Chapter 12: Private Discussion

After Harry and Ron promised not to tell Molly and Ginny just yet and said there good buys, Hermione went and got a shower and got dressed in casual jeans and a nice thick strapped violet tank top. After she took care of herself, she took a walk to the dungeons. She took her time so that she could think of what to say to him.

He had been understanding this far, would it continue, she didn't know but she had to try. She stopped in front of his chambers, took a deep breath and knocked three times. She didn't have to wait long, he answered the door a couple of minutes later wearing a calming white shirt and black silk looking pants, he looked comfortable too. She smiled at him when he said, "Miss.. Hermione, what can I do for you?"

"May I come in?" He stepped aside to allow her entrance. When she entered, she noticed that they were in a deep green sitting room, obvious, she thought. "Please have a seat, what can I do for you?" She sat in one arm chair while he sat across from her in the other.

"Severus, I would like to talk about the recent events that have unfolded." She paused waiting for the OK to go on he nodded in understanding so she went on. "Harry and Ron are aware of the situation; they are not entirely OK with it because, to be honest, they don't trust you. Would you care to step in and speak with them?"

"I don't think the question you want to ask is if I want to talk to them, it's do you want me to talk to them."

Hermione paused and then said, "Actually would to talk to them, that way they can tell you their concerns about this."

Severus said, "I don't want to necessarily, but if it will make you feel better, then yes."

"It would make me feel better yes."

"Then just before the bindings, I will pull them aside and speak with them."

"Thank You."

"About the night that the Grangers died (mmhum he acknowledged) did you mean what you said, about notifying authorities?"

"Hermione, you have to realize that that will take time to find out who did it, your mother and father are working on it as we speak, but no doubt the Dark Lord will let you have your vengeance. Most likely, he won't let us do anything."

"So are you saying that I might have to cast an unforgivable?"

"Possibly, there is no true way to tell."

She nodded and sat there for a moment, then she got up and moved over to his chair and sat on her feet in front of him, she put her hands on the arm of the chair, looked him in the eye and said, "Severus, I have never been so scared in my entire life, even when we faced a dozen death eaters in the Department of mysteries. The fact that I might have to cast an unforgivable, the wedding, my new family, I just don't know what to do." After that last statement, she hung her head in between her arms in defeat, everything she just said was true and she didn't know how he would react to what she just said.

To her surprise, he took her hands in his and pulled her up so that he could look at her, "Hermione, I… I don't really know what to say, all I can say is that I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, and alive." At that moment, something happened, a connection of sorts, he began to lightly tug on her hands so that she got closer to him, he pulled her down into a light, loving kiss, a couple kisses and then it grew deeper and he pulled her into his lap. They kissed as if nothing else mattered, like they were the only two in the room. Neither had felt this way about any one and that was the only thing that did matter. When they parted, he said, "I promise."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but these were from joy, not sadness. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him as if she would die if they weren't that close. Automatically his wrapped around her waist and they pulled apart just long enough so that their lips could meet.

At that moment Severus realized that she smelled of Jasmine Blossom and mint, and he loved it, it suited her. He didn't want to, but they needed to part before things got too far. "Hermione," breathless, "I… I think you should go see Minerva about wedding plans, I can contact your mother and have her meet you if you would like."

"I would like that," she smiled and stood off of him and straitened her clothes. He walked her to the door, just before she could walk out; he grabbed her hand and pulled her in for a hug. At that moment, she felt safe and secure, something she hadn't felt since the day she met Harry. She smiled and parted from him; she turned away and began her clime to the transfigurations classroom. He watched her go from the dark dungeons and then closed his door. He enjoyed that but he needed to summon Bella.

Hermione was blushing all the way up to her destination; she calmed herself before she knocked on the door. Again, she didn't have to wait long, Minerva answered soon after the knocks ended.

"Miss Granger, what can I do for you?"

"Actually Professor, I was wondering if this was a good time to discuss the wedding."

Minerva smiled and actually looked relieved, "Oh my dear, I was so worried, I was beginning to wonder if you would ever come down here again to discuss it."

"Well it's only five weeks away."

"Well it's not that exactly… it's just that… you know what, never mind come in, come in, no need to discuss this in the doorway."

After Hermione got settled in to a chair in the sitting room, Minerva summoned a pile of papers and writing utensils to take notes and two cups of tea and some cookies. Just when everything had settled in the designated spots, there was a couple of knocks at the door.

"Oh Professor, I hope it's alright, I invited someone to help us." Minerva nodded and stood to answer the door. She returned with a lovely woman that, even in disguise, Hermione recognized her has her mother. "Mother," she stood and hugged her, "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"My darling girl, when Severus flooed us and asked me to come, I jumped with joy. After our last meeting, I was fearful that you would never speak to us again." They both smiled, no introductions were necessary for everyone knew each other from previous encounters. That sat down and brainstormed the plans.

"I want to go as traditional as possible but I don't want to go really expensive."

"Hermione dear, your father and I have it all arranged, he and I are going to pay for Dumbledore's binding and your Uncle Lucius has graciously agreed to help fund your second binding in front of the Dark Lord."

"Still…"

"No, you just plan and we will take care of the rest."

Hermione just nodded, there was no use arguing, "I want Ginny as my maid of Honor for Dumbledore's binding and I would like Pansy to be my witness in front of the Dark Lord."

"What color dress dear?" McGonagall asked.

"I have a choice?"

"Yes, white, ivory, baby colors of blue, purple, pink or green." She replied.

"Wow, I don't know if I should go with the baby colors for me, maybe for Ginny but definitely not for me. So white or Ivory, and can we decide this when we go to try them on?" Both witches replied yes and then they moved on.

"Ginny dear?" Bella asked, "Why Ginny? How does she fit in to all of this?"

"I want Ginny to be my maid of honor, or witness to the ceremony run by Professor Dumbledore." Both older witches nodded in understanding and they continued.

They decided to go shopping on the upcoming Saturday so that she would have time to ask everyone to be in attendance and that at the first binding, there would be flowers, and all of the Order and other wizarding families that weren't tied in with the deatheaters and that her colors would be baby purple would be her other color besides white or ivory. At the second binding, she would dress in dark green and black, it would be basic since in everyone their mind, this was just for show.

After they were all done, Minerva said, "Hermione, don't forget to write your vows for the first binding. They are very important."

"If you both don't mind, I would not only like to invite Ginny along but I would also like to get a guys opinion when we go shopping."She paused to prepare herself for their reactions, "I would like to invite Harry and Ron along, and only if that's ok."

"My dear, that is completely fine, after all, from my understanding, the three of you have been very close for almost seven years." Bella said very lovingly.

Hermione smiled and the three of them went down to dinner in the Great Hall. The three sat together and laughed about the upcoming trip. When they were done Bella left by apperation and Hermione and Minerva went their separate ways. For the first time in a couple of days, Hermione slept peacefully.

The next day Hermione sat down at the table in her sitting room and made a few notes on everything that she needed to discuss with Ginny and Pansy. She flooed both girls and sat there and waited for them to arrive through her fireplace. Pansy arrived first, when she came through in nothing but her pajamas and she stated that it wasn't a formal meeting with the minister so she felt comfortable enough to come as she was. Ginny came approximately ten minutes later in about the same attire. When they were settled, Hermione summoned for toast, fruit and coffee and orange juice.

"Hermione what's going on, this seems like an unlikely group to meet with." Ginny asked, Pansy nodded in agreement.

"Oh well that response tells me that the boys actually kept their mouths shut. Well I actually this is about my wedding that is happening in approximately five weeks, Pansy you are already aware of the situation but Ginny, I am going to tell you something that has to remain confidential, you can't tell your mother."Ginny nodded in understanding and Hermione continued telling her everything just as she had with Ron and Harry and the reaction was similar. "WHAT? No way, you can't marry him, Ron loves you and you two are meant to be together, I don't know if I can support this."

This time Pansy stepped in, "Ginny, may I call you Ginny?" She nodded in response and she continued, "If Hermione doesn't marry Snape, she could jeopardize everything, I know that he is a double agent for the Order, so is Draco. So if she doesn't do this, she could write her parents' death certificates right now. This is literally a life or death situation, and this is just my personal observation but I don't think that she is entirely objective to the situation."

"Ok enough," Hermione said blushing hysterically, "Whether I am excited for this situation or not, that is not why you are here. I have asked you here because I need to ask you both a favor, will you Ginny be my maid of honor at the ceremony conducted by Dumbledore and Pansy will you be my maid of honor for the ceremony conducted by Voldemort?" Both girls jumped up and down before answering yes. They stayed just long enough to discuss details of both ceremonies and then Pansy said that she had to go before Draco woke up, she wanted to surprise him with breakfast.

Ginny stayed behind for a moment and then Hermione brought up her second request, "Ginny, my mother and Professor McGonagall and I are going to go shopping for the weddings and I want you, Harry and Ron to come with us."

"Of course, Hermione, I would be honored. I am just sorry that your wedding isn't to Ronald, he really loves you."

"I know, but Severus can do something for me that Ron can't."

"What's that?"

"Both men can keep me safe, but I know that Severus is trusted by my mother and the Dark Lord won't kill his best spy, but he most definitely wouldn't hesitate in killing Ron, I have to do what is best for everyone."

Ginny understood and that's where they left it, there was nothing more to say. Ginny hugged her friend who she had always viewed as a sister and left. Hermione took a deep breath and dropped herself on her couch, she didn't realize that she was so exhausted, she fell asleep just like that and that's how she stayed until lunch time.