Author note: I still don't own a thing apart from my own characters.

I apologize for the delay. I really am sorry, I try to get on with this as fast as I can, I promise. :-) Thank you for your reviews and your support. I hope you will like this new chapter. Do let me know your thoughts.

Olivia Williams: I agree with you. It will take a lot more than a dinner. He will have to work hard, but there is also something in the background of his decision we are yet to find out. ;-)

Cat130: Thanks very much! :-)

vampirela69: I know. He will, I promise. No more Cassandra. :-)

Luna de Papel: It seems life isn't working out for Severus at the moment...but he'll be okay at the end.

Montara: Oh, yes he did get mad, but he is also a gentleman (more or less :-D).

SereniteRose: Thanks. I'm happy you like the story. :-)

LoveInTheBattleField: Thanks for you continuous support. ;-)

anon: Thanks, and again, he deserves all of it. He was a prat, but he learns. :-)

Chapter 11

Say you don't need me, you liar

29 July 2002

Severus' eyes flashed in anger at seeing her there. His face darkened, and the corner of his lips twitched, hardly noticeable though. Those were, unquestionably, the signs of the darkest storm that a human could carry in his soul. Hermione involuntarily held her breath. As far as she knew there was only one person so far who could put him into this passion, and that was Harry Potter. Cassandra Reynolds obviously didn't know him well enough or she would have never intruded his home in this manner.

"Hermione, would you excuse me for a minute?" His threateningly calm voice thrilled her spirit, and she thanked Merlin that she wasn't the target of his destructive anger.

Severus grabbed Cassandra's arm and dragged her out of the room. It was not his habit to raise a hand to women, but this time he was tempted to make an exception, if it wasn't for his unwavering belief that a real man would never harm women or children.

"What are you doing here?" he filtered the words through his teeth, after he shepherded his former lover into the study.

"I wanted to know if you threw me away like a ragdoll because of another woman," she answered in a surprisingly calm voice "and here we are, the rumours proved to be true. But what is even more annoying that you replaced me with such a bland, mousy... little girl.

"Watch your mouth!" Severus snapped at her. "If you must know, that girl as you called her is a part of my life. Her little finger is worth more than you do in whole including everything you got from me for your services!" he looked her up and down scornfully.

"It's astonishing how cynical you are" Cassandra huffed. "How at all dare you use this tone when you talk to me? I stood beside you, I supported you and I loved you!" she hurled at him. "I thought you reciprocated my feelings, and that you knew we belonged together. We are..."

"There is no such a thing as "we", Cassandra" he interrupted "and never was. Don't you dare mention love to me! You don't love anyone, apart from yourself. If you ever felt anything at all that could only be the adoration about my money. If memory serves right I didn't exactly have to beg you to accept the apartment, the car, jewelleries and expensive clothes. And as for your support... if by support you mean that you dragged me from one foolish party to the other, and persuaded me to donate money for more and more otiose purposes – apart from the few exemptions – so you may flatter yourself and gain admission to the elite that was so much desired by you, well, I would like to open your eyes to the fact that that was only liability for me." He stopped to take a big breath, and immediately went on before she could have interrupted him. "Nevertheless, I admit that I made a mistake. I apologize for I let things deteriorate and let you believe, wrongly, that I will always be your fairy godmother. I ask for your forgiveness for the way I ended our relationship. It was abrupt and cruel. That you indeed didn't deserve, but I can change it, not that that will change the facts. Whatever we had it's over, and I can assure you, I will not change my mind. If you have problems of financial nature, I will of course support you until you find and acceptable source of income, but I don't ever want to see you. Be so kind and leave my house, and don't ever come back"

After Cassandra's leaving he tried to soothe his nerves with some whiskey. He was worried that that little scene would ruin everything he managed to obtain so far. He was worried that Hermione would change her mind. The knock on the door reminded him of his neglected duties as a host.

"Forgive me for disturbing you," Albert entered the room "but Miss Granger has already left, and she said...I will quote her, so please don't shoot the messenger. If you ever let Miss Reynolds near her son, you can flush your settlements down the toilet."

Hermione was uneasy moreover pent up when she left Severus' house. Malvina told her that that woman was not a part of Severus' life anymore, and here they are, the first time she entered his house and that harlot already broke the door on them. Cassandra was way much prettier than she was and also more confident, no doubt. There was no use of denying her feelings, she was jealous of her, worryingly so. Against all the hurt and mistrust, she still wanted him, and if he left hundreds of one night stands and short lived relationships behind, it would have been much easier to forgive him. Only he lived with this woman in the same house for two years. Two years is too long to keep someone close who doesn't mean much to us. Their relationship must have been important for Severus. She tossed and turned all night, with her mind's eyes she saw as his body tangled with Cassandra's, and these images made her feel cold and empty. She could keep telling herself that she didn't want anything from him anymore, but in fact, she would have given a lot just to be in her lover's arms again. There was a time she could spend all night with him.

20 January 1997

After an extraordinarily long and tiresome Death Eater weekend, he had to start the Monday with teaching double Defence Against the Dark Arts for the sixth year Slytherins and Gryffindors. He would never have admitted it, but among his own house there was as much if not even more bumbling idiot as in Gryffindor. It was even more tiresome to teach them, because he couldn't even show how annoying he found them. The Gryffindors he could at least wished them further even if only figuratively. He could give out detentions and take points as much as his heart desired. Unless it was the self-conceited, dunderhead Potter. In his case even that couldn't make him happy. Naturally, that didn't stop him summoning him again and again. He enjoyed torturing him. He knew he was childish, but he just couldn't make himself care. He needed to get rid of tension some way after all. As the student entered the classroom, he readied himself for the upcoming fun.

Hermione was among the first students to enter, and when her eyes landed on his desk where the raven black quill wriggled and fluttered, and left notes rapidly on a huge pile of essays, she sent a hurried smile towards him then took her seat beside the Potter offspring. He had hardly seen her since New Year's Day. With the increasing Death Eater activities, and Voldemort summoning him more often, it was nearly impossible to steal a moment. Not to mention Dumbledore who also wanted his company more frequently. He was exhausted and impatient by the end of the class and it was only the beginning of the week. For the first time in years he wanted to take a holiday. Every single nerve of his demanded his non-existent private life. Mentally, he imagined as he informed Voldemort, he was going to take two weeks off.

At the end of the class, he collected their homework assigned from the previous lesson. The students handed him their endless scribble then left the room. Hermione nonchalantly handed him her naturally double length parchment and was about to exit his classroom. Severus took a quick glance on her homework and elegantly lifted an eyebrow.

"Miss Granger, if you have a minute! I want to talk to you." The girl turned around obediently and walked back to his desk with a hardly visible smirk on her face. Severus waited until all students left the room before he turned to her. "Now, isn't this a risky way of sending messages? What if next time you accidently write on your Transfigurations essay? I can't even imagine what Minerva would say seeing this" he teasingly fluttered her homework.

"Well, the message only shows, if you touch the parchment" she looked at the light blue letters on top corner of her essay with a small smile on her face.

I'm worried about you. I never know where you are. I miss you. I miss your arms around me, and your kisses on my lips. It was so long ago that you touched me; sometimes I believe I only dreamt of it.

"I can assure you it wasn't a dream. I was there too, if you recall." The girl blushed sweetly then bent her head. "You should never doubt that I miss you too. You are always on my mind. Wait, that's not true! I can't think of you when standing in front of the Dark Lord, I believe he wouldn't appreciate it" his lips twitched.

"Please, don't make a joke of this" she said frightened. "I can't bear even the thought of you getting into trouble because of me."

"Don't be worried about me, Hermione. I can take care of myself. With a little luck on our side we will be able to spend some time together this weekend, but until then here is something for you" he replied and pulled a vial out of his pocket that was full of some thick, black liquid. "This is my own invention, but I never had a time to test it. Now, the question is, if you trust me" he looked at her inquiringly.

"Perhaps" she answered with a frown.

"I will need a hair of yours" he said, and when she looked doubtful, he grabbed a hair of his, pulled it out and dropped it into the vial then offered it to her.

Hermione though had her doubts mimicked him and together they watched as the liquid slowly turned from black to dark blue. After that he picked up an empty vial off his desk and poured half of the liquid into it, and put it into her hand.

"What is this?" she asked suspiciously.

"Why, and I thought you trusted me. You merely need to drink it before you go to sleep."

"I said perhaps" Hermione pouted, but she knew that she wouldn't get an answer.

In his dream he was standing in the white sand of a beach. There was only the sea and the blue sky without any trace of life. It was unusually quiet; he could only hear the murmur of the soft waves. Suddenly low music sounded, and the sun lowered on the horizon and sprinkled the sky with red and gold. It seemed even more pleasant this way. He took a look at himself, and saw that he only wore light, black trousers and a half buttoned shirt. He pulled off his shoes, and started off towards Hermione who sat in the warm sand about fifty yards far with her back to him. She was staring off into the rocking waves. The sand pleasantly caressed his feet and stifled the sound of his steps. He almost managed to near her undetected, but the last minute she somehow sensed his presence and turned around and looked back over her shoulder with a smile on her face.

"Where are we?" she asked him and stood up to dust her yellow and white, flowery summer dress that enticingly hugged her slender body. She looked lovely. The lively colours emphasized her honey coloured tresses and big, doe eyes.

"How should I know? This is your dream after all. Does this place exist at all?" He lifted his hand and shielded his eyes, so he could look around.

"I don't think so" she answered hesitantly and grabbed his shirt to pull him closer. "So how does this potion work exactly?"

"It is able to connect two or even more people in their dreams. It must feel just like reality. You can see and sense everything. Colours, flavours, fragrances..."

"Well, then," she started teasingly "it must be only a theory, since as you told me yourself, you haven't had the chance to test it. It's time to experiment, don't you think?" Hermione pressed a light kiss on his half bare chest then she drew little, wet circles on his skin with her tongue. "Flavours checked" she murmured playfully then grabbing his hair she stroked with the tip of her nose along his neck and jawline. "Scents checked. And what about touches? You never mentioned those..."

"I thought you would never ask" he answered in a husky voice and slowly lowered her to the warm sand.

3 August 2002

Toby was jumping up and down on the bed while Hermione tried to tie his shoelace in vain.

"That's quite enough, young man!" Slightly annoyed, she finally gave it up and pulled her wand out of her pocket then with a flick of her wrist the laces were tied into neat little bows.

"Again, again!" the little boy demanded, and with a cheeky grin he untied his shoes again. Hermione just rolled her eyes, but waved her wand again, and when Toby tried his antics again, for his surprise he just couldn't. This, my little friend," his mother informed him with a wide smile "will come off only when I say so."

She helped him off of the bed and taking his hand, she led him downstairs.

"Are you ready?" she asked him, and he happily nodded. "It is slightly unpleasant, but it will only last for a few seconds."

This was the very first time for Toby to travel the magical way. Hermione didn't want to chance apparating him side along, and since none of them had a fireplace connected to the network, the only option they had left was the Portkey. Her son took the short trip surprisingly well, and there they stood on the driveway in front of Severus' house. Malvina most probably had been waiting for their arrival impatiently, for they didn't even have to ring the bell. The door opened in the second they landed, and the tiny woman hugged Hermione with a welcoming smile. When they finally entered the house, Toby looked around in awe and hid behind her mother, but after a little prodding he was willing to introduce himself and shake hands with Malvina and Albert who just turned up from the kitchen.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger. I think we didn't have much time for causalities at your last visit" Albert greeted the witch with a knowing smile.

"It is a pleasure to meet you again. Please, call me Hermione" she shook the chauffeur's hand. "I hope Severus was not held up by his duties this time."

"I guess you will use every opportunity to rub in that mishap" Severus called to her while walking down the stairs with a huge box in his hands.

"Your tardiness and everything else I can think of, I can assure you" she answered with a serious expression, but there was a hesitant smile hiding in her warm brown eyes.

"Well, I guess I deserve it, but don't think next time I will let you win so easily. Let me welcome you in my home again, and you little Tobias, you are very welcome too" he added when he reached the ground floor. "Did you enjoy the trip?"

"Wow, it was awesome! I will go by Portkey to kinder garden from now on" he replied excitedly, which answer met his father's slightly raised eyebrows.

"So where should we start? Here is this mysterious box. Would you perhaps like to know what's in it? Or would you like to see your room first?"

"Do I have a room? I want to see my room and the box too!" he was crying out enthusiastically.

"Severus," Hermione interrupted his glee "may I talk to you for a minute?" Not waiting for an answer, she grabbed his arm and dragged him into the drawing room.

"Come with me, Toby" Malvina took the little boy's hand. "I'll make a hot chocolate for you while your parents talk. I bet you like it" she winked at him.

"Very much, thank you" he said happily.

"Indeed, Malvina makes the best hot chocolate on Earth with marshmallows and huge whipped cream on top." Albert also got excited and with a spring in his steps he started off back to the kitchen, leading their little group.

"And who said you will get any, you old goat?" his wife growled at him which Toby found very funny.

Hermione carefully locked the door behind them then threateningly looked Severus up and down.

"There is no good reason for you to spoil Toby. This is the first afternoon he spends with you, and you already lavish him with a room and gifts..." she huffed in desperation. "This is not what it is supposed to be about." Her angrily flashing eyes and tense posture resembled a dangerous feline.

"My intentions were good, I swear to you. I hope you understand, I have to make up for four years, and I don't know how to start it" he answered innocently.

"For Merlin's sake! It doesn't work that way!" she snapped. "You were not there when his first tooth came, or when he took his first steps, or when he first said dad. These are moments you can't just make up for. Those are one-off and unrepeatable. You should only let him getting know you, give him time until he feels closer to you. You can't just buy a child's love with presents, nor should you. If you two spend enough time together, he will love you for you and not for whatever you can give him" she glared at him with face flushed.

"When did he say dad first?" he asked humbled.

"He was about two years old" Hermione sighed. Suddenly all the fight left her. The emotions that showed in his eyes took the wind out of her sails. "Just go and get to know him. And yes, take the present with you, since you already promised him" she added when he took an inquiring glance at the box in his hands.

Hermione was sitting in the kitchen accompanied by Albert, Malvina, and a mug of freshly brewed black coffee.

"I hope you won't think me meddlesome, but I'm glad you gave Severus a chance after all, Miss Granger" said Albert who was comfortably stirring his second cup of hot chocolate.

"Please, do call me Hermione" she offered again and smiled at the elderly gentleman kindly.

"Hermione, believe me when I say that Severus is a good man" Malvina noted when she placed a plate of cookies on the table then she took her seat next to her husband, across from Hermione. "We owe him our lives." This perked up Hermione's curiosity, but she didn't want to seem intrusive.

"Malvina and I are both squibs, you know" Albert took over and his words explained quite a few things. "We were born into pureblood families, but fate chose a different path for us. At the time it was a custom of wealthy Wizarding families to marry the squibs or magically weak ones among each-other. These weren't worse than any other prearranged marriages" he assured Hermione when he saw her pitiful expression. "This way we, squibs could find comfort in sharing our life with someone who grew up in a similar way, and there was always a chance that two squibs could produce a magical offspring."

"Our marriage was prearranged too." Malvina squeezed her husband's hand. "Our parents just decided it over our head, but when we met at last, it was a love at first sight. After a very short courtship Albert asked for my hand in marriage. After the wedding we bought a little house in Stow-on-the-Wold. It is a squib town far up north." She stopped for a second to gather her memories, and Hermione involuntarily bent forward in anticipation. "We were so happy" she continued after a while. "We had everything we needed, and soon we could hold Fridolph, our first born in our arms, and a few years later came our daughter, Tionna. Fridolph was about seven or eight years old when we first saw signs of magical powers. I don't have to mention that we were happy as a sand-boy when he got his letter from Hogwarts. Unfortunately Tionna was born a squib, but Merlin, Fridolph was talented. He passed his N.E.W.T.s with flying colours and he left for Auror training. We were so proud of him." The housekeeper quieted and her eyes filled with tears. Hermione perplexedly stirred her already cold coffee.

"Malvina, you really don't need to..." she started, but Albert interrupted.

"Everything is all right, Hermione" he patted her hand. "We would like to tell you about it, but one can never really get over losing their children. We think about them in every minute of every single day, and though the pain fades with time, we will never cease to mourn them. Fridolph died very young when Voldemort was first in reign. Death Eaters killed him when he was on duty. Tionna was our only solace." Albert stopped to take a sip of his hot chocolate then with a sigh he went on. "She never got married. We didn't intend to force her to marry against her will, so she stayed with us. She was a very good girl. Everyone loved her in our town, especially the children. She taught in the town school. It happened six years ago." He looked at his wife looking for her help.

Hermione felt slightly uncomfortable. It was the elderly couple's decision to let her in on the tragedy of their life, still it was like she was intruding. She was about to excuse herself and look for her son, when Malvina cleared her throat in indication to continue the story.

"We already knew about Voldemort's return, and we were scared" she said slowly. Albert put an arm around his wife's shoulder and stroked her arm encouragingly. "We heard the news about the terrifying things that happened. The breakout from Azkaban, the Dementors running wild, and all the people that disappeared, all the rumours were dreadful, but they were nothing compared to what happened at the end of that summer. We were considering moving over to Australia for good, so we came to visit our friends, who had been living here for years to get to know our opportunities. My dear old friend, Amanda is a witch, so she made us a Portkey. This way our journey was very simple and quick. At returning we landed right by our house. The dread and the shock we had to live through that day are indescribable. Half of the town was in flames and so was our home. We could have cut the smoke with a knife, we hardly saw anything. Still we tried to get into the house, because we were worried about our daughter. We found her dead body in the living room with limbs terribly twisted. They tortured her to death." Malvina tried to repress her sobbing. "We heard the Death Eaters laughing and shouting just under our windows. They shot curses after curses at people who tried to escape. Those people were our friends and neighbours, yet we couldn't do anything. We didn't have much choice for that matter. Joining them or wait until the house burns down with us in it." She wiped her eyes with a white linen handkerchief that she pulled out of her pocket.

Hermione stood up and fetched a glass from the cupboard then went to the kitchen sink to fill it. She quietly placed the glass front of the elderly woman and waited patiently while she gratefully took a few sips of the cool liquid.

"That's when Severus appeared out of the blue" Malvina continued at last. We don't know why he entered the house, perhaps he saw us arriving, but he saved us. He waited until we gathered that little value we had then he made a Portkey and he sent us straight back here to Australia. The rest you probably already know. We owe him our lives and the roof above our head."

"I thank you for honouring me with your confidence" said Hermione with teary eyes, and she took a deep breath. Her heart broke for these good people. They certainly didn't deserve what happened to them. How much they had to suffer. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose a child, especially with her life taken in such a brutal way.

Somewhere from the house they heard Toby's laughter and joyful screaming just then. Hermione stood up and discretely left the kitchen to investigate the ruckus and also give some privacy to the couple whom as she sensed could have used a little alone time.

Entering the living room she started to regret that she let the two Snapes have fun without her. Toby was riding a small toy broom that in theory shouldn't have lifted him higher than a few feet from the ground. Yet her son was already flying almost as high as the ceiling and was very much amused by his father who tried to retrieve him unsuccessfully. The naughty little rascal slipped out of his reach every time. Severus obviously started to lose control over the situation which was very odd. She knew him as someone who always gained the upper hand.

When he finally saw Hermione standing in the doorway with arms crossed, he was only blinking at her like a snow-white Slytherin. Then he pulled his wand out of his sleeve, he waved it, and Toby landed straight in his arms.