The Burrow. Later in the evening. From the window, Fred and George see Hermione walk together with her bags and her school supplies.

Look heavy, struggling and she's okay with it. Perfect timing for dinner in Burrow. Fred smirking, his eyes studied her figure.

"This Granger grew much more beautifully compared to when we saw in her first year. Well, people noticed her bushy hair, bookworm, Potter's insufferable know-it-all".

George laughed. "Insufferable know-it-all.. Snape told her that".

"Yeah. We hear the rumor between her and Snape. Everyone does. I can't imagine if she ends her life with Snape and if they had a son, we should call him greasy git Jr".

"What about they had a daughter? I'm sure she looks more like her mother than Snape".

George couldn't imagine more than it. "My mind is stuck!" From downstairs, the twins hear Mr. Weasley greeting Hermione into the house.

"Evening Mr. Weasley. Here, mum gives a gift basket. Straight from France. My Aunt Maggie just got back from there". She hands the gift basket to Arthur, he takes it with a smile. "How's everybody?"

Arthur pushed her inside the house.

"Quite mad in here. I shall not tell you more of it when you will find out by yourself. Molly in the kitchen. Give me your bags. I'll take care of it".

Arthur went upstairs towards Ginny's room. Hermione made her way to the kitchen.

"Hermione dear. Best timing for supper. Sits here, Ginny is upstairs". Molly cleans the table. "I'm sorry to hear about Sirius. He's a good man. I'm gonna kill that bitch if I had a chance". She tapped her wand. "How is he by the way?"

"We didn't write a letter. I gave him a space for a bit when Hedwig came to visit".

Molly nodded her head. "So did, Ron. Poor boy". Her eyes wide. "Did I'd just say poor?" she asked Hermione. "Oh goodness. Help me with the plate dear".

"Your girlfriend is here mate". Fred and George barged inside Ron's bedroom. Ginny joined behind them. "Did we say she's beautiful?"

Ginny smiled, jumped on Ron's bed. "Naturally. The rumor is still going on and on. Still - she won't talk about".

"Rumor? That greasy git put his spell on hers. Is she blind or what?"

"I think you're jealous, Ron".

"Shut up, Gin! No I'm not. Who wants to date a girl like her".

Fred and George say. "Snape does".

"That's ridiculous". Ron glanced at the door. "Mione.. don't know you stand there. This is private conversation".

She crossed her arm on chest, say. "So I heard. Oh you four siblings honestly - is nothing between me and Snape". She stood between Fred and George. "You two cause it aren't you?"

"We crossed our hearts, we don't, Granger. With your sixth year, Sirius died. We like to present you something. Come join us in Diagon Alley".

Hermione frowned. "Diagon Alley has nothing left. The Daily Prophet says..."

"We know!" said Fred and George together. "Honestly Granger. This is fun. Bill and Charlie will come to visit next week. Well, poor your three won't meet them there".

Hermione grit her teeth. "Such a pleasure, Granger. What brought you up here?"

"Your mum says dinner is ready". Ginny gets up from bed, takes Hermione's arm, and walks out of Ron's room. "What's that all about?"

Ginny laughs, making their way towards the stairs. "You'll see, Mione. About you and Snape.. Fred and George discovered something that makes you throw up".

"About me and Snape having a child together?"

"Congratulations. You got the right answer, Mione. Fifty points for Gryffindor!"

Hermione gasped then pushed Ginny on the wall. Both girls laugh until they reach downstairs. "Merlin, I hope it happens real quick".

..."Ginny...!"

Dungeons. Snape leaned on his chair. His mind is messed up, regarding the vow he made to protect Narcissa's son, Draco Malfoy.

It's all Bellatrix's fault. He promised to protect Draco from harm and guide him whilst he attempted to perform the task the Dark Lord had asked him to do.

How he's been so stupid volunteer to protect that Ferret if what Hermione called him.

... Hermione ...

He hasn't thought about her since. But he never stops mentioning her name upon his lips.

Voldemort is returned now. He must protect her from the Death Eaters and Voldemort itself.

That's right. It. The Dark Lord wasn't a human being. He used to be.. but now he isn't. Voldemort is an evil, bad wizard who thinks he is.

Perfect! Killing Potter doesn't make itself a stronger and powerful wizard. Idiot!

The Death Eaters, the Dark Lord's shouldn't be not known to this, due he fell deeply in love with Hermione Granger. The Muggle-born.

Sighing out loud that should do it. He then floo himself to the Spinner's End meeting with his mother, Eileen. She's the reason Snape feels safe, loved and lived.

"Severus...?" Eileen rubs her tired eyes as she sees a man tumbling out from the fireplaces. "My Severus..."

He stood and smiled. "Mum". Snape had been working hard with his potions for Eileen. A draught that could make her remember who she was, and who he was to her.

Eileen slowly gains her memory back. "How's your day my Severus".

"My day? Not perfectly good". Dusting his robes. "I made a terrible mistake". said Snape in whispers. "I-I choose the wrong side".

She smiles, shaking her head. "No you won't. You choose the wrong side because you protect your loved one".

"I've only got you".

"Not just me. You can lie to me but you can't hide your feelings. I'm your mother and I know my son".

Eileen walked to the kitchen. She asked Snape to sit. "Was it Lily?"

"She's long gone, mum. Just her son whom I met".

"Including James Potter, Severus?" He nodded his head. "How I am wasting my time not remembering them".

"Wasn't your fault. I can't just give you draught for the rest of your life, you need to go to hospital. A doctor will help you there, should I accompany you?"

Eileen shakes her head again. "Just give me the address and which hospital I should go to. Then I will give you a result".

"Would you be alright without me?"

"I survived from your dad. Why not this? I'm not asking.. I missed him.. sometime".

Snape leaned on a chair, she reached his hand. "Tell me about Miss Granger then.."

Weasley house. Staircase. Night. Ginny dashes down a vertiginous staircase, flies into the kitchen and finds a large trunk and an owl cage.

Curious, she cocks her head to one side. The owl does the same in return.

"Hedwig...? Mum!"

Looking up, a dizzying perspective of twisting railings and crooked bedroom doors. A clock hangs in view, bearing nine hands, each inscribed with a Weasley name, each pointing to mortal peril.

Mrs Weasley appears, looks down. "What is it, Ginny?"

"I was only wondering when Harry got here".

"Harry? Harry who?"

"Harry Potter, of course".

Snorts. "I think I'd know if Harry Potter was in my house, wouldn't I?"

"Well his trunk's in the kitchen. And his owl".

"I seriously doubt that".

Just then, Hedwig screeches. Ginny gives her an I-told-you-so when another door opens and Ron Weasley looks down.

"Harry? Did someone say Harry?"

"Me, nosy. Is he up there with you?"

"Course not. Think I'd know if my best friend was in my room, wouldn't I?"

Another door opens. Hermione in a robe, toothbrush in hand. "Was that an owl I heard?"

"Harry's. Haven't seen him, have you? Apparently, he's wandering about the house".

"Really?"

..."Really..."

Ginny spins. Harry. Standing in the doorway of the kitchen. As the others rocket downstairs, Ginny gives Harry a great grinning hug.

There is something oddly charged in the moment, a surprise to both of them. The others arrive. More hugs.

"But why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

"Didn't know. Dumbledore".

Mrs Weasley chuckles. "That man. But then, what would we do without him? Ron!"

Ron is about to touch Hermione. She retracts her neck. "You've a bit of..."

He gestures to the stray lace of toothpaste on Hermione's chin. Quickly she wipes it off, giving him an odd look.

Then smile at Harry. "Are you alright, Harry?"

"Brilliant".

The Burrow. Attic. Later. The Daily Prophet tumbles within a makeshift campfire of blue flames, but magically doesn't disintegrate.

Harry teases the fire with the tip of his wand, where is The Chosen One? mingles with Draco's haunted face in the flames.

"When'd you get here?"

"A few days ago. Though... for a bit, I wasn't sure I was coming".

Harry looks up, sees her glance at Ron. "Mum sort of lost it last week. Said Ginny and I had no business going back to Hogwarts. That it's too dangerous".

"Oh come on..."

"She's not alone. Even my parents and they're Muggles know something bad is happening".

She sighed. "And I keep pushing their thoughts".

"Anyway, Dad stepped in, told her she was being barmy. Took a day or two, but she came round".

"But we're talking about Hogwarts. Dumbledore. What could be safer?"

Hermione and Ron exchange another glance. "There's been a lot of chatter lately. That he's gotten... old".

"Rubbish. He's only - what?"

Ron spoke. "A hundred and fifty. Give or take a few years".

Silence. Nods. Then the three break out laughing. Grow quiet again. Harry takes another poke at the Prophet. Draco's haunted face appears briefly, then is gone.

"Well, if Dumbledore weren't there. Snape could help I think".

"I don't trust him, Hermione". said Harry. "I'm sorry. I don't. His hiding something we don't know, I bet Dumbledore is furious about him".

"Dumbledore trusts Snape, Harry".

Ron rolled his eyes. "Does because you like Snape doesn't mean we have to agree with it".

"I don't forced into the conversation. I'll get it, we all hate Snape".

"Just not you".

Hermione frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Fred and George".

"Urgh you Weasley's never stop teasing me!"

Harry smiled. Ron leaned. Hermione arm on chest with grumpy face.