Loosen the Knot
Chapter One - Expectations
Welcome to my new book. It's one I have been working on for a while. Comments and favourites welcome and returned. Updated quickly. Enjoy the ride...
"Severus, she's a lovely woman. Talented, articulate, young, and attractive," said Dumbledore as he scanned the list of available females.
"She's arrogant, overly chatty, and an insufferable know it all. I'm not doing this Albus!" Severus said through gritted teeth with his arms folded.
He knew this day would come. A Marriage Law was now in place and all available witches and wizards were to be married. Hermione was the only one that he knew deep down would somehow be a match for him but he refused to back down without a fight. Fortunately, she was no longer a student but instead a newly qualified teacher of twenty three that thought his methods were out of date.
"I am not giving you the choice Severus. You will be married next week on Monday. There will be no arguments. Now, you do understand the marriage law requirements?" The older wizard looked over his half moon glasses at a still scowling Severus.
He nodded his head. He remembered reading quite clearly three nights ago. The Marriage Law consisted of three main rules which were, to produce offspring within the year, regular intercourse at least once a week with an exception if the female is on her period, and to share equally what the couple has. He grimaced at the thought. If he refused to adhere to the law he would be banished to Azkaban for his foreseeable future.
"Right. That is that. A registrar from the Ministry will be here next week. Congratulations Severus," said Dumbledore as he scratched his signature on the parchment and passed the quill to Severus who forced his best signature and left the grand office.
XxX
Hermione looked at the paper in front of her and her eyes filled with tears. She was to be married to Severus Snape on Monday afternoon in the Great Hall by a registrar from The Ministry. The same Ministry that implemented the Marriage Law to try and save the population of her world after the war.
She had hoped it would be someone else. However, her future had now been decided and it was either marriage, Azkaban, or death.
Hermione was not one to be easily defeated but considering suicide as an option showed how desperate she had become. It wasn't the thought of sharing her life with Severus but more so sleeping with him and regular intercourse, both of which she had no experience.
She had spent most of her life studying and had no time for male company apart from her male friends. She knew that Ron had a crush on her but she was relieved when he focused his attentions on Lavender. At the present moment she now wished she was already with Ron.
At least he would have been more bearable than Severus, she thought as a tear meandered down her cheek.
She picked up a quill and anxiously signed the document before sending it out via an owl. There was no turning back now that she had literally signed her life away.
XxX
Severus sat on his cracked leather chair with a half filled tumbler in one hand and an almost empty bottle in the other. He downed what remained in the tumbler and threw the glass into the open fire causing shards to bounce off the stone surround and the fire to hiss. The fire whisky may of numbed his throat momentarily but it didn't numb his mind.
In a few days time he would have a wife who would be a thorn in his side and the product of what they would produce running around his private quarters in later months. He put his hand to his head and sighed deeply, the thought of spending his life with Hermione Granger would no doubt drive him to insanity. His eyes caught the glinting of the shattered glass to which he waved his wand and removed them. He stared at the flickering flames before hearing a knock at his door which he silently opened.
"Miss Granger. To what do I owe this visit?" He asked curtly while keeping his gaze on the fire.
She nervously walked over the threshold and the door swung shut behind her causing her to jump.
"Professor, I am here to discuss our marriage on Monday. I.." She was cut off as he began to speak.
"There is nothing to discuss. You will marry me, sleep with me, and we will endeavour to create another mouth to keep The Ministry happy. That will be all," he said in his deep baritone, continuing not to acknowledge her.
Hermione could smell the fire whiskey and clocked the almost empty bottle. She hoped his coldness was due to slight intoxication.
"Professor, I hoped that we could maybe get to know each other before Monday as it may make things easier?"
He turned his head to her and noticed she was standing quite straight with her her arms behind her back and looking anxiously hopeful. He pointed to the seat opposite him.
"Sit," He said with not an ounce of compassion.
She did as she was ordered and began to feel cold even though the fire was on full burn. Silence enveloped the room.
"Well, ask away Miss Granger. I do not have all evening. Professor Lupin is waiting on his Wolfsbane and the last thing I need is to see him chewing on Filch's cat,"
She looked at him and hoped she could see some sort of empathy or compassion but there was none.
"Well, I thought we could talk about our family, backgrounds, likes, and dislikes. You know, just so we can find some common ground," she said a lot more confidently but held her breath when he stared at her.
His voice took on a darker tone. "My father used to beat me and my mother. He would also rape her regularly. I had to listen to her screams all throughout my childhood until I left. Both are now dead and I am alone. Does that satisfy your thirst for knowledge?"
"I'm so sorry. That must have been awful,"
"Don't pity me Granger. I didn't ask to be pitied," he replied and noticed she was picking the skin on her thumb.
"My parents died too you know. That car crash was terrible and I still cannot get over it even though it has been three years," she said with tears in her eyes.
He stood up and leaned over her in a fit of rage. "Yes but at least they loved you and gave a damn!"
Hermione put her head down and almost shrivelled away, she had never heard him shout at her before. Severus turned on his heel and stood by the fire place, resting his elbow on the mantelpiece.
Damn it to hell! What have I done. Bloody woman probably thinks I'm a monster now.
Hermione tried to steady her voice so as not to let him think he made her cry.
"I think I shall go now. It's probably better that way,"
Severus could hear her voice cracking and didn't turn around to see her leave. He was in a situation that he didn't want to be in and talking about his father only fuelled the fire. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her but he did do so and more.
Shit. That is all he could think. There was no other word for it. The thoughts of Monday began to flood his mind and realised that he would need to try and straighten things out with her before the ceremony.
XxX
Hermione sat in her room and cried pent up tears. She had held her own for so long but he had been so cruel to her and shouting in her face was even worse. The only positive was that his mother was abused by his father which Severus was bitter about. She hoped he would not do that to her.
Ginny had spoken of losing her virginity briefly and she said it wasn't too bad. However, Ginny was in a loving relationship while Hermione was forced into one and she had no time to wait. The binding had to be sealed within twenty four hours or Azkaban would be her new home. The only way to stave it off was if her period suddenly arrived which wasn't due for another ten days.
Her tears started to dry up and she managed to steady her breathing.
Surely he has a heart and not a swinging brick. Maybe it was just the alcohol which makes him more cantankerous than usual.
A knock at the door startled her and as it opened Ginny walked in.
"Hello Hermione. How are you?," she said cheerily but became concerned when she noticed that her friend had been crying.
"Bloody hell. What's happened?," she said putting her arm on the woman's shoulder.
"I went to see Severus. He shouted in my face. It's all going wrong and I have to marry him on Monday," she said as more tears began to fall.
"What a total Bastard! He's always been a complete dick with everyone. I don't know what is best for you to do,"
Hermione looked at Ginny. "There is nothing I can do. I will have to spend my life with someone who doesn't love me. It's utterly shit,"
Ginny slightly laughed at Hermione swearing as she made it sound frightfully posh which warranted a blank stare from Hermione.
"Look, I'm sure things will be alright. He may come round to things. If not I shall hex him for the next one hundred years,"
Hermione laughed softly and sniffed. Ginny always was one to try and lift her spirits when things went wrong.
Ginny had brought in a bunch of Muggle wedding magazines. "Maybe it's not the best time but I thought you may like these to look at. If you are going to be forced to marry you should do it in style. There are some lovely dresses and whatever one you pick mum can magic it up for you,"
The two friends began to plan for Monday. Hermione tried her best to go with the flow but the feeling in her stomach left her cold.
XxX
"Severus, can I pop up?" Came the voice of Minerva from the flames.
Severus was at his desk furiously marking papers when he noticed the green tinge of Minerva floating around his fire.
"Bloody hell woman! What is it with people tonight. Yes you might as well come in, every other bugger does!" He said slamming down a book.
Minerva appeared in the room and dusted herself down.
"Temper Severus. I've come to speak about your impending nuptials,"
"Let me guess. The little witch has told you what a big bad Bastard I am," he said with his arms folded and one eyebrow raised.
"No. Actually it was to see if you wanted to have any special requests for the wedding such as flowers. What is wrong with Hermione?" She said placing one hand on her hip.
"You came to talk about flowers! Really Minerva! Miss Granger came down to talk but she mentioned my parents and I flew off the handle at her. So now she thinks I'm the worst man she has ever met and will probably try to assassinate me in my sleep," he said curtly.
"Severus, have you been drinking? Why would she mention your father?,"
His eyes narrowed at the older witch in front of him. "The poor cretin wanted to see if we could get to know each other better but I may have over reacted. My drinking makes no difference,"
"If you have upset her then Monday night will not go to well. I hope you haven't terrified her because if you have..."
"What, are you going to hit me with your broomstick or hex me? I have no time for this Minerva! I know what I have done and admittedly I am not proud. Now leave me in peace and sort the damn flowers yourself!" He said sarcastically and continued marking.
Minerva placed her hands on his desk and took a deep breath. "Severus Tobias Snape I am ordering you to apologise to Hermione or I will personally see that Slytherin looses a vast amount of points," she whispered.
He gave a muffled noise in acknowledgement to which she was satisfied with. Minerva bid him good night and left his room via the fireplace.
Start again tomorrow and try not to be a complete prick about things, he thought as he continued marking.
(Comments, votes, and follows appreciated and returned. To be continued soon...)