It Started With A Kiss

Chapter 3


The three made their way to Hermione’s room after lunch. After she unwarded her door, they all entered. The room had a small sitting area with two plush, comfortable, dark blue chairs, a small gold and blue striped settee, with a small round, dark oak table in the middle of the grouping in front of a fireplace.

Ron and Harry sat on the settee while Hermione paced in front of the fireplace. "Alright Hermione, we're in your rooms so now tell us what is going on?" said Harry as he watch his friend of seven years nervously pacing back and forth.

She stopped and faced her friends, opening her mouth, and then shutting it, she look down at the floor and sighed.

"Come on Hermione, it can't be that bad," Ron said, "I mean it's not like you’re pregnant with Snape’s love child or something," letting loose a small laugh. Hermiones head shot up, she looked at Ron he was closer to the truth then he knew. She really did love Ron, they dated for a short time in their fifth year, but it was clear they weren't meant to be anything other then friends. Though Ron kept on asking her to give them another go, well, what she was about to tell them should put a stop to that.

"Hermione," Harry's voice interrupted her thoughts, his eyebrows scrunching together, "Sit down and just tell us what you have to say."

Taking a seat on one of her chairs she took a deep breath and told her friends everything that had occurred, from the kiss on the cheek she gave Snape in the Great Hall, to the talk in the headmaster’s office, the Rune on her hand and the one on Snapes, to her talk with Snape earlier that day.

She looked from Harry to Ron. Harry looked at her as if he couldn't quite comprehend what she had just said. Ron looked like someone just told him Christmas had been cancelled permanently.

"Is this some kind of joke, Hermione? Cause if it is it’s not funny," Harry said.

"No, Harry. It’s no joke," she said looking at him almost imploring him to understand and not hate her.

Ron turned to Harry putting a hand on his shoulder "She's not joking mate, I've heard Mum and Dad talking about the Ancient Ones before."

"I don't understand this...why, WHY do you have to marry that greasy git Snape? Just because some 'Ancient Ones' dictate it...this is ridiculous!" Harry’s voice grew louder. Hermione hadn't expected this; she thought Ron would have been the one who would be most upset by this, not Harry.
“That slimy bastard has never been nice to us, he HATES us. That sarcastic, miserable, bat has done all he could to made our lives miserable, and now you say YOU HAVE TO MARRY HIM!!”

“Harry,” Hermione said, trying to keep a calming voice, “Haven’t you noticed? Since school started this year, he hasn’t been as bad as he use to be. You know he was a spy for Dumbledore, he couldn’t treat us fairly, Voldemort would have heard about it, and he probably would have killed Professor Snape. If that had happened, you probably wouldn’t have had a chance to defeat him. Think about that Harry. Without the information Professor Snape was able to obtain we may not be here right now,” Hermione sighed deeply getting up from her chair to sit between her friends.

"As for the rest, I'm not quite sure why, Harry, but Dumbledore is doing some research, and I'm sure he'll find out something about all this. But even he said this thing rarely happens but when it does, it happens for a reason." Reaching over she took one of Harry’s hands into hers looking him in his eyes. "Harry, please, I don't want us to stop being friends over this. I need you, Harry, you and Ron are my best friends. We've all been through so much. I still have to tell my parents and I think I'm really going to need your support, they will not understand this at all."

"We will always be friends, Hermione," he said giving her hand a small squeeze, "I just want to understand why."

"Sometimes Harry, the answer to that question only comes with time," she said. "I could use a good hug about now, guys."

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Severus Snape slowly made his way back to the Headmaster’s office, taking the long way, grateful that the students were in class. He enjoyed walking the halls of Hogwarts especially late at night when most of the castles occupants were sleeping, the long, peaceful walks helped to clear his head and relieve the stresses of the day. Before he knew it, he was at the gargoyle that guards the entrance to the Headmasters office. Muttering the password, he was lifted up the moving stairs to the door. Raising his fist to knock he heard, "Come in Severus." How does the old coot do that? He wondered.

"Ahh, Severus, have a seat my boy. Did you have a beneficial talk with Miss Granger?" he asked.

"Yes, Albus, but we still have much to discuss. She needed some time alone to gather her thoughts. We will meet again this evening after supper. In the meantime, have you discovered anything about this 'choosing' for lack of a better word?" Severus inquired.

"Yes, in fact I have. It seems the last time this has occurred was around the time of the founding of Hogwarts. The witch and wizard involved became pivotal in the segregation of the magical and muggle worlds. I can't help but wonder what is in store for you and Miss Granger," said Dumbledore popping a sherbet lemon in his mouth, gesturing for Severus to help himself. "I also found that a special ritual was used to bind this couple. As of yet I have not been able to locate it, but I will keep looking. I also have an appointment in the morning with the Board of Governors and the Minister for Magic. We cannot have them up in arms over this and causing problems. I will explain to them exactly what has happened, I'm sure they will agree one cannot argue with the Ancients. You and Miss Granger will also need to fill out the necessary paperwork also, we do want to this legally now don't we?"

"Of course, Albus. There is one thing Miss Granger and I did agree on, she will need to be removed from my class. If necessary, I will tutor her privately in the evenings. Though with her grades I hardly think it essential the girl could have passed her Potions N.E.W.Ts in her fifth year."

"Yes I agree," the headmaster said with a small laugh, "Our Miss Granger is indeed quite an intelligent young woman. I will approve her removal from your class as of today, Severus. It would be best if you two were on a more 'even footing' so to speak. If she wishes you may tutor her on your own time or may I suggest she do an independent study."

"Thank you, Headmaster. I will offer both suggestions to her." Severus would have bet every galleon he had in Gringotts that she would grab the independent study like a niffler offered gold.

"Come, Severus," said Dumbledore rising from his seat behind his desk, "It's lunch time. We do need to make an appearance in the Great Hall."

Taking his usual place at the Head Table, Severus looked over to the Gryffindor table and saw Hermione sitting in her usual spot with her two 'dim-witted' friends. She didn't seem to be eating very much. If this kept up he would have to talk to her about it, he did not want her to become sick. She may need her strength for what was to come, whatever that may be. After a while he observed her and her friends leaving the Great Hall, he was almost sure she was going to tell them about their upcoming marriage...oh to be a lacewing fly on the wall when those two learned their most hated Professor was marrying their best friend. He just hoped they wouldn't give her too hard a time.