First of all, thank you so much for your words and reviews. I really am so thrilled when someone likes my stories or sends me a thoughtful comment.

This is just outward recognition that I was influenced by other fanfic writers. Someone did that for me, turned Rowle into more than just just a Death Eater name. Several. Canimal, I think it was the Parolee and his Princess, that was the first one I read. Then I found Kittenshift17 and she has several. My personal favourites are Firewhiskey Nights and Witch Hunting. This is just to say that we are all influenced by what we read and then set out to write our own adventures. Like Rowling did, so do the others that write and I hope those writers know it. Leave reviews and check them out. I seriously get an increased heart rate when I see one of Kittenshift's stories update. It's always an exciting ten minutes. Explore, and thanks to everyone that reads and reviews. Be safe right now and everyday. We are all here too, -Maybenotahufflepuff

Soren was home and the happy smiles and normalcy of their reunion was more than he could take. Watching them walk up the stairs to have a bath was like a gift. His sons casual acceptance of seeing him after and Hermione's easy acquiescence to the situation made it all so simple. He would go to Maks for a half hour and let out some of his emotions. Or calm down at least. Last night and this morning were mixing with now and it was so much. His family.

Stepping out of the floo was as usual but the elf popping in wasn't.

"Master be's in Library." That was all he got before the creature popped away. Thorfinn only really knew Set, Maks personal elf so it wasn't unusual for them to be so quiet or hesitant. He jogged to the big double doors under the curving double staircase and pushed them open.

Maks head came up and he looked him over. Then a sneer that clearly said you are pathetic before his grin was covering that up and Thorfinn could only stand there and try not to smile like an idiot.

"That good?" Was Maks eventual question and he scoffed his disbelief. Then went and sat in the chair across from Maks and looked at the pile of scrolls and paper around him. Thinking about what was most important to him. How to say any of this.

"She is so fucking brave. Dropped her glamours and let me see her." Something flashed in Maks eye then and Thorfinn watched his friend compose himself. Even though he had more to say, that reaction was enough for him to pause and wait.

"I wondered if you would be so understanding once you had seen." Were the eventual words and he held the eye contact. Not knowing what to think or what he did think about it. All he could do was shrug. Maks eyed him and then leaned back into his chair.

"She's alright with it. Or she was with me which is enough." The words were true enough and he knew that Maks meant more than the one scar. He had seen them. Had licked the one on her neck several times. Ran his fingers along the one on her arm and neither of them had flinched. He had the time, in front of the mirror to assimilate things he knew had happened to her. Part of him had been watching her. Looking for signs of fear or anxieties since he had returned.

The witch needed to know where people were. Soren anyways and Potter seemed to keep her up to date. A few days of no contact from someone she expected was the limit and she seemed to respond to calls to see her easily. Fitting people in. They had gone to muggle parks and she warded them. Had explained that she didn't at the huge ones but at the smaller ones she felt like it was okay to keep other magicals out for the hour or two they were there. He had seen her interact with as many that had marks as didnt, that wasn't a dealbreaker at all. Draco and her were definitely friends and she trusted Maks too. He thought she was alright. Better than if he really weighed what she had been through. What he knew about anyways.

"Perhaps your perpetual mental run through of her sans clothing is preferable to this." Maks drawled words brought him out of his contemplation and he fingered the prick. Then grinned at the lazy one his friend sent him.

"I'll sound like a ponce if I talk about that." He admitted and Maks laughed genuinely.

"You always did. Trying to explain her eyes and the fire." His friend was teasing him and he laughed then sobered.

"The fire is there. Was there last night. It's more than that now though. There was this morning too. Waking up with her and she cried. Again." The last was a grudging admittance and Maks looked his question.

"You've seen her. She feels so much. Always has. I couldn't even think about it with her back then. She would see it and the raging protectiveness for Potter was disgusting and the commitment. It was all there to see. Made leaving him with her an easy choice though. Makes her what she is." It was relieving to be able to speak some of his thoughts. These weeks had been so changing and enlightening. He had talked more about Soren than her. Maks smiles and listened or joined in with things he had seen or heard. This was different though and Maks knew it. They both turned at the pop of an elf.

"The Miss be here master." Both stood immediately and Thorfinn was pushing open the door seconds after the elf spoke. Then he jogged to the floo room, not sure what he would see. His heart was speeding up and the anxiety flickered. What had happened. Then he turned the corner and felt better. Her smile was uncertain but her eyes were reassuring.

"Sorry. I'm sorry but he wants you and demanded I get you. It's the first time he's asked that you weren't there." He watched her falter then and Maks huffed behind him. Clearly having thought something was wrong to bring her here. Maks said she hadn't been since she brought him here after his release. Then left with a demand he show up for breakfast or she would be back. He had and so she hadn't come back here.

"Yeah. Let's Go." He shot Maks a look and received one in return. This was exactly what he had meant. A small example but well timed. Getting the conceding nod, he followed his witch back into the fireplace.

"Dad." Soren was standing maybe three feet from the fireplace and was holding onto his leg a second later. Siggy popped away, leaving the three of them together.

"What's wrong bud?" He asked and ran his fingers through the mess of drying waves. Something was mumbled into his leg and he looked to Hermione who winced. He raised a brow and she gestured toward the door. He acquiesced and picked Soren up before following her into their sitting room.

"Can you tell us what's wrong Sor?" She asked from beside them and looked at him again. This time he understood that she knew and wanted him to say it. The small head shook against his chest and he held her gaze. This was a first since he got back to them. Usually their son wanted to tell them both everything.

"Do you want me to leave you two alone to talk?" She asked and he didn't want that but made himself think about her suggesting it. Soren didn't respond for a second and then reached for her with a hand. He could see from her eyes that the boy had opened his and she smiled at him. Reassurance and then gently touched his cheek before sitting back further into the couch and closer to the two of them.

"Blaise was here. You know that but Draco wants a cocktail meeting and so he wanted to pick my dress. Maybe I'll get you to do it, then take credit. Anyways, Soren came out of the bathroom when the two of us were entering my room on the way to my closet. He wasn't pleased to see him in that room and I think that is the problem." She finished and he could see that she wasn't concerned. For Soren yes but this wasn't an actual problem and her eyes met his squarely. He chuckled lowly as it sank in. Then grinned at her and knew she would have scowled if Soren wasn't watching her.

His son was jealous and making sure someone wasn't in a place that they all felt was theirs. In a Place where she was his. Maybe his son was just about three but something had connected and Thorfinn thought it totally understandable. Then her eyes flicked pointedly to the small body leaned against his chest and he sobered.

"Look at me Sor." It took a minute but those eyes that were the same as his eventually looked up at him and he smiled at the uncertainty there.

"I get it. Why you didn't like it. You trust her though right?" Soren nodded and then looked back to her for a second. He didn't though, watching his sons face.

"I do too. So much. Too much to worry about Blaise picking dresses or being in our room." He didn't want to make this complex. A head shake. Stubborn little guy. Both of them were too though so it was no wonder.

"Min is mine. Yours and mine Dad." He could only nod his agreement. Seeing how earnest the little face was. Finally he caved and looked to the witch in question who was gently stroking a thumb across the little hand in hers.

Her lip was between her teeth and the depth of feelings on her face was easy to read. Those eyes were on Soren and he waited. For her to meet his eyes. To know that he couldn't say the things he wanted to. All the reassurance he wanted to give. It took some seconds for her to look at him and he wanted to kiss her. It was all there, or he thought it was. She wanted to say it too but couldn't. They couldn't make promises they might not keep. Eventually he gave her a small nod and waited. This was her call. How she chose to phrase whatever she said.

At first she wasn't happy and then looked thoughtful. Those honey eyes seemed to be searching for something and then she smiled a bit. It was a small one but he returned it. Then she was looking at their son and she shifted until her shoulder was pressed against his.

"I'll always be your Min. Your dad's little cub too. We can't make promises to you Sor, if we aren't totally sure that we can keep them. Understand?" The small head didn't nod but he whispered yes after a second.

"I promise you that I won't lie to you. I love you and I love your dad. It's different. We've talked about that before too." This time he nodded more normally. Like he did when they were talking about anything else. It was all he could do to keep still. Not interject or even look at her. This was about Soren, not them.

"I want you to stay here Min. Stay with dad and me." She nodded her understanding. Then he caught her eye when she looked up. It was for a second only but he knew she wasn't sure how to answer the little boys concern.

"Maybe we could make a promise to tell you if things change?" Her eyes flicked between them and he thought about that. Watched Soren think about it too and frown. Not understanding. Then her eyes caught his and he tried to read what she meant. Could see the question then after some thought on how to word it, he spoke.

"We are going to try. We haven't seen each other in a long time so it takes some time to know if we can be together like we want. If this changes or we decide we can't then we will tell you." Holding her eye contact the whole time, he could see her approval of his word choice and she nodded. Then they both looked at Soren who was looking between them. Not happy but less stubborn and reluctant.

"Min stays." Soren checked and they nodded. He made sure that he met the little boys eyes. It was easier for him to trust Hermione, to take her word as truth and it made this situation more serious.

"I love you Soren." He had never heard so much emotion in her voice. Unless it was rage or something. Soren smiled at her and Thorfinn knew that the boy didn't doubt it. Just doubted everything would stay like this. He too wished he could just demand it. Wished she had signed more of those papers. Knew now that she wouldn't have asked for them until she had no other choice. Wouldn't want to tie him like that.


When Blaise poured her another delicious fruity cocktail she shot him a look. That was enough alcohol for now and getting her drunk wasn't part of today's approved activities.

"Alright then Granger. Did the little man decide I'm allowed in your rooms or am I banished?" He asked and Draco looked up from the papers he was repeatedly scanning to look between them.

"Soren decided you're not an acceptable companion for his Min?" Draco asked and didn't take his eyes off of her. She smiled weakly and then leaned back into the low settee she was on. Then kicked her shoes off and curled up. The part of the evening that she needed the armour of the clothes and poise was finished.

"I'm not sure. It's better and all I got before I came here was the demand I return." She answered and both of them just kept watching her. Thinking about it, she decided it was okay to tell them what had happened.

"Blaise wanted to pick my dress. He didn't by the way. Anyways Soren was just getting out of the bath and we were entering my room when he noticed Blaise. The demand that Blaise not be in there was followed by one for Finn. So I went to Maks as my little master bid me and returned as promised. He assured Soren that Blaise being in my room wasn't a problem. It helped but he is worried and I can't blame him really. A lot has changed and we can't tell him it will be this way always." Both we're still watching her and then they exchanged a glance and Draco grimaced.

"Alright Zabini. Enough of that smug sideways glance." The blond said and she smiled at them. They were different when Theo wasn't there. More open, around her anyways.

"Why can't you?" Blaise asked and she knew he meant the question. She sipped her drink and watched the two wizards watch her. Seeming to think it a genuine question.

"He just got out. It's complicated." She began and both of them shifted slightly in their positions of ease and she stopped.

"It's not complicated Granger. Not at all. Is it because she is a witch or not raised here?" Draco asked Blaise the question and the Italian thought it over.

"Both I think. I assume that his reaction means Rowle is often in that room?" She knew that she blushed but she wasn't embarrassed. Just met their eyes and waited.

"That's answer enough. If it was me, then I would have the same hopes he does." Blaise looked to Draco who nodded easily.

"Maybe you thought it was just for Soren. Or that Rowle isn't sure. Both are incorrect assumptions." Blaise continued.

"He wasn't sure at the first dinner. It was surprising. Finding out that none of the ties we had thought might be holding you there existed." Draco mused and it was amusing and interesting. Seeing the two communicate and share their thoughts so openly. Only privately did they speak to her like this.

"Regardless of what was, this is now and I see no reason you shouldn't be happy Granger." Blaise finished and Draco scoffed.

"Don't end our amusement to early Blaise." She laughed at the petulant look and changed the subject.

"You're sure you want this to be public?" She asked him a nod Draco looked his scoff this time.

"Yes Granger. I'm sure that I do ally want to be able to float about us acquiring those journals and then turning them around. Can we go see the properties Tuesday?" He asked and she nodded agreeably.

"I want an office too." Blaise demanded. Draco and her shared a look. Then she put a thoughtful expression on her face.

"As Long As it's Not a corner one like mine." She answered.

"Or mine. He can have the secretary's desk though I think." Draco added and they both laughed at his sputtered response.