Your Hand in Marriage

Hands. Hermione Granger’s formidable mind was utterly captivated by the slender, pale hands chopping mugwort with a silver boline at the front of the potions classroom. The way they moved to her resembled dancing; as if every fluid cut were an intimate embrace. The thump of the blade against the table was a hypnotizing primal beat.

Unbeknownst to Hermione, the owner of said hands was now looking at her curiously. What the bloody hell is wrong with Miss Granger? thought Professor Snape, She looks as though she’s gone comatose—has the silly chits brain finally liquefied from all the knowledge she is constantly trying to shove in? One can only hope….

His hands stilled and Hermione blinked as though coming out of a trance. She looked up to see Professor Snape’s obsidian eyes locked on her; brow furrowed in something akin to irritation.

Hermione colored, and Snape noticed she had the good sense to look abashed. What in Merlin’s name… Had she been staring at his hands? Professor Snape was thoroughly confused, Probably mentally noting how I cut ingredients he snorted Yes that would be very like Miss Granger.

Dismissing the class, Professor Snape slid his mugwort into his cauldron. He stole one last glance as Hermione left the room, and chuckling inwardly he turned his attention back to the simmering potion.

~*~

One transfiguration class later, Hermione was on her way to lunch in the great hall. Her mind went back to potions class, How embarrassing, getting caught gawking at his hands like that.

So lost in thought was Hermione, that she failed to notice as she walked straight into something solid and warm. She was knocked on her rear end, and to her dismay, she looked up to see the potion master’s dark eyes staring down at her in amusement.

“Do watch where you’re going Miss Granger,” drawled Professor Snape, “I have to ask-- does my presence induce a vegetative state in you?” He raised his brows in a mocking fashion, “That is the second time today--10 points from Gryffindor.”

He swept past, leaving her still scowling on the ground. Raising herself to her feet she dusted of her school robes. Insufferable man … She composed herself, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin in an unconscious display of defiance. Opening the doors to the Great Hall, she strode in to join Harry and Ron in at the Gryffindor table.

“Can you believe Snape?” grumbled Ron, “four feet of parchment on the uses of deadly nightshade!! It’s quidditch tomorrow, that greasy git.”

Snape’s ears perked up from the head table. Greasy git? I know that nickname well. Let’s see what Miss Granger has to say. No doubt she’ll love to whine about how unfair and horrible I was to her today. He silently thanked Merlin for his excellent hearing and focused in on the conversation.

“Professor Snape, Ron. If nothing else, I think he has at least earned a grudging respect out of you enough to address him properly.” Berated Hermione.

Professor Snape was mildly surprised. Grudging respect, eh? Fitting. Snape turned his thoughts inward; he supposed ‘grudging respect’ was what he had for Hermione as well. Now in her 7th year she had finally lost that annoying urge to quote her schoolbooks word for word with or without raising her hand. She was a formidable witch-- that was certain. Snape had often wished he had been sorted into his house so that he might be able to give her work the attention it deserved. It simply wouldn’t do to have the head of Slytherin house giving points to a Gryffindor.

He surmised that perhaps after her graduation he might even take her on as an apprentice, a rarity, especially given her status as a part of Potter’s loathsome ‘golden trio’. He turned his ear back to the Gryffindor table to see if there was any more ego stroking to be found.

“I don’t know what he’s done to deserve my respect,” responded Ron petulantly.

“Well for starters, Ronald Weasley, the man has more talent in his pinky finger than you, Harry, and myself have all together and-- at the risk of sounding vain-- with me in that equation that is saying something.”

She left in a huff, and Professor Snape found himself sitting in shock staring at her back as she stalked out of the Great Hall. Hermione was the first person to give him a compliment in years—perhaps even as long as he could remember. His heart tugged in an unfamiliar way. Why would she do that? Defend him in such a way? Even Dumbledore, whom Professor Snape regarded as somewhat of a father figure, was not so passionate in his regard.

Professor Snape was vexed. For years he had belittled Hermione, taken points at whim, and given her marks lower than she deserved. Hell, he had made fun of her teeth when Malfoy’s insipid offspring had caused them to grow. Of course this was mostly for appearances, but she didn’t know that.

He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but suddenly he was thinking of her in a whole new light. She was almost… lovely. Actually, to have put up with all the abuse she had received at his hands combined with the unpunished abuse at the hands of Draco Malfoy over the past 7 years she likely deserved Sainthood.

For the first time in his life, Professor Snape felt slightly remorseful in his treatment of the know-it-all. These feeling were alien, and entirely uncomfortable. Snape needed fresh air -no- who was he kidding, he needed a stiff drink. He resolved to head to the Headmaster’s office for a snifter of brandy after his meal. It was a bit early in the day to be indulging, but Dumbledore would understand. The old dodderer always did.

~*~

Hermione, upon leaving the Great Hall, was predictably heading towards the library. As she passed the staff room, Professor McGonagall poked her head out, “Oh Hermione, dear. The Headmaster wishes to see you in his office immediately.”

Seeing the look on Hermione’s face, the Professor smiled gently, “I’m sure your not in trouble, dear. I believe it has to do with a ministry matter.”

That did not alleviate Hermione’s fears in the slightest. With the fools in charge of the ministry at the present, she could only imagine the idiotic move they were making. The wheels in her head turning, Hermione made her way up to the Headmaster’s office.

~*~

Severus Snape was heading to the Headmaster’s door when he heard a feminine voice from where he stood on the stairs. He moved closer to the door and recognized the voice immediately as Hermione Granger.

“You wished to see me Headmaster?”

Dumbledore sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Hermione knew this to be a very bad sign. Dumbledore grabbed a rolled parchment from the side table and looked over his spectacles at Hermione.

“Miss Granger, I’m afraid I have some discomfiting news regarding a new law at the ministry. Am I to assume you are familiar with the Necto Vinculum laws of the early 1900’s?”

Hermione blanched, “The Marriage Bonding laws, Headmaster? They’re not--- No, they simply can’t—it’s archaic, it’s—it’s barbaric!”

“I agree, Miss Granger, I agree... Nevertheless, the ministry has seen fit to revive this particular piece of lawmaking in order to address the declining birthrate in the British Wizarding community. It will be enacted in a week’s time, whereupon they will announce you to have only a week to find a suitable partner.”

“Let me wager, Headmaster, that Lucius Malfoy spearheaded this sham?”

“It would seem so, Miss Granger.”

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, “and they’ve decided my use of a time-turner makes me legally 18 and able to marry, I suppose.”

“Correct, again Miss Granger. You are the only witch at Hogwarts to be effected, and I don’t think it is mere coincidence. I’m afraid you must be betrothed in a fortnight, or you may be…. ‘claimed’.” He looked at her knowingly.

“The Malfoys.”

“Indeed, Miss Granger.”

“I suppose my parents will be turning over in their graves about now.”

Severus, just behind the door was gaping like a fish, and for some unknown reason, quite angry with the Malfoys.

Dumbledore looked again at the rolled parchment, “I have a list of available suitors, Miss Granger, and it is quite long, including the few male students who are of age. Shall I read them off to you?”

“If you would, Headmaster.”

“Draco Mafloy”

“--Obviously not,” replied Hermione.

“Gregory Goyle”

This elicited a snort from both Hermione and Severus.

“Charlie Weasley”

“--Like a brother to me”

“Viktor Krum”

“--Never again”

“Remus Lupin”

“--Homosexual”

“Severus Snape”

Severus choked from the safety of the door. He listened intently as Hermione had paused.

“—Professor Snape? He is available?”

“Yes Miss Granger, but there are quite a few names left on the list.”

“But he is available?”

“Yes, Miss Granger” said Dumbledore with a twinkle.

“Then I don’t need to hear any of the other names. I will select him if he will have me. Though in all honesty I cannot say the idea will appeal to him.”

Severus froze outside the door. He had to be dreaming, surely Miss Granger did not just say she wished to marry him, and furthermore as a first choice.

She didn’t even want to hear the rest of the list!

“You are aware, Miss Granger, that Wizards bond for life?”

“Yes.”

“And that consummation will be required by the ministry?”

That will turn her off the idea, surely…

“Yes, of course Headmaster.”

Sweet Nimue.

Dumbledore smiled at her, “Miss Granger, may I be so bold as to ask why Professor Snape?”

Severus held his breath on the other side of the door. Yes Miss Granger, I would very much like to know that myself.

“Well Headmaster, I would need someone who was an intellectual match. As well as someone with similar interests—potions, for example, which is my favorite subject. Additionally it would have to be someone I trusted, and someone I am physically attracted to.”

Severus nearly fainted dead away. Attracted? When young, pretty women thought of Severus Snape he was quite sure none of them used that as a descriptive. Did I call Miss Granger pretty? I’m going mad. And she was willing to be bonded for life to him! And…consummate….that bonding. From the sounds of it she wouldn’t be adverse to repeat couplings of that nature. Gods, he hadn’t has a willing witch in years. He listened further.

“Not to mention I need someone with a biting wit,” Hermione continued, “I can’t stand a lovesick puppy dog in a man.”

Well at least she had no misgivings about his personality.

“Professor Snape is the only man I would consider-- especially in the given timeframe, I’m quite glad he was listed actually.”

“Very well, Miss Granger. Would you like to send him a letter or--?”

“No,” interrupted Hermione, “I’ll go see him after this meeting, I believe he has no class directly after lunch. I think this deserves a personal conversation”

“Excellent,” clapped Dumbledore, “I will be sure he is aware of the law, I’ll floo before you reach the dungeons. Don’t fret about his acceptance Hermione, it’s not everyday a man like Severus gets an offer from a woman who knows his dual role and his dark past. And if I might be bold yet again, you are not exactly hard on the eyes!”

Hermione giggled.

“Miss Granger, we have a week ahead of the law, and I am hoping we can get you betrothed before it is enacted, and pretend it is a happy coincidence- this is, of course, in order to protect Severus’ dual status in the war. No one knows that we have prior knowledge of the act. Shall I alert him of your intentions, Miss Granger, or would you like the honors?”

“Well, Headmaster, if you could tell him I’m considering him. I don’t know if I could handle his smug look if he knew I fancied him before the law. At least this gives me a realistic shot and some rather childish fantasies.”

Severus stood in the hall, dizzy and shell-shocked. He backed away from the door. Torn between his embarrassment at Dumbledore’s discussion of him, and exhilarated at the prospect of someone actually being attracted to him and his personality, he did the only thing he knew to do.

Severus Snape, spy and ex-deatheater, ran to his private rooms to hide.

~*~

Back in Dumbledore’s study, Hermione sensed the Headmaster was not quite finished.

“Miss Granger, you realize it would only be fair to Professor Snape if he new about your true Heritage. You may tell him after he accepts your offer, as I am sure you would not enjoy that factoring in on his decision.”

Hermione looked pensive, “Yes, Headmaster. I suppose the secret will have to come out.”


A/N—Boline- knife used to cut magical ingredients; Necto- Man; Vinculum- Bond

A/N---What is Hermione’s secret heritage? Any takers? Find out in Chpt 2!!---