AN: So this chapter might not be the most exciting one, but you can see it as a transition, so the story can move in the direction I actually want it to move to. And for everybody who was wondering (like hwyla) why Hermione thought Severus was endangering Elena. I might not have made myself quite clear, but simply by not reporting what had happened to the Auror's office. They might have helped him and come up with a solution.

To everybody who is afraid I will abandon this story, I promise I won't, because I've nearly finished writing it (only a part of the last chapter still missing) But it still needs editing and smoothing out. I will be updating every couple of days. Promise!

I don't own Harry Potter and don't make any profit.

"Lucius Malfoy, due to the severity of your offence, threatening four people, including a three week old baby, when not being threatened first and duelling two of them in an inhabited area, because you sought revenge, which shows your unwillingness of repentance and due to your criminal record the Wizengamot sentences you to ten years in Azkaban. Otherwise you would be too much of a hazard to our community." the judge announced.

Hermione sighed in relief, Severus who was sitting next to her reached out and lightly squeezed her hand.

When Lucius was lead off by four Aurors, he stopped in front of Severus and Hermione spat on the floor in front of them and said with a vitriolic voice, "The traitor and the mudblood slut, what a sweet couple."

Severus didn't say a word just put his arm around Hermione's shoulder and kissed her cheek.

"Mister Malfoy I will not tolerate this kind of language in my courtroom," came the judge's thundering voice.

After Lucius had left the courtroom, Severus turned to Hermione and said, "So I thought we could celebrate with an ice-cream sundae at Fortescue's."

"Sorry Severus I just want to go home and read a book," Hermione replied.

Severus sighed. She had been that for the whole time he stayed with her. She was always friendly and polite and helped him with Elena. The once so ambitious witch had her work in the bookshop, but that was it. She didn't want to go out to Diagon Alley or even for a walk. Hermione was reading all the time. Severus loved books, he really did, but that was just too much. Even for him there was more to life than books.

"But let me just accompany you past the mob of journalists, that will await us outside," he said resting his hand on the small of her back, while walking next to her. When he opened the door, there was a sea of camera flashes and the journalists where besieging them with their questions.

"Mister Snape do you think, it's a just punishment?"

"Miss Granger, will you tell us your point of view about what happened at Ottery St. Catchpole?"

"Mister Snape, can we have an interview what it's like being a father?"

"Can you tell us about your relationship to Miss Granger?"

"This one question I will answer, to stop all the rumour. I'm not in a relationship with Miss Granger and she is not my daughter's mother. We are friends. That's all." Severus explained.

Without saying another word he lead them away from the press towards the fireplaces near the Ministry's atrium.

"I have to pick up Elena from Molly. I'll see you later Hermione."

She just nodded absentmindedly.

It took him a while to get back from the Burrow, since Molly urged him to stay for lunch and wouldn't let him go afterwards until he had a proper cup of tea. But he would have felt bad to decline her offer, since with her taking Elena for all the days he had to spent in court at the Malfoy trial, it was possible to keep Elena out of the public eye. It was already bad enough, that with the trial they found out he had a daughter, but it was headlines like "Severus Snape from murderer to father" that followed a couple of days later, which made him realise he had to protect his daughter from the press as long as possible.

So finally he stepped out the fireplace at Hermione's saying to Hermione who was once again reading a book, "I'm back. Sorry it took me a while. Molly sends you some shepherd's pie, along with some cheesecake."

Hermione looked up and smiled, "Mmh. Thanks I'm really hungry, I was so caught up in my book I forgot to make myself something to eat."

"Okay I'll just put Elena down for her nap. Molly couldn't get her to sleep today, so now she is really grumpy. I'll be back in a couple of minutes," Severus said heading for the bedroom with a whining Elena on his arm. As soon as he put her in her cot, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Severus sighed and fetched a crumpled piece of parchment from his pocket he had been carrying around for more than a month now. He straightened it out and read it once more.

Dear Severus,

I hope this letter finds you well? Your life seems to be a bit of a mess at the moment. I'm sorry about that. It makes me sad to see that there are still people endangering our world with their hate and ridiculous opinions.

Congratulations on your baby daughter! I would love to get to know her. It must be hard for you, after you have lost your home to the fire. I don't know what you do for a living nowadays, but I've got an offer for you. I'm desperately looking for a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. I know it would be a bit last minute, since the school year starts in five weeks.

Please let me know if you are at all interested!

Warm regards,

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry

Severus sighed, when he thought about telling Hermione that he had accepted Minerva's offer. He didn't love teaching, but it would help to keep Elena safe and he was in desperate need of some money. And teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts was different, he actually enjoyed teaching this subject more than Potions, although he still loved being a Potions master. But Severus just didn't have the patience to teach Potions. It made him furious watching students proceeding so careless with ingredients. Potions was a very subtle art and hardly any student had the talent for Potions, Hermione being one of the few.

He smiled at the thought of her in the dungeons brewing. But his smile faltered, when he remembered that he still had to tell her he was about to leave for Hogwarts in less than a week. He knew she had grown close to Elena and saying good-bye would be hard for her. But Severus also knew that he needed to put his daughter's needs first, which would be growing up in safety, with enough food and a proper bed to sleep in. He hardly had any savings left and it was to Hermione's generosity only, that he wasn't completely broke. He needed to tell her now.

When he came back to the living room, she had just finished her shepherd's pie, moving on to the cheese cake.

"So I've good news," Severus started, while sitting down opposite of her.

She looked up smiling, "What is it?"

"You will have your flat to yourself again soon, because I found a job and place to live," he said.

Her smile faded and she said, "I'm happy for you. What are you going to do?"

"Minerva asked me to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts."

"How long have you known?" He hesitated, "A bit over a month."

"Well you'll be perfect for the job. If you'll excuse me I have a pounding headache, I need to lie down for a bit," she said pushing the plate of cheesecake away and left the living room.

Hermione crawled into her bed, casting a Silencing Charm. Burying her face in the pillow she started weeping bitterly. She always knew he would move on at some point, she just didn't think of it being so soon. Elena was adorable and she would miss her terribly. Her head told her it was good for him to have a job at Hogwarts, but her heart didn't want to accept it. It felt so right for her, that they were living with her. She felt alive again and caring for them, gave her life a new meaning, even it was hard for her to show it. After crying for over an hour, she fell asleep due to her exhaustion.

The last couple of days before his departure to Hogwarts Hermione kept avoiding Severus, by working late, meeting Harry at Grimmauld Place or eating dinner at the Burrow. When Severus was leaving on August 30st, so he would have enough time to settle in with Elena, Hermione had already left for work, an hour earlier than usually. There was just a note on the kitchen table.

Dear Severus,

I hope you have a good start at Hogwarts. Please send Headmistress McGonagall my regards and give Elena a kiss from me.

All the best,

Hermione

Severus sighed folded up the piece of parchment, put it into his pocket and left her flat, softly closing the door behind him.