Disclaimer: Not mine.

Hermione's Son

Chapter 18

Christmas morning Hermione woke to the sound of china and metal clanking in the kitchen and the smell of toast and eggs. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and rolled to her back. It was good to have Hugh home and not wake to silence, and in a moment of pure indulgence, she closed her eyes and listened, considering going back to sleep. Within moments, her eyes snapped open upon hearing a familiar male voice bantering with her son.

"So what did you do then?" Hugh's voice floated out to the sitting room.

"It was fortunate that it happened prior to the Ministry's reordering the lessons. The structure at that time was set up so all third years knew simple shielding spells. However, I still carry a scar from the burn. Professor Longbottom has a similar one on the back of his left hand."

"Yeah, I saw it. So…these will help?"

"Only if used properly. When chopping dried ingredients correctly, aided with the correct blade, your product will not repel the liquid portion, which results in most of the explosions in any lab. You must still exercise caution and learn to use them precisely. Your mother has also helped greatly with her method of cooling potions. I believe you learned hot water submersion of the copper cauldrons last week?"

"Yeah, her name was right in the new text book and everything. Do you think I will make it into advanced potions? I buggered up the last exam."

"Your Professor will make that decision, that and your N.E.W.T.s. However, it is up to your mother as to what language you use at home. I, for one, do not find the term bugger up as adequate when describing a failing grade," Severus' voice gently chided, although Hermione knew he had raised his eyebrow and gave Hugh his mind your manners look.

"How do I hold this one? It has two blades real close together."

"Now is not the time. Close the lid and wake up your mother. Tell her it is breakfast time and if I am cooking she is eating."

"Don't bother, I'm here," Hermione said walking into the room and caught Hugh up in a hug as he threw himself at her. Meeting Severus's eyes over Hugh's shoulder, she smiled warmly.

"Can we eat after we open the rest of the gifts?"

"The rest?"

"Yeah, look what I got." Hugh dragged her to the table and lifted the lid of a black ebony box, which contained a set of professional chopping blades. "They're real. Not the practice knives we got in Diagon. He said I can't use them at Hogwarts but I can at home."

"Severus," she looked up and saw him turn back to the cupboards to take down the plates. "This must have cost a small…"

"Sit." He turned and handed Hugh the plates. "For one day you will shut up about the price of potatoes. And you, Mr. Ganger, will sit and eat prior to any frivolity."

Hermione raised her eyebrow as Hugh hurried to set the table. Taking the seat at the back, she watched them complete plating the food and set it on the table. Not only was she surprised that Hugh had not protested about having to wait to attack what was under the tree, but that he ate slowly, not cramming his cheeks full only to rush off.

"I got a new a telle. Sis let me open it when you left."

"I see," Severus said, looking up from under his brows. "I do hope you use it wisely and not waste what little time you have at home on such things."

"Was there a problem?" Hermione asked, keeping her eyes on her plate. "At Hogwarts? I thought you might return last night." Aware that his hesitation to give her a quick answer signalled that he was still brooding about how they had left things.

"It was best that I left when I did, nothing more."

"I see." She laid her fork down and fought to fill the silence that suddenly descended on the kitchen. "Is anyone still at Hogwarts? Other than the elves?"

"No," he answered. "I was quite alone."

"And you preferred that over…"

"Are you two going to go at it again?" Hugh glared at Severus.

"Hugh!"

"I don't care…last time he had you crying," he said, lifting his chin, although a slight tremble in his lower lip gave away his false bravado.

Severus held up his hand to silence Hermione as he locked his eyes on Hugh. "Again. This time do not take that attitude. If you hope to be taken seriously do not act like a petulant child and if you have a problem with me say it to my face not to your mother."

Hugh swallowed hard and stood next to his chair. "I would prefer it, sir, if you do not speak to my mother that way. The last time you did you made her cry." He stopped and cut his eyes to Hermione. "Well he did."

"Hugh, you don't understand," she stared to explain when again Snape held up his hand, palm out, silencing her.

Severus leaned back in his chair, the pulse under his chin beating strongly, as he turned slowly to face Hermione, taking his attention off Hugh. "It seems your son is correct. We should not argue about trivial things. Do you agree, Miss Granger?"

"I…yes," she stammered, seeing the laughter in his eyes and didn't know how far he was going with this. "I …imagine so, Headmaster."

"For example, the other evening after our shopping trip, was there not a certain…private communication that was almost cut short due to a…difference of perceptions?"

"Ummm…perceptions?" She looked between Severus and Hugh, not understanding what he wanted.

"Yes, Miss Granger, you argued that I would see something one way, I disagreed, and then proved my point much to your…satisfaction."

Hermione's face reddened instantly, knowing he was referring to his assertion that he didn't care about her disfigurement and her insistence that he did. "We agreed, in the end, did we not, to keep …certain ….developments private? As well as certain, shall I say Ministry interventions?"

"I remember no such agreement," he said, looking surprised. "Was that before or after our… communication?"

"During," she hissed. "You know damned well what…" She stopped and flung herself back in her chair.

"Mr. Granger, whereas I understand your concern for your mother and find it commendable, I do want you to remember this conversation as proof that at times, your mother, takes offense to the least little thing. However, I do find your protection of her commendable and agree that our behaviour was inappropriate. "

"I do not take offense at the least little thing," Hermione said incredulously. "How can you say that? You twist things to your linking only to..."

"Yeah, you do," Hugh chimed in, and quickly tried to recover. "I mean sometimes…not all the time. You know…just…not all the time just…once or twice…."

"Now would be a good time to open your presents. Go." Hermione said, standing up with him, waiting until he ran out of the room before grabbing Severus by the arm. "What was that all about?"

"He is jealous that he does not have you to himself. That and he is playing the part of the man of the house. Both are normal reactions for a boy his age. He knows something has changed, he just doesn't know what."

"That's foolish. He likes you. God only knows why. And I wasn't asking about him. What the bloody hell are you up to?"

"I accepted your invitation," he said, glancing at the door before quickly holding her chin and giving her a light kiss.

"I was worried," she said, leaning on his chest and looking up to study his face. "When you left yesterday, I was worried that you misunderstood me."

"I returned. Did I not?"

"I never doubted that you would," she said smiling widely. "My only worry was that it would take you longer. I want you to promise that we will never put our work or other issues between us. That we can argue and still…"

He kissed her quickly and pulling back nodded to the doorway. "Fine. I promise never to take you seriously. Now, your son is waiting for you."

"Us, he is waiting for us, and you had better take me seriously."

"Hermione," he sighed.

"What do I tell him? About us I mean. If he suspects something perhaps I should talk to him."

"The truth would be novel." He turned and walked into the sitting room to join Hugh.

Hugh thrust his package into Snape's hands with a shrug and a comment that it was really nothing. Frowning, Severus opened the gift and looked up to Hugh who sat looking at him expectantly. "It is a fine journal. Good leather binding," he said, glancing at Hermione before setting it on the end table.

Seeing his discomfort in accepting a gift, Hermione waved Hugh to the tree, telling him which one to open first. Crossing the room, she sat next to Severus, as she instructed Hugh which gift was from her to the Headmaster. "Happy Christmas," she said handing it to Snape, and turned back to watch Hugh rip the paper off the chess set, taking her attention off Severus who sat stiffly. "Do you like it?"

"You got this in Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, I spent the day there. Shopping."

His eyes went quickly to Severus and back to her. "You could have taken me out for lunch. We get a whole hour."

"I know you do. I…I didn't think about it tell you the truth. I didn't even know I was going until I got up that day. Now, open the red one. See if it fits."

"Severus?" She turned back to him as Hugh left the room to try on his new trousers and shirt. "Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all." He put the inkpot and quill on the table along with the journal. "You should not be spending your…"

"You said we wouldn't talk about the price of potatoes," she said with a laugh and moved back from her perch on the edge of the cushion. "Can't you just accept the fact that we wanted to give you something? You have given us so much…this house to live in for one. We owe you a lot more than a couple of trinkets at Christmastime."

"You owe me nothing. I thought I had made that clear. If that is what this is about…"

"Now stop." She grinned, leaning back against the cushions and glanced up the steps. "You may not understand this, but for Hugh to give you a gift means that he likes you, more than just his Headmaster." She leaned against his arm and held his hand in both of hers. "I missed you last night."

Shrugging her off, he reached into his inside pocket and brought out a small package and handed it to her, then leaned back against the cushion, draping one leg over the other. Just as she began to remove the silver paper, Hugh came trudging down the stairs giving her a halfhearted smile.

"When did you get so tall?" she quipped, looking at his ankles showing from under the trouser legs. "Take them off. I'll exchange them before you go back. Actually, you had better come with me. You look like an idiot in those. The jumper too…it looks like something a clown would wear."

"Thanks," he said, grinning. "I was worried I'd have to wear them."

"I guess I have no idea how to shop for boy's clothing." She laughed, watching Severus from the corner of her eye as she began to open the package. Finding a black jeweller's box, she flipped it open. Inside lay a pair of hair combs made of elfin spun gold and set with sparkling emeralds. "Oh…Severus…they're…they're beautiful." She snapped her head up to see him watching not her but Hugh.

"You said jewellery…"Hugh paused and looked from Severus to Hermione and back to Severus, his own face showing confusion and something Hermione could not place.

"Do you have a question?" Severus asked.

"No, I guess not." Huge frowned and levelled Snape with a glare of his own.

Severus leaned forward and removed one of the hair combs from the box, grabbed a lock of hair from Hermione's temple and twisted it up to the side of her crown where he fastened the comb. Leaning back, he smirked at her. "They carry a spell that is now fixed."

"This better be good."

"In case of an emergency I will be alerted. You are alone much of the time. I thought this would lend you some measure of safety. Hugh, if you put the remaining comb in her hair, it will also alert you. The signal will be silent, an intense warming of your left wrist. However, since you can not apparate for few years, it will be of little use."

"That's all? Because if they carry any of those barbaric fidelity…" Her hand went to her hair as she started to remove the comb.

"Just that." He smirked, seeing the look that flickered across Hugh's face at Hermione's slip of the tongue. "If for some reason you cannot talk, which now that I consider it may be something I would like to see, they will alert me. In other cases, you can rest assured that even if you are run over by the Knight Bus you must give the password."

"And?"

"Kumquat, and before you ask, no I do not. The original owner set the password over two hundred years ago. I have no idea why, other than it is not likely to come up in conversation."

"You sure that's all it is?" Hugh asked, leaning over to look at the combs. "So…it's not like Muggle jewellery at all. Right? It…it doesn't mean anything…not like…you know the necklace I got for Natalie? What you said her dad my think?"

"They are exquisite," Hermione mused as she ran the tip of her finger over the fine gold work. "I have never owed something so beautiful. Severus…the must have come very dear. How can I ever thank you?"

Snape leaned back in his seat again, not taking his eyes off Hugh. "It is exactly like Muggle jewellery. Have you found your question?"

"Sis?"

"What is it, Hugh?" Hermione tore her eyes from the combs and looked up at him, finding his and Snape's eyes still locked on each other.

"He wants to know if we are…seeing each other. I do believe that is still the term second- years use."

"The Headmaster and I are not…"

"I know that's a lie. I thought he was getting ready to dump you. Yesterday you were having a row and now he's giving you those. So…he's not dumping you or what?" Hugh stammered.

"No and what do you mean you know? Know what?" Hermione didn't know if Severus' bark of laughter was from the look on her face or Hugh's assessment of their relationship.

Hugh shrugged as his face turned red. "The guys said when you threw a fit in the Broomsticks you two looked …you know…then you were wearing his shirt."

"That's it!" She stood and laid her hair combs on the table with Severus' inkpot and quill, "I don't want to hear what the guys say and I don't think now is the time to talk about this."

"They were right," Hugh muttered, glancing at Severus when he heard the Headmaster continue to snigger. "Well, they were."

"Enough," Snape said firmly, coaching his face back to its normal scowl.

"What'd I say? Just because she lied to me…"

"I did not…" she turned to Severus for help, clamping her mouth shut.

"She was trying to protect you, it is a thing witches do. You will learn as you grow older that they demand your complete honesty but temper what they say to what they think you want, or are ready, to hear. You will also learn to express your…feelings…or incur their wrath."

"Protect me from what?" Hugh asked, looking between the two.

"Severus, that's enough," Hermione said, gathering up the discarded wrapping paper and fisting it into a crumbled mess.

"Hugh," Severus said quietly. "There is an envelope on my nightstand. The one with a Ministry seal. I want you to get it for me."

"I should talk to him first," Hermione said watching Hugh go up the stairs. "He may have questions."

"Leave him be. If he has questions he will bring them to you."

"I don't know that he will. He still isn't always comfortable with me."

"With asking his mother if she is having an affair? No. With asking his sister if she is involved with someone? Yes."

"I still don't think this is a good idea. I haven't even had time to think about it and I know he's not ready."

"He is more than ready. It is his mother that cannot accept the fact."

"Not us, about the certificate. He doesn't need to know about it until I make up my mind."

"By which time he will be married with children of his own. It should be his decision as well, one he needs to make before returning to Hogwarts." He leaned back in his seat and scowled at her. "I would prefer that you put the kettle on and busy your self in the kitchen."

"You…you think I am leaving you alone with him? Oh, no…I don't think so."

"I am sure your ear will be pressed to the door. However, he needs to be able to talk freely and with you…"

"This one?" Hugh held the envelope up as he came down the stairs. "There's another one but it has a Hogwarts seal."

"Your mother was about to put on the kettle, so I will explain what this is while she is busy." Severus held out his hand and smirked as Hermione stomped out of the room. "She is upset that I will not allow her to join us."

"Why?"

"Sit," Severus waved to the chair opposite him. "You are well aware of the bigotry that our world holds for the children of unmarried witches. Are you not?"

"Yeah." he muttered, looking at the carpet.

"Eyes up when I am talking to you. That is unless you find something shameful in this discussion, in which case I am sorely disappointed in you."

Hugh lifted his head and stared at the Headmaster. "They call me names…they call me Mudblood and say I'm a bastard."

"And so you are." Severus waited until Hugh threw himself back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. "The term bastard is an old one, and one that has unfortunately survived to this day adapting to a new meaning. It is used now as a moral judgement where once it was only as an indication of marital status and referred to in legal documents of inheritance rights. However, it does rather inelegantly state your position in our world. Without a father's name, you will not be accepted into society. Whereas that should not be an issue, it will be a determining factor if you ever decide to go into business in our world."

"I want to be a curse breaker," Hugh admitted, toeing the carpet.

"A dangerous profession, but not one without appeal," Severus said solemnly. "The older the family, the more…trinkets…they have collected, the more property they have acquired and the more need for someone with those skills. A perfect example of what you will face and a valid reason to make sure you are not known as a bastard, as your revenue will be generated by those of old families who hold the most prejudices."

They sat in silence for a few moments, both turning to look at the kitchen door when the sound of a kettle banging in the sink became loud enough to draw their attention. Severus chuckled and raised his eyebrow. "Your mother thinks I am being vulgar and unjustly cruel to her."

"About what?"

"About not allowing her to be here when you learn what we are discussing."

"Yeah, well…should I try my silencing spell?"

"That would be rather foolish. She was the only student I knew that could break my wards in her second year and I imagine she has already set her own anti-silencing wards against my attempts."

"She can do that?"

"She can. I do, however, plan to discover her spell. Now, as I was saying, without a father's name on your birth certificate, your options in this world will be those of an uneducated interloper. I have therefore, come up with a simple solution. A few days ago, I approached an old friend of your mother's and I. You would know him as Minister Shacklebolts." Severus waited until Hugh nodded then continued as he removed the certificate from the envelope.

"You do not know your father's name, neither do I. I am certain that your mother will never tell you, nor is there any indication that you will learn of it in the future. You need to accept that." First, scanning the certificate, he then handed it to Hugh. "Your mother, I see, has not signed this, although you will see my signature. Once she does it will magically file itself with the Ministry and all records associated with it will change to match the information."

"What…what does this…you're not…I…"

"No, I am not. You need to know that this is only…an offer…not the truth. It will become the…legal proof that you need to survive in this world. You are already aware that any dunderhead with half a brain can spell the truth of the matter. "

"You knew her when she was a student. Who was she seeing?"

"That is her story to tell, or to keep private. All I will say it that your mother was gravely injured. When she was discovered in the Muggle world, with unhealed magical injuries and a small child, I sought the same answers that you seek now."

"Severus, stop." Hermione stood in the doorway to the kitchen, looking at Hugh. "He doesn't need to…"

"Yes, he does." Severus turned from her, dismissing her concerns. "There was one I thought was your father. However, the appropriate blood test ruled him out, as well as another close friend of hers. She has steadfastly refused to name him, and that will not change. Nor should it, as he is of no consequence."

"Why," Hugh swivelled in his chair to see Hermione shake her head, her eyes full of tears.

"That is her choice and hers alone. The choice to sign this is yours and hers. Consider it carefully."

"What happens if she signs it? Does everyone know?"

"You may continue as you are, or disclose the information as you and your mother see fit. Of course, as I have said, if anyone cares to test the bloodline it will be an obvious falsehood. However, it is my experience that people want to believe the worse, and my name listed on your birth certificate will be, for most people , just that. Despite that, it will give you a name, a connection to this world and whereas the term bastard will still fit, as your mother was unmarried, you will have the advantage of having a father in name only. For those that want to believe the best, they will believe that your mother forced me to own up to my…errors."

"Does my name change?"

"In theory, yes. However, you can continue with Granger. Once you are of age any legal papers will show Hugo Snape, alias Hugo Granger if you so chose. Even if it becomes common knowledge that is a falsehood, legally it will hold, and over time, it will be known as true."

"Then why do it? If everyone will know it's wrong."

"Human memory is a strange thing. If it is ever tested, there may be a flurry of interest, however in time that too will be forgotten, or disbelieved. Your mother's name is well respected in this world. Her part in the war, as you have learned, is fast becoming more a thing of legend than based on the truth in the matter. As time goes on, eyewitnesses to some of her exploits will remember things …differently… and the fact that she signed the certificate will give it all the credibility it needs to be accepted. Are you aware that your mother has been researching for a book she wants to write?"

"Umm, yeah," Hugh sniggered, jerking his head to the pile of files, folders and charts piled on the floor in the corner.

"She is attempting to change the collective memory of our world. What was once common knowledge, has been forgotten, changed…a falsehood became …legend. That is but one example of how, over time, things are remembered differently and a false memory, planted by a person of respect, becomes the new truth."

"My friends will know."

"If they are your friends it will not matter. My suggestion would be to let the rumours run their course. Do not deny, nor give them credence. Leave the children have their fun and when your birth certificate is needed, years from now, let them think it was your mother's plan and my stubbornness and hatred of the press that kept you from telling anyone. I do believe that is the story you have already put in place."

"So….you're telling me to lie?"

"No, I am telling you to say nothing. Although as you are indeed your mother's son, I know you will find that impossible."

"Did you only do this for my Mum?" Hugh swallowed hard and wiped his sleeve under his nose.

"Again, yes, in theory. However, I have no heir, no family, and find it desirable to know that what I have accumulated will be passed down instead of going to the Ministry. I am not…adverse to the idea. I do not find your company…offensive….nor did I do this to acquire your mother's favour."

"Severus?" Hermione said from the doorway, her eyes pleading with him to say something kind. "If you want to leave this, come have a cuppa."

"So it's true?" Hugh leaned forward and whispered. "That shirt was yours?"

"You mother is quite right. I would like a cup of tea," Snape stood up, smoothing his trousers, smirking at the closed kitchen door.

"That's it?"

"Unless you expect a hug and a happy- ever- after fairy tale in which case you can take it up with your mother."

"Ummm…yeah…well…no, I mean…yeah…I'll see her," Hugh said, jumping up and moving back from Snape. "I think I got it. Just let Mum sign it and keep my mouth shut."

"I see you inherited her eloquence as well."

~o0o~

After a dinner of roasted duck and all the trimmings, Hermione shooed the two wizards out of the kitchen to a game of chess while she sorted the kitchen and prepared a platter of the cheese and olives to snack on later. Levitating a pot of tea, cups and the pastries she had purchased on her and Severus' shopping trip, she joined them in the sitting room.

"I hope you saved room for desert," she grinned, seeing Hugh's eyes grow large. "I think I over bought."

"You think?" Hugh grinned filling a plate with tarts and cookies. "I can take them back to school if you want to get rid of them."

"So…who is winning?"

Severus looked up at her, swallowing his smile. "It seems your son can not hold on to his queen."

"Ah, I see." Hermione nodded solemnly, remembering the way the queen would sway her hips when moving from square to square. "Severus?" She indicated the deserts.

"Tea will be fine," he said, reaching to accept the cup from her. "We have been invited else where for afters."

"We?"

Severus glanced at the clock and instructed Hugh to put the game away. "Although the place we are going is quite casual you will need your outer robes as it is a walk from the Apparation point. This is one time jeans will be appropriate. That is of course if your mother consents."

"Sure." Hugh started to put the game away, frowning at Hermione.

"Where are you taking him?"

"Where am I taking both of you?" He calmly set down his teacup and studied her. "The Burrow."

Hermione watched Severus closely as Hugh left to change his clothes. "Why are you waiting until now to say something?"

"Two reasons. First, you were in no mood yesterday to bring this up, and secondly, I did not want to give you time to worry about it, or to talk yourself out of it. The choice of course is yours."

Hermione crossed the room and sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. "How much do they know?"

"About Hugh, everything. About their son, only that he was with you when he died and they seem to think he passed coming to your rescue. I do believe Potter spun a partial truth. According to Arthur, Molly is feeling nostalgic and wants to see you. He thinks the holidays, and their children leaving home, is causing her some discomfort. At least he made no mention that anything else was disclosed to them."

She turned her head and tipped her chin up to look at him. "I'm okay with it. Truly, I think…I could do this if it wasn't for the fact that everyone will be there."

"Arthur assured me that by six only he and Molly would remain. The rest of the family were spending the day at The Burrow, but the evening at their respective in-laws."

"Harry?"

"I am sure Arthur has made sure he will not be present."

Hermione sighed heavily and considered if she should or shouldn't go. "You're staying right? You don't plan on just dropping me off and leaving? Okay, so don't answer that." She tipped her head up again and found him looking down at her.

Severus took Hugh in a side-a-long, leaving Hermione to apparate on her own. She followed in a matter of seconds, giving Severus just long enough to wonder if he was foolish for thinking she would come. She grinned seeing his look of relief, and taking Severus' right arm and Hugh's left, began the walk from the gate to the Weasley home.

"Cor, how does it stay up?" Hugh grinned.

"Hush," Hermione laughed. "Mrs. Weasley is quite proud of their home. I expect you to be on your…"

"Hermione, Severus, and this must the Hugh," Arthur said, hurrying out of the house towards them. "It was good of you to come." He took Hermione by the shoulders and held her at arms length. "I do think you have grown up even prettier than I remember you." He pulled her into a warm embrace. "Thank you for coming, Hermione. It is time Molly put this behind her."

"Mr. Weasley, I should have come sooner. Thank you for inviting us."

"Mr. Weasley? You always called me Dad … has that changed too?"

"Dad." She grinned, feeling the sting of tears. "This is Hugh, my son."

"I have heard a lot about you, young man. It seems that your Headmaster is quite proud of the progress you are making at Hogwarts," Arthur beamed at the boy before reaching out and ruffling his hair. "I hope you like treacle tarts, Molly always made them for your mother. Come, come inside before she is wondering what has happened to me."

"Who is here?" Hermione wrapped her arm around Arthur's as they continued to the house.

"Just us old people. Bill and Charlie are in Egypt, Percy and George are at their in-laws, and even Harry and Ginny are out for the day." Arthur opened the door and stepped back as his visitors entered.

Hermione reached out and took Severus' hand when Molly came into the room, feeling the first trace of trepidation. "Molly, it is good to see you. Thank you for the invitation."

"This must be your son," Molly said, smiling thinly, her own eyes shining with tears. "He looks like his grandfather. The eyes I think."

"Yes, he does." Hermione gently pushed Hugh to the sofa and sat down next to him. "I must say, this place looks the same."

"Sis," Hugh whispered and pointed to the mantle where the whole Weasley family and friends were in a parade of framed pictures. "Mum had your old photo album and I remember seeing them."

Hermione nodded, unable to look away from the photographs until Molly called her name from where she stood by the door, already dressed to go outside. "Severus said you have never been to the graveyard."

"No, I haven't," she answered, then seeing Severus and Arthur walking to the kitchen knew this had been the plan all along. "It's awfully cold out Molly, perhaps it would be better to wait until it warms."

"Hugh, run along to the kitchen now. I put a pot of hot chocolate on and if you are fast you may get some of the pudding before those two eat it all." Molly shooed Hugh off over Hermione's protests, then reached her hand down, waiting for the younger witch to join her. "My dear, girl, we have wasted enough time on this foolishness. Now come with me and let's be done with it."

Hermione accepted Molly's hand and walked with her to the far end of the property where the small Weasley burial plot lay. They passed the graves of people Hermione did not know, before coming to the names of Gideon and Fabian. Pausing to read the dates on the grave marker, she moved farther down the earthen path to see where Fred rested. Feeling Molly stiffen she suggested they leave, only to receive an emphatic 'No' and a shake of her head. Once in front of Ron's gave, Molly held onto Hermione's arm, if for support or to keep her from running Hermione was not sure.

"I used to come here every day," Molly sighed. "I thought I could never go on without them."

"I can't imagine loosing two children in one day. If I lost Hugh…" Hermione stopped talking and wiped the tears from her eyes. "You know what happened, don't you."

"Some of it, yes," Molly said softly, patting Hermione's hand. "They said you were in the hospital. That you…had a breakdown of sorts."

"Of sorts," Hermione muttered.

"I used to sit here and wonder where you were. Why you didn't come." Molly sighed deeply and raised her eyes from the grave, looking back to the house. "I couldn't understand why you stayed away. Then, when we heard about the baby I assumed you never loved him."

"Oh, Moll…Mum, I couldn't…even after I got out of the hospital…I couldn't come."

"Harry told me what really happened." Molly turned and studied Hermione's face. "Why did you feel you couldn't tell us?"

"By the time I got out of the hospital I thought it best to…no that's a lie." Hermione sighed heavily and slipped to the frozen ground, laying her hand on the dirt that covered Ron. "I used to pretend he was Ron's son. Do you know that? I used want it to be true." She looked up at Molly and then helped the older witch join her on the cold hard ground. "I didn't want a baby that wasn't his. I didn't want anyone to know he was mine…that he wasn't Ron's and mine, that I was raped. I shut out the whole thing…it was a long time before I could even admit that he was mine. It got so mixed up…so convoluted it took my parents death to show me what I had. What I almost lost."

Molly wrapped her arm around Hermione's waist as she wiped away her own tears. "And the father?"

"No, I don't know…and even if I did…even if I knew who it was I would never tell him. He needs to think I have always wanted him. Always." Hermione watched Molly's face soften as she nodded.

"Harry said something else. He said that Ronald tried to save your life."

Hermione nodded, unable to talk, feeling Molly's arm tighten around her. "Yes," she whispered, seeing Molly's sad smile she knew that it was best to let the witch believe her son had died saving his love and Hermione supposed he had. He had taken the attention off her just long enough for her to survive. Turning back to the headstone, she thought this was one unspoken lie that would have to stand, not for her own piece of mind, but for Molly.

Later that night at Spinner's End, after cups of hot chocolate and game of chess, Hugh went to bed leaving Hermione and Severus alone. Hermione turned the lamps off and lit the tree before sitting next to Severus and the curling up next to him, her head on his lap.

"I thought it would be harder. I'm glad we went. I think it is right to let her think Ron was killed saving me."

"It would change nothing for her to know the details," Severus said in way of agreement.

"It's strange, but I can barely remember his face. He was only a few years older than Hugh is now."

"What are your plans with your book?" Severus asked, changing the topic.

"I don't know. I've been thinking of finishing it," she said, tipping her head up to watch him. Seeing the set of his jaw and the fact he did not turn to her she knew she had struck a sore point. "Hear me out before you decide I'm wrong."

"Go on."

"I want you to tell me every thing you know. Everything. Then, I will see if there are any documents, or a pensive stored up at the Ministry I can use. I won't quote you, nor mention where the information originated. Then…Severus, no…stay here….hear me out."

Severus pushed her off his lap and stood towering over her, his face immobile as he waited for her to finish.

"I will finish it, with or without your help. I will then lock it up in my vault and bequeath it to Hugh…or perhaps to the Hogwarts Library. After all the Order members are dead, he can publish it." She stood and laid her hands on his chest. "It has to be told. This world deserves to know the truth…and knowing the truth will know what to watch for next time."

"You will do it without my help. I will not…however, make any attempt to stop you."

"You don't approve."

"You do not need my approval."

"I know that. But I would like your understanding."

He tipped up her chin and brushed her lips with his, sighing as he straightened up, scowling at her. "You are an enigma. You rush to learn about things that terrify you then are willing to set them aside."

"I have to, so the dreams will stop."

"Some things are not so easily put aside."

"I'm not running, Severus, never again. If that means I will on occasion fly into a rage or break down and cry then fine. You told Hugh that over time, people remember what they want, turn people into legends and only see or hear what they want to. I accept that. It's true. It was true about the way you were seen and the way some people still see you. I understand that and I know there is nothing to we can do…only give it time.

But not Dumbledore, Grindelwald and Riddle. That can never happen again, and if the knowledge can help in some small way to insure it never does than it is worth it. "

"And if it destroys families in the process?"

"Then it does. We can hope that in a hundred years things have changed. You said yourself things are changing, slowly…but changing. Perhaps by the time it's published, people will have learned that anyone, no matter the family, can be dragged into things like this. There are horrid people in all families, along with the good. Why should we pretend otherwise? Why hide what happened because of a connection to a famous name, or condemn a whole family because of one person?"

"So, you think those that found themselves pulled in to the foray were…horrid? That is the term you used, is it not?"

"What would you call them?" Her brow wrinkled in concentration as she studied his face, seeing his mask slip into place, hiding his feeling from her. "Now what did I say?"

"Albus? Do you see him as…"

"He wasn't horrid…but what he did was. Gods, Severus. Why do you do this? People aren't good or evil…not really. We are all a mix of the two. It's how we live our life that makes the difference. He changed, he led a good life, he helped… that is part of what I need to show that and that Riddle was born without knowing…or feeling what the rest of us do. We don't have to remember someone wrongly to honour them, and we should never stop knowing that someone can be truly without a conscience. By knowing what really happened we can guard against it and at the same time know the truth."

"What of me? I only ask because I still carry the mar…."

"Don't you dare start! If you want to argue find something else we can fight about because I'm not having this conversation with you. Not now, not ever! If you want to think something you did when you were seventeen should dictate the rest of your life you go right ahead, but me…I'm not interested." She saw him cock his eyebrow at her and opened her mouth to rant at him, only to close it again unable to think of anything to add.

"No, please, go on. I am interested in your view of a seventeen year old's intelligence."

"Git," she muttered, knowing he was referring to her age when she had been in battle. "Okay, so we should both put it behind us. I got it."

"Good," he said evenly, pulling her to him and lowering his head to her ear. "There is a saying, never go to bed angry."

"We shouldn't, not with Hugh here," she whispered.

"He already knows." He kissed her neck as his hands slid down her arms and around to her back, pulling her into his body. "I want you."

He took her hand and led her up the stairs and to his room where he warded the doors with silencing and locking spells least Hugh decided to roam the halls.