Chapter One
Father
To become a father is not hard, to be a father is, however. by Wilhelm Busch
Never in Minerva and Severus wildest dreams, well maybe in the wildest, did they ever think they enter the headmaster office to find him sitting in the floor with a small child, coloring while chatting with the small child over, why his picture of a duck was wearing socks, red socks.
They stood there shocked, just listening and watching, the two color and talk. Seemly they finally were noticed, by the headmaster. "Ah, Minerva, Severus, welcome would you like to join us try your talent at drawing a duck maybe."
"Headmaster, tell us you dragged us up here to color with you." Stated Severus very much annoyed.
"Of course not Severus, but you're welcome to color with us," Said Dumbledore with a smile.
"Albus, maybe you should go ahead and tell us why you have called us here so urgently." Minerva Intervened.
"Oh course," stated Dumbledore, "continue coloring dear," urged on the little girl, who nodded and continued to color. Dumbledore got up and walked to his desk sitting down, getting comfy and then looked up at them.
"Lemon drop." He said holding out the bowl full of the small yellow candies to them. Minerva politely turned them down, Severus glare at him. "How about you dear, do you want one." Once again speaking to the small child who stopped coloring, she nodded and walked over and grabbing one of the many yellow candies, whispering a polite thank you before walking back to her coloring.
Dumbledore watched her with a smile, before looking back to Minerva and Severus who both looked curious to why they were here well Severus looked annoyed to be there all the same.
"As you both know I was called to go to the Ministry today by Arthur Weasley. Well, there was an incident, involving the death of a squib, which normally wouldn't be an issue for the ministry, seeing that the death was a by natural muggle means, a car crash, I think is what they said. The squib was an only remaining member of her family, well now her daughter is seemly alone in this world. Ministry took her in to do a blood Root Test which is normal protocol of course."
"Albus, what does this have to do with us?" Question Minerva, only to feel a tapping on her hand, looking down she sees the small girl smiling at her, "yes dear," stated Minerva acknowledging the small girl.
The little just smiled and held up a picture of what looked to be black and purple cat with big green eyes. "Do you like it," Shyly asked the little girl looking down.
"Oh course it's very pretty, much better than a duck wearing socks." Commented Minerva earning a big smile from the small girl, and a quick hug, Dumbledore chuckled.
"So this is the child, from the ministry." Minerva Questioned.
"Oh yes,"
"So she's a relative of a professor;" Questioned Minerva trying to get more out of Albus.
Both Minerva and Severus assumed out of the both of them, it had to Minerva who was the relative.
"Headmaster, why does it important that me here to find out about Minerva new found relative" seemly demanded Snape.
"She's not Minerva relative Severus," Explained Dumbledore with twinkling eyes.
"She's obviously not your relative, so get the point," Growled out Severus.
"Of course you must be busy; the end of the school year so close and all, Severus meet your daughter Hermione," Calmly stated Dumbledore eyes twinkling.
Neither Minerva nor Severus could think of anything to say for a few seconds.
"That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard," snapped Severus glaring at the Dumbledore.
"I thought you'd say that, here are the results of the blood root test," Stated Dumbledore handing over a sheet of paper.
"I've never heard of this woman," Growled Severus, looking over the parchment.
"Well I'd suppose not, by my guess it would have been an drunken encounter, about three years ago nine or so months before September….about December (I have no idea lol sorry)"
"She looks nothing like me," Exclaimed Severus, glaring at Dumbledore.
"She looks like her mother, I have a picture," Offered Dumbledore handing over a muggle photograph.
Severus studied the picture, the woman, was slender, lightly tanned with medium curly/wavy brown hair light hazel eyes that showed innocence but intellect; Looking up form the picture to study the small child that had taken to exploring the room and was now looking at Fawkes with complete curiosity and wonder.
Compared to the woman in the picture, he could see many the same features with slight differences. The girl's hair was hair was darker, with more curl than wave, her skin tone paler, close to his if he wanted to be honest, her eyes, were darker also, close to black, holding innocence, desire to learn, and to understand everything she looked at.
A knocking on the door interrupted his thought, he turned to see Madam Pomfrey walk in, and she nodded in greeting before handing a file to Dumbledore.
"Thank you Poppy, lemon drop" offered Dumbledore gesturing to the bowl. She politely declined; before leaving she walked over to Hermione, who smiled in greeting. Poppy pulled out a sucker from one of her many pockets handing it to Hermione, who smiled wider and thanked her.
"Severus I had Poppy redo the Blood Root Test, to confirm or disprove the ministry one. The results are the same," Explained Dumbledore handing over the newest results, bringing Severus attention once again away from the girl.
Severus was still trying to process it all; it was so much he stared down at the picture of the smiling woman he could barely remember meeting let alone sleeping with. Then up at the child who was his daughter. The thought alone shock worried and terrified him.
Why was this happening, what if he didn't want to be responsible for a small child, he didn't even like kids. Did it matter that he wasn't able, willing or ready for this. Did he even have a choice, everything seemed to be telling him no. he couldn't think clearly, he wanted to be angry to curse everyone in the room, especially this picture this woman this stranger, whose death had changed his life forever.
His dark thoughts were interrupted by a giggle, looked up to see the girl playing with Fawkes who was seemly teasing and playing with the girl in return. Looking at the girl seeing her for who she was. She was his daughter, whether this situation was wanted or not didn't matter anymore. Seeing her for the first real time since he stepped into the room and their lives was forced upon each he was filled with both shame and anger, shame for not knowing her, for seeing his own daughter as a stranger; Anger for his own daughter not knowing who he was, anger at the mother for allowing this to happen.
He continued to watch the little girl play with Fawkes, not noticing that both Minerva and Albus were watching him intently.
"What's her name?" asked Severus breaking the silence that had form between the three adults.
"Hermione Jane" provided Dumbledore.
"Does she have any possessions?"
"She has some things at her muggle home, which can be retrieved by you or one of us." Explained Dumbledore, Minerva nodded her agreement. "Other items will have to be bought I'm sure Minerva and Poppy would be willing to help with everything," Continued Dumbledore Minerva nodding in agreement again.
After leaving Hermione with Albus and Minerva, he ended up wondering around, trying to clear his head. He ended up, in front of the house, he'd been avoiding, seeing there was no sense in leaving now that he was here, he entered the home. It was extremely tidy for have inhabited a three year up to now.
The main room, had a cozy feel, furnished in rich warm colors like gold, reds, and browns, he looked over the fact that it was Gryffindor colors, since she couldn't have known. Continuing to look around he saw a desk and reasonable sized book case stepping closer to read some of the titles he found it to be full of various authors and topic many he himself own or have read.
Following the carpet to the hallway, he found one door that head to a modest kitchen, colors consisting of mostly dark yellows with black lining the walls and appliances. The ice box was covered in child artwork, and marks of achievements it seems his dau…Herminone was a bit of a know it all. Giving the room one more glance before continuing he came to three doors, one door was completely open with lead to the bathroom. The second door was completely shut; opening the he was greeted with the scent of jasmine.
The room it's self, contained a bed in the center of the room with small table to the side of it, to the far wall was a vanity and door leading the closet, he presume, and a small book shelf off to the side. The walls where lined with pictures, the room it's self was a cluster of blue, purple and gray and lighter shades of each accenting the room.
Exploring a bit more, he found two books in the top drawer of the vanity, one was an album that was full of pictures of Hermione and her mother, the second was a wore leather journal with Helena written on the cover. Picking up the books he transfigured one of the pillows on the bed into a seemly bottomless carrying bag. He searched the room putting a few more of the items he found into the bag, before leaving the room, coming to the final room.
He was surprised for it to be so neat and organized, seeing that it was a child's room. He always took children to be loud messy and mostly dunderheads. The room, to his delight, was mint and hunter green with accents of gold and sliver, there was a small canopy bed with a small stuff animal, he thinks is or was a cat, propped up on one of the pillows, there was a small vanity in the corner along with a small self which was organized with everything is it's place and medium size dresser. The only thing that seemed in disarray was the small table with was covered in books and crayons and parchment. Going through the room he picked up what he felt she would want the most, a book seemly bursting with all of her coloring, all the books that seemed to be the most read, which was almost all of them, the stuff animal, that he still not sure what it is, all of her clothes, and a few more minor little things.
Ending back in the main room he looked around it seeing if there was anything that he felt Hermione would need or want. Ending up with a few more books and a few more odd pictures he figured he was done. He apparated back to gates in front of Hogwarts. Upon reaching his rooms he was greeted with the sounds of destruction.
"What the hell are you doing woman." Minerva turned to see a very aggravated Severus,
"Calm down, Severus my boy, Minerva is just arranging the rooms to suit Hermione, being down here now," Explained Albus just being noticed by Severus and Minerva.
"Albus I thought you were watching Hermione," Questioned Minerva.
"….. Oh yes I was, but now she's hiding," reasoned Albus tapping his chin in thought.
"Why is she hiding,"? Questioned Minerva, pausing to look at him, before continuing to rearrange the room.
"We're playing a muggle game, but I forget why she's hiding," explain Albus more to himself than the two adults looking at him one with confusion and amusement the other with annoyance and suppressed rage.
"Don't you think……"
"SANTA" Screamed Hermione excitedly, running at Albus clutching his leg joyously chanting"I win, you didn't find me."
"…..Santa…?" both Severus and Minerva thought
"So I was suppose to find you," Albus stated to himself mentally noted that for future games before continuing "you're an amazing hider, I couldn't see you at all," Albus rambled on eyes twinkling as the Hermione giggled.
"What was that about?" Demanded Severus
"oh well, I think it's called seek and discover, but I didn't know I was suppose to discover her, well I did know she was behind the sofa but I didn't claim to, so I guess she did win," Rambled on Albus, smiling with delight.
Severus growled,
"What I think he means Albus, is why she called you Santa." Interrupted Minerva ignoring the death glare she received from Severus.
"Ah that, it's what she called me from the second she saw me, must be the beard and the joy I bring children."
Severus seemed to choke on air. Or was trying really hard not to laugh or say something equally humorous/ sarcastic.
Albus continue as if he didn't heard it "I didn't want to break her heart and tell her I wasn't." he explained solemnly.
"Plus, to be compare to such a great man as Saint Nick, I've always been a fan of his, even though I didn't receive the socks I wanted this year," Finished Albus, who even in his serious tone sounded in awe and a bit like a fan girl in love.
"………"
"…….."
"Severus boy, we must discuss, your summer plans and if you plan to return in the fall, and if so where or who will have Hermione." Albus said jumping to another topic so easily it was as if they weren't just discussing Santa.
Not giving Severus time to answer, "We will discuss that later, for now find your daughter and bond." Stated Albus only slightly hesitating on the last word, before him and Minerva disappear out the door and out of sight.
Collapsing on the sofa none to gracefully Severus loudly sighed; taking a deep breath he rose up and decided to look for his daughter. He found her in a room he didn't have before.
'Damn Minerva messing with my quarters' thought Severus annoyed.
The room was spacious and full of toys and anything child would desire, and disgustedly Gryffindor, it over flowed in red and gold.
Quickly, he banished all the distasteful colors and objects, changing the room to look-like her old room with a few difference, the bed was quite larger, and there was assorted chairs for lounging, along with the books that he bought they're were now books by wizards and magic books for children along with fairy tales and assortment of children books even a few books suitable for preschooler or kindergartener. Other than the books, there were both muggle toys and some magical toys. On the walls her drawings where displayed along with the pictures he had taken off the walls. Lastly the ceiling was charmed to change to suit the mood or desire of Hermione or himself. At the moment it was light blue partly cloudy with a bright sun peaking through, which must be affecting her mood, he definitely wasn't sunny at the moment.
Hermione was looking at the room in pure wonder and glee; she quickly explored the room making quiet sounds of awe and approval, until she got to the book shelf were squeals of complete happiness echoed off the walls though semi-annoying it still bought a small smile to Severus's lips. At least his daughter wasn't a dunderhead.
Leaving the room, he reentered the main room only to find Albus, making himself comfortable an overstuffed chair that wasn't there before.
"I'd appreciate, if that woman would refrain from spreading her Gryffindor-ness to my quarters." Spat Severus with much distaste.
"Bit of color always adds a little character to a room, and Minerva was just concerned that the poor child may go color blind down here," Chimed Albus, hinting at the rather neutral and insipid interior of the room.
"Well, after staring at so many colors for example yellow, gold, red, blue, green and sliver all day, in my private time I prefer being and seeing colorless;" Stated Severus coolly, defending his black, white, and gray accented quarters.
Albus chuckled, "Have you decided what you are going to do?" Albus questioned shortly after.
"I'll make my decision by the end of the term regarding next term," stated Severus sitting in a chair across from Albus.
"Ah then I look forward to your decision in a week then, also, Minerva told me to remind you that Hermione will need new clothes, and she would like to volunteer to take her, she's overjoyed at the thought of dressing up a little girl, she never had children you know." By this time Severus at tune out his babbling, holding up his hand to silence him.
"That Gryffindor is not taking my….daug… Hermione shopping I won't have her coming back all disgustedly Gryffindor." Sneered Severus.
"Well you'll need a lady's opinion, unless you know how to dress a little girl, a three year old little girl." Explained Albus, "but I'll let you deal with that."
"Who's going to watch, Hermione during your classes tomorrow, Minerva said she'd help during her free period, Poppy offered but stated sick ward is no place for a child, I enlisted the help of one of the house elves, but even her time will be limited." Albus continued.
"That's fine."
"I'll make my leave now; try not to forget you are dealing with a three year old and not one of the students." Reasoned Albus, before disappearing out the door.
The day started as normal, Severus woke and dressed preparing to leave to take breakfast in the grand hall. Only to be brought out of route by the 'new' door opening to reveal a three foot tall, child in pink pjs; rubbing the sleep out of her eyes as she dragged a stuffed animal behind her.
Yawning deeply, before dragging herself and the stuffed animal to the couch flopping down, she then looked up to see, Severus, looking at her oddly. "Cheerios time" stated Hermione with sleepy smile, leaving Severus quite confused.
Severus reasoning that it would, be best to have breakfast here with Hermione, then take her to the grand hall, especially with all those dunderheads, who knows what they think of her.
After eating breakfast, Severus waited for the house elf to show up to watch Hermione who was now lying on the floor, going through one of the many books from her room. Turning to meet the popping noise, to be met by a small girl elf, with floppy ears, a large pointed nose, choppy brown hair, and big doe brown eyes, wearing like all the elves at Hogwarts, a pressed tea towel with the school's label on the front.
"Sir, Happy here to watch little misses, while sir in class," Stated the elf, with a big smile.
Severus nodded his approval before speaking, "she's in the other room, Minerva or myself will be back before lunch to watch her," pausing for only a moment he continued. "If there are any issues, contact either Minerva or myself." Waiting for Happy's nod, before he turned to leave, he was about to exit the door when he was interrupted.
"Is sir saying goodbye to little misses, before he leaves;" questioned Happy tilting her head slightly as she spoke.
Severus thought about it, deciding it would be best if he introduced her to Happy before he left. No sense in scaring the child by leaving her with a strange creature she'd never seen or heard of.
Walking back into the room he found her in her room, curled up in one of the many chairs, still looking at the same book.
"Hermione"
The girl in questioned looked up, smiling brightly, before setting the book down and walking over to him. He waited for her to be in front of him before he continued.
"Hermione, this is Happy, she's going to be tending to you while I'm away." Severus explained, watching Hermione stare at Happy in wonder and curiosity.
"Happy, glad to meet little misses, Happy good elf and watch little misses like she was her own. Happy swears." Happy cheered excitedly rambling.
Hermione giggled, Severus took this as his cue he could leave, and he so, silently.
The day continued on as normal, until the end of double potions, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, fifth years, when the class was unexpectedly interrupted by Minerva running in, looking distressed and a bit fearful.
"Severus, may I speak to you, it is of importance," Stated Minerva attempting to sound calm.
"Of course, Minerva," coolly stated Severus before turning to the class "No less than four foot essay is due next class on the history, properties and ingredients of the Invigoration Draught now leave." Demanded Severus, the students needing no other prompt, were up and out of the class in minutes.
Once every student had scampered away, Severus turned to Minerva silently demanding an explanation.
"I expect I didn't release, those dunderheads a whole three minutes early just to enjoy the pleasure of your company." Severus sarcastically supplied after a few minutes of Minerva's silence.
Minerva still kept quite even though she seemed to be trying to decide if what she needed to say was really worth the price she would pay to say it. Much to her relieve her she didn't have to speak; a light popping noise alerted them of a new presence.
"Did Misses find little misses, Happy looked she did, she couldn't find her, Happy sorry." Happy chanted off to Minerva becoming more frantic and upset by each word, complete unaware of the fact she was in front of Severus.
"Happy, were is Hermione." Demanded Severus, connecting the dots, Happy seemed to freeze, becoming utterly aware of where she was and how much trouble she was in.
"Sir," Happy screeched sounding much like nails on a chalkboard or a dieing hippogriff.
Without noticing how much pain the pitch and shrill of her voice was hurting the ears of the people in the room she continued, "Happy leaved the little misses alone for two minutes Happy swears as, Happy tells little misses, Happy had to help in kitchens and Happy be back soon, Happy lied, Happy took ten minutes. Happy hurry back little misses gone; Happy got Misses McGonagall, since sir in class, still Happy not find little misses." The words came out in slurs and gasps as Happy finished openly sobbing and yanking on her overly large ears.
"Severus, we've checked most of the castle, and we can't find her." Supplied Minerva hoping to keep Severus from hurting the sobbing elf, anymore the said elf was punishing herself.
"Did you go to the headmaster?" Required Severus seemly calm though the look in his eyes showed the promise of death.
Minerva just stared at him, her mouth opening and closing much like a fish, "I take that as a no." sneered Severus only to receive a glare from Minerva. Severus strolled out the room robe blowing, in a nonexistence wind behind him, the way he's known for.
They made there way, to the headmaster office, with only total three hundreds points being taken from collectively from all of the houses minus Slytherin of course the house that suffered the most losses was Gryffindor obviously.
Finally reaching the reaching the Headmasters office, Severus hissed the password, then stormed up the stairs the office only to be tackled to the floor and being clutched to by said force.
"Daddy," the force, now known as Hermione, stated clutching him tighter with surprising strength for a three year old. "I was so scared, Happy left me she said when she come back she take me to see you, then I think I find you on my own. Then I got lost, this mean clear boy told me I could walk through the wall like him but I couldn't I just hurt my head, see my boo-boo." Hermione paused to point to her forehead that now had a bright pink bandage on it. "Then this big kid showed up and asked if I was okay and where I came from."
Hermione paused taking a deep breath, Severus took this time to sit up somewhat more dignified though not getting anywhere since Hermione was still on top of him clutching him like a teddy bear.
"I told him, Santa brought me here to live with my daddy, and daddy left me with one Santa's elves so he could teach motions,"
"potions, dear not motions" supplied the headmaster from his desk making his presence know, Hermione nodded in thanks then continued.
"po..tions…. but I was looking for daddy and I got lost and then I got a boo-boo," Completed Hermione sounding the first word out carefully smiling brightly up at Severus.
Severus, getting off the floor with Hermione made his way one of the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk.
"The student brought her here" questioned Severus.
"No actually Poppy did, the student took her to Poppy thinking she hit her head too hard, and Poppy called me, since you were in class, so we've been coloring." Stated Albus complete with twinkling eyes and a smile.
The rest of the week, was calm and less eventful, Hermione was watched by Happy until before lunch then to be watched by Minerva, who Hermione had now dubbed Aunt Minnie, after lunch she spend double potions with 'Santa' then spend the rest of the day with Daddy, which that word only shocked Severus to silence, Albus found it quite funny even more when it was followed by a glare from the silent Severus.
By the last day, Severus had made his decision regarding next term. The school was empty of students; most of the teachers were preparing to leave. As he walked the hall to the headmaster's office, reaching the office he paused only briefly before giving the password.
Severus sat in front the Headmaster, in no real rush to speak, or to listen. He just stared around the room; this very room had changed his life a mere four days ago. So much had changed; he went from being completely alone in the world to the guardian of three year old.
His once dark and gloomy quarters, were now littered with child toys, his book shelves that were once full of complex journals, dark arts and potion books, and various authors of horror, poetry, plays, and suspense; now had many colorful children books mixed in, along with every tale by Brothers Grim, Hans Christian Anderson and even The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Even his scared private lab had been invaded, now other than having one chair to the side it had two, complete with small table which was covered in storybooks and color sheets. His free period which once had been a godsend of silence and peace, even though it was mostly used to grade essays of incompetent children, was now filled with excited giggles, and curiosity of everything that was in a jar.
Of all this, her effortless invasion into his life, none of shocked him as much as her reaction to him. He doesn't like children and they don't like him, even his godson Draco was hesitant around him and that child had known him for much longer than four days. Hermione seemed to worship him, constantly following him and smiling at him, it was a bit peculiar that she so blindly seemly adored him, as Minerva had commented often.
Then the recent addition of calling him daddy, stunned him, such phrases he wasn't used to. Even Draco called Lucius father; He didn't believe Draco had ever even slipped and called Lucius anything but that. He'd never called his father that, beyond that fact was the idea that she just called him that, she never called him anything else. She never asked what to call him, she just knew, she just knew who he was.
She knew who he was, she didn't need proof or be told. She saw him and knew. He walked into this office four days ago and ignored her then assumed her to be the relative of everyone but him. He demanded proof, even after refusing to believe, she was the stranger to him, whereas she knew who he was probably for the second he walked in the room.
"Severus my boy,"
Severus blinked coming out of a haze of thoughts by the headmaster's voice.
"Ah there you are, I was starting to think you were under Imperius Curse." Chuckled Albus watching the haze of deep thought leave Severus eyes as they focused on him.
"Headmaster, I'll cut to the point."
"Albus, Severus, no sense in the title here." Albus reasoned, picking up a lemon drop from a large bowl on his desk only toss it in his mouth. "Where's little Hermione?" questioned Albus interrupting Severus from continuing.
"She's exploring with Happy." Severus coolly replied more than a little put off on being interrupted mid-point.
"Happy's quite fond of ….."little misses'…. yes that's what she calls her, never seen one of the elves so taken by a child here, but Hermione is quite younger than the students," Rambled on Albus, ignoring the fact that Severus was fuming.
"But back to the point, you have decided about next term." Supplied Albus ignoring the death glare he was receiving.
"Yes, sir," Hissed Severus from clinched teeth, "I have decided to take a few years off, if that is acceptable."
"Of course my boy, I was actually hoping you would, I've already talked to Horace, you remember Horace of course on coming out of retirement for a few years." Stated Albus, clearly happy with this decision, Severus just stared at him.
"Are you going to be staying at Spinner's end, or with the Malfoy's?" questioned Albus before rambling on, "Young Draco would give Hermione someone to play with."
"I have spoken to both Lucius and Nacrissa, and they are both curious of Hermione, Nacrissa more than Lucius of course." Supplied Severus not giving much information, slightly pausing he continued.
"For the most part I feel we'll be at my home, but we may be at the Malfoy's a period of time."
-Fin-
AN: First chapter done. This is my first HP Fanfiction, I've been throwing this idea around for the last two years, and I finally decided to post the first chapter. This is an AU but it will follow closely the Cannon plot just being twisted to where Hermione is Severus's daughter. I already have everything planned out. Including the pairing but I'll leave that up to debate. Ron isn't a choice, I really hate that pairing. The title of this is also up for suggestions; I really have no idea what to call this. I'm looking for beta, so hopefully until I find one, this isn't too OOC or grammatically incorrect. Thanks for READING!
Standard Disclaimer APPLIES!
This is Severus/Hermione story this is not a Severus/Hermione pairing, this is purely a father/daughter relationship, the pairings won't come until later