DISCLAIMER:

This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

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"Not Trelawney again." Severus groaned and roughly pocketed the bloodied handkerchief. "That woman has been responsible for more misinterpretation and false hopes than a Muggle horoscope. They should close that department down for total stupidity!"

"Now, now Severus, she has a over a fifty percent accuracy."

Hermione and Snape shared an incredulous look, but it was Snape who muttered. "Codswollop!"

"Not this time Severus. It may interest you to know that it wasn't Sybil." Dumbledore lowered his head and voice.

"Well, who the blazes was it?"

"Would you believe -" The old man lifted his head and smiled. "Peeves?"

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"Peeves?" Snape did not know if he actually managed to articulate the name, but he certainly did see a flash of red before his eyes before he managed to focus on Dumbledore.

Mr. Granger looked confused, "Peeves! Who the hell is Peeves?"

"A ghost," Hermione replied softly, shaking her head as if she were dazed. "I did not know that Poltergeist could do that? I thought Divination was only for the living."

"Or those who like to cause trouble," Snape snapped, pointedly glaring at Dumbledore.

"His prophecy would not have been stored it were simply 'cauldron stirring', Severus."

Mr. Granger put his head in his hands and groaned, "I think I'm going to be ill. Can't you people just live simple uncomplicated lives?"

"Mummy! Samson stole Minny!" The moment was cut short by the unexpected arrival of four dark haired children who barged into the room and chased each other about giggling and shouting loudly. "Mum!"

"Sam!"

"Nanana!"

Snape looked down at his offspring in horror and tried to back away,  "Ah yes children." Yet as if attached by an invisible bungee cord the children came about him, swirling, springing away for an instant only to bounce back against him bodily. In the end he gave up standing and sank to a peach damasked chair as they used him as some sort of living jungle gym and hiding place.

Hermione stifled an inappropriate chuckle at his predicament. It surprised her that Snape did not shout at the little one's or physically remove them from his person, realistically she supposed Dumbledore's presence had a lot to do with that, but as she watched the Ursula sit down on Snape's lap and look up at his reddened nose, chattering away nineteen to the dozen about her favourite doll and how Sam was a 'meanie', she felt something else inside of her. Swiftly she clapped her hands bringing the commotion to order and vanishing the feeling inside. "Children," she said and hunkered down so that they came to her, "This is your father, Severus Snape.

"Oh we know Mummy, Sam tol' us." Ursula replied brightly.

Hermione sighed and glanced at Sam who was scuffing his toes on the carpet. "Well then, why don't we show some manners and go say hello politely?"

Snape rose out of his chair and stood over them peering down the crooked line of his nose.

There was a collection of mumbled 'hellos' and one 'politely' as the children snuck glances between the imposing man and their mother. Ursula turned away and went to Hermione pulling her down to whisper into her ear. Snape arched an eyebrow at once she had reassured the girl and straightened up.

Hermione smirked back at him, "She asked how long you're staying?"

"I hardly think… My research…" Snape scowled and found his gaze drawn down to the four expectant faces, something inside him clicked at the sight and he felt a streak of fierce emotion slice through him. "We must go to the Ministry, deduce the meaning of this prophecy before I can make any further plans."

"Are you staying?" A small voice piped up, it was one of the twins.

Hermione looked at Snape with a mixture of pathos and pity and when he did not answer immediately answered. "He doesn't know yet Nicky."

"Ohh…" A sad murmur came from the children.

"He can sleep in my room with Minny!" Ursula exclaimed her dark curls bobbing on her head as she nodded vigorously.

"Yes!" The boys agreed.

"Children," Hermione bent down to them and her eyes pricking with sudden tears said, "You must understand that your father-"

A hand came down on Hermione's shoulder halting her words, "Would love to stay a few days," Snape quickly added, removing his hand as he felt Hermione turn and look up at him in wonder, "However at a different venue. My family home perhaps?"

"Oh yes!" The children started to bounce and jump about the room going to smug looking Dumbledore and swirling about his robes before dashing to their grandfather in a gleeful hubbub.

Hermione was lost for words. She stood facing Snape, "You have no idea… It's so generous-- I--" She choked and impulsively leant forward to kiss his rough cheek, "Thank you." She stepped back and shyly touched her mouth.

Snape blinked at Hermione in confusion. A strange sense of calm and reason enveloping him, he could still smell her scent, a mixture of pheromones and heat that thrummed deep in his body, rekindling deep instinctual memories and need. It was plain for all to see that something had changed between them in those few insignificant minutes in her parent's living room.

"Yes," he finally muttered, his ears ringing, "Quite alright," He felt his face relax and his shoulders unknot, he almost smiled.

Hermione tilted her head at him and almost smiled too, but Mrs. Granger bustled in.

"Oh dear!" The flustered woman burst into the room, "I'm sorry dear, they got away on me. Come along now children, upstairs, wash your hands and faces." She shepherded the children toward the door that led to the hall, but Sam hung back scowling at his father over his shoulder.

"When are we going to your house?"

"When we get back Sam." Hermione replied, "Don't worry so."

"There's something disconcertingly familiar about that child." Snape muttered when they all finally could be heard ascending the stairs.

"There should be," She smiled warmly, "you are his father."

Again a net filled with butterflies struck Snape in his stomach. He was a father and these were his children… 'his children' and as he looked at Hermione unbidden words rang in his head and she was 'his mate'. His chest puffed up with pride and possessiveness while a flash at anger at the thought of Filch being anywhere within three feet of his territory made his hands curl into fists. They were his and he would protect them or die trying!

"Shall we go to the Ministry?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly, "Listen to the prophecy and sort out what the future?"

"No." Snape replied. "This is untenable. Peeves, of all the beings in the universe? How could anyone listen to that pile of musty vapor?"

Dumbledore smiled at him and shook his head, "Ah Severus, how I've missed your sense of humour."

"I wasn't joking."

"Oh I know my boy, neither was I. It is still very amusing how you are so rigid. A little flexibility could give you the world." And with that Dumbledore clasped both a startled Hermione's hand and Snape's elbow and with a quick incantation they apparated away.

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tbc  (nearly finished)