Hermione Granger had never particularly liked looking in the mirror, mostly because she had never found herself beautiful. But now- after the so-called glamour had wore off- Hermione couldn't stop staring. She looked so different it was almost unbelievable- she looked… she looked… almost beautiful. Exotic and dark, anyway. All the events that were flying around her were going so fast she could barely understand them, but what she did understand was that her entire life was a lie.

Hermione had grown up liking- loving- order, routine, and normality. Her parents were extremely normal, dentists in fact- and it shocked Hermione to even think about the fact that they weren't her real parents. She had, of course, known she was adopted; but the fact that she would now have to meet and most likely live with her "real" parents scared her. Do I have to? Hermione's mind couldn't help asking.

Why did this have to happen…

Hermione abruptly wiped away the tears that were cascading down her cheeks. Professor Dumbledore had been reassuring, of course, but it hadn't been enough. He hadn't told her much- only that she would be going to meet her real mother and father the next day, and that she shouldn't be scared.

Hermione couldn't hold back a snort as she thought back to those words. "Don't be afraid, Miss Granger- everything will be alright." Even at those reassuring words, it certainly didn't look like everything was going to be okay. Despite the fact that Hermione had always considered herself brave, she personally didn't think she was brave enough for this.

Professor Dumbledore had kindly sent her to her dormitory, with a house elf following in her footsteps to bring her dinner to serve as the meal she had missed. She thought it was rather considerate of him now that she looked back on it, but Hermione hadn't been able to think about barely anything in that long walk back to her tower.

Tomorrow, I'm going to m-meet my… my mother…

Hermione's thoughts were surprisingly stilted, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was suffering from shock. Probably, she decided; maybe she should go to the Hospital Wing… she had read about the Hospital Wing in Hogwarts, A History…

Hermione was still considering that when she fell into a deep sleep, filled with dreams of tall, hooded men and women who looked exactly like her.

--

In his personal chambers, Severus Snape strode across the stone floors with reckless abandon. This could not be happening- it could not. Even years and years ago- eleven to be exact, he supposed- he had thought that nothing would come of his night with Bellatrix. Both of them had been achingly desperate, and it had served as the comfort they needed to get through at least another night.

He had thought nothing, nothing would come of it. Apparently, he had been wrong.

What was even more suprising, however, was that Bellatrix had not told him. She had been out of prison for a few years now, as Voldemort's rebirth had come sooner than they had all expected; but she had been the same to him as she always was. The tiny thought that she had given birth in Azkaban scared Severus, and he chose to ignore it for the sake of his own sanity only.

Severus had looked at the girl- Hermione- enough to practically memorize her face in his mind, and as he looked back on it he was frankly astounded by how much she was a perfect combination of her two parents. He rather felt sorry for the girl; it must have come as quite a shock to realize that your entire life, your entire look and being, was a messed-up lie. Severus was not an extremely compassionate man, but he felt sorry for her all the same.

Wrapping his head around the fact that he was a father was even harder. Severus quickly shut out the memories of the type of father he had had- abusive, cruel, and arrogant beyond belief. The man guessed that his own experience with his father had lead him to never want to have children, but now that he knew about the girl Severus couldn't help but feeling just a bit… protective of her. He had never thought the day would come, and even though he didn't know Hermione, the fact that she was his child mattered to him.

In fact, it made all the difference in the world. She was his child. His.

The thing that scared Severus even more, however, was the fact that Hermione did not in fact know that he was her father. Dumbledore had conveniently neglected to mention that- Severus figured the meddling old man thought that a personal revelation from Severus would provide a nice little bonding moment. Old coot, Severus thought to himself. He always have to be meddling in my life…

Severus figured to himself that he would have to tell the girl tomorrow. Dumbledore had informed him that he would be taking her, of course; he had also stressed that protecting her at all costs was necessary.

Severus personally had found that comment quite rude. He may be heartless, but did the old man expect him not to protect his own daughter?

--

The morning came much too fast for both Hermione and Severus. Hermione was rather upset at the fact that she would be missing the first day of lessons; her logical brain, however, had told her that Dumbledore had most likely informed the teachers, and they would catch her up without a problem. Severus, on the other hand, dreaded both bringing the girl to Bellatrix and revealing to the Dark Lord that he had a daughter.

The Dark Lord was not a forgiving man, and Severus had seen with his own eyes what was done to the children of Death Eaters. They were used as bait, and often mercilessly treated in order for their parents to give in or give up. Severus had always hated watching little ones suffer, and thinking about someone who was his own flesh and blood receiving that treatment pained him.

Severus obviously didn't care about Hermione yet; he cared about her, as she was his daughter and that was the requirement. But he didn't care for her, and as of yet he had no desire to. He couldn't help but feel that was wrong.

The two met with Dumbledore in his office early, and Hermione ate a light breakfast before tightly grasping the Potion Master's arm and disappearing into the daybreak.

--

Sorry for the wait… I had no inspiration. This is only slightly longer, but I like this chapter. Please let me know what you think. What should happen- should Voldemort be pleased or angered? Should Hermione still be friends with Ron and Harry? Let me know! Also, if you find any mistakes, let me know. Thanks!