Married? Today? How did Severus see this happening?!
A wedding took time, planning and well a marriage license, none of which they had. If the ministry was going to revoke their engagement how did he expect this to actually happen or be approved? So many questions came shooting through her mind, she didn't have a moment to prepare herself when Severus grabbed her hand and appareled them out of Hogwarts. In fact when they fell out of his apparition, Hermione's knees buckled from under her.
Lucky for her, Severus caught her, quickly pulling her to him so he could lift her up, and placed her in a nearby chair. Hermione clutched the front of his robes in her hands waiting for reality to come to her. He probably should have warned her before apparating but he didn't have time. She would have fought him and Severus had no restraint to fight with her today.
The world around her was still spinning slightly, making her feel nauseous. Severus felt her uneasy balance and crouched in front of her with the waste bin in hand. "I should have fair warned you," He apologized, "sorry about that."
Hermione felt her stomach drop, and hummed displeased while leaning forward resting her forehead on Severus' shoulder. She took a few deep breaths feeling her stomach stopped churning and settle. She wasn't one for flying and if Severus ever surprise apparated her again, they would duel. She sighed heavily only to feel the nausea return. "Severus..."
"Yes?"
"How do you expect us to wed by the end of today? If the ministry is going to revoke our engagement, how is this going to work?" She asked slowly.
Severus continued running his hand lazily down her back trying to offer some comfort before he began explaining to her his plan. "There is a law that states that our ministry may not tamper with or get involved with legal matters of the Muggle world. I called in a favor to a gentleman in Parliament and he has helped me obtain legal documents for your parents to sign and willingly consent to our marriage they are currently dropping off these documents with my friend, as we speak. "
"So we are getting married in the Muggle world?" Hermione frowned.
"As well as the Magic world."
Hermione looked up startled, as Severus rose turning to the beautiful woman entering into the brightly lit room they were in. Where were they? Hermione suddenly wondered and looked around curiously before looking back at the woman who was in front of Severus. They obviously knew each other but how? Who was this woman?
"Is this her?" Ask the older woman raising her head a bit. Hermione groaned looking to the waste bin and used it to cover up her noise making. Whoever she was, was stuck up... She thought bitterly.
"Yes, Narcissa of this is my bride-to-be, Hermione Granger." Severus said looking to Hermione with a stern expression. Waste bin or not she had been caught.
All was quiet for a moment and Narcissa looked at Hermione as if she were an exhibit at a fair. Hermione sat up slowly continuing to play off her sickness before meeting the woman's gaze. "He is not going to be pleased with you..." She said boldly causing Severus to stiffen noticeably.
"Narcissa." Severus snapped, silencing the woman from continuing on with what she was getting at. His reaction and her words perked Hermione's interest, Severus never acted as if someone could ruffle his feathers, but this woman had done just that. Who are they talking about? Who wouldn't be please with Severus? Why would he? Why did it matter?
Narcissa lifted her head more as Hermione stood to her feet before taking her own carefully measured steps toward her. If this woman were an animal of any sort, she would be a horse. Her long beautiful legs carried her as if she were on clouds floating and her long dual tone hair moved elegantly with each breath she took. It was clear she was a Pureblood woman and used to demanding a high amount of attention and respect but that scared Hermione. She had never met a distinguished woman like her, and didn't know the proper protocol for meeting one. Not that she would have probably treated her the way she expected. Hermione believed in equal treatment.
However she straightened as Narcissa locked her dark brown eyes on her's. She could feel Narcissa trying to break into her mind and Hermione tried her best to lock her out. Pureblood or not you will not violate my mind, woman.
"Oh I assure you, Miss Granger, I am a Pureblood. Just as I am certain you are Muggle born." Narcissa laugh circling her like a vulture ready to swing down on its dying prey. "You might be strong but let's hope that you will be stronger."
With that, the woman stepped away from Hermione staring those eyes deeply into her's again and she could have sworn Narcissa had stolen her soul. "If only my Pureblooded daughters and sisters had as much courage and honor as you do for yourself... . I wouldn't be here waiting for an extension to find my dear Draco's wife."
Draco? She was Draco's mother?
"You are Draco's mother?" Hermione blurted out Narcissa freeze. She had heard many things about Hermione Granger from the stories Draco had told his father and by all that she knew they weren't close friends. Deal or not, if she said anything inferior about her son, she would rip her apart. That was something she knew for certain.
"You raised a true gentleman."
Severus looked at Hermione a little stunned but relaxed as relief washed over him when he saw the soften look on Narcissa's face. She was also deeply surprised by Hermione's words.
"I would never declared that Draco and I are friends... But he has shown me more respect, courtesy, and kindness than any of my friends ever have in the last three days." Hermione finished and nodded her head. "Thank you."
Hermione didn't know why Narcissa was here or why she was even doing this, but she was Draco's mother and he was someone who Hermione had grown to like recently. It probably wasn't her place to say anything but she couldn't help herself. A child is a reflection of their parents. If that was inside of Draco, then it must also be inside her and Lucius. For that she was grateful for the opportunity to meet Narcissa.
Anyone that knew Narcissa, knew that these words had made her weak in the knees and exposed her normally hidden heart. Draco was her pride and joy. Her beautiful son, whom she raised with only the finest of things and gave whatever he wanted... She loved her son more than anyone or anything. Hermione had said something about Narcissa as a woman and as a mother, and Narcissa was deeply moved by it.
"Primm, dear." Narcissa called.
A few seconds later, a woman with jet black hair hanging down to her waist line and clouded grey eyes appeared from behind a curtain. She wore brightly colored clothes and held a cane to guide her around her shop. She wasn't blind, but her vision wasn't as good as everyone else's, at least not in the physical sense.
"Lady Malfoy! Always a pleasure to see you, my friend!"
Her voice was as soft as falling leaves and her movement slow but direct. Hermione realized where she was and who was exactly in front of her and look to Severus and shock. They were at Primm's Bridal and Formal Attire Boutique.
This shop was known for the dresses that walked out its doors. Each a one-of-a-kind gown made specifically for a girl, however not for just any girl. Primm was a well love seamstress to all the girls in Slytherin house and those of Pureblood nature, and that was because of her direct marketing.
"Primm, I am in a pinch. I am willing to pay you double your usual pricing." Narcissa said with a sigh making the older witch look up confused.
"What's wrong, my lady? How can I be of service to you? You know I would do anything for you within my own power." Primm smiled taking the elegant woman's hands into hers.
"Anything."
"Anything." Primm agreed.
"I need a dress acceptable for a Muggle wedding as well as a Wizard wedding." Narcissa said reluctantly watching her friends face turn from joy to insulted.
"Muggle world?" Primm gasped in horror, looking at Narcisa as if she had just said the filthiest thing she had ever heard. There were countless things Primm was willing to do for Narcissa, but this might be crossing a line.
"She is getting married there and then coming back to bond." Narcissa explained hoping that she wouldn't have to tell Primm who the dress was for.
"What self-respecting pureblood family would allow their daughter to do such a trashy thing?! I know with this new law and all they don't have much choice, but I refuse. " Primm ranted fanning her hands angrily catching Narcissa's silence. "Narcissa! Draco isn't..." She paled.
"No!" Narcissa gasped shaking her head furious. No way in hell was that going to happen, not her bloodline!
Primm glared up at the woman in front of her. "Why do you need a dress for a Muggle Wedding then?" She demanded. "If not for your son..."
It was then it all clicked for Primm, and her face turned beet red as she slapped Narcissa's hands away from hers. "How dare you!" She hissed, "You know my rules! I can make a dress in under an hour, but I do not make dresses for Beasts, Giants, Goblins, Half breeds or Mud-bloods." She spat angrily stomping her foot as she turned away.
This was Primm Rowle. This was why she was highly respected and earned top gallon for her dresses. She only served her talents to those she wanted, and everyone in the magic community knew this.
Hermione looked to Severus and lowered her head. She didn't want a dress anymore. She wanted to leave this store with her dignity still intact. There were plenty of people who look down upon her because she didn't have two magical parents but she was proud of who she was. No one was ever going to make her feel less than.
"I need a dress, Primm."
"Narcissa, do not make me waste my talents on a filthy mudblood." Primm whispered desperately, reading Narcissa's thoughts. Muggle-Born... A Muggle-Born!
"Not even if she was marrying the Heir of Prince?" Narcissa asked, "Would that change your mind at all?"
Suddenly the room was silent, and Severus could see the woman's mind moving to take this in as well as her greed. Hermione sensed the change of attitude in the room and lifted her head to see Primm weighing her options. She looked to Severus, and for the first time, caught his gaze in return. She watched his face fall when he saw how upset Hermione was. However Hermione looked away from him quickly, not wanting him to look at her like her was. She wasn't weak, just sensitive.
"Prince? Severus is getting married? To a Mudblood?" Primm asked, rethinking. Narcissa knew how to work Primm. Although Primm did not work with others well, she worked for bloodlines. Prince was the only pure bloodline she did not have in her repertoire. Although it was now considered half-blood, she still wanted it. "Will she bring the half-bloodling's to me?" Primm asked after momentarily thinking.
Hermione threw her hands up in the air, truly insulted by this old woman, and was just about to tell her where she could shove it when Narcissus took a deep breath.
"Primm, the dress? Or do I need to retract my account here?"
Primm pursed her lips and thought, then gave an exasperated sigh. "Show me the girl!" She growled, hands on her hips.
"Hermione..." Narcissa called and Primm locked eyes on Hermione walking roughly over to her to get a good look at her.
"Narcissa!" Primm shrieked stomping her cane now, "She's not even wearing matching underwear!" She fumed. "What kind of woman doesn't wear- oh yes... Mudblood..."
Narcissa for once lowered her head. She knew what a great deal it meant to the highly sought after seamstress that her clients wear matching underwear. It maybe absurd, but it was Primm. "The dress?"
Primm muttered under her breath turning back to Hermione to give her a proper viewing. The gray eyes scanned her from head to toe, front and back before tape measure floated out of nowhere and took the measurements. The tape measure was shortly followed by a pad of paper and a quick note quil. Then she looked up. "Yes or no."
Hermione looked at her confused for a moment but then had her answer to her unasked question.
"Long."
"Yes..." Hermione whispered.
"Sleeves."
"No." Hermione shook her head.
"Too bad." Primm stated with a slight smile. "Puffy?"
"Yes..." Hermione sighed.
"Backless."
"No."
"Too bad." Primm grinned, chuckling as she heard Hermione sigh in unfairness.
"You will love the dress I make for you, Hermione Granger. Mark my words." Primm told her firmly and then clapped her hands as all her supplies float to her so that she could begin working on the dress.
A chiffon swoop neckline topped with lace covered Hermione from collarbone to her upper chest, twinkling from the beading and sequins. The hemline came down gracefully creating the sweep train on the elegant ball gown style dress and belled out with a mixture of tulle and organza. Just at her shoulders the lace came together with a button, opening to hug her sides and exposed her back before coming to meet again at her hips. It was sleeveless, and wasn't too much at all. It was youthful, modern, and extremely beautiful. The gown fit Hermione like a glove and Primm looked up at her pleased with her design having never made such account before so quickly. It was truly one-of-a-kind in her book. She never made a backless dress considering it a trashy trend, but one look at Hermione's back changed the witch's mind.
Hermione couldn't believe how beautiful she looked and covered her mouth feeling tears starting to form in her eyes. Primm was right, she love the dress. So much was happening so quickly, she didn't feel that she was honestly in control. The Ministry was forcing her to marry and have kids, her friends had abandon ship on her leaving her alone for the most part, and now the said force wedding was moved forward so that she could keep her original wants and husband-to-be. The fact that the very people she didn't trust were the ones helping her in her time of need, had flipped her world upside down. If it hadn't been for them she probably would have fell apart already.
"Do not cry in this dress," Primm tsked, clicking her tongue at the young bride and used her wand to scourgify her face. "You are marrying a Prince, therefore you must look like a princess." Hermione didn't know if this was a compliment, but seeing as the woman didn't call her a mud-blood, she was going to take it as such.
"Oh Primm!" Narcissa sighed happily reentering the room she had left to speak to Severus. "You've done it again." She grinned, stepping around Hermione's train to get a better look at her.
"All that needs done is your hair and make up." She nodded lifting her wand as well as Primm to finish her up.
Narcissa had just held an unpleasant conversation with Severus, that made her heart physically hurt. She looked at Hermione and knew that mud-blood or not, Hermione wasn't being treated fairly. A hard choice was coming to her, and she only hoped Hermione the best in coming to a decision.
"Severus! What do you mean she doesn't know?!" Narcissa snapped as they stood in the back waiting for Primm to finish making Hermione's wedding dress. "The Dark Lord has requested to be at the bonding..." She hissed quietly as her eyes widened.
"In case you haven't noticed, I haven't had a lot of time to work things out." Severus scowled and looked around. He hated admitting he wasn't in order.
"Renouncing her parents is something I would consider a high priority Severus!" Narcissa laughed slapping her hands to her thighs angrily. "So help me, you better tell that poor girl what she will lose by marrying you!"
"It's not something she probably doesn't already know. She asked to be with me, not the other way around Narcissa. I do plan on telling her... I just didn't know when. " Severus lowered his head trying to still think of a way around all of this or a way to just tell her. However the Dark Lord's request was pretty straightforward: either his mother mud-blood bride renounced her family and joined the cause or she would die, along with her parents. He had heard this from his Master's mouth that weekend, having feared a whipping from Voldemort, he had asked Hermione to catch up on schoolwork so he would have time to heal. However no lashing came and now he sincerely wished it had.
He had begun preparing how to tell Hermione this and was on his way to report to Dumbledore about his meeting with Voldemort when he heard the news. That Ron Weasley had pushed forward another petition and The Ministry was going to issue a reconsideration. He quickly met with Dumbledore, who advised him to move forward with the wedding tomorrow and that he would take care of the rest.
How was Dumbledore going to take care of the rest? How was he going to explain this all Hermione? What is she refused? What if she decided then that she would marry Ron instead? Severus suddenly felt very trapped and as if it was hard to breathe. He couldn't panic. He had to keep his cool and move a head like always. He told himself and smooth his vest. Things are moving quickly to quickly to be honest but now as a matter of life and death, and he was usually well under pressure like this.
"So help me Severus, don't drag this young girls into our world. " Narcissa whispered pulling Severus from his thoughts. "You're living like a puppet. Do you really want to make her live like this as well? I can see it in your eyes that you truly care for her. But like this... Is this really what you want to offer to her?"
"If there was another way I would do that Narcissa. However it's not like that. She either marries me, renounces her family and lives or dies as well, as her family, Narcissa. He already knows." Severus straightened not liking that she was stating uncomfortable things to him. "I do care for her, and I will protect her with my life." He said bravely.
Narcissa stepped up to him, running her hand along his face sadly. "That's what I am afraid of..."
"Stunning." The witch hummed beaming up at Hermione as they finished her up.
Her hair normally wild and unruly, was neatly pulled back, braided and pinned in a fancy up do. The style showed off Hermione's face and the make up Primm had done highlighted all the right areas of her face. She looked like a bridal magazine model...
Then out of the corner of her eye she saw Severus enter the room wearing a new set of dress robes looking as handsome as ever. His tall form accentuated by a form-fitting suit and not hidden by his normal school robes. If girls saw him like this, they would honestly see why she liked him so much... . She thought leaning forward to grab her skirt and turn to face him smiling weakly.
Severus's dark eyes widened in surprise. Sure Hermione was a beautiful girl, but in that wedding dress it seemed that all his problems were melting away. She was gorgeous... He walked to her seeing the happiness in her face, and gave her his own weak smile.
Taking her hand in his he took her from the platform she was on and spun her gently to get a full view of her in the dress, before turning to Primm. "How much do we owe you?" He asked.
"My first dress to a new client is always free, Sir." Primm scoffed surprising Hermione but Severus wasn't moved.
If the woman hadn't of tortured them all in the beginning and had just made the dress when they asked, maybe then he would have been pleased. However he expected this since Narcissa has used his mother's name. If this had all been left to him, his short patiences wouldn't have made him as nice as Narcissi had been to her.
Hermione could see Severus' reflection in the tri-fold mirror, and frowned. Maybe this was an insult? She thought.
"Before we go to your parents, I want to take you somewhere first." Severus told her, spinning around to face her making her jump.
"Oh... Okay." She nodded looking to the two witches, "Thank you..."
"See you soon." Narcissa said in a sing-song voice that made Hermione really smile.
Severus then gave a turn of his hand and they apparated to an alley that was a full feet from his personal house. He looked at her and then waved his wand to lift her dress so that it wouldn't drag and walked her to his house quickly. He had caused her to lose her friends and now he was going to ask her to give up her family and join the Dark Side. God... Dumbledore had really did a number on him. There was so much going on in his world, and the old fool wanted to push Hermione into it all?! Gods.
He walked her into his house and frowned when he saw the older wizard on his chair eating lemon drops. How in Gods name did he get into his home, and how long had he been here? Severus wondered but Hermione was happy to see him. "Dumbledore!" She gasped moving around him and toward the stunned wizard.
"My... You look lovely, Miss. Granger." Dumbledore smiled and then looked to Severus. "My boy, if you wouldn't mind... I would like to have a word with Hermione."
Severus frowned, nodding and went to see if everything was ready. He was really tired now and couldn't wait for the day to be over. He could only imagine how Hermione felt.
With Severus gone, Dumbledore turned to Hermione and frowned, "My girl, I know this has all been rapid, and hard. I do apologize for giving you an ultimatum-" Dumbledore began but Hermione interrupted him.
"No, Sir. I was irresponsible and have caused Severus a great deal of stress. A few lost friends is the price of that... But I will live." She nodded.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, "That's just it..." He said moving forward in his chair. "Because you are marrying Severus, you are marrying into the Death Eater's inner circle..." He reminded her, and Hermione frowned.
"What do you mean? Severus..."
"Is a double agent, and in turn with you marrying him, the Dark Lord is requesting that you... Renounce your family and join his side." He said slowly watching her pale and lower her head.
She had to give up her mom and dad now? That hadn't been something she had thought she would need to do, but it made sense. She had to give them up if the Dark Lord wanted her to join. She wouldn't want them to be hurt because of something she had done. Or that was already happening...
"Oh Hermione. Don't cry you'll ruin your makeup..." Dumbledore said softly reaching to dab a handkerchief at her cheeks where a few tears had fallen.
"I know this was a large request, but I hope you understand I have tried to find a solution since Severus informed me of his meeting. Imagine how upset he was when I told him about Mr. Weasley putting another petition in." Dumbledore told her softly.
Severus knew? But he didn't tell her? She thought looking away. All she had left was her family but now she had to give them up too? She didn't want to! She wasn't going to.
"I can't." She whispered.
"I thought you might say that." Dumbledore sighed, "Hermione... Even if you choose not to marry Severus, the Dark Lord knows. He knows who you are, and he will stop at nothing to find your parents. That could very well mean their death as well as yours."
Hermione looked at him more tears coming down her face. "How can you just keep taking..." She whispered. "I get it. Severus and I, we were caught, but we hadn't been sexual toward each other... But you gave us a hard choice then. Now you're asking me to do something extremely hard!" Her hiccuped standing U.S. She could breath.
"I know it's hard. I do. However would you rather your parents and yourself die... Or let them live blissfully unaware and safe?" He asked her.
Hermione shook her head. "No." She whispered putting her hands on her hips. She couldn't lose her family, but either way it became clear she would. In no scenario did she get to keep them... It was either die or stay alive, and naturally she wanted them to live. "So today would be the last time I see them..." She asked after a moment, and she lifted her head to looked at him.
"Actually... I would erase you from their memories, and their life..." He started slowly as Hermione hugged herself. "While you are getting married."
"How they signed the documents?" Hermione demanded.
"Signatures will be changed to protect them." Dumbledore reminded her making her lower lip tremble. "I'm sorry Hermit-"
"Go... Just go. Do it. Leave me." Hermione demanded feeling her chest start to heave violently.
"Hermione-" Dumbledore tried.
"Leave!"
With that he left the house as she requested and Hermione collapsed to the floor beginning to cry violently. The two people she loved and cared for them most, she was a danger to. She didn't have anyone other than Severus and that wasn't even a sturdy relationship in itself. She had officially lost everything.
She hated the Dark Lord. She wanted him dead, and gone. Now.
When Severus returned with their marriage license so that they could go and be wedded, he heard the god awful heart wrenching crying from his parlor. Dumbledore must have told her... He thought bitterly and sighed. She was his now. She took the plunge as deep as she could go, and he only hoped it wouldn't change her in a bad way. He liked her vibrant energy and love for life, and he was more than certain that was all gone. He should have ignored her letter.
She shouldn't have sent that letter...Hermione thought laying on the ground when she heard the door open. Kill me... She thought not moving to see who it was.
Kill me now...
Severus frowned looking at the woman on the floor in a crumpled mess. There wasn't much to do now... He decided and then moved in front of her. "Hermione..." He said softly stroking her cheek.
"They're gone." She told her feeling more tears come down again.
"I'm sorry, Hermione..." Severus told her honesty. He wasn't one to show any emotions, but Hermione had waken him to them and he couldn't help but feel her pain and wish he could make her happy.
"Let's get married..." Hermione whispered lifting herself up slowly.
"Hermione, the Malfoy's are hosting our bonding. The Dark Lord will also be there." Severus told her bluntly. There was no need to hide anything from her now. He just had to lay this all out.
"What?" Hermione frowned but then sighed. "Oh course he is... I'm supposed to show that I am a true supporter." She whispered lowering her head. "I wish he was dead..." She whispered.
Severus understood where she was coming from but he knew what would happen if the Dark Lord read her mind and saw all this there. She was a quick study, but would she be able to learn occlumency in the matter of hours? He thought and shook his head. No. He would just have to project it on to her. He decided and moved to help her up.
"Let's get this over with Severus."
••
"Slytherin house is far too happy today." Harry said as they sat down to lunch hearing Slytherin house being louder then usual.
"Let them have their day." Ron smiled eating a sandwich as if he were a king.
Dean sat down next to Harry estimates came up down wrong side of the table. "Did you hear? Snape is gone from school again."
"Probably heard the news and went to fight it, the creep." Ron grumbled reaching for his pumpkin juice.
"Hermione's been gone all day too." Seamus added in.
Everyone was quiet trying to think of reasons that both would be missing on the same day. She had avoided them and they had avoided her but it was only because they thought this would make her come to her senses. Obviously it wasn't working because they were formally engaged. While they were upset with her, they still missed her and wondered what was really going on behind the scenes. "She's probably pissed." Harry said tapping his forget his beans.
Ron frowned, "She'll forgive me one day for this. Really she will."
You'll regret this, Harry thought putting his fork down with a sigh.
"Ron! Ronald!"
Ginny came bursting around the corner to the great Hall searching for her brother. When she spotted him she came running down the way still yelling his name. "Oh Lord it's Ginny... She's heard." Ron laughed turning to meet her.
"Ron have you heard?" Ginny panted.
"I know. I know." Ron chuckled. "Hermione he will be your sister soon. I know."
He beamed but one look at her face made him freeze. This was not what she was talking about.
"Unless Severus Snape is somehow my brother, I don't see that happening or even being possible!" She stated bitterly catching everyone's attention.
"Wait what? What are you talking about?" Ron asked looking to Harry confused but his friend only returned a look.
"They've eloped, Ronald!" Ginny snapped sitting down when Harry pulled her to him. She was about ready to kill her brother for what he had done to Hermione the past few days.
"Eloped! ! No! That's illegal! I put my petition, again!" Ron yelled standing up. This cannot be true! It just couldn't be he had sent his petition and yesterday meaning it would be approved today.
"According to Pansy," Ginny started and everyone groaned. If it wasn't Draco Malfoy spreading official news it was Pansy. "Before the ministry had officially processed your petition, Severus and Hermione got married in London. Severus must know someone in the Muggle world because their marriage has already become public record."
"That's right, Weasley!"
Everyone turn sharply, Draco walked over to the table with a sly smile on his handsome face. "Hermione's part of the family now! One of us." He boasted proudly. "Who knows, maybe she'll even switch to Slytherin now."
"As if!" Ginny glared.
"Shove off, Malfoy!" Ron snapped.
"Oh not very friendly. I was hoping to invite you to the party tonight, but I think I won't." Draco smirked shaking his head.
Harry turned to Ron sighing heavily, after Draco left, reaching over to tap his arm. "Ron, I think it's time to admit defeat and apologize to Lavender and ask her to marry you. " He said gently. Harry didn't want to hurt his friends feelings but sometimes the best thing anyone could do was move on. That was what Ron honestly needed to do. If not to mend his friendship, then for his own sanity.
Ron side but not because he was going to cave in or was listening to Harry. In fact, he was going to try to find a loophole to this change of events. There just had to be one someway to counter act all this. He thought as his face scrunched up. Then he did something he never normally did. He rose from his seat and headed for the library to look up a law-book or two for Muggle and magic.
"Harry this isn't going to sit well with Ron. Not at all. " Ginny said looking up at him with the deep frown on her face. She knew Ron had submitted a petition but had no idea of the second. To be honest, she had wanted to talk to her my knee about her decision but due to her family and their strong opinion on why she was marrying Professor Snape, she didn't. She may not agreed with her family, but family was family and she was going to side with them.
"I think you might be right... " Harry whispered looking down to his plate when a new rumor started.
There were whispers about the castle about Severus and Hermione's return, when a couple students spotted Severus walking down the halls. They didn't know if he was back for classes and that was that, or if he was just there for the moment. All they knew was that he was in his dress robes still and not his norma stoic attire. They were back though.
The Minister of Magic wanted a private meeting with Hermione as soon as they returned, and had informed them that they would be investigating Ron Weasley's claim that she was under the influence of the Imperious Curse. Then she was given a copy of the petition as well to look over the claim herself.
She sat in Severus' office with the two of them answering question after question, allowing them to view her mind so that they would believe that Severus was innocent, and had done no true wrong. Imperious Cruse? Really? Sure he might have been doing this to protect her, but she had a feeling that it was more then that. Why couldn't he just accept her refusal? Why did it have to be a huge ordeal for her to get married?
Hermione sighed heavily as the Minister of Magic searched her thoughts and clutched the arms of the chair she was in. "You are not under any influence..." he announced looking to the Auror surprised, and then back to Hermione.
"I, willingly and whole heartedly, wanted to marry Severus Snape. " She said and blushed seeing their questioning looks again. "I even suggested we be bound by magic. " She added.
"That is a bit extreme..." The Minister started but Hermione shifted her gaze to him making him stop short. "But I see no harm with it..." He finished.
After seeing how Narcissa was about Primm making her dress and how she reacted to the news that the ceremony had to take place where the Minister could offically see it if approved and not her manor, Hermione was certian that she would have preformed it herself if she had to. She was the one originally throwing them a party, but be as it may, the Ministry threw a wrench into her planning. She hoped they would to be honest and they never disappointed her. Now the ceremony would be held in the courtyard at Hogwarts, instead of their Manor, meaning Hermione wouldn't be meeting Voldemort tonight.
Hermione was tired, and really wished for the day to be over, so that she could go to sleep already. In a matter of ten hours she was married, parentless, under investigation, starving and tired. She had had enough. The Minster looked to the Aurora and then left the office together to inform the Weasleys of the news and Severus walked in with a small plate of food. "Hermione?"
She lifted her head to the door to acknowledge him coming into the room but said nothing more. She wasn't ready to speak unless it was something super necessary.
"I brought you something to eat." Severus told her placing the plate down on the table for her. Then he sat down next to her. "The ceremony will be ready soon... Try to eat something, please..." He asked her softly.
"When do you get over the fact that you have lost someone special?" She asked quietly.
He frowned. "It varies."
Hermione wished time would just stop for a moment, just so she could catch her breath and get a grip on reality, but it was moving too fast. There was no way around it... She thought cupping her face. This wasn't a dream she could simply wake up from and all would be better. No.
Severus frowned and then moved over to her pulling her into his arms. "Hermione... I know this might not mean much, but I am sorry this is happening." He said softly.
"I should have ignored your letter and if I was going to respond, I should have informed you of my double agentry. There was a real risk behind all this and I dropped the ball..." He told her feeing her shift to hold him in return. "I know you have lost a lot... But I promise to care for you that much more, so you never feel that you made the wrong choice..." He finished.
Hermione frowned feeing tears brimming in her eyes again and tipped her head back in an attempt to stop herself from crying. She needed to let go in her own time, but she also need to stop wilting away. Severus was doing his best to protect her, he really was.
Although she had lost so much in one day. He had lost a lot more in the years he had lived, and he was still here trying to comfort her. She tightened her arms around him, "I hope you know that I am proud to be your wife Severus... I really am." She said softly. "You might think I am joking or lying... But I truly am."
Severus chuckled listening to her softly spoken words and stroked her back. "Tell me that in a year or two, okay?"
She laughed nodding in agreement lifting her her to look at him. "Deal."
••
"Know now before you go any further, that since your lives have crossed in this life, you have form ties to each other. As you seek to enter the state of binding matrimony, you are promising to strive to make real, The ideals which give meaning to both the ceremony and the institution of marriage. With full awareness, know that within the circle you're not only declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also with a magical binding.
"The promises made today and the ties that will bound you two Will connect you in every way and everything you do. Your union will not only bring together you but also your souls so that they may cross each other in the years to come and grow together for eternity. Till death of the souls do you park. Do you still seek to enter the ceremony?"
Severus and Hermione stood before an officiant in the courtyard with Narcissa and Lucius at their sides. There were selective people in the courtyard with them, but the whole school flooded the hallways to watch the ceremony. Some saw it as an extreme practice that left little wiggle room in their magic, but others saw it as a romantic claim. Old magic. Severus was surprised when Hermione brought it up not thinking she would know about it, but agreed to it. Narcissa had asked if they would do the ceremony and he told her he wasn't sure and would ask Hermione. She was beyond thrilled when she learned the young bride wanted to.
Although no one had been supportive of their union, everyone was there to watch. It was nowhere around it either. There wasn't a way to block everyone not formally invited to the ceremony, so they just had to deal with it.
"Yes, we seek to enter." They said together.
"Please join hands. As your hands join, so are your lives." The officiant spoke.
Severus turned to Hermione lifting his arms so that his elbows would be touching Hermione's as their hands clasped each others. He could still see the conversation that they had just had floating in her mind and hoped she wouldn't run away. Despite all that had happened... He was a little excited to have someone permanently in his life, she did say she wanted to be with him.
"I, Severus Snape, promise you, Hermione Granger, that I will be your husband from this day forward. To love and respect you, to support and hold you, to make you laugh and be there when you cry, to softly kiss you when you're hurting, and be your companion and friend on this journey that we will now make together." With his words, a bright green light left his hands circling Hermione's arms causing a large gasp of surprise.
"I, Hermione Granger, promise you, Severus Snape, that I will be your wife from this day forward. To love and respect you, to support and hold you, to make you laugh and be there when you cry, to softly kiss you when you're hurting, and be your companion and friend on this journey we will now make together." With her words a soft yellow light left her hands and circled Severus' arms, and giggles could be heard from the excitement of the students in the hall. The officiant then began the blessing part of the ceremony, calling on the four corners to bless the sacred union.
Hermione tightened her hands on Severus' with each blessing, wondering if they were doing the right thing. She was nervous. She wasn't ready to be a wife or mother but that was all coming relatively soon. She had to prepare her best for when the time eventually came. The Ministry had changed their mind due to their action and she accepted it. When she felt Severus tighten his clasp on her hands she looked up to see him smiling weakly down at her.
"Although the blessings have been given, they are only blessings. Tools that you must work with together to build a happy and successful union..." With that Severus and Hermione focused back on to the officiant to accept their vows.
"Severus Snape... Will you cause her pain?" He asked.
"I may..." Severus answered giving Hermione a sly smirk.
"Is that your intent?"
"No."
"Hermione Granger, will you cause him pain?"
"I may..." She blushed.
"Is that your intent?"
"No."
"Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?" The officiant asked raising his wand.
"Yes."
After they said their first vow, the ring they stood in glowed and released up a small rope of magic as an indication that they vow had been received and began glowing a brilliant white. With each vow they made, a chord would encompass them. Everyone watched in awe, even the Slytherin students who knew what type of ceremony was being placed. It wasn't a common ceremony to have, but a powerful one that lasted life times often practiced in a wedding of two Purebloods to ensure purity.
"Severus Snape, will you cause her anger?"
"Undoubtably." He smirked and saw the amusement in Hermione's eyes.
"Is that your intent?" The officiant asked looking at him suspiciously.
"No." Severus answered shooting a glance at the old man.
"Hermione Granger, will you cause him anger?"
"Most definitely." She teased him right back.
"Is that your intent?"
"No."
"Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?" The officiant asked slowly, honestly worried to hear their answer.
It was the first time, any student saw Severus Snape actually smile at someone, and witnessed first hand how they felt about each other pryer to learning about their engagement. "Most certainly." They grinned at each other causing the officiant to roll his eyes as a chord rose again and their surrounding audience who caught on to their innuendo laughed softly. Unless it was the Weasleys. The Weasleys stood silently to the side, still not approving the ceremony.
"Hermione Granger... Severus Snape... Will you honor each other? And never seek to break that honor?"
"Absolutely." They answered and the final chord rose around them. The six rings around them then came together into one. The chord that remained then circled their hands making their own promise strands fade in with it, and then dimmed slowly away.
"And so the binding is made." The officiant announced. "The knots of this binding or not formed by these cords, but instead your vows. Either of you may drop the cord, but you will always hold it in you. Therefore you are the making or breaking of this union.
"These rings represent a love the glowing and will hopeful increase in the Lester years. Bless these rings you will give to each other as a sign of your love, trust, and faithfulness. Severus, Hermione, the circles are designed without an ending. They speak of eternity. Hold his burden or a gift with a heavy loving heart, and you may live prosperously."
The ceremony was complete, rings exchanged, vows said and without another word to be said, Hermione grabbed the front of Severus's robes, as he cupped her face, and the two kissed. They were legally married and magically bound.
Ron watched for a moment, then disappeared back towards the castle to head to Gryffindor tower. He had had enough for today.