Disclaimer: See Prologue

Alenor- He is mean, isn't he? Cody is NOT a brat! Humph! Lol. Things are getting better, though.

Anarane Anwamane- Couldn't agree more. However, that's part of what makes these pairings work, is it not?

WiccaWitch- Is it Zabini? I've always used Zambini. Thank you for correcting me...I'm in the process of changing it now.

SevviesMistress- Here you go. Don't kill the messenger, though! Sev cannot be out of character just yet!

For your reviews! You guys are all awesome!

Please, please, PLEASE don't kill me for this chapter! I know how frustrating it is! Believe me, I was frustrated as I wrote it! Okay...after this chapter there will be a total of two more chapters and an epilogue. Or so. As an estimate. They aren't written yet, so I don't know quite how long they'll be and such.

Kisses!

Allison

Chapter 7

"Professor Rogers...am I doing this correctly?" Crystal walked over to the young girl that had raised her hand. She peered into the potion and then at the rest of the prepared ingrediants.

"You're doing admirably, Miss Harris." She said, reassuringly. The young girl who had accidentally poisoned her professor's pride and ego had taken quite the blow. As, Crystal noted, had her self-esteem. She longed for praise, asking about even the smallest steps first. Crystal had been patient with her, but she had no doubt in her mind that Severus would not be. "And Miss Harris...please try to stop asking about every small step...Professor Snape will be back next week and you would not want to be on the sharp side of his tongue again."

She watched the young girl visibly flinch and felt badly...but she could not afford to pamper the girl when she was only here for a week. Jezebel Harris, however, was the first to place her labeled vial on the desk. She then returned to her seat. When the last vial was on her desk, Crystal stood once more. "Your assignment for the night is to read chapter four in your texts and turn in a minimum half a foot of parchment, maximum two feet of parchment essay on the Likiner's Headache Draught..." The door flew open with a slam and the entire class looked over to see their Potions Professor standing there...his face gaunt and pale but fierce as he glared at their beloved substitute.

"YOU DARE!" He roared.

Crystal continued speaking in a mild voice, though the students nearest to her could see the anguish begin in her eyes. "To be turned in next class. And please, Miss Harris, remain within the limits. Likiner's is not nearly as interesting as some of the potions you will study in your upper years. Class dismissed." As the students filed out, Severus made his way to her.

"WHAT do you think you are doing, MISS GRANGER! Not only are you NOT properly trained, but you have NO EXPERIENCE!" Crystal closed her eyes and mentally counted down from five before turning to the irate Potion's Master.

"How do you know whether I am or am not trained? Have you been there for me in the three and a half years that I was gone? Have you kept tabs on my every move? For your information, Professor Snape, I do have the training. As for the experience...I imagine ANY teaching method is better than sneering in your students' faces and FORCING them to make mistakes!"

"How dare you insinuate such a thing..." Severus' voice was deadly soft.

"Oh, I dare, Severus. I very much dare." Crystal spun and began picking up the potions, placing them on the shelf. "See this one? Grady Krauss made this. You know, this generation's Neville Longbottom? It's perfect, I already checked it and tested it." She shoved the vial into his hand and he nearly dropped it before setting it aside. "And the poor girl who accidentally botched the Truth Serum? Whose fault was that, Severus? Hers for being too much like me or yours for leaning over her sneering and getting your greasy hair in her way?"

"GET OUT!" Severus had been stuttering up till then...now he roared.

"I do NOT think so, Severus Augustus Snape!" She spun back to him. "I will leave when I am ready to, not a moment before! You will remain in your quarters in your bed for the rest of this week and then I will be out of your life for forever. I will take OUR son and go back to America. DOES THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY!"

"NOTHING CONCERNING YOU MAKES ME HAPPY!" He shouted back before turning on his heel and fleeing the dungeons. Crystal stood there staring after him for a few moments before turning and spying Jezebel Harris and her best friend Larry Robensen slowly packing up and watching her with wide eyes.

"Was there something you needed?" She asked, her voice soft once more.

"No thank you professor..." Jezebel hesitated in the doorway. "Our son?"

Crystal sighed and slumped into the chair behind the desk. The students at Hogwarts loved Cody and spoiled him greatly. "Yes, Miss Harris...Severus Snape is, unfortunately, Cody's father."

"I think that's sweet." The First Year said, softly. "Everybody deserves love...even Professor Snape." Crystal looked up in surprise. "Be good to him, Professor...I don't know if he knows how to love."

Crystal had to clear her throat to speak. "Of course, Miss Harris. Good day."

"Good Day." Jezebel smiled at the weary substitute Professor before walking out with Larry on her heels, leaving Crys to think on what she'd been told.

SCENEBREAKSCENEBREAKSCENEBREAK

Severus bitterly flung a rock out over the lake, watching it skip before picking up another. He heard the soft rustle of clothing and didn't turn, even when Albus Dumbledore appeared at his side. "A dreary afternoon. Wouldn't you agree, Severus?"

"Horrible." Severus mutterd darkly as he flung another rock.

"Ah well...Silver linings and such..." Albus said mildly.

"Was there something you wanted, Albus?" Severus snapped as he flung another rock.

"No, my dear boy, not at all..." Albus said, softly. "I just thought you may need an ear."

"I rather think I've already opened my mouth plenty today." Severus said, ever self deprecating. "She's teaching my students better than I did, Albus!" He said, unhappily.

"You do tend to take out your problems on your students." Albus said. "Miss Rogers spares them the brunt of her temper."

"I just...I can't seem to be anything but nasty to her!" Severus continued talking as if Albus had not spoken. "I see her...and my relief at her is so great that I scare myself and drive her away...I haven't even looked twice at my son...my son, Albus! I never thought I was going to be a father. I never thought anyone would touch me willingly." He shuddered and flung another rock. He didn't notice Albus' exit or the approach of tiny feet until he heard a soft, child's voice.

"Hi." Severus spun and looked down, ready to rail at the student who dared disturb him, when he spotted a black-haired toddler and all thoughts of snarling at him evaporated.

"Hello. Did you escape your grandmum?" Severus asked. Annelise was never far away from Cody when Crystal wasn't around.

"Uh-huh. Nana was Patting." Cody said, softly. "Up!" He suddenly demanded, holding his arms to his father. Severus blinked and leaned down, picking him up. The moment he held his son, Severus felt something inside of him break. Or...melt? It was a good feeling. "I get to go home tomowwow." Cody said proudly and Severus frowned slightly. "I has lots of toys that I touldn't bring. I misses them." The three-year-old explained solemnly.

"I see. Does your Mummy buy you toys?"

"Uh-Huh! Sometimes. Mama was fired, though, so she tan't buy me any more for a while." Cody frowned. "Her boss yelled at her betause Uncle Draco came to visit her at work and had a fight."

"I see." Severus said. It was so easy to talk to his son! He'd been afraid it would be hard.

"She says that when she gets a new job, we tan telbrate and she get me a toy!" Cody smiled, unhappiness at the thought of his precious mother being yelled at disappearing.

"Does your daddy get you toys?" Severus asked, hesitantly. Had his Hermione fallen in love while she'd been gone?

"No. Mama says he loves me...I don't get to see him 'til I'm older, though." Cody explained. "Mommy gets sad when I ask about Daddy...so I don't ask." Severus was amazed at his son's vocabulary. Suddenly, he heard a frantic voice.

"CODY AUGUSTUS ROGERS-GRANGER-SNAPE!" Crystal's voice was shrill with worry.

Severus looked down at the young boy who looked slightly worried before he spoke. "It seems that your Mum is looking for you, Cody." At his son's pout, Severus hid a smile. "And it is rather cold out here for you to be without a cloak...so come along..." Severus wrapped his own cloak around his son and carried him towards the castle. It was a long enough walk and Cody was tired enough that he fell asleep in his father's arms on the way. After adjusting the cloak so that Cody's head was covered, the Potion's Master continued on. Crystal was on her way out as he moved up the steps to the door.

"Severus...thank god. Have you seen Cody? He's missing!" She all but sobbed. Severus felt himself melt once more before he shook himself out of his stupor and motioned to the bundle in his cloak. "Oh thank you lord..." Crystal whispered before holding the door open for the forbidding Professor. Once inside, she led the way to her rooms.

Severus gently placed Cody in the middle of the king sized bed in Crystal's room before turning to her. "He's...he's a good boy."

"Yes..." Crystal said, gently. "He is." She smiled fondly at her son before she felt her hand gently touched. Eyes wide, she turned and looked up into the face of Severus Snape.

"Crystal...I never told you how much I loved you." He whispered. "I'm sorry...for making you think that I didn't want you or our son." Crystal felt her eyes widening even further.

"Severus..." She breathed. He was leaning down to kiss her when Anne ran in.

"You found him! Thank god! I was so afraid...oh, Hello Severus." The couple had separated swiftly.

"Anne." Severus said softly. "I was just bidding Crystal goodbye...and giving her my best wishes." He said, clearing his throat.

Annelise could have kicked herself as he nodded to Crystal, who began to reach out to him just moments to late. He was gone. Seeing the look on her daughter's face, Anne wished she was a witch so that she could Avada Kedavra herself for interrupting. Oh, her daughter put up a good show...but it didn't take a genius to see that she wasn't truly happy without Severus. And now?

The way things were going, it didn't seem like Crystal would ever get her Prince Charming.