Disclaimer: J.K.Rowling owns everything, I don't. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 15

Having to duck into a number of alcoves to avoid being seen had hindered her progress considerably, so by the time Hermione reached the seventh floor she was noticeably late. Rushing toward the familiar tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, she stumbled when she saw the shadow of a man walking towards the now visible door. Hearing the disturbance in the otherwise quiet hallway, he turned and walked towards her. As he moved closer the light from the torches washed over him and Hermione saw the face of her long-time friend and would be fiancé.

"Hermione, I've been looking all over for you," Ron called out with concern. "When I woke up this morning you were gone, and I've been worried sick about you."

Pulling her into a tight embrace, her feelings of guilt over not finding him earlier intensified. "I was looking for you down in the Great Hall, but you weren't there," she stammered. "What are you doing up here?"

"Professor McGonagall told us to come to here after dinner, she said that you needed your friends around you right now."

While it should have been sweet that the Professor had been thoughtful enough to find her friends, Hermione had thought she had made herself clear in that regard. However, noting the concern of his voice lacked any reproach, she wondered what details had been relayed to him. Preparing herself for the worst, she asked, "What exactly did she tell you?"

"Nothing, just that you went back to your room, and then would be coming here. Harry and Ginny must be inside by now, but I've been searching for you ever since." Looking into the stricken face of who he thought was his fiancé, Ron's concern grew. Reaching up to tangle his fingers in her soft curls, he captured her eyes with his own and whispered, "Hermione, what's wrong? What happened today?"

She had hoped for more time to explain, but as the door to the Room of Requirement opened to reveal an unsettled Professor McGonagall, she knew she had thoroughly botched the entire situation.

"Miss Granger, there you are. Come quickly, we haven't got all night." The older woman eyed the hallway with obvious concern, and as she began to bustle around them she looked up at Ron with pride and added, "you too Mr. Weasley, it's good of you to join us."

"Professor- Ron- I need to talk-" she stammered in frustration.

"You can talk inside Miss Granger," asserted the Professor, and before she knew it she was being pulled through the open door.

As Hermione entered the Room of Requirement, the first thing she saw was the matching expressions of shock and concern on the faces of her friends Ginny and Harry. It was obvious that they were aware of what was about to happen, and as Hermione scanned the room, she could understand why.

The torches that normally lined the walls had been accentuated by a ceiling dotted with iridescent light. Similar to the effect in the Great Hall, it was clearly meant to resemble the shimmering night sky. However, unlike the room seven floors below, this effect had bathed the room in a soft -- one might say romantic -- glow.

Under their feet, the stone floor had been dotted with patches of green moss, and the soft carpet reminded her of the overgrown steps of the ancient ruins. Capturing her attention with a gentle fluttering down the center of the room, a runner of rose petals floated lightly on the ground and beckoned her closer. Following their path, her eyes fell upon a curtain of ivy that had been pulled back to reveal a secluded courtyard.

While she suspected the distant sounds of the bubbling brook were merely a magical soundtrack, as she looked past the leafy veil she caught sight of a real garden overflowing with wild flowers. Spying the delicate petals that shyly peaked out towards the light, and inhaling the subtle fragrances that filled the air, she was instantly reminded of a fresh spring evening.

In the center of the garden stood the altar, and from under an archway covered in flowers and softly flickering candles, the Headmaster looked at her with mild amusement in his elderly eyes. In front of him, wearing a dark green robe that covered an expensive black Victorian suit, was the groom. Holding himself stiffly, Hermione never noticed that he was carefully watching for her reaction.

For all of the talk that this would be nothing more than a quick ceremony, it was obvious that someone had intended to give her a proper wedding. But as heartfelt as the sentiment was, all of it was blocked out by the solemn look on Ron's face. As Professor McGonagall began to help her off with her robe, Ron turned to face her. She could see the hurt in his eyes as he looked at the stark white of her wedding dress.

"Ron-" she hesitated, "I'm so sorry."

Her words were almost lost in the rush as she was pushed toward the flower-covered altar. With an apologetic glance toward her friend, she felt her hands being pulled into a light matrimonial embrace. Turning slowly, she was too late to see that Snape had followed her gaze toward the younger man. By the time she lifted her head to look at him, Hermione was shocked by the intense appraisal that greeted her.

With their hands clasped together, they completed their journey to the altar and stood before Professor Dumbledore. When Hermione finally looked up into Snape's face again, the stoic mask was back in place. With her brow furrowed in thought, going through the details of a wizarding wedding, she wondered if she had done something wrong. Although this was not to be a fully traditional wizarding ceremony, she hoped that she hadn't already made any more mistakes.

"My dear friends," the Headmaster began, "the union we are about to witness is quite unusual indeed, but one that I am immensely proud to officiate."

As the ceremony began, Hermione could hear the witnesses shuffle closer. However, a quick dart from under her lashes and she could see that Ron hadn't moved at all -- the shock and hurt still evident on his face. While she had come to terms with what she was doing and why she was doing it, her heart broke for the pain she was putting him through.

"Since the beginning of time, the Wizarding world has always had a precarious co-existence with the Muggle world -- and that fragile thread is once again in danger. Our world is in a time of great crisis, and our future is threatened by the very prejudices which will ultimately seek to destroy us -- Muggle and Magical alike." He gestured towards the bride and groom as he spoke the foreboding words.

After a moments pause, the Headmaster regained a bit of his trademark twinkle and continued, "but standing before me is a Pureblood wizard who is willing to put his life in danger for the protection of a Muggle born witch. Perhaps this is not a marriage of love, but it is a marriage of concern for others and for the continuation of our way of life. For that I am most proud to bear witness to this union."

Looking up at the man who was indeed risking his life for her, Hermione saw concern in his eyes. Seeming to read her fears, his fingers began to rub tiny circles in her palms. Reminiscent of the caress he had given her earlier in the day, she again felt safe in his presence and allowed her doubts to melt away. He might not love her, but she knew that he would protect her, and she would do the same in return.

"Severus and Hermione, I do not ask if you come into this union to love and cherish for all eternity -- for that would be a foolish request. But I do ask that you listen to your hearts, to care for each other during times of great need. Open your minds, to support each other with the difficult decisions that lie ahead. And share with each other your souls, to help guide you on the road to your future."

Removing his wand from his sleeve and pointing it towards the couple, he Headmaster continued, "Severus Andreas Snape, do you agree to hold sacred the bonds of this union?"

His voice was clear, and he answered without hesitation, "Yes, I promise."

Once the words were issued the Headmaster flicked his wand and a white ribbon wrapped itself around Severus' wrists. As the ribbon fluttered in the light garden breeze, Dumbledore turned to Hermione and asked, "Hermione Jane Granger, do you agree to hold sacred the bonds of this union?"

Willing herself to not look at her friend, Hermione stammered out, "Y- Yes, I promise."

With another flick of his wand a second ribbon wrapped around Hermione's wrists. Once the ribbon was secure, the Headmaster began the marriage incantation.

As the enchanted words filled the air, the magical ribbons began to intricately weave themselves around their partner's hands. Although Hermione was aware of the ancient symbolism of the two ribbons, the experience was far more intense than she had imagined. She had been told that they were to represent the bond that the couple now shared, and once the connection was complete the ribbon would dissolve and create their wedding rings -- a traditional symbol for their untraditional union.

What she hadn't been told was that during the process her feelings would be intensified, presumably to enhance the experience of giving oneself over to true love. In her case however, it seemed to only intensify her feelings of guilt and betrayal to those who cared about her. As the two ribbons wove themselves into one, binding her to her new husband, Hermione's eyes drifted over to Ron. Seeing her own pain reflected in his eyes, the tears that she had so far been able to hold back slowly trickled down her face.

"Severus, you may now kiss your bride."

At those words, Hermione head snapped back toward her new husband, and she was surprised to see him staring darkly at her cleavage. Raising his eyes to look at her face, he tightened his grip on her hands and pulled her toward him. Staring at the intensity in his eyes, she began to tremble, and in a movement reminiscent of a bird of prey, his head swooped down toward hers and his lips found hers in a crushing embrace.

After the initial shock of his expected liberties wore off, so did the intensity of his kiss. The forcefulness soon turned into a soft caress as he began to sprinkle her lips with feather-light kisses. With the power of their new physical bond at work, the magical ribbons melted away, and free of their restraints she felt him place her hands on his chest before encircling her waist with his own.

Surprised that a marriage of convenience was eliciting such a blatantly provocative response in her partner, Hermione fought to keep her wits about her even as his heated breath danced over her skin and ignited a flicker of desire inside of her.

As he pulled her closer, she felt his tongue dart out and caress the entrance between her lips. Still unsure of his advancement and confused by the sensations of longing she was beginning to feel, she initially hesitated and clamped her lips together in protest; but with the power of the spell controlling her emotions, she was soon swept away in a surprising feeling of euphoria.

Pulling closer to him, she could feel his muscles ripple under her fingertips, and soon she was scratching at his clothing looking for contact with his concealed flesh. As he continued to gently nip at her sensitive skin, he began to lightly brush his hands against her sides before sliding them around to cup her bottom. Seeming to understand her desire for contact, he pulled her close and pressed his hardness to her -- proof that she was not alone in their tidal wave of need.

With a gasp, she timidly parted her lips to him, and was delighted that her tentative offering was so enthusiastically accepted. As he dove into her mouth, his tongue began to fondle and stroke her in an attempt to feed his passion. Innocent of such wanton experiences, she returned his touch gingerly -- a modest reflection of his lustful gestures.

As their intensity increased, so did her trembling, and he grabbed her tightly as her knees began to buckle. Feeling herself being lifted from the ground, she wriggled lightly in an attempt to position herself more intimately with his rigid body.

A muffled groan escaped the dueling pair, and reluctantly the deep kiss became a whisper among lips. With one last soft brush of his lips on hers, Severus slowly raised his head to look into her eyes. The desire and astonishment in his eyes tugged at her heart, and she sighed from the overwhelming need of her own new desires.

"Ahem," a voice murmured gently, "look over here please?"

At the sound of the intrusion into their private world, Hermione attempted to bring herself back into focus. Looking around she saw Professor Flitwick motioning for their attention. Holding a camera and looking decidedly flustered, he was apparently intended to be a cross between their photographer and second witness. So caught up in the ceremony, she was surprised and embarrassed that she hadn't noticed him before. Swaying slightly and pressing her fingertips to her bruised lips, she took a shuttering breath and attempted to smile for the camera.

With his hands still wrapped around her body, Severus turned her toward the camera and drew one hand up her body. After lightly grazing the soft flesh of her inner arm, he moved his fingers to lightly clasp her hand. "We need to show them our rings," was whispered into her sensitive ear. As he spoke his lips gently brushed her flesh and sent fresh shivers down her spine.

"Rings?" The breathless question escaped her lips before her eyes dropped to land on the magical gold bands that encircled their ring fingers. She was surprised to see that the ribbons had indeed finished their transfiguration, and almost as if in defiance of their original intentions, the results of their bond were glowing reminders of the kiss that they had just shared.

"For the picture," he continued, "we need to show them our rings as proof that we've been married."

"Yes- the picture," she sighed again, content just to be held in his strong arms.

A second later, the flash from the camera's light blinded her eyes. Blinking against the spots that clouded her vision, she just barely made out the figure of her dear friend as he bolted from the room.

Instantly alert, Hermione pushed away from the warm embrace of her new husband and ran after Ron. Tearing open the door to the Room of Requirement and flinging herself into the hallway, she saw his retreating back at the end of the hallway.

"Ron!" Her scream echoed down the corridor, and although the sound was impossible to miss, he ignored her and continued to walk away. Raw panic settled into her voice, and she began to run toward him as she yelled out again, "Ron, please don't go!"

About to turn the corner and disappear from her life, he suddenly stopped and with a slight bow of his head, he ran his hand down the frame of a nearby window before resting himself against the wall. With the moonlight streaming through the window and illuminating his face, Hermione caught sight of his attempts to mask his pain. Hesitantly drawing closer, she opened her mouth to explain, but no words came out.

"Why?"

The question was spoken barely above a whisper, but still reverberated throughout the open hallway.

"I- I had to-"

"No, you didn't." In a flash he had turned to face her, and she pulled away from the anger she saw. "I gave you an option. That could have been our wedding, but instead you married that- that..." hesitating, she could see him clench his jaw and shake his head lightly as his anger stole the words from his mouth. Turning back to face the window, silence quickly deafened the hallway, and Hermione paused to allow him a moment to compose himself.

"Ron, you have to understand." As she began to speak, she reached out to comfort her old friend, but her gestures were quickly shrugged away. "I did this for you-"

"For me?" He mockingly laughed at her comment, "is this what Muggles mean when they talk about tough love?" Picking his head up to face her, she saw the emptiness that cloaked his features. With a trembling hand, he lightly reached out and stroked her neck before lifting the chain bearing his ring from the confines of her dress. Holding the strand between his shaky fingers, the motion caused the ring to sway back and forth; and as it caught the moonlight in the cut of it's perfect gem, bursts of colorful light danced about on the ancient walls. "I proposed to you less than 24 hours ago, and instead of giving me an answer, you wear my engagement ring to your wedding with another man?"

Closing her eyes to shield herself from his scrutiny, she realized how badly she had handled the situation. He was well within his rights to hate her forever for hurting him like that. Wrapped in her thoughts, his next question took her by surprise.

"Do you love him?"

"What?" Her eyes flew open as she questioned incredulously. "No! How could you ask such a thing?"

"Hermione, I saw you in there kissing him." The hurt and anger she had seen before was gone and in their place she saw his jealousy shine through.

"Ron- I- I don't know what to say about that," honestly, she didn't know what to say about that. Given some breathing space from the ceremony, she was appalled by her public display.

"I don't love him. I swear that isn't what this is about." Hoping this was her opportunity to explain, she went on, "and this is only a temporary marriage until things can be straightened out. If I don't marry soon then Lucius Malfoy will do something horrible, and if I married you they would have killed you." Her voice, already strained, trailed off to a whisper long before she added, "I couldn't let them hurt you."

The silence seemed to stretch on for eternity as he searched her eyes looking for the truth. "Do you love me?"

She opened and closed her mouth a few times, unsure of what she would say. In other circumstances her lack of response would have been very telling, but after what she had just said, Ron had to hear the words.

"Hermione, do you love me?" He asked again.

Refusing to look him in the eyes, she shook her head and whispered with confusion, "I don't know."

Resting her head on his chest, a friendly gesture that she had done hundreds of times before, she spoke softly, "Everything has happened so fast that I just don't know how I feel about anything anymore."

She felt him raise his hands to rest them gently at her waist, and although the response seemed automatic, it gave her the courage to continue. "I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know if I love you like that, but I do know that I can't lose you. I never wanted to do anything to hurt you, and I'm so sorry that I messed this all up."

"Hermione, let's go." Hermione jumped out of Ron's embrace as the stern voice of her new husband interrupted their private conversation.

"Go? Professor, I have to-"

"Now Hermione," he snapped. "We have to go now." With a hostile look at Ron, he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from her friend. As Hermione looked back, she saw Ron standing stiffly, staring out the window. A moment later they rounded the corner and headed down seven layers of stairway.

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A/N: Although it's not mentioned in any of the books, according to an interview with J.K. Rowling, she mentioned that Hermione's middle name is Jane. As no middle name has ever been mentioned for Severus, I came up with my own. According to babynames.com Andreas is Greek and means Strong & Manly -- 'cuse let's face it, he is.

I want to say thank you to my wonderful beta NegativeNine, to everyone who has been reading, and those that have reviewed: Raclswt, Ana Morales, Ezmerelda, Wonk, Sarahamanda, Jess, crissy, Midnight Tiger, Sapphire Butterfly, chibi06, thesexyflower, Makalani Astral, Tima, sisterhood-of-the-snake. Thanks to all!!