Aali's notes: This is my first try at a SS/HG fan fiction story. I love the ship, and have read too many stories on the subject. This story is also AU(Alternate Universe). This story was written as if HBP never happened. Because canon stories after HBP using HG/SS, I don't see that working out…at all.

He claims that nothing is wrong with him, that he is being himself. But everyone knows better. Something was seriously bothering him, and they wanted to know why. But no one knew how to do it. Severus' attitude changed drastically the day Hermione Granger declared she was leaving Hogwarts, and her position of Charms Professor. She didn't say what had transpired, or why she suddenly decided to leave. Now normally a member of staff leaving wouldn't make Severus act this way, so why Hermione?

Hermione didn't tell anyone why she was leaving. She didn't tell anyone except the Headmaster. She hadn't meant to tell him, in hopes that he would respect her privacy in this department, but she knew there was no chance in hell of that. She told him what plagued her, and why she needed to leave. He was sad, but didn't say anything negative to her. He knew that in her present state, if he said anything that would upset her, it could lead to something disastrous. All he wondered about was how this happened right under his nose, without him knowing about it.

It was the hardest secret he had ever had to keep. Knowing full well that he had to respect the privacy of his former employee and student, but also knowing that another one of his employees and former student had the right to know what was going on.

One day, it just became too much for poor Albus. Watching his potions professor, a man who was like a son to him, be in the terrible mood he was in. He decided he couldn't let Severus lead this life anymore. And he made the decision to make a special trip to a certain lady's house to talk to her.

Later that day, he apparated outside of her property and started walked towards her home. He came up to the door and knocked. He waited patiently for her to answer the door. After a couple minutes, he knocked the door once again, a little louder than he previously had one. She finally came to the door, with something bundled up in her arms. She was shocked to see her former boss on her doorstep, but she hid her astonishment well.

"Headmaster, It sure is a surprise to see you here. Come in please." She looked him over wondering what he could be doing here, hoping that it wasn't what she thought he was here for. She couldn't reveal what had happened.

"Hermione, how many times have I asked you to call me Albus? You are no longer my student." He walked into the house and took off his robe. He saw the poor thing wrapped up tight in the blanket cocoon. "Is that..?" He looked pointedly at the bundle and she nodded her head.

"Yes, this is him. He is about 2 weeks old." He stepped back to stop himself from falling. He didn't know that she had given birth. He was told she wasn't due for another month. She noticed the surprised state of shock on his face and explained. "He is premature. However the healers at St. Mungos cleared him, saying he was the healthiest preemie they had ever helped into the world. Please come into the living room. Would you like a drink?"

He shook his head and replied "No thank you, I came to talk to you Hermione. It's about Se—"

"Albus please, I cannot tell him what happened." She went over towards a small little bassinet that was settled by the couch, and put the bundle of joy inside. "I just can't."

"But why not Hermione, I mean he is the father, isn't he?" She sighed and nodded her head.

"Yes he is the father, but I cannot face him. I just can't." She put her head in her hands. She couldn't dare look into the twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore. She knew that he was right, that she needed to tell Severus about the baby. But she just couldn't pull the courage to confront him about it.

"And why is that Hermione? What did he do to deserve this, to not know about his own child?" She got up and started walking around. She couldn't take it. She knew why he was here; she knew what he was trying to do. She couldn't allow him to do it.

"Headmaster, Albus... please don't. It is better off that he doesn't know what took place. He never wanted children. He never wanted me to begin with. He doesn't care for me, and I do not want him to take anger out on Christopher. He is an innocent baby, nothing is his fault. Severus isn't ready to be a father, and I doubt he ever will be. He…he…" It was getting incredibly harder to speak. Every time she tried she hiccupped. Albus knew that he was putting a lot of pressure on the poor girl, and that it wasn't right he was doing this. But he knew that he had to do this, for Severus.

"Hermione, you are one of the smartest witches I've ever known. But the thing is, you're knowledge comes from books. Which is perfectly fine, but you cannot depend on books to help you. Sometimes you just have to look at actual people, places, events that happen around you. You spend your time with your nose in a book, when you could be spending time with people who love and care about you. Whether you see it or not, I know for a fact that Severus cares deeply for you. He misses you terribly. Since you've left, I have seen Severus at dinners, and at the occasional staff meeting. I haven't seen him at all outside of those few occasions. He prefers to stick to his rooms, and not leave unless he has to."

"Headmaster, that's the way he is."

"No Hermione, it is not the way he is. I've known Severus longer than you've been alive, I know, that is not how he usually is. To students, as you have known him the most as, he is a self righteous git. I know how students see him. He is dark, mysterious, and terrifying. Doing everything he can to stop them from blowing up a cauldron. However I have known him outside of his classroom. He can be as happy and amiably as anyone else. But since you've left, he hasn't. He is a hermit, and it's because he is depressed. Your departure has hurt him more than you can imagine. I am here not as your friend, and not as a mentor. But here today as a friend of a man who is hurting beyond all belief, and it's because you left. Hermione you must believe me when I say, he needs you, and you need to tell him about Christopher. If you don't, he will find out sooner or later, and it would be better if he found out from you, and not from someone else. Please Hermione. I can't stand to see him like this."

This was a lot to take in. She couldn't comprehend what he was saying. Did Severus care about her? Was he upset about her leaving? Should she have told him what happened? Should she tell him what happened? What was the answer? She didn't know. "Headmaster, I… I want to tell him, but I just can't."

"Hermione, where is your Gryffindor spirit? You are part of the house of Godric Gryffindor, known for its bravery and courage. Summon your bravery, and come with me to Hogwarts. Severus deserves to know." Hermione knew that if the headmaster stayed any longer she would inevitably get extremely upset and that would affect the baby. She knew this, and she got up and went towards the door.

"I think its time you left headmaster." He got up, and walked towards the door; he took one last look at his former pupil and took a deep breath.

"Hermione, I cannot allow you to continue to let him wallow in self-pity. He has the right to know, and he will want to see his son. If I know Severus like I think I do, than he would rejoice at the thought of having a child. Not mourn it!" He walked out the door and she did not say anything. She watched him leave. Once she saw him dissapparate away, she closed the door and went towards Christopher, her baby. Her darling child that was given to her by the man she loves. By the man who detested children, more than the students he had to teach.

But was the old man right? Did he really care about me, the way she wish he did. Was he really depressed? Or was he just returning to his old self? She didn't know the answers, but she wanted to find out. Just then, Christopher started to stir, wanting his evening meal.

"Shhh, it's alright Chris. Everything will be alright soon." She then proceeded to feed her child. Thinking about what the Headmaster said, and how she was going to find out if it's true.

Special thanks to two of my best friends. Kare, and Bummy. Without whom, This would never be worthy of submission. I love those two, and they are the best friends and beta's a girl could ask for.