Chapter Text
"It has to be you."
Of course it bloody does, though it’s somewhat challenging to take Ronald seriously when there’s a bright yellow leaf stuck in his hair. It has likely been there since he taught Advanced Flying a few hours earlier. Severus takes a sip of smoky firewhisky, holding it in his mouth and savouring the burn as he pretends to contemplate his next move.
"Queen to a7," Severus says.
The sound of battle rises over the crackling of the fire and the gentle snores of the portraits as Severus's queen strikes down Ronald's last remaining knight. It would be satisfying, but for one thing. Severus is quite certain he is fucked.
"Bishop to h5," Ronald says. "I have given this a lot of thought."
Severus squints at the board, trying to see several moves ahead. Yes. Fucked.
"I thought I smelt smoke," Severus says. "She won't thank you for it. Rook to d2."
"She would thank me even less if I did it myself, considering. I think between the two of us, she probably hates me more." Ronald frowns down at the board. "And given my living situation… Pawn to b3."
"Well, you are already married," Severus says. "Rook to b2."
Ronald's bitter laugh startles Phineas awake.
"That won't stop some," Ronald says. "Percy says they're adding a special clause. Purebloods without an heir can add a Muggleborn to their marriages. Really hammering home that whole Muggleborns are only useful as broodmares angle. So if it's not you, then someone like Malfoy could claim her." He takes an angry bite out of a ginger newt. "King to h5."
Severus's stomach sours at the language. Claim her. Like she's a thing. An object, to be used and discarded. He knows all too well that is exactly how some view her.
There's no way out of this. Ronald's king is completely safe, while Severus's is in danger. He tips his own king onto its side.
Ronald shoots him an awkward finger gun gesture. Who on earth taught him that?
"Good game," Ronald says. "Anyway, other Muggleborns will trust her. She can help them. You know she'll try, and you can arrange it so she succeeds." With a wave of Ronald's wand, the board resets. "They won't trust either of us."
"With good reason."
"Yeah. I would ask one of my brothers, but Percy is married with kids, in addition to everything else. And the others…"
Dumbledore's portrait looks over his half moon glasses at them, as if barely restraining the urge to give his opinion on the matter. Severus can guess which one of them Albus would side with.
Gods. Severus hates that he is going to agree to this.
"You know he'll love it," Ronald says.
Yes. The Dark Lord will be beside himself with glee if Severus forces Hermione Granger into marriage.
Standing up, Ronald crosses the room to the fireplace and scoops up a handful of floo powder.
"Besides," Ronald says, throwing a boyish grin over his shoulder, "in ten years, they have yet to find her. She might never be caught."