I See Forever In Your Eyes – Chapter Two
The week she spent waiting for her fate to be decided was the longest she had ever had in her life. She kept going over her answers to the survey questions – berating herself for being so general with her responses. There was nothing she could do now except keep waiting.
When the letter finally arrived, it was almost a relief. Almost. On one hand she really didn't want to know the name that sat inside that envelope. On the other, she wanted to get it over with quickly – like ripping off a Band-Aid.
Taking in a deep breath, Hermione braced herself and broke the wax seal on the envelope. Upon reading the letter, she sat down in shock.
Dear Miss. Granger,
We at the Ministry of Magic are thrilled to announce your engagement to one Severus Tobias Snape. As you are a former student of his, you know that he meets your requirements in both height, age & intelligence level.
Your intended has also received a similar letter informing them of our decision.
We strongly suggest meeting with Professor Snape to discuss your impending nuptials as we have the two of you slotted to be married on October 31st.
Congratulations on your Engagement,
-Dolores J. Umbridge
Senior Undersecretary, M.o.M.
Harry walked into the kitchen an hour later. Hermione was still in an almost catatonic state. Seeing the letter, he took it from her hand and read it. It was his turn to sit down in shock. The screeching of a Hogwarts school owl outside the window brought both of them back to their senses. Harry responded first, taking the letter from the owl & giving it a scrap of toast.
"Hermione, it's for you."
Hermione nodded & took the letter. Upon opening it she read:
Miss. Granger,
I do believe that you are as shocked as I am about the two of us being paired. However, with the date being less than a month away, I suggest we meet to discuss wedding matters as well as how our actual married life will progress.
Since we are in the middle of the fall semester here at Hogwarts, I hope you will not mind meeting me in my office? I am free this Friday evening around seven.
Let me know if this is inconvenient for you.
Severus Snape
"It could have been worse." Hermione said after Harry had read the letter, "He didn't call me a bushy-haired know-it all."
Friday night came around faster than Hermione had anticipated. Before she knew it, it was 6:15 and she was still trying to make herself presentable.
Harry heard her sounds of frustration from his room and knocked on her door.
After letting himself in, he sat on the bed, putting his arm around his best friend. "Don't worry about it so much." He said, "It's Snape. He knows what you look like & how you behave. Things will go better if you just go into it as yourself, rather than stressing out about trying to impress him."
Hermione nodded her head & shooed Harry out of her room so she could get ready.
At five past seven, Hermione knocked on Snape's office door. "Come in."
Taking a steadying breath, she pushed the door open & walked inside. Snape was sitting at his desk, grading papers. "You're late, Miss Granger." He said without looking up.
"I am sorry about that." She said.
"No excuse as to why?" He sneered, finally looking up at her.
"Nothing other than nerves." She stated bluntly.
They stared at each other for a few moments, before Snape broke the silence. "Have you eaten yet?" Hermione shook her head. "Then I suggest we adjourn to me rooms to dine & discuss our future."
"Sounds like a plan." Hermione said, while trying to hind the fact that her hands were shaking a bit.
He led her further into the dungeons, to a corridor she had never been in before. They arrived at a plain wooden door that looked like it could have belonged to any classroom.
"Felix Felicis" he muttered, just loud enough for Hermione to hear. The door unlatched and swung open.
Hermione found herself standing in a much cozier room than she was expecting. The walls were covered in sage green paint & there were several bookshelves placed around the room. There was also a nice, big fireplace that heated the whole space. In front of the fireplace, there was a thick rug with a sofa and two chairs around it.
"Ahem."
The sound shook her from her mental inventory of the room & brought her attention back to her future husband, who was directing her to a small dining nook. The table had already been set with a hearty stew and pumpkin juice.
They both took their seats and ate in uncomfortable silence. A houself came and cleared away the empty dishes. After the elf was gone, they adjourned to the chairs in front of the fire.
Finally, Hermione decided to break the silence "I'm sorry you got stuck with me." Snape looked at her quizzically, "Interesting, I was going to express me condolences to you for being paired with me."
Hermione was shocked. But, sir- "
He held up his hand, to stop her "Hermione, we are going to be married – it might be less awkward if you call me Severus."
She smiled a little before continuing, "Severus. You are a brilliant man & also a war hero. I just don't see how it's fair to you to be paired with someone who has irritated you from the day we met."
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose before replying "Hermione, you are considered the brightest witch of the age for a reason. In that way, we are a highly compatible match. I was referring more to fact that I am not pleasant company to be around. Not to mention I am almost twice your age." He looked so distressed at this last statement that Hermione took pity on him & took his had in hers.
"This will not be easy." She said, "But we have to make it work. It's either that, or Azkaban & artificial insemination. I'm sorry, but I think we would both prefer to avoid both of those options."
Severus smirked a little at that statement, but didn't verbalize any of the remarks his brilliant mind came up with.