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Chapter 11

Difficult Conversations

It had been one week since her meeting with Draco, and she still hadn't heard from Professor Snape. She had trusted Draco to contact him, and really felt like he had changed. So surely he gave him the message. So it must be Professor Snape. Did I really annoy him so much as a student that he would refuse to talk to me no matter what? She was really starting to feel hopeless about the situation.

So it was almost another whole week later, about the time that Hermione was about to give up, that she received a letter from Professor Snape.

Miss Granger,

I don't really understand the urgency of meeting with me, but Draco does insist it is important. I can meet with you Tuesday, 6pm, at the Three Broomsticks. Do not be late, as I have other engagements that evening.

S. Snape

Well...that letter was..blunt, and typical Professor Snape. Hermione figured she was lucky that he at least agreed to meet with her. Now she just needed to calm her nerves and figure out how to tell him that not only does he have a sister, but a very sick sister.

-ooOOoo-

Just like her meeting with Draco, Hermione arrived at the Three Broomsticks early. Again so she could get a drink to calm her nerves. This time she needed something stronger than butterbeer, so she ordered a glass of red wine.

She looked at her watch again...6:02. Well, he must not think much of this if he can't even be on time, she thought. She was getting more nervous by the second, but really didn't think a second glass of wine was the answer. Being tipsy or drunk wasn't going to help the situation, or the conversation.

At that moment, he whirled into the pub, robes billowing just like she had remembered from school. He looked just as she had remembered...long, greasy hair, sallow skin, and an unpleasant scowl on his face.

"Miss Granger, I do hope this is as important as Draco has lead me to believe."

"Um...yes, sir, it is." She almost stuttered trying to get the words out.

"Well, get on with it, then. I have a meeting with a potions distributor in one hour, and I am not going to be late," he scowled.

Hermione was so nervous, she didn't know where to start. She bit on her lower lip, praying for her Gryffindor bravery to kick in, but not having any such luck. So she thought she'd start with small talk.

"Professor, so what are you doing now that you aren't teaching"

"Not that it is any of your business, Miss Granger, but I have a small mail order potions business. But I don't believe that is why you wanted to meet with me tonight. What is it you want?" he spat out.

"Professor..sir. How much do you know about your father? Tobias Snape. Did you keep up with him after he...he and your mother...weren't together?"

Hermione watched as he drummed his fingers on the table. It was obvious that he did not like the direction the conversation was heading, and she was just waiting for the explosion.

"Miss Granger, my personal life is just that. My. Personal. Life. Unless there is a point you are trying to make, I do not wish to discuss my father. As a matter of fact, I don't want to discuss anything personal with you."

"Er...okay. I was trying to ease into this conversation, but I think I'll just have to be blunt. I met a girl at the muggle university I attend. She is one of my good friends now, and her name is Jessica Snape. And her dad was Tobias Snape."

Snape's eyebrows went to his hairline, but he quickly regained composure and looked at her seriously.

"Miss Granger, if this is your idea of a joke-"

"No, Professor, it is not. I have tried to owl you numerous times, but I have never received a reply. I don't even know if you got any of the letters I sent. Jessica and I have done research, and we both believe she is your sister. Her father was Tobias Snape, and we only found one Tobias Snape in the records. And she knows that she has an older brother, but nothing about him. I believe you are her brother."

Hermione watched him sit quietly. He no longer looked angry, but she couldn't detect any emotion on his face. It looked like he was deep in thought, and finally he spoke again.

"Why are you telling me this, Miss Granger? What are you trying to accomplish? Some type of happy reunion? What makes you think that I would even want to meet her?"

"Professor, it is up to you whether you would like to meet her. But I wanted to let you know now because you may not have that chance in a few months. Initially, I had given up on finding you after my owls went unanswered, but the situation has changed. Jessica has leukemia, and although she is receiving treatments, that is no guarantee of a cure. I wanted you to know so you would at least have the option."

At these words, his whole demeanor seemed to change. Hermione watched as the scowl left his face, to be replaced by a look that seemed to be resigned. Even the tone of his words seemed to soften somewhat.

"She has...leukemia? What are the doctors doing to treat her?"

"She is doing a round of chemotherapy, which will end in two weeks. Then she will get a scan and some bloodwork to see if it is working. If it is working, she will get another round of chemo or start radiation treatments. If it doesn't work, she will probably have to get a bone marrow transplant."

"Miss Granger, this is a lot to take in, and I need to leave for my meeting. Might I owl you later on to discuss this again?" he spoke softly.

Although the words were just as formal as usual, the tone had definitely become softer. Hermione thought that maybe, just maybe, he'd want to meet her.

-ooOOoo-

It had been one week since she had met with Professor Snape, and exams had just ended. Hermione was excited that she would have more time to visit with Jessica now that she didn't have to attend class or revise.

She had only seen Jessica three times in the past two weeks while classes were still in session, and they were only brief visits. Jessica was having a hard time with the chemotherapy, and she was in the bed for two of those visits. The third visit was after her meeting with Professor Snape, but she didn't want to tell her she found him, just in case he did not want to meet Jessica.

"Hermione, my last round of chemo is tomorrow. My energy level should start to increase in a few days. Would you like to go to London and maybe do some shopping. I am in desperate need for some new clothes."

"Of course!" Hermione replied.

It was obvious that Jessica needed new clothes, she had lost at least a stone since she had been sick, and she didn't really have any weight to lose to begin with. Her long willowy figure was starting to look gaunt after the chemotherapy.

The morning of the shopping trip, Hermione was in a very good mood. Jessica was feeling much better, and she knew that they would enjoy their outing. But the main reason for Hermione's good mood was the letter she had received from Professor Snape earlier that morning.

Miss Granger,

Yes, I would like to meet her. I just need some more answers beforehand. Would you be able to meet again at the Three Broomsticks at 7:00 on Wednesday?

S. Snape

A/N...Hopefully everyone is happy now that they have finally gotten to meet. I think I have kept SS in character, I don't think he would be especially friendly meeting Hermione for the first time in two years.

Also 1 stone= 6.35 kg, or 14 pounds