Hello there people. So why exactly was Hermione so mad about the earring? That has to be the single most frequently asked question I've ever gotten for a story, lol. The answer to why is in the chapter. The funny thing about it is that at first I had her acting just really bitchy, but then I decided I'd need a reason (even though I was originally just trying to switch it up) besides showing her pent up frustrations, so I came up with this idea...it was rather akin to an epiphany, actually
Anyway, thank you for all your reviews! And here's your next chapter:
Severus finds Harry walking down a hall on the second floor, "Harry," he calls, but the boy doesn't stop. "Harry," he tries again, still to no avail
The older man is slowly gaining ground, but it's not until Harry reaches a window that he stops, looking out at the grounds. Severus takes the opportunity to slow his pace slightly until he's standing directly behind the boy
"Why was she so mad?" Harry whispers quietly, sounding distraught
Severus shakes his head while replying, "I have no idea," as he wraps his arms around the others waist from behind
"She just flipped out...I don't understand what I did," he sounds so lost, so Severus turns him in his arms and holds him closer, the boy burying his face in his neck
"Shhh," Severus says comfortingly, one hand moving in circles on Harry's back, the other carding through his raven locks, "She was just shocked, I bet. She'll calm down...she'll see. It'll be ok, Harry"
"Severus! Harry! What do you think you're doing?" The voice of McGonagall echoes through the hall, coming from the direction in which both Harry and Severus had come just minutes previous. As the pair looks towards her, they see most, if not all, the residence of the castle standing there in shocked silence. How they all managed to sneak up on them, they're not quite sure
As Severus opens his mouth to respond, Albus appears at the front of the crowd and turns to McGonagall, "Ah, Minerva," he says cheerfully, "Surly you remember Harry Lawrence?"
Minerva and all the teachers that were working in the castle 20 years ago let their mouths drop open as they look at a blushing Harry who is now simply standing beside Severus, careful to keep a respectable distance between them once more. Neither is very fond of public displays of affection due to their wills to keep their private lives just that: private
"He...that was...and that's where..." Minerva stumbles over her words, then finally gets out, "But that was different, Albus! They were both 16 then"
The students began murmuring at the statement, causing Harry to blush as he looks down at the ground
"Love knows no age, Minerva," Albus says gently, smiling at the pair
"Love!" Someone somewhere near the middle of the crowd shouts, then people can be seen moving, as if being displaced to make room for said person to make their way forward
"You two can't be in love. You hate each other," Hermione says angrily as she appears from within the depths of the crowd, "And besides, you're student and teacher!"
"Miss Granger, there are no rules against this," Albus assures her and everyone else
"That doesn't make it right , sir"
"There is nothing wrong about what they're doing," Dumbledore continues to persist
"Hermione..." Ron comes up from behind her and places a hand on her shoulder, which she shrugs off irritably, "Hermione," he says more forcefully, gaining her attention, "I know you've been on edge since Harry disappeared, but he's back now and you should be happy about that, at least," he tries to reason with her
"I am glad he's back," She says, then turns to Harry, "I am," she insists, "It's just that...we didn't know where you were and you come back marked! By someone you barely know, probably, and then I hear you're in love with Professor Snape all of a sudden?"
"Marked? I haven't been marked," Harry says, eyes wide while a look of comprehension falls upon Severus' face
"You mean he didn't even tell you?"
"Miss Granger, I gave him the earring. I suggested he got it, he accepted and insisted that I do it for him. He didn't get it from just anybody, so that fear can be laid to rest"
"You willingly marked him?" The young witch looks confused
"Marked! What the hell do you mean!" Harry shouts, angry at not getting answers yet
"Yes, Harry; marked," Hermione sighs, but Severus interrupts before she can say anymore
"An earring on a male in the wizarding world means, with the right intention, that they are claimed. A fact that I seemed to have forgotten about until now. I'm sorry, Harry"
"Wait...you claimed me?" Harry is angered by this, as well, because he wasn't asked, "You didn't even as if you could!"
Severus winces at the tone, "I did not claim you. It was designed so you have to say a spell to claim someone. This way you can have anyone pierce you without worry of being tied to them unwillingly. Most wizards are claimed immediately after the earring is acquired, so it is no wonder that Miss Granger saw it and assumed"
"But what if I'm just walking through Hogsmeade, or the halls, even, and someone says the spell and I'm bound to them?"
"You have to want it too, otherwise it doesn't work," Severus says
"So I have it, but I'm not claimed," Harry states, trying to sort it all out. At the look of hurt that flashes in the older man's eyes he amends, "Not officially, at least"
Severus visibly relaxes, "Exactly"
"So...You didn't claim him?" Hermione asks, still perplexed
"You know, for an extremely intelligent witch, you really miss the obvious facts every once in awhile, don't you? No, Miss Granger, I merely gave him an accessory"
"Hermione," Harry addresses his friend, "I'm glad to know I can count on you to protect me, but I'm fine with Severus," The name coming out of his lips effects the student body just as much as if he would've said the Dark Lord's name, "Trust me, even if you don't trust him"
"I trust you, Harry," She walks forward and they embrace
"Congrats, Mate," Ron smiles, slapping him on the back once the hug ends
"Alright; ok," Dumbledore says to the students and faculty, "Everyone to your classes now, please"
The group slowly breaks up as they head to their respective classrooms
Severus and Harry wait until most everyone is gone before pulling each other into a tight embrace
"I love you, Harry," Severus whispers in the others ear, just loud enough for Harry to hear
"I love you too, Severus. And thank you," he whispers just as quiet
"For what?" Severus pulls back in shock
"Not claiming me without asking me first"
"It wouldn't've worked if I had tried before anyway"
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," Harry smiles, kisses the unsure frown and walks away with his friends in tow to Transfiguration
"So, you guys are really ok with this?" Harry asks once out of earshot
"Do you really love him?" Ron asks with a scrunched nose
"Yeah...I do," He doesn't notice the goofy grin on his face with the admission
"I still have my reservations, but I'll try to make them go away if he makes you happy," Hermione admits
"He does," Harry reassures her
"Well, I still don't quite understand it, but I say 'hurrah!'. If you want the greasy git, you can have him," Ron declares good-naturedly
Harry laughs, "Thanks, Ron," then adds, after an oh-so subtle clearing of Hermione's throat, "And Hermione"
So that's the second chapter. I hope the earring/Hermione being so mad was explained well enough. The next chapter, I am proud to inform you, has a slash scene. It's a little bit of an odd chapter, but over-all very touching, I think
Please tell me what you thought of this chapter!