DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter.

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A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews! I will try to update as much as I can. Work and motherhood just keep me busy. Work is demanding and so is motherhood. Haha. And I study once a week as well in preparation for my TESOL.

I remember, I wrote this fic during the first month of quarantine in my country. After more than a year, I'm still working from home, we're still under quarantine.

How's the COVID situation in your country? Prayers for India.

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Chapter 51:

November 21, 1995

(the present)

They had Potions that day, Tuesday, but Harry seemed cheerful, Hermione noticed.

Ever since the Dumbledore's Army started meeting two weeks ago every Wednesday night, Harry was in a better mood, even if some students like Seamus, still didn't believe Voldemort's return and they were throwing accusing looks at him.

Hermione also enjoyed being in their little club with their Gryffindor housemates, and a few from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw houses. Funny, nothing had changed. Cho Chang still recommended their club should be called 'D.A.' and it was Ginny who came up with 'Dumbledore's Army'. Hermione could not remember anymore if she mentioned the exact name of the club (from the Pensieve memory) to her female best friend or no.

And one more reason Hermione thought why Harry was in a better mood was Cho. Just like in the other timeline - the timeline of Leo's birth parents, Harry and Cho began seeing each other and became closer because of the D.A. meetings. Harry also seemed to listen to her because he never talked back in Professor Umbridge's class. He hadn't been in detention yet, no matter how Umbridge tried to taunt him.

Harry listens, just like James, she thought with a smile.

And Neville! Neville got better and better every meeting. He really wanted to fight for the truth. He also made sure to correct everyone when they said Harry was lying. He became more confident and Hermione could not help but see Frank in him. Sometimes Neville looked like Frank, but sometimes, Hermione swore, she could see Alice's smile and gentleness.

"You're doing it again."

Hermione looked up at the sound of Harry's voice. They were on their way to the dungeons for Potions. "What?" she asked.

"Smiling," Harry teased.

"Oh, you know, I'm just pleased because the pink toad has no idea what we've been doing," she smirked and Harry laughed.

"Oh, that's what you've been thinking. I thought it's because of..." But Harry trailed off.

"Because of?" she asked.

Harry looked around. Then, he looked at Ron who was walking ahead of them, speaking and walking closely with Lavender Brown. "Nevermind."

She frowned but gave him a teasing smile. "You think I'm smiling because of a bloke, don't you?"

Harry's ears turned pink. "Er, sorry..." Then, he leaned to her closer. "But I thought you and Ron had something for each other..."

She chuckled. "Harry, I see Ron the way I see you, a brother."

"That's too bad because I was sure Ron liked you."

"Liked," she repeated. "You were sure. Now, things are different," she smiled, looking at Ron and Lavender. "They look good together."

Harry studied her face intently. "You sure you don't have feelings for him? There were times I thought you fancied someone because of the look on your face when you daydream -"

"I don't daydream!" she exclaimed as if Harry said something scandalous. "And maybe I fancy someone, but I won't tell you."

"Why?" he asked with a frown.

"Because nothing will or should happen," she said with a shrug.

"So the bloke doesn't know about your feelings," he whispered, assuming. Hermione didn't feel the urge to correct him.

"It's all right, Harry. I'm sure, there'll be a lot of time for dating once this battle against Voldemort is over," she assured him.

Harry nodded. "By the way, I'll have my private lessons again starting this week. He said it's going to be on a weekly basis until next month." He looked pleased.

"That's nice," was all she said, patting Harry's shoulder.

Hermione noticed that the headmaster had been present every meal since a week ago. He no longer left the castle, Severus said. Maybe things were under control this time, that's why Albus could focus more on protecting the students and staff from Umbridge. And making sure no one would discover about Leo being in the castle.

She smiled again. Leo had been residing in the castle, in Severus's private quarters, for two weeks now. But Hermione couldn't meet the two wizards in her life every day. They had to be careful. Severus couldn't give her detention every time, otherwise, Umbridge might show up in his office. Severus was doing his best to keep Umbridge away from his office and private quarters.

When they entered the Potions classroom, they found Umbridge waiting, sitting at the back with a clipboard and self-inking quill. She looked pleased. Hermione quickly noticed the change in the Gryffindors' moods. Hermione sat in between Harry and Ron.

But when Severus entered, he didn't look bothered. He didn't look grumpy either.

"Snape seems to be in a good mood," Harry whispered.

"Maybe he got laid, finally," sniggered Ron.

Hermione elbowed her redhead friend. The Potions Master told them what to brew with the instructions written on the board. While the class was brewing, Umbridge took the opportunity to ask Severus questions for his 'assessment'. Umbridge was obviously trying to find something she could report to the Minister because she asked a lot of questions; even nonsense questions. But Severus's demeanour didn't change. He answered confidently and kindly. The ministry puppet left the classroom unhappily.

Hermione smiled triumphantly. Of course, nothing and no one could ruin Severus Snape's day. It was, after all, Leo's birthday.

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Just before dinner, Harry approached her in the Gryffindor common room while she was speaking with Ginny about her and Sev's plans for Leo's birthday.

"Mione?" Harry called, sitting on the rug before them. "I need help for tomorrow's meeting."

"Now?" she asked.

Harry nodded.

"I'm sorry Harry, but I've got to the library and finish something for Arithmancy," she lied. She didn't bother whispering because she was the only Gryffindor in their year taking up Arithmancy. "Maybe Ginny can help?" She turned to Ginny.

Ginny gave her a scowl but changed her demeanour when she turned to Harry.

"Erm, no. It's all right. I'll try to do it myself..." Harry replied, looking embarrassed.

Ginny stood up and gathered her things. "I'll be in my dormitory. See you, Hermione."

Harry sat on the seat Ginny vacated. "Did I do something wrong? She looks mad at me."

"No, you're fine. Maybe she's just distancing herself because you're going out with Cho. She doesn't want anyone to get the wrong idea if you two were seen together. Just the two of you," she explained patiently.

"I heard from Cho that Michael Corner keeps on asking Ginny out," he muttered.

She nodded. "Yes, but she's not interested."

"The twins always find her in the library. She's more studious than ever. She's just like you now. What's with you, witches?" Harry complained but laughed. "You're making Ron and I look bad. Me, seeing Cho and Ron, spending time with Lavender..."

"Maybe Ginny just lost her interest," she lied.

But Harry didn't look comfortable. He looked concerned.

Good, Hermione thought. Truth was, Ginny still liked Harry a lot but focused on keeping her words. She really wanted to help her and the Order, so she read a lot about defensive spells and Occlumency these days. Hermione managed to convince Severus to teach Ginny privately. Hermione and Ginny disappeared together to the Potions Master's office. While Severus was tutoring Ginny, Hermione would be in the chambers either reading or playing with Leo.

She got up. "I'll see you around, Harry."

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"Mummy!"

Leo ran towards her the moment she entered Severus's private chambers. Hermione lowered herself and opened her arms for Leo. "Happy birthday, sweetheart," she said against his curls when he ran into her arms.

"Thank you, Mummy!" He laughed when she peppered his face with kisses.

"Dada bought me a cake! A Muggle cake!" Leo pointed at the table in Severus's small kitchen. She saw a two-layer cake with different designs - books and a broomstick. It was very detailed because of the title of some Muggle books they've read to Leo - The Little Prince, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Winnie the Pooh.

"It's beautiful!" she said cheerfully.

Beside the cake were presents. "Look! Presents from Aunt Mona, Unca Chad, Nana Rose, Papa Bob, Grandma... and even from Unca Remy, Unca Siri, Nana Molly and Papa Art!" Leo said excitedly.

Hermione could not stop grinning, just watching Leo with happiness all over his face. She was also touched, knowing that Sirius and Remus remembered Leo's birthday.

Oh, you just wait until the twins meet Leo, a part of her mind said. They may not be your close friends, but they'll be thrilled to know that their Potions professor's son is an honorary Weasley.

"And presents from Dada and Mum, of course," came Sev's voice. He approached them at the kitchen table with two birthday presents in his hands. He put them on the table and stood beside her.

Leo jumped with joy. "Thank you, Dada! Thank you, Mummy!" Leo ran to the two of them and with his little arms, he tried to hug them both.

Sev picked up the boy. "Mr Dumbledore and Aunt Min said they would send their presents tomorrow and says sorry they can't come tonight because they have to work," Severus explained. "You see, Aunt Min is covering for Dada tonight and the headmaster is busy."

"And Aunt Ginny has to cover up for Mummy," she told Leo.

"It's okay, Mummy!" said Leo, still smiling. "I'm happy because you and Dada are here and Hogwarts is not destroyed. We don't have to stay in the cave anymore Mummy, right?"

Hermione felt a lump on her throat but refrained from crying. "No, sweetie. You're safe here with me and Dada. No more running away, no more living in caves or everywhere that's not home."

"That's a promise, Leo," Sev said solemnly. "We'll be together. Always."