Thank you lavonne1962, paulaa90, Kareth Schara, Shirosaki-Yuki, Mo, Galatea Black, siriusbarks, Mojojojo, Meghan, Ashley Ayoub, Passerculi, chrisevansgurl, lexicon63738, Belieber Twihard, .3, LunaiWolfWings, kyrandiana, The girl with the broken halo, dixie326, Potter4Life, Anastasia Cross, AiedenKelly, lokithewizardhobbit and Guests... I'm continuing this story only for you guys... Love you lots... Please continue reviewing...

I do not own Harry Potter.

Hermione couldn't believe that she had just spent the entire day with Professor Severus Snape. Moreover, she actually enjoyed brewing and talking with her usually surly potion master. He wasn't his usual rude self and had actually answered all her questions with civility.

"Wow professor! Your technique is simply authentic. I haven't come across the process of cutting moon stones in any of the books I've read."

"Well Miss Granger, that is because moon stones are rarely used in potions. It is highly volatile and can cause disastrous results if handled incorrectly. Now, I believe that the potion is ready to be administered. I will conjure a muggle syringe and inject the potion after one hour to him."

"Professor, you know about muggle injection?"

"Obviously..." Snape conjured a medical syringe with his wand and examined it carefully.

"But how..."

"My father was a muggle... Despite what everyone assumes, Slytherin House is not just filled with Purebloods. If that had been the only qualification then I'm afraid that we would have only a handful of students. Anyway, Miss Granger, it's almost time for dinner. You've been punished enough by being in my company for the whole day."

"Oh no Professor! I really enjoyed myself today."

Severus scoffed at the thought. 'Of course, she's too bloody polite to say any different.'

"Professor, I'm being honest. There's nothing much to do here except clean this impossible house. At least I had a productive day with you. I really enjoy potions and I would love to have the opportunity to discuss other concoction with you again... Well, if you're free of course... I mean, you're awesome at it... That is..."

"Fine Miss Granger... I must admit that I don't find your presence entirely intolerable. I'll let you know when I'm free next time. Now, I must really be going."

Severus collected the potion in his syringe then held out the door. "After you, Miss Granger."

"Please Professor, call me Hermione... I mean, at least here, outside Hogwarts."

"Very well, Hermione, you may leave now."

Hermione left with a big smile on her face.

In Rowena's library

"Hello Walburga. How was your day?"

"I've been sitting here and staring at my lovely library the whole day. At least it's better than the gloomy wall. What did you do all day?"

"Well, I spent the morning brewing that potion with Professor Snape..."

"You mean Severus Snape?"

"Yes, do you now him?"

"Yes, he was a friend of Regulus. He was a very precocious boy, very talented."

"He still is... He's one of the most intelligent wizards I know. Anyway, I really hope the potion works."

"It will, it's Rowena's work. Moreover, it's being done by the brightest witch of her age!"

Hermione blushed and turned away to sit on an elegant chair near the desk. She felt a bulge at her pocket and took out the item. It was the diary she had taken from Professor Snape's room.

"Walburga, I've found your son's diary. I thought you'd like to see..."

Hermione enlarged the diary and levitated it so that it hovered in front of Walburga's portrait. She reached for it but could not touch it. So, she just stared at it with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"You loved Regulus a lot, didn't you?"

"I loved both my sons... Still do..."

Hermione was shocked at this statement. After all she had seen and heard, this was a very surprising revelation.

"I know what you want to ask. Why have I behaved so cruelly towards my elder son? I did it to distant him from our Family. You must know... I haven't told this to anyone.. but..."

"You can tell me anything. I promise not to judge.."

"I've never really believed in the pureblood supremacy. Neither did I ever support the Dark Lord's methods. My husband was a very cruel and proud wizard raised to abide by the pureblood ideology. Though he himself didn't join the Dark Lord, I knew he would want his sons to do the same. Regulus had been his favourite, so I couldn't do anything about it. I myself couldn't leave due to my wedding vows. But Sirius had been a rebel against blood purity and discrimination from a very young age. I saw this as an opportunity to save one son from a dark path and started to make him hate his family. Yes, I did burn his name away from the family tree when he left, but I did make sure that he got his rightful inheritance and money. I wanted to contact him after my husband had died, but then Rugulus disappeared and Sirius was taken to Azkaban. Then, after a few years, when I had gathered a lawyer for Sirius's trial, he refused to see me. It broke my heart to see him that way. Then my magic depleted and I died. I never got to tell him how proud I am of him. I never got to take him in my arms and tell him that I love him..."

Walburga was crying openly. Even Hermione had tears in her eyes. She stood and touched the portrait to comfort her.

"The day Sirius returned here, he was drunk. He was talking to himself that he had to be stuck here again. And that the war isn't over. He seemed so down... Like he's lost the will to live... To fight... I tried to console him but he thought I was mocking him. When I started insulting him, he came back to his true self and shouted back at me. I saw the fire back in his eyes. So, that's why I've continued acting like this towards him..."

"But that's not fair. He should know what you've done for him and you too deserve his respect."

"I don't know about that Hermione. I'm just happy that my son is safe."

"No, this won't do..."

"Leave it, let the things be as they are."

"No, I'm going to do something about it. Now, it's time for dinner, my presence will be required at the kitchen. Can I read your son's diary? I'll read it out to you if you like..."

"Of course, I would love that. Thank you Hermione."

Hermione took the diary and examined it. The pages were blank. She applied a few spells and observed strong enchantments.

"Your son didn't want this easily read. There are complex spells protecting it. Wonder if I can get a clue."

Hermione waved her wand and suddenly the word 'KEACH' appeared on top of the cover.

"What's Keach?"

"That's what Regulus called Kreacher as a child. I think I know what can open that diary... Kreacher!"

There was a pop beside Hermione and the elderly elf shot a disgusted glare at her.

"So the filthy Mudblood has taken Mistress's painting. Kreacher will make sure..."

"Kreacher, I hereby forbid you to insult this girl. You are to treat her as you treat you mistress."

"But Mistress... She is..."

"Are yo to disobey me, elf?"

"No.. no.. Mistress. Kreacher only wants to know reason."

Walburga explained to Kreacher about how friendly Hermione was and about Regulus's diary. The elf jumped at the declaration, hurriedly took the book from Hermione and stared at her with what seemed like admiration.

"Master Regulus cursed this book. Only the pure of heart finds this book. Only the destined can touch this book."

"What do you mean Kreacher?"

Kreacher tapped the diary with his finger and handed it to Hermione. She turned the pages and saw writing appear on them.

"Mistress, Kreacher is being called by filthy Master in the kitchen."

"You may go Kreacher, and remember my words. You should go too Hermione. Come back and read the diary."

"I'll be back soon."

"I know that my dear bookworm."

The two women shared a warm smile.

At the Kitchen

Dinner was a noisy affair. Harry was coming the next day and the adults were preparing for his transportation. Everyone else remarked regarding the disappearance of Mrs. Black's portrait. Speculations differed from self destruction to Kreacher taking the portrait for a heated snog (Fred's idea). Hermione seemed restless at her seat. She was anxious for the potion to work, desperately impatient to read the diary and had butterflies in her tummy thinking about her 'date' with Sirius at midnight. They had exchanged a few longing glances at each other during dinner but other than that, they hadn't spoken a word.

"Would Madam Hermione like her dessert? Kreacher has made chocolate cake with strawberries."

The whole room went still. They stared at the elf holding a plate of a delicious looking cake. Hermione smiled at the elf and took a bit of the cake.

"Wow Kreacher, this is delicious." Kreacher beamed.

"Would Madam like anything else?"

"No, that is all. Thank you."

With that, the elf disapparated and the room exploded.

"Why did you eat that?"

"ARE YOU INSANE?"

"It could be poisoned!"

"Do you feel alright 'Mione?"

"STOP... I ate it because I like chocolate. No, I'm not insane. I'm sure it's not poisoned. And, I'm perfectly fine. He would act the same towards you all if you bestowed some amount of kindness towards him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to my room for some reading. You're welcome to try some of the cake. Thank you for the wonderful dinner Mrs. Weasley. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Hermione dear. Sirius! Stop poking the cake with the wand!"

In Hermione's room

Hermione had barely sat down to read when there was a knock at her door. She open the door to find Sirius smiling sheepishly at her.

"I couldn't wait till midnight. So, I came to see you."

"No... You came to check whether I've been poisoned by your elf."

"Well, that too..."

Hermione let him inside her room and herself stepped out with the diary.

"I'm glad you did. There's someone who wants to talk to you."

Sirius was taken aback, more so by the soft and warm smile of the person.

"Mother?!"

"Hello Sirius. We need to talk."

Hermione shut the door after saying, "I'll be back at midnight".

A/N: Sorry for being so late... Had a lot going on.. Anyway, please review... Reviews are like fuel to me... Love you loads...