A/N: I don't own anything you recognize.

This is for the Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges forum

50 prompts Hurt/Comfort challenge

(scenario)failing to do something you desired

word count 675

Severus stepped into the room and nearly missed being hit by a glass vial. It smashed into the wall and shattered causing shards of glass to cascade to the floor. He had a feeling he should have assigned someone detention tonight, even listening to the latest Weasley whining might be better than what he was about to walk into.

"Hermione. Is there a reason you're currently breaking things, or did you just feel like redecorating in broken glass?" he asked the witch who had thrown the vial. She looked up at him, her eyes red rimmed from crying.

"I failed, Severus...another month of failure. I'm sorry." He sighed and allowed his shoulders to sag. That's what this was about, great, now he'd have to spend half the night trying to convince her she wasn't a failure. He should just have the damn speech memorized by now. No, tonight he was going to do something different.

"Hermione, get your coat. We're going out." She opened her mouth to argue, but did as requested.

"I don't want to go anywhere," she grumbled.

"I know. I also know if I let you stay in our quarters half the place will be destroyed. I know you feel like you're a failure. You are not. Now, come on, wash your face." She complied but glared. How dare he pass this off so quickly.

"Where are we going?" she asked falling into step along side him.

"The forest. I need ingredients and you're going to help me gather them this time." She blinked. Her whole world was a mess and he wanted her to gather ingredients?

"We will talk while we do so," he added gently guiding her with his hand. He wondered if maybe this was a bad idea, it would save the furniture though. They reached a small clearing.

"Here is your basket, I need feverfew, lavender, lamb's heart, and silver fern." She nodded and started collecting. He smiled. The cool night air seemed to have taken some of the heat from her anger.

"And now, we talk?" she asked.

"Yes, now we talk. I know you're upset, Hermione, disappointed. I know you want a family, I want a family."

"It's my fault, isn't it? Because of what that bitch did to me?"

"We've both been tortured, Hermione. The burden of this lays on both of us, not just you."

"Then why am I the one upset." Severus fought the urge to roll his eyes. He was good at keeping his emotions hidden, good at letting no one see the inner turmoil.

"You are not. I too am disappointed you are not with child this month, I've been researching new potions, studying new research, trying to find anything that could help us."

"You are?" she whispered. He turned to her. She was staring at him in disbelief, her face pale from the moonlight. He strolled over to her and pulled her against him.

"I would never give up on our dreams, Hermione. You know that. I'm not going to guarantee any of these new ideas will work, I will not make you promises I have no possible way of keeping. If it comes down to it, we will find a way, even if the child is not our flesh and blood. We will have a family, Hermione, that much I will promise you." She graced him with a small smile.

"Can I help you brew the new potions?" she asked softly. "I want to feel as though I'm helping."

"Yes. I wouldn't have it any other way. You are the only one I trust with my lab, we will get through this week, and even though hope has never been my strong suit, we will hope one of these new potions will accomplish our goal." He glanced down at her half full basket, and at his full one.

"I believe we have enough for tonight. Come along, we've got work to start on tomorrow." She nodded following him back to the castle, her hand in his the entire way.