The Wrong Path

Disclaimer: I've snatched some of J.K.R.'s characters and am having some fun with them. No royalties are forthcoming, as it's just a bit of fun.

I'd like to say thanks to my beta for this tale, CocoaChristy! And I'd like to send a big thanks to Charmed Nay, my usual beta, for going through this when she had time.

This is in response to the How It Could Be Christmas Challenge over at Potter Place (issued by me with help from GinnyW). Details are at the end of the chapter.

Hermione smiled as she watched the future version of herself scribbling away on a parchment. So far, it had only portrayed her as doing research and casting charms on the ring she'd just acquired at Borgin and Burkes.

"That's not so bad," she said to Snape, shrugging. "I don't see what the big deal is."

"Shhh," said the old shopkeeper from the portrait.

"Yes," Snape agreed sourly. "Stop that infernal chattering." He nodded towards the screen. "What have we here? Could it be a late night tryst with Weasley?"

Hermione's head snapped around as she watched Ron coming through her counterpart's grate.

Dusting his robes off as he moved forward, Ron said, "Well, I knew you'd lied to us. You just didn't want to come out. All you do now is stay here and work on your ruddy research." He pointed at the offending quill in her hand. "Don't you care about us any longer? What happened to Friday night drinks with the gang? It's been weeks since you've come. You promised," he whinged. "Looks like you'd prefer to have your time spent here." He smirked. "I know something else that you can wrap that hand around."

"All right," she agreed, crushing her lips to his for a brief, passionate kiss. "One last time."

Hermione's face burned brightly as she watched her counterpart and Ron snog heavily. She felt Snape's eyes upon her and turned to gaze at him. "What?" she asked in annoyance.

"So... Weasley is dating another?" he asked casually, eyes glinting with calculation.

She was not fooled. She could see his pathetic attempts at keeping his lips set in a grim, even line. "Well, they've only just started dating!" she said defensively. "He and I have been separated for a long while, but that doesn't mean that we can't get in a good shag when we need one."

"Oh, indeed," he said, smirking. "Indeed. And I suppose that since he's started seeing this other woman, you've called things off now." He nodded to the portrait. "That's not likely going to happen, the continued fraternization... or is it?"

She looked away and mumbled, "Only once since they've become official, but we decided to stop. We agreed just the other night." Facing him again, she raised an eyebrow, "You seem quite interested, Professor."

"Yes, of course," he said blandly. "I find your sex life fascinating. Why, I've been waiting for years to learn of it."

"I'll bet!" She laughed nervously. "Honestly, though, there is no way that I would continue on with it. This is just some... trickery!"

Even as she spoke the words, she turned back to the portrait and saw that its screen had another scene playing out. She grinned as she recognized Ginny and Harry greeting her at the Burrow.

Harry hugged Hermione. "Mione! It's been so long."

"Right. See you."

"Ha!" Hermione said smugly. "See that, did you? I'm at the Burrow for Ron's wedding! I told you I wouldn't continue things with him. I've morals, and furthermore, I would never hurt any..."

"Before you make an utter fool of yourself, do look at what's going on now," he said, pointing a long, pale finger towards the portrait.

She looked back and gasped. The naked upper part of her body was in full view as she showered, lathering soap throughout her hair. "Bloody hell!" she exclaimed. Noting that Snape was watching unabashedly, she added, "Stop looking!" He dodged the hand that she tried to place over his eyes. "Really. It's an invasion of privacy and unfair."

"You mean to say that this truly depicts what you have beneath those robes?" he queried innocently. "My, my, Miss Granger... And here I thought it to simply be enhanced to make you more appealing."

"What?" she asked heatedly. Motioning to her breasts, she said, "They are very appealing, thanks, not that you'll ever know."

"Ah, but I do know, don't I?" he replied nonchalantly. "If you don't mind, you are ruining my show here. Oh, and look... if it isn't Weasley... once again."

"Oh, no..."

Ron clicked the door closed and locked it, quickly tugging off his bathrobe to reveal his naked body. He stroked himself a few times, ensuring that he was hard, and joined Hermione in the shower. "I'm going to miss you," he whispered as he maneuvered her to the corner where she could step up slightly.

"Yes, yes. Just this one last time," he muttered, white arse moving in time with his short thrusts.

Grateful that Snape hadn't seen the lower part of her body, she whispered, "Sorry about that. I didn't think I would be so..."

"Unscrupulous?" he offered. "Feeling a bit deceitful for fucking a man the night before he marries another?"

"Yes," she said quietly, blanching at his choice of words but daring to look up at him. "This is just likely all rubbish anyway, isn't it? I mean... nothing is set for our future. Nothing is certain."

"Agreed."

The roar of a crowd watching a Quidditch match drew her attention away from Snape's eyes. She was happy to look away from his dark, penetrating gaze. He seemed to pity her for a moment, and compassion wasn't something that she associated with the dark man.

Oliver Wood was hovering on his broom with his hands raised in the air, signifying his team's victory! The applause and cheering were nearly unbearable, but then, he flew forward and landed next to Hermione, Harry, and Ginny, who must have had her baby already. Once he dismounted, he pulled Hermione into his arms and began snogging her for all to see.

Nearly the entire stadium went wild at his proclamation. Some of the women seemed quite disappointed, but Hermione didn't care. She watched as Harry shook Oliver's hand before hugging her happily. After that, he pulled her onto his broom and flew off.

"Oh," she said in surprise. "Why, I've not seen him in years!"

"Interesting," Snape commented. "You literally get swept off your feet, and he even has a broom. I'd say that might be one for the books."

"Shut it, you," she groused. Then, she added, "It was sort of romantic, though, wasn't it?"

He glared at her for a moment before nastily saying, "Clearly your idea of romance differs from mine."

She grinned despite herself. "Do tell."

"Never."

"Why not?"

"Miss Granger! You are attempting discourse again. If you would kindly shut that mouth up, we can find out why you are picking up clothing with your hands as a Muggle would and not using your wand as a witch would."

She turned back to the portrait.

Hermione bent over to pick up some clothing strewn about the floor and noticed a pair of red knickers. She pulled out her wand to levitate them and looked at them peculiarly. They did not belong to her. She'd thought to surprise her husband of only two months at his hotel room since she finally had a break, but apparently, he would not welcome her visit.

"I am his wife," Hermione announced. When the girl snorted, she flicked her wand swiftly, sending a few nasty hexes her way. "Those will wear off in a few days, but I think the boils might be uncomfortable," she said with mock sweetness. She raised her eyebrow and looked at the other girl. "And did you have anything to add?"

Hermione noted that she still had her underclothes on, so she assumed she hadn't pleased her husband yet. "What are you doing, Oliver? Why?" She was very disappointed and hurt that he would seek other women when he supposedly loved her. Something inside of her withered and died. I know that I am no better for the things I've done in my past, but at least Luna never knew about Ron and me.

"Enough," she said before Disapparating.

"What goes around comes around," Snape said sardonically. "My father used to say that often."

"Thanks for the sympathy," she said angrily. Though she knew this future was unlikely, it still smarted that her husband of only a couple of months would already be interested in other women and seemed to not feel all that guilty about it. They sat in silence as another scene played before them, ending in the same fashion.

"Perhaps it might be wise to stay away from him if he does come courting one day," Snape advised seriously.

"Agreed."

The door slammed before she could get to it. "Oliver! Please come out. We have to discuss this," Hermione yelled.

Crying, she leaned against the door. "Please don't, Oliver. I have given you two years of my life and even put my research and job on hold to travel with you. Don't do this to me." Sobs racked her body, but he did not open the door.

"Fucking bastard!" she hissed vehemently. "Wait until I see him again! I'm going to hex him so fast that he'll not know what hit him!"

"Is that right?" Snape asked, one eyebrow arched in question. "And what will you use as reasoning?"

"For all those women... Oh." She sneered for a moment. "I'll make certain that this doesn't happen by steering clear of him, but I might secretly hex him anyway for what could have been."

"What have we here? Potter's home?" Snape asked, gazing at the portrait with interest. "It seems some time has passed. You must have put on a stone at least." He eyed her for a moment. "The excess weight wouldn't look bad on you, and I'd wager that your breasts would swell perfectly."

"Arsehole," she mumbled, looking down at her breasts before turning to watch what was happening. They aren't overly large, but they are a firm handful according to Ron. He's just being a right git."

Stooping down to kiss the little boy on the forehead, Hermione said, "Good night, Daniel."

"Shush," she said, placing a finger over his lips. "Time's a wasting..."

Hermione couldn't face Snape. If she dared to look at him and saw a raised eyebrow or a sneer, she'd murder him. It wasn't that she was embarrassed by what he was witnessing, although she was on some level, but she was more disappointed in herself and angry at her chosen actions. How could she sleep with Harry who was supposedly happily married to her close friend, Ginny? How could she sleep with him while his wife and child were only a floor above them? Had she lost all respect for herself? Why was she such a horrible person? Was she so bitter that she simply didn't care any longer?

"No," she whispered aloud without realizing it. "Never Harry."

"Apparently, yes," Snape said quietly, not looking at her.

She quickly eyed him to find that he was still eagerly watching the happenings in the portrait. She followed his gaze and watched as her counterpart and Harry quickly divested themselves of most of their clothing and situated themselves on the couch, Hermione straddling him. It was definitely not their first time together. Things were too in sync, and they seemed to know exactly what the other liked.

Fascinated, she continued to watch as Harry used his teeth to nip at her flesh, causing her to moan excitedly and ride him harder. "Don't stop, baby," he whispered suddenly.

"Can't... if... I... wanted... to... s-stop... Oh, Harry!" wanton Hermione cried as she rode out her orgasm, large breasts bouncing as she moved.

"I told you that they'd do well if a bit larger," Snape mentioned, apparently trying to make her laugh and ease the mood.

Suddenly, Hermione had had enough, even though she did truly appreciate what he was trying to do. "I can't watch this any longer." She stood and tried to bolt away, but the invisible barrier wouldn't allow her to pass.

The shopkeeper in the portrait turned around and gazed out at her solemnly. "You must watch this if you are to know," he said simply and turned back to continue watching, stuffing something that looked suspiciously like a yellow candy into his mouth.

She dared not sit down again, choosing to stand with her arms wrapped around her body instead. "I can't believe that I'd have an affair with Harry. I can't believe that I use my intended work for something like that! It's not the reasoning behind what I want to do. I thought respectable students could apply to use them for extra studying time!" She shook her head sadly and pointed to the portrait. "Look at this shite!" Time had passed, and Ginny had returned, taking a seat next to Harry on the very sofa that he'd just shagged Hermione on. She watched as they acted as if nothing was amiss. "I don't want to be this way. Ever."

Snape patted the seat beside him. "Might as well get comfortable. It looks as if there is more coming up." He glanced at her in amusement. "Look! It's Potter and a Ministry function. Oh, joy. I am certain everyone has gathered to pay their respects to Boy Fucking Wonder." He then smirked as she took her seat. "Fear not. I'm certain that there is a closet he can pull you into."

Hermione said nothing, too stung by his words. She watched intently and noticed that she was sitting away from Harry and his family. In fact, they didn't even glance her way. Molly Weasley caught her eye and turned her nose up to snub her as if she was nothing more than rubbish. Fear erupted within her body. Ginny must have found out and forced them to end things. She noticed that their first son was much older, and their second child seemed to be near the age of five. So years had passed then.

Hermione continued to watch the proceedings. After many people spoke, her counterpart ventured outdoors for fresh air during a break.

Snape suddenly blurted, "Of course. How could we not include a Malfoy in this?" His scowl deepened as he crossed his arms.

"What?" It was then that she noticed Lucius Malfoy stepping out of the shadows. "Surely I wouldn't..."

"Well, if it isn't Miss Granger," Lucius drawled. "Out for a stroll, are we?"

"I have my own money, thanks," she said haughtily. "Your wealth will not buy me, Malfoy. There isn't much that I care about any longer. I am biding my time before I finalize some things on my gadget. I don't need anything from you."

"I'm so very tired," she said sadly. She watched quietly as a family of three strolled by. After they were out of earshot, she whispered, "I wanted a family. I wanted a life. Where did I go wrong? How did I let my hunger to perfect a line of Time-Stoppers control me? After Oliver left me, everything went downhill." Hermione stood in determination. She would do what must be done. "It's off to Malfoy Manor for me."

Snape's mouth was gaped open. Hermione knew that he didn't know what to say. "Please, sir, I don't want to watch any more of this."

The twinkling-eyed shopkeeper turned round in the portrait to face them. "Don't you want to see if you have success?"

"No," she said, surprised to hear Snape speak up.

"We've seen enough. Release us," he barked, suddenly agitated as he rose from his seat.

"I'm sorry, Severus, but I cannot do that," the cheeky man said. "You see, I have a few things to show you, too."

"Oh, hell, no!" he bit out. "If you think that I'll sit here and allow her to witness something such as this, you are clearly mistaken!"

"Fair is fair," the man teased. "You've been able to see her life and how certain mistakes can lead to bigger ones. Let's see what your mistakes might be."

Face contorting to the color of chalky white, Snape hissed, "Desist this instant!" Instead, the man ignored him, turned round in his seat, popped a candy into his mouth, and watched as a young Severus Snape crawled through the hallway at his home, hoping to sneak by his father's sitting room.

"Miss Granger," he said calmly, "please do not watch this."

"Is that your father?" she asked, unable to tear her eyes away from the hooked-nosed, dark-haired man that was now looming over the younger Severus.

"Yes," he said, sitting down heavily next to her, burying his face in his hands in momentary despair. "I suppose turnabout is fair play."

"It is," she replied. "You got to see my horrible life. Now, I'd like to see yours." She elbowed him. "Perhaps I can see if your breasts need further development, eh?" She'd hoped to lighten his mood, but it simply didn't work. Instead, he looked up at the portrait solemnly.

Wondering about his past and what his future would bring, she remained silent as different clips from his childhood played. She didn't question anything, and when she saw a few disappointing scenes, such as his mother's funeral, rejection by Lily Evans, and his taking of the Dark Mark, she tried not to cry. She was certain he'd not appreciate the sorrow she felt for him.

After a while, the old man said, without facing them, "That was some of your past. You are currently experiencing your present."

"Is that so?" Snape asked sarcastically. "Get on with this mockery so that I can get the fuck out of here," he demanded nastily, likely wondering if a hex would work on the portrait.

Hermione could see his hands shaking with rage. She was simply glad that his wrath was not directed at her. Feeling the need to commiserate, she said, "Let me hex the wanker first if you don't mind."

He glowered at her for a moment, but his expression faded until a light smile touched his lips. "I suppose nothing you could witness in my life will be as disturbing as what we saw in yours."

"Funny," she said in annoyance. "You're always so polite, aren't you?"

He merely shrugged and watched the first scene.

Southern's Notes: Real life is a biatch and has me in a bad state as of late. Apologies! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. Tomorrow evening, I'll have the next chapter for you. (If people are reading anyway, what with it being near Christmas and all that!)

Christy's Notes: Poor Hermione! It seems she is desperately searching for something! I can't wait to see what his future shows!