Warning there is depictions of child abuse and talk about child abuse in this chapter.
The next morning came quickly, and Severus and Hermione got ready quite quickly to see her parents. Less than 24 hours ago they didn't even know she existed. She knew they were hurt; she knew that it would take a long time to make it right. They had two lives now one with her and one without and she was sincerely hoping they had decided to keep her in it.
Hermione came to the Dentistry; her parents lived above it. She saw her mother smile when they walked through the door, and Hermione let out a sigh of relief.
"Good morning sweetheart!" Her mother said.
Severus blended into the corner as he was used to being a spy. He watched as her mother hugged her. He was glad she had found them. He was happy he helped. He listened to the family as Hermione told the bare minimum she could. By this time he was invited to set in a chair, but he was uncomfortable this wasn't his place, it was to intimate of a setting. They were close, nothing like he remembers seeing his parents. It was love; he has never seen or understood it was pure and unfaltering. Hermione had erased their minds, and with a few hours' sleep, they were right back loving her. He could tell it was strained, but that was expected. Hermione had worked herself up over this telling Severus they may never want to see her again. He would have to admit he believed that thought even though they were her parents. But now it seems as all they wanted was there daughter back.
Severus's thoughts were interrupted when he heard his name while Hermione was telling the story of the war. She was explaining why he was here, and as she was talking about him, Severus swore Hermione's voice changed. It wasn't stronger, but it was more precise. He looked up at her and noticed she was keeping her emotions in check with them; she was strong. A lot stronger than he ever gave her credit for. Severus never realized how young, smart and courageous she was. He thought he knew her but at this moment he realized he knew he didn't know her at all.
The day seemed to trudge on for Severus. The Granger's would say something to him every now and again but most of the time he was ignored. It wasn't until dinner time they actually talked to him and even then it was nonpersonal questions. Things he could easily answer. Dinner was pizza, but everyone was just happy to have something to eat. Hermione smiled at Severus, and for the first time all day she started a conversation with him.
"I'm sorry Severus; this must be extremely boring to you. We can leave when we're done eating my parents have to decide if they are going back or not, I do realize we need to start getting ready for classes." Severus nodded in reply.
"It hasn't been boring Miss Granger I have learned a lot of insight." Severus finally said after chewing his bite of pizza.
Hermione didn't even correct him when he said, Miss Granger. She was glad he was helpful and kind. He showed a different side of him. Something she didn't think many people have seen. She was sort of upset by the fact for all those years; he was mean dungeon bat. She dared not ever even think it because she was afraid she would call him one and he would be right behind her. Now she didn't think of him that way. Not anymore. And the more she thought about it the more she knew he was never really awful. He was just balancing too much, too young and he didn't know how or what to do. He turned himself against everyone just in case. Too much has happened to him Hermione decided as she watched him eat. She wanted to help him, to love him to need him.
Hermione stopped mid-chew at her thoughts. He was staring at her she knew he wasn't trying to read her mind. She would have known if he did because he would have laughed at the thought she had, the one she really didn't mean to have. She flushed as he stared at her and she finally turned her attention back to her mom and dad.
Severus watched as she stared at him he couldn't help but smirk. He was unsure of her reason of watching him, but at least she wasn't out to kill him like so many where not too long ago. He thought of the past couple of days and how he would miss her presence. He knew that she was much different as he thought she was. More mature than he could even imagine and she was certainly professor material, not that he really didn't think she could teach. But now he knew she could handle the students.
The Grangers asked Hermione and Severus both about Hogwarts and how long she would be there. They were torn between staying there in the place they grew so fond of and moving into the home they know as their own. They missed that house, but they loved Australia as well. They had a lot of thinking and planning, without Hermione's help. After dinner, they all knew it was time to part ways.
When they got back to the hotel, Hermione was a bag of emotions, but she hid it well. Overall she was happy. She couldn't believe her life had changed in such a short amount of time. She was relaxed and going over the past years events. She was indeed, truly the luckiest girl in the world.
It wasn't too late but once again she was tired. She lay in the bed as Severus read a book in the next room. She thought it was strange how much her body wanted to sleep but her mind refused to give it to her. She felt like something was missing, there was a space. Then she realized, it was Severus.
Hermione quietly got of bed and went into the other room. She watched him as he contently read his book. He was deep in thought. But quickly realized that another pair of eyes were in the room. He looked up at Hermione. She smiled as his eyes reached her.
"Hermione you're still awake!" Severus said surprised.
"Yeah, I just, wanted to say thank you, I know I have a 1000 times but I just, I wanted to let you know." She said smiling looking at Severus.
He smirked back at her, Hermione had yet to see him smile but she expected as much. He wasn't one to smile, and she was perfectly okay with that.
"Hermione you know there is no thank you needed, I am glad I could help you."
"I know, but we've been here a few days longer than you thought," Hermione replied.
"Do you really think I have to plan a lot I've done the same thing for over 20 years now."
Hermione smiled brightly once again and walked toward him and sat down next to him. She touched his arm. He slightly jumped but allowed it to rest there. He knew she was there to thank him. Hermione felt the jump but said or did nothing to let him know.
She kept her hand firmly on his biceps. He didn't say anything instead he turned to her and Severus swore he saw a bit of lust in her eyes, but he could be imagining it. Then suddenly she put her face closer to his their noses almost touching, he knew this shouldn't be happening, but it was, and he would let it. She reached his lips, and he accepted her kiss. It was light and soft almost friendly more than anything, but he felt the shock of it something he had never felt before. He was confused by it, but he knew he liked it. It was the first time he had felt this way, other than Lilly, but this was more this was a lustful need as well and he liked it.
Hermione didn't blush from the kiss it was something she had to do just to show him she was happy he was there. She wasn't surprised when he said or did nothing. "Come on Severus it's late come to bed." She said matter of factly. Severus didn't argue and followed her in. He went to the bathroom quickly changing into pants. When he came out, Hermione eyed him for the 100th time the past few days. He got under the covers, and she slowly moved closer to him. "I'm afraid I've gotten used to this." She said. Severus said nothing but allowed her to squish up against him. He relaxed and quickly went to sleep.
Hermione awoke to a horrible scream. She pulled her wand from the pillow quickly; nothing was there. She looked at Severus to see he had some nightmare. He was still screaming shouting "No" as he kicked around.
"Severus, Severus wake up," she said as she pushed at his shoulder, but that only made him cry out louder. She quickly lit the whole room as fast as she could get around to each bulb. He was still in his nightmare, and she hovered above him touching his cheek to get him to wake up."
"Please, it hurt NO!" No Severus screamed out with tears flowing down his face.
Hermione was getting scared she couldn't wake him up. Finally, she in her best loud big girl voice said. "Professor Severus Snape Wake up right now."
And in an instant, he sat up with tears running down his eyes and Hermione let out a breath. She waited a second before she hugged him.
Severus was now sobbing and unable to stop. Hermione held him there as he continued to cry and calm himself down. At first, he didn't even realize her presence but when he did he tried to pull away Hermione had a tight grasp of him, and when he realized someone was there for him, for no other reason than to be there, he cried out more with a new emotion. Hermione never said anything as this occurred and let him take his time. When the tears were dry, and Hermione let go so he could finally breathe.
"Severus are you okay?" Hermione ask. Severus nodded in response.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hermione ask.
Severus Snape did not want to talk, did not want her to know the horrors of the war he had in his mind, not only the one they both just battled but the war with his father as a child. It was a rare dream, one that he didn't often have, but it was a reoccurring dream none the less. A fantasy world of the worst things he could imagine. It started with him as a young boy waking up to his father screaming at his mother. He wasn't afraid anymore, not like he used to be, he knew what would happen next. Dad would slam his mother around, grab her by the hair or wrist leaving new bruises next to old ones, push her in the kitchen "Where she belonged" and plop down on the couch. He would drink whatever alcohol the local convenience store had a special on that week. His dream would then turn to himself being beat by his dad, then molested by him. His father would bring a belt and wack him so hard it would welt and sometimes bleed. Then he would pull down his pants and do whatever vile acts he decided; then in his dream, his father would turn into Voldemort, doing the same nasty things only using a curse to this day he has never heard of before just something his brain has had made up.
He never knew he screamed out with these dreams until tonight; he had never been so close to someone before. Of course, there were a few times he had tried to be with women, but it ended badly. He was terrified of what could happen, he tried to be in control with them because he couldn't have it any other way, but they were never kind or willing to help him they would run off. They never really cared for him. No one except Dumbledore and Minerva had ever ask him what's wrong.
Hermione noticed the void look in Severus's eyes. She had seen it all too often, with Harry. Usually, it was when he saw thoughts that Voldemort had or when he was thinking of the Dursley's. It was sad void, and sometimes it took a long time for Harry to come out of it so she could only guess that Severus would be the exact same way.
Hermione tried to comfort him rubbing his back, and he took a deep breath and was slowly coming back to reality.
"I know this isn't something you want to hear, but Harry has the same look on his face when he is thinking about bad things happening it took me a long time to get him to open up, but he did, and he said he felt better. I'm not trying to compare you, but I promise whatever you say I wouldn't ever tell anyone else. " Hermione said thoughtfully.
"I know, I also know a lot of people have told you things, you know more than you should, you have a very trusting feature, Hermione. People are drawn to you for help. And you're curious so you don't mind hearing the gossip but unlike all the others your age you don't go spreading it to the world. I don't think I need to burden you with more than you need to hear." Severus answered.
Hermione was slightly upset for a few reasons. One he was right, he had just read her like a big open book. She thoroughly enjoyed knowing the ins and outs of her peers, even if it did involve some secret keeping. The other thing was he thought he would be a burden, Hermione did know a lot, a lot about many of her friends, the staff at Hogwarts, her muggle friends. None of what she knew was a burden if anything it was a burden to her not to know.
" I promise Severus it's of no burden maybe I could help you." Hermione Suggested.
"I really don't think you can, Miss Granger, it's a lost cause," Severus exclaimed.
"Well then why don't you tell me and let me see how much of a lost cause it really is."
Severus rolled his eyes making sure she saw it." If you insist, Miss know it all." And for the next 25 minutes of their life was a very watered down version of his dream, the abuse at home and how no women would want such a broken man. By the end of the tale Hermione was in tears but, glad he talked to her. Severus's grief was less, she could tell by his face, letting something out tended to make someone look younger and if any indication Hermione could already see his worry lines disappearing. It was no burden to keep his life a secret it had come naturally to her, and even if it didn't, she would be too scared of what he might do if word ever got out.
"Oh Severus, I'm sorry I didn't know, and I'm sorry if I have made you uncomfortable in any way. I hope you trust me if you need to say anything else." Hermione said.
"You don't think I am a disgusting old man who doesn't deserve anything!" Severus said after her comment.
"What are you talking about, You're not old, and you are not disgusting. You are very generous; you are faithful, loyal, a protector, you are a great man Severus and anyone would be happy to be your friend. You're smart, and you are always doing the right thing, even if it doesn't seem that way. You have always put yourself last Severus, put yourself 1st, please promise me you will put your self 1st!" Hermione begged.
Severus was at a loss for words. A girl, no a woman ½ his age was giving him advice, some of the best he had ever received and nothing had changed between them. She indeed was a wonderful person, he always knew since she arrived at Hogwarts she was smart, bold, a little conniving, but a lot of heart. She put her whole self into everything she did even if it was just cleaning up or walking down the hall she did everything with a purpose. She had a reason behind everything she did. She was a powerful witch but also a powerful soul; she was really the best person he had ever known even though he still didn't know much about her, he had seen her for the past eight years of her life. He felt like he should know her better than he did, and he would try his damnedest to become her friend, something he hadn't done with anyone in a long time.
They finally fell back asleep, and Hermione's pep talk allowed him to sleep quietly. The only thing that bothered him was something she had said earlier in the night about sleeping in the same bed, being with each other 24/7 if he had to admit it, he was going to miss it too. It was as if they should have known each other all along, but it wasn't until now they had discovered each other. He thought that if being reincarnated really was something that happened when you die, surely they must have known each other's souls in a past life.
The next morning they both woke up at ten they only had 2 hours to be back, say goodbye to the cloud bed, which Hermione was contemplating on stealing. They went to see her mom and dad one last time before she left. She knew this trip changed her whole life but at the same did nothing. Of course, she got her parents back which was amazing. But now what is she going to do. Is Severus going to act like this never happened, are they still going to talk to each other. Will, they ever mention this to anyone or will it be their secret. Hermione was too nervous that it would wind up like that, so she shook her head and decided to worry about that when the term started.
She quickly packed and laid down in the bed one last time before meeting her mom and dad at there apartment. Seeing if they had made a decision. When Hermione and Severus walked through the door, Hermione saw two large suitcases.
"Mom, Dad?" Hermione said
Hermione's mother quickly came to greet her daughter as her father carried down another small suitcase.
"We have decided to go back home for a few weeks, see what we want to do, dear." Hermione's mother said.
Hermione smiled, she knew she put them in a tight spot, and in her mind, this could never be their home. They had visited a few times when she was younger, and remembered her parents saying how beautiful it was and how when they retired they may decide to pick up and go there, but they still had several years to go and maybe Australia was a good fit, but then again she couldn't imagine them not living the home she grew up in.
"Oh! That's great, Severus and I have taken care of everything already there is food in the fridge, and all the utilities are paid. You'll write me right?" Hermione ask.
"Of course honey, we want to let you know what we decide. I still can't believe we've missed so much and here you are a teacher, I'm so proud of you!" Hermione's father said as he hugged her tightly.
Hermione could barely believe any of the past week let alone the coming year. It was going to be odd being an assistant in the classrooms, doing this and that but it felt right. She was expected to be an Auror like Harry, and she had no doubts she could but, it wasn't what she wanted. She gave her parents a kiss and a hug and promised to write every day.
For the last time, Hermione hoped they called for a taxi to take them back in the magical town, so they could get a portkey home.
'Home she thought, even though she loved her parents dearly she felt as though Hogwarts was her home.' She smiled at that fact and could help but squeeze Severus's hand as they grabbed there port key and ended up at the gates of Hogwarts.
Severus realized they were back and squeezed Hermione's hand one last time before opening the gate and going back to "normal" whatever that was. For the first time at Hogwarts, there was relative peace. Of course, there were still die-ha followers a small pact, burning buildings and making threats but no murders, maybe because of all the death that has occurred. He wasn't sure what his part was anymore. Professor Severus Snape Potion's master, nothing more, nothing less. It was an odd feeling a scared feeling to be honest. He had no excuses to be so cruel. He had no reason to show the basics to get by; he could do more complex potions now. He wished that Australia was a few more days, so he could escape, but there they were walking back to the castle. Both were worn out from the adventure, but Severus knew he wouldn't sleep, not after this week.
Severus was scared of this friendship he so easily made with her. He still felt some type of pull he didn't want to think it was romantic, nor lust but if he had to admit it, he felt like he may be in love with her, especially after the last few days.
Hermione watched him as they went to the head mistress's office to let Minerva know they were safe and everything was a success. Severus was on autopilot not realizing he had made it to the destination until Hermione said the password.
As they walked in Minerva greeted them each with a hug. "I take everything was a success." Minerva smiled.
"Oh yes, thanks to Severus, he was wonderful, and we found them rather quickly, they weren't so happy I was coming back though," Hermione said lightly.
Minerva shook her head and looked back at Severus. "You did great! I hope for helping you Hermione will help you set up before classes start." Looking at Hermione as she talked to Severus, Hermione just nodded approvingly.
Hermione looked at Severus and smiled; she couldn't believe the past five days had been so real! She couldn't be happier, and she loved how this school year started, if this were a sign of things to come she thought this would be the best year of her life!