#6 ~ A Matter of Matrimony

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR (except Marcus Delaluci). All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 11 ~ And the Plotting Begins


When Marcus showed up for dinner in the Great Hall, he received no greetings from any of the staff members. Apparently, his little joke on Flitwick had the result of him being shunned. But he didn’t care. Being shunned by this group was a pleasure. He sat down and ordered a perfectly normal meal of rare steak, potatoes and string beans, along with a cola. When it appeared he dug into it heartily, receiving disapproving glares from the staff. They had expected him to be somewhat reticent about what he had done to a fellow professor, but obviously being ignored had no effect on him.

Marcus’ violet eyes drifted to the empty seats of Snape and Hermione. He wondered what they were doing. Snape probably had her pinned up against a wall someplace, fucking her senseless. How convenient their little arrangement was. He wouldn’t mind having such an arrangement himself. It had been a while since he slaked his thirst. Whatever woman he got his hands on was in for a ride and a half. He was hoping it would be Hermione. He could go all out.

He was pleased with his effect on her that morning. She had picked up on his subtle suggestiveness, and responded. She had also absorbed the doubts he implanted about Severus’ hold on her, suggesting that their exclusive relationship was little more than him taking advantage of her. He also felt her pulse race when she took his hand. She had thought something sexual, he could see it in her eyes, and tell by the way she left so quickly. He had to keep that spark of interest glowing. If he had known Severus had seen their exchange, it would have made his day. And if he knew what had just occurred between the two lovers, he would have done a little victory dance.

He looked up as Hermione walked in and took her place at the staff table. Her shadow wasn’t with her. Interesting. He looked at the witch noticing her drawn appearance. She looked as if she had been crying. Her eyes were red, and there were traces of shadow beneath them. He watched as she ordered her meal, a salad. She poured some dressing on it, and proceeded to pick at it without actually eating any of it. Then Snape walked in.

The Potions Master looked as if he had seen better days. His normally tall, proud stance was a bit slumped, as if he had a great weight on his shoulders. And he was paler than usual, if that were possible. He didn’t glare at anyone. Marcus liked seeing him like this. It enhanced his belief that he could easily take the Potions Master if he were preoccupied.

Snape glanced at Hermione and took his seat beside her, but didn’t say anything to her. Not a greeting, not anything. Hmm. Was there trouble in Paradise? Snape ordered his meal. It looked like chicken and dumplings. He too picked at his food morosely, chewing a few bits then putting his fork down, and actually sighing. Hermione had stiffened the moment Snape came into the Great Hall, and turned slightly away from him, though she sat beside him. Marcus recognized this body language. She didn’t want to be there, near him. There really was trouble in the garden of twisted bliss. Marcus practically rubbed his palms together.

He watched Hermione surreptiously as she ate, intending to match her departure with his own. He’d get to the bottom of this welcome state of affairs. She picked over her food a little longer, then rose and departed from the hall. Severus watched her go, a dull look in his eyes. Then his eyes shifted to Marcus as he rose and walked by him, exiting the Hall, evidently following Hermione. Severus gripped his fork so tightly, his knuckles turned white, forcing himself to remain in his chair. To follow him would be a big mistake. Hermione would be livid, and believe he wasn’t respecting her demands. And he wouldn’t be.

Severus slowly consumed his meal, trying to keep the images of Marcus hovering over a distraught Hermione, a Hermione on the rebound, convincing her that the best thing to do when ending a relationship was to get right back in the saddle…his saddle. He needed to do something. He needed to formulate a strategy to win Hermione back, and to thwart Marcus. He knew that Hermione wanted him to open up to her, that was her main desire, but he was a Slytherin after all, and plotting was as common as breathing to him. It was something he did well. He was still concerned too, despite her claim of strength, that after a few weeks of celibacy, her urges might be a bit stronger than she thought. For seven years she had her fill of raw, torrid, sex. That was equivalent to her entire stay at Hogwarts. Now, for the first time, she would be without that…and Marcus might be able to cash in on her need if he caught her right.

Severus knew she had forbidden him to use the connection to attempt to seduce her. She was smart, because that would have been his chosen course of action. But what if he didn’t use it to do that? What if he used it another way, a way that would at least keep her passions at bay without her conscious knowledge? He tapped his forehead with his forefinger like he always did when a plan was formulating, food forgotten. A slow grin formed on his face. Maybe his situation wasn’t so hopeless after all.

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Hermione was well on her way to her rooms, when she heard her named called. She turned to see a smiling Marcus striding after her. Gods, she really didn’t feel like dealing with him right now. She needed some time alone, to adjust to the new state of being Severusless.

Before he even reached her, Marcus knew that Hermione was not in a sociable mood. Her amber eyes were distracted, and she leaned longingly in the direction of the dungeons unconsciously. He stopped beside her, his smile broad.

“Hey there,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

“Hello, Marcus,” Hermione responded in a sigh.

Marcus studied her.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asked, “that was the saddest greeting I’ve received in a long time. Are you well?”

“I’m fine. Just a little tired. Was there something you needed?” she asked starting to walk again. Marcus fell in step beside her.

“Oh, I was just wondering when we could get together and work on my class schedule, I’m really hurting here,” he said plaintively, clutching his heart for effect, “I’m killing myself trying to keep things together. Help! Pleeeease!”

Hermione couldn’t help giving him a little smile at his over-dramatization of his situation.

“How about tomorrow?” she asked, looking up at him. He certainly wasn’t hard to look at. He had such a pleasant face. Severus’ face could be pleasant, but normally he had it scrunched up in a scowl most of the time.

“Tomorrow would be fine. Where would you like to work on it? In the DA classroom?” he asked.

Hermione considered. Then her horns came out. She could be a vindictive little witch when she wanted to be. She wanted to test Severus.

“No, you can come to my office,” she responded, “what time is your first class?”

Marcus looked surprised at this invitation to her office. Surely Snape wouldn’t like that. And he said as much.

“Ooh. Descending into the dungeons, eh? Are you sure that your boyfriend won’t object to me invading his girlfriend’s personal space?”

Hermione bristled at this.

“What I do is no longer any of his affair,” she snapped, “so what time is your first class?”

Marcus’ bushy eyebrows rose in delight, though he hid it well.

“Er, at eleven,” he replied, the implication of her statement causing a very physical reaction beneath his robes. They had broken up. This was just too good.

Hermione calculated this. Severus had a class at ten.

“Can you meet me in my office at nine forty-five?” she asked him.

“Sure,” Marcus replied, “promptly at nine forty-five, on the dot.”

They were now at the dungeons entrance. Hermione stopped and looked at him, to find his eyes full of concern.

“I’m sorry you and Snape are on the outs,” he said softly.

Hermione snorted. She couldn’t help herself.

“No, really…I am. You were with him a long time, all of your adult life. This won’t be an easy adjustment for you. Sooner or later you’re going to need to talk about it. I just want to let you know I have a pretty good ear. And it’s available whenever you need it,’ he said sincerely.

Hermione looked up at him. It was a kind offer. She missed being able to talk to Harry. Ron was another story. But knowing she had an available ear was comforting.

“Thank you,” she said softly, “if I need to talk, I will let you know. Goodnight Marcus.”

She gave him a small tight smile. He smiled back at her.

“Good night Hermione,” he replied, and try to get some sleep, ok? Things will get easier with the passage of time. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Hermione nodded and headed down the dungeon corridor.

Marcus watched her go until she disappeared into the hall’s dim interior, then turned and headed for his rooms. He actually clicked his heels together, he was so pleased.

Seemed like things were quickly working out in his favor.

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A/N: Hmm. Both Marcus and Severus plotting. Man oh man. Please review. And thank you all for the wonderful reviews you have been posting. They are very encouraging and I like knowing what you are feeling about the story. Please keep feeding my need.

Oh, and I just got my first fanart pic given me by a reader, Melanie McCall for this story. And she really nailed Marcus. He is one shady looking wizard. You can check it out on her site at: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/23752894/

Leave her a comment. That was really nice of her. Take care all.