I do not own Harry Potter, that is all JK Rowling's fantastic work.
Severus Snape stared at the paper in front of him. A new law? Forcing childless, able wizards or witches to take in muggleborn children for their protection. Severus slammed the paper down and rubbed his face wearily. Bringing his coffee mug over to the kitchen sink, he called one of two of his loyal house elves.
"Lucinda?"
"Yes, Master Severus sir? How can I be of assistance sir?" The tiny house elf squeaked.
"Would you be willing to buy some more coffee from Diagon Alley? I believe that we are almost out of my favorite flavor. I know it's hard to buy, so do not punish yourself if you can't find it," Severus said, making sure his voice was firm during the last bit.
"Yes sir, right away sir!" The elf apparated with a small crack.
Severus walked toward the library, making every intention of hiding from the world in there, until he heard Albus Dumbledore's Patronus coming from the other room.
"Severus, please come to my office, I have a couple things that are necessary to discuss with you," The phoenix disappeared through the window as Severus sighed, pulling his coat over his arms and buttoning the 12 buttons, before apparating with a crack.
"Absolutely not, Headmaster! I refuse to take in two muggleborns!" Severus exclaimed before glaring at Albus. "No, not because they are muggleborns, because I am not father material! I am 28 years old, Albus, you can't expect me to keep up with two wild brats, and maintain my appearance!"
Albus' eyes softened. "Please, Severus, every other staff member is taking 2 to 4 children. You must do this, mostly for the law, but think of how much you can do to change their lives. Besides, if you don't, people will suspect."
Severus's eyes snapped up. "Very well. Who are the little brats, and when do I need to move them to Prince Manor for good?"
"Ah, Severus, I was hoping that you would ask that question," Albus said, eyes twinkling again.
"Well? I asked a question, now answe
r it," Severus said, drawing out his words and getting impatient with the old man.
"I would like you to adopt Miss Hermione Granger, and Mr. Harry Potter, preferably tonight for their protection."
Severus simply stared at Albus Dumbledore before releasing a string of swear words.
Severus walked up the long sidewalk to the Granger's house, slowly, of course. A tall, dark, foreboding man, looking as sour as a lemon. Grimacing, he knocked on the door, and it opened, revealing a very bushy haired child.
"Mummy! Someone serious is at the door!" The little girl called, before smiling shyly at Severus.
Severus simply pursed his lips, even though he felt a strange draw to the child. Mrs. Granger appeared at the door, drying her hands on a towel, looking confused at the man who was standing on their front porch.
"Can I help you?"
"Mrs. Granger, I am one of the professors from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I know that Hermione has yet to receive her letter, but I believe that some things need to be explained. May I come in?"
Mrs. Granger nodded and led Severus into the living room and offered tea, which Severus politely declined.
"Mrs. Granger, your daughter is no ordinary child. She is a witch, and from the feel of her magical core, a very powerful one indeed."
Mrs. Granger's mouth fell open, staring at Severus, before taking a letter that he gave to her. After reading it thoroughly, she asked Hermione to leave the room.
"Believe it or not, I've heard of your world. My best friend went to Hogwarts, but she made me swear never to tell anyone. Here's another thing, Hermione isn't our child. We found her completely abandoned on the beach one day and decided to take her home. She doesn't know this though. I had asked my friend, Amelia Bones, to see if she could change her appearance at all so she would grow to look like us. Hermione knows that she is adopted, but she doesn't know anything else. Would there be a way for you to explain this to her, and possibly show her magic or something? I would also be curious to see if the, um, the thing could be removed? The one charm that makes her look different?"
Severus concealed his shock with a simple nod. "Do you mind if I go talk to her in private?" He asked, standing tall.
Mrs. Granger shook her head and pointed Severus towards Hermione's room.
Hermione opened the door to his knock and giggled, "Hi Mr. Serious Man!"
Severus walked in on the bushy haired girl with a book on her lap.
"Hello, Ms. Granger, may I sit down? I believe I have a little explaining to do."
Hermione pulled Severus into her room and let him sit on her twin sized bed, after moving plenty of books around for him to sit. Severus took a look around the girl's room. It was a pale lavender, and full of books. There were a few stuffed animals on the bed, but thankfully he didn't see make up, dress up clothes, or too many girly things. Severus made a mental note about this.
"Ms. Granger, my name is Professor Snape. I come from a school which teaches magic to young children like yourself. You may be wondering why I'm here. You see, a law was enacted to protect certain children, like yourself. You see, both of your adoptive parents are muggles, or non-magical folk. You however, are a witch. You have the ability to do magic. This law that was recently enacted, requires professors from Hogwarts to take in Muggleborn students for their own protection. Now, I am under the impression that you know that you are adopted, am I correct Ms. Granger?"
The girl nodded; eyes wide. "Are you a wizard? Do you have a magic wand? Can you do tricks? Can I learn how as well?"
"One question at a time, girl," Severus snapped at the girl, before returning to the soft voice he was using before. "Yes, I am a wizard. Yes, I have a wand, 12 and ¾ inches, made of Holly, unicorn hair, and particularly stiff. I can do spells, but my main expertise is potions. I am a Potions Master, and can make almost any concoction that you can and will need. You will learn how as well, along with other ridiculous wand waving techniques that other professors will teach you."
Severus stopped to look at the girl. Her eyes were intent, lapping up every word he said. It was almost like him when he was younger
"Ms. Granger, I am going to preform a spell on you. It won't hurt, but it will change your looks so you won't look like your parents. You will be unique and look more like your original parents. Is that alright?"
Hermione nodded, eager to see and understand, but trying to work the puzzle in her head that the Mr. Snape, er Professor Snape was giving her.
The Professor said a few words in Latin, confusing the girl, before she felt herself shiver and change. However, the only thing that really changed was the girls face, eyes, and hair. Turning around to look at herself in the mirror, she gasped, but she wasn't the only one.
Hermione stared at herself, her brown bushy hair was now jet black, similar in color to the man's hair behind her, and her eyes had changed too. Her eyes had taken on a violet color with golden flakes scattered around her iris. Her face turned from round and slightly chubby to lean and more oval. She met her Professor's eyes in the mirror.
Severus was completely baffled. He had always worried that his affair with Lily had produced a child, but he could never confirm it, but here was living proof that he had a daughter, standing right in front of him. He knew that from years of working in potions, and testing how they would work with different genes, that black eyes and green eyes often created the violet eyes that Hermione had. Noticing Hermione's eyes meeting his, he quickly schooled his features.
"Ms. Granger, please pack anything you might need. I hate to be so blunt and to leave so soon, but for your protection, it is absolutely necessary that we leave tonight. You will not get to spend holidays with your parents anymore, but I will also you to visit them occasionally while you are on holiday, since you grew up with them," Severus said before turning on his heel and leaving the young girl to pack.
"Professor?" The girl called.
Severus turned, lifting an eyebrow.
"Did I do something wrong? You seem angry and shocked," the little girl said, biting her lip.
"No, not at all, Ms. Granger. I will explain once we return to my Manor," Severus said, watching Hermione. Hermione gave a short nod, and it was all Severus took to not bark out in laughter before taking her downstairs to say what would be a tearful goodbye to her adoptive parents.
Hermione made her way downstairs, lugging a packed suitcase that held almost all of her clothes, books, stuffed animals, and pictures. She was doing her best not to cry as she saw her parents shaking hands with her new Professor.
"Hi, Mum, Daddy, Professor," Hermione said softly.
"Hermione, darling. Severus has been explaining everything to us. Don't worry about a thing. We will get to see you for a few days when you go on holiday in the winter, and in the summer, but since Severus is your guardian now, it is important that you spend most of your holidays with him. But don't worry, we can write letters to each other and I want to hear all about your new school when you start, alright?" Mrs. Granger's eyes were already brimming with tears.
"Good luck at school, Hermione. You're extremely smart. You can do anything you put your mind to. I'll miss you bunches. Don't forget to write to your old man." Mr. Granger said, giving Hermione a tight hug before releasing her.
"Come, child," Severus said, trying his hardest to be gentle with the girl.
Hermione was silently crying, doing her best to stay strong. Severus had assured her that she would be able to see her parents again for days on end, but leaving them was so hard. The minute she got to her new house she would write a letter to her parents. Hermione turned to her parents and waved. She blew a kiss to her parents, which they caught and held to their hearts. Severus led her out the door, nodding at Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
"I'll take good care of her," Severus said, before ushering the crying girl away from her parents.