Chapter 9
Days poured by and Hermione was no closer than she had been before her note from Snape which madam Pince, the librarian had been very unhappy about.
"Never in all my years have I seen such a thing." She retorted when Hermione handed her the note. And muttered inaudibly all the way to the restricted section.
A couple more hours of reading passed before Hermione slammed a volumous book down on the commonroom table, more to gain Harry's attention than anything else. Harry, who was playing wizards chess with Ron had become a bit to lax for Hermione's liking. He wasn't complaining as much and seemed to doze off whenever Hermione tried to talk to him about the prospect of their new marriages.
"What is it Hermione." Harry said in an unconvincing tone.
"Don't know what you're talking about mate, I didn't hear anything." Ronald had become increasingly immature over the past week while he pretended Hermione didn't exist.
Hermione, ignoring this glared at Harry. "Maybe you were right, maybe it is hopeless." She said not really believing it.
Harry just shrugged as he moved his rook across the board. "Hermione" He said, not looking at her. "Have you ever thought that maybe its not the most horrible thing on the planet to have to go through with this?"
Hermione felt as if his words had made her hair fall out in one clump.
"Is that what you think Harry?" Neither Harry nor Ron had ever seen her so mad. "Maybe its fine for you, YOU don't have to marry the bat of the dungeons, YOU don't have to sleep next to and have children with the greasy haired git!" She grabbed the book from the table and stood up. "No but perhaps your right, It could be fabulous, Severus and I could have you round for tea and you could watch the little ones while we make kissy faces at each other in the hall, just fabulous!" And she disappeared through the portrait hole.
The things she had just said to Harry and Ron were scaring her more than anything. It was the first time she had allowed herself to think about the prospect that they might not find a way out; what her future would look like. The images filled her mind so easily now. Her wedding in a dark room with her professor speaking the binding vows disdainfully. Her, trembling on their wedding night as the large man looming over her ebbed closer, touching her skin. The heavy book dug into her skin and her throat closed. Trying hard to swallow the lump that had grown there she made her way, though she would rather be anywhere else, to the dungeons.
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Surprised couldn't accurately describe what Hermione felt when her professor opened the door and without a word, turned and walked to the other side of the room.
"Close it behind you." She took this as her que to step inside and did so cautiously. His voice sounded to Hermione almost defeated. She took a seat in the big leather chair while he fussed with a bottle of butterbeer. Silence eased into the room as she sat afraid to be the first to speak.
"Well?" He broke the silence. Thank gods she thought exhaling before she spoke.
"Nothing, I haven't found a single useful thing." Letting her breath out again she willed herself to continue. "Have you had any success with that…" She paused not wanting to say her name. "…that woman?"
Severus moved toward her, she flinched slightly when he extended his arm to her and was relieved to find that he was holding out to her a bottle of butterbeer. He seemed pleased by her reaction as he sat in his chair.
"I have discovered something; don't be too impressed Miss Granger, you will not like it." He added quickly when she began to look hopeful. A look that faded to concern instantly. She opened her mouth to speak but he beat her to it.
"After much investigation on my part -- you would not believe the idiots I had to deal with to get this information – I managed to come across a piece of information in the mind of an otherwise dreadfully boring ministry official." Severus was almost delighted with the look of horror on her face. He had been breaking into the minds of ministry workers for days before he found anything which of course was very much against the law on a good day.
Forcing herself to maintain composure Hermione straightened herself in her chair in preparation for the bad news.
"What exactly did you find, professor?" Sending her voice to sound as polite as possible.
The mild grin that he had before faded as he set his glass on the end table next to his chair. "It appears Miss Granger," He began "that there is a prophecy."
