Disclaimer: I know the last chapter was shorter than the others but it came to a natural stopping point. As usual, I own nothing. I just love these two. Just watched Sense and Sensibility last night and dang Alan Rickman can really act. I realized most fanfic Snape characters are just basically Colonel Brandon.
Hermione carefully twisted her hair into a loose low bun and eyed herself in the mirror. Her everest green wrap dress wasn't too casual, but also not too formal. Why she was dressing up for him two nights in a row, she couldn't say. He was accustomed to seeing her in plain business-appropriate robes at the Ministry, and she wanted him to see another side of her. Yesterday, she made the decision to go forward with marrying her former potions professor, and she hoped there could be more than just a companionable arrangement. It was a reach, but there was a chance.
He was…attractive in his own peculiar way, she supposed. Tall, dark, and handsome was the saying, and he definitely had at least two of those going for him. His most attractive quality was his voice, of course. The teenage girls at Hogwarts often went through a tiny crush just on that voice alone. As she thought about it, she also recalled that her female colleagues on her team were mesmerized by his Amortentia mini lecture that first day of the trials. He had a way about him that he probably was not aware of. Hermione was more than curious to see if there could be a genuine connection between them beyond friendship. Had he asked her for dinner to talk things over more or did he see this as a date?
She had spent some time with Snape over the years, but never alone with him. And that's why she found herself checking her appearance for the third time in the course of a few minutes before walking out of her flat. She was actually nervous. About being on a date with Snape.
My soon to be husband. She reminded herself. A little shiver went through her that could have been fear or excitement. Dinner with Severus at his cottage. A perfectly normal activity.
"That was delicious, Severus. Thank you for dinner."
He nodded to acknowledge her.
"Should we retire to the fireplace?" She offered.
He poured a glass of whiskey before joining her in the other room.
"Severus, might I have a taste?"
"You enjoy whiskey, Granger?" He said with a raised brow.
"Not normally, but I like trying new things." She said with a sly smile. Hermione hoped she sounded playful and not overt. She really was trying to open herself up to new things lately, and hopefully he would admire that.
He poured the amber liquid into the glencairn glass with his deft hands. As he passed the glass to her, their fingers brushed for a moment. The small touch sent tingles up Hermione's disguise her reaction, she immediately took a taste.
"Hmmm, it's good." she admitted.
"It's from northern Ireland."
"I can honestly say I quite like it."
"I have an extra bottle if you would like to take some home."
"Umm…well, I don't think that will be necessary."
"Ah, not your favorite then."
"Well, no it's just that I will soon be staying here … Right?"
His eyes locked with hers. That look of his made her feel things she didn't know he could evoke from her. Why was he looking at her with such intensity? It wasn't as if he wanted this to happen.
"I will admit, Miss Granger. It had momentarily slipped my mind. I was startled at your ready willingness to leave your own residence and move in here. Are you sure?"
He looked so uncertain. What was he worried about exactly? Would she be treading on sacred ground by entirely disrupting the quiet solitude of his cottage? She knew she would try not to be a nuisance and keep to herself. Hopefully he would not mind her being in his space, too much.
"Please, call me Hermione. I know it's quite an imposition and so immediate. I understand if you need more time. We could put off the wedding another week or two, if you require it." Was he having second thoughts? She started to worry he would back out if they postponed. Who knows what would happen to her if she had to wait for a second match. She would be left with an unknown stranger of far less compatibility or lose her job if she couldn't go through with it. She could see herself with Snape. They could live pleasantly together, though likely not passionately.
Little did she know, her suitor was thinking the exact opposite. He knew the scent was hers, and he had sensed the desire within him for being physical with her. Not that he would let it show in the least. If she closed that door, then he would not attempt to open it again. Uncertain, he drew his brows together.
"You misunderstand me. I merely meant to give you every opportunity to change your mind or continue at your flat. I do not agree to things I dislike, Hermione. I am fine with the current timeline." He was anxious to get on a first name basis. If they couldn't consistently reach that primary level of intimacy, it was unlikely they would get further. It took conscious thought to speak her first name regularly, but he knew it was necessary.
"Are you sure I wouldn't be imposing?" She asked. He nodded, schooling his impassive features. He knew if they put off the wedding date, surely another match would arrive in the mail for her. One that was far better for her, but he was not willing to wait for his door #2. He wanted this.
"Well, as I said last night, I brought a few things to leave here so that tomorrow won't be quite so hectic." As she spoke, she pulled a large travel bag out of her small beaded purse. It was fairly impressive charm work. "Where should I put this?"
Tomorrow, he would no longer be living alone. He was somewhat looking forward to the company, but it was a lot all at once.
"Follow me." He headed up the stairs without ceremony, causing her to hurry to keep up. She noted that his stalking down the hall didn't have the same effect without the billowing robes that normally followed him. They continued up the small flight of stairs, coming to a set of three doors at the top.
"The door on the left leads to the master bedroom and bathroom. The door on the right leads to the guest room and the door adjacent is the guest bathroom." She was confused why he stalled in choosing a direction to take her.
"Hermione…"
"Yes, Severus?" She asked, awkwardly holding her large leather bag.
"As I was making room for you today, I realized I wanted you to have options. Our situation is not typical."
That was the understatement of the year.
"You are welcome in either room. I was uncertain of your aspirations for this peculiar marriage, and I did not want to make assumptions. Take your time." With that, he swept down the stairs faster than she thought possible. He said such polite things in such an impolite tone. As though his chivalry was an insult. Curious man.
She did not know which way to turn. Hermione appreciated his consideration of her comfort. Her decision on the marriage was certain, but she was tentative on sleeping in the same bed as him right away. I do hate sleeping alone. She gnawed on her lip anxiously before making her way to the room.
Severus felt that it was a successful evening. They had engaging conversations on a wide manner of topics, they got to talk about important things regarding tomorrow, but he knew he remained reserved around her. If all went well the next day and they were officially married, he would try to let some walls down. Part of him still did not believe that she would actually go through with the ceremony. Surely, she would come to her senses and wait for her next option. Still, out of curiosity, he went upstairs to see where she had placed her bag. That might give him an idea of where she stood.
He knew not to check his own room first. As he suspected, her brown leather bag sat on his aunt's quilt strewn across the guest bed.
Why am I disappointed by this? I expected no difference. Bloody wishful thinking.
In all honesty, it had been many years since he had spent a night with a woman, and never in his own bed. He valued his privacy too greatly to invite a stranger into his chambers. But he knew Hermione, and tomorrow she would become his wife. If all went well.
Monday morning at 9am sharp, he met her in the Ministry Atrium. As they walked to the elevator, Severus considered the last time they had done so. The Circumstances were so different. She was just a colleague, though a young and pretty one he hadn't much noticed at the time. That bloody potion changed everything. Now instead of being shown the way to the Minister's office by a former student, he was striding next to the woman who would soon be his wife. Poor girl. Did she really know what she was getting into? Neither his looks nor temperament were desirable. Was he simply the best case scenario in an unfortunate fix? Either way, he was determined to make the best of it. There was no sense in wallowing. He realized he had been scowling at every one in their path during his mental tirade. Thankfully, Hermione hadn't noticed.
Entering the elevator, he was pleased for once that they had it to themselves.
"Last chance…" whispered Severus.
She smirked and took his hand in a show of solidarity. Her palms were clammy. At least he wasn't the only anxious one. It was comforting to have her small hand in his. He was pondering whether to experiment rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand when the doors swung open. They quickly let go and strode down the hall a few feet before a dark-haired wizard whipped around the corner.
"Hermione! Hello there!" exclaimed the Savior of the wizarding world, Harry Potter. Severus blanched. What rotten timing.
"Oh, hello Harry," said Hermione, a bit thrown off, "what are you doing on the 4th floor?"
"I was about to ask you the same. We were sad not to see you at the Burrow for Sunday dinner last night." Harry eyed Snape, obviously trying to deduce why they were there together.
"I was busy with…work. Good to see you, Harry, but we've got an appointment to keep. Give Ginny a hug for me." She turned to walk away, but Severus had not moved. Potter was staring at him with focused concentration.
"You both have an appointment together? On the 4th floor? Is it for the trials?" Then, suddenly, his eyes opened wide and his jaw fell open in astonishment.
"It can't be…" He said under his breath. Hermione looked back at him and shrugged in a sort of apology.
"Can't beat the system, Harry. Well, I guess I sort of invented the system, but I trust that—"
"Hermione, are you marrying bloody Snape?"
Hermione looked at Severus as if to check for confirmation. He looked uncomfortable but slightly amused at Potter's expression of utter disbelief. This was certainly a perk of marrying Hermione if he got to torment his nemesis' son psychologically.
"If you must know, yes, we are heading to the ceremony room right now."
Harry was speechless.
"Before you say anything," she intervened, "you should know that I am happy with the outcome, and you have nothing to worry about."
Was she just placating Potter or was that a declaration of her actual feelings?
The young man squinted a moment, opened his mouth twice as if to spew several expletives, then seemed to think the better of it. It seemed Potterhad matured from the pubescent and impulsive boy of his teen years.
"Please Hermione, wait five minutes. You need witnesses to sign your forms anyways, and Ginny would hexme if I didn't invite her to be there."
"Is that alright, Severus?" She turned to him with a pensive look in her eyes.
"This is hardly a conventional wedding, but you should have some friends there if convenient. How far away is Miss Weas— Mrs. Potter?" He grimaced at saying Lily's married name. He barely spat it out.
"She's in the Auror's office. She came by with breakfast for me. I'll be just a minute." With that, Potter popped into the elevator and it shot straight up like it knew the hurry of its occupant.
Severus looked over to Hermione, and could tell by her small smile that she was happy to have friends present for the occasion.
"Harry has been there through everything. It's only right he should be there for this." She looked towards the hall.
"He might be coming just to object." Severus said sarcastically. In his mind, he knew it was not quite so sarcastic. She nudged his elbow with her own.
"Hardly. He learned long ago that I will not be swayed from my convictions."
"And just why are you so convicted in this case?" asked Severus. She looked up at him.
"Honestly, I don't really know. But I feel it."
Before he could respond, the Potter couple stumbled out of the elevator. Hermione looked at her closest female friend and pointed her forefinger directly at her nose.
"No questions today."
The red-headed woman nodded ruefully.
The ceremony was short and simple. They exchanged vows and plain silver bands. Hermione was surprised to find hers had a decent round cut diamond in it. She wondered if it was a family heirloom. In wizarding tradition, there was also a handfasting with silk ribbons. The Ministry official who was officiating offered the ribbons to Ginny to save as a memento for the couple. Ginny had taken place beside Hermione as her impromptu maid of honor. When they were pronounced man and wife, Hermione leaned in for a soft and platonic kiss. What she felt was a meaningful and sensual kiss. It didn't look like it, so no one else noticed the difference, but Hermione did. Her breath quickened along with her heart beats. He averted his eyes, as she tried to gauge his reasons. Whatever they were, it was clear he was a hell of a kisser.
Harry and Ginny hugged her, wishing her well. She promised they would meet up soon and discuss everything in length. Ginny winked saucily, while Harry looked a bit green.
"Well, Mrs. Snape. Shall we head home?" She could have sworn he almost smiled.
Author's Notes: Positive or Constructive reviews only please! No trolls in the dungeon. Your words mean a lot to me. Thank you so much!