Daddy Dearest - (No Update, Edit)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 32 ~ The Return

Hermione did her best not to let Mathias know anything was bothering her when he returned from Harry's house the next day. After her confrontation with the wizard about James, she tended to Mathias' eye. All the little wizard would say was that he and James had "a difference of opinion."

When Severus had said good-bye, Hermione stood looking at the closed door for a moment, then suddenly opened it, intending on asking the wizard to wait. But Severus was gone. Most likely he had put on a silencing spell and apparated so as not to disturb her neighbors.

She owled Albus from work the next day and received an owl back saying that the Potions Master was indeed gone. They did not put details in the letters, but the gist of it was understood. That evening, after tucking Mathias in, something he complained about ("Mum, I'm too big to be tucked in,") she entered the pensieve, this time not going the whole way but just up to the initial kiss she shared with the wizard. She stayed at level one and slowed it down, and rewound it back. What she focused on was his face when she told him his nose was beautiful, then everything about him was beautiful.

The wizard's face had softened when she said that. Up to that point he was scowling slightly as if he wasn't sure he should touch her. Hermione watched herself act the initial aggressor though Severus had assumed control after the kiss.

"Kiss me," she said to the wizard, who complied.

Hermione had wanted him then…blacked out or not. Why couldn't she admit she wanted him now, wanted to experience him conscious of the act? Why was she using the pensieve when the wizard was ready and willing?

Because of the eleven years of abandonment, that's why. That was at the bottom of all of it. She couldn't move past his abandonment of Mathias, and deep down she was afraid he would hurt her again. Despite her body's yearning for Severus, her mind still had control, and her bitterness was still strong when she thought about it. The only thing was, when he was close, and telling her he wanted her, she could barely think at all.

The night of the Christmas dinner, she had almost wished Mathias wasn't there. She might have protested just a little, but if his kiss were any indication, her protests would have been quite short-lived. He would have fucked her, and she would have wanted him to. Most likely for the wizard it would have been casual sex, the fulfilling of an urge. Or maybe closure for what happened eleven years ago.

But in Hermione's case, she knew sex with Severus Snape wouldn't be casual. Not for her. Not the way the wizard made her feel in the pensieve. She was sure he would be just as intense, if no more so, if she were to give herself to him like he wanted. She didn't even know why Severus wanted her. Well, she was a witch of course…but she was sure the wizard had other witches he could go to for sex. Witches that would not be as fickle as she was. Witches that would welcome him.

Maybe Severus wanted a better ending with her than last time. He had been patient, strong and passionate with her, lusty, but not a monster. Her first sexual experience had been good with him. It was the morning after that had been horrible. Maybe he wanted to fix that.

After she left the pensieve without going level two, Hermione lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Maybe he was sorry. Truly sorry. He had to be, because he was risking his life to try and right the wrong he'd done eleven years ago. He didn't have to tell Voldemort and risk death. They could simply tell Mathias and act as if nothing had changed.

But that was the crux of the matter. The Potions Master couldn't see telling the boy he was his father, then publicly treating him as if he weren't. Continuing to abandon him. Hiding it from the world as if he were ashamed of Mathias. Hermione realized the Potions Master was truly trying to do right by her son. His son.

Suddenly Hermione's heart went out to the wizard. Severus was probably being crucio'd right now, if not killed by the Dark Lord for hiding the truth all these years. Even if Voldemort accepted Mathias' existence, Severus would still pay for his treachery in not divulging her or Mathias in the very beginning, when Voldemort would have killed them. Severus might even have been spared. As it stood, he was suffering for both of them. He was paying for his mistake of eleven years ago in spades.

Hermione hoped he lived. She hoped he hadn't given his life needlessly for her and Mathias. If he died, his death would be on her conscience, even though it was his decision to go before the Dark Lord, trying to make amends.

Hermione realized that in all eleven years, she made no attempt to let Severus see the boy. True, he had told her he wanted no parts of them, but judging by his reaction to Mathias coming to Hogwarts, and seeing his own son in the flesh, maybe he would have come around. Like he came around now.

But Hermione didn't want the Potions Master going into a rage, cursing her and driving them away. He might have reacted badly. Severus had threatened to hex her while she was pregnant. He might not have hesitated to hex her with her son in her arms. Severus was so nasty when he turned her away, and she was so angered by his blatant rejection, Hermione never thought to try to bring Mathias around him.

The witch could have covered her attempts at getting his interest by "visiting" Albus or Minerva, making sure he would see her with the baby. He would have been curious…possibly. Or he might not have given a damn. Hermione suspected though, that the Potions Master might have had some small inkling of interest to see how his child was developing. Well, now she suspected he might have. Back then, she wouldn't have thought it possible.

Well all that was fire under the cauldron. The years had passed and Severus ignored them, and nothing would ever change the past. But he was facing death now for his son. The wizard must care. He had to or else why would he do such a thing?

And really, that's all Hermione ever wanted from Severus Snape.

To care about Mathias.

Hermione owled Albus back, asking him to contact her whatever time Severus returned.

The evening of the first day Mathias returned to Hogwarts, an owl tapped on her window. Hermione opened it and let the bird in, hastily removing the parchment. The message contained two words.

He's back.

That meant he had been successful. It meant he was free to claim Mathias as his son, and both she and the boy were safe from the Dark Lord's wrath. But at what price? Voldemort would expect Mathias to join his ranks. In reality, Severus may have only bought them time. But it was free time. A lot could happen in seven years.

Hermione folded up the letter, fed the owl a piece of meat, let it out and retrieved her cloak.

She was going to Hogwarts. She was going to see Severus.

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Hermione arrived outside the main gates. She knew the wards to get in now, and entered quickly, running across the grounds to the castle. Instead of taking the stairs, she flooed to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey looked at her with surprise as she walked out of her office.

"Hermione! What are you doing here?" she asked the witch.

"I've come to see Professor Snape," Hermione said.

Poppy eyes went a bit dark.

"The Professor is not in any condition to see visitors, Hermione. He's been attacked by weredogs, and is lucky to be alive. I've never seen so much damage on one wizard. He's lucky he isn't dead," the medi-witch said.

Hermione was about to protest when Albus' voice sounded from behind a black privacy curtain.

"Let her in, Poppy," the Headmaster said.

"But Albus! He's in no condi…" Poppy responded, frowning.

"Let her in, Poppy. Now," the wizard ordered.

"Fine," Poppy spat. "This way, Hermione."

The medi-witch stalked to the privacy curtain and pulled it back so Hermione could enter, then dragged it back, clearly in a temper. She hated when Albus pulled rank on her. Why was Hermione here anyway? She was no relation to the Potions Master.

Then the medi-witch paused, her eyes narrowing. Mathias Granger. Dark hair, dark eyes, pale skin, somber demeanor. Why hadn't she seen this before?

Severus Snape fathered that child. Mathias Granger was the Potions Master's son. No wonder he got away with such devilment. Well, the DKV would be interested to know that a half-blood member fathered a child with a muggle-born. At last, she had something of worth to bring to the organization. She was feeling a bit useless. Sharing this knowledge ought to up her status in the ranks significantly.

Hermione entered the enclosure and gasped as she looked at the broken, beaten body of her son's father. Poppy had given Severus healing potions and tended his wounds, but he was so badly tormented that his body was in shock, and slow to react to the medi-witch's ministrations. She had to leave him uncovered so the sheet wouldn't stick to his open wounds.

A towel lay draped across the Potions Master's loins. Open slits crossed his arms, legs and torso, the muscle visible underneath. His body was black and blue all over, including his face and his nose had actually been set in the muggle way while Poppy waited for the potions to take effect and repair the cartilage. There seemed to be no part of his body that wasn't wounded or bruised. Hermione imagined his back was even more scarred.

"Oh my gods," Hermione breathed, tears filling her eyes as she looked at the wizard.

"Yes, he is a sad sight to behold. But he will recover," Albus said, looking up at the witch. "He did what he went to do, Hermione. You and Mathias are safe from the Dark Lord's wrath. Word will get around of this quickly, and you won't be targeted for death. It came at a great price…a price Severus was willing to pay for your safety and the safety of your son."

Hermione nodded.

"He didn't have to do it, Albus," she said in a low voice, watching Severus' chest shudder as he took a deep breath. His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Albus looked at her.

"Ah, but he did, Hermione. He's a father, and fathers protect their families, whatever the cost," the old wizard said.

Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"A family? We are hardly that, Albus," she responded, holding in a snort.

"You are not married, but you are a family. You had his son. For his son's well being he must protect you as well as him, because the boy loves you. He cannot care for one without the other," Albus said, his eyes twinkling.

"Are you saying he cares for me, Headmaster?" Hermione asked the wizard, incredulously.

"I'm not saying he loves you, Hermione, but he must have some care for you, being that you have raised his son and done such a fine job of it. You and Mathias are for all intents and purposes his family, even if you never become close. Severus is a complicated wizard, Hermione. He is hard, cold and has a bit of cruelty in him. But when he makes a commitment, he stands by it unto the death. He has made a commitment to you and the boy. He will never break it. It was a long time coming, but its here now. You are both under his protection. He would die for either of you," Albus said with conviction.

Hermione stared down at Severus. Under his protection? Commitment? She would have never believed it if she didn't see for herself what the wizard had gone through to secure them from Voldemort.

The wizard groaned. Hermione started and walked toward him. She bent over the Potions Master, her amber eyes concerned.

"Severus, you made it back," she said to him softly.

"Hermione," he rasped, opening his swollen eyes. They were mere slits.

"You and Mathias. Free," he continued with effort.

"Shhh," Hermione said, "Don't talk. You're very weak."

"Water," he rasped.

Albus poured a glass of water from a pitcher resting on the table near the wizard's cot, then handed it to Hermione. The witch gently lifted the wizard's head and let him drink a bit of water, but not too much. She took the glass away from his parched lips, and lowered his head back to the pillow.

"You're going to be all right, Severus. You'll be terrorizing students again in no time," the witch said soothingly.

"Mathias," he whispered. "We must tell him. Soon."

Hermione's heart went cold. She didn't know Severus wanted to disclose who he was so soon. They had agreed to wait a few years.

"We'll talk about it later," she said to the wizard.

"Soon," Severus said again.

The wizard's eyes closed, and he fell unconscious.

Hermione straightened, her face taut. Albus studied her. He could tell the witch didn't want to address her son so soon.

"You know Hermione, Mathias is a very bright boy. He has your ability to figure things out with very few clues. A very bright boy indeed," he said, looking at the witch meaningfully.

Hermione knew the Headmaster was letting her know that Mathias might figure out Severus was his father on his own. Maybe it was better to tell him now, rather than let him go through Hogwarts for several years not knowing, or worse, figuring it out for himself and confronting them.

She looked down at Severus again.

"Yes, he is very bright," she agreed, "Let's just hope he's understanding."

She stood there a moment, then her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm so afraid he's going to hate me, Albus," Hermione said, her voice breaking, "I'm so afraid he'll never trust me again."

Albus nodded sagely.

"It is always difficult to tell the truth of a matter, Hermione. But there were mitigating circumstances. Perhaps the boy will understand why things were done the way they were. I am sure Severus will give you all the support you need. He is very adept at saying what needs to be said. Trust him. He has as much riding on this as you do, if not more. You did not abandon Mathias. You did the best you could raising him alone. Severus is the one who will have to truly face the boy. Be strong," he said, "You are doing the right thing, my dear. You'll see."

Hermione looked at the wizard, wanting to believe him, wanting to believe Mathias would come through the shock of this intact and still loving.

But she couldn't shake her doubts.

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A/N: Severus is back at Hogwarts. Poppy seems to be a bit spyish, eh? Hermione did some serious thinking, and Albus opened her eyes quite a bit concerning the true meaning behind what Severus had done. Well, we are coming to the main challenge now. How will Mathias take the truth? We'll find out soon. Please review.