Triumph Out of the Bitter Taste of Ashes
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Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
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Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
34
Views:
6,814
Reviews:
244
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter Thirty Two
Shout outs to DeblovesDragon, Deb, and Shanti! Thanks *so* much for you comments. : ) Hope you enjoy this chapter.
DLD -- Draco's dream was merely his stress about his future and his 'obligations' coming out with Freudian intensity. : )
**********
Chapter Thirty-Two
**********
It's official. Hermione was absolutely stunned. Cony toy to her beliefs of several days ago, the Malfoy will *did* have a codicil attached and she was staring at a copy of it incomprehensibly. The mind boggled, and it had been with great difficulty that Hermione wrenched her attention back to Professor Snape when he'd been informing her of the details.
~~~~~"Lucius Malfoy's personal will has no mention of possible heirs other than Draco--"
**Like *that* is surprising!**
"--The estate will, the one that controls the entailed properties, does. Apparently, it's been in place for generations."
Hermione's eyes widened, suddenly, quite unwillingly, picturing a time when the Malfoy family cared enough aboutple ple to actually make sure everyone was taken care of. She frowned. It didn't fit very well with her world image.
"Provisions have been made for the discovery of a woman found to be with child upon the death of a Malfoy. The money will begin depositing to your Gringotts' account as soon as the tests to verify the bloodline of the child are--."
Hermione's jaw dropped, and if she'd been physically able she'd have jumped from her chair. Unfortunately, her current condition precluded such dramatic gestures. She settled for shouting. "I don't want anything to do with Malfoy money!"
Professor Snape's head snapped up and he glared, his eyes narrowing angrily.
Hermione winced, snapping her mouth shut with an audible snap.
"As I was saying," he continued with irritation. "As soon as the test to legally verify the fact that Lucius *is* the father of your unborn child, the sum of 1,000 galleons will be deposited to your Gringotts' account monthly -- retroactive to the beginning of your pregnancy -- and will continue for the duration of your confinement. Medical expenses, should any be incurred, will also be taken care of by the estate."
Pausing only long enough to make sure Professor Snape had finished kingking this time, Hermione shook her head. "Find some charity for it. I don't want their money," she repeated, this time managing to say it calmly.
"Don't be stupid, child," Professor Snape snapped.
Hermione bristled. She was *not* a child.
Rolling his eyes, Snape locked gazes with her. "If you *must*, Miss Granger, for your *precious* Gryffindor morality," he sneered, "consider the money punitive damages for what he did to you. Consider this as well. Aside from power, there was nothing Lucius Malfoy cared for more than money. Picture, if you will," he continued, sneering, "his utter hatred of having any of his beloved money end up in your hands."
Utterly against her will, the corners of her mouth twitched upward, and before she knew it, she was laughing. No polite, *dainty* giggles for her, what came out of her were full-throated belly laughs that had tears streaming down her face and her arms braced across her stomach as the muscles began to ache. She didn't know why she found the concept so hilariously funny. Sure, it was irony to the core, but side splitting?
It wasn't until she noticed the growing irritation on Professor Snape's face that she managed to get herself under control. Blushing, a little embarrassed at her outburst, Hermione subsided back into her chair. "Sorry," she muttered.
"I suppose that your . . . hysteria . . . has ended?" he inquired sourly.
Fighting against another round, Hermione nodded. "Yes, Sir," she replied. That was a good description of her spate of laughter, but then, she was entitled, and she certainly felt better now.
"In that case I shall continue."
"By all means," Hermione retorted, her eyes snapping wide as soon as the words were out of her mouth. She'd just snarked back to Professor Snape! She was *so* going to get it now. To her everlasting surprise, he merely deepened his glare before returning his attention to the parchment on his desk.
"Should you decide to keep the child--"
"Never!" Hermione snapped.
"Pray, do NOT interrupt again, Miss Granger!" Snape shouted, bringing one fist down solidly onto his desk.
Hermione jumped as the sound echoed through his office, surprisingly surprised by the return of 'angry Snape'. Why? He was *always* angry about something . . . wasn't he? Hermione frowned as she thought back over the last several months. It came as something of a shock to her to realize that he hadn't yelled or truly sneered at her much at all in the last month. It had happened so slowly that she couldn't really pinpoint the moment she'd stopped expecting it the moment she opened her mouth.
She blinked, staring sightlessly at the dark professor seated across the desk from her. The thought was a bit numbing. When had she become so comfortable around the snarkiest of Hogwart's Professors? Preferring his brand of . . . sameness was one thing, this *ease* was something else entirely. She liked it; didn't understand it, but liked it. When she returned to awareness, the professor was still speaking, and she had to wonder if she'd missed anything.
"You cannot make an informed decision on the best interests of the child -- something you *claim* to be interested in -- without *all* the options . . . even the uninviting ones."
With her newfound awareness, Hermione noticed the heat in his voice slowly dissipating as he spoke and wondered why. All of Hogwarts knew -- students and professors alike -- that once the potions master went on a tear, he could stay on it . . . a very long time.
"You've asked me to assist you, Miss Granger. I have agreed," he continued shortly. "As such, I will be thorough in my investigations, and you will *listen* to what I have to say." He paused, eyes narrowing as he stared at her measuringly. "Are we clear?"
Hermione nodded slowly. "Yes, we are," she agreed. "As long as *you* are clear on the fact that while I'll listen, I may or may not *take* your . . . suggestions."
Snape smirked so broadly it could almost be considered an actual smile. "Of course not," he practically purred. "Far be it for a *Gryffindor* to take the sound advice of Slytherin."
Snorting, Hermione grinned. She was beginning to realize that Snape could be funny . . . when she wasn't taking his acidic comments to heart.
His expression quickly turning serious, he breathed in deeply before continuing. "As I was saying before your childish interruption; giving up the child for adoption ends all monetary support. If you raise the child yourself, a trust fund with the initial amount of 10,000 galleons will be set up for the child. It and its ensuing interest will be available when the child reaches the age of 18. Additionally, the monthly sum of 1,000 galleons will continue to be deposited into your account."
She frowned, not liking what she was hearing. "You mean if I don't keep the child, he or she will lose out on the trust fund?"
Professor Snape nodded, leaning back in his chair.
"But that's not fair!"
"Oh yes," Snape retorted drily, rolling his eyes, "and I'm sure you've discovered that life is *always* ever-so-fair."
Hermione glared. He knew damn well she had found exactly the opposite. Which was exactly the point, she supposed. Life wasn't fair, and her exclamation *had* been a bit ridiculous. Thoughts whirled as she considered what this meant, how it might affect both her and the child. There was no way she could keep it, she'd already decided that, and couldn't see much of anything changing the decision.
So, she would se her her own trust fund. She didn't want the Malfoy money, nor could she see needing to use much of it -- especially with any possible medical expenses out of the way -- she would simply set aside most of what was given to her. It may not be the whopping 10,000 the estate would have settled on the child, it would still be a sizable amount. She could add 700 a month, as she truly did not see needing more than 300 a month for the duration of most of her pregnancy. She snorted, most of it would be spent here at Hogwarts, where she needed nothing but her already purchased school supplies. And since she was giving the child up, only the very basic newborn necessities would need to be purchased in preparation for its birth. She relayed as much to the professor.
He nodded in agreement when she relayed her thoughts aloud. "Indeed, a sensible plan. The money will be less, but then, money isn't everything."
"No, it isn't," she agreed easily. "I've certainly never seen Draco actually *happy*."
An eyebrow shot upward and the professor stared at her oddly as she used Dracoiveniven name.
Hermione shifted uncomfortable, rather embarrassed at her reasons, but haltingly told him why.
He said nothing in response, but did smirk when she finished. "I just might pay to watch Mr. Malfoy the first time you actually call him Draco to his face."
Her lips twitching upward, Hermione couldn't quite stop the giggle. "I pictured a bit of . . . protest when I first considered it," she admitted ruefully.~~~~~
That had been last night. Now she was facing the imminent return of all the other students. Surprisingly, she was looking forward to it far more than she had been at dinner. Something seemed more . . . settled now. She couldn't quite put her finger on what, ely, ly, it was, but it seemed a part of her was less raw than it had been.
Professor Snape hadn't found any families yet, but it was early in the search. There were still over 4 months to go, after all. Drawing in a deep, reassuring breath, Hermione left behind the sanctuary of her room and headed down toward the entrance. Harry, Ron . . . and Draco, would be arriving any time now, and she really wanted to be onhand when her two best friends arrived. Circumstances being what they were, she hadn't spent much time around them since her return to Hogwarts and she wanted to try and make it up to them. That and, she admitted only to herself, she *really* wanted to find out what the frilly heck was up with Ron and Draco. She was absolutely *dying* to know how they managed to become friends. She would have beggared herself betting it wasn't a remote possibility in this lifetime or the next.
She broke into a broad grin, her heart jumping as the front entrance came into sight. At that moment, the door opened and the three boys stepped through. "Harry! Ron!" she exclaimed, striding forward and steeling herself for any contact. Ron hesitated only the briefest moment, then pulled her into a tight hug.
"You're back!" He whispered joyously into her ear before releasing her.
Harry was only a split second behind him, pulling her into just as tight a hug as Ron. "Good to see you, Hermione."
She grinned at them both, feeling very satisfied with herself. She hadn't flinched either time, and hadn't even felt the urge to. Now, though, came the harder part. She turned and faced Draco, the living image of her nightmare.
"I hope you're not expecting me to hug you?" he said drily.
Hermione started to take immediate offense, but there was just something . . . familiar about his tone, and that odd familiarity told her he didn't mean it quite the way he would have before this year. Eyes narrowing briefly, she snorted in mock disdain. "Oh, of course not, wouldn't want you soiling my robes with all that . . . purity," she retorted, her eyes dancing merrily, pretending to a 'delicate shudder'.
Feeling inordinately proud of herself as three jaws dropped, Hermione turned and started to walk away. She giggled when she realized she wasn't being followed. She turned enough to glance over her shoulder. "Well," she asked, a tiny hint of her old imperiousness showing through, "are you going to stand in the doorway all day, or are we going to catch up?"
When all three shook themselves and started toward her, Hermione's heart swelled, and for the very first time in months, she felt like everything really was going to be alright.
TBC
Kiristeen
Feedback: It's the bomb, and mucho appreciated.
Kiristeen@kiristeen.com
.
DLD -- Draco's dream was merely his stress about his future and his 'obligations' coming out with Freudian intensity. : )
**********
Chapter Thirty-Two
**********
It's official. Hermione was absolutely stunned. Cony toy to her beliefs of several days ago, the Malfoy will *did* have a codicil attached and she was staring at a copy of it incomprehensibly. The mind boggled, and it had been with great difficulty that Hermione wrenched her attention back to Professor Snape when he'd been informing her of the details.
~~~~~"Lucius Malfoy's personal will has no mention of possible heirs other than Draco--"
**Like *that* is surprising!**
"--The estate will, the one that controls the entailed properties, does. Apparently, it's been in place for generations."
Hermione's eyes widened, suddenly, quite unwillingly, picturing a time when the Malfoy family cared enough aboutple ple to actually make sure everyone was taken care of. She frowned. It didn't fit very well with her world image.
"Provisions have been made for the discovery of a woman found to be with child upon the death of a Malfoy. The money will begin depositing to your Gringotts' account as soon as the tests to verify the bloodline of the child are--."
Hermione's jaw dropped, and if she'd been physically able she'd have jumped from her chair. Unfortunately, her current condition precluded such dramatic gestures. She settled for shouting. "I don't want anything to do with Malfoy money!"
Professor Snape's head snapped up and he glared, his eyes narrowing angrily.
Hermione winced, snapping her mouth shut with an audible snap.
"As I was saying," he continued with irritation. "As soon as the test to legally verify the fact that Lucius *is* the father of your unborn child, the sum of 1,000 galleons will be deposited to your Gringotts' account monthly -- retroactive to the beginning of your pregnancy -- and will continue for the duration of your confinement. Medical expenses, should any be incurred, will also be taken care of by the estate."
Pausing only long enough to make sure Professor Snape had finished kingking this time, Hermione shook her head. "Find some charity for it. I don't want their money," she repeated, this time managing to say it calmly.
"Don't be stupid, child," Professor Snape snapped.
Hermione bristled. She was *not* a child.
Rolling his eyes, Snape locked gazes with her. "If you *must*, Miss Granger, for your *precious* Gryffindor morality," he sneered, "consider the money punitive damages for what he did to you. Consider this as well. Aside from power, there was nothing Lucius Malfoy cared for more than money. Picture, if you will," he continued, sneering, "his utter hatred of having any of his beloved money end up in your hands."
Utterly against her will, the corners of her mouth twitched upward, and before she knew it, she was laughing. No polite, *dainty* giggles for her, what came out of her were full-throated belly laughs that had tears streaming down her face and her arms braced across her stomach as the muscles began to ache. She didn't know why she found the concept so hilariously funny. Sure, it was irony to the core, but side splitting?
It wasn't until she noticed the growing irritation on Professor Snape's face that she managed to get herself under control. Blushing, a little embarrassed at her outburst, Hermione subsided back into her chair. "Sorry," she muttered.
"I suppose that your . . . hysteria . . . has ended?" he inquired sourly.
Fighting against another round, Hermione nodded. "Yes, Sir," she replied. That was a good description of her spate of laughter, but then, she was entitled, and she certainly felt better now.
"In that case I shall continue."
"By all means," Hermione retorted, her eyes snapping wide as soon as the words were out of her mouth. She'd just snarked back to Professor Snape! She was *so* going to get it now. To her everlasting surprise, he merely deepened his glare before returning his attention to the parchment on his desk.
"Should you decide to keep the child--"
"Never!" Hermione snapped.
"Pray, do NOT interrupt again, Miss Granger!" Snape shouted, bringing one fist down solidly onto his desk.
Hermione jumped as the sound echoed through his office, surprisingly surprised by the return of 'angry Snape'. Why? He was *always* angry about something . . . wasn't he? Hermione frowned as she thought back over the last several months. It came as something of a shock to her to realize that he hadn't yelled or truly sneered at her much at all in the last month. It had happened so slowly that she couldn't really pinpoint the moment she'd stopped expecting it the moment she opened her mouth.
She blinked, staring sightlessly at the dark professor seated across the desk from her. The thought was a bit numbing. When had she become so comfortable around the snarkiest of Hogwart's Professors? Preferring his brand of . . . sameness was one thing, this *ease* was something else entirely. She liked it; didn't understand it, but liked it. When she returned to awareness, the professor was still speaking, and she had to wonder if she'd missed anything.
"You cannot make an informed decision on the best interests of the child -- something you *claim* to be interested in -- without *all* the options . . . even the uninviting ones."
With her newfound awareness, Hermione noticed the heat in his voice slowly dissipating as he spoke and wondered why. All of Hogwarts knew -- students and professors alike -- that once the potions master went on a tear, he could stay on it . . . a very long time.
"You've asked me to assist you, Miss Granger. I have agreed," he continued shortly. "As such, I will be thorough in my investigations, and you will *listen* to what I have to say." He paused, eyes narrowing as he stared at her measuringly. "Are we clear?"
Hermione nodded slowly. "Yes, we are," she agreed. "As long as *you* are clear on the fact that while I'll listen, I may or may not *take* your . . . suggestions."
Snape smirked so broadly it could almost be considered an actual smile. "Of course not," he practically purred. "Far be it for a *Gryffindor* to take the sound advice of Slytherin."
Snorting, Hermione grinned. She was beginning to realize that Snape could be funny . . . when she wasn't taking his acidic comments to heart.
His expression quickly turning serious, he breathed in deeply before continuing. "As I was saying before your childish interruption; giving up the child for adoption ends all monetary support. If you raise the child yourself, a trust fund with the initial amount of 10,000 galleons will be set up for the child. It and its ensuing interest will be available when the child reaches the age of 18. Additionally, the monthly sum of 1,000 galleons will continue to be deposited into your account."
She frowned, not liking what she was hearing. "You mean if I don't keep the child, he or she will lose out on the trust fund?"
Professor Snape nodded, leaning back in his chair.
"But that's not fair!"
"Oh yes," Snape retorted drily, rolling his eyes, "and I'm sure you've discovered that life is *always* ever-so-fair."
Hermione glared. He knew damn well she had found exactly the opposite. Which was exactly the point, she supposed. Life wasn't fair, and her exclamation *had* been a bit ridiculous. Thoughts whirled as she considered what this meant, how it might affect both her and the child. There was no way she could keep it, she'd already decided that, and couldn't see much of anything changing the decision.
So, she would se her her own trust fund. She didn't want the Malfoy money, nor could she see needing to use much of it -- especially with any possible medical expenses out of the way -- she would simply set aside most of what was given to her. It may not be the whopping 10,000 the estate would have settled on the child, it would still be a sizable amount. She could add 700 a month, as she truly did not see needing more than 300 a month for the duration of most of her pregnancy. She snorted, most of it would be spent here at Hogwarts, where she needed nothing but her already purchased school supplies. And since she was giving the child up, only the very basic newborn necessities would need to be purchased in preparation for its birth. She relayed as much to the professor.
He nodded in agreement when she relayed her thoughts aloud. "Indeed, a sensible plan. The money will be less, but then, money isn't everything."
"No, it isn't," she agreed easily. "I've certainly never seen Draco actually *happy*."
An eyebrow shot upward and the professor stared at her oddly as she used Dracoiveniven name.
Hermione shifted uncomfortable, rather embarrassed at her reasons, but haltingly told him why.
He said nothing in response, but did smirk when she finished. "I just might pay to watch Mr. Malfoy the first time you actually call him Draco to his face."
Her lips twitching upward, Hermione couldn't quite stop the giggle. "I pictured a bit of . . . protest when I first considered it," she admitted ruefully.~~~~~
That had been last night. Now she was facing the imminent return of all the other students. Surprisingly, she was looking forward to it far more than she had been at dinner. Something seemed more . . . settled now. She couldn't quite put her finger on what, ely, ly, it was, but it seemed a part of her was less raw than it had been.
Professor Snape hadn't found any families yet, but it was early in the search. There were still over 4 months to go, after all. Drawing in a deep, reassuring breath, Hermione left behind the sanctuary of her room and headed down toward the entrance. Harry, Ron . . . and Draco, would be arriving any time now, and she really wanted to be onhand when her two best friends arrived. Circumstances being what they were, she hadn't spent much time around them since her return to Hogwarts and she wanted to try and make it up to them. That and, she admitted only to herself, she *really* wanted to find out what the frilly heck was up with Ron and Draco. She was absolutely *dying* to know how they managed to become friends. She would have beggared herself betting it wasn't a remote possibility in this lifetime or the next.
She broke into a broad grin, her heart jumping as the front entrance came into sight. At that moment, the door opened and the three boys stepped through. "Harry! Ron!" she exclaimed, striding forward and steeling herself for any contact. Ron hesitated only the briefest moment, then pulled her into a tight hug.
"You're back!" He whispered joyously into her ear before releasing her.
Harry was only a split second behind him, pulling her into just as tight a hug as Ron. "Good to see you, Hermione."
She grinned at them both, feeling very satisfied with herself. She hadn't flinched either time, and hadn't even felt the urge to. Now, though, came the harder part. She turned and faced Draco, the living image of her nightmare.
"I hope you're not expecting me to hug you?" he said drily.
Hermione started to take immediate offense, but there was just something . . . familiar about his tone, and that odd familiarity told her he didn't mean it quite the way he would have before this year. Eyes narrowing briefly, she snorted in mock disdain. "Oh, of course not, wouldn't want you soiling my robes with all that . . . purity," she retorted, her eyes dancing merrily, pretending to a 'delicate shudder'.
Feeling inordinately proud of herself as three jaws dropped, Hermione turned and started to walk away. She giggled when she realized she wasn't being followed. She turned enough to glance over her shoulder. "Well," she asked, a tiny hint of her old imperiousness showing through, "are you going to stand in the doorway all day, or are we going to catch up?"
When all three shook themselves and started toward her, Hermione's heart swelled, and for the very first time in months, she felt like everything really was going to be alright.
TBC
Kiristeen
Feedback: It's the bomb, and mucho appreciated.
Kiristeen@kiristeen.com
.