Noir Héros
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"We always thought we'd look back on our tears and laugh, but we never thought we'd look back on our laughter and cry."
-Unknown.
…
Hermione was woken on the morning of November First by two very angry men. One of them waving a sheet of parchment in her face.
One angry voice saying, "What in the bloody hell has he done to you?" Followed by another equally angry voice, "He better not have touched you!"
Groaning, Hermione tried to burrow farther into her covers. It barely even classified as morning yet, and Hermione did not want to face those voices yet. But, as she struggled to keep her head under the blankets, they were pulled off from her at her feet.
Sighing, she sat up.
…
Severus Tobias Snape Hermione Jean Granger
Invite you to witness their bonding ceremony
They will exchange vows on the
Third of November
At two o'clock
On the grounds of
Malfoy Manor
…
She'd forgotten that Severus had put Narcissa in charge of the invites, that woman sure didn't procrastinate. It had only been a few hours since she'd left her sitting room.
"Alright. Alright!" Hermione exclaimed. "Sit down already." The two boys sat on the edge of her bed wearing identical expressions of both concern and anger.
Hermione explained her situation, begging them to understand. But, as she'd expected, it was Ron who first stood up in a furry. "You need to think about what you're doing, Mione. This is bloody mad. That bat will lock you in the dungeon until he has no more use for you." She tried to interject, but he had already worked himself into a snit. "I don't care that he's a bloody war hero, he's a right evil git." He stood pacing furiously.
"It's really not our decision, Ron." Harry tried to reason, but Hermione took note of the distress in his voice. "She's got to do what's best for herself." Harry didn't like the situation either, but he wasn't going to isolate Hermione so that she felt she had no one to turn to but Snape. He'd just wait for her to come to her senses; he'd find a nice divorce attorney and wait.
"Well I don't see why she can't come stay with me; I've got plenty of money to support a baby." Ron replied.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione countered, "You seem to have lost sight of the fact that you're in love with Luna and looking to start a family. She hasn't even said yes yet, and you're going to move another woman and her child into your home. Are you going to claim the child as yours too? Because that's on the top of my priority list. I don't want my child raised a bastard." She could see the wheels turning inside Ron's head.
"Lunna will understand." He tried, but Hermione ended the argument with, "I'm not going to come between you and you're having your own life." With an expression on her face that let both boys know she wouldn't hear another word on the subject.
"Then why can't you stay with Harry? He's been with Ginny for ages and it's not like they would mind having a baby around." He tried again.
Hermione didn't even give Harry a chance to say anything, "Harry has his own life too, and is Ginny's husband. His job is to take care of his family, not to look after me."
"But you're our family too." Harry finally said, but Hermione just shook her head.
"I know I am, but this is something I need to do for myself. And my child." Hermione said with conviction. Ron's shoulders finally slumped down in defeat, looking as though he'd aged ten years in five seconds. He and Harry both knew that when Hermione said something in that tone, there was no stopping her. It was the same tone she used to use when making them study for their NEWT's.
"I just don't see why you're marrying that git, Mione. I don't see how he could be good for anyone. Much less a little tyke."
Hermione didn't say anything to him, as there wasn't really anything she could that would make the situation any better.
Ron left ten minutes later for a meeting with his team, and Harry followed soon after; but not before saying, "I know one person that's gonna be right pleased about this. Ginny. I'd expect her for dinner if I was you." Then he too was gone; off to the Burrow.
Isabelle, as the newest addition to the Potter family had been named, turned out to be even more of a fighter than the Potter's had though. She pulled together, with the help of a few potions to help with the final developments of her lungs. Molly had insisted that Ginny move back in, along with Harry and the two elder children, so that she could help while Harry was at work. Ginny had insisted that it was unnecessary, but one look at the red headed young mother and anyone could tell that she was exhausted. Harry was glad that they'd gone.
…
Hermione was never one to spend a large amount of time on getting dressed. She was fine in whatever she had on as long as it was clean and matching. But, when it came to dressing for an afternoon with Narcissa Malfoy; she ended up with every article of clothing she owned strewn about the room and still no idea as to what she was going to wear.
Her hair was neatly piled on top her head, and small diamond ear rings lit up her ears. Her make-up, while barely noticeable, accentuated her features and hid the slight wrinkling around her eyes. She loved Wizarding make-up. It could do so many things that Muggle make-up was unable to. She would have been ready to go, had she had clothes on. As it was, she was staring at herself in the mirror wishing she had a larger chest and rounder hips. It's no wonder Harry and Ron are always treating me as if I'm another one of the guys. I look like one, she thought.
"It's not so bad as all that, love. Try the teal robes; they bring your eyes out." Hermione wasn't the biggest fan of talking mirrors, but the full length one she had in her room was pleasant enough. The one in the bathroom was another story, she'd cast a silencing spell on it years ago and still refused to remove it.
She went with the mirror's advice.
It was half past one when she arrived at the Malfoy's. She was right on time and Narcissa Malfoy was waiting for her in the parlor.
…
"No. No. No. The bodice is all wrong, the material doesn't hug her the way it should. Show me the next." After tea, Narcissa had taken Hermione into one of the Manor's many rooms where a woman dressed in paisley robes stood next to a small platform. Narcissa had then announced that they would be choosing a wedding gown for the evening. They'd already been through a dozen dresses, each one having been thrown out by one woman or the other; sometimes both.
Trying on clothes in the Wizarding World was much simpler than doing so in the Muggle world. Instead of sifting through clothes crammed on hangers and racks, a Witch merely took to a catalogue. It was much easier to turn pages in a book, then to have to rummage through stacks of material. When locating one you like, it was a simple matter of touching your wand to the paper and then 'flicking' the clothing onto yourself. Of course, when you had as much money as the Malfoy's, you paid someone else to do the flicking; hence the woman in paisley robes. The clothes were not permanent, however, and you had to place an order to either have them made or have them retrieved from the backroom of the establishment you were in. In the case of Hermione's wedding gown, it would be delivered the next day. That is, of course, if she ever managed to choose on.
Hermione stood on the dais in nothing but her knickers and bra, very self-conscious at being displayed in such a manner in front of a woman whose appearance was so flawless. Narcissa's platinum hair and bright blue eyes paired with her tall slender body and soft curves; gave the woman a look that Hermione could only place as being 'fairy like'. And not the nasty little buggars that tended to hang around her potion garden, but rather those of Muggle creation.
"How about this one, it's not traditional. But neither is your marriage to Severus." Ally, as the woman in the paisley robes was called, quickly cast the dress upon Hermione's frame. Narcissa was right, it was far from traditional.
The deep crimson thread lining the seams and the delicate embroidery on the bodice in the same color would have been enough to cause a scandal had she been marrying in the Muggle world. But add to that, the silk fabric was the color of soft Ivory. The neckline was modest enough, only hinting at there being womanly curves beneath. It was a far cry from the conservative gown Hermione had once found buried in the back of a closet when she lived with her parents.
It was beautiful, though. The silk was thin and flowed freely from an empire waistband, ending in rivets around her feet. The dress was strapless and held on by a mild sticking charm, but her arms were covered in softly flowing lace that matched the color of the silk. It was breathtaking, and Hermione loved it. So did Narcissa.
Not having said anything since the gown had been placed on Hermione's body, Narcissa looked to Ally and said, "Have it ready by tomorrow morning." Ten minutes later, Hermione was redressed and sitting back in the parlor going over the details of her upcoming nuptials.
In the end, Hermione had opted to leave most of the decision making to Narcissa. Hermione didn't care about what the centerpieces looked like, or what color petals the aisle would be lined with. She just wanted to get it over with.
Turns out, that may have been a mistake.
…
The day before his wedding found Severus Snape alone in his bedchambers looking over a notice he'd received that morning from Mr. Richley.
Professor Severus Snape,
First, let me wish to you every happiness tomorrow in regards to your marriage with Ms. Hermione. I'm very pleased that you've chosen to comply with the terms of the Will. I received an invitation to attend, and am sorry to have to decline. I have business to attend dealing with Eileen's Estate. Don't worry; all shall be in order sooner than I thought. Please send my regards to the lucky lady, I've seen her photo in the Prophet and am sure she will make a lovely bride.
Sincerely,
Randolph Richely.
P.S. Please send word by owl if you will be free on the evening of the fifth of November to discuss your inheritance. I hope this gives you enough time for privacy with your, as she will be by that date, wife but that it also does not impede any honeymoon plans you may have made.
Severus glowered at the word 'honeymoon'. He'd almost been able to forget that he was going to have to sleep with the bloody chit.
Inside a sealed envelope that had accompanied the missive, he found a matching set of wedding bands along with an engagement ring made of a platinum band that was fashioned to look like a snake looping around and curling upon itself as the setting for a large emerald. The snake slithered around restlessly, as though uncomfortable at not having a finger to rest on. Its eyes flashing with small rubies. It looked delicate in his slender hand.
Along with it was a note, merely reading, this belonged to your Grandmother.
Severus had nearly forgotten to get rings.
Thinking on it. He placed the rings in the inside pocket of his coat. He would have to visit a jeweler later that day, there was no way he was placing a family heirloom on Ms. Granger's grubby finger. But for now, he had some business to take care of with the Headmistress. He'd been looking forward to quitting his job for many years.
…
Minerva sat in her office, expecting his arrival. If she was honest with herself, it was a long time coming. Everyone knew he hated his job. Still, she was loath to see him leave. She was prepared. The paperwork had already been drawn, and a past student having just finished acquiring his Mastery was eager for the job. Everything was in place; she just had to wait for Severus to build up the courage to meet with her. Her hand itched for the flask of Ice Vodka she had hidden in the drawer to her left. She much preferred it over Fire Whisky, being partial to the feeling of her blood turning to slush in her vein as opposed to the effects of Fire Whisky. She could only take so much of feeling as though she was on fire.
She stilled her hand before it reached the handle, her door burst open. Severus Snape marched unannounced and without warning into her office.
"It may come as some news to you, Severus, but I've chosen to step down from my post as Headmistress." Severus didn't look surprised at all. "Finalizing the termination of your contract will be the last thing I do."
They went through all the paperwork, Severus must have signed at least a dozen places, ending the night discussing the war and all its consequences.
"I'm proud of you, you know that." She said. "You're a good man, Severus, and you deserve all the happiness you can find."
Narcissa had managed to send every member of staff an invitation to his wedding, save for one. Professor Trelawney had not been invited. Narcissa, ever the Slytherin, pointed out that she had complied with his wishes. She hadn't, after all, invited all the staff. Thus, it would be unjustified to take action against her. While Severus rarely did 'nervous' he had been concerned as to the Headmistress' reaction.
He kept his tongue, choosing to stare into the fire rather than respond.
"While I'll admit I was surprised to see that invitation, I can't say that I wasn't pleased." She went on, causing Severus to turn his attention back to her. "Ms. Granger has always been a bright young woman. I dare say she's one of the only women whose intellect and love of knowledge could match your own."
It was several minutes before Severus responded, "You may have finally gone off your rocker, Minerva. As it is, I have never been quite as annoying as Ms. Granger manages to be on a daily basis. Our union is purely strategic."
She shook her head with a look of sadness in her eyes, "I'm sorry to hear that, Severus. I truly am."
They were quiet for several moments longer before she spoke again. "I don't blame you for Albus' death. I know better than anyone how he can be, and I'm sorry I ever took my sorrow out on you."
He didn't know what to say, so he responded with the first thing that came to his mind. "I'm used to being made a scapegoat."
For the second time that evening, Minerva shook her head in sorrow. "And I'm sorry that I never stood up to Albus. I should have been there for you." Minerva stood from her chair, her knees popping in the process, and held her hand out for Severus to take. "But now, its late. I'm not as young as I used to be and my body doesn't hold up the way it used to." Minerva fondly patted his wrist before escorting him out of the room. They both said their goodbyes, and Severus went back to his rooms to pack.
…
3 November
Wizarding World Mourns the Loss of Headmistress.
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, departed from this world late last evening. Her body was discovered by a distraught House Elf who'd only come in to change the sheets. She was found holding a bottle of Ice Vodka in one hand, and a framed photo of what seems to be her and Albus Dumbledore at a bonding ceremony. There has yet to be any news as to the cause of her death, but it is believed to be that she died of natural causes and a broken heart.
Turn to page B4 to read more on rumored secret union of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Minerva Gytha McGonagall.
I spent so much time… Writing this, for you.
So how about you spend some time… Please, just review.