Authors Note: Sirius, Dumbledore, Fred, Snape, Remus, and Tonks are still alive. The Death Eaters and Voldemort are either in Azkaban or dead. Set roughly 1 1/2 years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Not epilogue compliant. Don't like it, don't read it.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, so I do not own any of the characters or places in this work.
An owl landed in front of Hermione during breakfast on the cool morning of October 1st, 1999. It was carrying both an official looking scroll and a note. She took the parchments from it and watched as the bird stole a piece of bacon from the platter and flew off. She opened the scroll and read the alarming news inside,
Miss Hermione Granger,
This is an informative scroll about the new Muggleborn Marriage Law. All muggleborns must be married to a half-blood or pure-blood wizard by the end of December or their wands will be taken and they will be removed from our magical society. When you have chosen a suitable spouse, let a ministry official know and they will officiate the wedding.
Warm regards,
Kingsley Shacklebolt (Minister of Magic)
Hermione was dumbfounded. She gingerly picked up the other note and saw that it was from Dumbledore.
Miss Granger, it read.
Please come to my office after classes today. We have much to discuss.
Professor Dumbledore
PS: I enjoy lemon drops.
"He enjoys lemon drops?" Ginny wondered aloud, as she had been reading the note over Hermione's shoulder.
"It's the password to his office," Hermione answered.
With that, she got up and walked out of the hall to her first class of the day.
She sat nervously throughout her classes that day. Thoughts of the marriage law were distracting her, keeping her from her usual level of focus. It didn't help that most of her professors were sending her sympathetic looks. It was almost a relief when the bell signaling the end of the school day rang. Almost. She walked briskly to the Headmaster's office. She gave the statue the password and ascended the stairs quickly. Once inside Dumbledore's office, she saw the Headmaster himself and Professor Snape sitting there. She had a feeling that she knew where this was going.
"Ah Miss Granger," Dumbledore greeted her as she took the empty seat by the Potions Master. "Would you like a lemon drop?"
Hermione politely declined the offer of the sweet.
"Well then," Dumbledore continued. "I'll get straight to the point. I believe you have heard of the new Muggleborn Marriage Law?"
"Yes, sir," Hermione replied. "I received an informative scroll at breakfast."
Dumbledore nodded. "We believed it best if you married one of the Order, as well as someone who would allow you to finish your Eighth Year studies here at Hogwarts. Which is why, we have taken the liberty of choosing Professor Snape to be your spouse. Your belongings will be brought to his quarters this evening by an elf, and the wedding will be in the early afternoon on Sunday. I have given my allowance for you to go to Diagon Alley with a friend to pick up anything you might wish to have for the wedding. Now, I'll leave you two to discuss this."
Dumbledore stood and left the room.
"Well," Hermione said, after a few moments of silence. "I guess we're getting married."
Snape gave her an incredulous look before doing something she had never seen him do before. He burst out laughing.
"Way to state the obvious, Miss Granger," he said, after he had calmed down slightly.
"If we're going to be married in just over a day, you might as well call me Hermione," she said.
He smiled. "Only if you call me Severus. However, in class, I will still be Professor Snape or sir, and I will take the liberty of calling you Mrs. Snape."
She grinned and giggled slightly.
"You don't seem too upset about this situation," Severus commented.
"Well," Hermione started. "It isn't the situation I assumed would be my wedding, but I have always wanted to get married. I also happen to have had a crush on you..."
She trailed off, blushing as she admitted this to her soon-to-be husband.
He caressed her cheek softly. "For how long?"
"Since third year," Hermione answered. "The day you called me an insufferable know-it-all. I knew that I should have hated you for that, but I couldn't bring myself to. I recognize that you don't seem that upset either."
"I never thought I would survive long enough to get married," he replied, bringing a hand to the scar on his neck. "I almost didn't. I'm honored to have the chance, even though it might not be the ideal situation. You are a beautiful and intelligent young woman, Hermione, and I couldn't think of anyone that I would rather share my life with."
She leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips. When they broke away she stood. "I'm going to go pack my things for the elves."
Severus smiled. "Wear something nice for dinner, I'm taking you out."
She blushed and headed to her dorm to pack her things. As soon as she was gone, Severus brought a hand to his lips and smiled.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny were waiting for her when she returned to Gryffindor Tower.
"How'd it go with Dumbledore?" Ginny asked her.
She quickly explained what had happened in the Headmaster's office.
"Blimey, Hermione," Harry said.
"Congrats Mione," Ron said. "We weren't meant to be, so I'm glad he's acting nice towards you. If he hurts you though, I'll hurt him."
Harry nodded in agreement. Hermione laughed. "Thanks for being so supportive."
After that, Ginny and Hermione went upstairs to get her belongings packed in her trunk and Hermione ready for her date with Severus. Ginny found a forest green dress that went to just above Hermione's knees. It hugged her curves tightly and showed a small, but not obscene amount of cleavage. Ginny fixed her hair in a messy bun, with a few curls framing her face, which had a small amount of makeup on.
"Damn, Hermione," Ginny whistled. "Snape won't know what hit him."
She giggled. The duo walked down the stairs and found Ron and Harry where they had left them.
"Wow, Hermione you look gorgeous," Harry said.
"Snape might die," Ron added.
"I hope not," said Hermione. "Then I wouldn't have a husband!"
The group laughed and they exited the common room. When they got to the top of the Grand Staircase, Hermione could see Severus talking with Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Lupin. Harry offered her his arm so she wouldn't trip while descending the steps. When they reached the bottom step, the other three walked past the teachers into the Great Hall, leaving Hermione on the step. It took a few moments for the four professors to notice her.
"Miss Granger, you look absolutely stunning," Professor Dumbledore said, gaining the attention of the other three.
Severus's mouth dropped open at the sight of her, before he shook himself out of his daze and walked over to offer his arm. She took it and let him help her down the last step. Professor Lupin grinned at the sight.
"Do have her back before midnight, will you Severus?" Professor McGonagall asked, to which he nodded.
Professor Dumbledore handed them a Portkey, and they landed outside a restaurant.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked.
"We are outside of a small town in France," Severus answered. "It was recommended to me."
Hermione smiled and kissed him again. They had a wonderful evening, and Hermione found herself even deeper in love than she had been before. They made it back to Hogwarts safely and Severus led Hermione down to his quarters. They were located not far from his office in the dungeons.
"Gospel," he said, and the painting they had been standing in front of melted into a doorway. He led her through it and gave her a quick tour. The quarters consisted of a sitting room, kitchenette, small library, a Potions lab, his bedroom, and a guest bedroom.
"The elves have put your things in my room," he told her. "However, if you wish to sleep in the guest room you may."
She shook her head. "I'm fine sharing with you."
He smiled and kissed her forehead. She got ready for bed and felt him get into bed with her just moments before she fell asleep. She couldn't wait to be married to him.
Authors Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I will be sure to update soon, and update often, considering that it is summer.