AN: Finally, I know! I finished my first year as a middle school teacher – it was fun but tough. Hopefully the summer brings more time to write! I have another WIP that I am co-writing with my sister, I may post some time this week, it is also SSHG, set in Hermione's 7th year. Keep an eye out for that! There are a lot of perspective shifts in this chapter, I believe they are all marked with line breaks. Please review!


Chapter 4: Casual Meetings

"There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature."

― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

Saturday, Dec. 11th, 2010

Katherine skipped ahead of him, humming a tune he recognized vaguely as being a popular muggle hit from when he was a child. His mother had been a fan of many muggle musicians, he believed in part that this was something brought upon by an earlier and better version of his father, one that only existed long before his birth. He had let Katherine have Eileen's old turntable and vinyl records to listen to and she made use of it quite often.

As they rounded the corner that turned to the street Hermione and Henry lived on, Katherine slowed down and grabbed the crook of his arm.

"Daddy, what Hogwarts house was Hermione in?"

He peered down her, raising a brow slightly. Having discussed the history of Hogwarts with her, she was familiar with the houses and their designated traits.

"She was in Gryffindor, dear."

"Like Aunt Minnie?"

He nodded at her as she seemed to contemplate this. "What house do you think I'll be in, Daddy?"

As they approached the house, he looked at her and sighed. "I'm not sure dear, I believe you would do well in any house."

"But what house do you want me to be in?"

Always so insistent… "I have no preference. I will be proud of you, regardless." Nodding towards the door, he spoke again, "Why don't you knock, Katherine?"

Skipping forward, Katherine knocked on the door lightly. They only had to wait a moment before Henry opened the door, grinning at them.

"Hello!"

"Hi Henry!"

Henry stepped out the door, turning slightly to look behind him. Hermione Granger was making her way down the hall with a jacket on her arm.

"Hello Katherine, Severus!" She nodded, smiling at the two of them before looking down at her son. "Henry dear, here's your jacket."

Severus paused a moment as she helped Henry put on his jacket and close her door behind her. Backing away slightly, he let Henry jump off their front step and stand next to Katherine. He knew he should greet them, but he felt unable to find words when Hermione broke the brief silence.

"Shall we then? Katherine can lead the way, I expect," she spoke kindly while looking at him at first, then down at Katherine.

Nodding in response as his daughter smiled at Hermione, he let Henry and Katherine lead the way as they began to talk to one another. He caught portions of their conversation; Henry seemed to be telling Katherine about his cousins. It was a moment before he realized as they were following the children, that they had fallen in step with one another in comfortable silence.

Feeling at ease for once around another person that was not pressuring him to speak, he began to relax slightly around her. Well-aware that it was likely not the best decision, especially with a person being so close to Potter, but he could not help it for Katherine's sake. He avoided being around others that claimed to know his past so he could be a loving father to his daughter without being lambasted by the press for his history. Though he knew he could not protect Katherine forever, she would start school at Hogwarts in a year. Once the rest of the wizarding world gained news of a student with the surname Snape, there would be questions surrounding his more recent history…

He could tell she was glancing at him occasionally, but the woman still said nothing. For the most part, she seemed to be admiring the children walking a few feet in front of them. Beginning to feel mildly guilty for not saying anything, even in greeting despite being the one who organized this meeting, he decided to speak.

"Have you owled Minerva yet regarding the potions professor?" He realized that his tone could have been a bit more casual, but he felt no enmity in her response.

"Oh no, I haven't yet. I should soon though. I'm finishing up a section about the wizarding culture in the Middle East before I start on the African section of my notes. Which now that you bring it up, have you ever visited the Middle East in your travels?"

He noticed she would only glance at him a few times while speaking, but she was smiling lightly as she spoke, keeping her eyes forward towards the kids.

"I have not visited the area with Katherine, but I have been to Aleppo briefly on my own before I started working at Hogwarts. I was not in the area long enough to get a good impression of the wizarding culture…" He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I only interacted with people that were not native to the area."

She seemed to pick up on the hesitancy in his response because she did not press the subject of what business he may have had in Aleppo any further.

"I see. I'm considering visiting Damascus at some point… I hear there is a large underground wizarding population in that area, and I'd like to compare it to our own. I've noticed that there aren't many underground wizarding groups throughout the world, it seems for the most part they hide in plain sight."

He nodded slightly in response to this, "I am unsure of the Syrian wizarding customs, but wizards throughout the Great Britain area are known for being very suspicious in comparison to others. You can see the differences in how we hide, especially at events such as the World Cup. Depending on who is hosting it each year, you will see different methods of obscuring magic based on the ministry that is responsible for doing so."

"You know, I had not considered the cultural significance in community events like Quidditch…" She seemed to be realizing the oversight she had made, so he held his tongue. After a moment she gathered herself from her momentarily thoughtful state. "Considering that point reminds me of how we all interacted with one another during the Triwizard Tournament. The tournament itself helped to build international relations just by having youth from different areas approach an event with a common interest. I need to rethink the organization of my book so I can include a section on sporting events…" Pausing a moment, she quietly added, "Ron and Harry won't believe me to ever research anything on sports… I'll have to ask Ginny if she has any input though."

He was not sure if he was to respond to any of this, so he simply chose to nod, grateful for the distraction that occurred shortly thereafter. The park had come into view as they rounded a corner, causing the kids to sprint the rest of the way up the sidewalk. Hermione began to laugh aloud at the pair, glancing up at him as they followed after the children.

As the kids began to play, the pair of them made their way to the benches nearby. He gestured politely for her to have a seat before sitting himself.


Even after their interactions during the dinner at her house had not prepared her for the continued strange politeness of the man next to her. Hermione was amazed at how at ease she was walking alongside a man her friends had despised for a good portion of their lives, and even she had briefly as well. As they sat down, she remembered a question Henry had asked her earlier and felt it was a good time as any to pose it to Severus.

"What would Katherine like for Christmas? Henry and I wanted to get her something, but we want to be sure it's nothing she doesn't already have. In fact, Henry also asked what you would like as well."

He seemed momentarily puzzled at her question but considered her for a moment. "I always get her a few books, a mixture of muggle and magical. Other items are dependent on her interests at the present time. She loves journals and the like to do her writing in. I have found her to prefer muggle writing utensils over quills, but she does like the appearance of decorative quills and has quite a collection."

Hermione noticed his eyes flicker upwards, it seemed in brief consideration of what he was about to say. "She also has my mother's old record player; she loves muggle music. I have never purchased any for her because I am unsure of what she would like, most of the records are from the 60s and 70s."

She had to laugh at this, "That's an intriguing taste for a nine-year-old witch, I'm impressed. I think I can work with that." Taking a small pause, she met his eyes briefly before turning her gaze back towards the kids. "You didn't answer me completely though. What about for you then, Severus?"

His smirk disappeared but he did not seem angry, he actually seemed downcast suddenly. The change would seem imperceptible to most, Hermione knew, but she had become quite good at reading people over the years. Between Ron and Harry's frequent mood shifts over the years, her stint at working in the ministry as a policymaker, and having an adolescent son, it was a talent she tried to utilize often.

"I am not in need of anything at the moment." He didn't give her time to respond before returning the question, "What about Henry and yourself? Katherine is sure to ask as well."

She allowed him to evade the question for the time being. He likely hasn't received gifts from many people in years…

"Henry is similar with books, I think that may be something we can help one another with. I don't know what books Katherine has already read so you can help me with that. Henry… well, maybe you could get him a beginners potion set?"

She had to laugh at his raised eyebrow, and added, "I've never let him experiment with potions so I think it would be good for him, now that he's met you especially."

"That would be a reasonable gift to come from myself, I suppose…" She noticed he was speaking cautiously, and he still had his eyebrow raised but she detected the smallest hint of a smile, or maybe just a smirk, playing at the corner of his lips.

"Would you want to join me in shopping in gifts for them?"

He didn't seem able to hide his shock, or maybe confusion, from her at this question. She hadn't considered that he would not want to go shopping but she thought it was a polite offer. Maybe that was too much for him… She gave him time to respond by turning her head towards their kids, who were now at the top of the climbing frame laughing carefree.

She began to wonder if she needed to apologize or change the subject when he hadn't answered after a full minute when he responded in an even tone.

"For wizarding items, I typically order through mail or have Draco get things… Occasionally I will go out on my own, but in disguise, if I am in the wizarding world."

How am I supposed to respond to that? Was it a blatant no or? But he answered her questions in what seemed an afterthought to him.

"I could disguise myself for an outing in the wizarding world, but I would prefer it to be out of Britain. This would help with your research as well, I expect."

In all the things he had said to her since their kids had met one another, even offering to teach her son, this offer had shocked her the most. It clearly showed on her face because he seemed to be smirking at her gaping expression.

Get it together Granger.

"I'm sorry… I, yes, no that would be wonderful actually. Did you have anywhere in particular in mind?"

"No, I will give it some thought. Though if you have a particular geographic area in mind I will consider what I know about that area."

She considered it for a brief moment but thought better of asking for a specific area, she would rather let him have more freedom in his decision if he was having to disguise himself. "I have research going in almost any area with a wizarding presence, so if you know of a good place for the purpose of gift shopping we can go wherever you think best."

"I will consider various locations." It was at this moment that Henry and Katherine began to walk towards them.

It was Katherine that spoke first, "Could we go to that tea shop around the corner, daddy?"

Henry responded by nodding vigorously, and adding, "We might be getting a little cold."

She noticed the snow was coming down a bit harder than it was when they first began their walk here.

"That would be acceptable to me, as long as Hermione is fine with it." Katherine's gaze turned to her, she smiled at the girl, "Of course, let's go!"


Owl from Severus to Hermione

H-

I have been considering the various areas that would be of interest for our Christmas shopping and research excursion. Would you be available on Saturday for a trip to America? Based off one of your books, you have extensive knowledge on the Salem area. I am familiar with the nearby wizarding community; I can arrange the proper portkeys with discretion if you so desire. Katherine will be spending the weekend at Draco's, as I recall Henry mentioning at tea he will be with Mr. Weasley.

-S

Owl from Harry to Hermione

Hermione,

Hope you and Henry are doing well! I had lunch with Ron yesterday - he mentioned that Henry was coming to stay with him next weekend. We should all stay and eat when you drop him off. I'd love for you to catch up with Vanessa, she always feels out of place when we're around only wizards, but you make her more comfortable, you know? The kids want to see one another as well before we all meet at the Burrow in a giant horde during Christmas.

Look forward to seeing you!

Love,

Harry

Owl from Ginny to Hermione

Hermione,

How is everything? Luna and I want to see you again before Christmas! Rory and the kids would love to see Henry again too. I have to add I really want to hear more about your surprise neighbour. Owl us back soon!

Love from all of us,

Ginny

Owl from Hermione to Harry

Harry,

That would be great! Might I suggest to Ron that you all bring your families to my new home in Cokeworth? I feel as though we have it ready for the family to visit finally. I think I should like to invite Ginny and Luna too. I look forward to seeing you, Vanessa and the kids!

Love,

Hermione

Owl from Hermione to Ginny

Ginny,

Are you and Luna free Friday afternoon? I'm going to ask Ron and Harry's family by for lunch, you and yours are welcome too if all agree to it! And since you mentioned it, Saturday I'm supposed to be going with that particular neighbour to America to shop for Christmas gifts for the kids. We can talk about that because I have never been with him without the company of the kids!

Love,

Hermione

Owl from Hermione to Severus

Severus,

America would be wonderful, should I plan on staying the weekend or is this a one-day trip?

As you mentioned, yes Henry will be with Ron this weekend, and please be warned that there will be many Potter's and Weasley's at my residence Friday - if you wish to avoid the general area I would not blame you.

Hermione

Owl from Severus to Hermione

H-

I am grateful for the deterrent; I will visit an old friend in that case.

If you wish to have time to both shop and for me to show you areas of interest for your research, I would suggest packing to stay overnight. This is completely at your discretion.

-S


Friday, Dec. 17th, 2010

Friday had come quickly it seemed, and Hermione found herself preparing the house for guests, though not nearly as well as she had when she had expected Severus and Katherine. She was aware of the mess she should expect once the guests of today left - given the number of children that would be running about. Between Ginny's, Harry's, and Ron's children, there would be 10 kids between the ages of 2 and 9 in the house.

She had finished locking up her study to keep the multitudes of younger kids out, and prepared both Henry's bedroom and study with charms that would keep any of his breakables from being harmed. She laid out toys and games for the children to play with in the living room she had downstairs, having rarely used this room or prepared it for anything, she supposed a play area for children would be its greatest use, at least for the day. All it had in it was an older television set, a large couch, and her grandfather's old recliner. She resolved to find a better use for the room in time.

She had invited Ginny and Luna over early to help her prepare lunch, as she figured it would be foolish to have food delivered for this many people. Sitting in the lounge area awaiting their arrival is where she had found herself, holding a book, but for once she had not opened it. She found herself pondering the old friend that Severus meant to visit…

Of course, he could mean anyone. You don't know his entire life; he may have many friends you are unaware of.

But she must know who it is, she knew she did not know his entire life, but the bulk of it had been spent in a castle she spent much of her formative years in, and the other life he lived in that time was spent with Death Eaters and the like. She very much doubted he was reacquainting with any of the latter, but more likely the former. Perhaps a professor at Hogwarts? Or an old potioneer friend?

Losing the ability to contemplate the matter any longer, as a knock at the door announced the arrival of two of her closest friends. Setting the unopened book aside, she stood to get the door. Henry had just arrived down the stairs as she went to open it.

"Aunt Hermione! Henry!" Rory came bursting in and flung herself at Henry who nearly fell. Ginny laughed as Hermione and Luna smiled at the pair. The other 3 kids filed in behind Rory, and Luna and Ginny stepped in behind them.

"Henry, why don't you show your cousins the area I've set up for them to play in? If you'd like, you can use the television." Henry nodded at her and started up the hall, with Rory close behind. Jasper had managed to find his way in the lounge area and was urged back out into the hall by Ginny.

"Well, they should be occupied with enough for us to prepare a meal, I hope." Hermione smiled at Ginny's words as Jasper jogged down the hall to catch the heels of the other kids.

"Yes, I hope they will. Here, the kitchen is at the end of the hall."


Henry sat with Rory, watching the younger children play with the toys his mum had set out. Rory was lying on her stomach watching the television when she asked without looking up, "What Hogwarts house do you think you'll be in? I overheard my mum's talking about it again the other night."

Henry shrugged, "Maybe Gryffindor like my parents? But I am kind of hoping for a change. Most of our family are Gryffindors after all."

Rory nodded and sat up looking at him, "Mum said she thought I'd be in Gryffindor like her, but mummy was in Ravenclaw… after flipping through that book you lent me though, I think that of all of them I might be better as a Gryffindor or maybe… I don't know, but I do think you'd be a great Ravenclaw."

Henry grinned, "I think so too… my friend Katherine and I talked about it in the park the other day. We think Ravenclaw would suit us best."

"Who's Katherine?"

"She lives near us, her dad is Severus Snape, you remember the stories?"

Rory stared at him for a moment before whispering, "He lives near you? That's amazing! Can we go meet him? I've always wanted to meet him, he's the only one from the war that we haven't met I think!"

Henry shook his head, "No, mum wouldn't let us, and I think she said Katherine was visiting her uncle when I asked if we could invite her so he's probably not there."

"Well, we're bound to meet him if Aunt Hermione is friends with him now."

Henry didn't know what to say because he did not think his mum was really friends with Severus Snape. He knew he was intimidated slightly by the man, but he was ecstatic to learn from him starting next month. He did not mention this to Rory though, he wasn't sure if it was because he thought she would be jealous, or because he wanted to keep it to himself…

They had sat there for some time talking, Henry eventually changed the subject from Katherine and Severus Snape because he honestly could not answer the questions that Rory was throwing at him. Once more, they were discussing houses, when his cousins and half-siblings showed up.

His mum and his Aunt Vanessa were leading the small horde of Potter and Weasley's into the room. James came running in and sat with Lysander immediately, helping him add to the tower he had started building with blocks, Albus and Ruby came in together and started playing with a puzzle he had left out. His mum was holding Uncle Harry's and Aunt Vanessa's youngest, his cousin, Lily. Aunt Vanessa was holding his half-brother Hugo. They sat them down in front of Rory and himself, before kneeling in front of them as well.

"Ginny and Eleanor are finishing up dinner, so we'll just sit here with you all while they finish up," his mum smiled at him, "How is it going in here? I'm glad the room hasn't been torn apart quite yet." She said this with a quick glance at Lysander in the corner with James and another one at Jasper who was immersed in a television show.

Rory answered for him, "They're behaving, but that usually doesn't last long with my brothers… you're lucky so far." Grinning, she added, "But if they start to destroy things, I'm pretty good at getting them to fix it."

Hermione laughed at her niece, "I'll be sure to call on you if they do get to that point."

They were cooing at the babies for a moment when suddenly Rory exclaimed, "Oh and Henry told me about the Snape's! You have to invite me over so I can meet them one day!"

Henry glanced at his mother, grimacing, she did not seem to be angry though, she just smiled at his cousin, "We will see if that can be arranged, dear. So, are you excited about getting another brother, Rory?"

Henry, glad for his mum's ability to change the subject with ease, turned to look at his Aunt Vanessa, who was looking at his mum with some confusion, but she didn't say anything…


She hadn't thought of a reason to tell Henry not to mention the Snape's in front of their family, and she knew doing so would only raise questions from Henry. The change of subject was easy enough, but she could feel Vanessa Potter's gaze as they spoke with the children.

Eleanor walked into the room, looking around at them all, "Lunch is ready! Hermione, you and Henry have quite the home, I'm quite sure this is one of the nicest homes in this neighbourhood."

Hermione had never been able to find a true fault in Ron's new wife; she was a true Hufflepuff and certainly had the knack for feeding Ron in a way that she knew she was never able to.

Giving a sort of serene smile at Eleanor in response, she pulled herself up and reached over to help Vanessa, and then rounded up the children and headed to the dining room. They had set the kids at another small table within viewing of the dining room, as they all would not fit at one table.

"Ginny, Eleanor, this looks amazing!" Vanessa had exclaimed, and the rest of the table agreed in unison.

There was not much news discussed at the table, aside from Harry's typical reports of illegal activities remaining that were related to death eater sympathizers. Ron always seemed to take this type of news with an air of jealousy but hung on Harry's every word. The two had not grown apart, so much as grown up. Hermione was a part of this as well, of course, they had all seen much of one another when all three were employed at the ministry, but everyone had gone their separate paths. Family always brought them together, and they each remained close in their own aspects.

As the night wound on, some of the kids began to get restless. Baby Hugo seemed exhausted, and Eleanor recommended that Ron gather Henry and Ruby so they could head home. In likewise, Lorcan was begging Luna to go home because he wanted to water his plants, a peculiar but sweet 5-year-old. The Weasley's and Lovegood-Weasley's took their leave, as Vanessa, Hermione, and Harry shared in cleaning up the dishes.

As Harry walked into the dining room once more, Vanessa casually looked up from the sink and smiled at Hermione, "Does Ron know that Severus Snape is now your neighbour?"

Hermione quite loved Vanessa's curiosity, simply because of her inability to completely grasp the severity of certain things in the wizarding world. She had always admired, and completely understood, Harry's choice in marrying a muggle. Vanessa knew nothing of the famous Harry Potter when they had met, and he was able to be himself around her without any expectations.

"He does not, but I don't think it's of great importance for him to know immediately, it's not as though he is a danger to myself or Henry… I think Ron might overreact honestly, he still judges Draco harshly, and I'm sure he would judge Severus in a similar aspect, despite Harry's constant reminder that he was the hero of the war."

Vanessa smiled at her, "I think you're right, I've overheard the two together on a few occasions and Ron will still refer to him as a greasy git, though Harry will usually correct him. There was also his dispute on Albus' middle name. I fully understood his choice after he explained it to me, despite the unusualness of both names. My parents always call him Al, and tell our extended family it's short for Alan."

At that moment, Harry returned, only overhearing the last part of his wife's words, exclaiming, "Oh yes, my boy Alan Steven. I think the names would've suited the true namesakes well too, Alan Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore… though I'm not sure how Snape would feel about being Steven Snape."

Hermione snorted in response, paused a moment, and then added, "You could ask him yourself I suppose. That's what Vanessa and I were just discussing."

Harry stopped holding a towel from wiping the table, "What do you mean?"

"Severus Snape is a resident of this neighbourhood, he actually doesn't live too far from here." She acted as though this was not a big deal, but for Harry, who had been trying to have a face-to-face conversation with Severus for years now, she knew it was.

"Hermione!" He dropped the towel, "Why didn't you tell me as soon as you found out?"

She turned to him, and almost snappishly said, "Because, I was under the impression that his intention was to be left alone. I am certain of it now, but he has been kind enough to let me in on his life some, so I am sure if you give it more time, possibly I can convince him to sit with you."

"Let you into his life? What does that even mean? He didn't apparate away the moment he saw you?" He sounded frustrated with her, much like the Harry she knew in school did when she was not being clear enough with him.

"No Harry, he did not have the opportunity, as our children were entertaining one another at the library." She whipped around at him before he had a chance to respond, "He has a daughter and does not want the news of it being tossed around the wizarding world I assume; thus, he has remained hiding in the muggle world."

Harry did not say anything. He sat at a barstool, looking at her in shock it seemed.

Vanessa was the one to break the silence, she had watched the entire encounter in awe and confusion, "So… is his daughter near Henry's age then, Hermione?"

"Yes, she is, she is the same age as him, they will start Hogwarts at the same time, along with Rory."

Vanessa nodded in response, "That's good then, they will be friends before they start together, maybe Rory can meet her beforehand as well."

"Perhaps, I know Severus was truly thankful that Katherine had found a friend that was also a magical child. I am certain that is why he has been so cordial with me… He's also offered to homeschool Henry along with his daughter, prior to starting at Hogwarts."

"That's amazing!"

Harry looked at his wife, then back at Hermione. "I can't believe you didn't tell me." He said it quietly, interrupting the two women, who fell back in silence.

Hermione stared at him, willing herself not to lose her temper. "Harry, had I told you at any point before now, you would have whisked yourself here immediately and demanded to see him without any rationalization other than you wanted to talk to him."

"But I do want to talk to him, Hermione."

"I know Harry, but I daresay he has told you all that he can using those memories. I would assume that the scenes they conveyed were all too personal and nothing that he would want to rehash in the present, especially given that he is happy and has a family." Hermione herself had always been curious at the true contents of the memories that Harry had seen that night, Harry had given everyone the rundown of who Snape was and most took him on his word. The only other people that had seen the memories were the members of the Wizengamot that exonerated Severus after the war.

He hung his head, as Vanessa walked over to him, patted his hair and pulled him close. "You're right Hermione, you always are I suppose. I'm not even sure what I would say."

Hermione gave him a small smile, "Perhaps you could thank him, and you will get to Harry. Just not today, okay?"


AN: To clarify because I know it's confusing: Eleanor is Ron's current wife, (maiden name is Branstone, her name was mentioned in the books, she was a Hufflepuff two years below them) they have two kids, Ruby and Hugo. Harry's wife is Vanessa, she is a muggle, they have the usual 3 kids, James, Albus and Lily. All of Ginny and Luna's kids are adopted, Rory, Jasper, Lysander, Lorcan, and eventually Harvey. If you're curious about the ages I put the rest of my next gen kids, let me know! Also, I'm sorry there's not much Severus this chapter, but the next chapter is mostly them in America together. Hopefully that will make up for it!