The Granger Household
The funeral for her husband was bittersweet. She help her daughter as they watched him be lowered into the ground.
She couldn't help reminiscing on how he had appeared in her life when she was 3 months pregnant.
She had not been in love with Richard. She came to love him but in love? no. Her heart went to another. Looking at her daughter brought back memories way too often but she had no regrets having her.
Richard had already knew he was dying when they started dating. He just wanted to experience the life he was never going to have before he was gone. He was a great husband and father. And they went on vacation often. When Hermione showed she was much smarter than the kids at school, it had been an easy decision to home school her so they could keep traveling.
The one thing about traveling and homeschooling had been it was easy to hide any accidental magic Hermione performed. She was really lucky Richard never saw it. She had never been ready for that conversation.
When they got home, she looked around their flat. Half of it all was already packed up. Hermione left to her room to change and nap while Helena sat on the floor in the living room. She lifts her wand and accios a small wooden box from her closet.
Her memory box. The most precious of her memories. A few trinkets. The ring from her lost beloved. Photos of their time together before he disappeared on her. She wanted to hate him for it but she couldn't. Deep down she always had this feeling it hadn't been his choice. She hasn't seen him since to ask him.
Other photos were mainly of big moments with Hermione and one of her court house wedding.
She closes it with a sigh. She had lost 2 men now. Maybe she was cursed to be alone. At least she had a daughter to care for for awhile before she left to have her own life.
Despite the depressing thoughts and the sadness she felt, she knew life wouldn't always feel this way whether she had a man in her life or not. She was a mother first and at the moment she had no need for anythiing else.
--
It has been a month since the funeral. Hermione was doing better. Today she was taking her to the park.
Hermione had been running around for a good 10 minutes when Helena saw him. He was on the other side of the park under a tree with a blonde couple watching the children play. It took her a second to spot them. The 2 boys were playing with Hermione. Mini replicas of their fathers. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her daughter had a baby brother. Except for their eyes, and the slight difference in skin tones, they could easy pass for siblings, no doubt about that.
Seeing them play made her stand up straighter. He had obviously moved on, and technically so had she. A part of her heart hurt that he was with another but she couldn't worry about that. She had to put her feeling on it aside for the sake of her child. She had a right to know her brother so she was going to make sure it happened.
The blond man saw her first when she walked over. She briefly remembered meeting him once or twice back then and based off his expression, he remembered too.
"Helena Tarrington?" He raises his voice to reach her in surprise. She gives a small small and waves. She looks at Severus. He was looking at her curiously...and without recognition. Her heart fluttered at the thought that she had been right. He hadn't just abandoned her.
"Severus?" All 3 adults watched him looking at her confused. He turned to the blond man.
"More of my memory was taken than I thought apparently," he looks down sad at that. It hurt her to see him like that.
"I see...I had always wondered. You jad never seemed like the type to do a disappearing act," she holds out her hand. Her magic tingled at his touch. "Well, I am Helena. We were engaged when you disappeared. ..,"she takes a deep breath, and points to the little girl with her fathers black hair and her caramel eyes,"That is your daughter. Her name is Hermione. i had not known yet when the disappearance happened that I was pregnant. I searched for awhile but not even a tracking spell could work. I eventually gave up.
I married at 7 months pregnant. It was a marriage of conveniece and last chances. He was dying and wanted to have a family before he was gone. So I had plenty of help caring for her and we traveled often. He passed away a month ago. lasted longer than anyone expected. Even the doctors." She knew it was alot to throw on him at once but she had to get it all out now.
"I can give you the memories of our time together if you want..." she offers. The man was frozen in shock. When he wasn't looking at her, he was looking at their daughter playing witht he boys.
"Well. It is lovely to meet you Helena, I would like to offer you and your daughter to come back with us for to to catch up. Severus has been through quite a few hurdles lately, so we should give him a chance to sit down. " The blonde woman smiles at her. All Helena could do was nod. The children were called over and Hermione had her first experience with side apparation. She didn't like it.
the woman made a wizard version of a play pit right in the sitting room of the large home for the children to play in while they talked.
"Apologies for the late introductions,"The woman sits down across from her. "I am Narcissa Malfoy, and this is my husband Lucius. The copy of him over there is my little dragon, Draco Malfoy. Welcome to Malfoy Manor.
The other child over there is Harrson. Well...," they looked at Severus who was still in a state of shock. She wanted to reach for him but maybe not yet. "Harry's parents were murdered by the Dark Lord and he had been placed in a bad home despite what was wanted by his parents. He had recently been rescued from the abusers by Severus who is his rightful guardian. This had been our first real day out with him since the retreival. He had healing to do in both mind and body." Helena was surprised to hear that was not Severus's son, they looked so alike. Her expression must have shown that because the couple chuckled.
"Severus is now his father, they did a blood adoption. She technically, Harrison and your daughter are now blood siblings." Lucius tells her. it was a lot to process but she had been through many of her own hurdles before to process it quickly. She stands up to go kneel in front of Severus. She gathers his hands into her own, warming them up.
"Hey. I know this is much to take in...Why don't you come with me to meet her?" He mutely nods but she was happy to see him move with her. The wards around the play area were removed and they sat with the children. Harrison immediately rushed over to sit in Severus's lap. It warmed her to see his arms automatically wrap around the tiny child. it seemed to help him come back into focus.
"Harrison, let's meet your sister " he looks down at the child.
--
It turned into a week thing. Severus had a hard time seeing the memories of a woman he obviously had been in love with. His magic agreed often in her presence.
Their magic seemed to be pulling them together every day they saw each other. His heart felt full and he felt calm. It felt right. At the insistence of the Malfoys, they watched over the children while Severus and Helena went on a date to get some time alone. If either had had family, they were sure they would hear it was too soon for something like this. But magic didn't care.
So to no ones, who knew, surprise, a small ceremony in the Malfoy garden tied the 2 together. Magic herself made sure boys the marriage and the ropes around their hands glowed at the soul mate bonding. To say it was truly magical was an understatement.
A day later, the new family went to Gringott's to settle papers. It was at the goblins suggestion that another ritual was held. The family of 4 set in carved circle while the goblins around them chanted.
When it was over, Hermione and Helena had Black hair and Green eyes. It was a rare thing for the adults have changes but magic had been watching over them. Magic and her accomplice Lily Potter.
No one could deny this was a family now. In celebration, they shopped in Diagon Alley for their trip and got ice cream.
Life was changing fast for Severus but as he sat with his family, he innerly thanked Lily for giving him another chance at the life he had been denied before.
--
Once the family vacation was over and Helena learned everything, including his coming back, she agreed they should leave Britain until it was time for the children to start at Hogwarts. They didn't necessarily want the children at the school with Dumbledore as a Headmaster. However Severus knew the Dark Lord will be coming back and they couldn't depend on the Headmaster to do the job properly.