Chapter 14: Agony and Aggravation

{A/N: Here's another update...}

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

The Grounds, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

Narrowed eyes of furious obsidian watched as Hermione Granger sat giggling with Potter and Weasley. In less time than four weeks' time, the unnervingly insufferable little chit would be bound to him as per the ordinance of wizarding law and Dumbledore's will. To say that he was bitter was an understatement given his life was now dictated by a deranged old man whom believed his blasted meddling was "For The Greater Good". Snape nearly growled as he made his way back toward his office and the various stacks of parchment he was set to grade. He had no doubt that Granger had gone above and beyond the desired instructions in a bid to show off to the other students in typical Gryffindor fashion.

Across the grounds, Hermione's light colored eyes noted the familiar retreating form of ebony robes billowing out of sight. She had noticed that Snape had been watching her and did her best to appear as carefree as possible. She didn't understand what it was about her that seemed a natural divergent to him. He had gone out of his way to be a rude and unapproachable git but there was always a glimmer of something behind his eyes that suggested there was more to him that met the eye.

Curiosity, had been the main reason she ignored his antics and bitterness and she had been determined to know what lay just beyond that scathing mask of insults and aggression. Both Ron and Harry had been questioning her lack of attention to trivial things like Quidditch and flying. She had become more irritable in the past few months than she had been since they had known her, even with her previous mounted frustrations pertaining to their brainless antics.

"Mione." said Harry as if he had been impatient.

"Yes?" she asked meeting his emerald eyed gaze.

"You're doing it again." he said.

"Doing what?" asked Hermione.

"You're off into space somewhere." said Harry observing her. "That's the fifth time today you've done that."

"I'm sorry." she replied feeling a bit ashamed that she had been once more ignoring her friends. "I..seem to have a lot on my mind."

"I'll say." replied Ron. "Big test coming up?"

"No...well my birthday is only a three weeks away." she said.

"That's right." said Ron suddenly turning red.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

"You forgot didn't you?" she asked.

"N-No." replied the red head wizard in his own defense. "I was just trying to think of a really good present for the occasion."

The annoyed witch didn't believe him one bit.

"Let's see if I forget to tutor you on McGonagall's transfiguration test this Wednesday." she huffed and got to her feet.

"Mione...wait." said Ron attempting to smooth things over with her.

"Forget it Ron." said Harry with a sigh. "She's not going to hear a word you say."

Hermione had been halfway across the grounds and on the edge of the forbidden forest before she stopped and burst into tears.

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The Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

Severus Snape had been finished grading and despite the enormous cramp in his writing hand, he felt it would be something of a good distraction to fetch a bit of Potions ingredients from the forbidden forest while he was gifted with a very rare few moments of free time. He had been well aware of the lack of time he would have to himself once the marriage was in place. The Ministry Of Magic had been obsessed with replenishing the lineage of magical blood following the first two wars the wizarding world found itself sucked into. One via Gellert Grindelwald and the other via Tom Riddle known to all as "The Dark Lord" Voldemort. It stood to reason that they would want the married magical couples to procreate as much as possible and that they had taken their matches very seriously.

Snape had not considered whom he would have been compatible with despite being forced into this arranged marriage with Hermione Granger. In all honesty he had not even given marriage a first thought given his limited experience with witches even in a sexual sense. The last had been during a drunken encounter when he was sixteen and the number of trysts had descended to none for the past fifteen years. No witch wanted someone like him and he was quite sure that not even Hermione Granger would have thought of entertaining a sexual fantasy of him given whom he was and what he looked like.

With a sigh, Snape ventured into the forest and began his search for ingredients.

He had managed to collect quite a bit of Hanging Moss, Imp stool, and two Canis Roots.

It seemed a good day for harvest until he spotted a sobbing Hermione Granger sitting on a rather large gray boulder.

He wanted nothing more than to turn and walk in the opposite direction not knowing anything in the least of how to comfort a teenage girl, especially a teenage girl possibly sobbing at the prospect of being married to him.

He had managed to take a step away when the overwhelming sense of someone watching the girl filled him. He could tell by the rancid stench that it had been Xerius. The young death eater had locked onto Granger's sickeningly sweet scent ever since that night he had come into contact with her. Moving with purpose, Snape managed to conceal her identity as he quickly scooped the little witch into his arms and pressed her against his chest.

"Do not move." he said coolly and only so that she could hear him. "It seems we have an audience."

"W-What do you mean?" whispered Hermione nervously.

"Our old friend Xerius had taken a liking to you." replied Snape. "I have no doubt that he wishes to take you but if he cannot have you this way...he will do his utmost to win your hand in the marriage lottery."

"I-I won't marry him!" said Hermione letting her feelings of disgust get the better of her.

Snape rolled his eyes.

"Control yourself." he ordered sharply causing her to tremble some in his grasp.

His issued order looked to Xerius as if he were instructing his servant in a bid to conceal their "relationship" from the masses of Hogwarts. Agitated, the death eater left the forest convinced that Snape had indeed spoiled the prize before he could get to it.

No sooner had Snape noted the other death eater's departure he stepped back from the witch seemingly disgusted at having had her come into contact with his person.

"I don't know why you were foolish enough to venture out here and remain so late in the afternoon Miss Granger, but you'd better get back to Hogwarts immediately." he said aggravated. "I do not intend to go further than I have to just to save your hide from another roaming death eater."

He made a show of dusting himself off and returned his attention to gathering potions ingredients. Hermione felt light headed after inhaling the scent of herbs and fresh earth from the wizard that held her only a few short moments ago.

Once she had come to her senses, Hermione made her way back toward Hogwarts Castle as Professor Snape instructed. The odd sensation she felt when he held her close to him made her feel quite dazed and utterly confused.