A/N: I hope you did not think that last chapter was a cliffie. If you have looked at the Marriage Law challenge requirements then you knew that was coming. You also would have known if you read any other Marriage Law challenge fics.
Thanks to Ru, my beta.
This chapter was fixed on August 6, 2004.
And now... On with the show!
Chapter 5: Sometimes Choices Aren't Really Choices
Time stood still. Everyone in the room sat staring at Hermione, waiting for her reply. It was so quiet that you could hear the second hand on Dumbledore's watch tick as each second went by. After what seemed like an eternity, Hermione finally spoke.
"WHAT?" she roared. "Is this some sort of a sick joke? Who would want to marry a greasy bastard like you? And if you think I am going to you are out of your fucking mind!" Hermione was fuming. Everyone in the room was shocked, they didn't think that she was the type to use such language, especially to a teacher. Those that knew Hermione would never think her capable of such language. "If you are my only option then sod the magical world and it's sodding laws. I'll just break my wand and leave!" She pulled her wand out of her pocket and held it in both hands, but before she could snap it she broke down in tears. Molly was the first to come to her senses, and when she did, she sent Fred and George from the room, and quietly told Charlie and Bill to go home for the night. Hermione didn't notice the room starting to empty, she was too focused on her rage induced tears.
"I think it would be best if we continue this discussion tomorrow," Albus said to the Order members that remained in the room. "Why don't you all go home and I will contact you when this is all settled." While the others were leaving the room, Molly and Minerva flanked Hermione and took turns trying to comfort (comforting) her.
Severus, for his part, took the insults thrown at him rather well. He was sure that everyone expected him to lose his temper and yell back at her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Truth be told, he felt sorry for the girl. Hermione was a bright young witch and it actually pained him to see her in this situation. While part of him was upset that she had this thrust upon her because of who she was friends with and how smart she was, most of him felt like she was facing a fate worse than death, marriage to him without the possibility of disillusionment. That was something that Severus Snape would never wish upon his worst enemy. Severus quietly left the room, then flooed back to his rooms at Hogwarts. He poured himself a glass of Fire-whiskey and sat staring at the fire, wondering when he ever started to care about the girl.
While all that was going on in the dining room, Ron, Harry, and Ginny were outside the room using some of the twins' extendable ears while huddling under Harry's invisibility cloak. Since Molly had put a silencing charm on the room, however, they couldn't hear anything. The spell was rendered null, though, when Morgan left to go to bed and they were able to hear everything. They stood there listening to every word that was spoken. It came as a shock to them as they had not yet heard anything about the new law. As the conversation continued,Ginny found herself having to clamp her hands tightly over Ron and Harry's mouths to keep them from blowing their cover. When they heard Hermione start yelling, Ginny had to hold Harry and Ron back. Ginny knew that if she didn't, the two boys would burst in there and kill their Potions professor, and while Ginny wasn't too found of the man, she didn't think he deserved to die.
"Ron, Harry, go upstairs now," Ginny whispered.
"No!" Ron whispered back, although, his whisper was a few decibels higher than his sister's was.
"Just do it or you are going to get us caught." Ginny was losing her patience.
"What about you?" Harry asked.
"Forget about me, I can handle my self, mum will send out Fred and George soon, and there is no way the three of us can get up the stairs fast enough under that cloak." Sure enough, as soon as they were half way up the stairs Harry saw Fred and George enter the kitchen. Harry quickly looked where Ginny had been standing but by then, she had managed to plop herself down at the kitchen table with a glass of milk. Harry turned back around and followed Ron into their room. Harry uttered a quick silencing spell before Ron could start his tirade.
"I'll kill the bastard!" Ron shouted.
"You will not. I really don't think he likes the idea any more then 'Mione does." Harry sat on his bed.
"Yeah right. I bet the git just can't wait to get his greasy hands all over her."
"Ron, as much as I hate Snape, I know that's too low, even for him."
"You know what mate, I'll just petition for her myself."
"No Ron!" Harry now jumped off the bed. "You heard what Snape said, Lucius Malfoy will kill you."
"Are you a member of Snape's fan club now Harry? Besides, I am not afraid of a git like Lucius Malfoy." Ron looked even angrier than before, his face getting redder.
"I am not a member of Snape's fan club Ron, and how dare you even say that. It's Snape's fault that Sirius is dead, and I will never forgive him. No matter how much of a bastard he is, there is no doubt in my mind that he is right about Malfoy. You've never had to deal with him Ron, but I have. He is ten times worse than Draco, and I would be willing to bet that he made sure that Ginny got Voldemort's journal back in our second year."
"Then I have all the more reason to kill him. Mark my words Harry, I will keep Hermione from marrying Snape if it's thing I do!" With that Ron turned off the light and got into bed, turning his back to his friend. Harry tossed and turned for hours before falling asleep. He couldn't shake the feeling that Ron really would die if he tried to intervene. Harry finally drifted off to sleep with the notion that Ron would calm down and be reasonable in the morning.
Hermione stayed up crying all night. She was sharing a room with Ginny, so she tried to be as quiet as she could, but was mostly unsuccessful. Hermione tried to force herself to stop crying so that she could get some sleep, but the tears just kept coming, and the harder she tried to stop them, the harder she would cry. While Ginny knew that Hermione wasn't going to want to talk about it that night, she also knew that she wasn't supposed to know about Hermione's impending marriage, so she allowed herself to feign sleep and listened to her friend cry, as hard as that was to do.
When Hermione woke up in the morning her stomach hurt. It was something that happened to her when she cried really hard or for a really long time. It was one of the reasons why she usually made a point not to cry. She would have been upset with herself for crying if it weren't for the fact that she had a really good reason. She looked around the room and notice that Ginny was gone and her bed was made. Ginny almost never made it to breakfast at Hogwarts because of her tendency to over-sleep. Hermione looked at her watch and, seeing that it was just past 10:30, made her way downstairs. On her way she wondered why no one bothered to wake her. She was surprised to find the kitchen empty when she got there. She spotted a note on the table and stopped to read it.
Hermione,
I took Ron, Ginny, and Morgana to Diagon Alley to do some shopping for Harry's birthday and to get some things for Morgana. If you need anything Dobby is somewhere in the house, just call for him. He volunteered to come work here for the summer when he found out that Harry would be here. Speaking of Harry, he is at the Ministry with Arthur. It seems that there was a mix-up and he received a petition for marriage, but he can't because he isn't a muggle born. Albus and Severus will be there at 11:00 to finish last night's discussion with you. I know that Severus isn't your ideal choice for a husband, but I promise you that I would never let him anywhere near you if I thought that he would harm you in any way. The Daily Prophet is waiting for you in the library along with the first of your petitions.
See you soon,
Molly
Hermione smiled, only Molly Weasley could turn a simple note into a full-blown letter. The pain in her stomach was replaced with a strong rumbling and Hermione decided to call for Dobby.
"Whats can Dobby do for you Miss Hermione?" Dobby asked. His eyes glistened at the prospect of something to do.
"If its not too much trouble, can you please get me some toast, jam, and hot chocolate?" She asked.
"Dobby can do that."
"Thank you Dobby. I'll be in the library."
Hermione made her way to the library and it wasn't long after she had sat down that Dobby appeared with her breakfast. She read the Prophet while she ate her toast, making a point not to read the article on the marriage law or look at her petitions until after her stomach has settled. She looked at her watch and was that Dumbledore and Snape would be there in a few minutes and quickly jogged upstairs to change. She had fallen asleep in the clothes she had worn the day before and, although she couldn't care less, she thought that wearing the same clothes in front of the Headmaster and her Professor might be inappropriate. [So is marrying a man that is old enough to be my father.] she thought to herself. She had changed and made it back down to the library with two minutes to spare. While the Headmaster had a tendency to run a little late, Professor Snape was almost always early. To her surprise, Snape hadn't come early. When she sat down she read the article on the marriage law in the Prophet which was, as per usual, totally kissing up to the Ministry. Hermione had finished the article just as Dumbledore came through the floo.
"Hermione, I know that last night was a bit of a shock to you, but I want you to keep an open mind. We are simply trying to do what is best for you in a hard situation which," he looked pointedly at her. "Is not helped by outbursts of name calling."
"Yes Headmaster."
"Severus will be here shortly and when he gets here I want you two to play nice. I have already said the same thing to him. I will not tolerate one of my professors getting into a childish row with my new Head Girl." Hermione looked up at him when he mentioned the position of Head Girl. "Now I know that the letters are not to go out until the beginning of August, but I see no reason not to inform you when you are sitting right in front of me." Albus winked. Hermione was so thrilled that she wrapped her arms around the old man and gave him a big hug. It was at that moment that Severus Snape came through the floo. As soon as Hermione saw him she straightened up in her seat.
"Good morning Severus," Albus said cheerfully.
"Is it?" Severus asked. "Well, I suppose we should get down to business."
"Hermione," Albus began.
"Don't." She cut him off. "Don't you dare start like that. Despite what you may say or think you have no idea how I feel or what it is like for me to be in this situation. I am not some ignorant muggle born, I know that wizarding marriages are unbreakable. You know it too. Yet you sit there and ask me to throw my life away for the good of the Order. Not only that, but you are asking me to sign my life away before I've really had a chance to live. Why should I? I'm seventeen years old, and you are asking be to become a mother before I'm twenty. You sit there with that stupid twinkle in your eyes and you ask me to marry a man that is, for all intents and purposes, a Death Eater. A man who has never shown me an ounce of respect or kindness since I started at Hogwarts. If I had to weigh the pros and cons for that life or killing myself, I'd say they would be about equal right now." The force and speed in which Hermione executed that speech was so great that it left her exhausted. Severus just reclined in his chair with a sly grin on his face. He had to admit that the girl had a Slytherin side to her, which didn't surprise him, though it should. His mind drifted back to the conversation that started this whole mess.
FLASHBACK (Severus' P.O.V)
"Come forward Lucius and tell the others what you have been working on." The meeting is nearly over and all I can do is think about returning to my rooms at Hogwarts and taking a nice and long hot shower. I really don't care what Lucius has to say. The man thinks that he is a god. He never does anything unless it personally benefits him. Sometimes I wonder why the Dark Lord trusts him so much.
"Certainly, my Lord. As you all know I have tremendous influence at the Ministry. I have been using that influence, under our Lord's order, to get a new law passed. This law gives us access to Mudbloods and allows us to do with them as we wish." I hear gasps all around me. My training as a spy has me living on the principle that one must never show signs of shock or surprise. I have to admit that I am surprised, and I further surprise myself by gasping as well. While most people are shocked that Lucius pulled something like that off, I am shocked that the Ministry was stupid enough to go along with it.
"Thank you, Lucius. Children, now is the time for us to be building our ranks. The task has been much more difficult than anticipated due to the decrease in number of purebloods being born. It is in thinking of our future and our overall goals that I have called for a law that will both help us add to our ranks, and give us control over the Mudbloods that would fight against us. The law will be called the 'Wizarding Population Protection Act,' but in truth it should be called the 'Mudblood Enslavement Act.' Mudbloods will be forced into marriages with purebloods and will be forced to quickly produce children, or face time in Azkaban. In less than twenty years time we will have the biggest army the wizarding world has ever seen. And for you Lucius, since you have done so well I will let you and young Draco have first choice." I close my eyes and then roll them. Lucius was planning this way ahead of time. If Narcissa wasn't such a bitch I might feel sorry for her.
"I would like the rights to Hermione Granger."
"NO!" It was out of my mouth before I knew it.
"Crucio!" I was expecting that. You don't just interrupt the Dark Lord without getting a nice Crucio from him.
"You object Severus? Are you some sort of muggle lover like Dumbledore?"
"No, my Lord."
"Crucio! I like Lucius' thinking Severus. We could use that Granger girl if she really is as powerful and intelligent as everyone says she is. Besides, she is friends with Harry Potter. The young Mister Potter is no doubt as loyal and foolish as his parents were. If he were to believe that the girl is in danger of her life, he will no doubt come unprepared to her rescue. He will be so easy to defeat."
"My Lord, I apologize for speaking out of turn. I am well aware of the things Miss Granger can bring to our side. After all, she is the top student at Hogwarts, and the only student in her class than has bested Lucius' son. I have witnessed many altercations between young Messieurs Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabe and Potter and his sidekicks to know that Miss Granger loathes the Malfoy family and will go at great lengths to avoid them."
"Crucio! Thank you for your input Severus. Let it be known that any of you may petition for the girl. As to not arouse suspicion, Lucius, you will have the Ministry open petitions for the girl for one whole day, then have it closed off to everyone except Death Eaters. If the girl accepts you petition or Draco's petition, she will be yours fair and square. If she chooses another Death Eater, I expect you to be a gracious loser. If however, the girl chooses someone else, you will eliminate them."
END FLASHBACK
(A/N: I know that it is not necessary to separate the two flashback scenes, but I view them as two very different environments and whish to show them in that way)
FLASHBACK
I am pacing back and forth in front of Albus' desk as I recant everything that was said at the last Death Eater's meeting. I decide to wait until the last possible minute before telling Albus of the marriage law and Miss Granger's future involvement. I know Albus will be furious.
"Is that all Severus?"
"No Albus, I'm afraid there is more. The Dark Lord has announced tonight the passing of a marriage law that will be signed and reported on in one week's time. He plans on using this law in order to gain control over any muggle borns that would try to fight him as well as build up his army. I'm afraid that sixth and seventh year students will be affected by the law."
"This is very serious, Severus. We will have to call a special meeting of the Order of the Phoenix." I can tell that Albus is not furious as I anticipated, but rather unnerved by my news. I know that Albus has seen many things in his life and I do not doubt that this is worse than anything he has seen before.
"We have another problem to address. Miss Granger was mentioned during the marriage law portion of the meeting."
"In what way, Severus?" Now Albus is worried. After Sirius' death he has been very protective over Potter and his friends. I know, as does Minerva, that Albus feels that he has failed the boy and that he will never let that happen again.
"Lucius Malfoy has asked for her hand specifically. The Dark Lord was quick to grant him this, but I was able to convince him to allow others to petition for the girl. However, this open petition period will last for only the first day. In addition to that, the Dark Lord has ordered that if Miss Granger accepts the petition of someone that is not a Death Eater, that person must be executed immediately. This process will continue until she accepts a Death Eater's petition."
"Why is there such an interest in Miss Granger now?" He is at a loss for words and the twinkle has faded from his eyes.
"The Dark Lord has gotten word of her magical ability as well as her intelligence. He believes that she will be a vital asset to his side during the up-coming war. Her connection to Mister Potter also has him interested in her. He is aware of Potter's carelessness when it comes to his friends and he is hoping that once he gets Miss Granger into his clutches Potter will come running to her rescue without proper planning or training." I finally throw myself down in a chair. I'm tired and the crucio has taken a toll on my body.
"We must marry Miss Granger off to an Order member."
"If we do that then we are condemning that Order member to death. I'm the only one that she could possible marry in the Order." Once again, words are flying out of my mouth before I am able to comprehend them.
"Then she will have to marry you." I shoot up my eyes to meet Albus' gaze.
"You can not be serious. The girl will never agree to this, and quite frankly neither will I"
"Severus, you are our only option. Miss Granger is very important to Harry and we can not let her slip through our fingers. And honestly, Severus, you are the only person in the Order that I would trust with such a task. You are the only one that can protect her, as well as Harry and young Mister Weasley."
"Albus, I just can not ask the girl to marry me, even under the circumstances, knowing full well that wizarding marriages are permanent. The magical bond that is created can never be broken. Forever is such a long time for a girl of Miss Granger's age, especially if forever means being married to a man like me." It saddens me to a point to admit this. I know that there is nothing desirable about me, but it is admitting it out loud that hurt.
"Now, now Severus, Miss Granger is a very intelligent young woman, as you well know, and I believe that she is very careful when it comes to making big decisions. So I have to ask you, can we count on you? Will you agree to petition for Miss Granger?"
"Yes, Albus, I will do it."
END FLASHBACK
Severus sat up quickly. "Now you listen to me Miss Granger. You are not the only one who is entirely thrilled about this situation. I want to make it perfectly clear to you that I am in no way looking forward to this union, and let me assure you, it will take place. You will marry me, you will fulfill all of your wifely duties, and you will bear my children. We all have to make sacrifices in this war, and this will be yours. If you choose someone else than you will be responsible for his death, and if you chose to leave or end your life, then you will be responsible for the loss of the war because Potter will not be able to win if he is mourning you." He was very angry. The girl had a flair for the dramatic that he would never have expected to see.
"You arrogant bastard!" she screamed. "What gives you the right to say those things to me, to make those demands of me. I don't want that kind of a life. I don't to be some man's slave. I want to graduate from Hogwarts, then go to University, and then work to make a difference in the world. I can't do that if I'm married with kids. I can't willingly enter a marriage void of love and respect. I can't give my innocence to a man that hates me." Hermione now had silent tears falling freely down her face. Upon seeing this, Severus' face softened.
"Miss Granger, Hermione, I do not hate you and I never did. You are the most brilliant student I have ever taught, and you have no idea how much I've longed to tell you that."
"Then why didn't you?"
"Because I am the head of Slytherin House. The Serpent's Den is full of junior Death Eaters and I must maintain my loyal appearances at all times. I can not offer praise to a muggle born, no matter how deserving, because if it gets back to the Dark Lord my position may be compromised. And while I may not be discovered as I spy, I would most definitely loose rank with the Dark Lord, and I can not do that to the Order. Look Hermione, I may not be the most pleasant man, and I may not be the most attractive man, but I promise you that I do respect you, and that I will do everything in my power to protect you and make you happy. Don't worry about graduating from Hogwarts, we have already made plans for married students and any children they might have, and I'm sure that we will work out something for University when the time comes. As for your innocence, while we will have to procreate eventually, I promise that we can wait until you are ready, or until the last
possible moment that he have to conceive." Sometime during his speech Severus had knelt in front of Hermione and taken her hands into his. "And if you really want. I will promise to do my best to protect whoever you choose, if you do not choose me."
"Perhaps Severus, you should go and submit your petition as we are running out of time. The Ministry closes at 5:30 this evening and we shall look at all the petitions that arrive for Miss Granger at that time. Hermione, we must have a decision from you after dinner. I'm sorry that I can not give you more time to make such a big decision, but we have act fast in order to stay one step ahead of the Death Eaters."
"Yes Headmaster. If you don't mind, I would like some time to look at the petitions alone. Do not worry about me. Professor Snape is right, Harry will not be able to do what is needed of him if he is upset over losing me in any way. I promise I will attend dinner," Hermione said smoothly. "Please let Harry, Ron, and the others know that I want to be left alone until dinner."
Albus nodded in agreement and took Severus out of the room. "I am very surprised at the way you handled Miss Granger, Severus."
"I meant what I said to her, every word."
"Perhaps you are forming some sort of attachment to the girl. Don't give me that look, Severus. It is only natural to become attracted to someone with Hermione's intellectual abilities when they match your own abilities." Albus had the familiar twinkle in his eyes.
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Albus."
"Of course you don't, my boy."
The two men went their separate ways, Albus to the kitchen for some tea, and Severus back to Hogwarts. Both men were waiting anxiously for dinner and for Hermione's announcement that would follow.