16.
If I tell you I'm strong will you play along?
It was becoming increasingly hard for Severus to hold back his "urges" especially with Hermiones company becoming a permanent fixture in his life. The pain that streamed through his body, wore through his defensives like a water braking through a dam. His final shred of loyalty was questioned one day in mid March when they had finally finished her potion. He could no longer thwart her progress without bringing attention to himself, and frankly he felt proud that she had succeeded. She had only been called once since the feasting room, and he was no fool to not know what that meeting pertained too, and this was his final test of loyalty. If Voldemort were to find out that her potion found it's way into Dumbledore's hands his cover would be blown and Hermione would know he was a traitor, and that sat heavily on his chest. He had come to know her, the real her, not the death eater or the Gryffindor know-it-all but Hermione Granger the intelligent, beautiful witch that spent her nights and evenings in his company.
" Severus are you coming?" She called from the door.
" Coming where, love." He asked his heart twisting violently at the word " You know loving her wouldn't hurt if you just gave into it?" He shook his head.
" To the meeting. Our Lord will be thrilled to know we've gotten done so soon."
Severus felt trapped. His arm thumped as a voice piped through his mind. " Just give in, Severus. Look at her. She wants you to go with her… this is your ticket old man. Time to make a choice." He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts.
He took a deep breath. " Coming, I just need to grab my cloak from my room."
She nodded as she headed for into his office.
Severus walked into his chambers and stopped in front of the fireplace pausing at the floo box, debating on whether to call Albus and inform him of the potion. He took a deep breath, and backed away from the fireplace grabbing his cloak off the back of the chair.
" Ready?" She called from the door. He nodded holding on tightly as they disappeared.
~~~~~**~~~~~~
They arrived in a small living room, a fire blazing merrily giving the room an amber glow.
"Hermione?" Voldemort hissed from a chair to the left.
" Yes, my lord, we've come to inform you the potion is complete." They bowed together.
" Perfect. I am delighted with your work, Hermione. " He spoke a smile tugging at his lips.
" Yes, My Lord, however I cannot take all the credit. It was Severus effort that resulted in the advancement of the potion." She said as she stood.
Voldemort watched Severus throw a look to Hermione.
" Is this true, Severus?" He asked.
" My Lord, it was nothing Hermione is the one who should get the credit she deserves I merely answered a few questions." He said still bowing.
" Ah, Severus never one for the limelight. I am glad you are both here. It has come to my attention that you have formed and attachment or sorts." Severus looked up, as Hermione smiled.
" I am quite fond of him My Lord." She said lovingly.
" Severus?" Voldemort questioned.
Severus shifted his weight nervously. " I am quite fond of her as well, My Lord." He said shyly.
" Hermione what are your plans for after graduation?" His eyes shifted from Severus to Hermione who smile seemed to increase.
" My Lord, Severus has offered me my own labs and is assisting me with my further education."
" Then it is settled, I want you two to bond. You are a fine match and I have no doubt your heir will be invaluable to our cause."
Severus felt ill. Once they bonded he would have no will to fight anymore.
" Hermione, as soon as the potion is able we will distribute to the circle. I want you both back here in a week to begin the bonding. Severus I assume you know what needs to be done before that is to take place?" He asked.
" Yes, My Lord."
Voldemort nodded. " Good, then I shall see you in a week. Also, Hermione congratulations on your NEWTS I do believe you've even beaten our dear Severus' record. I am very proud."
" Thank you, My Lord." She smiled.
Severus could feel the joy melting off of her, as they bid a farewell to The Dark Lord and popped out of the room.
~~~~~**~~~~~
They sat next to each other in front of Severus' fireplace. Hermione snuggled close to him breathing him is heady scent.
" Are you upset, Severus?" She asked her voice muffled in his robes.
" I don't think we should bond." He said softly brushing his hands through her hair. " You're too young and I don't like taking your choices away." " And I'm scared out of my mind." He added silently.
" I love you, and I highly doubt I'll ever lover another as much." She said brushing her cheek against his stomach.
" I love you too, and we hardly have a choice now. But I want you to know how I feel." He said honestly.
She looked up at him. " And I want you to know how I feel as well. Even if we had a choice I'd want to do this. You make things simple, Severus. I feel real when I am with you." She pulled his face into her hands.
" We're good together, aye?" She asked smirking at him.
He smiled nodding his head. " Yes, we are." He pulled her into a kiss fumbling with her lips stroking his hands across her neck and chin. They pulled apart slightly leaning on each other inhaling in the others breath.
" What did he mean by the things before the bonding." She asked her nose wrinkling up in thought.
" We have to be married. A wizarding marriage." He said. " Which reminds me." He pulled her off of him sitting her on the seat as he walked into the next room. She could hear drawers being opened and closed. Finally he came back out and stopped in front of her. He kneeled down on both knees bringing her foreword to him so they where eye-level. He then smiled, a wide grin.
" My Hermione, I am nothing alone and everything with you. I love you and I would be honored if you would accept my humble plea of marriage." He smiled slowly taking her hand and kissing her fingers. " Will you marry me?" He finally asked opening his palm and slipping a silver band with a small glistening opal shinning in the center.
" It's beautiful." She had tears streaming down her face.
He brushed them away quietly. " It was my mothers." He whispered.
Hermione's breath hitched. He never talked about his family before the same way she never talked about hers.
" Severus," She stopped looking him straight in the eye. " I have to tell you something." She said in a meek whisper.
His heart flopped in his chest. " What."
" I love you more than anything I want nothing more than to marry you, but I have to tell you this, it wouldn't be right to accept if I didn't." She took a deep breath. " I've been reporting on you to the Dark Lord. That was the original reason behind sleeping with you." She looked at him with such remorse.
" I know." He said nodding.
" You know? And you still want me to marry you?"
" Yes." He said honestly. He wanted so much to tell her the truth but he knew in the end she'd understand.
"I don't deserve you." She said in such a whisper he'd barely heard her. He grabbed her forcefully.
" You deserve more than me, I not even a tenth of what you deserve in life but god damn me if wont try everyday for the rest of my life to make up for that." He said his eyes flashing so quickly they looked like flames.
She hugged him so tightly it was painful. " I love you, Severus. I love you so much." He pulled her into his lap leaning against the settee for support.
He kissed her gently pulling her hair aside so he could caress her neck with his mouth. " My Hermione." He whispered into her skin.
A/N: I've never been purposed to before and I don't like writing mushy sentiment but I hope this is okay. My grandmother says my ideas at romance and love are too simple… that may be… I suppose I'll find out with old age but for now this is all I gots ;0) I hope you like it, and if anyone has any clues to what is suppose to happen in a wizarding marriage drop me a line at tulipsaside at yahoo. Com. Okay?
