Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Hermione stormed into her room and dumped her purse on a nearby chair. Her wand was placed carefully on the table before she set about tearing her clothes from her body. As she changed into some pajamas, she thought over the conversation she'd just had with Ginny and Luna. She could understand Luna believing in such hypothetical creatures as fairy-witches, but Ginny? Ginny had always been levelheaded. That was one of the things Hermione liked about her. But this fairy godmother nonsense... where had that come from?

She frowned. Why was she having all these experiences about fairy-witches now? Between Severus and his outlandish story, her research and ensuing dream, and Luna and Ginny going off on the existence of fairy godmothers, the last couple of days had been filled with nothing but fairy-witch lore. Could it be possible?

Her dream came back to her again. That was just a dream. I had been reading too long, the stories got absorbed in my brain. In the dream, the fairy had said that she would remember the incident if needed. What if it was real? What if she used some sort of memory charm so I wouldn't remember it unless I needed to?

From her experiences in the magical world, she knew that it was possible to manipulate memory. She'd done it herself. Could it be possible that she actually had seen a fairy, but her memory of it had been wiped clean? If that was the case, then Severus very well might be telling the truth, and she needed to remember that incident to move forward.

Hermione's gaze was drawn to the side of her bed where some sparkling lights had appeared. They gathered together into a ball of light, which then turned into a person. Hermione pointed her wand at the intruder. The woman before her giggled as she extended her hand and easily pulled the wand from Hermione's hand. Hermione gaped at her.

"Hermione, I thought you'd never be able to see me!" the blonde woman exclaimed.

"Who... who are you?"

"I think you know the answer to that, my dear."

"You're Severus' fairy-witch," Hermione stated. This woman looked different from the fairy in her dream. They both had straight, blonde hair, but this fairy's coloring was a bit paler, her cheekbones set a bit higher, and her eyes were a vivid blue as opposed to the hazel eyes of the fairy who had appeared in her dream.

The fairy tittered and sat down on the bed. "I am! Severus wants me to assure you that he's not crazy."

Hermione reached out and touched the fairy. She felt solid and real enough.

"Maybe I've fallen asleep again?" she muttered to herself.

"Oh, Hermione, this is no dream! I am here because Severus wished me to be."

"Why didn't you show yourself when he was here then?"

"My dear, you have to believe before you can see me."

"But I don't believe," Hermione told her.

"You only need to have a tiny inkling of belief. You attained that just a few minutes ago as you thought about your friends and your dream. It seems my colleague Zora foresaw the need for you to remember the incident you dreamed about eventually."

"The fairy's name is Zora?"

Arista nodded her head.

"And you are Arista?" Hermione continued.

"Yes!" Arista cried as she clasped her hands together in joy.

"And you're real."

Arista threw her head back and laughed. "Of course I'm real! Good heavens, Hermione, haven't you seen enough oddities in the magical world to believe that I can exist?"

Hermione thought of the Hallows and her intense objections that they could be real. She blushed. "Actually, I find it hard to believe in something when I can't see it or research it."

"Well, you can see me, can't you?" Arista asked cheerfully.

"I can," Hermione answered.

"So, there's your proof!"

Hermione sighed. It really is hard to deny what's sitting right in front of me. She reached out and touched Arista again.

"You seem real enough," she muttered.

"Good. Now, on to business." Arista rose and spun around before facing Hermione. Hermione could not control the amused look that came over her face at the flightiness she saw in this fairy.

"Now, as Severus explained," Arista began, "he made a wish."

Hermione nodded.

"He did not know you would be the fulfillment of that wish."

Hermione shook her head in disbelief.

"What is it, dear?" Arista asked.

"How can that be?" She watched as Arista regarded her curiously. "How can I fall in love with Severus Snape? An even bigger question is: how could he fall in love with me?"

"Dear, you are both perfect for each other."

"No we're not! There is a huge age gap between us, he is surly at best, and we have nothing in common."

Arista sat on the bed and took Hermione's hand in hers. "So, you are trying to tell me that you don't find him attractive?"

Hermione mulled that over. "Well, no... I think he's quite striking." Her eyes shot to Arista's. "But just because I find him attractive doesn't mean that anything could ever come of that!"

"He finds you attractive."

"Now you're just making up lies!" Hermione cried.

Arista shook her head. "I know him and his likes. I'm his fairy; of course I would know these things. Besides, if you get to know one another, you will find that you have much in common, and the age difference won't matter."

Hermione looked down and shook her head. "I don't know. This all seems so ethereal."

"Zora, I think we could use some assistance," Arista called into the air.

Another ball of light formed, this time with another fairy emerging. It was the fairy from Hermione's dream. The fairy bent low and hugged Hermione.

"My dear, it feels like it's been forever since I have been able to touch you! It's wonderful to be able to interact with you, even if it's only for a little while."

Hermione patted Zora on the back awkwardly. The fairy pulled away but kept her hands on Hermione's shoulders.

"I assure you that Arista has spoken the truth. Once a wish is granted, it comes to pass. You will find a great love with Severus Snape."

Hermione shook her head. "How? Aren't you forcing us to love one another? What if we really don't belong together, but you're manipulating us so that we think that we do?"

Zora chuckled in a high-pitched voice. "That's not how wishes work, dear. They come from things that already exist. You two wouldn't be able to fall in love if there wasn't some hidden attraction between the two of you. The wish is made from things and circumstances that already exist, even if the people involved don't realize it."

Hermione thought on that for a minute. "So, you're saying that we would have fallen in love eventually?"

Zora smiled and caressed Hermione's cheek. "You've always been a quick one, my dear. Yes, it's entirely possible that you would have fallen in love all on your own. It's also possible, however, that neither of you would have recognized true love when it stared you in the face. The wish Severus made will ensure that you both will recognize the signs and that you will act positively about them, ensuring that the wish comes true."

"What exactly did he wish for again?" Hermione asked curiously.

Arista smiled at her. "He wished to have someone love him as he is. He wished for someone who would respect him, and in turn, someone he would respect."

Hermione looked into Zora's eyes. "I would also like to find that in a mate."

Zora's eyes lit up. "Are you making a wish?"

"Do I need to? Isn't everything going to fall into place?"

Zora nodded. "It should. There's nothing wrong with you making your own wish, though." Zora squealed. "I would love to grant it!"

Hermione smiled. She liked her fairy godmother. "It wouldn't mess up Severus' wish, would it?"

Arista shook her head. "It can only bind it stronger, dear."

"You're sure this doesn't take away our free will?"

"No, dear. You will only be following the logical progression of your friendship."

Hermione looked back at Zora. "All right. I'll make a wish as well. How do I do it?"

Zora giggled. "You simply tell me what you want."

"Is that what I really want?" Hermione whispered to herself.

"You want to find happiness with someone, don't you?" Zora asked.

"Yes, Zora. I do."

"Then does it matter that that person is Severus Snape, if he becomes all you wish for?"

Excitement coursed through Hermione at the thought of having someone who cared for her in that way. She pictured it being Severus. Her heart leapt into her throat. No, it didn't matter at all! She already found him attractive, and if he could treat her well and love her without reservations, she would be the happiest woman in the world. Determination filled her face.

"You're right, Zora. I would definitely welcome such affection from Severus. He's an honorable man."

"Then make your wish, dear," the fairy admonished.

"I wish..." Hermione hesitated. If she made this wish, she was committing herself to love Severus Snape and be with him forever. Suddenly, that thought excited her to no end. She smiled. "I wish that my relationship with Severus will be filled with love and respect for one another. I wish that he will become my soul mate."

Arista smiled as Zora twirled her wand over Hermione's head. "Done!" she proclaimed.

The two fairies rose from the bed. Arista looked down at Hermione. "Now, just because this wish and Severus' have been granted doesn't mean that you will be immediately and madly in love. You must learn about each other. With knowledge and understanding comes love."

Hermione nodded her head vigorously. "Will either of us see you again?"

"You never know!" Zora answered, her smile wide.

Before Hermione could say anything more, the two women had disappeared. Hermione shook her head. That had been the oddest encounter she had ever experienced. But the possible outcome made her heart flutter. She needed to talk to Severus.