Snape's Redemption

Disclaimer (from the mind of JuneW): I wish for a magical donkey to turn me into Ms. Rowling. Then it would be mine, Mine, MINE! Alas, it is not....

Chapter Thirteen – My! People come and go so quickly here!

The two figures stood motionless in the striations of light which filtered from the window of number thirteen, Grimmauld Place. Both were dressed in black robes and were staring fixedly at the join between number eleven and number thirteen.

“It’s not working,” the shorter one muttered.

“Obviously something is blocking us then,” the tall figure replied snidely.

“Well, what do we do now?” the former questioned angrily, as the first blush of the rising sun spilled over the roofs of houses in front of them.

Before the other could answer, the pop of Apparition cracked through the burgeoning dawn. Glancing at each other, they hurried towards the shadows and disappeared into the darkness. Hidden, they watched as another couple approached where they had previously stood.

“This is going to be so difficult,” they heard a young girl mutter. “It will take all my negotiating skills to stop you from being murdered the minute they see you.”

“Excellent,” replied her companion sarcastically. “History has illustrated the extent to which Messrs Potter and Weasley will heed your advice. Therefore, I should be dead in a few short minutes.”

The girl hoisted a huge orange cat up higher onto her shoulder.

“There’s no need to be so snarky,” she hissed.

“Really?” was the dubious response. “Did you not just inform me that your last interaction with this household resulted in you screaming profanities, hexing a werewolf, and bolting off without any further explanation?”

“Yes,” she hissed. “But it was all your fault!”

“How so? I wasn’t even there.”

“You created this ludicrous situation, and then you made sure I couldn’t tell anyone about it!” The girl’s voice became louder with indignation.

“Do not screech, Miss Granger,” her companion admonished. “You’ll wake up more than the portraits.”

“You are such an arse, Snape,” she retorted.

“That’s Professor Snape, Miss Granger,” he replied smugly.

Deep in the shadows, surprised looks were exchanged as the couple continued arguing before apparently disappearing from sight. Quietly, the watchers activated Portkeys and vanished, eager to share these revelations.


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Snape studied Hermione intently as she bent over to release her cat. The Muggle jeans she wore did show her bottom off to its best advantage, he reflected. Having her dressed in those was nearly as pleasurable as attiring her in his own clothes. Maybe he could buy some jeans for himself, but have her wear them.

As she straightened, he lifted his eyes and gazed around the hallway, his lip curling in derision. If he did not come up with a plan, he would be trapped here, just like Black. Well, not precisely like Black, he thought as his gaze returned once again to Hermione. He would have some added benefits.

“It’s very early,” Hermione whispered. “I doubt anybody is up yet.”

Severus grunted and swiftly moved over to the Troll’s leg umbrella stand. Lifting it up, he pulled sharply on the biggest toenail, revealing a small compartment. With a whispered command, a wand flew out of the foot and into his hand. Smiling, Snape replaced the stand, and swished the new wand experimentally through the air. A small jet of water shot out, spraying Crookshanks and causing him to hiss at the tall wizard.

“Professor,” Hermione hissed admonishingly. “Leave my cat alone!”

Raising one eyebrow, he caught her gaze and jerked his head towards the library. Glaring, Hermione led the way, whilst Severus followed, eyes fixed firmly on her swaying hips. The door closed and then glowed green briefly. Crookshanks, left alone in the hall, wandered over and scratched at the door, trying to get to his mistress. A shower of sparks rained down on him. Growling, he backed away and disappeared downstairs where, he remembered, there should be food.

The rest of the house slept on.


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“Wake up, sleepy-head!”

Ginny Weasley opened her eyes to find her brother and his best friend grinning down at her.

“Awww, Harry. Isn’t little Ginnykins sweet when she’s sleeping?” Ron plonked himself down on her bed, almost squashing Arnold into oblivion.

Ginny sat up, grabbed her pet Pygmy Puff, and moved him out of harm’s way before punching her brother’s arm.

“She sure is,” Harry replied hoarsely, staring at Ginny’s chest.

Ginny looked down and noticed that a few of her buttons were undone, giving Harry quite an eyeful. Keeping her head lowered, she raised her eyes and looked seductively at him through her lashes. Harry swallowed loudly and quickly moved his hands, folding them over the growing bulge in his jeans.

“What the… oh, gross, Ginny!” Exasperated, Ron reached over and deftly buttoned up her top. Standing, he grabbed Harry’s arm and yanked him out the door. “Mum said to tell you breakfast is ready,” he threw over his shoulder before pushing his friend down the stairs.

Ginny dressed quickly and bolted down after them. In the kitchen were all the usual suspects, tucking into Molly’s cooking. Ginny slid into her seat and looked across at Harry, who avoided her gaze. Mentally sighing, she helped herself to eggs, bacon and toast. Feeling a familiar creature twinning through her legs under the table, she also grabbed a sausage and tossed it down to Crookshanks before her brain could process the significance of his presence.

“Hey!” she exclaimed. “Where’s Hermione?”

Molly’s mouth puckered up as everyone turned to look at Ginny.

“What do you mean, Ginny?” Remus asked.

“Crookshanks is here, under the table,” she explained. “That means Hermione must have come back last night or something.”

“She wasn’t in the bedroom with you,” Ron stated, quickly shovelling in some more eggs.

“I know that,” Ginny huffed. “So where is she?”

“Right behind you, Miss Weasley,” came a sibilant hiss.

Everyone at the table reached for their wands, but they were, of course, too late.

“Did you have to do that?” Ginny heard Hermione ask exasperatedly. She tried to turn her head, but found she was unable to move. Darting her eyes from side to side, she saw that everyone else was frozen as well.

“I suggest that you desist, Miss Granger,” came Snape’s command, ignoring her question. “Releasing them would …”

“Interfere with my endeavours, I know,” Hermione wearily interrupted him. “You are a prick, you know.”

“An arse and a prick in one morning? Your linguistic abilities astound me, Miss Granger.”

Snape suddenly swept into Ginny’s range of view as he strode around the table behind Harry and approached her mother. Leaning down, he sniffed the contents of the pan she was holding.

“Good Lord, woman. You have completely destroyed these eggs. They are completely inedible to anyone who has a refined palette. Care to share an omelette, Miss Granger?”

Hermione sighed and sat down in her usual chair next to Harry. Realising not everyone could see her, she moved to the head of the table. All eyes swivelled between her and Professor Snape, who was busy preparing breakfast for the two of them.

“I’m really sorry,” she began as Crookshanks leapt up into her lap. Absently, she began petting him. “Not just for this,” she continued, jerking her head towards the tall wizard competently putting together a meal. “But for last night as well. I was extremely overwrought, but that does not excuse my rudeness, Mrs Weasley; or my hexing you, Professor Lupin. Please forgive me?”

“Of course,” Lupin said, looking surprised that he was able to articulate. Turning his eyes to Snape, he opened his mouth again, but no sound came out.

“You may speak as long as it is not to hurl useless vitriol at me,” Snape loftily informed them all. “Or spells, of course.”

“Abuse, Ron,” Hermione translated, correctly interpreting the confusion that filled her friend’s eyes. “Don’t annoy or abuse him.”

“You seem to be able to, Hermione,” Ginny spat out. “What have you done to gain that privilege?”

Hermione blushed and stared down at her purring familiar, burying her hands in his fur. Peripherally, she saw a dark red light envelop Ginny, and she looked up to see Snape returning his wand into his sleeve. He turned and quickly slid a huge omelette onto a plate before halving it. Striding over to her, he summoned another chair and, sitting next to her, proceeded to eat.

“Eat, Miss Granger,” he commanded, handing her a fork. Hungry, she complied, keeping her gaze down, not wanting to see the condemning stares from around the table. Finished, the plate was banished to the sink and cups of tea summoned.

“Now,” Snape began conversationally. “Before we continue, I think it only fair to inform you that no one abuses or upsets my apprentice.”

Hermione glanced up at him, surprised.

“Except me, of course,” he smirked down at her, and she rolled her eyes in response.

“Now, Mr Potter, I assume that you followed Miss Granger’s directions and summoned Kreacher here. No? What a surprise! It would seem that you were correct, Miss Granger. They really don’t listen to your sage advice.”

Languidly, he raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Instantly, two house-elves appeared.

“Professor Snape,” one squeaked out in shock. Quickly, Severus withdrew his wand and cast Silencio on them both and Impedimenta on Dobby.

“Kreacher,” he instructed. “Fetch the locket that annoying witch over there tried to throw out.”

All the Weasleys drew in an angry breath at the insult to their matriarch. Molly glared furiously at Snape before arrogantly averting her eyes. Hermione looked around the table and shivered at all the hate-filled looks.

“That was unnecessary,” she spat out.

“Oh, do shut up, Miss Granger. You are beginning to bore me,” Snape replied as he took a sip of his tea, blanching at the inferior quality of the brew.

“Good,” she hissed back. “Maybe I’ll bore you so much that you’ll die or at least leave me alone!”

“Oh, I’ll leave you alone, but only for the next five days,” Snape responded lazily.

Mortified, Hermione looked around the table. The knowledge of what Severus alluded to - congress at least once a week, preferably every five days - was reflected in the eyes of Remus and the Weasley parents. Gasping back a sob, Hermione stood, dumping Crookshanks onto the floor, and bolted out of the kitchen. The faint slamming of a door from upstairs echoed back down to the frozen tableau in the kitchen. Calmly, Snape took another sip of tea, waiting for Kreacher to arrive.

The surly house-elf finally sidled in, clutching the locket in his hand, and moved over to the dark wizard.

“I forbid you to give it to him,” Harry suddenly commanded.

Kreacher stopped, mid-step, but Snape merely smiled as he performed the same spell on Harry that had muted Ginny.

“A good attempt, Potter, but not good enough,” he murmured. The locket magically flew from Kreacher’s grasp into Snape’s. He studied it intently and finally nodded. Standing, he nodded congenially at everyone.

“Well, I must be off. Please inform Miss Granger that she is not to leave this house or the consequences will be severe. I will be back to collect her in five days. In the meantime, she should read this list of books,” he told them as he placed a rolled scroll on the table. He then pulled out their shrunken trunks from his robes and left hers on the table.

“Oh, and a friendly warning; do not try to trap me when I come back,” he warned. “There are some strong protective spells woven into the house which none of you can break. Thank you all for your assistance and scintillating conversation. I wish you a pleasant day.”

With that, he turned and swooped out the door. Moments later, the front door slammed and they were all released from the curse that held them. Molly dropped into the seat next to her husband, who put a consoling arm around her. Remus buried his head in his hands. Ginny slumped back and glared at Harry, who in turn was glaring at Kreacher. Kreacher, on the other hand, was smirking happily. Dobby was ringing his hands and whimpering softly.

“What’s he want Hermione for in five days?” Ron queried cluelessly.

At that, Remus raised his gaunt and ravished face and looked over at Molly and Arthur. They both averted their eyes.

But no one answered Ron.


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A/N Title is (of course) from Wizard of Oz.

Thanks to my poor betas who had to live through two versions of this chapter and didn\'t kill me! You are all amazing and wonderful and gosh darn, just terrific!

Thank you for all the lovely good wishes for my holiday - I had a wonderful time and rode a donkey up the cliffs of Santorini (hence the Donkey Disclaimer). Oh, and the movie quote was from Shirley Valentine - and yes, I went to Mykonos.

Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers!! It’s finally been pointed out to me that you can only reply to reviewers on AFFnet in your stories, so I will start doing that from now on. Remember, I’m learning about all this stuff as I go along. However, I sort of cannot back track to cover all the other reviews, but thanks so much for you all!! Thanks to all my regular reviewers – you really rock!

So for last chapter’s reviews (I think I got them all) – REPLIES!!

Septentrion – My story smells of amortentia? Thank you so much *blush*
SteffieSnape – I see Snape as one of the wizards who has a wand in every port!
KillerKadoogan – Sorry to abandon you, most cruel and unnatural. Hope this was good enough for you ;-)
Barbara – Glad to see size doesn’t matter (LOL)
Lemonade – Thank you for all your reviews! You’re a legend – Lucius was unobliviated by the aurors testing stuff on prisoners. He tells Snape just as Narcissa is killing herself.
Hypnobarb – Thank you soooo much. Hope you like this plot twist!
KatelynXM – Thank you for your extensive comments! And for your support – it didn’t take three months to get the next chapter out (luckily). Hope you like my Ginny in this chapter!
Anon – aka Joani – Thank you, hope this update was quick enough!
Anon no more – thanks for all your reviews!
Darque Hart – I will not abandon this fic – my betas would do truly nasty things to me if I did.


So, is Snape evil? Hehehehehehehehe