Chapter six

Minerva lay in bed with Albus that night, her head on his chest as he held her close. She sighed and Albus started to rub her back.

"What's wrong love?"

"Hermione, she has the sister wand to mine," she whispered.

"That's nothing to worry about love."

"I know, but that means she's my child." She took a deep breath before carrying on. "Her father is either you or ... Voldemort."

Albus wiped away the few tears that had trickled down his wives face. "Now, love, there's no need to get upset. We'll speak to Hermione in the morning about it and she if she'll consent to having a paternity potion."

"It's a good idea Albus, but I don't want to lose her because of the results." Minerva took another deep breath to steady her voice. "I don't think she's yours Albus," it was a quite whisper as she hoped Albus didn't hear. He did, but decided not to comment on it.

"You won't. Neither of us will. Either way Minerva, she will be our daughter; if it's through blood or adoption."

Minerva nodded. "How do you always know the right thing to say?"

"Because I love you so." Albus kissed her forehead and smiled at her. "Now where's that smile that I love so much?"

Minerva smiled brightly and gave in to her husband and kissed him lovingly before closing her eyes and surrendering to sleep.

The next morning, Hermione was sat on the floor in front of the fire re-reading Hogwarts – A history while waiting for Minerva and Albus to join her. She had decided to skip breakfast as she wasn't feeling hungry. She was expecting Albus to hit her for not wanting to eat, but he didn't, he just patted her on the shoulder and let her go. She knew Minerva was worried about her, but she lost herself in her book before she could think about it too much.

"Hermione," Minerva whispered, bringing her back from her book. "Albus and I would like to talk to you."

"Okay." Hermione put her book down and turned around to look at Minerva who was in Albus' arms.

"Hermione, you may not like what we are about to say, but we need you to think about it okay." Hermione nodded. "Kitten, Minerva thinks that there is a chance that you could be her biological daughter."

"Really?" she asked her voice full of hope.

"Yes, but I'm not sure who your father is."

"What do you mean? It has to be Albus. How could it be anyone else?"

"Hermione, Kitten, that is a story for another day, but let's just say that I was capture by some rather dark wizards around nine months before you were born."

"Oh." Hermione caught on pretty quick and nodded her understanding. "So how do I find out who my father is?"

"There is a paternity potion that we would like for you to take." Albus said, seeing that his wife had turned pale.

Hermione nodded. "Can I think about it please?"

"Of course Kitten," Albus' voice was kind and he hoped that Hermione would learn to trust him sooner her later.

Hermione stood and went to her room. She was shocked by what Minerva and Albus, well, mostly Albus had told her, and she didn't know what to think about it. All those years of pain and suffering she had people out there that loved her and could have saved her. The same people that had saved her were the people that she had dreamed about for so long; loving people who did things that she wanted and brought her things because they wanted to, not needed to. She sat on her bed and started to flip through her note book and started to write. She needed to think and this was the best way she knew to do so.

For days, Hermione stayed in her room. A house-elf brought her food and made sure she was looked after while Minerva and Albus stayed out of her way, leaving her to think, but worrying about her all the same.

A week after she had been told that the Grangers may have adopted her, she slowly went down the stairs and sat herself in front of Minerva.

"I've decided."

"Okay," Minerva whispered and took her hands.

"I've decided to take the potion. But you have to be there with me. My father used to force things down my throat, so I don't like having to take foreign things; if that makes sense."

"Perfect sense, kitten."

Hermione nodded. "So, when do we do it?"

Hermione, Minerva and Albus sat at Spinner's End with Severus Snape three hours later.

"Thank you for doing this Severus."

"Not at all Minerva. You're the closest thing I have to a mother."

"I know dear." Minerva patted his back as he passed.

"Here you go Hermione," Severus said in a soft voice he saved for family (Minerva and now Hermione).

Hermione nodded. "Do I just drink it?"

"Yes, in one go if you can."

"Okay." Hermione downed the liquid and pulled a face. "That was disgusting!"

"I'm afraid there is nothing I can do about that."

"Well, I'm going to make good tasting potions."

"Sounds like something that'll be good for you Hermione." Severus smiled and patted the girl gently. "Now, all I need to do is take a little blood, okay Hermione?"

"I guess. I don't like needle though."

"That's okay, I just need to use my wand. You won't even feel it." Hermione nodded again and Severus drew a little blood. "It'll take a few hours few me to get the results, so go home and have dinner and I'll bring them to you tonight."

"Thank you, Severus," Hermione whispered and hugged him quickly before going back to Minerva's side.

"I'll see you soon angel," Severus whispered to Minerva as he hugged her.

"You will indeed my dark knight," Minerva whispered back. She loved Severus like a son and she hoped that he and Hermione would see each other as brother and sister even if he would be her professor in September.

Six hours later, Hermione was sat in Minerva's lap, who was being held by Albus as Severus sat next to her holding the results of the paternity test.

To Be Continued ...