Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable. This is another disclaimer. I make no money. This is for fun.
AN: I realize there will be a small level of confusion over the continued switching in which name is being used for Mila. This is on purpose. It is an attempt to show how each character views her. Those who have known her since they were firsties will still see her as Mione or Hermione. Those who only knew her during her time with Magnus Tohku, or who hung out with her on a regular basis during his tutelage, have taken up his nickname for her, Mila. It will even out in a few chapters as she comes into the person she was meant to be, I promise.
I will be making a public youtube playlist with the song inspirations for each chapter in order. This chapter's song inspiration, Fairyland, is Jpop. The entire song's English translation can be found in the end of chapter note, along with a link to the song. And this is one of those few chapters where the lead song in the playlist should be listened to while reading, instead of just before hand like most the others.
Chapter 2, Return to Hogwarts:
"Daybreak comes quickly these days, / The scent of wind has changed... / The childhood memories are still in my heart, / We never knew; / What would be waiting for us in our futures ..." – Fairyland By Ayumi Hamasaki.
Severus decided he could not wait any longer. "Granger!" He stormed through the study to her rooms – only to find the door locked and warded. Pesky little chit. "Granger! Open this door immediately!" No answer. "Granger!" Without further adieu, he began dismantling her wards. "Nonsensical bookworm!" He muttered after a moment or two. He let out a growl of frustration when he realized the wards were keyed to a password. As he tried to imagine what she could have used as the keyed word, a thought occurred to him. Granger was nothing if not logical. She would, therefore, choose something no one would ever dream of her choosing. "Mudblood," He stated firmly, only half expecting it to actually work. He was utterly shocked when he heard the click of the wards disengaging. Seven hells – it worked! The door swung open. ... To reveal a spitting mad Hermione in nothing but a towel.
"Severus Tobias Snape!" He briefly registered the second use, in a matter of hours, of his full name. "Just what in the name of Great Merlin's balls do you think you are doing?! I was in the tub! I may be your apprentice, but I am still allowed my private time! And my private space! You do not get to bang on my door repeatedly, then dismantle my wards!" She paused for breath, but before he could open his mouth – she was at it again. "And if I ever hear you utter that HATEFUL word again, I will report you! You are not the only Potions Master I know, Severus. I am not beholden to you in any way. I may prefer your company over Marcus', but he has offered to help me get my Mastery any time! I have options! Don't you dare pull the you-owe-me card either!" She paused again, her eyes blazing, her face flushed. "Don't forget, Severus, it was my testimony that sealed the Wizengamot decision to absolve you of all your crimes."
In that moment, Severus Snape saw Hermione Granger for who she truly was. A great and powerful witch. And Albus Dumbledore's biggest secret success.
The world finally found out just how secretive and manipulative Albus was in the first few months after the Final Battle – during The Dark Trials. Specifically, during the trials surrounding Severus Snape. It turned out there were only three people in the known world who truly knew everything about Albus – and his grand plan. Albus, of course; his brother Aberforth; and one 13-year-old little witch named Hermione Granger. Not even Minerva McGonagall or Snape himself had known the amount of information that Albus had put on her tiny shoulders.
In her third year, no one thought twice about the 3 hours Albus had spent with the young woman – supposedly teaching her how to use the time turner properly and instructing her on the rules governing time travel. Of course Hermione's over-sized brain was able to comprehend that information in under an hour. The rest of the time had been spent on other information. Apparently Albus had told her a lot more. He had told her everything.
Which partially explained why Mila had so adamantly and viciously defended Severus through the years. At his trial she had come forward; pensieve, memories, and veritaserum in hand. Thankfully, only 5 High Court members, plus Severus and Hermione, were required to view the memories. Minister Shacklebolt, Alpha for the Weres Lupin, Court Scribe Percy Weasley, Representative for the Order of the Phoenix Minerva McGonagall, and newly appointed Head Auror Harry Potter all observed the memories. Following the viewing they recessed with the rest of the Wizengamot court and went over the important details. When the court came back to declare their verdict, they absolved him of all crimes and acts.
Some how the same group of witnesses also got Narcissa released to two years house arrest with 1 year wand probation. Draco was completely absolved of all acts committed before the age of seventeen. He had only turned seventeen two months before the final battle. Due to the house arrest imposed upon him by Tom Riddle, he hadn't been involved in any real activity as an adult. Therefore the Wizengamot only assigned him two months of community service and a 500 galleon fine for aiding the Death Eaters by allowing them into his home.
Lucius Malfoy was the only Malfoy to heavily pay for his listed charges. Two years in Azkaban with four years house arrest and a total of 8 years with probationary magic. He was directed to hand over his seat on all boards to his son and his title as Lord as soon as Draco reached 25.
The Flint family was proven neutral by the same group, as were the Greengrasses. Davis Parkinson and his daughter Pansy were locked up, but Serefina, Pansy's mother, was proven totally innocent – a victim of her husband's abuse who quietly thwarted him from the inside – and was granted all the lands, names, titles, etc. that had belonged to Mr. Parkinson. Lady Parkinson was now making great strides in the care and housing of abused children, witches and wizards alike. There were many who would be locked up in Azkaban if not for the testimonies given by the Golden Trio – now duo, if the tabloids were to be believed.
Severus was staring at the bold little Gryffindor in bemused shock. She crossed her arms and huffed, causing the towel to loosen and slip a little. That's when he saw it. The rune right above her heart. He stiffened and glared coldly at her.
"What were you brewing in my lab – Sorceress?" Shocked by the term, Mila's arms dropped, the towel with it. Neither noticed.
"Wh-what did you call me?" Mila spluttered. She'd read what little information she could find about true Sorceresses and Sorcerers, collectively known as Magi. They were rare, very powerful witches and wizards with Earth /Elemental magick. Supposedly all were direct descendants of something called the Original Families. Sorceresses in particular were said to be directly descended from Guinevere herself. There hadn't been one in nearly 200 years.
Severus, without breaking eye contact, gently ran a finger over the rune on her left breast. He leaned in, keeping his eyes on hers, and whispered, "Sorceress."
With the second utterance of that word, Mila came to her senses and slapped his hand away from where it still lightly rested on her chest. "Don't ever touch me again," She hissed before slamming the door in his face. He smirked and whispered to himself,
"Part of me wants to make you eat those words, Ms. Granger."
On the other side of the warded door, Hermione heard him. One of the wards on her chambers – a spell she invented called projectolo– allowed any words spoken directly to the door or to her (within 'hearing' distance of the door) to be projected within her chambers. It's how she knew what he muttered at the door – and how she heard him now.
'Speaking of his password attempts...' She looked around and sure enough there was a ministry official owl sitting on one of her shelves. She impatiently responded to the short missive inquiring into her well being after a forbidden word was spoken in her presence. She waved the owl out the window and turned back to stare at the door again.
Did Severus Snape ... desire her?! Her incredulity on the matter was tempered and distracted by what he had said. She would need to owl Magnus, Selena, Neferia, Luna and Minny right away. They would all have to get together – soon.
She did her best to put it out of her mind. It was 6:05 and time to head down for the sorting. She quickly got dresses in a simple black and silver layered gypsy skirt with a silvery blue blouse. As she donned her silky gold apprentice robes over top, she smiled. It felt good to be back at Hogwarts. She applied a little light make-up, then turned to the mirror.
One of her favorite new-found abilities, since accessing her animagus form, was metamorphosing. She suddenly had been able to change her appearance at will. Mostly she changed her hair and that was it; occasionally she changed her eye color. Only when she truly wanted to go unnoticed did she change more than that. Truly, it was her hair that she changed most often.
Lately she had been partial to the short pixie cut it was now. Often, when she was unarguably upset, her hair would revert back to the hazy mushroom cloud it had been in her youth. It was like a mood indicator to those who spent enough time around her. Tonight was different, however. Tonight she wanted to be recognized. Tonight, if only for tonight, she wanted to simply be Hermione Granger – Gryffindor bookworm and teacher's pet. Just another returning student.
As she watched in the mirror, her hair grew out again; the long, curvy,golden brown locks sweeping down past her shoulders to mid back. She thought for a moment longer before using her wand-less magic to sweep it up into a half-up style. She let a few shorter curls frame her face elegantly while the other "half" flowed in shining, cascading waves down her back, reaching to just above her backside. She smiled brightly; she felt beautiful tonight.
When she reached the Great Hall, Severus was impatiently waiting for her just outside the doors. She eyed him warily as she drew nearer. He seemed to be calmer. She had made her mind up not to care about her Master until tomorrow. She just hoped he wasn't going to make her decision impossible. As she drew level with him, he quirked an eyebrow at her, a small smirk plying at the corner of his stern lips.
"Just so you are aware, Apprentice Granger, I will be forced to formally introduce you tonight," He quietly informed her. "Nice job on the glamour charm, by the way," He sneered. "You look much like the annoying bookworm of your youth." Without another word or glance backward, he strode to his seat. After blinking in surprise at the near-humble tone, she then rolled her eyes at his jibe. It seems he just could not help himself; he was a snarky git that would never change. Sighing internally, she followed him, smiling at the line up of the head table.
Of course, as always, Headmistress McGonagall was in the center, but she was pleased about the number of friendly, smiling faces. Severus, as Deputy Headmaster, was scowling in the seat directly to Minny's right. Hermione, as his apprentice, was directly to his right. Following on down the line, on Hermione's right side, she was delighted to see Neville – the current Herbology Master. He had taken over for Sprout 2 years previous – having begun his training while still in Hogwarts.
On Neville's right was Angelina Weasley, Fred's wife and the current transfiguration professor. Following her was Katie Bell – Hermione had heard Katie and Lee Jordan had recently tied the knot, judging by the ring on her finger, it must've been true – she had taken up the DADA position. Harry had really made an impression on her during Dumbledore's Army, apparently. Next was a new professor this year –Narcissa Malfoy. Her probation had ended in June of 2012, and she was officially released as a free woman. She spent three years putting her life back together.
Mila was exceptionally excited to see this particular witch.
It turns out Cissa, as Mila had been instructed to call her, is great friends with Selena Rhantep – a greatly renowned Charms Mistress. Well, Selena is a fond friend of Mag's, and she often came to visit and work with him on "special projects" throughout Mila's apprenticeship with him. This meant that Cissa often visited too. Mila, Cissa and Lea soon became great friends. As a brain worm began working its way through her head, Mila had coordinated with Minny and Cissa to create a brand new class at Hogwarts.
While growing up, and even now, there were so many small traditions, etiquette, manners and well-known ideas the Mila had been unaware of in the wizarding world. Not just pureblood things, wizard things. The biggest reason Tom Riddle gained so much support in the beginning was because the world was changing so fast; fast enough that all the manners and etiquette that the wizarding communities prided themselves on were lost. Suddenly the purebloods and elitists found themselves in a culture they felt was unseemly – not for the blood, but for the lack of grace and manners. Maybe they wouldn't have thought of the half-bloods and muggle-borns as threats if they had just known more about, and embraced, the wizarding culture.
When Mila had brought this theory to Minerva, she had utterly agreed. She had immediately inquired as to whom Mila would suggest as a professor for the new class. Taking into consideration that the guidelines for hire for the school board allowed for experience to make up for lack of credentials – Mila insisted Narcissa Malfoy be given the chance to apply. Minny thought it a wonderful way to start bridging the gaps and healing the wounds the war had created.
Mila smiled and waved nonchalantly to Cissa as she rounded the table to take her place next to Severus. She passed Madam Hooch and Sybil Trelawny on the way – both of them being to the right of Cissa. Mila glanced to all the faces on the left of Minny; waving to the friendly faces there as well. Next to McGonagall was Fillius Flitwick, followed by directly by Hagrid then a woman Mila believed to be the new Muggle Studies Professor, Ruth McKinnon, last of her name.
Next to her sat Septima, who had been thrilled to hear Hermione Granger had chosen to Master in her field of Arithmancy. Following Septima was Bathsheda, then Cedric's uncle Huthbert Diggory, the new History of Magic teacher for years 4 – 7. Aurora, still teaching Astronomy, sat second to the last chair; the last chair always being reserved for Firenze, though he rarely ate outside his office and classroom.
The moment she was seated, most of the table began talking to her. She did her best to keep up with everyone. Hagrid looked slightly wet –considering the storm outside, he must have just arrived back from escorting the 1st years. Moments later Neville excused himself to go fetch the first years as the 2nd through 7th years began filling the hall.
Severus appeared disinterested, staring around the hall at the students filing in. However, he had been watching his new apprentice, discretely, since she had entered the hall. Mentally, he was cataloging. Ever since he was a child, whenever something greatly upset him, he had taught himself to mentally catalog every known-to-be-true fact about what was upsetting him. A coping technique he retained through to adulthood. Currently, that subject was Ms. Granger.
As he watched her swivel and laugh and swivel and say something, and swivel back and smile again – he noticed the way she glowed. She was a truly bright soul. With a possibly dark secret. If she were as he suspected, she would wield a great power – a possibly dark power.
He watched as she carefully listened to each person who addressed her. Why would she lie to him like this? She was not someone to hide such things for personal gain. Unless she thought he would not accept her apprenticeship based on her added power. That was much more to her personality – if nothing else, yes, Hermione Granger was a worrier. He could just see her fretting as she packed as to whether or not to tell him of her mighty secret. Would he turn her away as unteachable? Would he try and lean on her to veer more towards the Dark Arts?
He shook mentally shook his head. He wasn't giving her enough credit and he knew it. She was a good soul, one of the few truly good left in the world. If she was hiding this, she either had a good reason, or did not yet fully understand what was happening. Hermione Granger never presented unfinished work. 'Now that's something,' He thought to himself, watching his apprentice talk to her friends. 'If she truly does not know what she is, she could be utterly terrified and trying to solve a problem she has no basis to solve. Only the Old Families would have any clue as to where to start with...'
His thoughts were interrupted as the great double doors swung open and Professor Longbottom marched through.
'How that dolt ever became a professor – I will surely never know.' Severus couldn't help the thought from flitting through his brain. Longbottom and he would never see eye to eye.
The Professor entered with hat and stool in hand, leading the first years. He settled back, ready to revert back to his train of thought, when he noticed Ms. Granger's rapt attention on the sorting. She was entranced as the hat began its new song.
Oh I may be old and tattered
As my clothe begins to mold
But my work is not yet done
All legends are not yet told
Through bloody battles and wars
I've watched this castle never fail
Though the world outside divided
Together within we prevailed
Great and loyal Hufflepuff
Showing how true a soul to be
With bold and courageous Gryffindor
Holding the mighty sword ready
Calm and wise Ravenclaw
Following the logical course
Swift and Cunning Slytherin
A determined driving force
Together they fought. United as one
To defeat the evil without
Love and goodness won the day
Though never did we doubt
To aid the world the goddesses did send
their true and virtuous daughter
Take heed children and learn the ways
Of the peaceful magic mother
Now put me on your head
I'll tell you where to go
To learn the ways of Magic
To restore the Earth's Tattered Soul
Mila wiped the tears from her eyes as Neville conducted the sorting. Looking around, she became aware of some of the muttering. She thought back to the last two verses of the song and then her confusion mirrored the Hall's. What was the hat talking about? The daughter of the Goddesses? Restoring the Earth's Soul? She set it aside for pondering later, as Minny stood up to begin her speech.
"Welcome, welcome. Another year begins. I am your Headmistress, Professor McGonagall. First, a few reminders..." Mila zoned out during the rules. It wasn't until she heard something new that she snapped back to attention. "Please remember that while visiting the other common rooms is allowed, curfew still remains as 10pm."
'Well that's new. Wonder when that change occurred. Probably to encourage unity.' Mila let a brief wistful smile grace her face as she pondered how far they had come from fighting in the corridors; house vs house.
"Now, we have a few new members of staff that need introducing. First, Muggle Studies will resume, as we have found a new Professor. Everyone please welcome Professor McKinnon!" There was a polite round of applause. Some of the older students who recognized the name stood and bowed in deference to the sacrifices made by the McKinnon family during the war. "We have also found another History of Magic teacher," Mila watched many ears perk up – no one really enjoyed Binn's class. "Professor Diggory will be teaching," The applause started loudly ... and early. "Years four through seven!" Minny had to shout to be heard over the noise – which immediately died down and there were definitely groans from the 3rd and 2nd years.
"There is a new required class this year," Minny continued, "Magical Traditions will be taught by Madame Malfoy." This statement was met with shocked silence. To Mila's astonishment, it was Severus who stood and began the applause. It started slow but was soon thundering. Then the cheering started and the students stood. It had become common knowledge – the struggle of Narcissa Malfoy.
Married off far too young in order to further the Black family's position, Narcissa was given over to a man she barely knew. Lucius Malfoy was everything a properly raised young wizard should be. And rich.
It took years for them to learn to love each other. Once they did, their love ran deeper than the sky. They tried for years before they were able to conceive a child. Draco was their whole life. When the wars started, they were one of those old pureblood families who found their world changing far too quickly.
When Tom Riddle offered them a way to keep their world from changing to something they didn't understand, they held on tightly. It soon became clear, however, that the ideals presented to them, were not the true goals of Riddle. They had long lost faith in the megalomaniac by the end of the first Dark War. They stuck together and that was it. All they had, in their view, was each other. The side of the light would never take them once they had been tainted by the dark as far as they knew. So they did their best to hide their growing resentment of Riddle and just keep a low profile. They only involved themselves in enough of the war to keep Draco safe.
It was still commonplace tea-time gossip for young ladies to talk about Draco's bravery in the Final Battle. When Riddle called the cease-fire and told the loyalists to join them and be saved – Draco stood in front of several young students and protected them. Cissa, of course, joined her son and they stood tall in the face of Riddle and his army. Lucius followed the family he loved so and told Riddle"I should have killed you in school."
When the fighting broke out again, Draco continued to shield and guard the youngest while Lucius used his dark mark to cast a containment spell on the Death Eaters he encountered. Cissa stood, like a warrior goddess of old, guarding Harry's back while he battled Tom one last time. Though they all had trials, they had all been released eventually. Lucius was the last on probation.
Now here she stood. Narcissa Malfoy nee Black had battled through hell and back and now stood ready to prove herself. Mila was very excited to see her new friend everyday and watch her overcome the adversity she faced. Finally the cheering and roaring applause began to die down and Minny was able to continue once more. "Our final addition this year will be introduced to you by our resident Potions Master."
The muttering broke out immediately but was swiftly silenced with the infamous Snape Glare. Mila straightened. This was it. Severus was going to introduce her. Why was she so nervous about that?
Severus stood and cleared his throat, glaring at everyone until the last of the muttering died away and there was silence. Taking a deep breath and clearing his throat, he glanced down to the carved wings that made up the podium. Watching the candles flicker across the gold wings, he sighed and began.
"Tonight I have the utmost pleasure to introduce to you a wonderful young woman and witch," He looked up, picking a random spot and staring straight ahead. If he didn't think about it too much, maybe this would be over faster. "From a young age this woman defied every expectation and rule that had been set for her and her peers. Her abilities far belied her heritage and upbringing. She excelled in everything she did."
Mila stared in utter surprise. There seemed no malice nor sarcasm behind his words; only respect. Severus continued, starring out at the sea of students.
"When she arrived at Hogwarts for her first year, she encountered the first real amount of adversity she would face. It is truly difficult, as a guardian of young souls, as a teacher of young minds, to watch quite possibly the brightest mind since Albus Dumbledore, go through such hardships. A lack of friends and supporters when entering a new and terrifying world is unimaginably difficult. She found herself confronted with a series of terrifying events no 11-year-old should ever have to face coupled with no real knowledge of the world she now found herself in."
Mila felt shivers run down her spine. Those first years as a witch were so difficult for her. She would not wish even one of her years at Hogwarts on any soul.
"Yet I recognized in her the brilliance I saw in only one other – my mentor, Albus. It was her brilliance that made her shine, and her brilliance that very nearly doomed her. I will admit I felt a kindred spirit with a student – for the first time in all my years of teaching, I truly cared about the fate of one of my charges. This tiny slip of a girl most certainly had garnered my attention."
Mila blushed as he turned his gaze on her. She had no idea he had watched her so carefully. She had truly thought that he had nothing but disdain and hated for her. It wasn't until her third year, when Albus had told her everything, that she had realized there was more to the dour potions master. And now, as she eyed him through her curls, she realized she still had a lot to learn about her idol. Pondering the nervous twitch of his mouth she realized how unsettled he was. As she carefully pondered his words, she realized why. Beyond the usual nerves of public speaking - he was attempting to apologize to her. Whether it was just for their argument before dinner or for years of torment, she couldn't say. But here it was - a thinly veiled apology from one Severus T. Snape. Shocked, Mila zeroed back in on what he was saying.
"I will also admit I felt dread creep in when the first people to befriend this insufferable-know-it all were two of the most bedeviled children I had ever met. Of course the only bright spot for the generation would end up friends with someone who was doomed, marked indeed, to die in a few short years."
Mila was utterly bewildered. She would never have seen it that way. She would never have known that he was aggravated not at she herself, but at her choice of friends. For in choosing to be friends with Harry, though she had not known it at the time, she had fated herself for death – at least that is how it would have seemed to Severus.
There was an amount of murmuring in the room now. Those who had not already noticed her, or who had not put the pieces together yet, were beginning to realize of whom their professor spoke.
"However she persevered. She tempted fate and won. She fought battles and circumstances no ordinary soul could possibly have overcome. Yet she did. All through her school years, I cursed her for her choice in alliance – so sure was I she would not make it. I have never been more happy to be proven wrong. I watched her grow, learn and damn near conquer the world. I enjoyed her passion for knowledge. I admired her strength and courage. I still do."
Tears began forming in Mila's eyes. Never had she imagined that, not only did he not hate her, he felt all this. Severus glanced at her for a split second again. She smiled at him and he held her gaze this time as he continued.
"I never dreamed that the "forced anonymous" application from an Ancient Runes Mistress would turn out to be her. I never imagined, as I sent the standard acceptance letter, that when I met my new apprentice just before the start of term, that I would have the one woman from her generation that I truly admired standing before me. It turns out I may enjoy being surprised and even proven wrong more than I ever thought possible."
There was a small amount of nervous laughter that ran through the hall at this last statement. Mila barely noticed. She held her Master's gaze and ever so slightly nodded. Message received, apology accepted. Severus' lips twitched and he turned back to the students and room at large.
"I'd like to introduce you now, to the very same woman. That tiny slip of a child, with bushy hair and buck teeth, who has astounded me from her first moments at Hogwarts. I present to you: Mistress of Arithmancy, Order of Merlin First Class, War Hero Second Class, and now, Potions Apprentice; Hermione Granger!"
Mila wiped her face of tears as she stood to absolutely ground shaking applause. The students and professors alike were cheering as she walked to where Severus was waiting for her. She beamed at him as they shook hands; he let her see the tiniest upturn of his slim lips.
She stepped to the owl podium and waved her arms for silence. "Thank you for your warm welcome," She smiled and turned to Severus for a moment. "And for your kind words Professor. I look forward to studying in these great walls once more. All I have left to say is: Nitwit, blubber, oddment, and tweak." She gazed at Minny as she said this, barely hearing the new round of applause from the older students. She gave a slight bow and resumed her seat next to Severus.
She resisted the urge to eat one of everything as the platters filled in front of her. There was nothing quite like Hogwarts' Elves' cooking.
"Oh Mila, it is so great to see you again! It has certainly been too long!"
Mila giggled, "Cissa, it's only been a month, dear."
"Yes well, a month is too long!" Cissa insisted, beaming at her. "You simply must come for tea in my quarters just as soon as you are settled!"
"Oh that would be lovely..."
Severus tuned out as the women continued chitchatting over dinner; Longbottom getting involved after a bit. It wasn't until dessert, when he heard his name, that he tuned in again. Never looking up from his plate, he listened in on the gossipers next to him.
"...I was so excited when I heard though! We had all hoped he would – we also know how he can be," Narcissa was saying, a small giggle in her voice.
"Now, Cissa, be kind," Mila giggled back, " That is my new Master you are speaking about."
"I never thought I'd see this day," Neville chuckled. "You were always his greatest defender, but I never thought you'd subject yourself to his...erm...teaching methods again." Mila visibly stiffened. Taking an attempted subtle glance at him out of the corner of her eye, Mila leaned over Neville to Narcissa.
"We need to have a discussion. After dinner, Cissa, Neville, Minny; we need to get together in my rooms – it's urgent."
"Are you alright Mione?" Neville set his hand on top of hers were it rested on the table. Severus' blood began to boil.
"Yes, I just have –"
"Apprentice," Severus interrupted her, "We have much to do. As soon as you are finished, report to the lab." And with that he stalked off. With a quiet sigh of exasperation, Mila got Minny's attention then turned back to Neville and Cissa.
"Lunch this weekend?" Cissa quickly offered as an alternative.
"Yes, if I can get away," bemoaned Mila.
Cissa smiled her "proper lady" smile and took a delicate sip of her juice. "I happen to know Severus will be at my home this weekend. Therefore he will not be present to impede any of your activities." She winked at Mila conspiratorially. Mila grinned, they all agreed, then she took off for the lab.
The next morning Mile woke up to a letter from Magnus. The beautiful Hoopoe Mag had raised from an egg was quietly preening on her bedside table when she opened her eyes.
"G'Morning Kai," Mila mumbled sleepily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Mouse..." She reached a hand out into the air near the floor next to her bed. Mercifully Mouse had her coffee ready. "Thanks Love." She sat up slowly, blinking and grasping the mug like a lifeline. Mouse had already returned to her work by the time Mile was truly awake. Yesterday really was a rarity in Mila's world. She hated mornings! Especially since her sleep patterns kept changing after accessing her animagus. Coffee was the only thing that could 'rouse her and it also was the only thing that kept her from being an absolute nightmare all day.
She threw off the covers and slid her feet into her slippers. Coffee in hand, she made her way to the kitchenette for breakfast, the giant Hoopoe following her sedately. "I still say you are far too large for a common Hoopoe," Mila muttered to Kai as she fished out the bag of caramelized crickets she kept for him. The Hoopoe was roughly five pounds heavier and two inches taller than Fawkes. The phoenix,who now kept Harry company, often would refuse to deliver Harry's missives while Kai was in the room. Stubborn birds – they should know by now Hermione had enough love for all of them.
As Kai munched on the small handful of dried and caramelized crickets she set in front of him, Mila untied the tiny scroll. The moment she set it on the table, it re-sized to a normal scroll. Mag always shrunk his missives so they would be easier for Kai to deliver.
Dearest Mila,
I somehow find myself traveling to that wretched, colorless, dull country you call "home." I jest, my Mila. I will be in London for several days and would request an audience with my ward. I shall arrive at Hogwarts on September 2nd around roughly 10AM. Try to...
Mila never read the rest. She had glanced at the clock and realized it was already 9:30! She quickly ran to her fireplace, calling for her house elf on the way.
"Mouse! Quickly love, get some snackies from the kitchen, and prepare for guests!" As Mouse popped away, Mila flooed Minny. "Please come through!" She gasped before running to get dressed.
She was just pulling on her old purple and green silk apprentice robes over black jeans with a white blouse and her favorite sandal-heels, when Minny strolled through her bedroom doors, full Headmistress regalia on, red faced and breathing hard.
"Ms.- sorry – Mistress Granger, what is going on?"
"Minny! GrandMaster Tohku will be here in moments! He'll be coming through my private floo," Minny started adjusting her robes and hair as Mila ran around making herself and her quarters look their best. "Help me tidy please?" Mila was frazzled and begged her friend. Minny, Mouse, and Mila were still cleaning when the warning chimes played. They ran to stand in front of the floo, patting things into place along the way.
"I take it he is on the list of visitors keyed to your floo and wards?" Minny muttered to her as they waited.
"I have a copy for you in my desk," Mila whispered back. The fireplace flared green and out stepped a small, stooped, ancient, Korean in flowing vibrant green and bright purple Master's robes. Minny bowed low, as did Mila.
"GrandMaster," They both intoned.
"Mistresses," Came his raspy reply. Kai came out of no where and perched on his shoulder. "Come, Mila, we have much to discuss." He began wandering into Mila's kitchenette. Mila and Minny quickly followed.
"GrandMaster Tohku," Minny started.
"I think simply Magnus will do, Minerva," Mag chuckled.
"Yes, yes of course. Still it's a great Honor to have you here. Thank you for..."
"Enough, child." Mag waved her off. "We've known each other since your apprenticeship with Gwen. Now, Mila dear – serve the tea." He smiled benignly at them and plopped into a chair in the kitchenette.
Sometime later, nearing noon, Severus entered the study, fuming. "Granger!" He barked, banging on her door. Hermione politely excused herself from the merry chatter occurring in her kitchen and went to answer her door.
"Yes, Master Severus?" She stood in the doorway, allowing him to hear the laughter but not see into her rooms.
"Apprentice! This is hardly the time for social parties – you have work to be doing!"
"Master, I knew you had a class from 8 this morning until 11:30, so I presumed- "
"Well you presumed wrong!"
"Mistress Granger, tell the old bat to join us!" Came a raspy voice from the kitchenette. Mila sighed and gestured for Severus to follow her. As they walked through her quarters to the gathering in her kitchen, Severus took note that, surprisingly, her color scheme was done in greens, browns, silvers, golds, and blacks.
"Master Severus, I present Mistress McGonagall and GrandMaster Tohku," Mila muttered bemusedly as she resumed her seat at the small round table. She groaned inwardly, realizing the open chair was between her and Minny – if Sev accepted her "invitation to tea," he'd be directly on her left.
Severus had been shocked to discover exactly who her company was. GrandMaster Magnus Tohku was legendary – both for his accomplishments and for his solitary ways. Tohku kept to himself, choosing a small handful of people to associate with. Severus swept into a low bow, acknowledging Tohku's higher ranking in the Master's hierarchy.
"GrandMaster; What a pleasant surprise. We are honored, of course," His silky voice remained even, though he could barely keep the anger from it.
"Good morning, GrandMaster Snape. Do not be modest and stop with the idiotic bowing. You have a double Mastery yourself. Sit. I have heard plenty about you over the years, naturally," Mag murmured, eyeing up the young potions Master.
"...Sir?" Severus looked up, surprised.
"Well Mila, of course, had plenty to say about her old Potions Professor," Tohku picked his tea back up, closing his eyes and seemingly savoring the steam. Mila suddenly sat straight up.
"Mag- " Her eyes were wide and her voice held a note of both warning and pleading.
"Hush, child." Eyes still closed, Magnus smiled. "When we sat down to discuss the terms, I had asked who she considered to be the best teachers of her past." Mila crossed her arms across the table and buried her face, red as it was, in them. Severus, intrigued, sat down finally – his anger forgotten. Minny leaned forward in curiosity as well. "Her first response surprised me and yet it didn't." Magnus finally opened his eyes to peer directly at Severus. "The top teacher of her past, she claimed, was you, Master Snape." Severus' cheeks took on a pink tinge. "She of course followed your name with Minerva's, then Albus' and then her late parents."
This startled Severus and his head whipped to where Mila's face was still buried in her arms. He had no idea her parents hadn't made it. And apparently she hadn't wanted anyone to know. At the announcement, she stood quickly; her face patchy as tears formed, and to Severus' astonishment, her hair was fast shortening back to the pixie cut.
"You had no right, Magnus. I told you about that in confidence!" Eyes blazing, she near flew out of the room to her sleeping quarters. As the door slammed, Magnus set his tea aside and gazed somberly after her.
"Oh dear, I do believe I have offended her," He turned to Severus, "Please do me the favor of excusing her from apprentice duties for the day." Mag stood to follow Mila. Minerva stood as well and reached a hand out to Mag's shoulder.
"Was this recent, Magnus?" Mag stared at her evenly for a moment. "I know she confides in you still; was this recent or while she was in Egypt with you and Selena?" Minerva's frantic-ism put Severus even more on alert. Magnus sighed and shook his head.
"The cat's out of the bag anyway," Severus murmured. Magnus' gaze became stern and he rounded on Severus far quicker than he looked capable of.
"Now you listen here, Severus Snape. That young woman has been through far too much for one so young. She is continuing to fight battles you know nothing about!" He paused and began pointing and wagging his finger at Severus. "Now, for some reason she respects you, even admires you. If you dare insult her, or break her," Mag stepped until he was nearly putting his finger through Severus' chest, "I will show you torture that even your dark lord knew nothing of!" He swirled away, stalking toward the closed doors.
Just as he reached the door to Mila's room, the ancient master spun back to face them. Looking for all the world like he just ran over his favorite cat he murmured, "Last Christmas, Minerva. She found them when she arrived home for the holidays."
Minerva gasped and let out a choked sob, her heart breaking for the young witch who had already lost so much. Over the years – during her Hogwarts years and the years after the battle – Minny had truly come to care for Mila as she would a daughter of her own. Before she could say anything on the matter, Mag walked right through into Mila's room and warded the door behind him.
Severus sat there for a few moments contemplating this new...development. He barely heard Minerva announce, through a hoarse voice filled with emotion, that she had to get back to work. Still gently weeping, the older witch left – leaving Severus staring at the door and, strangely, wishing he could somehow fix it.
Inside the bedroom, Hermione lay face down on her bed sobbing, her arms cushioning her face. Magnus sat on the side of the bed, stroking her hair in a calming and fatherly gesture.
"Oh Mila, sweet girl, I do apologize. I often find myself speaking out of turn these days. I suppose I will blame it on my old age and the resulting impatience with youth. When one gets to my age, you recognize that time is fleeting." Mila sniffled and turned her head slightly to eye him incredulously.
"Mag," sniff. "You're one hundred-forty-two," sniff. "And you're a wizard." Hiccup. "You have at least another 100 years. Time is on your side." She buried her face in her arms again, though now her sobbing was a bit more contained.
"I did not speak of myself, love," He whispered. "We do not know if our endeavors will be successful. Time is fleeting for you." She turned over, drawing her knees up and resting her chin on them, her arms wrapped around her calves. She let her eyes fall closed and took a deep breath as Mag continued; "You may not have the time to keep secrets from those you care about. Keeping secrets is incredibly exhausting after all." He stood, Kai flying through the doorway to settle on his shoulder. Fleetingly Mila pondered Kai's seemingly random ability to get through closed and warded doors.
"But fleeting time is why I've been trying to keep... erm... certain things secret!" Mila moaned as she lifted her head and watched him ready himself for departure.
"The truth is much easier, my lovely Mila. Secrets drag things out. The truth lets things be dealt with and then put to rest," He murmured softly as he moved towards the door. Mila stood, sniffling, and followed him to the door. "I shall return before I leave this confounded country. Try and let yourself grieve, dear Mila." He turned, door open behind him, and gazed fondly at his ward.
Severus lifted his head out of his hands, still seated at Ms. Granger's kitchen table, when the bedroom door opened. He watched the GrandMaster hug her before leaning in to murmur,
"Remember, my Mila, the truth will ease your heart. Waste not the time you have left on such petty things as secrets." He gently kissed Mila's cheek and turned, staring severely at Severus once more. "Still here are you?" He eyed Severus speculatively before nodding once and letting out a 'harrumph.' Making his way to the fireplace, he tossed in some floo powder and was gone.
Severus glanced over to the door to find Mila staring after her former Master, a look of pain on her face. When she did look at him, panic over took her features and the door slammed shut once more. Sighing, Severus made his way to his office. The more he thought about it – the more he was looking forward to his lunch with Lucius this weekend. Lucius always had a bloody good bottle of brandy nearby.
Alrighty– now we have a small measure of what is going on.
Just to keep everybody following along: certain words have now been tracked and traced to help combat prejudice and find the death eaters still on the run. Words such as: Mudblood, Blood Purity and the Mordsmorde have different levels of trace on them to help alert the ministry of their use.
So– What did you guys think of Albus' secret success. He knew Severus would need help clearing his name if he survived, so he made sure there was someone to clean up after himself before he died –Hermione.
Yes, Hermione and Harry and Ron all gave testimony both for and against several hundred people in the Dark Trials, as they are called. The Dark Trials started a month after the war an continued for 2 and a half years. No one was let go OR imprisoned without proper procedure and proof.
So– the sorceress marking. If you guys want to see what it looks like, convince me there is enough interest and I will get the markings together and throw them up for you. Obviously, Severus recognized it right away... What do you think he knows? As one of the Great and Noble Families, knowledge of such things was passed down for generations.
Hermione discovered a lot of new found abilities and strengths to her magic when this all started. Don't fret, my dearies, all shall be explained in time.
I personally am happy to see Hogwarts again – how do my lovely readers feel about it? And what an intrigue! The sorting hat has a new song with an interesting twist.
Does anyone think Severus' speech was too much? He had to pretend to like her for the crowd anyway, but since he had been, secretly, admiring her for years, this was his chance to lay the ground work for a potential future friendship. ;) (While also apologizing for being a berk.)
Any questions about GrandMasters and such?
As promised, here are the words, in English, for Ayumi's Fairyland:
Even now I don't understand
The meaning of growing up
But I wonder
Where that girl or that boy in my memory
Is now walking and aiming for
Daybreak comes quickly these days
The scent of wind has changed
It seems familiar and unfamiliar
It makes my heartbeat quicker
Sweet and sad
*We ran through the road to the sea
Screaming with laughter innocently
In the far away summer days
The childhood memories are still in my heart
We never knew
What would be waiting for in our futures
What is left is what we chose
It's not casual at all
If the universe has a will
I think it surely worked on us
Tender and precious
**How many times have I sought for something
Found and lost it
Since that time?
***But your smile has taught me
That we are now
In the closest place to forever
*(repeat)
** (repeat)
*** (repeat)
~Genevieve