Chapter 9
Punishments and Hidden Feelings
The pair had continued to bumble along managing to fool the Hogwarts student body into believing they were indeed a Married couple. Hermione gave all the taunts and jibes the cold shoulder and Severus always managed to pop out of the shadows to take the odd points whenever a particularly nasty slur was sent her way. Ron and Harry had served two weeks' detention for allowing harm to come to a Professor's wife and Ginny had given the boys a tongue lashing to remember, one that would have made Molly Weasley proud of her only daughter.
As far as she had been aware Lavender hadn't spoken to Ron for a whole three days after the incident and he'd had his fair share of grovelling to do, before his wife would even look at him. Which Hermione was ever so slightly smug about considering the history of dislike the two girls shared.
Harry on the other hand, was as bad as ever. She could tell from the happy go lucky attitudes of Harry and Ginny that they were still going off behind Susan's back. Hermione had to give the Hufflepuff her dues though. She held her head high and refused to look either her husband or his mistress in the eye and merely breezed past them every time Ginny tried to talk to the girl and explain things.
Hermione noticed that the Gryffindor Marriages weren't the only ones suffering. Seamus has been all but banned from his own Chambers since Pansy had found out she was expecting their required child in the march just before Newt Exams.
The Malfoy couple sat stonily across from one another after the girl Raine had become pregnant and failed to tell her husband, causing her to miscarry as he took her flying one afternoon.
Dean Tomas-Macmillan was pushing his plate away looking rather green, making Hermione believe that his Husband Ernie had Managed to do his legal duty as well.
In fact, she and Malfoy had caught a rather desperate Married couple attempting to comply with the law in the back of the library the other week, during one of their night patrols. The couples excuse being that they thought a change of scenery would help speed things along.
Hermione couldn't help but be jealous of her peers who were all at least getting to experience the world of sexual pleasure. Whilst she was forced to spend nightly baths pleasuring herself whilst allowing her imagination to create a situation based off her one and only kiss.
She sighed and shook her head. There was no point in dwelling on things she thought as she made her way out the court yard where Severus had suggested they take a short walk before the start of afternoon classes.
'Hermione.' Severus said lightly, pressing a small kiss to her cheek. Which made Hermione's skin tingle with anticipation of more even though she knew she would never have it.
'How was your morning?' he asked as they made a turn of the courtyard.
'Oh fine, Runes was interesting.' Hermione answered lightly.
'How where the first years?' She asked curiously.
Severus sighed '3 melted cauldrons and a moderate fire to my desk.' He supplied with a hint of annoyance.
Hermione stopped and stared at him 'Oh no! are you okay?' She asked, touching his arm in concern,
'I'm quite alright, Hermione, however your assignments I had intended to hand back this afternoon not so much.'
'Oh we won't have to do them again will we?' Hermione asked biting her lip. Severus looked away from the girl and willed himself under control. He had no idea when it had happened but the girl's constant lip biting had become one of the most erotic things he had ever seen. And every time she did it sent jolts of pleasure straight to his groin. Maybe it was hearing her talk about kissing him whilst high on pain potions, or maybe it was the way she always curled up in her chair her robe sliding open to revel the long expanse of her leg. He had no idea. All he knew was that he had to stop. She was his student.
'Susan' They herd Harry's voice call and the pair turned to see an angry Harry chasing after a rather irate Susan. The pair watched as Harry caught up to the Hufflepuff girl and spun her to face him.
'What the hell did you do?' Harry snapped glaring at his wife.
'What I Had to Potter, I'll not go to Azkaban for you!' Susan screeched.
'So you reported me? The Hell Susan? You've just gotten us on probation!' Harry hissed. 'Weekly fucking Ministry visits to prove we're complying with the law!'
Hermione and Severus looked at one another and Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist in a show of affection just to make her feel better about her own nagging fears about the law.
'And what about Ginny? She's being married off next week to a ministry approved match! She doesn't even turn 17 for another six months Susan! You've completely taken her choice away!'
Hermione gasped and put her hand to her mouth. The Ministry were punishing Ginny for having an affair with Harry. She honestly wondered what the world was coming too. Severus looked down at the girl in sympathy, He had no doubt she was worried about the youngest Weasley, who knew Who the girl could be paired with.
Hermione watched as the pair stood toe to toe, inches apart from one another. 'Well at least now you'll have no choice but to sleep with me, and we won't be facing Azkaban! You'll thank me in the long run Potter just you wait and see!' Susan yelled at him and moved to walk away but Harry grabbed her again and spun her round to kiss her fiercely.
'Mr and Mrs Potter.' Severus called detaching himself from Hermione and walking over to the pair. '20 points from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff for inappropriate displays of affection in the halls.' Severus sneered.
Harry looked at the professor and then at his wife. 'I can't fucking win.' He muttered walking away from the two of them.
'Another 10 for language Potter!' Snape called after the boy, who steadfastly ignored him.
'I need to go and find Ginny.' Hermione muttered looking at Susan who to her credit looked ashamed.
'I didn't think they'd punish her since she was under Seventeen.' The usually shy girl mumbled.
'You did what you thought you had to Susan. I'm not sure I wouldn't have done the same in your shoes.' Hermione assured her with a small smile. 'Why don't you come with me?' she offered and held her hand out for the Hufflepuff girl.
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Hermione and Susan found Ginny crying in the back of the library. 'Gin.' Hermione said softly and the younger girl looked up, only to glare at the Hufflepuff standing beside her best friend.
'Come to rub it in have you?' she snapped and Susan looked at the floor.
'Ginny she didn't mean for you to get hurt. She was protecting herself. She could have faced Azkaban for non-compliance. You know that!' Hermione said sitting down beside the other girl.
'It's not fair Hermione, I loved him and now I don't even get a choice in my husband! And it's all her fault!' Ginny wailed pointing at Susan.
'No' Hermione said firmly. 'It's the Ministry's, I told you before you were playing a dangerous game, and now it's blown up in your face.'
'But…' Ginny said weakly but Hermione's pointed look silenced her. 'Your right, it's probably for the best.' Ginny said looking at Susan. 'I'm sorry, I love him.' She said.
Susan nodded and sat down next to Hermione. ' I know how you feel, Roger's married to some Spanish born Half-Blood in her late 20's. He doesn't even write to me anymore.' Susan said sadly. 'He was too scared that the letters be misconstrued.'
Hermione had forgotten that Susan's Long term boyfriend had been a pure-blood and a year older than them.
'Who have they paired you with?' Hermione asked looking to the tear splattered letter sitting in front of her friend.
'Wood.' Ginny sniffled. 'Apparently his first wife can't conceive. So they are annulling and he's to be paired with me. We will be signing the contract on next Friday.'
'That's not so bad!.' Hermione said forcing a smile. 'You know Wood and you both like Quidditch.'
'I suppose.' Ginny sniffled lightly.
The young redhead looked at Susan gently. 'Do me a favour. Try to make him happy.'
'I'll try.' Susan promised 'I really didn't want to Report him but I felt like I had no choice. If I didn't do it someone else would have.'
'Better you than someone like Malfoy.' Harry said from behind the girls and they all jumped in surprise.
'Oliver's a good guy Gin, He'll….be good to you.' Harry said not looking at his now Ex-Mistress. Ginny only nodded refusing to look at her former lover.
'I think we need to talk.' Harry said turning to Susan. The Hufflepuff Nodded and stood. Following the boy-who lived out of the library.
'Think they'll be okay?' Ginny asked gently.
'Yea I Think we all will be in the end.' Hermione said with a sigh. 'It's an adjustment, but we're British, we Fight on.' Hermione said and the two girls burst into a fight of giggles.
The rest of the day went by uneventfully and at dinner Hermione a Ginny noticed Susan and Harry entering the great hall holding hands, before they parted company to sit at their own tables. Small steps Hermione thought but it was better than nothing. She looked over at her redheaded friend and noticed a small wistful smile on the girl's face.
Yes, Hermione thought to herself they would be alright, in the end.