CHAPTER 79

Hermione and Sirius arrived on the front door step of Mr. and Mrs. Granger's.

"Hermione are you sure about this? I mean as in doing this right now?"

"Yes. It's not going to be any easier to explain this to them if I wait longer. Besides the longer I wait the more they'll be upset that I didn't tell them sooner. This way they'll understand why it took me some time to tell them about it and there's something that I need to know."

"Point made. After you."

Hermione nervously smiled as she knocked before entering her parents' house.

"Mum, dad."

"Hermione dear, what brings you here?" Greg Granger asked curiously.

"Is everything alright Hermione? Oh…Mr. Black…"

"Not to worry everything is alright. There is something that Hermione wishes to talk to both of you about and asked for my assistance in helping her explain."

"There's also something else that I would like to know." Hermione added.

"I suggest we all have a seat in the living room." Lucy Granger said.

Lucy and Greg sat down on the couch, Sirius took a seat in an oversized, overfilled armchair and Hermione took the other identical armchair. Hermione was not sure where to start. She couldn't decide if she wanted to ask if her parents knew that there was a chance she could be a witch or to explain about Granger Estate first. While she thought about how to proceed she remained silent and obviously in thought.

"What is this all about?" Greg asked curiously.

Everyone looked over at Hermione. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were curious as to what their daughter would have to talk to them about so urgently. Sirius not knowing how Hermione wanted to proceed remained silent, waiting for some sign from her. If Hermione wanted to talk to her parent's about the matter he had no clue of first he didn't want to go into detail about the Estate.

"First and foremost, mum, dad did either of you have a clue that there could be a possibility that I am a witch?"

Lucy Granger unsuccessfully hid a cringing expression. Greg on the other hand did not react in the slightest. He was curious as to what brought this question to the surface.

"What makes you ask your mother and I that question? It has been a few years since we received your acceptance letter to Hogwarts."

"It didn't cross my mind at the time. The difference now is that well I found out something and it resulted in me thinking about it for a few days. I realized that both of you did not seem so surprised...I mean you both took it in without a problem. In hindsight it seems that you expected the letter."

"What did you find out?" Greg asked as he was confused as to why this was coming up after a few years since receiving the Hogwarts letter.

"Dear I am sure that we will find out about that part before the day is over. It's only fair to answer her question first."

"True. Do you want to tell her or shall I?"

"I should be the one to explain."

"Mum…"

"Hermione…first of all I apologize, deeply and sincerely apologize for not telling you this right away. Especially when the letter from Hogwarts arrived. Yes, your father and I were aware that there was a possibility."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"When you came into our lives I did wonder if it could be possible. I decided to wait and keep a close eye on you for any signs. Yes it was obvious to your father and I that you could do magic at a young age. You were only three when I saw the first sign. Long story short you were really mad and set the living room on fire. A cousin of mine assisted in helping putting the place to rights. As time passed you would do something magical and so much stronger that the last time. Most of the time you would want something so bad and suddenly you would have it. When at school if you wanted to be left alone or wanted to get back at another student or a teacher because he or she was not being fair to you…whatever would come to mind that you saw fit as retribution would happen. No one at the school knew what had happened exactly. No one ever thought that it had to do with you."

"And yet you never told me? You never explained anything to me. I worked so hard to try and fit in and all I ended up with is being known as the insufferable-know-it-all. It's a sheer miracle that I can even say that I have friends. I have been called a Mudblood repeatedly. You should have told me before I started at Hogwarts, before the letter came. It was obvious to both of you and not once thought about how I might be affected. Oh I would have studied everything I could have gotten my hands on but I would have been more careful how I handled myself at Hogwarts…"

"For a while your father and I weren't sure if you could handle it…"

"Oh but explaining that I am special…"

"I didn't know what else to tell you. As each day, each year passed I couldn't figure out how to tell you. I didn't know how you would react to it. I am so sorry sweetheart."

"Wait, mum you're…but I thought…"

"Magic is from my side. My Grandparents were magical, when they had my mother she didn't have any signs…they still told her all about the magical community as she did with me. My mother was a squib…"

"I know about that mum." Hermione said sarcastically.

"The same went for me as it did for my mum."

"Wait but your last name…"

"My mother had fallen love with my father. She thought he felt the same way. She didn't know that he was only after a good time, a fling. It lasted for two years."

"And…"

"When it was known that my mother was pregnant with me…he left my mother. He just disappeared, completely untraceable."

"Your mum had you and raised you alone?"

"Not quite, she had her family. They weren't thrilled about my mother being unwed…they took her in with open arms, as it should be with family. They helped her with everything. My mother gave me her last name of Granger instead of my father's. She was so heartbroken that she couldn't bear giving me his last name."

"I don't…"

"I was disowned by my family. I chose to marry your mother, I fell for her deeply. I couldn't see myself with anyone else. My family had other ideas for the one I would I spend the rest of my life with. Your mother and I had just found out that we were expecting you into our lives and I was contacted by my brother. It seemed that the family wanted to talk, to make amends. I was uncertain about meeting with them, I couldn't shake this feeling that it wasn't what I was supposed to believe it to be. I tried to get out of it since it wasn't sitting well with me. I told my brother that it would be better to set it up for another time. I mentioned that we were going to have a baby. Well, my brother became even more adamant that I meet with the family and too think of my child's future. Grudgingly I greed. I was deeply bothered with how he was acting but I also wanted to know what they were up to."

"What were they up to?"

"I never got to find out. From what I was told there had been an accident…something about a gas main leak…all of my family that was alive at the time were in the house when it exploded…no one inside or nearby survived the explosion. Since I had been disowned and never got to meet with them to possibly make amends I gladly accepted the last name of Granger. I have no regrets of taking your mother's last name. I have no desire to be associated with that part of my heritage. If you want to know I will without hesitation give the last name I had been born with."

Hermione took a moment to let it all soak in, or well tried to let it soak in anyway. There was a part of her that was curious about her father's family but with how uncomfortable he seemed in telling her what he had she was not sure really if she wanted to know anything about them. Hermione decided to wait on asking for the name of her father's family, wait to be sure she wanted to know. If she didn't need to know, if it seemed irrelevant then there was no need to find out the name.

Lucy and Greg were feeling the sting of hurt but were not upset about it. They knew that their daughter would be quite upset with them for not telling her anything about the magical community. It still stung painfully that their daughter could not look at them. They knew that in time Hermione would forgive them and they were more than willing to wait and more than understanding of the situation.

An hour went by in silence. Nearly complete silence. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of inhaling, exhaling, the ticking of the clock in the living room and the house creaking as old houses do in the Muggle world anyway.

"So, Hermione what is it that you found out?" Lucy asked breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"Well, do you remember Harry?"

"Yes. Though we only briefly met the young man."

"Okay well, he found out that he has an inheritance from his father's side of his family. That relatively resulted in Harry looking in at Gringotts a bit further to see if there were any more for him. It turns out that his mother was not a Muggle born though she may not have known this fact. Anyway he found two other inheritances…sort of. One was…is Evans, through his mother. The other…Granger. At first I didn't believe that…I couldn't believe that it could possibly be any relation to me. It just did not seem possible with how I grew up, with how I have been treated by so many. A group of us, including Sirius, went and took a look at the Estates. Harry and I slipped away from everyone else that was with us to go take a look at the Granger Estate. I was nervous about looking around the Granger Estate. If it had no relation to me, despite everything I kept saying it would have been…then on the other side if there was a connection to me. We did look around and found a Family Tree Tapestry. I didn't look at much oddly enough. I saw both of you and myself. It was quite a shock. I honestly can't remember much. To me it was seeing that and then yelling at Ron about whether or not I was going to tell the world. Although I have a feeling that I may have done something but can't figure out or remember what I did."

The Granger's home fell silent once again. It had only been about thirty minutes before Sirius explained in more detail how Harry found out about the Evans and Granger Estates and that since Harry is not the last living relative he can only make a claim but cannot declare himself as the Head of House not that Harry wanted to do that but he certainly does not want anyone that shouldn't have the property and vaults at Gringotts to get a hold of it.

"My husband and I are fine with what we have. We have worked hard to get where we are now. We have our practice and a house that we love. I…we…"

"Before you make a decision on whether or not you want the Estate I suggest both of you at least take a look at the Estate or at least give it some thought. No matter what Mrs. Granger you are not obligated or required to declare Head of House but you can make a claim on it so that it doesn't fall into say the wrong hands for lack of a better argument. The Estate and vaults at Gringotts could go to Hermione as long as the eldest, living, blood Granger at least claims it. When the both of you and Hermione feel that she is ready to handle the responsibilities you can hand the whole thing over to her."

"I can't argue with that. Lucy we should really think about it at least."

"I agree with Sirius, you both should think about it. I am not sure if there is a time limit or not, we weren't able to find that out so I don't think that there is. Regardless the Minister of Magic is being a bit of a git…actually worse than that but I'd rather not say what I really think of him…I may be ticked at both of you but I will not disrespect either of you in your own home with what I really think of the Minister of Magic. I would like to know what you both decide as soon as you do…"

"Of course honey. This does involve you, if you have anything to say about the Estate and…we…I would like to know…"

"All I will say is that I would like the option of having the choice as to whether or not I want the Estate sometime in the future…distant future…" Hermione said as she stood up as though she was ready to leave.

"Leaving already?" Lucy asked.

"I think that it would be best if I do go. I fear I might say something that I would regret. I need time to think, to calm down, to process everything."

"If you feel that it is best then we will not stand in your way. I trust your instincts to be accurate. One last thing before you go…always know that your mother and I love you very much and we are deeply sorry for not informing you of the possibilities."

Hermione only nodded. She could not even bring herself to smile. She just had to get out of there as quick as possible. This was extremely difficult for Hermione to do, she was feeling guilty about hurting her parents. She never would have thought there was anything they could do that would result in her being furious at them but she refused to apologize to them for withholding the magical information she should have had as a kid, if not when odd things started to happen at home or at school then when her Hogwarts letter arrived via someone from Hogwarts.

Hermione was relieved but yet still pretty angry at her parents. She was mostly glad that she was now back at Potter Manor stretched out on her bed in the room she had claimed for when she stayed there. Hermione had not told anyone what happened at her parents' house. She was not sure if she could share with them what she found out without it seeming as though she was taking out her frustration and anger on her friends. She didn't think that Sirius would tell everyone currently at Potter Manor he was not the type to tell another's tale. Not that she would be upset at Sirius if he had, in fact it would be a relief. She wouldn't have to tell them but it would be better if she told them. This is something that she personally should share with her friends. Hermione had been so focused on her thoughts that she had not noticed that Harry had knocked on her open door and stood in the doorway.

After a few minutes Harry cleared his throat to let his best friend know that he was there.

Hermione was ripped right out of her thoughts with a startled jump.

"Oh, Harry. Sorry that I've been…"

"Obviously something else happened while you were speaking with your parents. Is it that bad?"

"No, not really. I mean compared to what others have gone through it's not so bad. It's more upsetting…I think. I'm not sure…I'm just really…they kept things from me."

"Oh. I just wanted to see how you're doing. I want you to know that whenever you are ready to talk I'll listen. That is what family and friends do."

"I would tell you now but I know that everyone else will want to know what happened and I do not feel like saying it repeatedly."

"Would you rather I round up everyone else or would you rather coming down?"

"It would be more comfortable if I went down. This room is a bit small to fit everyone in."

"Well, whenever you are ready you know where to find us."

"Thanks Harry…"

"Oh and I will make the twins and younger promise to not badger you the second you surface."

Hermione smiled a 'thank you' to Harry before he left. Hermione remained on her bed for a few more minutes before getting up and going down stairs. Not only was she going to tell the rest of her friends and Remus but she needed to eat something.

Down stairs

"Harry, do you know what happened? Did she tell you?" Ron inquired as Harry walked into the kitchen.

"I do not know what happened exactly, all I know is that her parent's kept something from her. I do not know what they kept from her only that they did."

"Is she going to let us know?" Ron asked with concern thick in his voice.

Harry looked at Fred, George, Ron and Ginny before saying, "When Hermione should come down do not bug her about it. Do not say anything or ask anything having to do with talking with her parent's. I want you all to promise me. Promise or no promise anyone that were to say anything about it will not like how I react to it. Not only is she one of my best friends but she is my cousin. Now, do all of you promise not to say or ask anything concerning what happened at her parent's?"

Each one promised not to bring up anything concerning Hermione's parents.

Just as everyone finished up eating Hermione walked into the kitchen. Hermione fully expected someone to say something. She was grateful and surprised that no one did. She barely looked at anyone as she made her way around the table to take a seat and eat. Hermione ate in peaceful silence without being watched or ogled in any way, for this she was even more grateful for. Once she finished her meal she looked up and at everyone. When her eyes fell on Sirius she smiled hoping that her gratitude for not saying anything to the others was expressed in her smile. When she received a nod in response she knew that he understood what she had been trying to say. Hermione took a few deep breaths before speaking.

"I'm sure the rest of you are wondering what happened at my parents."

No one said anything. Everyone looked at Hermione and gave her their undivided attention.

"After looking around the Granger Estate and getting over the shock and other emotions, I started thinking back to when I was younger. At that time things I would do or things that would happen due to a thought or a strong desire for something…well let me say that weird, strange and odd things would happen. Then my thoughts brought me to when my Hogwarts letter arrived with someone from the school, though for the life of me I can't remember who it was. Anyway, while thinking back to then…I realized that my parents weren't surprised as though they expected it. I started thinking that maybe I was just reading more into it than what was there. I asked my parents if they suspected, if they had any clue that there could be the possibility that I was a witch…"

"They knew there was a possibility, didn't they? Sorry for interrupting…I just…"

"It's okay Harry. Your right though. They did know that there was a strong possibility. They knew when I was three. Apparently I set the living room on fire when I was mad about something. As the years passed there were more things, little things nothing like setting things on fire. At first they weren't sure if I could have handled it and then they weren't sure how I would react to it. Yes I was shocked when I found out, but that didn't last long. I knew I was different. From my parents telling me that I was special…I knew that I was but they only told me repeatedly every day. My mum is a second generation squib but had been told by her mother about the magical community. My grandmother was abandoned by my grandfather when he found that she was pregnant. My grandmother, with help from family raised my mother. My father had been disowned by his family due to the fact that he went through with marrying my mum. Without the words actually being said I know…it's not hard to come to the conclusion that my father's family did not approve of his choice of a wife. My parents had just found out that I was on the way when my father's brother called to say that the family wanted to reconcile. My father was wary of this and tried to get out of it, tried to get it changed to a different day. My father even mentioned that he was going to be a father. His brother became adamant that my father meet with the family and work things out and told my father to think of the baby. My father grudgingly agreed. Before he could meet them…where the rest of his living family were…the house exploded because of a gas main leak…at least that is what my father was told anyway. Since being disowned and not had the chance to see if it was truly making amends he took my mum's last name when they married and is perfectly happy at doing so."

To Hermione's surprise the room was quiet for a while any way.

"That's…I don't know what to say." Harry said softly.

Everyone else in the room seemed to feel that Harry said it all for all of them.

"Hermione, did your dad happen to tell you what his family name is?"

"No, but he said that if I ever want to know to just ask and he'll tell me without hesitation. He has no desire to be associated with his family. I'm not sure if I want to know about them. I need to take things one at a time. Everything with Draco, Violet and Marie, Harry…Morgan le Fay and Merlin, I'm a half-blood witch, my parents knew all along and never told me, and not to mention that one of my best friends is actually my cousin and therefore Dudley is my cousin as well…I think that's enough to deal with without hedging up my father's family. I know if I knew I would be trying to see what I could find out about them and I don't want to add anything to what I'm dealing with though I'm not really dealing with it. I need to let what I now know settle in first and then figure out if I want to know about that side of the family or not. Once I figure out that then I will know how to proceed."

"That makes sense."

"Thank you Harry."

Spinner's End

Beaker, at risk of getting into serious trouble, hid the letter from Lily. Beaker was fed up with his master drinking all the time and instead of contacting the Headmaster at Hogwarts, the house elf took matters into his own hands.

Severus knew the letter from Lily was around somewhere. He had no memory of what he had done with the letter and was not surprised. I started to think that he may have put the letter somewhere he wouldn't find it anytime soon while drunk even though that did not seem logical but the other possibility was that his house elf hid it and it didn't seem likely to him that, that was the case. Even if it had been his house elf he would not mind. It was for the best that the letter not be in plain sight as the saying goes 'out of sight, out of mind'.

Severus felt horrible but kept all his grumblings to himself. There was no one aside from Beaker to listen, even if there were anyone around to listen they would not be sympathetic in the slightest. Who would be sympathetic to one that drank the whole time he was awake and eating next to nothing. He knew it was his own fault and was seriously kicking himself for it. Severus finally pulled himself out of bed, showered, dressed and went to see what he had to eat if anything. He made up his mind that he was not going to ask Beaker about Lily's letter at least not right away, maybe give it a day or two.

A decent meal and a few hangover potions later Severus felt much better, at least better than when he woke up. After leaving the kitchen and looking around he was filled with detest at how his residence looked. Not that it was perfect before but it at least looked as though someone lived there. Now it looked as though it had been abandoned and barely dusted. He was not angry with Beaker for not keeping the place perfectly clean. Severus knew that his house elf had put him first and main priority over the house.

Severus walked over to the armchair he normally would sit in but was disgusted with how dirty it had become while he was consumed with his drinking. He was not quite up to par for wand-less magic, it was draining compared to using a wand and in his weakened state it would not be wise to attempt wand-less magic so he walked back into his bedroom and grabbed his wand. Once returning to the living room he cleaned his chair, and sat down. While sitting there he looked around and could not let it go any longer and started waving his wand around in intricate patterns as the house or shack as he preferred to call the place started to look more acceptable. Even this little bit of magic with his wand had drained him enough that he felt as though he would pass out for days.

"Master?"

"Beaker."

"Beaker no mean to speak out of line but, Master you should not be doing much so soon. You needs rest not work. Beaker takes care of it now."

Severus exhaled and nodded in agreement with his house elf. Leaning back against the chair he closed his eyes to rest them. He thought back to when it had been suggested to him to get a house elf to help out around his place. Severus was at first adamant about not having one, to him it was a nuisance that they just get in the way and cost quite a bit. He was eventually convinced to at least give it a chance and see how it would be. Sure enough his view of house elves or at least his view of Beaker had changed dramatically. Severus wondered then and now how he even made it through a quarter of a day without the house elf. He still was not happy with how much he had to shell out for Beaker but with the change of ownership and new rules for Beaker and how Beaker reacted and took to the new rules Severus was more than satisfied with what he had paid. As each year passed he was even more satisfied with what he had paid for Beaker. It was well worth it and it became even more so to him as each year passed. Mainly it was the company, constant company, that made it worth the cost. Though now to Severus, Beaker was part of his family. The only family he had. Well other than Albus Dumbledore who unintentionally became a father figure to Severus when he really needed it the most. The next thing Severus knew he was opening his eyes and it was quite darker than earlier. He realized that he must have fallen asleep in the chair.

Severus had a small dinner and then retired for the day. Though he had not done much he felt as though it had been a week of dealing with dunderheads. That night he had trouble sleeping. He kept hearing something and wasn't sure what it was exactly. It seemed to be muffled talking but brushed it off as though he was hallucinating due to not quite being himself and eventually drifted off to sleep.

The following day Severus kept hearing the noise, a muffled sound of sorts. As the day progressed it became very annoying to him but could not for the life of him figure out where it was coming from. Spending most of the day, well more like the whole day except for stopping for meals looking for the source of the sound found himself worn out by the end of the day. During the night Severus tossed and turned. Beaker took it upon himself to continue the search for the source of the sound. Beaker found the package that had arrived the day before his master returned to the living. The closer Beaker came to the package he could hear muffled sounds coming from it. The house elf could not help himself and opened the package to see a beautiful woman with an extremely furious expression staring back at him.

"It's about time! I know you are a house elf but seriously. What is wrong with Severus? How could he miss…"

"Sorry miss. Beaker was preoccupied with Master. Master not been himself for some time. Beaker be sure to put your portrait where he find it."

"Thank you. Beaker…hmm…interesting. Did Severus give this name?"

"No."

"Oh. Still a bit interesting though. I do apologize for being so…"

"No worry Miss."

Beaker moved the portrait into his master's bedroom. Knowing his Master he was sure that Severus would not miss seeing the portrait when he woke up. Unfortunately, Severus did not see the portrait when he woke up nor did he see it when he left his room.

Severus was consumed with relief at not hearing the annoying muffled sound. He though that either he had been hearing things or his house elf took care of it but did not feel the need to inquire with Beaker about it, especially if he had been hearing things.

Just after lunch Severus could faintly hear soft mumbling, almost like the muffled sound he had heard before. His patience was very thin by now and with sheer determination went in search for where it was coming from. Each time he would be close to figuring it out it would become silent in the house once again. He was sure that the sound was coming from his bedroom but having spent so much time in there he was not ready to go back in the room unless he was going to bed. Severus gave up searching for the sound and took a seat in his armchair.

"Severus Tobias Snape!"

Severus who had just got comfortable jumped to his feet at hearing the loud, screeching of a female voice, his name being yelled out to be exact.

"What the bloody hell?" Severus mumbled as he headed to his bedroom. Once walking in he still had not figured out what had screeched his name.

"Down here you baboon."

Severus froze in place. The voice was softer, calmer and enabled him to recognize the voice as belonging to Lily and thought he had lost his mind completely.

"Sev. Look down would you. You have not lost your mind."

Severus slowly looked down to find a portrait of Lily.

"What?"

"You might want to have a seat. I pleaded with my son to send this portrait of me to you. I take it you did not get my letter."

"N-no…o-only recently…"

"Oh dear. Don't tell me you were trying to drink yourself into an early death."

"I wasn't trying to do that." Severus growled out.

"But you were drinking though."

Severus sat down on his bed and looked away from the portrait.

"Even in a portrait you can't look at me when I'm right. Huh?"

"What do you want? Why would you have a portrait of yourself sent to me?"

"I wanted to know how you've been. I will understand if you are so furious with me for how I treated you when we were in school and destroy this portrait, I…"

"Why would I destroy your portrait? I have the mind to return you…"

"Sev…"

"But I won't do it though. It seems I will punish myself for what…"

"Why would you feel the need to punish yourself? Sev, what happened is not your fault. You are not the one responsible for…"

"On the contrary I believe that I am."

"What in the name of Merlin would make you think that?"

"Because it is my fault. I am the one responsible for your death as well as the death of your…husband, resulting in your son being mistreated by a horrible sorry excuse for a man."

"How have you worked that one out? You know what I mean. Sev, you are not the one that used the killing curse on James and then me."

"I may not have been the one that pointed the wand at both of and then casted the curse but I gave that person the information needed…"

"How could you have known…"

"Peter Pettigrew yes told the Dark Lord your location, but...I was looking for a job. I overheard another during an interview and she told a prophecy…I may not have heard the whole thing but I relayed what I had heard and…he chose to go after your family."

"Sev…what are you talking about? What did this 'prophecy' say?"

"All that I heard and all that I still know is, 'the one with the power to vanquish the dark Lord approaches…born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies'…"

"Sev, if that is all that you heard and all that you still know…it's not your fault. You have to stop blaming yourself. I mean that could have meant anyone. The Longbottom's also had a son towards the end of July and I am sure that there were quite a few others as well. James and I were not the only ones to defy the psychopath more than once. There was no way you could have known that telling the psychopath what you heard would have resulted in my death. He made that choice, the decision to go after my family not you. You don't even know the rest of it…I might be able to find out…"

"Lily…"

"I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Lily…"

The next thing Severus knew Lily was no longer in her portrait and wondered how she could find out. He knew that Sybil Trelawney has no recollection of giving such prophecy. He wondered why Albus didn't tell him about the rest of the prophecy especially after all this time. Then again knowing the old coot he has his reasons and this grand plan that has to go a certain way. Suddenly Lily flitted back into her portrait.

"No such luck. Only because I was not able to ask…I will find out and soon…Sev, are you okay?"

"I don't know, I am talking to a portrait…"

"It happens…talking to a portrait happens and there is nothing wrong with that. Help is always around even in the least likely places."

"Why did you want me to have..."

"Like I said, I wanted to…"

"Other than that Lily."

"Well…"

"Does it by chance have anything to do with your letter?"

"Well, yes it does…"

"I did receive it…fairly recently at that."

"Oh…"

"If I had received it when I should have…"

"Don't! Do not think like that. Please don't. It will not help and it certainly will not change the past. It will not do you any good to dwell on the past or look into the past wondering if you had changed this or that would it have changed the final outcome. You can't do that. I know…please help keep an eye on my son. And you had better be kind…as kind as you can…I need to know that you will do everything that you can to keep him safe and to ensure that he has what he needs to succeed in life even if he for some reason be face to face with the psychopath."

"It's difficult to not wonder if things could have been different…you are right though I should not be looking backwards at least not how I have been lately. Surprisingly Lilly I have worked things out with Sirius and Remus to an extent. Where things concern Harry we are agreeable for the time being."

"Thank you. I know it can't be easy for you…"

"It's in the past."

"Good. Oh and Severus…"

"Yes?"

"I forgive you for your actions while you were being misguided and for making stupid decisions. The stupid decision being your left forearm…it was not difficult to figure out that you had joined the Death Eaters…you told the evil git what you had heard of a prophecy. Never the less I forgive you for that as well as calling me a 'Mudblood'. It was and is just a name, a bad one but still just a name."

"How can you forgive me so easily?"

"Because I can. Like I said you could not have known that it would have gone after me and my family. You did not say that the prophecy pertained to the Potter family…if I could just find out what the rest of it is…I just know that it will help you get over this guilt you have placed on yourself."

"Your son I am sure blames me."

"I doubt that. Even if he knows about what you relayed…Harry doesn't strike me as a person to form an opinion of another without all the facts, especially with a certain bushy haired friend of his."

"You have a point and I know exactly what friend you are referring to."

"What is your problem with her?"

"She's…insufferable know it all…"

"Since when do you have a problem with anyone being knowledgeable? It didn't bother you that I was well informed of things. Then again you are a Professor…is she outdoing you?"

"I am not talking about my students with you. Harry is the one exception due to the fact that he is your son."

"There is nothing wrong with talking about your students. But I will not bring up any of your students other than my son. I may be a portrait but I am not a dunderhead."

Severus smirked and softly laughed at Lily using his word to describe the majority of his students.

"No you are not, especially when compared to most of the students I teach or try to teach."

Lily gave Severus a glare that could make his seem as absolutely nothing.

"I should go…I really should get back and with any luck I'll be able to find out the rest of that prophecy…I will not disturb you for should I return and you have already gone to sleep…"

"Lily wait…" it was too late for Severus to stop her.

A/N: what do you know two chapters. i am currently working on the next one i should have it up soon...sooner than lately.