The next week passed surprisingly uneventfully and far too quickly for Hermione's liking. Despite the recent revelations of her upcoming nuptials she survived any demeaning comments from students, but she assumed that no one wanted to upset Snape as he did seem much more thunderous than his usual charming self. Friday approached as did Gryffindor's potion lesson with Slytherin and it was uneasily quiet. As the class began to brew Volubilis potion, the air was palpable not only with honeywater but also uncomfortable tension.
Snape silently skulked in between the cauldrons, muttering harsh criticism and deducting points wherever possible. Soon he made his way to Hermione who was far too busy concentrating on the correct sequence to even notice him looming over her. Although, this seemed to be a cue for Malfoy and with a silent wave of his wand tiny cupids flew over Snape and Hermione, before firing heart-shaped arrows and disappearing in a pink mist. This was what it took to push Snape over the edge
"OUT, GET OUT!" he roared, filling the dungeons with his shouts, "IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU GET OUT"
It didn't take long for the class to empty the room, muttering over their professor's outburst. Hermione was approaching the door when she heard his voice, "Stay", she turned around, shocked. "Was this some sign of affection?" she thought, and she took a few small steps back into the room
"Yes?" she questioned, though she couldn't deny her heart was pounding in her chest, for fear of him blaming her for it all.
"Well, I wasn't planning on cleaning all this up", he indicated the potion ingredients left on the table and the cauldrons still bubbling under the heat.
Hermione scoffed with disbelief, "Is this what you expect? Me to be some dutiful housewife? Because, I'll have you know, I have dreams beyond squeezing out babies and cleaning up after you!"
"I have no doubt that you have some impressive goals lined up, being the intolerable over-achiever that you are, I just hoped you could make today a little easier"
"And why should I do that? That was just as embarrassing for me!"
"Because, Miss Granger, whilst you've only had your lessons this week, I've had the responsibility of sorting the arrangements for tomorrow"
Hermione felt her jaw drop slightly, she didn't know there was anything to arrange, and was surprised he went to the difficulty of doing it. But she wasn't going to lose face anytime soon "Well, there isn't just you getting married tomorrow. You could have shared some of the responsibilities"
"Actually, there is something you can do for me. Tomorrow is a Hogsmeade day, and I need you to collect something for me", again she looked surprised and watch Snape rummage through one of her drawers and he thrust a thin magazine and a small pouch at her, "In here, is a directory of ministry official rings, and I've circled the one I will find most bearable, you need to pick your own and collect them from the jewellers in town. There's money in the pouch", Hermione nodded, and felt curious at the weight of the pouch, but knew it was rude to look inside.
"Now, the cleaning?" he added, back into full scary Snape mode
Hermione sighed, but wasn't going to argue again and began waving her wand, vanishing the ingredients.
Saturday, it was finally here. Judgement day. Her wedding day. She sighed a heavy sigh and tried to will away the approaching headache. Opening her eyes again she was met by Ginny's face, beaming at her
"Hermione, Hermione! You know what today is!" She genuinely looked excited
"Are you fucking kidding?" she said, feeling herself get angry at her lack of sensitivity
Ginny looked confused at her reaction, "What? It's the 19th, it's your birthday!"
Hermione had completely forgotten in the rush of everything. It seemed like there had been much more important things going on, a birthday seemed so trivial in the grand scheme of things.
"Me, Ron and Harry are so sorry we haven't got your present yet, the weddings take up so much time. But we're going to absolutely spoil you today!"
She replied with a kind smile, "There's an errand I need to run as well"
The girls got dressed and hurried down to the Great Hall to Ron and Harry already shovelling down their breakfast
"'Appy Birthday", Ron greeted in between heaving mouthfuls of scrambled egg into his mouth but his attention was soon diverted as bridezilla bounded into the Great Hall
"Ron, there is so much we need to sort out! Luckily, there's a bridal shop in Hogsmeade, there's so much you need to busy", as Lavender barked instructions at Ron, he flushed guiltily at his lack of money and the fact he probably wouldn't be with his friend on her birthday. Hermione saw the subtlest glint of gold as Harry pressed something into Ron's lap and offered a gentle smile.
"Right come on Harry, we have a birthday girl to spoil!" Ginny squealed and it was obvious to Hermione that she trying to take her thoughts off tonight, and the distraction was appreciated. The three got up and left Ron behind laboriously looking at flower arrangements.
The September air was still warm but the trees tips held an auburn tinge, indicating the winter that was fast approaching. When they finally reached Hogsmeade, and the jewellers, Ginny and Harry went their own way, saying it was a surprise and so Hermione entered the shop on her own. The inside was dark and smelt of incense as well as the familiar mustiness that Hogwarts had, and although she was the only one in the shop, she felt crowded by the rows and rows of shelves that surrounded her. There was a glass display cabinet; that went all the way across the width of the small room that acted as a desk and till and behind this, glimpses of the living area was just about visible.
There was no sign of any shop keeper so Hermione nervously cleared her throat and behind the counter a small and eccentric looking woman appeared.
"Yes, my dear?" her voice was rough and indicated years of smoking, and her withered face showed lines of great experience and a life full of adventure
"Ermm, do you sell official ministry rings?" Hermione didn't know why she was nervous, but she was
"Yes, do you know what you want?"
"I know what the groom wants, but I don't actually know what I'm looking for", she was surprised that she hadn't tried to find something for herself, but subconsciously she knew she was just avoiding the situation. She pulled out the ring magazine, opened it on the ring that Snape would tolerate and pushed it across the counter.
"Plenty of these in the store, plain band, goblin silver", the old woman began muttering to herself and started scouring through a drawer, before pulling out the ring matching the picture
"Oh god, I don't know anything about sizes!" she gasped feeling so unprepared
"The ring will fit the wearer, don't worry dear", the shopkeeper smiled kindly
The door opened and Ginny and Harry entered with a grin
"I've got your present", Ginny announced in a sing-song
"I couldn't find a book you didn't have!" Harry exclaimed
"Can I help you?" the old woman was now addressing the couple
"Oh no, we're here with Hermione, wouldn't hurt to have a look though", and they started looking through the rings in the display cabinet
"Right, so you don't know what you want from the magazine. I think I have something as lovely as you are", she added with a wink and disappeared into the back of the store. Hermione fidgeted awkwardly on her feet, and admired Harry and Ginny, who looked blissfully happy and simply fit together. She wondered how she and Snape would look when they walked down the street, or when they were pushing a pram, would they ever look normal? Or would it still be frosty and awkward in ten years time?
The shopkeeper returned, with a glow in her eyes, and gently placed an ornate ring on the counter. Hermione picked it up, and couldn't help but find it beautiful; it was silver, it was charmed and had floral filigree weaving around the ring and embedded in the delicate metalwork was goblin crystal that caught the light even though there was barely any in the store.
"It's so beautiful... but... but I can't", Hermione said breathlessly
"And why not?" Ginny who now was admiring the ring, questioned
"Well, its Snape isn't it, I don't see him approving", she replied quietly
"Oh, screw it! You only do this once, and you should at the very least get the ring you want!"
"I doubt I can even afford it, and I'm not using his money for this"
"Well", interrupted Harry, "It looks like I've found your birthday present"
Hermione looked at Harry and then back at Ginny, "Can you believe this? You aren't going to let him buy my wedding ring!"
"Oh shut it 'Mione, he's not bloody marrying you. Just making your acrimonious marriage bearable"
Hermione's eyes twinkled with tears of appreciation and she whispered gratitude repeatedly, before they paid for the rings.
Ginny suggested going to the Three Broomsticks before returning to the school and soon they were sat in armchairs in front of a roaring fire, enjoying butterbeers. Hermione had opened her other present, Ginny had got her a journal, but it was similar to Tom Riddle's in the sense that it sent messages, but to a matching journal that Ginny possessed. "I just figured it might be more difficult to see you when he's got you in the dungeons. At least we can keep talking", Hermione was touched by the sentiment but felt the knot in her stomach tighten. It tightened even more when they began the short walk to school.
She collapsed onto her bed, only about an hour to go until her big day. Shit. Ginny, came into the room and led on the bed next to her. They both wondered when they'd next be like this, when it'd be normal again. Hermione doubted that it'd be any time soon, but she stayed hopeful.
"'Mione, I did get you another present today", Ginny added as she left the bed, to get on the bags from Hogsmeade. From it, she pulled out a dress and urged Hermione to put it on. It was very plain and white and ended just below the knee, it fitted perfectly. She put a plain black robe over the dress, and fastened it at the neck so the dress was still visible.
Ginny smiled at her friend "You have to wear some white on your wedding, even if you are marrying someone with all the emotions of a toad. Now come on, we need to get going"
Hermione looked curious, "We?"
"Yeah, Dumbledore sent me an owl; I'm one of your witnesses tonight"
Again, Dumbledore's consideration was overwhelming.
Outside the room of requirement, Snape was waiting looking ready to hex the next person; he was completely dressed in black as expected. Next to him Dumbledore was waiting in deep purple robes, teamed with his usual magical sparkle in his eyes. Professor McGonagall was also waiting, in her usual tartan robes – Hermione's second witness.
"Do you have the rings?" Snape questioned, with an obvious uncaring attitude
Hermione nodded and held out her hand which held the pouch of money and the two rings. Snape picked up the pouch and Hermione's ring, raising his eyebrow at her selection.
"Are we ready?" Dumbledore questioned, but no one answered, all Hermione could do was swallow the lump in her throat. They all still entered the room anyway, it manifested a very basic chapel, which only consisted of an alter in the middle of the stone floor, and was surrounded by columns.
"Wait, headmaster, don't we need a ministry official to actually... do it?" Hermione's voice was just a whisper, she couldn't hide being terrified
"Well, conveniently for everyone, I am a ministry official, and I offered to do this", Hermione just nodded, and everyone took their positions.
May this witch and this wizard be joined by the laws of magic and our ministry, to learn through each other and share their magical power. May from this joining they are united as one, and together create flesh. May from this joining, their relationship shall bloom and happiness be found, even in the most uncertain places. These rings, may they symbolise their fidelity, their love and the eternal bonds of these vows. Today, I join this witch and wizard by the laws of magic.
Dumbledore softly said this, and his words echoed around the room. When indicated, Snape slid Hermione's ring onto her ring finger, and Hermione did the same for him, but both made sure to not make eye contact. Then, the headmaster gently tapped his wand on both rings and silver bonds wrapped around each hand. And that was it, she was married.
