I'm back, my dears!

Here's another chapter. I hope you enjoy.

M xx

Disclaimer is as follows:

References, Quotes , Characters and etc. taken from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter. However Plot line/ twists and additional characters have been included. NON-cannon.

Rated T, for some explicit language.

Genre: Romance, Friendship, Comedy and Family.

Chapter Four

A potions master's strange predicament

Minerva McGonagall was a complex witch, who had experienced many things in her life, both good and bad. She was, for the most part a very private person. At a young age her life had been set out in front of her, like a seemingly easy plan to be followed with the upmost of seriousness. She had discovered at the age of eleven that she was to spend the rest of her life with one of the most famous wizards of all time, even at that point in history. She had soon discovered him to be her transfiguration professor at what would turn out to be her permanent residency. Albus Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, had waited what seemed an eternity for his Scottish lass, and knew that once he had her, he would protect her with everything he had; and he did. The love they shared once Minerva became of age, was stronger than most, after all their rare connection was stronger than any other form of love. Before they knew it they were parent, parents who loved their children very much. Unfortunately, the war that would soon destroy life as they knew it was coming at neck breaking speed. Their precious little girl, Jean Abigail McGonagall-Dumbledore and strapping boy Jonathan Andrew McGonagall-Dumbledore, had grown up in a time of blissful unawareness. Both had left Hogwarts before the rise of the dreaded Lord Voldermort, and had started their lives. Jean, the more studious of the two had chosen to venture off into the muggle world, where she attended a muggle university. Jonathan on the other hand a chosen to stay in the wizarding world, and left off to be an Auror. Their parents were both extraordinarily proud of their children, however soon realized they were both in trouble. They knew that they'd become targets of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, so they did what a parent should never have to, they cleared all memories of both the wizarding world and themselves, and created a new life for both as simple muggles. It broke their hearts to do it, but they knew it was the only way to keep their babies safe. Both of them kept their eyes on their children, watching them create full and exciting life for the both of them, neither ever experienced magic again, almost as if they were drained of their identity. That is until Jean's daughter was born on the 19th of September 1979, Jean and her husband, William named her Hermione Jean Granger, after Jean's favourite character in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. Hermione presented a magical ability at a young age and it frightened her parents.

However both were mollified, when Albus and Minnie, turned up on their doorstep with the news for Hermione. McGonagall was beyond ecstatic to have seen her little girl in person, for the first time in over twenty years, even if she had no clue who Minerva was. She of course was also thrilled at the opportunity to get to know her granddaughter, who she discovered to be a wonderful, intelligent young girl. Minerva dared not tell Hermione though. It would only put her in danger, however it seemed that despite her efforts Hermione somehow managed to find out.

Her she stood in the corridor, looking down upon her granddaughter with a look of upmost astonishment. Severus' face also presented a great expression of surprise.

"How did you find out?" Minerva asked, her voice high-pitch with surprise, once she came out of her shocked stupor. Hermione bit her lip, as she fiddled with Severus's outer robe. Severus smiling slightly, as Hermione willingly touched him. She looked up at him with her chocolate eyes and he melted. He wanted nothing more than for her to be of age, he needed those brown eyes to look at him whenever and wherever. She took her gaze from her future love, and turned it to her grandmother.

"I found a book hidden in a compartment in my bed. I didn't mean to do so, but I did. It was in a secret latch on the post. It hadn't been touched in years, since my mum left it there all those years ago" She explained, slightly flushed with embarrassment. Minerva's green eyes widened in awareness, she had remembered her daughter's diary. There wasn't a day that her daughter had gone without reading it in her entire Hogwarts life. She wondered why on earth she had chosen to leave it where she did, but soon realized that it was meant to be found only by Hermione. She had somehow known that if she were to ever have a daughter that she would be the only one to have been able to find it. It must have been charmed. Minerva's eyes softened ever so slightly, as she looked at her beautiful granddaughter. She raised her hand to touch Hermione's cheek softly.

"You must keep this a secret, my sweet. If this information were to ever fall into the wrong hands, you'd be in the upmost danger. Your grandfather and myself, only wish for your safety and happiness. With that you should know that we love you with all our hearts and that you are in fact our granddaughter, and shall be treated as such. However for now, dear, you must get back to your common room, you've experienced much too much excitement for one night" Minerva explained softly, and with her final request Severus let his soul mate from his arms with the most reluctant expression Minerva had ever seen. She petted the man on the cheek affectionately, she truly cared about him like her very own son. Her attention turned to the slightly dishevelled child beside her, and with a simple kiss to her forehead and crushing hug, she shooed her granddaughter to the Gryffindor Common Room, making sure the portraits kept their eyes on her the entire way, before both herself and Severus retired to the staff room.

Dumbledore sat at the grand oak table that dominated the staff room, along with all other professors. Minerva and Severus took their seats, and the chatter ceased.

"Now that we all here, we can start. We all know that this wasn't a coincidence, however I assure you that I, myself have put up all precautions to ensure it doesn't happen again in the future. With all the children safe, we can relax and enjoy the evening as it is" Dumbledore announced with confidence, and with that the chatter continued once more.

Beside Severus sat Pomona Sprout and Rolanda Hooch, who both were gossiping, which wasn't surprising as that was how the spent the majority of their free time. Once more Rolanda sat holding a cup of coffee, in a mug that read 'Hunky Professors Monthly', suffice to say he wasn't impressed, the magazine in question sat before her with a rather vulgar picture of a seemingly well-endowed charms professor standing before a floating mattress. Severus sneered in disgust. He rose from his chair and left the room, with his robes billowing behind him. On his journey down into the dungeons, he had managed to take a total of 180 points from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor house combined, and with a satisfied smile he settled into his private rooms with a sigh.

Many floors above him, Hermione sat in her bed reading an advanced potions text, as her mind whirled. She had finished all homework assigned to as well as all extra assignments she had requested from her professors. Hermione isn't someone who sits around and dawdles when she could be getting on with life. Reading is but another way she could broaden her horizon and that was definitely something she was willing to do. She fell asleep that night lost in the world of brewing and wondrous and rare ingredients, more than once a particular potions master ran through her thoughts, and she welcomed him as she fell asleep, only to meet him once more in her dreams. Her dorm room was gone and faded into a small personal library lined with books, in a large wingback chair sat the object of her affections. She couldn't deny the crush that she has on the apothecary/professor. He sat in the plush leather chair, his left ankle resting upon his right knee, his nose in the book in his hands. He was dressed in his black trousers, which he wore under his teaching robes, as well as a black turtle-neck jumper, which hugged his shoulders, which were broad with banded muscle as well as his defined muscled chest. His ebony hair fell into his dark eyes which were hidden behind a rectangular pair of black-framed reading glasses. Hermione blushed as she observed him, she coughed slightly to gain his attention. He looked up at her with his be speckled eyes, and gave her a soft, welcoming smile. He put his novel on the table beside him and opened his arms to her. She ran to them enthusiastically. He encompassed her tightly in his strong arms. She snuggled down and inhaled his sweet-spicy scent. He smelt like vanilla and sandalwood, with a hint of frankincense. The smell both comforted and soothed her. He was her protector and better half. She wished she was older, yet knew she shouldn't wish her life away. She welcomed his cuddles.

"You haven't blocked me out" She sighed as she snuggled deeper into his chest.

"Of course I haven't, you're my little know it all" he replied, smiling. She looked up at him and gave him a small little smile. She was a very happy twelve year old. She had to admit she was happy than most of the first years at Hogwarts. She was also much more mature than them as well. She looked up at him with her deep, milk chocolate eyes.

"Severus?" She said in a small voice.

"Yes, sweetheart?" He replied looking down at her.

"You'll be mine one day, won't you? When I'm older?" She asked, her voice laced with worry. His breath caught in his throat as he heard the words leave her mouth. Didn't she already know? Didn't his bright, brilliant girl know that he is, has been and will always be hers. He held her even closer than before, pressing his lips to her head.

"Sweetheart, I've always been yours and I always will be. But yes in the way you mean, I will be. We will be together. When you're older I will be able to love you the way I am supposed to, so don't you worry. You are my only girl." He explained passionately. She smiled as she blushed and snuggled closer. She was happy, warm and loved. So she was in fact completely content. They spent the rest of their dreams together, and both woke up smiling as they realized both of them were both set on spending forever together as soon as they could.

-O-

Hermione was utterly infuriated by Harry. He was suggesting that her Severus was trying to steal the sorcerer's stone. How dare he accuse him of such a thing. She knew Severus would never do anything like that. But she did think he was onto something. She knew someone was to be held responsible for it, that someone was trying to steal the stone. She of course was left to try and find out who was the one trying to take it. Christmas soon came and went with little fuss, she went home regrettably leaving Severus behind. She did however get him a present. She had knitted him a nice thick wooly charcoal scarf, he had received a potions text which she had asked her grandfather to get a hold of, so she could give it him. He wasn't expecting anything from her on Christmas day, but she too received a gift from him. He gave her a necklace that had once belonged to his grandmother. The silver chain held three small diamond which hung down on a string, which ended in a teardrop white pearl. He also gave her one of his jumpers, that she always said she liked. She of course was overjoyed by her gifts.

When she returned from Christmas holidays she walked into the great hall with a bright smile on her face. Not even Draco Malfoy's biting comments could damper her happy mood. This didn't change the despite the quickly passing year. Hermione continued to help Harry and Ron with the information on the Sorcerer's stone. All the while Hermione furiously studied for her end of year exams. Ron and Harry tried their best to cheer their dear friend Hagrid up, after he was forced to send his pet dragon to Romania, where Ron's brother Charlie worked with and trained dragons of all species. Harry becomes even more suspicious of Snape when he hears a conversation between Quirrel and who he assumes to be Severus.

Everything changed when Hermione, Harry and Ron went to visit Hagrid. With a simple comment, the trio ran directly towards the great beast, Fluffy. Hermione of course tried her very best to help her friends, and her intelligence came in handy, especially when an obstacle got in the way relating to potions. Hermione felt particularly happy when Harry and Ron were forced to realize that Severus was completely innocent. She hated leaving her friends and grandparents when summer came, but she knew she would miss Severus most out of all.

Authors After Note:

There you go my lovelies, another revised chapter. I hope you enjoyed.

M xx