Hermione sat at her desk in her sitting room, her school books stacked at the end of the desk. She chewed on her new sugar quill and dunked it into the ink. She thought she would read the first chapter of each book and practice writing with a quill by taking a few notes. She wanted to understand what the professors were talking about and hopefully her handwriting wouldn't be horrible.

"All right kitten time for bed." said Minerva as she entered the sitting room. She smiled at the young witch. "It's good you're practicing with the quill. Some of the students I can't even read. Let's see shall we." She picked up the paper and saw that Hermione's words were all over the place and not in a straight line. "There is a spell that I can teach you that will make lines and then one to make them vanish. I'll teach it to you tomorrow."

"Ok. Thanks Minnie." said Hermione and got up from the desk and walked into her bedroom. "Do you think Harry will write soon?" she asked as she crawled into the bed.

"We'll see. Some people will and some people won't write. It depends upon what that type of person he is." explained Minerva as she pulled the covers over the girl. "Good night Kitten. Good night Midnight." She patted the black cat on the head and she left the room turning out the light.

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"How are you feeling Mother." asked Severus as he walked into Eileen's bedroom at Prince Manor.

Eileen had long black hair streaked with gray, fare skin, bright blue eyes, full lips and a slender womanly figure that concealed by the blankets. She pushed herself up and rested her head against the head board.

"I'm fine son. You don't need to worry about me." said Eileen. She held out her hand to her only child. "Tell me about this young girl that's made such an impact on your life."

Severus sat down on the edge of the large bed and took his mother's hand and ran his thumb over the wrinkled fare skin. He looked down at their joined hands. "She's only a child now. She's only 11 years old. But when I touched her our magic swirled and bonded. I don't know how deep the connection will be." He looked at his ailing mother. "What have you seen?"

Eileen smiled and took a deep ragged breathe, "It's never good to know the future son. It is a burden not at a blessing. I hate knowing what this war has done to you." She covered her mouth with her handkerchief and coughed into it. "You must promise me this Severus never turn her away. Let her be your strength during your trials."

He nodded his head and tucked a stray gray hair behind Eileen's ear. "I promise Mother."

Eileen smiled and pulled her son to her resting his head on her heart. She ran her fingers through his baby fine black hair. "I've been sick for a very long time sweetheart. It's only because of you I've lived this long. I've seen you turn into fine young man." She closed her eyes and smiled. "You will make a wonderful father one day. You love with all your heart and don't let your temper get in the way."

Severus closed his eyes and let several tears fall down his fare cheeks. He knew his mother was saying goodbye. He nodded his head.

"Remember I love you Severus, and I will be watching over you always. Always my sweet boy. Always." whispered Eileen and she drew her last breathe.

He buried his face in his beloved mother's unmoving chest and his body shook with sobs. He knew this day was coming. Eileen Prince Snape had battled cancer for six years. He had designed a potion that slowed down the attack of cells but he never could find a cure.

"I love you too." he whispered.

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Hermione woke up with a very uneasy feeling. She brushed her cheeks with her hand and found tears. She pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face into her knees and cried. She couldn't understand were the pain of loss came from. It was so overwhelming that it nearly made her sick.

Richard and Minerva entered Hermione's bedroom and sat down on the bed. They pulled her into their arms and silently comforted her as her body shook with sobs. Minerva ran her fingers through Hermione's frizzy brown hair and kissed the top of her head.

"It's all right sweetie. Nothing is going to happen to you." whispered Richard.

Hermione shook her head. "It's not that. I don't know what it is. I just have this overwhelming felt of loosing a loved one. Someone so close and the pain is too much!" She jumped up from the bed and ran to the bathroom to empty her stomach.

Minerva held back Hermione's hair and looked over at Richard with a worried expression on her face. She turned back to the young girl and rubbed Hermione's back.

"I'm sorry Minnie." whispered Hermione tiredly.

Richard kissed Minerva on the forehead and whispered, "I'll find out what's going on." He loving ran his fingers through Hermione's hair. "Sweetie I'm going to leave you in Minnie's caring hands. I'm going to see what I can find out. Ok?" She only nodded and Richard left the women in the bathroom and he went to his office.

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Richard entered his office and quickly lit the fire in the harp. He grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the flames, "Prince Manor," and the flames turned green and he stuck his head into the flames.

Severus had gained some composure when he saw the flames turn green and sat up fully from his mother's body. He brushed the tears from his cheeks and walked over to the fireplace and sat down in the armchair.

"Severus what has happened?"

He took a deep calming breath. "Mother has passed away."

"May I join you?" asked Richard and Severus nodded his head. "Thank you," and he stepped through the green flames and sat down in the empty armchair. "I'm sorry for your loss Severus."

The Potions Master nodded and looked over at the bed with a heavy sigh. "How did you know? She just passed away not even five minutes ago."

"Hermione, Severus. She can feel your pain. It was so great that it made her physically ill." said Richard. "She doesn't understand it or where it's coming from." explained Richard.

Severus rubbed his hands over his face. He sighed heavily. Richard patted the young man's hand. He thought for a moment and smiled.

"Once you get your mother's affairs in order come to the castle for a few days. Maybe being around Hermione will help you."

"I'll think about it. Thank you Richard." said Severus and rose to his full and walked over to the bed and pulled the sheets over his dear mother. "Maybe it would help. I shall be there in a few days. I will not be there long. The term starts soon."

"Of course. I will have Tricksy fix you up a room. I'm a floo call away if you need anything." said Richard and he left the way he entered.

Severus levitated his mother's body to the burial prep room. He gently laid Eileen's body on the marble stone and pulled back the sheets. He turned on his heels and walked over to the case that held the herbs and potions. He began the long task of family burial ritual.

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Minerva rocked Hermione gently as they sat on her bed. She was grateful that the young girl's stomach had finally calmed down and was no longer sick to her stomach. She was still in tears and didn't know why.

Richard entered Hermione's bedroom and leaned over to his wife and whispered, "Eileen just passed away. Hermione's feeling Severus's lost." He pulled out a sleeping draught from is robe's pocket. "Hermione take this sweetie. It will help you."

Hermione pulled away from Minerva's comfort and took the potion in one go. She snuggled back into the woman's welcoming comfort. Minerva sighed heavily and held Hermione close and rocked until she fell asleep. She carefully laid the girl down and covered her up. She kissed Hermione on the forehead and rose to full height.

"What are we going to do to help Hermione? She won't understand this." whispered Minerva as they exited the bedroom.

"Severus will be staying a few days. This might help them both." said Richard as they returned to their bedroom.

"Are you sure that is a wise idea?" asked Minerva as they got into bed. "You know Severus has a temper. It might not be wise for him to be here."

"He will give himself a few days and then he'll be coming over." said Richard gently but firmly leaving Minerva with no room to argue. She only nodded her head and kissed her husband goodnight.

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Severus finished attending to his mother's body and left it in the prep room. He went to the potions lab. He needed to keep his mind busy. He bruised himself by making potions, but after several bad attempts and destroyed every glass object in the room.

Severus took several deep breaths and looked around the lab. He sank to his knees and hung his head. He had let his temper runaway with him. He grieved for the lost of his mother. He only hoped that Richard had given Hermione a potion help her sleep during his lost.

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The Potions Master stood at the fresh grave of his mother. He laid a red rose down on the marble headstone. He stepped back with heavy sigh. He turned his head and saw Minerva and Richard walk up to him with Hermione next to them.

"I'm sorry for your lost Professor Snape." whispered Hermione and she dried her tears with the back of her hand.

Severus patted the young girl on the back and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Mother was sick for a long time. Thank you for coming."

Hermione nodded her head and bent down and placed a rose down on the loose soil and gasped when the loose dirt grew lush green grass and rare black roses bloomed along with deep blood red roses formed a canopy around the headstone.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir. I don't know what just happened." gasped Hermione and she quickly ducked behind Richard in fear of being pushed at her magical out burst.

Severus looked in awe at the design and gently touched the petals. He turned to Hermione. "Don't be sorry Hermione. Mother would have loved it. She loved roses. Thank you."

Hermione slowly stepped forward and chewed on her bottom lip and looked at the dark haired man. He knelt down and pulled out his handkerchief and dried her nose. He nodded his head and pulled her small frame into gentle hug. He sighed at their magic swirling around each other giving his soul some peace.

Severus wouldn't normally show such affection but it was only them, Richard, Minerva, Annabelle and Dumbledore at the gravesite. It allowed him to drop his normal uncaring mask he wore to fall and let some comfort come to his shattered soul.

Hermione ran her fingers through his black hair and felt peace at that. She quickly figured out it was her Potions Master's feelings she had felt the other night. She held him tighter in her small arms.

"I don't understand why I can feel your emotions but I'll help you in anyway I can." whispered Hermione.

"And I you Hermione." whispered Severus and kissed the top of her forehead and rose to full elegant height. "Thank you."

Hermione nodded her head and they all left the gravesite after saying their farewells to Eileen Snape.

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Severus stepped into the entrance hall of McGonagall Castle and sat his travel bag down at his feet. He only hoped that he had made the right choice in coming for a few days.

"Professor Snape you made it!" said Hermione walking down the stairs towards the dark wizard. "Granny's planning her small wedding to Mr. Ollivander. They're going over wedding details in the library. Minnie went to Hogwarts to help Professor Dumbledore with last minute stuff. Richard is in his office doing some work with Andy, the house elf."

"What are you doing?" asked Severus.

"Oh Triskey was going to help me bake a cake." said Hermione with a smile. "She won't leave me in the kitchen alone. She says I'm still to young or what not."

Severus nodded his head in agreement of the house elf. "I shall leave my bag and come help you since everyone else is doing their own things at the moment."

"I can show you to your room. Or you can come with me its fine." said Hermione taking his hand into her own and leading him to the large kitchen.

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The couple entered the large kitchen. It had white tiled floors, deep wooden walls with many shelves lining the walls with the pots and pans hanging on the walls. A long marble counter in the center of the room for cooking preparations. A stove, sink and fridge along one wall. A wine rack with few bottles of wine and wine glass hung from the rack nearby.

"There you are Little Miss." said Tricksy. "I have everything you need set up to make your cake. Oh, and this arrived for you." She handed Hermione the letter.

She looked over and saw a snow white owl sitting on the perch eating a piece of toast that the house elf had given him. Hermione smiled at the letter. She stuck it inside her pocket to read later. She hoped it was from Harry.

"What cake are we making?" asked Severus removing his outer robes leaving himself in a white button down long sleeves shirt and black slacks.

"Its apple turn over cake." said Hermione with a bright smile. "I love to bake." She said putting on the very long apron over her clothes.

Severus smirked at the young witch and walked over to the sink and washed his hands and washed the apples. He brought them over to the counter were Hermione stood on the stool to reach the counter better. He handed her a knife and began to peel the apples for her.

"If you're a good cook then potions will be easy for you." explained the Potions Master after he sat all the peeled apples down on the counter. He measured out all the spices and placed them in tiny bowls. "It's always important to have all your ingredients out and measured before baking."

Severus stepped back and watched Hermione. He shook his head. He stood behind the young girl and showed her how to cut the apples slices since she was cutting them to thick. He placed his hand over her hand that held the knife.

"Hermione, hold your knife like this and slice evenly. If the apples are even then they'll cook evenly as well." said Severus gently. "Move your fingers as you cut. You don't need to get cut."

"Ok." whispered Hermione and Severus let go of the knife.

She couldn't understand why she felt lost of connect. When he was up against her slightly she felt safe in his arms. Hermione shook her head and cut the apples how the Potions Master showed her.

"Very good."

The couple went on to make cake together. Hermione couldn't help but stop every so often to watch him cut or stir something. It was almost lovely as a dance to her. She knew she'd like potions class. Severus put the cake in the oven to bake. She began to wash the dishes. He didn't say anything to her about the house elves could cleaned them. He stepped forward and helped her wash the dishes. He couldn't explain why he felt at peace with her around him. It made the lost of his beloved mother not so hard to deal with at moment then would be if he was alone.

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"Albus are sure about this?" asked Richard as he sat back in his chair in his office. "Are you positive that Voldemort will return?"

"I'm afraid so. Severus's dark mark has not completely faded away after Harry reed the world of Tom." said Albus hoping to get Richard on his side and help get ready for when he returned to finish what he started nearly 11 years ago.

"My old friend I do believe you, but you will have a harder time having the Minister of Magic believing you." said Richard as he took a puff of his pipe. "Then my concern is Severus and Hermione. They can feel each others emotions. What happens when Severus has to return to spying? What happens to my girl then Albus? How am I suppose to protect from pain that Severus feels at the hands of Riddle? What then? Drug my Hermione each time Severus is called. No." He shook his head.

"Well, cross that bridge when we come to it Richard." said Albus.

Richard narrowed his eyes at the man across from him. He said forcefully, "You will not use their connection for your own personal gain in this war. Do you hear me Dumbledore? I won't allow it. She's mine and Minerva's daughter or as good as is."

"Very well Richard. I won't use Severus and Hermione's connection for any means. But-"

"No Albus I forbid it."

The Headmaster sighed heavily. He knew not to anger the man in front of him. He nodded his head and turned to Hogwarts to Minerva and the rest of the professor prepare Hogwarts for the students.

Richard shook his head disapprovingly at the now empty harp. "Andy Albus is a good man, but he does have his demons like everyone. I fear his are using people like chess pieces on a board."

"Me thinks you're rights." said Andy.

Richard sat back in his chair and puffed on his pipe in thought. The idea of Riddle returning troubled him greatly, not only for Hermione but Severus and the children as well that would be entering Hogwarts. He puffed his pipe one more time and rose from his chair and walked over to book case and pulled down several books containing dark magic.

"Riddle had to do something with the Dark Arts to survive the attack on Harry." whispered the wizard as he sat with several books. "We must start now before he returns. We must be one step ahead of Riddle, Andy."

"Yes Master." said the house elf and jump down from his chair to help his master look for information.

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The oven sounded letting the couple know that the cake was done baking. Severus grabbed several oven mittens and pulled the cake out of the oven and sat it down on the counter. He smiled slightly and turned to Hermione and nodded in approval of the cake.

"I'll show you to your room while the cake is cooling." said Hermione leading the way back into the entrance hall.

Severus followed Hermione up the stairs and down the hall. They stopped at large door. She pushed it open revealing a large bedroom with a bed and large walk in closet and personal bathroom.

"I hope this will be ok." said Hermione opening the curtain to let some light into the room. The window over looked large green grounds of the McGonagall Estate.

"It will be fine Hermione. Let me get settled and I'll meet you for a walk around the grounds in 30 minutes.

"Ok. Sounds good." said Hermione leaving the Potions Master to get settled into his room.

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Hit button and tell me what you think about the chapter. More to come in the next chapter. A little getting to know each other.