"My sweet girl, you are a good mother, and there is no reason to feel guilty for the inner workings of your mind. It was an unfathomable situation and you did the very best that anyone could've expected of you, this isolation will stop now, do you hear me?"

She nodded against his chest, and he found himself holding back a smile when he realised she was playing with a lock of his hair, the same way that Rose often did.

"And as for the last thing...to quote a rather knowledgeable source, I would not worry about your arse in those robes, because it's damn fine"

It was the day after Hermione's meltdown, and subsequent confession and the two of them were dancing around each other. Nothing more had been said about how Hermione had admitted her feelings about Severus, nor of his flirtatious complement of her derriere.

So what if her hand brushed his when she passed him something, and her fingers trailed softly along the back of his hand?
Or if her hair fell in front of her face when she was reading, and he tucked it behind her ear for her?
So what if she kissed his cheek when she passed him a cup of tea?
And it was only natural when he passed her in the kitchen that his hand stroked her lower back.

They each shot each other hungry looks when they thought the other wasn't looking, but though these casual touches were becoming more and more frequent, and welcomed by both parties, there seemed to be a line that both of them were afraid to cross and were holding back because of it.

For Hermione she was afraid to upset the status quo. Her and Rose were settled with Severus, and Rose especially was becoming so comfortable and coming out of her shell, she didn't want to do anything to disturb that. But also she worried that it was too soon, she'd only just divorced Ronald, and she was not the kind of person to enter into something lightly, was she ready for another long term relationship? She had Rose to think about as well, for Rose clearly loved Severus as much as he loved her, if they were to date and things went sour, how would that impact Rose?

Severus was likewise conflicted. He too was afraid to upset the balance. He didn't want to be seen as coming on too strong, for he was intent that he wanted her, wanted them both to keep. He didn't want to date her, he wanted to court her. For once he had her, he had no intentions of letting them go. Though adamant as he was for the love he bore them both, he had an internal dichotomy that pressed at his mind. He wanted them, but he did not deserve them. They deserved better than him, they had both been through hell and he did not want her to make a decision she would most likely regret, because she was not in the right frame of mind to make it.

So as much as they both plainly wanted each other, and made small casual innocent touches, they also skirted around each other just as often. Apologising if they got too close, and blushing fiercely at time when they caught each other looking, or backing up when the other passed to avoid accidental contact. It got to the point where it became so obvious that even Rose noticed, and was babbling at them in admonishment with a frown creasing her forehead that was so similar to Severus's Hermione was convinced she'd learned it from the man.

oOo

It was Hermione who broke first. "Severus, what are we doing, can we please talk about the pink erumpent in the room?" He'd looked at her askance, before swallowing cautiously "What do you mean?" Sighing, she rubbed her hands over her eyes. "What I mean is, things haven't been this awkward with us since I was breastfeeding Rose and accidentally flashed you my tit." He blushed almost scarlet at the memory and she just chuckled wryly.

"Please can we talk this out? Because tomorrow is the hearing, and in a few hours we have to go to bed, and before that I would really like to know where we stand...or lay should that be the case"

"What exactly is it that you want?" He asked carefully. "Full disclosure. All cards on the table. I need to know what this - " She gestured between the two of them. "...Is, or if there even is a this, or if I'm crazy for wanting there to be a this and I'm the only 'the' in this and -" Whatever she was going to say was cut short when Severus had carefully dragged her into a seat in his lap, and very gently pressed a kiss to her lips.

Hermione looked at him dazed when she opened her eyes. "Hermione. I have to admit that I hold great affection for you, though I have many concerns that your affection for me may be somewhat influenced by the events that are pressing on your mind, as such I wish to wait until the hearing is over and done with before making any firm decisions. Know that no matter what happens, I shall always consider you a treasured friend though let me make this plain for you. Once the hearing is over, should you be willing and receptive to my advances, it is my intent to officially court you."

She was still for a moment, and then a beautiful smile broke across her face. "I would like that very much Severus" and she returned his soft and gentle kiss on the lips, before pulling away for a moment.

"There's another thing though...Rose...Rose loves you Severus, you know that right?"

He inclined his head and spoke carefully, not meeting her eyes. "Just so. And I have to admit, her affections are returned, which is why I..." He cut himself off and looked away, but she encouraged him to speak. "Why you what?"

Clearing his throat he took a parchment from the side table and handed it to her. "I apologise, I had not intended to do this now." He looked away once he passed it to her . "Is this the one that came from Gringotts the day before yesterday?" She asked as she began unrolling it. "Indeed" He confirmed.

She began to read and her breath caught in her throat.

"Severus...is this?"

"Indeed"

"Severus I don't know what to say, I..."

"There's nothing to say, on this I am immovable"

Tears dripped freely down her face as she studied the parchment in her hands.

Severus Snape had officially made Rose his heir.