Chapter 16: The Grangers

November 1982

Hermione felt lonelier than ever. Viktor had moved out. Another DoM employee happily took him in.

Severus had been writing and sending her flowers for two weeks now, but she had been giving him the cold treatment.

"Why are you still punishing him?" Alona asked when her friend came for tea and company in her flat. "Don't you miss him?"

"Of course, I miss him every day," Hermione admitted unhappily, slumping on the sofa across from Alona and holding her empty cup. "However, I want to convey a very clear message: I cannot be swayed with flowers and letters. He has to understand deeply that what he did was painful for me. Honestly, storming out like that without waiting for my explanation. Who did he think he was?"

"Uh, your future husband," Alona supplied.

Hermione scoffed. "Just because he knows we'll eventually get married doesn't give him the right to treat me like that. I don't pry with his work at Hogwarts and whatever things Dumbledore asked him to do. He should return the courtesy."

"Kingsley and I were extremely mad at him for making you cry," Alona told her sympathetically.

"I'm done crying, Alona," she sighed. "I love him. I miss him every day. But I don't like the way he acted."

"I understand. Until when are you going to punish him?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe when I can no longer bear the nights without him."

"He wanted me to tell you that he's waiting for you… waiting for you to come and visit him at Spinner's End. His Floo is connected to his private chambers at Hogwarts. He said you're welcome to barge in anytime, even just to glare at him or throw things at him. He would accept it."

She huffed. "Throw things at him. What am I? A child?"

"Well, he's very desperate. He really wants to see you. Gosh, Hermione. The man had lost weight."

She sighed. "We'll see."

.

December 1982

It was another weekend, and he was waiting in his house for his angel.

Waiting for her to show up.

Waiting for her to forgive him.

However, it was already after lunch, and he had been waiting for five hours but there was no sign of Hermione.

Severus was starting to worry that he would be spending the upcoming winter hols alone and that Hermione would not forgive him sooner.

Yes, we were married in 1998, but that's sixteen years from now. What if she doesn't forgive me soon and we reconnect 10 years later?

The thought of not spending the future years with Hermione made him groan in frustration. He thought of opening a bottle of alcohol and buying cigarettes in the Muggle convenience store two blocks away but decided against it.

He really wanted her to come, and he did not want her to see him like a mess. He wanted to be ready and still thinking straight when she arrived.

If she arrived.

He tapped his own silver and old wristwatch to send Hermione messages, hoping she still wore his birthday gift to her.

Severus: Please, angel. Come back to me.

Severus: Talk to me.

A minute later, Severus heard the faint sound of an Apparition outside his main door. At first, he thought it was just his imagination, but then the main door creaked open.

His pulse quickened with eagerness. Severus did not bother to grip his wand. There were only two people who could be allowed to open his door without the key.

He made a mental note to let Alona access his wards as well.

The door opened and when Severus looked up, his gaze was met by the most beautiful face he had ever seen.

There she was, his Hermione, beautiful as ever.

No, her mane was not tamed. Her wavy hair was bushy. Dishevelled. She was not wearing any makeup. Her lips were chapped, and her beautiful body was hidden under green witch's day robes. But she still looked like an angel.

"Hermione… Angel."

"Severus," she whispered as she closed the door. She gestured to the seat across from him. "May I?"

He nodded gently and affectionately. He wanted to stand up and reach for her. He wanted to pull her into his embrace, but then again, he didn't want to scare or push her away.

He was very much aware that they needed to talk.

.

Hermione sat across from Severus, nervously holding her cup of tea, the one he made for her. It was a touching gesture, really. He offered to make her tea – her cup of tea.

"I came here to talk," she began after placing the cup on the table between them.

Severus nodded and leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs, ready for a conversation. "I am so sorry, Hermione. I was not thinking logically, and I did not communicate with you clearly."

"Why did you do it? Avoid me like a plague after the second weekend we've made love?"

"No, no, angel…" He looked at her painfully and regretfully. "It wasn't what you thought. It was on me. I lost my self-control. No matter how much time we've spent together, or how many times you've assured me that you loved me, I could not contain myself. I imagined that you would run away because I could not get enough of you. I felt awful when I noticed your red marks, which were the result of my roughness. I believed that I was acting like a wild beast. I wanted to tame myself, hence the keeping distance."

She remembered that day. He was so rough. Although it turned her on, she did not wish to be fucked by him. She wanted him to make love to her. Sure, she was open to trying other positions and maybe role-playing a bit to spice things up, but she did not wish to be held like that, not without her permission.

They were partners. They were equals and they should be able to tell each other what they wanted. They should compromise always, even in bed.

That day, Severus did not tell her what was on his mind. He acted without thinking. She remembered cringing when she saw her red marks. She meant to talk to him eventually but did not get the chance.

And things messed up because she was hurt by his actions and she was at fault, too, for not telling him about a house guest.

"It wasn't entirely your fault," she stated gently. "I do apologize as well for not saying anything. I should have complained and told you that I did not like it. I should have informed you even a bit about a ministry case I was handling and the house guest."

"You were friendly to each other."

She nodded. She should not tell him that Viktor was also a time traveler. She could not because their boss forbade it. Given how things are in Bulgaria these days, they should really protect Viktor at all costs. No one should know about him being a time traveler. Severus could guess, but she was not allowed to initiate information about him.

"You don't have to tell me about your job if they are highly confidential. I promise not to pry. I promise to be understanding."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you. I promise to tell you as well if there is a ministry case. And Severus, I would never, ever cheat on you. You already know that I love you. I won't betray the people I love. Yes, I have obliviated my parents to protect them, but it was not for my own selfish reasons. I knew they would be killed the moment the Death Eaters found them, and it wasn't easy casting that spell. I did that with a heavy heart."

Severus went to her side and touched her comfortingly. "I'm sorry, angel. I would never doubt you again."

Hermione wanted to melt into his arms, but a part of her mind was not ready to give in. She pulled away from him. "I forgive you. But uh… maybe we should take things slowly. No. Uh, I… I mean, I need space, to make sure that I have also forgiven myself. Just… I just need some soul-searching for a few days, maybe." She wasn't really certain of her words. She was still hurt that Severus believed she had been unfaithful to him, and she was still unable to forgive herself for her mistake – not telling him how she really felt about the rough sex and the distance.

Hermione knew that Severus was disappointed, even though she did not meet his eyes.

"All right. If that's what you want," he said hesitantly.

"That's what I want," she replied promptly. Then, she stood up. "I should get going. I have to look for a one-bedroom flat."

"Hermione, love…"

She stopped walking and mustered the courage to meet his eyes.

Severus was now standing five feet away from her, looking at her longingly. "I should have offered it a month ago, but then again, I thought it might scare you away and I was being impatient… But I would like to offer this house. You don't have to pay the rent. What's mine is yours, and if you still need space, I won't bother you. But please know that you don't have to move somewhere. You are very much welcome here."

That made her feel better, so she offered him a small smile and nod. "I'll think about it. Thank you."

.

Hermione could not sleep for a few nights now. All she could see when she closed her eyes was him. Her dreams were filled with memories and fantasies of Severus. One night, she woke up reaching beside her, only to find it empty.

She loved him.

As much as she disliked his actions and regretted what transpired between them, she needed him.

In the morning of the following weekend, before making her final decision, Hermione thought of going to Muggle London again to unwind. Perhaps she could find a good book or see a good movie. She left her flat in her Muggle clothes and walked for more than 20 minutes. Yes, it was cold outside, but she preferred walking because she could clear her head. She first reached a cosy Muggle bookstore that had been standing there since the '60s. She knew because her parents told her about it. This was the bookstore where her dad used to take her – or where her dad would be taking Hermione often.

She went inside and found it almost empty. It wasn't the most famous bookstore in the area, but Hermione and her dad liked it. The counter was empty, and when Hermione went to explore the titles on the shelves, she was surprised to find one person looking at her intently.

"It is you," Helen Granger whispered, looking at her in awe. The older woman was standing less than five feet away from Hermione, and she had this emotional look on her face. As always, she was dressed in white and black. Her white coat was pristine; her black boots were shiny. Her black trousers were crisp. Helen Granger was also wearing a cream cotton shirt that surely smelt clean and fresh, Hermione knew.

Hermione smiled rather nervously. Why do I keep on bumping into her? Am I going to mess up the timeline? "Hello. I'm surprised you still remember me."

Helen Granger continued to regard her. She looked like she wanted to say something but decided against it.

"I…" She trailed off, then bit her lip. "I'm happy to see you again," she found herself saying. It was true. It had been a while since the last time she had spoken to her parents. After the war, she searched for them with the help of some Aurors, but she could not find them.

Now, she was thinking… Maybe all of these were meant to happen. Perhaps, the older Hermione hid her parents after the younger Hermione sent them to Australia.

"You have the same freckles," Helen murmured.

Hermione did not know how to respond to that. This was her mother. Of course, she would know her. She knew every birthmark, and apparently every freckle she had.

"Helen! William is on the phone. It's urgent!" came an old woman's voice from somewhere behind. She sounded worried.

Helen Granger scrambled and jogged to the counter. Hermione followed her and watched as her mother answered the call.

"William? What? Why haven't you called an ambulance? Hermione can't fly! Call an ambulance now!" Helen Granger looked horrified, and her eyes were on Hermione as she was speaking on the phone with her husband.

Hermione tried her best to remember any accident she had when she was young. Her parents told her she had fallen off a tree when she was a toddler, leaving a scar on her left arm, just below her elbow. She touched the spot, although it was covered by the sleeves of her shirt and coat.

"What man? Who? Why was someone spying on you?" Her mother sounded hysterical, and she was looking at her like she was asking her the same questions. "I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Helen spoke urgently to the shop owner who also looked worried. She said goodbye, but she grabbed Hermione. "You're coming with me!"

Hermione decided not to protest. She knew that her parents were very intelligent people. They were observant, and no one could fool them that easily. She remembered when Professor McGonagall visited them for the first time, her parents questioned the Hogwarts professor before allowing Hermione to study at Hogwarts. Why would she be surprised that her mother put two and two together?

She pulled from her grasp to stop Helen from walking. The older woman turned to her with a questioning look.

"I know a way to get there faster." She pulled her to an empty alley, reached for her wand, and made sure they weren't seen. Then, she Apparated the two of them to the Granger residence. They landed in the backyard, near the kitchen door. They hurried to get inside.

"Hermione? William!" Helen called.

"Upstairs!" came Hermione's dad's voice.

Hermione followed Helen to Hermione's bedroom upstairs. Helen ran to the bed where little Hermione was sleeping. She seemed to be better, and it was as if no accident happened.

Hermione looked around and felt nostalgic, seeing her childhood bedroom, but only for a few seconds because she caught sight of Severus in the corner of the room, wearing Muggle clothes – a jumper and a pair of jeans.

"Sev?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"

Her wizard strode to reach for her and pulled her closer to him. He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. "I wanted to see you. I promise I did not plan on talking to any of them, but she had an accident, and she was losing blood and had broken bones. I had to give her Skele-Gro and Blood Replenishing Potion. I am so sorry, Hermione."

She pulled away from him and met his eyes. "I am not mad," she assured him. "And I am glad that you saved her."

Severus looked relieved and kissed her forehead once more.

Someone cleared their throat.

Hermione turned to the two other adults in the room. Helen and William Granger were looking at them. Helen seemed to be waiting for her to explain something, and William looked confused.

"Who are these people, honey?" he asked his wife as if he wasn't the one who let Severus in. "Well, that one," he gestured towards Severus, "insisted that he could help Hermione faster and he said he knew about Hermione's abilities."

"He was telling the truth," Hermione said to Helen kindly. "I trust him, and he cares for her."

Helen smiled from little Hermione's side. "Oh, honey," she said to her husband. "Don't you recognize her?" She marched towards Hermione and pulled her away from Severus. "I've told you about her many times! Yes, I'd only seen her once, but the more I thought of her, the more I realized that she was ours. Look! Don't you recognize your own daughter?"

"What kind of prank is this?!" William said impatiently.

Helen sighed. "I know it seems impossible, but…" She trailed off. "Look at our Hermione and look at her! They have the exact same freckles, nose, eyes, and lips! The shape of her face… Do you want me to take a look at her back, too, if the map of Australia she has for a birthmark was there?"

"That won't be necessary," Severus said sternly.

She rolled her eyes at Severus's possessiveness. The birthmark her mother was saying that was almost the shape of the map of the Australian continent was located under the clasp of her brassiere.

"I have too many scars now," she told her mother. "You wouldn't see it clearly."

"What the hell is happening here?" her father hissed, not wanting to wake little Hermione.

"Let's go down to the parlour, perhaps, and we could answer your questions," she said gently and took Severus's hand to lead him to the kitchen downstairs.