Chapter Four

When Severus stepped through the fire, into his study, he wasn't surprised to see the girl curled up on the couch along the side of the room, already engrossed in one of the many books he had lining the walls of the room.

"Professor!" She said, uncurling from her little ball as he brushed his robe to get the ash off. "I didn't expect you back so soon. I thought you'd be talking to the Headmaster."

"Nonsense, child, we have time to talk later. We wanted to make sure that you were settled in for the night. I see you aren't particularly tired, though." He added wryly, looking at the book in her hand.

She blushed slightly, patting the book fondly. "I don't ever sleep very much, I never did." She said. "And tonight, I really don't want to go to bed. I'm sure I'll have nightmares. It's still hard to believe I'll never see Mum and Dad again." She froze and quickly amended. "I mean, the Granger's, of course."

"Don't worry about offending me," he said, shaking his head quickly. "I assure you I have thicker skin than that. While you are here though, perhaps you could call me Severus?"

"Yes sir." She said, nodding. "Severus."

"Very good, child." He said. "Now, I believe you do need sleep, so let's get you settled in your room with a Dreamless Sleep Potion. You will need to work through your grief, but not tonight. You may take the book with you and read it tomorrow."

She nodded, standing. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

He led her out the door and down the hall. "Think nothing of it," he said, as he guided her up the stairs. Oh Merlin, another thought occurred to him. Her room was in the children's wing, right opposite of both Blaise and Draco's rooms. That would be fun. "This is the bedroom your mother and I had prepared for you. If you find anything to your displeasure, let me know tomorrow and I will work with you to fix it." He said when they finally came to her door. "I want you to be happy here, child, truly. You've only to let me know."

She blushed slightly, confusing him. Had he embarrassed her? He had no chance to question it, for she answered, "Thank you, I will."

"Well, open it." He ordered, gesturing to the door.

She looked at him hesitantly and then opened the door. Inside was a beautifully decorated room, feminine and sleek. The main color was a deep turquoise, heavily mixed with silver. Silk tapestries decorated the walls, adding color to them, around the darkly stained oak furniture. There was a beautiful wardrobe set opposite of the door, with the wall to the left filled with bookshelves as well as an armchair of blue-green and the wall to the right holding both her bed and a large desk with a window placed between the two for balance. The bed, upon first glance, was just like her bed at Hogwarts, with four posters and curtains to draw.

But never before had Hermione sunk onto a bed so soft, nor was she ever surrounded by the blue-green color that reminded her of the ocean. She stood up again, seeing that Severus was still at the doorway, looking curiously at her, and walked back over.

"This is beautiful, sir," she said, smiling at him.

"Don't look at me." He said, crossing his arms. He wasn't comfortable with the girl smiling at him so. "Your mother loves to decorate. She has long been determined to bring you home and she was more than agreeable in building a room for you here. My only participation was informing her she wasn't allowed to use pink or purple." He said, looking around. "Other than that, she wanted to create a room for a princess."

Hermione blushed. "I don't think she hit the mark there." She said, shaking her head ruefully. "But it's still beautiful. And I'm very glad that it isn't pink or purple," she added, shuddering at the thought. "I'm definitely not that girly."

"I never wanted my daughter to feel she had to be," he confessed, walking in as she sat back on her bed. "Though as I know you now, I must say that a room like that would never have worked for you. Now, we can talk more tomorrow. Your bathroom is just over there, past the wardrobe," he said, gesturing. When she turned to look she saw there actually was a door over there. "If you need anything, I shall be in my study. Here." He added, taking a vial out of his robe and handing it to her. "Dreamless Sleep. It will give you twelve hours of peaceful rest and then we shall start working things out."

"Yes sir." She said, looking around again. "Er, do you have my trunk?" She asked, abruptly realizing she needed pajamas.

He wordlessly took it out of another pocket and resized it, putting it at the end of her bed. "I shall leave you now. Good night."

She surprised him by rising up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Good night, Severus."

He came back for the girl the next day, knocking hesitantly on her door. She had gone to bed rather early, so it wasn't even seven o'clock yet. As all of his Slytherins loved to point out to him, children hate waking up early. She could still have been asleep.

But, somehow, he wasn't surprised when he heard her voice calling, "Come in."

He cautiously opened the door, stopping dead when he saw her. Her hair had been thrown into a quick ponytail and she was as informally dressed as he had ever seen her, wearing a spaghetti-strap tank top and thin grey lounge pants, with bare feet. She was seated at her desk, book open and busily taking notes on parchment.

She turned towards him, dropping her quill as she did. "Good morning, sir." She said, grinning slightly.

She looked relatively calm, he decided, not leaving the safety of the hallway. "Good morn to you as well." He said. "I wondered if you were up. Breakfast is ready, if you wish. I was just heading down to eat and thought we might go together."

"Sure." She said, grinning. "Er, just give me one moment to dress." She said, realizing he was fully dressed.

"No, it's, erm, fine." He said. "I'm usually awake by this time, which is why I'm dressed. I'm well aware that most children aren't. Just grab a robe and some slippers- I wouldn't want you to become chilled."

He stepped completely into the hall, giving her a moment to herself, and waiting until she emerged, wearing a teal silk robe and matching slippers. "I am going to speak to your mother this afternoon." He said as he walked her down to the breakfast room. "Would you like to meet her soon or would you like a little more time to yourself?"

"By myself?" She said, curiously. "Won't you be here?"

They finally reached the breakfast room, a long room with windows along one whole side, letting the morning sun in. There was a rather large table, able to seat twelve, where two settings were out. He took the seat at the head, gesturing her to the place at his left.

The food was already spread out before them and they both hungrily dug in. "I will be here most of the time." He answered her question after taking a drink of tea. "But I work on experimental potions in the summer, so I seal my labs in case anything would happen. And I still have my work for the Order." He added after a moment. "Though that is on hold for right now, as I want you to be able to settle."

She nodded, refusing to look up from her plate. She had already spent too many years with the boys, she knew, as she couldn't look up at him for fear he'd see too much emotion. "You're going to spy again, aren't you?" She asked softly.

He looked at her in surprise. "I have already returned." He answered softly. "The same night he rose again, I had to go see him or immediately be put on his hit list."

He waited, hoping that she would say something. He was the Greasy Bat of the Dungeons- he knew nothing about comforting! Especially young women. What was he to say to her?

Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, Hermione found herself feeling a much more comfortable, and familiar, feeling. Anger. "Oh, that's just lovely." She said tightly. "As if losing two parents weren't enough, you're going to go play spy." She looked up, her eyes cold and blazing. "Well don't think I'm going to bother to get to know you if I'm just going to lose you too. Excuse me."

She threw down her napkin and stormed away, leaving a wide-eyed man behind.

"Merlin." He muttered, rubbing his forehead forcefully. That had not gone well. What was he to do now?

He waved away the food, banishing it all to the kitchens were the house-elves, fully warned not to appear before the young Gryffindor, would clean it up. He never ate breakfast and from the small amount she had managed, it was apparent she didn't either.

He retreated instead to his study. He had exactly two options for figuring out the girl and neither of them were promising. Dumbledore or Capricia, his only two confidants in the world.

He mulled it over for a bit, but was unable to decide which would be the least-annoying conversationalist, so he retreated instead to his books. He was working, as always, to find a better antidote to Veritaserum, always fearful of the Dark Lord's next round of paranoia.

Were he a lesser man, he would have laughed at how easily everything had fallen back into a normal pattern. Voldemort was back, he was once again a double-crossing double-crosser and a beautiful woman was driving him batty.

Hermione retreated to her room, throwing herself on her bed and fighting back tears. She wouldn't cry, she wouldn't! She hadn't really cried since first year, right before Harry and Ron had rescued her from the Troll and she wasn't about to start now. As she had learned with the boys over the years, tears meant nothing. Crying could accomplish nothing, she had to do it on her own.

And really, it was Snape. Professor Snape was the toughest teacher she had ever had, she scolded herself as she rolled onto her back. She didn't think half the names he was called fit, but there was no denying he was a tough man.

She sighed. Living with Snape was going to be hard. She really didn't have to make it more difficult; it wasn't as if she could expect him to change his whole life just because of her.

Best not to think about it, she decided as she sat up. She went over to her desk and immersed herself in work once again.

Severus decided to leave his daughter to herself for the day, hoping that she would calm. He had known that he would not have the same opportunity, so he was less than surprised when the Floo across the room from him flared up and the Headmaster stepped gracefully out.

"Good evening, Headmaster." Severus said, laying down his quill.

"You aren't with Hermione?" Albus said, looking around in disappointment. "I admit I had hoped the two of you would begin to build a relationship. Surely you think no less of her than you do of Blaise?"

Severus shook his head, amused at the criticism in the Headmaster's voice. Pureblood or no, Dumbledore did not believe in male superiority over females. Such thinking would have meant Severus's head, were he stupid enough not to realize the power the 'weaker' sex held.

"No, I am afraid I've already angered the child." Severus admitted. "As you are here, I suppose I should ask your advice. She is angry over my spying; she fears that she could be put in a place of risking another parent."

Albus tried hard to hold back a grin at the sadness in the other's voice. "So?" He asked.

Severus saw the twinkling eyes and scowled fiercely. "Albus, don't even think of it." He warned.

"Well, why not?" Albus demanded, his smile growing. There was no need to hide it from Severus, as he was rarely successful anyways. "He's more brutal on you than ever and I still fear that he no longer trusts you. Now you can get over your ridiculous pride and use your daughter as an excuse not to spy any longer."

"If I'm not a spy, what good am I?" Severus asked, folding his arms over his chest. Speaking with the Headmaster always made him feel vulnerable, like he was a small eleven year old once again. "No one on the Light side trusts me, this is the only way I can help."

"No." Albus said, his smile fading. At times like this, Albus was forced to admit that Severus would never recover from his Hogwarts years, thanks to Albus himself. It frightened the old man more than he could ever admit when Severus dared release his depressing thoughts. "More people than you think trust you. And there is another way you can help- the way you have been since Voldemort's fall. You can help me make sure the next generation is turned from Voldemort."

Severus shook his head. "I just don't know, Headmaster." He said, hanging his head. "I've been waiting for this moment since He died. I've been preparing myself for thirteen years."

"And now you have other responsibilities." Albus said firmly. "It was one thing to have a son who lived primarily with his mother, but now you are charged with your daughter's safety. You must protect her, Severus, from the world. Such is a father's responsibility. I mean it, you are done."

Severus wasn't so easily swayed. "Be sensible, Albus." He demanded. "The first time I don't answer his summons, he will know and then he will drive me insane with the pain." He reached, unconsciously, to grip his left forearm. Even though the heavy fabric of his robes covered the Dark Mark below, they both stared at it as if they could see it.

"I think I know how to get rid of it." Albus said. "I have spoken to Alastor over the years and, horrible or not, his last year in the prescence of Barty Crouch Jr. gave him a few ideas."

"Lovely." Severus groaned. "Just the people I need experimenting on me. A crazy old coot and his paranoid Auror friend."

Albus grinned, clapping his hands together in excitement. "We will figure it out, my boy, I give you my word."

"As always, I do trust you, Albus." Severus said, carefully not looking at the man. Merlin's balls, he was turning into a bloody Gryffindor more and more every day.

"So?" Albus said, white eyebrows rising curiously. "Are you going to tell her?"

"I doubt I could even get her to talk to me at the moment." He admitted, rubbing his arm. "Perhaps another way…" He looked up suddenly, a smirk of smugness on his face. "I haven't shown her the library yet."

Albus couldn't resist a laugh. "Now if I've learned anything about that girl, you've just become her new best friend. Of course, you'll have to move her bed there."

Severus allowed himself a small chuckle as he rose from his seat. "I think I've given her enough time to settle down." He siad. "Did you need me for anything else?" He asked curiously.

"I wanted to inform you of the Order meeting we're holding tonight. The elder Weasley boys are making their way home and we're going to meet up. I was thinking perhaps young Harry could come spend time with your daughter tonight while we're there. Ronald is still with the twins, so it would just be Harry otherwise."

"A boy and girl alone in my Manor?" Severus asked, eyebrows raised doubtfully. "Especially my daughter?"

Albus patted the younger man's shoulder. "Now, now, Severus they are alone ten months a year. You must give her the benefit of the doubt."

"I must do no such thing!" Severus protested, scowling.

Albus grinned. "I will send Harry through around seven. Until then, Severus."

It took Severus a few minutes to gather up the courage to go face his daughter. He was the greasy git of the dungeons, he was not used to comforting anyone. Especially a Gryffindor girl whom he had regularly berated since she had begun her schooling at Hogwarts.

He made it to her door much quicker than he would have liked and forced himself to knock. There was a suspicious moment of silence as her quill stopped scratching across her parchment when he feared she might not answer, but his fears proved unfounded when she slowly opened the door.

She had dressed over the course of the day, now wearing a pair of black Muggle jeans and a thin blue tank top that he wasn't entirely sure he approved of. Still, he ignored that, looking to her. She was staring down at the floor between the two of them. "Ms. Gr- that is, Hermione, could I speak with you?"

"I'm sorry, Professor." She said at once, looking up at him. "It's not my business to tell you what to do. I overreacted."

She suddenly looked worried, he noted curiously. "Don't be foolish, child." He scolded, laying his hand on her shoulder. "You should always feel free to tell me what's on your mind. I want to apologize to you."

"Really?" She said, smiling slightly.

"You're my daughter- I want to make you happy." He said, gruffly. "I've talked to the Headmaster. I wasn't getting much information from the Dark Lord anyways and so the Headmaster has been on me to give up spying anyways."

Hermione couldn't hold back her smile at that. "I'm so glad!" She exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

He let out a small huff as she drove the air out of him, but awkwardly patted her back. "Erm, yes." He said, when she released him. "So, I was wondering if you would like to speak with your mother now?"

She pulled back, holding back a grin at the obvious tension in his body when she was close, to look at him. "I would like to meet her." She admitted. "But…can I do it with just her?" She asked. "I know Harry likes to tease, but Blaise and I don't get along and we're just fine with that." She said, eyes narrowing at the thought of her rival. "I can have the week to get used to the thought of him coming, right?"

Severus nodded slowly. "I can ask for just Capricia to come over." He said. Whether or not he could get her to keep quiet was another story, he reflected silently. "And the three of us can chat a bit."

"That sounds great." Hermione said, grinning.

"Then let us away. I'm sure we'll have no problem contacting her." Severus said, gesturing her to the door.

They walked silently to Severus's study. Hermione stepped back over to the couch in his study, sitting at one end, while Severus walked over to the fireplace. There was already a blaring fire there, keeping the study comfortably warm.

Severus took a handful of floo powder from the discreet jar on the mantle, tossing it into the fire and calling, "Zabini Manor! Capricia Zabini!"

There was a moment when all was silent, except for the crackling of the fire, and then a woman's head appeared in the fire. She had long black hair pulled high on her head and mischievous eyes. "Severus," the woman practically purred, looking her long-time lover over. "How delightful to see you. Is there a problem? I wasn't supposed to send Blaise along until next week, I thought. Did I mix up the weeks again?"

"No, Capricia." Severus said, rolling his eyes. She never had been able to keep her schedule straight. "I'm calling regarding another issue. Could you come through? I'd like to speak privately with you."

She stared at him for a moment before grinning coyly. "Why Severus, I would love to speak with you…privately. Give me a moment." She said, winking and then pulling back.

The Slytherin man pulled back, suppressing a moan. Looked like he was in favor again. He turned and offered a small smile to his daughter. "Your mother will be delighted to see you." He assured her, as he stepped back from the fireplace. "So will Blaise, as I'm sure he's tired of her bemoaning not having a daughter to do things with."

Hermione offered a small smile, but the Floo flared up before she could answer and a woman stepped out. She was several inches taller than Hermione, with deep olive colored skin and sultry smile. She was wearing pale purple robes with a matching underrobe that looked like a long spaghetti-strapped dress. "Severus, darling." She said, going over to him and stretching up to kiss his cheek. "It's so good to see you again."

"You as well." He said, kissing her forehead before gesturing behind him. "I have a surprise for you."

Okay folks, here's the next chapter. Sorry sorry SORRY! it's been so long. I have been Murphy's law in person for the last few months and this was the first oppurtunity I had to upload. I promise it won't be so long again. I hope you enjoy and plz leave any suggestions. If you're reading my other fic, I'm updating that too, so head over there next!

Much love,

Minara.