Thanks to my Beta Dearlady2002 !
First Chapter : Wedding Night
Thick, fat rain drops fell from the sky and joined with the others, which had already become ankle-deep puddles. Actually the sight, which met our eyes, was not beautiful but reflected my emotions perfectly. I felt cold and empty, and wished to be far away. But there was no escape anymore. From now on I was bound to this man, who I abhorred, and who disliked me, too.
Somebody cast Impervius so that we could walk from the church to the party tent at the foot of the hill without getting our feet wet. The band was so loud that it drowned out the storm, and the walls of the tent kept away the wind. Everything was arranged to convey a cheerful, festive impression. On the right side of the tent there was the large table, which was ceremonially decorated and set for dinner. In the centre of the tent there was the dance floor, on which everyone was dancing, backed by the band. The scent of roses, which I loved, was up in the air and brought tears to my eyes. Everybody had taken great pains to make this day to the best of my life. They missed just one simple thing– the man at my side was the wrong man. But how should they know that this marriage wasn't based on love, but was forced by the Ministry? I had asked Dumbledore and Severus to tell no one the truth, and they had agreed willingly because it spared annoying, personal questions. But how natural was it, that a student would marry her teacher? I howled and buried my face in my hands. Right up until the bitter end, I had hoped that Ron would muster up the courage to rescue me, but I was wrong. That coward stood back while I was being forced to marry this terrible man.
"All right, Hermione?" Ginny asked worriedly. She wore a long brown dress and seemed to be very happy.
"Sure," I replied and coughed slightly, "I'm just overwhelmed. I have no idea how to say thank you to all of you. Everything is just gorgeous."
"That's true – it's all just perfect," she agreed and smiled. I noticed how she stole a glance at Harry. Her eyes began to shine and I looked enviously away.
"I'm sure your wedding will be better," I said. Instantly she looked back at me.
"It will be a while before we will marry," she blushed.
"Of course," I nodded and linked arms with her conciliatorily. We returned to the table and conversed with the others already seated. Severus glared daggers at me when I sat down beside him. I tried to ignore it – he had the chance to say no. After everyone was seated, Dumbledore stood up to deliver a speech.
"Dear bridal couple and guests, I'd like to declare my deep respect for your decision to join your lives together. It is not a decision to undertake lightly, but this couple has shown us that love is strong and can conquer anything. Maybe this marriage will not be easy at the beginning, but you will learn to accept the limits of each other with time. And now I'd like to drink a toast to this wedding – so that you won't forget that your love will light up your way at any time. Cheers!"
During Dumbledore's speech, I noticed that Severus had to control himself not to charge at the headmaster. Even I had to pull myself up. Every word he said was a lie, but that was what I wanted. Our guests should think that love was the reason for everything that was happening this evening. Love was always the answer.
I reached for my champagne glass and moved to take a drink, when Luna grabbed it out of my hand. Confused, I looked at her.
"It's early, but you shouldn't be drinking any," she said and began to giggle. I guessed that she meant having children. Severus, who caught her last words, seemed to come to the same conclusion and glared daggers at her. I could not blame him, because even I felt sick thinking about sharing a bed with him.
"Forget about it, it was just a joke!" Luna apologized. "By the way, did I tell you about Flitflocks?" I shook my head and so she started to tell me everything about that strange Flitflocks during dinner. It was definitely better than sitting beside Severus in silence.
After we finished dinner, we were forced to lead the evening dancing; Severus led me out to the dance floor formally. The band started to play a slow waltz and we followed the music; he held me in his arms very stiffly. I peered across Severus' shoulder the whole time so that I did not have to look him in his eyes. I heard Ginny laugh before she plucked up the courage to ask Harry to lead her to the dance floor, too. When more pairs began to dance, Severus and I moved apart in relief.
"May I have the pleasure of this dance with the bride?" Ron asked suddenly and looked at Severus for permission. Hopeful, I eyed my new husband, but instead of an answer, he left us.
Angry, I shook my head and grasped Ron's extended arm.
Surprisingly, he was a very graceful dancer, and when he led me around on the dance floor, I could nearly forget what I would still face today.
I looked eye to eye with Ron and realized how relaxed I was at the moment. Gently he wrapped his arms around me and I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent.
"Can we talk?" he whispered in my ear and I immediately became wary again.
"About what?" I muttered carefully.
"Please," he begged and I turned.
"In the cemetery," I told him, and we moved apart. Immediately I was asked by several men for the next dance, but I declined with thanks and told them that I needed a break. I thought I would slip away undetected, but then Severus stopped me, his hand on my arm.
"Where are you going?" he hissed and planted himself in front of me, frowning.
"To the toilet," I lied, looking him straight in the eye. For a moment we stared at each other in silence, before I broke it eagerly. "Would you please allow me to pass?"
His eyes glinted threateningly, then he stepped aside. I sighed in relief, when he suddenly grasped my arm again. He brought his face close to mine, and my heart leapt into my throat.
"I hope you are aware of the promise you gave me today," he said. I lost my temper and escaped his grasp.
"And I hope you are aware of the reason why I did it," I replied, and hurried away from him. My anger carried me far; I slowed my pace only after I was winded.
"Who does he think he is?" I thought darkly as I headed for the small cast-iron gate which marked the entrance of many souls last resting place.
By the light of my wand I detected Ron under the cover of a old oak.
"What do you want to talk about?" I demanded when I came to a stand a few meters in front of him.
"Please, Hermione, give us a chance! I mean, we both know that you don't love him, and if not for that damned law…" he stopped and stepped up to me, stoop-shouldered.
"And then what?" I asked as I backed away from him. "You had your chance in the chapel tonight."
"How? What do you mean?" he looked at me with big eyes.
"You don't really think I would have married Severus, if you would have fought for me, do you?" I looked at him in despair. He winced at Severus' name.
"Please don't call him that."
"How should I call him then? He is my husband, Ron. I think you aren't aware of what this means! I won't share a bed with you, only with him. I won't bear your children, only his. Ron, I'm his wife. I belong to him – only him!" I howled. He wrapped his arms around me comfortingly. I clung on to him and gave vent to my sorrow.
"I am an idiot," he whispered into my hair. I raised my eyes and gave him a weak smile.
"We are both fools," I replied, and kissed him.
"Ron! Leave Hermione alone!" Shakily we moved apart at the sound of Ginny's voice coming towards us in the darkness.
Suddenly Ginny and Harry emerged from the darkness and stood in front of us.
"What the hell did you just do?" Ginny continued berating us.
"You just got married, Hermione, do you remember? Even if your husband isn't the nicest man, you shouldn't betray him like that, especially not on your wedding night!"
I bowed my head in shame and couldn't speak. Harry stared at me.
"You married him because of the marriage law, didn't you?" He asked, and I looked at him in panic. "I knew it all along. Why didn't you say a word? Why all this theatre?" he asked, and his words stabbed my heart like a knife.
They both looked at me waiting for an answer, but instead of an answer, I blacked out.