Hermione watched as Severus poured heated liquid gold into the cauldron. It was the base of the potion and would have to simmer for exactly fourteen days before the complex brewing and ritual that came with crafting Ã…ndeliv began. They had everything necessary save one item. A simple spell had proven that Hermione was indeed pregnant with the first known cambion in centuries. The only thing left was a Hamingja. Severus had been shamelessly procrastinating in procuring it, as he loathed Ulric Engstrom with a passion.

"Has Harry really become that bad?" Hermione asked and Severus quickly cast a stasis spell on the cauldron. He didn't look up at her.

"You saw what he did to my face."

Hermione was silent. She never enjoyed these conversations regarding Harry. They could hardly even be called conversations. She would ask several of the same five questions, occasionally even repeating the same question. Severus would give her the same answers. They were mostly silent and neither of them particularly gained anything from them. They were mostly comprised of tense reluctant silence and omission of facts from both sides. She wished they weren't necessary.

"What time is it?" She asked after a long while.

"Almost midnight." He responded tightly. Hermione hated the atmosphere even mentioning Harry produced.

"I'm going to go off to bed then. Goodnight." Severus tensed almost imperceptibly. He knew that she did not sleep.

"Sleep well." He said. He knew that the majority of the energy potions in his stores had been brewed as replacements by the clever witch. Despite being able to copy his own spidery handwriting to perfection, she could not replicate his own work with absolute precision. That was what made him a master.

"And you as well." She said tightly. She knew that he did not sleep. She wished all of this covert and secret understanding was not necessary. She could feel herself beginning to slip. She buried all discomfort and selfish dolor as she shut her bedroom door behind her. Her night's work began.


KnM: Indeed. I feel like I have heard someone say that before. Are you quoting something?

A/N: 7