Chapter Text
"Are you certain the queen did not inform James of her nuptials?” Lord Gareth's voice was low.
“As certain as I am that I must breathe in order to survive,” Severus answered, hands folded on the stone table. “Hermione was not involved in the announcement of our nuptials to the lords of Gryffindor."
“Are you only certain of that because she told you that was so, or do you have any proof of her loyalty?” Lord Mulciber sat to Severus’ left, a deep frown etched on his face.
“The best evidence of her innocence is an objective view of the situation.” Severus ignored the chill seizing his arm. “It would not be logical for her to speak of our nuptials before Minerva made her announcement.”
“Why do you believe that?” Lord Zabini asked from across the table.
"Hermione considers Minerva to be her mother. For that reason alone, she would not defy Minerva's order to remain silent."
“He has a point.” Lucius sat at Severus’ right side, rapping his fingers against the stone table. “We all know the girl loves her mother….”
“Hermione is a woman,” Severus interrupted.
“Girl, woman, what does it matter?” Gareth snapped.
“It matters because she is your queen. For that reason alone, you must show her the utmost respect.” Severus emphasized the last word.
Mulciber twisted his lips. “I suppose it is more dignified for us to believe that we are being ruled by a woman rather than a little girl.”
“It is more dignified for you to show her respect regardless of your sentiments towards her or any other Gryffindor.” Severus growled as he scratched the table, thankful only a few beams of sunlight could creep through the emerald curtains. At least he would not have a headache from the sunlight. The dim lighting did nothing to improve his mood, however. It was still mid-morning, and he already desired to sit alone in his library or spend the day in his potions lab, forgetting anyone else existed. A bout of rocking was in order.
“If it was not Hermione who told James that you two were wed, then who could it have been?” Lord Rudolphus asked.
“Peter of Pettigrew.”
All eyes turned to Lucius.
“Peter was upset that he was snubbed at the wedding. He was forced to take a seat after he made some less than kind comments. That humiliation must have been upsetting, something he would not allow to go unpunished.”
“Those are my thoughts exactly,” Severus replied.
“That makes sense," Mulciber hummed. “He is a cousin to James on his mother’s side. That family connection may be stronger than his loyalty to Slytherin.”
“Admittedly, Peter is a more likely suspect than Hermione,” Gareth admitted through gritted teeth. “As noted, Hermione is loyal to Minerva and would not defy her. Peter holds loyalty to no one.”
“I take it that our next course of action will be to arrest him,” Lucius replied.
“Indeed we shall." Severus' muscles tightened. “I’ve left Peter to his own devices for far too long. It is time that he face the consequences for his loose lips.”
“It would send a message to the people of Slytherin and Gryffindor too." Gareth's lips curled upwards. “Insurrection of any kind will not be tolerated.”
"Precisely." Severus relaxed.
“Does the queen consent to this action?” Zabini asked.
Severus raised an eyebrow.
“You know in situations such as this, there is always the risk of one spouse objecting to an arrest. This can lead to some nastiness, which can often spill into the bedroom.”
“Hermione has consented to me taking whatever measures necessary to ensure the safety of Slytherin,” Severus answered.
“Are you certain she will not interfere with our dealings?” Gareth's frown returned.
“I am positive.” Severus flicked his fingers.
“What proof has she offered of her loyalty?”
“She has proven herself a wise adjudicator in court. Also, she has begun studying the history of Slytherin in order to understand our people better.”
“Do you believe that her loyalty to the Kingdom of Slytherin will ever outweigh her loyalty to her deceased father?”
“I believe she will do what is best for her subjects, whoever they may be.”
Gareth was still frowning.
“I have gained Hermione’s trust. For that reason, she will remain loyal to the Kingdom of Slytherin,” Severus answered.
“Would that be before or after she allows the Lords of Fleamont to imprison you in the Tower of Dumbledore?” Gareth growled.
“Hermione will be loyal to me. She would never dream of betraying me to the Gryffindor nobility. Of that I can assure you.”
“For your sake, you had better hope you are correct,” Gareth leaned closer. “For if you are mistaken, the consequences will be dire for us all.”
"I know I am correct." Severus' voice was a warning not to press the issue any further.
“For your plan to work, you need to ensure she has truly accepted you as you are,” Mulciber warned. “Including the parts that you hide from others.”
“She has and she will,” Severus answered, much more confidently than he felt.
“For your sake you had better hope so, lest you be destroyed along with the kingdom.”
“I do not need hope. All I need is her affection.”
“And you think you have that?” Gareth paled.
“If I do not have it now, I will have it soon,” Severus answered.
Gareth twisted his lips.
“Shall we make out the arrest warrant for Peter?” Lucius asked.
“Indeed we shall.” Severus relaxed. “His trial will be held here without delay.”
“I will gather the troops to seize him,” Rudolphus replied.
“Do so as quickly as you can.” Severus stood. “Until Peter has arrived at court, this matter is adjourned.”
Everyone bowed before scurrying off to perform their tasks, leaving only Lucius and Severus at the table. Lucius turned to him. “Do you truly believe you can ensure Hermione’s complete loyalty to Slytherin?”
“I must at least attempt to do so.” Severus exhaled. “If I fail, she will destroy us all.”
“Will she destroy us all, or only you?”
Severus moistened his lips.
“You care for her." Lucius leaned in closer. “It was obvious throughout the whole meeting that you feel a deep affection towards the queen. You desperately want to trust her, which is why you are granting her more leeway than any other Slytherin queen has ever received."
“Lucius…”
“No,” Lucius cut him off, “do not attempt to deceive me. You are no longer miserable in this marriage. One could even say you enjoy the queen’s presence.”
“She is not as much of a nuisance as most other people." Severus flicked his fingers.
"Indeed," Lucius sighed. “I am torn. On the one hand, I am happy for you. It is long past time you opened up to someone outside of my family. I am pleased that you could find companionship with your wife.”
Severus flicked his fingers harder.
“On the other hand, Gareth was right." Lucius leaned in closer. “She needs to accept all of you, even the parts you hide from others.”
Severus opened his mouth, only to close it once more. Feigning confidence that he was certain Hermione fully accepted him would not persuade Lucius. It would also be difficult to persuade him that he was not terrified of Hermione’s rejection. Somehow, Hermione had gained the king's affection. Although he was uncertain of how to define his sentiments towards her, he could no longer deny that he found her a pleasant companion and an adequate queen.
The only words that escaped Severus were, “I need to rock, then retire to my laboratory for a few hours.”
“That may be the best, at least until dinner.” Lucius bowed before leaving.
Severus stared at the doorway, hoping that he could someday feel as confident about Hermione's feelings towards him as he pretended to be in front of the Slytherin lords.
***
“Hermione?”
Hermione placed her book on the table. “Hello Ginevra. I am pleased to see you.”
“I am happy to see you as well.” Ginevra curtsied before entering the library. “Your owl sounded quite urgent.”
"Indeed, my situation is of the utmost urgency.”
“What has happened?” Ginevra sat in the teal chair across from Hermione.
“There is a traitor who has been feeding information to James of Fleamont.” Hermione lowered her head. “Severus fears that the nobles will suspect that it is me.”
“Draco mentioned there was some type of scandal,” Ginevra sighed. “If he were not occupied mediating a trade dispute, he would have been at the meeting of the lords.”
“I am at a loss for what to do.” Hermione put her head in her hands. “I want to demonstrate to Severus that his faith in me is not misplaced.”
“Yet you are uncomfortable around the Lords of Slytherin because you are a Gryffindor.”
“Indeed.” Hermione bit her lower lip. “I’ve decided to read a book on the history of Slytherin to demonstrate my loyalty, but I fear it will not be enough to satisfy the Slytherin nobility.”
“Given how opposed many of them are to women reading, that is a safe assumption.”
“So how do I convince them of my loyalty to Severus?”
“First and foremost, is Severus convinced of your loyalty to him?”
“Yes, I have done everything possible to ensure that. He seems more than convinced that I will remain faithful to him.”
“Then you have won the most important battle, though you are far from winning the war.”
“What should my next course of action be?”
Ginevra scratched her chin before her eyes lit up. “There is a feast tonight. Perhaps you could charm the Slytherin nobles to your side.”
“How could I do that?”
“To begin with, you could wear something you know will catch Severus' attention. If it is clear you are trying to please him, they may start to warm to the idea of you being his bride and ultimately, their queen.”
“Indeed.” Hermione’s lips curled upwards. “I know the perfect dress too. Once the feast has concluded, there will be no doubt of where my true loyalties lie.”