Sorry this one is so short! I've been busy the last few days and my brain is all worn out from the holidays! Things will pick up again soon!

The next morning after breakfast Severus went for a stroll around the grounds with Draco. He was glad for the opportunity, as he had not had a chance to talk alone with the boy…no he is a man now, he reminded himself, since that fateful night atop the astronomy tower at Hogwarts.

They walked along the perimeter of the large iron fence, and spent several minutes in uncomfortable silence before Severus finally spoke up.

"I find myself unsure of where to start after all these years" he mumbled.

Draco smirked. "Yeah, I know the feeling." After a few more minutes he finally said "Honestly I've spent the last eight years wanting to say thank you. You killed your friend so I didn't have to, and you saved my life. I know I wasn't terribly appreciative at the time, but… I'm thankful every day for what you did."

"I'd say you're welcome but I'm afraid I have no intention of ever welcoming such a task ever again. I am glad that I was able to be of help to you, however. I'm sorry you were put into such a horrid situation at that young age in the first place and I am pleased to see that you've been able, it seems, to get on with your life."

"It took some time" explained Draco. "After we left Hogwarts that night, watching him fall, and seeing what my aunt was doing… I wanted to take it all back. I wanted to go back to just being at school and having my old life back like it was before Voldemort ruined everything. I knew that there was no hope of that though, and I became very depressed. Potter saved my life during that last battle. He saved me even though I attacked him. Seeing what was happening… I just couldn't go on with it anymore, even if it meant I'd be killed. I didn't care. I only went to Voldemort because of my mother. When she called to me I had to go to her because I didn't want to hurt her and I didn't want him to decide to kill her if I refused him. When Potter revealed he was still alive we left, and father followed us. He told me you were dead and I was very sorry for that. It was a huge relief when we found out you'd actually survived."

"I almost didn't" Severus admitted. "I've got Tamara to thank for my continued existence."

Draco smiled. "That's what father said after he met up with you a few years ago. We'd heard the rumors before that, of course, and I was sure they were true. I could tell by the way she always looked at you that she'd have done anything for you. When I heard father telling mother that Miss Brookes had ditched you for your blood status I knew you'd lied to him and even though at that point I didn't understand why, I never said anything. I'm glad now that I didn't because I understand very well why you didn't want people to know."

"Thank you" Severus said sincerely. He was well aware of the things that could have happened if the Dark Lord had found out about his feelings for Tamara. He'd have used her to manipulate him and she likely would have ended up dead.

"What would you have done?" Draco asked. "Would you have kept doing your duty or would you have said sod it all and died for her?"

Severus smirked. "Honestly I don't know. I try not to think about it, outside of the nightmares, anyway." He sighed. "I think I'd have kept to my task and then gladly gone to join her in death when it was all over. That's what she tells me I would have done, anyway."

"Knowing you, I think she's probably right. You're strong like that." Draco looked at him with obvious admiration and it made Severus uncomfortable.

"Have you seen Potter lately?"

Severus nodded. "Yes. It looks like your child will be starting school with one of his in a few years. His wife is pregnant again. So is Weasley's."

Draco shook his head. "My child's got to compete with a spawn of Granger? Bad luck, that. Good for them though, I suppose. Father got all excited when he heard you were teaching your kids because he wants to hire you to tutor mine as well. If you were interested I can't think of anyone I'd rather have teaching him."

"Him?" Severus asked.

Draco nodded, smiling. "It's a boy, we found out. I didn't tell father yet."

Severus snickered. "He'll be thrilled, but furious that you didn't tell him. I'll consider the offer. I hadn't really thought of taking on any pupils who weren't my own offspring, but when the time comes, perhaps I'll be ready."

"Thank you."

Suddenly Severus was startled to hear a voice from outside the fence yelling "Murderers! Death-eater scum!"

A few large rocks came flying over the fence and then bounced back out again, repelled by a protective charm.

He looked at Draco questioningly and the younger man simply shook his head.

"Children from town. We get it a lot."

Severus parted the hedge with his wand and was surprised to see four boys who couldn't have been older than eight or nine. They were poised to throw some more stones at the fence but dropped them when they saw him.

The boys turned to run, but one who was a bit larger than the others screamed out over his shoulder "Killers! Voldy's gone moldy! You'll get yours someday!"

Severus used his deepest "teacher voice" to call after them "If you're so certain of your accusations then perhaps it would be wise to avoid coming near this property again. If your parents can't be bothered to teach you any manners I personally would be happy to do so the next time you approach this fence!"

Screeching in terror, the boys ran faster, disappearing over the hill.

"Father was attacked a few times in town, but not for a few years now. Most places we're ok and people leave us alone. Scared probably. The ones that live nearby though, they don't like it that we stayed."

Severus studied the face of his former student, unsure of what to say to him. However he felt about the actions of the young man's parents, he couldn't help but feel very sorry for Draco. He'd been trained from a young age to be what his father had wanted him to be, and unfortunately the cost of to him had been immense.

"Have you ever thought of leaving?" he asked, carefully. "Distancing yourself?"

Draco smirked. "It's crossed my mind. Mother won't leave, and I just can't break her heart. It'll get better, I think. I hope. Perhaps it won't be so bad for my son."

"Perhaps" Severus said gently, and he hoped for the child's sake that it would be so.

That night after the children had gone to sleep Severus told Tamara about the stone-throwing boys and his conversation with Draco.

"I can't help but think it would be best for his wife and child if he moved away from here, even for a few years. The more time passes the better, and he wouldn't have to go far. Even in France they could likely live without being recognized."

Tam nodded. "Probably. I'm sure it would be easier. This is the only home he's ever known though, and he's spent his whole life poised to reign over it someday. He's very close to his mother and after having been so afraid that he might lose her… well, I can see why he doesn't want to leave. I guess I also have to give him credit, in a way, for staying put and not being chased away."

"If he were not a husband on the verge of fatherhood I would agree with you, of course." Severus looked over at the bed where his children were sleeping.

Tamara smiled at him lovingly. "You always make us your top priority, I know. I can't ever express how much that means to me. Draco will find his way and do what's best, either way. He's matured a lot."

"He won't truly know what he must do until he holds his child" Severus said quietly. "Only then will he know what decision is the best, whatever it may be."

They returned to Peebles with a much greater understanding of the Malfoy family. Severus felt a bit more at ease with Lucius and Tamara just felt terribly sorry for them all, in spite of the lingering worry that she was betraying so many of her other friends by associating with them. Sevarun had become very fond of Draco, and spent their first evening home talking about him. Sevina announced that when she grew up she wanted to be a peacock. All in all it had been a very enlightening little visit.

Tamara wasn't surprised that as soon as they got the children into bed she found herself immediately dragged to their own bedroom by her husband. Two days of having Sevarun and Sevina in between them had left him rather frustrated, and he was determined to make up for lost time.

Afterwards, staring up at the ceiling with him happily collapsed on top of her she couldn't help but giggle. He hadn't been quite that enthusiastic in a while.

"I'm going to have to deprive you more often" she teased. "It brings out the beast within, apparently."

"That's cruel" he grumbled, his voice muffled by her shoulder.

Now that they were home it was back to life as usual with Tam having to get ready to return to Hogwarts. The New Year meant that they were quickly approaching Severus and Sevarun's shared birthday, and she was considering what to do about it this year. She had considered a surprise party, but she knew that the two men in her life were both rather averse to crowds, and would both likely have been horrified by the very thought. It left her searching for a good idea and she decided she'd have to ask Minerva for suggestions when she got back to school.

"Do you absolutely have to go back?" Severus asked, pretending to sulk. "I rather enjoy having you at home with us."

Tam smiled. "Yes, I'm afraid I do. You'd get tired of me if I was always here, and I'd miss everybody if I didn't go back."

He gave her an offended look. "I never got tired of you when we both worked and lived there together and you weren't even shagging me then. Why in the world would I get tired of you now that I can get into your knickers whenever I like? It makes absolutely no sense."

"Remember Sweet, absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"No, in my case, absence irritates the impatient wizard, but apparently you don't care. I see quite clearly now how much my feelings matter." He pouted, making her laugh.

"Your feelings matter to me more than anything my love, and you know it. Stop grumbling. Besides, if you never got the chance to miss me you'd never get the joy of welcoming me home, would you?"

He shrugged, still playing. "I suppose that's true. I just hope you miss me as much as I miss you while you are away and not making goo-goo eyes at that young Ancient Runes teacher."

She laughed again, and said "Goo-goo eyes? I'll have to write that one down for posterity! Bloody hell. I told you, that poor boy is no competition to you. I have all the wizard I need right here, and I would never give that up for anything in the world. The sun for me rises and sets in your eyes and the earth revolves around your considerable ego."

It was his turn to laugh. "Not so considerable" he insisted. "You wound me saying things like that."

She knew he was still being silly, but she indulged him by rubbing his neck. "Oh, I am so terribly sorry."

"Well I have to forgive when you do that, don't I? Listen, tell Minerva thank you for the nice tea set she sent us for Christmas. Don't forget, it looks like it was expensive."

Tam nodded. "Will do. Anything else?"

"Yes, come back home as quickly as possible."

She kissed him and giggled before she walked out the door.