Chapter 23

To the readers: Thank you so much! The reviews are awesome! I never thought there would be such a reaction to my humble tale. And do not worry: I do not plan to pull a Rowling and kill off any major players. Additionally, before the end of this story, (yes there will be an end) the final battle between ol' Voldy and his deathshitters and the side of light will be fought. No one will escape unscathed. Except Emma and the other babies of course. (oops, did I give something away?) Thanks again for your continued, enthusiastic reviews.

Monday October 12

Two weeks had passed and Hermione had not awakened. Severus sat with her everyday, reading to her and massaging her muscles so they would not atrophy. He had many talks with the Grangers and Dumbledore about the situation.

"Diane, I'm not sure what to do. Hermione would not want me to wallow around here," Severus said rocking Emma. He found his only joy in life now gazing at the little replica of Hermione gurgling in his arms.

"Do you have any family Severus?" Diane asked.

"I have a twin sister that I lost track of 17 years ago. That is all," Severus said. "Hermione and Emma are my family now. Albus has been a surrogate father of sorts."

"So why don't you talk to Albus?" Diane asked.

"Hmm, I guess a small part of me blames him for Hermione," Severus said.

"From what Albus told us, he and other senior members derive the missions, and the members can accept them or turn them down, Hermione chose to accept this one," Diane said. "Growing up, she was an impetous but well meaning child who never backed away from a challenge. But you probably already know that," Diane said hoping that would help.

"I will see Albus and sort this out," Severus said then left the house.

Diane got up with Emma and walked around the living room. She talked to Emma describing the pictures. Hermione decorated one wall like Henry did at home: full of pictures. Diane saw the seventh year Gryffindor house portrait that had Hermione standing between Harry and Ron with their arms around her, the funny picture of Hermione pointing and crossing her eyes at her head girl portrait. She saw the picture of Hermione when she was eight in front of the Eiffel Tower and one next to it of her in front of the leaning tower of Pisa on her honeymoon. She saw various pictures of Hermione and Severus' wedding ceremony. She smiled as she looked at the still picture of Hermione at the piano bench with an arm on the piano. Emma put her arm out to that picture. Diane finally came to a newspaper clipping that had been set in a frame. It was a picture of Severus dipping Hermione in a kiss at graduation. At the bottom of the frame was etched: You Can't Help Who You Love!

At Hogwarts

Severus floo-ed to Albus' office.

"Lemon drop?" Albus offered.

"Albus, how long have you known me? Have I ever liked those things?" Severus waved to the bowl.

"I see your point," Albus said. "Now what do I owe this visit?"

"I have talked to Diane Granger and now I need to talk to you," Severus said.

"You blame me for what happened to Hemione?" Albus said.

"Not anymore," Severus said.

"I should not even have mentioned that aspect of the mission, we could have found another way, pesky thing hindsight is," Albus said. "She said she would get that man if it was the last thing she did. How prophetic," Albus mused.

"Albus, I come here today to resume teaching, Hermione would be fussing her head off at me sitting on my ass "wallowing" as she would put it," Severus said. "I'm going crazy, I need to do something."

"I agree, your classes need you," Albus said. "Very well, you can resume teaching tomorrow."

Severus nodded his head and walked to the floo.

"Thank you Severus," Albus said.

Monday October 19

A month had passed and Hermione still slept. Severus looked out to his NEWT potions class and sighed. He looked to the picture on his desk of Hermione holding Emma. In the picture, Hermione rubbed noses with Emma then looked to the camera with her most charming smile and winked. He continued grading papers listening to students murmur every now and then.

"This is meant to be an individual assignment, that means silence," Severus announced. The students obeyed, his tone left no room for question. Severus rose from his desk and walked among the students. He stopped at a student who had already wrote four parchments for this assignment, whereas most of the students were struggling with two.

"Miss Hammond, isn't that a bit excessive? There was only four questions," Severus asked wryly.

"Yes sir, a page per question," she answered. Sounds like something Hermione would say.

"Yes sir a page per question," one student behind him mocked. Miss Hammond's fists were clenched. Severus whipped around and marched to the mocking student.

"Mr. Hadley, I suggest you concentrate on that pitiful excuse of what you call an assignment and do not concern yourself with others, ten points from Slytherin for failing to abide class rules," Severus said evenly. Albus had apparently been taking liberties with the students.

The bell signaled the end of class and the students left. Mr. Hadley sneered, "Disgusting know-it-all" to Miss Hammond and left. She ignored him, stuck her chin out and left the room and muttered "moron" as she left.

He graded papers and came to Miss Hammond's. Although she had written a long paper, her ideas resembled Hermione's when she had been in class.

What light through yonder window breaks! Severus thought.

At lunch, he observed the students walk in. He saw Miss Hammond walk in and wink at a boy from the Hufflepuff table. She sat down, talked quietly aside to a girl next to her then fuss with two boys across from her.

It was uncanny how much Miss Hammond was like Hermione. He heard Albus chuckle.

"Amazing isn't it? How she's like Hermione?" Albus said.

"I agree," Severus said.

"She's not as bright as Hermione, but is the leading Gryffindor, and is teased by Slytherins," Minerva frowned.

"Don't worry Severus, she will come back to us," Albus said.

"I just hope it is sooner than later," Severus said quietly.

After lunch when he was lecturing his first year dunderheads, Albus came into the room.

"She's awake Severus, go to her, I'll take over," Albus said.

As when Emma was born, he rushed from the room robes billowing.

He apparated to the recovery ward and ran to the doors snatching them open. He saw a doctor, that Adam fellow and Ginny standing next to her bed. They saw Severus rushing to the bed and stood back. He arrived at the bedside and looked at her. She slowly turned her head to him and a small weak smile greeted him.

"She can't talk yet, Professor," the doctor said. Hermione frowned. "Her vocal cords are still healing from the damage. She is almost completely rehydrated, and her blood volume is close to ninety percent restored. Her pulse and heartrate is steady and she is breathing on her own. We will do neurological tests tomorrow."

"Sir, I can't thank you enough," Severus choked, wiping back a tear before it fell. Hermione was looking at him, a tear falling freely down her cheek.

"Well, we will leave you two alone now," Kelly said and the others said.

"I'll be back later Herms," Ginny said. Hermione nodded.

Severus pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed. He put his head down on the bed and his shoulders were shuddering. Hermione put her hand on his head. He covered her little hand with hers and looked up. His tears were freely falling and Hermione pulled on the shoulder of his shirt, beckoning him towards her. He rose and gently hugged her. She touched her lips then touched his. He smiled and gently kissed her.

"Hermione, you are like air to me, I can't breathe without you, don't ever leave me again," Severus said cupping her face. She nodded. She gestured towards a sheet of paper and pen on the table beside the bed. In the hospital they used pens and paper, as they were sometimes rushed, quill, ink and parchment took too long. He handed it to her and she started writing. She handed the tablet to him:

Did we get him?

Severus closed his eyes and sighed, nodding yes. He handed the tablet back to her. She wrote again.

Emma?

"She's at home with your mother. She's doing well, she tossed a toy from her crib the other day, our little chaser."

Hermione smiled. Then her smile faded and she wrote:

Parents?

"They were understandibly hysterical at first. Your father was a heartbeat away from taking a swing at Albus. He explained everything to them, now they're fine."

Explained everything?

"Yes, everything."

How are you?

"Missing you terribly. I tire of waking up next to your geriatric feline."

Hermione shoulders shook in laughter. She wrote again.

Work?

"Albus also felt the need to tell Mr. Longley everything, and he has granted you an indefinite leave of absence. Your potion development made Potions Monthly."

What day is it?

"Monday October 19th."

Hermione'e eyes went wide.

"Yes love, it's been a month."

No wonder I'm so hungry!

She yawned and shrugged her shoulders.

"Get some rest Mione. I'll let everyone know how you are doing and get your parents. They will be thrilled."

Hermione nodded and waved Severus her way. She pulled him down to her and they kissed softly again.

"I'll be back soon love," Severus said.