Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story, anything you recognise belongs to JK Rowling and her associates.
sSs
A/N:- I'm sorry it has taken me longer to update this chapter than normal, things just got on top of me.Much of the Wizarding Genealogy within this chapter is my fabrication of vague facts and suppositions of what could be possible, please do not take any of it as fact, accept for things that have their roots therein. eg – that Minerva McGonagall had a brother called Malcolm. Please enjoy…
hHh
Chapter Eight - Challenges
When Hermione came out of her much loved new accommodation the next morning, she was wondering what would happen now. It had been a strange few days. Due to all the recent rain, there had been a huge rock slide on the tracks delaying the departure of a great majority of the students for the holidays. The Hogwarts Express was the most efficient way to transport the entire student population, and with it out of action, those who couldn't floo or Apparate had to wait until the track was cleared. Some of the seventh years had stayed to help shepherd the younger students through the floo system.
As head girl, Hermione should have been helping with this; unfortunately due to her present circumstances this was not possible. She regretted this very much, but knew there was little she could do about it. This aside, she was intensely curious and a little apprehensive about what Augusta Longbottom might require of her. It had been Hermione's hope that she could remain here as Severus' assistant for the remainder of the year. However, after Severus told her what Lady Longbottom had said, she knew this would now not be possible.
Severus was in his lab bottling the Potion they has spent all night tending. She hung back by the door until he acknowledged her. Regardless of all the questions sailing around her brain, Hermione knew never to interrupt him while he was working. Taking his mind off what he was doing could be dangerous.
"Good morning, kitten. You best get up to breakfast, go through the floo to your room," he encouraged, without looking up from his work.
"Oh, oh… err, yes," she muttered, turning to leave. His flat response to her had caused her quickly escaping pleasant feelings to die a little further.
Severus heard her troubled tone and his head came up. "Wait," he ordered. Quickly finishing his task, he wiped his hands and walked to the door. "Is something wrong?"
"N-no, n-nothing's wrong."
His finger arrived under her chin. "Now if you'll recall, I think we established last night that you are an atrocious liar. So, you best tell me," his mobile brow sailed skyward.
Hermione bit her lip. "I suppose I'm nervous about what will happen today," she blinked at him. "I had wanted to stay here as your assistant for as long as possible."
"There is no need to be nervous, and if you wish to stay, I would be pleased to have you," his voice rumbled quietly. "Although, I'm not certain remaining here as my assistant is wise," he stated with concern.
"But I want to be with you, Severus," she still looked so unsure.
"Kitten, it would be much easier for me to 'be' with you, if you were away from here." His inference was clear. "Augusta will look after you. I will be able to visit you." When Hermione still gave him a disbelieving look, he sighed in resignation saying, "Wizarding courtships are not like the strict contactless Muggle ones. If a genuine connection can be seen and a commitment has been made, we will be free to fulfil ourselves however we please." His arms wound themselves around her waist and he leant forward to whisper in her ear. "Would you like that, my little kitten, mm?"
Hermione blushed hotly, and pulled back a little to gaze up at him nervously. "Any way we please?"
"Any way," he repeated knowingly, his lips started playing teasingly around her jaw, before he whispered hotly into her ear. "Would you allow me the honour of becoming your suitor once you have cast off your student bonds, Hermione?"
"Oh yes, Severus, I would like that very much." Hermione murmured, closing her eyes under his ministrations. She hardly recognised her voice as it came out sounding so full of desire. With a groan of want, her head fell back exposing her swanlike throat to his further explorations.
Hearing the husky moan that fell from her lips, it took all Severus' control not to simply give in and devour her. He chuckled against her throat, his lips kissing up her jugular column, around her jaw and to her already parted lips. Drinking happily from them, he felt her hands slither up and coil around his neck. Pulling her against him more firmly, her surprised little squeak was swallowed as he deepened their kiss.
She was panting when Severus pulled away from her mouth. But one look at her showed him that even though her lips were deliciously plumped and her eyes glazed over from his kisses, there were more questions bubbling over inside her head wanting to come out, he laughed. "Well, come on, what else?"
Hermione's mind was totally lost to her, desire having short circuited her thinking processes, and now the rich texture of his decadent laugh was adding to the mix. It took her a moment to recover, but finally she smiled and stroked his face, before asking more confidently this time. "What if my head of house wishes to escort me to Lady Longbottoms?"
"Then, my kitten, I shall escort you both there." His eyebrow arched, "In fact it may be prudent for her to come, as I believe her brother will be there. Once the dowager heard from me last night, that you were agreeable to Malcolm's plan, she was unwilling to leave your acceptance until Monday. She wishes that you are declared free of being a student here as soon as possible."
"Oh, you didn't say last night."
"My darling, you were very tired last night. I was planning to tell you after breakfast, before we left." Severus took a deep breath. "Although it is good we have spoken of everything now."
Hermione nodded but she soon flushed. "And you can't get into trouble, I'd hate to get you fired, or something." Her eyes looked painfully at him.
Severus smiled and stroked her cheek. "I haven't told you this yet, kitten, but I am also leaving at the end of next term. So, they can't really do that much to me if they wish to retain my services until that point. Besides, I think there will be much more happening here over the holidays than them worrying about us. We are not doing anything illegal anyway, although the present hierarchy would frown, it's not wrong." He saw her opening her mouth to ask more questions. "Now, no more questions at present, breakfast." He kissed her quickly, "I will meet you are the castle entrance at ten o'clock."
She gave him a coy smile. "Yes, Severus, and thank you."
Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her gently one more time before he let her go towards the floo. More than anything Severus wanted to throw caution to the wind and take their passion to the next level, but he knew her confidence needed careful stoking and she needed to be away from here, so he refrained and sent her off to breakfast.
xox
Hermione was just finishing her solitary breakfast at the Gryffindor table; Minerva McGonagall had made certain the day before that she knew she was to sit at the Gryffindor table, now her house mates were back again. Even though at present there were only several left.
Hermione looked up seeing McGonagall coming across to speak to her. The head of Gryffindor's expression was pinched and her words curt. "Miss Granger, my office, fifteen minutes, bring your cloak."
"Yes, Ma'am," Hermione said evenly, her mind suddenly running to why? Then she decided it would just be over the invitation, and nothing more serious. Watching her head of house stalking off up the walkway between the tables, she hoped she wasn't going to object to her going. Glancing at her watch, she noted it was only nine fifteen. Her brain panicked a little at this information, and she rose to go and collect her cloak.
The Gryffindor witch had always wondered why her head of house was gruffer with her than any others, especially lately. She was such a prickly woman, yet on occasion Hermione saw something creep through the hard mask she wore daily. Although it never made any sense to Hermione, she wondered if there could be more going on here than met the eye. However, she realised she had other things to worry about and shouldn't be concerned about her Transfiguration professor; it was none of her business anyway. Although it looked like they were going to leave early, and Hermione was painfully aware that she was in no position to ask her head of house to wait until ten o'clock so they wouldn't leave without Severus.
Once Hermione was standing in front of McGonagall's desk, the ill tempered witch gave her a hard look. "I have received an invitation for you to attend a meeting with Lady Augusta Longbottom. I cannot for the life of me fathom why she wants to see you?" The way she said it was meant to insult and there was even a sneer threatening her tight features. "You are plain and unimportant," she stated further, with no regard for Hermione's feelings. "However, I am not disposed to reject her summons; she is a governor after all." She sniffed distastefully. "Of course you cannot go alone, so I suppose I will have to take you, you do realise what an imposition this is, don't you?"
Hermione was seething, there was no way she was going to say 'sorry', even though she knew that was what the damned witch was angling at. She held her head high, like she knew Severus would tell her to do, and she remained silent.
"What, Kneazle got your tongue, girl?"
"No Ma'am, I am of age, and it is the holidays. I could take myself, when am I expected at Longbottom Hall?"
"Impertinence," and she did sneer this time. "We will go when I say."
The thoughts racing through Hermione's mind at the moment were quite colourful. If only she was not a student, this witch would know what she thought of her. Her florid internal diatribe was interrupted by a brisk knock on the door.
"Enter," the prune faced witch called.
"Ah, Minerva, Miss Granger," Severus bowed his head politely.
"What do you want, Snape?" McGonagall snapped.
"Oh, I heard you were going to Longbottom Hall, I have also been invited, so I'm here to see if I may escort you both to the engagement."
If looks could have killed, Severus would have turned his toes up instantly, thankfully they could not, although at this moment, McGonagall looked like she was capable of breathing fire. "I am perfectly capable of escorting a child to an appointment, Snape."
Severus bristled on Hermione's behalf at her gall in calling an almost twenty year old woman a child. However, he could see his kitten already had her fists clenched at her sides and was wearing a mutinous expression. "As you wish, Minerva, then I shall just wait for you and merely walk along with you."
"If you must," McGonagall muttered, rising to leave.
xox
The two companions and their reluctant third arrived at Longbottom Hall at precisely the allotted time. The same house elf from the day before ushered them into the same parlour. "Ah, Minerva." The dowager rose from the chair and greeted her house-mate with polite care. However, she had to stifle a cackle at Severus' dark scowl. "Thank you for taking the time to escort my -newly discovered- great niece to me." Augusta watched Minerva fighting not to react to her bombshell. "Severus, I hope this morning finds you well."
Snape's countenance cleared a little, watching McGonagall fighting to remain impassive. He bowed, "Indeed Augusta, and you?"
The Potions master now watched the old witch smile warmly and nod, before turning to Hermione's still stunned expression. "Miss Granger, it is a pleasure to see you once more." The young woman attempted a reply, but shock was still clearly evident on every line of her features. The old lady was happy she'd managed to surprise Hermione, and even more taken that she'd managed to stun Minerva and entertain Severus with her revelation. "Now, give an old witch your arm, my dear. I wish to show you all proof of my claim in the library."
Augusta continued speaking as they walked through a set of double doors at the back of the parlour. "Your name sounded familiar to me when I first heard it, the day of the meeting in Albus' office after the incident in the great hall." Hermione found herself listening carefully. "When I returned home that day I came here," she flourished an arm to the long table before them. "You are from a branch of our family I had actually given up hope of renewing contact with. Have you ever studied the Genealogy of your family, my dear?"
"No Ma'am, but when I was still very small, I remember my great-grandmother telling me that her father had told her, his family had an ancient history."
"What was her name?"
"Err, Isobella Kendra Pertwhistle," Hermione recited after a moment's thought.
The old witch nodded, "Do you perhaps remember her maiden name?"
Hermione gasped, "Oh yes, oh… it was Prewitt." The young woman's words trailed off at the same moment as they all heard the Transfiguration professor's gasp. Hermione's eyes followed the thin witch's bony finger to an ornate family tree painted across the pages of the largest book the young woman had ever seen. There was a picture of her great-grandmother, she looked down slowly.
"Isobella Prewitt would have been my cousin. Her father and my father were brothers. However, Archibald Prewitt, my father's brother was a squib. He left the Wizarding world in his early twenties to live as a Muggle. However, the magical family tree kept updating his branch of the family. See, here you are." Augusta pointed to a picture of Hermione coming from a branch of the tree that had her parents above.
Blinking in astonishment, Hermione spluttered, "So, you're my great-aunt?"
She had just managed to get these words past her lips, when a voice from the door-way said, "Which makes me your great-uncle." Hermione's still stunned face turned to see Cygnus Prewitt and Malcolm McGonagall standing at the open door. "I hope we're not late, Gussie?" Cygnus asked, coming over and pecking his sister on the cheek.
"No, we're just going to have tea," she assured him, then accepted a kiss from Malcolm as well. "Hello, Malcolm." Augusta then turned to watch her brother greet Minerva and Severus. She also saw Minerva giving her own brother Malcolm, a reproachful stare. That woman is just so full of prickles, Augusta mused. Then her eyes followed Cygnus as he approached Hermione.
"Welcome to the family, my dear," he reached for her hands and clasped them warmly. "We will help you in any way we can."
xox
While they all took tea, Hermione watched her head of house's expression becoming more and more incredulous as Augusta and Cygnus told of their plan for Hermione, and also the fact that they had the other nine governor's support.
Finally, she collected herself enough to speak. "B-but you c-can't take Miss Granger away; she still has two months of her schooling remaining, t-that would be unfair to her."
Her statement was instantly met with a counter attack from her brother. "Minnie, I do not know what Albus Dumbledore has done to you this time, but be assured that I know exactly why you do not want Miss Granger gone, and it is not for the sake of her schooling."
"Albus h-has done nothing," she asserted, but even Hermione could see the witch was plainly rattled. When she was met with no support of her declaration, Minerva went quiet, not exactly knowing how to proceed. She apparently resigned herself to the fact that the young woman was of age, and her relatives –be they newly discovered, or not—were completely within their rights to help in the ways that had just been discussed. However, it left her in somewhat of a tenuous position.
Once tea was finished, Augusta turned to Hermione. "What are your wishes, further to what we have already discussed?"
Hermione eyed McGonagall cautiously, and squaring her shoulder's she spoke. "I realise I cannot remain at Hogwarts as a student, too much has happened to rectify the situation. However, considering that I would be unable to obtain a position at any university until September regardless of completing my N.E.W.T.S. I had hoped, to continue on as Professor Snape's assistant for the remainder of the school year, however I can see that may not be possible now either."
Cygnus nodded his head. "I'm afraid that would be undesirable." The elderly wizard kept his peace about what he'd seen yesterday, but added, "You would have more freedom here, my dear."
Hermione only just managed to stifle the gasp of surprise over what she thought he'd said.
Minerva turned catty in response to the statement, and couldn't help having a dig at Severus. "Oh dear, Snape. Looks like this one's been saved, you must be disappointed. We all know what happened to Emily Woodside nine years ago. Once you got your hands under her skirts, you discarded her like used goods," she said nastily, "But don't you worry, I set her straight about people like you."
Hermione saw a look of horror pass over Severus' face, and even though it wasn't long before his features were schooled to impeccable again, Hermione instantly jumped to the wrong conclusion, and it was enough to sow the seed of doubt in her already troubled mind.
There was utter silence, until Cygnus cleared his throat and said, "I think that was uncalled for, Minerva."
"I agree," Malcolm gave her a disappointed look.
Changing the subject to break the glowering look Minerva was offering Malcolm, Cygnus said, "Very well, we finalise arrangements with Albus, and organise for Hermione to move in here." He turned to Hermione, "I'm certain Severus will be happy to escort you anywhere you wish to go."
"Do you have any plans for the holidays, my dear?" Augusta asked.
Hermione found her insecurities overtaking her once more, but trying to smile, she spoke the truth. "I have been invited to a house party for Easter, but I have no other plans, A-au… err, Ma'am," but Hermione couldn't help feeling all at sea again, after her head of house's declaration.
Augusta smiled, "Aunt would be lovely, if you wish. Then what say you arrive here on Monday, so you can settle in before you're escorted to the house party. You may apparate straight to the doorstep, and we will expect Severus for dinner on the Monday evening." She gave Severus a speculative glance, and he nodded slowly. "Good, so I will see you both Monday."
xox
The walk down the driveway was long and tedious. Minerva had stayed with her brother on his insistence, after her little tantrum.
Severus sighed watching Hermione walking in a self-contained little unit. She had refused his arm and her head was watching her feet as she walked. He was just formulating a plan of how to gain her confidence back again, as they passed the corpse of trees near the gate, and any planning he'd done became a moot point as she rounded on him.
"Is that what really happened?" she demanded, her features pained.
Snape's mouth tightened, as he saw her shattered confident. He took a deep breath. "At this point, whatever I tell you will be second hand. I can assure you Minerva's version is untrue. Yes, I did have a relationship with Emily Woodside, and it ended bitterly, but not because I discarded her, because of other reasons." He watched her expression clear a little as they reached the gates. "Come, I will take you to her, allow you to judge for yourself." He held his arms out to her, so he could apparate them away.
Hermione hesitated, but soon settled against his chest with a sigh. The fact that he was being so open about it, gave her the idea that he was also being truthful, but she didn't want to put all her hopes in him only to have him let her down.
xox
They landed at an Apparition point deep within an ancient alleyway. Severus took Hermione's hand and led her onto a steep street, she allowed him to lead her because her head was still spinning from the long Apparition. She had never travelled this greater distance in this way before. Soon Severus turned sharply into a courtyard that came off the street. "Where are we?" Hermione questioned, as they approached a door with an ornate brown wrought iron grill.
"This is the Moorisch quarter of Lisbon, in Portugal," Severus told her, before knocking on the grill.
After some moments a man who would have been about Severus' age answered the door. "Severo, what a surprise," he enthused, with a very pronounced Portuguese accent. He was dark haired and dark eyed, and wearing a huge grin as he admitted them to the house. "Emmie, is Severo and a young lady," he called.
Severus introduced Hermione to the man, Ricardo. They were shaking hands as she heard twin excited cries from the rear of the house. "Tio Severo," and without warning Severus was engulfed by two children. Hermione couldn't help but grin as he struggled to walk with two obviously ecstatic children attached to his legs. She also found her doubts about what had happened were quickly melting away and she started to feel a little foolish for having doubted him.
Another voice cut in over the top. "Ana, Hugo, leave Sev alone," and Hermione gasped as Emily came into view. This woman could have been Hermione's slightly older twin; she had copious curls cascading down her back, even if they were a darker colour, and intelligent brown eyes sparkled from under dark lashes. She greeted Severus with a peck on the lips. The Potions master introduced Hermione, and the two women shook hands, and a smiling Emily then went to stand with Ricardo.
He happily grinned at her, kissing her head. Hermione watched this, as she stood next to Severus, smiling at him when she felt his hand grasp hers and squeeze it, as if knowing her thoughts.
Emily sent the children out into the backyard to play and Ricardo made Hermione and Severus very comfortable on a little lounge once he'd taken their cloaks. When he disappeared after his wife, Hermione turned to Severus. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I can see just from how well you are received that Professor McGonagall is wrong."
Severus kissed her head. "But I still want you to know, for your peace of mind. Otherwise it will niggle at you. No one at Hogwarts knows the truth of the matter. I've never even discussed it properly with Lucius. It was no one's business, but I want you to know."
"I'm sorry; I'm a little slow to trust." Hermione's head lowered.
Severus cupped her face in his hands and brought it back to his view. "After what has happened to you in the last few weeks, I can understand completely. I want you to have complete trust in me." He gently captured her lips and caressed them slowly. They were still kissing when they heard Emily and Ricardo returning. Severus reluctantly broke their kiss and leant his forehead on hers.
"Ah, minha querida, perhaps Severo will forgive me for stealing you, now he has Hermione," Ricardo joked as they came back; he was carrying a tray loaded with wine and cheese.
"There was no stealing, my friend," Severus said, taking Hermione's hand as the couple entered the room. "You won Emmie, fair and square. I was unable to commit to her, and you came along and swept her off her feet."
Ricardo laughed as he sat the tray down. "It was a difficult time for all, so much uncertainty, although I will admit to being very pleased that you sent her away."
"I'm pleased also, now," Emily added, snuggling into his side, before asking, "So, what brings you on this impromptu visit?"
"McGonagall's delusions," Severus huffed irritatedly.
"That prune faced old bat," Emily's eyes narrowed. "What's she been saying this time?"
Severus smirked, and squeezed Hermione's hand. "Minerva said, in front of Hermione, that I only wanted to get into your knickers and then I discarded you," Severus said with venom. He took a deep breath, and glanced at Hermione. "Hermione has had a worse experience than you did, and she doesn't need the type of venom McGonagall hands out on top of it. Considering it's very important to me that she knows the truth, I have brought her here to hear it," Severus stated plainly.
Emily sighed and leaning forward patted Hermione's knee. "Please don't believe a word that horrid witch has to say, her point of view is warped. I think she has been very hurt by a man at some time in her past, because she has such utter contempt for the lot of you." Emily gestured between Severus and Ricardo. "The truth of the matter is, people were very nasty to me, people in my own house. Severus took me under his wing and protected me." Emily looked fondly at Severus, "He made me a woman, he taught me well and I will always be grateful to him. We never would have had what I have with Ricardo, but we were good comfort for each other, I will admit I wasn't quite ready to give him up when he broke it off with me, and I was upset, but his reasoning was correct, after I calmed down I saw that he had protected me."
Severus took up the story. "I think Emily was another example of someone placed in a house they didn't belong in," he ghosted his thumb over Hermione's knuckles. "The Gryffindors turned on her, and used her much in the same way they've used you. " He huffed, "Of course there was no Potter to subject her to the ultimate humiliation and betrayal you endured," Severus was now talking just to Hermione.
Hermione nodded, and smiled at him, but she turned back to Emily and asked, "You said you weren't ready to break it off with Severus?"
Emily sighed, "Hermione, have you heard of a wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort?"
"I've read about him in Hogwarts A History. I know he was killed by Dumbledore in my first year at Hogwarts."
"Yes, well the six months before that, when everyone who knew what was going on, was uncertain about what was going to happen. Severus sent me away, I had just graduated, but because of Severus' position in Slytherin at the time, he felt I was in danger. Do you know what Voldemort believed?"
"Only what I've read. He was a Pure-blood supremacist, who believed that Muggles and Muggleborns should be dominated by Pure-bloods." Hermione gasped as the connection was made. "Are you Muggle-born?"
"Oh Sev, she's quick. She's such a good match for you," Emily chuckled, watching Severus' eyebrow glide up. "Yes Hermione, I'm Muggle-born, and that is why Severus broke things off with me, for my own protection." She snuggled into her husband a little further. "I won't pretend it didn't hurt, and at the time I didn't understand. Being Muggle-born I didn't see the threat, and nobody seemed to want to talk about it."
Ricardo had been sitting quietly taking everything in, finally he added, "At the time it was too dangerous to talk about it, you didn't know who you might be talking to, once it had all started," the arm he had slung around his wife's shoulder squeezed gently. "No, Severo did the noble thing and organised an apprenticeship for Emmie as far away as possible. She turned up to do a Charms apprenticeship at Beauxbatons, where I was the Potions master. I knew Severus and correspondence often passed between us, he was very relieved to know Emmie was safe, and had someone looking after her." He looked at the tray, "Anyway enough of sorrow and bad times, eat, drink, let's be happy." As if on cue the children came back in.
xox
Severus and Hermione ended up spending the rest of the afternoon with Emily and Ricardo, and when they left Severus took Hermione to a small café he knew for supper. "Do you have any more questions about what has transpired today, kitten?"
Giving him a wistful smile, Hermione reached for his hand lying on the table. She ghosted her thumb over his knuckles, "No, you were right about me needing to hear it… it's not a reflection on you. I'm just really touchy about it all at the moment." She stroked his knuckles once more.
Severus picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles, his eyes locked on hers. Hermione suddenly started speaking again. "And please don't think I missed the bit this afternoon where you told me that no one knows about this, and it was no one's business. Not even one of your best friends. Thank you for your trust, so freely given to me," she coloured as she continued, "Severus you have come to mean a great deal to me," she said timidly.
He continued to kiss her hand, and as his eyes watched her, she saw them flare. "And you to me," he purred. "I think it may be time to go home, my kitten, come." He had stood without losing eye contact and now ushered her out to the apparition point.
oOo
Note:- Now where do you suppose they'd be going now? ;-) Please forgive me if my Portuguese is faulty, I used Google translate. I'm very happy to be told if it is wrong. Tio Severo – Uncle Severus and minha querida – my darling.