Hermione's New World

Thanks to my reviewers! Please keep them coming...then maybe I\'ll be motivated to write more, although I\'ve got so many other stories going on at once :) Pardon no editing...my muse goes off and I can\'t help but want to post...

Chapter IV: Telling her, teaching her

“Miss Granger. I’ve been expecting you.”

Hermione immediately flustered. Even though she knew Professor Snape was part of the Order and respected him greatly, he still had that belittling effect on her. No doubt from his treatment of her and her friends in the classroom. And she never really forgave him for the comment “I see no difference.”

“Professor…I suppose you have come to take me to my meeting with the headmaster?”

“That meeting has been delayed…there is something else of urgent matter that I must speak with you about.”

Hermione, too shaken to speak, merely nodded and followed the Professor in through the main doors of the castle. Instead of heading toward Dumbledore’s office, or the Room of Requirement, Snape proceeded to lead her straight down into the dungeons. Hermione started to get a little more nervous, then calmed herself by remembering how much Dumbledore respected the man her friends called the greasy git of the dungeons.

She followed him deeper into the dungeons, down hallways she never knew existed before. Suddenly a door appeared in front of them, and Hermione was surprised to hear Snape mutter his password so that she could hear him. She instantly felt several wards lift off as he opened the large wooden door and the two stepped into what Hermione knew must be his private chambers.

She took minute to absorb her surroundings, despite that she as beginning to wonder what the hell Professor Snape was doing bringing her to his private rooms.

The circular foyer was surrounded by rich mahogany with deep purple tapestries. Expensive paintings were hung there, some muggle, some were moving portraits. She had to admit, the professor had good taste. Since he had now disappeared, Hermione curiously peeked into one of the four doorways around her. One was closed, she had no idea what to think of that. One obviously led to a kitchen and dining area. Another led to a vast den/study area, which also include a rich library. As much as she wanted to wander in and peek at the book titles, the remaining doorway held her attention the most. Inside was a private potions lab. The inside was indescribable and she couldn’t help but be drawn inside. She heard a chuckle behind her.

“Ever the curious student, Miss Granger. However, I would have guessed your attention would have been more drawn to the library.”

Hermione turned and gave a small smile. “As would I. I had no idea the potions and collections you have in this room would captivate my interest away from books.”

“Perhaps you and I are more alike than either of us ever knew.” He said, giving her an expression she didn’t know her professor was capable of. It both captivated and frightened her.

“Here…” He said producing a bottle of firewhiskey and two glasses. “You may want to have one…or more…of these.”

Hermione quirked a brow, much like she had seen her professor do in the past. “Are you trying to get me drunk? I think this is highly inappropriate…” She suddenly took a step back, her stance ready to pull out her wand in a fragment of a second.

“No need to defend yourself, Miss Granger. I mean you no harm. But I need to discuss something with you…and you may feel the need for a stiff drink once you find out what it is.”

“I doubt there is nothing more than inappropriate relations to discuss with you without the presence of…” She stammered, suddenly unsure of the words coming out of her mouth.

Suddenly Snape started to laugh out loud. “Why on earth would you think I mean to seduce you?”

“But…you brought me here alone…and the drink…”

“Miss Granger…I assure that I would never proposition a student. Especially one that it my own daughter.”

Hermione fainted at his feet.

At the Burrow…

Bill Weasley and Harry were both laughing at a prank the twins had just pulled on Ron. He was now covered with glue and chicken feathers. After Fred finally muttered the countered spell, Ron went ballistic. He then stopped when a noise came from the fireplace. They all turned to see who was flooing in.

“Charlie!” They all cried at once, as everyone gathered close to greet the last Weasley to arrive this summer. He had been assigned to Order business, so no one had seen him since the last Christmas holidays. Soon Mrs. Weasley came into the room and, after, hugging her son and reprimanding him for not owling the last month, announced that dinner was ready.

As they all gathered at the table, Ginny and Mr. Wealsey included, Charlie noticed that an extra place had been set. “Whose that for?”

“Hermione.” Ron quickly answered before anyone else had the opportunity, as they were all serving their plates. “She’s been delayed…Head Girl stuff at Hogwarts and such.”

“Ronnies favorite…the most bee-yoo-tee-ful girl in the world.” Fred answered in a sickening sweet voice.

George and Harry laughed, while Ginny punched Fred in the arm.

Charlie rolled his eyes. “Guess I’ll finally be meeting miss know-it-all.” *and certainly not the most beautiful…not compared to my love*

Bill laughed. “Yes, you do seem to keep missing her. Although no one misses her as much as Ronniekins.”

Ron turned a deep red as the others laughed.


Back at Hogwarts…

Hermione moaned as she fell back into consciousness. She jerked her head as she smelled something penetrate her senses. Opening her eyes she was that her professor…her father?...had poured a glass of firewhiskey for her and was holding it up to her nose.

“Are you alright, Hermione?” He asked in an awkward tone. He wasn’t used to being nice, but didn’t have the heart to be mean to his own flesh and blood…not when they were alone and no prying eyes or ears were nearby.

She nodded, then took the glass. She tentatively took a small sip, then slammed the rest of the glasses contents back. She let the foul drink settle as she looked Professor Snape in the eye. “How?”

Her father sighed. He was mentally prepared for this, but not emotionally. The recently returned memory still plagued him…haunted him. Despite his many days as a spy as a deatheater, telling ones daughter that he raped her mother took the cake on trying control his emotions.

“This isn’t easy, Hermione. It goes back…to my deatheater days.”

The room was cold silent for a moment.

“You raped my mother.” Hermione said silently. Her heart slowed her response, not her brain.

“I…I cannot make up for that, Hermione. You know all too well what is expected of a deatheater. But I will tell this…” He reached over and took her small hands into his. “I didn’t want to. It was my first and I was sickened by it. I know I can’t expect you to understand…”

“Show me.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Show me. You must have it in your pensieve. And I am guessing that you had your memory obliviated, perhaps telling Albus of it…”

“You are too smart, my dear.” Professor Snape said with a smirk. “And yes, you may see for yourself. I knew that a mind so similar to my own would demand answers by seeing first hand.”

Five minutes later Hermione was in tears and in her father’s arms. She knew…had seen…the truth, and accepted it. If anything, her father had saved her mother…and her own life…no, he likely gave her life with the fertility spell…in the process.

“What should I call you now?” She asked meekly, holding her glass out for a refill.

The professor poured her another drink. “In public, we will need to act as we have the past six years. In private? That I will leave up to you. I know it is too much to ask for the title of ‘father’ or ‘dad’. My first name is Severus. You are welcome to call me that.” He handed her glass and poured one for himself…actually his third, but who was counting at a time like this?

“How about Sev?”

Severus choked on his drink.

Hermione laughed, tears still welled in her eyes from earlier. “It’s endearing, yet not quite ‘father’ or ‘dad’. Perhaps in time…but for now, I would like to call you ‘Sev’.”

“So be it.” Her father replied. “Now, when you’re done with your drink I think you should lie down for awhile. Dinner will be at 6:30 tonight, the meeting will begin sometime soon after. At that time the head boy shall also arrive.”

“And who made head boy?”

“Draco Malfoy.”

This time it was Hermione’s turn to choke on her drink.


To Be Continued…

Hey, thanks for the reviews…please keep the coming! I’m shy in asking…but not getting any for the first two chapters was hard on the muse, ya know?

And thanks to those that reviewed…and it was really sweet for those who saw my reviews of their stories and then read mine! You’re awesome! Oh, parts of my website are finally back up…and some of my original fan fic world stories. Ever read Trixie Belden? Here is the site: http://wildernessdance.jixemitri.net/