Return to Spinner's End
Chapter 2 of 10
astopperindeathSnape and Malfoy prepare for Granger's interview.
ReviewedChapter One: Return to Spinner’s End.
He awoke that morning to the sound of an owl crashing into his bedroom window. He opened the letter, which contained a summons to the new ARDEC office in Diagon Alley. The missive, signed at the bottom in childish handwriting by Percy Weasley, the new Director of ARDEC, informed him that his meeting was in two hours.
Cursing loudly, he crumpled the parchment and threw it as hard as he could across the room. It sailed through the doorway of his bedroom and lay despondently in the hallway. Sleepily, he stumbled into the bathroom and stuck his head under the cold stream of the shower. He turned the water from cold to warm, removed his pajama bottoms, and entered the now-steamy shower.
A few minutes later, as he rinsed the last of the shampoo from his hair, he heard the bathroom door squeak open.
“Don’t you ever knock?”
“Draco, I changed your diapers as a child. There’s nothing in here I haven’t seen before.”
“Oh really? You’ve watched me wank before? You’re a fucking pervert, Severus.”
Draco almost heard his roommate’s eyes roll.
“And what if I have, Draco?”
Definitely not the answer Draco expected.
Severus had chuckled when a bar of soap flew over the shower bar, nearly missing his head.
“Did you want something, Severus? Or did you come in just to ogle me?”
“I found your summons in the hallway.”
There was a long pause before Draco responded. “And?”
Another pause. “And I was wondering if you would like me to escort you to Diagon Alley.”
Draco was infuriated. He thrust open the shower curtain, oblivious to his nudity.
“Yes, Severus, why don’t you go with me?” He sneered. “Better yet, you can hold my hand while we cross the street. I’m sure when I show up there with the pariah of the Order, they will immediately forgive me of my “unfortunate parentage” and send us home!”
At the slightly deflated look on Severus’ face, Draco had tried to calm down.
“Look, I understand that you feel like you have to take care of me, but honestly, Severus, you killed Dumbledore for me, you took me in when my father wanted nothing to do with me—I think you’ve done enough, so stop trying to fight my battles!”
He failed to calm down.
A breeze hit his wet, naked form, and Draco suddenly realized his awkward situation.
Severus smirked. “Oh, my, Draco, you certainly do blush all over. Just like your father…” Severus threw in one last leer before leaving the bathroom. “Breakfast is on the table; make sure you eat before you get to Diagon Alley.”
Draco grinned. No, Severus wasn’t gay, but between all those years spent with only Dumbledore as a comrade and attending the insipid parties the scion of the Malfoy family had thrown, it was no surprise that Severus’ idea of appropriate jokes between men was slightly… skewed.
Draco made it downstairs minutes before he was required to be at the Ministry. What Severus believed to constitute breakfast was laid out on the table—burnt toast and coffee the consistency of motor oil. He had grabbed a piece of toast, and hurrying to the fireplace, tossed in some Floo powder and left the house.
Draco Malfoy looked around the small office, trying desperately not to let disdain register on his face. Severus had repeatedly told him to just “play along.” The sooner they thought him compliant with their policies, the quicker they’d let him get back to his life.
And now he sat in an overly decorated office, littered with tchotchkes, sitting directly across from her. As if it wasn’t bad enough that he had to be with her, did the room have to be oppressively… banal?
“So I suppose you know why you’re here, Mr. Malfoy?”
Knowing he’d probably only have one shot at getting his trademark sneer in before he would have to “play nice,” he affixed the smirk on his face. “Still spouting off phrases you read in books, Granger? Let me guess, the first page of the ‘ARDEC Interrogation Manual’?”
Her face crumpled infinitesimally before she schooled her features into a blank mask. Draco filed the fact that he could still get under her skin in the back of his mind for future use.
“Mr. Malfoy, you clearly have no wish to be here, nor do I have any wish to be your counselor. However, ARDEC, in their infinite wisdom, believes that I am the most… appropriate staff member to deal with your particular case, given our similarities in age, our history together at Hogwarts, and…” she swallowed, “my blood status.”
“So, what you’re saying, Granger, is that if I can grow to be friends with you, that will prove to the Ministry that I love all Mud… ggleborns?” Draco’s face turned a bit green at this thought.
Hermione snickered. “Something like that. Look, Malfoy, I know that you really never had a decent shot of hearing anything positive about Muggles, given your father’s… proclivities. What I’d like to do, rather than belabor the point through ultimately useless therapy sessions, is just immerse you in the Muggle world for a while—movie theatres, takeaway, electricity.”
She stopped explaining when he began chuckling. “What is it, Malfoy?”
“What if I told you I’d been doing that for a year or so…”
“Pardon me?”
“What if I told you I’d been living in Muggle Manchester for a year and know how to order takeaway, use the Internet, and even enjoyed watching Fight Club in theatre last week? Did you notice how much Marla looks like Aunt Bella used to…”
“What are you talking about, Malfoy? Manchester?” Hermione’s voice had taken on that irritatingly shrill, swotty tone she usually reserved for Harry and Ron when they chose to talk about Quidditch over working on their Charms homework.
“Do you not read the papers, Granger? Didn’t you hear that my father disowned me when he found out I tried to make reparations with St. Potter?”
She looked confused.
“You do know I have been conversing with Potter for months now, don’t you?”
She began fidgeting uncomfortably.
“Cripes, Granger, where have you been?”
“We-ll, let’s just say that when Ronald and I parted ways, I immersed myself in preparation for this job and haven’t exactly kept in touch with Harry… or Ginny for that matter…”
“Are you telling me you're no longer the Golden Trio's third wheel?”
Hermione glared. “That’s beside the point. Where have you been living, Malfoy, and why do you even care about learning about Muggle things?”
“Why, Spinner’s End, of course. My godfather insisted I learn to blend in with the neighbors.”
Hermione looked less-than-pleased by the rakish grin that now graced Malfoy’s face.
AN: This story was written for the help_chile challenge on LJ. It was written for kerravonsen for her winning prompt: "I'd like something Severus/Hermione, with a side order of Draco redemption, if possible. It would probably have to be AU for all of that to work. I'd prefer it to be something where neither Severus nor Hermione had a secret crush for the other all along: I like to see the relationship develop from nothing."
Thanks to clairvoyant12 for the wonderful beta work and moral support!
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Latest 25 Reviews for Overcoming Parentage
114 Reviews | 6.37/10 Average
The story is good but I am enjoying the scenes with Draco and Severus better. Draco sounds mature and changed whereas Hermione sounds like a prejudiced, Muggle-born, first year. I do not like her and I do not, yet, see a reasonable reason for Snape to be at all attracted to her.
Bravo! Excellent challange results! Nice fake out at the end here! Poor Percy. I suppose he could fire Hermione but I figure you would have put that in the story before you were done. However, she isn't getting paid to snog at all! 
I would have fired her even if I wasn't broken hearted. Ok, I would have written her up but probably not fired her. Well, that's why I'm never going to be in charge. I wouldn't write her up but I should. That is totally inappropriate work behavior. Thank God someone is way more inappropriate at work than I am! Even I know you aren't suppossed to get half naked with a man at work. But, I've never met anyone as sexy as Severus Snape, either. Who knows what he could get me to do? Poor Percy, really. I would be so very fired!!!
I did enjoy it! WTFF? George just happened to be looking out the window? Cute.
Hmmmm...PG13, is it?
Not that I mind. You did a good job! I'm sure your beta was suitably impressed. I'm so glad I know what Snafu means now! I plan to use it often. Is there an adjective version like, "How are you today?" "Oh I'm feeling quite Snafuafied, thank you." Or is that an adverb?
Nice! I'm glad Hermione had her epiphany! I'm also really glad the training manual had instructed her to behave differently than she was behaving. I was surprised at that bit. I underestimated S.P.E.W II. It looks like Severus, Hermione and Draco may have some new friends. We all need more friends!
Great chapter! I'm glad Hermione has come to her senses and very glad that she and Severus are making nice.
I hope she is paying for dinner! Sensitivity training by insensitive people is highly ineffective. I've expirienced it. I didn't have anything against the person teaching the workshop because of their heritage, but by the end of the class I thought she a self righteous, insulting, jerk, who didn't know what she was talking about and assumed she knew an awful lot about me because of my heritage. Both of these parties would benefit from discontinuing phrases like "muggle lover" and "muggle hater". Hermione never has been known as humble and accomodating to people she considered idiots. I do think she does feel a little supirior to some other people even though she doesn't realize it and she is behaving very stuck up and "Percy" like right now. Poor Hermione. I suppose I'm only seeing this from Severus' POV.
I can totally understand why Severus is annoyed, but I'm not sure what Hermione expected. It's Severus Snape for Merlin's sake! He isn't known for his warmth and genteel manners. If I were in Hermione's shoes I would be more sensitive to Mister Snape's feelings. This is rather intrusive and insulting and "you get more flies with honey" and all that. Kill them with kindness is what I say. But, maybe I'm wrong. I frequently am. I'm constantly told so at work. No frivolity or jokes in health care to lessen the discomfort of the patient these days. I'm considered inappropriate and over the top. I'm nothing but one giant offence waiting to happen...again. Nope! Not professional enough at all. God help me! Maybe Hermione can give me some pointers.
I sincerely enjoyed the playfulness of Severus trying to make Draco feel better or maybe annoy him, perhaps. Is he still suffering residule magic from the unbreakable oath or is it habbit or a sincere desire to help his dear Godson? Hermione's position is uneviable. I can see why she would volunteer for the job, unless she was pressed into the navy so to speak. Draco needs to just tow the line and it will get over with faster and he might make a solid friend that is the kind of friend that will go all the way to help you, because that's the kind of friend Hermione is.
Well, it may have been hard for you to write, but it is certainly easy to read!
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thank you! it was my first major multichap, so the whole thing was hard. this chapter in particular set me into fits. so glad you enjoyed it!
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thank you! it was my first major multichap, so the whole thing was hard. this chapter in particular set me into fits. so glad you enjoyed it!
Poor Percy. Has he got no social skills or insight? And Draco, failing his first exam to set Severus up? I've really enjoyed the whole story. It's been fun, and the interactions between Severus, Hermione and Draco have worked well. Thanks.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thank you so much for the nice review!
Yay! Congratulations on finishing and nice work. I liked how you ended it. Lovely work. Thanks for sharing it here.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thank you!
Percy?! In his pompousness, he must have thought that Hermione's increase in happiness was a result of his advances. I should feel sorry for him, but can't bring myself to. Especially, as Severus is about to propose (I believe) and we all know how much we need Hermione chained to that man in any way possible or imaginable. A happily-ever-after being the preferred way.Thank you for coming up with this delightful story and for giving Draco such a big role as a center for the plot. It suited him well.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thank you so much for such a long review!! long reviews are awesome :)
*melts* Wasn't that a perfect date? Starting with the trademark-Severus note. You worded it perfectly. I liked how considerate Hermione was with Severus, and how he was able to accept her. At times, he would feel lost, but he managed to navigate their date in a way that makes me swoon.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thank you! it was a fun chapter to write.
LOL! Draco's reaction was priceless!But that's not what I wanted to say. I wanted to apologise for reviewing as late as the sixth chapter. I started with this on my phone while waiting, and the stupid device wouldn't let me type into the review box. I liked this from the start. Draco's believes make this story stand out. He embraces the Muggle culture for reasons that I find believable and in ways that might work well for him. Hermione must face juxtapositions that must be confusing for her. Good for her. She needs to come to terms with diversity in life.Very good story, Stopper.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thank you! i really did try to keep everyone in character, and when they seemed OOC, i tried to make sure there was a reason. i hope you enjoy the rest of it!
I love Draco in this. He almost makes me sorry that this is not a DMHG story. Almost. Not quite.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
i do love dramione as well :).
Hermione's perspective gave shape of words to many feelings the previous chapters had awoken. Thank you for the insight. It was informative and helped me name the big themes that pertain to Draco in this story. His perspective touches on my life, as I'm an immigrant who tends to attain Draco's point of view, with Mr. N, who is a native here, shares Hermione's.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
i'm glad the themes seem to have come through. that honestly is the hardest part!
Was sooooo stressed out at the beginning... thank you for it not being what you were leading us on to believe *long deep sigh of relief*... and thank you for the relationship developing from nothing, the transformations and the upbeat ending! Looking forward to more of your multi-chaptered works!
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
thanks so much. i had a blast with that chapter.
Mmnn... loved from the beginning that these private cherished moments of intimate touching, awareness of Hermione, is cherished and noted by Severus. Can really feel him wanting and appreciating every movement and scent associated with her... love the teasing cliff-hanger of her 'kiss-swollen lips', Hermione savouring the moment & (like me) wanting more! Reading on!
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
your reviews always make me so happyyyyy
Poor old Perce. Perhaps he should try her secretary? :)
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
LOL, maybe. and do a relationship background check first :-P
Wonderful ending, though I feel bad for Percy (I like Percy/Hermione as well). Am glad Severus is happy, though. Am suprised he is planning to propose so soon...;)Thanks for a well-written and humourous story!
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
when you know, you just know ;).ps: sorry, but i don't feel bad for percy at all :-P
Brava! I feel a bit sorry for Percy, but he'll find a better love for him someday. Maybe Romilda is available? Lots of fun!
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
lol yeah, someone as crazy as romilda is perfect for him...
LOL. The letter from George is the cherry on the icing of this wonderful cake. It's perfect.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
hehehe, <3 george so much!
Oh hee! Draco is going to be sorry when he meets someone he likes. Reap what you sow, you cheeky monkey.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
bahahaha. thanks for reviewing!
Ah - I knew she was a smart cookie. I'll bet Draco looked horrified.
Response from astopperindeath (Author of Overcoming Parentage)
well he definitely looked very un-Malfoy-like with his mouth hanging open like a fish :-P