Severus rolled over in his bed and enjoyed the slick feel of the sheets against his body. He'd settled here after his swim and rested through the heat of the afternoon. A cooling charm might have sufficed, but he had enjoyed being indolent for once.

He thought of Hermione's letter that had extolled the wonder of an afternoon spent cuddled between her hippogriff and her kirin enjoying the sunshine. The image of it in his mind was probably far more appealing than the reality, but it struck a chord with him. Hermione was not one to laze about when there was work to be done, but she had learned that relaxation was necessary. He'd spent so many years in a state of anxiety that learning to relax was a triumph. He'd have to tell her of his decadent afternoon in his next letter.

Their correspondence was flowing freely now. His gifts still arrived on a monthly basis. He sent hers in a more haphazard fashion. The small items that caught his fancy were always well received, but she would wax poetic over a gift of potions for her neighbors as well.

Learning about the woman had helped him see her differently. She was no longer a student in his mind. When he pictures her now, she was a woman. An alluring complicated creature with a quick mind and a gentle smile. He wanted to spend time with her, wanted to sit with her on a mountain.

Severus smiled at the letter that accompanied a selection of rare hair and antler shavings from a juvenile kirin. It didn't say much. She'd been consumed by a recent discovery, but it helped him see her in his mind's eye. He traced her familiar writing. Though, to be completely honest, even that had matured.

This witch was a woman grown. She knew her own mind. He asked after her friends and received a letter that mentioned many of his own acquaintances and Luna Lovegood. A couple of the Weasley clan found favor, but it was not the pair he'd expected.

His savior had become an interesting woman. He had been so sure she would waste her life railing over injustices and feeding into bureaucracy. He smiled as he touched her flourished signature. It was pleasant to be wrong. Quite pleasant.

With a muttered incantation, he could see her. Her hair was blowing wildly about in the rush of air. He could see her watching the storm in the distance. She looked more like a goddess contemplating her creation than a witch. Her wild hair spun around her face as the wind played through it. Her eyes caught flashes of lightening in the far distance. She was breathtaking. The vision dissipated all too soon, and he sighed.

Her last letter had detailed so many of the hardships she was trying to ease in her little mountain village, but she had mentioned the beauty there as well. He could see what she meant. It seemed she'd found a place to be content.

He had brewed some rarer potions to help her little village, but he could do more. Perhaps, in the future, a visit could be arranged. He looked at the carefully wrapped package awaiting her next owl and considered including a warning about the upcoming visit from the Malfoy men. He grinned and shook his head. The witch could handle Lucius and Draco without his help. The garnet hair combs would suffice to keep him in her mind.

Harry looked at the items scattered on Andromeda's table. There were many things marked with the Black family crest, and a few that looked like heirlooms. It seemed like an odd assortment of things to have out. He rubbed the back of his neck. Hermione had always been the one to deal with Andromeda's bouts of depression, but she wasn't around.

"Are you okay?" He looked up at the older witch and blushed.

"I'm actually quite wonderful. I'm looking for a gift." She grinned and waved her hand at the table. "None of that seems right."

"Are you having money trouble?" Harry blinked and wished he could bite off his own tongue.

"No." Andromeda's lips thinned. "It needs to have familial significance. I can't just go buy something."

"I'm sure Astoria will like anything." Harry smiled hoping to redeem himself and yank the metaphorical foot out of his mouth.

"It's not for Astoria. Narcissa will handle any gifts for her." Andromeda chuckled. "It's for Hermione."

Harry blinked. He looked down at the items scattered on the table. They were all precious. He knew she had very little left from her family. Most of the Black vaults weren't accessible. There was no heir. Sirius never managed to be fully reinstated and only retained use of his personal vault. It was impressive, but it wasn't a drop in the bucket of the Black family wealth.

"Why give Hermione something like this?" Harry picked up a set a of grey pearls. "She's not the type to appreciate it."

Andromeda's tight smile sent a shiver down his spine. It was easy to forget that Andromeda was related to two of the most terrifying witches he'd ever met. She was so kind and she baked. It was easy to forget until you saw that iron in her eyes.

"You really only see the eleven year old girl you first met when you look at Hermione, don't you?" Andromeda shook her head. "Pity."

"She isn't around much." Harry frowned.

"She has a demanding career." Andromeda rolled her eyes. "It doesn't leave copious amounts of time for her to laze about with you."

Harry nodded and decided it would be best if he shut his mouth. Andromeda looked irritated. He sighed.

"Surely, we can find better accommodations for you." Lucius looked around the small stone hut. He refused to pretend it was acceptable by calling it a house. She was living with animals.

"I love it." Hermione grinned at him. "I don't need a grand space with all the comforts and luxuries. I'm quite content."

"It's more basic than the tents you usually use." Draco commented and shot him a warning look from his place across the room as far from the hippogriff as possible.

"The walls come in handy though." Hermione grinned. "Remember to bow, and you'll be fine. Buckbeak doesn't hold a grudge."

Lucius glanced at the creature. It was grooming the other beast. He glanced back at Hermione.

"Perhaps you would share the story of how this particular hippogriff came to be here with you." Lucius examined his gloved hand. "It must be fascinating."

"If you want to hear it..." Hermione shrugged. "I have something much more interesting to show you. I hope you brought your brooms."

"Of course." Draco waved his hand at her dismissively. "But we have something to discuss first."

Hermione frowned as both men settled at her table with determined stares. She knew those looks. They were determined to have their way.

"Should I put up a token protest or give in gracefully?" She grinned at Draco.

"I think you should accept the codification of what is already true with calm and reflection." Lucius smirked. "We shan't leave until you do."