ARRIVAL

** I own nothing, this is just a short piece I thought of. I hope you all enjoy**

Hermione looked up at the castle beyond the gates as darkness settled over the land. Her hands holding her suitcase and her trunk floating behind her. Her other handheld on tightly to her four-year-old son's small hand. The boy was small and had dark curly black hair. His startling night sky eyes always grew attention. In his arms were a black and green knit blankie and a small ferret that curled around his neck asleep.

"Mummy…does wizards and witches live in that castle?" he asked as he was still too young to understand magic even though he lived with it on occasion, being muggleborn she did most things by hand and only used magic on occasion. Hermione looked down at him her tired eyes softening as she gave a gentle smile.

" Yes, dear…and we will be living there too…now can you make the fox and send Granny Minerva a message that you are here to see her?" she asked as she encouraged him to do it often. He giggled and waved his hand with a giggle as his baby fox patronus flew out of his fingertips and raced up to the castle. Her son was so special…keeping it secret was hard but she managed and she hoped he would thrive here.
It was not long before a figure appeared to be walking towards the gates, her back straightened as she realized who it was. Severus Snape had survived the wizarding world only because of her quick thinking in the shrieking shack. She had been the one to help him recover under the tutelage of Madam Pomfrey. The last time she had seen him was almost five years ago. Her eyes glanced down at her son pulling him a bit closer before looking back towards the wizard who was at the gate now and his eyes looking at the boy then back to her, she knew he would know…she knew he was a smart man, but this would not be the place to have any conversation…she would not speak of such things in front of her son.

"Miss Granger…the Headmistress sent me to fetch you, she is currently in a fire call." He said as she gave a nod.
" Thank you, Professor Snape, Atti…tell Professor Snape thank you" she said softly as the shy four year old looked up at his with those eyes.
" Tank You fessor Nape" he more like whispered as Severus felt his eyes soften.
"You're welcome young…" he glanced at Hermione as if asking the name.
"Atticus...Atticus Severus Granger" she said softly as she heard his intake of breath.

" What a lovely name…come…the headmistress awaits," he said as he stood to full height leading the pair back to the school, his mind racing a mile a minuter, wanting to look back at them, she had said nothing to him, not contacted him, nothing. He walked them to the gargoyle that led up to the Headmistresses office but did not go up himself. His eyes watched as they did, the small boy flashing him a bright smile as he was pulled along by his mother until they were in the office. Severus stood there for a few moments longer his hands curled into a fist by his side before he turned and made his way down to the dungeons where a glass of Ogden's awaited him. He took off his outer robes and frock coat and unbuttoned his crisp white shirt as the burning liquid ran down his throat. He found himself pacing, his drink refilled twice as his mind raced.

He fell into a fitful sleep that night just wanting to know answers, the boy was his…he knew it as soon as he laid eyes on the boy, but how…why…she had not tried to contact him. He remembered the fight that had led to her leaving. Needless to say, Severus Snape did not sleep much at all that night.

Hermione and Atticus were welcomed by the Headmistress and she apologized profusely.
"Severus was having tea with me when I got the fire call and the patronus…" she explained as Hermione shook her head her own hand soothing the curls of a sleeping child in her lap.

"It is alright…the time to introduce them has come…Severus looked…sad when he saw him, I should have told him sooner…" she said as she looked down.

"Yes…you should have but Severus is a grown man and a powerful wizard…just talk to him…now come I want to show you your chambers they are adjoining the library." She stated as Hermione nodded.
" Madam Pince decided to retire?" she asked as Minerva nodded.

"Her son offered to set her up a nice home in Spain near them and she could not refuse to be close to them again…I was shocked to get your owl about a job…it could have not come at a more opportune time." The older woman explained as she led the younger woman and her son towards the schools' library.

"Yes…well, I was growing tired of the ministry, and well Atti was asking about his father…and why we never saw him…I can't keep him away any longer…and I do not want to either, it is crucial in his life now more than ever to know his father…his powers are growing and I also feared the Ministry would notice." She explained as Minerva nodded.

"Two powerful parents often lead to a powerful child." She said softly as Hermione nodded.
" Ron and Harry both think I am bonkers for bringing him here…they do not think Severus will be kind to Atticus…but I know Severus…at least I did and if he wants to be mean to anyone it will be me…not my son" she stated firmly as Atticus shifted in her arms sleeping as they walked. It was not a long walk until they came to the Library, the only way to her quarters was through the library which Hermione was grateful for, it was double protection of sorts.

The suite was cozy and had an on-suite kitchenette. She took Atticus to the smaller bedroom and tucked him in for the night. She had arrived a bit later in the evening than usual. She came back to find Minerva gone but her suitcase and truck neatly by the door. Hermione sighed as she went about unpacking, it would be a long night.