Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter(tears roll down)'Nough said(sniff, sniff)
As soon as Hermione arrived at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place she was bombarded with questions.
"What did Dumbledore have to say, Hermione?"
"Where did you go?"
"Hermione, it was the Marriage Law, wasn't it?" This extremely and unfortunately correct question came from none other than Ginny.
Ron laughed, "Marriage Law? Bull, Ginny, Hermione's not getting married." But Harry, seeing the dismal nod Hermione sent Ginny's way, elbowed Ron in the side. "Ow, what was that for?" One look at Hermione's face shut him up though.
Hermione motioned for them to sit down on her bed. This was as good of a time to tell them as it would ever be. "Dumbledore took me to Applebee's and we ate. And...well, I have to marry," she gulped," Professor Snape."
If this hadn't been such a serious matter, Hermione would have laughed at the three teen's expressions. Harry's jaw dropped-about a foot. Ginny's eyes grew larger and larger until Hermione thought they would pop out of her head. Ron. Ron's was something truly spectacular. His face turned a violent shade of red as he starting muttering, "I'm going to kill that greasy git. It's cradle robbing."
Harry was the first to regain his senses. "But...but why him?"
Hermione wondered herself, why could she not marry Kingsley Shacklebolt or...or Charlie Weasley? But, instead of voicing her opinion, she told them exactly what Dumbledore had said. "The Order had been talking about this. They, well, they wanted me to marry someone in the Order."
"But Snape?" Ron blurted out, regaining his ability to speak. "Why him? There's plenty of other people to choose from?"
Ginny threw a pillow at him. "Shut up, Ron. You're not making this any better on Hermione."
"Really, guys are so dense," Hermione remarked, as she threw her purple pillow at Ron.
"This means war, Ron." Harry threw a pillow at Ginny starting their pillow fight that lasted half an hour.
Seriously, Hermione mused, they are the best friends in the world. Only they could have made me participate in a pillow fight hours after I found out I am getting married.
Hermione was sitting in her room later that day with Ginny, when an owl swooped through the open door. It dropped a purple parchment into HErmione's outstretched hands and left.
"What is it, Hermione?" Ginny asked curiously.
"I don't know. Wonder who it's from?" Hermione replied as she opened it up.
Miss Hermione Granger,
I am arranging a series of dates for you and Severus Snape to go on. This is because I don't expect either of you to do anything to further your relationship further. You're first "date" will be tomorrow. Please wear dressy clothes. Severus will pick you up at six thirty. Be ready!
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
At the very same time Severus Snape received a letter almost identical to Hermione's.
Severus,
I am arranging a series of dates for you and Hermione Granger to go on. You know exactly why, Severus. If I wouldn't be doing this, you and Miss Granger wouldn't even speak before the wedding. And it's not like you're going to "make a move" on her. Wear dressy clothes and pick her up at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place at six thirty. BE THERE!
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Sometimes, Severus hated his life.