A Dark Tale

~ chapter 3 ~

I sigh, running a hand through my hair and trying to think of an answer. Professor McGonagall is staring at me and soon she realizes what my silence means.

"He has not changed his behaviour towards you?" she asks.

I shake my head.

She lets out an angry groan, "I will talk to him. He has no right to treat you like this, Miss Granger."

"No!" my eyes widen in panic, "You can't. It's...alright. He does not like me. He's angry and that is understandable."

"But if he knew about your...well...your condition, he would - "

"It's not worth it. If he's nice to me only because I'm...dying, I'd feel pathetic. I don't want that."

McGonagall looks at me with pity in her eyes.

That's exactly the look I do not want to see in anybody else's eyes.

I clear my throat and continue, "We forced him into this. He does not know why and that's for the best."

"Forgive me, but I still do not understand why you chose him."

Tensing up, I look down at my hands, "There was no one else."

"What about Mr. Weasley?"

"Ronald is..." I pause, "He would be too hurt by my...when I...when..."

I'm so pathetic. I can't even say it.

Finally I gather my courage, "He'd be too hurt by my death if we were married. I needed someone who would remain...unaffected."

"Severus can be a bastard sometimes, but he is not entirely without feelings, Miss Granger."

"He's not..." I blush, "He's not in love with me. It'll be easier. I want Ronald to move on with his life. I don't want him to get too attached to me. It's good he hasn't returned to finish his seventh year."

McGonagall takes a deep breath before asking slowly, "Has he finally accepted your marriage?"

I force a slight smile, "No. I haven't heard from him in two months, but Harry told me he's still angry."

Silence.

"This is too much for you, my child."

Again, I force a smile, "I'm fine."

I'm sick of using that sentence.

xxx

It's always awkward when I have Potions. Students are sending me evil glares. probably thinking I get special treatment and better grades because I'm married to the Professor.

I keep my head down and try to concentrate on the potion I'm making.

"Hermione," Harry whispers next to me, "I've done everything correct, but my potion is turning green."

I move closer to him, "Have you added- "

"Granger, don't you dare help him," a student whispers from behind us, "Let the Boy-Who-Saved-Us-All make his own potion for a change."

"Shut it," Harry whispers back.

Even after the War there is still house rivalry. Especially between Slytherins and Gryfindors.

"What is it, Potter? Incapable for brewing such a simple potion?"

I roll my eyes and return to my own potion as the two of them continue to fight. I don't have time for such childish games.

I really don't.

Then I hear the words that send a chill up my spine.

"...always asking that mudblood whore for help..."

I'll ignore it. I always ignore it.

I've been called many things in my life. Whore is just another one. What did I expect would happen after I married my teacher?

"Mr. Larson," Snape suddenly speaks, "Would you like to share that with the rest of the class?"

Silence.

"N-No, Sir," the boy answers.

"A wise choice," Snape replies, "I will see you in detention. Seven o' clock."

What just happened? Did Snape actually come to my defence?

Then he turns his attention towards Harry, "Mr. Potter, if you wish to finish this year, you will brew potions on your own. Without help. Am I understood?"

Harry quickly nods, "Yes, Sir."

Silence follows.

I take a deep breath and then realize that was a bad decision. There are so many disgusting smells in the classroom, it's making me sick.

"This class is really difficult," Harry whispers, "I don't know why Snape has to teach Potions. I thought he wanted the DADA position."

I shake my head, "I thought so too."

"Well?" he insists, "Do you know why he - "

"I don't know, Harry. McGonagall is the Headmistress, you can ask her," the moment words leave my mouth I regret them.

I am constantly snapping at people and I can't help it. Little things annoy me.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

Harry nods, "It's...alright. I shouldn't have expected you to know everything just because you are...married to him. I need to take this class seriously if I want to be an Auror..."

Harry continues talking, but I can't concentrate on his words. He is going to finish school, become an Auror. He is going to get old.

And what about me?

I only have a couple of months left.

My throat closes at the thought of that.

And then a wave of sickness hits me again. My hand goes to cover my mouth and I close my eyes for a second, trying to pull myself together.

"'Mione, are you alright?"

I nod, not able to speak.

Why does this have to happen to me?

I can't get sick in front of everyone. They'll think I'm pregnant and somehow that's even worse than them finding out I'm dying.

"Hermione?" Harry asks again.

I look at him before making my way to Snape's desk. I know everyone's looking at me, I can feel it.

Snape is grading some papers, but when he notices me he looks up, his expression confused.

"Sir, can I be excused?" I ask quietly.

"Why exactly, Miss Granger?"

"I'm...not feeling well."

He raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"I-I...I'll go see Madam Pomfrey."

"Why exactly?" he repeats the question.

Does he have to do this?

I know everyone is now listening to our conversation. There's never been such a dead silence before.

"Well, Granger? Either you reveal the reason for your wanting to leave the classroom or you return to your seat."

Sometimes I really hate him.

I am going to vomit all over his desk. Would that be a good enough reason for him?

He raises both his eyebrows and stares at me.

I can't deal with him right now.

I simply turn around and make my way to my seat. Everyone relaxes and Snape continues grading his papers.

But then I gather my things and casually walk to the doors, leaving the classroom.

xxx

I hover above the toilet, holding my hair back.

The stupid medicine is not helping at all.

After a few minutes I stand up, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

I don't look that different.

I'm still me. Right?

xxx

It's dinner time.

And he's not here. I can imagine he's still angry with me for what happened in class today. But it was all his fault. He would have allowed any other student to leave. He just refused because it was me and he feels he has to be extra strict with me. It does not help anyway. Other students still do not like me and think horrible things about me.

On the other hand, it's good he's not here. That way I don't have to force myself to eat when even the sight of food makes me sick.

xxx

Where is he?

It's almost ten o'clock and we still have to do the deed.

I walk out of my room, yawning while making my way to his bedroom.

He's not here.

That's the first thing I notice as I enter, turning the lights on.

Sighing, I sit on his bed and wait.

He knows it has to be done.

He'll be here soon.

xxx

"Granger."

My eyes snap open at the cold voice.

Where am I?

I look around, realizing this isn't my room. Then I remember.

How could I have fallen asleep in his room?

I stand up, clearing my throat awkwardly, "I've been waiting for you."

"That much is obvious."

"Where have you been? What's the time?"

"We still have an hour," he replies and looks at the bed behind me.

I nod, sitting back on it.

I'm always nervous.

"You embarrassed me today in class," he speaks.

I knew he was not going to let that slide.

"I was sick and you wouldn't let me leave."

"You disrespected me in front of the students."

"I didn't want to," I look up at him, "You forced me."

"Yes, I can imagine you know a lot about forcing someone into something they do not wish to do," he says cruelly.

I bite hard on my lip, just wanting to be done with it so I can return to my room.

I lay back as he turns the lights off. As the darkness fills the room I quickly remove my pyjama pants and my underwear.

It's always the same.

So clinical. And cold.

I know he used to take a potion before we began. I don't know if he still takes it.

I tense up as I hear him approaching. He pushes my legs apart, a bit rougher than usually. He's still angry and it shows.

He's still dressed, I can feel it.

No need to remove more clothes than absolutely necessary. That's what he said the first night.

As the seconds pass by I try to relax and think about other things, but it's impossible.

And then I feel him make his move.

It's always uncomfortable, but this time it's almost painful.

Biting hard on my lip, I ignore the tears that are forming in my eyes.

No noise comes from him as he moves on top of me, careful not to touch me more than necessary.

A small cry escapes me and he stops for a moment before continuing, faster than before. He wants to finish it as quickly as possible.

After a few minutes he finally sucks his breath in and freezes, shaking a bit.

And I just lay there, waiting for him to move away.

He does and I quickly pull my pants back on.

This is it.

It's always the same.

He turns the lights on and I look at him. He's a bit breathless, but other than that there is no other evidence that he...that we...

"The potion," he says, pointing at his nightstand.

Right. The potion that prevents pregnancy. Such actions are illegal and the Ministry punishes those who use contraceptives. But according to Snape they will not be able to detect this potion. Perhaps he himself brew it? I don't know, I never asked.

I grab the potion and stand up, quickly leaving his room before he has a chance to throw me out.

xxx

"This is ridiculous," he points out.

"Well, this was the only way I could get you to listen to me," I explain.

"Minerva locking me in an office with you, ordering me to talk to you. Do you not think that is a bit extreme? What is the reason behind it?"

I take a deep breath, "You know."

He rolls his eyes, "Granger, if this is about that crazy idea of yours - "

"It's not that crazy, Sir. We are both expected to marry someone and...we could help each other."

"How could marrying a student help me? I am not interested in damaging my reputation even more."

I open my mouth to speak, but it takes a few long moments before words actually come out, "Well...it wouldn't be a real marriage. You could still do the things you want to and so would I."

"A marriage of convenience."

"Exactly."

He sends me an evil smirk, "Have you read through the law, Miss Granger?"

"Of course I have."

"Are you familiar with that part about producing a child within two years and other marital obligations?"

I blush a bit, "That's...unfortunate, but think about other things. We could still live our own life, exactly as we do now."

"Why are you doing this, Granger? Why me?"

Because I feel guilty for not trusting you. Because I feel horrible knowing what you had to go through and still everyone hates you. Because you deserve some peace in your life and that is exactly what you are going to get once I'm gone.

I remain silent.

He raises an eyebrow, "You have never had a crush on me. I would have noticed it. Why me? Why not that Weasley boy?"

"We're not...together in that way."

He simply shakes his head, "I do not care. This conversation is over."

With a flick of his wand the doors fly open and he leaves.

He could open the doors? Then why did he stay for as long as he did and listen to me?

When I decided to be noble and help him I never thought that could be so much trouble. I might die before I convince him to marry me.

A/N: Appreciate any feedback. :) It feeds my muse. ;) Thank you for reading.