The two figures approached the Headmaster's office, cringing simultaneously at the sight of the door at the top of the spiraling staircase. Before either could knock, it was thrown open by force by none other than the furious Albus Dumbledore. Behind him sat the worrisome Minerva McGonagall wearing away at the handle of the chair she was currently seated in. The two figures sat in seats beside the deputy Headmistress, and listened to the older wizard boom words at them.
"I have taught and lead this school for countless years. I have managed to maintain a safe environment for the majority of my students and faculty. To be repaid with this most unjust and treacherous act is disrespectful and below you. Of all the people I would think to betray me, you, Severus, and you Hermione were last on my list. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
The two figures sitting in their chairs responded only by avoiding the Headmaster's gaze and taking a sudden interest in the various magical photos that littered his office.
"How long has this been going on?"
"How long has what been going on, Sir?"
"Miss Granger," the Headmaster asked, "I have never known you to be dim-witted. You know what I am inquiring about."
"There was no affair, Headmaster, if of course that was your inquisition."
"Then, Severus, why was there a copy of a petition of marriage sent to me this morning?"
"I petitioned for marriage to Professor Snape sir, so that I may continue my studies at Hogwarts. You see, Headmaster, I was already petitioned by others- Quidditch players sir, who would surely take me away from my studies. Professor Snape agreed."
"Madam Pomfrey has already informed us of your situation, Miss Granger. There is no need to lie."
Said Minerva McGonagall sitting in the chair adjacent from her, sipping what Hermione was sure to be brandy.
"Well, you see, I-"
"We were well ahead of the law Headmaster, and we agreed to participate with the vile and unfair act without haste. Miss Granger having the child early will allow her to sit for her tests at the end of the year."
Dumbledore looked from the two, glancing back and forth between them.
"Is this true, Miss Granger?"
"Yes Headmaster."
She lied downright.
"I will not sit back while my teachers and students sexually," at this Hermione flinched, "frolic about in the castle. I will not allow these kinds of relationships at my school. I cannot press the amount of exposure you will both be dealing with. I will take no part in your defense, nor will I justify your actions. Due to your situation, I can no longer attend to aid you in these matters. You are dismissed."
They rose together, looking once back at the Headmaster, the one whom only days before would have offered them lemon drops with a twinkle in his eye, and they left. Neither said a word between themselves until they reached the end of the corridor.
"I never knew Gryffindors were such cunning liars."
"You're calling me a liar? I believe all I did was keep an oath."
"I see. The honorable Miss Granger."
"I didn't do it for honor, Sir," the word spilled off her tongue like liquid acid, "I did it for my dignity."
"And when might you have lost this . . . dignity as you call it?"
"When I let you touch me. Most repulsive I might say."
He was taken aback. He stood in front of her for a moment. For the second time she had shocked him, but he didn't let it steer him off his course. He leaned in close to her, his hair brushing the side of her cheek, and his nose close enough to her ear that she could hear his silent breathing. She was quite unnerved, he noticed.
"Might I have known that I repulsed you, Miss Granger, I would have surely touched you more often; if only the means of ruining your day. Oh, and by the way, I prepare to make your life a living hell. I accept."
With that, he walked away, his black billowing robes swirling around him in a way that made him seem more dastardly that he already was. Hermione on the other hand stood wide eyed at his open proclamation of their marriage. She didn't know what to do.
No one was invited to the ceremony, nor was anyone informed of it. It proceeded one week after the Headmaster's meeting inside of the Ministry of Magic, where an ordained Wizard bonded them. The rings were normal, and plain, thin pieces of gold on their fingers. Severus Snape did not kiss his bride, nor did he want to. With a sure scowl he accepted the scroll that licenced their marriage, the same that would, with an audible 'pop', file itself away at the Ministry headquarters. That same scroll would only imitate an apparation noise if the marriage was consummated at least eight hours afterward.
Hermione had informed the High Wizard of her current condition, asking if the marriage still had to be consummated. His exact words being: "I do believe that all ceremonies are identical, entailing all of the same details. Nothing can be done to change this for it would indeed give you leeway to find a common marriage loophole." She had sighed at that. After protesting her case once more she silently followed Snape to his dungeons.
He, like always, whispered his password, telling her shortly after that what belonged to him was his, and he would not let her interfere with it. He plopped down on the couch soon after with a bottle of Old Ogdens and settled in front of his already lit hearth. She stood across from him, and soon after took a seat in the leather reclining chair directly next to where he sat.
"I don't believe I gave you permission to sit Miss Granger."
"Well, Professor, I doubt you would have so I assumed hospitality."
"Very well. You were always rude in your assumptions."
"Can we just get this over with?"
"Eager are we? Very well. Although, we have a few hours, I'd like to get drunk first."
She sat quietly, her hands shaking slightly in her lap. She wasn't ready for all of this so soon. He was sitting there smug and careless while she just thought back to the day the whole mess had begun. Halfway down the bottle of Firewhiskey came the silky voice of her Potions Master.
"I should think I should relay the rules to you, Granger."
He didn't wait for her to respond.
"First, nothing here is yours. Everything inside my quarters is my property, as are you."
"Excuse me!-"
His hand shot up.
"Second, you will do as I say, when I say it. And finally, you will drop my class immediately."
"I will do no such thing! I will not agree to any of this...this rubbish!"
"I do believe you have to. Unless Azkaban is a happier place."
"You wouldn't dare."
"If that is what you think. It's either Azkaban, or living in Snape Manor during the duration of you r sixth and seventh years."
He sipped on his firewhiskey. She was trapped. She hung her head and courageously brought it back to met his eyes.
"Very well then."
"Good, now remove your clothes."
End of chapter five.
A/N: PLEASE READ!
I must say before I get dozens (hopefully) of reviews claiming that my character (Dumbledore) is indeed out of character that I am tired of the MLC fics that are cliche and unoriginal and I have taken it upon myself to write something of the complete opposite. In the future chapters, Harry and Ron will indeed share there opinions as well as some of the parents of Hogwarts' students. The war that came before this story will also be explained. If you dislike mean and nasty Snape, please discontinue from reading this story. He will never be a lovy dovy man. If you disagree with calculating and vengeful Hermione, please turn back now, because she will have every reason to be angry in the coming chapters.
Thank you, and please Read and Review.