The Family Ties that Bind

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

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.

Chapter 17- A Winter Day Attack

November passed and the Christmas holidays were now upon Hogwarts. Most of the students had returned home to their families. Hermione, Draco, Ron, Neville and Ginny had stayed. Neville, Hermione and Harry had arranged for their lessons to continue. They knew Voldemort would be making his final move and soon.

“It’s so quiet around here.” Hermione said as she and Ginny watched the boys have a snowball fight.

“I know. I have a feeling that most of the students won’t return after the holidays. Especially those whose parents are Death Eaters.” Hermione agreed.

“Good afternoon ladies.” Severus said as he walked up to them.

“Hello professor.” Ginny greeted.

“Hi dad.” Hermione said.

“Hermione, I was wondering if you would care to join me for tea?” Severus asked.

“Sure. Gin, tell the guys where I am so they don’t freak.” Hermione said.

“Sure. You two have fun.” Ginny said.

Hermione linked her arm with her father’s and they re-entered the castle. They made their way down to the dungeons and into his private quarters. Hermione sat down on the sofa as her dad summoned the tea from the kitchen.

“I thought it would be nice to spend the afternoon together. We’ve both been so busy we’ve had little time to spend together.” Severus said.

“I know. Draco and I have been working on our N.E.W.T’s and planning the wedding, plus with my training. Speaking of the wedding, I was wondering if you had an idea as to where we could have it. That’s been the one thing we’ve been having problems with.” Hermione said.

“Why not the same place your mother and I got married?” Severus asked.

“Where did you and mum get married?” Hermione replied.

“It was at the cabin in Ireland. Your mother loved it there. Just as you do.” Severus answered.

“It’s perfect! Thanks dad.” she exclaimed.

“What else have you and Draco decided?” Severus asked.

“Well, we decided to have a mixture of muggle and a traditional Wizarding wedding. My colors are going to be emerald green, silver and midnight blue. The flowers are going to be forget-me-nots and daisies. His grooms men are Ron, Neville, Remus and Sirius. His best man is Harry. My bridesmaids are Aunt Helena, Lavender, Parvati and Padma. My maid of honor is going to be Ginny. We’re also asking Professor Dumbledore to head the ceremony. He already said he would.” Hermione answered.

“Have you chosen your colors for the hand fasting part of the ceremony?” Severus asked as he sipped his tea.

“No. That’s the one part that Draco and I haven’t had the chance to go over yet. We’re hoping we can during the holidays.” Hermione answered.

“Sounds like you two have this wedding as good as planned.” he said with a smile.

“Yep. What kind of wedding did you and mum have? A Wizarding one, a muggle one or a mixture of both?” she asked.

“It was a mixture of both. It was beautiful. Your mother wore a muggle wedding dress and I wore dress robes. She had chosen the colors of maroon, green and silver. Her flowers were orchids. My best man was Albus and her maid of honor was Minerva. It was a small secret ceremony. It was mainly her family and the Order there. Well, except for Black and that traitor Pettigrew. Remus went with James and Lily.” he answered.

“It sounds like it was perfect for you and mum.” she said.

“It was. It was the happiest day of my life. Well, until you were born that is.” he replied with a smile.

Hermione smiled back. The two sat there and talked more about her mother and the upcoming fight. Severus voiced his fears of losing her, just as Hermione voiced those same concerns. Suddenly, Draco came bursting into the room gasping and blood covering his hands and parts of his face.

“Draco! What happened! Are you all right!” Hermione cried.

“Not…my…blood. Ron. Death Eater. Outside.” Draco gasped.

The three turned and ran from the room. They ran into Harry who was just coming to find them. He quickly explained that Ron had been taken to the hospital wing. They hurried to the wing, giving Draco a chance to catch his breath. They entered and found Ginny being consoled by Neville.

“Ginny, what happened?” Hermione asked as she sat beside her best friend.

“I don’t know. One…second they were in the…middle of a snowball fight…the next two Death Eaters entered the grounds. Spell were cast. I looked over…and…saw Ron get hit…then fall to the ground. Neville and Harry put the two Death Eaters in a full body bind. McGonagall and Dumbledore took them away…and Hagrid brought Ron here.” Ginny explained tearfully.

“Don’t worry. Ron’s going to be fine.” Hermione said as she hugged Ginny.

Harry, Draco and Neville joined Hermione in hugging Ginny. Severus stepped away and let the five have a moment alone. Thirty minutes later, Poppy came over to them.

“He’s going to be fine. Luckily the spell was poorly aimed and only grazed his side. It took me so long because I had to force the potions down his throat. In a few days he will be good as new. He will be released on Christmas Eve. I want him to just take it easy, that’s why he’s staying here. Now, why don’t you all leave so he can rest. You can come see him after dinner.” Poppy explained.

They all got to their feet and left. Hermione told the others she would catch up.

“Hermione, where are you going?” Severus asked as she stormed away.

Hermione didn’t answer. Severus knew where she was going. He quickly ran after her. He wasn’t about to stop her from confronting the two Death Eaters, but he was going to make sure she didn’t use her Wiccan magic on them. The pair entered Albus’s office.

“Severus, Hermione. I expected you would be coming here.” Albus said.

“We were just fixing to start the interrogation.” Arthur said as he removed a bottle of Veritaserum from his pocket.

“Wait. I want to say something to them first.” Hermione said.

The others nodded. Hermione walked up to the two bound men. It was Avery and Dolohov. She glared at them. Before anyone could blink she drew her fist back. She hit Avery first then Dolohov. The force of her punch nearly knocked the two men who were tied to chairs backward.

“I should kill you. But I think I’ll the Dementors have your sorry asses. Just remember this. Your fucking leader Voldemort will be killed. His time is running out and the same goes for you Death Eater buddies. You’re lucky I wasn’t there when you attacked or I would have killed you where your sorry asses stood.” Hermione hissed a silver glow was shinning around her.

When she backed away the two Death Eaters looked terrified. Albus, Minerva, Arthur and Severus stood in awe of Hermione. They knew she had inherited both of her parents tempers, but the shinning light was just like Jocelyn. It showed just how must she was straining to hold back her Wiccan magic. Hermione then spun on her heel and left the room.

Severus quickly followed her. He found her just down the hall leaning against the window gasping hard and tears falling from her eyes. Severus gathered her into his arms. Hermione buried her face in his chest.

“Sshh. It’s okay honey. Everything’s going to be all right.” Severus whispered.

“That was scary. I wanted to kill them right there. I’ve never held that much hate for anyone. It frightened me.” Hermione cried.

“I know. Your mother said the same thing. You are more like her than you know. Come one. Let’s go to my quarters and talk some more.” Severus said gently.

Hermione could only nod. She let her father steer her down the hall to his quarters. The rest of the day Hermione stayed with Severus. She made an appearance at dinner and went with her friends and fiancee to see Ron. She didn’t tell them about what happened in Albus’s office. After her visit with Ron she retreated to her dorm and immediately pulled out the book on the Devaroux family and began reading.

T.B.C