A/N: Well, you can thank my muse for returning in the form of a particularly scathing review from one who shall remain nameless. BTW, if you flame me, I don't take you seriously and ban you forever from my read list. Review please!

I wish to mention the fact that Hermione was not forced into the marriage. She made the choice to marry. There were other options, but this was the path I chose because I love the HG/SS pairing. So if you don't like it, don't read it!

That said, I now say, "On with the story!" (Naughty words from Ron in this one)

"Hermione, relax. Yes, he'll be angry and he won't understand, but eventually he'll come around. At least I think he will." Harry said, frowning a bit. He was trying to calm Hermione so she would actually tell Ron she was going to marry Snape. It seemed to be a better idea telling him before the fact than the day of or anytime after.

"Harry, I just don't know if I can take being yelled at again. It was pretty tense with my parents. Snape's mother was absolutely horrible, which didn't help things at all. It would be so much easier if I could just be honest about everything." She gestured with her hands to emphasize the point.

"That's not an option though. You know why we can't tell Ron that much. At least you have me, right?" Harry was sure it was not much consolation, but he had to try.

"Yeah, I guess," she replied sadly.

"But you did say you actually got to see Snape smile and laugh. That's got to be worth something, right? He is trying to be nice, isn't he?" Hermione smiled a bit goofily at the thought. Ron approached them, causing Hermione to frown again.

"Hey, Harry. Hi, Hermione. Why so sad?" the red head asked his friend.

"Ron, I need to tell you something. It's important."

"Wait, you two aren't, you know, because Ginny would be devastated."

"Ron, that's not it," Harry responded. "Ginny and I are quite happy together. Besides, Hermione and I are just friends. That's it."

"Okay, then what's going on?" He found it odd they wanted to meet with him during lunch, but it was probably important, so he did not object. He missed his best friend anyway, which made him quickly agree to meet with them in one of the empty classrooms. Ginny said she would come after lunch on her way to class.

Hermione looked to Harry who gave her a nudge. "Just tell him the truth."

She did not even build up to it. It was best for her and him that she be concise and to the point. "Ron, I'm marrying Professor Snape . . ."

"What?"

". . . The wedding is at three on Saturday and you're invited."

"Professor Snape! Hermione, this is a joke, right?"

Harry rolled his eyes. He looked at Hermione who was obviously frustrated. She had probably repeated this a number of times before. He honestly felt sorry for her.

Trying desperately to not get angry toward Ron, and virtually failing, Hermione said, "Okay, Ron. Let it out. Be mad, confused, whatever. Just listen to me when I tell you that I am marrying Severus on Saturday at three and you are going to be there."

Ron paled. "You're bloody fucking serious aren't you? You're marrying that bastard. Fucking hell, Hermione! He's a professor! A fucking bastard of a professor at that. You know what everyone will think, don't you?"

"Dumbledore is officiating," she added weakly, her energy suddenly gone.

"Did the bastard get you pregnant or something? Geez, Hermione, how can you do this? And where the fuck did this come from? I haven't even heard one inkling from you about liking him much less being in love with him. I can't deal with this right now. And don't worry about me telling anyone. I doubt they'll believe me since I don't believe it myself." Ron quickly excused himself.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other as Ron left. Neither mentioned how close he was to the truth. Hermione sadly watched her friend leave. She noticed a brief exchange between Ron and his sister Ginny. She approached the pair. Harry got up and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"What was that about?" she asked. "I haven't seen Ron that angry in a long time."

"Harry, would you tell her. I haven't got the energy right now."

Harry smiled at Hermione before turning to his girlfriend. He said, "You have to promise not to tell anyone about this. It's kind of a secret for the time being."

"Yeah, okay. No problem."

"Ginny, Hermione's getting married on Saturday."

"No way!" She thought for a moment. "Wait, you haven't been dating anyone. I don't understand."

"It's Professor Snape, Ginny," Hermione said.

"You're kidding right?"

Harry felt sorry for Hermione again. The whole ordeal was starting to wear her down, and it was showing. No one was taking her seriously, and if they did, she was the subject of abuse. It was completely unfair to Hermione. She should not have to go through the same thing every time.

Harry responded, "Ginny, she really is getting married this Saturday. A couple of nights ago when I came out of my coma, Hermione and the Professor were visiting her parents in London. Dumbledore owled them, and they came to visit. I heard it from Snape himself. It surprised me too, but I think it's for the best."

Hermione looked grateful for not only Harry's help, but, more importantly, his support.

"Oh, wow! This is, I mean, well, wow!" Ginny seemed to be handling the news better than just about everyone else who had been told with, perhaps, the exception of Headmaster Dumbledore.

"You're invited. Well, your whole family is invited really. The invitation has already been sent. Will you come, Ginny?" Hermione really wanted her friend to come. She expected Ginny would accept, but she wanted to be sure.

"Hermione, I wouldn't miss it even if you were marrying a severed head! If you think Snape's the one, I'll support you. It's a shock though. I don't really have to tell you that, do I?"

"I know, Ginny. It was a shock to me at first too."

The two girls hugged briefly. "If you need anything, I'm here."

"Thanks Ginny."

"You're welcome. We better get to class. Lunch is over. And don't worry about Ron. I'll talk to him. I doubt he'll come around by Saturday, but I'll see what I can do." She left Harry and Hermione. They quickly gathered their books and headed to class as well.

: P

The way Ron was glaring at Hermione and Harry throughout Potions rivaled Snape himself on a bad day. It did not go unnoticed by the observant Potions Master.

"Mr. Weasley, when you're finished trying to murder Miss Granger and Mr. Potter with your eyes, would you mind attending to your potion? You'll be giving Longbottom a run for his money at the rate you're going today."

The class chuckled at the comment. It was rare that Snape made a joke or anything remotely resembling a joke. The laughter from the class made Ron angrier. He turned his attentions to his potion long enough to keep it from exploding. Later in the period, Snape was wandering around the class as always when, near Ron, he heard him whisper, "You don't deserve her you greasy git."

"Excuse me, Mr. Weasley, what was that?" he inquired harshly.

Louder, and enraged, Ron replied. "I said: 'You don't deserve her you greasy git!'"

"And to whom would you be referring?" The question was very nonchalant.

"You know bloody well to whom I refer, sir. She wouldn't marry you of her own free will. You must have done something to her."

Hermione was paying close attention to the exchange. Harry was closely watching Hermione's reaction. She had tensed a great deal, but made no indication of involvement. Harry thought Snape was handling the situation surprisingly well, especially since Ron, who was on Snape's list of people to hate, had called him a "greasy git" twice. He feared the worst when Snape inquired after the other person supposedly involved. Fortunately, Ron had not named anyone.

"Since none of us now who 'she' is, Mr. Weasley, I will ignore this outburst, but just this once," Snape replied menacingly. "If this happens again, there will be consequences, very unpleasant consequences. Are we clear, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron was sufficiently cowed into submission by Snape's tone and implication. "Yes, sir," he responded through gritted teeth.

"Good." Snape noticed the class had stopped working. "Everyone back to work!" They listened. As he passed Hermione on his way to the front of the room, he whispered in her ear, "We need to talk." No one noticed. She made no indication one way or the other as was, but he knew she had heard him.

End Part 7