Title: Hogwarts Exposed (8/24)
Author: Neil
Email: Brwneil@aol.com
Category: Action/Adventure/Romance
Keywords: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco, and Severus
Rating: R (for violence and sexual conduct)
Spoilers: All the Books, PS and TP by Barb, Mists of Time by Nightfall
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: The Covenant of Three defeated Voldemort at the end of their seventh year. It is now five years later and Ron and Harry are about to re-enter Hermione's life, along with a fifth year student that reminds her of someone special from her past.
Author's Notes: The defeat of Voldemort is credited to Mists of Time by Nightfall. The abilities and disabilities of the characters along with their fifth and, sixth year history are credited to The Psychic Serpent Trilogy by Barb Purdom.
Chapter 8
A New Life
Tuesday, September 23, 2003, 12 Noon
Lunch!
Most people look forward to this break in their workday, but not Ron Weasley. He hated the crowd that stormed the Three Broomsticks each day at this time, but as he had to eat, it was either fight the crowd or pack a lunch. And packing a lunch just seemed so unwizardly to him.
.
It wasn't the waiting in line to order food that bothered him, nor the difficult search for a place to sit and eat. It was once seated, that what he really hated about lunchtime occurred. That was when the staring and pointing would start. Now he knew why Harry had hated being famous. The big difference being that when people had looked at Harry, it was with awe and respect; when they looked at him it was with anger and disgust.
It was exceptionally busy today and it took Ron quite awhile before he found a table. He felt guilty occupying a table meant for four, but it wasn't his fault that most of the tables were set up that way. He had only just sat down when something he was definitely not expecting happened. A woman approached the table, or more aptly, him. While she wasn't stunningly beautiful, she was certainly intriguing, actually quite attractive, in an interesting sort of way. She pushed some of her blonde hair out of her eyes and said. "Would you mind terribly if I shared your table? It's extremely busy here today and I don't have long for lunch."
Ron looked into her blue eyes. "No, not at all. Actually I wish you would. I always feel so guilty sitting at a table designed for four. You're from America, aren't you?"
"Yes, I guess my accent will always give me away. I moved to England over two years ago, but I'll probably never quite blend in completely."
Actually Ron found her American accent quite appealing, but avoided saying so because it would probably sound like a pickup line. "What made you decide to move to this side of the pond?"
She hesitated as if not sure she wanted to share too much personal information with this stranger. "I originally came here looking for someone, but fell in love with the country and decide to remain."
"It is beautiful, especially this area." Ron said, "I used to attend school here, but have been away for a few years. I just returned a couple of weeks ago."
Her eyes had a twinkle in them as she excitedly responded. "Did you go to Hogwarts? It looks so beautiful. I imagine that it's quite impressive inside. We have three schools in the US that teach witchcraft and wizardry, but none anywhere close to that impressive."
"It is quite amazing inside. My friends and I still managed to get lost sometimes even after spending seven years there. I completed my education the summer of nineteen ninety-eight. I have a brother and sister, along with my two best friends that teach there now."
"Ninety-eight! That means you were in the same class as Harry Potter." The blonde girl for the first time truly looked at the ruggedly handsome stranger she was lunching with. She looked at his freckled face and the nicely styled red hair; she dropped her fork in her salad. "Are your friends Hermione Granger and Harry Potter? Are you Ron Weasley?"
Ron was never good at divination, but knew or at least had a good idea what would happen when he answered her questions. "Yes they are and yes I am."
Without thinking she responded. "But you seem so nice."
Ron abruptly stood up from the table, but before stomping off he replied. "That's how us hideous beasts trap or prey. We lure them with our charm and then slash their throats." He left her sitting there as he deposited his trash and made his way to the door. They're all the same. No one can see that there is still a human being inside this body with feelings.
* * * * * *
Hermione stormed out of the courtroom, Caitlin almost running to keep up as Severus called to her, from behind. "Hermione calm down. Yelling at the Inquisitor like that will only serve to get you reprimanded. They won't change their decision no matter what we say."
Hermione stopped abruptly and turned to face the Headmaster who almost ran into her, not having much time to react. She wrapped her arm around Caitlin's shoulder. "Three months, they gave her three months after what she did. Severus, the wizard legal system is corrupt. First Lucius Malfoy and now Madam Hooch. I've been involved in two trials where the defendant was as guilty as sin and in both instances they got off with basically a slap on the wrist. That horrible woman had her sentence reduced to three months. Three months is nothing, Severus." Hermione drew Caitlin closer to her and hugged the girl.
Severus seemed at a loss for words, but Caitlin looked up at Hermione and brushed the tears out of her eyes. "But Hermi…I mean Professor Granger, they found her guilty. The important thing is they found her guilty. She won't be able to return to Hogwarts, she won't be able to teach children. Isn't that correct Professor Snape?"
Severus smiled at the little girl. "That is correct Miss Garrison. As much as I agree that the sentence was quite insufficient; what is most important in this case is that she was found guilty. Her friends and connections bought her a minimum sentence, but the jury delivered the proper verdict. Those witches and wizards saw through her lies and realized you and Professor Granger were innocent victims."
Hermione just shook her head. "But three months, Severus. That's hardly a proper punishment for what she did. Caitlin could have…." She drew the girl close again and hugged her firmly. "Severus, she could have died."
"Hermione, I'm not arguing with you. The punishment was much too lenient, but it will do us no good to dwell on that. The important thing is that both you and Miss Garrison survived to testify against that wicked witch. Not only that, but she has been found guilty and will no longer be able to work or frequent places where children congregate. I for one will sleep better knowing that none of our first years will have contact with that woman."
Caitlin pulled herself free from Hermione's embrace. She looked up at the two adults. "Professor Granger, Professor Snape, thank you for caring. You can't imagine how wonderful it makes me feel to know that someone actually cares whether I live or die." Hermione started crying again as Caitlin threw her arms around Professor Snape. The Headmaster was caught totally off guard. No student had ever in all his years of teaching hugged him. At first he just stood there and then slowly he draped his arm over the girls shoulder and held her. Hermione vision was blurred because of the tears in her own eyes, but she was sure Severus' eyes were watering.
Just then the Inquisitor entered the hallway. "Caitlin, please stay with Professor Snape. I must talk to the Inquisitor." She quickly ran to catch up with him.
Professor Snape reached out to grab her, but she was too fast for him. "Hermione please don't." It was too late; Hermione was already following the Inquisitor into his chambers.
* * * * * *
The trip back on the train was very quiet. It had been a long exhausting day and the train had barely left the station when Caitlin fell asleep cuddled up next to Hermione. Severus watched as Hermione stroked the little girl's hair. She'd make a wonderful mother and a beautiful wife. Hermione seemed deep in thought as he dozed off watching her.
It was nine-thirty when they returned to the castle. Severus had no more then entered the door when Fitch whisked him off to correct some emergency or other.
Caitlin was about to say good night to her professor when Hermione said, "I'm a little hungry, how about you? Would you like to come up to my quarters for a small bite to eat?"
Caitlin wasn't really that hungry, but she didn't want the day to end. It had felt so wonderful being held and hugged by the Professor. For the first time in her life she had actually felt loved and she didn't want that feeling to end. Besides it was also a chance to see where the teachers lived. The students all knew they lived somewhere in the castle, but no one knew exactly where their quarters were. "I'd like that. Thank you, Professor Granger."
Caitlin memorized each corridor they walked and every turn that they made. Soon they were in a part of the castle that she had never seen before. Finally the Professor pulled a drapery aside revealing a staircase that led up to the staff quarters.
"Have a seat at the table. I'll make us some sandwiches," Hermione said, once they had entered the quarters. "Would you like pumpkin juice or would you like to try a butter beer?"
"A butter beer please. I find them quite good."
"When have you had a butter beer?" Hermione inquired. "I never had one before my first trip to Hogsmeade as a third year."
"Oh! Jamie gave me one the first day we were nu…. The first day we spent together in her dormitory."
Hermione looked at Caitlin questioningly. It sounded like she was about to say nude. No, that's impossible. What would Jamie and Caitlin be doing together nude.
Suddenly Crookshanks bound onto Caitlin's lap. The young girl was quite startled because Crookshanks is rather a large cat. Hermione watched in surprise as she finished placing the food on the table and sat down with Caitlin to eat. "That is quite unusual. Crookshanks doesn't normally take well to strangers."
Crookshanks purred as Caitlin scratched the cat's head. "I think he likes me." Caitlin seemed quite pleased. "I can't believe that wicked witch threatened him. "What did Hooch say to you? I'll get you my deary and your little kitty too."
"Yes, but lets not talk about her anymore. I asked you up here to talk about you." Hermione pulled a parchment out of her robes and laid it on the table in front of Caitlin. "Please read this and let me know what you think. The decision is completely yours."
Caitlin picked up the very official looking document. It already had a ministry seal on it and had been sign by the Inquisitor right next to the signature of Hermione Granger. Caitlin went back to the top of the parchment and began reading. She hadn't made it half way through the document before she realized what it was and burst into tears. "This is the real thing! This is a legal document. Does this mean…? Are you sure? Do you really…?"
Hermione smiled through the tears in her eyes. "It's a legal magical adoption paper. It has already been signed and approved by the court. I have never been surer of anything in my life. Because of your age, all that is needed is your signature and it will be official."
Caitlin was at a total loss for words. She just looked at her professor, soon to be mother, and broke into tears. Tears of joy that she neither could nor wanted to hold back. The food was forgotten as Caitlin sat on Hermione's lap and wrapped her arms around her. They sat like that crying and hugging until Caitlin once more asked, "Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes, I'm absolutely sure," Hermione said, giving Caitlin a squeeze.
Caitlin slid off her lap and took the parchment over to Hermione's desk. She dipped the quill in ink and signed her name to the document. She no more than finished when the documents disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Hermione looked at her daughter. "Its official. We belong to each other."
Caitlin was crying and yet she was the happiest she had been in her entire life. First I find a sister and now a mother. I love Hogwarts. Suddenly she was troubled by a question. "What should I call you?"
"That's a little tricky," Hermione answered. "As far as school is concerned you shall remain Miss Garrison and I will remain Professor Granger. It would be best for you if our relationship was not well known."
Upon hearing she must keep such great news a secret, Caitlin looked as if she were about to cry. "Not known to the entire student body," Hermione added. "You may certainly tell Miss Zacherley, with whom I have noticed you have formed a strong friendship. Use sound judgment as to whom else you tell."
"As far as when we are together that is totally up to you. You may call me Hermione or Aunt Hermione, whatever fells right to you."
"I never knew my real mother, but I always visualized her as someone like you. Would I be showing disrespect to her if I called you mum? My whole life I've dreamed of having someone I could call mum."
Hermione was both stunned and delighted. She had wanted to be called mum, but hadn't dared ask. "I'm sure your real mother is looking down on us right now and would understand. I'd like nothing better than for you to call me mum."
"Do I sleep here or in the dormitory?"
"Sadly we won't get to spend a lot of time together during the school term," Hermione answered. "School rules require that you sleep in the dormitory and take your meals with your classmates. It's probably best so that you establish bonds with your peers, but I really wish it were possible for us to spend more time together so that we could get to know each other better. You can come visit me anytime and I hope you will, especially on weekends. You do remember the password and how to get here?"
Caitlin nodded her head yes.
"It's getting quite late so I'm sure it will be alright with the Headmaster if you sleep here tonight. That will be your room." Hermione indicated a door just off the living area. "It has its own bath. Why don't we finish our snack and then we should be off to bed. Becoming my daughter means you will be required to run every morning." Hermione smiled and Caitlin knew she was not serious, nevertheless Caitlin intended to be there every morning.
"When you get a chance, you may want to bring a change of clothing up here. We'll get out and buy you a few more things so you can have clothing to wear both places. For tonight, I'm afraid you'll have to sleep in your bra and knickers."
Bra and knickers! I don't own a bra and I threw all my knickers in the trash. What should I do? I've had a mum for five minutes; am I going to start lying to her already. No, we are going to have an open and honest relationship. I want her to be honest and open with me and I'm going to be honest and open with her. "Mum can we have a discussion before we go to bed. There is something major I have to tell you."
Caitlin said she was going to be honest with her new mum and she was that and more. She was totally frank. She told Hermione about her first night at Hogwarts and how she had confided to Jamie about her nightmares. Hermione cried when she heard about Jamie's experience at the Quidditch match. Hermione had been there and seen the Dark Mark herself. She had witnessed the panic. Caitlin told Hermione about Pureheart and how he had helped her sleep. Then she told her new mum about walking in on Jamie nude and at first thinking she was a lesbian, but finding out that she was actually a nudist.
Hermione was shocked by the revelation that Jamie was a naturist and especially that she actually walked around her dorm naked.
Caitlin tried to remember all the things Jamie had said about naturism and how it had nothing to do with sex. That nudity is just another aspect of the lives of very normal people. A desire to be naked is not perverse or wrong, but a perfectly natural feeling that one should not feel ashamed to explore. Hermione had listened intently. Then Caitlin astonished Hermione by telling her that she had asked Jamie to arrange an opportunity for her to be nude. She told her how she felt being nude and how much she loved it. "So you see, I can't sleep in my bra and knickers because I don't have any on. What I'd really like to do if you don't mind is sleep nude."
Hermione didn't say a word, as she seemed to be deep in thought. "Actually if you would allow it, I would be exceedingly happy if you would give your blessing for me to be naked whenever I am here," Caitlin said beseechingly.
"Caitlin, I don't know what to say," Hermione answered, flustered. "First I want to thank you for being so candid with me. That took a lot of courage. I hope we can always have a relationship where we don't feel the need to have secrets from each other.
"I frankly don't understand nudism. My parents brought me up totally different than Jamie's did. I never saw either of my parent's naked and once I was old enough to wash and dress myself, my parents never saw me nude. Only one person has every seen me totally without my clothes and that was someone I loved very much. I would die of embarrassment if I were naked in front of a group of people like you were in Jamie's dorm. What Jamie does and what you want to do is completely alien to me.
"Yet, I've always considered Jamie a very special girl. She is brilliant and beautiful, but doesn't have a trace of conceit. I'm sure you, especially, have noticed how kind and loving she is to everyone. Jamie is pure and wholesome. You two are a lot alike. I doubt that being a nudist made Jamie the wonderful person she is, but I would never want to see her change, just like I would never want to change anything about you.
"There is no way I could ever do something like that, but I have to agree that it unquestionably doesn't harm anyone if a person is nude, especially in their own home. This is now your home Caitlin. It's going to be really hard for me to get used to, but if you feel more comfortable and truly would like to be nude when you're here, somehow I'll get accustomed to it."
"You mean it. I don't have to wear clothes whenever I'm here? I love you, Mum!"
What have I gotten myself into? I love her, but I never expected anything like this. Suddenly Hermione realized Caitlin was taking off her shoes and stockings. "Are you going to bed? I thought we could talk a little longer."
"I want to talk more. It's just that I've really gotten to hate clothes and since you said it was alright, I thought I would take them off."
Hermione got up from the table, not wanting to watch Caitlin undress. "Would you like another butter beer?"
"Yes please, I'll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom."
Hermione got two butter beers and did a cooling charm on them. She had no more than sat down at the table when she heard a door close. She looked up to see Caitlin crossing the room as naked as the day she was born. This is going to take a lot of getting use to.
Caitlin sat down and took a sip of her butter beer. "I guess you know this is the happiest day of my entire life. Mum, I promise I'll make you proud of me."
Hermione looked at her newly adopted naked daughter. "I already am proud of you. How about us exchanging our first official mum and daughter hug?"
Caitlin got a devilish look on her face. "I'm sorry, but now that I'm officially your daughter, I have to tell you that I feel I'm too old to be hugged."
Hermione looked grief stricken.
"OH! Mum I'm sorry. I was just joking. I love you and I'll never be too old for you to hug. I just hope you'll always want to hug me." Caitlin plopped herself on Hermione's lap again as they both hugged each other tightly.
* * * * * *
Wednesday September 24, 2003 Noon Hogwarts
It wasn't necessary for Hermione to advise Severus or the other members of the staff that she had adopted Caitlin; the Daily Profit took care of that for her with their front-page headline. The writer of the article evidently was not someone who was intimated by Hooch's powerful friends.
GRANGER ADOBTS ABUSE VICTUM By Justin Fitch-Fletchley
Hogwarts Professor Hermione Granger proved to the wizard world today that her beauty is a great deal more than skin deep. Granger was a surprise witness in the abuse trial of fellow Hogwarts Professor Grouchy Hooch. Madam Hooch was accused of sexually abusing a young orphan girl this July and leaving her tied to a tree to die.
This reporter was on the verge of tears as he listened to the petit eleven-year-old's testimony. The child often broke into tears as she described how Hooch had gained her trust by indicating that she desired to adopt the girl. When this approach proved futile, Hooch viciously attacked the innocent youngster and left her to die in the forest tied naked to a tree.
Hooch denied all charges. She claimed the child had always disliked her and had staged the entire sham in order to cause her to lose her job. When challenged by the Inquisitor as to how the young girl received her injuries or tied herself to the tree, Hooch replied that she obviously had help that got carried away trying to create realistic looking injuries.
If any juror believed Madam Hooch, they certainly changed their mind when the greatly respected Hermione Granger testified against her. Miss Granger, who along with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley defeated the Dark Lord, is listed in 'Hogwarts a History' as having achieve the highest marks ever by a student of that school.
Professor Granger testified that during her first year as an instructor Hooch had made advances toward her. When Granger refused these advances she was attacked. Hogwarts Headmaster, Severus Snape collaborated her testimony by saying that he had treated Miss Granger's injuries, but that the attack had not been reported at Miss Granger's request.
Although the jury found Hooch guilty of all charges, she received a minimum sentence. This writer feels that this trial is but yet another example of the corruption in our Legal System. Professor Granger evidently shared my disgust with the sentence because she practically attacked the Inquisitor when the sentence was read.
The lovely Professor five years ago was approached by Playwizard magazine to grace their magazine. The Professor is still as beautiful as she was then, but today she proved that she is as beautiful inside as she is outside. The single woman last evening adopted the young orphan. She shall always remain a hero to this reporter.
Hermione looked toward the Gryffindor table and saw her daughter happily chatting with her friends. Just then Caitlin looked toward the faculty table. As one they raised their hands to their ear and pulled on their lobe.
Jamie looked questioningly at Caitlin. "What's with the yanking on your ear?"
Caitlin eyes glistened. "It's a signal mum and I have. It means 'I love you.'
Hermione had been floating on a cloud all day despite some of the comments that members of the staff had made to her. Severus had asked her if she had thought about all the consequences and if she was sure about what she was doing.
Ginny had told her she was crazy to adopt a child. She had suggested that no wizard would ever marry a twenty-three year old witch with an eleven-year-old child.
Neville had more or less echoed Ginny's remarks.
Draco had been the bluntest, of course. He had asked her if she was trying to save the world. He had said, "You can't adopt every child that's been abused. Why ruin your life adopting this one, it won't make a difference?"
Hermione had answered him by saying, "Draco, I know I can't adopt every child, but it did make a difference in one's life. Ask Caitlin how she feels."
Hermione didn't really care what the others thought. She was happy; she was the happiest she had ever been except for when she had been with Harry. I wonder what he will have to say about Caitlin and I.
She didn't have to wait long for the answer to her question because at that moment Harry sat down in the vacant seat next to her. His beautiful green eyes looked straight into her happy brown eyes. "Justin's right. You are as beautiful inside as you are outside."
She wanted to kiss him, but knew she couldn't especially not in front of the students. She put two fingers to her lips and kissed them and then placed them against Harry's cheek. "Thank you, Harry."
Lunch passed quickly because Harry and Hermione had gotten involved in a debate.
"Will you ask him to meet with us?"
"I'll ask him Harry and I'll support you in this, but I don't think we have a chance of convincing him. Normally he is free the hour before dinner. Suppose you meet me at my quarters at four-thirty and we'll go meet with him. If I'm running late, just leave yourself in; I haven't changed the charm."
* * * * * *
Wednesday, September 24, 2003, Noon, Hogsmeade
As he placed his plate on the table, Ron looked around the room. I wonder where everyone is today; this place is normally packed. Yesterday he was fortunate to find a table; today he had his choice of many.
He had just started eating when he was interrupted by a pleasant voice. "Would you mind terribly if I shared your table? It's extremely busy here today and I don't have long for lunch." It was the blonde American from yesterday.
"Ron, I thought possibly we could start over. I'm afraid you misunderstood me yesterday."
He didn't know why, but for some reason he said, "Please, sit down."
"Ron, I don't think you are a hideous beast. Just the opposite, I think you are a very nice person. I guess you could consider me a fan of the covenant of three. I think I've read everything ever published about the three of you and I've always thought the press treated you cruelly after the accident. Yesterday, after actually meeting you I knew they were wide of the mark. I just wanted to set the record straight. Now I'll go locate a different table." She stood up to leave.
"Please stay. I detest eating alone. Further, you can't leave until you've at least told me your name." There was something about her that undeniably peaked Ron's curiosity, but he couldn't figure out what it was.
"My name is Samantha, Samantha Bowman, but my friends back home used to call me Sam."
"Should I call you Sam or Samantha?"
"That depends, are we going to be friends?"
"I certainly hope so."
* * * * * *
This without a doubt was the happiest day in Caitlin life. She still couldn't believe that after all these years finally she had someone who loved her, someone that cared about her. Someone she could call mother. She hated the fact that school rules would not permit her to live with her mother in the faculty quarters. The reasons for the rule certainly made sense, but that didn't lessen her desire to be with her new mother.
After her last class Caitlin had gathered a few things together from her dorm room and hurried up to the faculty quarters. The first think she did after the door closed behind her was to strip off her clothes. Caitlin couldn't believe how in such a brief time she had come to abhor clothes so greatly. It just felt so much better to be naked.
As she waited for her mum she helped herself to a butter beer and started decorating her bedroom. The room had just felt too barren last evening. She wanted to give it that personal touch. As she was hanging her last poster on the wall she heard a door close. Mum is here she thought. She ran to the living area to greet her mum.
Caitlin burst through the door, and looked up ready to give her Mum a big hug, when she found herself riveted to the floor, staring at someone who was definitely not Hermione Granger.
Caitlin did not need the glasses, bright green eyes or famous scar to realize that.
End of Chapter Eight
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As always, thanks to my great beta Andrew. At least I know he's reading.