AN: So sry it took me so long to get one of these up!
I've been an airhead lately. (As evidenced by how long it took me to
update my two active stories.)
Thank you for every single one of
your reviews, they keep me writing even in the face of writer's block
and depression. Thanks again!
KlingonGal8489: The Quote Hermione 'stole' was from 'Star Trek III The Search For Spock', McCoy said it to the Vulcan Priestess in regard to the Fal Tor Pan. It's my favorite line of the whole movie right along with -- "It's a helluva time to ask."
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Chapter
Seven
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Hermione glared at the back of her potions professor. 'Oh, this is going to be an interesting year,' she repeated silently, her mindvoice just as thick with sarcasm as Snape's real one had been -- just with a lot more resentment added into the mix. Bloody prat! she thought vindictively.
She and Draco had informed the professor upon his return to his chambers of their decision to marry as soon as was possible, and that they definitely wanted to do so before the start of school. When asked by Draco if he would 'be so kind' as to arrange a meeting with the headmaster, Professor Snape's eyes had lit up. They had quite literally danced with amusement. If she hadn't seen it herself, she wouldn't have believed it -- even if it had, had a rather malicious tint to it.
'I'd be delighted to do that, Mr. Malfoy,' he'd replied in a smug purr, leaving immediately.
She and Draco had shared a bemused glance, he not any less confused than she. They'd shrugged simultaneously as they silently agreed they'd probably never figure it out.
The professor hadn't been gone for more than 30 minutes before he'd returned, his expression still vaguely . . . anticipatory. He'd announced that Headmaster Dumbledore would see them as soon as Madam Pomfrey declared Miss Granger well enough to walk the distance.
That had been almost two days ago and they had less than that left before the start of term.
Eyes narrowing as she continued to survey the unaware back of her potions professor, she wondered just what it was about the upcoming meeting that seemed to so amuse him. She shook her head, coming to the same conclusion the two of them had before, that quite frankly, she would not begin to understand Snape any time soon . . . though, she did have to admit that he had been slightly less abusive than he usually was. Which was something Hermione was quite grateful for, since she hadn't been allowed to move into chambers of her own yet.
She almost laughed. Less abusive certainly hadn't meant he hadn't managed his digs, some subtle and some not so subtle, about the stupidity of what she'd done. His frequent 'so typically Gryffindor' lacked its usual sting, however, as Hermione wouldn't change a thing about this particular spot of trouble she'd bought with her impulsive willingness to help.
The baby she carried, the source of her current predicament, would be dead now if she'd chosen the safe path. No amount of ridicule was going to change that, nor was it going to make her ashamed of her actions. Professor Snape could think what he liked as far as she was concerned, she thought, her hand unconsciously straying protectively to the slight bulge in her belly.
The stone gargoyle scraping open startled her out of her thoughts and she darted a quick glance at her companions. They, apparently, hadn't noticed her preoccupation. What she wanted to know was how she could have been so absorbed in her thoughts as to miss the entire bloody walk. It wasn't exactly a short trip from the dungeons to the headmaster's office.
Snape stepped onto the slowly rising stairs without a backward glance, as if he had not a care in the world.
Of course he doesn't, Hermione thought sourly, he's not the one who's about to bluff his way out of getting expelled. Well, she supposed, she wouldn't really be bluffing perse. She really was going to get married to prevent it.
Hermione glared harder at the man in front of her, caring not a whit that absolutely none of this was his fault . . . he was simply getting an immense amount of joy out of it. If he moved any lighter, she would expect him to suddenly start whistling.
And that was just a very . . . disturbing image. She shuddered and turned toward Draco. Something about that moment struck her, and rather like a bolt of lightening, it all coalesced
Oh God! she gasped silently. I'm going to marry Draco Malfoy!
She swallowed hard and risked another glance at Draco as the stairs ground to a halt beneath her. He really didn't look much better than she felt.
No, I'm not, she thought as her stomach twitched and flipped, a wave of dizziness passing over her. I'm going to pass out instead. Or the headmaster is going to know what really happened and expel me for casting dark magic. Or I'm going to just die right here and right now.
A gentle hand at the base of her back pulled her from her frantic mental babble, as did the breath over her ear as Draco whispered to her.
"Pull yourself together, Hermione," he chided, a seemingly teasing note to his voice. "Anyone would think you didn't actually want to marry me."
She snorted, letting out a nervous giggle as well. "Heaven forbid we should let anyone think that," she replied drily, thankful to Draco for the first time ever for making her feel a little better. "I apologize. Should I get to fainting now because of the intense pleasure of the priviledge of marrying your august person?"
"But of course," Draco replied hautily, straightening to his full height, then frowning uncertainly. "Well, except for the fainting part."
Anything else he might have said was cut off by the snort from in front of them . . . a snort that earned Professor Snape's back, twin glares, one from her and one from Draco. A mutter that sounded suspiciously like 'inane babble' followed, which Hermione frowned at, and considered protesting. She didn't, however, as the headmaster chose that moment to enter his office from the opposite side.
It wasn't until Draco's hand left the small of her back that she realized that the comforting hand had been shaking. The realization did absolutely nothing to calm her nerves, but oddly enough, she did feel a bit better knowing he was as profoundly affected by this as she was.
"Welcome, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy," the headmaster greeted heartily. "Quite a surprise to see you both at Hogwarts this early," he continued, an open expression of curiosity on his face, "One might go so far as to say it's even more surprising, shocking even, to see the two of you here together."
Not daring to glance at either Draco or Professor Snape, Hermione attempted to smile at the headmaster, a man she genuinely liked. Right now, however, it wasn't easy and she suspected her smile wasn't as welcoming as it could have been. "Thank you, Headmaster," she said quietly.
Casting a perturbed look at Professor Snape, the headmaster motioned them all to chairs. "Sit, relax, then perhaps you can tell me what I can do for you. I must admit, Professor Snape was most . . . closed mouthed about the problem."
Hermione almost giggled. The headmaster looked a bit put out, and she couldn't help but wonder how hard he'd tried to get the information from Professor Snape. Now she knew why the professor was reacting the way he was. He finally had information -- about students -- before the headmaster. Hermione would certainly admit that sometimes, just occasionally, the headmaster's seeming ability to know everything about everything could be . . . annoying. That was, of course, when that ability wasn't saving her life.
No one moved.
Hermione rolled her eyes. This was ridiculous. "I, for one, am going to sit down," she announced abruptly. "You two do what you want."
Had that been a growl from Professor Snape? Draco was certainly glaring at her, but she didn't dare sneak a look at the Professor to find out what he was doing . . . other than standing just inside the doorway.
No one spoke and no one moved as the headmaster seated himself behind his ever-cluttered desk. Hermione sat tensely, wanting nothing more than this meeting from hell to be over with. She absolutely dreaded telling the headmaster; the older wizard had always been supportive and kind and now she was afraid she was going to disappoint him.
Better he thinks you got careless than that you cast dark magic Hermione Jane Granger!
Good point, she replied to the chastising voice inside her.
She watched the headmaster survey the three of them, the ever-present twinkle in his eyes dimming a bit as he took in their defensive postures.
"Perhaps this one time we should skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point," he offered quietly, clear concern lining his face.
Across the room, Draco nodded and opened his mouth to speak.
Hermione's nerves didn't give him time to say a single word. "I'm pregnant," she blurted, gasping as she said the words aloud for the very first time. It made it seem so very terribly real.
Snape snorted.
Draco glared at her.
The headmaster's jaw dropped open -- just momentarily, but it did happen.
If Hermione hadn't been so caught up in her own little world of nerves and fear, she might have enjoyed the feeling of having surprised the unflappable Headmaster Dumbledore. As it was, she shifted nervously in her seat, waiting impatiently to hear his response. She watched the twinkle fade completely from his eyes as he put it all together, coming to the obvious conclusion.
"I am forced to admit, Miss Granger," he said stiffly, his focus on Draco, "that is the very last thing I ever expected to hear you say to me."
Hermione barely kept herself from whimpering at the disappointment she heard in his voice. She had expected it, known it would happen, but it hurt all the same.
"And what do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Malfoy?" he continued, his voice growing even colder.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't remember ever hearing even Professor Snape's voice that cold.
She watched Draco lift his chin, but even she could tell he was just as scared as she was. That was a bit daunting, actually.
"I'm here, aren't I?" he asked rebelliously.
Snape lay a hand on Draco shoulder--
When did he move?
--and Draco stiffened, before relaxing. He nodded once toward the professor, though he didn't turn to look at the older wizard. He kept his eyes trained firmly on the headmaster.
For the first time in her life here at Hogwarts, Hermione Granger watched the headmaster visibly bite back a retort. Instead, he sighed and returned his attention toward her.
"I'm afraid, Miss Granger, that in circumstances such as these my hands are completely tied. To ignore the long held rules and traditions of this school in this matter would see me summarily dismissed as headmaster. You will still be able to sit your newts when the time comes, that is a priviledge that is removed only for offences grave enough to require wand snapping. Unfortunately, you can not remain here to complete your--"
Hermione panicked. He wasn't even giving them a choice! He was going to expel her immediately. "But we want to get married!" she protested, jumping up from her seat. She couldn't let him say the words. She didn't want to hear them. She couldn't hear them. If she did, she was sure she would pass out.
The instantaneous change in the headmaster's expression cut short Hermione's approach. The anger radiating off the the normally gentle and softly spoken wizard was frightening . . . very frightening, and it was enough to make her step backward -- if she could have. His terribly frightful gaze turned slowly back toward Draco, his words coming slowly, one at a time, bitten out through a tightly clenched jaw.
"That would be difficult, Miss Granger, as young Mr. Malfoy is already married."
Oh God! Hermione thought in shock. Why didn't we realize he would know about that? It was in the headlines for goodness sake!
Wait a minute! Didn't he get my owl?
Draco stepped back in an unintended mimicry of Hermione's reaction, bumping into Professor Snape as he did so. Apparently not even Malfoy knew how to handle the headmaster like this.
"Mr. Malfoy's wife was killed, Headmaster," Snape replied. "He is legally completely free to squander his life."
Bastard! Hermione thought, even as she felt grateful for his intervention.
The headmaster . . . deflated. There really was no other word for it, Hermione realized. In a single moment, he went from being a vengeful, powerful wizard, to a weary man, not sure what to make of the situation.
Draco ducked his head to stare at the floor, but he glanced back up quickly, unshed tears glistening in his eyes.
Hermione ached to reach out and comfort Draco, an impulse that confused her greatly. Sure, she felt sorry for him. He'd been through something she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. But she never thought she would see the day that she would actually want to make his pain go away.
She shook herself out of her thoughts as she realized the headmaster was speaking and she hadn't heard the beginning.
". . . . so much better, Miss Granger. As I said earlier, Hogwarts, as grand an institution as it is, is not the be all and end all of our world. You are a bright young woman, you can study on your own and sit the newts independently."
Hermione's jaw dropped. He was trying to talk her out of it?!
"Surely that would be better than tying yourself to someone who has already been unfaithful to you, or perhaps conversely, unfaithful with you."
Hermione stiffened, her resolve forming into a tight knot inside her, straightening her spine. "In other circumstances, perhaps you'd be right, Headmaster, but what happens when Lucius Malfoy finds out I'm carrying his grandchild?" she asked pointedly. They'd already gone over this. It wasn't fair to make them do it again. "He had Katherine killed because he thought she wasn't 'pure enough' to be a Malfoy. What do you think he'll do to me?"
Eyes widening ever so slightly, he turned a hard gaze toward Snape and Draco. "Is this true?" he asked, his voice gentle this time.
Draco nodded once. "She was killed on his orders after I--" His voice broke and he cleared his throat before continuing. "Because I married her against his wishes."
"Mr. Malfoy, while I cannot condone much of what you've done here, you cannot be held responsible for your father's actions. It is his fault, not yours. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir," Draco replied; though, to Hermione's slowly growing understanding of the Slytherin, he didn't sound like he believed it.
"He's right, Draco Malfoy," she offered quietly. "You have as much right as anyone else to live your life the way you want to. Marrying Kath was a good thing. You did nothing wrong."
"How can you say that!" Draco snapped, stepping toward her. "The only reason she's dead is because I married her!"
" Mr. Malfoy," Snape snapped. "Do you truly believe he would have allowed her to live even if you hadn't married her, considering the circumstances?"
Hermione gasped. She couldn't believe the professor had alluded to that, not with the headmaster right there! And the portraits! Portraits were notorious, busybodying gossips.
The headmaster rose suddenly. "Come with me," he said, turning abruptly and heading up the stairs leading to the upper level of his office.
Hermione frowned, but followed obediently. Behind her, after only a moment's hesitation, the other two followed as well.
What now? she wondered. Where were they going and why had the headmaster suggested they leave his office? Surely, that was the most appropriate place for this conversation.
Her frown deepened as Dumbledore mumbled a password and a hidden door opened.
Turning silently, he waved them inside before him.
Part of Hermione immediately wondered if, in all his visits to the headmaster's office, Harry had ever been inside this room. Simply furnished with comfortable looking furniture, the spartan room was tastefully decorated in brown, tan, and amber, a surprisingly homey and comforting combination. She had a sneaking suspicion they were now in the headmaster's private quarters; though, they looked absolutely nothing like what she'd expect them to.
The door slid shut and Headmaster Dumbledore, turned to face them.
"This room is heavily warded," he said evenly, crossing to what appeared to be a minikitchen of sorts. "I dare say, it's more protected than even order headquarters. Make yourselves comfortable," he continued overly brightly, his back to them as he opened and closed cupboards and drawers. "Anyone up for some tea?"
A chorus of, 'No, sirs,' were followed by silence, broken only by the sounds of Dumbledore's movements.
Hermione trembled, her fatigue growing despite her efforts to ignore it. It had been a long day already, and it hadn't even really started yet. She sat; a heartfelt sigh escaping as she relaxed into the most comfortable chair it had ever been her pleasure to sit in. That earned her the instant attention of both Snape and Draco.
"What?" she asked defensively. "It's comfortable."
They both rolled their eyes at her. Despite the tension, Hermione almost laughed at their nearly identical movements -- sneer included. It was simply too normal for this entirely outrageous situation. They did sit, however, and Hermione was suddenly forced to stifle her laughter again as they both tried so very hard not to relax completely. She had a sneaking suspicion that the chairs had been charmed.
Her attention was rather abruptly jerked back to the problem at hand when Dumbledore stepped toward them, tea service in hand. He set three identical teacups down on the low table without a word, one in front of each of them, as well as one in front of himself, blatantly disregarding the fact that they'd declined his offer.
With a wave of his hand, he silently encouraged them to doctor the drinks to their individual taste -- which each of them did with varying degrees of reluctance. It wasn't until each of them, the headmaster included, had taken a drink, that the deceptively mild mannered wizard pinned each of them with a hard, knowing look.
"So," he began quietly, taking a second sip of his tea, "perhaps now that we're assured of complete privacy, one of you would like to tell me what's really happening here?"
