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 2

Hermione couldn't believe her eyes as she stared at the man that was to be her husband. Professor Snape? Professor Snape? He was a descendent of the Prince family? Since when? And why was she just finding this out now?

Her surprise must have been obvious on her face because Severus scoffed and said, "Honestly Ms. Granger, you'd think you would know your affianced was me considering how much time you spent trying to figure out who the Half Blood Prince was when Mr. Potter had my old Potions book."

Blinking Hermione realized that he was right and looked down at her feet briefly for her moment of stupidity. Of course, Professor Snape was of Prince family blood, and he was a Halfblood at that. Composing herself she looked back up at him and said, "Hello Professor."

Severus stared at her without replying before looking at Kingsley saying, "Shacklebolt, you have me being an unwilling participant in this new Act and having me marry a former student of mine—one which I very well want nothing to do with, with her being an insufferable know-it-all—and I can't get out of it, so you might as well tell us what needs to be done. When is this ridiculous wedding to take place?"

Kingsley frowned at Severus' harsh words concerning Hermione, frowning further when hurt flashed across the brunette's face before she schooled her expression. He knew the other wizard had a right to be upset about the entire situation, just like Hermione was, but he could at least try to take it in stride and not take jabs at her as he knew he was prone to do. However, he knew that was asking a lot of the Potions Master when he already had to participate in the Bloodline Restoration Act. Sighing he placed his hands on his desk before saying, "The weddings will take place in a week's time of the initial meeting of the betrothed. Lestrange's wedding will be held when he is released from Azkaban, and Harry's will be a week following yours. Therefore, in a week from today, you two will be wed and bonded."

"Joy." The sarcasm was thick in Severus' voice.

"As for right now, I'd suggest you two try to get to know each other."

"We already know each other; there is no reason to continue doing so."

Irritation was present on Kingsley's face and it soon bled into his voice. "You will spend a few days this week getting to know each other before your ceremony. As the Minister, I demand it happen. And you will get to know each other beyond the professor-student relationship you have established already. And whatever grudges you hold against one another because of past actions, eliminate them as best you can, if only to try and make this arrangement work."

Hermione glanced at her former professor briefly to take in his annoyed sneer before looking back at Kingsley. Nodding she said, "Alright Kingsley, I will try."

Kingsley gave Hermione a grateful smile, knowing that she would be the one of the two to look at their predicament reasonably. Looking at the brooding man in the doorway he said, "Severus?"

Severus was silent for a moment before begrudgingly saying, "Fine."

Hermione pursed her lips as she couldn't help but think that it was going to be a long week, and she believed she was going to be more stressed now than when the actual unwanted wedding came about.

Harry opened the door of Grimmauld Place to let Hermione inside, a small smile on his face as he did so. He knew Hermione had met the man she was being made to marry today, and he had been wondering how it had gone. However, judging by the look on her face, it hadn't gone well. Closing the door behind her he asked, "I'm guessing the meeting didn't go so well."

Hermione walked towards the library and into it before falling onto the comfy sofa, her face pressed into one of the throw pillows present on the piece of furniture. Harry sat next to her in the space she provided from her stretched out form and listened to her groan into the pillow for a bit before finally turning to look at him.

"It's Snape," Hermione said. "He's the descendent from the Prince family and he's the one I've been paired up with."

Green eyes widened in shock and disbelief as Harry heard the news. Hermione was set to marry Snape? She had to help continue his bloodline? However as soon as the shock came, it went away. He remembered how he knew that Snape was a direct descendent of the Prince family and should have put the pieces together from the start. Feeling bad he said, "Sorry Hermione, I should have known. I can't believe I forgot that he was a Prince by blood, and now you're stuck with him. I'm really sorry."

The brunette gave her best friend a smile and said, "It's not your fault, Harry. Even I forgot he was, and I rarely ever forget anything. Of course, he made a snide comment about how I should have already known considering all that happened Sixth Year to lead to the reveal that he was the Half-Blood Prince and from the Prince family."

Harry chuckled a bit at Hermione's scrunched up face, her annoyance obvious. "Did he call you an insufferable know-it-all?"

"Not directly towards me or to my face as he was talking to Kingsley, but yes he did. You'd think being alive and pardoned for his crimes, as well as being recognized as a war hero would have helped to ease his personality a bit. Especially considering you said it was really all an act."

"Not all of it was an act, Hermione. And I don't think he can just change his personality on a whim. I've told you before that he was the subject of my dad's and Sirius' bullying, and his home life almost paralleled by own at the Dursleys. He did everything in the war to protect me—even almost died—because he still loved my mother." Harry paused in his spiel before continuing. "Look, I know neither of us have the best relationship with Snape, but it might not be all bad. Maybe you just need to get to know him the way my mum did."

Hermione considered Harry's words for a moment. "But didn't your mother abandon their friendship because he became a Death Eater?"

Harry gave a sad smile. "I think she kept trying to save it as he kept getting swept up more into the Death Eaters and such. Their friendship officially ended because he called her a Mudblood, but he had done it out of humiliation due to being embarrassed and ridiculed in front of others because of Sirius and my dad. I'm not saying what he did was right and I'm not defending his actions by any means, but I think he's more than made up for them by this point. I think now we should give him a chance and get to know the Snape that my mum knew."

There was a moment of silence before Hermione finally sighed. "Alright, I'll try. Kingsley wants us to get to know each other this week anyway before we get married next week, something Snape is reluctant to do."

"Next week? You're getting married next week?!" Harry asked incredulously.

Nodding Hermione replied, "Yes, and you're getting married the week following. Do you know who was chosen for you?"

"No, I'm meeting her tomorrow. But try to keep an open mind as you get to know him."

"I'll try, but I can't say he'll open up to me."

"He will if I inform Kingsley he's not cooperating."

Hermione giggled and lightly kicked Harry, Harry feigning being hurt and falling to the floor of the library as if he was wounded. They laughed at the childish display, though Hermione knew Harry was right. She just had to be positive in getting to know Severus. Of course she was sure that would be easier said than done.

Severus grumbled to himself in his personal brewing room as he stood over the ten cauldrons he had currently bubbling with potions. After being pardoned for his crimes in the war and being awarded as a hero, he had refused to return to Hogwarts to teach and had pretty much laid low. He had returned to Spinner's End and taken up his residence there. Not many people knew he lived there and it was easy to keep out of the public eye. Many people still didn't believe he deserved to have been pardoned and called a war hero. They all thought he should either have been Kissed, rotting away in Azkaban, or dead; most people wished he was dead, something he kind of wished for himself. Even so, his existence now was alright. He brewed potions for Apothecaries and in turn got paid nicely for what he sold, so he couldn't complain. He had taken to his hermit-like habits and had made no plans for the future, finally somewhat getting a sense of peace. However, as always, life liked to screw with him.

The moment he had received a letter from the Ministry, especially from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, he had gotten a bad feeling. Upon reading the ridiculous letter he had been livid. He couldn't believe that the MLE had enacted such a ridiculous law to continue Pureblood bloodlines, more so that they wanted to keep the Prince family blood alive. He'd rather the bloodline die with him, as he knew he'd never get married. But yet, he was already a part of this stupid Act and had had a bride picked out for him, all without his consent. But what made it worse was who they picked for him.

Hermione bleeding Granger. A girl twenty years his junior and one that he couldn't stand. Of all the women they could have chosen to be his forced bride, they had to choose her. It was obvious Kingley wanted him to make the best of it, but what was the point when it was obvious the arrangement was doomed to fail? He and Granger had absolutely nothing in common. There was absolutely no way they could ever work out as parents to offspring, let alone husband and wife. He had no need for companionship of any kind, and quite frankly didn't want any. Why couldn't they just let him live the rest of his miserable and lonely existence in peace?

The sound of someone knocking on the front door caught his attention and he set a timer on his cauldrons to alert him when they were ready to be stirred again or were finished. Once that was done he left his brewing room and went to the front door, opening it to reveal Narcissa Malfoy.

Narcissa gave Severus a nod and said, "Hello Severus. May I come inside?"

Severus nodded and stepped aside to allow the blonde witch inside. Closing the door behind her he asked, "What brings you here, Narcissa?"

The blonde sat down on Severus' sofa as he settled into his armchair. Narcissa didn't answer right away, but then said, "I've heard of the Bloodline Restoration Act and what families are involved specifically. Your mother's family name was a part of it. I'm assuming that you are participating."

"Unwillingly," Severus replied sharply.

Narcissa smiled softly before asking, "Well, I'm sure it will work out. Maybe companionship will be good for you."

"I don't want companionship. I want to be left alone."

"Severus, you can't spend the rest of your life alone."

"I spent the first forty years by myself, and I can spend the next forty and onward alone just like I did before. I don't need anyone by my side, especially Hermione Granger."

Icy blue eyes widened in surprise. "Hermione Granger?"

Severus rolled his eyes at the name. "Yes, Hermione Granger. She was chosen by that blasted MLE to be the one to help me carry out the Prince family bloodline. What I find stupid about the entire thing is that they are obviously trying to revive dying Pureblood bloodlines but are going to wind up with Halfbloods."

"It probably doesn't matter to them now, unlike those that still want Pureblood heirs. I think that just so long as the family doesn't die out, that's all that matters."

"Well whatever it is they want, I hope they've already put into consideration that there isn't a single way this arrangement could work."

Narcissa shook her head at the younger man's pessimism. There was no winning in trying to get Severus to change his mind. Deciding to give him a piece of advice, or at least something to think about, she stood up and said, "Well, I suppose I'll take my leave now. But Severus, please try to make the best of this. And please try to get along with Ms. Granger. Who knows? You might find your happiness with her."

Severus watched as the witch left his home, her words running through his mind momentarily. Him be happy? And with Granger? That couldn't possibly happen. But maybe she was right in him trying to make the best of the situation. And that included getting to know the girl outside of his annoying student. Sighing softly, he summoned some parchment, a pen, and a book to use as a hard surface to begin writing a letter to Hermione.

"Make the best of it," Severus muttered. "We'll see. I still believe it will end in disaster."