Chapter one:

My name is Hermione Granger, and I'm 16. I attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My best friends are Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.

My parents just died, in a plane crash, while they were on their way home from Australia.

I have no living relatives to look after me, and because I am underage, I need someone.

The stupid Ministry has forbidden the Weasley's to adopt me, because they 'have too many children as it is.' How stupid is that?!

Any families that want to adopt kids don't want a 16 year old female teenager.

I was in my parent's house, all alone, at night, when there was a knock on the door. I hesitantly opened the door, and gasped.

Standing in front of me was Minister Fudge, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Snape.

"Um, hello?" I said, eyebrows raised.

"Good evening Miss Granger. Could we come in?" Dumbledore asked politely.

"Sure…" I said, opening the door for them, and leading them into the sitting room.

"Thank you Miss Granger." Fudge said cordially.

Snape merely nodded his head. Greasy git.

Once we were all seated, I said "Professors, Minister, what is this all about?"

"Due to the unfortunate death of your parents, you know that you are in need of a guardian." Fudge began.

"Because the Ministry denied the Weasley's to adopt you, you currently have no guardian." Dumbledore said.

"Yes, I knew this already sir…" I said, trying to sound polite.

"We have found a guardian for you." Dumbledore said simply.

My jaw dropped, "Who?!"

"Me." Snape said.

My jaw dropped even lower, if that was possible. Severus Snape, my professor, is going to ADOPT me?!

I was starting to panic, "But, isn't there anyone else? Why would he even want to adopt me? He hates me!" Yep, I was panicking.

"No there isn't anyone else, and it was actually his idea to adopt you." Fudge said, shifting in his seat.

"And hate is a very strong word Miss Granger." Snape put in, quietly.

My mouth was opening and closing like a fish.

"Your neighbours are selling this house tomorrow, are they not?" Dumbledore asked me.

"Y-yes." I replied.

"Well, if you would be so kind to do so, could you quickly pack your bags and whatnot, and prepare to leave so you can get familiarised with your new guardian and new home." Dumbledore said.

I nodded faintly, and made my way upstairs. This cannot be happening to me.

Ten minutes later, my trunk was packed with pretty much everything in my room, except the furniture.

I heaved it down the stairs, and back into the sitting room.

With a flick of Snape's wand, my trunk vanished.

"I sent it to Spinners End." Snape explained.

I nodded dumbly.

"Well, if that is all, I think Cornelius and I will leave the two of you to it. Goodbye Miss Granger, Severus." Dumbledore said warmly, and he walked out of the door and apparated away, Fudge not far behind.

"Come along Miss Granger." Snape said politely, and we left the house without further ado.

"You can not apparate yet, correct?" He asked me.

"No Professor." I replied.

"Hold onto my arm, tightly, then." He said, offering me his arm.

I grimaced slightly, but grabbed it anyway.

With a spin, and a pull, we arrived in front of a vaguely gloomy house.

"Welcome to Spinners End." Snape said, and he opened the front door.

Inside, it was much warmer, and cheerful, than it looked outside.

I smiled.

"I'll show you to your room Miss Granger." Snape said, smiling slightly.

Oh Merlin. SNAPE SMILED. SNAPE NEVER SMILES. ARGH! I MUST BE CORRUPTING HIM! Eh, I can't complain. A happy Snape HAS to be better than a mean Snape.

Spinners End was quite a large, one-story house. Snape led me to the back of the home, and opened a large black door.

I gasped at what was inside.

It was a very, very large, perfectly square room, with beige walls, and golden, brown wooden floor. There was a large king size bed, on the opposite wall of which the door was. The bed, I might add, had red and gold sheets. How thoughtful. The frame was black. There was a large dresser on the right side of the room, and on the left, there was a table, with a majestic chair. Light brown, wooden shelves adorned the walls.

"Do you like it?" Snape asked me.

"Yes, it's brilliant sir!" I exclaimed.

"I'm glad." Snape said, and then he added, "I know that I am now your adoptive father, but I do not expect you to call me father or dad. I know how hard it is to call someone mum or dad, who isn't your biological parent. I do, however, expect you to call me Severus. We are outside of school, and I am now your guardian. I don't want to be called Professor, or sir. Just Severus, Miss Granger."

I smiled, "Okay Severus, but I expect you to call me Hermione." Yeah I can play that game too.

Severus grinned, and genuine grin, "Not a problem Hermione."

I smiled again. This isn't so bad.

"If you are ready, we will go to the dining room for dinner." Severus said.

I nodded, and followed him back to the dining room, where we sat across from each other. Three minutes later, three house elves came out; two carrying plates filled with the most delicious looking food, and the third carrying two goblets.

I scowled at the enslavement.

Severus laughed at me, "I know of your S.P.E.W campaign, and I would like you to know that my three house elves get paid six galleons a week, each, and the only thing they do without command is prepare food. They are free to leave as they wish, but must return upon hearing their names."

I smiled appreciatively.

The three house elves all stood side by side. The first had very large ears, and bright blue eyes. She was wearing a light pink and black tartan skirt that fell above her knees, and a black blouse. The second elf had large, brown eyes, and a fuzz of grey hair on top of his head. He was wearing a pair of makeshift black slacks and a light green singlet. The third elf was wearing a dress. She looked absolutely adorable. It was yellow and pink, and fell to her knees.

"Please meet Deebi, Bo and Keelee." Severus said, addressing the elves, "I have assigned Keelee to you. She is now yours, though I still pay her."

"Thank you so much Severus." I said, meaning in. Keelee was just the most adorable thing you had ever seen.

"Nice to meet you Miss!" All three elves said at once.

"The pleasure's all mine." I said, smiling at the beaming elves.

"Dig in." Severus said to me, and I started eating. The dinner was wonderful.

"My godson will be coming tomorrow to stay for the remainder of the holidays. His parents are away, and unable to look after him." Severus told me, obviously not wanting to say who it was yet.

"Okay." Was all I said.

"Also, there is a Ball that I have to go to tomorrow night. My godson is going to go, and it would be great if you came as well, is that okay?" Severus asked me.

I was excited; Ball's are so much fun!

"Yeah! I love Ball's!" I squealed.

Severus smiled, "That's good then. Check in your dresser, I got you a dress and accessories. The ball is semi-casual."

Okay, now I'm nervous. SEVERUS SNAPE BOUGHT ME A DRESS, AND ACCESSORIES! OH DEAR GOD! Please be a good dress, and accessories.

I nodded, and excused myself from the table, and went straight to my room. I opened the cupboard, and gasped.

The dress was beautiful.

A/N: I will give a detailed explanation of what the dress looks like either in the next chapter or the one after, but the link to see the actual dress is on my homepage :)

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