Them bones, these bones, theremy bones! After the story is finished im going to go through it all and corrected the mistakes.

Chapter 18

"A muggle?" Severus asked rising an eyebrow at the ex-headmaster. The world had gone up in an up-roar when they found out Albus wasn't dead. The ministry had to remove the statue that they had in the lobby in his memory. They also refused to let him become headmaster again, which in fact was what Albus wanted. He didn't want to be the headmaster again; he was ready for his retirement.

"A student muggle. His studding Drama at the local university, just across the road where Hermione is doing her studies too." Albus replied unwrapping a lemon sherbet. "Haven't met him myself but Hermione speaks fondly of him. Lives next door too."

"And how long has this be going on for?" Severus asked trying not to sound interested but failing horribly. Hermione had a boyfriend.

"Just over a year now, his name is Danny Mitchell, comes from France." Albus nodded.

"And you're just telling me now?" Severus face went pale at the name, he had heard it before. He needed to speak to Christina as soon as he could. Hermione had been seeing him for a year? And it was only now that Albus think to tell him. Standing up from the chair, Severus spoke as he made his way to the door. "I've got to go Albus, Chris is expecting me. I have been longer than I originally planned. Good day."

Albus merely smiled and nodded his understanding as he watch the young man leave. His reaction to hearing the boys name was quite interesting. Drinking his tea Albus relaxed back in to the armchair that was in front of the fire. He now lived in his family home instead of Hogwarts. He was glad that Minerva took time from the school to come visit after all she is the woman he was going to spend the rest of his time with. He only hoped that Severus realized that Hermione was the woman for him before it was too late.

When Severus made it back to Hogwarts and to his room he was greeted with the sight of his son walking over to him. Alex had taken his first steps two months before his first birthday; he was now steady and running riot in his rooms.

"Dada da darr!" Alex cried as he grabbed hold of Severus robes.

"Hello, there." Severus said as he knelt to pick Alex up. "Have you seen Chrisy?"

Alex answered by poking Severus in the face. "I'll take that for a no. Let's go find her."

She was on her knees in the study cleaning up all the books that Alex had pulled off. "You need to move these before they get damaged, or put a guard or something in front of them."

"Danny Mitchell." Was all that Severus said as he sat down at the desk, letting Alex run off towards the newly put away books.

Chris stopped and stared at him for a long time before speaking. "What?"

"He is now involved with Miss Granger." Severus replied, his voice cold with anger.

"But he lives in France. It can't be the same one." Chris answered moving over to take Severus hand in hers. She couldn't make out which one was shaking, hers or his. But it being against Severus nature to visually show his emotions she guessed it was hers. When she heard him go onto say he was from France she began to panic. "You need to stop him."

"And how am I going to do that!" Severus cried as he picked up the paper weight of the desk and threw it. It bounced of the floor still in tacked. Alex went over to it and tried to pick it up. "She won't see me, won't even listen to me! Am I just meant to walk up and say 'I ruined your life and your just starting to move on but I don't approve of him find someone else.'?"

"Of course not, she'll hex you to bits." Chris answered trying to soothe the man before her. "Go to him."

Severus looked at her for a few moments, mulling the idea around in his head. He knew were Hermione lived and Albus said he lived next door. He would go to him.

"I'll go now, watch Alex." Severus said and quickly walked out of the door. Once he had heard that she had moved, He had made it his business to know where it was to. He made his way out of Hogwarts and to the apparition border as fast as he could. Once out of bounds he popped out of Scotland to arrive in the west Midlands.

He found the tower of flats easily, it was a dirty building and inside smelt like a public toilet. He made his way up the stairs to the very top. Here there were two doors, one Hermione's and the others the man he had hoped never to see again. Knocking on the second he waited only a seconded before blasting it off its hinges.

He made his way through the small flat and in the bedroom he found him, with a woman that wasn't Hermione. He was cheating on her as well.

Danny looked confused as to who would be braking into his flat and as he finally cleared his eyes of sleep he was faced with his nightmare. "Snape? What do you want?"

Hermione stood outside the door waiting for Danny to answer. She hadn't seen him since Wednesday, it was now Friday and Hermione had just come back from the restaurant they were meant to meet at. She hadn't been worried about him not phoning her or popping in to see her, after all he was at uni and find time when they both had free time was hard but never had he stood her up before.

She knocked a fifth time before she decided to use her wand. Opening the lock she pushed open the door to find the place empty of furniture, clothes and Danny. She found a letter addressed to her on the kitchen counter. Opening she read.

Chicken,

Had to go back to France.

Danny.

That was it? A six word sentence to explain why he had left? Was that all she meant to him? Hermione felt a tear roll down her cheek as she realized it had happened again. She had let a man in to her heart and he had trodden on it. She was destined to live a lonely life.

"Is it over?" Christina asked as Severus slumped on to the couch. She was reading Hermione's book to Alex. Alex himself was trying to copy the words she was saying.

"Yes, he won't be back." Severus sighed rubbing his hand over his face. "He didn't know she was a witch. Saw her as a bit of fun. I knew it couldn't have been any more on his side. She has no wealth to tempt him."

"At least you stopped him before it was too late." Chris answered. "I'll go put Alex to bed. You can have tonight to yourself. I'll watch over him."

"Thanks Chris." Severus watched her leave with his son in her arms. Alex was content with her but both he and Severus knew it should be Hermione instead.

Hermione screamed with joy as she read over her results. She had passed at the top of the class and after two years of hard work was now a fully qualified Healer. Now all she had to do was to find enough money to start her own clinic. Maybe she could gamble the rest of her savings on the next Quidditch match? No, it was too risky. What she needed to do was to get people involved, get them to care about the less fortunate. In the muggle world there would be campaigns and charity events.

Maybe she could adapt these methods to the wizardry world? They have enough balls and parties as it was, but what if she was to throw one to raise money for her idea?

It was a great idea but she hardly had enough money to keep her cupboards from going bare. How would she pay for a function like that? Plus she would have to advertise it, how much would it all come up too in total?

Lost in her thoughts it was only when someone shouted for her attention did she realize that she had totally forgot that Poppy's head was still in the fire, waiting for her reply. "Sorry Poppy. Its good news I got full marks!"

"That's excellent news! Now you can go on to fulfill you dream!" Poppy beamed at her.

"If only it was that simple! I haven't got enough money to do anything, I was thinking that I should do a charity ball to help raise money but I haven't even got enough to do that. I'm going to have to work for a long time before I can save up enough money." Hermione sighed.

"Why that's a brilliant idea, I know the perfect place that would do it all for free!" Poppy exclaimed, her head moving out of the fire but the flames were still green.

Worried about Poppy's sudden disappearance Hermione was tempted to put her own head through the flames. She had got down on her hands and knees and shuffled to the opening. "Poppy? Are you still there?"

She could here Poppy's voice talking to someone else. Maybe a student had come to see her? But how could that be? The school was now closed for the summer wasn't it? "Poppy?"

Hermione spoke again moving closer to the flames, she could feel them flicker across her face. It was really stupid for her to get so close to the flames, what if the connection closed and the flames turn back? Hermione was saved the effort of moving back herself as Poppy's head reappeared scaring her enough to jump clear of the flames. "Hermione? What were you doing?"

"I...Er…" Hermione answered feeling her face turning red.

"Never mind, its settled. Minerva thought it was a great idea and agreed to hold the ball here. She's already set the date and is working on the invites. The 3rd of August is ok isn't it? Good. Well you just make sure you have a presentation ready for then." Poppy smiled, she turned to look behind her and said something to who Hermione guessed was Minerva. Turned back to Hermione she spoke. "Have to go now dear, I'll see you in two weeks then, invite everyone you want too. This is going to be so much fun! Bye dear."

"I...er...bye?" Hermione replied dumbly. Poppy's head went and the flames turned back to their original colour. Two weeks? She only had two weeks to prepare and she had agreed to go back to Hogwarts. How could she have been so stupid? She had been so lost in what Poppy was saying she had just gone along with her. It wasn't that bad, didn't Poppy say that the wedding was around the 10th, they wasn't having it on school grounds so maybe Severus wouldn't be there? Even if he was she didn't have to invite him. She would be ok. She could survive.

Hermione had forgotten how mesmerizing the ceiling of the great hall was. She felt like spinning around under the glittering black canapé but fear of looking stupid and that she might rip her gown stopped her. She had felt guilty when she brought the dress, it had cost two months rent but she had feel in love with its silky deep blue fabric. She had promised her self that she would only try it on. It was a promise she broke in a heart beat as she saw how the of the shoulder dress looked on her. Since Danny left she had feel into a pit of misery and didn't both wither looks any more and as she twirled in front of the mirror is was the best she had felt in ages.

So here she now stood in the hall of the place she had vowed never to go again, it would seem she wasn't too good at keeping promises at the moment. She helped place the decoration up and now the place was finally finished. The long tables had been moved and now in their place were 150 small tables around the sides of the hall leaving plenty of space in the middle for dancing.

There was still half an hour before the guests started arriving and Hermione sat down at the head table and sighed.

"That was a long sigh for someone who is about to be hostess of the first charity ball at Hogwarts." Albus stated as he took the empty seat next to her. He was wearing dress robes of a warm red that had moving pictures of dragons on them.

"It's nerves." Hermione smiled weakly. "Is all the staff going to be here?"

"Yes, well apart from Severus." Albus nodded as he looked over his spectacles at Hermione. "He left the other day. It has been a while since you last graced these halls my dear, why don't you use this rare moment of free time to go wonder the place? The dungeons have seen the most change since you left."

"I think I might just do that." Hermione answered. She pulled her self back up to her feet and straightened out the dress, maybe if it was still in a newish condition tomorrow she could return it. She really shouldn't have spent so much on it.

"That is a wonderful dress." Albus noted.

"Thank you. I won't be long." Hermione answered. As she walked towards the door she went passed Minerva who smiled as she made her way to Albus.

Once Hermione was clear of the room she turned to Albus. "Where is she going?"

"To see the new changes in the dungeons." Albus replied smiling brightly.

"New changes? All you have done is hanged a new painting." Minerva frowned at Albus. Maybe being frozen for such a long time had damaged his mind. It wasn't until she saw the bright twinkle in his eyes did the penny drop. "You're a cruel man. Would I be right to assume that you didn't tell her that Severus was still in the castle?"

"Is he?" Albus asked innocently.

The dungeons looked exactly the same. What was Albus talking about? The only thing that might be different was a painting but she couldn't be sure if it wasn't already there in the first place. Had Albus lied to her? Maybe his mind was decaying. She turned around and started her way back to the great hall. She had reached the steps when she heard some one behind her, thinking it was a house elf she turned back around.

Therewas someoneat the bottom of the corridor but she could recognize whoit was even in the dim light. It was Severus. He seemed to recognize her as well as he had stopped moving. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest and she knew she had to move before he regained movement before her and caught her up.

He wasn't meant to be here.

She shook her self into moving as she noticed that he had started coming towards her. As she made her way quickly up the stairs she heard him call her name. It was the first time she had seen him since he ruined her life. Since he took away her son. She didn't want to listen to what he had to say for him self, as far as she was concerned he had said enough for one life time.

She ran as quickly as she could but the size of the dress was slowing her down. It was another reason why she shouldn't have brought the dress, she couldn't move very fast without tripping over the hem and going arse over tits.

She heard his footsteps behind her and she knew she wouldn't make it to the great hall before he caught up. She stopped her running and panted as she waited for him to reach her. She would tell him to leave her alone and then make her way back to the hall.

"Hermione-" Severus said as he reached her side.

"Healer Granger, thank you." She cut in.

"What?" He answered looking confused.

"I'm a healer now, and that's how you should address me." Hermione said coldly.

Severus felt his blood boil as she spoke so disrespectfully to him. "You should mind your manners."

"I will do no such thing to the likes of you!" She spat out.

"You should be down on bended knee thanking me for saving you from that pratt Danny Mitchell." Severus retaliated, once the words were said he wished to take them back. He never intended to tell her about Danny, she had no idea how he had ruined so many peoples lives already.

"Is that why he left?" Hermione asked. At his nod of confirmation she pulled back her arm, clenched her fist and then brought it forward and upwards until it met his face. "You utter bastard. First you take my son away from me. Then you spit on my heart by marrying someone else and now you admitted to driving away the only good thing I had left in my life! Why? Are you that selfish? Thought being as I'm not good enough for you, you'll make sure no one else has me? Is that it?"

Severus felt his eye throbbing, she had just hit him! He staggered back from the impacted and leant against the wall as she ranted at him. He truly was a bastard but she didn't understand. He had to stop him. "You don't understand!"

"Fuck off Snape!" Hermione screamed as she made her way back towards the Great Hall leaving him there alone.

Severus watched as she made her way up the corridor. It would be useless to go after her now. Rubbing his eyes he turned and made his way back to his rooms. He wasn't going to the ball with a black eye. He would go rub some salve on it then return with Chrisy and Alex.

Hermione tried to make her smile realistic as she greeted the guests. She never expected so many people to turn up. Hopefully they all had big pockets. She just finished shaking the old hand of a wealthy wizard when Severus entered the room, he didn't bare any mark of where she hit him. She did though; her knuckles were red and sore. Why did he have to be so boney? He wasn't alone this time, he had the beautiful Christina on his arm and she was holding Alex.

She was holding her son! She felt liking going over there and ripping him out of her grip. She should be the one holding him. Hermione had to hold in a sob as she watched Alex being put on the floor and him walking. She had missed his first steps; he was nearly two now so she wouldn't be surprised if she missed his first words. They joined the end of the queue of people who was waiting to greet the hostess.

She would have to be near him again. The five people in front of them seemed to move quickly to Hermione and it wasn't long before he was her next guest. Why had he had to come? She didn't bother smiling as they stood in front of her, but she couldn't help smirking a little when she saw the faint redness around his eye. It seems she did leave a mark, even if he had treated the bruising before it could show. She spoke with calmness that surprised her self. "Professor Snape."

"Miss-I mean, Healer Granger." He replied moving his head in greeting. Couls he had learnt his lesson. "This is Christina Snape."

"We've already met." Hermione said as she smiled politely to Christina. They had already married? She was now a Snape? It felt as if Snape had hit her in the stomach. Turning she addressedChris "Good evening."

"Hi." She smiled back. Hermione looked at the dress she was wearing, it was easily to see why Snape would go for her, she was tall and slender and her figure looked amazing in the green dress.

Hermione wanted to rip out her throat but settled for answering in a sweetly sickening voice. "I hope you both have a wonderful night."

And with that they moved on, Alex following in toe. He had changed so much since the 3day child she had last seen him as. He looked adorable in his dress robes, his black hair uncut and tied back at the base of his neck. She went to go after him but was stopped when she realized that there were people waiting for her to welcome them.

So she made up for the fact that she couldnt kill Christina on the spot by inventing different ways to kill her each time she meet a new person. A from the look at the size of the line she was glad she had an overactive imagination.

The night was long for Hermione and she was glad when the last guest left leaving only the teachers in the hall. Severus and Christina left early, before she made her presentation. She was relieved that she didn't have to stand up there knowing that they were in the crowd watching her. Most of the audience liked her idea and had said how they would like to donate to the cause. All donations were handed to either Albus or Minerva and it was only now that hey began counting how much they had risen.

"It was a success!" Minerva cried as she held up the countless Gringotts drafts in her hands. "35 thousand galleons and a few knuts!"

"That's £179,200 in muggle money." Hermione noted, it wasn't until her words sunk in did she click on to how much they had raised. Screaming she ran to Minerva to give her a hug. "That's amazing thank you all so much!"

"You owe us no thanks; it's all down to yourself that has made this possible." Albus chuckled as he hugged the young witch as she made her way round hugging every one."It is you dream."

"I have so much to do. I need to make a list of names who donated so I can send them a thank you letter." Hermione smiled as she ruffled through the pile of drafts. Hermione had forgave Albus for lying to her about Snape, without him this could have never happened, plus she got to twat Snapeone as well. In fact the pass two years of her life wouldnt have happened. Maybe forgiving him so soon was a bad idea.

"Yes, yes, but I dare say that could wait until tomorrow." Albus replied. "I'm sure Poppy will set you up for the night."

"Can't I go home?" Hermione asked as she stilled her movements. "I would rather go back to my own home rather than impose on you."

"Nonsense, dear." Poppy answered for both her and Albus. "It would give us time to catch up. Plus the floo is down now. Swap Healer tips."

"I will have to go first thing in the morning." Hermione said. She didn't want to stay in the same castle as Severus. She followed Poppy as she said good night to the rest of the staff and made her way to the infirmary.

Poppy's room was connected to the infirmary as students were known to come at all times of the day. Poppy had shown her to the spare room before saying goodnight and stumbling her way to her own room. It would seem that Poppy had drunk a bit too much but with the students not here for her to watch over, it must feel good to unwind.

Hermione carefully got undressed out of her gown. If she found a large enough building for her medic-centre that had another building on site she could live there and not have to pay rent. This meant she could keep the dress but she wasn't going to count her chickens before they had hatched.

With nothing to wear and not wanting to disturb Poppy as she could hear her snores from the spare room, Hermione transfigured her strapless bra in to a nightgown. It was shorter than what she had went for but with it being late at night she wasn't about to attempt to alter it. She had just settled into the covers when she heard someone knocking on the door.

She waited to see if they would go away or if Poppy would wake to answer but neither happen and Hermione grudgingly got up and went for the door. When she opened the door she was faced with one of the worse sights in her life.

Severus was there, worry and concern etched on his face. In his arms was a wheezing Alex. Severus seemed a little surprised to see Hermione instead of Poppy but that was quickly gone as he whispered. "Help."

Panic hit her as she led both father and so through to the infirmary. It was when Alex was placed on the bed and Severus looked at her hopelessly did the panic engulf her. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't handle it, she needed to wake Poppy. She couldn't help him. Her eyes began to water as she watched her son struggle for breath. She looked back up to Severus; her voice was thick as she spoke. "I can't."

"You need to save him Hermione. You're a Healer, you can do it! Save our son!" Severus cried out shaking her by the arms. "You've fixed me enough, you can do it."

Hermione was shaken out of her panic and finally regained control of her self. "What happened?"

"He's swallowed something. I tried all the spells I know but nothing worked. It's stuck in his throat." Severus answered looking lost as he watched Hermione perform several spells over their son. Nothing happened.

Hermione cried out as she ran out of options. Pulling at her hair she tried to think of any way that could save her child. Now she knew how her mum felt when Hermione started chocking on a toy she swallowed, if it wasn't for her dad hitting her on the back to get it back up, she would have died.

That was it!

She picked Alex up, he was like rag doll, and held him in the Heimlich position and brought her hands into him as hard as she could. She did it a few more times while Severus was shouting at her asking what she thought she was doing. It was on the 5th go that Alex brought back up the thing that was blocking his wind pipe. His cried of relief was a welcome noise to both mother and Father.

Holding him tight to her Hermione whispered words of comfort to him, as tears ran down her cheeks. He calmed down and Hermione passed him over to Severus, as much as she didn't want to let go she had to fetch a potion to heal Alex's throat. As she walked to the cupboard she trod on the object that nearly killed her son, it was an earring. And unless Severus started cross-dressing it belonged to Christina. Ripping out her throat was now longer enough for Hermione.

Giving Alex the potion, they both stayed silent as he drifted off to sleep. Once he was sound a sleep, Hermione gave the earring back. She walked away intending to go back to bed and said over her shoulder. "I think your wife might want that back."

"She's not my wife." Severus replied looking at the earring in his hand.

Hermione turned round to face Severus a frown on her face. "I thought there's a wedding?"

"There is, she's getting married. Not to me. She my niece, my brother's daughter." Severus answered placing Alex on the bed and pulling a sheet over him. He then stood up and walked over to Hermione. His eyes bore into hers and he continued speaking. "She's a muggle. Her whole family is dead; I'm the only one she has left. I'm paying for the wedding between her and her muggle partner."

"Oh." Hermione dumbly replied.

"Hermione." Severus said as he moved closer to her and took her in his arms. "I love you, I can't live without you. My dreams are haunted by you. My waking days are spent wishing to take it all back, hoping that one day you will forgive me."

"I…" Hermione looked into his eyes and got lost in the emotion he showed, she closed her eyes as he dipped his head towards her. She parted her lips as she felt his against hers. The kiss was bitter sweet full of what should have been and promises of more.

"Forgive me, I am a broken man." Severus mumbled against her lips as he pulled her close.

His new set of words seemed to have brought Hermione out of a trance as she broke the kiss. She stared into his eyes, she wanted to say yes. Wanted to put the pass behind her. Want him to love her. But she couldn't. He had done too much damage. She opened her mouth to speak, voice thick as she held back the sobs. "No. There is nothing left of me, the damage is too great. You took my son and then chased away Danny; I have nothing left, for you took my heart too."

She pulled out of his arms and he left them fall to his side. She would leave now and take his heart with her. She pushed open the doors but stopped before she went fully through them. She turned back to him, tears rolling down her face and said. "You will always have my heart but I can never forgive you. Take care."

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