A Knock at the Door

A Knock at the Door by Pearle

Summary: The war is over and Hogwarts is about to start a new school year. A knock at the door of Severus Snape’s office is about to change his life and the lives of those around him. HG/SS.

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.


Chapter 2 – Too Many Doors in the Castle

Severus Snape stormed through the dungeon corridors, his robes malevolently billowing out behind him. His face was set in its traditional scowl. The sight of the Potions Master in full motion would have been enough to cause terror in the hearts of most students and staff alike were they unfortunate enough to be in his path. Snape’s formidable anger was directed at one man, Albus Dumbledore. The fact that the Headmaster was his mentor as well as probably the closest person to being called a friend in Snape’s estimation did not cause his feet to waiver in the least. The man had meddled one to many times in his life. It was time to answer for his actions.

The force of his anger carried him quickly through the hallways and up the staircases to the Headmaster’s office. Snape stopped in front of the stone gargoyle and tried to remember what ridiculous Muggle sweet the Headmaster was using as his password this week. ‘Oh bloody hell, it’s Sugar…something,’ Snape thought to himself.

“SugarBabies, SugarTarts, SugarSweets,” Snape ground out through clenched teeth at the unmoving statue. It was ludicrous actually, you would think a man of his years and stature would use passwords that more befitting his station.pe’spe’s anger was reaching its boiling point.

“SugarSnaps!” He snarled.

Snape did not wait for the entrance to fully open before he started up the moving steps to the Headmaster’s office. As his hand fell to rap on the ornate wood door, he heard the Headmaster call out, “Come in Severus.”

Snape threw open the door, allowing it to slam against the back wall with a sharp bang. He strode forward to Dumbledore’s desk and fixed the Headmaster with a fierce glare. Before he could give voice to his rage, Dumbledore smiled at him and held out a tin, “Good afternoon Severus, is there something I can help you with? Lemon drop?”

“Is there something you can help me with?” His voice was deadly quiet and held a dangerous undertone. “Yes, you can explain to me, Headmaster, why you withheld the knowledge of Miss Granger’s location from me. Did you not think it was important that I should have been informed when my offspring was born?”

Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled and his smile grew even broader in the face of Snape’s rage. “Offspring? Severus she is your daughter.”

“Yes, that would be my argument exactly.” Snape’s hands slammed against the desktop as his anger grew.
“What gave you the right to decide whether I knew of her existence or not? The right to play with my life?”

Dumbledore looked at the man standing in front of him, a man he thought of as his son. He knew of the sacrifices Snape had made in the course of his life and the trials he had performed as a way of penance for his earlier transgressions. As far as Albus was concerned, the man had long ago paid his debt to the Wizarding World, though it was difficult to convince Severus Snape of this fact. “In case you forgot, there was a war going on. And if memory serves me right, you were present when I received Miss Granger’s owl requesting we not look for her. Would you like some tea Severus?”

The Headmaster had conjured a full silver tea service, complete with chocolate biscuits. Snape stared at him in disbelief. “You know exactly what I mean old man. You have used me. You have used all of us to your own end.”

Albus took his glasses off and sighed. His eyes had lost their twinkle and he looked every one of his 150 plus years. “Used you? There was a war going on Severus. We were trying to eliminate the very essence of evil. A threat to the very existence of our world. You know that I could not have revealed her location to you.” He said quietly. “You may be a master of Occlumency but you are still a man. Tell me, Severus, could you have taken the risks you did knowing Miss Granger was having your offspring, as you say? Could you have truly cleared that thought from your mind and continued on as you did? And tell me Severus, would you have wanted the child at that point and time?”

Snape continued to glare at the man but he had lost some of his steam. Albus had forced him to face some hard truths in the past. Some hard truths about himself. He supposed this was just one more. If the truth were told, he had never expected to survive the war. The fact that he was still alive annoyed his sense of right to no end.

“I thought not,” said Dumbledore.

Snape sat down heavily in the chair at his side, unwilling to let his anger fade. “And now what Albus, we just move forward as if none of the past eleven years have slipped by?” Albus had poured the tea into the cups and was adding a biscuit to the plate he handed to Snape. Absent-mindedly Snape took the tea and started to sip it. He noticed Albus’s eyes had begun to twinkle again and the smile had returned to his face. ‘Merlin help us all’ thought Snape.

“Of course not Severus. But what is that Muggle saying? When opportunity knocks, open the door and let it in. Opportunity has knocked on your door. Are you going to open it?”

“I believe I had the misfortune of opening that door this afternoon when Miss Granger paid me a visit.”

“Ah yes, our Miss Granger.” The Headmaster chuckled. “Such a charming young woman. I am pleased she has accepted my invitation and returned to Hogwarts. And with her daughter in tow, such a lovely child.”

Snape was aware that the Headmaster was trying to provoke him. “Yes Albus, if you will recall, that ‘lovely child’ is my hereto for unknown daughter. The reason for this discussion.”

“I fail to see what the problem iseruserus. Simply go meet Miss Granger and her daughter in their quarters. You have merely to make the child’s acquaintance. What else must transpire tonight?” If at all possible, Dumbledore’s eyes were merrier than before.

Snape rose to his full height and formally responded before taking his leave, “We are not finished with this discussion, Headmaster.”

“As you wish, you know my door is always open to you Severus. I am sure all will go well tonight. Wish Miss Granger my best.”

‘Just want I need, another door in my life.’ Thought Snape, as he let the moving staircase carry him down and away from the Headmaster’s domain.

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Snape had returned to his chambers to try and sort out his thoughts before he met with Miss Granger. Granger. Hermione. Hermione and Silenus. His thoughts were in turmoil. He suppose another man would have focused on the issue of discovering he had a child that he had no previous knowledge of until that afternoon. He pointed his wand at the chards of glass in his fireplace and said, “Reparo.\" Before returning to the sideboard, the bits of glass rose and reformed themselves into the crystal glass he had shattered earlier. Idly, Snape wondered what Muggles did when they broke something. For the second time that day, Snape poured himself a glass of firewhiskey. He was usually more Spartan in his indulgences, however today he would make an exception. Snape glanced at the clock over his desk, noting that the hand was pointing to “You still have some time before you are due to leave” he sat back in his chair and tried to chase his thoughts.

The war had raged on for too many years. More years than Snape liked to think about. Too many lives had been lost and yet he continued to survive. He had fully expected to give his life in bringing down the evil that called itself the Dark Lord. Voldemort. The name still sent a chill through him. He absent-mindedly rubbed his forearm. Voldemort was truly gone this time. Snape’s mark had faded to a dull silvery white, like that of an old scar. The Boy Who Lived was now The Boy Who Saved The Wizarding World and lived to still be a pain in his backside. The first time the Dark Lord disappeared, when Harry was a baby, Snape’s mark had remained dark. As Voldemort gained power, the mark would burn and call to Snape. It had never faded before.

Even though the Golden Trio had graduated, Snape had been forced to work with Harry and Ron through his work in the Order. Ron had proved to be an excellent strategist and invaluable to the order. And Harry, well, Harry was destined to fulfill the prophesy. He was living at 12 Grimmauld Place and waiting to get on with his life. If he had a life after facing Voldemort. Snape would never like Potter, but he grudgingly respected his determination to “fulfill his destiny.” He supposed his life debt should have ended when James Potter died, but Snape lived by his own code of ethics, twist as it maybe at times. His obligation was not so much to Potter junior as it was to the Wizarding World at large, and to Albus. Albus who gave him back a life he didn’t deserve. A life he had long ago forfeited. Albus, who had believed in him.

Granger had stayed at Hogwarts to work with him on a potion that would weaken the Dark Lord long enough for Potter or Dumbledore to finally destroy him. He had allowed her to assist him in his private workroom, adjacent to his quarters. It had been slow going at first. The first few trials were dismal failures. Snape found Granger to be tolerable when the idiotic duo was not around. Surprisingly, she tended to quietly focus on the problem at hand. He would watch her turning possibilities over in her mind, dissecting or dismissing solutions that hadn’t worked, cng ong on her lower lip while reaching for yet another book. As far as lab assistants went, she was……adequate. He had been working on the Devitalizing Potion for some time; they had made a small amount of progress at the start of their combined efforts and then, nothing. Trial after trial proved faulty. They were both sorely lacking in sleep and tempers were flying higher then usual. Snape stormed back into his sitting room. Frustration overwhelming his mind. The Dark Lord had been calling him more often of late, looking for answers. Causing him pain when he was not satisfied with Snape’s responses.

He flung open his sideboard and reached for the Ogden’s. Plan on on obliviating his mind in his own way.

“I am sure we will find an answer soon Professor. Perhaps if we replaced the Sneezewart with Knotgrass, the effect of the potion would be stronger. Or if we increased the amount of Wormwood?” Hermione was speaking to his back, lost in her thoughts. Thoughts of how to correct the problem. She never saw the snarl on his face or the gleam in his black eyes.

“Yes. I am quite sure with your vast knowledge of potions you will be able to resolve this matter before tea time tonight. Please do not allow me to stand in your way Miss Granger. Perhaps you and Potter can save the world by supper. That would allow a free weekend for us all.” Snape knocked the drink back and poured himself another.

“Professor…”

“Get out.”

“Really, there is no need for that tone.” Hermione had moved over to the sideboard and poured herself a drink.

“What are you doing?” Snape asked in disbelief. The nerve of the little chit.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” She raised the glass to him, “Cheers.”

“Cheers?” Snape could only watch her in disbelief.

Hermione had started to cough heavily. She rarely drank anything stronger than an occasional butterbeer. What had she been thinking? Snape chuckled darkly as he watched her, not offering any assistance. “Well, at least the entire day is not a complete waste.”

“Your…you…are a bastard. You know that.” She managed to choke out before settling heavily on the sofa.

“Yes Miss Granger, I am aware of what I am. Here drink this”

Hermione suspiciously eyed the glass he had given her. Her voice was raspy but the coughing had died down some. “What is it?”

“Just drink it. I have no need to poison you, you appear to be able tothatthat on your own.”

She smiled despite the tone of his voice and drank the potion. Almost immediately her throat felt better and her coughing stopped.

“Here, perhaps this will be more to your liking.” Snape handed her a glass with what appeared to be wine.

“You have Muggle wine?”

“I am apparently out of blood at the moment.”

Hermione laughed as Snape continued to watch her. “We will find a solution, you know.”

“Yes, I suppose we will. It is late Miss Granger and I am tired. Contrary to popular belief, I do manage to sleep a few hours a night. Unless you care to join me, you may leave.”

Hermione looked appraisingly at the professor, “You never know sir.” And with that she left his quarters.

Snape shook his head. He hoped he could refrain from killing her when they returned to the lab tomorrow.

The next night’s trials were no better but a pattern began to emerge. At the end of the day they would leave the lab and have a drink in his quarters. Sometimes they would attempt to resolve the problem at hand and sometime they would just talk a bit. Well, she talked and he would watch her. And time moved forward.

It had been a particularly trying day. Hermione had had a bit too much to drink that night and was crumpled in the corner of his sofa. Snape’s eyes had been unreadable as he watched her from his chair next to the fire. “Can you stand, Miss Granger? Or must I assist you in your return to your rooms?”

“Don’t tell me you actually care whether I can make it back to my rooms or not Professor?”

“No, I do not care Miss Granger. However, since it does not appear that I will meet my demise tonight, I have no desire to face Minerva’s wrath tomorrow were you not to arrive safely at your quarters tonight.” Snape was reaching for her hand to help her to a standing position.

“Hermione.” She said.

Snape stopped, confused. “I beg your pardon?”

“Hermione. My name is Hermione. Just once I would like to hear my name said in that lovely voice of yours.” She was still sprawled on the sofa, with a look of intensity in her eyes.

Gods. All he desired at the moment was a few hours of sleep. This girl could be most annoying. “Hermione. Would you please rise so that you may remove yourself from my quarters?” He had infused his voice with a silky quality that would have been most pleasant if not for his words and the sneer on his face.

He could not say who did what first. She moved to stand as he leaoverover to pull her up and they were both thrown off balance. Snape landed partially on top of her. They were eye to eye, both breathing a little to hard.
Snape’s body was responding to the feel of a woman beneath him. Their eyes locked together. Neither one knew who leaned into who. Suddenly they were kissing. It was not the soft kiss of lovers. This was raw emotion. Both fought for dominance before Snape pulled back. “I think you should leave now, Miss Granger.”
He managed to choke out.

“I think not. I think this is something we both need. And my name, is Hermione.” They stared intently at one another for several minutes before Snape rose from the couch.

“Very well. You understand it will go no further than this?”

Hermione nodded her understanding but remained silent. She watched Snape cross the sitting room, unbuttoning the cuffs of his white dress shirt as he walked. He stopped at the door to his bedroom and turned.
His voice was rich, deep, silk on satin. He only spoke one word. “Hermione?” And silently, she followed.

They spoke no more that night. They moved against each other with a vengeance, each trying for control. Snape pinned her to the bed. His breathing was ragged. She had matched him move for move. She made small sounds of pleasure when he suckled and bit her nipples, and nipped at her skin. She bit back, drawing blood from his lip and leaving furrows on his back where she had raked her nails across his shoulder blades. With no further fore play, Snape spread her legs and thrust forward, intent on his release. Hermione surprised him, raising her hips, thrusting back hard against him, meeting him, stroke for stroke. They rode each other to their inevitable end. In the morning she was gone.

And so it went. Nothing was ever said. Nothing changed. Their work relationship continued as before. They moved forward in their resh anh and fell into one another’s bed at night…… and left before the morning light. They drifted on. He was pleased the third time they were together when she managed to flip him on his back and without further thought, impaled her self on his member. She seemed to match him in thought and action. And so it continued.

Every so often his mark would burn, as a summons from the Dark Lord and he would leave. They next day would dawn the same as the one before it. And so they moved forward.

They had been working on the potion for about six month now, drawing closer to its completion. He was being summoned more often of late. This was the third time in a week. They had just managed to remove each other’s clothing when he felt the mark on his forearm start to burn. Rising from the bed, he moved to a bookcase set into the bedroom wall. Releasing a hidden trigger the bookcase swung open to reveal a shallow cupboard containing his death eater robes and mask. He grabbed the gear on his way out the door. With a backward glance at Hermione he said, “Tell Dumbledore I’ve been summoned.” It would be the last time he saw her.

What had they been to each other? Had they loved each other? They had been lovers, but had they loved each other? He thought not. He had cared for Hermione in his own way. He respected her mind and her ability to not back down when faced with a challenge. Even if at times he had been the challenge. Their ‘lovemaking’ was more in the realm of two people coming together for simple human contact. Skin on skin as it were. More a release of tension then the building of intimacy or a relationship. A response to the pressures they were living under. It had been rough and fierce. She had surprised him with the intensity of her emotions and the actions the first time they coupled. He was a fairly self-absorbed man. He rarely felt a need for human companionship; this interaction filled a seldom-felt void in his life. He was a man who answered to his baser needs, nothing more. A woman who had chosen to be with him, whose mind and temperament were a match for his own had never entered his thoughts. What would he have done if he had known of the child? Would he have som something more for her? There were some questions that defied answers.

Snape was brought back to the present by the chiming of his clock. He glanced up to see the hand with his image had moved to “You should leave now.” He had not asked Granger where her chambers were. He assumed they would be located in the Hospital wing next to Poppy’s. Severus Snape was rarely given to self-doubt. His assumptions were normally based on fact, a true contradiction in terms. So without any other destination in mind then the Hospital wing, ‘She could be near Gryffindor Tower, after all she had been Minerva’s pride and joy.’ The thought slithered through his mind briefly before it was dismissed ‘She is the new assistant Medwitch. Why would she not be in the hospital wing?’ As the final chimes of his clock sounded in the background, Snape set off through the dungeons, his robes billowing out behind him.

TBC

A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews, I’m glad you are enjoying the story. Next up Snape meets Silenus and attends the welcomfeasfeast. Chapter 3 is entitled Slytherin, Gryffindor..or…..? Hi ho, hi ho, A sorting we will go. To answer a few questions: Is Silenus a Snape or a Granger? The answer is yes. The next chapter will explain more, Severus comment to this was, “What is mine, is mine.” I’m afraid Hermione did not agree.

There was a comment about the name Silenus. Silenus is a name I derived from Silena and it was just pointed out to me to be a male name since it ends in s (a male of low character -- a drunken satyr no less! Who knew.). Perhaps it will start a trend and become unisex. The problem is I like the name and I think it would cause the child undue emotional harm were I to change it at this stage, so I think it will stay. After all, if Gwyneth Paltrow can name her daughter Apple, I don\'t think Silenus will be too bad.(But thank you for the information anyway!)

Again, my thanks to all who reviewed This chapter has not been betaed. Anyone interested? I hope you enjoyed it.