Beneath these cold stone walls

Chapter 11(finally)

Disclaimer- Still not mine… though I wish it was. And btw im not making any money of this story ( however I will take bribes to boost my.. Motivation.) my subconscious is in here telling me to type that I won't, and I'll send it back…so don't bother

Oh right, and thanks for the… 3 reviews on chapter 10 although other than chapter one it is the highest chapter that has been read… so for that I am grateful:D

Minerva McGonogall ( A/N can't spell her name for some dumb reason blame it on the dyslexia im sure is somewhere in my brain) and Severus Snape were standing beside the sorting hat looking like utter nincompoops, when one of the Ravenclaw students stood up and asked the question that was going through everyone's mind "Aren't you going to go after Professor Granger?" Severus shot her an icy glare and she sat down quickly.

"I'll go Minerva, but I want to take Nyx with me" Severus whispered, Minerva's eyes widened at that point so that she resembled a deer caught in headlights. She was in shock at his offer to go after her after what had been said, but curtly nodded her head in return.

As Severus ran down the hall he heard Minerva cast Sonorus On her voice, and heard her tell the great hall to resume eating in peace, under the punishment of Detention with himself and her. They quieted down immediately, although he could imagine the whispering going on, buzzing louder than usual. He stopped about 100 or so yards away from the great hall, and cast a locating charm on her, it came back to show him that Hermione was located 50 feet or so away in a dark corner. He quietly walked up and found her sitting there, her teeth clenched, her fist held tight with a small dagger being pulled up and down her arm, bleeding profusely, when he looked closer he saw that tears were streaming down her face. As she went to draw another line on her bloody forearm, he stopped and grabbed the wrist holding the dagger. He squeezed her wrist until she cried out and dropped the dagger, then he pulled her into a tight embrace when she collapsed into his arms. As she cried on his shoulders tears were streaming down his face….

A few seconds later, Severus snapped out of it, and lifted Hermione bridal style in his arms, and carried her to his chambers rushing past in all his Snapesetic glory. As they approached Severus' Chambers, A dark figure stepped out of the shadows and followed them into his chambers, unbeknownst to them.

Severus rushed into his washroom, and placed Hermione fully clothed into the bathtub (that he had transfigured from a brick), which he had filled with water, using the "augmenti" spell. As he sat down beside her he grabbed a cloth and ran it under warm water, and began to tediously clean her cuts…

Back in the Great hall, Minerva Sat there with Nyx, who had solemnly decided not to follow Severus, she was just as confused as he was… whoever he was… While the other students were eating she decided to speak with Minerva, that elderly Scottish lady who seemed to be kind.. But made of steel…

She quietly approached the staff table and tapped her on the shoulder, Minerva jumped and looked behind her, as soon as she saw who it was she stood up and lead her by the shoulder to the room where the 4 champions had stood all those years ago…

Minerva began "Nyx, do you know who your parents are?"

Nyx looked at her curiously " Yes, the ones I grew up with, and I don't know why they changed my last name from McDermott to Granger…it makes no sense"

"Nyx, Im afraid that the McDermott's aren't who they appear to be, let me explain…"

2 hours later, Nyx came out of the chamber for the champions, shaking heavily as if she had just come out of the great lake in January. Her eyes were red and puffy after having cried for what seemed like forever.

"Nyx dear," Minerva began gently resting her hand on Nyx's shoulder. Nyx looked up

"Yes professor?" She looked up bleary eyed, she was so tired from crying and the trip everyone else had been in bed for a good hour already.

"We have to get you someplace to stay for tonight until you can go to classes. And you can't abide by school rules and go to some other dorm… The only legal choice.. Would be with professor Granger."

Nyx looked confused, "Is she the brown haired professor that the big nosed one chased after? Isn't she the one that you told me is my mom, or so you think so far?" Nyx asked confused. Her full attention on Minerva.

Minerva Nodded, "Lets get you there so you can get to bed, Im sure Professor Granger can get you some school clothes in the morning, but lets go before it gets to late." Minerva said leading her down the halls into the dungeons

Minerva magically knocked on the door, which she was sure was heavily warded, until Severus came to the door, bloodshot eyes, messy hair he looked as if he had been cry for a long time as well.

"Evening Severus, do you happen to know where Hermione is, we have a proposition for her."

He nodded groggily and pointed to the sofa in front of the fireplace. "I'll get her."

He turned around and gently woke her up "Hey love, wake up you have company."

She smiled in her sleep then groggily shook her head before standing up, dizzy from the blood loss, and walked over to the door, stumbling on the way.

At this point Nyx came out from behind Minerva, and cautiously went to give her new "mother" a hug. That Hermione returned.

"Hermione, Severus, do you mind if Nyx here stays with you? I need to figure out how to get her into her house."

"Not a problem Minerva, in fact she can stay here as long as she likes, is that passable by you and school rules?"

Minerva thought for a second, "Yes, so long as it is alright with Nyx." All 3 looked at Nyx who had sat herself down by the fireplace, and was just looking at her surroundings.

"I think it'll be alright, we'll talk to her tomorrow, g'night Minerva." Severus greeted, as he shut the door. Hermione had sat beside her new found daughter, and was transfiguring her a nightgown out of the floor rug. Severus smiled, Hermione caught his eye and smiled back. Showing Nyx to the washroom, Hermione came back smiling brightly. She stood on her tiptoes up to Severus and lay a chaste kiss on his lips. He leaned down to kiss her deeper, but she shook her head. "Severus, this is going to be quite the journey, and I've been thinking that I don't want to do it alone, and you're the one I love, is the offer still open to marry you?"

Severus Kissed her "Of course it is, it never closed, so does that mean I have to get the ring?"

Hermione smiled and nodded, while he summoned it.

While they were making the sofa into a bed for Nyx, (tomorrow they would conjure a new room) Severus asked- "Why did you say no before."

Hermione laughed " I knew you would ask me that, But I simply didn't think that I or you were ready for the commitment, but I know that we are now so it felt safe and theres no one else I love and I don't think I will ever love anyone else."

Severus smiled and finished tucking in the blankets as Nyx came out of the bathroom.

"Sir, she asked gently, are you my real father?"

Severus looked confused at Hermione, who shrugged her shoulders.

"Not biologically I'm not but I'll be your step father soon.

Nyx smiled. "That works." and crawled into her bed.

Hermione and Severus whispered quick goodnights as they themselves went to go get ready for bed.

At 2 or 3 in the morning Hermione wasn't sure which, she woke up because someone was tapping on her shoulder, She looked over "Nyx, are you alright?"

"No, I had a nightmare, can I sleep in here?"

Hermione smiled and nodded. Then went back to sleep. Nyx curled up against her back… The new beginning for them all.