AN: Sorry about the long wait, been busy busy busy. Also, I'm sorry if it's been moving a bit too slowly for some people, hopefully the next few chapters will progress more quickly. Hope you're all still enjoying it!
The dungeon was just as cold as she remembered and the atmosphere was as frosty as Hermione expected. Nothing had changed in Severus' chambers, apart from the disappearance of the awkwardly fitting single bed. The sight of the only bed, stood solitary in the empty bedroom made dread rise in Hermione's throat like bile. They'd have to be sharing that bed, they'd be sharing that bed for the rest of their married life, Hermione wasn't scared easily but the thought of it was terrifying. Her face grew pale, and she stood in the dark room and swallowed hard, her knees grew weak as the fact she was married dawned on her. She didn't want to lose her composure in front of him, she wasn't going to look like the child he thought she was.
Snape cleared his throat, cutting through the heavy silence, but Hermione didn't turn to meet his eyes, she'd either break down or be met with his cruel disdain.
"Miss Granger, I have marking to do, get a house elf to bring your stuff down and be in bed by the time I get back"
She was about to demand that he treat her as an adult now that they were married, but he'd already left the room. Letting out a sigh of relief that he'd gone, Hermione sunk into one of the very hard backed armchairs and let tears flood to her eyes and the sound of her sobs to fill the room. She needed to get it all out before he came back, she had to be strong enough to stand up to him and not be subservient.
"Pull yourself together now, you've faced death eaters, so you can bloody handle Severus Snape", she said to herself, trying to create confidence, and she got up from her seat.
"Dobby", she said clearly, and it was followed by a soft pop as he appeared in front of her
"Miss Hermione!" Dobby gasped, "What are you doing in the Professor's quarters?" he sounded genuinely shocked, and Hermione was too exhausted to explain her situation, and just told him to ask Harry. "Can you bring me my trunk? It's in the dorm", and with a curt nod, Dobby left again. Hermione decided that all she wanted was a shower and bed, and so decided to explore what she guessed was the bathroom.
Her guesses was correct, and it was a very small; and dimly lit room. Just a toilet, sink, shower cubicle and a tiny mirror, Hermione sighed, no bath but it'd do. She pulled off her robes and the white dress, and stepped into the cubicle and let the warm water cascade over her until it warmed her from the cold dungeon surroundings. When she had stepped back into the bedroom, her trunk was waiting at the foot of the bed, and Hermione dug into it to find her pyjamas. The trunk was heavier than its size let on, using an invisible extension charm, Hermione had successfully managed to fit all of her belongings into it, she figured Snape wouldn't want her stuff littered across the room, but the last thing she wanted was him routing through her stuff.
She climbed into the bed, and didn't sink into the mattress like she did in the bed in her dorms, but instead it was stiff and cold and so uncomfortable. "Fits Snape I guess", she muttered, and she pulled the green duvet up to her chin to try and ward off the cold. The pillows matched the uncomfortable mattress, but as tiredness fell, Hermione stopped caring and fell asleep. Hours later the oak door creaked open and caused her to stir, and as she opened her eyes, through the density of the darkness she could make out a tall silhouette moving through the room. The silence of the night was interrupted by soft swishing sounds, and Hermione's stomach twisted awkwardly as she realised that it was the sound of her professor, her husband getting changed. There was no chance that she could make out any part of him through this darkness, but she rolled onto her side and stared in the opposite direction. He slid into the bed and the knot in Hermione's stomach just grew tighter, and sleep didn't descend again.
Every night that week passed in this same way, they didn't talk, and just led in bed awkwardly, avoiding touching each other at all.
The following Saturday though, Hermione decided to stay in his quarters to do her work; she wasn't going to avoid him forever. Snape cocked his eyebrow curiously but didn't say anything as she started to lie her text books down on the table. A few hours later though, when he returned to his quarters, he questioned it,
"So, are you planning on spending all day in here Miss Granger?"
"Firstly, you don't need to call me Hermione, and this is just as much my space as yours, Severus", she made sure she put emphasis on his name, just to get her message across
"I didn't dispute that, I was just checking", he said smoothly and sat opposite her, picking up a book
Hermione huffed as she struggled to think of a reply, so instead she buried herself in her work. The whole time she was conscious that he was watching her, but just focused on the roll of parchment in front of her. Silence settled again, and Hermione's tensions eased. This was interrupted by the sound of screeching at the window, and the flapping of wings, Hermione turned to the window and saw Hedwig.
"Hedwig!" she exclaimed happily
"Who's is Hedwig's?" Snape sneered in response
"She's Harry's, he must have some news"
She opened the window and retrieved the message before sending her away. It was in a delicate but posh looking envelope, and Hermione opened it gently:
Mrs and Professor Snape, you are cordially invited to the wedding of:
Miss Ginny Weasley and Mr Harry Potter
Miss Lavender Brown and Mr Ronald Weasley
At the Burrow, next Saturday, the ceremony will begin at 1pm
She scoffed at the title they had addressed her as, and placed the invite on the small table. Snape picked it up and his lip curled
"And are you going this?" he sneered nastily
"I'm a bridesmaid", Hermione replied curtly, picking up her book
"So do you expect me to go?" he replied, voice dripping with disdain
"I don't expect you to do anything, but you've been invited"
He didn't respond to this and Hermione just got on with doing her work, but it wasn't long before another interruption occurred. The room was filled again with a gentle pop, and Dobby was stood quivering at the door, holding a package
"And what do you think you're doing here?" Snape was so rude and terrifying, and Hermione of course had to readdress this
"Don't listen to him Dobby, you're more than welcome to come here", Snape was glaring at her as she said this, "After all, Severus wouldn't dispute that", she added for more effect
Dobby's eyes glistened with appreciation and understandable worry, but addressed Hermione all the same "Miss Weasley asked me to give this to you, it's for next weekend"
Dobby was thanked, and the package was taken, and he left.
"Don't undermine me in front of a house elf again", he demanded
"No! Who are you to treat them as you want? In fact who are you to treat anyone as you want?" Hermione asked viscously, to which he had no comment, so Hermione turned and walked to the bathroom, package in hand.
Unwrapping it, she pulled out a beautiful long dress. The lines on it where very simple and the neckline was a beautifully plain V. It was the deepest, most flattering shade of green she'd ever seen and knew Ginny was making a joke at her Slytherin husband.
