A Gift

ok! For those who said they wanted more, here it is. I\'m not sure where I\'m going with this yet, so.... :: shrugs:: Anyway, as with everything else fanfic, I get nothing but joy from this! DO NOT SUE ME! PLEASE! LOL And if you think this is goo, please review.
And here we are! How it all began! HEHEHE!!!

Prologue

He has always hated sitting at these damned meetings. They take too long and there is nothing relevant for him to add as the rest of the Order discusses the latest developments with Voldemort. His eyes drift away from the fireplace s the Headmaster begins to speak again.
“I have heard also that a few of the Death Eaters have been seen watching Hermione and Ron since they cannot get to Harry.” Dumbledore frowns and leans back in his seat. “We must protect them at all costs.”
Tonks shrugs. “We could just have someone stake out their houses to keep an eye on them.”
“Too easy. The Death Eaters would see us too easily.” Lupin shakes his head wearily. “You forget. Hermione is in the muggle world right now and Ron is at the burrow in the middle of nowhere. Too easy to be spotted.”
Albus holds up his hands. “I have thought of that already. I would like two of you to stay with them for a few weeks. Their parents have already agreed to allow us to secret them away for a time so they will be safe. Once they are back at school, we will not have to worry as much.”
Remus chuckles as he rubs at his aching neck. “And who have you got in mind?”
“It was a hard decision. One I had to think long on before I came to my final decision.” Albus looks around the room. “Remus will take Ron.”
Remus smiles warmly at the Headmaster. “That should be fun.”
Albus shakes his head. “I will not ask where you will take him as I want only you to know. But please make sure it is the safest place you can think of.”
“Right.” Remus nods his ascent.
“Now as for Hermione, that was a bit harder. I had to choose someone I knew could handle her nosiness.” Albus looks over at him and he rolls his eyes. “Severus…”
“No!” He growls out. “I will not take on any children! They are in more danger near me than with anyone else!”
“You must take her, Severus.” Albus states flatly, brooking no argument. “Even with you at Voldemort’s side, they would never suspect she is under their very noses. Besides, you have more hidey holes than any of us combined.”
He snorts in disgust. “How thoughtful of you.”
“Your charges will be coming here this evening. I expect you to have them in a safe place by tomorrow night.” Albus claps his hands together, ending the meeting. “Until next meeting, be careful and on your guard.”
Severus waits til everyone but the headmaster has left before speaking again. “Do you really think she will stay where I put her?”
Sighing softly, Albus leans back and stares into the fire. “If you do not abandon her there and keep her mind otherwise occupied, yes I think she would.”
“This is insane.” He grumbles as he stands.
“Perhaps so but it is all I have at the moment.” Albus whispers softly as the younger man finally leaves.

The next evening Ron and Hermione silently follow Tonks from their houses and to 12 Grimwald Place. Hermione frowns, noticing the quiet around them.
“Where’s Harry?” She whispers to Ron as they step inside. “I thought he would be here with us.”
“I’m sorry, Hermione.” A voice whispers in the dark ahead of her. “But you and Ron will be sepereated from him til the start of school.”
Ron tenses until he sees the figure of Remus Lupin come out of the shadows. “Mom wouldn’t say why I had to leave, only that I had to go.”
Remus gently pats the boy’s shoulder. “And wise of her to do so. I’ll explain more once you are safe.” He suddenly frowns and turns to Tonks. “He’s late.”
“Did you really expect him to be on time for this?” She chuckles. “It’s not like he wanted to do this from the start.”
“Be that as it may, I must leave now.” He turns back to Ron and waves back to the door. “Come on. You’ll be with me for the next few weeks.”
Ron gives a surprised look at Hermione before silently following Remus. Hermione, shocked and feeling her heart sink even more whispers softly. “What about me?”
Laying a comforting hand on her shoulder, Tonks sighs. “You’ll see soon. Just remember it’s for the best.”
They finally decide to wait in the sitting room, tea passed between them as they whisper to each other. Hours pass and Hermione finally falls asleep on the couch where she sits. The sound of footsteps finally wakes her.
“Where is she?” a deep voice in the shadows asks Tonks. Barely awake, she sits up and listens as closely as she can.
“In the sitting room.” Tonks voice goes low in anger. “You’re late, Snape.”
Her eyes go wide as she realizes how the voice belongs to. ‘Snape! I have to be stuck with Snape!’ she shivers.
“It could not be helped.” His footsteps come closer. “And I am on borrowed time as it is.”
He steps into the room to see her frightened eyes peering at him over the back of the couch. With an irritated scowl, he waves for her to follow. She quickly rises to her feet, hastily grabbing her bag as she chases after him. She follows him out the door and into the street again, his long stride making it very hard for her to stay close to him. He finally stops, looking around as they enter a stand of trees.
“Take this.” He holds out a small ring to her. “So long as you wear it, you will apparate to where I go.”
She takes the ring and slides it onto her finger. “Where are we going?”
“Don’t ask questions!” He hisses angrily at her. Once he sees the ring on her finger, he pulls out his wand and whispers.
Feeling a pulling at her stomach, Hermione nearly falls when her legs sway under her. She yelps when the world around her solidifies again and an arm wraps around her to steady her. The arm lets her go as quickly as it had appeared and she finds herself staring in shock at the back of her dreaded Potions Master as he walks towards a small wooden cabin.
He turns, glaring at her from the door. “Are you going to sit out there all night in the cold?” He turns back and steps inside.
“Bloody hell!” She whispers to herself, angry at the way she has handled this so far. She rushes into the cabin behind him, sure the next 3 weeks will be pure hell.
He silently closes the door behind her, watching her as she takes in the small livingroom before her. A small fire had already been started in the fireplace, its warmth giving the cabin a cozy feeling. For a moment, he lets her wander around the room, caring nothing for the world outside. The sudden feel of searing pain in his arm brings him back to the reality of the reason for her presence and he bares his teeth in a grimace.
“Do not leave this house!” His hand instinctively reaches out to clutch at her left forearm as he growls at her. “No matter what you may hear, you are not to step on foot outside this door! Is that understood?”
She barely nods before he is sweeping out the door again, cloak billowing behind him. She sighs softly, turning back to look more at the room she is in. Only then does she notice a soft glow at the top of the stairs, a silent ghostly figure watching the door the Professor had just slammed. The figure of the woman finally looks down at her, a smile gently touching her pale lips.
“I am sorry, My Dear. I am afraid it will be hours before he returns.” The ghost slowly glides down the steps as if she were walking them. “And it would not be good of me to not be a gracious hostess now that Severus has finally brought someone here.” Her smile broadens as she comes closer. “And a lovely young woman at that.”
Hermione finds herself returning the smile. “I’m only a student.” The words tumble from her lips, her face showing s slight blush.
“No matter, My Dear.” The ghost winks at her. “I was young and frisky once myself.” She chuckles softly at the girls’ embarrassment. “My name is Sarah. And yours?”
“Hermione.” She frowns at the odd look the ghost is giving her. “Is there a problem?”
Suddenly the ghost smiles again, a mischevious glint in her eye. “Not at all. I just did not think I would ever meet one of the terrible trio who has been the bane of my grandson’s existence as he will lead anyone to believe.”
“Grandson?” Hermione settles down in a chair near the fire, confusion overwhelming her.
The ghost sits across from her, a light laugh piercing the air. “Yes, he is my grandson although he would be loath to tell anyone that. I am afraid that I was the blacksheep in the family. Part of an arranged marriage, I was sent from America to wed his grandfather Salmonous Snape. He was a hateful man and I soon realized I had to treat him like I did most men.”
Hermione frowns in confusion. “And how is that?” A cup of tea appears at her side and she sips at it.
“Why, to treat them like the bullheaded stallions they think they are of course!” She laughs as Hermione nearly spits out her tea. “It is quite alright, My Dear. If you’ve ever been around horses, once you know how to conjol a pesky stallion into giving you whatever you want a man is a snap.”
Hermione finds herself laughing despite the mental picture that is forming in her mind. “I just cannot see anyone treating Professor Snape as a horse.”
“Ah! That is the trick!” The ghost holds up a finger. “When he gets pushy, push him away. When he behaves, give him treats. He will come around.” Looking up at the clock, she slowly shakes her head. “But look at the time! You must be off to sleep. Come. I will show you to your room.” Hermione stands and follows her up the stairs. There is a short hall with only three doors on one side. “I know it is small but there is a room for each of you and a bath between for you to share. “ The ghost leads her to the first door. “This will be your room.”
Hermione opens it and is awed by the large antique furnishings. The comforter on the bed is thick and warm, the pillows recently fluffed. Not speck of dust can be seen. She turns back towards the door and shakes her head in disbelief. “I thought Professor Snape did not keep house elves.”
“He does not.” The ghost smiles warmly. “But I was gifted with one when I said my vows and on that same day I gifted her with a dress. Illiya has been loyal to me ever since, even in death. She stays here with me and keeps the house in order for those few times my grandson comes to visit.” A short house elf appears wearing a light pink dress. “Illiya, please go replenish the food stores. My grandson and his friend will be staying with us.”
“Yes mistress!” The house elf’s eyes light up as she disappears.
“Now rest, Young Lady.” She nods to her as she glides out the door. “I will answer your questions tomorrow.”