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 10
Stepping into Gringotts, Hermione could feel all the goblins' beady eyes on her, many of them scowling and glaring. It made her feel rather small, especially from their high seats, but she held her head up as she marched to the front desk, Severus not far behind her. Reaching the desk where the Head Goblin sat, Hermione cleared her throat and said, "Excuse me."
The Head Goblin peered down at Hermione from behind the large desk and narrowed his beady down at her before saying, "Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's friend. Here to steal something else and escape on a dragon again, damaging our property once again?"
Severus raised an eyebrow and looked the brunette, taking in her embarrassed expression and the pink blush on her face as she slightly ducked her head. She closed her eyes momentarily before replying, "No sir, I am not. I'm actually here on familial business in concerns to my…husband."
The goblin's eyes widened slightly before turning to look at her companion. Seeing the tall brooding man, he greeted, "Professor Snape. I heard of your recent nuptials. Congratulations are in order, I suppose."
Severus only hummed in response. Turning back to Hermione the Head Goblin said, "You want to inquire whether Mr. Snape is entitled to the Prince family fortune and estate."
It wasn't a question, Hermione could hear that in his tone. Nodding in confirmation, she said, "Yes, we would."
He nodded before calling another goblin to stand in for him, then beckoned the newly wedded couple to follow him. They walked down a long series of corridors, reminding Hermione once again of just how large and deep Gringotts was. It wasn't long before they finally reached the office of the Head Goblin. As the goblin took a seat behind his desk, Hermione and Severus sat in the two chairs provided in front of it. Once everyone was comfortable the Head Goblin summoned a stack of documents, the top document having a large letter 'P' with a crown overtop of it, shamrocks decorating it, and all of it settled in a crest, the Prince family crest.
Looking through the documents, the Head Goblin read them quickly looking for a specific one before finally stopping on one particular piece of parchment. Glancing over it he nodded and said, "Here it is, the Prince family tree and inheritance forms. Eileen Prince, daughter of former and deceased Lord Roderick Prince. Disowned from all Prince family inheritances—including vaults, property, etc.—upon marrying Muggle Tobias Snape. Child, Severus Tobias Snape's birth was known by grandfather Lord Prince. During his last few days, Lord Prince made a final change to his will stating that when Severus either became of age or married, he would be entitled to all Prince family land, property, vaults, fortunes, heirlooms, etc., and would become the new Lord Prince."
The Head Goblin looked up at the couple in front of him, taking in their surprised expressions. "In conclusion, everything the Prince family have ever owned is now yours, Mr. Snape. Once you sign the documents accepting your inheritance, you will be granted the official title of Lord Prince and will have access to all the Prince family vaults and property. The same goes for your wife when she becomes Lady Prince."
Hermione, though shocked at what she had just heard, recovered faster and looked at her husband. She would have giggled at the absolute shock on his face, but she didn't. Instead, she poked his arm lightly and said, "I knew you weren't included in your mother's disownment."
Severus stared at the Head Goblin in disbelief, black eyes comically wide on his pale face. Blinking to get his bearings he asked, "Are you sure?"
The Head Goblin simply handed the document over, allowing the wizard to read it. Severus' eyes read and reread the words written on the document over and over before finally putting it down and sitting in disbelief. Looking back up at the Head Goblin he asked, "So my grandfather knew of me and my mother didn't know?"
"Your grandfather knew about you, and your mother in fact did know. In fact, she was the one to let the former and deceased Lady Prince know that she was expecting, knowing her father would find out. I do not know if she knew that you were set to inherit everything the Princes have, but she did know that Lord Prince knew of your existence."
Severus wasn't sure what to feel in that moment. Here he had just found out that he was set to inherit his mother's family's fortune and everything it entitled, including becoming the new Lord Prince. It was rather overwhelming, even more so to know that his mother knew that his grandfather had known about him and hadn't said anything. He wasn't sure how to feel with so many emotions warring inside of him due to this new discovery. Other than his wide eyes, his face showed no emotion; however, his hands had begun to tremble slightly. Severus didn't realize it though, not until he felt a gentle hand place itself over his. Looking over he saw that it was Hermione that had touched his hand comfortingly, his wife looking at him with concern in her eyes. Taking a breath he gave her a slight nod, letting her know he was alright.
Facing the Head Goblin once more, Severus asked, "So do I just get my inheritance upon agreeing to take it, or sign a document? What is it?"
Head Goblin looked at the Potions Master slightly bemused, though it was hard to tell considering he seemed to always where the same expression. Placing his hands on his desk he said, "To fully accept your inheritance, you will have to first take the Oath of Magical Inheritance, then sign the inheritance papers in your blood. Only then will you inherit everything that is entitled to you."
"Oath of Magical Inheritance?" Hermione couldn't help but ask, a frown marring her face as she wracked her brain to try and remember if she knew anything about it or had read about it before, only to come up empty.
"It isn't something that is known or spoken about much," the Head Goblin explained. "This oath is taken when the predecessor of the one receiving the inheritance is no longer living, and thus can not physically hand over the inheritance to their descendant."
"Oh wow, I didn't know that. Does this mean Harry would have to take that oath to get his inheritance for the Potter fortune and such when he marries Daphne?"
"I cannot disclose that information, Mrs. Snape."
"So yes, then," Severus said. Nodding once he said, "I am ready to take the oath."
The Head Goblin nodded before turning to Hermione. "I apologize Mrs. Snape, but you cannot be present during the oath, even if you are his spouse. I must ask you to wait in the main room of the bank. My colleague will escort you back."
Hermione wanted to protest, but also knew better than to argue with the goblins. They already held a grudge against her for breaking into Gringotts with Harry and Ron already; no need to fuel their dislike of her more. She stood up and walked to the door of the office, opening it and stepping out. Closing the door behind her, she turned and was startled to see the goblin waiting for her, just as the Head Goblin had said. With a quick gesture of his hand, he indicated for the brunette to follow him and before she knew it she was entering the main room of Gringotts. She thanked the goblin politely and went to sit on an open bench, watching the goblins count gold, silver, rubies, and other gems. She was so busy watching them, she didn't notice a familiar person walking towards her until they spoke.
"Hermione?" a voice that of a man spoke.
Looking up Hermione smiled at seeing Bill Weasley, though she also felt rather awkward upon seeing him. Standing she greeted him with a hug saying, "Hello Bill. Working today?"
Bill nodded and responded, "I am. What are you doing here?"
"Business."
"Oh? Inquiring about a job."
"No, I don't think the goblins trust me even being in here. But the reason I am here is because Severus is accepting his inheritance."
"Oh, that's right. You married Professor Snape due to the Bloodline Restoration Act. What family exactly does he belong to?"
"The Prince family. With him accepting his inheritance, he'll become the new Lord Prince."
Bill's greenish eyes widened at the news before saying, "Wow, that's amazing. Hey, that means you'll become a Lady, Lady Prince."
Hermione blushed and looked down at her feet before saying, "Yes, that hasn't really sunk in yet. Everything is happening so fast—the B.R.A., the marriage, the knowledge of knowing I'll have some sort of position of power with Severus getting his inheritance—I'm still trying to grasp it all."
"Well, if I know anything, I know that you'll figure it out and handle the way only Hermione Granger can." Bill placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Keep your head up Hermione and try to be happy. I'm sure Snape isn't as bad as he seems or is perceived to be. And I know he'll take care of you."
The brunette gave the red-haired man a grateful smile, happy with the reassurance he was giving her. She thanked him and the two of them hugged once more before Bill continued on his way to his office. He did pause momentarily to tell her that he wouldn't mention their encounter to Ron, knowing his youngest brother was likely to blow a gasket if he found out he had spoken to Hermione when he had been trying to get in contact with her since finding out about her marriage. Hermione nodded and sent her regards to Fleur before he left.
It wasn't long before Severus showed up, a few documents held in his hand as he walked over to his wife. Looking up at her husband Hermione said, "Well?"
Severus didn't respond right off, but then he handed her the documents and said, "It is official. I am now Lord Prince and have access to Prince Manor and the family vaults and fortune."
Hermione, though knowing it had happened, still couldn't really believe it. Not only that, but also couldn't believe what it meant for her. Swallowing she whispered, "And that makes me…that makes me a Lady."
"Yes, it does. You now hold the title of Lady Prince, and the first Muggleborn ever to hold the title of a Lady in the Prince family."
Hermione stared up at Severus in shock, not knowing what to say or do with that information. Her mouth kept opening and closing as she tried to think of something to say, and yet could not. When Severus raised an eyebrow at her gaping expression, obviously waiting for her to say something, the only thing she could say was, "Wow."
Severus smirked and chuckled a bit before suggesting they go and get breakfast while it was still early, preferably away from Diagon Alley. Agreeing, Hermione followed the older man out of the bank and allowed him to Side-Apparate her to London for breakfast. As they walked down the street Hermione made a mental note to visit or invite Harry to update him about what had happened that morning. He was sure to find it interesting, especially when he would have to go through the same thing very soon.
Harry stood in Madam Malkin's as he was measured for his formal robes that he would be getting married in in just three days. He actually hadn't thought about getting robes for the occasion at all, not until it was mentioned to him by none other than Draco Malfoy. Upon finding out Harry did not have any robes ready, the blond wizard had drug him to Diagon Alley and he was immediately taken for measurements. As Madam Malkin worked with him, Harry looked over towards Draco who was watching the woman work before saying, "You didn't have to do this, Malfoy."
"Of course I did, Potter. We can't have you looking frumpy on your wedding to my future sister-in-law," Draco replied easily.
"Future sister-in-law?"
"Yes. I am engaged to Astoria Greengrass, Daphne's younger sister. We'll be wedded next spring." Draco gave Harry a small smirk. "I suppose this makes us more family than the Black family does."
Harry stared at Draco for a moment before laughing softly, nodding in agreement. Merlin, was this new Act he was involved in making his life more interesting than it already was.