Summary: This fanfic takes place at the beginning of the fifth Harry Potter book. It's based on the marriage law, but I'm bending that around my twisted little finger, too.
Disclaimer: hides in bushes and pounces on Snape as he walks by now he's mine
… just kidding, I take credit for some of the plot, not the characters… 'cept a few, but you'll know who they are, okies
And so it was after the introduction of the ministry official, Delores Jane Umbridge, into Hogwarts staff that the news of Fudge's latest decree was delivered by the head of house in the common room. The main word around the castle was that Potter saw Malfoy's father making certain 'arrangements' with Fudge. Apparently the minister had been bribed into passing some sort of marriage law, if Malfoy's gloating was anything to go by. It was now, in the Ravenclaw common room that the details were first explained to Jessica Cassidy and her fellow classmates.
Fliwick, standing upon a stray pile of stacked books spoke softly to the group of worried fifth and sixth years gathered around them. "It would seem that this law was passed in order to preserve the magical community. Due to a rise in squibs resulting in the mating of muggle borns and purebloods to their own kind. Therefore, the requirements are for the pureblood students to write a formal proposition of marriage to a non pureblood witch or wizard. If only one is received, then that person will have no choice but to accept. If said recipient receives more than one request, they are free to choose which they will accept. Anyone who doesn't send or receive a request will be stripped of their magic and cast into muggle life as an outcast from the magical community." As he finished reading the decree he gazed at the students around him in despair as he saw their last hope of this being some ridiculously tasteless joke quickly dissolve. Contrary to the whispers and muttering in the great hall, the silence was unbearably evident. The distraught professor waited until out of the silence came a few timid voices.
"Have our parents been informed?"
"Those are really are only options?"
"How much time do we have?"
"This can't possibly be happening…"
"Why not the seventh years?"
"Apparently they've too much happening already."
"Last year in school, exams, and then finding jobs."
"It's not fair and it just can't be legal."
He looked on wishing he could give them all the answers that they so desperately craved. Many had begun to tear up and most were consoling their friends. Even a few relatives were huddled together. His locked onto Jessica and his eyes held an apologetic gleam upon seeing her pleading gaze. In silence she watched her professor step down to the floor and left the common room with his eyes watering and his head hung low. Not even a minute passed after his departure before the first through fourth years were allowed in. There was much confusion as some of the older siblings explained the law to their family. Though hiding in a less visible corner Jessica still awaited the inevitable. Soon enough, her elementally gifted twin sisters in their first year would find her, and then they would find out. She looked for both the flowing black hair of the Moon Child, Selena and also for the Sun Child, Saphyri's short cut, blazing red mane.
"Jessy!"
"Selena, Saphyri are you two alright" Jessica asked as they took a running leap to embrace her. "I take it you've heard, then."
"How can this happen," Saphyri asked enraged, a fire alight within her dark eyes.
"It is the law now, Saphyri," Selena stated calmly, blue eyes sad and cold. "It must be abided by, lest she lose her wand." Saphyri glared, but the comment seemed to help her simmer down a bit.
"Can't mother or father help," Saphyri pleaded desperately.
"Selena's right. It can't be avoided."
"Don't worry, Jessy. They'll find a way, Dumbledore, I mean," Selena said quietly. "I'll all be fine in he end." Suddenly the deep, blue ocean that was her eyes threatened to spill over. Selena found herself cradled into Jessica's arms, with her twin facing them kneeling beside them.
"Hey, that's my line to you guys," Jessica whispered in her ear. Some time passed and as Selena began to drift off to sleep in Jessica's arms, Jessica herself grew more and more restless. Turning to Saphyri she asked her to bring Selena upstairs and stayed in the sitting room to discuss the law with her friends.
Only half an hour later the common room was empty, but for herself. Lighting a fire in the hearth she sat on the windowsill thinking of the new law. Because of it she was now the Head Girl for Ravenclaw. Most of the sixth years were taking additional classes to finish the year earlier. Staring out the window onto the grounds at the wind whip the trees in the forest sleep soon took her. Another hour or so later she was awoken by the sound of the door leading to the common room opening and the rushed footsteps that followed.
"You see Minerva? I told you mine would be empty!"
"I realize that the possibility of your house's occupants sleeping upstairs at three in the morning, but I still don't think it wise to hold such a discussion of this nature so near to the students." Now wide awake, Jessica, veiled by the thin curtains, listened closely trying to match voices.
"Quiet both of you, unless you want to wake them all with your bickering."
"You're quite right, Sprout, my apologies, but I don't see how it matters that Minerva can't simply acce-"
"Silence," hissed the closest voice she had heard yet, nearly right beside the window. Immediate silence followed. Concluding that is was the four heads of houses present Jessica, deciding it may be better to slip by unnoticed, feigned sleep in case the curtains were drawn.
"Severus, I'm sure I speak for all of us, when I say I don't hold much appreciation for the predicament you're in."
"What's going on, then?"
"Yes, I haven't a clue either Sprout," Flitwick asked with interest.
"I'm 38," came a whisper so soft Jessica almost hadn't caught it.
"Erm… congra-"
"I'm in the cut for the damn law," he growled. Jessica could have strangled herself for gasping, but was relieved to find it went unobserved as both recently informed teachers had produced similar reactions.
"Where is it they left off, Minerva?"
"Well, I believe the cut off was forty, but they moved it to fifty."
"But doesn't that mean-?"
"Yes, you're right!"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, nothing… well, ah. How do I put this…? Dumbledore is quite fond of some of the students, Ms. Granger in particular."
"I don't see how that concerns… he wouldn't."
"If no one petitioned for her, I'm sure one of the death eaters would try to use her to get to Potter. It figures that Albus would-"
"Wait a minute! You're all forgetting how close she and that Weasley boy are."
"Actually, in that case I just might…" Jessica's mouth dropped and a few seconds later it took all her self control to keep quiet after imagining Granger's and Snape's children.
"Come again," whispered McGonagall, still in shock. Someone groaned, presumably Snape in misery of aggravation.
"I don't intend for her to accept! If she chooses Weasley, which she had better, no will, then that takes care of me avoiding marriage and still living in the magical community."
"How-"
"If I sent a request, then that fills the requirements"
"Oh." Still leaning up against the window, Jessica thought over his logic carefully.
Christ, that's clever! Solves my problem too… Wonder if I should spread it around, though. If too many people try it the ministry might wizen up and fix their little loop hole… This could be interesting.
"Now, if that was sufficiently explained, let's get down to business."
"What do you mean, Severus?"
"Minerva, that's obviously not the solution for everyone. The ministry would tighten that up if they saw too many people going for it."
"I'm terribly tired. I believe this can wait until tomorrow."
"I agree. One day of scheming won't make the difference."
"I can't help but feel duty bound to these students to try-"
"Minerva, tell me something. Do you think sleep depravation will do them any good? We need our rest too if we're going to be the one's to think up a plan."
"I suppose you're right, come on then." Jessica hearing the footsteps grow more distant waiting until the door closed to climb down from the windowsill. She didn't see her professor hold the door open for the others and then stay back in the common room watching her unseen from the corner she'd earlier been standing in. Still thinking over her professor's solution Jessica spread out on the couch in front of the fire. She watched the flames die down before making her way to the stairs leading towards the room which held her waiting bed unknowingly observed from the figure left behind in the secluded corner. With her hand on the railing of the winding stairs up to the tower, as he crept behind her she noticed the shadow his body cast beside hers. Reaching for her wand she turned and fired of an attack spell which the figure blocked with a return defensive spell. She tried to vanish it and created a clear, magical barrier. The figure had attempted too break into the invisible shield, but could find no fault with its construction.
"Evening, Miss Cassidy." Jessica jumped in surprise as she recognizing the voice diminished the shield to face what she could only imagine might be a very angry Professor Snape.
"Well, Sir it's technically morning." Where the hell did that come from? This isn't funny, just shut up! She watched as his cold eyes dangerously narrowed and had enough sense to look down, ashamed.
"Quiet," he hissed. Jessica thinking it now safe to look up was trying to judge his anger by his facial features as she often did during his class, when he truly surprised her. The corner of his mouth turned in an ominous smirk, for which it was known that nothing good would follow. "Quite the night you've had, Miss Cassidy, isn't that right?"
"No more than any of the others, Sir…" she responded, her tone hesitant.
"Of course, I am speaking of your little escapade down near the window. Spying on your teachers while they're discussing ministry affairs?"
"Sir, I never meant to-"
"But of course Miss Cassidy, it was Professor Flitwick's fault. Let's tell him, shall we," he asked his eyes flashing in amusement at her predicament.
"Sir, please-"
"Oh, but he'll be so pleased to hear of your achievements after nominating you for Head Girl."
"I could serve detention-"
"Although, attacking a teacher in the earliest part of the morning, which he can't be held accountable for…" he whispered now thoroughly enjoying himself as she flinched slightly, "… is inexcusable."
"Professor, anyone would have-"
"I realize it was dark and that after your little listening session you may not have been thinking logically. Still, who, besides a teacher with access to the common room or a student, neither a significant threat, would be up here at this time," he drawled.
"I… don't-"
"Tired?"
"Sir, if… excuse me?"
"Are - you - tired," he asked, his eyes starting to narrow again.
"I suppose-"
"Well, then, taking into consideration your actions for the night, you certainly deserve it, don't you?"
"I," she stuttered confused. Catching his eye she responded in agreement.
"Then, I suppose you'll understand the lenience of detention tomorrow evening until," glancing at the clock above the fire place, "about four in the morning?"
"Yes, Sir, thank you." She turned to leave, but he held her back a moment.
"I also trust you won't repeat anything you heard tonight." She nodded and he allowed her to ascend up the stairs to get a few hours sleep. Snape, too tired to dwell on the early morning's events, made his way down to his chambers. On his way, he dropped a note on Albus' desk informing him his morning classes would be canceled 'due to illness.' As he reached his room, he began thinking about the nights events.
I recall her, now. She's the twins' sister, if I'm not mistaken. Surprising that I'd catch her in such a predicament, she never struck me as that type of person. Completely on edge the way she attacked me. 15 turning 16, she'll be in the cut soon enough as well… ridiculous law. What with sending that toad, Umbridge, to reinforce it, that minister's finally lost it. I still can't believe Albus must allow the potential suitors into the castle. Absolutely ridiculous… still, now that I think about it, it may not be prudent to have your fate rest in the less than capable hands of an adolescent couple. All the same, it's a matter that can wait until morning, or rather lunch.
He smirked to himself at the thought of sleeping in on the first day of classes. He wouldn't have to hear the students' complaint, the other professors' worries, and all other debatably factual information about the retched law. With that thought of comfort fresh in his mind, he drifted off to sleep.
Though her professor had the luxury of sleeping in, as she would soon discover from his absence from the head table, Jessica did not. Having awoken to the twins pouncing on her bed at six in the morning she didn't sleep much at all. Deciding there would be no way that she'd get through the day on two hours sleep she resolved to nap during lunch. However, as the day progressed, by lunch time the teachers' home work load seemed to have other plans in store for her than resting.
During the middle of lunch a fine misty drizzle began falling outside, though the courtyard was still filled with huddled students discussing the law. Jessica was in a more secluded fraction of the grounds sitting on one part of a twin bench set beneath a tree. Potter, Granger, and Weasley walked over from the Great Hall. Jessica knew them from class, but they had never really spoken before.
"Do you mind if we sit here?"
"Not at all," she responded politely, "Hermione isn't it?"
"Yeah, this is Ron and, of course, Harry," she pointed out while her and Ron took the other bench.
"So, ah Jessica is it," Harry asked. She nodded and moved her books to make room on him bench. "Think Snape will make the first class harder just to catch us off guard from vacation?" She stared at him confused.
"I was under the impression he wasn't teaching."
"Ha, you're right, it's not like we learn anything in that class anyway," Ron chuckled, stopping only after an aspirated look from Hermione.
"No, I mean he wasn't at the staff table during breakfast, didn't you notice?"
"Did you," Ron asked amused Hermione rolling her eyes.
"I have to see him about something, so yeah I did," she responded calmly.
"What'd you have to see him about?"
"Ron, it's none of your business!"
"So, uh, how long do you think he'll be out," Harry asked in last attempt to change topic. An awkward pause proved no one bought it. Jessica shrugged. She then retreated back into her home work, Harry following suite while Ron and Hermione found something else to argue about. Somehow, none of them were aware they were being watched by the very professor they had been discussing. Unable to think of anything better to do on the first day he decided to look for his meal ticket couple out of the law in the courtyard. He was surprised to see the very same Ravenclaw student he had reprimanded last night in their company and equally surprised to see them fighting about something. Not altogether thrilled about the establishment he continued observation.
She heard of my solution concerning Miss Granger, but… she wouldn't really tell her, would she? I didn't realize they were that close he thought as her and Harry began to converse. This could be slightly problematic. She tells them, they tell Albus, and Albus, from the goodness of his heart… tells all.
Suddenly he appropriately experienced his false excuse for a sick day in the form of a migraine. Downing a potion to help relieve his headache he quickly changed into his robes and made his way to Dumbledore's and then to class just as the bell rang.
They had all worked up until the bell which Harry announced had rung since the other two missed it while arguing. It had just begun to downpour and the four were desperately trying to save their school work. Thoroughly soaked and already late they walked sulking out of what slight shelter the tree provided. Within the few minutes that the storm had started the ground became slick from the lake starting to overflow.
On his way to make sure the headmaster would act in his favor upon hearing his plans from the golden boy's most recent source of information, Professor Snape gazed out at the dismal weather. He was surprised to notice that the group of four he'd spotted earlier was still outside, but even more surprised as the latest scene played out in front of him.
"Augh, my shoes are full of water," Hermione whined.
"What do you expect? Honestly, it's only flooding," Ron yelled still upset about their most recent argument.
Harry leaned over to Ron muttering, "I told you not to discuss relationships with her, mate, you asked for i-"
"I HEARD THAT!" Harry and Ron both stopped and turned so suddenly Jessica walked into Harry who managed to keep her from falling by holding her to his chest. Ron, who'd not seen her stumble, began to walk away from the still screaming Hermione, who followed him, ranting all the way. While Jessica blushed only slightly Harry's face turned as red as the standard Weasley mane. She untangled herself from his arms, both apologizing at the same time.
"HARRY, JESS, COME ON, WE'RE GOING TO MISS THE CLASS IF WE WASTE ANYMORE TIME," yelled Ron from the stone pavilion adjacent to the greenhouses. As Harry and Jessica made their way to the pavilion, the half way mark, Jessica saw a familiar figure watching from the fourth floor near the headmaster's office. Before she could point him out to the others Harry slipped and skidded. On his way towards the ground he tripped Jessica, as well. She landed in his arms and they were once again apologizing to each other as they strode over to their companions. Ron and Hermione, who happened to see them falter this time, were laughing so hard that breathing was a real problem. Jessica looked up to find that her fourth floor audience was still watching with an infuriated expression cast upon his features.
"Look," she said to the others. "We can still make it to transfiguration class before it ends if we hurry."
"Not quite, Jessica," Hermione stated. "I wouldn't advise running, especially since you two can barely walk let alone… what," she asked seeing Ron and Harry nod to each other in satisfactory agreement. "I know that look," she muttered. "I hate that look."
"We won't run, Hermione," Ron said grinning.
"Ever ridden a broom, Jessica," Harry asked.
"You can't be serious, guys, c'mon," Hermione moaned.
"No I haven't," admitted Jessica slightly hesitant. Harry smiled warmly.
"No time like the present. Acio Broom,"he yelled brandishing his wand. Two brooms were heard smashing their way through the storage shed bringing laughter to Harry and Ron, both.
"Didn't think of that one, did you mate?"
"Guess not, we'll repair it on the way," Harry shouted back through the storms clashes of thunder as he grabbed both brooms out of the air. Hermione got on the back of Ron's and Harry offered Jessica his hand as he leapt on his own broom.
"Promise you won't let me fall," she said before taking his hand. Instead of hanging on to the handle in the back, Harry swept her onto the front of the broom and slightly leaned on her to steer as they kicked off.
Watching from the fourth floor, Snape realized they were still trying to make it to class by using the brooms. He thought of using one of the school brooms to cut them off at the doors, but realized that the student body seeing him ride a broom down the corridors skipping his own class might distract them from his 'no nonsense' image. In that case, he disillusioned himself before he summoned the broom. Not bothering to take the stairs, he flew out the window to cut them off by flying above the castle instead of around it.
Meanwhile, as the four reached the main doors, closest to the dungeons, the gate opened to admit a mass. The group swerved around to get a better look. What appeared to be a collection of men in their thirties and forties were rapidly approaching. The four still hovering above the ground shared looks of confusion.
"Harry," Jessica whispered. "I think they're here because of the law."
"That's ridiculous, why would they be he-… no way." Harry shook his head in disbelief. "They're so much older; you'd think they'd change the cut off." The crowd came close enough to distinguish their yells just as their professor appeared above them still disillusioned.
"Who're they?"
"They're too young to be teachers."
"They can't be students!"
"Albus wouldn't hear of them out of the castle at a time like this, would he?"
"But, look, that's Potter, there."
"Harry Potter?"
"Yeah, the one with the scar."
"Can't see that well."
"He's riding with that girl with the long dark hair."
"Is he with her?" "Doesn't matter, how are we to get in."
"Here, here. It's freezing."
"Not sure if they're an item, but he'll have to choose soon, too."
"He can't be that old."
"He's 16, already."
"The law's for 16 to 45, now."
Just then the door's opened and Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick emerged. Snape, who had come to hover just behind the four removed the disillusions spell and turned to face his colleagues. Albus took in the sight in mere seconds.
"Severus, I wonder if you would be kind enough to show Mr. Potter and his friends back into the castle." He gave a swift nod in reply, understanding that now was not the time to plead for punishment. Snape flew a few yards away before noticing he wasn't followed.
"Potter, Weasley you got the brooms, I assumed you knew how to fly," he shouted through the deafening sound of the falling rain. They quickly followed him through the front doors to the castle. Once inside, they followed Snape silently down into the stairs leading to the dungeon. It was on the last step that Hermione slipped when Ron stepped on her heel and to fuel her aggravation, it was Snape that caught her.
"Is there condition you two have that enables walking," he asked irritably as Hermione righted herself enough to stand on her own again. The glare she sent to Ron wasn't lost on the group, their professor in particular, who was now slightly worried his plan might fail if they broke of what small relationship connection they had. As they reached his office, he held the door open and they filed in to stand in front of his desk. Snape strode over to the window and used his wand to send the brooms soaring back to the shed. As he sat on the side of his desk, the group of teachers who had found him outside burst through the door. Snape smirked as his students looked down ashamed after seeing their head of house arrive.
"Harry, please explain," Dumbledore said softly. Harry flinched the calm disappointment and worry in his voice.
"We were just trying to get to class, professor," he whispered aware how weak his excuse was.
"Well, if you look around, Potter, you'll find the rest of the student body managed that without flying," McGonagall said in a shrill voice with more of an accent than usual.
"Why did you act in such a manner, Harry," Dumbledore asked.
"It started to down pour while we were still outside. We ran half way back, but the grounds started to flood over from the lake," he began. "Well, I figured that since every time all three of us miss class Voldemort attacks, so you might, uh, worry…"
"Yeah," Ron joined in. "We were caught in the storm and we just wanted to make it to your class before… it… ah… um, yeah, Hermione," he asked pleading her to continue as he crumble under the glare of his transfiguration professor.
"Oh, uh, well, not much to add, Ron, it's not the most complex of excuses."
"It happens to have turned out that I did notice your absences, yours as well, Miss Cassidy," she snapped to Jessica who had bravely stepped up beside Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "I'd alerted Albus, who confirmed that you weren't in the castle. Through communications with all the teachers, we learned from Professor Sprout," to whom she indicated to beside her with hand gesture, "who saw you lot out by the green houses caught in the storm." Her mouth thinned as she began telling them about how Flitwick was awaiting the suitors' arrival in the entrance to the great hall. There, the five of them met up, opened the doors, and found them with Professor Snape.
"So then they are the candidates," Harry asked fuming. Jessica looked at him shocked that he'd dare to speak out when in so much trouble already. Snape caught her look of astonishment and just barely controlled a smile of amusement to form his standard smirk.
"Harry, don't," Hermione begged, nudging him.
"This is insanity," he continued swatting at Hermione's hand. "How can Fudge allow, no support, this madness?" He glared at the entire room in frustration.
"It cannot be helped and it will not be discussed now, Harry," Dumbledore said in a practiced voice of calm reason. Snape, deciding the time to discuss his own happiness was at hand stood and strode over to the group assembled near the door.
"I believe, headmaster, that there is still the matter of punishment," he stated losing the smirk for the sake of appearing professional.
"I believe that's up to their head of house," he replied. "Minerva," he asked stepping back for her to unleash all hell.
"Well, Potter, I believe a week's worth of detentions with filch will do for Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger and yourself." Jessica, who had not heard her name called, feeling partly responsible decided to speak up. Before she could utter a single word, Snape, who had been standing the closest to her while behind them, intervened.
"Headmaster, I believe Miss Cassidy is as much at fault as the others." Dumbledore looked at them for a moment as if trying to remember something.
"Miss Cassidy, you are the fifth year head girl, are you not," he asked. She nodded and blushed slightly in embarrassment as she looked away from Flitwick's expressed disappointment. "Well, then, I want you to understand, Miss Cassidy, the seriousness of your actions due to your position. You two as well," he said to Ron and Hermione who had been made head boy and head girl for Gryffindor. He turned to Flitwick to ask if he agreed with Professor McGonagall, to which he agreed.
"If that's all, then," Dumbledore asked looking at Jessica longer than the others as the four of them nodded. "Well, I'm sure you can make it down to the hospital wing without flying, unless…" He looked inquiringly at Snape.
"I have the necessary potions here, headmaster," he said grudgingly remembering that Albus had done him a favor by promising not to reveal his solution unless completely necessary.
"Well, then we will leave you in Professor Snape's care for the remaining," he looked at the clock on the mantle. "… eighteen minutes." As the others filed back, Dumbledore remained to ask to talk to Snape in the hall. As the students were left alone in Snape's office they avoided each others gaze waiting in silence for their professor to return.
Meanwhile in the hall, Snape was completely at a lose for guessing the matter for which the headmaster did not want discussed in front of the fifth years back in his office. Judging by the smile on Dumbledore's face he knew it would be interesting, to say the least. As they were about to round a corner, Snape stopped him.
"Albus, what is it," he asked with a tone of aggravation.
"Oh, come now, Severus, you'll enjoy this one," he replied, his eyes twinkling in that ominous manner. A skeptical look from Snape prompted him to continue.
"It would appear that Miss Cassidy has kept her word." Snape now wore a look of uninterested confusion. "She hasn't told Hermione," said excitedly.
"That's convenient, Albus, not so amazingly enjoyable that I'd follow you into your wonderful world of optimism," he stated blandly. Inside, however, he was extremely relieved to hear Albus' news. "But how did you know?"
"Legilimency," he muttered. Snape smirked. "I was curious," he told the potions master, "and I also saw what occurred last night."
"And," Snape asked.
"I don't agree with your punishment in the slightest, Severus," he said earnestly. "It really wasn't her fault, and depriving her of sleep is cruel."
"Hardly, it's fitting," he argued. "I she had enough energy to listen into us and attack me last night, then she can stay up just as late tonight, however, the activities may be altered.
"What task is it you've planned for her," he said resigned to the fact that the detention would not be changed.
"Not sure yet, possibly grading, maybe scrubbing cauldrons," Snape said casually as Dumbledore gave him a withering look. Snape shrugged and turned to go back to his office while Dumbledore headed back upstairs. Upon hearing his name, Snape turned around to address the headmaster.
"It was a miracle that Umbridge didn't involve herself, but she's bound to hear of this incident eventually," Albus said raising his brow awaiting the response that Snape gave of a simple 'what incident' approach. They both left to their respective destinations, however, as Snape reached his office he was greeted by the least appealing scene his predicament could produce.
Author's Comments: Sorry, but I love cliff hangers. The good thing is I love updating, too. Unfortunately, this fanfic was started at an inconvenient time. Since the next book will be out soon, I'll be dedicating a few sleepless nights reading it from start to finish with absolutely no interruptions, including the next chapter. This is my first fanfic, and I'd like to know how I'm doing. Comments are appreciated and responded to in the beginning of the next chapter.