Chapter Text
Hermione was reading a book, and it was perhaps her least favorite book of all time, never had she wanted to burn a book before. Books were supposed to be helpful Full of knowledge. This one she wanted to tear out the pages rip the words written to shreds. it was degrading and sexist and absolutely vile, and it was the laws of the magical world, and the magical creatures there in.
The wizarding world she learned, was a racist backwards place, she would admit she hadnt even understood what racism was until experiencing it for herself when first entering the magical world. She was already low on the totem pole for being a muggle born, but now a so called class 2 humanoid, she clenched her fist and yelped looking down, her fingernails had dug deeper into her palm that intended, every other day she needed to shave down her fingernails it seemed, “claws” she sniffed angrily and turned back to the book.
Nekomataclass 2 humanoid - dangerous but tame able
Mainly found in parts of Japan and China but sometimes found in Northern European countries, though very rarely. the last one was seen in Europe well over a century ago. As a loved pet of the Minister of Magic at the time. Nekomata are a simple minded creature, many unable to speak human language unless taught, though many find learning incredibly difficult. They have a strong affinity for fire and look mostly human all for their eyes which they can use to see in the dark. their pointed ears, claws and distinctive two tails. Nekomata are a Dangerous and Extremely Volatile Dark Creature and are to be apprehended and brought to the ministry to be processed. Under class section B IIIX of magical creatures reformation act.
Hermione sighed angrily how does one both be extremely dangerous and have a delicate nature, not even trying to hide the inconsistencies. The fact the last one seen in Europe was a pet to the minister of magic! Professor Snape was not joking around when he said she could be made into a pet. She massaged her head. How did everything go so wrong, the Boys didn’t even learn anything all that important from Malfoy or about the heir of Slytherin.
She looked back at the photo, of the nekomata the loved Pet. Of Alcindor Daffo ministry in 1783 she sat at his heel, dressed rather provocative in a red slip she noticed with a frown, his hand on her head, but her eyes looked sad as she stared ahead then she closed them her dark head bowing a pair of ears perched on top twitched lightly at being touched, her tails wrapped around her waist like a hug, her figure hunching over, then the image started over, those same eyes looking at her then closing. A collar of gold sat heavy around her neck.
A Well loved pet indeed ... she seemed trapped and unhappy to Hermione. She didn’t even have a name! Or they didn’t think it mattered in the publication, this was the most recent information the wizarding world had. No reforms have been made, that could be her, sitting there eyes empty begging for help. Professor Snape had said to read this book first, she wondered if it was so she would see that horrible image, to show her why she needed to hide.
She had most of the physical attributes of a Nekomata or as he called it. Neko-kin
Fuzzy ears atop head check, claws check, slitted pupils glowing eyes, check, though she had only seem them for a moment. Hermione looked down at her blue bell fire jar . She had always had a strong affinity for fire so she wasn’t sure if that counted but really the only thing visually difference from a neko kind was the fact she only had one tail. One that was currently curled around her waist much like how the “pet” had in the photo It has been the most comfortable thing to do when sitting
She shuddered and closed the book.
And opened the next one.
Japanese’s Mythos and its Magical Creatures.
Fascinating, was this magical creature based upon mythology from Japan and it looked like China as well. She turned to the pages Professor Snape sectioned off and began reading not even a few paragraphs in and already she could hardly believing what she was reading.
Hermione very much doubted that she could control Corpses through Necromancy! Nor did she feel the the need to destroy villages with giant fireballs, she blinked her eyes in shock. Also she didn’t believe she gained the power to suck the spirit out of someone! Like a Bloody Dementor. As depicted by the the Senri of Chinese myth, but neko kin had been placed as a umbrella term it seemed for any cat human like creature. Another name given was Bakeneko, though less widely known... they also had only one tail! were known to be more docile in nature but were sly like a snake taking on human form, using seduction techniques to kill, they liked to drink blood and raising the dead like the nekomata, also their Fur sparked when agitated!
Hermione was concerned about this as her hair has been known to spark in times of stress, she wondered if this is why the ‘Nekomata’ became feared and ‘tamed’ collared in the first place. Like all myths and legends maybe there was some hint of truth? It didn't really help her in the end. Both were depicted as dangerous. She was screwed either way, even still she didn't believe herself to be a Nekomata but she had to admit. Her own new physical attributes couldn’t be denied, though the only thing that Hermione wanted to ‘kill’ was a Tuna salad sandwich alongside a bag of crisps. She felt no urge to drink blood, maybe a cup of tea with some cream would be nice? One of the only real changes she has experienced mentally was her cravings of food, particularly that of the fishy nature and maybe a sudden craving of cream tartlets for dessert at supper time.
No one seemed to notice the changes and neither Ron or Harry had brought up the Polyjuice potion incident. Almost as if it was forgotten, it was a curious thing, wasn’t there a magic about removing memories? She couldn’t recall the name for it, it made her somewhat uneasy, unsure if they were ever going to bring it up, or if their minds were tampered with to hide her change. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of either.
Setting the book down she decided it was time to eat dinner, she really hoped the elves would let her order that Tuna sandwich.
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She knocked on his door half past eight , it swung open then closed shut behind her.
“Sir, I had a question for you I can’t tell if Harry and Ron are just keeping quiet about everything, they have never brought what happened to me up and honestly its making me anxious I wondered if-
“There is no need to trouble yourself Miss Granger, it was been taken care of”
”What has been taken care of exactly Professor?”
“Their minds have been modified slightly they do not remember your... transformation, they instead believe you became ill which was why you had been in the infirmary”
“How” she sputtered imperiously “but that’s horrible! you changed their memories, Implanted false ones! !! Hermione started in, she knew her voice had taken on a shrill tone. to have the capability for doing so, and to create false memories on top of it, was incredibly impressive magic she assumed but also such a violation.
“Safe! Miss Granger it was done to protect you! To keep you safe you ungrateful chit! You know neither of those boys would be able to keep you turning into a ‘cat’ a secret! As I seem to recall in Weaseley’s memory of you he found it hilarious you had grown a tail! he had planned to share the incident with his twin siblings, I couldn't let that happen and i did what had to be done”
It sounded believable, it would be a careless something Ron would do, she deflated. Her feelings of needing to protect her friend sliding into a sense of betrayal.
“It had seemed Potter would of kept it a secret Miss Granger but I couldn’t have inconsistencies when they were both there” he followed up more cautiously, seeing that he trust in her friends was about to be broken. And the last thing the little with needed was lack of friendship.
“What of Myrtle”
“The Bloody Baron” she nodded her head sighing
“I didn’t mean to accuse you Professor, after everything. What I actually meant to say earlier.” She began looking into his eyes...
then suddenly he was being hugged around the waist, his arms flapped unattractively at his sides, some spy he was, he had been out of work too long couldn’t even dodged a hug from a pint sized witch.
“Miss Granger! This is completely inaprop-
“Thank you” she mumbled into his chest, stilling him. his hands had gone around to pull her off. he sighed heavily when was the last time someone hugged him, and truly thanked him for something he didn’t think he could actually recall a time, most of the children were petrified of him, the dungeon bat the greasy haired git. She held on still not leaving him. He had to admit. It was a nice feeling. he gently pat her head, brushing lightly against an invisible fuzzy ear. Causing it to twitch. He smirked lightly, somewhat wishing he could see them.
“You are welcome”
“I’m scared”
“you have good reason to be scared Miss Granger, but I will be here to help you along the way” and Severus Snape Meant it. He would do what he could to protect Her. Keep her safe from those that would abuse her, from the dregs of the underworld, even his own dark Brethren. Or he would die trying, He would keep his promise to Albus about the Potter boy, he owed it to Lily’s memory. He just hoped he lived long enough to see her grow up and find someone to care for her and keep her safe if he could not.
END