The Healing

CHAPTER NINE

September 30- ten months later.


Hermione looked around her childhood home one last time before she turned, and handed her keys to the short, portly realtor waiting on the front stoop.

“The new owners are so excited to move in Ms. Granger. Where are you off to?” She asked.

“I bought a small home in the country, I will retire there.” She said. She had been lucky that her parents were such careful planners; the life insurance they had left her was more than enough for her to live comfortably on for the rest of her life. She had taken the money to Gringotts and had the funds transferred from muggle currency to wizarding and had purchased a small house near Hogsmeade.

“How wonderful for you! Do you return to your young man?” The woman asked. No, she wouldn’t be returning to him. She was grateful that he wasn’t a social wizard; in fact it was rare to see him outside of Hogwarts. She could live peacefully without running into him. It was better if she didn’t.

She had spent the last several months trying to get over him, though it had proved impossible. There would be no forgetting him, ever. She wrapped her hand around the locket that hung around her neck. Inside was the photo of she and her friends on one side, and another of Severus on the other. She had taken it during their stay in the cabin; he was standing on the beach, staring out at the water, the wind catching his hair and robes, blowing them out behind him. She looked at that photo of him several times a day, as though she needed another reminder of what she had lost.

“No ma’am. Thank you very much for your help, but I must be off.” Hermione waved slightly, pulling her cloak tighter around her as she climbed into the taxi and was driven to London and the Leaky Cauldron.

“Hello Tom.” She smiled as she walked through the pub and into the back alley. After shifting the bundle in her arms, she withdrew her wand and opened the portal to Diagon Alley. First stop would be the burrow, as she hadn’t seen anyone since she left just after the New Year, though they wrote everyday. There were things she needed to discuss with them that she couldn’t talk about via owl.

By the time she reached the apparation point, it was raining. She pulled her hood over her head and closed her cloak more securely as she vacated Diagon Alley and reappeared on the Weasley’s doorstep. She took a deep steadying breath and knocked on the door. It was but a moment before Molly yanked it open and she was witness to the loud and crowded interior.

“Hermione!” She cried, pulling her into the house and hugging her tight. “It’s been so long….” A shrill cry rent the air and Molly jumped back. Hermione shoved her hood away and unfastened her cloak, letting it fall to the floor. She gave a small, tight smile as she shifted the tiny bundle wrapped in a soft blue blanket in her arms.

Hermione glanced around the room at the astonished faces of her friends, the people who she considered her family.

“Oh dear.” Molly said as she looked at Hermione. “My dear, what has happened?”

“Hermione, whose baby is that?” Harry asked, his eyes wide as he approached her. Ron and Ginny were just staring, wide eyed and open mouthed. The rest of the Weasley clan looked just as shocked. She hated being the center of attention, but knew that this would eventually happen. She had toyed with the idea of not returning to the wizarding world, but she just couldn’t do it, she belonged there.

“He is mine.” She answered, pulling his blanket from his little face so he could see out.

“Oh goodness, he’s so small, how old is he dear?” Molly asked as she took the baby from Hermione’s arms, cradling him expertly against her shoulder.

“He is three weeks old, his name is Sebastian.” Hermione said as she took as seat on the sofa.

“Three weeks? Then you got pregnant around Christmas….” Everyone turned when Molly gasped loudly. She had unwrapped Sebastian from his blanket and now held the tiny baby away from her as she stared at him.

“Yes.” She answered; she refused to lie about him, or his parentage. It was impossible not to notice how much he looked like his father. His little head was covered in silky black hair that tended to stand up from his head no matter what she did to it; he had gotten that from her. His eyes were tiny pools of obsidian that never failed to make her smile.

“Oh dear, he looks just like Severus.” Molly said her eyes wide with shock when she looked back at Hermione.

“Believe me, I am well aware of that.” Hermione said softly.

“That’s Snape’s baby?” Ron asked, pointing in Sebastian’s direction, his voice quavering slightly.

“Yes, Severus is his father.” She said.

“Does he know?” Harry asked, sitting beside her on the sofa.

“No. Our….relationship was short, a result of being locked up together for so long I think, at least for him. He would not be happy, it’s best if I raise Bastian alone.” She said.

“But…do you love him?” Harry asked softly for only her ears.

“Yes.” She smiled sadly.

“You should tell him Mione, I know I would want to know.” Harry watched as Molly settled into a rocking chair and snuggled the baby against her chest.

“Why didn’t you say something dear? We could have been with you, helped you.” She said.

“I was almost four months along before I figured it out. I assumed it was just stress and grief over my parents that had made me ill and my cycle off kilter. I never dreamed it was a baby.” She sat back on the sofa and sighed wearily. “I was in shock, I didn’t know what to think, what I wanted. Then I felt him move, and I knew I had to have him, I loved him already. So I settled my parents affairs, thankfully they left me well off, and bought a small house near Hogsmeade for he and I. And I moved back here. You were my first stop.” She smiled.

“You will live so close to Hogwarts, yet you will not go see him and tell him he has a son?” Harry asked.

“No, Harry. I told you, Severus would not be happy, he would not welcome a child he did not want.”

“I’m sorry, I just don’t think it’s fair not to tell him.” Harry said, shaking his head.

“Leave her be now Harry.” Molly said as she rose from the chair and handed the baby back to Hermione. “It’s her son, her choice to tell him when she’s ready.” Molly smiled reassuringly as she patted Hermione on the top of her head. “I’ll go get you some tea dear.” She said as she disappeared into the kitchen.

“Ron, are you going to just stand there, or are you going to come and meet my son?” Hermione asked. Ron walked slowly forward and peered down at the little dark haired infant. The baby was awake, and staring up at him, the corner of his tiny mouth lifting slightly.

“Bloody hell, he smirks like the big bat!” Ron said with a laugh.

“It’s just gas.” Hermione said, kissing the top of Sebastian’s fuzzy head.

“Think maybe that was Snape’s problem too?” He asked, reaching out to stroke the baby’s tiny fist.

“He isn’t as bad as you think. He is actually quite kind, funny and extremely gentle.” Hermione said softly, trying to hold back the tears stinging her eyes.

“I feel guilty; we should never have let you stay there with him, alone. I never imagined it would end up…well, you know what I mean.” Harry said, sliding his arm around Ginny as she settled in beside him.

“It’s not your fault; I can’t say I’m sorry. I mean, I didn’t expect to have a baby at nineteen, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything.” She looked at Harry and then Ron. “And I know you wont understand, but I would not trade my time with Severus either.”

“It’s a bit odd to imagine you and him….well, it’s just odd.” Ron said.

“It isn’t going to be easy, but like I said, my parents left me well off, I can take classes part time and be with Sebastian and not have to worry about money.” She said.

“You wont have to do it alone Mione, we are here for you and Sebastian. He’s a lucky boy, he has two uncles to spoil him rotten.” Harry said, as he and Ron leaned over to embrace her, pinning her between them.





Hermione should have realized things would not be as easy as she had hoped. She was trying to get out of the bookstore, Sebastian cradled in one arm, and her packages weighing down the other. No one bothered to hold the door open for her as she struggled to get her bags through the small opening before the door closed completely. As luck would have it, her bag ripped and her purchases scattered across the floor.

She closed her eyes and sighed. Wishing she were anywhere else. She heard the sound of soft laughter and opened her eyes.

“Problems Granger?” Draco Malfoy stood there, arms crossed as he stared at her, his eyes falling on Sebastian in shock. “What the hell is that?” he asked, his nose curling slightly.

“Don’t be rude Draco.” Lucius Malfoy stepped up beside his son and looked down at the young witch trying to juggle the infant and her packages. “Ms. Granger, lovely to see you.” He tucked his cane under his arm and reached out to her. “Allow me.” He removed the baby from his precarious perch in her arms, noticing the way she panicked as he held her son.

“Mr. Malfoy…”

“Not to worry, I’ll not harm the lad, I know what I am doing, I am a father myself you know.” He said as he settled the baby in the crook of his arm. “Just get yourself organized, Draco, help her pick up her purchases.”

Draco reluctantly knelt down and helped Hermione pick up the books and small toys she had dropped when her bag ripped. She kept her eyes on Lucius the entire time, not trusting the former deatheater with her son.

“I hadn’t heard that you got married Granger.” Draco said as he pointed his wand at the torn bag to repair it.

“I’m not, Malfoy.” She said as she stuffed her things into the repaired bag.

“What? You’re a single mom then?” He asked, the look on his face clearly showing his amazement.

“Yes, unfortunately I am.” She replied tightly. Lucius was staring at the baby, smiling slightly at the boy which unnerved her.

“Handsome boy Ms. Granger, he looks familiar…do I perhaps know his father?” Lucius asked.

“Perhaps. Could I have my son back please?” She asked, holding out her arms. Lucius smirked slightly.

“Of course, I remember when Draco was so young.” He said, transferring the baby into her arms. “I dare say, the child looks like his father, does he not?” Lucius asked, his eyebrows lifted.

“You know?” She asked, the fear evident in her voice.

“I can guess. Does he know about the boy?”

“No. He doesn’t know.”

“Well, good luck to you, my dear.” He said rather politely given his past behavior towards her. He brushed a gloved hand over the baby’s head. “And the lad’s name is?”

“Sebastian.”

“And good luck to you, young Sebastian.” He said. “Come along Draco.” He said as he turned and exited the shop. Draco looked as confused as Hermione as he followed his father out the door.

“You know who fathered the baby?” She heard Draco ask.

“Mind your business Draco.” Lucius snapped as they disappeared down the street.

Hermione glanced down at her son, looking him over to make certain he had not been harmed in Lucius’s arms. How odd to have actually been treated with respect by that man. Though, he was aware that they had saved Draco’s life, twice, maybe he was grateful. She was uncomfortable with the fact that everyone who saw Sebastian immediately recognized who his father was.

“Why couldn’t you look like me?” She asked her son, smiling softly when his little lips pursed up and he turned into her. “Alright love, let’s go home so you can eat.” She walked to the end of the road and apparated home.

****Okay, I know that Ron and Harry are a LOT OOC, and would likely have gone completely bonkers over hermione going away for so long and showing up with a baby, Snapes no less....but I really want them to be background characters, not a major factor in the story....hence their love and acceptance.....Now, onward my friends as it seems I will have yet another sleepless night. :)