"I swear it was her. "

"Ron, you just got home, are you sure you're going to be able to do this?"

"I know what I saw, Harry please, you've got to believe me. Do that mind thing, look into my memories! "

"Legilimens doesn't work that way Ron if you believed you saw her then that's what will show in your memory. They're not a full proof way to tell if someone is lying or telling the truth, they only show what the person believed they saw."

Ron huffed softly and Harry let out a soft sigh. Molly shifted slightly in her seat, she had been out with her son but had stepped away to speak with someone during that time. She looked at all of them with guilt on her face. She couldn't bear witness to her son's claims and even more so, she was worried that if it were true, what it would mean for the three of them and their already fragile friendship.

Harry rubbed his brow, they had come over to the burrow for dinner. It was just the first week that Ron had been home. Everything had been going well until now.

"Ron, no one has seen her in weeks."

"She didn't look like her at first, I thought she was Malfoy's wife at first glance then I remembered she was much taller. I didn't pay it much attention at first, you know? But when I looked again her hair was a different color! I kept watching, of course. Then they turned around, it was her, I know it was...Harry... she looked awful." Ron let out a whine looking around the table, "She took his hand, and they were gone."

Molly frowned but kept herself calm, everyone was looking to Harry. The man in the hot seat felt Ginny squeeze his hand under the table. "Ron, I don't think..." He looked around at everyone. He had started to miss her, everyone had. She had never stayed angry at any of them for this long and now that she was actually her again they had sorely missed her presence. Harry had been keeping his ear to the ground ever since Dean and Seamus had said they saw her but he hadn't told anyone about what they had told him. Not even Ginny. He swallowed down his fears and looked down at his plate, "I'll, look into it okay? Just... don't say anything to anyone alright?"

Ron smiled and fell back into his seat, "That's all I can ask for."

oOOo

Draco leaned back in his office chair with a heavy sigh. Hermione had agreed to stay the night. He had given her the room Severus had used and after dinner she had retired early, his wife had made sure of that. She had all but dragged her into the bath and made her relinquish all of her clothes for a proper wash. Esmeralda had been a bit perturbed at him but she had been welcoming nonetheless. Their daughter was staying over at his wife's mother's as she didn't want to expose her to a possible fight that may arise. He really couldn't have asked for a better wife.

Draco idly turned the ice in his firewhiskey. What was he going to do next? He knew exactly where his Godfather was and the wards had told him he hadn't left. He debated on seeing to him first. He took a slow drink letting out a harsh breath as it burned his throat. He needed a plan, a good one.

Hermione sighed heavily as she slipped the camisole over her head. It felt like warm water against her weathered skin. She was eternally grateful to Draco's wife for giving her something proper to sleep in, jeans and a t-shirt were not all that comfortable after being worn all day and the fresh clothing was a comfort she hadn't had in a long time.

Esmeralda had also given her a wide assortment of lotions to help with her dry skin, tutting at the poor way she'd been caring for herself. It had been rather unnerving at first, but the witch had merely left them out for her to use and left her to her own devices. Truthfully, she didn't even know what half of them were for and it had taken her some time to sort out what went where. The shampoo and conditioner she'd used left her hair in soft waves even after she used a drying charm on it and she took note of the maker for future reference.

Hermione felt human again as she crawled under the soft sheets. Her body was healing again thanks to the potions they had given her and her entire body was relaxed for the first time in a long time. Her brain was finally quiet enough to allow her to rest. She didn't have to cast any charms to ensure her sleeping area was secure, she didn't have to set up any alarms for danger. When her head pressed into the pillow a soft smell entered her senses and it left her heart feeling warm. As she drifted off, she felt warm arms coming around her.

The sun was warm against her skin. Hermione let out a soft sigh of happiness. She turned her head slowly and smiled gently at the dark clothed figure beside her. Their face was turned away but she knew in her heart to whom it belonged.

Slowly, she rolled onto her side letting her hand run down the buttons of their coat. She whispered a name into the dream space, and they turned their head slowly towards her. She gave them a soft smile and flattened her hand over their heart.

Hermione's smile widened when their hand came to rest over hers. She leaned over more, pressing into his side as her face came to hover over theirs. She ran the tip of her nose along his and smiled when she felt a soft breath against her lips. The hand tightened around hers and she sought his eyes.

Golden flecked black met chocolate brown and in that moment Hermione felt like her entire world had righted. That in that moment, all her pain, all her struggles were gone.

"I need you, I think I'm losing my mind..." She pulled back lightly running the backs her fingers over his cheek, "I hope you'll be here when I need you the most..." She trailed her index finger over his bottom lip, "I've read all the books of legends and myths..." She watched her finger travel down the side of his jaw, "I've never seen myself upon that list..." She turned her eyes up, her fingers rising up to trace along the bone of his cheek, "I'm not looking for somebody with some super hero's gifts... I'm looking for something just like this..." She leaned up a bit more her words soft as gentle as a summer breeze, "Just someone I can turn to... someone I can kiss..." She let her eyes fall closed as she pressed her lips to his.

Hermione woke with a start, her body felt exceptionally warm and tingly. The dream was very fresh in her mind and she couldn't resist the urge to touch her fingers to her lips.

A sharp knock jolted her out of her dreamy stupor and it took her a moment to realize that it was morning, the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. She clumsily pushed herself up trying to discern where the sound was coming from. Finally, it dawned on her that it was her door.

"Y-yes?" She hastily pulled the blanket up over her chest, the camisole she was wearing was nice, but definitely designed for a more, experienced woman, she'd never taken the time to worry about such things and thus it left her feeling extremely under-dressed. She definitely didn't want Draco of all people to see her in such attire.

There was a bit of shuffling before the door pushed open, Hermione blinked dumbly, the blond that pushed their way through was definitely not the one she had expected.

"We are sorry to be disturbing you Misses but the young Mistress had requested to come see you..."

Seraphina gave her a bright smile as she came fully into the room. A house-elf, nicely dressed, came behind her worrying its hands.

Hermione took a second to process what she was seeing before carefully leaning forward. She turned to watch the toddler trot happily to the side of the bed standing on her tip toes to see her.

"Will 'ou 'lay 'iff me?"

"Where's your father?" She asked gently giving the happy child a soft smile in return.

"'e's 'ot 'ere, 'e 'o oo 'ork." Seraphina pulled herself up onto her tip toes watching Hermione with her wide grey eyes. "'e sai' 'e be ba' soon bu' 'e no' 'ome ye'."

Hermione frowned for two very distinct reasons: one, Draco had assumingly left his child in the care of a house-elf for an indeterminate length of time and two, Seraphina's almost undecipherable speech.

Her heart warmed at the sight of the eager child and she knew she couldn't refuse her request. "Alright, just...let me get dressed, okay?"

Seraphina jumped with excitement and pushed herself away from the bed, she mumbled something that Hermione guessed to be directions to her room before running back out the door. The house-elf gave her a soft bow before pulling the door closed again.

With a soft yawn and a deep groan, Hermione raised her arms over her head. She let out a happy sigh and slouched over, her back was nothing more than a dull pressure and her joints didn't ache. Overall, she felt absolutely wonderful. She ran her eyes over the room, she noticed all of her clothes, two pairs of socks and underwear, a t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, jeans and the frock coat were all neatly placed upon the top of the dresser in the far corner.

Slipping her legs over the edge of the bed she padded over. She noticed that next to her black bag were a set of four potions and a salve. Curious, she picked one up and turned it in her palm. Her heart gave a small thump as she recognized the handwriting. Had he been there? She turned looking at the corners as if he'd magically appear. When nothing but the messy bed met her gaze she slowly turned back. A shiver ran down her back as the thought of Draco having been the one to leave them for her fluttered over her mind. With a small face, she sat them back down trying to press the idea that he had actually brought them for her. That he actually cared about her well-being.

With a calming breath, she cleared her mind and started the process of getting dressed. All of her clothes felt brand new, even her jeans had been flawlessly mended, not a stain anywhere to be found. It felt like she was starting over, in some way, though it felt odd. She was in her childhood enemy's house, preparing to play with his daughter. Everything felt way too upside down for her to linger on the logistics of the situation and so, she focused on the simple task of getting ready.

oOOo

Severus had been up most of the night reading and re-reading the texts he had found on soul bonds and fate lines, that was until his Godson had interrupted a very productive musing session. Draco had been on a rant about something that he had actually been able to ignore quite well until Miss Granger's name came up. Severus had set his list of ingredients aside at that time. He had been compiling a list of everything he would need, artifacts the like, to remove the fate line from himself when he'd been interrupted. The process was going to take, at the very least, two months too complete and was more complicated than that of his Animagus training. Though, the implications of leaving it intact were much too severe to be ignored. The fate line basically guaranteed that their lives were entwined. That should anything life threatening happen to him, it would irrevocably affect hers as well. Should he die, he would take her with him. It wasn't something he was willing to risk, though the girl was doing well enough on her own to endanger his life. He had already come to terms with his death during his first close call, this second time had just been a bitter reminder of the peace that was waiting for him on the other side.

That was where his train of thought had ended thanks to his Godson. Severus had watched the young man pace back and forth, near hysterics, ranting and raving about how Granger had all but ambushed him and how he'd taken her to his house. Most of the mundane details slipped past Severus but when Draco had switched on the dramatics about her appearance he could only frown. According to Draco, the girl was knocking on death's door. Exceptionally underweight, could barely walk, possibly in the process of losing the ability to move her lower half at all. At least, that was the way he told it, Severus knew that most of it was just an extreme exaggeration on the truth, after all, should he had wanted to, he could have felt her current state of health. Though he could admit he hadn't checked on her since their run-in with Greyback, he was quite confident that the girl couldn't have maimed herself that badly in only three days.

During Draco's little theater show Severus decided to lift the wall between them, he had felt her pain, though it was dull to him, it was very present. He risked reaching out to gain more information but found her part of the connection dark. This led him to believe she was sleeping, though he hadn't ruled out the possibility that she was indeed unconscious and in need of some sort of attention. He left the connection open and let Draco wear himself down before finally agreeing to see her. Draco had almost fallen over when he'd agreed so easily, but he made it very clear, that he wouldn't stay, that he did, in fact, have much to do. It was then that he handed over the list of things he would need to complete the ritual. Draco had looked rather upset but on the promise that Severus would see to her, accepted, saying he would see what he could do.

With that, Severus had returned to the estate with Draco, the line on his heart thrummed just from the proximity. He had heeded Draco's direction and moved to the guest room. He hadn't knocked as the connection between them was still dark on her end. With a deep breath, he had turned the handle and stepped inside.

The sight that had greeted him made his heart thump with something he didn't understand. Hermione had been laid out on the bed, the blanket down around her waist, exposing the silken fabric of the camisole. Her hair fell in gentle waves about her head hiding her face, she had her arm wrapped around a pillow while the other laid down by her side. She had been doing that odd purring thing he had noticed during their time together and couldn't help but feel like they'd gone backward in time. The sun was long gone and the room was dark, but her skin had been pale against the lingering light of the waxing moon.

He had kept an eye on her as he pulled four potions from his pocket, he had brewed them at the manor using his own special methods prior to their departure. He knew they would be more potent than anything the healers would have given her and he hoped they would be the last four she would have to take. He had glanced back over and noticed her left leg was twitching every so often and pulled the salve out as well, also his own personal design. It had already healed the scars on his stomach to nothing but faint red lines and he was sure it would do wonders for her healing nerves. There was nothing that could be done about the time it would take for the nerves to finally grow back into place, that was fixed, but he could keep her from feeling the pain the growing fibers created allowing for the process to be expedited.

Severus had told himself just to leave the potions, that she had obviously been simply sleeping but it was then he felt her mind spark to life, he couldn't make out the images as they were the rambling of the subconscious and had simply pulled out, letting her resting mind sort through its own thoughts. The twitching in her left leg had still bothered his conscience, however. He had looked down at the salve he had been going to leave her and made a face. He could have just left it there and let her sort herself out when she woke, he could have just not done anything, but he hadn't. No, he was too weak of a man.

He approached the bedside silently, going deathly still when she shifted in her sleep. Words left her lips but they were too soft to be heard clearly, though he did recognize his name in between soft breaths. His jaw twitched as he pulled his wand from his sleeve. It was just like before, he convinced himself, just like before. Nothing more, nothing less. When she went still again, he carefully dragged the tip of his wand down the fabric of the silk camisole. A light fabric it fell away like black water exposing more than he had been anticipating. The gentle curve of her waist was stark against the darkness of the room and he had to resist the urge not to run his fingertips along the curve. She was thin, but he had seen her in worse shape. If anything she had gained muscle and definition to her back. The soft dips and hollows were heavily shadowed by the light filtering in. Her scar was faint at the top but very irritated at the bottom. Her pajamas pants were very low and he could easily make out the small dimples to either side of her tailbone.

His stomach had fluttered most unpleasantly and he opened the salve quickly, so much so, he actually dropped the lid on the floor. He froze when he heard her shift and bent down beside her bed. He'd nearly apparated away just for the fear of being caught in such an undignified position. As it was, she had merely settled back down and when he stood, he had to take a slow breath to keep himself calm. Her adjustment on the bed had moved the camisole nearly off her shoulder and into the crook of her arm, pulling the fabric to expose part of her chest. The fates were a cruel mistress, he had used the tip of his wand to pull the fabric back over before looking at her lower back.

He could see the repaired nerve twitching in the dip and had started there. In gentle massaging circles he worked the salve slowly down to her hips. Using a light pressure with his thumbs he worked out a small knot before moving higher, his hands lingered over her shoulders and ribs taking extra care near the bruise on her side working the salve into the darkened flesh until it started to fade away under his fingertips. He took extra care near her shoulders and worked out another small knot between her shoulder blades. He felt her entire body relax under his touch and was thankful that she didn't moan or make any other obtrusive noises. When he had finished with her back, his eyes turned down to the hand that laid out to her side, the knuckles were partially swollen and he could tell she'd done a poor job of healing the cuts. With a glance to her sleeping face, he took her hand in his. It felt impossibly small in his palm but unbelievably strong as well. Her fingers twitched against his and he ran his fingers over the tops muttering a soft spell of his own. When he finished he had lingered, just taking in the feeling her hand in his.

It had been so easy to ignore her, pretend she didn't exist when she wasn't before him. It was so easy to live his life alone when he had no one to care for. It was true she didn't need him to care for her and she most certainly hadn't asked him to care for her then. No, she had never asked him for more than he was willing to give, albeit reluctantly at times, she had always been able to read him like one of her treasured books. Even Lily hadn't been that observant of him, it was hardly a comparison between them anymore. Hermione was her own definition. She was all he had never knew he could be, he knew it inside out, upside down and sideways. It had been so easy to deny when she wasn't there before him. So easy.

With a deep breath and a resolute jaw he set her clothing to rights and pulled the blanket up to her chin. With all the will of a battle-worn man, he had turned and walked away.

That had been last night, now a new set of problems were presenting themselves as he watched from the high tower of the library observatory. Draco was coming through the front gate, and he looked like a man on a mission. Severus had all but dismissed him last night but he could tell the blond was back with a vengeance. With a heavy sigh he turned slowly making his way down the stone stairs.

oOOo

Hermione leaned back in the large plush armchair. Seraphina had happily taken up residence in her lap and they had set the large story book in their combined laps. The girl wiggled and fidgeted getting comfortable but Hermione didn't mind, she enjoyed the company. Though there was still something that was very much tugging at the back of her mind.

"Thisel?"

"Yes, Misses?"

"I think Seraphina has been a wonderful playmate this afternoon, do you think it would be alright if she had a little treat? A popsicle perhaps?"

The elf tilted its head in confusion. "A popsicle Misses?"

"Ice cream, or frozen yogurt, something cold and sweet."

"Ah...I think Master has something like that, I will looks for it Misses."

"Thank you very much."

A soft pop and the elf was gone, Hermione had noticed the house-elf had looked rather wary, she knew it was tasked with protecting the child and despite Seraphina's obvious like of her she was very sure that the house-elf wouldn't hesitate to attack her if she thought her charge was under threat. Hermione took a deep breath and gave a gentle smile to the toddler in her lap.

"Seraphina...do you mind if I take a look in your mouth?" The toddler tilted her head before shrugging and opening her mouth wide.

"I'm going to use my wand to see inside is that alright?" Again the toddler shrugged and made a soft noise of assent.

With another kind smile, Hermione pulled her wand from her sleeve, "Can you lift your tongue? As high as you can." The girl mumbled something about this being a funny game but did as she was asked. Hermione noticed the problem instantly and took a steady breath, "This is going to feel a little funny but I promise you're going to be alright." Without waiting for the child to think too much on it, she severed the small piece of skin keeping the child's tongue restricted to the bottom of her mouth and quickly healed the small cut. Seraphina's tongue snapped to the top of her mouth and she let out a soft squeak closing her mouth in confusion.

Hermione giggled softly at the face the child was making before sticking out her own tongue, "Do dis." She said while keeping her tongue out. With a giggle the toddler did the same and she squealed in delight when she was actually able to do so. In just that moment Thisel returned with a frozen strawberry yogurt popsicle. Hermione held her hand out for it and thanked the elf for getting it for them before offering it out to Seraphina. She knew her tongue may feel a little swollen and the ice cream would help with that. She had seen many kids come in to get there teeth cleaned with the same problem and her parents had always informed the parents and given them the name of a doctor who could help correct the simple problem. She was rather surprised that the healers hadn't noticed such a simple imperfection.

Hermione pet the top of the girls head and let her lean against her while she ate her cold treat. She had never considered herself good with children, but Seraphina was much like herself and for that Hermione had found a way of interacting with her. The girl had only wanted her to read and Hermione was more than comfortable with that.

About halfway through their next story, the wards around the house vibrated.

"Papa's home!" Seraphina launched herself off her lap, having finished her frozen yogurt in that time and ran towards the door, the house-elf was quick to make sure it was open for her before hastily following the toddler down the stairs.

Hermione smiled softly and carefully pushed herself up. She set the book aside on the arm of the chair before stretching. She turned at the waist and noted that she still didn't feel sore. It was a nice reprieve that she wasn't going to waste. She followed after them until the top of the stairs, watching Seraphina dance around her father's legs.

"Papa papa! Look wha' I can do's!" She stuck out her tongue and Hermione stifled a giggle at Draco's astonished face. It was too adorable. Hermione covered her smile with her hand as she watched from above.

"That's wonderful." Draco bent down looking at her tongue curiously. "When did you learn to do that?"

"Granger helped me! Lis'en Papa I can sound good! I sound good Papa!" The girl had more than noticed her speech problem and the stress it had put on her parents. Her Grandmother had even refused to teach her any spells until she could speak properly stating that a proper witch always enunciated and never slurred their words. Her grandmother was a little mean but she still loved her.

"Granger helped you?" At this Draco noticed the woman in question at the top of the stairs.

"She was tongue-tied. Literally. It was a simple fix, really." Hermione felt uncomfortable in that moment and slowly took a step back from the landing. She could tell Draco was grateful for what she had done but something in his eyes told her he had returned for a different purpose.

"I sound good Papa, I sound good!" Seraphina couldn't help but jump against him saying a slurry of words that she hadn't been able to say before. "I wanna show Mama, Papa please! Mama working I know but please, please!?"

Draco turned his eyes away from Granger and looked down at his daughter, "Yes, of course, do you mind if Thisel takes you? I know I said I wouldn't leave you with her too long and I know I broke that promise but Papa really needs you to do this for me, can you do this for me?"

Seraphina calmed down a bit and pout at her father's words, "You were gone a long time, I never s'ay with Thisel dat long before, I was lonely Papa..."

Hermione knew that man was in trouble the moment she watched that innocent little child look at him with her large eyes. She leaned against the wall with a smirk on her lips, no way she was going to look away at this. He was in so much trouble with that one.

"I know Princess and Papa's very sorry, he loves you so much and he never wants you to be lonely. " He kissed the crown of her head and thumbed her cheeks, "But Grandpa really needs me too, he's lonely too..."

Seraphina tilted her head, "He's lonely?" She looked sad for a long moment before nodding her head, "The predy lady had said he was lonely, are you going to helps him Papa?"

"Yes, I am, I'm going to try my very best. That's why I need you to stay with Mama at the shop, can you do that for him?"

Seraphina nodded with a soft smile and hugged her father's neck tightly. When they parted Thisel took her hand and with a deep bow whisked them off. Draco turned his head slowly to see that Hermione had watched the entire scene, he schooled his face but he could tell his tough facade was completely shattered where she was concerned.

Hermione's smiled faded slightly as she noticed the seriousness return to Draco's posture, "You've found him."

"Yes."

"I can see him?"

"Yes. We must go now."

Hermione's eye twitched a little, "I won't go without my bag." She turned away as he started up the stairs.

Draco's jaw twitched, he'd just served the man to her on a platter and she was worried about her bag? Something left his stomach unsettled but he remained silent as he followed her down the hall.

He waited outside of the room, it hadn't taken long, but he did take note that she'd put on the frock coat though she'd changed its color to a deep burgundy. He gave her an approving nod before offering out his arm.

"Where are we going?"

"Some place you've been before."

Hermione pursed her lips but very lightly touched her hand to the top of his offered arm. This was it. She was finally going to see him.