A/N: Hello, HG/SS readers. Once again, FFN was experiencing technical issues over the weekend, so I thank all of you who waited so patiently to leave me your feedback, either via FFN or through other communications. I sincerely appreciate the time and effort you made to still let me know your thoughts. Chapter 50 was another chapter written from the heart, so your feedback was so important to hear.

Moving right along... We are drawing closer to Severus's hearing, but what of his declining health? You'll finally find out in this chapter.

Many thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Brittny.

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter is copyrighted to and belongs to JK Rowling. I own none of her associated characters. New characters belong to me.


Chapter 51: Never a Lost Hope

Hermione could hardly believe how much better Severus was looking already, just in a matter of days. Upon his return to the Hospital Wing, she insisted that he test out Hamilton Cosworth's antidotes and healing elixirs that the retired professor had brought, all of his own making. It would take hours before any of the antidotes or healing elixirs started to take hold, if at all, so Hermione waited as patiently as she could, settling in beside Severus at his bedside, watching over him with careful thoroughness.

Hamilton made himself comfortable as well, taking up one of Madam Pomfrey's cots, which the Mediwitch did not appreciate—at first. Once she saw the slow but positive effects the old man's potions were having on Severus's health, however, she changed her tune. The girls could have sworn that they caught the two flirting with one another on a few occasions thereafter, a ghastly sight to their young eyes.

"Gross," Hailey mumbled to herself after witnessing one such unfortunate episode of harmless flirtation that bordered on the too-friendly-to-be-just-friendly.

Each potion was exclusively meant for Severus in the hopes that one, if not a combination of them, would finally begin to combat the venom that had been deteriorating his body for nearly two decades. Severus was grateful, especially in light of the laborious time Hamilton had set aside to come up with such complicated mixtures. He never anticipated that his colleague would go to the lengths that he did and was admittedly curious about the individual contents of each creation.

Severus was familiar with most of them, of course, and could detect ingredients based on odor or color, a skill that Hailey marveled at in particular. She inspected most of the phials along with her father, expanding her knowledge of the various ingredients in the process. Jeannie did, too, initially but soon lost interest. Hamilton, however, was more than happy to indulge Severus's young, bushy-haired daughter. It was, indeed, a rarity to find a youth so keenly interested in the art and science of Potion-making. Hamilton mused how it seemed to only lull many of his own students to sleep in the past and admired such a trait in the first year.

As Severus inspected each phial, he noted familiarities between his colleague's concoctions and his own. He, himself, had brewed relatively similar tonics at various times throughout his illness, but the Durmstrang professor added several heavy touches of his own signature to the blends, each of which took Severus by surprise. It was a feat not easily come by. He dared not profess his personal shock, but he almost found Hamilton's brews admirable.

The curious combinations intrigued him greatly. Traces of Flobberworm Mucus, Moly petals, Jabberknoll feathers, dragon's blood—and additional organs—pomegranate, and even snake venom...

"Combat venom with venom," Hamilton pointed out to Hailey when she shot him a look of absolute horror.

"I've tried it before, Hailey," Severus assured her with a faint smile. "There's nothing to worry about."

Severus lost count of how many odd composites there were, along with the sheer amount he had tried in the past few days, but he could undoubtedly feel the effects taking hold. Hamilton, meanwhile, took precise notes, jotting down those that worked and those that had little to no effect whatsoever.

The progress was heartening to all. Severus's limbs, which had ached unbearably most of the time and pained him for many, many years, were stretching out, lither than they had been since he could remember. His chest pains were not as acute and his breathing less vigorous than before.

"There are some things magic cannot mend, I'm afraid," Hamilton reminded the family whenever one of them was crestfallen over a failed brew. "And in light of the length and magnitude of Severus's condition, we should all feel very fortunate wherever there is improvement."

For Severus, the small aches and difficulties that lingered were miniscule. A weight was being lifted, slowly but surely, that he could hardly believe. It was like being awakened from a deep, centuries-old slumber. Even Hermione and their daughters—who had gathered at Severus's bedside along with a stumped Madam Pomfrey over the past days—noted a considerable difference in the wizard's condition.

"Well, Merlin's beard!" the Mediwitch kept repeating, staggering to come to grips with what she saw. "I might as well retire. I have finally seen it all now!"

Surina, Hailey, and Jeannie giggled, but Lily usually held back at the edge of Severus's bed and surveyed him thoughtfully in her quiet way. Hermione handed Severus the last three phials but held onto his hand.

Severus stared up at Hamilton, who was rubbing his hands together gingerly and still smiling. Did not his face hurt from so much unnecessary happiness at this point? Severus tried, for once, not to be irritable with the man's unnerving enthusiasm.

"I hope your efforts will not have been in vain, Hamilton," he said with a dark smirk.

Hamilton's smile lessened a bit. "Why do you say that?"

"Because I would hate for you to have to make an entirely fresh batch of elixirs should these not do the trick."

"They will, Severus! I can vouch for it."

"Is that so?"

Severus tried to frown, but Jeannie's elation was too much of an endearing distraction. The small toddler was bouncing up and down excitedly next to Hermione at Severus's bedside. She knew the final phials were near, and she had waited patiently long enough. The little one's expectations were clear: that Severus would jump out of bed and start playing with her any moment now.

"Are you impressed?" Hamilton pressed his colleague.

"No," Severus stated matter-of-factly before adding, "I believe you informed me not too long ago that I should not be surprised by... What was it? Durmstrang wizards' knack for intuition, or something of that ridiculous nature. The same can be said for witches and wizards like us."

Hamilton shook his head. "You don't miss anything, do you?"

Severus grunted. "Regrettably, no."

"So you do pay attention to what I say!"

"An unfortunate trait that no one regrets as much as I."

Hermione rolled her eyes playfully and leaned in close to Severus's face. "Why don't you finish these, Severus?" she whispered, placing them in his lap. "Tell me how you feel then."

Severus sighed but complied with her instructions. When he was through, he carefully leaned forward, bracing himself for a sharp pain in his back or shoulder, in his stomach or the center of his chest. The usual tired aches that came with age were there, but the much stronger throbs of his illness—caused by the snake venom that nearly took his life—were virtually gone. Severus sat perfectly still, soaking in the marvelous realization, just as he had been doing very gradually for days.

"Do you feel better, Dad?" Surina asked in earnest.

Severus did not answer right away but glanced down at his pale hands and scrutinized them carefully. Then his elegant, long fingers traced the fabric of his stiff coat, the buttons along his chest...

Was he cured? He could not be. He certainly did not feel one hundred percent better, but, in truth, he had not felt so well in a long time. A very long time. Not since before the attack, anyway.

"Severus?" Hermione whispered, lacing an arm around his back, staring at him with intense concern. "How do you feel, love?"

Severus slowly turned to soak in Hermione's warm, brown irises, her soft, delicate lips, and the cascading waves—once frizzy and furious—that now tumbled gracefully down her shoulders. It was as if he were seeing his wife anew with a fresh set of eyes that were no longer distracted by other things, such as the unnatural discomforts, the abnormal temperature in his chest, the unwanted desires to inflict harm on those he cared for most of all...

"I feel... Free," he murmured quietly.

Hermione did not have a chance to reply and was too stunned to say much of anything. Jeannie and Hailey suddenly lugged Severus up from the bed with startling ease, egging him to test out his balance, to stretch out his legs and move unimpeded. Surina smiled excitedly and looked on but when she turned to Lily to soak in her reaction, her elder sister was still hanging back with half a smile, gazing at their father in silence.

"I knew you would feel better!" Hamilton clapped his beefy hands together, joining in on the young ones' excitement. "I knew I was onto something about a month ago when my letters to you started going astray. I just kept plugging away when I didn't hear from you. I knew these would be my greatest inventions yet; that they would do the trick. I just knew it!"

"Oh, did you?" Severus growled, though he did not sound angry. On the contrary, he was feeling more appreciative of the old man than he had ever felt towards anyone—aside from Hermione—in his life.

Madam Pomfrey dashed away to write an urgent owl to Augustus Pye, claiming that this was news that the Healer-in-charge "would not want to miss!" She disappeared into her office and shut the door.

"Thank you, sir!"

Hailey rounded on Hamilton and shocked him with a light peck on his cheek, sending the old man into fits of blushes. Then he was confronted by Jeannie, who lunged at him and threw her short arms around his belly. Surina and Lily also stepped forward to offer their gratitude to the former professor. They had illustrated their appreciation a few times before as they observed how the potions took effect, but this appreciation was on an entirely different level. It was a sight that made Hermione's heart lodge in her throat.

"Severus," she breathed longingly. His dark silhouette turned around to face her. She laid her hands on his chest and stared deep into his eyes. "Are you certain?"

"I think so..."

"You're well then?"

She seemed apprehensive, not quite sure if she was ready to believe him. Her eyes scanned his face nervously.

Then Severus's irises started to gleam, causing Hermione to step back, unsure, but he brought her into his arms with a force that shook her senses. She wrapped her arms around his back to embrace him in return when she unexpectedly felt her feet, and then her entire body, lift up off the ground. Perhaps he was just testing out his strength, but Hermione knew better.

"Severus!" she gasped at first, then chuckled. She wove her arms more securely around him, not daring to let go. "All right, all right, you've made your point! Put me down, you scoundrel!"

A low growl and Hermione was set down properly. Once she had her footing again, she drew back to study him fully, but did not let go. His trademark complexion was still white but not as sickly or translucent as it had been for years. His cheeks had a healthy, almost pinkish glow that Hermione could not recall ever seeing, not even when she was a teenager. And his eyes—those rich, dark pools—were livelier than they had been in a long while.

Hermione gathered one of Severus's hands into her own and clutched it to her chest. Then she moved it up to her face to kiss the inside of his palm and met his gaze again. She could tell Severus's eyes were smiling, even if his mouth was not.

"Does this mean I have you back?" she choked, holding back tears that, for once, were tears that were filled with hope instead of sorrow.

"I... I believe so."

"You won't... You won't leave me?" There was an edginess to her tone, a desperation that was irrefutable.

Severus's lips softened and curled at the edges. "If how I feel at this moment is any indication of things to come, my dear, then no. I'm afraid you may be stuck with me for quite some time."

Hermione found herself laughing and ignored the fact that the girls and Hamilton were probably observing all of this. Here and now, in this place and at this moment, Severus and she were the only ones present. This instant—as if frozen in time—belonged entirely to them as far as Hermione was concerned, and she allowed herself this selfish indulgence.

"I always hoped..." she started but could not finish because her lower lip started to tremble. "I never wanted to believe... I just could not will myself to accept that you would die, Severus... I just couldn't."

"No, you didn't," Severus replied with a gentle caress to her chin. "You carried far more faith than I ever did. If you had given up, I surely would have, too, long ago. You've kept me alive, Hermione."

Hermione allowed the tears to fall. She could no longer control the emotions sweeping over her. She cupped Severus's face and kissed him hard, igniting a passionate embrace sorely missed and desired by both. It excited her how he responded back with equal fervor, but then, just as quickly as it had come, he abruptly pulled away, remembering that they were not alone.

"I've missed you," she murmured with an unmistakable yearning that made Severus groan.

"And I, you," he said back.

His words carried a hint of an insatiable appetite that caused Hermione to shudder. Before she could say everything she wanted to relay to the man she loved, however, Severus turned away and looped his hand through hers. He gave a respectful nod to Hamilton, who had scooped up little Jeannie into his arms. He suspected it was probably too early yet and there was still the risk of getting his hopes up, but Severus was caught up in the moment, excited by the possibility that most of his inflictions may finally be resolved.

"I... I don't know how to thank you, Hamilton, but—"

"Don't thank me, Severus," Hamilton implored with a raised hand to stop him. "I owed you. You saved my life once. It was high time I returned the favor."

"I already told you that you don't owe me anything—"

"Yes, I remember, Severus, but you're wrong. Believe it or not, you have friends—loved ones who care about your well-being, people who don't forget all the good you've done for them and for others. I'm happy to have helped, and I consider it an honor to call you my friend."

Hermione's fingers gave Severus's a gentle squeeze. He was hardly use to such public declarations or such kindness, let alone having to offer something genteel in return. Severus gave another civilized bow of appreciation, an act that contained more gratitude than words could.

Surina glanced at Hailey, then Severus. "Does this mean that your offer to Hailey from before..." she started to ask hesitantly, fearful that she might ruin the moment and make him cross. "Is that off the table now?"

Severus eyed his lookalike curiously, his eyebrows narrowing, but then a softened expression formed on his face that brought Surina some relief. "No, sweetheart," he stated slowly, taking the time to survey each of his children individually. "That offer still stands."

"Really?" Hailey breathed, excitement mounting in her eyes.

"Of course," he growled contently. "I never make promises I have no intention of keeping."


"Severus?"

"Hmm?" he mumbled as he rested his head against the pillow he and Hermione were sharing.

"Thursday." Hermione found it difficult to get her thoughts out. That, and she was terribly cold. "The hearing..."

"I know."

Severus's hands traced the curve of her spine, bringing much needed heat to her frigid skin, which was finally starting to warm up. She hardly minded visiting her husband at Hogwarts whenever the time allowed for it, and she was grateful that they were finally out of the Hospital Wing and sleeping side-by-side again in the privacy of Severus's own chambers, but the temperature of the dungeons had never been to her liking. It was too dark and, more importantly, freezing. It was always difficult to keep warm in this part of the castle, but tonight that did not matter so much. She had Severus's body heat to keep her cozy for a change and, thus, clung to him willingly, enjoying the feel of his chest against hers and the delicate touch of those familiar fingers that ran up and down her back.

"I'm worried about the girls," she issued as she snuggled in close to him. "I fear them getting torn to shreds in that courtroom."

"The Wizengamot won't play fair," Severus replied with a deep sigh, brushing his chin along her curls. "They'll be all right, Hermione. They'll just tell the truth. There's nothing else to be done."

After a short pause, Hermione whispered into the darkness, "This isn't over, is it?"

Severus listened to the cackling of firewood for a time before answering, "No... It isn't."

Hermione ran her fingers along Severus's collarbone, staring at the outline of pale, protruding anatomy. He had been basking in her touch for some time now and kept his eyes shut, so Hermione continued, never letting up as she moved from Severus's face down to his shoulders.

"McGonagall and Aberforth seem confident about it all, don't you think?"

"Yes."

"Do they know something we don't?"

"Perhaps."

"And the Board of Governors' meeting? The new appointment Draco managed to get for you?"

She watched Severus's eyes slowly open, soaking in the orange and yellow hues emitted by the fireplace. He stared off towards the edge of the bed, weary.

"I'm the only one who can defend my position, Hermione. They will listen, but I don't expect anything to change. Draco puts too much stock in swayed opinions. If Lucius hasn't been arrested by then, none of them will speak a word in my favor—"

"You don't know that." Hermione unconsciously stroked the marks on Severus's neck, momentarily forgetting that they were off limits. Severus, however, did not stir. "You have a fighting chance, Severus. Now that you're on the mend..."

She stopped, unable to complete her sentence. She hated how Severus's improved health was bringing her to tears again. She had never felt so indisposed and out of sorts with her staggering emotions than she had the past few weeks.

"It's all right," Severus tried to reassure her with a soft purr. He brought her closer and took her hand into his own, removing it from his neck and placing it on top of his chest, a spot that felt much more secure. "There's much to make up for..."

Hermione peered into his dark eyes, examining their inscrutable depths with a profound yearning. She stretched out her neck to kiss his mouth, to savor the supple, wet flesh that belonged to her.

"Indeed," she resounded just as he so often did, kissing him a second time. "I - I have you back. I have my husband back..." Hermione put a hand to her mouth, unable to kiss him again without reacting the way she did not wish to show.

"Don't get yourself upset again."

Hermione continued to try to hold back her tears, but it was proving difficult as she professed to him, "I've been preparing myself to say goodbye to you for so long, Severus... You have no idea what these past weeks have been like... What I've been through..."

Severus instinctively drew her to his chest and held her there, the softness of his cheek caressing hers as he stared out into the darkness, listening to her soft cries, which pained him to hear.

"I know, Hermione. I'm terribly sorry for what I've put you through... For so long..."

"No, no," she mumbled into his neck, kissing the wounds despairingly, "That's not what I meant. It's not your fault. It's just... It's been very hard, Severus. I - I wasn't sure I'd be able to...to say goodbye when I sensed the moment was finally drawing near. I wasn't sure I'd actually be able to do that... For you."

Severus eyed her with a considerate, quiet regard that she understood to be sincere. He brushed a few curls away from her eyes but allowed his fingers to trace the delicate skin; a touch he was well-attuned to but had not experienced for some time. It aroused him, sparking a deep-seated sensation that her mere presence could always ignite.

"You've been so strong," he murmured admiringly but with a twinge of sadness.

"Have I?" she asked, still sounding forlorn.

"Exceedingly so. I've never known anyone with your level of resolve, Hermione. I... I hope you are aware of how grateful I am."

Severus leaned in without warning to covet the tears that had trickled down her cheeks, tasting their salty contents with his lips. Hermione enveloped an arm more securely around his neck and sighed into it, feeling increasingly more content.

"I am aware, love. Don't worry."

When she met his gaze again, however, she was distraught to not receive the same contentedness. Severus's trademark scowl had returned and he sensed her scrutinizing him, so he flexed his brow.

"Lily... She's still so quiet. I hardly know what to think."

"I know. I - I'm worried about her, too."

"What they did to her," Severus said low and desperate. "If you had seen what they put her through... Avery and Rookwood's son touching her like that—"

"No!" Hermione put her hand to his lips to stop him. "Don't focus on that, Severus. We need to help her get to a place where she can trust again. Don't wallow in the 'what ifs.'"

"But I didn't do enough, Hermione—"

"You did everything you could, Severus."

Severus turned away from her and gazed into the roaring fire just a few feet from their bed. The dancing flames were hypnotizing, almost distracting enough from the self-loathing thoughts that consumed his mind.

"Hey," Hermione whispered, cupping his chin in her palm to bring him round, "come back to me. Please? Don't do this..."

"I'm sorry," he groused and touched his large nose to hers.

Hermione reacted by stroking his cheek, then the outline of wet lips she had just coveted. She wanted him so intensely, so badly; the hunger brewed in her eyes.

"Make love to me, Severus," came her starved proclamation, full of the utmost want and need for him. "Please? I want you to. I need you to."

Severus stared at her with a mixture of serenity and disquiet that contorted the hard features of his visage. She sensed what he was thinking; his apprehensions about this newfound release from the many restraints that had held him back for so long.

"It's all right," she whispered encouragingly. "Come here."

Her long eyelashes fluttered several times as she drew closer to him, leaning over and allowing a few stray hairs to graze his face. He brushed them away but held her face, examining it in a grateful, devoted manner that made her heart skip a beat. She bent down to lock lips with him again. Again. And again.

Severus moaned into her mouth, causing Hermione to push harder against him, no other desire in mind than to devour, to take what was rightfully hers, to illustrate everything her heart bid her to do. She felt his powerful arms lock around her back and thrust her into him. It was burning hot, this intoxicating flesh-on-flesh contact. She could not help but hug him back, cradling him in her arms, which she enjoyed whenever he allowed her to. It was everything she had missed and ached for.

"Severus," she spoke up, breaking their heated passion for a moment.

His eyes opened, surveying her with interest. "What is it?" he asked.

"Will you promise me that you're here to stay?"

Severus's harsh, curious expression softened. "Hermione," he started, but she wrapped him tighter around her and prodded his hooked nose.

"Please?" Her voice was small and pained, stemming from the depths of despair long hidden away. "Promise me that we'll always have this? That you won't give up? Promise me that you won't let the Ministry take you away? I - I can't go through this. I can't lose you again..."

Severus let out a feeble groan and pecked the tip of her nose; a small gesture, but one that was filled with a certain promise that had not been there before.

"You have my word," he replied without any reservations.

Hermione bit her lip. "You say that I'm strong but... I - I'm not as strong as I used to be..."

"Yes, you are." His body stirred beneath her, but his arms still clutched her to his chest. "You're a tower of strength, my dear. You're more fearless than you realize."

"No," she mumbled, fighting off her wrecked emotions. "I'm not. Not anymore. If they take you—"

"I made a promise to you, didn't I?"

"Yes, but—"

"Then trust me."

Hermione waited a moment, and then sighed. After her eyes studied his pallid face, she collapsed onto his chest, throwing her head down against his shoulder. She buried her face in his thick, straggly hair, taking a moment to smell his scent, the tempting herbs and spices that brought such ease to her tensions.

"You once told me you could never fall in love again... Do you remember?"

Severus raised a curious eyebrow. "That was a long time ago, Hermione."

"Yes, I know."

One of Severus's arms inched upwards to rub her neck. A hot, tingling sensation shot down her back, making her shudder excitedly. She raised her head to kiss him again, receiving his tender lips with a fresh appetite. She would lie on top of him, feeling the weight of him beneath her and all of his radiating heat, and consume his mouth forever if it were possible.

After a long moment of exploration and savoring, Hermione pulled away reluctantly, a question still burning in her mind, "You'll stay with me?"

It was more of a statement than a question, however, as she locked on his mouth again and penetrated deeper inside. The loving, all-consuming exchange was filled with a heartfelt longing, but also with hope. Severus's sentiments for her had once belonged to another woman. Now they were for her alone, Hermione knew, and even now, she sometimes could hardly believe how far they had come.

"Always," he promised before massaging his tongue in her mouth, sucking the very breath out of her.

Hermione knew that they should probably stop, that she should allow Severus to rest and continue to recover, but it was too late. And, truthfully, she had already willed herself a while ago not to worry about it. She would have him. All of him.


Lily stared at the untouched food that looked entirely unappetizing. She could not stomach any of it or force the contents down her throat, so she pushed her plate away with a weighty sigh.

"You have to eat something, Lily," she heard James prod encouragingly at her side as he chomped down on his own food.

"I'm not hungry."

"Well, you don't want to be interrogated on an empty stomach, do you?"

"Actually, that would be better. At least I wouldn't risk losing my breakfast."

James scrunched up his nose, looking slightly queasy. "Oh... Yeah. True."

Lily turned towards the Great Hall doors and caught sight of Surina walking in with Scorpius, looking more miserable than she had in days. Her full lips seemed permanently etched into a pout as she sighed and surveyed the bustling room.

Hailey was not eating or saying much either. Albus and Hugo had tried unsuccessfully throughout breakfast to engage her in conversation, but she remained at a distance, physically present, but mentally somewhere else.

Today was their father's hearing; the day they had all been dreading. Lily felt as if it had suddenly been thrust upon them when, in truth, it had been creeping up for some time.

"Hailey?" came a small voice their ears recognized.

Lily peered round to find Scorpius now standing behind her sister, looking paler than usual and quite uneasy. Surina was standing back with her arms folded over her chest, her expression still glum, and her dark eyes bore into the back of her friend's head.

Hailey turned around to face him in shock. He was the very last person she expected to find.

"Um, yes?" she inquired awkwardly.

"I..." Scorpius swallowed hard and shifted his eyes momentarily to the stone floor. "I'm sorry for what I did to you before Christmas break."

His words spewed out so fast, Hailey was not sure if she had heard him correctly. Was he actually apologizing to her?

"Did I miss something?" came Hugo's muffled voice from across the table. He and Albus were staring on in shock. "Did hell just freeze over?"

"I think it did..." Albus whispered with a snicker.

"Very funny, Weasley, Potter!" Scorpius spat, a visible heat trickling onto his cheeks.

"You mean," Albus's green eyes widened dramatically, "you actually have a heart, Malfoy? Who knew?"

"Oh, how sweet," Tessa replied dreamily, not really in touch with the conversation or what was happening. "Having a heart is such a lovely thing; makes life much more bearable, don't you think?"

"OH, JUST SOD OFF, ALL OF YOU!"

"Scorpius," Hailey spoke up quickly before he could make a run for it. He peered down at her, waiting anxiously. "Thank you." Scorpius turned even redder and shrugged it off, but Hailey was not finished, much to his mortification. "No, really. You saved my sisters and me. You could have left us there in that cellar but you didn't. And you could have gotten yourself hurt or even killed. It was awfully, erm, heroic of you. Thank you..."

"Don't mention it," Scorpius grumbled between clenched teeth.

He quickly wandered away before Hailey could say anything else, which somewhat disappointed her. Surina, however, remained.

"Ready?" the handsome Slytherin asked, her eyes darting from Hailey to Lily and back.

"No," Lily moaned as she dragged herself to her feet, "not at all."

"Um, I'll be right back," Hailey replied before bursting out of the Great Hall after Scorpius. She caught up with him halfway down the corridor as he headed for the Slytherin common room. "Scorpius! Wait!"

The blonde first year turned around, shocked to find her, of all people, running after him. "What is it?"

He appeared more than a tad suspicious, perhaps even nervous. Hailey was surprised by the kindness in his reply though. It was unexpected, but perhaps that was her imagination.

"I really did mean what I said to you back there. I - I'm sorry about your grandfather, Scorpius. I had no idea what he'd done to you."

"Yeah, well, um, it's fine."

"Well, if..." She hesitated, not sure if she should pry. "If you ever need someone to talk to..."

"Oh." He shifted uncomfortably and blushed. "Erm, thanks."

"Sure." She paused but then decided to press on and ignore the awkwardness. "Surina told me how you escaped. I - I'm glad you made it out safe and that you're all right."

"You are?" He sounded quite surprised, much to Hailey's dismay.

"Sure! Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, well... Thank you." He lingered on the two words of appreciation but then, to her amazement, added, "I - I'm glad you're all right, too."

"Really?" She was just as stunned by his confession as he was with hers.

"Yeah. I - I didn't mean to call you...what I called you. And I - I shouldn't have hexed you. I'm really glad your dad showed up in time before..."

His voice trailed off, leaving his comment unfinished. Hailey tried to brush it off with a wave of her hand.

"It's nothing, Scorpius."

"Yes, it is," he grumbled, resigned to what he now considered to be very poor behavior. "If I'd succeeded, Hailey, you would have been seriously hurt. I am sorry."

"I - I know you are. And I thank you for that."

Scorpius paused and waited for her to say something else, but she seemed to be doing the same. He gulped uncomfortably, unsure of what to do.

"So..." he stuttered.

"So..."

"I guess I'll see you around then?"

Hailey shrugged but then gave him a warm smile; one he had never really noticed before. It was very pleasant-looking, yet so different from Surina's. It was not pretty or even seductive but cute. It made the temperature in his cheeks rise.

"Yeah, I'll see you around."

As Hailey started to walk away to join her sisters, who were now down at the other end of the corridor and watching them rather curiously, she heard Scorpius call out to her again and she whipped her head around to face him. "Good luck at the hearing today. I - I hope your dad gets off. My dad and I are rooting for him."

Hailey studied him for a moment, taken aback by what sounded like, for the very first time, genuine regard for her and her family. Her smile broadened, though she was not sure why Scorpius suddenly turned all sheepish and reddened in the face. Then again, so had she.

"Thanks!" she exclaimed and dashed away.


A/N #2: I've been meaning to mention it for sometime, but Sariah has made another gorgeous drawing from Unquestionable Love! Links are currently inactivated on FFN, but you can copy and paste the URL from my Profile page. Be sure to check it out. It's quite haunting and lovely and captures the scene where Severus uses his mind to protect Lily from the Death Eaters so movingly.

Please review!