Cause and Effect
Chapter Nine:
The Difference Between Family and Relatives
Hermione and Severus were drawn closer by the funeral. It was a twist that made them come out of the dream all newlyweds live through during the honeymoon period, when the world consisted of only them and nothing ill could happen. They took that look at what they together now had, planed out for the worse that could come, dealt with their worse fears about their relationship, and faced that the world was not always fair.
One last trial was before the couple when it came to Hermione's family, the reading of Hermione's parents' wills. For some odd reason, Harry and Ron too were requested to be at the reading. Walking up to the attorney's office, Severus felt his wife panicked squeeze on his hand. "Hermione, we could just go home."
"No, everyone in the will has to be here. Mom and Dad put you three in their wills just before they came to our wedding, so you guys and I all have to be here. I'm just not looking forward to dealing with my family." Hermione tried hard to calm down for her unborn daughter's sake.
Severus stopped and turned his wife to face him. "Those people stopped being your family long ago, Hermione. Our daughter, our friends, my family, and I are your family now. Those fools are nothing but relatives … at least that is what I want for you."
"Professor Snape is right Hermione. You are the first sister I ever had. Nothing will change that you are family to me in my eyes." Harry vowed as he rested a hand on his dearest friend's shoulder.
Ron nodded. "Yeah. You know my family are all crazy about you. And I don't want to ever find out what life would have been like if you hadn't made us the Golden Trio, sis."
Hermione beamed and rested in Severus' arms. She loved the feeling of his strong arms around her and the familiar warmth in her belly that she knew was their little girl. "Thanks guys for reminding me why you two are so important to me. And I thank you for reminding me why I am thankful you are my husband, Severus. You do anything to protect me and ours."
"And I always will, Mrs. Snape."
The Granger clan as always sneered as Hermione, her brother/friends, and her new husband walked into the room. Thankfully her father's old friend and family solicitor, Orin Justin, still treated her as if she was the same book smart, clever kid that left for Hogwarts years before. Orin had been over for breakfast with the family when that fateful letter arrived, so he knew all about Hermione being a witch. He hugged her and rubbed her back as he sighed. "Well, little 'Mione is all grown up now. I do feel old noticing that. So, who are these gentlemen?"
"Hi, Orin. This is my husband, Severus, and my best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasely. Sev, Harry, Ron, this is dad's old friend, Orin." Hermione smiled as the men shook hands.
"I remember Tom and Heather speaking the world of you, Professor Snape, when they were last in here. Now I see they were right when they said you are the best man for their daughter. Harry, Tom and Heather told me all about you. Glad to know you had such an influence on Hermione. Otherwise she would have remained a shy bookworm. You too Ron; Heather went on and on about you and your family."
Kimberly sneered at the three. "Husband and friends or not, they aren't family. That means they don't stay. Your mummy and daddy aren't here to give you your way any more little she-devil."
Hermione turned and threw a glare that made Severus not only proud, but also grateful that he was not on the receiving end of it. "Severus, his family, and our friends are my family, Kimberly Granger. The lot of you happen to be nothing more to me than relatives. A fact my dear husband and friends all reminded me. Severus, Harry, and Ron too are in the will, and therefore have every right to be here."
Dennis Granger stood and nearly stood face to face with Hermione, until Severus stepped in front of his wife. Dennis didn't think much of it, and threatened with his fist. "The will hasn't been changed since you little demon tramp of a sister was born. Oh, and we know she's a freak like you. We'll get her straightened out. One demon is enough shame for this family."
"Hermione and her sister are not freaks and the only shame in the family I see are sitting on that side of the room." Harry spat as he pointed at the Granger clan.
Ron glared nearly as hotly as Hermione. "Can't understand why the lot of them are here anyway."
"We are family unlike you. Probably a freak like her." Kimberly sneered.
"My wife, her friends, and my sister-in-law are not demons or freaks, Granger. And Potter is correct it would seem. The only shame I see is that my wife has to ever admit being kin to beasts like you." Severus' sneer and stance told Dennis to back down. The man was one to start fights, not carry them to their conclusions.
Orin nodded and grinned. "Severus, Harry, and Ron are mentioned in all three wills. The day before Hermione graduated from her private school, Tom and Heather came in and told me about Hermione's upcoming wedding. They decided the time had come to update their wills. Now, everyone will be seated and hold their growls, cut-downs, arguments, and other disruptive actions until after I am finished reading the will. Or would some like to relinquish any provisions to the next mentioned beneficiary by making me throw them out?"
Severus sat between the Grangers and Hermione, showing them that they would never again harm his wife. Harry leaned against the wall with Ron, ready to pounce on any who would dare threaten their friend or goddaughter. Those horrid memories still made the men's blood boil. The lot of stupid muggles had no right to be in the room as far as they were concerned. Tom and Heather had to have had their reasons for including the beasts, but Severus couldn't for his life deduce what those reasons were. It took Hermione's hand on his own to calm Severus down visibly as Orin began to read. Harry and Ron remained still but never stopped glaring at those who had ever hurt their dear adopted sister.
I, Thomas Michael Granger and Heather Katherine Lewis-Granger, being of sound mind and body do hereby declare this to be our contingency last will and testament. This shall only be read if we die simultaneously, or under such circumstances as to tender it difficult or impossible to determine by clear and convincing evidence who predeceased the other.
In the case the above does occur, we revoke all wills and codicils we both have previously made in favor of this. However, if any beneficiary under this will in any manner, directly of indirectly, contests or attacks this will, any of its provisions, or either of our daughters, from the moment this provision is read on, any property, share or interest in our estates that is given to the contesting beneficiary under this will is revoked and shall be disposed of in the same manner provided herein as if that contesting beneficiary had predeceased us without issue. All primary, alternate and residuary beneficiaries named in this will are required to survive us by forty-five days as a condition of receiving any gifts under the terms of this will.
Severus fought hard against the smirk that wanted to spread over his face at that. His in-laws knew that would be a hard – or even impossible in some cases – provision for their family to abide by, except for himself and Hermione that is.
Dirty looks were given, but none said a word. Orin too was visibly fighting his own smirk as he took a drink from his glass of water and continued on about how he was the executor of the will and what. Then came a surprise.
First due to a traumatizing incident that they praised their children for doing at the funeral of Jasmine Firefox-Granger, the following people are disinherited and receive nothing from our estates. Ryan Granger and his children, Kimberly Granger and her two eldest sons, Dennis Granger and his daughter.
The looks on the faces of the mentioned muggles were priceless. Before they could say a word, Orin held up his hand and glared. "I said after I am finished reading the will."
Hermione's face held a look of wonder and surprise. Obviously she never knew how angry with his family her father had been.
If at our deaths any of our children are minors and a personal guardian is needed, we nominate Hermione Granger-Snape and Severus Snape as guardian of the person(s) of our minor children. If they cannot serve as guardian, we then nominate Mr. Harry Potter as guardian – followed if needed by Mr. Ronald Weasley. We direct that no bond be required of any personal guardian.
We believe it is in the best interests of our children for Hermione Granger-Snape and Severus Snape to be their personal guardian because Hermione is the eldest of our children and remembers well how we raised her. She will bring up her siblings with the same love, acceptance, and hope as she was. Severus, as our new son and Hermione's husband, has been through much and sacrificed equally and maybe more so. We are proud to call him our son and know that by the type of man he is that he will help Hermione not only continue to shine and stand up for herself once we are gone, but help instill all we see in him into our children as well.
We believe it is in the best interests of our children for Harry Potter to be their personal guardian because Harry is a young man who has suffered through much in his short life from what our daughter has told us, and still finds a way to remain good and strive to do what is right. He can provide for them in ways other than simply financially that no other could.
We believe it is in the best interests of our children for Ronald Weasley to be their personal guardian because he is stubborn and raising any Granger child takes that. He also comes from a big family who can help him and give more support and knowledge than any one person alone could. Even with past mistakes known, he is a loyal and forgiving young man who has changed since we first met him into a man who is very different from that boy of long ago.
Ron blushed at that. He had forced himself the last time Harry's name was sneered to trust and stick with his friend. That paid off when once again Harry had been cleared of being a Death Eater in their sixth year. He was also the first to stand up for Hermione and Snape the day the paper arrived. One of the then first years spat they had a whore in the Gryffindor Lion Pride. Ron stood up and told the brat that unless he wanted to remain a guest of the hospital wing for the remainder of the school year that he had better learn that not everything was as it was written by Skeeter. The rest of Gryffindor had applauded and cheered Ron – including Harry. Neither young man had told that to Hermione, and had agreed to keep the house united in her eyes for as long as they could by never telling her.
After that the Grangers home was willed in trust for Athena to be hers at twenty, or to Martha if the girl would die in the time limit allotted. The vacation home in Florida that the family went to some summers went, to Hermione's aunt Gertrude or to Ron and his family (who were represented by him according to the will). The cottage in Italy Tom had recently bought as a surprise for his wife went, to Darlene or to Harry.
The money was in two trusts for each girl to be opened to them at twenty or after they were married – otherwise guarded by their guardian – or broken up evenly among all relatives not disowned. The business they requested to be kept open for the sake of the employees. It would be run by Lydia, or by Harry and Ron.
In the end the Granger family that remained received little gifts of petty cash that each only totaled at most a hundred pounds. And that would all go to Hermione and Severus, Ron, Harry, or Athena, if they contested it. Hermione was shocked by how much she indeed have to her name – once she really did lose her parents that was.
"This is bull shit!" Dennis growled and started to go after Hermione, but Harry and Ron were too quick for him thanks to the years of Quidditch training. Severus had expected the reaction of the young men and simply allowed them to do as they would while he comforted his wife and unborn daughter.
"No it is not, Dennis. Be grateful you had nothing, because you just lost it." Orin spat after he slammed his fist on the desk.
The others glared at the four who to them were outsiders. Kimberly, who had only received five pounds, tried to spit on Hermione but Ron (ever the Keeper) moved too quick and blocked the clear shot. "You had better swallow that."
"I count that as an attack on Hermione, so you lose your fiver to Harry, Kim. Any others?" Orin glared.
Martha got up and sniffed. "The pair are whore freaks. That man has to be twice the girl's age. Probibly had her in his bed until those irresponsible parents caught them and made him marry her."
"And Martha lost the house she would have received if Athena hadn't survived to Ron." Orin wrote it all down.
Ryan started for Orin, but Harry came through again. "You can't mean that, asshole! We are his family and it should go to us. That little tramp will probably be in the bed of every old man in that freak school unless she is raised by a proper Christian family."
"I suggest you all get out of my office before you find yourselves with the nothing that Tom and Heather fully expected the lot of you would be taking." Orin warned and the group left in a huff.
He shook his head tiredly. "They will take the will to court, but will get nothing for it. For now, I suggest that you all go rest. The worse is over and now is the time to heal."
Hermione was shaken, but grateful for the support system she had. "I will Orin. You'll take care of the Muggle World details for us?"
"Of course. Your parents told me about the baby too. I just didn't want to say anything in front of those yahoos. To be honest I know the entire story, and I think you are both very brave for what you have taken on and have came through." Orin admitted.
Hermione looked up at Severus, who nodded and placed every possible charm and spell to keep what was next said between the group of them. They explained what happened the night the car was found, about the baby's power, Natasha timidly said hello to the strange man, and plans were drawn up for Harry and Hermione's Muggle wills to be written out.
Remus and Harry agreed to take care of Athena while Hermione and Severus finished their summer honeymoon. At first the girl was shy, until she really got to know the Headmaster. Then the girl was running around visiting people and exploring the castle. The moving stairs were her favorite inside. But outside she was torn between the amazing animals she discovered with Hagrid and broomstick rides with her bubby Harry.
Much of the time that it rained she was in the library, just like her big sister. She read about everything taught in Hogwarts, the history of the castle and the Wizarding World in general, and about things little girls her age knew. She found that some girls were allowed practice wands if constantly surrounded by magic and had family to watch over them. Based on her new living arrangement, she asked for one.
It was Harry who brought the request to the couple a week after they had left for what was supposed to be their time alone. It seemed reasonable enough a request, and Athena would be most likely ahead of the other students in her year. But that first wand was an important one. Nothing could take the place of that. Severus assured his wife that her parents wanted her to make the choice herself. Hermione reluctantly agreed, but demanded to be there.
The next day, Athena had her first trip to Diagon Alley walking between her brother and sister. Given Hermione's condition, Severus went with Athena to the vault he had set aside for her as a gift for school – saying this had to do with school so the girl had every right to the gift. Harry and Ron stood guard over their friend at the ice cream shop they always went to the day they'd meet to buy their school supplies.
That was when it hit them. The coming year they would not be students of Hogwarts. Hermione did get the distance learning from the Wizarding University of London. She wanted to study transfiguration and potions.
Harry predictably was studying Defense Against the Dark Arts. He had changed his mind after the second year of being the lead student teacher of the DA club. The pleasure he got from seeing the students succeed was something he liked better than the sound of being an Auror, plus he realized that had been the path he was simply expect to take. After much soul searching, he knew that it had only been when fighting Voldemort that he wanted to be an Auror for a living. After surviving the last battle barely, he knew that wasn't the way he wanted to live.
Ron wanted to be one of the law makers who made a difference, so he was going to study extra for a higher Ministry position than Percy had been contented to take. He did confided to his friends that he was grateful that it did not take any potions classes to get the degree he was going for. The other two chuckled at it, but knew Ron didn't really like the class – and not only because of his past teacher. Harry was only taking advanced potions so he could see how he could make the class seem more needed and useful – whispering to his friends that he wanted to make Snape's job easier and get the students more interested in the class.
Then an event none of them would soon forget happened. Harry Potter winced. Just barely, and not to where one outside of a few would notice. However, his two best friends were members of the minority and knew full well that Harry Potter only winced like that for one reason alone. His scar hurt. In fact, it was burning. Then it suddenly stopped as if the pain had been forcibly wrenched from his forehead. Only one reason would his scar hurt – Lord Voldemort was near.
"Harry." Ron whispered, trying to not let his fear show or be heard.
Hermione on the other hand knew that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time to discuss it. "Later Ron. Still there, Harry?"
"No, something tore it away. And I mean tore it." Harry, like his friends, was confused and worried.
Then he showed up. Draco Malfoy. "Hello. Well motherhood suits you well, Mrs. Snape. I'm glad to see that you are so well guarded – even here in the relative safety of the Alley."
Ron glared at the blonde. "Since when have you anything good to say about our friend, Malfoy?"
"Since I was …" for a moment there was something in those eyes. Harry could barely see a struggle, and the pain shot in his scar once more. After a moment Draco seemed back to himself and the pain left again. "… shown that I should have taken my own advice to you that first night before we all were sorted – even with family. You made the better choices, Potter. Wished I hadn't stuck with mine. Take care of my former Godfather's wife, and be extra careful Hermione. The danger is nowhere near over yet."
"Draco, are you alright?" Hermione felt her heart race. She could feel that her baby was doing something, but what?
"Only for this moment, and it is a battle to be so. Thank cherub-girl for the gift for me. She'll know what I mean. I only wish I could be stronger, then I could help." And with that he left.
Severus walked in with Athena, looking annoyed – but Hermione knew that his expression was really worry and fear. "Why was Draco here?"
"That we don't really understand ourselves. But can we talk about it back at school?" Hermione pointedly asked. She and Severus had planned to return to the house and leave Athena with her future possible guardians.
Severus nodded. "Indeed. I believe that we have time still for a polite girl's promised ice cream and then to Olivander's shop. Or is it urgent to return to the castle?"
Hermione smiled softly as she felt a wave of calm come over her. Natasha had not been wrong yet, so she would trust her baby. "Cherub-girl says it is fine."
That was good enough for her husband. Fifteen minutes later, a much calmer group walked into Olivander's. Before any could say a word, the old gentleman was out beaming. "Already time for your first wand, Miss. Granger?"
Hermione remembered the first day she had some into the shop at the tender age of eleven. That had been the exact same sentence the man had asked her. Strange. "At least a training wand. Her real wand can wait for when she is eleven."
"Aw, I know I can handle it now, sis!" Athena sighed.
"No, no. Your sister is quite correct. Now let us take the measurements." As each of the adults remembered well, Athena nervously let the man take his measurements. Then he came back with a slightly smaller version of the wand boxes the others remembered well. "Let us try this."
Remembering what was expected of her, Athena gave the wand a wave. A sharp crack later there was a mess of broken boxes on the floor. Olivander shook his head. "No, not quite. Let us try this."
Athena took the second wand and waved it. It fizzled but nothing else. "No, no. Let me see. I wonder …"
Harry knew that tone of voice, and smirked. This was going to be good.
Athena took the next wand that was full sized, and the second it was in her hands alone it made her shimmer with its acceptance of her as its wielder. It was a beautiful sight. Olivander then muttered, "curious indeed."
"Excuse me, sir. What is curious?" Athena politely asked.
"It is a curious day when a wand of such power is not only accepting of a witch of part muggle heritage, but is also so very young. This is a rare combination, in fact I only made one that was similar many years ago – the wand of one Ms. Kassandra Gryffindor." Olivander explained.
Severus, Hermione, and Ron were all stunned at that twist. Harry and Athena were left in the dark. Harry just knew this girl was as special as her big sister. "What combination is this wand, sir?"
"Holly, 11 and ¾ inches, with a core of dragon's marrow. As I said a rare combination, and for one so young to be chosen for a full powered wand is even more singular in itself. We can expect great and wonderful things from you, Miss. Granger. Dragon's marrow is where the creature's blood is formed and is said to be where its most inner secrets are kept for the next generation to gain from. While the Holly wood indicates a wielder who is of a balanced mind and heart with vigor to fight for any cause that is just. The combination is a wise warrior who is not to be taken lightly."
Dumbledore chuckled when they finished their story. "So, it would seem that we now know how Tom is to find himself back in these hallowed halls once again. And we have a new warrior to help fight him."
Then they heard the little warrior break into a round of 'Hakuna Matata'. Hermione snorted as she fought of her laughter, but her friend and former DADA Professor were out rightly busting stitches in their sides. Little Athena stormed into the office proper. "Could you hyenas please be nice? Or do I bat bogey hex the next chuckler?"
That made it worse for the men, but Hermione sobered up. "You young lady will not threaten friends again. And where did you hear about that hex?"
"Harry."
Hermione rounded to glare a 'death curse' sneer at her friend, only to find that he wisely ran for his life. Albus shrewdly interceded. "I have had time recently to ask a request and was granted grace by the Ministry and the Board of Governors. Seeing as you are a married woman and are now your sister's guardian along with Severus, Athena is allowed to live here at the castle during the school year. She may even sit in on classes if she so wishes and has either of permissions."
"Something tells me that you have already told Athena." Hermione said shortly.
All Albus did for a moment was made his eyes twinkle brightly. Then an innocent smile grew on his aged face. "It was quite apparent during your absence that your sister is a very talented witch. I believe that she will managed to at least tie her sister's scores when she begins her education here."
Severus bit back his snort of 'another know-it-all', just for the sake of his unborn daughter. His wife did not have him trained like some pet. Wait … their bond! He held his breath and paled only slightly, enough for Hermione to both see and feel. When she walked calmly up to him wearing an expression that made him wary, Severus was suddenly wishing that he had done as the fool Potter and ran for the safety of a hidden room. Hermione firmly laid one finger on his lips with no way for him to doubt how serious she was when she simply said, "heel."
He held back his anger for the moment. Athena sadly looked at the ground. "I thought you'd be happy to have me here, sissy. I'll wait until I'm eleven. I can stay somewhere else until then."
"No, you won't. I am very proud of you, Athena. It's just I had it rough as is. Being the brightest in your year because you have had study time will not make things easier. Plus it looks like the war is gearing back up. I'm scared you will get hurt." Hermione pulled her sister close.
Athena sighed. "I'm scared that you will get hurt too, but you don't see me telling you that you can't come here! Besides look at how many people will be here to help us."
Knowing that no argument would work, Hermione sighed. "It is when they are not able to be around that I worry for you."
"So, I'll be taught how to protect myself when that happens." Athena explained. "Uncle Harry promised he would teach me. So did Uncle Remus."
When Hermione looked at him with such fear, Severus realized that all of this was too much for his young wife and forgave what had only just before angered him deeply. "Hermione, it would be safer to have Athena here. And this way you will always know where she would be. We'll have her tag along with the coming first year class. And in Potions she will be with me."
"I get to learn to make those cool potions sissy told me about? YAY!" Athena squealed happily.
Hermione smiled softly. Yes, she would feel better if her sister was around. "Fine. But, you are also going to all D.A. meetings."
Once they were finished at Hogwarts, the rest of the Holidays were left to Severus and Hermione. They went home and Hermione snuggled in her husband's loving arms. It was agreed that the situation with Athena and school would not be discussed. Instead, they focused on their daughter.
They set to creating her nursery the day after they got home once again. From waist up was a soft rose color, while below that was a soft green. Connecting the two was a border with the four house mascots moving about in their own squares – emerald snakes outlined in silver, sapphire ravens outlined in bronze, ruby lions outlined in gold, and citrine badgers outlined in black. There were wall hangings of golden snitches, brooms, stars, and a large phoenix.
Hermione shook her head and sighed. "What if she is as afraid to fly as I am?"
"You have had bad experiences on a broom." Severus pointed out, ignoring her comment of if you only knew the half of it. "And our little girl will be raised with flying and magic as normal everyday parts of her life. Along with having her father here to teach her to fly her first broom."
Hermione smiled and chuckled. "Like my dad taught me to ride my first bike."
"Exactly I suppose, though a broom goes up and down as well as back and forth." Severus smiled.
The ceiling was charmed like the Great Hall was at the school. The bedding was covered with twinkling stars and ever-changing moons, as was the mobile. Soon the moon was up and the room was finished. A rocking chair and ottoman in the corner, toy chest, bookshelf, changing table, dresser, playpen, bassinet, a hamper, a baby swing, bouncer, monitor, two slings, stroller, baby carriage, and all the other gifts they had already received.
Hermione relaxed in the rocking chair, taking in the place and smiling. Severus turned to see his love rubbing the place where their daughter was growing. "So, how does our daughter like her room?"
"She loves it. Just think, one more room to go." She sighed.
Severus knelt by his love and rested his hand on her still flat stomach. He still worried that he would not see that belly grow with their daughter. No, he would not let anyone steal his family from him. "Actually the house elves have already done that for us. They want their Lady to rest for the baby."
Hermione had started to doze from the calming sensation her husband's hand gave. "If they really wanted to …"
Seeing those beautiful eyes fighting the urge to close, Severus smiled. "Yes, Hermione. You take such care of Potter, who they all adore. They've even forgave you for trying to free them without asking."
"I just wanted to end slavery." Hermione whimpered into his chest as Severus gathered her into his arms.
"Darling, the house elves at the school were all freed from homes like Potter saved Dobby from." Severus gently explained. Seeing this was about to drive his wife to tears, he squeezed her gently. "That is why I adore it when you bring things to adults. But when they are reluctant to agree with you, you should wonder why."
"Okay." Hermione whimpered. Before he even got to their bedroom she was asleep, and Severus could feel that their little girl was visiting her mother's dreams. If anyone could soothe Hermione, their daughter could.
Wow, two stories updated! I think that is a record for me! So, what do you people think? Please, please, please, give a poor writer something to go on --- what's best, could be fixed, and where do you think this story is going! That is why the review button is there for.