Chapter Seven- The Trials of Fatherhood
He drew in a breath to yell, but couldn't help but be curious. He peered in, stepping slightly closer, and felt his heart start again.
Potter was indeed in bed with his daughter, which did not bode well for either of them, but he was above the covers, while Hermione was nestled below the comforter. Potter was fully dressed, minus his shoes and robe, in Muggle jeans and a t-shirt.
Both were lying on their sides, facing the door, with Potter's arm draped over his daughter. He was cuddled up close to his daughter, who was tightly holding the hand he had over her.
Hermione's face was streaked with tears, blotchy from the effort of crying.
She must have finally broken down.
The last remains of Severus's anger died away. Potter, now that Severus looked closely, also had a red face from crying. The two of them had obviously began talking through what had happened.
Severus couldn't help but be grateful that at least Hermione hadn't broken down on him. Call him a callous father or whatever you wanted, but that he would not have managed. He had been gratified since Hermione's arrival to see that his relationship with her was going to take a similar tone to his relationship with his son. Blood or no, he was not an overly affectionate man and mostly preferred to be left to his own devices. Blaise had a similar attitude and Hermione appeared to have the same.
If she needed Potter, upon occasion, to have her emotional break downs, he would strive to accommodate the girl.
And with that, he retreated for his own bed. Technically, he had achieved his desires, checking on the two children. Both looked comfortable enough for the night, so that was that. He waved his wand, conjuring a blanket to drape over Potter. Wouldn't do to see him get chilled and give Black a reason to complain.
That the blanket was silver and green was merely… a fluke. He smirked. Yes, a fluke.
Long habits had him rising barely a few hours later, where he again retreated to his lab to brew. Brewing soothed him, helping him get over the lost sleep, for he knew he would not be able to go back to his chambers before nightfall again.
He had Missy on alert and she woke him just before breakfast so that he could go confront his two teenaged guests.
As soon as Hermione led Harry into the breakfast room, she groaned at the look on Severus's face.
"Sir, it didn't mean anything!" Harry too recognized the angry look on his Potion Professor's face and would do all he could to draw that wrath to himself. "We were talking about the Granger's and the Dursley's last night and we just wanted to comfort each other. Neither of us meant to fall asleep there- you have to believe me."
Severus, just about to retort that he didn't have to do anything of the kind, was stopped as Hermione put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "We also talked about the support we've been receiving and I can't imagine having anyone else with me." She said, kissing his cheek before she released him. "Love Hagrid, love the Weasley's as I do, they wouldn't have left me alone. They'd have been hassling me to talk about it and you just left me to work it out for myself." She said. "Thank you so much."
The Potions Master couldn't decide if she was earnest in her words or an even sneakier manipulator than he had previously thought. He watched her as she and Potter took seats next to each other and began eating breakfast. He finally decided she had been her usual Gryffindorish self and accepted her words. "I am glad you were able to comfort each other." He finally said. "But however it pains you, you must be careful of your actions. Such behaviours, should they actually be permissible in the Muggle world, are absolutely not permissible in the Wizarding world. You would tarnish your reputation, Hermione, possibly irrevocably. I could not stand to see that happen."
"Neither do I, sir." Harry broke in, putting his hand protectively over Hermione's when she began to protest. "This is all my fault- I'm sorry."
The boy looked disgustingly sincere- he really needed to break that Gryffindorish habit- and so Severus nodded. "We won't speak of this again." He said decisively. "Eat, and I will inform you of last night's happenings." He ordered. He had learned, through a brutal four-year experience, that hiding things from these children accomplished nothing.
"Your friend, Ronald, is going to stay in Romania with Charles this summer and likely next summer, while William is going to bring the twins back to the Burrow. William is going to stay in England, at least until the twins are of age, and he's going to be the DADA professor, but just for next year. Plans have been put in place for all at-risk students, should their houses be attacked."
He ticked the points off on his hand, dropping them as he finished. "Questions?" He asked, raising an eyebrow as if to dare them.
Harry and Hermione shared a glance. "No sir." They chorused as one, figuring now was not the time to anger their Potions Professor.
"Excellent." He saw their carefully exchanged looks and was glad for it. He was sleep deprived at the moment, he was not required to be courteous. He stuck with coffee, hoping in vain for energy, and fell silent until they had finished their meals.
When they had finished, he gestured to Harry. "Black is expecting you home after breakfast. For the next meeting, if you would like, you may ask his permission to host Hermione there." Hermione smiled at the thought, but Severus glared at Harry so the deeper meaning would pass, man to man. Harry was not stepping foot back in Snape Manor without an escort.
"That would be great, sir!" Harry said, nodding seriously at the man. He knew he was getting off lucky, as he'd half-feared Snape would give him detention. "I'd best get home. See you soon, Mione."
He leaned over to hug her and she held on tight. When she released him, there was a saucy grin on her face. "I'm still expecting my long letter of apology, Mr. Potter." She teased. "I do hope you send it soon."
"I will." He promised, grinning. "Hedwig's getting restless anyways. We both know she likes you more than me. Bye Professor."
When Harry was gone, Hermione finally faced her father. "Am I in trouble?" She asked. Despite his almost-genial tone, she had known the hellish Potions Master for too long to think that was anything but a farce.
He would have loved to have given her the answer she feared, just in general, as he did enjoy teasing children, but he knew that it would be unfair to the girl. "No, you're not." Severus said reluctantly, immediately squashing down the warmth he felt when she beamed at him. "I understand you've gone through a traumatic event, Hermione. If Potter comforts you, that's all well and good. But you'd do well to remember that best friend or no, he is still a young man whose hormones are raging at the moment. I wouldn't want your mourning period to turn into…" He broke off, realizing just how close he was to discussing sex with his daughter. "Well, into something neither of you fully intended to happen."
Oh, in no manner did he ever intend to have that particular discussion. She could damn well have that one with Capricia, the same as he intended Blaise to.
"But I do want you to feel that you can speak with me as well." He said, slightly uneasy. Pity and remorse were not feelings he was comfortable with, but he had helped more than a few of his Slytherins when a member of their families had passed. "I will listen if you'd like."
"If it's all the same to you, Severus," Hermione admitted, shrugging her shoulders a bit. "I don't really want to talk about it. I didn't last night either, but Harry was worried about me. Once we got to talking, it all came out. I know I don't grieve particularly well, but it worked for me when my grandmother died and when my father's parents died, so I think I'm going to keep this up."
She darted a look up at him, judging his reaction. She really hoped he wasn't angry with her decision.
But her luck was in, as he recognized the trait as one he himself particularly used. "I understand." He assured her. "And I think you know enough about me to realize that I tend to do the same. I also try to block things out, doing busy work to keep from dwelling on them. But Hermione, that isn't the best solution, long term." He said, frowning at the thought. He couldn't imagine the bright girl before him turning into someone like himself. "I just want you to realize that."
"I do!" She assured him, nodding her head forcefully to emphasize her point. "But, uh, it's working for now. So, I think I'm going to keep going this way. Maybe…in a few months." She offered tentatively.
He could see the sincerity in her expression and nodded his acceptance. "Very well, I shall let the matter rest for now. So, what did you and Potter get up to last night?"
"I found your library!" She exclaimed, her eyes closing as she imagined the wonderful two-story library that began on the second floor of the manor. "I love it! I didn't get much time to explore it, but I fully intend to. Harry and I wandered the house, looking through the rooms and talking to some of the portraits. We have some…interesting ancestors."
Severus snorted, laughing a bit. "That's one way of putting it." He said, rolling his eyes. "At least you and I come by our sarcasm naturally. And for when you reach your child-bearing years, I would remind you that the nose is genetic on boys."
She scrunched up her nose at the very idea. "I saw that." She admitted. "And I have to admit, I'm a little curious about meeting your parents."
"Well, a visit ought to take that notion firmly out of your mind." Severus said. "Ever again. But I shall contact Mother and see what their plans are. Perhaps we can go this weekend and be back in time for Blaise and Draco on Monday."
She forced a smile at the name of her nemesis. "That sounds lovely."
This chapter is edited, as someone said that the whole thing was showing up in bold.