Hermione spent most time as possible with Severus since they were first together, and Hogwarts being so caring and understanding of her Mistress's happiness she was more then happy to open her walls for Hermione. Hogwarts did the same for Ginny; even though she couldn't hear her. Ginny was able to hear her hum. Hogwarts was glad to help her Mistress and Little Mistress as she liked to refer to Ginny.
Severus and Hermione laid in the bed surround by lit candles. The glow of light cascaded forming shadows on the lovers that laid in the bed, and the room was covered in rose petals.
Hermione laid her head down on Severus's chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist holding her close. He traced lazy circles on his lovers back.
"What are doing for Christmas?" asked Hermione wanting to spend it with Severus.
"I'm spend it with Tom and Marlasoe." he told her. Severus knew Hermione would want to spend it with her family. "I want you to spend it with me." he whispered slickly sending a shiver down Hermione's spine.
"We make a portkey and have my family blind folded."
Severus shook his head. "That wouldn't do anything. They would still see my daughter and Tom. We can place protective shield around their memories. Just in case someone tries anything."
Hermione kissed his chest up to his lips and claimed them with her own. She pulled back and smiled. "You're brilliant." she kissed him again but brow frowned. "What about Dumbledore?"
Severus growled at the thought of the meddling bastard. He couldn't live his life without the old man knowing his every move. He twisted a strain of Hermione's slightly frizzy hair the result of their love making.
"You'll be spending it with me at my home. Because we have so much work to do. It would count for your apprenticeship with me." he told her with a smirk, knowing she wanted to get her masters in potions.
Hermione attacked her lover with kisses. He chuckled at her reaction. She kissed her way down south and covered her head up with the covers. Severus moaned when he felt her mouth go around his member.
Draco and Ginny laid in his four post bed located in the Slytherin's head boy's chambers. This allowed private time with his girlfriend with no interruptions. He propped his elbow up on his pillow and rested his cheek into his hand. He traced her breast. They had tried to work something out for her to spend the break with him and his family. But it was always hard to do. They had almost got caught last year sneaking her out of the Burrow.
"We can duplicate your body and sneak you out at night. This will make you look like you're asleep in your bed." suggested Draco. "We can have Father work his magic to make it life like for you to be sick. It would work for the next few days. We can go see Tom and Marlasoe."
Ginny beamed at the plan. "I love it. It's something we've never done before." she kissed him passionately. "I love you."
"I love you too dearest," and returned the kiss with the same amount passion.
Carrie sat at the desk on the second floor of Salazar's library. She was taking notes on spells and writing down several books for Hermione to study. She wanted her little sister to win the War of Houses for everything she held dear.
Salazar watched the young woman work tirelessly to help Hermione. He found it heart warming. Carrie Granger would have made a wonderful witch with all the knowledge she had pertained since she had been in the Chamber. He looked down at the two couples. Salazar saw worry.
"No need to worry children. Hermione and Ginny are in good and loving hands." he smirked, "As we speak." Carrie looked up at the painting and he chuckled. "Don't worry." he winked at Carrie.
Severus told the headmaster about Hermione staying with him over the holiday. The spy saw Dumbledore's blue eyes grow cold. He told him that he didn't care where she went. Dumbledore was just pleased that the Heir of Slytherin would be taken care of and watched closely by his spy.
Severus angrily stormed down the stairs to the sur-dungeons. He hadn't been this angry in awhile. He just couldn't stand the way the old coot looked when he mentioned Hermione's name.
"I'll do no harm within these walls." hissed Severus and the snake unwrapped from the sword and rose and the wall opened.
Severus walked into the private chambers where he found Hermione with her family. Ginny and Draco were sitting on the stairs. The wall closed behind him. He punched the stonewall in his anger. He didn't flinch when he heard the bones break and hand became bloody.
Carrie flinched when she heard the cracking noise. She had always hated the sound of bones breaking. It reminder her too much of the time she broke her leg in third grade.
"That bastard!" hissed Severus and began to pace the floor in front of the fireplace mumbling under his breathe.
Hermione stood up walked over to her lover, took his hand and healed it. She pulled him into her arms. He rested his cheek on top of her head. He sighed grateful to be in her arms.
"Don't let Dumbledore get to you love." whispered Hermione and felt Severus pull her closer to his body.
"He gave his approval. Because he thinks I'm spying for him and able to keep tabs on you."
"I don't care what the dork says. I'm spending Christmas with you, Tom, Marlasoe and my family. What else could I ask for."
"Well said Granddaughter." said Salazar with a smile. "You can floo from the chamber to Tom's home. The floo network is safe. Hogwarts will make sure no one knows where you are."
Hermione beamed at her late Grandfather. She would have never imagined her being so fond of a painting. He was wise and understanding and was great with her family. She didn't want to worry about the war or the possibility of fighting her best friend. She was going to have a great relaxing break with those she loved.
Severus stepped out of the fireplace into the living room of his father-in-law's cabin. Hermione stepped out of the fireplace and the rest of the family.
"Daddy!" squealed Marlasoe, running into the room from the kitchen.
Severus smiled and took his daughter into his arms. He held her close. "Oh my baby girl. Have you been good for Grandpa?" he asked pulling her back. She nodded her head.
"Hermione!" said Marlasoe in excitement and threw her arms around Hermione's waist.
Hermione grabbed onto Severus's arm so she wouldn't fall to the floor. She laughed and hugged the thrilled eight year old. "How are you sweetie?"
Marlasoe pulled back, smiled and said, "Good. I'm glad you came with Daddy. You make Daddy happy."
Severus smiled at the girls. He was glad that his daughter was just as crazy about Hermione as he was. Severus introduced the Grangers and the James family to Tom while Marlasoe was jabbering away to Hermione.
"…Lolly fell through the ice yesterday." Marlasoe told Hermione as they walked up the stairs to the bedrooms. "Are you Daddy sleeping together?"
"Marlasoe Snape!" snapped Severus at his daughter's bold words.
She looked down from the second floor with a red face. "Daddy I didn't mean sleeping together. I mean sharing a room." Severus raised brow at his daughter.
"Yes sweetie were are." Hermione whispered in the little girl's ear. She looked down and smiled. "I've got it from here, love." Hermione gently pushed Marlasoe down the hall.
Tom chuckled at his granddaughter's boldness. She had gotten from her mother. He motioned to the kitchen door and the group made their way into the kitchen for a cup of tea.
"Your daughter is so precious. How old is she?" asked Carrie taking her cup from Tom.
"Marlasoe is eight." he told them and took a sip of tea. "I've never seen my daughter so taken by someone, besides Hermione."
Jane smiled at the two wizards that sat the table. Hermione was easy to get to know and cared a great deal for those she loved and was very protective of them. Hermione was the bravest person she knew of.
Marlasoe lead Hermione into her bedroom that was painted in light blue with clouds that shifted into different shapes when they moved along the wall. The floor was covered in white carpet. A four post twin size bed was in the center of the room with a beside table, walk in closet with the dresser inside it. A spiral staircase that let to a upper floor that was playing area.
Hermione looked around the room. She had never seen anything like it. "Wow, this is great. Who did it?"
"Daddy and Grandpa." said Marlasoe. "Come on Daddy's waiting for downstairs," and she pulled Hermione down the stairs to the kitchen.
Hermione sat down next to Severus and smiled and Marlasoe, who sat down in her father's lap. He smiled and shifted her in a more comfortable position. Carrie, John, Jane, Michaela and Michael spent the afternoon getting to know the people that they knew would play a large part in Hermione's life. They had to admit it was nice to get to know other witches and wizards.
Severus and Hermione sat in the library reading over Salazar's journal on the cure for Lycanthropy. Severus moved his arm and Hermione slid into his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Tom stood in the doorway of the library watching them work. He smirked at the couple. They worked even though they were on a break. He could understand their reason. Severus and Hermione wanted to help their friend Remus.
"They never stop. Do they?" whispered Carrie.
Tom turned his head and smiled at the woman in front of him. "Not if it's important to them. They'll work until they just pass out from exhaustion." he told her. "Let's take a walk through the gardens." he summoned a warm travel cloak for Carrie and himself. "Ladies first."
"You are a charmer Tom Riddle," and she walked down the stairs.
"My wife, Sarah loved to garden." said Tom as they walked through a large gate.
Carrie smiled weakly. She could tell that Tom had loved his wife dearly. "Did you every think about remarrying?" she asked looking around.
The garden was covered in white snow, and many flowers ranged from red, yellow, white and black roses held warming charms over them. The daisies where beautiful and full of life and color.
Carrie stopped a pond that had lily pads on the crystal water. "This place is amazing." she had never seen so many plants in her life.
"Ah, yes. I have plants that came from many parts of the country." said Tom. "This is Severus's favorite flower." he walked over to the rose bush. "The black rose. It is a rare find."
"What's this one?" asked Carrie walking up to a gold flower in shape of a star.
Tom walked over to the woman. He picked it from the bush. "The gold star rose." he told her holding it out for her to take. "Even rarer than the black rose. It's from Turkey."
"Wow." she whispered taking the rose.
"It's my favorite out of the entire garden." he whispered gently.
Carrie smiled and walked further into the garden. She stepped into the human sized maze. Tom followed her into it. He and Marlasoe spent a lot time in the maze playing hide and go seek.
"Your mother told me you've been helping the cause." said Tom.
Carrie shrugged her shoulders. "It's no big deal. I was bored one day and began reading books."
Tom squeezed her hand. "Thank you." She blushed and gave him a shy smile. He stopped in mid step. "Wait a moment." Carrie stopped and gave him a puzzled look. "Stay real still," and pulled out his wand and whispered a complex spell over her body. His wand lit up yellow. "How is this possible?"
"What's impossible?" she asked in concern.
"Your magic has been bound. I felt a surge of magic when I touched your hand."
"I-I'm a w-witch?" she said in shock.
Tom nodded his head. He quietly lead her out of the maze and back into the house.
Tom knocked gently on the library doorframe. Severus looked away from the thick journal. Hermione had fallen asleep on his shoulder about an hour ago. She stirred slightly at the noise but didn't wake.
"Severus I need your assistance." whispered Tom.
He nodded and gently moved Hermione to the cushion and rose to his feet. He gently laid the book down the coffee table. Severus walked up to his father-in-law.
Tom told Severus what he found as they walked down stairs to the living room. The Potions Master was shocked at what he was hearing. They wondered who would do this to Carrie Granger and when did it happen and why?
The men walked up to Carrie, who was sitting on the couch quietly staring at the dancing flames. Severus knelt down in front of the woman. He gently took her face in his hands and slowly entered her mind. He moved through many layers of memories. He saw a lot of jumbled memories and blank spaces. Severus pulled out from her mind and turned to Tom and rose to his full height.
"She had her memories erased. It looks like years are missing." he whispered. "And their strong shields and her magic is strong and strongly bound it would take months to release the ties without damaging her core."
Tom began to pace in thought. He summoned a large book and caught it and sat down in the arm chair. He flipped through family trees after family tree. He stopped at the line of Ravenclaw. He ran his fingers over the long line connecting names.
"Oh sweet Merlin." whispered Tom and looked up at Carrie. "You're the heir of Ravenclaw. You're a witch."
"The Ravenclaw line isn't gone?" said Severus in shock.
"Apparently not." Tom sat the book down on the nearby end table. He knelt down in front of Carrie. "Are you ready to have your memories returned to you, Carrie?" She stared at the men in shock. She could only nod her head.
Tom gently took her face in his hands and whispered a spell under his breath. Carrie felt like a movie was playing in her mind. The tape had been paused, rewound and fast forwarded. Until she finally passed out.
Tom moved Carrie and gently laid her down on the couch. He stepped back and said, "I don't know how long she'll be out for. She's lost a lot of her memories. The poor woman."
"Who did it?" whispered Severus observing the sleeping woman.
Tom shook his head. "I don't know. But who every it is didn't want Carrie to know the truth. The plot just thickened."
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