Love's Saving Grace
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Disclaimer: I wish I owned Harry Potter, but since I don't, don't sue me :)
Rating: PG-13 (in later chapters)
This is my first HG/SS fanfic.
Summary: Hermione is returning to Hogwarts with a secret in tow. How will this effect her and Snape's relationship? And what about that one stolen night?
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Severus Snape sat at the professor's table at the end of the summer. His hair spoke of too many hours doing research in the dungeons; and his eyes spoke of too many sleepless nights. In about two weeks time, a new school year would start. Students would soon continually interrupt his peace, disrupted only now by a lovely memory; he wasn't looking forward to it.
To his left, the headmaster--Albus Dumbledore--was chortling with joy. Dumbledore seemed to be continually chortling with joy, ever since... Snape sneered and returned his gaze to his plate. His ears perked up when he heard, "...she is willing to be the Defense Against Dark Arts professor."
Minerva McGonagall's voice changed to a softer tone. "What about the special circumstances?"
Albus patted Minerva's hand consolingly. "I'm sure the girl will figure out something. Hermione was always a bright girl..."
Minerva and Albus jumped nearly a foot when Severus' chair clattered to the ground. He too, seemed to be shaken by his actions. Moving toward Dumbledore, he asked, "Why is Miss Granger coming back?" It almost sent a delicious thrill through him just to say her name aloud.
Albus smiled and looked at Minerva. It was obvious that Severus still cared for the girl. Looking over his spectacles, he answered off-handedly, "Why, she's the Defense Against Dark Arts professor this year."
"I see," Snape sneered as he left for the dungeons. It seemed that Miss Granger had guts to come back after... He didn't want to think of it. However, he looked down and knew that on some level, he was remembering it. He had forgotten their stolen moments for longer than ever before, but now...
He caught a glance of himself in the mirror. A feral smile graced his features and he whispered to his reflection, "Watch out, Hermione. I'll be waiting for you."
Hermione felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She shook it off and pulled her bundle tighter to her. If it hadn't been for her precious cargo, she could have apperated into Hogsmead and been here earlier. That, and her trunks would have gotten lost. Walking up the stairs, she headed straight to Dumbledore's office, as per her orders.
Shifting her load, she said, "Parfait," to the phoenix statue, and climbed the stairs. Having been to Dumbledore's office so many times as a student, she let herself in. Setting her bundle in a chair, she sat in the other and waited for Dumbledore. Opening the blankets a little, Hermione could see her daughter was still sleeping. Relieved, Hermione shut her eyes for a few moments to collect herself. It was a little hard to let herself drift. Fawkes was getting ready to burst into flame.
It had been six years since she graduated from Hogwarts, and a little over four since Voldemort had been defeated. It was that night after the final battle that she and Snape had... Well, she had her daughter.
"Good evening, Miss Granger."
Hermione opened her eyes and smiled at Albus' kind face. One of the things she missed about Hogwarts the most was her kindly headmaster. Stretching, she replied, "Hello Professor Dumbledore. Is everything almost ready for the new term?"
Bowing his head, he said, "Of course Professor Granger." Noticing the bundle on the other chair, he asked, "Is this...?"
Hermione nodded her head. She didn't need to explain to Dumbledore who she was. He had dispatched an owl immediately after her daughter's birth with congratulations. Rising from her chair, she snatched her daughter up while asking, "Where are my rooms?"
Slightly disappointed at not being able to see the child, Albus replied, "Next to your classroom. I'm sure you'll have plenty of room in there."
Hermione gave a tight smile and said, "You don't know my daughter." Dumbledore's laughter followed her all the way down to her rooms.
The next morning, Severus dressed a little more carefully than he used to. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but a little voice in the back of his mind kept insisting that it was for Hermione. Many times over the last four years, he had looked back at that night with fondness and a deep ache. An ache that could--in his mind--only be assuaged by her presence.
However, Hermione was looking at her reminder of that night and silently cursing under her breath. She didn't have any patience this morning, so she waved her wand at her daughter and willed clothes on her. If it wasn't for the fact that she needed the wand, she would have used the incantation five minutes ago, but her daughter--clever girl that she was becoming--had hidden it, so Hermione had to search for it. The clothes didn't completely match, but robes would hide them. Finally finished, she grabbed her daughter's hand and headed for the dining hall. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she had beaten Snape there. She sat in the chair closest to Dumbledore--the only one there at the time--and pulled her daughter onto her lap. Placing some eggs and toast in front of her daughter, Hermione twisted her torso so she could--maybe--enjoy some breakfast.
Dumbledore smiled at the young one and asked, "What is your name?"
With a mouthful of eggs, the toddler said, "Grace Angelina Maia Snape."
An odd thump happened near the door and Hermione looked up. Brown eyes met with blue; Hermione was the first to look away. This was the reason she almost didn't become a professor at Hogwarts. The first meeting since that night was going to be disastrous; Hermione could feel that in her bones.
Dumbledore and Grace, oblivious to the exchange between Hermione and Snape, kept talking as if nothing was happening.
Hermione winced at the sound of Snape's steps echoing over the stone floor. Calmly grabbing her teacup, Hermione said, "You're looking well, Severus."
Sitting in a chair next to Hermione, he asked, "Is she mine?"
Before Hermione could say anything, Dumbledore interrupted, "Severus, have you met Miss Grace Snape?"
Through clenched teeth, Severus answered, "No. I never knew she existed."