Much thanks to my editor, Gwen McCormick, and to my dear friend DUJ. All mistakes are mine. Obviously, I am not JKR and am making nothing from this.

The Course of True Love

Chapter 8

September 1998

"By now the students should be in the dormitories, and the prefects have had time to get the first years settled in as well," Albus said. "I want us to present a united front this year. If you went to Hogwarts as a student, I would like you to assist your former House's Head with this year's welcome speech."

"Oh, it's something we Hufflepuffs do every year," Pomona Sprout interjected, "and it is very helpful."

"A splendid idea, Albus," Filius Flitwick replied, warming to the thought. "Septima, Irma, Sybil," he called out, "ladies, if you'll join me in welcoming our Ravenclaws?"

"Well, I'm afraid I can't assist with the welcoming speech tonight," Horace explained. "I've agreed to help Curtis, that is, Professor Gubear, with understanding the finer points of the British education system." He heaved himself up from his seat, moving them faster towards the exit "If you'll join me, Professor?"

"I cannot believe Professor Slughorn left like that," Hermione muttered. "Just left Professor Snape alone to –" She looked angrily at Aurora. "And after last year!" She clenched her jaw.

Hermione's anger was infectious, and Aurora nodded. "It's all right," she told the girl. "I'll cover his back." Aurora stood and called out, "If you're ready, Severus, lead the way." She gestured to the door.

The Defense teacher looked back at her dubiously. "To what do I owe this – honor?" he asked suspiciously.

"To the interest of House Unity, what else?" Aurora replied. She leaned her head towards his and whispered, "All but the newest students will remember last year, and-"

Severus nodded in understanding, stood up, and returned offered her smile of gratitude. "And what's this going to cost me?" he asked.

"Cost?" She lay her hand on her breast as if affronted. Then, she grinned wickedly. "Why, only a chance to spend time with a devilishly dark, handsome man."

"You're frightening me," he shot back. Shaking his head in amusement, Severus led her to face the Slytherins. "Thank you, Aurora," he added.

"I didn't know Professor Sinistra liked Professor Snape," Neville said quietly. His eyes were huge and round.

"Aurora?" McGonagall asked, laughing. "Oh, no, she's set her cap for Kingsley Shacklebolt." Looking around at Hermione's shocked face, she added, "Oh, you two!" She laughed. "Aurora is simply an unrepentant flirt."

"Oh, well, that's a relief," Neville muttered.

"And why would that be?" Minerva asked. "Severus Snape is excellent husband material," she remarked. "In fact, Mr. Longbottom, your grandmother once told me that were she forty years younger, she be after him like nargles on a puffskein!"

"Gran?" Neville was shocked. "No!"

"It's true," Minerva insisted. "And what's more-"

"No more!" He clamped his hands over his ears. "I'm going to have to bleach my ears!" He left the room at a near run.

Hermione chuckled. "Well, it looks like it's just the two of us welcoming the students," she said rising from her chair.

Minerva stood up and stretched. "No time like the present. Let's go welcome the Gryffindors."

One Week Later

"And just how are we supposed to make wedding plans then?" Ron demanded through the floo. "Mum says it takes forever to plan one right!"

"We'll just have to wait awhile," she explained as calmly as she could. "I don't want to do anything until after I've finished –"

"We don't have to wait!" he complained. "I keep telling you that!"

"Ron, I've already told you!" she insisted.

"And I've already told you that I've got a steady income, and I'm more than capable of taking care of a wife and family," he yelled.

"Is it so wrong for me to want a good job?" she barked.

"Not now, no," he told her. "But you're not gonna need a job! That's the point! And especially not once we start having kids!"

"Ron, I don't know what you're thinking, but I don't plan to start a family right off the bat," she explained coldly. "I want a career, and I can't have one without a proper education!"

"I didn't finish my education," he roared back. "Are you saying my job isn't good enough?"

"It's not about your job!" she yelled back.

"So just what is this about?" he complained. " 'cause, for the life of me, I don't know what you're on about!"

"It's about my being independent!" she exclaimed.

"No, it isn't," he countered. "You're just being a stubborn woman!"

"Excuse me?" Hermione was livid. "Apparently, I didn't make myself clear before, but I am an adult and fully capable of supporting myself without any man's-"

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Ron interrupted her. He huffed a great sigh. "I shouldn't have said that. Look, just step back and let me come through. We can talk this out."

"Ron, this isn't a private floo," she told him. "This is the staffroom, and any minute now someone could –" She turned her head and bit her lip.

"Either step back and let me through, or you come here," he ordered her.

"I'm sorry, Ron, I can't do that." Her voice was clear and professional. "You'll need to get an invitation and visitor's pass from the Headmaster. Hogwarts isn't open to just anyone-"

"But I'm not just 'anyone,' Hermione," Ron shouted. "I'm your fiancé! We need to talk, but how can we if I can't come visit you, and you refuse to visit me?"

"I'm not refusing!" she argued. "This is a school, and I just can't walk out on a classroom of children! That would be like you deciding to leave during guard duty."

"A most appropriate comparison," Minerva McGonagall said. Gently, she moved her apprentice to the side and took her place in front of the floo. "Mr. Weasley, how nice to see you; however, I'm afraid Miss Granger has responsibilities at the moment. You'll understand that, I'm sure."

"Of, of course, Professor," Ron replied. "Can I say one more thing to her?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Minerva McGonagall declared. She smiled, refusing to explain. "Good day, Mr. Weasley." With one motion, she closed the floo and turned around. "Severus, get the door, will you? Now, Hermione, would you care to explain what's going on?"

Hermione sighed and sat down. She was shaking and near tears. "Ron's pressuring me," she confided, "And I'm so angry right now, I could cry!"

Instantly, Minerva was seated beside her. "Pressuring you? To do what exactly?"

"Get married," she explained. "I've told him that I want to wait until I've finished my apprenticeship, but he insists that we don't have to wait for that."

Severus nodded to McGonagall. "I've silenced and warded the door." He sat down across from the two women. "He does have a point, Miss Granger."

"Just whose side are you one?" Hermione demanded.

"I'm merely pointing out," he told her gently, "that if you wish to marry Weasley, you can do so."

"You think I ought to give up my education to get married and start a family? Just let some man take care of me for the rest of my life?"

His temper flared. "Bloody hell, woman!" he shouted. "I'm the last man who'd ever want that for any woman. My own mother," he told her, his voice cracked with emotion, "was a pure-blood witch, and by both her up-bringing and the times she lived in, she allowed herself to be dependent on my father. Because he owned the house and brought home a paycheck – well, what he didn't drink away - he controlled us."

He bolted to his feet, his chest heaving with fury. "I would never want you or any woman beholding to any man for any reason. A woman should retain her independence." His black eyes found and held hers. "I wouldn't want others to suffer the same fate as my mum."

"That's enough, Severus," Minerva said softly. "Sit down."

Bowing his head, Severus willed the tension out of his body as he lowered himself back into the chair. "I'm sorry, Miss Granger," he said, lifting his eyes to hers. "I said too much, and I shouldn't have raised my voice to you like that."

"No, it's all right," she replied. "You're right. I need to talk to Ron, make him understand." She took a deep breath before adding. "And thank you for sharing with me."

"I simply hope that you can benefit from the information." One corner of his mouth lifted in a self-deprecating smile. "Again, though, I should not have shouted. I've a terrible temper."

"In that regard," Minerva remarked, "you're both well matched. We heard you yelling at poor Weasley halfway down the corridor."

"Says the pot to the kettle," Severus quipped. "I've heard you screeching like a banshee on more than one occasion."

"I most certainly never!"

"Oh, do tell," Hermione begged.

"The last time, I believe, was during a staff meeting," Severus said. He looked at Minerva and smirked. "I'm sure you'll remember. Why even today the memory of what that pink horror suggested-"

"Severus Snape!" Minerva McGonagall exploded. She stood up, pulling Hermione to her feet as well. "Hermione, I want you to go to my office. Use my floo right now and go see your young man." Turning, she pushed the girl towards the door. "Explain it to him again and tell him that if he has any further questions on the matter to ask me because I won't brook another scene like this one."

The door had barely closed when she turned on Snape. "And you! Never bring up that pink toad again!" She shook her fist at Severus. "It still infuriates me to think that Dolores Umbridge dared to suggest that Hermione Granger was my love child! And just who did that loathsome creature think would believe her claptrap?" Minerva pointed her finger at him. "Hmm? Tell me that! I'd like to know!"

"I would," Snape said softly. He raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Hermione is a lovely young woman, and you were a beautiful woman when I was in school," he added. "More than a few of the boys had a crush on you. Ow!"

Minerva punched his arm. "That's for saying 'were'!" she retorted with a smile. "And for riling me up."

He gave a small laugh. "I only hope that should Mr. Weasley dare approach you with questions, you remember this moment and let loose on him. Miss Granger is exceptionally intelligent and should be allowed to further her education."

"You like the girl, don't you?" Minerva asked softly.

"She's become my friend."