Chapter 7

Meanwhile, in a small meeting room in some basement, three figures met in utter secrecy. One was holding a picture. Their hand clenching it, crinkling the laminated paper slightly.

"Is this real?"

"Well, uh," an elderly Skeeter hesitated.

"Is. This. Real?!" The voice of the hooded figure asked once more, clearly annoyed.

"Yes, that is Severus Snape at the Ministry just days ago," Skeeter stated. "I'd recognize that face anywhere."

"This can't be. Snape is dead." One said, though, as his trembling hand looked at the black and white photo, there would be no denying it further.

"Who is the man he's carrying?" The other cloaked figure asked. "Their clothes look positively filthy."

"Potter,"

"What?! But we cannot see their face. It could be anyone."

"I am very sure that is Potter," the man answered. "There are only so many people Snape would actively help. Dumbledore is dead, I am safe, so that leaves..."

"Harry Potter,"

"Indeed." The man said before handing the photograph back to Skeeter. "Publish this." He ordered, "And mention the second person possibly being Potter. I want the public questioning why Potter was in the Ministry at all."

"Not why Snape was alive?"

"Professor Snape was a spy. We can spin it that he faked his death if need be. What we want right now is all eyes on Potter's disappearance."

"But you identified the Professor's body after the battle,"

"I know,"

"Then,"

"I am going to find out." The man stated before turning back to Skeeter. "Don't worry about the Ministry. Publish it through your lesser-known pseudonym if need be. There is a reason the Ministry went into lockdown a couple of days ago."

When Skeeter left, the two men pulled down their hoods, revealing tell-tale blond hair. "Father,"

"Not now, Scorpius," Draco muttered as he tried to gather his thoughts. "How...," he muttered more to himself. "I buried you," he then whispered.

"Father?" Scorpius was more insistent now. Draco straightened up, but he still looked conflicted.

"Is there any way we could contact your godfather?"

"Only if Professor Snape wants to be found,"

"It wouldn't hurt to try, though."

"No, it would not. And you have a missive to send as well, do you not?"

"Are both of you done yet?" A female voice asked as the door to their meeting room opened.

"Lils," Scorpius uttered as he stared at the young lady who was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

"My son and a Potter," Draco shook his head in disbelief.

"It's not like that!!" Scorpius uttered. "She's practically my sister in-law!"

"Oh, Yippee," Lily muttered, clearly unamused. "So what did Skeeter want this time?"

"We might have a lead on Potter," Draco stated. "I don't want to get your hopes up but..."

"No," Lily stated. "I gave up on finding my dad years ago. Just don't,"

"I got some news from Luna," Lily said, changing the subject. "The Social season has started. Guess who was chasing after Lord Longbottom. Lord Malfoy, you'd best prepare yourself."

"Merlin, no." Draco shuddered.

"Yes," Lily stated. "Mother,"

"Well, that would be a hoot. Lord Longbottom is in a committed relationship with Lord Prince. Is your mother that desperate after being dumped by Lord Parkinson?"

"Frankly, I don't care to know what mother is up to." Lily hissed. "I am just glad that James is finally putting up some boundaries."

"You got through to him?" Scorpius asked.

"Somewhat. It was an awkward meeting, to say the least. He's still firmly in his mother's camp, but he has come to see that her spending habits might not be viable for his prolonged finances."

"How are you holding up, though?" Scorpius asked.

"I am fine," Lily shrugged. "Mother acted like I didn't exist at the gathering. Just like she acts like she never gave birth to Albus. I don't think she ever dealt with whatever prejudice she's had towards Snakes."

"Either way, we will need to move forward," Draco stated.

On the other side of the Magical community, things weren't as honkey-dory as someone might expect you to believe. Hermione entered the two-storey Victorian near midnight. What she hadn't expected was for her husband to still be up.

"Where were you?" Ron asked from the living room, startling her.

"Ronald, don't do that!" Hermione rebuked.

"You know, Hugo and Rose showed up today, hoping to spend some time catching up," Ron stated. "Can you imagine that I had to tell them that you hadn't been home in days?"

"I spent two nights at the Burrow and you never even noticed!" Ron continued. "Mom was actually worried about your workload!"

"My workload is fine!" Hermione defended before taking a deep breath. "I've spent decades molding the magical community into one that doesn't fear a Dark Lord. It takes time and effort."

"I understand that, Hermione, but you haven't been home for over a week! I couldn't even say hi to you a few days ago!"

"I have things to finalize. Do you know how close I am to this Muggleborn Bill?" Hermione uttered. "It will finally put those Pureblood snobs in their place. Could you imagine the progress we'd make once Muggleborns could get higher positions in society?"

"Hugo is going to be a father," Ron blurted out.

"What?!"

"You would know if you had been here for dinner a couple of days ago," Ron stated. "He's dating a lovely girl from the Kettleburn line. They are expecting twins by the way,"

"Hugo isn't even married yet!" She uttered.

"How is that scandalous? You and I weren't married yet when we had Rose," Ron shot back, ignoring Hermione's glare.

"But we were engaged. You asked me to marry you when i got pregnant!"

"Only because mom pressured me to!" Ron shot back. "Honestly, I think it's about time we talk about this. I married you because I got you pregnant, I thought I loved you, I definitely love my children, but lately, you and I have just been the equivalent of roommates!"

"We have not!" Hermione argued.

"Really? When was the last time you let me touch you? All you care about is your career, and you are hardly home." Ron continued. "The funny part was that months ago, I had the real possibility to cheat on you with Romilda Vane, you know she's divorced now. She hit on me. I turned her down. I turned her down because I had you, but Hermione, you've been treating our union as a PR stunt."

"Oh look, the Magical word's perfect Minister with her perfect family!" Ron gestured wildly with his hands. The kids and I put up with campaigns and the Press just to support you, but when did you support us?"

Hermione was silent. Ron just continued to lay into her, "You didn't. You literally have no interest in your children's lives unless it brings you good PR."

"Just what are you getting at, Ron?! I'm doing all of this for the Greater Good."

"Well, your Greater Good isn't my Greater Good!" Ron argued. "Honestly, after leaving the Unspeakables, all you've cared about is your career. I'm done, Hermione. Just done. I want a divorce."

"YOU WHAT?!" She shrieked. "Do you know what this will do to me?!"

"Look at my face," Ron gestured to his indifferent expression. "Does this look like I care? I want a divorce. I want out. Honestly, I only married you because I found out I got you pregnant. The kids are grown now. What more use are we to each other?"