A/N I am really sorry that this new chapter took so long but my muse abandoned me!! Please let me know what you think, I am currently working on the next two chapters but if you have any ideas then I will try to incorporate them. Thanks so much and please review!!

Several Hours Later

I was being extremely silly, a dunderhead as Severus liked to say. It had taken almost two hours for me to fully cry myself out until eventually I had calmed down enough to think. Normally I would have been slightly irritated if Severus had forgotten me like he had this morning, but to run away in complete hysterics was not at all in my character. Like Severus I preferred to strictly control my emotions and couldn't help but wince slightly at my breakdown. I was still lying in the pool of light in the lower dungeons and in the exact same position I had collapsed in. It seemed as though I was never well rested these days my crying having worn me out again. I raised my head slightly wincing at the cramped muscles. What on earth was I doing here in this dusty place? Severus had loved Hermione for a long time, was it not his right to revel in the feeling? And who was I to demand attention, well I still wanted attention for my utterly brilliant plan that brought them together but it didn't have to be right away. I should have been able to wait. Who knows what had been going on up above while I was gone, maybe Severus had accidentally insulted Hermione's friends and she was crying in the room of requirement again. I shuddered at the thought of running up all those staircases again in an attempt to bring them together. I was truly a selfish creature.

Gingerly I got to my feet, my paws slightly numb from being in one position for too long and scurried into the darkness again, it was time for me to go home. Pausing only to shift the mirror back into its original position and therefore cut off the light, I began the long climb back up the staircases. As I climbed I estimated what time of the day it was, it had been late morning when I left and it could be no later than mid afternoon now. However the climb back up was likely to take much longer than the descent especially being as tired as I was. Sighing I hauled myself up the first flight of stairs, planning my apology to Severus in my head.

By the time I had reached the dungeons where Severus' chambers were I was shaking with exhaustion, it was now the middle of the night and I had been climbing for hours, desperate to get home as soon as possible. Panting slightly I padded down the corridor my way lit by the flaming torches that were set in the walls. A final turn and the door to Severus' chambers lay in front of me, I made my way towards it with some trepidation not knowing if my Master would be angry at me, I could have touched our bond but I did not want to look and see only anger and hatred. Ignorance is bliss. I was about to enter only to find myself suddenly surrounded by orange fur.

"Sophie!" screeched Crookshanks pinning me to the floor while purring desperately.

"Crookshanks" I stuttered trying to get my breath back "What on Earth are you doing?"

"Oh we were so worried" he proclaimed arching his back and rubbing against me, seemingly ignoring my question "We've been combing the castle all day for you, where the hell have you been? The Mistress was very sad and I've never seen the Mistress' mate so upset before."

The Mistress' mate? Severus was looking for me? Squirming a little I managed to push Crookshanks off.

"Severus has been looking for me!?"

"Well of course he has silly, you're his familiar what do you think he would be doing?"

"I thought he would be angry, I said things that were out of order."

"That doesn't matter, once I got so angry with the Mistress trying to put me in a travel cage that I scratched her but she forgave me. That's what they do; I mean they would be nothing without us!"

I paused, thinking over what Crookshanks had revealed. Maybe he was right and Severus might forgive me, there was only one way to find out.

"Thanks Crookshanks" I said nudging him with my nose gently "if you don't mind, I think I should go and talk to my Master" He nodded his large head at me before trotting off down the corridor leading up to the main entrance, his bushy tail straight up in the air. Taking a deep breath I turned towards the chamber doors, before entering quickly in case I changed my mind.

At first I thought the rooms were empty, everything was dark and it was cold enough to suggest that the fire had been doused hours ago. I crept through the dark rooms, listening intently for movement only to catch the muffled murmurings of two voices. Quickly turning towards the sound I caught sight of a light shining from underneath the door to the study. Entering the room soundlessly I skirted the wall and quickly climbed a nearby bookcase, I may have wanted to see Severus, but I was still a Slytherin and wanted to survey the scene before acting. Severus and Hermione were both sitting on the small sofa set in front of the fire, Hermione with her head on Severus' chest, with him running a hand up and down her arm. I felt my heart swell slightly at the sight, I was glad to see them so in love. Deciding not to wait any long I prepared myself for leaping off of the bookcase and presenting myself to them. I was crouched on the edge of the bookcase when Hermione sighed, stood up and took Severus' hand in her own. I fought desperately to maintain my balance and after a significant struggle settled myself back onto the bookcase and observed.

"I'm going to bed" said Hermione lifting my Master's hand to her mouth and placing a gentle kiss on the palm.

"I'll join you shortly" replied Severus, reciprocating the affectionate gesture, before staring into the fire once more.

"It wasn't just your fault Severus" proclaimed Hermione quietly before moving a strand of hair out of his face "I should have paid attention too."

"She is not your familiar, my love" my Master replied "Sophia has stood by me through thick and thin, I couldn't ask for a better familiar, how could I forget her like that? What if she is hurt somewhere?"

"We'll find her" assured the girl "but you need to get some rest"

"I will, in a few moments" The girl smiled at him gently before leaving the room, leaving my Master alone. Now was the time. Summoning my courage I silently dropped to the floor.

Considering he had been a spy for much of his adult life I was surprised that he didn't see or hear me. So it was unnoticed that I scaled the sofa and perched on one of the arms. I acted quickly, not leaving myself enough time to talk myself out of what I was about to do.

"Severus" I said clearly. He spun around to look at me so quickly I think he might have cricked his neck, he paused for a brief second before scooping me up in his arms and hugging me to his chest.

"Oh Sophie, I was so worried." I buried myself into his chest keening slightly.

"I'm so sorry Severus, I was being a sentimental fool, you did nothing wrong, I just over reacted"

"No I shouldn't have forgotten you like that Sophie after all the years you've been with me"

We stayed like that for a few minutes both apologising profusely before finally falling silently, hearing an intake of breath from Severus, I glanced up preparing myself for the inevitable questions.

"Where were you Sophie?" he asked concern in his eyes. I struggled to find an answer; I did not want to lie to Severus but the lower dungeons were no place for him, there was still a large amount of magic left over in them from the founder days, mainly from Salazar himself. It had no effect on me, but magic that old and powerful would ensnare a wizard with ease, causing him to act out of character, it would be a challenge for the mind to deal with such a large influx of magic and could result in insanity.

"I was in an old classroom in the dungeons, on top of a set of shelves, it's no surprise that you couldn't see me" I lied smoothly, desperately trying to hide my emotions from him. I did not need to worry though; he seemed to accept my answer and smiled slightly.

"Don't do that to me again Sophia, I was so worried" I quickly promised never to act that way again and he appeared satisfied, still nestled in the crook of his elbow he carried me towards his bedroom; I however stopped him at the doorway.

"You're not going to mate are you?" I asked shuddering slightly at the thought. He chuckled.

"Not tonight" I let out a sigh of relief and allowed him to carry me through and place me on the green comforter that was spread over the bed. Hermione woke up slightly at my Masters movements as he readied himself for bed; she caught sight of me quickly and gave me a gentle smile, moving closer I allowed her to scratch behind my ears. Soon Severus joined her in the bed and pulled her close, my heart filled with joy again at seeing them both so happy, my Master gave me one last scratch behind the ears before I leapt to the floor and made my way to my own bed. After climbing flights of stairs and lying on a cold dusty floor for half the day, my bed seemed illegally comfortable. It didn't take long before I was drifting off to sleep.