The Ties that Lead to Trust

Chapter 5~ The Best Laid Plans
So far, Hermione thought, the day had gone well. The ceremony had been fascinating, if a bit confusing. She was well aware that at sometime during the ceremony the Adulterous spell would be cast on them, but something didn’t ring right about the Latin. Some part of her realized that things were about to get a whole lot more complicated after her discussion with Severus, but for now she was focussed on enjoying herself. She felt beautiful in the robes Professor McGonagall had given her. The colour alteration charm had worn off, but the outfit was still stunning. Lunch had been pleasant, and a general sense of relief filled her. The Ministry couldn’t bully her anymore. She was married off as they had demanded, and her compliance with the act was complete.

Following lunch, Severus discretely offered his arm and suggested the go outside for a stroll around the lake. This fooled no one, least of all Hermione, but she accepted. Outside a gentle breeze lifted the small hairs that had begun to escape their constraints and tickled her face. It was easy to throw her cares away on such a lovely day. They walked in a companionable silence until they reached a small cluster of trees growing close to the lake’s edge. Severus stopped and began toying with something in his pocket. Hermione found a soft spot of grass in the shade and sat down with her back against the smooth trunk of the tree. Severus had an unfocussed look about him as he gazed out at the water of the lake gleaming in the afternoon light. Then, quite suddenly, as if having reached some sort of decision he sat down beside her. An uncomfortable quiet ensued when he reached out and took her hand in his.

Holding his hand, for all it was awkward, wasn’t something unpleasant. Not at all. His hands were slender and graceful, but still large enough to engulf hers. His hand was pleasingly cool to the touch and his grip almost tentative. The awareness of the contact was awkward, but she was hesitant to let go, feeling that there was a reason to hold on. The breeze picked up slightly and ruffled the edge of her robes around her bare ankles. Brushing her other hand against her robes, she turned to Severus and began to ask him what he needed to tell her just as he had set himself to speak. They both opened their mouths to speak, closed them and began again at the same time. Hermione smiled, “Go on. What did you need to tell me?”

Severus reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter she had seen earlier. Not opening it, he glared and began. “I had a letter arrive shortly before the ceremony this morning. Albus held onto it for me, but I didn’t have a chance to read it until afterwards. It’s from Lucius Malfoy.”

Hermione furrowed her brow. She had nearly forgotten about Lucius Malfoy. In fact she had even forgotten to send a letter in response to his offer with a counter offer to shove his arrogant owl right up his backside. Not that she would ever be that rude in a letter, but she should have, at the very least told him to sod off. “I forgot all about Malfoy. I didn’t send any response to him. What does he want? He can’t do anything now, can he?”

Severus gave an uncharacteristic sigh of defeat. “Apparently he can. You see, the Adulterous incantation used by the Ministry official was quite different than the traditional spell. Not only will it have the effects viewed in yesterday’s paper, but it also has the ability to monitor the individuals bound by it. The photo was part of the monitoring system, I’ve been informed.”

“What, precisely, does it monitor? Or do I not want to know?”

“Lucius had been quite slippery with his connections in the Ministry. The Order is having a difficult time securing enough evidence to award him with a private room in Azkaban, but my evidence has not been accepted in his case. Lucius is well aware of my involvement in other Death Eater convictions and he is angered by my attempts at his own freedom. He is still a wealthy and powerful man with many friends and people who are afraid of him that protect him. He has become heavily involved in the division responsible for enforcing Act 275. His front of compliance makes him appear like an upstanding citizen.” Severus answered, avoiding answering the question directly.

Hermione was starting to feel irritated, “You still haven’t answered my question. What is the monitoring spell about?”

He gave in to her question. “We aren’t the first people to have the idea of a paper marriage. There have been others, usually at the older end of those bound by the law, who have no interest in the goals of the Ministry. The Ministry can’t force anyone to have children, but they can see that the marriages are at least consummated. The Adulterous spell is completed through the consummation of the marriage. The Ministry is making sure that newlyweds do, in fact follow through. If not, each is seen in forfeit of the contract and their right of choice.”

The chunk of ice that had found her stomach two nights ago seemed to have come back again. She felt slightly ill. “So that means-”

“It means, Lucius Malfoy has pulled some strings on his puppets and if our contract becomes forfeit you will become property of his son.”

“France is sounding really good right now,” Hermione mumbled.

Severus gave her hand a small squeeze. “Before you book a portkey to Beauxbatons, I want you to know that I meant everything I said this morning.”

The pale Potions Master coloured a little and looked away embarrassed. Hermione squeezed back, “I know.”

His head snapped back. “You did?”

“Yes. You sounded so earnest. Very focussed about it all. I could tell it wasn’t just words. Besides, I meant what I said as well. The light wouldn’t have looked like that if either of us were lying.” Hermione reasoned.

Severus smirked a little. “Always a know-it-all.”

“I wouldn’t say that. I have no idea what to do now.” she shot back.

He looked very uncomfortable, but said, “Well you see, when a man and a woman-”

She let go of his hand and smacked him lightly on the ribs. “You know exactly what I mean. I don’t have any plans for fleeing across the channel, nor do I have any desire to be Malfoy’s chattel. The problem is...”

“One doesn’t just hop in bed with a stranger.”

Hermione flushed brightly. “That’s more or less what I was getting at. Umm... when... I mean... how long until...”

“From what I can tell two weeks. I propose we spend some time getting to know each other. I expect that will make things easier,” Severus seemed very flustered by the prospect. Quite unlike the unflappable teacher she knew from the classroom.

“Umm... you should know... That time table will need to be shortened by a week.” Hermione’s blush deepened noticeably.

“Oh? Do you need to go home before term starts?”

“Well yes, I did promise my parents, but that’s not quite the problem.”

“What is it?”

“I’m a woman.” she mumbled, suddenly taking great interest in her toes poking out of their sandals.

“So?” he said, still confused. After a long moment his face changed with realization and embarrassment. “Oh...”

Hermione smiled shyly. “Just when you think things can’t get more difficult.”

Severus nodded in agreement. Life was beginning to get very complicated. “About your parents, why weren’t they here today?”

Hermione was surprised by this question, but answered simply, “They didn’t know. I haven’t told them anything.”

“Why not? Do you not get on well with them?”

“No, no, nothing like that. It’s only that it would be really difficult at this time to explain things to them so that they understood. They’re Muggles and don’t understand the politics of the magical world. I know I should have told them when I went home for the summer, but I couldn’t bear to think about it at the time.” She explained, for the first time starting to feel uncomfortable about leaving her family in the dark about yet another aspect of her life.

Severus didn’t judge her for her decision, though. He simply said, “That’s understandable enough.”

He leaned back against the tree, closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Their hands were joined again, but the gesture was somewhat more comfortable now. Hermione, too, closed her eyes and enjoyed the gentle breeze brushing across her face. Sometime later, Severus stood up and offered Hermione his hand. “Much as it has been a reasonably pleasant day thus far, this morning’s events were unexpected. I spend my summers doing research for personal academic pursuits and there are some potions which I must check on.”

Hermione took his assistance standing and they began walking up to the castle. Just as they arrived at the entrance hall, he turned to her and asked cautiously, “Will you dine with me this evening?”

“Certainly,” she said without hesitation.

Once more a hint of a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “I’ll meet you down here at seven. As I have no intentions of spilling potions on these robes, I will be resuming a more casual attire. I might suggest you do the same.”

Hermione nodded and watched him retreat down the stairs and into the dungeons. The day was only half over, and she was quite worn out by the surprises she continued to encounter. On her way back to Gryffindor tower, she bumped into Professor McGonagall. The older woman’s face burst into a smile at seeing her. “Oh, you do look lovely in those robes.”

Hermione smiled back, “I was just going back to my rooms to change. They are lovely, but thoroughly impractical. Come with me and you can take them back.”

“Oh no, I insist you keep them. I haven’t worn those robes in a very long time. They suit you better.” Minerva answered her.

“Thank you.”

McGonagall nodded graciously. “I was going to mention, this morning, that your room looks a bit... well, white. Had you thought about a colour scheme?”

Hermione gave her an embarrassed look. “I haven’t really put much thought into it. I’ve had other things on my mind lately.”

“Quite understandable. Would you like some assistance? I quite enjoy decorating. I spend so much time with Transfiguration my Charms interests tend to fall by the wayside.” the Professor seemed a bit shy to make this confession.

Hermione nodded. “I’ve never done decorating with magic before. I suppose I could have done my room at home this summer, but I hadn’t given it much thought”

“Well then, let’s see what we can do.”
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