Hello, loyal readers! So it appears that you guys are (thus far) enjoying my story! I hope that this'll continue, but since this pairing is always risky, I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm trying to do my best, so as always, read, review, and enjoy!

CHAPTER THREE

Hermione followed Professor McGonagall upstairs. They stopped in front of the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office.

"Plum cake," Professor McGonagall said. The gargoyle moved aside, and Professor McGonagall gestured to the door. "You may go up. Professor Dumbledore is expecting you."

"Thank you," Hermione said, beginning to tremble.

Professor McGonagall put her hand on Hermione's shoulder again. "It will be all right. Whatever it is."

Hermione nodded and hugged the older woman before turning to go upstairs.

Dumbledore's door was closed, so Hermione took hold of the golden knocker and tapped it four times against the door.

"Come in," called his voice.

Hermione entered. "Good morning, sir. Professor McGonagall said you wanted to see me?"

"Ah, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, smiling. "Please, come in and have a seat."

Hermione sat down nervously in one of the two chairs facing his desk. "If I may ask, sir, what is this about?"

"I will explain in a moment, Miss Granger. We are waiting for one other person to join us."

"Who?" Hermione asked.

Before Dumbledore could answer, there was another knock on the door.

"Enter," called Dumbledore.

The door opened and Professor Snape walked in. "You wished to see me, Headmaster?"

"Yes, come in, Severus."

"I did not realize you were with a student," Snape said smoothly. "I can wait."

"No, this concerns you both," said Dumbledore. "Please, Severus, have a seat."

Hermione began to grow anxious. "Professor, what is this about?"

"As you both surely noticed last night, there is a staggeringly small number of first-years here this year," Dumbledore began, folding his hands on the desk. "Do you know why this is?"

"Because parents are afraid?" Hermione asked.

"Exactly, Miss Granger. And do you know why it's an issue that these children are not being educated here?"

"No, sir," Hermione said.

"Because parents do not have the proper training or proper resources to teach their students at home," Snape said.

"Precisely," said Dumbledore.

"But sir… What does this have to do with us?" Hermione asked.

Dumbledore sighed. "The parents are frightened because we have a staff member who is a former Death Eater. Many people know that he was acting as a spy for the Order, but not everyone believes that. The Ministry has devised a way to raise the public opinion of him."

"And how is that?" Snape asked stiffly.

"The Ministry thinks that a reasonable solution to raise your merit is to have you marry someone that the public views as one of the most respected people in the Wizarding world. Miss Granger is the best friend of Harry Potter, and is respected by most of our race."

"What exactly are you saying?" Hermione whispered.

"I am saying that the Ministry has matched the two of you together under the new law. The two of you are set to be married."

"No!" Hermione cried out, jumping to her feet. "Please, Professor, I can't!"

"The very thought of a professor marrying one of his students is taboo, Headmaster!" shouted Snape, also rising. "I will not marry a student!"

"And there is no way on EARTH that I would ever marry him!" Hermione cried.

"Silence!" Dumbledore shouted abruptly, and the two fell silent. "Thank you. I understand that this is difficult to take in, but there is no alternative. If you do not comply, both of you will be sent to Azkaban. The decision has been made, and this outcome is final. As I suggested to the seventh years, I suggest that you return to your living spaces to pack and look over the materials the Ministry has given you." He handed them each a piece of paper, like the one that Ginny had received. "You are both dismissed."

Tears filled Hermione's eyes as she turned to go. She slowly walked down the spiral staircase and into the corridor, where she began meandering toward Gryffindor Tower.

"Miss Granger."

Hermione turned to see Snape standing there.

"Leave me alone," she whispered. She fled, leaving him standing there.