In a small Estate in Wilshire England, Hermione Granger was just sitting down to breakfast when the morning post arrived. It was just like any ordinary day. Miss Granger gathered her mail and offered the owls their treats as she began to browse. She received letters from friends keeping in touch since they graduated fifteen years prior, until she came across a letter from a person she least expected. There in her hands was a letter from one James and Lily Potter. Thinking it odd due to the fact that they were long past dead she opened that one first and read the contents.
Hermione,
I know we have never met and it is likely that if you are reading this, that not only are we long gone but you are to be 33 years of age. We would first like to wish you a happy birthday.
Now onto the reason you have received this letter, my dear we would like to tell you that 31 years ago we sought out a dear friend of Lilys by the name of Jean Granger. They had been friends as young girls growing up. Jean and her husband Mark were having trouble conceiving a child for a couple years and the four of us came to the conclusion that being as they were your godparents that they should adopt you due to the war brewing in the magical world. They knew it was a difficult decision, but we had to give you up in order for you to live. We took Harry and went into hiding.
You, our darling daughter were born under the name Hermione Lily Potter twin sister of Harry James Potter on July 31, 1280 at 11:00 pm, 59 minutes before Harry. Harry has received the same letter letting him know of his sister.
If you go to Gringotts and take this letter to the head goblin in charge of the Potter Estate he will unlock your glamor as well as read our will stating you to be the heiress of the Noble and Honest House of Evans and your brother, the heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Please know that we love you and your brother and that giving you up was one of the hardest things we had ever done
With love
Mum and Dad
By the end of the letter Hermione was in tears. She knew that she was adopted but her parents never told who her birth parents were. Nor did she get to find out as they died before the end of the war in a house fire. So Hermione cleared her dishes and gathered her letter and set off to Gringotts to settle everything.
Upon arriving, Hermione found that Harry and his wife Ginny were there waiting for her.
"Hello Harry." Hermione said.
Harry looked at Hermione as if he did not know what to say. Finally, settling on "Sister?"
Before she could reply a goblin arrived to escort them to a conference room where they were meeting Griphook the head goblin in charge of the Potter estate. They all took their seats and waited for Griphook to arrive.
They did not have to wait long for the small being arrived just as they sat.
"I believe all are present for the reading of the will one James Cornelius Potter and one Lily Rose Potter née Evans. Before we continue will both Potter children present their letters? And I believe Miss Granger that we have an unlocking to undergo before the reading can happen." Griphook stated.
As one both Hermione and Harry handed the goblin their letters, with a wave of his hand Griphook had both letters authenticated and was ready for Hermione. He motioned for her to follow him to the back of the room where there was a stool surrounded by padding.
"Now Miss Granger, please step onto the stool, and we can begin."
Hermione did as she was told and stood still while Harry and Ginny watch with bated breath as to what will happen. Griphook went out of the room and came back with a few things needed for the unlocking. He walked up to Hermione and handed her a small silver dagger and had made a small cut in her palm. Then he took a gold chalice to catch the blood. After that he healed the cut and started to add petals of flowers including lilies and roses along with some form a liquid. As soon as he was finished he brought the gold chalice back to Hermione and had her dip her right forefinger into the liquid.
"Repeat this phrase three times while making an X on your forehead, then the chest bone, then the hip in that order, each time re-dipping into the mixture each time until the mixture is gone: With the Blood of my father and the essence of my mother I shall be whole."
As Hermione started she started to glow, first a dull white then by the end she was a bright gold, so bright that the occupants of the room could not see her. When the light faded into nothing Hermione stood there waiting for a reaction of her new brother.
"Y... Y-you l-look just li-like mm-mum" Harry stuttered. He was taken by surprise.
Hermione had grown two inches in height, making her 5'9" her once shoulder-length brown bushy hair was now hip length rich auburn wavy hair and her once chocolate brown eyes were now Bright emerald green. Hermione's breath caught when she looked in a mirror. She had no words.
Griphook nodded then had them move back to the table to start with the paperwork needed for the Potter twins. First was the will of the mother, then the will of the father before sorting out the twins' inheritance. Clearing his throat, Griphook began:
"'I, Lily Rose Potter née Evans, being of sound mind and body, do hereby state everything stated henceforth to be true, so mote it be.
To Remus John Lupin, I leave my collection of Herbology books and 40 Thousand Galleons. If for whatever reason he cannot be there then this goes to any and all children he may have fathered.
To Severus Snape, I leave my Potions Laboratory located in Diagon Alley, everything inside is your to do with what you will. Also, both James and I have left you with something more important stated in his will.
To my darling children First Hermione, I leave you the full of the Evans estate along with Vault 719 and its contents, enjoy my dear. Harry, I leave you my Wedding ring and the engagement ring, This has been passed down from my family for generations.'
"Now onto the father's will:
"'I, James Cornelius Potter, being of sound mind and body, do hereby state everything stated henceforth to be true, so mote it be.
To Sirius Black, I leave you as Godfather to Harry and a vial of memories, view these with aurors, it will save you. If for whatever reason you are unable to do so, this vial goes straight to the Ministry to be viewed.
To Remus, I leave you with my full wardrobe, enjoy your new look my dear friend, I also leave you with 80 thousand Galleons, use them well my friend. If for whatever reason you cannot collect these they will go to any and all children.
To Severous Snape, I have named you the Godfather of my darling daughter, she is to go to you if something ever happens to Lily or I. I know we were never on friendly terms, but Lily holds you dear to her and for that I want to give you the chance I never did before. Please take good care of her.
To my darling children, First Harry, I leave you the full Potter Estate along with Vault 631 and its contents. I leave to Hermione my journals and The Den (it is a cottage by the sea) Enjoy.'"
Gathering the papers, Griphook duplicated them and passed them to the twins', hand their respective Vault key before looking at them "Any questions?"
Hermione was the first to speak, looking stunned for a moment, "Um, so the letter I received, I was to go to Snape after our parents died? Why did the Grangers adopt me then?" She asked, looking confused.
Griphook nodded at her question, "The adoption was supposed to be temporary, the Wills were to be read after your parents death." He said, looking down at his papers, "I see here that the Wills were locked the day after their death by Mr. Dombledor." He said looking up after reading this.
Hermione looked at the elder Goblin before looking to Harry with tears welling in her eyes, upon seeing Hermione so distressed, Harry got up and engulfed his sister in a warm hug. "It is going to be ok 'Mione, I'm here." He said, looking at Griphook, "Are we done here? I think I need to take her out of here."
Griphook looked through his paperwork once more before ushering the trio out of the office and into another room. Stopping at the door he turned to them "This is the last stop, may your gold ever flow and your enemy bow before you." He said with a small bow.
"May you enemies fall to your blade." Harry said, returning the parting greeting to the Goblin. Looking down at his sister he noticed that she was shaking with sobs. They moved forward to the new room and took a seat as they waited for the next person they were to talk to.
Hearing shuffling, Hermione looked up to see none other than Severus Snape, Seeing him brought more tears to her eyes, for she had though he had perished in the final battle at Hogwarts. "Sir?" She spoke with a whimper.
Harry and Ginny followed Hermione's line of sight and as one their jaws dropped. Ginny was the first to recover, "How?" Was the only thing that she could manage.
Without answering Severus took a seat next to Hermione and looked at the table at a loss for words.
Looking up at the door once more Hermione thought she saw a ghost, gasping she backed up with fear written on her delicate features, Harry, after seeing how bad his sister reacted looked at the door and to his great surprise, he saw his beloved Godfather. "What the fuck is going on here? I demand answers. Who are you?" Harry blew up.
Sirius moved into the room and sat on the other side of Hermione, looking at his lap, seeming ashamed.
The sound of the big doors closing had the occupants of the room looking towards the door once more. A slightly taller goblin entered with a box, taking his seat at the head of the table he looked at those gathered before clearing his throat. "I am SharpFang, I am the head Goblin for the Evans Estate. I believe that all are present, yes?" He asked. Looking around the silent room he continued, "I am here to explain some things that may seem hard to believe. First I would like to state that I am simply reading facts and have dismissed all hearsay." He paused, looking around to gauge the reactions of those present. Clearing his throat once more he began reading one of the papers from the box he brought with him. "Severus Snape, age 53, Born the 6th day of January in the year 1960 to Elieen Prince and Tobias Snape. Stated here on the 2nd of May 1998, received, a fatal bite to the neck by Tom Riddle's familiar, He was then moved to St. Mongos for care where he was treated by specialist in poison and animal bites. After poisons were removed and the wound was tended to, Mr. Snape stayed in St. Mongos in a coma for 10 years, released to the care of one Lusius Malfoy until he appeared here." Upon reading the section, the goblin looked up, "Is this correct?" He asked.
Looking at the creature, Severus nodded, not trusting his voice at this point.
Nodding he pulls the next paper from the box. "Sirius Orion Black, age 54, born 3rd day of November in the year 1959 to Orion and Walburga Black. On the 2nd of May 1998, Sirius Black was seen by Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries, falling out of the Veil where he was rushed to St. Mongos to undergo multiple tests. Upon reaching St. Mongos, Sirius fell into a six-month coma. When he woke, he took 15 years to relearn how to walk, talk and function in society." Pausing again, SharpFang looks up at Sirius "This is correct?"
Sirius looked up, "Yes, correct." He said before looking at Harry. There was a small scuff from said man before Sirius looked back to the Goblin.
Hermione, feeling quite faint, looked at the Goblin, "May I be excused for some air a moment?" She asked. The Goblin nodded and Hermione left the room for some much-needed air.
Reaching the hall, Hermione lend against the wall before sliding down and placing her head between her knees, feeling overwhelmed. Snape her godfather, Sirius alive, it is a lot to take in. It had been really easy to accept that Harry was her twin brother but this was too much.
Reaching into her purse she pulls out a stand and a pensive basin. First pulling the thoughts of the battle of Hogwarts and the time right after. Thinking of Snape as her godfather seems quite odd, but also comforting at the same time. Unfortunately she was nowhere near Snape when he was attacked. She did look at her memories of that time and the time shortly after to look for clues.
Hermione realized that Snape, her godfather wasn't seen when the battle ended, nor was he in the Great Hall with all of the other fallen witches and wizards that night. With a deep sigh, she packed her things back in her beaded bag and went to the ladies room to freshen up before entering the room her brother was, retaking her seat she motioned for the Goblin to continue.
The Goblin gave a gnarly smile before nodding and looking through the box of paperwork he brought in with him. Finding what he was looking for, he pulled out two big folders and handed one each to Hermione and Severus. Turning to Hermione the Goblin began "What you see before you is your full Estate, lands, money, investments and properties, everything in the Evans name is now yours." Turning to Severus he gestured "This is the Potions Lab in Diagon Alley as well as all ingredients, journals, and moneys from sales." Clasping his hands together in front of him he looked at the two who stared wide-eyed. " I was given instructions to hand those to you as soon as the Wills were read, do either of you have any questions?" He asked.
Looking at the folder in front of him he pushed it away, "I do not want or need this rubbish!" Severus said before standing abruptly and made to leave the room.
Seeing this, Hermione slammed her hands on the table and stood as well, turning to her once professor now godfather "Don't you dare! Don't you dare call what my mother gave you rubbish, Lily, the one you claim to love and care for above all else! Don't you dare walk out of this room, That woman made you my Godfather, lord knows why, but she did and I'll be damned if I let you run away! Now if you ever wish to see me or get to know me as a person I say sit the Fuck down, Shut the Fuck up and listen to what else has to be said!" She yelled, her face flushed with the amount of emotion she showed and the anger she felt for this man. What nerve! She thought.
Severus, being a man of few words, looked at this waft of a woman with disdain "I dare! That woman chose who she wanted, yes, she may have been a good friend but I will not be made a fool of by the likes of Potter spawn!" He said with fury in his eyes. Looking at the folder on the table as if it offended him, "I dare, for the simple fact that I fucking can!" he spat at her before sitting down with his arms crossed like a chastised child.
Hermione moved closer to him and brought his folder to sit in front of him, opening it she pointed to its content, "Tell me, you always wanted an apothecary correct?" She asked, he nodded, and she continued, "Right here is a building, full of everything you need, a lab, ingredients, buyers, everything. What harm would it be to make it your own?" She asked him as calmly as she could before taking her seat once more, pulling her own folder over and taking a look.
Huffing a breath, Severus looks at the contents of the folder. " I have a few questions, first, who has been running this business for the past 30 years? Who are employed? What are the wages?" He asked, rapidly firing his questions.
SharpFang just nodded as he listened to the man speak, "Well Mr. Snape, if you will look in the folder you will see documents stating everything you need to know. There is the employment logs as well as the slips we receive for the payroll. Anything else?" He asked, looking at both Hermione and Snape.
Hermione cleared her throat "I um.. I see here that I have a mansion, does that come with elves? And if so, how many?" She asks
Hearing this everyone in the room, save for SharpFang, scuffed or snorted at her. SharpFang just looked at her thinking she may have lost her mind slightly. Clearing his throat yet again, he looked at the young woman and pointed at her folder, "Ms. Potter, Everything you need to know is in that file." He said, sounding exasperated at such a question.
Making a noise, unrecognizable to the occupants of the room, Hermione went back to reading her file. Next to her, Sirius was feeling out of place, not knowing what he was doing here seeing as Lily had not left him anything. "Why am I here SharpFang? Lily hadn't left me anything." He stated his thoughts aloud.
SharpFang stood and motioned for Harry and Sirius to follow him. Leading them to the hall he told them to wait for Griphook to return before re-entering the room and taking his seat, waiting for the two to finish reading. Ginny quietly hurried out of the room to join her husband and his godfather. The Goblin glared at her as she left, thinking he may possibly be here all day with the way things are going.
Looking up from her file, Hermione glanced over at Snape, "Is everything in order, Sir?" She asks.
Humming in response, Severus looked at the young woman, "Ms. Gra-Potter, I am no longer your professor, you may address me as Severus. To answer your question, yes, I believe so. I shall be going now, Owl me soon, we shall meet up and discuss things further." With that, he gathered his folder and swept out of the room, in much the same fashion as he did when he taught at school.
Hermione watched her newfound godfather leave before she too gathered her belongings and left the room.
Meanwhile, in the hall Sirius, in a somewhat awkward fashion asks Harry, "So, How you been?" Turning to Ginny he continued "and you're the Weasley girl Jenny, was it? No Ginny, sorry dear the memory is a bit cloudy since the time behind the veil. Molly must be so happy to have Harry in the family." He said, feeling awkward and out of place.
Ginny just nodded where as Harry looked about to explode, here before him was the man he looked up to, the last friend of his fathers to be alive. Alive, how did this happen? The only thing remaining in Harry's mind was 'What now?' He just stood there staring, frozen in thought.
What seemed like hours but in reality only minutes, Griphook returned, "Ah Mr. Potter, I believe we still have some business to attend, shall we move to the room?" He said in a voice one could say was chipper if it didn't come from a Goblin.
Moving back into the room, Harry, Sirius and Ginny took the open seats and waited for the Goblin to talk. They didn't have to wait long. "I believe, by the turn of events, that Mr. Black being here is a bit of a shock, but we must press on." Said the Goblin as he looked up at Sirius, "Mr. Black, I have a vial here containing memories of Lily and James Potter as well as Albus Dombledor and Remus Lupin, in these memories, you will be cleared of all charges placed upon you." He said, handing Sirius a vial of the silvery liquid, before glancing back down at his file. "Mr Potter, here is everything you need to know about the Potter Estate as well as any and everything involving your godson, one Edward Remus Lupin also known as Teddy. You will see that your mother and father have left things for a Mr. Remus Lupin, who is deceased, which then goes to any and all children he may have. Being as you are named godfather to the child, you have full custody of him as well as take full responsibility for any and all finances he may have." Griphook handed Harry a thick file with Teddys name on it before looking down at his paperwork once more. "This concludes this meeting, owl anytime if you have questions. Good day" He said before standing and leaving the room.
Harry, still stunned, looked at his wife then his godfather before he too stood, gathering his things, Harry started to leave the room with both wife and godfather in tow.