If You Would Only See

CHAPTER TEN: Revelation


It had taken her almost a week to convince him, but he finally agreed that it was time for him to return to wizarding society. First though, he had to reveal himself to her family and friends, and Draco. He was watching through an orb from his living room as her house filled with people. First came the Weasleys, Molly and Arthur, Ron and a pregnant Lavender. He watched as Harry and Ginny Weasley stepped from the fireplace, followed by four children, and it appeared Ginerva was expecting again. It took only a few more minutes before Draco stepped out, pulling Hermione into his arms.

“So, we are going to get to meet him then?” Draco asked, leaning against the mantle.

“Yes, I will warn you though, he may….shock you.” Hermione said.

“Why? Is he a troll?” Ron asked, snagging the last of the biscuits from the tray Hermione had set out.

“No, moron, he’s someone you know, someone you wouldn’t consider me becoming involved with.”

“Alright, bring him on!” Harry said, rubbing his hands together.


Severus vanished the orb and pulled on his hooded cloak, making sure it covered his head before he left the house. It was snowing, the first snow of the year in fact, as he made his way next door. He stepped up onto the porch and took a long, deep breath before he knocked.

Hermione jumped at the sound of his knock.
“That’s him, be nice, I warn you.” She told them. They watched as she opened the door and a figure in a hooded black cloak entered, leaning down to kiss her softly. The man kept his head bent low as he stepped into the room.

“Everyone, this is the man I have been telling you about.” She reached up and pushed his hood back. He shook his head, black hair swinging, and looked up into the astonished faces of everyone in the room. “Severus, you know everyone here I believe.” Hermione said as she removed his cloak and tossed it over the back of a chair. She laughed slightly when she saw his normal, muti-buttoned black suit. He looked just as he did as their professor.

“Professor?” Ron squeaked from the sofa, his face paling. Severus looked down his nose, a look that always had made Ron quiver.

“Mister Weasley.” He nodded to Lavender. “Madam Weasley. How nice to see you again.” He turned his gaze to Molly and Arthur. Molly was openly weeping while Arthur could only stare at him in stunned silence. “Good day to you Molly…Arthur, you both look well.”

Harry had stood and now walked towards Severus, his eyes glazed slightly.

“Mr. Potter.”
“Sir….” Severus extended his hand. Harry took it, intending to merely shake his hand but couldn’t stop himself. He wrapped his arms around Severus’s shoulders and hugged him. “Sir, I hope you can forgive me.” Harry said. Severus patted him awkwardly on the back.
“It is I who should ask you for your forgiveness.” Severus said.
“There is nothing to forgive, but if you require it than it is yours.” Harry said as he pulled away.
“Thank you.” Severus turned slightly towards Draco. The boy was staring at him, his expression unreadable. Severus suspected that Draco would not be so welcoming.

“She did see you in her store.” Draco said softly.
“Yes, it was me.” Severus answered. Draco cracked; he began to sob as he stepped forward and embraced Severus.
“I thought you were gone, I thought I had lost you.” He cried into his godfathers shoulder.
“I am sorry, I failed you.” Severus said, hugging Draco back.
“You didn’t fail me….do you think I didn’t know that it was you who kept my father from killing me sooner? You were always looking after me, keeping me away from father so he couldn’t beat me…..I use to pray that Lucius would die, and you would take me away.” Draco pulled back and looked up at the man he had admired all his life. “I couldn’t be happier to see you Godfather.”
“And I could not be more proud of the man you have become.” Severus said.

“That’s her doing.” Draco said indicating Hermione who was now crying as she watched. “She saved me.”

“She seems to be making a habit of it.” Severus said, smiling over his shoulder at the woman who had resurrected his heart.

“I do need to have a word with you about making her cry though.” Draco said trying to sound severe and failing miserably.

“It won’t happen again, I promise you.” Severus said. “I know you love her.”

“I do, very much. So please, take good care of her.” Severus turned back to the room and smiled slightly. He heard Ron mutter something about how he didn’t think Snape knew how to smile, only to be cuffed in the back of the head by his mother. He sat and answered their questions, explained how it was he had managed to survive and all about his self imposed isolation.

“So how did you meet up with Hermione again?” Ginny asked.

“I live next door.” He said.

“What, in Boo’s house?” Draco asked incredulously. Severus turned to look at Hermione who was standing behind his chair smiling.

“So that was the reason you gave me the book.” He pointed his wand and uttered a spell, directing it towards his house. “It’s a glamour.” He said. The old, rickety house with the peeling, weathered siding shimmered, and revealed itself to be a beautiful home, bright white with black shutters, and beautifully manicured lawn just starting to be dusted with snowflakes.

“Well, look at that.” Draco said softly, amazed.

Severus felt a tugging on his sleeve and looked over.
“Severus, meet Albus Severus Potter.” Hermione said. He looked down at the little boy, who looked so much like Harry when he had been a child.

“Hello, Mr. Potter.” Severus said.

“Hello Sir, I was named after you.” The boy said.

“Yes, I am very honored.”

“Daddy said you are a very brave man.”

“That is a very nice thing for your father to say.” Severus gave Harry a look that let him know just how much he appreciated the honor of being his son’s namesake.

“Uncle Ron said you were the scariest thing he has ever seen.” Severus lifted his brow, amused.

“Your Uncle Ron did not pay attention in class, he frequently required detention.”

“Aunt Mione says you are a brilliant potions master,….and you see, I’m no good at it……and I tried to study on my own, but I blew up my cauldron…..and well, Professor Longbottom, my herbology professor, ended up stuck to the ceiling.” The boy looked distraught.

“I wouldn’t worry too much, I almost endured the same fate at the hands of Longbottom when he was a student, he blew up several over the years. Is there something you would like from me Mr. Potter?”

“Um, could you tutor me? Professor Dean isn’t very clear with directions, and I keep making mistakes, and I don’t like getting detention.” He leaned closer to Severus “Mr. Filch scares me.”

“Dean? Who allowed that dunderhead to teach?” Severus asked, appalled.

“He’s only contracted for a year, they are looking for his replacement.” Harry informed. Severus turned towards the boy.

“I would be honored to tutor you lad. I will work it out with your father, and headmistress McGonagall.”

“Oh, thank you sir!” The boy pumped his fist into the air as he ran off to the back of the house.

“Delightful child Potter.” Severus drawled, and surprisingly, he meant it. He felt Hermione’s hand on his shoulder and he reached up to clasp it in his, and bring it to his lips.

He enjoyed his time visiting with the remaining members of the order, but he was glad when they departed and he was left alone with Hermione. She fell into his lap with a sigh.

“That went so much better than I ever dreamed it would.” She said as she snuggled into his chest.

“I was afraid they would all faint at first. The shock on their faces was frightening.”

“I was worried about how Draco would react.”

“I was too, I thought he would hate me.” He said softly, stroking his hand up and down her thigh.

“He is still reeling I think. I haven’t seen him so happy to see someone, ever.”

“I feel guilty. He loves you.”

“He knows we can’t be together like that, he was shocked that it was you who had become my lover, but he was happy for me.” She nuzzled her nose against his neck, causing him to close his eyes and groan softly.

“Where do we go from here Hermione?” He asked, gasping as he hands began to undo his clothing.

“Isn’t it usually a woman who asks that?” She laughed softly. “Right now, you are going to take me to bed, we will worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.” She kissed him, squealing lightly when he swept her into his arms and carried her up the stairs to her bed.