Rewritten Destiny

It was late evening, and the Slytherin common room was alive with subdued chatter and the rustle of parchment. The flickering flames in the fireplace cast long shadows, creating an ambiance both comforting and eerie. Professor Severus Snape stood at the back of the room, partially obscured by a tapestry of Salazar Slytherin. His keen eyes were fixed on one first-year student: Hermione Dagworth-Granger.

 

Hermione sat at a corner table, deeply engaged in a solitary task, her demeanour calm and composed, a stark contrast to the intensity that often lurked in her eyes. Snape noted her interactions carefully—or rather, her lack of interaction. She maneuverer through her studies with a subtlety that belied her age, clearly, she was beyond her peers and possibly bored with the content.

 

But it wasn’t just her composure that intrigued Snape. It was the brief, unguarded moments when her mask slipped. Moments when her eyes flashed with an intensity that seemed far too deep for an eleven-year-old. Snape had particularly noticed this during a previous class when the subject of Hector Dagworth-Granger, her distant cousin, had been inadvertently brought up.

 

Hector, a well-known and controversial figure in the magical community, was notorious for his experiments with potions, particularly those of a more manipulative nature. Though Hermione had never met him, the mere mention of his name elicited a strong reaction from her. Snape had observed the brief flicker of disgust in her eyes—a look he recognized all too well, a look of someone who despised the very idea of the person in question.

 

As Snape continued to observe her, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Hermione than met the eye. Her intense reaction to Hector was not just a matter of personal disdain; it was deeper, more personal. And Snape was determined to find out why.

 

A few days later, Snape found himself at Malfoy Manor. The mansion, with its dark elegance and cold beauty, was a place he frequented often, but tonight he was here for more than just a social visit. Narcissa Malfoy had invited him for dinner, and Snape had decided to take the opportunity to discuss his concerns about Hermione.

 

The veranda was bathed in the soft glow of the moon, casting long shadows across the manicured gardens. Narcissa sat at a wrought-iron table, her blonde hair gleaming in the moonlight. She looked up as Snape approached, a delicate smile playing on her lips.

 

"Severus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she greeted, her voice as smooth as silk.

 

Snape inclined his head, presenting the bottle of wine he had brought. "I thought we might share a drink and discuss a matter that has been weighing on my mind."

 

Narcissa accepted the bottle with a curious glance, pouring them each a glass. They settled into their seats, the night enveloping them in a serene silence.

 

"What troubles you, Severus?" Narcissa asked, her eyes reflecting a keen interest.

 

Snape took a measured sip of his wine, choosing his words carefully. "It’s about one of your new Slytherins, Hermione Dagworth-Granger. During a class, she displayed an intense aversion to the mention of her distant cousin, Hector Dagworth-Granger. Her reaction was quite pronounced."

 

Narcissa raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Hermione Dagworth-Granger? Draco mentioned her in his letters. He says she’s exceptionally talented and driven, but also very secretive. What could Hector have done to provoke such a reaction?"

 

"That’s what I’m trying to discern," Snape admitted, his tone contemplative. "Her disgust seemed deeply personal, as if it went beyond a mere academic disagreement. I suspect it might be linked to Hector's experiments with Love Potions." Snape cleared his throat, his expression thoughtful. "There's another matter I've observed concerning Hermione. She seems to have a strong aversion to being referred to as 'Dagworth-Granger.' It's as if the mere mention of that name unsettles her."

 

Narcissa's brows furrowed in concern. "Ah, I see. That's quite telling, isn't it? Perhaps there's a history there she's not keen on revisiting."

 

Snape nodded; his gaze fixed on the moonlit garden. "Indeed. It's a deliberate choice on her part, one that I find intriguing."

 

Narcissa's lips curved into a sympathetic smile. "Severus, I understand the significance of family names, but we must also respect her wishes. If Hermione prefers to be known simply as 'Granger,' then so be it, I’ll need to inform Draco of this, so he doesn’t offend her, he seems to be rather frustrated at her lack of interest in him”

 

Narcissa’s expression grew thoughtful. "Love Potions can be perilous, even for the most skilled potion-makers. If Hector was as reckless as some claimed, it’s conceivable he caused harm. But why would Miss Granger be so affected by it?"

 

"That’s what I’m trying to uncover," Snape replied, his voice low and serious. "Her reaction was too strong to be dismissed as simple disdain. There’s something more significant at play here, something that has deeply affected her."

 

Narcissa took another sip of her wine, her eyes narrowing in thought. "It could be a family secret, something Hector’s research exploited or revealed."

 

The idea agreed with Snape. He had observed many students over the years, but Hermione was different. Driven, gifted, and fiercely independent, her reaction rung alarm bells inside his head.

 

"I need to learn more," Snape said quietly, his resolve hardening. "For now, I will observe her more closely. Perhaps in time, she will reveal what lies beneath her anger."

 

Narcissa reached across the table, placing a hand on Snape’s arm. "Be careful, Severus. Curiosity can be dangerous, especially when it involves the Dagworth-Granger family. Whist they might not be a noble house, they were powerful.”

 

He met her gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. "I will, Narcissa. Thank you."

 

Back at Hogwarts, Snape’s mind was distracted as he prepared for his next Potions class. Hermione’s talent was undeniable, and her determination something he couldn’t ignore. Yet, it was her secret that intrigued him most.

 

The following days saw Snape adopting a more observant role, paying close attention to Hermione’s behaviour both in class and beyond. In the Potions classroom, he watched her with a keen eye, noting the precision and dedication she brought to her work. Hermione was always among the first to arrive, her notes meticulously organized, her focus unwavering. But there were moments, fleeting yet telling, where a shadow crossed her face.

 

His attention wavered from Miss Granger and moved to Mr Potter, realising that his interaction with Miss Granger and subsequent observations had reduced his focus on Potter’s behaviour, he realised that he hadn’t caused any trouble and was trying to complete his potion, albeit rather poorly. He carefully watched him as he added the materials and stirred the potion with the correct timing and order, however he hadn’t reduced the heat quiet enough and his ingredient preparation was incorrect.

 

“Mr Potter, a word after class” he said quietly.

 

Harry, just looked up at him and nodded whilst they finished their potions.

 

As the class left, he watched as Potter said he’d catch up with Mr Weasley.

 

“Mr Potter, it is not often I make academic suggestions to my students unless they show promise, and whilst I initially thought you were going to be just like your Father, I am pleasantly surprised that you are at least following the instructions in class and not causing a ruckus.”

 

Harry just looked at Professor Snape, shocked that he was not being berated.

 

“There does, however, seem to be something you’re missing in class, and that’s an understanding of ingredient preparation and how to adjust the heat properly for your potion to not curdle, I would strongly suggest you request ‘Potions: The Three P’s Preparation, Patience and Preparation’, your mother would have expected you excel in one of her favourite classes”

 

Harry looked at Professor Snape like he had grown a second head “You knew my mother?”

 

Snape took a hitched breath before controlling himself “Yes, we were in the same year at school, and she was a hard worker, a brilliant witch and very studious, the latter trait you do not seem to have embraced”

 

Harry looking down at his feet a with some embarrassment and shame “Thank you Sir” and left the potions classroom.

 

As the Potter boy left his classroom, Snape considered how the boy reacted to authority figures, his subtle inflection in his voice when he replied during class and realised, he had missed something, it was as if he had never heard about his mother, or his father and he would have to talk to the headmaster when he next had free time.

 

He thought back on the disaster that was Longbottom’s Potion and couldn’t for the life of him understand how Pomona sung his praises in Herbology, but the boy would make the safest potion into one of the deadliest weapons known to Wizard kind, he knew his grandmother well, not someone whom he would want to cross, so he’d have to raise his concerns with Pomona and see if she could get to the bottom of it.

 

Snape’s observations extended beyond the classroom. During his patrols of the castle, he took note of Hermione’s interactions with her peers. In the Slytherin common room, she was a pillar of support for her housemates, her demeanour generally warm and approachable, yet there was a guardedness about her, a subtle distance that spoke of distrust.

 

One evening, as he patrolled the hallways near the Slytherin Dungeon, Snape observed Hermione closely. She was often alone, deeply immersed in her studies or lost in thought. It was also clear she wasn’t confiding in her dormmates.

 

Determined to uncover the truth, Snape began to delve into the history of the Dagworth-Granger family. He spent hours in the restricted section of the library, combing through old records and obscure texts. The more he read, the more he realized just how complex and secretive the Dagworth-Granger lineage was. Their family tree was dotted with powerful witches and wizards, many of whom had dabbled in dark and dangerous magic.

 

Hector Dagworth-Granger stood out among them. His experiments with potions, particularly those affecting the mind and emotions, were well-documented. Yet, there was a gap in the records, a period where Hector seemed to vanish from public life.

 

As Snape pieced together the fragments of Hector’s life, he began to see a pattern. Hector’s obsession with control, his desire to manipulate and dominate, was evident in his research. The Love Potions he had created were not just about inducing affection—they were about complete and utter subjugation. Snape shuddered at the thought of what Hector might have done to his victims. The problem however was this wasn’t proof, and he may be jumping to conclusions trying to understand the young girl’s reaction.

 

The more Snape learned, the more concerned he became. He knew he had to tread carefully. If Hector was still conducting his experiments, he could be a significant threat, not just to Hermione, but to anyone who crossed his path. Snape’s priority became clear: he had to protect Hermione and uncover the truth about Hector’s current activities.

 

During one particularly challenging lesson, Snape introduced a series of advanced potion theories, including those related to Love Potions and their more nefarious uses. As he spoke, he watched Hermione closely, noting the subtle tightening of her jaw, the way her hands clenched into fists beneath the desk. Her reaction was telling, confirming his suspicions that the issue was linked to Love Potions.

 

He was pleased as well to see that Mr Potter’s potion was now actually useable, not an EE just yet but certainly better than the Troll he had had to award him for his prior attempt. His ingredient preparation was still clumsily done, his knife work surprisingly deft, but his knowledge on how to to prep them such as crushing, grinding and how finely to drop and dice needed work. The boy would learn this with practice, and he had already overstepped considering his position as Dumbledore’s Spy in the darker circles.

 

After the class, Snape lingered in the doorway, watching as Hermione packed her belongings. She moved efficiently, her expression unreadable. As she walked past him, their eyes met briefly, and in that moment, Snape saw a flicker of something, of what though he could not be sure.