The reaction to the order finding out about them being soulmates

My original intent for this series of prompted one-shots was that I would eventually come up with enough content, plot lines and ideas to make an ordered and complete story. This one-shot contradicts another one-shot in this series. It was my original intent to not make Sirius aware of Severus and Hermione for a few more years, but he part of the Order and it is his house sooo... If I ever make a complete story, I promise to find a way to make this contradiction work but in the meantime...

"We have a... predicament," he said slowly, his long black hair curtaining in front of his face as he did his best to stare down the room.

They were gathered around the table at Grimmauld Place. At Severus' request, Dumbledore had gathered the Order.

"Has something come up at a Death Eater meeting?" Bill Weasley asked.

"No, it's nothing of that nature," Severus answered.

"What's the muggle saying? Just rip the bandage?" Dumbledore asked, looking towards Arthur Weasley.

"Odd ones, muggles are. Why would you tear a bandage on purpose?"

"It's 'rip the band-aid off'," Severus grumbled.

"Why would someone rip off a band aide? How is swindling someone who helps a band related to this situation?"

"Nevermind the stupid saying, can we please get back to the situation at hand?"

The room quieted and a few nodded in response.

"I...have a.." He inhaled deeply. Now or never. "I have a soulmate."

He exhaled. Halfway there, he thought.

"That's marvelous, Severus!" Molly beamed. "Do we know her... or him?"

Severus rolled his eyes.

"Unfortunately, yes. You do know her," he said, stressing the pronoun. "It is because you know her that makes this situation difficult."

"Poor wench," Sirius muttered. Remus shoved him.

"Well, who is it? Spit it out," Molly pushed.

Minerva looked at him with sympathetic eyes. She knew this was hard for him.

They need to know. If they know, they can protect her, Severus reminded himself.

"Miss Granger."

"Mi-Miss Granger? Hermione Granger?" Sirius almost screeched.

Severus nodded.

"She's...she's a child, Severus," Remus sputtered out.

"Don't you think I know that?! I didn't choose this!" Severus slammed his hands on the table.

"I-I know. I'm sorry," Remus said.

"Does she know?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. We accidentally touched hands during the whole debacle at the Shrieking Shack," Severus answered.

Remus looked at him apologetically. He figured it must have been when he was trying to protect the kids from the wolf.

Severus took another deep breath.

"Just as this house is Secret Kept and you have sworn to not reveal my place as a Death Eater to anyone outside the Order, I ask that you make an Unbreakable Vow to not reveal Miss Granger and I's bond."

No one moved. No one breathed.

"This is absurd, Severus!" Molly shrieked. "Of course we would never tell anyone!"

"You all are aware of the lengths soulmates will go to protect one another." It wasn't a question but a statement. He was, afterall, in a room filled with soul pairs.

They all reluctantly nodded.

"Then you know that I would do anything to keep her safe. And this is the best way I know."

Severus sighed.

"Please do not take this as a slight to any of your characters. I do respect and trust... most of you. But if there is even a fraction of a chance that you may reveal this by accident, I want to eradicate that chance. I can't..." he shook his head. "I just can't."

Sirius stood up, kicking his chair behind him. "I have to risk my life because this greasy git doesn't think we can keep a secret?!" he raged.

"Sirius..." Remus shook his head. "You don't know what it's like, mate." He reached for Tonks' hand and smiled at her when she gladly gave it to him. "We all make sacrifices in life and war, but this isn't something we can sacrifice. There is nothing in our entire being that will let us do that."

"Besides, I thought you liked Hermione. Don't you want to keep her safe?" Tonks asked.

"Of course I wish no ill will towards Hermione, I just don't understand why I have to place my life on this secret," Sirius said.

"Don't say anything and there won't be a problem," Severus sneered.

"If Tom learns of this predicament, there are two likely outcomes," Dumbledore explained. "The first, Severus is out of his ranks. He is as good as dead and we lose a way to receive invaluable information. The second, Tom uses Hermione to manipulate Severus further. They could both end up dead."

Sirius thought this over glared at Severus. "I'm doing this for Hermione, not for you," he said.

Severus chuckled darkly.

"So am I."

Questions, comments, concerns... reviews and prompts :)