Outside the Potions Classroom

Outside the Potions Classroom



Chapter Four


Not the scenario he had imagined after eleven years, but it was a start to what would prove to be an interesting evening nevertheless. He followed her into the quaint house, noting how the inside was just as light and charming as the outside. It was slightly messy however and could use a good dusting, but he knew Granger would never bring herself to get a House-elf, let alone hire someone to clean up after herself.

Looking at his surroundings, even if they required dusting, he could see that everything had been selected with care and was purposely placed. Despite the fact the house was small, it was obvious that money had been spent on the furnishings. So, she was more than making ends meet – a pity. He had expected her to be in some sort of dire financial situation so he could play her superior once more and offer assistance. A single mother who was doing well for herself, he would have never guessed. Then again, he had learned the first time around that Granger possessed a prowess that could not be underestimated.

She led him into the lounge that (which came as no surprise) was lined with bookshelves. The only decoration was an ornate frame with a scene from what appeared to be a fairy tale over the mantle. She motioned for him to join her in one of the various armchairs by the fire, where waiting for them she had set up a tray of tea and biscuits. He realized they were his favorite kind, cinnamon raisin.

“I figured since we would be talking about our son, we should at least be comfortable doing so,” she admitted, pouring a cup of tea. “Just milk, right?”

She remembered that too. Damn her memory. Maybe she was doing it to keep him on edge. He didn’t remember how she liked her tea. He didn’t really remember many things about her. Well, except for a few things that made him smirk – like how she looked like a goddess during her climax.

“So what would you like to know, or would you rather I just told you everything that happened after graduation?”

There she was again, taking control when he was lacking some. This is why they couldn’t be in a relationship, and he recalled this fact with uncanny ability – it was a constant battle for control. He pushed, she pushed. There was very little compromise. Never middle ground - until now, and it was forced.

“How about you start at the beginning?” he said slowly, maintaining a cool exterior. He was fighting the urge to throttle her over control of the situation.

She must have noticed this, but thankfully, she said nothing. Instead, she poured herself a tea with some sugar and sat back, crossing her legs towards him. Such lovely legs she had, he sighed, leaning back himself.

“It was the day before graduation that I discovered I was late. I had always been irregular – sorry, that qualifies as too much information – but after two months without Martha Monthly, I went to Madam Pomfrey and she did the test. I don’t believe I need to tell you how awkward and embarrassing that was. The woman’s eyes were literally bulging out of her head when I confirmed I was indeed having sex on a regular basis.”

He didn’t need to guess what that looked like. He had seen that look often enough on the prissy mediwitch.

“I wasn’t sure if I should tell you,” she continued, taking a sip of tea. “I mean, shagging does not mean a relationship. I mean, I thought we might…oh, never mind. That does not matter. It was not an easy decision to make to not have you in my child’s life, but after making a list, I felt it was the best way to protect myself and my unborn child.”

“And why, pray tell, did you feel you needed ‘protection’ from me?” He attempted with little avail to keep his tone neutral despite the anger that flowed deep in his veins. 'Still waters run deep,' he told himself. 'Thou shall not kill.'

She smiled, but the gesture held no joy. “I did not want you to feel obligated to me. If you had insisted we marry, I already know it would have only hurt Hadrian in the end. A loveless marriage born of duty wouldn’t have made anyone happy. You would have resented me, I would have resented Hadrian, and he would end up resenting us both. I couldn’t allow that to happen.

"So I was determined to continue my life, even if I now had a child in tow. For me, being a single mother was not the sacrifice most people expect – I was very fortunate to have a very loving family and great friends to help me. I also had the reputation of being the cleverest witch in a century and quite impressively high NEWTs scores to back me up. Being part of the infamous Gryffindor Trio didn’t hurt either,” she reflected. “I came to live with my parents, who were disappointed that I had allowed myself to be compromised, but were proud that I chose to persevere. That is the real secret to my life and any success I have achieved – I have worked hard for it. Having a child so young may not have been on the plan, but plans are easily revised, right?

"I finished Wizard’s University with a major of Arithmancy and a minor in Potions. I took many courses via Owl before and after Hadrian was born. My mum watched him while I took exams, and he slept well, so I had a lot of time between feedings to study and read.

"After I graduated from the university, I had several job offers. I worked for the Ministry briefly in the Department of Curse Counters and Hex Breakers for a while, but the hours were long. I moved over into the private sector and started working for an agency that specialized in creating and cracking the world’s greatest Arithmantic equations. It was a very lucky break for me that I happened to be introduced to its director, Professor Victor Von Dutch at a Ministry function, and he was somewhat impressed by my work. It’s demanding work, but very rewarding and often times I can take it home with me. It also pays very well and doesn’t take up too much of my time – so I was able to home school Hadrian as well. You should watch him in your class, Severus,” her eyes were sparkling as she mentioned the boy, “he is brilliant. He can already brew at OWL levels.”

He let all the information sink in as he sat silently drinking his tea.

So, to paraphrase, this is what he heard in the span of ten minutes of her talking: ‘I didn’t love you, let alone wanted to allow my son to love you, I have a better family than yours cause they took me in, I’m luckier than you, have a better job with more money and benefits, not to mention am super mother as well – I even turned our son into a know-it-all too!’

However, he might not have been paying very much attention. He kept thinking about the one question he had to know the answer to.

“Why did you give the boy my name? Why not let him be a Granger and sever the connection to me completely?” he asked after his moment of silence.

“When Hadrian was five, we went to the park one day and he spied a father and son playing. He asked me why he didn’t have a dad too. I told him that he did have a father, but you lived far away. He asked me what you name was and I told him. Every day since he’s written his name Hadrian Alexander Snape.”

“What else did you tell him about me?”

“That we weren’t really married, only lovers. This was after I had explained what the birds and the bees were, mind you. I said it was short-lived and that you did not know you had a son.”

“So he knew…”

She nodded, although for the past while she had been avoiding his glare and had been staring into the crackling fire. “I never lied to him, I never will. He was raised to believe in the truth, and the truth was I didn’t want you in our lives. He had a mother who loved him, wasn’t that enough? He said I wasn’t being fair to you and that he wanted to meet you. He informed me that he was going to attend Hogwarts whether I wished it or not and he was going to impress you so much that you would have no choice but accept him as your son.”

Another piece fell into the puzzle. So Granger wasn’t so high and mighty now. Serves her right, the manipulative bitch, pilfering his spawn away. She didn’t even give him the chance to be part of his son’s life. He wanted to scream at her, hex her, literally attack her person, but found he could not, no matter how hot the blood boiled within his veins.

He was getting soft in his old age. Time to grow some backbone and defend his honor.

“All right, you have been too quiet over there, Severus and it’s really scaring me now. Just say what we both know you are thinking aloud and get it over with. You know I’m a lousy Legilimens.” She was bracing herself.

“You have done well for yourself,” he answered evenly. “And raised our son well. Those are very big accomplishments themselves.” He took another swig of his tea. “But, as much as I am inclined to cast an Unforgivable upon your impertinent, selfish person, I find myself rather disgusted by your company as of present and feel I should remove myself before I do something I really regret.” He finished his tea, set the teacup and saucer down with a heavy clatter, and stood rigidly. “Mark my words Granger, I will never forgive you for stealing away my son, and if necessary I will make you pay for your thoughtlessness. We have unfinished business here, do not forget.”

He stormed for the doors only to have her quick on his tail. As he threw open the door, she caught him by the arm.

“What was I to do, Severus? Where did we stand outside the Potion’s classroom?” she asked her eyes soft and her confident tone turned gentle and sad.

He removed her arm. “Probably a lot better than were we stand right now. Goodnight, Miss Granger.”

Upon that note, he Apparated back to Hogwarts' main gate.



Tbc…