The Rules of Engagement

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Chapter 7

Sunday Morning
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Breakfast, Sunday morning was most often a quiet affair. Hermione drifted in and sat across from Neville, as he was the only one of her friends who seemed to be up this early.

“Morning, Neville,” she said, pouring herself some tea.

“Morning, Mione. How did the big date go last night?” he asked jovially, while munching on some toast. Neville looked much happier today.

“I had a great time. Rose was very attentive,” she said. A frown came to Neville’s face.

“Are you going to pick him?” Hermione eyed him curiously.

“I don’t know yet.” She didn’t get a chance to say anymore, Ron and Ginny slid into their seats. Ginny smiled at her from her place next to Neville, Ron had already begun filling his plate.

“Harry lazing about this morning?” Hermione asked the new arrivals.

“Said, he was taking a shower and for us not to wait. Any problems last night?” Ron asked, while tucking into his eggs.

“No, no problems,” Hermione said.

“Where did Rose take you?” Ginny asked before starting her breakfast.

“Cortina Argenti,” Hermione answered. Ron whistled, with only minor flecks of egg escaping.

“Pricey place. Hope you gave him a bit of a snog for it,” Ron said. Neville choked on his tea and Ginny glared across the table.

“Ron! You are just so . . .,” Ginny started, but it seemed she was so disgusted, she couldn’t find the words.

“What? He’s auditioning for husband material, isn’t he? I would think good snogging would be near the top of Hermione’s list. I was her first, after all,” Ron said, with a teasing grin. He still teased her about their rather brief stint as boyfriend and girlfriend in their 6th year. They soon realized they were just friends and liked it that way.

“Well, of course, nothing compares to being snogged by a Weasley,” Hermione said laughing.

“Really? Can I challenge that?” a voice said behind Hermione. She turned around and met the deep blue gaze of Rose. A smile came to her lips, as she watched him sit down on the other side of her. Then she remembered he had just made a comment about snogging her and blushed. The other three Gryffindors welcomed the Ravenclaw, then those azure eyes turned to her again.

“Did you sleep well?” Rose asked quietly.

“Yes. You?” Hermione asked, feeling it was a far more intimate moment, than it should have been. But she found his lopsided grin charming.

“Terrible,” he said. Hermione’s eyebrows went up questioningly. “I kept dreaming of you.”

“Sorry you find dreams of me so frightening,” she said, not really knowing how to take this information.

“Not frightening, but most disturbing,” Rose said, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. She felt a thrill at having Rosemond Green show her such attention in the Great Hall for anyone to see.

Hermione looked up suddenly, as the sound of wings filled the hall when the morning owls flew in to deliver there burdens. A school owl dropped a letter for Ginny and a small black owl landed in front of Neville. Neville took the letter, looked at it briefly, then stuck it in his pocket. Ginny tore into her letter and scanned it quickly. Ron stretched up a bit and leaned over to look at his sisters letter.

“That’s Dad’s handwriting,” Ron said. “Why’s Dad writing to you?” Ginny didn’t even lift her head.

“I wrote and asked him a question,” the youngest Weasley told her brother irritably. She rose without another word and left the hall. Ron made as if was going to go after her, but Hermione put a hand on his arm.

“Let her go, Ron. If she’s written to your father, that’s a good thing. He can give her some advice,” Hermione said.

“Advice on what?” Ron let out exasperatedly.

“I don’t know, but when she wants to talk to us, she will. Let her be.”

Ron let out a puff of breath. “Alright. You would know better about girl things, I guess.” Then he went back to his breakfast. Hermione turned back to Rose.

“Have you eaten?” He nodded his head.

“Just finished. I wanted to come by your room and give you the book and sweets from last night, but I saw you were still here,” Rose said. Hermione had forgotten all about their purchases. Snape’s visit to her room had made all other thoughts fly out of her head. Snape. She hadn’t thought about him yet this morning. Glancing up at the staff table, she saw the dark man’s gaze locked on them.

“Come on then,” Hermione said, feeling suddenly uncomfortable and standing up. “We’ll go to my room and drop them off.” Rose stood and followed her out of the hall. She didn’t look back. She just couldn’t think about Snape yet.

Outside the Great Hall doors, they ran into Harry on his way in.

“Morning, Harry,” Hermione said.

“Morning, Mione, Rose,” Harry said, smiling at the two of them. “You two leaving already?”

They nodded, then Rose stuck out his hand to Harry. “Thanks for the advice on the book,” Rose said and Harry shook his hand.

“Sure thing, mate,” Harry said, then he looked at Hermione with a slightly apprehensive expression and went into the hall.

Once they reached Hermione’s room, Rose enlarged the book, the sweets, and the parchment and quills for her. She set everything on her desk.

“These are nice rooms,” Rose said looking around.

“Thank you.”

“I wish I had seen them last night,” Rose said in a lower, huskier voice. He took her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her, their eyes locked until their lips met. One hand brushed her hair back while the other cupped her jaw and he stepped in, deepening the kiss. It felt so good, Hermione wished he had been here last night instead of . . . Snape.

Hermione broke the kiss abruptly and stepped back. Snape. She was to go out with him today. This seemed suddenly . . . wrong, somehow.

“Hermione, what’s wrong?” Azure eyes pleaded with her for an explanation.

“I . . . Snape. I have a date with Professor Snape today,” she said weakly. Rose searched her eyes, his brow furrowed.

“That isn’t until tonight, is it?”

“1:00 today. Rose, I’m really sorry. I can’t do this.” Hermione backed up and turned away from him. She felt hands slip onto her shoulders and squeeze reassuringly.

“Are you afraid of him?” Rose asked. Hermione’s first reaction was to laugh.

“No,” she said, turning to look at him. “Why would I be afraid of Snape?”

“He isn’t the nicest person and the rumors. . .”

“Don’t,” Hermione said with more force than she meant to. “Please, don’t.” He looked down and turned slightly away from her.

“I guess it doesn’t ingratiate myself to you to speak ill of the competition. So he is competition, then? And here I was worried about Draco.” She felt her chest tightening, he just seemed so hurt.

“I . . . Rose, I’m just trying to be fair. I gave you my undivided attention yesterday, I think he deserves the same.”

“I suppose you wouldn’t be the Hermione I know, if you didn’t. I should probably go.” He turned and headed towards the door. She followed, not really being able to think of anything to say. “How about you meet me in the library tomorrow night? We could talk there.”

Hermione smiled, relieved that he hadn’t given up. “I’d like that. I’ll come by after dinner.”

“Good.” He gave her a small kiss on the lips before leaving. Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. What had gotten into her? A wonderful man like Rose is with her, alone in her room, kissing her and she pushes him away? It just didn’t make sense. Though the look in Snape’s eyes this morning had flashed before her, while she was being kissed by Rose.

Last night, she had almost felt as if Snape were taking this petition seriously. If he wasn’t, why in the world would he have kissed her cheek last night? Unless he was trying to manipulate her into accepting him, he was a Slytherin after all. He would only be doing it for her safety though . . . right? But the unguarded blush came to her mind again, when she’d asked if he would petition for someone else. It puzzled her to no end. She just couldn’t make that sight sync with what she knew of Severus Snape.

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After hunting down Ginny and the two of them working for a couple of hours, Hermione was finally ready. She had to hand it to Ginny, the girl knew what she was doing when it came to clothes. Ginny changed the color of a dull blue dress into a deep reddish purple. The muggle dress had a nice neckline, fitted bust and long skirt. Hermione wore the brown boots again. Looking in the mirror she could hardly believe it.

“Probably better than he deserves,” Ginny said with distaste.

“Ginny. I’m surprised at you,” Hermione said, then did a mental double take when she realized she sounded just like Molly Weasley.

“I can’t help it, I’m pulling for Rose.”

“I don’t know that that might be possible,” Hermione said, turning away from her friend. After several minutes of silence while Ginny tied back her unruly locks, the red head spoke again.

“You look beautiful. Any idea where the Professor is taking you?”

“No. He said, he wanted it to be a surprise,” Hermione said, just as there was a knock on her door, but it was the door leading to the common room. The two girls looked at each other, then Ginny opened it. Harry was on the other side. He was clearly startled, when he saw Ginny.

“Come in, Harry,” Hermione said. Harry walked in looking uncomfortable.

“Hi, Harry,” Ginny said.

“Hi Gin, Mione. Ginny, do you mind if I talk with Mione for a few minutes?” Harry asked. Ginny shrugged and said, ‘sure’, then went into the common room.

“Something on your mind, Harry?” Hermione asked carefully. He appeared rather tightly strung at the moment.

“I’ve been doing some thinking. . . and I . . . today, when you’re out with Snape, I want you to give him a fair chance.” Harry looked up meeting her eyes. Her brow furrowed, she looked at him questioningly. Harry ran a hand through his hair and started to pace across the room.

“I know he hasn’t always been nice to you, but he had to act like that, for his cover, you understand. Snape is a powerful wizard and not such a bad sort, when you get to know him. I don’t want to tell you what to do, Mione, I really don’t, but if you married Rose, I’d be worried about you constantly. I . . . Ron and I . . . we’ll stand behind whatever decision you make, you know that, you’re like family. All things being equal, I would say Rose was the perfect guy for you, I like him, but things aren’t equal.” Green eyes pinned her in place. “I’m just saying to give Snape a chance. He’s more than what he seems and I know he’d take care of you.”

“I had planned on ‘giving him a chance’, all along. But the Professor’s only doing this because Draco asked him to, not because he wanted a wife and least of all me.”

“Can you be so sure about that?” Harry said, stepping closer. “He could have taken back his petition at any time.”

“He wouldn’t do that, he gave his word,” she said.

“I think it’s more than that. He cares about your safety. I’m not saying a relationship with him would be all hearts and flowers, but I think it could be amicable between you two. And . . . as for the baby part . . .” Harry stepped up to her and placed his hands on her upper arms gently, looking her square in the eye. “ I . . . I would be willing . . . I mean, I have black hair too . . . and . . .”

Hermione drew her breath in, when she realized just what her friend was saying. She didn’t know whether to kiss him on the cheek or slap it. She stepped back from him appalled. Her arms wrapped around herself as she walked over to the hearth to stare into the fire. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her breathing. Arms wrapped around her waist from behind in a gentle hug.

“Mione, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I wanted to make it easier for you.” She sighed into his comforting embrace, tears stinging her eyes.

“You can’t fix this, Harry, no matter how much you want to. It isn’t your fault and it isn’t your problem.” Hermione turned around to look at him. “You have to let it go and let me handle it. I’m sure I’ll feel the same way you do, when your time comes to marry, and I’ll try to butt out then,” she said, with a little laugh.

Then she continued quietly. “And I think. . . it would be very unfair to marry Snape and . . . have another man’s child. I couldn’t do that to him, or to any man.”

Harry hugged her again and kissed the top of her head. “I wanted to give you a choice. Don’t know how easy it would have been anyway,” he said with a laugh. “You’re like a sister to me. Sex between us would be . . . a little . . . weird.”

Hermione let out a true laugh and looked at her friend. “To say the least.”

They were interrupted by a knock at the hall door. Looking at the clock, Hermione saw that it was precisely 1:00, so it had to be Snape.

“I’ll go. Have a good time,” Harry said, giving her a final squeeze and then going out the other door.

Hermione took a deep breath, smoothed down her dress and opened the door. She knew she must have been staring because the tall Potions Master cleared his throat and lifted an eyebrow.

“Come in, Professor.” Hermione stepped back, so he could enter. Snape just looked so different. He had chosen to pull his hair back into a sleek knot at the nape of his neck. He wore a loose fitting black shirt under a gold and black brocade vest, and black trousers tucked into black knee high boots. The outfit complimented his lithe waist, powerfully built legs and broad chest. None of which, Hermione had ever imagined lay under the Professor’s regular attire.

Laying his cloak over the back of a chair, his eyes seemed to light up and she could have sworn she saw a look of satisfaction cross his face. He took a moment to look over her outfit, as Hermione nervously awaited his cutting comment that was sure to come. Instead, he walked forward, took her hand and bent his lips to it as before, only this time keeping eye contact. She felt her heart skip a beat.

“You look beautiful, my dear,” Snape said. Hermione felt overcome, not just because he had not released her hand, but because he had just complimented her.

“You . . . uh . . . You look wonderful,” Hermione finally got out. He let go of her hand and searched her face, as if he were looking for any possibility that she might be mocking him. She smiled warmly and he appeared satisfied.

“I see now why you wear the teaching robes and all. If you showed up like this to class, no girl would be able to pay attention and I dare say a few boys would have trouble, as well.” She wasn’t sure if she should have said it, but it was what she was thinking. Snape turned his face away from her, but not before she saw the color rising in his cheeks.

“Were you ready to leave?” he asked, crossing to retrieve her new black cloak.

“No, I mean yes I’m ready to leave, but I was going to wear my grey cloak. Draco bought me that one the other night.” It just seemed wrong to her to wear one man’s gift, while going out with another. Snape looked at the cloak in question.

“Is it not warm enough?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s quite warm, but . . .”

“Then I see no reason not to wear it,” Snape said, lifting it off the hook and draping it over her shoulders. While she was doing up the clasp, she felt him reach in and pull her hair free of the garment, but felt his fingers lingered, as if he were testing the texture of her hair. She turned meeting his eyes. He blinked, then put on his own black cloak.

Once outside her rooms, Snape offered Hermione his arm. She slowly put her hand through his arm and marveled at the warmth radiating off his body. Must be how he tolerates the dungeons, she mused, naturally warm blooded, who would have thought.

“Are we going by floo, Professor?” Hermione asked, as they began descending the stairs. She noticed several students eyeing them suspiciously, then after a long moment they must have recognized the Potions Master. Well the rumors should be in full swing by tomorrow, she thought.

“No. We will be apparating.” After several steps he added, “I believe it would be best if you called me Severus, at least when we are alone.”

Hermione looked at his profile briefly, as they began to walk across the school lawn to the front gates. Severus. Yes, calling him that would help. Hermione wanted to think of . . . Severus, as a man today. Not her teacher, or the once Death Eater or even the war hero, but a man. Her talk with Harry had made all of this more real to her. Making her realize she intended this to be a true marriage, whichever man she chose. Just the thought of Severus touching her in more than a casual way sent a shiver through her. His head turned, as he looked down with concern.

“Are you cold?” he asked. She shook her head and held on to him a little tighter.

Once outside the gates, Severus turned to her, stretching out his arms tentatively. Hermione looked at him questioningly.

“We will have to be in close proximity to each other to Apparate through the wards,” he said almost apologetically. Hermione stepped into his embrace, putting her arms around him. He smelled as good as he looked and she breathed in deeply preparing for the pull of Apparation.


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Glinda

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