Severus scowled deeply as he walked through the floo, into Albus' office. Not only had he been woken from his nap, Page Summers and Carry Higgs were standing in Albus' office looking smug. Abby stood on the other side of the room with Draco, she looked extremely pissed off.
"What's going on?" Severus barked.
"Your child has attacked another student!" Page said excitedly.
"I did not!" Abby yelled angrily.
Severus threw his hand up, signaling for Abby to be quiet. Abby huffed and crossed her arms. Draco wrapped his arm around Abby and patted her shoulder.
"I only want to hear what Albus has to say", Severus bit out.
"Why don't we all have a seat", Albus said sitting down behind his desk and flicking his wand, so there were enough chairs in front of his desk for everyone to sit. Hermione sat down between Severus and Abby, Draco was on the other side of Abby. Page sat next to Severus and Carry next to Page.
"Are you ok", Hermione whispered to Abby. Abby nodded.
"There was an incident in the Great Hall, during dinner. Ms. Higgs was the unfortunate receiver of a hex. Professor Summers and Ms. Higgs claimed Abby was the caster of the curse", Albus said to Severus and Hermione.
"And were you the caster of the hex?" Severus said, looking at Abby.
"No", Abby said quietly, but angrily.
"She's lying!" Professor Summers bellowed.
"I'm speaking to my daughter", Severus bite out. Hermione rub his arm to calm him down a bit. "Tell me what happened", Severus said, turning back to Abby.
"I don't really know. I was eating dinner and talking to Matty and Chad Monroe when I heard a noise, I turned and Carry was laying on the floor. When she got up her hair had turned purple. The next thing I know Professor Summers is at our table telling me I was in trouble. That's when uncle Dra...Professor Malfoy came over", Abby said, looking at Severus.
Severus nodded and turned to Page. "Did you actually see Abby throw a hex at Ms. Higgs?"
"No, but I know she did it. Everyone knows Abby is proficient in wandless, non-verbal magic. I saw her glancing at Carry from the side. Besides, everyone know's of Abby's dislike towards Carry", Page replied.
"I don't even know her!" Abby bellowed. "I have not said a word about not liking Carry! I don't know her not to like her!"
Albus put his hand up to halt Abby talking. Abby huffed again.
"You can't gage something like wandless magic", Albus said to Page. "Even if Abby was looking at Carry that doesn't mean she hexed her." Albus turned to Carry. She had been very quiet through this whole process, she looked more embarrassed then anything. "Did you see Abby throw a hex at you?"
"No, Sir", Carry said quietly.
Page looked extremely irate, but didn't say a word.
"Alright, Ms. Higgs you may go. I'm very sorry you had to experience that incident in the Great Hall, I will do my best to find out who was behind it", Albus said.
Carry nodded and then stood up and left.
"You would let this child getaway with murder, if you could!" Page said scowling at Albus and Abby. Abby sighed and rubbed her face, it was obvious this was starting to wear on her.
"Why don't you go up and sit with your grandmum", Hermione said softly, to Abby.
"What an excellent idea", Albus commented. "Why don't you escort her up there Professor Malfoy, we will be up shortly."
"Of course, sir", Draco replied. He took Abby by the hand and walked her up and disappeared into the entrance of Albus' chambers.
"Abigail needs...", Page started but was cut short by Severus throwing his hand up. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, Severus then pulled Hermione's hand into his.
"Please, this has to stop", Severus pleaded. "Abigail has had enough emotional strain to last her a life time. She cannot take anymore of this. Abby said she didn't hex Ms. Higgs, I believe her. If you catch Abigail doing something wrong, then yes give her detention or a reasonable punishment you see fit. But, this has to stop", Severus said gesturing with his hands. "Abigail is way more sensitive then she ever was and she's going to snap if you keep coming after her."
"I'm not targeting your daughter. I still believe she tampered with my bath products and hexed Ms. Higgs, but I will leave it alone. That doesn't mean I will not punish her if she does something wrong. She has too much leeway around here because she's damaged."
Severus and Hermione both scowled.
"I can assure you Abigail doesn't have anymore leeway then any other student", Albus said tightly.
Page merely nodded. "I need to get back to my classroom, I have papers to grade", with that, Page got up and left Albus' office.
"What an infuriating women", Hermione remarked, scowling.
"Don't let her get to you", Severus said and then gently kissed Hermione. "Let's go up and make sure Abby is alright."
Hermione nodded. Severus, Hermione, and Albus walked up to Albus' chambers. Eileen was seated in a rocking chair, holding Addison, who was asleep. Draco sat on the couch, Abby had her head laying on his leg and was stretched out across the couch, she appeared to be asleep too.
"Did you give her a potion?" Severus asked looking at Draco and Eileen.
"No. Abby said she was really tired, once she laid down she was asleep within minutes", Draco replied.
"I hope she's not sick again", Hermione commented.
"She's doesn't have a fever. I asked her if she felt sick, Abby said no. Only that she wanted to sleep", Eileen added.
"Probably just a long day", Albus said as he conjured another couch and sat down.
"What else did Page say?" Draco asked.
"Just being the usual bitch", Hermione mumbled.
Eileen and Draco smirked.
"Page says she's going to lay off Abby. Says she's only going to punish Abby if she sees she's doing something wrong", Severus said with a sigh.
"We should probably get our kids to bed" Hermione said, standing up and taking Addison from Eileen.
"Dad", Abby whispered.
Severus mumbled something and turned his head away from Abby.
"Dad", Abby whispered again. This time she reached up and pulled Severus' eyelid up. He started flailing his arm and jerked his head. Abby giggled.
"Dad"
Severus' head jerked up. "What! What's the matter!"
Abby giggled again. "Shh, you'll wake Hermione. Nothings wrong, I just couldn't sleep."
Severus looked extremely confused, it was obvious he was still half asleep. He looked over at Hermione, she was snoring softly.
"What time is it?" Severus asked, laying his head back on the pillow.
"Midnight"
Severus groaned, "Abby, go back to sleep."
"I'm not tired. How can you be tired, you slept almost all evening, after classes."
Severus scrunched up his noise, "You smell like pizza."
"Yes, well I was hungry. I didn't really get to eat dinner."
Severus waved his hand and sent a freshening up charm at Abby. He laid his hand back on his chest and closed his eyes, drifting back to sleep.
"Dad", Abby whispered, grinning.
"Abby", Severus groaned and rolled over onto his side, opening his eyes again. "Let me get you a potion to help you sleep."
"No, I don't want to sleep. I'm just bored."
Severus rolled onto his stomach and buried his head into his pillow. "Why don't you bug Hermione."
"She's sleeping."
"So was I", Severus huffed into his pillow. Abby grinned. "I'm sure Addison will be awake soon, go play with him."
Abby smiled, "He already was awake. When he fell back asleep I came in here."
Severus made a noise into his pillow.
"Can you tell me something?"
"You pick the oddest times to want talk about things. What is it you want to know?" Severus said turning his head toward Abby, but keeping his eyes closed.
"My mother. Can you tell me about her?"
Severus slowly opened his eyes, "What do you mean?" Abby was laying on her back looking at the ceiling.
"What was she like when I was little? I know I've heard stories about her, you, and I from when I was little, but what was she really like?"
Severus propped himself back up on his arm and studied Abby for a moment. "Well, she was like everything you've ever heard about her and more. Your mother was a pretty amazing person, her personality is hard to come by in a person. Your mother loved you very much. She always had this glow about her, but the first time I saw her holding you she just radiated."
Abby smiled.
"That's what made me take the chance in holding you and trying to be a father. As a baby, you terrified me. Just the idea of you was terrifying. Actually, sometimes you still terrify me", Severus said, smiling.
Abby smirked and rolled over. Severus laid on his back and pulled Abby to rest on his chest. "Your mum was someone who always tried to be positive about things and could always find the good. Sometimes I see that come out in you."
"Why didn't you and her ever get together after the night of the rival? I mean not that I mind, I do love Hermione. I'm just curious."
Severus lazily rubbed his hand up and down Abby's back. "Well, we had talked about it briefly. But it didn't exactly pan out. I was too stubborn and objective for your mothers liking. I think that's what draws Hermione to me."
"Yeah, she's likes the challenge. And, being able to kick your ass now and then."
Severus laughed, "That she does."
"I wish I only had good memories of mum", Abby said sighing.
"What do you mean?"
"The car accident. I wasn't unconscious the whole time like the doctor said..." Silence hung in the air for a few minutes.
"Tell me about it", Severus whispered.
"I told the doctor that I only remembered waking up in the ambulance. I lied I didn't want him or you to question me about it. I did get knocked out but when I woke up I was still in the car. I looked over at mum and I knew she was dead. She didn't look the same, I don't know how to explain it. I looked back at Megan and there was just so much blood", Abby started to get chocked up here.
Severus pulled Abby up so she was laying her head in the nook of his neck. "Shh, love it's alright."
Abby calmed down after a moment. "I miss mum so much. Why did she have to die, it's not fair."
"I know love. I don't know why things like that happen. But your mum would want you to be happy, I'm positive of that."
"I know. Do you think she would like Matty?"
Severus smiled, "Defiantly. If your mum had to pick someone for you, it'd be Matty. She would be taken with that goofy little grin he has."
Abby smiled.
"I a confession to make", Severus said quietly. "I knew what you experienced during the car accident."
"How?"
"The night we came home from the hospital, I used Legilimency on you. You were barely speaking, I wanted to see what you were thinking. I just wanted to make sure you weren't thinking about harming yourself. You were so distraught I knew you wouldn't feel me invading your mind. I hope that doesn't upset you."
Abby nodded, "It's ok. I figured you had done that at some point anyway."
It was silent for a few minutes, Severus' could feel that Abby's breathing had slowed.
"Abby?" Severus said in a whisper.
A soft snore was Abby's only rely.
"Severus", Hermione whispered.
Severus didn't reply, but didn't move either. Abby still had him pinned to the bed.
"Severus", Hermione whispered again. She tilted his head to the side and kissed his lips. Severus peaked an eye open. "About time you woke up", Hermione said smiling.
"At least you didn't poke me in the eye", Severus mumbled.
"What?" Hermione asked, giggling.
"Nothing. What time is it?"
"6:30, we need to be getting up soon."
Severus sighed.
"When did Abby come in last night? I never heard her." Hermione said, watching Abby sleep.
"It was around midnight, she was restless."
"She looks different. Her face doesn't seemed so stressed."
"Well, she did speak to me some about her mum and the car accident."
"Really? That's wonderful, how did you mange that?"
"I didn't. Abby asked me about her mum, what she was like before Abby was born. And Abby just told me about the accident."
"That's wonderful, Severus. I told you she would come around", Hermione said smiling at Severus.
"Now I just need to get her to discuss what happened with the Greybacks."
"One thing at a time, this is a big step for her."
"I know", Severus said smiling. "How about we go take a shower, before the kids get up."
Hermione grinned and got out of bed.
Hermione sat scowling at her papers, she sat at the desk in her classroom. The first year Gryffindor and Slytherin class had been extra infuriating today, along with Carry Higgs being rude and snappish. She tried to give the girl the benefit of the doubt but ended up giving her detention with Filch.
"Excuse me, Professor Granger", came the snooty voice of Page Summers.
Hermione sighed, "Yes?"
"I just wanted to inform you that I reassigned Ms. Higgs detention with myself, not Filch."
Hermione scowled, "And why is that."
"Because that's what I saw fit."
"You can not reassign my detentions!" Hermione said angrily.
"I can, and I did. Headmaster Dumbledore already agreed to it."
"What is your problem!"
"You are", Page said with a glare.
"I have done nothing to you! I was nice to you even after you made a pass at my husband and rude comments to my friends!"
"You're in the way of what I want", Page said simply and walked out.
Hermione yelled and threw all the things on her desk onto the floor. She stepped into the floo and headed toward her chambers.
When she arrived, the sitting room was empty. Eileen had taken Addison to Snape Manor for the day. Hermione put her head in her hands and cried. She had a horrible day of classes and Page Summers just set her off.
Hermione gasped when she felt someone wrap their arms around her. The male scent made her immediately realize it was Severus.
"My love, what's wrong?" Severus asked softly, as he stroked her hair.
"I had a horrible day!" Hermione bellowed into his chest, crying even more. Severus murmured loving words into Hermione's ear.
Abby walked in and stopped in her tracks when she saw Hermione. "Is everything ok?"
"Yes, love. Could you go get your brother from grandmum? They are at Snape Manor", Severus said quietly.
"Sure", Abby said quietly, heading toward the floo.
Hermione had quieted down by the time Abby had flooed out of the room.
"Sit with me on the couch, tell me about your day", Severus said as he pulled Hermione with him to the couch and sat down.
"My classes were horrible today", Hermione said sniffling against Severus' chest. "And Carry Higgs made it so much worse. I've never had a problem with her until today. She was very rude and disrespectful. Then, Page Summers decided to reassign my detention I gave Carry!"
"Shall I talk to them?"
"No, Carry is just a child. I don't want you speaking to Page Summers about this. That wasn't the only thing she said to me..."
"What else did she say?"
"Nothing Severus, just don't worry about." Fresh tears leaked from Hermione's eyes.
Severus stuck his hand out and summoned a calming drought.
"Here take this, it will help you calm down. You should sleep some."
"Severus, we have a staff meeting in a few moments. We still have to figure out what to do with Addison, Abby has practice tonight until dinner time."
"Take it Hermione. I will take Addison with me to the staff meeting. We will eat dinner down here tonight", Severus said tilting Hermione's head back and making her drink the potion. Her eyes were drooping in minutes.
Abby and Addison came through the floo a few minutes later. Severus signaled for Abby to be quiet and follow him to the bedroom.
"Is Hermione ok", Abby said, looking worried.
"Yes, yes. She just had a long day, that's all. I'm going to take Addison with me to the staff meeting. Come back down here after your practice, we will eat dinner down here. I plan on inviting the Potters, Weasley, and Draco."
"Ok."
Severus entered the staff room, with Addison in his arms. Addison was playing with Severus' hair and looking around.
"Ahh, I see you've brought my grandson", Albus said with a smile.
Severus nodded. "Hermione couldn't make it tonight. She's a little under the weather."
Albus nodded but was cut off before he could speak.
"Oh! Look at how big he's gotten!" Minerva cooed at Addison. "May I hold him, Severus?"
"Of course", Severus said handing Addison to her. All the women circled around Addison and started cooing at him.
"Women.." Severus said shaking his head.
The door opened and Harry walked in.
"Good you're hear Harry, we can get started", Albus said.
"Shouldn't you be at practice?" Severus question.
"Ron and Draco are handling it, all heads of houses have to attend the staff meetings. Where's Hermione?" Harry said in response.
"She needed a rest, Hermione was a little emotional when I entered my chambers earlier. I was hoping you and your family, along with Draco and Weasley, could come down and have dinner with us in my chambers. I think it would be good for Hermione to spend some time with her friends."
"Sure, we can come down. I will pass it along to Draco and Ron too. Is that Addison?" Harry said, looking over at the women.
"Yes, I brought him so Hermione could sleep."
Harry nodded. Addison's little face scrunched up and he started to pout. Severus could see a screaming cry coming on.
"What are you doing to him", Harry said playfully while walking over and taking Addison. Addison's face smoothed out some, but he was still sniffling.
"He's not use to being around so many unfamiliar people", Severus said taking Addison from Harry. Addison stuck his head in Severus' neck and his hand in his hair.
"He is just to cute!" Poppy commented.
"Alright, Everyone is here lets get started", Abby said, signaling for everyone to sit down.
Severus and Hermione's sitting room was filled with people. Severus, Hermione, Addison, Abby, Matty, The Potters, their children, Ron, and Draco all sat around eating pizza and talking.
"Abby, you and Matty go make some more tea and bring it in here, please", Severus requested.
Abby and Matty departed into the kitchen.
"How did Addison do in the staff meeting?" Hermione asked Severus.
"Perfect. He didn't make a sound the entire time. Except for in the beginning, those women were scaring him half to death."
"I think it was Page Summers that did it. Addison scrunched his face up as soon as she came near him", Harry said with a grin.
"Cow", Ginny mumbled. Hermione snickered.
Severus smirked. "Where are those damn kids with that tea!" Severus got up and walked into the kitchen. Matty was standing at the kitchen table, staring at Abby and looking completely shocked. Abby stood in front of Matty starring at her hand.
"What's the matter with you two", Severus asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Abby looked up and starred at him.
"What?" Severus said cautiously.
Abby walked over and grabbed Severus arm. A feeling of ease washed over Severus. The same feeling he would get if Talon was trying to sooth him.
Severus starred wide eyed at Abby.
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