Severus glanced up and saw three girls snickering in the back, he laughed. "Sheila, Amanda, Kari, did you really think I was going to leave that out?" he asked before returning to the story.
~*FLASHBACK*~
That evening after dinner in Hermione's room, Hermione and Severus were going over the details of the mission when there was a knock on the door.
"I'll bet that's Minirva." Severus said, opening the door. He was correct.
Minirva burst through the door saying, "Oh Hermione I just heard. It's such wonderful news. Have you set a date? Do you want help planning? I just can't believe it, this is amazing,"
"Minirva!" Severus exclaimed after trying unsuccessfully to gain her attention. "Minirva, we are not engaged. She is helping me with a mission for The Order, she has to act as my wife at the Malfoy Ball. Remember I told you I was asking one of the teachers for help? Well she's the one. That is what the girls heard this morning."
Hermione began to laugh at the look on Minirva's face, "Minirva, you look like somebody just kicked your cat, no pun intended."
Severus snickered, "It was a mistake, We are not getting married."
"But the ring…" Minirva trailed off.
"He lent it to me so we would appear to be married."
Minirva nodded stiffly, "I apologize for interrupting your evening then," she sounded like she was about to cry.
"You didn't interrupt our evening," Hermione said softly.
Minirva stood to leave, but Severus stopped her. "Please don't say anything to the students, we want to torture them a bit." He said smiling.
Minirva looked at Hermione and nodded. "Very well, I leave it to you to decide what to do. It's your 'marriage' after all." She said grinning as she left.
The next day Severus and Hermione chaperoned a Hogsmeade visit. While they were in Hogsmeade they decided to find their clothes for the Ball.
"I've heard there is a wonderful formal robes shop on the next street," Severus said. "I believe it's called Viola'a Violets, Fine Robes for Fine Occasions."
"I've heard of that, have you ever been there?" She said calmly, though the entire ordeal scared her.
"No time like the present," he said offering his arm.
She laughed as she took it, saying, "What will the students think Sev?"
"Sev? Did you just call me Sev?" He asked incredulously.
"Yes, I called you Sev, deal with it."
They continued bickering until they reached Viola's. Walking in Hermione immediately saw several robes she wanted to try on. She and Severus had decided earlier that they would wear an older style, from the 1600's perhaps. Viola came busteling in from the back room. "Velcome to Viola's, I am Viola. Vhat can I do vor you?" she asked.
"We are looking for some older style dress robes, we were thinking something from the 1600's maybe?" Hermione answered.
"Ahh, going to a Ball zen are you," Viola said with a wink. "Albus told me to expect you, 'e said you vould be needing…. 'ow did he put it, 'zey vould need to have 'fantabulous' robes. Vhatever zat means." Viola said with a grimace. "Come zis way my dears, zis way."
Hermione fell in love with the third gown Viola pulled out. It was a darkish blue, with gold trim and scalloped sleeves, styled like something you would see Elizabethan royalty wearing.
Severus's robes were a bit harder to find, he didn't like any of the designs Viola picked out. Finally however, Hermione found one. It was a dark blood red, with gold trim.
The day before the Ball, Severus showed up through Hermione's wall. "Are you sire you want to do this?" He asked.
"Yes Severus, I'm positive." She stated, "Will we be staying at the Malfoy's overnight after the Ball, or nt if we can help it?" she asked him.
"Not if I can help it, I want to get you out of there as soon as I can. Which, I forgot to tell you how 'Death Eater's' treat their wives. Do you want ot know, or should we pla it by ear?"
"I'd like to know how Malfoy expects you to treat me, then I'd like to know exactly how you will be treating me." Hermione said delicatly, she didn't want to pry, but she needed to know.
Severus smiled, a rare occerance that week. "I understand completely. According to death eaters there are several rules wives must follow; 1, Wives are seen only when convient. 2, Wives will bear a son. 3, Wives are expendable. 4, Wives do not speak unless spoken to." Severus paused before continuing. "There are more, such as Wives will always enter a possible dangerous room before the Husband so as to protect the Husband. You are not expected to follow these rule however. All you have to do is stay by my side and smile until you make your move, understand?"
"I understand Severs," Hermione said, pulling Severus down onto the sofa next to her.