Childcare

Severus stretched before rubbing the heels of his hands against his eyes, fatigue straining them after so long bent over his notes. He was finally happy with them though, Hermione having sent through her own corrections and amendments the night before and he had spent the day making them fit for publication.

He was glad the week was finally drawing to the close, not recalling when he had ever been so busy, even his teaching days having some respite in comparison to working at St Mungo's as he had been. When the initial tests had proved fruitful with those mildly afflicted by complications from obliviates, they had moved on to more complex cases which had required changes in dosage and potency that had had him working day and night at the cauldrons both at the hospital and at home.

Every hour had proved fruitful though and not only did they have a potion that could help those mildly affected but also those who had suffered both severe and total memory loss as a result of the spell and those related to it. He had watched people reunited with family members that had been locked away for years without memory and, in many cases, reason. In the darker years of his life, he would have had little care for the scenes he had witnessed and he would have found the spectacle of Gilderoy Lockhart waking from the prison of his own mind amusing rather than inspiring.

Where before he would have left the ward with disdain, he left it with hope and that hope had remained even when his still insufferable former colleague had bounded after him with the same aggravating temperament he had had before his obliviate had gone awry. Severus had endured, with far more patience than he would have claimed to have, Lockhart's assertions that he would have been able to find just such a cure if he had been allowed to. He also entertained the wild claims that Lockhart was certain that he had deliberately caused his memory loss as he was more than confident Harry Potter could handle himself and that he would prove a risk if taken by the heir of Slytherin with his faculties intact.

He had left the hospital with the potion's results proven and an exclusive contract to continue reproducing it as and when St Mungo's required it. He had pushed such thoughts to the back of his mind though, focusing instead on what was to come with Hermione and her parents.

When the results had begun to prove positive, Hermione had taken the decision to take it to her parents as soon as possible. Severus could read the desperation in her face even through the floo and he hoped for her sake that they would be receptive to the idea when they arrived. As per his promise, he had decided to travel with her to Australia and had arranged the international portkey the very same night Hermione had decided that she wanted to go.

He glanced at the clock above his desk, realising there was still several hours before he needed to meet her in Diagon Alley before they began their journey. He had already packed for them both; the pair of them deciding it would be swifter for her to head directly to London rather than coming home from the school.

He frowned as he thought of what lay ahead for them, Hermione having told her parents she was visiting with a friend but not the purpose of her visit or the nature of her relationship with Severus. Whilst he did not fear rejection from her parents, more than confident in their love for each other even if it met with opposition, he did fear their rejection of her, either in refusing to take the potion altogether or taking it and the anger they could feel over her taking their memories overcoming any love they were reminded of.

He pushed aside all negative thoughts, knowing he would need to be positive for Hermione's sake. He tidied his notes before he got to his feet, leaving the lab and heading towards the kitchen, flicking on the kettle and finding himself grateful once more for the muggle conveniences the house provided.

The kettle was singing when he felt the wards around the house ripple before a knock came at the back door. He peered through the window, smiling at the figure he saw outside before he headed to the door and opened it.

"Luna?" he said, "I wasn't expecting you."

"I'm sorry for the unannounced visit," she said, "Am I intruding?"

"Not at all," said Severus, stepping back to let her in, "But I don't have much time. Hermione and I are off to Australia to see her parents this evening. We think we have developed a potion that can help restore their full memories but it promises to be a difficult conversation."

"I had heard rumours that you were working on something to do with obliviates and I wondered if it was because of Hermione," said Luna, following him into the kitchen, "It will be nice if they can remember her properly."

"And tell her off for carrying on with her teacher," said Severus, "Tea?"

"Please," she replied, "And I wouldn't worry too much about that. They'll accept you, I'm sure. I suppose dads are always possessive over their daughters though so you never know."

Severus chuckled, "Fill me with confidence why don't you," he said, heading to the fridge and retrieving the milk, "Remind me not to rely on you to be my cheer leader, you do a lousy job."

Luna grinned, "I promise to give you a glowing reference if asked," she said, "No milk for me please, I've gone right off the stuff, makes me sick."

Severus cocked an eyebrow, abandoning the tea and turning to face her as he leaned back against the counter, "This is quite sudden," he said, smiling as the young woman before him tried and failed to keep her face neutral, "Are congratulations in order?"

Luna blushed but smiled as she nodded, "It's very early on and we're not telling many people but I need your help," she said, "I'm so dreadfully ill in the mornings and whenever I eat certain things. I'd make the potion myself but I can't bear to be in front of a cauldron. You're the only person I trust not to go gossiping and was wondering if it isn't an imposition…"

"It just so happens I had another request for a client quiet recently and have some surplus in stock," said Severus, crossing the room and pressing a kiss to her cheek, "Congratulations my dear, you will make a wonderful mother. You must pass on my congratulations to Neville as well, he must be very proud."

"A little overwhelmed I think is a better description," said Luna, "But we are very excited. What do I owe you for the potion?"

"Nothing," said Severus, "And anything else you need, you only have to ask. Have you told anyone else?"

"Dad of course and Neville's grandmother," said Luna, "She was very excited which surprised us both. We told Neville's parents but I don't… hmm."

"Hmm, what?" said Severus, returning to the opposite counter and finishing their drinks.

"Neville's parents," said Luna, "Your potion restores memory, do you think it could help them?"

Severus frowned, "I don't think it could," he said, "The damage done to them… the mental scars are more due to key memory functions shutting down to protect them from their torture. I've been on the receiving end of a cruciatus curse from Bellatrix and, whilst my experience was brief, I can understand what prolonged exposure could have done. I can look into it when we experiment further but I wonder if it wouldn't be a disservice to restore them. If they are protected from the memories in the state they are in would we not cause more pain to restore them? I will help if I can but such things are beyond my skills. Torture is an altogether different beast to what I have been focusing on."

Luna nodded, "I understand but I would appreciate it if you would keep it in mind," she said, "I know there's no one else Neville would trust if it came to any experimentation. I don't think they even really understand who I am."

"You may be surprised what lies beneath the surface," said Severus, picking up their cups, "Shall we head through to the living room? Far less drafty in there."

Luna nodded, "You can tell me all about your work," she said, "You know how curious I am about such things."

"Indeed I do," said Severus, following her as she left the kitchen and headed towards the living room, glad for the distraction her presence would provide before the journey ahead of him.

xxxx

"For homework I want three rolls of parchment on the uses of dragons' blood in healing potions with specifics as to the brewing techniques required depending on the blood used," said Hermione, the instructions appearing behind her on the dusty chalk board as the class before her hurriedly noted it down, "You have until next Thursday so I want your best work, full citations and a complete bibliography. I will be checking your referencing."

"Professor Granger?" came a voice from the back of the classroom, "Can we have access to the restricted section for this?"

Hermione smiled, hearing the excitement in the question, "If you have a specific text you require in that section then apply to your house heads for permission to access it. I will however be instructing Madame Pince that all students should be supervised if researching this subject, there are some references inappropriate for fifth years in those books," she said, holding back a laugh at the general groan that echoed through the classroom, "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I will see you next Thursday. Professor McGonagall and Professor Vector will be covering my lessons until then and I expect to hear nothing but exemplary reports from the both of them. Enjoy your weekend."

Several calls of farewell echoed over the sound of chairs scraping and bags being hastily stuffed as her students made good their Friday afternoon escape. She busied herself with clearing down her desk, glad she had already planned to work on theory rather than anything practical in her class that day.

Finally, the class emptied and she sat down at her desk, pulling a notebook from her drawer and opening it to the last entry. As though on cue she heard a knock on the door, looking up and smiling as she saw Professor Armitage standing in the doorway.

"Erasmus," she said happily, "Come in. How was your afternoon?"

"Very entertaining," he said, crossing the room to her and taking a seat opposite, "Third years, riddikulus, hilarity always ensues."

"I can imagine," said Hermione, "A nice way to end the week I imagine."

Erasmus pushed a lock of auburn hair away from his forehead with a finger as he sat back in his chair, one foot coming to rest against his knee, "I don't like to send the children away on anything too dark," he said, "Merlin knows my subject is dark enough."

Hermione laughed, "Well there is a bit of a give away in the job title," she said, "Saying that, my subject can be gloomy enough. I really wish the Draught of Living Death wasn't on the syllabus for the sixth years, it's rather beastly."

"Snape used to threaten to dunk our heads in it when I was a student," said Erasmus before he blushed, "No offence meant of course."

"None taken," she said, "I'd never sit here and pretend I agreed with all his methods. He could be terrible at times and I happily tell him that too. To be honest though, there are times I'm more than tempted to repeat such threats. I caught two of my fourth years trying to brew gigglewater in class yesterday. They're spending their weekend helping Hagrid muck out the thestrals, what could be more fun than invisible poo?"

"You're a wicked woman Hermione Granger," he said, looking back over his shoulder, "Where is Mr Calcraft? He is well aware we moved the meeting time today."

"He has Astronomy last thing, I checked the timetable at lunch," said Hermione, "He'll be here soon. I have to say his progress has been amazing these passed few weeks. I'm so glad we got to the cause of everything. How is he getting on elsewhere?"

"Well I believe," said Erasmus, "I hear no negative reports. He is still somewhat distant in Muggle Studies but to be honest, at that age I was. Bad Slytherin I know."

"You're far from a bad one, my friend," said Hermione, "Are you going to Pomona's birthday drinks next weekend? I'm hoping, if all goes well, I'll be back by Thursday so I'll be able to attend. At least with a port key I won't have to fight the jet lag."

"I'll be there but I have the night patrol so my visit will be brief and non alcoholic," he said, "How are you feeling about seeing your parents? It must be nerve wracking."

Hermione nodded, "Very but I'm determined to see it through and I will have Severus with me so at least I have a hand to hold."

Erasmus laughed, "I still cannot get my head around the notion of you and Professor Snape," he said, "He was such a grumpy thing when he was teaching me."

"He's changed a lot," said Hermione, with a soft smile, "I hope I get to reintroduce you to each other one day. I think you'd get along well."

"Professor Granger?" came a voice from the door, "Professor Armitage, can I come in?"

"Of course Mr Calcraft," said Hermione getting to her feet, "This is your meeting after all. We were merely passing the time of day until you arrived. How was Astronomy?"

"I've got four rolls of parchment to write for Monday," said Ernest with a frown.

"You're more than capable of managing that," said Erasmus, "Apply yourself to that rather than forcing your Head of House out to round you up from Hogsmeade this weekend and you'll succeed. Come and sit down Ernest."

The boy did as instructed, taking his customary seat next to his House Head and managing a small smile at his Potions Mistress that Hermione returned happily.

"Well seeing as you have quite a bit of homework ahead of you we should get started and make this brief," she said, "Would you like to begin Ernest?"

"Umm…how?" said the boy, "You usually start."

Hermione smiled, realising she had caught him off guard, "Alright," she said, "Well, your homework was a good standard this week. Average to high Es as I've come to expect but you could manage an O with a bit more attention to detail. I seemed to lose you in class on Wednesday though. Whilst I appreciate that we didn't have the disruption of old, I was concerned by your lack of participation. Was there anything in particular that troubled you about the lesson?"

Ernest shrugged, "Was a bit boring," he said though there was little conviction in his tone.

Hermione frowned, "What in particular? If memory serves, I set you all a task to find improvements for several poison antidotes. I would have thought that level of experimentation would have suited you?" she asked.

Ernest shrugged again by way of response prompting a frown to mirror Hermione's from his Head of House.

"Ernest, if there was an issue in the lesson then please address it," said Erasmus, "Professor Granger can help guide you if you are having difficulties. The whole purpose of these sessions is to ensure that you get the most out of your classes."

"We are not looking to judge you if you are having difficulties Ernest," said Hermione, "And anything you say will remain between the three of us."

The boy dropped his gaze to the desk before him, "I wrote to my mother and she replied," he said after a moment, "She said she didn't want to see me again."

Hermione met her colleague's gaze, seeing the concern on his face that she was sure she wore as openly.

"I'm so sorry to hear that Ernest," said Hermione, "If there is anything we can do? Perhaps, Professor Armitage can write to her on your behalf and…"

Ernest shook his head, "No point," he said, "She wouldn't read it."

"Are there any other family members we could contact for you?" asked Erasmus, "You may be of age but we still have a duty of care towards you."

"I'll be alright," said Ernest, "Once I've done my exams I can get an apprenticeship or something and take care of myself. I promise to concentrate in the rest of my lessons Professor Granger."

Hermione smiled, hating the look of resignation on the face of the young man before her, "My primary concern is your welfare," she said, "And you must promise to tell me if anything is distracting you in class."

"I promise," said Ernest, "Would you…do you mind going over the lesson? I missed loads."

Hermione smiled, "Of course," she said, "If Professor Armitage doesn't mind?"

Erasmus shook his head, "Not at all," he said, as Hermione reached for her lesson notes, "You might even teach me something."

"I highly doubt that," said Hermione, before she turned her attention back to her student, "Now then, poison antidotes…"