"Hermione, Bill, Oliver, Severus. It's wonderful to see you all," Albus stood, waving his arms in a grand welcoming gesture. "Hermione, how are you faring?" he asked, stepping up to her, and tilting her chin up to look into her eyes.
"I have a horrible headache, but I'm starting a batch of headache potion this afternoon," she said. Snape reached into the pocket of his robes and produced a bottle. She gave him a curious look.
"I never go anywhere without it," he muttered, standing to the side of the couch that Oliver and Bill sat on. Hermione sat on a chair in front of Albus' desk, as he walked back around and took his own seat. She drank the potion down and was immediately releived that the headache worked especially well, thanks to the Potion Master's incredible skills.
"Well, my dear. I believe you understand why I've called you all hear. This has to do with your future marriage, of course. I have an idea to, shall we say, even the playing ground for all three young wizards," Albus said. Oliver snorted at the use of young, glancing up at Snape who stared at Hermione, emotionless, his gaze unfathomable.
"Mr. Wood. Have you any idea how old I am?" Dumbledore chuckled. "You know as well as the next wizard that we most live until three-hundred years. I'm 158 myself. Severus, Bill, and yourself are indeed very young by wizarding standards.
"Well Hermione's a muggle-born. There's little chance she'll choose someone twice her age. He's what... fifty?" Oliver smirked.
"Thirty-Eight," Snape muttered, darkly, throwing a glare at the younger man. (I think JK said he was born in January 1960 and that the "Golden Trio" graduated in 1999, so it would be 1998 this year, because they graduate the next June, and that would make him 38. I hope I got this right. Correct me if you must)
"All the same... he's too old for her or anyone else to marry, not to mention he's a snarky bastard," Oliver muttered.
"Oliver, hold your tongue. He's the only reason you made it into any Defense College. Do you think there was any reason you even passed your potions NEWTs. He's not that much older than me and anyone would be glad to have him, though I admit at times he may be a 'snarky bastard' as you so kindly put it. Now, can you please be quiet so the Headmaster can explain what he has planned?" Hermione asked, sighing deeply. Oliver stared at her in astonishment. Snape wore an amused sneer, and Bill snorted before laughing outright.
"Defending your favorite teacher, Hermione, dear?" he asked, in a soft and mirthful voice, sounding much like his mother.
"Actually, Professor McGonagal is my favorite teacher if you must know, then Professor Sinistra, but Professor Snape falls in a close third," Hermione stated. "However many times he tries to bring me down with his mean comments and names, I doubt he will move from that position. He has taught me a lot," Hermione said, calmly.
"Excellent Hermione, I always knew you to be a remarkable judge of character," Albus smiled, broadly.
"I don't judge my teachers by their character, Professor, if that be the case, he would rank just above Professor Trelawny," Hermione said, a small smile playing across her lips.
"Was that a joke, Hermione?" Bill asked, grabbing his heart in mock-shock.
"I believe it was. No offense meant, of course, Professor Snape," Hermione looked up at him, smiling.
He felt a twitch at the corner of his lips. "At least you haven't completely lost your mind. I was beginning to think you might actually like me for my sparkling personality"
"Oh my god, he made a joke!" Bill actually was shocked as his eyes widened and he stood quickly.
"Indeed, Weasley," Snape muttered, all traces of his smile vanished into a scowl.
"Headmaster," Hermione looked at the smiling wizard expectantly.
"Oh yes, of course. Hermione, to level the courting ground for all three contenders, I wuold like to first have three trial dates if you will. I believe you must get to know the sides of your suitors that you would see after your marriage," Albus said. Snape's eyes flashed, when Hermione looked at him. He shifted his weight to his other foot. She studied him for a moment, which wasn't awkward as she was facing the two on the couch anyways. His eyes met hers and she looked away quickly, back to Dumbledore.
"So, how is your schedule Miss Granger?" Albus smiled.
"Fine, sir, though I do have classes tomorrow. Perhaps next weekend," Hermione said.
"Excellent. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights I assume would be alright? It won't interfere with your schoolwork, will it?" he asked.
"Professor, when have I ever let anything interfere with my schoolwork. Though thanks to someone who loves asking me obscure questions to see if I'll embarass myself, I have to spend every Saturday researching all types of potions and theories. Thanks to him I've lost half my weekend for the past six years," Hermione muttered, sending Snape a glare. He had a satisfied look on his face.
"And I will get you with one of those questions and you'll probably lose a multitude of points because of it, Miss Granger, not to mention a weeks worth of detentions. Perhaps I'll make you clean all the cauldrons the first day without magic, make you brew all of Madame Pomphreys pain-stakingly boring and rudimentary potions the next five days and then have you clean the cauldrons by hand again. Ah, the wonderful possibilities," Snape smirked.
"If you were to add a Lentell with a shock of eel electricity then a drop of vampire blood, what would it create?" she asked, promptly.
"Twenty-five points from Gryffendor for daring to question a teacher," Snape smirked. "Given to a dead being, it would create a zombie, but you would need Tenna Root to stabilize the zombie longer to last over ten minutes," Snape replied.
"Tenna Petals are needed as well to make the zombie stable enough to stay alive for days at a time. They will only answer to the maker of the potion," Hermione pointed out.
"Sixty points back to Gryffendor for amazing intellect and the courage to counter Severus in a battle of wits, something I have never before seen, regarding his own subject," Albus smiled.
"Thank you headmaster, anyways, I believe we must plan who has which days," Hermione said.
"I require Saturday evening, if you Miss Granger would accept," Snape said, softly, trying to contain his anger at her obvious challenge to his knowledge of potions.
"Of course sir and if you are to be courting me, perhaps you should call me Hermione, just as Oliver and Bill do. Besides, you make me feel like a stupid first year calling me Miss Granger like that," Hermione said, shivering at the thought of the first two lonely months of her first year at Hogwarts.
He nodded curtly. "You may also use my given name as long as we are not in the company of your peers," Snape said.
"I always liked your name," she said, smiling.
"Hey Saturday is when the best movies are playing!" Oliver complained as the thought struck him.
"You may have Friday then, Oliver. I have no problem escorting Hermione on Sunday," Bill said, generously. "I didn't know that you knew what a movie was, Oliver"
"My aunt is a squib, one of the ones that caused this whole petition business in the first place. She introduced me to them two years ago," Oliver said. "I've been mad about them ever since. Have you ever seen one Hermione? They're amazing"
"Oliver, I'm a muggle-born remember?" Hermione laughed at his excited face.
"Oh ya, sorry, I forgot," Oliver said, looking sheepish.
"I don't mind," Hermione smiled softly.
"So, who is willing to escort Hermione back to her rooms... oh before I forget, Oliver Bill I need to speak with you alone. Severus, would you be so kind as to see Miss Granger safely to the Heads Quarters?" he asked.
Snape rolled his eyes. "You really think you're fooling everyone with that twinkle of innocence in your eyes, don't you old man?" Snape muttered. "Miss Gr-Hermione," Snape corrected himself with a growl as he held out his arm. She looped hers through it, shyly, and he led her to the door. "By the way Albus, your interference will help nothing," he called back.
"It seems to be doing fine so far!" Albus called back as Snape shut the door.
"He really wants me to choose you doesn't he?" Hermione said, blushing madly. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck, though she wished it weren't, so it would provide at least a bit of protection from his piercing gaze that studied her face scrutinously.
"He wants what is best for your protection. However, Albus and I don't see eye-to-eye on many things. He doesn't realize that by accepting my petition you'd be under Legilimens attacks from the dark lord trying to figure out what was going on and that I couldn't keep you from Lucius always, as he visits me regularly," Snape mumbled, in a very soft voice.
"But he wouldn't be able to... again..." Hermione looked down.
She felt his opposite hand reach around and turn her face to look at him, gently. "I would never let him touch you," Snape said, his voice sharp. "If you chose me, I could promise that he wouldn't ever lay a hand on you. I'm most likely the middle part of your vision, because I doubt you'd be able to love an old bat like me and I'd sure as hell never let you die," he said.
Hermione frowned. Snape was acting much different than she had ever seen. She had rarely seen him without a scowl on his face. But now his expression was soft, he was gentle. She took the hand he still had on her cheek, and squeezed it gently, before letting go. He dropped it to his side, and looked forward again.
"What is it you're planning that you need Saturday for?" Hermione asked.
"I suppose I could have chosen Friday, but either way it will be a surprise," he said. "The headmaster gave me forewarning for this meeting and I have something planned. I do not know if it will be to your liking but Virginia Weasley seems to think my idea quite perfect," Snape told her.
"You talked to Ginny? As in my best friend Ginny Weasley? You went through that just to see if it was okay?" Hermione let a small smile grace her features.
"She came to my office, asking for my opinion on a subject involving Mr. Malfoy so I answered her question and returned with one of my own. Draco and Miss Weasley sure do seem a happy couple, even through the danger of it, or possibly because," Severus let out a dark chuckle.
"Couple!" Hermione squeaked.
"Your best friend did not tell you of her relationship with my godson?" Snape asked. "I never thought that girl to be able to keep a secret. It's amazing really"
"Godson? Draco is your godson?" Hermione said, faintly.
"Yes, seventeen years ago I was friends with dear old Lucius, before I joined Albus of course, a time I do not wish to discuss. Needless to say, Lucius made me his first and only son's godfather," Snape said, his scowl returning and his face darkening immensely. Hermione felt a shiver pass through her, as she thought of the blonde man.
"Are you cold?" Snape asked, looking down at her.
"N-no, just thinking of Lucius Malfoy..." Hermione trailed off. She looked at her feet, stopping, as they had reached a tapestry holding the Hogwarts Crest.
"Lemon Drops and Candy Canes," he said to the tapestry, which pulled back to reveal a wall. They walked directly into the wall and came out into the Head Common Room. Half of it was decorated in black, green, and silver, and the other half in gold, red, and white. The room was split directly down the middle. Even the main couch was half black half white and the walls were painted with an abrupt line between the green and red. Godric Gryffendor's painting hung on the red half of the back wall, and Salazar Slytherin's was against the dark green half of the back wall.
Snape placed a hand on both of her shoulders, holding her at arms length and looking seriously down into her eyes. "Hermione, do not let thoughts of Lucius Malfoy haunt you. I will protect you from him at least no matter who you choose due to this silly law and if he does get to you again, I will personally kill whoever let him get to you," Snape said. "Promise you will try to forget," he said, softly.
"I will try, but-" Hermione was cut off.
"Don't say anything more," he interrupted.
"Thank you sir, for... everything," Hermione said. She stepped closer and hugged him. Hesitantly he returned the hug, not used to such human contact from anyone other than Albus.
"Get some sleep," he said, pulling back. He pressed a bottle into her hand.
"Dreamless?" she asked, after opening it and taking a sniff.
"Well done," Snape replied. She looked at him, gratitude in her eyes. He had never before complimented her on her potions expertise, and it was the perfect time to do so with her in such spirits.
Hermione looked at Godric who smiled approvingly at her. "He will be good for you my dear," the old painting said. Hermione blushed bright red before hurring into the room within, hoping that Snape hadn't heard.

Celi: Thanks, I'm trying to put more SSHG into it, and I hope I don't make it go too fast. Thanks for the review.

Faerluthio: You do me honor. Thank you. I didn't know if anyone would appreciate how I tried to make Severus in that part last chapter. It means a lot to me that you did.

Verity Brown: I'm afraid he falls out of character for a stint in this chapter. Many appologies wonderful reviewer, many many appologies.

Natsuyori: Thanks for pointing that out. I actually went and looked up the age. Sure enough. He was born in January of 1960 in the Harry Potter Lexicon, so I'm going by that. Which would make him thirty-eight. Pardon for the confusion. I'm usually rather good at math

Hysterically Insane Author: How many usernames do you use to review my stories. It gets confusing sometimes. Anyways, I'm glad for your review. I'm glad you liked the banter.

June: Sorry, but there's mucho Bill in this chapter, he's there through almost all of it, so I hope we're all cleared up. I didn't mean to confuse my friend, I'm very sorry.

Magic-Kitten: Well if you've heard of the challenge, it's obvious who must be love, but I want an air of mistique for the lot who haven't figured it out. So, shhh. maybe there's one ignorant reader out there!!!

gizmama: Thanks bunches for the review. Even a few words will help. I like looking at the numbers soar when I update. It's quite fun really.

Lone Angel: Sorry, but I have to update in short sections now, I'm just too tired and bogged down by EOC prep. I have all accelerated classes and it's tiring I'll tell ya. I have to work hard to keep a C in my math class. Foster's a bust.

Strega in progress: I love your enthusiasm when you review. Thanks, and I thought someone might like how he just knows when they're talking about him. I think it's cool too.

Acila: Thank loads and tons. You rock

kiss-of-cuteness: so commanding... hehe

Grangerhermoine: Do I get milk and cocoa now?

SamanthaRiddle: Thanks. I want you to write a one-word review. It's better than nothing at all! That's what makes you awesome!

Tina: Late reviews don't matter because it takes me so long to update. Hehe. I didn't have spell check either. I had to use simpletext just to get this up. Sorry if the mechanics suck, but I'm usually all right at mechanics. It's the too lazy to read over that kills my writing. Thanks for the review!

xoRetributionox: Well If you know the challenge, you should know, but keep reading pretending you're completely in awe and suspense because you don't.

starlightdreamer: nice name, and thanks. I love compliments.

mugglegirl: yes, here's a little bit more sshg, but I'm sorry to say it comes with repricussions, a slight OOC I think. Sorry, but there will be more sshg soon. i promise

Review Please!!!