Chapter 6 - And the Plot Thickens

Chapter 6 – And the Plot Thickens

After tea, Severus had his carriage brought around to the front door. Hermione claimed that she needed some fresh air. She wanted as many 'witnesses' as possible around her when she told him what she remembered of the book. Narcissa graciously gave her permission for them to drive through the park.

Once they were settled in the carriage, Severus said, “Hermione, tell me what is so important.” At her shocked expression, he pointed out, “It does not take a mind reader to know that something has you upset. You have frayed the edge of your handkerchief.”

“Well, I do remember part of the book’s plot. Just remember, Severus, it is only a silly romance novel,” she finished in a rush.

“Mmmm. And do you mind telling me what about it ‘only being silly romance novel’ has you so scared?” Her anxiety was neither comforting nor reassuring. He was glad of the brandy that Draco had given him during tea.

“Well, as you have figured out, there is a marriage.”

“How enlightening,” he huffed.

“Well, that took place in the first quarter of the book.” Hermione looked at the other carriages in the park, anywhere but at her intended.

“First quarter? What is there to a romance beyond girl meets boy, boy falls in love with girl, then happily ever after? Don’t those silly pieces of fluff usually end with a wedding?”

“In most instances they do. This particular book did not. It involved a wedding, falling in love, and a child.”

Severus groaned and rubbed his temples with his hands. “This wasn’t a horror novel by any chance was it? Just disguised as a romance?” The only benefit to her book, as far as he could see, was the gratuitous sex that would result in said child. He made a mental note to find the book when he got back to Hogwarts.

“It took a long time for the hero and heroine to fall in love,” she mumbled.

“Beg pardon?” He was sure he had misunderstood her mumbling.

“Love! It took a very long for them to fall in love. It was an arranged marriage!”

His queasiness returned. “Are you telling me that you have to fall in love with me? Can’t you just say you love me, and then we can return to our previous lives?”

“No, it took a long time for them to fall in love with EACH OTHER!” Hermione was starting to wonder how he managed to notice the slightest noise at Hogwarts when he only seemed to hear every other word she had said since arriving in this place.

“Well, how did they manage to do that? It shouldn’t be all that difficult. Just copy what they did, and we should be home in time for dinner.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “I do not remember what they did to fall in love. But I am going out on a limb and guessing that, since we have not been exactly following the book, we will have to fall in love on our own. No script. Do not look at me like that! I am not sure if we will have to have a baby also, or if just falling in love will be enough to get us back home.”

“Hmmm, that should explain the conversation Lucius and I had earlier today. Did you know that he has a contract of sorts that I have to fulfill before I get your dowry?”

“Contract?” Hermione asked weakly. From the look on Severus’s face, she knew she was not going to like what he had to say.

“Yes. First, I had to produce a financial statement to ensure that I could support you properly. Second, I am to marry you within a month; your mother requested this, so that she may have her social event to kick off the season. Third, there is to be at least one child, if not more, within the first two years of marriage. Fourth, if we ever separate, I am to turn over the original amount of your dowry, plus a certain percentage for each year that we were married. Fifth, I would make you fall in love with me.”

“And you agreed to this? Why?” Hermione did not see this last condition happening any time soon, if at all. She, personally, was starting to feel like a caged bird at best, and at worst, a brood mare.

“Oh, do not worry. I had a couple of provisions of my own. In return for these things, I requested that; first, I have total financial control of your dowry once we were married. This is a common practice, so he did not argue. Second, you are not to take a lover at any time during our marriage, or his contract will be null and void. Third, you will be a dutiful wife in all aspects of our marriage.” By this time, Severus was valiantly holding his laughter in. Her looks of indignation, surprise and disbelief were almost too much for him. “Fourth, you would do your best to make me fall in love with you.”

“I think I am going to be sick. You and my dear Father have no right to decide how I will behave. If you think that…”

“If you will recall, during this time period, these conditions are all normal and usually expected of a wife. It is not out of the norm for contracts such as these to have been created.” Nothing like a little revenge, Severus thought with satisfaction.

Hermione snapped her jaw shut. She could not believe that she was out maneuvered so easily. This just added impetus to her determination to find the quickest way home. But how does one fall in love with a self-centered Neanderthal? Dutiful my foot, she thought.

“My darling, you do not look like one in the deep throes of love. I will take you home now. You need time to think how truly lucky you are. By the way, Minerva, I mean Mother, has invited you and your mother to tea tomorrow.” He was almost dancing with glee; he was enjoying himself so much.

Severus delivered Hermione to her home, kissed her hand as she got out of the carriage and went home. He chuckled as she watched him drive away. She was definitely starting to turn a slight shade of green. He almost felt sorry for her, but he was having too much fun baiting her. Now he just had to figure out how to fall in love with the maddening Ministry official.

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Author's Notes: Three cheers for my wonderful beta, Tinnadawg!