Disclaimer: don't own, make money etc.
Challenge info: Gift Fic for SiriusMarauderFan based on the Birthday 2015 fic exchange.
Prompts used:Time travel and arranged marriage
Hope you like it. (It is what it is- edited or not.)
Hermione had everything she thought she wanted in life as a little girl. She had a loyal and honest boyfriend, a good job, enough money to be have her own castle, and friends and family that loved her. She frowned as she stared at the ceiling. Her life was normal, and as perfect as she wanted it to be, so she didn't know why she felt disappointed and unhappy. She didn't want any more adventure or war. She just wanted to be happy. She sat up in bed and stared at the empty space beside her. Ron had been called in an emergency and had left her after telling her he had to go.
She pretended to be asleep. After she heard him leave she tried to fall back to sleep. He didn't know how him being an auror scared her because if he was killed in the line of duty she'd be alone. She kept to herself the fear that gripped her when he had to take off in the night for this or that. She knew that he might only learn of it if it came to be too much. Or as she feared if it poisoned her until they broke apart. She just didn't know how to tell him. Eventually sleep took her.
He was there when she got up again with some breakfast that he put on a tray. He burned water though, so she suspected, that he bought some breakfast for her. She was touched and ate the fluffy pancakes and eggs. The orange juice was freshly squeezed. They shared a kiss and he went to work after washing the dishes using magic. She sat there wondering what she should do. Her employer had agreed to a month vacation on the anniversary of the war ending. He was a considerate employer and knew that despite having it under control, the date caused them to act up, and so allowed her time off.
She took a hot shower savouring the heat as it trailed down her body. It unwound her nerves as her skin became red and slightly wrinkled as she left it, clean and refreshed in the cold bathroom. She shivered but relaxed as her heated skin began to cool down. She looked in the steamed up mirror and saw herself and looked away. The red and angry scars faded into pale while lines across her skin. They were still marring her skin, making her look more like war veteran, then a scholar. She accepted the war as part of her past and history, but didn't want it to define her. Ron and Harry were trying to find peace in fighting another kind of war.
She just wanted peace, love, and a family to call her own. Ron had been hinting about how he was going to get her a ring and they were going to be married. She was happy with him, or at least that's what she wanted but he was still the boy that made her cry in charms class at heart. She had seen him grow up in the war then as if magic he de-aged to an eleven year old again after the war for a time. He was finally acting his age now but she had changed too. She was a teen as an eleven year old, adult at seventeen and now at twenty one she felt years older than Ron. Their experiences made their bond strong but her maturity, intelligence, and work ethics were nearly opposite of Ron.
Her life the past two weeks had been peaceful with minimal symptoms. She and Ron were going to go out for a special occasion. She couldn't wait and changed clothing because she knew it was going to be a fancy restaurant. He came home early and in a nice suit with her in a dress they were off. He told her it was a fancy Italian restaurant after some pointed questions. He had been rather nervous about where to eat their first date. She was to the point that she was considering making a sign with I love Italian but he finally got the hint and asked told him that she liked Italian.
The walk to the restaurant was quiet. They talked in the cool evening night. She leaned on his shoulder and he held her waist as they walked. He was talking about something or other and she was dozing off as his voice lulled her to sleep. He looked at her concerned before shaking her gently, "Are you okay, Hermione? Do you want to go home to rest?"
She blushed and looked at the ground they stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. "No- NO- I'm fine- just more tired then I thought I was. You know this…" She trailed off biting her lip.
"Yeah, I know me too. I expect to wake up the the past few years to be just a dream and we're still at war. We're here!" Ron pointed to the restaurant as he pushed it open for her and they were seated. He told her that he ordered them dinner already and it came with a large iced champagne. Their plates were taken to the table and it smelled divine. Hermione's eyes were wide as they took in the smells and looks. All around them people were talking quietly. They finished dinner before Ron looked up at her before nodding as if to say it was time to himself.
Finally Ron stood up and then went to her before kneeling. She gulped and looked around and everyone was staring at them. He put his hands in the pocket and brought out a box before opening it. There was a radiant cut pink diamond in the gold band with smaller round diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires around it. She looked at his face and he had red ears.
"Hermione Granger, I know I've been a moron in the past, but I'm not stupid enough to let you go if you'll still have me for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?" Ron asked looking at her hopefully.
"Yes…" She whispered as she pulled Ron up for a kiss. He returned the kiss and they drank the champagne and ate dinner before falling asleep.
It was the weekend so they slept in because neither had work. She cooked breakfast while Ron set up the plates. He looked nervous and she knew why. They would have to go to the Wizarding bank today. The goblins were forced to let them in but they weren't happy about it. They were polite, in comparison, to the first times they came in then after the break in. Harry was forced to give up half of his liquid assets, and work off the rest. His children would be paying it if he died before it was fully paid off. Hermione and Ron were unwelcome but both were forced to deal with it. They waited in line and they gave way to three people before they could approach a teller. The goblin glared at them with a hateful face.
"What business do you, thieves, have with this bank?" The goblin barked out harshly.
"We wish to open up a bank account with both of us since we're planning on getting married soon and wish to…" Ronald blustered out.
"I wasn't aware that humans approved of polygamy." The goblin smirked.
"Polygamy? I'm not married to anyone and nor is Ron!" Hermione burst out.
"Humans… Ronald Bilius Weasley isn't. You are, however, part of an active marriage contract." The goblin gave his first wide happy smile that filled them both with fear.
"How is that possible? I wasn't informed of it…" Hermione murmured as Ron looked at her nervously.
"According to Wizarding Laws, a male suitor only has to approach the magical guardian of their intended if they are a minor. Many don't follow that path but some do and in this case, Severus Snape approached Albus Dumbledore and he eventually agreed to the union. The term that Severus Snape added was that it was only after meeting with him that the engagement could be nulled." The goblin was really enjoying itself as it let out a laugh.
"Severus Snape died four years ago! How can I be engaged to a dead man?" Hermione asked the goblin.
"If Severus Snape had in fact died- the contract would have expired. It has not. As for the second- You are involved in polygamy- why wouldn't you be involved in necrophilia too?" The goblin looked absolutely delighted by the turn of events.
"Did you suddenly become Harry again, Hermione?" Ron asked trying to lighten the mood.
"Of course not Ronald!" Hermione snapped.
Ron flinched but tried valiantly anyway," Well, this is something that only seems to happen to Harry…"
Hermione glared at Ron," Which one? Being engaged to a dead man or Severus Snape?"
Ron paled as his foot was stomped on, "I don't know. Maybe we can try to find a solution to this problem?" , before looking pleadingly at the goblin.
The goblin looked sad at the free entertainment and torture of the thieves ending. He finally spoke when it was clear neither of them were going to do anything more. He shuffled through the papers on his desk."The only way to stop this engagement is by meeting with him and both agreeing to the annulment."
"How soon can you schedule an appointment?" Ron asked as Hermione seemed to be in shock as she held onto Ron's arm in a vice grip.
"Do you, thieves, really think that there will be anyone available for weeks?" The goblin barked out.
"We hope to find an acceptable compromise for both of us.I don't wish to be an inconvenience but if this isn't resolved then we'll have to talk to the press." Hermione stared down the goblin.
The goblin looked like he swallowed a sweet strawberry short cake as he nodded towards her, "Three weeks and only Granger can come. Be here by two-thirty in the morning no matter when the appointment is or else you'll be refused at the door."
"That's acceptable. Thank you for informing us about this." Hermione muttered before pushing an angry Ron who clearly wanted to say more as his ears turned red.
"Hermione- why did you stop me?" Ron asked as they were finally in their home.
"Because you were going to do something that would have gotten us kicked out. I am going out for a bit so you should have lunch elsewhere. I love you, Ron." Hermione leaned in and gently kissed Ron on the lips.
"I… yeah. Okay. Love you forever, Hermione" Ron's voice was raspy and quiet and he seemed uncomfortable with how she was looking at him like she trusted him. He fidgeted and watch her go out the door and closing his eyes left himself as he locked the door.
Hermione came home first and made a quick dinner. Ron came back when it was almost done. He told her that he took a shift and set down the plates and utensils as Hermione sat limp floating the food onto the plates with her wand. Ron seemed to want to talk but Hermione only answered in one word answers. Eventually only silence and awkwardness filled the room. They eyed each other and paced it so that they finished at the same time before Ron washed the dishes while Hermione sat there like a statue. Finally he pulled a stiff Hermione onto their balcony. It was a clear night and holding Hermione he found her crying into his chest. He just held her tight, closed his eyes, and wished that he wouldn't have to tell her the truth eventually.
The couple went to bed together and staring at each other from opposite ends, sat down and lied down on it. Hermione normally read or slept facing him but they stared into the darkness until sleep took them. Neither of them spoke and when morning came, they tried to act normal, but Hermione burnt the bacon to a crisp, Ron dropped a mug and both were walking on egg shells. Hermione clutched her gold band as Ron left closing the door behind him and she could swear felt and heard something break between them.
She fiddled with her ring. Ron had given it to her and she wondered why he didn't wear a matching band. The ring was a simple ring of gold and she admired the second ring he gave her. It was beautiful, a bit gaudy, but shone brilliantly in the light. Hermione sighed as Harry appeared in the fireplace asking to talk to her. She went to the fireplace and they talked for thirty minutes and Harry tried to comfort her as she tried to act normal. She closed her eyes and hoped the weeks would pass quickly. Her impending marriage with Ron filled her stomach with butterflies.
The next two weeks passed painfully as it was long. There was thirteen days left, three hundred and twelve hours, eighteen thousand and seven hundred and twenty minutes but she wasn't counting. She was ready to get to work the day it was over but distantly realized that she wasn't fit despite being ready to bury herself in her work. It was hard work but finally they accepted a new normal and distance in the uncertainty of the situation.
Finally Ron asked her to go out with him to their balcony. It was the first time he held her hands in his for two weeks. He held her tight and hoped that she'd forgive him. Eventually he told her the truth.
"I knew that Severus Snape was alive. You were de-aged and grew up with Harry's parents. You were sent back 2 years ago. Snape returned to the future with you." Ron spoke as he let her go in time.
"Snape died four years ago! How is it that he is still alive now?" Hermione asked.
"Magic herself sent you back and Severus Snape to the future. You went missing a day and we only found out later you were de-aged and it took both your magic and Severus to be sent to the future. He's been here since you have been here." Ron braced himself as he closed his eyes and covered his face.
"You KNEW this all along? Why didn't you tell me? Why can't I remember it?" Hermione demanded sharply.
"You and Snape's memories were blocked by the goblins. He doesn't know either." Ron lowered his arms and opened his eyes.
"Get out, Ron. I know this is our place but go to Harry's or one of your siblings. I'll owl you IF I ever want to see you again." Hermione turned away as she put the ring that was on her finger into his open palm.
"You'll want me around five more minutes, Hermione, because I have something to show you" Ron begged as he held the other ring on her finger.
"I…be quick." Hermione hissed.
He took it off and using his wand cast a revealing charm. They went inside and he tilted it and she saw SS+HG in it. He looked at her before swallowing hard, "I cast a charm so that you didn't see it. Neither did the goblins- I believe. He had a matching ring…"
"I'll castrate you without a wand if you approach me before I'm ready." Hermione couldn't look at him and she heard Ron walk away.
Ron slunk away. He flooed Harry and asked if he could stay at his place a while. Harry agreed and Hermione watched Ron go and felt something in her die. She wanted to call him back or take his words. The words died on her tongue. She felt a shock that she didn't want Ron back after that betrayal. He might not have known that she was engaged but he still should have checked if she was. A small voice in her head was saying that there was no way he could have known since they were rarely allowed to actually go to the back in person and be served.
Adjusting to be alone was harder then she thought it would be. The queen-sized bed was too large for just her after living with Ron after so long. She cooked for two and often ate standing at the counter. Work became a refuge and after a tired admittance that she kicked Ron out of their place and had some bad news she was treated like glass. She wanted to resist it but after messing up for the third time she admitted that she was off key.
After deciding to take a memory potion to see the if she could remember it she slept it off. Every morning she had new memories that she sorted. She was neighbours to the Snape's and the Evans. Her parents were involved in illegal activities but kept up the illusion of being a normal family by adopting her. They were caring but not the best parents out of the public. She was friends with Petunia first then Lily. She was in Petunia's year but Lily hung out with her sister fairly often so she became good friends with Lily. Then she got her letter in the same time as Lily. This caused a rift between her and Petunia while forging a close last memory she got before taking a day long pain reliever potion was that she was sorted into Ravenclaw.
She went early to the bank alone. She was lead into an empty waiting room by a goblin. The waiting room slowly looked at the various people coming in and out of the offices. She ate a meal replacement bar and hoped it wouldn't take clock read three o'clock when she looked at it the first time. She read the magazines in the room but they were years old, frayed, and flipping through the vapid material just made time drag on slower.
Eventually someone sat beside her and she caught sight of a ring on his hand. She looked up and he was a bit different but she knew him. Severus Snape was alive and in better shape then before. She looked away as she felt his gaze on her. Hermione looked up at Severus as his stomach grumbled. She brought out her pack of nuts and fruits and offered some to him. He looked at her before nodding in thanks before eating the snacks. Finally the door opened and a goblin called, "Granger? Snape?"
They got up at the same time and ignoring her as he sat down on the only chair. She stood and looked for a second seat but there was only one in front of the desk. She found a seat at the edge of the room and moved it towards the desk. The goblin glared at the noise but allowed her to sit after moving it.
"Miss Granger, Mister Snape. Are you hungry or thirsty? This might take a while." The goblin told them looking at Severus.
"I don't believe so. Can we please get on with this? I wish to get on with my potion making." Severus told the goblin impatiently.
"Of course, this is about Miss Granger's engagement to you." The goblin told Severus.
"Pardon me? This woman is engaged to me? How?" The enraged potion maker spat out.
"Her then magical guardian approved of the match before she was of age. She was unaware of it herself until three weeks ago. You are listed as the one husband as you are Severus Snape- at least up until the time you left and arrived in the future with her." The goblin told Severus.
"Can I see your ring?" Hermione asked pointing to the ring that Severus had.
Severus stared at it and slowly nodded before handing it to her. She laid it flat on her hand and used the charm that Ron used. The ring had SS+HG on the inside. She handed it to him and then showed him hers. He paled and looked shaken.
"How is that possible?" Severus asked.
"You must have given her the rings in the past, Mister Snape. If you wish you can both get your memory back or just break the engagement." The goblin said.
"I… want the memories back. If we can. I'm clearly missing something if I gave her a ring with our initials in it." Severus said.
"Of course. Let me call the mind healers and then we can get onto business." The goblin ignored Hermione's grumbling stomach.
Hermione heard the door open and a goblin came in then told them to sit on the floor. They did as ordered before the goblin waved their hand and she watched it glow and a light shot at both Severus and Hermione. The light was blinding and she closed her eyes and her head hurt. Images flashed faster than she could catch much less remember them. They fell back as their head hit the floor at the same time.
She managed to capture the first few years of Hogwarts first. She tied with Lily and Severus for high scores on exams. They all became friends and friendly study rivals. She was often hit by James Potters' pranks because she was often studying with Severus. She helped him with smaller first few years was so innocent. She bonded with Severus at first over a mutually imperfect home life.
Her two new courses were Runes and Arithmancy. She remembered them from the future and aced the tests easily. She understood them better than most students and was allowed to go to half of the year above her classroom that she was ahead. Her time with Severus and Lily was cut to a few hours every week instead of eighteen. Then he called Lily a mudblood.
She beat up and cursed Severus Snape for hurting Lily. Her detention was with him and they were stuck in detention for a month together. They got two months more from fighting and at the end of three months they had a truce. He didn't leave her alone and eventually she began to like him in their sixth year because they were equally outcast and superior. They dated from middle of sixth year to the end of their seventh. It was all an act for a while. Severus was tasked with recruiting Hermione for the Dark had gotten her memories of the future at the end of sixth year.
Her relationship with Lily didn't deteriorate. She was still best friends with her. She just never brought up Severus. She didn't take Severus to their wedding. Severus was told that he would have to recruit her or else there'd be trouble. He was never going to ask encouraged him to join Dumbledore. He did it for Lily and she was jealous. Finally when he was nineteen he admitted to her that he knew she wanted him to be safe which is why he did it. He gave her a ring and asked her to keep it for when they were ready. His hand held hers as he pointed to the inside of the ring.
One final memory flashed before her eyes. Another Severus appeared- almost a clone but not right. He was too hunched, old in the eyes, and broken. He told them they were both going to the future and he was going to make sure there wasn't going to be a time paradox. Looking at Hermione Snape had tears before telling her that he'd always love her. She looked back and recognized him as the older Severus she knew before it happened. Remembering it made spin again. Her head hurt as she tried to make sense of it. Resting a bit before she tried to move and managing to stand but was about to fall. Severus caught her and gently sat her down before asking for water for both of them.
"I'm sorry. I know I'm years too late to ask you to marry me. I think we're both different people from 1980, and if you want I'll break this arranged marriage that my… other?… self made." Severus told her as he held her hand.
"No, don't. Please don't. Me and Ron never worked right and this… this and you feel right. I kept your ring all these years. We aren't the same people though- so maybe we can start again? You can be yourself and I can be myself and maybe we can make it work this time!" She smiled weakly.
"Sure. Can you stand?" Severus asked.
"Yes." They both stood up, feeling stupid, before they faced each other, "Hi, My names Hermione Granger. What's your name?"
"Severus Snape. I know this might be too forward but can I take you out for coffee sometime?" He answered.
He had leaned closer to her and she could feel him. Her knees got weak and she nodded. They moved at the same time to share a kiss. He held her and she wondered what she was going to do. She wasn't being fair to Ron doing this but he knew and didn't tell her. It wasn't going to be right to leave it as it did though, so as her hands held Severus's she knew she was going to tell him it was probably over. Once they broke this kiss- they would need to start over but right now she was feeling the love that in a past life that she had for Snape. It would take time to sort the memories and feelings. She felt excited, alive, and real around him. Ron was a spark that occasionally caught fire and lit a candle but he was a torch and in the past she was a moth to a his flame. She wondered if history would repeat itself and she'd fall in love with him again. As they broke apart she realized it didn't matter. When she wore a ring on her finger that signified a wedding, it would be with a man she loved, someone who excited and matched her, and that it was going to be a right choice this time. She ignored the fact that he looked like the man in front of her. That was the future. Right now she was busy getting to know the man that healed her broken spirit after the war.
AN:As for why it never became inactive? The contract was for the Severus that came back with Hermione- and in the 2 year gap- let's just say at no point was there a 'Severus Snape' dead- thanks to it being a stable time loop. A third had to be active thanks to the cannon having to him alive up to them being 17. Severus A- is the one in the past that went to the future Severus B is the one that went back to replace Severus A- and Severus C is the one sacrificed their life for the ritual to send them back to make it a stable time loop. If Hermione was still considered alive in the past- Severus A would still be considered alive as well. :). The ritual meant they were missing about a day- not long enough for the contract to expire.