The Granger Son
Harry; Hermione; Dr. Grangerx2
Rated T
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling
The Granger Son
Chapter 23
The Potter boy's lessons in Legilimency were steadily going and going well, if Snape just had to admit it. Of course, he still had yet to break through into his mind, but he wasn't exerting as much effort to do so. If he didn't know any better, he would say that Potter had found his own way of going about it. Either that, or he was more comfortable performing the spell, even with no results. Despite this, Snape did think that his pupil would break through one of his many mental barriers soon.
He was both amused yet impressed with his progress. Impressed, because he was doing much better than he thought he would with this area of magic. It took many witches and wizards years to get the concept of performing Legilimency and Occlumency, let alone master it. But where his amusement came was at the way the boy's eyes would squint in his determination to get it right and be able to break into his mind. It wasn't necessarily funny, but rather that they looked just like Lily's and how hers would burn in determination. Snape greatly missed the redhaired witch that was once his best friend, and though he knew that there was nothing much he could do for her now, he could at least look after her child, even if he was more trouble than he was worth—like his father. It wouldn't atone for all his sins, but it was the least he could do for Lily. As he watched the young Potter boy attempt to use Legilimency on him again, he thought that maybe one day—maybe—he'd tell him about his mother from his own personal knowledge and experience.
His wand vibrating in his hand made him look down at it, a frown on his face before a look of pure annoyance came over it as the tip began to glow red. This was his alarm trigger to alert him if anyone was attempting to break into or had broken into his personal stores of potion ingredients; a precaution he took after certain events that had happened three years prior. Who could possibly be in his stores this time of night? He knew it wasn't Draco, the boy knew better. Well, whoever it was, they wouldn't have enough time to escape before he swooped down on them.
Turning to his Fifth Year snake, he said, "We're ending tonight's lesson early, Mr. Potter. I just remembered I have something to attend to, but we'll pick up at the next lesson."
Harry blinked at him before nodding and saying, "Yes, sir."
Snape escorted Harry out of the Potions classroom to Slytherin Dungeon, waiting for him to enter the Common Room before turning and heading to his personal stores. Walking up to the door, he found it ajar and could hear muttering and movement inside. Opening it wider, he found none other than Dolores Umbridge rifling around in there, her bright pink robe a very off-putting color in the dimness of the closet. Silently, Snape folded his arms and leant against the doorway of his ingredients closets, patiently waiting for the pink nuisance to notice his presence.
"Where are the already made potions?" Umbridge muttered, huffing when she didn't find any on the shelf she was searching through. She turned to search another shelf, only to screech in fright at seeing a dark, looming shadow in the doorway of the closet. Her hammering heart soon began to calm when she realized that it was only Professor Snape, and the man did not look the least bit impressed to see her in his personal stores.
Regaining her composure, she looked up at him and said, "Severus."
"What are you doing in here?" Snape demanded to know.
"I'm looking for your already made potions, though I can see that they aren't in here. I demand you tell me where they are, as I need certain ones for…Ministry business."
Snape felt his eye twitch at being "demanded", but also didn't believe a word of what the pink toad said. Straightening up from his position in the doorway, he looked down at her before asking in his deep voice, "Do you have an official notice from the Ministry requesting certain potions of mine that you apparently can't get from the Minister himself?"
Umbridge seemed surprised that he would dare ask her such a question, but before she could even retort, let alone answer, he continued. "Because unless you do, then you can shove off and stay out of my personal stores. And don't let me find you here, or anywhere near my potions stores again. If I do, there will be consequences, and I don't care if you are Ministry protected or not. My stores of all kind are off limits to everyone. Now, leave."
With that said, Snape waited for Umbridge to leave before retiring himself, a dark chuckle rising in his throat at her annoyed face at being caught and dismissed. He'd be surprised if she came again, but figured she wouldn't, at least not without something saying she could.
Dolores sat in the Minister's office, telling him all about needing a request to obtain potions from Professor Snape. Granted, it was indeed Snape that gave her the idea of getting an official request from the Ministry, and she was positive Minister Fudge would give her one. She made sure to not say exactly what potions she wanted, as it would raise suspicion, but was sure he would give her clearance. Once she was done, she waited patiently, yet expectedly, to be given permission to get potions from Hogwarts' Potions Master.
Minister Fudge contemplated everything his employee had told him before saying, "While I understand that you want my permission to go into Severus Snape's potions stores after he dismissed you, I still need a valid reason as to why, Dolores."
"But we're already looking in on Hogwarts as it is, so why not?" Dolores asked incredulously. "I should be able to get what I need."
"But why, Dolores?"
"Because of Harry Potter and his friends, Minister. I believe that those children are up to some secret activities that is illegal and I plan to get to the bottom of it."
Fudge nodded slowly before asking, "Do you have any proof of Mr. Potter and friends?"
"Not yet, but I'm sure they're up to something they shouldn't be."
"Well Dolores, until you have definitive proof, I cannot give you permission to obtain potions from Professor Snape."
"But Minister!"
"I'm sorry, Dolores, but until you have proof, I cannot help you."
Dolores stared at the Minister for a moment before standing and leaving his office. However, once the door was shut, she let out an agitated huff before stomping away to the Floos in the atrium. She couldn't believe that Minister Fudge was not allowing her clearance to get Snape's potions. Well, that was fine, just fine. If not even the Minister was going to help her get what she needed, then she'd just have to brew it the Veritaserum herself. And no one could stop her from doing that.
The first Hogsmeade Saturday of the term had finally come, and all the Third Years and up were excited to be going down to the quaint village. Among those excited to go were Harry and his friends, but especially Blaise. He had decided that this Hogsmeade trip, he'd ask Hermione to go on a date with him. Therefore, that morning at breakfast in the Great Hall, Blaise waited for a bit before standing and heading to the Ravenclaw Table.
From the Slytherin Table, Harry, Draco, and Daphne watched as their Housemate interrupted Hermione's conversation with Padma Patil, obviously asking her to Hogsmeade. They watched as the Ravenclaw's eyes widened in surprise before a bright blush appeared on her face, causing Daphne to giggle. Harry continued to watch as his sister agreed to going to Hogsmeade with Blaise, feeling happy for her. He was honestly happy for them both, as they had been pining for each other for the longest, and Blaise had finally mustered up the courage to ask his sister on a date. Hopefully this date between them would be a good one, and hopefully more. After all, if that necklace around the brunette's neck wasn't enough indication of Blaise's feelings and want to be with her, then he wasn't sure what was.
Of course, being her brother, Harry hoped Blaise knew that if he hurt Hermione, he'd find himself at the end of his wand. Besides, no one hurt his sister and got away with it. In fact, no one hurt a Granger and got off scot free. And Blaise would learn firsthand what that meant if he hurt his sister in any way.
Robert and Jean were wrapping up dinner, the two of them discussing Jean's difficult patient from earlier that day. The woman had aggravated Jean so badly, she had wanted to pull out more than just the two teeth she needed removing. Robert couldn't help but chuckle at his wife as she talked, though he could tell she was withholding from ranting. She was where his little girl got her temper from. Thinking of his daughter, he wondered how his children were doing at Hogwarts.
No sooner had he thought that, a tapping on the window brought his and his wife's attention to it. Smiling at the sight of Hedwig, Jean stood up and opened the window, letting the Snowy owl in where she landed on the table. Dropping the letter, Hedwig bent down and took a piece of chicken from Jean's plate, hooting softly as Robert stroked her head. Looking at Jean, he asked, "Is it from the kids?"
"No, just Hermione this time," Jean answered before reading the letter out loud.
Dear mum and dad,
It is just me writing to you this time, though Harry and I will try to write a letter to you both soon. I just wanted to tell you that today was a Hogsmeade weekend, and we went down there today. But that's not the only reason I am mentioning this.
As you know, our friend Blaise Zabini gave me a necklace for Christmas and Harry likes to tease me about him. But this morning, he asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him, on a date! It was wonderful, it truly was, and we had the best time together. He's asked me on another date soon, and I've agreed.
Harry has threatened him with bodily harm already, but I don't think Blaise will intend to cross Harry. I think he really likes and wants to be with me. I know I'm gushing, but I can't help it. Anyway, I hope things are well and we'll send another letter soon.
With love,
Hermione
"Aww, that's sweet," Jean said with a smile. "I'm glad that she had a good time." She was happy that her daughter may have found happiness with this Blaise boy. Now if only her son could find a good girl that he was interested in.
Robert, on the other hand, still wanted and needed to meet Hermione's new beau. As her father, he needed to make sure that he was good enough for her, though he knew he could trust his daughter's judgement. But, just to be on the safe side as no to scare him off too early, he'd wait until their relationship was official. Only then would he get in on the threatening his son was already doing.