Disclaimer: It's not mine, sorry to disappoint all you gals out there hoping that I'd give you Snape for your birthday. It all belongs to the very lucky and very envied woman J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Okay, thank you, thank you, thank you all my lovely darling reviewers! It's so comforting to know that some things won't change, even though it feels like my life has been flipped up-side down with college and all. My room-mate and I get along famously, and we're already good friends. She's a lot like me, quiet, and respectful of my stuff, and of me, so that's really good. However I'm feeling lonely and homesick right now, and to top it all off I've got a cold and it's making me feel sick. But like I said before, it's nice to know you guys are still sticking by me and waiting patiently and not so patiently for each chapter, so thank you once again for that, and now onto what you really want, the story!
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Chapter Twenty Two
The next week passed slowly for Hermione and Severus. Much of the time they were in each other company was filled with awkward conversations and tense silences. However, they still acted civilly around each other and made an effort at going about their normal routine. For both though, it was torture. Severus wanted nothing more than to be with Hermione, and truly marry her, but he wouldn't hold her back if she didn't feel the same way, even if it meant suffering the family curse. Since he had turned thirty five, on the sixth of each month he had been "married" to Hermione, he now realised what he had thought was due to accidents and the like, was actually due to the family curse. To date, he had broken four bones. None had been horribly painful, but he knew the degree of pain would increase with each bone. So to add to his nose that had been broken when he was younger, he now had one bone broken in the pinkie on his left hand, two broken bones in a toe on his right foot, and one broken bone in a toe on his left. He was thankful that the breaks started off in smaller, non-consequential bones, and not with ones like in his arms or legs, especially since they were non-healable by magic. In the last few days he had made the connection to the curse, but he wasn't planning on telling Hermione. She hadn't realised yet that the curse was in effect, and he didn't want her to feel pressured to marry him again because of it.
"Um, Severus?" Hermione stepped into the living room where Severus was getting the couch ready for the night once again.
"Yes?"
"The wedding is at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon, and then there is going to be an hour for the photographer to take pictures, and then the reception from six o'clock until ten o'clock with dinner, dancing, and all the other typical muggle wedding traditions. I figure we can leave here at about three or so tomorrow? And I hate to ask, but could we just not tell anyone about the un-marriage?"
"If you want, that's fine. What should I wear?" he looked over at her, standing in the doorway, looking as beautiful as ever in a pair of baggy flannel pants and a baggy t-shirt with her hair pulled back in a messy bun.
"Muggle clothes, but of course you knew that. Um…just something casual dressy I guess. I'm wearing a dress similar to the one I wore to Maurine Zabini and Geoffrey Nott's engagement party if that helps you any," Hermione started to go back into the room, but turned back around. "Severus?"
"Yes?" He said once again, but there was a hint of impatience in his voice.
"Do you think…um…would you, come back to bed?" Hermione didn't meet his surprised gaze. "It's just…I can't sleep without your presence nearby."
"We're not technically married anymore."
"No one else knows that except for Narcissa," and when she saw him hesitating still, she continued. "Please? I…I want you too."
Severus didn't say anything, but instead picked up his pillow and followed her back into the room. The reasons he had hesitated had been because he wasn't sure she'd be comfortable, and because it hurt to be near her, knowing she might choose to 'officially' separate from him. Climbing in though, he couldn't help but smile when soon after she fell asleep; Hermione unconsciously scooted closer to his side, and snuggled up against him.
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"Severus Augustus Snape! It is almost three thirty and we need to leave twenty minutes ago!" Hermione informed him in an agitated tone as she poked her head through the door once again to check in on him.
"I know, I know, and I apologise, but do you really think I asked Peeves to pelt me with pudding bombs?!" Severus quickly stood in front of the mirror and began attempting to fix his tie. "Blast this tie!"
"Here, let me," Hermione quickly came over to stand in front of him and begin fixing his tie.
"You look beautiful by the way," Severus rested his hands on her hips lightly and smirked as she blushed and dropped the tie.
"Thank you," she began fixing it once again. Like most of her formal wear, the gown was simple, yet tasteful. The dark purple, ankle-length, curve-showing gown was off the shoulders once again, and had long sleeves. To complete the look, Hermione had worn a diamond solitaire necklace and matching studs. Her hair had been clipped back on the sides, and left down, curling around her shoulders.
"I like your hair down, you should wear it this way more often," Severus lifted a hand and twirled a silky strand around one long finger.
"Dammit!" Hermione mumbled under breath as the tie fell out of her hands once again. "Would you just shut up?"
"I didn't quite catch what you said," Severus smirked. He knew he was throwing her off, but he loved watching her when she was flustered. "Could you repeat that please?"
"I said thank you and you look nice too," Hermione covered as she actually took the time to look at what he was wearing. To her surprise, they matched. He was wearing black slacks and a white dress shirt, but his tie was striped with varying degrees of purple, one of which matched her dress perfectly. His hair was also down and currently tucked behind his ears. "There, it's finally done. Can we please leave now?"
"Of course, I would've been ready earlier, but someone couldn't get my tie to stay," he laughed at the look on her face.
They once again made a hurried walk out of the castle and off the grounds before joining hands so Hermione could apparate them a short distance from the church where her cousin was going to be married. Walking briskly, they managed to arrive a few minutes before the start of the ceremony and took their seats next to Hermione's parents.
"Oh!" Hermione breathed several minutes later as the wedding march began and her cousin Audrey began the walk down the aisle, accompanied by her Father. All brides look beautiful on their wedding day, but Audrey seemed to be exceptionally so. As her father kissed her cheek and handed her to her soon-to-be-husband Michael, Hermione saw that she was beaming.
As the ceremony began, Hermione thought back over the past few months of her life. She first thought back to how she and Severus "met" at the agency for the interview. She had been so shocked to see him there, and even more so when he actually slid the ring across the table towards her. But some impulse told her to accept, and she hadn't questioned it. She looked down at the beautiful ring on her finger and smiled, somewhat sadly, thinking back to their wedding, the brief and cold affair that it had been. Severus noticed the sad smile, and reached a hand over and squeezed hers quickly before resting it back in his lap.
That quick gesture made her think back to how cold and stiff and awkward they had been around each other the first few days. And how they had gradually warmed up to each other, and eventually become friends. She remembered the society ball, and Mrs. Longbottom's comment that they were smitten with each other, and that from what she knew of both of them, they had a true "marriage of the minds". She thought back to Harry's birthday party, and that dance they had shared. It was nothing fancy, but Hermione remembered how perfectly in tune with each other they were; both seemingly reading the other's mind, knowing exactly what the next move was, where the next step would be. She also remembered the first time she purposefully hugged him, and how perfectly their bodies interlocked with one another. She remembered the start of school and her becoming a Professor, at least part-time, and how he supported her through the fight with Ron. She thought back to all the conversations they had shared; about their reasons for the marriage, about their families, about their first love, about his reasons for becoming a death-eater, about her reasons for going the agency, and about their feelings for each other.
She thought back to the conversation she had had with Ginny a few days after she got hurt. She learned how Severus had been upset and crying, and how he sat by her bed the entire night, holding her hand and praying that she would wake up. She remembered the next evening when they shared their first kiss, and the morning after, when he told her he was falling in love with her. She thought back to the afternoon with Narcissa. As evil as she was, she had helped Hermione realise that she was in love with Severus, right before telling her she wasn't married to him. And now, she remembered when Severus said he wouldn't hold her back. The irony of it all was that she wanted nothing more than to be held by him for the rest of her life.
"Hermione, it's time to go," Severus placed a hand on her back, startling her out of her thoughts. The ceremony was over, and most of the guests had already exited the church.
"Oh, I wasn't paying attention, thanks," Hermione shook away some of the confusion before standing up and walking out of the pew, Severus next to her and her parents waiting near the entrance to give them a ride to the reception hall.
Severus watched her as they climbed into the car and began the short drive. He wondered what she was thinking about, and if it had anything to do with them and their future which lay in her hands. His attention had been focused on the wedding, as he had never attended a muggle one, but he saw that they weren't much different from wizarding ones except for the fact that most women wore dress robes, and the binding vows, which disallowed for divorce. As he had watched the two young people up there, he had been surprised with the intensity that he had wished it was Hermione and himself up there in their place. He didn't want to lose her, but he wouldn't hold her back.
"You look about a million miles away," Hermione leaned over and touched him lightly on the shoulder as they pulled into the parking lot.
"I never left the car," he said, and Hermione smiled at his reply as he climbed out of the car.
He turned back and held out his hand to help her out, and didn't let go as they began walking towards the building. Hermione couldn't help but think that their hands were a perfect fit, and that it just made her feel complete. And one thing she knew for sure; she didn't want to lose that feeling.
Walking inside, they added their gift to the already large pile, picked up their name cards at a table just outside the main hall, then went in and found their table. Audrey and Michael were both twenty five, and both had younger siblings, who were Hermione and Severus' tablemates. The others at the table were Audrey's two sisters Rosalind and Titania, and Michael's sister Lisa, who Hermione had met at the last New Year's Eve party. Rosalind was the oldest of the four girls at the table at twenty three and was there with her fiancé Frank. Titania was twenty one and was there with her boyfriend Carlos. Lisa was the same age as Hermione and was also there with her boyfriend Devin. Hermione wasn't exactly thrilled about the seating arrangements, never having had anything in common with her other two cousins Rosalind and Titania except for the fact that their mother's both loved Shakespeare and named them after characters in his books. Lisa she didn't know, but it was evident she had been gossiping with Titania and Rosalind, and wrinkled her nose in distaste at Hermione as she and Severus walked over.
"Hello Rosalind, Titania, Lisa," Hermione smiled as she sat down in the chair Severus pulled out for her.
"Hello Hermione," they chorused, although none of them really glanced at her. They were too busy looking Severus over as he sat down, much to the displeasure of their dates.
"Who's this handsome guy you've brought?" Titania batted her eyelashes at Severus and gave an almost blindingly white smile.
"Severus Snape, pleased to meet you," he said courteously, inclining his head slightly.
"Who's forgotten to introduce themselves properly now, dear?" Hermione emphasized the endearment, all the while glaring at Titania, clearly telling her to back off. Her comment was a reference to the high society ball when she had forgotten to use her title when talking to Draco, Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise. And now Severus was doing the same thing.
"I beg your pardon, Lord Severus Snape," he smirked as the girl's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "It's a pleasure."
"Lord? Of what?" Devin huffed, looking at the dreamy smile on Lisa's face.
"Of nothing actually," Severus immediately went into teacher mode. "Several centuries ago a member of my family did a favour for the king, and we were given the title of Lord as a reward, but no property, although my family has acquired a good deal through the past several decades."
"How interesting!" Rosalind was leaning forward, resting her chin on her hand, trying not to appear too interested in him since she was engaged and all.
"So what are you doing with Mione here?" Lisa asked looking between the two. "Shouldn't you be with a countess or lady somewhere? Or at least with a real woman?"
"I already am, but thank you for your concern," he said, disliking the girls at the table more and more.
"That made no sense, and you didn't answer my question," Lisa looked at him, slightly baffled.
"Let me explain it to you then," Severus drawled, looking out the corner of his eye at Hermione who was holding back a laugh. "She was invited to the wedding, and as her husband, the invitation was also extended to me. Is that any clearer for your feeble mind? Or do I need to draw a picture?"
"Perfectly. So…he's your husband. Congratulations are in order then," Titania said with a forced smiled. The other girls noticeably cooled in their flirtations towards Severus, while the guys became considerably more talkative.
A little while later, they were saved from making small talk as the wedding party arrived and was introduced, and dinner began. Conversation was pretty much put on hold as they ate quickly, and didn't really pick up afterwards as some light classical music was put on while everyone else finished up and waited for the main dancing and festivities to begin.
"Would you care to go for a walk?" Hermione asked, seeing a set of doors off to the side, leading to what appeared to be a garden of some sort.
"But won't it be cold outside?" Severus raised an eyebrow in question.
"Not any more so than it is in here," Hermione replied in reference to her cousin's attitudes. "We won't stay out long."
"All right," he conceded, and she took his arm as they headed for the door, and outside.
It was already dark, what with it being winter and all, but the moon was shining brightly, and the stars were also glistening in the clear night air. Severus had been right, it was cold out, but Hermione ignored it as she and Severus wandered through the dead garden along the brick pathways. She was too wrapped up once again in her thoughts. Hermione remembered when Severus had said, "as her husband," and she couldn't help but think how right it sounded. She had been looking around at the other tables during the meal, and kept noticing things between all the other couples. Tender touches, smiles with secret meanings, glances exchanged between lovers, and all the other things she wanted for her and Severus to share.
"Oh!" Hermione let out a gasp as her heel caught on the edge of a brick and she fell forward. She would've hit the ground if not for Severus who was quick to snake his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him, holding her up.
"Are you all right?" Severus looked at her with such concern his eyes that Hermione couldn't help but burst into tears. Fearing she had hurt herself, Severus deftly picked her up and carried her over to a nearby bench where he sat her down on her lap. "What's wrong Hermione?"
"I've…b-been…so…horrible…t-t-to…y-you," Hermione cried softly.
"What are you talking about you silly girl?" He shook his head in confusion as he smoothed a hand over her hair, the other resting on her knee.
"You have been so good to me, and so p-patient," she took a shuddering breath as she looked down and focused her attention on the ground. "While I-I've been deciding what I want to do about us."
"And that makes you horrible to me? I don't quite understand."
"Well, you told me I could live my life as I choose, and I've just been going on, almost like nothing has happened, and I should've told you something by now."
"No you shouldn't have. I want you to take all the time you need to decide what your heart wants, and I mean that."
"And if what my heart wants…is right here in front of me?" Hermione said softly, her eyes raising to meet his.
"Then I'd have to ask you something," he stood up and set her gently down on the bench and looked her in the eyes as he took her hands and knelt down on one knee in front of her. Neither of them took notice of the light snow that began falling around them, casting them in an almost ethereal light.
"Anything," she smiled, her eyes glistening happily with un-shed tears.
"Someone once said that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction," Severus paused as he gently tugged the wedding ring off her finger. "I want to spend the rest of our lives looking outward together, and growing old together. Will you marry me, again?"
"I'd marry you a thousand more times!" Hermione threw her arms around his neck as he slid the ring back onto her finger and stood up, holding her tightly to him.
"Good, because our hearts have been together forever and I feel as if we've known each other for lifetimes. I wouldn't want to stop in this one," he kissed her, and it was a tender kiss, filled with passion and emotion. "I love you Hermione."
"I love you too, Severus."
"I know. That's the most incredible thing, I know you do," he kissed her again. "Now why don't we go inside and get warm?"
"Sounds like a plan," she took his hand and smiled once again at the perfect fit as they walked back inside.
"Ladies and Gentleman, the bride and the groom will share their first dance," the D.J. announced, and Audrey and Michael began dancing as "From This Moment," by Shania Twain and Bryan White came on. Hermione smiled as Severus picked up her hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of it before allowing it to rest back in her lap. He continued to hold it, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the back as Audrey and her father and Michael and his Mother began their dance.
"Now we are going to open the floor up to everyone," the D.J. announced as the song "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle finished.
"Would you care to dance?" Severus leaned over.
"I'd love to," she smiled as they stood up and walked onto the nearly empty dance floor. "Hey they're playing our song."
"Our song?" Severus listened a moment, and recognized it as "When You Say Nothing At All," the song Hermione had sung at the talent show. "I guess you're right, as usual."
"I know, and that reminds me, you still haven't sung for me," she commented, looking at him expectantly.
"I know," he kissed her with a soft laugh. "Someday I'll get around to it."
She laughed too, and leaned her head against his chest. He pulled her closer as a smile softened his features for a moment, something that happened more and more often around her. She smiled and closed her eyes, listening to the soft beating of his heart. He kissed the top of her head before resting his chin on top, his eyes also closing as he simply savored the moment. He couldn't be more content, or happier, knowing she loved him.
Many people couldn't help but notice the two dancing on the floor who just radiated love. Their connection was evident to everyone in the room, and it was something rare and beautiful to watch.
"How long have those two been together?" Celia, Hermione's aunt whispered to Helen as she looked at the peaceful couple dancing on the floor.
"Less than a year," Helen answered, also looking over, a soft smile gracing her features as she watched Severus kiss Hermione tenderly as the song ended and a new one came on.
"It seems like they've been together forever."
"You know what?" Helen smiled as she continued to watch them dance perfectly in sync with one another. "On some level, I'm sure they have been."
A/N: Okay, they're back together, yay! I couldn't bear to keep them apart for long. So as we've seen, Hermione has finally admitted to her feelings for Severus, and she told him about it too, so way to go girl! Now we're gonna get to have her wedding to look forward to. Now, a quick poll- do we want them to have a nice, normal wedding, or another quick one like they did before? Let me know what you think, although I'm probably gonna end up doing a nice, normal wedding. Also, the quote Severus says: "Someone once said that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." That's originally written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. So that's not mine. By the way, who here is a lot happier with Sev's proposal this time around? I know I am (but that could have something to do with the fact that I wrote it, who knows? Lol)! Anyways, I hope y'all liked, because I did. As always, review if you want, its okay if you don't!