Family Matters

By Aurora

Chapter 4

            After a brief stop in Gringotts, they made their way to get Hermione new robes and clothes. As she was trying things on, Snape took time to think.

She was obviously remembering the letter earlier, he thought. That had been a hard day. He had wanted to tell her in person, but he hadn't been sure if she would want anyone around. So he had written her a letter instead. What a bad idea that had been. He should have known she would need someone. She had already lost enough. After her rocky breakup with Harry and then the return of Voldemort, she needed friends. She had been his potions assistant her final year and they had constantly talked about her studies and school. He had never tired of talking to her. She had come in one day, having obviously been crying, and hadn't worked well at all. He had finally asked her and it seemed to let the raging river of emotion loose. Harry didn't love her. Not that he hadn't thought he loved her. He truly believed he had, but he eventually realized that he didn't love her. He loved Ginny. She was angry with herself more than Harry. She was glad Harry had told her and appreciated his honesty, but it still hurt. They were still friends, but it was very hard. He hadn't known then how far they had went, but after her story upon her return he realized to what extent it had reached. Once was enough to hurt anyone that much. Especially since the first time never comes again.

When the war hit, they had become friends. Eventually they became close friends. They fought side by side on most occasions. Her bravery was like steel against adversity. He never left her side, always protected her. And what killed him the most was that the one time he wasn't there was when something happened. They had looked all over for her. The memories of that day after their search for her were very foggy along with some past memories of her.  He could remember snippets here and there, but nothing solid. He could remember solid memories like that day with the letter, and a few after that, but he couldn't remember anything significant between that time and her disappearance. Sure he could remember them fighting together and him protecting her. And he definitely remembered some of what he felt when he realized her gone. But there were so many holes. That irked him. He always had a crisp memory.

"Severus?" he heard her call him back from his thoughts.

He shook himself.

"Yes?"

"I'd like to go to the bookstore before we shop for my familiar. Is that alright?"

"Of course."

"Oh, and you don't have to wait for me. You can go get what you need and we can meet back in front of Ollivander's in an hour if you like."

He contemplated this. It would save them time. And would definitely give him time to try to still sort some of this out.

"Alright. Ill meet you there in an hour. I just have some ingredients to get. Are you sure you'll be alright?" he spoke, tilting his head to one side.

She chuckled.

"I'm sure I'll be ok Severus."

He nodded and walked her out of the store, only for them to go their separate ways.

Hermione breathed in the scent of the old books. She absently played along their spines as she looked. She missed this. Missed the unlimited knowledge that awaited her. She had indeed learned much beyond her textbooks while she was at Hogwarts, but she could never learn it all. Even if she tried her who life, there would always be more here for her. She chose a few books for herself beyond the necessary books for the school year and shrunk them to fit in her pocket. The clerk had smiled at her warmly as she had said goodbye. As she made her way to find herself a familiar, she wondered exactly what kind she would want. She loved cats, though a bird might be nice. She decided to late fate decide for her. After all Crookshanks had been fate before.

Snape on the other hand had his own dilemma. He had gathered the things he needed and was sitting at a café' pondering. He knew what was going on. He obviously had put a memory charm on himself of some type to block something out. A whole lot of something obviously. He knew he could reverse it, that wasn't the problem especially if he was the one to place the charm. But the question was, did he really want to remember? There were definite pros and cons to whatever decision he decided to make. As he took a final sip of his tea he decided. With a few muttered words under his breath, he closed his eyes and sighed. He then whispered the surprisingly French words, "enlevez la bâche de mémoire", and braced himself against the onslaught of memories that came back to him.

Hermione had found her familiar. It was unique. It had been brought there by an Australian wizard who was traveling through and could no longer take care of it. Calyptorhynchus Magnificus was the scientific name, otherwise known as the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo. It was a magnificent bird. He would definitely need lots of care and attention, but he was beautiful and worth it. She decided to name him Formosus, the Latin word for Beautiful. She bought his feed and cage as well as other accessories, before making her way towards Ollivander's. She couldn't wait to show Snape her new friend.

As she neared Ollivanders, she saw Snape standing very stiff and stoic.

"Did you get all you needed Severus?"she asked timidly, becoming increasingly nervous at his posture.

He ignored her.

"Look, I got my familiar. Isn't he just the most beautiful bird you've ever seen?"

"Stunning." he said emotionless.

She opened her mouth to say something but he cut her off.

"If you are done dilly-dallying, I'd like to return to Hogwarts sometime today."

He started walking without waiting for her to reply.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she called after him.

He spun around on her.

"Nothing is wrong, Miss Granger. Whatever gave you that idea?" he said dripping with so much sarcasm it could have pooled at her feet.

He then sharply turned on his heel and made their way to the clearing.

She made to reach for his hand but he thrust his arm out instead, forcing her to take hold of it. The silence was deafening before the trademark pop was heard.

When they returned to Hogwarts he swiftly left her, black robes billowing dramatically behind him.

There alone in the middle of the field by the Forbidden Forest, a very confused/angry/sad Hermione Granger stood with bird cage in one hand, new robes in another.

Something was definitely amiss.