The Healing

CHAPTER THIRTEEN


Hermione stood in the bedroom doorway, her camera in hand. She had been awake for awhile, but Severus was still asleep, Sebastian cradled in his arm. They looked so adorable laying there, looking so much alike. She always liked watching him sleep, his face relaxed and that little furrow between his brows was no where to be seen. The man carried stress like a suit of armor.

“Why are you standing there staring?” He mumbled, not even opening his eyes.

“Why are you such a grump in the mornings?” She asked. Severus glanced down at the baby nestled against him and smiled slightly. “I’m in a better mood than I thought I would be, considering he wakes so often.”

“You get use to it very quickly.” She said as she stepped into the room. She was dressed in her bathrobe, her hair still wet from her shower and pulled back into a braid. She sat on the edge of the bed and leaned in to peck him softly on the lips. “I’m glad you stayed.”

“Me too.”

“Here, this came for you a bit ago.” She said, handing him an envelope. She picked Sebastian up and opened her robe, settling him in for his breakfast as Severus read his message.

“It’s from Minerva; she’s inviting you and the baby to come to the school for lunch.” He said, folding the letter and tucking it back into the envelope. “I like watching you do that you know.”

“You like any excuse for a look at my breasts.” She laughed.

“That too.” He said smiling. “Do you want to go?”

“That’s up to you, how public do you wish to be about Sebastian?” She asked, scooting back on the bed so she could lean against the headboard.

“I’m not ashamed of him, or you. I see no reason why we can’t be an open couple, a family.” He reached out and traced the faint blue web of veins that was now visible beneath the skin on her breasts, a result of her nursing.

“A family? I like the way that sounds.”

“I’ll send a message and let her know to set a place for you next to me.”


“You know, everyone is going to see you differently, you might not seem as scary to the students now that you are someone else’s Daddy.”

“I’m sure it won’t matter, I still don’t particularly like children. Well, I like mine, but then I can make sure he doesn’t grow into an idiot.” He said. “Do you think you would want more someday?”

“More what?”

“Children.”

“Oh, yes, I think I would.” She said, smiling down a Sebastian. “What about you?”

“I don’t know, I never expected to have any…I guess I’m still trying to get use to the idea that this one is mine.”

“He could be no one else’s.” She told him softly.

“So there has been no one else?” He asked, somewhat ashamed that he was so relieved.

“No, despite the fact that I was pregnant, and not exactly in the market for a new lover, I only wanted you.”

“You can’t imagine how happy I am to hear you say that.” He said before he kissed her.


It seemed to take an eternity for them to be ready to leave Hermione’s house. She had dressed Sebastian first in a tiny set of blue robes, and then went to dress herself. By the time she was finished she had to change Sebastian’s robes again after a rather unfortunate diaper incident. She had to pack a giant burgundy bag until it was bursting at the seams with diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets and any other number of items he couldn’t begin to understand the need for.

Finally, with Sebastian in his arm, the bag slung over his shoulder, and his hand clasped with Hermione’s, they were able to use the floo network and travel into his rooms at Hogwarts. While Severus showered and changed into a set of clean robes, Hermione carried Sebastian around his rooms. She had never seen the inside if the staffs private living quarters. They were cozy, consisting of a small sitting room, bedroom, eat in kitchen, and a small study. Severus appeared to be a bit of a packrat as every shelf and surface was covered with books, scrolls and parchment.

“Sorry about the mess.” He said as he exited his bedroom, pulling his robes on over his suit. “House elves are afraid of me and rarely come to clean.”

“Do you ever throw anything out?” She asked, picking up several copies of a potions journal dated ten years ago.

“No, sadly, I never know when I might need something.” He said. “I should get more organized though.” He said looking around. Hermione smiled and reached for her wand.

“Stand back.” With a wave and a slight flick, books, papers and scrolls were swept up into a whirlwind and began filing themselves neatly onto shelves and into drawers.

“My Gods woman, where did you learn that?” He asked.

“McGonagall, she’s a bit of a neat freak, like me. She thought I would find it useful.” She smiled as the final papers filed into a drawer and the chambers immediately looked bigger, and clean.

“Brilliant.” He said as he looked around. “Shall we go to the great hall then?” He offered her his arm and escorted her from his chambers and to the great hall. Most of the students were already seated in the hall, but there were a few who were moving slowly, stopping to stare as they walked past.

They entered the dining hall through the back entrance, directly behind the staff tables.

“Oh, Hermione dear!” Minerva exclaimed when they entered. “I’m so glad you decided to join us.” She looked pointedly at Severus, “Good to see you have returned Professor Snape.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it Professor McGonagall.” Hermione said, smiling brightly.

“Nonsense, call me Minerva. Come now, have a seat, we will talk later.” Severus led her to their seats at the table, but before they could be seated Hagrid stepped in front of them.

“Welcome back Hermione.” He said. “Haven’t seen you since…” He looked down at the tiny infant cradled in her arms. The little one could fit in the palm of his hand. He was a cute lad, with all that black spiky hair and chubby cheeks. He glanced at the clasped hands of Hermione and Snape and his eyes widened in shock. “I knew there was something dodgy going on in that cabin….I knew it the moment I saw the two of ye in that bed, and then all that business in the shower together!”

“Hagrid, you are causing a scene.” Severus said tightly, noting that all of the staff and the majority of the students were staring and listening intently. Hagrid had the grace to blush when he realized what he had just announced to the entire school.

“Sorry, I just…I shouldn’t have let you stay Hermione.” He said sadly.

“My choice Hagrid, remember.” She said softly. “This is Sebastian, our son.”

“Looks like you Professor.” He said, brushing one large finger over the baby’s head. “Congratulations then.” He said with a nod before taking his seat. Severus took a deep breath and shook his head, the emotional gamekeeper was difficult to bear at times. He held Hermione’s chair as she took her seat, then sat beside her as lunch was served. He was already half way through his meal before he realized Hermione had barely touched anything on her plate.

“Why aren’t you eating?” He asked, frowning as she ate slowly.

“Have you ever tried eating with a child in your arms? Not easy, I always end up eating slower than everyone else, and rarely get to finish it before its cold.” She said, somewhat annoyed.

“Give him to me.” Severus said, reaching for the cloth draped over her shoulder and transferring it to his and then he pulled Sebastian into his arms and over his shoulder. “Now, eat before it gets cold.” With the baby secured over his shoulder he reached for his fork and continued to eat at a steady pace, he seemed to have a better grasp on multitasking than she did. Hermione smiled, he was going to make a good father, she was sure of it.


Severus had a difficult time ignoring the fascinated stares of fellow staff and students. They were still gawking at him as he stood in the hall; Sebastian still perched over his shoulder, sound asleep.

“Severus, stop glowering.” Hermione said, glancing over at him from where she stood chatting with McGonagall and Madam Hooch.

“I can’t help it, these dunderheads are staring at me like I’m going to eat the child at any moment.” He groused. He saw two Ravenclaw students slip into an alcove down the hall. “Excuse me for a moment.”

He stalked off down the corridor, robes billowing behind him. Hermione watched as he reached into the alcove with his free hand and tugged a Ravenclaw boy out by his hood, then reach in again and withdraw the young lady.

“This is not the place for….that.” He shouldn’t be frightening, not standing there with a baby in his arms, but the students cowered anyhow.

“Y-y-yes sir.” They stammered.

“Ten points each from Ravenclaw.” He turned and stalked back to where Hermione and the other two women stood. The students parted in fear, making sure to stay out of his way.

“Told you it wouldn’t matter.” He smirked. “Father or not, I am still capable of terrifying these little idiots.”

“Of course you are darling. Next time you decide to move so quickly to stop a little snogging, you might want to remember what happens when you jostle him too much after he eats.” Hermione said as Minerva and Hooch began to laugh. Severus looked down at his robes and frowned as a white trail of baby spit trickled along the lapel.

“Everytime! The boy seems intent on keeping me covered in vomit or peeing on me.” He grumbled as he wiped the spot away.

“Severus, you rarely put him down, you’re going to spoil him.” Hermione said.

“Here, let me take him for awhile. I’ll take him to my office for a bit, and you two can go for a walk. Its Sunday, no classes today, enjoy the grounds for a bit.” Minerva said, reaching for the baby.

“Are you sure?” Hermione asked.

“Of course dear, we will be just fine, won’t we now Master Snape?” She said looking down into Sebastian’s black eyes. “Oh my goodness, will you look at that?”

“What?” Severus said peering over Minerva’s shoulder at his son.

“Look at his eyes, so curious, so alert…this child will be an incredibly powerful wizard one day, mark my words.” Minerva said.

“Of course he will be, he’s my son.” Severus said arrogantly, causing the women to chuckle.

“Let’s hope he inherits his mother’s humility.” Madam Hooch rolled her eyes and followed Minerva down the hall with the baby.

“Will he be okay you think?” Severus asked as he watched the women disappear with his son.

“He’ll be fine, he doesn’t have any grandparents you know, he’ll likely come here when he turns eleven and think that Minerva is his grandmother.” She said with a laugh.

“Like it isn’t going to be difficult enough dealing with his dad as his potions professor.” Hermione stepped up beside him and wrapped her arms around his.

“You weren’t that bad, I managed to ace your classes.” She said as she smiled up at him.

“You aced all your classes; you were one of the few I have taught over the years who isn’t a complete idiot.” He bent slightly and rubbed his nose against hers. “Would you care to join me for a stroll?”

“Of course.”


They stepped out into the main courtyard, the center of attention as the students all stopped to gape at them walking together. It was a rather odd sight to be honest. Tall, dark and dangerous Professor Snape, who was scowling at every student he passed, stopping only occasionally to take house points for one infraction or another, walking arm and arm with a young, fairly pretty witch who never seemed to stop smiling as she talked and waved to students she recognized.

“It’s odd to be here and not be student.” She said as they passed through a gate and followed the path that led through the woods and to the lake.

“It was for me as well when I returned as a teacher. I can’t say that my years here as a student were wonderful, so I wasn’t expecting it to be any better as a teacher.”

“Was it?” She asked as they neared a row of ancient yew trees that lined the waters edge.

“For a time, I was allowed to live in relative peace. But as you know, when Harry came to school, my life once again was turned inside out. I had to revisit a past I had hoped was behind me for good.” He rubbed his forearm self-consciously.

“Still expecting it to start burning?” She asked.

“I suppose it’s still too soon for me to fully accept that it’s over. I can’t help feeling that it’s never going to be completely over.” He leaned back against the trunk of one of the enormous trees and pulled her forward to lean against him.

“I suppose that as long as there are still followers out there, it will never be truly over.” She toyed with the closure on his cloak for a moment before lifting up on her toes. She kissed him, sliding her tongue out to tickle along the seam of his lips. “Do you remember going into the woods to fetch firewood?” She asked against his mouth.

“I do.” She thrust her tongue into his mouth, moaning when he sucked softly before letting his join in the play. Her arms wrapped tight around his neck as she shifted, parting her legs so she was straddling his thigh, rubbing against him gently.

“I thought you were joking at first.” She said, sliding her lips along his jaw to nibble at the rough skin of his throat above his collar. “The next thing I knew, my skirt was above my waist and my knickers were gone, and all I could feel was the tree at my back and you deep inside me.”

“This is not fair.” He moaned, his hands sliding down her back to cup her bottom as he pressed his thigh up and into the apex of her thighs.

“I can make it fair…I remember all the things you taught me Severus.” She whispered as she slid her hands along his chest and stomach beneath his robes.

“Is that so?” He drawled, staring down at her, his eyes hooded and smoldering. Hermione smiled softly as she reached for the zipper on his trousers, lowering it slowly and sliding her hand inside the opening. He gasped softly when her hand wrapped around his erection and squeezed gently.

“Yes, I remember vividly, every single lesson…every encounter we had in that little cabin, and out of it.” She slid her hand up slowly, letting her thumb circle over the head, spreading the drops of moisture accumulating on the tip.

“Ungh…that feels so good.” His breathing was ragged, his voice low and slightly raspy. His hands tightened on her bottom as he pulled her harder into his thigh. She continued to stroke him, increasing the rhythm gradually and tightening her hold the way she knew he liked it. She looked around to make certain they were alone in the woods, then slid quickly to her knees before him and took him into her mouth.
“Fuck, Hermione!” She loved it when he lost control and began to swear. His hands immediately fisted in her hair as her lips slid over the head, sucking and licking the sensitive tip as her hand continued stroking the shaft. It didn’t take long before she felt him begin to pulse beneath her fingers. She opened her lips wide and sucked him hard, and deep into her mouth. She heard him groan and felt his fingers dig into the top of her head as he came, his seed splashing into the back of her throat time and time again as she continued the soft suction.

He slumped against the tree as she pulled back and wiped her mouth on the edge of his robes. She tucked his now softening penis back into his trousers and zipped them back up as she climbed his body, pressing close and laying her head against his chest.

“Feel better?” She asked. He started to laugh softly as he wrapped his arms around her.

“What about you?” He said, rubbing his hands in gentle circles over her back.

“I’ll take an IOU, don’t worry, I am counting the days until I can collect.” They heard the crunching of leaves and the giggle of students somewhere behind them.

“Did you see them?” A young voice asked. Severus’s eyes widened, had they been seen? He started to pull away from her and approach the students, but Hermione pressed a finger to his lips and shook her head as they listened.

“Can you believe it? Professor Snape got himself a girlfriend.” Said another student.

“Did ye see him with that baby? I can’t imagine him being my dad, I’d be completely terrified.”

“It was weird, that baby looked just like him. He was so gentle with it too, I didn’t think it were possible.”

“She’s a fairly pretty witch too, I remember her, one of the golden trio. Wonder what made her want to snog Snape?” A boy’s voice interjected.

“I don’t know, he’s kind of mysterious, scary but handsome too for a dark wizard. I think it’s kind of sexy you know, the whole reformed death eater thing.” Severus rolled his eyes at the comment coming from one of the young females.

“Well it’s obvious he’s been doing more than snogging with her since they have that little one.”

“I wonder if he fell in love with her when she was a student?” Little miss romance again. “Maybe he saw her across his potions class and just had to have her.” The girl sighed dramatically. Hermione wanted to laugh, because the truth was most of his interaction with her had been to insult her.

“Yer demented!” The boy again. “No way would he shag a student, way I heard it from me mum was he met her after the war, and they got involved then, least that’s the way McGonagall is telling it.”

“Well I still say its terribly romantic and that baby is just adorable.” Their voices were drifting off as they moved farther away from Hermione and Severus.

“Well that was interesting.” Hermione said.

“Why do teenagers have to gossip so damned much.” He grumbled as they stepped out from behind the tree and headed back up towards the castle.

“Oh come on now Severus, the boys are just interested in any conquests made by other men, and the girls, well I think you are going to be the stuff of many a young girls fantasy for awhile.” She laughed at his horrified expression.

“That is truly disturbing, I have enough problems getting these dunderheads to pay attention in class as it is, last thing I need is a bunch of eyelash batting horny teenagers making it more difficult!”


****Okay, a little fluff, a little smut LOL....lots of the later to come, and yes, Lucius will be popping up again...just wait and see.....