A/N: Hey guys! Thank you for your continues support. This next chapter has more of the 'friends' in it. Hope you like it. Let me know what you think!
Best Friends
"Listen, we need to talk," Ginny said to Harry and Ron a few days later. She'd spent over an hour with Hermione, shocked when she heard what Draco had done. It was disgusting, vile, not to mention, illegal. She hoped Snape cut his bits off like the bastard deserved.
She comforted her friend and promised she'd break the news to the boys, knowing Hermione didn't need to deal with their initial overreaction. The boys were very protective of her. She even believed her brother might still harbor some feeling for Hermione, though, by the looks of things, she was a hopeless cause for Snape. Harry saw her as his own flesh and blood, and Draco wouldn't just have Snape to worry about when all was said and done, she was sure.
"What's the matter, Ginny?" Ron asked.
"Not here," the girl looked around at all the people sitting in the common room. "Is anyone in your dorms?"
"No," Harry said, his voice serious. "What's wrong."
"Let's just get upstairs." Ginny said. The last thing Hermione needed was for all of Gryffindor to know what happened in the library Wednesday night.
The boys followed her hurriedly. Ginny rarely engaged in the usual gossip, so it couldn't be that. What had her so wound up that she needed such secrecy?
"Okay," Ginny said, plopping down on her brother's bed and casting a silencing charm on the room, just in case. Harry and Ron sat at the edge of Harry's bed and waited for her to explain her strange behavior. "As you know, Malfoy's been kind of a creep lately."
"We needed privacy for that." Ron joked.
"This is serious, Ron." Ginny scolded.
"Just tell us," Harry said, trying not to panic when he saw the serious look on Ginny's face.
"First, when I tell you this, instead of freaking out, I want you to let me finish."
"Okay," they agreed together.
"Well, Draco's been stalking Hermione. More than she let on, really. Snape's been able to step in, until Wednesday." Ginny said, looking at them seriously in the eyes.
"What happened Wednesday?" Harry asked. Ron wasn't even able to put words together for fear of what his sister would tell them.
"She is fine," Ginny said quickly. "But he cornered her in the library and...well, he sexually assaulted her in a manner of speaking," she said, unsure of how to explain it.
"What!" Ron screeched. Harry didn't say anything. He was already busy planning the slimy git's demise.
"She's okay." Ginny said again. "It wasn't really assault. He forced her to...touch him," she felt more than uncomfortable discussing this with them, but knew it would be even harder for Hermione. "She is freaked out about it, as you can understand."
"What about Snape. Shouldn't he have been there?" Ron asked, his voice obviously showing that he placed blame on the potions master.
"He was summoned by Voldemort. Look, according to Hermione, he plans to take care of it. I'm telling you this because she's your best friend and she couldn't. She's embarrassed and disgusted, but you guys have a right to know, and she knows that." Ginny explained. Harry and Ron both looked at her with a new found respect. When had Ginny Weasley grown up?
"Also," she continued, "Snape thinks, and I agree, that Hermione shouldn't be left alone. We should go with her everywhere. Of course not in a creepy way," she laughed, "but make sure she gets where she needs to go and doesn't have to go alone."
"Of course," Harry was, looking long and hard at Ginny. She seemed so different all of a sudden. He never knew that she could be this...adult. He didn't see her as Ron's kid sister for a moment, and it opened a door of possibilities.
But there wasn't time to think about that. His best friend needed him. "One more thing," Ginny continued, the boys too wrapped up in their thoughts to even speak. "Don't bring any of this up to Hermione. She knows I'm telling you, but put yourself in her position. Would you want to talk about it with her if the rolls were reversed?"
"No, you're right," Harry said.
"Blimey, what a sick bastard." Ron finally said.
"Yes." Ginny agreed. "Now, let's get to dinner."
"So, when do you think I'll have to stand before him?" Hermione asked. "The Dark Lord, I mean?"
"I've bought us time. But I really don't know. Whenever he demands it, I'll have to concede." Snape answered, flipping a page in his book, though he really wasn't paying attention to what he was reading.
Hermione nodded. "I've been trying to come up with false memories. Would you check one?"
Snape's eyes caught hers for a moment. He was truly surprised by her professionalism in this endeavor. Sure, he knew she was brilliant and dedicated. But, given everything that had happened to her over the last few months, she was so calm and collected when it came to her eventual presence before Voldemort. He respected it, and knew it would be necessary. He couldn't have her turn into a shaking mess in front of the Dark Lord. Some fear was to be expected and even encouraged, but if she was to be a believable spy, she had to seem confident in her choice of husband, and her trust in him.
"Please," Hermione sing-songed. "I know it's late, but if you just take a peek, I promise to make it worth your while," she said, shifting on the couch before swinging one leg over his lap and straddling his waist.
"Witch, you are going to be the death of me," he breathed, loving the smell of her straight from the shower. "One look. Then, I'm collecting."
"I'm counting on it," Hermione smirked. Locking eyes with him, she let him enter her mind and forced her false 'memory' to the front of her mind.
It was hazy, typical of first time tries, but it was there. She had created an entire conversation between the two of them that never happened. One where she told him she was getting concerned about Harry because Dumbledore was working him too hard. Of course this wasn't true, but it would make Voldemort orgasmic with pleasure.
When he pulled out, he stared back at her. "Not perfect, but good." He said. "How did you do it?"
Hermione smiled. "Books are good for something. I read the general theory then tried it myself."
Snape smirked back at her. "Insufferable know-it-all," he muttered good-naturedly.
"Severus," Hermione said, staring him directly in the eyes. "Shut up, and kiss me."
"Shhhh," Harry directed Ron when he overheard Draco's voice saying Hermione's last name.
"What is it?" Ron whispered back.
"Malfoy," Harry mouthed back. Ron's eyes doubled and he perked his ears to listen from an alcove behind the dungeon staircase. How they'ed ended up there, neither could explain. They were on their way to the kitchens when Harry decided they had a right to go see Hermione. Getting a little lost on the way, they came across Malfoy and Nott talking in a deserted hallway.
"Granger's mine, Nott," Malfoy spat.
"It doesn't seem that way to me, Draco. She seems quite happy with our head of house. What is your deal with her anyway?" Nott asked, his tone casual. "I mean, when the Dark Lord wanted her in the fold, you jumped at the chance to marry her. You do know she's a mudblood, right?"
"Of course I know she's a filthy mudblood," Draco nearly shouted. "She is my filthy little mudblood, though. I've wanted to fuck Granger for years. When I finally get my chance, that greasy ogre steals it out from under me." He pouted. "Filthy as she is, she's fucking gorgeous, and I want her. Malfoys always get what they want." He said with conviction.
"Oh yeah," Nott replied, "Then why is she fucking Severus Snape, and not you?"
"Watch it, Nott!" Draco warned in a deadly tone. "All in due time. I've got a plan. I'm not going to tell you what it is. But, suffice it to say, Granger will be tied to my bedpost...willingly, by the end of the year."
"And if she gets pregnant first? You know, that was the whole point of the law." Nott pointed out. "To knock her up and use the baby against her, and the 'Order'."
Malfoy hesitated for a second. He hadn't thought of that, it was obvious. "I'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen." He said. "If I can get her pregnant myself, Snape will lose all rights to her anyway."
"Well, just don't do anything stupid, Draco. You're father already told you to be careful. Snape is untouchable, right now." Nott reminded his friend. Draco had a tendency to leap before looking, and in this case, it could very well get him killed.
"We've got to find 'Mione," Ron said, when the two boys moved out of earshot. Harry nodded and pulled out the Marauder's Map again. They didn't know exactly where her new place of residence was, and they'd been looking for thirty minutes.
"Here," Harry said, pointing to a spot on the map that showed both Snape and Hermione. "This way." As if the castle had wanted them to get lost in the first place, and wanted them to find Hermione now, they were standing in front of Snape's office in minutes.
Moving through the dark and empty room, they stopped at a heavily warded door. "This must be it. Git's paranoid." Ron said.
"That's a good thing, Ron. Hermione lives there too." Harry pointed out. Ron nodded in concession. "Here goes nothing," He said, raising his hand and knocking on the door. It was after hours, and Snape was likely to turn them both into rats, but he had to tell Hermione what they'd heard.
Nothing happened for several minutes. Ron knocked this time, louder. 'Bloody fucking hell,' they heard Snape's irritated voice on the other side of the door and swallowed together. The door was wrenched open forcefully, and there stood their potions professor, looking apoplectic, not to mention a little underdressed.
"You both had better have a very good reason to come to my rooms after curfew," He growled.
"Yes, sir," Harry said, trying to be respectful, though he didn't want to know why his best friends 'husband' looked thoroughly snogged at the moment. It gave him the creeps. The dressing robe he wore was disconcerting as well. "It's about Malfoy and Hermione. Can we talk to her?"
Snape stood there, menacingly for a moment, looking them both up and down with his cold calculating stare, and they wondered if maybe he was going to turn them into rats. "Enter, but if you make a habit of this, I swear it will be the last thing you do." He finally said, his cold tone piercing through both of them.
They awkwardly shuffled into the room avoiding eye contact with the man. "Severus, who is it?" they heard Hermione's soft voice coming from somewhere in the back. When she stepped foot into the main room where they were, wearing only a bathrobe looking like she'd been shagged into next week, Ron and Harry realized what they'd interrupted and why Snape looked ready to kill.
"Oh!" she cried with surprise, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "It's past curfew. What are you doing here?"
"That was what I was about to ascertain." Snape sneered.
"Severus, please. Whatever it is, they have to have a good reason." Hermione said, looking back at her friends. "Here, sit. What's the matter?" Hermione offered them a seat on the couch, but Snape interrupted her before she sat next to them.
"Perhaps, you could put some clothes on, dear," he said, his voice strained and Hermione guessed the boys were staring. Blushing she nodded and moved to the bedroom to slip on some clothes. It was actually kind of cute that he was getting possessive.
"Now, the two of you better talk, and fast. I will not hesitate to deduct a thousand points a piece for coming to my chambers after hours." Snape said, his stare cold.
"Well, it's Hermione's place too," Ron pointed out, but Harry elbowed him in the ribs, telling him to shut the hell up.
"Okay," Hermione said, now wearing her sleeping attire. Snape wasn't much happier with that choice of clothing, but he wanted to get the two twits out of there as soon as possible so he could continue the ravaging he was giving his wife before they were interrupted.
"We didn't mean to interrupt," Harry said, swallowing uncomfortably. He still couldn't imagine Snape as anything but horrid. "But we were on our way to the kitchens," he ignored a hard look from Snape. "When we overheard Malfoy talking to his friend Nott. I assume Nott is a Deatheater too," Harry's eyes shifted to Snape who betrayed nothing.
"Anyway, he didn't reveal what his plans were, but..." Harry was cut off by Ron who felt he could rip the bandaid off better.
"Malfoy wants to knock Hermione up instead of you, so he can keep her. Plus, apparently you-know-who, plans to use your baby as some sort of leverage over you." he said the last part to his best friend.
"Wh...what?" Hermione said, still processing what her best friends had told her.
"And he didn't give away any details of the plan?" Snape asked, his tone cautious.
"No. He seemed to not trust Nott with it." Harry answered. "He said Hermione was his, and he'd have her. Then when Nott reminded him about Voldemort's desire for her to have a baby, he said he'd have to stop that from happening. I'm not sure how he could. And then, that he'd be the one to get her pregnant." Harry summed up in greater detail.
Hermione just stared in the direction of the floor, still trying to process what she'd heard. Snape looked at her worriedly. "You may go," He said to the boys without further ado.
"But..." Harry started, confused.
"Harry," Hermione smiled, though it didn't really reach her eyes. "I'm fine. Go back to the Tower. We can talk about this tomorrow. Thank you both for telling us."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, looking at Snape before turning back to her.
"Yes," She said with a quick nod.
"Okay," Harry said, getting up along with Ron. "But come find us, first thing, at breakfast."
"Sure," Hermione smiled, her real emotions still guarded. She was clearly picking up some habits from her husband. Harry and Ron made their way out the door and Snape rewarded it, stronger than ever this time.
"Severus, what could he do to stop me from getting pregnant?" She asked, looking him in the eyes.
"Any number of things," Snape admitted. "Certainly don't drink anything you don't prepare yourself. I'll inform the rest of the teachers to avoid placing the two of you as partners during practical spells." Snape said, moving back to the couch. He was sure his night of hot sex with this fucking gorgeous wife was over now. Draco was becoming more than a nuisance.
"Well," she said, with a little more bite, "the only way I'd have a baby with him is if he raped me. And I wouldn't go down without a fight," she promised.
Snape smirked at her Gryffindor spirit. "I'm sure Draco would have his hands full," he said. "Now, we ought to get back to bed. Perhaps you'd like a Dreamless Sleeping Potion?"
"No," Hermione said, standing from the couch seductively pulling on the rope tying his robe together. "I can think of something a lot better to help me get to sleep," she said, biting her lip in the most sexy, exotic way.
"You're sure?" He asked.
"Please..." She hissed, and he knew his night wasn't over.
"Severus," Hermione breathed, still trying to come down from her orgasmic high. "What about when I do get pregnant?"
"What about it?" Snape asked, his own breath coming out in pants.
"What I mean is, I know you don't want kids. But I don't want to be a single mother. I'm worried that when I'm pregnant you will be distant and I don't know if I can do that." Hermione said, snuggling into his side.
He sighed and wrapped his arm around her. "I can't tell you how I'll feel, Hermione. I've honestly never considered children. With Lily, we never had a relationship. With the other women...they were one-offs with no name. I never thought I'd have children. Given how horrible my own parents were, you might be better off as a single mother," he said.
"No," Hermione protested. "You are not your father. You know that as well as I, so don't even say stupid things like that. I just want to know, when I come home and tell you I'm pregnant, are you going to be happy? mad? excited? mean?"
"I don't know," Snape answered honestly. He couldn't get a feel for his emotions on the topic. Part of him did look at the future and see little children with Hermione's beauty and both of their intelligence. But then he remembered he wasn't likely to make it out of this war alive. Did he want to leave her with that to deal with on her own? "What if I just tell you, I won't be mean?"
"It's a start," Hermione sighed. "You know it's just a matter of time. I'm young, and very fertile."
"I know," Snape said.
"One more thing," She said looking up at him. "Did you know about Voldemort's plans for the baby? I mean, that he wants to use it against me?" She asked, her heart skipping a beat. She didn't know how she'd feel is Snape knew already. Why hadn't he told her? Did he really care so little about his future offspring?
"No," Snape answered. "That must have been something he shared with Lucius and Draco when they decided to pursue you for marriage." Snape explained.
Hermione swallowed and nodded. As much as motherhood scared her, she couldn't imagine her child anywhere near that creepy snake. Since it was bound to happen anyway, she had to think of the possibilities.
"Okay," Hermione said, realizing she'd just made pillow talk a little too heavy. "Don't worry about it. The way things are going, Draco might render me infertile, anyway." It was supposed to be a joke, but she had to choke on the last words. The truth was, as young as she was, and as much as she wanted to wait. Children with Snape were looking more and more attractive every day. There was something happening between them. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew it was mutual.
Snape growled at the thought of Draco endangering his wife and her ability to bear his children, and it was then that he knew something had shifted. He did want her to have his babies. He did feel a connection with her that he'd never felt before. And, at least to some extent, she seemed to share that connection. And he wanted to protect those babies from Draco, from the Dark Lord, from anyone who deemed to harm them. Something was happening with him and Hermione that he could explain, but it was powerful, and a bit scary.
"Let's just go to sleep," He said. "We can worry about this in the morning." Hermione nodded and snuggled into him deeper, loving the feel of his warm skin on hers and his smell, sandalwood, in her nose.
