The Apprentice: Chapter Four

"What?" I asked stunned. He was present at the death, no murder, of my parents?

"I found out about the plan to kill your parents and I went to their house. When I arrived, your parents were already gone, just as Voldemort had planned. They were on their way to a Dental Congress, as I think you knew." I nodded; my vision became blurry when tears filled my eyes.

"They stopped by a red light; they were the only ones around since it was a quiet neighborhood. Avery and Mcnair killed them with the Avada Kedavra and levitated the car onto another, subtle, so it would look like an accident. I arrived just as they had cast the spell, I couldn't stop them."

"You tried?" I asked, tears started to fall.

"I tried." I could see he was telling the truth, good oclumens or not. He turned his head back to me.

"I'm," he waited a moment, "sorry." I knew not to comment and just gave him a watery smile. Tears were still running down my cheeks.

He reached inside his pocket and held out a handkerchief. He noticed I started at it and said,

"It's not a used one, I promise." I laughed out a sob and took it to wipe away my tears. When I tried to give it back he said,

"Keep it, I have plenty more." I smiled at the subtleness how to show he was rich.

I leaned back and rested my head on the back of the couch; somehow, all of this drained me of energy. I stifled a yawn.

"I should get back, I'll fall asleep if I don't." I got up and looked at him. His arm was casually spread out on the back of the couch and his feet were propped up on the coffee table.

"Goodnight, professor." He nodded. I walked towards the door to leave but I heard his voice say,

"Call me by my given name, since we are going to be working together." I smiled but didn't look back.

"Then you can call me Hermione, Goodnight, Severus." I opened the door and walked up to my room, smiling, even though I just found out my parents were murdered.

Just as Granger left my chambers, I walked over to the fireplace and threw some floo powder into the flames.

"Alice Collins." I said loud and clear. Seconds later, Alice stepped through the green flames. She looked the same as she did four day's ago; long, straight, brown hair that reached her shoulders. She smiled warmly and walked over to me.

"Severus." She said. "How are you?" She made to kiss me but I stepped away.

"Don't." I reached into the liquor cabinet and poured myself a glass of brandy, not bothering to ask the women if she wanted anything.

"What?" she asked. I turned back to face her and took a sip from my brandy.

"Don't pretend stupid." She looked confused.

"How long have you been seeing someone else?" I asked straightforward.

"I never-" I cut her of coolly.

"I know, Alice, don't pretend." She sighed.

"Four months." She said. "But it was a mistake, I'll end it." she pleaded.

"Don't bother. It's over." I drank the last of my brandy and sat the glass down on the coffee table.

"But I love you!" I shook my head.

"You've cheated, lied and pretended. That's more than enough reason to break, Alice."

"It was a mistake!" she begged.

"Four months isn't a mistake!" I yelled. She said nothing and just looked at her feet. I never lost my cool, but I really had loved her. Had. She lied to me, for four months! I could relate to Miss Hermione now, it hurt, it hurt like hell.

"Go." I said soft. "Never come back." She looked up.

"But, what about Sophia?" Damnit, I forgot. How could I forget about her? For God's sake, what kind of father am I?

"We'll arrange custody." She nodded defeated and took the floo back to their house. It was all too much; I took my empty glass and threw it into the fire. "Fuck!"

Hermione's POV

I felt Crookshanks lick my forehead and waved dismissively. "Not now, Crooks." Another lick. I sighed and opened my eyes. "How late is it?" I groaned, I had to hurry; breakfast was about to start. "No time for a shower." I managed to stumble into my bathroom and splash water in my face. How I managed to get out of bed at seven I the morning for seven years long, I had no idea; I was a total wreck in the morning.

While thinking back to last night, it all felt so surreal. Snape—no, Severus, being to kind, telling her the truth.

"Yep, the world certainly did come to an end." I said to my reflection the mirror. I shook my head, smiling and got dressed. Finally, no bloody uniform anymore. I agree, it is a perfect solution to form at least a bit of unity between the houses, but the skirt itches and the tie cut of your blood supply to your head.

A pair of skinny jeans, red converse and a simple black t-shirt should do the trick. Yes, I, Hermione Granger have developed a sense of style over the summer. With the help of someone I met over the summer of course. Me and Gia had a blast; karaoke, guys and a pool was all it took for to finally blossom. Or so Gia said.

As I strutted down the corridors on my way to the Great Hall, I thought back at last night. The reason he'd never look at me after the War was because he knew the actual truth about my parent's. He felt guilty for not stopping them…

"Miss Granger." A voice said behind me. I smiled, speak of the devil.

"I though we agreed to address each other by our given names, Severus?" I turned around and saw Severus standing mere feet away from me.

"Indeed, Hermione. My apologies." That's the second time he apologized, what happed to the greasy git of the dungeons?

"Tell me." we started walking again. "What happened to the feared Potions Master?" he smirked.

"Let me tell you now, Hermione. I am a man of many secrets."

"Care to share some with me?" I asked hopefully. I've always been the curious one…

"No." we reached the big, oak doors of the Great Hall and he opened them for me.

"Always the gentleman." I smiled.

As I was drinking a glass of water, Dumbledore asked Severus,

"So, Severus. How are things with you and your wife?" I coughed into my water but prevented it from coming out my nose. Severus moved nervously in his chair.

"She's not my wife, Albus. And besides, Alice and I are no more."

"My boy, that sounds like one of you two died." Minerva said. Severus shook his head.

"No, we just separated." Albus shook his head and Minerva was surprised.

"What about Sophia?" Severus sighed.

"Custody is yet to be arranged." Snape had a DAUGHTER?

"How come you broke up? You two seemed so happy?" Sprout joined the conversation.

"She…," Severus' voice broke, "someone else…" he said softly, clearly devastated with the fact this Alice woman cheated on him.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry Severus." It seemed like the whole staff joined.

"I knew it!" said Poppy.

"I'll give her a piece of my mind!" yelled Vector.

"No," said Severus clear, "I'm fine, no need for violence." People chuckled. Severus noticed me listening at the conversation, shocked and mouth a bit open.

"On of my many secrets, Hermione." I laughed and shook my head.

Severus leaned over to check a potion, when he was satisfied he leaned back and rested his head against one of the shelves.

"I'm surprised you haven't asked any questions yet." I finished stirring and looked at him.

"I've been dieing too," he rolled his eyes and smirked, "but I refrained myself. I don't want to push."

"I see. Well, I give you permission to ask, you have been so kind to propone the interrogation so far." I laughed a little.

"It's hardly going to be an interrogation, Severus. Just some questions." After a few days, we became more befriended with calling each other by our surnames.

"Ask away then."

"How old is Sophia?" he sighed.

"She was born on the seventh of August and is now thirteen years old." I though for a moment.

"But...then it's her birthday tomorrow!" he smiled at the though of his daughter turning fourteen, a difficult age they say.

"I know, and I've been a good father; I've already bought her a birthday present." I smiled.

"I still think it's cute you have a daughter. I could blackmail you with this you know." He raised an eyebrow.

"Would you want be responsible for the demolition of my personal status at Hogwarts?" I faked innocence.

"Do I look like I would do that?" he laughed. He actually laughed; it was a deep, rich laugh that filled the entire lab.

"Next question." I smiled.

"Why did you ask for me to be your apprentice?" that was something I wanted to ask for a long time now.

"I knew you didn't want to leave and this an opportunity for you teach. And it would take the first and second years of my hands." He smirked at the last.

A/N: Surprise, surprise! Sevvie has a daughter and had a girlfriend. Sadly, they broke up more chance for us but hey, he'll have Herms to get him through. Tell we what you think, please looks pleadingly R&R!

About my life: I recently have developed an interest with BPD (personal borderline disorder), I know, creapy I don't have it, I promise but it's interesting, do some research, really, it's worth the while. I never knew there were so MANY symptoms! Jesus!

Tip: see the movie 'Girl, Interrupted' that's what triggered my passion for BPD

Tip 2: song: Jojo – How To Touch A Girl