Biding Time

Disclaimer: None of the Hogwart's realm is mine. I only wish..... I'm not making any money from this - my bank account will give evidence to that fact.

Note: Thanks for all of the reviews so far. As I wrote before, this story will be a tad slow going for the first few chapters as I am trying to provide the back story for the "10 years later" events.

Happy reading!!!

Biding Time – Chapter 2: Dedication

Three days later, Hermione retraced her steps down the cold corridors to the Headmistress’ fire-drenched office. Little was said by either woman in the way of niceties. When she did speak, the Headmistress’ voice was grave and her face was drawn.

“By pledging in troth for marriage, you are committing yourself to the other in preparation for marriage. Such a union can only be beneficial to the Order. Through marriage, you will be bonded to Professor Snape. Such a bond is not to be taken lightly, Hermione. In marriage, two individuals are joined together, their families, their bodies and their souls. It is the greatest oath and the strongest one, when it is true and honourable.” Hermione gulped and wondered how such a bond could apply to her and the professor. He was missing, a fugitive, and she had been recruited, more or less, to spy on him, to become a link between him and lawful wizarding society. Hardly material for a true and honourable union.

“In Muggle society, as you may well know, a wife cannot testify against her husband in a court of law. A theory behind this is that a wife was traditionally considered to be an extension of her husband, their link was believed to be so strong. Accordingly, you will not be made to inform against your betrothed if you do not wish to. Long-married couples often grow to anticipate the other’s actions; even complete the other’s sentences. It is the Order’s greatest hope and belief that, through your betrothal and subsequent marriage to Professor Snape, you will develop and nurture such a bond. Through your union, we hope that you will be able to provide some additional insight into Professor Snape – his habits, where he might be hiding.” A soft smile crept across the Headmistress’ lips and she gently patted the girl’s shaking hand.

“But, Headmistress McGonagall, how can there be such a link between us? Professor Snape has gone into hiding and cannot be found – aurors have been searching for him day and night – and he won’t even know that we are betrothed.”

“A link, once created, regardless of how it is created, can always be felt. To use a sentimental expression, the link tugs at the heartstrings. A child who has been adopted often feels a bond with her birth mother, even if she has never seen her mother’s face or known her name. Look at young Potter. Harry still feels a tremendous bond with his parents, even though they were killed when he was a baby. Neither time nor distance can sever a bond, once it is created, Hermione.” And so that was the final word on the matter.

Hermione nodded her head grimly and stepped deeper into the room. The Headmistress caught up a little jade-green, velvet-covered jewel box and gingerly opened it. Inside was a silver chain and, when she lifted the chain out, it was weighted down by a ring. Hermione cupped the ring in her white palm. It was two bands of metal – one of white gold, the other silver. The bands met and twined together, ending in two intricately carved serpent’s heads, one with glittering onyx eyes, the other with pale, shining diamond eyes. The circlet looked quite small, considering the enormity of its meaning.

“It’s….” Hermione searched for the right word “intriguing.” That word did not quite capture its essence but it was the only word which came readily to her tongue. It was certainly not beautiful, but it held some attraction.

“I understand it is a Snape family heirloom. I believe it was his grandmother Prince’s wedding ring. After all, he does come from a long line of Slytherins. The finest goblin gold, I’ve heard.” Hermione, unthinking, slid it onto her finger, feeling the cold metal wrapped around her flesh, the weight of it on her hand. Suddenly, realizing what she had done, she snatched it from her finger and quickly glanced at the Headmistress.

“Perhaps we should have you recite the oath now, Hermione. Time is passing us by rather quickly. The sooner it is done, the sooner the bond is created and our work can begin.” Hermione dangled the necklace and the ring into the older woman’s waiting hand, letting the chain pool into a little mound. The Headmistress donned a pair of tiny spectacles and flipped open a little leather-bound book with pages that had crumbled into dust over time.

“Now, please repeat after me, Hermione.” She hastily flipped a couple of pages, found her place, marked it with her finger, and began.

“Under the laws of magical society, I, Hermione Granger, knowingly and willingly enter into a pledge, a promise, of marriage with one Severus Snape. I shall honour and respect him and, upon our marriage, give to him of myself, body and soul. I understand that once his ring is placed upon my person, I am promised to him and only him. I am to be true to him until a formal wedding ceremony binds me to him further. I understand that I am entering into a magical contract which is to be fulfilled by my marriage to the said Severus Snape. And so it shall be and so it is.” The Headmistress had paused every few words to allow the girl to repeat the oath precisely.

After reciting the last sentence, Hermione felt a small shiver chase down her spine like a nimble fingertip tickling her. After the last words were spoken, the Headmistress dropped the necklace over Hermione’s tawny head. The sudden weight of the ring and chain made her gasp slightly. Suddenly, she felt as if she had the weight of the world round her neck. The ring dangled between her breasts and settled a little to one side, close to her heart. In the flickering light, she saw the serpents eyes glitter at her. She could almost swear that the one had given her a sly wink. With a quick shake of her head, she looked up and met the Headmistress’ gaze.

“Well, it is done now. I know that you were and still are reluctant to enter into this, but please keep in mind that this will be a great service to the Order. Also, he is a very powerful wizard and, even from a distance, you may learn a lot from your betrothed.” The girl cast her head down, nodding slightly. Words would not come. What had she done? She was now linked to a murderer. What good could be learned from such a wizard?

The clock in the corner began to chime, low and sonorous, and the Headmistress looked at it and gasped.

“It’s later than I had thought. It’s time you got to your rooms, my dear.” She hustled the girl into the corridor and, as she walked away, Hermione could hear the last chime. It was long and drawn out, plaintive, and, to her, it sounded like a death knell.

*********

Inside the Headmistress’ office, the portrait of the former Headmaster gave a discreet little cough. His painted beard shone like a mirror in the firelight and his periwinkle eyes sparkled like sapphires.

“Well, Minerva, you always did follow my requests to the letter. So, it has been done.”

“Yes, Albus, but I’m still not sure if I quite understand your motives.” He twinkled at her from the layers of paint and canvas.

“As a Muggle wrote, there is a method to my madness, Minerva. I only ask that you trust in me and have faith in what I have set in motion.” He folded his painted hands in his lap.

“And what of Severus? Will he know?” The portrait’s lips twisted as a he fought back a laugh.

“Oh yes, Severus will know. A messenger has been sent to find him, wherever he may be. It may astound him enough that he might just turn himself in.” Finally, his efforts having failed, his mouth fell open and a low chuckle filled the room.

“Well, it is done then and that is that.” The Headmistress said plainly as she pointed her wand to snuff out the fire. As she left the darkened room, she found herself very glad that she had not been the one to give the news of his betrothal to Severus Snape.