Soft cries came from the bassinet positioned closely to the bed that Severus and Hermione were sleeping soundly in. Hermione slowly reached her hand in to find the pacifier that lay next to the fussing child.

"Severus. I think it's your turn." Grumbled Hermione as she rolled to kick Severus' back.

"There's nothing for me to do. I can't feed her."

"Don't be stupid, you can get her."

Severus groan and slid of the bed and grumbled something that sounded like "you're closer you stupid witch"

Leaning over the bassinet, Severus picked up the fussing child and cradled her loosely in his arms. He pushed a few black strands off her forehead. "Now is it really necessary to wake us up at the god forsaken hour little one?"

"Language dear" hermione breathed as she sat up and positioned her pillows and waved her hand, lighting a few candles.

Severus sat down to the side of hermione as she pulled up her shirt and took Eileen and leaned her head back as she latched on. There was a bit of strain on her face but it only lasted for a second before she relaxed. "I feel like a cow."

"Well then, you are the prettiest cow I've ever seen" Severus said gently rubbing her thigh.

Hermione rolled her eyes forward and glared at him. "Not what I was searching for."

Severus chuckled slightly and leaned in to kiss her forehead and stare once again at his beautiful daughter up against her mothers chest.

"I can't wait until she's using bottles and you can feed her in the middle of the night. I just want to get some sleep." Hermione tried to reposition herself but found it difficult without disturbing the little girl she was holding. "I'm so tired Sev."

"I know you are darling, but this shouldn't be for much longer." He leaned up against the headboard "and your mother is coming tomorrow so you'll be able to take a good nap while I go to the school."

"I want to go with you. It just doesn't feel right being here during the school year."

"Hermione, you just had a baby. You need to stay here and relax as much as you can."

"It's been a month! I'm fine to go with you. Really. I want to go."

"Hermione, no. You're too tired. And you wouldn't even be able to stay there long. Eileen needs to be fed at least every 2 hours, and you need to sleep... and quite honestly shower in between."

At this last comment, tears began running down hermione's face. "Why didn't you tell me? I'm sorry I just...."

"Oh hermione I didn't mean for it to sound like that. It has been a few days though. I guarantee you'll feel better if you have one." She sniffled again and leaned into his shoulder to let out a few more sobs.

Eileen fell back asleep and Hermione placed her gently in the bassinet. "Goodnight my dear" she whispered as she brushed a few strands of hair off her forehead.

She leaned back into bed and placed her head down on her fluffy pillow and reaching down to find Severus' hand underneath the covers. "One more month right? One more month and I can be back at school?"

Severus only chuckled and waved his hand and the candles flickered out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione woke up to an empty bed and clanging downstairs. She slowly sat up and pulled her robe off her bed post. She reached down to gently pick up Eileen who was contently staring at her mobile that had enchanted stars swirling around it.

Walking down the stairs, Hermione rounded the corner into the kitchen to where her mother was rushing around clearing dishes and scrubbing countertops.

"Mum, you don't need to clean my house. I'll do it."

"Don't be silly dear, I've got this. You just go on and relax. I'll be done in a moment. Would you like some breakfast?"

Hermione only returned that with a grunt and she turned back to the living room where she sat down in a large black chair and made faces at Eileen who just stared blankly.

"You're father abandoned us today, yes he did. He even left without saying goodbye."

"He didn't want to disturb you. You were sleeping so soundly." Mrs. Granger came in with a plate of toast and a cup of tea.

She set in down on the table next to Hermione before holding her arms out to take the baby. "Come to your grandmum. Well go take a little walk around the backyard while your mother takes a nice shower." She lowered her voice to a whisper while walking away "between you and me, she stinks!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and leaned back in the chair watching as her mother wrapped Eileen up and put her hat on and walked to the back door where a cool breeze came in. The leaves had all fallen but it was unusually warm for this time of year. She didn't mind though, she and Eileen loved to sit on the back step and breathe in the fresh air before it became too cold for such a small child to be outside.

She loved watching her mother with Eileen. These days she didn't smile much, but her little granddaughter brought out the best in her every day.