All the way

\"Hermione!\"

Hermione hurried from the bathroom at the sound of her friend’s voice.

\"Tonks!\" Hermione looked down to the bundle in the womans arms, \"And Sirius! Aww, he\'s a darling!\"

The baby had a bit of brown hair and brown eyes. It looked uncannily like Remus. Hermione squealed and jumped back, pointing at Sirius.

\"He... Did he just...? His eye...\" She stuttered. Tonks laughed.

\"Yea! He\'s a metamorphmagus.\" She said proudly. Hermione stepped forward again and looked over the baby. One of his brown eyes kept flashing green. \"Here, take him.\"

Sirius was passed to Hermione and the two women sat on the sofa. Hermione stroked his cheek with the side of her finger, and his little hand reached up, clenching into a fist and then unclenching.

\"Um... \'Mione... you know how it is when you work at the Ministry... you hear all sorts of things...\"

Hermione turned to her friend, \"So, what have you heard now?\"

\"I was told,\" Tonks said slowly, \"that you and Severus were asked to... look after Draco\'s son.\" Hermione sighed and nodded, \"You were! Oh Gods! Are you going to?\"

\"Yes,\" Hermione told the wide eyed woman, \"I couldn\'t just leave him, could I. After he helped with everything and, I mean, the only reason Draco is going to trial is really because of my stupidity for trusting Ron. I suppose, I feel responsible.\"

Tonks nodded, \"I guess. I just didn\'t think that Severus would go for it.\"

Hermione smiled, \"He nearly didn\'t, but I brought him round to the idea.\"

\"Have you told the ministry yet?\"

\"Yes,\" Hermione nodded, \"I did it first thing this morning, before Severus could change his mind.\"

Tonks smiled.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Lucius was leaving the dungeons, to send a letter to his father. He was a little way up the stairs, when some one called him back.

\"Hey!\"

Lucius turned around and looked down the stairs. At the bottom was Annie. He quickly went back down to stand by her.

\"Yes?\" He asked.

\"I was just... I was told, well, not told... I heard... oh never mind,\" She shook her head, \"Wanna come and watch the Slytherin Quiditch team practice?\"

\"You want to watch the Slytherins practice?\" He raised an eyebrow.

\"Well, I didn\'t think you would want to watch the Gryffindors!\" She said like it was obvious.

Lucius stuffed the letter into his pocket and motioned for Annie to go first.

They waked silently down to the Quiditch pitch and sat in one of the highest stands.

\"How are you feeling?\" Annie asked.

\"I get twinges now and then, but Pomfrey says I should be completely fine in a few days.\" Lucius told her, shifting a tiny bit closer.

\"Oh, that’s good. We all thought it would take longer for you to be ok. Since you\'re so young and all that.\"

\"Hey!\" Lucius scowled, \"I\'m older than you by months!\"

\"Oh yeah,\" Annie scoffed, \"Whatever!\"

\"I\'m older than you and you know it!\"

Annie held up her hand and turned away, \"Talk to the hand!\"

\"I\'m older!\"

\"Talk to the hand!\"

\"I\'m older!\"

\"Talk to the hand!\"

Lucius growled and grabbed her hand. Annie squealed and turned quickly, grasping his shoulder and swinging them both onto the floor of the stand.

\"You\'re gonna get beaten by a girl!\" Annie yelled, trying, unsuccessful to pin him down.

\"I don\'t think so!\" Lucius hissed, shaking her onto the floor next to him. He was successful in pinning her down, sitting on her legs, with her wrists pinned above her head.

She laughed sarcastically and breathlessly, \"Ha ha, very funny! You can let me up now.\"

\"Uh...\" Lucius pretended to think, \"How about no?\" He looked up to the sky, \"I have a perfect view from here,\" he looked back down to her.

Mmmm, perfect.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

After a few minutes, Lucius let Annie up. She frowned up at him as the blood rushed back to legs and took the hand that he offered.

\"I\'ll get you back.\" She promised.

\"Of course you will,\" He nodded sarcastically.

They left the stand and went towards the lake. Annie had heard from her father that Hermione was meant to be adopting Lucius. She had tried to ask him when he was on the stairs, but couldn\'t find the words.

They walked all the way around the lake and stopped on a small cliff. Annie, seeing her chance stalked towards Lucius. His eyes widened as he realized what she was about to do.

\"Oh no you don\'t!\" He panicked.

\"Oh yes I do!\" Annie ran at him and pushed him over the edge. Lucius, however, seemed to have quick reflexes and grabbed her wrist.

\"Screw you ferret!\" Annie yelled before she plunged into the sun warmed water.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Lucius bobbed to the top and smiled when he saw Annie. Her red hair was stuck to her face and she was fighting to free herself from it.

\"You think you\'re so clever, don\'t you ferret!\" she fumed.

\"Yes, actually.\" Lucius smirked.

The girl growled, \"You are so gonna get it, squeaky!\"

\"Oooooh,\" Lucius mocked, \"I\'m so scared!\"

\"You should be!\"

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Tonks had left ages ago, and Hermione was sitting in her living room, looking at the photo of Sirius that she had been given. She knew that if the older Sirius was alive, he would have been so happy for his old friend. Hermione looked around.

She had nothing to do. She had informed the Ministry about their decision concerning Lucius and she had sent a Pensieve with her memories of what happened with Draco and Ron.

Hermione had, however, made a few changes. She couldn\'t bear to see Ron get sent to Azkaban, as she was sure that he was just caught up in the moment and hadn\'t really thought about the consequences of his actions. She had gone into the pensieve and used a complicated spell to make it look like Ron was under the imperious curse.

Tonks had reassured her that she was still unpopular in the Magical Law Enforcement department and they would not use their money on a proper memory expert to check whether they had been messed with. She was sure that Ron would get off.

Hermione couldn’t say that she didn\'t feel guilty about Draco, because she did. She knew it wasn\'t her fault that he would be put in Azkaban on multiple charges, but she couldn\'t help but feel a bit... sorry for him.

She didn\'t tell Severus this of course; he would probably hit the roof it he knew she felt some of the blame was her own. She knew she should have told him the truth about going to see Ron, but she didn\'t want him to worry. Now she had only fueled the fire.

Hermione thoughts were interrupted when a letter popped out of the fire. She picked it up and opened the envelope.

Dear Professor Snape and Professor Snape,

Hermione laughed; it sounded hilarious.

We are glad that you could accept Lucius Malfoy as a part of your family. Sign the contract below and return it as soon as possible. Once you have returned it, your payments will start. They will be 100 Galleons sent monthly for Mr. Malfoy’s up keep.

Sincerely,
Misters Harry Pearce and Alan Bateman,
Head and assistant Head of the Department of Child Welfare.

Hermione couldn\'t believe it had happened so fast. She smiled brightly as she turned around, reading the letter again.

\"And what exactly is making you smile so much?\" Severus asked as he entered the room.

Hermione summoned a quill and motioned form him to turn around, which he did, frowning.

\"What are you doing?\" He asked as she leaned the contract on his back and signed under the heading \'female guardian\'. She stepped back and turned him around.

\"Your go.\" She said, holding out the letter and the quill.

Severus took them and read the letter. He frowned and Hermione was scared for a moment that he had changed his mind. She smiled and clapped her hands as he spoke.

\"Spin.\"

Hermione turned and felt him lean the parchment on her back. Once he had signed, he thrust it back at her and she kissed him, before flooing the letter back to the Ministry.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Annie rolled her eyes at Lucius from the Gryffindor table. A drawing of her falling off the cliff and into the lake had landed next to her dinner. Lucius was mysteriously not in the picture

\"Ferret.\" she mouthed.

He out his hand over his heart and mouthed slowly, \"I - Am - Mortally - wounded.\"

\"Oh - ha - ha!\" She mouthed back.

Hermione caught her attention as she entered the hall and Annie smiled at her. The red head frowned, however, when she stopped in front of Lucius and handed him an envelope.

Hermione went to the Head table and Annie sent Lucius a questioning look. He shrugged and jerked his head towards the door. Annie nodded.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Lucius waited outside the Great Hall until Annie came out. She hurried over to him.

\"What is it?\" She asked.

Lucius shrugged, \"I don\'t know.\"

\"Well... Open it then!\"

\"Oh, yeah, of course.\" Lucius ripped the envelope and pulled out a letter, \"Dear Mr. Malfoy,\" he read in a hushed tone, \"we are happy to inform you that Severus and Hermione Snape have decided to accept your guardianship. You are now in their care until further notice. If you have any problems contact the Ministry. They will be paid 100 Galleons per month for your care.\" He looked up to Annie, \"It\'s from the Ministry.\"

\"I gathered that.\" Annie smiled, \"Wow, \'Mione\'s practically your mother! Some people in there,\" She pointed to the Great Hall, \"would kill to have that!\"

\"I... I\'ve never had a family before.\" He said shocked.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Annie watched as it finally sunk in. Lucius read the letter again, and then stuffed it into his pocket. Annie squealed as he grabbed her around the waist and swung her round with surprising strength.

She put her arms around his neck, to steady herself, and pressed her forehead to his shoulder, as her hair whipped around them. At last, he put her down, but hugged her tight.

\"I\'m so happy for you.\" Annie told him, turning her head to kiss his cheek. She smiled when she stepped back and noticed an almost invisible pink tinge to his cheeks.

\"Would you... Could you... you wouldn\'t mind if...\" he stuttered, most un-Malfoy like, \"Would you come with me while I send my father a letter?\" he asked quickly.

Annie was about to reply when some one called her name. She turned around to see John Payne hurrying towards her.

\"Annie,\" He smiled, showing perfect white teeth, \"I was wondering if you wanted to come down to the Quiditch pitch with me?\"

\"Oh,\" Annie started, \"I was -\" She looked back to Lucius, who was snarling silently.

\"I have a new Broomstick, and I was wondering if you wanted to try it out.\" john quickly cut in.

\"Have fun.\" Lucius sneered, Turning on his heel and storming up the stairs.

Annie looked back to John. He was smiling, holding out his hand.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Lucius growled as he stormed towards the owlery. Stupid, stupid, stupid, he thought to himself. He should have asked her faster. He was nothing compared to John bloody Payne. That stupid Gryffindor was older and more experienced with girls than he was.

Lucius was so busy being angry that he didn\'t hear the running foot steps gaining on him. He was startled when a tiny hand slipped into his and he turned to look at the red head.

\"For a Mini ferret... you sure walk fast...\" Annie panted.
____________________________________________________

Lucius and Annie parted as they went to their different common rooms. He was so happy that he could have skipped... If he wasn\'t the person that he was.

As he passed the Great Hall on the way to the dungeons, Hermione fell into step with him.

\"Did you read it?\" She asked.

\"Yeah,\" Lucius nodded, \"I suppose... I should say thank you -\"

\"No need, darling.\" She smiled, \"We\'re happy to have you.\"

\"We?\" Lucius looked up.

\"We.\" Hermione confirmed, \"Come on.\" She put her arm around his shoulders and guided him past the Slytherin common room.

They carried on down the corridor and into her rooms. He had been their before, a few times in fact, but he had never really had time to look properly at anything. He didn\'t seem to have the time now either, as at that moment Snape walked in.

Hermione, her arm still around Lucius shoulders, moved him over to the sofa. She sat next to him and looked at him kindly.

\"You\'re sure that you\'re going to be happy with this?\" She asked.

He nodded and looked nervously to Snape, who was still standing by the door.

\"Ok,\" Hermione smiled, \"So, I suppose you should tell us what you like doing.\"

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

\"So, what did you think?\" Hermione asked as they got into bed.

Severus sighed and put his arms around her, \"I think I may be able to get used to him being around.\"

\"Thanks for taking it so well.\" She kissed him and wriggled down in his grasp, moving into his arms more.

\"Its Saturday tomorrow, isn\'t it?\" He asked.

\"Mmmm.\" She replied, \"Why?\"

Severus smirked, \"We\'re going out.\"

\"Out?\" She looked up at him, \"We never go out, not that I mind, of course. Where are we going?\"

\"Secret.\" he mumbled, sleepily.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

It was midday when Hermione and Severus wandered down to the apperation point outside the school gates.

\"Oh come on!\" Hermione whined, \"Just tell me!\"

Hermione knew that she must look like a little girl dancing around an adult for sweets or something, but she couldn\'t stand not knowing where they were going.

\"No.\" Severus smirked for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Once they were outside the gates, he grabbed her around the waist and turned her around so her back was pressed into his chest. One arm held her around the middle and the other hand closed over her eyes.

Severus apperated them away. When they got to their destination, Severus kept his hold on her and pressed his lips to her neck.

\"Ready?\" he whispered.

\"Yes,\" Hermione said softly.

Severus lifted his hand and Hermione gasped softly.

They were standing outside a house. It was a beautiful house as well. It was a crisp white with a pale blue door and window frames.

\"Severus,\" She said, stunned, \"What... what is this?\"

\"It\'s a house, love.\" Severus said slowly, \"our house.\"

Hermione spun around, \"Our house?\"

Her husband nodded, \"I suppose it’s lucky I brought a three bedroom house, what with Malfoy and all that.\"

Hermione squealed and through her arms around Severus. They had a house! A real house! Not a flat, but a house!

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Severus followed his wife around their new house, listening to her rant on about colors and shit like that. He didn\'t care; the look on her face was priceless.

It was late in the evening when they went back to Hogwarts, smiling and contented.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

The months went by quickly. Soon May began and Hermione started to grow.

Annie and Lucius got closer and closer, spending more and more time together.

Hermione hardly ever left her rooms, as Severus wanted to make sure he was close if she needed him.

Draco was sent to Azkaban on too many charges to count for too many years to remember.

Ron went back to America, feeling thoroughly stupid and ashamed.

Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley went to Spain and Harry Potter and Ginny Potter returned.

Sirius began to gurgle and his features began to change randomly, but he was bending it to his will.

Severus began to be more tolerant of Lucius, even slightly, maybe, possibly, beginning to like him... a tiny, weeny bit.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

It was the middle of Severus\' first class of the day, when there was a knock on the door.

\"Enter,\" He growled. He was surprised when Remus looked round the door.

\"Severus,\" he panted slightly, \"A word... out here... now!\"

Frowning, Severus swept from the room.

\"What do you want?\" He asked.

\"Hermione... baby... Hospital wing...\" Remus gasped for breath, \"Ran... down... to get.... you...\"

Severus was in shock as he and Remus sprinted to the Hospital wing. They went through the doors and Severus froze.

Obviously the curtain around Hermiones bed wasn\'t sound proof. He knew he shouldn\'t, but he had to laugh as he took a seat next to Remus.

\"I SWEAR,\" Hermione yelled, \"THIS BABY\'S TRYING TO KILL ME -\" Her words were cut short by a scream, \"IF I - AAAH - GET OUT OF - OOH - THIS ALIVE... I AM NEVER - AAAHHH - EVER LETTING SEVEUS... NEAR ME AGAIN... WITHOUT PROTECTION!!!!!\" The last word was another scream.

Severus could see what Remus was talking about all those months ago. It was horrible to hear his wife scream like that.

\"IT FEELS -OOOH- LIKE YOU\'RE STICKING - AAAHHH - AN UMBERELLA UP MY ARSE!!!\" Hermione yelled again, obviously to Poppy.

\"Come on dear!\" Severus could hear poppy cooing, \"It\'ll be worth it in the end.\"

\"IT BETTER BE!\"

\"That\'s it Hermione,\" The medi-witch said, \"Ready, one more push!\"

Poppy\'s other words were drowned out by the most terrible scream Severus had ever heard.

There was silence, then...

... It sounded like some one crying and being strangled at the same time, but to Severus, it was beautiful.

Seconds later, Poppy emerged from the curtain and smiled, mouthing one word, \'daughter\'. She grabbed Remus\' arm and practically dragged him from the ward.

Severus took a deep breath and headed through the curtain. The sight before him was enchanting. Hermione\'s hair was sticking to her face with sweat, her skin glistening and she looked exhausted. The bundle in her arms could have easily been just some bed sheets, if it wasn\'t for the small noises it was making.

Smiling, Severus sat slowly in the chair next to his wife and baby.

\"You owe me big time, mate.\" Hermione murmured as she handed him the baby girl. Severus looked closely at his daughter and couldn\'t describe how he was feeling. She was beautiful.

A few black curls grew from her head and, to his delight; he could see that she would be the spitting image of her mother. Except...

... Tiny eyes fluttered open and black stared at black.

\"Names?\" The new mother whispered.

\"What do you think?\" he asked, looking up into brown eyes.

\"My mum was called Claire, so...\" She looked thoughtful and then happy, \"Eileen Claire Snape.\"

Severus leaned over and kissed his wife.

\"Brilliant,\" he murmured.

Severus looked down at his daughter. The thought of all the things that he would have to teach her was overwhelming.

Severus realized, as two sets of black eyes locked again, that Eileen Claire Snape was probably the most innocent thing he had ever been part of.