A Knock at the Door

A Knock at the Door by Pearle

Summary: The war is over and Hogwarts is about to start a new school year. A knock at the door of Severus Snape’s office is about to change his life and the lives of those around him. HG/SS


Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.


~~~~~~ A Knock at the Door ~~~~~~

Chapter 4. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, A Sorting We Will Go


Silenus stood nervously just outside the Great Hall. The new students had just arrived in the boats with Hagrid. Her mother had said she could go meet the Hogwarts Express with Hagrid and then take the boats across with the other first years as was the tradition. Uncle Harry had just arrived a few minutes before she left. Her mother had told her numerous times that she had meet Uncle Harry on the Hogwarts Train. Hagrid seemed nice enough and she didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but she didn’t know him. He kept going on and on about our little Hermione and how he couldn’t believe she was all grown up. She’d much rather stay in their quarters with her mom and Uncle Harry than go out into the rain and ride across the lake in a boat. Really, she hadn’t lost her mind yet.

She could hear the sound of voices coming from the Great Hall. Ttherther students had already arrived at the castle. The castle amazed her. In America, her mother had worked at The Witchfield Academy. The Academy was located in the middle of nowhere between Chicago and Indianapolis and hidden from Muggle view. The buildings were solid brick and the grounds around the school stretched out flat for miles. She missed her friends. Some of the instructors at the Academy had children her own age. A tutor on the school grounds taught the staff’s children. Silenus watched the new students coming up the path and stepped forward to where Professor McGonagall was waiting with a lantern.

Professor McGonagall nodded as she approached. “Miss Granger. I see you have chosen to wait in the castle for the other first years.”

Silenus smiled at the witch. “Yes ma’am. I really did not want to go out into the rain.” The dampness of the Scottish highlands settled into the two witches as they waited for the other students.

“Did your mother explain to you the different houses and what will take place at tonight’s feast? I understand it is different then the process at Witchfield.”

“Yes ma’am, at Witchfield, five stones would be dropped into a hat. When a student reached in the hat, four of the five stonouldould disappear and one stone would remain. The names of the dormitories were listed on the stones.” Said Silenus.

“Interesting. Were the stones always right?” McGonagall asked skeptically. Some type of hat to sort students seemed to be used at most wizarding schools in one form or another she thought.

“Oh yes, one year a wizard tried to put his own stone into the hat, but the name magically changed when he took it out.” Silenus looked up as the students reached the top of the path.

Professor McGonagall nodded her understanding and said, “You may join the other students now Miss Granger.”

Silenus walked forward to stand next to a short blond girl with sparkling blue eyes. “Hi, my name is Jessica Brownynn. I didn’t see you on the train.” The girl seemed friendly as she spoke with Silenus.

“My name is Silenus Granger. My mother works here in the castle so I wasn’t on the train.”

“You’re not from around here are you? Granger? Your name sounds familiar.” Jessica was just about to start questioning Silenus when Professor McGonagall clapped her hands for attention.

“Quiet please. In a few minutes we will enter the Great Hall where you will be sorted into your houses. The four houses are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards...I hope each of you will cre credit to whichever house you are sorted. Your houses will be like your family while you are here at Hogwarts. You will earn or lose points for your house based on your behavior and academics. A house cup will be awarded at the end of the year to the house with the most points. If you will wait right here, I will return in a moment.” McGonagall turned and walked back through the main doors leaving the students to wait nervously in the doorway.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Severus Snape’s glare was hostile as he stared down the table at the young man sitting next to Hermione. Harry Potter. The boy was a constant pain in his arse. He seemed destined to spend his life trying to avoid the little twit. Hermione’s laughter drifted down the table. There was an empty seat to her right where McGonagall would sit after the new students were sorted. Potter sat to her left. Further down the table sat Madame Pince and Madam Pomfrey, their heads bowed in conversation.

Silenus and Hermione had consumed his thoughts all day. He was not sure how he felt. He was pleased the girl seemed to be intelligent and mature beyond her age. He was not too sure he would have survived if she had spent the entire last evening giggling like so many adolescents were prone to do. He was uneasy at what the final outcome of tonight’s sorting might be. How would he feel if Silenus were sorted into Gryffindor? How much did the Gods hate him? Was there a limit as to how much he was supposed to endure? How would Hermione feel if the girl was a Slytherin?

Hone.one. How did he feel about her? His anger at her deception had not abated. He understood the reasons for the charade, but not to the length of time she had allowed it to last. He was a difficult man. He knew that. Not necessarily approachable or all that nice for that matter. But did that give her the right to make the decision for him? He thought not. He had believed the Snape line should end with him. He had never planned to have a child, but obviously the fates had different plans. His feelings were no longer so definite now that he knew he had a daughter. He would have to see what type of relationship they could establish. Snape groaned and covered his face with his hand. ‘Relationship? Where did that come from?’ He wondered. He’d think about that later too.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Hermione nodded to Severus as she walked into the great hall and took her seat next to Harry. She saw the Potions Master glaring daggers at Harry.

“I am so glad you’ve decided to return to Hogwarts, Hermione. I really have missed seeing you.” Harry’s smile was quick and genuine. “I can’t believe you have a daughter old enough to attend Hogwarts. Even if the git is her father.”

“Harry, don’t start. He served the light the same as you did. He even saved your life during the final battle!” Hermione’s eyes snapped fire. “What ever happened between Severus and me was not then an not not now open for discussion. You don’t have to like him, but he is Silenus’s father.”

“Did your copy of Hogwarts: A History update after the final battle? Is that how you know what happened?” Harry asked playfully.

Hermione looked at him and burst out laughing. “Harry, We did get newspapers in America. I kept up with a lot of the comings and goings around here.”

“Take it easy. I know moving here was tough, but I really am glad you’re back. I’d rather have not survived Voldemort just to get hexed by you. Silenus seem to be handling being here and meeting Snape. How do you think she’s doing?” Harry asked, concern for his friend written all over his face.

“Well, she seemed alright last night, but she was very quiet today. She’s a bit concerned about moving into a dorm tonight after the sortiI waI was telling her about our first….” Hermione’s chatter was cut short as Professor Dumbledore moved to his chair at the center of the head table.

Dumbledore aimed his wand and cast Sonorus on himself. “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts,” the Headmaster’s voice resounded through out the Great Hall. He nodded to his Deputy Head Mistress, Professor McGonagall as he continued, “Professor McGonagall will you please escort the first year students in so that they may be sorted.”

The new students were chattering among themselves, trying to look everywhere at once. Silenus caught her mother’s eye and nodded nervously. She looked at the other end of the table to see Professor Snape watching her. She offered him a nervous smile before turning her attention to the sorting in front of her.

McGonagall was unscrolling the parchment in her hand. She stood to the side while the sorting hat sang this year’s song.

“There came two witches and two wizards
A long, long time ago when I was very new
They built a school proper of brick and stone and magic
With one purpose in mind, of all that they should do………”
The sorting hat droned on. “………………
Wherever you should go, the right thing you must do,
And with that thought in mind, I want to sort out you!”

McGonagall called out as the hat finished its long-winded song, “When I call your names, you will come up, I will place the hat on your head and you will be sorted.”

“Cynthia Adams.” A short girl of average build made her way nervously to the front of the Hall. She sat on the three-legged stool and waited while McGonagall put the hat on her head. The hat thought for a minute and shouted out “Ravenclaw!” There was cheering and the girl ran over to the Ravenclaw table.

And so it went, Melissa Amberton went into Gryffindor. Michael Athers went into Hufflepuff. Each child was called up and sorted. The girl Silenus was standing with, Jessica Brownynn was sorted into Slytherin. And so on with the next. Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and on.

Suddenly it was Silenus’s turn. Her mouth went dry as she heard her name called.

“Silenus Granger.” There was a murmur in the Great Hall as the name Granger was said. Her mother was known for her effort in the war, even if the Wizard World thought her dead.

She looked straight ahead as she walked up to the stool. She sat down and Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on her head.

“Well, well. What have we here?” The hat asked; it’s words sounding in her mind. “Yes, I have seen this before. Two strong houses, two forces in your mind. Your clever and ambitious, Slytherin would do you well, but you have a roar in side you, brave and loyal little Gryffindor, where ever shall I put you?”

Silenus sat quietly listening to the voice. Her body was tense, where would she go?

Severus and Hermione were both unconsciously leaning forward, holding their breath, waiting for the hat’s announcement.

“Yes, I think I know the best to be……..”

“Slytherin!” the hat shouted.

The Slytherin table cheered. Hermione’s smile wavered and she blinked her eyes several times. She had composed herself by the time her daughter turned to look at her. She applauded and nodded her head while she smiled. Snape was beside himself. His eyes shown with a seldom seen glee. For the first time ever, his applause was genuine.

Professor McGonagall’s voice faltered as she read the next name, “Thomas Gratland.” How could a two Gryffindors have a child in Slytherin? Hermione and Harry? McGonagall looked up at the Headmaster, as impossible as it seemed, his eyes were twinkling brighter.

Hermione looked over at her daughter. She was talking to the girl she had been standing in line with and laughing at something. She seemed happy enoughe lhe looked down the table at Snape; he had a broad smirk on his face. He raised his glass in a silent toast. Hermione couldn’t help but smile at the look on his face as she ed hed her own glass to him.

Harry grumbled at her side, “I don’t believe it! There must be some mistake. Look at the git.”

“Let it be Harry. Maybe this is right. Maybe this is what Silenus needs. What we all need.”

“Hermione. You know, you never what to talk about what went on between you two. You avoid the subject every time I bring it up.” Harry’s eyes were intense as he quietly said, “You were gone a long time ‘Mione. We all thought you were dead. I may not like Snape. But he went crazy looking for you. Sometime you’re going to have to deal with it.”

“I know Harry, I know.” Hermione was quiet for a moment, lost in thought.

The exchange between Snape and Hermione did not go unnoticed by the other occupants at the Head Table.

“Harry, are you staying over at the castle tonight?”

“Yeah, Albus has guest rooms for me. I kind of thought you could use some company with Silenus not coming back to your quarters and all.” Harry smiled and Hermione felt better.

“Amanda Zeller.”

“Ravenclaw!” And the last first year was sorted.

The Headmaster stood and made his Welcoming remarks, said the necessary announcements and started the feast.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

McGonagall made her way around the head table and sat down. She turned to the Headmaster as he finished the announcements. “Albus, there must be a mistake. How could Miss Granger be in Slytherin?”

The Headmaster smiled, “No Minerva, there is no mistake. I believe everything is fine. Sometime the fates have a different plan laid out than the obvious.”

Minerva could only shake her head.

As the feast progress, the Headmaster turned to the man next to him, “Congratulations Severus. I would like to have a word with you immediately after the feast if I may. I have received an owl from the Ministry that we need to discuss.”

“Of course Headmaster, and thank you.”

The Headmaster turned to Hermione, “Congratulations, Miss Granger. I believe Silenus will do well. I would like to have a word with you immediately after the feast if I may. You may attend too if you like Mr. Potter.”

Hermione and Harry nodded and returned to their meals.

“Albus, what is it?”

“We shall discuss this later Minerva.”

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

As the feast ended, Hermione went over to hug her daughter. Snape stood at a distance watching the scene.

“Congratulations, honey. I am very proud of you. You know where to find me if you need me. I’m going to miss you!” Hermione was a bit choked up.

“You’re not upset mom?” Silenus asked. She knew her mother had wanted her in Gryffindor.

“Not at all. You will be great. Now go before your Head of House deducts point for lateness.” Mother and daughter turned to look at Snape and started to laugh.

Snape looked behind him, not sure why he was suddenly the focus of their attention, but he noticed they were smiling. “What ever could that be about?” He was pleased at the evening’s outcome. Perhaps good fortune would finally smile on him. With a light step, he took off for the Headmaster’s office.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

The Headmaster was seated at his desk; Minerva was hovering at his left. The Potions Master was just about to ask Dumbledore what the difficulty was when Dumbledore called out, “Come in Miss Granger. Mr. Potter.” Two more chairs magically appeared in front of the desk as they walked in.

Severus raised an eyebrow and looked at the pair as they walked in. They appeared as surprised to see him, as he was to see them. He sat back and waited.

“Severus. Hermione. I would like to congratulate you again on Silenus’s attendance at Hogwarts.” A tea service complete with the chocolate biscuits that he favored magically appeared on the Headmaster’s desk.

Minerva’s confusion was evident on her face. “Albus, what is the meaning of this?”

The Headmaster continued. “Hermione it is my honor to inform you of wining the Order of Merlin First Class for your efforts with the Devitalizing Potion. There is only one small problem.”

“Small problem Headmaster?” Hermione asked confused. She won an order of Merlin!

“Yes, the medal was awarded to you posthumously.”

Snape sat up straighter. He looked at the Headmaster and then at Hermione.

“Yes, it seems the Ministry considers you…… deceased.”

Snape chuckled. ‘Well, this would be interesting.’

“But I’m not dead!”

Harry tried to hold back a laugh of his own. He received an angry glare from Hermione for his effort. Minerva stood quietly to the side watching the by play.

The Headmaster had started to pour the tea. “Yes, Miss Granger I am aware of that fact. But you were listed as missing and then declared deceased. There is one more thing.”

“What else could there be? I’m dead, remember?” Hermione was annoyed and her voice had taken on a snide tone. Now what?

“Since you are listed as deceased you can no longer act as you daughter’s guardian.” The Headmaster’s eyes sparkled, “I am afraid you daughter’s only living relative must act as her guardian until we can straighten out the paper work and have you declared living again. I don’t imagine it will take too long.”

Hermione’s parent had been killed in a raid in her 7th year. There were no living relatives. “Headmaster, there are no…….”

“We cast the Fidelius Charm on Silenus’s original birth certificate. Miss Granger. The birth certificate was hidden from the ministry until today. You listed Silenus’s father.”

Severus burst out laughing as Hermione shrieked. “You can’t mean?!”

“Am afraid I do Miss Granger, until you are declared alive, her father will act in your stead. Severus Snape will now be his daughter Silenus’s new guardian.”

All four looked to the side of the desk as they heard a loud thud. Minerva McGonagall had fainted.

Tbc

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A/N: Ok, did you see that coming? You know how long red tape takes to straighten out. Will they continue to take taxes out of Hermione’s pay if she is deceased? There will be more Silenus and her housemates and father and daughter will start to talk. Oh, and Hermione had something to tell Severus about her name during a later talk, something about……well all that is coming up.

Thank you to all who have reviewed. As always thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are always welcome.
A special thank you to ***Casandra*** who has offered to be my beta.

Regards, Pearle