All the way II: And Even Further

Lucius met Annie after breakfast and they headed outside to the lake, his arm around her shoulders, her leaning into him. They sat down on their usual rock and Annie curled into him against the wind.

It felt so strange. He felt so strange. He had one of the most popular girls in the school tucked into his arms and still something was missing!

She closed her eyes and rested her cheek on his shoulder. Fiery red strands mingled with platinum blonde, twisting together in the breeze.

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She walked into the room and the atmosphere changed. He moved over to kiss her, but she jerked her head away. He was about to ask what was wrong, but she got there first.

"I can't," She whispered, "I just... after what you told me, I don't think I can stay with a person like... like you..."

"No," he shook his head, "No! You can't leave! We... We have a daughter!"

"And she's coming with me -"

"You can't do that!" he said, noticing a few packed bags by the door, "I Love you! Please! Don't leave me!"

She shook her head, tears in her eyes, "I can't be here, with some one like you! I know you wanted to tell me, but it just made me realize what you're really like! I am so, so sorry! I love you! I do -!"

"Then stay!" he pleaded. His wife walked away, towards the door. "What about My daughter?"

"She's waiting for me at a friends," she said, reducing her stuff with her wand and putting it into her pockets, "then we'll go. I'm sorry."

In one last attempt to stop his life from being shattered, he ran to her, but he was too late; she was already out of the door and his life.

"No!" he moaned, "No!"

He sank to the floor, shaking with anger and remorse. He should never have told her!

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"Mummy!"

Eileen ran into her mothers’ bedroom. Hermione pulled her top over her head and smoothed her hair down.

"What?" she asked, pocketing her wand in her jeans.

"There's another red head at the door." The girl said in a bored tone.

Hermione laughed, she sounded like her father, "Send them in."

Eileen left the room and came back followed by...

"Eileen..." Hermione said breathlessly, "Go to your room, please."

"But mummy -!"

"Now."

Eileen left the room.

"So... that's your daughter?" He asked.

Hermione nodded, "What are you doing here?"

"I... messed up. Everything." he struggled, "I know what I did was wrong and I know that you changed stuff and lied to get me off, but please! I need your help; your friendship -"

"I don't think -"

"Hermione, please! Just listen, ok. I have a daughter and a wife, except I don't, because she left me because I told her about what I did to you -!"

"Alright!" Hermione almost shouted, "Alright. Owl me with your address and I’ll tell you when I have time to talk, because Severus is going to be back any moment and I don't want him to find you here -!"

"So he rules your life now -!" he started, angrily.

"Just go, Ron!"

"Fine!" he huffed, "I'll owl you soon!"

He stormed out and Hermione dropped onto the bed, her mind buzzing. Eileen slipped in quietly.

"Mummy?" She asked carefully, "Are you ok?"

"Yes, of course, love,"

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Severus had to use all the self control he possessed and then some, to stop him from retrieving his wand and casting an unforgivable on the man that was walking passed the shadows he was hiding in.

Ronald Weasley.

His fingers literally twitched to be able to take his wand and hex the bastard.

What was he doing down here?

As soon as he had passed, Severus hurtled off toward his rooms.

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Eileen watched from the crack in her door, as her father burst into the living room. Her mother was on the sofa, but jumped up when he entered the room so roughly.

"Hermione?" he growled.

Her mum bit her lip and turned away, "You saw him."

"He's lucky to be alive right now, believe me." Her dad said in that low tone again. Then he softened, "Are you alright?"

Her mum nodded, "Fine."

"And Eileen?"

"Fine."

He held her from behind, "What did he want?"

"Friendship."

"That fucking little -"

"Severus," She said quietly, "He has a daughter and his wife just left him."

"I don't blame her.” He sneered, "I don't want you going near him. Ever. And if he comes near you... I'll kill him."

"Severus!" she moved away again, "You will not be killing any one! Especially him! Do you understand?"

"No!" He dad fisted his hands in his hair, "Do you understand? I. Do. Not. Want. You. Near. Him."