Chapter 6
Chapter 6 of 9
HermioneWeasley1972A/N Thank you to my anonymous beta. You are wonderful.
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The man’s mouth twisted into a cruel smile. His day’s work was done. That would send Severus Snape a message that he wouldn’t soon forget. When he had heard that his former Death Eater friend had married a Mudblood, he couldn’t believe it. And not even just any Mudblood. He had married the Mudblood that had bothered him for so many years. He had married the Mudblood that had been a part of the battle in the Ministry so many years ago. He had apparently forgotten the Dark Lord’s teachings. Well, he would soon remember.
He had wanted to do the job as soon as he'd found out about the nuptials, but he'd had decided to wait. He knew that Snape would be keeping an eye on his wife. So he had been biding his time for years, waiting for exactly the right moment, for the right sign. And he had come up with the brilliant plan that put everything in motion. He had killed that idiot Slughorn and sent the owl to McGonagall himself. He had taken a chance that Snape would accept the invitation, but he had figured that it was a safe bet that he would come to the rescue. After all, look at all the times he'd helped to save the Potter boy even though the Dark Lord had wanted him dead.
He sat down with a sigh of satisfaction, thinking about the look of terror on her face and her screams as she went down, begging for mercy. He highly doubted that the woman was still alive. There had been too much blood for that...
***
Nicoletta sat on the stool, nervously waiting for the Sorting Hat’s decision.
“You have some of each of the qualities of the Houses in you, Miss Snape. You are loyal, you are brave, you have a sense of cunning, and you are smart. Let’s see.”
Nicoletta looked at her father waiting and then looked at her friends. She knew where she wanted to be...
“Gryffindor!” the Sorting Hat shouted for all to hear.
Nicoletta looked over at her father, wondering what he thought of her being in Gryffindor and hoping that he wasn’t too disappointed. There were murmurs around the room as she stepped down off of the stool and joined the Gryffindor table.
Emily and Molly smiled at her as they made room for her at the table. “I’m so glad you got into Gryffindor, Nicoletta,” Emily said with a smile.
Molly nodded. “Me too! Now we will all be in the same room together.”
“Oh, great, we have Snape’s daughter in here with us,” one of the older Gryffindors said. “Why isn’t she in Slytherin like she belongs?”
“Shut it, Brian!” James said, looking down the table and frowning at the boy who had spoken out, then turned back to Nicoletta. “Don’t pay him any mind. The Sorting Hat must have thought you belonged in here, and we’re glad you are.”
The Sorting was soon over and Headmistress McGonagall stood up.
“Good evening and welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Before we start our meal, I have a few announcements to make. We would like to welcome back Professor Snape, who has graciously agreed to take on the job of Potions professor and Head of Slytherin while Professor Slughorn has personal business to tend to. Students should remember that the Forbidden Forest is off limits, and Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week of the school year. If you would like to try out for your House team, please speak with Madam Hooch. Now, let the feast begin!” Headmistress McGonagall took her seat.
The tables were then covered with food, and the chatter resumed. Nicoletta could feel the curious looks of her fellow Housemates and felt her face turning red, but she paid attention to her food and tried not to let it bother her.
***
Severus looked at his daughter and could tell how uncomfortable she was. He had mixed feelings about her being in Gryffindor. He knew that even if she had been in Slytherin, chances were good that she would have still been teased. At least in Gryffindor, it looked as if she had friends.
“Are you disappointed that she was placed in Gryffindor, Severus?” Minerva asked him.
Severus thought for a moment. “She is better off in Gryffindor. It looks as if she has friends there. I’m not so sure that would be the case in Slytherin.”
Minerva nodded sympathetically and opened her mouth to say something, but then a large owl swooped into the Great Hall and landed before Severus. The owl impatiently held out its leg so he could take the parchment, nipping at his fingers until he took it.
Taking the parchment and opening it, he turned to Minerva. “I knew that it could happen, so I wasn’t surprised.” He turned his attention to the parchment and read it, his face growing even paler by the minute.
“What is it, Severus?” Minerva asked, seeing the expression on his face.
“It’s Hermione. She’s been injured. I must go to her.” Severus stood up from his seat.
“Of course, Severus. Do you want Nicoletta to come with you?” Minerva asked, looking at the Gryffindor table.
Severus thought for a moment. “Yes, she should come.” The letter had said that Hermione had been injured badly and that things were still touch and go, though she was stable for the moment.
He stepped out from behind the head table and went to where his daughter sat. “Nicoletta, I need to talk to you. Come with me.”
Once they were out of the Great Hall, he put his arm around her.
“Father, I know that you are upset that I’m in Gryffindor...”
“That’s not the reason. Your mother has been injured and we need to go to St. Mungo’s.”
“Mum? What happened?”
“I’ll tell you later. Right now we shouldn’t waste any time. Let’s go to my office and we will use the Floo.”
A few minutes later, they stepped through one of the Floos at St. Mungo’s. One of the Healers came over to them at once.
“I’m so glad that you are here. I would like to talk to you, Mr. Snape. Perhaps your daughter could wait in the waiting area.”
A nurse came over to them. “I’ll stay with her. Come with me, dear.”
Once Nicoletta and the nurse were out of sight, Severus turned to the Healer.
“What is wrong with my wife?”
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Lesson in Friendship
156 Reviews | 5.22/10 Average
Are you going to write anymore? It's a great story!
Response from HermioneWeasley1972 (Author of A Lesson in Friendship)
Thank you. Yes, I just got busy with RL. :) Thanks for the review.
Response from Grace52373 (Reviewer)
Thank you for responding! i was afraid this was abandoned, and that would be a real shame, since it is such a great story! Looking forward to the next chapters! Grace
Please, PLEASE don't leave me hanging! Ron's in trouble... And Lav isn't being very nice.
Ron's lucky he didn't lose his job. Lavender is no better. What's her problem? Why is she so resentful of Hermione?
Great update, Ron got off easily in my book, I would have put him in Azkaban, if not for anything else than being a prat.
So, who is the one who listened with great interest to Ron and Kingsleys conversation? A friend of Hermione or Ron, or neither?
Another thing; Lavender, does she find it acceptable that Ron is still so hung-up about Hermione? Her jelousy towards Hermione after so many years, and with Hermione so obviously not wanting Ron, makes me think that Lavender is bottered by Rons remaining feelings for Hermione. Indifference should have been preferred compared to continued hang-ups over an ex-girlfriend, so maybe Lavender feels seccond best and blame Hermione for Ron's feelings?
I look forward to read more.
Good for Kingsley. I was afraid that Ron would escape with just a slap on the wrist. I wonder who the ears belong to?
Oooohh! Who's the third set of ears??!!
I'm glad you gave us another Ron scene - very curious about him. I'm glad he's upset, but he should be glad he wasn't fire - the bonehead!
Nice touch there with Kinglsey's rerort "And I thought you and Hermione were friends." !!!
Awesome. Looking forward to reading more.
"Did that goody goody bookworm report you?" Lavender asked, making a face at him.
Nice to see that Lavender's matured every bit as much as her charming husband. *Insert eyeroll*
And the fact that Ron never once expressed remorse over his appalling behavior towards the pregnant victim of a brutal attack--who happens to be a kind-hearted former friend-- is proof that he desperately needs and deserves the suspension that he's so furious about.
Of course, Ron's more upset about the fallout for himself rather than what he did to earn it. Knowing Ron, he'll probably blame Hermione, even though she wasn't the one who reported him.
I'm curious, though, about who was eavesdropping on Ron's ill-fated meeting with the Minister. My first thought was Rita Skeeter, but...?
Great story BTW, I look forward to seeing how things further unfold.
Another great part! I just have one critique, NOT LONG ENOUGH! I want to read more! Anyway, however way you write it, long or short, I still can't wait to read more!
I think you should add another category for this story under "Potions Under Duress." I know that lots of Hermione/Severus fans would enjoy reading this story.
Hurray - an update! I am so glad - I really liked this story. I am glad Hermione is fine. I am also glad that Severus told Ron off. Great job - I look forward to an update.
Response from HermioneWeasley1972 (Author of A Lesson in Friendship)
Thank you. I have good news for you. An update is pending in the queue and I fixed it. As soon as an admin releases it, it will be up. :)
At least he's a little angry at himself.
It's so good to see this story continued - thank you! And what a promising chapter...
You are such a tease. Now you've re-opened a can of flobber worms, so you can't quit now. It was good to see the update.
Nice job!
I am trilled to see an update to this story, I love it! So, Ron had to be a git still, I guess he will never grow up. Severus were rigth to warn him and for standing up for his wife, that is what a decent man should do.
Ron, Harry and the rest of those who turned their back on Hermione for daring to marry the man she loves should all be ashamed of them self, not to mention preferably put in their place!
The culprit (Lucius?) should be publicly humiliated and punished, preferably by Severus and Hermione, but as long as it is painful I guess I can live with it no matter who gets the honor:-))
And you should feel guilty Ron!! As should Harry!!
Lol. I was so excited when I saw an update! Woo-hoo! 
Just loved how Snape was all sweet and threatened Dunderhead!Ron.
I'm very curious how Ron's guilt will influence his next actions.
I'm also very curious about how the children's friendships develop and what they will think when they find out about their parents' estrangement.
So glad Hermione's baby is okay!!!
Look forward to reading more!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I have been looking forward to a new chapter for awhile now! I can't believe Ron, but then again, he has always had the maturity of a teaspoon! Ha! Ha! It was great to see Snape stand up for his family! Ron deserved that and more! I can't wait to see the next chapter!
Grace
Ron was out of line, he deserved what he got and more.
Nice to see how much Ron has matured over the years.
I guess it's fine for he and Lavender to keep building their own personal Quidditch team, but how dare Hermione have a second child with her husband, the man that she loves? So naturally Ron thinks it's a fine idea to antagonize his former friend, a pregnant woman who's just been brutally attacked and barely avoided a miscarriage?
What an ASS!!!
Harry's son James showed much more class and maturity when he stuck up for Nicoletta when that creep Brian tried to start something about a Snape in Gryffindor.
Sounds like James could teach Uncle Won-Won a lesson or two!
So glad to see this story back on the boards. I was really enjoying it. I look forward to your next chapter. Thanks, JoAnne
I hope no one considers Ron Hermione's friend anymore. Jeez. What a loser.
ron the eternal git. wonderful update. thanks and smoochies
I was over at Granger Enchanted when I came across this fic - it stopped at chapter 4 over there - and i just needed to read more. A good search was able to bring me here where you've got 7 chapters. It's very good. I've read several "broken trio friendship" fics, and this is defiantely one of the better ones. I love little Nicoletta and look forward to seeing what happens when Hermione and Ron confront each other at the hospital.
I'm hoping for heaps of guilt from Ron and Harry for being such jerks. I dunno if this fic is abandoned but i really hope it isn't.
Look forward to reading more and catching the bad guy!
Ron doesn't see what he did wrong? And if the healers turned him in, eh. He and Lav are going to blame Hermione anyway.
Ron! How awkward!Ooh, I like this story so far. I hope for another update soon!I'm glad that Hermione and the baby were safe, I was really worried that she would lose the baby. I hope that she can go live with Severus at Hogwarts (although I have a feeling he won't let her stay at home by herself).