The Sound Of Silence

The next morning, Hermione was up and dressed before Steph woke up. She stood and watched her sleep. There was something so familiar about her. She leaned down, gently touching her shoulder. \"Stephanie, wake up. Its time for breakfast.\"

Steph opened her eyes slowly and stretched. She blinked and mouthed \"Good morning Mommy.\" She ran han hands over her eyes and looked up again. Her mouth fell open and she looked away from Hermione.

Hermione smiled. \"It\'s all right. I guess it would be strange waking up in a different place.\" Steph nodded. She reached for her paper, scribbling something. Hermione took the paper and read it. \"Oh, your Mommy has hair like mine. I guess that\'s why you were playing with my curls while you went to sleep last night.\"

Steph blushed and looked down at the covers. Hermione grinned. \"That\'s fine honey. I\'m sure you miss your family. If I remind you of your Mom and you need to play with my hair, that\'s just fine. Now, come on and get ready. We\'ve got to get to breakfast. I\'ll fix some of my clothes for you. I hope you don\'t mind wearing Gryffindor robes.\" Steph shook her head as shadedaded for the bathroom.

***

Later, Hermione and Steph walked into the Great Hall. Steph looked around in amazement. Her mouth gaped open as she looked at the ceiling. They sat as Hermione explained all about The Great Hall.

Ron and Harry ate as they studied the girl. Ron s his his head. He still thought it was strange how attached the girl was to Hermione. He wanted to talk to her about that.

Harry smiled. Ron might think Steph was up to something, but she just seemed so lost to him. Maybe she was clinging to \'Mione because she was the first person who was nice to her. He made up his mind to try and help her.


***

Snape sat at the High Table and watched the girl. She seemed happy sitting with the dream team. He couldn\'t help but be a little curious about where she came from and how she got here. Was it a plan of Voldemort\'s? If it was, he hadn\'t been told anything. He looked at Dumbledore. The old coot knew more than he let on. His eyes twinkled every time he looked at the girl. Snape finished his coffee and stood to leave.

Dumbledore looked at him. \"Severus, would you be so kind as to escort Miss Vance to my office after her breakfast? I want to talk with her more about how she may have arrived here.\" Snape nodded and headed down to the Gryffindor table.

Steph was scribbling left and right, pointing to different objects. Harry laughed. \"She asks almost as many questions as you Hermione.\"

She grinned at Steph. \"Well, that is how you learn.\"

Snape stopped behind then and cleared his throat. \"Miss Vance, the Head Master has asked me to escort you to his office after you have finished your breakfast.\"

Steph turned around and looked at him. She bit her lip and looked back at Hermione. She smiled. \"It\'s all right. I\'m sure The Head Master will bring you back. Professor Snape won\'t let anything happen to you.\" She looked up at him and smiled. He arched one eyebrow.

Steph nodded and stood up. She looked up at Snape and smiled. He turned, and in a flutter of robes, headed out of the Great Hall. Steph followed, her parchment and quill clutched in her hands.

Ron looked at Hermione. \"What did you find out?\" Hermione leaned close and started her story. The boys looked around to make sure no one could hear them.

***

Snape let Steph go into the office before him. Dumbledore smiled when they entered. He motioned to a chair for Stephanie. She sat and rattled her parchment nervously.

Dumbledore looked at Snape. \"Thank you for escorting her Severus. Do you have anything you would like to add to your account of how you found her?\"

Snape shook his head. \"No Headmaster. I gave the full account.\"

Dumbledore nodded. \"As I expected. Thank you again.\" Snape nodded to both and left the office.

Dumbledore sat with his hands folded and studied Steph. She looked at him, then looked away. He chuckled. \"Just like her. Tell me, how is Hermione?\"

Steph looked at him, her eyes wide, and pointed over her shoulder. She scribbled on the parchment and pushed it towards him. He smiled as he read. \"Yes, I am aware that I saw her this morning in The Great Hall. I was referring to your Mother.\"

Steph\'s eyes went wider, her mouth falling open. She scribbled another note. He took it, nodding. \"I knew the moment I saw you two together. You are just alike.\" She took the paper again. He smiled. \"No, I\'m not going to say anything. I think it was excellent that you didn\'t give your true name. Now, let\'s discuss how you arrived here. Are you in possession of a Time Turner?\" Steph shook her head. He frowned. \"Was there a spell cast?\" Another shake of the head. He stroked his beard. \"Tell me what lead up to your arrival here.\" Steph took the paper and began to write.

***

He sat the paper down and looked at her. \"Very powerful magic. You say you awoke and heard your Mother crying. You lay, wishing that she would be happy. Then, as you were falling asleep, your last wish was that you could see your parents together and happy and then you woke up here.\" Steph nodded, frowning. He smiled. \"This type of \"wish\" craft is com common in young, magical children. Most start showing their power around your age. If they experience strong emotions, their powers may be triggered. This was possibly a reaction to your Mother crying.\"

He leaned back in his chair. \"Do you know who your Father is?\" Steph shook her head sadly. He studied her. \"Judging from your appearance Mr. Weasley is not an option.\" Steph nodded, then shrugged. He stood. \"Well, my dear. I\'ve kept you enough. I\'ll escort you back to Hermione in her class. I don\'t expect you to truly understand the lessons, but listening can not hurt anyone.\" She nodded and thanked him.

***

Hermione was looking over her potions homework. She kept wondering what Steph was talking to the Headmaster about. She straightened in her chair when the door opened. Steph waved to Dumbledore and sat by Hermione.

Hermione looked around. \"Hey. I thought you might have been Professor Snape. Did you and the Headmaster have a nice talk?\" Steph nodded. Hermione heard a noise and looked up. Neville stood beside the table. He shifted his book satchel. \"Hermione, I thought..\"

Steph looked back at her Mom and realized who the boy was. She stood up, pointing to the chair. Neville smiled and sat down. Step smiled and sat in a chair against the wall. Hermione mouthed that they would talk later.

***

Snape billowed into the room. The silence was gratifying. He leaned against his podium and surveyed the room. \"The potion for today is on page 271. I expect you all have read. Begin. I will be around to inspect.\"

He sat down and pulled papers in front of him to mark. He glanced around and noticed her. \"Miss Vance. Come forward.\" She walked to his desk. \"I thought you were with the Headmaster.\" She scribbled what happened and let him read. He nodded and gave her a book. \"This is a first year potions text. Read through this during class. Anything you have not finished will be your homework.\" She nodded and sat back down.

***

At the end of class, Snape made everyone bottle their potion and leave it on his desk. Steph walked up. His eyebrows went up. She handed him the book. He shook his head. \"This was to be finished tonight. There will be no one sitting idly in my class.\"

Steph pointed to her parchment. Snape read and looked back at her. \"Finished? All right then, what are the properties of mandrake?\" Steph scribbled and handed the paper to him. He read and nodded. \"Very good. Impressive Miss Vance.\"

She took the paper and scribbled again. As he read, his frown returned. \"Theorizing all ready? You could be related to Miss Granger.\" He picked up the book. \"I will research your question. Mandrake may be able to restore your voice.\" Steph smiled. He snorted. \"Dismissed.\" She grabbed her paper and ran out to Hermione.

***

The next class she sat through was Charms. She couldn\'t stop thinking about the mandrake. It was used to treat those who had been petrified, frozen even. Maybe her voice needed to be unfrozen. Well, it couldn\'t hurt to try anyway. The book said it was a very power restorative. Could a potion containing mandrake make her better?

Hermione looked up from her note taking. Steph had her potions book. She had been searching through it since the class began. Hermione wondered what she was searching for. She turned her attention back to Flitwick and continued her work.

Steph shed hed the text for any mandrake reference. She closed the book halfway through class and sighed in disappointment. Not one thing. Maybe later she could go to the library. There had to be something somewhere. Professor Snape had agreed to help her. He wasn\'t as bad as everyone had said. He wasn\'t half bad at all. To bad he couldn\'t be her father.

***

Later, Hermione watched as Steph looked through the shelves. All she said was she wanted to read more about potions. Finally, Steph had three books she wanted. Hermione explained to Madam Pince and they were on their way back to the Common room.

Steph had her nose buried in her book as they walked along. She turned the corner and ran right into Professor Snape. Her book scattered around her. Herm hel helped her up as Snape picked up the books. \"In the future, watch where you are going, Miss Vance.\" He looked at the books. \"These books are a lot more complicated than the first year potions text.\" Steph nodded. He looked at Hermione. \"Are you sure that she is not related to you?\"

Hermione nodded. \"She is not related to me sir, but her natural curiosity is to be commended.\"

Snape frowned. \"Miss Vance. Be in my office at eight. We will discuss the matter at hand.\" He turned and headed towards the dungeons. Steph smiled and turned for the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione shook her head and followed in confusion.

***

Steph sat absorbed in her books. Harry and Ron could only shake their heads. \"She\'s not even in school yet and she\'s already studying! And Potions. Of all subjects for her to like.\"

Hermione made a face. \"Really Ron. Let her learn something. She\'ll be starting school soon.\"

Steph looked at Hermione and pointed to her wrist. Hermione nodded. \"Yes. We better get going. I wouldn\'t want you to be late.\" As they stood, she explained that Steph was meeting with Professor Snape.

Harry frowned. \"I don\'t know. Snape is..\"

Steph frowned at him and shook her head. She signed something furiously and then threw her hands in the air in frustration. She looked at them all and mouthed the words. \"He is not bad. I like him.\" She gathered up her books and papers and headed out the portrait hole.

Hermione smiled. \"I guess she told you.\"

***

In front of Sn's o's office, they stopped and looked at each other. Hermione straightened Steph\'s robes. \"All right. Try not to be nervous. He can\'t take house points. Do you remember how to get back?\" Steph nodded. Hermione smoothed a hair back from Steph\'s face. \"I\'ll see you when you get back. Professor Snape can escort you back if you get scared.\" Steph frowned and motioned for her to leave. Hermione smiled and walked back up the stairs.

Steph knocked and heard him call \"Enter.\" She opened the door timidly. He looked up and pointed to a chair. \"Sit. Let\'s discuss this matter.\" Steph sat, arranging the books on her lap. Snape nodded towards the books. \"While those were a good start, they only gave limited possibilities.\" He pulled more books from his desk. \"Tell me what you\'ve read and then we\'ll discuss other options.\"

***

Later, Snape and Steph were discussing different possible reasons for her condition. \"You say that you were able to articulate noise as an infant. Does your Mother know of any spells that might have been cast?\" Steph shook her head and wrote. Snape nodded. \"Her magic wasn\'t enough to help you. I see. Well, Madam Pomfrey will need to examine you before you can precede. I will set up the appointment tomorrow. You need to return to your rooms. I trust you can find your way back?\"

Steph nodded and stood up. She bit her lip, and then held out her hand for him to shake. He looked at her, then shook her hand. \"Dismissed.\"

She stepped into the hallway, and a grin broke over her face. He was really going to help her! Maybe she could go tell Mommy. Her grin faltered. Mommy wasn\'t really here. She sighed and headed back up to the Common Room. She bit her lip, hoping that the Fat Lady would let her in like Hermione told her to do.

***

She had just got to the top of the stairs when she was stopped. Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson were headed back to their common room when they saw the small girl and decided to have a little fun.

\"Well, well. What do we have here? Are you lost? Do you need your Mommy?\" Steph glared at Draco.

Pansy giggled. \"Oooo. Look at that glare. That mud blood bitch must be teaching her a few things. To bad she didn\'t teach you not to be out by yourself.\"

Steph gritted her teeth and tried to get around them. \"No, no. We can\'t let you go. We\'re not done yet.\" Pansy pushed her back against the wall. \"How is it that a baby such as yourself made it inogwaogwarts? Who\'s bastard child are you?\"

Steph couldn\'t take it anymore. She grabbed Pansy\'s robes and pushed her backwards. Drawing herself up to full height, she glared at them, almost daring them to attack. They both had their wands pointed at her. She smirked and stepped forward. No one talked about her Mommy like that. Pansy was the first to cast a spell. Steph felt it hit and felt her skin starting to crawl. It only made her more mad. She felt the rage washing over her and Pansy flew backwards into the wall. A portrait fell to the ground. Draco turned to her.

The noise brought Professor Snape out of his office. Whoever disturbed him was due for serious detention. He reached the top of the stairs in time to hear Malfoy cast.

Steph was momentarily stunned by the sensation. She was hurting like mad and now she was having trouble breathing. She looked at Malfoy, gasped for air and watched him fly back to join Pansy. Steph smiled slightly as she fell to her knees.

She looked up in time to see Professor Snape step forward, his wand drawn. She smiled slightly, looked over at Malfoy and Parkinson, and then passed out.

Snape looked over the scene. Two Slytherins and one non-student down. Her books were scattered around. It didn\'t take a genius to figure out what happened. He quickly bound his students and went over to Miss Vance. She wasn\'t breathing. He muttered the counter curse and watched her chest rise with the intake of air. She didn\'t wake. He picked her up gently and with a last glance over his shoulder, carried her to the Infirmary.

***

He waited while Pomfrey examined her. When she came out, she shook her head. \"One of the spells activated her nerve endings. You stopped the spell, but the effects are still lingering. I\'ve encased her in a protective \"bubble\", but she\'s still feeling even the smallest sensation magnified ten times. The other spell affected her lung capacity, causing her to become unconscious. I\'ve reversed it as best I could. I expect a full recovery with rest.\"

Snape nodded. \"I will deal with the students involved with this. Did you have a chance to examine her throat and voice?\"

Pomfrey nodded. \"We\'ll talk about that later. I need to inform the Headmaster about this matter.\"

Snape looked towards the screen in front of her bed. \"May I see her?\"

Pomfrey nodded. \"You can stay with her until I get back.\"

Snape walked to the screen and stepped around. He shook his head at the sight of the girl. She was twitching, her body still trying to deal with the residue of the spells. Every few minutes her breath would hitch in her chest and she would gasp to breath. He looked over her small form. There was something so familiar about her. He just couldn\'t put his finger on it. How long would it take Miss Granger to show up when she found out about this? He shook his head. He felt really horrible about this. Hopefully she would regain consciousness soon.

He reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her face and watched as she fhed hed away from him. Malfoy would pay for this one. \"Rest now little one. Things will be better when you awake.\"

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A/N: Thanks again to Lily Malfoy!

Shemhanforash: Thank you for your support. I wanted to try this out. This idea came to me one night before I fell asleep. It made for some great dreams. I\'m not going to say anything about the father. You\'ll just have to read and find out.

Red Writing Hood: I know you\'ve read this story, but I\'m so glad you\'re reading it again. It means so much to me that you care.

Susan: Well, I aim to please. I would have like to have met my Mom when she was younger. I bet she was a ho

Raven: Thank you for a very nice review. I was a little worried about how this story was coming out on paper. I didn\'t want to dwell on one point to much, but I wanted to get all the details in. Thanks for setting my mind at ease.

Nesscafe: I\'m sure Hermione is upset, as any good mother would be. Thanks for reading!

Dave: Wow. The first male name that I\'ve ever seen in this ship. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I have several chapters already done, but I want to wait for my beta to read over them. Please check back for updates! I plan on updating at least once a week!