A Knock at the Door

A Knock at the Door by Pearle

Summary: The war is over and Hogwarts is about to start a new school year. A knock at the door of Severus Snape\'s office is about to change his life and the lives of those around him. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

WARNING: This chapter contains violence. An attempted rape. If this is upsetting for you to read, please skip this chapter.


A Knock at the Door

8. Tempers Flare, or Are We Back to Square One?

Severus was sitting at the bar of the Three Broomsticks nursing a fire whiskey. The Headmaster had asked him to pick up a special order for the school at Dervish and Banges. Why Albus couldn\'t wait until Monday and pick up his own bloody order he couldn\'t imagine. Sometimes there was no reasoning with the man. Snape wondered what the package was that he had handed to Madame Rosmerta. It was heavily charmed. He had been unable to see into it. All Dumbledore said was to make sure she received it after he picked up the special order.

Snape sighed. Silenus would be coming round tomorrow to play chess again. He was enjoying the girl\'s company. Thank the Gods she was serious and not all giggly as some of the other adolescents he was forced to endure. And Hermione. It was hard not to feel anger and resentment when he thought of her.

As if his thoughts had called her to him, the door opened and she walked in. The others trooped in noisily behind her. They headed for a table along the wall as Remus called out to Rosmerta behind the bar \"Look who we brought in for a butterbeer Rosmerta!\"

Hermione was grinning until she noticed the man in black at the end of the bar. Her smile died on her lips as their eyes meet. She hastily turned back to Rosmerta who was coming over to hug her. Remus had noticed the change in Hermione and followed her line of sight. Snape. Well, this should be interesting. \"Severus, come join us. I didn\'t know you were coming here tonight.\" The others at the table looked over, surprised to see Snape there.

Severus rose stiffly, his drink in his hand, and walked towards the table. Albus Dumbledore is a dead man he thought. This was the real reason he sent him to Hogsmeade tonight. Albus and his bloody meddling. Snape bowed slightly as he reached the table and acknowledged Remus. \"Lupin.\" The three witches to his left were doing a pretty good impression of well, witches. They were shrieking and cackling at each other.

\"Have a seat Severus, this has been going on since Ginny and Hermione saw each other.\" Lupin indicated the witches with a tilt of his head. Harry was looking at Remus as if he\'d lost his mind. Invite Snape to join them?

Severus was about to say no when he noticed Cammeron\'s gaze directed at Hermione. What could another whiskey hurt? \"Very well, thank you Lupin.\" He took the empty seat between Cammeron and Lupin.

Harry was sure he must have crossed over into an alternate reality. Snape joined them and he was thanking Lupin. Who was this man? \"Excuse me, but I used to have a Professor at Hogwarts that looked a lot like you. Tall, always wore black, had a scowl on his face. A bit of a bastard. Name was Snape. You wouldn\'t know him would you?\"

Lupin sprayed some of his drink, laughing as he exclaimed. \"Harry! Leave Severus alone.\"

No one but Lupin and Potter seemed to be listening to him at the moment. Severus expression was neutral as he picked up his glass and looked at Potter. \"I believe my evil twin brother was spotted near the castle earlier.We\'re really not that hard to tell apart. I am the good looking one in the family.\" Severus thought he may have had one too many at this point. But his normal snarkiness just seemed to take over as he continued to sip his drink.

Whatever Harry had expected Snape to say this wasn\'t it. He immediately started to choke on his drink. When he could stop coughing he managed to choke out, \"What did you say?\"

\"Perhaps you should have your hearing tested Potter. Though I thought Aurors were supposed to be in good health.\" Severus continued to sit and sip his whiskey noncommittally.

Lupin laughed, \"I knew there was a person in there somewhere Severus.\"

\"Indeed.\"

The others had stopped and were watching them.

\"You just happened to be here tonight, Snape?\" Cammeron asked in a condescending tone.

Snape noticed Harry\'s hand tighten its hold on his glass. Interesting. \"No, Cammeron I was on Hogwarts business. Not that that is any concern of yours.\"

Rosmerta watched the two men, laughing silently to her self. If they were elk, they\'d have locked horns by now. They were engaged in a pissing contest and her money was on Snape. \"Let me get your drinks. Oh, Hermione, the Professor was in last week with your daughter. Lovely girl. You should be proud.\"

Hermione blushed a bit. \"Thank you. I am very proud of her.\" She glanced over at Snape but was unable to read the expression in his eyes.

\"I haven\'t met her yet. I can\'t believe Hermione has a daughter old enough to attend Hogwarts.\" Said Ginny.

Hermione laughed. \"Believe it Gin. Some days I feel unbelievably old.\"

\"Nonsense, my dear. You look lovely.\" Cammeron was sitting to Hermione\'s right and reached out to take her hand. Hermione pulled away before he could do so, knocking Snape\'s whiskey into Cammeron\'s lap in the process.

Cammeron jumped up, his face thunderous. Hermione laughed as she said. \"Michael, I\'m sorry. It was an accident.\" Remus and Harry could barely contain themselves they were laughing so hard.

\"Really, Cammeron. The facilities are located in the back around the corner.\" Snape\'s face continued to remain neutral, but his eyes held an amused gleam. Remus and Harry lost it. Cammeron\'s glare was murderous.

Well, looks like you lose thought Rosmerta. \"Here, a quick cleaning spell will fix you right up. Professor, I\'ll bring you another when I bring back the drinks.\"

\"Thank you Madame.\" Snape was smirking. Severed him right.

\"Calm down Michael, it was an accident.\" Cammeron was still angry but allowed himself to be comforted by Hermione.

The odd group left the Three Broomsticks sometime later and headed up the path to Hogwarts. Ginny was staying over at the castle and had Hermione\'s promise of lunch tomorrow and a chance to meet Silenus. Harry and Ginny were talking quietly between themselves.

Remus was asking Cammeron about a new defense technique he had heard about. Snape had fallen towards the back of the group. Walking alone. Hermione fell in step next to him. She took a deep breath as she asked. \"Are you really going to teach Silenus dueling Severus?\"

We\'re back to Severus are we? \"I will teach her the basics. I imagine she knows more than her fair share of curses and hex. What she does not know she has probably looked up in the restricted section by now.\" Severus kept his voice even, without any indication of emotion.

Hermione cocked an eyebrow. \"You will be careful with her won\'t you?\"

\"What would lead you to think other wise?\" He asked frowning.

\"I don\'t know. She wants you to like her. She may not tell you if there is a problem.\" Hermione was worried.

\"I see.\"

\"Severus I\'m.......\" Snape held up a hand to stop her.

\"Do not apologize again. It will not help.\" He was trying to be reasonable. Difficult as it may be, he did not want to be mad at her for Silenus\'s sake if nothing else.

Hermione was getting angry again. \"Why won\'t you listen to me?\"

Snape looked at her. \"I do not believe you have any right to be angry with me. I have learned long ago we must live with the choices we make.\"

They had reached the edge of the castle grounds. Snape and Hermione had stopped and were facing each other. Hermione was standing with her hands on her hips. \"No. It\'s always about the mistakes you\'ve made isn\'t it. All right. I was wrong. I admit it. I can\'t go back and change it. Why can\'t you understand that? What do you want me to do? What do you want from me?\" She was yelling now. The others had continued walking ahead. They all stopped and turned at the sound of Hermione yelling.

Snape turned on Hermione, his voice low. \"I want nothing from you. You are not my concern. My only interest now lies in getting to know my daughter better. The child you\'ve kept from me. If anyone is the victim in all of this it would seem to be Silenus.\" Snape turned, and with his robes billowing out dramatically behind him, he headed for a side entrance to his dungeons.

Ginny walked up to Hermione, concerned for her friend. \"Are you okay? Do you want to talk?\"

\"Damn it. That man makes me so angry.\" Yelled Hermione. She looked at Ginny. \"I\'m alright. It\'s just being back here again, the problems with the Ministry, trying to deal with Severus again. I guess I sort of lost it.\"

Ginny laughed as she looked at Hermione. \"You seem to have done a good job of it too. Well letting off a bit of steam never hurts. Are you okay?\"

They had reached the front entrance now. Hermione knew Ginny wanted to spend some time with Harry. She was fine. Really. \"You go. I\'m fine. No more yelling. I\'ll see you tomorrow.\"

Remus stepped forward. \"Come on, I\'ll walk you up.\"

\"There will be no need. I\'ll see her to her chambers.\" Cammeron had been standing quietly through the entire exchange. He took Hermione\'s arm and started to guide her forward.

Hermione turned to look at Remus. \"I\'m fine. Go on. Michael, you don\'t have to walk me up. I\'m fine.\"

\"On the contrary, I insist.\"

They walked up the stairways talking about trivial things. When they arrived out side Hermione\'s chamber she turned to him. \"Well, thank you for the escort. It\'s rather late. I will see you in the morning.\"

\"May I come in a moment?\"

\"Michael, it\'s late.\"

\"I would just like to ask you something. Please it will only take a minute. I feel funny standing out here in the hall.\"

\"Fine.\" Hermione turned to the portrait. \"Good evening, Laurel.\"

\"Good evening, Madame.\" Hermione had charmed the painting to recognize her. It swung open on its hinges to allow them entrance.

Hermione took her cape off and set it on a rack by the door. \"Now what did you need to ask me Michael?\"

\"Hermione.\" Cammeron took a step forward and was running his hand up and down her arm. His other hand was playing with the top of her robes. \"You are beautiful. I can\'t seem to resist you.\"

Hermione took a step back. \"I think you\'d better leave. I plan on reporting this to the headmaster you know.\"

\"Really? I don\'t think so.\" Cammeron had an odd look on his face as he advanced on Hermione. He took off his robe and dropped it to the floor, leaving him dresseda sha shirt and plain trousers. She kept backing up until she felt the sofa behind her.

\"GET OUT!\" Hermione screamed at him. She was reaching for her wand in the side pocket of her robe.

\"It\'s not there, my dear. I took the liberty of removing it earlier when we were in the Three Broomsticks. If Silenus learned those curses and hexes from you, I would rather have you unarmed.\" Cammeron reached out and grabbed both sides of the top of her robe and ripped it open.

Hermione was shocked by the suddenness of his movement. He was on her in an instant. Knocking her down onto the sofa. His hand was pulling at what was left of her robes. Scratching across her breasts. His other hand was at her throat. His thumb was cutting off her air supply. She was scratching at him, trying to get free. \"You little mud blood bitch. You can spread your legs for slime like Snape but not for me? I don\'t think so you little whore. I intend to have you whether you like it or not.\" He trapped her hands to the side, his body weighing heavily on her. He was biting at her neck. Drawing blood.

Hermione went still, trying to keep from passing out. This man seemed capable of any thing. She didn\'t want to die by his hand tonight. She tried to speak. It came out as a croak. \"Michael.\" He let go of her throat to reach between them to open his zipper. It was all the movement she needed. Hermione manage to slide her knee in between his legs. With as much force as she could, she brought her knee up sharply into his balls. Hard. He let go of her hands as his breath was knocked out of his body. Pain radiated upward from the attack.

\"You little...\" One of his hands went to his groin as the other slapped her across the face. She used the leverage of his body to bring her knee up hard again, with more force this time. She had definitely done some damage this time. He groaned as she brought her knee up a third time and then managed to push him off her. Cammeron was curled up on the floor in the fetal position, moaning and swearing at her.

\"You Son of a Bitch!\" She screamed as she kicked him in the side. She took a deep breath and tried to concentrate. \"Accio wand.\" Her wand came flying into her hand from the pocket of his robes on the floor.

\"You bastard! Now you pay.\" She quietly said two spells over his body. As she finished the last spell, the man on the floor started to scream in pain and shift about. Hermione cast petrificus totalis. Forcing him to go still, only his eyes registering any emotion. Something odd started to happen. Cammeron\'s features changed. He had been wearing a glamour.

She went to the fireplace and threw some floo powder in. Her voice was shaky and raw as she called out, \"Albus, I need you.\" She collapsed in a heap on the floor. Sobbing uncontrollably.

Albus Dumbledore stepped through the fireplace and saw Hermione lying on the floor. He summoned a blanket from the other room and wrapped her in it. He Turned back to the fireplace and threw a bit of floo powder in as he called through the network, \" Severus, I need you in Madame Granger\'s quarters immediately. Please summon Poppy and Minerva for me.\"

He turned to the woman in front of him and quietly said, \"Are you all right? What happened Hermione?\"

She let him help her up and lead her to the chair by the fireplace. Sinking into it gratefully, she said, \"He attacked me. He said...\" She couldn\'t finish the sentence as her sobbing increased. Dumbledore placed a coming ing hand on her shoulder.

Snape stepped through the fireplace and took in the scene before him. \"Hermione?\" He said quietly. Hermione\'s face was bruised. There was a thumbprint on her throat and various other bruises were visible. Bloody scratches ran across the tops of her breasts. What little was left of her robe was hanging in tatters. Trying to control his temper he walked over to the witch, his voice soft. \"Can you tell me what happened?\"

She looked at Severus and started to cry anew. Minerva and Poppy came through the portrait. \"Dear Gods, Hermione. Albus, what happened?\"

\"Hermione, look at me.\" Poppy was looking into her eyes and running her wand over Hermione. She pulled a piece of chocolate out of her pocket. \"You need to eat this. Well thankfully he didn\'t ...\" She couldn\'t finish the sentence as she looked at Hermione\'s tear stained face.

\"No Poppy, he didn\'t rape me. He tried. He said he took my wand whe wee were at the Three Broomsticks. I never even noticed. Then he insisted on walking up here after...\" After Severus and I finished fighting, but she left the thought unspoken. \"He said he needed to talk to me and asked if he could come in.\"

\"But why?\" Minerva looked as lost as Hermione felt.

Poppy was healing the scratches across her chest. They were thin white lines. In a little while they would disappear entirely. She had healed the bruises on her face and neck. What she couldn\'t remove was the look in Hermione\'s eyes.

\"Minerva, would you please locate Miss Weasley and ask her to stay here tonight?\" Albus turned to Severus, not sure what he saw on his Potion Masters face. \"Severus I will need you to help me get him to St. Mungo\'s and then we need to contact the Ministry.\"

Severus was looking down at the man on the floor. \"Do you know who he is Severus?\" Albus asked.

\"Yes, he was a Death eater, a minor one of sorts. He must have been wearing a glamour. I\'m not sure of his name.\" Snape was studying the man\'s face.

\"That would explain a few things.\"

Poppy was running her wand over Cammeron, shaking her head. Snape had been standing to the side. He had a strong desire to cast Avada Kedavra on the man lying on the floor. He noticed Poppy\'s puzzled expression. \"What is it Poppy?\"

\"There seems to be two additional spells cast other than petrificus totalis, but I can\'t tell what they are.\"

Albus turned to Hermione. \"Can you tell us what happened and what you cast on him Hermione?\"

She had composed herself as best she could. Gathering the blanket around her as a shield she said. \"He ripped my robe and called me a mud blood bitch and a whore. He said. He said if I could sleep with Severus than I could sleep with him.\" Her voice hitched as she recalled his exact words. The room had gone silent. \"He forgot one thing. I\'m Muggle born. Years ago my parent insisted I take self defense classes. They felt I should know how to defend myself and not loose my head. I just used what they taught me.\"

\"What did you cast on him Hermione?\" Snape\'s voice was quiet, not wanting to startle the woman. He felt as if this was all his fault. Cammeron had gone after Hermione as a way to get at him. He had argued with her just before Cammeron walked her up here. Maybe she would have been more on her guard if she had not been so angry with him.

\"I believe the boils on his genitals will take at least six months or more to go away. I can\'t be sure, but the second spell was either his bits fall off as they heal or they can\'t be used for a year or more. I really am too upset to remember now.\" Hermione smiled for the first time since all this began.

The man on the floor had a panicked look in his eyes. \"Severus, will you take Cammeron to my office? We will floo St. Mungo\'s and the Ministry from there.\"

Snape had walked over to Hermione. Her eyes were distant. \"Hermione?\"

\"Don\'t Severus.\" She said in a tired voice. \"I\'m not your concern. Remember?\" She turned away and looked into the fire. Snape was at a loss for words. He could only stare at the woman in front of him.

Albus eyes were sad as he regarded the two of them. So much pain. He would gladly take it away if he knew how. \"Poppy, please stay until Miss Weasley arrives. I do believe this is the record for Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. Less than two days this time.\"

Hermione couldn\'t help herself. She laughed at the remark as Albus had intended her too. He smiled down on her and softly said. \"I am glad to hear your laugh. Time will take care of all things my dear.\"

Hermione had tears in her eyes again. \"Thank you Albus.\"

The portrait door opened and Ginny came flying through followed by Harry. \"Hermione! Are you okay?\" They both started crying as they hugged each other. Poppy was telling Harry to give her more chocolate. She would bring a dreamless sleep potion back in a few minutes.

Snape cast Mobilicorpus on Cammeron and raised him up. He let the man fall back to the floor again. \"Sorry. I suppose I need a better grip on my wand.\" He knocked Cammeron into the corner of the table and missed the portrait door by a good meter, slamming the man\'s shoulder into the wall. He dropped Cammeron on the floor again, before raising him up and knocking him into the hallway wall.

\"Problems Severus?\"

\"No, Albus. I\'m fine. Shall I take him up to your office?\" Severus looked over at Hermione. She refused to look at him.

\"Yes, we will reach the Ministry from there.\" Albus turned to Hermione, \"I will check back on you in a little while my dear.\"

\"I\'m all right. Ginny and Harry are here.\"

The last thing Snape heard, as the portrait closed was Hermione\'s tearful voice. \"Ginny, what if he had gotten to Silenus?\"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It had taken several hours to get Cammeron to St. Mungo\'s and then notify the Ministry. His real name turned out to be Michael Cammdon. He was a minor death eater that had not been seen since the end of the war.

\"There was nothing you could have done Severus.\" They had just returned and were in Albus\'s office.

\"He was trying to get back at me, Albus. She and I had been arguing just before we arrived back at the castle. Maybe she would have noticed something was not right if she had been paying attention.\" Snape could barely contain himself. He was pacing back and forth. Cammdon was a death eater. He was doomed to pay for his past. He had committed atrocious acts in the name of the dark and in the name of the light. He thought he could live with himself, but Hermione\'s words kept coming back to haunt him. \"What if he had gotten to Silenus?\"

He hadn\'t realized he\'d said the words out loud until Albus answered him. \"This was not your doing. We have all been targets at one point. Hermione was just as accountable for Voldemorts\' death as the rest of the Order. You are not responsible for all the evil in the world. We just try to protect those we love the best we can. Silenus will be fine. As will Hermione.\"

Snape sank into the chair in front of him shaking his head. \"Hermione.\"

\"Time will take care of all things Severus.\" It was the same advice Albus had given her. Snape could only hope he was right.

And the world moved on.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Albus asked Remus to fill in until he could find a new Dark Arts instructor. Harry agreed to change off on the days he couldn\'t teach, when the moon was full.

Severus has spent a sleepless night. His daughter was due to arrive in a few minutes. Hermione had not been at breakfast or lunch, but then he hadn\'t expected her to be there.

A knock sounded at his door.

His voice was tired as he called out, \"Enter.\"

Silenus walked carefully into the office. She has noticed the difference in the tone of his voice. She cast a critical eye on him. \"Are you okay sir?\"

\"Define okay.\"

\"Is something wrong?\"

Snape sighed. This should not be her problem. \"I am sorry Silenus. There was a problem that arose last night. Every thing is fine now.\"

She started to leave.

\"Did you not wish to play chess today? Worried I will win all three games?\" He was trying to lighten the mood. Something he was not good at.

Silenus turned back to her father, smiling as she said. \"Actually, Professor, you look like you haven\'t slept. I\'m sure I could beat you easily.\"

\"Is that so? Would you like to make a wager on that?\"

Silenus smiled as they sat down in the high back chairs by the fireplace. Snape waved his wand and the chess set started to set itself up. \"Define wager.\" She said.

Snape chuckled. Definitely Slytherin. \"What would you be interested in this time?\"

\"If I win, I get to set the password for Slytherin. You will use whatever I decide.\" Silenus had a sparkle in her eyes. Wait until Jessie heard what the wager was this time.

\"You wish to set the password for Slytherin? Would you mind telling me why?\" Snape frowned. What was she after?

\"Well some of the passwords are a little...weird. What if you win?\"

What did he want? All he needed seemed to be right here. His world had shrunk to the child in front of him. \"I believe I could use an assistant in my lab for a project I need to start. \"

Silenus sat up straighter. \"I would do that anyway.\"

\"I know.\"

In the end it was agreed if Silenus won she would set the password for the week. He would accept her choice even if it were \'pink bunnies\'. Severus laughed when he heard that phrase. If he won he would set the phrase for

that week. The worst he could think of. It was decided she would help him in his lab anyway. It was the start of what would become their standard bet for all of Silenus\'s Hogwarts years. At one point she even have her housemates vote on what the password should be if she won that week.

Severus\'s eyebrow shot up, \"Deal?\"

Silenus held out her hand to shake. \"Deal.\"

And father and daughter settled back to enjoy their afternoon game. Hermione was never far from Severus mind. He could see the woman in the child in front of him. She had been right when she said Silenus was the best of both of them. Now if only he and Hermione could learn to deal with each other.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was three hours later when Silenus crowed in undisguised glee. \"Check and mate.\" She had managed to win two out of the three games.

Snape looked at his King, plunging his dagger into his heart. The pieces were getting a little melodramatic. He placed his teacup on the side table as he said, \"So it is. I believe that means you have won the match.\"

The game had been close and could have gone either way. Snape was glad she had won. \"I can pick anything as the password right?\"

\"Yes, I believe that was the wager.\"

\"Can I get back to you tomorrow?\" She asked hopefully.

\"Planning on conferring with Miss Brownynn I presume?\"

\"Was that a yes or a no?\"

Snape chuckled. \"That Silenus was a yes. You may tell me tomorrow. It is late. I believe I have papers to grade and students to fail. Don\'t you have work to do?\"

Silenus smiled. \"I\'m sure I could find something to study, or do, or destroy.\"

\"I will let you know when I am ready to work in the lab. And some time in the next week or so we will start your training in dueling. Now, I believe we are done. Would you care to play again?\"

\"Yes, I\'d like that. I believe I will probably win again too.\" She reached over and kissed Snape on the cheek before she shot out of the office.

Severus sat in the chair for several long minutes. He enjoyed the afternoon. It had helped to dispel some of the remorse he had been feeling about last night. He sighed heavily. He hoped Albus was right. Time will take care of all things.

TBC

A/N: Right. I realize that contained some intense material. Hopefully all is back on track. Harry, Ginny, Some one else new, Hermione and the Ministry (that spells trouble) and of course Silenus and her friends. Oh and may be Ron. Thank you to all who have reviewed. As always thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are always welcome. A thank you to Casandra, my beta.

Regards, Pearle