Chapter 6

Hermione and Severus sat in one of the private dining rooms of The Gull and The Albatross. The room, decorated in blues and greens, was meant to give those who sat within a sense of calmness. The rectangular table sat before a bay window with a view of the English Channel. It was set so no one had their back to the window, and all could enjoy the scenic view. Hermione couldn't be bothered admiring any view, as she was fidgeting with her glass, her foot tapping incessantly and her lower lip nearly bitten through from her nerves.

Severus was on edge enough without the constant tap, tap, tap of her foot on the table leg. He was also concerned for the glass stem being twirled by her fingers, and her lip would need a healing potion if she didn't ease up on it. "Hestia, calm down, for Merlin's sake."

She looked at him questioningly, wondering why he was using that name while in a private room.

"I haven't set the Silencing Charm yet," he said in response to her nonverbal query.

"Oh," she said as her fingernails were now being assaulted by her mouth.

Severus grabbed her hand, effectively stopping her from decimating her nails. "I know you're nervous, but I'm here; you won't be meeting him alone."

"I'm sorry. I know it's silly, but I can't help feeling this way. I don't even know what to say or if I'll be able to look at him."

"I venture to say he feels the same way you do. Remember, love, the Dark Lord is gone, Bellatrix is gone, and thank Merlin, Greyback is in hell with them. You have nothing to fear from him. If I thought for one moment that Lucius had nefarious intent, we wouldn't be here now."

Hermione laid her head on his shoulder and then reached up and placed a kiss on his neck. "Thank you, Syl..." She started to speak when footsteps approached the door. She sat up and watched as the door was opened to admit Narcissa and Lucius.

Hermione turned her head to the window, though she didn't see the view.

Severus stood to welcome their guests. "Narcissa, you look lovely, as always," he said, kissing her hand. "Lucius," he said with a nod. "Please join us." He waved his hand towards the two chairs opposite them. He then set the wards and charms on the room ensuring their privacy.

Lucius held the chair for his former wife and then sat down next to her.

The old cliché about the silence being deafening would be an apt description of the scene taking place in the room. Severus was about to break the silent standoff when the menus appeared on each of their plates. Hermione quickly picked hers up and hid herself behind it. Severus tapped his wand on the menu, ordering a bottle of wine, hoping a drink would calm the nerves of everyone present. He poured some of the wine into each of their glasses and watched as Hermione and Lucius quickly emptied their respective glasses. He looked to Narcissa for a clue as to how to break the silent stalemate.

"So, Severus," Narcissa said, hoping to get things going. "How long have you been teaching here at the university?"

"Six months. It is quite different than teaching at Hogwarts; at least here, my students choose to study Potions. Unlike at Hogwarts, where it's a requirement."

"I'm sure it's a refreshing change. Have you taught anywhere else before here?"

"No. Previously, I was brewing and selling to various apothecaries. It wasn't until this past year that I was able to 'acquire' credentials that wouldn't be questioned."

"I'm glad things have worked out for you, truly. After all you've been through, you deserve it."

Severus nodded his silent thanks. "How is Draco doing?"

"You didn't tell him, Lucius?" she said.

"It didn't come up in our previous conversation," he mumbled as he poured more wine into his glass.

"Draco is married now to Astoria Greengrass. You remember her, don't you? She's Daphne's younger sister. They have a son, Scorpius; he'll be three this coming October."

"I'm surprised; I would have thought he'd be married to Pansy Parkinson."

"Thankfully no, he finally came to his senses where that social climbing tart was concerned."

Hermione couldn't help the snort that came out of her mouth. Bet Parkinson had a cow about that, she thought.

Narcissa took advantage of the fact that Hermione was obviously following their conversation and asked, "I've heard you are attending the university; what is your field of study?"

She slowly lowered the menu, her eyes meeting Narcissa's. "Potions and Arithmancy. I'm doing a double major."

"Oh, that is ambitious, but as I recall from what my son has said, you are quite intelligent. I have no doubt you'll do well."

"Uh, thank you," Hermione said.

"Have you decided what you want to eat?" Severus asked.

"I'm not very hungry; perhaps just the salad with grilled chicken," Hermione said.

The rest placed their orders, and soon everyone was eating, the occasional words being spoken by only Severus or Narcissa.

Halfway through, Lucius tossed down his fork and said, "This is ridiculous." He looked over at Hermione, only to find her looking back at him wide-eyed as a frightened fawn. He sighed heavily and said, "What I wouldn't give if you would look at me as if I weren't about to hex you to hell and back."

Hermione lowered her eyes. "I don't mean to... it's just that... seeing you again brings back a lot of..."

"Bad memories," he said, finishing her sentence. "For me also, Madam Snape. I haven't had a decent night's sleep since arriving in France." He paused to consider his next words, hoping that he said it right, hoping she would believe him. "Please believe that if I could find a way to take back what happened to you that night in my home, I would. Even if it cost me my last Knut."

Hermione could feel his eyes on her and, gathering her courage, lifted her eyes back to him. "I do believe that. I know you didn't have a choice in your participation in that... event. I can't imagine Severus doing any different if he was put in that situation," she said as she placed her hand on Severus'. "I imagine he would do what he had to if Alex's and my lives were threatened."

She felt a warm, soft hand on top of her other hand. Turning her head, she saw Narcissa with a tear trailing down her face.

"The war left us all scarred in some way," said Narcissa. "No one who had a part in it was left unscathed."

"Too true," said Severus.

"I do wish, though, that after the Dark Lord fell for the last time and you... discovered your condition that you would have sought me out and told me. I would have made sure you had everything you needed," Lucius said.

"I was scared; no one knew what had happened... I never told them, once I was rescued. I thought at first I was late due to the stress finally getting to me, but after the second month and I still hadn't started...

"I cast the charm three times, and it kept showing the same results... pregnant. I couldn't tell Harry or Ron the truth; they still would have blamed you. And knowing Ron, he would never have been able to look at me in the same way again. So, once all the memorials and funerals were done, I quietly slipped away one night. I haven't contacted anyone since."

"Your disappearance made headlines for weeks," Narcissa said as she picked up her fork to continue eating her lunch. "It's my understanding that for months Mr Potter and Mr Weasley searched for you everywhere they thought you might be. Of course, they didn't find you. The following year, Mr Potter married Ginevra Weasley; they are expecting their second child, and he's an Auror. Ronald Weasley recently married Lavender Brown; it was a rather short engagement. There's speculation that the former Miss Brown is several months along with child. He's a partner in that shop his brother owns. I hear it's doing rather well."

"I'm glad to hear Ron and Harry are doing all right."

The rest of lunch continued with talk of what Severus and Hermione had missed the last four years. There was still tension in the air, but at a much lower level.

As they ate dessert, Lucius approached the one subject they hadn't discussed yet. "About the child... I wonder, Madam Snape..."

"Please call me Hermione. I know what you're about to ask," she said. "Severus and I talked about it at length last night. I have no problem with you getting to know Alex, and becoming a part of his world, and I would imagine you'd like to have a hand in raising him.

"However, the final decision on anything to do with him will rest with Severus and me. We'll take whatever advice you'd like to impart to us, since you've raised a child before, but we have the final say. I'm not quite sure how to explain you to him, though. Severus is the only father he's known; he's been there since Alex was born."

The last bit of tension in Lucius dissipated when he heard he would not be denied access to his child. "Thank you, Hermione, Severus. I do understand that my participation would be limited, but I do insist on helping financially... What do the Muggles call it?"

"Child support," Hermione replied.

"That's really not required. I make more than enough to support us. We may not live in a mansion, but we live comfortably," Severus said.

"I meant no insult as to your ability to support your family, Severus, but I'd like to contribute to Alex's care. I will have Gringotts set up an account for him that both of you can access if an emergency arises and funds are needed for him. My will, of course, will be altered accordingly to include him. He is a Malfoy... by blood if not by name, and I will not allow him to be excluded from what is his birthright.

"As for the rest, I agree: you and Severus are his parents, and the final decisions concerning his upbringing are, of course, yours to decide. However, I do appreciate that my advice would be welcomed. Perhaps in time, Alex will come to know me as a father, though not his dad... That title belongs to you, Severus."

Hermione turned to Severus; she didn't know what to say to Lucius' speech. "Thank you, Lucius," Severus said. "I appreciate that you respect my place in my son's life. Your insistence on an account and your will... well, I think neither of us knows what to say to that.

"I had heard you changed after the war, and I will admit I had my reservations. I'm glad I've been proven wrong."

"As am I," Hermione said, finally finding her voice. "Would you like to meet Alex now?"

"I would, very much so."

"You're invited to join us also, Narcissa."

"Thank you, but I think it best if I decline this time. I'm sure I'll see you on the boulevard; maybe the three of us can do lunch one day."

Hermione, Severus, and Lucius stood in front of the playground where Alex and some other wizarding children were playing under the watchful eye of their sitters. Hermione watched Lucius' face as he watched Alex playing. A softness she didn't know he was capable of showed clearly in his eyes. The corners of his mouth raised slightly, a small smile, but she could sense sadness there also. "It's like being in a Pensieve, seeing my own memories of Draco at that age. Merlin, they look so much alike."

"He does have some of my features too, you know," said Hermione.

"Yes, he's well on his way to being the next know-it-all," Severus added and received a swat to his arm by his wife.

"Tsk, really, being inquisitive is NOT a bad thing."

"Mum... Da!" Alex yelled as he raced toward the three adults, jumping into Severus' arms as he reached them.

"Did you have fun today?" he asked the child.

"Yes, we played hide 'n' sneak and we went on the swings. I swinged really high too."

Hermione waved to their sitter, letting her know they now had Alex.

"I hope you were a good boy for Pascaline," she said as she held her arms out to her son.

"I was good, Mum," he said as he hugged her.

"There is someone I'd like you to meet, Alex. This is Lucius, he's... he's part of our family."

Lucius was stunned at her words. "Hello, Alex, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said, holding out his hand.

Alex hesitated for a moment before putting his hand in Lucius' and said, "Hi, Lusus, I'm Alex." He stared at Lucius, studying him. "Your hair is like mine."

Lucius smiled. "Yes, my hair is like yours."

A/N: My undying gratitude to Lady_Karelia for the beta work on this story. Without her it would have been unreadable!