Chapter 3

Severus was drinking his morning cup of black tea in the staff room along with Albus and Minerva. They were the only three in the school at the moment. The rest of the staff would be arriving in two weeks with one week to prepare for the coming year.

"Hermione is all caught up. I was sent her grades last night from Mr. Toliver, she is back to outstanding." Minerva said as she took a sip of her black tea.

"That is good news." Albus said. "What of Harry?"

Minerva sat the cup down, "Remus has sent me his grades as well. They are still working on Potions, but he is passing not to an outstanding level but Remus thinks exceeds expectations before he returns this next year."

Severus gave a small coughed whisper. "Unbelievable."

Minerva huffed at Severus and turned to Albus. "He wants to be an Auror. He'll be good one. As long as one teacher would lower the standards for NEWT classes."

Severus shook his head, "I will not lower standards for dunderheads."

Albus chuckled, "How about lowering the standards but give a test in the first class. If they pass it they can stay, if not then you'll have less students."

Severus sat back and thought about it carefully. "I can craft the test anyway I want?"

"Within reason," The Headmaster said. "At least be fair. You know some exceeds expectations students can do just as well as outstanding."

"Fair enough." Severus said as he took a drink of the brew once more. "If they pass, I'll let them stay. There is no partnering from here on out, they have to stand on their own merit."

"Agreed." Albus said, then he turned to Minerva. "What of the tuitions? Have they all been handled?"

Minerva shuffled some parchments around and finally pulled the one she was after. "All but Hermione's, I'm waiting on a letter today from the bank."

"Very well, let me know." Albus said.

X-X

It was torrential outside, but Hermione was determined. That morning she sat at the breakfast nook in the house and read the want ads in the paper. She circled several. Getting out the phone book she looked up the addresses and then located them on the map in front of the book and checked to make sure that every place was within walking distance.

Hermione started out and by an hour later even with her umbrella she was thoroughly soaked to the bone. Her brown bushy hair plastered flat on her head, and her hopes ever diminishing away. She had been turned down at every place she went, even those places stating they were hiring. She wasn't qualified enough, or didn't have enough experience.

Later that night in bed, she bundled herself under all the covers she could find. She was shivering. Her fever gave her dreams, those that she didn't want to be in anymore. She relived most of what her adoptive father put her through the summer before during the fever.

It was two weeks later before Hermione opened her eyes from the fever.

Mrs. Johnson was sitting by the bed, along with Professor McGonagall who was dressed in Muggle clothing.

"Professor?" Hermione asked with a very scratchy throat.

Mrs. Johnson stood up, "I'll go get her some tea, and maybe some soup."

Mrs. Johnson shuffled out of the room and Professor McGonagall took her seat closer to Hermione.

"You gave us quite a scare, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall looked at her over her glasses. "School will start in a week."

Hermione closed her eyes and the tears started falling, "But I have no money to pay for school."

"A benefactor has been found for your schooling, and an apprenticeship, if you care to do so." Professor McGonagall stated.

Hermione opened her eyes. "But why would…"

"There are certain rules you have to follow." McGonagall frowned at this, "but you would still be able to get your education. That's the important thing that we need to consider."

"What are the rules?" Hermione asked, she was desperate now, she didn't have enough time to make the money needed to go to school. "Won't the Ministry help pay for schooling?"

"The Ministry will only pay through the fifth year Hermione. That is the standard with all young orphaned witches and wizards. They won't bend the rules. Headmaster Dumbledore and I have already been out to see them about this. They won't do it. Be thankful that a benefactor has come along."

McGonagall cleared her throat. "Now for the rules. Your benefactor's identity will not be divulged to you. Even the Headmaster and I do not know who this person is. We've both weighted this, as seeing as who you are friends with."

Hermione couldn't help but think she wasn't friends with Harry Potter at the moment.

"You have to write to your benefactor every day. He has left detailed instructions." Professor McGonagall handed her a box. "It's up to you if you wish to go back to Hogwarts, you have a way now. Either that or you are on your own child."

Professor McGonagall left as Mrs. Johnson came in with some tea and some soup for Hermione. She tittered about the room fixing things here and there and made sure that the tray would serve the purpose for Hermione.

Hermione sipped some of the tea and soup and contemplated the box that was sitting on the nightstand by her bed. She put the tray down and lay back down just staring at the box.

She had to write this person every day. A complete stranger, Hermione didn't know what to do about this. Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore seemed to be okay with it. Hermione knew they wouldn't have allowed her to do this, unless it was the only choice for her to get back in school.

The box was wooden and had designs of different birds on it. All of them were magical, the raven on top of the box didn't look so menacing but she couldn't help think that it was someone she really didn't want to get to know. Crows or Ravens always had a foreboding gloom and doom about them. Hermione felt the happiness that she was away from her father was totally gone now. Only to trade it off to some mysterious man who was willing to pay for her things at school.

She slipped back off to sleeping and didn't awake for another two days. When she did so, she was achy and sore all over. The fever she had was staying at bay, but she still didn't have that much strength to do much. Hermione pushed the pillows up and sat up. The light from the windows cascading into the small room of the boarding house.

Reaching for the box she pulled it onto her lap. She opened it up and saw the letter addressed to herself. Hermione opened it.

Miss Granger,

As for who I am, that does not need to be discussed. You find yourself in a precarious situation, and I find myself with the ability to help you in this situation. Should you choose to accept and allow myself to be your benefactor, there are certain rules that must be followed. Below this letter you'll find parchment, it has been enchanted to come directly to me. I require that you write to me daily, what you choose to divulge is entirely up to yourself. Point your wand at the parchment and say 'deliver' the parchment will then become my possession. You will receive enough parchment for every day of the term including weekends, the box contains enough for your first full term along with extra sheets for this summer or rather what is left of this summer. I'll need a letter from you with your oath that you'll accept this then your schooling will be paid for as well as an allowance for shopping and for purchasing all of your books and other essentials that a growing young lady as yourself would need.

Your Benevolent Benefactor.

Benevolent, Ah, Hermione thought, I'm required to write to you daily, I don't see how that is being so benevolent. She studied the handwriting, it was one she had never seen before. So it didn't appear to be anyone that she knew. It was a very elegant script, flowing, and very strong looking.

Hermione laid back in bed and thought about this, it almost sounded too well to be true, then she remembered a book she once read, 'Daddy Long Legs'. She snickered some, it had been one of her favorites growing up. She couldn't help but think she wasn't like Jerusha Abbott in the least. For one, Jerusha had been an orphan her whole life, whereas Hermione was just made one recently. There were a few things they did have in common, for one no money to their names and a mysterious benefactor. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if her benefactor would turn out as charming as Master Jervie. Hermione snickered at the thought. Knowing her luck he wouldn't be charming at all, or worse yet, turn out to be someone she didn't get along with.

Hermione sat at the desk in the room with the parchment and quill, contemplating what she should write. She had five days till school, and needed to go shopping for her things.

Hermione broke down and penned a letter.

Dear Sir,

I have for once found myself in the position of actually agreeing to something that I'm not quite sure of. I agree with Jerusha Abbott, in that, she didn't know the name of her benefactor as well as I don't know the name of mine. I don't think calling you Daddy-Long-Legs would suit as seeing as I never had the chance to see you as Jerusha had the chance of at least glimpsing her benefactor. So don't be displeased if I don't address you as Sir from now on. I find myself at an impasse and I'll agree to your request, I'll shall write you every day as you wish, but I would also like some information from you. My imagination is probably as bad as Jerusha's.

So. What do you look like? Tall, short, fat, skinny? At least give me a hint.

As for addressing you from now on, I think the box said enough to at least give me a hint as to what to call you. I have five days till school starts, Raven, and if you find this letter satisfactory, please at least send me something that I can get my school supplies from Diagon Alley.

Your Orphan Waif,

Hermione Granger.

X-X

Severus was sitting at his desk in his office as he planned out the test for his NEWT students starting next year when the parchment appeared before him. He reached out and grabbed the parchment and leaned back in his chair as he read the letter. Severus narrowed his eyes at the name, Jerusha Abbott, he had never heard of such a person. He did reason he needed to find out who that person was seeing that Hermione was comparing herself to them. He growled at the Daddy-Long-Legs name, and then thanked the gods that he wouldn't be given that moniker. He gave a snort at her digging for information about him, but was at least pleased with the Raven moniker.

He pocketed the letter and pushed away from the desk. He had some money to send to her. Severus still couldn't believe he was doing this, but he was fool if he was going to let one of the brightest witches to ever come along and not finish school. Albus and Minerva had tried everything with the Ministry as well as with the board of governors and no one was giving in, stating that it had to have taken place prior to fourth year. He had taken Albus aside and told him he'd pay and no one was to know. And to state that he himself hadn't known who the mystery benefactor was.

Severus attached the blue pouch of galleons to his Raven and said a spell over him so he'd be closer to Hermione, at least a few hours flight instead of almost all day. She only had five days to get everything done. That would give him enough time to finish up his test and then head to Diagon Alley so he could issue the payment to the school from an unknown source at Gringotts.