Someone You Loved
Chapter 2 - Shock
'Severus, are you alright?' Narcissa asked her friend as she placed a hand on his arm. 'You look like you've seen a ghost.'
Severus remained silent.
'Severus.' Narcissa repeated as she looked at her dark friend concerned. 'Lucius. Something's wrong with Severus.'
'Severus.' Lucius said coming to the aid of his wife who he could tell was worried about their friend.
'They're mine.' He mumbled.
'Severus, what on earth are you talking about?' Lucius asked his friend who was acting very out of character.
Severus didn't reply to his friends, just looked over towards the two dark haired children holding onto their weeping mother.
'Mummy. Why are you sad?' Piper asked her mother as the small girl put her arms around Hermione's neck.
'Was it that man?' Silas asked as he looked over to the dark haired man who was looking over at them. 'He upset you mummy! He was horrible to you! He scared you!'
'Oh Silas….no. Don't worry my darlings mummy is just being silly.' Hermione said as she kissed her children. Hermione held them close to her not letting them out of her sight.
'Hermione, do you want me to take you home?' Ron asked his friend.
'Please.' Hermione replied looking up to Ron.
'Come on you two, let's get you home!' Ron said as he lifted Piper into his arms and took hold of Silas' hand.
'I'll come and check on you later.' Harry said to Hermione as Ron led them away from the gardens.
'Do you want me to stay Mione?' Ron asked as he walked downstairs to find Hermione sat on the sofa staring into the fire.
'I'll be fine Ron.' She replied standing up. 'Thank you for bringing us home.'
'Just floo if you need me.' Ron said hugging one of his oldest friends. 'Always here for you.'
'I know.' She replied. 'Apologise to Lavender for me. I didn't mean to ruin her afternoon.'
'You didn't ruin anything Hermione.' Ron said as he stepped into the floo.
Hermione returned to the sofa and slumped down. The tears soon followed.
Why was he back? Why now! He said he'd never return to Hogwarts so why did he have to return on the one time Hermione had finally allowed the twins to visit the castle.
Hermione rubbed her face smudging her black mascara. She didn't know what to do now. She knew Severus, she knew he would want to get answers and she knew he wasn't one to hang about.
Before Hermione could think anymore she heard footsteps behind her.
'Mummy' a voice said from behind her.
'Silas.' Hermione replied as she looked round to find her son.
'Mummy you're still crying.' Silas said as he rushed to his mother.
'Oh darling, Mummy is just being silly.' She said as she gathered him into her arms. 'Mummy just had a shock today that's all.'
'Do you know that man mummy?' Silas asked.
Hermione nodded and placed a kiss on Silas' head. 'You're such a smart boy. Mummy's little super star.'
'I can't wait to go to Hogwarts Mummy.' Silas said looking up at his mother.
'I will miss you and Piper when you go.' Hermione replied looking at her dark haired son.
'You can come with her.' He replied placing his arms around Hermione's neck.
'I'm a little old to go back to school Silas. You and Piper will have to write to me all the time and keep me updated on you studies.' Hermione replied. 'But we have a little while yet till you go off to Hogwarts.'
Silas nodded learning his head against Hermione's chest.
'Why don't you go back upstairs and play with Piper. Mummy needs to floo call Uncle Harry.' Hermione said as she nudged the little boy off her lap.
'Can we have Pizza for dinner?' Silas asked as he got off Hermione's lap.
'Of course. Go on, go and see what Piper is doing.' Hermione said as she ushered him out of the living room.
'Here' Narcissa Malfoy said as she placed a whiskey in front of Severus. 'Drink up.'
Severus nodded and took the glass into his hand. He downed the whiskey and then held out the glass as if to ask for another.
'Getting drunk won't help you Severus.' Narcissa said as she poured another whiskey for him. 'You're in shock Severus.'
'Are you sure they could be yours Severus?' Lucius said standing in front of the fireplace in his private study.
'They're mine.' He replied. 'I was involved with…Hermione when she returned to Hogwarts after the War. I ended it on her last day at Hogwarts.'
'Why?' Narcissa asked as she sat down beside Severus.
'She needed to move on, go to university and live her life. She didn't need me holding her back.' He replied. 'Clearly that didn't happen though.'
'She never contacted you?' Lucius asked.
'Never.' He replied downing the second whiskey.
'You need to go and see Ms. Granger.' Narcissa said to Severus as she took the glass from him.
'I don't know where she lives now.' Severus replied. 'Do you?'
He asked Lucius.
'I can find out.' He advised.
Severus nodded.
'Goodnight my darling.' Hermione said as she kissed Piper's head. 'Sleep tight.'
'Goodnight mummy.' Piper replied as her mother stood up.
'I love you.' Hermione said as she walked towards the doorway.
'Love you too mummy.' Piper replied yawning.
Hermione made her way downstairs and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge grabbing the white wine and placed it on the dining room table.
She could feel tonight was going to be a long night. Not only did she need to finish her essay but she also had to think about how to approach Severus now that he knew.
Hermione closed the fridge and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. She sat down at the oval wooden table and poured herself a glass of wine.
As she was about to open her laptop the doorbell went. Hermione cursed and mumbled that Harry should have flooed especially at this time of night.
Hermione walked to the front door and opened the door ready to give her friend a piece of her mind for potentially waking the twins but soon stopped herself when she came face to face with her ex-lover.
'Good evening Hermione.' Severus said as he looked down at his ex-lover and now mother of his children.'
'Severus.' She breathed.