#6 ~ A Matter of Matrimony
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
28
Views:
32,109
Reviews:
372
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
28
Views:
32,109
Reviews:
372
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Dragon has a Word with Dumbledore
Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR (except Marcus Delaluci). All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 9 ~ The Dragon has a Word with Dumbledore
“Professor Delaluci,” Albus said, “a word, if you please.”
Marcus looked at the Headmaster for a moment, as if sizing him up. Dumbledore waited expectantly.
“Certainly, Headmaster,” Marcus replied, “but I do have a class in twenty minutes.”
Albus smiled tersely at him, “Well then, we should be finished in fifteen. Please come with me, Marcus. We will take the floo in the main hall to my office.”
The tall blonde wizard shoved his hands in his robe pockets, and fell in step with Dumbledore, heading for the main hall. Marcus glanced over at the old wizard. Albus was dress in yellow robes and a pointed wizard’s hat with bright pink question marks peppered over them. Both his beard and his long hair were twisted into tiny micro braids. Marcus had never seen a wizard in so high a position dress so outrageously. But then again, it was good to be the king. And Albus Dumbledore had the bearing and power to be considered a monarch, despite his appearance.
They arrived at the floo. Albus reached into a box sitting on the fireplace mantle and scooped out a handful of floo powder. He tossed it into the flames, which turned green. He gestured to Marcus.
“After you, my boy,” he said.
Marcus stepped through the flames and arrived in Dumbledore’s office. Fawkes looked up, and squawked at him, her beautiful eyes rolling with dislike. Marcus ignored the bird. Albus stepped through behind him, shaking off his robes.
“Please have a seat, Marcus,” Albus said, dropping the formalities and indicating a comfortable armchair in front of his desk. Marcus sat down stiffly. He hated meetings like this. They reminded him of when he would be taken to the taskmaster for acting out in the sporadic classes he took at the local wizarding schools. He had never attended Hogwarts. He didn’t have the money.
Albus walked around his desk and sat down in his swivel chair. He picked up a dish of yellow candies and held them out to the wizard before him.
“Lemon drop?” he offered.
Marcus shook his head. “No thank you, Headmaster,” he replied, anxious to get this lecture or dismissal over with.
Albus returned the dish to his desk, popping one of the candies into his mouth. He then folded his hands and looked at Marcus thoughtfully.
“How have you been finding Hogwarts these past few months, Marcus? Does it suit you?” he asked.
Several days ago, Marcus probably would have said he was bored to tears with the place. But with his new interest in the Granger woman, and subsequent rivalry with Snape, things had been looking a lot more interesting lately.
“Yes, Headmaster, it suits me just fine,” he replied honestly.
Dumbledore drew a deep breath.
“Marcus, I’ve called you in here because it has come to my attention that you are showing an interest in Miss Granger, our Spells Mistress,” he said with concern in his voice.
Marcus didn’t reply.
“I hope you realize that Miss Granger is involved with our Potions Master, and has been for several years now.”
Marcus still didn’t reply.
Dumbledore looked at him archly and said, “I would like to ask you, Marcus, what are your intentions toward Miss Granger?”
Marcus looked at his Headmaster, debating how to answer him. He decided to answer a question with a question.
“Did Snape get asked what his intentions were for Miss Granger, Headmaster?” Marcus asked, leveling his eyes at Albus, who looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“No,” the wizard admitted.
“So why am I getting questioned about my intentions?” he responded.
“Simply because Miss Granger is in a relationship with the Professor…” Albus began, but Marcus interrupted him.
“And that means what, exactly? Professor Snape is not married to the woman, and is an adult wizard. Don’t you think these questions would be more suitable coming from him, rather than you, Headmaster?” he said evenly, looking Dumbledore square in the eye.
“I am just looking out for the welfare of Miss Granger,” Albus said, rather lamely. This was not going well at all.
“If you were looking out for the welfare of Miss Granger, you would have her out of those dungeons and living a little, rather than have her spend her time constantly creating spells and being a plaything for that sadist Snape,” Marcus snapped, “All she does is work. She has no social life, no fun, no excitement. Her association with Professor Snape has made her socially retarded. I show some interest in her, and immediately you involve yourself and try to run interference.
Here Marcus paused as Dumbledore looked at him wide-eyed. Marcus continued.
“I mean no disrespect, Headmaster, but men have vied for women’s affections since day one. If Snape meant Hermione anything good, he would have married her by now, instead of treating her like his own private whore for seven years. And if you meant well by her, you would have encouraged him to do so, instead of letting him have the run of the dungeons and grounds to do whatever twisted things he likes to do to her.”
“I find the young woman interesting, and attractive. I would like to bring her back up into the sunlight, sir. There are no rules at Hogwarts about fraternizing with other staff members. If Hermione reciprocates my interest, then no one should have anything to say, but Snape, and even he would have to bow to her wishes, if they include me.”
“Severus is very protective of Miss Granger, Marcus,” Dumbledore said, removing his glasses, “Protective and possessive. Your interest in Miss Granger could result in a wizard’s duel, and I cannot allow two powerful wizards to attack one another on school grounds.”
Marcus’ eyes telescoped, becoming almost completely black.
“I assure you, Headmaster, if Snape is foolish enough to challenge me to a duel, it would not occur on the grounds of Hogwarts. To be honest, I would welcome such a duel. He might be a challenge, for a while.”
Dumbledore looked at Marcus severely, “I know your background, Marcus and am assured you are a formidable wizard, which is why you have the DA post. However, I would advise you not to underestimate our Potions Master. He also has a background that makes him quite accomplished in magical offense and defense.”
Dumbledore leaned forward, “And a man in love is most unpredictable. In Severus’ case, I’d say it makes him extremely dangerous. I would hate to lose either of you to this power play for the affections of Miss Granger. He already has her, Marcus. Leave them alone.”
Marcus considered the Headmaster for a moment, then replied.
:I’m not sure that he has her as firmly as you would like to believe, Headmaster. Miss Granger is entitled to see more of life than the Gospel According to Severus Snape. There’s a lot more chapters to living than in his stunted little world. Again I say if he loved her, he would have married the woman. And again I say that this is a matter between he, Miss Granger and I, and I take very real offense that you are attempting to interfere. If Miss Granger decides she wants my company, then by all means I intend to let her have it. Snape and anyone else be damned! Now, if you want to dismiss me on the basis of that declaration, my bags can be packed in an hour, and even that’s no guarantee that I will not call on Miss Granger. Unless you and Severus lock her up where she cannot receive guests.”
Dumbledore looked at the stubborn wizard before him. He was right of course. He was well within his rights to pursue Hermione. She wasn’t married. And his pursuit of her could not be used as grounds for dismissal.
“No, Marcus,” Albus said tiredly. “you will not be dismissed for your interest in Miss Granger. I had only hoped to make you see reason. She is very important to Severus.”
“Well then, Severus had better let her know that, hadn’t he?’ Marcus snorted, “it’s up to him to keep what’s his, if she truly is his. And we will see about that, won’t we?”
Dumbledore shook his head sadly.
“Well I see that this conversation has come to a dead halt. But let me say this, Marcus, if you do anything untoward to Miss Granger, there will be a severe price to pay, and not just from Severus.”
The old wizard’s eyes glittered dangerously. Dumbledore had known Hermione since she was a child and over the years had come to adore the young witch. He would not let her be harmed. He knew about her and Severus’ rather volatile relationship, but it suited them and didn’t seem to leave her any worse for wear. They were in love, after all, and love expressed itself in many ways that others didn’t fully understand. Dumbledore felt that Marcus’ interest in her was not a pure one. He sensed the assassin was in it for the hunt, the conquest and the prize. Nothing more.
Marcus looked at his Headmaster coldly. A couple of years before someone had tried to hire him to assassinate the old wizard. He had turned it down in a rare burst of respect for what he had done for the wizarding world in bringing down Voldemort. Now he wondered if he had made a mistake.
“Are you threatening me, Headmaster?” he asked softly.
Dumbledore looked at him, the twinkle back in his eyes.
“Why no, Marcus. I was simply stating facts. Miss Granger is quite beloved. Many people would be highly upset if she came to any ill,” he said smoothly.
“I have no intentions on hurting Miss Granger,” Marcus returned the lie just as smoothly. That was his attraction in the first place, her obvious need for pain.
“Let us hope so, Marcus,” Dumbledore replied, looking at the clock, “I believe our fifteen minutes are up, sir. You may proceed to your next class.”
Marcus stood up, and gave Dumbledore a slight bow, and left through the floo without another word. Fawkes made a dark trilling sound at his departure. Dumbledore turned to the phoenix.
“I know Fawkes, I know,” he said sadly, “trouble is definitely on the horizon. I only hope Severus can exercise some restraint.”
Albus looked at the phoenix morosely.
“Sing something pretty for me, old friend,” he said.
Fawkes did.
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A/N: Marcus certainly didn’t hedge words. And he was actually right on some points, but he really doesn’t care you know. All of it is just a means to an end. He is so, so deliciously wicked. Please review. Thanks.
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Chapter 9 ~ The Dragon has a Word with Dumbledore
“Professor Delaluci,” Albus said, “a word, if you please.”
Marcus looked at the Headmaster for a moment, as if sizing him up. Dumbledore waited expectantly.
“Certainly, Headmaster,” Marcus replied, “but I do have a class in twenty minutes.”
Albus smiled tersely at him, “Well then, we should be finished in fifteen. Please come with me, Marcus. We will take the floo in the main hall to my office.”
The tall blonde wizard shoved his hands in his robe pockets, and fell in step with Dumbledore, heading for the main hall. Marcus glanced over at the old wizard. Albus was dress in yellow robes and a pointed wizard’s hat with bright pink question marks peppered over them. Both his beard and his long hair were twisted into tiny micro braids. Marcus had never seen a wizard in so high a position dress so outrageously. But then again, it was good to be the king. And Albus Dumbledore had the bearing and power to be considered a monarch, despite his appearance.
They arrived at the floo. Albus reached into a box sitting on the fireplace mantle and scooped out a handful of floo powder. He tossed it into the flames, which turned green. He gestured to Marcus.
“After you, my boy,” he said.
Marcus stepped through the flames and arrived in Dumbledore’s office. Fawkes looked up, and squawked at him, her beautiful eyes rolling with dislike. Marcus ignored the bird. Albus stepped through behind him, shaking off his robes.
“Please have a seat, Marcus,” Albus said, dropping the formalities and indicating a comfortable armchair in front of his desk. Marcus sat down stiffly. He hated meetings like this. They reminded him of when he would be taken to the taskmaster for acting out in the sporadic classes he took at the local wizarding schools. He had never attended Hogwarts. He didn’t have the money.
Albus walked around his desk and sat down in his swivel chair. He picked up a dish of yellow candies and held them out to the wizard before him.
“Lemon drop?” he offered.
Marcus shook his head. “No thank you, Headmaster,” he replied, anxious to get this lecture or dismissal over with.
Albus returned the dish to his desk, popping one of the candies into his mouth. He then folded his hands and looked at Marcus thoughtfully.
“How have you been finding Hogwarts these past few months, Marcus? Does it suit you?” he asked.
Several days ago, Marcus probably would have said he was bored to tears with the place. But with his new interest in the Granger woman, and subsequent rivalry with Snape, things had been looking a lot more interesting lately.
“Yes, Headmaster, it suits me just fine,” he replied honestly.
Dumbledore drew a deep breath.
“Marcus, I’ve called you in here because it has come to my attention that you are showing an interest in Miss Granger, our Spells Mistress,” he said with concern in his voice.
Marcus didn’t reply.
“I hope you realize that Miss Granger is involved with our Potions Master, and has been for several years now.”
Marcus still didn’t reply.
Dumbledore looked at him archly and said, “I would like to ask you, Marcus, what are your intentions toward Miss Granger?”
Marcus looked at his Headmaster, debating how to answer him. He decided to answer a question with a question.
“Did Snape get asked what his intentions were for Miss Granger, Headmaster?” Marcus asked, leveling his eyes at Albus, who looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“No,” the wizard admitted.
“So why am I getting questioned about my intentions?” he responded.
“Simply because Miss Granger is in a relationship with the Professor…” Albus began, but Marcus interrupted him.
“And that means what, exactly? Professor Snape is not married to the woman, and is an adult wizard. Don’t you think these questions would be more suitable coming from him, rather than you, Headmaster?” he said evenly, looking Dumbledore square in the eye.
“I am just looking out for the welfare of Miss Granger,” Albus said, rather lamely. This was not going well at all.
“If you were looking out for the welfare of Miss Granger, you would have her out of those dungeons and living a little, rather than have her spend her time constantly creating spells and being a plaything for that sadist Snape,” Marcus snapped, “All she does is work. She has no social life, no fun, no excitement. Her association with Professor Snape has made her socially retarded. I show some interest in her, and immediately you involve yourself and try to run interference.
Here Marcus paused as Dumbledore looked at him wide-eyed. Marcus continued.
“I mean no disrespect, Headmaster, but men have vied for women’s affections since day one. If Snape meant Hermione anything good, he would have married her by now, instead of treating her like his own private whore for seven years. And if you meant well by her, you would have encouraged him to do so, instead of letting him have the run of the dungeons and grounds to do whatever twisted things he likes to do to her.”
“I find the young woman interesting, and attractive. I would like to bring her back up into the sunlight, sir. There are no rules at Hogwarts about fraternizing with other staff members. If Hermione reciprocates my interest, then no one should have anything to say, but Snape, and even he would have to bow to her wishes, if they include me.”
“Severus is very protective of Miss Granger, Marcus,” Dumbledore said, removing his glasses, “Protective and possessive. Your interest in Miss Granger could result in a wizard’s duel, and I cannot allow two powerful wizards to attack one another on school grounds.”
Marcus’ eyes telescoped, becoming almost completely black.
“I assure you, Headmaster, if Snape is foolish enough to challenge me to a duel, it would not occur on the grounds of Hogwarts. To be honest, I would welcome such a duel. He might be a challenge, for a while.”
Dumbledore looked at Marcus severely, “I know your background, Marcus and am assured you are a formidable wizard, which is why you have the DA post. However, I would advise you not to underestimate our Potions Master. He also has a background that makes him quite accomplished in magical offense and defense.”
Dumbledore leaned forward, “And a man in love is most unpredictable. In Severus’ case, I’d say it makes him extremely dangerous. I would hate to lose either of you to this power play for the affections of Miss Granger. He already has her, Marcus. Leave them alone.”
Marcus considered the Headmaster for a moment, then replied.
:I’m not sure that he has her as firmly as you would like to believe, Headmaster. Miss Granger is entitled to see more of life than the Gospel According to Severus Snape. There’s a lot more chapters to living than in his stunted little world. Again I say if he loved her, he would have married the woman. And again I say that this is a matter between he, Miss Granger and I, and I take very real offense that you are attempting to interfere. If Miss Granger decides she wants my company, then by all means I intend to let her have it. Snape and anyone else be damned! Now, if you want to dismiss me on the basis of that declaration, my bags can be packed in an hour, and even that’s no guarantee that I will not call on Miss Granger. Unless you and Severus lock her up where she cannot receive guests.”
Dumbledore looked at the stubborn wizard before him. He was right of course. He was well within his rights to pursue Hermione. She wasn’t married. And his pursuit of her could not be used as grounds for dismissal.
“No, Marcus,” Albus said tiredly. “you will not be dismissed for your interest in Miss Granger. I had only hoped to make you see reason. She is very important to Severus.”
“Well then, Severus had better let her know that, hadn’t he?’ Marcus snorted, “it’s up to him to keep what’s his, if she truly is his. And we will see about that, won’t we?”
Dumbledore shook his head sadly.
“Well I see that this conversation has come to a dead halt. But let me say this, Marcus, if you do anything untoward to Miss Granger, there will be a severe price to pay, and not just from Severus.”
The old wizard’s eyes glittered dangerously. Dumbledore had known Hermione since she was a child and over the years had come to adore the young witch. He would not let her be harmed. He knew about her and Severus’ rather volatile relationship, but it suited them and didn’t seem to leave her any worse for wear. They were in love, after all, and love expressed itself in many ways that others didn’t fully understand. Dumbledore felt that Marcus’ interest in her was not a pure one. He sensed the assassin was in it for the hunt, the conquest and the prize. Nothing more.
Marcus looked at his Headmaster coldly. A couple of years before someone had tried to hire him to assassinate the old wizard. He had turned it down in a rare burst of respect for what he had done for the wizarding world in bringing down Voldemort. Now he wondered if he had made a mistake.
“Are you threatening me, Headmaster?” he asked softly.
Dumbledore looked at him, the twinkle back in his eyes.
“Why no, Marcus. I was simply stating facts. Miss Granger is quite beloved. Many people would be highly upset if she came to any ill,” he said smoothly.
“I have no intentions on hurting Miss Granger,” Marcus returned the lie just as smoothly. That was his attraction in the first place, her obvious need for pain.
“Let us hope so, Marcus,” Dumbledore replied, looking at the clock, “I believe our fifteen minutes are up, sir. You may proceed to your next class.”
Marcus stood up, and gave Dumbledore a slight bow, and left through the floo without another word. Fawkes made a dark trilling sound at his departure. Dumbledore turned to the phoenix.
“I know Fawkes, I know,” he said sadly, “trouble is definitely on the horizon. I only hope Severus can exercise some restraint.”
Albus looked at the phoenix morosely.
“Sing something pretty for me, old friend,” he said.
Fawkes did.
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A/N: Marcus certainly didn’t hedge words. And he was actually right on some points, but he really doesn’t care you know. All of it is just a means to an end. He is so, so deliciously wicked. Please review. Thanks.