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Unquestionable Love	By : CRMediaGal Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 3380 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyrighted to and belongs to JK Rowling. I own none of her associated characters. New characters belong to me. No money/profit is made from this story.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
A/N: An "Oh, sh*t just got real!" kind of chapter... 'Enjoy' would be the wrong word to use here, so I will just say that I hope it holds your attention, if nothing else.

Many thanks to my beta reader, Brittny!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyrighted to and belongs to JK Rowling. I own none of her associated characters. New characters belong to me.

Chapter 4: Hate Is a Strong Word

There was a lot of incessant talk about the Potions Master flying about the room before class. Hailey had tried, with all of her willpower, to ignore the unnecessary prodding and less-than-friendly jabs about Severus Snape for the past twenty-four hours; however, her restraint was wearing thin, and her father's cold greeting just a few hours earlier was not helping her now fragile and confused state.

How was she to withstand this all year? How had Lily and Surina managed it? She knew she would have to get used to the gossip, the false assumptions, and the nasty accusations. The young witch thought that she had mentally prepared herself enough to handle these uncomfortable moments, but every negative comment the poor girl was unfortunate enough to overhear was like receiving a slap to the face.

"Why don't you just shut it, you silly git," Hugo cried to a skinny, extremely blond-haired Gryffindor boy in the next row, "or maybe we should all have a colorful conversation about you!"

Meanwhile, Albus was challenging a menacing-looking Slytherin named Alistair seated in front of them, who had brought up a rather terrible claim against the professor that was loud enough for the three of them to overhear.

"What the bloody hell do you know about Professor Snape's past?" he challenged, throwing down his quill.

Hailey was also scrutinizing the boy named Alistair. Her eyes squinted furiously at the unattractive, pimple-faced prat who had been gossiping about her father right in front of her, as if she were invisible. Unaware that they were listening, he started in his chair and mumbled something inaudible, though unquestionably malicious, under his breath.

Albus pressed the Slytherin for an answer. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that?" His impressive green eyes were fixated on the back of the boy's greasy head.

Hailey was immensely grateful to Albus and Hugo for rising to her family's defense and was about to retort something unfriendly herself to the Slytherin boy when, in the back of the classroom, the heavy oak door burst open. Several first years jumped in their seats; one dark-haired Gryffindor squealed and tumbled out of her chair, knocking her quill and parchment all over the stone floor, whilst virtually everyone else let out gasps of surprise.

"Enough!" came a familiar, deep growl that Hailey instantly recognized. "I will have quiet in my classroom!"

Severus strutted in through the doorway, his silhouette casting intimidating shadows along the walls, making an impressive statement against the dim candles that ill-properly lit the room. He took no notice of the frightened Gryffindor girl who was fumbling about on her hands and knees, trying to pick up her terrible mess. He simply rolled his eyes and brushed right past her.

When he reached his desk, Severus whirled around, his black cloak and hair sweeping the air, and stared down his young students with an unforgivable expression. He snarled and crossed his arms over his chest, giving them all a look of utter disgust.

The repression in the frigid room was stifling. The only students who did not appear wide-eyed and terrified of the unnerving man before them were Hailey and Albus. Even Hugo was swallowing hard and holding his breath. A tiny smile formed at the corners of Hailey's mouth, though she was not sure why. Her father looked positively evil and not the sort of wizard to be trifled with.

"There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class," Severus hissed wickedly. "As such, I don't expect many of you to understand and appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is Potion-making; however, for those select few..." His eyes locked on Hailey for a fleeting moment, causing her mouth to drop. Had he just acknowledged her presence? And in front of the entire class?

Yeah, that's right, Dad, I'm here and I exist! she lamented bitterly, biting her lip as she scrutinized the mysterious outlines of his ashen face. When his eyes turned away and scanned the room again, Hailey prayed that she had not just imagined their exchange.

"...who possess the predisposition," he continued, his voice now mellow and controlled, "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper...in death." *

Severus reveled in his students' undivided attention and fear. Though he was admittedly exhausted with this speech, a part of him still took pleasure in giving it every year to his first years, mainly because of the dramatic effect—not to mention the wonderful silence—it produced. His daughter, however, was the only one not wrapped up in his words, which both unhinged him and caught him off guard.

Please, sweetheart, he bemoaned to himself, wipe that smirk off your face, or I shall have to make an example of you. Don't force me to do so on your first day.

His beady eyes narrowed and he shot his daughter the most threatening glare a former Death Eater could muster. It produced small cries from a few students, but no one breathed a word.

For Hailey, however, it produced the opposite effect of what the Potions Master intended. She let out a small giggle, then immediately put her hand to her mouth to stifle the sound that had escaped her lips. Severus's upper lip twitched in the most unpleasant fashion. Had he just made her laugh? A heat brewed somewhere in the middle of his chest, rising slowly and coursing through his veins.

"Now then," he began, attempting to ignore the disruption and turning away from his daughter to calm the dreaded sensation, "let's see how many of you ignorant dunderheads actually know anything about Potion-making. I daresay the sorry lot of you will greatly disappointment me. I'll start with an easy one. Who can tell me the method for extracting the most juice from a sopophorous bean?"

The room was silent, much to the professor's undisguised delight, and he sneered at the nervous first years before him, whose sheepish eyes darted every which way but where he stood. Then Hailey's hand shot up, and Severus's moment of triumph was gone. He suspected that she might be bold enough to raise her hand but knew it was unfair to call upon her. Anyone would automatically assume that the Potion Master's daughter knew the answer, so he ignored the bushy-haired girl in the second row.

Hailey grunted, frustrated with his refusal. She had watched her father brew plenty of potions at home, even sharing in on the intrigue of it all by mixing a few ingredients herself alongside him in the kitchen when he allowed it. With every potion, Severus patiently and painstakingly explained every step to her, at times so thoroughly as to bore her, Hailey reflected regrettably, but it was all still fascinating to her, nonetheless.

Hailey rather enjoyed Potion-making and, when her father was home working, she would often just sit and survey him as he labored away. His moves and handling of the ingredients, the way his hands executed with such grace and tackled the various contents with such swiftness and mind-boggling precision, was, to Hailey, magic in itself. Severus willingly indulged his daughter whenever she inquired about a potion he was working on. Why would he not let her illustrate her appreciation for everything he had taught her by allowing her to answer the question?

"Anyone?" Severus inquired, letting his pause pierce the silence. Hailey's hand extended further into the air, but Severus kept his eyes aimed elsewhere. "How unfortunate," he bemoaned sarcastically. "Well, what are the two alternative names for Wolfsbane? Surely, one of you must know that, unless you are all profoundly simpleminded."

Another high-pitched giggle, only louder, came from where Hailey sat, and Severus twirled around, praying it was not his daughter, but her facial expression made his suspicions indisputable. She was displaying a smug look, her hand still raised in the air, and was trying to stop her laughter with her hand pressed to her mouth, but she was finding it difficult.

Damn it, Hailey...

"Miss Snape," he hissed, taking a few calculated steps towards her. The professor's voice was far chillier than before and Hailey withdrew her hand, her expression no longer amused but alert.

Virtually the entire class whipped their heads around and gawked at her, surprised. Hailey did not flinch but stared up at her father, her eyebrows raised.

"Sir?" The word felt alien on her tongue. Referring to her father in such a proper manner made her cringe and blush with embarrassment.

Severus placed his hands behind his back and a scowl formed across his otherwise emotionless visage. "Have I said something that amuses you?"

It was not a friendly inquiry; it was marked by a threatening undertone that only a fool would not have picked up on. Hailey's pupils widened and she bit her lip again, the spitting image of an eleven-year-old Hermione flashing before his eyes. Hailey's mouth dropped and she gaped up at the dark man nervously.

"Um, no, sir?" she uttered faintly.

Severus raised one eyebrow, entirely unconvinced. "Obviously something was frightfully funny," he replied, his voice dripping with annoyance. "You had a ridiculous grin on your face just a moment ago. Please do share with us your exceedingly important jest that was so unbelievably hilarious that you just could not restrain yourself."

Hailey's brow curled. She tried to form words but could only breathe more quickly. What on earth is he doing? She had never received such an awful, disapproving glare from her father before, or not that she could recall, anyway. There was not a glimmer of kindness in his eyes. It was unsettling, to say the least, and so unlike him.

"It seems that you are at a loss for words." He snickered, a rather alarming twinkle emerging in the depths of his irises.

"Dad, I—" Hailey began before stopping herself.

She tensed her shoulders at her slip up. Severus's frame went rigid as well and his features expanded at hearing his daughter's informal address.

Foolish child...

Though a deep part of him wanted to dismiss her honest mistake, it was too late for the Potions Master. The anger mounting within was becoming far too difficult to restrain any longer.

"What was that?" Severus breathed menacingly, more exasperated than before.

"I - I'm sorry! Sir—"

"Yes?"

Hailey fumbled, trying to grasp at the dislodged words scrambling about in her brain. "I - I don't find this class amusing."

"Then, pray, tell us what was so funny?" Severus's eyebrows contracted, his tone badgering her for an answer. "We are awaiting your response with bated breath."

Was this the same father who had consoled her the day before? The same person who had rubbed her back affectionately and assured her that she would do well at school? The man leering down upon her now was not that man, Hailey concluded, and she could not muster any courage to offer a reply. Her usual rosy complexion had drained from her endearing little face.

Control it, Severus... You know how... You used to be able do this so well... Hailey shouldn't see; she can't see! Control it, damn it!

But it was too late; the madness was overpowering and completely engulfing him before he had time to realize what he was about to do. He glared down at the young Gryffindor whom he loved so dearly; that man was barely tangible now.

"Perhaps I could help you recall what you find so terribly amusing about the trivial subject you consider Potion-making to be."

Hailey wanted to object, but there was no time. She scuttled backwards at the sight of her father's wand, which had abruptly emerged from behind his back. In an instant, his body shifted, rather fluidly, into a powerful dueling stance with his wand aimed squarely at Hailey's head.

The entire class drew back, dumbfounded. A few inhales and muffled cries reverberated around the classroom. Three Slytherins seated in front of Hailey, including the Alistair boy with the greasy hair, sprung out of the way to avoid being struck.

Hailey was just as stunned as the rest of the class. She could not believe that her father had drawn his wand. Its broad tip was pointed directly at her and Hailey froze; her back was pinned against the desk behind her, and she had nowhere to go.

In a panic, she searched Severus's haggard face and the harsh, poisonous eyes that bore into her, filled with a loathing she did not recognize. Her father may have acted cold before, but his entire being had drastically changed in a matter of seconds. That harrowing look—not to mention his pointed wand—made her eyes sting and they pleaded with him silently, for all her mouth could manage in reply was to quiver.

In an instant, Albus shot to his feet. He leaped up from his desk, his green eyes wide and alarmed. "Sir! What are you doing? Please, stop! She didn't mean to—"

"Sit down, Mr. Potter," Severus spat at him darkly, not taking his attention off of Hailey or shuffling an inch, "or I will deal with you in a moment!"

The warning in his tone was more than enough to make Albus obey. He reluctantly slunk into his chair, but his green eyes followed the movement of Severus's wand as it drew closer and closer to Hailey. Hugo's mouth had gone dry. He, like the rest of the students, looked on, completely shell-shocked at what was happening.

Severus bent over the now empty desk in front of her, slithering forward until his face and wand were mere inches from Hailey's face. Her lips trembled at the unnatural gleam in his eyes and at the protruding wand that now touched her cheek. She felt tears begin to swell, but she was too frightened to cry.

"Miss Snape," Severus—her father—spoke softly, only for her, "if you find this class entertaining, or if it does not meet your lofty expectations, than I strongly encourage you to not waste any more of my valuable time and get the hell out of my classroom. Now!"

Hailey jolted back at every painful word, her tiny body crumbling in response. Her eyes were wet and swimming with tears that threatened to fall. Why is he doing this to me? What have I done?

Before she could formulate a reply, Severus vaulted back from her desk and the deserted one in front of it, his wand disappearing into his robes. He placed his hands behind his back again and stared down at her disapprovingly.

"Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

Hailey nodded her head, and a few tears began streaming down her cheeks. She could no longer control her rattled emotions. Her voice broke when she finally mustered the strength to answer back. "Y - Yes, s - sir. I'm s - sorry."

Severus stared at her, unmoved by her desperate emotions. "Would you like to take your leave, then?"

"N - No. I didn't mean—"

"Enough!"

Severus waved her response away with one hand but then, unexpectedly, his entire frame shifted again; a strange look flashed across his face, though only for a moment. Hailey was not sure what to make of the exchange as her eyes watery and unclear, but she quickly determined that his expression no longer bore the awful hatred from moments before.

Severus winced, a crease forming between his eyes, and he withdrew a step or two and reached out to grip one of the stone pillars behind him for balance. Though his body was seemingly unstable, almost crumbling against the column, his eyes never left Hailey's face, their blackness expanding as if he were a witness to something truly horrific.

Was he feeling guilty about what he had done? Was he in some kind of pain? Hailey must have imagined it, because it evaporated as quickly as it came. After managing to steady himself, Severus turned away from her and regained his control of the room, striding back and forth and staring down at all of his double-petrified students. They gawked at the Potions professor, wide-eyed and nervous.

Hailey gave a soft whimper. Something somewhere told her that he must be lamenting his actions, but perhaps that was just her wishful thinking; Severus never addressed her again for the remainder of the lesson. Hailey's eyes pricked from all of her wet tears. She watched in silence as her father continued to stalk the room, treading rather carefully, as if it took every fiber of his being, addressing her peers with snarky remarks.

When he ordered them to take notes, Hailey could not concentrate. Her hand was trembling and would not adhere to what she needed to jot down. Hailey tried her damnedest to focus, only occasionally glancing up from her parchment, but each time, it was too painful to look at him. His presence was overpowering, his voice cold and so foreign to what she was used to, and so she stared at her near empty parchment for the remainder of class.

It was not until Severus dismissed them that Hailey realized she had been staring obliviously at her parchment for some time. A hand gently reached over and touched her arm underneath the desk, causing her to jump. She glanced over to find Albus staring at her with the most empathetic look she had ever received. It made her want to fly into his arms and hug him tight. She could certainly use a hug right now...

Albus read her grateful, forlorn eyes and whispered as faintly as he could, "Are you all right, Hailey?"

Students were filtering out of the class as discreetly as possible. Many, she gathered, were probably afraid that her father would hex them. They were leering at her or muttering to each other as they passed by, surely discussing the incident that had taken place between father and daughter, appalled and shocked at what they had witnessed.

"Y - Yes. I - I'm fine. Thanks."

Hailey wiped her cheeks and stood up, when it suddenly dawned on her that her hands were still trembling. Her knees were also wobbling and threatening to give way.

"Hailey..." Hugo was standing next to Albus, too, observing her, his blue orbs large with worry. "You're really shook up. You sure you're all right?"

Before she could answer, Severus whisked over with his cloak slithering behind him. All three had momentarily forgotten that he was there. His dark figure towered over the three of them and he locked eyes only with his distraught child. His pallid face was stern and, though still serious, not at all angry anymore.

"She's perfectly fine, Mr. Weasley," came his soft, yet sober, reply. "I'm sure you and Mr. Potter can manage getting to your next class without her assistance."

Hugo stumbled backwards towards the door, immediately taking the hint, half afraid of the professor standing over him, but Albus lingered where he was. He glanced up at Severus, and his expression was wrought with uncertainty and discouragement.

"Uncle Sev—Sir," his tone was almost pleading, wanting to reach some sort of understanding, "why did you do that?"

Hailey's mouth dropped, taken aback by her friend's boldness. Though Albus and Hugo knew her father well enough, they were always apprehensive and rather nervous around him, Hugo especially. Still, given what had happened, Hailey found Albus's enquiry exceedingly bold, to say the least.

Severus's strong jaw tightened but his face did not become cross as predicted. "Albus," he replied, forgoing any formalities, which stunned them all, "you will find that, in my classroom, no one is exempt from being made an example of when they treat my lessons disparagingly. Not you, not Hugo, and certainly not my own daughter. Potions is no laughing matter, something I would think your father would have made clear to you himself."

Albus's concerned expression did not change, though his mouth constricted a little at Severus's small jab at his father. He turned from Severus to Hailey, then back to Severus, remaining calm, yet still very perplexed. "But, Professor, you didn't have to draw your wand on her. We - We all thought that you were going to—"

"Don't be ridiculous! I had no intention of using my wand! I am not the sort of professor to go about the castle hexing first years!" He swiftly raised his hand at the green-eyed boy who wanted to interject. "That will be all, Potter!"

Albus cautiously glanced at Hailey one more time before finally taking his leave. His pace was deliberately slow and he turned around a few times, as if not believing the Potions Master, not entirely convinced that the dark wizard would not simply hex Hailey as soon as they were out of sight.

Hailey watched the two boys vanish beyond the door, leaving her stranded and alone. She wanted nothing more in that moment than to run from the room. An unfamiliar sensation crept over her entire being. She had never been afraid of Severus before, but now she was. Her breathing became just as rapid as it had when her father's wand had been aimed at her face.

Severus's hands instantaneously shot from around his back and grasped Hailey's shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. She was startled and surprised by what she saw when she stared half wildly into his eyes.

Severus's usually stone-like countenance was no longer reproachful; it had been replaced by an earnest longing. His midnight eyes were larger than normal, and his forehead was furrowed with worry. A few strands of hair hung limp about his face, and he made no attempt to whisk them away.

"Hailey?" he implored in a delicate voice.

As if expecting him to shout when he took hold of her, Hailey cowered at the utterance of her name. Her hands shot up to cover her face. Severus could see that her palms were still shaking uncontrollably, and he felt his chest heave at the terrible notion he feared would be true; Hailey had sincerely believed that he was going to hex her.

"Hailey," he started quietly, his tone pained with desperation. "Please..."

Hailey suddenly began to cry, her tiny frame quivering in his arms. She shook her mangled curls that, for the moment, masked her tears. Severus watched helplessly, unable to control his daughter's reckless sobs that poured out in waves.

Dear god, what have I done?

He could hardly bear to hear her sobs, his face wincing each time she drew breath to let out another wail. "Please, sweetheart. It's all right..." His voice was so gentle and altogether different from before. His threatening tone had been replaced by a genuine tenderness that was much more familiar to the weeping child. He tried to rub her tense shoulders and stooped down to her level to try and get her attention. "Look at me, Hailey..."

"Get - Get away from m - me," she sniveled.

To his dismay, Hailey withdrew further and hit the desk behind her, causing her to lose her balance and stagger sideways. She was completely terrified of him, there was no question, and Severus drew in another painful breath. Reluctantly, he removed his touch, not wanting to cause her any more distress.

"I - I'm not going to harm you, Hailey; I would never..." his voice broke off.

Severus's tone was so quiet that she almost did not catch what he said, but then Hailey unexpectedly found her voice. It forced its way out of her like a bolt of thunder. "HOW COULD YOU?" she bellowed and whipped her head up to meet Severus's surprised gaze. "Wh – Why would you do that? WHY?"

Severus could see the redness around her eyes; they were growing puffier by the minute from all the tears she had shed. Droplets were still cascading down her hot cheeks, but her fear had been replaced by an alarming contempt that Severus understood all too well.

"I didn't... That wasn't..." He hushed, unable to finish what he so hopelessly wanted to tell her.

It stressed Severus greatly to see his daughter displaying such distemper, and his eyes grew wider still. Perhaps because it was so unlike his daughter and so very much like him. Regardless, Hailey's teeth were clenched and her fists were clasped at her sides, still shaking, not from terror but from rage, and it was all directed at him.

"HOW DARE YOU!"

She thrust her fists with great force against Severus's chest, catching the Potions Master off guard, sending him stumbling back against a nearby desk. His hair covered his shocked expression for a fleeting moment before he saw the young girl come barreling towards him. He raised his hands to prevent her from striking him again and gripped both of her wrists, which flailed about madly as she continued to shriek absurdities and attempted to pummel him several more times.

"Hailey, what the—"

"YOU'RE AWFUL! YOU MEAN, FOULSOME—"

"Hailey, stop it—"

"NO! DON'T TOUCH ME!"

"Please! Let me explain—"

"NO! LET ME GO!"

He could feel her temper rising with every attempt he made to block her furious advances. "For goodness sake, calm down! Just calm down—"

"NO! YOU EVIL, PATHETIC COWARD—"

"Don't say that, Hailey! DON'T!"

"TO HELL WITH YOU! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!"

"Hailey, I beg you! Stop it! Just let me ex—"

"NOOO! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"

Severus unexpectedly dropped his arms. He had fallen to his knees while trying to control his daughter's attack upon him, and now Hailey's small frame reared over the professor instead, in a rare moment of domination.

Hailey sought the opportunity at hand. He had released his strong grip from her wrists, and they were now free to strike. Using all the rage manifesting within her, Hailey smacked her father hard across the face with all the strength she possessed. The pale cheek she struck was now flaming red, visibly displaying a small, but noticeable, hand print.

Severus's disheveled hair fell all around his face, masking his protruding nose and high cheekbones, but he brushed the strands away to look upon the youth who had just struck him so heatedly. When his eyes met hers, there was no anger lingering behind the darkness; in fact, there were none of the emotions Hailey expected at all.

Now it was Severus's turn to recoil. Hailey watched in disbelief as her father slid against the foot of a desk and stared up at her, his face wrought with anguish. For a passing moment, Hailey forgot about her rage.

Oh my... What have I done?

Any little color he had drained from his skin, the only exception being her hand print that burned like a hot torch on his left cheek. She searched every inch of his face. There was no shock, no reproach, no disdain, not even the indignation that Hailey had wanted more than anything else. The only emotion staring back at her was his utter despair; it was a gravitating sadness that she wanted—needed—to escape. Now.

"Please," Severus rasped before she could turn away, his voice uneven and entirely unfamiliar to her ears. Indeed, Hailey hardly recognized the crumbled lump of a man before her. "Don't say that, Hailey... Hate is such a – a strong word..."

Hailey quickly realized that her fists were still raised, ready to strike him again. Not knowing what else to do and in a state of panic, she dashed back to her desk where her belongings were and gathered them up in a heap. She rushed past her father, who was still slumped over on the stone floor.

"Sweetheart, wait..." his voice trailed after her as she brushed past him.

When Hailey reached the doorway, she spun around on her heels and leered down at him, a mixture of anger and hurt still blazing in her eyes. Severus returned her injured stare. The side of his face where she had struck still glowed and his sable, sad eyes implored her, begging her not to leave so that he could somehow explain his actions. Yet in that moment, just as when his wand had been raised, Hailey knew she was not seeing her father but staring at someone else, at a man from long ago, someone whom she had 'heard' about but never cared to encounter. That man simply could not be the father that she knew and loved. That spiteful person had never felt real to her, and she had never believed in his existence, until now.

"Damn your excuses, Dad," she whispered, her small voice dripping with animosity. "I hate you. Go to hell."

Severus stared on hopelessly as the girl with unkempt hair and a disposition just like her mother withdrew from the Potions lab. He heard her fast-paced steps echo down the hallway, as she moved further and further away from him. Then an eerie silence followed. Hailey was gone, and Severus was left alone with nothing but her admonishment.

A/N #2: No, Severus is not an abusive father in this story, so lay down your pitchforks if you please! Remember when I said that things aren't always what they seem? Something to keep in the back of your mind...

[*] - lifted directly from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Unquestionable Love