The atmosphere inside Number 12 Grimmauld place was one of barely controlled chaos when the morning of September 1st arrived, even if they had finally whittled the number of students down from seven to four. The main reason for this was the sudden disappearance of four badges that had seemed to vanish around the same time Fred and George had gone home to the flat they shared over their Diagon Alley shop front. The twins weren't answering their floo, so Mr. Weasley had gone off to the shop in order to find out where the badges had gone to.
The Head Boy, Ron, was busy packing his trunk in between muttered threats of violence against his elder brothers. Harry, still in a bit of a daze of having been named Prefect to fill the now vacant seventh year position, was trying to find out what had happened to the three new pairs of socks he had bought two days before. Ginny, now serving her second term as a Prefect, was trying to complete her own packing while simultaneously attempting to help her mother with breakfast. Hermione, whom no one had been surprised to learn was named Head Girl, was still acting as though in shock. She flinched at loud noises and her eyes were red-rimmed as though she had spent the entire night crying. No one was expecting her to do much. Mrs. Weasley had even done most of Hermione's packing for her because the girl kept trying to pack wastepaper baskets and foot stools when she was meaning to pack up her books.
Mr. Weasley eventually returned with the missing badges. Ginny helped Harry pin his on just right, making sure it was straight in alignment and the proper amount of space from his collar (Hermione had found the 'regulation' placement early in her sixth year). Ron checked his over closely for jinxes before pinning it on. Hermione somehow managed to pin hers upside down and on the wrong side of her torso, but Remus gave her a gentle smile as he corrected it. Ron frowned at the exchange.
"I don't like this, Harry. She's never been this out of it, not even during our third year when she was running herself into an early grave with that time turner of hers."
"I know. I'm worried, too. I mean, we all know Snape's a git, but it's not as though she'll actually have to marry him. He's just keeping her safe for us."
"Yeah, but I still don't like it. What happens when all this gets out at school? I'm not worried about us Gryffindors or the Hufflepuffs, but what about everyone else?"
"Hermione's strong, she can handle it. Besides, she'll have us."
"Yeah, I guess she will." Ron still looked unconvinced as he tossed Harry the missing socks. They had somehow managed to get knocked off the top of the dresser and had been lying just under the edge of Ron's bed. Harry tossed them into his trunk and shut the lid. "So, now all three of us have a badge. Rather brave of Dumbledore."
Harry grinned. "That crossed my mind as well. Could you imagine what might have happened had there been enough badges for all four Marauders?"
"The castle would've been reduced to ruble by the end of the school year," Ron answered with a snigger.
They were still chuckling over the idea as they brought their trunks down and set them next to Ginny's and Hermione's. Crookshanks was stretched out atop Hermione's trunk, snoozing in a patch of sunlight filtering through a sparklingly clean window framed by drapes made from rich, garnet colored velvet. Ron scratched the cat briefly between his ears and was rewarded with a contented purr. "This place looks loads better, Harry. Finally looks like a real home instead of a Death Eater's lair."
"Yeah, I think Sirius would've liked living here now. I wish he'd lived long enough to see it like this." There was a sad smile tugging at the corners of Harry's mouth. He no longer teared up when he thought of his god-father, but he did still miss him. Ron gave his shoulder a light squeeze and jerked his head towards the door leading to the basement kitchen.
"Come on. Knowing Mum there's a mountain of food downstairs that needs eating."
They were walking across the entry way towards the door when the front door opened behind them. Both boys turned to see who had arrived and froze as Professor Snape took off his outer cloak, shaking it slightly to get rid of the light coat of moisture from the rain outside. The moment he spotted them his trademark sneer appeared on his face. "Where is everyone else?"
"Breakfast, sir."
"Let us join them. I have something important to discuss with all of you before you get on the school train." He indicated for them to go through the door, and followed closely behind. They entered the kitchen with Molly sliding two fried eggs onto Hermione's plate and Ginny sneaking a bit of kipper under the table to her cat, Isis.
"Severus, are you joining us for breakfast, then? There's plenty to spare." Molly motioned for him to sit down, ignoring how Hermione nearly knocked her goblet of orange juice over when she heard her betrothed's name.
"Thank you." Snape claimed a seat for himself and nodded a polite 'thank you' as Molly put a couple of fried eggs and two fat sausages onto his plate. "Would you pass me the coffee, Miss Weasley?"
Harry and Ron sat down near Hermione who seemed to have suddenly lost her appetite. Snape never ate here, but they supposed that he hadn't had time to eat breakfast before coming here. Harry glanced at Hermione, then at Ron before daring to ask a question. "Sir, you said there was something you wanted to discuss with all of us before we get onto the school train?"
Snape poured himself a large mug of black coffee. "There is. I feel that it would be prudent that we did not mention anything about the contract between me and Miss Granger at this time."
"What purpose is there in avoiding it, Severus?" Lupin was adding cream to his own coffee.
"I feel it would cause undue hardship on both Miss Granger and me were it to become common knowledge at the school. Of course it will eventually come out, especially once Miss Granger's actual birthday comes around and certain interested parties realize she is no longer available. Until then, however, things will go more smoothly if it isn't common knowledge. It will also allow us to find out just which families are laying in wait for the nineteenth of September. More than just Lucius Malfoy will want to sign a contract for her and their sons will be arrogant enough to approach her before her birthday."
"Slimy gits." Ron glared at nothing in particular as he shoved a roll into his mouth. He didn't notice the quelling look sent his way by his mother.
"Won't someone question why neither of you said anything?"
"Potter, do you honestly think that anyone would expect either Miss Granger or myself to shout our engagement from the rooftops? No one would question why she was reluctant to tell the world she was betrothed to a man old enough to be her father and who has shown her nothing but contempt for the past six years, nor would anyone question why I would be unwilling to admit that my father had shackled me to a child."
"I guess you're right." Harry looked back to his plate and concentrated on his toast.
"Subterfuge is something I have a life long experience with and you will need to trust my instincts on this. I am aware that it will be difficult for all of you, given the impulsive mannerisms that characterize Gryffindors, but I am confident you can all manage it if you apply yourselves." Black eyes slid over to the would-be bride, who had not eaten a bite since his arrival and whose skin currently resembled a ghost. "However, if Miss Granger doesn't stop behaving as though she is suffering from shell shock, it may be a lost cause."
Hermione looked up sharply, her eyes locking with those of her professor. She swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, sir. I'll… I'll do better."
"Yes, well you can start by finishing your breakfast. You won't get a proper meal again until the feast tonight."
He said this so matter-of-factly that one would think that he wasn't even paying attention to his own words. However, it smacked of actual concern, so much so that everyone at the table stopped to stare at him. Severus appeared oblivious to the attention and began to add salt and pepper to his eggs. They took that as a sign to resume eating. Even Hermione managed to force down at least half of her breakfast before it came time for them to be off.
Snape didn't accompany them to Kings Cross, of course. He left the house the same time they did, but apparated away before they could finish loading their trunks into the shiny new (and magically expanded) Range Rover that had been purchased for the Order's use. Harry said something about how they were going to look like circus clowns getting out at the station, but only Hermione got the joke. She grinned and stared out the window while Harry patiently explained it to Ron.
They managed to get through the usual crowd at the station and slip through the barrier leading to Platform 9 ¾ without the Muggles noticing. After milling their way through the crowd of students and parents, they stored their trunks and climbed aboard. Since the Head Boy and Girl got a compartment of their own, which was the meeting point for all the prefects, they didn't need to worry about where they would spend the remainder of the trip. All four would stay in the first compartment, which should give them first dibs on the lunch trolley (an idea that made Ron smile).
The prefects slowly trickled in; Padma Patil and Anthony Goldstein, Ernie McMillan and Hannah Abbott and finally Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy. Hermione forced herself to appear oblivious to the oddly possessive expression in Malfoy's eyes as he raked his gaze over her, but Ron saw it and glared at him as she began to give out directions. Ron, ever mindful of his desire not to come off as a prat, let her do all the talking when it came to giving order. Hermione was clear, direct and concise. It was obvious that she'd make a brilliant teacher one day, and she'd even make some lucky wizard very happy provided she could get out of this current problem without having to marry Snape. It was a shame that lucky wizard would never be him, but he had already tried it. They had attempted to make a go of it during their sixth year, but kissing Hermione had been too much like kissing Ginny.
He must have zoned out because he missed the rest of her speech. The prefects were dispersing, except for Malfoy. He seemed to be waiting for something until Hermione called out, "Pansy, would you wait a moment?"
The Slytherin girl looked up and Ron realized for the first time that she looked quite different from the last time he had seen her. She looked as though she had lost a lot of weight in a short time, and she had already been too thin. Her eyes were bloodshot as though she had just finished crying and her slightly upturned nose was rubbed raw. She tried to sneer at Hermione, but the effect was lost.
"Malfoy, you need to make the rounds with the others. Ron, could you take Pansy's route?"
"You're kicking me out of my own compartment?"
"Ron, Pansy and I have important matters to talk about." She gave him a stern look that allowed for no protests. He was going to question what was wrong, but then his memory kicked in. Pansy was tied up in that stupid law as well.
"Yeah, I can do that." He moved towards the door, but noticed that Malfoy was still there. "Hey, Ferret! Move it! The ladies want to be alone. Probably want to talk about disgusting, girl stuff anyway. Nothing that we should have to sit through."
Malfoy glared at Ron, but as Hermione was still ignoring him, he turned and walked out with a snarl. Ron followed him, wanting to get rounds over and hoping that Hermione and Pansy were done talking before time for the trolley.
~***~
"How are you holding up, Pansy?"
"I don't know what business it is of yours, Granger." Pansy thrust out her chin and squared her shoulders, trying to be the ice princess she usually was. Only someone watching very closely would note the slight tremble to her bottom lip or the redness of her eyes.
"I just thought… I know this can't be easy for you, Pansy."
"Can't be easy? Why would it be hard?" Pansy affected a brittle smile. "True, I had never thought that I'd have to stoop so low as to marry a Mud…a Muggleborn, but Dean is quite the catch. Mother and I went to see him the week before last, you know. His family is quite rich, perhaps almost as well off as the Malfoys. They have the most beautiful house. I saw his mother, and she was covered in diamonds and gold. I'll never want for anything married to Dean Thomas."
"But what about love? What about… caring for your husband?"
Pansy scoffed. "My marriage was never going to be about love, Granger. I wanted to marry Draco for the prestige it would bring me. I certainly don't love that spoiled little prat! That's something Dean has over Draco. Dean isn't stuffed full of himself. He's… he's sensitive." She sounded as though she was trying to convince herself of just what a good deal she was getting. However, her cool demeanor twisted into venom. "I would be more concerned about myself if I were you, Granger. You've preened and pranced yourself into a tight spot this time."
"What?" Hermione felt a twinge of panic in her gut. Did Pansy know about the contract?
Pansy's eyes glittered maliciously. "Always had to show off, didn't you? Always had to show just how bloody brilliant you are, how talented you are. Well, you'll be paying for it now. I bet there's going to be a cue of wizards a mile long waiting outside the Ministry on your birthday, all wanting to snatch you up so that their own children will be born just as brainy as you. I hope you get stuck with some doddering old warlock who's outlived all his teeth! Someone older than Dumbledore! I hope you get stuck with some horrid man who'll never let you read another book and keeps you in childbed until your nothing but a husk!"
With that, the Slytherin girl stormed from the compartment, her head held high. However, just as she was exiting the door, Hermione thought she heard Pansy give a tearful sniff. With a sigh the Head Girl slid the door shut and leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the center window. This was going to be a very long year.
~***~
The most pressing topic amongst the sixth and seventh year students was, of course, the Marriage Law. A good number of young men and women who were on the verge of seventeen seemed to also be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Many would rather face taking their NEWTs five times over rather than face a forced marriage. Some of the students were already the victims of an unwanted marriage contract, with most of the offending purebloods being current or former Slytherin students. It was a recipe to make house tensions run higher than usual.
"If we can get through this without a fight a day, it'll be a miracle." Harry shook his head in disbelief as a Nott, a Slytherin seventh year, faced off with Anthony Goldstein of Ravenclaw. Nott had gone over to the Ravenclaw table to bully his newly betrothed, a pretty brunette named Cassie Wallace. She had immediately pulled free from his grip as the boys at her house table rose as one to place themselves between the pair.
"Mr. Nott!" In a swirl of billowing robes Professor Snape stalked over to his student. "Return to your seat immediately." He followed the scowling boy with his own icy glare, ignoring Cassie's near-hysterical whimpers as Padma Patil tried to calm her down. Hermione gave a sigh as she watched the entire drama.
"I've never wanted to seriously commit an act of violence before."
Ron gave her a disbelieving look. "So you didn't really want to smack Malfoy our third year?" He was rewarded by a don't-be-stupid look. "Who do you want to hurt this time, Hermione?"
"Cornelius Fudge."
Ron's face broke into a wry grin. "That should be easy. I'm sure we can find enough students and parents willing to help in the attack."
The doors to the Great Hall swung open, allowing Professor McGonagall and the first years to enter for the sorting. As the group marched between the house tables, Harry frowned. "There can't be more than twenty of them."
Ginny sighed. "That's because there aren't a lot of Muggleborns among them. Dad says that parents of Muggleborn children usually get visited by a Ministry worker who is supposed to help them understand what is going on once their children get their Hogwarts letters. But this year a lot of parents refused to let their children come to school once they heard about the new law. They didn't want their sons and daughters caught up in it."
"That makes sense. My mum and dad would have done the same thing if this had been going on our first year."
"Glad the Ministry only fell off its rocker now, then. Hogwarts wouldn't have been half as fun without you, 'Mione."
"Thanks, Ron.
The sorting didn't take very long at all. Out of the nineteen new students, three were in Slytherin, four were in Hufflepuff, seven were in Ravenclaw and the remaining five went to Gryffindor. In the eyes of the seventh years the first years looked tiny and innocent… and scared out of their wits. The hall fell silent as Dumbledore stood up, all heads turning towards him.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our Start of Term Feast, I have a few announcements to give out. To begin with I would like our new students to know that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students. I would also like for some of our older students to remember this rule as well." Somehow Hermione, Harry and Ron all managed to keep an innocently straight face, even as the Headmaster leveled his twinkling gaze right in their direction. "Second, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has updated the list of banned items to include most products sold through Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. The entire list is now nearing 500 items and can be viewed in its entirety outside Mr. Filch's office. Quidditch tryouts will be held the third weekend of this month and all students interested in trying out for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch."
The Headmaster's expression grew very serious as he straightened his half-moon spectacles on his nose. "The final item I would like to touch upon before the feast is one that has already made an impact upon many of our sixth and seventh year students. As most of you have doubtless remembered from the end of last term, the Ministry of Magic enacted a law aimed at salvaging the failing Wizarding bloodlines. The law has become known as The Marriage Law, and in spite of meeting strong resistance from Muggles and Wizards alike, it is still law. However, while you are here at Hogwarts you are all expected to comport yourselves with dignity and good grace. As Headmaster I will not tolerate any abuse of the perceived privileges granted by Ministry enforced betrothal contracts. Any student found to be harassing another student, even one to whom they are betrothed, will be dealt with most severely."
Almost as a single entity, every boy fourth year and above at the Ravenclaw table sent a scathing glare towards Nott.
"Also, for those of you who find yourselves victims of this law, please remember that the teachers and staff of Hogwarts are here for you at all times. My door is open to all of you, as are the doors to your Heads of House. We will do all that we can to help you through this trying time."
Harry reached over and gave Hermione's hand a gentle squeeze. "We're here for you, too, 'Mione."
She returned his grip with one of her own and forced a brave smile. "Thank you, Harry."
"And now, without any further ado, let the Feast begin." And thus began the trio's seventh and final year of school.