Finding Your True Self

None of this is mine, however much wishing I do it appears.
Anyway only this plot exists due to my warped imagination.

Just thought I would put that in, oh and I don’t get any money. :(

Anyway enough of me gabbing……………

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Chapter 3: Arrivals and Meetings

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Hermione Granger walked down the spiral stair case after Dumbledore.
She was finally moving back home to Hogwarts.
Although she had spent the first 11 years of her life in her parent’s home and the last two in her small flat in London, she still felt Hogwarts to be her home. It had a charm about that wasn’t just due to the magic which flowed through these hallways it was something else, she had finally found herself while at Hogwarts.
Even with the surprise revelation information she had received that night weeks ago she had readily agreed to Dumbledore’s question, although she did not take lightly the task which lied in front of her.
Helping Severus and even letting Severus know that she knew of his situation, and in need of her help especially, would not be an easy task.

She had arrived in Dumbledore’s office through the floo network. Walking through the winding of corridors and stairs Hermione and Dumbledore walked in comfortable silence, one that comes with deep friendship and understanding.
Dumbledore had told Hermione a lot that night, and Hermione’s brain was swarming with information.

As they arrived on the Ground floor Hermione was surprised to see that they were heading towards the Dungeons. She looked questionably at the Headmaster who just smiled back at her with his twinkling eyes.
They stopped just short of the steps leading down to the dungeons.
Facing them was a large painting of a centur in a large garden that was surrounded by a forest and a deep blue sky. Its mane was a rich golden brown and its upper half a human body which was built athletically.
The centur came forward when Dumbledore uttered the word “Marvellous”.
The centur then cocked his head to the side with one eyebrow raised and the painting was pulled away on a hinge to allow for the appearance of a large door.
“This will be your new chambers my dear.” Dumbledore explained as they entered the chambers. “The password is held by the painting and a doorway will only appear once the correct password has been said. Although I would suggest putting some of your own wards on top of that just in case any ears may hear. Walls do hear my dear, especially ones riddled with as much magic as these halls.” Dumbledore suggested, all the while smiling contently.
Hermione acknowledged him with a large smile, she had lived long enough in this castle as a student to know that everything was alive in some way, even the staircases moved in their own free will.

Her new quarters were of perfection, and even Hermione had to admit she was glad for the House Elves and their work to her rooms.
The floor of the main room was covered in a deep blue carpet that was incredibly soft under foot and Hermione couldn’t wait until she could try it barefoot. The walls were decorated in gold wallpaper and there was a large oak cabinet standing against the wall and facing the entrance. Beside that walarglarge window framed by deep velvet blue curtains that flowed to the floor and showed an amazing view of the Hogwarts garden and the gigantic lake. In the middle of the room was a large and very comfortable looking sofa that sat in front of a spectacular fireplace that if connected to the floo network would allow easy access. The one thing that drew Hermione further into the room was the fantastic amount of shelving units, which were against the wall and above her desk. She could immediately imagine her books being stacked up on there.
“Well I hope this is too your approval my dear?” Dumbledore asked with the twinkle still going strong in his eyes. He had known that the substantial amount of book space would be a good idea.
Hermione turned and thanked him profusely, her eyes still being drawn to look around the incredible room. Dumbledore smiled and left her to get settled in.
Hermione went over to her desk and pulled out four small items from her pocket she placed two of those on the floor and the other two on either end of the desk. She pulled her wand from her inside pocket in her robes and then started to enlarge each item.
Once each item was enlarged, they were two huge boxes on the desk that looked as if they were bursting to the seems full of books and on the floor lay a very large trunk next to another full box of personal affects.
Deciding to leave the two over crowded boxes that were on the desk Hermione pulled out her wand and started to levitate her trunk and box of personal artefacts through another door into what she thought would lead to her bedroom. She was pleasantly surprised to see a short corridor, styled in the same way as the living room, from which they were three doors, leading off into other rooms.
Hermione opened the first one on her left and was amazed to find a very large spacious bathroom. In it was a toilet, sink, large Jacuzzi styled bath and separate shower cubicle. The room was decorated in glorious white tiles with sparkling gold taps and ceiling. The bath in fact had eight golden taps around it and Hermione knew from experience during her time as a prefect that each tap contained different bubble baths and she could already imagine long soaks in the bath with one of her favourite muggle novels.
Sighing Hermione closed the door, they would be time for that later she thought.
Once out in the corridor again Hermione looked to see that there was another door on her right and one more on the left, next to the bathroom. She choose the on her right and was surprised to find a small kitchen, Hermione guessed it was probably for making small snacks and cooking some meals if she choose to stay over Christmas and summer.
Closing the door she went to the final one which she guessed to be the bedroom. She opened the door and was astonished to see an enormous king size four-poster bed that was decorated in deep burgundy and gold, and had soft gold hangings from all four posts. Even with the massive bed Hermione could see that this did not cramp the room with was very spacious. There was a large oak wardrobe in the far corner and a matching chest of drawers. Next to that was a floor length mirror that had a beautiful border of precious stones. The floor was a luxurious cream colour and felt just as soft underfoot as the one in the living room and hall. There even was a large window like the one in the living room, which too had views of Hogwarts grounds, except this view was framed by deep burgundy curtains that feel gracefully to the floor.
Hermione moved the Trunk onto her bed and the box onto the drawers.
As she started to unpack Hermione’s head started to swarm with thoughts.
What would Severus think of her once he found out the real reason for her being here? Would he even except help from her? She wasn’t exactly his most favourite person, although things had improved between them since Voldermort’s defeat in her 7th year. Hermione had first contacted him during her first term of Uni to ask him for some help with her research. She had theorised that the Marcellus potion could be adapted to help those that had been caused long-term problems from exposure to the crucio curse, such as the Longbottoms. Of course, even though Hermione had now graduated she was still on the finishing touches of her research. It had turned out that more was needed than the help of the potion. Complex charms were needed, not forgetting someone who had to be emotionally bonded to the people who were hurt to create any impact to the victim. Severus had been surprisingly helpful and although they had only ever corresponded as colleagues Hermione felt that Severus was now able to see her not as the little girl that had once been sitting in his class but as a woman, as an equal, she hoped.
A sudden pop behind her made Hermione jump out of her thoughts and spin round. In front of her stood Dobby, the House Elf. “Miss Hermione is back; you is back Miss, Oh Dobby is so happy to see you back at Hogwarts Miss, so very happy Miss.” Hermione had to stifle a laugh at the small elf who seemed so excited. “Thank you Dobby it is really good to see you too.” Dobby smiled and a deep blush spread through his cheeks. He suddenly remembered why he was here and said “Oh, Dobby is here on Headmaster Dumbledore’s request to remind Miss Hermione that dinner is at being served soon.” Hermione glanced at her watch and was glad that the Headmaster had been thoughtful enough to send Dobby to remind her, with looking about her rooms she had completely forgotten about the time. “Thank you Dobby, I had lost track of time. I will be right along. “ Dobby smiled, nodded and was gone in a blink of an eye. Hermione quickly cast a charm and all her clothes from her trunk were put away in the drawers and wardrobe. Quickly glancing at her reflection in the mirror and casting a few charms on her hair to ensure it remained tamed, and she was ready.
As she stepped out the door she placed a couple of wards on the door, you never did know who was listening.

“Miss Granger” Said a silky voice behind her. Hermione turned to see Severus standing right behind her, his usual glare replaced by an amused smirk.


TBC
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hope this is good. I’ve read it so many times now I’m not sure.
Anyway I don’t have a beta so if there is mistakes I will be editing them in a couple of days.
Let me know what you think – review, please.
Just don’t flame. :)

Talk to you soon, thanks for the reviews.

Love ya.
AngelDust xxx