AN - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

-----

Chapter 21

Lucius leaned back into his chair as he glanced at the documents and photos on his desk. Most of them all were for Hermione's case. They had come from Greg, the D.A.'s office, his contacts in New York and even Severus. The other few documents were ministry related.

With regards to Hermione's case, Governor Ellen Michaels and her son would soon be wishing they had never harmed or messed with Hermione. Things were about to roll his way, meaning Hermione would have the ball in her favor, even though she had not seen his plans.

The Michaels' were never a subject that was raised in front of Hermione. It was discussed behind her back, or rather, secretively. The subject alone was obviously painful for her, and it wouldn't be good to put her in a more stressful position. She was stressed enough as it was.

As he looked out the window, Lucius saw Hermione and Severus walk slowly together. Each of them had an arm around each other, enjoying each other's company. He was happy for both of them. He had never thought that Severus would end up with someone special in his life. Hermione on the other hand wasn't as depressed; she was glowing, smiled more, and was more of the Hermione that he knew.

Days already had passed since Severus's return into the magical world. Neither he nor Hermione had been seen by other people. They had spent most of their time together, making up for lost time. If they weren't around Malfoy Manor, then the both of them were gone off to muggle London, not coming back for hours.

Lucius had never seen such a couple suited for each other. There were a certain number of times in which he had witnessed their temperaments and arguments firing back and forth between the two. Both people were too stubborn as well. Eventually, one of them would back down and give in, and most of the time, it was Severus. His old friend was wrapped around the Gryffindor's finger. He smiled to himself when he thought what love could do to a man and change him.

The clock on the wall read eleven in the morning. Minerva was going to arrive at any moment through his fireplace. It was Severus that wanted to have a talk with her, before the entire wizarding world knew that he wasn't dead.

After Albus's death, Minerva had been very angry at Severus. If the older witch had it in her, Lucius knew that she would have killed him, but thankfully, she didn't. The entire wizarding community in England was angry at Severus for what he had done at the time. Lucius too had been one of them. Amongst everyone though, it had been Minerva who took it the hardest.

For a year, with the war still going on, the two hadn't acknowledged each other in the halls of Hogwarts, or even at Order meetings. Severus was more of an outcast, and no one trusted him. Everyone believed Harry Potter of course, along with the proof of his memories in a pensive where he witnessed Severus strike Albus with the killing curse.

During the final battle, Severus still proved to everyone that he was fighting for the light. No one really knew of his intentions; but, when Voldemort was killed, that is when the truth finally came out.

There was a secret drawer in Albus's old desk. When the war ended, it revealed itself and opened up in front of Minerva. Inside, there was a letter written from Albus. Everything about his death being planned was in it, proving that Severus was innocent. He may not have been alive, but died a hero.

Minerva and Lucius spent a lot of time together after the war. He could see that even after the war, Minerva was fighting demons of her own. The words that she and Severus had last exchanged weren't friendly on any level.

I hope you die and rot in hell Severus Snape! If not, may you be miserable all your life! I hate you and I will never forgive you!

Obviously, when the entire truth was known, Minerva had to swallow her words. She felt so guilty, and wished that she could take them back.

---

"Good morning Lucius," Minerva greeted him as she stepped out of the fireplace, dusting off the ashes from her robes.

"Minerva, good to see you," Lucius said as he stood up from his chair, walking over to her. After he had led her to her seat, he stood up in front of her leaning back against his desk. "How are things?"

"Wonderful I would say. Classes are finally over, and I can rest off a bit until the next school years starts," she answered.

"You work too hard sometimes Minerva," Lucius stated.

"But I will never become a Headmaster like Albus," she said. "He made the job look so easy. Severus would have taken the job in stride if he were alive." She stopped speaking and felt tears start to fall from her eyes. The war had taken two of the most important people she cared about.

Lucius reached for the box of tissues behind him, and handed it to her.

"Every day, after lunch, I still go and visit Severus's grave. I ask for his forgiveness all the time, wishing that he would forgive me. Albus never doubted him, unlike me."

"We didn't know anything back then. I'm sure he forgave you, never being mad at you. It was a secret, an oath he couldn't break." He turned his head for a moment, and looked outside the window. He saw Severus lying down on the ground, with Hermione straddling him. Both of them in a very deep kiss. "And where would you see him now if he were alive?"

"With someone special, and possibly with children," she sighed as she dabbed her cheeks. "We may never know."

"What if I told you that it is true? He has found someone special and is about to have his first child."

Minerva looked up at Lucius and blinked several times. Did the wizard lose his mind? "Severus is dead Lucius. Why are you making it sound like he isn't?"

"Simply because he never was," he answered with a slight smile.

Minerva's mouth gaped open. She was speechless as she tried to process what Lucius had just told her. Severus, alive?

"Look outside," Lucius told her as he turned to look out the window as well.

Minerva did as told, and gasped in shock. She obviously recognized Hermione, but the man that was with her… "No, it can't be," she said as she stood from the chair and walked towards the window.

"Despite him wearing muggle clothes, it's Severus. His hair is still the same."

"How?" Her eyes were wide as she watched Severus and Hermione hold and kiss each other. Hard to believe what her eyes were seeing. Was she dreaming?

"He faked his death. I haven't talked to him about that yet. There are more important issues at hand such as Hermione's case."

"What about it?" Minerva asked as she turned to look up at him. "Does Severus have anything to do with it?"

"Some guy tried to rape Hermione. The son of a very powerful politician. Severus absolutely has nothing to do with the case. Anyways, like Hermione said, her relationship with her unborn child's father was complicated."

"You mean…" Minerva stopped, not being able to continue.

"Yes, Severus is the father," he said. "Believe it Minerva when I say that he loves her. Though I'm not sure if they have told each other."

"They're fighting!" Minerva exclaimed when she saw Hermione slap Severus on his cheek. She then saw the two literally shouting at each other.

Lucius chuckled and shook his head. "Hermione one, Severus zero. It's nothing but a simple argument. It's been happening every day since he came back for her. They'll kiss and make up in no time. They're perfect for each other."

"I never imagined," Minerva said as tears of joy started to flow from her eyes.

"Neither did I. Come," Lucius said taking Minerva's arm in his. "Severus is the one who wanted to talk to you."

-----

AN – Severus and Minerva's talk, coming up. Review!