The next few days went without any trouble. After Savannah had woken up Arden filled her in on all the details. Madam Pomfrey had released them from the infirmary and they had moved into the rooms assigned to them by Dumbledore. They had both spoken with the Headmaster several times in order to find out what happened, but so far they didn't have a clue.

-----

Hermione tried to avoid Professor Snape as well as she could. Whenever she saw him, she would turn around and head into the opposite direction. She spent her time in the safety of her room studying for her N.E.W.T.S and musing over her newfound reactions and feelings towards her potions' master.

He didn't seem to mind her behavior. Two days after the incident -as she called it- she sat in the library and working on some research when Arden came through the door. She waved at him and he smiled at her before coming over and sitting down.

"I see Madame Pomfrey finally let you out of her grasp," she said.

Arden laughed.

"Indeed she has, and I'm very grateful for that. What are you reading?" he asked, pointing to the book before her.

"Advanced potions. I'm doing some research for the upcoming tests."

"Maybe I can help you. Potions is my favorite subject, and also my best."

Arden hoped that she would accept his offer. He didn't want to sound like a four-year-old, but he missed his Mum. He enjoyed to getting to know her like this. Not like son and mother, but as equals. As friends.
Hermione studied him for a while. She felt that this wasn't the time for questions.

"Sure. I could use some company."

He gave her a relaxed smile and started to work with her.

----

Professor Snape paced restlessly through Hogwarts' nearly deserted hallways. He hoped the Granger girl wouldn't pass his way. He had to admit that she was doing a good job avoiding him. After their last encounter he wasn't sure what to think of her. She had responded eagerly to his kisses. His drunken mind had been able to register that much.

He went by the library and had nearly passed it when he heard the sound of laughter. Severus stopped and turned around, ready to forbid any more nonsense. He stood in the doorway and was speechless. Hermione Granger and his son were chatting. And if that wasn't enough, they were having fun!

He lingered in the doorway for awhile, unsure of what to do. A part of him wanted to interfere and the other didn't want to go near Miss Granger.

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorway.
Severus observed the pair and was torn between being happy for his son for actually having a social life, and hating the fact that he was having fun with Miss Granger. He also seized the opportunity to watch his son.

He is handsome. He seemed to be well raised and educated. I really wonder who his Mother is. What had the boy said? I am happily married? Do I already know this woman?

Severus immediately searched his mind for a fitting woman, but he couldn't find one.

Maybe the dark Lord forced me to marry someone? But Arden said that he was happy. Maybe the boy didn't know that his parents were forced?

He shook his head to get rid of the disturbing thoughts. Severus stayed for another minute before leaving. He had to speak with Professor Dumbledore.

Hermione felt a breath of relief as Snape left the room. She had felt his black eyes on her the moment he had appeared.

I wonder what he is up to?

----

Savannah sat in Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Lemon drop?" He offered her a bowl of sweets.

She smiled kindly at him. "No thank you. I'm not very fond of sweets."

He nodded and sat down behind his desk.

"So Miss Malfoy, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"I would say that depends on the questions, headmaster."

Albus laughed. The girl was a Malfoy, indeed.

"Of course. Maybe we should start at the beginning. What do you think happened?"

"Well, Arden and I were attending to our final exam. We have been paired up in potions. Everything went well and then...then I remember waking up here in the infirmary."

"I see. And did Mr. Snape inform you about the rest?"

Savannah nodded.

"Yes. He told me that we have traveled into the past. But I think you already know that, don't you?"

Albus smiled. The girl was clever.

"You are correct, Miss Malfoy. I just wanted to make sure that you are honest with me."

"But what if I knew that this was a test and I was honest just to pass it?"

"That is a very good question."

"Headmaster, what are you going to tell the students when they come back? How are you going to explain all this? What about my parents?"

Interesting. She said parents, not just father. That means that her mother is attending this school as well.

"I haven't decided yet, but one thing is for sure. We can't reveal your true identity. That would cause too much trouble."

"You're right."

Before she could continue they heard a knock on the door.

"Ah. That will be Professor Snape. Come in, Severus."

Severus entered the room and was surprised to see the other visitor from the future. He hadn't spoken to the girl so far.

"Miss Malfoy, I assume that you know Professor Snape."

"Of course I do. He is Arden's father and my potions' Professor. Good evening, Professor."

Severus barely acknowledged her presence.

"Miss Malfoy."

"If you would excuse us, Miss Malfoy, I have business with Professor Snape. If you would, please inform the young Mr. Snape that I would like to see you both tonight after dinner in my room."

Savannah stood up.

"Sure." She nodded and left the room.

Severus waited until Savannah had gone before speaking.

"Did you ask them yet?"

"No, Severus. I will ask tonight. It would be good to know if Voldemort is still active or if the war is over."

Severus looked meaningfully at the Headmaster.

"Indeed it would."

---

"That was really a lovely evening, Arden." Hermione said. They had just finished studying.

"Yes, it was."

"So, ready to tell me who you are?"

Arden looked taken aback.

"You know who I am."

Hermione smiled at him.

"You are Arden. That's all I know. I don't know your last name or where you come from."

"Maybe you wouldn't believe me."

"Try me." Hermione looked at him expectantly.

Arden didn't know what to do. He would have to speak to the Headmaster before telling her the truth.

"You know what? What if we meet here again tomorrow?"

Hermione sighed. Well, he is definitely not ready yet.

"Of course. But you are not of the hook!"

Suddenly his bright eyes saddened and he looked a little bit lost.

She reached out and touched his hand.

"Is everything all right?"

"Don't worry. It's just you reminded me of someone else with that saying."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

He smiled reassuringly at her before he stood up.

"If you would excuse me? I need to speak to Savannah."

Hermione nodded and smiled.

----

Savannah waited in her room, pacing the floor up and down.

Where the hell is he?

It felt like she had been waiting for Arden for half the day.

"Savannah. Have you been waiting long?" He asked, as he skipped into the room.

She whirled around.

"Where have you been? I have been waiting for you for an eternity!" She glared at him.

Arden just smirked.

"Relax, Savannah."

"Relax? Relax? Have you lost your mind? We've traveled into the past. 20. DAMNED. YEARS," she yelled at him.

Arden crossed his arms and let her blow off her rage.

"How can you tell me to relax? I saw your father today. Your mother! My parents will be here in a mere two weeks. I can't relax! We don't even know if there is a way back for us. Relax? You must have lost your mind, Arden Snape!"

In the end she nearly screamed. After she had finished, she sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Are you feeling better now?" He gently asked before he went towards her and sat near her.

Bastard.

"No." She smiled, though.

"Good."

Savannah observed him from the corner of her eye. He looked so good. She leaned her head on his shoulder for comfort.

Arden stiffened but held still.

"I'm afraid, Arden. What if we can't get back?" Her voice broke.

He embraced her with one arm to comfort her. Savannah took the invitation and snuggled against him. Arden had trouble to holding his breathing steady.

He looked down at her and at exactly the same moment when she looked up. Their gazes met and they stared hypnotically into each other's eyes.

Savannah felt her breathing quicken and her eyes lowered to his soft lips. She moved closer until their lips were mere millimeters away from each other. She closed her eyes and waited for him to kiss her.

Arden looked into her beautiful face. There was nothing he would have liked more than to capture her soft willing lips with his. But he knew he couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to her.

He kissed her forehead before he released her.

Arden stood up and walked towards the window. He leaned against the frame and starred out.

As Savannah felt his lips touch her forehead she felt as if he had slapped her.

What the hell is up with him? I really thought that he wanted to kiss me.

She opened her eyes and looked at him questioningly, before sighing.

"The Headmaster wants to speak with us after dinner in his office. I expect I'll see you there," she said abruptly, opening the door and walking out, leaving him to question his own actions.

----

Present

Severus was very tired when he entered his rooms. He went straight into the bathroom and took a quick shower before he dried himself and put on a pair of black silk sleeping trousers. He finished by brushing his teeth and combing his hair before joining Hermione in their bedroom.

His wife was already sleeping. He leaned against a bedpost and studied her for a moment. He could see the trails her tears had left on her cheek.

He went around the bed and lifted the covers before slipping in behind her. She immediately snuggled closer to him. He smiled. After all these years they not only knew each other by heart, their bodies recognized one another also.

His arm went around her waist and he closed his eyes, inhaling her sweet scent.

"I will bring them back, I promise," he whispered near her ear.

Severus had spent the whole day analyzing the potion Arden and Savannah had been working on. To his aggravation, he hadn't been able to detect anything wrong. The potion had been right. He even had used it on himself and nothing happened besides the desired effect, which he had gotten rid of by using a counter potion.

He didn't know how long he lay there thinking, before she stirred and opened her eyes. She could feel his body spooned against hers.

Instinctively, she knew that he was awake.

"Severus?" Her sleepy voice whispered.

"Hhmm?"

"Have you found out anything?" She was almost afraid to ask.

He held her a little tighter before he answered.

"No," he sighed in frustration. "The potion was all right. I tested it."

"What now?"

"Now we will concentrate on other possibilities."

She turned in his arms until she was facing him.

"What if... I mean what if we ...," She couldn't speak the words.

"Don't. Have I ever failed you, my love?"

She shook her head.

"Then trust me. I won't start now." He gave her a quick kiss and stroked her back.

Hermione nodded and moved closer to him.

He tensed as he felt her small hands stroking over his body.

"I need you, Severus." He didn't need more encouragement.

He swiftly captured her lips in a soft kiss. Her mouth opened and their tongues met in a passionate duel. He rolled them over until he was lying atop of her. His hands were buried in her lovely hair and his lips were ravishing hers.

She moaned under him and her hands ran over his scarred back until she reached his buttocks. She squeezed them and was rewarded with a deep growl.

His mouth was leaving hers, trailing a wet path down her jaw and neck. He nuzzled her shoulders before he bit her lightly. She arched herself against him. She needed more.

"I don't want you to be gentle tonight, Severus."

"Are you sure?" He looked her deep into the eyes.

"Yes."

He nodded and continued his way down to her breast. His tongue swirled over her already stiff nipple. Severus couldn't resist sucking it into his hot mouth.

"Oh God," she pressed his head tighter against her breast.

He continued suckling and biting her nipple while his hand pinched and pressed the other one.

His body moved against hers making her groan with pleasure. The passion he'd aroused in them both was escalating quickly. He freed himself from his pajama pants and spread her thighs, insinuating himself between her smooth legs.

Severus licked his way back to her full, swollen lips.

His throbbing cock lay against her wet folds. He could feel she was more than ready for him.

She reached down to guide him into her, but before she reached his hot flesh he stopped her and pulled both of her hands over her head, pinning her to the bed.

She opened her eyes and looked right into the black depths of his, which glittered. What she saw made her tremble. His eyes were full of passion and raw lust.

"Please..." she moaned helplessly on the edge of her orgasm.

He bit her earlobe, and ground his hips against hers.

"Please, what?" He growled into her ear.

"Please, Severus, fuck me. Please..." She was near tears now. He was driving her crazy with his constant rotating against her willing flesh and his steady licking and biting.

"Do you know how hot you are? The mere thought of you makes my hunger rise. The smell of you arousal is driving me crazy. The taste of your cum is intoxicating. And every time I see you I have to struggle the urge to ravish you. No other woman can make me feel this way," he growled before entering her with a strong thrust.

Hermione came on the spot as she felt his hot member entering her slick folds. She screamed his name and her fingers were adding a few more scars on his back as she dug her nails into the smooth flesh.
He started thrusting into her hot core as he continued to whisper in her ear.

She barely had time to think before she felt her need rise again and pressed herself even tighter against him.

"I love you, Severus. I love you." She repeated it over and over like a mantra.

He reached down and rubbed her nub between his thumb and forefinger bringing her into heaven once more before he allowed himself his own release.

"Severus........." Her final scream echoed from the stone walls as he felt his hot semen flooding her. "I love you."

"Yes. Love me. Please love me, Hermione!" His voice almost sounded desperate.

She held him tighter and kissed his shoulder as he laid his head on her soft breasts. She could feel his racing heartbeat against hers and smiled. How much she loved this man!

He kissed her lips and their sweaty bodies stayed joined as they slipped off to sleep.

----
Savannah strolled around the lake. She was very confused at the oment. She had felt that there was something between Arden and her. He had wanted to kiss her. She knew it.

Why didn't he? Why did he reject me?

She walked towards a small bench and sat down. She didn't know how long she had sat there but suddenly, she felt a shadow standing over her. She looked up and saw Severus Snape standing there.

"Miss Malfoy, why are you sitting here in the cold?" he asked.

"Thinking." She avoided his gaze.

Severus frowned. He wasn't in the mood to listen to some female's problems. He sighed. He was the head of Slytherin, after all and she belonged to his house.

He took the seat next to her and waited for her to begin.

After a couple of minutes he found that she wasn't going to start.

"Do you need help, Miss Malfoy?" he asked quietly.

Savannah looked up for a short moment. He wanted to help her?

"You don't need to bother, Professor. You aren't a counselor in my time either."

"I'm glad to hear that, Miss Malfoy."

They shared a small smile before she looked again at the lake.

"But nonetheless can you speak to your Head of house?"

Suddenly she burst into tears. Severus looked rather uncomfortable. He wasn't prepared to deal with a crying woman.

He pulled a handkerchief out of his robes and gave it to her.

Savannah had to laugh through her tears. Black. The handkerchief was black.

"Thank you." Before he could react, she had thrown herself into his arms.

To say that Severus was surprised would be an understatement. His hands still lay limply by his sides. It took a few moments until he raised an arm and put it awkwardly around her shoulder.

She sobbed on his shoulder.

Severus made a face as he felt that his robes were getting soaked through.

"Well, well, Miss Malfoy. What ever it is, I'm sure it's not worth this amount of tears." He patted her back awkwardly until her sobs changed into silent hiccups.

"Better now?"

"Yes. Thanks." He released her and she finally let go of him, much to his relief.

She dried her eyes and tried to collect her thoughts.

"Are you now ready to tell me what is going on?" He asked gently.

"What's up? I'm not even born. My parent's aren't even together at this time. You're not married to He... I mean you are not married yet. And nobody knows how or when we are going back to our own time."

He watched her carefully.

"Somehow I don't think that this is all, Miss Malfoy."

She shot him an angry gaze.

"Not that those aren't good reasons. But I think there I something else bothering you," he continued.

"It's Arden. Something is up with him. I can feel it," she finally admitted.

That's interesting. I wonder what kind of relationship my son has with Miss Malfoy.

"Can you tell me what you are worried about?"

Savannah shook her head. "No, he won't talk about it. But he has been acting strangely for a few months now."

"Strange? In what way?"

Savannah opened her mouth but suddenly she remembered to whom she was speaking.

This is so wrong. Arden is going to kill me if he ever hears of this.

Before he could react, she stood up and excused herself.

"I'm sorry Professor. I overstepped my boundaries. Just forget this conversation, please." She turned around and hurried towards the castle, leaving him to stare after her, concerning and wondering just whom he had married in the future.