Friday was much less eventful then Thursday; the group flooed into the Ministry of Magic. Sat their tests and came home. The instructors all made sure that all of the needs of Ginny were met and best of all no Lucius.
Saturday morning Draco and Hermione were the only ones that needed to be at the Ministry. Lestrange and Severus decided that they with the Hermione and Draco were enough protection. Hermione and Draco had three tests together the fourth test Draco wasn't taking. While the students took their first two tests, Severus left Lestrange and went to the Minister's office to deal with what paper work he could.
The Dark Lord had asked Severus to look over what was there and deal with that he could. Any he had a question about to bring back to the Manor with him. The Dark Lord wanted Severus to be the Minister of Magic but knew that Severus wanted the school worse right now. Therefore, he was considering which of his followers would be best.
Draco and Hermione with Lestrange bringing up the rear returned to the Minister of Magic's office for lunch. They found Pippy with a large basket full of sandwiches, cake and drinks. The three along with Severus settled in for lunch after lunch Hermione had another test and then Draco and she would have one more test at 2:30.
Severus looked at the group sitting in front of him; "Draco are you doing ok with your father's situation?"
Draco looked around he didn't know how much to say in front of Lestrange he knew Hermione was safe, Severus nodded that it was ok. "I'm fine as you know father and I tolerate each other and that's about it. I am worried about mother she seems to be taking this rather badly. But, we had both told him to use his head for more than a hat holder.
Hermione I'm sorry father has treated you the way he has. I know we weren't always friends at school but it wasn't because I truly believed the mudblood stuff it was that I was expected by Severus and the Dark Lord to behave in a certain way."
"Draco I understand really I do and you are a friend now. I just hate that your father is in so much trouble; but he was totally over the line."
"I know he was and if Queen Ginevra hadn't hexed him I would have. He will never learn! I have a feeling the Dark Lord isn't going to give him a chance to learn any way. I just hope mother will survive it."
Hermione felt so bad for Draco, "I wish I could do something for you and your mother. I know this is very hard on you."
"Not me so much, Severus is really the only dad I have known; mine didn't care whether I was alive or dead."
Hermione just stared at Draco and then dropped the conversation. Looking at the clock Hermione realized she had to get back to the testing area. Lestrange gave Severus a look who then stood up;" I'll be with you for this test."
Severus offered Hermione his arm and escorted Hermione to the class room. There were only two other people in the room besides the instructor. The instructor took one look and Severus and blanched snow white. The other students turned around to see who had entered and their mouths dropped open.
Hermione wasn't sure if it was because she was dressed in fancy dress robes or if it was because she was still holding Severus's arm. Severus never to let a chance by to be nasty to a student or soon to be former students sneered, "Mr. Jamison and Miss Groff I would suggest you shut your mouths it's very unbecoming."
Severus walked Hermione to a chair and pulled it out so she could sit when he finished he walked to the back of the room and leaned against the wall.
Hermione smirked to herself; Anita Groff had been the bane of her existence for several years. She was always making fun of Hermione because of being a muggle and also made fun of her hair. When Anita looked over at her, again Hermione made sure her ring would show as she reached for the quill on her desk.
When she gasped Hermione looked at the girl, "Do you need something Anita? Oh, my ring it's beautiful isn't it. I'll be getting married over the Christmas holiday. Severus and I are thrilled about it I'll be returning to Hogwarts as the Headmaster's wife."
Hermione could hear Severus in her mind chuckling as Anita's mouth dropped open again.
"You are marrying Professor Snape?"
Hermione smiled, "Of course he's my soul mate you can't imagine how wonderful it is to have your soul mate the right hand of the Dark Lord. It means I get to spend as much time as I want with Ginny; you know she's married to the Dark Lord."
Severus was not laughing outright in her mind; "you little minx you are enjoying this aren't you.
Hermione answered back in her mind, "You are darn right she is a nasty foul person that made my life and Ginny's miserable."
The instructor interrupted Hermione and Severus mind talk when she told the students to turn their parchments over and begin. Hermione loved Runes even though it was a rather hard class. Luckily she had already finished her 7thyear book so she felt comfortable with being able to pass the test with an O. Sure enough when she started the translations the answers came quickly.
She only had a problem with one sentence translating it from English into the rune symbol and Severus gave that rune symbol to her. She would not normally have taken the help but it was there so she went ahead.
Severus watched as Hermione worked her way through the test; he was amazed watching her mind work. He stayed in her mind during the whole test he was so amazed at how organized her mind was. He began to think how easy it would be for her to learn Occlumency with her organized mind.
When she was sitting chewing on the edge of her thumb trying to remember the rune for air he pushed it into her mind. He could tell she was unhappy with him but he knew she would find it in her own mind. He had never seen anything like her thought process.
When she finally sat back with her test, finished Severus talked to her through her mind. "I want to start teaching you Occlumency. With your organized mind you will learn it very quickly; then we will start on the Legilimenacy."
"Do you really think so? I also want to learn to apparate. Since I won't take the training at school I thought you might be able to teach me."
"I'll be happy to we are going to be very busy between our binding and all we have planned."
Hermione had a light twinkly laugh in her mind very similar to her real laugh; Severus found it just as pleasant as her real laugh.
"Yes we will be busy in more way then one it sounds like."
This time Severus laughed and pushed it to Hermione through their link; he watched as Hermione shivered like she does when he whispers in her ear. He knew that his voice and laugh turned her on and he loved using it. "And just where is that mind of yours going now, naughty girl you are supposed to working on a test."
Hermione pushed Severus out of her mind for that remark; he had to rub the bridge of his nose after she shoved him out. His head ached slightly, when Hermione pushed him out she didn't just shove gently she threw him.
Severus watched the instructor; she kept taking quick looks at him and at Hermione and then back to her desk. He decided to take a quick look in her mind. The first thing he encountered was fear; she was scared to death of Severus. It seemed he had taught her. He didn't remember he but that wasn't surprising; then he noticed that she felt sorry for Hermione. This caused him to laugh to himself. She didn't realize that Hermione could be a very scary witch in her own right. Severus was even a little scared when she was angry and he was a Death eater.
Catching the Groff girl looking toward him he quickly switched to her mind. Hmmmm, so she is afraid of Hermione, she should be. Wow what a mess, her mind is unorganized I have no idea how she did so well in school. Well that's interesting, she's trying to figure out how to take Hermione's place; well that tells me Hermione was correct in what she thought of her.
The instructor looked at the clock, "You have 10 minutes so finish up."
Severus watched as the other two students scramble to finish and once again was happy that his soul mate was Hermione. He was blessed to have a strong, bright caring witch as his own.
The Instructor called time and told everyone to bring their tests to the front Hermione took hers to the instructor and turned to find Severus directly behind her. Severus offered his arm and Hermione and watched as both the instructor and the two students stared.
Hermione's mind was already on her next test, one more today and one on Monday and she was finished. She couldn't wait to be finished and get her grades.
"Severus do you know when we will receive our grades?"
"I believe the Dark Lord gave orders to have anything that was taken by the four of you was to be back by Wednesday."
Hermione and Severus moved to the next room, there they were greeted by Draco and Lestrange along with Ron and Harry, this test was for Care of Magical Creatures. Hermione just wanted the day over she was tired looking around Hermione realized there were several 6th and 7th years taking their NEWT's for this subject. Those that were in the room seemed to be surprised to see Harry and Ron.
However, they seemed even more surprised that Hermione was standing with her arm hooked around Severus. They were getting several strange looks. Hermione smiled up at Severus and moved towards the chair between Harry and Draco. Severus pulled the chair out and then moved to where Lestrange and the Carrow's were standing. Hermione watched as he said something and then nodded to her before he left the room.
Hermione realized that several girls in the front of the room were whispering to each other and looking at her. This was what she hated about anything like this she was very uncomfortable. Nevertheless, knowing that this coming Thursday she had to attend the first ball she figured she should get used to it.
Draco leaned over to Hermione, "don't pay any attention to the gossips I've put up with them my whole life."
"I'm not it's just jealousy, oh and remind me after this test to tell you about dear Miss Groff." Hermione smirked as she finished whispering to Draco.
"Hey don't smirk like that you remind me to much of Uncle Severus."
Hermione laughed and the people that didn't know that Hermione was friends with Draco all stared open mouthed. This just caused Hermione to laugh harder.
The teacher cleared her throat, "That's enough you will each come up and pick up your test and a no cheat quill and return to your desk you have 2 hours to complete your exam once I tell you to start."
Draco pulled Hermione's chair out for her and led her up to the desk to pick up their items when they got back to their desks he made sure Hermione sat before he sat down. The teacher watched all of this in amazement.
Two hours later Hermione, Draco, Harry and Ron were being escorted to the Minister of Magic's office. Hermione walked into the room and plopped down into a chair. She was very exhausted; too many test in three days and not only was she physically exhausted she was mentally exhausted. Draco wasn't far behind her he sprawled out on the couch that was against the wall.
Severus looked up as the two sprawled; "I take it you are done for the day?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes and all I want to do is go home and nap for a couple of hours."
Draco groaned, "I wish I have a meeting with the Dark Lord at 6:00 tonight. I need to go home and shower and get ready for that."
Harry and Ron had only had three tests so far and one on Monday, so they weren't that tired. They watched as Hermione rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Severus do you have any headache potion with you?"
"No, but I'll be finished here in just another minute or two. Can you wait till then or do you want to floo through without me?"
"I'll wait; I prefer to spend time with you."
Draco spoke up, "Hey Hermione what did you want to tell me about Groff?"
That got Hermione to smile, "She has always been nasty to me as you probably know. Mudblood was one of her nicer names. Well you should have seen her face when I told her I was to marry Severus and that he was my soul mate. She and Matt Jamieson both had their mouth hanging open when I walked in on Severus's arm but telling her I would be the Headmaster's wife did her in."
Draco, harry and Ron were laughing their heads off by the time Hermione finished. Harry finally caught his breath, "We got some strange looks on Friday and again today when people saw the two of us. I think everyone must have thought we were dead."
Severus finished up, "are you finished so we can floo to the Manor?"
The group flooed to the manor, Cissy was waiting for Draco as soon as he stepped out of the floo. She told Severus that the Dark Lord was waiting for him and Lady Hermione.
Hermione sighed and pulled herself back together, as Severus and she made their way to the inner chamber. When they reached the inner chamber Hermione and Severus both went to kneel and curtsey but never made it down before the Dark Lord stopped them.
"Come in and sit, what did you find today Severus?"
"There wasn't much available my Lord, I went through Lucius's desk and his secretary's it looks like he had it done or has passed it off on someone else to do."
"That doesn't surprise me; are you sure you won't take the job Severus?"
"My Lord at this time I would much rather stay at Hogwarts. It's not that I would refuse my Lord but I just think at the present time I can be more effective at the school."
"I'm sure you are right Severus, I just don't know who I will make Ministry I would rather have someone like you that would be smart enough to run it without me constantly doing everything. I want to spend time with Ginevra and the new baby. But, I guess I'll have to find someone I can control and run it."
"My Lord you are a brilliant leader you will have no problem running our country."
"I'll leave you at the school Severus, but I hope I can get a good person in as a front can you suggest someone that you think would be capable?"
Severus sat back and thought; "have you considered Percy Weasley? He is very into doing everything perfectly; he would be able to handle the day to day and anything more than that he could bring to you."
The Dark Lord thought for a minute. "That might not be a bad idea. Ginevra what do you think can we control your brother?"
"He might drive us out of our minds but he would be controllable."
"Well I guess he would be our best to do it, I'll talk to him tomorrow and see if he will take it."
Hermione laughed, "My Lord knowing Percy he will be down on his knees kissing your feet before you get it out of your mouth."
Ginny laughed so hard she was holding her side; "she's right he will be on his hands and knees kissing your feet."
The group was still laughing when they went to dinner that night.