Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach


Severus Snape stood in the crowded hall of what he considered a most ridiculous idea of a wedding.

A bright and vibrant witch was about to make the biggest mistake of her life, and he had wanted to tell her, so many, many times before that it was all a mistake and he felt more than just friendship for her. But he was scared, scared being rejected, scared of losing her forever, so he had kept his mouth shut. Hoping she would be happy and would still be his friend.


Friend, that was a small part of what he felt for her, she had approached him for help with curse breaking, knowing he could give her expert advice, the both of them having encountered a cursed necklace during her years at Hogwarts.

He had never appreciated her intelligence and wit before, his double agent status consuming his life then, giving him pain and nightmares instead.

He now saw her for the incredible woman she was, so bright, she could have such an amazing future in front of her, but Hermione was so wrapped up in being a part of the golden trio, she never took a step back and looked at the big picture.

Ron was too impatient, demanding, needy, immature to allow her to reach her full potential.

Severus was sure the boy loved her, but in ten years she would have outgrown him so much he did not know how they would remain together. He had thought once they divorced (which seemed inevitable), he could then declare his intentions.


Now he had overheard a gossiping second cousin or second aunt on the Weasley side, (he was not sure which) and she had spilled the fact that it was to be a marital soul binding ceremony.

Severus suppressed the immediate feeling of sick that rose in his throat and ran a shaking hand through his hair.

"That bloody woman" he muttered staring at the back of Mollys head.

Molly loved her children but making the poor girl bind her soul to Ron's would make her indebted to him, always, there would be no escape, she would cater to his every need, never knowing any different. She would still have free will of course but the ancient magic would suppress any desires she had which would be adverse to his.

A marital soul bond was very much one way.. usually binding the witch to the wizard.

It was very different from a soul mate bond, a two way bond, where the two souls reached out to each other and were bound together by pure love, each retaining their independence. Soulmates love, hopes and dreams were the same, which made this bond so rare.

Severus knew this.

Molly knew this.

In trying to ensure her sons happiness, she was taking away Hermione's, almost like an Imperius Curse, but much, much more subtle.

Severus seethed with silent rage, he would not allow this to happen.


He started moving around and squeezing past people making his way through the massive crowd, until he heard the music start and saw her enter the hall.

She was beautiful, the sun shone, lighting up the gold trails on her dress, her hair cascading down her back. Feet bare. Holding her fathers arm, looking very nervous and unsure.

He stopped suddenly, watching her walk to the alter, her father passing her to Kingsley, unaware of the tragedy about to unfold.


As if in slow motion, Severus started pushing through the crowds again, his mind set, not caring what he looked like. Trying to get to the centre isle so he could run to her before she said those words. Those words that would ruin them both.

He saw her hesitate, saw her look around for help, for reassurance, and he saw Molly encouragingly wave her on, and saw Ron insist that she read the vows.

Then he saw her open her mouth to speak .. it was too late, he asked any gods listening not to let this happen, his entire body starting to shake with anguish and as he had just reached the centre isle space, she started reciting.

"Te amo , Ab imo pectore, Una in perpetuum, Semper fidelis , Amor gignit amorem, Etiam in morte, sempiternus superest amor , In aeternum te amabo, Tuus perdite sodalis amans"

Severus stopped dead. That clever, clever girl. "tuus perdite sodalis amans" meant ever loving soul mate and there was absolutely no way that was Weasley.

He gasped a sigh of relief, she had wanted her own happiness too and whether she knew what she had been doing or not. She had saved herself.


Still looking towards her, he saw a brilliant glow surround her and he watched in wonder, rooted to the spot as the light got brighter and brighter as it got closer to him, before covering his entire body and settling deep within his chest. He felt the invisible threads connecting his soul to hers. His mate. His missing part and the most incredible feeling of joy, unlike anything he had felt before overcame him.

Severus grabbed the side of a chair to stop himself falling with the overwhelming sensation and then looked in horror as he saw Hermione fall to the ground.

In a heartbeat he was there, holding her, cradling her, bringing her back to reality with a gently spoken "Rennervate " as chaos erupted around him.