Contractual Agreements Fulfilled; Part One
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Disclaimer: I do not own the HP Universe. The only things in this story I own are the plot and the Volaticus Panthera. Thank you!
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THOUGHT KEY: Hermione's thoughts… Snape's thoughts… Artemis' thoughts
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Don't want to get up… Hermione thought as she rolled over. She nearly screamed when her face came in contact with a very hard, very male chest. She sat up quickly and looked down at the sleeping figure of her fiancé. She smiled when she saw his face. Asleep he had a look of almost angelic passivity.
"Oh shit…" she groaned, remembering what the day would bring. She checked the clock on the wall and groaned even louder. It was already nearly 7:30! She really hoped that Dumbledore and McGonagal had already taken care of everything as she practically jumped out of bed and hurriedly put on the pure white dress and robes that Madame Pomfry had made for her and rushed from the room, leaving only a note.
"What should I do?" Artemis asked.
"Wake him up, and then meet me by the lake," Hermione instructed, smiling. She ran through the hallways, ignoring the stares and snickers that met her. However, she had only just reached the top of the stairs leading out of the dungeons when none other than Professor Minerva McGonagal rounded the corner and spotted her.
"Hermione! What are you doing in the dungeons?" she exclaimed, rushing over to her, "Don't tell me that you stayed there all night."
"Well…" So much for 'our little secret'… Sorry Severus, she thought, "Actually…"
"Oh Hermione, he didn't… did he?" she asked quietly, aware of the fact that a few students were already up and about.
"Did he… what?" she replied, and then it dawned on her, "Oh! No! No, he didn't… he wouldn't! I was just terribly exhausted- magically and mentally- and didn't think I could make it to my dorm, so he allowed me the use of his bed. That's all, I swear."
"Good… For a moment, I assumed the worst," McGonagal said, "Now come along, we have to get you ready."
I thought I was ready…
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It was seven forty-five and Hermione was finally "ready". However, as she looked at her reflection, she honestly couldn't tell you what had been done differently. She shrugged and followed McGonagal out onto the grounds. The actual ceremony was going to be held under the large oak that stood by the lake. There was still fifteen minutes until the wedding would proceed, and Hermione could see everybody except her parents.
Ten minutes later, when she was still wondering who was going to walk her down the aisle, her parents finally arrived. She sighed. Always fashionably late, eh? She moved to greet them, but they beat her to it. Her mum practically ran to her and hauled her into a tight embrace. Her dad also hugged her, but it was much more reserved. It was then that she noticed the tears shining in her mum's eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Oh Hermione! I'm so sorry! I never should have let you see that letter…" her mother said, trailing off.
"Who cares if she saw the letter? We never should have let her come to this school, let alone get so involved in this magic!" George Granger exclaimed.
Hermione had to fight to hide the hurt on her face, but it still shone in her eyes. "There's nothing you can do about it now… and you always said you'd walk me down the aisle, Dad."
"Yes, but not to your Professor!" he hissed, "What kind of place are they running when a child can be forced into a marriage with her professor, a man twenty years her senior?"
"Dad… it's started. Let's just go, we can talk about it all later," Hermione said, linking her arm in her dad's. He walked her down the aisle, just as they had always planned, but as he let his daughter go, he shot the groom his most malevolent glare. Severus merely smirked back at him.
The wedding ceremony went unbelievably fast… or faster than Hermione had expected. A wizarding marriage ceremony had considerably fewer vows to recite than a muggle one. It was finally time to place the rings on each others' fingers- but there were no rings!
"I have the rings," Dumbledore said, walking over to them with box, "These were my parents' rings, and I believe you will enjoy them."
They opened the box he held and Hermione gasped. The ring that was obviously fashioned for a female was a rose gold band with a sparkling ruby between two diamonds that were shaped like two lion's paws. The one for the male was a silver band with emeralds embedded into it all around. The band, she saw, was made up of several snakes. They looked up at Dumbledore questioningly.
"My father and mother were also a Slytherin and a Gryffindor," he whispered, winking.
Hermione smiled and slipped the ring onto Severus' finger. It automatically adjusted to fit his finger. He slipped her ring onto her finger, and it did the same. The man who was performing the ceremony said the final words and Severus leaned down to kiss her, briefly deepening it before pulling away. The female students in the audience made cooing noises at the display while the males tried to hide their disgust. Except, of course, for Draco, who thought it was about damn time! They walked back down the aisle and Dumbledore announced that they would now be moving to the Great Hall for the reception and for photos. Hermione sighed, somehow sensing that this was going to be a long day.
They walked to the Great Hall together and found that it was almost as full as it was at the beginning of the year feast. Most of the Slytherins that she had met with were there, along with most of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs and all of the Gryffindors. As soon as she walked into the room she was swept into the crowd. All around her people were congratulating her, hugging her, and offering their condolences. Several students actually asked her if she was being forced into it. She laughed. In a way she was forced into it. Though, in a way, she had been the one to force Severus to marry her.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, running over to her with Draco, Ginny, Ron, Neville, and a few of their other close friends in tow.
"Hey you guys, what's up?" she asked, grinning.
"You were just married to your professor and all you have to say is 'what's up'?" Ginny laughed, "Same old Hermione. Marriage won't change her."
"Of course not! Even if it is to a snake," she said, darting a glance at Severus, who was speaking with a few of his fellow professors.
"I wonder what McGonagal is telling him," Ron muttered, noticing where her eyes had strayed.
"Probably to be gentle on the wedding night," Luna said in her wispy voice.
Harry, Ron, and Draco all glared at her. "Oh come off it!" Hermione exclaimed, hands on hips, "If the entire contractual agreement is not carried out, I will be given to the next most prominent suitor- a.k.a. THE MALFOYS. No offense Drake."
"None taken- and do not call me that," he growled.
"We know," Harry said, "We just really don't want to have to think about that right now…"
"Yeah… or ever," Ron added with a shudder.
"You know, he is a very good kisser… I wonder what it'll be like…" Hermione said with a wicked grin.
"Shut up!" Draco exclaimed, covering his ears with his hands, "I don't want to hear it!"
"But I do!" Ginny said, "You'll tell me all about it in the morning, won't you?"
"Of course! What are best friends for?" she said, giggling madly at the identical looks plastered on the boys' faces.
"Excuse me," Severus said, coming to stand beside Hermione, "May I borrow her for a minute?"
"Of course- Professor," Ginny said with a wink.
As Severus led Hermione away, they heard- quite distinctly- "Her has a name, y'know!" They grinned. Oh yeah… Hermione would definitely give him a run for his money.
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"So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked, when they had finally gotten through the crowd and into the hallway.
"I actually just wanted out of there," he replied, making her laugh.
"You may be intimidating in the classroom, but when it comes to social events, I believe that I'm the superior being," she said.
"You can have your bloody social events," he growled.
"You know, that's very sexy," she said softly.
"What?" he sputtered, completely caught off guard by the turn in topic.
"When you growl like that… it's sexy," she replied almost nonchalantly.
"Oh… good, I can use that then," he said, smirking.
"Good… I look forward to it, Professor," she retorted.
"Please refrain from calling me that later tonight," he said.
"Oh, I won't… unless, of course, you want me to," she replied, smiling sweetly.
He raised his eyebrows at the daring challenge. "I'll have to consider that little role play," he said. She simply gaped at him. "Ah, have I rendered you speechless."
"I just didn't think you were so kinky," she replied, walking back into the Great Hall.
He followed her reluctantly, still wondering how he had been sucked into marriage to a student. They had just entered the room when they were confronted by Hermione's parents.
"Now may we discuss this?" George hissed.
"There is really nothing to discuss, Dad. I'm already married and there's no way to reverse it," Hermione replied.
George paled. Anne Granger took her daughter's petit hand in her own, firm grasp. "Hermione, dear, I'm sorry, but your father and I cannot support this."
"I understand," she said, pulling her hand back, "But if you honestly can't support me in my decision, then I have no choice."
"What are you talking about?" Anne asked.
"I'm sorry, but it's clear that I won't be seeing you again, Mum," Hermione said, wincing slightly at the pain in her heart.
"Nonsense! We'll take you away from this wretched place and burn everything that connects you to it!" George exclaimed, grabbing her arm, "They can't tie my daughter down like this…"
"No! I'm staying here, where I belong," she said, "I'm sorry, but- you should go."
"You don't know what you're saying! That man has put you under some spell, hasn't he? You would never behave like this normally- I taught you better!" he growled, rounding on Severus, who had been watching the scene unfold in utter disbelief.
"No, Dad! Just leave!" Hermione said, placing herself between her father and her professor- or husband, now. "Please, just go."
With one last threatening glare, which promised that this was not the end, George Granger turned in a huff and escorted his quivering wife out of the room. This, of course, left Hermione with a severely broken heart and a very confused husband.
Just as Severus opened his mouth to speak, there came a great guffaw of laughter from their left. Hermione turned to see a man with long, black hair pulled back at the nape of his neck, and glittering black eyes. He was nearly identical to Severus, except that this man was about a half foot taller and had a pleasant plumpness… making him look like a large Teddy-Snape. He approached with a petit woman. She was… small- there was no other word for it- with golden brown hair and deep, ocean blue eyes. She had a small, amused smile spread across her face as she looked from the tall Severus look-alike to Severus himself and then, lastly, to Hermione.
The man laughed again, throwing his head back as he did so. "Do you see Elise? I told you we would run into them eventually! Sorry we missed the ceremony. We were stopped, most unfortunately, by Malfoy Sr."
"Horrible man… but we are socially obligated to at the very least be civil," Elise sighed, grimacing.
"Hermione, may I introduce my parents," Severus said, "Elise and Ivan Snape."
"You can call me mom," she said, smiling as she pulled Hermione into a warm embrace.
"Er… thank you," she said. Immediately she got the impression that Elise was a very motherly mother. The kind that always had fresh cookies waiting for you after school- and then said you could have one when your homework was done.
"Severus, she's even prettier than you told us," Ivan said, elbowing his son in the ribs.
Hermione blushed. "Thank you," she said.
"Hermione, where are your parents? They should be celebrating this day with you," Elise said, scanning the crowd.
"I told them- to leave. I guess I don't have parents anymore," she said sadly.
"Codswallop!" Ivan exclaimed, smiling brilliantly, "You have us, now. Welcome to the family, Hermione."
"Thank you," she said, through her gathering tears, "Very much." Hermione, are you okay?
Yes, Artemis... I'm fine. Or I will be, at least. But I need to get out of here before I make a fool out of myself or start crying- or both.
Okay... I'll tell the husband. Hermione mentally groaned at the title. That's what he is, now, isn't it?
Just tell him!
Okay, okay! Sheesh...
Severus? Hey, SEVERUS!
What now, you bloody feline?
Hermione wants to get out of there. Scratch that... she needs to get out of there. It's too much for her to handle right now.
He looked over at Hermione, who looked as though she would fade away at any given moment. He sighed.
Very well... oh- and Artemis?
What?
You will be spending tonight withthe youngest Weasley.He heard her echoing chuckle in his head and closed off the pathway to his mind.
"Mother, Father," Severus said, placing his arm around her shoulders, "I think we've had quite enough excitement for one day. Can you take care of the rest of the guests?"
"Of course," Elise said, "Take her away from here… I'm sure it's been a harrowing day for her."
"Yes, Mother," he replied, escorting Hermione out of the Great Hall.
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