Legacy
by
Jeslyn Nighthawk
A/N: I told you I wouldn't abandon you! I even managed to make my self imposed deadline. If only by a few hours. So, so, so sorry for the delay. I had no computer over break… and then school started again. Also I have to admit to a good amount of writers block. I'm no longer quite sure where I want this to go, but I will finish it. I promise. Also a HUGE thanks to my new beta reader, Taya. She not only put up with my long absence, but also my two o'clock in the morning grammar and punctuation. Then she even got back to me in time for me to post…despite her real life. Everyone should know how awesome she is. I'll put review responses at the end of the chapter since there were so many of them. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Enjoy.
Chapter 5
Hermione was in a wonderful mood. Not even the horrid press of people and the vulgar gossip that was the masquerade could ruin her mood. Finally she knew that she would have at least one person who would, and could, converse with her on an intellectual level. He might even consider continuing the… friendship?... after the season- assuming of course he didn't refuse to speak to her again once her role in this charade was up. Still…
Hermione was practically floating up the stairs when her aunt's stern voice stopped her.
"Hermione."
She turned around with some trepidation. Minerva had been in a black mood since she had discovered Hermione discussing Potions with Lord Snape. "Yes, Aunt?"
"About Lord Snape…" Minerva pursed her lips, obviously very uncomfortable with what she had to stay, "I am very fond of Severus, but he has a certain reputation in the ton. I would hate for your reputation to suffer because of it."
"We were only talking about potions!" Hermione snapped. "And that is all we were talking about. I do not see how that could tarnish my reputation."
"He cannot marry you, Hermione," Minerva held up a hand to stop Hermione's angry protest, " I know that you do not want marriage, that all you want is probably friendship with a man who is neither intimidated by you nor your intellectual inferior. However, he cannot marry you, because you are not titled, and the ton will only see one other possibility in such a relationship between a man and a woman. You will be safe as long as you are Amelia, she has a title, but when the truth of this comes out… People will only assume the worst. Do not pursue this. The only way you have any chance with Severus is to make him fall so in love with you that he would defy society to marry you. After that point, his title would protect you both. Unless you are willing to do that, there can be no relationship between you."
Hermione forced down the tears that were threatening to spill. "Yes, Aunt."
She turned walked up the stairs, and readied herself for bed with Ginny's help. All the while, she thought of the ultimatum her aunt had issued. Give up any association with the first man other than Harry to not run when faced with her intellect… or possibly give up her freedom, her independence, in a wild and unlikely bid to make him fall in love with her.
She shook her head. That he would feel anything for her, even friendship, was unlikely. That he would fall in love with her was improbable in the highest order. That he would be in love with her enough to defy society? Impossible. That was without even taking into account her deception. He would never marry her once he knew she had lied to him. After that, her lack of title would be a non-issue.
Hermione rolled over in her bed with a heavy sigh. The lie she was now living would destroy any relationship they might eventually share. And she could not tell him the truth- Amelia's happiness depended on her. As she surrendered to sleep, Hermione let her decision be made for her. No matter how tempting any other course might seem, she would have to sever all ties with Lord Severus Snape.
***
Severus Snape found himself focused on the mystery that was Hermione Granger with an intensity that reminded him of a starving dog confronted with a meaty bone. This puzzle was a godsend to his horribly bored mind. Since the war had ended his usefulness as a spy had ended and with it much of the manipulations that kept him from going stir crazy in the stifling environment of the British haut ton.
Why on earth was the young woman posing as Amelia Lupin? She had no need of a title if, as she claimed, she was not looking for a husband, and, truthfully, most respectable men would drop her upon learning of the deception. Minerva's assertion that she, at least, was looking to find Hermione a husband also made him doubt that the title was the reason behind the masquerade. Likely, she intended to share the secret with any would be candidates, and threaten them with utter disgrace if the secret got out. No one would gainsay her.
Severus had a feeling that the true Miss Amelia Lupin was at the heart of this matter. Severus had no doubt that he would get nothing from Minerva, no matter how poor a liar she was. There was only one thing for it.
However much Severus had hated Black and Potter, he had always shared a grudging respect with Remus Lupin. Throughout the course of the war, Severus had found that the numerous instances they were forced to work together had caused grudging respect to give way to friendship. Remus Lupin was probably one of the few people Severus would trust with his life.
Severus walked over to his fireplace and threw a pinch of Floo powder in.
Remus looked up, startled, from the book he was reading when Severus' head appeared in the fireplace of his study at his Paris estate. "Severus? What's going on?"
"Remus. We need to talk."
TBC
A/N: So there it is. Another chapter out of the way. Please review. I need reviews. Reviews = updates. Promise. Thanks again to Taya.
Review Responses:
Z and Porthos: No, I so did not mean for Minerva to slip up! Thanks for pointing it out. Thanks also for your reviews. Cookies for you.
ShortDream: Truthfully, they are so far above myself, that I find myself making more mistakes than I would care to admit. Everything I know I get from either Jane Austen and other historical novels.
Aurore: Thank you, but somehow I don't think writing mediocre fanfiction qualifies me to coin any terms…Still I'm flattered.
disneyluver: Thank you so much. I will try to email you, but honestly, I am one of the most forgetful people I know. Please forgive me if I forget.
jinian: As I said before I did not mean for Minerva to "out" Hermione. I did go back and fix it, so please put it from your mind. Please? Thanks for your review.
KDarkMaiden: I'm glad you like it. I can't say I am nearly that fond of Jane Austen. I'm not really all that fond of her at all. Still I acknowledge her ability and what she did for literature. Thank you.
leisl: Well come on… I mean Sev was a spy. What spy wouldn't have contacts among the pirates? One must have friends in low places if one is to survive. Not sure I could pull off the difference in era… Still Snape and Sparrow. Yummy. Thanks.
Charming, Culcarien, Ankle, Anarane Awamane, Sparklepuff, and Joshua Glass: Thanks so much.
Last but not least, Taya: Thank you for everything. And if you really want to go with what would happen if she hadn't slipped up… I can't wait to see what you would come up with. If you want it, it's yours. Have fun.
A/N: See y'all next break. Thank you so much for reading and drop a review in my box.
Ja maata ne,
Jes