Disclaimer: It's not mine, although I love to wreak havoc on the characters and do a horrible job at writing them.
A/N: Thanks so much everyone for the reviews! Let's see, something I realised, a mistake I made: Harry actually should have been turning 17, since it's just before his seventh year, not 18, but I'm too lazy to go back and change it to a "Super Seventeen" party instead of "Enchanting Eighteen" so he's going to be 18, okay? And a clue as to the song that inspired the beginning of chapter eleven is that it's a Kenny Chesney song. Anyways, this chapter is dedicated to JuicyJuice for her review which inspired the conversation at the beginning of this chapter, thank you!
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Chapter Twelve
"Hermione, may I ask you a question?" Severus asked as they began the mile-long walk to the castle. It was so long in order to give the school occupants a little time to prepare if surprise invaders crossed onto the property.
"You just did, but sure, go ahead," Hermione laughed as Severus glared at her in mock annoyance.
"What made you decide to enter the matchmaking programme in the first place to find a husband?"
"What made you?" she shot back, defensively.
"My father entered me when my brother became a monk in order to secure the future of the Snape lineage, and you're avoiding the question."
"I already told you, it was because I wanted to be able to get a good job in the future."
"I know, but I don't think you're telling me the whole story. You're ambitious, but for some reason I hadn't envisioned you as one who would marry simply for the sake of marrying. You seemed more like the type who would marry for love."
"True love, I'm convinced, is something that doesn't exist for me. I had a taste of it when I went to Viktor Krum's house the summer after fourth year. He and I had so much fun, and I loved spending time with him. On my last day there, I even told him I loved him, and what did he do? He laughed in my face! Told me I was a little girl, who would never be worth anything to him other than a halfway decent screw for the summer, and yes I gave up my virginity to him, it was stupid, I know, and I regret it. That, and the other things he said, crushed all the immature ideals of love that I held," Hermione answered bitterly. "But that doesn't exactly answer your question, does it?"
Severus wisely said nothing.
"Let's see, where to start? I guess the best spot would be at the beginning of this past June. I had sent off resumes to about a dozen places that were advertising for summer interns and the like. Five of them owled me back asking me to come in for an interview, so I set up times to go in. The five I went to were two departments in the ministry, an advertising agency, a large potions supply business, and a law firm. At the ministry and the advertising agency, I was given a sheet with questions to answer, and I did, and when I was called in to talk with the hiring executive, they would scan the paper, and then pass it back a few moments later. Each time they told me thank you and that they'd keep my resume on file, however they never asked for my address or anyway they could reach me. When the same thing happened at the law firm, I got very angry and blew up at the hiring executive."
"I don't think that helped your chances any," Severus commented dryly.
"Of course it didn't. After I stormed out of his office, I asked out loud to no one in particular what I was doing wrong! An older woman, one of the secretaries, smiled apologetically and said it wasn't me, it was who I wasn't. I asked her what she meant by that, and she responded that I wasn't a Mrs. Somebody. Apparently, almost all firms in the wizarding world hire married woman for actual jobs. As a young single woman, I might cause distraction in the workplace if I was 'available' and that since I was single, the only job I'd be able to find anywhere would be like her; a secretary, or possibly as a librarian or a teacher."
"Well you do love books and learning," Severus pointed out.
"But I don't want them as a career!" Hermione breathed heavily for a moment to catch her breath as the path they were on grew steeper. "Although teaching would be fun, I wanted to do something that could help the world! And I'd never be able to do if I didn't have a good job. And getting a good job was something I couldn't do if I wasn't married."
"Hence the reason you applied to the agency."
"Yes, which brings us back to the present," Hermione replied.
"I suppose it does," Snape was silent for a moment. "I can see that you would've been angry, but did you consider at all what your housemates would say? Your friends?"
"Well the day I talked to that secretary, I walked out of the building and right across the street was the matchmaking agency, so I walked over, found out all about it, and filled a form out right there and then. I didn't even really register what I had really done till later, but I didn't regret it. I was nervous about what everyone would say. I swear, I must have drafted a dozen letters apiece to Harry and Ron, telling them what I had done, applying to find a prospective life partner, but I never quite got the nerve to send it. I just hoped that when they did find out, they would be the friends I've known and loved for six years, and accept my decision. The same goes for my housemates; I just hope they accept it, and so far, no one's let me down."
"I see. One last question, if I may?" At her nod he continued. "Why did you choose me? I've heard you defend your decision to others, but I'd like to know for myself."
"I had several horrible applicants, like Percy Weasley and Lockhart, and when you came around; I wasn't looking forward to doing the whole process again, so when you slid the ring across the table, I said yes. Like I truthfully told my mother that evening, I didn't care about the fact so much that you're my professor although that was quite weird at first. But you're knowledgeable about all sorts of things, you're more mature than the boys my age, you're from a well-to-do respected family, so if I should decide not to work later on, I don't have to worry about money. Also, you'll take care of me, whether or not you really want to, and not hurt me or exploit me, and you'll let me finish school. That's so much more than some of the applicants were willing to do. I don't know if I ever told you thank you by the way."
"No, but you're welcome. You've helped me to, saving me from my family's curse."
"I think we were a beneficial match to each, as odd a match as it may be," Hermione smiled at him as they arrived at last at the main doors and walked in. "I don't have any regrets."
"Dobby!" Severus called out. A moment later the elf appeared, and squealing, hugged Hermione before turning back to Severus. "Hermione and I were married over the summer, so she will now be sharing my room. Take our things down to my quarters please."
"Yes sir, Dobby happy to sir, and gives congratulations to sir and ma'am on wedding!" He hugged Hermione again before disappearing with their things.
"Lunch just started a few minutes ago, so I thought we would just go ahead and join the rest of the staff, and inform them of our nuptials," Severus explained as they walked towards the great hall.
"They don't know either?" Hermione asked. "And what about the fact that I'm a student, is there a rule about that?"
"If the prophet owls were sick then they won't know, although Albus might. He knows everything somehow. If my memory serves me correctly, there is no rule, but Albus will know for sure," Severus replied as they walked into the great hall where most of the staff was seated at the high table.
"Severus!" Minerva McGonagall exclaimed in surprise as she saw them and got up from her chair and quickly walked down to them.
"Hello Minerva," Severus replied as he returned her embrace. Minerva was the only staff member who actually was more than just nice to him, and always treated him like a son, contrary to the competitiveness they displayed during the school year.
"Ah, Severus, Hermione, a pleasure to see you!" Albus smiled, his eyes twinkling as he and the other teachers came down to welcome Severus back. The other teachers hid looks of curiosity as to why Hermione was there.
"May I extend my congratulations to you both! A certain red-headed friend of yours, Hermione, sent me a rather loud howler asking me if I knew about the two of you. I hadn't, but I was happily surprised to find out. A true marriage of minds!" Albus' eyes grew bright with delight. "Wonderful, wonderful."
"Bloody imbecile, I'm going to kill him," Hermione muttered under her breath when Dumbledore mentioned 'the red-headed friend'.
"Albus? What are you babbling about now?" Professor Sprout asked, looking as confused as the rest of the staff.
"Oh, did I forget to mention it?" He asked, and the staff all nodded. "So sorry, but it happens to us old people."
"Severus and Miss Granger here were married a few weeks ago on July third if I'm not mistaken? Excuse me, Lady Snape."
"Please Professor, Mrs. Snape, or Hermione. Severus doesn't use his title, and neither do I," Hermione smiled, blushing slightly.
"Congratulations!" They staff members surrounded them once they overcame their shock. They were surprised by the match, but were happy that Severus had found someone, especially someone like Hermione who would be a worthy opponent for him on numerous levels.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione went over to him leaving Severus surrounded by everyone else. "Are there any…rules against students and professors marrying?"
"First off, call me Albus, and secondly, Hogwarts does have a rule that Professors and students are not to marry. However at the time you were married, you were not his student, so I don't consider any rules broken. However, some of the parents familiar with school policy might disagree."
"Oh," Hermione responded, wondering if she would have to quit school.
"So to remedy that, I'm making you a professor!" Albus smiled and clapped his hands gleefully at the look of shock that came over her face.
"Professor!?" Hermione's exclamation caught Severus' attention, and he excused himself from the group to see what was going on.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Albus has made me a professor!"
"What subject are you going to teach?"
"I- oh, I don't know," Hermione laughed at herself. "Albus, what subject am I going to teach? And what about finishing my education?"
"I don't want you to become overwhelmed, so you will continue to take the core classes, Transfiguration, potions, charms, and defence against the dark arts, along with one extracurricular class, I'm assuming Arithmancy?" she nodded as he continued on. "As to what class you'll be teaching, Professor Binns, sadly, crossed over a few days ago, so what I would like to do is combine all the houses in one grade level together for a large class. You would teach all the first years Monday morning, all the second years Monday afternoon, all the third years on Tuesday morning, all the fourth years on Tuesday afternoon, all the third years on Wednesday morning, all the fourth years on Wednesday afternoon, all the fifth years on Thursday morning, all the sixth years on Thursday afternoon, and all the seventh years on Friday morning. Your classes will be larger then most at around forty students, give or take, but I am confident that you'll be fine." (A/N: I'm estimating about 10 students in each grade for each house, give or take a few, equalling 40, ok?)
"Oh thank you Albus!" Hermione hugged the old man and then turned to Severus. "I'm going to be a professor!"
"Thanks Albus," Severus said teasingly. "There'll be no living with her now."
"Oh shut it you," Hermione glared, but quickly smiled as she ran over to tell the other teachers her good news.
"Thank you Albus," Severus said as he watched Hermione. "For giving her the job and allowing her to continue her classes."
"She saved me the hassle of advertising for a History of Magic teacher. I also think that the student's dismal history grades will improve with living professor," Albus clapped Severus lightly on the back, much like a father would do. "Besides, it makes an old man like me happy to see how she's changing you, for the better I might add."
"Her friendship is…precious to me, and you're right, she is changing me. I feel different, although I'll have you know I still plan on being the same evil potions master once the students arrive."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Albus laughed heartily.
Everyone went back to the high table to finish lunch. Another chair had automatically appeared for Hermione next to where Severus usually sat. After finishing her chicken salad, she walked with Severus down to the dungeons while he gave her the rundown on all the passwords and commands to their rooms, his private lab, the storeroom, and his classroom. Once they arrived at their quarters, he showed her around.
"I had forgotten there is only one bed," Severus remarked as they walked into the bedroom. "We can add another room off of the living room for you."
"Actually," Hermione looked nervous and avoided looking at him. "Would it be okay if I just stayed in here? You have a queen size bed, and I don't want to make any more hassle for anyone."
"It's up to you. I'd find that-" Severus searched for a word to aptly describe what he wanted to say. "Agreeable."
"Thanks. By the way, who did the décor?" She asked to fill the slightly awkward silence.
"I did, however you may change it if you don't like it," he replied as they went back into the kitchen to make some coffee.
"No, I like it, although I think we need to add a little more Gryffindor-ness into the mix," she smiled evilly at him.
"If you must, however if you change everything to be completely burgundy and gold, than I will be forced to hex you!" Severus threatened.
Hermione burst out laughing, and Severus soon joined in. From up in his office, Albus watched the two of them, his heart swelling with happiness at two of his 'children' so perfectly matched up. Any outsider could see they were attracted to each other. However they didn't want to admit to it, and Albus had a plan to change that. And soon if he had anything to say about it.
A/N: Okie dokie, that's it for this chapter! I had fun writing the part at the end- Albus playing matchmaker, hee hee. Except they're already together, but y'all know what I mean. How many of you thought that I was going to make Hermione teach something? Brownies to you guys! It just seemed logical to me that she would end up teaching something, and since I don't like Binns, History of Magic it was. I think she'll be able to bring the subject to life! Okay, bad pun, I know…Anywho, in case you didn't read the first author note at the top of the page, the whole first half of the chapter practically was inspired by JuicyJuice and her review, so thanks again to her! As always, if you like, review, if you don't review, if you don't care, that's cool too. Until next time!