Nothing in the world of Harry Potter belongs to me. I'm just playing in the great J.K. Rowling's sand box. Thank you.
Sorry for taking so long on this chapter, but depression sucks. Some lemony stuff and some not so fun stuff, but here we go. Hopefully it won't be as long between this one and the next one, but no promises. More Year 4 fun next chapter, since this one got away from me.
Chapter 9 – The Second Challenge
December 28, 1975
Hermione laid partially on top of Severus in her bed, legs intertwined, as she planted gentle kisses along his jaw line. Severus wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him as he captured her lips in a light kiss. She teased his mouth open with short, barely there swipes of her tongue against the seam of his lips before delving in with unrestrained passion.
He groaned him appreciation before shifting uncomfortably below her, his now full-fledged erection straining painfully against his jeans. She shifted her position, sliding even more on top of him as she ground her own jean clad center against him. Hermione slipped her hands between them, quickly unbuckling his belt and then starting on his jeans.
Snape broke the kiss, breathing heavily, as he stilled her hands with his own. She looked up at him with large amber eyes, chewing nervously on her kiss swollen and reddened bottom lip. His member strained even more against its confinements and he internally groaned.
"Your mum is just down the hall, Hermione," he reminded her gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Muffliato," she said, flicking her wand at the door, a mischievous smirk on her face.
She added a locking spell as well before setting her wand back down, intending to resume her exploration.
Snape panicked, forcing his hands between them to buckle his belt as he looked around wildly, as if expecting an owl to burst through the window.
"Calm down," Hermione insisted.
"You aren't allowed to do magic outside of Hogwarts yet! The trace," Severus insisted.
"One of the perks of being from the future is that apparently, the Ministry doesn't have a record of me. Therefore, no trace," Hermione said with a shrug, the truth about her had been a long conversation at the beginning of the school year.
Sliding off of him, she sat up cross legged on the bed, watching him with an amused expression on her face. Despite their former closeness and the still noticeable bulge in his jeans, she knew he would have questions. Until his questions were answered, they wouldn't get back to where they were, so she patiently waited for him to ask. It was one of the things she loved about him.
"When did you find this out?" He asked, wildly curious.
"First year," she told him. "Mum brought me here for Christmas and I spent a lot of time in the library trying to get home. When I cast a spell here and nothing happened, I started researching the trace. It triggers and registers with the Ministry with a witch or wizard is chosen by their wand. The magical signature is large enough and distinct enough. Since my wand matched to me in the future, no trace."
Severus had sat up as well, legs spread out in front of him as he leaned against the headboard. He was thoroughly captivated as she shared this bit of knowledge with him.
"How do they track accidental magic in children?" He asked, having never really looked in to it. "Especially in cases where muggles are concerned?"
"Accidental magic is also particularly potent, even the mildest of spells. There are spells designed to pick up these signatures and target the location. It also will list a number of muggle witnesses. The Ministry keeps track of magical children this way, so that every instance of accidental magic isn't an emergency."
"Geeze, that seems really invasive," Severus muttered.
"All for the statute of secrecy," she muttered, clearly annoyed.
After a few minutes of silence, Severus asked, "Were you really trying to leave?"
She sighed and leaned in to him, pulling his arms around herself and snuggling up against his chest.
"I missed my real mum and dad," she admitted. "Dumbledore said he would look for a way to get me back, but doubted he would find anything because they weren't entirely sure what kind of magic transported me to this time in the first place. Still, I wanted to try, so I searched the library at Hogwarts. I had stopped after the first month, but coming here and having a whole new library to search, sparked a need to try again."
"I would have missed you," Severus admitted. "If you'd left. We weren't close then because I was so damn suspicious, but I would have missed you."
"You're a huge part of the reason I stopped looking and I came to terms with it," Hermione confided in him.
Gently, he lifted her head, before bringing his lips down to meet hers again. The chaste, healing kiss, quickly turned into a heated one, with Hermione on her knees and turned into his body, leaning against him. Breaking away from her, he kissed her forehead, panting softly.
"Now, where were we?" He smirked.
"Oh, I think somewhere around here," she observed innocently, sitting back onto her heels, hands at work.
She unbuckled his belt and then popped the button on his jeans, sliding the zipper down slowly. As the two sides of denim spread apart, his cock surged forward within his underwear, grateful for the freedom. Holding on to the belt loops, she tugged down gently and he lifted his hips obediently, helping her remove the item of clothing. Moving with the jeans, she slid down his body, pushing the pants off, past his already bare feet, before sliding back up to him, purposely rubbing her chest and grinding her hips into his erection.
Straddling him, she leaned in to kiss him, working her hands up under his shirt and pushing it up. They broke the kiss only long enough for her to pull the garment over his head, tossing it across the room. Her hands splayed themselves across the smooth expanse of his bare chest as their tongues fought for dominance.
Severus, allowed his hands to stray from her hips, drifting up under her shirt. His long fingers splayed across her warm stomach, making her blood feel like it was boiling wherever they touched. Agonizingly slow, his hands crept up her torso, his fingers played across every available inch of skin. Her shirt bunched up around his wrists as they trekked upwards. When he finally reached her lace covered breasts, she was panting too hard to keep up the kiss. With his mouth free, he leaned into her neck, kissing, licking, and nibbling as his fingers traced her rapidly hardening nubs through the fabric.
He continued to move slowly, trying her patience. She reached down and grabbed the hem of her tee shirt, yanking it over her head, and smacking him in the face accidently as she went. Tossing it off to the side, she panted soft kisses across his jokingly affronted face, before tangling her hands in his long hair and pulling his face down to her chest. He chuckled softly before teasing her nipples through the lace with his tongue. She threw back her head and moaned while grinding against his hard member, causing Severus to groan against her chest. His hands skimmed across her back, finding the bra clasp and quickly unhooking it. Hermione helped drag the straps down her arms, discarding it among the rest of their scattered clothes.
Catching her unaware, Severus flipped their positions, twisting her flat on her back on the bed, with him hovering over her. Gathering one breast in his hand, his fingers skated over the nipple, while he descended on the other breast with his mouth. Sucking her breast into his mouth, he flicked his tongue back and forth over the nipple, causing her to thrash and thrust beneath him. Switching sides, he gave the other breast the same treatment before grinning up at her between the mounds of flesh.
"You, my dear, have entirely too much clothing on," Severus teased.
He spoke slowly, enunciation the words, and using the deep, smooth tone, that his voice had evolved into over the summer, to his advantage. Snape knew that his voice drove her wild, especially when they were fooling around, even if she wouldn't admit it.
Slowly, he kissed, nipped, and tongued his way down her body. He nipped and sucked at the bottom of her rib cage, soothing the slight sting with his tongue. Grinning to himself, he veered away from her belly button, knowing her ticklish spots, instead placing wet kisses along one side, and then the other, meeting the waistband of her jeans on both sides. His fingers worked to unbutton her jeans, while his mouth sucked a little red mark into the skin of her right hip. She had reached down to lower the zip, but he had gently batted her hands away.
"Patience, sweetheart," he muttered, into the skin beneath the now open button.
She shivered, clasping her hands behind her head to keep them out of trouble. However, she couldn't help that he hips bucked up into his face. He chuckled, that deep rumble that made her melt for him. There had been nothing wrong with his voice before, it had just been boyish, with the occasional cracking or squeaking as it was changing. Now, his voice was a deep, silky, smooth baritone, that sent chills down her spine and caused frequent wet spots on her underwear. He had a knack for making the most mundane things sound suggestive.
Slowly, his tongue snaked out, first simply licking his lips, only ghosting across her skin. Then it descended, tracing the small intention on her skin from the button before following the ever so slowly exposed trail down as he slid the zip down, one tine, at a time. She groaned and shivered, and moaned beneath him. His lips curled in a satisfied smirk, not only at the sounds she made, but the smell of her arousal, growing stronger as he got closer. Gently, he pulled the tight jeans down her thighs, kissing his way along the inner leg.
While he was occupied with her jeans, she reached down and shoved her panties down her legs as well. Chuckling softly, he looked up at her with an amused grin.
"Impatient, love?" Severus inquired, as if he didn't already know.
"I need to come, Severus. Please," Hermione whimpered.
Her body was on fire, her nerves tingling, and her pussy ached and throbbed almost painfully. Severus loved it when he wound her up so tight, she felt like she was going to burst, as it made her release explosive. He loved how much she wanted him.
Kissing his way back up her legs, he teased the sensitive inner thigh with his tongue as he positioned himself comfortably between her legs. With a slight grimace, he adjusted his throbbing length, assuring it that he'd take care of the matter soon. With his focus back on the woman laid out before him, he blew a stream of air across her heated core, loving the way she shivered at the slightest provocation.
Leaning in, he flattened this tongue, sliding it from her opening, to her clit, and back down, entering her with the organ. She moaned and bucked and shivered, as he lapped at her sex, enjoying the smell and the taste of his witch. It wasn't long before she was close, rapidly approaching her climax. She ground her pussy into his face as he focuses in on her clit, his tongue alternating between long, flat, licks, and sharp thrusts. She wrapped her hands in his long, black hair and rode his face.
"Oh gods! Oh yes! That's it, Severus, that's ..." Hermione moaned.
She encouraging him with her words until she tipped over the edge, reduced to incoherent muttering and moaning as she rode out her orgasm, legs clamps around his head. He gently kissed and licked her pussy, lapping up her juices, as she came down. When her legs relaxed, he climbed up her body, planting kisses on the way, as he settled beside her, his head on her chest.
While holding her, he slipped his hand into his boxers, stroking his eager cock, intending to fulfil his promise it give it some attention. Her hand covered his, stilling his movements, and he looked up at her.
"I want to feel you inside of me, Severus," she insisted, amber eyes watching him intently.
"Are you sure?" He asked, propping himself up to look down at her. Reminding her earnestly, "We can keep waiting. I don't mind. Really."
"I want you. Please," she begged.
His throat was dry, so he just nodded, pushing his boxers down his legs and kicking them off. Pre-cum smeared across her leg as his cock practically bounced with excitement. Positioning himself over her, she wrapped her legs around his waist, while he lined himself up with her core. Shaking the hair out of his face, he looked into her eyes, seeking reassurance and she understood, nodding her permission while chewing lightly on her bottom lip. As gently as he could, but in one motion, he thrust all the way into her passage. She gasped out in surprise and pain, but he leaned in, swallowing her cries in a passionate kiss, waiting painful still to feel her relax around him. The grip on his cock was intense and the heat overwhelming. His body wanted to pull out and drive into her again and again, so it took all his control and a little occlumency to wait for her, listening to the advice from an older Slytherin about first times.
Slowly, the pain eased away and she started to relax around him. It wasn't until she started moving against him that he gave himself permission to move. Slowly, he pulled out most of the way, before sliding all the way back in. Breaking the kiss, he looked down at her, a smile on his face gentling the intensity of his dark gaze. With one thumb, he wiped away the tears that had dripped down her face, continuing to watch her for signs. As her body reacted to his more and more, he picked up speed. It wasn't long before his own orgasm pulled him over the edge, his seed spilling within her. What had felt like a lifetime, connected in that way, had only been a couple of minutes.
Pulling out, he wrapped her in his arms, with her head on his chest, as he dragged the blanket over them.
"Thank you," Hermione whispered.
"I'm pretty sure I need to be the one thanking you," he chuckled softly.
Laughing with him, she leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"I love you, Severus," she said.
"I love you too, Hermione," he answered.
Both were sound asleep moments later, wrapped in each other's arms. A few hours later, they were dressed again, snuggling together on her bed with books when Minerva knocked at the door.
"Yes, mum?" Hermione asked, getting up to pull the door open.
"These are for you," Minerva said, placing two books in the young girl's hands.
The top book was titled Wards of All Sorts, and had a bookmark in it, that when she opened to it, was marking the chapter titled Silencing Wards & Spells. A red tint crept onto her face, replaced by a full blush as she flipped to the second book, reading the title: Contraceptive Potions, Spells, Tips, and Tricks - Wizarding and Muggle Methods.
"While it may be useful in a crowded classroom or the great hall, muffileto isn't all that subtle in a quiet house, my dear," Minerva remarked, amused at the horrified expression on her daughter's face.
Since they had already had the discussion about the birds and the bees, the older witch left it at that, closing the door behind her and chuckling to herself. Hermione returned to the bed with the books in hand. Curiosity got the better of him, and Severus pulled her back into his embrace, looking at the titles of the books.
Shrugging, he pulled the book on contraception from her hands, and started at the beginning. He knew that Hermione had been on the basic potion that Madam Pomfrey stocked, for a while now, but options didn't hurt. Hermione rolled his eyes at the short-lived humiliation of being caught by her mother before settling in next to him with her own book.
December 17, 1994
Severus groaned groggily, the pleasant dream fading away, as he started to wake. Rolling over in the bed, he reached out his hand to the spot next to him, shocked awake by the cold, emptiness that greeted him.
Slowly, the memories penetrated his sleep addled mind. He remembered why his wife's side of the bed was empty and what was worse, he'd remembered what he had done the previous night. As quickly as he could, he lunged for the edge of the bed, purging the contents of his stomach on the cold dungeon floor. Groaning, he laid his forehead against the edge of the bed, blindly reaching around the bedside table for his wand. Upon recovering the smooth, well-worn wood, he quickly vanished the puddle of puke.
Climbing from the bed, he entered his bathroom, feeling dirty and disgusted with himself. Reaching into the shower, he turned the handle to start the water flow, before stepping over to the toilet to relieve himself while the water warmed.
He thanked magic for small graces. Growing up, in his family home, it had taken forever for the water to warm and if anyone flushed a toilet or turned on the tap, that time doubled. That wasn't the case with the magical plumbing of the castle.
Hissing, he stepped under the scalding spray of the shower. It was much hotter than he would normally tolerate, but for the purpose of burning and scrubbing away his skin, it was perfect. Grabbing a cloth and excessive amounts of soap, he proceeded to scrub his cock, long after it was raw and painful. He wanted to scrub off every trace of the woman, even to the point of considering obliviation. However, he wouldn't go that far. Severus needed to remember how stupid and weak he had been to make sure it didn't happen again.
The extreme heat mingled with his self-loathing resulted in staggering dizziness and another bout of vomiting. Leaning heavily against the wall, he heaved up several rounds of bile, his throat raw and burning like the rest of him by the time he was done. Shutting off the tap, he wrapped himself in a towel and staggered back into the bedroom, collapsing onto the bed.
The cool air of the dungeon against his raw skin had felt wonderful, driving away the dizziness. He waited just a few moments for the room to stop spinning before rising to his feet and getting ready. A quick spell dried his long hair, as he pulled his usual attire from the wardrobe. As he fastened the last of the many tiny buttons on his frock coat, he departed his rooms, sweeping his long, black teaching robes over him as he did so.
He wanted to go to the infirmary, to see her and make sure that she was alright, to hold her close to him and never let her go again. However, that was far from appropriate given his position as teacher and spy and the fact that she still didn't remember him. The thought of storming out to Karkaroff's blasted boat and tearing that boy limb from limb crossed his mind, but he could hear his wife scolding him in his mind, reminding him to act logically, not emotionally. So, his footsteps led him to Minerva's office. It was we past breakfast at that point, so he knew she would be there working on getting caught up. Tentatively, he knocked on the sturdy wood door.
"Enter," Minerva answered.
Slowly, he entered the room, shutting the door behind him, before crossing the room and collapsing into one of the chairs in front of her desk. He was grateful that the slightly cushioned chairs were much more comfortable than the guest chairs in his office, that were all hard wood and sharp edged, in order to make his guests uncomfortable and put them on edge.
"You look like hell, Severus," she noted lightly, her head still down as her quill traversed the paper in front of her.
"Good morning to you too," he grumbled. "How is she?"
Minerva knew exactly who he was talking about. She waited a moment before answering, knowing this conversation would need her full attention. She finished grading the sixth-year essay in front of her before pushing the stack off to the side. Giving him her full attention, she considered he answer.
"She's doing alright under the circumstances. Poppy healed up the couple of bruises last night and gave her a calming draught and some dreamless sleep. This morning, Hermione insisted on flooing to St. Mungo's to talk to one of the counselors there. When I met up with her after to take her to the Burrow, we talked a little bit. She's going to continue seeing the counselor through the holiday and may need to make some trips once she's back here. I told her that we would accommodate that. I also had to tell her about Dumbledore's decision regarding Krum. I think she already knew nothing would be done, but she just shrugged me off when I tried to discuss it more with her. I hope the councilors can help her. She did at least seem better than she had think morning before she went to Mungo's," Minerva informed him, a hint of pain in her voice.
Years before, at this age, Hermione would have confided in Minerva, as her adoptive mother. They had been incredibly close with few secrets between them. Now, McGonagall was just her head of house. Hermione respected and admired her, but it wasn't the same as the bond between a mother and a daughter. The older witches heart ached to see her girl going through this without her, and mostly alone. Molly was a great parent, but Hermione didn't take to her like she had with Minerva. The relationship with Molly was more of a loving aunt to Hermione, than any real mother figure.
Severus dropped his head into his hands and growled, "She never should have been in that position in the first place. Dumbledore and his blasted mission. I know as well as he does that the Dark Lord is going to come back and we choose to battle that by sending one of our most powerful witches back to puberty!"
"Easy boy," Minerva said, walking around her desk to sit beside him, rubbing his back gently. "I agree that the old man has lost his mind, but what is done is done. All we can hope for is that we can hold out until her memory returns."
Severus sighed and looked up at her with hints of tears in his eyes. She gently brushed his hair back from his face.
"All we need to do is survive and wait. We both know war is coming. Having out Hermione back will make that easier to deal with, but things will still be dangerous," Minerva said.
Snape pulled the sleeve of his frock coat back, revealing the darker, and still darkening mark. "I fear that things will get more dangerous sooner than we'd like."
"Good will prevail," she assured him, a wicked gleam entering her eye. "And when it does, we will show Albus as bit of the hurt he's put us through in the interim."
The dark wizard looked closely at the older witch. He's seen her break down her fair share over the years, but she had always been available to help and deal with him. Looking at her now, she looked older than her years, her skin more weathered and wrinkled, the laugh lines he'd know from years ago faded, and dark circles around her eyes. Her eyes held the truth of her pain, full of loss. The loss of her natural born child, the loss of her husband, and now the loss of her adoptive daughter. Somehow, he knew that she would hold him up as much as he needed, not willing to lose him as well. Silently, Severus wondered if she had the strength to survive the coming war.
January 23, 1995
Breaking the surface of water broke the spell placed upon her, and Hermione gasped in a great mouth full of air, trying to clear her lungs of the oddly empty sensation the spell had caused. Treading water out of instinct, her mind was still so fogged by the spell, that she didn't make any motion until Harry latched on to her arm and pulled her towards the large platforms in the water. She didn't notice that he was dragging another, much younger girl along with them, only able to focus on the tower drawing ever closer.
They reached the ladders and the young girl went up first. Since she didn't automatically move toward the ladder, Harry grabbed her arm and pushed her upward. Many helping hands reached down and grabbed handfuls of her soaked coat to help pull her up. Her brain panicked at so many unknown hands holding her and she froze in place, but no one seemed to notice as the quickly hauled her out of the water.
Several thick, warm blankets were immediately bundled around her, shocking her out of her stupor. She looked up and found Professor Snape standing over her, tucking the blanket into her shivering hands. She smiled carefully up at him, causing his frown to deepen, but she a feeling of safety wrapped around her, just as tight and comforting as the blankets. Her mind was finally starting to clear, leaving her feeling as if she's taken a double dose of dreamless sleep. Severus flicked his wand and she felt the magic of his spell wrap around her, drying her clothing for, so she wasn't still dripping wet in the cold Scottish weather.
She looked up again to thank him, but the looming black shape was gone, disappeared back to Dumbledore's side, as she was pulled into Harry's wet embrace. He was also wrapped in several blankets, but still dripping. Her mind was pulled away from the old show of niceties shown by Professor Snape as Dumbledore's voice could be heard announcing the winners.
"In first place, is Mr. Diggory, who retrieved his hostage and returned the fasted. Mr. Krum returned next. However, we have been informed that Mr. Potter was first to arrive and secure his hostage, but choose to wait and make sure all of the others were collected, even bringing back the young Miss. Delacour, whose older sister was disqualified. So, we are awarding Mr. Potter second place, leaving Mr. Krum in third."
The Durmstrang students growled loudly when their champion had been regulated to third place even though he had finished before Harry. Hermione's eyes were drawn to the group, easily spotting Krum among the students. His dark eyes latched on to hers and he just smirked at her, his eyes traveling slowly up and down her body as he knew she was watching.
Hermione froze, her mind snapping back to that night, feeling helpless as she struggled beneath his much larger frame. All of her studying and researching had not helped her. Even the bit of muggle martial arts she had picked up in St. Mungo's hadn't helped in the slightest as he had tried to force himself on her. It was only her luck that Professor Snape had heard her struggling and screaming and swooped in to save the day. Her body trembled as she recalled that night.
Harry stumbled into her slightly, and she jumped, before turning to see that he had only been jokingly shoved by Ron. Shaken, she turned back to her friends, trying to clear her mind and steady her breathing.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked, watching her closely.
With a lightness she didn't feel, she joked, "Of course not! Look at me, I'm freezing out here! I can't believe you were willing to let me drown, taking so long! You and your savior complex."
"Yeah, Mr. Moral Fiber," Ron scoffed.
Harry laughed and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. His embrace didn't have the same suddenly calming effect of Professor Snape, but she felt safe in the arms of the boy who was like a brother to her. She ruffled his hair playfully and let him wrap an arm behind her back to lead her to the boats that took them back to the shore of the great lake.
It was just about lunch time as they reached the school, many of the students going directly into the great hall. She hung back from the boys. Her heart was still pounding and the press of bodies on the boat and the pathways back to the castle had made her feel anxious and jumpy. Not really wanting to be surrounded by people any longer and not really hungry, she tried to make a quick escape.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry hollered, "you coming?"
"Nah, I'm not really hungry. Dumbledore gave us a nutrition portion before casting the stasis spell, since we missed a few meals. I think I'm going to hit the library and get some work done," she lied to the boys.
"Spent all morning in the black lake, and what is the first thing she does? Hits the library!" Ron scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Hermione just smiled weakly at the boys, who shrugged and entered the hall, joining the Gryffindor table. She watched for a moment through the doors as the rest of the house surrounded and congratulated Harry, celebrating his success.
Sadly, she turned and walked up the stairs, feeling out of place and more uncomfortable than ever. Her feet led her up into the castle and to the hospital wing. She gently pushed open the door and let herself in, the squeak of her sneakers echoed in the empty chamber. A moment later, Madam Pomfrey emerged from her office at the sound. The old mediwitch had a sad, knowing smile on her face, and waited for the younger woman to speak.
"Can I go on through?" Hermione asked quietly, tilting her head in the direction of the large hearth in the room.
"Of course, dear," Poppy assured her. "Do you need anything from me before you go?"
"No thank you. I'm alright," Hermione responded, offering a smile that didn't quite reach her face.
With nothing else to say, the young witch turned and strode across the room to the fireplace. Grabbing some floo powder from the container on the mantle, she stepped in and threw the powder down, calling out her location.
"St Mungo's."
Wrapped up in the green flames, she felt comfortably warm after her dip in the Black Lake. The trip was short however, as she stepped expertly out into the lobby at St Mungo's a moment later. She felt the familiar sweep of the hospitals cleaning spell, sucking the soot from her person, before she stepped away from the fireplace.
Hermione waved softly at the older woman at the front desk as she walked past her and toward the lift without stopping. The staff were familiar with her at that point. Taking the lift down three floors, she stepped out into a t-intersection. On her left, was the addiction treatment ward, that she had spent a bit of time in the previous summer. On her right, was the counseling and mental health treatment center. It was a small operation, as very few people in the wizarding world were willing to seek help for those sorts of problems, still mostly ashamed.
However, with her muggle background, Hermione felt no shame as she stepped into the small waiting room. The young witch at the desk smiled at her gently.
"I'll let her know that you are hear," she said.
A moment later, a yellow paper airplane too flight, drifting towards the offices in the back. Five minutes later, Hermione's counselor appeared at the end of the hallway. Meredith Walton, was a tall, muggle born witch in her mid-forties, with curly red hair and kind green eyes.
"Come on back, Hermione," she beckoned from the hall.
Meredith led the younger witch through the familiar maze to her office. Ushering Hermione inside, the older witch followed, closing the door behind her. Taking a seat in her normal chair, she noticed Hermione standing at the window. As they were underground, the window merely looked out at the moderately sized gym one floor down where patients received physical therapy and other activity related therapies. Hermione didn't seem to be watching anything specifically, mostly just staring out to space, most likely organizing her thoughts.
"Would you like to take a seat?" Meredith asked gently.
Hermione turned from the window, her eyes at first, still far away, but they quickly refocused. Striding across the room, the young woman took a seat on the mid-sized cream couch. Perched on the edge, she leaned into her knees, her hands fidgeting in front of her.
"So, what's going on?"
"Today was the second task for the Tri-Wizard Tournament," Hermione explained softly.
Meredith simply nodded her head, having kept up with the tournament in the Daily Prophet and with her patient. She remembered with amusement that the young, bushy haired witch had almost blown a gasket at some of Rita Skeeter's articles.
"The second task was for each of the champions to retrieve their most important person from the mermaid settlement deep within the Black Lake," Hermione continued to explain, more comfortable with the facts for the moment. "So, Dumbledore rounded us up last night, gave us a nutrition potion and dreamless sleep before putting each of us under a stasis spell and depositing us in the lake at some point."
"So, which champion were you the most important person for?" The counselor asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to prompt Hermione into digging deeper.
"Harry, of course. Silly boy arrived at the captives first, but waited to make sure everyone else was retrieved. Fleur had been disqualified, so when she didn't show up for her hostage, Harry insisted on saving us both," Hermione explained, a fond smile on her face.
"Is that what is bothering you?"
"No," Hermione admitted. "The mixture of potions and stasis spell made me feel really weird for a while after they broke. I wasn't able to concentrated on getting out of the lake and many people had grabbed onto my jacket and pulled me out."
Meredith just sat quietly while Hermione paused, waiting for her to continue on her own.
"It made me panic and I felt uncomfortable being that out of it and crowded by people I didn't immediately recognize," Hermione explained. "Once we were out of the water, we were each wrapped in blankets. I don't know why, but I suddenly felt comfortable and safe. I looked up to find Professor Snape tucking the blankets around me. He also spelled my clothes dry, which was nice, but odd since the rest of the champions and captives still had wet clothes."
She paused for a moment.
"He left and Harry pulled me close. It was a much different feeling, but I still felt comfortable with him. When they announced the winner, I looked over at the Durmstrang group and saw Victor staring at me. It was the first time I'd really seen him since the incident and he's look made my skin crawl. I felt panicked again, wanting to run and get away."
"Why does Victor make you feel that way, when you know he's been forbidden from approaching you again?" Meredith asked.
"It reminds me of what happened. It makes me feel weak and defenseless. Being the brightest witch of my age and learning some muggle self-defense did nothing," Hermione scoffed. "He was just so much bigger and stronger, I couldn't budge him and any time I tried to object or fight back, he easily disabled me. I remember feeling dazed a majority of the time."
"Unfortunately, at your age, you aren't learning to defend yourself against attackers magically or physically. It's not a fault within you, but rather a fault of the system. I might help you to feel better and more comfortable again to find someone to teach you more advanced magic, combined with physical defense. We both know you're smart enough and powerful enough to learn it," Meredith suggested. "Is there someone at Hogwarts who could help you?"
Hermione sat quietly and thought about it for a moment. The first thing that came to mind was Snape soundly beating Lockhart at the Dueling Club in second year. She smiled at the memory now, even though at the time she'd been girlishly ensnared by Lockhart's looks.
"Professor Snape would probably be able to. Sure, he teaches potions, but it's no secret that he wants the defense position. However, he's Head of Slytherin House and had made it no secret he despises myself and my friends. I doubt he'd be willing to help," Hermione offered, clearly disappointed.
"If he dislikes you so much, then why have you several times said that he makes you feel safe and comfortable when he is around?" Meredith asked.
"I don't really know. I guess he's saved Harry, Ron, and me often enough. And he saved me from Victor. Every time I really think about it though, I feel blocked, like I'm hitting a wall inside my head," Hermione attempted to explain.
"Well, then how do you feel about Professor Snape?"
"I respect him. He's incredibly smart and I admire that. He's saved me several times, so I feel grateful. Yeah, he can be mean, cruel, and hurtful sometimes, but he doesn't exactly have things easy, with losing his wife a few years ago," Hermione explained. "The boys constantly disrespect him and complain about him and it annoys me."
"Well, maybe you should ask him about giving you extra lessons and see how that goes. If that doesn't work out, we might be able to find someone here that has some time, but getting help from someone at Hogwarts will be much more convenient," Meredith explained. "Now, how do you feel about being Harry's most important person?"
"Eh, I consider him a brother, like I do the Weasleys," Hermione shrugged.
"And do you think he considers you to be like a sister to him?" She asked.
"I guess. We're best friends: me, him, and Ron," the young witch answered. "I've never asked him."
"But if you are all best friends, then why you over Mr. Weasley?" Meredith inquired.
"I guess because I understand him a bit better. We both lost our families and were pretty much adopted by the Weasleys," Hermione explained.
"And what if his feelings for you are more than that of a brother?" Meredith pushed.
Hermione sat quietly for a moment, her exterior giving off the same calm, sadness. However, internally she was panicking. Did Harry like her that way? She wasn't sure how to handle that possibility.
"Hermione," her counselor gently pushed again.
"I don't know," the young girl whispered, her voice catching with fear. "I'm not ready for anyone to feel that way about me, much less me feel that way about someone. I still have nightmares of Victor on top of me, being unable to move or fight back or scream. I don't know how to feel like that for someone again and not be afraid of being taken advantage of.
"It will come with time," Meredith assured her. "You've lived through more than any fifteen-year-old should have to. Give yourself time. Learning how to protect yourself better should help, so make sure you pursue that."
"And if Harry does approach me?" Hermione whispered.
"If it's before you are ready to consider that kind of relationship again, then you tell him what you told me. If he's your friend, like you say, he'll understand. If you are ready, don't double guess yourself."
Hermione sat quietly for a time, considering everything that had been discussed. Meredith let her sit for a bit before looking up at the clock on the wall.
"You should get back to Hogwarts," Meredith encouraged her. "I know it's Saturday, but they'll start to be missing you by now. Know though, that you are still welcome whenever you need."
"Thank you," Hermione said.
Leaving back the way she came, Hermione navigated the halls on autopilot. When she arrived at the floo, she was still trying to figure out how to work up the courage to ask Professor Snape for lessons, when the green flames engulfed her.
February 2, 1995
A harsh knock at his office door interrupted Severus Snape in his attempts to grade fifth year essays. Laying his quill down on the table, he pushed the stack away from him before calling out for his guest.
"Enter."
The heavy wooden wood was pulled open by Minerva McGonagall, though she didn't enter right away. She held the door open and looked sternly down at a student that was taking their time entering the room. Severus sighed heavily and wondered what one of his snakes had done now. However, it was shocking to see Hermione emerge from behind the wall and enter the office with the Head of Gryffindor House on her heels.
"Good evening Severus," Minerva said, taking a seat on one of the chairs before his desk, gesturing for Hermione to do the same.
"Good evening Minerva. Miss Granger. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Severus drawled, watching the young witch fidget in her seat.
"Miss Granger has brought it to my attention that her councilor at St. Mungo's suggested instruction in more advanced defensive and offensive spells, along with more physical fighting styles," Minerva explained.
"And what of Professor Moody?" Snape asked, adding sarcastically, "After all, he is the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."
"Don't be foolish, Severus. We both know Alastor wasn't much for muggle fighting before he lost his leg," Minerva joked. "Besides, Miss Granger asked about you personally."
In the uncomfortable seat beside the older witch, Hermione Granger fidgeted and cringed at her Professor's last statement. Snape smirked and suppressed the chuckle that would have normally escaped in present company.
"And why Miss Granger, did you request me?"
She looked up at him then, and he had to watch his features, as he wasn't expecting her too be so bold. For a brief second, he had seen his wife staring back at him, not the student.
"For starters, Professor Moody makes me uncomfortable. However, when my councilor suggested it, you were the first person that came to mind," Hermione explained.
"And why did you think of me first?" Snape questioned, genuinely curious.
"Because the first thing I thought of was you soundly beating, Lockhart, in my second year," she told him, with a broad grin.
Beside her, Minerva laughed heartily. Severus grinned, but resisted laughing at the reminder of that day.
"To be fair, he wasn't much of a challenge," Severus shrugged. "Though, if you are insistent that I tutor you, I can speak with Professor ..."
Minerva edged in and interrupted him quickly, "We both know you know need her Head of House's approval before agreeing to extra lessons and since I'm here, I give it."
"Well then, we will meet Tuesday and Thursday nights after dinner, and if anyone asks, you are taking Advanced Potions classes," Severus instructed her.
"Thank you very much, Professor Snape," Hermione voiced her appreciation.
Quickly, she stood, waiting momentarily for him to dismiss her with a wave of his hand before darting out into the hall. Minerva was just about to get out of her seat and depart when he waved his hand again and the door slammed shut.
"Just what are you playing at, you meddling old tabby?" Severus hissed.
"I am trying to make sure my daughter is taken care of and taught properly. You weren't the only one shaken up and murderous after her attack," McGonagall asserted firmly. "We both know that Remus is the only qualified Defense instructor we've had for years. Quirrell and Lockhart were jokes and Alastor is too far around the bend."
"While I appreciate your vote of confidence, you could have at least let me pretend to think about it! By Merlin, classes full of other students are hard enough. How am I supposed to manage one on one with her?" Snape moaned, moments from beating his head against the desk.
"I'm sure you'll manage. And you never know, maybe spending time with you will dislodge those memories early," Minerva responded.
"Ah ha! I knew you were meddling!" Severus declared triumphantly.
"Meddling or not, at least you'll have a sparring partner again for a time. Filius has managed to beat you in the teacher dueling tournament the last few years. I've had to stop betting on you for fear of losing all of my savings," she chuckled.
"Bah, we both know you always bet on your girl anyway," Severus sneered.
"Yes, but you were always an easy second place bet," she teased.
Snape just sighed, dropping his head to the palms of his hands as the memories surfaced. Minerva stood from her seat and walked around his desk, patting him gently on his back.
"Just hang in there, my boy. We'll get her back," Minerva assured him.
She gripped his shoulder gently before taking her leave, shutting the door behind her. He knew that she kept reassuring him for both of their sake.
Minerva returned to her rooms, settling down into the tartan chair by the fireplace. The flames roared in the heart, heating up her aching old joints. The old witch sighed, feeling as if she'd aged a decade for every year since Hermione had been de-aged.
Even when Hermione and Severus had joined the Order right out of Hogwarts she hadn't stressed this much. The two years between Severus taking the Dark Mark and the disappearance of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had been almost this bad, though thankfully short.
The sulky Slytherin had been a part of her family for almost as long as Hermione. It hadn't taken their marriage for her to consider him a son. However, she still fondly remembered finding out that he would be officially joining the family.
January 1978
"Mum," Hermione shrieked as she burst through the door to her chambers.
"Hermione, dear, we've talk about you bursting in here while students are in the castle," Minerva scolded her gently. "Now, what's got you all excited this time?"
"He finally proposed," the younger witch exclaimed, coming around her mother's chair and plopping down by her feet, in front of the fire.
Took him long enough, Minerva thought wryly as she remembered the scrawny young man approaching her over three months before, asking for her permission to marry Hermione. Not that he needed her permission, Merlin knew that girl was going to do what she wanted, but it was the kind of gesture that both Hermione, and herself would appreciate.
"Well, let's see the ring dear," Minerva mentioned. "It's not about the size of the gems, but about the thought put into it."
Hermione offered her left hand for her mother to observe the small ring and two rectangular gems. Nodding in approval, she grasped her daughter's hand in her own.
"Your young man has good tastes, for a Slytherin," Minerva declared, chuckling as Hermione nudged her gently. "But, then again, there was never any doubt about that at least, as he chose you."
Hemione blushed before getting up and making her way to the small kitchen attached to her mother's chambers to make tea. When she returned, she settled down on the couch besides her mother's chair, the tea tray between them, as she prepared tea for the two. Once each had a steaming cup in their hands, they sat pensively for a few moments.
"Now, how did he propose?" Minerva asked.
Hermione blushed again, knowing that her bookish nature was well known and sometimes a bit much. Minerva however, had misunderstood the red hue on her daughter's cheeks.
"No, never mind," she stated before Hermione could get started. "There are some details a mother does not need from her daughter."
"Oh, it wasn't like that, mum. Geesh," Hermione admonished her before laughing softly. "He proposed in the library at our table. He asked me with an arithmancy equation."
"Ah, that's what took the boy more than three months!" Minerva exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"He came to see me over three months ago to ask for my permission to propose to you," Minerva explained, with an amused smile.
"Wow, he really does love me," Hermione mused to herself, staring at the flames.
"I'll say, the boy spent three months learning to speak your language!"
Hermione chuckled.
"Now, I hope you two are planning to wait until you've finished school for the wedding," Minerva asked, grinning teasingly as she not so subtly glancing down at the young witch's stomach.
"Sweet Merlin, I can't believe you just asked that! We took then hint well enough when you presented us with the books," Hermione assured her and rolling her eyes at her mother.
Holding up her hands in surrender, Minerva grinned at her.
"But yes, we are planning on waiting until the summer, but not long after. We know how dangerous things are getting and want to make the most of things while we can," Hermione responded sadly.
"And I cannot talk you two out of joining the Order?" Minerva inquired sadly.
"Mum, we've had this discussion. We agreed to wait until we were done with school, even though we are of age."
"I know, I know. Just checking."
"Speaking of dark times ahead. Why have you never accepted Elphinstone's proposal?" Hermione inquired gently.
"I can't marry one man, when my heart belongs to another. No matter how dire the situation," Minerva answered.
"Oh, I didn't mean that," Hermione assured her.
"I know, my dear," Minerva said, gripping her daughter's hand lightly.
"Why do you never speak of him?"
"He is a muggle and I had to make the choice between this world and his. I knew that I would never be able to give up the magical world like my mother had. Last I heard, he married a muggle woman and they have two children," the older witch explained.
"Oh mum. I'm so sorry," Hermione exclaimed softly, gripping her hand tighter.
"It is in the past, my dear. Life isn't always fair, as you well know," Minerva explained. "I'm sorry would won't have your birth parents at the wedding, but I am very honored that you consider me your mother."
Hermione smiled sadly. "I'm honored that you took me in and consider me your daughter."
The pair fell silent, sipping their tea companionably and watching the fire crackle in the hearth. With dark storms on the horizon, the simply enjoyed the time with each other.