A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE

Chapter 1 ~ A Favor to Ask

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"A real credit to your House, each of you."

The snide voice caught all three of them off guard. As was always the case with Professor Snape, he had walked in on them at exactly the worst possible moment. In this particular instance, Ron had just stuffed two quills up his nostrils (don't bother asking why), and Harry was in the middle of his Gryffindor-renowned Snape impersonation. Hermione, not surprisingly the only one actually studying, couldn't help but close her eyes in embarrassment for her two comrades. If he'd only walked in on them two minutes sooner, he would have found all three of them with their noses in a book. Had he walked in five minutes earlier, he would have seen Ron consulting with Hermione as she feverishly scribbled on a scroll and Harry calculating his Arithmacy homework problems.

Then again, she mused, had he found them ten minutes earlier, he'd have seen her chewing them both out for not paying attention in class and the both of them whining about having to study. And twenty minutes before that, he'd have seen Ron and Harry animately recreating a game of Quidditch with their hands, holding their wands like miniature broomsticks and making "whooshing" sound effects for each of their movements. So really, aside from three minutes of solid work, any time was a bad time for Snape to walk in on them.

"What can we do for you, Professor Snape?" Hermione asked cordially, praying her friends would shut up and let her do the talking.

The Potions Master gave her a disapproving once-over. "It's actually what you can do, Miss Granger. I presume you are familiar with being the only one that does anything in Gryffindor, as it is."

Hermione stifled a smile at her companions' expressions of indignant outrage. "Then what is it I can do for you, Professor?" she amended seamlessly.

The Head of Slytherin gave her a strange look she couldn't quite read before answering, an odd tone to his voice. "The Headmaster requires that you see him in his office. I will escort you there."

"What could Professor Dumbledore want with you, Hermione?" Harry asked in confusion. It was simply unheard of for a student other than him to get the one-on-one type meetings with the Headmaster. It baffled him. And her, in all honesty.

"I'm not sure, Harry," she replied, gathering her notes and stuffing quills into her book bag. "But whatever he wants, I'm sure it won't take long." Hermione mistook Snape's sudden snort as one of impatience and stood up to follow him. "Keep working," she tossed over her shoulder as she turned and hurried after the Potion Master's billowing robes down the aisle.

The trip to the Headmaster's office was a relatively short one, considering any amount of time spent with the Potions Master tended to feel like an eternity. Hermione smothered the giggle in her throat at the sound of Professor Snape drawling "Jelly Slugs" with a completely straight face before the stone gargoyle leaped aside.

The ride on the staircase was a nervous one for Hermione, as she rarely found herself in Dumbledore's office, let alone accompanied by Professor Snape. The fact that she stood merely two steps above him only increased her anxiety, what with his looming form right behind her. As they neared the top of the spiral stairs, her intimidating companion, who had thus far remained completely silent, urgently uttered one sentence that both puzzled and frightened her: "Don't let the old sod pressure you into anything."

With that cryptic piece of advice, the spinning staircase revealed the splendorous interior of the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore himself sat behind his large desk at the window, almost blending in with the mounds of trinkets and knick-knacks covering its surface. In fact, she probably wouldn't have seen him if he hadn't risen from his chair in greeting.

"Miss Granger!" he beckoned warmly. "Welcome, welcome, I'm so happy you could join us. I do hope my summons didn't interrupt anything important."

She shook her head reflexively. "No sir, just studying."

The headmaster chuckled. "Why am I not surprised? What else would I expect from the brightest witch of our age?"

"Everything." Snape's waspish voice severed the friendly atmosphere Dumbledore had tried to establish.

The ever-present twinkle vanished for a split moment when the headmaster shot the professor a warning look. "Severus," he cautioned in his low tone, "may I remind you that you can leave at any time. There's nothing keeping you here."

"Always a way with words, Albus," he sneered. "You always were one for irony." But rather than leaving, he sat down in one of the armchairs next to the empty fireplace and stared into it.

Perplexed by this dialogue, Hermione simply waited and watched them interact, awkwardly standing with her book bag slung over her shoulder. She had never seen Professor Snape speak so caustically to the headmaster, even in the worst of times throughout her years at Hogwarts. She'd seen him raise his voice in anger at Dumbledore, make dry quips, and even plead in quiet desperation. But this bitter attitude of disrespectful sarcasm was new.

The headmaster ignored Snape's last comment and turned back to her, his eyes back to twinkling as though the episode never occurred. "Lemon drop?"

She shook her head. "No thank you, sir."

The old professor shrugged and dug one out of his candy bowl anyway, popping it into his mouth as he stood there regarding her thoughtfully. She did her best not to stare at his blackened, withering hand as it rested against the desk.

"Miss Granger, you have been of the highest service to this school, and even the Wizarding World, despite only having been part of it - let alone aware of it - for only six years. That is no small feat, my dear. In spite of no background in magic, you have consistently raised the academic bar each semester. Your dedication to Hogwarts as Prefect in the past, in addition to your current service as Head Girl is exemplary. But that only begins to describe your value here, Miss Granger."

She couldn't help but smile with pride, her cheeks blushing in modesty. Hermione knew that this recognition was not the purpose for her summons - almost certainly intended to puff her up before the "ask" - but she enjoyed it, nonetheless.

"Please, take a seat, my dear." Dumbledore paused a moment to gather his thoughts as she complied. "You have made contributions to more than just this school. As one of Harry's closest friends, you have made a great impact on the war against Darkness time after time, your intellect and compassion helping him grow closer to his destiny."

"Thank you, sir, but all credit goes to Harry."

"Yet if it were not for his loyal and gifted friends, he would never have come this far. Had you not researched Nicholas Flammel, or solved Professor Snape's potion riddle, or deduced that the Chamber of Secrets housed a basilisk, or assisted with the Time Turner, or helped Harry prepare for each Triwizard task, or conceived the idea of a secret Defense Against the Dark Arts club, or tricked poor Madam Umbridge into the forest - just to name a few -" he winked, "I'm afraid we would be in dire straights."

Now she really was blushing, keeping her eyes on the floor to hide the smile. "I only did what anyone would do in the circumstances, sir."

"My dear, you have been indispensable to the Light over the years. I wish there was no more required of any of us, but though we fight diligently, the Darkness still threatens. There is yet another favor that I must ask of you, though this time, it has long-lasting consequences, and most assuredly won't be easy. So, I encourage you to consider carefully before you make a decision."

"Anything, Headmaster."

Snape snorted from his chair, suddenly joining the conversation. "Never agree to anything you haven't heard, child...and then only sparingly. Gryffindors..."

"I'm afraid Professor Snape is correct in this case, Miss Granger. This request is a difficult one, even for me to ask it of you. But you can trust that I would not be presenting it if I didn't feel you capable of such a task."

Hermione stole a glance at the dour Potions Master in the chair, suddenly recalling his words of warning from the staircase. "What is it you wish me to do, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore took his time in answering, slowly walking back around his desk and sitting down heavily. Removing his half-moon spectacles, he rubbed the bridge of his nose and pulled a sheaf of papers toward him, among them, the most recent copy of The Daily Prophet.

"As I'm sure you're aware, Miss Granger, the Wizarding World is facing a population crisis. Are you by chance familiar with the legislation put forth by Minister Thicknesse meant to address this issue?"

"You mean the Marriage Act."

"I do, indeed."

"I know the basics of it, and that it's hung up in the Ministry due to all the controversy. I'm honestly surprised it's still being debated at all and hasn't simply been thrown out yet."

"They enacted it early this morning."

Hermione sat in shock, unaware that her mouth hung open in stunned outrage. The sudden silence filled the office and remained for several long moments as the Head Girl remained motionless.

"That piece of shit actually passed?!"

"Language, Miss Granger."

"No, no, Severus..." Dumbledore waved a calming hand toward the Slytherin. "...It is a piece of shit."

"I can't believe this!" Hermione rose from her chair and began pacing in front of the headmaster's desk, her eyes flying over the floor, her mind racing to digest this unwelcome knowledge and all its implications. "How am I just hearing about this now? Why isn't it all over the papers?"

The headmaster chuckled softly, though lacking genuine humor. "Give it time, my dear. It will be."

Her mad pacing came to an abrupt halt as her eyes lit up with the righteous fire burning inside her core. "I'll be the first one," she declared passionately. "I'll disobey and go to Azkaban for this. There needs to be a figurehead for the resistance movement against this tyranny. A martyr to inspire the others to stand firm."

Snape couldn't restrain a small smirk at her quintessentially Gryffindor rush to self-sacrifice. He wasn't the only wizard in the room to soften with a smile at her unbridled heroism. Dumbledore's eyes - though not twinkling - were warm as he beheld this lioness, and Severus knew the headmaster was very pleased with her eagerness to lay down her life for a cause. It made his blood turn to ice.

"Dear one, I cherish your bravery," Albus said just loud enough to make her think he'd meant to say it under his breath. "Alas, that is not the favor I have to ask of you."

Hermione paused, her train of thought screeching to a halt on the wrong track. Dumbledore's tone of voice left his statement heavily loaded, and she began decoding his meaning just as rapidly as she'd charged down the path of resistance. At last, her eyes closed heavily. The Head Girl sunk back into the armchair with a sense of resignation. Her brown eyes held a sense of weariness as they lifted to meet the pale blue gaze of the Headmaster. "What would you have me do?"

Severus barely breathed. He saw in her body language, her face, her voice... she knew exactly what Albus would have her do. But she was going to force him to say it out loud.

Dumbledore settled against the desk almost casually, taking his time before answering and almost absentmindedly stroking his blackened hand. "Miss Granger, I know you're aware Professor Snape's position is... sensitive. He, and by proxy the Order, faces just as much risk as you from this heinous marriage law... if not more. While I assure you I will do everything within my power to have this abomination erased from the law books, steps must be taken to preserve our security until that takes place. I realize this is a monumental sacrifice, and I can barely comprehend the amount of-"

"I'll do it."

Both wizards gave her a double-take, stunned into silence.

Hermione was looking at Snape when she said it. The odd look he gave in return mirrored the one he had given her many times throughout her years at Hogwarts: puzzlement, alarm, disbelief, and even a begrudging amount of admiration.

"I'll marry you, Professor."

Dumbledore's face lit up like a candle. "Miss Granger! I- I'm-"

Snape cut the headmaster off, finally rising from his seated position near the fireplace and stalking toward her. "Think, girl! Don't leap blindly into a life-altering commitment just because this old fool asks you to. The consequences of this arrangement are permanent while the threat is only temporary. Use your head, child!"

"I'm no longer a child, Professor. A student, yes, but a child no. I can make my own decisions."

"She's right, Severus. Don't reject her kindness out of your own sense of nobility. Besides, Miss Granger stands to gain considerably from this as well! As Harry's best friend, her own life is in mortal peril from the many Purebloods who wish to gain leverage over the boy."

Snape narrowed his eyes contemptuously, but he needn't have worried: Granger was all too ready to call Albus out.

"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore, but the threat to me pales in comparison to his. I could just as easily marry Ron or any number of people who can keep me safe. I'm not leading a double-life that needs guarding, so please don't pretend this is for anything other than what it is... I'm not doing this for myself, or for the Order, or for Harry. I'm doing it for Professor Snape." She shot Severus a look. "He deserves to have someone put his wellbeing first."

At those words... the anger evaporated out of his body. Severus, his lips slightly parted, stared at her beneath furrowed brows, at a loss for words. This girl... this witch... disarmed him. For some bizarre reason, the girl trusted him. Had always trusted him. And now here she was, sacrificing everything and gaining nothing for a bitter man who would likely die anyway. She wasn't complaining, bargaining, or crying about it...she offered to do what no woman had ever offered before. Hell, what no person had ever offered before: to put him first.

Dumbledore was keenly aware of the barb Hermione had layered into her words, but knew better than to risk altering her decision by acting defensive. This outcome was beyond anything he'd dared to hope for when he'd crafted the plan earlier that morning. Not only had said yes unhesitatingly, she had already moved into the position to fight for her choice. The girl had planted herself firmly on Team Snape, even going so far as to insert herself between him and Severus. It was perfectly acceptable - essential, even - at this stage that the girl view them as a team against the world...later he would see to ensuring their obedience, but for now this was a healthy step.

The old man clasped his hands together happily. "Well said, Miss Granger! I knew I could count on you. I knew Severus could count on you."

"Granger, I strongly urge you to take some time to think this through before throwing your life away," Snape voice was ice.

The Gryffindor released a sigh. Then met his gaze with a shrug. "I'm sure there'll be plenty of ramifications I haven't thought of. But this is only until the law gets repealed...I'm hardly 'throwing my life away' by doing this. Give me enough credit."

"You're only-"

But Dumbeldore cut Snape off before he could argue his way out of his own best interests. "You're absolutely right, my dear. Consider this a temporary measure that will help the greater good."

"How soon will it happen?" she asked.

"Ah, now there's a pertinent question indeed," Albus answered tactically. "You see, there are some within the Ministry, even within Hogwarts, who will object to this union. There are some legal grounds to contest such a marriage, and the sooner it is performed, the less risk of public or government pushback we might otherwise face."

"Legal grounds...?" Hermione echoed in confusion.

"My position and pull with the Ministry is currently rather compromised, I'm afraid. Therefore, I cannot be seen to endorse this arrangement."

Hermione's eyes narrowed shrewdly. "You're saying you're the one within Hogwarts who will object to this."

"In public only. Behind closed doors, you will have my fullest support."

Taking a breath, Hermione leaned back in the chair to wordlessly process everything.

Dumbledore pressed his lips together: the toughest part of this scheme was about to land. He had faith in her... Or at least, faith in his understanding of how she thought and would react. He had to tread very carefully.

"I know this is an incredible amount to ask of anyone. And I have no right to put you on this spot, let alone in this position. The times we are facing are cruel, and it weighs heavily on me that I must ask anyone but myself to make sacrifices."

Hermione watched out of her peripheral vision as Snape rolled his eyes to the ceiling. She really couldn't blame him after hearing all this rich tripe coming out of the headmaster's mouth. The many times Harry had relayed what Dumbledore had confided in him left her with an unpleasant taste in her mouth, but she'd always chalked it up to Harry's skewed perception. Witnessing his methods of manipulation first-hand, however, made her second-guess her blind trust in the man. Although wise and in the right, she could tell he was a seasoned chess master. But, regardless of her growing skepticism, Hermione had to admit that this was a choice she would make with or without Dumbledore's meddling. This was for Professor Snape, after all...and she knew this sacrifice was worth it.

Albus then leaned forward to lend gravity to his next, urgent statement. "Miss Granger, in a few minutes, a Ministry representative from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will arrive to discuss what we've proposed. I took the liberty of permitting a meeting on the trust that you would make the same choice you just did. I apologize if I presumed too much or overstepped any boundaries, but time was of the essence."

The Head Girl barely reacted to this news. She lifted her eyes first to the Headmaster in near disbelief, then cut across to Severus with a gaze that clearly said "Are you hearing this shit?"

"Already, Tom's forces are moving to take advantage of this new law, and I could not risk another day without at least attempting to set plans into motion."

Burying her misgivings, Hermione slowly nodded. This was certainly more than she'd ever bargained for when Snape had pulled her away from her homework not an hour earlier. Beyond ridiculous.

"So are we getting married right now, or after the official gets here?"

Dumbledore smiled wanly. "Alas, it appears it will have to be after."

As if on cue, a knock came from the office door behind her. Hermione rose to her feet and turned as a piggish man with circular spectacles dressed in pink and black robes entered the room. The name on his tag and official briefcase in his hand confirmed he was from the Ministry.

"Ah, Mr. Tiggleton, I'm glad to see you arrived safely!" Dumbledore greeted him warmly. "Please, come in and join us. We were just talking about their intended nuptials and the difficulties therein."

The squat man shuffled forward without ceremony, plunked his briefcase on the chair that Hermione had just vacated, and shook hands with first Dumbledore and then Hermione. Upon reaching Snape, a look passed over his features and he thought better about extending a hand. Tiggleton offered a tight nod and stood back.

"Well, let's get to it shall we?" he muttered, pulling out a sheet of official parchment from his case. "Hermione Granger has accepted the petition of Severs Snape for marriage under the newly enacted Marriage Law, that so?"

"Severus Snape," Hermione corrected quietly. "And yes sir, that's correct."

Tiggleton squinted through his glasses at the name on the document. "Hmm." He sniffed at realizing his error. Then pushed it away in favor of an amused snuffle. "I'm afraid that won't be possible."

"Why not, exactly?" Hermione asked.

"For a number of reasons, first and foremost being you are not yet of age."

"On paper, no," Hermione answered. "But if you'll check Ministry records, the approved use of the Time Turner three years ago added nearly a year to my lived age. I am well over the age of majority and eligible for Wizarding marriage."

Frowning, Tiggleton dug in his briefcase and flipped through papers until finding the correct document that, judging from his disappointment, corroborated her claim.

"So what other reasons do you have?" Hermione asked with forced politeness.

This time, Dumbledore answered. "I'm afraid, Miss Granger, that it goes against Hogwarts regulations on interpersonal relationships between faculty and students."

Hermione turned her head back to look at the Headmaster. Apparently he hadn't been exaggerating that he'd have to publicly oppose this, which made her position all the more difficult. Not only did she have to accept this arrangement, she had to fight for it on her own. She was hardly excited about the whole idea to begin with. But the loathing look that Tiggleton had shot Snape when he had "accidentally" mispronounced his name had already raised Hermione's hackles.

"I'm sorry, Miss Granger," the portly gentleman stated gleefully, "but the Headmaster is correct. A student of Hogwarts cannot engage in any overly familiar relationship with -" he gave Snape another look of disgust "- a member of the staff. I know the rules as well as I'm sure you do."

"Oh do you?" Hermione interjected suddenly, unconsciously moving to shield Snape like a protective lioness. She didn't see the quick wink Dumbledore shot the Potions Master, as if to say 'watch this.'

Mr. Tiggleton appeared slightly taken aback at the young girl's vehemence in which she defended her right to enslave herself to an ugly man twice her age. But, he was more than pleased at the opportunity to crush someone with the facts... facts were the only things he had with which to trump anybody. His weight took away any physical intimidation, and a lack in magical adeptness cost him any remaining macho points. So numbers and facts were his weapons of choice, and he had made it his profession and pleasure to beat people with them.

"My dear," he smiled patronizingly, folding his hands on his protruding tummy, "while I am pleased you are so eager and supportive of the Ministry's new legislature, your choice of husband is quite simply wrong in the legal sense...not to mention every other sense."

Hermione's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I am anything but supportive of this ridiculous law. Do you think I want to be shackled to a husband I barely know at 18 to rut like a bitch in heat and breed offspring for the Ministry? To give up my whole life to a family I didn't want? To give up my education, my career, my plans, my dreams and future?"

Mr. Tiggleton winced a little at her ferocity.

She couldn't see Snape's stricken face, nor see Dumbledore suddenly tense up behind her. Instead, she simply continued her rant.

"And my choice of husband, quite frankly, is none of your damn business. The Ministry is forcing me to marry...I'd have thought they'd be pleased I found a husband so quickly. As for the legalities, I'm perfectly within my rights to wed a professor. And as for the other 'sensibilities' of such a union, you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine."

The mention of legalities shook Mr. Tiggleton from his shocked silence. At last, a topic where he could gain the upper hand.

"Miss Granger, I of all people sympathize with your plight, and I apologize on behalf of the Ministry for upsetting you so, but sacrifices must be made for the benefit of the Magical community and our future as a whole. You understand that. We appreciate and thank you for your cooperation in this effort, but you must accept the fact that it is against the regulations for you to marry a faculty member while you are still a student!"

Hermione took a breath to steady herself, summoned her inner irritating know-it-all...and let him have it. "According to the official school regulations laid down by the founders of Hogwarts, any romantic relations between students and staff are permitted, so long as the student is of age and the relationship consensual. Article 62, Paragraph 9."

The portly representative sniffed indignantly again, but accepted the challenge. "I'm afraid your argument is invalid. That section of the rulebook was revoked in 1802 by the Ministry's Department of Magical Education to preserve the honor of the school and the integrity of student grades." He smiled triumphantly.

Hermione leaned in for the kill, bracing a hand on the chair arm for support as she stared the little man down. She was in her element, now. "Until, if you recall," she smirked wickedly, "it was amended in 1834 by Headmaster Butterby to cover up a fling he had with a Ravenclaw student. The revised Article 62 permits a consensual, of-age relationship between a student and faculty member with a headmaster's approval as long as the student is not directly under the professor's tutelage. And, it has yet to be repealed. Hogwarts, A History, page 208."

Mister Tiggleton let out a very pig-like snort of a laugh and smoothed his mustache. "I must commend you, dear girl, on how thoroughly you've researched your case." The fat little man removed his spectacles to make a show of cleaning them. "But it's plainly clear that the Headmaster is anything but supportive of this illicit affair," he nodded his head in the direction of Dumbledore, his second chin wobbling.

She didn't even bother removing her eyes from the chubby official, her dislike for him growing with each passing second. "This one isn't," she grinned like a poker player about to lay down a royal flush. "But I'm sure there's one here that does. Let's ask, shall we?" Hermione spun around on her heel and looked at the many portraits on the wall. "Pardon me, Headmaster Black, I hate to disturb you, but you've been listening to this discussion, have you not?"

The crotchety old man in the painting looked down at her disdainfully. "A little presumptuous of you, isn't it?"

"What is all this rubbish?" Mr. Tiggleton burst out.

The Head Girl smiled predatorily. "This rubbish is a technicality. If I recall, the precise wording in the Hogwarts regulations says 'with A headmaster's approval.' The use of an indefinite article allows leeway in which any headmaster can grant permission. While Albus Dumbledore is the current one, once a headmaster of Hogwarts, always a headmaster of Hogwarts." The Gryffindor tossed her bushy mane behind her head in victory.

Dumbledore spoke up, disappointment in his voice, but a twinkle in his eye. "If there's one thing that's always been true about Miss Granger, it's that she knows her Hogwarts, a History."

Hermione allowed herself a smile, and turned once again to the portrait on the wall. "So, Headmaster Black, what is your verdict? Do you approve of this marriage?"

The tubby ministry official sputtered in shock and outrage. "Miss Gr...This is...I've never...Outrageous!"

Phinius Black sneered over his nose at Mr. Tiggleton in disgust. "If it upsets the Ministry so much, then absolutely I approve of it. I endorse it wholeheartedly. Have the ceremony now, right here!"

The plump Ministry official seethed in anger, a pink flush coloring his cheeks. He jammed his glasses back on his face as if to punctuate his ire. "I'll sort all this out back at the Ministry," he fumed. "You think you've found a loophole, Miss Granger...you think you've won. But believe me that even if you have won this battle..." he gave Snape an unflattering once-over, "...you still lose." The official sneered at Hermione. "With all the eligible wizards who will petition you, you throw yourself away on... this. Good luck with that."

"Aaand I do believe it's time for you to prepare for your next class, Miss Granger!" Albus cut in cheerfully, doing his best to avert a disaster.

"Why thank you, Mister Tiggleton!" she threw back at him even as Dumbledore steered her away, "And good luck to you on finding a Muggleborn witch who won't mind waking up to that each morning," she retorted flatly, gesturing at him.

"Miss Granger, calm yourself." It was Snape who uttered the words, and the soft tenor with which he spoke acted like a soothing balm on a burning rash under her skin.

She immediately deflated, the anger that had just moments ago provoked her into bullying someone went up in smoke. The Gryffindor looked up into his dark eyes and found peace within herself.

"I apologize, Mister Tiggleton," she said quietly. "That was completely uncalled for, and very insulting. I let my anger get the better of me and I'm sorry."

The man snorted from across the room and stuffed his papers back into his briefcase. "I'll never understand your kind. You're lucky our world needs your genetics."

This time, the pillar of strength Hermione had taken refuge next to moved around her like a panther. "Get out," Snape sneered menacingly. "Before word gets out just why you're so excited about prospect of forced marriage. Or have you forgotten your little Shrinking Solution mishap in 6th year?"

The official's buggy eyes bulged a little, but otherwise remained inscrutable. "I'll sort all this out at the Ministry. But be assured...the next time you see me, I won't be so obliging." The pudgy little man whipped his too-short cloak around his frame and tramped out of the office.

Hermione took a breath as she observed the tension in Snape's shoulder muscles - visible even beneath the layers of black robes. The way they hunched up just slightly as though to make himself look larger and even more imposing. It was almost as if he wanted to stretch his arm out in front of her. It sent her mind flashing back to the time at the end of third year he did. As though shielding others was ingrained into his primal instincts. It was one of many reasons why she didn't hesitate to give herself to this man. Bitter, sarcastic, cold, demeaning, and cruel...not to mention homely and altogether off-putting. But beneath it all, throughout the years, Hermione had grown to actually see him. And she knew that he deserved better.