Chapter 3
Hermione was feeling decidedly out of sorts. Ever since the family's return to the castle just after dusk the evening before, she'd been unable to shake the despondency which was weighing her down. So far she hadn't arrived at a definitive reason for it, even in the few, unplanned moments when she'd allowed herself to think too carefully about the matter and its cause. Perhaps it was her fear for Seren's safety, or the guilt she felt for having fallen asleep when Seren was in her care and her care alone. Perhaps she sensed something in Severus - there'd been nothing overt, nothing she could pinpoint. She hoped she was only imagining the unfamiliar reserve in his manner towards her.
Dinner had been a sombre affair. Hermione and Severus had been both astounded and displeased when Seren had blithely demonstrated the relative ease with which she had undid the wards and let herself out of the homestead. She'd been extremely quiet since then, subdued by her parents' unaccustomed disapproval of her antics. She'd also been tired out by her illicit adventure and Severus had put her to bed earlier than was usual. Aubrey had been fussy, perhaps disconcerted by a change to his routine and receptive to his mother's anxiety. Severus had been unusually quiet and although Andren had tried his utmost to get him to talk of his latest seminar, he'd answered only in monosyllables and without enthusiasm. Eventually Andren too had retired to his dormitory in Slytherin. Aware of a certain unfamiliar tension in the air, Kathleen and Sebastian had taken their tea out onto the balcony and stayed talking out there until quite late, leaving Hermione and Severus alone.
By the time Hermione had fed Aubrey and gotten a report from Medea about the Hospital Wing, Severus had disappeared upstairs, ostensibly to tuck Seren in and read her a story.
When he didn't come downstairs again, Hermione extinguished the candles and headed upstairs herself, Aubrey in her arms. Severus had not been in their bedroom as she'd expected, so she'd sat for a long while in the rocker before the fireplace, her tiny son held protectively against her as he slept. He'd stirred after a while and she'd nursed him again before tucking him securely into his cradle at the foot of the bed. When Severus still had not appeared, she'd quietly ventured across to Seren's room and peeked in. He'd been sitting in the rocker by the bed, his little daughter nestled, sound asleep, in his arms. There'd been a faraway look in his eyes which Hermione had found disconcerting. He hadn't even noticed she was there. She'd backed away, changed for bed and dispiritedly climbed in, curling up under the covers, her back to the door. Eventually Severus had entered, quickly divested himself of his clothing and climbed in to lie beside her. She'd felt a soft, light kiss on her cheek and then he'd settled down to sleep.
She sighed. He'd left this morning with Colleen just after sun up to work on some potions. He'd said very little, kissed the children and herself goodbye and left. Her heart was heavy. Perhaps he *did* blame her for what could well have been a tragedy yesterday. She shook her head ruefully. And he was right! She was directly where the blame should lay. She should never have fallen asleep leaving Seren unsupervised. How could she have been so stupid?
She wandered restlessly into the living-room. Aubrey was peacefully sleeping in his cradle (for now) and Seren was in her customary place before the fire, playing with her potion. Earlier, Kathleen had invited them to accompany her into Hogsmede, but in the end she just hadn't had the heart for it. Besides, at the moment she wanted to keep a very close watch on her adventurous daughter. She picked up Seren's torn floral dress which had dried overnight before the fire. She examined the rather large and ragged tear and sank into the wingback chair, her shoulders slumped. What if Mystic hadn't been there with Seren? She shook herself again. It was no use dwelling on 'what ifs'. Seren was alright, even if some of her family *did* blame her for the incident. She determinedly withdrew her wand and quickly cleaned the edges of the tear and bound them together.
Seren glanced up from where she was playing and reddened when she observed what her mother had in her hands. She stood and sidled over to lean against Hermione's knees. "I look pease?" she asked softly. Hermione turned the dress around so that Seren could see the patch. She studied it silently for a moment and then turned contrite eyes on her mother. "I sowwy mama," she said softly.
Hermione grasped her daughter by the waist and lifted her onto her knee. "It's all fixed and no harm came of it sweetheart," she rejoined quietly. "But you won't go out on your own again will you?" Seren gave her head a vehement shake. Hermione continued, "If you want to go out for a walk...you ask...and someone will go with you." The little girl's eyebrows rose hopefully, causing Hermione to add, "When they can." She glanced across at Aubrey sleeping peacefully in his cradle. "And when Aubrey isn't sleeping."
Seren humphed with disgust. "He's always sleeping mummy," she lamented. "I never go out."
Hermione chuckled. "To you he sleeps too much sweetheart. To me he doesn't sleep long enough." When Seren turned quizzical eyes on her, she offered, "I tell you what…if you're a good girl for the rest of the morning, we'll go for a walk this afternoon. We'll go see my Hospital Wing and then go down to the lake as long as you promise not to go too close to the water so you can slip. How does that sound?" For the first time since her adventure the previous afternoon, Seren smiled broadly and then slid from her mother's knee and looked around as if trying to decide how she could best demonstrate she was a good girl. Hermione held out the dress to her. "Perhaps you could put this away in your wardrobe for me?" she suggested. The toddler nodded, took the dress from her and set off cheerfully across the living-room for the stairs.
Hermione watched her go indulgently. The little girl held such a special place in all their hearts, it was impossible to think of something awful happening to her. Hermione straightened her shoulders. Nothing *had* happened. She was safe and well and for that she sent up a silent prayer. Perhaps she ought to just apologise to Severus, as Seren had apologised to her. Nothing good would come of bottling things up - something she was well aware both of them were inclined to do. She'd speak to him about it as soon as the opportunity arose this evening.
As she neatly stowed away her wand in her robes, Aubrey stirred. She picked him up and rocked him gently, whispering soft nothings into his ear. He stilled for a moment and lay against her chest contentedly, responding to the gentleness of his mother's voice. She smiled and kissed him lovingly on the forehead. Then she became aware of a the sound of soft knocking at the door.
Aurelia Hanscom, a tiny little girl, exuberantly jumped up and down. "Hello," she greeted cheerfully as Hermione opened the door.
"I Hope you don't mind me and Aurelia visiting like this. It's such a beautiful day, we decided to get out for a bit." Antonia Hanscom said as she awkwardly stepped down the dungeon stairs slowly one by one.
Knowing better than to rush forward to assist the self-reliant, younger woman, Hermione remained at the door, a now petulant Aubrey in her arms, and responded with a wide smile, "Of course I don't mind you coming out here. It's lovely to see you and Aurelia." At this the little girl bounced into Hermione's awkward embrace. Then she looked around inquiringly. "You're looking for Seren?" asked Hermione with a smile.
"Uh huh," replied the almost five year old.
Hermione pushed the front door open wider and her eyes rose upwards. "She's upstairs putting her clothes away. You go on up."
Aurelia immediately ran across the room towards the stairs.
Hermione turned back to observe Antonia declining the very last step. Her progress since her stroke last December had been slow but steady. It was hard to believe that the smiling woman who stood before her could be the same one who had been at death's door, when she, Severus and Aurelius had rushed to St Mungo's after being alerted that their friend was gravely ill. In need of constant care and rehabilitation, Antonia had spent four months at the Chateau and Hot Springs at St Mungo's (thanks to the contribution and generosity of Harry Potter and Severus Snape), and the improvement in her health and well-being was indeed remarkable.
"Hi Hermione," she said again, as she at last reached her friend. "Let me look at this little darling," she added as she peeked over the blanket to peer at tiny Aubrey, who was by now becoming very impatient. Antonia chuckled. "He's hungry, huh?" she murmured. "I know that screwed up face well. Saw it often enough on Aurelia when she was small."
Hermione nodded and smiled. "He's always hungry it seems," she said in mock despair, but there was a decided sparkle in her eyes as she said it. "Now come in out of the cool breeze and sit down so we can talk." Antonia smiled and leaning on her cane, slowly preceded her friend into the house, immediately making for a comfortable wingback chair.
Hermione followed her, becoming concerned when Aubrey began to wail more demandingly. She watched Antonia seat herself before the fire, but she remained standing. "Ah...I'll just...um..." She turned towards the stairs. "I'll just feed Aubrey...won't be long…" She took a few hesitant steps, knowing that leaving her guest alone was not very hospitable.
Antonia chuckled. "Oh, Hermione," she admonished with a broad smile. "There isn't any need to go off alone, is there? I know what it's like, same as you. Just sit there in the other chair." Hermione reddened, halted her hesitant progress towards the stairs, but did not return to the fireside. "Come Hermione," encouraged Antonia, over the wails of the crying baby. "You won't be doing anything I haven't seen and done myself. Besides, it was you that helped me when Aurelia wouldn't nurse, soon after she was born, remember?" Hermione gave her a rueful look and Antonia laughed out loud. "This isn't the Manor. It's just you and me, friends," she said. "And it isn't polite to leave a guest alone, right?" she added, her eyes twinkling. She turned her head away. "I promise I won't look if you don't want me to ..."
Hermione finally gave in. She knew she was being prudish, but she always found doing something so intimate, private, in front of someone other than Severus difficult. While Antonia determinedly looked the other way, she quickly seated herself in the chair, unbuttoned her blouse and put Aubrey to her breast. Suddenly, there was silence in the previously noisy room as he set to satisfying his hunger. She pulled the blanket up so that she and Aubrey were shielded a little and then relaxed back into the chair. Antonia turned back to her, her smile broad and Hermione gave her a rueful smile in return. "I know...don't say it," murmured Hermione self-deprecatingly.
Antonia chuckled again and then turned her eyes upwards. "The girls are sure quiet," she remarked bemusedly.
"They're probably playing with Seren's dolls," suggested Hermione.
"Now tell me how you are and what's been happening out at the Chateau."
Antonia looked serious for a moment. "I've been doing all my exercises just like you said Hermione and I go in the hot springs every morning and rest every afternoon. Seems hard to believe I've been back here almost four months now, doesn't it?"
Hermione nodded. "It certainly does. Have you given any thought to what you're going to do? I mean it won't be long and you'll be well enough to leave the Chateau."
Antonia shrugged her shoulders and then gave Hermione a somewhat accusing look. "Why didn't you ever tell me it was Harry paying my bill?" she asked, obviously a little put out.
Hermione blushed. "I...we.... Harry asked us not to...we thought..." she stammered, her eyes all at once focussing on the child at her breast. She suddenly looked up. "How did you find out?" she asked in puzzlement.
"I've been helping Charlie Burns with the books. A new manager came and wanted everything done over. All neat and proper. Since Preston left they haven't been done right. Or at least not to his liking. Charlie and me were talking one day, and when he found out I used to do that sort of work in Galway he asked me to help him." explained Antonia, adding with emphasis, "*That's when I found out.* I'd always been worried that you and Severus were paying for the whole thing." She shook her head. "All those bills, paid by Harry, I'm gonna owe him for the rest of my life."
Hermione frowned. "You don't owe him anything Antonia and he won't expect any repayment. In fact, I believe he'd resent it. He cares for you and I have a feeling this is his way of repaying you for his ignoring of you over the years."
"I still feel like I owe him." murmured Antonia, unconvinced.
"He's been genuinely concerned about you."
"We'll see Hermione. I must admit he's been awful good, coming out to help me with my exercises. Helping me get in and out of the hot springs." She suddenly smiled. "He often stays for lunch or supper with Sam and me. Seems to like it." she remarked, a little self-consciously.
This time Hermione chuckled. "Perhaps he's sweet on you," she suggested lightly. When she saw the resultant panicked expression on Antonia's face she wished she hadn't. "I...I'm sorry...I...I...didn't mean anything by that..." she stuttered. "I was teasing…that's all."
"I hope that *is* all Hermione...I like Harry...fact is...maybe I love him...but not in *that* way. We got a history together...its almost like he's family." Antonia clarified. "I don't know what I'd do if he started to think of me as...as..."
"It's alright. I'm sure he won't...doesn't. Forgive me for saying anything," gushed Hermione. She lifted Aubrey and changed him to her other breast. Her mind was spinning, trying to think of an alternative topic of conversation. She raised her head as Aubrey settled and asked, "You were saying there's a new manager at the Chateau?"
"Uh huh ... arrived around the time Aubrey was born I guess," Antonia elucidated, her mind still obviously on their previous conversation.
"What's he like?"
Antonia shrugged her shoulders, and then frowned as she forced herself to concentrate. "Seems kind of stuffy. Everyone has to call him *Mr Tilson.* He wants everything done *his* way. Charlie and the rest of the staff aren't sure about him yet. Though I git the feeling that if they had to choose between him and Preston Hall, they'd choose the new fellow."
"You said Mr *Tilson*?" inquired Hermione. "That's an unusual name."
"Uh huh. Comes from down south. Southampton, England, I think."
"What's his first name?"
Antonia shrugged her shoulders. "Don't know," she rejoined. "Nobody's allowed to use it, so I haven't heard it."
"What does he look like?" Hermione persisted, her mind suddenly whirling.
"Sort of ordinary," replied Antonia, quickly realising that Hermione was intensely interested in her reply. "Little bit taller than Severus, about the same age, dark brown hair, brown eyes. Wears really good clothes but they always look a little rumpled , like he don' care too much, not like Preston." She paused and then asked pointedly. "Why'd you ask?"
"From Southampton you say?" asked Hermione, ignoring Antonia's question.
"Uh huh. I think I heard someone say. Hermione, why are you so interested?"
Hermione swallowed. "Are you sure you haven't heard his first name? It wouldn't be Adrian would it?"
"I'm sorry Hermione. I really haven't heard. Do you know a guy called Adrian Tilson?"
Hermione's eyes took on a faraway look. "Mmm...many years ago." She looked across at Antonia. "Do you remember my friend Marianne? Visited here a few years ago. A mediwitch from Stonehedge."
"Uh huh. She wasn't practicing medicine any more if I remember. She helped you fix up Calvin Weasley."
"Her name, her maiden name was Tilson."
"So her and the new manager could be related?"
"I heard that Adrian, her brother, went into business management Marianne hasn't mentioned him for a long time," mused Hermione.
"It would seem a strange coincidence if it *is* him."
Antonia's eyes narrowed. "Did you know him well Hermione.... was he a beau?"
Hermione gave her a startled look. "Good goddess no!" she exclaimed.
"Actually, there was something about him made me feel, well, uneasy." She shook herself. "Look at us, discussing something which might turn out to be totally irrelevant." She hoisted tiny Aubrey onto her shoulder and proceeded to rub his back in a rhythmic pattern. "How about some tea and biscuits?" she suggested, abruptly changing the subject.
Antonia regarded her speculatively but decided not to force the issue. "Sounds good Hermione," she rejoined. "I'll go put the kettle on while you finish up with Aubrey." She awkwardly heaved herself out of the chair and shuffled towards the kitchen, her carved cane tapping on the wooden floor.
Chapter 4
Sebastian asked the question which had been on his mind all day, "Everything alright between you and mother?"
Severus turned and regarded him warily. "Yes, why?" he asked, his lips pursed a little.
Sebastian swallowed, already regretting that he'd had the temerity to ask. He shrugged his shoulders. "Things seemed a little…tense last night is all." he responded quietly.
"Things weren't exactly normal last night Sebastian. We'd been worried about Seren." adjured Severus.
"Yes. I know that. We all were." agreed Sebastian. "But...well...I'd have thought after finding her and seeing it was your first night home in over a week," He trailed off, then took a deep breath and continued bravely, "You and mother hardly said a word to each other ..."
"We were both tired." was Severus's short reply.
"Yes...well...I know mother sure was. Aubrey was awake at least three times the night before. I don't how she manages," mused the young wizard guilelessly. "He woke again last night?"
"Twice," replied Severus, feeling worse by the minute, not that he was going to let Sebastian know that.
"You blaming her for Seren going missing?" asked Sebastian abruptly, finally putting his troubled thoughts into words.
Severus looked across at him in astonishment. "No!" he exclaimed.
"I think she thinks you do," suggested Sebastian. "I could see it in her eyes. I think you didn't notice because you never looked in them, not once. It's bad enough she blames herself but thinking you do too."
"Enough Sebastian," warned Severus, his expression steely.
Sebastian shrugged. "You needed to know." he concluded.
"I'm going to go and see if Professor McGonagall needs me for anything. I'll see in the Great Hall."
Severus watched the forthright, young wizard. Why was it that he was so often blind to things others could clearly see? Here he'd been blaming himself for not being with his family, and Hermione had been thinking he was blaming her. He shook his head - maybe Sebastian was wrong. Then he recalled the events of the previous evening, especially Hermione's quietness, and he knew the younger man was right. He was such an idiot! He grasped his jacket from where it hung over a low branch, shrugged it on and mounted his horse. Time he set Hermione right and apologised in the process.
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Adrian Tilson, whisky glass in hand, stood on the veranda of The Three Broomsticks, gazing across the road at the medical clinic and once again cursed his luck. He'd taken the Chateau manager's job in this god-forsaken place for one reason and one reason only and then discovered that his reason wasn't visiting town too often at the moment, let alone working in her medical practice. A few discreet inquiries just after he arrived in town had revealed the very distasteful information that the town's doctor had recently had a baby and was staying at home for a while.
He slumped forward over the porch railing. He'd waited years to hear what had become of Hermione Granger. He'd badgered Marianne so often over the years she had finally stopped mentioning Hermione in her letters at all. That's why he'd been astonished to suddenly hear something about her again after so long. In one of her now infrequent letters a few years back, Marianne had outlined news of her visit to Hogwarts to celebrate some anniversary between the two women. He'd eagerly read and re-read the lines she had written about her dear friend and what she was doing now. In fact he'd brought the dog-eared, yellowing letter with him all the way from Southampton. It lay in the bottom of his trunk back at the Chateau.
Never being one to participate in idle chitchat or gossip, he'd been careful when asking questions about her here in town. Marianne had mentioned how well respected Hermione was, and the last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to himself as someone from her past. Besides, he wanted to surprise her - just walk up to her in the street, or appear at the clinic door and say 'here I am ... after all this time ..'. He sighed. It was so many years ago now since he'd last seen her, but to him the memories were as vivid as if they'd happened yesterday - sitting beside her at the opera, dining at the Savoy, playing whist around the table in his family home in Southampton, all memories he would cherish forever.
Of course there was the unfortunate matter of her husband. Years back, when he'd heard about her then fiancée Ronald Weasley going missing down the war, he'd believed his luck had changed. Knowing the sort of woman Hermione was, he'd convinced himself that she would never marry again. He'd been both startled and put out to hear from Marianne that not only was Hermione now married, but she had four children. He'd seen the husband here in town, or assumed it was him after reading Marianne's description of him so many times in her letter. He'd wondered how his refined Hermione could have become entangled with such a dark, brooding, cynical man. Still, the husband and children were only minor considerations when it came to true love. He firmly believed that the coincidence of the manager's job at the Chateau coming up and his looking to change positions, had occurred for only one reason, and that was so he could once again be close to her, be a part of her life. Fate had deemed it should be so.
He watched as a dapper, young man exited the clinic. He'd met Ian Bradford, a mediwizard, who was looking after the clinic here in town and also the Chateau clinic in Hermione's absence. It couldn't hurt to further make his acquaintance, become friendly with him, get the lay of the land. If this rustic little town was going to be his home for some time to come, he'd be well advised to make some friends, become one of those whom people trusted. It was much easier to learn and plans things when people trusted you. He stepped off the porch and intercepted Ian as he made his way through the street.
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By the time he arrived back at Hogwarts, Severus's heart was pounding. Not just from the speed with which he'd made the short journey, but also because the more he mulled over Sebastian's declaration, the more he knew it to be correct. He cursed himself again. He was so often foolish when it came to dealing with his complex and surprisingly vulnerable wife.
There was a odd sense of dйjа-vu as he entered the grounds in much the same manner as he had the day before. It was a similar time of day, there were lights coming from the two windows, and the air was again cool and still. He hurried inside. The eerie sensation increased when he couldn't find Hermione and the children anywhere, despite the fires having been extinguished and the tea pot still on the heat. He stood for a moment and gazed across to the chair where Hermione had been sitting yesterday, Aubrey nestled against her, both sound asleep, tired out by a restless night. He frowned and wandered out onto the magically created and child-protected balcony to gaze around at the peaceful surroundings of the castle. Students wandered freely around the grounds. Perhaps they had gone into town?
He had no idea where to look. It was strange Hermione hadn't left a note for him. He ran his fingers through his unruly, shoulder-length hair. He hoped she wasn't too angry with him. He became lost in his thoughts as time slowly crept on, the sun sinking lower and lower in the sky.
"Father!" exclaimed a very young voice, some distance away along the road. "Father!" Seren exclaimed again with delight. Severus's head flew up and he spied Hermione strolling in his direction, pushing the perambulator, Seren running alongside. He stood and the little girl broke away from her mother and tore towards him at speed. He opened his arms and she jumped into them, squealing as he swept her high into the air. When she was settled in his arms she exclaimed excitedly, "We went down to the lake Father .... I saw a fwog .... and a 'pider and the squid ..."
Father observed her excited, flushed face with indulgence. He would never tire of her delight at the discovery of new things or her enjoyment of the old. "You had a good time huh Seren?" he murmured with a smile.
She nodded her head with vehemence. "Uh huh ...." Then she frowned. "Aubrey's sleeping again Father. He's always sleeping. He didn't see the lake except when mummy feed him ..."
Severus chuckled, "He's supposed to sleep a lot Seren. It helps him to grow."
She pursed her lips in disgust. "Taking him a long time Father," she muttered disparagingly.
Again her father chuckled and hugged her tight. "It will no be long and he'll be playing with you Seren. You just have to wait."
She frowned, screwing up her face in disgust, causing her father to laugh and bounce her up and down so that her frown was replaced by a wide smile and excited giggles. She wrapped her arms around his neck and then turned to watch her ma approach.
Severus was aware immediately that Hermione was unsure about him.
As Sebastian had suggested, he watched her eyes, and when she wouldn't meet his, he knew. He swallowed and walked slowly towards her. "Hey," he said softly. "Have a good afternoon?" Seren's
exasperated "I told you Father," saved Hermione from having to reply. He placed the little girl down when they reached the step. "Here, let me help you with that," he offered quietly, taking the heavy, awkward end of the perambulator and lifting it up the steep steps, while Hermione manoeuvred the other end by the handles. Once inside he peeked in to discover Aubrey still sound asleep, securely wrapped in a warm blanket. He watched Hermione as she pushed the perambulator into a corner out of the way, and yet where she could keep an eye on her tiny son. "You went down to the lake huh?" he asked her.
She nodded and said softly, "I said we would go if Seren was a good girl this morning ..."
Seren leant in against his knee and peered up at him. "I wasd s a good girl today Father. I pwomise," she said proudly. "Aura come .... We played upstairs ..."
Severus glanced across at his wife. "Antonia and Aurelia were here?"
She nodded. "Antonia's so much better. Its hard to believe. She came out here all by herself. We sat and talked for a while," she explained quietly.
"Glad you had some company," rejoined Severus.
"It was nice," agreed Hermione with a whimsical smile. "She asked if we'd come out and have supper with her and Aurelia sometime soon. I think she's beginning to wonder what she should do now that's she almost well again."
Severus shrugged his shoulders. "It'll be a hard decision to make. She's still got her sister. But here Aurelia can see her father as much as she wants. I suppose she's going to have to make the decision herself. Only *she* knows what's going to make her happy," he mused.
Hermione nodded, poignantly reminded of those same words he'd spoken to her some years back. She turned towards the kitchen and away from his astute eyes. "I suppose I better get supper started. Everyone will be home soon," she murmured, her voice catching.
Severus saw Hermione's eyes momentarily cloud over as soon as his words were uttered. They'd slipped out because that's the way he felt, but as he said them he vividly recalled saying them to her once before, at another time and in another place. She wandered into the kitchen, away from him, and his brow creased in concern. He had to make things right with her. He looked down at his little daughter who was still standing at his feet, peering up at him, almost as if she sensed that something was not quite right. He squatted down and said softly,
"How about you go play with your toys over there. I need to talk to Hermione for a minute, alright?" Seren's eyes narrowed and he'd have given anything to know what was going on in her young mind. Finally, and without demur, she nodded and toddled across the living-room to the fireplace. He watched her go with a smile. So often she reminded him of her mother, at times seeming to be able to read his thoughts. He stood and turned his attention back to Hermione.
Hermione sensed rather than heard Severus come up behind her. Her heart was pounding. Was he finally going to put into words his anger at her negligence the day before? Instead, his arms suddenly encircled her waist and he gently pulled her back against his chest. She instantly clasped his arms in front as if afraid he would let go.
There was a long silence and then, at last, he unexpectedly said against her ear, "I don't always make you happy, like maybe yesterday."
She frowned in puzzlement and turned in his arms to face him. She swallowed and replied softly, "I think you may have that the wrong way around. You had every right to be angry with me. I carelessly put Seren in danger." She lowered her eyes as they threatened to fill with tears.
"That's where you're wrong. It wasn't your fault she decided to go off on her own," argued Severus gently, raising her beautiful, sad eyes to meet his. "You didn't know she could undo the wards and open the door. Neither did I. I didn't have a clue she'd grown that much magically. We've both have to watch her more carefully now I guess."
"But I fell asleep," protested Hermione soulfully. "She could have been hurt."
"Yes. She could have been but she wasn't. And you shouldn't feel guilty for falling asleep. Sebastian told me you were awake with Aubrey a few times during the night before."
"That's no excuse. I put our daughter in danger."
Severus shook his head. "If anyone should be blamed. It should be me. I wasn't here."
"You were working," protested Hermione immediately. "Seren was *my* responsibility."
"But she shouldn't have been. I should have been here."
Hermione suddenly straightened her shoulders and her eyes glinted. "You were teaching Severus. Even if you hadn't been away for the Conference, you probably wouldn't have been here. You'd have been working with Albus or in your lab. It would still have been my fault."
"But don't you see Hermione. If I had been here during the night. I would have been able to help you when Aubrey woke so many times. You wouldn't have been so tired." He abruptly bent down to place a kiss on her lips when she looked about to protest once more. Then he added, "I've decided I'm going away again until Aubrey's sleeping better. You shouldn't have to do it all on your own."
"But Severus..."
Again he kissed her, then said softly, "No more buts. My mind's made up."
She sighed and leant in against him, knowing better than to argue any further. She'd never win, besides, she had no objections to him laying beside her every night. She pulled back and peered up into his face. She still needed to say it. "I'm sorry Severus. That I fell asleep. Even if you don't blame me for it. I blame myself."
He lovingly kissed her forehead and then her cheek, knowing better than to argue any further. He'd never win. "No need to apologise for anything." he said softly. He embraced her again, soothingly caressing her womanly curves. "When I came home yesterday, you looked so content, peaceful like. I love to see you like that."
She smiled shyly at him and then stood on her tiptoes and whispered, "I was thinking, dreaming, of you and looking forward to when you returned home. I missed you."
"You were? You did?"
She nodded shyly. "When you're away I spend my time looking forward to your return."
He clasped her tightly against himself. "And when I'm away. I look forward to getting back to you," he murmured lovingly against her hair. "I love you Hermione."
She tilted her head to look adoringly up at him and he grasped the
opportunity to show her just how much she meant to him by claiming her mouth with his and kissing her deeply and passionately.