Outside the Potions Classroom

Outside the Potions Classroom





Chapter Eighteen


After literally dragging Hermione away from the library, they sat down to share a succulent Christmas breakfast together. Hilty and Flit went all out; Belgian waffles smothered in maple syrup and creamy butter, smoked ham and crispy bacon, scrambled, hardboiled and sunny-side up eggs, rich biscuits, not to mention toast, kippers, bangers and mash. They all ate their fill and then some; Hermione excitedly planning her library renovation, Hadrian excitedly planning his Quidditch strategies. Severus just listened to them, watched them, and found that more than agreeable. Being with them seemed very natural and simple, he didn’t need to be menacing or brooding, he didn’t need to be anything except…there. It made him wonder what if…

“At what time is your mother expecting us?” Hermione’s voice broke through his reverie.

“We don’t have to go.” Severus muttered, conveniently taking a bite of his toast as he spoke.

Hermione’s eyebrow cocked. “Excuse me? I don’t believe I just heard you say that we don’t have to go meet Hadrian’s grandmother.”

Hadrian frowned. “But I want to meet her.”

Severus marveled at how much Hadrian’s expression matched his own. “I don’t believe you are ready.”

“Don’t believe I am ready, or don’t believe you are ready?” Hadrian asked, his voice filled with annoyance.

“Hadrian Snape, don’t sass your father.” Hermione snapped. “Severus Snape, don’t avoid the subject. We’re leaving in an hour unless she had planned otherwise.”

“She didn’t. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He didn’t like the fact she was ordering him around with the same tone she used to discipline her son.

“She can’t be that bad, can she?” Hermione smiled brightly. “She did raise you, and despite your naturally delightful temperament, ahem, she did a wonderful job.”

He shot her one of his infamous glares. She smiled back sweetly.

Hadrian was still grinning.


They Apparated to St. Mungo’s after getting bathed and dressed. Severus had worn his best robes – even though his mother lacked sight, she was perceptive. She could always sense when a button was undone, or a thread was loose. He had often wondered about her ability at Legilimency, it seemed to come so naturally it was frightening.

Therefore, before they reached the Elder ward, he stopped both Hermione and Hadrian for one final moment of preparations. “Now my mother is blind and quite bitter. She hates being here, but we lacked the resources to place her into a more comfortable retired wizard community. Please, try to not take offense to anything she may say. Hopefully, she will be tired and this visit will be short.” He reached into his robes and handed Hadrian a small package. “This is her gift. I think she would appreciate it if you gave it to her.”

Hadrian nodded, holding the small present with great care.

Hermione placed her hand on his small shoulder and smiled at Severus, although he could tell she was nervous now. He hoped her Gryffindor courage would see her through this…and that she would, for the most part, keep her mouth shut. He already was fighting images of a shouting match between the two women over wizarding society standards.

“Hello Professor Snape,” Madam Sagehedge called from her desk. She eyed his companions curiously as she passed over the sign-in sheets. “Planning on taking a few years off all our lives today? What a lovely gesture. Just what I wanted for Christmas.”

He was accustomed to her sarcasm. “Madam Sagehedge, this is my son Hadrian, and his mother, Hermione Granger.”

The petite woman’s mouth opened in surprise and shut itself just as quickly.

“How do you do,” Hermione said politely.

“Hello,” Hadrian nodded.

“Did I say a few years?” The mediwitch began to rub her temples. “I should have said decades. Good luck. You’re all going to need it.”

Severus gave her a wary look as he signed everyone in. “Good to see you too, Madam,” he added dryly, leading the two of them into the main room.

From her seat by the window, Marianne Snape was tapping her cane against the glass. “Don’t those Owls know where they are going? Stupid feathered beasts.”

“Happy Christmas, Mother,” Severus greeted. “You look well.”

“Do I? They just hired a new mediwitch. Anna or something is her name. Silly chit dressed me this morning, and I daresay I look a fright. Girl had the bedside manner of a hippogriff. Where do they find these dunderheads? Hogwarts graduate, no less. The school’s standards are truly slipping when students emerge as dim-witted as that pathetic creature who manhandled me today.”

Both Hermione and Hadrian exchanged looks. Severus’s eyes rolled back into his head. He already knew that she knew they were there. Did she have to be herself? Could she not pretend to be agreeable for one day in her life?

“So are you going to introduce me to the boy or not, Severus?” His mother demanded. “Boy, step forward and tell me your name, as your father does not seem fit to do so.”

Hermione’s hand was still on his shoulder, but Hadrian stepped forward, stood three feet in front of her, stared into her white, all-seeing eyes courageously. “Happy Christmas, Grandmother. My name is Hadrian Alexander Snape. It’s very nice to meet you. How do you do.”

Marianna Snape considered this. “Hmm, you are well mannered, I shall offer that. Stand up straight, child. Let me see you.”

He did as he was told, raising his chin a notch. He didn’t seem to realize she couldn’t actually see him – she had meant she wished to see his aura. How she had guessed he was slouching was purely intuition on her part. Truly frightening.

“Well, you are a Snape, so I expect you are clever and cunning, although I will not presume to judge you by the poor way you were raised. Your hair is frankly too long and demands attention however. I imagine that comes from you mother’s side.”

Severus placed his hand in the crease of Hermione’s elbow and gently squeezed. He shook his head – it wouldn’t be productive if she spoke, so he instructed her silence.

“I have a gift for you,” Hadrian placed the package in her hands. “Would you like me to open it with you?”

“I shall have that slip of a girl open it for me later,” Marianna held out the gift. “Just put it by my bed.”

“Do you have any special plans for Christmas. Madam Snape?” Hermione asked politely.

“What do you think, you silly girl? I plan on taking a Portkey to London and frolicking the night away with dull, pretentious aristocrats?” The older woman snorted. “Unless you are as blind as I am, I do not understand why it would escape your grasp that I am confined to this horrible muggle-inspired invention in this abysmal asylum. Frankly judging by your lack of common sense, past and present, combined with my own son’s, I fear for Hadrian’s future as the Snape heir. Let us hope he has not obtained all the recessive genes of your unfortunate parentage.”

Severus had to close his eyes and take a deep breath. He wondered if he should congratulate his mother – in one foul swoop, not only had she insulted him and disapproved of his son’s appearance, but also questioned Hermione’s intellect and her parenting skills, as well as demonstrated her insolence towards muggle-borns. How fucking wonderful! He took note of the clock on the wall. They had not been in her presence for more than five minutes and it appeared as good a time as any to leave.

Hermione’s bottom lip was quivering, and he guessed she was fighting the urge to retort her true feelings. He had no doubt she was insulted. He also had no doubt that she expected him to say ‘I told you so.’ It amused him to have her realize he was right all along. Perhaps this would teach her a lesson or two.

But then his eyes fell upon his son. Hadrian looked completely disappointed. He felt a stab of guilt at this – here he was, gloating over outsmarting Hermione when that didn’t matter, his son did. And Hadrian wanted to meet his grandmother, had wanted her approval. Just like he had wanted his father’s when he first came to Hogwarts. Hadrian only wanted a family.

“Mother, your mouth running away again. Hermione was being polite, for whatever reason she may have, and the very least you can do is return the favor. If not to her, than to Hadrian, who has wanted to meet you for a long time,” Severus said evenly, placing one hand on Hadrian’s shoulder, moving his other hand to the small of Hermione’s back. Her eyes met his briefly, and he understood. This wasn’t about either of them; it was about Hadrian having a relationship with his paternal grandmother, an increasing elusive concept.

“Long time, indeed. When you came to see me in September, you weren’t even speaking with the boy, so I fail to see three months constitutes a long time. I am no fool, Severus Snape, and I know very well that you biased the boy the moment you Apparated here. Your insolence continues to shock and pain me. You continuously bring dishonor to the good Snape name in everything you do, from betraying our great Lord, to following that muggle-loving, senile old fool Dumbledore, to fornicating with a Mudblood, whom you allowed to bear your child. Really, the contraceptive spell is easy enough to master. Are you a Potions Master? Could you not have gotten rid of it?”

“Enough!” Hermione’s restraint had crumbled under the weight of Madam Snape’s words. Hermione’s face was flushed and her eyes wide with fury. “How dare you speak to us like that? Hadrian is your grandson, and wanted nothing more than you to accept him as a member of the Snape family. Severus merely warned him not to hold too great an expectation when he came to you, and I think we can all see why now. You are a horrible, narrow-minded, bitter, bitter woman. I can’t believe that someone like you is responsible for the hardworking, honorable, clever, and dedicated man beside me. Obviously he must have been inspired by your poor disposition and sought to make himself a better person than his parents were. You speak of honor and living up to the Snape name – he has done nothing but make the Snapes look good in comparison to the horrendous example set by you. Why he bothers even giving you the steam of his piss is a testament to how devoted a son he is, and as I see it, escapes me.” Hermione’s hands were in tight fists now. “I will never regret my affair with Severus, nor will I regret having his son. Hadrian is a bright, resourceful child, who has two parents who love him too much to let such a negative influence ruin his life with her contemptible, pureblooded, ignorant propaganda. We offered you the opportunity to be apart of Hadrian’s life despite your bitterness, and I know I regret that above all else. Happy Christmas, you vile woman, and Happy New Year.” Hermione grabbed Hadrian’s hand and marched out of the ward angrily, passing an amazed Madam Sagehedge.

Marianna Snape’s jaw was agape. She looked something like a fish like that. She closed her mouth and considered Hermione’s words. After a moment of silence, Marianna spoke.

“She certainly has a lot of cheek.”

Severus nodded. “I believe you deserved most of that.”

Marianna nodded, although they both knew she didn’t regret anything she ever said. “I like her. You probably can’t do any better anyway at your age; you might as well marry the chit and make Hadrian less of a bastard. I approve.” She motioned for the mediwitch. “I’m tired now. Enjoy your Christmas, Severus. I’ll see you on my birthday.”

“Happy Christmas,” he told her, taking his leave.

Madam Sagehedge gave him an odd look. He merely shrugged.

When he exited the ward, he found Hadrian and Hermione sitting on one of the hard wooden benches. Hadrian was staring at his hands while Hermione leaned back, staring at the ceiling. As he approached, they both looked at him with wary expressions. He was amused that even a stranger could have seen the family resemblance.

“Well that certainly was an interesting visit,” he said casually, taking a seat on the other side of Hadrian.

“Severus, I’m sorry-”

He held up a hand to quiet her. “I have to say, of all the years my mother has been unwell and kept here in this place and of all the times I have visited her, this has been the best visit I have ever had.” He couldn’t hide his smirk now. “I can’t believe how soundly you put her in her place. I’ve wanted to do that for years.”

“Really?” Hadrian asked.

Severus nodded. “It was actually pretty brilliant. One of the best presents I have ever received.” He stood up. “I think that was just want I needed to steel my nerves. We might as well retire to The Burrow then, and salvage the rest of Hadrian’s Christmas.”

Hadrian and Hermione both followed suit, adjusting their traveling clothes. Hermione fastened Hadrian’s cloak and met his eyes again.

He could have sworn he saw something encouraging in her eyes, but the day was still young, and he’d rather be prudent than presumptuous.

This was after all, their first Christmas together as a family.


Tbc.