Author's Note:
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.
*******
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.
*************
Chapter 18 ~ Starting Over Again
Severus was the first to wake the following morning. He looked down at his son and smiled when he saw Samuel staring back at him in wide-eyed curiosity. A slight movement against his arm reminded him of the woman who was sleeping beside him. Being that it was a Sunday, Severus had nowhere urgent to be that early in the morning, so he allowed himself to sit there on the sofa, holding Samuel while Hermione continued to sleep. Just as Samuel began to fuss a few minutes later, Severus felt the warm weight lifting from his shoulder, Hermione's soft curls once again tickling his nose as she raised her head. He inhaled deeply as he reached up to brush the hair away from his face, and couldn't help but notice the fresh melon scent of her shampoo.
He smirked tiredly at Hermione as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "Sleep well?" he whispered hoarsely.
Hermione looked up at him with a sheepish grin and muttered, "Sorry."
"Mmm.." he grunted in reply as he placed Samuel in Hermione's arms.
He stood up and tried to surpress a yawn as he began to walk towards the door to his own room. "Will you be coming to breakfast this morning? Or shall I have something brought in for you again?" he asked as he paused near the door.
Hermione sighed, looking up at him she replied, "I suppose I should go up for breakfast. The sooner I start spending time among the rest of the Hogwarts population, the better."
Severus nodded, "When you're finished feeding Samuel, come and get me. I'll watch him while you get yourself ready."
Severus returned to his quarters, and quickly dressed for breakfast. Just as he finished buttoning up his frock coat, there was a light knock on his door. "Enter," he replied.
The door opened, and Hermione paused hesitantly in the doorway. Severus raised an eyebrow as he said, "Well? Are you coming in?"
"Samuel has fallen asleep. I've put him in the crib in his room," she replied quietly.
"Very well," he replied before he shooed her out of the room, "Go, get ready for breakfast. Leave the door open behind you and I'll listen in case he wakes up."
*****
Hermione had only been in Severus' quarters one other time... and on that day, he had kissed her. She paused in the doorway, trying not to blush as she remembered that day.
"Well, are you coming in?" Severus' voice jolted her back to the present. She informed him that Samuel was asleep in his room before Severus urged her to go get ready for breakfast. Leaving the door open behind her, she returned to her own quarters to dress for her first meal in the Great Hall.
She hurriedly dressed and began to walk back to Severus' quarters. Before she could get that far, she ran into Severus in Samuel's room. He was leaning over the crib, speaking softly to his son. She approached the crib, standing so close to Severus that her arm brushed his. As she leaned over the crib next to him, she smiled at the way Samuel was gazing at his father.
"He seems quite content to be here with you, you know?" she whispered.
Severus turned his head slightly to look at her, a gentle smile on his face.
Severus cleared his throat, "Well then, shall we go?" he asked as he leaned further in and picked up his son.
Hermione sighed, "If we must."
He squeezed her arm in a reassuring gesture, "Everything will be fine, Hermione."
As they walked out through her quarters and into the dungeon corridor, she hoped that he was right.
Hermione was greeted by the friendly smiles of the Hogwarts staff as she and Severus entered the Great Hall through the side corridor near the staff table. Professor Dumbledore must have been expecting her, as there was an extra chair set at the table beside Severus'.
Severus pulled out Hermione's chair for her, and handed Samuel to her after she had taken her seat. As she looked out upon the four long house tables, she met with a sea of curious faces. Apparently, the students were had not been aware of her presence in the castle.
The Headmaster rose from his seat and called the students to attention as he began to speak, "I have an announcement to make."
When the students settled down, he continued, "I would ask you all to extend a warm welcome to Miss Hermione Granger and her son, Samuel." He paused as the students welcomed Hermione and her son with a warm round of applause. Hermione looked towards her old house table, where the Gryffindors (many of whom she remembered from previous years) were applauding heartily. Her nerves finally settled as she met the eyes of her old friend Ginny Weasley, who flashed her a brilliant smile. Hermione sighed, at least she would have one close friend among the students.
She looked up as the Headmaster continued, "Miss Granger and her son will be taking residence in the dungeons, as she plans to begin an apprenticeship here at Hogwarts this term. You should treat Miss Granger with the same respect as you would any of your professors," he finished his introduction, smiling at her before sitting back down to begin his meal.
Hermione tried not to blush as she heard the curious murmurs making their way through the Hall. What subject would she be apprenticing in? Why was she living in the dungeons? When did she have a baby? She tried not to look at Severus as she realized that many of them must be wondering who Samuel's father was. Professor Dumbledore was considerate enough to not make that information public as part of his morning announcements, but Hermione knew that it would only be a matter of time before the students began to put two and two together.
Hermione sighed, and looked over towards Remus for reassurance. But he wouldn't meet her eyes. She frowned in concern as she noticed how tired he looked.
Throughout the meal, Hermione continued to try to catch Remus' eye. But he occupied himself talking to Hagrid, who was seated next to him. Hagrid noticed her looking their way, and raised his glass to her, smiling in acknowlegment.
Finally, she leaned in towards Severus and asked, "What is up with him?"
"Up with whom, Hermione?" he replied, quirking an eyebrow.
"Remus!" she hissed, "He won't even look at me this morning," she frowned in disappointment.
"Indeed? I hadn't noticed. Yes... now that you mention it, he does seem a bit... preoccupied," he shrugged as he continued, "Perhaps it's the moon."
"Oh! Of course! He never feels well at that time of the month," she replied, with a pang of concern for her friend. She knew how hard his transformations were for him, even with the Wolfsbane. Then an idea struck her.
"Severus... if I do choose to continue my studies in Potions, would you teach me how to make the Wolfsbane potion? I would love to be able to do something for Remus, in return for all that he has done for me."
"Perhaps," was Severus reply, as he tried not to let Hermione see the satisfied smirk on his face.
*****
The rest of the day flew by for both Hermione and Severus.
Hermione had another meeting with Professor Dumbledore to inform him of her decision. She would, indeed, take the apprenticeship in Potions. It wasn't the idea of learning to make the Wolfsbane for Remus that had been the deciding factor. No, that was just a bonus. She had made her decision while pacing her room with Samuel during the late hours of the previous evening. Trying to keep her mind off of her crying son, she had mentally gone over and over her options.
In the end, she supposed that it was Severus' speech to her in the Headmaster's office, revealing to her that he did indeed think enough of her abilities to take her on as an apprentice, that was the deciding factor. Secretly, she did enjoy potion making, and his approval of her abilities was the highest compliment that she could have ever received. After all, Severus Snape approved of very few, if any, students that she had been aware of.
And Severus meant every word that he had said to her the previous day. Teaching her was a pleasure, though during Hermione's school days he could never have let her know that. As a spy, he couldn't let on that anybody besides his precious Slytherins held favor in his class. If he regretted his treatment of any student over the years, it had been Hermione Granger. By the time she graduated, Severus had been afraid that he may have stifled any interest that his most brilliant student may have had in Potions.
Severus was pleased that she had made her decision to continue her studies with him this term, though he tried not to let it show. He didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about why he had made the offer to Hermione, and he only hoped that she had accepted for the right reasons. Only time would tell.
*****
After dinner that evening, Hermione was surprised by a visit from Ginny Weasley. The two girls shared a cup of tea and spent a couple of hours catching up. Apparently, Ron had informed the rest of the Weasley clan that Severus was Samuel's father.
"I wish I could have seen the looks on the twins' faces!" Ginny laughed, "But they are happy for you, really... we all are," she smiled at Hermione as she reached across the table to squeeze her hand.
"Does he treat you well, Hermione?" she asked quietly.
"Severus? Oh, yes. For the most part, anyway. We have our differences, but he has been a wonderful father," Hermione smiled.
"Who would have ever thought? Imagine... Severus Snape, a father!" Ginny giggled, as she feigned a shudder at the thought.
"Yes, quite the frightening image, is it not?" the silky voice behind them made Ginny jump. Hermione laughed, "Severus!" she exclaimed in indignation "Are you eavesdropping?"
"Not at all, Hermione. I was just coming in to check on my son. I can not help what I overhear when you are foolish enough to leave the door open," he replied as he scowled at Ginny.
Ginny hurriedly excused herself, promising as she left to help with Samuel any time Hermione needed a hand.
Hermione whirled around, "Really, Severus! Did you have to frighten the poor girl? I thought your days as a "greasy git" were over!" she chastised.
Severus shrugged, "Old habits are hard to break."
Hermione sighed, "Samuel is asleep. I'm going to go take a long soak in the tub..."
"I will be in my quarters," Severus replied, "I do not have rounds tonight, so I will come by to see if you need anything before I retire for the evening."
*****
Severus walked back through to his own quarters and into his bathroom, where he began to run water for a shower. He turned the tap to make the water as hot as he could, before disrobing and standing beneath the steaming spray. A few minutes later, as he rinsed the shampoo from his hair, he was suddenly reminded of the melon scent he had detected when he had accidentally inhaled Hermione's soft curls earlier that morning, and he began imagining her shampooing those glorious locks.
Suddenly realizing where his thoughts were drifting, he reached to turn the tap colder. "Argh!" he tried to hold back a yelp of surprise as the freezing water rained down on him.
Merlin! What was happening to him! How could one night spent with a soft warm body innocently curled up next to him affect him this way? He reached to turn the water off, lowering his head and taking a deep breath as he pushed the dripping curtain of hair away from his face.
As he dried and dressed for bed, he tried to keep his thoughts off of Hermione. Her scent, her warmth, her softness. It was all he could do to clear those thoughts from his mind as he walked back through Samuel's bedroom and knocked on the door to Hermione's quarters. He stepped through the door when he heard her softly call "Come in", and paused to take a calming breath as he looked at her, dressed in a soft cotton nightgown, reclining on the bed against her soft pillows, nursing her son. Her head was leaning to one side, her long hair spilling over her other shoulder and onto her pillows. Her eyes were partially closed and a she wore a soft smile of contentment on her face as she looked at her son in adoration.
Severus had never seen her look so beautiful.
*****
By the time Hermione returned to her room from her bath, Samuel had awakened. Hermione carried him to her bed, where she curled up on top of the covers and leaned back against her luxurious pillows before situating him in the crook of her arm to nurse him. She closed her eyes as she began to remember the feeling of security that she had woken up to, feeling the strength and warmth of the man she had curled up next to in her sleep. She recalled the musky herbal scent of his hair, as she had inhaled it in her sleep. She had dreamed that night of the tall man with the dark eyes, and the way he looked when he was concentrating on brewing his potions. How had she never before noticed the elegance of those hands, with the long slender fingers, and the way that they so gracefully would move over a simmering cauldron? She was drifting off into dreamland once again, and didn't even realize that she had called "come in" in response to a knock on her bedroom door.
"Ahem," Hermione jolted awake when she heard a familiar clearing of a throat. She opened her eyes to find Severus standing in the doorway, his brow creased over the otherwise soft expression on his face.
"Oh!" she gasped as she came back to her senses, "I must have drifted off..."
As she removed her sleeping son from her breast, she gently slipped out of bed and placed him in his cradle.
Severus cleared his throat once more before he spoke to her, "Well then, I... should be going. If you need anything..." he drifted off.
Hermione smiled, "I know where to find you."
As he walked out of her room, closing the door behind him, Hermione closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
Merlin! What was happening to her? How could one night spent curled up against his strong warm body affect her like this? She groaned as she rolled onto her stomach and buried her head deep in her pillows, knowing that she was in for another sleepless night.
Only this time, she knew that it would have nothing to do with Samuel.
*****
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.
*******
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.
*************
Chapter 18 ~ Starting Over Again
Severus was the first to wake the following morning. He looked down at his son and smiled when he saw Samuel staring back at him in wide-eyed curiosity. A slight movement against his arm reminded him of the woman who was sleeping beside him. Being that it was a Sunday, Severus had nowhere urgent to be that early in the morning, so he allowed himself to sit there on the sofa, holding Samuel while Hermione continued to sleep. Just as Samuel began to fuss a few minutes later, Severus felt the warm weight lifting from his shoulder, Hermione's soft curls once again tickling his nose as she raised her head. He inhaled deeply as he reached up to brush the hair away from his face, and couldn't help but notice the fresh melon scent of her shampoo.
He smirked tiredly at Hermione as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "Sleep well?" he whispered hoarsely.
Hermione looked up at him with a sheepish grin and muttered, "Sorry."
"Mmm.." he grunted in reply as he placed Samuel in Hermione's arms.
He stood up and tried to surpress a yawn as he began to walk towards the door to his own room. "Will you be coming to breakfast this morning? Or shall I have something brought in for you again?" he asked as he paused near the door.
Hermione sighed, looking up at him she replied, "I suppose I should go up for breakfast. The sooner I start spending time among the rest of the Hogwarts population, the better."
Severus nodded, "When you're finished feeding Samuel, come and get me. I'll watch him while you get yourself ready."
Severus returned to his quarters, and quickly dressed for breakfast. Just as he finished buttoning up his frock coat, there was a light knock on his door. "Enter," he replied.
The door opened, and Hermione paused hesitantly in the doorway. Severus raised an eyebrow as he said, "Well? Are you coming in?"
"Samuel has fallen asleep. I've put him in the crib in his room," she replied quietly.
"Very well," he replied before he shooed her out of the room, "Go, get ready for breakfast. Leave the door open behind you and I'll listen in case he wakes up."
*****
Hermione had only been in Severus' quarters one other time... and on that day, he had kissed her. She paused in the doorway, trying not to blush as she remembered that day.
"Well, are you coming in?" Severus' voice jolted her back to the present. She informed him that Samuel was asleep in his room before Severus urged her to go get ready for breakfast. Leaving the door open behind her, she returned to her own quarters to dress for her first meal in the Great Hall.
She hurriedly dressed and began to walk back to Severus' quarters. Before she could get that far, she ran into Severus in Samuel's room. He was leaning over the crib, speaking softly to his son. She approached the crib, standing so close to Severus that her arm brushed his. As she leaned over the crib next to him, she smiled at the way Samuel was gazing at his father.
"He seems quite content to be here with you, you know?" she whispered.
Severus turned his head slightly to look at her, a gentle smile on his face.
Severus cleared his throat, "Well then, shall we go?" he asked as he leaned further in and picked up his son.
Hermione sighed, "If we must."
He squeezed her arm in a reassuring gesture, "Everything will be fine, Hermione."
As they walked out through her quarters and into the dungeon corridor, she hoped that he was right.
Hermione was greeted by the friendly smiles of the Hogwarts staff as she and Severus entered the Great Hall through the side corridor near the staff table. Professor Dumbledore must have been expecting her, as there was an extra chair set at the table beside Severus'.
Severus pulled out Hermione's chair for her, and handed Samuel to her after she had taken her seat. As she looked out upon the four long house tables, she met with a sea of curious faces. Apparently, the students were had not been aware of her presence in the castle.
The Headmaster rose from his seat and called the students to attention as he began to speak, "I have an announcement to make."
When the students settled down, he continued, "I would ask you all to extend a warm welcome to Miss Hermione Granger and her son, Samuel." He paused as the students welcomed Hermione and her son with a warm round of applause. Hermione looked towards her old house table, where the Gryffindors (many of whom she remembered from previous years) were applauding heartily. Her nerves finally settled as she met the eyes of her old friend Ginny Weasley, who flashed her a brilliant smile. Hermione sighed, at least she would have one close friend among the students.
She looked up as the Headmaster continued, "Miss Granger and her son will be taking residence in the dungeons, as she plans to begin an apprenticeship here at Hogwarts this term. You should treat Miss Granger with the same respect as you would any of your professors," he finished his introduction, smiling at her before sitting back down to begin his meal.
Hermione tried not to blush as she heard the curious murmurs making their way through the Hall. What subject would she be apprenticing in? Why was she living in the dungeons? When did she have a baby? She tried not to look at Severus as she realized that many of them must be wondering who Samuel's father was. Professor Dumbledore was considerate enough to not make that information public as part of his morning announcements, but Hermione knew that it would only be a matter of time before the students began to put two and two together.
Hermione sighed, and looked over towards Remus for reassurance. But he wouldn't meet her eyes. She frowned in concern as she noticed how tired he looked.
Throughout the meal, Hermione continued to try to catch Remus' eye. But he occupied himself talking to Hagrid, who was seated next to him. Hagrid noticed her looking their way, and raised his glass to her, smiling in acknowlegment.
Finally, she leaned in towards Severus and asked, "What is up with him?"
"Up with whom, Hermione?" he replied, quirking an eyebrow.
"Remus!" she hissed, "He won't even look at me this morning," she frowned in disappointment.
"Indeed? I hadn't noticed. Yes... now that you mention it, he does seem a bit... preoccupied," he shrugged as he continued, "Perhaps it's the moon."
"Oh! Of course! He never feels well at that time of the month," she replied, with a pang of concern for her friend. She knew how hard his transformations were for him, even with the Wolfsbane. Then an idea struck her.
"Severus... if I do choose to continue my studies in Potions, would you teach me how to make the Wolfsbane potion? I would love to be able to do something for Remus, in return for all that he has done for me."
"Perhaps," was Severus reply, as he tried not to let Hermione see the satisfied smirk on his face.
*****
The rest of the day flew by for both Hermione and Severus.
Hermione had another meeting with Professor Dumbledore to inform him of her decision. She would, indeed, take the apprenticeship in Potions. It wasn't the idea of learning to make the Wolfsbane for Remus that had been the deciding factor. No, that was just a bonus. She had made her decision while pacing her room with Samuel during the late hours of the previous evening. Trying to keep her mind off of her crying son, she had mentally gone over and over her options.
In the end, she supposed that it was Severus' speech to her in the Headmaster's office, revealing to her that he did indeed think enough of her abilities to take her on as an apprentice, that was the deciding factor. Secretly, she did enjoy potion making, and his approval of her abilities was the highest compliment that she could have ever received. After all, Severus Snape approved of very few, if any, students that she had been aware of.
And Severus meant every word that he had said to her the previous day. Teaching her was a pleasure, though during Hermione's school days he could never have let her know that. As a spy, he couldn't let on that anybody besides his precious Slytherins held favor in his class. If he regretted his treatment of any student over the years, it had been Hermione Granger. By the time she graduated, Severus had been afraid that he may have stifled any interest that his most brilliant student may have had in Potions.
Severus was pleased that she had made her decision to continue her studies with him this term, though he tried not to let it show. He didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about why he had made the offer to Hermione, and he only hoped that she had accepted for the right reasons. Only time would tell.
*****
After dinner that evening, Hermione was surprised by a visit from Ginny Weasley. The two girls shared a cup of tea and spent a couple of hours catching up. Apparently, Ron had informed the rest of the Weasley clan that Severus was Samuel's father.
"I wish I could have seen the looks on the twins' faces!" Ginny laughed, "But they are happy for you, really... we all are," she smiled at Hermione as she reached across the table to squeeze her hand.
"Does he treat you well, Hermione?" she asked quietly.
"Severus? Oh, yes. For the most part, anyway. We have our differences, but he has been a wonderful father," Hermione smiled.
"Who would have ever thought? Imagine... Severus Snape, a father!" Ginny giggled, as she feigned a shudder at the thought.
"Yes, quite the frightening image, is it not?" the silky voice behind them made Ginny jump. Hermione laughed, "Severus!" she exclaimed in indignation "Are you eavesdropping?"
"Not at all, Hermione. I was just coming in to check on my son. I can not help what I overhear when you are foolish enough to leave the door open," he replied as he scowled at Ginny.
Ginny hurriedly excused herself, promising as she left to help with Samuel any time Hermione needed a hand.
Hermione whirled around, "Really, Severus! Did you have to frighten the poor girl? I thought your days as a "greasy git" were over!" she chastised.
Severus shrugged, "Old habits are hard to break."
Hermione sighed, "Samuel is asleep. I'm going to go take a long soak in the tub..."
"I will be in my quarters," Severus replied, "I do not have rounds tonight, so I will come by to see if you need anything before I retire for the evening."
*****
Severus walked back through to his own quarters and into his bathroom, where he began to run water for a shower. He turned the tap to make the water as hot as he could, before disrobing and standing beneath the steaming spray. A few minutes later, as he rinsed the shampoo from his hair, he was suddenly reminded of the melon scent he had detected when he had accidentally inhaled Hermione's soft curls earlier that morning, and he began imagining her shampooing those glorious locks.
Suddenly realizing where his thoughts were drifting, he reached to turn the tap colder. "Argh!" he tried to hold back a yelp of surprise as the freezing water rained down on him.
Merlin! What was happening to him! How could one night spent with a soft warm body innocently curled up next to him affect him this way? He reached to turn the water off, lowering his head and taking a deep breath as he pushed the dripping curtain of hair away from his face.
As he dried and dressed for bed, he tried to keep his thoughts off of Hermione. Her scent, her warmth, her softness. It was all he could do to clear those thoughts from his mind as he walked back through Samuel's bedroom and knocked on the door to Hermione's quarters. He stepped through the door when he heard her softly call "Come in", and paused to take a calming breath as he looked at her, dressed in a soft cotton nightgown, reclining on the bed against her soft pillows, nursing her son. Her head was leaning to one side, her long hair spilling over her other shoulder and onto her pillows. Her eyes were partially closed and a she wore a soft smile of contentment on her face as she looked at her son in adoration.
Severus had never seen her look so beautiful.
*****
By the time Hermione returned to her room from her bath, Samuel had awakened. Hermione carried him to her bed, where she curled up on top of the covers and leaned back against her luxurious pillows before situating him in the crook of her arm to nurse him. She closed her eyes as she began to remember the feeling of security that she had woken up to, feeling the strength and warmth of the man she had curled up next to in her sleep. She recalled the musky herbal scent of his hair, as she had inhaled it in her sleep. She had dreamed that night of the tall man with the dark eyes, and the way he looked when he was concentrating on brewing his potions. How had she never before noticed the elegance of those hands, with the long slender fingers, and the way that they so gracefully would move over a simmering cauldron? She was drifting off into dreamland once again, and didn't even realize that she had called "come in" in response to a knock on her bedroom door.
"Ahem," Hermione jolted awake when she heard a familiar clearing of a throat. She opened her eyes to find Severus standing in the doorway, his brow creased over the otherwise soft expression on his face.
"Oh!" she gasped as she came back to her senses, "I must have drifted off..."
As she removed her sleeping son from her breast, she gently slipped out of bed and placed him in his cradle.
Severus cleared his throat once more before he spoke to her, "Well then, I... should be going. If you need anything..." he drifted off.
Hermione smiled, "I know where to find you."
As he walked out of her room, closing the door behind him, Hermione closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
Merlin! What was happening to her? How could one night spent curled up against his strong warm body affect her like this? She groaned as she rolled onto her stomach and buried her head deep in her pillows, knowing that she was in for another sleepless night.
Only this time, she knew that it would have nothing to do with Samuel.
*****
