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The Headmaster's Wife	By : Mrs_HH Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 96752 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 23
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 18
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We need to talk about Draco

As the warm early morning light began to spill into the Headmaster's bedroom it seemed that this day could not have had a better start. It caressed the skin of the two lovers, enhancing the glow surrounding them as they reached, quite literally the climax of their lovemaking.

Crashing over the edge together they lay almost motionless for a few minutes trying to regulate their breathing. As he rolled onto his side, still panting heavily, he brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her thoroughly. She hadn't given him the opportunity to kiss her properly this morning. He woke up to her ministrations and from that moment he was lost. So naturally he was making up for his lack of a good morning snog.

"Well that was a nice way to be woken up," Severus said as wrapped his arms around his witch. He kissed her forehead before putting his finger under her chin and lifting it so he could place a soft, lingering kiss on her red swollen lips.

"Good morning to you too," Hermione whispered before giggling into his chest. She didn't know why she was giggling but it might have had something to with the fact that she'd initiated sex for the first time and she was secretly pleased that she had been so emboldened.

She'd woken up lying on Severus' chest which was somewhat unusual for her. She looked up at her sleeping wizard and smiled. She brushed his hair from his face just so she could look at him. He looked so adorable when he was asleep. She'd told him that the other day. He just arched an eyebrow and walked out of the room. Then she heard him say in her head, What can I say? Some of us are blessed!

As she watched his eyelashes flutter softly she couldn't help but sigh. He was dreaming and she thanked Merlin that this dream seemed more pleasant than the nightmare he'd had in the night. It didn't take long for her to soothe him but she wished she could take away the pain. She wished he didn't have to endure the demons of his past as often as he did.

But to see him sleeping peacefully was beautiful. She listened to his soft breathing and the steady rhythm of his heart. Every time his heart beat it felt like a little miracle. There was a time when she felt his heart stop beating. She didn't want to experience that again for a very long time and every day she said a silent prayer thanking whoever it was that saw fit to make his heart beat again.

But then she couldn't help herself. She smiled as her eyes travelled down his body and realised that not all of him was asleep. And he'd been so unselfish for the last few days. It had all been about her and it was only right that she said thank you...properly. She planted soft kisses down over his abdomen pulling the sheets back as she went until eventually she was looking at one of her favourite sights. She licked her lips and lowered her mouth onto him.

It was then Severus' eyes flickered open aware of a very wet, hot and oh gods what is she doing with her...? Oh fuck that's good sensation.

"Are you hungry?" Hermione asked him sleepily.

"Funnily enough I am after that work out," Severus smirked. He needed coffee otherwise he knew he would end up falling back to sleep as she snuggled into him.

"And what are you hungry for?" she whispered seductively as she trailed a finger down the centre of his chest.

Severus groaned, "You're fucking insatiable 'Mione but if I don't eat something other than your delectable..."

"I don't have a problem with that," Hermione interrupted with a cheeky grin as her hand travelled further south.

"Breakfast first and then we'll see," Severus said pulling her arm away to prevent her touching his ever hardening cock.

Hermione pouted at him to show her displeasure but Severus was unmoved. She quickly pecked him on the cheek and called Winky to fetch their breakfast as Severus wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her shoulder.

"I meant to ask," Hermione said swallowing a mouthful of bacon sandwich, "what the hell did you do to Neville yesterday?"

"Nothing why? I thought I was being nice," Severus said shrugging before he arched an eyebrow. "You told me I had to try and be nice."

"It sounds like you opened up a bloody charm offensive. He asked me if I'd used an Imperious on you because in his exact words "who the bloody hell was that and what have you done with the real Professor Snape?"

Severus laughed and shook his head, "I can't bloody win can I? What did you tell him?"

"I said I'd Polyjuiced Filius to pretend to be you and you were my sex slave and were tied to my bed," she giggled.

"You better not have done," Severus exclaimed but then added, "although the idea is growing on me," as he grabbed her round the waist and wrestled her onto her back.

"So it seems," she said smirking as something hard nudged up against her. But then she said more seriously, "I'm glad you were nice to him. He's changed so much though. He's still quite shy but he's never been afraid to stand up for what he believes in. He's stood up to Bellatrix and Voldemort and even in the first year I had to cast Petrificus Totalis on him in so he wouldn't tell on us when we went after the Philosopher's Stone"

"Oh yes. I remember it well. I was hurt you solved my riddle with such alacrity," Severus said rolling his eyes.

Hermione giggled. "Yes, I could see through you even then!"

"Why you cheeky insufferable know-it-all," Severus snarked but his eyes were smiling as he teased her with his once favourite epithet for her.

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him and continued with her assessment of Neville. "But his ideas are impressive and he's passionate about the research he wants to do. I just wish he had a bit more self esteem"

"I agree, sweetheart," Severus said draining his coffee and summoning another pot. "He needs to realise how instrumental he was in ending the war and he will in time. His ideas though are so clear. He impressed me too and I actually look forward to working with him. He will be of such benefit to us.

"I got the impression though that he was a little shocked at our relationship," Severus said brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"A little shocked is probably an understatement," Hermione laughed, "but the more I told him about us, the more he came round to it. He even said we were both very lucky to have each other. Shame about him and Luna though."

Severus shrugged. "Well I think Miss Lovegood has other things on her mind and as for Neville...I don't think Luna was the right..."

"Sex?" Hermione ventured.

Severus went to speak and then closed his mouth. He smirked and inclining his head towards her and said softly, "That was the impression I got but they might simply not have been right for each other"

"Maybe. Anyway do you want to talk about Draco now?" Hermione asked as she refilled their cups with coffee.

Severus put his arm around her. His voice was laced with concern. "I'm rather worried about him, Hermione"

"What's worrying you, love," Hermione asked taking a sip of coffee.

"Everything really. He's not himself," Severus said sighing deeply as he stared into the blackness of his coffee cup.

"I've suspected for a while that all was not well. I felt he was rather overlooked after the end of war. He had no one to talk to. He couldn't speak to Lucius whilst he was in Azkaban, Narcissa left as soon as she thought Lucius might be released and I was either incapacitated or under house arrest pending my trial"

Severus paused. Hermione could see the pain in his eyes as he tried to compose his thoughts.

"I couldn't speak with him until early June but I was pleased to hear he'd befriended you. It was just a shame he was left on his own in that house before he came to you. You gave him a lifeline after Narcissa left. I just wish I could have been there for him"

"There was nothing you could have done about that, sweetheart. He understood that you couldn't see him. He wanted to but he knew it wasn't possible," Hermione said as she moved so that her back was against his chest. Severus arm snaked round further as he enjoyed the warmth of her body against his.

"I know but that doesn't make it any better. He was still on his own. He was vulnerable and no one was there for him," he said taking another sip of his coffee and then said angrily, "I still can't believe Narcissa left the way she did". Hermione squeezed his thigh. "Of course had she thought Lucius was going to be convicted she would have probably stayed"

"That doesn't make sense," Hermione said looking confused.

"It's wizarding etiquette. If he was in Azkaban she could have moved her lover in and everyone would have said 'oh poor Narcissa...of course she needs a man around'. But it wouldn't do for her to have an acknowledged lover when Lucius was released. You see a witch can have an affair as long as she is discrete but a wizard can have as many acknowledged lovers as he likes. They just can't be married"

That was like lighting the blue touch paper as far as Hermione was concerned. She craned her neck round to look at him. "That is so wrong. I mean it's sexist and misogynistic and..."

"I know and I don't agree with it. It's not something we need to worry about. And don't put your campaigning hat on because I don't think fighting for a witch's right to have as many acknowledged lovers as she wants would go down too well," Severus said smirking as she huffed at the injustice.

"Well I wouldn't fight for that obviously but I'm relieved to hear that we don't need to worry about it," Hermione said with a smile.

He couldn't help laughing. "Why would I want someone else when I've got you? I will never betray you," Severus said cupping her cheek and kissing her gently.

Hermione leaned into his hand. "Nor I you," she whispered and snuggled back into him. He tightened his hold on her and continued.

"And of course, by leaving Lucius and abandoning Draco, the Ministry are more likely to grant a divorce on the grounds of abandonment," Severus said as he considered the situation.

"Selfish bitch," Hermione said under her breath.

Severus chuckled. "I would say she is more single minded than anything else. If Lucius claims abandonment, and I really don't know what his thoughts are on the matter, she will get nothing but the money she has in her own name. It doesn't excuse her though.

"It was obvious something was amiss when I first saw him after my release. There wasn't a trace of Malfoy arrogance about him and he hugged me. The last time he hugged me was just before he went to Hogwarts. Even in your 6th year when you would think he needed a hug, he would move if I so much as put my hand on his shoulder. And then he asked me if Lucius would be be angry that he'd made friends with Hermione Granger"

"And what did you say?" Hermione asked turning round and kissing his chest.

"I said he could do worse and if ever he found himself with his throat ripped out and bitten by a snake you're useful to have around," Severus said squeezing her. "And then I interrogated him about how he felt about you. I don't know why. He said he absolutely adored you," Severus swallowed hard as he said this. "I have to admit I was a little jealous but I didn't understand why because the mind lock was still in place at that point. And then I was even more confused when I wanted to punch the wall the moment he told me you were seeing Weasley"

Hermione giggled. Severus kissed her hair and said, "That aside what really bothered me, and please don't take this the wrong way because I can see now how much he loves you, was how quickly he latched onto you. What actually happened when he first came to see you?"

"It'll probably be easier if you look" Hermione said sitting up and facing him.

"You want me to look?" Severus' eyes were wide with surprise.

"Yes. Just don't pull out too early again and be gentle with me," Hermione giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"I believe I learnt my lesson last time darling and I'm always gentle...unless you ask me not to be," he smirked as he kissed her nose. "Come here then," he said and she sat straddling his thighs. He took her hands and asked "Are you ready?"

Hermione smiled and nodded as she prepared her mind by throwing up her wards. She didn't hear him say Legilimens but she felt him inside her mind. He walked up a bright white corridor towards a door which was slightly ajar. Pushing it open he walked in. Her control impressed him.

Hermione was walking down the stairs at Grimmauld Place. She'd just called down to say goodbye to Harry as he left to visit Ginny. Hermione was alone, grateful for the solitude. She wanted to spend the day in the library to think...to think about the man she loved. His trial was next week and she'd been through his memories preparing his defence. She couldn't do any more. If they didn't acquit him she didn't know if she wanted to live in a world with no justice or respect for a man who had given up everything and done things which she knew had broken his heart. And for what? Just so people like her could be free from prejudice. He'd fought for her and for Lily. He'd protected Lily's son. And Hermione loved him. She knew it now.

Severus watched as she sat curled up in a wing back chair, lost in her thoughts.

But she was with Ron. She did love Ron. It was just the wrong kind of love. The problem was the love Ron felt for her, she felt for another man. But there was little hope of him loving her like Ron did. He'd been her teacher. It was just a crush. How could he love an insufferable know-it-all? How could the man who she'd watched over in his hospital bed love her? Images of the Shrieking Shack came to her. She remembered how she'd held him, kissed him and told him that she loved him. Tears began to form in her eyes.

Thoughts of how his body went limp when his breathing and heart stopped came flooding back and she recalled how the tears poured from her. She then realised that she was actually crying with the same intensity as she had on that fateful day. Suddenly she looked up as the wards vibrated.

Severus' heart ached as he watched her tears fall for him. He realised he'd begun tracing circles on the back of her hands with his thumbs.

She wasn't expecting anyone and so with her wand drawn she edged towards the door. She looked through the spyhole and pulled back in shock. She considered turning on her heel. He was facing the street and all she could see was the back of his blonde head. But then he turned round. He looked awful.

For all his bile and arrogance, Hermione had always thought he was handsome. But the boy...no the man...on the other side of the door looked broken. She knew his father's trial was the day after Severus'...yes she did refer to him as Severus now. But whereas Severus was under house arrest, Lucius was being held at Azkaban again. Something made her open the door.

She expected him to spit out her name. She expected him to say "Alright Granger" with his usual arrogance. But instead he looked at the floor and just said "How are you Hermione?"

Suddenly she found herself asking if he wanted some tea. He attempted to smile. She walked into the kitchen and he followed. The portraits erupted as a true Black descendent walked through the house and questioned why he would want visit a filthy mudblood. He snapped at them to shut up. Hermione wanted to turn and look at him but couldn't. She just made the tea in silence.

It was an uncomfortable silence only broken by Hermione asking him how he took his tea. "Milk and one sugar please," he replied and then said something curious. "I suppose with your parents being...ummm dentists is it?...you don't approve of me adding sugar."

"It's not really any of my concern is it Malfoy?" she half bit back at him.

"It's Draco, Hermione. Call me Draco," he said with a pleading tone in his voice. Hermione gave him a half-hearted smile in acknowledgement.

They sat in the kitchen drinking their tea in silence but the atmosphere was a little warmer than before. Neither of them looked at each other. Hermione sat with her knees pulled up under her chin holding her mug in both hands. Draco was reclining with one leg extended staring at the mug and slowly pushing it round by the handle.

Hermione drained her mug and put it on the kitchen table. She looked up at the ceiling seeking inspiration when Draco asked, "Would you like another cup of tea? I'll make it"

"I didn't know you knew how to do something so menial," Hermione said sardonically.

"I make brilliant tea," he said with some of his usual arrogance. "When your godfather is a Potions Master you have no choice but to learn about the fine art of brewing tea," Draco quipped and flashed her a small smile.

Hermione froze. Of course he was Severus' godson. How could she have forgotten? "Why are you here?" Hermione asked. Her curiosity was peaked.

"First of all do you want some more tea or not?" Draco asked again.

"Y-yes please...thank you," she said eyeing him up. She knew she should feel suspicious but there was something so boyish, so disarming about him and she knew he wasn't even turning on the Malfoy charm.

As Draco filled the kettle he turned his head slightly towards Hermione. "If I'm honest I'm here for two reasons. First of all, I have heard from my Father's lawyers that he is likely to be released without charge. The information he has given to the Ministry has led to a number of high profile arrests and he has denounced Voldemort. Father said he had made the decision to defect during the final battle. He said he had an epiphany"

Hermione snorted, "It's amazing what the threat of a life sentence will make you say isn't it?"

"Maybe but he's changed. His last stint in Azkaban broke him, Hermione. When you were brought to the manor Father objected to your being brought there and to your treatment. I just wanted to you to know that.

“But Aunt Bella couldn't be reasoned with. We just wanted to survive but something did happen to him in that battle. I don't know what but he turned himself in, Hermione. He's a proud man. It was a way to regain some of his dignity. And in a similar vain I am here to beg your forgiveness," he said turning to look at her.

She looked up as he closed the gap between them and fell to his knees. Desperately grabbing her hands he looked up at her and Hermione saw his pained eyes filling with tears just as she'd seen a few times in their sixth year.

This was wrong; it was awkward. Hermione tried to move but Draco shifted so he was directly in front of her again. "Please Hermione. Hear me out. I need your forgiveness. I need you. I don't know why I need you..."

Hermione interrupted him. "Draco I'm seeing Ron..."

Severus wanted to snarl at the thought of her and Ron. And then he felt quite smug because Ron didn't have her anymore. She was all his.

"I know that. I don't mean...I mean you're attractive and well if you wanted to I wouldn't say no but I don't need you like that. I...I need you to be my friend. I want to be your friend. Please Hermione. I don't have anyone to...I don't know who else to turn to," Draco pleaded.

Hermione looked aghast. This was surreal. The Malfoy heir, the boy whom she loathed, the boy who stood by and watched her being tortured, was on his knees with tears in his eyes begging her for forgiveness and asking to be her friend.

"Why me?" Hermione asked him cautiously.

"Because I know I can trust you. You're helping my godfather's defence so you know about me. You know what he did for me. If he'd died I...he's the only one I can rely on. Well he is if he's not still disappointed with me. I think I can rely on you. Please Hermione," he said desperately.

Severus arched an eyebrow at this. How could he think he was disappointed with him?

She shook her head and sighed. She didn't know what to say. Her instinct was to throw him out after a severe verbal beating but she couldn't.

She suddenly became aware of the kettle whistling and before she could stop herself the words fell from her lips, "I'll see how good your tea making skills are before I make a decision"

Draco looked at her wide eyed and a small smile graced his lips. "I promise you this will be the best tea you'll ever have until Uncle Sev makes it for you"

"Ha! When will Severus Snape ever make me tea?" she snorted incredulously trying to hide the fact that she would do anything to have tea with him.

Severus realised he hadn't actually made her tea yet. He resolved to fix that as soon as possible.

"When he's acquitted I'm sure he'll be more than happy to. I know the press are heaping praise on the healers for saving him but I know it was you," Draco smirked as he stirred the tea before removing the tea bags.

"Do you have to stir the tea five times to clockwise, once counter clockwise and four time clockwise again?" Hermione asked relaxing somewhat.

Severus smiled. How did she know?

"Something like that. I can't remember," Draco smirked.

"Not paying attention in Potions, Draco? That's shocking," Hermione now giggled. What the hell was happening here? Why was she giggling with Draco Malfoy?

"Here you go," Draco said putting down her mug on the table and sitting on the chair next to her.

She picked up the mug of steaming hot tea and inhaled. It smelled good. And after blowing on it, to cool it down, she took a sip and smiled, "You can make me tea whenever you like Draco"

Draco didn't know if he was pushing his luck but he put his hand on Hermione's and said solemnly, "Thank you for at least giving me a chance"

Severus then scanned through a large section of conversation. They had talked for hours.

Hermione looked shocked to learn that the morning after their lawyer had arranged for their house arrest to be lifted, Draco woke to an empty house and a letter on his bedside table. Narcissa said she was leaving his father. She said she loved Draco but couldn't be with Lucius anymore and it was was time Draco stood on his own two feet. She said it was time she was selfish and live her own life with a man who loved her.

From that moment Draco was living alone at Malfoy Manor. The place had been decimated by Voldemort, and his more 'enthusiastic' Inner Circle's, stay. He was having trouble sleeping; his dreams haunted by the atrocities he was forced to witness. He was haunted by the fact that he and Lucius were labelled cowards and failures constantly.

He told her of his Aunt's taunting. "What will you do when your Uncle Sevvie isn't around to hold your hand Draco? Will you cry like a baby? After all your father is just as useless as you. You're pathetic. And to think The Dark Lord once wanted you to be his heir".

Severus winced. He remembered the day Voldemort and the rest of the Inner Circle arrived at Malfoy Manor unannounced to declare his intention to make a three month old Draco his heir. The night Voldemort disappeared they all breathed a collective sigh of relief on Draco's behalf. And by the time Voldemort returned, Lucius was rapidly losing favour making Draco unworthy. It was only his money that kept him in the Inner Circle.

"Do you know what it's like to be in a lose-lose situation?" Draco asked her. He told her he knew he wasn't capable of killing Dumbledore and he knew he and his father would die because of his failing. He told her that he'd envied her, Harry and Ron because whatever happened they had hope. Even if they'd lost, they had tried and better to die a martyr than a coward.

He told her he was angry when Narcissa said Severus had made the Unbreakable Vow. He pushed Severus away. He told Hermione of his love and respect for Severus and that he didn't want him to go to Azkaban just because he was weak. And then Severus fulfilled his promise and killed Dumbledore for him.

Draco told her of the pain and the guilt he felt. He told her how he feared Severus was angry with him. As they left and Severus had repelled Harry's litany of insults and hexes, he tried to talk to his godfather but he just spat "I can't talk to you now" and strode off towards the castle. Draco feared he was a source of disappointment to him.

'Oh bollocks' Severus thought. He was trying to get to Hermione to explain so she wouldn't hate him. He didn't mean to make Draco feel like that.

Draco told her he couldn't stand being on his own anymore and the wait for Severus' and his father's trial seemed never ending. He needed a friend and he knew she understood what had happened. He didn't know if she would have anything to do with him after everything that he had done to her. But that morning he woke up and decided to prove he wasn't a coward and at least try. If all else failed he would have at least apologised to Hermione.

They talked about Severus. Hermione was passionate about Severus' case and Draco studied her intently as if trying to work something out.

She told Draco that she could see a change in him and could sense genuine remorse. And she said she understood how he had struggled. She told him about what she had done to her parents and that she too was alone.

Severus felt guilty. It never really occurred to him how alone she felt. But even if they couldn't get her parents back, she would never be alone. If all else failed she would always have him.

Looking at the clock Hermione knew that Harry would be home soon. She didn't really want him to come home and find Draco sat there. She had no idea why she asked it but she blurted out, "Have you ever been to see a muggle film?"

Severus smiled to himself. That must be her chat up line because she asked him if he wanted to go and see a muggle film with her. He had pointed out that he was in fact quite au fait with the muggle world. And yes he would go with her.

Draco walked Hermione to the front door. They had decided to walk from the cinema and had been enthusiastically discussing his first muggle film all the way back. Standing outside Grimmauld Place he took her hand and kissed it.

"Hermione I was wondering if perhaps we could go and see another film soon? Just as friends and only if Ron doesn't mind"

"Yes that would be nice and don't worry about Ron. He's never around much," Hermione said quietly, if not slightly bashfully.

"Well I better go," he said smiling. "Will you accept my owls?"

"Yes I will, Draco," she said smiling softly.

"Drakey..."

"Pardon?"

"It's what Mother calls me and you can call me that as well," he said blushing.

Severus knew he had stumbled across a number of answers. He intended to make Narcissa aware of how Draco was feeling.

"I don't know if I can call you Drakey...you don't seem like a pet name kind of guy". Hermione was trying not to giggle.

"Well you don't have to but I'd quite like it if you did," Draco said timidly.

"OK then," Hermione said smiling softly.

Suddenly Draco threw his arms around her holding on for dear life. "Thank you Hermione. You don't know how much that means to me," Draco said biting back the tears.

"You're welcome...Drakey," Hermione said testing his nickname out. It felt strange but no stranger than him asking her to call him it.

"I'll owl you soon," Draco promised and kissed her cheek. "Take care sweetie," and with that he Apparated away.

She felt the rushing sensation of Severus pulling out of her mind. He pulled her into his chest and stroked her hair, allowing them both time to recover. "Are you alright?" he finally whispered as he planted a lingering kiss on her temple.

"Yes. Did you see what you wanted to see?" she asked breathlessly.

"I did and it is as I partly suspected. He felt isolated and inadequate and he needs his mother. And if he can't have her...well he's appointed you as a surrogate. You see you boss him around, he seeks your approval, you go shopping with him, you tell him he looks good, you sit eating cake and chocolate with him and you go on nights out with him. He knows when he needs comfort he can come to you. And in turn he feels protective of you."

"He often calls me Auntie...even more so now we're together," Hermione said propping herself up against the headboard.

"Well once is funny but to keep doing it?" Severus said arching an eyebrow. "And the fact he asked you and myself to call him Drakey unsettled me because Narcissa called him that as a baby or when he was ill or upset but not all the time. We all called him it on occasion when he was very small.

But on his fourth birthday they bought him a new training broom and Lucius and I took him outside so he could try it out. Anyway being the cocky little sod that he was, and still is, he didn't listen to us. I was going to fly with him so I could catch him if he fell but he just up and went. You can imagine what happened. He went too high, got scared and fell off. He was about 10 feet off the ground when I caught him."

"He sounds better at flying than me...I hate brooms. I hate flying full stop," Hermione said cringing at the thought and then she remembered something she'd overheard Harry say. "You can fly without a broom can't you?"

Severus nodded and then purred in her ear, "want to come flying with me one day?"

"No," Hermione snapped emphatically.

"Oh I'm sure I can tempt you," he said as his voice trickled down her spine and then giggled as she threw a pillow at him. She knew she was in trouble now as he grabbed her round the waist and pulled her onto lap before relentlessly tickling her until she was nearly crying with laughter and begging him to stop. He set her back down on the bed and held her close.

Severus smirked and then asked in a completely even tone, "May I continue?". Hermione nodded trying to compose herself.

"In his panic to ensure Draco was alright and thus protect his manhood from Narcissa, Lucius takes him from me and in amongst chastising the boy and comforting him, he called him Drakey. Draco struggles to be put on the floor, pulls himself up to his full height, puffs out his chest and tells us both that his name is Draco...not Drakey and 'do not call me that again'. We even got a sneer before he stomped off back inside. It was so hard to keep a straight face.

"But as funny as it was, we knew Draco meant it. Narcissa was the only one who could call him it after that," Severus said plainly.

Hermione thought about this. "If he associates the name with comfort...he definitely wants a mother figure," Hermione said biting her lip in contemplation and then said "But at least he's in a relationship now"

"But for how long?" Severus asked looking up at the ceiling.

Hermione whipped her head round to look at him, "What do you mean?"

Severus looked pensive. "You know I had some misgivings about their relationship. But I will admit I don't have misgivings about Adrian anymore. Draco has gone from revealing the relationship to you last Monday, asking me on Wednesday if Adrian can move here to treating him like a flatmate on Sunday"

Hermione looked at Severus and said "But on Saturday they were all over each other. Perhaps they had a row? They haven't had sex I know that."

"Well that's probably not a bad thing," Severus said sighing.

Hermione was confused. "But Draco says he really loves him and their relationship is important. I don't understand it."

"But it's not that important is it?" Severus stated.

Hermione was shocked by what Severus had said."But..."

"Adrian doesn't think it's important to Draco either," Severus interrupted.

This was even more of a shock to her. "What?"

Severus told Hermione how Adrian had confessed he loved Draco and wanted it to work between them but he knew it wasn't as serious for Draco. "I felt sorry for him if I'm honest," Severus said quietly.

"Oh gods what is Draco playing at?" Hermione said, her voice laced with annoyance.

"I don't know. I just think he's in love with an idea," Severus said yawning. He was still feeling quite tired. "And unfortunately I know that feeling well"

Hermione looked at Severus thoughtfully. "So he's missing his mum and his relationship is on the rocks. That's not enough surely. I mean I miss my mum and dad...," she said her voice trailing off.

Severus wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He didn't say anything...he just held her. He knew how she felt. He may not have given a rat's arse about his father but when he was younger he missed his mum. He barely got to know his grandmother and Minerva was a fine substitute but it wasn't the same. He missed his father figure...his dad. He missed his comforting words and the hand upon his shoulder. He missed his cold, hard truths. He missed his trust. He would have done anything for him. He just didn't think that anything would involve being asked to kill him. Talking to a portrait wasn't enough. The fact that it was portrait was tinged with sadness and felt cold.

And that was another thing Draco needed. "Draco needs a dad," Severus said. "He told me last week that he wished I had been his dad. I'm sure there are far better candidates out there but I was quite touched. You see he has a father and a mother but not a mum and dad"

"You're wrong," Hermione said stroking his arm.

"No he does need someone to be more..."

"You're wrong," Hermione repeated.

Severus gave her a quizzical look "And what exactly am I wrong about?"

"When you said there are far better candidates out there to be a dad. There aren't," Hermione said wrapping her fingers around his.

Severus said quietly, "Trust me I wouldn't have a clue where to start."

Hermione laughed softly, "And you think any man does?"

"Well I...I should imagine...I haven't really given it much thought. I've never had to," Severus said ruefully.

"You'll be a brilliant dad," Hermione said kneeling up and kissing him lightly in the forehead.

Severus was taken aback by the fact she thought this. Well of course she would. If she wanted to have his children she had to believe he would be brilliant. He just had to hope she had enough belief for both of them.

"Well when I make a monumental cock up of it I'll remind you that you said that," Severus said disparagingly. He went quiet as he tried to banish thoughts of his father from his mind.

Hermione knew what he was thinking. "You are not your father, Severus," she blurted out and then instantly regretted it. She'd caught him out. His mask was up before she could apologise.

"Sev, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned him. But you're not like him. You'll never be like him," she said trying to soothe him. He remained silent.

"Severus please don't do this. I'm sorry but I'm not going keep apologising. If you don't want to talk about Draco anymore I'm getting up and going to do some research," Hermione said coldly.

She turned to get out of bed when she heard him sigh and she felt his hand on her shoulder. "Don't go," he said softly.

She turned round. His eyes were like deep black pools and she could see that he was having an internal battle with himself. She smiled softly and wrapped her arms around him. She felt his breath hitch as he tried to compose himself but she also felt his tears on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she held him tighter.

Severus swallowed hard and entangled his fingers in her hair. "No I'm sorry. But what if I do turn out to be like him?"

"You won't," Hermione said as she kissed his hair.

"Your optimism always astounds me," Severus said as gently pressed his lips to hers.

"Well I believe you are worth being optimistic about," she said as she looked into his eyes. All he saw was how much she loved him. One day he'd wake up from this dream but until then he would make sure she knew how much he loved her.

He kissed her again. It was the only way he could convey how he felt at that moment and by the way she responded he was grateful that she understood.

He wrapped her up and held her for a moment longer before she moved to his side and he put his arm around her. He took a deep breath and with an embarrassed look continued, "Anyway, what I was about to say before I had a moment of twattishness was that all this falls into line with Minerva's meeting with Miss Lovegood on Friday," Severus drawled.

"What did she say?" Hermione asked eagerly.

Severus took a deep breath "Miss Lovegood is being head hunted by the Department of Ministries because they believe she has the qualities of a seer"

Hermione considered this for a moment. "Well that seems plausible"

Severus continued. "Seemingly she has been having dreams about me...and not the kind of dreams you have about me..."

"How do you know I have dreams about you?" Hermione snarked.

"Well I have heard the odd "oh Severus" in the night and unless you are sleeping with another Severus, I believe I can assume you are dreaming about me," he teased.

"You are such a conceited git at times," Hermione said slapping him.

"Guilty!" Severus smirked. "But returning to Miss Lovegood's dreaming habits, these dreams appear to be in reference to me and the greater good. But in amongst her ramblings she said that we should look out for Draco and that he needs the love of The Six..."

"The Six?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"Yes, The Six. The two who have always been, the one that was chosen, the one whom he chose, the one who seeks to be deserving and the one who is yet to reveal themselves. And seemingly the one who has yet to reveal themselves knows who she is and is willing, despite all that has happened, and has made herself available. I believe that we are part of this Six"

Hermione looked perplexed but then said "Well the two who have always been are..."

"Lucius and Narcissa," they both said together.

"You are more than likely the one that was chosen...you are his godfather and his dad figure," Hermione said.

"Which makes you, I strongly suspect, the one he has chosen to be his surrogate mum," Severus said knowingly.

"The one who seeks to be deserving could be Adrian," Hermione surmised.

"And the one who is yet to reveal themselves is...?" Severus asked.

"Well it's a girl for a start but it could be anyone. Poor Ady. But the 'despite all that has happened' is interesting," Hermione said thoughtfully.

Severus gave her a questioning look "How so?"

"Well Luna was held hostage at Malfoy Manor and she's just split up with Neville. Do you think it's her?" she asked looking bemused.

Severus looked at the clock and realised he had to get ready for his 10am meeting with Professor Flitwick soon. He shifted onto his side and pulled Hermione down until she was facing him. "Like you say it could be anyone. But Miss Lovegood does seem to meet certain requirements," he said as he began to nuzzle her neck.

"Well if it is her Lucius will be pleased," Hermione gasped as Severus nipped at her collarbone.

"Why's that?" he mumbled against her skin.

"Well she's blonde; he'll be guaranteed cute blonde grandchildren," she giggled.

Severus' ministrations ceased as he considered this. "Oh gods can you imagine Lucius as a grandfather? He's only five years older than me and I'm not even a father...yet."

"Well you will be and just so you know I doubt my parents, if I ever find them and they talk to me again, would care what colour hair their grandchildren have," Hermione said seductively.

"Oh well that's a relief," Severus said as he rolled on top of her. All discussions regarding Draco had finished for now. They knew who or thought they knew who they had to assemble together to help Draco but they had to work out how to approach everyone. For now that could wait. Severus had other things on his mind.

Hermione was playing with Leo when Severus came out of the bedroom. "He really missed us last night," Hermione said sounding slightly annoyed as she picked him up and walked over to Severus who was doing up his shirt cuffs.

"I'm sorry. I forgot to let him in but to be honest after last night I couldn't tear myself away from you for long enough to open the door," Severus chuckled. Hermione knew he wasn't sorry at all.

"Laugh it up big boy. He slept on your coat," she said smiling sweetly as she stood on tip toe and kissed him on the cheek before sitting on the sofa.

"Oh for the love of Merlin," he grouched but then he banished the white hairs and cast a repelling charm to prevent future attack by cat hair before going back into the bedroom and getting another frock coat.

"What are you wearing to the ball?" Hermione called to him.

"Haven't decided yet," Severus said distractedly as he walked back out and started doing up his coat. Hermione put Leo down and walked over to him and took over doing up the buttons.

"You know I've always wanted to do this," Hermione purred.

"I would have thought you'd have wanted to undo them," he said bending down to kiss her as his fingers became entangled in her hair.

"Well yes obviously I want to undo them but...I don't know...knowing that I'm here with you and able to do them up is...I can't explain it," she said embarrassed that she couldn't find the words to express how she felt.

"I understand. The fact that you are here...that you will always be here to do this is...I have no idea what it is but it feels right," he chuckled as she did up the last button. He looked into her eyes and closed the distance between their lips again. Just as they touched he said, "I love you," before he claimed her mouth completely.

As he pulled away he suddenly snapped into headmaster mode. "Now Miss Granger if you have finished detaining me and as much as it pains me to pull you away from one of your libraries, can I request your presence by the Ravenclaw Tower at 11am? It is still being particularly irksome."

"Of course, sir," Hermione said seductively.

"Oh stop it. You'll give me another hard on," he chuckled.

"Well don't do the headmaster act on me when we're on our own," Hermione said pushing a finger in between a couple of buttons.

Severus smirked and lowered his head so that he could nibble her ear before saying in his most mellifluous tone "Oh? Turn you on does it?"

"You have no idea," she purred

"Well Miss Granger, I believe that is something we will have to explore," he said his voice dripping over her. He smiled as her breath hitched and she bit her bottom lip. "What time is my presence required at Grimmauld Place this evening?" Severus said changing the subject as well as his tone.

Hermione snapped out of her reverie and said, "Seven and don't be late. I don't want to have to come and drag you out of the pub"

Severus feigned a look of surprise, "I'm sure I don't know what you mean"

"Of course not. But you have a meeting with Pius this afternoon therefore you will be in the pub with him afterwards," she laughed.

"Well having a little alcohol in my system before I arrive may be conducive to my being more relaxed about the whole evening. I'm only thinking of Harry and Ginny," he smiled.

"It's only dinner," Hermione said wrapping her arms around him.

"It will just be strange for me. I know Harry and I tolerate each other and Ginny is more than accepting of us but I cannot shake the fact that Ginny was under my less than adequate care last year and well it wasn't that long ago I was an arse to Harry," Severus said looking uncomfortable.

"And it wasn't so long ago that I was your student," Hermione said brushing his hair away from his face.

"True but...well you're different. We're different," he said wanting to kiss her but knowing if he did he would only want to make love to her.

Hermione smiled as she saw the flash of lust come into his eyes but wasn't surprised when it dissipated. "Where did you leave the cake?" she asked.

"In the kitchens. It has been warded so that only you and I can handle it. If you find Minerva, or anyone else for that matter, unconscious on the floor next to it please give them my regards," he snarked before picking up his wand and secreting it up his sleeve.

"Actually when I was in London yesterday did you miss me? Well of course you did obviously but did you feel the bond?" Severus asked.

"Now you mention it no. I didn't feel that you weren't here. Of course I missed you but I wasn't agitated. In fact have you seen any orbs since Saturday night?" Hermione asked.

"No I haven't but I wouldn't get too excited. I doubt it will leave us alone for too long," Severus said cynically.

Hermione chuckled and said, "I'll give Draco a call in a minute and see if he's heard from Lucius. And I'll pop over there this afternoon if he's in so he's not on his own all day. Trust Lucius to bugger off when Draco's like this. Trouble I think he's oblivious to it."

"Thank you sweetheart. I'd appreciate it but I doubt Lucius is oblivious to how Draco is. But I also doubt it is his sole consideration. It should be but we are talking about Lucius Malfoy here," Severus said as he kissed her cheek. He leaned over and scratched Leo's head who was now curled up on the sofa before saying "I better go". He noticed that Hermione had her lips pressed together to suppress a giggle. He arched an eyebrow. "What?"

"I just love how my boys get on," she smiled.

"Yes well," he said stiffly. "I'll see you at 11," and walked out of the door.
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The Headmaster's Wife