Chapter 11
The summer was peaceful and Hermione forgot about her marriage (as much as she could while wearing that ring) till she got her letter. Levander and The Patil twins did their best to help her. Hermione wrote to Neville, and he was as understanding as ever. He even wished her luck and said that she made the best choice, despite everything. It was good to have friends.
Practically nobody knew where she was.
She dreaded going back to school, but had no other choice.
The Gryffindor managed to avoid all the attention till the feast. Harry, Ron and the others probably wanted to know whom she married; they had to know by now that it was not Percy. But luck was with her and she dodged them.
Sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table she could see that McGonagall knew the answer. 'Serves her right.' The teacher shot her cold glances every so often. Neville knew because she wrote to him. And she had suspicion that the slytherins knew, all of them.
Then, for the first time since she left for the summer, she saw her husband. Severus looked dangerous. Hermione wondered why. He was wearing his black robes and his hair looked clean. He wasn't handsome in the classical way, but had an aura around him that demanded respect. Something was coming.
"Your Bat Charming looks good today, Mya. I wonder why?" Lavender teased her friend in a whisper.
Then the fun started.
Dumbledore at the end of his usual speech added: "I'm sure you all know about the Marriage law that was issued at the beginning of the summer. I sadly must announce that we have student who is affected by this law." at this Hermione wanted to bang her head at the table. 'Does he have to announce it today? Or ever? It's none of their business.' "Our dear Hermione Granger has married Professor Snape."
The hall went deadly silence. Severus was glaring at anybody who dared to look at Hermione. So there were only few who dared. When everyone got over the shock, there was a mad clapping and catcalls from the slytherin table. Accompanied by shouts "You go Professor!" and "about time!" along with "congratulations!" The Gryffindor smirked 'had a busy summer I see, Severus'
Then a loud "What the hell! She was supposed to marry Percy, not bloody Snape! What in the name of Merlin were you thinking Mione! " Was heard.
"Mr. POTTER! I advice you to keep your mouth shat. And stay out of the personals matters of my wife. You don't have a saying in this."
"I'm her friend!"
"A friend that missed a fact that she married 3 months ago. I really doubted that." Severus was cold and calculated.
"This is none of your business Snape. And You Mione! I always knew you were stupid but that takes the cake!"
"Potter! I…"
"Now, now children. Do calm down. I believe its time for the meal. Tuck in!"
Meal calmed the passions a bit but not entirely. Pretty much everyone besides the slytherins and few others were still in shock, Especially Ronald Weasley. His mouth was agape and he was staring at Hermione from across the table.
Hermione in the mean time was busy cursing the headmaster. Her cheeks were flaming from all the attention. 'I bet McGonagall also had a hand in it. Hasn't she done enough already?' The Gryffindor glanced at the staff table and meet Severus eyes. Hermione managed a small smile and he nodded. The Gryffindor could hear few dirty comments addressed to her but she calmly ignored them. Ginevra Weasley looked especially venomous. But was too far down to say something to her.
Levander and Parvati silently supported her. She successfully blocked out all thoughts about this marriage all summer, now she was to live with professor Snape. 'Merlin. He wants kids with me. That means sex. Oh god. Oh god Oh god. Let's think about something else. I liked his kiss; maybe the rest won't be that bad.' The brunet felt him watching her, but didn't look up from her meal. She couldn't look at him now.
When the feast was nearing its end Lavender finally spoke.
"I guess you're not going to the tower with us Mya."
"No, it's to the dungeons for me now."
Than a third voice interrupted them.
"Hello Hermione. How was your summer?"
It was the raven-haired girl "Hi Pansy. It was ok." She smiled warmly at the slytherin.
The rest of the Gryffindor table was looking at her with disgust.
"Liked the welcome from our table?" Pansy was grinning.
Hermione laughed. "What did he do? Threatened to hex every single one of you?"
Pansy chuckled. "No. Lets just say the world spread and their families want to be on good terms with the Snape family."
"I wonder Pansy. Just how exactly the word spread?" Gryffindor cocked an eyebrow.
"Well, maybe I let it slip once …or twice."
"Purely accidentally of course."
"Of course."
Than everybody started rising from the tables and she heard a silky voice behind her before any of her housemates could get to her.
"Hermione, Miss Parkinson don't you think its time for you to leave to your dormitory?"
"Yes sir, I was just leaving, Good night Hermione, Professor." and left in haste.
"Sooo… Hi, Severus. How was your summer?"
"Satisfactory." He offered her his arm to stand up. When she got up he hocked it on his elbow. Hermione blushed; she understood that he fully intended to leave with her on his arm. "I guess it's time to leave."
"Yes. Girls see you tomorrow at breakfast."
"Bye Mya."
Her cheeks were the color of the Ron's hair. Hermione could feel the eyes of those who didn't yet leave the Hall. Some pitied her, some made fun. But none of them had the courage to approach her while she was with Snape. Though Ron and Harry were held by the few gryffindors so they didn't count. She left the hall. .
"Don't pay attention to them." He gently squeezed her arm that was resting in the crook of his elbow.
"Easy for you to say." Was the way to his rooms so far the last time she was here?
In the dungeons they met few slytherins and exchanged polite hellos.
'Three…'
'Two…'
'One…'
Finally they reached the destination.
"I warded the door so it will recognize your touch, and the password is Heavy wine."
"Ok. Are my things already here?"
"Yes, they are in the bedroom. I'll show where you can put them."
She stepped into a big room decorated in dark green and black. Her trunk stood by a big four poster bed that dominated the room. On the left there was another door, probably leading to the bathroom. She gulped. It was the same room she woke up after she fainted. It was his bedroom.
He opened a big wardrobe showing her empty shelves meant for her belongings.
"Where am I going to sleep, Severus?"
"In the bed of course." The man either didn't understand the implications or played daft.
"And you?"
He turned to face the nervous Gryffindor. "We will be sharing it." Severus walked to Hermione who was still standing by the door. "I will not touch you until you are ready. Ok?"
She nodded.
"Do you want some wine before we go to sleep?" He led her to the fireplace.
"Yes, please." She sat on the couch before the fire. "The slytherins took the news pretty good. I wonder why?" Hermione asked him when he came back with the drinks.
"They know what is good for them."
"Malfoy didn't look happy. Mourning the lost chance to call me mother?"
The slytherin chuckled. "Possible. Or the fact that Miss Parkinson dumped him in front of everyone after the train ride today. You won't happen to know anything about it, would you?"
Hermione gave him her best 'Who? Me?' smile. "Maybe she finally understood that she is too good for the likes of him?" she swirled the wine in the goblet. "You didn't look pleased earlier. Anything I should know?"
He scowled. "I had a little chat with Minerva earlier. She still expected me to say that it's all a joke and that you married the little sod."
"And when you didn't?"
"Let's just say that you will be having a long transfiguration class tomorrow."
"Let me guess. It's a first thing in the morning?" after his nod she groaned. "How did she react the first time? I hope she didn't try to hex you."
Severus Snape laughed. "She was out cold for 3 hours. Then I had a long tea party with the headmaster and then a long verbal spar with her. They weren't pleased that you picked me."
Hermione snorted. "They were heartbroken, I am sure."
"You look tired. It's time to retire to bed." He stood up and held her a hand.
Hermione's heart beat like mad.
"How about you go first to the bathroom Severus, while I'll find my stuff in the trunk?"
"Ok." He disappeared in the bathroom.
Hermione felt lightheaded. 'Ok, get a grip Hermione, its not like he asked you to have sex with him! Just rest in one bed. You can do it. Get your pajamas. Move it!'
When she found her pajamas and toiletries in the trunk the door to the bathroom opened. She swirled around and froze.
"Nice pajamas Severus." The words left her mouth before she was able to comprehend what was happening. Her husband stood in the door way with a scowl on his face, and slytherin green pajamas on his body.
"Is there something wrong with my sleepwear?" He crossed his hands on his chest and scowled even more.
"No, no. They are fine. Just … very slytherin." She couldn't suppress the smile. "Well I'm off to change." When she passed him and was ready to close the door. "You are lucky that I don't wear Gryffindor red to bed, we would clash terribly." And with a laugh she disappeared.
When Hermione closed the door and looked around her jaw hit the floor. The bathroom was huge and made entirely of black marble. Only the bath tub was white, and big enough to contain four adult men, as well as a spacious shower in the far end of the room. 'Nice'.
By the sink she could see an empty space obviously meant for her things. The Gryffindor smiled. He was getting ready for her return.
She changed and emerged from the bathroom only in her pajama's.
Severus was already in the bed. She gulped. He watched her with a predatory glint in his eyes.
"Nice pajamas Hermione."
"Why thank you, Severus. I'm glad you like them." She smiled weakly, went to bed and climbed in hiding herself under the covers.
"Nox. Good night Hermione."
She yawned. "Night Severus." The second her head touched the pillow she was sound asleep.
I will upload the 12th chapter tomorrow!
Review and it will be up earlier! ;)