Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. Anything recognizable belongs to JK Rowling. I only have my characters and the plot.

Always a Stranger

Chapter 2

Flashback, con't…

As seven hands held the portkey, it automatically activated and the Snapes found themselves in a cozy kitchen. Surrounded by the smells of baking bread and wet wool, Hermione let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Severus stepped in front of them safeguarding them from any potential threat. Hermione was also in a defensive position, and backed the children into the nearest corner. Facing outward, Hermione and Severus stood guard over their family. The space they occupied was a warm kitchen. There was a fire in the large hearth, with a large pot bubbling on a cast iron stove-top. The windows were fogged and beading with condensed water. It was early evening, and it was snowing outside. The house seemed empty at the moment, but was obviously occupied.

"Sev.."

"Shhhh! Hermione, Let me think!" Severus snapped.

At that moment, the door opened.

In walked a short, sturdy witch. She was bundled head to foot in a thick grey cloak with a wide multicolored scarf covering her head and face. Only her beady, bright, animal-like eyes poked out. She looked like the Hufflepuff badger come to life. "Ahhh. Well, I see you've made it. I hope there wasn't too much a trouble. Well, don't just stand there mouths agape, there are things to do. But first, please have a seat; I'll have the tea ready in just a moment."

"Excuse me, Madam, but I don't believe we've ever met?" ventured Hermione.

"Oh, my apologies, Miss. You may call me Ellie. I'm a friend of Minerva's. And although you may not know me, I do know of you. I must say, I am honored to be of service to the Family Snape."

The children looked to their father, and after another surreptitious glance around the room, he nodded for them to take a seat. They all made their way to the clean, scrubbed pine table, and sat on the wide benches on either side.

Ellie turned to them, beaming, "First things first- You'll not have eaten yet, I'll assume, and if it's food and comfort you'll be needing, it'll always be found here. Please Master, Madam, have a seat." Severus inclined his head and took a chair at the head of the large table. Hermione remained standing and made to help the older witch. "Please, Ellie, it's Hermione. I'd like to help you. Lets get the children settled and we can talk."

"Fine, fine, yes. Always heard you were a most sensible witch. Minerva always speaks so highly of you and yours." They set about in agreeable silence. Athena, the youngest of the brood, came over to her father's side, she silently tugged on the leg of his trousers. Severus lifted her up and gently wrapped his arms around his babe. She, in turn, sighed contentedly and buried her face in her father's robes. While Ellie set out eight bowls of thick stew, Hermione poured milk for all the children. Two warm loaves of bread and a crock of butter made its way to the table, and those assembled tucked into the meal.

After they had all eaten their fill, the adults settled down for a cuppa.

"Madam, you have been so kind, I'd like to introduce you to our family." Severus intoned. Motioning to his left, he signaled, "This is my eldest son, Ronan. He is a fifth year." The dark young man stood gracefully and gave Ellie a respectful bow at the waist. He was tall and slim, and seemed he could have been the spitting image of his father at that age. "Beside him is our next oldest, Nikolas, a second year." An exuberant child stood up, and with a beaming smile, gave a quick bow to their host. A crown of bronze curls adorned his beaming countenance, a note of mischief evident in his brown eyes. "Our third son, who just turned eight years, is John-Luc" A thin child with straight sandy hair stood before her, his hazel eyes wide, and gave a bow in imitation of his older siblings. "Our daughters are Olivia and Athena." "And how old are you girls?" asked Ellie gently. A small girl, who was the imitation of Severus with her mother's nose, piped up, "I'm Olivia, and I'm five." As Athena's sharp eyes peered up at Ellie through a mop of copper colored curls, she held up two chubby fingers. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, girls. Dare I say, you are the apples of your father's eye?" Snape looked at his daughters and smiled indulgently. "Indeed," was his soft reply.

Ellie stood, and looked them over with bright eyes. "You have a bonny fine family there, you should be right proud. As I said before, it is my honor to know all of you." She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her apron. Smiling, she explained, "Sometimes it gets tiring, the war. I start to feel like all of our sufferings are in vain. I'm tired of the ministry and dark wizards. I feel like there are times I could give up. But seeing you all, here in front of me, I see hope. I see a future for the wizarding world. Your wonderful family is a blessing, may Merlin protect you!"

Taking a deep breath to collect herself, Ellie continued, "I have a large loft above this room, it is not much, but it is warm and dry. There are cots along the walls that can be arranged to your liking. Please make yourselves at home. The loo is down the hall."

After everyone had made a quick trip to said loo, Hermione and Severus moved the children up to the loft to get settled as Ellie started the after dinner dishes. After they beds were made and arranged, Severus turned to address his family. Hermione sat the children together on one of the cots and stood beside her husband. "OK Snapes, first of all, I'm so proud of each of you. Tonight, you've shown me what you're all made of. I could not have asked for a better execution of a portkey journey. You were all respectful and gracious to our hostess, and I did not have to suffer anyone's complaints. I will require nothing but your best behavior for the duration of this state of affairs. Please come to your mother or me if you have any concerns. We do not know fully what has happened, but we will share whatever we discover with you, as long as it is safe to do so. Now, the future is not known to us, but we need to be prepared. You've all eaten your fill, and I think the best thing for now is to get as much rest as we can. Ronan, you will oversee getting your siblings to sleep as your mother and I have some business to attend to."

"Yes, Father." came the obedient reply.

Downstairs at the table Severus and Hermione sat across from Ellie, who began, "Now, I know you all must have a lot of questions. And I'll be happy to answer all I can. I don't need to explain to you that I don't know everything, mind, but I'll give you what I can. Some time ago, Minerva asked if I would be willing to make my home available as a stop over, if you will, for political dissenters, or members of the order as needed. I did agree, and our arrangements were that I would only receive as much information as I needed at that time. Charmed parchments would appear before me, with instructions. What I know of your situation is only that you would be coming here, directly. As well as to notify you to await instructions that would be coming ten hours after your arrival. I cannot be sure if this will be in the form of another parchment or a personal visit. All I know is that Headmaster Dumbledore is behind these devices, and his strategy has not failed one yet. That being said, I believe you only have a while left to sleep. Don't fear. I'll not rest tonight, but stay awake at the hearth. If I don't see you down an hour before our instructions arrive, I'll be up to fetch you."

Thanking her again, Hermione and Severus climbed up into the loft. Hermione turned down the bed, and Severus checked on the children. After assuring Hermione they were all sound asleep, he opened his arms to her. She melted into his embrace, her head coming to rest on his chest. Circling his arms around her, he held her close, bringing his chin to rest on the top of her head. "Severus, what is going on?" she whispered against his chest. "Shhhhh…. Rest, my love. There will be time later for all of this. Tonight, just let me hold you, my brave little lioness." Pulling away from her so he could look into her eyes, he continued, "Hermione, I cannot tell you how much I love you. I do not know what trials we will face, but I know I can do nothing without you by my side. I will embrace you all night long, and tomorrow we will face a new day together." He brushed her lips with his own, and led her to the cot. Exhausted, they quickly fell asleep.

Across the countryside, in the Headmaster's chambers, Albus gazed unseeing out his windows. Minerva lightly touched his arm. "Albus, they will be alright. Please, come to bed." He smiled sadly at her, "I'll be there shortly Minnie. I just hope they are safe. Severus is like our son and Hermione our daughter. They have already been through so much. I hope to Merlin they can find some comfort this eve." They whispered a quiet nox as they left to join Morpheus in slumber.

TBC