Disclaimer: All though everyone who has read any of the Harry Potter series, wishes they could have been the all mighty Goddess (or God) who wrote it, sadly we are not. That is J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 18: A Surprise, Or Two.
The trip back to Hogwarts from Duncansby Head was one Hermione spent mostly by herself, seeing as she and Severus didn't want to cause any reason for other students to suspect anything. Severus travelled with Hermione to King's Cross then from there he apparated to Hogsmead, as far as his students know he was taken ill Friday. And everyone thought Hermione was at her aunt's wedding. So the two would arrive separately. Severus knew nobody would see him, he had a back entrance to his chambers, and Hermione had decided she would let Severus use her new invisibility cloak. After all it was only Saturday, she could get it back easily.
After Severus and Hermione went separate ways at King's Cross Hermione had an abundance of time to think about what happened these past two days. What Hermione and Severus had shared was something they both could not deny they wanted. All though Hermione felt in some ways it went by too fast, and she could not really explain what she felt and how it was in her mind. The way she saw it, she was intoxicated by Severus's love for her. Hermione didn't like to think that way, she sounded too much of a hopeless romantic.
After about three hours of writing all about Severus's family, and her birthday in her diary. She didn't even dare risk leaving it in the same room as Lavender was in while she was gone. She decided to test out her new Snape Family book. She grabbed the book from her bag and undid the clasp of her new locket. She opened the book and was yet again surprised to hear the shrill old voice of the book.
"Looking for something dearest?" The shrill voice pierced the silence in the car she was seated in.
"Um, well, yes. I just wanted to learn more about Donovan. I was at the Ryan Manor yesterday for a surprise birthday party. And well he and Ciara seemed standoffish. I mean Ciara was nice and all, she let me hold and play with Deirdre and Seanan. I still got the feeling that they were not sure about me." Hermione couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice. All of the others loved her death.
"Ah, yes, young Master Donovan. To understand this one we must go back a bit. Should not take to long, dearest."
"That is fine, we have a while before we are back at Hogwarts." Hermione was excited to learn about Donovan.
"Donovan, as you might know, was the third born child. By then Severus was six and spent most of his time reading and playing with Gwendolyn. When Donovan came along Constance was still playing attention to her children, but with each child she got farther away. Because of that Severus got close to all of the children, by far his favourite was Donovan. Besides his parents and Donovan, Severus's favourite was his godfather, Albus Dumbledore (Albus became the godfather to all of the Snape Children). So naturally Donovan came to love Albus the same as Severus. All of the Snape Children trusted Albus with everything."
"Sorry to interrupt, but does Albus have anything to do with why Donovan does not like me?"
"Dearest, I'm getting there."
"Right, sorry."
"Anyway, Albus was the one who really played matchmaker for all of them. He was first with Gwendolyn. That is how she met Carson, through Albus. Everyone always expected Severus would be next seeing as he was the oldest. But that wasn't so; Donovan in his sixth year met a young beautiful girl by the name of Shawna Raven. Albus at once knew it was meant to be. As soon as Donovan told Albus about Shawna, Albus agreed that it was a perfect match. The day after he and Shawna graduated from Durmstrang they were married. Their love was as strong as any love could be. Eleven months later Shawn gave birth to Marisa Raven Snape in May of '87. Shawna gave her maiden name to her daughter so she had the choice to go by Raven or Snape. It was the same choice that was given to Shawna, Donovan agreed. He loved his wife and daughter and only wanted the best. Two years later Shawna died in her sleep. It was due to rare strain of bacteria she had contracted while in Rome for a new family vacation."
"Poor Donovan, but what happened to Marisa, I didn't meet her Friday."
"Yes, well that is part of the reason Donovan is reluctant towards all of the matches Albus has made since. He thought Albus was against him. Albus tried many times to explain to the 23 year old man that it was in Donovan's stars. He told Donovan with out experiencing what he did with Shawna, that he would not appreciate the new woman that was supposed to come into his life. Albus told him that it would be a lady five years younger than him, and also a friend of Shawna's from Durmstrang. Of course Donovan did not believe Albus, he was too grief stricken. During this time he divided himself from Marisa. He took Marisa to live with her mother's sister. He still sees Marisa a lot. She is only seven; Donovan has asked if she wants to come live with him before she goes to Hogwarts. Yes, Hogwarts, Donovan has already decided he wants her near Albus, and not near her mother's old memories. Donovan, does not believe in Albus' matchmaking skills, even though a few years after Shawna's death he met Ciara, but he does believe Albus is a great influence." The book stopped talking and took a little rest.
"So you see. Donovan does not believe in Albus and his matches, but believes in Albus. It will take a while, but Donovan will warm up to you."
"Wow, that is a lot to take in. I can see why he was standoffish, but why doesn't Marisa live with him?" Hermione was very curious about this.
"Marisa loves her father, and doesn't blame him for anything. She is very strong and mature for her age, much like you. Celina (her aunt) does not want her switching schools in the begging of the year, so either during Winter Holidays or Summer Holidays is when Marisa will come to live with him. Now dearest unless you have something else you would like to know, then I must ask you to close me, I am a bit tired." Yawned the old book.
"Yes, only one more thing. What is your name?" Hermione asked the old book in a rush seeing as she was tired.
"Celestina dearest. Good bye, and good night."
With that Hermione closed the book. She locked it back up, and put the necklace back on her neck. After making sure she had everything with her and put away, she left the car to see when they would be arriving at Hogwarts.
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Severus arrived back at his office and knew he had a bit of free time to himself. He unpacked his bags and soon restored his things where they normally where. He was just about to request some lunch from Twinkle, his house elf, when a 'pop' made him look up. The always knowing and jolly face of Albus was in his fireplace.
"Ah Severus! I see you have made your way home easily?"
"Yes, I have, thank you." Severus said icily.
"Severus, sound a bit more happy. By that tone one would think you had a horrible holiday. May I request your presence in my office?" Albus asked with a smile.
"As you wish. Is there a new password?" Severus knew he sounded extremely unpleased, yet he did not care.
"Alas, I did change it. I think I had a bit too much Butterbeer, and so I changed the password to jelly doughnuts. I don't believe I have had a doughnut." Albus's eyes turned downcast at that.
"Very well. I'm on my way."
With that Albus disappeared with at faint 'pop', and Severus started the walk up to Albus's office. Thankfully he did not encounter any students along the way. He was smart enough to bring Hermione's invisibility cloak. He reached the gargoyle and muttered the password 'jelly doughnuts'. He found Albus sitting at this desk reviewing a file. Severus seated himself. Together Severus and Albus sat together in a long silence. Severus was not willing to be the first to talk. He was not there because he wanted to be. Finally Albus spoke, startling Severus.
"How was your weekend?" Albus was a bit quieter than usual.
"It went very good. Don was the same though, questioning, he started to warm up a bit though. Hermione was great with all the kids. Those sisters of mine rushed when introductions, it made my head spin. But Hermione got all of the names down pretty good." Severus looked up in surprise. He didn't mean for any of that to come out. He sounded like a blubbering fool. Inside he cursed himself for letting it all slip.
"I expected as much."
"Was there something you wanted from me Albus?" Severus, still mad at himself, didn't mean to snap at Albus, but he did.
"Yes, there was," Albus reached for a file that was sitting on his desk in front of him. "It is about Hermione. Severus, this is very important. Hermione doesn't know this, and I only think it is right to tell her later on in her life. You see, in her third year, she used a time turner. She was very responsible with it, yet no matter how you use it. It adds years to your life. She used it for the whole of her third year. Thus adding three years to her life. She is considered a legal adult in the Wizarding World. Although, because she hasn't had full training, the Ministry and I see it wise not to tell her until later on." Albus had a stern look about his face, which Severus had never seen before.
"Why are you telling me this Albus?"
"Severus, I know about things. I just want you to be careful, and know in truth that you are not doing anything wrong. It is ok, just as long as precautions are taken. I know you are old enough to know this. But Hermione really is mature enough to decide about these things, and your not taking advantage of anything at all." Severus sat dumbstruck. He would have never thought he would hear such things from Albus. But he had heard them in the flesh. "Severus, I can tell you feel remorse about something. Besides, Gwendolyn told me that the both of you did not stay at Carson Manor. Severus, I'm talking to you now as your godfather. Don't feel bad about anything. You need a love in your life. Just don't let the school find out."
"Yes, Albus. Thank you. Would it be ok, if Hermione stayed in my quarters today and tonight? I believe we need to talk things over."
"Of course. But Severus, will you bring her back here tonight. I have an announcement for her." Severus stood up so fast he almost knocked the chair over on the floor. He turned on his heel and left Albus' office.
Severus took the invisibility cloak and covered himself. He felt relieved and still dumbstruck at the same time. He looked at the time, and decided he had the time to get Hermione and take her back to his quarters. He walked out to the gate of Hogwarts to wait for Hermione.
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Hermione steeped from the train to find a single carriage waiting for her. Part of her whished she didn't have to go back to the Gryffindor common room yet. She sat in her own thoughts on the ride back. It seemed like only a few minutes when the carriage stopped. She grabbed all of her belongings and opened the door to step out and felt familiar strong hands grabbing around her waist. She then found herself floating to the ground.
"Severus?" She whispered as quietly as she could manage. Before she could ask again the cloaked figure wrapped her up in the cloak also. "Severus, you gave me a terrible fright. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I am here to take you back to my quarters. It seems as though you won't be back until Sunday afternoon. Those friends of yours will just have to wait to see you." Severus said this in a sympathetic sigh. Hermione knew he was trying to be funny.
"Oh you! Everyone knows that I am coming back today." She said as she swatted Severus on the shoulder.
"That is why we are sending an owl to someone. Albus already knows, so he is going to tell Minerva." Severus smiled a knowing all smile.
"Really? Oh but how will we occupy ourselves?" Hermione grinned mischievously, and Severus returned the smile.
The couple walked hand and hand all the way back to the dungeons. Not a word was said until they were both safely in the confines of Severus' quarters. Severus took the cloak off of both he and Hermione. Hermione set all of her things down and sat at the couch.
"Twinkle?" Hermione asked breaking the silence. Severus looked stunned that Hermione knew the name of his house elf.
"How? When? How?" Severus asked dumbfounded.
"S.P.E.W." Severus just stared at Hermione with a questioning look on his face. "The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. Something I did last year. I did not like the way most House Elves were treated. So I spent time with all of the elves employed here, or here with their owners." By this time Twinkle had 'popped' in front of Hermione.
"Ah hello Twinkle, how are you?" Hermione smiled brightly at the shy little elf.
"Fine Miss, thank you." Twinkle stood with her head down, and fidgeting with her fingers.
"Could you please get Severus and I some sandwiches and apple juice?" Twinkle nodded as a response. "Thank you Twinkle" With another 'pop' Twinkle was gone.
"I started S.P.E.W., and it flopped, nobody seemed to care about Elves. I was a little obsessed with it. But upon spending more time with the Elves in the kitchens I learned that Hogwarts was really the best place for them. Except Winky, that poor thing is delusional. I met Twinkle their. That Elf loves you more than anything. It is sweet really. Don't worry, she said you treated her fine." Severus just stared at the love of his life in complete awe. "Severus, that look really isn't becoming on you." Hermione just laughed at him, as she took the sandwiches and juice offered to her by Twinkle.
"I see." Was all Severus could manage to get out. They sat together on the couch eating their sandwiches. Quite a while went by as Hermione sat entwined with Severus on his couch. Severus broke the silence.
"You have to go see Dumbledore."
"Why?" Hermione couldn't hide the concern in her voice.
"I am not sure, he asked for me to bring you back there sometime tonight."
"Well you are coming with me right?"
"Yes, should we see if we can floo?" Severus got up and took a pinch of floo powder and threw in into his fireplace. "Dumbledore's office."
"Ah Severus old boy, you gave me quite a start. Come on over." Hermione got up off the couch. Her and Severus stepped into the fire. Upon coming out of Albus's fireplace, they sat down in front of his desk.
"Right, Hermione I don't know if you know this or not. Usually Hogwarts Prefects are notified during the Summer Holidays once they have been selected. This years new fifth year Prefects were hard to choose and we actually had a bit of trouble choosing some of them. Seeing as each house has a male and female Prefect from 5th to 7th years, and the teachers choose whom they think are the best from each house. It is our own voting system. Well it seems that both Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter are the favourites for Gryffindor."
"I didn't think they would be really considered. I mean, well." Hermione stopped there, she loved Ron and Harry, but she knew that Seamus, Dean, and even Neville where better students.
"I understand. Miss Granger, Hermione, this isn't decided on just by academic status. It also depends on how well you get along with other houses, how well you communicate with other people, along with many other things. Anyway, back to the problem. We give each new Prefect a new room all to themselves, they have the choice to stay in their dorm or use this new room. The problem we faced with Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter was to name them both Prefects or try to choose one, and also the fact that we only have one room for the new male Gryffindor Prefect. We have decided to ask both of them. I will get back to the point. You have been chosen to be a Gryffindor Prefect." Hermione was in a bit of a shock.
"Me?"
"Yes, you won the vote by a landslide. I believe the only person that did not vote for you was Professor Trelawney. I believe she voted for both Lavender and Parvati. Tomorrow before you go back to the Gryffindor common room, you are to meet with Professor McGonagall. One last thing before you leave. Do you wish to have your own room?"
"Yes! It has been torment living with Lavender and Parvati."
"All right then, Minerva will show you your new room. Have a good night."
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore."
"Your welcome Miss Granger." Severus who had been sitting quietly through out the whole conversation rose and Hermione followed. With one last good bye to Albus, they both Floo-ed back to Severus's quarters.
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The rest of the night was spent in Severus' bed talking, eating strawberries and cream, and a few other things. ;)
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Authors Note: Sorry it took so long. Writers' block is the MEAN! Anyway I hope this chapter wasn't too bad for you.
ChishionoTenshi: LOL – Triplets. Now that would make a story. Wonder what they would look like. I hope I didn't let you down with Donovan. It helped explain what was up didn't it?
Zoe: Sorry about that. I was hard thinking of a way to introduce all of them. But I thought that it worked pretty well :)
Marisa Raven: Master! You are. :D I 'm sorry it was rushed. Wasn't sure how to go about it.
Draco MalfoyGirl 16: Thank you I'm glad you like it. That means a lot to me!
The Man-Eating Dust Bunny: Thank you! At least someone understand the blabbing! :)
Angel-g2001: Thank you very much. I also think they make the greatest couple.
Starry-06: Thanks. I hope this one was kind of worth the wait.
Veralidaine: Thank you. I hope you like this chapter.