Chapter 14

Hermione paced the study, keeping her eye on the fireplace while she bounced a two-month-old Callie in her arms. She had expected Severus to check in and was getting worried. She should be used to his absence by now. He was rarely home, and he often missed checking in with her. If she were the jealous type, she'd think he'd found a mistress, but she knew better. He was busy, he was tired, and he was pulling away from her.

The last two months had sped by in a whirlwind of activity. Hermione's focus was nearly entirely on Callie for the first month. Severus was busy with the reconstruction at Hogwarts. He stayed home with her for only a week after the battle was over and the baby was born. Severus felt like his place was at the school, and it was, she understood that. The school re-opened a month after the battle, with nearly everything ready to go. After the students returned, he threw himself into his teaching, trying to fit in all of the work that the students had missed.

Hermione gave him his time since she was busy herself. She struggled to get into a routine with Callie while also trying to get some sleep. Narcissa Malfoy had moved in shortly after the battle. She refused to live at Malfoy Manor any longer, so Hermione invited her to stay with Severus' approval. She felt very comfortable with the woman, who had proven to be a big help with the baby. Narcissa had saved Hermione's sanity on more than one occasion by giving her just a few minutes' relief to take a shower. Draco was back in the house as well. He'd spent a great deal of time with the Ministry, sharing everything he knew about Voldemort and the other Death Eaters. He would be joining Harry and Ron in the Auror training program in January.

Harry stopped by regularly to see Callie. He wasn't ready to be a full-time father, but Hermione knew that in time he'd grow to have a wonderful relationship with his daughter. When he and Ginny finally had children, he would be an ideal dad.

Right now, Hermione's mind was on Severus. She missed him. She was promised a future with him, and so far he hadn't been a part of it.

"Just go see the git," Draco mumbled, not looking up from his book. "He's probably holed up in the dungeons grading papers, just as miserable as you are."

Hermione turned to her friend and smiled. "Do you really think he's miserable? Not that I want him to be miserable, but it would be nice if he were a little sad that he wasn't with me."

"Hermione, dear, take my son's advice. If you are tired of waiting for him, be assertive. Go after what, or who, you want," Narcissa coached.

"I can't just show up. I've got Callie to think of and . . ." She paused as she thought of her excuses. Callie was the only reason she couldn't leave. There were no known threats against her anymore, and Hogwarts was safe once again.

"I'll watch the kid," Draco volunteered. "She doesn't do anything. Just put her in that basket thing and I'll keep an eye on her."

"Oh, well. Thanks for the offer, Draco, but I . . . "

"Yes, Hermione! Go see him. Draco will watch Callina. I'm sure he'll be quite attentive, and I'll be here if he needs any help. Take as much time as you need," Narcissa urged, giving Hermione a wink. Hermione sighed and smiled. She trusted Narcissa. Things would be all right.

"Fine, thank you for your offer, Draco. I'll take you up on it." She walked up to Draco, pulled the book out of his hands and replaced it with her sleeping daughter. "She should sleep for a few hours, so I'm sure she won't be any problem. Nappies are in her nursery, and there are a few bottles of breast milk in the refrigerator. Mosey knows where everything else is. Contact me if there's any problem. I'll be at Hogwarts." With a smile, she stepped into the fireplace and disappeared.

Draco had a stricken look on his face as he turned to his mother. "Nappies? Breast milk? Help me!"

Narcissa just smiled at her son and thought of how much fun she would have watching him over the next few hours. He'd never forget to use a contraception spell again.

**************

Hermione was able to Floo directly into Severus' office these days and took advantage of that freedom. The room was empty, so she made her way to the hidden door that held his private rooms. Whispering the password he had confided to her, she pushed open the door.

"Severus? Are you here?" she called.

"Hermione?" Severus walked out of his bedroom, carrying a stack of books. "What's wrong? The baby? Are you all right?" He quickly placed the books on a table and moved to grip Hermione's arms.

"Nothing's wrong. Well, except for the fact that I missed you."

"You missed me? You scared me out of my mind because you missed me?" He pulled his arms away and walked back to his table, picking through his books.

"I didn't think missing someone was a problem. Clearly I was wrong. It's been a month since you've been home. I thought you would be happy to see me."

Severus sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I am happy to see you, Hermione. Where's Callie?"

"Draco thinks he's babysitting, but she's with Narcissa." She chuckled.

"I'm sorry I didn't check in with you tonight."

"You haven't checked in with me in days. You need to be honest with me, Severus. I know you were pushed into being a father to Callie, and I'm sorry if you felt you were pushed into a relationship with me. I love you, but I don't want to trap you. Say the word and we'll be gone." She watched him for a long moment. His long hands flexed around the book he was holding, and his eyes stayed trained on the floor.

"Okay, I'll be leaving. Give me a few days to find somewhere else to live, and I'll be out of your home. Thank you for all you did. You fulfilled your promise and I'll never forget it." Hermione turned and silently walked toward the door. She was trying to fight back the tears but they were flowing.

"Don't go," his deep voice whispered. "Please don't leave me."

Hermione turned around and looked at Severus. His eyes were on hers now, and they were pleading. "Don't go now, or don't go ever?" she asked.

"Ever. Please don't ever leave me," he said as he took the few steps towards her. "I love you. I love Callie. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I just don't want you to feel trapped. I haven't been there for you, and I'm sorry. I was overwhelmed with everything, and I didn't know how to cope. I was afraid you wanted a way out of our relationship, and I was trying to give you that time."

"Why would I want a way out? I love you!" she cried.

"But I'm old and cranky. You have your whole life ahead of you. You should get a chance to continue your education, use your brilliant mind."

"And you won't let me do that if we're together? Honestly, I thought we were past that. You aren't that old. You're only cranky when you are hungry and tired, but so is Callie. I do have my whole life ahead of me, but I'd prefer it if you were in that life. I can still go back to school and use my mind even if we are together. Preferably when we are together, as I'll need help with Callie. Please don't do this again. Don't push me away."

"Never again. I'm so sorry, Hermione." He reached out and ran his hands lightly over her cheeks, down her neck and to her shoulder. Pulling her toward him, he met her lips in a soft kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered before being consumed again in his touch and in his kiss.

"So how long is Narcissa willing to watch Callie?"

"We've got a few hours," she giggled as he nibbled on her neck.

"Let's make them count."

**************

"Daddy!"

Severus put down the book he was reading with a sigh. Why his children felt the need to stand in the middle of the house and yell was beyond him.

"I'm in the library, Callie."

"Daddy, Mum said to tell you that the guests are arriving." She stopped and took a deep breath. "Daddy, can you talk to Mum? She said that I couldn't bring a broom to school."

"Well, she's right of course." Severus normally agreed with his wife. It made life easier.

"Daddy! I'm a good flyer and I'm going to learn to fly anyway. Why can't I bring my own broom?" Callie whined, stomping her little foot.

"For one thing, you don't have your own broom. For another, you don't need your own unless you are on the Quidditch team."

"Papa said he'd get me a broom." She was quite persistent, this daughter of his.

"I said I'd get you a broom when you made the team," Harry said as he stepped in from the hallway. "I put a stipulation on that, Callina."

"So if I make the team my first year, I can have a broom?" Callie asked with a little hope in her bright green eyes.

"First years don't make the Quidditch teams, honey." Hermione came in to add to the conversation, followed by Ginny with baby Lily on her hip.

"Papa did," she argued.

"Well, Harry was an exception to every rule," Snape drawled from his place on the couch, picking up Phillip, the youngest of his three children and his only son. "Minerva never should have let a first year play."

"I was not an exception, I was exceptional," Harry teased. "You are a good flyer, Callie, and if you make the team, I promise I will get you a broom, no matter what your parents say."

"Thanks, Papa." She gave him a grin, one reserved only for him. She had both of her fathers wrapped around her finger, and she knew it.

"I don't know why you like to fly anyway." Hermione shuddered at the thought.

"It's in my genes, Mum, that's what Daddy always says."

"That it is." Severus chuckled. "You've got your mother's intelligence and Harry's reckless spirit."

"What do I have from you, Daddy?" Callie snuggled up against her father.

"You have my love. You always have my love."

Author's Note: Thank you so much to all of you who have stuck with me on this story. It's been amazing to read your reviews and they encourage me to keep writing. Thanks to SeverusLovesUs and Olgameisterfunk08 who were fabulous betas!