Chapter 3

A/N As always, thank you to my wonderful beta for her suggestions. I really hope you like the direction that the story is taking.

Hermione put her arm around her daughter. “I'm sorry that I had to leave and come back home before we finished doing your shopping, Nicoletta. Did you have a good time?”

“It's OK, Mum,” Nicoletta said. “And yes, I had a great time. I got talking to a girl named Emily while we were waiting to be measured for our robes. She was really nice.”

Hermione drew in her breath, but then put another smile on her face. “That's good. It's nice to meet other children.”

“Yes. After we got measured, she invited me to go with her and her cousins to get ice cream. I hope that's okay. I was supposed to meet you there anyway.” Nicoletta looked at her mother. “So, what did you want to tell me?

Hermione didn't answer for a moment, but then said, “Your father and I have some exciting news for you. What is it that you have been wanting for a long time, besides going to Hogwarts?”

Nicoletta thought for a moment, and then a smile spread over her face. “A brother or sister.”

Hermione smiled. “Well, not long after you come back from your first year at Hogwarts, you are going to become a big sister.”

“That's great!” Nicoletta exclaimed, throwing her arms around her mother. “Is that why you came home?”

Hermione nodded. “Yes. Sometimes I feel a little sick, but I am feeling better now. Did you get everything you needed?”

“Yes! I can't wait to go to Hogwarts!” Just then, a little black nose peeked around the corner, followed by the rest of a small kitten. “This is Shadow,” Nicoletta said, scooping up her kitten.

“Hello, Shadow. Nicoletta, why don't you go play with Shadow, and we'll be down in a few minutes.” Hermione could tell that Severus wanted to talk to her.

“OK. Come on, Shadow.” Nicoletta cuddled the kitten to her chest and left her parents' bedroom.

Severus shut the door behind his daughter and then sat beside Hermione on the bed. “She is happy about the baby.”

“I knew she would be, but I doubt that is what you wanted to say to me. Are you wondering why I didn't tell her about Harry and the others?”

“No, I believe that was wise. Hermione, Nicoletta was happy today. She was sitting with their children and having a good time. It is better if she does not know, for now.”

“I know. If we told her about the feud, we would be no better than Harry, Ron and Ginny. She needs to make her own decisions.”

“Did you see them today?” Severus looked at his wife, but did not read her mind. He trusted her to tell him the truth.

“I did,” she admitted quietly. “I saw Harry and Ginny in Flourish and Blotts along with Ron and Lavender. Lavender looks pregnant again, and I heard Ron say something about Emily. I guess they had a little girl. I know they saw me, but they didn't say anything to me. After all I did for them, after everything that we all went through...” She shook her head sadly.

Although Severus wanted to say something, he kept his mouth shut to spare his wife's feelings. He put his arms around her and held her for a moment, but then he felt her pull away.

“Let's go downstairs and spend time with Nicoletta. After all, she will only be here for two more weeks before she goes off to Hogwarts.”

***

Before Nicoletta, Hermione and Severus knew it, it was August 31st, the day before Nicoletta was going to board the Hogwarts Express. Hermione had made a special dinner for her daughter's last dinner at home until Christmas and placed warming charms on the dishes while she went to find Severus.

Knocking on his study door, she opened it to find him reading a letter that had just been delivered. His face was creased in a frown, and he sighed as he finished reading it and looked up at her.

“I have been asked to come back to Hogwarts and teach.”

“For how long?” Hermione asked, walking over to his desk.

“For the year. Horace Slughorn has a family emergency.”

“Is that something you want to do? Is she giving you a choice?” Hermione asked, thinking about what this could mean.

“She is not demanding it. She has left it up to me.”

“What do you want to do?” Hermione knew that there were both good points and bad points to Severus going back to Hogwarts to teach. “Your book will have to be put on hold.”

“I know that.” He looked at her, both of them knowing the book wasn't the real issue. “She needs my answer tonight.”

“Maybe we should ask Nicoletta's opinion. After all, it will affect her as well.”

Together, the two of them went to Nicoletta's room where she was packing her trunk.

“Nicoletta, we have something we want to talk to you about,” Hermione said, then looked at Severus.

“How would you feel if I was one of your professors?” Severus asked, his eyes on Nicoletta.

Nicoletta looked thoughtful for a moment. “What would you be teaching?”

“I would be your Potions professor.”

“That could be cool, I think,” Nicoletta answered. “Yeah, I think I would like that.”

Hermione looked at Severus and shrugged. Perhaps it would be okay.

“Let's have dinner. I'll make a decision after.”

***

Nicoletta looked into her trunk and made certain that she had everything that she needed for the next day. Books, robes, underclothes, cloak, potion ingredients, vials, wand...

“I think I'm all ready to go, Shadow. Just think, tomorrow you and I are going on a train. We're going to be living in a castle, and I'm going to learning all kinds of spells. Maybe I'll even learn how to turn you into a toad or something.”

Shadow mewed in response, as if she didn't like that idea.

“Don't worry – it wouldn't be permanent. I'm sure that they will teach me how to turn you back.”

A knock came at her door and her mum walked in.

“You should get some sleep, Nicoletta. You have a big day tomorrow.”

“Alright, Mum, but I doubt I'll be able to sleep. I'm too excited!” Nicoletta got into her bed.

“Well, try and get some rest. I know you're excited, but it's a long trip to Hogwarts.” Bending down, Hermione kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Sweet dreams, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight, Mum,” she said with a smile. She watched her mother leave and then realized that she didn't know what her dad had decided about the teaching job. Oh well, she would find out the next day.

Despite her protestations, it wasn't long after she closed her eyes that she went to sleep. No one in the house could foresee what the next day would bring.