Severus spent the rest of the week soaking up the time he had with his daughter, conscious of the fact she was leaving for a fortnight. He was already dreading it, which was ridiculous, he'd been alone up until now, he could handle two weeks. Couldn't he?
He resolved to speak to Petunia once she was away. The Granger's had wholeheartedly approved the idea of taking the boy on holiday, all he needed was Petunia to agree to two extra days, although Jean had taken him aside and said they'd accept whenever he turned up, that they were not unaware of Hermione's concern for the boy.
Still, he wanted to give them an uninterrupted week. They'd been incredibly understanding up until now and he was worried that one day their understanding would run out. He glanced over to where Hermione was meditating. He had started training her on the basics of occlumency, hoping that she'd never need it, but just in case. He'd also been debating whether to work with her on Defence. Gods knows that the teachers she'd had hadn't exactly been experts. He wondered briefly who Dumbledore had coerced into it this year, hopefully, someone competent. The fact that Black hadn't been apprehended caused him some anxiety. Was the man after Potter? If he was, what would he do with a child with the surname Snape? She was always with the boy. Fuck he could feel another migraine coming on. Making his decision, he cleared his throat.
"Yes?" she sighed, cracking one of her eyes open.
"Still struggling with the meditation?" he asked with a smirk.
"My brain doesn't like the quiet!" she whined, making him grin. Dear gods, the child hated not being good at something.
"It will come, I expect you to practice though, and Hermione, it will be obvious if you haven't been."
"Yes Father," she sighed looking resigned.
"Now, I think it may be time to work on your defence skills. Your teachers have been woefully inadequate and I'd like to see what level you are at."
She looked at him in surprise. "We're not allowed to use magic outside of school."
"No, you are not. However technically, I am a teacher, your teacher. And this is a magical household, they will never know and I refuse to have defence be the area you are lacking. It's too important."
She nodded slowly as she processed what he had said. "Ok."
"Good. Come with me."
She followed him to a door she'd never been allowed through before and into a brightly lit room. "This is the duelling room," he explained as he summoned a training dummy. "You will begin with the first-year syllabus."
Hermione nodded, as she tried to remember what they'd been taught in first year, lifting her wand she cast, emitting green sparks from the tip, she worked through what she could remember, hitting the dummy with the knockback jinx before looking at Severus.
"Very good, you forgot Verdimillious Duo and Tria."
She nodded as she lifted her wand to cast, watching as the green sparks morphed and hit the dummy.
"Hmmm. Adjust your stance, you lack control. You should be able to direct where you wish the sparks to hit, if you can channel them all together it has a greater effect than lots of little ones hitting various parts of the body."
She nodded, as he helped her adjust her body into a more stable stance and cast again, willing the little sparks to combine. She grinned when she managed it.
"Yes, very good," Severus replied with a smirk. "Now. Second year. We'll discuss creatures at the end. Disarm me."
"What?"
"You heard me, I want you to disarm me."
"I…." he watched as she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. He felt his wand twitch as she cast.
"Too weak. Again." It took her three tries to put enough power behind the spell to successfully disarm him. He wasn't sure if she was hesitant because it was him or whether he truly did need to focus on this over the course of her summer. Waving over the dummy, he decided to find out.
"Disarm him." She got it on the first try, which was both a relief because she was clearly capable, and a worry because perhaps the human element made her more hesitant. He resolved to get Draco over, and he supposed, rope Potter in to give them all practice.
"Very good, do you know how to release a body bind?"
She nodded, her eyes going slightly wide. He cast a subtle cushioning charm on the floor. "Very well. Begin."
"On you?"
"Yes Hermione, on me."
She steadied herself and cast. He felt himself hit the floor. Well, she clearly had no problems with that one then. Fucking hell that hurt, how had he managed to miss the bloody cushioning charm?
He felt the curse lift and saw her standing over him looking concerned. "Are you alright?"
He groaned slightly as he stood up. He was too old for this shit. He refused to acknowledge that thirty three wasn't old. He felt old. He had an almost fourteen year old daughter, which made him positively ancient. And fucking hell, his knees! Young men's knees didn't crack like that when they were getting up from the floor, did they?
"Fine." He replied, completely unconvincingly. He missed the slightly devious smirk on her face as she lifted her wand and muttered a quiet riktumsempra. His eyes widened as he realised what she'd done, a reluctant laugh escaping him as the tickling jinx took effect. He was wheezing by the time she was able to lift it, her own eyes as wet as his as she'd been laughing so hard at him rolling on the floor giggling like a bloody school girl.
"Oh I'll get you for that, my girl," he said once he could speak. Her eyes went wide as he raised his wand. Surprising him, she dodged the spell. Interesting. There were better instincts there than he'd imagined.
She dodged the next one, but he caught her on his third cast. He smiled as she went down like a sack of potatoes, giggling hysterically. He smirked at her as he watched, taking pity on her after a couple of minutes and lifting the jinx.
"Your instincts aren't bad," he admitted grudgingly. "I'm surprised you thought to dodge. We will practise over the summer, defence is not something you should ever be behind in. Perhaps you will consider joining me on my morning run."
She pulled a face at him, making him laugh. He shrugged, "Suit yourself, but physical fitness helps with duelling stamina."
"Ugh. Fine. I hate running though."
He snorted, "I'm not hugely fond of it myself, however, it is necessary. Now, what is the last spell we have not covered?"
Hermione frowned. "I don't know."
"What do you know about the Homorphus Charm?"
"Oh. Professor Lockheart said it was a cure for lycanthropy, but it can't be, everywhere else says the transformation is only temporary."
"It is. Lockheart was an idiot. However, it not only requires a significant amount of magical power, it also requires your wand to be in direct contact with a werewolf's neck. I'm not going to lie, Hermione, while it can save your life should you ever find yourself close to one, it is not a spell I ever want you to have to use."
She nodded, "Is there a way to practice it?"
"Yes, I can link the dummy to a spell that will show the power behind your charm."
"Can I try? Have you ever seen a werewolf?" He couldn't suppress the instinctive flinch. "Father?" she asked in concern.
"Yes. I have seen a werewolf. It wasn't pleasant."
"Where? How did you get away? What happened?"
Despite the fact his heart was racing; it was his most frightening memory, even now, Severus smirked at her rapid-fire questions. He wondered if it was worth telling her. Black was on the loose, perhaps it wasn't a bad thing for her to know, it might put her more on her guard if she had a concrete reason to be wary of the man. He didn't want to though. The memory never failed to make him feel weak.
He sighed, making his mind up. "I told you I went to school with Sirius Black." She frowned and nodded. "He had a group of friends, one of them was a werewolf. Dumbledore had arranged to accommodate him at the school, he had the whomping willow planted and the wolf transformed in the shrieking shack. Black knew. He lured me down there one evening, I had grown suspicious of what they all got up to each full moon. I wish I had left well alone. To this day, I am still unsure why I fell for it. Black allowed me to overhear something that led me to the shack." his face turned bitter. "I came face to face with an enraged, fully transformed werewolf. It was the most terrifying night of my life. One of Black's other friends, in a fit of conscience, rescued me from the wolf. Dumbledore swore me to secrecy, threatened me with expulsion if I told any of the students and gave Black a week's detention."
"What? That wasn't fair! He could have killed you!" she exclaimed.
"I am not unaware. The Headmaster has always favoured his lions."
"But….But, how did he get away with that?"
"Because he is Albus Dumbledore." Severus sighed, "Now, it was many years ago and I am fine now, so remove that look from your face and tell me what you would do if you came across a Gytrash?"
She blinked at him a few times before she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"It being years ago doesn't mean it wasn't unfair," she mumbled into his buttons. As he returned her hug he wondered again what he had done to deserve this girl. No one had ever cared about him the way she did, in fact, she was the first person to ever acknowledge that Dumbledore had been wrong in his handling of the situation. He wondered if Minerva even knew. Probably not. As he gently disengaged his daughter, he revelled in the odd feeling of mattering to someone. Still, it wouldn't do for her to realise how soft she'd made him. If any of his colleagues could see him now he'd never live it down.
"Gytrashes?" he asked pointedly. She rolled her eyes at him but answered nonetheless. She was good with the creatures he realised, thankful that they wouldn't need to cover them this summer. "Well done," he said softly. "That is enough for today. Is there anything you wish to do?"
"Ice cream?" she asked hopefully.
Oh for fucks sake, that was going to cause uproar. Although, if people knew before she went back to school with a brand new name, perhaps that was better for her.
"Very well. I assume you want Fortescues?"
"Yes."
"Go and get your cloak, Hermione," he said with a sigh as she grinned back at him.
He apparated them to Diagon Alley, scowling at the incredulous looks on the faces of those who passed when they spotted Hermione. Dear Gods, it was busy. This was going to be a bloody circus.
"You could smile, you know." she said suddenly.
Severus glanced down at his daughter and frowned. Did she not know him at all?
"What?"
"You could smile, it'll confuse them."
Severus couldn't contain the bark of laughter that escaped him, making several shoppers stare at him in alarm. Perhaps the girl was on to something.
"I don't think the world is quite ready for me to smile, Hermione. They'd have me in St Mungo's checking for curses before we could blink," he replied wryly.
She laughed at him as she looped her arm through his and shrugged. "One day you'll have to let them see that you're human, you know."
"Do I? Whatever for?"
She rolled her eyes at him, "You enjoy your dramatics far too much, Father."
He smirked down at her. "Perhaps. Now, ice cream?"
"Can we have a quick look in Magical Menagerie?" she wheedled.
"Hermione, the deal was after your holiday." He replied attempting to sound like he wasn't going to fucking cave. What was this girl doing to him?
"Yes, but I have no idea what sort of pet I even want, we could just narrow it down?"
Oh for fucking fucks sake. She'd ruined him. His reputation would be in bloody pieces if anyone realised how fucking soft this girl made him.
He sighed, "Fine."
He felt slightly better when she beamed at him, throwing her arms around him briefly causing some poor witch who apparently recognised him to drop her shopping in shock before she grabbed his hand and dragged him into the shop.
He hadn't been joking when he'd told Hermione he wasn't a fan of animals. Owls were useful obviously, but cats or gods forbid, dogs, were not his thing. Hermione was over by the counter chatting animatedly to the witch behind it about the best pet to have when a blur of ginger fur landed in front of her, hitting its head against her hand for attention. He saw with a sinking feeling of inevitability the moment his daughter fell in love with the ugliest cat he'd ever laid eyes on.
"Crookshanks!" The shop witch admonished, as the beast purred its approval at Hermione's attentions. "I don't think I've ever seen him take to anyone in all the time he's been here. He's been here for years, no one wanted him. He's grumpy and particular and prone to lashing out normally, " the witch breathed in awe.
Hermione turned her eyes to him pleading. "Please? He's been here for years, Father!"
Oh fucking hell, her bleeding heart was never going to let him leave without this monstrosity was it?
"Very well." he sighed, utterly defeated. Fucking ruined, he was. Brought to his knees by a miniature witch with out of control hair. Fucking hell.
He watched as Hermione hoisted the purring ginger monstrosity into her arms, the fucking thing was almost as big as she was. He could hear her murmuring about how handsome he was as she stroked its fur. What was wrong with the girl? The beast was the ugliest thing he'd ever seen and he had to look at his own face staring back at him in the mirror each morning.
He found himself leaving the shop with a cat basket in hand loaded up with all the supplies one apparently needed for a half kneazle. The shop assistant had taken pity on him and given Hermione the beast for free, seemingly relieved to be rid of it. Still, it had cost him a small fortune in supplies for the thing. She was happy though, the smile hadn't left her face as she snuggled the beast close. He was surprised it could breathe with how tightly she was holding it.
"Am I to assume we're not going for ice cream?"
"What?" Hermione frowned. "Of course we are. Crookshanks will behave, won't you Crooksie?" she cooed at the animal who headbutted her chin in response.
Severus felt his eyebrows rising against his will, "Very well."
The utter silence that descended on Florean Fortescue's as he entered with Hermione would have been amusing if it hadn't been so insulting. He could almost hear the collective intake of breath when she called him Father before the noise exploded. Beside him, Hermione jumped at the sudden noise before seeming to compose herself and turning back to the ice cream display.
"Can I have caramel please?" she asked, turning to look at him.
"We can leave, Hermione, any time you want," he said softly.
She frowned, "Why?"
"I had assumed you wouldn't want everyone staring at you like a zoo exhibit."
She shrugged. "They were all going to find out eventually. I should probably warn Neville, actually. Can I borrow Otto when we get home?"
Home. Fuck. That word. It felt like his brain had short-circuited. "Yes." he managed to choke out as she looked at him strangely over the top of the ginger beast's head before she nodded, still frowning slightly.
They sat at one of the little tables, the beast purring on her lap as she smiled softly at it. He could feel the stares of the other patrons on them, Hermione thankfully appeared to either be oblivious or incredibly good at pretending to be as she chatted away to him about nothing in particular.
He felt, rather than saw, someone, arrive and make a beeline for them, his spine automatically stiffening as he palmed his wand. Beside him, Hermione shifted, clearly noting his change in posture, before she beamed. Severus had to work to contain his sneer as he realised that Thoros and Theodore Nott were standing in front of him. Theo was reaching down to the beast on Hermione's lap, and the little traitor let him, letting out a loud purr at his attention.
"So this is illusive Miss Granger," Thoros commented lightly. Severus rolled his eyes.
"Thoros, may I present my daughter, Hermione Granger-Snape." He saw Theo's eyes widen at the name change. "Hermione, Thoros Nott, Theodore's father."
"How do you do, Lord Nott?"
There was a twitch of Thoros' lips that may have been a smile. "The rumours are true then. Polite little thing. Looks nothing like you luckily for her. She's all Fawley. Is Simon aware of her existence yet?"
"No. Nor will he be informed, Ella was abundantly clear that she has zero interest in being a mother."
Thoros' eyes widened. "I see," he murmured, his eyes calculating. "He has no Heir, you know."
"I am aware. It does not change my response."
"He will hear of her, Severus. Perhaps it may be better for you to control the narrative and reach out first."
Severus sighed, it was, unfortunately, good advice. However, he wasn't a fan of Simon Fawley. The man was rigid in his beliefs, although the loss of his daughter had tempered him slightly, he wasn't sure how the man would receive a half-blood granddaughter. A granddaughter who had no urge to conform to their beliefs of superiority and who wasn't shy about voicing it.
"Well, we shall leave you to your ice cream. Perhaps we shall see you over the summer, Hermione?" Thoros spoke, breaking his internal argument.
"Probably, Lord Nott. Aunt Cissa informed me that there are….expectations on how I spend at least part of my summer."
"Aunt Cissa….." Thoros' eyes widened, "Narcissa Malfoy is handling your introduction to society?"
"It would appear so," Hermione replied reluctantly. Beside her, Theo grinned. Fucking little sod. He wasn't happy with him. Unfortunately murdering the boy in front of his father would probably be unwise. What about a slow acting hex? He could do that, couldn't he? Hermione would be suspicious though.
"How...interesting. Your mother was Lucius' cousin, was she not?"
Hermione stiffened, "Yes, she was."
"And you're close with the Malfoy's?"
What the fuck was the man up to? This wasn't good. He didn't want Thoros fucking Nott to be taking an interest in his daughter.
"Aunt Cissa has been wonderful since I discovered who my parents were. Uncle Lucius is trying."
"How interesting. Theo tells me you are exceptionally clever, the top in your year."
"I just work hard," Hermione replied, pink tinging her cheeks.
"That's nonsense and you know it!" Theo interjected, "You understand it before all of us, there's never been a question you can't answer."
Hermione's cheeks reddened further, "Yes, well. I just like to read." she said sheepishly.
Thoros gave an actual smile. It was fucking terrifying. "Beautiful, polite, intelligent and modest, how did you get so lucky, old friend?"
Severus shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. There was something in the way he was looking at Hermione that put him on edge. "I have no idea." he drawled.
"Have you given any thought to contracts?" the man said lightly, beside him Theo turned red.
"She will choose herself when she is of age. Not before it." Severus said with finality.
"You won't consider discussing one?" He could see Hermione frowning next to him as she attempted to follow the conversation.
"I shall discuss it with Hermione, however at this moment in time, no. I will not consider one. She's not yet fourteen, Thoros."
"I was betrothed at fourteen, Severus. As were Lucius and Narcissa. They have both begun talks to arrange Draco's. I would be remiss if I did not ask."
The dawning realisation on Hermione's face would have been amusing if he hadn't been so fucking scared of her reaction. He watched as she turned to Theo, a look of horror on her face as the boy held up his hands in supplication.
"I swear I had no idea he was going to do this, Hermione!" he heard the boy whisper.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Who makes decisions like that at fourteen!" she hissed. "You can't divorce in the magical world, you're stuck with that person for life! Based on a decision you or your parents made when you were fourteen! It's insane, Theo!"
Thoros was watching them with interest as Theo attempted to placate her. "She has fire," he smirked.
"Yes." Severus noted wryly, "Fire, determination and stubbornness. She'll eat your boy alive, Thoros. He won't have a clue what to do with her Gryffindor tendencies."
Thoros snorted, "His life would never be dull. The boy needs a challenge or he'd get bored." He dropped his voice further, suddenly serious, " And Severus, he adores her you know. I do want him to be happy and I am not unaware of his fascination for her in first year. Perhaps don't sabotage them this year and we can talk again."
Severus hesitated, wanting nothing more than this conversation to be over. "Very well."
Thoros nodded, satisfied, smirking when he noted the tentative truce Theo had managed as he cooed over Crookshanks, presumably to appease Hermione.
"Utterly besotted," Thoros murmured before raising his voice, "Theo, come, it's time we went home. I'm sure you'll see Miss Granger-Snape at some of the functions planned this summer."
"Bye Hermione. Could I perhaps owl you?"
Hermione blushed. He didn't like it. Fucking hell, she was only thirteen! He didn't want to have to deal with boys. Not yet. Not any fucking time soon. Bloody Narcissa demanding he give the boy a chance!
"I'd like that," she replied softly, "but I'll be in France from Monday for a fortnight."
Theo shrugged, "Hera could do with the exercise," he responded with a grin.
Hermione smiled back at him as they left, Thoros with a self-satisfied smirk on his face that Severus wanted to remove. Violently.
"I don't like it," he said mulishly, as Hermione blinked at him in confusion before she laughed.
"Oh, Father. Let's go home before you get more ridiculous."
He pouted, making her giggle and two of the other patrons drop their ice-creams as they stared at them.
Severus started moodily at the fire, a whiskey in hand. The house was quiet, far too quiet. Hermione had left for France that morning. In a move that was far more charitable than he would have likely been, the Grangers had insisted she spend the weekend with him before she left. Two uninterrupted days before they absconded with her for a fortnight. How did one witch turn everything upside down in under a year?
She had been staying with him for a week, that was all. But it felt so much longer and now, because she wasn't here he couldn't settle. He wanted to insist he join them in France, which he knew was unfair, but fuck it all, he missed her.
Crookshanks chose that moment to appear in the living room, pouncing up onto the sofa and happily shedding ginger fur all over his robes as he made himself comfortable on his lap. Fucking monstrosity of a beast. Still, it was nice to have something with him. Even if it was a fucking cat. He still wasn't sure he'd forgiven Hermione for commenting that the beast had reminded her of him. Grumpy, particular and prone to lashing out, Hermione had surmised that the beast had just needed the right person to come along and love him. Perhaps she was on to something, Severus mused. Not that he had expected that person to be his daughter. But fuck it all, she'd turned him inside out in under a year, him, the bastard of the dungeons. Sweet Salazar it was going to be a fucking long week until he saw her again. And he still had bloody Petunia to deal with tomorrow. Perhaps more whiskey was a good idea.
He heard the floo activate and frowned, wondering who the fuck had thought it was a good idea to disturb him. He snorted as Lucius appeared in front of him. He should have fucking known.
"Cissa was concerned you'd drink yourself to death tonight." he commented lightly, "I see you've already started. You'll see her again in a week you know, and then after you've dropped Mr Potter, you're going back on the Wednesday to stay until they're due home, are you not?"
"Yes," he replied petulantly, "but it's not the same. Why do I miss her already, Lucius? That's not normal is it?"
"Fucking hell how much have you drunk already? And yes, it is normal. Have pity for those of us who have to send their children away for months on end to that bloody school."
"I don't know how you do it," he replied bluntly, wondering if perhaps he should slow down on the whiskey before he forced Lucius to have a conversation neither of them wanted.
"To be fair, most of us have the memories of the baby, toddler and child phases to get us through at least the first month or so. The peace when Draco left and there was no longer anyone whining and demanding things from us was divine. It wears off, obviously, but he's definitely more tolerable in small doses. We may have spoiled the boy. I should probably buy your daughter a thank you gift for forcibly moulding him into a more decent human being this last year."
Severus snorted. "I'll thank you not to spoil my child given that you've just admitted to ruining yours."
Lucius glanced pointedly at the ginger monstrosity still lounging on his lap. "I don't think my spoiling her is going to be the issue," he said wryly.
Severus snorted. "We ran into Thoros," he blurted. Lucius' eyebrows rose in surprise.
"And he spoke to you?"
"He came into Fortescues just to speak to us. He mentioned a contract."
Lucius gaped at him. "For Hermione and Theodore?"
"Yes. I don't understand what he's up to."
Lucius looked thoughtful. "Her intelligence is well known," he mused, "She is Heir to House Prince, and likely House Fawley, that makes her a desirable match, despite the muggle Grandfather. Your power is well known, it will be assumed, given her current standing at the top of her year, that she'll follow in your footsteps. Thoros has always been attracted to power."
"She's a half-blood! He cannot possibly be advocating for a half-blood to marry into his precious House."
Lucius shrugged, "Under normal circumstances, I do believe he would not. However, the boy is infatuated with her and the girls from their year are far from ideal. I should know we've been putting out the feelers for Draco. Despite your father, her lineage is impressive. The Princes, the Fawley's and Ella's mother was a Crouch. That's three old families she's linked to. Her association with Cissa and myself will also help, as will her friendship with the elder Miss Greengrass. The Weasley's and Longbottom, despite being considered Blood traitors, are pure, which also works in her favour. You should really consider Godparents shortly too."
Severus looked at him in surprise. "Isn't she a little old to be assigning Godparents?"
"No. As you'd remember if you'd had less whiskey."
"For fucks sake. I assume you have the paperwork?"
Lucius smirked, "I'm incredibly disappointed that I've been carrying this for months and had to resort to blatantly reminding you." he teased.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Give it here." He began filling out the forms making Lucius and Narcissa Hermione's Godparents, relieved that he wouldn't have to worry about her being taken care of should anything happen to him. Narcissa, especially, would ensure she was alright.
"Are you really considering betrothing Draco this early?" he asked casually.
"Yes, it's traditional, however, we are limited to Pansy Parkinson, Daphne or Astoria Greengrass, one of the younger Carrow twins, Hannah Abbott, Millicent Bulstrode, Lavender Brown or one of the Patil twins. And in all honesty, I'm not sure any of them are particularly promising prospects. If I didn't think she'd hex me, rapidly followed by you, I would have considered Hermione."
Severus was so shocked by that admission, that he laughed. "Dear Gods, can you imagine? He'd never survive the courtship."
Lucius smirked, "Quite. I decided it wasn't worth the upset to chance it. However my point still stands, she is powerful and well connected. She will be an asset to any House and she's not far off pure."
Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes of course because that is what's important."
"For many, it is," Lucius replied with a shrug.
"And if Draco wasn't interested in girls?" Severus hedged.
"What do you know?" Lucius asked sharply.
"Nothing. However, I have wondered given his obsession with Mr Potter."
Lucius stared at him, his jaw hanging open. "His obsession with Mr Potter," he repeated faintly. "Dear God Severus, tell me you're joking?"
Smirking, Severus shook his head as Lucius went to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a liberal measure of whiskey, looking at the bottle for a long time, clearly debating with himself, before bringing it back with him. He watched with amusement as Lucius drained his glass, muttering, "Anyone but Harry fucking Potter." as he poured himself another one.
"Can't you steer him in the direction of someone more suitable?" Lucius begged. "I hear Zabini is a lovely looking boy!"
Severus almost choked as he laughed at the same time as he tried to swallow. "Fucking hell, Lucius! Do you really want to inflict the boy with Astrid Zabini or whatever the fuck her name is these days as a mother-in-law?"
"Harry fucking Potter!" Lucius whined.
Severus snorted as he stole his whiskey back from Lucius.