AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 10

Hermione sat down on a chair underneath the shade of a tree. The clothes that she wore were black, which matched the black shades that she was wearing. She watched the funeral of her parents' meters away from everyone else. At first she sat were everyone else was sitting, a few feet away from the closed coffins. After awhile of pestering and condolences from the others, she couldn't stand it, and needed to be alone.

She couldn't shed a single tear, even though she wanted to. Her eyes felt so red and puffy. She cried non-stop since the day before. Thankfully enough, Severus had left her potions for her to take at her bedside. Pepper-up potions for her fever, vitamin potions for the meals that she had missed, sleep draughts and dreamless sleep potions to help her get some shut eye, and calming potions to help her calm down. In addition, the calming potions made her feel numb. She gulped down two vials. Feeling, what feeling? Even though her numbness was chemically induced, she was glad that for a few moments, she couldn't feel her pain and sorrow a hundred percent. Still, she couldn't deny that somewhere inside, it existed.

She watched the entire funeral under that tree. She missed her parents dearly. As she watched the others stand cry, and embrace each other, comforting each other, it hit her. For the first time, she noticed that she was alone, and no one was with her.

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Severus sat on one of the chairs in the patio, with a plate full of food and canapés, and a glass of fresh lemonade in front of him. He looked out towards the bushes and thr variety of trees. Beyond them, he saw the top of a tree. The tree in which he knew Hermione was still seated under. No one could seem to talk to her, and it seemed like she didn't want to be near anyone. Even after the funeral, no one approached her to ask if she wanted to join in having a bite. He stood up with his plate and drink in hand, and headed for the buffet table, grabbing another glass of lemonade.

"Excuse me," he said as he bowed his head and walked off, heading towards Hermione's direction.

"Is he going to try and talk to her?" Minerva asked.

"I do not know," Narcissa answered. "Poor girl has barely said a word the entire day."

"He'll get through to her, I assure all of you," King Richard said with confidence.

"And how sure are you of that?" Draco asked with a bit of jealousy in his voice.

"He has to," the King answered. "He is her soulmate. If not him, then who?"

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"Black looks good on you," Hermione heard a silky voice comment. She knew exactly who it was. She then watched Severus accio a chair, and sit down next to her. "Eat," he said as he extended the plate towards her. "I know you haven't eaten dinner or breakfast this morning."

Hermione pushed the plate aside and said, "I'm not hungry."

Severus sighed and wasn't surprised by her actions. She was the most stubborn witch he had ever come upon. He reached out and pulled her shades out of her eyes, setting them on her head. He then lifted up her chin so that he could look straight into her eyes, and examine them. "How many calming potions did you take?" he asked, knowing clearly well that she was under the influence of them.

"Two," Hermione snapped as she pulled away from his touch.

He shook his head.

"You don't have to do it you know Professor?" Hermione suddenly said.

"Do what?" Severus asked, even though he had an idea of what she was referring to. "And I believe that you may address me as Severus since we are about to wed."

"You are a man that I highly respect. It isn't right for me to force something upon you, when you clearly do not want to do it."

Severus was shocked at her words. She respected him? and just the other night, she seemed desperate, needing him to marry her. Now she was backing out. He pushed the thought aside, not wanting to question her about it. "How do you know what I want?"

"You don't want to be married to me that's for sure."

"And you would rather let your throne and family's legacy fall and allow the Dark Lord to take control over everything?"

Hermione didn't say anything. Of course she didn't want that. She sat silently and stared over at the two new tombstones beyond Severus's shoulders.

"Hermione," Severus said, catching her attention, "I know that our marriage will not be out of love, but rather of… convenience. I promise you though that I will care, and protect you with all that I am as a husband should for his wife." He reached into one of his trouser pockets and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it and set it on her thigh.

Hermione stared at the beautiful ring in front of her. It had a large diamond in the center, and two small emerald stone on the sides of the diamond. The ring itself was a platinum band. "It's beautiful," Hermione murmured, as she continued to stare at it as if she were hypnotized.

"It belonged to my grandmother," Severus said softly.

Hermione shook her head. "I can't accept it Severus. You must give it to the one you truly love."

"Hermione, it belongs to you. I am not in love with anyone, nor have I ever been. I also never thought that I would ever marry. As it seems, I will be married to you." He pulled out the ring from its box, and took hold of her left hand. He then slipped the ring onto her ring finger, and looked into her eyes. "It belongs to you and no one else."

"Thank you," was all Hermione could say. She was speechless.

Severus entwined his fingers with hers and looked down at their hands, and the ring, before meeting her eyes yet again. "Like I said, our marriage will not be out of love, but all my other… husbandly duties, I will do for you. Do not doubt that."

"I won't Severus, and I don't," Hermione said softly.

After a short time, Severus was able to coax Hermione to take a few bites. He watched her eat, and thought that it was best for her to eat most of the food on the plate, rather than him. She needed it more.

"So any plans this week, since Naricssa and Minerva are the ones that are doing the wedding arrangements?" Severus asked.

"Not really," Hermione replied. "Why?"

"I was wondering if maybe you would like to go out to muggle London, and relax from being in our world for awhile?"

Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow at him. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"You could say that," he answered with a shrug. "Your grandfather said it would be good to get to know each other until the wedding, and Narcissa said that I should pick out our wedding bands. Join me, please?"

"I will," Hermione nodded. She continued to eat and drink, and enjoy his silent company since she still didn't want to talk too much. Still, she could feel the hurt inside. She always dreamed of marrying for love.

Some sacrifices had to be made all for the the damn war.

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AN – I must admit, I got a little teary when I wrote this chapter. It wasn't a typical romantic proposal, but it did touch me. First date coming right up! Please review!