A/N: A long time coming I know… please don't hate me. I do however have every intention of finishing the story so don't worry about that. Thank you so much for the reviews everyone in the next chapter I'll try to do a full thanks page, I was going to do it this time but can't get on the internet as I'm typing this. The time jumps seem to be here to stay as well… it seems to work well for the story for now. Also if anyone is interested (and can put up with my sporadic attempts at updating) I am looking for a beta… not so much as for spelling and grammar but more for how the story flows (which may in part be grammar I'm not sure) and generally bouncing ideas off (through email if that's easiest). Anyone who's interested my email is on my profile page, so just drop me a line. Another long author's note done so let's get back to the story shall we?
Mum and Dad,
Hope you are both well. I'm fine too. As you can probably already guess (as you know me far too well) I've got something to tell you. This might not be the best way actually but I don't think the face to face approach would be any better. I'm getting married. It looks so harmless written down doesn't it? Not that I'm in any danger (not now at least) but it does. Maybe I should start from nearer the beginning. I've enclosed a copy of today's Daily Prophet. I know you stopped getting it delivered after I moved out. You might want to read it at this point (if you haven't already). Just to let you know I didn't know about this until this morning either so you shouldn't be angry with me for not telling.
* * * * *
Hermione walked slowly down through the long corridors of Hogwarts towards the Great Hall. She had never really realised how empty the place was without students. Even through the Christmas holidays, of which she had seen a few during her school days, the castle had never seemed so lifeless. At the same time Hermione couldn't help but think the students' absences a good thing, not only to give the castle a chance to recover from the beating taken throughout the year, but for her to reacquaint herself with the idea of living here. Hermione sincerely hoped that by the time September came, bringing with it the numerous inhabitants of Hogwarts, she had properly adjusted to her new life. It was then she realised her thoughts had carried her to the Great Hall faster than she could have imagined. Peering through the glass entrance doors Hermione could see immediately that Severus had been right that the majority of the staff were already in attendance, none appeared to be eating just yet though, score two to the Potions Master. He had called them 'creatures of habit' as he was sending her out of the door. Part of her still wished he had accompanied her, in order to present a united front and everything, but he said he had some 'important research to finish up with' and assured her 'I'll be there as soon as I am done'. His promise still ringing in her ears Hermione pushed open the double doors.
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Well as you can probably guess from the article the marriage wasn't exactly planned but I am sure it's the best thing to do. The thing is I'm marrying Severus Snape. Yes him. Before you start yelling… or writing back angrily… I think you should know that we already had been seeing each other, as a couple, for a while. I realise I should have told you earlier but I was scared you'd drag me away and stop me and I really wanted to see how it worked out between us. Another thing I should mention at this point is that it could have easily been Draco Malfoy I was marrying, although this might not seem as bad to you I assure you it would have been much worse.
What I'm trying to say – through the rambling that is – is that I want you to understand this, even if you cannot accept it.
Love always
Hermione x
The letter finished, Hermione attached it to the leg of her post owl and watched as it flew away to her parents' house. Finally the day's events having utterly exhausted her Hermione allowed herself to retire to her room and sleep.
* * * * *
As it turned out dinner came rather quickly, however Hermione was disappointed to discover Severus' appearance was much less swift. The seat to her left remained husbandless even as dinner was served. The snippets of conversation caught from the other staff members suggested that this was not an unusual occurrence. Hermione was somewhat surprised by this, her memory from her schooldays definitely told her that he should be here. Also - hadn't he promised her?
"How are you feeling today?" Minerva asked her from her right hand side.
"Hmm? Oh I'm OK thank you." Hermione responded, noticing as she did so that she didn't appear to be lying.
"That's good to know. I was only saying this morning to the others how nice it will be to have you around but it would be no good if you were…" What Hermione wasn't supposed to be remained a point of mystery as the transfiguration teacher halted mid-sentence – as did the majority of the remainder of the staff present. Severus had entered the hall, his entrance as noticeable as it always had been. Hermione smiled slightly as she realised she wouldn't have to listen to a talk from Minerva on Severus', apparently numerous, bad points. The majority of the remainder of the staff however held interested expressions on their faces; however these vanished as Severus gave them a less than pleased look. Hermione felt a slight tingle on her cheek as Severus sat down, and she quickly realised that he had just kissed her. Assured that the idea didn't bother her she began to eat her meal. A fleeting thought in the back of her head stuck as she decided that the whole situation wasn't going to be as bad as she had been imagining only nights ago.
* * * * *
Hermione,
As you can probably guess neither myself nor your father are happy about this barbaric attitude towards marriage. Since well are people not allowed to marry for love? Never mind being forced into something so quickly. Add to that the fact you are marrying someone who used to be your teacher – and is old enough to be your father if I'm not mistaken – well the whole thing is appalling. I will not let you go through with this and if you think I will then you have been sadly mistaken. If you still insist then from here on out know that I have nothing whatsoever to do with you whenever possible. It's bad enough that you had already begun a 'relationship' with someone like him.
I am hoping you see sense, love always
Mum
Tears began slowly streaming down Hermione's face almost as soon as she began the letter. How could her mum not understand that this was the law? She wasn't intending not to comply despite sentiments similar to her mother's – surely she would be expelled from the magical world which had absorbed her completely. Hermione smiled through her tears as she briefly though that she was glad for never teaching her mum how to send a Howler – the thought however turned her back to sadness at the idea of having to hear her mother's disappointment instead of simply reading it. The basic idea of having to live without her parents frightened her somewhat – despite having moved away from home 6 years ago (at the age of 19) – they had always been present as a backbone in her life. A feeling of dread seemed to sneak up on her as she realised that she would now be expected to lean on Severus instead. She thoroughly hoped Ginny had been right yesterday when saying that it would work out. This was the rest of her life… and it had been taken from her.
* * * * *
"Hermione?" Severus' voice disturbed her from her reading. She looked up to the doorframe leading from his laboratory to show she was listening. "Can I have a word?"
"Er… yeah sure," replied Hermione. Her first thought was that she had done something wrong and upset him but couldn't think of how.
Severus walked slowly over to where she was sat before taking the seat next to her. "Well I've been thinking about before, at dinner I mean. I just wanted to say that I'm… well, sorry. I shouldn't have presumed…"
His sentence trailed off but Hermione understood he was talking about the kiss so briefly shared. She laid a hand gently on his leg. "You did nothing wrong, besides I can't say I mind, I mean we are married after all." She smiled at the way Severus' visibly relaxed in front of her. To further prove her point she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. He turned to meet her eyes with her own. They inched closer together until their lips met; the following kiss was brief but intense. Hermione allowed herself to enjoy the feeling in the pit of her stomach that he inspired within her. She moved in to begin the kissing again, it just felt right she supposed.
Severus broke the kiss first. "I hate to do this but I've got to go." He gestured towards his lab.
"It's OK. I understand." Hermione replied. Inwardly she was amazed at the thought that someone else could hold research above other pursuits. Not that it should stand in the way of true love but it was nice that he cared about his work. True love? Where had that appeared from?
"Do you want to see? I suppose I could use a hand." Severus offered. Hermione nodded and allowed herself to be led into what Hermione saw as his private space… then again two days ago she could have said the same about his bedroom and she'd already slept there. She realised when they arrived that he was unlikely to need her help, as although numerous cauldrons were littered – neatly – around the room, only one appeared to be doing something of interest. Hermione offered a comment along these lines with a sly smile.
"Fine you caught me. Maybe I just wanted to show you my research or is that a problem now?"
"Not at all." She replied honestly.
"Well then… you should just have let me get away with it. I'm a Slytherin, it's what we do." Severus said putting his arms around her waist.
"I thought I was supposed to be the one to catch you out?" Hermione said teasingly. Severus responded only with a dubious look.
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