Chapter 58: The Rights of The Guardian

The Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

Severus Snape stood with his arms folded across his ebony clad chest. He found himself looking into the twinkling blue eyes of none other than Albus Dumbledore. Across from him stood the now obsidian eyed red haired 1st year Slytherin Austin Embers. Minerva McGonagall had been in attendance as well unable to believe what Severus had done. The Head of Slytherin House had not been phased by the stares he got from the Head of Gryffindor House. Dumbledore had been silent as he took all this in looking back n forth from Austin Ember to Severus Snape.

"It seems Professor Snape thought that invoking The Rights of The Guardian had been the only way to ensure you continue with your well adjusted development." said The Headmaster to the young Slytherin. "As of this moment he is the one with full say about how develop towards your future."

"What does that mean sir?" asked Austin confused.

"It means young man, that Professor Snape had taken it upon himself to become a sort of father to you." said Minerva McGonagall. "To put it plainly he's practically adopted you."

Snape rolled his eyes.

"I have done no such thing." he replied. "I simply invoked my right as his guardian."

Dumbledore chuckled.

"Severus, clearly you have not studied the entirety of the spell you invoked." he said. "It says that you have blood adopted the young wizard, making young Austin Embers here your magical son."

Snape said nothing. He had indeed known what he invoked when he spoke the incantation claiming rights over the young Slytherin. It had been the only way to save the boy from a fate worse than his own. He simply had not wanted it blasted all over the school that he had been compassionate in any form. Least of all he had not wanted the Gryffindor Head of house to believe so.

"Call it whatever you like." said Snape indifferent. "All I did was ensure that Mr. Embers would have no further trouble with his so-called uncle."

Austin looked at Snape with a wide smile filed across his face. His professor had magically adopted him. He would never have to go back to that evil man or his crummy house. He could stay in Hogwarts and really become a good wizard like he dreamed.

Minerva shook her head. Severus Snape would gladly cover himself with honey and run though a bear's den before he would accept being any kind of compassionate. Sadly despite his best efforts to remain the loathsome dungeon dwelling phantom of legend he had been just that.

"I'm sure Mr. Embers sees it differently." said Minerva unable to resist chiding the young professor about his nature.

Snape snarled at the older witch.

"What you did for this boy was quite noble." said Dumbledore unable to resist putting a romanticized spin on everything. "It is a pity such a spell was not available when you were a student."

Snape rolled his eyes.

"Yes, a pity." he said sarcastically. "I would have either become a house cat or had subjected to twinkling blue eyes."

Dumbledore chuckled at this.

Minerva shook her head.

"Anything else you wish to discuss Headmaster?" asked Snape.

"No Severus, that would be all." said Dumbledore dismissing him. "You and Mr. Embers may go."

Austin climbed out of the chair and followed behind Snape as he made his way out of the office and into the corridors.

The young wizard had made up his mind to make his newly acquired father figure proud.

He began by mimicking his scowl and trying his hardest to keep in step with the long strides Snape took when he traveled.

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The Corridors, Hogwarts...

Hermione had been stunned to see Austin exhibiting good behavior. The boy had not acted out in class once and he proved to be quite helpful to her as the day went on. She had noted that the boy's normally soft brown eyes had become obsidian in just a few days but she had not understood why. It was reported that Austin had been improving in the other classes as well. Hermione was stunned when she walked into the teacher's lounge and they were discussing the sudden shift in the boys personality. Minerva smiled at Severus who rolled his eyes in response.

The bushy haired witch followed Snape out into the corridors and pulled him aside.

"What's going on with Austin and what does it have to do with you?" she asked.

Snape sighed pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Apparently, I'm his temporary father." he replied.

"What?" asked Hermione.

Snape sighed again.

"I invoked an ancient spell that gave me the right to be the boy's guardian." he said. "His home life was less than satisfactory and the boy wanted to be able to attend Hogwarts without incident."

Hermione took all of this in.

"He was being abused wasn't he?" she asked.

Snape looked away not wishing to go into detail, but nodded.

Hermione knew that something with Austin's young life had caused him to reflect on his own abusive upbringing.

"You are one of the sweetest men I have ever known." she said with a combination of pride and admiration in her voice.

Snape looked at her unsure of what to do with her approval.

Hermione quelled that uncertainty by pulling him into a passionate kiss. The Potions Master lifted her into his arms once again pressing her back into the cold stone wall.

"I love you Severus." said Hermione breathlessly.

"I love you too, Hermione." replied Snape giving her a rare smile.

He put her back down and they stood a casual distance from each other.

"So." he said. "You're really okay with being some one's mother?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

"Who said anything about me being a mother?" she asked.

"You're my witch, naturally that en-tells you being the mother of my children." he said.

"Just because I'm as you put it your witch, it does not mean that I am automatically qualified to be some baby making machine." said Hermione feeling her blood boil. "You are an unbelievable prat."

"So I've earned a new pet name have I?" said Snape teasing.

"I'm seriously considering hexing you." said Hermione annoyed.

"Take your best shot Gryffindor." he said. "But you and I both know that I'll be the one on the winning side."

Having made his point Snape left her clutching her wand still debating on whether or not she would be hexing him. Hermione rolled her eyes.

Even with her shagging the snarky git exclusively he was still very much a git.

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Snape's Quarters, Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts...

Hermione awoke to find that Severus had not been in bed. The witch borrowed one of the wizard's shirts and draped it over her naked body as she ventured into the front room. She felt the warmth of the fireplace with each step she took. Her amber eyes fell on Severus. He had been dressed in his black pajama bottoms staring into the flames sipping firewhiskey.

"Severus." said Hermione with concern in her tone.

"Yes witch." he replied his voice lower than usual.

"What are you doing out of bed?" she asked.

"I needed a drink." he replied.

Hermione walked over to him wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head into his back.

"I don't know the first thing about being a father." he said.

"Then make it up as you go." replied Hermione.

"You make it sound so easy." said Snape.

"Some times the biggest problems have a simple answer." replied Hermione.

Snape chuckled at this.

"Sometimes Gryffindor, you prove yourself worthy of being labeled "the brightest witch of your age." he said.

"And sometimes you worry too much." she replied.

Snape leaned down capturing Hermione's lips in a passion kiss. The bushy haired witch had been caught off guard when he swiftly lifted her off the ground and into his arms. She giggled when he kissed her exposed belly through his shirt.

"Where are you taking me Slytherin?" she asked still giggling.

"Back to bed." he replied matter-of-factly. "Only we won't have much need for sleep."

Hermione continued to giggle as Snape carried her into the bedroom. He had been right when he told her that they wouldn't have much need for sleep.

He didn't let up on the witch until well passed daybreak and only because they both had morning classes to teach.

Hermione had a hard time getting to her quarters even then.