All the way II: And Even Further

I know a secret."



Eileen looked up to see Lily walking into the room. Her dad had left her with Auntie Ginny and hurried off some where.



"So do I." Eileen retorted. Lily was strange. Some times Eileen liked her, some times she didn't. Today, she wasn't sure.



"No," Lily said, "I know a secret about your dad."



"What?" Eileen asked. She wanted to know.



"You don't want to know," Lily said giving a big shudder.



"Yes I do!" Eileen insisted.



"Fine, you asked for it... He was a dark wizard... a Death Eater."



"No he wasn't." Her dad could not be a dark wizard. Not a Death Eater. They had been bad and killed people. Her dad wouldn't do that. He was a teacher. He was married to her mum. She was his daughter. Death Eaters were too nasty to have daughters.



"Don't believe me then," Lily shrugged. Today, Eileen didn't like her. "But, I can prove it."



"Go on then." Eileen challenged.



"All you have to do is go up to your dad and look here," Lily rolled up her sleeve on her... left arm and pointed to the bit of skin under the elbow, "You'll see a mark. Voldemorts mark. That's all the proof I’ve got and all the proof you'll need."



"Fine!" Eileen Scowled, "But there's nothing there and I’ll tell my daddy you said that and you'll be in trouble!"



Lily walked out laughing. Eileen felt like crying. Her dad was a good dad and a good person. Her mum wouldn't have married him otherwise. He couldn't be a Death Eater. It wasn't right. Lily was wrong.



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



"Stop it!" Hermione hissed, hurrying into the nearest empty alley.



"You should have told me you stupid witch!"



"Don't call her a stupid witch! It's your mates that did it in the first place!"



"Please! Stop arguing!" Hermione grabbed Lucius by the arm. She apperated them to the school gates. With out hesitation, Hermione started up to the castle, Lucius at her heels. She heard Severus pop in behind them, but didn't stop.



"Hermione!"



She stopped, "Go inside, Lucius. Now."



He hesitated, looking over to Severus, then he went up the steps and into the castle. When Severus had nearly caught up, Hermione started walking again.



She felt him reach for her arm, but she swung it away with out missing a step.



"Hermione!"



She hurried into the entrance hall and down to the dungeons. She could hear Severus calling her name, but she ignored him. The past was the past. Nothing could change it and she wouldn't want to change it, anyway. She wouldn’t be her if it was any different.



She went into their living room. Where was Eileen? Severus followed her into the bedroom. She didn't want to talk about this, but she would not lock herself in the bathroom. She was not that desperate.



She walked around to the other side of the bed and cursed the house-elves for tidying up. She had nothing to distract herself with or use as an excuse not to talk.



She took a deep breath and turned. Severus was a few steps away. He looked sick and pale.



"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked slowly.



"The person that was in that house is not me any more," Hermione implored, "Please don't question me and my choices. I did what was best for me at the time. Now, I have Eileen. And you. Let's just leave it at that."



"How can you say that?" He said incredulously, getting nearer, "How can you say that?"



Hermione shook her head, helplessly, "Thick skinned, I guess."



He backed her against the wall, pressing against her. He kissed her hard, then leaned back and looked down, maybe expecting to see some one other than her. He kissed her harder, as if he was trying to make her show some kind of negative emotion, but Hermione wouldn't, because she wasn't that little girl any more.



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



The hand on his arm was comforting.



"I am so sorry," Annie said quietly, "I know what she means to you."



"I can't believe... how could some one do that? It's... It's just sick and wrong..."



"I know, honey, I know. Don't let it get to you."



Lucius continued to stare at the floor, "But it does get to me. I come from people like that. And... And she married one! How could she do that after what they did?"



Annie took his face in her hands and made him look into her eyes. Beautiful, shining, eyes.



"I don't know how she did it, even if Snape did change sides." She said softly, "I couldn't have. I doubt many people could have. She's a strange person. Lovely, but strange. And she can take care of herself. She doesn’t need you to make trouble in her marriage. If anything, she needs to know that you still love her... and don't make that face; you do love her."



"I know... but that word sounds so... so..." Lucius struggled.



"Strong?" Annie supplied. Lucius nodded.



"My whole family where Death Eaters..." He thought out loud, "Do you... do you think me grandfather was there? In the house?"



Annie shook her head, "No, he probably wasn't."



Lucius knew she was lying. He was grateful for that.



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



Hermione ushered Eileen out of the floo.



"Daddy?" The girl called.



"Um... Daddy's gone out, darling." Hermione said carefully.



Severus had tried questioning her, but Hermione had refused to talk about it and he had stormed out. Hermione had left to get Eileen and it didn't look like he was back yet.



"Where?" Eileen asked.



"I don't -" Hermione caught herself and sighed, "Just out darling."



"Mummy?" The girl squirmed as she climbed onto the sofa.



"Eileen?" Hermione sat next to her.



"Was daddy... is he normal?" Hermione started laughing. Eileen pouted, "I'm being serious!"



"I know, darling," Hermione choked out, "I... yes, I suppose he's normal..."



"And he's nice?"



Hermione nodded.



"And a good person."



Hermione nodded again.



Eileen sighed, "Thank Merlin."



"Why did you ask?" Hermione frowned.



"Didn't!" Eileen smirked and ran away. Strange child.



It was midnight and Severus still wasn't back. Hermione couldn't sleep. She made sure Eileen was dreaming, warded the door and left the dungeons.



She walked slowly through the school, looking through the windows and humming softly every now and again.



She stopped humming when she heard footsteps, though kept walking. Some one fell into step beside her.



"What are you doing out here at this time?"



"I'm not sure. Looking for my coward of a husband, I suppose?"



"I am not a coward!"



"No, of course not."



"Don't talk to me like that!"



"Like what?"



"You insufferable, infuriating woman!"



"Now who's being snappy? ... So, where have you been?"



"Around."



"Oh really? Well, then, I leave you to be around and when you decided to come home, you might realize that you have a daughter who loves you and needs your attention!"



"Don't you dare bring her into this!"



"You're being a bit placid today. No broken glass. No shouting. What's wrong?"



"I... I couldn't... Not after..."



"So now you're going to treat me differently just because something bad -?"



"Bad? Hermione it would have been terrible! I know! I used to watch those things! Remember?"



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



"Why can't you understand that the person that happened to it dead? I learned to take care of myself when I was all alone and hurting the most! I don't need any one! Especially people... who are going to d-drag me... b-back there..."



Severus gathered his wife into his arms.



"Sshh... I'm here... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... I should have been there earlier, but I know what used to happen... and the thought of them... To you... and you being so...so... you. So happy and marrying me... I'm so sorry..."



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



It was dark when Eileen opened her eyes. She slipped out of bed and hurried out of her bedroom.



She had tried to for get it, but she had to see for herself.



With in seconds, she was by the side of her parents’ bed. Her dad was lying on his back. His left arm was hanging over the edge of the bed, palm down.



She reached down carefully, to grasp his hand and turn it over. Nearly there... almost...



"Eileen?"