The Wedding Planner

Chapter-1

Much ado about nothing

"WHAT ?"

Hermione sighed. This was why she had waited so long to tell him. Snape (she still called him that in her mind) could be so difficult to convince. All those years of managing successive generations of Slytherins had given him a definite advantage when it came to confrontations. It was best to nip his protests off at the bud rather than let them grow.

"Severus, Harry is just so perfect for this. There couldn't be a better choice...", she explained.

Severus sneered, "Indeed, Perfect Potter. He is the best fit for everything, isn't he?". "Oh, come on, you know that is not what I meant. It is just that he has a lot more experience at this than you or me and I always wanted a traditional yet informal muggle wedding. You agreed to this too, remember".

"Hermione, don't sidetrack me. I do not mind how we get married, so far as it makes our relationship stronger. But why on earth would you want the Boy-who-was-twice-jilted to plan our marraige? I never agreed to that."

"Severus, that was extremely unkind. Harry has always been supportive of our love. He even took Crookshanks and Salazar along on his World Cup tour just so we could enjoy the Hawai holiday. As for him being jilted, it wasn't his fault. And you, of all people must know that. After all, your godson stole Seamus from the altar."

"If there is one thing you cannot dispute, Miss Granger, it is the fact that Iam not a kind man. In fact, I fervently hope to never earn that title. As for Potter's suppport, he simply could not get anybody other than your cat and my snake for company so soon after his failed marraige attempt. And if you choose to blame Draco, I have as much right to blame Longbottom for stealing Miss Weasley, wouldn't you say?"

Hermione reflected that Snape was partly right. Harry, despite being heralded as The Witch Weekly's "Most Charismatic Wizard" for months running, also carried the dubious distinction of having been left dry on the marraige altar twice. Ginny fleeing on their wedding day had been a definite surprise. To top it all, she had returned wedded to Neville, Harry's best man for the wedding. It had created a huge furore in the Wizarding World. Any other man would have accused Ginny of betrayal but Harry had had a private discussion with the couple and publicly announced his best wishes to both of them. He had even spoken to the press (something he fervently hated to do) and requested them to accept and bless the newly weds as well as honor his privacy by not commenting on his affairs. Surprisingly, most reporters agreed and maintained a decent regard for Harry's words. Hermione privately believed that none of them was ready to cross Harry and face the wrath of the Man-Who-Saved-Us (as Harry had been christened following Voldemort's defeat and death).

"Listen Severus, we are not here to discuss Harry. Our wedding is the issue now. If not for Harry, whom do I depend on? My family has almost no contact with me. My parents were all I had. You hate your people, whoever is left now. Professor Dumbledore would make a great father to give away the bride but he is obviously busy trying to keep the ministry from meddling in the school syllabus, the forbidden forest, the werewolves regulations, the Hogwarts staff composition and even the Quidditch team composition, for God's sake. I need someone with experience at arranging a wedding so none of our unwed friends count. Ginny is in India, your godson is in Hungary chasing dragons and even Luna is collecting reports for The Quibler in New York. There just isn't anybody else."

Severus realised he was losing the argument. He had known it from the start. He knew that Granger (he still called her that in his mind) would never reach a decision without analysing the pros and cons of every action. Though she called him a born and bred Slytherin, he could never really call her a Gryffindor (and thank Merlin for small favours). She had too much of Ravenclaw in her, even flashes of Slytherin. That was what had made her agreable to him. When Albus had assigned her to the Research department under Severus' directions, he had doubted her abilities to think outside the usual realm of books. But she had not been a disappointment. She had a ready wit and a sharp intelligence. She was perceptive and put up with his passion for potions. He had thought she would love Weasley and all contact with her would cease after the war. However, Weasley had attained the reputation of a flirt and had followed Cho Chang to China soon after the war. That seemed to break Granger's barriers and she started spending quality time with Severus.He did not know if he loved her but he was too opportunistic to let the chance go when she showed interest in him. The death of her parents in a landslide had brought her closer. She was still waiting for an answer, he realised.

"Why not Mrs.Weasley? Why can't we plan the wedding ourselves? Iam not sure I want to put up with the Saviour and his blessed demeanor. For that matter, he has his job to do, doesn't he? Chasing an unseen ball while thousands ogle his shaggy hair and world famous backside."

Hermione shot back," That was pathetic, truly. I don't want Molly doing this and Harry is the current national Quiditch seeker. Obviously the spectators enjoy watching him play. Not that he is sore to look at, quite the contrary in fact. It is off season now. He is free for three months resting after the Eurasian Cup victory last week. He will do it. Look, Severus, if you have a valid objection, tell me. Otherwise, it is time to give in, period."

He heard the decisive tone in her voice and realised it was time to capitulate. A good fighter must always know when to retreat else he would never be able to find the retreat.

"Fine, do as you wish to. Just make sure of the details with him. I don't want to wake up on my wedding to find the robe or tuxedo or whatever it you call it is not yet ready. Of course, I will never understand how you got Potter, with his rotten luck, to agree to arranging my wedding. The idea sounds hilarious".

"Harry doesn't dislike you as much as you think he does. He likes Salazar too much for that. As for how he agreed, he hasn't. He doen't even know Iam planning this. But if I can convince the Stubborn Slytherin, I will easily be able to manage my best friend Gryffindor, don't you agree? All right, Severus. If I leave now, I will be able to catch our wedding planner at home all alone. So I will be off. Do you think Salazar and Crookshanks will soften his reaction?"

She didn't wait for his answer. Swooping down, she bestowed a quick kiss on his cheek and left the living room to change out of her home wear. As Severus watched Granger leave the house with a determined cat and a two foot snake in tow, her smirked realising that the Man-Who-Saved-Us didn't stand a chance against their combined assault.

AN:So, what do you think? Should I continue? Considering the poor response to my other fic, I have decided to wait for atleast 5-10 encouraging reviews before I post the other chapters. Do wish me luck and do review if you like it. (Review even if you don't).