Severus barreled down the corridor as fast as he could. He could feel the vomit rising in the back of his throat, the only reason he kept it down was the thought of stopping to vomit slowing him down. Severus was about five feet away from him chamber door, Hermione right on his heel, when he screamed the password and slammed the door open.
Eileen was sitting on the couch with Addison, both jumped when the door slammed open. Addison started to pout.
"Severus! Could you be a little more quiet, you scared your son and myself half to death!" Eileen scolded as she patted Addison's back, her attempt to stop him from crying.
"Where is she!" Severus said frantically, catching his breath
"What, Severus? Where's who?" Eileen questioned, confused.
"Abby! WHERE IS SHE"
"Calm down, love. She will be right back."
Hermione let out a whimper and covered her mouth, tears started rolling down her face. Severus' face fell and he turned extremely pale.
"What's the matter with you two?" Eileen said alarmed, standing up with Addison.
"WHERE DID SHE GO!" Severus screamed in a panic, he was heading back toward the chamber entrance.
"Why is everyone yelling? What's going on?" Abby said, from the kitchen doorway.
"Abby was in the kitchen, Severus. Remember, she was going to eat dinner down here." Eileen was looking at Severus and Hermione like they had lost their minds.
Abby made a strange face and shook herself, Severus could tell his feelings were too strong for her to ignore.
"Why do feel so...anxious and terrified...gods, I think I'm going to vomit."
Severus had been frozen in place when Abby had entered the room. He couldn't believe his eyes or ears, his baby was standing right in front of him, not on the ledge of the Astronomy tower. As soon as Abby started to ask about his emotions, Severus rushed her.
Severus yanked Abby into his arms, squeezed her as tight as he could, and started bawling. Severus backed into the wall and slid down, Abby was still securely in his arms. Severus' sobs carried over to Abby and she started sobbing too.
"What on earth is going on?" Eileen asked, alarm obvious in her voice.
Hermione rushed over to Severus and Abby and wrapped her arms around both of them. Hermione knew Abby wasn't aware of what was going on and it was Severus' emotions that were playing out through her, she needed to calm him down.
"Severus, love, calm down", Hermione said softly, she was leaning on Abby's back and running her hand through Severus' hair. "Abby's safe and just fine." Severus' sobs didn't stop, he kept his face buried on Abby's hair.
"Hermione?" Eileen's voice was quiet and shaky.
"I'll explain in a moment, Eileen. Can you go into my bedroom and in my bathroom there are vials of calming draught, can you bring me two? Makes sure one of them is a dark purple."
"Yes, alright." Eileen rushed out of the room, Addison still in her arms.
"Severus", Hermione whispered, caressing the back of head.
"Severus? Hermione?" Harry called, as he walked through the open chamber door. In Severus' and Hermione's hasty entrance, they didn't shut the door. Harry became very concerned when he saw Severus, Abby, and Hermione slouched on the floor. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, but I'm going to need your help in a moment", Hermione replied.
"I could only find one purple one and the others were blue", Eileen said, quickly walking back into the room. A hysterical edge was starting to break through her voice, Eileen knew it took a lot to make her son break down.
"It's alright, Eileen. I may only need the one, once I get Severus calmed down Abby should be alright. Let me have the purple potion", Hermione said, doing her best to remain calm. Eileen handed Hermione the purple potion and then handed Harry the blue, she then walked over and placed Addison in a crib she conjured from one of the arm chairs.
"Severus, I need you to listen to me", Hermione said gently. "I need you to take this calming draught. Abby's starting to become hysterical, she can't fight off your emotions when they're this strong. Love please, you're starting to scare me."
Talon flew in from Abby's room and landed on Severus' shoulder, he rubbed Severus' head and let out a small whine.
Hermione slid her hand under his chin and gently lifted it toward her. Tears were streaming down Severus' face and his breathing was uneven. Hermione tilted the vial to his lips and Severus parted them drinking the potion down. Severus' body immediately relaxed, but he still had a vice grip on Abby, he wasn't letting her go.
"Did you give him a sleeping draught?" Harry asked. Severus' head was starting to tilt to the side and his eyes were fluttering.
"No, it's a very strong calming draught. Once he goes to sleep he won't wake up until tomorrow morning. We have to use it with Abby sometimes", Hermione replied, and then bent down to whisper into Abby's ear. "Abby, are you alright?"
Abby nodded her head, but didn't remove her face from Severus' chest.
"Maybe you should take a light calming draught."
Abby shook her head. "I just need a minute", Abby said shakily.
"Alright, love", Hermione said, rubbing Abby's back.
"I think Severus is out", Harry commented.
Hermione tried to wrench Severus' arms off of Abby, but Severus started mumbling and sloshing his head.
"It's alright love, Abby is safe, everything is alright. Just let the potion take effect", Hermione said, as she caressed Severus' face. Severus seemed to give in and his body completely slumped against the wall. Hermione helped Abby stand to her feet.
Albus walked quickly into the room.
"I just came to check on things quickly, I need to get back to my office to contact a few people", Albus said and reached for Abby, pulling her into his chest and hugging her tightly. "I'm so happy your alright."
"What's going on?" Abby asked as she cuddled into Albus' chest.
"Yes, what on earth is going on. Gods, I haven't seen Severus lose it like since last summer", Eileen commented as she walked up and hugged Albus and Abby.
"A student came barreling into the great hall in the middle of dinner", Albus said, as he escorted Eileen and Abby to the couch, having them sit down. Harry and Hermione followed. "The student was frantic, he said that their was a girl on the astronomy tower and she was threatening to jump. All he knew was that it was a female Gryffindor student."
"Oh my gods!" Eileen exclaimed. "Is the student ok, I mean did she..."
"No, no. Myself, Harry, and Remus were able to talk her down. The student is in the infirmary now, being watched over by Poppy, Ron, Remus, and Draco.
"Why was Severus so frantic then", Eileen said, and then gasped. "He thought it was Abby?"
"Yes", Hermione replied.
"Yyyou all thought it was me?" Abby stuttered.
"I'm afraid so my love", Albus replied softly, caressing Abby's hair.
"We worry about you Abby", Hermione added.
"I wouldn't do anything like that. I'm sorry, I didn't realize I worried everyone that much."
"No need for apologies", Albus said, smiling.
"Yes, you're safe and that's all we care about right now", Hermione added.
"I've never seen dad like that, he was so terrified", Abby said, starting to completely regain herself.
"He was like that after you disappeared last year and when you were in the hospital", Eileen told Abby.
"I didn't realize I made him feel like that, I..I..I didn't mean to."
"You're going through a lot Abby, everyone one understands, even your dad", Hermione added.
"I know you and Severus were considering taking the kids home next weekend, to get out of the castle", Albus said, turning to Hermione.
Hermione nodded.
"Why don't all of you just take this week off. Go home for the week, have some family time. I will get Abby's assignments to her and I can find someone to fill yours and Severus' classes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Severus hasn't been with it for the last couple of days and I know this has taken a toll on him. I think all of you need and deserve a rest. Harry will help you get Severus back to the house."
"Wait, Granddad", Abby said, cutting into the conversation.
"What is it, love?"
"Who was on the Astronomy tower?"
"Well, I shouldn't be telling you this, but half the school already knows. It was Carry Higgs who was on the tower."
Hermione laid in bed, listening to Severus' soft snores and watching as the worry lines slowly etched out of his forehead. Severus had a major melt down, she was glad Albus had given them all a week off. They could use the time to recuperate as a family and with Abby understanding now what Severus was going through, Hermione was sure things would start getting back on track. Hermione glanced down at Abby, she couldn't tell if Abby was asleep or not. The light snores coming from the other side of the room indicated that Addison was still asleep. Hermione took a deep breath and then made a face. The house had that 'not lived in' smell, she would have to open the windows and fix that tomorrow.
Hermione was brought out of thought by movement on the bed. Abby was shuffling the blankets and starting to get up, Her arms and upper body reached over Hermione. Abby started to lift herself off the bed.
"Where are you going", Hermione said, grabbing Abby's arm a little too quickly. Abby's arm gave out and she slipped over Hermione and fell onto the floor.
The only thing that could be heard was Abby's giggling.
"Are you alright?!" Hermione whispered.
"Yes", Abby replied, still giggling heavily. She was laying on her back on the floor. Hermione couldn't help but start giggling too.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm starving, I never actually got to eat dinner."
"That's right. But, I don't think there is any food in the house. Remember we cleaned out the kitchen before we went back to Hogwarts."
"Awww", Abby said, clearly disappointed.
"Summons Libby, I'm sure she can get you something."
"Do you think she can order me a pizza and some M&M's?"
Hermione laughed, "I don't know. But Pizza sounds awfully good right now."
"I know! I'll be right back, I'm going to go in the hallway and summons Libby so I don't wake anyone up."
After Abby talked Libby into finding her Pizza and M&M's, she went back into Severus' and Hermione's bed room and got back on the middle of the bed. She leaned her back against Severus' side and watched him sleep for a moment.
"Do you think dad will be ok?" Abby asked quietly.
"Yes, he was just overly stressed. Just the thought alone of that possibly being you on the Astronomy tower would have thrown him over the edge, but with everything else going on, it made him break down. A good nights sleep should do him good."
"I hope so."
"He'll be fine. The thing he's most concerned about is your safety, and your perfectly safe so he will be fine. Your dad just needed a break from things I think. He told me you two had a conversation early?"
"Yes", Abby nodded. "It was on the Astronomy tower. It was actually a good conversation, it helped me. Dad didn't yell or anything, he was really calm. I think that helped the most."
"Your dad just wants you to be alright. So, what's this odd magic book we have heard about?"
Abby grinned, "Well, the book may or may not be dark magic. I got if from granddads office, but he doesn't know I have it. I needed to find information on new magic I have some how acquired."
"Why didn't you just say something?" Hermione propped herself up onto her elbow, she was very interested.
"It started surfacing when you and dad were fighting a lot and then you moved out. I didn't want to put anymore stress on anyone. I was going to go to granddad, but he made me angry and I didn't want to speak with him. So, I stole the book from his office."
Hermione smirked, that sounded like something Severus would do. "So, what new ability do you have. Can you describe it."
"Well, it's hard to describe really. It's sorta like the other power Talon gave me. The one where I touch someone and it makes them calm if they are overly upset. But, it's completely different too. It has nothing to do with calming anyone down."
"I'm confused", Hermione said, not quite processing what Abby said.
"Well, I can show you."
"Alright."
"Think of something, but make it something I don't know about. It will be more believable that way."
"Ok."
"You're ready?"
Hermione nodded. Abby grabbed Hermione's face gently, but nothing happened. Abby sat on the bed with a neutral look on her face. She was just staring off into space, almost like she was watching something.
"Abby?" Hermione said softly.
Abby giggled and looked at Hermione, "The summer after your first year at Hogwarts you had your first kiss. It was Harry, you were sitting on a swing in your backyard."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "Oh my gods! How did you do that!"
"Shhh", Abby said, she was still giggling. "I don't know, I just discovered I could do it one day. It actually scared me at first."
"How in the hell did you figure out you could do that?"
"Addison. There was one night you and dad were fighting and you had gotten really loud, but I think you two had forgotten to put up a silencing charm. So, I went into Addison's room to see if he had woken up. He was still sleeping when I went in there, I reached down and touched his face and I could see what he was dreaming. I was terrified, I didn't know what was going on. Then, the next day I had grabbed your arm and I could see you were thinking about the fight with dad. It was crazy I could actually see the parts of the fight you were thinking out."
"Wait until your dad finds out you can read minds", Hermione said grinning. "Is it something you can turn on and off or can you always read someones mind when you touch them?"
"I think I can turn it on and off, but I haven't quite gotten it all under control. Sometimes if I ignore the images they will stop."
A soft pop indicated that Libby had entered the room.
"Miss, I have your pizza and candies", Libby said quietly.
Abby crawled back over Hermione and thanked Libby as she accepted the food. Then, Abby got back on the bed and leaned up against Severus once more.
"That must have been a strong calming draught", Abby commented, as she opened up the pizza box. Her and Hermione started eating.
"Mmm hmm, it's the one we give you sometimes", Hermione stated. "So, is that the only other new magical ability you have picked up?"
"Yes, but I have learned some new spells from Uncle Draco."
"Like what?"
Abby picked up her wand and flicked it. The ceiling and wall disappeared, revealing the starry sky and the ocean.
"Wow, that's beautiful", Hermione said through a mouth full of Pizza.
"Yes, Uncle Draco said you taught him that spell, how to reveal what's outside if you are indoors."
Hermione nodded. "So, how are things with you and Matty?"
"Good. I should probably owl him in the morning and let him know I won't be in the castle for the rest of the week." Abby was opening up a pack of M&M's as she was talking. She pulled a little too hard and the M&M's went flying over the bed. Abby and Hermione started laughing.
"They are all over your dad." Hermione couldn't help but giggle as she started picking them up off of Severus. Severus made a face and groaned, then rolled to his side.
"He's laying on some of them", Abby said, giggling harder.
"We'll just have to get them in the morning when he wakes up. I don't want to move him and risk waking him up", Hermione replied.
Hermione and Abby finished eating and laid back on the bed. Abby laid in between Severus and Hermione, she cuddled into Severus' chest.
"Things will be different, now", Abby said tiredly, into Severus' chest.
"How so?" Hermione asked, equally as tired.
"I don't know, things just seem better."
Severus woke up to the sounds of squealing and giggling. The sleep haze slowly made it's way from his' brain and he could feel someone pressed into his chest. Peeking open his eyes, he saw Abby's face was buried into his chest and Addison was sitting with Hermione.
"How do you feel?" Hermione asked softly, smiling at Severus.
"Really tired", Severus replied slowly.
"I gave you the purple calming potion, the one we give Abby a lot. So, it will take a few moments for it to wear off."
Severus nodded and looked down at the top of Abby's head. "Abby's ok." Hr wrapped his arms around her tightly and breathed in her scent.
"Yes love, she's safe and sound. Abby was right where she said she would be last night."
"Who was on the tower?"
"Carry Higgs."
"Oh, How did Abby respond to that?"
"Abby hasn't really said anything about it. We should probably dicuss it with her later, she almost didn't seem surprised when Albus told her it was Carry. But, Abby was actually in high spirits last night when we got here."
"Are we at the beach house?"
"Mmm hmm, Albus suggested we all take the week off. I thought it was a good idea, so we have an entire week to relax."
"That sounds wonderful." It was obvious in Severus' voice that the potion was wearing off. He didn't sound so groggy and he was starting to move around. "Why do I smell pizza?"
Hermione giggled, "Abby and I had a late night snack. She didn't get a chance to eat dinner last night so she ordered a pizza."
"Oh....What's on my arm", Severus said, as he slowly rolled Abby off of him and fully onto the bed. "Is that chocolate?"
Severus scrunched up his face and sat up, examining the smushed M&M's stuck to his arm. Abby started giggling, causing Severus' eyebrows to raise.
"I thought you were sleeping", Severus said. "So, Abigail, why do I have candy stuck to my arm?"
Abby giggled again, "I couldn't get my M&M's open and I yanked the bag to hard. They went flying everywhere and then you rolled over on them." Severus made a face and waved his hand, cleaning the M&M's off his body.
"I'm starving, is there any pizza left?"
"No", Abby replied.
"I swear, two of the skinniest women I know and you eat more then I do."
Hermione swatted Severus and he smirked.
"I guess someone will need to go to the store", Severus suggested.
"Yeah, there isn't any food in the house. And, someone will also need to go to Hogwarts and get a few things, we didn't have a chance to grab anything last night", Hermione added.
"Alright, why don't I take the kids and go to the store to pick up some food and a few things. You go grab our things from Hogwarts and then we will meet back here."
Hermione stepped through the fireplace, into hers and Severus' sitting room at Hogwarts. It didn't take long to gather their things, magic was such a great asset most of the time. She passed the calender and stopped, Hermione had this sense that she was forgetting to do something or she missed out on an appointment.
"What could I have possibly missed?" Hermione thought, looking over the calender. She hadn't given out any detentions, that would have been taken care of anyway. Addison and Abby both had doctors appointments next week, so that wasn't missed. Severus didn't haven't anything scheduled, so that wasn't it.
"Maybe I'm just imagining things......Oh my gods!" Hermione said the last part out loud. She stared at the calender for what seemed like an eternity. No, that couldn't be right.
Hermione dropped her things and took off running out of the chambers, heading toward Harry and Ginny's chambers. As soon as she got there, Hermione started pounding on the door.
"Who is it?" Ginny asked suspiciously.
"Hermione!"
"Hermione? What are you doing here, shouldn't you be at home", Ginny asked, as she opened up her chamber door.
"Ginny!!! I'm late!!
"Late for what? Do you have a meeting or something?"
"No", Hermione hissed. "My period!"
-Review, please!! I'm not entirely sure how many more chapters there will be, but the end near. Which is sad for me, I starting writing this about a year ago. Review please, let me know what you think!!