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A Snape/Hermione fic.
Chapter Five.
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Disclaimer: See Ch. 1.
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A/N: Thanks for all the reviews guys, I'll respond to them here:
Flamegirl5500: I'm glad you're still liking this, and liked that Dumbledore and Snape know about the "clause". Hope you like this chapter.
AntigoneScorned: Thanks for the review, I'm happy you like the storyline. And yes ... I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote Pomona ... especially since I've always loved the name "Poppy Pomfrey". I was having a "me" moment, but it should be fixed now, lol.
Ell: Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. And yeah, I was less-than-impressed with that. She's a lousy teacher to begin with, and this was just the icing on the cake.
LooneyLovey: Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I'm not sure if there's been a story where Hermione is getting married to a muggle ... if there is, I haven't seen it. When I finish this, I just might have to look. I've been reading all of the Snape/Hermione stories on here from the very end of the pages, and so far I'm on page 84 out of 106 ... lots to go. Hope you keep enjoying this fic!
?: (decided to change your name from "Anonymous"?) If you would like me to explain the entire story to you in detail until you've run out of things that I've done wrong, then you can send me a PM, or post a review with an actual user name. I'm not going to give away everything that's going to happen in the story, but if you honestly believe that Hermione would rob a bank, then I don't think you're very aware of her personality as JK Rowling's character. All will be explained EVENTUALLY, and if you don't want to wait for that, then that's fine. In response to the "or marry someone else before school ends to prevent the forced marriage" suggestion ... perhaps you didn't read the line in the last chapter where Hermione mused that she'd rarely even thought about marrying for love ... so obviously she wouldn't get married to just get out of another marriage ... I do hope you stick with this story to the end, but if you think that your way is better, then perhaps you should write your own. Just a thought.
vampirejewels: Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad you're liking it. I'm sure I could extend this to be 30 chapters long, BUT I doubt that's going to happen. I'm setting my sights on 10, but that doesn't mean it won't go over. We'll see how it goes!
Everyone else: Thanks for sticking with the story, I'm glad you're enjoying it. I know I am! Perhaps a little too much, lol.
Well, I guess I should get on with the next chapter ... my Author's Notes are getting longer and longer ... must stop that!
As always, please read and review, I live for feedback! (P.S., wanna know how awesome I am? I've now made a folder in my email for my Harry Potter reviews. :)
Hermione traced her finger along the spot where the sharp piece of metal had impaled her, but there was no trace of it left. The skin was flawless.
"Madam Pomfrey, you are a miracle worker," Hermione commented to the older woman.
"Think nothing of it," she replied. "But don't let it happen again."
Hermione forced a smile. "I'll try not to."
She made her way to the Gryffindor Tower slowly, not wanting to strain herself. She was still sore, but Madam Pomfrey assured her she was fine to return to normal school activities. She intended to give Harry and Ron and tongue-lashing when she saw them next, and knew that she should apologize to Professor Snape - not only for what the boys had done, but also for being such a hassle.
She chose the lesser of two evils and continued her trek to the Portrait of the Fat Lady.
It was afternoon, so most of the students were at lunch. She'd eaten in her hospital bed, so she pulled out her books and sat on the couch, rereading the next two chapters ahead of where they were in class.
She thought about making a trip to the Head Girl's dormitory to put her stuff away and change - it was within Gryffindor Tower, but it had a separate entrance, and Hermione chose the password, not the Fat Lady - but before she'd made up her mind to move, students began filing in through the portrait hole.
She was greeted by a few passers-by, and finally Ron's brilliant red hair poked through the crowd, and Hermione stood up, blocking his path. She knew they still had almost an hour left on their break, as she would be joining them later in Potions.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed, pulling Harry's attention away from Ginny who had walked in beside him. "You're back!"
He moved forward to hug her, but she held him back with one hand. "Ronald Weasley," she began, switching her glare to Harry. "Harry Potter. You two are lucky you didn't kill us all."
Ron scratched the back of his head. "We're sorry, Hermione."
"I don't want to hear it, Ronald. You're lucky Snape didn't curse you into oblivion," she reprimanded.
Harry spoke with a whiny voice, "He took 50 points away from Gryffindor, and gave us a week's worth of detention!"
"As well he should have!" she replied. "This has got to stop."
They looked between each other. "What has got to stop?"
"This obsession with trying to prevent this marriage!" she exclaimed without thinking. "It's done, it's over with. There's nothing you can do, so drop it! Before someone else gets hurt!"
Harry had already told Ginny what was going on, but the others in the common room were unaware, and began whispering to each other and moving closer to the Golden Trio.
"Hermione, you can't expect us just to do nothing! I mean, you're giving up everything you are by marrying this muggle bloke!" Ron complained. "You don't even love him!"
And just like that, word began to spread through the entire castle. By the time they arrived in Potions, Hermione Granger was the hottest subject of gossip Hogwarts had ever seen.
Hermione was furious at her two best friends when they arrived at Potions. People had been gossiping about her and pointing at her all the way down the halls as she walked, and she was decidedly sick of it.
When class began Snape separated Harry and Ron, telling them he would no longer allow their stupidity to work in numbers. Now Ron was paired with Pansy Parkinson and Harry was paired with Blaise Zabini. Hermione continued to work by herself, as there were an uneven number of students in the classroom. It was perfectly fine by her.
She could feel Snape's eyes on her, but kept her head down, telling herself that she would talk to him after class, and apologize for her clingy behavior.
She completed her Potion ahead of everyone else, bottled it, and slid from her desk to present it to her Professor.
He received the vial without so much as a well-done - not that Hermione was surprised - and waited for her to turn 'round, pack her things, and leave.
She didn't.
He left his eyes focused on the pages in front of him as he spoke, "You are dismissed, Miss Granger."
She cleared her throat, waiting for him to look at her.
When she began tapping her foot he sighed, dropping his quill and glaring at her. "Yes?"
She began her prepared speech, "I'm sorry to have caused you any trouble last class, sir. Harry and Ron were distracted because of me, and while they deserve whatever punishment you see fit to bestow upon them, I thought you should know that I am to blame as well." In a hushed voice, she added, "Also, I would like to apologize for holding onto your arm without permission. It wasn't something I meant to do, but I know how you are about boundaries, so I wanted to say that I was sorry, and it won't happen again."
Snape was caught off-guard by the admission, but righted himself quickly. "Very well, Miss Granger. See that it doesn't happen again."
She nodded purposefully before turning to gather her things and leaving the classroom without a look at her two closest friends. Snape watched her go with a confused, curious look on his face, recalling what Potter and Weasley had said in Dumbledore's office.
She's got too much fire to become some muggle housewife, he considered, forcing his eyes back to his papers and trying to rid his mind of thoughts of the bookworm that was Hermione Granger.
End of chapter five.
Short, I know, but it's all I'm in the mood for right now, and I wanted to get it uploaded before the hockey game tonight.
Woot, Canada kicked Russia's asses!
Anywhoo ... hope you guys liked this chapter, it was mostly a buffer, but I promise things will start moving in the next chapter. And I'll try to explain more about the contract in the next couple chapters.
Reviews make me world go 'round. Flame if you must, but constructive criticism is preferred.
Until next time ...!