Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story. The plot and anything you do not recognise is mine, but the wonderful world of Harry Potter is the property of JK Rowling and Associates.
sSs
A/N:- My sincerest apologies for taking so long to get this chapter posted, it has been a difficult couple of months for me, life interrupted my writing endeavours in a fairly nasty way, but everything seems to be getting back to normal again now.
Just a warning, there is a non-graphic mention of a suspected attempted suicide in this chapter. It's only a short entry, and it's only alluded to, but I like to warn people anyway. This chapter is only suitable for mature readers, as it also contains sexual scenes. I hope it's worth you long wait, happy reading…
hHh
Chapter Sixteen – Making Progress
The ride in the rail cart down to the Lestrange vault brought back awful memories for Hermione. She was sorry now that she'd insisted on coming, but the opportunity to work with two reformed dark wizards and a former Gringotts curse breaker was too wonderful a chance to pass up. So, she wasn't about to tell Severus just how much she hated trips down to the Gringotts vaults, especially this deep, she never thought she'd be back here.
Bill had organised this excursion after Severus had spoken to him at breakfast. Lucius had skipped breakfast for a business meeting in muggle London, but had met them at the bank at the allotted time.
Being a past employee of Gringotts, Bill was on good terms with the goblins, and being a curse breaker, he knew that the security present would still be active, especially seeing this vault had sealed itself after the break-in near the end of the war and now couldn't be opened, Narcissa had tried several times and failed. So, it remained locked, because Andromeda had disappeared after the war.
Of course, the fact that it was locked didn't stop them from working out what curses were present; the magical signatures could be called upon to do that. Thankfully it wasn't possible to be affected by any of the security measures now when the vault refused to open. Bill suspected it was something to do with the Gemino curse also still active on the vault. If the doors opened now, they would be swamped by useless copies of goodness knows what.
Hermione was eternally grateful that they couldn't get in. She was having enough trouble, without the prospect of having to deal with memories of that day as well. She was currently jammed on one side of the cart between Severus and Lucius, with a death grip on Severus' arm as they dipped and weaved along the track, face hidden in his coat sleeve, and her mutinous stomach threatening to expel her breakfast.
As they approached the Thief's Downfall, her breathing started to labour, and her heart was thumping so loudly she wondered why it wasn't echoing off the cavernous walls, even over the noise of the cart and the screeching of its breaks. Then they emerged from the other side of it, but this time there were none of the issues of last. The water didn't affect them at all, and the cart was finally slowing.
The goblin in control of their expedition looked to them. The four of them clambered out and set to work. It was painstaking and dangerous striping away the echoes of the layered security curses. If one of them had been a recent Black relation it would have been much easier. As it was they had to fight with each layer to stabilise it.
Lucius and Bill had the least trouble as they had distant relatives who were black's, so there was a little Black blood coursing through their veins, so they took on the hardest ones.
What Severus and Hermione lacked in blood relations they made up for in power. Hermione hadn't until that moment actually considered which of the noble wizarding families had produced the squib that was her ancestor. "Perhaps I should research my family and find out who I'm related to," she said, thoughtfully, wielding her wand on yet another layer of security.
"Chances are, you won't want to know when you find out," Bill scoffed.
Severus swore as a curse stung his hand, the magic sparking and crackling. "Well, I think it's safe to say that the Prince family are not related to any of the mangy mutt's," he asserted holding his wand steady regardless.
"You're very pleased about that, aren't you?" Lucius smoothed, before unexpectedly drawing breath and saying, "A-ha, there it is."
The distinctly bluish black glow signalled that they had found what they were searching for. It had been a little like peeling the layers from a cabbage or lettuce, and putting them back had to be done just as carefully.
All of them had lost track of time, and realised when they finally released the last layer that not only were they exhausted, but famished. Finally wiping his brow, Lucius pulled out his pocket watch and said, "My, it's actually one o'clock. I think we've all earned a sumptuous lunch at my club."
"Mmm," Severus agreed, and sighed. "This is our last afternoon of freedom before the dunderheads descend upon us."
Bill shook his head. "I'll never understand why you two decided to take these professorships on; you've already escaped one, Severus?"
"I had my reasons," Severus glanced at Hermione who seemed busy contemplating the ride back to the surface.
"Oh," said Bill knowingly, "that is indeed an excellent reason," he said as his eyes panned between them.
"Well, I for one have told her only until the end of the year, or she finds a suitable replacement," Lucius added as they climbed back into the cart.
After what seemed like another age, they were back above ground and in Diagon Alley, and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She followed behind Bill and Lucius on Severus' arm as the blond aristocrat led them up the swankier end of Diagon Alley and into an exclusive club.
As she walked up the Alley, the chestnut-haired witch was already noticing wizards tipping their hats to her, and witches smiling where there had been cold distain for the past decade. So she made a mental note of each one of them, they were all such turncoats, and it made her blood boil that they were so spineless. It looked like she was in favour now. Well bugger them all, she thought. Where were they when I was being persecuted?
xox
When Severus, Hermione, Lucius and Bill returned to Hogwarts, they attended a meeting that had been arranged when Minerva spoke to Kingsley last evening.
This meeting was now in full swing. "Andromeda Tonks is probably the closest blood relation who could remove the curse from Potter and Weasley, apart from..." Severus eyes swung to Lucius when he heard the blond wizard stifle a growl. "Yes well, Andromeda would be the easiest blood relation for us to deal with," he paused, "if we could find her. If not, either Tonks or Draco would be able to help, before we resort to trying Narcissa." This time they all heard the soft growl.
Bill chuckled at the scowling Lucius. "Geez, Malfoy old man, 'bout time you gave up on that grudge isn't it?"
Lucius had mellowed a lot, but he snarled at Bill, "That's enough of that old man talk, Weasley, old man. I subscribe to the 'revenge is a dish best served cold' theory, and I'll hold a grudge as long as it takes to bring the bitch down."
"Oh well," Bill laughed, "it's your blood pressure."
Lucius pouted and crossed his arms, although he knew Bill was partly joking, he had a little too much of the twins sense of humour in him, which left Lucius wishing he could curse him.
Ignoring the exchange, the conversation progressed. "Yes, I agree, and I know where to find Andromeda," Kingsley said casually, taking a sip of the tea Minerva had provided.
Hermione was getting a little cross with all the cloak-and-dagger business. "Where?" she asked, irritatedly. Where's Andromeda, she disappeared with Teddy after the war, didn't she, and while I'm asking, I'd also like to know why Remus and Tonks are pretending to be dead to us?"
The Minister sighed, but answered. "Hermione, I asked them to disillusion themselves because of Percy, I've suspected for a long time that there was something amiss with Percy Weasley, and as you saw yesterday," he paused, "I was right." Then looking at Bill, he said, "No offence to your family intended, Bill."
"None taken, Perce has always been a royal prat," Bill shook his head.
This time Kingsley grimaced. "Mmm, I had no choice but to dismiss him. I had Remus and Dora already in position to tail him, I think he's mixed up with our fugitives."
The men and Minerva nodded, but Hermione wasn't satisfied. "So, they've let all of us think they were dead? What about Teddy," she interjected, starting to feel angry.
Kingsley smiled at her tenacity, but this time Minerva answered. "You know what the general British Wizarding community thinks of werewolves, especially after Greyback's policy. They made the decision to leave if they survived the battle, so Teddy could start anew where he would not be ostracised for his father's condition. As it is he lives a happy life and is home schooled by Andromeda; in fact he has a brother and a sister now as well.
They all live near the lycanthrope community on the Shetland Isles, and Remus is now the alpha. They have so little to do with mainland English Wizarding society now that no one recognises them anymore."
"Oh," Hermione's exclamation was short and breathy, her anger draining away.
After Hermione's interruption, Kingsley took over the explanation. "I thought given their obscurity, they were the perfect choice to hunt down Potter and Weasley. Now, I really need to be going, there are many things to reorganise, and I'll pass on all the information when Dora or Remus make contact with me again. How is Ginevra today?"
"There's no change yet," Bill informed him. "But Poppy assures us that she will wake up soon."
Minerva's countenance became serious. "I've changed the wards to recognise and repel Percy Weasley as well, even though I'm not certain he would harm his sister."
Hermione was still thinking over everything she'd been told, suddenly she spoke up again. "What about Penelope?"
They all looked at one another, and realised that no one had checked on his wife. "I think I'll go and check on her," Bill stated, and rose to leave. How could I not have thought of Ellie? he scolded himself as he strode to the floo.
Kingsley soon followed to return to the Ministry. As soon as they were gone, Minerva who had been sitting quietly listening to everything, changed tack. She pursed her lips and her eyes sparkled as she looked pointedly at Severus and Hermione. "So?" she demanded, "Now that we have that sorted out, what about a wedding date, you two?" and there was definitely mischief in her eyes as she suggested, "Perhaps Valentine's Day, next year?"
As she'd predicted, Severus scowled at her and wove his fingers through Hermione's. "Over our dead bodies," he declared, before looking at Hermione. "There will be no bloody horrible frilly hearts or fat pink cherubs at our wedding, he stated categorically.
Lucius added his two cents worth. "But we could have a Spring Ball at the Manor." He smirked, drinking in the scowls on both of his friends faces. "It makes perfect sense. We can have a private hand-fasting ceremony if you wish, then a Ball to celebrate."
"No," Severus said deliberately. "The hand-fasting must be public, I know we are both private people, but I wish the world to know that Hermione belongs to me, and I to her."
"I agree, and we wish to have the hand-fasting soon," Hermione agreed, covering their joined hands with her other one. "I would like our hand-fasting ceremony to be under my favourite tree by the lake, if possible."
"On mid-summer eve," Severus stated, "That is the perfect time for renewal and consolidating goals," he said, squeezing Hermione's hand.
"Perfect," Hermione replied squeezing back. Tearing her eyes away from his dark orbs she looked to Lucius. "And a festival of celebration, where perhaps the wedding guest culminate the evening at Stonehenge to observe the sunrise?"
"Of course, my dear," Lucius acquiesced chuckling. "That's perfect, there all settled, it will be June 21," he finished definitively, smiling kindly at his friends. "Don't worry Minerva, we'll organise everything," Lucius insisted further, turning to the headmistress.
Hermione smiled, but then bit her lip, "That's not too much work too quickly, is it?"
"Certainly not," Lucius insisted.
The Headmistress watched Lucius carefully and saw the loneliness in his eyes as he said this so cheerfully. It was obvious that he was putting on a brave face for his friends. She could plainly see he was a completely lost soul. He'd be horrified to think I can read him like that, she laughed to herself.
She'd also watched him last night and realised he'd handled Ginny very tenderly for their shared history. Then she remembered that apart from flying and Quiddich, Ginny had loved History. So she decided to do a bit of Dumbledoreque meddling, and hopefully give two equally lost souls some direction. After all they both have a common interest, and it will keep Ginevra occupied with something that wouldn't over tax her, after all, we're all adults here.
Once she was satisfied the wedding plans were all settled and had refilled cups with tea and the plate with ginger newts, Minerva inquired, "Do you have everything organised in order to join staff yet, Lucius?"
"Almost," he replied tentatively. "As you would be aware I have many ventures which require my occasional, but regular attention to keep moving forward."
He couldn't have said it more perfectly, Minerva thought. "Yes I was afraid of that, and it was very good of you to agree to help me out temporarily. I think therefore you should have an assistant as well."
His eyebrow rose. "Do tell, surely you're not suggesting taking the delightful Professor Granger off Severus," he snickered gently.
"Get your own assistant," Severus snapped possessively. Hermione knew he was being playful, but Minerva wasn't quite so sure.
"Now now, gentlemen." She turned her attention to the blond wizard. "Lucius did you know that Ginevra was the last student that I know of who pulled old Binns out of his ghostly stupor?" Lucius' eyebrow rose, very interested in this development.
Hermione's mind however, wandered somewhere else entirely as Minerva continued, "Had there been more favourable circumstances her last year. I think she would be the History professor now." She paused significantly to allow what she'd said to sink in. "Well I was wondering when she is able, if you would allow her to become your assistant?" Another pause, "Provided she's agreeable."
"Providing she is agreeable, there is much merit to that idea. I will consider it carefully," the usually arrogant wizard smoothed. While inside his unflappable exterior, Lucius Malfoy was doing a very refined version of a happy dance.
They were just saying their good-byes until later when a Patronus stalked into the room. "Inform Poppy, I'm bringing Penny to the Infirmary, she's been injured," and Bill's voice melted away with his wispy blue wolf.
Severus, Hermione and Minerva were instantly on their way to the Infirmary. Lucius had promised to visit his new granddaughter again, and didn't think there was anything he could do anyway, so he floo'd straight to St. Mungos.
xox
After Bill's warning Minerva had done the same to inform Poppy. When they arrived, Bill was standing back while Poppy murmured healing spells. Severus took one look at the injuries and motioned Bill over to speak to him. "That doesn't look self inflicted," he said softly.
"I know, but I didn't want to say. She was unconscious when I found her, she's lost a lot of blood; the bath water was red."
"I think I'll ask Poppy to draw some blood for a toxicology screen," Severus said. "I believe someone wanted us to think she was committing suicide."
"It's highly unlikely that she would bother over Percy. Penny and I would meet for the odd cup of coffee here and there, she was a smart girl, and Percy was always patronising her. She confided in me the last time I meet with her that she was planning to leave him, so I doubt she would slit her wrists over him."
While the two wizards discussed the situation, to help Bill's werewolf senses, Hermione started to Scourgify the air, and Minerva saw what she was doing and went to help Poppy by cleansing Penny's body and hair.
After all was sorted, Poppy approached with a vial. "I heard all that and I agree, she's been drugged before this was done to her, can you find out what it was so we can wake her up?"
"Certainly, Poppy." Severus nodded, and without further words he turned towards the floo after clasping Hermione's hand tightly to take her with him.
xox
While all this had been happening, the students had arrived back at the castle and it was humming with noise and activity once more.
When they arrived from the Infirmary, Hermione and Severus went straight into the lab. They didn't discuss this development, but they both knew it was something to do with Hermione's erstwhile friends.
Severus was planning to start Kingsley special order of Veritaserum when they returned from dinner, and now they had this extra task. So, he was testing Penelope's blood while Hermione cut and diced the first ingredients for the Veritaserum. She placed each one under a Stasis charm as she went, as well as watching the base for the potion condensing down in the cauldron it would reside in for the various stages over the complete next lunar cycle.
They were conversing quietly as they worked; they were both intent on forgetting what they had just seen. "Are you upset not to be head of Slytherin?" Hermione inquired as she carefully sliced ragweed. The stuff smelt disgusting and she'd utilized a Bubble-head charm to avoid the stench.
"No," Severus stated emphatically, not looking up from his work. "I was offered the position, but I'm more than happy to allow Sinistra to continue in it," he said, placing careful drops into a sample. "Damn it's not that either," he muttered. Taking a break from his work to stretch his back, he watched Hermione place the Stasis charm on the ragweed.
Going back to his testing, he tried another known sleeping potion; if it was this the blood would turn clear and not coagulate like all the other samples had. "Ah, finally," he mumbled, "now I need to make," he rubbed his forehead. "Hermione can you set up a number 6 pewter cauldron, I'll be back in a moment."
Hermione raised an eyebrow in question, but she did as he asked, she knew he'd tell her once he'd stopped thinking. He had the mumbliest thought processes she ever heard, and she adored listening to him.
He was back with an arm full of ingredients and they set to work. She loved working with him. She'd only ever worked next to him once while he was brewing an antidote for something he'd had to work out first. It had been a few days ago and little Xanthia had come across something unknown in one of the greenhouses. He'd worked out what it was and brewed the antidote, the little girl was still recovering, but she'll get better, and all because Severus knows his job so well.
It wasn't a difficult brew and Severus tested it on the last of the blood. It must have had the proper reaction because he looked pleased. He really turned her on working like this, the power and knowledge he wielded so easily was incredibly sexy to her.
"I just floo this up to Poppy," he said, placing the vial in his coat pocket and giving her a kiss.
"I'll clean up while you're gone," Hermione smiled, watching him walk to the floo.
It wasn't long and he was back, he quietly slid his arms around her waist as she finished wiping the work bench down. "It worked," he murmured. "Now Kingsley can find out what happened," and without further thought, his lips arrived in the crook of her neck pushing his voice directly into her ear. "Now, perhaps we can have some time together, in peace."
As he spoke his hands wandered from their perch on her waist and up to her breasts. Hermione felt herself start to throb with need more intensely and quickly pushed herself further into his wandering hands. "Severus," she sighed in a long drawn out breath. "We still have an hour before the feast. Please I need you," her voice descended into a lust filled whine, and her backside glided seductively over the evidence of his need.
He pushed that need into firmer contact with her sweet little derrière and groaned into her ear, as a thrill from the contact licked through him. "Come," his heated breath crooned.
Hermione moaned, she would follow him anywhere when he was like this.
A quick wand movement sealed the entrances, he was having her all to himself and didn't want any interruptions, Lucius and everyone be damned. He had enjoyed their encounters with his blond friend, and was happy to direct them when it pleased them both to do so, the same went for the mirror, but Hermione was his and the world would know that tonight.
Severus released her from her clothing, leaving her in her underwear, and guided her over to his desk where he levitated the papers off to a side cupboard.
He offered her his hand. "Hop up here, on the edge," he watched her smile deliciously and open her legs. He took a moment to take in the wicked sight in front of him. He had turned all her knickers crotchless and she was now displayed in front of him wearing nothing but black stay-up stocking, a crotchless blue lace thong and cobalt blue stilettos.
Severus shivered; the fragrance wafting of her was intoxicating. He whispered a cooling charm on his finger tips and ran them up the inside of her thigh while releasing himself with his other hand.
Hermione squealed and shivered violently, "That feels wonderful," she groaned.
His eyes were fixed to her sex tensing and contracting in anticipation, Severus grazed his cool fingers over her bare pussy lips, pausing just a moment to flick her clit.
Hearing her whimper of disappointment when his hand strayed away again, his eyes flicked to hers and he saw her fighting the urge to grab his hand and bring it back where he knew she wanted it. Reinforcing his thoughts, Severus lent forward to her ear once more. "You're cunt is exquisite, and I'm going to make you scream my name, my witch, do you think you would like that?" and he punctuated his sentence by blowing in her ear at the same moment as he brought his cock to her entrance and rubbed the organ seductively up and down her saturated cleft.
"Oh yes, Severus… please," she groaned in reply. "Now, I've been longing for you all day." She knew what he was doing, he was reaffirming that she belonged to him. The phrase 'my witch' was very pointed, so she freely offered what she knew he wanted. "Fuck me… please me. I am yours…" there was a pause as she reeled from the pleasure of his growl and the feeling of him filling her so perfectly. "All yours," she continued in a broken voice, as pleasure washed over her. "Only yours."
"Yes, only mine," his voice was hoarse with passion as he pounded into her. "Say it again, witch… only mine."
Hermione could feel her climax roaring towards her from his action and his words. Her voice was breathless as she told him. "Yours, I'm all yours. I love you, Sev-errrrruuusss… oh god… yyyeeeessssss," and her screaming groan of completion was punctuated with his name like a prayer.
His witch clung to him as he searched for his own release, her tight velvet walls milking and squeezing him. He kept thrusting and felt her start to relax around him before suddenly the fluttering start anew and he sensed a second orgasm starting to roll over her.
All Hermione could do was hang on to him. The world went away. The only thing she was sensible of was Severus, the sound of his panting grunts in her ear, the smell of him in her nose, and the feel of him filling her so perfectly. Another ball of sensation was tightening in her belly twisting, like a rubber band tighten and she was unable to speak from the pleasure of it.
The only things coming from her mouth were guttural exclamations of pure ecstasy. The band tightened and tightened, further and further, dancing her closer and closer to her own personal Nirvana. The tightest suddenly snapped and Hermione yelled, panting, pure pleasure licking through her. She was only vaguely aware of Severus' thrusts becoming erratic. The pull of her own pleasure rendered everything else mute.
Hermione saw Severus still when she forced herself to open her eyes and his mouth formed a perfect o. The tendons in his neck strained under the pressure of his unspoken yell, and she felt him pulsing deep within her, groaning with each spurt of his release.
In order not to collapse on her he flopped backwards into his desk chair, legs splayd out, useless, and his chest heaving like an athlete who'd just run a mile.
Unable to concentrate further than that, Hermione flopped back on the desk, her own legs slipping off the edge. She was unaware of how long they lay there, only becoming sensible when she heard Severus roll the chair back toward the desk; it had scooted back when he landed in it so heavily.
Somewhere in the time it took Hermione to recover from the pleasure induced stupor she'd fallen into, Severus had stripped down to his trousers. He spoke to her as he watched her eyes finally flicker open. "I've decided to take you to the bathroom now. Strip you naked and have you from behind against the shower wall." He watched with eager eyes as the part of her anatomy right in front of him convulsed excitedly at his suggestion.
"Oh, I like the sound of that," she said, pulling herself up in his arms and kissing greedily.
He chuckled. "Now do you indeed?"
"Oh yes, very much." Grinning, she hooked her legs around his hips just above his long slung pants, and held on tightly around his waist.
"You're a wanton little minx," he enthused, and lightly slapped her luscious arse. Her response was to plaster she herself up against him and rub, making a tiny mewling sound.
She gave him a cheeky grin when he groaned in response to the feel of her wet centre against him. This only encouraged her and safe in his grip, Hermione threw her head back and stroked herself wantonly against him. "Oohh yes, that's my girl," he rewarded her with a smouldering kiss, his hand rubbing her backside before sliding between them to tickle her, then he finished carrying her into the bedroom and through to the bathroom.
Shifting his grip to hold her securely around the waist he smoothed, "Down you go, you delicious little temptress." A flick of his hand saw the candles floating above her spark into life, and his eyes surveyed her. "You're so gorgeous," he asserted and he kissed her, trailing down over her throat and onto her breasts and making her breath hitch anew.
Their coupling in the shower was the opposite of the one on the desk, which had been fast and hard. This time it was slow, heated and deep, and the difference between the cold of the tiles against her front and the heat of the water and Severus' slow and deliberate strokes against her back undid her quickly.
Afterwards they lovingly washed each other and finally, reluctantly dressed, although Severus was almost certain she'd creamed herself all over again when she saw him in full teaching regalia. "Oh my love, I'd forgotten how utterly hot you look in your beautiful billowing black. How am I going to keep my hands off you?"
"I'm certain we'll find opportunities for you not to," he offered, smirking and leaning forward he said, "May I add that I think you look far more delicious."
She groaned, running her hands over the wool of his frock coat and the silk of the teaching robes to link around his neck, they shared one more, deep passionate kiss and then prepared to meet the entire population of Hogwarts for the first time as a united front.
xox
The hall was full of chattering students as they approached the teacher's entrance. Severus seated Hermione, and glanced down at the glint of the diamond in the ring she wore. He couldn't quite believe it had only been a little over a week since the ball that had started it all. So many things had happened since then. He knew that Minerva would announce their upcoming nuptials tonight, and Merlin help him, he was actually excited.
No doubt it would feature in the Prophet tomorrow morning to, as again, the highly officious headmistress would have put forward the mandatory notice. Taking a deep breath he seated himself next to Hermione with Lucius on his other side.
Severus noticed the blond aristocrat watching the students wearily. "Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea," he whispered. "Those girls look like predators in sheep's clothing."
"Don't worry, Severus is being examined in exactly the same way, and Neville and Bill always have been. They're hormonal teenagers, randy as hell," Hermione whispered.
"And completely off limits," Severus added sardonically, seeing the look of interest that passed over his friends face.
"Now Severus, you surprise me. Like I would take advantage of innocent lambs," his wounded tone worked perfectly with the look of mock innocence, which in itself was a monumental feat, even without the accompanying faultless pout as he watched some seventh year Ravenclaws giggling at his expression.
"I'm starting to wonder exactly who the predator is?" Hermione whispered to Severus.
Who smirked and whispered hotly in return. "Did you sit there all doe-eyed when you were a teenager?"
"Most certainly," Hermione whispered back, her hand quietly wandering to his crotch and squeezing. "But I only ever had eyes for one professor."
"Indeed," Severus replied, covering her hand and urging it to stay.
Both professors watched on, like they were up to nothing as Minerva rose from her seat.
The headmistress opened her arms. "Welcome back, students of Hogwarts. I have several announcements before the feast commences." Minerva glanced around the hall. "I think it is apparent from the chatter and giggling that most of you have noticed our two celebrities. Professor Lucius Malfoy will be professor of History of Magic for the remainder of the year."
She waited while Lucius acknowledge the thunderous applause that greeted this announcement. "I am also very pleased to welcome back a professor who has returned to us after a long absence. Professor Severus Snape will be teaching potions." There was another round of applause, as well as whistling and cat-calling this time.
After a time Minerva put her hands up for silence. "I have one more announcement. Professors Snape and Granger, would you please rise." The headmistress glanced across at them. "I gives me great pleasure to announce that on June 21, at the height of mid-summer night, Professor Hermione Granger and Professor Severus Snape will be married, here on the grounds of Hogwarts school.
There was utter silence for a moment, and then the hall literally erupted with cheers. Hermione had never been the recipient of such joy. Even Severus had a smile trying to tug his mouth upwards. Many students shot stars into the air from their wands and some conjured flowers to throw. The seventh years started a clapping chant. Hermione remembered them doing this when Neville and Luna became engaged six years ago, and she knew what happened next. She was surprised they remembered, because the current seventh years would have only been first years then.
The noise was becoming deafening, and the other professors all looked at them expectantly. "Well," prompted Minerva. "Kiss her; they won't give up until you do."
Hermione took a deep breath and saw Severus make a decision. The current crop of students needed a positive impression of him, they didn't know him from before, and in fact even the oldest of them had only just been born when the war happened. If he was truly going to change his teaching persona… so he gave in. He dipped Hermione across in front of him, and kissed her soundly. Everyone saw the sparkle of her ring in the candle-light as her hand rose up the cup his cheek.
The foot stamping, tinkling of forks on goblets and the cat-calls were deafening, especially when Severus released Hermione and summoned one of the conjured flowers—a full blown red rose—and offered it to her before he seated her once more. This caused every hormonal teenage witch in the hall to sigh, and guaranteed that Severus would have many sighing and swooning witches in his class the next morning, but at this moment he couldn't bring himself to care.
"I think we made a good impression, don't you, love?" he crooned into her ear as the food finally arrived.
"I have to say, that was one beautiful declaration of possession," she returned. Then looking deeply into his eyes, Hermione whispered, "I love you."
"And I you, my love," he said quietly in return.