AN: Thank you Roilena and Grammarly for looking this through.

This story is set in 1996. I use bands and music from that era and what Hermione would have canonically grown up with. As she is my age I know what she would have listened too.

Always Is A Long Time

My life is losing its meaning
He shines so hard. There's nowhere to run
He blinds, his mind outshines the sun
Imagine what he could become He's only
Begun to outshine the sun

All About Eve – Outshine The Sun

Losing Meaning

Hogwarts:

Saturday 02nd November

That morning, Severus Snape was anxiously pacing up and down in front of his fireplace awaiting the arrival of his first guest with bated breath. He tried all he could to make his study look welcoming by having a calming fire, Narcissa's favourite patchouli incense sticks and scatter cushions in green and silver – he'd planned it by having Narcissa arrive first through the floo, then he would block it – the others were walking through a secret door that only revealed itself to the individual passwords given to each person he'd invited.

A table had been prepared – Five two-tier platters were filled with finger sandwiches. Smoked salmon and brie; egg and cress; liver pâté; cheddar cheese and tomato; every sandwich was accompanied with lettuce, cucumber and basil leaves. Three two-tier platters were filled with a vast selection of cold meats and crusty bread. The bottom tiers were filled with mini quiche Lorain's; pork pies, Cornish pasties and scotch eggs. The other end of the table held three of the same two-tier platters that were filled with lemon curd tarts; jam tarts; apple turnovers; tea cups filled with peach crumbles, and a selection of cakes.

Three giant jugs were filled with freshly squeezed orange juice, pumpkin juice and water alongside five singular pots of hot water and a selection of tea leaves for people to mix their own blend. Silver edged, tea strainers sat by dainty tea-cups. Just looking at it he knew there was probably too much but better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. He had plans for the leftovers.

Severus took his cue from when he'd been to such affairs at various manors across the Counties. He did have two Blacks to impress after all, and he wished to show Hermione a classier side to his character. It did not matter – any spare victuals would go to her dormitory for her friends to have a tea party of their own if they so desired.

Everyone else was given 14:30 as the time to arrive but Narcissa was given 14:00, the witch was always fashionably late; as guessed she'd stepped elegantly through the fireplace unblemished by soot at 14:06. Appearing neat as a pin in a blood red, ruby encrusted corset, long flowing ruby red sleeves of a poet's blouse underneath and rustling dark russet skirts. Three-inch brown leather boots with metal fastenings completed her look. She was the absolute essence of the Autumn Queen.

"You have gone to some effort," she said as she clasped his upper arms in her dainty hands, lightly bussing either side of his face as he kissed her, "how many others have you invited?"

Quickly, he worked out the maths in his head: "Five others. You have to stay through the entire tea, and you will be polite," he ordered. "Go help yourself to some tea," he offered.

"Yes, yes, so you said in your letters yesterday. Already I am intrigued by the cloak and dagger aspect of this, however," she smirked, "I have not put on my Ice Queen hat as you put it. I woke up emptying my mind and employing my Occlumency shields so that I may remain calm."

"No cheating."

"But…"

He held his hand up closing his eyes, "No buts," he interrupted, "I have invited someone I do not like to this tea and have let my shields go. You can sit through two or three hours with people you claim not to like. If I can do it, so can you."

"Fine," she sighed closing her eyes and took a deep breath. That was when the other person he'd asked to arrive walked in.

"Turn around," he whispered mendaciously in her ear, "and remember what I am about to do for your son."

Slowly Narcissa turned around and gasped. Standing in front of her in a similar outfit of dark and light greens was her long-lost sister Andromeda. Only Severus had known how badly her heart broke over the loss of Andi to their family. The two witches stood and simply stared at each other in strained silence.

"What are you doing here Mrs Malfoy?" Andromeda said rather stiffly realising she had to say something but held firm onto her status as an ousted Black.

This was when Severus circled around the two women who were as tall as each other, eyeing the other with hidden hostility but, he was pleased to note, long forgotten feelings of sisterhood.

"Same as you, I imagine," Narcissa replied back calmly.

Interestingly, it seemed it was Narcissa holding back running to her sister's arms. A single tear strayed down her face. Andromeda remained stoic, though he could detect a slight twitching of her arms as if they wanted to envelop her sister in the deepest hug to ever be shared by siblings. Severus wanted to push them closer but from experience, he knew this would take a group setting and some hard work ahead. They would be hugging by the end of the tea party if it was the last thing he did.

"So how are…" they both said together, causing Narcissa to smirk as she recalled doing such a thing when they were children to drive Bella mad.

"You first…" they gestured to the other again their voices in harmony with the other.

"I insist…" their lips twitched in little smirks as they were both enjoying this.

At least the ice was broken, "How about I solve this? Mrs Tonks, please help yourself to some tea then please step in that corner – I am expecting others and we'd all be squashed if you don't move along."

Gladly the two ladies followed his lead and silently blended their own tea, Narcissa mixed a blend of peaches, lady grey and lime; Andromeda went for mango, vanilla, and rose. Once they were in the shadows, the next person arrived surprisingly on time. A mousy haired witch stood in front of her ex-professor and sniffled as she greeted him.

"Wotcha!" she sighed. Her maudlin countenance rivalled his own. "What's this all about then?"

"Nymphadora?"

"Mum?" the Metamorphmagi's eyes travelled to the other person in the room. "Aunt Narcissa? Snape," she arched an eyebrow, "colour me interested. So, I suppose I help myself then," she beamed at the well laid spread before her. Narcissa winced at her estranged Niece's adoption of her muggleborn father's Australian brogue, "I'm half-starved."

"One more witch and two wizards are part of this party."

Dora giggled and her eyes twinkled purple with mischief, "Ah, so it's an orgy then?"

"Nymphadora, watch your tongue!"

"You have a nerve, mother," Dora snapped, her irritation written clearly across her face. "What do you expect when you call your daughter Nymphadora?"

"It is an old family name," Narcissa piped up with after sipping her peaches/lady grey/lime blend, "you are partially Black…"

"Don't you dare give me that Toujours Pur crap," Dora hissed, turning her tongue into that of a serpent. "Dear old Great Aunt Wally has made her feelings well known on that subject." Andromeda rolled her eyes towards the ceiling as her daughter turned her back to mix herself a strawberry and peach blend, "blasting mother off that abomination of a tapestry just because she found love?" her tone had turned sad. "I mean," she swung around spilling her tea in her saucer, "mum loves dad, what's wrong with that?"

The two witches glanced at one another then Narcissa turned to her estranged niece and smiled warmly, "Nothing is wrong with finding and falling love. In fact, I am rather jealous that she has found and fallen for it."

"So why punish her for marrying where her heart led her and not where the…"

"TONKS!" a voice yelled, Nymphadora turned around and her face lightened up at the sight of Hermione.

"Wotcha, Hermione!" the girls rushed to each other tightly hugging as though they had not seen the other girl in years. "Look at you, you're beautiful."

Hermione blushed with the compliment, "Am I?"

Everyone turned to the last female and the general consensus was, indeed, that the ugly duckling had become a beautiful swan. Fay, Eloise and Parvati had helped her get ready. They had wrestled her unruly locks into submission with a combination of Sleekeazy's, three silver combs that were slipped in at the high points either side of her forehead, and decorated with abalone shell beads that were threaded sporadically through her plaited hair.

Dark red and brown shadows with cat wing eyeliner made her cinnamon eyes stand out; her russet coloured tea dress with an orange band of flowers around her waist complimented all the different tones in her hair. Orange kitten-heeled Mary Janes finished off her outfit. In short, she was absolutely stunning.

Even Narcissa could not find fault with her appearance, she noticed that without being around those idiotic boys, the young witch held herself well.

"Prof…"

"Remember what I said in my letter, Hermione," a little smirk alighted Narcissa's face the moment she witnessed the blush that painted the young student's face. "Go help yourself to some tea."

"S-Severus," she stuttered as she mixed up breakfast and lemon tea with a hint of orange. "Please, what's going on?" she asked as Severus helped her into a seat. She watched over his shoulder as a blonde witch stepped out from the shadows. Quickly she glanced back to observe the Professor's profile. "Why is Mrs Malfoy and…and…" her pallor soon changed to white as she saw a woman remarkably like Bellatrix Lestrange standing next to her! As Severus had set Hermione's tea aside she sprang up from her chair; immediately jumping in front of Tonks, her body in battle mode, "stay back…take me instead!"

"No dear," the Bella look-a-like immediately rushed over to reassure the frightened young witch prepared to protect her daughter, "I'm Andromeda. Please, shh, don't be afraid, I'm Dora's mother," her hands were on Hermione's face, fingers massaging her forehead her voice soothing and low, "look at me!" Everyone watched Hermione evaluate the witch before her, "would you think Bellatrix would rush over and comfort you?"

Before she could say anything, Andi wrapped her arms around Hermione's shoulders, dragging her into a motherly hug. The shock was too much as she stood there quivering in Andi's arms. Narcissa decided she had to step forward and keep the witch calm as well by soothing her hair.

"Severus called us all here for a reason, Miss Granger, there is an amnesty at work here – I cannot harm you in this room."

It was then two deep boisterous voices rented the air, it was Narcissa's turn to blush as she glanced up at the tall, handsome, Auror. Never had her heart beat as fast as it did at the sight and sound of a sublime example of the male specimen. Although she had remained steadfast to Lucius in peacetime, in both wars she'd often found herself questioning her loyalties. Whenever she did it was because of this man before her now. He was the one who was usually the designated Auror to oversee all those raids and she used to glance surreptitiously behind hooded eyes as he walked around the Manor, prowling like an elegant feline.

"Auror Shacklebolt," Hermione gasped and smiled warmly, "Professor Lupin."

Kingsley enthusiastically wrapped his arm around the little witch and swung her around, "How's my favourite little witch?" he asked laughing joyfully.

Something dark entered Narcissa's mind at the passionate display before her. Lucius had never picked her up abandoning his stiff manners, to merrily swing her around the room, happiness etched on every line of his visage and the gleam of his gaze the way Auror Shacklebolt had just demonstrated his ability to do so with Hermione. Except when she told him their only pregnancy that held was a boy he swept her up and seduced her on the desk in front of his leering father's portrait.

"Thank you for that display," Severus rebuked.

Remus hugged the witch in a fatherly manner, "Hermione, how many times must I tell you, it's Remus."

"Kingsley, Remus please mix your own teas and all of you help yourselves to the…" Severus didn't finish as both men beat a hasty path to the refreshments.

Both men went for simple ordinary tea with little splashes of milk. Builders Tea, Hermione thought, typical for a werewolf and an Auror. She stirred her light blend.

Narcissa shook her head, "No Sev," she said, "as per Slytherin custom, the men must fill the plates for the women, as we are one man short one of us would have to share. Now," she said, " this is because we are without servants, Mr Lupin you must serve Andromeda and Nymphadora, Auror Shacklebolt and Severus the one you give the food to is the one you take care of the rest of the afternoon. It is only proper that women are taken care of first in any social situation."

The moment both men rushed to help Hermione a jealous vein pulsed through Severus' heart at how easy it was for Remus and Kingsley to show their affection for her. Kingsley conceded defeat and went to take care of Narcissa. Who wished she could be affronted at being second best.

"Now, please, I shall talk to you about what happened the other night. I know I am not the only one who received a visitation from people beyond the veil."

"I didn't," Hermione moaned. "I know quite a few have; Luna saw her mother, Lavender was told by her grandfather that she was to be wed before she finished school; then there was Neville; Seamus, Ernie…but none of us Muggleborns!"

"Muggles weren't able to get beyond the rip, it was an unusual circumstance, after all, Hermione," said Remus. "I was visited by James."

"I was," Narcissa confessed looking furtively at Andi, "by our mother."

"I was too," Andromeda kept her voice soft and husky, "by our father. He apologised, and he loves the fact that I have such a powerful daughter. Metamorphmagi were uncommon but not unusual in our line. He's proud of you, Nymphadora. He wants you to get to know Draco."

"What of you, Severus?" Kingsley asked, "who visited you?"

"I was visited by Lily."

He watched as Hermione's eyes narrowed, "Lily? As in Lily…"

"Yes, Hermione, we were childhood friends," he sank down on the sofa, "it was information she offered to me from your grandparents that is the reason for this meeting."

"Gramma," Hermione's eyes shone with joy as Severus mentioned her grandma, "gramma Kat?"

"Lily did not mention her name."

"She's my only dead gramma," Hermione burst into tears.

"Well, your gramma Kat was concerned over something you are planning on doing. I collected Dora because she considers you like a long-lost little sister. I asked Remus as an adult you care about," Remus nodded. "Kingsley due to his status as an Auror and Mrs Tonks due to her status as someone married to a Muggleborn and Mrs Malfoy due to her position and power."

It was then Severus had offered a plate laden with sandwiches, pork pies and scotch eggs. "Thank you, sir," she blushed beautifully as she accepted the plate gracefully, even if the custom did seem archaic and stale, she realised she did not mind being served by her Professor. She nibbled at an egg and cress sandwich then asked, "what else did Lily have to say?"

"Lily informed me of this news because of all what you have done to help her son, and what you plan to do. Myrddin is clearly concerned for what you are thinking of doing," Hermione squirmed in her seat as she continued eating, glad now she had forgone breakfast and lunch; a sentiment shared by others in the room. "Now, why don't you tell us what it is?"

Hermione shuffled around and gulped as she took in the adults that were surrounding her before bursting into tears and shaking with fear and bravery.

"I-I can't think of any other way," she sniffed, Kingsley offered her a handkerchief, which she gratefully took. "I am afraid for my parents," she glanced at Narcissa. "You'd do anything to protect your son, wouldn't you?"

Narcissa nodded her heart sore for the picture of pathos the girl had sketched with just her big sad eyes alone, "Any parent would do anything for their child."

"It swings both ways. Any child would do anything for their parents even if it means…means…" she sobbed twisting the linen in her hands rocking back and forth in her chair. "I wish there were another way but, the only way I can think of to keep them safe is by making sure they forget all about me and relocate to an area I don't even know!"

Everyone gasped, Narcissa was shocked but impressed at the lengths the Gryffindor was prepared to go to, to make sure her parents remained safe from people she'd once considered friends. That evil little green-eyed monster reared up again at the sight of the powerful Auror kneeling down on his knees, his large and safe looking hands grasping the girl's wrists gently as his wide almond eyes implored the young witch to think again.

"What else can be done?" Tonks asked everyone in the room, shouting so her voice could be heard above the vehement protestations. "Seriously," she sighed her Australian twang inherited from her father who came to Hogwarts because his parents moved to England when he was 10 years old. It was a great shock to him that he was a Wizard especially as he came from humble beginnings. Nymphadora loved the Australian accent of her father and grandfather and sort of inherited it, "what else can she do?"

"This is where I come in," Severus said as he too knelt on his knees in front of Hermione and reached up with his thumb to wipe the tears from her face. "Hermione, how long do the effects of a Forgetfulness potion last?"

"An hour, that's not enough time!"

"No, I agree," Andi said, "we can house them for a time. What do your parents do?"

"Dentists," she said hiccupping. "I doubt I can make them take a potion."

"Leave it to me," Andi said patting Hermione's shoulder, "I was, and still am, a proud Slytherin. I will make sure they take it…"

"That won't be necessary either," Severus said, "I plan on making a potion that will dose them up for up to three months. That gives us enough time to resettle them somewhere else – ideas are welcome. Somewhere wide, filled with people, and big."

"I wanted to do it myself so no one else is troubled – I am sure you have infinitely more important things to do than help me," Hermione shrunk back in her seat, reflecting her demure tone and comportment, "I would loathe being an imposition."

"Nonsense," Kingsley said. "We're here to help. I know Dumbledore puts too much emphasis on making sure Harry is safe, but you are just as important. I have a good home; they can house with me. You can visit any time you like."

Narcissa felt her abdomen tighten and twist at the thought of someone spending so much time with this man that was not her. Merlin, that was a wrong thought, decidedly deliciously wrong. He was supposedly her enemy yet the moment she saw him at the first raid on the Manor, she felt something warm pool in her core; her panties were slightly soaked by desire just from one long look with intense eyes and firm handsome jaw. Again, something Lucius could not do.

"There is another matter I wish to discuss with you all and that is making sure Andromeda and Narcissa walk out of here as friends," the Potions master continued. "So, anything you wish to talk to each other about, do so here."

"Cissa, I know you are under great strain but as I said, I found love. I could never have been happy with Walden Macnair, the man's a brute."

"I know, I understand that now after getting to know him, but you being so near, it might have calmed Bella down…"

"She was born evil, Narcissa, I caught her Crucio-ing a poor first year just because the girl breathed in her general direction. There has never been anything soft and dainty about Bellatrix. She acts like she's a proud pureblood lady; she's anything but though, and I cannot stand to be considered her sister let alone her friend!"

"What about me? Did you ever consider I needed you in my life as much as…"

"Oh Cissa, not a day has gone past that I haven't thought of you, whenever I saw Malfoy's face in the papers I wanted to write a letter to see how you were. You may have the look of a Malfoy, but you aren't a Malfoy," Andromeda took hold of her sister's hand and rubbed her thumb along Narcissa's palm. "I wish you could fall in love with somebody you shouldn't just so you'd understand why I fell in love with Ted. What has Lucius done that makes you so loyal to him anyway?"

"Not much lately."

"Precisely my point. Don't you think it's twisted that our family would rather you were married to a man who is languishing in prison rather than at home where he should be? Don't you think it's odd they value that more than utter honest men like my Ted? We may not have much money, but we have love. A famous muggle once said 'Love is All We Need', and he's right. Everything else is fripperies. Have you ever felt protected by Lucius as a man?"

"No," Narcissa responded with passionate honesty, "I have felt more protection from Draco – Lucius gave me him," Narcissa sighed. "I understand what you are saying but…"

"But what?" Andi asked sharply. Her tone brooking no buts to begin a half-hearted defence of Lucius Malfoy. "A pureblood jailbird is better than an honest man? Look around this room, Cissy! This is a room full of people prepared to help one child. Would your Death Eaters do the same for your son that we have done, and are willing to do, for her!"

Narcissa snorted in an unladylike manner, "I doubt it," she scoffed.

"Precisely!"

Hermione watched Professor Snape out of tear-filled eyes, what was he gaining from all this exactly? Why was it important for the Black sisters to reunite? Why, after treating her like an abomination, did he suddenly wish to help her?

"Ladies," Kingsley said, "if you desire neutral ground, my house is free. I know first-hand this is going to take some time, my sister married a muggle she met in Africa without telling us. It took me until her death to forgive her for breaking our mother's heart that we were not invited. Whenever you desire, just inform me of your need for it and I shall adjust the wards at a time available to both of you."

"Is that amenable?" Severus asked the two sisters.

Narcissa shook her head but glanced proudly up at Severus, "You have the tenacity of a Niffler when it comes to finding gold," she sighed, then she glanced at Kingsley again and felt the overwhelming need to smooth her neat-as-a-pin hairdo, instead using her hands to straighten out her robes to indicate her figure, now the compelling wizard was offering her his home. "I – I – I would be glad to," she stammered then blushed.

"Final order of business," Severus said. "Remus grow a spine, ask Nymphadora Tonks out on a date and stop pining after one another. I would have thought if Potter taught you one thing it was to be bull-headed about going after the witch you desire! Life's too short; I've booked a restaurant in your name, Dora, and here are some tickets to a concert. Go, have fun, make merry and get out of my sight!"

Immediately Dora blushed at Severus saying her own name and Remus coughed awkwardly whilst adjusting the lapel of his tattered jacket, "Dora, I don't suppose…"

"Yes, of course, I do!"

"Good now go, the pair of you!"

"But these tickets has the 23rd written on them."

"I figured you'd like the band; the dinner is today."

"Oh, what band are you seeing?" Hermione asked. Remus lowered the tickets and Hermione squealed. "Oh they're one of my favourites – I always listen to them when I'm at home. Ever heard of…"

A small cough interrupted Hermione's ramblings as she turned to see Andromeda arch an eyebrow, although there was a sparkle in her brown eyes.

"I believe Professor Snape has not finished."

"Ah yes," Hermione said suitably chastened into silence.

"For what you want to me to do, Narcissa, I wish you to do something else for me."

"That is?"

"Teach Hermione to hold her head up high – to be proud of herself, and to protect her – should she need it. Everyone else seems to have those to protect…"

"Except for Luna, all she has is her father," Hermione piped up with. "Someone must help her."

"She is a distant relation to my husband; we can work something out but only with her permission."

Kingsley glanced at Hermione and Narcissa. Personally, he felt humbled at being amongst such goddesses. He'd even had a crush on Nymphadora one time, but it was never a good idea to get into a romance with your Partner. It was also not a stroke of brilliance to pine after a girl thirteen years younger than him or a woman of about the same age difference, older than him who so happened to be the wife of a man he loathed. He seemed cursed into admiring witches who'd never look twice at him.

"Hermione," Kingsley said turning to the young witch, "I will place my best men on your parent's house and business."

"What of other muggleborn parents?" Hermione asked, thinking her fellow students' parents would need to be protected too, not just her own.

"That will be sorted in time," Kingsley with a tone of finality to his voice, "lovely tea Severus. Thank you for involving me in all this," Kingsley said, his tone reassured Hermione that this was the right thing to do - throughout the conversation he had done his best to make a dent in the amount of food offered. Hermione noted the lack of lemon drizzle cake, "Mrs Tonks, Mrs Malfoy," he bowed his head in deference to the older witches. "I shall see myself out."

"I'll write first," Narcissa said, "I fear Bella may have detection charms on incoming mail with my husband's permission. I will have to work out a code in which we can speak."

"Leave out every other letter," Hermione suggested.

The two witches glanced down at her as if they'd forgotten she was there, "write the letter but omit every other letter. Like this."

Severus had quills, inks and parchment on the coffee table. Kneeling down in a graceful movement, Hermione sat cross-legged and dipped a spare pen in the ink.

"Andromeda

I need to speak with you urgently, meet up usual place and usual time.

Narcissa."

"This is the letter, instead it would look like this…"

"Adoea

I ed o pa wt yu rety, et p sa lc n uul ie.

acsa."

"Hmm, that is a bit too complicated, though I see where you are coming from," Narcissa said. "What if we do not use vowels."

"All right," Hermione smiled, "let's see what that looks like."

"ndrmd

nd t spk wth y rgntly, mt p sl plc nd sl tm.

Nrcss."

"No, that does not look right either," Andromeda sighed rubbing at the temples. "We have to sort this out before either of us leave."

"Aoea," Hermione started, "hmm not right either. There is one other way but that would be super easy to work out by anyone. It is communication often employed by twins."

"What is that?"

"Ademordna

I deen ot kaeps htiw ouy yltengru, teem pu lausu ecalp dna lausu emit.

Assicran."

"Et voilà. Up it goes to the mirror and look!"

"Of course, mirror writing," Andromeda said, "but perhaps instead of using our names how about something else, code names if you will."

Nibbling the end of the quill Narcissa, Andromeda, and Severus watched as her eyes lit up when the idea took hold. "Starry Skies, so that that would look like this," she said excitedly, the sound of whirring brains and scratching quills were as soothing to Severus as the sound of dolphin song was to somebody else. "Here," Hermione was triumphant, her face flushed with joy at being useful.

"seikS yrratS! For Andromeda and… Spring Bud for Narcissa as that is when the Narcissus starts showing. So that would look… Dub GnirpS!"

"I like the Mirror speak, but that would take an awful lot of effort to write; the code names are good though. Perhaps I could post them from Diagon Alley."

"Coded from a neutral place," Hermione continued.

"I know," Andromeda jumped in with, "we can finally put to use your penchant for shopping, and make sure you go into Knockturn Alley. You may be followed at times so it will look like you are purchasing dark things."

"Yes, and your excuse could be you are wishing to aid your son in whatever you and Pr…Severus are up to," Hermione smiled glancing up at the elegant pair of witches, wishing for one moment to look like them.

"You would have made a fine Slytherin, young lady," Narcissa said, "I must go now, and I really loved the fare you provided, Severus."

Particularly an easy-on-the-eye dish by the name of Kingsley Shacklebolt, she thought to herself. The two witches knew that it was time to leave and so they flooed over to somewhere together, Hermione hoped it was the neutral territory needed, where they could talk things over in private.

"They will have sorted things out by now I should imagine," Severus sighed as he sat down next to Hermione. "Your easy camaraderie with Kingsley makes me uncomfortable."

"Why?"

"He is a much older wizard," Hermione sighed, she was going to get this for the rest of her life if she got her own way. "an Auror. He begins a relationship with you, and he could lose his job."

"In the current political climate, he could lose his job anyway. Besides, I saw the way Mrs Malfoy was looking at him. I doubt he stands much of a chance with me."

"Believe me, Kingsley and Narcissa are going to work I can assure you."

"I hope so."

Severus had magicked a bottle and two glasses of wine and started pouring one for each of them, "A little birdie tells me you are 17. Means you can drink in our world."

"Was my plan really that bad?"

"Obliviation is borderline, Hermione, you are brave for even contemplating it, but you could lose them forever."

"I wanted to make sure that they are safe."

"Oh don't worry," Severus flung an arm around Hermione's shoulder, "We'll make sure your parents are safe."

"Thank you, Severus, but why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because," he sighed as he looked at her little hands fiddling in her lap, "Lily tells me you have never once made fun of me or called me names. Is this true?"

"It is."

"Well, then it is time to repay your consideration, by me allowing you in my life as a…a friend, if you'll have me?"

Excited, Hermione flung her arms around his neck and dangled there for a little longer than proprietary allowed. Severus revelled in the feeling of her pressed against him, "I have a feeling I should go." Hermione said letting him go.

"I shall send this food up to your dormitory so that your friends can have a tea party there."

"I am sure it will be enjoyed,"

"Had you not better go now?!" he leaned in close and sniffed in her peaches and cream scent with a hint of strawberries and mint. She was simply alluring. "I shall…" He longed to press his lips to her soft cheek, "Hermione, please come back here next Saturday. Next week, wear your best outfit."

"Who else are you inviting?"

"Your parents," he said.

Hermione's eyes widened; her feline appearance only added to her charms. She was going to be allowed to see her parents and all due to this beautiful man in front of her. Without thinking, Hermione turned around and tilted her head up and placed her lips on his sensual mouth in gratitude.

"I – I -I'm sorry, sir," she hurried up on her feet. "I must go," Severus watched as mortification spread in a peach blush across her cheeks, "goodnight," she stuttered and awkwardly curtsied, "er cheers!"

With that, she dashed out of the room unaware that Professor Snape was smirking as she left. Neither did she see a pair of grey eyes watch from the shadows as she ran as fast as she could back to the safety of red and gold.

Meanwhile, Severus had sat down on his sofa, raising quivering fingers to his trembling lips, they were still tingling from the gentle brush the shy student had offered.

Overall he was pleased with his afternoon's work, he'd reunited sisters, offered Narcissa an alternative to Lucius that was not him, and had sorted out the pining pair of transforming termagants.

Now he had started on warming Hermione up to him he found himself believing Lily just a bit more. Hermione had remained silent most of the time, she tried to help the sister's mend their relationship and, he sighed, unknowingly impressed Narcissa by her behaviour.

He leaned back and shut his eyes; entertaining was exhausting. No wonder Narcissa looked shattered and frazzled half the time; even though he was done in, he felt fulfilled at what he accomplished.

Perhaps he could host more tea parties? Set up his own club to rival Slughorns. He'd surround himself with those who would add to the conversation even if they had no famous forebear. He'd poach Hermione right from under the fat fool's nose.

With that merry thought in mind, he drifted off into a well-deserved nap. Sinking into remembrances of how tiny Hermione had felt against him and he realised something had stirred within, a desire to shelter her. Determination settled in his heart, firmly resolving within his own conscience that he would use all his might and power to protect her and anyone she cared about with all his might.

"You'll be mine," he murmured softly, "as I'll be yours!"

AN: So Severus is listening to Lily. More Snape goodness to come. I looked up a lot for this chapter but made up the Slytherin etiquette. There are flaws I only just realised in that system but I can smooth those out later.