A/N: Well here's the first part to my first Hermione/Snape fic. It's sort of in response to the WIKTT challenge about marital laws but I'm not sure when I'll finish it so who knows if the date will make the contest.
Disclaimer: It's not mine, etc etc etc
...
It had been there for just over a year. It was present in the knot in her neck, the slight lack of a bounce in her step, in the occasional frowns she wore. The "Marriage Law," as it was being called, had been instituted over a year ago. At least 12 girls she knew had fallen to it already. Poor Hannah had been forced to marry some old wizard from a French Wizarding family whose bloodlines were so old they outdated Flamel. Patty had been married to some 4-year-old boy before the law could be amended to only include wizards of age 18 or older. Each girl had a sad story to tell. Oh sure, a few of them had gotten off with a handsome and kind husband...Maria and Ernie were due to be married in a month or so, but it wasn't fair that they had to rush into it at all.
The Old Wizarding Families were revamping their bloodlines as their progeny was becoming more inbred, more unperfect. Their solution? To bribe the ministry into passing a law that allowed any person from a Pure-blooded wizarding family to petition for a muggle born witch or wizard's hand in marriage. The one small kindness was that the muggle-born got to choose who to marry. It was a very small kindness.
This week was Hermione's birthday and the knot in her neck had grown tighter, the frowns deeper, and her step less bouncy for a month. Harry and Ron saw the difference but didn't know how to fix it. Harry didn't have the bloodlines and Ron was already betrothed, being of an old wizarding family himself, to a girl he was madly in love with, and she with him.
The morning of her birthday Hermione sighed instead of smiling, hunched over instead of stretching, and cringed instead of laughing. She barely had time to gain some composure before McGonagall had entered her room.
"Hermione?" Came the voice and soft knock at the entrance to the 7th year girls' dorm. "I'm sorry dear, I tried to get Albus to put it off, but I couldn't, you'll have to come down to the office with me I'm afraid. I'll wait in the common room."
Hermione moaned in response, but she was never one to give up and sleep in, so she got up, quickly showered and changed and met the professor in the common room.
It was hard to say which of the pair was more distressed. McGonagall seemed to be taking this just as hard as any of the young Gryffindor girls affected by the new law was. Without a word she led Hermione down the hall to Dumbledore's office, giving her a quick hug before saying the password and following the young girl in.
....
The first thing Hermione noticed when she entered was that Professor Dumbledore didn't look nearly as upset as he should have, given that one of his favorite pupils was about to be given away to who knows what sort of wizard. The second thing she noticed was that Snape looked even more perturbed as usual for some odd...wait? Snape? Her head turned back to eye him curiously. None of the other girls had mentioned Snape being at their meetings. So why was he at hers.
"Ah Miss Granger, how nice of you to join us! Please have a seat!" Dumbledore conjured a fluffy red chair for her to sit upon and offered her a piece of candy.
"Lemon tart? No? Alright then. First, I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday my dear!" He mumbled a quick cheering charm that had no effect on Hermione's sour mood whatsoever. Beside her she could see McGonagall shaking her head at Albus.
"Second, I'm sure you know why we've brought you here, smart witch that you are."
Hermione gave an exasperated sigh. "Well sir, I'm 18 now and eligible, and I imagine someone has petitioned for my hand, am I right?"
"Well done Hermione! Right you are! But not just someone...oh no girl, many someones indeed. What we have here is a list of 15 men petitioning for your hand! Very impressive! Of course at least 10 of them are known or suspected death eaters who no doubt want to kill you or imprison you to get to Harry, but when you take them out...that still leaves 5, not too bad!"
Hermione eyed the professor in shock. "10 deatheaters want me?" She squeaked out, clutching the armrests of her chair.
"Oh yes, such ones as LeStrange, both senior and junior I'm afraid, the former seems to have abandoned his wife to Azkaban. Let's see...there's also Crabbe and Goyle senior, Lucius Malfoy, who so tragically lost his wife rather recently...etc etc the list goes on. Naturally, we won't let you marry any of them."
"I should hope not!" Hermione and Minerva replied at the same time, both a bit flabbergasted by Dumbledore's mood and curious as to just how the man could have such a positive attitude about the whole thing.
"Alright well, let's get on with it. I have 5 actual choices don't I?" Hermione was always logical, always had her head on straight. She certainly couldn't break down now. She'd do it later.
"Right you are again my girl. Your 5 choices are as follows, Draco Malfoy, whose father is clearly rather desperate to get you into the family, Percy Weasley, nice boy that one, if a bit cool, Jason Marx, a wonderful American wizard a few years older than me..." Hermione cringed at that one but motioned for Dumbledore to continue.
"Ah yes as I was saying, Jason Marx, Viktor Krum, and our very own dear Professor Snape here." Dumbledore finished with a wide grin, placing the paper down and folding his hands on his desk.
Hermione had been all ready to inquire about Viktor Krum when Snape's name was read. "Professor Snape?" She balked, her head turning from McGonagall, to Dumbledore, to Snape for an explanation. Minerva was too busy gasping like a fish out of water, clearly uninformed about this development, and Snape was too busy sneering to be of any use.
"Albus explain yourself at once!" McGonagall exclaimed, finally regaining her voice. Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Ah well you see my dear professor, we noticed that Hermione's pickings were rather slim...Severus and I did, about a week ago..."
He was forced to pause by Hermione's angered shout. "A week you've been planning my life without me? Don't you think I should have been involved?!"
"Oh yes, well, we're involving you know aren't we? Anyway, We noticed your choices weren't terribly appealing, except for that Viktor Krum, and we've had certain reports about him, reports that indicated to us that we didn't want you in that sort of marriage."
"Such as?" Hermione cut him off again.
This time, Snape finally spoke up. "Rapings, beatings, that sort of thing. Drunken brawls, possible involvement with death eaters."
"Yes, precisely Severus, thank you." Dumbledore smiled again and continued. "We were at a loss as to what to do when it finally occurred to us that Professor Snape here would be a rather safe choice."
"Occurred to you" Snape interjected with a growl.
"Oh alright then. Occurred to me. Snape's oldest male relative was more than happy to submit a petition on his behalf, glad the boy was finally doing something with his life he said. So...tada!"
Hermione was flabbergasted. She didn't know what to say, or what to choose or what to do. Viktor, she remembered, had always been a bit...touchy with his temper. She could understand how it could have developed into what it had. So that left her with what? Percy and Snape? This was not good.
"To be connected to the Weasley's would not be such an awful thing..." Hermione began quietly, looking between her two professors.
"Ah yes well. I imagine that would be most pleasant for you. However, a marriage to Percy would mean to be connected to Fudge, who has adopted Mr. Weasley as his heir." Dumbledore informed her, a smile still spreading across his face.
Hermione could only gasp. Percy had let Fudge adopt him? Poor Mrs. Weasley, she would be devastated! And as Hermione's mind turned she realized that her choice wasn't really a choice at all. It had been narrowed down for her, she was left with Snape.
She must have been looking rather pale because Snape finally interjected on her behalf.
"Professor Dumbledore, perhaps it would be best to give Miss Granger the rest of the day and night to make her decision?" He addressed the professor with a thick voice, deep and serious, so much a reflection of himself. This thought registered itself in the back of Hermione's mind as she rose to leave.
"Yes I -I would appreciate that professors."
"Alright Miss Granger. I'll have the house elves deliver some lunch to your room so you needn't face the crowd today. You're excused from classes." Dumbledore dismissed her with a wave of his hand and McGonagall guided her by the shoulders out of the office and back up to her dormitory.
She entered the common room slowly, not hearing anything her professor was telling her, and trudged silently up to the 7th year girl's dorms. A note was lying on her bed from Ginny, Harry, and Ron.
Hermione,
McGonagall owled us about what's going on and your choices. Ron would like to remind you that Snape is a greasy old git and that Percy, while also a git, is neither greasy nor old. Harry is rooting for Snape, though he won't explain why, and I'm not sure what to tell you except good luck.
You don't have it too terribly you know, Sarah just got word that she's been betrothed to Mr. Ollivander, who is at least 170 years old and whom many of us believe is being held together by a stasis charm. Patty is pregnant, as per the rules of the law, and since her 'husband' has only just had his 5th birthday we're assuming it's the father's work. Hang in there, and when you're ready to talk, we'll be waiting.
Love (no matter what)
Gin, Harry & Ron (who must again note that Snape is awful)
Hermione would have smiled at the letter if she weren't in such distress. She folded it back up neatly and placed it on her dresser, where she noticed a bottle of firewhisky with a red bow upon it. She suspected it was a gift from the Weasley twins, who had no doubt been informed of the latest developments by Ron.
Though she wasn't much a drinker, Hermione decided that now was quite possibly the best time to start and, after dipping a finger into the bottle to taste it's contents, a grin spread across her face.
...
A half hour later, Harry, Ginny, and Ron could hear shouting coming from the girls dorm.
"Ginny could you..."
"We wouldn't know what..."
"Oh fine!" She slammed down her book and headed for the stairs. "Honestly! You boys are such cowards." Ginny stormed up the stairs to the dorm and knocked on the door before opening it to reveal a very drunken Hermione swaying on her feet.
"Accio Decision!" Hermione cried, pointing her wand at thin air.
"Accio Happiness!" She shouted again, waving her wand.
"Accio Happiness Accio Happiness!" She shook her wand. "What's wrong with this thing?" Stomping her foot, Hermione lost her footing and fell back onto her bed, collapsing in tears.
"Oh 'Mione!" Ginny exclaimed, rushing to her friend. "Come on love, it's not so bad, here we'll get you all tucked in." She moved Hermione's feet so that they were on the bed and pulled a blanket over her.
"What you need right now is a nice nap. You'll feel much better when you..." but she noticed that Hermione was already sound asleep, and was eternally greatful to whichever of her brothers had decided to send the firewhiskey, which was sitting on the dresser, top off, and a quarter less full than it had been thirty minutes ago. She closed the cap and walked to the door, shutting the light and the door behind her before heading down to the common room.
"She's sleeping," she told the boys as their worried eyes looked up at her. "I think she'll be ok. Hermione always pulls through, you know that.
The two friends nodded slowly and turned back to their game of Wizarding Chess while Ginny turned back to her homework. All three were too distracted to do anything well, but they had to do something.
.......
A/N: So there you have it...the first chapter of the story. Read and review, and tell me if you likey.
Disclaimer: It's not mine, etc etc etc
...
It had been there for just over a year. It was present in the knot in her neck, the slight lack of a bounce in her step, in the occasional frowns she wore. The "Marriage Law," as it was being called, had been instituted over a year ago. At least 12 girls she knew had fallen to it already. Poor Hannah had been forced to marry some old wizard from a French Wizarding family whose bloodlines were so old they outdated Flamel. Patty had been married to some 4-year-old boy before the law could be amended to only include wizards of age 18 or older. Each girl had a sad story to tell. Oh sure, a few of them had gotten off with a handsome and kind husband...Maria and Ernie were due to be married in a month or so, but it wasn't fair that they had to rush into it at all.
The Old Wizarding Families were revamping their bloodlines as their progeny was becoming more inbred, more unperfect. Their solution? To bribe the ministry into passing a law that allowed any person from a Pure-blooded wizarding family to petition for a muggle born witch or wizard's hand in marriage. The one small kindness was that the muggle-born got to choose who to marry. It was a very small kindness.
This week was Hermione's birthday and the knot in her neck had grown tighter, the frowns deeper, and her step less bouncy for a month. Harry and Ron saw the difference but didn't know how to fix it. Harry didn't have the bloodlines and Ron was already betrothed, being of an old wizarding family himself, to a girl he was madly in love with, and she with him.
The morning of her birthday Hermione sighed instead of smiling, hunched over instead of stretching, and cringed instead of laughing. She barely had time to gain some composure before McGonagall had entered her room.
"Hermione?" Came the voice and soft knock at the entrance to the 7th year girls' dorm. "I'm sorry dear, I tried to get Albus to put it off, but I couldn't, you'll have to come down to the office with me I'm afraid. I'll wait in the common room."
Hermione moaned in response, but she was never one to give up and sleep in, so she got up, quickly showered and changed and met the professor in the common room.
It was hard to say which of the pair was more distressed. McGonagall seemed to be taking this just as hard as any of the young Gryffindor girls affected by the new law was. Without a word she led Hermione down the hall to Dumbledore's office, giving her a quick hug before saying the password and following the young girl in.
....
The first thing Hermione noticed when she entered was that Professor Dumbledore didn't look nearly as upset as he should have, given that one of his favorite pupils was about to be given away to who knows what sort of wizard. The second thing she noticed was that Snape looked even more perturbed as usual for some odd...wait? Snape? Her head turned back to eye him curiously. None of the other girls had mentioned Snape being at their meetings. So why was he at hers.
"Ah Miss Granger, how nice of you to join us! Please have a seat!" Dumbledore conjured a fluffy red chair for her to sit upon and offered her a piece of candy.
"Lemon tart? No? Alright then. First, I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday my dear!" He mumbled a quick cheering charm that had no effect on Hermione's sour mood whatsoever. Beside her she could see McGonagall shaking her head at Albus.
"Second, I'm sure you know why we've brought you here, smart witch that you are."
Hermione gave an exasperated sigh. "Well sir, I'm 18 now and eligible, and I imagine someone has petitioned for my hand, am I right?"
"Well done Hermione! Right you are! But not just someone...oh no girl, many someones indeed. What we have here is a list of 15 men petitioning for your hand! Very impressive! Of course at least 10 of them are known or suspected death eaters who no doubt want to kill you or imprison you to get to Harry, but when you take them out...that still leaves 5, not too bad!"
Hermione eyed the professor in shock. "10 deatheaters want me?" She squeaked out, clutching the armrests of her chair.
"Oh yes, such ones as LeStrange, both senior and junior I'm afraid, the former seems to have abandoned his wife to Azkaban. Let's see...there's also Crabbe and Goyle senior, Lucius Malfoy, who so tragically lost his wife rather recently...etc etc the list goes on. Naturally, we won't let you marry any of them."
"I should hope not!" Hermione and Minerva replied at the same time, both a bit flabbergasted by Dumbledore's mood and curious as to just how the man could have such a positive attitude about the whole thing.
"Alright well, let's get on with it. I have 5 actual choices don't I?" Hermione was always logical, always had her head on straight. She certainly couldn't break down now. She'd do it later.
"Right you are again my girl. Your 5 choices are as follows, Draco Malfoy, whose father is clearly rather desperate to get you into the family, Percy Weasley, nice boy that one, if a bit cool, Jason Marx, a wonderful American wizard a few years older than me..." Hermione cringed at that one but motioned for Dumbledore to continue.
"Ah yes as I was saying, Jason Marx, Viktor Krum, and our very own dear Professor Snape here." Dumbledore finished with a wide grin, placing the paper down and folding his hands on his desk.
Hermione had been all ready to inquire about Viktor Krum when Snape's name was read. "Professor Snape?" She balked, her head turning from McGonagall, to Dumbledore, to Snape for an explanation. Minerva was too busy gasping like a fish out of water, clearly uninformed about this development, and Snape was too busy sneering to be of any use.
"Albus explain yourself at once!" McGonagall exclaimed, finally regaining her voice. Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Ah well you see my dear professor, we noticed that Hermione's pickings were rather slim...Severus and I did, about a week ago..."
He was forced to pause by Hermione's angered shout. "A week you've been planning my life without me? Don't you think I should have been involved?!"
"Oh yes, well, we're involving you know aren't we? Anyway, We noticed your choices weren't terribly appealing, except for that Viktor Krum, and we've had certain reports about him, reports that indicated to us that we didn't want you in that sort of marriage."
"Such as?" Hermione cut him off again.
This time, Snape finally spoke up. "Rapings, beatings, that sort of thing. Drunken brawls, possible involvement with death eaters."
"Yes, precisely Severus, thank you." Dumbledore smiled again and continued. "We were at a loss as to what to do when it finally occurred to us that Professor Snape here would be a rather safe choice."
"Occurred to you" Snape interjected with a growl.
"Oh alright then. Occurred to me. Snape's oldest male relative was more than happy to submit a petition on his behalf, glad the boy was finally doing something with his life he said. So...tada!"
Hermione was flabbergasted. She didn't know what to say, or what to choose or what to do. Viktor, she remembered, had always been a bit...touchy with his temper. She could understand how it could have developed into what it had. So that left her with what? Percy and Snape? This was not good.
"To be connected to the Weasley's would not be such an awful thing..." Hermione began quietly, looking between her two professors.
"Ah yes well. I imagine that would be most pleasant for you. However, a marriage to Percy would mean to be connected to Fudge, who has adopted Mr. Weasley as his heir." Dumbledore informed her, a smile still spreading across his face.
Hermione could only gasp. Percy had let Fudge adopt him? Poor Mrs. Weasley, she would be devastated! And as Hermione's mind turned she realized that her choice wasn't really a choice at all. It had been narrowed down for her, she was left with Snape.
She must have been looking rather pale because Snape finally interjected on her behalf.
"Professor Dumbledore, perhaps it would be best to give Miss Granger the rest of the day and night to make her decision?" He addressed the professor with a thick voice, deep and serious, so much a reflection of himself. This thought registered itself in the back of Hermione's mind as she rose to leave.
"Yes I -I would appreciate that professors."
"Alright Miss Granger. I'll have the house elves deliver some lunch to your room so you needn't face the crowd today. You're excused from classes." Dumbledore dismissed her with a wave of his hand and McGonagall guided her by the shoulders out of the office and back up to her dormitory.
She entered the common room slowly, not hearing anything her professor was telling her, and trudged silently up to the 7th year girl's dorms. A note was lying on her bed from Ginny, Harry, and Ron.
Hermione,
McGonagall owled us about what's going on and your choices. Ron would like to remind you that Snape is a greasy old git and that Percy, while also a git, is neither greasy nor old. Harry is rooting for Snape, though he won't explain why, and I'm not sure what to tell you except good luck.
You don't have it too terribly you know, Sarah just got word that she's been betrothed to Mr. Ollivander, who is at least 170 years old and whom many of us believe is being held together by a stasis charm. Patty is pregnant, as per the rules of the law, and since her 'husband' has only just had his 5th birthday we're assuming it's the father's work. Hang in there, and when you're ready to talk, we'll be waiting.
Love (no matter what)
Gin, Harry & Ron (who must again note that Snape is awful)
Hermione would have smiled at the letter if she weren't in such distress. She folded it back up neatly and placed it on her dresser, where she noticed a bottle of firewhisky with a red bow upon it. She suspected it was a gift from the Weasley twins, who had no doubt been informed of the latest developments by Ron.
Though she wasn't much a drinker, Hermione decided that now was quite possibly the best time to start and, after dipping a finger into the bottle to taste it's contents, a grin spread across her face.
...
A half hour later, Harry, Ginny, and Ron could hear shouting coming from the girls dorm.
"Ginny could you..."
"We wouldn't know what..."
"Oh fine!" She slammed down her book and headed for the stairs. "Honestly! You boys are such cowards." Ginny stormed up the stairs to the dorm and knocked on the door before opening it to reveal a very drunken Hermione swaying on her feet.
"Accio Decision!" Hermione cried, pointing her wand at thin air.
"Accio Happiness!" She shouted again, waving her wand.
"Accio Happiness Accio Happiness!" She shook her wand. "What's wrong with this thing?" Stomping her foot, Hermione lost her footing and fell back onto her bed, collapsing in tears.
"Oh 'Mione!" Ginny exclaimed, rushing to her friend. "Come on love, it's not so bad, here we'll get you all tucked in." She moved Hermione's feet so that they were on the bed and pulled a blanket over her.
"What you need right now is a nice nap. You'll feel much better when you..." but she noticed that Hermione was already sound asleep, and was eternally greatful to whichever of her brothers had decided to send the firewhiskey, which was sitting on the dresser, top off, and a quarter less full than it had been thirty minutes ago. She closed the cap and walked to the door, shutting the light and the door behind her before heading down to the common room.
"She's sleeping," she told the boys as their worried eyes looked up at her. "I think she'll be ok. Hermione always pulls through, you know that.
The two friends nodded slowly and turned back to their game of Wizarding Chess while Ginny turned back to her homework. All three were too distracted to do anything well, but they had to do something.
.......
A/N: So there you have it...the first chapter of the story. Read and review, and tell me if you likey.