If I Had Known

Author's note: Here's chapter 2, enjoy.

Disclaimer: All HP characters are not mine - except Serenity.

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In the Red Room of the Potter residence, Harry Potter reminisced the events that have shaped his life for the last forty years. Recalling the days of living with the Dursleys, the joy of going to Hogwarts, battles with Lord Voldemort, and finally the situation that further changed his life.

Harry Potter knew he had lived on borrowed time for the last twenty years due to the sacrifices of his best friend, and wife, Hermione Granger. It was because of him that Serenity had no mother and Severus had no wife. In order to save his life, Hermione had sacrificed her life with the ones she loved for an empty one with him. Silently, Harry Potter had thought the things he had done as Minister of Magic would redeem his self worth as a person, since his existence was due to a destruction of what would have been a loving family.

As he sat down at his study, his conscience finally gave out after twenty years, and he decided he will finally rectify the situation even if it meant losing the most important thing in his life, the person whom he have grown to love and cherish, Hermione.

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Opening the seal, Serenity read:

To my stepdaughter,

As a person who knows the true meaning of loneliness of a desolate childhood, I need to acknowledge your pain is caused mainly by my existence. It is time that you fully understand. Meet me tomorrow at my office at noon. Bring not your opinion and your prejudice, only an open mind.

Sincerely yours,

Harry Potter

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Hermione Granger could not sleep, and as soon as Harry had left their room, had gotten out of bed. After apparating herself out of their mansion, she arrived with a silent 'pop' in front of Severus Snape's grave. She took in the quiet in the middle of the night looking at the scenery. Serenity had chosen this spot, facing the lake at the school. Severus liked to spend his days in the summer when the students were away, appreciating the peace and quiet .

Feeling the moist earth on the ground, she sat on the grass while looking at the freshly buried grave. Her eyes followed the etchings of the words on the headstone - Beloved father, teacher, potions master. Here was a man who received so little - yet gave so much.

"Oh Severus." Hermione sobbed, as she for the first time truly mourned the love of her life, even though she had been separated from him for more than twenty years. As she cried, the sounds of her grief covered the soft footsteps of a person approaching.

"My dear child. Severus would not appreciate you crying over his grave." Recognizing the voice of Dumbledore, Hermione quickly got up to address the man.

"He's gone, Professor. He and I had only so little time together."

"Yes, but the time you two had spent together meant more to him than anything, Hermione. He had lived more in that short time with you, then the years with the Deatheaters." Comforted Dumbledore, as he offered a hand for Hermione to get up. Silent, they both look at the peaceful landscape once more, each caught in their own thoughts.

"You had best return to bed, Hermione - and remember, when you grief, think of how much good you have done to our world with your sacrifice. Severus understood. He had forgiven you. Now - you must forgive yourself."

Hermione nodded and apparated herself back to her own chambers, where she laid in her bed until early next morning, thinking about what might have been.

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Promptly at noon, Serenity was ushered into the inner office of the Minister of Magic. At her arrival, Harry Potter stood up to greet his stepdaughter, only to find her silent and unresponsive. He gestured for her to have a seat and offered her coffee or tea which she refused.

Serenity did not understand. What truth had been concealed from her for all these years? As far as she was concerned, Harry Potter had nothing of value to say to her, but still, here she sat, awaiting what is to come.

"Serenity, thank you for coming today. I understand under these circumstances you must be going through a lot of pain."

"I'm sorry Minister, but as I understand it, I was summoned here." Serenity had neither time nor patience to be polite with this man. As far as she was concerned, anyone that is close to her mother was instrumental in causing her late father's pain. "Forgive me Mr. Minister, if this has anything to do with the well being of my mother, I am simply not interested." She took out her wand and just as she was about to turn around and walk out, Harry Potter said one thing which made her sit back down immediately.

"Your father killed himself Serenity."

A plethora of thoughts went through Serenity's head. It's impossible! Her father would never be so weak as to take his own life.

"It's impossible. And further, how would you know?"

Harry Potter grimaced as he sat down on an easy chair across from Serenity. "I am surprised that Severus Snape's daughter could be so naïve. Even though it is true your father has been less active in the wizarding community, it is common knowledge that Severus Snape can stopper death. Why not his own?"

Caught at a stutter, Serenity can offer no argument as Potter continued. "It's called the Heart and Soul Curse - and there are only 6 people on this earth that know of its existence." Just as he was about to continue, Hermione Granger stormed into the room, intercepting the conversation between her husband and her daughter. "No Harry! You mustn't tell her! It's all right for her to hate me, there is no reason she should hate you too!"

Serenity watched as her mother implored her stepfather to withhold information from her. What information? And the Heart and Soul Curse? Never in her life had she heard of that particular curse, even after she had been taught more than the normal curriculum at Hogwarts by her father. "Stop it! Both of you!" She yelled to stop the two Potters from fighting. "I don't understand what you both are talking about - and further, I have no inclination of knowing. You already ruined the life of my father, if this is some sick attempt to redeem yourself in my eyes, Mother, then I have to say that you've failed - miserably. I don't want either of you to come near me again!" Blinking back tears in her eyes, she quickly stormed out of the office where her mother and stepfather look at each other with sadness and confusion.

"Harry, it's too much for her. We can't bear to tell her what happened, now that she's acting like this."

"No love, we can't afford not to tell her. There are still enemies of our cause out there, and she's vulnerable. I'm afraid we'll have to get through to her willingly or otherwise."

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Serenity had not immediately return to her rooms. Instead, she headed up to Dumbledore's office, passing the gargoyle with the password Sherbert Lemon. The headmaster's office was empty. As Serenity waited in frustration, Fawkes the phoenix flew down next to her and stared at her intently. Fawkes, through his numerous 'lifetimes' had watched the girl grow up into the woman she was now, and although he could not communicate with humans, he allowed himself to be petted while she waited. Finally, Albus Dumbledore entered the room, and upon seeing Serenity sitting in a chair facing the fireplace, he went to one of his bookshelves along his office and took out the item which will be able to answer some of her questions.

"Serenity, come here." Upon hearing the voice of her headmaster, she walked towards him and saw what he was holding. She waited silently, waiting for an explanation.

"It's time child, for you to see what I saw that many years ago. Perhaps then you shall discover the truth. Think carefully - the events of now are not necessarily the reflection of the past."

She reached out for the pensieve, and felt the world disappear around her.

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Here's Chapter 2. Chapter 3 will be posted shortly. Thanks for reading, and review!