Author's Notes: Mild R rating in this chapter.
Thank you to all who are reading my story. All questions and comments are welcome if you would like to leave a review.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters and places from the books in the series are copyright JK Rowling. They are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.
*****
Chapter 1
Hermione could hardly believe it... standing right there in the doorway, looking weary and disheveled, was the last person she expected to see that night. Her husband... her soulmate... Severus was home. As she met his eyes, he closed the distance between them with a few swift steps, pulling her into his arms as he crushed his lips to hers.
"Hermione," he whispered against her lips, "I've missed you so..."
She couldn't speak... she yearned to tell him how much she had missed him, how worried she had been, and how relieved she was that he was home. But the words wouldn't come. She merely nodded her head and mouthed, "me too..." before pulling him back in for another tearful kiss.
He reached up to tenderly brush the tears from her cheeks as he pulled away. Smiling as he looked into her large brown eyes, he asked, "How is Samuel?"
Hermione took him by the hand and led him over to the crib where their son was sound asleep. Peering in at him, they both smiled. "Merlin, I've missed him!" Severus whispered as he reached in to brush Samuel's silky black hair off of his brow. Samuel's eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, and as they closed again a small smile played on his lips... he was likely to think that it was a pleasant dream.
Severus smiled as he turned back to Hermione, placing his hand on her abdomen and asking, "And how is the baby?" His eyes grew wide as, just a moment after he spoke, he felt the child move within, "I think I just got the answer to my question!"
She nodded as she led him out of the nursery, closing the door behind them before throwing her arms around his neck again as she murmured, "I can't believe you're really home! We've missed you so much... I've been so worried, Severus. Something could have happened to you..."
"But nothing did," he assured her, "I'm fine..."
"And Remus?"
"The same," he replied, "he is off in search of your mother."
"She'll be so relieved. She's tried to be so strong for me, but I know that she has been just as scared as I have..."
Severus reached out to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ears as he looked into her eyes, "Hermione... we didn't find him."
Hermione nodded sadly, "I expected as much."
"We need to continue our search..."
"No! NO, Severus... please! I can't bear it if you leave me again!"
"Shhh..." he tried to soothe her as he pulled her back into his arms.
"I don't want you to go back out there, Severus! It's too dangerous..."
"I'll be fine..." he tried to assure her.
"And the baby could come any day... Samuel was six weeks early, remember?"
"I remember..."
"And it's almost Christmas! Our first Christmas together, Severus! I want you here... I want you alive!"
"I will be," he tried to assure her. "This, I promise you. I will be home for Christmas."
"Don't go back out there, Severus..."
He sighed as he held her closer, "I love you, Hermione. That is why I must do this... for our family."
"But there's so much at stake..."
"There is even more at stake if I don't stop him!"
A cold chill ran down Hermione's spine. She knew that he was right... Lucius Malfoy would stop at nothing to exact his revenge. She only wished that Severus wouldn't insist on being the one to stop him.
"I'm scared..." she choked.
"I know," he reached up to caress her cascade of curly hair as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"When are you going back out there?" she asked hoarsely.
He pulled back and looked directly into her eyes. He would be straight with her... he needed her to know everything, "Possibly tomorrow."
Hermione's knees went weak as she collapsed against him. Severus tightened his hold on her for a moment before leading her to the bed and laying her down. He crawled into the bed beside her, spooning her back to him as he laid there and comforted her until she fell asleep in his arms.
*****
Near dawn, as Hermione was beginning to stir, she rolled over to throw her arm around Severus. She jolted awake when her hand met with an empty spot in the bed. Looking around frantically, she called, "Severus...?"
There was no reply, but as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she was suddenly aware of the sound of water running. She eased herself out of the bed and padded to the bathroom. When she opened the door, the sound of the water led her to find Severus in the shower. She looked around the room, smiling to herself as she found the bathtub full of steaming water and a thick foam of bubbles. Severus always did like to surprise her with a bubble bath in the mornings. It was one of the little things she loved about him... his subtle way of letting her know that she was the first thing on his mind when he awoke in the mornings.
She quickly undressed and slipped into the bath, leaning her head back and closing her eyes while she waited for him to emerge from the shower. She had nearly drifted back to sleep when she suddenly felt a warm hand rubbing soap on her shoulders. Smiling, she cracked her eyes to see Severus' intense gaze as he washed her back.
"Mmm... that feels so good..."
He smiled at her as he shifted his position to reach deeper into the water, rubbing her lower back with a soft washcloth. Hermione reached one of her hands to caress his cheek, laughing as the thick bubbles rubbed off onto his clean-shaven face. He smiled back at her as he said, "I wish there was room in there for me."
Hermione laughed as she patted her abdomen, "Sorry... there's only room for two in here."
Severus leaned in and kissed her, not caring about the bubbles that were tickling his nose, "It's a good thing the bed is plenty big enough for all three of us."
She flashed him a brilliant smile as she braced herself to rise out of the bathtub. She sighed in frustration as she had trouble getting to her feet, and Severus reached out for her hand to assist her. "Easy, now... I don't want you to fall. Maybe baths aren't such a good idea for you anymore..." he narrowed his eyes in concern.
Hermione pouted, "You may be right..." her pout turned into a mischeivous grin, "I guess I'll just have to shower with you from now on."
As Severus wrapped a warm fluffy towel around her and began to pat her dry, he leaned in to kiss her neck. "Maybe... we should check that the bed is still big enough for all three of us."
She whirled around and pulled his head to her for a deep kiss, "Perhaps..."
Severus held her dressing gown up for her to slip her arms through it, and tied it loosely around her protruding belly, before taking her by the hands and leading her back into the bedroom. He slipped into the bed beside her, nuzzling her neck as he nibbled her earlobe. Hermione propped herself over him, slowly dropping her dressing gown back over her shoulders, until it slipped off completely in a crumpled heap on the bed. As she leaned in to kiss him, he murmured, "Not like this..."
"Why not?" she murmured as she continued to kiss him.
"I want to hold you... I need to feel you in my arms," he replied softly as he gently rolled her off of him, moving into position behind her as they lay on their sides, with Hermione's back spooned into the warmth of his torso. His arms slipped around her as he held her tightly, his hands barely moving as they caressed her. One hand slipped down to part her legs, feeling the dampness of her morning bath as he genly rubbed against her before easing himself into her.
"Ah... Severus!" Hermione moaned as he held her like that, barely moving as he gently made love to her.
He leaned in to kiss her shoulder as he tenderly moved behind her, whispering words of love in her ear, "I've missed you..."
"Then don't go..." she cried.
His arms tightened around her as he shuddered with his release, "I love you, Hermione!"
They lay there, Hermione curled into his warm embrace, for a few precious moments before they heard their son fussing in the next room. Severus leaned in and kissed Hermione's cheek before rising out of the bed and pulling on his robe. "Excuse me, my son is calling," he smiled as he strode away. Hermione smiled as she lay there listening to the soft sound of Severus' voice as he murmured to his son.
"Mumumm.. mum..." she heard the happy chatter of her son as they entered the room. She looked up and smiled at the expression of surprise on Severus' face.
"When did he start saying that?" he asked.
"Just yesterday..." she smiled as she held out her arms to him, "Mum-mum is right here, Samuel."
"Mumm... mummmm..." he cooed in delight as he held his little arms out to her. Severus gently settled the child down onto the bed next to Hermione before he eased himself in beside them. He lay there, facing Hermione, with their son in the middle.
"What else have I missed?" he frowned as his hand reached to brush Samuel's hair back from his face.
"Nothing," Hermione smiled, "but I don't suggest you go anywhere for a couple of days if you want to be here for his first steps."
Severus sighed in frustration, "Hermione, I..."
She nodded sadly, "I know, Severus.... but I had to try."
*****
A short while later, they dressed and made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Neither of them had wanted to leave the sanctuary of their quarters, but they knew that there were important issues to discuss with Remus and Albus.
Remus and Elizabeth were already seated at the staff table when Severus and Hermione entered with Samuel. Smiling, Remus rose to his feet, holding his arms out to embrace Hermione and Samuel before they took their seats.
"Oh, Remus! I've missed you," she sighed as she leaned into his arms. He placed a kiss to her brow before leaning in to kiss Samuel. When he pulled away, Hermione could see that he looked just as weary as Severus had the night before, and wondered if he had slept at all. "Are you all right?" she asked.
His mouth turned up into a smile that didnt' quite reach his eyes, "Don't worry about me, Hermione. I'm fine."
Hermione nodded tearfully as she turned to look at her mother, who looked as though she were holding back tears, "Mum?" she asked in concern.
Elizabeth looked up at her and smiled, "Good morning, Hermione," before picking at the food on her plate.
Severus placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder as he ushered her to her seat. They all sat there in silence, barely touching their food as the time passed ever so slowly. They were all grateful to listen to Samuel's happy chatter, as his voice provided a welcome distraction. When the meal was nearly over, Albus peered across the table, "Severus... I would like to see you and Remus in my office this morning."
"Of course, Albus," Severus replied with a curt nod.
"Not without me!" Hermione interjected.
"Hermione... there is no need for you to be involved..." Severus began.
"I'm already involved! My husband and one of my dearest friends are going out there, to face Merlin knows what... and I refuse to be kept in the dark about all of this."
Hermione looked at Albus, pleading with her eyes.
"Of course, Hermione. You have every right to know what is going on. Elizabeth does, as well," he added as he looked over to her mother.
Severus scowled in disapproval, as Remus nodded his head in resignation. Neither of them wanted the women to know the full extent of the danger they may be facing, but knew that they would not win this battle of wills.
Elizabeth barely looked up from her plate as she quietly spoke, "I'll stay behind... with Samuel. Hermione can fill me in later."
Looking at her mother in concern, Hermione's eyes narrowed as she wondered what was wrong. It was not like Elizabeth to be so morose. Even through the worst of the events of the last eighteen months, she always held her head high as she bravely conquered the obstacles that she had been challenged with. Even over the past couple of days, she was a pillar of strength. But this morning, she looked utterly defeated.
Hermione sighed as she leaned in to whisper to Severus, "Perhaps I should stay with Mum instead," she nodded, directing Severus' attention to Elizabeth.
Severus breathed a sigh of relief as he nodded his approval, "Very well..."
As they all began to rise from the table, Hermione looked up at Severus and hissed adamantly, "I want every detail of what goes on up in that office! If you won't tell me, I'll make sure that Professor Dumbledore does!"
Severus scowled at her briefly, his face softening as he read the concern in her eyes. He leaned in to kiss her gently, "I will see you shortly," he assured her.
*****
Hermione and Elizabeth walked in silence to the dungeons, where Elizabeth insisted on being the one to settle Samuel down for his morning nap. While she was occupied in the nursery, Hermione boiled water for tea. She had just poured two steaming mugs when Elizabeth emerged from the nursery. She handed one to her mother as they each took a seat on the sofa in front of the fireplace. They sat in silence for a few moments before Hermione finally spoke up.
"Mum... tell me what is wrong..."
"Nothing, dear," Elizabeth forced a small smile.
"I know you better than that, Mum. I've never seen you like this before. Not even after Dad..." Hermione stopped abruptly as Elizabeth began to cry. Setting her tea on the sofa table, Hermione leaned over to pull her mother into her arms.
"I'm so sorry, Mum... I shouldn't have said anything..."
Elizabeth sniffed, "No, Hermione. You didn't say anything wrong. It's just... I've been thinking about how I lost your father... and now, Remus is in so much danger. What if he doesn't come back? I can't go through a loss like that again!"
Hermione tightened her embrace around her mother, "Mum... I won't lie to you. Severus and Remus are both at great risk, and it scares me to death! But you have to realize.... they've both been through this before. They know what they are doing. We just have to have faith in them..."
Just then, the door swung open. Severus and Remus stalked into the room. Severus was wearing one of his fiercest scowls, and Remus smiled nervously. Hermione let go of her mother, who turned her head to wipe the tears away.
"Well?" Hermione asked nervously.
"Damn Fudge to hell!" Severus hissed.
"Fudge? What's he got to do with this?" Hermione asked in confusion.
Severus ran his hands over his eyes before he turned to look at Hermione, "Think about it, Hermione."
She gasped, "He helped him to escape?"
"Helped him? Ha!" Severus snapped, "I'd say he's solely responsible for it... but we've got no proof."
"Has Albus found out how this happened?"
Remus spoke quietly, "He has his suspiscions... and I would have to say I agree with him."
Severus nodded, "Malfoy has had Fudge in his pocket for years..."
"You think he bought him off?" Hermione gasped.
"Why else would Fudge cover up Malfoy's continued existance and let the world think he was dead?" Severus glowered.
"He claims that he covered it up because he was afraid something like this would happen if any of Lucius' 'friends' knew that he was alive," Remus began to explain.
"He covered it up because Malfoy paid him off!" Severus roared, "If the public had known that he was alive, they would have demanded that he receive the kiss!"
Hermione's eyes were wide, "What is to be done about Fudge?" she asked.
Severus sighed, "Nothing... Not. A. Damn. Thing!" he slammed his fist on the table as his voice grew louder.
"Nobody has any proof of wrongdoing, Hermione," Remus explained, "All we can do is keep a close eye on our esteemed minister, and hope to find some evidence against him."
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, trying to process this new information. She inhaled deeply before she asked, "When do you leave again?"
Severus and Remus exchanged concerned looks, "We need to continue our search, immediately."
"Immediately? As in, you are leaving right now?" Hermione squeaked.
"Tonight," Remus replied as he reached to squeeze her shoulder in reassurance.
She nodded in resignation as she shot a glance to her mother, who's face was pale as she tried to make sense of the situation.
"For how long?" she asked quietly.
"Most likely, another few days," Severus replied as he pulled her into his arms, "But no longer than that. I promise you," he explained, "Albus has agreed that I should not leave you alone for extended periods. I will keep going back out there until we find that bastard, but I can't bear to be away from you for that long. I will be home every three days, if not more often."
Remus cleared his throat as he interrupted, "Hermione... do you still have the ring I gave you last year?"
Hermione gasped, "Of course! Oh, how could I have forgotten?" she rushed to her dressing table and opened a small trinket box. She pulled out the small ring that was mounted with a crystal orb. As she walked back to the sofa, Remus pulled a matching crystal orb from his pocket and handed it to Severus.
"I charmed these last year as a means of communication if Hermione needed assistance," he started to explain.
"Ah... yes. I seem to remember it turning blood red the night that Samuel was born," Severus nodded as the purpose of the crystal dawned on him.
"Exactly. It will range in colors from pale yellow to shades of orange and red, depending on the urgency of Hermione's situation," Remus smiled, "I think, Severus, that this one should belong to you now."
Severus closed his fist around the crystal, closing his eyes as he nodded his approval, "Thank you, Remus."
Elizabeth looked to Remus in gratitude. For the first time that day, she smiled, as she reached for his hand, "Yes... thank you..."
Thank you to all who are reading my story. All questions and comments are welcome if you would like to leave a review.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters and places from the books in the series are copyright JK Rowling. They are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.
*****
Chapter 1
Hermione could hardly believe it... standing right there in the doorway, looking weary and disheveled, was the last person she expected to see that night. Her husband... her soulmate... Severus was home. As she met his eyes, he closed the distance between them with a few swift steps, pulling her into his arms as he crushed his lips to hers.
"Hermione," he whispered against her lips, "I've missed you so..."
She couldn't speak... she yearned to tell him how much she had missed him, how worried she had been, and how relieved she was that he was home. But the words wouldn't come. She merely nodded her head and mouthed, "me too..." before pulling him back in for another tearful kiss.
He reached up to tenderly brush the tears from her cheeks as he pulled away. Smiling as he looked into her large brown eyes, he asked, "How is Samuel?"
Hermione took him by the hand and led him over to the crib where their son was sound asleep. Peering in at him, they both smiled. "Merlin, I've missed him!" Severus whispered as he reached in to brush Samuel's silky black hair off of his brow. Samuel's eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, and as they closed again a small smile played on his lips... he was likely to think that it was a pleasant dream.
Severus smiled as he turned back to Hermione, placing his hand on her abdomen and asking, "And how is the baby?" His eyes grew wide as, just a moment after he spoke, he felt the child move within, "I think I just got the answer to my question!"
She nodded as she led him out of the nursery, closing the door behind them before throwing her arms around his neck again as she murmured, "I can't believe you're really home! We've missed you so much... I've been so worried, Severus. Something could have happened to you..."
"But nothing did," he assured her, "I'm fine..."
"And Remus?"
"The same," he replied, "he is off in search of your mother."
"She'll be so relieved. She's tried to be so strong for me, but I know that she has been just as scared as I have..."
Severus reached out to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ears as he looked into her eyes, "Hermione... we didn't find him."
Hermione nodded sadly, "I expected as much."
"We need to continue our search..."
"No! NO, Severus... please! I can't bear it if you leave me again!"
"Shhh..." he tried to soothe her as he pulled her back into his arms.
"I don't want you to go back out there, Severus! It's too dangerous..."
"I'll be fine..." he tried to assure her.
"And the baby could come any day... Samuel was six weeks early, remember?"
"I remember..."
"And it's almost Christmas! Our first Christmas together, Severus! I want you here... I want you alive!"
"I will be," he tried to assure her. "This, I promise you. I will be home for Christmas."
"Don't go back out there, Severus..."
He sighed as he held her closer, "I love you, Hermione. That is why I must do this... for our family."
"But there's so much at stake..."
"There is even more at stake if I don't stop him!"
A cold chill ran down Hermione's spine. She knew that he was right... Lucius Malfoy would stop at nothing to exact his revenge. She only wished that Severus wouldn't insist on being the one to stop him.
"I'm scared..." she choked.
"I know," he reached up to caress her cascade of curly hair as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"When are you going back out there?" she asked hoarsely.
He pulled back and looked directly into her eyes. He would be straight with her... he needed her to know everything, "Possibly tomorrow."
Hermione's knees went weak as she collapsed against him. Severus tightened his hold on her for a moment before leading her to the bed and laying her down. He crawled into the bed beside her, spooning her back to him as he laid there and comforted her until she fell asleep in his arms.
*****
Near dawn, as Hermione was beginning to stir, she rolled over to throw her arm around Severus. She jolted awake when her hand met with an empty spot in the bed. Looking around frantically, she called, "Severus...?"
There was no reply, but as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she was suddenly aware of the sound of water running. She eased herself out of the bed and padded to the bathroom. When she opened the door, the sound of the water led her to find Severus in the shower. She looked around the room, smiling to herself as she found the bathtub full of steaming water and a thick foam of bubbles. Severus always did like to surprise her with a bubble bath in the mornings. It was one of the little things she loved about him... his subtle way of letting her know that she was the first thing on his mind when he awoke in the mornings.
She quickly undressed and slipped into the bath, leaning her head back and closing her eyes while she waited for him to emerge from the shower. She had nearly drifted back to sleep when she suddenly felt a warm hand rubbing soap on her shoulders. Smiling, she cracked her eyes to see Severus' intense gaze as he washed her back.
"Mmm... that feels so good..."
He smiled at her as he shifted his position to reach deeper into the water, rubbing her lower back with a soft washcloth. Hermione reached one of her hands to caress his cheek, laughing as the thick bubbles rubbed off onto his clean-shaven face. He smiled back at her as he said, "I wish there was room in there for me."
Hermione laughed as she patted her abdomen, "Sorry... there's only room for two in here."
Severus leaned in and kissed her, not caring about the bubbles that were tickling his nose, "It's a good thing the bed is plenty big enough for all three of us."
She flashed him a brilliant smile as she braced herself to rise out of the bathtub. She sighed in frustration as she had trouble getting to her feet, and Severus reached out for her hand to assist her. "Easy, now... I don't want you to fall. Maybe baths aren't such a good idea for you anymore..." he narrowed his eyes in concern.
Hermione pouted, "You may be right..." her pout turned into a mischeivous grin, "I guess I'll just have to shower with you from now on."
As Severus wrapped a warm fluffy towel around her and began to pat her dry, he leaned in to kiss her neck. "Maybe... we should check that the bed is still big enough for all three of us."
She whirled around and pulled his head to her for a deep kiss, "Perhaps..."
Severus held her dressing gown up for her to slip her arms through it, and tied it loosely around her protruding belly, before taking her by the hands and leading her back into the bedroom. He slipped into the bed beside her, nuzzling her neck as he nibbled her earlobe. Hermione propped herself over him, slowly dropping her dressing gown back over her shoulders, until it slipped off completely in a crumpled heap on the bed. As she leaned in to kiss him, he murmured, "Not like this..."
"Why not?" she murmured as she continued to kiss him.
"I want to hold you... I need to feel you in my arms," he replied softly as he gently rolled her off of him, moving into position behind her as they lay on their sides, with Hermione's back spooned into the warmth of his torso. His arms slipped around her as he held her tightly, his hands barely moving as they caressed her. One hand slipped down to part her legs, feeling the dampness of her morning bath as he genly rubbed against her before easing himself into her.
"Ah... Severus!" Hermione moaned as he held her like that, barely moving as he gently made love to her.
He leaned in to kiss her shoulder as he tenderly moved behind her, whispering words of love in her ear, "I've missed you..."
"Then don't go..." she cried.
His arms tightened around her as he shuddered with his release, "I love you, Hermione!"
They lay there, Hermione curled into his warm embrace, for a few precious moments before they heard their son fussing in the next room. Severus leaned in and kissed Hermione's cheek before rising out of the bed and pulling on his robe. "Excuse me, my son is calling," he smiled as he strode away. Hermione smiled as she lay there listening to the soft sound of Severus' voice as he murmured to his son.
"Mumumm.. mum..." she heard the happy chatter of her son as they entered the room. She looked up and smiled at the expression of surprise on Severus' face.
"When did he start saying that?" he asked.
"Just yesterday..." she smiled as she held out her arms to him, "Mum-mum is right here, Samuel."
"Mumm... mummmm..." he cooed in delight as he held his little arms out to her. Severus gently settled the child down onto the bed next to Hermione before he eased himself in beside them. He lay there, facing Hermione, with their son in the middle.
"What else have I missed?" he frowned as his hand reached to brush Samuel's hair back from his face.
"Nothing," Hermione smiled, "but I don't suggest you go anywhere for a couple of days if you want to be here for his first steps."
Severus sighed in frustration, "Hermione, I..."
She nodded sadly, "I know, Severus.... but I had to try."
*****
A short while later, they dressed and made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Neither of them had wanted to leave the sanctuary of their quarters, but they knew that there were important issues to discuss with Remus and Albus.
Remus and Elizabeth were already seated at the staff table when Severus and Hermione entered with Samuel. Smiling, Remus rose to his feet, holding his arms out to embrace Hermione and Samuel before they took their seats.
"Oh, Remus! I've missed you," she sighed as she leaned into his arms. He placed a kiss to her brow before leaning in to kiss Samuel. When he pulled away, Hermione could see that he looked just as weary as Severus had the night before, and wondered if he had slept at all. "Are you all right?" she asked.
His mouth turned up into a smile that didnt' quite reach his eyes, "Don't worry about me, Hermione. I'm fine."
Hermione nodded tearfully as she turned to look at her mother, who looked as though she were holding back tears, "Mum?" she asked in concern.
Elizabeth looked up at her and smiled, "Good morning, Hermione," before picking at the food on her plate.
Severus placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder as he ushered her to her seat. They all sat there in silence, barely touching their food as the time passed ever so slowly. They were all grateful to listen to Samuel's happy chatter, as his voice provided a welcome distraction. When the meal was nearly over, Albus peered across the table, "Severus... I would like to see you and Remus in my office this morning."
"Of course, Albus," Severus replied with a curt nod.
"Not without me!" Hermione interjected.
"Hermione... there is no need for you to be involved..." Severus began.
"I'm already involved! My husband and one of my dearest friends are going out there, to face Merlin knows what... and I refuse to be kept in the dark about all of this."
Hermione looked at Albus, pleading with her eyes.
"Of course, Hermione. You have every right to know what is going on. Elizabeth does, as well," he added as he looked over to her mother.
Severus scowled in disapproval, as Remus nodded his head in resignation. Neither of them wanted the women to know the full extent of the danger they may be facing, but knew that they would not win this battle of wills.
Elizabeth barely looked up from her plate as she quietly spoke, "I'll stay behind... with Samuel. Hermione can fill me in later."
Looking at her mother in concern, Hermione's eyes narrowed as she wondered what was wrong. It was not like Elizabeth to be so morose. Even through the worst of the events of the last eighteen months, she always held her head high as she bravely conquered the obstacles that she had been challenged with. Even over the past couple of days, she was a pillar of strength. But this morning, she looked utterly defeated.
Hermione sighed as she leaned in to whisper to Severus, "Perhaps I should stay with Mum instead," she nodded, directing Severus' attention to Elizabeth.
Severus breathed a sigh of relief as he nodded his approval, "Very well..."
As they all began to rise from the table, Hermione looked up at Severus and hissed adamantly, "I want every detail of what goes on up in that office! If you won't tell me, I'll make sure that Professor Dumbledore does!"
Severus scowled at her briefly, his face softening as he read the concern in her eyes. He leaned in to kiss her gently, "I will see you shortly," he assured her.
*****
Hermione and Elizabeth walked in silence to the dungeons, where Elizabeth insisted on being the one to settle Samuel down for his morning nap. While she was occupied in the nursery, Hermione boiled water for tea. She had just poured two steaming mugs when Elizabeth emerged from the nursery. She handed one to her mother as they each took a seat on the sofa in front of the fireplace. They sat in silence for a few moments before Hermione finally spoke up.
"Mum... tell me what is wrong..."
"Nothing, dear," Elizabeth forced a small smile.
"I know you better than that, Mum. I've never seen you like this before. Not even after Dad..." Hermione stopped abruptly as Elizabeth began to cry. Setting her tea on the sofa table, Hermione leaned over to pull her mother into her arms.
"I'm so sorry, Mum... I shouldn't have said anything..."
Elizabeth sniffed, "No, Hermione. You didn't say anything wrong. It's just... I've been thinking about how I lost your father... and now, Remus is in so much danger. What if he doesn't come back? I can't go through a loss like that again!"
Hermione tightened her embrace around her mother, "Mum... I won't lie to you. Severus and Remus are both at great risk, and it scares me to death! But you have to realize.... they've both been through this before. They know what they are doing. We just have to have faith in them..."
Just then, the door swung open. Severus and Remus stalked into the room. Severus was wearing one of his fiercest scowls, and Remus smiled nervously. Hermione let go of her mother, who turned her head to wipe the tears away.
"Well?" Hermione asked nervously.
"Damn Fudge to hell!" Severus hissed.
"Fudge? What's he got to do with this?" Hermione asked in confusion.
Severus ran his hands over his eyes before he turned to look at Hermione, "Think about it, Hermione."
She gasped, "He helped him to escape?"
"Helped him? Ha!" Severus snapped, "I'd say he's solely responsible for it... but we've got no proof."
"Has Albus found out how this happened?"
Remus spoke quietly, "He has his suspiscions... and I would have to say I agree with him."
Severus nodded, "Malfoy has had Fudge in his pocket for years..."
"You think he bought him off?" Hermione gasped.
"Why else would Fudge cover up Malfoy's continued existance and let the world think he was dead?" Severus glowered.
"He claims that he covered it up because he was afraid something like this would happen if any of Lucius' 'friends' knew that he was alive," Remus began to explain.
"He covered it up because Malfoy paid him off!" Severus roared, "If the public had known that he was alive, they would have demanded that he receive the kiss!"
Hermione's eyes were wide, "What is to be done about Fudge?" she asked.
Severus sighed, "Nothing... Not. A. Damn. Thing!" he slammed his fist on the table as his voice grew louder.
"Nobody has any proof of wrongdoing, Hermione," Remus explained, "All we can do is keep a close eye on our esteemed minister, and hope to find some evidence against him."
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, trying to process this new information. She inhaled deeply before she asked, "When do you leave again?"
Severus and Remus exchanged concerned looks, "We need to continue our search, immediately."
"Immediately? As in, you are leaving right now?" Hermione squeaked.
"Tonight," Remus replied as he reached to squeeze her shoulder in reassurance.
She nodded in resignation as she shot a glance to her mother, who's face was pale as she tried to make sense of the situation.
"For how long?" she asked quietly.
"Most likely, another few days," Severus replied as he pulled her into his arms, "But no longer than that. I promise you," he explained, "Albus has agreed that I should not leave you alone for extended periods. I will keep going back out there until we find that bastard, but I can't bear to be away from you for that long. I will be home every three days, if not more often."
Remus cleared his throat as he interrupted, "Hermione... do you still have the ring I gave you last year?"
Hermione gasped, "Of course! Oh, how could I have forgotten?" she rushed to her dressing table and opened a small trinket box. She pulled out the small ring that was mounted with a crystal orb. As she walked back to the sofa, Remus pulled a matching crystal orb from his pocket and handed it to Severus.
"I charmed these last year as a means of communication if Hermione needed assistance," he started to explain.
"Ah... yes. I seem to remember it turning blood red the night that Samuel was born," Severus nodded as the purpose of the crystal dawned on him.
"Exactly. It will range in colors from pale yellow to shades of orange and red, depending on the urgency of Hermione's situation," Remus smiled, "I think, Severus, that this one should belong to you now."
Severus closed his fist around the crystal, closing his eyes as he nodded his approval, "Thank you, Remus."
Elizabeth looked to Remus in gratitude. For the first time that day, she smiled, as she reached for his hand, "Yes... thank you..."