Chapter 6: A Surprise For The Gryffindors
Hermione didn't sleep well that night because her mind was going over everything that had happened. She was now Hermione Lupin and with that came a load of responsibilities. The next morning Hermione was the first to rise and after taking a quick shower, she left. She knew that when she arrived at the school, she would have to answer a lot of questions from her own house.
She quickened her pace, passing by closed shops and looking at her watch. She had five minutes to get to the castle before all her friends noticed that she was late. Finally the castle came into view and passing the gates, she went even faster. By the time she reached the front doors she was out-of-breath and wishing that she could apperate inside the castle.
Hermione entered the entrance hall just as a whole group of Gryffindors came down. Lavender Brown and Ron Weasley were among them. Lavender at once noticed her sweaty face and her labored breathing. Ron was clueless.
"Hermione," Lavender called.
Hermione looked over at Lavender and gave her a weak smile.
"Hello, Lavender," Hermione said, trying to sound casual.
Lavender grinned.
"So where we you last night?" Lavender asked. "I went to the library, but you weren't there. And how come your bed is empty and your things gone?"
Hermione was saved from answering by Professor McGonagall coming out of the Great Hall.
"Miss Brown, go into the Great Hall. This is not the place to socialize. I need to talk to you, Miss Granger."
Hermione nodded and followed the Professor upstairs to her office.
"Please sit down," she said when they entered.
Hermione sat.
"I need to inform you as the temporary Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that tomorrow Remus is going to be unable to teach his classes. I need you to take over for the next three days until Remus is back on his own two feet."
"Of course," Hermione said.
"And the Ministry is timing you both on the consummation of your marriage. Since Remus is going to be out-of-the picture for three days then they're demanding that it's done tonight."
Hermione gulped.
"Don't worry dear, women have done it for thousands of years," the Professor said. "And to make sure that the Ministry doesn't come around while you're teaching your classes I'm going to have Ginny brew one of her famous lust potions. The note that I'm going to give you to give to Ginny will tell her which potion she should make."
"But Ginny isn't a Potions Mistress," Hermione protested.
McGonagall gave her a dark look.
"I'm sure she'll do just fine," McGonagall said tartly. She handed her the note. "Just make sure that Ginny gets it."
Hermione pocketed it with a promise that Ginny would get it.
When Ginny arrived in the entrance hall she headed right for the Great Hall. She had had a wonderful night in the most comfortable bed that she had ever slept in. However, she hadn't even looked up at the ceiling when the voice of the Headmaster made her turn.
"Miss Weasley, I need to see you," he told her.
Ginny sighed, but joined the Headmaster.
"I need you to come with me," he said, his voice deadly serious.
Ginny followed Dumbledore up the marble staircase and to his office. Once they were inside, she sat, and waited.
"I must inform you that Severus has been summoned by Voldemort. We don't know how long he'll be gone and I need you to take over as Potions Mistress while he's gone."
"Of course," Ginny said.
"Now, I've taken care of the wards, as he requested, and you'll be able to get into his stores, his office, and his classroom. I would advise that you take your classes in hand right away."
He grinned suddenly.
"I've heard from Fred Weasley that your very talented with the Bat-Boggy Hex."
Ginny giggled.
"I give you permission to use it if need be."
"As you wish, Headmaster."
There was a knock on the door.
"Enter," Dumbledore called.
The door opened and Hermione entered.
"Yes, Mrs. Lupin."
"Professor McGonagall wanted me to give Ginny this," Hermione said, walking over and handing the note to Ginny.
Ginny opened it and read:
Mrs. Snape,
The Ministry of Magic wants Hermione and Remus to consummate their marriage. We need a lust potion that will work for only one night. You know which one I'm talking about.
Professor M. McGonagall.
Ginny pocketed the note.
"I'll get started on it during lunch," she promised.
"Thanks," Hermione said.
And she left.
Hermione spent the morning thinking about the coming night. She didn't need Professor McGonagall telling her about what women had been doing for thousands of years to tell her that she would be doing the same thing as they did. Around lunch Hermione finally managed to make it to the Great Hall. The owls had arrived with their issues of the Afternoon Prophet, which had the two weddings on the front. Hermione had no idea how Rita had managed this since no one had even noticed her or talked to her during the wedding and feast.
The Snape's And Lupin's Wed
Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape, married Ginny Weasley last night in a spectacular wedding in the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There is no details on how the Potions Master, a half-blood, had managed to get the hand of the Pureblood, Ginny Weasley. When asking the Ministry of Magic this question, they declined to say. This reporter believes that the Ministry is covering things up and will investigate more.
Also Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Remus J. Lupin has married Muggleborn Hermione Jane Granger. There are no details on this, which lends me to wonder what charms the young Granger used to snag the werewolf. Of course we know that she's very good at these and love potions, which effect werewolves in a greater way. Let's just hope that her new husband doesn't decide to have his young wife for dinner. For articles on why people shouldn't marry werewolves, see page 7.
Rita Skeeter,
Daily Prophet Reporter
"Oooh, I'm going to kill her," Hermione snapped, ripping her Daily Prophet up. "I'm going to get her; I'm going to make her pay for this." Several students snickered. "What are you snickering at, ten points from Gryffindor."
And she stormed out without eating anything.
For Ginny, her morning was filled with students that refused to learn because she wasn't Professor Snape. She ended up sending two students to the hospital wing and giving both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff detention. She then went into her husband's office and got started on the lust potion that she would be giving to Hermione.
"Here you go," Ginny said, handing the blue bottle to Hermione when she came to visit.
Hermione looked at it.
"And how long are the effects?"
"An hour," Ginny said. "And if you think that I could give you just any lust potion, then you're wrong. Werewolves…"
"I know," Hermione said, not wanting her to repeat anything from the Daily Prophet.
"How do you know?"
"Read it," Hermione said.
She then told Ginny about the Daily Prophet article. Ginny went red.
"I can't believe that she wrote that," she said.
"Believe it and I'm going to get her into so much trouble," Hermione said.
Ginny looked at her friend.
"Your not going to do anything stupid, are you?"
Hermione laughed.
"Oh this is something that I've had plans to do since she exposed herself."
And she left, leaving Ginny to wonder.