Oh boy most of this does not belong to me. The characters I'm borrowing' from Miss J K Rowling. The plot twists and occasional lines are being borrowed from Austen and Maybe one of the Bronte sisters. The only thing that belongs to me is the original characters.

Hermione Granger found herself on the swinging bench that hung on an enormous tree right outside the garden. The sunset that she was staring at was absolutely amazing, especially in this uncultivated country setting. Watching this sunset with her was Cassius Snape, who she had met just two days before. He had come back the previous day to chat with her and his sister, along with his niece Claudia. Now they were enjoying the silence that consumed the area at ease. Neither one of them ventured to say anything. It would have ruined the perfect moment of peace that they were allowed.

Hermione soon found her head resting on Cassius shoulders as he put her arm around her. As the sun began to set he pulled her body more close to him, mumbling about it how it would get nippy. Within a few seconds Hermione Granger had finally gotten what she had been dreaming of that day. He embraced her fervently, as if he had waited his whole life for that moment. He then looked into her flushed face whose pleased eyes were devouring him. He pulled and looked straight into the distance.

I am sorry for what has just transpired. I should not have rushed things like I just did. I just couldn't help myself. Feeling you so close to me, your beautiful eyes gazing into mine. I just couldn't help myself, please forgive me, He whispered.

She brought her face closer to his.

No I don't think anything's happening too fast. I liked it a lot, She whispered.

They continued to kiss for quiet sometime. That was until they were interrupted by a familiar voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sorry to suspend your snogging session with Hermione, uncle, but there's a man from your work' here, if you can refer to it as that! Claudia scolded.

Cassius shot a bitter disdainful look at the girl. She continued to smirk in a way that reminded him of his brother. Alas he had to leave, and she would spend some time with her friend. Claudia had been looking forward to this alone time with Hermione, because she did not get it when her mother was there. Claudia had a very few choice words to use about her uncle when he was gone out of hearing distance.

Hermione you could tell even in the dark was blushing. She looked at her voluptuous raven-haired friend who was now standing with her hands on her hips. She felt as if it were her mother standing before her, by the stare Claudia was giving her. Hermione stood up from the swing-bench and proceeded to walk to the house.

Hermione, I beg you not to get involved with him. I plead with you not to see him! My uncle cannot possibly even think of having a long-term relationship! Claudia began.

What do you mean, with me? Is this jealousy speaking? Claudia, I know that you're hurting. I'm sorry I can't remedy that. I'm sorry but it's not who I am. Claudia whatever the outcome of this is, it will be fine. I'm a strong girl and I can take care of myself. I promise Claudia I'll be fine, Hermione said.

The proclamation started off as viscous but swiftly turned into a tranquil pleasant tone. Claudia, whose mouth was gaping open wider than a fish out of water, never gave a reply. Hermione thought it was very unnerving the silence that followed.

Claudia, listen if I ever have doubts on my sexuality, you'll be the first one I contact okay? I really have to live my own life and I know you're worried I'll get hurt. I won't though, I'm careful, I'll keep my guard up, Hermione smiled weakly.

Claudia didn't believe her though. Claudia knew Hermione had only dated a few men. So she was worried about one of her few friends. She was concerned that her friend was not attentive to the fact that the majority of men were spineless hogs. Claudia knew that Cassius was the worst sort of man, charming and manipulative. She also was attentive that Cassius sought after something from her, or that he wanted someone to be injured by taking her. Claudia thought her uncle wanted to rub in the fact that she couldn't have Hermione. Then again no one could ever differentiate Cassius's real objective in several of these rendezvous. He could just be playing with her for the sport of it. Claudia would not think that below him.

Hermione arrived in the house before Claudia. She had already made it half way up the stairs before Claudia could consult her mother over the matter. She knew her mother did have some sense about how family matters worked. She met her mother in the kitchen who was discussing some matters over with her father. It had to do with the party, her mother was excessively happy about the whole notion of a ball. She had not thrown a festivity since Claudia had graduated.

Claudia pulled up a chair and stated, Something must be done about Cassius intentions towards my friend. Before you assume, I'm not saying this out of spite. No I could care less it's not as if I haven't been shot down before. Cassius is a fiend though.

Now dear, I think you are over reacting. You friend is quite old enough to decide whom she does or does not like. If she wants to get involved I'm not going to step in. God knows every girl should be jilted by a lover at one point or another. There are certain experiences in life that help shape who you are. You have to touch the fire before you can be burned by it, Mrs. Bell declared.

Perhaps, Isabella, Claudia has a point. I know I'm not strongly intimate with your family, but your brothers frankly scare me. I would not go as far as call Cassius a fiend' but taking such an interest in a girl 10 years his junior in such a short time one does have to wonder his priorities. Not to mention the many women we have met in his company. Also I'd like to point out he has perfected his charm to a fault, I'm afraid the girl does not pick up on that falsehood. She could not have had many boyfriends for she is only 20, Mr. Bell stated.

Pish-Posh! Cassius is just overly friendly. Yes I know his attention span is rather short, but perhaps Miss Granger is what he needs. Perhaps he needs someone with some intellect in his life, instead of the brainless things he brings home during holidays. I remember that girl he brought home for two years, Sarah; she had somewhat of a quick mind, Mrs. Bell added.

Why do you insist on defending your brother? Claudia spat.

Claudia, if there is one thing that is constant in this world it is family. Never forget that. I don't really care if he's taken interest in your friend. I'm not about to put some muggle's lack of judgment over my own brothers happiness! Mrs. Bell replied.

Mr. Bell stated in an irritated manner, You're starting to sound the way Severus used to sound. Next thing you know you'll start calling the girl a mudblood. You know that my mother was half muggle. That's one of the reasons I liked you, is because you're so tolerant. Or so I thought!

I am sorry! She began to cry, I am tremendously responsive when it comes to my family! I cannot help it. Now lets please just drop the subject!

Claudia left the room in a rage. She could not believe her mother. Her mother she had always known was a bit off, but didn't realize her sense of judgment could be so terrible! What did it matter about family, the whole lot was more trouble than they were worth! With that she decided to resign to the porch of the cottage, which had been charmed for keeping out bugs and such. She just needed some time alone. She decided that once they left everything would return back to normal.

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It wasn't until after Saturday that Claudia's mood became more pleasant. It was indeed her mother that stifled any happiness the girl could have by fussing about. Hermione stayed relatively upstairs as to evade another squabble with her former potion's professor, for chance if he were to visit again. He had visited only once during the week in order to give his opinion on some invitations. He greeted her with a civility she was not expecting. Inquiring after her friends and family. He seemed more at ease knowing his brother was not to visit that day. There was no dilemmas for the first half of his visit, in fact over all he appeared almost agreeable around Hermione. That was until they got out the invitations. A simple slip of the tongue caught them in a dispute over a certain invitation style. He said they were too Art Deco, while she corrected him and told him that they were more Art Nouveau themed. That persisted until finally Mr. Bell fetched an art book from the attic. They were deemed to be more Art Nouveau styled, which he merely acknowledged he got confused because he was no art scholar. It wasn't like he was ever going to admit he was wrong.

Other than that small row, the week was going very well. Cassius had stopped by the evening before and they drank some tea in the garden. Luckily for Hermione at the time Claudia had been dragged to some sort of social function of her mothers. They had a lovely time chatting and sealed it with a good night kiss.

After this little meeting she returned to the cottage where a letter was on the table alerting her of her friends coming to visit. Ron was to arrive a day early, while Harry was to show up that Sunday. Harry unlike Ron had minimal time off and could only stay for 4 days. Harry, instead of being and Auror, opted to instead play Quidditch, as it would supply enough capital for a great deal of his life. He had thought the situation through carefully and decided he could always have time to figure out what he really wanted to do after he got this out of his system. Hermione would be surprised if he lasted 5 years due to the grueling schedule and harsh demands on the boy's body. This was very much in contrast to Ron who was now working for the ministry as an Auror. He had made all of them proud over the years and had since redeemed the family name from Percy's horrible downfall, along with Arthur's oddities. Anyone who knew Ronald Weasley could not think lowly of his family anymore. It now carried more weight in the wizarding world than Malfoy, or one of the old societies names. Granted it would never carry as much influence as the name Potter, but then again it did carry much more heaviness than the name of Granger.

It never really bothered her though. She wanted to be a faceless name. She didn't want her face on a chocolate frog card, just in the books, many of them. No it did not mean she was more ambitious than a Slytherin, she just wanted to write. She wanted to take a journey around the world and write books. In fact she had already started a rough draft of a book about the war, an insider's perspective. It lay untouched at the bottom of the dusty dresser, wrapped up in a box. She was going to revise it this summer and then copy it for her friends. She anticipated sending it off before the Christmas break. That is if everything went well with it.

On top of these ambitions she was also hoping for plentiful time to peruse her self-education. She was never one to pass up an opportunity to further her mind. She wanted to be well versed in almost all subjects, excluding of course Divination. That though was to be expected. She knew she could never grow to like a subject so unstable. It didn't help by being taught by someone you couldn't respect either.

Now though was Saturday and Ron was to be there soon. Ron had grown into such a handsome man but still retained some of his tendencies to be a bit daft at times along with bouts of jealousy. He had asked Hermione to date him in their 6th year but she found it to be too trying on her nerves and eventually separated. They did not speak aside from necessary civilities for a good 6th months. Then when the war started it seemed too silly to think about such a thing. That part though was not in her novel. She wouldn't have any room for it even if she wanted to include it. No, she had to highlight the main players in the battle, not their personal lives. She tried to act without bias when writing it. The only thing that pained her was she was never involved with the inner circle so she could not write thoroughly about their roles in the war. She could only write what she knew, what she saw, and what she felt.

Claudia soon interrupted her thoughts.

Hermione! Your friend Ron's here! She yelled.

Hermione ran down the stairs to see Ron with his radiant smile looking up at her. He had grown up into something else. He still had the fiery red hair and the freckles (only not as many) but he had an athletic type of build. He looked nice and so much more grown up than she remembered. With those thoughts she jumped from the second step from the bottom into his arms.

It seems like forever! So good to see you again Ron! Have you been busy much? Hermione squealed.

Well Hermione! You look quiet changed since I've seen you last. How's college life for you? Ginny thinks it's absolutely marvelous but we do wish she would consider transferring to your college! I hear it's better anyways, Ron stated.

College life is great. Oh did you meet my roommate? Claudia Bell, this is Ronald Weasley but you can call him Ron like the rest of us. Ron this of course is Claudia.

She stated looking up from her soda groggily.

Sorry she doesn't fully wake up until at least two. You must have disturbed her me' time, Hermione, laughed, Anyways how is everyone?

Oh the Twins have such a booming business mum doesn't care anymore that they didn't finish school. You know they're the ones paying for Ginny. She did get some money but not enough. Bill and Fleur haven't decided a date yet, which mother finds vexing. Charley hasn't settled down another thing she finds vexing. I must confide in you though, I'm going to propose to Luna soon. I want you and Harry to be there. At the very last week of August I booked us a table at this trendy restaurant. Well mum will fill you in later. She's all excited and I think it's the only thing keeping her from hexing one of us. Dad had been complaining for a while about how she's been storming about the house every time she gets something from Bill or Charley, Ron laughed.

Oh I'm so happy for you! Hermione cried out.

Now Hermione when are you and Harry going to settle down? Really after all of us Weasley's settle down I'm sure she'll go after you two next. You know how she is; you guys are family to us! Don't look so sour you know I'm only joking.

You better be. After all Ron we are only twenty, they'll be plenty of time to think about marriage. Anyways with Harry's schedule I don't think he'd have time to be looking. I'm just glad he could get so many days off during the season. Sit down though! I'll go fetch some tea, Hermione pleaded.

Ron took a seat across from the raven-haired girl who looked unbelievably exhausted. She was pretty, in a dark sense of the word. Much like a Goth muggle dressed in less black. She looked irritated and made him a bit uneasy. He decided at that point that Hermione had really weird taste in friends. It didn't matter though they were her friends and Hermione normally had a good sense of judgment. Well on most occasions when schoolwork was not involved. It was good though to see Hermione not as miserable as she seemed the few years before.

Ron, right? Claudia ventured.

Ron nodded. The girl was looking him over, not in a sexual manner but rather a memorization sort of technique. She looked a bit out of spirits and a bit hung over. She looked incredibly tired as well.

Hello Hello! Claudia dear where is your mother? She wanted me to look over those invitations, an unfamiliar voice called.

Oh no, Claudia groaned, In here Uncle Cassius. I'm with Hermione's friend Ron. Mother's out with Father getting some things they need to pick up before going home. The invitation they chose is in that binder to the left of the tissue box on the back table. They figured you'd be fine with it.

Cassius bowed to Ron when he entered the room. Receiving odd glances from the young man. He strode to the table at the other end of the room and picked up the binder thumbing through it. Claudia sat glaring at him. Ron thought this was very peculiar. Their concentration was quickly turned to Hermione who entered the room and set down the tea. She looked elated when her eyes found Cassius in the corner. He caught her eye and smiled at her.

Oh Cassius! I didn't know you'd be stopping by! I received your last owl but I haven't answered it yet. Oh by the way, Ron this is Cassius, Claudia's uncle. Cassius this is Ron Weasley he's a friend from school.

Charmed. I'm sorry I can't stay too long. Originally I just wanted to look over what my siblings wanted to send out. Good lord at least my brother has some sort of taste! My sister's choices here are quite hideous. I'm afraid though his is quite minimalist, aside from this Art Deco one, Cassius stated.

Hermione blushed.

Uncle, it is not art deco, it's art nouveau. Hermione and Uncle Severus have had this argument before. Believe me I don't want to hear it again! Claudia grumbled.

If Ron were a cat his ears would have perked up out of fear. Ron unlike Harry could never hide his emotions very well. Then again that was one of the traits they always liked. Ron was never a very good liar. This did not help him now as they looked at him queerly, except of course Hermione.

Good lord, shall I change my name now? With in the past few weeks I've gotten the most hideous looks when I've told people my last name is Snape! What has my brother been doing at that school? Frankly, we may share a last name but we are nothing alike I assure you, Cassius proclaimed in a friendly manner.

It's hard to stomach the thought the man could have a family, Ron stated.

Ron! That's utterly ridiculous. Everyone has or has had some sort of family, even teachers. Granted it was quiet a shock to find out his family being so kind, Hermione stated.

Well you know I always thought that our family motto should be changed to Keeping up Appearances.' Then again there's very few who would take to my sense of wit. Maybe I should take it up with my uncle when my grandparents pass. I think it be quite comical not to mention truthful. Claudia stated.

Yes you do have that sort of warped sense like Severus. I'm sure he would find that quite amusing. Enough of him though. Weasley sounds familiar. You have brothers, do you not? Cassius asked.

Ugh, yes, to many. There is in order of age, Bill who is a employee at Gringotts; Charlie who works with dragons; Percy who, well we don't talk about him; Fred and George who have their own joke shop; and I work as an Auror. Then there is my father who works in the department of misused muggle artifacts. I'm sure you've come across our name a few times in the Prophet. Regrettably most of it is waste, Ron stated.

Yes, I heard about Charlie. We were trying to get him to sign a contract with us, after I broke my leg. By us I mean the Falmouth Falcons.

You played quidditch? Ron exclaimed.

Not for very long, only for about a season, then when I had gotten my leg torn to pieces they hired me as a scout. I was a beater, but not a very good one. If it weren't for the injury I'd probably would have been sacked at the end of the season anyways. That was a different time however, Cassius said smiling.

Claudia scoffed at this. She thought it was ridiculous how he was basking in nostalgia. She thought he was being an awful attention whore at that moment as well. Then again when wasn't he looking for attention? Claudia sat back and sighed while listening to the boring quidditch talk. She glanced at Hermione who was sitting and reading her book. The girl was so engrossed in it that she looked like she had forgotten about her friend. It was all mindless chatter to Claudia. She sighed wanting for some out. Wanting to scream at her uncle for being a prat and stealing her friend. She just wanted them all to go away.

He wouldn't pick up a book if his life depended on it. So how long is he going to be content with you not fawning over him, eh Hermione? Do you think you'll be like this 20 years from now? Do you even think it's worth wasting your time? I bet you only like him because of false mask is like sugar. Why can't you and your friend see through it?' Claudia thought rancorously.

That really is fascinating! I didn't know the inside structure was so complex, Ron stated breaking Claudia's thoughts.

Well there are very few people who have the insight of an insider. Most people who take up jobs not as players stay so very long that replacements are hardly ever needed. In fact I'm still the youngest who isn't on the team. I am barely 30, so you can imagine how long some have been there.

Oi, Hermione, you think Harry will become a scout after he's done? Ron asked.

Hermione looked up from the book, Well really it would depend on him. I don't think so though. I heard him expressing the opinion that he would like to teach sometime. Being that I still don't believe that there had been a sufficient replacement for the defense against the dark arts teacher at Hogwart's he might be offered the position. I hope for the sake of those children that he takes it as well. You know what it's like not being properly taught year from year. It make him happy anyways, to know he's making a real difference in peoples lives.

So what? You assume the war meant nothing to people? Ron asked defensively.

No, that's not what I said or meant and you know it. I'm just stating Harry is not the one to sit idly by and not take some initiative to stop it from happening again. Now what better way to do that than to teach? I mean if you are taught enough about the dark arts to show that there use is more harmful than beneficial than you should stay away from it. Anyways Ron it might be good for him to go back after this quidditch experience. I don't really think it's healthy for him.

What do you mean? Ron asked.

Harry is very private Ron and he's been in the papers since he was 11. I don't think that's healthy to live your life in the spotlight considering he wanted out years ago. He never liked the attention. The only time he got away from it was up in the air, or special moments at school. Those are sanctuary for him. It's a safety for him, and I think he'd want to keep it that way. Eventually he'll be able to move on, but right now I think he really has got to decide who he is and who he'd like to be, Hermione stated in a low tone.

I guess your right. Anyways it'll be nice seeing him tomorrow. I've missed both of you terribly in the last two years. We don't see each other often enough. Ron stated.

With that Claudia tuned the exchanges out entirely. She did not even realize during the duration of their discussions that her Uncle had left. No right then she was more attentive to her own emptiness she had felt the last few years, and how she forgotten how Hermione filled that hole. Yet there was still an ache that could not be ignored. With that Claudia left the room to sit alone on the porch until her mother and father returned.

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July 4th- Not so much author influence. I'm just setting up things now. I'll be setting them up during the next part as well. The part after will be chalk-o-Austen galore. I promise. This part I wanted to establish two things- Mrs. Bell needs to keep things perfectly together (it will further explain her character in future parts), and an outside perspective of Cassius from someone who wasn't his family, to show that he does not come off as a slime-ball to the rest of the world –pity.

Thanks to my beta- Comet-hime (she's in my favorite authors)

Also thanks for the reviews.

Lily of the Shadow- Thanks, sugar is good. (It's survival)

Athene Saile- Gracias

Jenbachand- Draco will become a bigger part I promise. I like him better good, but not too good.

Mystic Werewolf- Cassius is meant to scare. He is the nightmare; he is the Wickham, the Willoughby of the story. We know what he is but Hermione doesn't. I designed him to be unbalanced but have the illusion of being very charming, at least to stranger. Many of the characters are designed after these Austen stereotypes. There will be a familiar' sister character. Then there will be the sensible figure. And of course the daft mother figure (Mrs. Bell). Of course there are the lovers who do not take a liking to one another immediately. ^___^; Sorry. I think I rambled a bit here.