A/N: THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR KIND REVIEWS. THEREFORE, I SHALL CONTINUE AND GIVE YOU WHAT YOU ARE ALL WAITING FOR. HOPE YOU PUT ME IN YOUR FAVORITES.
CHAPTER 3: THE MINISTRY'S PICK
Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic sat in his huge office and looked at the remaining candidates. He decided that he would pair them off by the things they liked to do. However, he did not have that kind of information so he then began to write out on parchment:
Characteristic Traits
1. hobbies-
2. what you like in a man-
3. Interests-
4. What you like to do on your free time-
5. Do you want children-
After he were finished writing it, he held it up in the air and thought it were a masterpiece. He then sat i tdown gently on the desk and called for his secretary.
"Mortiana." Cornelius called.
"Yes, sir?" A middle-aged woman appeared wearring glasses and formal dress robes.
"Run me 10 copies of this and send them to the school, Hogwarts." Cornelius ordered.
"Right away, sir." Mortiana took the parchment from him and ran copies. Then she put them in a large envelope, and gave them to the owl.
"Hogwarts Headmaster at once, understand?" Mortiana told the owl.
The owl hooted once to show acknowledgement and then flew out of the open window and towards Hogwarts.
Dumbledore's office...
Albus Dumbledore received an owl from the Minister of Magic. He took the envelope from the owl and gave the owl a lemon drop. The owl then flew away, leaving Dumbledore with the envelope. He pulled out the parchments and saw names stickered to the parchments. He then saw the following names:
girls- boys
Hermione Granger- Severus Snape
Minerva McGonnagall-Albus Dumbledore
Ginny Weasley-Dean Thomas
Cho Chang-Remus Lupin
Pavarti Patel-Harry Potter
Dumbledore sighed at this list because he knew that Cornelius Fudge had already picked them even if they are compatible or now. Dumbledore then called Fawkes, his beautiful Phoenix to deliver the Characteristic traits to the 10 unmarried candidiates.
Hermione sat in herbology class with Harry and Ron taking notes while they talked. She were use to them talking and she could focus on Madam Sprout talking about the Mandrakes. Hermione was taking notes when she saw her Potions Professor walk in and whispered something into her ear. Hermione then put her nose back into her books when she heard Professor Sprout say, "Yes, you can borrow her."
"Miss Granger, come with me." Severus told her.
"ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Some of the students said in unison.
"Damn, what did she do?" Dean Thomas asked as Hermione was packing her books into her bag.
"Shut up, Dean." Hermione spatted at him.
Dean chuckled as he went back to hisnotes.
Hermione followed her Potions Professor out and into the corridors up to Dumbledore's office.
"So what did I do?"
"Not the fight in my class, I didn't say a word." Severus told her. "Although..."
"Although what?" Hermione curiously asked, hoping that he would tell her.
"Although I found it amusing that you would smack him, and the look on his face when you did it." Severus started to chuckle.
Hermione stopped walking and looked at her Potions Professor like what-the-hell-is-he-drinking. Severus stopped laughing as he approached the gargoyle. He collected his composure and then said, "Lemondrops."
The gargoyle came alive and began to spiral up. Hermione stepped up on the step and Severus followed suit. As they approached the door, Severus strided more quickly up to it and opened the door for her.
"Thank you, Professor."
"Anytime." Severus walked in behind her and shut the door.
"Hello, Severus, Miss Granger, Lemon drop?"
"No, thank you." They said in unison.
"As you both are well aware, Cornelius Fudge has passed the Marriage Law."
They nodded yes.
"Well, you two as well as 8 others in this school, are not married to another witch or wizard, therefore, leaving Cornelius to decide who marries who.
"Rubbish! He cannot do that." Severus protested.
"Who am I going to marry?" Hermione asked. "No one petitioned for me, so, who is left?"
"Miss Granger, look at this list please, and you will see who your husband is." Albus handed her the list.
Hermione saw her name first on the list next to her Potions Professor's name. Hermione's facial expression was pure shock. She looked like someone died in front of her.
Severus looked at Hermione and as he took the paper from her loose-gripped hands, Hermione ran out of Dumbledore's office, crying.
Severus looked down at his name next to Hermione's and looked up at Albus.
"Has he gone mad? I cannot marry her. She is 17 and i am 35."
"Not technically, Severus, she is 18 now due to the timeturner."
"If I am to marry, Miss Granger, I will need a raise so that I can support her and myself, plus any children that might come along the way." Severus said.
"As you wish, but you must marry Miss Granger."
"As stated by the Marriage Law, I can decide. I will return in 2 hours." Severus said as he turned on his heel and strided out of Dumbledore's office with his robes billowing behind him.
Severus knew that he had to talk to Hermione about their marriage. He were going to show her how comforting he can be. So she would feel at ease being around him and not think he is a snarky bastard. He'd try that spot he took her to down by the lake.