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.


~~~~~~ A Knock at the Door ~~~~~~

Chapter 9 - Happy Birthday and Little Green Men?

\"Unbelievable, at this rate I will need another case of red ink before Christmas.\" Severus Snape was spending his usual Sunday night in his office grading potions essays. His quill slashed through another line, trailing red
ink across the page. \"Yes, Mister Bristol I should let you grind your gingerroot instead of cutting it up, but I would think you need this Wit-sharpening potion if you are to think clearly at all.\"

A knock sounded at his door. \"Enter.\"

The door opened and his daughter Silenus walked in. She looked at the parchment on his desk. \"Did something die there?\"SnapSnape chuckled, \"Only Mister Bristol\'s wits. Have you come to tell me what the password will be for this week?\"

\"We agreed that no matter what I picked, even if it was pink bunnies, you would allow it. Correct?\"

Snape groaned. That type of statement could only lead to trouble. \"What did you choose?\"

\"I just want to make sure I\'m correct before I tell you.\"

\"Yes. I barely recall those were the terms. But I see they will need amending in the future if we are ever to pursue this wager again. Silenus, what did you choose?\" Snape watched as the wheels in her mind turned.

\"I Love Harry Potter.\"

Snape\'s eyes bulged. He turned even paler then usual and roared, \"What!\"

Silenus had a gleam in her eyes. She thought she would be taking a chance at getting him mad, but she wanted to see what he would say. \"You don\'t like that password?\"

Snape was glaring now. Daughter or not, the password would not be I love Harry Bloody Potter.

\"Okay, pink bunnies it is.\"

\"I believe this has gone far enough Miss Granger.\"

\"Would you prefer I love Harry Potter? A bet is a bet.\" She thought she might be taking her life into her hands here.

\"Silenus.\"

\"Okay, fine. The real password is Weird Sisters. They\'re a singing group.\" She said, all smiles.

\"I know very well who they are. Weird Sist Tha That will be the new password for this week.\" Snape was looking at his daughter. \"I see you are quite pleased with yourself. Who came up with I love Potter? You or Miss Brownynn?\"

\"Um. Exactly how did you want to amend the wager for next time?\" Silenus and Jessie had come up with Weird Sisters. She thought if she came up with a few he\'d hate, Weird Sisters wouldn\'t seem so bad.

Snape was pleased she didn\'t turn in her friend and housemate. \"Tell Miss Brownynn she is safe from detention this time.\"

\"We can decide the change in rules next time we play. However since next Saturday is your birthday, I thought perhaps you would like to go to Hogsmeade again. We can have lunch at the Three Broomsticks and then you may choose something from the Written Word. Have you made plans for the day with your mother yet?\"

Hermione. He had stopped by her quarters last night to see how she was. Ginny Weasley was still there. It had been late and Hermione had already taken a Dreamless Potion. He had seen her tonight at dinner. She appeared tired and drawn. The shadows under her eyes were more pronounced then before. She barely seemed to eat and did not speak to anyone as far as he could tell. He was worried for her state of mind.

\"I tried to talk to mom but she said she wasn\'t feeling well. She didn\'t look too good either. Mom usually makes dinner and a cake for my birthday. You\'ll come and have cake, right?\" Silenus was worried. Her mom didn\'t look good at all.

The eyebrow went up. \"With Uncle Harry I presume?\" Silenus grinned. \"Very well. Perhaps I can speak with your mother.\" Severus did not feel it was his place to tell Silenus about the attack on Hermione. She should hear that from her mother herself.

\"Thank you. Well I\'ll head back to the common room. Good night.\" Things seemed a bit awkward between them. Silenus left quickly.

\"Good night Silenus.\" Circe, just how bad was Hermione?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was late. The fire in the hearth was dying. The night had already slipped into early morning. Severus Snape sat watching the remaining embers glow. His empty glass belied the amount of times he had refilled it tonight. He had gone to see Hermione after Silenus left. She let him in with the barest of acknowledgements. Her eyes were hollow. He had offered her a strong sleeping draught that she refused. Her laugh had been bitter as she turned the draught down.

\"You were right you know. The past always catches up with you.\" She was staring off into space, not even making contact.

\"Hermione, this was not your doing. Silenus is worried about you. You should tell her what happened. Perhaps you need to talk to someone?\" This was not the Know It All Gryffindor he knew.

\"Go away Snape.\" Her voice was flat. It held a lifeless quality.

He was getting angry. \"You havestopstop this.\"

\"Compassion doesn\'t suit you. Why don\'t you do us both a favor and go? I\'m fine. I will be back in the Hospital ward tomorrow and I will talk to my daughter. Satisfied?\" Her voice was hard.

\"You want to be fine? Get angry. Do something.\"

She looked at him appraisingly. \"You really are a bastard aren\'t you? Two days ago a death eater tries to rape and kill me and you want me to just move on.\" It was a whisper, but he still heard her. \"I\'m sorry I ever came back.\"

Anger flared in his eyes. \"You wish you were back in America? Running away never solved anything. You hid for twelve years. You lived a complete lie. And to what end? You denied who you were. You caused your friends more grief than you will ever know. I may not like Potter, but he mourned for you. Silenus lived a lie. A name that wasn\'t her own and a life she didn\'t choose. This goes deeper than the attack, doesn\'t it? I know all about regrets and living a life not of your own choosing. For the first time in thirty years, my thoughts are my own. Some days that is more unsettling than facing the Dark Lord at his worst. It\'s time to join the living Miss
Granger.\" He left without a backward glance.

He sat here now thinking he really was a bastard after all. He had always been a cynic at heart. He meant want he said to her. He knew she was still in shock from the attack, but it went much deeper than that. He didn\'t want to hurt her. Well, if he were to be honest with himself, he would say that was a lie. He did want to hurt her. He knew it was petty and mean but he wanted to hurt her in the same way she had hurt him. He had cared, after a fashion twelve years ago and she had left. When she had told him about the girl all he had wanted was for them to disappear. But things had changed. For the first time in thirty years, his thoughts and actions were really his own. Voldemort was gone. The need to coddle the Slytherin\'s for fear of reprisal by other death eaters was gone. The need to protect Harry Bloody Potter was over. Even Albus, who had given him back his life, no longer had a hold on him. He was here by his own choice now. Dear Gods, maybe he should be the one to have his head examined? She needed to come to terms with the last twelve years. He had cursed her when she suddenly appeared with a child in tow. His child. But a strange thing had slowly evolved. He was not warm and nurturing, but he did care about Silenus. He found a strange measure of satisfaction when they spent time together. He had learned a long time ago that life was not always fair. You play the cards your dealt.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Monday did not dawn bright and sunny, but rather dull and gloomy mixed with intermittent rain. And more rain. The dungeons held a damp chill. Snape\'s mood seemed to match the day. It was early in the double lesson between second year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs that the problem occurred. Snape saw Henderson add 15 milliliters of dragon\'s blood instead of 5 milliliters. He was barely able to get a shield up before the cauldron exploded. Fortunately the explosion was contained before anyone could be hurt. Unfortunately, when Henderson jumped back to avoid the explosion he knocked into the bottle of Jobberknoll extract on the bench behind him. The vial broke cutting and burning his arm. \"Accio cloth.\" A damp cloth flew into the Potion Master\'s hand. He placed it on the boys arm and said a quick spell. He cast stasis on the remaining cauldrons in the room. \"Take your seats. I want a foot of parchment when I get back on why Jobberknoll extract should be handled carefully. No one touches anything or their house will lose 50 points when I return! Mr. Henderson, I will escort you to the Hospital wing.\" After this mishap he wasn\'t going to let them continue without his presence in the room.

\"Poppy where are you? I have an injured student.\" The swinging doors of the Hospital clattered behind him.

Hermione came out of the office. \"Madame Pomfrey is not here at the moment. What seems to be the problem?\" She had walked over and was examining Mr. Henderson\'s arm.

Snape looked at Hermione. Her face was still drawn and pale but she seemed to be handling herself better then the night before. \"Madame Granger, Mr. Henderson broke a vial of Jobberknoll extract.\"

\"Thank you Professor. I will take care of the young man. Everything will be fine.\" Hermione was leading him to a cot and reaching for supplies. Snape nodded as he turned and left. He could hear her reassuring the boy that everything would be all right. Everything will be fine. Did she mean the boy or herself?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He had a roaring headache and nothing strong enough to take it away. He still had about an hour before curfew and the start of his evening patrol. He heard their voices as he opened the door to his lab.

\"Make sure you crush the snake fangs into a fine powder. You will have to strain the mixture before it sets and turns into a paste.\" Hermione was instructing Silenus on how to make the wound-cleaning potion.

Their eyes meet briefly as Severus gave a small bow. \"Ladies.\" He moved to his workbench and took down a fresh cauldron and started to assemble his supplies.

Hermione watched Severus work. The economy of his movements, the grace and precision of his hands were always fascinating to her. Corkbulb root, a kwama egg, wickwheat, dried nettles, and ginger root. She motioned to Silenus, \"Go chop the ginger root for your father. Be sure to make the slices thin. Is your headache that bad?\"

Severus arched one eyebrow as he looked at the witch. He should have known someone with her medical and potions background would have noticed what he was making. \"Yes. It is the equivalent of a cauldron exploding in my head.\"

Hermione came around to his side of the bench. She flooed the kitchen for chocolate biscuits and ginseng tea. She set the tray on the other side of the bench. \"Sit. The tea will help until the potion is complete.\" She pointed to the Corkbulb root as she instructed Silenus. \"Grate the root into the dish on the side before you measure it.\"

Severus watched Mother and daughter work. He was not about to say anything to break the fragile ceasefire they seem to be establishing. Hermione handed him a beaker of orange foaming potion to drink and set about cleaning the workbench with Silenus\'s help. \"Thank you. I believe it has helped.\" He looked at his daughter, \"Shouldn\'t you start heading back to your common room? Curfew is in ten minutes.\"

Silenus turned to Snape; \"My mom is going to have everyone in for cake on Saturday evening to celebrate my birthday. You\'ll come won\'t you?\"

Severus looked at Hermione. She gave him the briefest of nods. \"I assume Potter and Lupin will be there?\" Again she nodded. \"I suppose, since it is your birthday, I can endure a few hours of their presence.\"

\"Great. Good night sir.\"

\"Come on Silenus, I\'ll walk back with you. Good night Professor.\" Hermione held the door for Silenus as they left the lab.

Severus watched them go. Professor. He probably deserved At At least she was talking to him again.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When Snape entered his lab on Thursday, he again found mother and daughter working together. He acknowledged their presence and set about working on some of his research. He felt Silenus standing by his side before he looked up.

\"Is there anything I can help you with?\" She asked quietly.

\"How do you feel about research?\"

\"Research?\"

\"The process of looking up information for comparison and further knowledge. Research.\" Severus couldn\'t help smirking at the expression on his daughters’ face.

\"You want me to look something up?\"

\"It is easy to see why you are your mothers\' daughter.\" Snape had excellent reflexes. He ducked as Hermione\'s stirring wand went sailing past his head to land harmlessly on the workbench behind him.

\"That will be enough out of you Professor.\" She was still annoyed with him, but it was obvious he and Silenus were getting on well.

Snape decided not to push it. He gestured to the notes in front of him. \"Yes. This is the formula and ingredients for a Purification Potion. I specifically need to know if the three ingredients listed here, the Pine Branch, Red Berries, and Unicorn Horn can be combined with this list for the Wolfsbane Potion. You must check each ingredient for interaction with those on the list and with each other as the potion transforms. It will also be necessary to check each form of the ingredient. Powder can be more powerful than slicing or grating. You will need to carefully site your references so that I can recheck findings if there is a problem.\"

\"And where will I find this information?\"

Snape pointed to the corner of the lab. A large, old fashion oak roll-top desk stood in the corner next to several overflowing bookcases. \"Those would most likely be a good place to start.\"

Silenus looked skeptical. \"And when will I need to finish this research?\"

Snape chuckled. \"When you are done. That is the problem with research Silenus, you can not put a time limit on it.\" Silenus picked up the paper work and walked over to the desk to start her research.

Hermione watched the two as they talked. A twinge of jealousy ran through her. She had decided to be civil to Snape for Silenus\'s sake. It was easier this way. Some of what he had said the other night had hurt her. All right, pretty much all of what he had said had hurt her. Unfortunately, he\'d been right about most of it. But she was not about to admit that to him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Severus was waiting in his office for his daughter to arrive. Today was her 12th birthday.

A knock sounded at his door. \"Enter.\"

Silenus walked in as if she were walking on air. Her eyes were bright and a smile was on her face as big as all outdoors. \"Good afternoon.\" She said cheerfully.

Snape looked up from his paperwork. \"You look extremely happy for a Saturday.\" He drawled.

Silenus was looking carefully at her father. A month ago that remark would have hurt, but now instead she saw the gleam in his eyes and the start of a smirk on his lips. The tone of his drawl was another giveaway if you listened. Most students, all right, most people were too afraid of him to really look at the man behind the menacing robes. \"Yes, it\'s a wonderful day. Uncle Harry is coming for dinner tonight.\"

Snape burst out laughing at the remark. \"You do realize I could deduct 50 points just for saying his name?\"

\"Nrom rom Slytherin you won\'t. Everyone knows you want the house cup.\"

\"I see.\" Severus had moved to the back wall of his office. An archway magically appeared in response to a quiet spell and a wave of his hand. “Come with me. I have something for you.\"

Silenus followed him into his private quarters. She looked around the room, taking it all in. The black leather high back chairs sitting next to the fireplace, the black, silver, and dark green patterned sofa, the dark wood tables and oriental rugs. There were bookcases on every wall. Most were overflowing with books but some held artifacts and other keepsakes. The room was plush and very comfortable. There were several doors set haphazardly in the walls leading to other rooms. One she knew led to his private lab. She had wondered about his living quarters but thought it would be rude to ask to see them. She caught site of what appeared to be a large aquarium. \"You have an aquarium?\" She asked in disbelief. He didn\'t seem the type to keep fish.

Snape chuckled in amusement. \"No. That is a window you are looking at. We are under the lagoon in this part of the dungeon. Have a seat.\" He had motioned for her to sit on the couch.

Snape disappeared into one of the rooms and came back with a brightly wrapped package that he placed on the table in front of the girl. \"I know I am probably not the father you imagined you should have but I am glad to get the chance to know you even at this late date. We will still visit the Written Word after lunch, but this is something I want you to have. Happy Birthday, Silenus.\"

Silenus was dying of curiosity. This was the most personal thing he had said to her up to this point. She ripped the paper off to reveal an unmarked box. She levered the lid off and looked inside. Her breath caught in her throat. Inside was the chess set they had been playing with. It was a Snape family heirloom. She looked up to see her father watching her. \"Oh god, Thank you.\" Overcome with emotion, she stood up and hugged her father.

Severus was at a loss as how to respond. He awkwardly patted her on the back. As the girl pulled back, he asked, \"Am I to assume you are pleased with the gift?\"

\"Oh yes. Very pleased. But I am afraid something will happen to it if I take it back to the dorm.\" She knew how valuable and rare the set.
.

\"The pieces are charmed to stay with the set. No one can take them from you. There is also a marking charm so the set will not move if you do not choose it to do so. I do believe we will need to get a new set if we are to play chess next week.\" Snape was pleased she seemed to like the set. It was something he wanted her to have. He had no wha what to get a 12-year-old girl. \"Why don\'t you leave the set here and we will retrieve it when we return? Shall we go have lunch than?\"

Father and daughter spent a pleasant afternoon having lunch at the Three Broomsticks and choosing books in the Written Word. They even made a side trip to Honeydukes before returning to the castle. Silenus reminded Severus of his promise to come for cake that evening when she retrieved the chess set from his quarters.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Severus stood glaring at the portrait outside of Hermione\'s quarters.

\"It\'s you again.\" Laurel said.

His scowl deepened. He must really be getting senile in his old age, that or one to many Cruciatus Curses to still be standing here. He\'d try one more time. \"Do you plan on doing this every time I present myself at this door Madame?\" He was just about ready to return to his quarters after he hexed the painting of course. Maybe he would try and floo here.

The door popped open and Harry Potter looked out. \"Snape. I thought I heard someone out here. Would you like to come in?\" Harry had a lopsided grin on his face as he faced his former Professor. \"Silenus, look what I found in the hall.\"

Snape used his patented glare at the young man as he entered the room. He infused his voice with as much disdain as possible. \"Potter.\"

Ginny laughed as she walked over to the two wizards, \"Good evening Professor.\"

Snape bowed formally. \"Miss Weasley.\"

He moved over to the side table to take a cuppa. Upon surveying the room, he realized he was out numbered roughly two to one. The usual Gryffindors were in attendance, Albus, Minerva, Remus, Potter, Miss Weasley, Hermione plus a few others for good measure. The only Slytherins were his daughter and her 3 friends and himself. He had to laugh when he looked at the cake. Hermione had walked over. \"Very diplomatic.\" He said.

\"I know she\'s in Slytherin but I just couldn\'t bring myself to make a green cake.\" The cake was white with gold and silver icing. \"She\'s really thrilled with the chess set you know.\"

Severus sighed. \"Regardless of her last name she is still a Snape. The chess set is rightfully hers.\"

\"I thought the set was passed down.\"

\"I hadn\'t planned on dying in the near future. I thought I would give her the set now.\"

Hermione had a small smile on her lips. \"I see.\"

The rest of the evening passed relatively painlessly considering the company he was in. He was even drawn into a fairly interesting discussion about the new Quidditch season by Harry and Remus.

As far as birthdays go, thought Silenus, this one has to be the best.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For the middle of the week, Wednesday was living up to its name. Since his afternoon was free, Severus had decided to try and catch up on some of his research trials. The door to the lab slammed open with a loud resounding bang. A very angry Hermione Granger stormed into the lab. \"Trouble, Madame Granger?\" He asked.

\"Those idiots. The bloody bastards. I should hex their bits off!\" She was past mad.

Snape remembered. Wednesday, October 2nd. The Ministry hearing. \"Are you still deceased?\"

\"Oh no, I\'m alive. Now I\'m an alien!\" She yelled.

An alien? He took a step closer and captured her chin in his hand as he looked at her face from side to side.

\"What are you doing?\"

\"You don\'t look green at all.\"

\"Green?\"

Snape had a slight grin on his face, \"Yes your daughter was telling me about aliens just the other day. Little green men I believe she called them. Though I must say, you\'re color would not indicate to me you were an alien.\"

Herm lau laughed through her annoyance. \"The Ministry claims I lost my citizenship by living abroad for longer than 10 years. Silenus has citizenship because you are a British citizen. I am given alien status until I can obtain residency.\"

\"Can\'t Albus help you?\"

“Well they aren\'t planning to ship me off anywhere if that is what you\'re worried about. Once Albus sends in the proper documentation on my living arrangements and position at Hogwarts it will get sorted out. A few more months and hopefully all will be cleared up. It\'s just frustrating.\"

Snape looked at her and shook his head. \"The Ministry.\" That seemed to say it all.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Saturday rolled around and Silenus and Severus were ensconced in his private quarters using the Snape family chess set. Severus had not been able to find an acceptable replacement yet.

\"Did mom tell you she\'s an alien now?\" Silenus asked.

With obvious amusement Severus said, \"Yes. She still doesn\'t look green to me.\"

Silenus started to laugh. \"Mom told me just before she left that you said that.\"

\"Left? Where did your Mother go?\" Where would Hermione go he wondered?

Silenus was studying the board carefully. The match was one to one. \"Oh, she went to stay with Ginny for the weekend in London. Something about a blind double date with Ginny and Uncle Harry.\"

Severus barely heard his daughters\' triumphant \"Check and mate.\" Hermione? In London? On a blind date?

TBC

A/N: A blind date? A Halloween dance to come. And just where is Hermione\'s space ship? More questions and answers next time. 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