Daddy Dearest - (No Update, Edit)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 5 ~ Breakfast

Mathias navigated the dungeon corridor, the only Slytherin student to do so, since everyone else was still in the common room. He walked into the main hall, looked around and followed the students of the other houses into the Great Hall. He was the first and only Slytherin there.

Suddenly a roll hit him in the side of the head, followed by a burst of laughter. He turned, scowling to see James Potter and the rest of the Gryffindor house grinning at him.

"Figures you'd be sorted into Slytherin, Mathias. That house is full of bastards," James called to him.

Mathias clenched his fists and looked up at the Head Table to see how many staff members were present. Albus Dumbledore's eyes were resting on him. The Headmaster nodded to him. Mathias nodded back then headed for the Slytherin table, furious. He couldn't get James back now. But later he would.

Mathias took a seat, aware of a new round of laughter behind him. He ignored it and pulled a platter of bacon toward him, loading up his plate. He loved bacon.

"Aren't you going to leave some bacon for someone else?" a female voice said behind him.

Mathias turned and looked up into the face of Jasmine Malfoy. Her ice-blue eyes swept over him a moment, then she sat down next to him. Mathias looked at her. She had white-blonde hair and a rather pointed chin, with a small petulant mouth. She was pretty, though she looked like she had no eyebrows.

"My name's Jasmine," she said, offering Mathias a small pale hand and a smile.

This time, Mathias shook hands.

"I'm Mathias," he responded, now drawing a plate of scrambled eggs toward him.

"I know," Jasmine responded, "Everyone in Slytherin knows your name. And you haven't even been here a full day."

Mathias stopped spooning eggs on his plate and looked at her.

"You think that's a good thing?" he asked her.

She nodded.

"They say you're dangerous. That you beat up Boyle like he was a little baby…then you hexed that six-year," she said, impressed.

"I'm not dangerous. I just protect myself. That six-year was harassing me. Boyle attacked me. The ghost annoyed me," Mathias replied. "I need to let people know right off that I'm not a victim. If they try to treat me like one, then they'll get what they deserve."

"But first years are the low men on the totem pole. We're supposed to be picked on," Jasmine responded, filling her own plate with bacon as other Slytherins entered the Great Hall. "It's part of being new students."

"Not me. I came to Hogwarts to learn, not to be picked on. I don't care how new I am," Mathias replied, biting into a piece of bacon.

Jasmine studied the wizard calculatingly. He was cute, he could fight and already knew powerful spells. He hexed that horrible ghost too. The ability of witches of Jasmine's bloodline to quickly identify males of worth was inbred. It was what they did best next to spending galleons after all. Mathias was going to be someone special in Slytherin house, someone who it would be good to be close to in the years to come.

As the granddaughter of Lucius Malfoy, Jasmine had an eye for potentially powerful allies. Her father Draco was also a powerful man, one of the Ministry's leading Council members. She smiled at Mathias sweetly.

"So, what is your favorite subject?" Jasmine asked Mathias, trying to make small talk.

"Potions," Mathias said shortly.

"But, you're so good with spells," Jasmine said.

"My mum works with spells all the time. They're fine but not that challenging for me. I'd rather brew…creating a potion requires more skill and concentration, timing and focus. You're not always sure if it will work until the end. I enjoy the process," Mathias told her.

Jasmine was about to say something else when suddenly Boyle plummeted into the seat next to her. Gerald sat on the other side of Mathias, then all the chairs around them filled with first years, all of them staring at Mathias, who was chewing a mouthful of bacon. The chewing slowed as he realized he was the focus of so many rapt stares. He swallowed and scowled around him. Then he noticed the older Slytherins on the other side of the table whispering to each other and looking at him.

"You know, that sixth year had to be taken to the infirmary. Professor Snape couldn't lift the hex," Gerald said to the wizard.

"Of course he couldn't," Mathias said, "the spell is adapted to my signature. Only I can lift it, otherwise they have to wait for it to wear off."

Eyebrows rose and whispers went all around. How was this first year so powerful?

"His mum is a Spells Mistress," Charles informed the rest of the students, much to Mathias displeasure. The wizard didn't have to announce that to the whole school.

Severus entered the Main Hall, sat down at the teacher's table and ordered his breakfast. He looked down at his Slytherins and saw the first years clustered around Mathias, and the other students staring at him and whispering.

The boy looked quite annoyed at all the attention. The Potions Master looked at him thoughtfully. He couldn't break the hex on Mr. Hoyt and had to take him to Poppy, who couldn't break it either. He would have to approach Mr. Granger after breakfast and find out what the spell was and how to break it, if it could be broken. He studied the boy who was eating his breakfast under the watchful eyes of his housemates.

It was quite an accomplishment to cast a spell that was unbreakable by older, more experienced witches and wizards, especially at eleven years of age. But then again, he was Hermione's son. No doubt the witch over-educated the boy and he had an entire arsenal of spells at his disposal. He was probably quite smart as well. Hermione put a lot of truck in book learning, no doubt Mathias was a walking encyclopedia just like she was. Well, he'd find out in Potions class with a few questions. Hopefully the boy didn't have his mother's need to spout off everything he knew.

Mathias was getting very annoyed with everyone staring at him. Finally he exploded.

"Don't you all have something better to do than stare at me?" he asked them, "Like eating your breakfasts?"

He quickly rose from the table, and strode away, his housemates staring at him. He had his hand in his robes pocket where his wand was. The Professor watched the boy walk quickly toward the main doors. As he passed the Gryffindor table, Mathias said a short incantation and flicked his wand.

Every plate and glass on the Gryffindor table turned upside down, covering the students with food and drink. The shouting attracted the attention of the other staff members. Mathias didn't hesitate but walked quickly out the doors.

"Mathias did it! I know he did!" spluttered James Potter who got a faceful of pumpkin juice. His hair was soaked and stuck to his head as the liquid dripped off his face. "I'm going to get him."

Severus looked at the raging Gryffindor and recognized him as a Potter immediately. So, there appeared to be bad blood between him and Mathias. The Potions Master shook his head, staring at the closed double doors. He knew Mathias had hexed the Gryffindor table, but he did it in such a way no one could rightly claim he did it. The boy was a true Slytherin all right.

He'd talk to him right after breakfast.

As Mathias entered the main hall heading for Slytherin house, Hermione walked through the double doors. The wizard stopped and stared. His mum? Here? Why?

"Mum?" he said as Hermione walked into the hall.

She saw Mathias. Shit. She had wanted to be clandestine about this visit.

"Hi Mathias," she said, walking up to him and kissing him on the cheek.

Mathias looked around to see if anyone had seen her kiss him.

"Mum, don't do that. You'll make me look like a baby," he hissed at her.

Hermione smiled.

"But you are a baby. You're my baby," she said, ruffling his hair.

Mathis scowled at her and used his hands to try and straighten his hair.

"Mum, stop it," he said testily, "Why are you here?"

"I heard you were sorted into Slytherin," Hermione said, her amber eyes dark as she looked at her son as if looking for signs of contamination. "I…I think there may have been a mistake."

Mathias eyes narrowed.

"A mistake? Why do you say that?" he asked her.

"Because…you're too bright, too intelligent, too good to be in Slytherin," Hermione said.

"Mum, that's your view on it. The Sorting Hat said I belong in Slytherin, and I think it's right," the young wizard replied.

Severus walked up the teacher's corridor and heard voices. One was a familiar female voice. He eased forward and looked around the corner.

Hermione Granger. He hadn't seen her in years. The witch hadn't changed much physically and was dressed quite well. But she did have a mother's demeanor as she looked at her son. He listened.

"You don't belong in Slytherin," she said evenly, "I am going to talk to the Headmaster about changing your house."

Mathias stared at her incredulously.

"Changing my house? And put me where? In Gryffindor?" he asked her, frowning terribly.

"Yes…if that's possible. You'll like Gryffindor," she said.

Severus smirked. Hermione had no idea her son just covered the whole of Gryffindor house in their breakfasts.

"Mum. I've met them. They are all idiots. And James is in Gryffindor. Trust me, mum…I don't belong there," he said. "I won't go."

He looked at his mother mirroring the same stubborn expression she wore when adamant about something.

"How about Ravenclaw then?" she suggested.

"Why not Hufflepuff?" Mathias said sarcastically.

Hermione turned bright red.

"You have too much potential to be in Hufflepuff," she said.

Mathias looked at her sharply. Something was going on here.

"Why don't you want me in Slytherin, mum? I know it was Gryffindor's arch-nemesis, but so what? It's a good house, and has a cool Head of House. Professor Snape."

Hermione's eyes widened at her son's disturbing description of his estranged father.

Severus' eyebrows rose as well. The boy thought he was "cool?" He'd been called a lot of things in his time, but never "cool." "Cool" was a good thing, right?

"It shouldn't make a difference what house I'm in as long as I do well at school," Mathias continued, "Plus I like Slytherin House. I think I'll do better there than in any other house here at Hogwarts. I don't want to leave…but I would like a private room," he said.

Hermione blinked at him.

"A private room?" she asked him.

"Yes, you can let private rooms in Slytherin. It's the only house that has that luxury," he said, coining Severus' words. "My roommates are idiots. I'm going to end up hexing the bunch of them, mum, I know it."

Hermione stared at her son. He wanted to stay in Slytherin house. If she tried to force him into another, it might affect his marks, not to mention their relationship. Gone were the days she could just tell Mathias what to do. He was growing up now. He was only eleven, but he was a mature eleven.

The witch sighed. She was going to have to talk to Severus after all. And she dreaded it.

"How much for the private room?" she asked him. Maybe if he had his own room he would be less influenced by the other students. He'd have his own space and privacy. She remembered how much she enjoyed her own room when she made Head girl.

"I don't know. You'll have to talk to Professor Snape about it," Mathias replied, excited.

Hermione looked at her son. Students began to walk out of the Great Hall.

"There is he is!" a voice cried.

Both Hermione and Mathias turned around as James Potter charged toward them, a murderous look in his eyes as he barreled down on Mathias. Then he saw Hermione and skidded to a stop, mere feet from her son.

Mathias smirked at him and the rest of the Gryffindors who had been right behind them.

"Hi Aunt Hermione," the wizard said, cutting his eyes at Mathias, who stood there with his arms folded, a slight smirk on his face.

Hermione looked at James, her brow furrowed.

"James, were you just about to attack Mathias?" she asked him, her eyes washing over the scowling Gryffindors behind him, then looking at her son.

"Ah, no…no…I was just going to…er…say hi," James lied lamely.

Hermione looked at all the Gryffindors.

"You were ALL going to say hi?" she asked James.

"I wasn't. I was going to knock his block off," an angry male voice said from inside the crowd, which grumbled in agreement.

"And you want to send me to Gryffindor, mum?" Mathias asked her.

Hermione looked at the scowling Gryffindors again. It was obvious they were out for her son's blood. He'd never fit in there.

"No, Mathias…I think you're right. Gryffindor isn't for you. Come on, let's go find Professor Snape," she said, putting a protective arm over his shoulder and walking with him towards the dungeons."

James glared after them.

"Fine Mathias. Your mum saved you this time, but she won't always be around," he seethed, heading for the main stairwell as did the rest of the Gryffindors.

Severus drew out his wand and flicked it at James Potter. The boy fell on his face, several other students falling on top of him. The Potions Master then followed Hermione and Mathias down the corridor, walking quietly as usual.

"Why were those students after you, Mathias?" she asked him.

Mathias shrugged.

"Probably because I'm a Slytherin, mum. They hate Slytherins. I thought you said Gryffindors were brave and fair-minded. Did you see how many there were of them? Didn't seem too fair or brave to me," Mathias said. "If you weren't here they would have ganged up on me."

Hermione looked at her son.

"If I wasn't here, Mathias, you would have hexed all of them into next week," Hermione replied.

She knew what her son was capable of. He wouldn't hesitate to protect himself, even if it meant hexing an entire house of students. Mathias could do it too.

"They would have deserved it," the boy grumbled. "Idiots."

"Mathias, what have I told you about calling people names?" Hermione said, stopping and putting her hands on her hips.

"I'm just speaking the truth, mum. They act like idiots, believe me," he said sullenly, miffed his mother was chastising him for calling it as he saw it.

Hermione had no idea James had hit him in the head with a roll and insulted his parentage while the rest of the Gryffindors laughed, but Mathias was not about to tell her. He didn't want to upset her. She liked James. He was her best friend's son. His mother didn't have that many friends and Mathias didn't want to cause trouble between her and Harry.

Hermione figured they must have done something to him. He wouldn't tell her what though. Mathias was terribly closed-mouthed. Something he got from his father's side. Hermione sighed as she realized she was going to see Severus face to face for the first time in eleven years, and once again the topic was going to be their child…well, her child. The wizard had no claim to the boy as far as she was concerned. She was going to make sure that was understood. She wanted this secret kept at all costs.

They approached the Potions Master's office.

"I don't think he's here yet, mum. He was still at breakfast," Mathias said as they faced the door.

"I'll wait then. Don't you have a class to go to?" she asked her son.

"Yes, Charms," he replied with a bored expression. "But I already know everything. I looked over the syllabus. I'm going to be bored to tears."

"You might know everything, but you still need the marks, Mathias. So you do your best in that class anyway. Be attentive. Maybe you can do some extra credit work," his mother replied, knocking on the office door.

There was no answer.

"Mathias, you go and get ready for class. I'll wait for the Professor," Hermione said to her son, kissing his cheek.

"All right, mum. I'll see you on holiday," Mathias replied, giving her a very quick kiss in return and heading for Slytherin house.

Hermione watched her son disappear down the corridor, her brow slightly furrowed. Gods, what a mess this was. What was she going to do?

She stared at the Potions office door. Damn the wizard. Too bad he wasn't really dead.

Suddenly Hermione was aware of a presence behind her and spun around. She found herself standing inches from the Potions Master. Severus looked down at the witch, his black eyes glittering.

"Looking for me, Miss Granger?" he purred.

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A/N: Well, well. We meet Jasmine Malfoy in this chapter. Calculating young lady, even at the tender age of eleven. James is a real )&^*%%. Mathias continues to hold his own. Looks like he's going to get a private room however. And Hermione and Severus meet up for the first time in eleven years. Please review.