Severus stood and stretched, rolling his neck back into place after the long night he had spent on the sofa in his front room. After much arguing, he had had the final word and Hermione (as he was now accustomed to address her) had stomped off, up the stairs. The wind had been harsh that night, whistling down the chimney and waking Severus at least every hour. He hoped that the witch would not bother him until he had finished a minimum of 3 mugs of coffee.

The kitchen was cold and unoccupied, the sun having not yet risen. There was the ethereal mist of condensation floating above the grass on the lawn and birds, eager for worms, foraged uninterrupted. It was mornings like these that Severus missed the sprawling grounds of Hogwarts, the place that he had been able to call home for more than two decades. It was lovely, to walk along the shores of The Black Lake as the sun rose over the scenery. Or perhaps, to visit the greenhouses and see the remnants of the midnight blooming flowers scattered across the floor. 

The sound of a muggle motor vehicle honking brought Severus back to reality. He grumbled and set out to fix himself some coffee. 

When Hermione woke, just shy of an hour later, he could tell that he was in for a challenging day. The witch looked tired, the bags beneath her eyes providing evidence for her lack of peaceful sleep. He noticed that she had failed to gain much weight since she had been with him, even though he had ensured that she ate well. It was concerning to see such a melancholy and gaunt face so early in the morning. Hermione wore a long baby blue sweatshirt and checked pajama bottoms. It was unusual to see the witch in such a state of undress. 

Perhaps today was to be another low day for her. He understood that it wasn't her fault if she stayed in bed all day, on days like these. She could be as introverted as she wanted and Severus knew that he shouldn't push her. Having been in a similar state himself, for much of his life, Severus understood.

He said nothing, but set about making her a pot of tea. Whilst he was very much unapproachable in the mornings with out his cup of coffee, Severus found that Hermione couldn't start her day off without a cup of tea. Perhaps they had more in common than he had originally thought. Although he may be grasping at straws a little.

A pecking at the window made him jump. It was embarrassing really, for a spy to be startled. Severus hoped that Hermione hadn't caught him. No. She was staring down at the tablecloth with her head in her hands. The bird was the Malfoy's owl, who seemed to be making ever more frequent visits to the abode. Severus was beginning to despise it.

He placed the tea tray in front of the young woman, who looked up at the noise. Severus paced the length of the tiny kitchen as he opened and read the letter aloud.

"There have been developments at the school. Narcissa and I will be present at 2 to discuss them. Kind Regards. Lucius." He groaned and all but fell into his chair. Hermione looked equally as displeased at the news.

Breakfast had passed in silence, the sun casting long shadows over the occupants of the dull kitchen. It was simply marmalade on toast this morning, and Severus made a mental note to ask Lucius to go shopping for them again. It had been a long time since he had worried about having the shelves of his cupboards stocked. Living on his own meant that Severus could live a horribly unhealthy lifestyle without it affecting others. If there was no food, he would simply not eat. But caring for Hermione meant that this was not a viable option.

She was eager to help with the cooking and the cleaning, even though Severus told her not to. She had argued that it was half of her hair in the plug, and so she had a shared responsibility to clean it out. His living-room-come-library was looking miles better, though. And he had to admit that despite that one incident, Severus had yet to struggle to find a tome.

It was all a part of having a feminine influence around the house. Severus had never cared much for domesticity but he was beginning to enjoy the Witch's contribution to his lonely house. Hermione stood and began pilling the breakfast pots into the sink and filled it with bubbling water. She took a deep breathe, and decided to talk to Severus about what had been the topic of her latest nightmare.

"Do you have anything that could help me with nightmares?" She asked timidly.

Sparing a moments thought, Severus shook his head. "Other than a Dreamless Sleep potion, there is nothing. I don't think I need to warn you about how dangerously addictive sleeping potions can be."

Hermione was glad to have her back to him, so he wouldn't see the disappointment on her face. She already knew the answer though.

"However, I do have some books on the theory of sleep. No doubt you have already done your research. I might suggest that a herbal tea before bed and the use of weighted blankets might solve your problem. I speak from experience." He grumbled and started to fiddle with the Malfoy wax seal that emblazoned the envelope that was lay on the table still. 

"I do have weighted blanket you can use. Remind me, and I will get it out for you this evening." Severus cringed to hear the kindness in his own voice. That was definitely something he wasn't used to. He was glad that they lived alone, so that no one could witness the shame he felt every time he acted in beneficence.

"Thank you, Severus."

"It is no problem." He raised, aiming to have a long shower before Lucius and Narcissa arrived with their news. Not a single cell in his brain thought that the news could be good.

Before he could take two steps out of the kitchen, Hermione had whipped around, her messy hair flying everywhere. "Can I ask you something?"

She looked terrified and Severus was afraid of what was going to come out of her mouth. Taking a deep breathe, Hermione rested a hand on top of her tummy.

"What do you think would have happened, if i was-" She stopped. The tremble in her voice becoming more apparent.

Severus swallowed, his mouth suddenly a desert. "If you were what?"

"Its just, I keep dreaming about it. About having a baby." She looked away from him, turning her back so she could look of the window this time. Severus stood by the door that lead into the lounge, gnawing on his bottom lip. It was a habit he had never possessed but found comfort in all of a sudden.

Emotion took over her voice. "You said you would have helped me, to keep it. I dream about being round and pregnant, immobilized with nausea. Only you aren't there. I'm all alone and frightened. Every time I look in the mirror I'm reminded of what happened." She broke off into a sob.

His feet were moving before his brain could figure out what was happening. He stepped closer to her, in a manner one might use to calm a feral dog. "Come now, Hermione. Thinking of could-haves and might-have-beens will do you no good." 

Her scent invaded his nostrils, oats and honey and a hint of jasmine. He hadn't noticed her aroma before, but he was sure that he would never fail to notice it again. "I can understand that my past would be strong enough evidence to support the idea that I hate children. I don't blame you for believing so. However, we are in an unavoidable situation, Hermione. I wouldn't cast you out, knowing you would be executed on the spot should you run into the wrong type of person. If you were pregnant, I would be no more likely to throw you out of my home. Although, it is true that I despise the usual dunderheads that I teach, it would at least try to be welcoming to any offspring you may carry."

Hermione sniffed loudly. Severus realized that he didn't give the girl enough credit. It was easy to believe some days, that she hadn't gone through the trauma. She appeared stoic and confident. She wasn't the type of girl to breakdown and cry. She had grown up with few female friends and had learnt to organize her emotions like most men, burying them deep until she imploded. He carefully stepped closer Hermione, and placed his hand on her back. Severus began to rub small circles over the fabric of her sweatshirt, just as he had done with her arm on another occasion. 

"You may find it difficult to trust people at the moment, Hermione. But you can't truly heal if you keep it all inside of you. I know I might not be the first person you want to trust, but I am willing to sit with you and listen to your anxieties, any time." He said in a low voice. 

Hermione wiped her eyes on her sleeve and turned her head, giving Severus a sad look. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get upset." 

"Hush. Do not apologize." He said, still rubbing the small of her back tenderly. 

Her small shoulders heaved with her ragged breaths. "I just hear the child screaming in its cot, and I cant look at it. I just turn my head and walk away. "

Severus felt a pull in his chest that he couldn't identify. "It was just a dream. It wasn't real. You are here now, with me. Your brain has gone through trauma and its trying to cope by making you have nightmares. You are scared, and you have every right to be. But you are strong. Don't underestimate yourself." 

"Perhaps you could teach me to Occlude?" Hermione looked desperate, but her breathing had slowed considerably. 

"Maybe. For now, how about we see what Lucius and Narcissa want to tell us and go from there?" 

Hermione gave a small smile. "Okay." Severus's hand lingered for a moment. He looked as though he was debating something, although Hermione didn't know what. She dismissed the thought as he stormed off in the direction of the bathroom. 

_____

The floo flared to life, cracking and spitting emerald flames cast a sinister glow in the Severus's front room. Out stepped two heavily cloaked individuals, one tall and broad with an elegant posture. The other was daintily built and equally as refined. 

Severus stood upon their arrival, but Hermione remained curled up on the sofa. She was yet to change out of her earlier ensemble. "Lucius. Narcissa. Let us not waste time and cut straight to business." 

"Yes I agree." Lucius said, taking a seat in one of the armchairs. Narcissa perched on the arm of the chair and gave Hermione a warm smile, which Hermione returned less enthusiastically. 

It was Narcissa who began to talk. "Draco has informed us of the situation at the school. The Carrow twins are aching to be in charge. While Minerva stands strong at the helm, it is a wonder as to how long she will remain. The twins are merciless and Minerva and the other staff have very little say over the goings on in the castle. The entire school is corrupt."

"According to Draco a number of Slytherin students have left the school to seek out The Dark Lord and join his forces. Horace Slughorn is powerless. A stuttering mess. The school requires a leader. Minerva has valiantly made it this far, but it is clear to see that she needs to be replaced. The Order has received the cry for help and are struggling to come up with a viable option. It would seem that The Dark Lord has also taken a stance on the situation, and has ordered his doctored Ministry officials to "inspect" the school in order to publicly usurp Minerva.

"Of course, both The Order and The Dark forces are talking. It appears that there is a common name mentioned, on both sides." Narcissa took a deep breath.

"Absolutely not." Severus exclaimed, rising from his seat and making Hermione jump. 

"Hear us out, dear friend." Lucius sought to provide comfort. 

Severus was livid. Hermione recognized his facial expression from the time that Neville had managed to blow up his cauldron and shower his botched boils cure all over the classroom. It was the same facial expression he had worn when he had discovered Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Shrieking shack with mass-murderer Sirius Black and dangerous werewolf Remus Lupin. He had also worn this expression in the fourth year, during the entire yule ball (the last example was fairly comical).

"There is only a matter of time before The Dark Lord makes this proposition. Perhaps a lot less kindly than we have. Hogwarts has always felt like Dumbledore's territory and having someone in the inner circle will give The Dark Lord the feeling of control. He will become arrogant. Little will he know that we will be using the position of Hogwarts as a center for the uprising. We have known for years, my friend, that the school is where the final battle must take place." 

"Lucius, you are being impossible." Severus interrupted with a growl. He could hardly contain himself. He stood and began to pace, resisting the urge to blast everything in the vicinity to kingdom come. Being the new Headmaster of Hogwarts would mean that he would have to practice more control in order to keep the facade. He would have to watch his students suffer under the new regime of dark influence. Fascism at its finest. Severus was too old. Too tired. 

Too scared. 

He didn't have the loathsome old coot to guide him. It was his fault that Dumbledore was dead, and now he was facing the consequences. Severus didn't even know if the castle would be loyal to his magical signature. He couldn't control it like Dumbledore had, or Minerva does. It would be embarrassing to walk by the gates of Hogwarts and not have them open to him. Surely The Dark Lord would dispose of him straight away.

Logically, there would come a time in which Severus would be discovered as a traitor. Moving back to Hogwarts would only bring that day forward. Where would the girl go? She could hardly come to Hogwarts with him. 

Lucius creased his brows. "What should happen if you do not return? The Dark Lord would surely kill Minerva and have you take the throne. If you refused, he would simply throw you in a grave and find someone else fit to rule Hogwarts. Think of the children, Severus. The school will become a training camp for a pureblood army. Forced marriages and underage pregnancies will become the new norm, as Voldemort drives his ambition to boost the wizarding race."

"Didn't you want to become the Headmaster of Hogwarts?" It was Narcissa this time, with a tone she usually used on her son. 

"Not like this!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. Hermione remained curled on the sofa, silent in the conversation. "I wanted to earn the position, not be gifted it simply for the sake of it." 

Severus knew he had no choice in the matter. Should The Dark Lord propose it, he had no way of turning the position down. Had he not been reminiscing about the school earlier this morning?

"Should I go to Hogwarts, what should happen of Miss Granger?"  He asked timidly, Hermione looking up at the mention of her name. "Or hadn't you gotten that far with your brilliant plan?" 

Severus stared at his guests with intensity. Had they not considered that he had a duty to look after the witch? There was no way he was going to let her out of his sight, now. Not now that he had gotten used to living with her. Having her belongings next to his in the bathroom. Having her bright and colorful clothing mixed with his in the wash. cooking more than one portion of food. It had been unusual at first, but now he had gotten used to it and didn't want to let go. 

He didn't want to let go of Hermione. Severus hadn't had the time nor the commitment to consider his feelings towards the witch, but the possibility of her being taken away almost tore him into two.

Narcissa looked offended. "Miss Granger will be relocated to a safe house, with other members of The Order. Bill and Fleur Weasley will be preparing a room for a guest. They haven't been informed of exactly who will be joining them yet. It may come as quite a shock, as she is presumed dead by those who are aware of her disappearance."

Hermione thought of a big family reunion with all of the Weasley clan and had the urge to run. The thought of being smothered by the family was horrific. She craved the solitude that Severus had been able to provide her. She didn't want family meals with passive guests and stuffy rooms. 

In a quiet voice, she challenged the Malfoy's, who heads jolted around at the sound of her voice. "Is there no way that I can stay here on my own? Severus has wards that will protect me and will alert him of any unwanted visitors."

"I think that would be too risky, Miss Granger." Lucius admitted. He looked older than Hermione had ever seen him. He was worn down and very clearly going gray. The stress of being a double agent was taking its toll. 

Severus looked sombre. "Could she not stay in the room of requirement, with the rest of the defending students?"

Lucius considered this for a moment before shaking his head. It was easy to see why he used to have such a strong position in The Ministry and as a governor for the school. The way he presented his arguments made you feel compelled to listen. "I don't think that that would be advisable. For now, she must relocate to a safe house for as long as you remain at Hogwarts, Severus." 

Severus furrowed his brow. "I would much rather have her closer to me. If something were to happen, say the safe house got raided, I would be powerless."

Lucius smirked. "Since when did you get so protective, old friend?" He teased to Severus's annoyance. 

Hermione was growing tired of them talking about as though she wasn't sat there with them. "I would rather stay near Severus." 

Narcissa gave her a curious smile. "If that is what Miss Granger wants, perhaps we ought to take more time to consider the option, Lucius."