The Sound of Noise

Hermione pulled the covers over her daughter. She sat on the bed. "Are you happy?" Steph nodded. Hermione kissed her head and then stood. "Sleep well honey. I'll see you in the morning." She turned out the lights and went to her own room.

She started to read but yawned before she could really get into the book. She shook her head as she turned out the light. The time change was catching up to her. She turned onto her side and cuddled underneath the covers. Hermione was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

***

Steph waited for several minutes before she slid out of bed and over to her desk. She grabbed something out of the box on her desk and walked out of her room.

Slowly she crept down the hallway and to her Mother's room. She pushed the door open and waited to see if Hermione would wake up. When she didn't, Steph crept into the room. She looked at her Mother sleeping. She smiled and waited for a few moments. She heard her start murmuring in her sleep.

Quickly, Stephanie wrapped the chain of her necklace from her Father around her wrist and pressed the pendant into Hermione's hand. She watched in satisfaction as her Mom clutched the pendant. She pulled the covers around her shoulders and went back to her room.

***

Severus tossed in his sleep. Why were these dreams coming back? He threw the covers from his body and straightened the graying nightshirt. He sighed. He was not getting out of this bed. He pulled the sheet back over himself and rolled to his side. He was going to get a decent nights sleep, even if it killed him.

He fell back his his troubled sleep, but found his nightmares changing. He was in a dark room. There were small candles floating in the air. He squinted to see if there was anyone else with him. He heard a rustle of fabric, then a voice calling his name. He frowned and stepped forward towards the sound.

He found himself back in Hermione's bedroom. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at him. He raised an eyebrow. "Hermione?"

She nodded and reached for his hand. She pulled him to sit beside her. "Severus...please."

He could only nod as he pressed his lips to hers. He let his body lean against her and followed her back onto the bed. His lips moved over her face and neck; her moans urging his hands to roam.

He ran his hands over her sides and wished that she wasn't wearing so many clothes. With that thought, the material disappeared from under his touch. He groaned at the feel of skin on skin.

Severus cupped one of her full breasts. He noted somewhere in his lust filled mind the difference from her younger self. He pulled away slightly and looked at her. He saw the passion shining in her eyes.

She whispered again. "Severus...please"

He nodded and leaned back down to kiss her. She pulled him on top of her, cradling him with her body. He cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. She smiled at him, looking every bit the sexy angel he had fallen in love with. He felt her hands reach between their bodies, gently stroking him.

He shifted and felt her guiding him inside of her. As he was about to thrust in, the dream was quickly taken away. He woke up, his sheet thrown to the floor, his body hard and ready. He sighed. There was no use trying to sleep now.

***

Hermione jerked awake as the charm fell from her hand onto the floor. She looked around the room, her breath coming in quick pants. She groaned. Many more dreams like that and she would have to buy herself some 'toys'. She stood from the bed and walked to the bathroom. Another cold shower.

***

Steph woke up the next morning and ran into her Mother's room. She frowned when she saw the empty bed. She quickly started searching for her necklace. Biting her lip, she wondered if Mommy had found it. How would she explain what it was doing in here?

She was turning to walk out of the room, her eye caught a sparkle under the edge of the bed. She bent down and picked it up.

"What are you looking for?" Hermione stood in the doorway and watched her daughter.

Steph turned around, the necklace behind her. She smiled and pointed to Hermione.

She laughed. "Me? Steph, you really didn't think I was under the bed do you? Silly girl. Come on. Breakfast is ready. Severus should be here soon." Steph grinned and followed her mother out of the room.

She stopped by her room door. Hermione frowned. "Steph, come on. Breakfast is waiting and your cereal is getting soggy." Steph nodded but went into her room. She put the necklace back in the box with a smile and ran down to breakfast.

***

Severus stopped at the gate. He took a deep breath as he looked at the house. He could do this. It wasn't like she knew about his dream. He straightened his robes and walked up to the house.

He couldn't stop the slight smile that came to his face when the door opened and Stephanie ran out.

A very wet Hermione ran out after her. "You better run little girl! You are in so much trouble when I catch you!" She laughed as she chased after her daughter.

Steph noticed her Father and ran to him. She hid behind him. Severus stopped Hermione. "What in the world is going on here?"

Hermione pushed her wet hair from her face. "Stephanie dumped water on me." She frowned in mock anger at the girl.

Severus held in his grin. "Stephanie, why would you do something like that?"

Steph looked up at him and signed "She said she needed to take a shower."

He turned back and looked at Hermione, his lips twitching as he fought back his laugh. She pushed him playfully. "Go on and laugh. I know you want to."

He finally broke out into laughter causing Stephanie to look at him before she started smiling as well.

Hermione shook her head. "Fine. I'm going to go get cleaned up." She stuck her tongue out at Stephanie before she turned and walked back into the house.

Steph grabbed her Father's hand and pulled him around to the back of the house. She opened the door of the small garden shed and retrieved her broom and the practice snitch. She handed the snitch to her Father and mounted the broom.

He nodded. "Take a few warm-up laps and then I'll release it."

She flew around the yard a few times. Severus watched with pride. She had really taken to flying. That had to have been inherited from his side of the family. He released the Snitch and watched her.

She didn't start for it right away, but circled the yard several more times. He was content to watch her circle, but in the blink of an eye she dove down.

She landed in front of him and held the snitch out. He chuckled. "Toying with the snitch?"

Steph nodded and signed. "Sometimes, it's really easy to catch."

Severus nodded. "I see. Put your things away. We need to see if your Mother is ready to leave."

She frowned as she put her things away and walked with her Father back into the house.

***

Hermione was walking into the kitchen when they came into the house. She smiled. "I'm ready. All dry and put together." She grabbed her light cloak from the hanger beside the door. Steph frowned as she pulled on her own robes.

Her mother ruffled her hair. "I know honey. Robes are hot, but as the saying goes, 'when in Rome..."

Steph nodded and walked out the door. Severus held the door open for Hermione and waited for her to set her wards. Then the family walked to the Three Broomsticks.

***

Hermione stopped Steph before she stepped into the Floo to cast a glamour on her. She then turned the wand on herself. She looked at Severus. "Just a precaution."

He nodded and offered her the floo powder. She took a pinch and stepped into the fireplace with Stephanie. Severus followed them after casting his own glamour.

***

They appeared at the Leaky Cauldron and proceeded to Diagon Ally. Severus led them to Ollivanders. They dropped their glamours as the stepped inside.

The old shopkeeper came from the back of the store. "Ah, Professor Snape. Welcome, welcome. What can I do for you today?"

Severus motioned for Stephanie to step forward. "This young lady needs to buy her first wand."

Ollivander looked at her. "School supply lists haven't been sent out yet Professor." Severus reached into his pocket and handed him a note. The older man read the note and looked at Stephanie. "No voice eh? Could be a problem. The wand will still choose you though, but it will be tricky to use."
He looked up to see Hermione standing in the shop. "As I live and breathe, Hermione Granger."

She smiled. "Hello Mr. Ollivander."

He came around the counter and took her hand. "Ms. Granger. I haven't seen you for what now? Almost twelve years?"

She nodded. "It's been almost twelve years."

Ollivander looked between her and Stephanie as his mind made the connection. "Is this...?"

Hermione nodded. "This is my daughter, Stephanie Jade."

His smiled got a little wider. "Well then, great things are to be expected. Come on now Miss Granger. Your wand awaits."

Severus stepped back and let Stephanie stand at the counter. Hermione watched as Ollivander handed Steph a wand. She frowned and flicked the wand. There was a pop, but nothing happened. Ollivander shook his head and opened another box.

***

Several wand boxes later, Stephanie was near tears. Hermione hugged her tightly. "Calm down. Take a deep breath and relax. It takes several tries to find the right wand."

Steph nodded and wiped her eyes. She turned back to Ollivander and took the next wand. She shook her head and reached for the next that he offered.

Ollivander looked at Hermione. "Is her Father a wizard?" Hermione nodded. The old man nodded. "Do you know what type of wand he uses?"

Severus stepped forward. "I am her Father."

Ollivander's eyes widened. "Ah, ah. I see then. I was searching in the wrong section." He waved his wand and a new selection of boxes appeared. Steph sighed and started the process again.

***

Much later, Stephanie was the proud owner of a 10 inch, mahogany wood, unicorn hair core wand. She had it proudly tucked into her cloak, just like her Father had shown her.

Their glamours were in place as they made their way down the street. Steph looked at her Father and signed. He shook his head. "We can begin practice tomorrow and only at Hogwarts. There is still a law against underage use of magic outside the school."

She turned around and frowned as she kept walking. Hermione nudged Severus' side. He frowned as he looked at her. There was a moment of understand between them and he took her hand in his.

***

Later, they sat on the swing and watched as Steph flew. Hermione looked at him. "You know, for all the complaints and protests you make, you are a decent Father."

He shook his head. "I do not think anyone else would agree with you."

She shrugged. "Stephanie does." She stood and called the girl down to ask about dinner.

***

Severus let his daughter curl against him. She signed as Hermione walked into the house. He nodded. "Yes, your lessons start tomorrow. I believe Flitwick and Minerva will be teaching you then. I am going to speak to Albus to see if you need advanced help in potions."

She nodded and pulled the wand out of her cloak. She turned it around in her hand and looked at it.

Severus spoke quietly. "It becomes part of you. It can cause you pain if broken. Protect it and it will protect you." She nodded as she wiped the fingerprints off the handle. He pulled his own wand. "I have had this wand since I was your age. I have owned others as well. I have even had those broken. No other wand can be like the original. Other wizards will not be able to use your wand. Some of those that are close to you, such as family, may be able to perform simple spells but nothing as powerful as you can accomplish with your own wand."

Steph listened to his speech in amazement. Hermione leaned out the door. "Covington says dinner is almost ready. Come in and wash up." With that, the wands were put away and they all went inside.

***

After a nice meal together, the small family decided to take a stroll through Hogsmeade. Though many of the shops were closed, window shopping was really all they were looking to do. Steph ran ahead several feet, leaving time for Hermione and Severus to talk.

Hermione nervously picked at the edge of her summer cloak. He took her hand. "No worries Hermione. I'm not going to have my wicked way with you."

She smiled slightly at the use of her own words. She nodded. "I know that. It's just..." She bit her bottom lip.

Severus looked ahead at their daughter and stopped her. "Listen to me. Time has passed. We've both changed. I don't want you to feel that I have changed so much that you can't talk with me as before."

Hermione sighed. "I can't talk to you about this. There are things I would rather keep to myself."

Severus nodded. "Fair enough. Would you care to finish your sentence?"

She took a breath. "Everything is different you know? Harry's with Ginny. Ron's over me and dating other women. I have Stephanie. It's just all overwhelming."

He nodded as they continued to walk. "You were gone for almost twelve years. Things do tend to change. They would have changed had you chosen to stay."

Hermione nodded. "True, but I would have grown accustomed to the changes. As it stands, everything has been thrust on me."

Severus squeezed her hand gently. "You are not being asked to accept it all at once. Take time."
She smiled slightly. "My constant. Even after the war, you were there. Always the sa


He inclined his head. "I saw no reason to change."

Hermione laughed slightly. "Good, I prefer the snarky bastard Snape."

Severus looked at her in surprise. She shook her head at his expression. He sighed. "There is no accounting for taste."

She laughed and took his hand as they walked down the street.

***

Steph pushed the front door open and ran down the hallway to her room. Hermione shook her head. "I'm not sure what she's up to." She looked at Severus. "Would you like some tea or something?"

He shook his head. "No thank you. I should say my goodnights and return to Hogwart's."

Hermione nodded. "Well, I mean, you're welcome to stay. That is if you want to."

Severus smiled softly and shook his head. "I'll go say my goodnight to Stephanie." He turned and walked down the hallway.

She fell back onto the couch. She had invited him to stay! Was she crazy? It was entirely possible. She put her face in her hands and sighed.

***

Severus sat on the bed as Steph talked with him. He nodded. "All right Little One. I need to leave you you need your rest. Your tutoring begins tomorrow."

Steph nodded. She picked up her wand from the bedside table. She smiled as she looked it over.

Severus stood. "I will see you tomorrow." He turned and left the room.

***

Hermione was still on the couch when he came back into the living room. He frowned and knelt in front of her. "Hermione, is everything all right?"

She looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Just doing some thinking."

He gave her a searching look and then stood. "Very well. I will see you tomorrow morning." He started to turn away but then leaned down and kissed her forehead.

He stood back up, straightened him cloak and cleared his throat. With a nod, he was gone.