Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Severus and Hermione were preparing dinner, waiting for Eugene to come home from school. Severus was strangely quiet as he chopped and diced his ingredients. Hermione waited patiently for him to speak to her. It had been a very emotional moment they had shared, something that bound a person to another if it was done just right. She waited for him to sort out his emotions. For her, it was simple. She loved him. She was having his child, and she adored him. She would cherish him and never take him for granted. However, she couldn't let her feelings crowd his mind. So, she had gently continued with her work, waiting for his decision.

He paused as he poured the wine into the saucepan. "I don't want to wait, Hermione. Let's marry now. I love you so much, and my child is growing inside you...let's do it!" he said enthusiastically.

Hermione continued to work slowly on the salad. "Are you quite sure, Severus?" she whispered as she struggled not to look into his eyes. "I want this decision to be from your heart, not that you owe me or Eugene anything," she replied emotionally.

"I love you," he said with a hint of hurt in his tone. "I have broken the need to do things out of coercion. When Dumbledore and the Dark Lord perished, I promised myself there would be no more rulers or despots to own my soul. I never thought my own mind would betray me. Nevertheless, I am my own man. I chose you as my lover, and I am so happy you are pregnant with my child. I want to be with you for always. So, why should we wait?"

He looked at her intensely. Hermione could feel his eyes on her. She shifted her eyes upwards. "As soon as we can make a plan, I will marry you, Severus," she whispered.

Severus caught her in an embrace and kissed her cheek quickly. Hermione smiled as she felt his arms encircle her. It would be an ideal moment for more, but there still was dinner to finish and a boy coming home from school to enjoy the news.

***

They married that next week in the old church in Grasmere. It was a private and quiet ceremony with Eugene as Severus' best man and an elderly woman who was always working at the church as her matron of honor. They prepared immediately to face the world they both had left, for feeling so unworthy and unhappy in it.

***

It had been a difficult journey from where Hermione had started from to this point now. She walked along the road that led to the Burrow. The last time, she had been alone. Now, she came with a family.

Eugene was eager to meet more wizards like himself; nothing was going to ruin this moment. Severus and Hermione were both anxious about being accepted. Severus would have been happy to stay far away indefinitely. However, he knew he needed to do this for the young Mr. Potter.

Hermione was even more upset. She didn't know how she was going to face Ron. She had not spoken with him for two years, and now, she was coming to his home with a husband and soon to be adopted son. Then there was the matter of the baby that was growing quickly inside of her.

As they continued walking up towards the Burrow, Severus asked nervously, "You did remember to warn them of our arrival, didn't you?"

"Um, I just said we would be arriving today, but I didn't include any information," she replied as she winced, waiting for him to blow.

"No information at all!" he hissed. "Holy Mother of Merlin! I do not need this drama."

Hermione swallowed and said, "Please, Severus. We must. We can't hide forever."

"Of course we can!" he growled. He inhaled deeply and straightened his frock coat. "Fine," he said sharply, watching Eugene going farther ahead. "If I must be ogled at like freak of nature, so be it. However, I am not going to take any cheek from that little shit."

"Which 'shit' are you referring to?" she asked with a small grin.

"Weasley, of course!" he snapped angrily.

"Look, Severus, we aren't here for him. It just so happens that Harry still lives here with Ginny," she explained nervously.

He looked at her strangely. "A wizard that would willingly live under the same roof as his mother-in-law must be truly mad," he stated.

Hermione sighed and whispered, "Harry isn't well, Severus. He hasn't been well for a long time. Your disappearance nearly destroyed him."

Severus rolled his eyes. "I still don't understand why. It wasn't as if we had a connection or even tolerated each other!" he sneered.

Hermione stopped them and led the both of them away from Eugene. "Severus, he had those memories. You had loved his mother. You knew her more than anyone did, he believes. Therein lies your connection. In addition, he thought you had given your life for him...and you had! He understood all the years you watched out for him and what an ungrateful child he was to you, never showing you respect or any thanks."

Hermione rubbed her temples and said, "He took you and built you up as this angel watching over him, that you cared deeply about him and then at the same time, lowered himself to that level of an undeserving boy who had rejected your sacrifices. His distortions...you can understand...is how you had suffered. You need to help him right his mind and conceptions of you and himself. I also think you should apologize for being a bastard to him when he came to Grasmere just to help you!" she said disapprovingly.

Severus looked uncomfortable. He was sullen at first and then blurted out, "The fact is that I don't know what to say without hurting him more. I didn't care about him, I hated his existence, and I only helped him because Dumbledore forced me. If I had any affection at all, it would have been because of Lily. He was just so much like his father!" he spat.

Hermione closed her eyes. "I-I don't know what to say, Severus. You can't tell him he meant nothing to you. I think it would kill him. I think you should just graciously accept his apologies and assuage his guilt. He needs forgiveness, Severus. That is what it comes down to. Tell him you are grateful he worked hard to fight for you. Because he did, Severus," she reminded him. "Harry fought the Wizengamot fiercely to keep looking for you. Then when they shut him down, he worked and fought on your behalf to petition your portrait to be included with all the other past Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts. Just be grateful...please! Someone cared to fight for you. Recognize it, and set him free!"

Severus took her into his arms and held her tightly. "I will, Hermione. I'll do my part. I think I can find some gratitude for him. At least someone worried if my body was rotting away somewhere without a care or if I had been held prisoner. He did care that much," he whispered.

Hermione broke from him and nodded. "That's a good start."

They clasped hands and called for Eugene to come back. Hermione held her hand out for Eugene's. Together, as a family, they went to free the last of them who needed forgiveness and relief.

***

Ginny came out of the house and greeted them nervously. "Hermione, Severus...I-I can't tell you how happy I am you are here."

Then she fixed her eyes on Eugene and said, "You must be the little boy I've heard so much about."

"Hullo, ma'am," he whispered nervously.

Ginny placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned down to whisper to him. "I've got fresh biscuits cooling on my table. Why don't you do get some before the herd comes in and eats them all?"

Eugene smiled at the young redhead and turned to Hermione and Severus.

"Well, on with you!" Severus said urgently. "It's not everyday one gets full access to fresh biscuits!"

Eugene grinned and ran off towards the house.

***

Hermione looked at Ginny anxiously. "Will he be all right?"

"Oh, yes," Ginny said airily. "We've been expecting you to arrive. Come on, Hermione, looks like you have been quite busy of late," she joked as she looked at the small bulge under Hermione's robes.

Hermione and Severus sat on the porch's long bench as Ginny pulled up a chair.

She folded her hands in her lap and said softly, "Harry hasn't been well. He came back a bit upset from his trip to Grasmere. It's been difficult. He had to stop Auror Training..."

"He what?" Severus snapped.

"He had to stop Auror Training," Ginny repeated, completely unfazed by Severus' temper.

Severus got up swiftly and made his way inside. Ginny smiled weakly. "Well, I'm glad that's done with. If anyone can get Harry out of his funk, I'm sure Professor Snape can," she said, sounding more enthusiastic. "At least, he won't brook any arguments."

"Ginny," Hermione said, not knowing where to start. "Severus and I...well, we're married. We're taking in Eugene as our own, and now we have this one coming as well," she said as she patted her little bulge.

"Ron has been seeing a number of girls since you left," Ginny replied reservedly. "Mum's been after him constantly to settle down. He's just been so tied up with Auror Training; he's not been able to have time for a long-term relationship. It's going to hurt him to see you with Professor Snape."

Hermione grasped her friend's hand. "Ginny, I swear, this was not a plot against Ron. I didn't know that Severus was even alive when I left here. My leaving Ron had nothing to do with Severus. We just weren't compatible."

"I know," Ginny sighed. "But still, it will be hard. I reckon he'll live though," she said with a grin. "Hermione, I am so happy for you and the professor," she said as she hugged her friend tightly.

***

As the women made their peace with each other, Snape was on his way to have a chat with Mr. Potter. He walked in the house and was greeted by Molly and Arthur.

"Merlin's Beard!" exclaimed Arthur as he slowly rose up from his chair. "So, it's true. Severus Snape is among the living!"

Molly smiled as she grabbed him and hugged him fiercely. "I expect you to stay round for supper, and I'll not have a word otherwise about it!" she said bossily.

Severus stared at Eugene who was eating chocolate biscuits and gulping down milk happily while Molly tutted over his clothes and appearance. He walked in closer and heard Molly's lamenting.

"I know Hermione must have worked wonders with the both of you!" she declared. "However, if this boy is anything like you, Severus, he probably needs round the clock feeding! I'm sure Hermione does very well, but it never hurts to have an extra hand once in a while."

As she busied herself with her pots and pans, Severus leaned towards Arthur. "Who is all here?" he asked.

"Well, Ron...but he won't be home until late, and George, as well. He still can't bring himself to stay overnight in the flat over the store. Then Ginny and Harry."

"Is Mr. Potter here?" he asked delicately.

"Yes," answered Arthur, looking confused. "Up the stairs, first door on the left."

"Thank you, Arthur," he said quietly and walked up the steps cautiously.

***

He knocked on the door, and a low voice answered, "Come in."

Severus opened the door and saw Harry sprawled supine on the bed. He looked ragged and sickly. The room wasn't doing better either.

"Well, I don't know how your bride can bear to live in this rubbish tip," he said as he canvassed the room.

"She doesn't," replied Harry nastily. "I bet that makes you happy now. Harry Potter and his young bride are already living in separate rooms."

Severus winced at the bite in his tone. He decided to stop the animosity and just talk with the young wizard.

"Potter," he said as he came into the room closer to him. "I know why you are doing this, and it is understandable. So many things have been taken from you and so little control has been in your possession."

He came to a chair and sat across from Harry.

"I came not to gloat over your marital strife, but to talk with you. I know that you have had a difficult time with accepting your mother's relationship with me, and then all the years I watched out for you, I was a cruel bastard at the same time. It's a wonder you didn't go mad whilst in school," he said softly.

"So what do you want?" snapped Harry. "I've given you everything I have. I came to you to help you, and you threw it back in my face!"

Snape swallowed and said, "Potter, I hated that you had to be the rescuer for me. I hated being vulnerable in front of Hermione and Eugene, so I lashed out at you. I am sorry. I truly am. If I could repeat that moment, I would. I would have enveloped you into our new family and would have been grateful for restoring to me what was mine. I know you have been tight-lipped about it, and only a select few know. I came to thank you for your discretion and your kindness."

He reached out his hand, and Harry shook it, reluctantly.

Snape took a deep breath and carried on. "I also want to tell you that I am grateful that you cared enough to search for me. Hermione told me everything...how hard you worked and suffered. I just want you to know that you did well, Potter. It wasn't your fault you couldn't find me. I wanted it that way. That's why I broke my wand. Harry, I want you to forgive yourself, for I hold nothing against you about that day."

Harry looked up at him with tears in his emerald eyes. "I never should have let you go," he whispered. "I left you there bleeding and alone. It wasn't right!"

"Potter," Severus said sternly. The younger wizard looked up at him with wide green eyes. Severus crossed his arms and looked down at the floor. It was just too much to see those eyes.

"You don't need to carry it anymore. I don't condemn you, so you needn't punish yourself anymore," he said softly as he continued to look away from him.

Harry covered his face and cried. Snape was at a loss. What was he to do with a crying man? He waited until Harry had calmed somewhat and said, "Well, let's hope this is now over, and you can put this in the past," Snape said stiffly. "Now, get back to your training! Putting your life on hold because you feel unworthy or unforgiven? That's insane, not to mention self-indulgent on a level that is far beneath anything I have ever seen in you! You can't wait for others to forgive you...forgive yourself! Now, live your life." He stood and made his way towards the door.

Harry asked, "How is Hermione?"

Severus stopped and turned around slowly. "She is well. We married and are having a child," he said, feeling embarrassed.

Harry wasn't shocked by the news. "And the boy... Eugene, right? Is he still around?"

"Yes," Snape replied. "Hermione and I will adopt him as soon as possible. He'll be going to Hogwarts in September."

Snape navigated his way out to the doorway and said sharply, "Get this room in order so your wife can rejoin you. I expect you to be back working at the Ministry and giving more attention to your wife than yourself!"

He marched out and went downstairs only to face a waiting Ronald Weasley.

Shite! he thought exasperatedly. He steadied himself for a fight. He saw Hermione out of the corner of his eye, her face red and eyes puffy. She was sniffing as if she had been crying hard. Ginny was there next to her, her face white as a sheet.

Severus was furious. That little bastard had made his wife cry. My pregnant wife! She looked upset, and that wasn't good for her in her condition.

"Mrs. Potter," he said smoothly. "I believe your husband requires your assistance."

Ginny reluctantly left Hermione side. When she had gone to the top of the stairs, Severus turned his attention to his wife. He walked cautiously towards her.

"Hermione?" he whispered. "Are you feeling all right?" He sat next to her, ignoring Weasley, concerned with her physical state. He rubbed her stomach and kissed her temple. She drew a shaky breath and leaned into him.

"Is this how your parents raised you, Weasley? To berate and terrorize women in delicate conditions?"

"How could you, Hermione?" Ron whispered as he looked at Hermione, ignoring Snape. "After all the years we've had? The things we shared? Did it mean nothing to you to cast me aside without warning?"

"She did no such thing, you idiot!" Severus snapped at him. "She left you after breaking your engagement. Please, try to attempt at keeping a sense of continuity concerning facts."

Ron walked closer towards her. "I will never forgive you for this," he spat viciously.

"Then that will be your hardship, Ronald, not mine," she whispered quietly.

Severus looked at Weasley as the younger wizard glared sullenly at him. Severus placed an arm around his wife and said, "Let's collect the boy and be on our way. There is nothing left for us here."

Hermione nodded slowly and let Severus support her. They went into the kitchen to make their apologies to Molly and get Eugene.

Ginny and Harry came cautiously down the stairs, looking warily at the scene before them. Harry spoke up and said, "Professor, I have something left that belongs to you."

Severus turned and saw Harry hold out a long ebony wand. "My wand," he breathed. "However did you repair it?"

Harry sighed and replied, "It wasn't an easy feat, but I knew I had to do it. I took the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's Tomb one last time and repaired it. I had done the same for my own. I'm rather partial to it. I figured you might be partial to yours as well."

Severus forced himself to look into the bright green eyes before him and allowed the relief, pain, and regret wash over him. He didn't try to fight it anymore. "Thank you," he whispered as he took his wand into his hand. He closed his eyes and felt the magic within him sing. He felt better than he had in a very long time.