A/N Well this is my first fanfic, and so far so good! Things will come to me more as I write more. Chapters will get longer, it's hard to sit down and write for long periods with a 2 month old.
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"Albus, the chit will not accept my offer." Snape sat pinching the bridge of his nose. "She is the
most stubborn girl I have ever happened to meet!" The Headmaster merely nodded his head.
"You will just have to take more drastic measures, Severus," Minerva stated flatly. "That is
how you have to handle Miss Granger sometimes. I would think you would be more
experienced, since you are her teacher."
"Enough please." Dumbledore stood and faced his two Head of Houses. "Severus, petition
for the girl, and I will try to talk some sense in her. Minerva, will you please see if you can locate
Miss Granger and inform her that I wish to speak to her?"
"Of course, Albus." Minerva turned and left the room. Snape sat staring into space.
"Severus, you do have a small attachment towards her don't you." It was a statement, not
a question.
"Of course, she's the smartest pupil I've ever taught. Wouldn't you then become slightly
attached?"
"You know that's not the kind of attachment I mean."
"I know." Snape stood and headed for the door. He stopped and turned to face the
Headmaster. "Albus, I will keep her safe."
"I know, my boy, I know." With that, Snape turned and left.
"Mione, have you found anything out yet?" Harry asked her softly. They were in the
Gryffindor common room in their chairs in front of the fireplace. Hermione sat slouched in a
large armchair staring at the flames.
"No, and Malfoy and his spawn have petitioned for me already."
"You've got to be joking!" Ron exclaimed.
"Yes Ron, I'm just joking. This is all one HUGE joke." Hermione said sourly. Almost
Snape-like in fact.
"Mione, I'm sorry. But you know, this is a lot to take in."
"For who? You?! Why would you need to take it in? This has nothing to do with you. It
has everything to do with me!" She jumped from the armchair and clenched her fists at her side.
"Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall said in a stern voice. Hermione stood straight,
looking like she'd just come from a trance.
"Yes Professor?" She said in bewilderment.
"The Headmaster would like to see you in his chambers."
"Yes Professor." Hermione moved towards the portrait hole, not once glancing at Ron and
Harry. The walk to the Headmaster's chambers was long. Professor McGonagall finally
stopped and addressed Hermione on the way up.
"Miss Granger…Hermione." She began. "You are much like a daughter to me. I want to
see you happy."
"Thank you Professor."
"You know, Severus isn't a bad person. He's very intelligent, very thorough…."
"I do not wish to marry. I want to pursue a career, live my life. Not settle down."
Hermione could feel tears beginning to well up in her soft, chocolate brown eyes. "But this
ridiculous law has made it impossible."
"Dear, dear Hermione, do you really think that Severus would impede your education or
career?"
"I don't know."
"Well you won't until you speak to him." Professor McGonagall led Hermione the rest of
the way to the Headmaster's Chambers.
"Ah, Miss Granger, please take a seat." Dumbledore motioned to one of the chairs in
front of his desk. Hermione cast him a cautious glance and took the seat across from him. "As
you are well aware, Miss Granger, the ministry has passed a marriage law which will affect you
directly. Also you are aware of Lucius Malfoy's petition for Draco towards you."
"Yes Professor Dumbledore, I am." Hermione replied quietly.
"Severus has petitioned for you as well. The ministry wants no more petitions for you,
since two very old pureblood families are already interested. Now this is a matter of some
delicacy. It requires you to decide which petition you would like accept."
"But I declined Professor Snape earlier today!" She cried.
"Hermione," Dumbledore said gently, "would you rather wed Draco then?" Hermione
snorted in response. "Well then, that leaves you with Professor Snape."
She hung her head in defeat, and sighed heavily.
"Is there no other way?" She asked pitifully.
"No, I am sorry Hermione, there is not."
"Then I have no choice do I? I will have to accept Professor Snape's petition."
The Headmaster gave her a small smile.
"Hermione, you know that Severus is a good man. He wouldn't do anything to hurt you."
"I know. Thank you." Professor McGonagall patted Hermione on the shoulder and gave
her a motherly smile. "When will the wedding take place?"
"Tonight." Dumbledore said calmly. Hermione paled with the realization that she was
trapped, and there was no way to hold this off.
"It's okay, my dear. We will go into Hogsmeade and look for proper robes for tonight,"
Professor McGonagall said warmly. "We will have a feast in the Great Hall instead of our
regular dinner, and you can be married privately in the Room of Requirement." Hermione just
nodded.
"Well Hermione, I will allow you time to prepare yourself and your friends." Dumbledore
stood.
"We will meet in Hogsmeade at Madame Malkins at 3:00 PM, so that way you will have
time to make your own preparations." Professor McGonagall said. Hermione stood and walked
out of the Chambers, only looking back once.
Snape sat in his private chambers, contemplating the events that would unfold later that night.
He would marry Hermione Granger, save her. Of course, the witty Headmaster had been
absolutely correct with his observation of his attraction to the Gryffindor. She was highly
intelligent and as she had grown older, her hair had tamed and her body became softer. Yet, it
was her mind that interested him more. That is what he needed in a partner; it was what she
needed as well. She would go mad if she was married to anyone else, from a lack of stimulation.
Indeed, the fact that they would have to consummate the union between them tonight appealed
to his baser self, but it was also a necessity. Less Lucius oppose their union and request a
hearing. Of course, Lucius never requested, he demanded.
They would be performing the Grippaggio Di Anima ceremony, a silk scarf, magnolia
blossoms, and an incantation from the overseer of the ceremony; requiring blood from both
parties from a prick of a rose thorn, of course, ending with the consummation. It would take no
more than twenty minutes to complete the ceremony, they then would be thrust into their
chambers to complete the act. Sadly they would then be forced to endure the "reception" in the
Great Hall. He welcomed the thought that there would be no time to reminisce the private
moments before the reception. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. It was going to be quite
a night.
Hermione had wasted as much of her day as she could. She dreaded when 3PM would
come. She sat by the huge entrance to the school and waited for Professor McGonagall to
arrive. She knew she didn't want the traditional robes, for her situation was far from traditional.
Lost in thought, she never realized that Ron and Harry sat on either side of her.
"Mione? What did Professor Dumbledore want?" Harry asked.
"Huh? Oh Harry, Ron, you startled me." She sighed. "I am not exempt from this
marriage law. In fact I get married tonight."
"That's not possible! To who!?" Ron exclaimed.
"Professor Snape."
"That greasy git!? He's at least twenty years you senior!"
"Ron I am aware of that fact. But it cannot be helped. It's him or Malfoy." Harry hugged
Hermione in a tight embrace.
"You know Mione, that you are our friend. We will stand by you." Harry said lovingly.
"Yes I know." She felt like crying. They were both taking this better than she had
anticipated. Just at that moment Professor McGonagall arrived smiling.
"Good afternoon Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger." The three greeted her in
unintended unison. "I hope Miss Granger that you are ready for our outing?"
"Yes Professor." Hermione nodded.
"Wonderful."
"Ron, Harry, will you attend the ceremony? Please?" Hermione gave them a begging
look.
"Mione, you know we will." Harry said while Ron nodded.
"Then I suggest you see the Headmaster and let him know Hermione has asked that you
attend. It will be a private ceremony." Professor McGonagall informed the two youths. They
nodded in acknowledgment and hugged Hermione goodbye. Hermione turned to Professor
McGonagall and they headed out to Madame Malkins.
"Girl, will you please stand still!" Madame Malkin admonished.
"Sorry" Muttered Hermione. She had been at the shop for over two hours! She couldn't
believe that it was that hard to make a dress vs. a robe. They had taken up 30 minutes deciding
that a creamy white silk fabric would be used. Then Hermione argued another 30 minutes for
the style choice. She wanted an empire waist gown with long loose sleeves that rested off the
shoulder. The train would extend 2 feet behind her, lest she trip. She knew she would if it was
any longer. Professor McGonagall insisted that the very front of the skirt was to be embroidered
with a floral design. Hermione had protested to that idea, but her protests fell on the deaf ears of
her professor and the shopkeeper. She had resigned herself to not utter another word and just
hope the process would end quickly.
"….her hair should be up." She heard Madame Malkin say through the haze of her
thoughts. "With, you said that were performing the Grippaggio Di Anima ceremony?" Professor
McGonagall nodded. "Then I would say adorned with magnolias from the same tree that the
ceremony flower comes from." Her professor only nodded more, seeming much like a bobble-
head. Hermione had to stifle a laugh. Receiving a swat for her efforts.
"Stand still!!!" Madame Malkin cried out.
"Sorry." She mumbled again. It seemed like agonizing hours later that Madam Malkin.
announced that the dress was complete. Professor McGonagall paid the shopkeeper and they
exited the shop.
"We should be getting back. It's late, and the ceremony will begin soon enough." Her
Professor stated. The walked in silence, Hermione gripping her packaged dress tightly to her
chest. Once they entered Hogwarts Hermione parted with her professor to get changed.
"Hermione, I will be up in your rooms in thirty minutes. I will help you finish dressing." Her
professor called after her. She only nodded and headed quickly up to her rooms.
Precisely thirty minutes later, Hermione stood dressed in her wedding attire with her Head
of House fussing with her hair. Professor McGonagall had swept it back from her face, soft
tendrils of hair had escaped her ministrations; oddly giving the whole thing a soft effect. She had
magnolia flowers; that had been shrunk to a less gaudy look, scattered throughout her hair. The
only make-up she required was a lip gloss and blush. All together it gave her a soft inviting look.
"It's time my dear." McGonagall said softly. Hermione turned to look at the woman who
was very much like a mother to her. She noticed a hint of tears welling up in the older woman's
eyes. Seeing this very human act made Hermione act before she thought. She quickly embraced
her professor.
"Thank you Minerva." Those tears that threatened to spill from her Head of Houses eyes
finally let loose.
"Oh child, I am proud of you!" Hermione only hugged tighter. Finally they let loose their
near deadly grip on each other and right Hermione's dress. "Off we go."
Dread began to seep into Hermione. The time was now, and there was no escape. She was
being forced into a decision that she could never undo. From her knowledge the Grippaggio Di
Anima ceremony was very permanent. They stopped at the door to the Room of Requirement,
Hermione took a deep breath before entering. Her eyes fixed on her future husband, the sight
nearly took her breath away.
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A/N Thanks for reading chapter 2! Please Reviews!!! I need more reviews. Suggestions, comments, anything!! Just please be gentle! This is my first time…