Hey! Yes, I forgot it was Tuesday today...but I didn't forget to update!
I love all of your reviews, I can't even tell you how wonderful they are! They make my day!
I hope this chapter doesn't throw some of you, I PROMISE that this is needed to set up the rest of the story, so don't hate me.
Read and enjoy! =D
The next thing that she remembered was waking up in a dark room. Hermione jolted up with a gasp, and immediately reached for her chest. A light on the dresser was suddenly lit, and she saw, sitting in an arm chair in the corner of the room, Professor Snape.
"Don't get out of bed," he said as she went to swing her legs out. "I wouldn't advise moving too much either."
Hermione stared at him, and dropped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. His soft steps approached her, but she made no move to look at him.
"What was that?" she asked quietly fingers tracing the phantom pain.
"A curse." he muttered looking over her.
"How long have I been out?"
"A little over a day."
"A day!"
"Well what did you expect? You lost so much blood we were about to take you to St. Mungo's, but we managed to get some replenisher into you, which helped."
"You've been here the whole time?" she asked, finally looking at him.
"Albus suggested I stay to see if the curse was gone or not."
Hermione then noticed that his hands were still covered in blood, and she was still covered in blood. Also, he looked as if he hadn't slept at all.
"Where's Ginny?" she asked noticing the untouched bed.
"I believe she's sharing a room with her elder brothers for the time being." he said as he began to look over her.
"Did…did it come back?" she asked.
"No, nothing. It is safe to assume that it's gone."
Hermione quickly got out of bed and caught her reflection in a mirror, including her dress which was covered in blood. There would be no saving it.
"You can sleep; I'm just going to wash up."
"I don't think that you should be moving around so much."
"Professor, you've watched me for a day, you need to sleep."
Hermione left the room with a change of clothes and made her way to the bathroom. When she went back to the room, she found him in the opposite bed, sound asleep. Hermione couldn't believe how peaceful his face was, and without thinking, she walked over to him, and brushed a piece of hair from his face. In a flash, his hand locked over her wrist and his wand was drawn. His reaction made her jump, but she wasn't surprised that he was so hostile.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" but her sentence caught in her throat as he continued to stare at her.
Slowly, his fingers dropped from her wrist, and he quickly turned over, giving her his back. Before she did anything else that made her look like a fool, she left the room and sat in the kitchen, waiting for other people to awake.
Lupin entered the house, and upon seeing her, gave a start.
"What are you doing up?"
"I've had enough rest for the time being." she said grabbing a cup and making him some tea.
"And where's Snape?"
"Asleep."
The two talked for nearly an hour before Mrs. Weasley made her appearance. They all began making breakfast, and the smell awoke the rest of the house. Ron and Harry were especially glad to see her back on her feet, and they talked on both sides of her. Hermione could barely listen due to the happiness that was in the room. She was safe, her friends were safe, and the Order was safe.
Another few hours passed before Snape reappeared in the kitchen, finding the darkest corner to sit in as Molly made him a cup of tea. He gave a single nod of thanks and pulled the cup close to him, slightly hunched over the table. Hermione noticed how he never raised his eyes from his cup as the others discussed matters among the Order making sure those who were not part of the Order were kept out.
They began talking about the Muggles that were being killed, and the way they were talking about it made her stomach turn. Then they turned to discuss the young children of their world being tortured and killed to keep their parents in check and following Death Eater orders.
"Can't we do something?" Hermione said finally as her frustration bubbled forth.
"What can we do, Hermione? We can't go and protect everyone out there, can we? We don't have the man power anymore." Lupin said looking exhausted.
"So we're supposed to just sit back and watch Voldemort kill people, is that it?" she said noticing that nearly everyone flinched at the name.
"We…we can't do anything else." Lupin muttered as Tonks took his hand.
"Then…what is the point of the Order then? Why are we here?" she asked.
"Our main concern is Harry…he needs to be protected." Albus suddenly added in, appearing so suddenly in the doorway that everyone jumped.
"Professor, please." Hermione said looking at him.
"Miss Granger, there is nothing we can do." The finality of his tone made her response die on her tongue.
Her eyes immediately fell to Snape, as if he could answer her, but he simply returned to looking at his cup. Rage suddenly flared through her, and she stood, causing her chair to scrape across the floor.
"I'm tired," she lied quickly. "I'll be in the library."
Hermione stalked out of the room and slipped into the library, blindly snatching a book off the shelf and throwing herself onto the dusty couch.
"Incendio." she muttered, causing a fire to light in the dark room.
She turned to the center of the book and began reading in the middle of a sentence, not caring that she didn't know what was going on. The door opened and closed behind her, but Hermione didn't bother to see who had entered.
"Well, that was a rather rash show of emotions, don't you think?" a voice said in a casual manner.
Hermione didn't need to turn to see who had spoken; instead she focused on attempting to keep her rage in check.
"I suggest you don't run away from everything you disagree with; it certainly won't help you."
"Well what was I supposed to?" she snapped slamming the book shut and tossing it on the table. "I wasn't just going to sit there and listen to that!"
"You need to learn how to keep your emotions in check! Bursting out like that isn't going to get you anywhere but killed!"
Hermione jumped up and turned on the spot ready to strike him.
"What about you? How can you sit there and listen to them talk about Muggles like their deaths are just something that needs to be tolerated? How innocent children are just going to be casualties of war? How can you-"
"I sit there, because I have to," Snape said in a calm tone that suggested he was forcing his anger deep inside himself. "I sit there and deal with it because there is nothing I can do to change their fates. Nothing I do will make a difference to them."
She couldn't take her eyes off him as the fire began to die from his eyes. Hermione crossed her arms and turned towards the fireplace.
"It's disgusting." she muttered.
"We cannot do anything, the best thing we can do is accept it and move on."
"Accept it? Is that the answer? Accept that innocent people are going to die and we're not going to help. No, that is something I am not willing to accept."
"You need to learn to accept these things; it is a part of the Order."
"Well then I don't want to be a part of this." she snapped turning towards the door.
Snape instantly reached out and snatched her arms, pulling her to a stop in front of him.
"You do not have the liberty of deciding whether or not you are a part of this. Today is not even remotely close to the worst thing you will hear in that kitchen, but you're going to have to learn how to swallow it and detach your emotions from the discussions. It's the only way you're going to be able to get through the meetings."
Hermione looked up into the pale and shallow face, appreciating the strong jaw and high cheek bones.
"I…I don't know how to not feel." she said quietly, still looking into his face which was close to her own.
"No," he said with a sigh, his eyes flashing quickly over her face. "I imagine you of all people wouldn't be able to keep your emotions hidden. You're too empathetic."
"Are all of the meetings going to be like that?" she asked in a whisper.
"Generally. They tend to go for a more blunt way of presenting facts. They'd rather get everything out in the open than dwell."
Hermione noticed that he didn't seem to include himself in that group.
"Are you staying? Here, I mean, for the holidays?" she asked.
Snape looked into her eyes for a moment longer before dropping his hands and turning his back.
"Dumbledore suggested that I stay, for my own safety. But if…he calls…I have no choice but to go. He tends to have…events planned for the holidays."
She stared at his back, feeling extremely sorry for him, and wishing she could take him away and hide him from Voldemort forever.
"I…I got you something…for Christmas."
He turned slightly, to look at her with a raised eyebrow in surprise.
"Well, it's for Christmas and sort of a thank you gift at the same time, but you can only get it under one condition."
"Out of curiosity, what may that one condition be?" he asked in a careless tone.
"You have to promise to be here on Christmas night."
"You know I can't make that-"
"Humor me." Hermione said desperately.
He turned back towards the fire, and Hermione thought he had chosen to ignore her, but then his voice came, softer than she had ever heard it before.
"I promise."
Feeling her heart swell, she turned and left the room, with a small smile gracing her face.
Christmas came in a flash, and Hermione spent most of her days with Snape, in the library. The two had continued their meetings together, and most of the people in the house had left them alone, mostly because of Snape. Harry and Ron were eager to talk to Hermione, but she couldn't face them knowing she would most likely have to lie to them about everything.
Christmas Day proved to be an extremely festive occasion. Every room in the house was decorated, and carols could be heard floating throughout the halls, along with laughter. After intense discussions, Hermione managed to pull Snape down into the kitchen and into the heart of the celebration. He handled it as she thought he would: sulking in the corner and glaring at everyone as they laughed.
Hermione sat beside him, not wanting to leave him alone, but his scowling made her sigh.
"It's Christmas! What could you possibly be upset about?" she asked.
"The whole concept is ridiculous." he muttered.
"No it's not." she said huffing.
"And when should I expect my gift? It's nearly night." he said looking at his time piece. "And I'm still here."
She knew that he was anxious to change the subject, and she let him.
"No, it's not even seven yet, that hardly counts."
Before he could reply, Dumbledore summoned him to the study. Hermione took this time to join in a game of exploding snaps.
"No, Ginny, you can have a go, I've lost more times than I care to admit." Hermione said after ten minutes.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" a voice suddenly roared, causing the room to fall silent.
Hermione walked into the hall, as the others quickly returned to their games with a little too much eagerness.
"NO, ALBUS! THIS I WILL NOT DO!"
"Severus, this could make sure Harry is safe for longer than we originally thought."
"And put her at risk? Do you have any idea what they would do to her, Albus? Do you know what they will do to her, just to have her give them some information? I will not do this!"
"Severus."
Hermione pushed the door open, causing Snape to look at her with fear, and Dumbledore appearing to be calm as always.
"Come in and shut the door, Miss Granger." Dumbledore said.
The fire in the fireplace was crackling merrily, but Hermione felt anything but. Her heart was racing as she looked between the two men. Snape had turned his back on her, and looked to be trembling slightly.
"Professor?" she asked turning towards Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger, do you recall stating that you would do anything to ensure Harry's safety?" he asked gently.
"Yes."
"No! Do not lure her like that, Albus! I am telling you now that you are not going to do this!" Snape shouted turning on him.
"I understand that you are upset, Severus, but this decision lies with Miss Granger."
He turned back to her.
"There is something that you can do."
"What is it?"
Dumbledore took a seat in a chair, and gestured to her to sit on the couch, which she did, folding her hands in her lap.
"You are well aware that Voldemort has shown a rather keen interest in you, as of late. He has expressed his desire to attack everyone that you love in order to get to you, and I know how you fought to keep your parents safe. He plans on extracting information from you concerning Harry, in hopes that he can find a weakness in him."
"What can I do to help?" she asked patiently.
"Miss Granger, I need to know if you would be willing to go to Voldemort."
"Go to him?"
"Yes, we would ensure your story would be solid, and once he accepts the fact that he has you under his control, we can begin telling you false information which you can then pass onto him."
"Then I could lead him away from Harry, and Ron, and everyone else." she said in understanding.
"Yes, this will ensure that Harry has the time he needs."
"Time? For what?"
"That, Miss Granger, will come out in due time." he said quietly.
"So I just need to give him false leads?"
"It is much more than that. He will torture you, threaten you, break into your mind and delve into your memories. This will be no easy task, Miss Granger, and I hope you understand the risk you are taking if you choose to accept this. He could very well kill you in the process."
Hermione let the words sink in. She could be dead. Voldemort could kill her. Harry needed time, he needed help. He needed her. Hermione hadn't seen Snape's eyes on her.
"Don't you dare play the martyr! You've done enough for Potter as it is, but this is too much!" he cried.
"Why not? Harry needs help!"
"You've already helped the bloody boy!"
"I'm going to do this whether you like it or not!"
"I refuse to do this, Albus! I am not going to watch her kill herself!"
"Severus, that's why we need you, you can help protect her."
"Protect her?" he scoffed with a humorless laugh. "How? How do you purpose I 'protect' her when she's at his mercy?"
"There is a way." Albus said pulling a folded piece of parchment from his robes.
Severus snatched it from him roughly when Dumbledore held it out for him. Hermione watched as his eyes widened and his face paled.
"No," he choked out, tossing the paper on the table. "No, I refuse to do that, Albus; I cannot be responsible for her."
"It's the only way to ensure that she is safe during all of this."
"A contract? What is that supposed to do?" he said desperately.
"You would be legally responsible for her, and I've added a few other little additions that would help. For lack of a better term, she would belong to you and you alone. Voldemort could not keep her for an extended amount of time. Yes, that is one of the things that I've added. This would be a normal contract under every circumstance, except for where he is involved."
Hermione snatched up the piece of parchment, and read the title: MARRIAGE CONTRACT.
Calmly, she placed the parchment back down as they studied her.
"He would not be able to keep her for more than three hours a day. I'm afraid I cannot prevent what happens during those three hours. After the three hours are up, she must return with you."
"How can all of that be written into a marriage contract?" Hermione asked.
"I have my ways, Miss Granger." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I'll do it." Hermione instantly said.
"No!" Snape bellowed, choking on the rest of his words.
"Why not? This could help the Order!"
"Damn the Order! This is your life we're talking about!"
"I'm well aware of the risks." she said.
"Severus, either you agree to this, giving Miss Granger some protection not only due to this contract, but from your presence, or she goes to Voldemort with no chance of returning."
"How can you put me in this position? After everything I've done for you! I've risked my life for you! I've done everything you've told me to do! Potter is safe enough without her risking her life!"
"This is the only way we can give Harry time, and Miss Granger is the only one who can do that."
Snape seemed to be crushed with the force of the task at hand.
"I see I have no choice." he finally muttered, his whole body seeming to hunch over as if he were trying to fold up into himself and disappear.
"Now, I want to make myself clear. Once the spell is preformed, and the document signed, there is no turning back from what needs to be done."
Hermione and Snape sat in silence.
"I must ask you to stand and roll up your sleeves."
The two did as they were told, when suddenly the door opened, and Remus stepped in. He looked between the three, and then back at Dumbledore.
"Um, Professor, Kingsley just arrived."
"Remus, come in, we need you." Dumbledore said beckoning him forward.
He stepped into the room and shut the door before approaching the scene. Dumbledore explained what was to be done, and Remus paled considerably.
"Surely there has to be another way." he said once Dumbledore finished.
"What's the matter, Lupin? You don't think I can handle it?" Snape hissed at him
"For God's sake, Severus, I never questioned your ability to do anything! But you, protecting Hermione…"
"I'm perfectly capable of doing what is required of me." he replied coldly.
"Hermione, think about what you're doing."
"I have." she replied evenly.
Lupin seemed to know that he was fighting a losing battle, because he backed up, showing that he was ready to serve as witness to the union. Dumbledore stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"Take each other's wrists, like the Unbreakable Vow."
The two hesitated for a moment, before gingerly taking each other's wrists. His hand radiated strength and power, and Hermione shivered slightly.
This was it. Dumbledore pulled out his wand and pointed it at their wrists. As he began muttering under his breath, a gold smoky ribbon began to emerge from the tip of his wand and continued to wrap around their hands. The ribbon became tighter and tighter and Hermione felt an odd sensation where their skin met. When the ribbon finally finished emerging from the wand, it tightened one last time before the burning began. Hermione stared, concentrating on the color rather than the slight pain.
"Do you Severus Snape, agree to take Hermione Granger as your wife?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to protect her from harm, to the best of your ability?"
"I do."
"Do you, Hermione Granger, agree to take Severus Snape as your husband?"
"I do." she replied in a hollow voice.
"Do you promise to obey his orders in times of trouble?"
"I do."
She lifted her eyes to Snape's and found him gazing fiercely at her, causing her breath to quicken.
"Very well, you are now legally bound to one another."
As Dumbledore spoke, the ribbon pulled itself from their hands leaving a slightly pinkish welt in its wake and stood hovering over their hands before floating across to the document Dumbledore held in his hands. The ribbon seemed to become absorbed into the paper, giving it a look like it was glowing. They released each other's wrists as Dumbledore smiled.
"If you could both sign your names." They did.
"Remus, please sign as the witness." Dumbledore said.
Lupin stepped forward, took the quill and sloppily scribbled on the parchment. Straightening up, he stared Snape directly in his eye.
"If anything happens to her, Severus, there will be consequences."
"Is that a threat, Lupin?"
"Yes, it is." he said.
"This stays between the people in this room, do you all understand?" Dumbledore said.
They all nodded as he fished in his robes procuring two rings. He handed the gold one to Snape, and the silver to Hermione.
"These rings are very important. They can help you send messages to one another, or find your way when you are separated. But most importantly, they must be on to work. When it's on your finger, turn it once to send a message, and twice to signal for help. The ring will become hot, and from there you simply Apparate and the ring will lead you."
Hermione slipped hers on, feeling the cool metal on her finger. Snape did the same with a huff. Dumbledore folded the document and handed it to Snape.
"I'm sure Voldemort would like to see this."
Snatching the paper, Snape stormed from the room, and Hermione settled herself on the couch. Dumbledore left with a soft smile, and Lupin sat beside her, silent.
"I'm scared." she finally muttered.
"You didn't have to do this." Lupin said.
"Well, I'm scared about that…but what if Voldemort finds out what we're doing? We could both be killed."
"You're worried about him, aren't you?"
"Yes, he risks so much, and now I've just asked him to risk more."
"I want you to keep in contact, do you understand? If you need any help at all, you can ask me. Not to mention Harry and Ron will be wondering where you've gone off to."
Hermione flung her arms around his neck, and he gently hugged her back. She just needed a brief moment of normalcy, something to calm her racing mind.
"Come, the meeting is about to start." Lupin said softly while pulling away.
"Actually, I think I'm going to turn in. Is that alright?" she asked.
"Of course, I'll tell the others."
She smiled her thanks and left the room with him, and as he made his way to the kitchen, Hermione caught Snape's eye, and the two simply looked at one another before she turned and headed up the stairs. Only, she didn't keep going. She sat down, hidden, and listened in on the meeting.