Chapter 9 – A true story

Snape shifted uneasily and looked away from me. I looked down in my arms, where my daughter was still sleeping.

"How?" I snarled angrily. No one was even supposed to –

Then I remembered that day he read my journal. I knew it was a stupid idea to keep that thing. Horrible and stupid.

"I searched through your family tree. You're parents are deceased and your aunt was your only immediate family. It seemed logical for you to take her here. What have you named her?"

I shook with my anger. What right did he have to pry into my personal life?

"I don't have any right. It was merely curiosity." His black eyes locked on mine and I saw nothing but sincerity there. He wouldn't have hurt her. Of course not. I breathed out slowing, calming myself. It was foolish to get angry like that.

"I didn't name her, Aunt Libby did."

Snape was quite for some time, and I stared down at my daughter. I knew her name of course. Aunt Libby had it scattered all around the house.

Snape stood and reached for his wand.

"Don't go anywhere." I whispered and walked back into the house. I laid my daughter down in a nearby basinet. I pulled out my wand and walked up to the nursery quietly. I vanished and transfigured anything that related to my daughter. Aunt Libby was under my control so I didn't have to worry about oblivating her. I wasn't hurting anyone, Aunt Libby still had her wonderful dream job and I gave her most of the money I received after the war from adoring fans. I sighed, it still felt a bit wrong, but what choice did I have?

After all evidence was gone I picked her up once more and went back outside, cradling her against me. Snape hadn't moved a muscle. He was too confusing for this time of night.

"Her name is Karen. Karen Jane Granger." I whispered softly.

"That's a beautiful name. It suits her. I take it she's coming with us?"

I nodded stiffly. I wasn't sure what I was doing. Was this a good idea? I should go speak with Dumbledore, maybe he'll be able to help me.

"Are you ready?" Snape asked, breaking into my planning. I nodded and he put a hand on my shoulder gently. The heat flowed from his hand straight into my body, making me stiffen. He sighed and I felt the familiar brush of apparation take over.

We were standing outside the gates of Hogwarts and Karen had just woken up. I rocked her gently, completely unsure of what I should do. What was wrong with her?

"She is hungry. I'm sure a house elf will help you with her for the night. We should go see Dumbledore in the….later this morning."

Now that he'd mentioned it, I realized it was four in the morning. I was shocked so much time had passed. It seemed too long.

"Okay, thank you for coming with me. I'll see you in class tomorrow." I started towards the direction of the Gryffindor Common room, whispering to Karen.

"Shh..it's alright." She seemed to like the sound of my voice and I started to sing to her. Twinkle little star was her favorite, I'd decided after switching around a few songs I knew.

She giggled the cutest sound and her nose bunched up every time she smiled.

The only thing that was wrong was she had a dimple on her left cheek. She'd gotten that from him. It was easy to overlook, because she was so adorable, but the feeling was there. I couldn't deny that a part of me was scared of her.

I shook those thoughts away and walked into the common room, sure it would be empty. I had no such luck. Ron, Harry, and Malfoy were all sitting there talking. I stopped singing right away and Karen made a few noises before she started to cry again.

I had no choice but to sing and sing until I sat down with her across from Ron. I charmed my voice to keep replaying and put up a privacy shield.

With Karen occupied I looked at the three men that were the only people I had. Even Malfoy.

"So this is your daughter?" Harry sounded doubtful I urged him over to look at her. She was still giggling over the sound of my voice singing, though we couldn't hear her.

"Yes." I whispered. Karen was drifting off again and I transfigured a chair into a crib. I set her inside gently and charmed a few toys to spin in a circle above her.

Harry stood up, along with Ron.

"Hermione? Whose kid did you have?" Ron demanded, sounding furious.

"I have no idea Ronald. That's usually the case when you're a rapist. Your victims never find out who you are."

I knew it was a mean thing to say, since Ron had no way of knowing that I'd been tortured and raped. Ron, predictably, colored and stuttered before sitting back down.

"I am going to go sleep for a few hours. I'll see you guys when I wake up. I have to go see Dumbledore first, though."

Harry gave me a hug and Malfoy just nodded my way before they both left. Ron just sat there, looking shocked.

I sighed, glanced at Karen, before sitting down next to him. What could I say? I didn't mean to make Ron upset, I just hated the way he looked at me. Like I was some kind of whore. I'd been a virgin before being raped so I didn't see how that was possible.

"Ron, I'm sorry I said that to you. I just wish you wouldn't jump to conclusions. It's very hurtful."

Ron looked up at me with teary eyes, not that they would ever fall. He sniffed and tried to smile at me.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I have a bad temper. What's her name?"

I let out a breath of relief. It was nice to talk to Ron again, even if it was superficial.

"Her name is Karen Jane Granger. She's been living with my aunt Libby for the past few months. You remember how we took about six months off before coming to Hogwarts? That when I had her. This is the first time I've seen her since."

Ron looked confused, "Why haven't you seen her?"

I stared for a moment. Why hadn't I seen her? Was it because I'd been afraid of her? That's she would be too much like…him?

"Her…father was a monster Ron. That makes her part Monster. Part of me loves her and part of me hates her more than anything in this world. The worst part is she is completely innocent in all of this. That's why I haven't seen her. I wasn't sure if I could love her more than I hated her, but I'm going to try."

Ron stared back at me with an unreadable expression. That was a first; Ron was usually an open book to everyone.

"That's a horrid way to think about it Hermione. She's a baby."

Oh no. I should have realized Ron would have a problem with my opinion. It wasn't like he could every experience it himself to understand it.

"I know that. Of course I know that, but it's hard Ron. She has his smile. It terrifies me."

Ron calmed down a bit and sighed heavily. "I guess I understand. I'll see you around, okay?"

Then he left. I felt that Ron didn't understand, but at least he could pretend too.

Now all I needed was some sleep.

I woke up a few hours later, dreading but also somewhat anxious about waking up Karen. She was fast asleep next to my bed in her crib. Lavender and Pavarti hadn't woke me up during the night with endless questions, so I guess they had used some common sense. They were awake now though, staring down at my daughter with adoring faces. I smiled. I felt nice to smile after such a horrible past two years.

"Hermione!" They squealed in a whisper and moved away from the crib.

"Hey, guys." It had been almost a year and a half since I'd talked to them. It was a shocking realization.

They looked from me to Karen rapidly before smiling hesitantly.

"This is Karen. " I offered hoping to break the silence.

"She's adorable!" "Looks just like you!" I was surrounded with screaming and squealing.

I smiled and Karen made a few cooing noises, telling me she'd be awakened. It was amazing to me that I'd grown so attached in so little time. I felt in tune with her every sound.

I bid goodbye and made my way to Dumbledore's office with Karen in my arms. I've missed three days of classes already and I'm sure he isn't too happy with me right now.

I knew I couldn't keep Karen here, but I wasn't giving her back to my Aunt Libby, she needed to live her own life, not mine. I made the choice to keep Karen. Now I had to live with it.

"Miss Granger, have a seat. And who might this be?" Dumbledore said brightly, smiling.

I relaxed and sat down in the seat across from him. "This is Karen, my daughter."

His smile slipped from his face. "Your daughter? When did this happen?"

I hated to relive this and it felt wrong with Karen right in my arms, playing with one of my curls

"I was…raped during the war, Professor. I wore Glamour Charms until she was born and then sent her to live with my Aunt. I just don't feel right doing that anymore. My Aunt doesn't need my mistake."

Dumbledore sat frozen, "This isn't Severus's child? How is it possible?"

I frowned at his expression, "What do you mean? This happened before the potion was ever announced."

"Oh yes, of course. The timing slipped my mind. How is your relationship with Severus coming? Nicely , I hope."

I just stared for a moment, "He's my Professor. That's all he is. That's all he ever will be. I'm working on a way to get out the painful distancing."

Dumbledore was shocked, "Oh my dear girl what have you done. You refused him?"

"What else could I do? I feel nothing for him. I'd rather hurt him than live a lie." Karen was pulling rather hard on my hair and Dumbledore smiled briefly at that.

"Well I think I know a certain Grandmother who could take care of young Karen for the last month of school. You've met Teddy's grandmother, I'm sure."

A smile lit my face. Perfect. She loved teddy. "Would she care for Karen?"

"Of course," He said, "She loves children more than herself! I'll owl her and she'll come by later to get Karen. That's a lovely name, by the way."

"My aunt picked it out. Thank you, so much for this. Will I be able to visit her? On weekend? I know I've missed classes."

"Severus explained your absence. It was a very stupid stunt you pulled. You could have hurt each other."

I flushed embarrassed, but at least one problem was solved. Now Snape was my other Problem, not that I had any idea what to do there.