Yes, I realize it has been quite a while since I've updated, and I haven't even posted a second one for FML, but things have been busy here in the lovely College life, so I actually had to force myself to write this. I had to let you all know that Spring Break is coming up, and I'm heading to lovely Tennessee (YES!) so hopefully I can get some more written for you all :) but it won't be posted until after the 23ish so, I'm sorry:)

As always, none of the characters are mine. I just love messing with their imaginary lives :)

"'Mione!" Harry was to her in a second and wrapped his arms around her. Hermione, though, didn't move. Her temper flared and she swore her blood was boiling. "Oh, it's so good to see you!" Harry gripped her shoulders loosely and held her at arm's length.

"I bet it is, after six years," she said dryly.

Harry didn't catch her tone at all, but it was then he finally noticed someone next to him. He looked down at Essie Ann. "Who're you? You babysitting, 'Mione?"

Hermione wanted to scream at him. What on earth is he thinking! True he probably never had a drop of common sense in his life, but how dare he!? How dare he come Waltzing into my life like he's just been away for a few days? "No, Harry, this is my daughter."

"Daughter?!" Harry's mouth gaped open as his glasses slid down his nose slightly. "You mean you created spawn with that man?!"

Hermione let out a frustrated grunt. "That 'spawn' is my daughter! Come on Essie," Hermione picked her daughter up and shoved past Harry.

"Hermione, wait—"

She ignored him and said the password to her quarters as the first tears started to fall. As soon as she stepped in, she realized she'd rather face Harry than the man pacing the room.

"Thank Merlin!" Severus breathed as he quickly made his way to her side. "Where have you been? You left without saying anything or leaving a note! As soon as I heard about the stupid law I came back here and you were gone! I thought—" He broke off mid-sentence. "What are you doing!?"

"Standing here talking—more like listening—to you."

"Give me Essie; you shouldn't be holding her in your condition," he plucked his daughter out of Hermione's arms and ignored her protest. "You shouldn't be lifting anything heavy."

She stared at him startled by his round-about way of caring. She snapped out of it quickly, "You didn't seem to mind when I was pregnant with Essie. Honey," she looked to her daughter, "why don't you go play in your room?"

Severus let her down to the floor as she let out a large sigh. Hermione finally realized that she was getting to the age when she knew 'why don't you go...' meant it was adult talk. As Hermione watched her go Severus finally noticed her tears. "What's wrong?"

Hermione sighed. "Your favorite student has come calling."

Severus paled, "Longbottom..."

Hermione smiled slightly but shook her head. "Worse, Harry," she spat out his name as she moved further into the room.

Severus didn't know when he'd been more proud of his wife. Is she finally beginning to see reason? "What does he want?"

"I have no idea," she answered and explained her encounter with Harry.

"Spawn?!" Severus growled.

"That's what I said. He's probably still standing in the hall if you want to hex him. Send my regards as well," she commented as she sat down in her chair to relive her aching feet.

Severus needed no convincing. He opened the door to the hallway and saw Harry pacing. "Potter."

"Snape." Harry ignored Severus' icy look and saw Hermione. He maneuvered his way into the room and knelt in front of Hermione. "'Mione, that came out wrong. I just didn't realize you had a child."

"Not all of us ran from the law, Potter," Snape drawled as he stood behind his wife.

"I had to have or be with child by our one-year anniversary or I'd be sent off to the next available wizard." She glared at him. "But you wouldn't know about any of that seeing you ran as soon as the marriage law was considered."

"I'm sorry 'Mione—"

"Don't call me that. You lost that privilege when you disappeared."

Harry swore. "I didn't mean to leave you here alone! I thought Ron would petition for you!"

Severus snorted, "Ah yes, the famous Weasley."

"You knew better than that, too. He'd already left before the law came out and we hadn't heard from him in months. What made you think he would come out of his spotlight to remember his bushy-haired, brainy friend when he could have any of those beautiful women who are always fawning over him?"

Severus clenched his teeth at her crude description. She thinks she's not beautiful? She is pregnant for the second time...

"Hermione, I'm sorry," he reached out for her hand but she pulled it away.

"You'd do well to keep your hands off my wife," Severus growled.

Harry looked up at him, forgetting he was even there. "Hermione, all I'm asking is to give me one shot. I just want to catch up, please, Hermione give me a chance."

Severus had enough, "Potter—"

"Alright," Hermione answered at the same time.

What? Severus thought as he glared at the top of his wife's head.

Harry smiled brightly and stood. "Thank you, 'Mione—I mean Hermione."

"Come back in an hours. There are things I need to do before we go." She waited until Harry had left before looking up to Severus. "I'm only doing this so he'll leave me alone. He won't quit until I agree to talk to him."

Severus knew she was right, but it didn't make him feel any better. "That may be the only reason you're going, but if I know Potter, he'll take you away from me."

Hermione froze. "He wouldn't do that."

"He'll try. Now that the law's gone, you can leave if you wish." He still stood behind her chair, both of his hands grasping the back of it.

"Severus," Hermione hesitantly slid her hand into his. "I want you to know that I'm not leaving. I know you didn't want me to see him, but I was so upset after you left his morning I went to see Draco. He showed me the article and asked me to leave with him, but I told him I wouldn't leave you. He told me I wasn't welcome in his house again."

Severus didn't comment right away. Curse you, Minerva! Now I'm here analyzing all of these strange feelings! "I'm...sorry I left so abruptly this morning. I didn't know how to... respond." On impulse, he pressed her hand. "I'm sorry for the way Draco treated you."

"You didn't tell him too act that way." She stood up after squeezing his hand back. "I better get ready to meet Harry," she smiled to him and made her way to her room, the entire time pondering her husband's new attitude.

Meanwhile, Severus was thinking different thoughts. Get ready? She's treating this like a date! I knew she would leave me for Potter! He suddenly felt the sensation of déjà vu. Lily... He swore silentlyjust as Hermione came from her room.

"I just remembered I have to go ask Minerva if she'll watch Essie—"

"I'll watch her." He'd never before done so, but it couldn't be that hard.

"It'll be no problem; I can just run over—"

"I said I'll watch her. She's my daughter, is she not?"

Hermione smiled. "Of course. I'll be back soon. Hopefully this won't last long."

"Hermione," Severus stopped her. "You know of my past; about...Lily." Hermione's heart clenched at his first and only love. "I lost her to one Potter; I won't lose you to this one."

She didn't say anything at first, not sure how to translate it. One way was he didn't trust her or Harry, but he just admitted to loving her. Hermione smiled and raised a hand to his cheek. Before she could change her mind, or think of the consequences, she rose on tip-toe and pressed her lips to his.

"I will come back to you." Severus watched her go, still trying to work out the new, but familiar, feelings in his chest.

Hope all is well:)