A resounding loud shriek of "WHAT!" echoed through the otherwise still and quiet room for several minutes as with a loud and shocked huff Hermione sat heavily against the back of her chair, a movement which she instantly regretted when she sank impossibly deep into the cushions. Squirming and growling angrily Hermione fought her way out of the choking cushions, once again perching on the edge of the chair, her glare rivaling that of Severus who also looked at the Headmaster with a withering expression that would make grown men weep for their mothers.
"You cannot be serious Albus" Severus began finally, filling the uneasy silence that had fallen over the room, Hermione apparently still unable to speak through her shock. Releasing a heavy sigh Dumbledore lowered his head to gaze down at the weathered hands in his lap.
"Indeed, my dear boy I am quite serious. The Wizengamot voted this morning before classes had begun, it was an unanimous decision to put the law into effect as soon as possible, a Ministry official will be present at breakfast tomorrow to make an announcement to the students and staff" for once Dumbledore's tone lacked its lighthearted air, the twinkle from his eye quite obviously gone, his face suddenly showing the result of every one-hundred and fifty years of his life.
"But… but why?" Hermione cried out suddenly, her hands wringing the front of her robes in desperation. A heavy sigh reverberated through the room as Dumbledore slowly raised his gaze to the soft and emotional eyes of the young woman sitting across from him, her gentle chocolate brown eyes full of hurt and an expression of feeling betrayed.
"My dear girl, it had to be done for the safety of the wizarding world…" he began calmly almost sullenly only to be cut off sharply by Severus' grating growl,
"And what of the safety of the students, Albus?" Turning an exasperated expression to Severus, Dumbledore folded his arms over his chest in a reflection of the potion master's all too common pose.
"Now Severus, being a Pureblood the same as I, you should know all too well what the passing of this law means for us. Without it the wizarding world will soon find itself blinking into non-existence…"
"Oh hang the wizarding world Albus!" Severus bellowed irritably, "You mean to tell me that after all these years of spouting your warnings to these children, blindly turning a damned twinkling eye every time they foolishly put themselves in danger, after watching Mister Potter spend so many weeks in the hospital wing on the verge of death in the name of your damned "cause", after all your fatherly protectiveness you have pressed upon these children you now plan to hand them as if on a silver platter to the likes of Lucius Malfoy? You would so calmly and quietly hand over your lambs to the slaughter?"
"You know full well Severus, that that is not the case. Our entire existence rests on the success of this law, without it we are doomed" Dumbledore protested calmly though his eyes flashed darkly.
"And with it these children are doomed!" Severus shouted while pointing a long pale finger at Hermione as she sat stunned and silent staring at the two men. "I have fought countless years for your cause Albus, kept your secrets and risked my life on a daily basis to repay the debt I owed you, and now you except me to simply stand by and watch you marry off each and every bright mind this school has to the Dark Lord's minions. You disgust me Albus" he snarled with a sour expression twisting his face.
"Calm yourself Severus!" Dumbledore snapped suddenly as he rose to his feet in a flurry of shimmering purple robes and long white hair. The air crackled with tension as Dumbledore glowered down over his half-moon spectacles at the younger man who with a loud sigh sat back gruffly in his chair.
"Professor?" Hermione ventured in a timid and shell-shocked tone as she lifted watery eyes hesitantly to the Headmaster, her knuckles turning white as she clutched her robes painfully tight.
"Yes my dear?" he replied softly, his stance instantly softening under her gaze.
"Why did you tell me before the rest of the students?" Sinking back down into his chair Albus took great lengths to compose himself and his robes, carefully arranging his sleeves in his lap before placing his clasped hands on the smooth table top. All the while Hermione looked at him expectantly, her face open and obviously full of fear as she looked to the man who had guided and protected her for so many years and through so many things. Keeping his eyes lowered Dumbledore began in a soft voice,
"As you said yourself Miss Granger, many Pureblood families would see you as a threat, not only for your Muggleborn heritage but also for your close friendship with the Boy-Who-Lived. You have indeed been an asset to those of us who fought for the light and a bane to those who fought against it. You and a handful of other students run the highest risk of being harmed when this law is set into action, and please believe me my dear, you and your friends were high on my list of priorities when making my decision. However, the simple truth cannot be denied, without this law the wizarding world will cease to exist within a few generations if changes are not made. That is why the Order and I have begun to make special plans for you and your friends, you will each be appointed a spouse who will best be able to protect you during the coming years as well as with whom you will hopefully be able to produce strong and healthy magical offspring. And this…" he said breaking his gaze away from Hermione to focus on Severus, "is where you come in my dear boy."
Giving a derisive snort Severus folded his arms over his chest with an aloof air and began,
"I fail to see Albus how this effects…" his voice dying away to a hoarse croak in his throat as his eyes slowly slid sideways to look at the young woman beside him. "You do not mean…" he exclaimed.
"I do Severus, the Order and I believe you to be the best candidate" Dumbledore said softly but resolutely. In a sudden rush Severus was on his feet, his hands slamming down onto the desk in front of him, his eyes flashing wildly like a pitch black fire, his teeth clenched together as he growled out,
"There must be someone better, anyone… I will not do it, I cannot… I am old enough to be her father for Merlin's sake! The mere thought of it makes me nauseous!"
"Glad to see you find the prospect of… of… marrying… me so appealing Professor" Hermione said in a soft and hurt tone, her head bowed causing her tangled mass of hair to fall around her face like a protective veil.
"This has nothing to do with you!" Severus snapped, glancing at her only long enough to see her wince at his words before turning his furious gaze back to the Headmaster.
"Nothing to do with me?" she asked in a snarling voice without taking her eyes off her lap and trembling hands. "How can you say that while he proposes to pimp me out like some brood mare?"
"Trust me Miss Granger, I would indeed prefer to breed with a mare than you, you need not worry about me actually deriving any pleasure from the experience" he spat vehemently. In an instant, she too was on her feet, trembling violently with rage as she glared up into his face, her eyes flashing just as darkly as his, her teeth drawn back in a vicious snarl mimicking the one now gracing his face.
"How dare you!" she cried as her hand moved in a swift blur, a resounding slap echoing in the suddenly deathly silent room. Her hand quickly dropped to her side, entangling itself in her robes as she watched in horror as Severus slowly turned his face back towards her. Glaring up through the veil of his ink black hair, his eyes were dangerously dark as his hair fell away slowly to reveal the glowing red handprint on his cheek.
"You little Mudblood!" he ground out between his gritted teeth as his own hand moved faster than lightning, connecting with her delicate cheek with a thundering slap that caused even Dumbledore to gasp. "If nothing else Miss Granger, the marriage bed will teach you some long-needed discipline." Severus felt a small twinge in his stomach as he watched Hermione draw her face back around towards him, much as he had only moments ago, her hair falling away to reveal the red mark that took up most of the left side of her face, a small trickle of blood running from the corner of her mouth. He hid his own wince of discomfort at what he had just done behind his ever-present stony expression of disgust.
"That is enough Severus, Hermione" the Headmaster said in a voice twice as low and threatening as theirs had been, he too having leapt to his feet stood stiffly behind his desk with his hands spread upon its smooth surface, staring darkly from one to the other. "Now both of you take a seat" he said a little softer as he began to ease himself back down into his chair. Without removing their glare from one another they spat back in unison,
"I prefer to stand."
"SIT. NOW!" he bellowed, both Severus and Hermione jumping visibly as they quickly drew their gaze from each other to stare at him in shock. Slowly they sank into their respective seats, looking much like chastised school children as Dumbledore settled back into his own chair, once again laying his clasped hands upon the desk. "Now…" he began in a considerably softer tone, "as I said, the Order and I believe it to be the best possible match in the situation, and similar arrangements are being made for other students who are also at a high risk including Mister Potter and Mister Weasley…" he continued, Hermione's sudden and sullen whisper of "Ron" causing the room to fall silent for a moment.
"Pardon me, Miss Granger?" the Headmaster asked softly, seeing the sadness sweep over her youthful face.
"She is lamenting her love for the Weasley imbecile" Severus coldly informed Dumbledore, his disdain obvious in the sour tone of his voice and the sneer that curled his top lip back over his teeth.
"Ah yes, Mister Weasley" Dumbledore mused sadly, his eyes full of sympathy for Hermione. "Arrangements are being made for his impending marriage as well." At this Hermione perked up a little, her eyes flashing amber for an instant as she looked at the wizened man with a glimmer of hope upon her face.
"Could I not marry Ron instead of Professor Snape?' she ventured softly though her voice held the desperate hope that caused her heart to pound like a hammer against her ribs. The sad look upon Dumbledore's face only deepened at her request,
"No Miss Granger, I am sorry but I believe that it would be far too dangerous for the two of you to be paired. Our goal is to reduce the amount of danger that you are placed in through these marriages, not increase it, which is why other members of the Order have been selected for both Mister Weasley and Mister Potter." Nodding slowly Hermione cast her eyes back down to her lap and the hands that idly pulled at a loose string on her robes.
"May I ask Professor, who they will be marrying?" she asked softly without looking up, the thick mass of her hair falling around her shoulders as she bravely held back the tears that wanted to flow down her cheeks.
"You may ask Miss Granger, but I cannot answer. I think it is best if the boys tell you themselves."
"So, they already know?" Hermione asked in surprise, looking up with large brown eyes, her jaw hanging open in shock as a glimmer of anger rippled through her. Seeing the spark in her chocolate eyes Dumbledore rearranged himself in his chair,
"No Miss Granger, they are not aware of what has happened yet. They will find out tomorrow morning with the rest of the students." Drawing her honey brows down into a frown Hermione regarded the Headmaster cautiously, knowing that there was more to this matter than the old man was telling her.
"Then why Headmaster, I have been alerted to this decision before anyone else?" At her question Dumbledore's wizened face showed the first true sign of weariness as he closed his eyes for a moment and drew in a long breath, the snow white mass of his long mustache trembling as he exhaled deeply. When he opened his clear blue eyes once more they held no twinkle or shine, no comforting warmth that would have eased the nervous trembling of Hermione's heart, instead, all that was reflected in his eyes was a chilling sadness and resignation.
"Because Miss Granger, steps to ensure your safety must be taken as quickly as possible" he began in a low voice, his eyes steadily watching her young face.
"What about the others? Shouldn't you be concerned for their safety too?" she asked, her tone taking on a bite that caused the Headmaster to look slightly flustered, while a smirk began to curl Severus' lips. At least the girl was putting up a fight while remaining logical and cool-headed, a rather Slytherin trait he mused as he watched the scene unfold before him with mild amusement. Raising a silencing hand slowly Dumbledore smiled at her softly, nodding his head in agreement and understanding of her question.
"Do not worry my dear, plans are indeed being made for the others as we speak, your safety however takes precedence at this point…" he began calmly, his voice loosing its strength and softness as he went on until it gradually trailed away.
With her typically warm and soft eyes narrowing and darkening in suspicion Hermione regarded the Headmaster coolly, her hands clenching and unclenching in her lap as she fought to keep her temper under control, knowing all too well that the kindly old man was hiding something very important from her, something she was determined to know before she left his office.
"What are you not telling me Professor?" she asked with a surprising amount of calm though a churning and bubbling sea of tension swirled heavily in her stomach.
"Miss Granger, that information is not pertinent right now, however in due time I will…"
"Oh for Merlin's sake, tell the girl Albus!" Severus cried out suddenly, "Do you not think you have kept these children in the dark long enough with your secrets and games? And I for one would also like to know what the hell is going on!" Once again raising his hand to quiet those seated before him Dumbledore peered at Severus over the rim of his glasses, his obvious disdain for the sudden interruption gleaming in his eyes. Looking back once more to Hermione's expectant expression, her eyes full of pain and fear while her lower lip trembled.
"Please Professor" she begged softly, her hands gripping the edge of the desk in desperation. Shaking his head slowly with a deep sigh Albus rested his eyes closed for another moment as though the small action could draw an infinite amount of strength and courage to him.
"Very well" he finally began after several long moments of silence. "You will discover the information sooner of later regardless of whether I tell you, and I would prefer it to come from someone you trust…" a comment which brought an uncivilized grunt of scorn from Severus. Throwing a frown in the younger man's direction Albus continued in a soft and comforting voice, "there has already been an offer placed for your hand Miss Granger, one which I hope we can avoid through your marriage to Professor Snape."
Visibly shuddering with disgust at the whole prospect at the mere mention of the word "marriage" and his name in the same sentence, Severus sneered darkly and looked at the Headmaster with glowing suspicion.
"Who is it?" he asked roughly before Hermione could even begin to open her mouth, her burning eyes locking on him for a moment full of her scorn and mild hatred. He simply sneered at her coldly before turning his ink black gaze back to Dumbledore.
"Mister Malfoy…" the old man began in a soft and barely audible voice.
"He wants me to marry that ferret of a miniature Death Eater!" she exclaimed in horror and shock as she rose to her feet suddenly her fists pounding upon the desk as a deep flush of anger rose in her cheeks. As she shook with anger and proceeded to rant and rave wildly, a deluge of curse words flowing from her lips that caused both Dumbledore and Professor Snape to flush slightly and stare wide-eyed at her, she failed to notice the droll expression of the Headmaster's face.
"Please Miss Granger, if you will calm yourself…" the Headmaster began softly, his expression one of weariness and pleading.
"Calm myself?" Hermione began, "Calm myself? How the hell can you expect me to be calm at a moment like this? You have just told me that the most despised Death Eater in training wants to make me his little Mudblood whore!" she exclaimed, her voice growing ever louder and more shrill with each moment until her words were almost undistinguishable as she wailed like a banshee.
"Get a grip on yourself girl" Severus scolded with a tone of boredom, the infamous sneer clinging to his features while deep inside he could not deny the unease he felt at the prospect of Miss Granger being married off to the bloodthirsty and ruthless boy, though he doubted that a marriage to him was truly the lesser of two evils.
"Indeed Miss Granger, we must be calm at this time…" Dumbledore began again, hoping to regain some control of the situation, though that prospect seemed more and more unlikely as time went by. "There is something else you must know" he proceeded hesitantly, the soft fearfulness in his voice instantly causing Hermione to fall silent.
"What else could there be Albus?" Severus asked with a sigh while fiercely pinching the bridge of his nose, "is the ministry asking us to consummate the marriage in public? For I can see nothing worse than that" he snorted while casting a malevolent sneer in Hermione's direction. Returning the Professor's sneer with an equally sour and acidic one of her own, Hermione slumped back down into the car, casting an expectant look towards the Headmaster, who under the combined weight of their gazes was looking a little worse for wear.
"Well?" Hermione demanded contemptuously, all pretense of politeness forgotten as she scowled and fumed in her chair.
"You see my dear, you are mistaken…" the old man began hesitantly, his unease obvious in the nervous twitch that had began at the corner of his eye and the unceasing movement of his hands upon the surface of his desk. "It is not Draco Malfoy that petitioned for you, it is…" A sudden wailing shriek filled the air as realization struck home, hitting Hermione with the force of a Hippogriff's kick to the chest. She was suddenly gasping for air, her eyes watering with the strain as her throat burned from the effort to breath while beside her Severus growled a single word that held all the vehemence and anger of an Unforgivable Curse,
"Lucius!"