Author's Note: I always knew that Snape would return to his old self (maybe not entirely, but enough to show his true character) once classes resumed. I do hope that I've written the transition effectively.

I would also like to take a moment and address one of my latest reviews, as it brought up a very good point about Hermione not telling her mother before Christmas. As far as Hermione not personally taking Samuel to see her mother, he was quite premature and we're talking about winter in London, here... taking him on a journey that soon was not a good idea, IMO. Also, I wanted Christmas to be their first outing, and that's why I brought Elizabeth back into the story at that point. Not to mention that Elizabeth had just finally returned home a few days before Christmas, herself, so she couldn't have come to see her grandson any sooner. However, I did intend to write a segment explaining that Hermione did send word to Elizabeth announcing Samuel's birth. I don't know how I forgot to do that! But, I do intend to go back and edit it in one of these days.

Thank you again to all of you who have read and/or reviewed my story! As always, all questions, comments, and constructive criticism are welcome if you'd 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 15 ~ "Decisions"

"Hermione, would you like for me to take Samuel? You can meet me in the staff room when you are finished." Remus smiled as he reached out for the child.

Hermione nodded as she kissed her son on the forehead and placed him into Remus' arms. Severus scowled for a moment, before taking Hermione firmly by the elbow and leading her to his office. Closing the door behind them and placing silencing charms on the room (with the students back, Severus never knew who to expect lurking around the dungeons), he whirled around to face her, his face set in a stony expression.

Severus had started the morning off determined to talk Hermione out of leaving, but now that she was here he didn't know what to say to her. He wanted her to stay, but he certainly wasn't about to beg. Not only that, but he knew that it had to be her decision. His mind made up not to push her into anything, Severus steeled himself for the confrontation that he knew was coming.

"Severus," Hermione began hesitantly.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" Severus tried to keep emotion out of his voice as he responded in a monotone.

"So, we're back to 'Miss Granger' again, are we?" Hermione asked, trying to hide the annoyance in her voice, "Severus, please. Enough is enough. We need to talk about this... about us."

"Us?" he sneered at the young woman.

"Yes. Us!" she retorted sharply, "You, me, and Samuel. You remember, your son?" she lashed out sarcastically.

"My son," he scoffed, "Yes, of course I remember my son. But will my son remember his father after you take him away?" his eyes flashed angrily as he turned away.

"I'm not going, Severus," her voice quivered just a bit as she approached him, "It would not be fair to you. I'm staying, unless you have any objections."

Severus scoffed, "As you proved to me last night, Miss Granger, you couldn't care less about my opinions. You will do as you please, I'm sure."

Hermione had walked into the school that day determined not to let him wear her down. Holding her head high, her face once again set in determination, she stood face to face with him, "If I didn't care, Severus, I would not be here today! I would be back at the cottage packing for London!"

"Why aren't you?" he hissed at her, "Why aren't you packing? Don't toy with me, Hermione! Last night you had made up your mind. So tell me, WHY are you still here?" he spat.

"Because of you. Because of our son. I have seen you together, Severus. I can not and will not keep my son away from his father," she paused and added quietly, as she looked down at the floor, "unless his father does not want us here.

Severus tried to keep his breathing even as he fought to control his emotions. He wanted to scream... YES! He wanted her her here... he wanted his son here! But he knew that it had to be her decision, not his. He would not allow himself to influence her one way or another.

"I want you to be sure, Hermione," he sighed, "don't stay for my sake alone. If you are unhappy, you will only resent me for it later."

"I could never resent you, Severus. Unless you turn us away..." she looked up at him, as he read the question in her eyes.

"Do you... want to stay?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes! More than anything," she gushed excitedly, "London hasn't been my home in nearly eight years, Severus. Hogwarts is my home. THIS is where I belong. But I will not stay where I am not wanted."

He inhaled sharply, closing his eyes as he muttered incoherantly, "You ARE wanted."

Hermione stepped closer, "What did you say?"

He opened his eyes and looked at her, sighing, "It is not up to me, Hermione... but, yes, I do want you to stay."

"Good," she smiled, "because I'm not going anywhere."

*****

Remus was sitting on the sofa in the staff room, grinning at the women who were taking turns holding Samuel and fussing over every inch of him.

"He certainly does look like Severus."

"Those eyes!"

"Oh my! The poor dear has inherited the Snape nose."

"Well, hopefully he'll have his mother's personality to make up for it."

"For Hermione's sake, I certainly hope so!"

"Is that so?" a deep voice snarled from behind them.

Minerva and Poppy sniggered as they turned to face Severus and Hermione, who had just entered the room. Hermione was trying to surpress a giggle, but couldn't hide her amused smile when she overheard their comments, while Severus stood there scowling.

"Oh, stop scowling, Severus," Minerva chastised as she handed the baby back to Remus, "that is exactly what we were referring to. You need to lighten up!"

"You're one to talk, Minerva," Severus jibed, fighting to surpress a smile as he tried to keep the look of disapproval on his face, "I believe that you are the only one who's scowl frightens the students nearly as much as mine," he quirked an eyebrow, "maybe even more so."

"Oh, stop making me blush, Severus. Nobody has a scowl as becoming as yours, my dear."

"Yes... it makes me so very loveable, doesn't it?" he couldn't keep the corners of his mouth from twitching upwards, and Minerva stopped to kiss him on the cheek as she and Poppy prepared to leave.

"You are the most loveable git that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, Severus," she smiled at him as she opened the door.

Poppy Pomfrey paused for a moment, squeezing Hermione's arm as she said, "You should bring Samuel up to the infirmary for a check, Hermione. If you have time while you're here today..."

Hermione smiled, "I'll be there," she replied as Poppy walked out the door behind Minerva, "I'm not going anywhere," she sighed after they closed the door behind them.

Remus rose out of his seat, carrying Samuel across the room to Hermione and Severus. It was Severus who reached out and took his son from Remus' arms. "Thank you, Remus," Severus nodded, though he couldn't quite hide his annoyance at Remus' presence.

Remus cleared his throat, "I take it you're staying, then?" he asked Hermione.

She grinned widely and stepped forward to give Remus a hug, "You better believe it!"

"That, my dear, is the best news I've heard all week," the Headmaster's voice piped in from behind them.

Hermione whirled around and took a few steps towards him, "You always seem to pop up at just the right moment," she laughed as she reached out and hugged him, "Thank you... for everything."

Albus smiled, "Very well, then. I think we need to sit down and discuss the arrangements that need to be made."

"I have to be going," Remus spoke up, "I have a... prior commitment. I don't want El..." he stammered for a moment, "er... anyone to wonder if something has happened to me."

After Remus left, Hermione furrowed her brow as she asked, "I wonder what he's up to? He always seems to be rushing out on me these days."

"Indeed? I hadn't noticed," Severus smirked as he quirked an eyebrow.

Albus flashed a knowing smile at Hermione, "Whatever it is, it must be very important to Remus."

*****

The three of them resumed their talk when they reached the Headmaster's office a few minutes later.

"Tell me, Hermione, which professor have you decided to work with?" Albus asked.

"Oh," Hermione paused, "As much as I've been thinking about this, I really never did decide."

"I see. Well, if you'd like to sleep on it..."

"No, Professor Dumbledore. I'd like to make my decision today. I've been thinking about Arithmancy, but... well, it's just that it's the middle of the school year, and we're already a week into the new term. An apprenticeship with Professor Vector is not something I would want to be crammed into less than half of a year."

"Very well, Hermione. What about Charms or Transfiguration? You certainly have extensive knowledge in those areas as well. Above and beyond what you would have needed to know to begin your apprenticeship. You may very well be able to complete your work in either of those subjects in the time allotted."

"Or Potions," Severus interrupted.

Hermione whirled around to face him, "Potions? I wouldn't feel any better about that than Arithmancy! It's too..."

"Hermione, when I used to call you an insufferable little know-it-all, what do you think I meant by that?"

Hermione's face turned red as she began to fume, "I don't think I need you to remind me how much you hated me in school."

Severus shrugged his shoulders and smirked as he replied, "For the most part, I have changed my mind about the "insufferable" bit, but "know-it-all" still applies," he held up a hand to Hermione as she opened her mouth to reply, "Hermione! Let me finish! You are one of the most brilliant minds I have ever had the pleasure... YES, pleasure!" he repeated as Hermione looked at him in astonishment, before he continued, "of teaching. You were one of the few who was not only competent enough to brew a potion without exploding my classroom, but also managed to turn in a correctly brewed... or rather, a perfectly brewed potion nearly every time."

"You are likely the only promising Potion's student that I have had in all my years of teaching. I would hate to see that talent go to waste. So, if I called you a "know-it-all" a few too many times, please know that it was... masking a compliment."

By the time he had finished speaking, Hermione's jaw was nearly on the floor. She didn't know what to say. Potions would not have been her first choice, but that was simply because Severus had always managed to make her feel incompetent, no matter how well she did in his classes.

Hermione was still flustered as she tried to speak, "But still... it's only half a year..."

It was Albus who spoke up next, "You can continue through the summer. I assume you won't be going anywhere by then?"

Hermione hadn't thought about the summer. But yes, she had assumed that she would be staying at Hogwarts indefinitely, so it did make sense that Severus could tutor her through the summer holidays. She looked at Severus, who nodded in approval.

"If potions does not appeal to you," Albus continued, "You could take on a second apprenticeship in Arithmancy starting with the next school year."

"Let me think about it, Professor Dumbledore. I will give you an answer in the morning."

"Very well, Hermione," Albus smiled and nodded at her, "Now, we should discuss your living arrangements. Do you have any objections to taking private quarters in the dungeons?"

"Not at all, unless..." Hermione looked at Severus, "Is it alright with you, Severus?"

Severus looked thoughtful as he replied, "That would probably be the most sensible arrangement, Albus." He turned to Hermione, "It would give you easy access to the lab, keeping you in close proximity to Samuel when you're working... that is, if you choose to work in Potions."

"Furthermore," Albus interrupted, "The quarters that I have in mind consist of two rooms that happen to be located next to Severus' own quarters."

"I know the ones you mean, Albus," Severus replied, "I have no objection to Hermione's use of those quarters. And personally, would be happy to have my son living in the same wing of the castle as myself."

"We can do better than that, Severus," Albus twinkled, "We could adjoin your quarters to Samuel's room, which is also adjoined to the room that would be Hermione's. The accessibility between his room and yours would allow you to easily visit your son any time that you wish to see him."

Severus and Hermione looked at each other for a moment and Severus briefly nodded his head before Hermione turned back to the Headmaster and replied softly, "That sounds... perfect."