All the way III: More of Life

Well, here’s the third (and probably last) part of the All the way series. It’s seven years on from the last story; Lucius and Annie are married; Lily’s in her seventh year; Sirius and Eileen are in their third year and Severus and Hermione are still at Hogwarts. Please read and review!

:D

Xxx

“!”!”!”!”!”!”!”!”

"What are you doing in here?"

Eileen didn't even look up from her book as she answered, "Studying."

Sirius gave a bark of laughter, "We've only got a week until christmas! You've got time to study then!"

Eileen slammed the book shut, "No, actually, I can't." She said tersely, turning to scowl at the grinning boy, "We're not staying here for Christmas. Lucius and Annie invited us to stay with them in their mansion in Spain, so I have to use the Library while I can."

"Eileen!" He shook his head, his grin spreading, "We're only in our third year! It's not like we have O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T's or anything!"

"Actually, Sirius, if you bothered to ask our Defense against the Dark Arts Professor - who happens to be your father - you would know that after Christmas, we are studying Boggarts. What you do know, is that your dad uses a more practical approach to teaching, so - if you gave a shit about your marks - you would be studying." Eileen grabbed her book from the table, stood up and marched out of Hogwarts Library.

"YOUR MUM TOLD YOU NOT TO SWEAR!" Sirius called after her.

"SHE'S A HYPOCRIT!" She yelled over her shoulder, her black curly hair swishing as she sauntered down the corridor.

""""""""""""""""""""

Sirius left the library and went to the Gryffindor common room. He was about to go up to his dormitory to get his Herbology book, when some one put their hands over his eyes from behind and said, "Guess who, kid!"

Sirius sighed, "Let me think... Lily?"

The hands were removed and he turned to look at the older girl.

She huffed, "How did you know it was me?"

"You're the only one who calls me 'kid'."

Her face brightened, "Oh yeah! I'll have to remember that next time. What you up to?"

"My free period's nearly over," He said unhappily, "I've got Herbology next."

Lily nodded, "Ah well, if you need any help -"

"- I'll ask Eileen because she's smart." Sirius grinned as Lily scowled at him, "See you later, right?"

"Yeah, kid." Lily nodded, "I'll be around here after dinner if you wanna play exploding snap." She sighed and looked at her watch, then back up at him lazily, "You're late, by the way."

Sirius slapped his hands over his mouth, muffling his swearing, as he ran up to his dormitory to get his books.

""""""""""""""""""""

"Don't you have some where to be?" Hermione asked.

"Like where?" Her husband said, pulling her tighter to him.

"Like teaching a class?" Hermione shivered as Severus leaned down and pressed his lips to the pulse in her throat.

"No," he whispered, "We have one whole free hour -"

A roar from the fire interrupted him, and they jumped apart guiltily, just in time.

"Hermione?" The red head asked from the fire.

Hermione knelt down to Annie’s level. "Yes." She said slightly breathlessly, as she smoothed the non-existent creases from her robes.

"Are you alright?" Annie asked, "You look a bit... I don't know... peaky..."

Hermione tried not to blush. Mortified, she cleared her throat, "It's just a bit hot."

"In the dungeons?" The woman said skeptically. She shrugged, "Whatever you say. Anyway, I was just checking that you are definitely coming to Spain for Christmas."

"I don't know..." Hermione said slowly.

"Come on!" Annie persuaded, "When have you ever had a holiday? Eileen would love our house! And Lucius really wants you to see you."

"He can come and see me any time." Hermione said.

Annie shrugged, "I don't know... I recon it's his Slytherin pride. He wants it to look like he's all grown up, but really, he wants his mummy!"

Hermione laughed, "I suppose... I'll think about Spain."

Severus cleared his throat rather loudly from behind Hermione.

Annie looked up at him, "Oh, well, I’ll go then. See you soon."

"Bye, Annie." Hermione smiled as the younger woman disappeared.

"If you're quite finished..." Severus drawled as Hermione stood up slowly.

"What do you think about going to Spain?" She asked.

"I don't care." He said distractedly as his hands pushed her robes from her shoulders.

"Are you sure?" She pressed.

"Yes. Fine. We'll go." He answered dismissively as he started on the buttons of her blouse.