New Beginning

Chapter 24


‘I am not a Snape’ those words kept ringing in Severus’s mind as he walked down to Hermione’s chambers after he talked with Janus; Dante went off to his office to gather up some tests for the boy, to make sure he wasn’t behind. Janus hadn’t been in school for two years. He left the orphanage after a brief stint of three weeks, he hadn’t said why, but Severus got the feeling along with Dante that his stay there hadn’t been a pleasant one. Severus couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t been informed of the boy.

Darien was asleep on the couch, Hermione was sitting in the alcove at the table with parchment spread in front of her and charm books scattered here and there. Severus sat down beside her, “You got your schedule almost done?”

“Almost, just finishing up the seventh years.” Hermione sat back and reached for her neck. She was sore from working on this.

“Come here.” Hermione scooted closer to Severus; he moved her hair away from her shoulders and started working the knots out of her neck and shoulders. Severus found himself swallowed inside the softness of her skin, he leaned forward, and her scent was mesmerizing.

“Are yourtinrting to feel better?” He asked.

Hermione could feel his breath as it brushed across her skin, she was feeling guilty for even indulging in just this simple act of easing the tension in her body. She wasn’t going to give into that guilt, she knew it was not what she wanted to feel, it was a byproduct of the spell Ron cast on her. “Yes, that feels good.”

She felt his fingers rub up the back of her neck and into her hairline, his fingers were like magic on her, the knots dissolving under his touch. She heard him shifting behind her, then she felt his legs on the outside of hers, his body radiating heat from behind. His scent was flooding her senses, spices and ingredients of potions that he handled. Despite the feelings that the spell from Ron, she found herself not wanting to get away from Severus. His hand came to the front of her throat and she felt the gentle pressure pulling her back. She rested her head against him as his arms came around and held her.

“Better?”

His voice sent a shiver down her spine and Severus pulled her closer, she could feel his breath washing over her hair.

“Hmm.”

She felt his chuckle as the vibrations hit her back. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“How’s Janus?”

“He’s talking. Started talking after I said his full name. I’m guessing he thought we would send him back to the orphanage. He refused to go back there.” Severus rested his chin on the top of Hermione’s head. He wasn’t sure what possessed him to hold her, but the need was there. Part of it could be the boy didn’t want to be a Snape, Severus wasn’t proud of being a Snape himself at times. This was the first time in a long time that he felt relaxed and comfortable around someone else other than Albus.

“Has he been hurt real bad?”

Severus sighed, Hermione hadn’t been there last night, and this morning breakfast and lunch had been spent in here, while she was catching up doing the schedules for her classes. Severus and Hermione had rearranged classes around so that Darien spent the most time with them than with any other Professor during free times. Dante was the other one who had more time with him.

“Yes. He’s been abused in every fashion that we can see.” Hermione tensed at the tone in Severus’s voice, Severus moved his hands across her arms that were under his hands. “He’s been on the street for over a year, he’s a tough kid, he’ll pull through this.” He was a Snape, he’ll come through, fighting everything along the way to do it. Severus left this last part unsaid.

Hermione looked over at Darien still asleep on the couch. “Do you think Harry saw Janus in his visions and that is how Darien knew his name?”

Severus looked over at Darien and rested his cheek on Hermione’s head, “Probably. Janus is my second cousin. His name is Janus Ankaa Onasis-Snape, but adimantely denied being a Snape. He hates it, you could see it in his eyes, as much as Harry hated being Potter.”

“Harry had a reason too.” Hermione told him.

“So does Janus. He said his father was killed because of his last name. My Uncle was murdered about twenty years ago, Snape’s aren’t well known for their likability, my Uncle was ruthless and lived that way, raised my cousin to live that way. Janus doesn’t remember his father, he said he died before he was born.”

“How sad.”

Both stopped talking as Darien started stretching, they watched. Darien’s eyes came open and when he saw Severus and Hermione the smile crept across his face. “Looks like someone woke up happy.” Severus stated.

Hermione moved out of Severus’s arms, the warmth that he had up against him left, he watched her move across the room towards Darien and pick him up for hug and a kiss. Severus was jealous, but it didn’t last long, Darien wiggled free and ran to him giving him the same he gave his mother.

“Wanna see Janus.”

“We’ll have to ask Poppy.”

Darien grabbed Severus’s hand and pulled. “Go, go.”

Severus stood up and grabbed Darien and picked him up like a sack of potatoes. “You know, your son is very demanding.”

Darien was laughing over his father’s shoulders.

“You think he gets that from me?” Hermione asked innocently.

Severus walked to the door, took one last look at her. “Whole heartedly from you.” Severus flashed her a wicked smile and walked out with Darien tossed over his shoulder.


********


Draco sat in the chair across from his father reading the letter. The more he read, the more he understood, understood how Harry really felt about his life and those around him. How he perceived the way people only wanted to get close to him because of his fame. Draco laughed when he got to the end of the letter and looked up at his father.

“He really wants you to do this?”

Lucius shook his head yes. “He is my godson now Draco. Harry thought of everything, this is actually very Slytherin of him.”

Draco sat back after he handed the letter back to his father. “What about the papers? The reporters?”

“You’ll start an investigation. I’ve already filled out all the paperwork.” His father handed him a scroll of parchment. “Leave the papers to me. Here’s the key to the vault, only you and I can access this vault.” Lucius tossed him a key.

“Do we even know what is in it?”

“Nope, but according to the letter. You have first crack at the vault.”

Draco stood and shook his head. “I think I like him more now than I ever did.”

“He’ll need more protection now, he may not have anyone trying to kill him now. But he is rather defenseless right now Draco.”

Draco looked at his father. “It’s amazing how he knew all of this was going to happen. I just hope this works.” Draco walked out of the office and headed to Gringott’s. ‘Operation Harry Houdini Potter’ was about to commence.