Defying the Fates

Defying the Fates

Chapter One

Walking towards the Great Hall, Hermione nervously ran a hand through her hair once more. Although she had pulled back her hair in a tight bun, tendrils of the unruly curls kept escaping. Strange that she felt so jumpy, as she had her first day at Hogwarts as a student. Taking a deep breath she squared her shoulders and entered.

The hall was warm, candles lighting the long House tables. Banners hung behind the staff table set against the far wall, five in all, one for each house and in the center a larger one of the Hogwarts coat of arms. High above her head the ceiling reflected a clear starry night. Students had already begun to fill their respective tables, their excited voices echoing in the hall. A few of the returning students greeted her as she passed.

Making her way to the Head Table, she sat down next to the smiling dark haired man who took her hand and squeezed it encouragingly.

"Ready for another year?" he asked giving her a wink. "All these annoying little gits."

Hermione laughed though her eyes remained dull. "Really Harry. If you find teaching so annoying perhaps you should return to the Ministry."

Harry's green eyes sparkled at her as he pushed his glasses up on his nose. "I find it more enjoyable instilling the fear of the DADA professor on impressionable young minds," he chuckled.

She smiled at him, this time her eyes reflecting warmth. Harry loved teaching. He had left the Ministry a little over a decade ago and would tell anyone who would listen how much he enjoyed teaching although he often bemoaned the headaches the students gave him.

Studying his friend a moment, Harry's smile wavered. Though he and Hermione were only a few months apart in age an observer would judge Hermione to be several years older than him. A petite woman, she had been a bit robust in her younger days, her cheeks flushed with a healthy glow, her eyes bright with inquisitiveness. The woman who sat beside him did not resemble his friend of childhood. Now she was thin, to the point her robes hung on her making her small frame seem even more fragile. Her once gold brown hair was streaked with gray at the temples. Fine lines edged her mouth and dark circles lingered beneath her eyes. Harry had worried over her for years as he watched her work herself into exhaustion while taking care of her two boys and her husband.

"So Alex will be entering soon with Hagrid," he said lightly, trying to make her smile once more. She rarely smiled. "Whatever will you do with all your free time Professor?"

Hermione did smile a little at the mention of her youngest son. "It will seem very strange without him underfoot. At least I am thankful that I will still be able to see him everyday."

Harry squeezed her hand once more. "I expect he will be placed in Gryffindor with his brother."

Biting on her lip, Hermione did not answer. Of course he would be put in Gryffindor, where else could he go.

Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, entered the Hall leading forty nervous looking first years forward to the Head table where an old ragged looking hat waited on a stool. Hermione spotted her son near the end of the line looking rather bored and disinterested. Alex had been born and raised within the walls of the school and he found all this common place though he had never been present during the welcoming feast.

Studying her son Hermione critically examined his appearance. Raven hair fell in soft waves to his neck, his deep dark sapphire blue eyes surveyed the room around him not missing anything as he ignored Adrien's, his older brother, wave. Alex stood a few inches above the other first years. With his height and stance he appeared older than the other children.

The Sorting Hat open its mouth, or what one presumed to be its mouth, which in reality was a long jagged tear near the rim and began its song. The Hat had a new song each year and Hermione half listened, her eyes still fixated on her son. There was a round of applause when the Hat finished. Professor McGonagall unrolled a long parchment and the sorting of the students began.

Hermione tried to concentrate on the names of the students, placing the faces in her mind so that she could remember them in class. She heard Harry's soft groan as McGonagall called, "Flint, Rose Abigail."

"I do hope she is less trouble than her brother," he whispered. "Probably will go in Slytherin." Hermione was about to agree when the hat called out, "Slytherin."

Finally McGonagall called Alex's name.

"Snape, Sirius Alexander."

The hat was placed on the boy's head. "A Snape? Hmm. Most curious indeed for I see no Snape under me."

Hermione gripped her hands together tightly under the table.

"Well, well. Where shall I put you? Excellent mind indeed, a wit sharp as I have ever seen and oh my, such ambition. Yes, there is courage there too, but you will only fit in one house...SLYTHERIN."

Her breath exploded from her. Slytherin was an excellent choice and would dispel any questions over the hat's first comments. "Severus would have been pleased," Harry said smiling at her. "However, Adrien will have much to say about it I am sure."

"Will be Harry, will be," she corrected testily. She hated for people to refer to her husband in the past tense.

Hermione watched her son take his place at the Slytherin table. How she wished Severus were still the Head of Slytherin. The last child was sorted into Hufflepuff and she vaguely heard Dumbledore give his welcoming speech.

The plates filled with delicious food, braised lamb chops with fresh greens, mint jelly, and small potatoes with herb butter. Hermione picked at her food as she kept her eye on her youngest son. It was only after a bit did she realize that Harry was talking to her.

"So do you think Flobberworms will be a good addition to the team mascots this year?"

"What?" she looked at Harry quizzically. His grin told her that he had been teasing her.

Laughing, Harry ladled a generous helping of creamed peas into her plate. "Hermione, Alex will be fine and you need to eat."

"Yes mother," she said with a small smile, as she tasted the peas. Two spoonfuls later she pushed her plate aside.

When the dinner was finished, Dumbledore rose once more to go over the rules and expectations. Hermione glanced over to the Gryffindor table. Adrien caught her eye and gave her a shy smile, which she returned before turning her attention to Alex once again.

Dumbledore finished his spiel and bade the students to follow the prefects to their respective houses. The scrapping of chairs and chattering of the students filled the hall as they got up to leave.

As the staff rose, Professor Vector approached Hermione. "My dear," Emma Vector greeted her warmly, "I cannot tell you how pleased I am that Alex was placed in my house. Once again Slytherin has a Snape."

Smiling politely, Hermione agreed with the elder witch. A surge of resentment filled her, though she knew it was unfair to feel that way. Emma had only taken over Head of Slytherin when there had been no other choice.

Harry walked with Hermione out of the Hall and up the stairs. They walked slowly as students were still straggling up the stairs. "Care to stop in for a hot drink?" Harry asked, as they came to the third landing.

"Thanks but no. I need to go over the class planners again and get ready for tomorrow."

"Oh those," Harry teased, grinning at her. "Figured I could whip them out in the morning before breakfast."

Hermione laughed softly. "You never change do you Harry?"

"Would you really want me to?" The tone of his voice made her look at him. Their eyes met for a moment before she looked away.

"No, Harry. You know I love you the way you are. Good night."

"Night." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Don't stay up all night. You have first year potions in the morning."

Hermione gave him a small smile before heading up the stairs. Finally coming to the fourth floor landing, Hermione walked quickly to her rooms, anxious to see him, to tell him about the afternoon.

Dumbledore had been most generous in giving the Snape family the entire corner of the east tower. Most of the rooms had originally been used for storage but were now converted to comfortable living quarters. The main room held an eclectic array of furniture, some dark and heavy and antique, other pieces modern and Muggle. Bookshelves lined the walls, stuffed with tomes of every sort from old, crumbling volumes of magic to small paperback novels.

After a quick bath, Hermione wrapped herself in a terry bathrobe and pinned her hair up. Going to the end of the hall that connected the rooms, she opened the door and entered a small bedroom.

The room was uncluttered with only a bed, a small table and a comfortable chair next to the bed. The table stood against the only window, lined with many jars and vials. A large record book also lay on the table next to a pot of ink and a quill. The air was temperate, a permanent spell kept the climate mild, the humidity level always at the optimum. A soft aroma from a potpourri jar filled the room with the scent of a forest after a summer's rain. The stone walls were whitewashed and plastered with parchments. Drawings of dragons and unicorns, snakes and toads lined the wall along with letters and poems. Hermione had saved every thing her sons had created over the years and had wallpapered the room with it.

"My love, she said going over to the man lying still on the bed and pulling the soft white cover from his nude body. "Today begins another term. Alex was sorted into Slytherin, can you imagine? Once again we have a Gryffindor and a Slytherin in the family. Of course I blame this on you." Her voice was soft and caressing as she picked up a jar from the table.

Opening an earthen jar, the aroma of rosemary and camphor filled the room. Scooping out a generous portion of the cream she picked up her husband's hand and began massaging. Quick fingers moved up his arm to his shoulders, never missing an inch of skin as she massaged. "I have a feeling Adrien will have a rough way to go with his brother being in Slytherin. Alex is such a mischievous boy, and I must admit a bit arrogant, but I know he can handle himself. Adrien is so shy, so unsure of himself. He had the highest marks in the first year class last year but he still feels like he could have done better. He is planning to try out for the Quidditch team this year. I only hope that he does well, his self esteem is so fragile." She spoke softly as she started massaging his chest. The familiar routine was done with expertise as she applied the cream to his body.

Finishing with his feet, she pulled out her wand and carefully turned his body over. Renewing the cream she massaged his back. "Did I tell you Neville's daughter was sorted today? I just hope she has more of her mother's hand when it comes to potions. I know Ginny was never great in that area but at least she never melted a cauldron." Hermione laughed. "I wonder how they will take the news that she was put into Hufflepuff. You would think that two Gryffindors would have a Gryffindor child."

Done with the massage Hermione turned him over once more and settled his body gently back on the bed. Eyeing him carefully for hint of any sores she shivered slightly as she studied him. The lean, lithe body that she once told him reminded her of a predatory feline, now was gaunt, the skin hanging loose. She pulled the soft cotton cover up to his neck tucking it around his shoulders. Picking up a brush she sat on the edge of the bed and brushed the hair away from his face. Her throat constricted as she looked at her husband. His once jet-black hair was now more silver than black though he was only fifty-three, still young by wizarding standards. .

"It wont be long now love," her voice quavered. "I promise." She leaned over and kissed the dry, paper-thin lips gently.

Sitting down in the chair next to the bed, she picked up a book, opening to the page that had been turned down. "Now where were we?" Hermione voice was soft as she began to read."O Virtue supreme," I began, "that through the impious circles turnest me, according to thy pleasure, speak to me and satisfy my desires. The folk that are lying in the sepulchres, can they be seen?..."

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Dante's Inferno Canto X