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 4

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You have thirty days from the date of that betrothal proposal… if you receive others in that time you will have a choice…

Her choice was made.

The only sound in the room was the scratching of quill against parchment as Hermione signed the betrothal proposal. When she finished signing, she sat back and stared at their signatures blankly. Her signature, round and even. His signature, sharp and spiky.

It was real.

She was betrothed to her Professor.

To Professor Snape.

She started slightly when the quill was gently removed from her fingers, and she looked up into Dumbledore's kind eyes. Snape had moved back to his chair and sat motionless, staring at the fire. The tension that had been coiled in him for much of the discussion seemed to have eased after she signed the proposal. Was he worried for her, or for himself? Or for the plan? Immediately, she shook her head. No, she believed him when he said it was the best choice for her.

The possibility that it may raise me higher in the Circle is an added benefit only.

For some reason, that statement rang true to her. Well, for Snape's – Severus' – part, at least, she acknowledged with a glance at the Headmaster. For Dumbledore's part… she wasn't sure. She rather thought that his spy's position in the Circle was of equal importance to him as her own safety. Possibly more important, in his mind. And, she had to admit, in the grand scheme of things it was. Dumbledore was concerned, first and foremost, with the War. And that, of course, was the way it should be.

How did I get to this place? I trust Snape, but not Dumbledore? Have I gone insane? she thought in wonder, but as she watched the Headmaster take the parchment from her and quickly roll it, she knew it for the truth. She trusted Snape… at least, as far as her safety was concerned. As far as anything else… she wasn't sure yet. Perhaps, in time…

She watched as Snape rose from the chair languidly and strode over to the desk where he retrieved something. When he walked back to Dumbledore, she saw that it was his seal. She wondered, for a moment, what insignia he used. A family crest, perhaps? Something with the Slytherin symbol? Or something else, something of personal significance? With a jolt, it hit her just how little she knew about the man who was to be her husband.

Ron, on the other hand… she had him known so well… They will pay. I will make them pay. Friends for seven years… summers at the Burrow, huddling together under Harry's Invisibility Cloak, spending holidays with him at Grimmauld Place, Arthur and Molly treating her as a second daughter… wherever Ron was had felt like… like home. She had clung to that, after her parents were killed. And see what had happened, as a result. My fault.

"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore's voice brought her back to the present and she flushed slightly when she looked up and saw both men staring at her.

"I'm sorry, Headmaster… I was… I was just lost in thought," she stammered, feeling like a fool under the dark gaze of her Professor. No, not my Professor any longer… my fiancé, she thought. I'm… I'm engaged to Severus Snape. Oh, Gods, what will Harry say? What would Ron say?

"Completely understandable, my dear," Dumbledore said. Standing beside him, Snape was watching her sharply. "I was just saying that I will have Fawkes carry this to the Ministry this morning when I return to my office. And, Miss Granger… you will need to stay here, in Severus' chambers, for the time being." When she opened her mouth to speak, a puzzled frown on her face, Snape cut her off.

"For your safety, Miss – Hermione. After all, you kept a Death Eater waiting last night. While he may assume you were detained for a short time, when you do not arrive this morning Mr. Krum may decide to come here, to Hogwarts, and… retrieve… you," he said in a low voice. She looked at him, considering whether or not to respond, and then flicked her eyes to Dumbledore and chose to remain silent. Snape stared at her suspiciously for a moment until the Headmaster spoke.

"Yes, Miss Granger. Severus has strong wards on these chambers – I daresay they may even be stronger than the ones protecting my office," Dumbledore said, lifting his eyebrows and glancing at Snape. Snape shrugged slightly, flicking his fingers in dismissal of the idea, and Dumbledore gave him a small smile. "Well, you will keep your secrets, Severus. At any rate, Miss Granger, you will be safer here than anywhere else in the castle."

"Mr. Krum is not the only danger, Hermione. Do not forget, when this parchment is received at the Ministry, Lucius Malfoy will undoubtedly receive word immediately. He will not be pleased," Snape said smoothly. As he spoke, he looked down at his hands, still holding the seal. He will not be pleased. She barely held back a snort. She rather thought that declaration was a bit of an understatement.

"Do… do you think he would come here?" Hermione asked, staring up at the tall man... at her fiancé. His black hair had fallen forward, obscuring one side of his with its lank darkness.

Snape and Dumbledore looked at each other without speaking for a moment, then Snape said, "Perhaps. It is unlikely that he will confront me directly – at least, not here - but if he were to happen upon you, or if his son-" at this, Snape couldn't hold back a sneer "-were to happen upon you… I would not put anything past that family. The Imperius curse is a formidable tool, and Lucius has always had a deft hand with it." He looked away then, staring at the fire once more, and if she hadn't noticed his free hand clenched into a fist she may have questioned him about it further.

Dumbledore spoke then. "Yes, well. I'm sure you'll appreciate the time to study, Miss Granger. I will have the House Elves bring your things from the Head Girl's room. Now, as far as this weekend is concerned, I believe you told your housemates that you would be visiting a family friend?"

She nodded, averting her eyes from the Headmaster's disappointed stare. What was it that Sn – Severus had said? And that's why you have someone like me on staff…To remind you of how those who aren't walking about with halos over their heads react to devastating events. He, at least, understood…

Your parents are dead. Your… lover… is dead.

You cannot bring back the dead.

She looked up and saw that Snape – no, Severus – had turned around and was regarding her with an unreadable expression. Summoning the courage to speak, she answered the Headmaster without taking her eyes from her fiancé. "Yes, Headmaster. I told Harry and the others that I was visiting my father's friend for the weekend. They don't expect to see me until Monday morning."

Dumbledore nodded. "That will work nicely, then. I will have your rooms connected to Severus' on the floo network before then. During the week you will come and go using the Head Girl's rooms… that should avoid any allegations of impropriety before you are officially graduated this Friday. However, my trust for young Malfoy is very slim – which is why I expect you to remain here when you are not needed to appear for meals." Snape was scowling at the Headmaster, and it struck her that this situation wasn't exactly easy for the dark, secluded Potions Master, either. For some reason, that made her feel a little better, and she relaxed enough to watch the dark man as he paced in front of the fire.

She admired, once again, the way the firelight passed through his thin shirt. This time, she let herself look. And approve. He was to be her husband, after all. And… these were to be her rooms. She looked around her critically. The room was still dark, although she assumed it was morning – there were no windows, only the light from the few candles and the fireplace making a dent in the blackness. To her surprise, it felt… cozy, rather than gloomy. There were more candles about the room, still unlit, that would provide ample illumination when she needed to study...

"That's fine, Headmaster. I have a lot of studying to get done, anyway, so it will probably work to my advantage," she said, trying to hold back a smile at Snape's obvious irritation.

The Headmaster smiled, then, and said, "Well, then. Now that everything's settled… neither of you have eaten, and I daresay Severus is in need of a shave." His blue eyes twinkled as he saw the dark expression on his Potions Master's face. "When you are ready, Severus, please come to my office for a short meeting. We have some things to discuss."

Hermione frowned at this. "Shouldn't I be involved in any discussions about this situation? It is regarding my life, after all, Headmaster."

Snape turned to her, his lip curling. "Not everything concerns you, Miss Granger. Is it so outside the realm of believability that the Headmaster and I may have something other than your illustrious person to discuss?" he said in clipped tones. She met his gaze evenly, although his words, said in that mocking tone, had sparked a tendril of angry embarrassment in her.

"It's Hermione."

He regarded her for a moment with an unreadable expression before nodding. "Hermione." Turning to face the Headmaster, he said, "Headmaster, about your orders from last night… if I leave…"

Dumbledore waved a hand in dismissal. "It will be fine, Severus. I believe the normal precautions that we discussed will be sufficient. I will not keep you long." By the look on his face, Severus didn't agree with the silver-haired wizard, but he nodded curtly with no further argument. What normal precautions? What are they talking about? She held her tongue until the Headmaster left.

"What-" She stopped when he held up a hand. 

"Miss- Hermione. I am well aware that you have the admirable ability to converse, at length, at any time and in any situation. I, however, am not, as they say, a morning person." She couldn't hold back a snigger at this, and he gave her a wry smile. "Yes. Please, hold more of your questions until after we've eaten. And after I've had a chance to complete my normal morning routine," he said, raising an eyebrow at her. She held back a grin and nodded. Not a morning person… or an afternoon person… or an evening person…she thought as he walked to the fireplace and with a pinch of floo powder contacted the kitchens.

A short time later, they were sitting at the small table in his chambers, eating silently. Small talk seemed unnecessary and, after the discussions of last night and this morning, she didn't think she was up to engaging in casual discourse on the weather. Stealing a glance at the dark-haired man sitting opposite, she rather thought that he wasn't someone who would appreciate small talk. She wondered, for a moment, what he really thought of this whole situation. It didn't seem like something he would be thrilled with, although it was difficult to judge by his reactions this morning since he had been aware of the… the plan… for a much longer time than she had been.

She wondered, then, if her decision the night before to take Viktor up on his offer… to learn to fight fire with fire… had forced their hands. Had there been other options, before her actions of the previous evening? Pulling her courage around her, she put down her teacup and asked, "Were – were there any other plans… for what to do with me?"

He finished his mouthful and sat back, studying her. She kept silent under his scrutiny, although her hands, hidden by the table, did have a tight grip on the sides of her chair. He nodded slightly. "Our original thought was to hide you at Beauxbatons; however, that is obviously no longer an option."

"Why-" she began, when he cut her off with an irritated look.

"Do you really have to ask that, Hermione? Your… mission… yesterday evening should tell you why that is no longer allowed. We will not permit your mind, your determination, your skill…" he stopped for a moment, breathing deeply, before continuing in a more moderate tone, "It is too easy, for people like us, to fall under the thrall of the Dark Arts. It would be too risky for our side, too dangerous, if your intellect and logic were to be turned against us. To be used as a weapon by the enemy." She said nothing, just looked away. "Your death would be preferable." At this, her eyes snapped back to meet his. His gaze was steady, unwavering, and she felt a chill when she realized that the words he had spoken were true. Dumbledore and Snape really do think it would be preferable for me to die than…she shook her head, confused.

"But, Harry-"

"Would be far more upset at the thought of his best friend turning against him, embracing the Dark Arts, than at the thought of his best friend becoming yet another victim of the Dark Lord's plots," Severus interrupted smoothly.

She remained silent. It was the truth, after all. And, from a purely logistic standpoint, she could see their reasoning. If she turned to the Dark Arts and was sucked in… Each step seems but a small one… Would it cause Harry to question his own loyalties? If his level-headed friend, the studious one, the voice of reason in their triumvirate, turned to the Dark Arts, would he then wonder… should I also learn to fight fire with fire? And then, where would the wizarding world be, if Harry fell under the thrall? It had been close… so close… if not for Severus' intervention…

Without realizing what she was saying, she blurted out, "Viktor wasn't expecting me. He didn't know I was coming." At his questioning gaze, she continued, "I… I wasn't sure if I could go through with it, and I didn't want to promise anything. He… he told me to come to his home, in Bulgaria, if I decided…" She swallowed and looked down. "I thought I was sure, but then… when you told me…" she paused for a moment before looking up at him. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You're welcome," he answered in a low voice before averting his eyes. "I believe your things have arrived. And as I am under orders to shave before seeing the Headmaster, you will have to excuse me now." Without waiting for a response, he left the room.

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

After a quick shower and shave, he felt much more like himself. The morning's discussions, along with the sudden release of tension that he felt when she agreed with the plan, had unnerved him more than he dared to show. He hadn't had much time to consider the full implications of the situation – he knew that the time would come, perhaps after the inevitable meeting tonight, but for now he was as relaxed as he could be.

He sighed, closing his eyes. Without a doubt, once the signed betrothal contract was received at the Ministry, Lucius Malfoy would demand a meeting be called with the Dark Lord. Severus would have to plan his approach, his words, carefully. He needed an explanation for why he had challenged Lucius' plans for the girl without consulting the Circle first. He needed to convince the Dark Lord that she was better used as a willing spy than as an Imperio'ed slave… that it was better to twist her mind and force her to question her loyalties than to simply kill her as a means to punish the Boy Who Lived.

He snorted inwardly and grabbed a fresh set of clothes from the heavy walnut wardrobe. Doubtless Lucius would repeat his rousing speech about the devastation Potter would experience when he ran across the brutalized body of his best friend. His other best friend, Severus amended. The boy had already had a similar experience when the two had found Weasley's body at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Yes, his own speech outlining the rewards of bending the girl to his will using Slytherin cunning and skill would need to be extraordinary to overcome the bloodlust. It wouldn't be overly difficult. The plan was a good one, and the Dark Lord had always admired a cunning plan. Perhaps because the man had amazingly little subtlety of his own, Severus mused.

As he closed the wardrobe he made a mental note to expand it later that day - or bring in a second one - for his future wife's needs. Now completely dressed, he walked to the doorway leading to the study and stopped in the opening, silently studying his… betrothed? Fiancée? He shook his head in irritation. The thorn in his side, would be a better term. But he supposed that wouldn't be the most politic expression to use when referring to the woman he would be married to in a week.

She was sprawled on the rug in his – their? - study, close to the fireplace, poring over her textbooks. He held back a snort – likely she had already committed them to memory; but, if nothing else, the distraction would be good for her. As he watched, one delicate hand left the pages of the book and tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. He leaned against the doorframe, considering the young woman in the other room. That small body housed an amazing fusion of contrasting elements. At once young and mature, wise and naive, pure and sullied. A most complex mixture, indeed.

He sighed quietly. What had he gotten himself into? Marrying a student? But she wouldn't be his student much longer – was no longer his student now, if the truth be told. The Headmaster himself had excused her from the rest of her classes. He raised an eyebrow. So - not his student any longer.

Snape had purposely avoided thinking about the more… intimate… details of the marriage law; its requirements in that regard were rather stringent. But… she was an innocent, for all that she was no longer a virgin. He shook his head slightly. No, it was not likely to be a true physical marriage, not the type he would have wanted… but perhaps in time… He stopped that line of thought as she began to chew her lower lip – a habit she had displayed since her first year in his class - and he scowled at the reminder of her youth. Best not think of such things right now, Severus, he admonished himself. His fists clenched in frustration.

Damn Dumbledore.

Damn Lucius.

Damn Krum.

Dumbledore's plan… their plan… it was definitely not the solution he would have wished, but hopefully it would be successful. Miss Granger – no, Hermione – was a most formidable weapon, for either side. And if their conjectures were correct, the marriage and supposed manipulation of this most formidable weapon would move him higher in the Circle. Although he had told Hermione the truth when he said it was an added benefit only, he readily admitted that it did hold a great deal of appeal to him. The higher in the Circle he stood, the safer he would be.

Of course, if their conjectures were incorrect, he would be dead before the next morning.

He frowned, brows furrowed in thought. He had been goading Dumbledore that morning, as the man well knew. Snape didn't have a death wish – not any longer, that is - but it was far too easy to annoy the older wizard. And rather enjoyable, he had to admit with a small smile. Granted, he had wished for death on occasion, particularly during the darker times of his life, before he had returned to Dumbledore's side as a spy. But now, after all the work he had put in over the years to see the defeat of the Dark Lord, he would like to survive to enjoy the fruit of his labors if victory should come to pass.

The fruit of his labors. He had never considered marrying, not after living through the horror that was his parents' marriage. But… he watched as the firelight shone in the girl's hair. The young woman's hair. Like her body, it was composed of an amazing variety of elements – glints of red, brown, and black showed themselves within the mass of bushy curls. Dumbledore's comments came back to him, Severus, I do think you're well suited, actually. You may find that you enjoy her company, in time. He had dismissed the idea with a sneering comment, but now…

No. The girl was an irritant, nothing more.

And, for her part, she likely saw him in a similar light. They were being forced into this… and while they would both hopefully make the best of the situation he didn't believe that anything more would come of it than a companionable partnership. A friendship, perhaps. Anything more than that would be a ridiculous idea, a fool's dream.

Deciding to speak, he entered the room. "I must leave now, the Headmaster is expecting me." As he walked towards her she looked up and stood, brushing off her robes. "I will return shortly. In the meantime, you are not to leave these rooms. Anything you may need, you can summon a House Elf or contact Dumbledore's office via the floo. The powder is here," he said, indicating the small can of floo powder on the mantle. "Do not try to defeat the wards that are in place – they have been set to alert both myself and Albus if they are breached."

She nodded, seemingly acquiescent, but he didn't quite trust her. Especially when she looked that compliant. Years of cleaning up after the Terrible Three's messes haunted his memory, and… the girl wasn't meeting his eyes. He sighed. She was quite skilled enough to dismantle or avoid the wards if necessary, of that he had no doubt. Dumbledore may not think it to be true, he may assume the advanced wards were sufficient, but Severus had his suspicions about just how much Hermione had studied outside of the normal curriculum.

He had to be certain that she had no idea, no plan, to leave. The danger was real, but that had never fazed her in the past. And, with her recent grief, she was understandably more reckless than normal. They simply couldn't afford for her to leave the chambers to search out her little Potter friend, or the Weasley chit. Draco would most likely be alerted immediately by his father once the missive was received at the Ministry.

There was only one thing for it… well, two things, but he didn't think his… fiancée… would be too thrilled with being administered Veritaserum. She likely wouldn't be too thrilled with what he was about to do, either, but… he had to be sure.

Striding up to her quickly, he gripped her jaw with the fingers of one hand before she could react. Tilting her head up, he looked intently into her eyes, delving into her mind. She gasped in shock at the intrusion, but she stood straight and tall, not wavering as he delved deeper into her mind… until… he saw her eyes widen as he approached something… something that she was trying to hide… what was it? She pushed against him furtively.

His eyes narrowed and his fingers tightened on her chin as he concentrated… her brown eyes flashed at him… it was something from this morning. A look of panic crossed her face and he increased his concentration tenfold… until he could almost… he could almost see it… all of a sudden, the image snapped into his head, along with a flood of accompanying emotions. His level of concentration had caused him to bring up more than just the image…

A view of himself, standing in front of the fire… and then he could sense her … admiration? Approval? Attraction? This was an unexpected development, but useful nonetheless… and there was something about his voice… curious, he tried to catch that thought, also, but he suddenly found himself blocked from her mind. He released his grip on her chin and stepped back. 

They stared at each other a moment in silence, her eyes full of horror and embarrassment at what he had seen, at the emotions he had detected. He allowed a small smirk to come to his face. This would make things much easier, much easier indeed. He was delighted to see that, as the smirk on his face grew, the red in her cheeks increased. Deciding to have a little fun with it, he commented in a low, silky voice, "Well, that should make the situation a bit… easier to bear, I believe, Miss Granger?" He paused for a moment, savoring the astonished embarrassment on her face before he remembered the fleeting thought about his voice… In his silkiest tones, he added, "Pardon me – I meant, Hermione." Ah, yes, there was definitely a reaction to that. How intriguing.

Her embarrassment was turning to outrage, her brown eyes snapping, still speechless. He chuckled softly. "Very well, then. I will be on my way. I will return in a few hours." And without another word, he swept out of the room.

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A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please read and review – I have part of the next chapter written already, so with enough begging… :). I will update in a week at the most, possibly again in a couple of days depending on my time availability. Please review and tell me what you think – I'm trying my best to keep everyone in character throughout the story, taking into account the ways the situation will cause their character to change, so please let me know how I'm doing.

Subtilior – Thanks for reviewing! And rest assured, I'm not planning on her apprenticing with Snape – she's trying to avoid an unequal relationship, after all – that wouldn't make much sense. And on the wording… the frowning slightly while jumping back while burnt I read over and over… it bothered me, too, but I left it in the end – to illustrate his conflicting feelings. The crumble slightly… don't agree with you there – to me, crumple is to fall all the way down, where as crumbling – like a cookie, just the edges are flaking off into crumbs… that's how I envision it, at least! Thanks for the feedback, though… I may go back and change the Severus bit. It's still kind of jarring when I reread it… hmm.

Jen – Thanks! I'm trying to keep it realistic, and I well remember the day I first saw a male teacher as just a man… wow. He was a hotty, too, and it still took me a while to recognize it. And yep - I'm thinking it will be weekly… ;)

Anarane Anwamane – Thanks for reviewing!

Kerfol – Thank you! I'm glad you liked the dream snatches. And – on Dumbledore – he's not evil, neither is Harry. Dumbledore has the weight of the wizarding world on his shoulders, and as a result – like any military leader – he has to weigh everything against the greater good and when that happens, sometimes the "little guy" gets trampled on. More on that will come out as the story unfolds…

The Fruit – Elements of darkness all the way through, but for our main protagonists… there will be light at the end of the tunnel ;). Snape will NOT turn into a flowers and candy kind of guy, though…

Lizzie – Thanks! I'm glad you like my Dumbledore interpretation so far.

Anony – teehee @ weekly!weekly!weekly! – That's the way I'm leaning right now ;)

Electryone – Thanks! I'm glad you think it's plausible… and I agree -  poor Hermione, she's been through a lot.

Droxy – Thanks for the reviews!!

Crookshanks1381 – Thanks! I'm very glad that so many people see it as plausible, that was entirely what I was aiming for when I started the fic. Yippee!