An Unlikely Savior ~ (Edit) COMPLETED

Chapter 14 ~ The Truth

Eileen Snape followed her father as he climbed out of the hole under the roots of the Whomping Willow and quickly walked toward the castle. A full moon cast its light over the ground, and here and there lay the bodies of the fallen. Snape stepped over them and the sounds of battle became distinct and clear as they approached the castle. Snape stopped, looking down on the body of an armed wizard whose face had been blown completely off. The sword by his side had done nothing to save him.

She watched as Snape removed the sword and scabbard. He swung the sword about a few times with surprising skill, then tied the scabbard on and slipped the sword inside. He continued walking toward the castle. Eileen could see people fighting outside, and giants stomping about, two large ones and one small one who was doing pretty well for himself fighting the bigger ones.

Snape Disillusioned himself, eased through the fighting and entered the castle proper. It seemed the fight was concentrated in the Great Hall, though a few people were in the entrance hall. There was a huge, shaggy looking Death Eater in tight black robes that appeared to be biting some unfortunate wizard in the throat, shaking him like a rat as his eyes glazed, blood running over his robes. Yells, blasts, surging bodies and flashes of light could be seen and heard through the open doors of the Great Hall. Her father’s shimmer paused, then began to walk toward the dungeon area.

Suddenly, a witch came running out of the Great Hall and flew up the marble staircase. It looked like Mrs. Weasley.

Someone cried out, “"There's one! She's running up the stairs! After her, Fenrir!"

Her father’s shimmer stopped. The shaggy wizard dropped his prey and looked up the stairwell and saw the witch disappear down the corridor on the right.

"I'll get her," Fenrir snarled, "I love the feel and taste of young witch."

The wizard ran up the stairs in a strange manner, using his hands and feet, like a big dog, clearing three steps at a time. He was after Hermione.

Her father’s shimmer stood there a moment, then also took the stairs, following the path the wizard and witch took. The big wizard ran normally for a bit, but slowly until he again shifted to all fours. Eileen heard a scream and could make out the billowing robes of the fleeing witch in front of them.

"I smell you!" Fenrir rasped loudly, his growling voice echoing off the stone. "Fresh meat for Fenrir!"

Hermione was trapped against the far wall. Her father’s shimmer stopped and remained motionless as the big wizard menaced her. She could hear Hermione begging for mercy, then she was choked and clothing ripped away from her as the wizard prepared to rape her. Suddenly, her father appeared and stealthily walked up behind the wizard, drawing his sword. This Fenrir was huge!

He had Hermione bent over, her naked arse showing and was holding his cock in his hand as he fingered her. Eileen shuddered.

"A virgin. Fenrir has found quite the prize. At least you won't die one," he hissed, pulling back his foreskin and pressing the head of his cock against her entrance.

Snape drew back his blade as the wizard hissed, "Now!" then drove it through his back with all his might. The wizard stood there a moment, his arms dropping to his side as Hermione looked back and slid out of the way, pulling her robes down as her father withdrew the blade and the wizard crumpled.

Hermione stared at him, her mouth open and face pale with fright.

"Why Miss Granger," her father said softly and a bit venomously, "you look as if you've seen your first true ghost. If left to you, I would indeed be a ghost. None of you attempted to render me any aid. No doubt you believed I deserved to die. I would have been well within my rights to let Fenrir rape and kill you."

The sounds of fighting ringing through the castle stopped. Then cheers began.

"I believe the matter between Mr. Potter and my former master has been resolved, apparently in Mr. Potter's favor. I will be going now, Miss Granger, to wait for Mr. Potter to clear my name. But I will return and collect from you," her father told the witch.

Hermione looked dazed and confused. Her voice quavered as she said, “Collect from me?” as if she didn’t understand him. But Eileen did immediately. Her father was claiming a Life Debt. Well, he had saved her, and since he was a Slytherin, he wouldn’t do anything less. Her father confirmed this.

"I killed a man for you, Miss Granger. I could have been long gone and would have been had I not seen his pursuit of you while I was making my way to my quarters to retrieve a few items to take with me before I went into hiding. Now, that will have to wait. My first thought was to let you die, turnabout being fair play, but . . . I thought if I did save you, it would later work out in my favor. You owe me a Life Debt, Miss Granger, and I plan to collect on it."

Eileen thought, “Good for you, dad.”

"What . . . what will you want?"

Snape wiped his blade on Fenrir’s body and put it back in the scabbard.

"Since you owe me your very life, Miss Granger, it doesn't matter what I want, does it? Life is the most precious commodity of all, and since I don't want your life, whatever I do want is secondary."

"Won't you give me an idea?"

Suddenly, Eileen could hear footfalls from up the hall. Her father looked back quickly, then at the witch again.

I must go. What I want from you is also precious, Miss Granger, but less so than your life. Watch for me, witch. Nocturnis!"

Then, everything went black and they were outside again.

”Locomordres!” Snape hissed, and flew away.

Suddenly, Eileen was in the Ministry and Harry Potter was on the stand testifying on her father’s behalf. Hermione and several other people also spoke for him. Snape sat in a chair, his hands and feet manacled.

He was released in a 7 to 5 decision made by the Ministry council members.

”You may have worked for the Order, Snape, but you’ve committed many crimes against wizarding society in the process,” one of the council members said in dissent. “Some may consider you a hero, but you are still guilty of murder, despite Dumbledore’s wishes. You are free, but with this council’s reservations.”

Eileen fumed. What the fuck kind of finding was that? They considered her father a criminal after all he’d gone through? Merlin, what a bunch of bastards.

The Pensieve fast forwarded and Snape was back at Hogwarts, teaching potions. He was as snarky as ever.

Then, he was in his rooms, reading the Daily Prophet. The headline announced a ceremony was to be held where the heroes in the battle against Voldemort would be given the Order of Merlin, some posthumously, which would be followed by a parade through wizarding London. There was a list of recipients. Her father’s name wasn’t among them.

The Pensieve shifted again. This time her father was at Spinner’s End. He was reading a magazine by a dim light when there was a knock on the door. Snape answered it, and was handed a case by two sober-faced Aurors.

”Congratulations, professor Snape. You have been awarded the Order of Merlin for your service against the Dark Lord,” one announced as Snape opened the case and looked down at the medal. He closed it and without a word to the Aurors, closed the door. He tossed the medal on the table and went back to his magazine, frowning.

“Oh, that’s bullshit,” Eileen hissed.

Again, they were back at Hogwarts. The Pensieve showed her father alone much of the time, brooding and staring into the fireplace while sipping on a Firewhiskey, or at his desk marking papers. He didn’t socialize with anyone. Soon, it was winter, and Snape stood by the main gates, overseeing the departure of students being picked up by their families for Christmas holiday. He watched as little first years ran to their parents and leapt into their arms, smiling and hugging them. They were so happy, so—loving. He stayed there until the last child left, then returned to the empty castle and his rooms. Again, he stared into the fireplace—brooding and thoughtful. Then he stood up and walked over to his bookshelves, searching for something. After about ten minutes, he pulled out a book, and sat back down, looking down at the cover. Eileen looked over his shoulder and read the title.

”The Big Book of Fertility Rites”

Both of the witch’s eyebrows rose as her father leafed through the book and stopped at a page.

”The Rite of Cernunnos”

He began to read.

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Suddenly, they were in one of the niches in a corridor of Hogwarts. It was night. Her father stepped out, blocking the path of one very startled Hermione Granger. She nearly collapsed against the wall with fright. Had she actually fought in the final battle? Hell, Eileen would have had her wand out instantly if someone popped up on her in that manner.

”I would think after all you’ve been through, you’d draw your wand rather than clutch your heart, Miss Granger,” her father purred.

”Well, you startled me.”

“Even more of a reason to come out blasting. Well, despite your lack of defensive skills, I’ve come to let you know I am ready to collect on your debt.”

”What . . . what is it you want?”

”An ingredient. One that must be collected tomorrow night, when it will be at its highest potency.”

”An ingredient? You want me to help you get it in some manner?”

”Yes, in some manner. I will expect you at my office tomorrow night at nine. You will need to have a prefect take over your rounds for the night.”

Hermione nodded.

”Professor, will my helping you harvest this ingredient end the debt I owe you?”

Snape arched an eyebrow at her.

”If collected successfully, yes. However, if there is any error during the process, then the ingredient will be rendered useless and you will still be in my debt.”

”What is the ingredient?”

”That and other details will be revealed at the proper time. But we will be leaving the confines of the castle.”

Hermione frowned.

”Why won’t you tell me what the ingredient is?”

”Because, Miss Granger, your state of mind when the ingredient is collected is extremely important to its potency. Having foreknowledge could render it weak or completely unusable. It is a very valuable ingredient, and although it could be purchased, its method of collection is always in question. I would prefer it . . . fresh.”

Eileen now had a knot in her belly, a big one. He had been reading a book about fertility. Was he going to collect Hermione’s virgin blood? Virgins usually played a big part in fertility rites. Her father was something else. He’d do anything to get a valuable ingredient. He must have been timing this in tangent with the Spring Equinox. That’s when most fertility rites were performed.

Now, he and Hermione were in a clearing in the Forbidden Forest and shared a drink out of a flask. Then her father was striding through the forest to another clearing, where he removed his clothing and donned animal skins and antlers. There was some kind of bower made of sticks and flowers and he sat down cross-legged inside it. He seemed a little high. He began to speak in rhymes, calling for Hermione.

After about half an hour, a stag ran into the clearing, heading for the bower. It was beautiful. It ran inside and stood behind her father, looking into the clearing. Hermione emerged, wearing a very gauzy gown that was flowing behind her. She looked strange, as if she were drugged and she was calling for the stag, running toward the bower.

The stag disappeared and it was just Hermione and her father.

“Who are you?” Hermione asked him.

That settled it. Hermione WAS drugged. She had to be.

”I am the voice,” Snape answered.

Eileen listened, reddening as her father tried to convince the witch to have sex with him. He said the corniest things. So did Hermione. It was like a bad Blue Pensieve script. Then Hermione ran away, and her father chased her all around the clearing. Eileen couldn’t believe this, but it was happening. It was the strangest thing she’d ever witnessed. She couldn’t imagine her father doing anything as undignified as running after a witch while dressed in animal skins and antlers. Even hitting on a witch was out of character for him. But, she was witnessing it.

Finally Hermione ran into the bower, and took her father’s hand and drew him in. He immediately went animal on her, kissing her deeply while tearing at her gown.

”Oh shit,” Eileen gasped. She really didn’t want to see her dad shagging.

She didn’t have to worry. Snape had skipped that part. Now, Hermione was lying naked on the ground before him, apparently sleeping, her body fuzzy, indistinct and glowing. Her dad had attempted to block her nudity in the Pensieve for modesty’s sake.

Eileen watched as her father walked to the back of the bower and quickly dressed in his robes. He came back with a wand in one hand and a kind of statue in the other. It was made of pewter and was the image of a naked and very pregnant woman. He flipped the top of the statue back. It was hinged and Eileen saw that it was actually a container of some sort.

Her father then pointed his wand at Hermione, and began chanting in a language Eileen was unfamiliar with. It wasn’t Latin. Probably one of the old tongues. He moved the wand in small circles, focusing on the small of Hermione’s back

The glow around Hermione brightened, then condensed to a small point at the exact area the wand tip was pointed. Her father lifted the wand and Eileen watched mesmerized as a glowing orb surrounded by a casing rose from out of the sleeping witch’s body. It looked a bit like a yolk surrounded by egg white, but the yolk was very small and glowing. Carefully, her father caught it in the container, flicked his wand at it, and closed it back. The seam around the statue’s middle disappeared.

Her father studied it, then gave a thin smile as he pocketed his prize. Then he flicked his wand at Hermione, dressing her in robes. He bent and picked her up, carrying her out of the forest.

Next, they were in his private quarters, Hermione sitting up on his couch, bleary eyed and looking out of sorts. Her father was dressed in his severe robes and looking down at her. Hermione put her hand to her head and looked up at him.

”What time is it?”

”Early afternoon. You’ve slept through part of the day. Now, it is time for you to go.”

Hermione shifted uncomfortably.

”You shagged me.”

By the accusing way Hermione said this, it was clear to Eileen she didn’t remember the act. It was as if Hermione were looking for confirmation.

Snape nodded.

”It was necessary.”

”If that was all you wanted, why all the elaborations? We could have done that anywhere.”

Hm. At least Hermione didn’t go into meltdown about losing her virginity. In fact, she seemed a little angry that he’d made it so complicated.

”The location was also necessary. I hope the loss of your virginity will not ruin your future plans with . . . Mr. Weasley.”

”I don’t think it will.”

”Good. You are free to go. The way is clear. You are free of your debt now.”

”Am I? Are you sure I’m not pregnant?”.

”No, you are not, Miss Granger. I took . . . precautions to make sure you would not carry my child. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a life to live.”

He opened the wall so she could leave. Oh, dad was a bastard.

”So do I!” Hermione snapped back at him, completely pissed.

”Live it well, Miss Granger,” her father purred as the witch stalked out the door.

Next, they were at some kind of function. Eileen looked up at a banner tied above a table laden with food and drink. It read:

”London Singles Night.”

”Oh, good gods,” she breathed, shaking her head as Muggle men and women moved around, talking and looking a little desperate. She saw her dad talking to a woman. Oh god, it was her mother, Delores, who was staring at him in fascination. And, dad was actually wearing his wizarding robes. Yeesh.

Eileen watched the courtship. Her father never once touched her mother. They didn’t even snog. He’d just take her out, and they’d talk, then he’d bring her home. He told her he was the old-fashioned type and didn’t believe in sex before marriage.

Right, dad.

They were married, and Eileen watched as her father put a bit of potion in a glass of wine and gave it to her mother on the honeymoon night. By the time they were ready to retire, she was quite groggy and once she hit the bed, she was out cold.

Her father produced the statue that held what he’d collected from Hermione and his wand. Eileen’s brow furrowed as he opened it, chanting, lifting out the glowing yolk and egg and lowering it until it passed into his sleeping wife, the light fading.

“There, my little one,” he said softly, placing his hand against Delores’ lower belly. “A womb in which to grow.”

Eileen raised her head and looked at her father, who was staring back at her, his eyes worried.

”Now, you know the truth,” he said softly. “Delores was not your biological mother. Hermione was. I impregnated her and took you. Then I resigned from Hogwarts and spent the next four years building my business until I felt I was ready to take care of you. I married Delores not out of love for her, but for you. She was just a vessel. All I wanted out of that marriage was a child. My child. One of good stock and potential. Someone to nurture and care for. Someone to teach. Someone—to love, who I shared a bond with and would love me back unconditionally.”

Eileen continued to stare at him. He cleared his throat.

”I—I know it was a terribly selfish thing to do, Eileen, but I knew I could care for you myself. I felt—I felt you didn’t need a mother when I could be both mother and father to you—“

”You let me go back there, dad. To confront Delores when you knew she wasn’t my mother to begin with,” Eileen said tremulously.

”I know, Eileen. But you wanted to go, and I wasn’t ready to tell you the truth. But—but I did intend to do it. One day—“

“And I thought all this time that she had abandoned me—“ Eileen said, swallowing as her eyes began to fill with tears. “And she wasn’t even my mother.”

”I’m sorry,” Snape said, his own eyes growing wet at his daughter’s distress.

Eileen suddenly stood up.

”Dad, I can’t talk about this now. I need to think,” she said as he rose as well, concern and a bit of fear on his face.

”I understand, Eileen. But please, know this—I only had your best interest at heart.”

Eileen’s brown eyes rested on him consideringly, then she turned and walked out of the living room, leaving Snape standing there, staring after her. It was the first time in her life that she had gone to bed without giving him a good night kiss on the cheek.

Dear gods. What had he done?

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A/N: Whew. You know, when I came to the end of this chapter, when Snape said, “I’m sorry, I had a Lily flashback, when he was trying to apologize to her and she ended their friendship. It was kind of sad. No, really sad to think it might be happening to him again, but with his daughter. Just a thought. Thanks for reading.***