Author's Note: This is a bit of a short chapter, but it's one of my favorites and I wanted to go ahead and post it so I can spend some time revising a few segments of the next chapter.

A special thank you to my reviewers. It means a lot to me, and gives me the courage to continue.

Thank you to everybody who has read my story. All questions, comments, and constructive criticisms are welcome if you would like to leave a review.

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters from the books in the series are copyright JK Rowling, and are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.

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Chapter 9 ~ Confrontation

Severus sat in shock for a moment after hearing Elizabeth's proposal to help Hermione with her education, asking her to return home to live.

She couldn't go! If she left, she would take Samuel, and he was not prepared to be separated from his son! Almost without thinking, he replied, "I'm afraid that I can not allow that to happen."

Hermione shot him a nervous glance, "Severus, please..."

"No, Hermione. You. Can. Not. Leave." He spoke slowly as he fought for control.

"And who do you think you are, to 'Not Allow' my daughter to make this decision?" Elizabeth fumed.

Severus shot to his feet, "I am Samuel's father, that's who!" he hissed before turning in a billow of black robes and storming out of the room. Remus hurried after him, catching him a short way down the corridor.

"Severus, wait..."

"Lupin, I'm not in the mood..."

"Haven't you learned anything, Snape? What do you think you will resolve by walking away... again! Go back in there and talk to Hermione! Tell her why you don't want her to leave, before she makes up her mind to go!"

Severus began to pace as he fumed. Lupin was right. He had hurt Hermione too many times by walking away. He was not about to risk their already delicate relationship, nor the bond with his son, by repeating the mistakes of his past.

"How can I go back in there now, Remus? I've been so stupid..."

Remus approached him and clapped him on the back, "Come on, Severus. I'll go with you."

Severus nodded, running his fingers nervously through his hair before taking a deep breath as Remus opened the Staff Room door.

*****

Elizabeth gaped at Hermione, as the girl fought back tears when Severus stormed out.

"When were you going to tell me, Hermione." Elizabeth asked quietly.

Hermione replied in a whisper, "I had planned to tell you the next time I saw you, Mum. I didn't know you would be here today, and it needed to wait until we had some privacy. Since you were here, I had hoped to tell you tonight, I was just waiting for the right moment."

Elizabeth spoke in a hoarse voice, "I understand why you were waiting for some privacy. What I don't understand is why you were hiding the truth all year. Did he..." she paused for a deep breath before she continued, "did he hurt you?"

"Oh no, Mum! It wasn't like that!"

"Then what was it, Hermione? From what you've spoken of Professor Snape in the past, he certainly wasn't the type of man you would have had an... affair with."

"No Mum, nothing like that, either. It's a long story and I hardly know where to begin..." she broke off before continuing.

"Mum, believe me when I say, Severus never hurt me, never took advantage of me... I am just as much responsible as he is, yet it is not what I would call an affair. He saved my life during the final battle of the war, and at a very vulnerable moment afterwards, it just... it just happened."

"Why did you run?"

"When I realized that I was pregnant, I was still reeling from the news of your accident... especially in shock over Dad's death. I was alone and scared and didn't know what to do. So I ran. From Severus, from you, from my friends and teachers. It wasn't until Remus came along that I realized that I needn't have been so stupid."

By this time, they were both in tears. It took all of Elizabeth's strength to stand and walk over to Hermione, where she collapsed onto the sofa, taking her daughter in her arms.

"Shh... it's OK. I'm sorry, Hermione. I wish I could have been there for you."

"It wasn't your fault, Mum. You couldn't help what had happened to you... or Dad!" she sobbed.

"Hermione, your father would be very proud of you, you know? Regardless whether you continue your education or not... he would be proud of the strong and courageous young woman who has faced up to her mistakes, and is striving to raise his grandson the best she can."

"Mum, you don't know how much it means to me that you are willing to help me. But I can't give you an answer. Not yet. I need to consider Samuel... and Severus. Though we've had rough moments, we're trying to smooth things over for Samuel's sake. And he is a wonderful father, Mum! It wouldn't be fair to take Samuel away from him when he's grown so close to him. He loves his son, Mum. It may be the only love he's ever known, how can I take that away from him?"

"My offer still stands, Hermione. I would be honored if you would consider it. I won't push you, though. I know that you will do what is best for your son, and I do not expect you to make any promises just to make me happy. It's your happiness, and Samuel's, that matters."

"I couldn't agree more," a quiet voice spoke from the doorway.

"Severus!" Hermione gasped in relief.

Elizabeth began to rise as she addressed Severus, "Professor Snape, I believe I owe you an apology," she began as she extended her hand to him.

He grasped her hand gently in both of his, "Please, call me Severus. And there is no need to apologize. It is I who should apologize to you."

"Apology accepted, Severus," she replied as she returned to her seat, "Please, sit with us. I think it's time that I get to know my grandson's father."

Severus was flustered as he tried to speak, "And I would be... pleased... to get to know Samuel's Grandmother as well."

Remus stepped behind Hermione and gently squeezed her shoulder, looking at her with a reassuring smile before the four of them sat down to spend the evening becoming better acquainted.

*****

Later that evening, Remus and Severus excused themselves for a few minutes, giving Hermione and Elizabeth some time alone to say their goodbyes.

"Thank you for coming, Mum," Hermione replied as she embraced her mother, "Won't you come stay with me for the evening? I'm worried about you being alone now."

Elizabeth smiled regretfully as she replied, "Thank you, dear, but I really don't think that you need to be burdened with your mother, not when you've got your hands full with Samuel as well."

"Mum! You could never be a burden!" Hermione chastised.

"Thank you, sweetheart... but I really must insist on going home. I've only been home a few days, and the longer I stay here, the harder it will be to return... and the sooner I get accustomed to being in that house all alone, the better it will be for me."

They walked down to the Entrance Hall, where Remus and Severus were waiting for them. Remus and Severus assisted the women into their winter cloaks, as Remus said, "Our carriage is waiting, Elizabeth."

Severus spoke up, "It's snowing quite heavily now. Remus has invited us to share their carriage to Hogsmeade, rather than us walk to the gates with Samuel in this weather."

"That's a wonderful idea. I don't know if I am up to a long walk, myself. I never expected my first day out to be so exhausting!" Hermione smiled.

As they rode in to Hogsmeade, Hermione asked, "I wondered how you got here today, Mum. I knew it would not have been an easy walk for you."

"Remus met me in London," Elizabeth smiled, "from there, we caught the train to Hogsmeade where Professor Dumbledore had the carriage awaiting us. Remus will accompany me, again, on the train ride back to London."

"And I will escort you to your house, as well," Remus smiled.

"No need, Remus. I can catch a taxi as I did earlier today."

"As will I. I wish you had let me accompany you on the cab ride to the train station earlier this afternoon as well."

Hermione smiled at the exchange. Her mother had always been a strong, independant woman. And she knew that Remus, ever the gentlman, would insist on seeing her mother home safely, regardless.

When the carriage reached the outskirts of Hogsmeade, not far from Hermione's cottage, they exchanged one final goodbye. Hermione embraced her mother, and then turned to Remus.

"How can I ever thank you, Remus?" she sighed.

"Just be happy, Hermione. Your smile is thanks enough."

Severus stepped out of the carriage, and reached up to receive Samuel into his arms before raising a hand up to assist Hermione to the ground. As the carriage carrying Remus and Elizabeth pulled away to take them to the Hogsmeade station, Severus once again offered the crook of his arm for Hermione to hold on to as they walked the short distance to the cottage.

When they arrived, Severus helped to get Samuel settled in for the night before heading back to the school. As he walked away, he heard her call to him and he paused and turned in the doorway as she smiled at him, "Good night, Severus."

"Good night, Hermione," he hesitated for a moment, as though he wanted to say something else. The corners of his mouth twitched into a brief smile as he hastily added, "Merry Christmas," before he walked out the door.

After Severus closed the door behind him, he paused and looked back towards the window of the room where his son lay sleeping. He smiled to himself before apparating back to the gates of Hogwarts. As he walked up to the castle, he paused near the lake to look up at the star-lit sky, speckled with gently falling snowflakes, "For once in my life, it is a Merry Christmas," he whispered to himself, remembering the way Hermione had smiled when she bid him good night.

*****

"Merry Christmas," Severus said before he walked out. He had closed the door behind him before Hermione could respond.

Hermione changed from her dress robes and into a dressing gown before settling down in front of the fire with a cup of tea. She was sitting there, staring pensively at the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, remembering the crooked smile on his face as he bid her good night.

"Merry Christmas, Severus," she sighed to herself.

A few minutes later came a knock at the door. Wondering who it could be at this late hour, she opened the door just a crack and gasped in shock at the green eyes that were smiling at her from the other side.

"Harry!"