Chapter 34: Mutually Beneficial Understanding

{A/N: Here's Another Update...}

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Hermione Granger's Residence, Unknown Location, Muggle World...

Hermione had not known what to think as she found herself attempting to make sense of what had just taken place downstairs. She had openly agreed to have Severus Snape of all people watch her daughter while she and Harry had been away due to a prolonged case that needed their undivided attention. While she had her initial misgivings about the situation, Snape had been quite agreeable when it came to her terms. It was unnerving to say the least that he'd even been in her home after walking out on her and now here he was back in her life and so bloody agreeable. Ellie seemed to be enjoying the notion of getting to spend time with her father, despite his personal shortcomings and reputation it seemed. Hermione was still weary about her former lover's intentions but knew better than to voice them around her daughter. Harry had grilled the poor bloke enough in the kitchen, she had heard some of the heated exchange before venturing into Ellie's room to sort out her things and pack for the trip. Snape seemed content to simply stay out of her way and she had been well alright with that. Try as she might to pretend to have everything under control, she found herself given to reflection and worry when it came to the near future. For years she'd been quietly wishing that he'd return even when she'd been most furious with him believing that he'd only get himself into trouble if he remained out in the world embittered and drunk for too long. She had been right of course, finding him nearly frozen to death in the snow after a drunken binge on his part had nearly confirmed her worst fears.

Severus Snape had been the man whom had captivated her mind and heart for so long that she hardly knew a day where she had not thought of him. He had even given her Ellie, the sweetest gift a man so haunted by the dark aspects of his past could manage. She had not spoken to anyone about the morning she awoke to find the man she loved had slipped out in the early hours of the morning without so much as a goodbye but she carried it with her even through the lonely nights of caring for her newborn daughter and seeing nothing but her father in her as the years progressed. She'd still been hurt about the rejection and even a bit embittered but she never hated the man.

His eyes were the same as Ellie's and those unruly raven locks were his as well. Often she wondered what life would have been like if he had stayed that morning. Eventually she suppressed her disappointment and focused entirely on her little girl and her career as it were. This very moment had been no different as she proceeded to get Ellie's things together as well as her own for the up coming trip.

Once more, Hermione found herself thinking of the future and the upcoming case. She'd be gone only for the weekend but it seemed like such a long trip. Longer than she'd ever taken but she'd known that Ellie would be in good hands. Severus Snape had been a lot of things but he had a reputation for caring for his Slytherins even when no one else did during his time at Hogwarts. She didn't see how anything would be different when it came to him caring for his own daughter...their daughter.

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Downstairs...

Snape sat quietly in an empty armchair. He had not been of the mind to explore the place. He knew Hermione far too well, at least academically to find anything she did curious. He had been pleased that she agreed to let him look after Ellie, his recent behavior had not particularly endeared him to her and the realization of just how badly he had screwed up any potential they would have had in terms of a more intimate relationship had not been too far behind.

Still, he recalled every moment he had spent with the version of Hermione in that far off place before death came to snatch him from that life and nearly ended this one. He would forever be haunted by the sorrow he caused for the Hermione in that place and the anguish she felt once he'd been no more. While it was difficult to be Sidney Sinclair, he had not been opposed to having a more traditional lifestyle. He never considered before what might have been had he just stayed there that morning and allowed the truth to be told in the light of day. Sadly, even then he had known that their relationship whatever it would have been would have been built on the fact that they survived the second wizarding war and it was only through his recent experiences that he had come to appreciate the affection that his former student had for him.

It wasn't long before Hermione and Ellie came downstairs once again, this time with Ellie rushing straight to her father after noticing him sitting quietly in the sitting room alone. He knew not how to approach the situation with Hermione and knew that he had to find some way to make amends if only to stave off the awkwardness between them in the coming days. Snape found it rather difficult to look upon the woman he'd spent a good deal of time getting to known in Sinclair's life and keep his distance despite his ever present affection for her.

"I suppose this arrangement could work out." said Hermione breaking the silence as she watched her daughter climb into her father's arms.

"Yes." replied Snape looking down at Ellie as she relaxed in his embrace.

Hermione treated them to a small smile before taking her leave of them and joining Harry Potter in the kitchen.

Once she had been out of the line of sight, Ellie smiled at her father.

"You love Mommy don't you Daddy?" she asked happily.

Snape returned her smile if only briefly before letting out a breath he had not known he'd been holding.

"She's the reason I have you isn't she?" replied Snape wishing to forgo any admissions at least for the time being.

Ellie had not been having any of it of course, she'd been as stubborn as her mother it seemed.

"Daddy." she said narrowing her dark eyes at him. "You didn't answer my question."

Snape smirked. She most definitely had merits when it came to Slytherin tact.

"I suppose I've always had feelings for your mother." he replied. "At first I could never truly define them and spent a good deal of time attempting to suppress them."

"And now?" asked Ellie apparently she'd been just as inquisitive as her mother.

"I've come to the realization that I need her in my life." replied Snape meeting his daughter's gaze. "No matter the capacity."

"So this means that you're sorry you left doesn't it?" asked Ellie attempting to process what she was hearing via her child mind.

"It does indeed." admitted Snape. "But one can't change the past, no matter how much we wish we could."

Ellie sighed before clutching her father's free hand via her own tiny fingers.

"Poor Daddy...you really love Mommy but she's upset with you." she concluded.

Snape couldn't believe his daughter's intuition had been this impressive.

"Well, at least you get me for the weekend." he said changing the subject.

Ellie seemed to delight in this bit of news once more. Snape turned his attention to his only child despite the echoes of the life he had been allowed to live lingering in his mind. He had to find a way to make this work with himself and Hermione, he knew he owed it to Ellie to at least make an attempt in fixing things with her mother.