Over the next few weeks, Hermione focused on her studies, grew closer to Severus, and ignored the rumors circulating around the school. She dedicated herself to her work and her relationship, determined not to let the gossip affect her. One morning over breakfast, Hermione sat between Ginny and Harry in the Great Hall, eagerly discussing the upcoming Christmas holidays. Their chatter was filled with excitement and plans for the festive season.
As she enjoyed her scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast breakfast, the mail arrived by owl. Setting her plate aside momentarily, Hermione picked up a copy of The Prophet and nearly gasped at the bold headline staring back at her: Marriage Law Veto.
Below the headline was a moving picture of the Minister signing a document declaring the law null and void. Hermione carefully read through the article, discovering that historians and researchers had found proof that the war did not cause the low population rates of wizards and witches. The new findings rendered the Marriage Law unnecessary, leading to its immediate repeal.
Hermione didn't know how to react. Her initial relief that Muggle-borns were now free to choose whom they wanted to marry quickly turned to worry. Would Severus want to continue being married to her now that they were no longer forced to be together? So many thoughts and questions rapidly crossed her mind, many of which she didn't want to know the answers to.
She looked up from the newspaper, her appetite suddenly gone, and exchanged a glance with Harry and Ginny. "The Marriage Law has been repealed," she said, her voice a mix of relief and uncertainty.
"About time," Ginny responded, grabbing the paper from Hermione. She read a few sentences before adding, "They really needed research to prove that this marriage law was a farce?" She shook her head in disbelief, her tone laced with frustration.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "They were acting out of fear and desperation. At least now Muggle-borns are free," she said, her voice steady but her mind still racing with uncertainty about her own situation.
"So, I guess this means you'll be returning to the Gryffindor common room, then?" Harry asked hopefully.
Hermione's face fell. She didn't want to return to the Gryffindor common room; this was exactly what she was afraid of. The thought of being apart from Severus, even for one night, was unbearable. In just a few months, she had fallen deeply in love with him. He was everything she wanted in a partner: loving, supportive, witty, and humorous. She couldn't imagine her life without him now, but could Severus say the same? The question gnawed at her, filling her with uncertainty. She desperately hoped that their relationship had become as meaningful to him as it was to her.
Hermione was broken from her thoughts by the sudden departure of the other students heading to class. With a grimace, she swallowed the remnants of her tea and stood up from the table. She was grateful for the distraction as Harry turned to Ginny and asked her a question about their upcoming homework assignment.
Gathering her things, she resolved to talk to Severus as soon as she could. She needed to know how he felt about their marriage now that the law was repealed. She tried not to fret about it, but the thoughts continued to bother her as she made her way to her first class. She wanted to be optimistic that the last few months together were real and not born out of necessity, but a small niggling doubt dashed her optimism. He had never been nice to her before the Marriage Law. In fact, he had made it abundantly clear that he found her to be an annoying know-it-all.
As she took her seat, Hermione's mind raced with conflicting emotions. She couldn't shake the fear that Severus might revert to his old self now that they were no longer forced to be together. However, she couldn't deny the genuine connection they had built. They also had a baby to think about. She was already three months pregnant and had accepted the fact that she would be raising a child with Severus in the near future. The thought of navigating parenthood alone, without his support and companionship, filled her with dread.
Hermione tried to focus as she listened to Professor Calloway drone on about the lesson they were learning in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Despite her best efforts, her thoughts kept drifting back to the article in The Prophet and her concerns about Severus. She forced herself to take notes, hoping that keeping her hands busy would help her concentrate on the lecture.
"Mrs. Snape," Professor Calloway called out from the front of the classroom. "Can you inform the class how to chase away a Nogtail?"
Hermione looked up from her poorly written notes and bit her lip nervously. She hadn't been listening to that portion of the lecture, and as she tried to recall the information, it eluded her. Feeling embarrassment consume her, she looked back down at the table and murmured, "I apologize, Professor. I do not know the answer."
Professor Calloway's face turned into a sneer as he raised his eyebrow. "It seems that someone was preoccupied instead of listening in class today. As you know, Mrs. Snape, I do not take kindly to students who refuse to listen while I am speaking. Detention tonight at 7."
Hermione felt her heart sink, but she managed to nod in acknowledgment. "Yes, Professor," she replied quietly, avoiding the curious and pitying looks from her classmates. She vowed to stay focused for the rest of the lesson, despite the turmoil in her mind.
When the first class of the day was over, Hermione left the classroom immediately, silently berating herself for her poor attention. She was so upset about her momentary lapse, and even worse, she was now unsure if she would even have time to speak with Severus this evening. Professor Calloway could keep her for hours if he wanted to.
"What a git," Ginny spat out as she caught up with Hermione's footsteps. "So what if you didn't know an answer to his question? He's worse than Snape lately."
Hermione managed a small smile at Ginny's attempt to comfort her. "Thanks, Ginny. I just... I have a lot on my mind right now."
"Why didn't you answer Harry's question earlier?" Ginny probed gently.
Hermione sighed and admitted quietly, mindful to keep this conversation between just the two of them, "How can he ask me to just erase everything that has happened? The law may have been repealed, but that doesn't mean I want this to be over."
"You know Harry didn't mean it that way. We both miss having you around," Ginny defended.
"You see me every day, and I do spend some of my weekends with you both. If Ron would behave more maturely, then I would come around more. But I refuse to put myself in a position where he could continue to be hurtful," Hermione responded.
Ginny sighed. "I get it. Ron's been a real prat lately. Just know that we're here for you, okay?"
The day continued to progress with classes and a quick bite to eat during lunch, but there was no time in between to speak to Severus. While Hermione ate her sandwich, he was nowhere to be found, which worried her immensely. She tried not to let it get to her, but she couldn't stop the negative thoughts that had plagued her since this morning.
As the afternoon classes dragged on, Hermione's anxiety only grew. She had so many questions and concerns that she needed to discuss with Severus. The uncertainty of their future weighed heavily on her mind, making it difficult to focus on her lessons. Just when she thought she was doing better with managing her thoughts, she lost Gryffindor House twenty points in Professor Flitwick's class.
Professor Flitwick had asked a question about a charm they were learning, and in her distracted state, Hermione had given the wrong answer. The normally understanding professor had given her a disappointed look as he docked the points.
Hermione felt a pang of guilt as the other Gryffindors shot her reproachful glances. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn't afford to let her emotions get the better of her any longer.
As the class ended, Hermione gathered her things quickly but was even more perturbed when she entered her rooms and found that Severus wasn't there either. She waited around a bit, hoping he would arrive soon, but when he still didn't show, she set her schoolbag down and headed for dinner.
In the Great Hall, she scanned the room for any sign of him, but Severus was conspicuously absent. She tried to focus on her meal, but her appetite was gone. Ginny and Harry exchanged worried glances but didn't press her for answers.
As she picked at her food, Hermione's thoughts raced. Where could he be? Was he avoiding her? She knew she couldn't let these worries consume her, especially with detention looming, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay composed.
Even though her anxiety was making her stomach hurt, Hermione forced herself to eat a few bites of shepherd's pie along with a dessert of chocolate pudding. It wasn't much, but it would provide the nutrients the baby needed to continue to grow.
She glanced at her watch, realizing it was almost time for her detention with Professor Calloway. Sighing, she gathered her courage and stood up, determined to face whatever the evening held. As she walked toward the exit, she caught sight of Harry and Ginny, who gave her reassuring smiles.
"Good luck," Ginny whispered, squeezing her hand briefly.
"Thanks," Hermione replied, trying to muster a smile. She then made her way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, hoping that after this detention, she could finally find Severus and have the conversation she so desperately needed.
Hermione entered the Defence classroom with her head held high, ready to do whatever task Professor Calloway deemed necessary for her detention. Her eyes zeroed in on multiple metal cages sprawled across the desks, her nose slightly wrinkling at the sight of how dirty they were.
Professor Calloway looked up from his desk as she entered. "Ah, Mrs. Snape," he said with a smirk. "Your task for tonight is to clean these cages. No magic allowed. I expect them to be spotless by the time you leave."
Hermione nodded, determined not to let him see how much the task bothered her. She rolled up her sleeves, grabbed a bucket of soapy water and a sponge, and set to work. As she scrubbed, she couldn't help but let her thoughts drift back to Severus. Where was he? Why hadn't he been at dinner?
The repetitive motion of cleaning allowed her mind to wander, and she found herself planning how she would approach Severus later. She needed to know what he was thinking, how he felt about the repeal of the Marriage Law, and most importantly, if he still wanted to be with her and their baby.
As the minutes turned into hours, Hermione's arms began to ache, but she pushed through, determined to finish the task. Finally, when the last cage was spotless, she straightened up and looked around the room, satisfied with her work.
Professor Calloway approached and inspected the cages. "Acceptable," he said curtly. "You may go."
Hermione nodded and quickly gathered her things, eager to find Severus and have the conversation that had been weighing on her mind all day. When she entered their rooms just before curfew, her anxiety and distress turned into full-blown anger. He had chosen not to wait up for her, and she was reminded that tonight he was on schedule for hallway duty and would not return until later that evening.
She paced the room, her frustration mounting. How could he be so dismissive of what she was going through? Did he even care? The thoughts swirled in her mind, each one more disheartening than the last. She had hoped to find comfort in his presence, to hear reassuring words that would ease her worries, but instead, she was met with an empty room.
Hermione sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clenched into fists. She tried to calm herself, taking deep breaths, but the anger simmered just beneath the surface. She knew she needed to talk to him, to clear the air, but it seemed she would have to wait until he returned from his duties.
In an attempt to distract herself, she pulled out her notes and textbooks, trying to focus on her studies. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Severus and the uncertainty of their future. She couldn't help but wonder if he truly wanted to stay with her now that the Marriage Law was repealed.
Hours passed, and eventually, Hermione found herself dozing off at the desk. The exhaustion from the day's events finally caught up with her, and despite her turbulent emotions, she drifted into a restless sleep, hoping that tomorrow would bring some clarity.