Author's Note: Thank you to all of my readers for being so patient with me. My apologies for taking so very long to update. We had no internet access for ten days, and I've hit a few other obstacles along the way (rambling details to come at my Yahoo group), so I've been unable to post the matierial that I've been working on. In the meantime, I reread what I had written, and decided that I wasn't happy with it, so I scrapped it all and am rewriting the next few chapters. I can not make any promises, but I will try to update much more frequently now that I'm getting myself back on track.

I hope this chapter was worth the wait... all questions, comments and constructive criticism are welcome if you would like to review!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters and settings from the series are copyright JK Rowling. They are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.

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Despite his exhaustion and the Dreamless Sleep potion that he had taken, Severus had a hard time sleeping again that night, only drifting off for short periods of time. It seemed as though each time he would find himself on the verge of sleep, he would be startled awake by Poppy checking in on him. He had no patience for the nurse hovering over him like a mother hen, but it was more than just his lack of energy that prevented him from railing at her each time she entered the room. He knew that his protests, no matter how vehement, would do no good... Not even Severus' usual acerbic temper could put Poppy Pomfrey off her duties. Thus, he found the quickest way to get rid of her was to acquiesce to her ministrations.

When he heard his door open once again early that morning, he closed his eyes hoping that by feigning sleep he could put her off for a bit longer. It was only when he heard the patter of small feet that he opened his eyes. Looking up, he saw Samuel toddling into the room, Hermione smiling behind him as their son made his way to Severus' bed, squealed and reached him arms up to his father. Severus smiled in return, and patted the edge of the bed, urging the boy to come sit by his side. Several moments later, with some assistance from Hermione, Samuel was seated contently on his father's lap, smiling brightly as he babbled in delight.

"Look how much you've grown!" Severus smiled wistfully as he spoke to his son, his voice sounding just a bit stronger than it had the previous night.

"Faa..."

"Ah!" Severus gasped as his eyes misted over, "So it wasn't a dream? You really did call for me?" Severus pulled the child into his arms and placed a loving kiss to his temple as Samuel lay down on his chest and attempted to wrap his tiny arms around his father's neck.

Hermione situated herself on the bed, lying down next to Severus and tossing her arm around both of them, "He has missed you so much, Severus," she sighed, "So have I," she continued in a hushed voice as she leaned in to kiss him. As he turned his head to capture her soft lips, Hermione let out a soft sob, "Don't ever leave us again."

Severus said nothing as he reached out to pull her into a gentle embrace, stroking her hair as she laid her head on his shoulder. After holding her for a while, he cleared his throat and asked, "How are you feeling?"

Chuckling, Hermione responded, "I should be asking you that!"

Severus closed his eyes for a moment, "I will be fine."

"Will be? Does that mean you aren't feeling any better this morning?" Hermione's eyes narrowed in concern.

Severus shook his head slightly and snapped in frustration, "I will be better when I can come home! Merlin, I hate being here... Poppy fussing over me, ordering me to sleep, only to barge in here every hour to check on me, disrupting the little sleep that I have managed thus far and then chastising me for being awake..."

"You must be feeling somewhat better," Hermione chuckled, shushing him as she reached a finger to his lips, "Last night you could barely speak more than two words."

Severus reached to grasp her hand, twining his fingers into hers, "You still haven't told me how you have been feeling."

"Tired..." Hermione groaned, "Utterly exhausted is more like it. But now that you're home... and awake... I've managed a decent night's sleep for the first time since you left..." she paused, not wanting to discuss the morning of his departure, fearing that it might lead to an argument.

But it was too late, Severus furrowed his brow as he remembered that morning, "I shouldn't have left like that... I can't expect you to forgive me, but I hope you understand why I had to...."

"I can't say that I do," Hermione frowned, "I knew then that I wouldn't be able to stop you from going, but it hurt to find you gone... without saying goodbye."

"I never meant to hurt you," Severus whispered as he held her tighter.

Deep in thought, Hermione chewed her lip. On one hand, she wanted to rant and rave and let him know exactly how much he did hurt her. On the other hand, he was home now, and she didn't want to waste precious time arguing with him, for fear that it would end as badly as their last argument. Inhaling deeply, she raised her head to look him in the eye as she replied firmly, "You did, but it's time to move past that. I'm just so relieved to have you back..."

A knock on the door interrupted them. Hermione looked up as Severus hissed, "Poppy... can't that woman let me have more than a few moments of peace!"

The door creaked open as a head poked around the corner, and Severus sighed in relief to find that it wasn't Poppy at all. It was Elizabeth, who smiled brightly as she entered the room. "Severus! How wonderful..." she sighed as she crossed over to the bed, leaning in to place a kiss on his cheek before straightening up to stand with her hands firmly on her hips as she chastised him. "You gave us quite a fright!"

Severus couldn't help the flush of color rising to his cheeks. He was still unused to having people worry about his welfare. And the thought that he might have also hurt this woman, who had graciously accepted him into her family with open arms, entrusting him with the welfare of her daughter and grandchildren... it made him feel something that was quite new to him. For the first time in recent memory, he felt shame for disappointing one of the few people that he considered a friend. Before Hermione had come into his life, he had never feared disappointing anybody, aside from Albus. But now, he had a family... including Elizabeth and, much to his chagrin, even Remus. People he cared about, who cared in return. Before he could contemplate this very long, Elizabeth's stern demeanor gave way to her usual gentleness as she smiled at him once again, reaching to place a soft hand on his head, brushing back his hair in a motherly fashion, "It's quite a relief to have you back with us, Severus. We've missed you."

Severus opened his mouth to speak, but found himself at a loss for words. He finally croaked a weak, "Thank you," as he reached up go squeeze her hand.

"Where's Remus?" Hermione asked.

"He's meeting with the Headmaster. He will be along in a few minutes, and then we're going down for breakfast. I thought I'd come by to see if you would like us to take Samuel as well."

Just then, Remus entered the room accompainied by Professor Dumbledore, who smiled at Hermione as he spoke, "Why don't you go along with your mother, Hermione. Remus and I need to speak with Severus."

Hermione, wanting to stay, opened her mouth to protest, but upon meeting Severus' gaze she realized that he wished for some time to speak to the Headmaster privately. She leaned in to place a soft kiss on his temple as she assisted Samuel off of the bed, and taking her son's hand, followed her mother out of the room.

*****

After breakfast, Elizabeth took Samuel back to his room for a morning nap while Hermione returned to the infirmary. Hearing the rumble of low voices as she approached Severus' room, she paused for a moment outside of the door.

"You know what you have to do," she heard Albus' voice through the crack in the door, and was suprised when she recognized the voice responding, "Yes, sir," as belonging to Draco. She hadn't known that he was there, as well, and wondered exactly what it was that they were planning. Hoping to hear more, yet not wanting to intrude on anything important, she waited to be sure that their conversation had ended before she raised her hand and tapped lightly on the door as she cracked it opened.

"Hermione! Come in, my dear," Albus smiled as he rose to his feet to exit the room, "We were just leaving."

Trailing close behind the Headmaster, Draco acknowledged her presence with only a slight nod of his head as he passed her on his way out. Hermione furrowed her brow as she turned to face her husband and Remus, "Well?"

Remus walked towards the door, pausing to embrace her as he left, "I'll leave you two alone."

"Mum's in the dungeon with Samuel," Hermione called softly after him, as he walked away. He turned and shot her a gentle smile, nodding his thanks as he left.

Turning back to Severus, Hermione tried to meet his eyes, but he avoided meeting her gaze.

"Please, Severus," she asked quietly, but firmly, "I want to know what's going on. Why was Draco's presence necessary during your meeting with Professor Dumbledore?"

Severus sighed and beckoned her closer to the bed, reaching for her hand and pulling her down for a soft kiss.

"Don't try to distract me, Severus," Hermione chided, causing Severus to chuckle softly before he finally met her eyes, his own eyes looking serious.

Hermione eased herself onto the bed beside him, and he pulled her close, tightening his arms around her as he held her in the circle of his arms. Gone was the weakness that had been present the night before, as he clutched her posessively to his chest. He still didn't speak as he rubbed gentle circles on her back. Not sure if he would speak without a bit of prompting, Hermione asked again, "What is it?"

Severus sighed as he began, "Draco is going to take over my classes until I am... up to it."

"I already know that. But there's more to it, isn't there?"

He smirked, "I should know better than to try to keep anything from you."

"You shouldn't have to keep anything from me," Hermione replied indignantly.

"I only want to protect you..." Severus reached to place a finger on her lips, stopping the sharp retort that he knew would be coming if he let her speak at the moment. "But, I suppose that are some things that you ought to know."

"Like what?"

"As I was saying, Draco will be taking over the potions classes for the time being. First of all, I am in no condition to teach as of yet. Second, I want to be as close to you as possible until... the baby is born."

"Severus," Hermione tutted at him, "that is not what you were going to say!"

"You're right. It's not," he admitted, "I want to be as close to you as possible until Lucius is caught."

"That's what I've wanted all along," Hermione breathed in a sigh of relief.

"I know, and I was a fool to leave you time and again," he paused in contemplation, "but now is not the time to dwell on that. There is more."

Hermione raised an eyebrow as he continued, "Draco will be picking up where I left off in the search for Lucius."

"What?" Hermione squealed.

"He's the only person who knows Lucius' habits as well as I. He may even be aware of some holdings that I am not aware of, and any Death Eater contacts who may have avoided prison. Draco is the best source of inside information that we could hope to have..."

Hermione furrowed her brow, "There are more Death Eaters out there?"

"Aside from Lucius, The highest ranked Death Eaters are all either dead or in Azkaban. Yet, there are a number of supporters who remain free, just waiting for a new leader to come along." Severus inhaled sharply before he continued, "Lucius Malfoy is a powerful wizard, both magically and influentially, and will make nearly as compelling a leader as Voldemort ever was."

"I think I understand, now... you weren't just out there to protect your family, you were out there to stop the man who, given the chance to organize his army, could very well become the next Dark Lord."

"Either way, it all comes back to protecting my family, love," Severus replied, his voice growing stronger with emotion as he continued, "I don't want my children growing up during a new reign of terror. Not only because of the fear and the danger, but because I don't want them faced with the same temptations that lured me in..."

"We would not let it happen!" Hermione whispered vehemently.

"I've seen it happen far too often," Severus rasped, "And what better way for Lucius to get back at me than to lure my own children into his..."

"No!" Hermione demanded, "You must stop thinking this way...

"The only thing I must do, Hermione, is stop Lucius Malfoy!" Severus hissed as he pulled her tightly against his chest.