DISCLAIMER: do not own.
The wedding passed pretty quickly. Ginny blindly stumbling through her vows, clumsily putting the ring on Harry's finger. She really couldn't believe any of it. Her mum had assured her Harry would settle down after marrying her, Mrs Weasly had also giggled and told Ginny that that as what happened to her father. Frankly, this was more than Ginny wanted to know. Harry looked startled too, his untidy back hair, green, green eyes…. Ginny ruffled his hair affectionately,
"Get off Ginny," mumbled a blushing Harry
"You're a right nut Harry" She grinned.
They laughed, yet there was still an uneasy feeling about the whole scene. Everyone, talking, smiling, Mrs Weasley boasting, Mr Weasley drinking…but you could tell they were all thinking one thing: What had happened to Hermione?
Hermione was crying. Her once brilliant white dress was torn and muddy after she had slipped down the banks, gone through the hedge to get to this river. Its non-polluted crystal clean blue water, you could see the small fish weaving in and out of reeds and minute crabs scuttling. She felt a hand on her shoulder, Hermoine jumped up, startled,
"What are you doing here?" she asked the mysterious stranger (for now)….
"I wanted to know if you're ok, I saw the whole thing." Said the stranger…
"Oh. I didn't think you were invited. Its not as if you are a personal friend." She didn't, never, couldn't like the man in front of her. Who really could? Yet why was he there? To gloat at her? These thoughts made her think back at the wedding, Ron's face, Mrs Weasley, bill and Charlie…she swooned, feeling dizzy, sick, lost…
"Whoa! Be careful, Miss Granger." He caught her before she fell.
"You mock my pain! Do not call me Miss Granger! My name is Hermione!" She cried in anguish. He nodded his head.
"I am sorry…Hermione" He smiled, a rare thing, "Of all the years I have known you, I have never called you that"
Hermione was stunned, and then she looked back into her past…her stupid, miserable past…
"No" She whispered," You never have. But why are you here?"
He drew nearer to her, and said in her ear, somewhat nervously for a man who had hardly feared anything in his life, yet he had never spoke of his own emotions…
"Miss…Hermoine. You of all people have always yearned for knowledge, like me. I never found a single soul willing to look to find a way to solve problems, be logical. Not even one person has tried to think!" He paced up and down, lost in his thoughts, almost forgetting Hermione was there, but then he clasped her hands and looked deep into her eyes….
"Hermione, what I am trying to say is…that I love you. I always have and will do so." He saw the look of distrust in her eyes, "Do not spurn me or not trust me. I love you. I goddamn love you!" Then he kissed her roughly on the mouth. She did not draw away. Now she thought about it. Yes, she loved him too, she had buried her feelings because of how her friends would react, because it was ridiculous…absolutely ridiculous, wasn't it? But then he spoke again, softer…
"Marry me Hermione. Get away from here. We can escape and…and work together, try to find the knowledge we both seek…please Hermione. I know that I am, I can never…but…" She put a finger over his mouth…
"I love you. I shall marry you, Severus." (For yes, it is he, Severus Snape). She kissed him, a romantic, soft kiss. He drew her onto his lap, she ran her fingers through his hair (it was not greasy actually, as she thought it would be), and he run his fingers through hers. They lay together on the bank, not kissing. Just marvelling at themselves, what had happened and their forbidden love for each other. No, Hermoine thought, I must no think like that. Who is stopping our love? Nobody! She almost cried out in her joy. Severus' heart was beating fast; no one had ever loved him. Not even in his wildest dreams. Hermione…he buried his face in her hair, his brightest, most attentive, wondrous student ever. His, love. His.