Life After Hogwarts
By Arime Setta
Chapter Seven: Arrangements and Missions
A/N: I do not want to offend anyone with my comments towards arranged marriages. (Don't worry Draco and Herm aren't getting married). I completely understand the custom (and have friends who were or will be arranged into marriages) and am only referring to them as barbaric in Hermione's mind (as a feminist). Also I am looking at it from a Euro/American view in a European society (where I feel it would be more backwards than in other cultures since it hasn't taken place popularly for so many years). Please review with your comments if I offend or anger you. I don't mean to.
"A mission, sir?" I questioned quietly. The professors' pacing was making me nervous and Draco was shuffling just as annoyingly next to me. I wondered what he could possibly need us to do. After Voldemort had fallen the Order seemed quiet and the daily prophet was filled with fashion advice, ministry mess-ups and silly stories rather than any threatening or looming tales. Professor Dumbledore seemed worried, though not terribly disturbed.
"Please have a seat Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy. We have a request of you that will be informative for the Order and not too terrible for you both. It may actually prove to be some fun." At this Professor Snape stopped pacing long enough to send Professor Dumbledore a death glare to tell him to hurry to the point. Seeing Snape's blatant attitude Professor McGonagall also stopped pacing and began talking.
"Yes, well we have been informed that there has been a bit of stirring going on at many of the universities across England and even a bit in the states. It seems that some of the children of Death Eaters and their friends are less forgiving after a lifetime of being told one thing and then having to follow another after the fall of Voldemort. Even though all of the actual Death Eaters have been found and incarcerated, their older children, those not quite initiated but on the way towards full membership, have been allowed to maintain their lifestyles including their education. While both of you know that change is possible (a pointed and thankful look sent towards Draco) it is unfortunate that some of these misguided children have not forsaken their ways."
I cringed at the thought of mini-death eaters making their way through life bitter and hateful while trying to catch onto any glory of the old ways they could find. Then I realized Draco was next to me. He could have been one of these college students. He could have been the next Lord Voldemort in the making. He could have been the next Dark Lord. My mind swirled with anger, fear and then pride. Even when all is laid out and the evil is there Draco chose to come to the good side. Even at a time where the scale was balanced evenly and no one knew who would win he ignored the promised glory and the overwhelming influence from his father. There had to be a way to stop evil from rising again and maybe even help these "misguided children" adapt to a new and more open mindset. Maybe I'm just being my usual naïve and sentimental self.
"Since you two were so convincing with today's antics in the Great hall, Headmaster Dumbledore has deemed it necessary to use you as our undercover agents. I clearly disagree since neither of you have graduated and though you both are cocky enough to believe yourselves ready for your exams, I know better."
"Severus, enough. You are outright lying to these children. I'm sorry, they aren't wee-ones anymore they are full grown adults and full members of the Order. Also, they are the most realistic for this case." Professor McGonagall was now toe-to-toe with Professor Snape with the color quickly draining her face and rising into his. Headmaster Dumbledore chuckled and waved his wand towards some chairs that magically forced the two into a seated angry position.
"Let me explain with a little more depth than Professor Snape included. Since you have created a path that allows you two to be together for an extended period of time away from the school without stirring suspicion I have come to the conclusion that you, Miss Granger and you, Mr. Malfoy can smoothly take on this mission. We would like to send you both to Farvington University for an extended spring break. It will be under the guise that you are a betrothed couple looking for the right university for Draco." I blanched at the thought and was instantly scolded by Professor Snape.
"Yes, Miss Granger you will play the submissive fiancé while undercover for the Order. I tried to convince the Headmaster you wouldn't be capable of being meek or obedient." I glared at him, completely not fussed by his haughty attitude or scaling remarks. I had finally reached my peak with Professor Bloody Snape.
"Professor! If I didn't know better I would think you were one of the first years taunting and teasing all the time. Then I realize your vocabulary places you at least among the fifth years. Please refrain from abusing your privileges as a teacher. I cannot and will not allow you to continue to offend my character or my abilities as a member of the Order or as a student!" My face burned with indignation and my eyes betrayingly teared.
"How dare you-"
"Severus enough is enough. I must put my foot down once more. May I please continue with the mission? I'm out of lemon drops again and must retrieve some from my stores once we're finished."
We all grumbled a polite reply of some nature and let the headmaster continue. Even so Professor McGonagall and even Malfoy smiled at my dressing down of the bat.
"As I was saying, you will need to appear as a pureblood couple beginning to plan your lives together. Since the students you will be dealing with are highly prejudice and very traditional I felt it was necessary to arrange the engagement as is traditional and place Mr. Malfoy in the spotlight. This also allows Miss Granger to quietly make her way through the group and the campus without bringing much attention to herself."
To say the least I was disappointed at being forced into such a ridiculous position but helping the Order was by far more important to me than my feminist rebellion. I had always known that the Old Society was much more backwards than they would care to admit and rather medieval in their thinking. Some of the more barbaric customs held in wizarding society because the Old Society wouldn't relinquish their hold (things like house elves and arranged marriages).
"Well, what will be the excuse that we will use with out friends here?" I asked simply. A soft sigh was heard from Professor McGonagall who clearly worried I wouldn't be willing to be obedient as Professor Snape put it.
"You will tell them you are visiting universities to help you decide and since you are both college-bound it only made sense to visit together as a couple. You can add romance as you wish."
I nodded and was about to ask another question when Malfoy rudely interrupted. "She's not pureblood. It won't work-"
"Excuse you! I'm not going to even start with this again. I'm not inferior to you just-"
"Granger, shut it and listen for once. (I closed my mouth and fumed in silence) Pureblood societies are very traditional and strict. They are ruthless and incredibly coldhearted as well. There is no way she will pass as a pureblood among half-bloods let alone an entire society dedicated to maintaining the pureblood ways. She doesn't know any of the ceremony or rules." He smirked at me and turned towards Professor Dumbledore.
"Yes, we considered this. The only solution is to teach her the ways."
"Teach her how to be pureblood? Are you serious? Spring break is only two weeks away." Draco gaped, clearly shocked at the prospect of turning me into a perfect little pureblood by spring break. I would have laughed if I weren't so shocked.
Through my studies I had come across Old Society Wizarding traditions had knew how ridiculously complex it could get. I had read about and even studied the web of titles, subtle movements required by tradition and the intricate etiquette. As a muggle I am fascinated with these rules but they clearly create a boundary between modern muggle and Old Society Wizard.
"Yes, well, Mr. Malfoy I have complete confidence in Professor Snape and your abilities to adequately prepare Miss Granger. I believe that if you have nightly sessions with our potions master and if you two are excused from your lessons until after you return Miss Granger will be fluent in the traditions and you will have been quickly refreshed." Dumbledore's eyes have never twinkled in such a Slytherin way before.
"No Classes!" We both exclaimed at once but with very different emotions. If I missed class for two weeks before spring break and then who knows how many days afterward, I would actually have to sit down and study. Damn.
"Yes, you both are intelligent enough to handle the schoolwork and your new studies. No worries, I have asked your teachers to limit you assignments to only those necessary." I assumed my desk would be covered very quickly with assignments from all of my teachers, especially the bat himself. None of them would admit that something they taught or did in class wasn't "necessary."
"Sir, I don't mean to be petty but I don't have the wardrobe- "
"Or looks," coughed Malfoy.
"Or haughty attitude to pull of a pureblood witch. I mean judging all of the Old Society women I've met I can't begin to afford the clothing, let alone the manicured/pedicured/fluffed/groomed/pampered look." I gave my nails great attention as I reddened slightly. I might not be girly like Lavender or Parvati but I was aware of my lack of physical attributes or expensive robes. Luckily it was Professor McGonagall who hopped to my rescue.
"Dear, we considered your current looks while planning this mission and realize that your comfortable and reasonable look will have to be altered for the sake of fitting in with the pureblood society. Since looks are so important to these women (she practically spitted the word out with disgust clearly revealing her own dislike for arrogant purebloods) I have arranged a make over to take place the day before you leave. Mrs. Weasley as graciously and excitedly agreed to help me."
"I want to be involved as well Minerva. Not to offend either you or Mrs. Weasley but neither of you are involved with current high society I will need to be there to approve the makeover." Professor McGonagall went red with anger and instantly was on her feet. I wished silently that she would smack him but instead she stomped out of the room slightly unlady like.
"Severus that was not necessary. I think I've had enough tonight. Your lessons can begin tomorrow night where Mr. Malfoy and Professor Snape with first see what you know and evaluate what you will need to learn. Don't worry about studying. It is there job to mold you and teach you. Frankly I hope you give them great grief in the mean time. You three are excused. Good night." Professor Dumbledore truly looked worn but his eyes twinkled and he winked when he wish me to be difficult.
Luckily I had every intention of putting them through hell only to prove I knew my stuff. After all I may not be pureblood but I am the brightest witch in England.