Last time on The Workshop: After putting the tables and chairs back where they belonged she sent Severus to get Jamie for lunch. Gathering her daughter in her arms, she made her way to her seat at the head table.
After lunch, the students once again assembled in the bare hall. Some had brought along siblings and friends who wished to hear the story.
Hermione noticed the newcomers. "For those of you new here, I am pleased to have you, so long as it doesn't disrupt your classes. Now where were we?"
A Gryffindor named Brian spoke up. "You had walked in on Snape, but Jamie's crying interrupted you."
"Thank you Brian. And it's Professor Snape" Severus scowled, neglecting (to everyone's surprise) to take away points. "Now, to continue..."
~*FLASHBACK*~
She walked through his quarters with surprising familiarity. Arriving at a blank section of wall, Severus looked at Hermione with doubt in his eyes. "This is a door?" he asked. "It looks more like my bedroom wall."
"Just watch," Hermione said. Then she pulled them both through the wall.
Severus was amazed at where they came out. They were standing in an alcove near Hermione's bathroom.
"That's interesting. I never noticed that." Severus said, walking into Hermione's kitchenette. "How did you find it?"
"Oh, on my side it's a door, which is why you never noticed it." Hermione smiled, soothing a fussy Jamie. "I thought it was the door to the nursery, not to your quarters."
"WHAAHHHHH"
Grimacing, Snape reached for the crying baby. "I have no idea why, but kids like me." As soon as he held the baby in his arms, the little boy stopped crying. "Even Potter's son."
Smiling, Hermione said, "I never would've guessed. Can you come back tonight at about three in the morning?" Hermione laughed at the disgusted look on his face.
Immediately, Snape sternly exclaimed, "No, I will not come back tonight. But..." his features softened, "if you need help during the daylight hours, I'm willing to help you." Severus' eyes played between her and Jamie, praying she would refuse his offer.
No such luck, "Thank you for the offer." she said with a wicked smile. "You may however, change your mind after hearing him scream at three in the morning"
~*END FLASHBACK*~
"However, at three in the morning", Severus said with a pained smile, "I did end up quieting that handsome little screamer. After that, I began to respect Hermione as a person." Hermione continued the story while Severus reveled in the memory.
~*FLASHBACK*~
Severus awoke to the sounds of screams. "Jamie," he muttered. The little devil was crying again. Dragging himself out of bed, Severus walked through his wall to Hermione's room Whining, he asked "Does he ever stop?"
Hermione jerked around. "Severus!" she scorned. Then, adopting a teasing tone she asked, "I gather you've decided to take up my offer?"
Severus scowled. "Just give me the bottle" He muttered and, just like before, Jamie fell right to sleep.
~*END FLASHBACK*~
"That little incident happened again several nights in a row." Hermione said. "I learned so much about Severus because of it." She fondled the memory. "I learned that he's got a dry sense of humor and that much of his bitterness was a mask" She smiled, "But, at three in the morning not even he could stay cold. I saw the real him. He helped me more than he ever knew" A tear glistened down her cheek. "Often he merely listened while I cried."
~*FLASHBACK*~
Three weeks later, Severus heard sounds coming from Hermione's room, but it wasn't Jamie. Grateful yet curious, Severus moved through the passage. Huddled in the living room, Hermione was crying. Severus placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. In a gentle tone he asked, "Hermione? Are you all right."
Startling him, Hermione pulled Severus into a fierce hug. "Severus, today would have been Harry's birthday" she sobbed.
Sitting beside her, Severus said, "It'll be all right, I promise." He looked into her eyes. "You're a strong woman, and he's still with us. He lives in Jamie and he lives in here" he said, patting his heart.
Hermione managed a weak smile, "I know. Sometimes it feels like he's still here right next to me. And yet..." She began sobbing again. "Memories fade Severus, and its starting to feel like he was just a dream."
Severus held her close. "He may seem like a dream, but his love for you was as real as any other" He wiped away her tears and said "If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you." Surprised but grateful, Hermione pulled him tighter as a fresh wave of tears washed over her.
Wishing he could do more, he pulled her close