Authors note:
Sorry, I had some issues with uploading this. Haven't barely used FFNET in years and am still getting the hang of it. I don't have a beta reader so sorry if there are any issues.
"You're a goner Snape. No one's going to save you now."
"What do you say, should we just take you straight to Azkaban now?"
"My deadline is not up yet." His voice came out through clenched teeth, each syllable pronounced clearly and dangerously as though he was speaking to complete imbiciles.
"Watch the temper there, Professor," replied one of the smug voices. "I'd hate to add resisting aurors to your list of offences."
"I have no standing offences."
"You and I both know you got off on a technicality. But karma is catching up to you now, isn't it? And unless a witch walks in that door in the next fifteen minutes with an engagement license in hand - it's off to Azkaban with you."
Hermione stood outside the door, listening in to the conversation with mounting horror. She looked down to the blank license in her own hand, the one that she had been intending to take to the owlery to send back to George. There wasn't even a decision to make.
She kicked the door open dramatically, taking in the positions of the two aurors looming over her professor with his wand held mockingly out of his reach.
"What are your names?" she demanded, storming into the room with her hair crackling, letting off a blue electric light. "How dare you disarm this man and hold him hostage until his deadline is passed! I will be having words with your supervisor."
"H-Hermione Granger?" one of the aurors blanched. Her reputation as a war heroine preceded her once again, it seemed.
The other straightened his shoulders and raised his chin stubbornly.
"He was about to make a getaway," the other auror insisted. "He's got a broomstick right there. And a bag of provisions. We're totally within our rights to arrest him for suspicion of fleeing the law, but once the deadline passes, he'll be lucky to get out of Azkaban without a miracle."
Hermione looked at the bag that had been thrown to the floor; its contents spilled haphazardly on the floor. They looked like leftovers scavenged from the kitchens.
"Our picnic," Hermione sighed sadly, glancing at her professor with a meaningful look.
"Your... picnic?" the auror repeated dumbstruck.
Hermione slammed the engagement license down on one of the old desks that littered the unused classroom.
"You can return his wand so he can sign the damned papers," Hermione turned her fierce glare back to the aurors, and the nervous one immediately returned the wand. Professor Snape swiftly reclaimed it, returning to his feet from where they had hexed them. He took in the paper in front of him, and with a silent look to Hermione, signed his name on the dotted line. Hermione added her own, and the paper disappeared with a flash of golden sparks.
"Now, if you will enlighten me as to your names," Hermione repeated her demands. "And your excuses for harassing a man who has broken no laws."
"My apologies Ma'am, we thought - we had thought-"
"I know their names," her professor finally spoke. "And their supervisor."
"Well, you can expect our complaint shortly. Good day, sirs."
They made their hurried retreat, apologizing again as they tripped over each other in an inelegant exit, finally leaving Hermione and her Professor standing awkwardly next to each other alone in the room.
"Well, that's not how I expected tonight to go," Hermione commented mildly. "Would you accompany me to the owlery? I still have a letter to send."
"To the... young man that was intended for?"
"George Weasley," she answered him honestly with a shrug. "Our deadline wasn't for another month. I didn't realise yours had come so soon - or that you hadn't arranged someone."
"Candidates were hardly lining up," he answered ironically.
"Didn't you give your name to Molly?" Hermione glanced up at him hesitantly. "I thought most of the Order had. She wrote up short lists to choose from, and yours wasn't on mine or I would have spoken to you sooner. I wouldn't worry about George, by the way - he's got about three other girls to pick from. I think he and Fred had just favoured me because I'll have so many NEWTS by the end of the year. If I was involved with the business at all it would mean they wouldn't have to jump so many certification hoops."
Professor Snape scowled in response.
"Molly forgot you, then," Hermione sighed. "I think her efforts were largely focused on getting the best matches for her own children anyway. Merlin only knows who she would have tried to foist off on you."
Her companion remained silent, and she sighed again, completing the walk to the top of the tower. He loitered in the doorway as she wrote her quick note and sent it off with one of the school owls.
"We should speak with the Headmistress," he said as she watched the bird fly off into the distance.
"Will she be up this late?" Hermione asked, but Snape shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. She would want to know of this development immediately."
"Where were you going to go?" She asked him suddenly.
He gave her a long, appraising look. "America."
"You'd hate it there," Hermione mused.
"I imagine it would be marginally more pleasant than Azkaban."
"Marginally," Hermione agreed, her lips quirking. "I'm glad you can stay, anyway. It wouldn't be the same without you."
He gave her an odd look before turning and leading the way to the Headmistress' chambers.