Author Note: Snape suspects, Harry gets an education and Ron gets a new look. All this and more in this chapter.
===xxx===xx(Chapter begins)
Harry went to bed that night happy. The next morning he woke to find Ginny staring at him with a smile.
"Good morning. What's got you so happy?" Harry said sitting up.
"Oh nothing other than you must have had some good dreams about Hermione last night." Ginny said warmly with a slight giggle.
Harry blushed a little bit but nodded, "Well yeah maybe just a bit." He admitted.
"Good. I'm glad but you better go take care of yourself." She snickered. "I'd not want you to get hurt."
"Right. Well I'll uh just go. Clean up." He said sliding out of the bed and heading out. "No peeking." He admonished on the way out.
"Of course not Harry." Ginny giggled. Once he was out of the room the smile faded slightly and she sighed. She fly out through the window and into Snape's house.
The tall ascetic man was eating a quiet breakfast when she floated in. He looked up curiously as she settled into the chair opposite him.
"Good morning Miss Weasley. What brings you here?"
"Sorry to bother you sir. I just had a question." She hesitantly said.
"In regards to what exactly?" Snape leaned back staring at the translucent girl.
"Harry. He has a shadow attached to him. What could that be?"
"I am afraid you will have to be a bit more clear in your request. What do you mean a shadow?"
"Well when I look at all of you alive people. I see this glow. I guess its your soul or life energy or something. Well Harry's has this shadow in part of his glow."
Snape raised his eyebrow, "A shadow in part of his aura?"
"I guess that would be a good way to explain it, although what's an aura?" Ginny asked.
"The glow you see. An energy field around people." He explained.
Ginny flashed a brief smile, "Oh okay. So you can see them too?"
"Only with the right spell." Snape admitted. Any further conversation was stalled by the doorbell.
"I'll go." Ginny started to float away when Snape stopped her.
"No please stay, I wish to speak with you some more about this shadow. Just hide yourself."
Ginny nodded then floated into the cabinets. Snape opened the front door to find Albus Dumbledore standing there in a 1970s leisure suit with a panama hat.
"Sir? You really need to update your muggle wardrobe." He said as he gestured for Dumbledore to enter.
"Ahh yes I do have a nasty tendency to not pay as much attention to the whims of fashion." Albus chuckled as he entered the house.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Yesterday was Harry's birthday. Alas I was busy and was unable to attend. I hope you did so."
"Any anger or negative feelings I had for his father I have managed to repress in regards to him." Snape said with a slight nod of his head.
"Ahh that's good. Learning to forgive is an excellent thing. So what did you think of the party yesterday?"
Snape was trying not to frown, "In regards to what?"
"Oh just the general attitude of the environment. That sort of thing. Making sure Harry is well adjusted and happy, enjoying his youth." Albus happily stated.
Taking a deep breath Snape considered a moment before replying, "He seemed to enjoy himself. Everyone appeared to have an enjoyable time. Eventually the party broke apart."
"You didn't join in the celebrations?" Albus laughed.
"No more than I usually do." Severus ghosted a smile.
"Ahh yes. You are famous for your reticence. I understand Miss Granger and her parents visited as well. How has Harry and the young miss been getting along?"
Snape paused then said, "They seem to be close friends. They work well together."
"And have they shown any physical attraction for each other?" Albus leaned forward
"They are hormonal teenagers I am certain they have felt a physical response from being in close proximity, however they have not acted upon such. At least as far as I am aware." Snape spoke slowly and with a sense of discomfort. "Why does it matter?"
"Well I must admit they remind me a great deal of James and Lily. I had such a fondness for them." Albus said wistfully in remembrance of things past.
"And your concerns over their physical activities?" Snape was seeking clarification as something bothered him.
"Oh just wanting to make sure that when they do engage in such activities they do so from a position of safety. Perhaps you could offer her a prophylactic potion." Albus said whimsically. "We wouldn't want a baby to come too soon now would we? Only at the appropriate time."
"A. Yes. Yes I could. Although you sound like you are hoping they engage in fornication."
Albus chuckled, "As you said they are hormonal teenagers. I recall from being headmaster for so long that Poppy has done a thriving business in such potions. But should they desire to explore things I trust you not to interfere?"
"Yes she has had to have me make a few batches for her. Before Minerva left yesterday she contracted with myself to do so again this year." Snape admitted. "As for the physical interactions between Mr Potter and his female friends that is none of my concern."
"Yes. Good. Good. Save one back for Ms Granger. I'll send a note to Poppy so she can give her a good once over once she returns to school." He sighed, "It is really rather unfortunate that young Miss Weasley did not survive her ordeal. She and Mr Potter would have made a lovely couple."
"I suppose sir. I have no opinion in such matters." Snape dryly declared.
"No I guess you wouldn't." Albus smiled sadly. He fell silent as he stared at the floor for a few long moments.
"It is unfortunate about the loss of the students this past year." Snape did volunteer.
"Yes. It was. Quite unfortunate. Although Miss Granger's survival was a ray of sunshine in that intolerable mess." Dumbledore said chipperly.
"It was." Snape agreed.
"Yes well. Percy Weasley is dealing with his loss quite well." Dumbledore chatted amiably.
"Yes the loss of his sister would be troublesome I am sure."
"Well not just his sister but his girlfriend and potential intended." Dumbledore corrected.
"Mr Weasley was involved with Miss Clearwater?" Snape asked in surprise. He did not keep track of the gossip in the school. That was more Trelawny and Sprout.
"Oh yes. Quite." Dumbledore took a deep breath. "Well I should stop in and say hello to Harry. It is the first night of the full moon so Remus shall be a bit under the weather shan't he?"
"He will be." Snape agreed. He was quite confused and concerned by the way this conversation had gone.
"Well keep up the good work Severus. You are doing splendidly." Albus smiled as he stepped out.
Ginny floated through the wall, "Now that was weird. I knew Percy and Penelope were snogging. I caught them in a classroom once. I never got a chance to tell anyone. It was too weird."
"Yes very." Snape agreed.
"Why would he be so interested in if Harry and Hermione get together?" Ginny wondered grumpily.
"It seems like everyone is wanting the two of them to get together." Snape observed.
"Well I did it since if I couldn't grow up to be with him I wanted him to have someone that made him happy." Ginny sighed.
"Understandable. Although I would have thought you would prefer him with your friend Miss Lovegood." Snape turned and walked back to the kitchen.
"She's nice and I'm sure she'd be good to Harry but they don't have enough in common. They'll be better as good friends." Ginny declared with a forced smile.
Snape nodded as he cleaned up his breakfast.
"No I think Luna needs someone to ground her as she gets a little bit out there you know. Harry would be too willing to go off with her on her crazy ideas. Harry needs someone that will help him focus. Who would give him some good children. I mean I would have been happy to give him plenty of children that's what a Weasley does. We breed really well." Ginny was prattling in the background of Snape's thoughts. Until he heard her say something that struck his thoughts like a bolt of lightening.
"Wait. What did you say?"
"About what?"
"Breeding." Snape simply said.
Ginny shrugged, "Yeah mum said that's one of the things about the Weasleys they are really good breeders. She said I'd wind up being able to give my husband a lot of children when I grew up."
"Your mother said that?" Snape frowned. He was not certain but something was tickling at his mind. "Ginny who encouraged your crush on, Harry."
"Well it wasn't mum. She said that would be too much like my having a crush on Ron." Ginny said with a sick expression, "It was Uncle Albus. He's really good friends with mum and dad."
"Uncle Albus?"
"Yeah he said I wasn't to tell anyone I called him that. But since I'm dead I guess it won't hurt now." Ginny confessed conspiratorially.
"And did your Uncle Albus do anything else with you?" Snape asked in dread.
Ginny shook her head, "No. Nothing like that. Ew. No all he did was give me these books on Harry and tell me about how brave and wonderful he was. How much he liked red heads and would want a wife who was brave, and strong and powerful."
Snape sat down with a confused frown. "So he encouraged you to dream about becoming Harry Potter's wife?"
Ginny sadly nodded, "Yeah. Then I got killed and that ended that."
"How long ago did he begin doing this?"
Ginny thought for a moment, "As long as I can remember. He used to come over and talk to mum about all kinds of things."
"Really? Did he spend a great deal of time with your brothers?" Snape cautiously asked.
"Yeah he used to take Ron off on adventures. I used to wonder why but mum said not to worry about it." Ginny shrugged, "Dad wasn't worried either so I never thought much about it."
"Well I am certain it was nothing. The world knows how altruistic Albus Dumbledore has been." Snape said with his best comforting smile.
Ginny frowned, "Uh yeah."
"That means helping others." Snape explained.
"Oh yeah he has. He's helped dad at work a lot I heard mum and him talking. Cause dad's always messing with muggle stuff." Ginny confirmed.
"Yes indeed. So Ron has been Albus' favorite child of the family?" Snape inquired.
"Well yeah. Aside from me. But dad said I was a surprise."
"You were a surprise?"
"Yeah Fred and George used to call me the cuckoo in the nest because dad got himself clipped after Ron according to them. Whatever that means." Ginny frowned. "Was that an insult?"
"Not entirely."
"So was that when dad started loosing his hair?" Ginny asked innocently.
"No I doubt it." Snape stared at her. "Do you really not understand these references?"
"Well Fred and George say a lot of things that I don't understand, and mum says I have to wait until I'm older before I get some of that stuff explained. I mean I just barely started having monthlies before I died." Ginny explained. "I mean I know that to make a baby the boy puts his parts into the girl parts and they do stuff and nine months later there's a baby. I did get that from some of the girls at school and Luna. Although I'm not entirely sure about some of the things Luna says either."
Snape raised his eyebrow as he sighed, "There is a bit more to it than that. However you understand the basic gist of it."
"Maybe sort of. Mum didn't tell me a whole lot other than to keep my legs crossed until after I was married."
Snape felt a rising sense of dread that somehow he was going to have to explain reproduction to a ghost girl. He was not getting paid enough for this.
===xxx===xx
Harry had come down to breakfast to find his aunt moving slowly and with an ice pack on her head. She was making oatmeal which Dudley had started to complain about but Vernon shut him down with a smacking backhand.
Harry sat down to the table quietly. Not sure what Vernon was going to do Harry did nothing to provoke him. Harry figured it had been long enough that Vernon had behaved himself so he must . They ate the oatmeal without a sound other than Petunia making a groaning sound every so often.
Eventually they were done and Dudley stomped out to find something else. Harry said nothing and went to go find Ginny. As he was leaving the house he saw Dumbledore step out of Snape's house.
"Ah Harry. I was just coming to visit you. I'm sorry I was unable to attend your birthday party. I understand it was quite smashing."
"Yeah it was a great time. I had a lot of fun." Harry smiled.
"Ahh good. I'm glad. I understand you had some rather nice gifts given this year." Albus smiled.
"Just a bit. I got a new broom from my Godfather." Harry proudly pointed out.
"Ah good. He's already started taking up his duties. I'm glad. Now did Miss Granger give you anything good?"
Harry blushed a bit but nodded, "Yeah she gave me a broom servicing kit."
Albus smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. "Ah wonderful. She must care deeply about you if she wants to make sure your broom is in good working order."
"Uh right." Harry felt that the former headmaster meant something more than just what he said. "I'm sure she does."
"So have you given her a ride on your broom yet?" Albus was grinning as they stood talking.
"Uh no. This is a muggle neighborhood. I couldn't do that."
"Ah yes. Well there is some of your friends. Perhaps you could visit them and fly there. As I understand it you have a second broom. Miss Granger could ride that one." Albus said with an odd amused tone Harry thought.
"Maybe yeah." Harry nodded.
"Well I wanted to stop by and see how you are doing Harry. I've been incredibly busy unfortunately before now. So many things to deal with." Albus sighed like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
"Is there anything I can do?" Harry asked.
"No not really. Not right now. Just keep up with your studies and enjoy yourself." Albus said with a smile.
"Oh I am."
"And enjoying your study partner?"
Harry grinned, "Yeah its pretty nice having Hermione around."
"Ahh good. Well she is enjoying this as well?"
"I think so." Harry said with an awkward shrug, "She's with her family today as they had some other plans but we've been getting along really well. She's my girlfriend now." Harry finished with an awkward grin.
Albus looked pleased, "Ahh good. Good. Well I do have a gift for your birthday. I'll have it delivered here tomorrow. I forgot to bring it with me today, I'm sorry. A few books I'm sure that could be quite helpful to you. Perhaps Miss Granger might be interested in them as well. At least a few of them."
"Oh that's okay sir. I wasn't really expecting a lot of presents." Harry said quickly. "Although Hermione would be interested in seeing new books."
"I understand. Its alright though. Just remember Harry. You should enjoy all that this world and your life has to offer. Far too often we neglect to appreciate the finer things on this oft too short journey." Dumbledore sighed again, "Well I must away once more. I am glad to hear that you are doing quite well."
"Yes sir thank you."
Dumbledore went to the street stuck his hand out calling for the knight bus. A moment later he and the large purple conveyance were gone in a puff of fudge and cinnamon.
Harry turned and started toward Snape's with a strange expression. His life had definitely been taking a strange turn recently.
===xxx===xx
The rest of Sunday morning was spent with Harry and Ginny talking to Severus about reproductive biology since The Dursleys had never spoken with Harry about it. Then Severus said he had things to do in the afternoon and departed leaving Harry and Ginny outside in the back yard of #4.
"Wow. Fred and George told me some very wrong things." Ginny said sitting next to Harry.
"Uh yeah. Wow." Harry nodded his agreement.
"I wonder if Hermione knows all of that." Ginny pondered.
Harry glanced at her then shook his head, "Well I'm not going to ask her. Besides as smart as she is she probably already does."
"Yeah probably." Ginny agreed.
===xxx===xx
Severus had gone back to his home in Spinner's End to think after giving Lupin his dose of Wolfsbane potion. Having a werewolf run though a muggle neighborhood was not something he needed to deal with on top of everything else. He needed to calm down and focus after the way his morning had gone. First the ghost of Miss Weasley had arrived, followed by Dumbledore and his odd conversation. He wanted to discus it with Sirius but did not know how to contact him. Something he was going to rectify as soon as he could.
In the meantime he would go back over the Mandrake Restorative. There was utterly no way that it should have failed. The guild had agreed and cleared him of any wrong doing. But then the current head of the guild was Deanna Zabini and she would have cleared Snape if he had sprayed all of the petrified victims with Acid or Basilisk venom itself. That still did not mean that a mistake had not occurred. Or some freak occurrence. Magic was wonderful but finicky, even potions would interact with each other and those who took them oddly at times.
Three bottles all from the same batch that had been carefully prepared by himself. Sprout had taken her best care of the Mandrakes and Poppy had followed the care procedures when applying it. He and the headmaster himself had assisted in applying the potion to the victims. Maybe there was something about the victims that could have affected things. He wondered because the alternative would be far more disturbing to consider.
There had been six victims, Miss Granger, Miss Clearwater, Creevey, Finch-Fletchley, Mrs Norris and that annoying Gryffindor ghost. Two female humans and one female cat. Two human males and a male ghost. It was entirely possible the living people were virgins, although Miss Clearwater may not have been. He sincerely doubt the ghost was given the age he had lived within. Throwing the parchment down he paced as he could find no reason why it would work on one and not the others.
He reviewed the formula. It was a complicated and difficult one but nothing that a person of his skill levels would have trouble with. Anyhow if the draught itself had been at fault Miss Granger would have joined the choir invisible as well as the others.
Sitting down he focused his thoughts on the day they applied the potion. Going back over the steps he watched himself finish decanting the draught. He then took it to the hospital wing where it was separated into three bottles. He had to step away for a moment as the headmaster had asked him to ensure that the victims had been levitated. He had nodded and stepped out of the potion's room to check that they were ready for the spray. Leaving the bottles alone with the headmaster. He had not paid attention that day as he had no reason to suspect the headmaster.
Focusing on the headmaster's actions he recalled the headmaster spraying down Miss Granger then standing aside as he had an empty bottle. The only one that survived was the only one that the Headmaster had applied the potion to.
Coming out of his reverie the potions master frowned at the wall. He would have to check Miss Granger.
===xxx===xx
Arriving by the Knight Bus at her home Snape shook himself. He detested that conveyance but it was untraceable by the Ministry and as she lived with muggles it would be best not to allow anyone to know he had come here.
Ringing their bell he was pleased that Miss Granger opened the door and not her parents.
"Professor Snape? Uh. This is a surprise." Hermione exclaimed.
"Yes it is. May I come in? I need to conduct some blood tests on you." Snape requested.
"Who is it sweetie?" He heard a woman ask from within.
"Its Professor Snape mum." Hermione called back.
"Well bring him in." A man's voice called out.
Hermione led him to the dining room table. The Granger parents were sitting at the table with a Scrabble game in front of them.
"Hello Mr Snape. What brings you by?"
"I need to check Miss Granger's blood. I am doing a follow up from something she was exposed to earlier."
"That basilisk petrification thing?" Emma asked in a cold voice.
"Yes, as well as a few other things." Snape stated, "Do not worry this is all potions. Nothing I do will inform the ministry or activate the underage trace."
"Well that's good." Emma said, "But is it really necessary to come by right now?"
"For my peace of mind as well as yours please. It has been a very trying day." Snape sighed.
Emma crossed her arms over Hermione holding her back from the professor, "Before you run any tests on Hermione you had better explain yourself."
Taking a deep breath, "I have become suspicious that there may have been some tampering done to your daughter by individuals. I need to collect evidence if there is and these tests will rule out or confirm if there has been any tampering."
"You think someone at the school did this?" Emma glared at him.
"It is the only place where it could have occurred." Snape stated.
"Mum let him run the tests. I want to know." Hermione said pulling free of her mother.
"Very well. And all of this is safe?" Emma demanded.
"Yes. I will draw a small amount of blood then place a few drops in each reagent. The color change or lack of will give me the information I need." Snape explained.
Dan packed up the Scrabble board, "Just as well I was loosing anyhow."
"Don't be so rancorous dear about your inevitable forfeiture to myself dear." Emma smirked as she helped him put the game away.
"Are you married Mr Snape?" Dan quipped.
"No. I. Never found someone willing to tolerate my bad habits." Snape said with a slight sad tone.
"Oh. Well then you've never had to suffer the slings and arrows of a highly competitive spouse. Lucky you."
Snape nodded politely with a slight twitch of his mouth. "Yes lucky me." Setting his rack of vials on the table he poured a bit of liquid into each from several bottles.
Hermione sat down and rolled up her sleeve. Snape used a medical syringe to draw enough blood to put several drops in each vial. They sat and watched as some of them changed color while others did nothing.
Snape frowned as he studied Hermione. Tilting his head slightly he raised his eyebrow but said nothing until Dan cleared his throat.
"So what's all that mean?" Dan asked pointing at the vials.
"It means she is a healthy, fertile, female that has no potions in her system at all." Snape explained.
"So she's good then?" Emma asked.
"Yes, so it would seem." Snape said packing his equipment back into his travel bag.
"You seemed concerned there was something going on?"
"You have told your parents about the others?"
Hermione nodded numbly, "Yes sir."
"I believe that may not have been an accident." Snape flatly declared causing Hermione to gasp.
"What you think someone killed those other students?" Emma scowled in consternation.
"It is becoming highly plausible."
"But why? And why leave me alive?"
"That is the question I am seeking answers for. I need to ask you a personal question Miss Granger. One I am not certain how your parents will react to."
"Go ahead and ask me anything. I don't keep secrets from them. Not anymore." She said.
"Very well. Have you and Mr Potter had any form of sexual relations?"
Hermione's eyes grew wide as she blushed bright red. "No no. We just barely kissed last night."
"Have you felt the desire to do so?"
Hermione bit her lip as her dad growled, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Mr Granger. There exists a potion in our world that can cause a person to feel extreme lust for another. If given to you it would make you feel like the person it was keyed to was your lover, your friend, your best mate and you would do anything. You would leave your wife in a burning house for this person. That was one of the tests I performed. It came back negative. However there are spells that can do the same thing. As I cannot cast magic here without alerting the Ministry the only way is to ask your daughter about her feelings for Mr Potter and see if they seem normal for a girl of her precocious development." Snape heatedly explained.
"You think Potter did something to her?" Dan grumbled.
"No. Although I am not certain if someone else has not done so with him as an unwitting benefactor." Snape quickly explained. "A third party may be involved that neither of them are aware of."
"I've had a few dreams involving Harry and I uh. Well I've thought about him in the shower." Hermione confessed.
"And these feelings did not seem to develop suddenly or overnight?"
"Well no. I guess not. I mean I've liked him as a friend but until I started studying with him I didn't realize how much more potential there could be." She said with an awkward smile.
Emma laughed, "So in other words spending all the time with him alone you realized how cute and compatible you two are?"
"Yeah something like that. And Ginny kinda helped me think about it." Hermione confessed.
"The ghost girl acted as his wingman. Of course. Makes sense. Better than my university buddy." Dan sighed. Losing his anger quickly as Emma seemed more amused than upset now.
"So Hermione hasn't been forced into feeling things for Harry?"
"I do not believe so. Having taught a castle full of rowdy teenagers this is most likely natural. Although a bit precocious."
"Well its not like I'm going to be jumping in his bed or throwing myself at him anytime soon." Hermione quickly exclaimed. "I want to wait for that."
Snape raised his eyebrow. "Very well."
"Just in case dear we might want to make sure Harry understands that." Emma pointed out.
"I have already spoken with him as of this morning. His guardians had not explained the facts of life to him. So the task befell to myself." Snape shuddered slightly.
"Ah well thank you. Hermione has already had the talk as well." Dan said.
"Yes and I believe its time we had a visit to Dr Anderson for the pill." Emma suggested sternly.
"Which will not work as a witch's body cannot be tricked into thinking she is pregnant. Magic will not allow that. She will have to take a magical potion once a month." Snape interrupted.
"Only once a month eh? You don't suppose I could get one of those." Emma joked.
"Perhaps." Snape said.
"Mum. I'm not going to do anything like that." Hermione said in shock. "I don't need the pill or potion."
"Yes but if there are spells and potions that could force you. I'd rather not have you suffer through an unplanned pregnancy. Especially if it was from someone who didn't love you." Emma said while Dan nodded.
"I would concur with your parents Miss Granger. I will have one available for you in the morning." Snape stated politely to her.
"Okay but that still doesn't mean I'm going to do anything about it."
"Hey better to have your galoshes in the sunshine than to get wet feet if it does rain eh?" Dan said. "By the way is there one of those for guys or do they still have to wear a raincoat?"
"Dad." Hermione hissed.
Snape snorted briefly. "Yes there is one for wizards. However due to the way magic and the physical structure of males interacts it only lasts 24 hours per dose."
"Oh wow. Okay. I don't suppose there is any other weird surprises magic brings is there?" Dan chuckled uncertainly. "Like captain seahorse or something."
Snape shook his head, "No. Males cannot become pregnant, at least not without serious transformative magics involved. Females can only get pregnant in the usual method and without strong temporal magic pregnancies last nine months."
Emma hummed appreciatively. "Well that's good to know. Isn't it sweetie?"
"Yeah. I suppose I could get some books about that in the library when I get back to school." Hermione said awkwardly. Having this kind of discussion with her parents was uncomfortable enough but having it in front of one of her professors, especially a stern one like Snape was an entirely different level of discomfort.
"As potions deal with all aspects of biology I have some in my library that you may read." Snape said. "Now I will leave you to your evening. I am sorry to have bothered you."
"No if she had been tampered with we'd have wanted to know. I suppose when she gets to your house tomorrow you can do some more checks?"
"Yes. I can."
"Good. Well good night."
Snape turned and left. Dan and Emma looked at each other then at the awkwardly thoughtful Hermione.
"Sweetie maybe we ought to have a bit more of a talk tonight." Emma said coming over and putting her arm around her daughter's shoulders.
===xxx===xx
Snape had arrived back on Privet Drive with more questions than answers. He stood outside #4 and wondered what the headmaster's plan with Harry was. There was the worrying question as to the shadow Miss Weasley could see. He had a very strong understanding of dark magic and there was among the deepest and darkest shadows tales of soul anchors. Ways to come back from the dead.
Serving Voldemort for as brief a time as he had he still understood the lengths that the dark lord would have gone to prevent his death. Could he have gone that far though. The depths of depravity required would mean irrevocable spiritual damage to the point he had better hope he never did cross over.
He began walking towards his house thinking. If it was a part of the dark lord within Harry what to do? How to get it out without harming Potter. He still had a great deal of unresolved feelings towards Lily, towards James but he was beginning to like Potter. At the very least he was recognizing that the boy had been misused and abused. His life had been manipulated and planned for some reason.
Vernon Dursley reminded Snape far too much of his own father. A laborer in the mill at Cokeworth. He spent far too much of his wages on gin then coming home and beating his wife and son for the slightest reason. Always yelling and screaming for the slightest imperfection in his horrible life. Sneering while making crass and disgusting comments at the upper crust on the otherwise of the tracks. It was his youth that caused Snape to learn to keep his thoughts and his feelings to himself.
Until the bright star that was Lily entered his world. She had given him hope, given him a reason to be happy. How did he repay her? By falling in with a group of power hungry bigoted fools. By committing himself to an ideology and cause that supported leaving people like her dead or worse. And then the one time he should have kept his mouth shut he uttered the most unforgivable, disgusting word that he could have.
Entering the sad empty house he sat staring into the abyss of his memories for far too long.
===xxx===xx
The next morning Lupin was still recovering so Harry and Hermione would spend the day with Snape. Harry was waiting outside when Hermione stepped off the knight bus. He was holding the package that had come by goblin courier as it was a small box.
Hermione came up and gave him a hug and exchanged pecks on the cheek. "Hi Harry whats that?"
"A gift from Dumbledore. He said they're books and that you might find some of them interesting." Harry explained.
"Oh books! Nice." She smiled happily.
"Yeah. So you want to see if Snape is ready for the day?" Harry asked.
"Sure. Where is Ginny?" Hermione asked looking around.
"She was around here somewhere." He said looking around.
"Here I am. I was trying to give you two boundaries." Ginny said with a giggle.
Hermione took a deep breath, "We're in broad daylight in full view of the public Ginny. Nothing is going to happen."
"I know but I still didn't want to impose." She drew herself up solemnly.
"You've been spending too much time with Snape." Harry chuckled.
"Well lets get inside and see what kind of books you got." Hermione said taking Harry's hand as he held the box under his other arm.
Soon they were sitting at their table in Snape's former dining room. Harry unwrapped the box carefully and pulled out five books.
Hermione giggled slightly as Snape made a soft growl.
The books were Lady Chatterley's Lover, Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, Glossarium Eroticum, Joy of Sex and Cunning Linguistics for the Educated Man.
"Well that's certainly an eclectic collection." Hermione managed to say.
"Harry did Dumbledore give you any indication as to why he might want you to have these particular books?"
"Uh no not really. He just said I should enjoy all that life has to offer." Harry explained flipping open a book at random then rapidly shutting it as his eyes grew wide.
Hermione too the book out of his hand and flipping through the pages, "Oh. This is rather. Detailed." She said awkwardly. Turning the book sideways at one point as she looked at a page with a calculating expression. "How could you even do that?"
Snape glanced at the page and smirked, "It would require a flexibility potion and an extension charm."
Flipping the book shut she merely said, "oh."
"Now I must ask both of you to permit me to run some blood and magical tests on the both of you."
Harry frowned at the professor, "Why?"
Snape explained to Harry what he thought about someone pushing him into having sexual relations with Hermione and that he was concerned there might be some undue magical alterations going on. Harry was much more agreeable to being tested once it was explained.
Snape performed the magical and alchemical tests and sighed when the results came back.
"So what are the results? Those look like the same colors as I had last night." Hermione declared. "Except for those vials."
"Yes. That is because Harry is a healthy, fertile, male. Otherwise neither of you have been potioned into thinking or acting other than your natural proclivities would entail."
"That means we like each other just because we like each other?" Harry translated in his head.
"Yes. Also both of you are virginal and have no spells affecting your minds. Although Harry there is something odd about your aura." Snape was looking at him with a concerned expression.
"You mean the darkness Ginny can see?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. I will need to wait for Remus to join us, as well as Sirius. You do not know how to contact him do you?" Snape hoped.
Harry shook his head, "No he just said he'd be in touch."
"Unfortunate. Well let us begin."
"Uh sir. Could I have one of those potions we discussed last night before we get sidetracked?" Hermione quickly asked with a slight blush.
"Yes. I suppose given the circumstances that would be beneficial. I will also teach you how to brew one for yourself as well as the spell to test if it is working in yourself." Snape declared.
The rest of the day was spent discussing the application of magic to the biology of a magical body. Especially in regards to reproduction and sexual activities.
===xxx===xx
Hermione was getting ready to return home. "Harry just because I've taken this potion and you've got those books doesn't mean we're going to do anything like that anytime soon."
Harry nodded, "Right. I wasn't thinking we would. Why would Dumbledore though want us to?"
"I don't know but I find it rather disturbing." Hermione frowned. "Er that he would be pushing for this, not that you and I being together is disturbing." She gave an awkward smile to show she meant no offense to Harry.
"I understood what you meant. And I like you a lot and will be happy just being with you." He said holding her hand.
She smiled after taking a deep breath, "Good. Although uh. Do read the books. I've already read the Joy of Sex. Mum has a copy." She said with a coy grin.
Harry grinned back, "Okay. Any particular one first?"
"Well the Memoirs and Lady Chatterley's are fictional works. The Glossarium appears to be a rather detailed and comprehensive but rather dry. Maybe the Linguistics book." She suggested with a slight tinge of flushed skin.
Harry nodded, "Okay. If I don't understand anything can I ask you for clarification?"
Hermione nodded as she giggled slightly, "Yes. Of course. I would hope you do so."
"Okay well say hi to your parents." Harry said politely.
"I will. See you tomorrow." Hermione said as she leaned in and kissed Harry on the lips. Somewhat longer than the one he got at his birthday.
When they broke apart both of them were breathing a bit rapidly and grinning. Hermione stuck her hand out and then was gone on the bus with a wave to Harry.
Ginny giggled from the shrubbery beside Harry. "She keeps kissing you like that you'll be able to fly without a broom."
"Oh go haunt a U-bend." Harry said swatting at Ginny who went off flying to his room giggling the whole way.
===xxx===xx
The next several weeks went well enough. Remus could not explain the shadow in Harry's aura either. When they contacted Minerva and asked her about it she had no idea either. Flitwick checked it and agreed that it was ancient magics that were tied to Harry's blood but otherwise he could see nothing more about it.
Sirius had visited Harry a few times and left him a communications mirror to contact him. He joked with Harry about how he and Hermione reminded Sirius of James and Lily causing Snape to wonder about the circumstances of their relationship.
Snape explained his suspicions to Remus and Sirius. Remus refused to accept that Dumbledore had any nefarious ideas or schemes but Sirius was fully accepting of that. The divergent points of view between Remus and Sirius did not help their fragile reconciliation.
Sirius told Snape he would look through the Black family library for information related to Harry's blot on his aura. It might take some time as he was busy seducing Narcissa in expectation of Lucius upcoming demise.
Harry and Hermione talked quite frequently about their own relationship and what they wanted and expected from life. Talking about movies and music and the usual sort of things teens talked about. They did kiss and hold hands but never letting things go beyond that. At least with each other. Ginny would joke about how Harry was going to wind up with one arm stronger than the other, laughing even harder when Harry would toss a stick or pebbles through her. The three teens, two alive and one dead, were well on the road to become fast friends.
Molly Weasley though was going through the motions of daily life but wrote to Ginny often missing her. Telling her she loved her. How she had hopes for her. Harry felt awkward reading these letters but Ginny would become emotional and lose her ability to manipulate physical objects when she read one.
Molly had refused to change or alter Ginny's room and spent many hours a day sitting on the bed crying still. The other Weasleys had no idea what to do with her and Arthur spoke often to Dumbledore about how Molly was missing her daughter too much to go on. How she had even spoken of maybe adopting or trying for another daughter.
Dumbledore nodded sagely and told Arthur not to worry that magic was a wonderful thing and something would turn up. Molly would be alright. Arthur did not know for sure what to say but trusted Dumbledore so went about his life as best he could with a wife who was grieving her heart out.
Percy was also distancing himself from the Weasleys. Keeping to himself more and more. Even the Twins had no idea what to do as most of their jokes fell short, causing their mother to cry or Percy to fly off the handle and fight them.
Albus watched the Weasleys falling apart with a great sadness. A family torn apart was not something he could stand idly by and do nothing over. So in the last days of August he silently visited the Burrow. All of the Weasleys were asleep as he snuck inside the Burrow.
Stealthily climbing the stairs he soon entered the room of Ronald Weasley. Casting a strong sleeping charm he stood over Ron's bed.
"My son. I know the things to come are going to be difficult for you. I watched you grow up and gave you many opportunities, now I must ask you to forgive me as I help you save your family once more." Dumbledore stroked Ron's hair briefly as he slept. "Your mother is too dear, I owe her far too much to allow her to sink into the pits of despair. She has paid too high a price for the fight against darkness and now you must take up the mantle."
Taking a deep breath Dumbledore began to chant in an ancient tongue as he waved the Elder Wand over the form of Ron. Ron began to squirm and toss but did not wake. Hair began to lengthen as his face rounded and softened. The slight peach fuzz of a mustache faded and the skin became smooth and unblemished. Full lips soon were parted slightly as the figure changed. Small lumps began to grow on the chest while things between the legs inverted. Soon Ron was no longer the youngest Weasley son but their newest daughter.
Dumbledore looked around and changed a very few things in the room. A few of the clothes became feminine in their cut and shape. Undershirts became brassieres, boxers became knickers. Otherwise the room and its contents remained essentially the same.
Smiling down at the girl in the bed Dumbledore sighed. "I am sure your family will soon accept this, I only hope you can and will understand as well. Sleep well."
He then turned and stealthily made his way out pausing at the door to Ginny's room. Steeling himself he slowly opened the door and gazed inside. He shook his head as a tear made its way down his cheek. He called to him a small silk heart he had given her and placed it in his pocket. Leaving the house he went to his home to prepare for the inevitable confusion the dawn would bring to the Burrow.
===xxx===xx(Review Responses)
Guest/Nonsensical Rants: That is your interpretation and I see it. Personally though I see no real difference in bigotry and hate no matter what you call it. Basing a social, or political ideology of hate solely on such irrational things as skin color, religious beliefs or in the Harry Potter universe one's birth parents is all evil. Its like they are all variants of the hokey pokey. Some of them put their left hand in first, some of them put their right hand in. Left right its all the same bird.
I am a real fan of letting people be people and as long as they don't try to force me to get involved against my will then hey enjoy your life, i'll enjoy mine. I guess that comes through into my stories too. At least I don't use a heavy message hammer.
Magical Britain is still part of Britain and has to learn to live with and among the other half of their society because a house divided against itself cannot stand as a great American once said. One reason why in almost all of my stories eventually the statute of secrecy fails and falls. Humanity learns to play nice with each other. By supporting a separate but equal society that lets the blood purists, that lets the Grindelwalds win.
As for why the story is M. I have never written anything I personally have seen as above rated Teen. However due to the policies of the site as well as the reaction from some nervous nellies who are overly sensitive I have taken the option of marking everything mature that way anyone who comes in cannot claim they were not warned. If you're not satisfied then you are welcome to apply for a refund of your admission ticket. Thanks for taking the time to register your complaint and I hope you have a nice day.
OfficerDonNZ: The revelations of the meddling has just begun. Remus will come around it'll just take some time. He just has a lot bigger hurdles to get over.
Minerva and Augusta may not agree on much (I am really seeing them as the Dowager and Isobel Crawley as those two dames made such a great pair.) but keeping the students safe is one of the biggest things they will fight tooth and nail for. And oh yeah. The rebirth will happen, just they will have to figure out a new way to do it. Especially with Pettigrew sitting in a secret detention facility now.
Dobby will be coming back at some point. True he seemed a few Legos short of a set, but in a good way. Sort of. And yeah being pushed to fight like that would definitely cause him to go rogue and break his programming.
The Dursleys will be around for the rest of the story but in what way I'm not entirely certain. They will definitely be changed people by the end of the tale.
Harmony for the win. Going to try and keep it sweet and cute for as long as possible, especially as they are not going to be pushed into doing things because someone else thinks they should.
DennisUD: Remus has some hurdles to overcome. Right now oddly enough Severus and Sirius are on the same side right now. They'll eventually come together but it'll take some time.
Timekeeper: Oh yeah. Its in my top ten as well. On the list of movies you'd go to a deserted island with The Quiet Man is number 1 though. Yeah I figure as a muggle-born Lily would not want to give up on that side of her life. We'll see more about her later. This story is going to be very much about the interaction of the various people and what happened.