Marriage Law

Marriage Law Chapter 5







Marriage Law Chapter 5

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“Mistress Snape, would you stay for a moment after class?”
Snape said as 7th year potions ended.

 

Neville looked at Hermione as if he were truly sorry before
gathering his things and leaving the classroom. The class emptied and Hermione
found herself alone with Severus Snape.

 

“There’s a Quidditch match tonight,” Severus said, grading
scrolls spread all over his desk. “You may sit in the staff box if you wish.”

 

“Pardon?” said Hermione, confused.

 

“Since Potter and Weasley will be playing oughought you
might like a better view,” he looked up from his grading. His black eyes seemed
to bore into her.

 

“Of course,” Hermione said. “That would be nice.”

 

***

 

Hermione changed into warmer clothing and looked in her
mirror. She twisted her hair back behind her head and arranged a scarf over her
head. She grabbed her warmest cloak and walked into her receiving room.

 

Snape was sitting is cis couch marking scrolls with comments
in red. He seemed to be making a lot of them. He looked up as she walked into
the room.

 

“Think it might be a bit cold?” he asked looking her up and
down.

 

“Better safe than sorry,” said Hermione. “It was quite
breezy today.” She looked at the pile of scrolls in front of him. “Are you
going to be able to go at all?”

 

“Yes,” he sighed as he set his quill down. “Sometimes it’s
like trying to push water uphill.”

 

“What year?” Hermione asked, picking up a scroll.

 

“Sixth,” said Severus, putting his pen down and rubbing his
eyes. “Properties of cardiospermum.”

 

“Well this one is awful,” said Hermione wrinkling her nose
in distaste.

 

“I think I should make them do it again, but twice as long,”
said Severus rising to grab his cloak.

 

“What do you think that’s going to solve?” Hermione asked,
setting the scroll back on the table.

 

“What?” Severus asked, throwing his cloak over his
shoulders.

 

“It’s not going to do any good to have terrible essays twice
as long,” Hermione said. “Give them a project so they can really see it.”

 

“Those are expensive ingredients,” Severus said, reaching
for a black knitted hat.

 

“So just have one pair do it and the rest of the class
discuss and take n,” H,” Hermione rolled the scroll back up and placed it back
on the table.

 

“Perhaps,” said Severus, pulling gloves on.

 

***

 

“Where’s Hermione?” Lavender asked Pavarti scanning the
stands.

 

“Probably with Snape,” said Pavarti shrugged.

 

“She is!” Lavender squealed as she spotted Hermione in the
staff box. “I don’t know how she can stand it!”

 

“It could have been a lot worse,” shrugged Pavarti. She
nodded toward the Slytherin stands where Goyle was glowering at the staff box.

 

“I guess you’re right,” Lavender said. “Somehow I doubt her
other suitors would be as gentlemanly.” She shook her head resignedly.

 

***

 

Hermione watched as Ravenclaw and Gryffindor took the field.
The wind had picked up and she and Severus were the only ones besides
Dumbledore that weren’t shivering.

 

“Good call,” Severus said under his breas has he reached
under his cloak for a packet of crisps. He opened it and Hermione took a few.

 

Severus looked up as the whistle blew. Ravenclaw scored
almost immediately.

 

“Blast!” Hermione and Severus said in unison. Hermione
looked at Severus.

 

“I have a galleon riding on this game,” he admitted.

 

“You bet on Gryffindor?” Hermione asked.

 

“Professor Sprout insisted Ravenclaw was going to sweep the
game,” sniffed Severus.

 

“So yot het her a galleon Gryffindor would win?” Hermione
asked watching Ravenclaw score again.

 

“Yes,” said Severus. “It seems like she is going to see that
galleon.”

 

***

 

“Wow, Harry,” Hermione said to Harry in the Gryffindor
common room.

 

“Where did they find her?” Ron asked blankly.

 

“She’s a second year,” said Dean Thomas. “She wouldn’t have
even been there if Owens hadn’t gotten injured ie lae last game.”

 

“She’ll be a permanent team member next year,” said Seamus.
“But she’ll be subbing for the rest of the year.”

 

“Are you OK, Hermione?” asked Neville under his breath as
the other boys discussed how to destroy Ravenclaw in the last game of the
season.

 

“I’m alright,” said Hermione giving him a small smile. “He
isn’t unkind.”

 

“That’s good,” said Neville. “You can petition for an
annulment after 6 months if you want.”

 

“But then I’m open for bids again,” said Hermione. “That
might end up way worse.”

 

“True,” admitted. “But by then most of us will be over age
and we can petition for you. At least a few of us are bound to get through.”

 

“Thank you, Neville,” Hermione said sincerely. “I’ll keep it
in mind.”

 

***

 

“How was the condolence party?” Snape asked smirking as
Hermione returned to their chambers.

 

“Pretty normal,” shrugged Hermione, plunking herself on the
couch next to Severus. “The Weasleys stole food from the kitchen and the team
went over new theories until everyone else went to bed.”

 

“That’s pretty bad,” said Snape, rolling up the last scroll
on the low table and placing it in the bag he packed for his classes.

 

Crookshanks jumped on the couch between Hermione and Severus
and began purring.

 

“Is he usually this demanding?” Severus asked scratching him
behind his ears.

 

“He usually has a common room full of people to sucker into
petting him,” Hermione said shrugging.

 

“You’ve gotten spoiled,” Severus said to the cat.
Crookshanks purred louder. “Well at least you agree.” Severus shook his head
and tried to hide a small smile.

 

Hermione watched as her orange long haired cat walked over
the deep black fabric of her husbands clothing, leaving a trail of hair as he
went. Severus didn’t seem to notice.

 

“I was thinking,” Severus said slowly. “Summer will be starting
soon and your schooling will be completed. Do you plan on starting a Ministry
internship right away?”

 

“I had thought about taking the summer off,” Hermione
admitted. “I know it seems silly, but I thought travel would be good for me for
a few months. Maybe I can come up with a clear career plan.” She blushed
slightly.

 

Severus was inwardly pleased. If Hermione was going to be
stuck in this situation she was at least being sensible. She was listening to
him, even if she came to her own conclusions. She had not had one burst of
hysteria, even though he thought it would naturally occur. She had not shied
away from him at their wedding, or in their household for that matter. She
would make a fine addition to the Order. She seemed to hold up well under duress,
Severus concluded.

 

Voldemort had gone once again into seclusion. He was
severely weakened and had lost most of his followers, but still he lived, like
an annoying germ. He was rumored to be hiding in Siberia,
but few were brave enough to go searching for him.

 

“I’m going east to do some work for the Order over the
holidays,” Severus said, still stroking Crookshanks, who was now settled in a
large orange puddle on his lap. “You certainly are of age and by then you will
be out of school. You are joining the Order?”

 

“Of course,” Hermione said sitting up straighter. Severus
tried not to grin at her bravery and pride. The young were always ready to
fling themselves in harms way. He inwardly frowned. He’d have to keep that in
mind.

 

“Will you join me?” Severus asked, finally looking up from
Crookshanks.

 

“Where will we be going?” Hermione asked, reaching out to
pet Crookshanks.

 

“St. Petersburg,
for starters,” said Severus. “I don’t know where our information will lead us
from there.”

 

“I believe I will be up for the task,” said Hermione said,
proudly. A little too proudly, in Severus’ opinion. “I will do my best.”

 

“I’m sure you will,” said Severus.