Hermione and Severus stated at each other for a moment before the Dark Lord spoke.
"Severus, after being one of my most trusted followers I have decided to reward you, with a wife." Snape's eyes widened only slightly before his trademark sneer was back in place. He briefly eyed Hermione up and down, she could have sworn he had a glimmer of fear in his face but shook it off.
" I thank you my Lord, for this generous gift. " Severus bowed slightly as he responded.
"Of course, you earned it after all." Voldemort clapped his hands together again and Hermione jumped. "Now, I will leave you two to get reacquainted. You will have a month to plan the wedding." He disappeared just after finishing his statement.
Severus watched as Hermione's eyes welled with tears and prepared himself for the onslaught of fury that he believed to be reserved for the young Malfoy and Weasley boy. What he didn't expect was for her to suddenly wrap her arms around him and hug him like her life depended on it. He hesitantly put his arms around the crying lioness and could just barely make out her words against his cloak.
"Oh thank god. When Lucius told me I was being relocated i thought for sure I would be dead," she pulled far enough away to look up at him " I couldn't imagine being with anyone else under the circumstances. " She saw the confusion as he spoke to her.
"Miss Granger, while I'm quite thrilled at not being killed on sight, I can't quite say I understand." She suppressed a chuckle at his concern. She finally extracted herself from him and looked him directly in the eyes.
"I know everything," she explained slowly " Before Harry went into the forest, he told me about the memories. He said someone else should know so that if we won the war we could clear your name. " She took a moment to collect herself before continuing. "Since we didn't win, I knew it was too risky to tell anyone and I could never talk to you because the Dark Lord kept you so close." In that moment Snape took a breath and he looked more relaxed then she had ever seen him.
"I had to lie for so long, I still have to, but I'm so glad that you know the truth about me. Now let's take a seat to discuss this situation we have found ourselves in." He placed a hand on her shoulder and directed her to the living room of what she now assumed to be his home. So far she had only seen the inside as that's where Voldemort had taken them but it appeared to be a fairly large Victorian manor. It was filled with such dark woods and deep emerald tones.
Slytherin through and through, she thought with a small smile. Her jaw dropped slightly as they walked into the living room, it had dark woods, and the seating area consisted of a large emerald green velvet sofa with two matching chairs which framed a huge ornate fireplace.
"You have a beautiful home, Headmaster." Hermione stated as they sat on the sofa.
"Thank you Miss Granger," he inclined his head politely " Under the circumstances feel free to call me Severus. You haven't been my student for a long time. "
"You're right, I insist you call me Hermione. Especially if I am going to be your wife." She swallowed thickly at the word. Severus let out a heavy sigh.
"Yes, I'm sorry for the position we find ourselves in. The Dark Lord approached me a few weeks ago asking who I wanted in my home and under what capacity. I decided to take the opportunity to get to you and tell you the truth, but I told him I needed an assistant for my potions orders. When he insisted that I deserved a doting wife for all my years of service I tried to convince him I am happy with my solitude. He insisted and as you know, it's not smart to push any further." Hermione let out a bitter laugh at his explanation.
"I think we are all well aware of that fact by now. I've learned to play nice, there isn't much we can do at this point." She replied sadly.
" Well actually, by putting us in this position, he has given us an advantage. " Hermione looked up at him with that statement, raising an eyebrow waiting for him to continue.
"Marriage, wizarding marriages specifically, offer some protections that even the Dark Lord can't break through. As powerful as a Legilimens as he is, memories between a married couple can't be seen without express permission, this includes memories where the couple are even around in anything more than a social capacity. Meaning of you and I were to be conversing with anyone else he wouldn't be able to see." He said that leadingly hoping she would catch on to his meaning. He watched as her eyes lightened with hope.
"Am I right in assuming that you already have some meetings in mind Severus?" She asked hopefully.
" I will not confirm or deny that until after the wedding Granger. " he said darkly, then stood suddenly which caused her to jump. "Which means now is as good a time as any." He took a small ornate silver box out of his pocket and got down on one knee in front of her. She hadn't expected him to formally propose so her eyes widened and her eyes widened, almost as if it was real, and for that moment she would pretend it was.
Her jaw dropped further when he opened the box. Inside was a large pear cut salt and pepper diamond. There was a halo of smaller diamonds around it and a rose gold band.
"Hermione Granger, I have been honored to watch you grow into a strong, beautiful, brilliant woman. And although the circumstances aren't ideal, I would be honored to have you by my side as my wife. Will you marry me?" Her eyes welled with tears again and she nodded.
"Yes Severus, yes I will." She smiled brightly as he slipped the ring on her finger and it magically shrank to a perfect fit, their eyes met as he gently stroked her hand. There was the briefest of uncomfortable moments as they both tried to figure out what to do next. "Screw it" Hermione muttered before kissing him soundly on the lips. Now both of them pretending for a moment that it was real.