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Chapter 8
Hermione was stunned. Despite all of his power, it looked as though Albus Dumbledore would be bested by the likes of Lucius Malfoy. That a Death Eater would call a petition into question for such a petty reason was despicable. It was yet another reminder that while Voldemort's inner circle seldom followed the law, they often twisted it to suit their needs.
As Malfoy's current endeavor was to acquire her for his son, Hermione had a vest interest in making sure that he didn't succeed. She had no intention of being his latest purchase; bought by way of an elaborate web of connections and shady payoffs. As she watched him gloat, she was afraid that all of her careful planning had been a waste and that she should have run away when she had the chance.
She expelled that thought quickly. There was a reason she didn't act hastily before; she was through with the act-first-think-later plans that defined the Golden Trio. Only careful planning was going to get her out of this. That she was overtired and hadn't thought out the implications of this meeting was now obvious to her. How could she have allowed herself to come here without a wand?
As she berated herself, she began to envision how she could have gotten away with it. Snape and the others assumed that she didn't have a wand -- so that would have been her perfect cover -- in fact it had been Snape that informed the guard. If only she had thought of that sooner. She would like to have continued spending her time imagining how things could have gone, but there was no use in dwelling in the past any longer.
She decided she wasn't going to interfere with the proceedings until she was sure of an unfavorable outcome. At this juncture it wouldn't be prudent to risk upsetting the Headmaster's plan, but she wasn't about to rely solely on him for her safety. He had tested her and her friends far too often for her to assume that he wasn't above leaving her to fend for herself -- under the guise of testing her. She needed to think of how to handle this -- and fast.
Reviewing the situation and her options, she came to the conclusion that things might not be as bad as she thought. If they did lose the case that didn't mean the ministry would let Malfoy take her away right then and there. If they stuck true to the law she had six months to marry, so there was no reason she should not return to school. Luckily for her, they were still keeping up the facade that the Death Eater marriages were real. With Dumbledore present, she had a high-ranking official to run interference in that regard.
On the other hand, if they allowed Malfoy to take her immediately, she would have to act quickly. She ruefully thought that a wand would be helpful, and wondered if she could borrow one. She would never get Snape's wand; the git had probably cast a spell to glue it to his arm. Dumbledore was currently seated too far away, and he would also be unlikely to give up his wand. She couldn't help but wonder what it was with wizards and their wands? If it wasn't the one they were worried about, it was the other.
Pushing that intrusive thought away, she wondered if McGonagall would be more willing to comply if asked nicely. Maybe -- but it would be better to steal it -- if she could. In any case she could still Apparate -- thank Merlin she didn't need a wand for that. Once again she mused that the £12.95 she spent on the How-To-Win-At-Poker-At-All-Costs book was the best investment she had ever made. Bracing herself for the worst possible scenario, Hermione mulled over plans and counter plans as the proceedings continued in the courtroom.
Lucius Malfoy displayed his perfect teeth in a triumphant grin as he continued his admonishment of the Headmaster. He was determined to void the petition at all costs and was aware of his audacity to complain that the letter of the law hadn't been followed in this instance. "As the petition from Professor Dumbledore is not valid, I believe--"
"According to my records," this interruption came from the aloof and probably corrupt witch and she rustled through a stack of papers. Seizing upon her find, she continued, "Ah yes, according to my records this matter has already been decided."
"Pardon?" Came the mockingly innocent inquiry. Malfoy's smile brightened just a bit more as he said, "Perfect! Well, I'll be taking my future daughter-in-law home with me then." Turning to gather up his belongings, it was evident that he had not expected anyone to argue with him.
'Well then- on to Plan B,' Hermione thought as her hand began to creep for Professor McGonagall's wand pocket.
"No, I think you misunderstand me Mister Malfoy. The matter of Albus Dumbledore's right to petition on behalf of Severus Snape has already been decided," was her cold response.
Although he tried to keep his temper in check, Malfoy was used to getting his way, and this glitch was certainly not welcome. "How so?" he asked as his smile took on an artificial bearing.
Hermione noticed a slight gleam in the other witch's eyes as she relayed her story. "I must say, it was actually quite unusual. When we received the petition from Headmaster Dumbledore, he requested an immediate private review to address any issues that might hinder the process. During the meeting his authority to act on Professor Snape's behalf was made clear and accepted. However, as Miss Granger was not yet of age the file was sealed and set aside awaiting her 18th birthday."
The gleam in her eyes had grown to a full smile at the wizard's growing displeasure. She turned to the young girl and said, "I believe that was yesterday?" Hermione could only nod at this now familiar question, embarrassed that her hand still hovered in the direction of her beloved professor's pocket. "Yes, well -- Happy Birthday Dear." The woman said the words kindly, knowing that under the circumstances this ruling would be a cherished birthday gift.
The young woman numbly stared at her benefactor and said a quiet 'thank you' just as Professor McGonagall turned to her. She interpreted Hermione's outstretched hand as an appeal for support, and the older woman immediately pulled her into a crushing embrace. Hermione allowed the guilt of her near betrayal to slip away as the news finally suck in.
She was free -- well, not free -- but free of Malfoy and his family. Hermione couldn't suppress the joy that bubbled inside of her. And she thought the witch had been on the take -- well, looks could apparently be deceiving. She was so giddy that she almost missed the next exchange.
"When did this take meeting place?" Malfoy asked though gritted teeth.
After a quick confirmation at the paperwork in front of her, the witch replied, "Well, I do believe it was three weeks before the law went into effect."
Hermione didn't have to look to her side to know that her and Snape's mouths had just dropped open in shock.
"Close your mouths children, I'm running a school for wizards, not fish," the headmaster chuckled at his own wit.
Snape was furious; yet again the benevolent Albus Dumbledore had used him. While he thought he was protecting an innocent child from dark forces, it was now clear that this was merely another move in the Headmaster's twisted chess match. Sometimes he even wondered if the old man was still playing against Voldemort -- or if he was just playing with himself. After taking a moment to regain his composure, Snape cocked his head ever so slightly to the powerful wizard and seethed under his breath, "I thought you said that you came up with this idea just recently?"
"No, I believe I said that you came up with it just recently." The Headmaster paused and then added with some mirth, "I came up with it quite some time ago."
Further discussion was halted as Malfoy yelled out, "This is preposterous!"
"We are all entitled to our opinions Mister Malfoy, however this matter has long since been settled. I don't even know why this claim was ever brought to the board in the first place." At this she gave a pointed look at the spindly man who had the sense to look ashamed.
The general murmur of the courtroom became quite loud, so that even the insistent banging of a gavel went unnoticed. Apparently the cronies in the gallery had been looking for a show, and this one had proved enjoyable. Only after the presiding wizard warned that the courtroom might be cleared did the excited group finally calm down.
The rest of the proceedings continued in a blur. As the case was dismissed and the paperwork filed, Hermione couldn't help but think that perhaps Malfoy's considerable money and power were not as far reaching as he had imagined. Either that, or in this instance there was someone more powerful working against him. In no time at all her thoughts were back to the Headmaster, and she reminded herself that she should be glad that he was working on her behalf.
Turning to leave she caught Professor Snape staring at her and asked him, "how did this happen?"
Still livid about the recent betrayal he spared no thought to his words, "I wouldn't expect a Gryffindor to understand anything about planning. Obviously many hours were spent assuring your safety."
She was about to retort that she had always spent hours planning out her studies and was currently planning much more, but stopped herself in time. Though she needn't have bothered; as he had already turned to go -- clearly not interested in conversing with her.
As soon as Snape was outside of the courtroom, he berated himself for his callous comment. As much as he despised the situation, he had to admit that she was as much of a pawn as he was. In accordance with someone else's demands, they were to become husband and wife. He shuddered at the thought of taking such responsibility over another's life. Task him with the murder of an enemy, or risk torture to himself, and he would gladly comply -- that had been the agreement. But to be encumbered with the safety and well being of a wife; to be the one expected to ensure her happiness? That scenario had never even been discussed.
He had agreed to this farce as a last resort, and even then it had been under duress. To find out that this event would have taken place regardless of his consent was appalling, and for a moment he empathized with the young girl. To have such an important decision taken from you was demoralizing. He was frustrated by his lack of control over his own life, and couldn't help feeling that after all his years of serving two masters this betrayal went too far.
His anger built as he re-examined his predicament, and he didn't notice Lucius Malfoy until the other man was upon him. The Dark Lord's right hand man was furious as he grabbed his 'supposed' ally and pulled him into a nearby hallway. Snape went along without a fight; he had been expecting this little interlude.
"What was the meaning of that?" Malfoy hissed in his ear.
In preparation of this discussion, Snape had devised many different answers to that question. However, after what had just been revealed -- none of them seemed appropriate. Pushing aside the defeat he felt, he pulled from the anger that remained and answered, "I don't know -- but I intend to find out."
"Don't even think of playing tricks with me. If you and that Mudblood-loving crackpot think you are going to protect that girl you are sadly mistaken." The words were said with Lucius' usual venom -- one that Snape regularly ignored; but this time he couldn't hide his disgust.
"I assure you Lucius, I had no intention of stealing your son's new toy. I know how petulant he is when he doesn't get his way. Though it is a shame that you had to purchase a Mudblood to provide him with... sexual experiences." Because of Malfoy's highly regarded place in Voldemort's inner circle, Snape knew it was a mistake to confront him. But if the man had any intelligence it would have been clear that this was the Headmaster's plan alone.
Angered by Snape's lack of respect, Malfoy decided to change tactics and grinned back at him in return. "I'll admit that having to marry you, instead of my son, would be much worse on her. Was that your plan all along?" His voice dropped and the smile left his face as he delivered the final insult. "Imagine her horror at being forced to bed the greasy git, I'm sure that even with all the water at Hogwarts, there still wouldn't be enough to wash her clean."
Hearing Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall as they exited the courtroom, Snape ignored the hateful comment and turned to rejoin his group. Pushing past the other man he heard Malfoy's parting words, "This is not over Snape -- I will get what's mine."
Snape wondered what Malfoy would think if he knew that despite his impeccable hygiene, he was the one that made the greasy git's skin crawl.
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A/N: Thanks again to NegativeNine for her beta work!!
About not needing a wand to Apparate... According to the HP Lexicon there may be evidence to support that this can be done as wandless magic. I wasn't able to find anything that said it specifically couldn't be done without a wand, so I decided to allow it. If anyone finds otherwise please let me know.
Thanks to everyone that has reviewed!! Any and all feedback on the story is appreciated!! I'll try not to leave you with any more nasty cliffhangers...
LaSilvia: Hope Jenn and I didn't embarass you too much!!
Sukkumbus: You're so funny... anything that makes me think about the story is welcome!! And to you and Lady Adyra -- thanks for mentioning the heavy breathing scene -- I was trying for a bit of something there and was beginning to wonder if it missed the mark.
Cherry Blood1: Yes Lucius is a nasty man. Don't get me wrong, I like the reformed Lucius' in other stories -- he just didn't suit my needs this time...
Lyress: I hope this showed Hermione's backbone a bit better. It wasn't gone, just resting -- she's had a rough day ;-)