OK, I know, it's taken FOREVER for me to update, but I at home with flu at the mo, so here we go, another chapter ''pour voux''
ps. you want sexy time??? Then send me a review! x
''Ten minutes people!'' Ginny wailed at the people assembled around her, ''I'm going to set the room of requirement up in ten minutes!'' She bustled out of the Gryffindor common room to hunt for Professor Snape. Practically sprinting down the corridors to the dungeons Ginny nearly ran headlong into Luna, who seemed to be doing some sort of rain dance - complete with a collection of sticks and bells – in the middle of the corridor.
''Circe Luna! Be careful, I nearly ran into you.'' Looking around again, Ginny frowned thoughtfully, ''What are you doing?''
Luna turned to face her friend, Ginny noticed that she looked slightly dazed and glassy eyed, ''I'm keeping the glippy-cats away, they love to terrorise brides on their wedding day, so I have decided to banish them from this castle once and for all.'' She then turned her back to Ginny and began touching the stones on the wall in what seemed like a random pattern to the confused red-head.
''Luna? Are you sure that works?'' Ginny asked, dumbfounded
Luna didn't even turn around as she replied, ''Of course I am Ginny.''
''How do you know though?''
''Well...'' Luna finally turned to face her friend before answering, ''have you ever seen a glippy-cat at a wedding?''
Ginny tried to stifle the giggle that was working it's way out of her mouth, but failed. Sighing, she said, ''That's great Luna, but I have to go, I'm in a right rush'' She continued jogging down the corridor until she came to a stop outside of Snape's office, where she began to bang on the door with such a force, she was surprised it remained seated in its hinges, she stopped abruptly as a large, black-clad chest loomed into sight.
''What on earth do you think you are doing Miss Weasley?'' Snape asked
''Sorry Sir, it's just...I have just over five minutes until I have to prepare the room of requirement, and I wanted to talk to you.''
''Go on then girl, quickly.'' The professor said icily, but Ginny definitely noticed a hint of nervousness in his demeanour.
''I really came to warn you,'' Ginny began
''Warn me of what?'' Snape asked quietly
Ginny took a deep breath, ''That if you so much as dare to contemplate hurting Hermione, I will make sure you spend the rest of your days rotting in Azkaban...'' Ginny paused for a beat before adding as an after thought, ''oh... and I will make sure you share a cell with Bellatrix Lestrange! Do I make myself clear?''
Severus grimaced before asking, ''What makes you think I would want to hurt Hermione?''
Ginny narrowed her eyes accusingly, and said, ''You have been too nice Professor, far too nice for my liking. I am worried about my best friend, she was told, by letter, that she had to marry you and she barely batted an eyelid. After that, she was told by Professor McGonagall that she had to... to... copulate with you at least once every forty-eight hours and she didn't even mind! So I tell you now Sir,'' she added sarcastically, ''It absolutely has to stop. You used to bully her constantly, you made her cry her eyes out when she was in fourth year! You criticised every single thing she did and now you are being nice?''
''Why do you think I bullied her hmm...?'' Severus asked, his nose inches away from Ginny's angry face, ''What did she do every time I put her down? Come on Miss Weasley, you're obviously the one with all the answers here, so give me some!''
Ginnys face had become slightly blank and confused, she back away from Snape slightly as she stammered, ''W...well, she um.. she went and did things better?'' It was a half question, half statement that made Snape stand up straight and cry triumphantly,
''Exactly! Don' you see?'' Ginny's face remained blank as Snape rolled his eyes and continued, ''You were so quick to come yelling at me about how badly I treated Hermione, yet you never quite looked at the whole picture! Every time I bullied her, every time I criticised, humiliated, shouted at her, she went away and made herself better. I saw instant potential the first time I ever met her,. You wouldn't know Miss Weasley, because you weren't even old enough to attend Hogwarts back then. She raised her hand and waved at me like a woman possessed, every time I asked a question. She was so eager to please, so eager to belong here, to prove this is where she should be. I didn't want some child reciting textbooks at me when I knew damn well she could do so much better than that. I wanted her to look into what she was learning, discover her full potential and in the process come out on top.'' Snape paused for breath, before continuing, ''And do you know what Miss Weasley?'' Ginny blinked, her face a picture of gormless interest, ''She did. Every single time. She put her peers to shame. She brewed polyjuice potion at the age of twelve for Merlin's sake!''
Ginny looked confused, ''How do you know that?''
''How could I not Miss Weasley? That's the question! Potter gave it away instantly, whispering about it constantly. I ignored it. I could have had the golden trio expelled from this school without question, but I didn't because she was too clever. Too intelligent. A mind like Hermione Granger's should not be left to rot away, as it would have in a muggle school.'' Severus cocked an eyebrow at the young girl in front of him, before asking, ''Happy now? Now I have told you just how wrong you were.'' He looked triumphantly at Ginny as she stuttered to find the right words to say.
''Yeah.'' She whispered finally, ''I am actually''
Hermione was sat in bed sipping at a large cup of tea when she heard a knock at the door, ''Who is it?'' She called out
''Miss Granger, it's me. Can I come in?'' Professor McGonagall's voice rang out from behind the door.
''Of course Professor.'' Hermione said, before she clicked her fingers to drop the wards on her door. ''What can I do for you?'' she asked, beginning to get out bed.
''Oh no dear, please, stay where you are. You seemed relaxed, I hate to interrupt that.''
''I'm really nervous to tell the truth professor.'' Hermione replied, sitting back once more against her headboard, before reaching for her wand to summon a chair by her bed for her teacher, ''Please, have a seat.''
''Thank you dear.'' McGonagall answered before sitting down and leaning toward Hermione. ''I really just came to see how you were and give you an idea of how things would happen today.''
''Thank you Professor, would you like a cup of tea?'' Hermione said, summoning her tea service with a lazy flick of her wand.
''Thank you'' McGonagall said, reaching for a cup. ''Now, I don't want to waste time so I will go through what you need to know. Miss Weasley is setting the room of requirement up as we speak. The ceremony will be much the same as a muggle one from what I understand. You will enter from the back of the room and walk down the aisle created by the guests. Both Severus and yourself will have to repeat vows back to each other, then you will exchange rings. Unfortunately, as you know, the ministry has written your vows for you, so I dread to think what they will be like. After the ceremony, we will go to the great hall, where all of your extra invited guests will be waiting for you and they will probably shower red, gold, silver and green sparks over you as you enter as a pair. Your guests are all apparating here and will be waiting in the room of requirement for you. That is, apart from Molly Weasley and Harry Potter, they are going to come up here first. Harry misses you a lot and Molly will be helping you get ready I understand.'' Hermione nodded her understanding before her teacher continued, ''Have you decided who is going to give you away Miss Granger? I know you have no family, and I understand that this traditionally done by the father of the bride at muggle weddings.''
''In some religions it is.''
''So have you come up with anyone? You need to remember, they have to perform two binding spells, so ideally, it would be a competent witch or wizard, who has had a big impact on your life. Giving them this position is like another way of saying thank you to this person.''
''I know who I want to do it. She is a witch who has helped me be what I am today. She has always had faith in me and was always gracious in offering me help when I most needed it. She is also a very intelligent and competent witch.''
''Those are lovely things to say about someone Miss Granger.'' McGonagall smiled at her pupil as she continued, ''Who is it?''
Hermione put down her cup of tea before turning to her long time mentor with tear filled eyes and whispering, ''You.''
McGonagall quickly put her cup of tea down and reached for her top student, tears glistening in her eyes, ''Are you sure?''
''Of course I'm sure. You fit the bill perfectly, will you help me to get ready as well as Mrs Weasley?''
''Of course I will dear.''
''Now,'' Hermione said, flicking her wand at a small table, ''Would you care to join me for breakfast?''
Harry sprinted up the corridor to see Hermione, a huge grin slapped across his face. Mrs Weasley bustled behind him as Ginny met them outside the Gryffindor common room.
''Harry! I missed you so much!'' The pair embraced and gave each other a gentle kiss before separating. They still saw one another as their partner, even though Ginny was still at school. ''Come on, I'll take you to Hermione's quarters!''
Walking down the corridor made Harry remember how much he missed his old school. Although he loved his job as an auror, it was hard and repetitive work. Arriving outside Hermiones door Ginny dropped the wards and gave a warning knock before she entered. Hermione and Harry instantly met in a bone-crushing hug that would have put one of Mrs Weasley's to shame.
''Harry I missed you so much!''
''I'm so sorry I didn't owl you Hermione, I've been so busy. Ginny and Ron told me you were okay so I went with it and believed them for once.'' Releasing his friend, Harry's expression turned into one of concern and he said, ''You are okay aren't you? I mean, I wouldn't be if I were in your position. In fact, I would have probably had a break down by now!''
''Severus is fine once you get to know him. Has Ginny told you about her confrontation with him earlier?''
Harry looked puzzled, but interested, ''No, should I know about this?''
''I reckon so! Go on you two, get out! I need to speak to Mrs. Weasley. Ginny, can you come back in half an hour?''
''Of course I can Hermione, see you then.''
''Bye!'' Hermione replied, smiling as her friends made their way for the door. She turned and smiled as she quietly said, ''Mrs Weasley, I'm so nervous. Help me please? Professor McGonagall is going to give me away to Severus and will be here in a few minutes to help me get ready.''
The two embraced and Mrs Weasley said, ''You can call me Molly now. You will be a married woman in a couple of hours.''
''Thank you.''
The door once again opened to Hermiones chambers and Professor McGonagall appeared, ''Molly, how wonderful to see you!''
''Lovely to see you too Minerva.'' Molly replied, smiling at the older woman, ''I hear you are going to help us. I think we need as many hands on deck as possible!''
Minerva turned to face Hermione, saying, ''Come on then dear, show us your outfit!''
''I decided to go for a dress instead of robes. I hope Severus will be happy with that.'' Hermione said, walking to her wardrobe. ''Oh, and the ring is due to arrive in an hour.''
''Brilliant. I hope you chose with your Heart Hermione.''
''I certainly did Molly. I wanted something different, yet not too noticeable. I didn't Severus to feel as though he were a marked man, with people noticing his hand, before they noticed him.''
''I'm sure he will be perfectly content with whatever you choose, after all... oh my!'' Minerva gasped as she saw Hermione's dress, ''It's beautiful.''
Hermione smiled as both older women began to bounce on the spot, brimming with excitement. She made a mental note to bottle that memory when she got a chance, so she could show Harry and Ron. They would both love to see Professor McGonagall bouncing on the spot!
''Well Hermione dear, we'll start with you hair I think. Have you got any ornaments to put in it?'' Molly asked, showing Hermione to her dressing table and motioning for her to sit in front of the small mirror.
''Uh, no I haven't actually. I never really thought about it.'' Hermione said dropping onto the proffered seat, deep in thought.
''Don't worry about it. Minerva will transfigure some relevant items for you, apparently she's quite good at that sort of thing.'' Molly said, trying to get Hermione to relax a bit, ''Let's get going then.''
Severus was stood in front of his mirror, wondering what was missing from his ensemble. He had a knee length, form fitting frock coat on in such a dark shade of green it was nearly black. Black trousers, and a crisp white linen shirt. Suddenly a thought struck him, he quickly waved his wand at his body muttering a charm to change all the buttons on his jacked to a shiny, bright, gold. He then summoned a ribbon and began to tie his hair back. After putting on a pair of knee high, dragon-hide boots, he sighed ''Well, that's as good as it's going to get old chap.'' He murmured to himself, looking at his reflection once more. He then left his quarters to make his way up to the room of requirement, checking he had Hermione's ring as he went.
Ginny was perched on the edge of Hermione's bed, trying with all her might not to crease her dress. McGonagall was transfiguring a few final hairpieces and accessories for the girls and Molly was bustling about, making sure everyone was clean and presentable.
''Minerva? What are you going to wear?''
''Oh, Molly. I haven't got a clue!'' McGonagall said to a stressed Mrs Weasley. Hermione looked up at the two older women before saying,
''There's no need to worry. I knew I was going to ask you to give me away professor, so I had this made.'' Hermione walked over to her wardrobe and withdrew a bottle green dress. It had a sweetheart neckline to match Hermione's and Ginny's and gold roses around the waist, like Hermione's. The sleeves were long and tight fitting to the the arms, and as McGonagall flicked her wand to don the dress, the wedding party was complete.
REVIEW DAMNITT! I'm not above begging!!! I know who all you lurkers are, those who add me to your updates but don't drop me a review. I'm not going to name names (yet!!) but look ladies, this could get nasty!!!!! (he he he!!) *cue slightly evil yet thoroughly cheeky grin!*