All the way IIII: Change

A/N: Ok, the last story in the series is here. It’s set ten years after the last story, so Eileen is 24.

Read and review!

:D

Xxx

“!”!”!”!”!”!”!”!”!”!”

Eileen pulled open the curtains, squinting as the bright sun hit her eyes. Turning away, she went into a small kitchen. She was about to put the kettle on, when some one called her from the living room. She poked her head around the door.

"What?"

Sam turned away from the sofa and his stack of files, straightening his tie, "Have you got some spare cash?"

Eileen shook her head, "No, I thought you went to the bank yesterday."

"I did -"

"So where's the money then?" She asked.

"Oh... well... i... you see..." he stuttered, pulling at his collar.

Eileen took a deep breath, "So what did you buy her this time?"

"Who?" he said, his eyes darting around the room.

"The woman you're sleeping with." Eileen clarified tiredly, turning back into the kitchen, "What did you buy her?"

"Well, I didn't exactly buy her something..." Sam mumbled, turning away.

Eileen froze. She took a deep breath and went back into the living room. Sam was picking up a file and getting his car keys ready, somewhat nervously.

"You didn't buy her anything, because you bought her, didn't you." She stated quietly.

"I don't wanna talk about this now." He said hastily, heading for the front door, "I'll see you later."

The door closed behind him."

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Hermione entered her kitchen and noticed her husband reading a letter at the table. He was frowning.

She sat opposite him, "What's that?"

Severus finished reading and put down the parchment. He looked up at her, "Did you know I had a Great Aunt Tessa?" Hermione laughed and looked at him like he was mad, "That was one of the many questions I asked myself when I read the letter that told me she was dead."

"So who wrote the letter and what do they want?" Hermione asked.

"Her son sent this," He said, flicking the corner of the parchment, "Apparently she was a very rich lady, who lived in Australia, and according to this man, if I want some money I have to go and sort it out with him, face to face."

"So, why are you looking like that?"

"Because if I go, I have to spend two weeks getting to know her close family before they decide whether I get anything or not." Severus rolled his eyes, "And I would miss the first two weeks of term."

"So?" Hermione shrugged, "Go. If not for the money then for seeing people you're related to. You might have fun."

He glared at her, "Fun is one word for it. Living-breathing-nightmare is another."

She laughed, "You'll be fine."

"And what about you?"

"I'll stay and take your classes. Some one's got to and it's not fair for Minerva to have to find some one when I’m perfectly capable." She shrugged.

He eyed her for a moment, and then sighed, "Are you sure?"

Hermione nodded and rolled her eyes, "Yes. I'll be in a castle full of people to look after me, so you won't have to worry."

Severus shook his head, "I guess I should be going in a minute, then."

Hermione leaned over the table and kissed him, "You'll be fine."

""""""""""""""""""""

Eileen sat on the sofa and curled her feet under her, her fingers wrapped around a hot cup of coffee.

For the first time she had to admit it. She wasn't ok. Her life wasn't ok. Her relationship wasn't ok. Nothing was ok.

Three years after she finished school, Eileen had gone back to Spain to live in Lucius' house while they were staying in America. She had been clothes shopping when some one had tapped her on the back.

Startled, she had turned, and found a blonde man with moss green eyes staring at her. He had introduced himself - and at first, Eileen hadn't recognized him. She was too busy trying to get out of the corner he had her in. He had explained that he was 'Sam, you know, we met about 10 years ago on the beach here.'

Eileen had nodded and gone to leave, but he had followed. He had said that he had come back every year since they had last met in the hopes of seeing her again.

Eileen had tried to get away, but he had some how got her to have a drink with him. She wasn't quite sure how it happened, but they had started dating and then she had moved in with him, into his flat in Cornwall.

She had told her mum and dad that she was traveling.

And then, everything had gone wrong. Eileen was always uncomfortable when Sam tried to touch her. She hated it. She really hated it.

She had slept with him once and she never, ever wanted to do it again. He seemed to have enjoyed himself, though.

After that, Eileen had refused any more encounters like that. Soon enough, he had started the affairs. Yes, Eileen had known about them all.

Every. Single. One.

And although she didn't love Sam - not by a long shot - it still hurt.

But now... Now it was getting ridiculous. Now he was paying.

And that hurt more than any affair he had ever had.