shit.'

SS

Gathering his cloak, Severus took a deep breath as he stepped into the hallway. There was no time like the present.


Hermione's flat - 8:15 pm

"Okay, babe...it's sleepy time." Hermione cooed, rocking gently as she tried to lull Aiden to sleep. "You go to sleep, and then Sissy will go to sleep, and then...well, we'll wake up and do this all over again, won't we?" she asked, smiling at him as his little eyelids started drooping.

An orange blur caught Hermione's eye, and she turned her head to see Crookshanks entering the nursery.

"Well, I was wondering when you'd stop moping, Mister." she said, chastising her precious kitty. "I don't know why you felt the need to throw a hissy fit, Crooks. You know Aiden."

Crookshanks just gave her a look, which Hermione could have sworn was him rolling his eyes at her.

"Besides, now you have someone else to protect, and not just me." she said. When Crookshanks sat up higher, Hermione chuckled softly. "That's what I thought."

Looking down at baby Aiden, she was relieved to see he was asleep. Easing out of the rocking chair, she went over and gently lowered him into his crib.

"Goodnight, babe." she whispered, pulling the light blanket over him a bit.

Pulling his door shut, she cast a silencing spell, making sure she had the magic-proofed baby monitor that Fleur got her so she'd hear him crying when he woke up.

"Alright, Crooks...dinner for us." she said, entering her kitchen. "Let's see...I think I gave you salmon last time, so how about tuna tonight?" she asked, holding up a tin of special cat food. Crookshanks meowed softly and rubbed against her legs, purring. "I'll take that as a yes." she said, opening the tin and putting in his special bowl with goldfish on the bottom.

Setting the dish on the floor, she smiled as he dug his little smushed up face into the food, eating hungrily.

"Now, something for me." she said, opening her cupboards. "Oh! I forgot I had this." she exclaimed, grabbing a can of beef stew. "Just what I wanted." she said, grabbing a bowl out of the other cupboard. Pulling the tab to open the can, she was more than a bit dismayed when the doorbell rang, meaning she'd have to wait to eat.

Stomach growling in protest at waiting, Hermione trudged to the door, peering through the peep hole, only seeing a black wall. Frowning, she opened the door a bit, surprised at who was waiting. After all, only one person had that particular head of hair.

"Professor Snape?"

The black wall turned, indeed revealing her former Professor.

"Miss Granger." he nodded. "Might I come in? I'd like to...have a word with you."

Surprised, Hermione just nodded, opening the door wider and standing back. "Please, do come in." she said, holding her hand out. Closing the door behind him, she motioned to him to have a seat at the table. "Uh...can I get you anything?" she asked, feeling the whole situation a bit surreal.

"Tea." he said, tacking on "Please." for good measure.

"Alright." she nodded. "Just...give me a minute." she said, going back into the kitchen.

"What the hell?" she whispered, feeling very confused as she got the kettle boiling. "I wonder what he wants." she murmured. Deciding to just go with it, and not freak out beforehand, she got the tea ready, and heated up her stew. Placing the bowl and the tea things on a tray, she carried it out to the dining room table, nearly laughing at the dark clad man sitting stiffly at her little table.

"Here we are, Sir." she said, handing him the teacup. "I hope you don't mind if I eat while we talk. It's been a long day, and I haven't had a chance to eat since lunch." she said, taking the seat opposite him.

"Not at all, Miss Granger." he said, sipping his tea.

"Super." she smiled. Once she got the crackers crushed up into her bowl, she looked up at her former Professor. "Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?" she asked, taking a bite of the stew.


Review please.

Til next time!

XOXO - Onyx Obsidian