Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the greatest, this is her world and these her character. I am just borrowing them.

I do not have an uploading schedule, but I can assure you that uploading everyday is not my plan :)

Chapter Two

Hermione Granger was having a lovely day so far, she had managed to tame her bushy brown hair into soft curls with a new potion Ginny had sent her from when she was last in Germany for a Quidditch match against one team or another. She had also managed to finish all of the work she needed to get done for the week, and she was currently seated on the floor in the large, bright den on the first floor of 12 Grimmauld Place stacking blocks for her eight month old son to knock down. Though still secret kept, the old Black residence no longer appeared as it had when it had been used as Order headquarters four years prior. It had taken weeks of work and a lot of research on household spells and charms, mostly by Hermione, but the townhouse had slowly lost the aura of darkness and had been updated to suit the tastes of its new occupants. Bright, open rooms with comfortable but modern furnishings, it was obvious that the main occupants of the house were muggle raised.

Following the Battle of Hogwarts and the defeat of Voldemort, Hermione had accepted Headmistress McGonagall's invitation to return to the school and complete her seventh year. Harry and Ron had both chosen to forgo school and move immediately into the auror training program at the Ministry. During those months Hermione's friendship with Ginny had grown into an unshakable bond, as they both supported each other through nightmares and guilt-ridden breakdowns when trying to cope with the loss of so many of their friends and loved ones. Hermione's heat still tightened painfully when she thought of her parents, Jean and Reginald Granger, now and forever to be known as Monica and Wendell Wilkins. She had altered their memories for their own protection and given them new identities before sending them to Australia during the second Wizarding War, but she had still been unable to correct the magic which held her true parent's captive within their own minds. They didn't even know they had a grandson, she thought as she watched the tiny boy sitting in front of her knock over a stack of four blocks and giggle, swinging his big, shining, dark eyes to her face for approval.

"Great job sweetheart!" she exclaimed for him excitedly as he giggled some more and waved his arms in response. Her baby boy was growing so big, already eight months old he was a healthy baby with chubby legs and arms which he had just begun to use to crawl with, much to Hermione's joy. When not giggling he continuously babbled in that way babies do and was interested in everything. Hermione was surprised at how much trouble he could already get into and was glad that Harry had insisted they employ a freed house-elf when her pregnancy had come to light. Winky had left the employ of Hogwarts and was happy caring for a family she could call her own again. Though officially being employed by Harry, Winky had taken a particular shining to the heavily pregnant Hermione when she had met her in late-2000 and had taken it upon herself to assist the new mother in every way possible. Though she predominantly worked from home, Hermione had come to rely on Winky to watch over her son while she worked in the same room.

Hermione was content living at 12 Grimmauld Place, it was just her and Harry for the most part though Ginny did stay with them whenever she had a break from her quidditch team, the Holyhead Harpies. During the renovations Harry had offered Hermione the master bedroom located on the second floor, however she had declined and instead taken the smaller third floor for herself and her son. With a small bedroom acting as a nursery, a larger bedroom for herself, an open loft like area to act as her office and a spacious bathroom with a large clawfoot tub that Hermione was particularly fond of, it was perfect. Though having the nursery on the third floor had given rise to some issues that a first-time mother would not have thought of, they were easily fixed with the addition of a playpen for naps, a basket containing all that was necessary for nappy changes, and a toy chest in the den on the ground floor.

This is where Hermione now sat, smiling as her son tried to reach for a firebolt shaped rattle about a foot to his left, stretching his little arm as far as it could go before realizing he had to crawl over to it and then working his way up onto his knees and making his way over. She heard a flaring noise from the kitchen a few rooms away indicating the floo had activated then a moment later Harry's voice called out, "Hermione?"

"In here," she replied as she pulled her son into her lap, kissing the top of his head and smelling that soft baby smell that he still carried. She smiled as she saw that he had passed over the broomstick rattle for a teether in the shape of a gold crystal phial with the words Felix Felicis upon it in raised lettering. "Your Uncle Harry has a predilection for that particular brew as well, little one." She heard Harry's footsteps as he entered the den behind her, "How was work? I got everything I needed to get done for the office already, so we can go to that curry place you like so much for supper if you're up for it."

She heard him shuffle behind her and turned to look over her shoulder at him. Her best friend was standing in the doorway of the open room, sheepishly shuffling his feet. "What's wrong Harry?" Hermione asked, concern tinging her voice. "Is it Ginny?" Harry shook his head. Hermione huffed and subconsciously tightened her hold on her son, whatever was making Harry act like this couldn't be good. "Well then what is it?" Harry lifted his eyes to meet hers and she was surprised by how apologetic he looked, "I'm sorry Hermione." She was really starting to worry now and quickly stood up, pulling her little boy close to her chest as he chewed away at the lucky teether. "What's going on Harry?" she asked in a higher tone then normal, her panic becoming obvious. "What's wrong?" She watched Harry glance behind himself into the shadows of the darker dining room and for the first time she noticed a tall figure standing there. With a heavy sigh Harry stepped aside and the figure moved forward, out of the shadows and into the light. Hermione's breath caught in her lungs and she clutched her son to her breast, so tightly he began to wiggle in an attempt to escape the restrictive embrace. Her eyes were frozen on the face of the man who had just entered the room. He looked the same as the last time she had seen him, tall and slender, his pale skin giving him the appearance of never having seen the outdoors, his long, fine black hair hanging in his face though not obscuring the dominating aquiline nose nor his glittering obsidian eyes. However, unlike last time, today Severus Snape glared at her threateningly from beneath furrowed brows, combined with his dark history and traditional black garb, he was quite the intimidating sight.

"Severus," she breathed out quietly, causing the man she was addressing to visibly flinch. Hermione's eyes shifted to Harry's who was watching the exchange with reserved concern. "How…." she began to ask before she was cut off. "Potter, I believe a few moments alone with Miss Granger would be prudent." Snape's gazed never left Hermione's eyes, "If you wouldn't mind." Harry looked back over to Hermione, not sure if he was comfortable leaving his friend alone with the dark wizard. She nodded to him, "Alright… I'll just be in the kitchen if you need me Hermione." And with that, he quickly left the room. The two stood in silence for a few moments, just staring at each other before the babe in Hermione's arms let out a whining sound and promptly dropped the teether he had been holding. Hermione bent down to retrieve the item and stood up to find that the wizard had moved closer to her where she now had to tilt her face up to make eye contact with him.

Snape looked down at the brunette witch holding his son and was assaulted with emotions he was unaccustomed to and those he was all too familiar with; rage and fear dominated but he also felt protectiveness and an overwhelming sense of warmth whenever he focused on the child. When the woman before him had whispered his given name in that breathy manner he had been temporarily transported back to the last time she had called him that, in a dark room, on a warm April night over a year ago. "Why?" he hissed from between clenched teeth. Hermione's heart tightened and she went to take a step back from the dominating wizard when a large pale, scared and calloused hand darted out, the long fingers wrapping around her upper arm, jerking her back toward him and forcing their eyes to meet again. He leaned down closer, until his hooked nose almost touched hers, "WHY?"

Hermione's eyes began to fill with tears and her son, almost as if sensing his mother's distress, began fussing in her arms. "Please," she whispered out. "Not in front of him," she said flicking her eyes down to the babe in her arms. Hermione could have sworn she saw a look of shame flash across the wizard's face, but it was gone too quickly. He dropped his hand as though he had been burned and she subconsciously rubbed her arm while beginning to sway where she stood, rocking the baby. "I need to put him down for his nap," she quietly replied without looking at him. "Then we can talk." Snape nodded, "Where?" Her eyes jerked sharply to his and he again flinched, this time due to the tears that glazed her cheeks and still filled her warm eyes. "You can stay here," she said decisively, going to step around the tall man. Snape clenched his teeth again, remembering how infuriating this know-it-all could be, "I will remain here, until you return." Hermione nodded as she made her way to the doorway, still softly rocking the baby in her arms. "Miss Granger." Hermione paused at the threshold and turned looking at the dark wizard watching her, "I will be here, no matter how long you take to return."

September 1, 1999

"Some things never change," Hermione muttered as she scanned the crowded tables in the Great Hall, watching her peers gather at their appropriate house tables as the last of them filtered in from the carriages. "What was that?" Ginny asked from beside her, her flaming red hair rippling as she turned to face her friend. "Nothing…." Hermione trailed off as she noticed a scorch mark on a stone along the bottom of the wall near the Gryffindor table. As she stared at the black mark, she swore she could smell smoke and heard screams, as if they were far away. Her sight began to blur, and she quickly closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose and shaking her head softly. "Hermione?" Ginny asked tentatively, "Are you alright?" She forced her eyes open and pushed the memories back into the box she kept them safely locked away inside her mind. She looked back over at the concerned 7th Year and smiled as best she could, "I'm good. Oh look! Professor McGonagall looks like she is going to say something." The newest Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had indeed stood from her chair at the head table, her eyes surveying the students behind her rectangular spectacles. "Welcome," she began, her voice crisp and clear across the now silent hall. "The staff," McGonagall gestured to the professors seated to her right and left, "and I are overjoyed to see the Great Hall once again filled with bright, young minds. This castle has witnessed much sorrow in recent times," her eyes landed on Herimone and softened, causing Hermione to quickly look away, "let us work this year to fill it instead with knowledge, joy, friendship and love." Many students sniffled quietly or wiped stray tears from their eyes as they recalled the Battle of Hogwarts, the fate of many of their friends and that which had occurred within that very hall.

Hermione was not one of them. Instead, her gaze returned to her prior transfiguration professor, dry of tears and with a glazed, cold look that caused a shiver to run down McGonagall's spine. "For now," the older woman said, though in not as crisp of a voice as before, "Let us enjoy a traditional start of term feast!" As she finished her statement, food appeared on the four long tables and the one head table. There were platters of roast meat, dozens of pies, dishes of mashed potatoes, baskets of rolls and so much more. Students chattered while they helped themselves to food and cool pumpkin juice, the clatter of cutlery against dishes rang out and the tension in the hall, from the reminder of the horrible past, eased into a comfortable thrum. Hermione tore her eyes away from the head table and stared down at her empty plate for a moment before gently shaking her head again and forcing a smile on her face. "So what classes are you taking this year Neville?" she asked with false jubilee as she reached for her goblet.

Present

Hermione rocked her son gently as she made her way out of the den and into the kitchen, he had always been a good sleeper and was already beginning to drift off as he nuzzled his face into the crook of his mother's elbow. Upon seeing her, Harry jumped up from where he had sat at the table and rushed over to the woman he considered to be his sister. "I'm so sorry Hermione," he began to say, until he got a good look at her tear streaked face. "What the hell 'Mione?! I knew I should have kept that greasy, bastard away from you and my godson!" he bellowed as he drew his wand and began rush past them to make his way into the den where Snape remained. Before he could get far Hermione caught his arm, "Harry, it's okay. You did the right thing." Harry met her no-nonsense gaze, then sighed deeply and slid his wand back into its holster, running a hand through his already messy black hair. "What did he do to make you cry?" he asked, his emerald eyes meeting her chocolate ones. Hermione shrugged one shoulder, careful to not jostle her son, "He was Snape." Harry's eyes narrowed, "Well you didn't find him to be so Snape-like the last time you spent time with him." Hermione glared at her best friend and then tersely replied, "I'm going to put Reggie down for a nap." She stepped around the auror and made her way to the stairs, then paused. Hermione glanced over her shoulder, looking back at the doorway to the den and then at Harry. "He said he was going to wait," she whispered quietly before turning and beginning her climb to the third floor.

Fifteen minutes later, Hermione stood at the edge of her son's crib, still rocking him in her arms rather than laying him down to sleep. 'He's found us,' she thought to herself, her mind dwelling on the dark, overwhelming wizard she had left downstairs. 'What can I tell him? What excuse do I have?' she wondered as she held her son, more for her own comfort than his. Hermione lowered her face to the top of her son's head and inhaled that baby scent again. "I will protect you little lion," she murmured with her eyes still closed.

Behind her a floorboard creaked and Hermione tensed, adrenaline rushing through her body as her fight or flight responses from the war flared. However, as the slight scent of potion herbs, parchment and something distinctly masculine drifted toward her she could not help but slowly relax. Another floorboard creaked, right behind her this time, and she slowly lifted her head and tilted to look over her shoulder. Less than a foot behind her stood Snape, the shadows of the room concealing his dark eyes behind his hair so she could not read his expression. Slowly, as though she was a startled deer, he raised a hand and lightly touched his son's downy, soft brown hair. "There is no need to protect him from me," he hoarsely whispered as he traced his pointer finger down the babe's arm. The baby twitched and whimpered before opening his chubby hand and wrapping five tiny fingers around the offending finger and nuzzling at his mother again in contentment.

Hermione's eyes snapped up to Snape's which were opened wide and fixed on the little hand that clutched his so innocently. "Severus," she began, causing Snape to flinch away from his son and her. Hermione sighed and gently laid the baby in his crib before turning back to the tall wizard in the nursery. She motioned him to follow her as she quietly left the room and shut the door behind her. Hermione pulled her wand from her pocket and with a wave and mummer, set a ward on the nursery so that sound could not enter the nursery but if her son began to cry she would still be able to hear him, it had been one of the many spells Mrs. Weasley had taught her when her pregnancy had come to light. Sliding her wand back into her pocket, she took a deep breath and turned to the wizard standing behind her. Warm brown eyes met cold black ones and, for a few moments, they just stared at one another. Snape snapped out of it first and tore his eyes away, clenching his teeth and fists again. "Why?" he questioned quietly. Hermione sighed and was about to answer when a there was a loud CRACK and Winky appeared holding a tray loaded with a steaming tea pot, milk, sugar, two cups, and a plate of biscuits. "Thank you Winky," Hermione said in a warm voice as the elf set the tray on a table in front of a comfortable mauve love seat. "If Mistress needs anything else, she only need to call for Winky," the elf replied while giving Snape a pointed glare, then with a nod she disapparated from the room.

Hermione turned back to Snape and gestured for him to sit as she took a seat on the couch. Snape stalked over and sat in a matching overstuffed armchair across the table from the love seat. He leaned forward in the chair, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands steepled and level with his mouth as he watched the brunette witch prepare the tea. Pouring the brew into a cup and adding a splash of milk she held the saucer out to him. Snape raised his brow and was about to comment when she said "It's the afternoon, I remember that you take milk later in the day. Just take the tea Severus." He met her gaze and was surprised by flash of warmth he saw in them when his fingers brushed hers as he silently accepted the drink. After all, she was right, he did take milk in his tea once morning had passed. Hermione quickly made her own tea, two splashes of milk and one sugar, before leaning back on the couch and taking a sip, her eyes meeting those of the dark wizard seated across from her. "Why?" he asked again. Hermione's eyes hardened and she snapped "Because I didn't want to see you again, that's why."