Disclaimer: I don't own it; I just love it.

Ten

Hermione was sitting in her kitchen with Neville not long after the Order of Merlin inductions when a green fire sprang up in her fireplace. Albus Dumbledore flew gracefully out of the grate and landed neatly on his feet.

"How convenient, Mrs. Snape, Mr. Longbottom. I happen to have things to discuss with you both." The tall wizard smiled.

"Do sit, sir." Hermione said and the Headmaster folded himself into one of the chairs. He looked very out of place in this kitchen.

"You've done an excellent job with the renovations, Mrs. Snape. This house is entirely unrecognizable."

"Thank you." Hermione said, wishing he would just get to the point, but not rude enough to ask him to.

"Now, since Professor Snape has still not returned," Hermione bristled slightly at this; he spoke as if Severus had a choice, "and Professor Sprout has decided to retire, we are in need of both a Potions Professor and a Herbology Professor. Normally, I would think you too young, but both of you have shown impressive maturity beyond your years recently. Obviously I will be offering the position of Potions Professor to Mrs. Snape and that of Herbology Professor to Mr. Longbottom."

Neville smiled but Hermione was not amused.

"I don't feel I can, Albus." She began, "I did not even finish my Potions N.E.W.T."

"I hardly find that an issue." Dumbledore continued to smile, "Forgive me for saying so, but I do not think Hogwarts would be quite the same without a Professor Snape."

"I'll fill his position until he comes back and can take over again."

"And you, Mr. Longbottom?"

"Yeah, erm, sure."

"Excellent. Well, I really must be off. Good day." Dumbledore was gone as quickly as he had come.

Neville and Hermione sat in silence for a moment and then Neville gasped, "Oh no! Ginny!"

"What about her?"

"We're dating."

"You are?" Hermione smacked a hand to her forehead, "Yes. You are. I'm sorry. I forgot that I knew that. I'm not seeing the problem?"

"Ginny's going to be a seventh year."

"Oh." Hermione often forgot both Ginny and Luna were a year younger.

"And, well, we're rather serious."

"The way, I see it, you've got two options. You can put it on hold until June or—and I thoroughly recommend this one—you can go behind Dumbledore's back and carry on as you have been."

"You recommend that? But he caught you and Professor Snape."

"No. Rita Skeeter caught Severus and me," Hermione grinned wickedly, "Dumbledore, even if he does find out, won't do anything. He can't admit to two student-teacher relationships in two years. The Ministry and the Board of Governors would have a bloody fit."

"You haven't advocated rule breaking since that Umbridge cow."

"It's not really rule breaking if there is no rule." She pointed out.

"But won't it be hard to do?"

"Of course it will. But that doesn't mean you should just give up."

"I'll have to talk to Ginny about it." Neville said.

"I assumed as much." Hermione studied the grain of the table for a moment. "Neville, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Before he—before the battle, Severus told me he wanted the baby to have a father figure in case…in case he didn't make it and I was wondering if you would consider being the baby's godfather?"

"I don't know Hermione. Wouldn't someone else make more sense?"

She understood his unasked question. "I don't feel right asking Harry or Ron. Harry absolutely hates Severus and Ron's been so horrible to me lately. You've been so wonderful to me through all of this."

Neville's expression softened, "Of course I will, Hermione, if you think it would be okay with him."

"I don't think he minds as long as there is someone."

"Do you have anything you need me to do? I don't exactly know what being a godfather entails."

"I have an appointment with Madam Pomfrey tomorrow and I really don't want to go alone. And I have to visit my parents at some point. They don't know anything yet."

"I'm sure they'll be fine after the initial shock."

Neville sat with her for a little while longer, but then left to go meet Ginny for dinner, promising to return the next day for her appointment.

She climbed the stairs to the third floor bedroom that had always been hers and Severus'. She had been to Hogwarts only once since May to pick up Severus' clothes and furniture to bring to the Shrieking Shack. She crawled into bed, wearing one of his oldest and coziest jumpers, despite the heat. She brought the too-long sleeve to her nose and inhaled. It still smelled like Severus. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine he'd never gone, that he was beside her. She felt a flutter against her abdomen and she gasped. She pressed her hand there. She waited a few moments and felt it again, strong kicks against her hand.

"Hello, Henry. It's Mummy." She whispered, wishing more than ever that Severus had been here to experience this with her. She felt tears well in her eyes and did not force them away. Sometimes, a good cry was all that made her feel better.

A/N: I'm a total advocate for a good cry when nothing else seems to help.

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