AN As always I do not own Harry Potter. JK does. Hermione learns more….

Act of a Familiar VI

Hermione slowly woke up at the smell of food, and found Chinese take-out on the table with a plate and fork off to the side.

She found her Familiar perched on the chair across from her. "So you do take out as well Thanantos?"

"I have some contacts and I know you have not eaten."

Hermione filed the fact away, realizing her stomach growling and helped herself to Lo-Mein, steamed rice, and an egg roll and eat in silence while the bird hopped down and nibbled at the rice on her plate.

Finished she looked about the clean kitchen. "I don't understand why these rooms clean up Thanantos."

"Simple Hermione. The rooms are those that he never went into again after he murdered his father. Secrets hidden waiting to be told. The fact that you are an Empath allowed it. My plan was for you to physically clean the rooms and find tidbits about the man. He would come into his chambers at Hogwarts and rant about a certain witch trying his patience with constant hand held up and feet of parchment turned in for his assignments versus the requirement of one foot. You saw what he thought of you near the end though."

"How can you know him so well Thanantos?" Hermione breathed out.

"Simple my dear. I was the only one he could talk to freely without fear. I know Albus's manipulation of him, using his love for her to rope him in, forcing an Unbreakable Vow on the young man who readily accepted it as he felt responsible for her murder. I lamented over that because he found himself into a situation that made his life worse, having no control over it. Over the years I tried to tell him it was not his fault but he would dismiss me."

Hermione stood up. "I've got to get out of here and think. I'm going for a walk."

Thanantos watched the leave, pleased. The witch wanted to know more.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione walked down the path and left the house deep in thought and reached the end and crossed the street moving back up. She staggered in front of a house, turning to the abandoned house, watching a young Severus Snape walk up and knocked on the door, and greeted. He handed the Muggle woman that answered, expressing his condolences on the death of Lily Evans, watching it accepted and the door closed. Multiple times the same woman answered the door until on the last she found a younger Petunia Evans answer it.

"You Severus Snape!" Petunia growled out. "I know you're responsible for Lily's death and my parents passed away six months apart this year! Keep your Lilies for that will not bring anyone back and do not come here again!" Slamming the door shut.

Hermione watched sadly as Severus laid down the lilies and walked away crying. His visits continued despite the house becoming abandoned, always leaving lilies at the door despite no one lived there, always walking away crying as the years passed.

She suddenly felt tired and forced herself to the doorstep and found bundles of lilies old and dried. That explained Harry's aunt's hatred of the Wizarding world and Harry.

Sitting on the doorstep she closed her eyes and found herself suddenly at Hogwarts, the uniforms different from when she attended there. This was Severus's memory pulling to her.

Severus and Lily at the big rock next to the lake as he expounded his love for Lily and kissed her. Soon things became heated as both fumbled with clothing obvious it was their first time.

"I love you Lily." Severus moaned out and held her to him. "I will always love you and you here…I."

She watched Lily pull his hand down to her breast. "I know it is our first but love me Severus. I will always be yours…." Pulling him to her.

Hermione snapped open her eyes and the scene disappeared. So that was why Thanantos hinted Harry was his son. It was so close in the timeline yet off. Why did the bird suggest it, knowing his hatred for James Potter?

She was not going to be at the mercy of that bird, turning her heel and Apparated away. She never knew she was an Empath and would research it before going back. The wizard was dead after all, and nothing she could do would bring Professor Snape back despite watching what went on in that house.

Thanantos watched the witch Apparate away from the front window of Severus's house, hearing her new Familiars buzzing thoughts.

The witch being an Empath changed her plans. It could still work though. The witch did not realize it, but Hermione cared for Severus Snape.