CHAPTER 8

NEXT DAY

The entrance to the manor revealed rows and rows of fragile golden chairs set on either side of a long purple carpet. The supporting poles were entwined with white and gold flowers. Fred and George had fastened an enormous bunch of golden balloons over the exact point where Snape and Hermione would shortly become husband and wife to the world.

Brightly colored witches and wizards, mainly students and teachers from Hogwarts were appearing, one by one at the distant boundary of the yard. Within minutes a procession had formed, as they made their way through the garden towards the manor.

SNAPE'S ROOM

It was almost 8:30 in the morning. The ceremony was scheduled to take place at 10:30, in two hours time. Severus Snape was ready in his room. He looked at the mirror for the umpteenth time. His suit was a long sleeved hash brown robe which went along with Hermione's peach dress gown. Although he felt handsome, he kept checking to see how he looked. He was nervous for reasons he couldn't reason. Suddenly he heard someone enter the room. He was almost ready to strangle the man in front of him.

"Dumbledore."

"Snape"

"What are you doing here? I bet you are happy the way things turned out to be."

"Well, I have no exact answer for that. As for your question, the correct answer would be Hermione happened to ask me to perform the ceremony."

"Curse her."

"I must say, I didn't expect you to be this accepting of the situation."

"If it weren't for you I wouldn't be in this situation."

"That Anti-Silencio Howler you sent me yesterday explained it quite well."

"I can't believe I'm getting married and that too by you."

"Trust me, no one does."

HERMIONE'S ROOM

She beamed at the reflection on the mirror. Peach certainly did go well with her. Snape had good taste.

"Oh Hermione! You look absolutely beautiful!" said Ginny as she entered her room, followed by Luna.

"You look nice!" said Luna with no real interest.

"Harry and I wanted to give you something," she held out a cute little golden box. She opened it to find an exquisite pearl necklace with a butterfly charm.

"We found it at the antique shop. I wanted you to have it," she said as she wrapped it around Hermione's neck.

"It is lovely, Ginny! Thank you!"

"You are my best friend, Mione! Though I don't know why you married Snape. Are you happy?"

"Trust me, I'm." For some reason, she felt she was telling the truth.

CORRIDOR

"Ron!" she shrieked and dropped her floral bouquet. As she picked it up, she said "I didn't know you were...Merlin...it's weird...how are you?"

Ron's ears had turned bright red. She looked absolutely stunning.

She asked, a bit too loudly, "How come you're here?"

"Harry brought me," said Ron, eyebrows raised.

Harry shook hands with Hermione; then feeling that it would be prudent to remove Ron from Hermione's vicinity, offered to show him his seat. But, he didn't follow. It was apparent he was ready to put up a show.

"Not happy to see me, are you?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Because my ex-girlfriend to whom I proposed twice suddenly decides it is best for her to marry an old git and I make an appearance at that stupid wedding."

"Ron, you didn't have to come if you wanted to make a scene." She started to move away when he held her hand.

"What made you choose him over me?"

"I need not explain myself. You started dating Luna without telling me."

"You married someone for Merlin's sake. Is he that good in bed? Did you lose yourself to him? That you had to choose him over me." That was just when Snape entered the corridor, followed by Dumbledore.

Surprising herself and the man she had never slept with, she said, "As a matter of fact, yes. He is great in bed. In fact, I can't keep my hands of him. He is the best."

"Slutty bitch!"

Before she could Crucio him, she heard Snape, "Stupefy!"

"My! My! My! Hermione! I wonder why you forget being a witch all the time. Wasting time talking."

Luna ran towards Ron, followed by Ginny and Harry. Hermione stood there stunned as if she had been stupefied.

Snape went near her. It was time to put up an act for the audience and shun Hermione yet again. Without warning he slipped his arm around her waist, "What are you waiting for, mione ?"

Catching her breath, she managed, "It's bad luck!"

"What?" bringing his ear dangerously close to her ear.

"It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the marriage!"

"That's true! But thanks to you we already married! This is more of an announcement to the world. Don't worry, dear wife."

"I…I…"

"You can thank me later."

"I will be gone. Don't be late. I can't wait for the ceremony." to end. He added whispering. She gasped as she saw him wink at her before leaving. She took in long gulps of air to steady her heartbeat. At this rate, she would lose to him very soon. That can't happen. She had to win. Determined not to lose, she made her way to the hall.

HALL

She fixed her veil and inhaled the lilies from her bouquet. Next thing she knew she was walking down the aisle with everyone looking at her with admiration. But she didn't pay the slightest attention. The only thing she was looking at was her husband's eyes staring into hers. The only thought in her mind was, Was she going to lose?

(TO BE CONTINUED)