Kingsley just so happened to need Hermione that week. Coincidently, the marauders found other uses of time with the child. That included long days over at Andromeda's, visits to Harry's house, and even a day over at Bill's cottage. They were leaving Fred and Severus to be her only form of companionship for the evenings after. Hermione could smell something. The scent of some sort of hidden truth that she was close to on Sunday. What exactly were they hiding?

"You've been staring at that page for twenty minutes," Severus mused.

Hermione jerked against Fred and breathed. "I was just lost in my mind a bit."

"It's alright, Hermione. It's been a long week," Fred sighed as he rubbed her arm.

"They've been so consumed with Teddy this week," Hermione grumbled.

Severus pursed his lips while glancing at the Weasley. "Did you want to speak about it?" He asked.

Fred kissed Hermione's hair and pulled away. "I'm going to go find that wine and chocolate. Let's have a fun Friday," He announced while climbing from the sofa.

Hermione watched the gangly Weasley leave, but not without glancing back at Severus. It was obvious he wanted her alone. Knowing that, it wasn't surprising that he erected from his chair only to move next to her.

"Why?" she asked.

Severus relaxed against the sofa and hemmed. "They aren't fond of secrets among friends."

"What are they hiding? Are you all going to die? Why is it so important that I'm in the dark?" Hermione pelted him with questions as she pivoted on the couch.

"Well, it's appropriate. The boy doesn't need to be a part of this decision you must make," Snape announced.

She pinched her brows together as she set the book on the table. "That's an intelligent way to dodge questions, Severus."

He scratched his chin and shifted. "Do you find any of us more attractive than the other?"

"Besides the topic at hand," Hermione dismissed.

"No, not truly. However, an answer would be nice."

"I don't know. We've only kissed once," Hermione huffed as she glanced from him.

He took her hand and drew her attention to him. "Shall I remedy your confusion again, Hermione?"

Her cheeks were glowing. The heat built from them warmed her ears and stuttered the heartbeat in her chest. Even as his other hand encased her cheek, she couldn't fathom the breath he would steal from her. Something was remarkably different kissing this wizard. A patient intensity that rose and fell with the textures of his fingers in her hair.

Nimble, a stroke of genius were his hands as they unbuttoned Hermione's blouse. Satisfied by the accomplishment, Severus yanked the witch to his lap, running his lips along the natural trail of her flesh. This was something she hadn't dreamed of experiencing. It was wholly a path never traveled.

"Touch, here," He murmured while dragging her fingers to her chest.

Hermione complied and sighed as his hand ran along her abdomen. He watched her expression while tugging her hair back, causing her to gasp and reveal her neck. "You require a lack of control. You just misunderstand it. That's a pleasant surprise."

"Severus," She breathed.

He smirked as his fingers touched hers over her covered breast. "Why don't you go get in your pajamas? I'm positive the Weasley boy will be lurking before long," he voiced while releasing her hair.

Hermione hopped off his lap as if she was shocked. Her cheeks and lips were darkened with a tint of potency that was priceless. The witch skirted from the room with speed, leaving the Potion Master to smirk to himself and ease against the back of the sofa, arms stretched around the edge. He hadn't had that much fun tormenting pretty witches in a long time.

"Well, no one would doubt your skill, Sneaky Snape," Fred snickered as he bounced into the room.

Severus arched an eyebrow as Fred set down the chocolates and wine. "All I did was kiss her."

"Yeah, well, that didn't take much," Fred snorted as he replicated the glass.

"Where are the others?" Severus questioned.

Fred popped the bottle and handed him a glass before speaking. "On their way. Teddy is spending the night with George and little Fred."

"I hope they decided to get over their reluctance," Snape grumbled before sipping the wine.

"Who knows. She's gotta find out one way or another. It's her choice in the end," Fred mumbled.

Severus grimaced as he swirled the wine in his glass. "What if she doesn't choose."

"That's what I'm here for, Snapy. I'm here to be the voice of reason," Fred snickered.

"Then, we are doomed."

Fred snorted as he took his glass and sat down on the armchair. "Don't be all doom and gloom. She'll make a choice. You just have to live with it if it's not you."

"I never was keen on it being me," Severus sighed. "I don't think that would be an optimal idea."

"Here I was thinking you didn't want it to be Sirius," Fred mused.

Snape sneered and held up his glass. "Here's to a world without that."

"Well, it might shock you, but any of you are fair game. I don't think the agreeing part will be hard. It's the choosing part that will stump Hermione."

"Lupin already said he was reluctant," Severus voiced.

"And I assume he would be. He was with Tonks too," Fred replied.

The door creaked open, and Sirius entered the room. "Oh, good, you got out the wine. We're going to need a few more bottles."

Fred pointed to the cabinet and nodded. "I brought them up earlier, just in case."

Remus appeared and skirted into the room. "Can we shelf this again? It's not a great night to be making proclamations."

"Why's that?" Fred asked.

Sirius chuckled and handed Remus a glass. "It's never going to be a great night for him, Freddy. Don't worry."

"I just believe we should wait until Teddy is back at school like we initially agreed."

Severus sat up and hemmed. "She's not letting up, and she knows you're lying to her. Let's pull the bandage off."

"I have a plan," Fred announced.

"Which is?" Remus groaned.

"You'll see, just relax, Moony," Sirius chuckled and held up his glass.

Hermione joined the group with her eyebrows lifted toward her hairline. "You're back. I didn't know we all were convening tonight."

Sirius snatched a glass from the table and strolled over to her. "Here, love. Chocolate and wine. We're going to enjoy a night without the kid."

"Well, is there a reason for the celebration?" Hermione questioned.

"Life," Sirius said before tapping her glass with his.

Hermione nodded and moved to sit down next to Severus. Remus found the other armchair, leaving Sirius to flop down next to Hermione. The animagus handed her a chocolate and smirked. "Go ahead. I've hidden them from Moony long enough."

She bit into it and hummed as it melted in her mouth. It was gooey and delightful, mixed with the giddy feeling bubbling up inside her. "What is this?"

"All the Joy Chocolates from our shop," Fred grinned.

Hermione finished the piece and beamed. "Why haven't I had these before?"

"Georgie said they're still in the works. He gave Remus a sample to lighten up his mood swings," Sirius snickered as he nudged her.

"So, we're going to play a game," Fred announced as he slid from his seat. "Some muggle game you taught us," he continued while pulling out a deck of cards.

Hermione tried to break her smile but laughed. "How am I supposed to play cards when I can't stop smiling."

"Have another, it builds tolerance, love," Sirius declared as he plucked another off the tray.

"If this is your apology for ignoring me, then it's working," Hermione said before sipping her wine.

Sirius waved Remus over. "Come on, Moony. She's not mad."

Remus huffed as he moved the chair closer, and Fred dealt out the cards. It was taxing to play poker as Hermione couldn't stop laughing at the cluelessness of Severus as they played. He didn't readily admit to not understanding the game, but Hermione walked him through it.

By the second bottle of wine between them all, she was delighted by the company they provided. It felt normal and lovely. Sirius was playing with her curls in an attempt to glance at her cards. Severus with his smug smirks as he won a hand. Even Remus was letting down some of his guard and chuckling. It was blissful and a pleasant surprise to see them getting along.

Soon the cards were abandoned, and truths of their lives were being shared. "What's the deal, Snape? Why are you so coarse?" Fred questioned.

"My father said he never wanted me," He confessed. "My mother tried, but he was abusive and horrible. She knew we didn't have a chance in the world if she left him, so we stayed."

Hermione gasped and touched his arm. "Severus, I'm so sorry."

Snape breathed before holding up his glass. "To shite fathers."

"To shite fathers," Sirius grumbled as he rose his glass. "My father was a piece. My mother even more so."

"How about you, Hermione? What were your parents like?" Remus questioned before reaching for the third bottle on the table.

"Well, my parents were dentists. My mother was slightly jaded by the world because of their marriage. My parents are mixed, and outside the wizarding world, that's still difficult. She taught me to be curious about the knowledge out there because that was the only thing someone couldn't take from you. My father was genuine and kind. He still saw the good in the world and taught me to be courageous, kind, and protect those that need it."

"That makes sense," Severus remarked. "You indeed felt the need to fight for approval your entire life. Which means you waited for the world to soften before children?"

Hermione rocked her head as she stared down at the cup. "I wanted children desperately several years ago, but I was still concerned with how the world would see them. I worked so hard so that they would never worry about losing me like I had lost my parents."

Sirius bent to her and kissed her forehead. "You, love, are an amazing witch. A class unlike any we've ever seen. Don't beat yourself up over the past."

"Would you still want them?" Fred questioned.

Hermione hemmed and drained her glass. "If I could, I would, Fred," she murmured.

"We have to speak plainly," Severus declared before setting down his wine.

"About?" Hermione asked.

"About this, Hermione. All of us. There's much to say about our new lease on life, but it comes with a stipulation," Remus announced.

Hermione sat up, straighter. They were going to reveal what they knew finally? "Which is what?"

"It would be easier if you sat back and listened, love," Sirius voiced as he coaxed her to relax.

Hermione complied and twitched her nose. The wine alleviated some of her tension. Now she could recognize what all of this was; a way to ease her into what rug was going to be pulled out from under her. Were they going to die? Was this all going to melt away as quickly as she found solace in their company? Her mind whirled in the dizzy fog of the wine as she thought.

"I found the answer when I went to Malfoy Manor. It wasn't clear at first, but with my thorough investigating, I know it to be true," Severus said.

"We aren't gonna die, breathe," Sirius murmured as he took her hand.

Hermione didn't realize she was holding her breath until that moment. "Then take me out of my misery and tell me. Are you all leaving? Is there some high price to pay for your lives? Will no one get their magic back?"

Remus stood up and scrubbed his face. "No, there will be magic again. However, you will have to make that choice."

"How?"

Sirius smirked and took her hand to his lips. "Love, one of us is going to have to give you what you want most."

"What?" Hermione questioned with a scowl.

"A baby, Hermione," Remus sighed. "You have to finish the potion's intention."

She blinked. "What?"

This was definitely something she wasn't expecting at all...