AN: Posting a few days early because things have calmed a bit here in the land of work. Thank you to everyone who reviewed/sent private messages. Working on this story has been a true learning experience and it's the longest fic I've ever written at over 136,000 words. Hopefully, I can update again Sunday. Thanks again for reading and let me know what you think!

Chapter 13

It took Hermione a month before she felt she had a good plan for the final stages of her research, each day a new part of the plan was formulated. When she brewed the wolfsbane in January, Severus moderated and took notes, though he did not aid in the actual brewing. She still had two students to aid her, though between ingredients and brewing, she did spend a great deal of time talking about defensive spells and arithmancy, helping the two boys in their other classes as her promise to Severus had been. When Bill Weasley took the potion that month, his odd behaviors and symptoms disappeared, in February, he had no symptoms at all and his scars began to fade, as though the potion was reversing all traces of the werewolf encounter. Though she was pleased with the success of the potion, she found trepidation in moving further; Bill wasn't a full werewolf and therefore his promising results might not translate to one who was. Her February trial had included other people, but she would have to wait until at least March before she knew how successful it had been. Thankfully, the Czech singers returned at the end of February, giving her something to look forward to.

"I wish they could come every year." Hermione yelled across the quarters to Severus, who was brushing his teeth in the loo as she changed into her dress for the evening.

"Tell your wicked minister to release funds!" Hermione snorted, thinking about how much Kingsley had changed since becoming the Minister for Magic. She knew power changed people, but she hadn't thought he would change so much.

"Come on, woman, we will be late." His hand lightly grabbed her arm, spinning her to face him. "You are exquisite." Her hand came to his face and pulled him close, kissing him while she could ensconced in their quarters, her hands pressed into the folds of his shirt and buttons. They walked together to the Great Hall, where the sixth and seventh year students were waiting for the singers to begin. Taking the seat next to Severus, Hermione looked around the room and found Neville and Hannah, and the other professors who seemed just as excited as she was. When the conductor started, Hermione rested her elbow in the crook of Severus', a small sign of affection while not being too obvious. Even if the entire school knew they were dating, it still wouldn't feel completely appropriate to her if she was fawning over him in front of the students and staff.

Hours later when they finished, Hermione chatted with Neville and Hannah, who finally admitted she was expecting, and found Sinistra and her husband in an argument. Trying not to appear too eager to hear their argument, Hermione feigned interest in a conversation between Filius and John Crowe.

"Aurora and her husband had a terrible row after the performance, did you hear them?" Hermione asked, removing her stockings and her dress, immediately putting her pajamas on.

"No, I did not, but I did notice she was rather perturbed when he walked out."

"Apparently, he's taken a job in America and she thought he was taking the job in Wales. She might be staying here, though, Severus." He sighed, he didn't want to think about having to replace her, but he also didn't want a jilted woman as his deputy if she was going to fight with her husband across the pond.

"Merlin's beard." He swore as Minka attacked his socks.

"Your cat needs to calm down, this is the third pair she's ruined."

"So she's my cat when she's destructive? Come here, Minka, and stop destroying his socks, he might kick us out and that'll be to Hagrid's hut for you." Severus grabbed her around her waist as she passed, pulling her onto his lap.

"She's as insufferable as you are." He tickled her sides, his hands traveling across her in lightning speed, forcing laughter from her he rarely heard. When he finally stilled, she wrapped her arms around his neck and let her heartbeat slow.

"Someday, I will get you back when you least expect it." Placing a quick peck on his cheek, she went to brush her teeth and hair, braiding it quickly before finding him practically asleep in the chair.

"Come on, old man."

Hermione spent the rest of term in research, having her students who were in OWL and NEWT years create a cross table of potions and ingredients that would most likely come across their tests, using this time to create cross tables of her own research. When testing concluded in June, Hermione and Severus left for Bruges, where surprisingly they were both presenting material at the conference, much to Piers Devon's chagrin. He'd written Severus several letters begging for him to present something, and though he hadn't been focusing on potions, he did contribute one paper on the effects of Frankincense on memory. As he had the year before, Devon treated them with special attention when they arrived, seating them with prominent people at dinners and lunches, making sure they had the best lecture halls for their presentations. When it was Hermione's turn to present her latest research on wolfsbane and the success she'd achieved with Bill Weasley and four other ministry candidates, she found that the questions she received were far more in depth, as though some of the people who attended the previous year had read more of her work and wanted to contribute. One professor from Romania seemed especially keen to share with her some research he'd done as a younger man.

"Severus, this is…"

" Stieg Davenport." Severus extended his hand, recognizing him immediately.

"This fine young man was my apprentice, Professor Granger, many moons ago." Hermione stared between them, Severus didn't seem too eager to see him again.

"Davenport doesn't sound particularly Romanian." Hermione noticed, as she watched them stare each other down.

"My father was from Manchester, he met my mother during the first war and moved to her village."

"I'm sorry, that was rude of me." Hermione blushed, figuring out how Severus might've met the older, distinguished man before them as he was also from the same region.

"Not at all, I'm the only Davenport in my village, aside from my grandson. Now, should we eat? I have much to discuss with you, Professor Granger." He offered his arm to her and Hermione took it, looking to Severus again who seemed rather annoyed. They sat at a small table as far from prying eyes and ears as possible.

"I started researching a cure when I came home from a long trip to Canada. My son was bitten while we were there and I wanted to save him, it was foolish of me but I devoted most of my life to it, but without your brilliant mind. I can brew potions, but you have a mind that is capable of more." Hermione didn't quite know how to take the man before her, his salt and pepper hair curled slightly, his eyes a striking blue, so blue they looked like the sea.

"Davenport, what do you want? Flattery does not work with her." Severus interjected, cutting into his chicken.

"I want nothing more than to give her my research, Severus. And, it's not flattery, if you had been half the potions apprentice she is, then I would've given it to you." Stieg Davenport's cutting remarks almost caused Hermione to choke on her lunch. "Obstinate as ever; cut the smirk and remember this: I can recall you at your worst and I have no wish to revisit those memories unless you force me, boy." It was odd for Hermione to hear someone talking to and about Severus in such a way; she should've felt uncomfortable, but it suddenly made so much sense. Of course he would have a Potions Master who was as cutting and snide as he could be. Severus folded his arms across his chest but his facial expression went flat, making him look almost like a shark.

"Is your son still living?"

"No, unfortunately he died two years ago during an experimental treatment. His son suffers no ill effects from being the product of his relationship. It is my endeavor to make sure he never does." Hermione's fork stilled, she shouldn't have been so forward.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I've made peace with it. I planned to send you my research after the conference last year when Piers Devon sent me your papers, but life got in the way. If you are agreeable, we can host you while you go through it this summer, and of course we would like to compensate you as well."

"Compensation will not be necessary." She immediately replied, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"Never work for free, Professor, you will find that even the best of people will use you to their advantage. The compensation will be rewarded even if you refuse, you'll find I am quite obstinate in that." Severus snorted, finally returning to his lunch.

"I will check my schedule and get back to you before the end of the conference, is that agreeable?" Hermione asked, running the dates through her brain, she didn't want to miss James's birthday or Harry and Ginny's.

"Splendid, and Severus, do make sure she has plenty of space in the castle for it all when she returns." Hermione stifled a laugh, she could not handle the looks exchanged between the two. Stieg stood abruptly, thrusting his hand to her and excusing himself.

"Well, that was interesting. I didn't know you apprenticed with someone." Hermione thought about the man who had just left the table, he seemed rather abrupt with Severus was overall kind and welcoming like Albus Dumbledore, but she surmised that he might have the same, 'end justifies the means' mentality that Dumbledore had believed. Still, she looked over to Stieg Davenport as he left the room, his gray hair peppered with dark flecks and his smile towards her, at the door as he left, there was something endearing about him.

"I've blocked it from my memory." He sniped, pushing his food away and scowling.

"Should I be leary of him?"

"No, he's harmless if you aren't under his tutelage. I would worry more about him boring you with inane stories about potions he never brewed or places he never visited. He's as batty as Albus Dumbledore except far more cruel and manipulative."

"Will you come visit me?" His hand found hers for a moment across the table.

"If I must." He gave her a gentle squeeze before they left to attend a panel on valerian root, presented by Piers Devon who seemed just as keen as ever to see them. Hermione noted he was less handsy so far, perhaps he'd finally gotten the memo that she was steadfastly with Severus and not up for grabs. She tried to pay attention to his presentation and the questions, but her mind thought only of Romania and the amount of research she would be doing, which eventually filtered into another chasm in her brain contemplating what he knew that she didn't know.

On the last day of the conference, Hermione and Stieg met for breakfast and ironed out the details of her coming to Romania. She would leave directly after James's birthday party and return before Harry and Ginny's, effectively giving her a month.

"And invite Severus, he would do well with a break."

"He surely needs one."

"Our days together were bleak, we were both trying to navigate the world with a madman, I was a Death Eater as well, full disclosure. Severus was confused and lonely, I made things worse for him. It does me well to see him so accomplished now, though old wounds do take time to heal, please implore him to come. I know he'll miss you if he doesn't." Hermione gave him a shocked look. "He may seem blank to most, my dear, but I can read Severus like a book. There is nothing he could hide from me, especially not his affections."

"Well, at least we won't have to explain that when he comes to stay." Hermione shook his hand, glad to have met someone else who knew Severus as a young man, and watched him leave, looking rather older than he had the days before. When she made it back to their room, Hermione found Piers Devon coming out of his.

"Excellent panel, as usual, Professor Granger, can we expect you again next year?" Hermione stilled, hoping he hadn't seen her.

"I'm sure, unless I fail miserably my next practical or my research gets destroyed." She joked, though both made her heart instantly leap in fear.

"Thank you again, we had a stellar turnout because of you." Hermione tried to negate his compliment, but found her words lost when he took her hands. She tried to pull them back, but he held them securely.

"You're too kind." She finally said, preparing herself to use a hex if need be. He finally relented and released her hands when her door opened and Severus appeared. Sometimes she forgot she was Harry Potter's best friend, someone who had helped defeat Voldemort and that alone made her a kind of celebrity, not her potions work.

"Are you ready?" She heard Severus ask, nodding she immediately turned from Devon and went to grab her bags.

"Good day." Severus remarked, snidely. They walked to the portkey and found themselves quickly back in Scotland. It took hours for Hermione to finally calm herself from her meeting with Stieg Davenport. They spent the evening reading together on the sofa, Minka curled quietly between them. Every now and then, Hermione looked to Severus, stretched out so that her feet were on his lap. He seemed lost in thought, reading but not reading. Perhaps seeing Davenport again had dredged up old memories? She decided not to question him, but to let him bring it up if it bothered him enough. Instead, she relished the quiet of their rooms, the smell of the fresh flowers Winky had brought in from the gardens, and the man across from her who she couldn't imagine loving more than she did at that moment.

"James, look over here sweetheart." Hermione tried to get the two year old's attention as he sat smartly surrounded by gifts and cakes, his little brother sitting near him at Harry's feet, squealing in delight at the bubbles and balloons in the air. She tried to get a few good pictures to update the frame on her desk. Severus stood with the other adults talking about Hogwarts with Neville, whose wife looked positively besotted with the Potter boys. Teddy and the elder Weasley grandchildren ran through the garden playing, stopping only to grab a few snacks.

"Auntie!"He shouted, reaching for her as she came to sit next to him.

"What a spoiled boy." Harry laughed, watching James cuddle on Hermione's lap, wrapping his arms around her neck and giving her a wet kiss.

"James, are you ready to open presents?" He nodded profusely, looking at all the packages before him. After he'd ripped through the presents, all were shocked when Albus tried to stand and walk over to him, his little legs eventually giving out and forcing him to fall.

"Well, aren't you clever, Alby." Ginny scooped him up and brought him to sit next to James, both looking over the tiny broom Hermione and Severus had given him. Glancing for a moment to Severus, Hermione wondered what he and Neville were still talking about, thankful that he had been making efforts with surprised her that Neville was present without Hannah and Alice, his sweet new daughter. Severus caught her looking and gave her a soft nod, looking positively

Comfortable in his position under the awning.

"Auntie, eat?" Harry brought over cake to them, though James's ended up all over his face instead of in his mouth. Their laughs chorused through the garden, but Severus noticed Hermione's above everyone's, excusing himself from Neville he joined them on the ground, stealing a bite of her cake.

"Did you see Alby walk?"

"No, perhaps he'll do it again. Isn't he quite young to be walking?" Severus stole another bite, instantly regretting the amount of sugar he was ingesting.

"Sure enough, but he does have an older sibling, and he probably won't actually walk by himself for a while." As she spoke, James and Albus came to rest between them, Albus playing with the buckle on Severus's boot, smiling up at him with his toothy grin and bright green eyes. It was hard not to love Albus, his contemplative but sweet disposition made it difficult to tell him no, whereas James was always busy and into things, his truly apologetic nature and hilarity made it hard not to laugh when he did something wrong. Holding James tightly, Hermione gave him kisses on his cheeks.

"We're going to see your Uncle Charlie in a this summer, maybe he'll let me see his dragons." James jumped up, his arms spread wide, and pretended to swarm around them, causing Albus to laugh again and the older kids to join. Eventually, the all decided to fly, though were kind enough to stay low since James's broom only traveled a few feet off the ground. Hermione had worried Ginny would be concerned that James would hurt himself being so small and flying, but she noticed Ginny watching him in admiration, as though she was significantly pleased that he had inherited proper flying abilities from them.

"Come here, sweet boy." Hermione watched as Albus tried to walk to her, his legs still struggling. When he finally fell and crawled over to her, she held him tight, knowing that she would be spending much less time at Grimmauld Place that summer and seeing less of her godson. Teddy flew by them so close Hermione's hair moved, making Albus pause, suddenly contemplative and severe.

"He's just having fun, no need to be upset." Albus looked to Severus and then back to Hermione, the severe look still on his face. "Cheer up, you'll be wanting to fly with him soon enough. Here, Uncle Severus, you can cheer him up." Severus held out his arms for Albus who toddled over reluctantly, then fell against him, keeping his eyes on James and Teddy the entire time. Hermione snapped a picture of them, both looking mildly annoyed at the boys and girls flying around the garden.

"You two are quite a pair." Ginny mused, making a funny noise at Albus to get him to laugh, but he still wore his annoyed face. It took another ten minutes before he finally softened and smiled at Hermione, who tickled him lightly under his chin.

When the party was over, Hermione helped Ginny and Harry clean up while Severus finished packing their things. He was only going to be able to visit for a few days each week as not to leave Sinistra, who had decided to stay at Hogwarts, alone in charge of the castle for too long.

"Hermione, I have a question." Ginny had stopped folding the blankets which they'd sat on outside and looked to her friend, practically a sister.

"Yes?" Hermione couldn't possibly imagine what Ginny would want to ask, unless it was about her research.

"Do you think you and Severus will get married? Have kids?" Hermione dropped the dish she'd been washing at the sink, thankfully catching it moments before it shattered. How had Ginny known those thoughts had been plaguing her all afternoon, especially as Severus had sat with their godson, so willingly and almost appearing happy about it.

"I don't know, I mean we've talked about things changing when I am finished with the program, but our discussion about kids was so long ago, I don't really know if that has changed or ever will." Ginny poured tea into two cups and brought them to the dining room, Hermione followed her almost unable to stop the image of the little girl of her dreams from invading her mind.

"And what did that conversation consist of?"

"You aren't normally this curious?" Hermione retorted, sipping her tea.

"It's just, you're so good with the boys and you so obviously love them, I just wonder if that will be enough for you in the long run. I am not saying that not having children means you've lived less of a life, you're one of the most successful and driven witches I know, but I see you with them and it makes me wonder, Harry, too." Hermione could barely make eye contact with Ginny, knowing that he heart had begun to soften tremendously to the idea of a child with Severus.

"When I was with Ron, I knew I didn't want kids; nothing against him, I just didn't. But, since James, things have changed. I don't really know if I want children, honestly I don't, but I have this dream every so often of a little girl. She's running through a field of sunflowers with long, wavy dark hair and bright hazel eyes, with my dimples and his lips, and it makes me wonder what we'd be like as parents, he always pulls her to him and they look so lovely together...but," she paused, drinking more tea and thinking to their conversation, "I don't think he will ever want children and I can see why. His parents and childhood were nothing like ours, like Harry he didn't have a father figure, I'm sure the thought of it all is frightening. When we spoke of it before, he told me he didn't think he'd want children and that he didn't want to disappoint me if I did. And when Albus was born, he just said we'd talk about it when I was finished with my program, but I still don't think his mind will be changed. It's a great responsibility and requires so much sacrifice, and I rather think he's sacrificed enough of his life." Ginny sighed heavily, sad for Hermione and her obvious distress.

"It's not like I think about it often, but it does put things in perspective when we're here. I love those boys, all three of them, and I see him with them, a different man, and think, would he want that for himself?"

"It's understandable, we've all seen a different side of him since the war, and not just with the boys, with you, too. He's so careful with you and always watching, as though if one of us stepped out of line, we'd be hexed. I know it will be a difficult conversation, but you really should express this to him, even if you eventually decide you don't want children." Hermione nodded, knowing Ginny was right.

"In a year, I'll bring it up, but not now, there's no sense." As Hermione finished her sentence, they both looked over and saw James standing at the end of the table, his index finger in his mouth.

"Ready for bed, birthday boy?" Ginny squeezed Hermione's shoulder and followed James up the stairs, leaving Hermione to contemplate their conversation alone in the dining room. When she finally went up, after the dishes were finished and the rooms organized, she went into the nursery and kissed James and Albus on their foreheads, then to Teddy's room, where he was still up reading. She crawled into bed next to him and let him read to her. Minutes later, Hermione saw Severus at the door, watching them. Teddy continued reading and when he finished, gave Hermione a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

"I'm exhausted; who knew a birthday for a two year old would be so demanding." Hermione fell against the bed, still completely clothed.

"You'll get no rest with Davenport, so I suggest you sleep now." She heard the seriousness in his voice, the warning.

"Should I be afraid of him, Severus?"

"No, but a healthy sense of caution would not be remiss." She felt his sneer before she saw it.

"Will he call me insufferable or a know-it-all?" She chuckled, but when she looked to him, his face was completely serious.

"He is not to be trifled with."

"I wasn't planning on "trifling" with him, you know. I am there to learn and research, I don't anticipate finding a friend in Stieg Davenport." He finally joined her on her bed but remained in his own space, looking solemn.

"Why did you never tell me about him before?" His hand wove into her hair, causing her to moan gently against him.

"He was my second master and I worked with him in total secrecy, Dumbledore didn't know until I became a spy for him. Davenport was a Death Eater."

"He told me." Shocked, he glanced at her quickly and then pretended to pull lint from his shirt, detangling his hand from her hair instantly, pulling it slightly as he did.

"You need to be careful with him; he's brilliant and conniving, far more conniving than you can even fathom." Hermione rose to change and found herself conflicted. She wanted to understand why Severus was being so contrite, but knew if he was in one of his moods, talking about it wouldn't help. Brushing her teeth and then hair, she found the room empty when she returned, so she put on her dressing gown and went downstairs. Immediately, Hermione knew she should've stayed in her room, but she didn't want him to be alone and upset. Finding him on the patio smoking, Hermione shivered with the night breeze and watched him. He looked ever the broken man she remembered from school, gaunt and thin, sad and angry. It took all of her strength to not to touch him, to not wrap her arms around his waist and hold him tightly against her.

"You are a glutton for punishment, has anyone ever told you that, Granger?" She snapped her eyes to his, wondering why he was suddenly calling her Granger again.

"No, I don't think they have, but I've been told worse." Hermione had only seen him smoke twice before, but wondered how often he did. He never smelled of it when he came to their quarters.

" Stieg will say worse, no doubt. He is an old, cruel man."

"Are you trying to talk me out of going?" Pleading with him, Hermione turned away for a moment and then realized he was nervous and jittery, almost as though he'd had too much coffee or smoked too quickly. Her hand reached for his, but she could see it was shaking.

"No, I am simply trying to prepare you for the hell you may encounter while you are away."

"I appreciate the sentiment." She turned on her heel, no anger or malice in her voice, and went back into the house, climbing the stairs until she found her room and finally went to sleep. She didn't hear him return or feel him move into the bed next to her, gently stroking her hair and burying his face in it.