A/N I am sorry this is late out again, so last week I just got over another cold from my partner and now this week I have tonsillitis ... grr to the bugs! Anyway I hope you all enjoy this chapter
Lucius held firmly onto Draco's arms, restraining him from following Hermione back to Spinners End.
"Think with a level head Son, she needs her own space at the moment … give her time to come around with what has happened" With a resounding nod Draco stopped struggling against his Fathers hold.
"Draco I need to ask you a few questions" Draco followed Nott into the holding area the Auror's were questioning all whom involved in the attack.
"Are you going to answer the questions in an impeccable manner or will we be forced to use other methods" Draco scoffed at his old friends threat and lowered himself into the chair.
"State your name, date of birth and occupation for the purpose of this interview" Theo flicked his wand to the left and a red light turned on the recording system and started to record what the two wizards were saying.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy born 5th June 1980 occupation CEO of Malfoy Enterprises"
"Mr Malfoy what was your sole purpose of the attack on the Riddle Manor and those involved?"
"To rescue Hermione" Theo raised an eyebrow obviously not believing a word escaping the young blondes mouth.
"You mean mudblood Granger … or as you used to refer to her back in school" Standing up with such force the metal chair he sat on fell back onto the ground with loud bang.
"Don' .Say that word in my presence, she is worth more than the ground you walk on" Draco seethed, at once a male he would call a best friend.
"Well well well hasn't your tone changed Mr Malfoy? So the Prophet was right, Muggleborn Witch Hermione Granger is indeed your Mistress? What would dear Astoria think hmm?" Nott was provoking him, this he knew but it didn't help his ever bubbling anger.
"My wife has signed the divorce papers and gave me sole custody of our son, where she will return to muggle Spain and leave us alone" Draco lifted the chair back up onto four legs and sat back down.
"Why Granger? I mean seriously Draco. Hermione Granger? Gryffindor Princess? You were once the Slytherin Prince and could have had any woman in your arms, Merlin you had Astoria Greengrass eating out of the palm of your hands from day one and you have gone for Granger in the end … tut tut I am severely disappointed in you my old friend."
"I am sure we have finished for now Auror Nott" Lucius glared at the young Auror and moved to the side allowing his son to exit the room. Draco hadn't even heard his Father enter but he was glad for the momentary escape.
"My son is smitten with Miss Granger and so is your Godson but of course you wouldn't know that would you? You chose to ignore Draco the moment Astoria finally said yes to his proposals and then furthermore when Scorpious was born. Of course, I believe you were nattering in her ear the whole time bad mouthing my son and raising up your own ego in any chance to woo the young witch. Well she is a free woman now and likely on the streets looking for some kind of … bed warmer shall we say?"
Lucius's smirk grew as Theodore Nott barged past him in attempts to find Astoria.
Severus hit solid ground and made his way into the living, with his daughter … yes daughter still in his arms. Moving the throw from the sofa he helped her to lie down and covered her up slightly before sitting in his own high back chair. His chair sat across from the sofa she currently resided on giving him a perfect view to watch her sleep having a box of potion medical vilas nearby just in case any was needed.
"Severus" His eyes snapped open as he swirled his head around to Andy's head bobbing up and down in the hearth. It was now morning and Severus was somehow able to have a few hours' sleep and was glad to note so had Hermione as she still lay on the sofa.
"You may come through my love" His smile warmed at the sight of his witch when she came through and straightened herself to her full height.
"Do I even want to know what happened?" Severus shook his head and pulled Andy to sit on the chair arm.
"She looked so broken again Andy, I don't think she is strong enough anymore without proper help. You know how much it took out of her last time. I don't want my little girl going through that again."
Andy let him say his peace whilst she ran her fingers through his black locks in a calming fashion.
"It's ok my love, we will pass that hurdle when we come to it. Now we should just be happy she is home and safe, everything else will fall into place as they are meant to be" Severus nodded his head as he snuggled closer into his witch.
"Where are the boys?" Severus suddenly realising she was playing babysitter to Teddy and Scorpious.
"Teddy has gone back to Harry for a few days … Although Arthur Weasley picked him up this morning and Narcissa came for Scorpious as soon as they had finished questioning her, she wanted to go back to the Manor and get everything settled before the boys followed her … was anybody hurt on our side Sev? Cissy didn't say"
Severus shook his head into her warm arm, he's eyes close in contentment with his witch being close.
"Mrs Potter was thrown from the stair way, which would explain why Mr Weasley came for Teddy but that was about it. Lucius had to flag Draco to keep him safe … He wasn't thinking with a proper head Andy, he was being terribly careless." Andy sighed and kissed his forehead.
"You would be the same if you was in the same position at the same age Sev" Severus grunted … a little too loud as it woke Hermione up from her weak slumber.
"Daddy?" Hermione whimpered as she wrapped the blanket around her small frame a little tighter, her eyes blinking erratically.
"I'm here princess" Severus jumped from the chair -carefull to not knock Andy from the chair arm- and kneeled in front of her, stroking her hair to soothe her back to sleep.
"It hurts Daddy, everything hurts" Severus's heart clenched at the pain she was going through.
"I have a pain relief potion would you like it?" Hermione nodded her head and sat up with the help of Severus, Andy brought the potion vial over with a gentle smile which Hermione tried to recuperate but it turned out to look more like a wince. The potion was tasteless and thankfully she was able to swallow it past the lump in her throat.
"Can you help me to my room?" Severus nodded and picked her up bridal style.
"I won't be a moment Andy, can you please pop the kettle on" Severus gently cradled Hermione as he carried her to the room for him only to lie her on the bed. He unlaced the shoes and took the socks off somebody had dressed her in, as far as he could remember she was in heels and a dress the last time he saw her.
"Sleep well my angel, I am only downstairs if you need me" Severus leant down and kissed her forehead before pulling the purple duvet cover up to her shoulder.
"Has Draco decided to give her some space?" Andy asked as soon as Severus followed the smell of coffee and crumpets.
"I sure hope so, the last thing she needs right now is anyone pursuing her" Andy nodded her head and set both the coffee cups on the table followed by a plate of bourbon biscuits and crumpets. Comfortable silence fell upon the room with the two adults enjoying the warm liquid flowing down their throats and the scrumptious taste of chocolate biscuits.
"Imelda was there this evening" Severus finally broke the silence as he devoured a biscuit.
"Imelda as in Hermione's Grandmother, Imelda?" Severus only nodded his head keeping his attention still on the chocolate.
"What in merlin did she want?" Andy felt quite taking a back if truth be told.
"She came to take Hermione away. Imelda thought Hermione would run into her arms, run away into the sunset with her Grandmother and maybe in a month or so she would have been ready to start up her own coven" Andy raised an eyebrow obviously silently questioning the Witch's sanity.
"And what of Vladimir? Has he come to stake a claim on the girl?" Andy chuckled slightly at her own little joke.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he hasn't already been notified, A pagan for a Grandmother and a Vampire for a Grandfather. It does make me wonder how the two of them actually met and was able to stay together long enough to actually produce children"
"Well maybe they didn't, it might have just been a one-time thing Severus … oh don't look at me like that you know it's not an uncommon thing, wherever you go and whomever you meet in the world Severus people do have flings" Severus straightened his facial features slightly, he hated hearing his witch speak of such horrid things but of course she could of have been right. He had checked the special necklace -her Grandfather gave her on their first actual meeting- and he thanked the gods she stole had it in her person. If it got into the wrong hands they could be a serious problem.
"I should be going dear" Andy rinsed her cup under the tap before retrieving her coat. Severus held her minx coat open so she could put her arms through.
"What did I do to deserve you my love" Andy rose and kissed his cheek.
"Well whatever it was I am thankful for it every day … will you keep me informed on her progress?"
"I shall and if that nephew of yours starts to pester you please tell him Hermione will go to him when she is ready" With a parting smile Andy left for home via floo fire leaving Severus to do nothing but to totter around the house.
Hermione rose the next morning feeling a little better. Slinking into her slouch pants and a baggy t shirt she left the comfort of her bedroom and joined Severus downstairs for breakfast. She felt physically refreshed for having slept for over 24hours but emotionally drained at the same time.
"Morning sweetheart" Severus stood to give Hermione a kiss in greeting before pulling her a chair out.
"I'm not an invalid I can do it myself" Mentally kicking himself Severus nodded and sat back down to finish off his paper, he should have remembered from last time that she hated being fussed over.
"What are your plans for today?" Hermione made small talk as she buttered some toast.
"Not a great deal, just another day at the apothecary. Luna sends her best wishes via mail"
Hermione's knife stayed in mid-air with a clump of butter clinging onto it.
"Where was Luna …" She let the question hang hopefully he would understand her meaning.
"In Bulgaria at the time, someone had tipped her off about seeing a crumple horned snorkack so by nature Miss Lovegood's interest peeked and set out to find and hopefully catch the none existent creature."
"Do you think Pucey sent her the tip off? To get her out of the way?" Severus folded his paper and placed it on the spare chair to his right.
"No, I think it was Mr Zabini or his wife that wrote the letter, think about it they helped you in a subtle way didn't they? If it was Pucey he wouldn't have cared and I dare say he would have killed Miss Lovegood had she returned to your apartment." Hermione closed her eyes tightly and willed her stomach lining to stay put.
"What would your plans consist of on this fine day?" Severus tried to change the subject.
" I have children to teach" Cutting her toast into triangles she finally took a bite.
"You can't be serious Hermione" Severus exclaimed looking at her as if she had grown a second head.
"Why ever not? I will not allow him to break me like he did last time Severus. No I refuse. Now I am going upstairs to get freshened up your job is to contact the children's parents and inform them classes still run as normal"
"There is only Draco and Potter to contact" Severus pointed out as he downed the rest of his cool coffee.
"Still … contact them and inform them classes run as usual"
"I thought you teaching was only a façade whilst Ms Greengrass was around" Hermione shrugged her shoulders as she placed her plate in the sink.
"I still want to teach them, it isn't the children's fault … My contact folder is by your black chair" She added as an afterthought before she ran to the stairs. Not that he would need it, he knew Lucius's phone number and he could send Aphrodite with a letter to Potter.
Hermione sat on her bed with curling irons in hand praying this wouldn't be too much at any one time. Of course she knew Draco had rejected her and the bond. Why? She didn't know and she wasn't even sure she wanted to know either. Fastening her black buttons on her grey waistcoat she mentally checked herself over. Mentally that was a good one, sighing she knew she would need more than potions to help her get through this time.
"Hermione can you come down here for a minute please" Grabbing her work folder and grey court shoes from under her bed she jogged downstairs to where Severus was sat in his customary black chair.
"What's up?" She ungracefully plonked her bottom on the sofa before slipping her feet into her shoes.
"I think you might need some professional help"
"Like a healer?" Severus shook his head.
"A muggle doctor, you don't need the public pressure like you had last time around. I want you to be able to heal by yourself"
"I will think about … ok?" Severus grunted but nodded his head. He would force his witch to go if he had to. They both knew this is what she would need.
"You need help Hermione, you really do and I still don't think you going to work right now is the best for you"
"What would you rather me do? Stay at home in a zombie like state? No I refuse for it to happen again. I will go to work where my mind will be kept busy with the children and then when I get home we will talk about the whole psychiatrist thing"
Giving a heavy sigh she realised she was being too harsh on him when he was only trying to help.
"Stop being grumpy" Hermione stood and gave him a kiss goodbye on his cheek.
"I'll be home just before tea" Hermione called from the hallway.
"Get Lucius or Cissy to apparate you home" Severus called cautiously as he too slipped his feet into some black shoes for the work day ahead.
"Ok Daddy" His heart swelled with her calling him Daddy once again, he thought she had just called him Daddy by a spur of the moment thing whilst she felt vulnerable, but no he was here to stay as her Dad, he finally felt like he belonged to someone and to the world. He mattered to Hermione and that was all he would ever need.