It was amusing, yet mortifying to Hermione, the range of emotions that spanned each face about her. Dumbledore looked surprised, his oddly opaque blue eyes appeared relieved. Harry and Ron had equal looks of disgust and fury at Snape, though Harry less so. She lowered her gaze, hoping that Snape could not see the burn that spread across her cheeks.

What the fu..., Ron began, elbowing his way in front of Harry, forcing Hermione's eyes to snap to his. She winced as she felt the very palpable repugnance in his eyes. Harry laid a gentle hand to restrain him, but Hermione noticed that he didn't grip too tightly. She took a deep breath, and felt Snape stiffen beside her. Obviously, he was as uncomfortable as she beneath their endless needling.

I think we have obviously underestimated Miss Granger, Dumbledore's quiet, but effectively gentle voice soothed them all. Harry and Ron turned to stare, and Snape let out a silent sigh.

What?Because she's willing to screw a man who probably hasn't been touched since the Ice Age?, Ron's vocal resent, unwilling to be smothered, resurfaced in a very ugly manner. Snape gave him a withering look.

Mr. Weasley, I shall not comment upon the endless rumors I have heard whispered about your wand size' in my Slytherin common rooms, his voice was threateningly smooth, silky as the black, bottomless ocean. Ron's blood supply seemed to rise to his face, and he retreated.

Verbal assaults and aggravated rumors are not helpful, Dumbledore intoned, I believe this is up to Miss Granger whether or not she is comfortable with the rest of us accessing her personal...turmoils.

But...Hermione's like...like....our sister!, Ron began lamely, trying to buoy his sinking ship. Snape punctured it with a quick, precise stab.

Is this resent at me for all those constructively criticising comments uttered by myself or inability on your part to win Miss Granger's affections?, he snarled icily, and Hermione shivered, feeling sickly excited by the dark power he exuded when provoked.

'Mione, I thought you were happy. I thought you would tell me if you were ever unhappy, Harry's voice entered the chorus as well. Hermione honestly could not believe her ears, her eyes or her heart. Perhaps the Greek philosopher was right: you can never trust your senses.

Good gods Harry, she blazed, turning to him with such force, her dress tangled itself around her legs, looking like unfurled bedsheets, you think this is about you? You're not my only best friend, and I have certainly not divulged as much as you'd like to think. Why should it matter what I choose to do? I've never commented upon your less...reputable conquests, so don't you dare say anything about mine. Harry looked affronted, and for a minute she almost felt sorry for him, until she could feel the hot, fiery glare that Snape was boring into her.

But Damien's the national quidditch champion!, Ron roared, tugging his hair, are you insane, Hermione? He's like an athletic genius. Snape let out an indignant growl, but Hermione had leapt upon him first.

, she asked, doing her own finely tune impersonation of Snape at his deadliest, Quidditch: a game where one nearly gets one's head beaten off by enchanted balls and spends a large part trying to chase a stupid yellow christmas tree ornament. What a strong bond that relationship will forge, you fool.

Suddenly, Hermione couldn't stand it anymore. She was sick of males, sick of her friends, and overwhelmingly tired. All she wanted to do was to sit with Dumbledore and talk at length with a cavernous bowl of lemon drops between them. She put her hands to her face and screwed her eyes tight. They had started to argue again.

, was all it took, just leave. The note of desperation in her voice, as well as the fact that she was quivering, quickly ushered them out. Dumbledore rose to leave, but she placed a hand upon his shoulder. Not you, she whispered through clenched teeth, and he nodded.

Each male stood oddly distanced from each other, and bristled when the hems of Snape's robes came too close. Hermione gave Dumbledore a half grin, and a half imploring look. He patted her hand.

My dear, my dear. Personally, though I would have never predicted such an unexpected coupling as this, I am so grateful that Severus has certainly proved his worth to you, Dumbledore said gently. She nodded, rubbing her temples.

So...you're not upset, angry, disgusted? Because it seems, judging from the boy's reactions, that this is what my lifetime is destined for, she sighed. He gave an appreciative chuckle.

You must learn to disregard other's thoughts. I had always thought you admirable for doing so as a child, he chided. She nodded pensively, and turned to him again.

Why aren't you disapproving of this? After all, this is almost adultery and Snape's....decades older than I am. Even if I were the spectator, I would be rather put off, she asked. The older wizard gave her an amused look.

Oh, Hermione, because I have witnessed far more seemingly irrational relationships that made both spouses incredibly happy, he replied simply. She gave him a half smile, not daring believe that he wasn't a little bit skeptical.

She took a deep breath, Professor, what did everyone truly say when they heard I was to wed Damien Plath?. Dumbledore sighed and placed his warm, featherlight hands upon her own.

They had thought you mad, my girl. Viktor Krum seemed only to be a hormonal lapse, but Damien Plath appeared another pearl in a string of foolish deeds. I was worried, Hermione, that you would never find happiness and that you were searching in so obviously the wrong place, he finished. His blue eyes were searing through her own.

Did you send Snape to tell me this?, she asked, afraid that it really had been a bribed good deed. Dumbledore gave her a curious look, and smiled slyly.

Why, no child. I had no intention of interferring in this. You had always seemed to find your way when you were younger. When Severus mentioned a holiday and when I had seen him clutching your invitation with a look of contempt, longing and disgust, why, it had taken little to convince me of his feelings, he said gently. Hermione gave a laugh, one of surprise and delight.

Headmaster (she still preferred the stiffly formal title), now because you seem to know everything, what shall I do now?, she said despondently, realizing her situation again.

As maudlin as this may sound, Hermione,I do find it appropriate. Continue in the direction which your heart wishes, he replied.


Hermione sighed. It was going to be one bloody hell of a morning.




















A/N: Sorry if they're OOC, but I'm trying to figure out a friggin way to resolve all this. Anyways, thanks for all the great reviews I am recieving. Try to update more quickly. Hard to meet demand. And supply. I'm taking an economics course, which is slowly infiltrating my writing.