Chapter 12

Ginny had to drag Hermione out the next day, they were both exhausted, but Hermione was more so, then her flaming haired friend.

Ginny had gone back to find Hermione and found her crumbled in a heap on the floor tears staining her cheeks. Hermione sobbed out what had happened.

While Ginny had fallen asleep Hermione had thought back over the last few days and wondered , why it was that she had kissed him and without any answer at all she finally subsided to sleep only to be awakened a few hours later.

"Oh… come on Mione its time to get out of bed . Today's our first practice."

Hermione rubbed at her temples and nodded, "Alright, but I'm swinging by the infirmary to grab a headache reliever."

So that's just what they did, but apparently the God's were out to get her because, just as she entered, Severus was leaving. He stood staring at her for longer then necessary before pushing past her and out into the hall.

"Mione, just grab the potion and we can get out of here. Okay?"

Hurt and confused, Hermione took the potion then dragged herself to the Quidditch pitch, where the other girls had gathered.

Luna separated the four houses to different corners, "Alright children were all here now so let me lay down the rules. You will keep hands to yourselves. When your captain comes up with routines, they will not be changed. The captains will finalize their cheers with me, and will make a schedule for practices."

Two hours of exercise sent the girls back to the great hall, dragging their feet.

Hermione made it about half way a crossed the entrance hall before Dumbledore intercepted her. "Hermione we need to talk to you."

"Who?" She massaged at the back of her neck, looking up at him wearily.

"Myself, your great-grandfather, and Severus."

She winced at the sound of Severus' name but fallowed him silently to the staff room. When Hermione entered she sat close to Maxwell Vanderhorn. Severus sat on the opposite side of Albus, clearly avoiding any eye contact at all.

Maxwell began, "Well, Hermione dear, you see being a Vanderhorn, comes with certain obligations that you must fulfill."

She nodded waiting patiently for him to continue, with the distinct feeling that she wasn't going to like this.

Severus interrupted, glaring at Maxwell, " One of which you have to marry at the age of 16,… to me."

If she hadn't already been sitting down, she surly would have crumbled to the floor in shock. "You've got to be joking!"

Severus stood, "Look I know you don't want to marry me but this is the life of… nobility, in the wizarding world." He turned to Albus, "I've got papers to grade. She knows now, I'm not staying." He walked away from them and out into the hall.

Maxwell stood and walked to a large window that overlooked the grounds. "I'm deeply sorry Hermione, but you've been betrothed to Severus the second you were born. It can't be changed."

Hermione closed her eyes to hold back tears. She swallowed the angry lump in her throat, opened her eyes again, and stood. "I'll marry him, although I want to make this very clear to you. Any children I may have with him, will not be subjected to this manipulative control. You can not continue to control peoples lives the moment the enter this world." She spat out before storming from the room.

Albus and Maxwell looked at one another, regret deep with in their depths, all though deep in the midst of bright blue eyes a sparkle lit with the most intriguing idea.

What if this worked out in the long run?