A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing

~Severus Addicted

Chapter Twenty-Six: Ashes to Ashes

With the two children playing in Hermione's tree house, Minerva and Severus found themselves alone in the kitchen once again.

Folding the Daily Prophet, Severus rubbed his arm uncomfortably, "If I am called to the Dark Lord this evening I need you to keep Harry here. How are your protection wards?"

Minerva eyed him nervously, "Do you honestly think he will call you tonight?"

Continuing to rub his arm some more, Severus gave a small nod of his head, "I can feel it, Min."

Taking in a shuddering breath, Minerva muttered, "You will have to ignore his call, Severus. You cannot go, surely you know that!"

Severus forced his emotions to stay invisible on his face, "I must go. If I refuse then He will know that I am not his trustworthy follower as he so stupidly believes."

Minerva shook her head, "You had to have realized he would find out eventually! Severus! Do not go. You know that if you go, pain will follow. Also, if He has retrieved the information that you are Harry's guardian, he will not let you survive his wrath."

Glancing out the window towards the tree house, Severus sighed. Feelings of love towards the boy have been becoming harder and harder for him to ignore. To be honest with himself, he does love the boy. He loves Harry as if he is his own flesh and blood! However, love can be dangerous. The young boy is already surrounded by daily danger, surely a father with death lingering over his head would not do the boy well.

Noticing Severus' stubborn set of his jaw, Minerva continued, "Harry needs and wants a father, Severus. You have given him hope for that! You cannot do this to Harry. If he loses you, do you realize the trauma that would follow? Maybe the Boy-Who-Lived will not have the desire to fulfill his destined prophecy. You have given him hope, Severus, do not destroy that flame."

Severus bit his lip uncomfortably, "Minerva, honestly, what are the chances that He has found out I am Harry's guardian?"

Minerva's eyes almost popped out of her head, "That is a stupid question, Severus! You know just as well as I that it is highly possible!"

Severus sighed, "I don't know what to do, Min. Should I stop spying to be a father or should I continue spying to be a warrior?"

Minerva shook her head, "You are thinking in black and white terms, Sev. Why can you not be a father and a warrior?"

Closing his eyes, Severus felt his heart rate speed as he thought about disappointing Albus. "Albus would be angry if I gave up the position."

Minerva shook her head, "He can get another spy."

"Harry can find another father."

Minerva rolled her eyes, "Harry wants you, Severus! Open your eyes for once in your life, Severus Snape! How can you not see the love he has for you? How can you not see how much you mean to him? Sure the boy acts as if he hates you at times but look past his mask! Behind Harry's mask is a lost little boy who needs a father, you. If you believe the best thing you can do to help win this battle is by being a spy then you are very wrong. The best thing you can do is father this boy, show him the light, and teach him to be great! A warrior has no hope in winning a battle unless they have someone to teach them how to win!"

Severus saw her reasoning to be true, "The pain tonight will be unbearable then, Min. I will need you to keep the children upstairs. I do not want them to see me in my weakest moment."

Minerva nodded, "Anything."

"I will also need you to hand me the pain potions afterward. My arm will most likely bleed and so I will need you to be prepared to stop the bleeding. Can you do this, Minerva?"

"Yes, I can do that. Should I have Poppy come over?"

Severus sighed. He hates depending on others. "Yes, that might be best."

Minerva nodded, "I will have her come right away." Standing, Minerva quickly made her way to the fireplace to speak with Poppy.

Standing from his seat, Severus walked over to the window and looked out at the tree house. Yes, he and Harry already have plans to change Harry's last name but to be honest with himself, Severus had not thought about the consequences that would follow the adoption. Is losing his spying position worth gaining a son?

Severus shook his head. Of course gaining Harry as a son is worth losing his position!

A hot sting burned his forearm causing him to wince. The Dark Lord is not happy. . .

Running his arm under cold water, Severus forced his fear to stay hidden as he realized the Dark Lord's anger was directed at him. "He knows," Severus muttered under his breath.

Feeling an arm on his shoulder, Severus spun to see who was touching him. Seeing Poppy, Severus' anger dissolved off his face, "The Dark Lord knows I am Harry's guardian."

Minerva and Poppy both had looks of deep concern on their faces.

"Are you sure?" Minerva asked.

Severus nodded, "I am positive."

Poppy levitated her nurse's bag onto the kitchen table and began pulling out a multitude of potions, "Do not be scared, Severus. You will be in good hands."

Severus quickly threw up his mask, "I am not scared, Poppy."

The woman stayed silent.

Just then, Hermione and Harry came running in through the door followed by the cub. Both came to a sudden halt at seeing the three adults.

Hermione glanced at Minerva nervously, "I'm sorry we were running in the house."

Harry quickly nodded, "Yeah, we won't do it again."

Even Leo looked guilty.

Poppy smirked, "You keep a tight grip on them don't you, Minerva?"

Minerva smiled, "Of course I do, Poppy. I cannot have the children growing up to believe they can tromp around wherever and however they please."

Severus waved their apologies away, "Do not worry about it, children."

Everyone stared at Severus in utter shock.

Harry and Hermione shared an amazed glance before looking back at the adults.

After recovering from her shock, Minerva nodded but added in a firm, no nonsense tone, "Do not do it again though, understood?"

They both quickly nodded.

"I need you both to please go upstairs. Make sure to take Leo with you. The adults are having a discussion," Minerva told them gently.

Curiosity was evident on their faces.

"Do not think about being nosy. I want you both upstairs in your bedrooms working on any homework that you have. Understood? I do not want to see you downstairs until I come and get you," Minerva told them.

Feeling her cheeks heat up in embarrassment, Hermione glanced from her mother to Poppy and back again, "What did we do wrong?"

The look Hermione was giving her made Minerva's heart melt. Quickly making her way towards the young girl, Minerva pulled her into a hug, "Neither of you are in trouble. I just need you both to stay out of the way, okay? Besides, your homework needs to be finished anyway before we go back to school, what better time to do it then now?"

Harry huffed, "What's so secretive? I don't have any homework."

Severus' eyebrows rose at Harry's statement, "Are you lying, Harry James?"

Harry bit his lip and gave a firm shake of his head no.

Severus sighed, "Harry, I know you are lying. I am quite aware how much homework you have."

Harry set his jaw defiantly, "You don't know anything."

Irritation shone through Severus' onyx eyes, "Do not make me repeat myself!"

Hearing his guardian's tone, Harry quickly sobered up, "I'm sorry, Severus. You are right, I have homework."

Severus felt a little overwhelmed. Choose a life of raising a difficult child or choose a life of screwing over the Dark Lord? Deep down he knew his choice and so did the Dark Lord.

Severus sighed, "I do not understand why you always fight with what I tell you. I am sick and tired of the arguing Harry James! For now on you will not question my instructions or you will find yourself facing consequences you will not want to face."

Harry blushed, "I'm sorry."

Nodding, Severus pointed to the staircase, "Go work on your homework and behave yourself."

Sighing sadly, Harry nodded, "Alright. . ."

Hermione watched Harry start up the stairs but found herself unable to follow.

"Hermione, he was speaking to you too," Minerva told her.

Biting her lip, Hermione looked at them with worry, "Is everything okay?"

Minerva and Poppy stayed silent, unsure of what to say.

Severus stepped over to her and tilted her chin so she was looking in his eyes, "Do not worry yourself over adult problems, child. We will come get you later, alright?"

Sighing, Hermione gave a small nod then hurried up the stairs to catch up with Harry.

"Go to your separate rooms!" Minerva yelled after them.

Catching up with Harry in the hallway, Hermione wrapped her arm around his shoulders, "Go get your homework and bring it to my room, I will help you with it."

Harry sighed, "He's right ya know? I do argue with everything!"

Hermione sighed, "You just have a problem with authority. That is not your fault, it's your aunt and uncle's fault! Just try to not argue next time."

Harry sighed, "You make that sound easy."

Giving him a tight hug outside her bedroom door, Hermione shrugged, "Nothing is ever easy, Harry. Now go get your homework."

Harry did as she instructed and soon they were sitting on her bed with their textbooks open.

"Do you think they will find out we aren't in our separate rooms like Minerva instructed?" Harry asked nervously. "I don't want Severus being upset with me again today, he seems stressed."

Hermione shrugged, "I think they are too busy with whatever is going on downstairs that they won't bother us. Besides, if they ask, we can say you needed help with your homework!"

"And that's not a lie either because I do!" Harry smiled and made himself comfortable on her bed.

Leo curled up in a ball in front of the bedroom door to take a nap.

Downstairs, the adults were preparing for the worst. Severus was outside checking the protection wards. Minerva transfigured the rocking chair into a mattress which she laid on the floor in front of the couch. Poppy brought all of her potions into the living room and then turned off the floo system in Minerva's fireplace. While Severus was still outside checking the wards, Minerva and Poppy began putting up silencing wards around the living room. After the silencing wards were up, they put up safety wards around the two bedrooms upstairs that would alert them if one of the children were in danger.

Half an hour flew by before Severus finally re-entered the house. Entering the living room, Severus sighed nervously. His skin around the Dark Mark was a bright, flaming red.

Noticing his forearm, Poppy quickly grabbed a vile and rubbed a soothing gel onto his irritated skin. Quickly, the pain became numb.

"Are we ready?" Minerva asked more towards Severus.

"I have no idea when he will summon me but it will not take him long to realize that I am not going to come to him and then the torture will begin," Severus said in a tone that made him sound emotionless.

An hour passed by with Poppy reapplying the soothing gel to Severus' forearm four more times.

Both women were sitting on the couch when suddenly Severus left out an ear splitting scream of pain.

Poppy jumped to Severus' side while Minerva double checked the silencing charm.

Pulling up the black sleeve of his robe, Poppy gasped when she saw the bloody Dark Mark. Blood traced the edges of the Dark Mark as if the mark was traced with a knife. Poppy quickly sealed the cuts up only to watch them be sliced open once again. This time, the mark looked as if it were being carved off Severus' pale forearm. Severus was being skinned!

Panicked, Poppy found herself helpless.

Minerva crouched down beside her, "What's going on?"

"His mark. . . I cannot seal it until the Dark Mark is carved off his arm!"

Tears welled up in Minerva's eyes as she watched Severus thrash back and forth as the tattooed skin continued to be skinned off his body.

"What can we do?" Minerva demanded.

Poppy furiously wiped the tears off her cheeks as she brain stormed. Without answering Minerva, Poppy cast a numbing spell on Severus' forearm.

The spell failed.

Poppy shook her head, panicking even more, "Nothing is working! Voldemort is strong. . . Too strong. Everything I try fails. He is going to have to wait it out until the torture is over."

Minerva and Poppy watched in silent horror as the Dark Mark continued to be carved off his pale body.

"I wish we could do something," Minerva whispered with deep regret. Every scream of pain that escapes Severus' lips caused Minerva's heart to break little by little.

Finally, after a long, horrid hour, the screaming stopped.

Minerva and Poppy quickly jumped to his side to try to make his pain go away.

"It's alright, Sev. We will get you all fixed up," Minerva whispered in his ear as she began wiping his sweating, red face with a cool, wet cloth.

As Minerva wiped Severus down, Poppy began numbing his forearm and then began healing the awful wound.

As the women worked on fixing him up, Severus laid in deep thought. A part of him was extremely happy that the mark no longer littered his body but another part of him felt alone. The mark always reminded him what he was to do in his life, spy for the war. Now that the mark is gone, what is his place? Has his part in the war disappeared along with his mark?

Mentally shaking the negative thoughts away, Severus reminded himself that the women had told him that his new part in the war was to raise Harry to all that he can be. Raise a warrior out of a stubborn, bratty child? If it was the last thing he will do, he will raise Harry to what he is destined to be.

Just as Poppy was putting the finishing touches on Severus' bandage, Fawkes appeared out of nowhere into the living room. Dropping a letter onto the coffee stand, he disappeared in a flash of fire.

Sitting up quickly, much to Poppy's irritation, Severus snatched the letter off the stand and ripped it open. This was the moment when he discovers if Albus now despises him or not.

Severus, my boy, you made a hard decision today and I respect your choice. However, along with your decision came a terrible consequence. Death Eaters attacked your home and blew it up. You are going to have to find a home that the Dark side knows not of, for now, Minerva's home works beautifully in that department, especially with all of her wards. Even I have a hard time finding her house! I am gravely sorry, Severus. On a positive note, I do not believe Voldemort knows of your spying; therefore, you will not have to worry about any consequences for that.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your holiday,

I will see you when you return to work.

Albus Dumbledore.

Severus slowly handed the letter over to Minerva and slumped back against the mattress. Deep sadness ached his heart at the loss of Snape Manor. His mother's home is now in ashes for his decisions. However, his decision was the right decision correct?

Sighing, Severus rubbed his bandaged arm and said, "I guess we should keep the floo off the network for a while."

Minerva nodded as she handed the letter to Poppy, "I have no problem with you and Harry residing here until you find a suitable home. I am very sorry for your loss, Severus. I know that house meant a lot to you."

Severus shrugged making Minerva give him a look that told him she did not fall for his nonchalant motions.

"There is nothing I can do about it now, Minerva," Severus said gently as if he were reminding himself that as well.

Poppy sighed sadly and refolded the letter. Placing the letter on the stand, she looked from Minerva to Severus and back again, "I surely hope everyone has been getting along here pretty well because I honestly do not see you finding a home as safe as this one for quite some time, Severus."

Minerva helped Severus stand and walked him over to the couch, "They can stay as long as they need."

Severus gave her a grateful smile, "Thank you, Min." Then looking over at Poppy, he said, "Thank you both for everything you did for me today, I really appreciate it."

Both women, much to his dismay, threw their arms around him in a tight, loving hug.

"Anything for you, dearie," Poppy told him as she placed a wet kiss on his cheek making him cringe.

Minerva and Poppy laughed as Severus rubbed the kiss off his cheek.

In an attempt to change the subject, Severus asked, "When should we inform the children?"

Minerva glanced at the ceiling and then back at Severus, "Supper. We will tell them at supper. We do not want to interrupt their studies at the moment."

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Staring intently at her Transfiguration textbook, Hermione was rudely interrupted when a paper airplane hit her on the forehead. Glaring up at Harry, Hermione snapped, "Right now is not the time to play, Harry. We need to at least complete one assignment before they let us out of the rooms. Come on, open your textbook, we will do this together."

Harry sighed and pushed the crumpled origami pieces off Hermione's bed and opened his textbook.

An hour passed by in severe agony for Harry. However, as much agony that is caused him, they finished their first assignment together with only a couple of Harry's spit-balls clinging on to the paper!

"It is almost supper time, Harry. Maybe you should return to your bedroom in case they come to get us soon. Keep working on your homework though, okay? I am going to start my History of Magic homework but you can start whatever you want. Just, try not to get too distracted."

Harry smirked, "I'm never distracted."

Rolling her eyes, Hermione shook her head, "Definitely not."

Smiling, Harry rolled off the bed and gathered his books, "Thanks for the help, Herm."

Hermione nodded, "Anytime, Harry. Now go before they come upstairs. We have been in enough trouble lately."

Sighing, Harry had to agree, "Yeah we have. . ." Then he closed the door behind him.

Opening her textbook, Hermione stared at the boring, long words then began reading the chapter that was assigned.

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"Poppy will you stay for supper?" Minerva asked as they entered the kitchen.

Poppy shrugged, "If you so desire me to."

Minerva nodded, "I do."

"Then I shall stay," Poppy told her.

Severus flicked his wand, setting pots on the stove.

Neomi exited her bedroom only to glare at Severus, "What is Severus Sir doing? That is my job."

Minerva smiled over at him and muttered, "Just back away from the stove slowly and you won't get hurt."

Putting his hands up in surrender, Severus stepped away from the stove, "Sorry, Neomi. I did not mean to tread on your toes."

Neomi nodded her acceptance then started the stove, "What does Madam want for supper?"

Minerva looked at the other two adults, "What are you in the mood for?"

"Pasta," Poppy said with a smile.

Severus nodded his head, "To be more exact, Chicken Alfredo would be wonderful."

Minerva felt her stomach growl in hunger, "That sounds amazing." Then, turning to Neomi, she said, "Please make Chicken Alfredo."

Neomi bowed and set to work.

Leaving the kitchen to Neomi privacy, the tree adults sat around the dining table.

"The rooms you are staying in you may continue staying in," Minerva said.

Severus nodded, "That sounds good, Min. I really do appreciate you allowing us to stay longer."

Waving his thanks off, Minerva replied, "You are welcome here whenever, Sev."

Smiling at the two, Poppy waited until their conversation ended before asking, "Are you all caught up on your grading to return to school?"

Minerva and Severus quickly threw her an irritated look causing her to laugh, "I take that as a no. Well, maybe you both should go to your separate bedrooms and work on grading the assignments. You made the children do that, now it is your turn."

Minerva smirked, "We will do so later, Poppy. Thank you for being so concerned about our jobs. The children probably still have a lot of homework to complete."

"They will have it all completed before we return in three days though," Severus said sternly.

Poppy shook her head with a smile, "Those poor children. Do you ever give them a break?"

Minerva nodded, "Of course we do. . . When they have no homework that is."

Severus smirked slyly, "And when they are sleeping."

"How much do you think they completed already today?" Poppy asked curiously.

Minerva sighed, "If they followed the directions to go to their own bedrooms then they probably completed at least three assignments, maybe."

Severus snorted and shook his head, "Harry probably did not even open his textbook."

Minerva slapped the back of his head, "Try having more faith in the boy, Severus!" Minerva reprimanded.

Poppy chuckled until Severus threw her an irritated glare, "Yeah, Severus, have more faith."

Severus rolled his eyes, "You are right. I should have more faith in the boy."

Minerva nodded, "Good."

Neomi popped beside Minerva and gave a small bow, "Madam, supper is finished. Does Madam want me to go get the children?"

Poppy stood from her seat, "No, no, Neomi. I will go get Hermione and Harry. Thank you though."

Minerva smiled down at the elf, "Poppy has it under control. However, I could really use your help with setting the table?"

Neomi's face lit up, "Neomi can set the table all by herself, Madam. Neomi can do this. Madam should not have to set the table for Madam to eat! Have a seat, Madam. Relax." Then she turned to Severus and pointed to his empty seat, "Severus Sir should sit too. Neomi needs no help." Then she disappeared with a pop.

Minerva watched as the table was set and the food was placed.

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Poppy knocked on Hermione's bedroom door and waited for a reply before entering. Entering the girl's room, Poppy smiled brightly at her, "Evening dearie. How much homework did you complete?"

Hermione sighed and closed her History of Magic textbook, "I finished one assignment but I am almost finished reading the chapter for History of Magic."

Poppy smirked, "You only finished one assignment? Were you distracted by something else?"

The question was an obvious trap, Hermione knew she must tread lightly, "No, I fell asleep while reading the History chapter. It is horribly boring, Aunt Poppy."

Poppy smiled and walked back to the door, "Finish cleaning up and then go to the table, dearest." Then she went next door and knocked on Harry's bedroom door. Once Harry told her to enter, she entered, "Evening, dearie! Get a lot of homework finished?" At the guilty look that immediately came over his face, Poppy chuckled, "I take that as a no? Your soon-to-be father will not be impressed. Do you at least have one assignment completed?"

Harry nodded, "I finished my transfiguration assignment."

"Good job, Harry. Now, clean up your books and then come down for supper," with that she returned to downstairs.

Hermione waited outside her bedroom door for Harry to exit his room. Once Harry came out, she said, "So, how much homework did you get done?"

Harry sighed, "Uh. . . Well, I finished my transfiguration homework."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Yeah, you did that with me. What about after you left my room?"

Harry sighed and said sadly, "Oh Hermione, it was a terrible sight! My Quidditch magazine beat my textbooks up! By the time I was able to pull the magazine off the textbooks it was too late. There was no hope for the textbooks."

Hermione laughed and shook her head, "Come on, let's go before Aunt Poppy comes back upstairs."

Hurrying down the stairs, they slid into the dining room and quickly took their seats.

The table was dead silence as Harry and Hermione pulled their chairs in.

Glancing nervously at each other, they looked at the three adults around the table.

Biting her lip, Hermione twiddled her fingers as an uneasiness came over her. Glancing up at her mum, Hermione asked quietly, "What is wrong, mum?"

Minerva shook her head, "Not now, dear. We will discuss that after we eat."

"Are we in trouble?" Hermione wracked her brain to think of what she did wrong. Besides having Harry in her room to work on homework she could not think of anything.

Minerva once again shook her head, "No, dear. Neither of you are in trouble." Taking a sip of her hot tea, she changed the subject, "How much homework did you complete?"

Nervous, Hermione glanced from Poppy to her mum and back again, "I completed one assignment and am almost finished reading the assigned chapter for History of Magic."

Disappointment flashed over Minerva's features causing Hermione to sigh sadly and stare at her hands, "You only completed one assignment during the whole time you were in your bedroom? Which assignment did you complete?"

Hermione winced at her tone, "Transfiguration. . ."

Minerva huffed, "Hermione Jean, that was a fill-in-the-blank worksheet. You must be joking!"

Biting her lip, Hermione felt her cheeks heating up, "Well I sorta fell asleep while reading History of Magic. . ."

Minerva sighed, "Hermione Jean you have three days before returning to school and you will have your homework completed. Am I understood?"

Hermione quickly nodded her head, "Yes ma'am."

Giving a small shake of her head, Minerva said, "After you are finished eating you will return to your bedroom and finish reading the chapter. Then, I want you to begin another assignment."

Hermione's eyes bulged at the unfairness, "But I've been working all day!"

Minerva shrugged, "You may have been working all day but you only completed one, simple assignment."

Clenching her teeth to keep from talking back, Hermione glared at the tabletop.

"How much homework did you finish, Harry?" Severus asked calmly, almost as if he were tired.

Harry sighed, "I only finished my transfiguration homework. After I am done eating I will go upstairs and complete more assignments."

Severus couldn't help but allow a smile, "Thank you, Harry, for making that easy on me."

Harry gave a small nod and glanced across the table at the frustrated Hermione.

Giving her daughter a stern look, Minerva shook her head, "Drop the attitude."

Hermione left out an irritated huff, "Stop talking to me!"

Eyes wide in shock, Poppy immediately felt nervous for the child as she stared at the two.

Severus winced and prepared himself for Minerva to start yelling.

Picking her jaw up off the ground, Minerva gave Hermione a cold look, "Excuse me?"

"I said, stop talking to me," Hermione mumbled.

"Young lady I am your mother. You will not speak to me like that!" Minerva shouted angrily.

Hermione sighed, "When you keep talking and telling me to "drop an attitude" while I am already angry it does not help. By the time you tell me to drop the attitude I am already trying to calm myself down! When you tell me that though it just sets me off once again! So, I just needed you to stop talking to me so I could calm down."

Poppy couldn't help but agree with the child, being told to calm down while already trying to do so only makes matters worse.

Minerva sighed, "Next time get your point across in an appropriate manner."

Hermione huffed, "I can't do anything right, can I?"

"Well, I think supper is done. Neomi?" Poppy called out in an attempt to stop the conversation before it started.

"Yes, it should definitely be done," Severus joined in.

Neomi popped beside Poppy and gave a small bow, "Are you ready to begin eating?"

Severus and Poppy quickly said yes.

Neomi turned to Hermione and Minerva only to immediately go silent. Staring at the two, Neomi felt uncomfortable, "Young One, would you like to come help Neomi?"

Confused, Hermione looked down at Neomi, "Me?"

Neomi nodded, "Please, Young One?"

Standing, Hermione followed Neomi into the kitchen.

"Young One should behave around her mother. Madam is highly stressed today and therefore is likely to snap easier than normal," Neomi told her gently as she set the tea to brew.

"It's hard to behave when she nags all the time!" Hermione snapped as she grabbed the forks and knives.

"Mothers nag, Hermione. That is their job."

Hermione sighed, "Well, it's annoying."

Neomi nodded, then pointed to the door, "Go on out, the food will be on the table at the snap of my finger."

Following Neomi's instructions, Hermione reentered the dining room.

Hermione could not decide if she should apologize or just pretend nothing happened. She could feel eyes on her as she handed out the eating utensils. As she passed Severus, he gave her hand a comforting squeeze making her heart feel a little lighter. Just as she sat back down at her seat, the food appeared on the table.

Supper was silent for the children. The only ones who were talking were the adults and they were talking about the return to school.

"I sure hope there are no more incidents this year. I think the Infirmary has been full enough for the rest of the year," Poppy said with a wink towards the children.

Hermione and Harry both blushed a deep scarlet at her obvious taunt.

Severus nodded, "That's true."

Hermione looked around the table, everyone was finished eating. Looking over at her mum, Hermione asked, "Mum, may I be excused from the table?"

Minerva shook her head, "Not yet, dear. Remember, Uncle Severus and I have something to discuss with you two."

Hermione stayed silent and waited patiently for them to begin. To be honest with herself, she wanted to be alone and this whole "let's have a lovely discussion" idea sucks!

Severus started, "The Dark Lord found out that I am Harry's guardian. I was punished by the removal of the Dark Mark. Also, Snape Manor was set on fire and destroyed."

Hermione felt horrified, "That's horrible! All because you want to be his father? What a jerk!"

Minerva nodded, "The Dark Lord is a vile man, Hermione. You will learn."

"I already know he's vile but I didn't know he was completely heartless," Hermione mumbled.

Minerva continued, "Harry and Severus need to live in a highly protected house. Therefore, they will be staying with us until Headmaster Dumbledore can find a new home for them."

Severus took over, "It is very important that this is kept a secret. Do not tell anyone who we are staying with, Harry. Am I understood?"

Harry quickly nodded his head, "Yes sir."

The rest of the discussion was of Minerva going over the house rules for Harry (and a reminder to Hermione).

After the conversation was over and Harry agreed to all the rules, Minerva and Severus allowed the two to leave the table.

As the two ran up the staircase, they ignored the reminders to finish their homework. They were much too excited to care about school at this moment!

Hermione and Harry smiled and spun around in Hermione's bedroom, "You're living here!"

Harry laughed and spun her around again, "We are going to drive them insane."

Giggling, Hermione nodded and flopped on her bed, "Poor Uncle Sev, though. . . His family home is in ashes."

Harry gave a solemn nod, "Yeah but we will find another home and he can make new memories there."

Hermione nodded, "Good point."

Bouncing up and down on the bed, the two giggled and talked about everything and anything for a good hour and a half.

"Watch this!" Harry said with a huge, sly grin.

Hermione stopped jumping and waited for him to show her something amazing.

Bouncing up and down, Harry jumped and did a back-flip. Hitting the bed, he bounced up and down again.

Eyes wide with excitement, Hermione began bouncing again, "I'm gonna try!"

Her first attempt was a major fail leaving Harry and Hermione laughing hysterically.

After two more failed attempts Hermione gave up and just continued jumping up and down with Harry.

Life could not be any better.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter :)

~Severus Addicted