Hey guys, Perky-Thief here with Chapter Seven of A Marriage of Convenience. I'd like to apologize for how short some of my chapters have been. And, thus, I promise that they shall be getting longer, though I may not be able to update as frequently. I'm not sure when I'll be able to get the next chapter out, but hopefully it'll be soon. So just give me some time on it. I do have school and all…don't hate me!!!

But anyway, that's enough talking for now.

Oh, and thank you to xXxLOLAxXx for pointing out my minor error. It has been fixed. Thanks!

Read, Review, and Enjoy!!

Title: A Marriage of Convenience

Chapter Seven: The Gift


Tuesday went by as routinely a possible for Hermione. She successfully made it through both Astronomy and History of Magic without daydreaming, though she almost fell asleep during one of Professor Binn's lectures. Hermione had just finished up with her Charms class, giving her the rest of the day free to do as she pleased. So, naturally, she went to the Library.

It was somewhat late in the afternoon, though she still had plenty of time before dinner was served in the Great Hall. She sat at one of the wooden desks reading several different texts containing multiple ancient rune scripts, much to the blatant dismay of Madam Pince. The Library was virtually deserted, save for a few younger Hufflepuffs.

Hermione had been reading for the better part of an hour when she felt a pair of eyes gazing upon her. Looking up, her eyes drifted across the room and locked with those of Jordan Goodman, who gave her a quick smile before continuing on with his friends. The blush began to creep up on Hermione's face again, making her feel quite warm. She found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on her book. Eventually, she placed her book back on its place on the shelf and continued down to the Great Hall for dinner.

Hermione piled a plate with roast chicken and a few spoonfuls of carrots and peas. She took a seat next to Ron and across from Harry and Ginny, preparing to tuck in.

"So," Ron said in a constrained voice. "How was your date last night?"

"Why yes, Ron," she replied in an equally tight tone. "It was actually quite enjoyable. I had a great time."

"Good." He paused for a few seconds to eat another bite of his steak, before slamming his fork down on the table unusually hard. "I naturally suppose that he bought you everything you wanted…"

"No, Ron." Hermione said. She was becoming rather frustrated with being given such an amount of questions. "The only things he bought me were some sweets from Honeydukes." She ate a bite of her chicken, hoping that Ron would end his incessant questioning there.

Ron snorted loudly at her response. "That's it?" he questioned incredibly. "Blimey, talk about a cheap date." He grinned stupidly at his own remark.

"Ron, stop it. Will you just leave me alone? I had a great time on my date last night. Why can't you just be happy for me? But, no. You have to jump down my back and act jealous." She paused briefly, watching his arrogant grin contort into one of a shocked appearance. "Well guess what, Ron; I still have to more dates to go on. And one of them is with Malfoy, and the other is Snape. I wish you would grow up for once in your life. So do yourself a favor now, and get over." Hermione picked up her plate and moved further down the Gryffindor table, opting to sit with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil rather than anywhere near Ron.

"Good job, mate," Harry said, giving Ron a pat on the shoulder. "You really did it this time."

"Can you believe her, Harry? Jumping down my throat like that. She really needs to learn some manners, I swear."

Ginny sighed at her older brother. "Honestly, Ron, you're the one who needs to learn some manners. You haven't even stopped to think about what Hermione's going through. It isn't easy for her, being told to get married and all. Try putting yourself in her shoes. Hermione's right, you do need to grow up."

Sneering at his sister, Ron opened his mouth to say something when Harry cut him off. "Ginny's right, Ron. You're not really being very supportive of her."

Ron's jaw went slack in anger. "Supportive?" He stabbed his knife into his steak. "I am being bloody supportive. It's not my fault that she doesn't care about it."

"Ron!" Ginny yelled, smacking him in the head. "You are so stupid sometimes." She stood up from the table, grabbing her food as well. "Somebody should write a book about girls and give it to you for Christmas." Ginny stalked away from the two boys and moved to sit near Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati.

"Harry? You know this isn't my fault, right?"

Harry sighed at his friend. "Ron, just go and apologize to Hermione."

Ron wanted to say something back in defense but thought against it. He thought, perhaps, of stomping over to Hermione and possibly apologizing, but decided against that as well. Instead, he resorted to eating the rest of his dinner in relative silence.

No, he would apologize tomorrow.

O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O

After dinner, Hermione went back to the Library until curfew drew near; at which point, she then retreated to the comfort of the Gryffindor common room. She read a few segments of Hogwarts: A History in front of the fire in the common room before deciding to head up to her room. Shutting her book, she climbed the large staircase. When Hermione entered her room she noticed a brown paper-wrapped package sitting neatly on her bed with a note attached.

Confused, she grabbed the note off of the parcel and read it slowly.

Hermione,

I look forward to our outing tomorrow. Please, view this small gift as a token of my deep gratitude. I should appreciate its usage on our date tomorrow evening. I will come to collect you at 7:30 pm sharp.

Until tomorrow,

D.M.

'Wow,' she thought to herself in mild amazement. 'He sounds very sophisticated.' How unlike him… Placing the note down on her bed, Hermione lifted the parcel and examined it warily. After being able to detect nothing wrong with the package, she opened it carefully. She gasped as the brown paper fell to the floor, revealing a long, emerald green evening gown. Hermione marveled at the silky flow of the material, and touched it with an extreme amount of caution; fearing that it might tear. Silver rhinestones swirled in intricate patterns along the gown; starting at the breasts, the stones continued down towards the hips, at which point they were scattered like little stars along the bottom. It had thin straps held at the shoulders, and a low-cut dip down the front of the dress, leaving little to the imagination.

Hermione viewed the garment with a deep appreciation for its quality. She did have to admit that the whole idea did seem very Malfoy-ish to her. It was exactly something that the arrogant young blonde would do. Still, Hermione didn't mind the idea of getting to wear the glamorous article of clothing.

She hung the gown up in her wardrobe and got her self ready for bed.

O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O

Draco sat in the Slytherin common room thinking about where to take the little Gryffindor chit tomorrow on their 'date.' The entire idea made him laugh. Father was going to many lengths to make sure that the girl suffered for her dealings in the war. Hermione stood right there beside Harry in the final battle shooting incredibly powerful jinx's and curses at every Death Eater within range. She and the Weasel were relentless in blocking every single hex that came near 'the boy wonder.'

But it wasn't that fact that made Draco want to have her as a wife. No. It was the fact that she greatly wounded his father during the battle. He wouldn't have cared much if it had been a little freezing jinx or a stinging hex. Not at all. Granger had successfully performed the Sectumsempra spell on him. A move, no doubt, taught to her by Snape. Severus Snape…he was another problem on his own. His betrayal had severely damaged his name amongst most Dark wizards. But no matter, Snape would get his in the end. But right now, Hermione Granger was the target at hand. Draco couldn't wait to get his hands on the little Mudblood. 'Not much longer,' he thought. Yes, not much longer before the Gryffindor bitch was his pathetic wife. No. His property.

Her friendship was amazingly strong to Potter and the Weasel; there was no doubt about that. But it was her magic that Draco and his father were interested in most. He and Lucius had been planning to take possession of the girl ever since the announcement of the law. With the immense strength of her magic, Granger would produce a very powerful heir to the Malfoy family. Once an heir was produced Hermione would have a little 'accident.' It would be such a shame for Draco and their young child, and a shock. But it would have to happen eventually; there couldn't be a Mudblood in his family forever.

Smiling, Draco looked down at the letter he had just received from Lucius.

Draco,

I took it upon myself to do you a small favor. Last night I followed your little Mudblood around while she was on her date with the Goodman boy. It is as you suspected, son, this boy could pose a problem to our plan. If Granger picks him over you, things will get messy. He will have to be eliminated.

But it is not the time act just yet. We will have to wait and see how things progress.

I have also taken the liberty of sending the girl a dress for your date tomorrow, in your name. You must learn to think of these things, Draco. Remember what I said: use your charms!

Your father,

Lucius

Draco smiled at the thought of it all. Oh, yes. His charms would be put to good use tomorrow night, as well as a large amount of Galleons. He threw his father's letter into the fireplace.

"Goyle," Draco shouted to the plump boy sitting a few chairs over. "Go into my room and get out my best robes for tomorrow."

"Okay, Draco." Goyle lumbered away, stepping heavily as he walked.

"What are you going to do on your date tomorrow?" Crabbe asked his friend.

Draco stood up and stretched out his arms. "Bloody hell if I know. I'll probably just take her out to dinner somewhere, and then bring her to a few shops. I'm only allowed to stay in Hogsmeade, after all. But don't worry; I know how to work my charms. I'll buy her a few presents and maybe some sweets… Soon she'll be eating out of the palm of my hand, and possibly other places…" He finished his stretch and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Crabbe said.

"Me?" Draco replied haughtily. "I'm going to take a nice long bath. I can't have Granger looking better than me on our date tomorrow." He gave a deep throaty laugh before walking off.

O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O

Snape sat in his desk chair, gazing aimlessly at the half-moon. He could think of nothing but the upcoming Friday. It encased his mind, allowing him to think of little, if not nothing, else. Granger had been the sole possession of his thoughts from the moment he spoke to her in class on Monday. 'Why don't you surprise me?' Those few words haunted him and thrilled him at the very same time. Snape didn't think it was possible to feel this strangely about a student. A student that he could very well be married to within a month.

He grabbed a pile of essays and began to scribble away furiously at them. He had gotten through nearly half the pile when the flames in his fireplace suddenly flared up with a green light. Snape raised his dark eyes as Lucius Malfoy stepped out from the flames.

"Severus, old friend," he said with poise. "How are you?"

Snape stood up and moved in front of his desk to face the blonde man before him. "Lucius," he replied curtly. "Friend is hardly a term I would consider using."

Lucius's lips curled into a malevolent smile. "Aw, Severus, I wouldn't say that. I would consider us great friends." His fingers twisted around the snake-head of his wand, fiddling with it delicately. "After all, you haven't got many friends left since your shocking betrayal to our cause. I would think you grateful to still have me as a friend." Lucius's eyes narrowed slightly at the dark man.

"In case you've forgotten, I betrayed you as well, Lucius." His words came out clipped and barely more than a fierce whisper.

Lucius nodded slowly, his smile never faltering. "Quite right, I suppose."

Snape took a step towards him. "Perhaps you could tell me as to why you're here. I doubt you stopped in just for a social call. What do you really want?" He eyed the blonde suspiciously, carefully watching his every move.

Lucius gave a deep laugh at his words. "Ah, Severus. Always straight to the point, I see. Very well then, I see no purpose in small talk any longer. Shall we sit in your Study?"

Severus didn't reply. He turned around and moved to a door against the far wall of his office which connected to his personal quarters. Opening the door, he motioned for Lucius to enter the room, following in after him. Snape watched as Lucius observed the spacious room before taking a seat in a large plush armchair. He did the same, sitting opposite Lucius.

Throwing his cloak aside, Lucius grabbed two glasses sitting on a table next to the chair and filled them with firewhiskey. He passed one to Severus before leisurely sipping his own. "Now then," he began, significantly smirking. "I've been informed that you sent in a marriage petition for one of your students. I'm curious, is that even allowed?" Lucius stared at the Potions Master, anxiously waiting for his answer.

"The Headmaster sees nothing wrong with it. The girl is above the age of consent; as far as I'm aware there is nothing against it."

"I see." His smile faded rather quickly. "Tell me, Severus; is it normally in your nature to compete with your students over girls? Or is this just a one-time occurrence."

"Why, Lucius," Snape replied smoothly, smirking slightly. "Are you worried that Miss Granger will pick me over your son?"

Lucius laughed loudly in response. "Not at all, not at all." He took a sip of his firewhiskey. "Think rationally. What normal teenaged girl in her right mind would choose a snarky old Potions Master over a good-looking, hormone pumped, eighteen year-old boy? What could you possibly have to offer her that Draco doesn't?" His voice still dripped with laughter and a grin pulled at his lips.

Snape chuckled to himself. He spoke quietly, his words clear and silky. "Well, luckily for me, Miss Granger plainly values brains over beauty. Looks aren't everything. She'll obviously be drawn more to my intellectual standings than to your sons. You have to admit, Lucius, that Draco isn't sharpest of boys. And Miss Granger doesn't seem like the type to be affected by her hormones. If she is, then she's done a wonderful job at concealing it. I think once she realizes this fact, we could be very happy together." Snape smirked widely, making no attempts to cover it up. "I may no longer be 'hormone pumped' as you say," he swirled the amber liquid around in his glass. "But I certainly haven't lost my drive." Sipping the drink, Snape's eyes met the cold ones of Lucius. "And I definitely haven't forgotten how to please a woman."

Lucius's face twisted into a grimace. He stood up from his chair harshly and marched towards the Potions Master, sneering at him dangerously. "Just what are you playing at, Snape? You know that I want this girl. You couldn't possibly ever find it in yourself to be with her. And I doubt she could ever stomach it to live with you. Why are you interfering with my plans?"

Severus remained seated, staring at the platinum haired man. "And pray tell, Lucius, what are your plans?"

Lucius turned away sharply, emitting a fierce growl in doing so before composing himself. He chuckled softly to himself, facing his old friend. "Surely, you can guess, my friend." Lucius smiled as Severus's face showed a glimpse of confusion. "I'm sure you've realized, after all, what a pretty little pet Miss Granger would make." A look of anger and lust took over the blonde man's face as he smirked at the idea of it.

Snarling, Snape rounded on Lucius. "Why her?" he grabbed Lucius's arm tightly. "Why Hermione? Why not any other girl?"

"Oh," Lucius said nonchalantly. "You're on a first-name basis with the girl now? How sweet."

"Damn it, Lucius," Snape growled. "Answer me: why her?"

"Severus, surely you should know. It's what the Dark Lord would've wanted, among other reasons. I believe our Master would have been quite pleased knowing that a close friend of Potter's is our new pet. Although I must say, I do rather like the idea myself. Hermione Granger is quite a pretty little thing; I bet she tastes as good as she looks. Don't you agree, Severus? When she becomes a part of the Malfoy family, I'll get to taste her every day. You know, old friend, if you prove your loyalty to our side, maybe I'll share her with you. Certainly, you have wanted her just as bad as I have."

"Not a chance," Snape snarled, releasing his arm.

"A shame, Severus, a real shame," Lucius responded in mock sadness. "Think about the sight of her crying beneath you. Knowing that you have full power over her pathetic little body. I know that's something you'd like to feel. I know you'd like to feel her writhing below you."

"Actually, Lucius," he replied crisply. "I'd rather have her beneath me willingly. And instead of crying, she'd be screaming my name. Something you, regrettably, will never experience." Severus walked over to the fireplace and threw some floo powder into the grate. "Now leave."

"Very well, then." Lucius retrieved his cloak and moved near the fireplace. "Rest assured, Severus, the girl will be mine." He stepped into the flames and shouted out his destination before disappearing within the green blaze.

"Damn it," Severus said, slamming a fist against the stone wall. This visit from Lucius was one that he most definitely did not expect, nor did he particularly desire it. The man was too arrogant for his own good. But at least one good thing came out of his presence: he had given Severus exactly what he needed to win over Hermione.

Severus walked over to the other side of his Study where a large stone basin lay resting on a table. Touching his wand to his temple, Snape began to pull long bluish strands of memory out of his mind. He placed them into the Pensieve and watched the liquid-like substance swirl around.


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