Throughout class, I kept replaying the reasons why Severus and I had married. It was to protect me, allow me to finish my studies, and keep Harry from dying. There was no obligation for more. What happened with other women before me meant nothing. And truth be told, that didn't bother me. What bothered me was Draco's constant mention of my marriage. One or two comments in the hallway was one thing. But he was progressively getting worse and we weren't even a week in. If he kept it up, our secret would be out by Christmas. I made a mental note to tell Severus so he could find a way to curb Malfoy's mouth. As his godfather, he should be able to, right?
The day trudged on, progressing in it's annoyance until I could finally slip into my shared compartments with my husband during dinner, deciding to skip the great hall. I was tired of hearing the conspiracy theories about Malfoy and my husband from Harry and Ron's desperate attempts to distract him with Quidditch. Ginny tried as well but gave up as soon as Harry snapped at them both. Watching the hurt flash across the redhead's face was startling. Ginevra Weasley rarely went speechless. She had turned away to talk to Seamus and Pavarti, not looking in Harry's direction the rest of the time I was there. I had quickly ducked out after, not touching any food.
About two hours later, Severus interrupted my studying.
"If you keep this up, you are going to starve." He was leaning against the closed portrait door. His mother had finally reappeared in the tiny frame in the room and she watched her son intently. He noticed my gaze but waited for me to respond before moving.
"I'm sorry. But between Harry's paranoia and Malfoy's constant commentary, I had to get out of there. I'm tired." My response received a raised eyebrow. He pushed off of the door and headed over to where I was spread out on the floor, sinking into his chair.
"What has Malfoy been saying?" He asked. I quickly recounted everything, word for word, then continued on with my concerns. "Malfoys were never known for keeping their mouths shut." He sighed, two fingers coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I'll pull him aside and remind him what may be at stake. Mentioning something to Cissy will be helpful, I'm sure. The dark lord won't be happy if the secret gets out before it's time."
"So the dark lord will want our secret out eventually?" I asked nervously. The horror of the boys finding out made my stomach drop.
"Of course." He looked down at me, surprised. "The whole wizarding world will know by next school year, Hermione. This law will get passed by spring. Did you truly think that this would go unannounced to your classmates and teachers?" He was frustrated.
"No I didn't. I just didn't know how close it was. It wasn't like you or the headmaster gave me a timeline outside of our nuptials." I tried to say it as patiently as possible. My husband deflated a bit at that. He could not argue with me on that. I closed my herbology book, marking the last statement in my essay before pulling out my Defense essay and books.
"I won't take one parchment paper over the required amount, Madam Snape." His low tone made me look up and catch the glittering in his dark eyes. Slightly intrigued, I smiled.
"How can you expect me to fulfill the essay in it's extent on only one piece of parchment paper, even using the back of it? Certainly you'd prefer me to be thorough, Master Snape?" He raised an eyebrow at me, wanting to reply but a grave look overtook his features and he lost what little color he had in his face. His left hand twitched and flexed. I frowned.
"I'm being called. Please let the headmaster know through the floo. I would prefer if you stayed here the rest of the evening. No telling what my students would do this evening." He was up, in the room, and back out again in moments, long black robes that were possibly darker than his teaching robes flung over his shoulders and a silver mask in his hand.
"Of course." I whispered. He nodded and left immediately, not glancing back at me at all. I went to the floo, popping my head into the fireplace. The headmaster was there in seconds, a kind smile on his face. I relayed Severus' message to him, slightly worried that the man didn't seem at all perturbed by the news. He excused himself with a thank you and I sat back from the floo. So many parts were moving in this scheme. And I was sure there were more than even I could imagine.
I had just put myself back in my studying spot when I noticed his mother pacing in her portrait. "He'll be ok." I said out loud, trying to believe it myself. She stopped pacing, looking at me for a second or two, then continued again. I went back to my essay, trying to distract myself. It took about thirty-five minutes, but I was finally into my reading and making notes. Once done, two hours later, Severus still had not returned. I thought about going to the Gryffindor Tower and seeing if Harry and Ron were still in the common room, but I figured I'd listen to Severus and stay where I was. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep though.
So instead, I made some tea from the kitchenette and picked up the previous Arithmancy text I had gotten the day before and sat in Severus' chair until he came home.