A/N: This story is under revision so you might find the chapters wonky. Each corrected chapter will have an asterisk at the side. Thank you.
Chapter 1 (*)
Hermione was at the front lines of the protest holding up a banner that declared their opposition to the new Marriage Law. She raised her fist in anger and her thick brown curls tried to hide the anger upon her features. "DOWN WITH THE MARRIAGE LAW!" She shouted along with everyone else.
This mad idea came to light shortly after the war ended, but back then when the atrocities of Voldemort were still too fresh, the people who supported the creation of this law were viewed as lunatics. Five years later a sudden rise in stillbirths and Squibs offered this ludicrous idea enough traction to be noticed by several respected members of society.
Many medical institutions including St. Mungo, where she was employed as a head nurse, were trying to discover the reason behind all those birth defects. Every year young wizards were becoming weaker than their predecessors, which went against natural selection and evolution. The more the institutions failed to provide answers, the more the Ministry was trying to find a scapegoat for the deteriorating of the magical race.
And it wasn't difficult to find one…
Too many Purebloods were marrying Muggles nowadays, thusly weakening out their strong blood. Anyone could see how the statistics presented by the press were heavily tampered, but they left a lasting impression upon the commoners. This continuous breeding of strong Purebloods with Muggle-borns or Muggles was slowly driving the magical race into inevitable extinction as raw magical power was becoming rarer with each passing year. No matter how silly or absurd those ideas sounded to the Muggle-born community they couldn't argue how painfully real it was becoming for them.
This morning if the majority of the parliament voted for the Marriage Law, that foolishness would become the new nightmarish reality for all the Muggle-borns. It would rip to shreds their freedom, turning them into possessions for the Purebloods. Their only purpose of existence would be to breed a new line of strong Half-bloods. They wouldn't be allowed to choose their partner between Muggles or other Muggle-borns.
After the hell Hermione went through during the war, the last thing she expected was to have to fight for her given right to freedom. "DOWN WITH THE MARRIAGE LAW!" She shouted fiercely and her eyes darted across the line of Aurors who stood in complete apathy. She wondered bitterly why they weren't standing alongside their brothers and sisters against this injustice. Many of them were Muggle-born as well. She was grateful that Harry at least had kept away from this menagerie.
He had repeatedly warned her to keep a low profile, because she was being targeted by the Ministry. She was one of the leading members of the rebellion and her nickname amidst the reporters was "Army Nurse". She had ended up behind bars one too many times for civil disobedience and assault and battery. Harry was always there to bail her out, but even he was beginning to get tired of her carelessness. He insisted that she should try to become invisible for a while, because her dossier at the Ministry had grown impressive.
She assumed that her title of "War Hero" was what kept her from being indicted by the Wizengamot. If the Marriage Law was passed though, she would be unable to escape. They would hunt, imprison and force her to choose a Pureblood husband.
"DOWN WITH THE MARRIAGE LAW!" She hollered passionately.
Just as she was contemplating to conjure a case of rotten tomatoes and then hurl it towards the Aurors, she heard a lot of commotion from one side of the protest. She turned just in time to see a tightly bound group of Aurors escorting the Minister of Magic through the mayhem.
Infuriated voices attacked the new arrival, tight fists rose in the air and she tried to find her footing. She groaned and pushed her fellow protesters. As she was at the front line, it was easy for her to escape and fly towards the Minister. She climbed two steps at a time, trying to dig out the huge pile of papers from her bag. "Minister Shacklebolt! Minister please wait!" She yelled and slipped between the first Auror lines skillfully.
The guards who created a tightly knit circle around him didn't break lines, neither did they slow down. She fell upon them fiercely and tried to draw Kingsley's attention. "Minister! Minister look at me! We have all the Muggle-born petitions signed here! I hold in my hands three thousand signatures, please Minister just take them! Bring them to parliament before the voting begins! Show them how many of us disagree with this madness! Help us!" She shouted as her claws dug the neck of a poor guard who was trying to keep her away.
As the body of protesters pushed up behind her she felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. "Minster PLEASE! You have to take the petitions! Give us a chance to be heard!"
With a failing heart she saw the Minister turning away and she lost her footing. She grabbed hold of a stray shoulder, but someone twisted her hand hard and she yelped in pain. She started free falling and she opened her hands instinctively in order to steady herself. The dossier with the petitions slipped from her fingers and in a matter of seconds the air filled with thousands of documents, which swirled around in a hypnotic dance.
Hermione felt her heart dropping and looked up.
Seeing all her documents scatter around like garbage made her chest convulse. Her eyes teared up and she was suddenly flooded with a despair that was difficult to control. She barely noticed people around her drawing wands. She scarcely heard the zap of several spells missing her by a hair's inch. However she couldn't take her eyes away from the Ministerial escort which was disappearing behind the heavy doors.
Someone pushed her and she stumbled back dazed. Then a pair of strong arms grabbed her from the waist, twisted her in the air and flung her down the stairs. She felt exploding pain coming from her head and her eyes were momentarily blind. She grabbed the back of her head and felt warmth spreading upon her fingers.
Blood…
She knelt and tried to open her eyes. Her stomach turned with a violent wave of nausea and she coughed. A new bout of tears came and she was unable to stop them. When one of the Aurors pulled her arms behind her back, she didn't truly resist. What was another arrest anyway? Her work was destroyed, all the petitions were gone and the parliament was ready to vote one of the most abhorring laws that had ever been passed in the Magical world.
"You have the right to remain silent …" The voice droned and she leaned her flustered face upon the cold marble.
-.-
The door to the Minister's office swung open and Shacklebolt entered.
"Minister that is enough, don't you think?" Harry Potter nodded towards the window.
"Don't take liberties, Mr. Potter." The Minister warned.
"Why are you arresting her again? This time she didn't do anything." Harry begun, but Kingsley stopped him.
"She ignited a new riot down there! Are you blind?" -The Minister growled- "She has been doing this longer than I can remember and we have already treated her with caution because of you Harry, but today she overdid it! They almost broke through my escort."
Harry turned to Aurors who were observing them from the door.
"Can you blame them?" Harry rejoined calmly.
Kingsley's piercing gaze made him avert his eyes.
Harry felt his shoulders slouching. "Why are you doing this Minister? You were always a just and fair Governor. What happened to cause this change in you?"
"Don't mess with things you don't understand Potter. This stands too high for both of us." Kingsley retorted heavily.
Harry looked at his Aurors and nodded towards the corridor. They left quietly and closed the door behind them.
Harry crossed his arms and looked at Kingsley. "What is going on Minister?"
"I am under pressure if you haven't noticed." His eyes pierced Harry's.
"From whom?" Harry frowned.
"That is not a question that should be asked by a prudent Ministerial officer." Kingsley pursed his lips.
Harry sighed and leaned against the wall. "I see."
Kingsley gazed at him silently.
"The Elite have me tied down. They take the decisions Potter. They always had. If I try to oppose them they are going to bring me down and find a Minister who will do their bidding." Kingsley leaned back.
"Aren't you doing their bidding perchance?" Harry looked at him sternly.
"I am protecting my position Potter. I need to have a strong footing if we are to discover what the hell is going on with this ludicrous Marriage Law, the birth defects and the Muggle disappearances. The next one who will take my place will be ordered to bury everything …." Kingsley rejoined solemnly.
"We are here to help Minister, you know that. We have your back." Harry pulled away from the wall and flared his chest proudly.
"As much as I am sad to say this…we need help Potter." Kingsley rubbed his forehead.
Harry tilted his head and his eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" He felt his back rippling with apprehension.
"The Keepers will take over this time. I will give them ultimate power over every investigation. Even internal affairs." Kingsley pursed his lips testily.
Harry paled. "Is that wise Sir?"
"Do you have a better idea?" Kingsley rejoined.
"They are dark wizards whom we are unable to control. We cannot easily collaborate with them during much simpler investigations and you intend to give them a carte blanche?" Harry brow clouded.
Kingsley crossed his hands under his chin. "The Keepers exist exactly because we need protection from Dark Magic Potter and your Aurors are not equipped to deal with the Underworld. Not unless they offer their souls to the darkness."
Harry's looked away, but the frustration was visible upon his features.
"For the sake of our sanity, I suggest you put aside your personal issues with their Commander and work with him. For goodness sake this feud has been going on long enough." Kingsley scolded.
"You know perfectly well that I respect Snape to the utmost, but he is not a people person." Harry shook his head in annoyance.
"I don't care! Find a way to deal with him. He and his team are invaluable to us, and we are lucky that he agreed to collaborate with the Ministry instead of blowing us to kingdom come when he returned from the dead! His knowledge in dark magic is immeasurable." Kingsley rebuked hard.
"Fine then, let's say I do find a way to communicate with him, what do you think they will be able to do about this mess? Do you think the birth defects have to do with dark magic?" Potter crossed his arms.
"The defects are used to enforce the Marriage Law. Those two are connected son. Maybe the Muggle disappearances are part of this complicated web also. There is no illegal magic taking place at the moment which can be traced. If something is at hand it is undetectable and that can only happen through highly advanced dark magic or through the Underworld. We need the Keepers to investigate." -Kingsley stood up- "And your team is going to assist them!"
Potter winced as he tried to hide his obvious reluctance. "Have you talked to him?"
"Yesterday." The Minister stood up and walked towards the door.
"And he accepted?" Harry's brows arched.
"I got a curt nod from him." -The Minister opened the door and pursed his lips- "That's an agreement in my books."
"What about Granger?" Harry asked.
"A night in prison should extinguish the fire in her for the time being. Her riots are certainly not helping us find out what is going on." Kingsley waved him away annoyed.
"Please minister, I know I have asked this a dozen times, but can we release her? You know she didn't mean any harm." Harry voice was pleading.
Kingsley paused at the door skeptically for a few moments. "Get her out of here before the tabloids find out more about this mess. I don't want to see her in my doorsteps again! I am warning you!"
"Thank you!" Harry's face lit up.
"Don't thank me yet, because Miss Granger has painted a huge red target on her forehead long ago. She will be the first to be led to the Wizengamot in order to choose a husband. They want to make an example out of her in order to subdue the masses. Tell her to be prepared for the inevitable and pray the Keepers will manage to find out the real reason behind what is going on. Only with solid evidence will I be able to reverse this insidious law." Kingsley grumbled moodily.
Harry watered his lips nervously.
"Disperse the riot." Kingsley commanded coldly and crashed the door behind him.
-.-
Outside in the midst of chaos Hermione got pulled on her feet violently. "Get your hands off of me!"
"Easy now…" -the Auror warned- "Settle down, we've done this a dozen times. You know the drill."
Hermione spat a curse behind her teeth and got ready to follow him when the voice of Harry ignited a spark of happiness in her heart.
"Let her go." Potter crossed his arms testily.
The Auror rolled his eyes and released her bounds.
She rubbed the back of her head and offered a quiet "thank you" to Harry.
"I'll take over her." Harry said.
"Sure boss." The Auror inclined his head and walked away from them.
Hermione looked at the destroyed petitions. She run up the steps and picked up one. "No…." she whispered.
"Mione come on, I have to get you out of here, before the press arrives." Harry said urgently.
She shook her head. "It's gone, everything's gone. All my work. Help me Harry …" She came down to her hands and knees and began gathering the torn papers.
"Mione I don't think you understand. Shacklebolt let you off the hook one last time. If we don't get out of here now, he is not going to give you another chance." Harry's eyes darted towards the street were a convoy was approaching.
"It took me three years to gather all these signatures and now they are all gone…." she murmured totally lost.
"Hermione!" Harry jerked her hard.
"WHAT!?" she snapped.
"We have to leave now…" Harry nodded towards the street.
She turned around and saw the reporters approaching hungrily.
"I can't leave my work here, I have to find all the petitions. We don't have time. I have to give them to the Minister before the law is voted." She was looking around her like a lost puppy.
Harry cupped her cheeks. "The bill is going to be passed and there is nothing we can do about it. It's over." He said solemnly.
She shook her head. "No, you are wrong Harry…."
"It's over Mione, we have to leave." He rejoined hard.
"No..no…you are mistaken…" She choked.
Harry looked above her shoulder at the reporters who were approaching fast. Without a warning he embraced her and they disappeared with a loud crack as the destroyed petition slipped Hermione's hand again.
-.-
On the fifth floor of the impressive building a dark blue curtain was kept away from the window by long elegant fingers. The stray rays of the sun outlined a strong jawline, a long nose and a high forehead. The same rays got swallowed by the darkness of the long black hair which were tied loosely at the back of the man's head. A pair of eyes that held in them unrelieved blackness were looking at the scene below sternly.
"You have been looking out the window for the last hour. What is so interesting?" The woman said and flipped the pages of the book she was reading. She was a mature woman with beautiful red hair and juicy curves. Her bright blue eyes were observing the man at the room carefully. Her eyebrows arched and her full lips smiled towards his broad shoulders.
His fingers slid upon the curtain and the hand which was resting behind his back curled into a tight fist. He didn't answer.
The woman exhaled and closed the book. She walked up to him quietly and looked outside. "Took them long enough to control the riot." -She noticed- "What's all this debris?"
The man's jawline clenched as his eyes inspected the scene of destruction below.
The woman inhaled deeply. "Oh dear. Don't tell me it's the Muggle-born petitions…"
His dark brow arched testily.
She winced and crossed her arms. "Shacklebolt dismissed them, didn't he?"
He pressed his lips and his eyes clouded.
She looked at his profile intensely. "That's a pity Severus, but there is nothing we can do at this point. The riot is not our responsibility, nor are these petitions."
He remained silent.
"We should concentrate on our own job. Don't lose sight of what is important now. What did you discuss with Shacklebolt yesterday?" she asked.
He turned and looked at her heavily for several moments. "Call everybody in…We have work to do." He said coldly.
"Now?" She smiled surprised and tried to touch his shoulder.
He caught her hand midair and lowered it slowly. "Now…" His voice dropped.
The woman frowned disappointed. "Very well…" –She paused for several moments before adding a dry- "Sir."
Severus turned around and looked at the spot where Potter and Granger had disappeared a few moments ago.
His black eyes flooded with heavy shadows.
Chapter 2
A week later the scar at the back of Hermione's head was a mere reminder of what happened in front of the Ministry. However her guilt for allowing all those signatures to get destroyed was torturing her mind.
Especially now that the Marriage Law had become a grim reality for all of them.
The very next day from the voting a special office was created, which quickly begun registering all the names of the single Muggle-borns and Purebloods.
Hermione feared that the Ministry hadn't taken into consideration how quickly they were going to be overwhelmed by Pureblood applications that didn't have the best of intentions. The thought that she was going to be owned like a collared dog made her stomach revolt.
Hermione was against marriage anyway, never mind being forced to choose a spouse from a group of people she didn't know. She raised her eyes to Ginny who was cleaning the kitchen table silently and run her cold fingers over the scar at the back of her head.
A shudder rippled through her spine.
Harry informed her that the Wizengamot intended to make an example out of her soon. He advised her to allow Neville to apply for her. He was a good man and if she chose him, she would be safe until all this madness was resolved in some manner.
Hermione denied fervently. There was no way that she was going to play wife to anyone, much less to Neville. Not even to keep herself safe. The rebellious nature in her was too strong to be subdued and she wasn't going to change that.
Hermione inhaled deeply and forced herself to smile. "Isn't the table clean now? You've been attacking it long enough."
Ginny stopped and glared at her. "I need to do something with my hands. I am worried about you."
"I know." Hermione frowned.
"You are making no attempt to understand the peril you are in." -Ginny eyes narrowed- "Neville called again today. He said that your name has been registered already and applications for you are now open."
Hermione inhaled deeply and felt her heart twitching with apprehension. "Forget it."
"You are not thinking straight." Ginny threw the towel on the table and walked to her.
"Thank Neville for me, but I will not accept. I am not going to allow anyone to force me into marriage." Hermione rebuked dryly.
Ginny's countenance plunged. "Oh, girl…they are going to make you suffer."
"I know." Hermione swallowed heavily.
"Your only option apart from marriage is exile and you know it. You will lose your wand and your right to use magic. You will lose your job and possibly your house. What will you do then?" Ginny's brow wrinkled.
"I will find a way. I always do." Hermione murmured, remembering the hardships that had chiseled her during the war.
"You will become a vagabond." Ginny winced.
"Probably….won't be the first time." Hermione flicked her brow and her lips formed a sad smile.
"Come to your senses my dear." –Ginny cupped her hand tenderly- "Your marriage with Neville will be enough to shut them up and leave you alone."
"No Ginny, this doesn't have to do with me only, but with every Muggle-born. I cannot accept that this insanity is ready to take up roots. I was so close to speaking to Shacklebolt and then all hell broke loose. All those signatures destroyed…and I didn't even try to hex them back in my hands. I was so shocked about the way the Minister dismissed me that I let all that hard work go to waste." Hermione's brow eyes welled.
Ginny pressed her hand and caressed her hair. "Stop berating yourself. It was an inferno out there. Besides those signatures wouldn't have stopped the inevitable."
"I know and that is what hurts the most." Hermione's tone was defeated.
Ginny embraced her and that is when the crack of an apparition made them pull apart.
Harry took off his coat and straightened his glasses that had gone askew. Quickly his eyes fell on Hermione and his lips turned down.
"What?" Hermione scowled when she noticed how wound up he looked.
He made an effort to smile. "Did you sleep well?"
Hermione gazed at him for a brief moment and then averted her eyes. "Not really, no. Tell me you have some good news from the Ministry."
Harry exhaled heavily and deliberately looked away. "I am afraid no. The world has gone mad."
"What is going on?" Ginny took a seat next to Hermione.
"The protests against this law have inflated during the last couple of days. Almost the whole force is at the streets trying to restore order. I don't think we have enough people to handle criminal cases and that is a problem especially now with all those Muggle-borns going missing one after the other." Harry's dejection was clear.
Hermione scowled. "What?"
"Muggle-born girls seem to be vanishing into thin air and the Ministry believes it might not be a coincidental at this point." Harry pressed his lips.
"Who has taken over the investigation?" Hermione asked.
"My team." Harry crossed his arms.
"Well at least this time Kingsley didn't act like a complete idiot." Ginny said dismissively.
Harry glared at her. "He is a good man Ginny."
"Shacklebolt turned his back to me, Harry. He allowed the creation of this nightmare." The bitterness was clear in Hermione's voice.
Harry shook his head. "You are wrong."
Hermione crossed her arms and her silence instantly demanded an answer.
Harry sighed. "If Shacklebolt shows his opposition then he is going to be replaced. He needs to remain in charge so we can search for answers. I for one, don't want a new boss who will be a puppet for the other side."
"Which side is ours and whom are our enemies? Do we even know?" Ginny frowned.
"Not yet." Harry rejoined.
"Well doesn't the Minister have any suspicions?" Ginny asked.
Harry's hesitation was obvious, but in the end he spoke. "Possibly dark magic is at play here."
Hermione's lips parted. "Are we talking about dark magic in connection with the missing Muggle-borns or with this insidious law Harry?"
"Both."
Hermione sighed and rubbed her cheeks feeling her shoulders slouching.
Harry winced. "There are no traceable uses of illegal magic in our country right now. That probably means that whatever is happening comes from the…" –he paused with uncertainty for several moments before saying- "…Underworld."
Ginny crossed her arms and her lips turned down. "Damn…" She murmured.
"Are you going to take over the Underworld too?" Hermione asked even though she already knew the answer.
"The Keepers will do it." Harry cringed and shook his head.
Hermione went pale and looked away. "Right." Her voice was barely heard.
The Keepers…the highly secretive Ministerial authoritative group that was created especially to counter dark magic attacks. After the war the Ministry didn't wish for a repetition from another wanna-be dark lord. They created that group in order to harness dark magic for the benefit of the Ministry. Its five members had all been former Death-Eaters, Voldemort's soldiers who were now working for the light….and that alone was terrifying to many. The world preferred to ignore the existence of this veiled group. It was okay for the 'dark souls' to delve into the nightmares of the Underworld as long as the proper people didn't have to know anything about it.
That hypocrisy poked Hermione's brain like a rusted nail, especially since everyone knew the role of her former Professor during the war….
Ginny broke the heavy silence. "Have you talked with Snape?"
Hermione rubbed her shoulders and she didn't even want to hide the despondency she felt at that moment.
"We both have a meeting with the Minister tomorrow." Harry said quietly.
"So you are actually going to collaborate with Snape?" Ginny raised her brows surprised.
"That's what Shacklebolt wants, but I don't know how it is going to be feasible." Harry shook his head.
"Personally I think you'd perform better if you kept out of each other's way." Hermione intervened.
"Better for whom?" Harry scowled.
"For both of you. I think you are both unwilling to delve deeper into what happened back then." Hermione gazed at him.
"Enough Mione…" -Harry flared his chest- "The Auror and Keeper collaboration is the least of our problems right now."
Hermione's brow creased. "What do you mean?"
He looked at the scroll he had left on the table for several quiet moments and cleared his throat. "Listen…I have something here for you."
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
Harry pushed the scroll towards her. "See for yourself."
Hermione opened it and the moment she saw the seal on top, she felt her stomach twitching painfully. "From the Ministry?"
"Mione call Neville. Tell him to apply for you today and hope it's not too late already." Harry's tone was grave.
As Hermione's eyes jumped upon the words, her face slowly became livid. "I have fourteen petitions already, and Lucius bloody Malfoy is one of them."
"Call Neville." Harry's tone was grave.
The letter slipped from Hermione's frozen fingers. "Lucius Malfoy?" She murmured.
Ginny frowned. "Isn't he married to Narcissa?"
Harry pursed his lips. "They divorced right after the war. Apparently Lucius' actions towards Draco were not met kindly by his mother. Cannot blame her really."
Hermione pulled her hair away from her face in despair. "The letter mentions that because Malfoy is one of the oldest families in the magical world, I am expected at the Ministry to evaluate his application tomorrow morning."
"Why in the name of Merlin would this monster wed a Muggle-born and especially Mione? He always hated Mudbloods." Ginny croaked and then looked at Hermione sharply- "I am sorry for that my love." She pressed Hermione's hand.
Hermione reciprocated the touch. "You are right. Malfoy is probably out for vengeance." –Then she turned to Harry- "What am I going to do?"
"I told you that things were more serious than you thought. The Wizengamot is showing its strength by diminishing you in the most offensive manner. What can be worse than pairing one of Voldemort's most lofty beasts with one of the biggest war heroes who fought so courageously against him? That will certainly control the masses, right?" Harry's features broke.
Hermione looked up and her eyes were spiting fire. "I thought this madness was over. I thought the war had finished. I thought this racial insanity would be history by now. Is this what we fought for Harry?!"
He averted his eyes. "No, you are right."
Hermione cupped her face. "Malfoy is a murderer! How could they allow him to apply in the first place?"
"This makes no sense Mione. Nothing makes sense anymore, but trust me…we are going to solve this." Harry rejoined.
"Well, I don't think you will manage to do it before tomorrow." Hermione humphed and showed the letter.
"Things can be controlled if you chose Neville." Harry tried to reason.
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "No, I won't allow them to terrorize me. I refuse." She stood up and walked away.
Harry followed her carefully. "You are going to be send in exile."
"Then so be it. I am Muggle-born. I can find my way in the non-magical world if need be. However I will not compromise my dignity." Hermione rebuked.
Ginny intervened sternly. "I have a small dose of reality for you Hermione….magic is your life. This exile will kill you."
Hermione felt beads of sweat breaking upon her forehead. "I know Ginny." Her voice was barely heard.
"I shall not allow you to destroy yourself. Will you call Neville, or will I?" Harry's nose flared angrily.
"No one will." -Her face settled- "Tomorrow I will face the Wizengamot alone and I will accept my punishment."
Harry exhaled hard and sat on his shins. "Oh heavens…" He murmured, knowing how impossible it would be to change her mind once it was set.
Hermione gazed with wonder at the orange brush strokes upon the clouds as the sun was setting. "I have two roads to choose Harry and both end in defeat. I will chose the most dignified."
The silence that fell behind her was heavy, but she didn't mind. After several moments she spoke. "Do you really think all this has to do with the Underworld?" She said without turning to them.
"I am not sure Mione." Harry was honest.
"Do everything you can to solve this…." She felt her eyes watering.
Harry touched her shoulder and closed his eyes. "We have your back Mione. All of us."
"I don't want anyone else to go through this Harry. Let my case be the beginning of this nightmare, but also the end of it ….please." She choked a sob as her friend drew her in his strong arms.
Harry scowled towards Ginny and closed his eyes. There was no one he could turn to for help.
Or was there?
-.-
The next morning a very brooding Harry was sitting on plush easy-chair next to Snape. Even though the Minister was talking to him, Harry's eyes were solely for the Keeper Commander, who seemed nonchalant even though he had received Potter's urgent note before the meeting. The Head Auror didn't know if Snape looked so indifferent on purpose just to anger him, or if he truly didn't care about anything.
The worry Harry had about Hermione's hearing this morning, was being enhanced by Snape's reserve. So he was barely listening to what the Minister was telling him and soon came the confirmation of that.
"Are you listening to me Potter?" Shacklebolt thundered.
Snape turned casually and engaged Harry's eyes. As distant as ever. No emotions could be recognized behind the cold façade. The Commander kept Harry's eyes till another bark from Shacklebolt made then disengage.
"Potter!"
Harry inhaled deeply and looked at the Minister. "Yes, Sir." He cleared his throat.
"Did you hear anything I told you?" Shacklebolt glared.
"Yes, Sir." Harry lied.
"I don't want to see another Muggle-born going missing, do you understand?" Kingsley spat.
"Me neither." Potter nodded curtly.
"Do you have any leads at this point?" Kingsley fixed the papers in front of him, in order to redirect his annoyance somewhere else.
"Several witnesses have seen a cloaked figure near the homes of the missing persons several days leading to the disappearances." Potter replied.
"Have you drawn any course of action?" Kingsley raised his brow.
"The common denominator is that all the victims were Muggle-born women, between the ages of twenty and thirty five, rather attractive, with no close family. The first abductions had a four to five week break between them, but the last two took place within four days from each other. That means that whoever is doing this is becoming more eager. We are currently trying to piece together if there is any connection between the victims or their acquaintances." Harry rejoined.
"I want more guards around the Muggle-born neighborhoods Potter. I don't care how many Aurors you are going to use, just do it!" Kingsley said heavily.
"Yes, Sir." Potter nodded curtly.
Kingsley took a deep breath and turned towards the other man in the room. "What about the Underworlds, Commander?"
"It's too soon to draw any conclusions. You know that every trek inside that hell leaves us diminished. Three of my Keepers have visited two of the six levels and have investigated all the critical gates and portals. Nothing was out of the ordinary. They are going to need at least a week of recuperation before attempting another go. That leaves only Maxine and me to do the rest. I will keep you informed. As far as I know there are no visible dark portals around the city either. Whatever is happening, must be taking place through abysmal gateways in the fifth or sixth level. Investigating those needs time and sufficient manpower, which I don't have." Snape replied coldly.
Kingsley crossed his arms. "I assume you will take over those levels personally?"
"Obviously." Snape raised his brow.
Kingsley leaned back and caressed his chin quietly. "Master, I need you to check if there is any indication of the missing Muggle-borns inside the Underworld."
Severus pressed his lips. "I need their magical traces. How many are there?"
"Eleven." Harry replied.
Severus placed his hands on the arms of the chair and stood up. "I will look into it. Is there anything else?"
Kingsley looked at him hard and then shook his head. "No Master, you can go."
Severus inclined his head and walked to the door without even giving a second glance at Harry, despite the fact that the Auror had been trying to engage his attention throughout the whole meeting.
Harry gritted his teeth in frustration and looked at Kingsley. "Can I go?" He said.
Kingsley looked at the door that was closing slowly and arched his brow crossly. "Miss Granger's hearing is now from what I heard." He noticed.
Harry stood up sharply and felt his whole nervous system tightening like bow. "Yes it is….can I go Minister?" He nodded towards the door.
"Please tell her how sorry I am that she has to go through this hardship. It was never my intention to see her suffer so." Kingsley's features mellowed upon those words.
Harry nodded quickly and rushed to the door. "I will Sir." He said and threw the door open in a hurry. He saw the tall blackness of Snape walking slowly towards the elevators. Harry broke to a run and shouted "Commander!"
-.-
Severus' quiet concentration as he waited patiently for the elevator was broken by a strong arm grasping his shoulder. He turned sternly.
"I was calling you…Didn't you hear me?" Harry was panting.
Snape looked towards the elevator dismissively. "Can I help you with something?"
Harry placed his hands on his belt and took several deep breaths to calm the wild beating of his heart. "Did you get my message?"
Severus humphed haughtily. "Indeed I did."
Harry's hands became tight fists. "Are you going to help her?" He whispered.
"Of course I will not Mr. Potter. Miss Granger's predicament doesn't have anything to do with me." Snape rebuked matter-of-factly and gazed at the elevator door that opened. Before he had the time to take a step inside though Potter drew him back.
"You are the only one able to stop this. I know you can do it. You have to stop the Wizengamot. I have no one else to turn to who is capable enough to tackle them. This is far too important….please." Harry gritted his teeth and tried to keep Snape's heavy regard.
"Important to whom Mr. Potter? The world has become a bloody nightmare. We have a new law which is turning our people into slaves. The streets are full of riots. Store fronts are being brought down, cars are set ablaze, and looting is out of control. No one is safe. I seriously doubt we will ever be able to recover those missing Muggle-borns alive. The Underworld needs a long time to be investigated thoroughly and I barely have enough people to do it. So in the midst of all this chaos you think it is important for us to think about Miss Granger?" Snape rebuked.
"It is important to me." Harry rejoined abruptly.
"That's so narrow-sighted. It fits you well." Snape said and pushed the elevator button again.
Harry stood in front of him. "Today they are going to take away her freedom, Sir."
Severus pursed his lips. "My time is limited and the Army Nurse doesn't fit in my schedule."
"You make it sound so cold." Harry's brow wrinkled.
Snape arched his brow, but didn't honor him with a reply.
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Severus…"
Snape turned to him sharply when he heard his first name.
"You are obviously willing to help with these investigations, because you know how unfair this law is. You were always there to help us in the past, remember?"
Snape's eyes narrowed.
"I was hoping that you would be willing to help us once more, for old time's sake…"
"Don't go there Potter." Severus warned darkly.
Harry gathered his courage. "Hermione has become a scapegoat, Master. If she refuses to accept a Pureblood husband she will be the first Muggle-born to be exiled from the Magical world. She will lose her job and they will confiscate her house. They want to destroy the face of revolution and today they are going to do it, unless you help us. Help her…please."
Severus was unreadable.
"You know how stubborn Hermione is. I tried to convince her to accept Neville's petition…."
Snape's dark brow lifted imperceptibly.
"…but she refused. She does not intend to follow the law. She does not intend to marry anyone."
Severus turned to see the doors of the elevator opening again, but did attempt to get in.
"Today Hermione is giving up her brilliance, her bravery, her wand, her work and her home….and you are the only one who can help her." Harry inhaled deeply and wiped the perspiration on his upper lip.
Severus's features were stone cold as he spoke. "Admirable as her conduct is, I am unable to intervene on her behalf Mr. Potter. Not without compromising my work." – He hesitated slightly before adding- "I wish Miss Granger a positive conclusion to her trials". With one last look towards Potter, he walked towards the staircase.
However Harry's next words stopped him dead in his tracks. "Lucius Malfoy applied for her…"
Severus turned around slowly and his eyes seared through Potter's.
"Do you understand how serious this is?" Harry tilted his head.
Severus' features were stony.
"Malfoy is about to enslave an innocent, brilliant and brave woman. If you think we should allow this madness to continue then forget I ever spoke." Harry thrust his chin up.
Heavy silence came from the other man.
"If not, then you know where to find her…" Harry offered him a curt nod and left.
Severus stood frozen in the middle of the busy corridor.
-.-
Hermione felt as if her whole body was in pain as she stood in front of the Wizengamot. She looked around at all those solemn faces that seemed to be judging her imprudence with so much unrelenting harshness. She inhaled deeply and looked at Lucius Malfoy who leaning loftily over his golden cane. It was as if time hadn't touched him. Hermione supposed this dark wizard was certainly able to conjure many tricks in order to hide his age. The moment she licked her lips nervously she recognized the sultriness in his eyes. That made her recoil in disgust. If she was forced to marry this man she was going to suffer in unspeakable ways.
"Miss Granger?" The Presiding Judge commanded her attention.
Hermione squared her shoulders. "Yes, Sir."
"You had twenty four applications within two days. The secretary shall give them to you so you can study them for a couple of days before you make your decision." The Judge nodded to his secretary who walked to Hermione and gave her a dossier with all the applicants and their detailed information.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the judge stopped her.
"However today we have made an exception for one of them." The Judge said.
Hermione swallowed a very tight throat and gave Malfoy a murderous side-gaze, which apparently didn't faze him.
"Mr. Malfoy's family is one of the oldest in Britain. According to his blood rights he can present his case in front of Miss Granger, before any other suitor." The judge said.
Malfoy titled his head haughtily and Hermione felt her fur rippling with anger.
The judge smiled courteously. "The stand is yours my Lord."
"Thank you." Malfoy replied and walked close to her.
"You honor, I thought I made my intentions clear. I don't intend to marry anyone." Hermione looked up proudly.
An uneasy tension spread through the room.
Malfoy smiled knowingly. "My dear girl, I know it is uncommon to marry such an old man, but I am here to offer you my hand nonetheless. Your braveness during the war has captured my heart. I have emotions for you that I cannot hide anymore."
Hermione felt her skin prickling. "You are a fool if you think that I would ever chose to marry you." She was unable to hide the disgust in her voice.
She felt the disapproval coming from the courtroom upon those words, but she didn't care.
A few revolting cracks appeared in Malfoy's pleasant mask. "No matter how much you seem to despise me I am here to stand by your side." He offered her his hand.
Hermione felt her whole body tensing and she bile gathered in her mouth. Before she had the time stop herself, she leaned down and spat his palm. Then she straightened and smirked.
Silence covered the courtroom.
A thunder of hatred escaped the carefully veiled eyes of Malfoy and he took a step back. He tilted his head slightly and wiped his hand on a handkerchief. Hermione held his wrathful glare courageously, but when he lifted his hand suddenly to strike her face, she flinched shocked and took several steps back.
"That will be enough Mr. Malfoy!" The judge hit his gavel hard.
Within seconds Malfoy's face erased every trace of wrath and an unsettling gentleness appeared upon his features. He smiled and took a step back. "Forgive me your honor." He didn't take his eyes from hers.
"Miss Granger the court will give you a week to decide. Then we shall meet again." The Judge rejoined.
Hermione steadied her heart. "I don't need to do that your honor."
The Judge thrust his chin up. "What do you mean?"
"I will not accept any of the applicants. I am not going to marry anyone Sir." Hermione crossed her hands and looked at him proudly.
The Judge pursed his lips. "Do you comprehend that such a refusal equals exile?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, Sir."
"And you insist in your decision despite such a serious retribution?" The Judge leaned back in his chair and looked at her grumpily.
"Yes." She felt the word almost sticking to her throat.
The judges turned to each other and exchanged several words.
She felt Malfoy's eyes eating her up and turned to face him confidently.
After several moments the Judge nodded towards his colleagues and turned to her. "If that is your decision, then I am afraid we will be forced to formalize your excommunication from the magical world at this moment. After this meeting is over you will be relieved of your wand, your job and your house. Are there any objections to this decision?" the judge asked around the room.
Silence all around.
Hermione closed her eyes and felt her stomach sinking. She was preparing to face her grim fate when suddenly she saw the door opening. A rather attractive woman with long red hair walked towards the Presiding Judge. She seemed rather comfortable even though she was stopping a very serious hearing and the most impressive thing was that no one from the courtroom told her to get out. The woman walked up the steps as if she owned the place and the members made room for her to pass. When she reached the Presiding Judge she leaned down and whispered a few words in his ear.
Hermone's eyes flickered with confusion when she saw how pale the man became all of a sudden. He gave the woman a curt nod and then stood up. He hit his gavel and cleared his throat. "This court meeting will have a ten minute recess."
Hermione frowned in confusion, as the Judge followed the impressive woman out of the courtroom. The moment the doors flung open her eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar dark figure standing outside and she felt her breath catching.
Snape?
-.-
The Judge looked at Maxine who offered him a courteous smile, but then his eyes fell upon Snape and he immediately buttoned up. "What is all this?" He demanded.
Snape gave Maxine a curt nod and she walked away. The Judge eyes fell on her shapely behind, which was swinging provocatively under her tight black dress. Then his eyes were drawn to Snape once more and he tried to straighten his lapels. "You didn't answer. Why did you interrupt my court Master?"
Snape crossed his arms and a devious smile appeared on his lips. "Pretty isn't she?" He tilted his head towards Maxine who was waiting for him at the end of the corridor.
The Judge's face turned crimson red. "Did you drag me out here just in order to admire your curvaceous assistant?" He grumbled angrily.
"You cannot but admit that she is rather impressive. Several people at the Ministry think that she earned her position in the Keepers due to her striking looks, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Her strength lies elsewhere. Aren't you curious to know where?" Snape's lip's curled up knowingly.
Shofeous glared at him silently.
"She is exceptional in finding out the weaknesses of others." Snape continued nonchalantly.
The Judge scowled. "What is all this nonsense Master?"
Snape gazed at him long and hard. Then he commanded coldly. "Stop Miss Granger's hearing right now."
The Judge crossed his arms. "On whose order?"
"Mine." Snape arched his brow.
The Judge assessed him for several moments before a confident smile broke on his lips. "I don't recall the Keepers having any power over the Wizengamot. You are taking liberties that will cost you dearly Master."
Snape's eyes pierced Shofeous. "Does the pub 'Sorceress' Bottle' ring a bell?"
The man's eyes grew wide.
Snape continued indifferently. "Second floor, room ten, Miss Hester, every Friday afternoon between seven and ten, the order is always a bottle of Merlot and an assortment of deli meats."
The Judge couldn't stop a small yelp from escaping him. He took a step back and leaned against the wall. He grabbed his chest and looked up panting. "How do you know?" He whispered.
Severus ignored his question and went straight for the kill. "Maxine would love to meet your wife. She has so much to tell her."
The Judge reached out and grasped Snape's arm tightly. "No!... That will kill her…" His eyes were glistening with fresh tears.
"Stop Granger's hearing." Snape repeated stonily.
The Judge shook his head ferociously and the anguish was clear in his contorted features. "You don't understand. She won't accept a husband. She will be forced in exile. Even if I stop this hearing, another one will take its place. With another Judge." He muttered.
"Do it." Severus nodded towards the door.
The Judge couldn't stop shaking his head. "You are blackmailing me…" He mumbled and dag his nails on his cheeks.
Severus' silence overwhelmed the Judge who closed his eyes and wiped the perspiration that was breaking on his forehead.
"Shape yourself up and go in." Snape ordered.
The Judge swallowed nervously and tried to fix his attire. Then he stopped in front of the door as if he didn't have the strength to move.
Severus opened it for him and pushed him inside. The Judge walked as steadily as he could back and took his seat.
Snape ignored Granger who was in the middle of the room and found Malfoy.
Malfoy's upper lip curled up in anger, but he remained silent as the gavel fell heavy and the Judge begun talking. "Due to an unexpected development this hearing cannot be completed today. We will arrange a new one in a week from now."
A wave of confusion run through the courtroom, but Hermione wasn't paying attention. She was regarding Snape with an intensity that was hard to hide, willing him to look at her.
"Miss Granger." The Judge said.
Hermione inhaled sharply and felt as if a hand just pulled her from the depths of the ocean. "Yes, Sir?"
"This recess is a good opportunity for you to take some time to rethink your predicament. Maybe in a few days you can form a different opinion about your applicants. That may allowed us to avoid the irrevocable decision of your exile. Do you think that is a fair deal considering the circumstances?" The Judge asked with a voice that broke ever so slightly when his eyes fell at the immovable figure of Snape.
Hermione opened her mouth to refuse once more, but before she could do it she felt magnetized by the dark imposing presence by the door. It was as if he was silently commanding her attention and she obeyed. When their eyes met she felt as if a hand had squeezed all the air out of her lungs.
Snape's nod was indiscernible, but she saw it.
When she looked back at the Judge there was no reluctance in her voice. "I think that I will do that Sir. Yes, thank you."
The Judge seemed to exhale in relief as he let his gavel fall one last time. "Very well then. Court dismissed."
Hermione closed her eyes and touched her chest, which was tightly painful. She felt dizzy from hyperventilating.
What did just happen?
Snape's piercing stare gave a silent warning to Malfoy who retreated at the darkest corners of the room. Then with one last look towards Granger, who seemed barely able to stand, he walked out.
He had almost reached the stairs when a small hand touched his shoulder. He turned to meet a pale face, eyes that were teary and a trembling bottom lip.
Hermione's hand dropped by her side. "I don't know what you just did…but…thank you." Her words were barely heard.
Snape's eyes darted towards Malfoy who was leaving the courtroom in a hurry. He took a deep breath and gazed back at her. "Go find your friends. This is far from over." He said and without waiting for a reply he turned around and left.
Hermione blinked and caressed her shoulders. She cupped her mouth and the tears she had been holding with great effort during the hearing now got released into muffled sobs of relief.