Firstly, apologies for the late up update, this is the longest chapter by far so I hope it more than makes up for it.
As always, please review and if you like the story give it a favourite.
Chapter 15: Power Play
The next day past quite exciting for Hermione who had spotted a red headed boy entering the Infirmary for a supposed Niffler bite.
"Hagrid said they were stingey buggers" Charlie laughed at Poppy's desk. Poppy tsked cradling his hand on the side and noticing the ducks beak print with a small incision of where the animals small teeth bit in.
"But I didn't want to get an infection" She tapped her wand over the injury instantly healing it back to perfect heal however the redness still remained. He scratched at his hand before turning to leave before he heard a small voice calling his name.
"CHarwie!" His eyes raised as he turned back to Poppy as much surprised as he was.
"Charwie!" The voice called again. Hermione gulped hoping that he'd want to see her considering that they had spent so much time together. The stopped herself from calling out again as he pushed back the curtains to her temporary room and stared in awe at her.
"H-Hello" He wasn't expecting a child to be here, much less an injured one. She looked nervous but tried to push through it.
"How do you know my name?" He asked gently sitting next to her. She hesitated again but placed her right hand up towards her chest.
"Bear" She stated before scratching her chest.
"I went by Bear" She clarified starting to understand why he wouldn't particularly know her in this form.
"Bear?" He asked shocked, his lower jaw dropping. Bear was a girl. A little girl. She couldn't be older than her Ginny by the looks of her. Though, she seemed to have quite a few bags under her eyes along with dark circular rings. Merlin, how could he not of realised. Bear was so smart and loved to be read too. She loved cuddles and being spoken to...like a person.
"How- How...you're an Animagus?"
Hermione arched her eyebrow in curiosity. She didn't know that word but she was pretty sure it's jibberish.
"Ami-gus"
He smiled at her. She had the most cutest voice he wanted to cuddle her. He wondered if he was Professor McGonagalls daughter considering the girls ability. However, it didn't make sense to the fact that Hermione was injured and had been constantly referred to as Bear. He shrugged his shoulders before nodding at the girl.
"You can change into an animal"
"Oh" Hermione nodded catching his smile.
"That's amazing" He chuckled making her hesitant at first but smile back at him.
He then took in her appearance noticing her hurt. He couldn't imagine his sister being that way and a wave of pain and guilt hit his chest.
"What happened?" Charlie asked feeling sorry for the girl. She bit her lip looking away from him trying to find a simple answer without instigating her tears.
"I was hurt by a bad man"
He look at her in worry. No one should hit a child. Let alone a girl. Didn't that man know better.
"But you're at Hogwarts now. He can't hurt you right?"
Hermione thought about his question. To be honest, she didn't really know whether or not she was actually safe. She had spent so long either trying to hide from him or trying to run that she knew better then to get her hopes up.
She, instead, nodded hopeful.
"Mimi said that he wont hurt me anymore" She licked her lips. He smiled at her before tapping his fingers against his chin. He didn't want to leave the girl considering that he was her friend.
"Do you like chess?" He asked.
Her eyes alighted in wonder.
"I love chess" She smiled happily at him.
It was just past 9:30AM when Poppy decided to see check on the children. After making her few rounds she moved to the girls bed to check up on the two of them. She knew Charlie was present and chatting to the girl as she could hear childish giggles. She smiled, the girl had made a friend and it was nice to hear her laughing. She quietly moved the curtains aside further to see the two of them both on the bed playing a normal game of chess. By the looks of things, Hermione was winning and by a staggering amount.
"You're going easy on me" She heard the girl call out as she moved a Pawn to take out another Pawn. Charlie chuckled before shaking his head.
"No way, I gave up trying to go easy on you three games ago" He moved his castle six paces forward. Poppy couldn't help but smile at the bright happy faces, she moved towards the end of the girl's bed and picked up her file.
"And how are you two this morning?" She asked gently, opening the girls file. Hermione smiled brightly up to her, "g-good, Poppy. Chawie and I are just pwaying chess"
The older woman removed the statement saying 'Depression?' on the girls case notes before placing them back down and moving towards the counter to give Hermione her potions.
She grabbed one of the goblets off the night stand and began to pour a quarter of the potion into the cup along with a an anti-inflammatory with the pain killer.
"Here dear, big gulp. Professor Snape has tried to make the potions a bit sweeter for your taste" She smiled at her as she placed the goblet next to her mouth. Hermione smiled, tilting her head back and taking three gulps. She winced, Poppy was right; the medicine was sickly sweet. She coughed before seeing Poppy grabbing two more bottles and beginning to pour.
She winced knowing her taste buds would be sweetened to death by the end of her stay.
On the other side of the school, Severus and Minerva had decided to pay this so called uncle a visit whilst Albus went to investigate Hermione's old house and school.
'Ding, dong'
Severus growled, muttering to himself as he pressed on the door bell. Minerva arched her eyebrow at him as he grumbled to himself. She could instantly tell that he was upset by what had occurred earlier this week. Although, she could not tell if it was because his familiar had somewhat lied and betrayed him or because a five year old girl had tricked and out-smarted him. She smiled at the latter analysis, likely knowing it was correct.
The door opened with a squeak and a man in his late thirties with bright blue eyes and dark hair stared at them. His clothing looked ragged and now that Minerva had finally took notice, the whole place was practically a run-down shack in the middle of nowhere.
"Good afternoon Mr. Granger, I presume" Minerva extended her hand.
"I'm Minerva McGonagall and this is my colleague; Severus Snape. We are professors at the College of Alnwick"
The bedraggled man inspected them before leaning against the door frame and shaking her hand.
"Jack Granger" He shook Severus' hand.
"We have news about your niece we'd like to discuss with you, may we come in?" Minerva asked gently. Jack eyes alighted with surprised before he suppressed it and eyed them suspiciously before nodding and moving out of the way and leading them to the living room to sit on the couch. Severus watched as a Doberman ran into the room before sitting by his owners side.
Jack took another drink of his beer noticing Severus' eyes following it.
"Would either of you's like a drink? Mr. Snape?"
"No, thank you"
"That won't be necessary"
Jack nodded before placing a hand on his dogs head. The dog barked towards them making them both flinch at the loudness of the bark.
"You said you heard news of my niece then?"
"Yes, to tell you now she is safe and is currently being treated by our schools' doctor"
Jack nodded before leaning forward and wiping his face with his hand.
"Treated?"
"Yes, she was quiet ill when we found her! Wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you, Mr. Granger?" Severus asked leaning forward and readying his wand in his sleeve in case Mr. Granger set the mutt on them.
Jack shook his head, leaning back and finishing off his drink.
"I ain't seen my niece in over a month and a half after she ran away. I called the police up and everythin' but there was no leads. Turned up a dead end. I either assumed someone grabbed her or she found another family"
"Why would she run away, Mr. Granger?"
"Jack" He interrupted her.
"I'm not big on formalities; call me Jack"
Minerva nodded trying to play down her anger.
"What can I say about my niece. She lived an impoverished life then her folks died and she came to live with me. Didn't like that I wasn't able to afford her a pony so she ran away"
"Is that so?" Severus asked curious. Jack turned to him, biting his tongue so he wouldn't give anything else away about his niece. He nodded.
"Girl's stubborn. Didn't want to help around the house nor go to school. She was nothing but trouble. I say she's better off away from here. I don't want her"
"And you never thought to consider simply adopting her to other parents"
"Listen Minve-"
"Minerva" She corrected.
"I don't have to answer any of your questions. I'm only doing it out of the generosity that you've taken care of my niece"
The dog barked at the again, it's chain rustling against his short fur.
"I understand that these questions are quiet difficult for you and I'm sure you and your niece had your differences but she is your blood relative and your only one at that. Surely you would want to see her again? I cannot understate how ill she was when she found her"
"Cracked ribs, thick scar tissue covering most of her body. Seems like a whip was most frequently used on her" Severus arched his eyebrow at the man.
"She even had two words on her back burned into her. Can you guess what they were?" Severus readied his wand as he noticed the man beginning to get angry.
The man breathed out, shrugging his shoulders before leaning back in his chair and calming down and looking out the window.
"Like I said. My niece ran away. I rang the police but they never found her. I have to assume her injuries came from an attack. Any injury before that; well Hermione is a clumsy girl. She's fallen over a few times while she was playing outside but she never said that she was any pain"
"Now" He brushed his pants while standing up.
"I can assume that you're going to return my niece to me" He inquired.
Severus and Minerva's eyes sunk low. No they really had no intention of doing so.
"Are you wanting your niece back?" Severus asked wanting to throw the man out of the window. The man flicked his eyes to the woman who wasn't holding her facial features back as such. Jack knew better then to push buttons from strangers. Despite, his alcoholism and anger he was still a somewhat smart man.
"I'm hoping that my niece is safe. If she's been adopted into a more loving home that can provide for her then mine, I'm more than happy for her to live there. However, I do wish to see my niece. At least say goodbye to her" 'Perhaps convince her to stay with him as he still needed a little helper to cook and clean around the house.
"Unfortunately, I cannot arrange this"
"Oh, and why not"
"Your niece was in a serious critical condition when she came in and we still do not know exactly when she sustained the injuries"
"You think I hurt her"
"You haven't proven otherwise" Severus crossed his arms before standing up and moving over to the man who also stood.
Jack glared at the taller man in anger, "I never touched that girl"
Severus and Minerva both huffed in detest. "How interesting that you say that considering the fact that she constantly brings up the treatment dealt to her under your care" Severus sneered. Jack scratched his beard before shrugging his shoulders.
"And what does she say? I can tell you now that she's a pathological liar. Can't help herself and all"
"A five year old? A pathological liar? You cannot be serious" Minerva scolded the man and stood.
The man gritted his teeth in anger, his dog barked louder as Severus closed the distance between to the two. "Listen, I've already answered your questions. Now leave my house"
"Why's that, Mr Granger. I thought you wanted your niece back" Severus spat in his face.
Jack shook his head, sweat beaded on his forehead, "Of course I do and I expect her back here tomorrow" He pointed to the ground. Severus grabbed his throat in anger and forced the man up and against the wall.
"Severus" Minerva scolded the man. This was just suppose to be a quick inspection and observation, not an assault.
Severus sneered at the man in anger and removed his wand.
"Let me go you bastard" Jack choked, "Bruce!" He screamed out.
"Nuh," The dark haired man felt the dog bite into his leg. He immediately kicked the dog in the stomach about to kill it before Minerva put in her two cents and stunned the bloody thing.
"Good for nothin' mutt" Severus sneered before turning back at the man and removed his wand pointing it to Jack's face.
"Legilimence"
Jack instantly felt the sharp sting behind his eyes and a pool into the black depths of his mind. Severus began to watch everything, the start of everything. The pain, the torture, the fear radiating in the girls eyes as he burnt her stuff. Her broken and bleeding on the ground as he tried to burn her teddy.
"Pweaze, it's the only thing left that I have from mommy"
Mommy? Who was this woman?
My ex-lover.
His thoughts were driven back to the days at high school. A library filled with books. Jack was a tall, skinny boy. Socially awkward and shy. He wasn't great at school, in fact he had dyslexia and found it difficult to read and write. Everyday he would watch her though, obsess over her as she obsessed over books. She was absolutely stunning, gorgeous. Someone who you'd be more then happy to wake up to every morning in bed. He had obssessed over her for years ever since he first laid eyes on her when they were 12.
Someone who Jack wanted more than anything in the world. After months of stalking he finally decided to talk to her. He smiled, told her that he was struggling in school and needed help. She was polite, well spoken and lovely. She voluntarily agreed to help him study and informed him of a study club she had set up. Like a lost puppy he followed her. They began to hang out more and more. It started with him holding her books, walking her to her classes and having a few after school visits.
He thought they had the perfect relationship and had even asked her to be his girlfriend. She agreed. He was head over heels, he couldn't of been happier. The two had spent months together before he finally built up the courage and brought her home to meet the family. That was the stupidest mistake he had ever made. A fatal mistake. His brother, NO! The adopted bastard couldn't stop staring at her all evening. He could tell, the instant that the moment they shook each others hands there was a spark. Not like Jack. He regretted everything. His brother David was not only charming but smart and extraordinary. He kissed her hand, smiled brightly, made jokes and flirted with the girl.
He saw, over time, that he was losing her. He decided to proposal to her, a few days after she lost both her parents. She had lost everything and was going to end up homeless and alone. She was only 19 at the time but he would give her the world. Reluctantly, she agreed but he didn't care about her hesitation. He was overjoyed despite her pain. He began planning the wedding and everything, making sure everything was perfect. Being so busy he didn't bother to comfort her when she needed it. Instead, his brother stepped in. He held her throughout the day, helped her with her parents funeral, paid for her college tuition and held her through the pain.
Come wedding day, he stood at the alter waiting for her, expecting her to show. She never did. He returned home hours later finding a Dear John letter.
'My dear Jack,
I write to you with a heavy heart but I cannot marry you. I'm sorry I have to tell you this way but I fear if I were to marry you we would both be unhappy.
David and I have decided to run away together to pursue our careers over in America.
You are a very sweet and loving person, I hope you never lose that part of you. I wish you the best in your future endevours and I hope you find a wife you will treat you well.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Welsh
P.S: Please do not try to contact us as we will not be returning to England'.
He was absolutely heart broken. He dropped out of university within the first semester and taken up drinking. He began to grow lazy and have frequent fights with his parents. He ended up living in the basement for a while, scorning over the fact that his life had practically been ruined by two people he once loved the most. He took up a part-time job as a station hand at a nearby farm to ease his insanity. However, over the years, the pain got worse and worse. He decided that enough was enough and he wanted his runner-away-wife back and decided to travel to America.
Nothing but dead ends and broken hearts. After six months of searching he turned up dead ends. He returned home to the deaths of his parents. It must of been when Hermione was two or three because the next thing he knew was that his brother was back in town. He had attended the funeral but had no wife or child in hand. Rather himself and a black trench coat as he stood in the rain watching as the coffin lowered into the ground. He assumed the woman had left him but Jack made no move to speak to his brother during the funeral, hating him too much to be able to formulate words. Maybe even cry his eyes out over his lost love.
Jack's depression went from bad to worse after the death of his folks. He started to drink more and more. Started to hate everyone and everything. Started taking drugs and hanging out with bad people. He was in a pit of despair until 'it' arrived at his door.
"...Unfortunately, another driver had crashed into them...her parents had left no will and you are her only family left"
Family?
No that couldn't be. Why would David leave the chit with him? She stared up at him curiously. David's eyes, Mary's everything else. He could only see the traitorous bastards that took away his happiness.
He gave her her due; what she deserved. What he should have done to his brother and run-away-wife. He wondered if they had seen the misery and pain that they had both his niece and Jack had been in and blamed themselves. They should have. As time went on, the beatings began to get worse and Hermione began to look slightly more mature. His thoughts had strayed one day to whether she would look like a replica of Mary and be his. After all, he had saved himself for her and her only. He never laid eyes on another woman. Only her. He couldn't help but let the thoughts subside. Maybe in the future but he wasn't a child rapist and had no real sexual attraction to the buck-tooth know-it-all cowering in the corner.
The last sights of Hermione were seen through his eyes. He knew the girl was going to run away. He knew it deep down. The girl wasn't stupid but his financial stress meant that he was no longer interested in taking care of the girl.
Severus couldn't help but zone in on the girl. She was practically a skeleton figure, scared eyes and severely bruised on practically every part of her body. It was made worse by the fact that she looked so small in her uncle's clothes.
Severus winced as he watched the words burned into her skin. The last image of her was when she was on the floor shivering and cowering in pain.
24 hours after Hermione had left, Jack called the Police and an investigation went underway to find the girl. As found, there were no leads but the search continued for over a month before they decided to place it in the cold cases section presuming the child had likely been abducted or killed.
It was a horrible fate and it made Jack feel guilty of the potential that a pedophile had caught wind of her. He conducted a small investigation himself into his ex-friend. 'Oh yes, Severus saw that too'
Severus watched as Jack smashed his ex-friends' place to trash trying to find the girl after presuming he had taken her. A dead end and a broken hand nose later. Jack had finally given into the fact that he had practically given the girl a death sentence.
The last thoughts were of Minerva saying the girl was alive. He was at least somewhat relieved. The girl was alive but he was going to pay for it. Maybe she was better off dead.
Severus pulled out of his mind and instantly punched him in the face. He couldn't stop himself, all he saw was red. He was so angry at the man for everything he had done.
"Severus" Minerva tried to grab him and stop him but he couldn't help himself. Blood splattered his robes as Minerva tried again to pull on his arm not wanting to use magic on her son.
"Severus stop, you're going to kill him" He grabbed the man by the shirt as he collapsed to his knees and punched him two more times. By the end of it, Severus' hands, robes and face were splattered in blood and Minerva being so close took some of the splash as well. Both men were breathing heavily. Jacks face was absolutely smeared in bed, most of his face busted and broken. He winced again as Severus raised a fist.
"I should kill you for what you done" Severus spat at him trying to hold back his anger.
"But I believe death would be such a relief for you. I'd rather see you locked up in Azkaban for the rest of your miserable days" Severus sneared pushing the man to ground and spitting at him.
"Severus we need to leave" Minerva pulled him back. He stared at the man one last time. It wasn't enough, Severus was still angry to the bone and shaking. He wanted the man dead.
He leaned in to the other man's whimpering body, "I'll be back for you, mark my words. I intend to finish this". He shoved the crying man away before turning back to his companion and taking her arm.
They left in the wind and rain pelting down, soaking there close. It was a grizzly outcome on both sides.
Whilst Minerva and Severus were attending to the distressing news of the uncle, Albus had decided to visit her home and the school. It was a shame for him to find that the house had been already brought by a young couple with two kids; a boy and a girl. They had informed him that the last family had left a few things in the basement that they hadn't cleared out yet and Albus was more than welcome to it. He ended up picking a few photos of the couple and a few records before leaving to Hermione's old school.
He had met her teacher a Miss Russo. She was a young, dark haired, green eyed woman who stood just over 5ft 7. She seemed to enjoy her job and was enthuastic to here news of her star pupils.
"I heard that her parents passed away and she was sent to live with another family member but she never returned to school. There was no news of her transferring" She stated as she leaned back at her desk, the afternoon sun pouring through the open window.
"In fact, I haven't heard any news from her in over maybe seven maybe eight months. It's such a shame. She was such a bright and loving girl" She smiled at him before pulling out the girls records.
"She's excelling in practically everything except creative writing; that one I'm afraid she's only scoring a Competency in" She said gently before handing Albus the file. He thanked her before standing up and shaking her hand.
"Thank you, my dear and I'm glad Hermione had such a wonderful mentor"
She smiled back at him, "Hermione's welcome back to join our class anytime she's ready and I'm sure I can get the girl a scholarship if she wishes to continue her studies here"
Albus smiled back, maybe this would be for the best in sending the girl back to something familiar.
Severus and Minerva decided to part from each other once they entered the castle. The dark haired man immediately went to his rooms to shower and relax for a few hours before going to see the little girl and see how she is. Minerva decided to go see her husband before doing the same as as the dark haired man.
On his way to the dungeons, Severus wondered if he would be able to face her, he had seen all her horrors all her pain. After a shower and a a chapter of one of his books, he made his way up to the Headmasters office to remove his memories from his mind and place it inside of the pensive for Albus to look over later. He felt better at removing some emotional aspects of the memories and decided that he was capable of keeping a straight, friendlish face for the girl.
He had returned to his quarters to pick up a few books and sit with Hermione for a few hours. He had found that she had a special interest in transfigurations and potions, so he had decided to read one of the potions weekly magazines.
However, on pulling the curtains aside, he spotted Minerva holding the girl in her arms. Minerva had informed him on their trip to Jack that Hermione had constant nightmares and it made it rather difficult for her to sleep in her human form. She was heavily reliant on Dreamless Sleep to get her through the days as a result of it.
Minerva looked up at him noticing the books in his right hand. She smiled fondly; glad the two were bonding.
"Poppy's given her a calming drought a half hour ago" He nodded watching as Minerva's hand held the side of the girls. He could see the tear streaks that had been looming down the girls cheeks.
"Another nightmare"
She nodded.
"She woke up petrified, thinking we were going to take her back to her uncle" Minerva kissed the top of the sleeping girls head in guilt.
"Poppy had to calm her down with an adult size dose of the bloody draught. She was having a full-blown panic attack"
Severus sat down beside the two as they rested on the bed. He noticed the little girls head resting on Minerva's chest, their breathing in sync.
"Albus informed me you were considering adopting her?" He tried to change the subject.
Minerva nodded, liking her lips.
"Albus wants to do a hereditary test on her first. He doesn't believe that Hermione is muggle born" Minerva stated nervous.
Severus' eyes lit up in shock.
"And what makes him think that?"
"Hermione's family seemed to be constantly moving. Albus seems to believe that David got in trouble with the police or Aurors. He's struggling to find out more information about him but there doesn't appear to be that much"
"So, what happens when you don't find anything. What if she is a Muggleborn?"
Minerva sighed, hating to think of the descrimination her potential future daughter would face if she was adopted outright.
"Albus and mines marriage is not a secret, if one of us decided to adopt then everyone would know that we had decided to take in a muggleborn. She'd be a very susceptible target to not only the media but looming death eaters"
She didn't mean for it to be a slur at the man but she noticed him scrunch his face in anger at the statement.
"If we pretend Hermione's ours then she may not be as targeted compared to an adopted muggleborn"
Severus breathed out a groan of frustration knowing the laws around muggleborns were extremely prejudiced and unfair. Hermione would likely grow up being denied not only her rights but Minerva and Albus would be even more of a target.
"How were you planning on covering up the fact that she practically came out of no where. Wouldn't the Ministry of Magic be even a little suspicious of some girl turning up out of the blue"
The older woman nodded before looking at her friend.
"We've thought upon that and decided to tell everyone that Hermione was living with my mother for some time over in France where she would be able to have some form of a normal childhood. We'll say my mother has gotten ill and has since been unable to take care of Hermione so we brought her back"
"And the pregnancy?" Minerva smirked, thanking her reluctance nature.
"Charms so no one would notice that I was pregnant at the time"
Severus nodded.
"Albus informed me that he is arranging the Birth Certificate for Hermione with Kinsley but we'd like your input on her name"
"My input?"
"Of course, dear. You are as much a part of our family as anyone. Hermione will inherit our last names. We'd like you to pick her middle name"
"Not sticking with her original one?"
Minerva shook her head.
Severus leaned back in his chair considering what he'd like to call her. He looked at Minerva thinking back to his mother that had died during his teenage years as a result of her husbands abuse.
"I believe Eileen would be a suitable middle name"
Minerva nodded.
"Hermione Eileen Dumbledore-McGonagall" She gentle stroked her face with her thumb.
"Yes it does have a nice ring to it, don't you think Severus?"
He nodded leaning forward and placing his Potions Weekly magazine on the side.
"Very much. How were you thinking of breaking the news to your mother?" He smirked, knowing Minerva's relationship with her mother. She narrowed her eyes at him. Her mother had pestered her for over 50 years about wanting grandchildren. She knew with Hermione, her mother would want to be around all the time since the loss of her husband, Minerva's father. Her mother would end up spoiling the child rotten with anything she so desired. Not that she was thinking any different. This was going to be her first and only daughter and she wanted to make sure she was raised right and had everything her heart desired. She'd be practically a true princess. She smiled at the thought. Minerva finally had someone personal to protect; she could unleash her motherly instincts on her daughter rather than on Severus all the time.
"Isobel must be informed as soon as possible, if you were to see through to this lie" Severus smirked at her, knowing the relationship between Minerva and Isobel (aka McGonagall senior) was rocky and would likely end similar to two stray cats hissing and spitting at one another.
Minerva sighed, nodding.
"I will inform her come the weekend. Though I will have to have her be considerate of Hermione's condition at this stage. I don't want to overwhelm the girl"
She watched concerned as Hermione's face scrunched signalling that she was waking up.
The adults waited as her eyes gentle fluttered awake and she took a large breathe of air in through her nostrils.
She turned onto her back before staring up into her Minerva's eyes in comfort.
"Hello dear, how are you feeling?" She asked concerned.
Hermione nodded, signalling that she was okay. She took a lot to calm down from her fall from grace earlier today and didn't want to make them not want her as a result of her deficiencies in being 'normal'.
"I'm okay, Mimi" She muttered her voice sounding slightly raw. She seemed a little disappointed. She really wanted the girl to call her mother again but all good things took time and patience and she had plenty of both.
Minerva clicked her tongue as she heard the raspy sound at the bottom of the girls throat and grabbed the nearby cup of water with a plastic straw.
"Small sips" She encouraged the girl as she placed the water near her lips. Hermione gulped it down within a minute. After she finished, Minerva pulled the blanket up more on the girl as she cuddled her to her chest.
She turned to the man sitting by her side and smiled. The man who read to her, who cuddled her, fed her and gave her a present.
"Sev-wus" She smiled.
"Sev-er-rus" He corrected.
"Sev-er-rer-us"
That was good try at least.
He rolled his eyes before removing a first year potions text book he had bought her to personnally read when she got board. He placed it on the nightstand and took his Potions Weekly magazine back about to get up and leave if it wasn't for Albus coming into the room with a few papers in his hands.
"Good evening my dear" He cooed to the girl tucked up in his wife's arms. He chuckled, knowing that the girl was his soon to be daughter. He couldn't have been more than happy about. He thought back to the boy he had helped mentor. Who he treated like his own son yet ended up backstabbing him for power.
Now he had replaced him with Severus. The once traitor turned spy was his unofficial, unadopted son and now he was about to have his own little girl. Thank Merlin. He couldn't wait to show her the exiting world of muggle candy.
"Lemon drop?" He propped the candle out for the girl who smiled and took one. He russled her hair gently as he sat down on the bed and ran through his files.
"I see you all are settling nicely" He smiled at his small family. Hermione looked over to him, enjoying the woman's ministrations as she loosely ran her piano like fingers through her hair.
"Very much so, Albus. Severus here was just about to read to us" She stated smugly.
Severus growled at the woman earning chuckles from the future parents and a curious gaze from the child. He hadn't known Hermione that long but had found that she had a fascination with books.
"Perhaps later, Tabby"
"Ooch" Minerva scowled back playfully at the younger man before brushing a lock out of Hermione's face and looking down at her, "what do you think, dear?"
Hermione, giggled smiling up at the woman and nodding her head.
"See Severus even Hermione agrees that you should read" She smiled happily at him before looking over to her husband to see a bunch of paperwork.
"What's that dear?" She asked gently. He smirked before passing one of the papers over to her. She took it from his hands and chuckled as Hermione tried to adjust herself so she could see the paperwork.
Minerva smiled down at it. It was Hermione's original birth certificate, past school reports. She smiled, placing them to the side and flicking through Hermione's school reports seeing practically all As except from Sports. She smiled, kissing the girls head before flipping another page seeing a photo of a Hermione's family. She stared at the parents. Hermione's mother, a brown and golden haired woman with brown eyes. She was absolutely stunning and smiling so happily as she held her, maybe, three year old daughter in her arms. She wore a white flower printed summer dress and white, kitten heels. Hermione was in a similar fashion to her mother. She looked so happy.
The man next to her looked as though he was laughing as he held his wife in his arms kissing her. He wore a brown suit, vest and tie with a large brown overcoat. He looked like something out of the 1920s, his brown hair cut short and gelled back with molten gold eyes that was more similar to Hermione's. Brown but gold flecked. She wondered if Hermione's would turn into something similar. She then noticed the background of the picture, noticing that they were at a local park just outside a church. She didn't take the girl for a religious type but then again, Minerva was only just starting to get to know Hermione so anything was possible.
She felt Hermione shuffle in her arms and quickly hid the picture before she set her eyes upon it.
Albus pulled out another form.
"And what is that my dear?" She asked hoping it was another piece of her past. He smiled up at his wife, the glint of mishief in his eyes.
"If I recall you both made a bet between yourselves in relation to Bear being turned into a tiger" The comment earned him two glares and a curious gaze from the girl currently sucking on a lemon drop.
"I think it is apparent nobody won, especially considering the fact that I decided to drop out and Severus couldn't produce the correct spell"
The dark haired man arched his eyebrow and crossed his arms.
"I'll have you two Tabby, that spell would have worked. However, considering the fact that Hermione is not a familiar but a small child changes the matter entirely"
"Ooch, you're just being a sore loser" She chuckled, rubbing the girls shoulder.
Albus smiled at the girl, "I do believe someone did win the bet, my dear"
She arched her eyebrow at him before following his eyes to the girl. That was correct, Hermione had managed to configure herself into a tiger without the assistance of a potion, spell or ritual no less.
"Ay, dear you cannot be serious!"
"Seeing as how you two placed your bets against each other, I do believe a change of colour will do well for the both of you" He tapped his wand on his wife's leg transforming her robes green before turning to Severus who looked shocked.
Albus smiled as he turned to him.
"Don't you dare, you old-" His black scarf instantly turned red with gold lining.
Albus couldn't rub the smile off his face, especially when his ears were met with the sweet sounds of a child's laughter, "Too late dear boy. You both have agreed that you will be wearing "your colours" until the end of the year"
Severus growled, trying to remove the scarf but finding it stuck. He muttered a few unintelligble words under his tongue before sitting down angrily.
Minerva wrinkled out her robes with her right hand as she held the girl. Hermione couldn't help but watch the shimmer of the green against the afternoon sun.
"Pwetty!" Hermione muttered making the older woman smile down at her. Minerva kissed her head before brushing her hair.
"Oh, cheer up my boy. In any case, I need to have a word with you in private"
All three of their eyes lit up in wonder as Albus stood followed by Severus. "So be it" Severus sighed wishing to get it over with. They left quietly leaving Minerva and Hermione to wonder what was so important.
Minerva leaned down stroking Hermione's face and asking her if she'd like another pudding.
Severus and Albus departed the Hospital Wing and spoke in the desolate hallway.
"Did you find something important. Minerva informed me that Hermione's father may in fact be a wizard"
"My apologies for misleading you Severus. That is indeed correct, however I have come to speak to you on another matter"
"Which is?" Severus raised his eyebrow before Albus raised his wand and flicked it, in an instant the bottom of his wand gave off a dark blue.
"Ah my suspicions were correct" He looked up at the younger man. "It appears you owe a life debt to someone"
Severus stared at him in shock, he owed a lot of people a few things here and there. Albus being the main body of those debts in fact, however a life debt. His thoughts instantly turned to Lily.
Did she have something to do with this?
"That girl...my daughter saved your life the instant she pushed you out of harms way. That means you owe her a life debt" Albus told him plainly.
Severus gulped, he wasn't expecting that. He now owed a life debt to a five year old. He couldn't imagine anything worse than a slave to a child. Albus smiled at him, "It would appear that you at least owe the girl an apology..." He stated before turning to leave to his quarters.
"...And perhaps...one might say even a friend. Someone to look out for her" He smiled at the man and took his leave. Severus stared at him in shock knowing well what he was implying.
A guardian. Someone to protect her from the badness of the world.
Severus breathed in tightly; he was to be her guardian.
He gulped before returning to the two females to see them smiling eagerly at him to read to them. Hermione being curled up tightly in Minervas arms as a blanket was wrapped around her legs.
"Pweeze Swev-er-us?" The girl practically begged him as she stared at the book. Minerva smiled at him following his steps as he came and sat down.
He sighed, opening up the first years potions textbook and beginning to read to her.
"Chapter one..."
Hoping to have the next chapter out this month so stay tuned for that.
I was originally going to name the chapter, the past uncovered but I found when writing this that there was many characters in this chapter that decieved and influenced the others so yeah, hope you enjoyed.
Oh and don't worry, Jack, Severus and Hermione will be meeting again but that will be in much later chapters.
