SEDUCTION BY THE BOOK
CHAPTER 13: I'm the Lizards' King, I can do anything!
By: PITON
Hermione patiently waited for the problem to be 'solved', so she could start her speech. She was actually having a lot of fun just watching the whole scene develop in front of her. The Headmaster had silenced the uproar that had taken over the Great Hall, but she could still hear laughter here and there, especially from the Slytherins. Malfoy, Pansy and Millicent could barely contain themselves.
For once the laughter wasn't aimed at her or Severus. 'It's interesting how the tables can turn so easily,' she thought.
Professor McGonagall who was probably the only one appalled by the whole thing, approached Severus to ask what had he said to the girls to make them start crying like that. It was hard to hold back the laughter when he deliberately played innocent.
"I merely said that they couldn't leave, for the doors were sealed until the end of the Ceremony. Then of course, I asked them if they knew who could possibly have done such a thing," he said in a calm and collected voice.
His calmness seemed to annoy McGonagall even more. "Well?"
"Well what?" Severus asked.
"What did they say, Severus!" Her nose was flaring and her lips had disappeared into a thin line.
"Ah yes... they were babbling incoherently, I suppose it's the shock..."
McGonagall didn't wait to hear another word and took matters on her own hands. The girls were her responsibility and as Head of House she had to sort this thing before the start of the Ceremony. Many of the teachers went along to offer their help or suggestions on how to help the Gryffindor girls.
Many counter-curses later, the girls still looked the same but no matter how much they were asked about who would have reasons to hex them, they would only shake their heads and occasionally shoot fearful looks toward the teachers' seats.
Hermione noticed Dumbledore's eyes weren't twinkling as usual and his expression was unfathomable when he looked at her and Severus. He knew! But fortunately, he couldn't prove a thing and that was the beauty of it. Severus lived up to his House's expectations when he schemed everything so cunningly, making it clear nobody should ever mess with a Slytherin.
Lavender and Parvati resignedly took their seats next to their dates for the ball and Hermione almost lost it again as she saw Ron's face when Lavender sat beside him. 'Serves him right for ditching Luna,' she thought.
After the room quieted down and McGonagall nodded for Hermione to proceed, she cleared her throat and performed the Sonorus charm on herself, placing her speech parchment on the podium in front of her. It was unusual to have Graduation in England; she knew that in Muggle England, they only graduated from College, not High School. But in the Wizarding world, it was tradition to have a separate leaving ceremony for the seventh years. This year they would have a party following the ceremony.
She looked over to her fellow seventh years and felt a little flutter of butterfly wings in her stomach. All eyes were on her, some expectantly on the words of wisdom she was supposed to bestow upon them, and others probably waiting for her to commit a mistake or make a fool of herself.
For the first time that night, it sank in that she alone, was suppose to send all these students to the rest of their lives with her words in mind. Well, a part of them at least, would retain something of what would be said here. 'Some of them will wish to forget my words and everything about this night,' she thought as she saw the hateful glares coming from the Lizard girls.
With a deep breath, she started, "This is probably the most difficult essay I had ever to work on: My Graduation speech."
Some laughs were heard throughout the room.
"It must be amusing or even a little bit scary to think that Miss know-it-all, who always went out of her way to learn everything and prove herself, could find anything difficult or challenging." She heard a light snort behind her when she referred to herself as 'know-it-all' and knew exactly who it was.
"Of course, I'm trying to sound as modest as my ego will allow me," she added and this time the laughs were louder, making her a little bit more relaxed. "It is even, I dare say, unsettling to see things that were a constant in our lives, change and take us by surprise.
"Why do we feel this way? When the ordinary things simply cease to be and it's almost as though the ground has magically vanished from under our feet." She paused a moment, seeing they could relate to her words more than she had previously thought.
"That's because we realize that we have lost control, and from then on, nothing is safe or stable anymore. The reality is that not I nor any of you have any idea of what the future holds. I can honestly say that we hold the exact same knowledge, apart from how much we have made on our N.E.W.T.s or what University has accepted us. For once in our lives we are equal, despite the differences of culture, blood or financial status. Sure, we may have an idea, a set of goals we wish to achieve, but we don't really know where the path we choose will ultimately lead us.
"That's perhaps the most challenging and difficult task of all! And so, I stand here tonight, as clueless and afraid as any of you may be." At this moment she lifted her hand to tuck a stray curl behind her ear and the stone on her finger shone brightly with the reflection of the many floating candles above their heads.
There was a buzz of gasps and voices that were quickly silenced by a wave of the Headmaster's hand.
She hid her hand instinctively and continued, "But one thing I can say for sure we will always carry with us, one thing that will indeed remain a constant in our lives is everything we've learned, not only from our teachers, but from our friends and from these seven years of wonderful life experiences. This might not enable us to view the future, but it will help us in our choices and who we'll eventually become.
"There is no promise that if you hold on to those things, your future will be brilliant; however, I am certain these will base and support you along the way."
As Hermione said the last words in her speech, she was welcomed by an excited ovation. She looked back at Severus who discreetly nodded in approval and feeling a lot lighter, she thanked everyone and stepped down to go back to her table.
Everyone was cheering Hermione as she went back to her seat, everyone except the Lizard girls. Ginny hugged her and couldn't hide her excitement with the events of the night.
"I wish my graduation can be this good," Ginny said with a grin.
"Unless you and Severus plot against any other student, I don't see any way of it getting better than this," Hermione answered smugly.
"Oh, so we're on first name basis, are we?" Ginny smirked.
"I wouldn't say 'we'. As much as Severus has come to an agreement with you, I doubt he would allow you to call him that."
"You know what I mean, Hermione!" Ginny said looking at her ring. "You raised a lot of questions, shining that stone in our faces."
"Did I? I guess their questions will be answered very soon," Hermione answered when Dumbledore stood and announced their certificates would be given as Professor McGonagall called their names.
Everything went perfectly well, with every student getting their certificates and returning to their seats. The high point was when Lavender and then Parvati were called. Much of the mocking and laughter returned, driving McGonagall, who was trying to inflict some discipline on what was left of the Ceremony, mad. Even the students who usually feared the Transfigurations Professor didn't mind her glares that much. What could she possibly do in their last day?
Finally it was time for the Ball and with a swish of Dumbledore's wand, music began to play from an unknown source. The students eventually joined their dates and started to dance. Ron, on the other hand, was barely seen when the Ball started. She remembered seeing a flash of red hair rushing past her and every time she tried to talk to him, he would disappear quickly. He and Seamus who was Parvati's date, seemed to be having the same problem being spotted while the slimy girls eagerly tried to talk to them. This would surely be an unforgettable night for them too.
A group of girls was gathering curiously around Hermione, admiring her enormous ring and inquiring if it was really an engagement ring. The Head Girl didn't see why she should deny it and felt a thrill to see everyone's faces when revealing she was indeed engaged, but all the while trying to avoid the questions of who he was.
The truth was, all she wanted was to find Severus and talk to him, but when she looked upon the dais, she couldn't see him anywhere and wondered if he thought it wasn't a good idea to be her date tonight.
"Where's your date Mudblood?" Malfoy's voice reached her ears.
"Or better yet, where's your fiance?" asked Pansy, who was holding Malfoy's arm.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ginny cut in, towering over Pansy.
Hermione had to hold Harry's robes, to keep him from hexing Malfoy. She knew neither boy had anything to lose now and would probably hex each other to death if no one stopped them.
"Maybe it's Snape! Oh wait, it can't be, he rejected you!" Millicent added as the group of Slytherins and other curious students gathered around her. "Is that ring real anyway?"
The two Lizard girls forgetting all about Snape's threat earlier, interrupted the conversation.
"We may be the ugliest girls tonight Hermione, but you sure lost the bet!" said Lavender pushing her orange neon hair off her slimy face.
"Are you sure that makes you feel better, Lizard face?" Hermione asked, causing everyone to laugh.
"Well, at least our ugliness is not permanent," Parvati added. "We can't say that about you, can we?
Hermione barely had time to answer when a silky voice answered before her, "I wouldn't be so sure, Miss Patil."
Silence fell upon the group. From behind the little crowd, Snape slowly made his way over to Hermione, leaving everyone speechless as he took her hand and pulled her to him. Their eyes met and Snape smirked, lifting an eyebrow at her. She knew he was encouraging her to ignore them, and so she did. He lifted one long finger and trailed her jaw line ever so slowly, seductively staring at her. His hand stopped just under her chin and cupped her face gently, bending down to capture her lips. She heard some gasps and disgusted reactions from their audience, but could care less. Their kiss intensified and she lost herself in a mix of many overwhelming feelings.
Breaking off the kiss, Severus eyes searched through the staring faces in the crowd, daring them to say or do anything. Finally, his eyes lingered on Lavender and Parvati, who flinched, exposing their fear of being cursed by the Head of Slytherin.
"I believe this meets with the rules of your little challenge, doesn't it?" Severus said, gracefully leading Hermione to the dance floor. She followed silently with a smile on her face.
Soon enough they were the only couple dancing. Hermione glanced around her and all the rest of the occupants of the Great Hall were too astonished to move.
Funny how in a few months her life had turned around in a way she could never dream of. Here she was, engaged to a man she loved and who loved her back, feeling free and happy about herself.
She was still dizzy with his proposal and the unexpected offer to apprentice with him, to become a Potions Mistress. This was all she ever wanted, an apprenticeship with the best Potions Master in Europe, and to spend the rest of her life with said Potions Master.
They danced an entire song by themselves, very aware of the crowd's eyes on them. At some point after recovering from the first shock McGonagall and the Headmaster approached them.
"What is the meaning of this, Severus?" McGonagall was visibly trying to control herself not to burst.
The Headmaster cut in, "Professor McGonagall has informed me of the conversation you two shared, Miss Granger," Dumbledore looked kindly at Hermione. "But if I do recall correctly, she said you had assured her there was no involvement between you and Professor Snape."
"What conversation?" Snape was looking from one to the other.
"I asked Miss Granger what the nature of your relationship was and if any of that challenge nonsense was true," McGonagall replied looking at him with disgust.
"I told you the truth Professor, I..." Hermione started.
"I know dear, you're not to blame, it's Professor Snape who has crossed the line."
"No, he did nothing wrong here, I want this to happen, we both do!" Hermione's voice was starting to rise but Severus squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Severus, it is inappropriate for a teacher to have such a relationship in public," Dumbledore added.
"Hermione is no longer my student, nor is she a minor. She has already reached her eighteenth birthday with the help of the time turner," Snape answered.
"That still doesn't give you the right to go parading in here, kissing her as if you were two teenagers in love!" McGonagall shot back.
"You've always danced with Albus at every party I can remember, and in front of the students," he replied with a smirk.
Hermione couldn't believe he could keep calm in a situation like this, risking the possibility of losing his job!
"But Albus and I have been married for years, or have you forgotten that?" McGonagall asked fuming.
"Indeed... I believe it's settled then. There is no law in the world that forbids a Professor from dancing with his fiancee in public," Severus replied as he took Hermione's hand, waving the ring in front of them.
Both Dumbledore and McGonagall could say no more, no one could for a long time. Eventually everyone recovered enough to enjoy the party and Hermione saw Harry eyeing her curiously but approvingly, which made her glad to know her friends understood her happiness.
Later that night, Severus and Hermione made their way to the dungeons, where all her belongings had been transported with the help of Twanny and Dobby. They still had a lot to plan, including their wedding, but for now all they wanted was to forget the world around them and lose themselves in each other.
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A/N: I want to thank Shauna for beta reading and next chapter will be the epilogue. And to make it fun, we're both going to write that one together.
The tittle of the chapter, if any of you are familiar with The Doors, you'll know, but I've changed the construction of the sentence in a way that sounded more appropriate with the fic.
Thanks to MonkeyGurl, Madelynn Rae, mysticdarkraven, Beatleluver91, sesshyluver03, charmed piper, Intelligent Witch, Raciswt, Chainmailgrl, can't tell you, A Perfect Lie, Aindel S. Druida, Ashley, RumorGoddess, Nighthawk47, crystalclear8050, Natsuyori, sweetytweety013, Jessa1000, kiss-of-cuteness, jean jelly bean, Remember Cedric Diggory and sinj for the wonderful reviews and I hope we met with your expectations as where this story should go.