A Matter of Circumstance

Chapter 22 ~ It Begins

Over the next few days, Ron returned all the wedding gifts he and Hermione had received, explaining that the marriage was off, but giving no details, which afforded a lot of speculation on the part of the gift givers. Eventually, the rumors of Hermione’s involvement with the Potions Master made it out of Hogwarts and of course, questions about the baby’s paternity came up.

No one confronted Hermione directly, but the witch was aware of the whispering that followed her about the castle. Of course no one dared approach Professor Snape. He wasn’t approachable under the best of circumstances.

The rumors and speculations soon fell on the sharp ears of one Rita Skeeter, columnist and mudslinger for the Daily Prophet. Rita had a grudge against Hermione from way back. The clever little witch had discovered she was an animagus and imprisoned her in a glass jar for more than two weeks, then blackmailed her into telling the real story concerning the return of Voldemort from Harry’s standpoint. The reporter had never forgotten how Hermione had one upped her time and time again. She pounced on the story like a Thestral on fresh meat.

”Oh Bozo. The little princess has got herself in a world of trouble now. She’s pregnant, unwed and working at Hogwarts. What kind of example is she setting for the young witches that attend there? It’s certainly sending the wrong message, don’t you think? Skulking about the castle and having sex in the dungeons and turrets with that Death Eater Snape. It’s frightful. Reprehensible and shouldn’t be allowed. Dumbledore should fire the little slut,” Rita said with a predatory smile as she scratched out an outline for her column.

Bozo, a short, chubby photographer who worked with Rita fiddled with his camera and didn’t comment.

“I know this seems as if I’m being vindictive, Bozo, but I’m not. What happened years ago just happened. I’m past that now. I am more concerned about the inappropriate message Miss Granger’s continued tenure at Hogwarts is giving the students. Loose witches like that are to be ostracized, if they aren’t the wizarding world will be full of bastard children and young mothers following their horrible examples. We have a moral standard to live up to, don’t we Bozo? Oh yes we do! Yes we do! The public needs to know about this situation. It’s my duty to inform them…my duty, Bozo,” the witch said, adjusting her jeweled glasses with her manicured yet mannish hands.

The following morning, a scathing column appeared in the Daily Prophet concerning Hermione being an unmarried, pregnant witch who was uncertain of the paternity of her child and employed at Hogwarts. Neither Ron nor Professor Snape was mentioned in the column. Rita wanted the full focus on Hermione and expressed dismay that such a poor example of witchhood was influencing the young, impressionable women of the school as well as questioned the Headmaster’s motives of keeping her on the staff when her very presence was reprehensible to the sensibilities of every decent citizen.

The paper had only been out about two hours before the owls began arriving to Hogwarts carrying parchments from irate readers and parents demanding that Hermione Granger be removed from staff because of her unsuitability.

Severus read the column solemnly in his rooms before classes began. He folded the paper and sat in his armchair before the fireplace for several minutes, then chucked the newspaper into the flames, the fire reflected in his dark eyes as it burned.

The Potions Master exited his study and walked into his office. He started to go into his classroom using his office entrance, but on a fluke, walked out into the dungeon corridor instead.

That fluke had been Hera’s doing. There was something the goddess wanted him to see.

Severus began to walk past Hermione’s door, then stopped. There, scrawled on the wood were several slurs.

WHORE. SLUT. FILTHY MUDBLOOD BITCH.

The wizard stared at the words, his eyes glittering. Suddenly Hermione pulled open the door and looked surprised as she saw Severus standing there.

”Severus?” she said, “What are you…”

Her eyes fell on the door, reading what was written there. She seemed to visibly wilt for a moment, then pulled out her wand, scourgifying them.

Severus watched as Hermione pocketed her wand. She looked at him and shrugged.

“At least I wasn’t called a ‘cockhole’ this time,” she said to him, then sighed.

”This time?” the Potions Master said darkly.

”This is the second message. There was another one on my door this morning before I went to breakfast, and in the Great Hall I got a slew of owl messages that pretty much voiced the same opinion. I just turned them all to ash,” the witch said.

Severus didn’t say anything as he looked at her.

”Well, I’ve got to get to work. I’ll see you later, Severus,” Hermione said, heading down the corridor and turning into the niche that led to the subdungeons.

Severus looked after her, then at her door. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at her doorway.

“Ostendo Hostilis,” the wizard hissed with a scowl.

Then he continued on to his classroom.

Hera watched the wizard leave with satisfaction. The Queen of the Gods was not blatant like Aphrodite or Eris in her manipulations. She subtly used a mortal’s natural inclinations to work her wiles, simply steering them toward situations where their better natures would rise to the fore.

By studying Severus’ life, she knew the wizard had a hatred of unfairness. But again, the Potions Master was no one’s champion and felt each person had to deal with unfairness the best he or she could. No one stood up for him after all.

Yet Hera knew the targeting of Hermione would affect the wizard simply because he was the one who impregnated her. This was another push of conscience. And his reaction was promising as far as Hera was concerned.

No, he didn’t offer the witch any comfort or even say it was wrong or he was sorry. He said nothing. But he did something.

What would soon be revealed.

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When Severus exited the Potions class, he found a cluster of students milling around Hermione’s door, exclaiming and laughing. Silently he stalked through them, the pupils falling silent as the dark wizard strode through their midst.

He read the words on the door.

”JEZEBEL. WHORE. SLATTERN. SLUT.

He pulled out his wand and scourgified the words then turned to the students.

”Move along,” he hissed.

The students all quickly headed up the hall, whispering among themselves about how the Professor was protecting the witch, more proof he made her pregnant. Severus followed them, anger in his eyes.

The moment he entered the Great Hall, he approached Albus.

”Headmaster, I wonder if you might put out a castle-wide summons for all staff and students to report to the Great Hall for lunch, sir,” he asked the old wizard.

”Whatever for, Severus?” Albus replied, his blue eyes curious.

”I need to…see something,” the Potions Master replied, “If you would, sir.”

By the way Severus’ eyes were glinting, Albus could see this was important. He pulled out his wand and with an intricate wave, sent out the summons he used for assemblies. A sparkling message appeared and floated in mid-air in every occupied room in Hogwarts.

”All staff and students are to report to the Great Hall immediately by order of Albus Dumbledore”

Immediately the libraries, common rooms and staff lounge emptied, everyone reporting to the Great Hall.

After about fifteen minutes, every occupant of Hogwarts was present, including Sybil Trelawney, Argus Filch and Hermione. They all took their seats and looked at Albus expectantly as students filled every table.

Albus looked at Severus who nodded and stood up, pulling out his wand.

” Ostendo Hostilis,” he breathed, making a broad motion with his wand and ending it with a quick flick.

The Potions Master looked around the Great Hall, his eyes falling on Sybil Trelawney and narrowing.

In the center of her forehead rested a bright red letter “S”

She was the one who had written the slurs on Hermione’s door. “S” stood for “Slanderer.”

Severus’ lip curled as the bright red letter faded, everyone looking toward Sybil, who blinked back at them, her magnified eyes several times their normal size.

”Why is everyone looking at me?” the bangled Divination teacher asked, feeling her face to see if something were growing out of it. She hadn’t felt a thing.

”Thank you, Headmaster,” Severus said, sitting down and ordering his meal without saying another word.

Albus studied him then said, “Everyone please enjoy your lunch.”

There were a number of murmurs about being summoned to the Great Hall for no good reason, but everyone did as the Headmaster asked. Presently Hermione became aware of everyone sneaking glances at her and whispering. She turned crimson, but ate her meal slowly…not wanting to appear as if she were running away.

Severus seemed quite focused on his food…but he wasn’t.

His focus was on one dragonfly of a witch.

When Sybil left the Great Hall, so did he.

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A/N: Short chappie. Thanks for reading.