Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you might recognize in this story.

A/N: Thank you soooo much to everyone who has taken the time to review this story, it is all for you I am so happy you are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it. This story surpassed 100 reviews with the last chapter and I am just flabbergasted. To all of you who have reviewed and added this story to your alerts and favorites…thank you…thank you…*curtsies*

THANK A BUNCHES!

This chapter has more clues to the Verity mystery if you know where to look…

This chapter also contains a fair bit of breast milk …be warned if it squicks you…hope it doesn't because it will not be the last of it for this story.

Thanks for reading as always, and I do hope you enjoy.

.lily

When Hermione stepped into her kitchen she felt all the strain from the day melt away. Severus was plating dinner and balls of light were spelled at various levels throughout the kitchen. No one had cooked for Hermione in years, besides Molly when the whole family got together, and she was well…Molly Weasley. But this was for her; it was just so perfect and it smelled so delicious that her mouth was watering. Hermione suddenly felt terribly underdressed for dinner despite the fact that she had often sat at that table when she was growing up in shorts or sweats. It all looked so wonderful.

Severus turned to set the table to find Hermione watching him from the entryway. She was leaning there looking more relaxed and at peace than he could remember seeing her when she was awake. "Did you sleep well?" She gave him a slight nod and widened her smile. "Well that's good then, though I cannot fathom how you were comfortable all squashed up on the couch like that," he told her, his amusement clear in his voice. "Sit, dinner is ready. I hope you like lamb," he said as he set the plates on the table.

She took her seat and looked at the plate in front of her; it was all so scrumptious looking. "It looks fabulous Severus. I should have known you could cook."

"Indeed." In actuality his culinary abilities had far less to do with his abilities with a cauldron than one would think. Granted he had excellent mise en place skills, after all, food prep was similar to prepping potions ingredients and his knife skills were unparalleled. The flavor however was something he had mastered slowly over the years. Severus had once enjoyed spending his summers traveling the world collecting rare potions ingredients and working on his research. Whenever he traveled somewhere new he made a habit of dining on local cuisines and learning how they were made. But, he thought, there was no need to tell Hermione all of that now; a man has to have some secrets, and Severus was a man of many.

After setting the plates and cutlery on the table Severus turned to get drinks from the ice box. Hermione was shocked when he pulled a Blood Orange and Pomegranate soda and poured two glasses. "I hope you like it. It has always been one of my favorites," he let her know.

"Muggle soda Severus? I'm not sure actually. I never really drank much soda growing up, daughter of dentists and all, but it sounds quite tasty." She smiled as she took a sip from her glass, she had always loved the bubbles and used to have her parents buy her club soda, but the flavors in this weren't overly sweet like the sodas Harry kept but was more of a tart flavor. Tasty, just like I thought.

He could tell by the way she smiled with the light shining in her eyes that she liked it. "Good then?" She nodded as she took another sip while Severus seated himself across from her at the table. "And yes Hermione, muggle soda. It is one of the things that I couldn't quite give up from my childhood, though not many know that of me. I always liked blood orange particularly and when I saw the blood orange and pomegranates the market I thought it sounded good. Truthfully, it was an impulse buy."

He never mentioned his childhood and even just that he had liked soda was something that he wouldn't do with just anyone, she knew. She gave him another smile and took a bite of her meal. She gave a small moan when she took a bite of her lamb and Severus knew she was enjoying dinner. "It's absolutely delicious Severus, thank you."

"You are most welcome. So, tell me how your meeting with Kingsley went. Did you find out much?" he asked. He had been thinking all day about the situation with her wand and her accounts, and wondering where her estranged husband was and what he was doing.

She smiled a little at him and decided to see what he wanted first. "So, good news first, bad new first? Your choice."

"The bad of course," he said, preparing himself. Though, at least there was good news, he thought.

"Well, for starters, I had to surrender my wand and while Kingsley assures me he was using his power as Minister to put off the inquisition, I will have to present myself for questioning regarding my ownership of Bellatrix Lestrange's wand and am likely be subjected to Veritaserum in order to prove that any dark spells I may, and did, perform with the wand were in the name of the war and covered in Statute 1985s.20 of the Ministries War Time Code. He said I will be fine, but I do not wish to deal with it. At any rate, I have a new wand and likely should have replaced it years ago I know, but it…" This had been why she never explained to anyone why she had that particular wand or where it came from. Most who were not there when she acquired it had no idea that it had belonged to Voldemort's favorite little crazy Death Eater. "Simple spells with that wand were never as easy to execute and day to day it was more annoying than anything. But I…"

Severus watched as she struggled to explain her attachment to the wand that never worked right for her. She was obviously distressed and it seemed that he could see shame playing across the features of her face. "It is alright Hermione; you do not have to tell me. I understand."

She looked at him and found strength in his eyes. She knew he would understand. "The only time I ever took a life was with that wand. I used the Killing Curse in battle and hit my target dead center. The power I felt in that moment, and then the pain…for so many reasons…I have never felt that way before."

He truly did understand. He knew what it was to take a life and the havoc it could wreak upon your soul. "Hermione, I had no idea. That curse; it is not easy to cast and it takes its toll I know. Do you mind if I ask who?"

Hermione absentmindedly fingered her collarbone, and the keloided scar that peeked out from beneath her top. It had never healed right after she had been hit with a slicing hex in 'The Battle of The Ministry'. "It wasn't just the way I felt it stain my soul. It was knowing in that moment that even if we hadn't been at war I would have done the same if given a chance. To him and one other. I sort of always felt it just that he took down Greyback when he had been unable to save me from him before, and not that Ron knew about that but he still felt like some kind of god over it. But with Dolohov I didn't think twice, not after watching him kill Remus, not after he gave me this," she said, indicating to the scar.

Severus looked at her for a moment. He had never heard her discuss the battle and he could see the hatred in her eyes at the mention of all three men; Greyback, Dolohov and her husband. However he was still confused. "I had been led to believe that Flitwick killed Dolohov."

Her smile was not happy but secretive; the cat that caught the canary. "I was on the stairs when I saw Remus fall. I had envied Tonks. It wasn't that I fancied myself in love with Remus; it was the idea of him. Someone so strong and passionate, who actually enjoyed a book." She laughed, thinking of how she had instead married a brute who's passion was solely for Quidditch and whores and who only ever read the sports section, and that was still usually only the scores and stats; articles were simply too long. "I saw Dolohov turn a second later; his mask had been lost. That was all it took. I raised my wand and sent the curse. I watched it connect with his face just seconds before Flitwick's hit him in the side. I didn't care for the glory of it, but I was happy I had been the one to end his life." She took a few bites while she forced all the memories down. "That wand was a reminder that I had done something once. Something great."

Severus just looked at the witch across from him, who carried both the quilt and the satisfaction of having been the one to kill the sadistic Death Eater and wondered how she couldn't see how strong she really was. "Hermione, believe me when I tell you that I understand why you were hesitant to get rid of that wand. For what it is worth Hermione, I am immensely proud of you and your strength." He could immediately see that she wanted to protest his pride in her actions. "No, listen to me. I know that you are aware I wanted the Defense post so that I could help to prepare you all for what I knew was to come. I was your teacher once Hermione and as your teacher I am proud of how you handled yourself in the war; you are a hero as much as Potter. Do you really think he ever would have been able to do what he did without you? We would still be fighting in that war if you had not been at the boy's side. And as…someone who cares for you, I am proud of you for taking everything you had been through and channeling it into doing what you must and ending his life. I know that it can rip at your soul, and for that, I am sorry. That pain is something that only time and…love…can heal, but there is nothing wrong with being happy that you stopped someone who tried to kill you and who killed a friend, and who would have killed more."

Hermione couldn't help it. She lifted a hand to her face to try to hide it but she could not stop her laughter.

Severus raised an eyebrow at her. "And what, pray tell, do you find so humorous about all of this Hermione?"

Hermione tried to stifle her laughter to talk, but was finding it incredible difficult. "Oh Severus. If Albus…if he could…hear…hear you now. His dour Potions Master touting the benefits of love." She had finally managed to calm herself.

"You know Hermione," he said, drawing out her name so that it rolled of his tongue like seductive velvet, "I do know about how powerful love can truly be. I am simply not foolish enough to believe it is all that one needs. Surely you have realized that I am the type of man who does not love easily, or love many, but I assure you Hermione that when I find someone who I believe worthy of my love, I love deeply and passionately."

Hermione wasn't sure why that sounded so much like a promise, a very, very seductive promise. "Yes, I am certain of that Severus." She suddenly felt the need to retreat from the topic and into safer waters. "Do you think this is the real reason they want my wand? Because I cast an Unforgivable? Am I in trouble Severus?" she asked, putting a voice to her fears.

"I am not certain, though we both know that you are not the only one who cast the unforgivable in that battle. Hermione, surely you do not expect Molly Weasley to be carted to Azkaban for killing Bella. It is likely just a matter of a new Auror looking to make a name for himself; if it were serious you would have been questioned further right then and there. You will be fine. Now, what else? Any more bad news?" he asked, hoping she had learned what the threat was with the shop tramp Weasley had run off with.

Hermione took a deep breath, pushing down her anger at the situation. "Well, dearest Ronald wiped me out. Not that I am surprised, but he took everything. There wasn't a Knut left. I'm broke."

"I cannot say it surprises me either. Do you not have a muggle account? Surely your parents' estate, their life insurance…" He started questioning the state of her accounts when she cut him off.

"A little over a thousand pounds. I had to confund the clerk to get access to my parents' accounts to get it. Mine were all closed and transferred to Gringotts when I sent my parents into hiding. Which, as far as I can prove is where they still are. As far as the British government is concerned the Grangers went missing after going on an extended holiday years ago. The Wilkins, two dentists from London who relocated to Australia, were buried in a small cemetery near their house there, not a month after they moved. They had no family. The only person at their funeral was the old woman who lived across from them and had taken a liking to the childless couple. They had no money, and no one to leave it to if they had."

Severus knew not to push her about her parents. He knew that they had died, but she had never been willing to say more so now certainly wasn't the time to press. He wanted to tell her that she was welcome to his accounts, that he had more money than he would ever know what to do with, because he did. He knew though that she wouldn't want to accept what she saw as charity. "I am sorry Hermione." There wasn't really anything else he could say.

"That's fine, it was the last of the bad news for today, so that's something. Would you like to hear the good news of the day? It is truly excellent I think now," she said, biting her bottom lip and smiling at the same time.

Sweet Nimue she is gorgeous when she does that. "So you say there is good news in all of this mess?" he asked.

"Uh huh. It would seem that I cannot get a divorce." Her voice was deadpan, or at least, she was trying to keep it that way.

No divorce? How is that supposed to be good news, still shackled to that moronic, thick, idiot, dunderheaded…"Hermione, I fail to see how this is good news."

"Oh, that's easy Severus. It seems I was never married." The look on his face was one of pure perturbation. She decided to cut him a break and launched into the truth of her broken bonds. "Well, it would seem that our marriage bonds never became binding. The prick decided to consummate without me. His sleeping with someone other than myself before we had consummated the union served to sever the marriage bonds before they became binding. Our marriage was never registered with the Ministry at all. The only thing the binding did was serve to change my name, and that should be easy enough to rectify."

It was Severus' turn to laugh. Under normal circumstances he would have raged in indignation but she was free. Not married, not Mrs. Ronald Weasley and it truly was good news. Certainly it was excellent news from where Severus was sitting. Soon both were laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation.

As the meal finished up, Hermione helped Severus clear away the dishes and then the two went to the living room to sit on the couch in front of the fire. Deciding to keep conversation light for the time being, they joked about the ridiculous requests Severus was getting at work and she told him how her shopping had gone, about her new phone and everything she needed to keep up her supply of breast milk.

"So I have an appointment set for tomorrow morning at a Milk Bank that is actually quite close to here. I think it may help, using what has happened to help others. Assistant Healer Roderick owled me some information she got from her brother. She had brochures for a few different banks that he had either looked into or used. It seems like a good program. Much of the milk goes to Neo-Natal care facilities to help babies born to unfit mothers, or in some cases where the mother has died or carries a disease that would be carried in the milk." She pulled her wand out and a small stack of pamphlets appeared on the coffee table before them.

Severus picked one up and looked through it. It was just the sort of thing Hermione loved; championing for the less fortunate. He hoped it would help to give her a sense of purpose for the time being while she settled out her life. "It is a good thing you are doing Hermione. I cannot imagine many women being able to do what you are offering."

She was elated that he understood what she was doing. "It actually is easier than I thought it would be and the woman at the store assured me that the more I did it the more milk would come in, but that I would also be able to get to a point where I only pumped once or twice a day for comfort and still kept up production, but the more often I pump, the more milk my body will produce. The nice thing is I can just do it while I am reading and well…I do love to read." She smiled as she said it; she was feeling so much better about things now, like she was doing something. She felt lucky to have Severus to share that with. What surprised her was the look of curiosity on Severus' face. It looked like he wanted to ask her something but was not sure how. Granted, they were talking about breast milk and she wasn't sure that it was exactly the sort of topic Severus would be comfortable with. Although, she thought, he had helped her that morning when her breasts were sore. It was as if the cogs in Severus' brain were cranking, trying to figure something out. She finally decided to ask what he was thinking about.

"Something on your mind Severus? You look like you are trying to solve quantum physics." She wondered what it was that had him thinking so hard.

Severus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He hadn't meant to be so obvious in his contemplations but he was curious, as an academic mostly and also as a man. "I was just thinking about the mechanics of it really. I have never known anyone who didn't do this the natural way. I wasn't even aware of the existence of such a contraption and I cannot help but be curious. I do not mean to pry or…"

Oh he wants to know how the pumps work. That makes sense I suppose. He is like me in that way, wanting to know how things work. "It's fine really. Here." Another flick of her wand and a large tote bag with 'The Land of Nod' printed in fancy playful lettering on it floated to her side. She pulled from it a large black case that said 'Avent' in block letters on the front and out of it pulled one of two breast pumps and their detachable storage bottles. She took her time explaining each of the parts and how the silicone massage cushion would help to expel the milk. She explained the various features and told him how she could manually set it to a rhythm of suction that was comfortable to her, and then the pump would remember it so that the next time she used it, it would automatically return to that rhythm. She showed him the storage bags for freezing and the books she had found.

By the time she was done showing him everything and explaining it in relation to her body she found herself surprised at the ease of the conversation. Severus had been inquisitive and interested and they talked easily about it. She doubted Ronald would have ever talked to her about pumping breast milk as if it were the most natural thing in the world and as she talked to Severus, that was what she realized. It was natural; she was truly happy she had met Assistant Healer Roderick and had the opportunity to do something good. She realized she was starting to feel engorged and should probably pump soon before she started to leak all over herself again. She thought about it for a few minutes about whether or not to ask when she finally decided she had come this far so why not.

"Severus…I um…I need to pump now actually if you were interested in watching. I could just go in the other room for a while if you would rather not." She thought maybe she had made a mistake in asking. Here she really wasn't even sure what was going on with them. She knew she was falling for him, that she had been, and he seemed to feel the same way if his kisses were anything to judge by, but here she was offering to bear her breasts to him in completely un-erotic ways and she worried that it would be too much for him. Part of her was just scared that he would be put off by the idea and not be interested. For some reason she wanted to share this with someone, with him.

Severus just studied her for a minute. This woman truly has no idea what she does to me. No one has ever offered their trust to me in the way she does. I cannot say I am not the least bit curious to see how the contraption actually works. It isn't as if I haven't thought what it would look like to see milk leaking from her breasts, what it would taste like on my tongue. It had never been something he would have considered before, but these last few days with Hermione, seeing the proof of the milk swelling her breasts and knowing how intoxicating her taste was he couldn't help but put the two together.

He had found himself having the oddest fantasies of pouring breast milk in his morning tea. It was a ridiculous notion he knew and it wasn't that he really wanted her milk in his tea, but he was curious about it. He just couldn't believe she was offering to let him watch her while she expressed the milk. It was so intimate, not sexually, but he knew it was not something she would have offered to just anyone. "There is no need to go into the other room Hermione. If you are comfortable with it then I must confess that I am interested to see how it really works."

And so the two settled in and Severus watched as Hermione slipped her camisole first beneath one weeping breast and then the other to position the pumps.

Severus had to fight back the groan that was begging for release at the sight of her pulling each breast from her top. It wouldn't do to get too aroused by the sight of her pumping milk.

"I experimented with sticking charms earlier so I don't have to hold them; it is so nice to be a witch sometimes," she told him as she spelled each pump to attach to her breast. She rearranged her top so that it came up to rest at the underside of the pump, obscuring the bottom half of her breast.

Severus then watched as she pressed a button on each pump and they began to suction at a steady rhythm. When the milk started to stream into the bottles hanging from the pumps Severus found himself momentarily in awe. "That is amazing. I have never seen anything like that. It is remarkable, what you are doing. You are remarkable."

A blush quickly stained Hermione's cheeks at his words. She thought she would have been more embarrassed to be doing this in front of anyone, but with Severus who had already seen her at her worst and had been by her side practically since he had found her, she just felt…warm. "Thank you Severus. It feels good you know. Tomorrow I will bury my baby but I feel like it won't have been for nothing. I can help save someone else's baby, give another child a chance, and that feels amazing."

It occurred to him that she hadn't yet given him details of the funeral. "Hermione, the funeral is tomorrow you say? What are the plans?"

"Well I do not know entirely. It was decided that she will be buried next to a child that Molly lost similarly after having Charlie. Ginny, it appears, would have had a sister. This way my daughter can be surrounded by family even in death, and unlike my parents she will be close enough that I can visit when I choose to. Molly is handling everything for me. I really wasn't ready to have to think about her burial. You will be there with me won't you?" She needed him. Harry was avoiding her, she knew, and she didn't know why. She needed as much support as she could get and honestly just wanted him by her side where she could draw from his strength. Please Severus. Please say you will be there by my side. She was pleading with him with her eyes.

Severus wanted to tell her that he wouldn't let her go, that he would hold her to him and protect her from as much pain as he could, but he realized that he couldn't do that. She couldn't walk into her daughter's funeral on his arm. It would raise too many questions about their relationship and he didn't know how to begin answering them for himself, let alone anyone else. More than that, she didn't deserve to be gossiped about for her relationship with him on top of everything else she was dealing with. It was too much. Whatever was developing between them wasn't something they could just flaunt in front of everyone, at least, not yet.

"You needn't ask. You know I will be there. I think it best though that I quietly pay my respects and stay in background," he told her, hating the way her face took on a defeated look.

"But I need you. I can't explain it. I know I will have the Weasley's and that George will likely stay by my side if I asked him to and even Harry may stop this ridiculousness about avoiding me long enough to help me if I need him but that's the thing; I need you." She was trying not to get upset. She was still pumping and she tended to be very physical when she was upset or excited, all hand gestures and movement.

Severus could tell she was taking it personally, which was the last thing he had wanted. "Hermione, calm down and listen to me please." She pursed her lips at him and raised a brow; her 'well get on with it' gesture. "If I could, I would not leave your side. I do not know what is happening with us, or when it started, and I don't know where it is going, only that it is good. It is so very, very good. It is not something I plan on walking away from." Her expression softened at his small declaration but she was waiting for the but…

"Hermione, most of the world believes you married and most will expect to see your husband at your side. Even those who know the truth of that still would not react well to the sight of us together, not there. You are still a Weasley in name and in their hearts. How do you think Molly would feel if she saw us holding onto one another; if she saw me grieve with you and for you? Because I do and I am. I see you now and know what a magnificent mother you would have been and it drives me mad that that was taken from you. You deserve to be happy Hermione but most would wonder if this is something we began long ago, if you were unfaithful. I will admit that it has been something I have wanted longer than I realized but I will not have dunderheaded people thinking of you that way, not for me. Not now. You deserve to have this day without that added stress. Please understand Hermione. It is not that I do not wish to be at your side: I just wish to protect you and for now that means standing back." She managed to make him open up more than anyone, partly because she didn't try. He could sit there quietly and she would enjoy his company equally.

Severus had been so focused on getting the words out that he didn't notice the tears that slipped from her eyes as he spoke. He was so amazing and he said the things she felt and more. He cared for her, she knew, but his protection of her was so special to her. He thought things through always and seeing a potential to cause her pain, he would stand in the back. Not because he didn't care about the daughter she lost, but because he cared so much he couldn't risk letting people see that and use it against Hermione.

When he looked at her and saw the tears running down her cheeks and dripping from her chin into the valley between her breasts, Severus just wanted to take her in his arms and tell her it would all be better soon. Unfortunately those damned pumps were still in the way. Severus decided instead to get up and kneel at her side; he swiped the tears from each cheek and lifted her chin to bring her gaze to meet his. "Don't cry."

Hermione pressed the button to stop the pumps and unstuck them from her breasts, setting them on the table at her side. She pulled her top up to cover herself and then launched herself at the man kneeling on the floor at her side. She couldn't think of words so she just peppered his face with kisses.

The force of her throwing herself at him knocked Severus off balance and he ended up falling back to land on his behind. "Damn it woman; I am not a bloody teenager. I am too old to be rolling around on the floor, let me up," he said, sounding stuck between pained and amused.

Hermione giggled at his discomfort. She was going to pull herself up off of him and help him up when he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her to him.

"On second thought Hermione, this position has its advantages," he purred in her ear as he pulled her to him. He kissed his way along the line of her jaw, starting just behind her ear, earning him a delightful little squeak from the woman on his lap.

"Oh, definite advantages," she breathed as she lost herself to his ministrations. Ron had never made her feel this way; so electrified and alive. She felt like she was floating and drowning and yet, none of it mattered. Soon his lips were on hers and the way they moved against her lips, so soft and firm, only made her want to beg him for more. When his tongue tasted her lips, she sought it with her own and soon it was if her tongue was dancing with his. His kisses only seemed to get better the more they did it.

As Severus' hands continued to hold her tight to him, feeling over her back with steady strokes Hermione brought her hands up to explore the feel of his chest. He was so hard and strong beneath her hands and combined with the way he held her to him, like he treasured her as opposed to possessed her, made her feel secure and safe.

Hermione pulled back from the kiss when the need for air became apparent and rested her head on Severus' shoulder. "I don't know what comes over me when I am in your arms Severus. I wish you could be at my side tomorrow. I know that you can't. You are right you know. With the news George has for her, I do not believe Molly can take any more shocks at the moment. If I were to lose myself and do this," she said as she turned her head to give him a light kiss, "Whatever would she think?"

She giggled again and the sound lightened Severus, knowing he was the one to make her happy. "Precisely. I am so pleased you are using reason now my dear." He smiled at her shock at his use of the endearment. 'Now, get off me witch. I was not kidding when I said I was too old for this. My back is all stiff."

She smiled and whispered in his ear. "Oh but it was so worth it. Now, get up old man." She giggled again.

"Oh, you wound me Hermione. Now help me up." He smiled at her and it was one of those rare moments when his smile reached his eyes and they sparkled and shone like the night sky. She wanted to get lost in them and forget the pain that was permeating her life in the hours when Severus was not there to make her forget.

Hermione went to the kitchen to store the milk and clean the pump and then rejoined Severus on the couch. Like the night before she just leaned against him and he put one arm around her while they talked. He tried to get her to confess George's secret. He tried unsuccessfully a few times, bribing her with kisses. Her loyalty was too strong and her secrets held, like he had expected them to. He just wanted to keep her distracted and smiling as long as he could. He knew that the next day would be hellish for her.

Severus soon found himself sitting on the couch with a sleeping Hermione in his arms and as he ran his fingers through her hair he found himself wondering how they had come to build this little routine and if it could continue. Had she been truly single this past year would he have been brave enough to court her properly, to woo her or would his fears of rejection and loss prevent him from going after her? It didn't do good to muse on such thoughts, he decided. She wasn't technically single this past year but still, their relationship grew to a friendship and slowly to more, and then when she was nearly taken from him, so violently, he couldn't help but reach out to her and hold on.

Severus decided to carry her up to bed so she could get some proper sleep. He lifted her easily in his arms and carefully carried her up the stairs to her room where he laid her down upon her bed and pulled the quilt up over her. He brushed a lock of hair from her face and knelt down to kiss her temple when her eyes opened.

"Mmm. Severus. Please, stay again tonight. I feel so safe with you here. I need you, please."

Severus didn't speak; he just kissed her lightly and moved to get in on the other side of the bed. He prayed to every merciful god who would listen that she would not soon come to think this all a mistake. She had come to be his best friend this past year and from the first time she had kissed his cheek in the Apothecary, Severus had wondered what it would be like to love and be loved by her. He was drifting off when he heard Hermione calling to him.

"Severus…Severus…" she whispered in the dark of her room. His only answer was to turn and wrap his arms around her. "Severus. I want to do it. The triggered 'Obliviate' I don't want to be a victim any more. Just, not tomorrow okay?"

"Whenever you would like Hermione, now go to sleep," he said, placing soft kisses on the nape of her neck as he brushed her hair aside. "Sleep. Tomorrow you will go and bury your daughter and after that Hermione, I will do whatever you ask to help you move on from this. For now. Please, just sleep."

Severus pretended not to hear her whispered words of love as she fell asleep. As much as he hoped she had meant them he still worried that once she was on her feet again she would have no use for an old, ugly, Potions Master. But oh, how he wanted to believe she had meant them.

A/N: So what do you think eh?

Did anyone find the clues to what just is going on with Verity?

Well as always, thanks for reading and reviewing. Are you getting all you want from this story, or is there something you want more of. The next chapter is all Severus…how is he taking things? Stay tuned.

Until next time…my undying gratitude, thanks for reading.

.lily