"I'm not trying to pry, Severus. But, whatever is going on between you and Hermione is effecting your children too", Albus said softly, leaning back in his chair, that sat behind his desk. Severus sighed and rubbed his forehead, he was sitting in one of the chairs in front of Albus' desk.
"I know. Abby's actions this morning at breakfast were partly my fault. Hermione and I were arguing last night, Abby interrupted and I said some nasty things to both of them. Which led Hermione to taking Addison and sleeping in her old chambers, and I think Abby stayed with Matty." Severus scowled as he finished talking.
"Ahh, I see", Albus said thoughtfully. "Is there anything I or your mother could help with?"
Severus sighed, "The kids, at least until Hermione and I get this worked out. Addison is too young to realize what's going on, but if Hermione stays moved out for long this will take it's toll on him. And Abby, gods I could just strangle her sometimes. If I could just get a glimpse of what's going on in that brain of hers."
"I think we need to keep in mind that Abby is a teenager. So, now that she's very angry at you, and I'm sure myself for this morning at breakfast, she's in full rebel mode. What ever Abby does next, if it isn't breaking the rules, I think we just need to take it in stride. Eileen and I have tried to get her to open up, but she just shuts down whenever we bring something up. If you and Hermione need some time alone to discuss things let us know, we will take the kids."
Severus nodded, "We will need sometime, I just don't know when that is."
Hermione sat scowling at her desk, her first class had just left. To be honest, she couldn't even remember what she had assigned them.
"Hermione?"
Hermione's head jerked up, the scowl left her face when she saw who it was.
"Hey, Ginny. Where are James and Lily?"
"Harry's watching them. He doesn't have a class right now, he told me he thought you needed someone to talk too."
Hermione sighed and her face dropped, "Is it that obvious?"
Ginny smiled softly. "Harry noticed you and Severus showed up at separate times to breakfast and you both looked extremely angry. Harry also told me what happened at breakfast with Abby."
"Yes. Severus and I got into a fight and I slept in my old chambers last night, but Abby is also angry with me as well."
"You slept in you old chambers?" The surprise was evident in Ginny's tone.
Hermione nodded. "Severus and I got into a huge argument last night over Page Summers. Which Abby interrupted, and the both of us had some nasty things said to us by Severus."
"I thought Severus wasn't working with Page anymore?"
"He's not. Page needed some assistance with a discipline issue and Severus helped her. But, thats not what's bothering me. It's that fact the Page is trying to get to Severus again, but somehow he doesn't see that."
"Men are stupid and blind when it comes to things like this. I hate to say it, but it will probably take her doing something major for Severus to realize what she's doing."
Hermione scowled.
"I don't mean we were going to let that cow do something. I have no problem hexing Page if she's anywhere near the dungeons."
Hermione couldn't help but grin.
"Do you think you will stay in your old chambers tonight?" Ginny asked, becoming serious again.
"Well, probably. You know how Severus' temper can be, he will need at least a day to cool off. Probably a little more since he's angry at Abby for staying with Matty last night."
Ginny sucked in a breath, "Abby stayed with Matty? I bet Severus is furious."
"Severus looked more defeated then anything. It was obvious that Abby and Matty had sex either last night or this morning. I think what hurts him the most is that Abby is growing up. I wanted to speak with Abby about it, but once Albus and Severus approached her this morning she became angry."
"Abby's angry at the world, and well she has the right to be. Being a teenager thrown into everything she's been throw has to be awful. Abby actually reminds me of all of us when we were kids. Do you remember how horrible it was going through the war? I think Abby is feeling similar to how we felt."
"That's very true, I do remember how horrible life could be. I'll give her some breathing room, then I'll see if I can speak to her."
"Right, now I think tonight you and I should have a girls night. No children, no men, just the two of us."
Hermione grinned, "That sounds wonderful. Addison will be staying with Severus tonight."
Severus and Hermione sat at the staff table, eating lunch. Both had showed up a little early, hoping to avoid the other. It was obvious Severus was still angry, he sat very stiff in his chair. Neither had said anything to the other. Hermione was ok with that, because she was still angry as well.
Staff and students started to enter the Great Hall, Remus took his seat next to Hermione. He had a grin plastered on his face.
"Have either one of you seen Abby since this morning at breakfast?" Remus asked. Hermione shook her head.
"No, why?" Severus asked, turning his attention to Remus.
Remus' grin widened, "I'm sure she will be coming in here soon. Abby has put an interesting spin on the dress code. I was curious and checked the rules, and she's managed not to have broken the dress code. You'll have to see for yourself."
Severus and Hermione were both interested now. Severus was sure she would do something to rebel against the punishment she received this morning. It hadn't occurred to him that she would do something with the dress code, but it made sense since she was reprimanded for not being in proper clothes at breakfast. Severus was brought out of thought by Hermione snorting.
Abby walked through the door, Severus almost spit out his coffee and grinned. Abby had thrown her surfer look in with a muggle rock star look. She had on white, 80's sunglasses, flip flops, and a blue streak in her hair. Her hair was also gelled to have a messy appearance.
"Is her lip pierced?" Hermione asked Remus.
"Yes", Remus answered.
Severus scowled at that. Being finished with his lunch, he stood up and starting making his way toward Abby. He stood over her and looked her appearance over for a moment.
"Abby", Severus stated.
"Yes, Sir." Abby said snarkily.
"Don't call me that", Severus said with a scowl. He knew he sounded hypocritical, but it was just the way Abby said sir that through him off.
"Fine, Professor?"
Severus scowled harder, "Stop it! Stop trying to get a rise out of me! We are not in a classroom setting, and it's just Matty sitting with you at the moment so you know you don't have to be formal!"
"What is it, father?"
"Abby!"
"Severus?"
Severus stopped and took a deep breath, he knew he wouldn't get anywhere with Abby right now.
"Meet me before or after your class with me this afternoon", Severus said calmly and then walked out of the Great Hall.
Abby walked slowly down the hall. She had ate lunch as slow as possible and was walking as slow as possible. Abby figured she'd tell her dad he'd have to talk to her before class because she had to get right to quidditch practice when his class was over. So, she was giving him as little time as possible to yell at her or whatever it was he was going to say. Matty wasn't able to walk Abby to class since they had taken so long with eating lunch.
"Ms. Snape, your new look is very interesting", Professor Summers stated nicely.
Abby just nodded, she had no interest in getting into an argument with another Professor today. Her grandfather, father, and Hermione were all upset with her for one reason or another. Besides, Professor Summers was actually being somewhat nice.
"You know what else I find interesting?" Professor Summers asked politely.
Here we go, Abby thought."What's that?" Abby asked Page as polite as possible.
"That you haven't figured out who I am, yet."
Abby gave Page a strange look. "What do you mean, you're Professor Summers, the muggle studies teacher."
"Well, yes. But besides that. You've encountered me before I met you at your fathers and Hermione's wedding."
"I have?" Abby asked, now curious.
"Yes, just something to think about", Page said nicely, but a smirk ghosted across her face as she turned and walked away. Abby watched Page walk away and she continued on to Severus' class, deep in thought.
"Abby", Severus said softly, as he grabbed her arm.
"What?" Abby said, being brought out of thought. "Oh. You have to yell at me now, I don't have time after class. I need to go right to quidditch practice."
Severus raised his eyebrows, "I'm not going to yell at you. How can you see through those sunglasses?" Severus pulled the sunglasses off Abby's face and he could feel the charm on them. "Oh, I see." Severus examined Abby's eyes and could see how tired she was. He felt horrible for what he had said to her about running to him every time she had a nightmare. In reality, Severus was glad she did.
"You look exhausted. I'm sorry for what I said to you last night, you just caught me at a horrible time. You know you can come to me when you have a nightmare or for anything."
"Class is getting ready to start", Abby said, starting to walk away. Severus put his hand on her cheek and caressed it. He took his other hand and poked at her lip piercing and examined her hair.
Severus leaned his forehead against Abby's. "What are you doing to your beautiful face and hair?"Abby didn't say anything and just looked at Severus.
Severus sighed, "I want you to come back to the chambers after quidditch practice and dinner."
"I have detention with Filch tonight."
"Right, well be back after that. I don't want you staying with Matty again tonight."
Abby nodded and then turned, walking into the classroom.
A week had passed. Hermione was still staying in her old chambers. Her and Severus had only talked briefly and it was about Abby. Abby had showed at Hermione's chambers very late one evening, in tears. Abby wouldn't tell Hermione what was wrong and was reluctant when Hermione wanted to floo Severus. Abby had begged Hermione to let her stay in the chambers. But, Hermione told Abby should couldn't do that. Hermione knew Severus would think she was trying to keep the kids from him and Hermione would never do that. The kids were everything to Severus.
Abby seemed to be rebelling and pulling farther away from everyone. Severus could even see Matty was concerned about her. Severus knew he had to fix things with Hermione so he could get his family back on track. Hermione was thinking the same thing, but neither could figure out the appropriate time to approach the other.
Hermione was sitting in front of her fire when a banging sounded on the door.
"Hermione!"
Hermione pulled out her wand and approached the door.
"Who is it?" Hermione called.
"Severus!" There was something different about his voice. Hermione peaked the door open and took in Severus' appearance and facial expression.
"Have you been drinking?" Hermione opened the door and let Severus in.
"Yesh, we needs to chalk!" Severus tripped over the rug and Hermione giggled.
"Sit down, I'll get you some coffee."
"No!" Severus lunged forward and grabbed Hermione around the waist and pulled her onto the couch. "Please, I miss you so much." Severus tightened his grip on her and leaned into Hermione's chest.
"I know love, I miss you too. We do need to talk, but when you're sober."
Severus mumbled something.
"Where are Addison and Abby."
Severus mumbled something again. Hermione was only able to make out that his mother was watching the kids. She could feel Severus' breathing slowing.
"Come on, Severus. Lets get you in the floo, I'll come to the chambers tomorrow. It's Saturday so we have all day to talk." Severus groaned as Hermione helped him up and pushed him into the floo.
Severus woke up the next morning in his bed. He cursed when he remembered he went to Hermione drunk last night. Although, they were going to have a conversation now, so maybe it worked out for the best. As he walked into the sitting room, he saw Matty and Abby laying on the couch. Matty was begging for Abby to tell him what was wrong but Abby just laid on his chest with her eyes closed.
"A little early to be hanging out, isn't it?" Severus said calmly.
"Erm, I'm sorry sir. Abby was having trouble sleeping and she sent me an owl."
Severus nodded. "Why don't you go back to Gryffindor tower before someone notices you're missing."
Matty nodded, kissed Abby on the head and got up, leaving the chambers.
"Abby, why didn't you wake me if you needed a sleeping draught?" Severus asked as he sat in a chair across from the couch Abby was laying on.
"I didn't want to bother you."
"I told you, you can come to me anytime."
"Yes, because you made that so clear a week ago."
"I apologized for that Abby. You just caught me in a horrible mood."
"Oh, so every time I catch you in a bad mood or when you just don't feel like dealing with me you're going to be an ass?"
"Abby, no. I know I can be an ass, but I love you and you can come to me for anything."
Abby just sighed and closed her eyes again.
Severus sighed too, "Abby I can't help me if you don't talk to me."
"I don't need your help."
"Yes you do, Abby. You're falling apart again, I'm worried about you and so if everyone else."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not! You look horrible again Abby. You look exhausted, you're starting to lose weight again, I will not let you destroy yourself! You need to talk to me, tell me what's bothering you."
"You know what's bothering me."
"No I don't! Because you won't tell me!"
That seemed to set Abby off and she jumped up off the couch. Abby picked up the coffee table and slung it toward the fire place.
"You want to know what's bothering me!!"
"Yes!" Severus responded and quickly stood up from the chair.
"Everything!" Abby screamed, flinging her right arm, causing all the books to come flying off the bookshelf. "I can't sleep because every time I close my eyes I see Graham Greyback and that fucking smirk he wore when him and his father were beating the shit out of me!"
Abby slung her arm, blowing the chair Severus had been sitting in across the room.
"What else", Severus pushed.
"I hate this place! I can't do anything without someone staring at me or fucking Professor Summers approaching me in the corridor and harassing me. And, every time I have something I want to share with a girl I can't! You know why?! Because my mothers DEAD! Oh, and I can't tell my best friend either, because SHE'S DEAD TOO! I did have Hermione, but you pushed her away and I'm afraid to even approach her about anything!"
Hermione walked in the chamber door at the beginning of Abby's rant. Hermione stood wide eyed, she saw the broken materials and things scattered across the floor. Severus signaled for Hermione to stay where she was. Abby hadn't noticed her.
"I'm terrified", Abby said in a broken voice.
"Of what", Severus said softly, walking toward Abby.
"That everyone will leave me. If you and Hermione don't get back together, I don't know if I can handle that. I'm just so afraid that..that..your going to die too and So will Hermione and Addison and Matty...I can't handle anything else", Abby said, broken and started to fall to her knees.
Severus quickly rushed forward and pulled Abby into his chest, she started to sob uncontrollably.
"No ones going anywhere, love. I promise", Severus said, squeezing her tightly to him.
Addison started to cry from his bedroom. It was a miracle he had stayed quiet through everything, Severus had forgotten to put up a silencing charm. Hermione made her way back to Addison's bedroom.
Thirty minutes later, Abby was in a potion induced sleep in Severus and Hermione's bed. Severus and Hermione were laying on a blanket on the floor with Addison. They were watching him as he was making his first attempts at crawling.
"We should probably talk while everything is calm", Severus stated.
"Yes. Do you think Abby is ok?" Hermione inquired.
"Honestly, I think that's exactly what she needed. All this built up rage and anger is from her holding everything in."
"Perhaps we should find something for her to do as an outlet, instead of her destroying things."
"Yes, I agree. But, we can discuss that later. Lets talk about us, right now."
Hermione nodded.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I have no interest in Page and you know that. I didn't mean what I said when we were arguing and the black eye you gave me was deserved."
Hermione smirked at that. "You know Severus, I was never angry that you helped Page with a school issue. It's that you don't seem to notice what she's trying to do to us. I don't trust her"
Severus nodded, "I understand that. But, you can trust, you know that. That women means nothing to me. And Hermione, you are everything to me. This past week I've been so out of it, I'm not sure how I even functioned properly."
"I know, I've missed you so much", Hermione said. Addison let out a squeal and rolled over on the blanket, kicking his feet under Severus' chin.
"I think he's happy to be home", Severus said, running his hands through Addison's hair.
"I think so", Hermione said with a smile.
"So, will you come back? I know not everything is settled and we need to work on some things, but I need you to come home. I don't think Abby or I could survive without you."
Hermione smiled, "Yes, I'll come back."
-review please! I'm not sure if I will be able to do my weekly Sunday update next Sunday, because I'm leaving to go on vacation to Boston on Thursday and won't be back until Sunday night. But, hopefully I will be able to get the next chapter written soon after I return. Review please, let me know what you think of the chapter and the over all story so far!