DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling; I do not.
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A/N: So, how was the 'family reunion' for you? Ha-ha. And what do you think of Severus's feelings? :) If you're done thinking about 'em, may I now present Chapter 13? :)
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CHAPTER 13: His Son's Mother
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Days passed so quickly. After that meeting with Remus and Nymphadora at the cottage, Teddy returned to his time, but not before leaving dear Professor Umbridge one last prank. With Savelius's help, Teddy sent another couple of nifflers. Once again, the Pink Toad from the Ministry screamed like a maniac. This made Fred and George Weasley curious of who is 'following their footsteps' as pranksters. Professor Snape pretended that he doesn't know anything when asked if he has any idea during a staff meeting. The same goes for her. In the Gryffindor common room, Hermione pretended to be curious and surprised by the pranks which Umbridge got. She secretly told Harry that it was Savelius's doing; but she didn't dare mention Teddy.
They have come to a routine. Hermione will go to her classes, eat breakfast at the Great Hall and Professor Snape will take every opportunity in Potions class to give her detentions. But it's not everyday that she serves detentions, to avoid Professor McGonagall's suspicions. After her patrols as a prefect, she would sneak to the dungeons to meet Savelius and Professor Snape. Usually, she would find the father and son working on the antivenins. She also helped them research, but the job of brewing fall down to the tow wizards. Sometimes, they would let her assist them in the private laboratory, but most of the time, Professor Snape just lets her watch and after half an hour, she'd fall asleep on the couch. There are times when Savelius wakes her up and Professor Snape will escort her to the Gryffindor Tower. There are also times when he would let her stay and sleep at Savelius's room and would escort her to the tower in the morning—usually two hours before breakfast.
"Don't you like the food?" Severus asked his son. They're eating breakfast together in his private quarters. Savelius was poking the pudding, but not really eating it.
Savelius looked up. "I'm getting sick of Hogwarts food," he said dryly.
Severus folded the Prophet he was reading while drinking coffee. He leaned to meet Savelius's eyes. "Is there any food you'd like to eat?"
Savelius sighed. "I want the chocolate pudding at Mum's childhood favourite restaurant in Muggle London. We used to go there every Sunday with Uncle Draco before I went to Hogwarts," he informed. "And then, when I started school, Uncle Draco would go to that restaurant on Sundays and bring me any food from there. He knows I'd love whatever he'd bring for me, even if it's not chocolate pudding."
Severus stared at his son. It is evident that he's missing something from home. Well, he couldn't blame him. This is not his time and hasn't been out of the castle since he arrived (except the times he went to Hagrid's cabin to collect nifflers). "Would you like to go to Muggle London?" he asked.
Svelius's eyes widened. "Can I?" he asked, hopeful.
H shrugged. "As long as I'm with you."
"Can Mum go with us?"
"I cannot promise you that," he said curtly. "Students aren't supposed to leave the castle."
"But she went with us to the cottage," Savelius reasoned.
"That was an important matter, son, that's why the headmaster allowed her to leave."
Savelius looked down to his plate. "If Mum can't go, let's just stay here. I don't want to go there without her. Even in my timeline, I never went to that restaurant without her."
"I thought you're a Slytherin, not a Hufflepuff... or Gryffindor." His eyebrows rose.
"I'm my mother's son," Savelius muttered. "No matter which house I'm in, I'm still his son."
Severus felt a pang of hurt. Have I disappointed him? Merlin''s bollocks, he only has more or less than forty days here and I can't give what he wants. The boy only wants to eat with his teenager of a mother.
"All right, I'll speak with Dumbledore," he conceded.
Savelius looked at him again and smiled. "Really?"
Severus smirked. Sometimes, I forget that he's just a boy... an eleven year-old boy. Like every child, it's the simple things that can make him happy. "Yes," he answered softly and gestured to his plate. "But you will finish your breakfast. Agreed?"
"Agreed." Savelius smiled and resumed his breakfast.
"When would you like to go?" he asked.
"On All Hallows' Eve," he answered.
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~~SSHG~~
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"Severus, my boy! Come in," Albus greeted as he entered his office. It's still thirty minutes before his next class starts and he decided to speak with the headmaster about his plans on All Hallows' Eve.
He sat on the visitor's chair. "Good morning, Headmaster," he said curtly. "I am here to ask your permission to leave the castle on the Halloween."
Albus eyed him intently and sighed. "Of course, my boy," he said softly.
"But I will not be leaving alone. My son wishes to go to Muggle London and eat at a particular restaurant. He's longing for his favourite food. I want to grant his request."
Albus looked surprised and smiled fondly. "Well, of course, my boy! He's your son. He can leave the castle with you. Shall I arrange a Portkey? You know, the Floos are being monitored."
"Yes, a Portkey, please. Thank you. But there's one more thing, Headmaster."
"What is it, Severus?" he asked eagerly.
"Savelius wishes that his mother will be able to join us."
"Ah, Miss Granger. That wouldn't be a problem, Severus. We can make-up a story that her parents asked her to come home for a night. I'll take care of it. Just inform Miss Granger about your plans and leave the rest of your concerns to me."
"Thank you, Headmaster. I shall inform Miss Granger about it," he said curtly. "I will be leaving for my class."
"Good day, Severus," the headmaster said dismissively.
"Good day, Headmaster."
Severus reached for the door knob and opened it. But before he could go out, Albus stopped him. "Severus."
He turned to face the old wizard. "Headmaster?"
Albus smiled and Severus could see his eyes brimming with tears. "I am truly happy to see you slowly changing."
"Pardon me?" he asked, confused.
He shook his head. "When you came in and asked for permission to leave the castle, I thought you're going to Godric's Hollow... to visit her. You've been doing that every year since she died. Go on, my boy. Open your heart to your son and Hermione. Good day to you," he nodded and turned away to hide the tears falling on his cheeks.
Severus froze when Albus's words sank in. How could I forget Lily? What the hell is happening to me?
You're not going barmy, another voice in his mind said. In fact, you are very much normal, because now you know how to love.
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~~SSHG~~
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Hermione sat nervously on the couch while waiting for Professor Snape and Savelius. Yesterday, she was asked by the Potions Master if she'd like to have dinner with him and Savelius in Muggle London—in her favourite restaurant called Chronecler's Diner. It's her childhood favourite and she just couldn't say no. Savelius also informed her last night that in his timeline, the two of them go there every Sunday. Now, she's nervous and excited. It'll be her first time to eat out with the two wizards. She couldn't decide earlier what to wear and had to ask Ginny for help. She made an alibi: her parents are taking her to Muggle London to talk about a very personal matter. Ginny did not ask anything about her family affair and went straight to her trunk. She picked a red knee-length casual dress and a black cardigan for Hermione. Ginny also took the liberty of braiding her hair. When Ginny's done with her hair, she picked the beaded bag from Savelius and went to the dungeons.
"Hey Mum," Savelius called as he approached her with a pair of scissors. Hermione studied him. Savelius is wearing a blue collared shirt and jeans. "Can you please trim my hair?"
Hermione frowned. "I can't. I'm not good at it," she admitted.
Savelius eyed her intently. "Really? But in my timeline, you used to give me a haircut," he said.
"I'll do it," Professor Snape said as he entered the office. Hermione's eyes widened. The Potions Master is wearing Muggle clothes—a maroon collared shirt and a pair of denim trousers. "Something wrong with my choice of outfit, Miss Granger?" he asked sternly.
Hermione smiled and shook her head. "No sir. It's just that... I've never seen you in Muggle clothes before."
He raised his eyebrows, as if challenging her to say more, but she pressed her lips together. He looked away and turned to Savelius. He started trimming his hair.
"Thanks Dad," Savelius said.
"Get ready," Professor Snape told him. "We'll be leaving in half an hour."
After half an hour, they took the Portkey and landed at the backyard of the Leaky Cauldron. Professor Snape advised Savelius to wear the Invisibility Cloak as they entered the pub.
"Professor Snape!" Tom, the barman, greeted.
"Good evening, Tom," Professor Snape greeted curtly.
"The usual?" he asked.
Professor Snape waved his hand to decline the offer. "Just passing by, Tom. I was tasked to escort a student to meet her parents in Muggle London," he said in a bored tone.
Tom's eyes went to Hermione and he smiled. Hermione politely returned the smile. "Good evening, sir," she greeted.
"You're Harry Potter's friend," he stated. "I remember you."
"It's nice to see you again, sir. Good evening," she said as she approached the main door.
Tom waved his hand and she followed Professor Snape to the street. He stopped and told Savelius to remove the cloak. She led the way to the Chronecler's Diner. Once they entered the restaurant, Savelius looked very cheerful and eager to eat. The place was dimly lit and decorated for the Halloween. They ordered all of Savelius's favourties— Lonk lamb Lancashire hotpot, roast loin, custard tart and of course, the one he's craving the most: chocolate pudding.
They did not eat in silence. Savelius entertained them with his childhood memories in that restaurant with older Hermione and Draco.
"But now that there are changes in my timeline, I'm not sure if we still go here," Savelius told Hermione.
"Well, I don't see any reason why we won't come here," Professor Snape answered. "It's your mother's favourite and the place is nice and the food is great."
Hermione can't help smiling, but she looked down to avoid his gaze.
"Hopefully we still do," Savelius said with a shrug. "If I come back and find out that we don't have memories here, I'll ask you to bring me here."
They stayed there for two hours, eating slowly and listening to Savelius's stories. Professor Snape asked about Savelius's childhood and how the Malfoys treat him at the Manor. Apparently, Lucius was imprisoned and Narcissa reconciled with his sister, Andromeda and is equally treating witches and wizards regardless of the blood status. Hermione felt relieved with this.
By nine o'clock, they arrived at the Potions Master's office in Hogwarts via Portkey. Professor Snape. "I'm so full and sleepy," Savelius yawned. "Good night, Mum," he said as he marched towards his bedroom.
"Good night, Savelius," she said affectionately.
"Thanks for coming with us," he said.
"The pleasure is mine," Hermione answered.
"Love you, Mum."
"Love you too."
Savelius turned to his father. "Dad, thanks a ton for the dinner."
Professor Snape gave him a small smile and nodded. "Don't mention it. Go to bed and I'll escort your mother to the tower."
Savelius waved and entered the rooms. Hermione followed Professor Snape and they walked side by side in the corridors. They finally reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.
With her Gryffindor courage, Hermione turned to face her professor. "Sir, thank you for the lovely dinner."
The professor nodded. "You're welcome, Miss Granger. I thank you for coming with us. You made my son happy."
Oh shite. He is not in professor mode. His voice is like music to my ears. Gods, what is Savelius feeding this man?
"Good night, Miss Granger."
I could stand here all night listening to your voice, Professor, she thought. She cleared her throat and nodded. "Good night, Professor Snape."
And there. He's your professor. You should not fancy him... yet.
Hermione entered the portrait hole without looking back, afraid that she might stare at him. She went to bed that night and dreamed about her snarky professor, taking her for a dinner date at Chronecler's.
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~~SSHG~~
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November passed so quickly. With her D.A. meetings, O.W.L.s preparation, Hermione didn't notice that Savelius's one-hundred days are almost over. One day in December, few days before Savelius's departure, she got an owl at the breakfast table. The note is from Savelius, telling her that they finally made the antivenin potion and tested it on the last Muggle victim during a raid by the Death Eaters in a Muggle community—in which Professor Snape participated in. She felt so happy knowing that Savelius will be returning to his time with married parents waiting for him and a perfect antivenin potion. But upon realizing that he'll be leaving, Hermione felt a pang of sadness. She'll be missing him—his face, his voice, his hugs and their moments in their library. She'll have to wait for three years before she sees him again. And by that time, he'll just be an infant. She sighed heavily. She'll also miss visiting the dungeons. Clearly, once Savelius leaves, she has no more reason to be in the dungeons, unless it's a real detention.
The day Hermione has been dreading came. Two days before Savelius's birthday, she went to the dungeons to watch him leave.
"Make sure you'll have me by December twenty-third nineteen ninety-eight," Savelius said lightly.
Hermione felt tears in her eyes. "Oh, dear... I'm going to miss you so much." She yanked him to a bone-crushing hug.
Savelius laughed. "Don't worry, if I don't fit in my own timeline anymore, I'll go back here and live with you."
"I'll remember that," she whispered. "But I think all is well in your timeline. You have your father."
"I guess so," he answered.
She gently let him go and studied his face. "I love you."
Savelius smiled fondly. "I love you too, Mum. See you tomorrow," he said. "I left a day before the Christmas hols. So, when I return, I'll be taking the train and go home... to both of you."
"Take care, son," Professor Snape said with a small smile.
Savelius nodded. "I'm glad that I came back and get to know you... And I'm glad that you are my father."
"The pleasure is mine, Savelius. Thank you for giving me the chance to be someone I never expected to be—a father. With all the things you did the past one hundred days, you made me proud," Professor Snape said calmly.
He couldn't be too emotional; it would ruin his reputation, Hermione thought and smirked inwardly.
"Dad, I'm very sorry for saying that you're worse than your father," Savelius said sincerely.
Professor Snape smiled sadly. "If I left you before you're born, then, I was really worse than him."
Savelius shook his head. "No, you're not. You didn't have a choice. I'm very sorry for the things I said to you during my first week here."
Professor Snape nodded. "You're forgiven."
"Thanks Dad. So, this is it. Goodbye for now," Savelius said with tears in his eyes.
"Goodbye for now," Hermione and Professor Snape said together.
They stared at Savelius for a minute and then, he slowly faded and he's gone.
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~~SSHG~~
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A/N II: Savelius left, but it's still a long waaay for SevMione. Savelius is just one of the reasons Hermione gave Severus to live his life and forget his past. The second reason is coming in the next chapter. :)