An unwanted marriage
Chapter 1: A visit with Voldemort
Disclaimer: I'm only putting one here for the whole thing. Everybody present belongs to JK Rowling. That understood? Ok, good.
I know many don't like slash, especially HG/SS slash. I'm not intending it to be, simply that the two are forced to marry each other against their wills - even though they're married they still hate each other, so it's not exactly slash-y, if that's a word. Nor am I going into detail about a sexual life within their marriage, simply because there is none. The PG-13 rating is only for cursing. Thank you very much.
Now to establish the setting:
****************
It was seventh year of Hogwarts, nearing the end. It was May, and NEWTs were a month away. Hermione as usual was to be found studying like a madwoman for the tests, despite the fact that she was the smartest in her year, never having gotten anything below a perfect 100%. Harry and Ron were playing a game of Wizarding chess, having long given up on studying when they couldn't concentrate.
Not much had happened since their fifth year - at least nothing new. Voldemort was bidding his time, waiting to grow stronger before taking on Harry Potter, so for once they didn't have a final 'showdown' at the end of Harry's sixth year. Harry had gotten over Sirius' death at last, months after the man died. Wormtail had been killed by Lucius. Remus came to Hogwarts as DADA professor for sixth and seventh year; he was the best man for the job, and he also wanted to be around Harry; he had lost Peter, James, and Sirius - now all that was left of the Marauders was Remus; the quiet one that everyone walked over.and of course their enemy, Snape; the cold man embittered by everything he had been through.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione went through the usual teenage crushes and going out and angst and PMS in Hermione's case. Now the Golden trio, as many called them, friend or foe, were mature beyond their years.yet worried about what would happen after Hogwarts. Harry certainly could not return to his life with the Dursleys, and Ron and Hermione of course wanted to leave the house. They needed jobs, homes - a sense of individuality. Then again, paradoxically, the three had often thought of getting married once they found "the one." Over the years they had stayed as friends - going out with others, but keeping their friendship as that; a friendship.
Everything was the same socially. Ron, Harry, and Hermione were all best friends, although they had their occasional fights. Harry was still seeking trust and advice from Dumbledore. Harry's top-ten list was still the same; Voldemort, Snape, Draco, Umbridge, Dudley, Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius, and Wormtail, despite the fact that he was dead. Harry had refused to accept many more friends beyond Ron, Hermione, Ginny, the Weasleys, Remus, and Neville - he found an irritating pattern in his loved ones and their deaths. It had hardly seemed like seven years at Hogwarts; people didn't even seem to age; then again that was probably because you don't notice something that gradual on an everyday basis.
Author: Ok, enough - we've established the setting - sorry to bore you, but I had to set up the story - set up the past two years, which im kinda skipping. And now I'm just rambling again, so I'll start the story with some action Voldie-style. Thank you. Have a nice day. Exits are to your left. Silence is golden. Please turn off all cell phones. Buckle your seatbelts.
************
Severus Snape was in his office grading papers when he felt it. A sharp acute pain on his left forearm, as if someone drove a knife into his bicep and twisted it, driving the blade into the flesh. Voldemort was calling. Severus cursed and ran out the front door, stopping only to tell Minerva to alert Dumbledore that Voldemort was calling. He ran out past the Hogwarts grounds and dissapparated, appearing moments later in an old dark wooden drafty house; the Riddle house.
A high cold voice answered: "Ah, Severus - how good of you to come."
Snape turned around to see Voldemort sitting in an armchair, in the usual black robes contrasting sharply with his pale skin. 'My lord' Snape murmured, as he bowed and bent down to kiss the hem of Voldemort's robes, before standing back up. He stepped back, noticing how very alone they were; he had expected to come to a meeting with the other Death Eaters.
Voldemort: "What I called you for does not concern the others."
Snape: "Well, what did you disrupt me for? I have many more papers to grade."
Voldemort: "Severus, I have better things to do then talk to you about your goddamn papers. No.Severus, you're thirty-five and single. You need to marry a Slytherin pureblood."
Severus stood there, blinking stupidly. Finally, he digested what the bastard said.
Snape: "And why would you feel the need to propose such a thing?"
Voldemort: "I'll give you to the end of July, Severus. And my reasons are my own."
Snape: "Much as I would love to marry a Slytherin pureblood just because you told me to, I can't."
Voldemort stood up and glared at Severus.
Voldemort: "Are you defying me?"
Snape stepped back.
Snape: "Why you would get the impression that I'm defying you, I don't know."
Voldemort: "However why not?"
Snape: "Usually when you're engaged you can't simply marry someone else."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
Snape added: "My mother as head of household invoked the age-old traditional right of matching me, most unfortunately. Now I'm not only chained to you, but to my new wife as well."
Voldemort cackled.
Voldemort: "Indeed. And who is the lucky girl, then?"
Snape: "My mother informed me just that she had matched me just before you interrupted my peaceful stupor. And now I have to get back - I hold other responsibilities then coming to see you whenever you feel like it."
Voldemort: "I see.very well. I expect to see her at our next meeting - you will bring her. I should like, of course, to see that wedding, but I'm afraid that won't be possible given my reputation noted in the Ministry."
Snape nodded and turned to go.
Voldemort: "Severus? One other thing."
Snape turned back toward him, fearing this.
Voldemort: "Defying my orders - I believe a dose of pain should help."
Snape paled with fear. Voldemort raised his wand and smirked unpleasantly. That high cold voice said 'Crucio.' A black beam of light hit Severus in the chest and he dropped to the floor on his knees. Pain spread throughout his body - cutting pain, as if he was on fire, he felt as if he was being electrocuted, attacked with knives.just cold pain. He couldn't pass out from it - yet it was so horribly painful - yet he refused to do Voldemort the satisfaction of screaming. His eyes rolled back, his blood pulsed like sharp fire, like snake venom, and he wanted to die - wanted it all to end. He fell on his side, twitching in violent spasms.
Voldemort increased the pain with a simple flick of the wand, and Snape couldn't stand it anymore - he screamed, a high-pitched wrenching scream of pain and anguish, a scream that carried hundreds of miles away to Harry. He sat bolt upright to find himself on the floor, cold sweat running down his hot and feverish forehead. His scar was hot and burning to touch - it was smoking, hissing, and blood dripped down from it. He was breathing very fast; his heart was beating very quickly. In his sleep he had ripped his clothes and bedsheets violently, not to mention woke everyone up when he screamed; he had felt the pain as well.
He looked up and saw fuzzy forms of Dean, Seamus, Neville, Ron, Hermione, and McGonagall standing around him worried.
Harry: "McGonagall -he's - he's got Snape ."
Harry fainted. Dean, Seamus, and Neville looked at each other, and Ron looked puzzled.
McGonagall: "Weasley, Longbottom - I want you to escort Potter to the Hospital wing. I'll have Miss Granger inform Dumbledore of what has happened. The rest of you, back to bed."
McGonagall left; she was too used to Harry's visions to be further concerned. Ron and Neville supported Harry's faint form and carried him out the portrait hole down to the Hospital wing. Hermione walked out, and broke out into a run for Dumbledore's office. She finally made it to the entrance, when she realized she didn't know the password. Harry had told her once that Dumbledore also made it some type of candy - she yelled all the sweets, wizard and muggle that she could think of. Finally, it swung open at 'Acid pops.' Hermione blinked and strode in to Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore and Snape were already there, drinking tea. Dumbledore looked concern, and Snape just looked - beaten - broken - he didn't even look up when she came in.
Dumbledore: "So good of you to join us, Hermione. Tea?"
Hermione declined the offer but sat down.
Dumbledore: "So what is it that you come at this hour for?"
Hermione: "Potter's had another vision - he said 'he's got Snape' and fainted."
Snape looked up at his name wearily.
Dumbledore: "He did - thank God he decided to leave Severus strong enough to dissapparate to Hogwarts - Hagrid found him while out doing his midnight duties just before you came."
Snape groaned and clutched his side. He pulled a vial out of his robes, and downed it. He shuddered and shrugged as if shaking off the pain. Suddenly he appeared stronger - he looked weary and tired, but his health was up. He pulled out another vial and downed that; his intense black eyes regained their brightness, and he appeared livelier and awake now - like his old self.
Dumbledore looked at him with concern.
Dumbledore: "I do wish you'd let Poppy treat you."
Snape: "Albus, if we're going to talk, I want to get it over with - even if I took an Awakening potion, I still desire my sleep."
Dumbledore: "Alright. If you could - explain what happened once you apparated to Voldemort's side?"
Snape clutched his left forearm and took a deep breath before continuing.
Snape: "I was the only one there - the Dark Lord requested I marry a Slytherin pureblood by the end of July. I told him I couldn't - I told him that I was already engaged, that my mother had invoked the right of head of household and picked me a wife before I came."
Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling behind the spectacles.
Dumbledore: "So I'm not the only one that wants you to settle down and marry someone. You need love in your life, Severus."
Hermione looked between them; it was amusing - Snape looked positively murderous, Dumbledore as if he had never been this amused before.
Snape: "Fortunately, the Dark Lord will kill me if he finds out I lied to him - he told me to bring my wife to the next meeting."
Hermione spoke up: "Could you perhaps find a witch to act as your wife once he calls you again?"
Snape looked up startled, and Dumbledore smiled.
Dumbledore: "There's no way out of this - Severus, you're in the presence of Death Eaters and their children constantly. It would be highly suspicious if you showed up with a 'wife' but there was no woman whatsoever in your life."
Snape: "You bloody well be not saying I have to marry someone, Albus. I enjoy my bachelor life quite well, thank you."
Dumbledore: "Calm down. It's not as bad as you think. I think you need a woman in your life."
Snape: "Yes, let's go out and marry someone and be chained just like we are to the Dark Lord who insists on a Slytherin pureblood."
Dumbledore: "I'm sure he has his reasons, but that's precisely why we must go against that - a Gryffindor muggle-born."
Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly, knowing what that might mean. Snape watched her curiously, thinking along the same lines.
Snape: "Albus - and just what Gryffindor muggle-born did you have in mind? I'm not going to have some hideous wife, let alone one without a brain."
Dumbledore: "Severus, you have to be married in two months. Are there any you know?"
Snape: "Minerva.but I couldn't possibly marry the old hag - she's in her seventies!"
Dumbledore chuckled merrily.
Dumbledore: "Anyway, she's a pureblood."
Snape: "That settles it then - I don't know any other Gryffindor muggle- borns, if you insist on being so picky."
Dumbledore's blue eyes focused on Hermione. Snape, following the old man's gaze, shot Hermione a look of hatred before turning to Dumbledore, eyebrow raised.
Dumbledore: "Well? Hermione, Severus?"
Snape stood up angrily, shaking in fury, pointing a finger at Albus.
Snape: "Never."
Hermione stared at him concerned.
Hermione: "Would you rather die?"
Snape glared at her and a smiling Albus.
Snape: "It's completely inappropriate, Albus. I refuse."
Dumbledore: "Hermione, how old are you?"
Hermione: "Seventeen. Eighteen with the time turner."
Dumbledore: "Eighteen.so it would be legal. And you are thirty-five, Severus - just a seventeen-year difference."
Snape: "Albus! She is my student!"
Dumbledore: "Only for the next month. And it's not exactly unheard of."
Snape sneered.
Dumbledore: "Severus, I think once you two put your differences aside, you'll be a great pair. Both of you are brilliant, clever."
Snape: "I hardly see what my abilities have to do with it."
Dumbledore: "I was merely pointing out your similarities that would lead to a compatible marriage. Severus, I'm sorry to do this to you, but I'm afraid it's the only choice."
Snape glared at him, but Dumbledore as usual was too old to care.
Dumbledore: "So do you two accept?"
Hermione and Snape locked eyes. Both were remembering all too many memories concerning the past seven years of Snape taunting Hermione in class, taking off points, awarding detentions, making fun of her.Hermione broke the stare and looked away, refusing to make eye-contact with either man.
Snape's brow furrowed in anger, but he knew it had to be done.
Snape: "I accept."
Hermione cleared her throat in annoyance.
Snape glared at her.
Snape: "What now?"
A smile played about her lips.
Hermione: "Propose to me."
Snape glared at Albus as if this was doing. Albus chuckled merrily and transfigured a marble figurine on his desk into a beautiful 14-karat ring topped with a gorgeous 2-karat diamond, with small sapphires on either side. He discreetly handed it to Snape and nodded.
Hermione got up from her chair and stood. Snape still standing, most reluctantly, bent down on one knee. He extended the ring and in his deep baritone he said coldly, "Will you marry me, Miss Granger?" Hermione stared at the sight before her - she had never, never thought this would actually be happening - the cold dark Potions master proposing to her! And now he was.things were so much different now.
Hermione: "Yes - I will."
Snape took Hermione's left hand, and gracefully laid it on his own hand, and gracefully slipped the ring on her finger.
Hermione looked into his eyes and saw nothing for her there - coldness, bitterness, emptiness - they were empty of all feeling, all warmth. Like cold dark endless tunnels, like stone. No sign of a heart. And this was the man she would marry and spend her life with. She put her head in her hands and he stood up, glaring at her, seething.
Snape said coldly: "I hardly see the point for such childish behavior, Miss Granger."
Hermione stood up and ran - broke out into a full run, not stopping until she reached the Gryffindor common room. She sank back into a red armchair, tears streaming down her face. She suddenly felt very old - she hadn't wanted to marry so soon, let alone marry the Potions master - the cold, bitter, evil man.he had no love for her, if anyone. An hour twice a week was bad enough - but twenty-four seven, living together, not to mention all the usual parts of a marriage - she couldn't think about that - it was too painful.
Chapter 1: A visit with Voldemort
Disclaimer: I'm only putting one here for the whole thing. Everybody present belongs to JK Rowling. That understood? Ok, good.
I know many don't like slash, especially HG/SS slash. I'm not intending it to be, simply that the two are forced to marry each other against their wills - even though they're married they still hate each other, so it's not exactly slash-y, if that's a word. Nor am I going into detail about a sexual life within their marriage, simply because there is none. The PG-13 rating is only for cursing. Thank you very much.
Now to establish the setting:
****************
It was seventh year of Hogwarts, nearing the end. It was May, and NEWTs were a month away. Hermione as usual was to be found studying like a madwoman for the tests, despite the fact that she was the smartest in her year, never having gotten anything below a perfect 100%. Harry and Ron were playing a game of Wizarding chess, having long given up on studying when they couldn't concentrate.
Not much had happened since their fifth year - at least nothing new. Voldemort was bidding his time, waiting to grow stronger before taking on Harry Potter, so for once they didn't have a final 'showdown' at the end of Harry's sixth year. Harry had gotten over Sirius' death at last, months after the man died. Wormtail had been killed by Lucius. Remus came to Hogwarts as DADA professor for sixth and seventh year; he was the best man for the job, and he also wanted to be around Harry; he had lost Peter, James, and Sirius - now all that was left of the Marauders was Remus; the quiet one that everyone walked over.and of course their enemy, Snape; the cold man embittered by everything he had been through.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione went through the usual teenage crushes and going out and angst and PMS in Hermione's case. Now the Golden trio, as many called them, friend or foe, were mature beyond their years.yet worried about what would happen after Hogwarts. Harry certainly could not return to his life with the Dursleys, and Ron and Hermione of course wanted to leave the house. They needed jobs, homes - a sense of individuality. Then again, paradoxically, the three had often thought of getting married once they found "the one." Over the years they had stayed as friends - going out with others, but keeping their friendship as that; a friendship.
Everything was the same socially. Ron, Harry, and Hermione were all best friends, although they had their occasional fights. Harry was still seeking trust and advice from Dumbledore. Harry's top-ten list was still the same; Voldemort, Snape, Draco, Umbridge, Dudley, Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius, and Wormtail, despite the fact that he was dead. Harry had refused to accept many more friends beyond Ron, Hermione, Ginny, the Weasleys, Remus, and Neville - he found an irritating pattern in his loved ones and their deaths. It had hardly seemed like seven years at Hogwarts; people didn't even seem to age; then again that was probably because you don't notice something that gradual on an everyday basis.
Author: Ok, enough - we've established the setting - sorry to bore you, but I had to set up the story - set up the past two years, which im kinda skipping. And now I'm just rambling again, so I'll start the story with some action Voldie-style. Thank you. Have a nice day. Exits are to your left. Silence is golden. Please turn off all cell phones. Buckle your seatbelts.
************
Severus Snape was in his office grading papers when he felt it. A sharp acute pain on his left forearm, as if someone drove a knife into his bicep and twisted it, driving the blade into the flesh. Voldemort was calling. Severus cursed and ran out the front door, stopping only to tell Minerva to alert Dumbledore that Voldemort was calling. He ran out past the Hogwarts grounds and dissapparated, appearing moments later in an old dark wooden drafty house; the Riddle house.
A high cold voice answered: "Ah, Severus - how good of you to come."
Snape turned around to see Voldemort sitting in an armchair, in the usual black robes contrasting sharply with his pale skin. 'My lord' Snape murmured, as he bowed and bent down to kiss the hem of Voldemort's robes, before standing back up. He stepped back, noticing how very alone they were; he had expected to come to a meeting with the other Death Eaters.
Voldemort: "What I called you for does not concern the others."
Snape: "Well, what did you disrupt me for? I have many more papers to grade."
Voldemort: "Severus, I have better things to do then talk to you about your goddamn papers. No.Severus, you're thirty-five and single. You need to marry a Slytherin pureblood."
Severus stood there, blinking stupidly. Finally, he digested what the bastard said.
Snape: "And why would you feel the need to propose such a thing?"
Voldemort: "I'll give you to the end of July, Severus. And my reasons are my own."
Snape: "Much as I would love to marry a Slytherin pureblood just because you told me to, I can't."
Voldemort stood up and glared at Severus.
Voldemort: "Are you defying me?"
Snape stepped back.
Snape: "Why you would get the impression that I'm defying you, I don't know."
Voldemort: "However why not?"
Snape: "Usually when you're engaged you can't simply marry someone else."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
Snape added: "My mother as head of household invoked the age-old traditional right of matching me, most unfortunately. Now I'm not only chained to you, but to my new wife as well."
Voldemort cackled.
Voldemort: "Indeed. And who is the lucky girl, then?"
Snape: "My mother informed me just that she had matched me just before you interrupted my peaceful stupor. And now I have to get back - I hold other responsibilities then coming to see you whenever you feel like it."
Voldemort: "I see.very well. I expect to see her at our next meeting - you will bring her. I should like, of course, to see that wedding, but I'm afraid that won't be possible given my reputation noted in the Ministry."
Snape nodded and turned to go.
Voldemort: "Severus? One other thing."
Snape turned back toward him, fearing this.
Voldemort: "Defying my orders - I believe a dose of pain should help."
Snape paled with fear. Voldemort raised his wand and smirked unpleasantly. That high cold voice said 'Crucio.' A black beam of light hit Severus in the chest and he dropped to the floor on his knees. Pain spread throughout his body - cutting pain, as if he was on fire, he felt as if he was being electrocuted, attacked with knives.just cold pain. He couldn't pass out from it - yet it was so horribly painful - yet he refused to do Voldemort the satisfaction of screaming. His eyes rolled back, his blood pulsed like sharp fire, like snake venom, and he wanted to die - wanted it all to end. He fell on his side, twitching in violent spasms.
Voldemort increased the pain with a simple flick of the wand, and Snape couldn't stand it anymore - he screamed, a high-pitched wrenching scream of pain and anguish, a scream that carried hundreds of miles away to Harry. He sat bolt upright to find himself on the floor, cold sweat running down his hot and feverish forehead. His scar was hot and burning to touch - it was smoking, hissing, and blood dripped down from it. He was breathing very fast; his heart was beating very quickly. In his sleep he had ripped his clothes and bedsheets violently, not to mention woke everyone up when he screamed; he had felt the pain as well.
He looked up and saw fuzzy forms of Dean, Seamus, Neville, Ron, Hermione, and McGonagall standing around him worried.
Harry: "McGonagall -he's - he's got Snape ."
Harry fainted. Dean, Seamus, and Neville looked at each other, and Ron looked puzzled.
McGonagall: "Weasley, Longbottom - I want you to escort Potter to the Hospital wing. I'll have Miss Granger inform Dumbledore of what has happened. The rest of you, back to bed."
McGonagall left; she was too used to Harry's visions to be further concerned. Ron and Neville supported Harry's faint form and carried him out the portrait hole down to the Hospital wing. Hermione walked out, and broke out into a run for Dumbledore's office. She finally made it to the entrance, when she realized she didn't know the password. Harry had told her once that Dumbledore also made it some type of candy - she yelled all the sweets, wizard and muggle that she could think of. Finally, it swung open at 'Acid pops.' Hermione blinked and strode in to Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore and Snape were already there, drinking tea. Dumbledore looked concern, and Snape just looked - beaten - broken - he didn't even look up when she came in.
Dumbledore: "So good of you to join us, Hermione. Tea?"
Hermione declined the offer but sat down.
Dumbledore: "So what is it that you come at this hour for?"
Hermione: "Potter's had another vision - he said 'he's got Snape' and fainted."
Snape looked up at his name wearily.
Dumbledore: "He did - thank God he decided to leave Severus strong enough to dissapparate to Hogwarts - Hagrid found him while out doing his midnight duties just before you came."
Snape groaned and clutched his side. He pulled a vial out of his robes, and downed it. He shuddered and shrugged as if shaking off the pain. Suddenly he appeared stronger - he looked weary and tired, but his health was up. He pulled out another vial and downed that; his intense black eyes regained their brightness, and he appeared livelier and awake now - like his old self.
Dumbledore looked at him with concern.
Dumbledore: "I do wish you'd let Poppy treat you."
Snape: "Albus, if we're going to talk, I want to get it over with - even if I took an Awakening potion, I still desire my sleep."
Dumbledore: "Alright. If you could - explain what happened once you apparated to Voldemort's side?"
Snape clutched his left forearm and took a deep breath before continuing.
Snape: "I was the only one there - the Dark Lord requested I marry a Slytherin pureblood by the end of July. I told him I couldn't - I told him that I was already engaged, that my mother had invoked the right of head of household and picked me a wife before I came."
Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling behind the spectacles.
Dumbledore: "So I'm not the only one that wants you to settle down and marry someone. You need love in your life, Severus."
Hermione looked between them; it was amusing - Snape looked positively murderous, Dumbledore as if he had never been this amused before.
Snape: "Fortunately, the Dark Lord will kill me if he finds out I lied to him - he told me to bring my wife to the next meeting."
Hermione spoke up: "Could you perhaps find a witch to act as your wife once he calls you again?"
Snape looked up startled, and Dumbledore smiled.
Dumbledore: "There's no way out of this - Severus, you're in the presence of Death Eaters and their children constantly. It would be highly suspicious if you showed up with a 'wife' but there was no woman whatsoever in your life."
Snape: "You bloody well be not saying I have to marry someone, Albus. I enjoy my bachelor life quite well, thank you."
Dumbledore: "Calm down. It's not as bad as you think. I think you need a woman in your life."
Snape: "Yes, let's go out and marry someone and be chained just like we are to the Dark Lord who insists on a Slytherin pureblood."
Dumbledore: "I'm sure he has his reasons, but that's precisely why we must go against that - a Gryffindor muggle-born."
Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly, knowing what that might mean. Snape watched her curiously, thinking along the same lines.
Snape: "Albus - and just what Gryffindor muggle-born did you have in mind? I'm not going to have some hideous wife, let alone one without a brain."
Dumbledore: "Severus, you have to be married in two months. Are there any you know?"
Snape: "Minerva.but I couldn't possibly marry the old hag - she's in her seventies!"
Dumbledore chuckled merrily.
Dumbledore: "Anyway, she's a pureblood."
Snape: "That settles it then - I don't know any other Gryffindor muggle- borns, if you insist on being so picky."
Dumbledore's blue eyes focused on Hermione. Snape, following the old man's gaze, shot Hermione a look of hatred before turning to Dumbledore, eyebrow raised.
Dumbledore: "Well? Hermione, Severus?"
Snape stood up angrily, shaking in fury, pointing a finger at Albus.
Snape: "Never."
Hermione stared at him concerned.
Hermione: "Would you rather die?"
Snape glared at her and a smiling Albus.
Snape: "It's completely inappropriate, Albus. I refuse."
Dumbledore: "Hermione, how old are you?"
Hermione: "Seventeen. Eighteen with the time turner."
Dumbledore: "Eighteen.so it would be legal. And you are thirty-five, Severus - just a seventeen-year difference."
Snape: "Albus! She is my student!"
Dumbledore: "Only for the next month. And it's not exactly unheard of."
Snape sneered.
Dumbledore: "Severus, I think once you two put your differences aside, you'll be a great pair. Both of you are brilliant, clever."
Snape: "I hardly see what my abilities have to do with it."
Dumbledore: "I was merely pointing out your similarities that would lead to a compatible marriage. Severus, I'm sorry to do this to you, but I'm afraid it's the only choice."
Snape glared at him, but Dumbledore as usual was too old to care.
Dumbledore: "So do you two accept?"
Hermione and Snape locked eyes. Both were remembering all too many memories concerning the past seven years of Snape taunting Hermione in class, taking off points, awarding detentions, making fun of her.Hermione broke the stare and looked away, refusing to make eye-contact with either man.
Snape's brow furrowed in anger, but he knew it had to be done.
Snape: "I accept."
Hermione cleared her throat in annoyance.
Snape glared at her.
Snape: "What now?"
A smile played about her lips.
Hermione: "Propose to me."
Snape glared at Albus as if this was doing. Albus chuckled merrily and transfigured a marble figurine on his desk into a beautiful 14-karat ring topped with a gorgeous 2-karat diamond, with small sapphires on either side. He discreetly handed it to Snape and nodded.
Hermione got up from her chair and stood. Snape still standing, most reluctantly, bent down on one knee. He extended the ring and in his deep baritone he said coldly, "Will you marry me, Miss Granger?" Hermione stared at the sight before her - she had never, never thought this would actually be happening - the cold dark Potions master proposing to her! And now he was.things were so much different now.
Hermione: "Yes - I will."
Snape took Hermione's left hand, and gracefully laid it on his own hand, and gracefully slipped the ring on her finger.
Hermione looked into his eyes and saw nothing for her there - coldness, bitterness, emptiness - they were empty of all feeling, all warmth. Like cold dark endless tunnels, like stone. No sign of a heart. And this was the man she would marry and spend her life with. She put her head in her hands and he stood up, glaring at her, seething.
Snape said coldly: "I hardly see the point for such childish behavior, Miss Granger."
Hermione stood up and ran - broke out into a full run, not stopping until she reached the Gryffindor common room. She sank back into a red armchair, tears streaming down her face. She suddenly felt very old - she hadn't wanted to marry so soon, let alone marry the Potions master - the cold, bitter, evil man.he had no love for her, if anyone. An hour twice a week was bad enough - but twenty-four seven, living together, not to mention all the usual parts of a marriage - she couldn't think about that - it was too painful.
