A/N – Just finish HBP a few days ago and cried my eyes out. My story is now a bit AU now because of how the story ended up, but I'm going to keep on going like I planned on before HBP, hope you all don't mind since you seem to like my story anyway… Okay, so it's been about a month since I've updated. Not nearly as bad as last time. Although I must warn you all that I'm going on vacation in a week and will be gone for a week, so I won't be able to write during that time. I am also getting a job soon, and that will limit my posting abilities. But I will try as hard as I can to get ahead of myself before the school year starts. I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but there wasn't really anything else I can put in it, although this chapter is quite important… read on!
Summary – Years after Hogwarts, Hermione has lost everything. Her family, her pride, one of her best friends, and her true love. But in the process, she has gained a beautiful daughter, even if her profession is shameful. What happens when the truths are revealed and it turns out she messed things up worse than ever? Her chances at love again, deterred because of a stupid mistake. Will love get a second chance? Or will she push him away after all these years? A bit AU post HBP
Rating – M, for obvious reasons and later chapters
Disclaimer - It really is mine! JKR just stole all of my ideas! And now she's the one making millions of dollars off of books, posters, movies, and other propaganda. God help me, I've gone insane. Cries heavily Okay… it's not mine… none of it. WAAAAAAA!
Chapter 7
Hermione stood in front of her mirror, mind distraught with confusion and anger and so many more things that she couldn't name. She sighed and started to brush her hair out, trying to calm down. That encounter with Snape yesterday had jolted her so bad. The main thing that was bothering her was the haunting look he gave her before he left. Why should he care about her or her daughter? He's the one who left them, technically, not the other way around. Plus he doesn't even know Senity's his. It's his own damn fault…
She shook her head as the memories flooded her, trying to get them out. It wasn't working too well. She could remember every touch he ever gave her, every word whispered, and every feeling left unspoken. No tears fell from her eyes this time though, they were all gone… for now. She sighed as she finished with her hair. She put the brush down and sat on her bed, still starring in the mirror.
"He's right…" she said softly. "How can you live with yourself? You're a dirty and ugly stupid bitch who should've never given up her dreams," she said, her voice growing louder as she grabbed her brush and chucked it at the mirror, making a loud crashing noise, sending pieces all over the floor. She started to sob slightly, no tears, just dry heaving sobs.
She heard steps coming up the stairs, but didn't bother hiding anything. Harry burst through the door.
"Mione, are you okay?" he asked worriedly as he looked from her crying figure to the broken glass all over the place. He sighed heavily and whipped out his wand and cleaned up the glass. "Mione, what's going on?"
"Harry… how can you look at me? How can you be friends with me when I do such a terrible, disgusting thing?" she asked as she sobbed a bit more.
"Mione… what got that into your head!" he asks, rushing to her side. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder and held her close.
"Harry, I'm a dirty whore and yet you still are friends with me."
"Mione, that's what I'm supposed to do: BE YOUR FRIEND!" She sobbed more and cried into Harry's chest. Harry just rubbed her back, trying to sooth her, make her feel better. It still wasn't working.
"I'm gonna make things right Harry. I'm gonna get a real job and make a real living and be a real person. It may mean I have to insert my foot in my mouth or shove my pride aside, but I'm gonna do it, so help me god." Harry just nodded as he let her cry into his chest.
She slowly approached the iron wrought gates, starring at them in fright and awe. Pushing them open with a slow, high-pitched creak she stepped through the threshold into her past, into discarded but never forgotten memories. She walked slowly, taking in all of the scenery. It hadn't changed much at all. Hagrid's hut still puffed smoke and was still along the edge of the forest. She could see that he was already growing the magically made pumpkins for the schools Halloween celebration. The Whomping Willow still stood, proud as ever, rooted permanently on its spot.
She trudged up the winding stone path, reluctant to return. But there was no other choice. The old memories were already brought up and could not be buried again. The castle came into view, large and cold looking, but, just like always, it looked welcoming. Hermione was home.
She opened the heavy wooden oak doors slowly and crept in. She almost felt like she was intruding for some reason, or sneaking around like they used to do when they were back in school. The only thing that bothered her was they always got caught, and normally when they did, it was by Snape.
She kept walking slowly, surrounded by an eerie silence that she wasn't used to in her alma mater. She walked a bee-line for the headmaster's office, praying to the goddess that she wouldn't run into any familiar faces from her haunting past. Her heels clicked as she hurried through the school.
Hermione was almost home free, the gargoyle statue in sight, when the exact person that she tried to avoid so hard approached the statue himself. She stepped back, hiding in the shadows as she watched him go up the spinning staircase, thankful he didn't notice her.
But now a problem was ensuing. She had to get up to the headmasters office in order to talk with him. She had even owled him ahead of time to make sure that he was free. So why was Severus going up to his office? Didn't most teachers live in their own houses over the summer anyway? Why was life so cruel?
She sighed heavily, knowing she had to go in sooner or later. Rather go in and see Severus where there would be a moderator than when he came out and saw her lurking around and questioned her alone… which could be dangerous. She steeled herself as she slowly walked up to the gargoyle, taking out the letter Dumbledore had given her and speaking the password.
"Butterscotch Schnapps."
The stone statue repeated the process that it had always done, twirling its way up to reveal and escalator-type stairwell. She stepped up onto one and let them lead her to the large mahogany doors that lead into her old headmaster's office. She took a deep breath before lifting the heavy gold knocker and letting it fall with a resounding thud.
"Come in Miss Granger," came the soothing voice of the headmaster from inside. She slowly entered the circular room and saw Dumbledore look up at her smiling. It was the exact opposite for the other party in the room. She didn't even get a cold look of indifference. Instead, his back was turned to her and he was hunched over. If this were six years ago she would have asked what was wrong, but now she could care less.
"What a lovely surprise," Dumbledore said with a smile and twinkle in his eye.
"I wouldn't say it's a surprise considering the fact that you knew I was coming," Hermione replied, playing along with his banter, not bothering to question why Severus was here, because that would show interest which she didn't want to do.
"How true… why don't you take a seat darling," he offered, indicating to the seat next to the Potion's Master.
"No thank you sir, I'm quite alright," she answered, looking warily at the seat next to Snape.
"I insist; your feet will get tired from standing so long. We will most likely be here a while." He gave her a knowing smile, a twinkle in his eyes. Hermione sat down guardedly, not sure what the headmaster was up to this time.
"Now, you are reconsidering our offer are you not Miss Granger?" the older man asked, giving her an almost stern look.
"Yes professor. I have realized that this would be a welcome change," she said, not bothering to elaborate on what she was changing from. He probably already knew, just like always.
"That's good. We need to arrange accommodations for you and your daughter though," he started off. She gave him a confused look.
"You will allow Serenity to come with me?" she asked, almost shocked.
"What else did you expect? Unless her father was willing to watch her…" he said, almost hinting. At least it seemed that way to Hermione. And he probably was.
"I'm a single mother. I was thinking Harry could watch her, but if she can come with me that would be great."
"I'm sure while you're teaching Madame Pince or Pomfrey would love to watch her. Or any of us other old teachers," the headmaster smiled. "We see to many angst ridden teenagers here, we all need a little bit of innocence." At that he gave a pointed stare to Severus, who just glared back.
"Sir, if I may enquire as to why Professor Snape is here?" she asked timidly.
"Well, Severus was willing enough to show you to your quarters and office." His eyes twinkled at this sentiment. Hermione figured that Snape was actually forced to do this, not of his own will. "Which I do think you should do now, don't you Severus? Miss Granger and I can have her debriefing after she's settled into the castle."
"Yes Albus," Severus said, uttering his first words since Hermione entered the office. He then stood up silently, nodded to the Headmaster and then turned toward the door, expecting Hermione to just up and follow. She did just this, not wanting to anger him more than needed. She bid goodbye to her new boss and then followed her old flame out of the office, afraid to be alone with him but without choice.
THANK YOU'S
Chalindra – I apologize that my chapters aren't that long, and this one isn't quite as long as it could be, and I regret to say that the next is even short, but I will try my best to make the chapters longer. I just need to use the small chapters to fill you in on some history, hopefully, if my plan goes correctly, the chapters will be much longer.
jean jelly bean – Well… I don't know if I'm actually gonna kill Ron, but he does get his comeuppance. And Snape wont give up, just… be very Snape-ish.
opi666 – I understand your concerns, and I guess that I have made her cry a bit, but that's just my perception on how she would deal with this. She's changed a lot since her Hogwarts years. Around people she seems to be very strong, especially her daughter, but when behind closed doors she cannot handle to keep it buried inside, which is what she has basically been doing for the past couple years.
MyEmeraldEyes – AYE AYE CAPTAIN! Lol I'm sorry that you've had to wait for the update. And I am flattered that you enjoy this story so much
wiccan-witch88 – no worries, I don't plan on abandoning my story… maybe delay its end, but never abandon.
runaway mental patient – I hope that this is a better update than last time!
Morena-Forever – thank you very much for the sentiments. And just a question for you, are you Wiccan or belong to some Pagan religion? J/w because your parting words, blessed be, is something that most people of those religions say.
Princess Kalye – Good point… hmm… maybe soon. He's never really looked…
prin69 – Wow, that is so weird. Although I've had my own weird occurances as well. The other day I dreamt that the manager from the local Taco Bell that I applied at to work called me and the following day she did! Weird huh. Anyway, I can't wait till his reappearance either! lol
lydia ScandalsMidnightMistress06, kissmesweetly, Sarahamanda, Varcolaci, andlatinachikita