It seems I am back, finally. Sorry for the long absence but the updates will be on time once again.

24. [ Family Secrets ]

The hallway was only dimly lit with little light coming from up the stairs at the other end of the wooden floor and Harry tried in vain to make his uneasiness vanish as he stared into the semi-darkness. A bored Ron had slumped down against the wall with his head buried against his knees, Ginny was looking at a nearby painting showing a dark menacing castle and Neville stood two feet behind her apparently by now afraid of all objects inside this Manor. By now according to Harry's watch over 30 minutes had passed since Moody and Snape had stepped inside the room to investigate if there were any spells attached to any of the dark arts objects inside.

The whole house made Harry constantly feel uneasy, as if he had to always watch his steps and look over his shoulder. Not only was it dark and creepy but it seemed everywhere he went he was reminded that this was Severus Snape's home, the same feeling that crept into his veins every time he visited the dungeons for class or detention. For his life he couldn't understand how Snape could live inside this spooky morgue of a house where paintings trapped you and dark arts objects were littered everywhere. Certain parts of the house were protected by wards which made trespassing impossible as both he and Ron and he had already encountered them after being bored with Exploding Snap.

How long do you reckon it will take, Harry? Ron asked exasperated his voice muffled against his knees.

Harry shrugged and then taking into account that Ron couldn't see him he said, No idea.

Ginny had gripped Neville's hand, and was pulling him away from the other two boys toward a painting a little bit down the hallway while talking to him softly. The round-faced boy seemed scared and had his other hands hand deep inside his pocket.

I wonder what else is hidden inside this creepy house? Ron stared into the hallway scrunching up his nose.

Harry snorted. Judging from the owner probably loads of dark artefacts. He sank down next to his best friend and stared at his feet. I hope we can return to Hogwarts soon.

Ron nodded. Yeah, me too. I mean things around here smell of evil, you know? I mean maybe some things here are real dark devices, maybe even enchanted to kill.

I don't think so or Dumbledore wouldn't have left us here. Ginny sat down across from them against the wall, staring into her brother's face. I kind of like it here. It's very interesting, she stated calmly, tucking her red hair behind her ear.

Ron's head shot up. Interesting? Are you mad? Paintings and clocks that trap you and chess boards that talk and hurt you? Harry had told him about the chess game against Snape during their game of Exploding Snap. This place is clearly evil, Ginny.

Ginny raised a brow. I fail to see that. I mean think about Slinky. He is very nice, isn't he?

Slinky's a house elf, he has to be nice. Bet he only is as long as Snape tells him to behave. He would probably do anything to please his master. Ron shuddered.

You are completely exaggerating. Hermione said Ginny began but was interrupted by her brother's fierce voice.

Snape put a spell on her, Ginny. How else would you explain that she thinks she likes him. She probably thinks the house is a fairy tale castle and Snape's her prince charming. The thought obviously made him shudder again.

You are so childish, Ron. Ginny's face was red with anger. Just for your information, maybe Hermione loves Professor Snape, and maybe she likes it here, because it is his home. Just because you are not mature enough to understand such emotions it doesn't mean that Hermione is as well.

Before Ron could utter a single word to object, the door opened and Snape's pale face appeared inside the opening.

If you want to you can join us now but please refrain from touching anything. He gazed at Neville and the boy blushed. Slowly everybody got up and entered the room.

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Hermione left Lupin in the library where he had found several rare books about werewolves and stepped inside the living room where the only light currently came from the green flames in the fireplace. Obviously it was currently connected to the floo powder network and for a moment Hermione considered using it to talk to Professor Dumbledore about the concerns Lupin brought forward in her mind. But the headmaster was probably busy repairing the wards around the castle and not in the mood to talk about her husband.

Slowly she crossed the room and sank down in one of the comfortable arm chairs resting her head on her knees. If she was honest with herself she was feeling more insecure than she had been in a long time.

As soon as she was trying to talk with Severus about serious matters, as soon as she tried to behave like an adult around him he reverted to his icy cold self and shut her out. He was extremely reluctant to share anything with her and had only told her things when he couldn't hide them any longer. It wasn't that she didn't understand him, she did, but that these obvious lacks of trust hurt her deep inside.

She had hoped with time passing Severus would see her as an equal partner in their relationship, not as someone weaker he had to protect. Maybe she was not yet an adult but she had earned his trust in the last weeks. And still the distance between the two of them seemed to intensify instead of shrinking.

She looked up sighing and was startled when she found the figure of a little girl of maybe about 8 years old sitting on one of the couches. and her translucent body gave away immediately that she was a ghost. He hair was red, not at all like the Weasleys but darker, almost like very dark auburn and her complexion pale and freckled. Her green eyes were deep and penetrating and she was dressed in a simple white dress that exposed her skinny legs. Her gaze was thoughtful, like that of Luna Lovegood, not at all like a child would look as she stared at Hermione.

Uhm, hello. Hermione smiled carefully expecting maybe someone as temperamental as Moaning Myrtle. But the little girl smiled politely straightening her dress.

Hello. My name is Keara Dowling. I am dead. She sounded not at all bothered by that and her voice appeared more like she was stating a well-known fact.

I am Hermione Snape, I am alive and well, as you can see. Hermione came to stop not knowing what else to say.

Keara nodded seriously. Yes I can see that. Are you related to the current owner of this house?

Hesitating shortly Hermione nodded, not at all sure how the ghost would react. But to her relief the girl smiled honestly pleased and floated several feet into the air.

That's great, he hasn't had anybody around for a while now. Do you plan to stay for some time? she asked.

Hermione nodded again. I am Severus Snape's wife.

Keara gazed at her again obviously in deep thoughts. I never thought he wanted to marry anybody after what his father did to his mother. He has always lived a solitary existence.

Hermione looked up suddenly. What are you talking about? Her voice was sharp.

Keara's eyes turned misty as if she was remembering something long ago. He was a terrible man, always hurting the little boy and his wife. I used to comfort him when his father was finished, back then when he hid under the stairways in the hall, over there. The ghost pointed towards the panelling. He cried an awful lot back then. So alone and so sad.

Hermione stared at the little girl with an emerging look of horror. She wasn't at all sure how much she wanted to know about Severus' father, because what she knew so far made her hate him with a vengeance. If the illusion she had seen back then through that mirror was at all like the real man, she definitely was glad he was long dead.

Killed by your own husband. Yes, but he deserved it, didn't he?

He had tortured his little son, found pleasure in that pain and then he even had dared to took it one step farther and abused him, and had in the end, turned him into the man he was today. Somehow she had always assumed that his mother had been no better, had not loved her son enough to protect him from his cruel father. She had not even started thinking about the calm measured voice with which Severus had uttered the killing curse before they had left Hogwarts and the lack of remorse he was feeling at killing people he had once considered friends. Her faith in him had wavered, she had to admit and she wasn't sure how much else she could take without falling to pieces.

Still she looked up into the serene face of the ghost and forced a tentative smile on her features.

What exactly did he do to his wife and why would that affect Severus' choice? Her voice trembled slightly as if she was sure that the answer was horrible.

Keara sighed softly. He killed her, right here in this living room. Severus was twelve and he had returned from school for Christmas. It was in the early morning, he was still sleeping when the sound of screaming and mad laughter woke him up. I told him not to go but he wanted to protect his mother, I suppose. He went downstairs, quietly as if scared by his own daring and carefully opened the door. She sighed again. I had told him to stay in bed, to not see what he was about to see but Severus adored his mother, loved her with all his heart. She lay here on the rug in front of the fire place, the floo powder still in her hand, slowly sifting to the floor, the knife in her back. A lonely tear was flowing down the ghost's transparent cheek, a little sparkling pearl. His father had left, probably apparated, and the poor boy knelt next to his mother, put her head in his lap and rocked back and forth, crying silently.

Hermione felt tears running down her cheek and the piercing pain in her heart as she considered how he must have felt when he saw his dead mother lying in front of the fire place stabbed by his own father on what should have been a happy day. A cold shudder ran down her back and she pulled the bathrobe tighter around her.

Keara floated next to her and sat down on the table. I think he never forgave his father, at least he never addressed the issue when arguing with him.

Hermione stared into the flickering fire and tried to banish the unbidden pictures from her mind.

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Ron stared at the heap of bigger and smaller objects on the crimson carpet that was covering the wooden floor almost completely. It was an assortment of the most bizarre and ugly things he had ever seen. Since his father collected all kinds of muggle devices that meant something.

A minimum of ten skulls, real ones, were placed in one corner, some of them covered in runes and red splashes- which looked suspiciously like blood. It seems skulls were used quite a lot in the Snape house since all kinds of miniatures in silver, gold, copper and lead were now resting in an ebony chest, covered on the inside with scarlet velvet. Snape had muttered something about dark rituals when Ginny had asked what they were used for.

A collection of amulets, necklaces and rings set in another smaller chest and right now Ginny and Neville sorted through them after Moody had declared them safe. Ginny giggled when she placed a silver tiara with dark red rubies on her head and wanted to look inside a large standing mirror that was covered with a black cloth.

Snape's sharp voice cut through the room from the other side where he was leaning against the window frame.

Miss Weasley, I would not touch that if I were you!

Ginny pulled her hand back and turned around to her Potions Master. Why? What kind of mirror is this? She sounded curious more than anything else.

Snape crossed the room and passing Neville he flicked his wand freeing the boy from a choking scarf.

Curiosity killed the cat, he whispered softly and Ginny shuddered as his breath touched her neck. She could understand Hermione's attraction somehow in this moment. Snape pulled the cloth from the mirror and Ginny slowly looked inside, shrieking when she saw the picture.

It was an old woman with white hair flowing down her back, her skin furrowed and several teeth were missing from the slightly opened mouth. Her clear blue eyes were staring at her opened in fright. Slowly realisation dawned when she saw the tiara on her head and the way in which she mimicked all her movements.

That's me, isn't it? she whispered.

Snape nodded and pulled the cloth over the mirror again. It's called the Mirror of Time and it has been in my family's possession for generations. Originally the mirror would suck youth from whoever looked inside it, but I changed that particular spell. So now you only see what the mirror wants to do to you but you keep your youth.

Ron stared at him open-mouthed. You keep such objects inside here? My sister could have died!

Snape sneered. I think I told you that I already changed certain devices so that they are no longer life-threatening. You came inside her on your own accord so don't blame me for your rash decisions, Mr Weasley.

He turned around, robes snapping against his legs as he followed Moody inside the darker part of the huge room and Ron stared hatefully after him.

I hate him! He gripped his wand tighter, the temptation to hex him overwhelming.

Ginny shook her head. Nothing happened, Ron. Don't fret, please. After all, he is making the objects safer! She turned away in a huff and sat down with Neville again sorting once again through the chest. Ron turned to his best friend, who leaned next to the door.

That bastard.

Harry shrugged. He was right, wasn't he? He didn't ask us to come in here. Harry touched his forehead gingerly and sighed. I try to find Slinky and get a headache potion. With that he turned and left the room leaving Ron fuming.

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Ten minutes later Harry stepped inside the living room and found Hermione sitting on the couch staring into emptiness. His scar still throbbed and he slumped down in one of the arm chairs sighing.

Hermione looked up and instantly paled when she saw his scrunched up face. Harry, are you alright?

He shrugged. My scar hurts a bit.

Since when and have you told Professor Dumbledore? she asked quietly.

It prickled since last summer but it got worse since Halloween. He sighed and closed his eyes. I wish it would just stop. He tried to banish pictures of Sirius falling through the veil from his mind but to no avail. He rarely managed to get much sleep at night because terrible nightmares of the events in the ministry haunted him till he got up.

Maybe you really should tell the headmaster? Hermione looked hopeful but her face fell when he shook his head. Why not? Harry it could be a sign that Voldemort is back?

Harry laughed bitterly. What do you think the attack of the Death Eaters meant? I think it is very clear that he is back. I won't help Dumbledore at all with whining about my scar.

Hermione sighed. Alright, if you think so. But maybe you should drink a headache potion.

I tried to find Slinky to give me one but he didn't answer my summons.

Hermione frowned. Where could he be? Harry shrugged. No idea. He looked into her pale face and frowned. Have you cried?

His friend sighed and nodded mutely.

What happened? Harry's eyes had turned a dark green with concern.

It's a long story really and I can not tell you right now. Please, understand that? She sounded pained and Harry nodded thougthfully.

Okay but if you ever need somebody to confide in, I am here.

I apologize for the delay in posting this but college demands a lot of attention right now and it seems I am struggling with some writer's block on this piece. Not completely, it's just harder to finish chapters. Plus my Beta is moving! I hope you are still on board and we will continue with the love story soon. Please read and review, I really appreciate all the feedback.