Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine. See Chapter 1 for full disclaimer. Author's Notes at the end.
Warning: This fic is SS/HG and includes character death, descriptions of abuse, and adult situations.

Cloak of Courage
WendyNat

Chapter 3

~~~~~~~

Hermione was frozen, unable to move as the black eyes of her Professor pinned her in place. Her heart hammered in her chest as the eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Come, then, Miss Granger. Surely someone who was so brash as to leave their school in the dead of night to seek out a Death Eater isn't-"

Professor Dumbledore cut him off angrily. "Severus, that's enough." In a more gentle voice, he said, "Come in, child. What we are discussing concerns you, after all." Swallowing nervously, she opened the door fully and entered the study. Pausing for a moment she frowned and, straightening her back, strode more confidently towards the two men. She felt an unexpected swell of pride when Professor Snape nodded almost imperceptibly, approval evident in his eyes. Why does it matter so much to me what he thinks? she asked herself silently, knowing the answer even as the question came. Because he knows… he knows what I was going to do. He knew better than I did myself. And because…because he understands.

Outwardly her face betrayed none of these realizations. With poise, she moved across the room and sat in the chair Professor Snape had indicated. "What's… what's going on, Headmaster, Professor? What plan were you talking about?" Hermione said without preamble, earning another approving nod from Professor Snape.

Dumbledore answered. "How are you feeling this morning, Miss Granger?"

Her eyes narrowed and she said, in a cold tone she would not have dared to use in front of the Headmaster in the past, "Headmaster. Please let us get to the point. You know I was listening, for at least part of your conversation. What plan?" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and glanced at Snape, whose lips were curved in a small smile.

"You see, Headmaster?"

"Hmm. Yes," Dumbledore answered. "She definitely reminds me of you, Severus." Both Snape and Hermione's brows lowered at this, and Dumbledore chuckled lightly. "I beg your pardon, Miss Granger. You are correct, as usual. We will dispense with the niceties and… get to the point, as you say."

"How much did you hear, Miss Granger?" Severus asked, his keen eyes searching hers. She felt her poise crumble slightly under the intense scrutiny.

"Um… not much. Well, not much that I understood. Maybe-" she began, then stopped and took a deep breath to steady herself. Her mind was working better than it had since she saw Ron's… since she had stopped sleeping well.

They will pay. I will make them pay.

Continuing after a short pause, she said, "Maybe it would be best if you started from the beginning. What I did overhear was confusing, to be blunt."

Professor Snape held her gaze for a few moments before nodding curtly. "Very well. Headmaster?"

Professor Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair and looked at Hermione. "Well, Miss Granger. You are aware, of course, of the marriage law that the Ministry has developed." She nodded, lips thin with suppressed impatience. How could she not? "You did say start at the beginning, child.

"You may have wondered why Lucius Malfoy was such a staunch supporter of the law when it was first proposed. He is not, after all, someone that would normally welcome a law that requires muggleborn witches and wizards to join, via marriage, to a person with two wizarding parents." She nodded silently. She had wondered, actually. Throughout their years at Hogwarts, Draco had made no secret of his family's views concerning muggleborns… concerning Mudbloods.

Dumbledore continued, "The purpose behind the law is twofold. First, there is the official reasoning: to bring new blood into the wizarding community. Birthrates among pureblood families have dropped off in recent decades while the instances of birth defects and squib births have increased." Again, her lips pursed together impatiently, waiting for him to continue. Anyone who had ears to hear or eyes to read already knew what the Headmaster had just told her.

"The second purpose, not publicly acknowledged, is protection. With the War brewing, the Ministry hopes to protect vulnerable muggleborns by bonding them to wizarding families." She snorted, and Snape sneered.

"Lucius Malfoy was the one who devised that argument. I still can't believe those fools at the Ministry fell for it. The Dark Lord was most pleased-" Snape said acidly.

Dumbledore continued as if there had been no interruption. "Lucius' protection argument was made stronger by the death of your parents, Miss Granger."

They will pay. I will make them pay.

So sorry…

You cannot bring back the dead.

"Miss Granger?" The smooth voice broke her out of her reverie, and she looked up, startled, to see Snape watching her searchingly.

"Go on," she said to Dumbledore, her throat dry.

He nodded solemnly, and continued, "You may not realize this, Miss Granger, but your parents posed a true threat to the future of the law. They had succeeded in having it postponed, had organized a group of like-minded parents to threaten exposure of the magical community if it were passed… the Ministry, I was surprised to see, was actually beginning to waver. I believe, had they lived… the law would likely have been thrown out." Hermione bowed her head. "Yes, child. And had I known… I am truly sorry, child. We were listening closely for any hint of retaliation from Voldemort… we didn't expect Lucius Malfoy to act on his own."

You're supposed to know everything, her mind screamed. You're the great Albus Dumbledore, all-knowing,all- powerful…She struggled to suppress the futile thoughts.

"So it was his idea… he… he wanted my parents dead. But… it still doesn't make sense. That family hates muggleborns, why would he want that law passed… why would he want…" She stopped suddenly before voicing her real question: Why would he want me? Why does he want me for Draco?

This time, Snape spoke. "Think about it, Miss Granger. In one fell swoop, Lucius Malfoy accomplished two things: he rid the world of the law's most powerful opponents, and he bolstered the protection argument."

Dumbledore saw her bewildered look and clarified, "After the death of your parents, the resistance fell apart. The protection aspect of the law immediately became relevant to the remaining Muggle parents in the group. Most have decided now to embrace the law with open arms. Well… we really should have said he accomplished three things." Dumbledore stopped, exchanging a look with Snape. Snape nodded slowly. Hermione switched her gaze back and forth between the two wizards, curious.

Snape spoke then, "He also won the favor of the Dark Lord." When he saw her confused expression his long, thin fingers gripped the arms of his chair tightly as he let out an irritated breath. She was sure that, if not for the presence of Dumbledore, he would have snapped at her. "Miss Granger, this law is playing directly into the Dark Lord's hand. He is ordering his Death Eaters to send betrothal proposals to certain… strategic… muggleborns. I'm certain I don't need to explain why." His dark eyes fixed hers, holding her gaze as his next words took her breath away. "And the most strategic muggleborn of all is currently sitting in my study." 

A heavy silence fell in the room, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Hermione sat, unmoving, digesting what they had told her thus far. The most strategic muggleborn of all…"Because of Harry." It was a statement, not a question.

"Not entirely," Snape said in a low voice, turning his head to stare at the flames dancing in the fireplace. Dumbledore remained silent, staring at her with a strained expression.

Her hands shook slightly and she firmly willed them to be still. Taking a deep breath, she said, "What do you mean, not entirely? What other reason-"

"Your… connection… to Potter is the main reason, yes. But also… Miss Granger, you are strong. Intelligent. Although you display a strangely obsessive need to study, magic comes to you naturally. You, a muggleborn witch with no prior knowledge of our world, are the preeminent young mind in wizarding Britain. Perhaps in the wizarding world." Snape looked at her intently. "You threaten their very dogma, Miss Granger," he said softly.

In a puzzled voice, she said, "But you always called me… you never… you never said-"

Snape frowned at her, shaking his head. "Please, don't give contrary evidence to what I just said about your intelligence, Miss Granger. Do try to remember what role I play, outside these rooms." She clamped her mouth shut, embarrassed. Of course he couldn't compliment her in front of the Slytherins, or anywhere, for that matter. Despite what Harry liked to believe, the Dark Mark did not just burn in Slytherin forearms.

Something occurred to her suddenly. "So… you don't really like Draco, then? It's all part of the act? And all that harping on Neville and Harry-"

Snape smiled coldly. "You are correct concerning young Malfoy, Miss Granger. I despise the boy. However, you are far off the mark in other respects. As for Longbottom and Potter - I detest teaching idiots and self-righteous twits." He ignored Dumbledore's repressive look. "Longbottom is the bane of my existence. And Potter-"

"That's enough, Severus." Dumbledore sat back with a sigh and looked at Hermione gravely. "Miss Granger, have you given any thought to what you will do now?" Now that Ron is dead. Now that my foolish plan killed him.

She stared at the fire as she answered despondently, "My options are limited, aren't they?" Looking back at Dumbledore, she said, "I… I could leave the wizarding world-"

"And be dead, or in Malfoy's hands, within an hour," Snape's voice said curtly.

"Or I could leave the country, go to… go to Bulgaria…" Hermione caught Snape's glance and, swallowing hard, said, "But… that's not really an… an option anymore." Snape nodded, his death grip on the chair arm lessening slightly. "And then… there's always Malfoy's proposal." Snape sat up straight, staring at her, his fingers once again clutching the arm of his chair.

Dumbledore stared at her a moment before responding. "That is, of course, one option before you. Although this option… I fear it may have unpleasant consequences for you, Miss Granger. Perhaps more unpleasant than you realize," Dumbledore said, calmly adjusting his robes as he settled back in the seat. In contrast, Snape appeared increasingly agitated as the Headmaster spoke - his face set in a scowl, his fingers drumming furiously on the arms of his chair.

"What do you mean? It might be of use, I could spy-"

"That is not an option, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said gravely.

"Why not? Why shouldn't I take advantage of the situation and try to do something for the Order, why-"

At her words, Snape stood in a quick, fluid movement, spinning to face her. "Are you really so interested in becoming Lucius and Draco Malfoy's fuck toy?" he shouted. She gasped. "A slave to their-"

"Severus!" Dumbledore thundered, his eyebrows drawing together alarmingly as he jumped from his chair in a surprisingly agile maneuver to face the younger wizard. The silver-haired wizard's anger pulsated through the room, and Hermione sat frozen on the periphery. The man it was directed at, she saw with shock and not just a little respect, stood straight and solid, not cowering the slightest in the face of the most powerful wizard in the world. She thought, distantly, that the absence of his normal intimidating teaching robes should have lessened the effect of his presence, but it didn't in the slightest. His body was tense and taut, fury etched in every line… but he stood confidently, holding himself with a strange sort of grace…

"No, Albus! There is no point in what you do… no point in sugarcoating the situation. You are doing her a disservice by even attempting to do so! He may not kill her immediately, but there are far worse things that family is capable of! She deserves to know what she's facing. She is not a child to be coddled by your meddling – the decision she makes is likely to change the course of the War, and most definitely will change the course of her life. Or death." His voice, so loud at the beginning of his short speech, lowered until the last two words were spoken in a hissing whisper.

Hermione stared at them wide-eyed. Although Snape's outburst had shocked her, she had to admit, silently, that she was grateful for it. He, at least, was treating her as an adult, telling her the facts of the situation. The Headmaster's… coddling… was completely distasteful to her.

Pulling her courage around her, she said in a steady voice, "Thank you, Professor Snape. I would much rather know, for sure, what my true options are. Headmaster, I appreciate what you are trying to do, but, as Professor Snape pointed out – I am no longer a child. That was… that was taken from me when three people I loved died because of me. To protect me." She almost choked on the last words and she paused for a moment, trying to regain her composure. The other two remained silent while she formed her next question. "What makes you… why… why do you think he wouldn't just kill me right away? Wouldn't that hurt… hurt Harry the most?"

"Oh, don't misunderstand me, Miss Granger. You would be killed. Eventually," Snape said, collapsing once again in his chair with a graceful motion. Dumbledore copied him, slowly reseating himself as he gave her a measuring look.

Snape leaned his head back against the chair and stared at her, his eyes unwavering as he said in a cool voice, "Lucius gave quite a rousing speech to Voldemort's Inner Circle, Miss Granger. He plans to use you as a… training tool, if you will… for his son. They will break you, any way they can… and then, when you are no longer of any use or sport to them, Lucius has most selflessly offered to share you with the other Death Eaters." Hermione's face went pale. Snape nodded slowly. "Precisely, Miss Granger. He finished his speech, in most dramatic fashion, with a description of just how devastated the Boy Who Lived will be, when he finds your ravaged body draped across the front gates of Hogwarts."

Again, silence fell.

"What… what… I can't ask anyone else to… Ron…" Hermione began, her voice catching in her throat as tears burned her eyes.

Oh my God… Hermione, don't look! No, don't look!

Angrily, she blinked the tears back and forced her mind back to the problem at hand. "I… Harry would… but that would put me in just as much danger as leaving the country, wouldn't it? Maybe more… And with everyone Harry's lost already, I don't think he could stand…"

Dumbledore nodded. "It was a consideration, but as you said… it would actually put you in more danger than you already are. They would stop at nothing to get their hands on Mrs. Harry Potter."

"That's why Ron and I… I won't risk the same thing happening to someone else," she finished in a whisper. "Enough people have died, already… "

"And, unfortunately, there is no doubt that what happened to Mr. Weasley would be repeated with any other suitor you bring forth," Snape said flatly.

Hermione looked down at her hands, which were clasped tightly in her lap. With an effort, she relaxed them and placed them carefully on the arms of her chair. She raised her head to look at both men. "So. What is the plan, then?" Even to her own ears, her voice sounded curiously detached.

Professor Snape and Dumbledore looked at each other for a long moment before either answered. Finally, Snape waved his hand towards the Headmaster, his lip curling disdainfully. "Headmaster? If you would do the honors?"

Dumbledore's face tightened and he looked at Snape darkly before turning to face her. "Miss Granger… Voldemort wishes for you to marry a Death Eater. And… we just happen to have one right here," he said, nodding towards Professor Snape.

She sat, frozen, in disbelief. She had never considered… her Professor? They wanted her to marry her Professor? Not just any Professor, but Professor Snape? She almost giggled when she thought of Ron's reaction… but he was dead.

Did it even matter anymore what she did? Ron was dead, her parents were dead… They will pay. I will make them pay. Who else would have to die for her? At least Snape could protect himself, they wouldn't kill him, unless they found out he was a spy. And in that case, they would kill him anyway, whether she existed or not. Whether he was married to her or not. Vaguely she became aware that Dumbledore was still speaking.

"…may help us out in another way, also, besides your protection. We believe Voldemort will be pleased-" he ignored Snape's muttered "We hope he will, for my sake" and continued "-with the plan to use you against Harry. To spy on him, so to speak."

Hermione still didn't speak. With a small sigh, Dumbledore added, "If all goes according to plan, we will deal a blow to Lucius while, at the same time, raising Severus' position in the Inner Circle." She looked at Snape – should I call him Severus? Oh, that would be strange…

Snape nodded. "I am, at present, on the very fringe of the Inner Circle. It has taken all of my skill at subterfuge to work my way to my current position. Three years ago, when the Dark Lord recalled the Death Eaters… I had to… prove myself-" as he said this, the already pale skin of his face lightened further "-to him once again. This took some time, as I am sure you can surmise. My only advantage was my position in this castle. The Dark Lord, during his first rule, placed me here as an apprentice to spy on Dumbledore. He was not, and obviously is not, aware of my double agent status."

Snape's fingers were once again drumming on the arm of his chair, one leg twitching up and down, and she wondered at this uncharacteristic lack of composure. A sudden thought occurred to her, Could he be nervous? Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at him. At Professor Snape. At her… future husband? She had seem him angered beyond belief, she had seen him cold and calculating, she had even seen him smile on rare occasions, but nervous? Over her decision? She suddenly felt a hysterical desire to laugh.

Snape stood restlessly and paced as he continued. "Lucius has been able to work his way rather highly within the Circle… orchestrating Muggle tortures and planning attacks on muggleborn homes… not to mention his inspired idea to push this marriage law through. What an abomination," Snape said, sneering as he ran one hand through his black hair. She was struck once again at how this gesture, which seemed so uncharacteristic of the normally cool and formal Potions Master, made him seem more approachable, more… human. "I, obviously, cannot… or will not, I should say… further my position in the Circle by coordinating these types of attacks."

Dumbledore's face tightened at this, and Hermione stared at him, an uncomfortable suspicion growing in her mind. She flicked her eyes back to Snape and saw that he was also staring at the Headmaster, a distasteful look on his face. She almost didn't hear the younger wizard's low words, "Although others may have urged me to such depths…" She sucked in her breath with a hiss, and Snape turned to face her. A moment of understanding passed between them… Dumbledore will use whoever, and whatever, he can to be victorious. Was he simply using her, as he had used so many others? Was this really to her advantage? She looked down, confused. Was there a better solution? Another option that hadn't occurred to her? She couldn't think… this was all too much…

"Miss Granger… Hermione," a silkily smooth voice said. She shifted her gaze up and was surprised to see Professor Snape crouching in front of her, their eyes level. His dark eyes, knowing, probing, bore into hers. "This is the best solution for you. The possibility that it may raise me higher in the Circle is an added benefit only. A perk, if you will."

She sat silently, staring at him for a moment before turning away from his dark regard and finding her voice.

"I… this is very… it's not what I expected, when you spoke of a plan… but…" she paused, then closed her eyes and continued. "I… it does seem to be the most logical choice. Like I said earlier, I don't want to risk…" she swallowed hard "… to risk anyone else's life that I care about. E-enough people have died for me already." Her throat closed for a moment. You cannot bring back the dead. Oh, Ron! "And… in this case, it may actually help someone… I…" She paused for a moment, then brought her eyes up to meet Professor Snape's.

"I will do it."

The man in front of her relaxed minutely. In that instant, she had a moment of clarity that she had not experienced since before Ron's death. Her mind had felt numb for so long… until now. Taking a deep breath, she said, "But… I don't want to enter into a… commitment, a partnership… that is so unevenly set. I am still your student, Professor." She looked away uncomfortably from his shrewd gaze. "I – I have concerns about that. I would not want to be on such… unequal footing… with my husband. Whether it be a marriage on paper or a… a true marriage." Her throat went dry as she said the final words, and her mind raced.

It would have to be a true marriage, to a point. The marriage law guaranteed that. Lucius – and the other members of the Ministry Marriage Council – had thought of everything to ensure that the "new blood" introduced would actually make it into the next generation. They knew people would try to circumvent the law by arranging paper marriages with like-minded friends… and so they made consummation of said marriage a requirement. From what her parents had been able to find out, there was a complex set of spells woven around the marrying couple by a Ministry official during the ceremony. In order for the contract to remain valid, in order for her to remain safe from other proposals, they would have to… she averted her eyes from his gaze, then. What was it her parents had been told? Monthly? Weekly? I'm going to have to… to sleep with my Professor? With Professor Snape? Can I do that? Unbidden, the image of his upper body, silhouetted by the flickering flames, came to her. She shook her head slightly and firmly pushed the image, with its possible connotations, to the back of her mind. 

The consummation requirement was one reason she had wanted to… to be with Ron before they sent in the contract. Just because she was being thrown into this against her will didn't mean she couldn't make the best of the situation, she had reasoned. If she were to be married, then she would enjoy the good as well as the bad. Was that still an option? What good could there be in a marriage to her Professor? To Professor Snape? Once again, the image of him standing in front of the fire came to her mind. I must be going mad, she thought. Am I really going to marry Snape?

Snape had straightened but continued to stare at her, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Appraisingly. "Miss Granger, I admit that that has disturbed me, also. I would not feel comfortable being… married, to a student. I, myself, brought this issue up with the Headmaster when the… plan was first discussed."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Precisely, my dear. You are also aware that we must avoid any hints of… impropriety in this situation. We cannot afford to give the Malfoy family anything that could be used to argue the legality of your union. Luckily, something the Ministry did has, for once, worked in our favor." Snape – Severus? – snorted with amusement as he wandered across the room to stand in front of the fireplace.

Dumbledore smiled and continued, "I have been authorized - encouraged, even - to permit those students effected by this law to take their NEWTS early. The Ministry's purpose in this is to allow the students to leave Hogwarts as soon as possible to live with their new spouses… without denying them the opportunity to officially graduate."

"To go forth, be fruitful, and multiply," Severus said dryly, turning away from the fire to face them. Dumbledore shot him a quelling glance and he subsided with a smirk, turning back to look into the flames.

"Yes. But, I believe we can use this to our advantage. You are, I'm quite sure, already prepared for the NEWTS," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling for the first time in the conversation. "Even without further study. Am I correct in assuming you've already read all of this year's texts?" She blushed, too embarrassed to answer. Looking away from Dumbledore's eyes, she noticed that Professor Snape had turned to watch her, an amused sneer his face.

Finally, she nodded and said, "I… I would still like some time to study, of course-" she ignored Snape's snort "-but I could take them early. When… how much time…"

"Could you be prepared by this coming Friday, Miss Granger? That would give you almost a week. There are a few other students who are taking them on that day, and therefore the Ministry testers are already scheduled to be here," Dumbledore said.

"That would be fine, I think. But what will I do then, Headmaster? I've wanted to pursue my education past Hogwarts, perhaps apply for an apprenticeship with a Master…" She trailed off. This was all happening so fast…

"And you shall do so, Miss Granger," Snape said smoothly.

"There are a number of Masters here at Hogwarts, Miss Granger. You would have your pick of them, I am sure. With the possible exception of Divination," the Headmaster said, smiling. She and Severus snorted at the same time and then looked at each other in surprise.

The dark-haired man's lips twitched in a smile. "I quite share your high opinion of Divination, Miss Granger," he said sarcastically. "As far as your apprenticeship is concerned - besides myself, there are four other Masters at Hogwarts: Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, Sinistra, and Vector. You could apprentice with any of the above."

She sat in thought. She had assumed she would have the school year to decide what field she would go into… and then, with the deaths of her parents and Ron… it had all seemed so unimportant. Now, she clung to the decision like a drowning man to a raft… her mind was desperate… if she concentrated enough on what field to apprentice in, then she wouldn't have to think about…

You cannot bring back the dead.

Voldemort wishes for you to marry a Death Eater.

"You do not have to decide at this moment, Miss Granger. But I would suggest you think it over this week as you prepare for your NEWTS. I will let the staff know that you are excused from classes," Dumbledore said gently.

She nodded. "Um… Professor?" she said tentatively, looking at Snape.

"Perhaps you should call me Severus, Miss Gr- Hermione," he said heavily.

"S-Severus, then. When… when will you…" Again, her voice failed her for a moment. Steeling herself, she sat up straight and looked him in the eye. "When will… when should we send in the proposal? The marriage proposal," she clarified unnecessarily. Is this real? Am I really going to do this? But what other option is there?

Sighing, he turned and reached to grab something off of the mantle. She stared as, once again, the flames shone through his thin shirt. He was lean and muscular, not bulky, his torso well formed… her mouth went dry. I am really going to do this. Oh, God, she thought as he crossed the room to hand her a rolled parchment.

"There is no advantage in waiting, Miss G- Hermione," he said sharply. Dumbledore gave him a pointed look, and in a more moderate tone, Snape added, "We can send in the proposal now, and then finalize the contract as soon as your NEWTS are completed."

Dumbledore watched her solemnly as she read over the proposal contract. Finally, she looked up at Snape – no, Severus, her mind corrected.

"Can I have a quill, Severus?"

_________________________________________________________________

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. PLEASE read and review, let me know what you think!!  

Sweetbabe-101 – Thanks, I'm glad you thought her reactions were realistic… hopefully I still handled things plausibly in this chapter! I'm trying to keep it all believable, not always easy in fanfic ;)

Electryone – There will be more little pieces of information about Ron in future chapters – he is a good guy in this story (well, was, anyway). I hope you liked her reaction to the plan. Thanks!

Lizzie – Thanks! I thought the snatches of phrases from Hermione's dream would have more impact than a dry recital of what had occurred. I left no preface as to "Hermione dreaming" because I wanted to convey the idea that she didn't know she was dreaming, either – is it dream, memory, waking? You're not always sure, while you're sleeping. I hope it wasn't too confusing…

Winter Solstice1 – Thanks – you're right, the spinny head effect was the intention in that first section. I hope you liked this update!

Boredinclass – Thanks! I'm going to try to keep him in character as much as possible…must resist urge to make him too nice… must resist urge to make him too nice… lol!

Subtilior – Thanks  - poor Ron… I have equal numbers of people who are sad and glad that he's dead in my reviews!

Dru – I'm blushing! Favorite, really? Wow! Smooches to you! I'm still updating both weekly… I may actually have another update to Scars by Wednesday of this week, so I'm not going to let it slow me down.

Crookshanks Girl, Anarane Anwamane, bBy xX dinkLecup, the great and masterful Yoda, Culcarien, Mikus, Phen82 – Thank you all for reviewing! It definitely helps the muses work their magic ;).