A Past Bond - On Hiatus

Chapter 2

"I guess it was a good call traveling back from within the grounds."

"Well, you shot down every other idea," Fred replied. "We knew they upped security this year and, yes, I was concerned the wards wouldn't recognize our magical signature, especially since I wasn't even here this year, but it seemed like the best call. Either way, there wasn't a chance of us breaking in." 

"I was still concerned that the wards would have bounced us out regardless." He practically admitted Fred had been right, what more did he want? His concerns were valid nonetheless. "Thankfully it seems Dumbledore, McGonagall and Severus were not taking into account that someone from the future might pop in."

"Indeed." The three spun around to face the smooth voice behind them. There wasn’t a way to ensure the area was clear of others but they had been confident no one would have been outside this late at night, other than perhaps Hagrid.

"Severus!" Draco beamed, unable to hide his excitement now seeing someone for whom he greatly cared alive once more. "I remember you being a lot bigger."

"You're an idiot, Malfoy." Fred rolled his eyes at the reaction Malfoy had before their former potions professor.

“What. Is the meaning of this?” Snape asked briskly.

“Severus, it’s a long story. Perhaps it would be best if we went inside-” Draco began, but he was cut off by their former potions master.

“Out of the question! How am I to be sure you are who you say you are?”

They thought for a moment. Other than Draco, who grew up knowing Snape, there wasn’t much they could say in order to prove their identities. The two Gryffindors did not have enough private information to share with him. Finally Fred suggested “legilimency?”

“While it is obvious you would be unable to stop my intrusion, these two give off a stronger will.” He turned to the pair. “I am confident I could still break through your walls, however until I attempt to do so, it is unclear to me how genuine the memories will be.” If practiced enough, an accomplished occlumens could push forward targeted memories, whether the memory was theirs originally or one they viewed through another. 

“To get me to stop crying on my 5th birthday you-”

“Enough! Thank you, Draco, that will suffice.” Draco merely smirked in understanding. The professor turned his body to face Hermione. His eyes were as piercing as she remembered, causing the hair on her neck to bristle.

“I set your robes on fire first year.” Hermione squeaked under the burning gaze of the brooding man towering above her. His eyes widened slightly in acknowledgement, but said nothing, “You knew? You knew the whole time and you never said anything to me.”

“Would you have preferred the two month detention I wanted to issue at first consideration?” She shook her head. “I was aware of your involvement as soon as you entered class the following Monday. I also know it was you who stole from me second year. I assumed the consumption of an unsuccessful brew would be punishment enough. As it were, I was almost correct.”

“My brew was perfect!”

“Like I said, I was almost correct. Your brew might have been satisfactory, but your personal application was not. I was rather pleased to be called up to treat you a month later.”

“You did not treat me! Madam Pomfrey did.”

“Yes, but she consulted me, and I was needed to create a reversal potion. I visited more than once during your stay in the infirmary, always while you were sleeping. Tell me,” he stepped closer to the tiny witch, “do you still purr, Ms Granger, or was that simply an unusual side effect of the potion?” All color drained from her face. She was readying herself, a retort on the tip of her tongue when, as if it was spoken by one mouth, “she still purrs” was heard from both of the younger men beside Hermione.