Chapter Four

Author's Note: All the characters you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for uncounted hours of enjoyment. I earn no monetary compensation for this story; my only gain is the enjoyment I bring my readers.

Many thanks to CharmedForce and Sempra, betas extraordinaire:) Without their help, the commas would be askew and I wouldn't have had the courage to post this. They laughed in the right places:)

Chapter Four

Severus Snape's office, Vigilance Tower, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogsmeade, Scotland

The crisis came upon him in the entrance hall of the castle a few moments later. He was just starting across the hall to the stair that led up to the central tower when the door swung open and two female figures stepped into the castle. They were silhouetted by the bright winter sunlight so he couldn't identify them by sight, but there was no mistaking the voices.

"Hem... hem... I worked with him for nearly a year. He is a very... hem ... private man, and I am sure he would find your career extremely ... hem ... embarrassing."

"Now, now, you don't actually know that. EVERYONE wants their share of fame, and I know my Rabid Readers would just LOVE to know what tortured thoughts go on in his head when he's all alone and lonely up in that cold, remote tower. Think of it... the unsung hero, the tragically misunderstood man who just longs for a little kindness, a little appreciation... I guess an Order of Merlin, First Class isn't considered appreciation enough, these days. ... a gentle hand on his, er... fevered brow... " Rita Skeeter could have gone on for hours in the same vein, but Severus hoped she would stop before he lost his breakfast.

Giving both women a formal bow, he continued on his way up the tower stairs, with Rita Skeeter tapping along behind him on her mile-high stiletto heels and Dolores Umbridge waddling after Skeeter as fast as her chubby legs would allow. Last in the odd procession was Hermione Granger, now Hermione Black, carrying a folder marked Gringotts Wizarding Bank in gold letters on the front.

Snape moved swiftly, but he had underestimated the eagerness of two of his female followers. Skeeter wedged her foot between the door of his office and its frame as soon as he opened it. She was right in gambling that he would not slam it on her foot. Breaking her foot would make the school liable for her injury, and McGonagall would never let him hear the end of that one, no matter how strong the provocation. While Skeeter was literally getting her foot in the door, Umbridge stood in the doorway, blocking Hermione's entrance into the office. With a jerk of her head, she ordered the girl to go back downstairs. "You're not wanted or needed here, Miss Black. I am entitled to speak for Professor Snape, given that I am almost his fiancée, and anything that concerns him concerns me."

Wonder if Professor Snape knows about this engagement.

Coolly, Hermione ducked under Umbridge's arm, replying sweetly, "I was invited. Professor Snape and I have things to discuss."

Umbridge's face flushed, but she gave her trademark cough and asked, "Hem... what could you possibly have to discuss with a MAN like Professor Snape?"

Hermione watched as Umbridge's face changed colour.

She's turning really red. I wonder if I could actually make her pop a blood vessel.

"I don't think that's any of your business, Miss Umbridge."

"Of course it's my business, you silly child."

She is going to respect my authority if it's the last thing I do...stupid, Mudblood cow! No, pure-blood cow! WHATEVER!

Umbridge was on the point of drawing her wand and hexing the irritating student.

Hermione didn't move, didn't even draw her wand, which infuriated the already angry Umbridge.

Umbridge dropped her arms and moved across the room to Hermione, grabbing her hand and attempting to tug her out of the office.

"Miss Umbridge, you really shouldn't do this. I strongly suggest you take your hand off me, at once!" Hermione's voice took on the warning tone that Ron Weasley and Harry Potter would have recognized instantly.

I must not hex Miss Umbridge. I must not hex Miss Umbridge. I must not hex Miss Umbridge. I will warn her ONCE and then I will take drastic measures.

"Miss Black, I am determined that you shall leave this office AT ONCE, so the adults can conduct their business without your frizzy-haired presence to distract us."

I warned her. I really did. On her own head be it.

A wandless, wordless spell scooped Umbridge up and deposited her in the hall. When she tried to turn and come back into the office, a transparent barrier sprang up between her and the doorway. There must have been some sort of muffling component to the whole thing, as well, because Umbridge stood in the hallway banging on the barrier and screaming, but the occupants of the office heard no sound at all. Hermione thought Umbridge looked quite funny standing there with her lips moving, her arms waving, and her face nearly purple in frustration.

"Very nice, Miss Gran...dash it all! I mean Miss Black." Severus had watched the display of wordless, wandless magic with a certain measure of pride. Hadn't Miss Granger Black, dash it all, Black! been introduced to the concept of wordless magic in his Defense class her sixth year? The wandless magic she had learned on her own, and more power to her for that.

"That's one. Now for Miss Skeeter." She cast an appraising glance at Rita Skeeter, who was standing by the door trying not to be noticed as she peered into Professor Snape's private quarters.

"Have you something in mind?" Snape directed his question at Hermione.

"Actually...I need a jar, Professor. Like an insect specimen jar."

He raised his eyebrows in puzzlement.

An insect jar? What can she be planning? I hope she doesn't mean a killing bottle. Even for Rita Skeeter, that's rather extreme.

"I have a firefly jar, will that do?" He crossed the room to rummage in a cupboard under the bookcase, producing a stout glass jar with a screened lid.

"That's perfect. Watch this."

Hermione took the jar from Professor Snape and walked right up to Rita Skeeter. She put her wand on Skeeter's shoulder and quickly murmured a forced transfiguration spell. A moment later the reporter transformed into her Animagus form, and Hermione captured the resulting beetle in the jar and twisted the lid on tight.

"What have you there, Miss Black?" Snape walked over to her and took hold of Hermione's hand, raising it higher so he could look inside. She saw his eyes light with malice when he recognized the distinct spectacle markings on the beetle in the bottle.

"Professor Snape, allow me to present you to Rita Skeeter in her Animagus form, make that her UNREGISTERED Animagus form."

Oh, well done! If her true paternity had been revealed, she would have been in Slytherin. Must remember to tell Lucius what his charming niece can do. He is one of the few people I know who is capable of appreciating that fascinating little display of magic.

"Interesting. You have relieved me of one of my problems, Miss Black, and I do thank you. I am sure the Ministry would not require me to marry someone not in compliance with wizarding law. "

She inclined her head graciously.

"You're quite welcome, Professor. I suggest that you do something about Miss Umbridge, though. My spells won't last forever."

"Ah, quite right."

Snape went over to the still open doorway, and dispelled the Impedimenta hex that Hermione had cast. Before Umbridge could do anything more than squeal indignantly, though, he cast his own Incarcerous spell, followed quickly by Mobilicorpus. Snape took hold of one of the ropes and pulled. Ponderously, like an oversized balloon, Dolores Umbridge floated through Snape's office. He stopped her when he got her near the fireplace and held out his hand to Hermione.

"The bug jar, please, Miss Black?"

She handed it to him, and he neatly tucked it into the crook of Umbridge's elbow. Then, he summoned a self-inking quill, a Muggle safety pin, and a piece of parchment, scrawled a note, and pinned it to the ruffle of Umbridge's poisonously pink sweater.

"There. Miss Umbridge can deliver that for us. I'm sure she will be delighted to be of service."

A wave of his wand and Umbridge floated into the fireplace, while Snape threw in a handful of Floo power after her and called out "Minister Shacklebolt's Office, Ministry of Magic, London." She disappeared in a flash, and Snape stepped back from his fireplace while brushing the Floo powder off his hands.

He turned back to Hermione.

"I believe we have things to discuss, Miss Black?"

"Yes, we do."

In a courtly display of Slytherin manners, Snape pulled out a chair at his desk for Hermione and gestured for her to sit down. Then he sat down opposite her, leaned back and crossed his arms on his chest. She had his undivided attention and it was just a tad bit unnerving. But Hermione HAD been sorted into Gryffindor, when all was said and done. She drew in a deep breath.

"You saw that I have become a capable witch in the last year, Professor?"

"Yes, indeed, you have demonstrated a talent for both wordless and wandless magic. I must reluctantly admit I am impressed. Ten points to Gryffindor. "

He gave me POINTS!

Hermione was almost giddy with delight.

"I don't believe my bloodlines matter to you any more than yours matter to me?"

"That is quite true. Bloodlines seem to matter only to the Ministry."

She smiled a little in relief. One hurdle behind her.

"Please close your eyes for a moment, Professor."

"Why?"

"I wish to surprise you."

"Miss Black... I loathe surprises." He looked at her with a jaded eye, and she chuckled. "Oh, very well."

She hesitated, as if on the verge of speaking, then shook her head.

"Miss Black, is something wrong?"

"No." She smiled a little sheepishly, he thought, and then she looked up at him, her lips curving in the confident smile of a woman who knows what she wants and exactly how to get it.

"Please remember, Professor Snape, that desperate times beget desperate measures. And things are not always exactly as they seem."

His eyebrows knit together in confusion. The first thing a spy learned was that things were never exactly as they seemed. He wasn't sure whether their situation qualified as desperate, but it had been Hermione's choice of words. Perhaps time would reveal what she found desperate about their, or her own, plight.

"This is something no one knows about me," she explained, then closed her own eyes and passed her hand over her face and then over the front of her body. His eyes widened in surprise as the glamour charm she wore rippled then slowly faded away.

"I cast a glamour on myself to maintain my appearance more or less as my friends are accustomed to seeing me. This is the real me."

"Who are you, and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" he whispered weakly. The woman he saw before him now was so beautiful that she stole his breath away. Her hair, the color of honey in sunlight, was down to her waist and smoothly wavy; her figure boasted beautiful curves that even her school robes couldn't hide. Her cheekbones were subtly more well-defined, her lips a pouty rose-red. Only her eyes remained the same as before; they were the colour of the best dark chocolate, sparkling with intelligence and good humour.

This is unreal. She can't possibly want to marry me, when she could have any wizard she wanted. Ah, but Snivellus, old son, she can't have ANY wizard she wants. She has to marry a half-blood or Muggle-born. This can't be happening... She can't have Weasley under this new law, but she could marry Potter...

He forced himself to speak in a neutral tone of voice, but felt his head starting to spin. She had seen the sudden spark of desire in his eyes as the glamour faded away. He was doomed and they both knew it.

"Impressive, Miss Black, but... appearance should be the least concern of a mature witch or wizard in evaluating a potential mate." It was a weak argument and he knew it.

"As it happens, I agree with you. But you deserved to see the real me." She passed her hand back over her face, and her appearance returned to what he thought of as normal.

"Do you have any more arguments to persuade me, Miss Black?"

By Merlin's Holy Hippogriff, I hope she doesn't, I don't know how much more of this I can take. Any more of this, and I shall be following her around, begging to carry her books...or worse, chasing around the school after her with my tongue hanging out.

She smiled and got to her feet, placing the Gringotts portfolio on the desk before him.

"Perhaps you would like to peruse this list. It's the catalogue of books in my vault at Gringotts."

He turned pale as he turned the pages of the portfolio and Hermione saw his long fingers trembling as he traced them down the page, reading the list of her books.

Doomed. I'm doomed. A beautiful, wealthy witch with a vault full of rare books? The brightest witch of her class? Sparkling conversation by day, and by night... let's say, no need to speak at all? Things like this don't happen to me, I have fallen into someone else's destiny by mistake. Potter's perhaps?

She smiled as his lips pursed in a silent whistle of astonishment.

Good Gods, she IS really serious. I should have known she would strike in my area of greatest weakness. I'm quite sure Firenze can't read; the books would be wasted on him. And Filius would turn them into hedgehogs in a fit of absent-mindedness, or let his students use them for practicing Wingardium Leviosa. Mine is a bitter burden, but don't I have a sacred OBLIGATION to see that her assets are properly conserved?

"We'd have to arrange for joint custody of the books as part of our pre-nuptial agreement, Miss Black, should I accept your proposal."

Gotcha!

Hermione allowed herself a restrained smile and nodded her head. "I am willing to negotiate that."

Dash it all! Am I really going to give in this easily? What can I do to gain the upper hand here? They'll boot me out of Slytherin house if this is the end of the negotiations. On the other hand, if I marry her, it will connect her to Slytherin through me. All those years wasted in Gryffindor. I'll be the hero for bringing her back to her real home, and at least her many assets won't be wasted on a Weasley.

"While I agree that your books are impressive, Miss Black... and you are an extremely competent witch... those are hardly grounds for a marriage that is destined to last a century or more."

Snivellus, SHUT UP before she decides she doesn't want you after all.

"I'm so glad you said that, Professor. I also don't think those are sufficient grounds to marry. But..."

With a strangely predatory smile, she leaned down, placing her hands on the arms of his chair, effectively trapping him. Her voice dropped to a husky purr as she leaned closer, her lips only a breath away from his.

Good Gods, am I awake? Is this happening? I am being seduced by a beautiful, wealthy GRYFFINDOR witch? If I could get my hands free, I could pinch myself to see if I am really awake. On the other hand, if this IS only a dream, who in their right mind would want to wake up?

"Dear Professor Snape...what would you say if I told you that I have been having the most interesting dreams about you since... oh, the end of my fifth year? I wonder what you would say if I told you that it's Percy Weasley who told me about that supid bint, Umbridge, who was bragging that she had seen your name on my list and removed it? And that I bribed Percy Weasley to put it back? I truly believe we'll find plenty to... talk about for the next hundred years, don't you?"

He felt her fingers trail over his cheek in a soft caress that left delightful shivers in its wake.

"Oh, and may I call you Severus?"

Call me anything you like, as long as you keep touching me...

She closed the distance between them, and he could feel her breath on his cheek, just before the softest of kisses feathered over his mouth.

Oh, Gods, what is she going to do n... mphm.... hmmm... mmmmmm... If this is a dream, I do not want to wake up...

~OoO~

The Daily Prophet – Society Section

Engagements: Professor Severus Snape, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Miss Hermione Black, of Gryffindor House, Hogwarts, have announced their engagement. Miss Black will take Professor Snape's last name. The couple plan to be married from Hogwarts and will make their home in London outside of the school year.

Do....es... ANyoNe realizzzee HOW BLOODY HARD iT Is to type when you're a stu PID BEETLE?!

~Finite Incantatem~

~OoO~