The Sound Of Silence

Severus smiled at Stephanie. “I think that concludes your list of questions.” She nodded, but bit her lip again. She signed “One more?” He chuckled. “Of course.”

She stalled for a bit, then took her paper and wrote again. It was much easier for him if she wrote out longer sentences instead of signing them. She quickly shoved the paper in his hand and looked at the floor.

He took the paper and looked at the question.“Do you still love Mommy?” He lay the paper to the side and motioned for her to join him in the chair. She crawled into his lap and he wrapped his arms around her. “Little One, your Mother meant a lot to me for a long time. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have you. I did push her away so she could live her life. That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I’m not happy with how she kept you a secret from me. I would have loved to watch you grow up.”

He sighed. “I’m not a nice man. I never have been. Your Mother accepted that and loved me inspite of everything. For that, she does have a special place in my life. I do care for her, but the love that I felt when our relationship first started has waned.”

Steph looked up at him and signed slowly. He shook his head. “No Little One. I don\'t think there’s a chance for us to fall in love again.” She frowned and lay back against his chest. He hugged her tightly. “That doesn’t mean I won’t be in your life. I am a full grown wizard after all. I can be anywhere in the world in a matter of moments.”

She smiled up at him, then frowned. She grabbed the paper and wrote. He looked at the paper. “I missed the picnic. What picnic?” She wrote again. He nodded. “Oh. Your school held a father and daughter picnic and we missed it.” He kissed her head. “We can have our own picnic now can’t we? Of course, we can’t be outside because of the snow, but a picnic in front of the fire wouldn’t be much different would it?” She shook her head. He nodded. “Then expect your picnic tomorrow. Now, tell me about New York and what we’ll do when I come to visit.”

***
Harry and Ron had excused themselves after lunch and disappeared. Hermione and Ginny were sitting in Harry’s living room. Ginny looked at her. “Where did you get lost at today?”

Hermione smiled. “I had to work through some memories.”

Ginny nodded. “You still love him don’t you?”

Hermione frowned. “I still have feelings for him, yes. Love? Not like I did. He broke my heart. cou could I love him with that hanging over us?”

Ginny shrugged. “I think you’re on a pretty even playing field now. You took his child away. I know you didn’t know about her until after you left, but still, you chose to stay away from him. He pushed you away. You’ve both hurt each other. It’s time you started making up for that. Both of you.”

Hermione nodded and looked at Ginny. “You were the reason we got together in the first place, did you now that?” She giggled at the look on the redhead\'s face. “Our conversation by the lake before your seventh year started. You were right. Friendship wasn’t out of the question.”

Ginny nodded. “It’s not out of the question now. Besides, if you started out as friends before, why couldn’t you do the same thing again?”

***
Harry and Ron walked out of Gringott’s. Ron smiled. “It still amazes me that I can take that much money out of my account and still have more that enough left.”

Harry smiled. “Let’s go to the shop and then head to Hogwarts. We’ll have to get backn. Gn. Ginny and Hermione might start to worry about us.”

***
Later, Stephanie and Severus were in the library. She was sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs while he searched through the shelves. She flipped through one of the books he halledlled for her. She frowned when he came to sit down. She pushed the book towards him and pointed. He shook his head. “I do not know. Hopefully, we’ll find some way to help you before you begin using a wand.” She nodded and went back to her book.

The door of the library opened and Ron and Harry walked in. They found Severus and Steph easily. Harry made sure their package was safely hidden in his robe.

Severus looked up, “Wonders never cease. Potter and Weasley actu in in the library without Hermione’s insistence?”

Ron frowned at him but smiled slightly when Steph frowned at him. Harry smirked at Snape. “Professor Snape, Ron and I would like to speak to you. In private if you will?” He looked at Steph. “We’ll bring him back in one piece, I promise.” She smiled and ducked as Ron tried to ruffle her hair.

***
Snape looked at the men. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Harry looked at him. “Ron and I offered Hermione and Steph our house today. We want them to come live with us.”

Ron nodded. “She said that she couldn’t pull Steph out of school right now, an agr agree with that. We hope that she’ll think about it and come back when Steph comes to Hogwarts.”

Snape nodded. “If Hermione allows her to attend, I would hope she would move closer.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “You’re not insisting t?” t?”

Snape shrugged. “I assumed that Hermione and I would discuss any decisions about Stephanie’s future.”

Ron make his thinking face. “Mione said she couldn’t afford it, but Harry and I took care of that today.”

The other man nodded. “That’s right. We started her account at the bank today. We gave her the share of the money she earned when she helped in the Final Battle.”

Severus nodded. “I see. I take it she didn’t readily agree to this?” They both shook their heads. He smiled. “Let me guess, she doesn’t know about it?” They nodded again. He chuckled. “Very well, I’ll have Stephanie’s allowance transferred there as well.” Ron looked shocked. Snape raised his eyebrow. “I’m not going to abandon my child Mr. Weasley.”

The red head nodded. “I never thought you would. It’s just surprising how you’ve accepted her. She is exactly how Hermione was when she was younger.”

Harry nodded. “Maybe that’s why he likes her so much. She can’t ask as many questions as Hermione did.”

Snape chuckled slightly. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” He looked back towards the library. “If that’s all gentlemen?”

Harry stopped him. “Actually, it’s not. The Weasley’s are having their celebration of Christmas on Friday. It’s going to be a party for Steph and Hermione too. We’re here to invite you of course.”

He nodded. “I will attend. Of course.”

Ron smiled. “Harry and I already bought Steph a present. We figured the account at the bank would be enough for Hermione.” Harry enlarged the package so Severus could take a look at their gift.

Snape smiled slightly. “Stephanie will be ecstatic.”

Harry grinned. “Wish I could say the same for Hermione.”

***
Steph looked towards the door again. What were Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron talking to Daddy about? She thought about sneaking to the door and trying to overhear them, but finally decided not to. She kept looking at the books Daddy had given her. Would there be something in one of them to help her?

Severus walked and looked at her. He smiled. “How would you like a trip to Hogsmeade?” She jumped up and ran to him. He smiled as they went to get their cloaks.

***
Harry and Ron appeared with a pop at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley smiled at them. “The girls are at your house. Did everything go as planned?”

Ron no. “O. “Of course it did, Mum. We started the account, bought Steph’s present and invited Snape to the party.”

She smiled. “Very good. Now, get going. I’m sure Hermione is wondering what you two are up to.”

***
Ginny was smiling as Hermione was talking about New York. The wheels were turning in the younger woman’s mind. She knew that Hermione still had feelings for Professor Snape. She always knew they were perfect for each other. She wondered how Snape felt about Hermione. Maybe a trip to Hogwarts was in order. She kept plotting as she listened.

***
With a pop, the boys landed in the living room. Ginny rolled her eyes. “You two are worse than Fred and George when they first got their license. Whate yoe you been doing today?”

Harry leaned down and kissed her. “Now honey, I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

Hermione frowned at them. “What are you talking about?” Ron shrugged and Harry just smiled.

***
Severus watched as Stephanie took in all the books in the bookshop. She ran her fingertips over each spine as she passed. He leafed through one of the many potions text the shop carried. They had researched several potions and combinations and he felt confident enough to start a potion that may help Stephanie. He would discuss it with Hermione tonight.

A smile played over his lips. He remembered several of their discussions from before. She was a very intelligent woman. He chuckled slightly as he remembered their first kiss. She had only wanted to shut him up. Very effective he had to say. Then afterwards, her words of acceptance, “I’m not impulsive and you’re not nice.” Sid hid have a point.

He sighed as he put the book back on the shelf. He did miss her. It was so hard when she left; when he told her to leave. It wasn’t one of his more intelligent moments. Albus had been right. The wizarding world had suffered with her leaving. His world to be more specific. He had treated her horribly. Somewhere, in the more rational part of his mind, there was a small part of him that thought that maybe he did agree that he deserved the pain she caused when she kept Stephanie from him. He was still upset with her. He sighed. They really needed to talk.

Stephanie walked up and tugged at his robes. He looked down at his beautiful girl. She signed slowly. He concentrated as she repeated the signs. He nodded. “Diagon Alley. Yes, it’s another wizarding area. Your Mother hasn’t taken you there?” She shook her head. He touched her shoulder. “Maybe we can visit before you leave.” She signed again. He nodded. “Hermione can go as well.”

She pointed to the enchanted basket that was floating near her elbow. He smiled at the number of books inside. He lifted an eyebrow, “Is that all? You did leave some for the other customers didn\'t you?” She frowned and he chuckled. “Of course little one, of course.”

***
Later, Herm sat sat in her rooms waiting for Steph to come back. She wondered what the two had been doing today. She smiled, glad that they were getting along so well. She sighed. Time to start planning to send Stephanie to Hogwarts. How was she going to get the money? Severus would help of course, but she wasn’t going to let him pay for everything. That would be embarrassing.

She picked up the folder Severus had given her and flipped through it. Her eyes stopped on the report from Madam Pomfrey. According to the Medi-Witch, there was nothing physically wrong with Stephanie’s throat; other than her vocal cords were weak from the lack of use.

She read over the rest of the physical and let her brain work. The brain. Of course! The brain controlled all the functions of the body. She tried to recall anything she had ever read on the brain. Had Severus thought about this? Why hadn’t any of the doctors caught onto this? She sighed. The doctors had all been specialists that focused on her throat and nothing else. Sheled.led. Looks like she would be spending some time in the library tomorrow.

***
She looked up as the door opened. Steph ran in and hugged her. Hermione kissed her head and smiled at Severus. “Have a good day?” He nodded, placed a package on the table and enlarged it.

Hermione frowned. Steph signed. She shook her head. “Severus, yougoingoing to spoil her.” He shrugged. Steph grabbed on of the books and handed it to Mommy.

Hermione looked at the cover and gasped. Vanquishing Voldemort: The Fall of Darkness by Colin Creevy. The picture was of Harry, standing over the ashes of what was once the Dark Lord. Ron was there, holding his arm against him. Her eyes searched the cover quickly. There, in the corner. The younger Hermione was sitting, her hand pressing against her stab wound on her side, the bodies of Death Eaters around her on the ground. Her hand went to the scar of the old wound.

Severus watched her reaction. He cleared his throat. “Stephanie, go get ready for bed.” He watched as she left. He knelt beside Hermione. “I’m sorry. I didn’t look through all her choices.”

Hermione looked up at him. “No....its...no. I’m ok. Really. It was just a surprise that’s all. I’ve as kns known that books like this exist, but I just never went looking for them.” She stared at the picture on the cover. She ran her fingertips over the young girl and watched as she waved wearily.

Severus took the book from her. “It’s over. It’s all over.”

She shook her head. “No. No it’s not. Everyone thinks that, but they’re wrong. I can still hear the screams. I still smell the blood. I can still feel the dark magic. I still see all the dead, staring up at the sky.” The tears pricked her eyes again.

He pulled her up out of the chair and into his arms. He held her, his chin resting on the top of her head. Her arms curled around his waist, her face against his chest. His voice rumbled against her as he spoke. “I know. Gods do I know. Why do you think I’m such a bastard? I haven’t had a decent night’s rest since I joined the Death Eaters.”

She turned and lay her cheek against his chest, the tears fell onto his shirt. “You...you’re so brave. Much...much more of a man that I coulve bve been in that situation.”

He chuckled slightly. “Well, I would hope so.”

She shook her head. “You know what I mean.”

He sighed. “No. If you remember, I agreed that I shouldn’t be alive. I thought we had established that fact.”

***
Steph started into the room, but stopped when she saw her Mom in her Dad’s arms. She smiled, watched for a few moments, then turned and closed the door gently and crawled into bed.

***
Hermione looked up at him. “I’m sorry.” He frowned as she continued. “For the way I’ve acted, for keeping your daughter away from you, for being a bitch.”

He lifted his eyebrow. “An apology? I’m impressed.” He smiled softly. “I’m sorry as well. For turning you away, for not coming after you, for being a bastard.”

She lay her head against him again. “I don’t have much money. I’m not sure how I’m going to pay for my half of her education.”

He nodded. “Then it’s lucky that children of the staff attend Hogwarts free of charge.”

She looked up. “Free tuition?” He nodded, then watched her frown. “I guess I’ll have to take Harry and Ron up on their offer.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What, you don’t want to live with Potter and Weasley? Even after doing that exact thing for seven years of your life?”

She shrugged. “I’m not dependent on them anymore. After our fight, I realized that I could do things without their help. I’ve had my own life for so long now, I don’t think I can go back to being their sidekick.”

He brushed the hair back from her face. “Don’t worry about it now. Things have a way of working themselves out.”

She sighed. “I guess we need to go tuck Steph in.” He nodded as he let her go. They walked to the bedroom door and she pushed it open. His hand came to her shoulder as they saw their daughter curled in bed, sleeping.

***
Severus led her to the couch and sat. She looked around. “Do you want anything? I can go out and see if Rosmerta has any drinks still out.”

He shook his head. “No thank you. I’m fine. I wanted to talk with you.”

She nodded and watched as he collected his thoughts. He cleared his throat and looked at her. “I think we should work out some arrangements for visitations.”

She nodded. “I’ll give you our address in New York. All I ask is for some adva war warning.” He nodded.

He looked at the fire. “There’s something else. I believe I may be ready to put together a potion for Stephanie.”

She looked at him. “When?”

Severus looked back to her. “Tomorrow. After lunch. Stephanie and I are having a picnic to make up for the one that I missed.”

Hermione smiled. “Her school’s father daughter picnic.”

He nodded. “She told me about it. It was one of the factors that caused her travel back to your sixth year. I would ask you to join, but it is just for fathers and their daughters.”

She laughed slightly. “I wouldn\'t dream of intruding.”

He smiled. “Should we allow her to help in preparations?”

Hermione shook her head. “I’ll arrange for her to stay either with Harry and Ron or with the Weasley’s. I’ll explain everything to them tomorrow during breakfast.”

He nodded as he stood. “So Stephanie will be with me tomorrow morning until lunch?” Hermione nodded. “Then I guess that is all we need to discuss.”

She stood and walked him to the door. “Thank you. You’ve managed to give me something none of the doctors and specialists have been able to.”

He smiled softly. “ You are welcome. Consider it repayment for the gift you’ve given me.” With that, he disappeared.

She leaned her head against the door. Damn. Just....damn.

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Thanks for all the reviews. Sorry that I didn\'t answer each individualy. Sorry that this took so long to post, but with exams, the holidays and a new semester starting, along with my Senior Thesthinthings got a little hectic. But the thesis is finished, turnturned in. All that I have to do now is fine tune and present. Thanks for waiting on me. I hope you enjoy!!!