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Chapter 10

Tom started school without a hitch. He excelled in all subjects and his lessons with Severus were going better than expected. There were no bouts of accidental magic. He practiced his breathing exercises and even started learning about potions. Tom was bright and was opening more to him. He let her take care of him and didn't flinch when she kissed him anymore.

Hermione had time to read and write about her experiences in the 1930's. She opened the wooden box and looked at pictures of her friends. She smiled and placed the journal inside. Severus thought she hid money there. In reality she hid her memories. The witch couldn't part with her friends. She missed Ron and Harry so much. She tried to make the best of things. She loved Tom. He became her reason, she was happy to care for him. In a way Tom filled some of the void Harry and Ron left.

They established a good routine when it came to taking care of Tom. They had breakfast. Severus finally learned to say goodbye to them in the mornings. He even kissed her cheek sometimes. She dropped Tom off at school and then went to muggle London sometimes. She would walk or observe other women and men. The young witch would then go back to Hammersmith and try to cook lunch. She was learning rather slowly. Hermione read most of the time. She went into Severus's study and grabbed books. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

The young woman picked up Tom from school and they either took a cab or a bus back home. They had lunch. Hermione insisted on helping him with homework. He didn't need the help but it was a way for her to bond and be distracted with schoolwork.

Severus would come from work and eat whatever leftovers she left. They would spend time together in the living room or continue with Tom's lessons depending on the day. Severus would then try to retire to his study. Sometimes she let him but most of the time Hermione didn't. She forced the older man to talk to her.

"Tom is smart but he is a child. I need adult conversation. I will go insane if I don't speaks with other adults." She complained when he tried to give her the silent treatment.

He frowned and shortly said; "follow your own advice and find friends. Socialize."

"Muggle women are drab. All they care about is cleaning products, good diaper fabrics, and beauty products. Please Severus. You have a job, work, peers and research. I don't have anything. Please." She used the pity card. The young woman was not above such methods now. She discovered early on that one Severus Snape was a sucker for tears, and soft pleads. He could be guilt tripped into almost anything if she was not too overt about it.

So they talked almost each night about his math and potion research. He even let her monitor some of the potions he brewed since he left for work everyday. She learned more things about him. He had a dry, sarcastic but wicked sense of humor. She fought back smiles sometimes. Hermione told him things about her years in school. He was oddly interested in those years. The man wanted to know about all her adventures. "I thought you stole the gillyweed from my stores." He said ponderously as they rested side by side on the bed.

They would speak for hours until he told her to shut it. He was going to sleep. Hermione noticed a change in them as well. They were more comfortable with each other. At first he wouldn't be caught with his undershirt only but he was at a point where he didn't care anymore. Hermione never thought she would see her professor in an undershirt or untucked shirts all summer long. She wasn't any better. He gained some weight and didn't look as haggard as tired as before. He looked like a regular 38 year old man. Hermione made sure he got haircuts every month. Severus's hair grew at alarming rates. She kept her hair long as to not draw too much attention to herself. She noticed that Severus sought her at nights. Hermione was frightened at first but didn't say anything. She then realized that it was nice to feel his arms around her. Mornings were awkward at best but they managed to feign sleep while the other stood up first. They never talked about their sleeping patterns.

Before she knew it Christmas break was upon them. Hermione single handedly decorated the house. Tom refused to decorate, as did Severus. She figured Tom followed into Severus's example.

"Sir doesn't have to do it. I don't like Christmas either. Besides we don't go to church or believe in god or anything." Tom said logically. She could have slapped Severus for asnwering all the religious questions Tom had. Hermione was not religious but she believed something more powerful than them. Severus laughed at her notions. Tom shrugged.

Her parents celebrated Christmas. She loved the season. Severus owed her this. He refused to celebrate Halloween, even when she agreed to maybe take Tom to Diagon Alley. "I said no." He growled and spent the whole day locked up in the basement. He reeked of alcohol when he went to sleep. She asked him what happened. He glared at her and went to sleep.

She didn't understand his attitude, the only significance of the day was the Potters' deaths and she was sure he didn't care for Harry's parents at all. Severus hated Harry because he reminded him of James Potter. There was something else but she couldn't pinpoint the significance of the date.

The young woman let him be. She wouldn't tolerate his sulking during Yule. She finished decorating the house and went Christmas shopping.

Hermione apparated to the shopping district. She had a few ideas of what she wanted to get for the boys. She went into a toy store and bought a train set. Hermione had seen Tom eyeing it whenever they passed the store. She bought him a few soldiers too. She then went to the bookstore and bought a few books she knew he would like.

Severus would be harder to shop for. She bought him some of the books Tom ripped. Hermione wanted to buy him something special, thoughtful, that he would like. She tried to think about what Severus liked. He liked potions, and books. She couldn't get him anything potions related unless she went into Diagon Alley. She didn't want to go there, not yet.

What else did Severus like? She tried to think. Her pretend husband liked to smoke. Hermione would not support that horrible habit. He liked Manchester United. The young woman doubted they had apparel and stores with the players' shirts and that other nonsense boys liked.

She didn't even understand why he liked that particular team. He wasn't from Manchester. Hermione apparated to Manchester. It wasn't hard to find the football field. She found a nice man who looked like he played there.

"Hello love." He gave her a big grin.

"Hello. Do you play here?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes. I'm top goal scorer of the season." The man said proudly. Hermione had no way of knowing if this was true or not but she took her chances.

"My brother is a big fan of the team." She started conversation. She talked to him for a bit and then she insinuated she needed a gift for her brother. "Give your address and I'll send you tickets four our next match."

She smiled and gave him a fake address. "Harry loves your jersey. Maybe you could give me one of those." She flirted shamelessly.

"Anything for you love." She didn't expect him to undress in front of her. "I wore this one during our last match. Your brother will love it." Hermione smiled and folded the shirt. She tried to wrinkle her nose.

The young woman batted her eyelashes; "maybe you could sign it for me." She went into her beady bag and produced a marker. "I've never seen pens like these before."

She giggled and he signed the jersey. Hermione talked to the man for another half an hour and accepted a coffee from him before she said goodbye. "Nice meeting you George."

"I'll go by your house Lucy." He smiled as she ran to another street.

Hermione smiled and apparated near Tom's school. She hoped the man wasn't a fraud. She would still buy him clothes. That should be enough. She smiled when Tom appeared. Hermione waved at him. Tom waved back. He walked to her.

"How were your lessons?" She asked with a cherry voice.

"Boring. We learned most of it during the summer. I don't like the teacher. She is boring too." Tom complained.

"You won't have to see her for break." She pointed out.

"That's good. I can't wait for summer." He said as they walked home.

"I didn't see your friend today." Hermione was optimistic. She always saw Tom leave with a boy named Frank.

"He's sick. Mrs. Grimes said he had the flu." Tom shrugged indifferently.

She shook her head, "he's your friend."

"I suppose. He's not as smart as me. He's boring too." Tom drawled.

"That's not a nice thing to say about Frank." Hermione repeated.

"You said to always tell the truth. They are all boring." Tom sulked. She frowned.

They young woman switched subjects. They talked about his potions. Severus taught him how to do simple boil cures. Tom was excited with anything that resembled or involved magic. The bat of the dungeons as Ron and Harry called him was uncharacteristically patient with Tom.

Hermione frowned one night and asked him why he never showed such passion or care with any of them. She didn't remember him ever being so patient, not even with Draco.

"I happen to like Tom." He yawned and turned to his side.

She listened as Tom retold her the steps to make the solution. "Do you think sir will teach me tonight? I want to do magic like he does."

Hermione shook her head, "I don't think so. Remember he has that conference in Cardiff. He's going away until Tuesday."

"Why can't we go with him?" This was not the first time Tom asked to go with Severus.

"He will be working with other men. Severus will not even leave the university or wherever he's staying. It's not a place for his family." Hermione repeated.

"What if he doesn't come back?" Tom tried to sound distracted.

"Of course he'll come back. Why wouldn't he? He'll be back just in time to open our Christmas presents." Tom frowned.

Tom was his usual self. They spent that weekend reading, playing, and drawing. He was cranky on Monday night and had a low-grade fever. Hermione and Tom shrugged it off as flu symptoms. They spent some time outside making snow angels after all. Tom had looked at her as if she was crazy but then joined her. Boys would be boys after all. He particularly liked the little snowball battle. "I wish Sir were here. I would have won if he were here." Hermione smiled.

"You'll see him tomorrow." She smiled and kissed his forehead. As a treat she let him have more chocolate that night.

Hermione slipped into bed that night with a smile. She would love to see Tom's face when he opened his presents. She would be lying if she said she didn't want to see Severus's face when he opened his gifts. The young woman would not admit it but she wanted to see some happiness on his face.

The witch felt him get under the sheets. "You've grown careless. I could have killed you." He whispered harshly.

"But you didn't." She sighed sleepily and moved closer to him.

"Happy Christmas." Hermione felt his arms around her. She smiled even when his cold feet touched her calves.

Hermione woke up first that Christmas morning. She felt him around her. Severus's arms were around her. She could feel him pressed on her back. Hermione didn't blush anymore. It was only logical for him to have those morning reactions. It was difficult at first but their agreement worked both ways. They did not acknowledge the fact that ever since they came back from France they sought each other at night.

Severus's hands were on her belly. Hermione tried to move but he pulled a leg over hers and nuzzled her neck. "Not yet." He rasped and drew circles on her belly. Hermione felt hot and short of breath. Severus never behaved this way. He was proper, avoided her gaze until lunch whenever they made eye contact and were still in bed. This was unexpected. Was Severus conscious of what he was doing? She doubted it. Hermione trembled when he kissed her neck.

It wasn't right. This was not supposed to happen. She was scared; he was stronger than her. He could hurt her easily.

"Severus wake up." She said shakily.

The man breathed deeply and released her. Hermione stood up immediately and fled the room. She ran to Tom's room and tried to calm her beating heart. The witch hoped Severus didn't notice her nervous face or her flaming cheeks. He had to ignore their exchange this morning. She put on a smile and opened the door. He was sleeping soundly.

She sat by him, "Wake up Tom. It's Christmas. We have to open your presents. Father Christmas left you some." She whispered until the boy rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"Father Christmas isn't real." He muttered grumpily.

Hermione frowned, "well, you still have presents." She said chirpily.

"Up, up." She tried tickling him. That didn't work well because he frowned.

She frowned too, "very well then. I'll have to tell Severus that you're not behaving."

The trick worked, "Sir is here?"

Hermione nodded, "He came home a few hours ago." Tom didn't outright grin but his face changed.

"I suppose I couldn't go with you." Tom tried to sound uninterested.

They walked down the stairs. Severus was seated by the tree and was reading the newspaper already. He wore his pajamas. Tom ran down. "You came back." Tom said with a grin.

"It's my home." Severus said with an arched eyebrow. Tom nodded and looked like he wanted to hug him. She smiled. Severus would disapprove of such public displays of affection. Hermione intervened then, "Let's open your presents."

She sat down by the tree and searched for the first gift. "This is yours." Tom smiled and opened the gifts. Hermione could tell he was not really excited by the new clothes or shoes. She got him. Tom opened a dark green gift and gasped.

It was a beautiful black leather diary. Hermione quenched the desire to take the book away from Tom. "It's for your magic lessons. You will need to write notes for potions and your thoughts." Tom looked at the blank pages and was truly excited.

"Only you will be able to write and read the pages. You'll always have more pages to write in." Severus said with a smirk. Tom looked at the notebook reverently.

"Thank you sir." He smiled brightly. Hermione struggled to fight the fear she felt when she saw that little black diary.

Hermione was nervous when he opened her last gift. She shouldn't have because Tom even hugged her when he opened the train set. Tom carefully set his other gifts aside and set up his trains. Severus helped him when Tom couldn't get the set up fast enough. Tom let him.

The young witch retrieved the package for him. Tom and Severus were on the floor setting the trains. Tom watched each little train with awe. She gathered her courage and sat next to them, "This is for you. Happy Christmas Severus." Hermione placed the package on his lap.

He raised an eyebrow, "I did not get you anything. Christmas is for children." He said airily.

She smiled sadly, "I wanted to. Please." Tom frowned.

"I should have gotten you something as well. You both got me gifts." Tom said with an air of determination and went upstairs.

"Open it." She encouraged Severus. The man was curious to the point of being nosy. He opened the box and frowned. Hermione didn't like the nervousness she felt.

"I got you some of the books Tom slashed as well. I can get you more of those." She said after a full minute of silence.

"How did you know? Where did you get it?" He asked with a low voice.

"I went to Manchester and met with the owner of the shirt. I asked him if I could have one of his old shirts. He said he that one to the last match they played. I could wash it if you want. I thought it would be nice. Ron and Harry were always on and on about some quidditch players and their uniforms but you don't follow quiddictch. You like football. Harry once said that you shouldn't wash jerseys but I don't think is sanitary…" She didn't finish. Severus hugged her. Hermione felt his arms around her and trembled. It was brief, too brief for her to properly establish what she felt.

He looked at her with a strange look. Hermione was a little confused. "Thank you very much. He was my grandfather's favorite player. My father and I, we grew up hearing stories of his moves." Severus said with a barely audible voice and without looking at her. She smiled and he gave her a small smile.

"I must get you something. What do you want girl?" His voice was louder this time. He retreated back to his persona. He was Severus Snape, Potions' Master.

Hermione shook her head, "I didn't expect anything from you Severus. It is perfectly fine."

"Don't be a dunderhead and tell me what you want." Severus said.

"I don't want anything." Hermione was not used to people asking her what she wanted for gifts. People usually just gave her gifts. The young woman liked the sentimentality behind the gifts, how thoughtful they were.

He frowned and was about to argue with her once more when Tom ran down the stairs. "I have your presents." He announced eagerly.

He handed Severus a blue flask with a liquid. "It's dittany. I was saving it to make my own potions but you have it Sir." He said with big brown eyes.

"Where did you find dittany?" Severus asked curiously.

"Oh, by the countryside. The school took us three weeks ago. Hermione signed the paper and we went. I saw it and it was the same as the picture you have in one of your books. I remembered you said it was very helpful so I took a handful." Tom explained excitedly.

"Thank you very much Tom." Severus took the flask and put it next to the jersey.

"This is for you Hermione." The boy gave her a piece of paper. It was a drawing of her and him. "Only the two of us." He smiled sweetly. It was a very nice drawing. "I was saving it for your birthday but you can have it now." He said cheekily. She hugged him and kissed him soundly.

"It's a very nice gift. Thank you very much. Look Severus." She said happily. Hermione was ecstatic. She felt so much joy. It was strange to feel so happy for a change.

"You draw very well Tom." Severus complimented and looked at the picture and her.

"Thank you sir." He grinned and chatted all the way to breakfast. Severus cooked for them. They tried to make a traditional meal and succeeded somewhat. Severus of course took the lead and told them what to do. "We'll follow your book's recipes." He muttered but once they started to cook. He put the book aside and decided to follow his rules. Hermione argued when he threw more basil. He glared at her. Hermione smiled to herself and remembered the Half-Blood Prince. Severus didn't follow recipes he never could.

She grinned when he placed his new/old jersey back in the box and went to his study. Tom and her watched as fashioned two crystal frames and placed the shirt inside them.

She didn't chide him for his use of magic. He hung the shirt next to a portrait of some landscape. They went back to finish preparing their meal. Tom was lively and wanted to help around as much as he could. Hermione and him were mostly in charge of peeling and dicing ingredients.

They ate dinner. Tom played with his trains and soldiers. Severus sat on his armchair and read a few of the books she bought him back. She tuned in the radio and played alongside Tom until he couldn't keep his eyes open. Hermione made sure Tom took a bath and then went right to bed.

She went back to living room to get her book and found Severus there. He put the book aside when he saw her enter. "Have a seat." She did so, on the sofa diagonally of him.

"You haven't told me what you want for Christmas yet." He was insistent. She should have known he was not going to let it go.

"Anything you wish to give me will be perfectly fine Severus." She said with a small smile.

"Fine but it will be on you if you don't like what I give you." He grumbled and grabbed a string of his shirt. Severus used his wand and then the piece of cloth became a beautiful golden chain with a pendant, an otter.

"It is not gold. You can't produce gold with magic unless you have a philosopher stone." Severus said.

"It's beautiful." She took it from his hands and tried to put it on.

"Let me." He sat by her and pushed her hair aside. Severus lightly clasped the necklace.

"How did you know about the otter?" Hermione asked.

"I saw you and Ronald Weasley cast them during the battle at Hogwarts." Severus said and poured more wine for her and him.

"I had a very hard time producing a patronus." Hermione mentioned softly.

"I would guess it is because you are a combination of foolish, rash but somehow logical individual." Severus mentioned.

"Can you produce a patronus?" Hermione asked lightly.

"Yes." He replied curtly.

"What is it? No, don't tell me. I want to guess." The young witch clapped her hands.

"Snake, eagle, horse, cat, wolf," She laughed when she said wolf. Severus just shook his head. "You will never guess." He looked sadly.

"Well, now it is a challenge and I have the right to get hints." She sipped on her wine.

"It is a mammal and female. That is all I'm going to disclose." He looked relaxed.

"Wild or domestic? Predator or prey?" She pondered.

"Wild and prey." He continued.

Hermione must have named at least 100 jungle animals before she asked for a hint. "We are not going to sleep until I figure your patronus."

"Fine. I'll give you another hint. You have a time limit now, an hour. Forest and hunting." Severus hissed.

"A rabbit, hare, duck, a skunk." She laughed at the last option.

Severus frowned. "It is best if we retire. You will not be able to guess your way around my patronus."

He made an attempt to rise from his armchair but Hermione grabbed his hand. "No, I will find out." She looked determined and carefully listed the animals in the forest.

Severus and her drank more wine until Hermione narrowed the animals to three. "Wood mouse."

He shook his head. "No. And I'm growing weary of this. You have three more tries before I call it a night."

"Very well but if I don't figure your patronus we will continue tomorrow until I say it." Hermione said stubbornly. He frowned but nodded.

"Ok so we've established that it is a mammal. No rodents." She said hopefully.

He smirked, "very well no rodents." Hermione smiled.

"Koala." She couldn't look at him straight after she said the word.

"No, one last attempt and we go to bed." Severus stated.

She decided to eliminate the irrational one before going to bed. "A doe." Hermione saw his eyes round, just a bit, before he composed himself.

"Yes." He said simply. Hermione was shocked at the knowledge, "I don't believe you."

"I can produce a patronus." He tried to answer.

"I know you can. What I mean is that it's a doe." Hermione replied.

"Well it is." Severus spoke gently.

"Show me." Hermione looked into his dark eyes.

"It's far too late." He stood up and made for the stairs. Hermione was on his heels and touched his arm.

"Please show me." She said; her heart thumped wildly.

"Expecto Patronum." He said and a beautiful silver doe appeared. Hermione watched her prance around the room.

"She's beautiful." It clicked then. It was he; he had sent that does to the forest. The doe disappeared.

"You sent to doe. It was you, that night when Ron came back." Hermione whispered.

"Yes." Severus whispered. Hermione looked into his dark eyes and saw fear, confusion, guilt and grief.

She was missing something. She was missing a big detail, something that she needed to know but she couldn't piece it together. Hermione hugged him, "Thank you Severus." He was stiff and she awkwardly moved back.

"We should go to bed." She said without looking into his eyes.