A/N: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling

Chapter Four

The week came and went faster than any before it in Hermione's memory. She hardly felt prepared. She had suffered through the indignant cries of Ron and Harry after she told them the news, and the subsequent appeals reminding her that she could still change her mind throughout the week. Ron was less enthusiastic about changing her mind than Harry though, somewhat relieved to be spared the duty of marrying her.

"I would have married you, Hermione, you know that," he had said to her after breakfast one morning.

"I know," she said softly.

"As long as you know you have other options," he said, his face starting to turn pink as it always did when he talked of emotional things.

"This is the best option."

"He doesn't deserve you," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. In the past, she might have been excited at his touch and attempt to console her, but those feelings had vanished completely after her decision to marry Snape.

"No one does," she said flippantly, trying to alleviate some of the tension. Ron laughed, dropping his hands and chucking her on the arm instead.

"You mean no one can handle you," he countered.

"But won't it be fun to watch Snape try?" Harry had come up behind them.

"I'm not that bad , am I?" she had asked. They had assured her that she was with mischievous smiles on their faces that had made her laugh.

Other members of the Order had similar reactions to Remus—shock followed by begrudging approval. Molly Weasley had been by far the worst, not because she disapproved but because she did.

"You'll be good for him my dear," she had told Hermione, but the worst had come when she had offered advice on the wedding night.

"I don't think that will be an issue, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione had sputtered, in shock at the suggestion that this would be a marriage in every sense of the word.

"Well if you ever need a woman to talk to about such things, you can always come to me."

Hermione had thanked her and had quickly exited the room.

Now, she sat in the Headmaster's office waiting in awkward silence with Ron and Harry for Professor Dumbledore and Severus. It felt strange thinking of him like that, as Severus. But she could hardly expect to call her husband Professor or sir. It was odd how intimate a first name could be. He had never addressed her as anything other than Miss Granger; she supposed that would change as well. The corners of her mouth quirked in a small smile at the thought of him insulting her using her new name, 'Do you enjoy being an insufferable know-it-all Mrs. Snape?' It sounded all wrong.

She looked up to notice Harry giving her an odd look. He probably didn't expect to see her smiling today, but it was all she could do. Otherwise she might cry.

A moment later the headmaster and her groom entered the room, along with Professor McGonagall. Professor Dumbledore motioned for them to take their places, standing in front of him. She stood facing Snape, his face a stony mask. His inky eyes found her brown ones, both taking the other one in.

"Take her hands, Severus," the older man directed. She gave him her hands and he held them loosely in his own. She noticed that they were calloused from working with potions ingredients and the only evidence of any anxiety was that they were somewhat sweaty. She took a deep breath and Dumbledore began.

"Please repeat after me, I, Hermione Granger give myself willingly into matrimony to this man Severus Snape." She repeated, her voice soft and unsteady. She didn't look at him but at the hands that held hers.

"I promise to respect, honor, and protect him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health as long as I shall live." Again she repeated the words, her eyes moving to his face.

"And now, Severus if you would repeat after me," Dumbledore continued. She noticed that he paused in hesitation as he spoke her first name, as she had done when speaking his, but he tightened his grip on her hands just slightly when he reached the words 'protect her.'

And then it was over, and they were married.

"You can kiss the bride," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye and smiling widely. Severus turned sharply and gave him a puzzled look.

"It's a muggle custom," she explained and before the situation could turn mortifyingly awkward she leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek. He dropped her hands in surprise, and quickly busied himself with smoothing his robes while watching the reaction of the boys from the corner of his eyes. Ron and Harry sniggered at seeing their hated professor ill at ease. She shot them an evil look, warning them to behave themselves. They quieted as Professor McGonagall brought out a bottle of champagne to toast the event.

"May you come to appreciate the strengths and good qualities the other has to offer," Dumbledore toasted, "And short memories for the rest!"

They sipped their champagne quietly and Hermione was almost relieved when Snape ushered her out of the room, announcing that she needed to move her things. Almost relieved because she realized now she would have to be alone with him. He led her to the dungeons. A painting of a garden swung back to reveal his rooms. Their rooms, she thought to herself. He led her into a small living area with squashy chairs similar to those in the Griffindor common room in front of the fire and a few book shelves filled with Potions books. It had a lived in quality that might have been comfortable except that she knew she had to share it with Snape.

"Your trunk is in there," he pointed to what she assumed was the bedroom, "The house elves have added an extra armoire for you to store your things in. A desk was added in here for you to use." Again he pointed across the living area to a small desk in the corner, "And I cleared a book shelf. Ask before you touch anything else. I don't like noise so I expect you to be quiet and I won't tolerate visitors. If you want to meet with your obnoxious friends you can go elsewhere. Are we clear?"

She nodded. She was a little indignant at his imperious attitude, but it was little more than she expected. She wouldn't let him push her around but neither did she want to argue before the wedding had been over an hour.

"That suits me fine, though I might need more shelves for the books Professor McGonagall will require me to buy." He nodded and then turned to leave.

"I'll be in my office. I'll leave you to unpack." And then he was gone. She stood in the middle of the room feeling bereft. Surveying the room, she tried to imagine it as her own but found it impossible. It was his, and she would be an unwanted invasion. She walked into the adjoining room, the bedroom. There was only one bed, she realized in horror. But then what else did she expect, twin beds? A separate room? This may not be a marriage in every sense of the word, but others had to believe it was.

With a few waves of her wand she put away her things before lying down. At least the bed was fairly large. She didn't need to worry about bumping into him in the middle of the night. Overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted, tears began streaming down her face. It hadn't seemed real before. Now the reality of her decision was hitting home with the force of a brick wall. Grabbing a pillow to her, she muffled the sobs that came in waves. She cried until there were no more tears left before falling asleep.

She awoke hours later, startled to find Severus in the bed beside her. Quietly, she grabbed her pajamas and headed for the bathroom. Frizzy locks of hair going every which way and red, swollen eyes reflected back at her from the mirror. After changing out of her clothes and brushing her teeth, she crept back into the bedroom. It was cold and she clamored back into bed. Pulling the covers up to her chin, she hoped everything would look better in the morning.