The Sound of Noise

Stephanie woke up and looked around. She frowned and quickly sat up. This wasn\'t her room.

Suddenly, the door opened and a small redheaded child ran into the room. She watched as the boy crawled onto the bed and looked at her. \"No sleep.\"

Steph smiled slightly. Bill walked into the room. \"Jacob, I told you not to bother anyone.\" He smiled at Stephanie. \"Sorry, Steph. When Jacob wakes up, he thinks that everyone else should be awake as well.\"

She shook her head and stood from the be. She looked at her watch and almost panicked. She pointed to it as she looked at Bill.

He smiled. \"No worries. You\'ll make it to Hogwarts on time. Come on. Mum\'s fixed a huge breakfast.\"

***
Hermione yawned as she opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and sat up as Lana appeared. \"Morning, Misses. Lana has coffee and the paper.\" She handed them to Hermione. \"Misses also has several owls waiting.\"

Hermione perked up as she drank her coffee. \"I hope they\'re all about the jobs. Collect the letters, please and make sure the owls are take care of.\"

Lana nodded. \"Yes Misses. Covington is preparing your breakfast as well.\" Hermione thanked the elf as she left the room.

She glanced quickly at the front page of The Prophet as she started to stand. The main story caught her eye.

Love Child or Mistake?

The Prophet has received several reports that one war hero, Severus Snape, has recently been seen with a small child in tow. Further investigation revealed this child to be Professor Snape\'s own daughter with another familiar war heroine, Hermione Granger.

Reports also indicated this is the first time Professor Snape has has the opportunity to see his child. As our loyal readers will remember, The Prophet reported that Hermione Granger had virtually disappeared from the Wizarding World. Could this have been because Ms. Granger was ashamed? Could her pregnancy have been the leading factor in her decision to leave?

While both are possible, this reporter believes the truth to be that Ms. Granger was ashamed. Check future issues of The Prophet for more details.

- Amie Davenport.

***
Hermione was livid. She would tear this paper apart; either with her own paper or her own hands.

***
The paper blazed beautifully on the desk in front of Severus. How dare they? How dare they bring Stephanie into the public? He stood and walked to the window. How did they find out? He and Hermione and been so careful.

His eyes narrowed. Ollivander. He was the only one who had seen them without the glamours. He would hex the old man. He smiled as he ran his hand over his face. If Hermione had read this story, he would have to wait to hex what was left of Ollivander. He chuckled slightly and turned to get ready for the day.

Halfway through his normal routine, his thoughts stopped him. Was the reporter right? Did Hermione leave because she was ashamed of him? Was she only allowing him to see his daughter out of a sense of guilt? He sighed as he pulled his teaching robes on. It was going to be one of those days.

***
Hermione sent the last owl off with its request for a meeting. Seven answers to her advertisement for workers. Two reporters, one advertisement representative, two production specialists, and two people to deal with circulation. Now, to work on the building. She put her notes and plans in her briefcase and pulled her cloak on. Time to see what sort of work needed to be done.

***
Steph stopped outside the Charms classroom. She pulled her wand out of her pocket. For a moment, she studied the smooth wood. She wrapped her hands around it and held it to her chest. \"Please,\" she thought. \"Please just work today. I don\'t want to be a freak anymore. I want to be like Mom and Dad. Please, just work today.\"

She waited for a moment, hoping some magical force would reassure her she was a witch. She sighed and looked at her wand again. Well, here goes nothing.

***
Severus looked over the lake from his seat. It helped to get away from the Castle to think. Contrary to popular belief, he didn\'t spend all his time in darkness. What was wrong with him? He had a very willing Hermione all to himself last night and did nothing. He frowned and threw a pebble into the water.

He knew what was wrong. Stephanie. He loved that child so. Severus sighed. If he and Hermione rushed into this relationship and something went wrong, she would be crushed. He shook his head and stood. Time to head back to Hogwarts. There were plenty of things that needed to be done.

***
Hermione looked around the room. It needed to be cleaned, badly. There was also a matter of furniture. She sighed. Magic would help with most of this but it would still be a hard job.

Just as she was beginning her cleaning, Covington appeared. \"Ma\'am had an urgent owl arrive. Covington hopes he isn\'t to be punished for following ma\'am.\"

Hermione shook her head. \"No. There is no punishment. In fact, I think it\'s wonderful that you found me.\" She took the letter from him and saw his eyes flicker over the dirt. \"Horrible isn\'t it? I\'ll have to get the place in shape before I can open.\"

Covington nodded. \"Yes ma\'am. If Covington could speak, he thinks he may be of some assistance.\"

Hermione smiled. \"Well, if you do help in anyway, there will be extra pay.\"

The elf bowed. \"If ma\'am wishes. Now, ma\'am must leave. Covington has work to do.\"

She nodded as she gathered her things. \"Very well, but I insist on preparing dinner this evening.\" She disappeared before the elf could protest.

***
Steph was smiling as she left the Transfigurations classroom. She wanted to run to her father, but managed to keep her speed to a brisk walk.

When she reached his chambers, she stopped herself from bursting in. She knocked twice and waited.

***
Severus looked up from his book. He glanced at the clock over his fireplace, then lay the book and his reading glasses to the side. He strode to the door an was surprised to see Stephanie. \"Come in, Little One. Why are you knocking?\"

She signed quickly. He shook his head. \"You are never a bother. An annoyance at times, but never a bother.\"

Stephanie grinned at his joke, then signed again. He frowned. \"Something happened?\" She nodded and began signing.

His frown quickly turned to a smile. \"So, your wand is beginning to respond. I told you that it would. Practice does indeed make perfect. Come, let\'s find your Mother and celebrate the news.\"

***
The woman in question was starting to think Steph was never coming home. All that was left to prepare was the bread to go with their meal. Hermione has set three places at the table, in hopes of spending more time with Severus. She glanced at the clock. Where were they?

***
Stephanie held up one of the bouquets of flowers. Severus shook his head. \"To plain.\"

The owner of the flower shop in Hogsmeade couldn\'t believe her eyes when Severus Snape himself walked in. He asked, more along the lines of demanded, a special assortment of flowers. Now, he and the sweet child with him were halfway through the selection and still nothing.

Severus frowned. \"I know now why I detest flowers. None of these are of any quality.\"

The shop owner shrugged. \"I\'m sorry, Professor, but most of our stock is being used in Harry Potter\'s wedding.\"

He looked at Stephanie. \"Once again, Potter ruins my plans. Come along. We\'ll find something else for your mother.\"

***
Ron shook his head. \"Tell me again why we\'re doing this?\"

Ginny sighed. \"Sometimes you are so thick. Hermione loves Professor Snape. He loves her. They are both stubborn. If someone doesn\'t help them, it may be years before they\'re together.\"

Harry frowned. \"Still Gin, isn\'t this a bit extreme?\"

She looked at him. \"Extreme times call for extreme measures. Now, hush up and sign.\"

***
Hermione heard the front door open as she pulled the bread from the oven. Steph came into the room, sniffing the air. She hugged her mother tightly. Hermione smiled. \"Hey honey. It\'s about time you got home. Where have you been?\"

Severus leaned against the door frame. \"We had a few errands to run.\" He loved the way her face lit up when she looked at him. He could get used to coming home to her.

She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. \"Well, as long as everyone is safe.\" She sat the bread on the table. \"Come on. Eat while it\'s hot.\"

Severus watched her bustle around the kitchen. It was very domestic. He frowned slightly. It wasn\'t as bad as he thought.

***
Hermione looked at him. \"Aren\'t you going to join us?\"

He straightened himself from where he was leaning and pulled a package from his cloak. \"Stephanie and I both agree that you would like this more than flowers.\"

She took the package from him and removed the paper. She smiled at Severus. \"You were right. A book is much better than flowers any day. Keep this up, and I\'ll expect it everyday.\"

***
Steph tried to tell her mother her good news, but it was hard to sign and eat at the same time. Finally, Severus stopped her. \"What she\'s trying to say is that today, he wand began to respond.\"
Hermione looked at her daughter. \"Oh honey! That\'s wonderful. This calls for a special treat.\" She snapped her fingers and Lana appeared. Hermione whispered in her ear and the elf nodded.

Stephanie frowned, but Hermione shook her head. \"Not until after dinner.\"

***
Steph was near bursting by the time everything had been cleared away. Hermione smiled at her. \"Now, it\'s time for your treat.\" She motioned to Lana and the elf brought in a huge chocolate cake.

Steph\'s eyes widened at the sight. She grinned at her mother.

Hermione smiled, then looked at Severus. \"Growing up my parents hardly ever allowed me sweets. Now, it\'s a treat for both of us.\" She thanked the elves and excused them for the rest of the night. Then, they began to eat cake.

***
After dessert, Steph was leaning against her father on the couch. She couldn\'t have eaten another bite. Her mother was putting away the dishes in the kitchen.

Severus looked at her. \"Tired, Little One?\"

She nodded and snuggled against him. He put his arm around her and closed his eyes.

Hermione stepped in from the kitchen. \"Had someone told me that Severus Snape, The Great Bat of the Dungeons, would cuddle, I would have sent them straight to St. Mungo\'s.\"

He frowned and pulled her to sit beside him. \"It does not leave this room or there were will consequences.\"

Hermione chuckled and kissed him gently. \"Of course not. We can\'t have your reputation ruined.\"

Steph shook her head at her parents and yawned widely. Hermione raised an eyebrow. \"Looks like bedtime.\"

The girl sighed, then nodded. She stood and looked at them. Severus nodded. \"Go on, we\'ll be up in a moment.\" She smiled then headed towards her room.

Hermione smiled at him. \"She\'s so happy.\"
He nodded. \"Yes, she is. I knew her magic would come. She just has to practice until school begins.\"

Hermione nodded. \"I only hope we\'ve found a solution by then.\"