Disclaimer: If I owned it, I would be J. K. Rowling; and if I were, I
would be doing a lot better things than writing this story.
Gone!
Hermione shifted on her sleep; she was warm and comfortable and a familiar smell was coming from all around her. Opening her eyes, she realized she was not in her own bed. The thought brought a smile to her lips, and she leaned over and kissed the forehead of the man who was holding her.
His eyes slowly opened, and he himself smiled. "I half thought it was a dream, and that I would wake up, and you wouldn't be here."
Hermione smiled, and Severus found that he could not resist her lips.
It was the last day of the term, and Hermione would be going home that day. It would be only three weeks before her return, but it seemed so inane to leave at all.
She spent a good deal of time with Elizabeth, telling the tiny child that she would be leaving but coming back soon. It wasn't that she expected the child to understand, but still, she felt that there was something remarkably spectacular about the small girl. But Hermione kept her hypothesis to her self.
The morning was beautiful, as Severus left and returned moments later with breakfast from the kitchen, and Hermione, Elizabeth, and Severus had spent the last of their time before break eating breakfast together in the comfortable room.
The time finally came when Hermione had to leave. She kissed Elizabeth and Severus goodbye before leaving. It was only a short while before she went to her room to get her stuff.
The rest of the Gryffindors had already left, so she walked downstairs alone and ended up sitting in a carriage with a couple of second years.
She didn't mind it though; she was lost in her own little world. Her mind was full of thoughts of Severus and Elizabeth: her family. Well **her** family, where she was no longer a child but was the adult.
She thought of Severus and how he had waited, knowing she was not yet ready. Hermione thought of how strange it would be to return home this last time completely devoid of her innocence. It would have been strange; the grown up did not belong at the home of the child.
After this shortened summer, Hermione would leave her house forever and begin her new life with Severus.
As the carriage drew to a halt, Hermione got out still dreaming of Severus and the life they would share. In her daze, she walked out onto the platform, and suddenly everything went black.
Severus was sitting in his room, in a dream like state much like Hermione's. He was feeding Elizabeth who was sitting in her high chair. It wouldn't be too long before Hermione was back here with him.
As he thought he remembered last night, and how she had thought he would take her. But no, that he would not do, not yet. That he would wait for; good things come to those who wait.
He imagined them together and happy. That was something that Severus Snape was not often.
What had he ever done in his life to deserve such a blessing as Hermione? His only answer was that he didn't; he deserved nothing. Then he truly was lucky.
The small spoon that he was holding was suddenly shoved back at him and his attention turned to the babe in front of him.
"Ma-ma!" she said.
Severus smiled thinking of Hermione. "Mama's not coming tonight, she went away for a bit, but she will come home soon." He tried to feed the child again, but once more she hit away the spoon. She made a whining noise of discontent.
"Ma-ma!" she said again.
"Mama can't come today baby, she went to see her parents."
Elizabeth realized that he didn't understand what she was telling him.
"Ma-ma oww!"
"Mama oww?" What did the child mean by 'Mama oww?' Severus eyed the child suspiciously and wondered what was going on inside the tiny head of hers.
Elizabeth was upset. Her lack of speaking was trouble. How was she supposed to tell the Daddy that the Mama was hurting? She needed help! And he didn't understand.
Deciding on the best course of action, the small girl began to scream and kick throwing all her food to the floor all the while chanting, "Ma-ma oww! Ma-ma oww!"
Severus looked at the manic display, and thought that maybe the child was upset that Hermione was gone. He took the girl out of her high chair and hugged her closely rocking her while she cried in his arms.
"Hey Ron! Harry! Lavender! Have you guys seen Mione?"
"No Gin. Haven't seen her at all this morning actually. She must have found some absorbing new book!"
The red haired girl smile, "Yeah, I could see that. Well I wanted to talk to her, so I guess I'll go look somewhere else now."
Ginny left the room. Harry was sitting by himself while Ron and Lavender cuddled together in the corner. He didn't mind being by himself though, all that dependent stuff was sickening. Ron and Lavender were cute, but he was glad that Ginny had her own life.
But Lavender would make the perfect housewife as the Weasley tradition was. She would stay at home and have lots of children, and they would be happy. He himself preferred Ginny's spunk to the passiveness of Lavender.
The three major women in his life, he noted, were all quite different. Ginny, his own love, was spunky, fiery, and had a mind all her own. Through all the stories he heard, his mother was like her. Why Lupin had even told him once last summer that seeing the two together was like a glimpse of his past.
Lavender was a passive girl, perfectly content to let her life be run by another. She didn't have dreams of seeing the world or being any sort of specialist. A family life was all she desired. And Ron, much like his father was the perfect man to give it to her.
Hermione was his best friend, his sister. Determined and wise beyond her years. She was the type of girl that could be perfectly content on her own. But she was also a girl of mystery. As much as she didn't need a man to be happy, he could tell that she would be happier with one. But that was about he could tell. She was reserved and cautious with her emotions, and only let few people into her emotional life.
That lead him to this question: if he and Ginny were a perfect match, as were Ron and Lavender, who then was Hermione's match? Certainly no one that he knew from school. None of them were refined enough to be with such a girl. She needed someone who could challenge her, not some slob who couldn't even hold a candle to her genius.
It was then that he realized that Hermione needed someone older. Someone intelligent and someone who would bring a challenge to her everyday life. Her match would not have been an easy one to live with; Hermione never took an easy rout. No, Hermione always took the path least traveled. She had a strong determination to walk where others feared to tread. Her boldness and bravery far surpassed his own, and while he was able to think fast on his feet, she possessed a far superior intellect.
He thought of all the time Hermione had spent working on her potions project the past year, and of how thick he must have been not to notice it sooner. But his own prejudice against the potions master would not allow him to think of anyone ever loving him. Yet how could he have missed it?
Jumping to his feet, Harry told Lavender and Ron that he would be right back.
Harry began to search the train, much as his girlfriend was doing at the same moment. They eventually ran into each other in the corridor.
"Harry, I can't find her. I've looked every where!"
"So have I."
Harry, Ginny, Lavender, and Ron all waited until every last child had left the train and gone home before they left the platform.
Hermione's parents were waiting on the muggle platform with very nervous looks on their faces. It was hard to break the news of their Daughter's disappearance to them.
Mrs. Granger fainted into the arms of her husband. Looking at his collapsed wife, he turned to look Harry in the eyes. He was a smart man and realized right away that muggle police were going to prove far too insufficient and so said, "Who do we ask for help?"
Mr. Weasley took Hermione's parents and explained about the Ministry and the officials who could help them there. As they left for their destination, Molly escorted all the children to the Burrow.
But Harry had other plans and other ideas. As soon as he got to the Wesley's, while every one else got settled in, he walked to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of the thin powder, he stepped into the flames and said, "Severus Snape's Chambers!"
It is not everyday that an unexpected guest slides into the living room of the Professor of Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In fact, the professor hardly had any guest expected or unexpected entering any way, save one special girl. So it is easy to imagine his surprise when not only an unexpected guest, but an unexpected and unliked guest slid into his room accompanied by and endless amount of soot.
As the dust settled around Harry, he found himself laying on his back with a wand pointing at his chest. He looked into the harsh face of his old potions master.
"Up Potter! You have five seconds to explain yourself before things get messy." Snape said in a low dangerous voice.
Scrambling to his feet Harry got up. And looked his professor in the eyes. "I come peacefully to discuss something of close interest to you." He took out his own wand and noticed Snape's grip on his own tightened.
"Don't toy with me Potter!" Snape spat. "I tell you, I am not a fun man." His voice was much lower and gruffer than Harry had ever heard before.
"I know," the young man countered, "Which is why I don't know what Hermione sees in you."
Snape's jaw tightened confirming Harry's suspicions. "What do you know? Speak now!"
Harry was well aware that he was no longer under the protection of being a student and that he was treading on dangerous ground. However, he knew that no matter how deep Snape's hate went he knew Harry was too important to the Order.
Harry tossed his wand up slightly catching the wrong end and handing the gripping end to Snape.
After a moment's hesitation, Snape reached out and grabbed the wand, looking at it strangely.
"I just want to talk."
Something in the boy's voice made Snape reconsider. It became obvious to him that he was no longer a boy, but a man. A man that cared for the woman he loved. Snape callously tucked away his own wand and handed Harry's wand back.
"Giving me your wand, I don't know whether that was incredibly smart or very stupid."
"There is often a fine line between the two."
"Indeed."
There was a moment of silence before Severus spoke again. "What news have you of Hermione? Come, speak now!"
"Well, first may I ask a question?"
"If you intend on getting to your point quickly."
"Are you and Hermione involved?"
"Do you not know?"
"I only know what I deduced."
"Then perhaps it should stay that way."
"I need to know!"
"Why?"
"Is she here?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because she is missing!"
A glass fell from Severus's hand and broke. In the following silence, Elizabeth decided that this was a good time to bring up her point. "Ma-ma oww!"
Harry noticed the girl for the first time. "Good Gods!"
"It's not what you think!"
"Then what is it?"
Snape was silent, trying to figure out a way to get out of this one. Then he heard the voice of the young man behind him.
"I am not my father."
Severus turned around. "Pardon?"
Harry looked up into his eyes. "I am not my father. Give me a chance, you can trust me."
Snape turned back around. "Can I? Could I trust you Potter?"
"I swear to you, by my love of Hermione, my friend and sister, that you can trust me for I would protect her with my life as would you. I saw it in you eyes." Severus turned around again to look in marvel at the man who stood before him. "I ask you now, man to man, to tell me what happened. Hermione is my family. She needs us. I need your help."
Had arrogant Potter just admitted to needing him? Was he actually going to tell him all about Hermione? About himself? That was private could he really trust Potter?
After a few moments of contemplation, he spoke.
"I love her."
"I know."
Severus took a deep breath. "It all began a long time ago at the beginning of the school year..."
Harry sat looking into the flames of the fireplace in Severus Snape's room. "And she said 'Ma-ma oww!'"
The raven-haired boy shifted his gaze to the baby that was in Severus's lap. "May I?"
Harry held Elizabeth in his hands and looked her over cautiously as if trying to find a key, anything that could tell him what was going on. "What's you're secret girl? What do you know?"
It was at that moment that both men had the same thought, and looked up and locked eyes.
"She's so small."
"It wont hurt her if she doesn't fight. I mean that's what hurt right? The fighting?"
Severus sighed and prepared his mind. They were going to find Hermione.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
but find her where?? Tune in next week! Or next update rather! This is exciting! I can feel the rising action that will rise much next chappie! Ha! Yay!
Luv u guys!
~Atiannala
Gone!
Hermione shifted on her sleep; she was warm and comfortable and a familiar smell was coming from all around her. Opening her eyes, she realized she was not in her own bed. The thought brought a smile to her lips, and she leaned over and kissed the forehead of the man who was holding her.
His eyes slowly opened, and he himself smiled. "I half thought it was a dream, and that I would wake up, and you wouldn't be here."
Hermione smiled, and Severus found that he could not resist her lips.
It was the last day of the term, and Hermione would be going home that day. It would be only three weeks before her return, but it seemed so inane to leave at all.
She spent a good deal of time with Elizabeth, telling the tiny child that she would be leaving but coming back soon. It wasn't that she expected the child to understand, but still, she felt that there was something remarkably spectacular about the small girl. But Hermione kept her hypothesis to her self.
The morning was beautiful, as Severus left and returned moments later with breakfast from the kitchen, and Hermione, Elizabeth, and Severus had spent the last of their time before break eating breakfast together in the comfortable room.
The time finally came when Hermione had to leave. She kissed Elizabeth and Severus goodbye before leaving. It was only a short while before she went to her room to get her stuff.
The rest of the Gryffindors had already left, so she walked downstairs alone and ended up sitting in a carriage with a couple of second years.
She didn't mind it though; she was lost in her own little world. Her mind was full of thoughts of Severus and Elizabeth: her family. Well **her** family, where she was no longer a child but was the adult.
She thought of Severus and how he had waited, knowing she was not yet ready. Hermione thought of how strange it would be to return home this last time completely devoid of her innocence. It would have been strange; the grown up did not belong at the home of the child.
After this shortened summer, Hermione would leave her house forever and begin her new life with Severus.
As the carriage drew to a halt, Hermione got out still dreaming of Severus and the life they would share. In her daze, she walked out onto the platform, and suddenly everything went black.
Severus was sitting in his room, in a dream like state much like Hermione's. He was feeding Elizabeth who was sitting in her high chair. It wouldn't be too long before Hermione was back here with him.
As he thought he remembered last night, and how she had thought he would take her. But no, that he would not do, not yet. That he would wait for; good things come to those who wait.
He imagined them together and happy. That was something that Severus Snape was not often.
What had he ever done in his life to deserve such a blessing as Hermione? His only answer was that he didn't; he deserved nothing. Then he truly was lucky.
The small spoon that he was holding was suddenly shoved back at him and his attention turned to the babe in front of him.
"Ma-ma!" she said.
Severus smiled thinking of Hermione. "Mama's not coming tonight, she went away for a bit, but she will come home soon." He tried to feed the child again, but once more she hit away the spoon. She made a whining noise of discontent.
"Ma-ma!" she said again.
"Mama can't come today baby, she went to see her parents."
Elizabeth realized that he didn't understand what she was telling him.
"Ma-ma oww!"
"Mama oww?" What did the child mean by 'Mama oww?' Severus eyed the child suspiciously and wondered what was going on inside the tiny head of hers.
Elizabeth was upset. Her lack of speaking was trouble. How was she supposed to tell the Daddy that the Mama was hurting? She needed help! And he didn't understand.
Deciding on the best course of action, the small girl began to scream and kick throwing all her food to the floor all the while chanting, "Ma-ma oww! Ma-ma oww!"
Severus looked at the manic display, and thought that maybe the child was upset that Hermione was gone. He took the girl out of her high chair and hugged her closely rocking her while she cried in his arms.
"Hey Ron! Harry! Lavender! Have you guys seen Mione?"
"No Gin. Haven't seen her at all this morning actually. She must have found some absorbing new book!"
The red haired girl smile, "Yeah, I could see that. Well I wanted to talk to her, so I guess I'll go look somewhere else now."
Ginny left the room. Harry was sitting by himself while Ron and Lavender cuddled together in the corner. He didn't mind being by himself though, all that dependent stuff was sickening. Ron and Lavender were cute, but he was glad that Ginny had her own life.
But Lavender would make the perfect housewife as the Weasley tradition was. She would stay at home and have lots of children, and they would be happy. He himself preferred Ginny's spunk to the passiveness of Lavender.
The three major women in his life, he noted, were all quite different. Ginny, his own love, was spunky, fiery, and had a mind all her own. Through all the stories he heard, his mother was like her. Why Lupin had even told him once last summer that seeing the two together was like a glimpse of his past.
Lavender was a passive girl, perfectly content to let her life be run by another. She didn't have dreams of seeing the world or being any sort of specialist. A family life was all she desired. And Ron, much like his father was the perfect man to give it to her.
Hermione was his best friend, his sister. Determined and wise beyond her years. She was the type of girl that could be perfectly content on her own. But she was also a girl of mystery. As much as she didn't need a man to be happy, he could tell that she would be happier with one. But that was about he could tell. She was reserved and cautious with her emotions, and only let few people into her emotional life.
That lead him to this question: if he and Ginny were a perfect match, as were Ron and Lavender, who then was Hermione's match? Certainly no one that he knew from school. None of them were refined enough to be with such a girl. She needed someone who could challenge her, not some slob who couldn't even hold a candle to her genius.
It was then that he realized that Hermione needed someone older. Someone intelligent and someone who would bring a challenge to her everyday life. Her match would not have been an easy one to live with; Hermione never took an easy rout. No, Hermione always took the path least traveled. She had a strong determination to walk where others feared to tread. Her boldness and bravery far surpassed his own, and while he was able to think fast on his feet, she possessed a far superior intellect.
He thought of all the time Hermione had spent working on her potions project the past year, and of how thick he must have been not to notice it sooner. But his own prejudice against the potions master would not allow him to think of anyone ever loving him. Yet how could he have missed it?
Jumping to his feet, Harry told Lavender and Ron that he would be right back.
Harry began to search the train, much as his girlfriend was doing at the same moment. They eventually ran into each other in the corridor.
"Harry, I can't find her. I've looked every where!"
"So have I."
Harry, Ginny, Lavender, and Ron all waited until every last child had left the train and gone home before they left the platform.
Hermione's parents were waiting on the muggle platform with very nervous looks on their faces. It was hard to break the news of their Daughter's disappearance to them.
Mrs. Granger fainted into the arms of her husband. Looking at his collapsed wife, he turned to look Harry in the eyes. He was a smart man and realized right away that muggle police were going to prove far too insufficient and so said, "Who do we ask for help?"
Mr. Weasley took Hermione's parents and explained about the Ministry and the officials who could help them there. As they left for their destination, Molly escorted all the children to the Burrow.
But Harry had other plans and other ideas. As soon as he got to the Wesley's, while every one else got settled in, he walked to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of the thin powder, he stepped into the flames and said, "Severus Snape's Chambers!"
It is not everyday that an unexpected guest slides into the living room of the Professor of Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In fact, the professor hardly had any guest expected or unexpected entering any way, save one special girl. So it is easy to imagine his surprise when not only an unexpected guest, but an unexpected and unliked guest slid into his room accompanied by and endless amount of soot.
As the dust settled around Harry, he found himself laying on his back with a wand pointing at his chest. He looked into the harsh face of his old potions master.
"Up Potter! You have five seconds to explain yourself before things get messy." Snape said in a low dangerous voice.
Scrambling to his feet Harry got up. And looked his professor in the eyes. "I come peacefully to discuss something of close interest to you." He took out his own wand and noticed Snape's grip on his own tightened.
"Don't toy with me Potter!" Snape spat. "I tell you, I am not a fun man." His voice was much lower and gruffer than Harry had ever heard before.
"I know," the young man countered, "Which is why I don't know what Hermione sees in you."
Snape's jaw tightened confirming Harry's suspicions. "What do you know? Speak now!"
Harry was well aware that he was no longer under the protection of being a student and that he was treading on dangerous ground. However, he knew that no matter how deep Snape's hate went he knew Harry was too important to the Order.
Harry tossed his wand up slightly catching the wrong end and handing the gripping end to Snape.
After a moment's hesitation, Snape reached out and grabbed the wand, looking at it strangely.
"I just want to talk."
Something in the boy's voice made Snape reconsider. It became obvious to him that he was no longer a boy, but a man. A man that cared for the woman he loved. Snape callously tucked away his own wand and handed Harry's wand back.
"Giving me your wand, I don't know whether that was incredibly smart or very stupid."
"There is often a fine line between the two."
"Indeed."
There was a moment of silence before Severus spoke again. "What news have you of Hermione? Come, speak now!"
"Well, first may I ask a question?"
"If you intend on getting to your point quickly."
"Are you and Hermione involved?"
"Do you not know?"
"I only know what I deduced."
"Then perhaps it should stay that way."
"I need to know!"
"Why?"
"Is she here?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because she is missing!"
A glass fell from Severus's hand and broke. In the following silence, Elizabeth decided that this was a good time to bring up her point. "Ma-ma oww!"
Harry noticed the girl for the first time. "Good Gods!"
"It's not what you think!"
"Then what is it?"
Snape was silent, trying to figure out a way to get out of this one. Then he heard the voice of the young man behind him.
"I am not my father."
Severus turned around. "Pardon?"
Harry looked up into his eyes. "I am not my father. Give me a chance, you can trust me."
Snape turned back around. "Can I? Could I trust you Potter?"
"I swear to you, by my love of Hermione, my friend and sister, that you can trust me for I would protect her with my life as would you. I saw it in you eyes." Severus turned around again to look in marvel at the man who stood before him. "I ask you now, man to man, to tell me what happened. Hermione is my family. She needs us. I need your help."
Had arrogant Potter just admitted to needing him? Was he actually going to tell him all about Hermione? About himself? That was private could he really trust Potter?
After a few moments of contemplation, he spoke.
"I love her."
"I know."
Severus took a deep breath. "It all began a long time ago at the beginning of the school year..."
Harry sat looking into the flames of the fireplace in Severus Snape's room. "And she said 'Ma-ma oww!'"
The raven-haired boy shifted his gaze to the baby that was in Severus's lap. "May I?"
Harry held Elizabeth in his hands and looked her over cautiously as if trying to find a key, anything that could tell him what was going on. "What's you're secret girl? What do you know?"
It was at that moment that both men had the same thought, and looked up and locked eyes.
"She's so small."
"It wont hurt her if she doesn't fight. I mean that's what hurt right? The fighting?"
Severus sighed and prepared his mind. They were going to find Hermione.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
but find her where?? Tune in next week! Or next update rather! This is exciting! I can feel the rising action that will rise much next chappie! Ha! Yay!
Luv u guys!
~Atiannala