A/N: Hello readers. I meant to have this done last week; unfortunately I got really sick and spent all day lying down Thursday and Friday. But here it is the continuation of the cliffy. I hope you enjoy it. I want you all to say thank you to my beta SydneyTaryn. She moves fast, so once I get the chance, I will be going back and fixing that previous chapters, but I thought you might like this more first. I hope you enjoy
Chapter 5
"My Lord, why have you called us here?" Severus asked, worrying about his student.
"Well, we were able to convince Mr. Weats to ignore his ruling and allow you to get married even sooner," Voldemort responded in a strange tone. "Your mudblood is getting dressed now, so why don't you get in dress robes. Mr. Weats has kindly agreed to perform the unbreakable vow ceremony."
Severus looked to the man he had spoken to now twice. "My lord, might I speak to Mr. Weats alone for a moment?"
"Of course Severus, and make sure he knows exactly what vows you want her to make."
Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. The dress really did suit her, and she was relieved that this was the reason she was being taken away. Part of her was confused by all the relief she kept feeling, but part of her knew it was because of the fact that things could have been worse. Now as she stood in the form-hugging, strapless wedding gown, she felt powerful. She knew she wasn't, not compared the death-eaters surrounding her, but she also knew there was a reason she was being allowed to live and marry into an inner circle; she had something they wanted. Hermione had knowledge and power; she was the brightest witch of her age, and not only that, but she was far more powerful than most as well.
Would you like a calming draught?" Narcissa offered gently.
Hermione shook her head, "No thank you." Narcissa left the room and Hermione took a deep breath and finally succumbed to the desires she had been holding back for so long.
"You can see that I swim
Through the sea of painful
You have watched as I pull
Myself from the floor
And you were there when I
Built my tower like pebbles in the rain
Trying to balance all that I had left
With what I didn't have anymore"
She let her voice ring out with a song that she had felt started to fit her and Severus. She could just imagine it somehow being the song they danced to tonight. Part of her was scared. While dressing; she had asked Narcissa if Voldemort would make Severus take his new wife in front of the death-eaters, and though the woman said nothing, Hermione got the answer in the pitiful look in Narcissa's eyes.
A knock at the door startled Hermione out of her thoughts and fears and back into reality. She turned to see Bellatrix standing in the door way, a crazed look filling her pitch black eyes. Hermione's whole body froze. Narcissa was supposed to be collecting her when it was time for the ceremony.
"Is the worthless mudblood whore afraid yet?" the high pitched voice cracked out followed by an evil cackle.
Hermione mustered all of her strength; she knew this woman could not kill her. There was a reason she was here. "No, Bellatrix Lestrange. I am not scared. I have nothing to fear since you cannot kill me."
Bellatrix let out another cackle, "You think I enjoy killing most? Oh no, only if My Lord asks it of me. You do know the reason behind Neville Longbottom's parents, don't you? I much prefer torture. I will torture you until you beg to die. And then you will never be granted that."
Hermione looked forward, her face set neutral, but deep inside she was crying in fear, wishing that she could die, wishing that she never had to be here in the first place. Unfortunately, it was too late for that. "I'm ready for whatever you throw at me, Bella."
Hermione watched as Bellatrix's face twisted in anger at the use of a nickname used only by those closest to her. Hermione felt power. She could make this woman mad and the woman wouldn't be able to do as much damage as she enjoyed. This gave Hermione a power to torture Bellatrix in her own way, so long as she didn't over use it.
Bellatrix's eyes narrowed at the glimmer of hope in the disgusting mudblood's eyes. Slowly she raised her wand and pointed it directly at her, "Cru-,"
"Bella?"
Hermione looked behind Bellatrix as more relief rushed over her. The woman's sister had returned to collect her.
"Bella, what are you doing? She is basically one of us now. She won't be seeing her friends and Severus will be training her to help us stay safe. Besides, Our Lord wants her unharmed unless he says she needs to be punished and then only Severus may deliver the punishment he sees fit."
Hermione watched rage grow in Bellatrix's eyes. The woman lived for torturing, especially mudbloods. She lived for her Lord's wish to kill off any impure wizards and witches. But here was the only one that could not be harmed, and she was the enemy's best friend. The witch stepped away and down the hall.
"I apologize," Narcissa spoke, "She does not understand Our Lord's wishes and she does not see your value."
Hermione nodded slightly. She sighed and followed as Narcissa led her to a closed pair of double doors and cast a quick charm. Hermione looked to a nearby mirror and looked at her changing hair. It magically weaved its way up in to an elegant up-do with only a couple small strands remaining down to frame her face. She looked beautiful and she felt it, but she could not be happy enough to enjoy it. She was supposed to be happy; it was her wedding day, but nothing could make her happy right now. She was being kept from the man she did love, and being forced with a man she would never trust enough to have feelings for. Maybe if a child came from it she could try, but Hermione found herself hoping that that wouldn't happen anytime soon. She simply wasn't ready for it.
Her cue came as the doors opened slowly. She took a deep breath and exhaled as she began to walk towards her permanent fate. With each step she became more and more afraid. She became afraid of her future and what her life was going to become. By the time she Reached Severus, Her heart was pounding so hard within her chest that she felt she might die.
"We are gathered here, on this 30thday of June, to bind these two souls together for eternity. Each shall make one unbreakable vow to each other and they shall live together as one, in harmony, proving their love to the world, through thick and thin," Mr. Weats spoke loudly, the fear seeping ever so slightly out of his voice. He turned to her and continued, "Now grab one another's hand and I shall bind you together."
Hermione looked to Severus, his eyes full of apologies and she took his left hand in hers. She sent him a cold, emotionless stare, but she knew that he would understand just what it meant. They both looked to Mr. Weats so he could continue.
"Colligatum," He chanted and spoke to Hermione, "Hermione Jean Granger, Do you promise to take care of Severus Tobias Snape in sickness and in health?"
Hermione sighed; there was no backing out now, "I do."
"And do you promise to remain loyal to him, to be with no man other than him?"
"I do."
"And finally, do you swear to try to produce an heir to the Snape name as soon as he requests it?"
"I do."
A rope-like light wrapped around their arms, tightened, became brighter, and disappeared, leaving a faint mark.
"Colligatum. Do you, Severus Tobias promise to care for Hermione Jean Granger in sickness, and in health?"
Severus seemed more sincere when he spoke, more sincere and more confident, "I do.
"Do you promise to do everything in your power to protect her, whenever the need should arise?"
"I do."
"And finally, do you promise to remain loyal to her, and be with no other woman," Hermione wondered how this would continue. Would he make an exception for his job as a death eater? What would happen next? "unless your Lord requests otherwise of you?"
It was just as she thought; he was given permission to rape women, but she could never be with another man; not willingly. But the most earnest answer came from Severus, as if he did not want to be with another woman. "I do."
The rope appeared again, and once more wrapped around their arms, leaving only the faintest mark of their vows to each other. Hermione felt part of her soul die, being bound to this man, whom she refused to love, and hoped that either he or she would die so she would not have to be with him much longer.
Mr. Weats finished up with the ceremony, having finally calmed down enough to be rid of the fear in his voice, "With these vows you are now forever bound together, and I pronounce you Wizard and Wife. You may kiss the bride."
Severus looked to Hermione, as if asking for permission, and she knew she couldn't say no. He pressed his lips to hers. She closed her eyes, hoping this moment would go faster, wishing for his lips to be gone. And when they finally were, she couldn't have been happier.
"I now present Mr. and Mrs. Severus Tobias Snape."
A/N: I hope you liked the chapter. The song she sings is "Castle Down" by Emilie Autumn and "Colligatum" is Google's translation to Latin for "Bound Together". The next chapter, the reception, and I promise…it will begin the M rating of this story. Believe me, you will know when it's about to start and no, it probably won't be the best sex scene ever, or the nicest. Any who, I will try to post as soon as possible. Also, I would love reviews. Please. You will make my day. And since I have a family member who will die of cancer soon, it might even make my year. Please review.