Life After Death
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
6
Views:
4,250
Reviews:
23
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
6
Views:
4,250
Reviews:
23
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: Not mine.
AN: Thank You for sticking with me. I love all of my reviewers, thank you so much!!!
Chapter 6
Hermione never took her eyes from his as he Disapparated them away. When they arrived she finally tore her gaze away to see a beautiful rose garden. There were roses of every description in a formal English setting. In the center of the garden next to where they stood was the crowing glory of the garden. A magnificent platinum rose bush. The blooms looked as if they had been poured from liquid mercury. She immediately recognized where she was. The Malfoy rose garden.
Looking back at the wizard before her she smirked. “Malfoy Manor? Is this where you are staying?”
“Yes. Just while I’m in England. I’ll soon go home to Italy. But, I brought you here to tell you a few things, that is, if you have the time.” His voice was deep and silky. She felt as if she could wrap it around her and be warm and content. She didn’t question the feeling. Long ago she had learned to follow her instincts. It had kept her alive in more than one battle.
“Of course I have time to listen to the best kept secret in all of England.” she said playfully and was rewarded with a small smile from the wizard.
“ I believe that is the first time I have seen you smile.” the witch grinned and lightly touched his shoulder. He responded by taking her elbow and moving to a small wrought iron table with two chairs. As he held her chair for her a tea service suddenly appeared on the table.
Settling across from her as she poured the tea for them he regarded her with a thoughtful air. Seeming to come to a decision he sighed. It was now or never for full disclosure. If he didn’t tell her everything now she would never fully trust him when it did all come to light. But he didn’t really have to tell her about the prophecy. She had her fill of that with Potter and the war.
“I suppose a good starting place would be to show you the real me.” he said. He was a little apprehensive about what she would think to see her old Potions teacher sitting across from her. He knew he looked better than he had the last time she saw him dying in a pool of his own blood. Taking a deep breath he dropped the glamour and looked for her reaction.
Hermione watched as his hair lengthened to a silky black curtain to just past his shoulders. The changes in his face were minute but it seemed his nose became a little more patrician and the lines around his mouth and eyes just a little deeper. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched him transform into the man she remembered.
“There’s the Professor Snape I remember. I like the hair.” she said softly.
He felt the slight heat of a blush across his face. He rolled his eyes and smiled at the witch across from him. She had smiled and complemented him instead of gasping and running for her life. Maybe there was hope after all.
“ Near the end of the war I made arrangements that should I live, I could leave England and finally be free to follow my own path. I was the last remaining Prince heir so money was not a problem. If the world knew I was alive the whole sordid mess with being a Death Eater and killing Albus would have to have been resolved. I would probably have spent time in Azkaban, time I certainly deserved to spend. As much as you and Harry have fought to clear my name, I did at one time embrace being a follower of Voldemort. I did in my youth perpetrate the atrocities I would have been accused of.”
Upon seeing her about to interrupt him he raised a hand to stop her. His face was so solemn and his eyes so pain filled she relented immediately. With a sight nod she sat back further and waited for him to finish.
“I first joined Voldemort right after I graduated Hogwarts. My childhood as you know was not a bright, happy time for me. I looked forward to going to school and getting out of my fathers influence. But alas, it was not the refuge I had hoped for. I was a dark and withdrawn child and did not make friends easily. Slytherin was not a friendly environment for a half blood as you may realize. The only way I was left alone was to be as intimidating as possible and for that I only had to look as far as my own father’s behavior for a role model. I studied long hours not just for my homework but to learn defensive and offensive spells to protect myself.”
“My only friend from childhood was sorted into Gryffindor. Which as you know is as far from Slytherin as one can get. Being beautiful Lilly soon attracted the attention of the Marauders. They did not appreciate our friendship and did anything they could to keep us apart. But Lilly was THE Gryffindor Princess. She would not let go of our friendship and I valued that more than anything else in my wretched existence. I’m sure you know of the incident that nearly ended our friendship. I have always had a volatile temper and one time too many struck out at the wrong person. Then my stubborn pride would not allow me to atone for my fit of temper.”
“It was sometime later, after I had graduated and embraced the power the Dark Lord offered, that my father died. I immediately returned to my remaining family. The Princes have long been known as dark wizards. And they were, but, they were also smart enough to not openly support Voldemort. My Grandfather secretly encouraged me rise in the ranks. Therefore, when I heard the prophecy about the Potters I was at loss as to how to handle it. I did everything I could to stop it. I even tried to ask for Lilly and Harry a boon for all of my hard work. It all came to naught. You’ve seen the memories. You know all too well how I tried to make amends for my actions.” he stopped and looked at his hands resting on the table.
To his surprise the witch across from him did not ask the thousands of questions he was sure she had running through that brain of hers. No, instead she quietly reached across and put her warm, soft hand over his. Startled he looked up at her with his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. Slowly he turned his had palm up and gently closed his long fingers over hand.
“Go on.” she said softly. He couldn’t believe she wanted to hear more. Did she not hear that at one time he truly was Voldemorts man? Taking a deep breath he continued.
“I woke after the final battle in the secret room in the infirmary at Hogwarts. Minerva and Poppy were there and they told me the outcome of the war. I grieved for those we lost and rejoiced for those who lived. I felt free for the first time in my life. I had fulfilled my promises and felt it was time to finally live the life I had fought so hard for.”
“As soon as I was able I left for the villa I had prepared. It’s a potions business and a vineyard. You can’t have an estate in Tuscany and not make wine. It’s just not done.” he said with a smile. She gently squeezed his hand and his heart threatened to jump right out of his chest with happiness.
“I changed my name to Alan Prince and began to build the life I had always dreamed of. My business took off and with the help of Lucius and Draco I made several very good investments. They helped me hire the right managers and that allowed me the time to do the experimental research I always dreamed of.” He stopped and looked at her over the table.
“Minerva and the Malfoy’s have kept me up to date on everyone’s lives back here. I have followed the progress of Harry and his family and the Weasleys’ and you. I always knew you would excel academically. And I was not surprised to hear you were to marry Ron. When Minerva came to me to help try to find the counter curse I knew it was time to come back to England, at least for a while. I’m sorry we could not do more.” his voice had dropped to a whisper near the end.
“I appreciate everything you have done to help Ron. I also appreciate you telling me everything. If you prefer I will not tell anyone about any of it. Thank you for trusting me with all of this.” Hermione was truly at a loss for words to convey how she felt about everything she had learned. She felt herself pulled to this dark tragic man. She had loved Ron but they had realized just days before he died that they were not in love with each other. They had gone on in the relationship with out realizing that they were just doing what everyone expected of them and not what their hearts told them to do. They were going to announce the news to every one that weekend at the Burrow. Ron had not lived to tell anyone and she couldn’t bring herself to tell the grieving family and friends so she had just let it go unsaid. But she suddenly felt the need for the man across from her to know the truth.
TBC
AN: Thank You for sticking with me. I love all of my reviewers, thank you so much!!!
Chapter 6
Hermione never took her eyes from his as he Disapparated them away. When they arrived she finally tore her gaze away to see a beautiful rose garden. There were roses of every description in a formal English setting. In the center of the garden next to where they stood was the crowing glory of the garden. A magnificent platinum rose bush. The blooms looked as if they had been poured from liquid mercury. She immediately recognized where she was. The Malfoy rose garden.
Looking back at the wizard before her she smirked. “Malfoy Manor? Is this where you are staying?”
“Yes. Just while I’m in England. I’ll soon go home to Italy. But, I brought you here to tell you a few things, that is, if you have the time.” His voice was deep and silky. She felt as if she could wrap it around her and be warm and content. She didn’t question the feeling. Long ago she had learned to follow her instincts. It had kept her alive in more than one battle.
“Of course I have time to listen to the best kept secret in all of England.” she said playfully and was rewarded with a small smile from the wizard.
“ I believe that is the first time I have seen you smile.” the witch grinned and lightly touched his shoulder. He responded by taking her elbow and moving to a small wrought iron table with two chairs. As he held her chair for her a tea service suddenly appeared on the table.
Settling across from her as she poured the tea for them he regarded her with a thoughtful air. Seeming to come to a decision he sighed. It was now or never for full disclosure. If he didn’t tell her everything now she would never fully trust him when it did all come to light. But he didn’t really have to tell her about the prophecy. She had her fill of that with Potter and the war.
“I suppose a good starting place would be to show you the real me.” he said. He was a little apprehensive about what she would think to see her old Potions teacher sitting across from her. He knew he looked better than he had the last time she saw him dying in a pool of his own blood. Taking a deep breath he dropped the glamour and looked for her reaction.
Hermione watched as his hair lengthened to a silky black curtain to just past his shoulders. The changes in his face were minute but it seemed his nose became a little more patrician and the lines around his mouth and eyes just a little deeper. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched him transform into the man she remembered.
“There’s the Professor Snape I remember. I like the hair.” she said softly.
He felt the slight heat of a blush across his face. He rolled his eyes and smiled at the witch across from him. She had smiled and complemented him instead of gasping and running for her life. Maybe there was hope after all.
“ Near the end of the war I made arrangements that should I live, I could leave England and finally be free to follow my own path. I was the last remaining Prince heir so money was not a problem. If the world knew I was alive the whole sordid mess with being a Death Eater and killing Albus would have to have been resolved. I would probably have spent time in Azkaban, time I certainly deserved to spend. As much as you and Harry have fought to clear my name, I did at one time embrace being a follower of Voldemort. I did in my youth perpetrate the atrocities I would have been accused of.”
Upon seeing her about to interrupt him he raised a hand to stop her. His face was so solemn and his eyes so pain filled she relented immediately. With a sight nod she sat back further and waited for him to finish.
“I first joined Voldemort right after I graduated Hogwarts. My childhood as you know was not a bright, happy time for me. I looked forward to going to school and getting out of my fathers influence. But alas, it was not the refuge I had hoped for. I was a dark and withdrawn child and did not make friends easily. Slytherin was not a friendly environment for a half blood as you may realize. The only way I was left alone was to be as intimidating as possible and for that I only had to look as far as my own father’s behavior for a role model. I studied long hours not just for my homework but to learn defensive and offensive spells to protect myself.”
“My only friend from childhood was sorted into Gryffindor. Which as you know is as far from Slytherin as one can get. Being beautiful Lilly soon attracted the attention of the Marauders. They did not appreciate our friendship and did anything they could to keep us apart. But Lilly was THE Gryffindor Princess. She would not let go of our friendship and I valued that more than anything else in my wretched existence. I’m sure you know of the incident that nearly ended our friendship. I have always had a volatile temper and one time too many struck out at the wrong person. Then my stubborn pride would not allow me to atone for my fit of temper.”
“It was sometime later, after I had graduated and embraced the power the Dark Lord offered, that my father died. I immediately returned to my remaining family. The Princes have long been known as dark wizards. And they were, but, they were also smart enough to not openly support Voldemort. My Grandfather secretly encouraged me rise in the ranks. Therefore, when I heard the prophecy about the Potters I was at loss as to how to handle it. I did everything I could to stop it. I even tried to ask for Lilly and Harry a boon for all of my hard work. It all came to naught. You’ve seen the memories. You know all too well how I tried to make amends for my actions.” he stopped and looked at his hands resting on the table.
To his surprise the witch across from him did not ask the thousands of questions he was sure she had running through that brain of hers. No, instead she quietly reached across and put her warm, soft hand over his. Startled he looked up at her with his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. Slowly he turned his had palm up and gently closed his long fingers over hand.
“Go on.” she said softly. He couldn’t believe she wanted to hear more. Did she not hear that at one time he truly was Voldemorts man? Taking a deep breath he continued.
“I woke after the final battle in the secret room in the infirmary at Hogwarts. Minerva and Poppy were there and they told me the outcome of the war. I grieved for those we lost and rejoiced for those who lived. I felt free for the first time in my life. I had fulfilled my promises and felt it was time to finally live the life I had fought so hard for.”
“As soon as I was able I left for the villa I had prepared. It’s a potions business and a vineyard. You can’t have an estate in Tuscany and not make wine. It’s just not done.” he said with a smile. She gently squeezed his hand and his heart threatened to jump right out of his chest with happiness.
“I changed my name to Alan Prince and began to build the life I had always dreamed of. My business took off and with the help of Lucius and Draco I made several very good investments. They helped me hire the right managers and that allowed me the time to do the experimental research I always dreamed of.” He stopped and looked at her over the table.
“Minerva and the Malfoy’s have kept me up to date on everyone’s lives back here. I have followed the progress of Harry and his family and the Weasleys’ and you. I always knew you would excel academically. And I was not surprised to hear you were to marry Ron. When Minerva came to me to help try to find the counter curse I knew it was time to come back to England, at least for a while. I’m sorry we could not do more.” his voice had dropped to a whisper near the end.
“I appreciate everything you have done to help Ron. I also appreciate you telling me everything. If you prefer I will not tell anyone about any of it. Thank you for trusting me with all of this.” Hermione was truly at a loss for words to convey how she felt about everything she had learned. She felt herself pulled to this dark tragic man. She had loved Ron but they had realized just days before he died that they were not in love with each other. They had gone on in the relationship with out realizing that they were just doing what everyone expected of them and not what their hearts told them to do. They were going to announce the news to every one that weekend at the Burrow. Ron had not lived to tell anyone and she couldn’t bring herself to tell the grieving family and friends so she had just let it go unsaid. But she suddenly felt the need for the man across from her to know the truth.
TBC