When they finally got to the lab at 10, Severus went over the several potions and what each could do. Hermione decided that even though it hurt she would fully revive her parents' memories. Her Mom and dad would remember the day she locked their thoughts away and remember the time they had in Australia, and most importantly Hermione would tell them about what happened while they were there.
Severus explained the potions he was going to brew. Of course, he would need two batches, so Hermione brewed right along with Severus. The lab had no sounds coming from it accept the clinks stirrers. The concentration coming from both parties was immense. Hermione used the large clock on the wall to time her addition of clover. She and Severus were about a minute apart, and she prayed hers turned out alright. When her clover disappeared into the mixture, it turned clear than an ugly gray color, which was precisely how it should look. Hermione smiled widely. She then looked up the clock she had to wait 26 seconds and then she had to drop in one owl feather. Stir 5times counter-clockwise three times clockwise. Then she would add lavender and one drop of honey which would turn the potion a tea color. It would have to set overnight and it would be suitable for use in 12 hours. She was excited that she could be less than 24 hours away from getting her parents back. Severus looked at her potion it was perfect, as always.
He couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of the women. She was amazingly detailed with everything from potions to charms. Charms he could do but, not as well as she could. He knew she could do anything she wanted. She was honestly the brightest witch of her age. She was everything he wished he was at her age. Severus watched as she sighed in relief when she got her potion into the locker. It was currently 12:45 and lunch was on both of their minds.
Hermione and Severus walked around the magical town looking for a place to eat. They suddenly came across a café with a beautiful outside patio. They sat in the gusty wind looking around at the sights. This was the first time Hermione sat and took it all in. She was actually in Australia, she was going to find her parents, and she was going to be working at Hogwarts. Hermione drifted off into her mind wondering if running back to Hogwarts was the right thing to do after everything. She had seen neither parent in a year, and she's going to unlock their memories only to see her off again.
Hermione thought of how she was a horrible daughter to muggle parents that would never understand who she was. They would never get it, and it made her sad. She felt the tears draining from her eyes. She has felt like she was on a roller coaster of emotions up and down and though the actual crying never came, the tears rolled freely down her face as she took deep breaths trying to focus on the man across from her.
She quickly wiped them away as the waiter came and handed them menus. The food was beautiful and delicious. Neither said much as they ate Severus knew she was thinking about the last week replaying it over and over and trying to guess all the outcomes that tomorrow would bring. So he allowed her to do so while they ate.
When they got to the hotel, Hermione quickly changed into her swimsuit filling up the hot tub once again. She needed to relax. Severus saw her go and decided to make some tea with a little calming draught so she could clearly think. He carried the warm mug over to her and simply set in her hands.
"Thank you" she merely said.
Severus said nothing as he looked at the sun setting over the ocean. It was quite a beautiful sight, and Hermione would have realized as well if her brain was filled with thoughts of her mom and dad. But she still hadn't sipped her tea and Severus wasn't going to nag. He went back to the room to read.
The following day Hermione was up as soon as daybreak approached. She knew that this might be the day she saw her parents once again. Hermione did not want to disturb Severus who was laying there with his usually sharp angled face smoothed by his sleep. She knew she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep, but she knew one small move would awaken the man next to her. This morning she wasn't even near him. Quite the opposite. She thought of how this weird friendship had developed a blossoming of sorts. She knew she still didn't really understand the man; She hasn't even scratched the surface. She knew more than most. If she had to describe him the first word she would use would be thoughtful. She knew not many others would describe him like that. She knew he was free. But freedom meant that he now had control. A type he never had. He could now say what he does and doesn't do and he chose to come with her. He is helping her find her family. The one thing she knows for certain he is unsure of the meaning. He has never said anything about his mother or father, and she suddenly felt a need to know. She looked over at his smooth face and reached out for him. She didn't mean to she didn't realize until it was too late she had her hand on his arm slowly rubbing down it. She realized he wasn't waking to her surprise she slowly gently hovered over his body and kissed his cheek knowing he would never let her do otherwise. It was an unknowing thank you to him for his help during her need. She slowly got out of bed put on a robe and made tea.
She was glad that by just unlocking their memories she only had two potions to give and hopefully they would understand. She was saving their life and her own in away. She knew she wouldn't be able to go on through the war knowing her parents were gone. Hermione sipped on the tea waiting the long time that was to come they couldn't even be in the lab until 10 am.
Time ticked slowly for Hermione, but she was happy when Severus woke up at 7:30 am. Severus surprised that Hermione was already up she was sitting drinking a tea over by the bar. He quickly settled down with her and grabbed a cup.
Hermione thought about this unusually domestic thing going on. The fact that the man beside her was sitting there making tea and enjoying the silence. She thought about how she wished she could know more about him and she remembered the thought she had of his parent's.
"Good morning Severus!" She said slowly hoping he would want to talk.
"Morning it is." Severus replied.
"Did you sleep okay?" Hermione ask.
"It was okay." Severus said as he started sipping his tea.
"I just want thank you for helping me find my parents, and I feel like you know so much about them, I've never heard you talk about your parents."
Severus looked up at her not expecting her to be asking something so personal. "I would rather not discuss my parent's with you, Hermione." Severus said.
Hermione knew his home life wasn't great, she had heard rumors as to why he was so mean, but she thought it was all rumors until this moment. Maybe it was true when she heard Draco say something about how Severus was hit by his father. Then she thought about Harry saying something about going to Severus' mind when he was studying Occlumency he also taught him Legilimency and Harry said something about Severus being hurt by his parents.
She looked over at Severus, and she saw the look in his eyes they were glazed over he was lost in thought. She felt sorry for bringing it up.
"I'm sorry Severus. I didn't mean to upset you."
"I know Hermione." He said uncharacteristically.
Hermione leaned over and rubbed his back reassuringly, and he jumped at her touch. She pulled her hand back like she had been burnt. She quickly apologized again and got up and shuffled into the bedroom and got dressed.
Severus Snape knew the look that Hermione Granger gave him. He had seen it so many times and even though she showed the emotion for a half a second he knew that his reaction hurt her. It wasn't on purpose, and he knew, she knew that he didn't mean it. He was tired of this. He was scarred to let anyone in. The last time he gave anyone truly in was Albus Dumbledore after he had gotten his mark. He confessed his sins to him like guilty Catholic boy on Sunday but instead of praying for forgiveness he was a double agent and it will take his whole life to erase the mistake. He knew now if he wanted he could be free but like a prisoner, this life was all he knew. He was too old to learn something different. He was too cold to be warmed back up. He wanted to believe all this with his whole heart, but someone wasn't letting him.
Hermione got dressed ready to see her parents and hoped they would get there memories back. She hoped she could explain what had happened the past year. She tried to void her mind off this, but it just wouldn't stop. In all honesty, she wasn't sure if after they regained their memories they would believe her. Half the time they didn't believe she was a witch. She wasn't sure if it was because they wanted to forget that she was magical, or if they truly forgot that she was different. She hoped that it was the latter but knew in her heart they didn't want this for her. Hermione understood her parents need to normalize her. Who would just want to accept that their daughter would be gone ten months out of the year to learn about things they've only heard of in fairytales.
She knew they expected her to go to college or at least get a regular job, but she knew she was too tied to the magical world. Maybe if she were a Ravenclaw instead and never became friends with Harry, it would have been different, but no she picked boy wonder to become friends with slowly warily. She knew life would be so much easier if none of this magical stuff happened but she also knows that if none of this happened, she would never be the person she is. She took a few calm breaths ready to see Severus again and ready to go off to the office where she would hopefully be able to see her mom and dad and hug them once again.
The pair quickly stopped at the lab before going to the small dentist office they found in the phone book. It was just as Hermione imagined it. It was in an old building in the heart of the town with a dentist sign. She was shaking as they walked up to the door. It was enough for Severus to put his hand on her shoulder.
"You have to relax, they'll think you have gone mental, it's odd enough we're going in here just expecting some tea," Severus explained.
Hermione did something she hadn't done in a while something she wished she never learned to do; she blocked all emotion. She shook her head took a deep breath and was numb.
Severus noted the apparent turn in emotion but said nothing. He was surprised how quickly it came but knew he too could do the same. They entered the door and walked into the waiting room seeing a few people waiting and then Severus walked to the receptionist's window.
The lady looked surprised to see the odd pair standing in front of her.
"Can I help you?" The secretary asks.
"Yes mam," Hermione said.
"Well, I noticed by accident really when flipping through the phone book that the dentists last name here is Granger. I am on a Senior trip from England, and I happen to be a Granger as well. I'm very interested if we could be related. It's a rare last name." Hermione stated.
The secretary gave the odd pair an even more bizarre look as the Hermione finished her reasoning.
"Well actually these Grangers are from England give me a second, and I'll go get one of them." The receptionist replied.
Severus looked over at Hermione she still showed no emotion, her eyes didn't look cold, but they were void, which he thought was definitely worse. As the pair waited for Mr. Granger to come out, Hermione stood watching as she saw the top of her father head through the receptionist window before he came from behind the door.
"Miss Granger is it well, that is quite interesting, it's nice to meet you!" Hermione's father said as he reached for her hand.
Hermione grabbed the man's familiar hand and shook it lightly.
"Dr. Granger, I have been really interested in my family tree, and I was wondering if maybe we could discuss if we were related, I know your busy, but do you think you and your wife could have some tea with me in the next couple of days?" Hermione ask.
"Well that is quite an odd request for a dentist but I too am interested in genealogy maybe we can connect the lines. My wife and I would be happy to meet you. Why don't we meet at the café on the next block, it called Good Day, see you at 6:00 pm?
"That sounds great thanks, see you again soon!"
And with that Hermione no longer locked her emotions away and hurried out of the office as Severus without a word followed quickly behind. Hermione ran to the end of the street. When Severus caught up to her, he was slightly out of breath. He grabbed her shoulder. Hermione jumped and almost pulled out her wand before remembering where she was. When she realized it was Severus the ½ second later, she relaxed and looked up at him. She knew she must look like a mess she was trying so hard to fight the tears threatening to fall. She just now let all the emotion catch up with her, and it was overwhelming.
Severus hailed a taxi and scooted in so Hermione could take the seat on the way back, not a word was spoken between the two. Hermione let tears fall down her face silently until she got back to the room. Hermione was in shock all this was real all this was happening and the person who she expected least, other than Voldemort himself was helping her.
Her tears came down harder now, and an escaped noise from the back of her throat was audible enough for Severus to hear, and when he looked over at her, she started to cry.
Severus was still uncomfortable with this whole situation women crying wasn't his thing he wasn't a soothing type of person, but he knew for a fact Hermione wasn't a crier. So he tried his best to guide her onto the couch in the suite and rub her back.
"I don't even know why I'm crying; it was just too much to handle, I'm sorry I'm so weepy."
Severus knew she was telling the truth, and he knew there were days, not many days, but there where days he would go to bed and weep, for no reason in particular.
He watched as she tried to calm herself breathing slowly willing the tears to stop. She got up to blow her nose and took a deep breath. She looked in the mirror at her red face and smiled. She was happily scared excited nervous and most of all worried. She was unsure of how her parents would react as of this very moment she isn't their daughter, she is some random who shared there last name. When the fold of memories come back to them will they still love her. How will she explain she changed there whole life with one spell. For the first time she was scared of the wand she had in her hand, she was afraid of what magic can do and has done. For the first time in some odd sick way, she understood how Voldemort must have felt.
He was powerful as is she, but he used it for control. She had controlled her parents with it; she wasn't much different. No one was really different when it came to magic, just how they used it. She hoped that everything would be okay.
Severus heard her calm, and she was silent looking in the mirror for several minutes. When she faced him once again, her redness lessened and she looked to be okay. He grabbed a book he brought and started reading. Hermione had decided to lay down, she knew there was no way to get some sleep, but she was hoping she could remain calm. She laid in the humungous bed thinking. Thinking about anything and everything every once in a while a stray tear would fall, or she would have to hold back a laugh. She laid there all day until Severus came and told her she needed to get ready.
A lump instantly appeared in her throat, and she ran around the room getting ready for the night she gets her parents back.
Severus and Hermione went to the Café and saw the Granger's as they entered. Hermione's face lit up, and she quickly sat down with them Severus took his time before setting next to her. On their way over they discussed slipping the potion into the drinks, and Severus knew he could do it fast. He promised he would get it in with no one noticing.
"Well hello Miss Granger, my husband said you came in earlier, how exciting a Granger!" Hermione's mother smiled.
"Yes I thought so too, I brought some research of the Granger name as well as some other information. Hermione replied.
"Well before we discuss why don't we order some drinks." Hermione's father mentioned.
Hermione smiled they walked up to the register and ordered when they walked back Hermione noticed the art lining the walls and ask several questions when she asked about the ones directly behind her parents head they quickly turned around to view it. Severus poured two bottles at the same time into there tea, praying it was worth all this.
"Now lets talk about the family lineage shall we?"
Hermione nodded and could help but smile as her father and mother both slowly drank the potion. Suddenly her father said, "Hermione Jean Granger, I know you!" Hermione brightened, and he mother looked at her with puzzling eyes. "You're my, my daughter how did I, what, why, did you? HERMIONE WHAT DID YOU DO?" She screamed.
At this point everyone was looking at them, Hermione was grinning ear to hear, and Severus couldn't help wear a smirk on his as well. "Please, let's go back to the office," Severus said and stood up watching the three follow him to the dentistry.
As soon as they got in both of Hermione's parents stared at her. Her father spoke first. " all I remember is you saying something about an incident at school, and you had to keep us safe, what happened are you okay!"
"Dad I'm right here I'm fine. Hermione's mother was crying and reached to her for hugs Hermione's tears welled up over her lids, but the sobs never came she wanted to talk she wanted to stay in balance and try to answer their questions. She looked over at Severus forgetting for a second he was witnessing all this.
"First, I want to say I'm sorry; I was trying to protect you from something I was too afraid to tell you about." Hermione Started.
"Hermione you're our daughter we were supposed to protect you not the other way around! What happened, why, how did you just place us here, make us forget?" Her mother asked.
"I know you're supposed to protect me, and I know this is going to be hard to hear, but you couldn't have this time, not with what happened. Remember when I told you there was a bad guy who was trying to change the wizarding world?" Hermione asked.
Both parents shook their heads they were in shock, and neither of them knew what to do or say and the potions were doing something to them making them listen. "Well, the bad guy wasn't a guy, shell more like it, but a powerful one. You see Harry was asked to defeat him, kill him, and Ron and I well we couldn't say no, we had to go with him!"
At this point, her mother was already starting to tear up again.
" We had to help Harry destroy him, and we spent several months searching for pieces of his soul hidden away so he could live forever, I know you don't understand that part, but it was dark evil magic, and he was a dark evil man. The order, a group of us, set out to stop him had heard he was attacking muggles and I couldn't risk it if somehow they found out who you were. I couldn't let them find you so, a couple of members came with me, and we put a spell on you to forget I ever existed. I sent you as far as I could remember you always wanted to live here. I wanted you safe, and Australia sounded great. So for as long as you've been here minus a couple of weeks, I was fighting a war, we weren't supposed to win. I want you to know I watched several people I loved die and as I did I thought at least its not you!" At this statement, everyone in the room was crying including Severus who was in the corner stowed away.
"Oh, Hermione Thank God you're okay!" Her mother rang out.
"We've missed so much, your birthday, Christmas, everything." Her father said.
Hermione had no more words and was comforted by the words and hugs she was receiving.
" I'm sorry this happened like this I'm glad you're okay, and I wanted you back. I just wanted you to know I love you and I hope you still love me." Hermione said.
"Of course we do, but we've missed so much you graduated, and you're an adult and oh my gosh!" Her mother said.
" Yes I graduated, I'm a teacher at Hogwarts now." Hermione gleamed.
"WHAT!?" her mother screamed.
"Why did you even come back for us Hermione, so you can leave again so we can't see you, we let you go there because you loved it, but we thought you'd come home now you're saying you're going to be gone all year!" her mother yelled.
Hermione took a deep breath she knew this would happen. Her mother hated her going.
"Mom you know this is what I want, I came back because I missed you and I love you I thought maybe you would be happy."
"Hermione I am happy you're here, but you were supposed to be in college now, you were supposed to go to Cambridge, go into whatever you wanted."
"With what my O's in NEWTS!" Hermione shouted
"Hermione, we're both upset right now, you come to find us after almost a year just to say you won't be around this is hard on us Hermione!" Her father rang out.
Hermione put her head down, and Severus came quickly behind her and put his hand in her shoulder. She swung around and pushed herself against his body. She was nauseated by this whole thing.
Hermione's parents just remembered the man in the room and stared at him looking for answers.
Even though Severus could read their minds, he went against it already knowing what they were thinking.
"Sorry we had to deceive you this evening, Hermione has been working very hard to find you and to tell you she is okay I know this must be hard, and overwhelming to the both of you, I promise no more magic will be done with you, let's all rest and talk tomorrow morning okay?"
With that Severus walked toward the door Hermione in tow.
"Wait, where are you going?" Hermione's father asks
"Back to the hotel, we are staying in until morning," Severus replied.
Hermione pushed herself out of Severus protective shield and went to her father and hugged her.
"I love you, daddy, everything will be okay, right?"
Hermione's father smiled, "of course, give your mom tonight, we love you, and she just needs some time. Are you staying with him?" Her father quickly ask.
Hermione blushed, "he is my colleague and yes I am I promise everything is fine, I will see you tomorrow." Hermione said she kissed her father's cheek and gave one longing look at her mother before gravitating back toward Severus and going back to the hotel.
Hermione wanted to say so much to Severus at the moment. She was so drained; she had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of another. She laid down, and he did as well she instantly clung to him, and he didn't decline her arms wrapping around his chest, he laid there with her until he to finally fell asleep.
Hermione was having a horrible dream which caused Severus to wake up. He watched as she tensed her body as tight as she could. Hermione started to thrash shaking and screaming out Severus tried to wake her, but she was stuck in the nightmare. Severus quickly grabbed her in his arms. She woke up her face near his and let out a deep breath starting to cry. "It was so real Severus," Hermione said as she calmed down.
I was with you, and my mom and dad and they were so happy to see me again, and I ran into my dad's arms but then when I looked up he was Voldemort, and my mom was dead on the ground you were trying so hard to help, but they killed you too!" Hermione said.
Severus continued to half hold her as she calmed down. Severus cursed Australia for the 100000th time, no having any easy access to brew a calming draught for Hermione.
It was about 9 pm and Hermione was wide awake due to the dream and Severus wasn't sleeping, to begin with. Hermione flipped through the channels on tv laughing when she got to the Cinemax channel. Severus interested peaked when she laughed but quickly looked away at the horrible soft core porn that they were attempting. Hermione let it linger a little longer before changing the channel and finally settling on cartoon she watched when she was at home. Severus semi-watched the show before Hermione decided to get up and once again fill the hot tub up asking if Severus would like to join.
Severus nodded in agreement before Hermione went to the bathroom. Hermione quickly changed almost too fast for Severus he just pulled up the black trunks as Hermione stepped out. They both went to the deck and the bright stars and moon beamed down.
"Severus, thank you, you've once again done too much for me," Hermione said.
Severus said nothing in response but instead gave the nod acknowledging he had heard her words.
They sat in the water for a long time both thinking several things. Hermione was thinking about tomorrow, and Severus was thinking about the next several months. But the last thoughts they had were about each other. It wasn't until Hermione kept moving around, the heat of the water too much before she sat up on the side allowing only her feet to claim the heat.