Chapter 8

"God damn mother fucker! I can't get it off! He did something! I hate him!"

"Calm down Mya! It can't be that bad. Let me see the ring." Parvati examines the ring. "Don't bother, it won't come of. Not while you are alive at least. It's a binding band. He must have a matching one. He pretty much put a big sign on you: HANDS OFF, PROPERTY OF SEVERUS SNAPE. "

"I knew he was up to something when he put the ring on, and when he said we won't meet today. Damn him. Sneaky Slytherin."

Luck was with her later in the morning. She grabbed some breakfast before they came and she found an empty compartment on the train.

The ride was quiet till the door of the compartment flew open and somebody ran in slamming the door behind.

It was Pansy Parkinson. In tears. Hermione sighed. Because of the ferret boy no doubt. Great.

"Parkinson I will never get what you see in that wanker. For someone of your intelligence you are acting very stupid. He is using you."

Parkinson girl looked startled for a moment. Then she turned her anger on the Gryffindor.

"Fuck you bitch!"

"Sorry, I don't swing that way. Don't take your anger on me. Send it to him. Leave him."

"I love him."

"And the moon is made of green cheese. And sit, it's hard to look at you in this position."

Hermione was sitting in a seat beside a window. Parkinson wiped her face and set down opposite from her.

"I hate you."

"Tell me something new."

"He cheated on me." Pansy said with a hiccup.

"What did you expect? Ferret boy couldn't be faithful even if his life depended on it. You have a body to kill for and are twice as smart as him. Kick him where it counts and find a guy who does not chase after every skirt in sight."

"Why are you telling me this? Why are you trying to make me feel better? Is it some kind joke to make fun of me? You and your boyfriends can go to Hell!"

"When did you last time saw me with them Parkinson? A year ago? I stopped considering them as friends a while ago." Hermione's voice was serious. She looked in the eyes of the crying girl.

"You really think I have a body to kill for?" the Slytherin's voice was low and painful.

"You look great, just stop using the bleaching charm, darker hair suits you better, and drop the ton of makeup, you really don't need it." The blond looked at the Gryffindor for a while then her lip started trembling.

Hermione started to panic 'What did I do now? I really don't want her to start the water works. I never liked her, but she deserves better than the ferret.'

"Look Pansy, I know we don't like each other but you really can do better. Don't believe me if you want, but no woman deserves such a treatment. He's a cheating arse that does not deserve someone like you. And don't say you love him, its bullshit, and you know it. You love the idea of love not the blond ferret."

The silent sobs turned into full blown wail and then unexpectedly for Hermione the blond girl lunched at her. She wrapped her arms around Hermione's neck and started crying into her neck while sitting on the seat next to her and half on her lap.

The stunned Gryffindor started to stroke the blonde's back, while holding her in a warm embrace.

After a while sobbing girl calmed and Hermione let go of her, allowing her to sit strait.

"It's a sweetest…. Thing...Anybody... Told me…. Thanks... I really needed …it."

"Better?"

"Yeah."

"Let me do something for you. Ok? It will make to feel you even better."

The slytherin nodded, and tried to wipe the tears with her palm.

"Ok. Close you ayes and don't move"

She obeyed.

With few flicks of her wand Hermione was done.

"Ok, look."

When Pansy opened her eyes she almost fell from her seat, because … she was looking at herself.

"Wow… it's that really me? What did you do Granger?"

"Cleaned your face and removed the bleach."

"That's it?"

"What did you expect? Glamour?"

"Damn…I look hot." Parkinson leaned closer to the mirror floating in front of her. For the first time in a while she liked what she saw. A grin spread on her face. Its time for a change.

"Why did you use the bleach any way?"

"Draco."

Hermione snorted.

"Can I tell you something?" the slytherin with now raven black hair said.

"Be my guest Parkinson."

"Pansy, call me Pansy."

"Ok." Hermione was surprised but didn't show it.

"I met Potter and Weasel earlier. They were talking about you. It wasn't nice. The she weasel was there also. I'm sorry."

"Don't be Pansy. When earlier I said they are not my friends I meant it. So just stop beating around the bush and ask me what you want to know."

"Did you cast Protecto?"

"Yes."

"Wow… you like saved us all." Pansy's ayes were wide. But then came confusion. "If I understand them right, they don't believe you. Why?"

"I don't know Pansy. They betrayed me."

"But your Head…"

"In Gryffindor only three people believe in me."

"The Headmaster…"

Hermione waved her hand in anger.

"The old goat thinks I'm lying."

Suddenly Pansy froze. She was looking at Hermione's hand.

"Is that Snape family wedding band I'm seeing Hermione?" Her voice was serious.

'Damn, she noticed. The gods hates me.'

"Well… I…"

"The only Snape left is Professor Snape. Care to humor me?"

"You better sit down Pansy. And how did you recognize this blasted thing?"

"Every old pureblood family has one. I guess you can't take it off?"

"No. All my tries were fruitless."

"I'm sitting. So how did it found its way to you?"

"Did you hear about the latest Ministry stupidity?"

"Yeah. So?"

"I'm 18."

"You can't be, we're in the same year."

"I used a time turner."

"And Snape petitioned for you? Damn."

"He was my third petition and the best one."

"You are kidding. Who can be worse than him?"

"Lucius Bloody Malfoy and Percy Soding Weasley."

"And Dumbledore didn't try to save you?"

"Percy is his idea of saving."

"And then Snape saw his chance?"

"Not like that. It's more like he saved me. I try not to think about it. I'm moving in with him after the summer. ..."

"Good."

"Good? I'm married to the Overgrown Bat of the dungeons!"

"You are a Slytherin now, so it's ok for me to befriend you."

"What?"

"I want to be your friend."

"You are crazy."

"I'm not the one married to Snape."

"Don't remind me. I have this blasted ring on my finger for it."

"I take he forgot to mention few things about it, accidentally of course."

"Of course. I'm surprised he didn't put a big green and silver sign above me. 'Property of Severus Snape. Touch her and face your doom.'"

"That possessive?"

"You don't know half of it. We've been married only for a 24 hours and I want divorce already."

"There is no divorce in the wizarding world."

"I know. Look we're practically at the platform. I have to go and find Parvati. See you in 2.5 months, without the ferret hopefully."

"Don't worry. Have a good summer lady Snape. I take they don't know about it?"

Hermione smiled mischievously.

"No. Bye."