"I know the question in your mind, warrior, and yes, it was I shielding her mind from you." Severus breathed a sigh of relief at this information. "And yes, her mind will always be shielded." Severus nodded, thankful that Pansy's plan could move along that much faster. "I sense other questions, Severus. Come, speak to your master."

"I've been wondering ever since I found her, if you were keeping her safe, how did she keep getting into trouble over the years?"

"Ah, Severus.. the true downside to not raising your daughter yourself is that you lack the forethought to ensure the safety of her future buy introducing her to danger. In her first year here she learned to accept her love of knowledge rather than think it was the enemy because of her difficulty in gaining friends. I'm sure you remember her involvement in finding the sorcerer's stone? She learned that her mind would be her greatest ally. A year later, her encounter with the basilisk taught her the importance of being prepared. Then she learned to stand up and fight for herself when your own godson offended her. Next, she learned how to deal with heartache. You see, Severus, who but a girl who's father made a deal with me could have surpassed all of that, hmm?"

Severus hung his head, shamed and humbled. "I understand now, Master. Thank you for your hand in raising her to be the strong, brave, and powerful witch she is. I will not question you again."

Lucifer sighed as he placed a hand on Severus's head. "I have spent a very long time with humans, Severus, and you have not been by any means, insolent. I will forgive your doubt."

Severus closed his eyes and felt his master's hand leave him. He opened his eyes and was alone once more in his chambers. He sat at his beautifully carved oak desk and wrote a note to Pansy as the sun lowered over the black lake. After he sent it off, he sat staring at a large painting of the Celtic tree of life which hung over his desk as he felt new doubts about being a father. In his mind he knew he did the right thing, making that deal and sending her away, but now to discover that his own master had been more of a father to her than himself, he felt miserable. He was extremely grateful at all Lucifer had done, but the guilt of not raising her himself weighed heavily on him. He knew he'd never get those years back and with a war coming who knew how many they'd have in the future. At this thought, Severus straightened his back and decided that he couldn't dwell on the past. He was now and would continue doing everything he could to repair and rebuild the family bond.

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"Miss Granger would you stay after class a moment?" Professor Snape had a difficult time keeping the anxiety out of his voice as he took the next step in Pansy's plan.

"Yes, Sir." She answered.

Harry and Ron shot glares at Hermione as they slowly packed their things. "Move it along now children, mind your business." Pansy smirked at the two as she crossed her arms and herded the boys out. They opened their mouths to start a fight and Professor Snape's dark shadow came up behind them.

"Is there a problem here, Mister Potter?" He asked.

"None, Sir." Harry answered bitterly.

"Then you may leave."

Pansy's smirk grew into a grin and she followed them out.

When the door closed the professor glided up to Hermione's desk where she sat staring at her hands. "Miss Granger, I wanted to talk to you about an upcoming lesson."

Hermione's head snapped up, confusion on her face. "Sir?"

Professor Snape sighed and hoped she would hold up well during the conversation they were about to have. " In the curriculum this year we are to study a lineage potion. The purpose of this potion is to-"

"show familial properties in the blood of a person; including blood status, if the individual is of age, and if they have living relatives." She finished.

"Precisely. Now, this potion must be taught, however it is up to me when to teach it. I am telling you this to make sure you can handle the lesson in light of recent...events. I do not want your grade to suffer due to lack of sensitivity on my part. So, I can either teach the lesson in class tomorrow and get it out of the way, or later on, when you have had more time to deal with your loss."

Hermione looked at her professor with her mouth hanging open. "Sir, can I be frank?"

"Please do."

"Why are you being so nice to me lately?"

Professor Snape's mind worked quickly to come up with something believable, lest the whole plan fall apart. "It is true that I have little tolerance for the younger students, however I think you'll find that when my students choose to be here, and are grateful for the things they learn in my classroom, I have a much greater tolerance for them. It is a waste of time to teach children with no appreciation for the very fine science of potions. I prefer to spend my energy on students who deserve to be here, and Miss Granger, your grades and attentiveness in my classes prove to me that you deserve to be here; more so than any other student I've taught in a long time. You could in fact easily apprentice with any potion's master if you wished."

Hermione's features lit up at hearing her professor's praise. "Really?" She asked.

"Miss Granger, do not insult your intelligence with self doubt. Yes really. I expect a lot from you as a student, but as I said, on this lesson it would be quite understandable if you were simply not ready."

Not wanting to disappoint her professor after his kind words, she looked at him with all the determination she could muster and answered, "Yes, I can do it. Don't worry about me, Sir, I won't disappoint you."

He considered her for a moment then nodded. "Very good. I also wanted to let you know that from my research last night, I found no reason to believe that your mind is in any danger. There have been no cases of ptsd found in magical folk because their magic protects them from such things. It appears to be a natural trait, rare, but permanent. If you wish, you can still practice on your own. From what I was able to see before I was shut off from your mind the last time, you can hold your own very well, and the practice you were doing on your own before was more than sufficient."

"So...I don't need more lessons?"

"I'm surprised and impressed to say, no, I think not. However if it makes you feel better, I can test you now and then to be sure."

Hermione nodded and grinned. "Thank you Professor!"

"There's nothing to thank me for, Miss Granger. You'd better get along to your next class."

"Yes, Sir."

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"Psst! Pansy!" Hermione whispered from the side of the crowded hall as the students made their way to dinner.

Pansy whirled around and found Hermione looking extremely pleased with herself. "What's up? You look happy!"

"Professor snape said... can we go to the library?"

"Are we allowed?" Pansy giggled.

"Oh..right.. okay how about meet me by the lake after dinner?"

"Yeah, I'll bring you some food since I'm guessing you'll not be going?"

"You're the best!"

"Never thought I'd hear anyone say that except Draco!" Pansy winked and Hermione blushed and gasped.

Hermione shook her head and walked towards the castle doors. She pushed open the heavy doors and sighed at the sight of the sun turning the sky various shades of orange and pinks. She made her way to the lake and plopped down in the deep grass by the edge of the water. She closed her eyes and laid back, pretending the only thing that had ever existed was her, that patch of grass and that sunset. It seemed like only a few minutes had passed before something dropped on her stomach. She opened her eyes and frowned at the weight on her stomach, then bolted upright when she realized it was food.

"You really are the best, Pansy." She said as she tore into the sandwich and apple.

"I know!" She said happily as she sat in the grass next to Hermione. "So...what did Professor Snape say?"

"Mmm!" Hermione finished chewing as quickly as she could and replied, "He said that my mind is protected permanently. I don't need lessons!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! He said it was a rare trait but I don't have to worry about anyone seeing anything in my mind. He said he'd test me now and then to be sure, but he has no reason to believe I'm not totally safe!"

"Wow! I've only ever heard of purebloods having that! That's amazing! You have earned the first in a series of Parkinson journals! Come to the dungeon and get it!"

"To the Slytherin common room?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Well yeah... I can't let the journals leave my possession. Your mind might be safe but the journals aren't safe from nosiness. You have to read them with me."

"Pansy! I can't go in there! I mean most of the younger students have been nicer but a lot of them would kill me!"

"So, we'll change your appearance, no one will recognize you!"

"That's a whole different problem!"

"Okay okay, come with me while everyone is still at dinner and we can take them somewhere else. Like to one of the classrooms."

"We can use the room of requirements!"

"You know where that is?"

"Yeah, we...me and Harry and Ron...we used to use it all the time."

Pansy raised her eyebrows at Hermione in shock.

"Ew, not like that!"

"Right...okay lets go."

"Wait, we don't have enough time now, let's go tomorrow as soon as dinner starts. It'll be out any minute now."

"Okay, tomorrow it is. I'll meet you outside Professor Snape's classroom!"

"Deal!"

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