Hermione had made lunch as they sat and ate quietly. It was an awkward silence. Severus didn't know what to say as he watched her eat. Her elbow was on the table, her hand supporting her head. She pushed the food around her plate; she was making faces as if she was deep in thought. Severus thought better of interrupting her while she was thinking. She suddenly looked up at him as she dropped her arm onto the table.
"I'm only seventeen! Merlin's beard I need my parent's permission to marry!" Hermione stood up abruptly grabbing her plate, scraping the remaining food into the waste bin and throwing her plate into the sink. "How in the world am I going to explain this situation to them? They aren't even aware of the trouble that's in the wizarding world; I've deliberately kept that information from them!"
"Well…"Severus started but Hermione continued talking.
"I've never done anything this insane before! I mean I'm all for spontaneity, you've seen that. I feel strangled by rules and order sometime, but you haven't been here all that long. This time last month you couldn't stand me, and I was busy hiding my feelings from you. I certainly never thought I would tell you that I fancied you, let alone my parents! But then again I never thought they would be allowing you to stay in their home either. This is insane, absolutely insane!" She was rambling, and Severus sat there listening to her.
"Am I to take this as you've changed your mind then?"
"No!" Hermione cried as she walked towards him briskly. "You have to admit this is not exactly how you pictured your life working out when you woke up this morning, is it?"
"If I am to tell the truth, then I would admit that indeed this is not how I saw things unfolding, no." Severus shook his head.
"That's all I'm saying, I'm not changing my mind. I am worried about having to ask my parents to sign legal documents allowing me to marry my professor though."
"You're a witch Hermione, muggle laws don't always apply to us."
"What do you mean?"
"For a know-it-all, I'm actually surprised you don't know this." Severus smiled slyly. "I think I will revel in this for a moment, it's so rare that you don't know something.
"Just tell me." Hermione rolled her eyes, and smacked him playfully in the arm.
"You are of age in the wizarding world Hermione; we don't need your parents' permission. The only thing we need is someone to marry us who can keep it a secret. We cannot allow anyone to know about this, it could result in endangering both of our lives."
"I didn't think about the legal age in the wizarding world. I hope you relished the fact you thought about that before I did. "
"I did, thank you."
"Well can't Dumbledore marry us?"
"He is, regrettably the only one I would trust this with." Severus raised his eyebrow. "I will send him an owl, he'll come."
"It's settled then."
"I suppose it is." He looked at her as she smirked; a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
The sun was beginning to set when an owl tapped at the kitchen window. Hermione and Severus were watching television when the sound made its way to their ears. The both got up and went to retrieve the letter. Severus opened the window and took the letter as Hermione fed the bird a treat, and stroked the soft feathers on the top of its head.
"He has informed me he will come tonight, after your parents are asleep. We are to meet him at the abbey down the street, apparently he knows the groundskeeper, a squib, and he will let us in at eleven." He looked up from the letter and at Hermione.
"So this is really going to happen then?"
"It appears so, yes." Severus smirked.
"Good." Hermione nodded as she turned back to watch the owl stretch its wings and take flight.
At a quarter to eleven Severus and Hermione snuck down the stairs, and out the front door. Neither was dressed in anything special. They were both wearing jeans, and Severus still appeared to be a teenager. They snuck through a side gate, almost running into a lanky old man.
"Watch it you two!" The old man crowed. He turned slightly, still eyeballing the couple. "You two here for something?"
"We're supposed to meet our friend here." Hermione replied softly.
"Aye, come on he's already inside." The elderly man motioned for them to follow him. They walked up two stairs and through a door. There was a long skinny hallway that opened up to the sanctuary. Dumbledore was seated in a pew closest to the back of the church.
"You're early!" Dumbledore exclaimed as he rose from the old wooden seat and turned to them. "Eager are we?" He smirked and peered over his spectacles.
"You're ok with this?" Hermione asked as she raised an eyebrow. "I mean I'm glad you are, it's just that I didn't expect this reaction."
"Severus explained everything in detail to me in the letter he owled." Albus smoothed his robes. "I am fine with this, as long as you both are aware that this is to remain secret. When all is said and done, you may tell whomever you wish. However, with the impending war I think it most unwise to let this go any further than the three of us. Agreed?"
"Agreed." Severus replied. Hermione nodded.
"Well shall we start?" Albus remained where he stood.
"Yes." Replied Hermione as she looked at Severus.
"Alright, short and simple then?" Albus asked as he folded his hands in front of him.
"If you would." Severus replied.
"Alright, Hermione do you take Severus to be your husband?"
"I do."
"Severus do you take Hermione to be your wife?"
"I do." Severus replied as he watched Hermione smirk.
"Oh! We don't have any rings!" Hermione exclaimed suddenly looking at Albus.
"I have them, thought it would be a bit of a surprise." Albus smirked as he handed them the rings. "Exchange the rings please. They're made from goblin gold, very special, very rare." They put the rings on one another. "I declare you husband and wife!"
"That's it?" Severus asked.
"Short and simple." Albus nodded, "You can kiss if you chose." Severus looked at Hermione who blushed slightly. He leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss. "Well congratulations!"
"Thank you." Hermione smiled.
"I'll see you both very soon." Albus smiled as he turned and left the church. Severus and Hermione stood there looking at one another for a moment before following.
"We should hurry back in case my parents wake up and find us gone." Hermione took his hand. They snuck back up the walk and into the house. Hermione closed the door as quietly as she could, and followed Severus up the stairs. They lingered in the hall outside their rooms. Hermione looked at him with question.
"I know what you're thinking…"Started Severus, he leaned close to her ear and began to whisper, "Mrs. Snape. If you don't mind I would rather save consummation for a later time when your parents are not immediately down the hall." Hermione snickered and looked up at him her mouth millimeters from his.
"Prude." She closed the distance and kissed him. They wrapped their arms around one another, and after several moments they hesitantly pulled away. "It just so happens I agree. Rain check?"
"Rain check." Severus agreed. "Good night."
"Good night." Hermione walked towards her door, and glanced back at him for a second before she shut the door.
Severus closed the door to his room, and exhaled deeply. He was married, and the following day was Friday. Her parents were leaving tomorrow for that dental conference in Dublin. He smiled, he would be spontaneous tomorrow, for her.