A/N: hope you all enjoyed the last chapter. We're jumping ahead here to September. I don't really have nigh more to say than that, other than read and review please. I enjoy seeing what my lovely readers think. Also, sorry about the shorter chapter, just worked out this way. I'll try for a longer chapter next time.

Chapter Nine

September first had finally come around. Hermione laughed at the fact that it had taken her until then to realize that she chose to be married on the day students went back to Hogwarts for the start of term feast. Instead she started at her wedding dress as it hung in her closet, debating whether or not to drink the bottle of wine, that she had been saving for their honeymoon, that she now held in her hand.

She and Harvey had settled into a nice little routine. He was happy enough to go to her parents' home while she worked at the apothecary, stocking the shelves, keeping track of inventory, and random little tasks, even the occasional brewing session. She could have had a more prestigious job, if she could have gone back to school, but she still loved her job. And because she was usually in back, no one really tried to fuss over her.

Severus visited very often, multiple days a week. Sometimes it was just for an hour or two. Occasionally they had a meal together. She both loved and hated that Harvey was so comfortable at Severus' home so easily. She was shocked at how easily Severus seemed to adjust to the life of a father. But she was happy that he was so willing to step in, especially when George seemed to be stepping out.

She had gotten three letters from George, all very short and polite, and he had visited for Harvey once. That made her mad, but she understood, he was giving them space and a chance to adjust to life without him in it. It hurt, especially as she stared at the dress that would never be worn. Maybe she should have agreed to wear her mother's, at least then she wouldn't have wasted good money on a dress that would never be worn.

The longer she stared at it, the more she hated the infernal thing. She wanted to destroy it. She wanted to rip it to pieces and burn it. She wanted to destroy it beyond repair. She was about to grab it off the hanger when someone knocked on her door. She looked to her sleeping son in his crib, happy to see the sound did not disturb him.

So she answered the door, wine bottle in hand, to a rather pleased Severus. That is, until he saw the bottle in her hand, and he scowled at her fiercely.

"Oh calm down, Severus," she said with annoyance, "it's not even open."

"That may be, but I don't like the fact that it appears you were contemplating drinking it, while being the only one home with our son."

"Did you come here to judge my parenting skills, or did you actually have a reason for dropping by unannounced?"

He was shocked. Her tone was thick with venom, much like his own usually was, and he wondered why. But he had pried before, and got more than he expected. "I had a proposition for you."

"Shouldn't you be at Hogwarts, students will be arriving soon," she stated, not wanting to continue this conversation. That dress was calling her, begging to be destroyed.

"It's common knowledge that you did not go back to school," he continued anyway, "and not so common knowledge that you regret that."

"What are you getting at?"

"I have spoken with Minerva, and she agreed that it's a waste, that such a wonderful student felt she couldn't finish her schooling. Given that we are trying to, build a relationship of sorts for Harvey, I came up with an idea that might make the school year easier."

At this point, she was slightly intrigued, "Continue."

"You could come back to Hogwarts, with Harvey, and study to take your N.E. . you wouldn't have to attend the classes, but study with all the professors when needed."

A chance to go back to school? She hadn't even set foot there since the battle. But she had longed to go back to school.

"Why?"

"I don't understand the question Hermione."

"Why did you offer this?"

He sighed. She was really very testy today. "Because, I do not want the school year to change things. I want to make things as easy for us with Harvey as possible. And i thought you might adjudicate the chance to continue your studies, I did have one more thing to explain."

She started, almost glaringly, at him, waiting for him to continue, "We wanted to offer you an apprenticeship while you studied. If you took it on, your N.E.W.T score would be based on how well you did during the apprenticeship."

Her jaw dropped, although what he said was correct, getting an apprenticeship was almost unheard of before your N.E. . That meant they had to file a request, and she wondered what subject he thought to offer so she asked, "An apprenticeship? In what subject?"

"I want sure what you might choose, Minerva made a request for a subject to be determined. Given your grades in school and O. , the ministry agreed, especially as Kingsley put in a letter of recommendation. And all of the professors have agreed to take you on, no matter which you choose."

"Really? All of them?"

She meant him. He was ready to ask her what the hell was her problem, but he didn't want to cross any lines. So he answered her question, plainly, "Yes."

It was an unbelievable chance for her, and she wouldn't have to worry about Harvey being away from her for so long. She thought to the apothecary, how calm she was there. She wanted to study, more than anything. George didn't want her to go back, he wanted to be the working man and have her stay home, taking care of the house and children. He wanted a big family, just like he grew up in. She didn't. She wanted at the absolute most, four children, and that was big to her.

Why was she letting him still hold her back? They were over, and even though she only wanted space, she felt like they wouldn't be together.

"Well, Hermione? We don't have all day."

"It's not fair for you to spring something like this on me today and expect an answer right away. If you wanted an answer today, you should have asked me days ago."

"We only just now heard back from the ministry. I was just speaking with your employer downstairs, informing him of our plan."

That was the last straw. She snapped, "What are you getting at? You think you know what's best for me? For our son? You've only been in his life for five minutes. You don't know me, Severus. What makes you think i would be okay with you orchestrating such a huge decision in mylife?"

Her tone woke Harvey, who started crying in the next room. She looked towards it, guilt in her eyes, for only a moment, before she turned to continue glaring at Severus. She ignored the cries, though it broke her heart.

"I was trying to give you a chance at something that i deprived you of. And trying to make sure that I could still see Harvey frequently and not mess up the schedule he's become accustomed to. The only reason this is such a last minute offer, is because the ministry took their sweet time approving any of it. Now for Merlin's sake stop being angry at me, and go grab him like we both know you want to."

And she snapped in a different way. Tears started rolling down her face as she turned and all but ran to the bedroom. Her tears of course, made comforting her son that much more difficult. But she bounced him gently and hushed him and soothed him. Until he stopped crying. She sat down on her bed, holding him to her chest, hugging him. She loved him, she did. But she regretted not going back to school. At first, it was the grief, she could barely focus on anything, least of all school. Then she realized she was due during the first half of the school year, and it didn't seem like it would fit.

She looked up, seeing her dress once more. It was a symbol of a life that would never be. She knew that he lived her brains, but he would never understand her need to be more. More than just a housewife.

She'd almost forgotten about Severus until he knocked on her bedroom door, even though it had been left open. She looked up her eyes red and puffy. She looked between the closet and her door. Between the two potential futures laid out before her. Wandlessly and non-verbally, she cast a spell that caught the dress on fire. It burned until only ashes remained.

Severus only stood in the doorway, watching her carefully. He remembered her mentioning that she and George were supposed to married in September. That was why she was in such a mood. He may have felt awkward, but he knew better than to push her.

"Harvey, do you think mommy and you should go to school?"

Harvey looked up, finally noticing that Severus was there, and squealed with delight.

"I guess we're going," she said, with a sad but genuine smile.

"Any thoughts on your apprenticeship?"

"Potions."

"Are you sure, that means you'd be-"

"I know very well that you took over the potions position again. But working in the apothecary, I realized that potions are calming. I wouldn't mind owning my own apothecary, or potions shop."

"I won't be easy on you just because-"

"I don't expect you to. I just, I discovered that I love potions. If I'm going to apprentice any subject, I want it to be that. And I want to study with the best."