The Rules of Engagement

.


~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 2 - Four scrolls and a Fiancé?

Severus stood in the Headmaster’s office staring out the window, wondering how his life had come to this; playing a mock husband to one of his students. In his youth, he had dreamed of having a family of his own. A beautiful wife who was his and his alone. But the childish dreams of youth had given way to the stark realities of living life as a Death Eater. For most of his adult years, his life had not been his own. Even in the years after Potter had seemingly vanquished the Dark Lord, Severus had had to play his role, as Dumbledore knew the Dark Lord would return. After watching countless spouses tortured by the Dark Lord to keep his followers in line, Severus had vowed to himself he would never let that happen to him. He could not have played his role as spy had he had such a weakness as a lover, who could be used against him.

‘Well, that will not be a problem here’, Severus thought, screwing the corner of his mouth into a grimace. He would only be giving his name and a few words spoken in the marriage ceremony. He would, of course, support the girl. His family wealth was such, that he had no problem with that, though he thought the head strong Miss Granger might. The very thought of her spitting fire at him for such an idea, brought a smile to his lips.

“Good Morning, Severus,” the Headmaster chirped irritatingly, as he sat down at his desk. Young Malfoy followed him in and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the large oak desk. Severus inclined his head politely to the older wizard and watched as he drew out a stack of scrolls from his desk. Severus stepped forward and sat before the desk leaving a chair open between himself and Draco. Severus’ brow knit together, there were four scrolls on the Headmasters desk. One was from the Ministry certainly, letting Miss Granger know of her eligibility, a second was from Malfoy and the third was his own petition. What was the forth scroll?

That question was soon answered, as a seventh year Ravenclaw boy came in and sat in the chair on the other side of Draco.

“Ah, Mr. Green, we are just waiting for Miss Granger,” Dumbledore said, in his insufferably cheerful manner. Severus turned to glare at the boy. Rosemond Green was tall with black hair and deep blue eyes. A boy who 6th and 7th year girls of every house tried to attract the attention of. The boy’s family was wealthy and well connected within the Ministry and he was very intelligent. Just the sort of youth that might turn the head of a naïve girl. ‘And wind up getting them both killed’, Severus thought.

“Am I interrupting, Headmaster? I can stop by later,” Miss Granger said, from the doorway.

“No, my dear. Please, close the door and have a seat.” She obeyed, casting curious glances at the men assembled.

“What is it, Professor Dumbledore?” she asked. Dumbledore handed her one of the scrolls, the Ministry one no doubt. She opened it and began reading. Severus heard her gasp sharply, then look up at the Headmaster, as if looking for confirmation. The old wizard nodded his head seriously. She read down to the bottom of the scroll and looked back up.

“Today? I turn 18 today?” Miss Granger asked unbelieving.

“I am afraid you do,” Dumbledore said and he handed her the other three scrolls. She opened the first one and read it quickly. She turned her head to look at Green, who gave her half smile. She opened the next scroll, then looked at Draco. Opening and reading the last scroll, Severus heard her gasp again and shocked brown eyes turned to him. He looked back at her evenly. She turned her gaze back to the Headmaster.

“You are lucky to have three gentlemen to choose from, Miss Granger. Many others have not been so fortunate.” To which Granger let out a most unladylike snort, but the Headmaster continued. “I will need your answer in a week’s time as one of the petitions will need to be signed and sent back to the Ministry with all the particulars.”

“I won’t need a week, I have my answer now,” she said, sounding determined.

“Wait! Hermione, can speak with you …. in private?” Malfoy asked quickly.

“I don’t think that’s fair,” Green piped up. “We should all three have the opportunity to present our case.”

“We are not in a bloody court room, Green,” Severus said annoyed. Dumbledore held up his hands for silence.

“I believe that would be fair, would it not, Miss Granger?” the Headmaster asked.

“Yes, sir. I suppose it would,” she conceded.

“Good. You may use my private study, just through that door next to Professor Snape,” Dumbledore said, pointing to the door. Malfoy and Granger stood and walked past him. The girl gave him a curious glance, then went through the door. Severus began to seethe. Malfoy had apparently not spoken to the girl about their arrangement. What must she be thinking?

~*~*~*~*~

Hermione went into the oddly shaped room that Dumbledore had indicated. It was a half circular room, apparently the portion of the tower left over after the Headmaster’s office had been built. There was one small window, two comfortable looking chairs, a small table holding a candelabra and the walls were lined with filled bookshelves. She would have thought the room wonderful had she been able to think at the moment.

Draco closed the door and drawing his wand, cast a silencing charm on the room. He put his wand away, turned to her and held out his arms. She stepped into his familiar embrace willingly.

“You needn’t have done this,” Hermione said, “I was going to choose you.”

“I know, Luv. That was why I had to stop you,” Draco said. Hermione pulled back to look into his soft grey eyes. Her screwed up in confusion.

“I don’t understand.”

“I know, Mione. I didn’t have a chance to talk to you before now. Let’s sit,” Draco said, steering her over to one of the chairs, then taking the opposite one himself. He relayed the content of the meeting with his father and his subsequent meeting with Snape.

“Oh. Well at least it makes sense now why the Professor would petition for me,” Hermione said, more than a little relieved. “What about Rose?”

“He must have had his father petition for you. His father may have connections within the Ministry marriage office,” Draco said. Hermione nodded numbly. Draco leaned forward and grabbed both of her hands in his and stared intensely into her eyes. “You must choose Snape.”

“Draco, he’s my Professor.”

“You and I both know exactly what he is and so does my father. Snape is one of the few people father fears and for good reason. Snape may have decided to work the for the side of good, but he’s not lost any of his darker talents.” Hermione shivered, knowing Draco’s words to be too true. During the war, Hermione had seen first hand what Snape was capable of.

“What about the Green family? They must be well connected.”

“They are, but believe me when I say if you marry him, Rosemond Green will be dead within a month,” Draco said, seriously. He sat back in his chair watching her. She sat back also, willing her befuddled mind to work. “And don’t let the Weasel get any ideas of marrying you himself. Father would take far too much pleasure in killing him.”

Hermione sighed, as she felt tears stinging her eyes. There was one hope dashed before it even had time to surface. She closed her eyes and felt a tear squeezed out and run down her cheek. Suddenly, she felt soft fingers brushing the wetness away. Opening her eyes, she saw Draco was kneeling beside her chair.

“I’m so sorry, Luv. I wish this was not the way things were, but wishing won’t make it so.”

“What if I left?” Hermione said shakily. “If I left the wizarding world altogether?”

“Then Lucius would come looking for you. Please ….” he pleaded, “please, Mione, marry Snape. I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.” She could see tears in his eyes now. “You’re my best friend.”

Leaning down, she kissed him lightly in the lips, then pressed her forehead to his. “And you’re mine. I wish I could marry you.”

Draco laughed and got back into his seat. “Me? Goodness, what would you do with me? I’d be no good to you.”

“You mean even I couldn’t get you to like women, just a bit.” Hermione said, jokingly.

“It’s not that I don’t like women. I get the occasional stiffy over a pretty girl, I simply prefer men,” Draco said, then stood.

“I had better let Rose in before he thinks I’m taking too long.” He leaned down and kissed her again. “Think about what I said, and take the week to decide. Father told me I was to take you out Friday night and woo you. I plan on spoiling you rotten and costing him a pretty knut. I’ll pick you up at your room after classes.”

“Alright,” she said, then she watched him leave.

~*~*~*~*~

Rosemond Green entered the room, moments after Draco left. He was his usual self; cool and confident with just a touch of humor. He sat down in the chair opposite and took a deep breath.

“I will not insult your intelligence with flowery words and professions of love,” Rose began, “I will, however, state that you are my first choice. I have always been impressed with you and not just for your mind.” Hermione felt herself blushing at the compliment.

“I know we’ve not spent a great deal of time together, but we’re not strangers either. Honestly, I wish I had asked you out before all this started, but with NEWTS coming this year . . . well, I know you understand. I would not keep you from furthering your education, would encourage it even. I had thought . . .” Rose smiled, mildly embarrassed, his raven hair falling across his deep blue eyes.

“What had you thought, Rose?” Hermione encouraged gently.

“I had thought we might find a field we were both interested in and work together. I know the contract calls for you to be pr … pregnant within the first year, but we could afford a nanny to stay with the baby when we were busy. Then, of course there would be my mother or yours, if she liked. But for the long run . . . I do not wish my children to be raised by someone else. If we worked from home. . .some kind of research perhaps, then we would be there, when the children needed us.”

Hermione sat back in her chair quite impressed. Not only had a man as young as Rose been thinking about marriage and children, but he didn’t expect her to give up her education or to be the sole caregiver to the children. As she looked into his unwavering blue eyes, she could see he would be a good father, possibly a good husband and he seemed to like her. But Draco had pleaded with her to accept Snape and she respected Draco’s opinion.

“Thank you, Rose. I’m very flattered,” Hermione said, then she stood. Rose stood also.

“I’d like to take you out Saturday night. Even if you don’t pick me, I’d be able to say I once went on a date with the great Hermione Granger.” Hermione blushed and nodded her head. “Hmmm, I hadn’t thought of it before, but you wouldn’t even have to change any of your monogramming,” Rose said, with a chuckle, making Hermione laugh, too. He leaned over and kissed her cheek before leaving.

Hermione sat down in preparation for the arrival of her final suitor.

~*~*~*~*~

They sat regarding each other coolly. Snape sat hands folded across his lap, his dark eyes drinking her in. She always felt this way, when the dark man’s gaze lingered on her too long. She felt as if he could see into her mind, into her very soul, which as a Legilimens was not wholly impossible.

“Draco told me he asked you . . . to do this. Thank you,” Hermione said. She felt she needed to acknowledge that she knew he had not petitioned for her of his own accord. Snape nodded his head to her once, then rested his elbows on the arms of the chair, steppling his fingers before him.

“Is . . . is there anything you wish to tell me?” Hermione asked, becoming uncomfortable with the silence.

“Yes, Miss Granger, there are a few things I believe I should point out.” She gestured for him to go ahead, she was listening. “First and foremost is your safety. Lucius is a dangerous man and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.”

“Draco told me his father fears you,” Hermione offered.

Snape raised one eyebrow accompanied by an evil looking smirk. “As well he should. Lucius would think long and hard before crossing wands with me,” Snape said, though it was not boastful, he said it as a matter of fact. “I offer you the protection of both my person and name. The name of Snape still commands a certain amount of respect in the Wizarding World.”

“Would I be permitted to continue my education?” she asked.

“Naturally,” Snape said, his brows knitting together.

“It’s only . . . with the baby . . .”

“What baby!?” Snape demanded.

“Professor, . . .” Hermione started, then noticed the unguarded look in her Professor’s eyes. “You haven’t read the law, have you?”

“No,. . . I, . . . no. I had no intension of taking advantage of the law,” Snape said, looking uneasy.

“The law clearly states a child must be conceived within the first year of the marriage or the contract becomes invalid and I would go ‘back on the market’, for lack of a better term,” Hermione explained.

The Professor seemed very surprised and uncomfortable. His dark eyes looked her over again from bushy hair to scuffed shoe, then he stood, walking over to the little window. Placing his hands on the stone sill, he gazed out at the lake. She didn’t know whether to be insulted or relieved.

“If you wish to rescind your petition . . .” Hermione offered quietly, watching his back.

“No,” Snape said quickly, then shook his head. He turned around, leaning against the sill and crossed his arms over his chest. “I am still the best choice. I did not know . . . the marriage would have to be consummated and an heir produced.” Snape looked up meeting her eyes. “Is this what you want?”

Hermione scoffed, “None of this is what I wanted, Professor. I‘m merely trying to make the most logical choice.” Snape nodded his understanding and approval. “Did you not want children of your own?”

Snape sighed deeply and appeared to take a sudden interest in the rug, then spoke softly. “I had given up on the idea of having a family of my own, a long time ago.” He looked back up into her face. “I do not find the idea distasteful.”

Well, he certainly wasn’t jumping up and down for joy, but he did seem sincere.

“I would, of course, respect your wishes in relation to the marriage bed,” Snape said, softly, giving her an uncomfortable look. Hermione felt herself blushing at the very thought of being in the same bed with her Professor, much less doing what was required to produce a Snape heir.

“Thank you,” she said, barely above a whisper.

“If there was nothing else,” Snape said, as he started towards the door.

“No, I suppose not,” she said, but as he placed his hand on the door knob another question pressed in her mind. “Professor?”

“Yes, Miss Granger?”

“I just wondered . . . If I didn’t choose you, would you petition for someone else?” Snape turned to look at her seriously, his face suddenly colored with a soft blush.

“No,” he said, looking first at the floor and then back into her eyes, “I would not.” Then he opened the door and held it for her to reenter the Headmaster’s office. Something about that moment touched her, but she would have to think about it later.

Rose, Draco and Dumbledore stood as she came in. Dumbledore gestured to the chair in front of him for her to have a seat.

“Do you still wish to make your decision today?” the Headmaster asked, peering over his spectacles.

“No, sir. I’ve listened to each suitor’s explanation for his petition. Friday, I will be seeing Mr. Malfoy and on Saturday I’ll go out with Mr. Green,” Hermione said. She noticed Snape’s attention sharpen at the mention of her dates.

“Then you will be free on Sunday, Miss Granger?” Snape said.

“Yes, Professor,” Hermione said, a little surprised.

“Well then, if there is nothing further to discuss today? I will expect an answer within the week, Miss Granger.” Dumbledore said, as he stood, indicating that they could all go now.

~*~*~*~*~