The Heiress

Chapter Two

By:

Sweet Audrina (the first chapter listed me as fuchsiasteerpike, which is actually my account name at lordandladysnape.com)

The entire Weasley clan would've been able to fit comfortably on the grand bed that resided in Hermione's suite of rooms, but Hermione was content to be the sole occupant. Compared to the seven other suites, this one was as modest as it could possibly be. She had her own bathroom, a reading room, a walk-in closet, and even a dressing room. She would've preferred to leave out the enormous closet and the dressing room, thinking the two rooms excessive. Ron and Harry, not wanting to waste opportunity to live it up, chose two of the grandest suites, with the biggest four poster beds, their own entertainment centers, plus the luxury of their own bathrooms, walk-in closets, reading rooms, and dressing rooms, all of which, with the exception of the reading rooms, were exceptionally larger than the rooms in Hermione's suite. Hermione had not just picked out her suite for the fact that it seemed the most practical of the lot, her reasoning was the view she had from her bay window.

Across the distance she could clearly see the neighboring manor. It was not visually the most beautifully kept home she had ever seen. It wasn't ostentatious, like most well off homes tended to be, her neighbors were obviously not new to the wealth scene. The home had a certain dark appeal, like a mansion in a gothic novel. "Jane Eyre" had been one of her favorite books growing up, and she found herself looking at an almost exact duplication of her mind's eye's vision of Thornfield. As she stared absently in it's direction, with her fingers lightly touching the glass pane, a dark figure emerged from the front door, causing her to jump slightly. Focusing her gaze, she realized with a start, that the dark figure was none other than her former potion's master, and war hero, Severus Snape.

She knew Harry and Ron would probably not be in the least bit happy with this tidbit of news. Although Snape had pulled through during the final battle, there was still an obvious rift between the three of them. He merely tolerated Hermione, and she treated him the utmost respect. It seemed odd that his home would be situated so close to a muggle residence…

Severus Snape prepared for his afternoon stroll with a bit of a grumble. No doubt his new neighbors would be wanting to make polite introductions any time soon, and Severus absolutely hated introductions.

Snape manor had been passed unto him years ago, he had resided there on holidays from his teaching job, content with the news that the closest house had been left empty for years. It irritated him slightly to see the upkeep being kept up on the neighboring home, feeling it was a waste of money to keep up on a house that nobody lived in. It wasn't his problem, however, so he gave it very little thought.

His eyes were often drawn to the large window on the second story of The Grange, wondering what it was like on the inside of that high up room. Who had once resided there? Why did no one bother to live in such a beautiful home? If no one wanted it, it might as well be sold, or torn down, Severus had once thought. And now, someone did want it. Severus hated introductions. It should've been torn down.

"Professor Snape!"

He snapped out of his reverie and saw a highly unwelcome character from his past. Hermione Granger running full speed towards him, waving at him.

"Splendid."

Hermione paused in front of him and appeared confused.



"Professor, I didn't ask how you were."

"I had a hunch you were going to, Miss Granger, since you seem to go strictly by the rules of etiquette."

Hermione didn't allow his biting sarcasm to faze her, she was very used to it.

"I noticed that we are recently neighbors, and I took it upon myself to assure you that Harry and Ron will not be bothering your solitude whatsoever, as I plan to sternly advise against it." Severus felt a stab of panic. Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter? Someone must really hate him.



"See that you do, Miss Granger. Good day." With that, he turned the other way, and strode away from her as fast as he could.

"You're welcome, Professor," Hermione replied in a volume that only she could hear, and headed back to The Grange.

"I think a quidditch pitch would look really nice in the backyard, Hermione. What do you think, Harry?" Ron announced over supper. Hermione choked on her water.

"I think that would look absolutely tacky, Ron," Hermione replied before Harry could get a word in.

"It's Hermione's house, Ron, whatever she wants is fine," said Harry.

"Yeah, but, wouldn't it be nice?"

"Sure, I guess, but it probably would look kind of tacky in the backyard. As Aunt Petunia would probably say, 'what would the neighbors think'?" Once again, Hermione choked on her water.

"That reminds me, our neighbor is Severus Snape," Hermione announced.

"Who cares what the neighbors would think, we'd have a…what did you just say?" Ron inquired.

"Our neighbor is Severus Snape."

"Hilarious, Hermione," Harry retorted dryly.



"It's no joke, Harry. I don't think you boys ought to be bothering him either."

"Fat chance of that happening, don't worry Hermione, we'll keep our distance."

"Yeah, me and Harry will leave the old bat alone."



"Harry and I," Hermione corrected. Ron just rolled his eyes.

A few minutes later, Hedwig delivered "The Daily Prophet". The trio did a double take when they saw the front page headline:

Hermione Granger Becomes Wizarding World's Most Sought After Bachelorette After Amassing an Enormous Fortune.

"They included my address?!" Hermione exclaimed in horror.

"Wow, they were really generous about your description Hermione! Wavy haired brunette stunner…honey eyed heartbreaker…they don't even talk about your big bum and flat chest," Ron received a punch in the arm for his notice of Hermione's "big bum and flat chest".

As if on cue, Hermione's butler, Mr. Caldwell, entered the dining room.

"There are several young men at the door, Miss Granger, and they are inquiring after you."

"What should I do?"

"I'll get rid of them," Ron offered, getting up.

"Right with you, Ron," Harry followed suite.

"Wait, no! Should I let them in?"



"No," Harry and Ron chorused.

"It would be the polite thing to do, Miss Granger."

"Yes it would, Mr. Caldwell. Let them in."

Hermione sighed, and let the weight of her decision sit in. The Wizarding world's most sought after Bachelorette. Splendid.

End of Chapter