The Family Ties that Bind

Disclaimer: I by no means own any characters from the world of Harry Potter. They belong to the wonderful and talented J.K. Rowlings. So, please don’t sue me, because I have no money.

Summary: Hermione finds out her entire life has been a lie during the summer before her 7th year. How is she going to react to the news once she finds out who her real father is? Will Hermione and her father get along? Read and find out.

The Family Ties that Bind

Chapter 3- Telling Her Friends the Truth

Severus spent the rest of the day with Hermione. He answered her questions about what he did as a spy. Severus felt it better that she knew exactly what he did.

“Daddy, what about my appearance? You, Aunt Helena and Uncle Victor told me I will change? What about when I go back to school? And what about my friends?” Hermione asked.

“I will talk to Albus honey. We will come up with something. As for your friends, why not bring them here. We can tell them everything.” Severus answered.

“We?” Helena asked.

“Yes, we. I will be here when Hermione tells them. Unless she would rather I not be here.” Severus answered.

“No. I want you here. I just hope they won’t hate me.” Hermione said sadly.

“If they are your true friends they won’t.” Victor said.

After dinner Severus returned to Hogwarts. He rushed to see Albus. He found Albus having tea with Minerva.

“Good, you’re both here. I need to talk to you both.” Severus said as he entered the office.

“Oh? What do you need to talk about?” Minerva asked.

“I told Hermione the truth.” Severus answered.

“How did she react?” Albus asked.

“Well, she fainted when I first told her, but now she has welcomed me with open arms. Something I feared she would not do. She also wants to tell her friends. My main concern is when school starts. What do we do? One look and everyone will know she is my daughter. Of course word will get back to Voldemort. And obviously she won’t be safe in Gryffindor. Should we have her resorted?” Severus explained.

“I think that would be safe. Now, to come up with a cover story for what happened to Hermione Granger and where Hermione Snape has been schooled.” Albus said.

“We could say that Hermione Granger was killed in a car accident with her parents. As for Hermione Snape, I could say she was schooled by my sister and brother-in-law. I could then say that since it would have been her last year had she started here, I wanted her here to be closer to me.” Severus replied.

“That would work. Of course we need to discuss this with Hermione and her friends. When is she going to tell them?” Minerva asked.

“She is having them come over tomorrow. They are both at the Burrow. Mr. Weasley’s sister will be coming as well.” Severus answered.

“Then I will go with you. I might be able to help explain things. I mean considering I was there when Hermione was born and she is my god daughter as well.” Minerva said. Severus nodded.

That night as Hermione laid in bed, her mind kept her awake.

‘What if they hate me and want nothing to do with me? What will happen when I go back to school? I hope they won’t be mad. I don’t want to lose their friendship just because my father is Severus Snape.’ she thought.

Finally she was able to fall asleep. All to soon it was morning. Nervously Hermione ate her breakfast and waited on her father and friends to arrive. After ten minutes of waiting her father and Minerva appeared.

“Hello Hermione. Severus brought me to help explain things to Harry, Ron and Ginny. After all, your mother was my god daughter, as are you.” Minerva said as she hugged Hermione.

“You’re…you’re my god mother?” Hermione stuttered.

“Yes. I wanted to tell you and almost did on several occasions. I didn’t because I promised Severus I would wait till he told you the truth.” Minerva answered.

Not five minutes after Severus and Minerva arrived, Harry, Ron and Ginny flooed in. The three were shocked to find Severus and Minerva sitting in Hermione’s living room. And even more shocked that Hermione was sitting next to Severus.

“What’s going on? Is everything all right?” Harry asked.

“Everything is fine Harry. I think you three need to sit down.” Hermione answered.

As her friends sat down, Helena and Victor went into the kitchen. They returned a few minutes later with drinks and snacks for everyone. Once everyone was comfortable, Hermione started talking once more.

“There’s something that I need to tell you guys. I just hope that what I tell you won’t ruin our friendship.” Hermione began.

“Mione, nothing could ruin our friendship.” Ron said as Harry and Ginny nodded in agreement.

“Well, the thing is…Professor Snape is my father.” Hermione said.

Harry, Ron and Ginny stared at Hermione then at Severus and back again. From the look on both their friend and professor’s face, they knew she was telling the truth. It was Ron who found his voice first.

“How? I mean, you’re a muggle-born. Aren’t you?” Ron asked.

“No Mr. Weasley. She is not. Her mother, Jocelyn, was killed not four hours after she was born. She was killed by Lucius. The only reason I know that is because that was the last thing she said before she died. Along with the fact that Lucius hated me because Jocelyn fell in love with me and not him.” Severus answered.

“Wow. So you’re Hermione Snape then?” Ginny asked.

“Yes. Also, on my birthday I will begin to change. It seems that dad, Aunt Helena and Uncle Victor placed some charms on me to hide my appearance. My birthday is next Thursday and I will be 18 instead of 17 because of the time I used that time-turner.” Hermione answered.

“So, you’ll start to look like your mum and dad? By the way, what did your mom look like?” Ron asked.

“Yes. As for what my mum looked like, I really have no idea.” Hermione answered.

“This is what Jocelyn looked like.” Minerva said as she handed Hermione a picture.

Ron and Ginny gathered around Hermione. The woman in the picture was beautiful. She had long brown hair, stunning blue eyes, high cheek bones, a perfect hour glass figure and looked to be about 5 foot 7.

“She’s beautiful.” Hermione said tearfully as her mother’s picture waved happily at her.

“Wow! If you look like her and have Snape’s eyes and hair, you will have to beat the guys off with a stick.” Ron said.

“That’s exactly what she will look like. When she was born, she had my hair and eye color. Her eyes had flecks of blue in them and there were streaks of brown in her hair as well.” Severus replied.

“Man, girl I can’t wait to see the real you.” Ginny said with a smile.

Hermione looked up and saw Harry still sitting on the couch. She rose to her feet and moved beside him.

“Harry? Say something. Anything. Please.” Hermione pleaded.

“Don’t take my silence to mean anything bad Hermione. I’m shocked, but if you’re truly happy then I’m happy for you. I’m only worried about you. What’s going to happen when we get back to school? I fear that the Death Eater kids will try to hurt you and so will Voldemort.” Harry said as he hugged Hermione.

“That’s another thing. Last night I spoke to the Headmaster. We ware going to tell the school that Hermione Granger was killed in a car accident with her parents. We will also say that Hermione Snape, was schooled at home by her aunt and uncle. As for Voldemort, we will take care of that when we get there.” Severus said.

“That will make a great cover story. Do you think Voldemort will buy it?” Hermione asked.

“Yes. Albus has already sent word to the Daily Prophet, along with creating a believable wreck scene that includes three bodies that will match you, Helena and Victor on every level.” Minerva answered.

“What about her being in Gryffindor? Is she going to be resorted?” Ginny asked.

“Yes. At the Welcoming Feast Hermione will be resorted with the first years. But if she ends up in a different house, don’t let that stand in the way of your friendship.” Severus answered.

“So, what do we call you now?” Harry asked with a devilish smile.

“You know very well what you will call me.” Hermione answered with a smile of her own.

The four friends hugged each other tightly. Severus smiled as he watched on. He was glad her friends were sticking by her. The rest of the afternoon was spent going over the cover story and making sure that Ron, Ginny and Harry could pull off the part of believing their best friend was dead. After lunch her friends returned to the Burrow. Hermione and Severus stepped out into the back yard and sat by the pool.

“Daddy, there’s…there’s something I have to tell you, but I don’t want you to get angry.” Hermione said.

“What is it? I promise I won’t get upset.” Severus asked.

“You might after you hear what I have to tell you.” she said nervously.

“Just tell me baby.” Severus pleaded.

“I’m…I’m seeing someone.” she stuttered.

“Who?” he asked.

“Draco Malfoy.” she said quietly.

“What? How? When?” he asked.

“We started seeing each other last year. Harry and the others know. I found him by the lake and he looked really sad.” Hermione answered.

*Begin Flashback- Middle of 6th year*

Hermione was walking near the lake when she spotted Draco Malfoy sitting on a fallen log. She noticed that he looked as if he was in the need of a friend. Throwing caution to the wind she walked over and sat beside him.

“What do you want?” Draco asked.

“You looked like you could use a friend. Care to talk about it?” Hermione answered.

“Why do you care. You hate me remember.” Draco replied.

“So, can’t we just drop the whole mudblood, pure-blood crap for a few minutes?” Hermione asked.

“It’s my father. I hate him! I hate him so much! I hate everything he stands for! And just so you know, I don’t believe any of that “pure-bloods are superior to muggle-born” bull shit. I know I may act like it but I don’t. I do have to keep up pretenses. I would love nothing more than to renounce my father and that half-blooded bastard Voldemort.” Draco answered as he jumped to his feet and began to pace.

“Than why don’t you?” she asked.

“I’m afraid. He won’t hesitate to kill me. I know he killed my mother last summer. I don’t care what The Daily Prophet says. It wasn’t an accident.” he replied.

“I’ll tell you what, let’s go see Dumbledore. I bet he can help you.” she suggested.

“You think he would?” he asked hopefully.

“I know he will.” she answered with a smile.

The pair entered the castle. Surprisingly they encountered no one. Once at the door to the Headmaster’s office Draco stopped her.

“Thanks Hermione. You truly are an amazing witch and one of the most beautiful witches I’ve ever met.” Draco said as he hugged her tightly.

“You’re welcome Draco. I hope we can become friends. And maybe, if the fates allow, a little more.” Hermione whispered.

The pair entered and told Albus everything Draco had told Hermione.

*End Flashback*

“Two days later we told Harry, Ron and Ginny. After they heard everything they seemed to hit it off right away. Out wordily we are still enemies, but secretly, the five of us couldn’t be closer.” Hermione explained.

“Wow, I never knew. I wish Draco would have told me. I’m his god father for Merlin’s sake. I could have helped him get away from Lucius. Narcissa and I were best friends. When Draco was born, she signed me as a legal guardian of Draco. Lucius knows nothing about it. I could have taken him into my home. I still could. At least until he turns 18.” Severus said.

“I know. Draco told me. Narcissa told him about you being his guardian when he turned 13. He said he didn’t go to you because he feared Lucius would find out and kill you.” Hermione said.

“Do you love him?” Severus asked.

“More than anything dad. And he loves me the same way.” Hermione answered.

“I have to go.” Severus said as he got to his feet.

“Where are you going?” Hermione asked.

“To get Draco away from Lucius and stop this hiding of your relationship and friendship. I will be back soon and hopefully, I’ll have Draco with me so you can tell him everything.” Severus answered as he hugged Hermione.

A second later he apparated away. Hermione was practically glowing as she re-entered the house. Finally, no more hiding. Everything would be out in the open. The only problem would be with Voldemort.

‘I’ll worry about that when the time comes. For now, I am going to enjoy having a father, a family and my friends and boyfriend who love me.’ she thought as she went to her room, changed into her bathing suit and returned to the pool.

T.B.C