Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except Sevilen, Lily, and Ethan.

A/N: Sorry it's taken me longer to get this chapter out than I'm used to. I have some major things going on in my life right now. I hope you enjoy this…

Part II Chapter 17

Hermione's Dilemma

Hermione watched as Ginny ran up to the attic, yet again. She picked up Sevilen and walked towards the stairs. "Hermione, let me take Sevilen for a while," Ethan said as he stood in her way.

Hermione sighed. "Thank you. That would help a great deal," she replied as she handed her son over to him.

"Go and take care of Ginny. I'm sure she would be glad for your company."

Hermione watched Ethan walk down the stairs. She then turned around and climbed the ladder to the attic. She saw Ginny sitting in a corner with her knees drawn up to her chest. She looked so sad and it broke Hermione's heart. She quietly walked over to her and sat down in front of her friend. She put her hands on top of Ginny's. "Gin, can I sit here with you?" she asked cautiously.

She heard Ginny sigh. "Why?" she finally asked.

"Why what?"

"Why do they want him dead?"

"Gin, he did kill our best friend."

Ginny looked up at the other girl, murder in her eyes. "Did anyone ever think that maybe he was forced to do it?" she screamed. "Did anyone ever think that he might not have had a say in this life that has been chosen for him?"

Hermione backed away a little. "Maybe you're right. Maybe he was forced to do it but maybe he wasn't. We don't know for certain what is going on. I sure as hell don't want him dead but you can't fault them for thinking about their friend. If it was your body that was found, I'm sure Draco would be out there right now hunting down the one that did it."

Ginny put her head down on her knees and started to sob. "I don't… no, I can't believe it. I'm sure he was forced to do it by his sick demented bastard of a father. That has to be the explanation."

"We won't know for sure until we speak with him," Hermione tried to explain. Ginny didn't look up. Hermione moved back to sit next to her friend and pulled her into a one armed hug. "We'll figure out a way to contact him."

Ginny finally looked up. "Serious?" she asked.

Hermione tried to smile. She really didn't think it was a wise thing to do but she wanted Ginny to stop moping around up here. "We can try," she finally decided to say.

"My dad thinks I've lost my mind," Ginny said.

"I doubt it. He just wants what's best for his little girl."

Ginny giggled. "Look what you have to look forward to when Sevilen starts dating."

Hermione lightly punched Ginny's arm. "Not funny," she commented but laughed.

"Have you told Snape yet?"

Hermione took back her hand. "No. I don't know how to."

This time, Ginny put her arm around the older girl. "He needs to know, Hermione. But, I'm sure you'll tell him soon. I have noticed how he's been checking you out."

"What? He has not," Hermione said.

"Really, he has. You've just had your head in the sand. Time to wake up, Hermione, and take a look around you."

Hermione sighed. She knew that Ginny was right. She had to tell Snape about her… no, their son. But how could she tell him? She was going to respond when there was a creak coming from the stairs.

"Gin? Hermione? Lunch is ready," came the voice of Molly.

"Come on, Ginny. You can't stay up here all day. You need to eat," Hermione said.

"But, what about Draco? How am I going to show my face down there when everyone knows my secret?" Ginny fingered the ring nervously.

"If you feel better, you can stay right here. But, only for a little while. If you don't show your face at dinner, I will march back up here and pull you down. Do you hear me?" Ginny shook her head yes. Hermione hugged her, stood up, and dusted off her jeans. "Besides, we have to decide how to get a hold of him. We can put our heads together after Sevilen goes to bed."

Ginny looked up, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

Hermione smiled back and made her way out of the attic. She ran into Molly at the bottom of the steps. "How is she?" Molly asked.

Hermione shrugged. "She's upset. But, I'm sure she'll be fine in a little while."

"Arthur really didn't mean what he said to her. He's just," she started.

"Worried?" Hermione finished. Molly nodded her head. "We need to find out what Draco's been up to. There has to be a reason."

Molly sighed and it made her look old. Hermione never thought of her as old. She was like a second mother to her and mothers never got old. "Maybe you're right, Hermione. But he's always had it out for the family. I'm worried that he may just be using her."

"Mrs. Weasley, I have seen them together during my last year at Hogwarts. They were extremely happy and were inseparable. I don't think that the thought of using her ever entered his mind," Hermione explained. "Please, trust your daughter."

Molly wiped away a stray tear. She thought she hid it but Hermione saw. It broke her heart to see this matriarch so upset. "I want to trust her but she lied to us."

"She didn't lie. She just didn't tell you what was going on." This was tougher to handle than Ginny.

"She didn't trust us enough to tell us. She could always talk to me before."

Hermione wanted to comfort the woman but her son had just bolted up the stairs. "Mummy!" he screeched and ran up to her. He latched on to her legs.

Hermione quickly scooped him up. "Did you just say mummy?" she asked him, tears finally forming in her own eyes. Sevilen nodded his head emphatically. Hermione hugged him to her.

Molly smiled. "I'll be downstairs, dear."

Hermione couldn't tear her eyes away from her son. He had his father's eyes but they were different. Sevilen eyes held warmth, laughter, and childish wonder. His black eyes smiled at her as he wrapped his tiny arms around her neck and snuggled into her. He was getting bigger every day and she found it hard to walk him down the narrow staircase. She was almost at the bottom when a shadow fell over them. She looked up into familiar eyes: cold, serious, hardened eyes.

"Can the child not walk?" Severus asked mockingly.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she shifted Sevilen's weight to her right side. "Did you want something or are you just taking up space again?"

"I see that your tongue hasn't matured."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked through clenched teeth.

Severus leaned in close. Hermione could smell a mixture of the crisp December air and freshly picked herbs. She supposed he was lurking around Molly's greenhouse out back. She shook her head clear and tried to focus on not letting her son slip from her grasp. "Are you listening, Ms. Granger?"

Hermione blinked and saw Severus looking at her. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" Why was it so hard to think around this man?

Snape sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Sevilen copying his movement. She almost choked on a giggle. "What is so amusing?" he asked. Then he saw the boy. "Why is he doing that?"

"I don't know," she answered as she shifted Sevilen's weight on her hip.

"Well, I have business to attend to." Severus didn't wait for a reply and quickly disappeared up the stairs. Hermione watched him go and sighed. She had to get that man off her mind but it was easier said then done.

She made her way into the kitchen and everyone was already busy eating and chatting. Some of the chatter stopped when she entered and she couldn't help but think that she was the topic of conversation. She sat down, with her son in her lap, and let him eat everything that was placed in front of her. She didn't feel like eating after her run-in with Snape. She sighed and felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked over and saw a concerned look in Harry's eyes.

"Hermione, are you all right?" he whispered.

She nodded her head as a single tear escaped her eye, betraying her response. She wiped at it and quickly looked down at Sevilen's head. She berated herself for crying for no man was worth so much grief. "I need to get out of here," she whispered back.

Harry stood up and grabbed a hold of her hand. Sevilen jumped off Hermione's lap and ran over to sit with Molly. Hermione shook her head but allowed Harry to lead her out of the kitchen. They made their way to the library where Harry locked the door and put up silencing charms. She sat down on a couch and when he sat down next to her, she started sobbing. Harry just pulled her into an embrace and stayed silent, letting her get it all out. After a few moments, her sobs turned into silent tears and she lightly pushed away from her old friend. She wiped at her tears and started to laugh.

"I'm sorry, Harry," she said. She took the tissue that Harry handed to her and blew her nose.

"That's what I'm here for," he replied. "So, you want to talk?"

Hermione nodded her head yes but didn't know where to begin. "Um, I'm not sure where to start."

Harry took her hand and looked into her eyes. "You know you can tell me anything."

Hermione took a deep breath. "Yeah, but what I have to tell you I'm not sure you'll understand. I'm even afraid that you'll hate me."

"I could never hate you. Well, only if you said you were a Snake Charmer or trying to raise Voldemort from oblivion." Harry tried to make it sound like a joke but it only made more tears fall from the girl's eyes. Harry hugged her again. "I'm sorry, Hermione. Please, don't cry."

Hermione looked up at Harry. "It's about my son," she said after a while. Harry stayed silent, time to let her get her thoughts in order. "It's really about his father."

"You don't have to tell me," he said.

"I need to. Only three people know: Ginny, Lily, and Ethan. I've seen his father again and I think I still have feelings for him." Hermione looked away. She couldn't stand seeing the look he was giving her.

"I think I have an idea but I want to hear it from you," he said, softly.

"Why is this so hard?" she asked out loud as she stood up and started pacing the room. "I used to be able to tell you everything. But now," she began then stopped. She had her back to the room and looked out the window. She could see Snape talking to McGonagall on the front lawn. It had started to snow and it made the old potions master look old, his black hair turning white right before her eyes. She sighed as she realized that he truly was old but the white made him more distinguished looking. She felt Harry embrace her from behind and she gladly leaned back. "Oh, Harry. Why am I such a fool?"

Harry leaned his chin on the top of Hermione's head and took a deep breath. "You are not a fool. You are a smart, beautiful witch with an extremely adorable son. Man, I never pictured you a mother but I see how much you love your son." He turned her around and looked deep into her eyes. "Tell me what's on your mind."

Hermione found it easier to relax while looking at her friend. "Sevilen's father doesn't even know he IS a father. I don't know how to tell him and I know he needs to know."

"You just need to get this guy alone and tell him. It can't be all that hard, can it?"

Hermione walked away from Harry and ran a hand through her thick hair. She hated her hair and grabbed it in both hands while she screamed. Harry looked on in fear that she was hurting herself as she sank to the ground, sobbing. She rocked back and forth, sobbing and screaming until she had no more breath in her lungs. Harry finally spoke when the screaming stopped. "Um, should I go and find Ginny or, perhaps, Lily?"

Harry walked towards the door and raised his wand to release the silencing spell when his arm was snatched down. He turned to see Hermione holding him, wide-eyed. "Please, stay. I need you right now."

Harry helped Hermione back over to the couch. They sat down and Harry tried his best to flatten her hair a little. "Take a deep breath and tell me who the father is. I may be able to help you figure out a way to tell him." Harry waved his wand a conjured a bottle of fire whiskey and a glass. He filled the glass and held it out towards her.

Hermione took the bottle instead and took a big swig. "Thanks," she answered. "Harry, Snape is Sevilen's father." She looked down at her hands holding the bottle and took another large gulp. She didn't want to look into Harry's eyes because she was afraid to see a look of hatred there.

Harry took a deep breath and took the bottle out of her hands. He took his own big swig and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You sure?" he asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yeah. Happened the day of graduation while I was looking for Draco. It wasn't supposed to happen but it did and now I have Sevilen." She looked up into Harry's eyes and relaxed when she didn't see loathing of any kind. "Harry, I wouldn't give up my son for anything. He is my life now."

Harry put the bottle down and took a hold of Hermione's hands. "I know," he answered. "I don't think I quite understand why Snape but he definitely needs to know." Harry brushed a stray curl out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. "You know, your hair isn't that bad."

Hermione looked down, blushed, and laughed. "Thanks," she responded. Just then, Harry's wand started to glow with a pink light. "What's that?"

Harry looked down and it was his turn to blush. "Um, that lets me know when Persephone is around." Harry's eyes lit up as he jumped up and ran for the door.

Hermione laughed and with a flick of her wand, lifted the silencing charms. "Go to her, Harry. Thank you."

Harry turned around and hugged Hermione. "I'm sure things will work out, one way or the other," he managed to convey.

"I know," she responded. "Get out of here." She turned Harry back towards the door and nearly kicked him in the arse to get him out of the room. Once he was gone, she walked back over to the window. She watched Snape converse with McGonagall for a while longer. She couldn't tell what was being said but it didn't look good. Snape looked as though his eyes were on fire and he also appeared to be screaming. Hermione hugged her arms around herself because it was getting colder. It was then that she felt something in her jacket pocket. She reached inside and pulled out a piece of parchment. "Oh Merlin, I almost forgot about this." She opened the letter and inhaled the scent of freshly cut herbs.

Ms. Granger,

We need to speak, privately. If you would be so kind as to grace me with your presence in my office before the winter break is over, I would be much obliged. I'm sure you remember where the headmaster's office is located. Be discreet. I will be waiting the day after Christmas. Until then, Hermione...

S. Snape

Hermione reread the letter, folded it back up, and slipped it back into her pocket. She looked back out the window and saw Snape leaving the safety of Grimmauld Place. She then noticed McGonagall rushing back inside. She turned and ran from the library and down to the front hall. There were hushed whispers but she heard "Hogwarts" and "attack." "What's going on?" she asked.

McGonagall looked up. "Nothing to worry about, Ms. Granger. Could you go and make sure Ginny is alright?" she asked. "Make sure she comes down and eats something."

Sighing, Hermione nodded her head yes and ran back up to find Ginny. What could possibly be happening at Hogwarts? And since Christmas was tomorrow, would Snape be here or would she have to wait until the next day? And if she had to wait, would she even go to the school? And if she went to the school, if there was an attack, would the school still be there for her to enter? There were too many questions that were being left unanswered but she had to check in on Ginny. If only for her sanity...

A/N: Sorry for the huge delay. I hope this was worth the wait. I have had so many changes in my life. I am in the middle of getting divorced, found another man who is wonderful, and loving my life again. My friend will be writing the next party. Hopefully she won't keep you as long as I did. LOL Again, please read and review.