A/N: Here's a SS/HG multi-chapter fic that I've finally finished. This fic was inspired by Lady Gaga's "Brown Eyes," but this is not a song fic.

Enjoy!

- Draughts

P.S. I still don't have a beta reader, so all mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this.

Hermione was alone… very much alone in her flat in Boston. Today would mark a month since she had gotten into an argument… a month since she had left Severus.

Unlike previous arguments, this argument was not simple or over something trivial. No, this argument was over something - rather, someone - the couple had never really resolved: Lily. It had all started with Hermione and Severus listening to a song on the radio. They were laughing over the ludicrous lyrics when, all of a sudden, Hermione held out her hand and insisted that they dance to the song. While Severus could dance and had in fact danced at their wedding, he was not keen on dancing to this song in particular. What he told her next was a mistake: he told her that it was undignified to dance to such a song. She responded that it was just for fun and insisted that dancing to such a song was harmless.

"Severus," she had implored, "try living a little!"

And then he opened his mouth and began to say, "Lily would never-"

"Never what?" Hermione said, her heart quietly breaking.

Needless to say, the situation quickly deteriorated into a shouting match, only ending with Hermione leaving the room to pack her bags. And then, she left for Boston, seeking sanctuary at the Salem Witches' Institute. The institute set her up with a flat, and now she worked on her research with professors from the institute.

Hermione was not angry anymore. Instead, she wanted to talk to her husband, her Severus, but after she had left, she did not dare go back.

"I guess I'll have to be on my lonesome a bit longer," she said, gently rubbing her stomach with a bitter smile.

Just then, a desperate knocking startled Hermione out of her thoughts. She ambled over to the door and looked through the peephole. What she saw outside made her gasp in shock: it was Severus! Hermione cautiously unbolted the door, pointing her wand at Severus as soon as the door was open.

"Quickly, now! Tell me the names Severus and I were considering for our child," Hermione demanded, her voice shaking.

"There is just one name: Eileen Nymphadora, after my late mother and the late Nymphadora Lupin," Severus stated steadily.

Hermione withdrew her wand and said, "You can't be too careful. Even now, after the war."

Severus gazed at her, evaluating her well-being.

"You look good," he murmured, "Absolutely stunning…"

She smirked before retorting, "You look like hell, Severus. Honestly, how long's it been since you last shaved?"

He cracked a real smile before asking, "Can we talk inside?"

"I don't know," Hermione said, "Can we?"

And with that, she invited Severus inside her flat.

Severus took in his new surroundings before taking a seat on the couch. Hermione decided to sit on the opposite end of it, kicking off her shoes in the process.

"I believe you wanted to talk," she said, her hands nervously drumming a pattern on her stomach, which was swollen with their child.

"Hermione," he pleaded, "if I could explain what happened that day-"

"Then explain!" Hermione spat.

"She was on my mind that day, Hermione."

At this, Hermione glared at him darkly.

"But not for the reason that you are thinking," Severus quickly added, "You see, I was musing about the fact that, despite all of my best efforts, Lily never loved me the way that you do now - or, at least, the way you loved me before all of this happened. I thought it was remarkable, how you could love me despite my faults, despite all that I've done in my life. I thought it was remarkable that we were starting a family together. I'll never have that with Lily, but I don't want that with Lily. I want to share everything with you. I love you"

"Are you alright, Severus," Hermione asked, shocked at all he had said, "because you don't sound like you."

"I know I am not the type of man to give flowers and chocolates and share what I am thinking at times, but I really do love you and I really do miss you. I suppose my grief at losing you and all the Odgen's I've been drinking have addled my wits," he shrugged, looking at his hands.

"Oh, Severus," she said, scooting closer on the couch, "You haven't lost me, love. I think we need to work on some things, especially communicating with each other, but I also think we'll be alright."

Severus gazed up at her and smiled a hug smile before enveloping her in his arms.

"I love you," he murmured into her bushy hair, "I love you my brown-eyed bride.

A/N: Love it? Hate it? Let me know because I'll seriously consider rewriting this if you dislike the ending.