Hello readers. I had some difficulty posting this chapter, it kept posting in HTML code. That being said, there have been several people who have reviewed and private messaged informing me of the issue. I have gotten several private messages riddled with attitude and rudeness about it. Please keep in mind that I didn't deliberately post it that way, there was a bug of some sort in the system when I posted it, and if people choose to be rude about it, then I can stop writing altogether. It's that simple.

Take two.

CHAPTER FOUR

Hermione gasped out the password once she reached the Fat Lady and staggered through the portrait hole. Several of the seventh years were sitting in the common room studying their paperwork. Some looked relieved, and some looked horrified. Hermione ignored them all and sprinted up the stairs to her dormitory.

Ginny jumped as Hermione burst inside. "Merlin, Hermione, what's wrong with you?!"

"Dumbledore gave me my assignment!" Hermione sobbed, sagging down onto her bed.

"Who is it?" Ginny demanded. "Who is it, tell me!"

"It's Snape," she whispered.

"What?!"

"The Ministry is forcing me to marry Snape so that it convinces everyone that he's not a Death Eater anymore, and they'll return their children to Hogwarts." Hermione's voice was emotionless. "I don't have any choice in the matter."

"There's nothing you can do?" Ginny asked sadly.

Hermione shook her head. "We'll both go to Azkaban if we try to avoid it."

"That's only if they find you," Ginny said after a few minutes.

"What do you mean?"

"If they can't find you, they can't arrest you," Ginny said. "You grew up in the Muggle world, and you're one of the most powerful witches in the world. Between the two of those things, you could get away. They couldn't find you when you were running from Voldemort. They won't be able to find you again."

"You're right," Hermione whispered. "I could run. I'd never be able to come back here, but…I'd be free."

"Do it then," Ginny whispered. "But…wipe my memory of it first. Snape can do Legilimency, and he could find out what you're doing. Wipe my memory and run."

"Okay. Help me pack?"

Together, Ginny and Hermione packed up all of Hermione's belongings and tucked them into the purple beaded bag that she'd used when she was working with Harry and Ron to hunt Horcruxes.

"Okay," Ginny whispered. "This is it." She hugged Hermione hard. "I love you, Hermione. Please be happy."

"I will," Hermione said. "If I ever can…I'll write."

"Okay," Ginny said. "I'm going to turn around. Obliviate me and then leave so I don't see you."

Hermione sighed and nodded. Ginny turned around, and Hermione raised her wand. "Obliviate."

Ginny stiffened, and with a sigh, Hermione ducked out. She rapped herself on top of the head to make herself invisible before heading downstairs. Pocketing her wand and her beaded bag, she waited until someone was leaving the common room before sidling out after them. She walked softly and slowly, so that she would remain undetected.

She managed to make it downstairs undetected. She slipped outside and began rushing toward the edge of the grounds, where she could Disapparate.

She reached the edge of the grounds and drew her wand. Suddenly, the Disillusionment charm she'd placed upon herself disappeared.

"Stop!" shouted a voice.

Hermione froze as two wizards ran toward her with their wands drawn.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"We're from the Ministry. We were told to patrol the grounds in order to prevent any students from escaping," said one wizard.

"Oh, I was just…um…going for a walk," Hermione lied.

"Really?" said the other, taking her firmly by the arm. "What's your name?"

"That's Hermione Granger," said a third voice. Ernie MacMillan appeared and moved closer.

"Ernie?!" Hermione asked.

"Yes." He didn't smile. "Trying to run, Granger?"

"I already told your stooges here, I was just going for a walk," she snapped testily.

"Really? Then why is it that you made yourself invisible?"

"I…I…" Hermione didn't have an answer in mind. She hadn't expected to be caught this soon.

"Well, why don't we check the registry here…" Ernie pulled a book from his pocket and began flipping through it. "Let's see… Hermione Granger. Paired with… Severus Snape." He flicked his wand and sent a Patronus toward the castle before grabbing her arm, none too gently.

"And now we wait."

"Wait for what?" Hermione asked.

Ernie smirked. "We wait for your fiancé to come and confirm your story."