The Sound Of Silence

The next morning dawned to find Hermione finishing up the book on the final battle. She wiped her tears away. At least Colin had talked with Harry and Ron instead of making up the story. She had been mentioned several times but Colin had said she couldn’t be reached for comment.

She turned to the front of the book. It had been published in 2000. The year after she left. She had asked the MOM to keep her location a secret. Arthur, sweet Arthur, didn’t understand why, but he did just as she asked. She lay the book with the others. Steph would be up soon. Hermione went into her room to get ready for the day.

***

Harry and the Weasley’s understood the reason Stephanie was going to Hogwarts for breakfast. The boys were planning on taking her to the Quidditch Museum in London that afternoon. They promised not to take her to Diagon Alley so that her Mom and Dad could share that with her.

***

Steph, on the other hand, didn\'t want to be left out of the potion making process. She argued through breakfast. Finally, Severus looked at her. “Stephanie Jade Snape. I said that you would be staying with the Weasley’s this afternoon and that is final. I will not abide back talk.”

Stephanie looked at him, her mouth slack. He raised his eyebrow. “Do close your mouth. You look like a fish gasping for water.” She snapped her mouth closed and glared down at her plate.

Albus chuckled. “Is that the first time you’ve told her no?”

Severus nodded. “The first time since I found out that I am her father.”

***

The hours leading up to lunch were nerve wracking for Hermione. Stephanie could be talking tomorrow. Everyone around her knew what she was thinking. Ron came up as she was standing outside and put his arm around her shoulders. “Mione, I know you’re excited. I am to. Just remember, there are other options if this doesn’t work.”

She nodded. “I know that Ron. There are just a ton of questions in my head. If this does work, will she actually be able to talk? If it doesn’t work, what else can we try? I mean, there are just so many unknowns.”

He kissed her temple. “You’ll figure them all out. You and Snape are both intelligent people. I know you will.”

Harry and Ginny walked in, both looked flushed. Hermione giggled. “You two are worse that seventh years! We can tell what you’ve been doing.”

Harry grinned. “Well, it’s only proper to celebrate when you’ve just recently gotten engaged.”

Ron’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding?” Ginny held out her hand for him to see the ring. He looked at Harry, holding out his hand. “Welcome to the family mate. Officially that is.”

Hermione grabbed the younger girl in a hug. “I can’t believe it! I just really can’t believe it!” She turned to Harry and hugged him, while Ron congratulated Ginny.

The younger red head wiped the tears from her eyes. “I guess now we have to tell Mum and Dad.”

Harry pulled her into his arms. “That’s the easy part. The hardest thing was getting up the courage to ask you.”

***

The House Elfs had really outdone themselves this time. Every type of picnic food imaginable was presented on the blanket covering the largest part of Snape’s living room. He and Stephanie had come back from the laboratory, where they had been learning ingredients and their properties.

Her eyes lit up as soon as they walked in. He chuckled. “I’m sure your school’s picnic was nothing compared to this feast.”

She grinned and signed to him. He nodded. “I’m sure you can’t, but remember, you can’t tell your schoolmates that your Mother and Father are magical.” She frowned. He patted her head. “Just think of it this way. It’s a great secret. You’re special enough to be privy to it. Not many are.” She grinned again, and pulled him to the blanket for their picnic.

***

Hermione kept fidgeting as she and the boys were walking to the Castle. Harry finally grabbed her hand. “Mione, everything will be fine. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but it will be soon. I can feel it.”

She nodded and gave his hand a squeeze. “I know. I mean, just think about it. My baby could be talking tomorrow. If not talking, just making sounds that she’s never been able to make before. She could laugh again.”

Ron took her other hand. “Just don’t put all your hope in this. Go in with open eyes. Not everything goes right the first time. Not even the second time. Just remember that.”

***

They walked into the Castle and saw Albus and Minerva. McGonagall came over and hugged Hermione. “Good luck dear. Severus is a very clever man. Between the two of you, something is bound to happen.”

Albus smiled. “Go on now. I can see how anxious you are.”

Hermione nodded. “Thank you Head Master.” She turned and headed for the Dungeons. The boys waved and followed behind her.

***

She knocked on his chamber door and opened it after he called “Enter!” She smiled at the scene in front of her.

Severus Snape, sans robe, was stretched out on the floor in front of the fireplace. Stephanie was sitting in front of him, signing slowly. Hermione giggled. “Stephanie Jade. Don’t you dare finish that story!” Stephanie grinned and winked at her Daddy. Hermione laughed again. “Having fun?”

Severus looked up at her. “Of course. Is it time for her trip to London?”

Harry and Ron recovered from their shock of a happy, relaxed Snape, and nodded.

Stephanie grabbed another snack cake and jumped up to get her cloak. Severus chuckled. “Don’t leave an old man lying in the floor.” She turned and grinned at him. She looked at her Mommy and raised her eyebrows. Hermione laughed as they offered him their hands. With exaggerated effort, they pulled him to his feet. He quickly grabbed Stephanie and swung her around. Hermione laughed and shook her head as Steph went to get her cloak.

Harry shook his head. “I never would have believed it.” Ron just nodded.

***

Steph complained again about being left out of the process. Hermione started to speak but Severus interrupted. “Stephanie. I told you that I wouldn’t abide back talk. Your Mother and I have both said no. Now, go with Mr. Weasley and Potter.”

She nodded, hugged her Mother and Father and walked out with the boys. Before they were out of ear shot, Ron said “Now that’s the Snape that we had in class.”

***

Hermione looked at him. “I’ve never heard you take that tone with her.”

Severus looked at her. “Like you said before, I am a bastard.”

She shook her head. “As true as that may be, you are still a good father.” He smiled and shook his head.

***

Stephanie was amazed by the museum. The ones in America were nothing like this. There was every type of broom imaginable. The exhibits were moving. The people moving, playing the game.

She went from one exhibit to the other, her eyes wide, taking the time to read all the information in her booklet and on the plaques. She wondered why Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron kept their faces down and only looked up when she pointed at something. They didn’t act like they wanted to be there.

Finally, they rounded a corner and she understood. There was an exhibit all about them. “The Terrible Two.” She looked at it and then back to them.

Harry shrugged. “We didn’t realize if was this big. I just thought it would be a plaque or something.”

Ron was as red as his hair. “Not to rush you, but can we hurry through this one? I don’t want anyone to recognize us.”

No more were the words out of his mouth, than did a little boys dressed in robes come up and tug his pant leg. Ron looked at the boy. A grin broke over the small face. “It’s you. I knew it was. I’m ticiticing. I’m going to be as good as you one day.”

Ron smiled at the boy. “You keep up the good work. I know you’ll be great.”

The boy grinned and his eyes widened as he saw Harry. “Oh man. Both of you? I saw Ron Weasley and Harry Potter on the same day! No one will ever believe me.”

Harry smiled. He conjured up a quill and signed his name on the back of the boy’s museum booklet. Ron took the quill from him and signed his name too. He ruffled the kids hair. “There. That should help.”

The boy grinned. “Thanks Mr. Weasley. You’re my favorite player. Ever!” He blushed when he looked at Harry. “No offense Mr. Potter.”

Harry laughed. “Believe me. That’s just fine.” The boy grinned as he walked away.

***

Hermione looked over the paper Severus had given her. This was a very powerful restorative. “Will this be ingested?”

He nodded. “I was able to localize the effects.”

She smiled. “You’ve been very busy.”

He nodded. “I’ve had nine years to work on this. Shall we get started?”

***

They worked the rest of the day, adding and chopping. There was no need for words, they knew what this potion meant. It was forgiveness, it was happiness, it was hope.

Harry and Ron knew how nerve wracking this was for Steph. That’s why they spent the whole afternoon in London. When they did come back to the Burrow, they at dinner and managed to get in a quick game of four person Quidditch, Steph and Ginny against Harry and Ron. Harry was impressed. Stephanie had learned a lot in her time with them.

***

Later, at Godric’s Hollow, Steph was reading while the boys were talking. She looked up from her book, thought a few minutes and then grabbed her book bag. She pulled out the book about the Final Battle and walked over to Uncle Ron.

He took the book and looked at it. He frowned. “Where did you get this?” He watched as Steph mouthed the answer. He sighed. “Has Hermione seen this?” Steph nodded.

Harry took the book from Ron and flipped through it. “Have you read this?” She shook her head. He sighed. “All right. What do you want to know?

Steph shook her head. She looked around and found a quill. She pushed it into his hand. He frowned. She made the motion of writing and then pointed to the book. He looked at her. “You want my autograph?” She nodded. He chuckled slightly. “All right then. I’ll sign it.” He charmed the quill and signed in gold ink over his picture.

She took the book and quill from him and handed it to Ron. He signed it and then looked at her. “Why did you want us to sign this?” She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote. Ron took it from her and read. “You guys are famous. I think it’s neat that I actually know someone famous. I’m going to get Daddy and Mommy to sign this too.”

Harry shook his head. “Honey, listen. I know you think what we did was neat but it wasn’t. It was horrible. Really, really horrible.” She frowned and sat down as he started to talk.

***

Hermione watched as Severus added mandrake essence to the potion. She held her breath as she watched the mixture change from green to blue. A few more stirs and the potion turned the expected pale blue. He looked at her. “It’s done.”

She nodded. “How long before we can take it to her?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t want to experiment and make sure it won’t hurt her?”
She shook her head and looked at him. “No. I trust you.”

***

Steph had fallen asleep while she was reading on the couch. Ron pulled a blanket over her and walked outside to talk to Harry. He was surprised to see Ginny with him. “Hey sis. I thought you were at home? What are you doing here?”

Ginny smiled. “Originally, I came to see Harry, but since you’re still up, I want to talk to both of you.” She took a breath. “Look, I know both of you want Hermione to stay in the Wizarding world. I do too. I know that you want to watch Steph grow up. I want them both to be in our wedding. So, I’ve come up with a way to get her to stay.”

Harry grinned. “I knew you would Gin. Just how do you plan on making this happen?”

Ginny took another deep breath. “I know you won’t like this, but just hear me out. I think we need to get Hermione and Professor Snape back together.”

***

The boys didn’t get to voice their protests. There was a twin set of pops and Severus and Hermione were in front of the. Hermione was grinning. “Where’s Steph?”

Ron pointed towards the house. “She’s on the couch. She fell asleep while she was reading. Is it finished?” Severus nodded and they all went into the hous
<
***

Steph jerked awake when she heard someone coming into the house. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and smiled when she saw her Mom. She sat up and frowned when she saw everyone looking at her. She broke into a grin when her Daddy held a vial out to her. She looked at Mommy.

Hermione nodded. “Go on baby. Your Daddy has been working a long time on this.” Ginny nudged Harry in the ribs and gave him an “I told you so smile”. He frowned and nodded.

***

Steph took the vial and looked up at him. He nodded. “Mandrake. I’m sure it will taste horrible, but I promise it is safe.”

She nodded and uncapped the vial and with a last glance around the room, she quickly drank the potion down. She made a face, then put her hand to her throat. She frowned. Severus handed her a paper. “Write everything down. If this works, we’ll need notes on the reaction. If not, we’ll need something to determine what went wrong.”

She nodded and started writing. After a few minutes, she stopped and looked up. She smiled and opened her mouth...

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A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger! It just worked out that this was the best place to stop this HUGE chunk of story. I promise, next week, same Snape time, same Snape channel, this will be updated!

Anon: I promise, I\'m going to update this weekly. Please keep reading and reviewing!

SandraM: I\'m sorry it\'s taken so long to update. School has been crazy, but I think things have settled down now. Thanks for reading!

Nesscafe: I promise, next week, new chapter. Hopefully, you\'ll tune in again!

Deb: Harry and Ron actually didn\'t tell me they were going to be doing that for Hermione. It was a big shock for me too. I love these characters, but sometimes, I wish they would do what I tell them to do! Thanks for reading!

Alanfan: Actually, this story is finished. I\'m posting in short bits, so that I don\'t get ahead of myself and make everyone wait for me to have free time to write the sequal. Keep reading, I swear this will be finished.

Kristine: Aww, thanks for that! I\'m glad you like it and think the story flows. I was worried about that. My writing style is different than some, but I\'m glad you\'re enjoying it. Please keep reading!!