Chapter 3: The Master's Orders

{A/N: Here's another update...problems with internet at home...he to type this via my phone.]

My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

The Dining Hall,12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...

Amber eyes stared into the steaming hot bowl of porridge that sat before the uncharacteristicly silent young witch, Hermione Granger as she attempted to enjoy her breakfast. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as more and more of her intrusive thoughts tended to focus on her impending marriage to a possible enemy.

While her spoon became more than acquainted with her porridge, Ronald Weasely had wolfed down almost two bowls before setting his greedy eyes on her untouched portion. The witch had been far too busy contemplating to note his lack of table manners.

"Are you going to eat that Mione?" He asked already reaching for her bowl.

"Just what do you think you're doing Ronald Weasely?" She snapped coming to her senses as his lengthy fingers touched her bowl.

The sudden shift in the Amber eyed witch's mood had taken the red head wizard by surprise and he stumbled backwards from the table.

Harry Potter burst out into a fit of laughter accompanied by Ron's younger sister Ginny. Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron as he scrambled to his feet.

"What did you have to go and do that for...all you had to do was say you were going to finish it." said Ron in an annoyed tone.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the youngest Weasely boy's childish display. It had been his own fault for being greedy in the first place.

"Leave her be Ron." said the green eyed wizard knowing all too well that something had been bothering Hermione, something that even she loathed to speak of.

Without a word the bushy haired witch got up from the table suddenly devoid of her appetite. She made her way into the sitting room unable to get the previous night's discussion with the Headmaster out of her mind.

How was he going to get Snape to agree to such an absurd marriage?

The Potions Professor didn't even fancy being in the same room with her in passing, how in Merlin's name were they supposed to share a marriage bed?

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The Basement, 12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...

Sunlight had never been a thing Severus Snape fancied as he found himself awakening to a rouge ray heating the left side of his notoriously sour, sallow pale face. He had specifically chosen this location to not only avoid Sirius Black, Lupin, and other unwanted intrusions but he wished to avoid the beaming rays of the sun as well. It annoyed him to no end to find that the sun had managed to intrude upon his sleep although it had help in reaching such a low level location. It did not surprise Snape that his employer sadly had not considered himself among the vast list and decided to greet him with a well timed sunrise.

"Why am I not surprised?" said Snape in a dry tone clearly conveying his annoyance with having been disturbed.

"Good morning to you too, Severus." said The Headmaster unphasped by his Potions Professor's usual demeanor upon awakening.

"To what do I owe this displeasure and please tell me it isn't Potter related." said Snape still very much annoyed at having been awoken.

"There is still the matter of keeping Miss Granger safe." said Dumbledore. "Given your temperament last night...I believed waiting until you were at best...mentally functional before informing you that a suitable spouse has been selected."

Snape studied the elder wizard for a moment.

"So you believed that you should waste my time instead of calling a meeting?" He asked to at all happy about this being the reason for his early awakening.

"Of course." replied The oddly cheerful Headmaster. "What better way to congratulate you on your up coming nuptials."

The Potions Professor whirled around to face the elder wizard, his attempt to reach the nearby bottle of pain suppressant potion within reach prior to hearing those dreaded words.

"If this is your idea of a joke old man, it's not very funny." he said.

"As entertaining as it would be to have actually prepared a joke, I'm afraid this is no laughing matter." replied Dumbledore. "Miss Granger herself has nominated you to be her husband."

Snape simply glared at the elder wizard for a moment unsure if he wanted to strangle him or the silly little girl with vast delusions.

"And she reached such a devastatingly desperate conclusion with no input from you, I'm sure." He said in a rather sarcastic tone.

"You know very well that you are her best option." said the elder wizard. "And lest you forget...you have no choice in this matter."

"I refuse." said Snape in a defiant manner. "Cart me off to Azkaban if you must...but I will forced into marrying a child...let alone an insufferable know it all."

"You are marrying Miss Granger as soon as she comes of age and that is final." Said Dumbledore having had enough of Snape's antics. "I've told you before that I will not negotiate with you, Severus."

Snape rolled his eyes. He honestly didn't have to be disturbed during his sleep to be told what to do.

"As you wish Headmaster." replied the Potions Professor with dripping sarcasm once more. "Now will that be all or do you intended to follow me to the loo as well?"

"She needs your help Severus." said Dumbledore with a serious expression on his vastly aged face. "And she is very similar to another young muggle-born witch whom found her self in the dark Lord's crosshairs."

The Potions Master did his best to ignore this as he made his way toward the door. He took his leave of the elder wizard not at all wishing to continue this line of conversation.

As a now visibly irate Severus Snape made his way up the stairs toward the main part of the house and through the kitchen. Once entered the kitchen he found himself face to face with a certain bushy haired witch with troubled Amber eyes.