~*~ Hermione POV ~*~
The staff table is currently filling up, and the students second year and above are all sitting in their House Tables awaiting the Sorting Ceremony. I walk out into the Entrance Hall all the first years have just arrived and are gazing about the room in awe. The students are dressed in their plain robes wait, my own robes are black teaching robes, my long hair now reaching my lower back is plaited, a slight bit of make up on my face and my necklace is of silver with a pendant of an emerald eyed snake holding a ruby. Letting the students look around a few moments more, we wait for the signal. Jane smiles warmly to the first years as she walks into the room holding a stool and the Sorting Hat. She's dressed in plain Hogwarts robes but her tie is silver and gold, a subtle mix of her parents' houses she wears with pride.
Leading the group of first years into the great hall I look up to the Head Table. Each year it's the same, I look up and look to "His chair" but his not there. This year I stop abruptly, Jane tugs my hand, "His Chair" is taken, but not by me. By a young boy, I fight the urge to yell at the boy for sitting in the seat. The boy is my son, Erick. I haven't seen him since the day he was born. Only the photographs Ginny insisted on Owling me breaking my heart each time. He looks just like his father, with pale skin, silky raven black hair and black orb shaped eyes. It isn't fair, why couldn't it really be my Severus in the chair? Jane tugs my hand again and we keep walking.
The Sorting went smoothly. The Sorting Hat's song wasn't anything of great importance, as he sung a normal song about each of the houses. The new students sat in there new Houses, including Teddy Lupin, Lily Weasley-Potter, Jessica Weasley-Potter, Luna Weasley, and Fred Weasley. Who all as expected were sorted into Griffendor. The hall filled with the sound of chattering as the students each took their seats. Jane had taken the Hat and stool away and was now sitting awkwardly in her seat next to Erick, the questions were evident in her eyes, but I shook my head as I moved up to the Head Table, moving the boy out of "His Chair" so I could sit there. Erick now sat on the other side of Jane, next to Ginny. Ginny sat comfortably rubbing her belly expecting her sixth, seventh and eighth child, triplets for the Weasley-Potter tribe.
Minerva stands casting the room into silence as she raises her hands. She moves over to the podium and starts the start of year speech. "Good Evening, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. I would like to welcome back our old students and to give warm welcome to our first years, this is the highest class of first years the school has had in seventy three years, with a total of fifty six students. I'd also like to welcome to our teaching staff, Harry Potter," the students all burst out into whispers and Minerva raises her hand causing silence. "who is taking Defense Against the Dark Arts for the first half of the year, until the replacement comes. Now before you dine Mr Filch has asked I remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits hence the name. Also for the full list of banned items please check the list on his office door, the first door on the left as you enter the dungeons. Your Head of Houses this year are, Hufflepuff Professor Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ravenclaw Professor Filius Flitwick, Griffendor Professor Hermione Granger and Slytherin Professor Terence Higgs, if a problem should arise please seek your Head of House for help. Now please enjoy your meals." With this the tables become covered with trays of food.
Jane as usual tucks in eating a good amount of food, glancing to me every few minutes as I play with the little food I have on my plate, nibbling here and there. I look over to Erick and instantly I want to burst into tears. He's looking to Ginny and then to me trying to work out who to ask his unspoken questions to. All too soon the feast ends, and the prefects lead the students to their common rooms. Jane leads the way to our quarters, with Ginny, Erick, Harry and I right behind her.
No sooner had I closed and warded the door and the room been silenced, Jane started to yell at me. "How could you Mom? How could you keep something like this from me? Who is he?" I fight for the control to keep the rising tide of tears hidden and loose. Tears spill down my cheeks as Jane turns around going to her room and slamming the door. I look to Erick, and he looks to me in utter confusion.
"Mom?" Erick asks, his face is wiped of all emotion the only hint of what he feels is in his large black orbs. I try not to look away, not wanting him to know the reason he was sent away. I decide that the words that I'm trying to form will come out nothing but a blubbering mess, so I just nod to his question. He then turns to Harry and Ginny. "But... you said she was too sick to look after me. She looked after that girl, why not me?" I cry harder now, knowing he knows I had rejected him for most of his life. He then did the thing no one expected him to do. Erick turned around and hugged me. Holding me tight, not wanting to let go. I guess for fear of being taken away again.
I sink on the floor, Erick still holding me tight. Rubbing his back I nod to Ginny who is silently asking if I want Jane to return. Ginny goes to Jane's room, and sure enough a few moments later rather solemn looking Jane appears in the door way. Forcing my voice to come out, "Jane, come here and I'll explain," it's not as steady as I wish it to be. Harry is looking around the kitchen, making tea and Ginny takes a seat rubbing her belly affectionately. With a deep breath I stand up, picking up Erick in my arms, and then sitting down on the couch. Jane sits on a pile of cushions on the floor.
I look to both my children now feeling nothing but guilt, I've been a horrible mother. If only I'd had my parents support. Sadly even though I'd erased their memories they were still victims of the war. "It all started back in my sixth year at Hogwarts, due to all the time I'd spent using a time turner, to get to classes, I was nineteen years old. Compared to your Uncle Harry, and Uncle Ron, who were only sixteen. Your father was my Potions Professor for most all my life studying here, and I took up a secret apprenticeship on Potions Mastery. We became quiet friendly and one day we realize our friendship was something more. We loved each other, so much so he asked me to marry him when the war was won. Instead of a ring he gave me my necklace... That year a lot of things changed.. Albus had asked Severus to kill him when the time was right, and Severus did. I knew, but I couldn't breath a word to anyone, that he was on the side of the light. Then that summer Harry, Ron and I took off hunting Horcruxes. I didn't see your father till I found him dying... In the final battle. He held on as long as he could.. But there was nothing we could do to save him.. I lost him, and it broke my heart. Barely four months later you were both born, and it only brought back the pain. I left you both at the St Mungo's with Harry and Ginny, to visit Severus's grave. When Harry found me he offered to take you, Erick and I accepted. I was a new mom, with a broken heart and I couldn't look after twins by myself. Minerva gave me a home here, allowed me Severus's Quarters... I took his teaching position and tried to live the life he wanted me to live... He planed on taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts after the war, while I teach Potions... Over the years I've had difficulty moving on, so much so that I never asked Ginny to return Erick to me... You are the splitting image of 'Him.' I'm so sorry of how terrible of a mother I have been... please forgive me..." By the time I finished telling the twins about the past I had cried all the tears I could. They'd listened and never once interrupted. This has me worried as they both sit and look at me and each other. Harry returns with a tray of tea and chocolate cake that looks to have been made by Molly. We all silently sip the tea.
After a while Erick stops clinging to me and with a tear stained face he spoke. "I'm sorry Mom, I don't mean to look like Dad.. But your going to let me live with you now right?" surprised I hug him to me, looking to Ginny for support. She just nods and points to a pile of shrunken trunks.
A faint smile on my face, I look to Jane who is looking to me the same question in her eyes. "We'll clear out the spare guest room for you Erick... I'm sure Jane has been wanting someone to hang around with for a while.." Erick looks to Jane and she shrugs.
Bidding Harry and Ginny farewell I prepare the twins for bed, showing Erick around the quarters before tucking him. With a sigh I grabbing my cloak and heading out to the lake to visit Severus.
Authors Notes
Ok so It's not that good, but we are still just starting the story and i don't plan on it being short.
I actually cried writing this chapter. so I'm hoping it'll be the perfect balance of emotions.
I'm also considering writing another story about Jane and Erick. But not sure yet, so let me know how you feel about that.
Disclamer
I Do Not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters/plots in the books/movies. If I did the obviously Hermione would never have ended up with Ron... (too much like siblings)
*added to prevent confusion*
Current Professors - Updated
Minevea McGollagal - Headmistress
Aurora Sinistra - Astronomy
Septima Vector - Arithmancy
Rubeus Hagrid - Care of Magical Creatures (Keeper of Keys)
Filius Flitwick - Charms (Ravenclaw HoH)
Harry Potter - Defence Against the Dark Arts
Sybill Trelawney - Divination
Terence Higgs - Flying Instructor (Sytherin HoH)
Neville Longbottom - Herbology
Cuthbert Binns - History of Magic (ghost)
Justin Finch-Fletchley - Muggle Studies (Hufflepuff HoH)
Hermione Granger - Potions (Griffendor HoH)
Bathsheda Babbling - Study of Ancient Runes