Severus was warm, his body felt like it had melted during the night, every muscle completely relaxed. His dreams had been nothing more than a haze of swirling lights and soft brown eyes. He shifted his head slowly, the morning light had poured in and pressed, without restraint, against the back of his eyelids. He took in a slow breath, his chest moving against familiar cotton as it expanded. A small spark ran through his brain and he cracked his eyes open.

Soft brown sun-kissed hair was the first to meet his eyes, the next to register, was the feeling of her back and tailbone pressing against him. He flexed the fingers on the arm under her head feeling her fingers slip against his palm, their rings clinking softly as they touched. His other arm was wrapped completely around her smaller frame, tucked under the curve of her waist. He gave those fingers a slight test next, eliciting a small whine.

He felt her take a deep sighing breath before settling back down. He carefully adjusted, the blanket had been kicked down sometime during the night tangling around their legs. One of hers had managed to slip over, beginning at the knee, he traced the slope of her thigh to the hem of his shirt. His eyes continued their path over the sleep tussled material that bunched around where his arm rested. It twisted the collar exposing the soft swell of her chest and dip of her throat. His mind hazily recalled her final thought from the night before and he found himself conflicted. He could have easily stopped her, he had stopped her, but why had he waited so long to do so?

Hermione was floating in a most wonderful place, she felt warm and safe, a feeling she hadn't felt so completely in all the time she could recall. It was different but familiar all the same, like a small change of something that was there that hadn't been there before. She could feel the light of a new day reaching out to her and felt compelled to take on the day's new challenges. She shifted her head slightly feeling the pillow under her shift. She wasn't alone, her brain sluggishly provided her with memories of the night before and she could feel a heat rising from her stomach to light her face. She had undressed him. More so, he had allowed her to undress him. She could feel the heat of his skin against her back through the shirt. How could he stand to wear all those layers and still have skin so warm? Her lashes brushed against the skin of her pillow as they fluttered open. This was real, it was really real. This was so different from the times before. What did you possibly say to the person you stripped and pulled into bed? He was still there but the fatigue of yesterday was gone, surely he was going to come to his senses and pull away from her again.

Severus had listened in to her waking thoughts and felt his face grow solemn. He could feel her guilt and surprise over last night and while it was possibly true that he must have simply been too tired to properly protest her manhandling; he found, most curiously, he held no regret over the situation. His head shifted, his lips lightly touching her ear as he adjusted, he all but jerked away before answering her other question in his deep baritone.

"Coffee?"

He felt all the tension that had built inside her wash away and didn't hide the smirk at the corner of his lip as her head turned to look at him with those sleepy brown eyes. They sparkled with a cosmic array of emotion before settling on happiness.

His lip twitched as his smirk threatened to grow, his breath ghosted over her soft lips but he controlled his movement carefully, she was so close. He waited for her to shift and release his arm so he could push himself up.

Hermione rolled onto her stomach watching as he slipped his legs over the edge. The morning light made his back glow, like stained-glass, it dipped and spilled over the ridges of his muscles and scars. When he stood, she rested her head back down taking him in without reservation.

Severus could feel the heat of her gaze and resisted the urge to shield himself from her. She had earned it, her bravery and unwavering persistence had finally broken another wall. He said nothing as he pulled a tank top over his head, something to be said about too much of a good thing, before grabbing the rest of his ensemble, he was still him, after all.

Hermione watched him go to the bathroom and pressed her face into the mattress squirming from the odd feeling that swept from her stomach down to the very tips of her toes. As she heard the shower start, she finally managed to pull herself from his bed. She looked over the mussed sheets leaning down to pull them taunt again. She had to clear her head. She kept her thoughts focused on the task before her, but her heart was still fluttering inside. She had to curl her lips under to keep the beaming smile from her face as she looked down at the rolled cuffs of his shirt. Pulling the duvet up over the top she glanced at the door to the bathroom before bringing the collar up to her nose. Her eyes glittered with something new, she paused only briefly to savor the moment before setting back to finishing the mundane task then padded softly to her room to prepare for the day. The creature inside still, oddly silent.

The smell of coffee and breakfast filled the house as they sat across the other, Hermione was ravenous as she tucked into her full portion of eggs, bacon, and toast. She watched him from under her lashes as he took his time, he wasn't reading but his brow was completely focused on his task. There peaceful morning went by undisturbed, they didn't speak but both of them shared something more than words could ever portray.

When they moved to the sitting room they spoke quietly, going over their plan. They were waiting for Minerva to get back with them over the missing person needed to form their protection circle. In the mean time, they discussed and adjusted the order of things that needed to happen. She assured him that it hadn't hurt as much as her scream had indicated, that it was the vault she was most concerned about.

They discussed the timing needed for her to open it and take the potion in time to protect her soul from the creature while simultaneously trying to lure it from her body. Hermione wasn't sure the creature would follow her if she was under the protection of the potion. Severus was trying to convince her to allow himself to be bait. They were at a stalemate. Each one leveled their powerful glare at the other. It was at that time that the parchment glowed and both reached for it, another contest of wills before Hermione released the parchment to him, a small battle to win the war. She settled back crossing her arms to keep herself still.

Severus read quickly his jaw twitching slightly, They have decided on Mrs. Weasley. But she can't join until tomorrow evening. Apparently, she finally decided to admit her son, "He couldn't keep his disgust from dripping into his words, "Into proper care and needs to travel and won't be able to return until tomorrow." He relinquished the paper to her own inspection pushing himself up to get more coffee.

Hermione took the parchment with the same crucial eye before tossing it to the side with a dramatic sigh. What were they going to do for an entire day? The time that passed never bothered her before, in fact, everything had sort of felt like one vortex after another. But she was anxious, she knew the end was drawing near and what worried her most was the silence in her mind. She could feel something building to a climax. She palmed her eyes with a soft growl. She needed a distraction. Anything to keep her mind off the task at hand. Her eyes shot to Snape as he re-entered with his coffee. When her thoughts of all she wanted to do with him hit, he glowered.

"Not a chance." His words were absolute and he knew, she knew. When she flopped back into the chair with another groan, he dared to into the room. He couldn't risk her running about in his mind with the creature so close to coming free again. Never mind her other fleeting thoughts that he refused to even acknowledge. What was her fascination with his buttons?

Severus rolled his eyes at her behavior before coming over, "I'll find something for you to do just," He hissed as another image of him in her mind forced its way through, "Stop that."

She watched him write on another parchment from under her palms, was he...flustered? She smirked slightly but abided by his request trying to clear her mind.

Severus watched as Draco's response slowly scrawled over the parchment.

What should I bring?

Anything.

Severus pushed himself from the table grabbing the book on mind magic and took it to the kitchen actively ignoring her distress. He needed air. He needed space.

Hermione paced the living room as she waited for whatever it was that he had summoned. She hoped it was a bat so she could strike him upside the head with it. She knew she couldn't control when her mind sought his but he sure as hell could. Her face was flushed from anger and embarrassment at what he must have seen. She felt stupid and naive at what her mind had supplied to attract her attention. She'd only just managed the courage to force him into bed with her, now her mind was rolling into things she was very certain she was unprepared for. She jerked to a stop and rounded the door frame to the hallway when she heard the back door open. She moved in quickly to the kitchen doorway her eyes wide as she took in what he summoned.

Draco gave her a gentle smile as he adjusted the toddler on his hip setting down the traveling bag on the table. Severus looked a bit shocked but carefully schooled his face as he came to his feet moving away from the child.

Hermione smiled reflexively when the babe turned her head towards her. She was lightly chewing on a rattle in the shape of a snake before waving it at her with a bright innocent smile. Her hair was a soft blond with brown starting to come in with her age. It was lightly curled though it was pulled back from her face. Her clothes looked a bit stuffy and overly detailed but the tot didn't seem to mind.

"Meet Seraphina." He said coming closer to Hermione.

Hermione chuckled softly but liked the name, "She's beautiful Draco..." She accepted the rattle the toddler offered out to her.

Draco grinned at the exchange glancing at Severus hiding in the corner before looking back to Hermione, "You want to hold her?"

Hermione's smile faulted, she wasn't sure that she should, not with the evil lurking in wait inside her. She opened her mouth to protest before Draco moved closer.

"It's alright, here..." He took her by the shoulder, moving the slightly shocked woman to sit in the chair before shifting to place his daughter in her lap.

Hermione looked a bit frightened sitting into the back of the chair, though relaxed marginally when nothing bad immediately happened. Draco smirked over at Severus before pulling her sleeves around to hold the back of his daughter, "She likes to squirm." He dutifully informed pulling his hands back, he noticed the band on her finger as she moved her hands to keep the toddler in place.

Draco nodded his head in approval smirking at the entire situation. Who would have ever thought he would have to teach her how to hold a child? She seemed to settle into it well enough and stepped back to let them do their thing.

Severus glared at his Godson's haughty look and flicked his hand toward the sitting room. Draco took the cue and made his way out. Severus watched Hermione shake the small rattle in front of the baby's face, relaxing a little more, as the child reached out for it. She caught his eye briefly before turning her attention back down.

Severus moved into the sitting room, his eyes shooting over to Draco casually looking over their notes, his hands in his pockets looking rather proud of himself. If there was one thing that raised his blood pressure more than stupidity, it was arrogance. He swept around silently, speaking deeply startling the young man.

"Are you sure that was wise?"

Draco kept his cool, "Women love babies, " He turned to address him properly, "Besides she's protected, Granger couldn't harm her even if she wanted to." His eyes flicked to Severus' hand. "My wife makes enchanted jewelry for a living, powerful stuff, " he nodded towards his ring, "But you'd know all about that." Draco watched Snape's eyes narrow as he slipped his hand behind his back. Draco knew when not to press the subject. He sat himself down relaxing back trying to keep up his cool facade, "But enough about me. I heard through the grape vine that you were a rather impressive Prince Charming last night."

Hermione smiled as she bounced the girl lightly on her knees, her heart warmed by such innocence. She had asked her a series of questions, the girl had answered them all happily while lightly playing with Hermione's hair. Her favorite colors were emerald green and pink, she managed to make a good attempt at pronouncing her name and even told her how old she was, 2 and a half. Now Hermione felt herself at a bit of a loss of what to do with her. What did you say to a toddler?

Leaning over, she pulled the travel bag closer, she opened the top not surprised when her hand dipped into the extension charm. She pulled out a book, of course, and pulled it closer reading the title, '101 Fairy tales for the budding witch and wizard.' She nodded a bit before reaching in again she felt something round and smooth pulled it out next, it was an odd looking ball, it had deep concave holes in it that appeared to be designed for keeping a better grip. It was green with decorative pink trim and she offered both to Seraphina for her inspection.

The girl squealed with happiness and pointed to the ball,

"Quafufule!"

Hermione chuckled and gave the ball to her. The girl squirmed down from her lap hugging the ball tight, "Ou'side! Ou'side!"

"Alright, just a moment." She pushed herself up taking the book too, "Let's go ask your Papa, okay?" She took the little girls hand in hers and Seraphina pulled them toward the sitting room.

The men's conversation halted as the little blonde bounced into the room holding her ball, "Ou'side Papa yes?"

Draco hummed softly at her before looking to Snape, "It's not my house, you'll have to ask Grandpa Severus." He motioned to the dark man in front of him gauging his daughter's reaction to him. The girl held no fear as she ran to his knees holding the quaffle up excitedly. Severus looked tense as she beamed at him. "Gran'pa Se...se...brus ou'side yes?"

Severus turned his eyes to Hermione who was poorly concealing her mirth behind a book. His eyes twitched a bit before addressing the toddler before him.

"Front yard, do not wander."

Despite his clipped tone the girl bounced and turned on her heel, she took hold of Hermione's sweater as she dragged her towards the front door.

Severus waited for the chorus of giggles leave the house before looking back at Draco, "'Grandpa?'"

"Would you have preferred Uncle?" He smirked and sat back watching the man's eyes roll.

"What's wrong with her speech?"

"She just started speaking in the past few months, the healer said it should sort itself out on its own, but we should keep a close watch."

Severus hummed and turned to look through the bay window. Hermione looked elated as she chased after the toddler, making a great show of catching and tossing the ball. His heart felt odd, as he watched, it was never something he had wanted, children. He turned his head back narrowing his eyes at the look on Draco's face.

"What?"

"Just wondering if you ran off and got a lion tattoo last night as well or-" Draco laughed and ducked as a book came flying off the table at his head.

Hermione laughed as she caught the ball again, her body was quickly running out of energy and she knew she would never be able to keep pace with the child. She panted softly as she lured Seraphina near the trees leaning back against one of the trunks. She forced a smile and gave the ball another toss, taking a moment to catch her breath. The toddler didn't seem to take notice of her fatigue and happily rounded back her way giving the ball anothe admirable throw. Hermione caught it near her head, her eyes flashing with a memory of something so long ago. Her eyes darted as the images moved by quickly overlaying themselves over her current perception. She tried to catch each slightly moving frame but it was like trying catch water with your bare hands. She closed her eyes and shook out her head pushing the memory away. She blinked down at the ball noticing the girl was growing impatient for her to throw it. With another forced smile, she gave it an impressive toss, watching as it sailed through the air; another lingering flash overlaid itself on her surroundings and she had to hold onto the trunk to keep from losing her balance.

Seraphina squealed and ran after the ball, though when she returned she turned her head, her crystal blue eyes blinking with confusion. Hermione gave her an encouraging smile and held out her hands, the toddler appeared wary but threw the ball again before turning her gaze somewhere off to her right. Who was that pretty lady? The girl tilted her head with a lopsided grin and waved her hand at her wanting her to come play too. She picked up the ball as it rolled back to her and held it out but the pretty lady who only shook her head and put her finger to her lips. Seraphina gave the woman a dejected pout and stood still as the lady melted away.

Hermione furrowed her brows, her head had suddenly righted itself and she felt marginally less fatigued. Though when she noticed the girl's sudden trepidation she looked around the trunk for whatever the girl was upset by. She chewed the corner of her lip when she saw nothing. She pushed herself from the trunk coming to kneel beside the girl.

"What is it Seraphina?" She gently touched her shoulders still trying to see from her perspective, whatever she was.

Heeding the pretty lady's wishes the girl just shook her head and looked back at Hermione with a smile. "Ca' so'ry now?" She hugged the ball tighter to her chest.

Hermione pursed her lips but nodded her head, "Let's find a nice comfy spot hm?" She moved back over picking up the book giving one more wary glance before moving back towards the front of the house, there was a lone weeping willow tree that sat center and she decided that it would make the perfect reading spot, as an added bonus, it could be easily seen from the sitting room window.

"Have you decided how you're going to kill it yet?" Draco was leaned over the table reading their notes on the protection spell so he would be ready.

"A well-aimed killing curse," Severus responded distractedly shuffling through his notes that he'd been writing. He glanced up as Draco shook his head.

"Won't work." He turned leaning his hip back on the table with crossed arms.

"Explain."

"Well, I did a bit more research on the weird classification system it fell under." He held up his finger as he rifled through his pocket. He pulled out a small ancient looking leather bound journal. He opened it to a page he had marked toward the middle and handed it over.

"The Yurea Kame stands for God of Death. Like it's already dead. I don't think a normal killing curse will work." The boy jumped as Severus came quickly to his feet looking at the page with extreme interest. Gliding past Draco he ran his fingers quickly over the titles on the transfigured bookcase before sliding out a small thin leather bound text. He put it on the table opening it with a snap looking between the small journal Draco had supplied and the book under his fingers.

He'd seen that character before. Where had he seen it? Draco let out a soft sigh coming around to lean his forearm against the bay window. He watched his daughter and Granger act out some story from the book in her lap. His eyes twitched a bit, he never thought he'd ever see the sight. He shook his head a bit rolling his eyes back towards Snape.

"You've translated it incorrectly." Snape's voice was hard as he started scribbling down the characters. "You pronounced it wrong too." He added as a final blow. He looked down at his writings, eyes shooting back and forth between the hand written journal and his paper, "Here. Yuu-re-ee each letter gets its own sound, don't slur. 幽霊 Yuu-rei the characters stand alone. They each have their own meaning. Yuu dark dim and Rei, spirit."

"So dark spirit. What about the second then?" Draco leaned his palms on the table tilting his head as his elder wrote.

"神 Ka-mi With the 'I' making the double 'ee' sound." He wrote the kanji next, "Kami, this here, has no English equivalent..." He furrowed his brows thumbing through the journal, "It's been mostly equated to the Christianized word God but this kanji symbolizes something beyond a physical being, rather it encompasses all that would dwell in the ethereal world. Its power stems with nature and when combined with the previous, 'Yurei', it is often used, as best described, the world of the dead..." Severus dictated flipping through a few more pages.

"So it's like a God in this other realm?" Draco summarized his brows rising a bit, "So, you can you kill it or not?"

Severus pursed his lips as he scanned through the pages, "No." He sighed heavily through his nose, "But there's a way to banish it. From this world into its own." Severus' eyes grew dark as he read the requirements for attempting such a feat.

Draco watched the concentration on his Godfather's brow, his eyes moved hastily over the page his face growing darker. His eyes suddenly snapped up, looking over Draco's head, to the two girls reading the yard. He now understood why no one had survived the curse.

"Well?" Draco pressed trying to take the journal back.

"Fire."