Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, only those that I created
myself. Please do not harm me in any way. I only do this for fun.
~_~_~_~
A Secret Worth Keeping
Chapter Four: Home sweet Home
Just a little over an hour later just as he stated, Severus again knocked on the door of room number four of the Leaky Cauldron Inn. This time there was silence beyond indicating that Sebastian was either sleeping or eating again. Hermione must have been standing close by for the door opened rather quickly and he opened his mouth to speak. Quickly she raised a silencing finger to her lips indicating for him to whisper.
"Shh, He's still sleeping." She explained softly indicating a finger toward the bundle lying at the head of the bed. I was a rarity for him to sleep this long at one go and she wanted more of the silence that followed. The peace and quiet that she rarely got anymore with an innocent baby to raise.
Severus glanced over at the bed and nodded casually he took her by the elbow and guided her towards the far window, further away so as their conversation would not to disturb the baby.
"How soon can you be ready to leave?" He asked quietly trying hard to whisper.
"Leave?" She looked around the sparse room and shrugged. "I can get what's not packed up in only a few minutes." She glanced over to the baby before looking back up at him. His eyes were bright and she frowned, not exactly sure if she liked that look he was giving her. He had a plan and she had no idea if she would like it at all. "Where are we going?"
He turned his face from her to the baby. It was hard to keep this simple conversation going when he couldn't keep his attention off of watching the baby's blanket, which moved so slightly as his son breathed deeply in his sleep.
"Severus?"
He started and returned his gaze back to her noticing her frowned expression. "My apologies, Hermione, I didn't mean to zone off there. As for your question, I'm taking you both someplace safe. Get your things together. I will get Sebastian."
Hermione watched for a moment as he walked stealthily over to their son and she felt a momentary panic. Where in the world was he taking them? It wasn't that she didn't trust him. No, she knew that inwardly he was a good man but, as a former student, she still held a respectful fear of him. After all, it had been drilled into her after six years that this man was a mean and angry person. She even had the memory of the rape ingrained in her brain to remind her of how brutal he could be.
She turned her gaze away from him and closed her eyes forcing that particular memory out of her head. Now was not the time to start falling apart again. She had been able to deal with it so far, there is no way that she can afford to collapse now, not when Sebastian's safety was at stake.
"Hermione?"
She jerked as his voice drifted to her, bringing her out of her dwelling.
"Uh.. yes?"
"Are you all right? Do you need help getting your things?" His eyes narrowed and she thought she saw a sign of compassion. But, as soon as she thought she saw it she blinked and the emotion was gone again from his eyes.
"No.. I can manage. I'll be right back." She turned and quickly left the tiny room for the even smaller bathroom. She paused over the sink and closed her eyes. She had to get over this. She had to move on. Her son needed his father and this was the only option she had. It was not a complete lie when she told him that she didn't need him. She didn't, but their son did.
Sebastian's parents may not love each other, but they were going to work together to make sure that their son would be raised right, Hopefully.. as long as Voldemort never found out about him.
Voldemort.
She shivered at the mere name and felt a large wave of apprehension overcome her. What if he did find out about Sebastian? What if Severus can't protect him? She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the mirror.
"What have I done? I may have just brought Sebastian into even more danger. I shouldn't have come here. I should never have written to Professor Dumbledore." She looked up, glanced at her reflection, and grimaced at the image staring back at her. She didn't recognize the woman standing before her now. She looked dreadful. She used to be cute, not a beauty by no means, but she was cute. Now she was chubbier from giving birth not even a week ago. She had about fifteen pounds to lose to get back to her normal weight. Her face was pale making her freckles seem in more abundance. Her eyes were forever rimmed in red and held a vacant look.
Knock Knock.. anybody home?
Not in my brain.
Hogwart's super-brain had been suddenly derailed and pitched so far off course that she doubted that she would ever be considered intelligent ever again.
She sighed and decided to take a few minutes to freshen up. Severus could just stay with his son for a few more extra minutes. She ran the water letting it run cold before wetting a thin washcloth thoroughly. Vigorously she fell to washing her face trying to scrub away the cold empty feelings that raged inside of her. The cold water made her gasp as she scrubbed, trying to fix whatever damage she could that the last nine months had caused. Eventually she stopped scrubbing and sighed with a glance back into the mirror. It was no use. She still had the cold, sad eyes and pale features.
She threw the cloth into the sink with a mental curse before giving herself one last haunted look. Giving in to the inevitable she finally bent to her task of gathering what few possessions she had.
She heard a rap on the door and finally emerged to a very surprising sight. Her inner turmoil faded away quickly as she saw Severus had Sebastian comfortably cradled in his arms. The diaper bag draped across his right shoulder and the baby's pacifier lodged between the fingers of his left hand. The sight was so unlikely to her that she stopped in her tracks and couldn't stop the grin that spread across her face at the image before her.
"What?" He glared at her smile.
"Nothing, Its just you look so.. natural.. like that."
Severus looked down at the baby then back to her.
"It feels oddly natural. Are you ready?"
"Almost, just a few more things." She walked over to an old dresser, pulled out a couple of shirts and pants, and stuffed them into her carryall. Then did the same with what looked like Sebastian's clothes. She didn't bring much of her own things with her but she knew that Sebastian's needs would be more and overstuffed the carryall with most of his things. He needed to be changed quite often.
Severus watched on with a frown noticing that she didn't pack too much of her own clothing and barely a fleck of underwear.
"Is that all you brought for yourself?" He looked pointedly at her small carryall and saw her flush.
"Yes, I didn't have much room for to many things. I don't really need it much actually, its Sebastian that has much more need than I do." She spoke softly as she packed his things quickly and turned back to Severus, keeping her eyes averted from his questioning ones.
She was embarrassed at his near knowledge of her near poverty-laden life. Embarrassed at the turn of events that led her down this road to becoming someone that others despised and spat on. It was true that she didn't have much in way of possessions but at least she managed to keep a form of shelter over her head even at her worst times. That was an accomplishment that benefited her intellectual brain As least she managed to work at a few menial jobs until she got to big with Sebastian where she couldn't stand on her feet anymore. Then she took a simple job answering phones in a muggle law-firm office. None paid much but she did manage. She had left most things behind when her parents kicked her out even her magickal things were left in her room. Probably all now in some storage shed somewhere along with the rest of her things.
Out of sight.out of mind.
Severus watched the emotions playing across her face before pacing the pacifier to his other hand and reached to her. This woman was going to be more difficult that the child. He inwardly sighed at that thought, but they both were his responsibility now. And he was determined to do what he must, for the sake of his son.
"Ready?" He questioned, hand outstretched to her. She hesitated before moving closer and took his hand in hers.
"As ready as I will ever be.."
"Hold on tight, we're apparating there."
As soon as he said the words, she gasped as she felt the odd tugging and immediately closed her eyes against the wave of dizziness that washed over her. She had only taken the first few weeks of the Apparating class in her final year, and had never actually attempted to do an actual apparation. Then she never had a chance to with her abrupt departure from Hogwart's. Her schooling days were long behind her and she had a much different life to live now, a life as an adult, an adult with a child.
Life was not fair.
"We're here." His voice said as she opened her eyes and he reached out to steady her as she regained her balance. The dizziness soon passed and she turned to see where they were.
"Oh.. " She rose a shaking hand to her throat as her eyes took in the structure before her. She could feel the tears threatening to build up behind her lids. "Hogwart's?"
"Come along." He said and started forward only to pause when he realized that she wasn't following.
"I can't. I can't.. stay here.. everyone... everyone will know.." She backed away from the school fear evident in her face.
Severus approached her cautiously and spoke low, in a soft comforting voice. "It's the most logical place for you two. You both will be safe here, Hermione." He reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder halting her retreat. "Plus you can continue your studies when classes begin again. You have a couple of months before you have to worry about any of the student's returning. August is still some time away. Plus this extra time will give you a chance to catch up on your studies. If I know you, you probably are already well ahead of them when you left. When August does come around you will be fine."
Her eyes filled with tears up as she gazed at her beloved 'home' but the memories scared her. Not to mention the fact that Harry and Ron would be there. She knew they would be asking questions that she didn't know the answers to. She hadn't spoken to them since she left and the guilt reached deep into her soul chilling her to the core. She had no idea what to tell them. Nor what they will do when they discover Sebastian or his father. She bit her lip as she took another step back, away from where she really wanted to be. The one place she actually considered her home.
"Does.. Professor Dumbledore.." Her voice was so soft that he had to lean forward to hear her.
"I have already discussed the situation with him. He has allowed you to have quarters in the dungeon, near my rooms. There is plenty of room for you and Sebastian there."
She wrapped her arms around her body hugging herself tight trying to ward off the fear that threatened to make her bolt, right back to Diagon Alley. She wasn't the same know-it-all Gryffindor that left here nine months ago. That girl was lost and was never to be found again. Did this new person belong here?
"It's not right. I don't belong here anymore. Besides, I can't afford the tuition.. the books.. I have no money.. I.. I just don't belong here now."
"Nonsense.. "
She flinched at his voice and turned back towards Hogsmeade facing the lights that twinkled in the night. "I can't do this, Severus. The.. The shame."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Hermione." He reached out to clasp a comforting hand on her shoulder, and was startled when without warning she dropped to her knees before him landing hard on the gravel road. He looked down at her in shock as he watched her shoulders shaking hard with the sounds of her sobs echoed out over the open air. Hearing her cries of anguish was just too much for him to bear. He felt something inside of him give. What it was, he didn't know, but he would dwell on it at another time. This young woman was falling apart on him and if he didn't do something right away, he would need help in bringing both into the castle.
He shifted Sebastian in his arm before dropping to his knees behind her. "Hermione.. listen to me. Whatever happened.. it wasn't your fault. You had been used, abused, and had to live with a terrible burden that you should never have had to. This is my fault, my doing and I want to help you.. help you both in whatever way I can.. let me do this, Hermione, let me help you two."
She grabbed handfuls of earth while gulping large amounts of air back into her deflated lungs, trying desperately to return her breathing back under normal control. She was mortified at the way she felt herself falling apart, now was not the time to do this. She didn't want him to see this part of her. The part that she kept hidden from the rest of the world and only released in the comfort and solitude of her own room.
After a time she nodded her head as his words finally sank into her head, his voice was low and soft as he spoke the sounds of comfort coming so easily from his lips. If she didn't know better, she could almost believe that he did care.
"It wasn't your fault.. Severus.. this.. this wasn't." She wiped her face with her sleeve and gave him a tired smile. "This was Malfoy's fault, not either of ours."
He narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Not that I want to remember what happened Hermione, but, I think that once you get settled we will have to discuss the.. event."
She bit her lip and shook her head at that. "No, Severus.. what happened.. happened and I don't want to have to be forced to remember it. Neither of us enjoyed it I can assure you." She took another deep breath and stood back to her feet with the help of his hand.
Severus clutched her hand, letting the topic go for now. They will eventually have to discuss what happened in order to get proper revenge. Lucius will not get away with this. For what he did to her and to him and all for the sake of possession.
Lucius had always wanted to posses Hermione. He and Malfoy had had fought over that more than one time. The other man's ego wouldn't let him believe that Severus wouldn't just hand the Granger girl over to him just like that.
What happened that made Lucius force him on Hermione instead of taking the girl himself that day.
More questions that he would get the answer to in time. When he had his hands around the other man's throat, robbing him of his life essence.
Oh Yes, this revenge will be sweet.
He paused in his thoughts and turned her back to the castle. "As you wish, now.its getting cold and I'm sure Sebastian will be catching a cold if we do not get inside soon."
"No, Severus.. I still.. can't."
He stopped and took a breath, he was beginning to get that irritated feeling behind his right eye. The feeling he normally got before a major headache hit.
"Hermione.." He growled.
She shuddered remembering that growl from her many days in his classroom. "I.. My parents.. the tuition.. I just can't afford it."
To her surprise, he merely chuckled. "Don't worry about the tuition, My dear. I will take care of your financial burdens until the time you are able to care for yourself."
"We don't need your charity, or money, Severus Snape." She replied slowly trying to hold on to what little amount of dignity she had left.
Severus reached out, took her chin in his hand, and tilted her face up to meet his eyes. "You may not, Miss Granger, but my son does. I wish him to be nearby and if that means helping out his mother financially then so be it."
She closed her eyes blocking the view of pain that she knew he could see in her face. In her dismay, she could feel the familiar tears running over and falling down her cheeks yet again. Never in her life has she ever cried as much as she had in the last nine months. It was not a good feeling.
She felt a cloth being dabbed at her face and she opened her eyes to see him wiping at her tears with a linen handkerchief. His eyes reflected a concern that she was used to seeing in her friends but not in this dark man.
"Do I have a choice in this?" She whispered lowering her gaze back to the ground not wanting to keep looking into his dark eyes.
"Do you wish to leave?" He asked just as softly as he cuddled his son in his arms.
She looked up at him and their son then back to the old school. A decision.. she had to do something. She couldn't go on like this for the rest of her life. Living day to day relying on the kindness of old friends and bits of odd jobs she could get.
"No, I'll stay." She finally decided and gently pushed aside the blanket from Sebastian's face to smile down at his sleeping form. "For his sake.. and yours."
Severus simply nodded and turned back to the gates but was stopped once more by a touch on his arm. He turned back to gaze at her in question.
"Thank you, Severus. I will repay you.. someday."
Severus gazed down at the child in his arm and shook his head. "No, I think giving me a son is payment enough, Hermione.Thank you."
A/Ns and Acknowledgements:
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I wish to thank you all personally:
Purrtyflirty, jessica, DragonFireAngelVWP, Saria, Silent Cobra, Atalaya, nesscafe, lover411, Lea, Anarane Anwamane, hplover, The-Potions-Mistress1, Metatron, and Saerelle: Thank you all for your kind words of support. I will continue to write with people like you all out there, willing to encourage.. Thank you!
Skye007lex: Romance is coming but not for a while yet.
dragonbrat: You sense that do you? Hummm
Magdellin: Awww, thank you. I bet she is adorable and I will probably be notifying you if I need any help in baby things, since I have no little ones of my own. LOL. I hope you did manage to have a good holiday and even if you didn't get any writing done, I can wait for more, but not forever.
Claire Bear Blondie: I think there will be, but she has a lot to get over. It will take some doing on Severus's part.
Fancy: Three times? I think you need to reread A Ward of Hogwart's he's not a real father in that one you know.LOL. You NUT! And no.I 'DO NOT' mean Condiments.hehe
Cathryne: I will convert you, I swear it.keep reading. Hermione will grow on you.
~~~
Thank you all, I am very grateful for your comments.
Blessed Be
RWH
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A Secret Worth Keeping
Chapter Four: Home sweet Home
Just a little over an hour later just as he stated, Severus again knocked on the door of room number four of the Leaky Cauldron Inn. This time there was silence beyond indicating that Sebastian was either sleeping or eating again. Hermione must have been standing close by for the door opened rather quickly and he opened his mouth to speak. Quickly she raised a silencing finger to her lips indicating for him to whisper.
"Shh, He's still sleeping." She explained softly indicating a finger toward the bundle lying at the head of the bed. I was a rarity for him to sleep this long at one go and she wanted more of the silence that followed. The peace and quiet that she rarely got anymore with an innocent baby to raise.
Severus glanced over at the bed and nodded casually he took her by the elbow and guided her towards the far window, further away so as their conversation would not to disturb the baby.
"How soon can you be ready to leave?" He asked quietly trying hard to whisper.
"Leave?" She looked around the sparse room and shrugged. "I can get what's not packed up in only a few minutes." She glanced over to the baby before looking back up at him. His eyes were bright and she frowned, not exactly sure if she liked that look he was giving her. He had a plan and she had no idea if she would like it at all. "Where are we going?"
He turned his face from her to the baby. It was hard to keep this simple conversation going when he couldn't keep his attention off of watching the baby's blanket, which moved so slightly as his son breathed deeply in his sleep.
"Severus?"
He started and returned his gaze back to her noticing her frowned expression. "My apologies, Hermione, I didn't mean to zone off there. As for your question, I'm taking you both someplace safe. Get your things together. I will get Sebastian."
Hermione watched for a moment as he walked stealthily over to their son and she felt a momentary panic. Where in the world was he taking them? It wasn't that she didn't trust him. No, she knew that inwardly he was a good man but, as a former student, she still held a respectful fear of him. After all, it had been drilled into her after six years that this man was a mean and angry person. She even had the memory of the rape ingrained in her brain to remind her of how brutal he could be.
She turned her gaze away from him and closed her eyes forcing that particular memory out of her head. Now was not the time to start falling apart again. She had been able to deal with it so far, there is no way that she can afford to collapse now, not when Sebastian's safety was at stake.
"Hermione?"
She jerked as his voice drifted to her, bringing her out of her dwelling.
"Uh.. yes?"
"Are you all right? Do you need help getting your things?" His eyes narrowed and she thought she saw a sign of compassion. But, as soon as she thought she saw it she blinked and the emotion was gone again from his eyes.
"No.. I can manage. I'll be right back." She turned and quickly left the tiny room for the even smaller bathroom. She paused over the sink and closed her eyes. She had to get over this. She had to move on. Her son needed his father and this was the only option she had. It was not a complete lie when she told him that she didn't need him. She didn't, but their son did.
Sebastian's parents may not love each other, but they were going to work together to make sure that their son would be raised right, Hopefully.. as long as Voldemort never found out about him.
Voldemort.
She shivered at the mere name and felt a large wave of apprehension overcome her. What if he did find out about Sebastian? What if Severus can't protect him? She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the mirror.
"What have I done? I may have just brought Sebastian into even more danger. I shouldn't have come here. I should never have written to Professor Dumbledore." She looked up, glanced at her reflection, and grimaced at the image staring back at her. She didn't recognize the woman standing before her now. She looked dreadful. She used to be cute, not a beauty by no means, but she was cute. Now she was chubbier from giving birth not even a week ago. She had about fifteen pounds to lose to get back to her normal weight. Her face was pale making her freckles seem in more abundance. Her eyes were forever rimmed in red and held a vacant look.
Knock Knock.. anybody home?
Not in my brain.
Hogwart's super-brain had been suddenly derailed and pitched so far off course that she doubted that she would ever be considered intelligent ever again.
She sighed and decided to take a few minutes to freshen up. Severus could just stay with his son for a few more extra minutes. She ran the water letting it run cold before wetting a thin washcloth thoroughly. Vigorously she fell to washing her face trying to scrub away the cold empty feelings that raged inside of her. The cold water made her gasp as she scrubbed, trying to fix whatever damage she could that the last nine months had caused. Eventually she stopped scrubbing and sighed with a glance back into the mirror. It was no use. She still had the cold, sad eyes and pale features.
She threw the cloth into the sink with a mental curse before giving herself one last haunted look. Giving in to the inevitable she finally bent to her task of gathering what few possessions she had.
She heard a rap on the door and finally emerged to a very surprising sight. Her inner turmoil faded away quickly as she saw Severus had Sebastian comfortably cradled in his arms. The diaper bag draped across his right shoulder and the baby's pacifier lodged between the fingers of his left hand. The sight was so unlikely to her that she stopped in her tracks and couldn't stop the grin that spread across her face at the image before her.
"What?" He glared at her smile.
"Nothing, Its just you look so.. natural.. like that."
Severus looked down at the baby then back to her.
"It feels oddly natural. Are you ready?"
"Almost, just a few more things." She walked over to an old dresser, pulled out a couple of shirts and pants, and stuffed them into her carryall. Then did the same with what looked like Sebastian's clothes. She didn't bring much of her own things with her but she knew that Sebastian's needs would be more and overstuffed the carryall with most of his things. He needed to be changed quite often.
Severus watched on with a frown noticing that she didn't pack too much of her own clothing and barely a fleck of underwear.
"Is that all you brought for yourself?" He looked pointedly at her small carryall and saw her flush.
"Yes, I didn't have much room for to many things. I don't really need it much actually, its Sebastian that has much more need than I do." She spoke softly as she packed his things quickly and turned back to Severus, keeping her eyes averted from his questioning ones.
She was embarrassed at his near knowledge of her near poverty-laden life. Embarrassed at the turn of events that led her down this road to becoming someone that others despised and spat on. It was true that she didn't have much in way of possessions but at least she managed to keep a form of shelter over her head even at her worst times. That was an accomplishment that benefited her intellectual brain As least she managed to work at a few menial jobs until she got to big with Sebastian where she couldn't stand on her feet anymore. Then she took a simple job answering phones in a muggle law-firm office. None paid much but she did manage. She had left most things behind when her parents kicked her out even her magickal things were left in her room. Probably all now in some storage shed somewhere along with the rest of her things.
Out of sight.out of mind.
Severus watched the emotions playing across her face before pacing the pacifier to his other hand and reached to her. This woman was going to be more difficult that the child. He inwardly sighed at that thought, but they both were his responsibility now. And he was determined to do what he must, for the sake of his son.
"Ready?" He questioned, hand outstretched to her. She hesitated before moving closer and took his hand in hers.
"As ready as I will ever be.."
"Hold on tight, we're apparating there."
As soon as he said the words, she gasped as she felt the odd tugging and immediately closed her eyes against the wave of dizziness that washed over her. She had only taken the first few weeks of the Apparating class in her final year, and had never actually attempted to do an actual apparation. Then she never had a chance to with her abrupt departure from Hogwart's. Her schooling days were long behind her and she had a much different life to live now, a life as an adult, an adult with a child.
Life was not fair.
"We're here." His voice said as she opened her eyes and he reached out to steady her as she regained her balance. The dizziness soon passed and she turned to see where they were.
"Oh.. " She rose a shaking hand to her throat as her eyes took in the structure before her. She could feel the tears threatening to build up behind her lids. "Hogwart's?"
"Come along." He said and started forward only to pause when he realized that she wasn't following.
"I can't. I can't.. stay here.. everyone... everyone will know.." She backed away from the school fear evident in her face.
Severus approached her cautiously and spoke low, in a soft comforting voice. "It's the most logical place for you two. You both will be safe here, Hermione." He reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder halting her retreat. "Plus you can continue your studies when classes begin again. You have a couple of months before you have to worry about any of the student's returning. August is still some time away. Plus this extra time will give you a chance to catch up on your studies. If I know you, you probably are already well ahead of them when you left. When August does come around you will be fine."
Her eyes filled with tears up as she gazed at her beloved 'home' but the memories scared her. Not to mention the fact that Harry and Ron would be there. She knew they would be asking questions that she didn't know the answers to. She hadn't spoken to them since she left and the guilt reached deep into her soul chilling her to the core. She had no idea what to tell them. Nor what they will do when they discover Sebastian or his father. She bit her lip as she took another step back, away from where she really wanted to be. The one place she actually considered her home.
"Does.. Professor Dumbledore.." Her voice was so soft that he had to lean forward to hear her.
"I have already discussed the situation with him. He has allowed you to have quarters in the dungeon, near my rooms. There is plenty of room for you and Sebastian there."
She wrapped her arms around her body hugging herself tight trying to ward off the fear that threatened to make her bolt, right back to Diagon Alley. She wasn't the same know-it-all Gryffindor that left here nine months ago. That girl was lost and was never to be found again. Did this new person belong here?
"It's not right. I don't belong here anymore. Besides, I can't afford the tuition.. the books.. I have no money.. I.. I just don't belong here now."
"Nonsense.. "
She flinched at his voice and turned back towards Hogsmeade facing the lights that twinkled in the night. "I can't do this, Severus. The.. The shame."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Hermione." He reached out to clasp a comforting hand on her shoulder, and was startled when without warning she dropped to her knees before him landing hard on the gravel road. He looked down at her in shock as he watched her shoulders shaking hard with the sounds of her sobs echoed out over the open air. Hearing her cries of anguish was just too much for him to bear. He felt something inside of him give. What it was, he didn't know, but he would dwell on it at another time. This young woman was falling apart on him and if he didn't do something right away, he would need help in bringing both into the castle.
He shifted Sebastian in his arm before dropping to his knees behind her. "Hermione.. listen to me. Whatever happened.. it wasn't your fault. You had been used, abused, and had to live with a terrible burden that you should never have had to. This is my fault, my doing and I want to help you.. help you both in whatever way I can.. let me do this, Hermione, let me help you two."
She grabbed handfuls of earth while gulping large amounts of air back into her deflated lungs, trying desperately to return her breathing back under normal control. She was mortified at the way she felt herself falling apart, now was not the time to do this. She didn't want him to see this part of her. The part that she kept hidden from the rest of the world and only released in the comfort and solitude of her own room.
After a time she nodded her head as his words finally sank into her head, his voice was low and soft as he spoke the sounds of comfort coming so easily from his lips. If she didn't know better, she could almost believe that he did care.
"It wasn't your fault.. Severus.. this.. this wasn't." She wiped her face with her sleeve and gave him a tired smile. "This was Malfoy's fault, not either of ours."
He narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Not that I want to remember what happened Hermione, but, I think that once you get settled we will have to discuss the.. event."
She bit her lip and shook her head at that. "No, Severus.. what happened.. happened and I don't want to have to be forced to remember it. Neither of us enjoyed it I can assure you." She took another deep breath and stood back to her feet with the help of his hand.
Severus clutched her hand, letting the topic go for now. They will eventually have to discuss what happened in order to get proper revenge. Lucius will not get away with this. For what he did to her and to him and all for the sake of possession.
Lucius had always wanted to posses Hermione. He and Malfoy had had fought over that more than one time. The other man's ego wouldn't let him believe that Severus wouldn't just hand the Granger girl over to him just like that.
What happened that made Lucius force him on Hermione instead of taking the girl himself that day.
More questions that he would get the answer to in time. When he had his hands around the other man's throat, robbing him of his life essence.
Oh Yes, this revenge will be sweet.
He paused in his thoughts and turned her back to the castle. "As you wish, now.its getting cold and I'm sure Sebastian will be catching a cold if we do not get inside soon."
"No, Severus.. I still.. can't."
He stopped and took a breath, he was beginning to get that irritated feeling behind his right eye. The feeling he normally got before a major headache hit.
"Hermione.." He growled.
She shuddered remembering that growl from her many days in his classroom. "I.. My parents.. the tuition.. I just can't afford it."
To her surprise, he merely chuckled. "Don't worry about the tuition, My dear. I will take care of your financial burdens until the time you are able to care for yourself."
"We don't need your charity, or money, Severus Snape." She replied slowly trying to hold on to what little amount of dignity she had left.
Severus reached out, took her chin in his hand, and tilted her face up to meet his eyes. "You may not, Miss Granger, but my son does. I wish him to be nearby and if that means helping out his mother financially then so be it."
She closed her eyes blocking the view of pain that she knew he could see in her face. In her dismay, she could feel the familiar tears running over and falling down her cheeks yet again. Never in her life has she ever cried as much as she had in the last nine months. It was not a good feeling.
She felt a cloth being dabbed at her face and she opened her eyes to see him wiping at her tears with a linen handkerchief. His eyes reflected a concern that she was used to seeing in her friends but not in this dark man.
"Do I have a choice in this?" She whispered lowering her gaze back to the ground not wanting to keep looking into his dark eyes.
"Do you wish to leave?" He asked just as softly as he cuddled his son in his arms.
She looked up at him and their son then back to the old school. A decision.. she had to do something. She couldn't go on like this for the rest of her life. Living day to day relying on the kindness of old friends and bits of odd jobs she could get.
"No, I'll stay." She finally decided and gently pushed aside the blanket from Sebastian's face to smile down at his sleeping form. "For his sake.. and yours."
Severus simply nodded and turned back to the gates but was stopped once more by a touch on his arm. He turned back to gaze at her in question.
"Thank you, Severus. I will repay you.. someday."
Severus gazed down at the child in his arm and shook his head. "No, I think giving me a son is payment enough, Hermione.Thank you."
A/Ns and Acknowledgements:
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I wish to thank you all personally:
Purrtyflirty, jessica, DragonFireAngelVWP, Saria, Silent Cobra, Atalaya, nesscafe, lover411, Lea, Anarane Anwamane, hplover, The-Potions-Mistress1, Metatron, and Saerelle: Thank you all for your kind words of support. I will continue to write with people like you all out there, willing to encourage.. Thank you!
Skye007lex: Romance is coming but not for a while yet.
dragonbrat: You sense that do you? Hummm
Magdellin: Awww, thank you. I bet she is adorable and I will probably be notifying you if I need any help in baby things, since I have no little ones of my own. LOL. I hope you did manage to have a good holiday and even if you didn't get any writing done, I can wait for more, but not forever.
Claire Bear Blondie: I think there will be, but she has a lot to get over. It will take some doing on Severus's part.
Fancy: Three times? I think you need to reread A Ward of Hogwart's he's not a real father in that one you know.LOL. You NUT! And no.I 'DO NOT' mean Condiments.hehe
Cathryne: I will convert you, I swear it.keep reading. Hermione will grow on you.
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Thank you all, I am very grateful for your comments.
Blessed Be
RWH