Goodnight, Demon Slayer
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
27
Views:
18,737
Reviews:
269
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
27
Views:
18,737
Reviews:
269
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Goodnight, Demon Slayer
************A/N************
For those of you who did not pay attention to the beginning of the story, the song “Goodnight, Demon Slayer” belongs to Voltaire, though according to my cousins who I baby-sit, I wrote it. But they also think I’m Belle from Beauty and the Beast, so what are you gonna do?
*****************************************
Goodnight, Demon Slayer
Chapter Nine:
Goodnight, Demon Slayer
Severus’ first full day in the Granger household was an interesting one, and as much as Hermione loved magic, she was entirely glad for the restriction on underage magic. Severus was running around the whole house casting protection and warning and silencing spells, and for once it was kind of nice to sit back and watch someone else do all the work. She vowed to herself that shery iry it next term during Potions class, but later changed her mind when she realized it was usually only by her intervention that the entire Gryffindor side of the room didn’t explode.
Not that she had a savior complex or anything.
The only downside to Severus’ canvassing was that he took Dumbledore’s order not to let her out of his sight quite literally, and he dragged Hermione from room to room until he had secured each and every window, door, fireplace, and heating duct. Okay, he left out the central heating system, but to Hermione it seemed just as likely that that would be the next step.
After safeguarding the house, though, Severus was quite content to leave her alone all day as long as she never left the house. Hermione was not quite sure whether she liked this arrangement or not, but most days they saw each other frequently enough. They usually woke up around the same time and headed for the kitchen and their breakfasts at the same time. They occasionally saw each other around noon as they both grabbed lunch, and they were both always present for the big family dinner Margaret insisted on fixing and having everyday. Most nights they also met after dinner and watched television (which Severus would never admit he liked as much as he really did), listened to music (though Severus preferred his Britneyars ars on the television with the sound off), or played on the computer (which severely annoyed Severus, though he couldn’t really hate it as much as he made it seem). Hermione was amazed at how quickly Severus took to Muggle technology, and Severus was continuously amazed that though he’d given her the freedom to do whatever she liked she chose to spend time with him.
About a week and a half into their arrangement, Severus heard a rushed knock at his door before it was flung open unceremoniously. Though Hermione was the only one home at the time, it still surprised him to see her to come in so casually and flop down on her stomach on his bed. She very rarely visited him during the day, and though it was a welcome intrusion, the look on her face told him much of what was to come.
He was not sure what it was, but he was absolutely sure he wasn’t going to like it.
He didn’t have to wait long for his answer, either. Without salutation and without preface, Hermione propped her face in her hands, and, looking at him, began to speak.
“Severus, how much do you love me?”
“Not at all, why do you ask?”
“’Cause we’re babysitting tonight.”
“What?”
“Yeah, this family down the street. I always babysit for them when I’m home. Boy’s five, and the girl’s three.”
“You know I could kill you and make it look natural, right?”
“Yup.”
“Well, as long as you know.”
“So, what do you do in here all day by yourself?”
“Read, plan lessons, boring things, really.”
“Oh, really? So you’re not building a theme park over there?”
“Oh, shut up.”
“Did you find my parks?”
“Yes, very well planned out.”
“Not really. I made most of my rides so that the guests puke. Hey, have you ever drowned one?”
“No. Didn’t know that was an option.”
“Neither did I until I was fixing a bridge and forgot to close it off, and one of the stupid guests just walked off the end of the demolished bridge and drowned. It’s kind of fun to do when you want to kill someone and the whole going to jail thing just doesn’t appeal to you….. Have you ever?”
“Ever what?” She knows I’ve killed before. Have I ever drowned?
“Been to an amusement park? It’s fun. We should go this summer.”
“Are you forgetting that the Hogwarts Express is more of a thrill ride than I can stomach?”
“We’ll give you medication. Remember that I get motion sick, too, but I love roller coasters. Mum and Dad are kind of enthusiasts. They belong to some official roller coaster fan club or something and go to all these different parks. They’re going this year, actually- some park in America that’s supposedly the best on the planet. But I can’t go as it’s over Harr-”
“What?”
“Nothing. Muggle holiday. Forget I said anything. Look!”
“You have a dark gift, Hermione Granger.” Hermione only smiled and shrugged as her hand moved deftly over the mouse, skillfully erasing a patch of sidewalk and watching several of Severus’ customers drop into the lake and drown.
“So, when are we expected to arrive in the seventh layer of Hell?”
“Six o’clock. And we’ll probably be there until midnight at least, so be prepared.”
“I am going to fail every Potions exam you turn into me next year.”
“I know.”
The hours passed entirely too quickly for Severus’ liking and before he knew it he and Hermione were standing on the doorstep of doom. She was babbling away about how much the children must have changed since Christmas holiday and so on and so forth when the door opened to reveal a woman who looked scarcely older than Hermione and a small boy hiding behind her leg.
“Hi, Jack!” Hermione greeted brightly, but the boy only retreated further behind his mother. “Hi, Trish. This is Severus. He’s the Potions Master at Hogwarts.”
“Hermione,” Severus growled in a warning tone.
“It’s okay. She’s a squib; she knows all about Hogwarts.”
“Nice to meet you, Severus, but-”
Trish’s question was cut off mid-sentence by a high-pitched squeal Severus would be trying to forget for a very long time.
“’MIONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”
A very small girl with blonde pigtails careened around a corner and straight into Hermione’s waiting arms. The older girl hugged the toddler tight while rising to a standing position.
“Hi, Jamie. I missed you,” greeted Hermione, placing a kiss on the girl’s cheek. She giggled and squirmed in Hermione’s arms before throwing her arms around Hermione’s neck in a stranglehold.
“Missed you, too,” Jamie responded, but her attention was pulled away from her babysitter as she noticed Severus behind her. Wiggling to get a good position, Jamie turned and took Severus’ face in both of her hands.
Gazing intently and cautiously at the Potions Master, Jamie frowned and narrowed her eyes.
“Hey. Who are you?” she asked in a way that only small children can get away with without being considered rude.
“I’m…” Severus choked, scared to death of a three-year-old. Well, actually, of all three-year-olds, but Jamie was the only one around at the time. “I’m Severus.” Tilting her head to the side and still grasping his face, Jamie’s demeanor changed and she smiled and giggled.
“Oh. Hi, Severus. Go watch ’Scooby Doo.’” It was not a request, and as Jamie still held Severus’ face tightly, he had no other option than to consent. Hermione laughed out loud as she was forced to transfer the squirming child into Severus’ arms.
“Okay. Down now,” Jamie ordered, and Severus was more than happy to comply. However, his relief lasted only seconds as Jamie grabbed his hand and quite forcefully lead him to a couch in front of a gigantic television that was indeed playing “Scooby Doo.”
“Hit the road, Bad Seed,” Severus hissed as soon as he was seated out of ear shot of Hermione and the hell spawn’s mother, but the child only smiled at him and crawled into his lap.
Back in the entrance, Hermione stood laughing at him. Jamie and Jackson were the sweetest, most beautiful children she’d ever met. It would be utterly hellacious for him. Hermione couldn’t wait.
Leaving her children in the able care of Hermione and the semi-able care of Severus, Trish left the house, shouting instructions Hermione knew by heart “just in case.” Hermione and Jackson walked into the living room with Severus and Jamie (who loudly proclaimed “Oh, ‘Mione, I love you!” for no apparent reason). Luckily, the children had both been fed and bathed, so the only thing left for Hermione to do was to entertain them. Unluckily, it seemed that their mother had taped approximately eight thousand hours of “Scooby Doo” for them and it was the only thing the two wanted to do all night. Hermione had never had such a boring, inactive time with them, but it was alright with Severus as it kept him from being asked to give pony rides or any other such nonsense. There was a bit of entertainment, though, as halfway through one of the episodes, Jamie, still sitting in Severus’ lap turned to face him.
“Oh, Sev’rus! Your hair is so pretty!”
After that, Hermione was sure she would never pass Potions the next year. Severus glared at her nonstop through the rest of the night until she finally declared it to be bedtime. The children protested to no avail, and though Jamie insisted on being carried up the stairs by Severus, there was little incident until Hermione tucked them in and told them goodnight.
“’Mione!” Jack called, the first Severus had heard the child say the entire night. “Are you gonna sing us a song? You always sing us a song.”
Immediately, Severus’ eyebrow arched. Payback time. He’d heard Hermione sing while she thought he was out of earshot. It wasn’t pretty.
“Yes, ‘Mione. They’ve been good. They deserve a song, I think.”
“If I want your opinion, Severus, I’ll- No, I don’t want your opinion.”
“Sing, ‘Mione,” Jamie joined in.
“Fine! But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Hermione sat on the edge of Jackson’s bed and began quietly. Severus was right; it was not pretty, but the song itself was cute and apparently calming for the children.
“There’s a monster that lives ‘neath your bed
Oh, for crying out loud!
It’s a futon on the floor
He must be flat as a board
There’s a creature that lurks behind your door
Though I’ve checked there fifteen times
When I leave then he arrives every night
Tell the monster that lives ‘neath your bed
To go somewhere else instead or you’ll kick him in the head
Tell the creature that lurks behind your door
If he knows what’s good he won’t come here no more
‘Cause you’ll kick in his butt at the count of four
Goodnight, Demon Slayer, goodnight
Now it’s time to close your tired eyes
There are devils to slay and dragons to ride
If they see you coming, hell, they’d better hide
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, my little slayer, goodnight
Tell the monster that eats children that you taste bad
And you’re sure you’d be the worst he ever had
If he eats you, don’t you fret, just cut him open with an axe
Don’t regret it, he deserved it, he’s a cad
Tell the harpies who land on your bedpost
That at the count of five you’ll roast them alive
Tell the devil it’s time you gave him his due
He should go back to hell, he should shake in his shoes
‘Cause the mightiest, scariest creature is you
Goodnight, Demon Slayer, goodnight
Now it’s time to close your tired eyes
There are devils to slay and dragons to ride
If they see you coming, hell, they’d better hide
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, my little slayer, goodnight
I won’t tell you that there’s nothing ‘neath your bed
I won’t sell you that it’s all in your head
This world of ours is not as it seems
The monsters are real but not in your dreams
Learn what you can from the beasts you defeat
You’ll need it for some of the people you meet
Goodnight, Demon Slayer, goodnight
Now it’s time to close your tired eyes
There are devils to slay and dragons to ride
If they see you coming, hell, they’d better hide
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, my little slayer, goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight”
By the time she finished, the children were both asleep, and Hermione was weeping openly. Severus waited until the door was closed to mock her.
“Hermione, I mean, it was bad, but you should know by now how awful your own voice is.”
“Shut up, Severus,” she responded, but only began to cry harder.
“Hermione, I’m sorry, I was just joking.”
“No! It’s not me! It’s them! The song!” Hermione bawled. Nodding her head in the direction of their bedroom, she continued. “Daddy was a Death Eater. Used to beat Trish in front of the kids. I mean, you saw Jackson. He doesn’t even talk now! And all Jamie wants to do is talk about it, what she remembers at least. They are going to have terrible lives all thanks to one stupid, deranged, evil man! That’s why I sing them that song. I want them to know to stands up for themselves.”
“A Death Eater married a squib?”
“He wasn’t a Death Eater when they were married. They grew up living next to each other, and grew up together. They dated all through school even though he went to Hogwarts, got married right afterwards. He joined up right after Jamie was born, right about our fourth year. He got caught last year and sent to Azkaban, thank God.”
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, I always get overemotional when I’m here. But they’re just kids, you know? And for the rest of their lives they’re going to know their father loved an evil madman more than he loved them. They’re going to remember that their mother let him put his hands on her. It’s just so unfair.”
“You’re not over-emotional, Hermione. It does hurt, and they never will forget it.” Hermione looked up into his eyes for a moment, questioningly. “If I hadn’t known you were describing the children, you would have described my childhood.”
“Oh, Severus, I’m so sorry!” she cried, tears falling forcefully once again. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly.
“It’s alright, Hermione. It was a long time ago. At least these children have someone around them who’s willing to let them know they don’t have to be afraid.”
“Didn’t you?”
“The only constant theme in my life was the Dark Lord. Honestly, Hermione, do you think a well-rounded, happy person joins the Death Eaters?”
“I-” Hermione began, but at the sound of the front door cracking open, Severus brushed past her to descend the stairs. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she may have seen a tear in his eye.
*********A/N***********
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*****Alright, kiddies, as of today I am officially On-Vacation Girl, so here’s how it’s gonna go. I have up through chapter seventeen written and typed, just needing to be spell-checked and tweaked. I won’t mention any particular demands, but if you’re good little reviewers, you may just get all of those chappies before I go back to work next Friday. Now, go on, minions. Review. A lot and positively. If you’re good, you’ll get prizes!
Love and Bunnies,
PMM***********
For those of you who did not pay attention to the beginning of the story, the song “Goodnight, Demon Slayer” belongs to Voltaire, though according to my cousins who I baby-sit, I wrote it. But they also think I’m Belle from Beauty and the Beast, so what are you gonna do?
*****************************************
Goodnight, Demon Slayer
Chapter Nine:
Goodnight, Demon Slayer
Severus’ first full day in the Granger household was an interesting one, and as much as Hermione loved magic, she was entirely glad for the restriction on underage magic. Severus was running around the whole house casting protection and warning and silencing spells, and for once it was kind of nice to sit back and watch someone else do all the work. She vowed to herself that shery iry it next term during Potions class, but later changed her mind when she realized it was usually only by her intervention that the entire Gryffindor side of the room didn’t explode.
Not that she had a savior complex or anything.
The only downside to Severus’ canvassing was that he took Dumbledore’s order not to let her out of his sight quite literally, and he dragged Hermione from room to room until he had secured each and every window, door, fireplace, and heating duct. Okay, he left out the central heating system, but to Hermione it seemed just as likely that that would be the next step.
After safeguarding the house, though, Severus was quite content to leave her alone all day as long as she never left the house. Hermione was not quite sure whether she liked this arrangement or not, but most days they saw each other frequently enough. They usually woke up around the same time and headed for the kitchen and their breakfasts at the same time. They occasionally saw each other around noon as they both grabbed lunch, and they were both always present for the big family dinner Margaret insisted on fixing and having everyday. Most nights they also met after dinner and watched television (which Severus would never admit he liked as much as he really did), listened to music (though Severus preferred his Britneyars ars on the television with the sound off), or played on the computer (which severely annoyed Severus, though he couldn’t really hate it as much as he made it seem). Hermione was amazed at how quickly Severus took to Muggle technology, and Severus was continuously amazed that though he’d given her the freedom to do whatever she liked she chose to spend time with him.
About a week and a half into their arrangement, Severus heard a rushed knock at his door before it was flung open unceremoniously. Though Hermione was the only one home at the time, it still surprised him to see her to come in so casually and flop down on her stomach on his bed. She very rarely visited him during the day, and though it was a welcome intrusion, the look on her face told him much of what was to come.
He was not sure what it was, but he was absolutely sure he wasn’t going to like it.
He didn’t have to wait long for his answer, either. Without salutation and without preface, Hermione propped her face in her hands, and, looking at him, began to speak.
“Severus, how much do you love me?”
“Not at all, why do you ask?”
“’Cause we’re babysitting tonight.”
“What?”
“Yeah, this family down the street. I always babysit for them when I’m home. Boy’s five, and the girl’s three.”
“You know I could kill you and make it look natural, right?”
“Yup.”
“Well, as long as you know.”
“So, what do you do in here all day by yourself?”
“Read, plan lessons, boring things, really.”
“Oh, really? So you’re not building a theme park over there?”
“Oh, shut up.”
“Did you find my parks?”
“Yes, very well planned out.”
“Not really. I made most of my rides so that the guests puke. Hey, have you ever drowned one?”
“No. Didn’t know that was an option.”
“Neither did I until I was fixing a bridge and forgot to close it off, and one of the stupid guests just walked off the end of the demolished bridge and drowned. It’s kind of fun to do when you want to kill someone and the whole going to jail thing just doesn’t appeal to you….. Have you ever?”
“Ever what?” She knows I’ve killed before. Have I ever drowned?
“Been to an amusement park? It’s fun. We should go this summer.”
“Are you forgetting that the Hogwarts Express is more of a thrill ride than I can stomach?”
“We’ll give you medication. Remember that I get motion sick, too, but I love roller coasters. Mum and Dad are kind of enthusiasts. They belong to some official roller coaster fan club or something and go to all these different parks. They’re going this year, actually- some park in America that’s supposedly the best on the planet. But I can’t go as it’s over Harr-”
“What?”
“Nothing. Muggle holiday. Forget I said anything. Look!”
“You have a dark gift, Hermione Granger.” Hermione only smiled and shrugged as her hand moved deftly over the mouse, skillfully erasing a patch of sidewalk and watching several of Severus’ customers drop into the lake and drown.
“So, when are we expected to arrive in the seventh layer of Hell?”
“Six o’clock. And we’ll probably be there until midnight at least, so be prepared.”
“I am going to fail every Potions exam you turn into me next year.”
“I know.”
The hours passed entirely too quickly for Severus’ liking and before he knew it he and Hermione were standing on the doorstep of doom. She was babbling away about how much the children must have changed since Christmas holiday and so on and so forth when the door opened to reveal a woman who looked scarcely older than Hermione and a small boy hiding behind her leg.
“Hi, Jack!” Hermione greeted brightly, but the boy only retreated further behind his mother. “Hi, Trish. This is Severus. He’s the Potions Master at Hogwarts.”
“Hermione,” Severus growled in a warning tone.
“It’s okay. She’s a squib; she knows all about Hogwarts.”
“Nice to meet you, Severus, but-”
Trish’s question was cut off mid-sentence by a high-pitched squeal Severus would be trying to forget for a very long time.
“’MIONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”
A very small girl with blonde pigtails careened around a corner and straight into Hermione’s waiting arms. The older girl hugged the toddler tight while rising to a standing position.
“Hi, Jamie. I missed you,” greeted Hermione, placing a kiss on the girl’s cheek. She giggled and squirmed in Hermione’s arms before throwing her arms around Hermione’s neck in a stranglehold.
“Missed you, too,” Jamie responded, but her attention was pulled away from her babysitter as she noticed Severus behind her. Wiggling to get a good position, Jamie turned and took Severus’ face in both of her hands.
Gazing intently and cautiously at the Potions Master, Jamie frowned and narrowed her eyes.
“Hey. Who are you?” she asked in a way that only small children can get away with without being considered rude.
“I’m…” Severus choked, scared to death of a three-year-old. Well, actually, of all three-year-olds, but Jamie was the only one around at the time. “I’m Severus.” Tilting her head to the side and still grasping his face, Jamie’s demeanor changed and she smiled and giggled.
“Oh. Hi, Severus. Go watch ’Scooby Doo.’” It was not a request, and as Jamie still held Severus’ face tightly, he had no other option than to consent. Hermione laughed out loud as she was forced to transfer the squirming child into Severus’ arms.
“Okay. Down now,” Jamie ordered, and Severus was more than happy to comply. However, his relief lasted only seconds as Jamie grabbed his hand and quite forcefully lead him to a couch in front of a gigantic television that was indeed playing “Scooby Doo.”
“Hit the road, Bad Seed,” Severus hissed as soon as he was seated out of ear shot of Hermione and the hell spawn’s mother, but the child only smiled at him and crawled into his lap.
Back in the entrance, Hermione stood laughing at him. Jamie and Jackson were the sweetest, most beautiful children she’d ever met. It would be utterly hellacious for him. Hermione couldn’t wait.
Leaving her children in the able care of Hermione and the semi-able care of Severus, Trish left the house, shouting instructions Hermione knew by heart “just in case.” Hermione and Jackson walked into the living room with Severus and Jamie (who loudly proclaimed “Oh, ‘Mione, I love you!” for no apparent reason). Luckily, the children had both been fed and bathed, so the only thing left for Hermione to do was to entertain them. Unluckily, it seemed that their mother had taped approximately eight thousand hours of “Scooby Doo” for them and it was the only thing the two wanted to do all night. Hermione had never had such a boring, inactive time with them, but it was alright with Severus as it kept him from being asked to give pony rides or any other such nonsense. There was a bit of entertainment, though, as halfway through one of the episodes, Jamie, still sitting in Severus’ lap turned to face him.
“Oh, Sev’rus! Your hair is so pretty!”
After that, Hermione was sure she would never pass Potions the next year. Severus glared at her nonstop through the rest of the night until she finally declared it to be bedtime. The children protested to no avail, and though Jamie insisted on being carried up the stairs by Severus, there was little incident until Hermione tucked them in and told them goodnight.
“’Mione!” Jack called, the first Severus had heard the child say the entire night. “Are you gonna sing us a song? You always sing us a song.”
Immediately, Severus’ eyebrow arched. Payback time. He’d heard Hermione sing while she thought he was out of earshot. It wasn’t pretty.
“Yes, ‘Mione. They’ve been good. They deserve a song, I think.”
“If I want your opinion, Severus, I’ll- No, I don’t want your opinion.”
“Sing, ‘Mione,” Jamie joined in.
“Fine! But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Hermione sat on the edge of Jackson’s bed and began quietly. Severus was right; it was not pretty, but the song itself was cute and apparently calming for the children.
“There’s a monster that lives ‘neath your bed
Oh, for crying out loud!
It’s a futon on the floor
He must be flat as a board
There’s a creature that lurks behind your door
Though I’ve checked there fifteen times
When I leave then he arrives every night
Tell the monster that lives ‘neath your bed
To go somewhere else instead or you’ll kick him in the head
Tell the creature that lurks behind your door
If he knows what’s good he won’t come here no more
‘Cause you’ll kick in his butt at the count of four
Goodnight, Demon Slayer, goodnight
Now it’s time to close your tired eyes
There are devils to slay and dragons to ride
If they see you coming, hell, they’d better hide
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, my little slayer, goodnight
Tell the monster that eats children that you taste bad
And you’re sure you’d be the worst he ever had
If he eats you, don’t you fret, just cut him open with an axe
Don’t regret it, he deserved it, he’s a cad
Tell the harpies who land on your bedpost
That at the count of five you’ll roast them alive
Tell the devil it’s time you gave him his due
He should go back to hell, he should shake in his shoes
‘Cause the mightiest, scariest creature is you
Goodnight, Demon Slayer, goodnight
Now it’s time to close your tired eyes
There are devils to slay and dragons to ride
If they see you coming, hell, they’d better hide
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, my little slayer, goodnight
I won’t tell you that there’s nothing ‘neath your bed
I won’t sell you that it’s all in your head
This world of ours is not as it seems
The monsters are real but not in your dreams
Learn what you can from the beasts you defeat
You’ll need it for some of the people you meet
Goodnight, Demon Slayer, goodnight
Now it’s time to close your tired eyes
There are devils to slay and dragons to ride
If they see you coming, hell, they’d better hide
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, my little slayer, goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight”
By the time she finished, the children were both asleep, and Hermione was weeping openly. Severus waited until the door was closed to mock her.
“Hermione, I mean, it was bad, but you should know by now how awful your own voice is.”
“Shut up, Severus,” she responded, but only began to cry harder.
“Hermione, I’m sorry, I was just joking.”
“No! It’s not me! It’s them! The song!” Hermione bawled. Nodding her head in the direction of their bedroom, she continued. “Daddy was a Death Eater. Used to beat Trish in front of the kids. I mean, you saw Jackson. He doesn’t even talk now! And all Jamie wants to do is talk about it, what she remembers at least. They are going to have terrible lives all thanks to one stupid, deranged, evil man! That’s why I sing them that song. I want them to know to stands up for themselves.”
“A Death Eater married a squib?”
“He wasn’t a Death Eater when they were married. They grew up living next to each other, and grew up together. They dated all through school even though he went to Hogwarts, got married right afterwards. He joined up right after Jamie was born, right about our fourth year. He got caught last year and sent to Azkaban, thank God.”
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, I always get overemotional when I’m here. But they’re just kids, you know? And for the rest of their lives they’re going to know their father loved an evil madman more than he loved them. They’re going to remember that their mother let him put his hands on her. It’s just so unfair.”
“You’re not over-emotional, Hermione. It does hurt, and they never will forget it.” Hermione looked up into his eyes for a moment, questioningly. “If I hadn’t known you were describing the children, you would have described my childhood.”
“Oh, Severus, I’m so sorry!” she cried, tears falling forcefully once again. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly.
“It’s alright, Hermione. It was a long time ago. At least these children have someone around them who’s willing to let them know they don’t have to be afraid.”
“Didn’t you?”
“The only constant theme in my life was the Dark Lord. Honestly, Hermione, do you think a well-rounded, happy person joins the Death Eaters?”
“I-” Hermione began, but at the sound of the front door cracking open, Severus brushed past her to descend the stairs. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she may have seen a tear in his eye.
*********A/N***********
Thanks!
Laceyweaseley: Thanks!
Fresh8: Thank you! I’m just glad my annoying over-knowledge of useless trivia is coming in handy when dealing w/ Sevvie!
ArienAstera: Although I am tempted not to even acknowledge you after your defamation of David Boreanaz, I do have to thank you! Besides, less competition for good old Angel! Now if I could just take care of that blasted Buffy…
FireBlade: Thanks! You rock!
Spaz141: Thank you, my faithful minion!
GrrArrg: Say, you look just like me! We’re very pretty! And yes, I have come to the conclusion that it must, indeed, be bunnies. You pulled a me on me, though with the multiple reviews! It’s okay, makes me feel loved! You know, you’re the cutest of the scoobies, with your lips as red as rubies, and your firm yet supple- tight embrace!
Amsev: Thanks!
Zephyr: Thank you! Hope the wait wasn’t too long!
Deb: Thank you, thank you, thank you! You know if you keep this up, I’ll get a big head. Oh, wait. I’ve just been informed I’m already full of myself, so go ahead and keep slopping on the praise! Thanks!
Sabrina: Thanks!
*****Alright, kiddies, as of today I am officially On-Vacation Girl, so here’s how it’s gonna go. I have up through chapter seventeen written and typed, just needing to be spell-checked and tweaked. I won’t mention any particular demands, but if you’re good little reviewers, you may just get all of those chappies before I go back to work next Friday. Now, go on, minions. Review. A lot and positively. If you’re good, you’ll get prizes!
Love and Bunnies,
PMM***********