A Chance of Breath. A Severus Snape Fanfiction (Stopped)

Chapter 7: Testing and Awkward Questions

Hermione sat at her usual spot in the Great Hall, and stared into space as Ginny ate her scrambled eggs and bacon.

"Come on Hermione you have to eat something. Just some toast or an apple or something. Please?" The redhead asked, putting her fork down and staring at her friend. Hermione simply stared ahead, disregarding her worried friend. Disregarding or not hearing, Ginny couldn't decide which one it was, but she waved her hand in front of Hermione's face regardless, causing the young witch to jump more than was necessary. 

"What?!" She snapped. regretting it immediately and resting her head in her hands. Feeling tears gather in her eyes. She threw her head back and stared directly at the ceiling in an effort to not cry in front of everyone. After she felt she had gained a little self-control, she looked back at Ginny, who stared at her with piercing eyes full of concern. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I'm just worried about today." She whispered quietly, and attempted a smile. Which Ginny returned effortlessly, even if somewhat sad. It was December the 20th. And Hermione had to be in the Ministry for 9 o'clock that morning, straight after breakfast.

"I know. You have every right to be worried about today. I mean, it's not gonna help that Snape has obviously already left." She replied a little too brightly for the matter at hand, and Hermione looked up to the Potion Master's empty chair at the head table.

"Yeah." She said quietly. "Not gonna help."  She rested her elbow on the table and put her chin in her palm, spinning the plate before her absentmindedly with the other hand.

"Sweetie. I would come with you but I'm not allowed, all I can help you with is that you need to eat something. You've hardly eaten anything the past week and it's not gonna do anything good for you. You will need your strength today, from what I hear of the tests. They are exhausting apparently." Ginny stated, and Hermione closed her eyes. Many reports had been leaked about the proposed tests the Ministry had planned for all those affected by the Marriage Law. A full test of all Magical, and physical abilities. Completely patronising, humiliating, and even, it had been argued, inhumane. The questions raised about why the Ministry felt the need to go to such ridiculous lengths to pair people had been quietened by Aurors and Officials alike. People knew something wasn't right, but they had no power to do anything except abide by the law. And many simply agreed that the Wizarding Population needed re-stabilising. 

Hermione looked up at Ginny and smiled gratefully, before picking up a couple of slices of bread and several rashers of bacon. Ginny grinned as she watched her friend quickly make a sandwich and demolish half of it, wrapping the other half in a napkin.

"Is that better? I will take this half with me okay? I have to go Gin. I have to be at the Ministry for nine and it's twenty to." She said, trying to stop herself from giving away how sick she felt. Ginny smiled wildly, and stood up to hug Hermione and give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Much better. Good luck." She said quickly, and Hermione walked calmly out of the Great Hall. As soon as she was out she raced to the bathroom and promptly got rid of the unwanted bacon sandwich, before she began crying softly against the cubicle wall. A gentle knock on the door got her attention and the sound of the Headmistress's gentle voice came from behind it.

"Hermione dear, are you okay?" She asked softly. Hermione flushed the chain and walked out of the cubicle, past the concerned Witch and towards the sinks, quickly washing her face and mouth. She conjured a toothbrush and toothpaste and brushed her teeth with shaking hands. When she was done, she turned around, leant against the sink, and looked down. Soon enough, she felt a gentle hand rest on her shoulder, and she looked up with tearful eyes. "Hermione...?" The older Witch asked carefully.

"I'm, I'm fine Professor. Just, scared." She said, and the Headmistress nodding in understanding. 

"Come on. For anything that happens now, what is decided by the Ministry has to be abided by. You can use the Floo in my Office. You've only got ten minutes." McGonagall said, before walking to the door and holding it open. Hermione took a deep, calming breath, and walked towards the door, before following the Headmistress to her office, feeling more weight on her shoulders with every step.