Chapter 61: Meeting The Parents (Part 1)

September 19th, Snape's Quarters, Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts...

Amber eyes fluttered open taking in the dim glow of the morning spilling into the castle despite being underground. Hermione Granger found herself alone in the large black four poster bed. She sat up in bed looking around to see that Snape's side of the bed had been empty. Hermione didn't understand what had been so important that the git felt the need to leave without not or awakening her especially today of all days. The bushy haired witch sighed and stretched her legs cringing at the feel of the cold part of the sheets against her skin. The urge to use the loo hit her and she found herself reluctantly shuffling out of bed. She had a busy day ahead of her, a trip to Muggle London to see her parents, a trip to The Burrows to see Harry and everyone, and to top it off she still had not seen Severus since the previous night.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Snape's front room, Slytherin Dungeons...

The Gryffindor witch wouldn't say out loud that she had been disappointed by the lack of attention from her boyfriend. She had even thought it silly to refer to him in such a way. Hermione gathered her clothes and got dressed walking into the front room with a chip on her shoulder. She had been so busy in her emotions that she had barely registered the scent of herbs and fresh earth as she found her vision had been taken from her in the wake of a lean body being pressed tightly against her.

"Guess who?" said a familiar silky voice dripping with lust.

Hermione couldn't help but smile. So he hadn't forgotten.

"Is this a frog or a Prince?" she asked knowing full well who it had been.

"How about a kiss to see if you can tell the difference?" he asked.

The hands slid away and Hermione's vision was restored. She turned to face him and he pulled her into an intensely passionate kiss. Hermione matched his passion wrapping her arms around his neck as his hold on her waist tightened. By the time they pulled apart they had both been a bit light headed.

"Well." he said staring into her amber eyes. "Which am I?"

"A Prince if ever I saw one." she replied happily.

Snape smirked and she wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him again.

"Happy birthday, Insufferable Gryffindor." he said with a rare warm smile.

"Why thank you, Slytherin Git." she replied returning his smile.

"So." he said in a casual tone. "What's on the docket for today?"

"A trip to Muggle London." said Hermione pleasantly. "Then I have to stop by The Burrows so that Harry can give me a party."

"A party?" said Snape with an arched eyebrow.

"Yes." replied Hermione with a sigh. "Although, I'd much rather spend my birthday here in bed with my favorite Potions Professor."

Snape smirked at this.

"Naturally." he said smugly.

Hermione giggled.

"Are you to shower in your quarters or mine?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Mine." replied Hermione still giggling as he began to kiss her neck. "If I shower with you, you'll never let me make it to my parents or to my party."

Snape smirked again.

"Perhaps." he replied then kissed her neck once more.

Hermione closed her eyes feeling the heat from his body seemingly spill over to hers. Igniting a need in her that she had tried so desperately to avoid.

"Severus." she said breathless.

"If you change your mind I'm sure I can make it a very...happy...birthday... for you." he said seductively in her ear.

Hermione had been so lost in what he was doing that she hardly noticed when he lifted her off her feet and carried her back into his bedroom. Her mind had been so clouded that she barely registered the softness of his mattress as her back pressed against it. All she could see and feel at the moment was the intense heat of Severus Snape's body as he towered above her biting at that familiar spot on her neck.

"Slytherin." said Hermione gasping for breath as Snape vanished her clothes with a wandless spell.

"Indeed." he replied.

Hermione was correct in the observation she made when she said that she would be late getting to her parents.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The Granger Residence, Muggle London, England...

Hermione had no choice but to apparate to Muggle London being pressed for time she couldn't make a show of taking the train. The bushy haired witch shook her head when she recalled having to nearly stun Severus before she was able to escape his clutches. He kept on insisting that it was alright to be "fashionably late" to her own birthday party and that she could always tell them that she had several "presents to unwrap" before she could get to the party.

The Charms Mistress stood outside the white one story house with a blue dark blue door. She tried in vain to compose a convincing explanation for why she was late no one outside of Draco and Lupin knew that she had been seeing Severus as of yet and she had not planned to spring the news of her relationship on her parents now. They had known about her adventures while attending Hogwarts and the battle against Voldemort and his death eaters. They had even known about her seeing the young Slytherin Sebastian Prince before he went back to Durmstrang Institute. She hadn't managed to fill them in on the her former Potions Professor and Sebastian being one in the same.

The witch had been a little disappointed that Severus would not be joining her for dinner with her parents but she accepted that the complications of such an event would be disastrous. Her father was known to be over protective of his "little girl" and would not have appreciated a Hogwarts Professor being the one to deflower her. Especially when they were not married and he was still technically, her professor at the time. No. Hermione felt it was best to play it safe until she could find the time to explain the full story. If what happened at The Burrows had been any indication, to how people would take the news...then her parents were really going to be upset.

Hermione had not known how long she had been standing at the front door before it suddenly sprang open and she found herself looking into the dark brown eyes of her father, John William Granger. He had been a man of average build with the look of intelligence in his gaze. His brown hair had been kept short neat and showing signs of graying, he wore a long sleeve gray sweater with a nice long sleeve white shirt buttoned up almost to the top. On his legs were sensible dark trousers accompanied by equally sensible black loafers.

His frame had been average as well and his pallor slightly pinked as he glanced at his now twenty-five year old daughter.

"Herms." he said both pleased to see her and disappointed in her lack of punctuality. "Happy Birthday...and I want an explanation as to why you arrived so late young lady."

Hermione sighed. Even being an adult witch had not dulled the sense of regret in disappointing her father. She opened her mouth to reply but before she could a voice interjected before she could utter a word.

"I believe Mr. Granger, that the fault lies with me." it said in a silky tone.

Hermione turned around shocked to see a twenty-something year old wizard with shoulder length raven hair and obsidian eyes dressed in black trousers, a long sleeve white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and a black coat draped over his shoulders. Hermione's mouth had been agape at the sight of Severus Snape looking very much like a slightly older version of Sebastian Prince.

Mr. Granger arched an eyebrow in confusion.

"And you are?" he asked not taking his attention off the young raven haired wizard.

"Sebastian S. Prince." replied Snape causally. " I'm a friend of Hermione's and a former student of Hogwarts, and Durmstrang Institute."

Mr. Granger's eyes widened.

"The boy from Durmstrang Institute of course." he said in a gruff tone.

"John, what's taking so long?" asked Mrs. Granger. "Who was it at the door?"

Before the man could answer Mrs. Jean Mildred Granger had come to the door to see for herself.

Snape had been astonished to see an average looking woman with green eyes and long sandy brown hair. It had been clear that her hair had been the same texture of her daughter's but years of experience enabled her to manage it. Snape marveled at how the two muggle's genes seemed to blend perfectly when it came to Hermione. Although it was clear the mixing benefited the young witch the most.

"Hermione Jean Granger." said her mother in a bid to scold her tardiness. "What on earth..."

The woman trailed off when she got a look at the pale young man standing beside her with his hands in his pockets and a boyish expression on his face.

"Oh my." she said catching herself. "I didn't realize you brought a guest."

Hermione looked over at Severus. Boy was she glad that he decided to show up when he did. Even if her parents being angry with her was his fault. Stupid Slytherin Git.

"Well, you're here." said John Granger. "That's all that counts I suppose."

"Come on in you two." said Jean Granger.

Hermione's parents shuffled into the house. Snape had been stunned by the clashing scents of jasmine and peppermint that hit him as soon as he entered the house.

{"What are you doing here?"} asked Hermione crashing into his mind. {"I mean, it's not that I don't appreciate it but...how and why are you young again?"}

{Already with the incessant questions.} said Snape in reply. {Let's just say Albus and I came to an understanding and we both agreed this would be the more suitable course of action.}

{"What do you mean Albus?"} asked Hermione. {"Does he know about us?"}

{Oh come now Gryffindor.} said Snape in a mocking manner. {Was Albus not the one that invited you to teach at Hogwarts, knowing that we would be near each other.}

Hermione looked to be giving it some thought.

{He's also the one that made it mandatory for me to mentor you so that you could get the concept of what it means to be a professor.} said Snape. {The man's a bloody meddlesome old fool.}

Hermione recalled all the events that lead up to their reunion. Albus did seem to have a hand in most of them.

{Come on Granger think.} said Snape. {How easy was it for him to manipulate Harry Potter, The sorcerer's stone incident ring any bells?}

{"You're right."} she said now that she thought about it.

{Naturally.} replied Snape.

{"Cocky git."} said Hermione.

{Insufferable Know-it-all.} replied Snape.

They exchanged secret smiles and ventured into the sitting room. John Granger glared at "Sebastian" as if to be sizing him up in the way that fathers do.

Snape sat on the sofa while Hermione made her way back into the kitchen to help her mother, feeling a little uneasy under the glaring amber eyes of John Granger. He had only met the parents of a girl he had interest in once and Mr. and Mrs. Evans were much more intense when it came to the scraggly looking pale boy with mismatched clothes and uneven hair asking about their daughter. He guessed it was guilt because he had already taken what believed himself to be protecting.

"Tell me about yourself, Mr. Prince." he said still sizing him up. "I take it that you can do what do you call it...magic like Hermione with wands and so forth."

Snape tried his best to keep a lid on his temper in the wake of the man's ignorance as to the true goings-ons at Hogwarts.

"Yes, I am a wizard." said Snape. "And as I've said I attended Hogwarts with your daughter, she and I were classmates...and yes like other magically inclined witches and wizards I do posses a wand, but I am loathe to use it."

"And why is that Mr. Prince?" asked John Granger curious.

"Because, unlike most of the inhabitants of the wizarding community, I do not put much stalk in silly wand waving." replied Snape.

"Really?" asked John Granger now very curious about this young man.

"Contrary to popular belief, there are other ways for one to exhibit their talents even among the wizarding class." replied Snape.

"And what are these ways if you do not mind me asking." said John.

"Well, for instance potions and elixirs are made with ingredients infused with magical properties that can heal, harm, or enlighten depending on the combination and intent." said Snape.

John had been utterly fascinated. The young wizard spoke with all the appeal and authority of a man certain about his lot in life and experience beyond his apparent years.

"Fascinating." said John captivated. "Do go on."

Snape opened his mouth to speak once more but was quickly silenced by the arrival of the Granger women.

"Hello boys playing nice?" asked Jean Granger.

"Sebastian here was just telling me a little about himself." said John Granger. "Apparently he's into something called potion making."

"Sebastian, isn't just into "potion making", Daddy..." said Hermione none too pleased about Snape's profession being generalized. "He's a Potions Master...it's a profession that carries a lot of weight in the wizarding world, kind of like you being a dentist."

She gave Snape a half smile and moved to sit next to him on the couch.

Feeling a confidence as well as an assurance in her adult hood, Hermione sat close to Snape and took his hand in hers. Her father noticed the familiarity and narrowed his eyes at them.

"I take it that you two are much more than friends." he said.

"Daddy, Sebastian is the wizard that I'm seeing." said Hermione tightening her grip on Snape's hand.

"Seeing?" said John Granger

"Yes." replied Snape looking into the eyes of Hermione's father.

"What does she mean by seeing?" asked John.

"He's my boyfriend, Daddy." said Hermione. "We've been dating since my seventh last year at Hogwarts."

She had not technically lied, she and Snape had been dancing around each other since that time.

{Your Slytherin is showing.} said Snape in her mind.

{"Perhaps you're starting to rub off on me."} replied Hermione.

John narrowed his eyes as he looked over the pale wizard his daughter had apparently taken up with. Jean Granger didn't seem to be all that worried. Quite frankly, she had begun to think that all of Hermione's studying and her overly ambitious nature would cause her to wind up being alone for the rest of her life. She was glad that someone could see through all the books and busy work to the real Hermione. The girl who still most certainly had thoughts and experiences like any other girl and a heart of gold once you got to know her.

Jean Granger had been impressed that Sebastian had not seemed to have been put off by her in the least.

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you Sebastian." she said pleasantly. "Don't mind John he's just a little overprotective when it comes to Hermione."

Snape smiled at the woman.

"It's nice to finally meet you too Mrs. Granger." he said. "Hermione's told me so much about you...I was impressed that she had come from a family with two dentists."

John arched an eyebrow at this.

"You are familiar with our world then?" he asked.

Snape smirked.

"Well, I ought to be." he replied. "I was born in the muggle world."

John looked at Jean in surprise.

"You were born here, in our world?" he asked turning his attention back to "Sebastian."

"Daddy, Sebastian's a half-blood wizard." explained Hermione. "That's what one calls a wizard with only one magical parent."

"Which one was the magical parent and which was the...how do you put it...muggle one." asked John Granger. "If you don't mind my asking."

Snape sighed. He had loathe to talk about his family life in any way, but if it eased the minds of Hermione's parents then he'd gladly oblige them.

"My mother is a witch." replied Snape. "A wealthy one if that kind of thing interests you but she wasn't always that way...my father was a muggle much like the two of you."

"Was?" asked Jean Granger.

"Was." replied Snape. "He met with an unfortunate end while I was in my 6th year at Durmstrang Institute."

He had been careful to avoid clashing the details of his own life with that of Sebastian's.

"So you do have some experience with our world." said John finding a bit of relief in that statement.

"Yes." replied Snape evenly.

Hermione squeezed his hand. Hoping the lessen his discomfort at all the personal questions.

{Is everyone in your family prone to asking bloody incessant questions?} he asked in her mind.

Hermione had to fight to keep from laughing out loud.

{"Yes."} she replied. {"But, you seem to be managing just fine."}

{Must be all the years of practice with you as my student.} replied Snape.

The bushy haired witch squeezed his hand harder. Snape ignored the obvious attempt to cause him pain.

"So Mr. Prince what are your intentions towards my daughter?" asked Mr. Granger.

{Let's see, should I tell him that my intentions are to get you alone, strip you down to nothing and ride you as you scream until the sun comes up the next day?} asked Snape in her mind.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

{"Don't make me hex you."} she replied.

"I am quite fond of your daughter, Mr. Granger." replied Snape causally. "I have nothing but the purest intentions where she is concerned."

{"Your Slytherin is showing."} said Hermione in his mind.

{Was there ever any doubt?} he asked casually.

"For now Mr. Granger, your daughter and I are simply enjoying each other's company." replied Snape.

Which had incidentally, been a measure of the truth.

Mr. Granger opened his mouth to speak but there had been a knock at the door. Snape looked at Hermione with an eyebrow arched in confusion. Jean smiled when she looked at Hermione.

"I almost forgot." she said happily. "Your surprise has arrived."

Hermione watched as both her father and her mother went into the other room. Snape continued to watch them, even her father had a big smile plastered across his face.

She could only imagine what this was going to be.