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Chapter3: The elephant in the room

It was a cold evening at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the wind whistled through the ancient castle's corridors. The last remnants of daylight cast eerie shadows on the walls, and in her private office, Professor Minerva McGonagall sat hunched over her desk, quill in hand, hesitant to start the letter she knew she had to write. The parchment lay before her, ready to carry the heavy words to Hermione Granger. As she dipped her quill into the ink, she let out a deep breath. The silence of the room weighed heavily upon her shoulders as she began writing.

"Dear Hermione, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you with important news that concerns not only you but a dear colleague as well.

You be wondering why I haven't spoken about this matter earlier. It is because it may potentially change the course of your life, and it has taken me a considerable amount of time to build up the courage to share this with you...

Minerva paused, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her as she wrote the next line.

Severus Snape is on the brink of danger, my dear girl. As you know, his life has not been easy; he has encountered many obstacles and suffered unimaginable harm in his attempt to be redeemed. Nagini's bite left behind magical effects that have been hard to counteract. To extend his life and control these lethal effects, Severus must brew a complicated potion every month without fail. The Ministry's decision to imprison Severus in Azkaban would prove fatal if he did not receive permission or assistance in brewing his life-saving potion.

As difficult as it may be for both of you, I believe there could be an alliance, an understanding between you and Severus for his survival. I believe that you would be the best candidate to marry him, and pardon my boldness, but there is no other way to tell you this."

Minerva hesitated once more, taking a deep breath before continuing.

Hermione, I urge you to consider marrying Severus. This union would help remove any doubts from the Ministry about his intentions—and potentially allow him the freedom to continue brewing the potion he desperately needs. Your bond would grant Severus a chance at redemption and life away from Azkaban and suffering. You have always been a beacon of light and hope for those in need; this act of kindness could heal even the deepest wounds-

The Transfiguration professor let out a soft sigh and stared at her words for a long moment.

I understand the gravity of what I am asking of you. There is no doubt that marrying someone under such circumstances will not be easy for either party. However, your courage and wisdom have always been an inspiration to those around you, dear Hermione, and I truly believe that this decision will change both of your lives for the better.

Please think deeply about my request, but time is of the essence. Decide by tomorrow evening whether or not you should take this unprecedented step toward an unexpected future. I trust that you can keep a secret; it would hurt Severus deeply knowing that you married him out of pity."

XXX

The atmosphere was filled with tension. Hermione Granger, who had been a regular guest at the house ever since her friendship with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley began, sat beside a solemn-faced Ron. Across from them were Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter, who exchanged worried glances from time to time. on the edge of a tattered armchair, her hands folded nervously in her lap. The air was thick with tension, as Ron paced back and forth across the worn wooden floorboards.

As the clock neared midnight, Hermione could no longer contain herself. She turned to Ron and posed the question that had been plaguing her since she received a surprise marriage proposal from Professor Severus Snape.

"Ronald," she began hesitantly. "Tell me honestly—why shouldn't I marry Snape?" Ron stiffened in his chair as if struck by an unexpected jolt of lightning. He stared at Hermione with a mixture of disbelief and anger flashing through his eyes. Now fully attentive to what was happening between them, Ginny and Harry watched in surprise.

Ron slammed his fist down on the table in frustration. "Because," he yelled suddenly, his voice shaking. "Because I want to marry you, Hermione!"

The room fell into complete silence as those words echoed throughout the cramped space. Realizing what he had just admitted in front of both his sister and best friend, Ron's face turned crimson with embarrassment. Hermione's eyes widened in shock, her face flushing deep red at Ron's unexpected confession. The entire situation was overwhelming for her, so much so that she stood up abruptly.

"I can't believe you're even considering it, Hermione," Ron said, his voice shaking with emotion. "How can you marry Snape? He was always so cruel to us! He ought to be dead!"

Hermione looked down at her hands, her heart racing in her chest. "I know he was, Ron, but people can change."

Ron began pacing and turned to face Hermione, his cheeks flushed with anger. "No! You don't marry someone just because they are important politically or even worse, morally! You marry them because you love them." He paused for a moment before continuing more softly, "And I thought...I thought you loved me too!."

Hermione looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. "Ron...I...have to do what is best... for everyone." His sudden vulnerability struck a chord within Hermione's heart, and she felt her resolve waver. She reached out tentatively to take his hand. "Ron..."

But Ron pulled away from her grip and looked deeply into her eyes as he spoke with heartfelt conviction: "Hermione, you don't need to sacrifice your happiness for the greater good. We can find another way. Together."

"I—I need some time to think about all of this," she stammered before hastily excusing herself from the room. Retreating to her small London apartment under a stunned hush from her friends at The Burrow, Hermione found herself questioning everything she had known up until this point. Conflicted between her two romantic prospects - one that carried the weight of her past and the other shrouded in mystery - Hermione began to deeply consider who she should marry and take the next step in her life with.

XXX

An anguished Hermione Granger arrived at her flat, releasing a long sigh, desperately clinging to her thin frame. Ronald Weasley had just confessed his love for her and now she was torn between what she wanted and what was right. Her mind preoccupied with thoughts of a potential future with either Ron or Snape, she couldn't help but feel tense and uneasy about the situation. Her stomach churned as she weighed the pros and cons of each potential suitor. Ron was her best friend, but could they ever be more than that? Snape was an enigma, but she couldn't deny the intellectual connection she had with him. Hermione felt a wave of emotion wash over her. She had always thought of Ron as a dear friend but had never considered him in a romantic light.

Another owl arrived at her window, carrying a letter much to her dismay. Her fingers trembled as she held the letter from Minerva McGonagall. It was not meant for eyes - her secret that could change their lives forever. She paced around the room, her mind racing with thoughts and plans. Before any second thoughts could creep into her mind, Hermione grabbed her wand and Apparated straight to Minerva's office. She needed to know if the words written in the letter were true.

She stood outside Professor Minerva McGonagall's office, her heart pounding in her chest. She clutched the crumpled letter in her trembling hands, rereading it for the hundredth time. It had come as an utter shock, every word etched into her memory, but she still couldn't believe what she was about to do. With a shaky breath, Hermione pushed open the door and entered the familiar room. The familiar scent of old books and parchment greeted her, but there was a heavy atmosphere that weighed heavily on her shoulders, as if years of guilt had been accumulated.

Upon arriving, Hermione found Minerva at her desk, buried in paperwork. Her heart raced as she softly knocked on the door.

Minerva looked up, slightly startled by the unannounced visitor. "Miss Granger, what brings you here?"

Hermione hesitated for a moment before saying, "Professor McGonagall, I need to discuss something with you—something of great importance." Though she wanted to avoid mentioning the letter and talks with Snape and her friends out of respect for Snape's and Ron's privacy, she knew there was no other option.

Minerva gestured for Hermione to sit down and listened intently. Marrying Snape without letting him know what she knew regarding his health was a complex proposal—filled with secrets and lies—but all done in an earnest effort to save his life. She appeared surprised but thoughtful throughout Hermione's explanation. Finally, she spoke up, "Miss Granger, you have a difficult decision in your hands."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "I understand the risks, but I can't let Snape die when there's a chance I could help. He fought for us, and now it's our turn to fight for him."

A moment of silence passed before Minerva sighed, a hint of admiration in her voice. "You have grown into a remarkably caring and brave witch, Hermione. I will support your decision, but you must know that the burden this places on you will not be an easy one to bear."

Hermione swallowed hard and nodded. The drama unfolding before her would change their lives forever. Still, she was willing to face this challenge head-on. The gravity of the situation nearly brought her to tears. She knew that whatever decision she made, the consequences would be life-changing. With her head spinning and her heart aching, she stared into Minerva's eyes.

"Please give me some time to consider," Hermione whispered.

Minerva nodded, understanding painted on her face. "Take all the time you need, my dear."

With a deep breath, Hermione Granger stepped into the unknown.