CHAPTER NINE

Hermione was shaken and sitting in her nightgown across from Snape's desk. He would not meet her gaze and the silence was eating at her. "Professor? It is well into the night… Why am I here?" Hermione said finally breaking the stillness.

Bluntness had always been a strong point for Snape but he was having difficulty finding the words to say. His tongue felt inflated and no sounds would come out. "Professor?" the young witch said again.

"Ms. Granger, I know that you and Draco Malfoy have had your differences… But soon you must place those differences aside." he began.

Hermione perked up and was suddenly wide-awake. "Differences? He has tormented me for seven years! He has caused me my greatest unhappiness!" Hermione exclaimed.

"This is out of my hands… If you care about the safety of your parents, you will marry Draco Malfoy," Snape finally spat out. The news it Hermione to the core and she began to screech.

"Who has my parents? Marriage?! How is this out of your hands? You have to do something! How could you let this happen?" Hermione continued to scream and scream.

"Ms. Granger! Calm down!" Snape had to yell to match her volume. Her anger turned into tears and she listened carefully to Professor Snape. "Bellatrix Lestrange has your parents. They will be free if you obey and marry Draco," said Snape.

"Why? You tell me why right now," Hermione said as cold as ice. Tears were falling from her face but the harshness in her voice showed her fury. "A marriage between you and Draco would… please… someone very important," he tried to explain.

"Someone important? How the hell do you expect me to believe that would please anyone?" Hermione spat. Snape couldn't look her in the eyes anymore. She had the same look as she did in her first year when she was full of anger and loneliness.

"I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do for you except urge you to cooperate. Not just for your parents but for your own safety. There is no way out," he said slowly and clearly.

Hermione's mind was in overdrive trying to make sense of this. Once she started to sensibly think she said, "Bellatrix Lestrange has my parents? But she is a Death Eater… You Know Who has my parents? He wants me to marry Malfoy?"

Severus knew how clever she was and was dreading for her to figure out what he had to do with her marriage. She stared at him looking for an answer but his silence was all the conformation she needed.

"Why did you tell me this?" Hermione whispered. "Why did you drag me from my bed? You of all people," she continued.

Snape's silence sent hot tears down her face. "You are one of them?" Hermione said. He nodded his head and saw a fire burn in her eyes.

"You've been with them all along, haven't you? YOU ARE A PART OF THIS!" Hermione screamed. She stood with determination and drew her wand. "Your friends want to kill muggle-borns! Not marry them! You've fooled me this whole time?" Hermione said shaking.

"Ms. Granger, please. Put your wand down…" Snape said. "You've lied to me! You stop this marriage! You get my parents back! I know you can!" Hermione threatened, wand aimed to his head.

"I am so sorry, Hermione," he said honestly. Snape had always called her "Ms. Granger" and never used her first name. This familiarity sent her into a rage and she started to blow up random objects around his office.

The objects being blown up got closer and closer to Snape's head and finally he drew his wand and put a stop to her destruction. Without her wand she let out a sad cry. "I want to see them. I want to know they are safe," she said collecting herself.

"After the wedding, you may see them. I promise," said Severus. "Why should I believe anything you tell me? I do not trust you." Hermione replied. That was the final prick to Snape's heart.

He became callous with her and said, "Your life and the life of your parents are in your hands. I will speak to you again when the weekend is over. Do not speak a word of this. Go back to bed, Ms. Granger."

She smoothed out her nightgown, got her wand and stormed out of Snape's office.