Severus met Hermione in the entrance hall as promised in thirty minutes. She smiled as they walked around the lush green grounds of the McGonagall Estate. They hadn't spoken a word to each other the entire time just enjoying the quietness and the company of each other.

Hermione took a deep breathe and asked, "Professor, why is it that I can feel your emotions?"

Severus's stepped faltered for a moment. He knew this question would come up, but he had hoped it wouldn't arise yet. He knew he couldn't lie. Then she wouldn't trust him. He needed her to trust him.

They walked over the large gardens until they reached a bench. He motioned for Hermione to sit down. She nodded her head and sat down on the bench.

Severus looked around the gardens. It had a graveled path that was out lined with large gray rocks. The bushes contained thousands of different roses ranging from, the red rose to the rare rose such as black, blood red, white and even rarer purple rose. Then bushes cut in every shape from horses, to normal round hedges.

"When we first met and I took your hand into mine." said Severus as he took Hermione's hand into his larger one, "our magic bonded. This formed a connection. You can feel my emotions and I can feel your emotions. I don't know how deep the bond will go."

Hermione looked at the lilies that grew nearby in thought letting what the Potions Master's words sink in to her brain. "So there are many different types of bonds?" Severus nodded his head. "What kind of bonds are there?"

"There are two different types of bonds. There is a protection bond. This bond is when a witch or wizard seeks out a protector. The protector can feel its partners in trouble by their emotions or one can talk to their bond telepathically." explained Severus. "The second type of bond is the most rare. It's a soul bond. A soul bond is when a man and woman's souls connect as one. Its until death and beyond. The soul bond you can feel each others emotions, talk telepathically, in some rarer cases share magic. You are bond in marriage. But the soul bond will not happen until you are sixteen."

"Why sixteen?" asked Hermione.

"Sixteen is when you hit your magical maturity. But the Ministry of Magic has made that until you're seventeen. In the older days you were wed by the age of sixteen. Bond Magic is old so it never changes."

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded her head at the information. "So, we want know if we have a soul bond or just a protection bond until I turn sixteen?"

"Correct. I'm sorry this has happened to you Hermione. You're so young and we don't know if you're going to be stuck with me as your husband or just a protector. I fear either way I have ruined your life." said Severus shaking his head sadly.

Hermione felt like her heart had shattered at the man's words. She moved from the bench and sat down on her knees in front of him. She took both of his hands into her own. She realized that he believed that he wasn't worthy of this rare gift if was just a protection bond or a soul bond. He truly believed himself not worthy of it.

"Severus, you are a good man. Why do you feel like you don't deserve what ever bond is between us?" asked Hermione looking older then her eleven years.

"My past is dark Hermione. I've done things that will frighten you away. I'm not a good man."

She felt his pain run through her and wanted to cry. She bit her bottom lip and blinked away the tears. "Everybody has done things they are not proud of Severus. I was beaten for years because I was freak to John and Jane, but thanks to Minnie, Richard and you I know they were wrong. I'm not freak. I'm special that's what Granny tells me anyway." said Hermione with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

"Oh, you are so very special Hermione and don't let me or anyone else tell you any different." said Severus. "You're are mine to protect for now." He said moving his hands to cup her face gently thumbing away several fallen tears. "Let's continue our walk." He rose to his full height and helped Hermione to her feet and they made their way to the human size maze. "You have undoubtedly read about the war with a dark wizard they call He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

"Yes, I've read about it and know a little bit about Harry Potter. He was labeled as The Boy Who Lived. I personally think it's stupid to have called him that. I mean he was baby when it happened and he lost his parents." said Hermione. "Why do they call the dark wizard He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? It rather silly."

"Because names have power Hermione. They can be tabooed and much more. They fear the Dark Lord because he was a very powerful wizard and he caused many deaths."

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Hermione curiously. She gasped, "Where you a…a what are were they called?"

"A death eater." said Severus.

"Yea, that. Are you a death eater?"

Severus stopped walking through the maze and sat down on his knees so he was eye level with Hermione. He gently rested his hands on her shoulders. "You mustn't tell anyone Hermione. I'm telling you this because we are connected through emotions. The Dark Lord will return. I do not know when or how. I'm a spy for Professor Dumbledore. I have been since I was sixteen. I want you to be able to trust me this is why I'm telling you this."

She nodded her head. It was spinning at all the information he had told her. They first bound and now she found out he was a spy. Hermione took several deep breaths and closed her eyes. Severus pulled her into his arms and she rested her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent of herbs and spices. She buried her face into his shoulder enjoying the feel of being safe.

"This is a lot of information to take in at once." mumbled Hermione into his shoulder.

Severus ran his long fingers through her untamed curls. He kissed her temple gently. "I can lock away this until you are fourteen or when the Dark Lord shows himself. Would you prefer I do that?"

Hermione nodded her head. "Yes, I think it would be best."

Severus pulled back and rested his index fingers on her temples. He closed his eyes and entered Hermione's mind. He couldn't help but see all that John and Jane Granger did their only child. The server beatings with a belt, pushing her down a flight of stairs in result of broken ribs and a fractured skull. He pushed through her mind organizing it with doors as he went through them. He locked away the conversation they had just had and set it up with a trigger word that he alone could say. "Always my sweet girl." and he locked the door with a padlock. Severus pulled out of Hermione's mind and he tapped her nose with his finger and rose to his full height and they continued their walk through the maze.

"What made you want to become a Potions Master?" asked Hermione wanting to get to the man next to her.

He smiled at the girl next to him. "My mother was a Potions Mistress and I grew up around her making potions. They have power, a power you must learn to control by listening and watching. It's magic but there is no foolish wand waving. The books aren't always right, Hermione. Remember that."

She nodded her head and they made their way back into the castle since the sun began to set on them. Hermione knew supper would be soon. She didn't want to be late.

00

"Andy, I found it." said Richard happily after hours of reading through dark art books. "Riddle had to have made Horcuxes. This is very dark magic indeed." He shivered at the thought of one splitting their soul and placing it in an object. "We must track these down and destroy them. Riddle will come back. This will take along time just to track down what he used and what he placed them in." Richard puffed on his pipe and the smoke danced around the room. "We must get help. This is far bigger then I had hoped. We must find those we trust. Then once Harry has at lest one year of Hogwarts under his belt, the boy must be told of the prophecy. I know Albus. He will not tell Harry what he needs to know."

"Of course Master Richard. I agrees with yous. Harry must knows. It's his life after all. He losts his parents because of this dark wizards." said Andy in agreement.

"Good. Now let's call it a day." said Richard putting out his pipe and putting it away. "Have a good evening Andy. I will see you in the morning." He told the house elf and exited his office.

00

"There, my dear. We are all set for the wedding." said Ollivander with a smile as he closed the book.

"Yes, just our family and a few friends. And I'll finally be yours Reed Ollivander." said Annabelle and she gently captured his lips with her own.

They pulled back and smiled at each other. The couple looked in the door way and smiled at Richard who stood watching the couple with a smirk on his face. He was happy for his mother. He knew that she had always loved the wand maker. He never held it against her. He knew that's why she let him marry for love and not forced him marry someone.

"You have everything arranged?" asked Richard just as Severus and Hermione entered the library.

"Yes, the wedding is set during the Christmas break. Nothing like a snowy wedding." said Annabelle. She had always loved the snow since childhood.

"Sounds lovely Granny, but want it be cold?" asked Hermione.

Reed chuckled. "No little one, magic can do many wonderful things."

"Ok." said the young witch with a bright smile.

"Hello everyone." said Minerva with a smile.

"You look exhausted Minnie." said Richard taking his wife's hand and helped her to the armchair. "What did Albus make you do?"

Severus pulled out a small black bag and tapped it with his wand, and it grew in size. He opened it up and pulled out several potions. He handed them to the exhausted witch. Minerva took with a quiet thank you and took them down. She handed him back the empty vials. She felt much better after taking them. She would had gone to Poppy but she was out for the evening.

"Thank you Severus." said Minerva.

"Dinner is severed Master Richard." said Tricksey, who had appeared in the room.

"Shall we head to the dinning hall." said Richard helping Minerva to her feet.

"Me and Severus made desert." said Hermione.

Minerva raised a brow at Hermione and Severus when she used his given name.

"I don't see no harm in it as long as it is in a private. I will be Professor Snape once the school year begins. Just like with Minerva." said the Potions Master and Hermione nodded with a smile taking his arm that he had offered her.

00

Hermione sat down at her normal spot at the table and Severus sat down next to her. She smiled at the man next to her. She looked around at the table, and saw how the family had grown. She only hoped that she would be apart of the McGonagall family for a very long time.

00

Hermione entered her sitting room with a snowy white owl on her shoulder. She sat down on her couch and pulled out the letter from her pocket. She opened it up and smiled.

Hermione,

Sorry it took me a few days to finally sit down and write you. I hope things are going good. I can't wait to start Hogwarts. My cousin Dudley can't go. He's not a wizard like I am. My aunt and uncle are what we call muggles. But ever since I was little I've known I was different. They told me that I was special when I was little, but never fully understood why until my aunt gave me a stack of letters that my mum had wrote me. It explained that I was a wizard and would be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I know I have been lucky to have such understanding family, because I know some out there are not as lucky as me. I guess because my aunt grew up knowing about the wizarding world because of my mum writing her all the time and letting her read the books. I know my Aunt Petunia at times was upset about not being able to do magic. Aunt Petunia told me they had a falling out one time for a year, and then they mended their relationship when their parents died.

Anyway, tell me a little bit about yourself, how did your family react when you found out you being a witch? Tell me anything really. I'm all ears. Write back soon. The owl's name is Hedwig. She's really smart.

Hopefully your friend,

Harry

Hermione smiled slightly and petted the owl on the head. She walked over to her desk and pulled out a piece of paper. She sat in thought. She didn't know if she should tell him what the Grangers did to her. She shook her head and wrote her letter. She smiled and sealed the letter.

"Here you go Hedwig. You can take this to Harry. I hope to see you soon." said Hermione and she watched the owl fly out the window.

00er

Harry smiled when he saw Hedwig fly through the opened window. He pushed back from his computer and walked over to his owl. He took the letter and gave her a treat. He sat back down at his computer and shut it off for the night. He opened the letter and let his green eyes roam the looped letters.

Dear Harry,

It's great to finally get your letter. I was hoping you'd write me soon. I two can't wait to start Hogwarts. I have already read the first chapters of my books and took a few notes just to practice with my quill. It's not easy to write with one. Anyway, to let you know my parents didn't take the news well and leave it at. Maybe in time I can tell you more about it, but now is not the time.

I'm living with Mr. and Mrs. McGonagall for now. They have been great. The summer has been fun exploring their home and getting to know their house elves. I really don't have many hobbies. I like to read, cook mainly bake cakes and love to garden. The McGonagall's have a large garden and they let me pick out a spot just for my roses and other flowers.

I hope to see you soon on the train. Hopeful your friend,

Hermione

Harry's brow frowned slightly at some of the information that the letter contained. He wondered why she was staying with the McGonagalls' and not with her parents. He shrugged slightly at it, maybe within time she would trust him enough to tell him what happen, but until then he would do everything to befriend the girl.

00

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