A/N – Sorry it's taken so long to update guys, I have been massively busy, but I still tried to find time to write for you. I think I may change the rating to T, what do you think?
PS. I offer sex in exchange for reviews!! ;P
''I could've sworn I gave you the wards only two days ago Hermione.'' Severus said as he opened the door to his office.
''I know you did Severus, it just felt wrong, taking down the wards to a teachers office. Even if you did give them to me.'' Hermione blushed as a smirk crept onto the corner of Snapes lips,
''Come on then, in you come. I was just about to make a pot of coffee. What were you here for anyway?'' Severus asked, closing the door behind his young fiancée.
''I was wondering if I could read in my bedroom today, I have some studying to do but Ron and Ginny want me to meet Harry in Hogsmeade with them...'' Hermione paused and looked at Severus, sighing before she continued, ''...it's not that I don't want to see him, I just want some time alone. I mean, I am going shopping for the wedding on Thursday and I have invited Ginny to come with me, so I thought I should study today. I wont get in your way.''
''No Hermione, you're right, you wont. I have a lot of papers to mark this morning so you can read in my lounge if you want some quiet company.'' Hermione's eyes lit up, ''I know it's not very nice being all shut in on your own if you want to study.''
''No it's not, the others don't seem to understand that. I really want good NEWT results. It's okay for Harry, being able to go straight into auror training, and Ron will get in no problems. He's only staying on to repeat this year because Mrs Weasley has told him he has to.'' Hermione took the cup of coffee Severus passed to her and sipped, before adding, ''I was wondering if we could discuss a few things I am worried about. I want to do it before the wedding really, if that's okay with you.''
''Of course Hermione,'' Severus said, he walked to a chair at his small dining table and gestured for Hermione to sit in the other. Hermione sat down and placed her cup on the smooth, mahogany surface. ''What is it you want to talk about?''
''Well, I thought you should know that last year, while the war was still raging, I obliviated my parents. I gave them new names, identities and shipped them off to Australia. I didn't want the death eaters to find them, so I did all I could to keep them safe. Um... '' Hermione paused and took a deep breath, before she continued, ''unfortunately, I didn't do enough. They were found, and... and murdered.'' Severus sat quietly while he listened. He wanted to hear Hermione's story in full. She regained her composure and took a sip of her drink, letting the smooth, hot fluid roll over her tongue. ''I was very upset. I loved my parents more than anyone else in the world. But they died well. They were asleep when the killing curse hit them. They knew nothing of it.''
''I'm sorry'' Severus mumbled, slightly worried that Hermione was about the burst into tears. He should have known better though, she was stronger than that and he knew it.
''Anyway,'' Hermione continued, ''the point I am getting to is that they left all of their possessions to me in their will, I was their only family. So I have a house, all that was in it and a sizeable chunk of savings.''
''What are you going to do with it all?'' Severus asked.
''I want to go into the process of selling the house. I want to keep all of the books and some special possessions, but apart from that, I want to sell it all and buy a magical residence.''
''A lovely idea.''
''The only thing is, if I have all of the proceeds converted into wizarding money, then it all has to go in your name doesn't it. All of my accounts will be closed on my wedding day.'' Hermiones eyes fell to the table, as she began to study an interesting grain in the wood.
''Don't worry. I will have new accounts opened for you if that is what you want. I don't want to trap you. You are intelligent enough to control your own finances without being treated like a child.''
Hermione looked up, ''Thank you so much.'' She said.
''Was that all you were worried about?''
''Um no, actually. I was just wondering,'' Hermione paused, smiling
''What?''
''Are there any metals you are allergic to? I would hate for your finger to drop off, and nickel really can look lovely in the right light.''
Severus blanched, but soon recovered as he saw the cheeky smile on Hermione's face as she got up from the table.
''Yes Hermione, a nickel wedding ring would be just wonderful'' he said sarcastically
The next day Severus landed on the apparation point into Malfoy Manor at precisely seven pm. He handed his jacket to Blinky, one of Lucius' elves and made his way to the drawing room.
''Lovely to see you Severus'' Lucius said as he stood up from his seat.
''Lovely to see you to Lucius'' Severus replied with a smile, ''how have you been?''
''Not too bad, not too bad. A damn sight better that you by the sound of things though. How are the preparations going for the wedding then?''
''I'm all sorted now. I have the suit and the ring, what else could I need?'' Lucius smiled as he looked at the ring his old friend had bought his wife-to-be.
''Nice choice. Must have cost a pretty penny.''
Severus smirked, ''Do I do anything by halves Lucius?''
''Judging by that, evidently not.''
''What are you doing with the villa then? Or are you going to take her to spinners end?''
''No chance. I've had the villa prepared for her. The elves have been clearing it up. I'm going for a final inspection tomorrow.''
''And how do you feel about being married to a student? Don't give me any bullshit though Sev, I don't want to hear it. I mean, how do you really feel?''
''How do you think? Would you want to fuck a student?''
''Depends which student I suppose...'' Lucius said thoughtfully ''Anyway, she's quite good looking.''
''There is that. She's certainly blossomed over the summer. Although, I'm going to have to make her a calming potion for her hair.''
''And her wedding night I should think.'' Lucius laughed.
''Oh don't Lucius. I'm so worried about that. I mean, how scared must she be?''
''She'll get over it I'm sure. I wouldn't make a fuss if I were in her shoes.''
''Oh yeah Luc, of course you wouldn't have. You would have been as calm as anything if Minerva McGonagall tried to take your virginity when you were nineteen.''
Lucius grimaced, ''I would have wished her luck in finding it!''
''You know what I mean.''
''Yeah, yeah. I suppose I do.''
'Lucius, I really came here to ask you a favour.''
''Ah, I thought there would be an alternative reason for your visit. You never come to see me any more.'' Lucius smiled at his long time friend.
''Well I was wondering if you could meet with Hermione for me. On Thursday, when she is shopping for the wedding.''
''Why would that be?''
''To help her buy the ring. I'm not she she knows what sort of thing to get.''
''Well I would be surprised if she did, what with being a mud-'' Lucius paused, ''muggleborn.''
''Would you?'' Severus asked, sitting up in his chair
''I would be delighted to. I'll take her for lunch as well. After all, how else to break the news to her that I am going to be your best man.''
''She's shopping with a friend, Ginevra Weasley.''
''Ah, young Miss Weasley. She could well prove to be a bit of a problem.''
''I will tell Hermione that you are going to meet with her. You may also want to grace her with an apology, and Miss Weasley.''
''Why do I have to apologise?''
''Hmm...'' Severus asked, raising his hand to his chin in mock thought, ''let me think. You gave Miss Weasley the Dark Lords diary and tried to kill Hermione during not only the battle of the ministry but also the battle of Hogwarts. Is that reason enough?''
''I suppose so.'' Lucius said, ''But what makes you think she will come to lunch with me?''
''Your name's been cleared of all charges due to your switch of side and you are my best friend. If I trust you, so will she.''
''I'll hold you to that.'' Lucius replied raising his glass of whiskey above his head, ''To you then my friend, and may your marriage be as good as mine was.''
''Great, so you want me to treat my wife like a bed warmer, get an heir, then get them both killed by some deranged half-blood.'' Severus smiled
''Something like that, yeah!'' Lucius replied, clinking glasses with his best friend, he smiled too but inside his heart ached at the loss of his family.
A/N – Well???? click the button and drop me a line, it's my life-blood! Oh, and all you lurkers out there, who have put an alert on this but not reviewed..... I know who you are!!! :D
