The Sound Of Silence

And nothing came out. She tried and tried. She even tried to make small sounds. She looked at Mommy, tears glistening in her eyes.

Hermione drew her into her arms. \"It\'s ok honey. It\'s ok. We didn\'t know if it would work or not.\" She looked up at Severus.

He sat on the couch next to them. \"Stephanie, I\'m sorry. I was sure that this would work. I\'ve let you down.\" She looked up at him and reached for his hands.

He moved closer and wrapped his arms around both of them. The rest of the group looked at each other and then silently made their way outside.

***
Ron sighed. \"Whoa. That was....interesting.\"

Harry nodded. Ginny lay her head against his shoulder. \"See, he does love her. He loves them both.\"

He hugged her tightly. \"You\'re right Gin. I wouldn\'t have believed you if I hadn\'t seen it for myself.\"

Ron sighed. \"So, how do we go about getting them back together?\"

***
Hermione looked down at Steph and wiped her tears away. \"It\'s ok baby. It\'s just a minor setback. Disappointing, yes, but this is only minor.\"

Steph lay her head against Mommy and looked at Daddy. He looked so sad. She grabbed his hands and made him look at her. She started signing to him. He looked at Hermione. She smiled. \"She says you\'re still a great potions master.\"

He smiled. \"Thank you little one. That is truly a compliment.\" She yawned slightly. He nodded. \"Come on. It\'s time for bed. You\'ve had a big day.\" She nodded.

Hermione stood up and gathered her books together and put them in her book bag. Severus helped her into her cloak. Hermione looked around. \"Where did everyone get to?\" Steph pointed outside.

***
Harry annny nny were cuddled on the swing. Ron was on the porch railing. They looked up as they came outside. Steph hid her face against Daddy. Ron got up and knelt down in front of her. \"Come on now. Where\'s your smile?\" She peeked out at him. He smiled. \"You\'re still Steph. You didn\'t change at all.\" She smiled. He pulled her into a hug. \"Still love you.\"

She hugged him tightly. He stood and hugged Hermione. \"You\'ll get it \'Mione. Promise.\" He turned to Snape and held out his hand. \"Not bad for a first try.\"

Snape glared at him. \"It will not be the last.\" He swept past them and down the front steps.

Hermione smiled. \"I\'ll talk to you guys tomorrow.\" She and Steph followed after him.

***
At the Three Broomsticks, Stephanie was getting ready for bed. Severus was pacing the floor. Hermione sighed. \"Sit down.\" He glared at her. She glared back. \"Look. You\'re upset. I am too. Stephanie is as well. Your pacing isn\'t helping the situation.\"

He stopped and glared at her. \"I failed. I promised her that I would cure her and I failed her.\" He started pacing again.

She sighed. \"I failed too. I helped you with the potion. I let her down too. Right?\"

He stopped. \"It\'s different.\"

She shook her head. \"How? I\'ve been looking for a way to help her since she was a baby. Do not tell me that I haven\'t let her down. I let her down every day that I don\'t find a cure for what\'s wrong with her.\"

He sighed. \"But it should have worked. Everything blended together and none of the properties canceled each other out.\"

She stood and put her hand on his arm. \"Maybe her throat isn\'t the problem.\" He frowned and followed her into the bedroom.

***
Steph was sitting up in bed, a book open on her lap. She wasn\'t focused on the book. She was looking at the wall, her hands moving over her throat. They watched as she tried to make a sound. Hermione\'s hand covered her mouth and Severus put a hand on her shoulder. He cleared his throat. She looked up at them and smiled.

He looked her over. \"Is something wrong with your throat?\"

She shook her head and signed. Hermione came into the room and sat on the bed. \"What do you mean it feels different?\" She signed again. Hermione frowned. \"She can\'t describe it, but she knows something is different.\"

Severus nodded. \"Now I wish that Pomfrey was back from holiday. I would like for her to have another exam. Before you ask, I will not have her examined by anyone at St. Mungo\'s.\"

Hermione looked up at him. \"Will she be back before we leave?\"

He shook his head. \"Doubtful. She stays away from the Castle until a week before the children return.\"

Hermione sighed. \"We\'ll try to come back when she\'s around.\"

Steph tapped her Mommy\'s arm. She signed. Hermione nodded. \"That\'s right. With all the emotions and potions, I forgot that Christmas is on Friday.\" Snape frowned.

Hermione took the book from Steph\'s lap. \"Bed time. Tomorrow we go visit Grandmum and Grandpa.\" Steph grinned and pointed to Severus. Hermione shrugged. \"I don\'t know. Ask.\"

Steph looked at him and signed slowly. He asked her to repeat the signs and then he looked at Hermione. \"Would your parents accept me?\"

She shrugged. \"There\'s one way to find out.\"

He sighed. \"For Stephanie.\" She grinned and snuggled down into bed.

***
The next morning, Molly fussed over Steph. \"Don\'t you dare worry about this. Severus is a very smart man. Your Mum too. You\'ll be talking up a storm in no time.\"

Arthur smiled. \"Molly is right. It won\'t be long now.\"

Ron smiled. \"What\'s up for today \'Mione?\"

She took a drink of milk. \"Severus, Steph and I are going to visit my folks. I haven\'t seen then since Steph\'s birthday.\"

Harry grinned. \"Snape\'s going with you? Why?\"

Steph grinned and signed. Hermione nodded. \"That\'s right. Steph asked him too.\"

Ginny looked at her. \"Do your parents know about him?\" She shook her head.

George laughed and looked at Fred. \"Maybe she needs a firecracker to lighten the mood?\"

***
They appeared in an alley just below the Granger\'s house. Steph was holding her presents for her grandparents. Severus looked uncomfortable in his muggle trousers and jumper. Steph took his hand as they walked down the street.

They walked on the porch and as Severus knocked, Hermione smoothed Steph\'s hair back and made sure her face was clean. Severus shook his head as Steph tried to push Mommy\'s hands away.

The door was opened by an older woman. She smiled. \"Hermione! I wondered if you were going to visit. Have you been at Hogwarts this whole time?\"

Hermione hugged the woman. \"Hello Mum. Actually, no. I\'ve been spending a lot of time with Harry and Ron. We worked everything out Mum. They absolutely adore Steph.\"

Steph ran up and hugged her grandmum. The woman kissed her head. \"And how is my beautiful girl? How\'s school?\" Steph grinned and starting signing, trying to hold the packages.

Hermione laughed. \"Come on honey. Let\'s go inside and you can tell her all about it.\"

Martha Granger looked at the man standing on the porch. \"Hermione, why didn\'t you tell me you were bringing your man friend? I didn\'t even introduce myself.\" She turned to him. \"Hello. I\'m Martha Granger.\"

Severus shook her hand. \"Mrs. Granger. We\'ve met before, briefly. I\'m Professor Snape from Hogwarts.\"

She looked at Hermione. \"My my. Hermione, you and I have a lot to talk about.\"

***
Later, the Grangers were listening to the whole story. Sam Granger looked at his daughter. \"I wish you would have told us who Steph\'s father was. We might have had time to adjust to this. I thought all this time that Harry might have been her father.\"

She shrugged. \"I just told Steph.\" Steph moved closer to Severus.

Martha Granger shook her head. \"I knew something was up when you told me you were going to visit Hogwarts. Did Harry and Ron accept her and her father?\"

Hermione nodded. \"Yeah. They adore Steph. Their still upset about Severus. I think they\'ll come around. They\'ve been teaching Steph about Qudditch.\"

Sam turned to his granddaughter. \"I take it you\'re happy with your Mum\'s friends and your father?\" Steph nodded and started signing. The Grangers listened to her and then turned to Severus. Sam asked, \"Do you really think you can cure her?\"

Severus nodded slightly. \"If there is a way to help her, then I plan on finding it.\"

Martha stood up. \"Hermione, help me get lunch together? The men and Steph can talk or watch the telly.\"

h weh went into the other room and the sound of the telly filled the air. Severus looked at the man in front of him. He was looking him over. Finally he spoke. \"Are you going to take care of your daughter?\" Severus nodded.

There was a few more moments of silence, and then Sam spoke again. \"What about Hermione?\"

Severus leaned forward in his chair. \"I\'m not sure. She has made it very clear she needs no help, yet I think differently. I do plan on helping her indirectly. Potter and Weasley are planning on helping her as well.\"

Sam nodded. \"Good. She won\'t allow us to help her at all. We\'ve offered so many times. She\'s just so proud.\"

Severus nodded. \"Gryffindor stubbornness.\"

The other man held out his hand. \"I\'m glad we\'re on the same page. Welcome to the family. Care for a game of chess?\"

***
After lunch, good-byes were said. Stephanie left with the promise of gifts waiting for her in New York. Hermione left promises that she would visit more in the upcoming year. There was a look between Severus and Sam that held a promise all its own.

Steph looked at her Grandmother. She signed. Martha smiled. \"Yes honey. I think he\'s a good Daddy. I\'m glad you found him too.\" She looked at Severus. \"I mean that. We heard all the stories from Hermione, Ron and Harry. We alnow now what you did to save Hermione\'s world. We thank you and welcome to the family.\" She smiled at him and then gave him a motherly hug.

He looked shocked and then quickly hugged her and then pulled away. Steph took his hand and waved as they apperated.

***
They appeared in an alleyway beside the Leaky Cauldron. Severus dropped Steph\'s hand as they walked in the door. She frowned up at Mommy. Hermione smiled. \"Remember, Daddy has an image to uphold.\"

Steph nodded and straightened her cloak. She adopted her Daddy\'s stoic expression. Hermione bit back a laugh and followed them inside.

***
No one spoke to Severus as she walked through the pub. Steph tried to match his stride, but fell back next to Mommy. Hermione smiled. \"You look just like him honey, only cute.\" Steph grinned and followed him out the back door.

He looked back at Steph. \"Watch closely.\" He tapped the bricks in sequence and stood back as the wall formed into an archway. Her eyes went wide as she watched. She stepped into the arch.

He watched her. \"Welcome to Diagon Alley.\" She grinned up at him and then ran to the nearest shop window.

Hermione looked up at him. \"It\'s amazing to show her new things.\"

He nodded. \"If only all children were like her.\" They stepped through the arch and followed her down the street.

***
They had made their way to Florish and Blotts when it happened. Steph and Hermione were flipping through text books while Severus was checking his order for the next school year. A young girl came around the corner of the shelf and bumped into Hermione. She dropped the books that she was holding.

Hermione bent down to help her. The girl looked up to thank her and gasped. \"It\'s you!\" \'Mione frowned at her. The girl searched through the books and thrust one into her hand. It was Colin\'s book.

She pointed to her picture. \"You\'re Hermione Granger. I\'ve read all I could find about you.\"

Hermione glanced up at Steph. She looked back at the girl. \"You must be mistaken. I don\'t know what you\'re talking about.\"

The girl shook her head. \"No. No. No. I know it\'s you. I just know it! Can I see your side? Did the stab wound scar? Can I touch it? Will you sign my book? Please? Please?\"

Hermione stood as she shook her head. \"No. I\'m sorry. I think you have the wrong pn.\"n.\" She took Steph\'s hand. \"Let\'s find your father.\"

As they were walking away, the girl yelled. \"HERMIONE GRANGER IS IN THE STORE!\"

Everything started happening at once. Almost everyone in the store headed towards where the shout originated from. Hermione and Steph were trying to get to Severus and out the door. Severus was trying to get to them as well. The crowds kept trying to push their way towards her and he was getting pushed back.

The crowds cornered Hermione and many were pushing books and papers towards her to sign. Others were pulling her cloak, many trying to see her stab wound. Stephanie\'s hand was jerked from hers and the small, quiet girl was pushed back through the crowd.

She tried to push her way back up to Mommy, but people pushed her back and told her to wait her turn. Tears of frustration pricked her eyes. She glanced around. \'Where was Daddy?\'

She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see her Daddy with a frown on his face, \"Are you hurt?\" She shook her head. He nodded. \"Good. Stay close to me.\" She nodded.

Her began moving towards the front of the crowd. He shoved people out of his way. There were mummers of protest but once people saw who he was, quiet murmuring began.

Hermione was pushed against the wall. She looked up at Severus when he walked up. Steph ran forward and grabbed her around the waist. Severus put a han Hen Hermione\'s back and propelled her out the door.

***
They stepped back out into the street and a photographer from \'The Daily Prophet\' snapped a photo. A reporter started shouting questions. Severus shielded Steph and Hermione and glared at the person. \"Leave. She will not be answering questions.\" He turned and ushered the ladies down the street.

They ducked into aley ley and paused to catch their breath. Hermione looked up at him. \"Thank you. I was expecting all that. It hasn\'t happened before. Why doesn\'t that happen in Hogsmeade?\"

Severus looked out at the street. \"Hogsmeade is more of a family of sorts. Everyone knew that you had returned, but Dumbledore was able to tell them your desire to be left alone. Diagon Alley is a national market. They do not care for your wishes.\"

He pulled his wand and pointed it a them. With a word, their appearances changed. He explained with a word. \"Glamour.\" She nodded and pulled her own wand and changed his appearance. \"You were seen as well. Some people might put two and two together.\"

Steph looked up at her Mom. She hugged her again. Hermione knelt in front of her. \"Are you ok?\" Steph nodded. She picked up the edge of her robe and showed her that it was torn. Hermione muttered \"Repairo\". She then transfigured her clothes into something different. She did the same to her clothes.

Severus shook his head. \"My robed are fine. I\'ll apperate down a few stores. You and Steph go somewhere else. I\'ll meet with you in front of the Qudditch Shoppe.\"

***
They met again and were shocked to n thn that the news of her appearance was already news up and down the street. She held tightly to Steph\'s hand, who in turn held onto Severus. Once they were in the shop, she ran to look at the newest brooms. HermHermione watched and grabbed Severus\'s arm. \"Don\'t you dare buy her a broom. I can and will hex you.\" He simply nodded.

***
Steph went from one side of the store to the other. She wanted so many things, but Mommy couldn\'t afford much. She glanced at Daddy. He and Mommy were talking. Would he buy her a broom? She walked up to the display of the newest \"Lightening Bolt 5000.\"

She grinned at the \'celebrity\' endorsement. Uncle Harry. She glanced around the shop. There were the keepers brooms, endorsed by Uncle Ron. \"The Weasley Whistle 5000.\" Either one would be fine for her. She sighed and walked on through more displays.

Severus watched her. \"She does want a broom.\"

Hermione shook her head. \"There is not a place for her to fly at home. I don\'t want to all obliterate of New York City.\" He nodded.

She walked through the shop and looked at all the things she wanted. Finally she came to a display of practice snitches. She picked up one of the boxes and opened it. The golden ball fluttered around her head for a few seconds. She grabbed it before it got to far away and put it back in the box. She walked to the front of the store.

Daddy looked at her when she walked up. She signed and pointed to the box. He nodded. \"If you\'re sure that\'s all.\" She gave a last look at the brooms and then nodded.

***
Hermione looked up as they walked out of the store. Steph was only carrying a small box. She looked at Severus. \"You\'re going to spoil her.\" He shrugged and they continued their trip.

***
Several shops later, they were out of places to visit. Severus looked around. \"It appears to be time for dinner. Would you like to eat here or do you wish to return to Hogwarts?\"

Hermione did some quick calculations in her head. Minus the money she spent for Harry, Ron and Severus\' Christmas presents, money was very tight. She frowned. \"Hogwarts would be better.\" Steph shook her head.

Severus looked at her. \"Dinner is my treat.\"

She sighed. \"Severus, I don\'t want to be taken care of. I\'m able to do that on my own.\"

He walked towards the restaurant. \"That remains to be seen.\" He opened the door. \"Please, I would like to make it through dinner without being mobbed. Try to refrain from using my name.\"

There was a gleam of something in her eyes. She took Steph\'s hand and nodded. \"Of course \'dearest\'. I wouldn\'t dream of letting something like that slip.\" She smiled sweetly as she brushed past him.

They were seated by a young wizard who complimented Hermione at every opportunity. Severus shook his head as the man walked away. \"My, my. What some people will do for their tip.\"

Hermione frowned and then spoke loud enough for those around to hear. \"Honey, you know I\'m not going to leave you for a younger man!\" He frowned as she giggled.

Steph tapped her Mother\'s arm. She pointed to the menu. Hermione nodded. \"Yes. Wizarding menus let you smell the food.\" Steph grinned and went back to the menu. Severus watched with a small smile.

***
After dinner was finished and desert was taken away, the waiter brought their bill. Severus put several galleons on the table. Hermione helped Steph into her cloak and smiled when the waiter helped her with her own cloak. She smiled and thanked him.

The young man looked at Severus. \"You\'re a lucky man.\" Severus glared at him. The boy stepped away from him. \"You have a very beautiful daughter and a gorgeous and charming wife.\"

Severus raised an eyebrow. He looked at Hermione and Stephanie. He nodded slightly. \"That may be true. My daughter is beautiful.\" His gaze flickered to Hermione. \"My...wife...is lovely. Thank you.\" He offered his arm to Hermione and took Stephanie\'s hand.

***
Outside, Hermione laughed. \"You handled that well. I was surprised you didn\'t hex him.\"
He shrugged. \"He was telling the truth. My daughter is beautiful.\"

Steph looked up at him. She motioned to Hermione. Snape frowned. She motioned again. He sighed. \"You are right. Your Mother is beautiful as well.\"

***
The made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron so they could Floo back to The Three Broomsticks. Steph didn\'t let her Mom and Dad move away from each other. She hoped that their spending time together would make them want to get back together. Maybe she could talk to Uncle Harry, Uncle Ron and Aunt Ginny. She could do that at the Christmas party tomorrow.

She grinned again. A real Christmas party. Was Daddy going to be there? She pulled his hand. He looked down at her and watched her sign. He shook his head. \"I\'m not familiar with the last word.\"

Hermione smiled. \"She wants to know if you\'re going to the Weasley\'s party tomorrow.\"

He nodded at her. \"Yes. Misters Weasley and Potter invited me several days ago.\" Stephanie smiled as they walked into the building.

***
Once they were back in the Broomsticks, they dropped their glamours. Rosmerta shook her head. \"Vultures everyone of them! You can\'t have a nice family outing without those reporters bothering you.\" Hermione smirked at her. She ducked her head. \"No offense of course Hermione.\" She held out a copy of The Daily Prophet.

On the front was a large picture of Severus, Hermione and Stephanie in front of Flourish and Blotts. Hermione shook her head and put the paper on the bar. \"I just hope that no one comes looking for any of us here.\"

Rosmerta smiled. \"Don\'t worry about me. I won\'t tell anyone you\'re here.\"

Hermione smiled. \"Thank you. Come on Steph. It\'s almost bed time.\" She and Severus started towards her room.

Steph looked at Rosmerta and pointed to the paper. She pointed to herself. Rosmerta nodded. \"Yes. You can keep the paper.\" She smiled as the young girl folded the paper and put it in her cloak. She ran off to her room.

***
Severus was sitting on the couch. Hermione was hanging her and Steph\'s cloaks. Steph grabbed her box from the Qudditch shop and let the Snitch fly. She watched it flit around the room and then grabbed it as it flew by her. Hermione shook her head. \"That won\'t be loose around the house.\" Steph nodded and took the snitch into her room.

Hermione looked at Severus. \"Can I get you anything? Rosmerta told me to get anything I wanted from the bar.\"

He shook his head. \"I should be going. Tomorrow is Christmas.\"

Hermione nodded. \"You can bring Steph with you when you come to the Weasley\'s.\"

Severus nodded, then looked at her. \"This evening, before dinner, well...Stephanie appears to be happy. Though with her lifestyle, I\'m not sure how that\'s possible.\"

Hermione bit back her smile. \"Thank you Severus for that compliment, no matter how back handed it may have been.\"

Steph came back in, dressed in her PJ\'s and crawled into her Daddy\'s lap. His arms came around her. She closed her eyes and laid against him. Hermione smiled. \"Looks like someone is ready for bed.\"

Severus looked at her. \"Go on little one.\" She looked up at him. He raised an eyebrow. \"You have a big day tomorrow. I know you wouldn\'t want to fall asleep while opening gifts.\"

Her eyes went wide. She signed. Hermione laughed. \"You didn\'t think you were going to be left out of Christmas did you? I know for a fact that Ginny, Molly, and Arthur have gifts for you. I\'m sure Harry and Ron do as well.\" She sighed, \"I just regret that I wasn\'t able to buy them more than what I did.\"

Severus nudged Stephanie out of his lap and she went to her room. He took Hermione\'s hand. \"I\'m sure that your return was gift enough for all of your friends.\" He frowned at her. \"If this is repeated, poison will find its way into your drink. Stephanie is the best Christmas gift I have ever received.\" He gazed at her for a moment and then stood and walked to Stephanie\'s bedroom.

***
Stephanie was coming out of the bathroom when Severus walked in. She smiled at him and crawled onto the bed. He came and sat next to her. He head a crinkle and pulled the newspaper from under his leg. He smoothed it and looked at her. Steph bit her lip. He raised an eyebrow. \"Why do you have this?\"

Steph signed slowly. He frowned. A voice from the doorway said, \"Honey, we could have taken another picture if you had wanted to.\" Hermione walked to stand beside the bed. Steph signed.

Hermione sighed. \"How do you know that? Didn\'t we do well today?\" Steph nodded and signed again. \'Mione sat with her. \"I don\'t think so. I promise you will not be without him, but that\'s all I can promise.\" Steph nodded. Hermione kissed her head. \"In bed. Christmas is tomorrow and we\'ve got several people to visit.\"

The young girl grinned and crawled under the covers. Severus pulled the covers over her. \"Sleep well Little One.\" Hermione nox\'ed the lighted and they both left the room.

***
Severus looked at her. \"What did she say? She was signing faster than I was understanding.\"

Hermione shook herself from her thoughts. \"Oh. She kept the picture because she thinks this will be the last time we will actually be together in the same place.\"

He shook his head. \"What was her last question?\"

Hermione bit her lip. \"She asked if we were going to be together in the future.\"

Severus nodded in understanding. \"She has asked me that on several occasions.\"

She sighed. \"I\'m sorry.\"

He shook his head. \"She has right to wonder. Any child wants their parents to be happy together.\" He looked at Hermione. \"I should be going. I\'ll expect you tomorrow for lunch. I hear the House Elfs have outdone themselves.\"

He turned towards the door. Hermione followed to set her night time wards. He turned to her. \"Happy Christmas Hermione.\" He kissed her softly and disappeared.

She stood, her fingertips slightly touching her lips, after he was gone. She smiled slightly. \"Happy Christmas Severus.\"

-------------------------------------------------

Thanks to all who reviewed! I\'m sorry for the cliffhanger in the last part. Hope this helps!