Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me. But oh, how I wish they did……

"Yes, I'll marry you," Hermoine had went to bed that night with those few words rambling through her head. After Snape had proposed, Hermoine had spent the afternoon with him, filling him in on events that had happened around the school while he had been sick. They ate lunch together and then Hermoine had left Snape to take a nap, while she went to the lab to work on potions. She came back up at dinnertime to learn that Snape was still asleep. Thinking rest was best for his recovery, she ate alone, and then went to sleep in her own room, in need of somewhere private to think.

She was going to be Mrs. Severus Snape! She would never have imagined that in a million years back on her first day at Hogwarts. She knew it was more a marriage of convenience than a marriage of love. Yes, she loved him, more than she had thought possible, but she knew he was marring her only to protect her reputation, and the reputation of the school. She could live with that for now, but she knew in her heart that she would gain his heart with time.

Hermoine rose the next morning and tiptoed quietly into Snape's room. He was still asleep. His dark hair covered part of his face, and it moved softly with the rhythm of his breath.

Hermoine snuck back out and went to her room to dress. She then headed to the Hall for breakfast. It was early still, yet several students were already busing around the castle, readying themselves for the trip home. They would be leaving for summer break, after the end of year feast that night.

Upon entering the Hall's back entrance, Hermoine made her way to her seat. The headmistress sent a questioning look her way and as Hermoine sat, she nodded an affirmative to the unspoken question.

Minerva and Remus exchanged looks and then both moved from their seats. Remus leaned towards her, a smile playing around his lips, "When you have finished, please meet us in the Headmistress' office."

Hermoine watched the two as they left the room. She then completed her meal, and left for the meeting, nodding to her friends as she went.

When she entered the office, she noted that Snape was already there, seated in a lounge chair next to the fireplace, a blanket thrown over his legs. She also took note that her trunk was next to his chair. She took a seat in a chair nearby and then turned to face the rest of the room.

Remus walked over, offering his hand to Snape. "Congratulations! You had best take care of our Hermoine. She is a very special lady."

"I agree," Snape replied, "and I will surely do my best."

Minerva sat behind her desk, "Hermoine, I am not sure if you are aware of the traditions that concern wizard weddings?"

"No, ma'am. I haven't yet studied those. What will Bill and Fleur eloping, I have yet to witness a wizard wedding."

"I have a book, which I believe will be helpful. I have placed it in your trunk. It describes the most commonly used traditions." Minerva rose from behind the desk and walked to the door, "The wedding will take place in one week. Hermoine, you will be leaving for Grimmauld Place immediately. You will reside there until the wedding. Molly will help you with preparations. Come now, Remus, let's allow the couple to say their good-byes."

After the door had shut behind the pair, Hermoine turned towards Snape, "I have to leave right now?"

Snape took her hand in his, "Yes, one of the traditions state that the bride and groom be separated for a week prior to the wedding. It is believed to help in the fertility of the couple, as such a long time apart would make for an overly enthusiastic wedding night."

Hermoine blushed as she thought about what her wedding night would entail. "But why are we marrying so soon? We have all summer. How can I get everything ready within a week, even by using magic? I don't know what wizards wear to weddings. I don't know what I'll have to say. I don't even know whom to invite! And are we really getting married at Grimmauld Place?"

"We are marring this soon because it will give the wizarding world all summer to get over the shock before school begins again. It will also give us time to be alone. No, we are not getting married in Harry's house. Minerva thought it best to have you stay there so Molly could answer any questions you may have. I will take care of the location, and the invitation list. You only have to learn the routine of the wedding from the book Minerva gave you, and pick your dress."

"You would do that for me?" Hermoine asked.

"Of course, as you'll read, the men normally take care of such things. I understand muggle men normally make everything the bride's responsibility but we believe that a good marriage means sharing responsibilities evenly, beginning with the wedding." Snape explained this all patiently, "Hermoine, are you still sure that you want to marry me?"

"I am sure," she replied. "I will miss you while I am away."

"And I will miss you too." He gently tugged her to him. She sat on the edge of the seat and wrapped her arms around his neck. Placing his hand on the back of her head, he dipped his own towards her. Softly, he kissed her, tenderness in his lips as he touched his lips to hers for several moments. As he pulled away, he smiled at the mewling sound Hermoine made.

"My lovely wife to be," he said as he brushed a curl from her shoulder. "This week will not go by quick enough, I fear."

Hermoine rose from the chair, bending over to kiss him goodbye once more. Putting all of her pent up passion into the kiss, she was tempted to stay there in his arms. Pulling away, she looked into his black eyes, which burned with a fire in their depths. "You get well while I am away."

As quickly as she could, without looking back, she picked up a handful of floo powder, and threw it into the flames. As the flames turned green, she took the handle of her trunk and pulled it into the fireplace. As she shouted her destination, she chanced one last look at the man she would soon marry. With a swirl of ash, he was gone.

Stepping from the fireplace, she was enveloped in a warm hug. "Hello, Molly."

"Oh, hello, dear. We've missed you so very much," was the muffled reply, as Molly had buried her head in her handkerchief upon releasing Hermoine from her hug. She pulled the cloth away and dabbed at her eyes, "Don't worry, it's tears of happiness, I'm crying. I just can't seem to turn them off."

"Where's Jolie?" Hermoine asked following Molly out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"I've just put the little bug to bed for an afternoon nap. I thought we could visit awhile."

The two went into the library and sat. Molly had prepared tea, and served it as she asked, "Are you sure about this, Hermoine? Are you sure that Severus is the one?"

"I love him, Molly."

Molly took a sip of her tea and thought over this a moment. "Yes, I can see that is true." She than gave a weary sigh. "I just thought… Well, everyone thought, that someday you and Harry, well, you know."

Hermoine smiled as Molly drained her cup of tea, in order to hide her embarrassment. Setting her own cup down, she addressed the older woman. "Molly, Harry is my dearest friend, but we care for each other as brother and sister. Harry will find someone, it will just take time. He is still trapped in his feelings for Ginny. He is still in love with her and a small part of him always will be. He just isn't ready to move on."

Molly wiped her eyes again with the handkerchief. "I have always thought of Harry as one of my own. Ginny meant so much to him. I was just hoping one day I would see one of my boys wed again. I always imagined we would have such a large family, and now so many of us are gone." Molly sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. "I guess Jolie will be my only grandchild," she added with a sigh.

Hermoine smiled at the forlorn grannie, "I wouldn't give up so soon. We may have Fred married soon."

Molly's eyes grew round, "Who is Fred seeing?"

Hermoine poured the woman a bit more tea, warming her cup. "My friend Luna. She's an instructor at the school."

"Luna? Luna Lovegood?" Molly questioned, "Neville's Luna?"

"Yes," Hermoine answered. She then filled Molly in on her son's relationship with Luna. The women talked for quite awhile before Hermoine excused herself. She retied upstairs to her bedroom where she lay on the bed for a short rest. She had just shut her eyes, it seemed, when her eyes snapped open. She must have slept for the late afternoon sun was dimly filtering through her window.

She heard a creeping sound near her bed, and knew this must have been what had awoken her. "Hello." She whispered.

Seeing that she was awake, the little girl flew to the bed in a blaze of red fluff. "Miney, Miney, I missed you."

"Jolie, I missed you, too," Hermoine hugged the child, who had wrapped herself around her middle. "How is my big girl?"

"I'se is tree!" said the little girl as she released Hermoine to hold up three fingers. "I'se gonna be four soon. Nannie say so."

Hermoine took the child's hand and walked out of the bedroom with her. "Jolie, where is Nannie?"

"Her's in the kitchen, tooking supper. I was posed to be in the brary, with my baby dolls. Nannie say to be very quiet, cause you need you rests. But I missed you, Miney."

Hermoine held the girl's hand as they went down the stairs to the kitchen. Opening the door, she saw Molly putting the finishing touches on the table.

"I was just about to come up and get you, but I see Bug here has done it."

The little girl laughed as her grandmother put her in a chair next to the head of the table. "Nannie, I'se not a bug. I'se Jolie Weasley!"

Her grandmother chucked the girl on the chin, "You sure look like a little lady bug to me."

Hermoine took a seat on the other side of the table from Jolie. "Guess what, Miney. I tan fly!"

"Really?" Hermoine looked at Molly for assistance.

"Bill bought her a miniature broom stick for Christmas," Molly explained.

"When will Bill be home?"

"Right now." Hermoine turned to see the man in question, standing in the doorway. Bill walked to his mother and daughter, greeting them both with a hug and kiss, before turning to give Hermoine a brotherly hug.

As the Bill sat and initiated the evening meal, Hermoine watched the interactions. The love between Bill and his family was so strong, after the man had been through so much. The same Fenrir Greyback that Hermoine had killed during the war had attacked Bill in their six year of school. The werewolf had not been transformed at the time, so Bill was spared the full effects of the curse of their kind, but he still had his scars from the attack. His once handsome face had been severely damaged, but the special skills of the mediwitches had left him with only one long ragged scar from his right temple, to his chin. He preferred rare steak, versus well done. His senses had been refined. He could see into dark corners and his nose could smell a person a mile away. He tended to jump at loud noises, but that was to be expected.

For all that he had been through, the attack by Fenrir, and then the loss of his wife, his personality had only improved. He was no longer the reckless young man he had been when Hermoine had first met him, but he did live each day to it's fullest. Watching, as he playfully stole one of Jolie's peas from her plate, Hermoine felt tears gather in her eyes.

The little girl laughed as her father transfigured the pea into a beautiful green winged butterfly. Jolie was the perfect combination of Bill and Fleur. She had her mother's build and grace, but her father's looks. With her bright red hair and freckles, she reminded Hermoine of Ginny. Jolie also had Ginny's disposition. She could be sweet and loving but her stubborn streak could not be broken when she really wanted something.

After dinner, Hermoine volunteered to give Jolie a bath, and to put her to bed. After being thoroughly doused with water, she took the freshly clean little girl to her room, where she could change clothes. Settling down in the rocking chair in the corner of her room, she rocked the young child to sleep. Placing the little girl on the bed, she tiptoed out the door and went back downstairs to the kitchen.

Molly handed Hermoine a cup of tea, and informed her Bill had gone to his room for the night, to work on a project for the bank. The woman sat across from each other at the table.

"I know I asked you earlier, Hermoine, but I want to make sure you are positive that you want to marry Severus. I know you love him, but sometimes, love is not enough."

Hermoine put down her cup and addressed the woman she loved almost like a mother. "I thought love could get you through anything?"

Molly shook her head, "No, dear, that would be nice, but unfortunately it isn't true. You can love someone with all you heart, and still despise him or her. Not that I'm thinking Severus will ever cause you to hate him, but you will have outside influences, which could bring tension to your relationship. There are still those out there that do not know the truth about Severus or those whom wish not to believe it. There will be times when people will be cruel to you, because of your marriage. There may even be backlash towards your children."

"No one would date to say anything to my child, if they wanted to live afterwards!" Hermoine retorted, her eyes flashing with fire.

"Dare they will. It will be hard, for many years to come, and there will always be people who will hold Severus' reputation against you, even after he has proven himself to the world."

"Molly, I'd like to say that I don't care what other people think of me, but I know that is foolish thinking. I'm sure that there will be times when I will be hurt, but I'm also sure that the love I feel for Severus will get me through that. As long as I have his love, and the love of my family and friends, I will be just fine."

Molly reached across the table and laid her hand on Hermoine's. "Yes, I hope so. You are a fighter Hermoine. Sometimes, I forget that. I just wanted to make sure you are aware. In our world, once you are married, there is no getting out. There is no such thing as divorce in the wizard world. Marriage is a binding contract, to death do you part."

The two women sat in silence for a moment, then Molly rose to her feet, "Well, tomorrow is going to be quite a day. It's time we were off to bed. You'll need to rise early to eat before we leave. Bill will take Jolie with him to work in the morning."

Hermoine followed the older woman up the stairs. "I put Jolie in bed with me. Is that fine?"

Molly waived a hand toward her, "That is fine. She often crawls into my own bed at night. You may regret it later, though, she tends to flay about in her sleep."

As Hermoine made to open her bedroom door, she turned back to ask, "Where are we going tomorrow?"

"We need to go to Diagon Alley for your gown. I also thought we would stop by a visit your parents first thing in the morning, before we shop." Molly answered her.

Hermoine stepped inside the room and quietly shut the door. My parents! she thought. In the years since the war, Hermoine had grown apart from her muggle family. It had been years since she had actually visited her family. She still sent them presents and the occasional letter, but she could not bring herself to talk to them in person. Their views of what had happened in the war had caused many fights. Her father had told her the last time she had visited that if she continued with all her "hocus pocus" then he wanted nothing else to do with her.

Knowing that she was too excited now to go to sleep, Hermoine decided to look through the book on weddings that Minerva had left for her. Settling into the rocking chair, Hermoine picked up the book, Wizarding Weddings and Wedding Customs by Alexandria Radlove, and began to read.

There were several customs, which Hermoine was glad she already had knowledge of as they where similar to muggle customs. She was still allowed a wedding gown, preferably white. She was also allowed a maid of honor. As soon as she read this information, she ran to the library. After jotting a quick note, she woke the house owl, and sent the sleepy creature off into the night, before returning to her room.

Hermoine was not entirely surprised by some of the wizarding customs she read in the large book. The ceremony was much like a muggle wedding, with a few changes thrown in. The ring binding as a bit different and took Hermoine by surprise as she read over the steps taken. There where several spells included in the ceremony, which where said to bring blessings of fertility and well being on the couple. It also spoke of the give and take relationship that Snape had earlier described to her, explaining why the groom was in charge of picking the location for the wedding.

After finishing the chapter, Hermoine decided that she could indeed sleep, so she put the book away, promising herself that she would read the final chapters later. She than climbed onto the bed, moving Jolie's arm's and legs towards the middle of the bed. As the child turned to her, wrapping her leg over Hermoine's hip and throwing an arm around her neck, Hermoine wondered if she had made the wrong decision to allow the child to sleep in her room. Telling herself she would put Jolie in her own bed the next night, Hermoine shut her eyes and was soon asleep.

The next morning, Hermoine dressed both herself and the tired Jolie in nice clothes. Carrying the child downstairs to the foyer, she deposited Jolie into her father's waiting arms. As Bill walked out the door with Jolie, she could hear Jolie ask her father, "Tan we stop at Uncle Tommy's for a doughnut?"

Walking down the stairs to the kitchen, she heard voices. Opening the door, she was greeted by the site of Molly hugging an excited Luna.

"Hermoine! Luna is here for the week to help us with the wedding," Molly exclaimed, rushing over to give her a hug, before pushing Hermoine into a chair and forcing a plate of toast on her. "I was so excited when Luna said you had made her your maid of honor."

Hermoine did not understand why that fact was so exciting so she asked why.

"Why? Why am I so excited? Hermoine did you not read the book Minerva said she was sending with you? Choosing Luna as your maid means that she will be the next woman married! You give her your bouquet to hold during the wedding. Haven't you ever heard of the tradition of 'handing the bouquet' in the muggle world? I thought the muggles did it, too?"

"Muggles do have a tradition of throwing the bouquet. They have all the single women stand together in a pack and the bride tosses her bouquet over her shoulder. The person who catches it is supposed to be the next person married. It's only a superstition. I've caught several bouquets before myself."

Molly put her hands on her hip as she pulled the plate of toast away from the table and handed Hermoine a napkin and a fresh cup of tea. "Well, of course, the muggles would think it superstition. They're doing it all wrong. A whole group of girls. Tsk! It is an honor to be chosen as maid. And, we have magic behind our practices. Why when I was younger, women would fight each other over the role of bride's maid. I have never been to a wedding where the maid was not engaged within six months following."

"And the best man, does he get married too?" Hermoine asked.

"Oh, no," Luna informed her, "He promises to take care of you. The best man makes a vow, if something where to ever happen to the groom, the best man will protect and provide for you and your children, for the rest of his life."

"But what about his own family. Surely that is too hard for one man?" Hermoine questioned.

"It is an honor to be chosen as best man. A woman would be proud to have a husband that honorable."

Hermoine wondered whom Snape would choose to be his best man. She really needed to finish that book, as there still appeared to be things she needed to learn about.

"What about the garter?" she asked, thinking of another muggle practice.

"I don't know anything about any guards. The best man is the one who vows protection." Molly answered.

"No, garter, not guard-er. It's a small piece of cloth, like a ruffle or a piece of lace, which a muggle bride wears on her thigh. The groom takes it off of her and then tosses it for the single men to catch, like the bride does for the bouquet."

"Never heard of anything like that," Molly stated, "Most men I know would run away from something like that. Not many young, single men begging to get married."

Molly then announced to the ladies that it was time to go. Stepping outside the house, they traveled down the block a few hundred feet, before stepping into a deserted alleyway. Each took one of Hermoine's hands for guidance, the ladies apparated.

For safety's sake, Headmistress McGonagall had asked for all parents of children at the school of muggle born lineage to go into hiding during Hermoine's seventh year of school. With Dumbledore dead, Minerva had felt it necessary, and allowed no arguments. Leaving their home had been very hard on Hermoine's family, as they had to leave behind the dentist practice they had worked very hard to establish. The leave only caused another strain on the relationship between Hermoine and her parents.

The house that the Granger's now lived in was nothing compared to the house Hermoine had grown up in. When she was younger, they had lived in a large four bedroom, two story home, in a quite neighborhood. The house had a large front yard, a pool in the back yard and a small garden on the side. The house they now lived in was in a crowded suburban neighborhood. It was a two bedroom, cramped shell, with a small patch of dead grass for a front yard and a gravel path leading between the back of their house and the house behind them.

Hermoine walked to the door and rang the bell. A moment later it was opened by her mother.

"Hermoine? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" she asked as she stepped aside, allowing the women to walk into the house.

"Yes, Mum. I've just come to talk to you and Dad," Hermoine answered her.

Her mother led the women through the hallway and into the living room, where her father was sitting in a recliner watching TV. He snapped the set off when he saw who was there.

"What is this? I thought I told you not to come back. How dare you bring your freak friends into my home! Haven't your kind done enough damage to me already!"

Hermoine flinched at the tone her father was using, but stood straight as she answered him, "I've come to give you some news father."

" What is it this time? Has some new wizard decided to take over the magical community? I don't care! I want nothing to do with that mess. I am not uprooting my life again because of you," her father stated, turning the television back on and his back to the women.

Molly raised her wand and the TV vanished. As the angry man turned to face her, she walked towards him in a threatening manner. "Your daughter came to give you some very important news and you will hear her out!"

Hermoine's father sat back in his chair, afraid of the anger he saw on the older woman's face.

Hermoine looked at her father and then into the sad face of her mother before announcing, "I'm to be married in a week."

"Oh, Hermoine!" her mother cried, rushing to hug her.

Her father at first appeared confused by the news. Then he slowly looked at her, his eyes shrewdly catching on her middle, before he stated, "We have heard no news from you since Christmas. You mentioned no boyfriend at that time. Why are you rushing into marriage now? You've gone and gotten yourself in further disgrace haven't you? You're pregnant."

Luna could not allow her friend to be punished any further by her cruel father's words. "Your daughter is getting married so soon because she is a smart woman and she knows when love is looking her in the face. She is to be married to Professor Severus Snape. He is a very distinguished man within our community. He is to be the next Headmaster at Hogwarts!"

Hermoine's father smiled a cruel, cold smile as he looked at his daughter. "Snape. Isn't that the name of the traitor who murdered Dumbledore? It figures that you would have to whore yourself to a man like that. Never was too bright, Hermoine. Well, don't come crawling back to your mother and I when the bastard has left you with a pack of squalling kids." He then turned towards Molly, "I am threw talking to trash. Please return my television set and then get out of my house," he demanded.

Molly, in total shock that a man could act so harshly to his child, returned the television set and then walked out of the door, followed by Luna. Hermoine also turned to go, adding before she left, "I came here today, to share news with you of my marriage because I thought you would be happy for me. I see now that I should not have bothered. I will not come to your house again."

Hermoine walked down the hallway, followed by her tearful mother, "Hermoine, please don't leave in such anger. Your father doesn't mean what he said."

"Mother, you made not one move to stop him as he said those things to me. My friends offered me more protection then you did," Hermoine stated as she stepped out of the door.

"He is just so angry of late. The practice is not doing well at all, and he has started drinking more." Hermoine's mother stated.

"That is not an excuse." Hermoine retorted. "Mother, you do not have to stay here with him. You can leave him. I will help you."

"I love him," her mother replied, "Hermoine, are you sure that you want to marry this Snape man? How can you possibly marry a man who murdered another human being?"

"I love him," Hermoine stated as she pulled her mother into a last embrace. Hugging her mother goodbye, she squeezed a bit tighter than normal, breathing in her mother's scent, knowing this was a final goodbye.

Stepping back, she tried to memorize her mother's face, as she took the hands of her friends. With a blown kiss goodbye, she thought in her head, Diagon Alley, and with a loud pop, she was gone.

Upon arriving in Diagon Alley, the three women made way to Special Occasions, a dress shop located near The Leaky Caldron. Sitting in comfortable chairs, the women talked and chatted, eating small sandwiches and cakes, which where served with tea. As they talked, wedding dresses would model themselves in front of the women, one by one.

"Hermoine, are you ok?" Molly asked, as Hermoine wiped a tear from her eye.

"I'm fine, or I will be in a minute. I knew this day was coming. I'm just sorry you both had to witness it," Hermoine apologized.

"Don't you worry about that dear. I'm glad you did not have to go through that alone."

"Hermoine, have you thought about who will walk you down the isle?" Luna asked.

Indeed, Hermoine had been thinking about that subject. Since she was a little girl, she had imagined herself walking down the isle on her father's arm, the skirt of her dress tangling their legs as it billowed around them.

"I don't know. Molly, do you think Remus would walk with me?"

Molly wiped her eyes with her handkerchief, "I am sure he would be honored."

Hermoine turned to watch another set of gowns paraded themselves in front of the group. Her perfect wedding was just going as she had always pictured. As the last dress swept by, before returning to the corner to hang itself back up, she burst into tears.

"None of these dresses are right," she cried, "I'm going to look like a hag at my own wedding."

"Nonsense," Molly told her, running a comforting hand over the girl's shoulder. "If you can't find the dress you want, then we will just have to make one for you.'

"There isn't enough time," Hermoine wailed.

"Oh, Hermoine," Molly laughed, "Dry up those tears. You keep forgetting that we have magic on our side."

After Hermoine had calmed herself down, the women looked over the dresses once more, pulling patterns for dresses they liked. Once they had discussed each dress, Hermoine had three patterns for dresses that she liked, but that just quite weren't what she wanted.

"Hermoine, why don't we bring these three patterns home tonight," Luna stated, "I'll look at them after dinner and see what I can do."

Within minutes the women where back at home. Hermoine spent most of the evening playing with the overly rambunctious Jolie, who had spent most of her day cooped up in her father's office. After dinner, she put the baby to bed again, this time in her own room, before heading to the adjoining bathroom for an hour-long soak in the tub. Completely drained, she headed for bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next several days passed in a blur to Hermoine. The dress Luna had designed was perfect. Luna and Hermoine had traveled to Diagon Alley and purchased material for the dress, as well as for Luna's clothes. Molly had even offered to make a smaller version of Hermoine's dress for Jolie, who would serve as flower girl.

In the mornings, Hermoine took turns with Luna, teaching Jolie her role in the wedding. When the child had been put down for a nap after lunch, Hermoine would retire to her room to read more of the book on customs. In the evening, Luna would work on the dresses, while Hermoine kept Jolie entertained. At night, she fell into bed exhausted.

The night before the wedding, Hermoine again spent a long time soaking in the tub. She washed her long curly hair in vanilla scented shampoo before conditioning it thoroughly, with a potion she had made to tame her curls. It left her hair smelling of vanilla and jasmine.

She then covered her body with skin softening lotion, another of her potions. The lotion made her skin glow and the scent matched her hair. Relaxed, she walked into the bedroom, and fell into bed after just managing to pull a nightgown over her head.

She had none of the pre-wedding jitters, she had often heard talk of in the muggle community. She was completely positive that she was heading down the right path. As the man of her heart met her in her dreams, she sighed in her sleep. Tomorrow she would begin the first day of her life as Mrs. Severus Snape.

A/N: I am so sorry I did not have this up for you Sunday as I promised. I had a very bad weekend and just was not able to. Our puppies, Lupin and Hagrid, died over the weekend of parvo. Amazingly, my daughter was fine and not overly upset. I, on the other hand, boo-hooed all weekend. Anyway, thank you for the reviews. I'll have the next chapter up soon.