Late One Night

Disclaimer: I only Maria and Romulus...my version of him anyway.

Talloaks: As I forgot to answer your review last chapter, I will do that here instead. I'm glad you like my characterisations, I am actually finding it a bit tough to make Hermione seem smarter and Severus nastier… Ha ha, I don't like Ron, that's why I'm making him inconsiderate and annoying. No, no, Remus was not pregnant with their third child in Chapter 1, but I am foreshadowing another pregnancy now… Shouldn't have given that away, should I?

Eleonora1: Wow, long review. I would've made last chapter longer but I was tired and I had to get up for school the next morning. Yeah, little kids are annoying, aren't they? Well…Romulus might have a go at Sev for knocking his brother up again, but really, it was Rem's fault, he was leading Severus on. Oh yes, Rom is a cool guy, he is Hermione's favourite relative other than her parents. Yeah poor Hermione being teased by her friends. But boys will be boys, eh? Ah yes, Severus does love Remus and the girls, whether he wants to admit it or not, he just doesn't want to show it.

Jojo: Thank you!

Brunette89: Glad you like them! And I strive to make my chapters better.

Fallen Angel of Hell: Yeah, spraining your ankle hurts like hell, I don't want to know what it feels like to fracture it.

Warning: Out of Characterness on Lucius' part.

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Now, you may ask, why is Severus telling Hermione stuff about the Death Eaters and Voldemort? Well, he trusts her a great deal, possibly more than he trusts Remus.

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Werewolves in my Universe look like normal wolves, just bigger. I am going by what Hermione says in book three about werewolves and also Snape's question to the class.

Quote:

'Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?' said Snape.

=

'Please, sir,' said Hermione, whose hand was still in the air, 'the werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf-"

See? So, obviously a werewolf looks very similar to a true wolf, not that weird wolf-man creature they had in the third movie. I have to say, I nearly cried when I saw Remus turn into that. What an insult!

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Chapter 7: Christmas Time Part 2

It was a full moon and Hermione couldn't sleep. She always got restless this time of the month, she didn't know whether it was worrying about her dad and her sister that kept her awake or whether she had contracted some of the Lycanthropy genes. Either way, she was currently limping her way along a dungeon corridor to the Potions Classroom, which was nearly always occupied on a full moon night.

Sure enough, when she got there she could see a faint light coming from under the heavy wooden door.

Hermione pushed the door open quietly and went into the dimly lit classroom; she closed the door behind her and headed quietly down the aisle between the desks. She didn't think her father, at the front of the classroom, had heard her come in.

"Should Prefects be out after curfew?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows as she sat down at one of the front desks, "Probably not, but I couldn't sleep. Anyway, it's the holidays." She watched him closely for a moment; he seemed very absorbed in to whatever it was he was reading. "What are you reading?"

"Essays if you must know." Replied Severus, not bothering to lift his eyes.

Hermione perked up; the sixth years had handed in an essay to him before Christmas break, "Have you marked the sixth year ones yet?"

"In the process."

"Have you marked mine yet?" Asked Hermione curiously, she was rather hoping he had so she could sneak a look.

Severus snorted, "Even if I had, I wouldn't let you see your grade."

Hermione pouted, but soon realised it was useless as he wasn't looking at her, "Aw come on, please?"

"No."

"Daddy…"

"The endearment will not work on me." Replied Severus picking up a quill and marking the essay he had just finished. "Nor will the puppy eyes."

Hermione sighed, she crossed her arms on the table and leaned forward, "Fine." She looked to the potion brewing next to her and looked into the cauldron. "What are you making?"

"Pain relief for the pups."

Hermione smirked at his use of the pet name they both used for Remus and Maria, mainly because it annoyed Remus and it made Maria giggle after the full moon when she was at her weakest. And making Maria happy this time of the month was no easy feat.

She sat back down and leaned back on the desk, "Can I ask you something?"

"Even if I said no, it wouldn't stop you from asking, would it?" Severus still had his eyes on the essays he was hoping to finish marking before the moon set.

Hermione shook her head, "No." This was something that had been bugging her for months, but she hadn't really been alone with her dad long enough to ask. "You know that day when Dumbledore substituted for you?"

"Mm."

"You weren't sick were you?" Questioned Hermione.

Severus finally glanced up at her, "Have you ever known me to take a day off when I'm ill?" Hermione shook her head. "There's your answer."

Hermione bit her bottom lip, "The night before…while I was doing my Prefect rounds I saw Lucius dragging you back across the grounds." That finally got Severus' attention.

Severus stopped what he was doing and leaned back in his chair, he surveyed Hermione for a moment, "And why do you think that was?"

Hermione looked down at the floor in front of his desk, "Vol-the Dark Lord had called…" She had learnt the hard way about saying Voldemort in front of Severus, he had nearly hexed her for it. Though she had said the name right after he had come back from a gathering with the Dark Lord. She looked back up at her dad and saw the look of utter loathing on his face at the mention of Lord Voldemort. "What happened?"

Severus sighed deeply and rested his hands in his lap, "It appears that Dumbledore has yet another spy in his midst." He replied, his eyes focused on his daughter. "My cover was blown and the Dark Lord decided to inflict as much pain as he could."

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, "But…if he knew you'd betrayed him wouldn't he have just…outright killed you?"

Severus smirked humourlessly, "You would think wouldn't you?" Hermione's eyebrows raised slightly in question. "He decided it would be fun to test his new curses on me…and then he probably would have killed me."

"But you're still here."

"Well spotted." Hermione narrowed her eyes at him for that bit of sarcasm. Severus sighed, "Lucius stepped in, he promised the Dark Lord that he would finish me off at Malfoy Manor and instead, he dragged me back here. I'm sure I don't need to tell you the rest."

Hermione shook her head, she hated hearing about her parents getting hurt, especially after an incident she witnessed when she was six, of course, Severus didn't know of that. "Dad was even worse than you that day, he snapped at everyone for asking questions and he made Lavender cry, but then, that's quite easy to do."

As Severus was about to open his mouth to reply they both heard an odd snuffling noise coming from his office.

Hermione looked over to the office door and saw a white snout appear, it was sniffing something out. Following the snout were a pair of bright golden eyes and finally the entire head of a large wolf.

The wolf, or more to the point, the werewolf, nudged the door open all the way and wandered through, showing off his brilliant white body.

Hermione always went doe-eyed when she saw Moony; he was such a beautiful creature. How could anyone be afraid of that over grown puppy? Of course, the Wolfsbane Potion made him extremely docile, but it was common knowledge that werewolves never hurt their mate or their young, so both Hermione and Severus were perfectly safe around him if he hadn't had his Wolfsbane. Maria, on the other hand, was still too young to take any form of the Wolfsbane Potion, but she was only dangerous to Hermione and not her parents.

Moony snuffled again.

Hermione snorted, "Think he has a sinus problem?"

"Could do."

Moony turned his head to Severus and then he looked straight at Hermione, his golden eyes narrowed.

"What?" Hermione looked back at him innocently. "I stay up much later than this during the summer." Moony growled quietly at her. "Okay, fine, I'll go." She stood up and ignored the werewolf that was waiting expectantly. "Night dad."

"Goodnight."

Hermione turned and left the classroom, closing the door behind her so Moony couldn't try and follow if the urge came to him. She made a note to herself to finish that conversation with her father, there was something that didn't make sense to her and she wanted some answers, she needed answers otherwise she wouldn't be able to let it drop.

Severus raised his eyebrows at the white werewolf as it trotted over to him and rested its head on the Potion master's lap. Severus lifted a hand and scratched the werewolf behind the ear; "Did you purposely get up just so you could break up the father/daughter bonding?" Moony gave him an innocent look and he smirked. "Go back to bed, you need your rest."

Moony gave a pitiful whimper and continued gazing up at Severus with innocent golden eyes.

"What do you want you annoying creature?"

Moony, apparently equally annoyed at Severus' lack of understanding at what he wanted, lifted his head and attached his sharp teeth to Severus' robe sleeve and tugged.

"Ah, is the bed to big for you on your own?"

Moony wagged his tail and backed away as Severus stood up.

"Well, I see I'm not going to get anymore work done tonight." Said Severus, he cast a charm on the still brewing potion to stop it from making any more progress without him and then he followed the werewolf back through his office and to their quarters.

…

Hermione yawned as she headed back into the Gryffindor Common Room, she expected it to be deserted but what she found in there were the shocked faces of three boys and Harry looking slightly bashful as he looked at her.

"What?"

"Um…" Harry hesitated. "We were looking at the Map and eh…well…" He nodded to Neville, Dean and Seamus. "…They were wondering why you went to visit Snape at this time of the night…"

"Oh no…" Groaned Hermione, she fell down into her favourite armchair beside the fire. "What did you tell them?"

"The truth…" Harry looked away bashfully.

Hermione groaned again and put her face in her hands.

………

Severus awoke a couple of hours later to a pained groan from somewhere in the vicinity of his chest. He rubbed his eyes as his tired mind tried to figure out what had just made that noise and then it clicked, he sat up and looked to where his lover was curled up under the covers in pain. As he opened his mouth to say something, a pained cry for daddy sounded from the other bedroom.

Severus yawned, it was tiring having to look after two werewolves every month, but he reminded himself that he was doing it because he loved them so much. He knew Remus would be fine on his own for a while, with or without a pain cure, but Maria needed one of her parents now so he hauled himself out of bed and traipsed half dressed to Maria's room.

He went over to his little daughter, who was curled up tightly in a little ball sobbing her heart out in pain. Severus scooped her shaking body up into his arms and carried her out to the living room where he lit the fire with a quick charm and sat down in an armchair to cuddle her, like he did after every full moon.

Remus was willing to suffer a while longer to allow his daughter to be comforted, after all, he had been dealing with this since he was Maria's age, he was used to it. He turned over and curled up in the warm spot in the bed left by Severus and closed his eyes.

…

Severus had drifted off to sleep again, with Maria on his lap; it wasn't until his name was shouted through the fireplace that he woke up again. He looked blearily to the fire and saw the expectant face of Lucius Malfoy looking right back at him; he grumbled and got up, placing Maria back in the chair.

"You sure know how to pick the wrong time, don't you?" Snapped Severus as he got down on his knees in front of the fire.

Lucius raised an eyebrow, "Well, you're awake aren't you?"

Severus frowned and gazed at his old friend curiously, "What happened to you?"

Lucius snorted derisively, "The Dark Lord happened… Look, I'm coming to speak with Dumbledore later today and I think you would benefit from hearing what I have to say."

Severus furrowed his eyebrows, "Why don't you just tell me now?"

"Not through floo." Replied Lucius shaking his head. "Remus may want to hear what I have to report as well, if he's up to it, that is." Severus was still watching him curiously. "Just…keep a close eye on Hermione, all right?"

Severus felt his heart sink, so Voldemort was going to be coming after his daughter, most likely because of her friendship with Harry. He nodded, "All right, when will you be here?"

Lucius looked down, he must have been checking his watch, "After lunch, Hogwarts time."

Severus nodded again, "Very well. Is there anything else?"

"I've already spoken with Dumbledore, briefly, he may want Hermione to attend as well, as this concerns her."

After Lucius had cut the connection, Severus went back to Maria who was still fast asleep, the transformation and her crying was very exhausting to the little girl. He carefully picked her up and took her back to the room he shared with Remus, she didn't like being alone when she woke up after a transformation.

Remus opened his eyes when Severus entered the room with Maria, "Who were you talking to?"

Severus huffed quietly as he placed Maria in the bed, "Lucius." He sat down on the bed next to Remus and ran his fingers through tired lover's hair. "How are you feeling?"

Remus stifled a yawn, "Okay, I guess…" He yawned again. "Just tired and achy."

Severus gazed at his lover in concern; "Do you want some pain relief?"

"Yeah, please…"

Severus kissed him lightly on the lips before getting up, pulling on a warm robe and heading out to his classroom.

………

Hermione had gotten a note from Dumbledore requesting her presence in his office after lunch that day; she gazed at it curiously for a while. Why on Earth did Dumbledore want to speak with her? Had something happened to her parents?

"Why does he want to speak with you?" Asked a voice from just over her shoulder.

Hermione glanced at Harry and shrugged, "Don't know…maybe he knows the other three know… I'm really not sure."

"We're going to have a snowball fight, you want to come?" Asked Harry as he moved from behind her.

"Eh, no…" Hermione shook her head. "I might go back to the dungeon."

"Okay, see you later."

"See ya boys."

After the initial shock of whom Hermione's parents were, the other three boys had started to come around to the idea. And after breakfast they had had fun trying to compare Hermione's attitude to Severus', which turned out to be quite easy much to the brunette's dismay.

After they had gone, Hermione decided to head to the library instead of the dungeons. She could always find a peace of mind in there; it was like a second home to her, more so than the rest of Hogwarts.

She settled herself down with a couple of Arithmancy and Potions journals and started reading, ignoring the footsteps coming closer until someone's lifted up the front of the journal she was reading to see the title.

"Hm, interesting. Didn't think Arithmancy was your thing."

Hermione smirked, "Well, you haven't seen me since I was eleven, a lot's changed." She looked up at her uncle.

"I don't doubt that. After all, you were nice the last time I saw you." Replied Romulus as he sat down opposite her at the table. "I've heard the stories."

Hermione grinned, "I'm having a rebellious streak…can't help it if that involves violence."

Romulus smirked, "Fair enough."

"Can I ask you something?" Romulus nodded. "Why are you here?"

Romulus raised his eyebrows and had a mock hurt look on his face, "You don't want me here?" Hermione gave him a look. "All right, fine… I'm here because Dumbledore wants to start up a Duelling Club."

"Another?"

"Yeah, though I heard Lockhart's wasn't too successful."

Romulus grinned. "Anyway, he thought it would be a good idea considering Voldemort's return. I think he was also hoping it may help prepare certain students before they try anymore rescue attempts or mystery solving." He gazed at her pointedly.

Hermione blushed slightly and looked down, "Yeah well…the last time we tried to do something helpful, it resulted in Sirius' death…"

Romulus considered his niece for a moment; "You liked him a lot, didn't you?"

Hermione looked back up at him and smiled a little, "Yeah… I got to know him quite well when Dumbledore sent him to our house after rounding up the…" She trailed off uncertainly.

Romulus seemed to know her train of thought; "I'm in the Order. I just haven't attended many meetings at the Headquarters."

"Oh…" Hermione nodded slowly. "Anyway, while he was at our house I spent ages talking with him…late at night, cause we were both insomniacs. …So, this Duelling Club, are you going to have an assistant like Lockhart did?"

Romulus smirked, "Well, maybe, but perhaps not Lockhart's choice in assistants. I'd rather not be on the receiving end of Severus' wrath…I know he'd enjoy it."

Hermione giggled, "Who else would you pick then?"

Romulus feigned thought, "Well, I'm sure my brother would like to have a chance to attack me as well…so perhaps not him either."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "What happened between you two?"

Romulus sobered up a little, "…When I was first training as an Auror, in about my second year, I had to help bring in Death Eaters… Severus happened to be the one I captured."

"Oh…"

Romulus continued, "I was trying to get ahead in my training and because of that, Rem never forgave me."

"What did you do?"

"I tried to have your father thrown in Azkaban." Replied Romulus; a flash of guilt crossed his face. "I nearly succeeded until Dumbledore stepped in. Of course, there is something else as well…but I don't plan on letting you in on that."

Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly, "Ok then. I won't press for an answer."

……

Lunch was over; Dumbledore had already left the Great Hall, followed closely by Severus so Hermione decided it was her time to go to the Headmaster's office as well.

On her way there she met up with her Godfather, much to her surprise, "Are you going to see Dumbledore too?"

Lucius nodded, "Yes, its because of me that he has called this meeting."

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, "Then why does he want me there?"

"You'll find out when we get there." Replied Lucius shortly; he glanced at her curiously, "What happened to you?"

"I fell down a hill and fractured my ankle." Replied Hermione; she narrowed her eyes at the blond man. "It is not funny."

"I'm not laughing." But there was a definite tone of amusement in the blond's voice.

…

"Ah Lucius, Hermione, do sit down." Said Dumbledore as the two entered his office.

Hermione glanced at the other occupant in the room, her father, then to Lucius and finally Dumbledore. What the hell is going on? She sat down and obviously the curiosity and worry was evident on her face judging by Dumbledore's amused expression.

"Not to worry my dear, you are not in trouble." Said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. He turned his attention towards Lucius. "I trust you have some information involving Hermione."

Hermione's eyes widened in alarm, she looked quickly between the three men in the room and then she rested her eyes on Lucius as he started to speak.

"As you know, the Dark Lord is trying every possible means to get to Potter." Started Lucius, of course Severus and Albus knew that, but Hermione didn't. Though he was sure she could have probably guessed. "And at last night's meeting he expressed an interest in using Hermione as a pawn. He also thought it would be fun to give me the task of kidnapping her and taking her to him."

Hermione had gone deathly pale in horror; this was not the kind of thing she wanted to hear before Christmas. Voldemort wanted to use her to get at Harry? She could hardly say she didn't expect that, but now she had heard it from the mouth of a Death Eater, it was hard not to be worried.

Dumbledore nodded, "Very well. Was anything else said on the matter?"

Lucius shook his head, "Not really. Just that the Imperius Curse would be involved and that I'd be murdered if I didn't succeed."

Severus was the next person to speak; "Do you have a plan of action, Dumbledore?" He took Hermione's hand in his; he could tell just how much this was scaring her.

Dumbledore sighed and leaned back in his chair, "Not as such. But we cannot afford to have Hermione in Lord Voldemort's grasp, nor can we afford to have you, Lucius, killed." He turned his eyes back to Hermione. "First thing's first, do you know if Harry has been practising his Occlumency?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip and shook her head, "He hasn't…" She replied in a small voice. "He says he has when I ask, but I know he hasn't…"

………

Hermione limped back to Gryffindor Tower after the meeting feeling very deflated and scared, Dumbledore didn't have a plan yet so absolutely anything could happen between now and when he got one. So, all she could really do was sit back and wait for something to happen, whether that thing was going to be good or bad, she didn't know.

All she really knew was that being friends with Harry had put her in danger, as it had done the last five years of being at school with him. She also knew that Severus and Lucius were both extremely worried, judging by their sighs of despair after they left Dumbledore's office.

She managed to calm herself a little by knowing that very soon they would be learning all about the Unforgivable Curses in Defense Against the Dark Arts again. Perhaps it would give her more of a chance to learn how to fight the Imperius Curse, just in case. After all, Lucius did say that would be used if she came to be in Voldemort's clutches.

………

The rest of the holiday didn't go too well at all.

The day after speaking with Severus, Lucius and Dumbledore, Hermione noticed Harry acting very strangely around her; he had stopped letting her know when his scar hurt; though she could tell it was sometimes. She noticed that he was beginning to watch her suspiciously and she couldn't help but wonder whether Voldemort had sent messages to his subconscious mind or something, like he had done in the past.

Hermione lay awake the night before everyone else arrived back at school thinking. Oh this year was not going at all to plan…

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A/N: Yes I know, there was a serious lack of Harry attacking Hermione, but I've decided to let the tension build up a little but before anything else happened. So, sorry if you were hoping to see that. But on the plus side, it was a much longer chapter, nearly seventeen pages in Word.

Next Chapter: Ron corners Hermione, is for a verbal attack or to apologise? Harry gets increasingly more edgy around Hermione. Remus has a little surprise for his lover, but is it welcomed?