Dance With The Devil

Disclaimer..we all know i dont own anythign harry potter...ahh so sad.

Thanks to everyone that reviewed. i was so happy! lol you guys made me feel great about my writing. i was so scared ppl would be like this sucks! lol thanks for the suggestions!
im glad you all liked the 2nd wife clause. i think it makes things more interesting. sorry if this chapter seems rushed..i totally tripped over it.

Thanks SSOO much

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The last week of classes passed uneventfully. The students sat their exams, some better than others, and began to prepare to go home. Gryffindor had won the house cup again that year, thanks to Harry, Ron and the quidditch team.

“Wow guys. You know this is going to be our last summer between Hogwarts years. Next year will be our last year.” Hermione comment to her two friends at the feast.
“I know it’s kind of scary. This year we turn 17 too. We have to grow up now. We can use magic all the time now! I’m gonna get Fred and George so good.” Ron said with a smirk.
“Yeah well I am finally leaving the Dursleys this summer. I’m staying at HQ this summer.” Harry said proudly. HQ was their secret term for Grimmauld place, the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.
All promised to stay in touch for the summer.
The train ride home was the same as always, although there was a somber mood about. Everyone seemed to be considering Hermione’s words at the feast. Each person was relishing this train ride. The second last one back to London. It still held the promise of a return trip the final one wouldn’t. Neville lost Trevor, as he always did. Everyone went looking for him and remarked that this MUST be a magical toad for him to live this long. Luna had insisted Ginny read her issue of the Quibbler. And Harry, Ron and Hermione were excitedly discussing their plans for the summer.

When they reached the platform they realized a shocking truth. They all would be returning to Grimmauld place first before being allowed to go home.
Remus Lupin and Tonks were waiting for them at the platform to take them there.
“Why are we all going there? When can I see my parents?” Hermione asked eagerly.
“Your family will be joining us there, as is yours Ron, all of them.” Remus answered.
“We aren’t sure why we are taking you there we only know that we have to” Tonks told them. That was the truth. Dumbledor still had not told the Order about the marriage law. He planned on telling them the night the children arrived explaining to all of them at once.
“We think something’s up that Albus hasn’t told us yet. Minerva said he has been very distant lately.” Remus explained to them as they were gathering their things to leave.
Once they had arrived at the house, the portrait of Mrs. Black screamed at Hermione.
The port key ride has turned her stomach over and over. She immediately went to the kitchen and was greeted with the warm sight of Mrs. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley saw her green face and right away ushered her into a chair at the table.
“Come now child, sit let me get you some ginger tea.” She started fussing over Hermione as the rest of the Order members began trickling in. Mrs. Weasley then found herself serving much more tea as well as biscuits and sweets. Hermione still hadn’t seen her parents yet. She asked Mrs. Weasley where they were.
“They are in a private meeting with Albus, I don’t know what about though dear. I hope everything is alright with your family.”

Everyone was chattering on about the Headmasters announcement. The professors that already knew were trying to calm the other members down such as Mrs. Weasley who was already on edge.
Soon Snape and Dumbledore entered and behind them were her parents. They rushed over to give Hermione a hug hello.
“Oh it’s so good to see you Hermione!” Her mother cooed over her. Looking at her and fixing her hair. She hugged her so tight.
“Oie! Mum! You’re crushing me. What’s going on?”
“Herm, you will find out in a minute.” He father hadn’t said a word until then. He looked worried. This made Hermione even more uneasy.
“This can’t be good if HE is here.” Harry said with a jerk of his head towards Professor Snape. Hermione hadn’t even noticed that Harry and Ron had finally made it into the kitchen. She was till trying to regain her stomach, after seeing her parents with Dumbledore and snap and noticing her father was worried she was beginning to feel even queasier. Magical travel sucks she thought I never recover very well.
“Alright everybody, may I have your attention?” Dumbledore spoke. “This is an important announcement because it will affect some of you directly and some of you not at all. But it will affect our whole magical world.”
As Dumbledore carried on about the law the room waited with held breaths. When he was done Mrs.Weasley let out a cry.
“All of my children have to get married? How can they do this? They should marry for love not because the Ministry says so!”
The whole kitchen began to scream and shout about how ridiculous this situation was.
Harry looked rather stunned, Hermione thought she was going to throw up and Ron made fun of Harry.
“You will be on the auction block, mate! Girls will be lining up around the corner for you. Bloody brilliant way to meet girls!” He said as he poked Harry.
“Yeah but not for another year, hopefully then this stupid law is changed.” They both looked at Hermione. “Don’t worry ‘Mione It will be ok. A year is a long time.”

The kitchen was full of noise. Hermione could hardly focus on anyone. She looked up at her parents. Their sad faces were looking down on her. SO that’s what the private meeting was about.
Suddenly everyone stopped talking. Their mouths were still moving but no sound was coming out. When they noticed they all looked at Dumbledore.
“Now is not the time for bickering about this. It has happened and we must adapt to it. For now we have a most pressing matter about this. I don’t think that the ministry is entirely truthful in why they have passed this law. It has come to my attention that Voldemort has interest in this law. I believe he has invaded the Ministry further and has gained a large amount of control. I think he wants to use this law against us. The law is going to be announced next week. We must make preparations for those who must be married.” He sighed and looked at Hermione with a wave of his wand everyone had their voices back.
“What is it?” Harry asked.
“Well…this is rather difficult. Hermione, dear, because of your use of the time turner, your already 18.”
Hermione looked at him. She suddenly felt all cold all over and he vision was dotted by black. The she fainted off her chair.

When her eyes opened again she was looking up into 3 concerned faces and one smirking one. Dumbledore, Harry and Ron were both asking her if she was ok. But Professor Snape was smirking like a Leprechaun. She looked wildly around for her parents and found them sitting on the bed. HE mother was holding her hand. She hadn’t even noticed.
“Back up guys, give her some air.” He mother said to the men around Hermione.
She sat up and realized that she had been moved to one of the bedrooms. All of the faces around her had concerned looks upon their faces. And even Ron was asking her something. But she was focused on Professor Snape and his smirk.
What the hell is he smirking at? I have to get married!!!
She got up and was immediately angry at Snape. Never mind the others.
“What the hell is your problem? You think that this is funny? You think is hilarious that I’m being auctioned like a cow!? Oh right I’m sure you like it!” She yelled at him and she charged at him, not running but stomping towards him. He was backing up away from her.
“Hermione, calm down please.” She heard Dumbledore say.
Snape who had been surprised but her outburst at him, now actual laughed at the headmaster.
“If you think she’s that angry now wait until you give her the next piece of information.”
“Yes, well Hermione we have something else to tell you. Severus has obtained information that Voldemort intends for you to marry a Death Eater. And as of the moment the ministry is open for petitions, you will be receiving them from the inner circle. That means as of next week you have to get married.”
When he finished his explanation, Hermione paled again.
Harry and Ron began shouting “how do we stop this, she can’t marry any of them. None of us are eligible, what are we going to do?” While Ron and Harry were trying to come up with answers for her predicament, Hermione’s brain went into over drive.

Well Death Eaters are going to petition for me. I could snap my wand and leave the magical world. No I can’t leave this is my home. Besides no matter where I go I’m still Harry Potter’s best friend. So I have to get married. So who would it be? Someone in the Order, Someone eligible and someone that can protect me…oh.

“You.” Was all Hermione said, the pieces were all clicking in her head.
“Me.” Snape confirmed.
“What?” Harry questioned. “WHAT?! You want her to marry him? Are you out of your mind? He is a Death Eater! He’s evil! He’s too old! And he’s...he’s...ew.”
“Yes Harry, Severus is really the only safe option for Hermione. If she is to stay safe she needs to marry a Death Eater, someone who can defend her against Voldemort when the time comes, someone who is also in the Order. Voldemort has plans for Hermione and we can’t have her marrying someone else outside the Death Eaters. They wouldn’t live long enough to get to the wedding. Voldemort has already expressed he will kill the other suitors. But he will use her during this vulnerable time against you. This is the only option. Severus can placate Voldemort until we can find a way to destroy him. Having two spies on the inside may be useful Harry.”
Ron had now decided to enter the conversation.
“I don’t care how USEFUL she can be, she’s my best friend and your not throwing her to that overgrown...BAT!”
“Yes well Mr. Weasley if you can find a more acceptable solution, I would love to hear it!” Snape retorted.
This whole time her parents had been silent.

They obviously already knew the plan. Hermione looked at her parents.
“Mum? Dad? What do you think I should do?”
“Come home and forget this nonsense.” Her father said gruffly.
“Now Frank, we know Hermione wouldn’t forget all of this.” Mrs. Granger said as she waved her hands around. “Hermione, honey, I know I’m taking a very odd place on this. But it’s up to you. Your 18 now according to the Ministry. You can make your own decisions. I don’t want you getting married to him. Or anyone else for that matter. I don’t think you’re ready for that. But if it means the difference between your life and death. Then I will take a son-in-law over a dead daughter. I just hope you two can try to salvage some type pf happiness after being forced together.”
Hermione looked at her mother. She has never sounded so right before. Hermione knew ten that she did have only one choice.
“Guys! Guys! Can you please leave Professor Snape and I alone for a few minutes? I would like to speak with him.”