Even a good night's sleep had not changed her parents' minds or abated their anger. Hermione had held her ground; she would not leave Severus, she chose to stay and honor her marriage vows. If she left with them she'd have to go back to living as a Muggle-an impossible solution.
Her parents were so terribly hurt and angry that they had decided to leave altogether.
Hermione knocked on their door the next morning to find them both packing, ready to leave. Her mother snapped her suitcase shut and turned to her.
"Well, don't you have a portkey for us?"
"Mum, dad, please don't leave. If you would just give Severus a chance-"
"Our minds are made up, Hermione. We're leaving." Her mother said as her father silently busied himself with his luggage.
"Won't you at least stay for breakfast? Severus won't be joining us, I promise." Hermione begged. She hadn't seen her parents for months, and couldn't bear for them to leave on such a sour note.
However angry and disapproving her mum and dad were, they were still good people; all their daughter wanted was to have breakfast with them, how could they refuse?
"We'll be down in a minute, Hermione." Her father said
Hermione's face instantly brightened. "Oh, brilliant, I'll tell the elves!"
The elves-despite their fierce loyalty to Severus-were delighted to serve the two extra guests. Heaps of pancakes, fruit and eggs covered the table.
Her parents ate happily and they talked about everything, from Hermione's family to news of the Muggle world and what had been going on at Hogwarts.
It was just like old times.
Soon, the plates and bowls were empty and it was time for her parents to leave.
"Do you really have to leave? I'm sure if we all sat down and discussed everything-"
Her father shook his head. "Hermione, we shouldn't be here and you know it. This isn't our world, it never was. But you're a part of it now. You go to that school, you fell under that law, and you're married to that-"
"That what?" Hermione demanded. She could understand her parents' concern, but they had behaved horribly towards Severus and she would not allow another insult.
"That man, Hermione. Your father and I wouldn't be half as concerned if that law had married you to a boy of your own age, believe me. But he changed the list to have you for himself."
"No, mum, I've told you before what happened was an accident-"
"Hermione, you can't truly believe that! That man is conniving and a sneak."
"No, you're wrong."
"We want you to leave with us, Hermione. Please come home."
Hermione held her ground. "I am home. I want to stay here. Despite what you and dad think, Severus is a good man."
"I wish I could believe that, Hermione, really I do. But having you here with him-I mean he's a full-grown man, Hermione, not one of those schoolboys you've brought home like Ron or Harry, but a man. A man has certain needs-"
"I know mum, but he'd never…"
"You don't know that, has he even mentioned sex to you at all?"
"Well, no. Not really."
"If he does anything to upset you, Hermione. Promise me you'll come home."
"But-"
"Promise me!"
"All right, I promise." Hermione relented, nearly in tears.
"Good-bye Hermione." Her father said as he hugged and kissed her on the cheek.
With a subtle 'bamf' noise, her parents disappeared from sight, the portkey taking them back to the kitchen of their Muggle house.
Hermione let the tears fall down her face as she stood in the foyer. "Mum, dad." She whispered, hoping they'd hear her and come back.
In Hermione's sadness, she did not realize that Severus was in the library, peeking out the door to listen.
He'd heard everything.
