The Rules of Engagement

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A/N ~ So glad you lot liked the characters of Hermione’s parents. Hermione’s mum is modeled after the mom of a friend of mine. She is actually a very intelligent woman, if a bit emotional. (Unfortunately she treats her mom worse than Hermione treats her mum.) Her dad ? Well, for some reason I just have a clear picture of him in my head, not really modeled after anyone.

Enjoy !

Glinda

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Allies and Offers
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Hermione thought she might be getting the hang of this. Apparating with Severus wasn’t so bad. It didn’t make her feel nauseous like she had been earlier when she unwittingly disapparated to her bedroom. She also didn’t mind being held in his arms. A week ago the thought of feeling comforted in Severus Snape’s arms would have been unthinkable. Now it was . . . . nice.

Hermione held Severus’ hand as they made their way to the castle. She asked him about the wards he had placed on her parents home and listened to him explain each one. She was constantly, as she had always been, intrigued by his wealth of knowledge. He seemed to be happy to discuss a subject he knew a lot about, but she wondered at the cool exterior he was portraying since his hand holding hers was slightly damp. Such nice hands. She remembered the touch of that hand on her breast the other night, teasing her before he departed so quickly. Perhaps tonight, she thought, things might be different. She looked down, letting her hair fall to the side of her face to hide the blush she knew was appearing there.

“What did you and Dad talk about outside ?” Hermione asked as the reached the stairs that would lead them to the tower.

“You, of course. He doesn’t like our engagement, but I believe he sees the necessity. I also invited them to spend a weekend at the manor.” Hermione stopped in her tracks on the landing and stared at him. Severus stopped when he felt her come to a halt and turned to look at her questioningly, while still holding her hand.

“Are you nutters ?” Hermione demanded.

“I do not understand ?”

“My parents are muggles, in case you’ve forgotten. Their only exposure to the wizarding world has been a few trips down Diagon Alley. And they have NEVER seen anything like a house elf before. Oh, this is a disaster waiting to happen.” Hermione said, slipping her hand from his and starting up the remaining stairs.

“It would have to happen sooner or later. And your father has the right to see how you will be cared for.”

“That is another thing, Severus Snape, I do not need to be cared for. I am quite capable, thank you very much.” She said turning on him at the top of the stairs. Her ire only grew at the smile that played at the corner of his lips. She glared openly at him.

“Hermione, you are quite capable, no one denies that, but do allow your father to act the parent. He needs to know you will be alright and showing them the home you will be living in will be better than letting them imagine you living in squalor.” Severus said. A chuckle erupted out of Hermione before she could check it.

“Squalor ?” She said, a smile trying to break out on her face, then she sighed. “I suppose you’re right. And maybe they will feel better about the portkeys, if they know where they’ll end up.” They began walking down the corridor towards her room.

“I also imagine they will want to come visit their grandchild.” Severus said quietly. Her stomach got all squiggy when he talked about them having a child, knowing what they would need to do and finding she didn’t mind the idea. Not at all.

At her door, Hermione turned to Severus and asked him in. He declined politely. “We both have classes in the morning and the hour is getting late.” She tried to hide her disappointment.

“Thank you for keeping your cool tonight.” Hermione said.

“One of us had to.” The dark man said with a smirk. Hermione looked at him, suddenly wanting to lick those soft pink smirking lips. But he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly while looking in her eyes. The contact sent a jolt straight through her stomach and on into her throbbing center. Her eyes slipped closed as a shiver ran through her.

“Good night, Hermione.” Severus spoke softly, then released her hand and walked away. She opened her door and stumbled inside.

Hermione removed her cloak, throwing it carelessly over a chair. This day had been so emotionally exhausting, she didn’t want to do anything but go to bed. Well, that wasn’t completely true. If Severus had opted to come in, Hermione would have been more than happy to sit down to a nice long snog session. Oh well, maybe when they went out on a ‘date’, she thought hopefully.

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Hermione and Ginny were on their way to breakfast talking quietly. A few feet from the doors to the Great Hall, they passed a gaggle of sixth and seventh year Ravenclaw girls. Most just glared at Hermione. She sighed to herself, having expected this reaction, but then a nasty seventh year made a comment eno enough for them to hear.

“Guess this brings a whole new meaning to ‘Head Girl’. No wonder her grades were always tops in potions.” The dark haired girl sneered at Hermione and Ginny who stood, mouths agape, having no idea how to respond to such outrageous accusations.

“Bugger off, Violet Pendergrass !! You miserable cow !! Before I decide to turn you into the Jersey heifer you are.” Hermione and Ginny turned and gaped anew at the prominent blonde Slytherin girl who had just sidled up next to them.

“Pansy ?” Hermione said. The group of Ravenclaws was going into the hall and the blonde turned to her.

“Don’t mind them, Granger.” The Slytherin seemed a little less sure of herself now that she was faced with the two Gryffindors. “Look, the way I see it, if my Head of House wants to marry you, that makes you as good as a Slytherin in my book. And we Slytherins stick up for our own.”

Hermione was literally speechless. Ginny thanked Pansy. “Yes, thank you. I expect I’ll have to put up with the comments for a while.” Hermione said.

“You won’t if there’s a Slytherin close by. See you in class.” Pansy said before leaving to go into breakfast. Ginny and Hermione made their way to their own house table and related the story of the scene outside the hall to Harry, Ron and Neville.

“Do you think the little dragon had a talk with them ? You know, that ‘little dragon’ name gets lamer every time I say it.” Ron said and the others laughed lightly.

“I don’t think he talked to them. It seemed like she was acting on her own.” Hermione said.

The rest of the meal flew by as Ron and Harry took up the subject of Quidditch with an occasional comment from Neville.

Before leaving Harry leaned across the table towards Neville. “Nev, I need my cloak back.”

“Yeah, sure thing, Harry.” Neville said as he finished is tea.

Hermione gave Harry a questioning look. “Neville’s been going out to the greenhouses to check on his seventh year Herbology project.” Hermione nodded her understanding.

Then they looked up to see an owl circling the table, waiting for an opening. Ginny cleared a spot quickly, and the owl landed in front of her. She took the small package from the bird and gave it some bacon.

“What you got, Gin ?” Ron asked curiously.

“Oh, nothing. Just something from Dad.” Ginny said as she placed the package in her bag. Hermione put a hand on Ron’s knee to keep him from badgering his sister. She could see Ron was itching to ask about the post, but Ginny always bucked at outright demands from her brothers.

“Maybe she’ll tell me later.” Hermione whispered to Ron.

“Yeah, okay.” He whispered back in a grumble.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Breakfast in the Great Hall was always a noisy affair, but this morning Severus hardly paid the din the least bit of attention. The ev of of the previous day were still fresh in his mind. Hermione had chosen him. CHOSEN him, not just to save the Ravenclaw boy, but because she liked Severus. She had even smiled, when he brought up the subject of them dating. DATING ? Bloody hell !! Where was he supposed to take a girl like Hermione out on a date ?

“Alright this morning, Severus ?” Lupin asked next to him at the staff table as he folded his Daily Prophet and it ait aside. Severus took the vial out of his pocket and gave it to the werewolf.

“I met Hermione’s parents last night.” Severus said as he watched Lupin drink his daily potion. The man appeared appreciative that the flavor was now chocolate, instead of firewhiskey.

“How did that go ? You seem to have come back in one piece.”

“Actually, they seem like rather pleasant muggles. The news about our engagement went over like a leadening charm, but they both want their daughter to be safe, so they are not kicking up a fuss. I invited them to spend a weekend at Snape Manor.” Severus said as he finished his coffee.

The fair haired man nodded his approval. “A show of your wealth and position, her father should respect that.”

“I do not mean to be a braggart.” Severus snapped.

“No, no, Severus, I don’t mean it like that. You have to admit that having a manor house is quite impressive. Even muggles respect social position. It should make it easier for them to accept you. Did Dr. Granger try to cuff you a good one ?” Lupin asked with a glitter in his eye and a half smirk on his lips. Severus raised him an eyebrow.

“No, he did not. Really, I expected much worse. He shouted a bit, then Hermione got upset and when I came down from comforting her, he had cooled down.”

“You went to comfort Hermione ?” Severus narrowed his eyes and glared at the man next to him.

“And what, pray tell, is that supposed to mean ?”

“I just think it’s a good sign. The two of you may find your way yet.” Lupin said getting up to leave. “Have a good day, Severus.”

Severus crossed his arms and sat back in his chair. Granted he was not the person students came to when they needed consoling, but Hermione had appeared calmed by his presence. As indeed, he had been calmed by hers last night. They might at least be friends and that was a beginning.

Picking up the abandoned newspaper beside him, Severus began looking through for anything of interest. Buried deep on the bottom of page 4 was a small announcement for a lecture being held on Friday at the Ministry, ‘Muggle Medicine and how it applies to Modern Potion Making’. That might be of interest to Hermione. That would at least be a date he wouldn’t abhor. Yes, a lecture would do nicely.

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Hermione sat at her desk in her room late Wednesday night looking through the photo album Wubby had sent back with her. The day had been very strange at best. Rumors were flying around the school about the Head Girl and the Potions Master. Hermione forgave them, for the most part, the students had no idea what the real reason for the engagement was and the nasty comments were to be expected. What was not expected was the people who came to her defense. Blaise Zambini had walked her to Advanced Runes himself and Gregory Goyle had threatened a couple of Hufflepuff seventh year boys who made ruommeomments as Hermione walked down the hall. Even Millicent Bulstrode came to her defense in a girls bathroom after lunch.

Hermione’s attention was drawn back to the album in front of her, she found herself particularly interested in pictures of Miranda Snape. Severus’ mother had been a true raven haired beauty, it was no wonder Silas Snape had married her. Hermione still couldn’t get the idea out of her head that their marriage had been arranged. From the moving wizard pictures it was clear that Silas had doted on his young wife. And the fair haired man had been so proud of his son.

Hermione ran her fingers over the image of Severus. He could have been no more than a year old as he walked from his mothers arms to his laughing father. This idyllic picture saddened her somehow. The loss of what might have been. Would Silas and Miranda have approved of a mudblood for a daughter-in-law ? Hermione sighed deeply, thinking they most likely would not. Turning the page, she looked down at a picture of a little boy perhaps three years old. Clutched in his hands tightly was a very new red dragon with black beady eyes. Under the picture was written ‘Severus and Sinders’. So Sinders was the name of the dragon she had found, Hermione thought with a smile. A knock sounded at the door, the door to the hallway, she realized. Opening the door, Hermione was met with an empty corridor. Her brow furrowed, then she yelped in surprise as she was pushed back into the room and the door was closed. She went to draw her wand and remembered she was in her nightgown, so didn’t have her wand.

“It’s alright, Mione, it’s me.” A voice said, then the invisibility cloak was lifted.

“Draco Malfoy ! You about scared the life out of me.”

“Happy to see you, too, Luv.” Draco said, dropping the cloak and pulling his best friend into a hug. “Did you know I was coming ?” He asked as he traced the rather low neckline of the otherwise frumpy flannel gown. She shooed his hand away and drew him over to the couch to have a seat.

“Don’t make fun, it is rather late, you know. I believe I may have to deduct house points for being out past curfew.”

“I hope you won’t . . . after you find out why I’m here.” The blonde said suddenly looking nervous.

“Draco, you know I’m kidding.”

“And I hope you’ll realize I’m not.” He took both her hands and looked at her oddly. Her brow furrowed deeply as they looked into each others eyes.

“What is it ? You’re trembling. What’s the matter ?” He looked down at their hands and took a deep breath, then nodded to himself as if he had made some decision.

“I know this engagement to Snape was all my idea and I am glad you chose him. I really hate that this is being forced on you, Mione. I came here because . . . . .” He swallowed thickly as he watched her face. “ because I want to help.”

Hermione laughed lightly and squeezed his hands. “You’ve already helped, I’m grateful you interceded for Rose.” Draco turned his head to the side as if she had slapped him. She brought one of her hands up to his face, stroking his cheek gently. “Stop blaming yours Yo You saved his life.”

Draco expelled an annoyed breath and stood up quickly. He ran his hand through his hair, then left it resting on the back of his neck as he turned back. “I didn’t come here to talk about that. I came because . . . . . . . I thought you might be . . . . nervous . . . . about . . . . . things.” His hands dropped to his sides as he seemed to be begging her to understand, but she just didn’t.

“I suppose I was nervous. The Professor and I went to tell my parents last night. They aren’t happy about it, but there was no bloodshed.”

“That isn’t what I meant either. Gods, Mione, you are so innocent sometimes.” He sat back down and took a deep breath. “I came to you to offer to . . . . take . . . . your virginity.”

Hermione knew she must have been gaping at him like a fish, then she started to giggle and when he scowled at her it turned into a full blown hysterical laugh.

“You really know how to dent a man’s pride, Mione.” Dracod sud sullenly. That sobered her up enough to talk to him.

“Oh no, Draco, I wasn’t laughing at you. Before you made such a self sacrificing offer, don’t you think you should have found out whether I was a virgin or not ?” The blonde’s eyes grew wide.

“You mean you’re not !” He snapped. “Why didn’t you tell me ?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend ?” She threw back at him.

“Touché.” Draco said, looking more appeased. They looked at each other for a moment. “Well, I feel like a right fool.”

“No Draco, you’re not a fool. I appreciate the gesture.” Hermione said hugging him close. “Did you really think I’d be afraid to sleep with Severus ?”

Draco sat back looking embarrassed then. “I just assumed . . . . the first time might be easier . . . with me.”

“It would be your first time with a woman, wouldn’t it ?”

The blonde smiled charmingly. “Yeah. I guess I’m a little curious to see what all the fuss is about.” Hermione smiled, feeling a little embarrassed herself.

“I think maybe that’s a place we shouldn’t go.” Hermione said.

“I think maybe you’re right. So you’re not afraid of Snape ?”

“No. Why do people keep asking that ? Severus has been nothing but kind and protective from the start.”

“I guess it’s when I think about you . . . . having to . . . . . have sex with him. “ Now she was getting insulted, this was her fiancé Draco was talking about.

“Weren’t you the one telling me how sexy you found Professor Snape ?”

“Well, yes, but . . . . .”

“So it’s me then is it ? You don’t tha maa man like Severus would find me attractive ?”

“Mione, now wait . . . .You are very attractive. You just seem so naive, at times. No one would believe you weren’t a virgin.”

“What am I supposed to do ? Run around wearing a sign that says ‘Gryffindor whore’ ?”

“Now wait, Luv. Don’t get upset. The last thing I wanted to do was upset you.”

Hermione looked at her friend, sighed and hugged him again. He was trying to help, it was her own insecurities that were making her snap at him. Draco stroked her back and hair soothingly.

“You know I think you’re beautiful, don’t you ?” He whispered to her. She chuckled and snuggled her head closer into his neck.

“You’re a bit biased.”

“Absolutely !” Draco said.

Did people really see her as naïve ? Did Severus see her that way ? Oh Merlin ! Did he think he was marrying a virgin ? No wonder he seemed so skittish around her.

“I better get back. I had planned on staying here, but since it looks like that isn’t going to work out . . . . .” Draco said, stepping back from her.

“Wait, I’m going with you. I’ll just be a minute.” Hermione said, grabbing some clothes and heading to the bathroom. She had to talk with Severus right now and get a few thintraitraight.

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~_^ Twenty house points to whomever can figure out what Ginny is up to. (Though I reserve the right not to let you know if you’re right until it comes out in the story.)

3/16/04 {I like the guesses about Ginny so far, but I just wanted to point out she got a package from Dad, not a letter.}


*** I will be hard at work on the next chapter while hopefully getting back to some of my other stories. In the meantime, I thought I would pass along some recommendations for other gems I have been reading that do not seem to be getting due attention. (Yes, I take the time to read during my morning coffee !)


an awfully big adven ~ h ~ http://adultfan.nexcess.net/aff/story.php?no=19943 This is a gem of a story. A very fun ‘comedy of errors’ piece.

The First Summer and Summer Series ~ http://adultfan.nexcess.net/aff/story.php?no=19710
This is a reposting, so many of you might have read it before. I haven’t and I think it’s brilliant !! It should be receiving hundreds of reviews. So if you have been reading it and not reviewing, you should feel duly chastised.

Revealing Moments ~ http://adultfan.nexcess.net/aff/story.php?no=20545
This is a fabulous tale and has the best final battle scene I’ve ever read. The best part is it’s complete.

Make sure you leave them a review !




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