Yuletide Potions X
Title: Yuletide Potions
Team: Spy for the Order of the Phoenix
Word Count: 5 x 100
Challenges: Broken Memory Charm, Comfort and Joy (eventually joy, I hope!)
Rating: G
Characters: Severus, Hermione, Hermione's mother
A/N:
Previously: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine.
From the way Hermione fidgeted with her bag, it was obvious to Severus that she was feeling hesitant about knocking on the door.
“We should go in now,” he said gently.
Hermione nodded. “I know. I just ... what should I tell them? I mean, they’ve tolerated my letters well enough, and have ... have been taking the potions I was trying on them, and have let me try various spells on them, but ... things are different now, aren’t they? They are going to want some answers from me eventually. Well, my Mum is, as my Dad can’t ...”
* * *
“Shh,” he whispered, drawing her close. “It will be all right. We’ll figure it out.”
He felt completely unsure what to do, nearly wishing that he’d taken Minerva with them as well. Although he wasn’t sure what she could do anyway - this wasn’t as easy as dealing with homesick children.
True, Hermione seemed to have calmed down a little when he’d held her in their workshop, but he was suddenly hit by the immensity of the task he had so foolishly undertaken.
Although when he looked at the young woman in his arms, it did not feel foolish at all.
* * *
Hermione looked up at him. She was amazed by how much his words - and his actions - could reassure her, once again.
“You will come in with me, won’t you? I’ve told them about you in my letters.”
“If I am to try and help them, I will certainly need to see them,” he said. “As for what you should tell them - how much have you told them so far?”
“Not much,” she confessed. “They think I’m an old friend from home. They don’t know I’m a witch - they must have thought I was a little odd, but they’ve never asked.”
* * *
Severus stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“I was considering using Legilimency on your parents, to establish if there are any real memories still present. I’m not sure how well it would work, but it could be a starting point. However, this may take time, and they would be certain to notice what I was doing. Perhaps some - selective - honesty would be best now.”
Hermione looked down.
“I have to tell them that I was the one responsible for Dad’s condition, don’t I?” she whispered.
“I don’t think that would be wise now,” he said. “Eventually yes, but not now.”
* * *
Hermione took a deep breath.
“Let’s go in then,” she said, attempting to give him a smile.
Severus nodded, picking up his valise and staying a step behind her.
They didn’t have to wait long, a minute or two at the most.
The woman greeting them looked familiar to him, even though he had never seen either of Hermione’s parents before. She had the same brown eyes and he could tell her smile had once been as radiant as her daughter’s, although she was not smiling now.
“Hello,” she said - politely but without any warmth. “I've been expecting you, Hermione.”
--
Part 11 is this way.
Team: Spy for the Order of the Phoenix
Word Count: 5 x 100
Challenges: Broken Memory Charm, Comfort and Joy (eventually joy, I hope!)
Rating: G
Characters: Severus, Hermione, Hermione's mother
A/N:
Previously: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine.
From the way Hermione fidgeted with her bag, it was obvious to Severus that she was feeling hesitant about knocking on the door.
“We should go in now,” he said gently.
Hermione nodded. “I know. I just ... what should I tell them? I mean, they’ve tolerated my letters well enough, and have ... have been taking the potions I was trying on them, and have let me try various spells on them, but ... things are different now, aren’t they? They are going to want some answers from me eventually. Well, my Mum is, as my Dad can’t ...”
* * *
“Shh,” he whispered, drawing her close. “It will be all right. We’ll figure it out.”
He felt completely unsure what to do, nearly wishing that he’d taken Minerva with them as well. Although he wasn’t sure what she could do anyway - this wasn’t as easy as dealing with homesick children.
True, Hermione seemed to have calmed down a little when he’d held her in their workshop, but he was suddenly hit by the immensity of the task he had so foolishly undertaken.
Although when he looked at the young woman in his arms, it did not feel foolish at all.
* * *
Hermione looked up at him. She was amazed by how much his words - and his actions - could reassure her, once again.
“You will come in with me, won’t you? I’ve told them about you in my letters.”
“If I am to try and help them, I will certainly need to see them,” he said. “As for what you should tell them - how much have you told them so far?”
“Not much,” she confessed. “They think I’m an old friend from home. They don’t know I’m a witch - they must have thought I was a little odd, but they’ve never asked.”
* * *
Severus stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“I was considering using Legilimency on your parents, to establish if there are any real memories still present. I’m not sure how well it would work, but it could be a starting point. However, this may take time, and they would be certain to notice what I was doing. Perhaps some - selective - honesty would be best now.”
Hermione looked down.
“I have to tell them that I was the one responsible for Dad’s condition, don’t I?” she whispered.
“I don’t think that would be wise now,” he said. “Eventually yes, but not now.”
* * *
Hermione took a deep breath.
“Let’s go in then,” she said, attempting to give him a smile.
Severus nodded, picking up his valise and staying a step behind her.
They didn’t have to wait long, a minute or two at the most.
The woman greeting them looked familiar to him, even though he had never seen either of Hermione’s parents before. She had the same brown eyes and he could tell her smile had once been as radiant as her daughter’s, although she was not smiling now.
“Hello,” she said - politely but without any warmth. “I've been expecting you, Hermione.”
--
Part 11 is this way.