Author's POV

Monday the 22nd had finally arrived Severus woke up earlier than usual due to the event that will be unfolding later. He was looking forward to this day, but at the same time he was not — excitement would be the least on his mind. Despite his anticipation of seeing Hermione — and concurrently his sister, Morgan — alive again, he was dreading it. He felt anxious, not knowing whether all Hermione's soulmates would choose to come or not — and if they do, what would their reactions be like?

Decided not to ponder too much and start the day with a headache, he jumped out of bed and went to Hermione's room. For the last few days, the first thing in his list of tasks to do was to examine Hermione. The girl appeared to be calm — no physical changes — and all her health conditions had greatly improved. The only thing left to do now was waiting, and he had been waiting for a long time.

"Lori!" He called out and the house-elf appeared instantly.

"Yes, Master?" Lori ask as she looked at the floor before she looks at him.

"Today is going to be very eventful. Please ensure that Hermione is clean. I'm going to bring some guests home so that they can visit her." Severus said and the elf nod.

"Understood, Master. What time will they be coming, Master?" Lori ask him again.

"I'll be going out at 9 o'clock sharp, but possibly not for too long. Could you please have a meal ready for them? Maybe some sandwiches would be fine. And tea too, please," Severus added more orders to Lori but knew that she could handle them well "Oh, and have all the guest rooms ready, just in case we need to use it."

"Very well, Master. Lori will have everything ready for Master and Master's guests." Lori bowed her head dutifully.

"Thank you, Lori. You may go now." With a pop, Lori disappeared. Severus then went to have breakfast while reading the Daily Prophet before getting ready for the day. The hot topic on the news was still about the Ministry and the new awakening of darkness.

After getting ready — though he put on his usual black attires — he went to retrieve several items from his enchanted safe boot in his closet and laid them on his bed. Amongst those items were his sword, Caliburn; his shield, Wynebgwrthucher; several parchment papers that looked old and were drained in colour; and Hermione's prophecy orb — that was retrieved from her enchanted pocket, saved from being torn the other day. These were all the necessary things needed for the conversation he was about to have soon.

He remembered returning to Avalon during the summer of 1992 — after he had confirmed on Hermione's identity during her first year at Hogwarts. He used the teleport key he had kept in his possession to arrive there and went to the royal mausoleum, where the crypt of his past self remains was — along with other crypts that held Morgan's sisters. Under his crypt there was a secret vault where many things of his possessions laid hidden for centuries. There, he fetched his old shield and sword, along with the old parchment papers and the sealed jar containing Morgan's ashes, the Queen's ring — which was now hanged around Hermione's neck — and his wristband.

His anxiety increased with every passing second as Severus glanced at his watch. He realized that he had just enough time to make some adjustments to the wards placed in and around the house. He made sure to double check on the security for the people — five exact ladies who he really hoped will show up. He also hoped that everything will go smoothly, just as he had planned.

When the needles struck 9 am sharp, he took a deep breath to stabilize his rapid heartbeats before he disapparated from the house.

"Mother? Father?" Hermione's voice was so soft, like a whisper through the wind.

"Yes, honey?" Joseph asks.

"What is it, Mia?" Camilla asks the same time her husband ask their daughter.

Her parents answered at the same time and Hermione's heart swelled with happiness, the fresh tears dripping down her cheeks were unstoppable. She was smiling so wide that her cheeks should feel hurt, but she paid no mind.

Shaking her head, she said, "nothing. I just wanted to call for you. I've been wanting to do that for years." She grinned and wiped her face dry.

She was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug by both of her parents; she was sitting in between them on the bench under the tree. It surprised her how cold they were — not a single warmth she could feel from touching them. Despite the coldness, she was still grateful for their presence.

From the distance, she could see both the Goddess and demigod were watching them, so she mouthed her gratitude for gifting her with the presence of her parents she had been looking for.

She was not stupid; she realized that this gift, this happiness she felt would not last long. There was a reason why her parents — their souls — were able to be there with her. It may be a power of the Almighty, but Hermione believed that her parents were already dead.

"Oh, I have so many things to ask you both!" She exclaimed happily when they finally pulled apart. 'Enjoy this while it lasts,' her heart whispered.

"Shoot it, baby girl," Joseph said.

Camilla had her fingers raked through Hermione's hair, trying to tame it but was unsuccessful. "You really have your father's hair, Mia. Once, he kept his hair long — for fashion, he said — but it was really wild, an afro kind of hair."

Joseph laughed at the memory and at the look of Hermione's stunned face. "It was the trend at that time!" Camilla joined him in laughing albeit with more grace.

'Somehow Mother reminded me of Narcissa. I wonder why,' Hermione thought to herself.

"Wait! You knew about the afro hair trend? Seriously? Wasn't that a trend among the Muggles? I didn't know wizards and witches followed the trend too. Hold on, what am I? A Pure-blood, Half-blood, or Muggle-born?" Hermione asks as she looked at them.

They both laughed some more at the enthusiasm in Hermione's tone. "I can vouch that you're a Pure-blood witch, my dear. Have you not heard of our family's name before?" Joseph's said and look at Camilla confuse on Hermione's question.

Hermione shook her head.

"Well, my family is doomed already," Joseph said with a tone of acknowledgement and cackled with laughter. Hermione frowned as she did not understand what her father meant.

"You see, Honey, we both came from the Pure-blood families. However, we lived amongst the Muggles and associated with many Muggles in our lines of work. Have you not read anything about the Pure-blood society or encounter about the Sacred 2 families?" Camilla explained briefly.

"No, I did not know anything about the Sacred 28 families. I only read a few things about the Pure-blood customs and traditions, but why?" Hermione said and look at them both asking for some answer.

"No wonder you don't know anything about our family. Did Severus not tell you anything about us?" Camilla asked further.

Frowning, Hermione replied, "Sev? No, he didn't. Why would he?"

"He's your brother, Mia. He's supposed to take care of you," Joseph answered.

"What!?" Hermione shouts at the answer she has heard.

Several loud cracking noises were heard simultaneously inside the Shrieking Shack, making a certain silvery-blonde haired girl jumped off the run-down sofa she had been sitting on for the last few minutes. With a wand in her hand, she was ready to fire any unwelcomed intruder, although she had no idea who was she supposed to be meeting today.

"Ms. Delacour?" Professor McGonagall said. "Professor McGonagall?" Fleur said at the same time they saw each other while people were astounded as they called out to each other.

"Cissy? What are you doing here?" Bellatrix's eyes widened in surprise.

"I could ask you the same, Bella," Narcissa said nonchalantly and somehow, she could have guessed. What she did not expect, however, were the presence of the others.

"Bella? Cissy?" Both the said people turned towards the voice calling their names and they gasped in surprise.

"Andy?" They said in unison.

Upon hearing her name coming from the two persons whom she had been missing for years, Andromeda shed tears of longing She stepped closer to them but stopped when a wand was raised at her.

It was Bellatrix's.

Hurt flashed in Andromeda's eyes. Fleur gasped and backed away to a corner with her wand tight in her hand. Minerva immediately stood next to Andromeda and raised her wand at the notorious Death Eater. Narcissa stood by Bellatrix's side and her wand too, raised albeit lower.

"Flipendo!" Bellatrix fired off the first spell.

"Expelliarmus!" Minerva deflect it easily.

Spells were exchanged but to everyone's surprise, nothing happened. There were no jets of light coming out of any wand, and no one was hurt. Brows furrowed in confusion as they looked at each other and someone tried shooting another spell, only to have the same result. It was as if their wands had stopped working or not functioning at all.

"What's happening? Why isn't my wand working?"

"I would appreciate it if you could stop trying to hurt each other." A rough and deep voice came from a hidden corner of the room, and five heads snapped towards the source.

"Sev!" Narcissa said as she saw him. "Severus!" Bellatrix said as she eyed him in suspicion. "Professor Snape?" Fleur ask him in a way she could.

Bellatrix being herself — always the short-tempered person — went to grab the man by his robe and shoved him to the wall. "Explain. Now!" She barked at his face. What she lacked in height, she made up with the pitch of her voice.

Severus hissed at the slight pain he felt on his back from the impact of the rough treatment, although it was not really that hurt to him. Raising both hands in surrender, he said to them, "nothing is wrong with your wand or your magic. I only placed wards around this place to avoid anyone getting injured. Now, will you please let me go, Bella?"

Bellatrix scoffed but let him go. The others stared at him as if they were expecting the explanations as to why he had done what he said, but were disappointed when none came.

"I am thoroughly glad that all of you agreed to come today. Allow me to take you to a safe house where further explanations will be given, as I'm sure there are going to be a lot of things we need to talk about," he said instead.

"Are you this S.T.K.S. person who sent this letter to me?" Minerva asked while showing him the letter she received the day prior.

One hand moved to his chest; Severus bowed his head down. "Severus Tobias Kalovan Snape, at your service." He said after he had bowed.

"What do you mean by this? The missing piece to your hollow soul and the emptiness within your heart is finally within your reach. What does this mean? How do you even know about what I've been feeling?" Andromeda asked as she stepped closer t the man, her own letter was waving in her hand.

"Is it Hermione?" Fleur's soft voice made everyone's eyes turned towards her. "Is Hermione the missing piece to the hole inside my heart?" She walked closer towards the group and heard gasps coming from various directions, but her eyes focused at the only man in the room.

Severus sighed and both hands went to rub his face. For days, he had been pondering on which approach he should take to get this conversation going: One, either telling them about their — Hermione's and his — history first; or Two, dropping the bomb about the 'soulmate' topic first.

Considering the questions that they were asking, he figured he should choose the latter option then. But now was not the time especially not here.

"I have every intention to tell you everything you want to know, and more. But as it is, this place is not suitable for our conversation. If you would just kindly link our hands together, I'll bring us all to a safe house."

Severus held out both his hands and his eyes scanned each of their faces. However, they were looking at him warily, as if he suddenly became a stranger to them despite the years, they had known each other — except for Andromeda and Fleur who barely knew much about him.

"I expect as much of this response, but not from the three of you — Bella, Cissy, and Minerva. Surely I have earned some trust from you for the years we have known each other?"

The said trio cast a quick glance at each other and looked unsure.

"You're kidding me." Eyes shut, he groaned and dropped his hands. He startled when one hand was caught by long and slim fingers.

Which belonged to Fleur.

Black eyes snapped open and Severus watched as the French girl bravely held his hand and stood by his side. "Miss Delacour, he greeted politely.

"Fleur, please. I'm in pursuit of the answers to some questions that I have, and if you're the one who is able to provide them to me, I definitely don't want to miss this chance. I trust you." Fleur held her head high as the others regarded her words.

"Thank you, Fleur. Please, call me Severus." He smiled at Fleur but it was a strange sight to her. He held up his other hand an called out, "anyone else wants to join us?"

Slowly and one by one, they started to move and link their hands, making a big circle in the middle of the shack. Minerva stood in between Fleur and Andromeda, while Narcissa was standing in between Andromeda and Bellatrix, whereas the latter was holding Severus' left hand.

Bellatrix stuck her tongue out towards Andromeda to signify that she did not want to hold her middle sister's hand, and Andromeda replied just the same. Narcissa and Minerva rolled their eyes at the childish behaviour while Fleur chuckled at their antics. Severus only managed a small upturn of his lips.

"Where is this safe house?" Bellatrix asked skeptically.

"You'll see soon. I promise you'll be safe," Severus said and unleashed his magic through the link. Everyone gasped as they felt the unknown magic running through their bodies. "Ready? Hold on tight!" Severus said and they hold him.

The familiar tug of disapparition was felt and they were gone faster than anyone can reply "no".

"Bloody hell!" Hermione's loud roar echoed across the area, reverberated and even managed to make the surface of the peaceful lake rippled.

"Mia?" Both Joseph and Camilla were startled by the shriek. They watched as the look of disbelief appeared on their daughter' face.

"Everything you told me, everything, were they-were they the truth?" Hermione was gobsmacked at the revelation about her family's background.

There were no words that could describe what she was feeling. Surprised? Overwhelm? Appalled? Disturbing? Dumbfounded? Astounded? Disbelief? Confusion?

"Of course! We won't lie to you, honey," Camilla said, now confused at her daughter's reaction.

Hermione imagined that her face was draining in colour as she suddenly felt dizzy. Holding her head in her hand, the gears in her brain were turning furiously as many scenarios were playing in her mind. With the truth came one after another, her surprise became greater and greater — as if bombshells dropped on her like heavy rain and thunder.

"Are you alright, Mia?" Joseph asked with worry in his tone. Hermione managed to nod her head once, though she still felt dizzy.

"You look pale, Honey. Are you sure you're alright?" Camilla fretted about and her hands flew to check on Hermione.

"I'm fine, Mother. Truly am," Hermione said meekly. "I'm just surprised is all." She continues.

"Surprise of what? About my life or your mother's life?" Joseph frowned; his fingers scratched on his scruffy beard.

"Everything. Although I'm happy now that I know what you did in your life. You both are just so amazing!" Camilla said as she smiles.

Hermione beamed with pride and her face was filled with colour again. She was thoroughly pleased to know that she was born to two amazing and intelligent people.

Her father was one of the greatest archaeologists who had made many discoveries and contributions to various societies wizards or not; and her mother was a financial advisor — well-known throughout various countries.

"That doesn't sound like the reason for your shriek just now, Mia," Joseph said and Camilla's head bobbed in agreement.

Hermione sighed and tilted her head up towards the sky. "Do you know that I have destined soulmates?" She asked, not even looking at both of them.

"Severus did mention that, but not who. How many of them and who are they?" Camilla answered with a note of curiosity but was confused at the change of topic.

Hermione took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "There are five, all ladies-beautiful, intelligent and amazing ladies. One of them is Minerva McGonagall—"

"Minerva? - Professor McGonagall?" Both Joseph and Camilla gasped in surprise while Hermione merely shrugged her shoulders.

"Another one of them is just a few older than I am, Fleur Delacour. She's a French and a quarter-Veela—" Hermione was cut off by her father.

"Whoa, a Veela?! Is it true that they can transform when they get angry?" Joseph intercepted with a tone full of excitement.

"It is, and a very scary one at that. Remind me to never make Fleur mad," Hermione shuddered at the thought. Seeing Fleur mad and transformed into a harpy-like creature once — because Fleur was jealous at her friends' closeness with her girlfriend — was enough to make Hermione felt traumatized.

"So, Minerva and Ms. Delacour. You said five, Honey. Who are the other three?" Camilla could not hide her interest any longer. She wanted to know who were the five ladies that were destined to be with her only daughter. Too bad she was dead or else, she would have interviewed each and every one of them.

"You wouldn't believe it," Hermione sighed again. Was it really wise to tell them? Her heart raced in her chest. Joseph and Camilla glanced at each other, confused about the pause in the conversation.

"Who are they, Mia?" Camilla ask as she look at her husband grinning like a kid.

"The three Black sisters — Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa," Hermione muttered under her breath.

Silent filled their ears before Joseph let out a deep throaty laugh, while Camilla was gaping like a fish. They finally understood the reason for Hermione's loud shriek just now.

"Blimey, all three of them? You're not joking, are you, Hermione?" Camilla asked and Hermione blushed but nodded her head nonetheless.

"One is not enough, eh? That's my baby girl!" Joseph laughed again but was smacked on his thigh by his wife.

"Hermione, tell me the truth." Camilla grabbed both her daughter's shoulders and turned her so that they were facing each other.

"Prophecy and destiny be damned for now, but do you really have feelings for them? Do you know who those people are — especially Bellatrix and Narcissa?"

Hermione's blush deepened as she remembered the feeling of being held in each of the Black sisters' embrace. Her face was red and enough to let Camilla took a guess.

"I know, Mother. Bellatrix is a Death Eater, and Narcissa is married to one — an arsehole!" She growled.

"Language!" Camilla chastised; Hermione grinned sheepishly and apologized half-heartedly.

"Are you okay with the fact that I like women, Mother? Father?"

Hermione looked nervously at both of her parents, worried to come out to them. Even though many people had already known about her by now, she did not give a damn about what those people thought of her. She felt that her parents' opinions mattered the most, and her heart was pounding loudly as she anticipated for their replies.

"Why should I not? You're absolutely welcome to join the club, Mia!" Joseph grinned and held out his hand for a low high-five.

Hermione sighed with relief as she joined the gesture. "What club?" She asked, befuddled.

"Why, the We-Love-Women Club, of course!" Joseph laughed again and Camilla huffed in annoyance. "But make no mistake, there are only two women in my heart; you—" He kissed on Hermione's temple, "—and your mother, the love of my life."

Joseph emphasized his words by kissing on Hermione's temple again — just because he could — and then on his wife's lips in front of their daughter, resulted in Hermione's squeal of embarrassment. He laughed again.

"Mia, Honey, I don't mind whoever you love as long as they can love you back. Bear in mind that those three are like your aunts, and what's worse, they are all married," Camilla said in a firm tone — a warning to Hermione of the obstacles that laid in her journey of love and redemption — but her voice still held the gentleness, care and love of a worried mother.

Hermione nodded her head meekly. "I know, Mother, I don't think I can ever forget those facts. Honestly, I don't know how to face them anymore." She said.

"Just remember to be kind and have courage, Mia. That's how we lived our lives."

A loud cracking noise echoed throughout the living room as six figures appeared inside of a cottage. The truth was, this cottage was not far from the village of Hogsmeade, but several charms and wards were placed to make it hidden from outsiders. No one knew of its existence and every entrance of the cottage was sealed by very strong wards. Only selected people with permission would be allowed to enter and leave the place, and only one person could make adjustments to the wards — i.e. Severus.

"Where are we?" Someone asked as they looked around the place.

"Welcome to my humble abode. A place where no one could find us — not without my permission, at least. This place is off the map, and only I can permit entry to this house, as well as any departure," Severus explained to the five ladies.

"Wow, how do you manage to do that — keeping this place off the map?" Andromeda asked, intrigued.

"I supposed I could tell you the secret. Ancient magic — very, very old and ancient magic — was used to hide this place." Severus saw the bobbing of heads as they registered his words.

"In the simplest term, we're trapped?" Bellatrix glared at the man.

Severus rolled his eyes at his bitch of a friend. Luckily, he had known Bellatrix for years, so he had been accustomed to her bitchy personalities. Bellatrix usually acted that way because she was agitated, or feeling unsettled. And right now, he knew she had every right to feel that way. This place was unknown territory for her, and he had to make sure that she could feel safe, welcomed even.

"You can say it that way too, Bella, if it makes you feel good. I told you, you can trust me. You're safe here, no one will be exposed to any harm, and I certainly won't do anything to any of you, I promise." His words screamed nothing but sincerity although he spoke in his usual tone of annoyance.

"Bella, enough of that. We have known Severus for years, haven't we?" Narcissa said, irritated at her sister's childish behaviour. She did not want to delay the day any more than they already had; the previous conversation had left her feeling anxious.

"Cissy no fun~ I was just teasing him," Bellatrix sing-songed and giggled; everyone rolled their eyes at her.

"Before we proceed to our main agenda, I would like to bring you to someone first. Come, this way." Severus turned and walked away, leaving three confused ladies and two dreadful witches following in his trail. He did not even wait to see if they were following him.

He tried to calm the rapid beating of his heart while he maneuvered around the house. He led them to a darkened room, only when he flicked his hand and the heavy curtains moved to the side, sunlight shone through the large windows and revealed to them a figure lying on a spacious bed in the middle of the room.

"Hermione!" Andromeda, Fleur and Minerva shouted in unison.

Bellatrix and Narcissa stood by the door, frozen and paled as they looked at each other.

Well, damn!