Disclaimer: None of this is mine really, I am simply and insomniac who loves to write and play with other peoples toys!

A/N: I would like to start out by extending my biggest, most heartfelt thanks to everyone who is reviewing this story as well as all of you who have clicked that lovely little favorite button or even simply added it to your alerts. Thank you. *curtsies* I certainly hope you continue to enjoy this story as much as I truly enjoy writing it.

To my fantastic new beta Poison-Quills who has most thoroughly edited this chapter for me I extend my utmost gratitude. Her work truly helps to elevate this story to a new level. So thank you!

In an attempt not to ramble (as is my tendency) here is chapter 22 for your reading enjoyment. Read, review, enjoy! Love you all.

~ fresh. new. lily ~

Kingsley saw it in his lover's eyes as he steeled himself to tell his family the truth. He was so proud of his lover for making, what he knew was, an incredibly difficult decision. He told George for a while now that even if his family couldn't understand or accept just who it was he was in love with, they would certainly support him and still love him even if he was gay. Oh yes Sweet, I am so proud of you. Just tell them, it is okay. He thought.

"Fine," George shouted getting up from the table. "I'm Gay! Happy now Gin? I couldn't have told everyone when I was ready. It had to be today. Hermione, I love you, but I have to go. I'm sorry," he said before quickly turning around and heading toward the house.

Kingsley watched the pain flash over George's face as he let himself believe that no one would understand, as he feared since the beginning. He wanted to run after him as he fled, to hell with everyone else or what they might think. Kingsley sat there feeling helpless and sad at his lover's plight as he watched George's retreating back head towards the house.

"Oh dear," Molly exclaimed.

Kingsley always knew it would be hardest for Molly to accept, not because she had anything against gay people. If he remembered correctly he had heard that her brother Fabian had been openly gay. No, he knew that for Molly it was the loss of possible grandchildren that would be hard for her. He couldn't blame her. More and more lately he found himself wanting the impossible, a family with George. He wanted kids running around the house in the country, getting into trouble, laughter filling the air. He knew though that barring a miracle or George hiding a womb somewhere, and Kingsley was fairly certain there was nowhere on George's thin frame he could possibly be hiding one, that there was little chance of them ever having children. They discussed and discounted adoption as an option. It wasn't that they wouldn't love any child they were lucky enough to have, and they both agreed that children would be a blessing. It was just that with birth rates so low in the wizarding world there weren't any children available for adoption. Right after the war there had been a few adoptions on record, but now that things were settling in the Wizarding World there wasn't any need for adoptive parents. So they had discussed muggle children but agreed that in the end it wouldn't truly be fair to a child to be brought up in a world they would never truly belong. Even squibs could experience magic even if they couldn't perform it, but a muggle child would never see Hogwarts or even the Ministry where Kingsley worked. They could never see the horn of a unicorn or the magical glow that emanated from their hides. It wasn't fair to them, so they gave up. They would be the best uncles they could, and they would have each other. That would have to be enough.

Kingsley watched as Arthur looked to Bill and Ginny who were sitting at the end of the table. George had told him that he let Bill, Ginny, and Harry know that he was gay and happy but not much else. "I take it you two at least knew? Well, I can't say I expected that. I expect you both told him that we would all support him? So, does anyone know who this chap is he's supposedly in love with?" He listened as his friend talked, and was happy to hear out loud that Arthur at least supported his son. He knew that they would all be desperate to learn his identity. Frankly, he knew that as soon as George was ready he would stand by him as his lover and partner. It was time. He found himself struggling not to turn to his friend and tell him the truth. His mind was screaming it, spurred on by George's profession of love. Me, it is me. And I love him too. I loved your son long before it was appropriate to do so. I am just blessed that by some chance, by some amazing godly intervention he loves me back. He thought, wanting to say the words, but knowing a table full of people who were gathered to mourn was not the right place. So instead he sat there, deciding discretion being the better part of valor, and said nothing.

"No, he was quite tight lipped on the subject. Said he was amazing, he loved him, that they were practically living together, but didn't give any more information. He seems really happy dad." Kingsley listened as Bill spoke, telling them all that he felt comfortable with of what George had confided to him. He's amazing. He doesn't even see it most of the time, cocky though he may be. I don't know what I would do without him now, Kingsley thought.

He was lost in thought when he heard Molly address Hermione. He knew of course that Hermione knew, one of a very few who did. Hermione and Padma were the only two still alive who knew. It was nice to have an assistant who actually knew your secrets, it made it easier for her to cover them up if need be. "Hermione dear, you wouldn't by chance know who our dear boy has been seeing would you?" He heard Molly ask her.

He saw Hermione's eyes meet his ever so briefly before settling on her plate. "I…Um…I think I will go talk to him," she said before she left to follow his lover the way he had longed to do. He watched her retreating back. He felt something akin to envy, wishing he could have chased George down, but was so grateful they had her friendship. She truly was a lovely young woman and a spectacular friend. As kind as she was smart, the girl had brains for days.

Suddenly Ginny was laughing and asking, "Anyone else take that as a yes then?" The rest of the table erupted into laughter, even Minerva was laughing. It was then that he realized the only other person at the table not laughing was eying him rather suspiciously. When Severus quirked an eyebrow and smirked Kingsley knew something in his face must have gave him away. He was half tempted to think that Severus had used 'Legilimancy'. Though knew that he would have felt the intrusion, even of someone as skilled as Severus. He knew his friend well, Severus was going to have fun with this information. It was how that had him concerned.

Severus watched as George announced to the table that he was in love with another man. Not that Severus was wholly surprised; it certainly explained why it had been so amusing to Hermione to be accused of having an affair with him. Without really thinking, Severus turned his gaze to the only other man there he knew to be gay. He still remembered when as a seventh year at Hogwarts, Severus had walked into a classroom to avoid Potter and Black and found little fifth year Kingsley, so thin back then, being thoroughly snogged by a Hufflepuff sixth year who's name Severus never bothered to learn. He was a Hufflepuff after all. Kingsley had never truly hidden his sexuality. He was so private a person that there had been few people in his life that had known about his sexuality that he hadn't been intimately involved with. He had been taught not to flaunt his relationships to the world unless it led to a bonding. It was common among many African Wizarding cultures, seeing all early relationships as practice, and not really worthy of discussion. He watched as Kingsley's concerned gaze followed George to the house, watched him suck in a deep breath and seem to hold it much longer than was necessary. Slowly, a theory started to build.

Severus knew that Hermione was obviously close with George, he wasn't the least bit surprised as she got up to follow George inside. It was her relationship with Kingsley that had shocked him. It wasn't that she wouldn't have anything in common with him or that they wouldn't get along. It was just that he had often wondered how his little swot and the older man had really gotten to know each other so very well in the first place. But, if Hermione was close friends with Kingsley's lover it could certainly explain how she had come to be so close with the older man. It could also explain her knowledge of possible birthmarks, perhaps she too had found Kingsley in a compromising position.

Suddenly the table was filled with laughter at something Ginny had said and Kingsley looked up and noticed Severus looking at him. It was as if all his questions had been answered in that short glance, the questioning look on Kingsley's face that seemed to ask 'just how much do you know' was enough to confirm his suspicions.

So that's what Hermione has on Kingsley. He's been sleeping with his friend's son for years. Interesting. I wonder why they are still keeping it secret if it has been going on for so long, if professions of love were anything to go by.

While Severus continued to observe Kingsley as he fretted about his lover the rest of the table was starting to move around, having finished their meal. Arthur and Molly were talking with Bill, Charlie, and his fiancée, Tristy while Ginny was talking with Luna, Neville, and Hannah. Minerva turned in her seat to speak with Kingsley.

All of them were busy discussing the night's events amongst themselves. The Weasley's taking more of an interest in George's revelation. With Bill telling his parents and Charlie about the day he had told them he was gay and in love, but that he still had no idea who it could be. "I don't know much really, he jus said that he loved him, and wanted to tell everyone but knew the guy wasn't ready. He said he saved him after Fred died, so it had to have started soon after the war I think, I just don't know." Bill said, secretly keeping his additional knowledge to himself.

"I just don't know why he wouldn't say something. My baby has been keeping this from us for so long, I mean, why the secrets? I just don't understand." Molly lamented.

"Oh come off it mum," Charlie practically shouted at her. "I was lucky I was in Romania. Why do you think I stopped coming home so often? There are only so many of your matchmaking attempts a man can take. And it is never just matchmaking is it mum? No, it's 'when are you finally going to settle down and give me grandbabies?' It's maddening mum. What did you expect him to do, come to you and say 'gee mum, sorry to disappoint you, but I can't give you grandbabies, so sorry I love another man.' Seriously mum," he told an increasingly chagrined Molly.

Molly, hands now firmly planted on her hips clucked. "Why I never! Charlie, I cannot believe you would talk to your mother that way. All I ever wanted was for my babies to be happy."

Arthur tried to comfort his wife; placing a hand on her shoulder and giving it a light squeeze, but knew that in the end Charlie spoke the truth. "Now Molly, I just think that Charlie means you can be a bit…"

"Pushy, overbearing, controlling, obtrusive, should I go on mum? Just look how you were with me before I married Fleur. It was a nightmare Mum. We love you, but Charlie's right, and after Fred died it just got worse. We all know Ron wasn't ready to get married and look how that turned out. But you were always on him to 'make an honest woman out of Hermione.' She didn't want to get married Mum, not then. But of course she couldn't very well tell you that could she. You are the only mother she has left. You had already picked her dress robes out for her and hired a caterer before Ron even gave her the ring. My guess is George just didn't want to disappoint you with the loss of a fairy tale wedding and more grandbabies," Bill informed her, deciding Charlie was right and enough was enough. "Maybe he just needs to know that you support him anyways. He and Fred were always the trouble ones. The disappointments as far as they could tell, not Head Boy, not big shot curse breaker or Quidditch star turned Dragon Tamer. They dropped out and made jokes, sure they make a killing, more than any of us ever will, but all they really got from you was that they should have taken that talent and done something respectable with their lives. You really thought he would run and tell you he was gay?"

"I…I…I…just wanted my boys to be happy, to…to…I just…I was trying…" Molly couldn't quite find the right words to defend herself.

"Alright boy's, that's enough now. We get your point. There has been enough division in this family, and quite enough loss. We all need to be sure that George knows we are there for him when he is ready, and that we all support him. It is probably best if we don't all go bombard him with questions all at once or act like this is some huge deal that requires hours of discussion. If he wants to talk let him talk but, for Merlin's sakes, don't go and scare the poor boy off again," Arthur said, managing to step up into the family head role that was frankly, usually occupied by his currently vexed wife.

Meanwhile, having moved inside the house to sit in the living room where she could keep an eye on Teddy who was busy playing with his cousin Victoire while her mommy Fleur sat quietly discussing wedding plans with Charlie's soon to be bride, Tristy, Ginny was chatting animatedly with her old friends from the D.A. Ginny, Neville, Hannah, and Luna were all seated on various chairs and pulled in rather close so they could talk without being easily overheard. "I mean I love her, but I don't get it. Harry seems to think they are oddly suited to each other but honestly, Snape of all people. Maybe I was just gone too long, I don't know, but last I saw her she was married to my brother. Then she shows up here, and he is acting like it was his child she buried, I don't get it," Ginny said.

"Well I was talking to Susan the other day, she lives on Diagon now, has for the last year or so. Well she says that she started using The Potion Masters Brew as her main apothecary. Aside from telling me that Snape is so much less, bat like… I suppose would be the best way to put it. She said she has been there a few times when Hermione walked in and you could see the change in Snape. She swears she caught him smiling once. I don't know, but she tells me that whenever she saw Hermione in there they joked with each other like old friends. It was really odd because Hermione hardly waved at Susan in recognition but she would seek out Snape and he would get her what she was looking for and they would just talk and laugh. She thought they were having an affair, and I thought she was crazy, but seeing her here with him today… I mean the fact that he was here at all makes me wonder. And he stepped up and gave the blessing in Ron's place. It makes me wonder, I'll say that much," Hannah went on, gossiping wildly about their friend.

Neville shook his head at the women and his wife in particular. "Hannah," he chastised. "Now we don't know what's going on. I don't know, maybe they are just weird friends, really weird, because, well, it's Snape. I suppose if any of us would be able to be friends with him it would be Hermione, she always gives everyone a chance, and well, let's face it; she's always been a bit older than all of us mentally. Maybe what she needed was an older friend. The point is we don't know, and as much as I can't see anyone wanting to spend much time with Snape… It just isn't right to talk about her like this not when she can't tell us the truth," he said hoping to stop the girls gossiping.

Luna, who had been listening with an airy smile on her face giggled lightly. "Well I for one think that the Crested Madrigol Flees have done wonders for Professor Snape's coloring. It is quite a sight to see them flit between the two of them isn't it? They obviously picked up on the energies flowing between Hermione and the Professor, it's quite beautiful. Though I don't think that they are bright enough yet to suggest any sort of long term affair, of course they could have dimmed because of the terrible loss. Oh, hello Hermione. George, so nice to see you again," she said, bringing attention to the two people that had just descended the stairs.

As the other three friend's heads snapped from Luna and her musings to the amused face of George and the irritated one of Hermione. George leaned in and whispered into Hermione, "I think I will see if I can go find Mum and Dad, have fun with this lot."

"Some friend you are George Weasley. Oh fine, and I told you they were talking about us," she said as she finished descending the stairs and headed towards her gossiping friends while George headed back outside to look for his family.

"Hi Hermione we were just, ah…" Neville tried to find words to explain what she heard.

Hermione sat down on the floor next to Luna's chair not bothering to go get one of her own and laughed. "Oh just save it Neville. You were all talking about me and Severus and I frankly expected as much, so don't worry about it. I suppose it seems a bit strange especially when I haven't been able to see any of you lately. I would love to explain, but I am sure you have more questions than I can answer right now. I was hoping we could get together for lunch sometime, or dinner at my place," she suggested.

"Well, it's a Hogsmead weekend this weekend; you could always join me and Hannah for lunch at the Hog's Head. I'm sure Abe would be happy to see you, what do you think?" Neville offered.

Hermione smiled at her friend, who seemed to understand that a huge group gathering would be a bit much. "That sounds wonderful Neville. It's been so long since I've been there, I hear that so much has changed," she said wistfully. "Besides, I was hoping to have tea with Minerva soon, maybe I can manage to do that then too. I'll have to talk to her about it."

Hannah smiled warmly at her as she went to stand. "That sounds lovely Hermione. Come on Neville, it's getting late and you have work in the greenhouses before classes in the morning," she said offhandedly to her husband, playing the part of the dutiful wife. "Hermione, it was a beautiful ceremony, and we truly are so sorry. It will be good to catch up. I'll send an owl alright? Luna, Ginny, good to see you both."

Neville stood to join his wife, "Hermione I'm really sorry things worked out the way they did for you. You know we are here if you need us. We love you, you know. I look forward to seeing you this weekend. I really want to show you the new puffapods; they are quite spectacular this year," he said, as always getting a little extra excited when the subject of herbology came up.

"Sounds great Neville, I'll look for your owl okay. It was really good to see you both. Thanks for being here. It means a lot to me. Really thank you both. We will catch up this weekend," Hermione said, holding back the desire to snap at everyone to mind their own business.

Hermione let Neville pull her up from the floor and gave Hannah and him each a hug good bye. They then went and made their rounds saying their goodbyes while Hermione settled back on the floor by Luna who absentmindedly pulled hair back away from Hermione's face and braided it into a sort of crown about her head.

"You always looked so lovely with your hair pulled out of your face Hermione. Though I do like this shorter hair on you, it is quite nice. I do hope you didn't have an infestation of Flaming Drangle Drigs. I found an amazing specimen last month when I was trudging through the Australian Outback searching for the Reticulated Rugleberg; which is a very interesting creature that infiltrates people's thoughts and makes them dance. It's all very fascinating," Luna went on in an airy sing-song voice that had always had people underestimating her power.

Ginny, who had always been quite amused by her friend's beliefs in the oddest creatures, tried to stifle a giggle.

Hermione on the other hand always knew that there was a deep intelligence in Luna, and that for every creature she believed in that didn't exist there was bound to be one that did, she was after all a muggle born witch living in a world where Unicorns weren't just in fairytales and she herself had flown on Hippogriphs and Thestrals. Who was to say there wasn't Nargles or Reticulated Rugleburg's? "Well that sounds quite interesting Luna, you'll have to tell me all about your trip sometime, I do hope you took pictures. Though I must say there is nothing so interesting about the length of my hair. They shaved me bald in the hospital, and when I grew it back I decided to keep it shorter, I can still pull it back when I want though so that's nice," she told her friend. "We really should get together soon, maybe a dinner at my place?"

"Oh that does sound wonderful, where are you staying?" Luna asked as she conjured little miniature yellow daisies and placed them throughout Hermione's braided crown.

"At my parent's old place, I can give you directions. It would be very nice to have you over, I could actually use a little help livening the place up a little, it's been vacant for years," she said, smiling at the thought of Luna's visit and the possibility of getting rid of a few more of the dark florals her mother was so partial to. Luna had always been good with things like that whereas Hermione didn't have the open imagination it took to really decorate.

The three girls chatted about nothing in particular. Ginny and Luna both seemed to understand that Hermione was not in a mood to discuss her rather confusing love life. Ginny told the girls how she had stepped down from the Harpies and was going to stay home more and be a real family. To try to give Teddy a real mother, though she was terrified she would fail. Both girls assured her that she would make a wonderful mum, both to Teddy and any kids her and Harry had in the future. Ginny seemed not to notice the way Hermione's back tensed at the simplest mention of Harry's name, or she ignored it in an attempt at normalcy. The conversation was slightly forced, with Ginny having to work hard to avoid the topic of her Husband, her brother, Hermione's attack, or her situation with Snape. Luna helped seeming to have a gift for keeping conversations light even in the darkest of times. It was something that her friends had always valued in her.

"And then Papa told her that she was welcome to write an expose on the Crumple-Horned Snorkack from a beetle's perspective if she was looking for more work but that he wasn't interested in doing an interview about his relationship with Glenda Grubbly-Plank, that he was a reporter and an editor not the subject of tabloid fodder," Luna said as she slid out of her chair to the floor by Hermione collapsing into a fit of giggles.

Hermione who unlike Ginny was able to breathe through her laughter couldn't help but ask, 'Grubbly-Plank, as in...?"

Luna propped herself up on her elbows and smiled. "Oh, it's the Professors niece. They met on an African Safari Papa went on after the war in order to get away and look for the Blibbering Humdinger. I don't think it is very serious, and really what that buggy woman cares about it is beyond me. Considering the amount of Wrackspurts flitting about her head it is a wonder that she able to think clearly enough to get anything published. I really do worry about her sometimes."

Ginny finally caught her breath and managed to talk. "You're worried about Skeeter? That's brilliant," she laughed.

The girls continued to talk keeping things as lighthearted as they could while outside George was busy deflecting questions about his lover.

"Mum, what do you want me to tell you? I would really like to talk to him about this first alright," he told his mother trying to keep himself calm.

Molly, who was still trying to get as much information out of her son as she could regarding his lover, decided to try something else. "Well, why don't you invite him for dinner one night dear? We would all love to get to know him and we can have the whole family here to support you. Oh we can do it on Sunday that would be lovely."

George groaned. The last think he wanted was to announce his relationship with Kingsley at Sunday dinner. It would be a disaster, and this was bad enough. "Uggghhh, I don't know mum, Sunday dinner, that's a little… Just give me some time to talk to him okay. I promise, soon okay. You'll love him I know it. He's a great man really. I just really want to talk to him first. It isn't fair for me to just up and change his life without talking to him about it, okay," he bargained.

"Whatever you need dear, just, don't wait too long. We want to meet this man of yours," Molly told him.

"Yes mum," he agreed with the hint of a whine to his voice.

Charlie who had been watching the interactions with some delight, glad to not be in his position anymore but feeling bad for his little brother all the same chimed in, "Oh I still can't believe little Georgie boys in love. It's astonishing really. And you are sure this man, whoever he is, loves you too?" he asked mockingly.

"Ha ha. Yes. I am sure. Why? Did you have to use a potion to get Tristy to agree to marry you?" George shot back.

"Boys," Molly chided.

"Come now boys, today really isn't the time for all of this," Arthur told them, quickly putting an end to the joking.

Bill who had been keeping out of it for the most part realized how late it had been getting. "Mum, Dad, I really should get the girls home, Victoire should be in bed by now. Charlie, you will still be around on Sunday won't you?" he asked.

"Course we will, staying for a few weeks this time. I'm not stupid enough to deny mum the opportunity to plan and plot with Tristy," he told his brother, noting the way his mother's eyes lit up when she heard he would be staying awhile.

"Perhaps we should start to tell everyone goodnight, it is getting rather late. I think I saw Minerva and Kingsley head inside a few minutes ago. And Severus headed in some time ago I believe. Now that is an interesting development I must say," Arthur told his family as they started towards the house.

Severus had indeed gone in and was watching the girls from a darkened corner, enjoying the smile that almost touched Hermione's eyes as the girls joked. He noticed Minerva come in and go to the group of girls looking to be telling Hermione goodbye. Severus hoped that Hermione would talk to her old head of House and that hopefully together they could work to get her through her NEWTS. He really did hope that if she was able to take her tests she would be willing to be apprenticed to him. He could certainly use the help, and he knew that she was one of the brightest witches or wizards for that matter that he could hope for in an apprentice, but the thought of more of her company was indeed a delightful prospect. Teaching her the subtleties of potion brewing would be a worthwhile endeavor and while once he may have abhorred her chatter he came to find the silence lacking these days and missed her voice when she wasn't there.

Severus tensed at the feel of a hand on his shoulder. "Spying on your young woman Severus?" Kingsley's voice came from behind him.

"Avoiding your young lovers family are we Kingsley?" he returned with a smirk that even if Kingsley couldn't hear he knew was there.

Kingsley moved to stand beside his old friend. "Ah, yes, well… Wouldn't you?" he asked rhetorically, knowing without a doubt that if she had family to avoid Severus would certainly do his best to do so where Hermione was concerned. It was convenient that he had forged a friendship with the people closest to Hermione, as much as Severus forged friendships with just about anyone. "So what is it that gave us away I wonder?" Kingsley asked him.

"Oh nothing that anyone else would notice. It was once my job to see such things though wasn't it? You wanted so badly to chase him down, and of course I already know that you don't dream of young nubile women at night," he told him.

"I had almost forgotten about that. It doesn't really matter I suppose. It will all come out soon enough. It's time really; we have kept this between us for far too long. It's draining to us both," he confided in Severus.

"I am sure it is, though I don't really understand why all the cloak and dagger business. Why not just be honest with them if you are so serious about him. Do you really think they wouldn't be thrilled that one of their kids is seeing the bloody Minister for Magic? Or do you honestly believe that your being a man or that much older would be of consequence? We both know that it doesn't really matter, not to wizards," he said not getting any answer as Hermione was suddenly approaching.

"Hello Kingsley. Interesting display at dinner wasn't it?" she asked.

Both men smirked at her nerve. "Why yes it was Hermione. I was actually just discussing it with Severus. It would seem it is still impossible to keep much secret from the spy," Kingsley replied.

"Indeed." Severus almost smiled as Hermione's eyes moved over him.

"Well, that's interesting and not surprising really. But I actually came over here to tell you that Minerva is leaving, and frankly, well, I need to go home and pump. If you wouldn't mind Severus, I would like to say my goodbyes if you were going to escort me home. I have made so many lunch and dinner dates that if I don't leave now I am afraid I will have to hire someone to keep my schedule for me," she told them both, laughing lightly trying to hide her growing discomfort.

"Of course Hermione," Severus said, stepping forward to offer her his arm, a clear indication that they planned to leave. "Kingsley, good to see you as always and good luck with that… well good luck," he told his friend.

Soon Hermione and Severus had bid everyone goodnight and walked to the apparation point arm in arm under the moonlight where Severus turned them on the spot and landed them right next to the swing.

In the light of the moon the white paint of the swing stood out against the dark tree and grass and Hermione, deciding to stay out in the crisp spring air a bit longer, decided to sit. Severus, again slightly perplexed by his own actions moved to lightly push her, enjoying the simple contact that had been lacking in his life for over forty years.

"Thank you Severus. I know I have said it over and over again, but I really never could have gotten through tonight if it weren't for you. You are so good to me, you know. Taking Minerva's questions like that for me, I don't even want to think about what all she will ask me when we have tea this weekend. She is trying to convince me to join them in the Great Hall for dinner, but I really just… all those people. I don't think I will take her up on that," she told him.

Severus snorted quietly behind her, "For that no one blames you and you are most welcome. I already told you how I felt, I am not about to let a bunch of questioning old biddies scare me off Hermione. I must say though Hermione, you are most adept at keeping secrets indeed. I suppose that is what George truly does with his Wednesdays that left yours so open for lunch with me?"

"Oh yes," she began. Soon they were talking freely about their different experiences that night, Hermione telling him about her talks with George and the girls and all her various lunch and dinner plans, and Severus telling her about how he figured out who George's lover was, and then telling her of finding him snogging a boy when they were in school. It was a nice distraction, but soon the pressure had built in Hermione's breasts and they moved inside, where Severus made tea while Hermione pumped before they moved to the couch and continued to talk, falling into what had quickly been their routine.

When Hermione finally made it to bed that night, snuggled closely against a hard toned body of a man she was coming to love more deeply than she knew how she felt as though with time she would find herself again. Silently she said one last goodbye to the baby she had buried that night and vowed to take what happiness she could from this life that had been so cruel to her.

A/N: So, what do we think? The next chapter catches up with Harry, Ron, and Verity. Should be exciting!

~ fresh. new. lily ~