Disclaimer: Anything you recognise doesn't belong to me but to J.k Rowling.
Thank you to the kind reviews of the previous chapter. I love getting them, so thank you once again.
p.s just in case you didn't know, I changed the first chapter. It's similar to before but less rushed. Have a look if you fancy. :)
Severus stood with his arms crossed studying the young girl who sat at the table of 12 Grimmauld Place. She simply stared at the table, her finger tracing the grain of the wooden table with an air of despair surrounding her.
Severus tried to pretend that he wasn't worried about Hermione. She hadn't spoken since leaving her home an hour ago.
He thought back to when he was striding through the house, pointing his wand at anything he thought belonged to the young girl who was stood still staring at her parents in the kitchen. The girl seemed to have gone into shock, the day's events finally catching up with her, causing her to go catatonic.
He stunned Dawn and Rob when they began to recover from losing their memories. He didn't think Hermione would be able to endure the panic of the couple, especially when they viewed her as a stranger and as a danger. He winced when he remembered the thud as they hit the floor. He had to keep reminding himself that they weren't dead, he hadn't killed them, they were just stunned and perfectly healthy. Just that thud as they hit the floor, he felt the colour drain from his face.
He had paused when looking at the mantel piece; photos adorned it, showing all the happy times of the little family. The corner of his mouth tilted upwards when he looked at the photo taken at Hermione's second birthday party. It was the last get together he had attended, he was the one taking the photo.
Her birthday was filled with laughter and happiness as Hermione toddled around ripping open her presents and demanding cuddles from her uncle Russ. It was one of his happiest memories. A month later the Potter's were killed and he felt it was no longer safe to see his god daughter. It hurt so much not to see them all though, they were like family to him. After spending almost five years with the small family it was difficult to let go. He managed to write to Dawn and Rob over the years but he had not allowed himself to see Hermione again.
He flicked his wand and all the photos flew into Hermione's trunk, carefully landing within it. He looked around the living room and seeing he had collected all her processions, he locked and shrunk it and then placed it into his pocket.
He returned to Hermione, frowning when he discovered Hermione hadn't moved, she had just stared at the couple on the floor. He passed her a piece of paper, her eyes automatically roaming over 'The Order of the Phoenix's headquarters is at 12 Grimmauld Place' which was written in the delicate writing of the headmaster. He grabbed her arm, pulling her towards his body and apparated out of the house. When she arrived, she simply sat down at the table of Grimmauld place and hadn't moved again. She simply sat and stared.
"Oh feathers." He said with a sad sigh. He turned around and started to make her a cup of tea before sitting down opposite her, pushing the cup towards her. "Drink." He instructed in a no nonsense tone.
She looked up and he couldn't help but frown when he saw the dull pain that resided in the hazel eyes that were normally sparkling with happiness. "Why did you say feathers?" she said with a croak before taking a sip of her tea.
Severus shifted slightly in his chair, narrowing his eyes at her tea and she correctly deduced that he was telling her to drink up. He said in a quiet voice, "it was my nickname for you as a small child. I should have realised, even when it seems like you're not listening, you probably are. Must be from hanging round with Potter all the time, listening for ways to get into trouble."
Hermione lips tilted upwards, not having the fight in her to defend her friend. "Why feathers though?" Her forehead creased with confusion.
Severus looked at her for a moment, as if deciding whether to tell her some of their shared history. It still hurt him to think of what he had to give up 13 years ago walking out on the Granger family. Thinking back on some of the memories still hurt but she deserved to know some of them. She was his responsibility now, she needed to trust him. Maybe this was one step in that direction.
"Because of the Greek god Hermes." He said with a small smile. "I thought it was appropriate as well because of your first sign of magic. When you were about a year and a half you had a small bird soft toy called-" he paused, his mouth twisting as if there was a bitter taste in his mouth, "Twinkle blue. It seemed at the time your young mind thought that Twinkle blue should have the chance of life. The squeal your mum made as she chased around the small robin was only drowned out from the squeal of laughter coming from you."
Hermione smiled broadly at the professor, "what happened to Twinkle blue? I don't remember having a soft toy like him?"
Severus couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped his lips as he remembered the incident, not witnessing the eyes of Hermione widening a fraction at hearing the stern man laugh. "Unfortunately for Twinkle blue, your mother owned a cat called Tom. He was feeling a bit peckish at the time…well let's just say Twinkle blue no longer twinkled."
Hermione's mouth dropped opened slightly before she could stop herself, she laughed. It felt so good to laugh.
Hermione smiled broadly looking at her professor opposite her, a feeling of serenity washed over her and she felt her eyes becoming heavy as she looked down at her now empty cup. "Did you drug my tea Sev?" she said with a slurred voice.
Severus nodded slightly, "I'm a potions master, what did you expect?" He paused slightly and rolled his eyes. "It's only a weak sleeping draught, I think you might need it after all of today's events."
Hermione nodded as her head started getting lower to the table as the sleeping draught began to work through her body, moving her towards the land of nod. "What did I call you as a little girl?" She said looking up from lowered lashes, fighting to stay awake as long as possible.
"Uncle Russ." Came the reply opposite her.
"I think I will call you Russ instead of Sev. You seem more like a Russ and Sev was what my parents called you." She said in a quiet voice, her head hitting table with a quiet thud as she finally fell asleep.
Severus looked up towards the ceiling as if praying to the heavens before moving round the table, to pick up the young girl and take her to bed. How he came to be lumbered with a young girl he never knew.
A dishevelled looking Hermione walked into the kitchen sitting down in the chair she had sat in the night before. Her eyes barely open and her light blue fleecy lamb pyjamas made her look younger than her 15 years.
She looked up to the professor who pushed a bowl of porridge towards her with a cup of tea. She inclined her head and grumbled, "Thanks Russ." Before tucking into her porridge.
She missed the looks of shock the Weasleys were giving Hermione at calling the potions master such an informal name.
"Morning 'Mione!" Ron said in a cheerful voice, grinning from ear to ear. "How you doing?"
Hermione finally looked up and saw she and Russ were not the only ones sat at the table. The Weasley's must have already been at the house as well as Sirius. She smiled a half smile at those around the table, "good morning everyone!" she said looking at the smiling faces. "When did you all turn up?"
Ron grinned, "We turned up a few days ago. I was wondering when you and Harry were coming, it's been very quiet without you guys. Mum has been forcing us all to clean up some of the rooms of this place because it hasn't been lived in for years." His smile was infectious, he seemed so happy to see one of his best friends had finally come to join them at the massive house.
Hermione couldn't help but smile broadly in return. She had missed her two friends since they had departed Hogwarts a few weeks earlier.
"It's my family house." Sirius said from down the table, "I didn't have a need for it so I let the old crowd use it. It's one of the safest houses in Britain since it has my father's enchantments as well as Dumbledore's protecting it. It will be a good place for Harry to live when he joins us soon."
Hermione heard a small cough from opposite her and seeing Severus give her bowl a pointed look, she continued eating her breakfast. The conversations around her flowed over her, her ears straining to hear when she heard Ginny ask Sirius who the old crowd were.
"The old crowd were the Order of the Phoenix." He said pausing for dramatic effect. "It was founded and run by Dumbledore. We oppose Voldemort and his death eaters, helping the Minstry to defend those who were targeted by him." Sirius paused, giving Severus a pointed look. "Dumbledore restarted it a few weeks ago because of what happened at the Graveyard."
Hermione looked across to Severus, who's grip on his mug of coffee had tightened but he continued reading the Daily Prophet, giving the impression he wasn't listening to the conversation around him.
"Now, now Sirius. There is no need to tell the children about that." Said the bustling Molly Weasley as she took empty cups away and put more toast on people's plate.
"Well we want to join!" demanded Fred and George from next to Hermione.
"And us!" said the two youngest Weasleys.
"Oh no." said Mrs Weasley. "You are not of age and you will be killed if you take part. You are not joining and that is that!"
The four youngest Weasleys groaned at their mother, mumbling in defiance under their breath as they continued eating their breakfast with more force than previously.
Hermione lightly placed her spoon back into the bowl and smiled at the pleasant feeling of contentment from being full.
"Would you like some more tea Miss Granger?" rumbled the voice from behind the paper.
Hermione raised her eyes to the man opposite her, who was determined to hide behind the Daily Prophet. She had guessed he had been listening to all the conversations around but he never said a word himself, which probably explained the number of people's mouths whose had fallen open around the table.
"Oh Ron, close your mouth. I don't want to see some chewed toast this early in the morning," cried Ginny from the table, causing a few exhalations of breath in laughter.
"Yes Please Russ." Smiled Hermione when she realised she hadn't answered.
The professor placed his paper on the table and poured her some tea and was about to go back to reading when he heard, "Oh no you don't mister!" and his newspaper was snatched away from him by Molly. His eyes narrowed into a deadly glare which caused his students around the table to shiver. It didn't seem to affect Molly, who was looking at Severus with folded arms and a raised eyebrow.
"You know that doesn't affect me Severus. Now tell me why you turned up with Hermione last night?"
Severus looked at Molly for a few moments before nodding. "She's my ward, I will watch over her until she is of age." He said simply with a smirk as he saw Molly look between the two with confusion. "Miss Granger and I will be staying here until it's our time to return to Hogwarts."
He heard a spluttering from down the table as Ron turned red, his eyes wide and glassy. "Hermione!" Exclaimed Ron, "Have you gone completely mental?"
"Not the last time I checked Ronald." Replied Hermione coldly. "It was my parents decision to place me in the care of the professor, he's my godfather and in my parents will he was named as who I was to be placed with in the event of them no longer being able to care for me. For them, it seemed like the correct thing to do at the time."
"Your parents...Weren't they muggles?" Said Sirius from down the table, his head tilted forward to look towards Hermione with a small frown.
Severus grimaced as Hermione stiffened at the condescending tone of Sirius's voice, "Yes" she said shortly. Severus just prayed the mutt wouldn't say anything to stupid about Rob and Dawn. He would love to have an argument with the mutt but now was not the time for the dog to insult her parents.
"Do they know that Snivellus is a death eater? Killing muggleborns like you during the first war?" Sirius said with a sneer towards Severus who had visibly stiffened. Was there nothing he could do to make amends for his youth's mistakes.
Severus opened his mouth to snarl at Sirius. His hand had tightened around the table ledge, his fingers turning white from pressure as he resisted getting out of his chair to either hex Sirius or storming out of the room.
He was surprised when he heard Hermione speak up, her jaw tight as she gritted her teeth. "My parents trusted Russ. He was a spy towards the end of the first wizarding war so there is no need to speak harshly towards him."
Severus couldn't help his eyebrow rising at the defence the girl had towards him. He smiled evilly towards Sirius who only growled in response.
Molly looked kindly towards Hermione and said in a mild manner, "you could always stay with us Hermione? I'm sure your parents wouldn't mind if you did. I know it was their wish but they would understand. Severus doesn't know how to deal with young girls such as yourself, even he would say he's a bit harsh. He explained to us what happened with your parents before you came in, so they would definitely understand as it was a difficult time."
Hermione stared at molly, her mouth aghast. Molly's gaze, still fixed on Hermione, was bursting with sympathy. She couldn't believe the lack of faith the people around the table had in the professor. Before all this she had greatly respected the man, however when she looked around the table, it seemed like she was alone with this thought.
"If that is what you wish Miss Granger, that is the alternative." Spoke Severus from across the table.
Hermione studied the man across her, his eyes cast down slightly, hiding himself from the people around him. His black hair covering his face, as if to shield him from the verbal attacks. He thought she was going to run off to the Weasleys, even after her parents told her to go with him. It was almost their dying wish as technically they didn't exist anymore.
Her throat began to feel scratchy as she thought about her parents. She swallowed, trying to remove the feeling of morose clawing up her throat. "They're not dead, they're safe." She whispered softly to herself, avoiding the look of pity Molly had given her.
"It will be great fun 'Mione! You would live with us all summer." Said the ecstatic Ron from down the table, Ginny nodding along probably thinking she would have a roommate and an ally against her brothers.
"Poor old Severus doesn't have the time or patience to look after you. He's a permanent Bachelor." A few quiet gags were heard around the room at the thought of the professor being anything but asexual. "So he doesn't know how to live with a young girl so why don't you just come live with us next year? It's not a problem now because we're all here but next year I imagine he will be going to Spinner's end. Dank place it is, so it's better if you come with us. You know we're always seen you like a daughter." Molly said with a soft voice and a broad smile, thinking she had done the world a favour and was waiting for Hermione to throw her arms around her in thanks.
Hermione grinned broadly at the Weasley Matriarch, causing all the Weasley's to respond in kind. All of them thinking what it would be like to have Hermione in their family unit. She said with a delighted tone, "no thank you Mrs Weasley. I'm content to be with Russ thanks."
Severus raised his head in disbelief at what he just heard, raising an eyebrow as Hermione grinned broadly at him. "Could be useful living with a professor! Someone to check my homework over right away."
Severus rolled his eyes before quirking a small smile, "always the know it all." Hermione laughed as he returned behind his newspaper to continue reading the day's news.
"Hermione! You can't live with the greasy bat just so he can look over your summer homework. Imagine what it would be like living with him! I can imagine he has chains to hang you from when you're a minute late for breakfast or something." Cried Ron, his blue eyes looking at her with fury for turning down to live with him. She should be overjoyed at the offer but she had chosen to live with the bat.
"The chains are only for idiots such as yourself Mr Weasley." Said a silky voice from behind the paper, causing Ron to splutter and point at Severus to show Hermione he had evidence of his accusation. "You should learn to respect one's elders" he paused for a moment and with a grin, hidden behind the paper "and your friend's guardian."
This caused Ron to redden even more before hissing at Hermione, "I never knew you were so desperate for good grades Hermione. You would rather live with a man who has treated you like muck than with us who have always treated you like family. I know where we all stand now." He pushed his chair out, scraping it along the floor before storming out.
The Weasleys who remained watched Ron leave in silence before Fred turned to Molly with a grin, "You sure he isn't adopted mum? To be related to that Pillock with a death wish seems rather unfair."
"FRED!" shouted his mother automatically. She stormed out of the room to follow her youngest son, sending a small glare towards Hermione for causing the upset.
George reached around his twin brother and tapped Hermione lightly on the shoulder, "don't worry Granger. If you're a sucker for punishment you have our backing." He said with a wink before leaving the room along with his family and Sirius who had all finished eating.
Hermione looked up to see Russ smirking slightly at the twins as they left the room before turning his attention back to Hermione. "I think we need to talk about the incident last night. I know it will be difficult to speak of it but it might be important in discovering if the Dark Lord specifically targeted you."
"How do you mean?" Hermione said with a small frown, "it's because I'm a muggleborn with a link to Harry isn't it?"
"Just tell me what happened and we can see can't we?" Severus said, beginning to get impatient.
Hermione looked at Severus sat opposite her, his eyes looking into hers. She remembered Harry comparing it to looking into a Hippogriff eyes and she couldn't help but agree with sentiment. She opened her mouth to explain what had happened when the floo turned green and the Headmaster came through.
She heard Severus let out an impatient sigh before turning towards the floo. "Headmaster." He said simply.
"Ah Severus, the man I was looking for. I am in need of you for a few hours." Headmaster said with a jovial smile before looking at Hermione briefly, "Miss Granger! Good morning!"
Hermione smiled at him in return and looked back towards the table.
"I'm sorry Headmaster but me and miss Granger were about to talk about the attack that happened yesterday."
"Pish posh!" Dumbledore said waving his hand in the air, "you know you haven't the time or patience to deal with it. Molly will talk to her. I'm sure Miss Granger would prefer to talk to her, woman to woman. Isn't that correct?"
Severus couldn't help but feel hurt at the dismissive nature the headmaster. His shoulders slumped minutely in resignation. He could understand Molly and the Weasleys but for Albus to act such a way, maybe those around him were right. He was trying to change too much. He wasn't the nice person he was trying to be with Hermione. He was no longer the same person he was 13 years ago.
Hermione looked up and nodded slightly.
"Come along Severus, there has been an incident at little Whinging which I need you to look into. Goodbye Miss Granger."
"Bye Headmaster, see you later Russ." Hermione said with a small wave.
Severus looked towards the Headmaster with narrowed eyes before following the headmaster towards the floo.
Hermione was sat in the Library quietly flicking through the book 'muggles and their whizzbits: Are they getting too big for their boots?' When Severus glided into the room.
His face looked like thunder and she could imagine if he was wearing his teaching robes, they would be billowing behind him. He looked imposing, even in his white shirt and black trousers, showing that for him to be feared he didn't need to be all in black.
"Mr Potter will be joining us in the next few days." He growled.
Before Hermione could blink he had left the room again. She giggled softly to herself, for a grown man he sure knew how to have a paddy.
A day later Hermione was sat in the living room basking in the gentle heat the fire was casting across the room. The summer had been a typical English summer: cold and rainy, and any warmth seemed to seep out Grimmauld Place, leaving a cold chill in the air.
She sat watched Ron and Ginny play Gobstones as Ginny had flat out refused to play chess with him. So after a bit of grumbling later Ron had agreed to play an alternative game to alleviate the boredom that was setting in after everyone had settled down in the house.
Hermione and Ron were now on speaking terms after Molly had spoken to Ron about his behaviour. Hermione didn't know what had been said but after a muttered apology, Hermione was just happy to have Ron back. Things were all settled and Snape being her Godfather was not mentioned, no one asking how it came to be.
Hermione looked up as Harry entered the room with a shy smile as a sea of red heads rushed towards him. Exclamations of 'Harry' and 'Glad you're here mate!" were drowned out by one another.
Hermione got up, pushing through everyone to throw her arms around his neck. "It's so good to see you Harry!" She said with a large smile. "How did you get away earlier than normal?" She said softly, trying not to bring to much attention to it.
"Dementors attacked me and Dudley!" Harry said, his smile dropping instantly and his eyes becoming haunted. "I had to cast a Patronus. And apparently because Dudley couldn't see the Dementor, I have no witness's so I'm being done for underage magic. They want to expel me from Hogwarts." Harry said, his voice becoming a soft whisper near the end.
Hermione's hand flew up to her mouth as she gasped, "but they can't do that! If you didn't defend yourself, you and your cousin would have been kissed!""
"I know Hermione!" Harry said aggressively as he stepped forwards towards her, "but no one believes me at the Ministry!" He hissed, his vivid green eyes flashing.
Hermione couldn't help but take a step back at Harry's anger. He looked like an oncoming storm, the magic around him seemed to crackle as he showed his anger at the injustice of his situation.
Ron, noticing the change surrounding his friend clapped him on the back with a broad grin. "That's what the order must have been talking about last night. I knew Fred and Georges extendable ears were brilliant idea!" He hoped his distraction would allow Harry to calm down, his clenched fists and the look he was giving Hermione didn't seem like the Harry he knew before the summer.
"Ron! You can't listen to their meetings! Its' Private." Hermione Shrieked, her eyes wide at the blatant disregard of Mrs Weasley's feelings on the matter.
"Who are the Order?" Harry said looking between the two. The twins and Ginny had already walked away, allowing the trio to catch up. The Twins were currently trying to encourage Ginny to try some of their new inventions, which having learnt never to eat or drink anything from the twins, were having a hard time.
"The Order was created and run by the Headmaster. They are a secret society opposing You-Know-Who."
Harry nodded slightly. His brow crinkled as he thought through what Hermione had said. "That's who must have come picked me up then. Professor Lupin did say a lot of people volunteered." He gave his friends a small deprecating smile as his friends nodded. "Right I'm off to find Sirius, see you in a bit." Harry waved before walking out of the room.
"Blimey." Ron said when Harry had left the room, "He doesn't have much luck does he? Now come on 'Mione, play some chess with me? No one else will and you must be bored. Please?"
Hermione snorted at Ron's comment, rolled her eyes before sitting in front of a small table and started to play opposite Ron.
Hermione jumped when Harry stormed back into the room, causing Hermione and Ron to pause during their game. They both looked up expectantly to Harry with a small smile on their faces, "Alright Harry?" smiled Ron.
"NO! I'm not alright!" He shouted, "When were you going to tell me?" He said, glaring at Hermione.
Hermione and Ron stood up, Hermione looking briefly at Sirius as he wandered in behind Harry with a small smirk on his face. "What do you mean Harry?" Hermione said, looking back towards Harry ignoring Sirius.
"Sirius just told me that your godfather is Snape! And he's now your Guardian! Unbelievable Hermione! I thought we were your friends but if you go live with him after all he had put us through then you can't be a very good friend!" Harry hissed, his eyes narrowed and his hands clenching and unclenching in anger.
Hermione looked at Harry in shock as Harry glared at her, waiting. "I- I- What do you want me to say?"
"That you're not going to live with the Greasy git!" Harry shouted.
He hadn't noticed Ginny slip out of the room to go fetch one of the adults to help calm Harry down as it looked like Sirius wasn't going to help. Fred, George and Ron looked on in shock as the boy who lived berated one of his best friends.
"I can't do that Harry. He's my godfather. You would live with Sirius if you could wouldn't you?" Hermione said in a whisper, her eyes filling with tears as she was barraged by her best friends anger.
"He's completely different to Snape and you know it." He paused and his face twisted into a grimace, his eyes flickered towards Severus who had stormed into the room. A sickly smile appeared on his lips and Hermione winced, wondering what was going to follow.
"Sirius must be right. There must be more to this than him being your godfather. I never knew you would go so far as that Hermione. How long have you been fu-" Harry never got to finish his sneer as Severus rushed forward, grabbing his by the collar of his jacket, his left fist clenched at his side as he resisted hitting the teenager in front of him.
"How dare you accuse me and miss Granger of such a thing. When have we ever given you the impression of being in a relationship of such a kind." His eyes were flashing, his jaw clenched and a vein throbbing in his throat. "If this is how you treat your friends Potter, I would hate to see how you treat your enemies. Even your father had more loyalty and that is saying something!"
The people of the room were stood frozen at the anger their professor was showing, never had they seen him barely able to rein his temper in.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed Albus Dumbledore from the doorway, "drop him Severus."
Severus growled in his throat before dropping Harry to the floor before storming out of the room, his anger palpable in the air around him.
Ron walked over to Hermione giving her a hug as tears ran down her cheeks, rubbing her back in comfort before she couldn't take the silence anymore and ran out of the room, needing to take solace from the library upstairs.
Ron, George, Fred and Albus looked towards Harry in disbelief, though Sirius looked happy with the turn of events.
"Bloody hell harry, " Said Fred with a frown, "Want to tell a Dementor that his cloak looks more like a dress mate?"
"Or would you prefer to tell a Basilisk that you want to look into his eyes as they're just so beautiful?" chimed in George.
"I know guys; I've just done something really stupid." Harry grumbled, looking down to the floor, rubbing the back of his head, causing his hair to come even messier.