Insufferable Attraction
SeverusxHermione
Rated NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling
Insufferable Attraction
Chapter 32
"What concern are you implying exactly?" Severus asked, his black eyes boring into the man's that had spoken.
The B.R.A. representative fidgeted under the younger wizard's hard stare, finding he couldn't look him in the eye, or even answer. Seeing her colleague struggle, a witch that was also a representative with blonde hair spoke saying, "Lord Prince, we have heard from the Daily Prophet, as well as the general public, about the attack upon you and Lady Prince. It is unfortunate that it happened, and we are deeply sorry for what you and your wife have gone through. However, it seems the extent of that attack has recently come to light, an extent that wasn't mentioned, nor did you come to us with that information."
"You may not think it is any of our business," the wizard that has spoken before piped in, having found his tongue once more. "But in truth, this does affect the Bloodline Restoration Act greatly. Thank goodness a reliable source discovered this and informed us of it."
"And let me guess; that source was Rita Skeeter," Severus said tightly, his jaw clenching as he stared at the representative. Judging by his and the other representatives guilty and aloof expressions, he knew he was right.
"Yes, it was," Kingsley said from behind his desk. "She believed this to be a fantastic scoop and good follow-up of the first article printed about you and Hermione. However, considering the tense history between her and Hermione, as well as your liking of your privacy, I have forbidden her from ever printing this information. I have also told her that if this information does somehow make it out to the public, I will have her tried by the Wizengamot, as well as stripped from the Daily Prophet and won't ever work in the Ministry again."
Severus nodded before turning back to the representatives. "Alright fine, you know the extent of the damage done to my wife. Why have you summoned me about the fact that we did not tell you?"
Another representative, a wizard with dark, sleek hair, looked Severus in the eye and answered, "Due to these recent developments, we have decided that the marriage between you and Lady Prince be dissolved as soon as possible."
Black eyes blinked as silence followed those spoken words, the silence seeming to stretch before Severus finally asked lowly, "What?"
"With all due respect, it would be better for the marriage between you and your wife be dissolved now that the chances of any heirs being produced are nay. But no worries, Mr. Snape. A more suitable, more fertile partner is sure to be found."
Severus's face darkened, a dangerous aura emitting from his tall form. Kingsley, seeing just how furious the Potions Master had gotten, stood from his seat to diffuse the situation, but wasn't quick enough to stop him from hitting the representative with a spell that knocked him back into his bookshelf. Severus took a step forward towards the B.R.A. representatives, taking pleasure in how they all took cautious steps back, some even drawing their wands as he did. His deep voice low and menacing, he said, "You will do no such thing. The marriage between my wife and I won't be dissolved, nor will another be found for me. I love my wife, and I intend to stay married to her. And despite this setback, we will work through this trying time together, with or without your interference; preferably without."
"But the act implies that-" the blonde witch began, only to be cut off by Severus.
"I know what this bloody act entails. It is the reason why you had Hermione and I married in the first place. But as far as my wife and I care, you can take this act and shove it up your arses. As I've said before, I love my wife. I love Hermione and our marriage won't be dissolved just because the prospect of children is bleak. Even if we never reproduce, I will still stay by her side."
The Bloodline Restoration Act representatives didn't know what to say. They all knew that Severus Snape was a private, seemingly unfeeling and emotionless man, never letting anyone see how he was really feeling or what he really thought. Therefore, to see him so vehemently refuse to dissolve his marriage and openly and passionately announcing that he loved his chosen wife, it came as a major surprise. Still, this posed a problem for them. The Bloodline Restoration Act entailed that not only the chosen couple marry and consummate their vows, but also to bear children to keep the bloodline going. If Lady Prince didn't bear a child because of her damaged womb, then the Prince bloodline would die with Lord Prince. There had to be a solution to this problem, if there was one.
One representative that hadn't spoken yet, a sandy haired witch with her hair tied back in a tight bun, stepped forward and looked up at Severus asking, "If this is where you stand, then what do you suggest be done about this dilemma?"
Severus looked down at her, looking into her blue eyes to see that she was genuinely curious about what he planned to do, unlike her colleagues. Clearing his throat, he proceeded to tell them of his modified Fertility Potion, as well as the hopes to modify it further to not only increase the chances of pregnancy, but to also heal any damage done to a woman's womb for whatever reason. Of course, he would be doing so for Hermione, but he also explained how he had tested it on a client who was having trouble conceiving previously, and now was three months pregnant with the chance of making it to full term. Therefore, he believed that he could modify it once more to heal Hermione's womb, as well as increase the chances that she would fall pregnant in the future despite the damage Weasley's attack did to her.
He watched and waited as the representatives talked amongst themselves about his plan, them deliberating whether they thought it would work. Severus glanced at Kingsley to see him looking at him contemplatively in return. Frowning slightly, Severus turned back to the talking representatives before they all turned back to him, having come to an agreement.
"Lord Prince," the first representative began. "We acknowledge that you are Wizarding Britain's youngest and most brilliant Potions Master. If stands to reason that if anyone can do what you suggest, then it would be you. Thus, we have come to a decision to give you an ultimatum: you have three months to modify your revised Fertility Potion perfectly, as well as give it to Lady Prince. You must do that, as well as get your wife pregnant to prove that the potion is a success, otherwise we will dissolve your marriage and find another witch to be your wife. Three months, Lord Prince."
"Fine," Severus said. "But also know this: the attack on my wife was not her fault, but that wretched Weasley boy, so don't be placing the blame for her being "infertile" on her like you seemed to be implying. And make it a point to stay out of our personal lives. You've meddled enough already."
The representatives said nothing in response and left the Minister's Office, leaving Severus alone in the room with Kingsley. The moment they were gone, and the door closed, Kingsley sighed wearily and apologized saying, "I'm so sorry for this, Severus. I wish I could have done more, but they had backed me into a corner, especially concerning that I helped to sign this act into law. Still, I wish you luck with your potion revision."
Severus nodded and said, "Thank you, Shacklebolt. But just so you know concerning Weasley, the moment I get my hands on that boy, I will kill him for harming Hermione. And if you dare stop me, I will show no mercy. Now if you will excuse me, I need to return home to inform Hermione of these developments."
"Yes, of course. Though before you go, I have to tell you something." Seeing he had Severus's attention, he continued. "You remember the bonding spell I used during all of the bonding ceremonies for the B.R.A.? Well, the representatives told me I could use whatever bonding spell of my choosing that I deemed worthy. The one that I used for you, the Potters, and the Lestranges, is one that cannot be broken, especially—and this is important—if the married spouses love one another. So long as one or both spouses love the other genuinely, the bond can never be broken, and you will stay together."
The Potions Master stared at the Minister for a moment before he nodded slowly, a feeling of relief washing over him. Because he loved Hermione, their marriage bond could not be broken, even if the B.R.A. tried to dissolve their marriage. It made him happy to know that, but it also posed another question: Did Hermione love him in return?
Hermione was walking along the paths of the Prince family garden, walking amongst the flowers and even clipping a few to take inside to decorate with. She stopped by some tulips and clipped some, placing them in the wicker basket she held. As she did, her mind drifted off to her husband. Oh, she hoped Severus was alright. She couldn't stop thinking about him being summoned and why they had. And furthermore, why she was excluded from the summons. Frowning more, she grabbed another tulip and clipped its stem before placing it in her basket.
The wards surrounding the manor and its grounds gave a familiar jolt to her body as she felt them being breached by a familiar presence, bending to allow her husband back inside. It seemed as if his meetup with the B.R.A. was over with. Standing up, she turned to head back to the manor, only to find her husband striding towards her. Placing the clippers in the basket with the flowers, Hermione frowned at his troubled expression and asked, "What is it? What did they want?"
"I need to talk to you; it is important," Severus said instead, not quite answering her questions. He led her over to a garden bench, sitting down and pulling her down next to him. Hermione set the basket down on the ground next to her before turning to fully face Severus.
"So?" Hermione said, indicating for him to speak.
Severus rubbed a hand down his face before saying, "They know about the extent of the attack. More specifically, they know about your damaged womb."
Shocked, Hermione asked, "What? How?"
"Let's just say a little beetle is still as nosy as ever."
The incredulous look on the brunette's face quickly melted away, her face turning red with anger. "Excuse me?"
"Yes, I wasn't too pleased with it either. She was going to publish it in the Daily Prophet after letting them know, but Shacklebolt was able to silence her from ever doing so."
"Well, that's good, I suppose."
The wizard nodded. "Yes, I concur. Anyway, the representatives of the B.R.A. said that due to your supposed infertility status, our marriage should be dissolved and find me a new wife." Seeing Hermione's brown eyes grow wide in shock, he continued speaking. "I was however able to keep them from fully making that decision. You know how I was going to tell you something this morning regarding my modified Fertility Potion?"
Hermione nodded in response.
"I believe that the potion is the solution to our problem. I plan to modify it once more so that you can take it. If I can manage it correctly, the potion should not only increase your chance of conceiving better, but also heal the damage done to your womb."
"That's brilliant, Severus," Hermione said. "And I know you can do it. After all, if anyone can figure it out, you can."
"Right. Well, they agreed to give me time to revise the potion."
Hermione frowned, sensing there was a 'but' following her husband's words, though he didn't say so. Turning to fully face him, she asked, "But? What did they say?"
Severus glanced off to the side for a moment before looking back at his wife. "They gave me the ultimatum that I not only revise the potion, but to make sure it is a success by getting you pregnant should it work, and I have three months to do all of that."
The brunette sat there stunned, not fully believing what her husband had said. The B.R.A. expected him to not only revise his already modified potion, but to also get her pregnant to make sure it worked? And in only three months' time? That was ridiculous! Even so, she also understood they were in a tight spot with very little choice in the matter. And honestly, she didn't want her marriage to Severus to be dissolved. She couldn't imagine her life without him in it anymore, and it would break her heart for her to be forced to separate from him just because she couldn't bear children. She loved him and knew there was no one else for her. So for them to just callously suggest tossing her aside and having him marry someone else, it angered her.
Huffing, Hermione said, "I don't like these terms those meddlesome people have come up with, and I know you don't either, but I suppose we will have to deal with it. Just…can we not start right away? I still need to fully process it all."
"No, I completely agree," Severus replied. "I think I will start in a week on revising the potion for real. I think for the time being, I'll do some more research to give me an idea in which direction to go."
Nodding, Hermione and said, "That sounds good."
She was about to suggest they go inside to eat but didn't as she noticed Severus's jaw was clenching and unclenching, his lower jaw shifting back and forth; he was grinding his teeth. Hermione had discovered during their time in Australia that her husband had a bit of a 'tell' whenever he wanted to say more but chose not to. His 'tell' would be that he would grind his teeth when he wanted to continue speaking about something that bothered him, or he felt it important to tell her. She didn't like that he ground his teeth, as it was a horrible habit and one her parents would just die over knowing their son-in-law did it, but it did make him easier to read.
"Severus," Hermione started in a tone of voice that held no room for argument. "What is it that you're not telling me? I know there is something else that you are holding back."
Severus raised an eyebrow at her in question, her eyes meeting his challengingly, as if daring him to change the subject. They stared at each other for a moment before he took a deep breath and saying, "There is one more thing that I know, and I think you should know it, as well."
"And that is?"
"The type of bonding spell that was used during our bonding ceremony. Shacklebolt informed me that the spell used in the ceremony was one that could not be broken. Therefore, even if the B.R.A. tried to dissolve our marriage, it would never work."
"Well, I figured as much."
"Yes, but this bonding spell cannot be broken, especially if the married spouses in particular love each other. Even if only one of them loves the other, it cannot be broken. And the bond becomes stronger if true love between the spouses is present."
"Oh?"
"Yes. But I bring this up because when they suggested dissolving our marriage, I absolutely refused."
Hermione's heart suddenly sped up in her chest, her stomach filling with butterflies. Was he…was Severus…? Swallowing, she asked softly, "Why?"
Severus's pale cheeks turned pink, the pink darkening to red as he answered. "I refused because I told them that I loved my wife."
A soft, surprised gasp escaped the brunette's lips, her mouth hanging open and brown eyes blown wide. She couldn't believe her ears. Had Severus really just said that he loved her? Not being able to help herself, feeling as if she were in a dream, Hermione asked, "You love me?"
"Yes, I do. I'm not sure when exactly, but I fell in love with you. However, I never realized it until I watched you lying still in the hospital. It dawned on me then that if you died, you would never have known how I felt about you. I love you, Hermione. I love you and only want to be with you, despite how we came together. I will always love you for who you are and will choose you, with or without children, and damn what the B.R.A. says."
Hermione was so shocked at her husband's heartfelt confession, and yet she was happy. He loved her. Severus loved her! Happy tears filling her eyes, Hermione smiled brightly at the older wizard, a few tears spilling over as she did. "Oh Severus, I love you too. I've been in love with you for a while now. I realized it after returning from Australia, though I'm positive I fully fell for you while on that trip. And I only want to be with and choose you, too, no matter what the Bloodline Restoration Act has to think or say about it."
Severus felt as if his heart was growing in his chest from those sweet, love-filled words. She loved him, his wife loved him and had for longer than he realized his own love for her. Smiling adoringly, Severus took her face into his hands and kissed her fully on the lips, Hermione returning his kiss as she gripped his arms. The kiss was sweet, filled with so much love for one another, their love and passion overflowing their hearts. They pulled away for a brief moment to smile at one another before kissing each other once more, happy with the knowledge that their feelings for one another was true, and that their love was reciprocated by the other. As they sat on the garden bench kissing, a light breeze flew through, gently rustling their hair while a kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttered above their heads.
Author's Note: Finally! We got confessions of love! My goal was to have this up before or by Valentine's Day, as I thought it would be a nice little treat, and I did. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for more to come. XOXO, SehunsBae37.
