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 5

It was the day before she was to wed, and Hermione found herself in a shop getting measured and fitted into several wedding gowns. The shop owner was sworn to secrecy to not speak of her impending wedding ceremony and was told to have the gown ready by the end of the day. A ministry official was to pick the gown up and take it to the Ministry for the ceremony the next day. At the moment, Hermione wanted to be anywhere but where she was. However, she was glad that Daphne had also shown up, wanting to get her measurements and gown now rather than the following week when her marriage to Harry was to happen. Therefore, she didn't feel too nervous and alone trying on gowns. Also, Daphne would make sure she didn't wear anything that would be too ghastly; at least she hoped not.

"Alright dear, I have your measurements. Now we must collect the dresses according to your size," the shop owner told her. "Wait here with Ms. Greengrass, and I will be back shortly."

When the witch left to find wedding gowns for Hermione to try on, Hermione turned to Daphne and said, "I'm so happy you showed up today. I should have thought to do this sooner and have no idea what to look for."

Daphne waved off her comment and said, "It's no trouble. Besides, you didn't have much time to do so with how fast this whole arranged marriage is moving, so I'm happy to help. And don't worry, I'll make sure I'll pick a dress that will have Professor Snape absolutely stunned and want to rip off you later."

The blonde couldn't help but laugh at how quickly the brunette's face turned red with an almost appalled expression on her face. Once she calmed down she said, "I'm just kidding. But there is a chance that the Ministry is going to require that you and Snape consummate the bonding vows you two will partake in."

"Right away?" Hermione asked with an incredulous expression.

"Some bonding vows require consummation within twenty-four hours of the marriage, others a little longer. There are some that require none, but with this Act being for the restoration of the bloodlines, you and Snape will have a bonding requiring consummation of the vows."

"But I don't want to consummate right away."

A surprised look came over Daphne's face. "So you're not opposed to consummating?"

Hermione looked down. "It's not like I have a choice. But I don't want to have to do so right after the bonding ceremony. I'm not ready for children."

"Consummating doesn't necessarily mean children right away. It just has to happen to make the marriage even more valid than it already is. And trust me, I don't think Snape is ready for children at all. He knows like you that children are expected, but it doesn't have to happen right away. And think about it; this marriage will give you two more time to get to know each other. It won't be all bad, I'm sure."

Hermione hoped the blonde witch was right. Before she could think more on it, the shop owner returned with a rack full of wedding gowns. She grabbed three gowns off the rack and quickly ushered Hermione into one of the dressing rooms to try them on. The brunette spent an hour trying on different wedding gowns, most of them being shot down by Daphne. While Hermione was beginning to think that she would never find a dress for her arranged wedding, Daphne was getting aggravated that the shop keeper had only brought gowns that were unflattering, even though they fit Hermione's body. When Hermione went to take off the gown she was currently wearing, Daphne took it upon herself to browse the shop in search of a decent wedding gown before her eyes finally laid on one that she believed would be perfect for Hermione. Grabbing the gown, she quickly went back to the dressing rooms and knocked on the door Hermione was behind.

"Hermione, I found a dress that I think you will like," Daphne called. She waited for a moment before the door opened a bit and she passed the gown through the crack to the brunette.

Looking at the dress, Hermione thought that it looked rather simple, and yet she was more drawn to it than any of the other wedding gowns the shop owner had brought to her. Quickly changing into the dress, Hermione looked at herself in the mirror in the dressing room, an awed expression coming over herself. The gown had an a-line neckline with lace along the top that went to the sleeves that stopped at her elbows. The gown hugged her figure with lovely lace designs running down the dress, the skirt stopping just at her feet. It was simple, but yet still rather beautiful.

Taking a deep breath Hermione stepped out of her dressing room to stand before the shop owner and Daphne, waiting for one of them to say something. The shop owner smiled and nodded approvingly while Daphne grinned and said, "Perfect."

"You really think so?" Hermione asked. "This wedding is Ministry arranged and I want to look appropriate."

"Trust me, you look lovely. It is a shame we couldn't get you a real wedding dress, but maybe if things work out well for you and Snape, you can do it all over again with a real wedding and pick out a much more fabulous dress. But I do believe that Snape will think you are beautiful in this one, whether he says so or not."

Turning to look in the full=length mirror, Hermione looked at herself once more, all the while wondering if her marriage to her former professor would even work. Seeing herself in this wedding dress was making the arrangement all the more real, and by tomorrow at this time, she would be wed to him and officially be Severus' wife.

The next morning Hermione was standing in the Ministry room that was designated her dressing room with butterflies in her stomach. The day had finally come; she was going to be Mrs. Severus Snape in the next hour. Despite knowing this, she had yet to get into her wedding gown, and was instead seated in her t-shirt and jeans staring at it. Though she had been taking the arrangement in stride and had been trying to make the most of it, Hermione now wanted to bolt with the wedding upon her. She wasn't sure if she could actually go through with it. She was so nervous she was beginning to feel sick. She wondered if Severus was feeling like she was. Or rather, was his reluctance making him feel nothing but bitterness. She could already imagine him in his normal black robes with his usual scowl on his face, growling through his teeth 'I do'.

A knock on the door drew her attention away from her thoughts and she called out, "Come in."

The door opened and Daphne stuck her head in, giving her a smile before slipping inside. Daphne looked at the witch and asked, "Hermione, why aren't you dressed?"

The brunette looked at the blonde witch, taking in her appearance. Daphne was wearing a lovely grey dress that hugged her figure and showed off her curves. Her blonde hair was half-pinned up and curly, and her makeup was flawless. On her feet she wore some rather tall black heels, Hermione wondering if she was standing and walking in them naturally or using a Stabilizing Charm. All in all, Daphne looked wonderful. Giving her a small smile Hermione told her, "You look really pretty, Daphne."

"Thank you, but you're the one who should look prettier than me today. Come on, let's get you into your wedding gown."

Not arguing with her, Hermione let Daphne change her out of her clothes and into her wedding gown, giggling softly at how Daphne muttered that she was a whole size smaller than her. Once she was in her gown and white heels on her feet, Daphne set to work on her hair, brushing her curls out into long waves, and then pinning it up in a chignon style. Satisfied with her work, the blonde moved on to her makeup, deciding on a modest makeup look, believing that it would fit the brunette more than something extravagant like she was sure she would do next week for her arranged marriage to Harry. When she was finally done, Daphne stepped back and said, "Finito."

Hermione looked at herself in the mirror that had been provided and had to admit that she indeed looked rather wonderful for a quickly arranged marriage. She still looked like herself, so she was happy with that. She just hoped—and she couldn't believe that she was hoping for this—that Severus found her attire pleasing. She couldn't imagine him expecting her wearing something a bit more extravagant. A slight blush appeared on her face, her silently wondering why it was that she cared what he thought of her appearance. He didn't seem to care about her much at all, so why would he care about her chosen wedding dress?

There was another knock on the door and Harry's voice called out, "Hermione? Daphne? Are you two ready? Kingsley says it is about time to start."

"Yes, we're ready," Daphne called in return before turning back to Hermione. Taking in her slightly panicked expression she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and said, "It will be alright, and over before you know it."

Nodding Hermione said, "I know that, but I'm just so nervous and I don't know why."

"Are you nervous about what the public will think when word gets around that you and Snape married?"

"I don't know, maybe?"

"Don't worry about what they think, Hermione. Trust me, you'll be fine and you'll be fine with Snape. He may be a lot of things, but he'll make sure no harm comes to you as his wife."

"I don't know…"

"Come on, you're a former Gryffindor. Show some of that Gryffindor courage! I promise Hermione, everything will be fine and you'll be fine married to Snape."

Hermione wasn't so sure of that but nodded in response before she and the blonde witch left the room, meeting Harry in the hall before walking to the Minister's Office. Along the way, many Ministry employees stared at Hermione and whispered, wondering why it was that she was wearing a wedding gown. Other employees wondered who it was that Hermione Granger was about to be wed to, considering she had not been in a relationship since she ended things with Ron. Harry took Hermione's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, providing comfort to her as they made their way to the Minister's Office. Before long, they reached it and Harry knocked before entering, followed by Hermione and Daphne.

Inside the office other than Kingsley was Severus, him dressed in black formal robes. His black hair was tied back in a small ponytail on the base of his neck with a black ribbon, keeping his hair out of his face. Hermione was surprised to see Luna Lovegood and Draco Malfoy present as well, Luna standing serenely next to the blond wizard while Draco looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. Not only them, but there were also four other people in the office, two witches and two wizards. Also in the office was someone from the Daily Prophet, a camera and quill and notebook ready at hand. Seeing her confusion at the extra people in the office, Kingsley said, "There needs to be two pairs of witnesses which is why Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Lovegood are here, to be the second pair along with Mr. Potter and Ms. Greengrass, and the council that called for the Bloodline Restoration Act sent these four on behalf to witness the first marriage of the Act."

Luna walked over to Hermione and gave her a hug before saying, "You look lovely Hermione. The woodland nymphs have already blessed this union and your fire spirit is burning brightly."

Returning her hug Hermione said softly, "Thank you, Luna." She didn't understand at all what the dreamy witch meant, but she knew it was all meant well.

Turning to Draco she gave him a small nod in greeting, Draco doing the same in return. Once the clock struck ten, Draco and Luna moved to stand next to Severus as his witnesses, and Harry and Daphne next to Hermione as hers. Hermione stood next to Severus in front of Kingsley, willing her heart to calm down in her chest. She glanced at Severus to see that he was sporting his usual stoic expression and wondered if he was feeling nervous or anything considering they were about to be wed. She would have thought 'no', had it not been for the subtle clenching of his jaw, the action being so quick she would have thought she imagined it had she not seen it for real.

Clearing his throat, Kingsley began the bonding ceremony of Severus Snape and Hermione Granger, having them hold onto one another's left hand. As he spoke, he began the bonding enchantment, waving his wand over their hands as he did so. Pink and gold sparks emitted from the tip of his wand and soon turned into a form of ribbon swirling around their hands. As it did, Kingsley asked to Severus, "Do you Severus Tobias Snape, take Hermione Jean Granger as your wife and bonded partner, with the promise to protect and cherish her, as well as commit no infidelity for as long as you both shall live?"

Severus looked from Kingsley to Hermione briefly before saying in his deep baritone voice, "I, Severus Tobias Snape, promise to these terms to Hermione Jean Granger."

Kingsley nodded and turned to Hermione. "Do you Hermione Jean Granger, take Severus Tobias Snape as your husband and bonded partner, with the promise to protect and cherish him, as well as commit no infidelity for as long as you both shall live?"

Hermione's voice caught in her throat and she had to swallow and close her eyes to get her bearings. Taking a deep breath, Hermione opened her eyes and nodded saying, "I, Hermione Jean Granger, promise to these terms to Severus Tobias Snape."

The swirling pink and gold around their hands glowed before sinking down into their joined hands, the colors moving to swirl around their left ring fingers before settling into their skin. The feeling tingled and burned slightly, and when the light finally died down, the imprint of a ring of sorts was visible on their fingers, mostly visible on Severus' pale hand. Nodding, Kingsley said, "By the power of I, Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt, I now pronounce you bonded and married in the law of the Ministry and in the eye of Merlin. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Severus Tobias Snape."

Mrs. Severus Tobias Snape. The name rung in Hermione's ears as the representatives of the Bloodline Restoration Act clapped at seeing the first marriage of the Act, as well as Harry, Luna, and Daphne clapping. The name continued to ring in her ear as the Daily Prophet writer took their picture and she and Severus signed the marriage/bonding certificate that was ready for them, having already been signed by Draco, Harry, Luna, and Daphne. Looking up at Severus, Hermione couldn't help but think, It really happened. Professor Snape is actually my husband.

Severus looked down at his new wife and noticed she seemed a bit pale. Were all of her nerves hitting her now? She looked a bit faint, or at the least like she was going to. Before asking her if she was alright, one of the representatives of the Bloodline Restoration Act stepped up to them and said, "Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Snape on your marriage. And again, we are so pleased that you decided to participate in this Act."

Severus had to hold back the retort that they did not decide to participate, but were rather forced to. Pursing his lips he said, "Indeed."

Somewhat irked by his curt response, the representative then said, "Now we can focus on Mr. Potter's and Ms. Greengrass' wedding ceremony. But just so you know, the bonding that you two have require consummation of the vows. The vows must be consummated in seventy-two hours, or there will be severe sickness or even death. Take all the time in the world to do so, but remember you only have three days. Happy consummating."

As the representatives left Kingsley's office, as well as the Daily Prophet writer, Severus scowled after them in hatred. He was already forced to marry Hermione and now he was being made to have sex with her in three days time? This was absolutely ridiculous, just bloody ridiculous. However, before he could stew on it more, he heard Harry ask, "Hermione, are you alright?"

Turning to face his bride, he saw that the brunette looked much paler than she had already. Concerned, he placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Are you alright, Ms. Granger?" Not calling her by her now maiden name would take some getting used to.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but she quickly shut it before shaking her head. She swayed on her feet a little as what the representative had said whirled around in her head. She and Severus would have to consummate their vows in three days. She would have to have sex with Severus in three days! Feeling very lightheaded, Hermione tried to take a step towards the door in an effort to go find the restroom, but instead her eyes rolled in her head and she fell forwards towards the floor, barely registering strong arms catching her and alarmed shouts as she promptly passed out.