A/N: Here's the next chapter! I hope you like it and will review!!!
As with every departure from the Granger home, trunks were packed and lined in the hallway, Crookshanks in his worn wicker basket and the family was gathered by the door, waiting patiently for whomever it was to arrive and take Hermione to Grimmauld Place. The glamour's of Hermione and Annelise had been placed and double checked for any imperfections, and Henry was still absolutely oblivious to it all. Not to say that it was a good thing, it just made things easier for everyone, and easier for the poor man to live in blissful ignorance until this war was over.
"I'll see you at the train station sweetie, when I drop Tom off," said Annelise, her husband's arm around her waist.
"Yeah mum, I know," said Hermione, her voice small. There was so much more that she wanted to know, that her mother could have shared with her in a longer period of time, but now she was to leave the only source of her past behind and with it all the answers to her questions.
"I'm going to miss you Mynee," said Tom, his voice also low.
"I'll see you at the station, and at school. Don't worry, I won't be gone long," said Hermione, hugging her younger brother.
It was but a minute before the doorbell rang and reviled Severus Snape, dressed in his customary black, wand tucked safely in his sleeve. Of course, despite the wishes of others, mainly Molly Weasley, he had volunteered to come and collect Hermione. During the conversations he had had with the redhead, he had tried to look his normal, sullen and ill-tempered self rather than the joyful man he was inside upon even a glance at his sister. As of present, it took most of his self-control to not hug her then and there and drag her back to Grimmauld Place with him and her daughter.
"Hello Mr Granger, Mrs Granger. I have come to collect Hermione on Albus Dumbledore's request," said Severus, stepping inside the rather normal home for the second time.
"Hello professor," said Hermione, eyes on the floor and Crookshanks in her arms.
"Miss Granger," said Severus, tilting his head to his niece. "Albus requests you be at Grimmauld Place no later than two, and as seeing as we have but ten minutes, I suggest we hurry."
"Yes professor," said Hermione gathering the rest of her things and going out the door.
"Good day," said Severus, nodding to the remaining family before following his top student out the door.
"Good day," said Annelise before he had shut the door, smiling at her elder brother.
Once outside, the warm summer breeze blowing around the uncle and niece, Severus began to lead Hermione down the road to an unfinished construction site. The workers who had formerly spent laborious hours under the scorching sun building walls and supports had the day off and so the site, littered with forgotten tools and piles of pine two-by-fours was a perfect place for Severus to apparate them to Grimmauld Place.
"Um, professor, why are we here?" asked Hermione, dragging her trunk behind her.
"Because, Miss Granger, we need a suitable cover for our apparation. It is not in our best interests to be seen by muggles," Severus explained.
"Oh," said Hermione, nodding her head in understanding.
Severus led her to the very back of the construction site where a cement mixer, incrusted with the pale sludge, blocked the view just enough so that any passing muggles would not catch their departure. Severus picked up on end of Hermione's trunk, making sure both himself and the sixteen-year-old had a firm grip on the brass handle. Carefully he placed a hand on her upper arm, grasping it in his pale fingers. To his surprise, Hermione was never fazed by this act. Of course, a witch of her calibre would have obviously known about the contact, no matter how small, of two parties in order for the apparation process to occur properly.
"Ready?" he asked, eyeing her carefully.
Hermione nodded, obviously unhappy with what was about to happen. Severus could see that she wanted more time with her mother; to know everything about the world she had never been privy to. This information Severus could not give her, as of moments from now she would be carried off by her friends and any moments they would have alone together would not be for shared secrets.
"You must remember that no one, not Potter, not Weasley, not anyone is to know who you truly are and who your family really is. You are to not know Tom as anything but a simple first year and I am nothing but your professor, understood?" Severus instructed.
"Mum told my this already. I won't tell anyone, I promise," said Hermione, getting a better grip on Crookshanks' basket.
Severus nodded and tightened his grip on the girl. Carefully, taking a deep breath, he pictured the front hall of number twelve Grimmauld Place. He pictured it's dust-coated floor boards and it's peeling wallpaper, the portrait of Mrs Black hidden behind the heavy velvet curtain and the decrepit stairs that were rotting from the inside. At once he felt the familiar tug on his hair and the sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach began to surface. However, after a moment or two, it passed and upon opening his eyes Severus found himself in the front hall of Grimmauld Place. Looking down he found Hermione breathing deeply, the affects of apparation were not something the young girl had experienced previously, and so the look of sickness upon her face was understandable.
"Miss Granger, we have arrived," said Severus, setting down his side of the trunk and letting go of her arm.
"Oh, yes, so we are," said Hermione, slowly opening her eyes and gazing around the once magnificent home.
Severus took one last glance at his niece; her solemn and depressed look of that of a kicked puppy. She had been taken from the few people who knew the truth about who she was, and now, once Severus left for Hogwarts and further torturous Death Eater meetings she would be all alone with her plight; of being Voldemort's daughter. He silently wished that Potter and Weasley, who were so overprotective of the girl and so judgemental of both new information and people, were no longer in this home and it was just himself and Hermione. He would be alone to tell her everything, to bare the truth that he had kept for so long. However, the truth of the matter was, the boys were blundering down the stairs and the peaceful moment that had been their arrival would be shattered.
"Good-day, Miss Granger. Have a pleasant stay," said Severus, leaving the room in search of Molly Weasley.
"Good-day," whispered Hermione, and as Severus left, if his ears didn't deceive him, she had called him uncle.
"Hermione! You're here!" cried Ron, jumping the last few steps.
Hermione nodded and smiled, hoping that they wouldn't notice her sadness and wouldn't question if they did. She had a promise to keep, after all, and she would do all in her power to make sure that it was kept. Slowly, turning towards the boys, she gave them a small smile each and hugged them both. They happily helped her with her trunk and Hermione let Crookshanks out of his wicker confinement. They led her up to the room she shared with Ginny, the one across from that shared by the two boys. At present there were few other occupants in the home, the elder Weasley's were in the kitchen talking with Remus Lupin and Nympradora Tonks about the most recent Death Eater attacks in hushed voices so that prying ears would not overhear things that did not concern them. Ginny was busy in the den doing homework, the young redhead had procrastinated throughout the summer holidays and was now catching up. The rest of the Weasley clan were not present at this particular place of residence, but rather in different parts of Britain and the globe in general. Keeping track of the vanishing children was becoming seemingly more difficult.
"Thank you Harry, Ron," said Hermione as her two friends placed her trunk at the bottom of her bed.
"No problem," said Harry, smiling at her as she took a seat on the rather dusty mattress.
Hermione ran her had carefully over the cotton blanket that covered that stained and decaying mattress. She picked absentmindedly at a piece of lint that came within her reach. She was unaware of the gazes her friends shared at her movements and continued to touch the fraying grey cotton with a feather-like touch. She could not count the times she had lied in this bed, listening to the frantic movements of the more experienced wizards about the house. The whispered conversations in the halls and the distinct footfalls of those who watched over the under-aged wizards were never more than a few feet away from her door. The times she had been set in this bed with a broken arm or leg from a recent attack that she and her friends had foolishly barged into were all emblazoned in her mind, but as of now, it was of little importance and seemed so small in the grand scheme of things. Of course, it would to a person whose whole life had been turned upside down within a matter of days. Everything she had thought was true was in fact a boldfaced lie. Her mother had lied to her for more than ten years, withholding truth that Hermione would have so loved to know. Of course, once that truth had been shared Hermione had chided herself on not being able to see the signs sooner. Annelise had not been as shocked and frightened as Henry had upon Hermione receiving her Hogwarts letter six years prior, nor had her reaction to the world of magic been so squeamish and worried. She had put on the carefully crafted façade, of course, but if she had just looked closer, had studied her more, Hermione would have seen the calm and almost wistful look on her mothers face. She would have seen that her mother was finally returning to the world she had left behind and the one she belonged to.
"Hermione, are you all right?" asked Harry, looking at her with his head cocked to one side.
"Oh yes, I'm fine. I just can't believe how much I've missed this place," she lied, smiling at him.
"Yes, who could miss this place? The cockroaches and inches of dust make this place downright homey," said Ron, not even trying to his the sarcasm in his voice.
The trio suddenly went silent. It had been a little over a year since the death of the beloved Sirius Black, the owner of this home and the only decent parental figure in Harry's life. To the poor emerald-eyed boy this had been his home during the brief time Sirius had been with him. The house was now in his name, but a customary visit to his aunt and uncles once a year was necessary and so not all of his time was spent at the dilapidated residence. After finally coming out of her dream-like state Hermione finally noticed the changes that had occurred in her two best friends. Harry's features were more hardened then they had been, his physique taller, broader but still horribly thin. Ron was as tall as ever, his trousers barely reaching the tops of his trainers; of course, shocking red hair was still in place but fewer freckles were present. Hermione thought she had changed little during the beginning of the second war. While others became dead to everyone but those close to them, Hermione closed herself off into the world of books and to the muggle world she so loved. She was the brains, not the brawn, and so her own physique had changed little, until recent. The glamour was that of a plain young woman who looked out of place in any setting but that of a library. She would look better wearing wire glasses and a drab grey suit than a flowery dress that would appeal to her true figure. War had changed them all, and not for the better. War would continue to change them, and Hermione knew that the path to victory would not go smoothly.
"Oh Hermione dear, you're here. Severus just told me. How are you?" asked Mrs Weasley who had promptly walked into the room and gathered the rather surprised girl in a hug.
"I'm fine Mrs Weasley," said Hermione.
"Now, please wash up and come help me with dinner preparations. Alastor should be here soon," said Mrs Weasley, walking out of the room and back downstairs.
"Well, I guess we should go help mum," said Ron, leading the way out of the room.
"Yes," replied Hermione following suit.
While the short walked downstairs should have taken mere minutes, the trio were sidetracked by a certain redheaded sixteen-year-old and were thankfully forced to postpone any notions of dinner help. Ginny, schoolwork finished and carefully tucked in her leather bag, walked out of the den to spy her elder brother and his two friends making their way down the stairs. Of course, having not even heard Hermione's arrival, she wasn't going to let them walked away from her so easily. Smirking to herself, she leaped at Hermione and gathered her in a hug, squeezing the life out of her.
"No one told me you were here! I'm so happy to see you! How horrible was it to have Snape pick you up?" said Ginny, grinning from ear to ear.
"I missed you Gin, and it wasn't that bad having Snape come and get me. He just isn't one for conversation," said Hermione, smiling at her only true female friend.
"Well, that's Snape isn't it?" said Ginny, smiling. "So, did you get it?"
"Did she get what?" asked Ron with slight annoyance at his little sister. Patience was never quite his forte.
"Yes I did," said Hermione proudly.
With those words Ginny squealed and launched herself at her friend, hugging her tightly. After all, being Head Girl was something that the brunette had strived for since the second she stepped off the Hogwarts Express. She had studied furiously, gone the extra limit on all assignments and essays and practically moved into the library in her quest for the title of Head Girl. Now it was finally here, and Ginny couldn't have been happier for her friend.
"Yes you did what?" asked Ron again, being his normal dense and unperceptive self.
"Oh honestly, she made Head Girl," said Ginny with exasperation.
"Congratulations 'Mione!" said Harry, enveloping her in a hug, smiling broadly.
"Yeah, congratulations," said Ron, following suit, smiling as well.
Hermione smiled at the affection her friends showed towards her. Even though at times they could be a little dense or a little slow on the correct way to act at certain news or to take certain hints, they were her friends and what she did and accomplished mattered to them.
"So, do you know who the Head Boy is?" asked Ginny.
"No, the letter never said," said Hermione, now coming to wonder whom her partner in command was.
"Well, it sure isn't either of us," said Harry, motioning to himself and Ron in the process.
"God I hope it's not Malfoy. Could you imagine the torture he would put us through, be able to look down on us and all. Stupid ass," said Ron, mumbling to himself.
"I hope it's not Malfoy. God, that would be awful," said Hermione, smiling at Ron as he mumbled something about decapitation.
"I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't put that git in charge. He would most likely keep Gryffindor from winning any points at all," said Harry, arms crossed.
"What on earth are you four doing? There is supper to be made. Come along now, don't dawdle," said Mrs Weasley as she came upon the quartet having lost them ten minutes prior.
"Coming mum," said Ron, rolling his eyes and resuming his mumbled ramblings.
The four teens followed the woman down to the kitchen where vegetables were already lied out, ready to be chopped, and a chicken was ready to be cut into bits for the stew that would soon be put together. Each was given tasks and after quite some time, the stew was finishing its lengthy simmer and the table was set. At that point Remus Lupin, the former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts walked in, followed later by Nymphradora Tonks who at present had long blonde hair. It wasn't but a few minutes when Alastor Moody, former Auror joined them at the table, soon followed by Severus and Arthur Weasley.
"Blasted Ministry. Can't they do anything right?" asked Alastor to no one in particular.
"What have they done this time Alastor?" asked Severus in his casual drawl, clearly uninterested.
"They are more worried about the damn Quidditch tournaments than they are about the Dark Lord. They should be plotting against him, not worrying over lost bets," said Alastor in an outrage.
"They are merely trying to show a face of calm to the public. Lately the Profit has been filled with the normal drivel rather than the recent Death Eater sightings. Having the whole of wizarding England in a panic would not be good for the Ministry's point of action." Remus stated, buttering a roll.
"Bullshit! That brainless oaf Fudge doesn't know what in the blazes he should do about Voldemort. He'll have a full scale war on him before he knows what hit him and where will he be? Dead most likely," Alastor said, looking at Remus sharply.
"Please Alastor, not in front of the children," pleaded Mrs Weasley.
"We're not three years old mum. Shouldn't we at least know a little bit about what's going on?" asked Ron.
"Certainly not! I will not have my children fretting over affairs that do not concern them," said Mrs Weasley in her usual stern voice.
"Don't concern us? Hell mum, what have we been doing for the past few years, sitting on our arses?" said Ron, clearly irked by his mother's lack of acknowledgement.
"Watch your language Ron. Can't we just have a normal dinner conversation for once?" Mrs Weasley sighed in exasperation. "Hermione, dear, how was your summer?"
"It was," Hermione paused, mulling over the most recent events and risking a slight glance at her uncle. "Alright,"
"Just alright?"
"Yes, just the same old same old. It's quite dull compared to everything that's going on here, but it was nice to be home," said Hermione, smiling a little.
Mrs Weasley smiled at the girl before turning back to her own dinner. From that point on the meal was silent. The occasional 'pass the rolls' was possibly the most anyone ever spoke. Soon night rolled on and engulphed the safe haven of Girmmauld Place in its inky blackness. The four teens had reconvened to the den, leaving the adults to speak in peace, however once the clock struck ten, Mrs Weasley ushered them to their separate rooms for sleep.
"Goodnight Ginny," said Mrs Weasley, kissing her daughter on the forehead before the girl went into her room. "Goodnight Hermione,"
"Goodnight Mrs Weasley," said Hermione, making her way out of the bathroom just feet from her room.
Before Hermione could lay a finger on the rusted handle, footsteps behind her cause her to freeze. She turned around, carefully looking at the figure that had caused her to cease movement. All she found was her uncle, making his way to his own room for the evening.
"Oh, sorry Professor, you scared me there for a minute," said Hermione, taking her hand away from the knob.
"That's alright," said Severus, walking a little past her. "Goodnight Hermione," he whispered.
"Goodnight, Uncle Severus," she whispered back in a voice so low it could have been mistaken for a sigh.
With that both uncle and niece entered their separate rooms, making no other noise. Hermione lied quietly in her bed that evening, thinking about her family and how far away they were. In truth, they weren't more than a floo away, but she needn't worry, for one who had loved her since she was but a babe was little more than a walk away.
A/N: I know, it's short, took me a long time and is quite dull, but I'm trying to build here. It will get better, I promise!
Thank you's:
PsycoticNetJunkie- thank you! And I assume that he does know to not just waltz into Hogwarts to see his daughter...that would be stupid and that is one thing he isn't.
firehottie- thank you!
PaigeGirl-nee- thank you!
Ottawan Angel- thank you!
fairylights2159- thank you!
DanishGirl- thank you!
Kou Shun'u- thank you! Well, it's understandable that Snape would have brothers or sisters, and you will see in the following chapters that there have been Snapes at Hogwarts. Having a nephew there would only mean that one of his siblings has another kid. Tom being a Granger, however, would draw attention to his appearance, which is nothing like Hermione's glamour, and why she never said anything before hand.
Enzeru No Yami- thank you! And yes, my grammar sucks. I'm working on it!
As with every departure from the Granger home, trunks were packed and lined in the hallway, Crookshanks in his worn wicker basket and the family was gathered by the door, waiting patiently for whomever it was to arrive and take Hermione to Grimmauld Place. The glamour's of Hermione and Annelise had been placed and double checked for any imperfections, and Henry was still absolutely oblivious to it all. Not to say that it was a good thing, it just made things easier for everyone, and easier for the poor man to live in blissful ignorance until this war was over.
"I'll see you at the train station sweetie, when I drop Tom off," said Annelise, her husband's arm around her waist.
"Yeah mum, I know," said Hermione, her voice small. There was so much more that she wanted to know, that her mother could have shared with her in a longer period of time, but now she was to leave the only source of her past behind and with it all the answers to her questions.
"I'm going to miss you Mynee," said Tom, his voice also low.
"I'll see you at the station, and at school. Don't worry, I won't be gone long," said Hermione, hugging her younger brother.
It was but a minute before the doorbell rang and reviled Severus Snape, dressed in his customary black, wand tucked safely in his sleeve. Of course, despite the wishes of others, mainly Molly Weasley, he had volunteered to come and collect Hermione. During the conversations he had had with the redhead, he had tried to look his normal, sullen and ill-tempered self rather than the joyful man he was inside upon even a glance at his sister. As of present, it took most of his self-control to not hug her then and there and drag her back to Grimmauld Place with him and her daughter.
"Hello Mr Granger, Mrs Granger. I have come to collect Hermione on Albus Dumbledore's request," said Severus, stepping inside the rather normal home for the second time.
"Hello professor," said Hermione, eyes on the floor and Crookshanks in her arms.
"Miss Granger," said Severus, tilting his head to his niece. "Albus requests you be at Grimmauld Place no later than two, and as seeing as we have but ten minutes, I suggest we hurry."
"Yes professor," said Hermione gathering the rest of her things and going out the door.
"Good day," said Severus, nodding to the remaining family before following his top student out the door.
"Good day," said Annelise before he had shut the door, smiling at her elder brother.
Once outside, the warm summer breeze blowing around the uncle and niece, Severus began to lead Hermione down the road to an unfinished construction site. The workers who had formerly spent laborious hours under the scorching sun building walls and supports had the day off and so the site, littered with forgotten tools and piles of pine two-by-fours was a perfect place for Severus to apparate them to Grimmauld Place.
"Um, professor, why are we here?" asked Hermione, dragging her trunk behind her.
"Because, Miss Granger, we need a suitable cover for our apparation. It is not in our best interests to be seen by muggles," Severus explained.
"Oh," said Hermione, nodding her head in understanding.
Severus led her to the very back of the construction site where a cement mixer, incrusted with the pale sludge, blocked the view just enough so that any passing muggles would not catch their departure. Severus picked up on end of Hermione's trunk, making sure both himself and the sixteen-year-old had a firm grip on the brass handle. Carefully he placed a hand on her upper arm, grasping it in his pale fingers. To his surprise, Hermione was never fazed by this act. Of course, a witch of her calibre would have obviously known about the contact, no matter how small, of two parties in order for the apparation process to occur properly.
"Ready?" he asked, eyeing her carefully.
Hermione nodded, obviously unhappy with what was about to happen. Severus could see that she wanted more time with her mother; to know everything about the world she had never been privy to. This information Severus could not give her, as of moments from now she would be carried off by her friends and any moments they would have alone together would not be for shared secrets.
"You must remember that no one, not Potter, not Weasley, not anyone is to know who you truly are and who your family really is. You are to not know Tom as anything but a simple first year and I am nothing but your professor, understood?" Severus instructed.
"Mum told my this already. I won't tell anyone, I promise," said Hermione, getting a better grip on Crookshanks' basket.
Severus nodded and tightened his grip on the girl. Carefully, taking a deep breath, he pictured the front hall of number twelve Grimmauld Place. He pictured it's dust-coated floor boards and it's peeling wallpaper, the portrait of Mrs Black hidden behind the heavy velvet curtain and the decrepit stairs that were rotting from the inside. At once he felt the familiar tug on his hair and the sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach began to surface. However, after a moment or two, it passed and upon opening his eyes Severus found himself in the front hall of Grimmauld Place. Looking down he found Hermione breathing deeply, the affects of apparation were not something the young girl had experienced previously, and so the look of sickness upon her face was understandable.
"Miss Granger, we have arrived," said Severus, setting down his side of the trunk and letting go of her arm.
"Oh, yes, so we are," said Hermione, slowly opening her eyes and gazing around the once magnificent home.
Severus took one last glance at his niece; her solemn and depressed look of that of a kicked puppy. She had been taken from the few people who knew the truth about who she was, and now, once Severus left for Hogwarts and further torturous Death Eater meetings she would be all alone with her plight; of being Voldemort's daughter. He silently wished that Potter and Weasley, who were so overprotective of the girl and so judgemental of both new information and people, were no longer in this home and it was just himself and Hermione. He would be alone to tell her everything, to bare the truth that he had kept for so long. However, the truth of the matter was, the boys were blundering down the stairs and the peaceful moment that had been their arrival would be shattered.
"Good-day, Miss Granger. Have a pleasant stay," said Severus, leaving the room in search of Molly Weasley.
"Good-day," whispered Hermione, and as Severus left, if his ears didn't deceive him, she had called him uncle.
"Hermione! You're here!" cried Ron, jumping the last few steps.
Hermione nodded and smiled, hoping that they wouldn't notice her sadness and wouldn't question if they did. She had a promise to keep, after all, and she would do all in her power to make sure that it was kept. Slowly, turning towards the boys, she gave them a small smile each and hugged them both. They happily helped her with her trunk and Hermione let Crookshanks out of his wicker confinement. They led her up to the room she shared with Ginny, the one across from that shared by the two boys. At present there were few other occupants in the home, the elder Weasley's were in the kitchen talking with Remus Lupin and Nympradora Tonks about the most recent Death Eater attacks in hushed voices so that prying ears would not overhear things that did not concern them. Ginny was busy in the den doing homework, the young redhead had procrastinated throughout the summer holidays and was now catching up. The rest of the Weasley clan were not present at this particular place of residence, but rather in different parts of Britain and the globe in general. Keeping track of the vanishing children was becoming seemingly more difficult.
"Thank you Harry, Ron," said Hermione as her two friends placed her trunk at the bottom of her bed.
"No problem," said Harry, smiling at her as she took a seat on the rather dusty mattress.
Hermione ran her had carefully over the cotton blanket that covered that stained and decaying mattress. She picked absentmindedly at a piece of lint that came within her reach. She was unaware of the gazes her friends shared at her movements and continued to touch the fraying grey cotton with a feather-like touch. She could not count the times she had lied in this bed, listening to the frantic movements of the more experienced wizards about the house. The whispered conversations in the halls and the distinct footfalls of those who watched over the under-aged wizards were never more than a few feet away from her door. The times she had been set in this bed with a broken arm or leg from a recent attack that she and her friends had foolishly barged into were all emblazoned in her mind, but as of now, it was of little importance and seemed so small in the grand scheme of things. Of course, it would to a person whose whole life had been turned upside down within a matter of days. Everything she had thought was true was in fact a boldfaced lie. Her mother had lied to her for more than ten years, withholding truth that Hermione would have so loved to know. Of course, once that truth had been shared Hermione had chided herself on not being able to see the signs sooner. Annelise had not been as shocked and frightened as Henry had upon Hermione receiving her Hogwarts letter six years prior, nor had her reaction to the world of magic been so squeamish and worried. She had put on the carefully crafted façade, of course, but if she had just looked closer, had studied her more, Hermione would have seen the calm and almost wistful look on her mothers face. She would have seen that her mother was finally returning to the world she had left behind and the one she belonged to.
"Hermione, are you all right?" asked Harry, looking at her with his head cocked to one side.
"Oh yes, I'm fine. I just can't believe how much I've missed this place," she lied, smiling at him.
"Yes, who could miss this place? The cockroaches and inches of dust make this place downright homey," said Ron, not even trying to his the sarcasm in his voice.
The trio suddenly went silent. It had been a little over a year since the death of the beloved Sirius Black, the owner of this home and the only decent parental figure in Harry's life. To the poor emerald-eyed boy this had been his home during the brief time Sirius had been with him. The house was now in his name, but a customary visit to his aunt and uncles once a year was necessary and so not all of his time was spent at the dilapidated residence. After finally coming out of her dream-like state Hermione finally noticed the changes that had occurred in her two best friends. Harry's features were more hardened then they had been, his physique taller, broader but still horribly thin. Ron was as tall as ever, his trousers barely reaching the tops of his trainers; of course, shocking red hair was still in place but fewer freckles were present. Hermione thought she had changed little during the beginning of the second war. While others became dead to everyone but those close to them, Hermione closed herself off into the world of books and to the muggle world she so loved. She was the brains, not the brawn, and so her own physique had changed little, until recent. The glamour was that of a plain young woman who looked out of place in any setting but that of a library. She would look better wearing wire glasses and a drab grey suit than a flowery dress that would appeal to her true figure. War had changed them all, and not for the better. War would continue to change them, and Hermione knew that the path to victory would not go smoothly.
"Oh Hermione dear, you're here. Severus just told me. How are you?" asked Mrs Weasley who had promptly walked into the room and gathered the rather surprised girl in a hug.
"I'm fine Mrs Weasley," said Hermione.
"Now, please wash up and come help me with dinner preparations. Alastor should be here soon," said Mrs Weasley, walking out of the room and back downstairs.
"Well, I guess we should go help mum," said Ron, leading the way out of the room.
"Yes," replied Hermione following suit.
While the short walked downstairs should have taken mere minutes, the trio were sidetracked by a certain redheaded sixteen-year-old and were thankfully forced to postpone any notions of dinner help. Ginny, schoolwork finished and carefully tucked in her leather bag, walked out of the den to spy her elder brother and his two friends making their way down the stairs. Of course, having not even heard Hermione's arrival, she wasn't going to let them walked away from her so easily. Smirking to herself, she leaped at Hermione and gathered her in a hug, squeezing the life out of her.
"No one told me you were here! I'm so happy to see you! How horrible was it to have Snape pick you up?" said Ginny, grinning from ear to ear.
"I missed you Gin, and it wasn't that bad having Snape come and get me. He just isn't one for conversation," said Hermione, smiling at her only true female friend.
"Well, that's Snape isn't it?" said Ginny, smiling. "So, did you get it?"
"Did she get what?" asked Ron with slight annoyance at his little sister. Patience was never quite his forte.
"Yes I did," said Hermione proudly.
With those words Ginny squealed and launched herself at her friend, hugging her tightly. After all, being Head Girl was something that the brunette had strived for since the second she stepped off the Hogwarts Express. She had studied furiously, gone the extra limit on all assignments and essays and practically moved into the library in her quest for the title of Head Girl. Now it was finally here, and Ginny couldn't have been happier for her friend.
"Yes you did what?" asked Ron again, being his normal dense and unperceptive self.
"Oh honestly, she made Head Girl," said Ginny with exasperation.
"Congratulations 'Mione!" said Harry, enveloping her in a hug, smiling broadly.
"Yeah, congratulations," said Ron, following suit, smiling as well.
Hermione smiled at the affection her friends showed towards her. Even though at times they could be a little dense or a little slow on the correct way to act at certain news or to take certain hints, they were her friends and what she did and accomplished mattered to them.
"So, do you know who the Head Boy is?" asked Ginny.
"No, the letter never said," said Hermione, now coming to wonder whom her partner in command was.
"Well, it sure isn't either of us," said Harry, motioning to himself and Ron in the process.
"God I hope it's not Malfoy. Could you imagine the torture he would put us through, be able to look down on us and all. Stupid ass," said Ron, mumbling to himself.
"I hope it's not Malfoy. God, that would be awful," said Hermione, smiling at Ron as he mumbled something about decapitation.
"I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't put that git in charge. He would most likely keep Gryffindor from winning any points at all," said Harry, arms crossed.
"What on earth are you four doing? There is supper to be made. Come along now, don't dawdle," said Mrs Weasley as she came upon the quartet having lost them ten minutes prior.
"Coming mum," said Ron, rolling his eyes and resuming his mumbled ramblings.
The four teens followed the woman down to the kitchen where vegetables were already lied out, ready to be chopped, and a chicken was ready to be cut into bits for the stew that would soon be put together. Each was given tasks and after quite some time, the stew was finishing its lengthy simmer and the table was set. At that point Remus Lupin, the former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts walked in, followed later by Nymphradora Tonks who at present had long blonde hair. It wasn't but a few minutes when Alastor Moody, former Auror joined them at the table, soon followed by Severus and Arthur Weasley.
"Blasted Ministry. Can't they do anything right?" asked Alastor to no one in particular.
"What have they done this time Alastor?" asked Severus in his casual drawl, clearly uninterested.
"They are more worried about the damn Quidditch tournaments than they are about the Dark Lord. They should be plotting against him, not worrying over lost bets," said Alastor in an outrage.
"They are merely trying to show a face of calm to the public. Lately the Profit has been filled with the normal drivel rather than the recent Death Eater sightings. Having the whole of wizarding England in a panic would not be good for the Ministry's point of action." Remus stated, buttering a roll.
"Bullshit! That brainless oaf Fudge doesn't know what in the blazes he should do about Voldemort. He'll have a full scale war on him before he knows what hit him and where will he be? Dead most likely," Alastor said, looking at Remus sharply.
"Please Alastor, not in front of the children," pleaded Mrs Weasley.
"We're not three years old mum. Shouldn't we at least know a little bit about what's going on?" asked Ron.
"Certainly not! I will not have my children fretting over affairs that do not concern them," said Mrs Weasley in her usual stern voice.
"Don't concern us? Hell mum, what have we been doing for the past few years, sitting on our arses?" said Ron, clearly irked by his mother's lack of acknowledgement.
"Watch your language Ron. Can't we just have a normal dinner conversation for once?" Mrs Weasley sighed in exasperation. "Hermione, dear, how was your summer?"
"It was," Hermione paused, mulling over the most recent events and risking a slight glance at her uncle. "Alright,"
"Just alright?"
"Yes, just the same old same old. It's quite dull compared to everything that's going on here, but it was nice to be home," said Hermione, smiling a little.
Mrs Weasley smiled at the girl before turning back to her own dinner. From that point on the meal was silent. The occasional 'pass the rolls' was possibly the most anyone ever spoke. Soon night rolled on and engulphed the safe haven of Girmmauld Place in its inky blackness. The four teens had reconvened to the den, leaving the adults to speak in peace, however once the clock struck ten, Mrs Weasley ushered them to their separate rooms for sleep.
"Goodnight Ginny," said Mrs Weasley, kissing her daughter on the forehead before the girl went into her room. "Goodnight Hermione,"
"Goodnight Mrs Weasley," said Hermione, making her way out of the bathroom just feet from her room.
Before Hermione could lay a finger on the rusted handle, footsteps behind her cause her to freeze. She turned around, carefully looking at the figure that had caused her to cease movement. All she found was her uncle, making his way to his own room for the evening.
"Oh, sorry Professor, you scared me there for a minute," said Hermione, taking her hand away from the knob.
"That's alright," said Severus, walking a little past her. "Goodnight Hermione," he whispered.
"Goodnight, Uncle Severus," she whispered back in a voice so low it could have been mistaken for a sigh.
With that both uncle and niece entered their separate rooms, making no other noise. Hermione lied quietly in her bed that evening, thinking about her family and how far away they were. In truth, they weren't more than a floo away, but she needn't worry, for one who had loved her since she was but a babe was little more than a walk away.
A/N: I know, it's short, took me a long time and is quite dull, but I'm trying to build here. It will get better, I promise!
Thank you's:
PsycoticNetJunkie- thank you! And I assume that he does know to not just waltz into Hogwarts to see his daughter...that would be stupid and that is one thing he isn't.
firehottie- thank you!
PaigeGirl-nee- thank you!
Ottawan Angel- thank you!
fairylights2159- thank you!
DanishGirl- thank you!
Kou Shun'u- thank you! Well, it's understandable that Snape would have brothers or sisters, and you will see in the following chapters that there have been Snapes at Hogwarts. Having a nephew there would only mean that one of his siblings has another kid. Tom being a Granger, however, would draw attention to his appearance, which is nothing like Hermione's glamour, and why she never said anything before hand.
Enzeru No Yami- thank you! And yes, my grammar sucks. I'm working on it!
