Sorry guys, feels like I haven't updated this in so long. I've dedicated this chapter to all the fans out their who wanted to see a bit more family interaction, Weasley interaction and Bear and Minerva (as a cat interaction). If you guys have any other suggestions that you would like to see please let me know. I am planning a few more chapter before Hermione goes to Hogwarts which will focus a bit more on a hurt/comfort/family stance and a family complication.
Also, don't forget to leave a review and let me know what you would like to see in the future. Whether you would like more Hermione/Severus or Hermione/Minerva or Hermione/Albus (that one I haven't read too much in other Hermione growing up stories so I will definitely add in a bit more of that to this story)
6,680 words
Thank you for the 200 reviews :)
Chapter 25: Christmas and The Great Big Git of A Bat
The weeks began to progress and Hermione was starting to get some colour back into her sickly pale skin. Minerva couldn't have been happier when she walked with her daughter hand in hand down to the frozen lake with two pairs of ice skates. Yes,winter had come early this year and they family were happily enjoying a white december in the snow. Hermione was rugged up in layers wearing a reddish pink overcoat and a grey scarf Severus had given her as a gift for not destroying anything in his labs since coming to the school. Minerva remained in green robes, wearing a dark green overcoat and black shoes.
She caught sight of her husband inspecting the lake to see how thick the ice was as the two most precious people in his life came down from the school.
"I did tell you spending Christmas at the school was going to be splendid idea" Albus smiled happily to his girls.
Minerva ran a gently hand through Hermione's hair as she walked over to him.
"Molly's invited us for tea. I suggested she bring her whole family to spend Christmas at Hogwarts so we don't have to leave any of the other remaining students"
"That sounds lovely dear" He smirked back before bending down and helping their daughter with her skates.
"Hopefully there are no more death omens in the teas this year" Minerva mumbled under her breathe as she watched her daughter's face in intense concentration when tying her shoelaces of her skates.
"Ah, I do always look forward to who gets to be chosen on Sybils' list"
Minerva shook her head, thinking of the scowling she was going to give the woman if she even looks Hermione's way. Hermione had seen too much in her small life to be on the other end of someone else's entertainment. Especially one as violent. Especially on Christmas. She watched as Albus helped her daughter up and onto the ice showing her how to skate.
She placed on her skates before coming over to her daughter and husband as he stopped her from falling a few times. She was definitely uncoordinated especially for someone who was able to change into a feline.
"That's it, your getting it now" She wobbled as she held on to her father's leg for dear life. Minerva waved her wand ensuring that Hermione at least had a pillow light fall instead of the harsh ice. She watched as the small girl tripped and struggled to remain upright on the ice as her father pulled her along. She was glad to see her husband finally coming into his own as a father. She remembered when she had first brought the idea of adopting Hermione to him. The small, traumatised and almost starved to death girl in the hospital wing anxious about what would happen to her.
Albus had been hesitant at first, seeing a picture of Hermione's natural ability for magic a similarity with Tom's gifts. But he had agreed with his stubborn wife after a brief discussion about it. Like any parent, Albus had been scared of messing up being a good father.
"Careful there!" She heard her husband laughing as he pulled the girl along. She was starting to get the hand of it now after a few trips and slips.
"Atta girl" her father smiled happily before Hermione fell into him.
"You'll be the greatest ice skater in no time" He pulled her up by her shoulders and wiped his forehead before looking over to his wife. She smiled warmly at his puffed out expression, looking a little fatigued.
"I think you need to stop eating the sugar cookies, dear" Minerva exclaimed hoping her husband would lay off the sugar for a few years.
"Nonesense, Tabby; it's Christmas and I have the perfect activity planned for our dear, darling daughter" He smiled down at the wide eyed girl who was now ever so curious.
Minerva arched her eyebrow wondering what it could be.
However, it didn't take as long as she thought it would to find out. Once Hermione had a little more time skating solo on the ice, abeit a few 10 or so falls on the magically bouncy ice, Albus took them both into the Great Hall to see a large box left out on the Gryffindore table by the fire.
"Albus?" Minerva wanted to scowl at him starting to think of what it was. It was so messy and the effect it would have on Hermione and it was only barely nine o'clock in the morning.
Albus turned back to wink at his wife as he pushed the brown haired girl towards the box.
"Oh come now, Min. This will keep Hermione entertained til lunch"
"I mean it when I said that if Trelawney points the finger towards-"
"I'm sure she won't dear, besides Hermione's perfectly safe in the castle. Nothing will happen to her" He waved her off as he sat down next to his small daughter and placed her onto his lap as she was reading the instructions. Albus couldn't help but chuckle, of course his girl would go for the reading material instead of the lollies from the ginger bread house they were about to make.
Minerva sighed, before moving over towards her family and sitting down as she removed the instructions from Hermione's hand and pushed the ginger bread and lollies towards her before returning back to the paper and beginning to read it.
Albus couldn't help himself and placed a peppermint in his mouth trying to coax the golden eyed girl to do the same.
"Mother and father didn't let me eat sweets?"
Of course her deceased parents were dentists. Albus simply smiled at her and placed a piece of toffee in her mouth. Minerva couldn't help but gulp and notice the wide eyed expression on her daughter's face.
And like that, she had two sweet tooths in the family.
It was around lunch time before Severus had finally decided to come out of his dark whole of a dungeon before entering the Great Hall. The Christmas holidays were always a rather difficult time for him and he'd much rather avoid it as much as he was possibly able too. His hair was slightly messy and greasy as usual. He had found out there were only four students staying for Christmas this year, two first years, a third year and a sixth year. Two from Ravinclaw, one from Hufflepuff and one from Slytherin.
He shoved open the wooden Great Hall doors to find several students leaning over the table where Minerva and Albus were sitting. One could only guess what they were doing.
"No, no build it higher. You gotta make a tower" The Slytherin first year leaned over the table pointing at the gingerbread piece held in a small hand.
"No, houses specifically have to be-" A first year Ravinclaw argued.
"Children, children. I believe you have all had far too much sweets. We'll be having Christmas lunch soon. Best to get ready. And you, my dear need to be cleaned up!" Severus watched as Albus pulled Hermione up and over the bench. Severus' eyes couldn't help but widen as he glanced at his goddaughter covered in gingerbread, lollies and sugar.
Oh dear.
Severus was too late to walk away as Hermione caught sight of him and stretched her arms out wide. "Sev-wus!" She hollered towards him.
His lip twitched as Albus continued to hold her tightly in his arms.
"Hermione, you need to be cleaned up! Dear!"
"Se-ver-wus!" She squirmed more to the point where Albus couldn't hold her any longer and managed to wiggle her way out of Albus' arms before racing over to Severus. He sighed and bent down before picking up his goddaughter.
"Sev-wus"
"You're very sticky, Hermione"
"I made a gin-ger-bwead house" she raised her hands at him showing him her sticky palms which he could only scowl at thinking of his current attire being made a mess.
He glanced over to Minerva and Albus straightening themselves as the two first years left the hall. Between them, he could see the practically completed ginger bread house on which a small tower of peppermints laid glued together with icing. He cast a silent scourify on her before putting her down on the ground.
"Have you enjoyed your Christmas so far, dear?"
She nodded happily before running after her mother who pulled her in and cuddled her, "Ooch you are so cute" Severus heard Minerva continue to coo her, "...and sticky"
"Momma, can we have more gin-ger bwead"
"No dear, you need to have your dinner first"
"But-"
"No buts," she waved her wand cleaning the mess the students and the girl had made before bending down and straightening Hermione unruly hair. Minerva couldn't help but humm at it, wondering why it got so messy so quickly. She waved her wand again, tying the girls hair back into a braid before coaxing the girl to help set up the tables for a seating of 19 people.
Hermione giggled before running around and helping her father set up the plates that had been stacked on the table. The woman smiled, happy that the elves were agreeable enough to allow Hermione to learn about doing chores that led to rewards rather than punishments. This first Christmas as a family was turning out to be a good one and she didn't even hear Albus and Severus bickering over mundane things as usual. She also didn't have to mother Severus this year seeing as he was finally stepping into a big brother role for the young girl. She watched as the two interacted at the table, the young, pale man teaching Hermione how to set up a proper table regardless of how mediocre it was.
"Desert knife goes to the left of the dinner knife and right to the steak knife. The dinner fork needs to go to the left of the salad and desert fork, see?"
Minerva watched as Hermione rearranged the cutlery as Severus prompted her.
"Good girl," She smiled warmly as Severus patted the girls shoulder, happy they were finally bonding.
To say the least, Christmas dinner was quite entertaining. The Ravinclaw table help the three students staying at Hogwarts over the Christmas, the Weasleys who had decided to join them for Christmas this year and the remaining staff including: Hagrid, Silvanus, Severus, Minerva, Albus and Filch along with his cat. Trelawney had decided to come in late, making a dramatic entrance about the fact that her third eye would be somewhat affected if she remained in her attic and that coming down to Christmas dinner would in fact avoid a future catastophy.
Albus moved stood up withdrawing a chair beside him and opposite Severus. He shot a glare at the older man before noticing the twinkling in his bright blue eyes.
'Ass! You are doing this on purpose!' Severus thought loudly wanting Albus to hear his thoughts nice and clear.
"Thank you, Headmaster" She blushed as she sat opposite Severus and smiled gleefully at him.
"I had a prediction about us, Severus" She batted her eye lids as she basked in the glow of Severus blackened eyes. Oh so she thought glow, she didn't catch Minerva almost choking on her red wine as she sat next to Severus and opposite her husband.
"I say Minerva the food is absolutely exquisite. I did bring my pumpkin if you wish to try some, it's the least I could do" Molly smiled happily at the new mother who leaned forward and took a slice just to satisfy the redheaded woman who had mentioned it now three times.
"It's absolutely divine, Molly" She smiled as she swollowed a piece. Molly glowed in her ex-professors remark. "The trick is to use fresh pumpkin and a pince of sugar to even out the savoury taste"
A small ways down the table Silvanus engaged the young children in tails of his adventures as Hagrid sat next to Mr Weasley on one side and Hermione on the other. He hadn't really gotten to spend too much time with the girl as of late considering how many therapy sessions she attended a week and her time being divided up between Albus, Severus, Poppy and Minerva. As well as the fact that Hermione had to attend the funeral.
"Honestly 'Ermione, you'd love it" He chuckled happily as he cut the girl's turkey up on her plate. She was still yet to be trusted with knives and much to her dismay had been given rather blunt cutlery which her parents had practically forced her to eat with. He had humped at the fact that she couldn't eat with grown up knives and forks but calmed down a little when she saw that all the other children seemed to have similar utensils on their parts of the table.
"There is nothin' more calming then fishing. Don't yer agree Silvanus"
"Humm?" He turned to his best friend, Hagrid pausing in his regailed tail of fending off a Chimera after it had escaped for the third time that month"
"'Bout fishing? mighty calming"
He flashed his remaining eye to the young girl who was anxiously scratching at her arm not liking any of the attention.
"Ah yes, very delightful indeed. You'd love it girl and it's not dangerous at all. Hagrid and I got you a fishing rod, we'll give it a try once the weather clears up a little, ay?"
She flashed her eyes up at the two of them, "you got me a fishing rod for Cwistmas!"
Silvanus looked a little shocked, "I ain't given it to 'er yet!" Hagrid groaned at Silvanus who had only just caught onto the notion that Hagrid had been more or less trying to convince her it was a good idea before trialing it out.
"Oops!"
"Severus, you do know that when Jupiter and Venus align on the 12month, every three years then a pair fall in deep love on Christmas. I only mention because if that does not occur then bad omens will haunt them for the rest of their lives"
Severus rolled his eyes as he chugged his wine. He had promised Minerva that he wouldn't be...as 'salty' as they had phrased it; on Christmas. So by that, alcohol was the only substitute for dealing with the insane woman who had practically been sexually harassing him in her own unusual way.
"I'm sure out of the 7 billion people there are on this Earth, at least a few dozen or so would fit that description. Let's hope it's the Australian Ministry of Magic Officials in charge of International Biosecurity. I really could use some more Kangeroo Paw for one of my experiments into accelerating healing balms and having those miserable buggers over there happy would lax their inane laws"
Trelawyny stumbled over her words a little before she gulped some of her tea down wondering what else would work on Severus besides poisoning him with a love potion. But then he would notice immediately. He was a potions master after all. Rather, she bit her lip and tried to consider a plan two.
Much to Minerva's delight, the evening passed splendidly. Sybil had left the dinner after being rejected by Severus for the third time that evening and Albus and Minerva got to spend the rest of the Christmas with the remaining professors and Weasley children unwrapping their presents. The couple had decided to get each one of the children a small gift on their part to ensure they wouldn't have to go with second hand books for next year. They had only given out a few, not wanting to upstage the Weasley parents just because they had slightly a bit more money. They had decided on giving all children a few books each and some candy as Hermione got equal, minus the amount of candy the redhead's had got. She had ended up reading most of her books given to her on her birthday and had been scowering Minerva and Severus' shelves the past week and a half in search of some new reading material.
Severus had even given the Weasley children a few gifts including a few children's potion sets to the twins, Ron and Ginny and given the Bill, Charlie and Percy some additional books that had helpful tips on different assortments of potions.
"It's a little small, but it would suit yer rather well. We can go fishing in the spring, autumn and summer, unless you'd rather ice fish that is. That's also fun but can be a bit cold around this time of the year" Hagrid had informed her as he showed her the fishing rod he had brought at a local muggle store.
After finding out about the girls past and well, the girl in general he had felt rather awkward with her, not knowing what to say and do to a traumatized girl he decided instead to share his hobbies with her.
"It always cheers me up" He had exclaimed before giving her a big hug and gifting the Weasley family with his famous rock cakes.
Hermione had wrapped herself up tighter in her dull grey scarf Severus had given her as she stared down at the pile of presents she had gotten grateful it was the same size as the other children. From her birthday, her parents had gone all out spoiling her, yes she knew very well they had considering she was their one and only child and had wanted one for years and years. However, she didn't want the other children to think of her any different from themselves. So instead, she had asked her mother if she could put on her red sweater before the Weasleys had come to dinner. Now she sat with them, almost blending in with the other sweaters despite her her golden eyes and brown hair intermixed with the red and blue.
It wasn't until the evening in which the girl had entered a sugar crash and had knocked her head on her fathers lap unable to remain awake after being playing many games with the Weasley children and being asked several times over to change into her kitten form and back again.
Albus had decided to take her up to bed, but Severus had insisted wanting to get away from the Weasley children and wishing desperately that he could be away from them like Poppy had done and went on a cruise to Alaska.
Hermione's head lulled against her godfather's neck as he had managed to carry her all the way up to her quarters and deposit her on the couch before finding a book and reading until he himself also fell asleep.
It wasn't until half past eight in the evening that the couple had made it back to their rooms after bidding the Weasly family a fairwell, that they found Severus passed out on the couch besides the fire and a small brown haired kitten asleep on the couch. As usual, Albus went off to make the drinks and collect Hermione's potions.
Minerva smiled warmly as she saw Hermione, well Bear curled up on the soft, red couch pillow sleeping in front of the fire. She couldn't help but notice the large bush of hair that stuck out at all ends, similar to how Hermione's hair looked in the morning after a night of tossing and turning.
Silently, she transformed into her cat form and walked elegantly towards the small kitten whose tail was tucked up into her and her head rested gently on her paws. it wasn't until the kitten felt the small subside of the cushion and something wet touch her fur, that she was awaken.
'What the?...momma!' Bear looked towards her mother's cat form that had rested a paw on her side and was now licking her brown tufts of fur.
'Your fur is sticking up at every end dear, it's unlady like'
If Bear could rolled her eyes she would as the glass eyed cat continued to lick behind her ears.
'Momma'
'Hold still dear' she licked a tuff of fur on the kitten's body that was sticking out at an awkward angle. Bear had no other choice but to lay her head down and rest as her mother paraded over her and licked her fur clean.
'There, all better!" She told the small kitten that could only purr as her mother sat down beside her and placed a paw over her small body.
'Did you have a good day, my dear?'
'Yes momma' the tired kitten yawned, her canine's glowing in the gaze of the fire as she listened to Severus' quiet snores.
She rested her head on her mother's short furred body as she looked into the fire with a questionnable look on her face.
'Momma?'
'Yes, my dear sweet kitten?'
'...what's fis-sing?'
Minerva couldn't help but chuckle as her purrs got louder. No wonder Hermione looked so confused at the fishing rod all evening, the two had completely forgotten to actually explain what fishing actually was, "oh, I am sure you'll come to figure out soon enough'.
The Great Big Git of A Bat
The days blended into one another for Hermione as she continued to enjoy her holidays with her family. She began to notice a few changes in her godfather though. He had been picking at his food more often than naught as the holidays began to come to a close and he would be left dealing with the students again. At the dining table one evening, Hermione had even caught him shoving his food away and sipping on his coffee much to his displeasure.
Did he really not like food?
Hermione followed suit earning scowl from Minerva and both her and Severus being told off. He had instead, ignored the woman and stood up from his stop at the Ravinclaw table and disappeared off to the dungeons. Hermione didn't see him much after that. He had remained cooped up doing his potions experiments and ignoring everyone. When Hermione had asked one day when she asked to see him and was turned down by her parents, they had simply told her that the holidays were especially hard for Severus as his parents had not treated him well for many years both before and during his years at Hogwarts. Hermione couldn't help but feel guilty for not considering that he had been through the same pain as her.
She had thought for many days, on ways to make it up to Severus and it came as a surprise one day not long after the students had returned for their second week back at Hogwarts did she find the answer.
"The evil git. Failed me on the test by one mark. He could've at least let me pass, any bloody respectable teacher would've let me done so"
"Your lucky you got 48%, he gave me 36%. How the hell am I suppose to explain that to my parents?" Hermione stopped as she was about to round the corner only to hear the voices of the two boys complaining.
"He's a blood git that's what he is! He's only taking it out on us because he's a bloody lonely, miserable bastard that no one cares for. Honestly, if he dropped dead tomorrow no one would care"
Hermione's heart dropped in her chest as she gritted her teeth wanting to claw at the boys with her claws.
"I would!" Hermione couldn't help but round the corner on them angry at the way they had been talking. She stared at them angry, her teddy clutched in one hand whilst the other remained balled into a fist.
"And you shouldn't talk about a pwo-fessor that way, let alone m-my god-daddy!" She growled angrily at them.
The Ravinclaw and Gryffindore students gulped and backed away a little at being told off by a small child. Professor Dumbledore had never made any formal announcements about the small girl but they had seen her time and time again at the head table eating or sleeping on either the headmasters, headmistresses, the gamekeepers and the school healers lap.
It didn't take long to figure out who she belonged too either considering she always followed certain staff and now they were definitely in trouble
The whole school had basically figured out that the young girl was in fact the headmasters and head mistresses daughter within the fortnight of her coming to the school.
The fourth year Ravinclaw student gulped, "y-you aren't going to tell him what we said. We-we were just angry at our result marks. They are unfair and completely biased. He never grades the Slytherins as harshly as he grades us. He has it out for all houses except for his own"
"That's not twue"
The fourth year Gryffindore crossed his arms before looking at his friend, "come on Joel. We shouldn't be talking to her if that the great bats goddaughter" He whispered to his friend who couldn't help but agree.
"Bat?"
The turned to her again scared before finally leaving.
Hermione couldn't help but wonder at the statement.
Bat?
I mean, he sort of did act like a bat, hiding in the dark dreary dungeons all day and he always had that big cloak that fluttered in the wind and he always dressed in black.
Maybe Severus liked bats. She could imagine so seeing as how much similarity stood between him and the animals. Getting an idea, Hermione turned on her feet and padded towards the library in search of bat species.
"Mr Noelty, what do you get if you mix dragon horn into a swelling potion?"
"Um, I errr...Um,"
"A failing grade, Mr Noelty. Next time listen to instructions and answer your essays correctly rather than waste my time. 20 points from Ravinclaw" He threw the failing grade onto the fifth years desk before turned back to the board. Eric Noelty, a stubby brown haired, blue eyed boy stared down at his paper in shock as the Dungeon Bat moved passed him and towards a blonde haired green eyed Slytherin who gulped as her head of house moved towards her.
"5 points from Slytherin for failing to follow instructions Ms Raynor" He passed her the piece of paper before rounding on his next victim. Hermione quietly opened the door and managed to sneak herself, a rather large book and her teddy into the room without anyone noticing.
"You will all complete the Swelling Sollution again, in silence without one another's assistance. You have until the end of class time beginning now" He growled before sitting down at his desk and rubbing his temple. It had been a long week and he was ready for bed. His date last night had been an utter disaster to say the least. Narcissa had set him up with one of her friends who he had been forced to sit next to the other week at one of Narcissa's dinner parties. She had begged him to bring Hermione so her son wasn't bored at the party. Severus had to make a compromise and invite the young boy around the castle for Hermione to play with instead. There was nothing dangerous at the castle and Albus and Minerva would agree to care for him. Narcissa agreed for the play-date and whilst Minerva and Albus had their hands busy taking care of two children for the night, Severus had to endure a black haired, brown eyed pure-blooded woman that spent most of the evening talking about his and her family heritage.
He didn't know why he had agreed to a date with her, perhaps it was the uncomfortable look Narcissa had gave him to push him to try and at least attempt to get over Lilly. After all, Narcissa believed the redheaded friend was at least a compromise, much to Severus' distaste.
"I'm not much into books," The redheaded woman had told him after deciding to eat out at the local non-muggle tavern across the street from her residence.
"Surely, you must be into something" He remembered drawling before she placed her hand on his and leaned forward. "I'm sure I could be Sev"
Sev?
Sev!
She had the audacity to call him Sev, like he was some kind of friend or family or.
He had to gulp down a low growl escaping his lips.
Geraldine had taken the hint and receded a little, "I like poetry and dancing. In Fact, I'm heading to Germany next weekend to see the Witches Wavering Ballet Group. Care to join me Mr Snape?"
"I'm not interested in Ballet!"
She smirked again, placing his hand on hers, "we don't have to watch, we could just..." She trailed off, her fingers slowly glided up his hand.
She chuckled, "father told me that you were the one to protect him. That you were...are a brave soldier who fought for him, trying to rid the world of all it's imperfections" Her fingers glided towards him forearm.
Severus gulped again, feeling uncomfortable as all his big mistakes flashed at him. God, he had done so much wrong in his life, "I can assure you, I have done nothing of the sort"
"Oh, but you were almost sentenced to Azkaban for supporting, you-know-who"
Severus looked into his eyes, seeing the joy and excitement that perpetuated.
He quickly checked his watch seeing the time, "it's getting late. I'll walk you home"
"Or you could stay at mine?"
He pulled her coat towards her, "Wouldn't want to keep your father waiting for you" He ignored her statement and took her arm walking towards the door. After that, he had been invited inside by not Geraldine but her father who demanded to sit him down and speak about blood supremacy and the potential marriage of his daughter. Needless to say, Severus won't be seeing her again.
Especially after he had made his intentions clear and was practically thrown out of the house by an abusive woman and father.
Intention of marrying Geraldine?
Yes, he had made his thoughts reasonably clear. What did they expect after one measly date?
A ring!
Honestly!
"Sev!" He rubbed his face before pushing away from his desk to see a small girl worriedly watching him.
"You okay, goddaddy, you look so sad?"
"Fine, kitten. What are you doing here? Your mother specifically told you not to come in during potions class"
"I know but I wanted to see which one you liked more" She smiled happily at him as she presented the book to him and opened the page to the species of bats. His expression turned sour knowing where this was leading.
"I like this one the most, but one of the student's said you were more like this type of bat" She pointed to a large, pictured cave bat. Severus rolled his eyes wondering which one of his classes he was going to take his anger out on next.
"Do you think I look like a bat?"
Hermione gulped, "I...umm...thought you liked them and I knew you were upset and I wanted to make you happy. S-so then we'd all be happy and y-you would eat your dinner again. Mommy makes me eat mine" He closed the book before passing it back to her.
"I don't want anything from you, Hermione. Please wait until the end of class so that I may take you back to your mother"
"But-"
"No buts, now sit and wait. There's only 10 minutes of class time remaining" He pointed to a spot on the ground behind his desk. She couldn't help but obey and sit down before curling her knees up to her chest and sulking.
She was sure this was the right way to cheer him up, it always made her daddy happy when she turned into different animals. How come Severus didn't think so?
She rested her head on her knees as she turned to look up at him, watching as he sat in his chair and glowered at the students, seeming angrier now than of late.
She gulped, rubbing her eyes as she thought of asking her mother if she could stay with Severus for the night if only to take case of him, like he did for her. She smiled, she could improve his move. She just had to try, right?
As it seemed, it did not.
After her mother came to pick her up, Hermione practically begged her mother to remain with her godfather until tomorrow morning. He didn't seem very happy about it either and so didn't Minerva but seeing as how the girl had been constantly watching his bad habits, Minerva considered a learning curb for Severus to notice Hermione copying him as well.
As it seemed, he had only finally taken notice as he pushed his dinner away from the small dining table that Hermione and himself currently shared. They had decided to skip the usual evening meal in the Great Hall. Severus wanting to avoid Minerva's constant mothering and pestering of him and Hermione,...well she followed him like a lost puppy.
As it had been, the small girl had pushed her food away from her and folded her arms as Severus had done the same. Both plates only having a few bites taken from it. Severus was not happy to say the least and had threatened to ground her to her room for the rest of the evening if she did not continue. She had quickly enough taken the hint and finished her evening meal before hopping into the bath and finally jumping onto Severus' bed in her tiger form. He had laid out a nice large cushion for her and a small blanket to rest on in her tiger form.
She made no attempt to change into her human form seeing as it made Severus uncomfortable enough to see her scars without having to take a deep breathe and somewhat emotionally avoid her. She wondered if she reminded him of him when he was young and beaten. If his memories were triggered every time he saw her back or arms or her legs without them being covered up. It couldn't be her face that did it, she usually had a glamour charm on to stop people from noticing most of the time.
She waited for him, curled up on her dark green pillow as he finished up his evening routine and exited the bathroom. She raised her red and black stripped head as he removed the covers and crept into bed before turning the light off and facing away from her. She felt quite saddened by his attitude towards her but had no desire to stop with her plan.
Morning came to early for Severus as he groaned feeling his wand vibrate signally his usual 6:30AM wake up. To be fair, he had slept rather well considering he had to care for his god daughter the night. Though she usually was quite quiet once she had taken her potions at the correct time and was actually tired. He rubbed his eyes tiredly before turning and seeing an almost black object hanging off the lamp on his night stand.
He rubbed his eyes before turning to see what was there.
"What the...Hermione!" He glared at the small fruit bat hanging upside down from his green and black lampshade.
Hermione croaked at him happily before falling down on his black nightstand before trying to bat her wings to take off but failing to do so.
"Honestly girl! What were you thinking?" He watched as she crawled onto his lap with her hooked claws. She croaked again at him before he demanded she change back.
She closed her golden eyes and transformed into her human self.
"W-What do y-you think, Sev?" She asked her tired, sunken eyes and bright smile boring into him. He sighed, she had likely been up for most of the night trying to meditate and concentrate on transforming...to make him feel better.
He ran his fingers through his hair before grabbing his god daughter and picking her up in her arms and pulling her into him.
"Do you feel better now Sev? I know you were sad the last couple of days and-"
"I feel better Hermione" He held her close. Did she really think this would cheer him up? He sighed as he pulled her up and carried her in his arms to the bathroom for the morning bath.
"I thought it would ch-cheer you up, Sev?" She yawned tiredly as he put her down and went over to the sink to place toothpaste on her toothbrush.
"What time did you stay up last night. Your parents are going to have a fit"
She looked at him, pouting her lips as he ran the bath for her. He glanced back to her noticing her upset posture. He sighed again.
"Hermione, that was very nice of you dear to cheer me up. It did make me feel better. Thank you" He told her before pulling her into a hug.
"You are such a good girl and I am very proud of you"
She giggled in his arms as she held her, "I'm glad you liked it, god-daddy. I knew it would cheer you up"
He kissed her forehead before standing up and turning off the bath taps.
"Go have a bath, I'll take you out to breakfast. Where do you want to eat?"
She smiled and giggled before telling him she wanted to eat by the lake. He smiled at her before turning grabbing a stool and sitting it next to the bath and filling it with bubbles preparing her bath before starting the day. He turned to see his goddaughter leaning over the side trying to add more bubbles with the shampoo bottle. He rolled his eyes before taking it off her.
"you know, Draco's been asking for you?"
She looked up at him a little surprised, "I think a play-date should be in order for today" His lip twitched into a smirk, he however really did need to clean his house up first for guests.
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