Author's Note: Hermione chose to do an independent study to get away from Severus... but will her choice of reasearch subject pull them closer together? Read and find out.

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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.

*****

Chapter 28 ~ Independent Studies

Hermione had hoped to catch Severus that afternoon, and tell him about her decision. But she never did find him. During his usual free period, there was nobody in his office, and when she knocked on his classroom door, she was surprised to find Remus straightening up the desk.

"Remus? What are you doing here?"

He smiled, "Albus asked me to cover Severus' first class this morning."

"What about your own class?"

"Albus stepped in for me," he chuckled, "I daresay he's a rather qualified substitute, wouldn't you agree? Only, I don't understand why he didn't just take the Potions class today. Then again, who really understands Albus Dumbledore?"

Hermione didn't answer the question, asking instead, "Is Severus ill?"

"I'm sorry, Hermione. That is his personal business. Besides, I don't know..."

"I think you do, Remus. Does it have anything to do with last night?"

He sighed, "Tell me, Hermione... what do you think?"

She avoided the question, "Please, Remus. If you see Severus... oh, nevermind. I guess I'll tell him myself at the meeting tonight."

"Meeting?"

Hermione looked at Remus, her eyes full of sadness, "I've decided not to work with Severus any longer..."

"But, Hermione! Your studies..."

"Not to worry, Remus. I'm not giving up Potions all together. I've just opted to forgo the practical lessons and do an independent study."

"Is that what you want?"

"It's what I need to do, Remus. Please... don't ask anymore questions. You'll get all the answers if you'd like to accompany me to the meeting tonight."

"I'll be there, Hermione," he stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulder, "I'll always be there, if you need me. Never forget that."

*****

Severus had remained holed up in his quarters for the rest of the day. Having nothing to do was driving him mad, and he was sorely tempted to spy on Lupin in the Potions classroom. It was all he could do to resist the temptation, and he opted instead to plan for that evening's lesson with Hermione.

He sighed, wondering how it would be possible to continue working with her. So far, they hadn't had any trouble putting aside their personal relationship during their sessions... but they had never before had a falling out quite like this one. It never even crossed his mind that she may not want to continue working side by side with him, until Albus Dumbledore called him by floo that evening, requesting that he report to his office immediately after dinner.

Severus didn't attend dinner, as he had no appetite. Even if he hadn't tossed back an entire bottle of liquor overnight, he doubted that he would have been able to eat. He paced the corridors during the evening meal, trying to occupy himself until the time that he needed to report to the Headmaster.

What could the old man want, now? Severus hoped that he didn't intend to pick up where they left off with their morning discussion. He stalked up to the Headmaster's office, deciding to wait there for the duration of dinner. He was surprised when he entered to find Albus already there.

"Severus! You're early!"

Severus groaned, "I just want to get this over with. What do you want from me, Albus?" he asked wearily.

"In due time, Severus. We'll begin when Hermione arrives."

"Hermi... er... Miss Granger is attending as well?" he tried to hide the emotion he felt rising at the thought of her presence.

"Didn't she talk to you this afternoon, Severus?"

"No, Albus. I haven't seen Herm... Miss Granger... since before breakfast this morning. She wasn't quite in the mood to talk to me then."

"I see..." Albus raised an eyebrow, "Severus..." he didn't get to finish, as he was interrupted by a light knock on the door, "Come in, Miss Granger," he called.

Severus stiffened as he remained facing Albus' desk. He couldn't bear to turn around and meet her eyes.

"Ah... Hello Remus!"

Severus whirled around to glare at the werewolf when he heard Albus address him. What was HE doing here?

"Lupin." he greeted him icily.

"Good evening Severus. You should be pleased to know that I left your classroom intact," Remus smiled.

Severus grunted. He wouldn't believe it until he could see for himself.

"Can we get this over with, Albus," he replied testily.

"Of course. Hermione, did you want to begin?"

Severus finally faced Hermione, a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. This was about Hermione? He began to fear what she was about to say.

"Er... yes, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione replied before she turned towards Severus, not looking at him as she stared absently at her hands.

"Professor Snape," she began, "I think it would be for the best if I... if I..." she looked up at him.

"If you WHAT, Miss Granger," he hissed.

*Here it comes... She's going to tell me that she is leaving* he thought to himself as he looked away... he couldn't bear to watch her as she prepared to tell him that she would be taking her son and moving out.

"I am going to begin an independant study, rather than continue with our practical lessons."

He thought he had heard her wrong... "An independant study?"

"Yes... I think it's for the best."

Severus closed his eyes for a brief moment... a great weight had just lifted from his shoulders. She wasn't going to leave! He breathed a sigh of relief as he responded, "I agree."

*****

Hermione felt the threat of tears burning behind her eyelids. She should have known that he wouldn't object to her abandoning their practical lessons. On top of that, he sounded relieved to be rid of her!

"If that is all, Professor Dumbledore, I must be getting back to my son."

"Very well, Hermione. Severus and I will discuss arrangements for you to have access to any materials you may need to begin your project. You should be able to begin tomorrow, if you wish."

"Thank you, Professor," she replied in a hoarse voice as she turned and rushed out of the office.

Remus was not far behind as she raced through the corridors, hurrying to return to her quarters. All she wanted was to take comfort from holding her son in her arms, and she hoped that Remus would respect that she was in no mood to talk about Severus.

"Hermione... wait!"

"I'm fine, Remus..." she paused as a tear spilled down her cheek, "No... I'm not... How can I be?" she reached out and fell into his arms.

"I'm sorry, Remus. I didn't mean to be short with you. Please, come in. I really do not want to be alone."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded her head as she led him into her quarters. She hurriedly dried her tears... Ginny was in the nursery watching Samuel, and she didn't want her friend to see her like this.

"Hermione... why don't you go freshen up? I will inform Ginny that you've returned, and relieve her for the evening."

Hermione sniffed as she nodded in agreement. After splashing some cool water on her face to wash away the tearstains, she entered her room to find Remus entertaining Samuel, lying on the bed with the child as he tickled him gently, and Samuel was cooing delightedly at him in return. Hermione felt an ache of regret for Remus. What a shame that this wonderful human being had never had an opportunity to have a family of his own. For the moment, it made her own problems with Severus seem very insignificant. She smiled as she approached from the opposite side of the bed and sat gently on the edge. She smiled at Remus, "You're a natural at this."

Remus smiled at her with a bemused grin, "I am?"

She nodded, "Remus... you've got a way with Samuel... and with ME. And I've seen how you've been with Harry in the past. You would have made a wonderful father, Remus."

Remus sighed, "I already feel as though I am one, Hermione," he looked at her intensely, "Hermione... I know I could never take the place of your real father, but I have come to love you like a daughter. And Samuel..." he paused as he smiled down at the child, "is like a grandson."

Hermione laughed, "And we love you too, 'Grandpa'!" she teased.

"Bah!" he chuckled as he shook his head, "I could just imagine what Sirius would say if he were here to hear you call me that! He always did call me an 'old man'."

"You still miss him, don't you?" she asked sadly.

"Not a day goes by that I don't wish he was here, Hermione. And James, too..." he looked back down at Samuel, "I remember James with Harry at this age..." he sighed, "Hermione, don't take a single minute for granted. Whatever is going on with you and Severus, don't let it interfere with your son. You never know what your future may hold."

*****

Severus was growing impatient as he waited for Albus to excuse him for the evening. He wanted to get back to his quarters, and maybe even try to see his son, if Hermione would allow it. He hadn't spent a moment with Samuel since the previous afternoon, and was missing him terribly.

"Albus, can we just get on with it?"

"Certainly, Severus. Now, would you like to know what Miss Granger has chosen as her research subject?"

"It does not concern me, Albus. They call it 'independent study' for a reason."

Albus chuckled, "It does concern you, Severus. More than you know."

"What are you getting at?"

"Hermione has chosen to research a cure for lycanthropy."

Severus sneered, "Ah, yes. To cure her mother's werewolf lover..."

"Now Severus... that's uncalled for."

"Forgive me, Albus... I should not bring Elizabeth Granger into this..."

Albus sighed, "Severus. Think about this for a minute. You've been researching a cure for many years... having partial success with the Wolfsbane Potion. Between Hermione's brilliant mind and your own, I think there's a very good chance for you to finally succeed in finding a cure."

Severus ran a hand wearily over his face, "She is taking this course of action in order to avoid me, Albus. The last thing she will want is my interference."

"Perhaps, Severus. However... you have taken extensive notes on the subject, have you not?"

"Are you suggesting I hand all of my years of research over to an apprentice?"

"This is not just any apprentice, Severus. This is Hermione Granger."

"And...?" Severus hissed.

"And," Albus peered over his glasses to meet Severus' eyes, "I have a feeling that you do not wish to cease tutoring Hermione, and I know that she enjoys working with you. Make peace with her, Severus. Mend your relationship..."

"There is no relationship..."

"Please, allow me to finish, Severus!" Albus held up his hand to silence him, "Your relationship as the father of her son, Severus. You don't think that Hermione would want you out of your son's life, do you?"

"I don't presume to know what Hermione wants...."

"I think you know what you need to do, Severus."

Severus nodded as he rose to his feet, "Thank you, Albus," he said hoarsely as he left the office.

*****

Hermione was sitting by the fire, reading through one of her textbooks, hoping to find some material to use as a starting point for her research. She knew that Severus would be able to point her in the right direction, but she was not about to approach him. No, he had made it clear that he was glad to be rid of her.

She was surprised late that evening when she heard footsteps in the nursery. She quietly approached the room and cracked the door open. Severus was leaning over the crib, stroking their sleeping son's head. She could hear him murmuring, but couldn't quite make out the words he was speaking. She had been trying all day to drive his memory out of her heart, but seeing him like this with their son made all of those tender feelings come rushing back. She knew that Remus was right... she had to make things right again, for Samuel's sake.

"Hello, Severus," she spoke quietly.

"Miss Granger," he nodded in her direction, without looking at her.

"Severus... please... for Samuel's sake... don't..."

"I am sorry... Hermione," he still wouldn't look at her, "You're right... we need to get along, for Samuel's sake."

"I'm sorry for last night," she whispered quietly.

"Don't be," he finally looked at her. "Hermione... I... if you would like, I can help you to get started with your research."

"Severus... would you like to come in... for a cup of tea?"

He nodded, "Yes. That would be nice."

It had been more than a full week since their last late night fireside chat, and Hermione didn't realize how much she had missed it.

"Severus?" Hermione asked a few minutes later, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.

"What is it, Hermione?" Severus leaned back as he finished the dregs of his tea.

"Do you think that I should begin by studing the properties of the Wolfsbane Potion? Or should I start from scratch, working on my own theories?"

"The Wolfsbane would give you a good place to start, but I would suggest that you begin work on your own theories as well, and then we could compare notes... that is, if you would like to look at my notes leading up to the discovery of the Wolfsbane."

"Oh, Severus! Could I really? I know we've discussed the properties of the potion, and you've even taught me to brew it... but your theories leading up to the discovery would be inspiring!" Hermione couldn't hide her enthusiasm at the prospect of getting a look at his research.

She was relieved when Severus smiled slightly at her enthusiasm, "Hermione... I can recommend a list of books that you can find in the library as well."

"Thank you, Severus."

"My pleasure, Hermione," he replied as he rose out of his seat and swept out of the room. Hermione assumed that he would be retiring for the night, and was surprised to see him return only minutes later with a stack of papers, as well as a number of textbooks.

"What is all of this?" she asked.

"You won't find these volumes in the school library, Hermione. These are from my private collection. Please, make use of them for as long as you need," he paused and pointed to the stack of papers, "and some notes that you may find useful."

Hermione picked up a few pieces of parchment and began skimming over the materials. She skimmed over the first four pages before she gasped, "This is absolutely brilliant, Severus!"

He couldn't help but pick up her enthusiasm, as he leaned over to see what she was reading. They spent the rest of the evening in her room, poring over the documents and enjoying their intellectual discussions once again.

*****

Each evening after his rounds, Severus would join Hermione in her quarters to discuss her progress with her independent study. For the first week or so, it always started the same. They would sit by the fire, tense and ill at ease, until eventually one of them would begin discussing the research. In the throes of intellectual passion, they forgot all about their differences. Nothing else existed outside of the two brilliant minds gathered together, working towards a common goal. At the end of the evening, it was back to awkward goodbyes, as Severus would excuse himself to return to his rooms.

When it came to Samuel, they stuck to the pact that they had made to get along for their son's sake. Eventually, their awkwardness waned, and they were enjoying each other's company as they had done in the early days after Samuel's birth. All in all, Severus and Hermione were moving on, as parents and as colleagues. But at night, when they each retired to their respective beds, neither of them could sleep. Their weekend of passion would haunt their dreams forever.