A/N – By popular demand, the next chapter of Second Chance is now up. A lot of people seem to like this story, which surprises me since a lot of the characters are kinda OOC. I thank you all for your kindness and encouragement…. Please, keep up the nice reviews, without them, it wouldn't be worth writing.

Summary – Years after Hogwarts, Hermione has lost everything. Her family, her pride, one of her best friends, and her true love. But in the process, she has gained a beautiful daughter, even if her profession is shameful. What happens when the truths are revealed and it turns out she messed things up worse than ever? Her chances at love again, deterred because of a stupid mistake. Will love get a second chance? Or will she push him away after all these years?

Rating – R, for obvious reasons and later chapters

Disclaimer - It really is mine! JKR just stole all of my ideas! And now she's the one making millions of dollars off of books, posters, movies, and other propaganda. God help me, I've gone insane. cries heavily Okay… its not mine… none of it. WAAAAAAA!!!

Chapter 4

"Well, well Malfoy. What a surprise."

"I believe so my dear uncle."

"Who was the young lady you were talking to?"

"Oh that piece of trash, just a stupid Mudblood by the name of Granger." Draco looked to his uncle and noticed the fire blaring just behind his eyes.

"Really?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"Yes it was, she's turned to selling her body to make money. I find it entirely funny; Hogwarts Former Know-it-all turned prostitute! Has a nice ring to it," he said laughing a bit, not caring about the look in his uncle's eye. "You know, I just may contact that Skeeter lady… she'd love something this juicy."

"I must go," his uncle said, standing up quickly.

"Were you even listening to a single word I said?"

"You know me," the man smirked.

"Where too?"

"I have to talk with Albus."

"I see, good night Severus."

"And you too Draco."

Hermione collapsed onto the sofa without any grace as she took the lid off her cup and drowned it all in one gulp. She didn't even notice the emerald green eyes staring at her intently.

"I know now," he said to her suddenly. She jumped in response, yelping in fear a bit.

"Harry!" she gasped, breathing heavily. "You startled me."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" he asked, looking her straight into the face.

"Tell you what?" she said, a little bit bewildered.

"You know damn right what I'm talking about Hermione! You know you can trust me, so why didn't you tell me?" he asked, his voice getting quieter and the look in his eye showing his disappointment in his best friend. Hermione sighed. She knew exactly what he was talking about. There was only one thing that she had ever kept secret from Harry that was really big.

"So you've figured it out?" she said in defeat, sighing again.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" he repeated.

"I'll take that as a yes," she said, leaning back onto the sofa. "I thought I explained to you I never really wanted to talk about Serenity's father," she said, closing her eyes and rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"I guess we did. But 'Mione…" he trailed off, thinking a bit why he was really upset. "How?" he voiced. She sighed again.

"How it started you mean?" she asked. Harry just nodded in the affirmative. "I'm not sure really. I guess it was because we were working in close proximity for the Order. Then Dumbledore assigned us to work on a potion to damper the affect of the killing curse…" she trailed off, thinking back to that time.

"How long were you to together together?" Harry asked, looking at her questioningly.

"A couple of months," Hermione said distractedly, her eyes filling with tears.

"So you guys were together during school…" Harry said slowly. "Why didn't you ever tell me and Ron?" he asked.

"What would you have said Harry?" she asked, looking up at him through glassy eyes. "You don't know how many times I wanted to tell the both of you… but I knew you'd either think I was some sick freak and disown me or think I was under some sorta spell and tell Dumbledore." She looked at Harry as he was about to protest and interrupted him. "Don't tell me you wouldn't because you would have. You weren't as mature as you are now and would have taken it in a childish manner." She sighed and closed her eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Harry said as he sat down next to her.

"You have nothing to be sorry about Harry… it's my own stupid fault for thinking anyone could love me," she said sadly, tears leaking from her eyes.

"Now you know that's not true, Serenity loves you."

"You know what the hell I mean Harry!!! I know you two love me… but I mean as in romantically," she snapped.

"If you two were together for so long, he had to have had feelings for you… who wouldn't?" Harry replied logically. He was obviously spending too much time around Hermione.

"Well I guess he didn't, now did he??" she replied with bitter sarcasm, tears of sorrow and anger flowing down her face.

Harry didn't say anything for a while and neither did Hermione. They just sat there, Harry deep in thought and Hermione trying to stop the tears from falling any more. Harry finally looked up at her, remorse building up inside of him. He wrapped an arm around her should in an effort to comfort her, many questions still floating around in his head. But he knew she needed time to think some things through, so he let her cry herself to sleep on his shoulder. He carried her up to her room and laid her down. Questions could wait for the morning. Right now, his best friend was hurting and he could do nothing about it. Only one person could.

"SHE'S A FUCKING WHORE ALBUS!!!" Severus Snape screamed, his face twisted in anger as he paced the room. He'd been in the headmaster's office going on 45 minutes and was getting no where.

"We can't force her to take the job Severus, you know that," the old wizard said calmly. "It's her life, her choice."

"How can you let her do this??? Degrade herself just to get by?!" Now Albus Dumbledore had dealt with everything. Killed the wizard Grindewald and lead the war against Voldemort… punished many angry teens with their hormones raging and confronted their parents as well. But he had never, in his entire life, seen Severus Snape this pissed off in his entire life. The man was fuming, and that was putting it lightly.

"I have no room to run her life and neither do you," the headmaster said pointedly, giving the Potions Master a look that plainly said "You had your chance." Snape sighed heavily and collapsed into the armchair in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"You're right, as always Albus," he said with defeat. "But I can't just sit here and let her do this… it's not right."

"And since when have you always done what's right?" the bespectacled man asked.

"Since she was brought into the picture," Severus replied with gritted teeth.

"Really now my boy… you didn't seem to think that when you first met her. In fact, I believe you called her a "no good, goody-two-shoes, know-it-all, Gryffindor brat", did you not?"

"That was then and this is now," he yelled in response. "Just… please… talk to her about it," he said his voice much quieter. His eyes pleading with the man that was the closest thing to a father he could ever come to. Once again, our dear headmaster was surprised. The nasty bat-like Potions Master sat here before him, looking at him with puppy dog eyes, looking very vulnerable.

"I'll try," he caved in. The boy was like a son to him and he couldn't let him stay like this. He had to do something.

"Thank you Albus," Severus Snape said, back to his old self once again at hearing the promise. He stood to leave and began walking out. Once he reached the door he turned back to the old man again. "And I'd like it if you didn't mention this conversation to anyone."

"Of corse not my boy," he said grimly and the man left the room. "Of corse not," he repeated. "What have you done to yourself Severus… and when will you learn?" the old man said to himself, shaking his head sorrowfully as he pulled out a parchment and began to scribble on it.

Dear Miss Granger,

We of the Hogwarts staff would greatly appreciate it if you would reconsider the job offer given. You are a highly qualified witch in the area of Charms and we would love for you to teach the youngsters here. Living quarters and food will be provided for free. Although I'm sure the pay isn't average for a witch with the magnitude of ability as yourself, it is worth its own in the pride of passing your own knowledge down onto the next generation of people to lead our world.

If you have any questions, please contact me. And do take your time in consideration of this.

Yours Sincerely

Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts

Hermione glared at the letter with contempt. She read over it again, not sure what to think. On one hand, this job would be amazing, free room and board and doing something much more worthwhile than what she's doing now. But on the downside, she would be working in close proximity with people she would rather not see.

"Harry? Did you have something to do with this?" she asked curiously as Harry walked into the kitchen with a sleeping Serenity in his arms.

"To do with what?" he asked quietly.

"A letter from Dumbledore, almost begging me to take the Charms job," she said, holding the letter up. "You didn't contact him did you?"

"No, I swear… I had only sent in the application, nothing else," he said as he quickly laid Serenity on the couch gently.

"But Hermione, you should seriously consider this… It's a great opportunity," he said, sitting across from her.

"You know why I can't accept it Harry… One I'd be leaving you. Two, I'd have to face people I'd rather not. And three… Serenity will have to come with," she said slowly, looking into her mug of coffee intently, as though the answer would pop out of it.

"You're going to have to face it all sooner or later Hermione… and you have to admit, it is better than what you're doing now."

"I know," she said, sighing in defeat. "I just don't want to."