A/N: My own cliff hanger from chapter 17 has defeated me and even I can't wait to get this written which is why you haven't had to wait weeks for it. As some of you may have noticed, Snape's sister is named after one of my reviewers; that is by design. I am trying to incorporate the names of most of my regular reviewers into a least one of my fics eventually. So far there has been two house elves named after my readers, Snape's sister in this story obviously and Tempest has made a double feature, the other being a random Slytherin 6th year in 'Owe You'.

As time progresses in all stories, I do wish to add more; if you would like to be included, please send me a private message. I am more than happy to add you as an antagonist, a love interest to someone, a house elf, maybe even a goblin if your pen name matches that type of creature.

Well, time to get on with the show, hold onto you magical pointy hats, a storm just blew in, will she bring thunder or just a drizzle of rain and mist?

Chapter 18 – You Are My Family

"Tempest? Is it really you?" Eileen asked in shock.

"I literally just told you," Hands on her hips, the dark haired, snarky witch let out a frustrated sigh. "The power of my name called me through the wards. Father taught me to use a similar 'taboo' to what he used on his. Thankfully, the fact you finally spoke my name to someone, pulled me out of the protection wards that Ant put around me – it's a fucking nightmare being with an ex-curse breaker, I couldn't leave the house. Where is he anyway?"

Eileen didn't speak, Severus and Hermione didn't move.

"Why are you being so quiet? And where is father? I know for a fact you kept tabs on him even though you were always on Dumbledore's side."

"Darling, come and sit down. I need to make a couple of introductions and explain a few things."

"What a gracious hostess you are, mother." Tempest said with very little patience as she swept towards Severus and Hermione at the open library door. "Tell me what's going on. Where are we anyway? What is this place?"

"Tempest…" Severus spoke for the first time as his sister approached him with his usual deadpan drawl. "It's been a long time."

Hermione, as she hid slightly behind him, had to stifle a smirk at his signature tone.

'He doesn't like her', she thought to herself. At least she thought it was to herself until she heard the softer tone of his voice echo in her head. 'No, I don't like her. She was raised by Voldemort; she is likely to be of his ideals. Her reaction to you will prove one way or the other.'

"Ah brother, dear. I assume mother has informed you that that endearment is no longer just because we were both under father's leadership?"

"How long have you known?" Severus asked.

"I've always known. I was raised by him, taught by him, trained by him. Our familial connection was kept a complete secret of course, as was your true identity but we both knew, we always knew. How do you think you escaped being avada'd for so long considering you were spying for that blithering old fool, Dumbledore? Now, I think I've answered enough of your questions until you answer some of mine… where are we? Where is the Dark Lord? And where is my gorgeous Anton? Please tell me you have an elf here, I could murder a drink." She said as she pushed past Severus, knocking him into Hermione.

"Ooooo, what do we have here?" she said, spotting the Hermione for the first time, "Timid little mouse aren't you? Hiding behind my brother. Are you some sort of maid? Brother dear, a witch rather than a house elf to serve you? How very 10th century of you."

"Miss Granger is not…" Severus began but he was cut off.

Hermione stepped from behind the protective barrier that was her lover's magnificent body, with hands on her hips and fury in her eyes to survey the woman before her who was in some ways already her sister-in-law.

She had expected the black hair; it was straight, sleek and long, magnificently and meticulously cared for, like a smooth sheet of gleaming volcanic glass; her eyes were a black as Severus's, inky pools of midnight but lacking the warmth she knew was hidden in the depths of her lover. The woman's face was formidable and very nearly expressionless, a hooked nose like her mother and brother but smaller; at least she has a nose, unlike her father in the last few years, Hermione thought with disgust.

Severus wanted to snort as he heard Hermione's thoughts.

"If you don't know who I am, Daddy didn't tell you as much as you think." Hermione said with more confidence that she felt. She knew it was probably a bad idea to antagonise this witch but the need to defend herself was overwhelming. She calmed herself and decided to try a more friendly approach… "Hermione Granger…" she said, holding out her hand; after all with Voldemort gone and most of the Death Eaters dead, what could it hurt to play nice with her future sister-in-law, despite the hideous familial connection. "Pleased to meet you."

Tempest's eyes narrowed on Hermione before looking her up and down and Severus smirked a little at his fire-cracker witch with a will of iron and all the cunning of a Slytherin.

"The mudblood?" Tempest asked Severus with an incredulous eyebrow. "Really? I thought you had more sense. Father will never allow this. He won't have you fouling up the bloodline with that!" She finished with a disgusted sneer, looking like she might be sick as she gestured to Hermione.

"The Dark Lord," Hermione began to reply for Severus, stepping forward and getting into the other witch's face, "Voldemort, Tom Marvolo Riddle, the great Heir of Salazar Slytherin," she continued, folding her arms over her chest as a smirk formed on her face, "Daddy dearest, has been defeated."

Tempest stared at Hermione is shock before flicking her eyes to Severus and then her mother in disbelief.

"Th-that's not possible. He was immortal. He'd conquered death." Tempest said, losing a little of her strong countenance to the tendrils of grief that were beginning to prickle her consciousness.

Noticing the change in demeanour, Hermione softened; letting her compassion override her dislike as she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper as if she was telling anyone else that their father had died.

"He's dead. I saw it myself. As much as I loathed him, I'm sorry for your loss. It's clear he meant so much to you and I understand how it feels to lose your father. Looking at you now, he must have done something right for you to love him enough that you're crying."

Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist and whispered in her ear, "You are too good."

She turned to him and smiled, kissing his cheek chastely. "She's your sister, your family. As much as I dislike her loyalty to Voldemort, she just found out her father is dead. That's enough for me to set aside my own feelings."

"So Gryffindor." Snape said in mock distaste.

"What about Antonin?" Tempest asked, sniffling as she gathered herself. "Is he alive?"

Hermione cringed.

Oh this isn't going to end well. Why didn't the prophecies show me this? Damn fates are messing with me. I had to kill Dolohov to save Fred. Severus will understand that but she won't. Should I even tell her? How can I not? Fuck!

Hermione took a deep, fortifying breath before she planned to retell her story of three days earlier.

"Erm… Miss, erm…"

"Dashon." Tempest said with a scowl at Hermione. "It was a name fashioned by my father to keep the secret of my parentage."

"Right, Miss, erm… Dashon," Hermione said quickly, wanting to get this over with before she lost her nerve, "The thing is, Dolohov is gone too; a couple of days ago now, on the last day of the war, at Hogwarts. He…"

Tempest screamed in anguish.

"I'm sorry." Hermione whispered.

Tempest's face spun quickly to Hermione and she swiped at her own tears, scowling.

"Who did it? Who killed my Anton?"

Hermione cringed again and gripped Severus' hand.

"That," he said in a slow measured voice, "would be me."

What are you doing? I'm not afraid of her Severus. Not to mention, I'm proud that I took his life to save Fred. He deserved it.

I am proving my loyalties to you. You are my family now. She is not.

Hermione's heart filled fit to burst when Severus's words were projected into her mind. Severus Snape considering Hermione Granger to be family was more than she could've hoped for. Yes, they were bonded, but that was by accident or rather by an insane past-life curse. This was present day, Severus Snape, denying his blood family, such as they were, in order to protect her. Her smile beamed.

"Whaaaaaat?" Tempest shrieked at Severus. "My own brother killing my husband, leaving my daughter fatherless. How could you do this to me?"

"You were married? To Dolohov?" Hermione inquired, quietly but still unable to keep the smile off her face from Severus's words, despite the precariousness of the situation.

"And what are you looking so happy about, mudblood? Yes, we were married. Of course we were married. Do you think I would have a child outside of a matrimonial bond? That's not how things are done in pureblood families. Not that you'd know anything about that." Tempest said, still shrieking and crying. Then rounded on her brother.

"Just think yourself lucky I can't kill you. Salazar, in his infinite wisdom made it impossible for any of his bloodline to turn their wand on each other with the intention to kill. The magic stops the spell from firing at family. You however…" she swung back to Hermione with her wand outstretched…. "mudblood, will not be so lucky."

Quick as a flash, Severus jumped in front of Hermione and Eileen lurched for her daughter. The spell hit Severus in the stomach just as Tempest was pulled away from trying again but the magic of Tempest's 'Avada' fizzled on impact.

She rounded on her mother, wand pointed directly between Eileen's eyes.

"Your father never managed to kill me Tempest. What makes you think you can?" Eileen asked calmly.

"How dare you speak of father? You never loved him." Tempest yelled; advancing on her mother as the older witch backed up.

"Of course I loved him." Eileen admitted, drawing her own wand on her daughter. "I stayed with him for years through his violence and abuse. It wasn't until I found out the truth of his heritage and his pureblood mania that I ran. And even after that I went back to him eventually, which is how you and your brother are here. Think about that for a moment, Tempest. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me. I tried to save you from him but he took you away from me. He wasn't the only one I kept tabs on, it was you as well. My magic, my heritage, my blood is in you as well." Eileen explained as she advanced back towards Tempest.

"You are a daughter of the Prince line as well as Riddle, Gaunt and Slytherin. You are my daughter and I will not have you attacking or killing my future daughter-in-law, never mind me. You will behave with respect to everyone in this house as is expected of you or the wards will eject you back to where you came from."

Tempest looked taken aback by her mother's force of will, but stood her ground and did not lower her wand in the face of Eileen's temper.

"Now, I think it's time for a drink and we will all talk like the civilized adults we are supposed to be." She said as she walked back to sofas of her earlier discussion with Severus and Hermione and took a seat. "Wands away."

Hermione and Severus took their places on the same sofa as earlier, eyeing Tempest warily while Tempest herself took one of the wingback chairs right by the fire.

"Weston," Severus called, and the elf popped into view, bowing. "A bottle of brandy, if you please."

"Yes sir." The elf replied, coming out of his bow. "Would the company enjoy snacks, sir? Weston can make sandwiches and cakes."

"That would be lovely, Weston." Hermione supplied. "Any chance of roast beef and piccalilli on the sandwiches? I have a bit of a craving."

"Of course, Miss." And the elf popped away.

The silence between those who remained was deafening and after several minutes, it was too much for Hermione. She had to say something and curiosity was getting the better of her.

"Tempest, you said you had a daughter? How old is she? What's her name?"

"Her name is Jewels and she is nine years old. She and her grandmother are still at the safe house that Anton warded to keep us safe during the war. I am only here because my mother spoke my name three times; it called me out of his wards and through these ones. As I'm assuming the wards here are erected with Prince blood, naturally, I could get through without injury. Of course, that begs the question, how did you get through?

Hermione, Tempest and Eileen all looked to Severus for an answer, whom smiled at Hermione.

"The wards allowed Miss Granger through because we are soul bonded through ancient magic and that bond has been sealed." He turned to Tempest and sneered. "Soul-mate trumps blood, sister."

"So without this ancient bond, you wouldn't have had to fuck a mudblood? Bad luck, brother. Can it not be broken?" Tempest asked smirking at Hermione.

Hermione hadn't thought of that; without the bond, would Severus have still chosen me? Did the bond affect his interest, his libido, his heart?

Although Severus heard her thoughts, he didn't respond to her insecurity via telepathy, he chose to respond to his sister's question to put Hermione's at rest.

"I have no idea whether or not the magic which bonded Hermione and I can be broken or reversed; I have not researched it, nor do I intend to. I am happy with my little Gryffindor witch; happier than I have ever been in my life. She accepts me for who I am; flaws and all; she understands my past, my apparently insane family, and she chooses me anyway, as I choose her. She is the steadying hand on my temper, my place of calm and because of this amazing witch, who just happens to be of a non-magical heritage, I have freedom for the first time in my life, a life that she saved. Do not question my loyalty to Hermione Granger because I have been blessed with the good fortune and luck to be placed in her good graces and there is nothing I would ever do to lose my place in her heart."

Hermione, uncaring of the audience after hearing Severus make such beautiful and open statements of his feelings, dived into his lap, straddled his legs and kissed him so forcefully, so completely that he was winded and gasping for air.

As she begrudgingly pulled away and turned back to the other witches in the room, her cheeks slightly pink at her brazen show of desire, she noticed Eileen's hand was over her heart and she was close to tears at her son's declarations and Hermione's rather blatant response.

"Touching." Tempest commented sarcastically, "I never thought I'd see the day you were so utterly pussy-whipped, brother."

"Proud to be so, sister." He said without an ounce of self-deprecation in his voice. "Tell me," he continued, never taking his eyes from Hermione. "Did you not have Dolohov so utterly beguiled as my beautiful witch has me?"

"Antonin and I are none of your business. Of course he loved me but he would never say such things about me because he knows… he knew I would have considered him weak for saying so. I'm sure he felt it though."

With a pop that made Hermione jump as it broke the tension in the room, Weston appeared with a bottle of decanted brandy and a plate of sandwiches. Hermione had a feeling he'd picked his moment, waiting until there was a lull in the tense conversations.

The food and drinks were enjoyed in relative silence, each member of the group stealing occasional glances at the others with varying degrees of resentment, hatred, respect or love. But once the food was cleared, it was Hermione who spoke first.

"Tempest, can I talk to you privately for a moment?"

"Why would do that? Why would I give you the opportunity to hex me? Not that you'd be quick enough."

"I have no intention of hexing you, unless I need to defend myself and if you don't think I'd be quick enough, what do you have to lose?"

"Fine." Tempest said, standing.

Severus gave Hermione a questioning look and squeezed her tighter.

"I'll be fine, I promise." She said, kissing him softly on the lips.

"Do you two ever stop being all soppy? It's sickening." Tempest asked with obvious disdain as Hermione left her lovers lap and joined the disgruntled witch.

"We'll pop out into the garden I think," Hermione announced, seemingly unaffected by the tension of the others.

"Lead the way then, mudblood." Tempest followed with a sneer.

Once in the garden and alone, Hermione rounded on Tempest.

"Right, now I don't have to watch what I say, you can shut up with all your snide little comments and listen for a minute." Hermione began. "I may be a mudblood but I'm still a witch; a powerful one too; a witch who helped to take down Voldemort and saved your brother's life so you can give me the respect I fucking deserve."

Tempest just rolled her eyes.

"Before I get into what I really want to say, I want to assure you that I truly am sorry for the hurt you must be feeling over the loss of your father and husband. They were not good people and I know Voldemort was incapable of love but as I said earlier, you obviously loved him and I'm sure you loved your husband too. No-one deserves to lose their loved ones but you haven't lost this side of your family," she said, gesturing back to the house. "Severus and Eileen, you are each other's blood too, whether you want to let them in or not. Voldemort took them away from you; you grew up without your mother and your twin brother because of him. I know things will be tense between us for a while but if you want a relationship with them, if you want to have a mother and a brother who will act like a real family, not just because of blood but because of love, then I will support it and help you to get that. I will never have my parents back but I have Harry and the Weasley's, and now I have Severus too. He is my family and by extension, so are you. If you and I can find a way forward without animosity, the others will follow.

Tempest was looking at Hermione seriously, considering her words. The silence stretch on as neither said anything.

"I'll think about it."

"Dumbledore was quite the fanatic of love being able to conquer all, you know? And while I don't agree with all of his philosophies and how he meddled in everyone's lives, I agree with him on that. Nothing but love could have given me the courage to get to where I am now and I want you to have the same kind of love in your life."

"I do. For my daughter. And still for Antonin too."

"I'd love to meet her. What's she like?"

"Too much like the Prince line of the family." Tempest said, the first genuine smile Hermione had seen on the other witch's face since she arrived. "She has quite a soft temperament but she's wildly intelligent and her magic takes more after her father's than mine."

"I think I might like her, given that description."

"The feeling would likely be mutual. As much as Antonin and I discourage it, she's fascinated with all things muggle."

"You really can't give the muggle thing a rest can you?"

"I've never tried."

"With Antonin, erm… gone, will his wards dissipate? Will you be able to bring her here?"

"Possibly. Some of the wards will dissipate others will not. And as I've been pulled out of them, I can't get back in either. They were set up for protection, no-one in, no-one out. It's only because the 'taboo' father set on my name was more powerful than the wards that I'm here."

"So you can't get to her?"

"Not at the moment. You're stuck with me, mudbl-… erm…"

"What if she said your name three times? Would the taboo call you back to her?"

"Erm… maybe. I don't know. I hadn't thought of that."

"Come on, let's head back into the house. Severus might know the answer. He's wildly intelligent too and I'm sure he'd love to meet his niece, no matter how much he complains about it."

Hermione linked her arm into her sister-in-law's, gripping tightly as the other witch tried to pull away.

"I know you don't like this and to be honest neither do I but I'm willing to falsify a truce until we find a real one. I know it will make Eileen happy and I'm sure very deep down in a place he doesn't even acknowledge, it will make Severus happy too. Now, it's getting late and we all need some sleep to calm the frayed nerves. I'm going to bed and then tomorrow morning, we're going to get your daughter. She's safe where she is, right?"

"Yes, she's safe where she is; she's with Lenka... erm... Antonin's mother. Severus was right, you really are the most Gryffindor…"

"I know that probably isn't meant as a compliment but I'm taking it as one." Hermione said as they re-entered the house.

As the two witches headed back toward the library, they heard the hushed voices of Severus and Eileen. Neither was able to catch anything too juicy in the heated conversation but "Dumbledore's secrets" raised both Tempest's and Hermione's eyebrows, as did "there must be a way to find out for sure, I'll go talk to his portrait. If he's the only one who knew, then he can be persuaded to divulge it to someone living. Do you really think it's her?" from Severus as they neared the door.

When the witches re-entered the library, the obviously private conversation halted abruptly and Severus turned to see his sister and his soul-mate enter the room, a look of apprehension on his face that they may have overheard something delicate and relief that they hadn't killed each other.

Hermione walked straight up to Severus, who was now standing, wrapping her arms around his waist and lifting up on her tip toes to kiss his cheek.

"I think I'm going to bed, babe. It's been a long, dramatic day and I'm exhausted. Stay and chat with your family if you're not tired. There must be so much for all of you to learn about each other now so much is out in the open." Hermione said in a quiet voice, though loud enough for Eileen and Tempest to hear.

Severus weighed his options: talk and more possible arguments with his mother and sister or bed with his beautiful young lover whom had saved his life and given him her heart. There really was no contest.

"Hermione, you are my family and hopefully without causing offence to mum or Tempest, I'd much rather spend the rest of my night with you." He said lovingly, making Hermione beam with happiness. He turned to his mother and sister, "Tempest, Weston will have prepared a guest room for you; mother, will you please show her where it is?"

"Of course, darling. I'll see you in the morning. We can have your favourite breakfast. It's so good to have you home, Sevvy."

"Mother, I am not five years old and my world cannot be made right as rain again with the promise of bacon sandwiches."

"I'll just do cereal then, shall I?"

Severus rolled his eyes.

"No, mother. Do the bacon sandwiches. I'll see you both tomorrow. Goodnight."

As everyone said goodnight to each other, Tempest a little stiffly hugging her mother, Severus realised he'd just got played by his mother; nothing too sinister of course but he recognised the sly nature of getting her way... there may be a little more Slytherin in her than I thought. Maybe a little of Tom's deviousness had rubbed off on her in the beginning, when they were happy. By the time he withdrew from his musings, he and Hermione were on the stairs and he had a question.

"Babe?" He asked, wondering about the endearment she had used.

"I just thought I'd try out it. It's popular in the muggle world. I can find something else, if you don't like it… Sevvy."

The arm around her waist dropped down to squeeze her bottom for her cheek and they headed to bed.

A/N: I was a little bit nicer this time, no obvious cliff hanger, except getting Jewels into the story; hopefully that will be next time. This chapter felt mainly like filler – introducing Tempest, getting a few flared tempers, concreting feelings a little more between Hermione and Severus and attempting to find a bit of common ground between Tempest and Hermione. I know I went heavy on conversation again but it really is my wheelhouse. Hope you all enjoy.

Please, do all the good things – read, review, favourite and follow.

Lots of love

Moon Out!