A\N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed/favourited/followed this story ! as I said it's my first attempt at a story and your support shows me that it's worth continuing :)
This chapter is longer than usual, hope you enjoy!
Chapter 3- I'll Send an Owl Every Day
"I know everything, you know? I know what made you take that decision."
Severus stiffened.
"What are you talking about?"
"I heard you that night, both of you," Theo accused.
"What did you hear?" Severus asked already searching through his memory for any possible night his son could be talking about, each worse than the other.
*~/~*
Theodore woke up at midnight and realized he needed to visit the bathroom. He could hear movement downstairs and figured his parents were still awake.
They both were at each other's throat recently and used to argue a lot.
His mother was more sensitive ever since they lost his brother almost two months ago, but also more aggressive. It'd not do with his father's short temper whose sadness over losing yet another unborn child shortened it even more. The man rarely left his lab when he was at home, and when he did they almost always had an argument.
When he finished his business in the bathroom and walked his way back to his room, he could tell that a silencing charm was applied.
Merely out of curiosity and the desire to try the toy he got in Christmas from the Weasley twins as an old rare Weasleys Wizard's Wheezes product. He ran to his room and searched for the ear.
This Extendable ear, unlike the older version which was even rarer, had more than one end and didn't require a string between the parts, not to mention it could penetrate minor silencing charms.
He had previously situated the ends of the ear at various places downstairs.
When he put it on his ear, he could hear his father's voice.
"... fine then, I'll quit my job if that's what you want."
"I said nothing about quitting your job!"
"For the last time, Hermione. It's a Hogsmeade weekend! I can't just stay home while I'm expected to be there. Especially, when there is no good reason."
He was really annoyed judging by his tone.
"Even if you stayed. You'd spend all of your time in the lab. I wish you'd just give more time to your family!"
"I give all my time to my family!"
Hermione snorted at that, but it wasn't out of amusement.
"Well I'm asking you to stay with us this weekend so we can spend time as a family and you are saying you prefer to spend it in school"
"For Merlin's sake! I've said no such a thing! It is my duty to be at school, I can't just skip days without prior notice because my dear wife asked me to! God knows I already spend less time than any other head of house there."
That was true, his father rarely slept at Hogwarts, and when he did it was just for a day or two, which wasn't the case with other teachers who spent most their days there, teaching at morning and wandering the corridors after curfew. But he did spend his time at home brewing potions at the school's disposal which in Theo's opinion more than made up for it.
There was silence for a few moments, long enough that Theo almost thought he had been caught and his parents applied a stronger silencing charm. He was about to make a run for it when his father spoke again, his voice a little quieter than before.
"Try to be more reasonable, Hermione. I've already offered to come with me to Hogsmeade, a change of environment would help you immensely, yet you keep on refusing."
"We won't be able to visit Keiran's tombstone if we are at Hogsmeade." Her voice sounded so sad when she said that.
At that, his father's voice softened as well, but still somewhat agitated.
"Hermione, we can do that tomorrow. Just be ready, as soon as I'll be home we can go there."
"I thought you had a meeting with a client tomorrow's evening"
"It got postponed."
"So only because it got postponed, you are willing to spend time with us."
"That's not what I meant—"
"Then what did you mean, Severus? What did you mean? can't you see you're spending all your time doing everything other than actually being with us ?"
"Don't you get it, Woman?" The calmness his father's voice maintained before was all but forgotten, " I don't choose to be busy I just am! By Merlin, I have lots of things to occupy my time with! why in the world are you expecting me to abandon doing something productive just so I can stay home and do nothing? "
"Oh well, we both know things might not be the same had you been here 'doing nothing' as you put it."
Theo gasped at that, was his mother blaming his father for Keiran's death? Theo knew that the man also partially blamed himself since it did take some time for him to be back from Hogsmeade where he had been when his mother had her miscarriage. Thinking about it, perhaps that was mainly why his mother was so opposed to his father going there now, maybe it reminded her of that horrible day. But it wasn't fair, his father did come home as soon as he got the message, carried his mother and flooed them directly to St. Mangus. Not to mention, the healers said that Keiran was long dead before his mother noticed anything, for some unknown reason.
His mother should indeed try to be more reasonable, as his father had said.
"Just fucking stop with this nonsense! will you ?!" Severus shouted painfully.
Theo's ears twitched at hearing his father's words, his father rarely swore, the man could belittle people so thoroughly in excessive humiliating ways without any need of such words. He always spoke quietly and clearly, getting his point across without leaving any room of doubt to it, a fact that infuriated Theo and made him feel even guiltier whenever his father scolded him. Therefore, he was surprised to hear his father like this, his mother's words must have really unsettled him.
"At least lower your voice when you plan on swearing!"
"I'd rather not talk at all If all you're going to do is accuse me of things I have no control over."
"Not talking at all is so convenient for you, isn't it? that's all you can do."
"And how convenient is it for you to just throw the blame on me?"
"Oh is it my fault then? say it, Severus. Is it my fault?"
"Is what your fault, Hermione? do you even hear what you're saying ? or have you gone completely deaf? not to mention mindless? you're being ridiculous!"
"Stupid now am I? what else ? what else are you going to call me?"
"Just once! Just. Once. Let me go to bed without having to put up with this chaos."
"Oh well, news to you Mister. You have to put up with this. You actually have to face your problems, Severus. "
"The only problem I can think about right now is you. And I'd very much like to avoid it."
"Suit yourself."
"I can't take this anymore"
He heard his parent's room slam open downstairs and after a while, it was closed with a strong force.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going out. Otherwise, I'd explode because of your endless nagging."
He opened the front door but only closed it after, "go to sleep. I won't be back soon."
And then he left.
Theo wanted to know where his father went and within seconds he was downstairs.
Before he opened the front door, however, he heard his mother's crying sound in their bedroom.
He really wanted to comfort her but knew that the last thing Hermione needs was her son seeing her like this. She always kept a strong persona and rarely cried in front of them even after losing two unborn children.
He knew opening the front door would alert her of his presence, so he just went back to his bedroom after checking his sister's, who was sleeping peacefully, not knowing what was going on. Not knowing that this night would change their lives, and not in a good way.
His father -as far as he knew- only came back after his Hogwarts classes the next day and both of his parents were acting distant towards each other since that day.
A week later his father left the house and the next thing he knew was that they were planning a divorce.
*~\~*
" You were both shouting and yelling at each other. Something about a weekend you needed to spend at Hogwarts. Then it got really heated, you said you can't take it anymore and just left. You both hated each other after that day."
Severus was silent for a few moments, taking it all in.
"I don't believe you were supposed to be able to hear that," Severus said quietly, after thanking God that that was all his son could hear. It was bad but not the worst.
"I used the Extendable Ears I got for Christmas," he said that without a hint of remorse.
Severus frowned, "you shouldn't have eavesdropped it's unbecoming," he admonished lightly, he was too on edge to try to come up with better admonishment. He had half the mind of demanding to confiscate that abysmal toy right there and then, but restrained himself, it's not like Theo still had it in his possession here. He stayed quiet for a moment, trying to find the right words to say without letting his emotions interfere, "regardless, it was wrong of us to shout at each other. Yelling is not the right way to express feelings, but sometimes you just can't control yourself. That does not justify our actions, however, when you'll be older you'll understand that fights and arguments happen between people often but it doesn't necessarily mean they hate each other. It's just a normal thing that happens in all kinds of relationships, you fight with your little sister sometimes, does that mean you hate her?"
Theo looked at his sister who was pointing at them and talking, apparently telling the pigeons that the big man who was wearing all black was her father and the little one was her older brother."No, I like Arya."
Severus who was looking at his daughter too, nodded in agreement "when people are experiencing extreme emotions, such as anger and sadness, they'd often do or say things that may seem harsh, things they probably don't mean and are better left unsaid. They may hurt others while expressing those feelings even if they have no desire to."
"If you both didn't mean what you said, then why are you doing this ?" Theo asked unable to control himself, he opened his hands gesturing to their current situation, their separation and coming divorce, and the fact that they had to spend time with one parent at a time.
Severus sighed,"the reason for what we are going through is only between your mother and me, and it should remain as such," he said quietly," it's not something I'd expect you to fully understand or accept at this young age, but as I stated earlier we're still a family. Nothing would ever change that."
Theo didn't look convinced, at all, but he didn't comment as he moved his gaze to the sea again.
Severus tried to speak of other matters, to lighten the mood, but Theo went back to his silent self, replying only with short answers if at all, so he let it go.
"Daddy, can we rent a boat?" Arya interrupted their long silence, to Severus's relief.
Severus stood up and took her hand
"Maybe another time, we need to go home since your grandmother might visit any minute, she misses both of you."
Theo smiled as he moved his piece, clearly anticipating victory.
"You are almost as good as your father," said Eileen calmly and moved her piece, "but not good enough."
Severus mused that were it a wizards chess instead of this old muggle one -the only one he found at this old house- the pieces would've been shouting quite shamelessly at their commanders, for the risks they've been taking. Despite the age difference between Theo and his grandmother, it was a heated game.
Theo groaned while his sister clapped excitedly. She was sitting on her father's lap who was reading her a book quietly, but despite his dominating voice, she was apparently paying more attention to the game than the book.
Severus smirked and whispered something to his daughter, who then jumped off his lap and moved her brother's piece "What're you doing-... Oh!Checkmate!"
That'll do it.
The room was filled with Arya's giggles, while Theo smiled at her and looked at his grandmother expectantly.
Eileen sighed and glared at her son, who was still smirking with a playful glint in his eyes, looking at his son.
Despite the fact that she lost the game, she was glad to see her grandchildren celebrate their combined victory, she would lose every game if it meant they'd grace her with those smiles.
But still, something was nagging at her.
Severus chose that time to stand up and pick Arya up, he was reading her a story in an attempt to make her fall asleep after all, but the cheeky girl chose not to.
"It's time to sleep, Champions. Mother, you may sleep in the main bedroom if you wish to stay, I'll sleep on the sofa here."
"No, son. I'll take my leave. It won't do for you to damage your neck, you've just applied the salve."
Severus didn't like talking about his wounds, or his general health for that matter, in front of his children. But he let it go since it was late and his mother would just go into more details if he said anything.
Theo went upstairs abruptly, without putting up a fight. Severus's eyes followed his departure, but he chose not to comment, he did say it's time to sleep after all, even if he doubted Theo was going to sleep anytime soon.
He looked back at his mother.
"Very well. I will tuck them in and come back with the floo powder, the box on to the mantel is empty."
When he came back his mother was waiting near the hearth looking at him as if she wanted to say many things but couldn't decide where to start.
"Your son is acting strangely."
Severus stopped shortly, and she did note that saddened look that crossed his face before he quickly composed it.
"I surprisingly found him already on bed when I tucked Arya in."
Severus, obviously, knew she was referring to how Theo was acting before he went to bed, not talking more than was required and refraining from discussing anything with his father, which alarmed Eileen. Severus, however, was used to his attitude, as he was acting like that ever since Severus moved out, and every attempt he made to make his son open up failed.
"You know I'm not only talking about that," Eileen said meaningfully, to which he replied with a sigh.
"Have you talked about his attitude with Hermione ?"
"I don't see why I would trouble her with that. He's just not as comfortable around me as he used to be, which is quite understandable considering I'm not a constant presence anymore."
"Severus, you are his father! It may be understandable that he's uncomfortable with the situation, but it's not right to act like that, even if he sees you less than he used to, that doesn't change anything. You must do something about it."
"What do you expect me to do? force him to talk more?" Severus almost shouted that but refrained from fear of alarming his children. He needs to get himself together.
Even if he thought about doing that before, he was even less inclined to after their confrontation today, hearing his son's accusation tone was something he didn't want to experience again.
He knew it was hard to get along with what has become of their life, he knew his children would take a long time to get used to it if ever. But he still felt as if he has to earn their trust again and beg for their attention, which wasn't fair. Why does he have to do that? Wasn't he still their father? Was it right to accept his son's attitude or should he firmly command it changes?
"I've become a stranger to my own children," he said, more to himself.
Upon hearing that, noticing how much he was distressed, Eileen changed tactics, she no longer wanted to alarm him of his son's attitudes, but to assure him that what he thought was a lost cause, was in fact not.
"Don't say that Severus, they are coming to terms with the current situation, it's not easy. You have to try to make them understand that nothing has changed between you and them, just don't give his attitude a blind eye. "
"He is acting as if he's not sure he can tell me everything."
"Then you have to change that, Severus."
Severus was lying in bed, wearing his pyjama bottoms, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything he and his family went through during the past four months.
It was already August, his son would start his first year at Hogwarts in less than a month. Despite being born in first of September he got to start this year, as he'd officially be eleven when the term starts and judging by his grades in elementary school and his promising magic there was nothing against him starting 'earlier'.
Severus was sure that if the circumstances were different or, in other words, if their lives didn't change, Theo's excitement would be much more apparent. He'd have already bought everything he'd need for the year, if not more, and would've been bugging him and Hermione with endless questions about the school. Hermione being just as excited would've provided her son with many details about the castle that Theo could sneak in and out of Hogwarts in his first day there.
Instead, his son has never asked him any question about Hogwarts or anything at all.
The confrontation today was perhaps the longest conversation he had with Theo, but rather than relishing in it, he was even more disturbed. Even if he succeeded in making Theo talk as often as he used to, would his words be the same?
does he even regard me in the same view he used to?
He has to tread very carefully, make sure to always say the right words. Despite what he said to his mother, he wasn't going to give up on his relationship with his son, even if it pained him that he has to fight for his trust when he had it all before.
Never had he thought there would come a day where he has to act in any way but spontaneously around his own son, but what's another person? Severus was used to thinking before acting, he lived his life doing so. But It was still painful to return to his old ways after so many years of letting his guard down, especially around his own family.
But he had already started acting carefully around Hermione, the only person he opened up to all those years ago, the person he loved and married. So he may as well add his son to the deal and maybe later even Arya.
Turning to his side, Severus felt a bang in his heart as he remembered his son's words, what he was a witness to. He never suspected that any of his children would hear him argue with Hermione, as he always made sure to apply a silencing charm when he felt their conversation go heated, but in hindsight, it was stupid not to consider it, for, of course, his son would have a toy that can penetrate silencing charms and use it just when he and Hermione are having an argument. Perhaps he should pay the Weasley twins a visit and lecture them on the appropriate gifts one could give a child, especially his child.
Severus was sure that his answer didn't convince Theo and the boy would still have his suspicions, which if not taken care of quickly would develop into something worse. Perhaps it would be best to let Hermione on the matter, no matter how unpleasant it'd be talking to her about that night, it was necessary he does it for his son's benefit.
Severus was distracted from his thoughts as the bedroom's door opened.
He knew who it was even before his eyes adjusted to the sudden light coming from the corridor. Outside his door was a little child holding her little pillow tightly and looking somewhat scared and sad.
"Daddy!" She whined.
Severus instantly moved the covers and motioned for her to come close. When she was next to the bed he lifted her and laid her next to him then adjusted the covers and wrapped his arms around her small body.
It wasn't the first time, nor was it the last he was sure, that his daughter sought him out at night. The occurrence increased alarmingly ever since their separation, and while before he used to calm her then tuck her in bed and call it a night, she absolutely refused to be left alone in her bedroom now and would wake up the instant he left the room, so he just gave up and started letting her sleep next to him. He wouldn't normally succumb so easily, but the guilt he felt of being the reason for his daughter's increasing nightmares made him do so.
"Another bad dream?" he asked wiping away the tears that managed to escape her rubbing.
She nodded and moved closer.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I can't remember most of it ... I was running from something scary and it had wings, I was calling all of you but you won't answer ... I was alone."
"You're not anymore, I'm right here."
"I don't like bad dreams, Daddy... why do I have them so much?"
"No one likes bad dreams, Arya, but we have them because just like in life we can't control nor choose what we have to endure. You have to remember, however, that dreams exaggerate matters and are filled with unreal things "
"What's ezagrate?"
"Exaggerate. Exaggeration means making things seem greater or larger than they really are."
"But what if those dreams turn out to be real! what if the monsters escape my dreams and start chasing me here? in the real world!"
He smirked at her, "well, I don't know about your dream, but your real-world dad is always here to save the day."
She gave him a toothy grin which almost made her look ridiculous with her teary eyes, reddish cheeks, and unkempt hair.
"It has wings you say? well just wait until it sees your father's skills on a broomstick, I assure you it'd be too ashamed to fly again."
"But you're horrible with broomsticks, Daddy."
"Little girls shouldn't doubt their fathers' skills," he said as he tickled her lightly.
He was thrilled to have her giggles be the last sound he heard before succumbing to sleep.
Severus woke up the next day to whispering voices just outside his door, his daughter was not next to him so he just got up quickly and silently moved towards the door.
"... I'll send an owl every day, I promise" When he opened the door he found his children enveloped in a tight hug. When Theo noticed him, he quickly loosened his hold on his sister and stepped back.
Severus could make up the whole conversation in his mind, his daughter was worried that her brother would go to Hogwarts and leave her alone to deal with separated parents. Just like in her dream.
He wanted to reassure both of them that everything is going to be just fine, but he didn't know how to tell them something he himself wasn't so sure about.
They both looked at him as if waiting for him to say something.
He cleared his throat, "what do you want for breakfast?"
Good lord Severus, he admonished himself. Of all the things you could say.
"Pancakes!" Arya exclaimed.
"Hmm, did you both brush your teeth?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, wait for me in the kitchen while I get ready, don't touch anything."
Arya almost knocked into her brother as she ran towards the kitchen.
"No running!"
After being scolded, She settled on jumping her way there as Theo walked quietly after her.
Later that day, They were all sitting in the small living room. Arya was sleeping on the couch after watching a cartoon movie on the TV, she had her feet on her father's lap while Theo was sitting on the ground in front of them changing channels, looking for something interesting, obviously bored.
Severus was staring absentmindedly at the TV, not caring that every channel changed before anyone could make sense of what it was displaying.
Seeming to come to a decision, Severus spoke, "have you been reading the book I gave you last week?"
The book he gave him had a combination of different subjects taught at Hogwarts. It had information on Potions, Defense, Charms And even Transfiguration. Since his son never approached him with questions, he figured the book would give him the needed introduction with good details on each subject, and perhaps prop him into asking questions.
Theo nodded, his eyes never leaving the Tv.
"What chapter are you on?"
"Seven."
"Do you have any questions? It's third-year level, I don't expect you to understand everything."
"Actually, I do."
Severus nodded and waited for him to ask his questions, but oddly Theo remained silent.
"Well?"
"Oh, I was just trying to remember."
"What is your question?"
"It's about boggarts"
"Yes?"
"The book says that boggarts take the shape of one's greatest fear. But what if your greatest fear isn't something that has a shape? what if it is a feeling or a sound or a situation you fear to be in?"
"Good question," Severus said proudly, already shifting into his lecture mood "It's quite complicated but simple at the same time, it would take the shape of the source of your fear. The boggart doesn't just decide which shape to change to in order to provoke your fear, instead, it simply goes into your mind and discovers your fear by how you imagine it deep down, so it shifts into the image you already have, in which you associate it with your worst fear. For example, if your fear is feeling alone, and when thinking about being alone you imagine a quiet dark room, the boggart would trick your vision and you'd see that room in front of you."
"So if someone's worst fear is the boggart itself ..."
"It'd turn into how the person visualizes a boggart in his mind."
Theo nodded "Can't you do that too? You know... using Legilimency "
"Turn into your worst fear?" Severus asked sarcastically, he knew Theo didn't mean that but just wanted to hear him elaborate.
"N-no! I meant use Legilimency to know my worst fear and somehow make me see it in front of me "
"Legilimency allows me to enter your mind and discover your memories and thoughts, while I'm in there I can also sense your feelings toward them. However, to actually discover your greatest fear it'd take me to see every single image you have and compare your feelings toward each one of them, that would take more than a lifetime since the mind is vast and so complicated. Boggarts have the ability to summon that image by simply passing by your mind before you can even sense their presence."
Theo nodded again and stayed silent.
"No questions on potions?"
"I don't think I'd be able to fully understand a potion unless I actually brew it myself."
"Perhaps we can practice some of the potions mentioned in the book next weekend," Severus tried, refraining from letting any hope enter his mind.
When his son replied, however, he was taken aback, "why not this weekend?"
Severus almost outright grinned at that question, he thought Theo would try to manoeuvre his way out of spending time with Severus like he seemed to be doing lately, but no, his son was finally asking to work on potions with him, just like the old days.
"The lab is quite small here and uncomfortable to move in for one person, let alone two. I plan to make some changes in the house during the week. I think I'll vacate the library to make it your sister's room so you no longer have to share one bedroom."
"It's alright, I don't mind sharing. And I'm going to Hogwarts soon, so I'll spend even less time in this house."
"Even so, when you do I'd like you both to feel as comfortable as possible in this house."
A soft yawn came from the couch next to him "I'm coftoable, Daddy"
Severus smirked and patted her knees "Comfortable," he corrected, "and I'm sure you are, little snake. But you have to get up or you'll lose the game."
"What game?"
Severus stood up and flicked his wand, a board appeared on the carpet in the middle of the living room. It was the wizarding version of Monopoly.
"I'm taking the cauldron."
They spent the rest of the day playing, only to stop for dinner, and when Hermione called to talk to them then resumed playing again before he sent them to bed.
This was one of their favourite games, which they didn't regularly play as a family, because of how time-consuming it was.
Despite being young, Arya, was quite good at it, perhaps because she had her way with everything and had all the help she wanted from her father, the little Slytherin.
As he made his way to his own bedroom, he decided he'd take them to that park nearby tomorrow, before he returns them home. To their house.
When Hermione opened the door and met his eyes, she once again gave him that strange look. He ignored it as she hugged the children and ushered them in.
"May I?"
He was asking to come in, she didn't expect that, but nodded and stepped aside.
He walked to the living room and sat on what used to be his favourite chair.
"Tea?" she asked making her way to the kitchen.
"If you don't mind."
When she came back he was looking at their family pictures on the mantle. There were many, spread around in the living room. He only had one picture of them as a family in his house, the only one he managed to take with him when he moved out.
He did notice that the ones of their wedding day were nowhere on display, but he didn't blame her.
She set the tray on the table and started filing his cup, not bothering to pretend and ask him how he wanted his tea, as she knew exactly how he liked it.
"Thank you," he said quietly when she handed him the cup.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Nostalgia washed over him as his mind went back to the days when they used to sit here together, sipping their teas and talking about various things, enjoying each other's company.
He almost forgot what was between them now if not for when his gaze settled on her and noticed how uncomfortable she looked.
"How was your weekend?" he asked.
"You may as well call it a weekday as I hardly stayed home."
"I thought you only had that one meeting on Friday."
She shook her head "I didn't go to work. I had to sort some things out while the children were away." He raised his eyebrows but she didn't elaborate.
He cleared his throat, "I have to talk to you about something."
"Yes?"
"This Friday, Theo was talking about how he knew the reason for our divorce."
Hermione's eyes went wide at this, so he quickly said his next sentence.
"It's not what you're thinking. Apparently, he heard us arguing the night I ... left, but nothing more"
Hermione was speechless. She was opening and closing her mouth like a fish.
"He was babbling about how we are not a family anymore, and that we hate each other. I tried to reassure him, but I don't think he is convinced."
"I- I thought you performed a silencing charm that night !"
" I did, but evidently, the Weasley twins are going to be the end of me."
"Extendable Ears."
"Indeed," he nodded, "I think you should talk to him about it as well, Hermione. I hate to put you in this situation but it is for his own benefit. Even if you can't stand seeing my face, please reassure them that we are still a family. I hate to see them like this."
Hermione went defensive at this "It's not like I curse your name in front of them..."
"I know you don't. It's just ...I know I can't fix things, but I'm trying not to ruin it even more"
Hermione nodded and stayed silent for a while.
"It's not entirely your fault ... I was there as well that night, even started the whole argument"
He looked at her sharply.
No ... He didn't want her to blame herself.
"Yes, but we both know that this fight is not the thing that got us in this mess, don't we ?" he said that with more force than he intended.
"Of course, I do. Do you think I could ever forget ?"
The guilt that washed over him then was unbearable.
"No...no I don't think you could."
Another uncomfortable silence ensued until Hermione spoke," I understand what you're saying, I'll see what I can do."
He sighed and stood up "Thank you... I should leave, may I use the floo?"
Hermione nodded.
He walked towards the hearth and was about to say his goodbyes when he heard knocking.
Hermione went to the door and opened it.
He stayed out of instinct and strained to hear what the knocker wanted.
"Hermione! I'm glad you're home."
It was a masculine voice, unfamiliar one. Severus had to keep himself from walking towards the door and demand to know just who dared come to his home looking for his wife.
"Johnny! has something happened at work ?"
"Not at all, I just had to give you these papers before tomorrow. I came yesterday and you weren't here, Marcus said you should review them as fast as possible."
"Oh, thank you. Would you like to come in and have some tea?"
How dare she invite him in? that's it, he's going to see who the hell this person is.
"I'd like to, but I'm in a bit of a rush. I have papers I need to look at myself. Guess I'll see you tomorrow, send Arya and Theo my regards"
He knows my children's names...just how much does this person know about my family?
When Hermione came back to the living room smoke was still coming out of the hearth.
Don't forget to leave a review, I'd really like to know your thoughts on the storyت
