With This Ring I Thee Rehabilitate
Disclaimer: I do NOT own the characters, I do NOT even pretend to own them. Everything belongs to it's respective copywrite holder(s); including, but not limited to, J K Rowling, Warner Brothers and Bloomsbury.
Author note: has a horrid habit of removing any/all divides that I put into a fic, please forgive me if sections are not adequately marked and notify me either via PM or review.
-With This Ring I Thee Rehabilitate-
-Chapter 1-
I stare at my feet as I shuffle into the Great Hall; slowly making my way past my friends, comrades, fellow students, in my journey to sit at the staff table. I'm walking alone, but I can feel hundreds of eyes on me, including his. Everyone will be confused as to why I've not sat in my usual place. I daren't look. Steadily, I take my seat and sit next to him. Murmurs echo around the hall, I can only hear snatches 'why?', 'Snape?' and the best 'marry a mudblood'. I still won't look round. I gaze resolutely at my plate, feeling like a freak at the circus.
Professor McGonagall stands, ready to begin her start of term speech. Out of respect I look towards her, my husband's profile in my line of sight. "Good evening all, and welcome back to those returning from the Christmas break. A reminder, the Forbidden Forest is exactly that, dark creatures reside in there and are best to be avoided." The witch paused, taking a stern look at her charges. "Before we participate in what will undoubtedly be a fine feast, there is a further announcement to be made."
My stomach clenches as I anticipate her next words. I try my hardest to remain impassive.
"We welcome back the former Headmaster, Professor Snape, who will be returning to one of his previous posts here at Hogwarts, as Potions Master and Head of Slytherin. He is joined up here tonight by his new wife, Hermione..." The words that followed were drowned out by the uproar from the student body. Most notably, the Gryffindor table.
I try to smile, but my attention is gripped by the scowl that he is wearing. I look out to the crowd for the first time, conversations are running riot, though surprisingly the Slytherin table are looking rather accepting. I look at my friends; Harry is sat, slack jawed, gaping at me; Ron is spluttering and has turned bright red; Ginny is muttering to her brother, I assume trying to calm him. I inhale deeply, realising for the first time that I'd stopped breathing. This was why I'd not said anything, they'd not understand, but I had to do this.
"SILENCE!" In the chaos I'd not noticed him standing up. I turned to look at him as his voice reverberated around the hall and as the noise level dropped. "I appreciate that this" he spat out the word showing his own distaste at the situation,"is a shock to some of you. However you will give the Headmistress the respect she deserves." He sat back down without looking at me once. I did this for him. For him.
-x-
I don't expect him to be grateful, he made that abundantly clear when I was put before him on our wedding day, but I'd appreciate a friendship, or at least not open hostility. Dinner didn't last long for us, we sat and ate in silence and then he left pausing momentarily to see if I would follow. I did.
I stay in step behind him, watching his boots click on the stone floor as we walk through the castle to the dungeons. His robes flare behind him, flicking like a serpent's tongue, apt I suppose for the Head of the Snakes. We reach a gargoyle, who stands in an alcove not too far from the Slytherin common room, he utters the password, "entrapment" and it's mouth opens wide enough to permit us entrance. I suspect that there is a more practical doorway elsewhere in the castle, but I know he won't reveal it to me.
The rooms are lovely: large windows; a stone carved fireplace; floor to ceiling bookcases (overflowing already without my own additions); rich blue seating. We've spent the last two weeks in this space, attempting to avoid each other, except when necessary. It hasn't been easy for us; we've had meetings with the Ministry and Wizengamot, and then we've needed to discuss the impact on the school with the Headmistress. I've spent time in the library; he has a fabulous collection, but I don't feel able to touch it, plus the library meets my needs adequately. He has been in his lab or office, I can only guess at what that has entailed. I wanted to see my parents, to tell them I guess, but he wouldn't hear of it.
I watch him as he stalks away from me, and slumps on to the settee. He summons a glass and the Ogden's from the cupboard, he pours and knocks it back easily.
"Are you planning on standing there gaping all evening?" His voice draws me from my thoughts.
"I... erm." My voice sounds hollow and scratchy. "I think I'll take a walk." I turn and, drawing my robes around me, head to the door.
"I'm sure you and your charming Gryffindor friends have a great deal to catch up on." The venom is dripping from each word he utters. He's right though. I do have a lot to discuss with them. His tone may be well placed too, they won't be happy. That's an understatement. Still, I leave.
-x-
The dungeons are fairly quiet; I pass a few students, Slytherin's of course, who ignore me with polite indifference. I assume they'll report back to their housemates that I feel comfortable enough to wander down here alone. I doubt he'll protect me, but if I can face Voldemort and survive, they won't bother me. I don't know where I'm going, my feet are just moving me along corridors. I can't get in to Gryffindor Tower, the Headmistress didn't divulge the password to me. Probably for my own good, I imagine.
A hand grabs me and pulls me into an alcove. I have my wand drawn and pointed at them within seconds. I don't know who I expect to attack me, but habits take a long time to change. The hand releases me, and I lower my weapon on seeing Draco Malfoy's grey eyes lock on to mine.
Once upon a time, I wouldn't have hesitated to hex him. Now, I look at him in a new light. He's not who I believed he was.
"Nice speech the Headmistress gave." he drawled. I laugh softly. "Guess you marrying Severus was a bit of a shock for everyone."
"I already knew." I smile and then sigh. Draco understands. "Do you want to talk?"
"Room of Requirement? Ten minutes?" I nod, and he slips back out into the open space. I stay hidden in shadows as I spy Ron and Harry storming past.
"..marry Snape. I knew she was mental, but that's suicidal..." Ron's voice trails off as they move away. I know they don't have any idea where I now live, I just hope that they don't run into him.
The Room of Requirement's repairs had been extensive after the incident with Fiendfyre. Professor Flitwick spent many hours coaxing and charming the room back to it's original purpose with great success. As Draco was already inside, the room had taken on the appearance of a suave lounge. He was draped on a chaise watching me approach. I sat on a pouffe and waited for him to make the opening gambit.
"So you managed to talk him into the proposal then?" The question could easily be a statement.
"I didn't Professor McGonagall did, or at least I think that's who did." He nodded slowly, considering something.
"I think Mother had something to do with it too, plus I had a little chat with him." Narcissa Malfoy spoke for our marriage. "Don't look so surprised, Mother didn't want him rotting in Azkaban for the rest of his life. The law may be bloody ridiculous but at least it's allowed us freedom."
"How is your wife?" His eyes flashed at the mention of his slightly less recent marriage.
"Emily is well, thank you. It's odd being students here and married, I guess it makes having sex a lot easier." I snort in a combination of disgust and humour. "I suppose I wouldn't have chosen her if it were for the Rehab Law but she's great. I can actually see myself spending my life with her."
"That's wonderful." His eyes actually glow at this and he does seem truly happy. I'm genuinely pleased for him, he deserves a life, one that wasn't entirely forced upon him. Though that's a lie.
"How is life with Severus?" An innocent enough question, no demand.
The smile that I was giving him flickered. "It's fine. We passed the inquires into the validity of the marriage and I'm getting him reacquainted with Muggle life. I'll still have class with him; though a Ministry observer will be inspecting our lessons to ensure equality and ethical behaviour."
"I bet he's really impressed with that." I giggle. "That's not what I meant though."
I chew my lip. Five years ago I would have rather died than confess anything to Draco Malfoy, though one could have led to the other."We've kept to ourselves, apart from what was required. He resents me. Doesn't know, doesn't want to know, why I did it. I just..."
"Don't explain it to me. I appreciate you doing it. He does too deep down. Just fight back, fight fire with fire." I nod slowly and smile at the Slytherin. "Oh, and I'd give those two imbeciles you call friends some space for a while. I understand why you didn't tell them."
With a smile, I leave Draco. I wish he could walk back with me, but it's too soon yet. I walk hoping that I escape the wrath of my friends tonight, tomorrow morning will be quite soon enough.
-x-
So, what do you think? I started this thinking it would be a one-shot but it's gathered momentum now and I sort of have a full map of the story planned out.
Please give me feedback, as I have another story going on and I won't be writing this if it's unloved. Thanks
