Hey everyone^_^A new chapter at last. Real life has been rather difficult but I am sticking it out. I have to thank some dedicated reviewers to my story. First I want to say I put your idea in this chapter voldyismyfather. I really thought your idea was awesome so thank you so much. I also want to thank my faithful reviewers Silver Star and Gingerstorm101 for your absolutely fantastic ideas that I really appreciate. Thank you to everyone who has been sticking patiently with me and my slow updates. I just moved and still happen to have no internet. I do however live near a library.

Chapter 9- Dealing With Patience

Harry silently crept towards Hermione's bedroom door almost like it were a wild animal ready to attack at any given moment. It was not like he was afraid of Snape or anything of that magnitude, it was just that he had never been very good at controlling his magic to the extent that the Potions Master seemed to always flaunt effortlessly.

'I need to learn how to focus my magic better. Snape will always have the upper hand because he is brilliant with dark and wandless magic. Maybe when I get me and Hermione out of this mess, I can ask her if she is up to teaching me more complicated spells,'Harry thought as he continued to look stunned at the piece of intricate dark magic that moved across the wood of the door almost like slow motion lightning, in ways that Harry only knew that his Professor could achieve.

Since Harry knew that the dour man was in his potions lab, he decided to come out with the words he had wanted to speak to Hermione since he had found out about the man being the girl's father. As far as he was concerned now was as good of a time as any.

"Hermione, I don't know if you can hear me, but I just really think we need to talk."Harry said before he paused and waited to hear if any sound was coming from the room separating them. Even though he heard nothing, mostly because he knew that at the moment Hermione could not speak, Harry still thought that certain words needed to be out in the open even if it was only to get the weight of everything off his chest. Snape was not going to stop him from saying what was on his mind.

"I know things could be better. We just have to be patient and wait for help to come. I know that Ron is probably on his way right now with some help to get us away from Snape's house. Hermione I am going to make sure that we have some fun this summer whether Snape agrees with the idea or not."Harry stated before he looked at the door one more time in determination, then headed towards the stairs having the intent to eavesdrop on the dungeons bat. He just wanted to see if Snape had any plans of his own for him and Hermione. His guess was that he was about to find out.

^_^HGSS^_^

'Something will present its self in a moment of need. Mad Eye Moody would be constantly reminding me, Harry and Ronald about constant vigilance.'Hermione thought to herself as she continued to stare at her bedroom door from her position of lying flat on her back on the bed that she did not wish to be on.

Hermione Granger was bored out of her mind! She had been thinking so many things through her head because of how tremendously upset she was with herself. She had never meant to mess up that potion in the first place and now she was a prisoner in her Potion Masters house still unable to speak.

'I have already recited the fourth years basic defence spells three times already by memory. I even went over all the other subjects in my head the same amount of times. I just wish I could have some company that did not require taking anymore bitter tasting potions.'The girl fussed in her head as she went through her thoughts about all the ways she could have avoided messing up that potion for the umpteenth time since it had happened. She was the brightest witch of her age and had never made such a blatant mistake or have such poor regard for her own well being in all her life.

Just as she was about to turn on her side away from the foreboding door to try and get some more rest, she could swear that she could hear someone other than Snape walking towards her door. 'Doesn't sound like dragon hide boots,'The girl thought happily. Her thoughts automatically turned to Harry which caused her to hold her breath in anticipation. She was really thankful that Snape had not cast a silencing charm over the door before he left her to her thoughts and misery.

Hermione stayed still as she pondered what Harry was trying to tell her. He didn't make what he wanted to say very long, but she knew that where Harry was heading was to a world of trouble that consisted of more punishment from Snape if Harry were to get caught. She just knew that Harry would have already of written a letter to Ron and his family asking for some help. She just smiled after Harry finished with his speech.

'Boys, they are such gits.'Hermione chuckled to herself in her mind. 'Things are about to get really interesting I am sure of it. I know that Snape is not meaning to be an arse but I need some freedom. If anyone can give me that, I know that Harry Potter can!'Hermione silently decreed before she could hear receding footsteps getting further and further away from her room.

Hermione sighed internally before she closed her eyes for that rest that she so needed as an escape. She just hoped that her dreams would not lead her to nightmares about her deceased parents, Voldemort, or Snape. She prayed that only pure darkness would sweep her away from the real world for a few blissful hours.

^_^HGSS^_^

"Albus, what is it that you needed to talk to me about?"Minerva asked as she walked steadily towards the wooden chair sitting in front of her friends desk. 'This office has certainly seen better days. It is always so cluttered with so many useless objects. The war against Voldemort is finally over! There is just really no need for all this junk.'The stern Transfiguration Professor thought as she sat on the chair and surveyed the room while the old wizard across from her resumed his seat at his desk.

Dumbledore just looked at the strict Scottish woman with a knowing smile. He was no fool and knew all about how he should clear out his office of some of his things, but he just could not bare to part with them. He was definitely a man who valued his possessions.

"My dear would you care for a lemon drop?"Albus asked as he held out the bowl of treats that he constantly offered to his colleagues. They were after all his most favourite sweets.

"No thank you Albus."

"Then would you care for some tea?"The wizard asked serenely as he conjured up a steaming cup.

Wanting to just get on with the conversation and knowing that Albus would just try more tactics to get her to drink some tea anyways, Minerva relented and just accepted the steaming beverage.

"Now can you please tell me why you have summoned me here?"

"My dear, can't an old man just want to enjoy some tea with a friend?"Albus laughed as he conjured up some tea for himself.

"Albus, I know you. Now I know that you are hiding something and you would be a fool to not tell me."Minerva stated as she took a sip from her tea then took a calming breath.

"You always were tricky to fool my dear."Albus said before he set his cup of tea on the desk with his serene smile still in place. He looked over his half-moon spectacles, that were on the bridge of his nose, to look over his colleague. "I am afraid that the time is not now to reveal my true plans to you, but I must ask you a favour. Would you be so kind in setting my affairs straight with the Minister of Magic? Much paperwork still needs to be done and as the deputy Headmistress I must insist that you take care of this for me as I take leave for the day to run another errand.''Dumbledore said sternly while still smiling.

''I do not have a choice in the matter now do I Albus?''Minerva asked exasperatedly as she crossed her legs. 'This man always has a way with his actions.'

''Thank you my dear. You will only have to wait a little longer before I let you in on my plan. Since the war has ended there is much to be done for the ministry.''Dumbledore claimed serenely once again.

Minerva just sighed then stood from her seat. She did not know what her old friend was up to, but knew that she could trust him explicitly.

''I will take you word on whatever you are planning. I will do this task for you, but after all of this is done, we are going to have a long talk Albus.''

''I would not expect anything less from you. Good day my dear!''

With everything said and done, Minerva Mcgonagall walked over towards the old fireplace near the far wall of the office and grabbed a handful of floo powder. She looked over one more time at her old friend before walking into the fireplace and dropping the powder. Green flames licked at her before she yelled out her destination ''Ministry of Magic'' and vanished before Albus Dumbledore`s eyes.

''Now that is settled I can sort out other priorities. The time is almost upon me to see what is going to happen next in my plan.''Dumbledore said to himself before he took his wand out to clear his desk of some papers and the two cups of tea.

^_^HGSS^_^

The brewing went over well and now Snape had another batch of healing potions ready for his child. He had only been upset with her because of how stubborn she was to accept his help and act like the Snape she should be. Now he just felt a slight twinge of guilt for his actions. This having his own child thing was definitely making him to soft for his own good.

He took the flasks, in which the potions were in, and put them in his cloaks inside pocket before leaving his lab and heading towards his family's library. He hated how empty this place felt all the time as he went back up the stairs and through the halls. His parents had died many years ago and still the place felt as empty as ever even with the children upstairs.

'I need to find that book. It wasn't in the box of mine and mum's things. I just know that it was last seen by my old school books.'Severus thought as he searched bookshelf among bookshelf for the one book that would surely change his daughter's perspective on things. He needed her to learn about her family and its roots even if it was painful for him with his history.

'My old potions texts! It has to be with them.'With that thought, Severus swiftly made his way towards the tomes that he worked with through his school career. The books were torn in places and smelled a tad rusty with all the dust on them, but he froze in expectation when he saw the book he had not seen or even thought about since his mum had died.

Taking the book from its place off the shelf, he wiped the dust off of the cover then started to look through it for anything he did not want Hermione to find. 'I will not allow that muggle of a 'father' to taint my daughter's thoughts.'Severus thought as he ripped out a page of the book.

Besides the page, the book was clean with information that his daughter should know. He crumpled the loose page up than vanished it with his wand to the waste basket in the kitchen.

With a satisfied smirk, Snape stalked his way to his daughter's bedroom with quick strides. It only took a quick wave of his wand to take the dark magic off of the door that held the girl prisoner, not to mention the age lines that held her to the bed.

^_^HGSS^_^

Hermione jolted awake at the sound of the door opening. Her thoughts were a little hazy but she was no fool with intruders. She just put her fists up, prepared for a fight if need be, for her own defence. 'Constant Vigilance.'She thought in fright.

The girl silently huffed in exasperation when she recognized the intruder as Snape. 'It is always going to be Snape!I don't know why I even try to be alert. This man just doesn't know how to leave me alone.'She thought as she glared at the man.

'My paranoid daughter and as well she should be. It is a great defence mechanism.'Snape thought as he stepped closer to Hermione.

"I know that I am probably the last person that you wish to see, but believe me it is necessary."Snape stated in his teaching tone of voice. "I have brought the potions that you need to take and a book that you might be interested in reading.

At the mention of the word 'book' Hermione stopped glaring at her Potions Master and looked at him with curiosity and something else that Snape couldn't quite place.

"Yes, I have a book with me. I also wish to go into your mind so I can read your thoughts on the surface if you are willing to allow me to do so. I have not been the best parent in the world but I am willing to hear what you wish to say to me."Snape said as he waited for Hermione to make some sort of decision.

'I don't know if I should trust him or not. I mean he was a Death Eater working for Voldemort, but he also tried his best to save me when the potion exploded all over me. Weighing the pros and cons, Hermione finally made up her mind on what she wanted. The girl nodded her head in a yes motion then put her hands gently in her lap as she sat cross legged on the bed.

Snape just took her movements as a yes to plunge into her mind, so he silently cast the 'Legilimens' spell.

'I wonder if he is in my head yet?'The girl pondered in wonder.

'I am not one to lie about something like that Miss. Granger.'Snape spoke clearly in her head.

Hermione jumped about a foot in the air. She was just not expecting his voice to be so loud. It echoed around in her thoughts almost like they could be her own words.

'That is so weird!I actually have Snape in my head.'

'How astute of you girl. Believe me that when I say I am less than ecstatic about this situation, that it is true. Now to more pressing matters.'Snape spoke in clear agitation.

'Why did you lock me away? I get that you are my real father and that you needed to help me, but why won't you let me go near Harry?'Hermione thought in confusion. She just could not help the feeling of loneliness that came over her. Even Snape could feel this raw emotion which made the hairs on the back of his neck stand straight up.

Snape did not really think through how the girl was feeling about the whole situation and decided to give a clear answer to her questions.

'I locked you up to make sure that you stayed out of harms way while you were healing. I thought that would be obvious. I did not want anything to happen to you while your body needed its rest. As for Potter, the boy is a magnet for trouble. I do not want him to corrupt you more than you already are which is where this book I have comes in.

Hermione heard Snape's answers and for the most part had to agree with them. It was a wonder that she nor Harry or Ron ever got captured or killed by Voldemort on the several dangerous adventures that they had had. She knew so many things could have gone wrong. She also knew that because of her brain, she had saved Harry and Ron on several occasions.

'What is this book?'Hermione asked as her curiosity finally took over. The Gryffindor in her just really wanted to know why Snape was holding this certain book in such high regard.

'This book I have happens to be your grandmother's journal.'

'You mean that the book was your mother's, Eileen Prince.'

Snape refrained himself from rolling his eyes. He also had no idea that Hermione even knew the name of his mother. This girl was definitely quite the puzzle to him.

'Yes, this journal was my mum's. She wrote everything of her life in this thing. I think you could learn a lot from this if you read through it.'Snape stated before he let up on his spell and came back to his body in reality.

One lone tear slid down Hermione's cheek as Snape exited her mind. She could not believe that her mean Potions Master was going to let her read his mum's personal journal. It seemed like Snape was trying to make amends with her.

Snape watched Hermione as she took her right hand and wiped at the tear as fast as possible. He just knew that Hermione didn't want him seeing her tears. It was definitely her Gryffindor pride speaking. Snape was internally grateful. He did not do well when children cried. He really detested it to say the least.

"I want you to take these potions before I hand you the book."Snape calmly said to the upset girl.

Hermione just nodded as she drank the nasty potions that Snape handed to her. She hated them so much! Then to her surprise, Snape took out his wand and removed the age lines around her bed.

"I will trust that you will stay put for awhile and just read. I do want to see the annoying Gryffindor know-it-all all better and ready to read all the books in my family's library."Snape said before he was pounced by the girl in a bone crushing hug. He just knew that the mention of his library would get a reaction of the sort from this bookworm.

Hermione could not believe that Snape was allowing her to use his private library when she was better. She could not even explain the bubble of happiness that swelled within her at being told that information.

Snape quickly hid the slight flush of red in his cheeks from embarrassment. He was not used to such a reaction to something that he said.

"Now how about you get back on your bed and start reading this journal."Snape said as calmly as he could.

Hermione obliged by taking the journal out of Snape's hands and lying back down upon her bed.

"I will be back up a little later with some dinner."

After one more look at the girl who was comfortably lying down and reading, Snape left the room with his robes billowing out around him in satisfaction. This time though, he just decided to close the door and leave it be without any magic imprisoning what was his. He was going to try to stop himself from being so possessive all the time.

Just as he was about to turn the corner down the upstairs hallway, he caught a slight glimpse of Potter. He was sure that the boy was eavesdropping on him. He even thought he saw the boy just as he was leaving his lab earlier. He had just thought that his mind was playing tricks on him from the long morning that he had had. Now he knew that the brat was being a nosey Gryffindor.

"Potter I know your behind that corner. I want you to stop with the eavesdropping boy."Snape growled as the boy appeared in front of him. Snape could not believe how just like his father this boy was.

"I wasn't eavesdropping sir."Harry said stiffly.

"Don't you dare lie to me boy! I saw you earlier as I was coming up from my lab. I just thought that you were putting cleaning supplies away."Snape coldly said. He was not liking Potter's tone.

"If you are done, I am going to go to my room now."

"Not so fast boy. We need to talk."Snape all but snarled as he grabbed a hold of the boy's shirt sleeve in a firm grip.

"I have nothing to say to you you git."Harry yelled making Snape pull Harry so close to him that their noses were almost touching. Harry could feel Snape's breath on his face.

"You will stop with the language right now or else Potter."Snape spoke in a deadly whisper. Snape was done with the boy's poor attitude.

"Or else what?I know, you will starve me for a week or better yet look me in my room like you did to Hermione. You are just like the Dursley's you bastard!"Harry stated coldly as he wrenched his arm out of Snape's grasp. He was not in the mood to fight with Snape right now.

When Harry was spying on Snape for a short while, he knew that Snape's plan consisted of turning him and Hermione into some mad form of himself. He had seen Snape talking to himself while making some Potions and had even found a crumpled up piece of parchment having something to do with someone named Tobias and Eileen. He had only seen it because he tripped over the rubbish bin in the kitchen in his haste to follow Snape upstairs to the library.

Snape was a little taken aback about what the boy had just said to him and would put that in the back of his mind to sort out later. He had always known that the Dursley's were not the right parental figures. He had never liked Petunia as a child. He had also heard stories from Dumbledore, Hagrid and Molly Weasley about how these muggle relatives put bars on the boy's window and trapped him in a cupboard until he was admitted to Hogwarts as a wizard for the very first time. Even through his anger he could somehow sort through his thoughts even if the boy reminded him so much of his arch enemy, James Potter.

"Potter, I can make you do detentions even though we are away from the school. I have already made you do some chores don't make me punish you even more for that attitude."Snape said while glaring at the boy.

"You have do do better than chores and detentions. The Dursley's have you beat in the punishment category. I am tired of you constantly picking on me."Harry continued to say before they heard a loud knocking on the back door of the house.

Snape just glared intently for a minute as the knocking continued. He was not done with the boy. Not by a long shot. He just turned on his heals and headed down the stairs to answer the door.

'Who the bloody hell would visit me at my house during the summer?I do not have any visitors.'Snape growled to himself as he listened to the boy making his way down the stairs behind him.

"Potter you will stay behind me and let me deal with whoever this is."Snape demanded as he pierced the boy with his coal coloured eyes then turned his attention towards the wooden door in front of him.

Harry just nodded his head curtly in Snape's direction and waited as Snape turned to door handle.

"Hello my boys."Albus Dumbledore said as he walked into the front foyer of Snape's home.

"Dumbledore?"

"Headmaster?"

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please Review.