Don't take that sinner from me

Chapter 4: The Daily Prophet

A/N: I own nothing except my mistakes. Please do let me know what you think!

It felt to her as if she was going to greet death in only a couple of days, for she started to admire everything around her. From the joy of her warm bed in the Gryffindor Tower, to the laughter with friends, studying in the library and the peacefulness from being alone for a while.

She enjoyed it thoroughly to not be the subject of the conversation of all the students around her. For once in her life, she enjoyed not to be noticed. For she knew that tomorrow, it would all end.

But after a tiring evening of practicing her Patronus, she now was forced to see that this last day of her weekend would be her last peaceful day.

Feeling rather uneasy when she woke up the following morning, she pretended like everything was fine and that nothing strange would be placed in the Daily Prophet that day. Taking a big gulp of air, she walked down the corridors alone, having asked her friends to go on without her, for she wanted one last stroll through these corridors in quietness.

Hermione entered the Great Hall after a somewhat comfortable walk through the corridors and her eyes nervously drifted off to the Headmaster, who was joyfully sipping on some pumpkin juice. Catching her eye, he gave an encouraging nod and Hermione looked at Dumbledore's left, where Professor McGonagall was seated, and she too, met Hermione's eyes; shooting her a tense smile. And at last, her eyes drifted off to her betrothed, who had been watching her silent conversation with the other two teachers.

To her surprise, he gave her a curt nod of acknowledgment and Hermione returned it. Walking to the Gryffindor bench, she took her place between Ron and Neville, watching Harry and Ginny talk to each other in hushed voices.

"'Morning, Hermione!" Neville greeted her and Hermione smiled, willing herself to relax. "Good morning, Neville." She replied and reached out for a few slices of bread and started to eat it in a rather hurried pace, for she knew that owls would soon be delivering their mail – the Daily Prophet included.

And sure enough, not five minutes later, the hooting of owls spread the Great Hall and Hermione tried to control her nerves, not wanting to attract attention before it was necessary. When an owl arrived at her side, she put some coins in its pouch and untied the paper from its legs. When she pulled the last string, it flew off again and Hermione took a deep breath.

She could feel the other three leaning over to her newspaper as they all started to read. Hermione observed the paper: On the front page was a photo in a heart shape in the middle of the paper, surrounded by text. The photo had appeared to be taken at the Yule Ball from two years ago, with Hermione in the front and Snape lingering somewhere in the back.

WEDDING BELLS: SNAPE AND GRANGER

THE DECADE ENCHANTMENT

The aut cor aut mors enchantment has been casted once more last Friday on October 19. It showed the Ministry a rather interesting couple, for the people are both currently located at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

They are none other than Hermione Granger, 17, a student sorted into Gryffindor and Severus Snape, 36, Head of Slytherin House, Potions Master. This couple has caused a bit of an excitement in the Ministry, and are pleased to announce that this couple, who have been gifted with the greatest joy and love from this ancient enchantment, will soon be marrying within the walls of the Ministry of Magic themselves! We give them our fullest support.

We wish both a happy, loved life and hope they will explore the beauty of the great gift they have been given.

The story went on for a while longer, describing how amazing the enchantment was, but Hermione didn't want to read any more. For she did not want to be comforted with lies.

Slowly, the Great Hall started to get eerily quiet and Hermione felt eyes burning into her from every direction. The teachers that weren't aware of the current situation yet, were also staring dumbfounded at the Gryffindor girl.

"Is it true then, is Snape really shagging a student?" Hermione wheeled around in time to see who had spoken: Pansy Parkinson.

"Miss Parkinson! Ten points from Slytherin for that foul accusation." Professor McGonagall snapped from the teacher's table. Professor Dumbledore stood up and walked to the front, and all the eyes turned from Hermione to Dumbledore.

"Good morning, to all of you." Professor Dumbledore smiled, keeping his light mood like always. "I understand that this might be a bit of a shock for all of you, believe me when I say that it was for the appointed pair as well when they found out. But, what you must know is that they have been chosen, by the most beautiful magic that this Wizarding world holds. They have been granted a lifetime of the most powerful love to be experienced, and upon agreeing on marrying, they have sealed the deal and have been rewarded with their love for each other." Dumbledore began and Hermione felt rather grateful that her headmaster had a good cover up story for what the enchantment really was.

"As we have the Ministry's support, we also wish to gain the support of you all, to wish them a happy marriage where they feel free to love. Let us look past our prejudices." Dumbledore finished and looked around the hall with the familiar twinkling in his eyes.

"Does anyone have any questions?" The headmaster asked and Hermione looked around the room, only to see a hand shoot in the air at the Ravenclaw table. "Yes, I do, Professor." Michael Corner said and all eyes turned to him instead. "The Prophet says they've known since October 19, how come we haven't seen Professor Snape and Hermione together yet?"

"Fair question, Mr Corner. That would be my doing, I am afraid. I wanted to give them a peaceful weekend without any students trying to pry on them. It is therefore that I requested the Ministry to wait with this news until this morning." This answer seemed to make sense to most of the students and so they let it drop.

The bell rang and Hermione let out a relieved sigh, for she did not want to be around so many students any longer than she had to. However, it being her lucky day, she started out with Potions.

Loud chatting filled the Hall once more and Hermione stood up with the rest. Ron and Harry walked ahead of her, shooting threatening glances at anyone who might dare to throw a hurtful comment her way. As she entered the Entrance Hall, however, an arm snaked around her waist and Hermione jumped a little, but it didn't show as the arm held her firmly in place.

Looking to her left, she saw the dark robes swaying next to her side and the expressionless face of her Potions Master staring ahead of him as they now moved up the marble staircase, only to go down another pair of stairs as they arrived at the ground floor.

Noticing that people were staring, she tried to relax her face as if she was completely comfortable with the arm resting on her hip as they swiftly moved through the corridors, people making way for them as they did not dare to cross Snape's path.

Together, they entered the Potions classroom in the dungeons, and Snape dropped his arm as Hermione was near the table that Ron and Harry had occupied.

"Wands away." Professor Snape ordered in a drawl at some students playing with their wands. "Today, you will be brewing the Draught of Living Death, at page ten of your Advanced Potion-Making book." The class remained where it was and Professor Snape lifted a cold eyebrow, "Well, why aren't you all getting to work?" He drawled and everyone hurried to the cabinets for supplies.

Hermione followed the instructions of the recipe, advancing greatly compared to the rest as her potion took the desired colour of the book. However, after a while she became worried when her potion didn't turn into the lilac colour it ought to do, but instead remained a dark purple.

She took a second glance at her book, scanning the recipe:

- Cut up the Sopophorous bean

- Pour in 250 . of water and add 5 oz. Of African sea salt to the beaker. Set the beaker aside after all the water has been added. Be very careful not to shake or move the beaker now.

- Leave the water and salt to rest for five minutes. - Slowly pour all the water into the cauldron. - With your left hand use the graduated cylinder to obtain 40 . of essence of wormwood. - With your right hand hold the cauldron at a slight angle and pour ten drops (20 .) of essence of wormwood. - Now with your left hand hold the cauldron at a slightly different angle and pour another ten drops of wormwood essence. - Chop three Valerian roots into small squared pieces. After cutting place it in a beaker with water. Leave it to settle for five minutes. Your potion should now be resembling a smooth blackcurrant-coloured liquid. - Carefully pour the Sopophorous bean's juice into the cauldron - Add seven drops of the reduced liquid from the beaker; make sure there are no traces or fragments of Valerian root. - Stir the potion ten times clockwise; your potion should now be turning a light shade of lilac. - With your right hand stir the potion counterclockwise until the potion turns as clear as water; every stir should take approximately two and a half seconds. - Slowly put in seven square pieces of Valerian root. - Stir the potion ten times counterclockwise. - Add one hundred and fifty . of powdered root of asphodel. - Hold the cauldron with your right hand; with your left hand gently stir the potion ten times counterclockwise and eight times clockwise. - Leave the potion to settle for two and a half minutes. - Add one small piece of Valerian root. - Your potion should turn to a pale pink colour; the preparation is now complete.

But no matter how carefully she read the instructions and performed them, she did not seem to be able to get it right.

Professor Snape had started to walk around the classroom, peeking into everyone's cauldrons, including Hermione's. He wordlessly walked away once more but returned not long after, and unnoticed by anyone else, he dropped a note on her book and continued walking.

A quick yet elegant handwriting had been formed on the piece of parchment:

- The Sopophorous bean should be crushed with a silver dagger, not cut,

releases juices more efficiently.

- The juice from 13 Sopophorous beans should be used, rather than 12.

- Stir anticlockwise seven times and clockwise once instead.

Hermione felt a little hesitant to try this at first, for she did not want to stray from the book's instructions. But then she had to remind herself that Professor Snape was a Potions Master and therefore knew what he was doing.

Deciding that she didn't have much to lose anyway, she started with his first instruction and it already seemed to have its effect as the potion turned a shade lighter. So, with her spirits held high, she performed the last two steps as well and was pleased to see that the potion was heading in the right direction.

Finishing the potion just on time, she was thrilled to see that she had been the only one in the classroom to have succeeded. The corners of Snape's lips twitched upwards into a sly smile as he announced this to the class, and everyone looked curiously between the two of them.

When the bell rang, Snape had ordered them all to clean up after themselves and let them go. Hermione lingered behind and waited as Harry helped Ron clean up the mess he had made. "Ron, hurry up, we're gonna be late!" Hermione whined as a minute had passed and they still needed to walk three floor ups to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.

"You know you can help us, right?" Ron retorted and Hermione shrugged, "I already helped with putting away the ingredients, and besides, how am I supposed to get between you two?" They didn't argue and hurried up a bit more, and then at last, they were completely done.

Without a single glance at her Potions Master, she hurried off with Ron and Harry tailing behind. With only a few seconds to spare, they had entered the classroom and quickly took the empty seats. Hermione sat herself down next to Neville, and Harry and Ron managed to find an empty table at the front.

"Today we shall be learning about grindylows, please turn to page sixteen of your textbook." Professor Merrythought said. Her wrinkles were highly defined by the sunshine coming through the window, her grey curly hair tied up in a bun.

"Can anyone explain to me what grindylows are?" Hermione's hand shot in the air, and started to explain exactly what she had read about them a couple of years back, earning her ten points for Gryffindor.

After an entire hour of taking notes, she was glad that they had Herbology next, for Professor Merrythought never kept her notes short. At least working with plants would soothe her writing hand for a bit.

All the while through Herbology, she dreaded the moment when she'd have to go back to the Great Hall for lunch. But no matter how slow she walked, she eventually did end up at the Great Hall. And what was even worse, was that because of her tragically slow walking, Harry and Ron had set off without her and she was the last one to enter the Hall.

Snickers were heard from the Slytherin table as whispers spread along the students. Hermione tried to ignore everyone, but it was difficult to do when each student was trying to grab her attention to either make fun of her, or wanted to show their support. The latter would have seemed like a good thing, but to Hermione it was more like a waste of their breath. Her relationship wasn't real, and she for sure was not ready for her supporters to talk about the joy of the enchantment.

Hermione felt a burning sensation coming from the teacher's table as she tried to eat her toast, and looking for the source, she made eye contact with her betrothed. And then the most magical thing happened: Snape smiled at her. Like an actual smile. Or well, the corner of his lips turned up, and Hermione counted that as his smile.

Her eyes widened in surprise and wondered why that smile had formed, until it dawned on her: they are engaged and they were expected to act as if they were in love when in public. And so she hastily fixed her expression and smiled back at him, looking down timidly for added effect. When she looked back up, she noticed that the majority was watching the exchange between the two of them – staff included. For Dumbledore was smiling broadly with his usual twinkle in his eyes, and Professor McGonagall was looking curiously as well.

Throughout her lunch, she reminded herself to look at the teacher's table once in a while, and nine out of ten times, he'd look back at her and they'd share some glances that would show them how in love they were.

At one point, whilst switching classrooms, she had walked into her Potions Master. Like, literally walked into him. He had smiled slyly at her and caressed her arm in a loving way for a couple of seconds whilst drawling: "Careful, Hermione." And then he walked on in the opposite direction.

Hermione had actually blushed, for she wasn't used to being in such close proximity with her teacher, and the reddened cheeks added nicely to the smile that played on her lips as she looked at her Potions Master.

That was the only time she had seen him after lunch, however.

Evening had come faster than she had imagined, and was now once again making her way to the headmaster's office after dinner for their daily appointment.

They once more worked on her Patronus, and Hermione watched in amazement as she had notice the slightest bit of improved, for it was now becoming a stronger conjured Patronus. And she did have to be honest with herself that she was rather fascinated by the way the tiger moved around her in circles, elegant yet protective.

And then it disappeared as soon as she noticed the figure emerging from the door leading to the office. The door that had been open, was now allowing Professor Snape to walk through it. His eyes drifted from her disappearing Patronus to her and lastly they ended up at Dumbledore.

"You wished to see me, headmaster?" He spoke and Dumbledore nodded. "I assume you haven't forgotten about what we talked about today, have you?" Snape shook his head. "Great, then I assume everything is all set and ready?"

"It is." Snape confirmed and Hermione looked rather confused between her betrothed and her headmaster. "I'm sorry for not notifying you earlier, Miss Granger, but starting tonight, you'll be spending your nights at Professor Snape's private quarters. He has arranged a room for you and your stuff has already been brought down there." Professor Dumbledore informed and she slowly nodded. She knew that this would happen, for they had a reputation to uphold, but it felt rather weird knowing she would sleep in the dungeons for the first time.

Dumbledore and Hermione both glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, showing it was already nearing nine. "I think that will do today, Miss Granger. You're improving greatly." He said with a proud smile and looked between Snape and her.

"Great work at the Great Hall today, the both of you. The smiling exchange was indeed rather convincing and sweet looking. However, Miss Granger, I would like you to control your facial expressions a bit more when taken by surprise. Please do remember that for the outside world, you two are in love." Dumbledore advised and Hermione nodded in understanding.

"I will, sorry, professor." Hermione apologized and Dumbledore chuckled. "No need to be at all, Miss Granger. You're doing a great work as it is. Just a word of advice."

Hermione glanced briefly at the dark haired man, and found it rather amazing how he could so easily act his part. When in public, he effortlessly performed his actions and charmed her with his facial expressions. And then when they were in private like now, his face was neutral and showing no sign of wanting any contact as he kept his respected distance from her.

"Well, I suggest we all call it a day. It's rather exhausting being in love, isn't it?" Dumbledore teasingly joked and winked at Hermione, who let out a sheepish laugh. "Goodnight, sir." She politely said and Dumbledore smiled, "Goodnight, Miss Granger."

And with that, Hermione followed her Potions Master wordlessly as they left the office and wandered through the corridors as Snape's black robes swiftly swayed behind him, making little noise as it glided over the ground.

Hearing the faintest rustling sound, Snape hurried ahead and Hermione followed suit, trying to keep up as he had quickened his pace greatly. Yet, his long legs had carried him ahead way faster than hers did, and all that she heard when she arrived was a "- ten points from Ravenclaw, for wandering around the castle after curfew."

She had turned around the corner just in time to get a glimpse from Padma Patil, and Hermione internally groaned as Padma had caught sight of Hermione as well before walking away. That would for sure add up to the rumors the following day.

They continued their walk down the dungeons in silence once more, this time not bumping into any students anymore.

Hermione followed her teacher to the Potions classroom, where he stopped at the wooden door and muttered "Dragon Tonic" and Hermione assumed that must have been the password to his own common room. There was a soft click and the door unlocked itself, allowing both of them to enter it.

The room was just as dark as the dungeons had always been. The walls covered in a dark shade of green, the floors a paler stone colour. She looked to her left first, where a door was planted next to a bookshelf. Then, in a circular motion, the walls connected until there was another door, and a few feet away was yet another door. The walls covered the majority of the room and there was only an empty corner at her right. It held a dimly lit fireplace, with two black leather couches standing diagonally on either side of it. Behind to those couches, were two black chairs.

It wasn't much, but then again, he did only use it for sleeping.

Snape wheeled around once they were in the room and pointed at the first door on the left that was positioned next to the bookshelf. "That's the bathroom, and that," He said and pointed at the last door on the right, "would be the door to your room. My room will therefore be out of question at all times."

Hermione nodded, not sure on what to say, for she felt rather awkward as she had to adopt to the idea of living together with her teacher for her entire life now. "Goodnight." Snape said, his voice neutral and he set off towards the door in the middle. Hermione caught a quick peek of a black king sized bed in the middle of the room before the door was closed again.

Standing helplessly in the dark room, she was debating what to do first. She had no idea if her stuff had been unpacked yet, but she took the risk as she opened the bathroom door and glanced inside it. Everything was of stone – both the floor and the walls. The sink was a little rusty, but after carefully turning the tap on for wetting her brush – that had been brought there by presumably house elves before her arrival – she concluded that the place wasn't going to break apart by a single touch.

After four minutes of brushing her teeth well, she nervously visited the toilet. She was afraid that perhaps Snape would barge into the bathroom and would walk straight into her whilst she was sitting on the toilet. Fortunately enough, did this not happen.

When she was done with everything in the bathroom, she quietly moved to the door that he said was her room. Carefully, she opened it and was amazed by what she saw: opposed to the other rooms, her bedroom was filled with a bright, comforting light. The walls were of stone, yet, it had red hangings on it as a decoration. In fact, every piece of furniture was red – resembling the Gryffindor common room greatly.

Hermione opened a wardrobe and found her clothes neatly piled out, and grabbed her pajamas out of it. Changing quickly, she hurried to the king sized bed in the middle of the room, wanting to get off the cold floor as soon as she could. She pulled the red blanket aside and shuddered as the coldness of the bed hit her.

Mumbling to herself that it would soon be over, she waited for her bed to adjust to her body temperature. When it finally did, she felt comfortable enough to slowly drift off. Thinking one last time about the absurdness of it all. Sleeping in the dungeons, in the room next to her own professor, who would have thought?