The Family Ties that Bind

Disclaimer: I by no means own any characters from the world of Harry Potter. They belong to the wonderful and talented J.K. Rowlings. So, please don’t sue me, because I have no money.

Summary: Hermione finds out her entire life has been a lie during the summer before her 7th year. How is she going to react to the news once she finds out who her real father is? Will Hermione and her father get along? Read and find out.

The Family Ties that Bind

Chapter 14- Severus’s Mind Uncovered

*Severus’s Mind*

Swirls of fog surrounded Severus. He seemed to be floating. Not sure if he was alive or dead. The last thing he remembered was falling to the ground as soon as he apparated outside the grounds of Hogwarts. He only hoped that Hermione and Draco would be all right.

“Hello! Anyone here!” Severus called out.

“Hello Severus.” a beautiful feminine voice replied.

Severus spun around and came face-to-face with his beloved Jocelyn. He was too shocked to even speak. All he could do was stare as she began walking closer and closer to him. Soon she was within inches of him and reaching her left hand up and touching his face.

“I’m dead. I know I’m dead.” Severus whispered.

“No Severus. You’re not dead. Not yet. You are caught in between the living and the dead. You have a choice to make my love. To continue living or to die. I am merely here to help you decide.” Jocelyn replied with a small smile.

Jocelyn took his hand and began leading him through the fog. Suddenly a door appeared before them. Jocelyn placed her hand on the smooth surface and it swung open. Together they entered the room on the other side.

Severus looked around. He knew immediately where they were. He felt a shudder ripple through him. It was the night he had taken the dark mark. Severus still regretted the day he took that damned mark.

“Darling, this wasn’t your fault. Your father forced you to take that. If you had your choice I know you wouldn’t have taken it.” Jocelyn said gently.

“Welcome our newest followers. Tonight you will receive your reward for passing your tasks. Those tasks that proved your loyalty.” Voldemort said with a smile.

Severus watched his younger self kneeling before Voldemort and his father standing proudly behind him. Severus watched with guilt as he and six others took the mark that night. At seventeen he was still under the heel of his dominate father. After the mark was burned into his skin, a door appeared behind him and Jocelyn. She gently pulled him through the door.

The next scene was a much happier one for Severus. The day he and Jocelyn got married. It was the freest he had ever felt. His father had been dead for two years at that point and he had already began spying, trying to make up for the things he had done in the year and half he had been an active Death Eater.

“You nervous my boy?” Albus asked the younger Severus.

“Yes sir. I still can’t believe this is happening. That she actually agreed to marry me and loves me despite the things I’ve done.” Severus said happily.

“Severus, Jocelyn Devaroux loves you for you. She confided in me that she knew why you did what you did. Your father, Tasilen, forced you to. You couldn’t get away until he died.” Albus said gently as he placed his hand on Severus’s shoulder.

“Albus was right. Your father was an evil tyrant. I don’t blame you for what you’ve done. I never have.” Jocelyn said.

Severus could only nod. He watched as his and Jocelyn’s wedding replayed before him. The happy smiles of him and Jocelyn, their friends and her family surrounding them. The love that was present that day. It was the happiest day of his life at that point. Even Lily had dragged James to the wedding. In school, him and Lily had been good friends by their sixth year and even after school.

“There’s two more stops to make Severus. We must move on.” Jocelyn said softly.

Reluctantly Severus followed her through yet another door. He now found himself in Lily and James’s house before they moved to Godric Hollow. He remembered that night vividly and didn’t need to see the memory, but watched anyway.

“Snape, I know you’re spying for the Order. But listen to me. You must be careful. Voldemort is getting stronger and stronger by the day. If you’re not careful you will be killed.” James said.

“Why do you care if I live or die? I know that like your friend Black you could give a damn about my well being.” Severus shot back.

“Severus.” Jocelyn said wearily.

“Look, you and I have never and probably never will like each other, but you are a friend of Lily’s. She’s worried about you. That’s why I asked you and Jocelyn over. I just want you to be careful when you go on missions. If not for your wife, do it for one of your friends. Lily loves you, though I don’t know why. She wouldn’t take the news of your death well at all.” James said.

“Fine. Thanks for the advise Potter. Is that all? If so, then my wife and I bid you a good evening.” Severus said as he and Jocelyn rose to their feet.

“That’s it. I guess I’ll see you at the next meeting Snape.” James said as he rose to show them out.

“That was the last time I ever saw him or Lily alive. They died the next year. They were kept in hiding and didn’t even go to any of the meetings after that.” Severus said sadly.

“Oh darling. You must stop blaming yourself for your actions against James as a school boy. You were just as guilty as James back then.” Jocelyn said as she led them through the last door.

Tears immediately filled Severus’s eyes as he saw the surroundings. He didn’t want to relive this memory but knew he had now choice.

“Severus, let me get this straight. Lucius Malfoy murdered Jocelyn and you want us to take Hermione and raise her as our own?” Victor asked.

“Yes. Victor, you and Helena know of my status as a spy. Voldemort isn’t completely dead. We know that much. How Harry Potter managed to survive is a mystery. I can’t raise Hermione. There are still Death Eaters out there that doubt my loyalties and always have. If word got out that I married Jocelyn and we had a child, Hermione would be in great danger.” Severus answered sadly as he held a newborn Hermione tightly to him.

“I understand your point Severus, but can’t Albus do something? Find a way to protect Hermione while at the same time allowing you to raise her? You’re her father for Merlin’s Sake!” Helena exclaimed.

“I already asked. After Jocelyn died I immediately went to him. He said there was nothing he could do that would protect her. Not even Hogwarts would protect her if one of the other Death Eaters wanted to get to her or me.” Severus replied.

“Then we have no choice. Very well Severus. Since Helena and I are living as muggles, it would be much harder for Death Eaters to find us. We will take Hermione, but you must promise that on her eighteenth birthday, or sooner, you will tell her the truth. After all, these charms we are about to put on her will wear off when she turns eighteen.” Victor stated.

“You have my word Victor. All I ask is that you love her and take care of her. I’ll see her again when she comes to Hogwarts in eleven years.” Severus promised.

Severus watched as he, Victor, and Helena placed the charms on his only daughter. The tears he was trying to hold back began to fall as he watched himself hand Hermione over to his brother-in-law and sister. He then watched as his past self turned and walked away without so much as a backward glance at his daughter.

He suddenly found him and Jocelyn on this moor over looking a vast ocean. He turned and realized they were at the edge of her grandparents cottage in Ireland. The place that held many happy memories for him and his wife.

“Now you must choose Severus.” Jocelyn said as she faced her husband.

“Choose what Jocelyn?” Severus asked.

“Your future Severus. You must decide if you wish to come with me or return to the living world. Hermione is waiting at your side as is Draco. They know that the choice is up to you weather you live or die. Choose my dear husband.” Jocelyn answered.

“I choose to live. It’s not my time to join you my love. Our daughter needs me. I can’t leave her. Plus, I have to help Potter’s son defeat Voldemort. I still have much to make up for. It’s not my time.” Severus answered.

“I’m glad you chose to live Severus. As much as I miss you, Hermione needs you more. Plus you still have your life to live. It’s time you move on and try to find love again Severus. We’ve discussed this issue many times while I was alive. I assure you, Voldemort will not live much longer and then you’ll be free.” Jocelyn said as she hugged him tightly.

Severus wrapped his arms around his wife. He embedded the feel of her in his arms to his memory. He had many times wished and prayed to hold her just one last time. To tell her he loved her and always would. Now his prayers had been answered.

“It’s time for you to return darling. I will always be with you and will always love you. Tell Hermione I love her and I’m so proud of her.” Jocelyn said tearfully as she released Severus.

“I love you Jocelyn. I always will.” Severus said as she began to fade from sight.

He watched as Jocelyn waved sadly at him. She vanished in a warm golden light. He at least knew she was in peace and happy. He felt himself being pulled back into his own body. Knowing soon he would once more see his beautiful daughter and will be walking her down the aisle as she married his god son.

*Back to Reality*

It had been nearly twenty four hours since Severus had been found and healed as best as he could be. Draco sat sleeping in a chair beside his bed while Hermione sat beside him holding her father’s hand. Looking for any sign of hope that he was all right.

“Please daddy. You have to come back to us. We all need you. I need you. I just found you. I can’t lose you now. There’s still so much we have to do together. You have to walk me down the aisle, play with your first grandchild, watch him or her start here at Hogwarts. Please come back to us.” Hermione whispered pleadingly to her father.

“I’m…not going…anywhere…honey.” Severus whispered hoarsely.

“Daddy?” Hermione asked in shook.

“That’s right. I’m right here.” Severus answered quietly as he slowly opened his eyes.

The beauteous sight of Hermione’s black, blue eyes, raven hair and angelic face greeted him as the blackness faded from his view. Her bright smile warmed his heart greatly.

“Oh dad. You’re back. Thank Merlin!” Hermione exclaimed as she leaned foreword and gently hugged him.

“Severus! Your awake!” Draco cried as he jumped from his chair.

“Hello Draco. I see you stayed at Hermione’s side. Just I would have done for Jocelyn.” Severus said with a smile.

“You had us all really scared. We thought you would give up the fight.” Draco said as he sat on Severus’s other side holding his other hand.

“Well, I had a little help from Jocelyn. She made me see that I couldn’t give up.” Severus replied.

“Mum? You saw mum?” Hermione asked in disbelief.

“Yes sweet heart. Your mother told me to tell you she loves you and is very proud of you. Just as I am.” Severus said with a smile.

Hermione once more leaned over him and hugged him. Draco left the father and daughter alone and went to get Poppy. Severus held Hermione tightly and kissed the top of her head. Glad he had chosen to return, glad he was back where he needed to be. With his daughter.

T.B.C