Chapter 14: The Bright Idea
A/N: Sorry for all the updates guys. I had read my story out loud to one of my friends and as I read it, some of it didn't quite make since so it you all are a bit confused, I would go glance at past chapters or I can put a review on my next chapter, which ever ya'll prefer. Please read and review. Thanks as always: Puppyluv09
Severus and Hermione hadn't spoken of their relationship or feelings since the day he called upon Bella to discuss the wedding plans with her daughter two weeks ago. Naturally they had discussion while at the table with the other professors, but those discussions consisted of the House Cup, and of course classes. School started in two and a half weeks, everyone was excited and enjoying their last days of break. However whilst everyone was discussing their predictions and plans for the year, there was one thought that hadn't yet been voiced.
Minerva cleared her throat and asked, "Hermione, what are you doing in your spare time this year?"
Hermione answered, "Well, in my spare time, I had planned on studying so that I might score as high as possible on my N.E.W.T.s. Other then that I had nothing really planned, I do believe that the boys and I were just going to try and play this year by ear and see what could have happened, well I believe that it's safe to assume that Lord….. Voldemort will attempt to get to Harry this year because after he leaves here, it's going to be harder to track him. Attacking him before he graduates will be more beneficial for him. Sorry, I got sidetracked, Why the interest professor?"
"Well, I was wondering if you would be my assistant this year for my first years to my fifth years. You're the brightest of your year, possibly of the century; I would be honored to take you on. If you're interested of course."
Hermione was shocked, and didn't quite know what to say. "I'm speechless professor, I really don't know what to say, I..."She paused to look at Severus.
"Miss Granger, you don't need my permission, you do what you feel that you can handle. I can deal with anything"
Hermione turned back toward her mentor and smiled, "you may be honored to take me on Minerva, but you are wrong, I would be the one honored by such a wonderful offer from a truly magnificent Transfiguration Master" Minerva beamed with joy and reached over and hugged her secretly favorite pupil.
Despite how wonderful the scene was that had just unfolded, one question was on everyone's mind, "So, Severus, would you mind telling us why Miss Granger's decision is one that she had to look to you for?"
Just then Professor Dumbledore had realized that he hadn't informed the staff of recent news, even though it affected them too. He looked at his head girl and the young professor for the OK to tell the rest of the staff. He got nothing then looks of confusion and so he said, "About that, I suppose that I should have told you when I first discovered the news myself but I do believe that it is time to reveal what has been going on around here."He got that misgeivious glimmer in his eyes that could only say that he was only trying to soften the situation. "You see…"
"Professor Dumbledore," Hermione interrupted, "I think that I should tell everyone the situation. I mean it's only fair." Professor Dumbledore nodded in agreement and handed it over to Hermione.
"As Professor Dumbledore said, there is something that needs to, get out onto the table, so to speak. Well, this summer, I discovered that I was adopted by the Grangers and so I went on a quest to find my biological parents and I found them. I won't say who they are, only that they, and I, are related to the Malfoys. So my parents made the request that I marry Professor Snape and I have agreed." There was a wave of murmurs and Minerva stepped in. "Guys, she is still the same person that she was at the end of term last spring, she just has a different background now, that's all and I don't anticipate this union to disturb Hermione's studies in the slightest."
Now Severus felt that he had to step in, "I'm am fully aware that you all think that I am only going into this union for personal reasons, but I can assure you that this is not the case, I am going into this union because of what Hermione's parents have requested of me because if I don't, she will have to be bound to another, someone like Crabbe or Goyle and we can only imagine what could become of her." Another wave of murmurs.
"I for one do not agree but I can see where Severus is coming from. I would prefer 'ermione to be safe over all else." Hagrid said above the group. At this, everyone fell silent in agreement, and how could they not, he made a good point. Hermione ran to her friend of seven years and hugged him, the half giant, he in turn hugged her back and a tear fell upon his cheek. Hermione looked up at him and smiled in thanks; she turned and looked at the curious group around her. So questions fell to the binding and how Hermione was going to manage her Head Girl Duties with her jobs of student and wife. Hermione answered each question with complete sincerity and then everyone departed their own ways to continue preparing for the arrival of the students.
After everyone had gone their own ways, Hermione had gone to the lake and was sat down by the shore. She didn't know how long she sat there, but there was a sudden and an unsuspected sound of a breaking branch. She turned around with a start and was surprised to find Severus standing behind her. She smiled and started to stand, "Please Hermione, don't get up." She froze and Severus took the open spot next to her. "Hermione, I've been meaning to talk to you about everything that's been going on. You see, I feel that I need to clear up some things, so will you have dinner with me this Saturday, just you and me?"
She smiled with joy, "I would like that."
"Ok, I realized that right after I asked, I don't know what your favorite type of food is."
"I like Italian."
"So an Italian restaurant Saturday at seven?"
"Sounds like a date." She said with a smile. They sat in silence for the time being and there was nothing left to do but enjoy the other's company.
Saturday rolled around and Hermione was excited, she didn't quite know why, but the emotion was still there, so she enjoyed it. She started getting ready for her date with Severus at around five, and by six fifty, she was almost ready. She was wearing a simple cocktail dress with a "V" neck, with her mother, Jane's, pearl set. She was attempting to get her shoes on when there was a knock at the door, she put down her shoes and went to the door. It was Severus.
"Hi." She said.
"Hello, are you ready?"
"Just about, let me just get on my shoes." The two walked over to the chair where Hermione was initially attempting to put on her shoes. "Please take a seat, I shouldn't take too long." Hermione reached for her shoe, she tried to tighten the strap but she was so nervous that her hands started to shake and it made it impossible for her to pull the strap. Severus noticed this little predicament and said, "Hermione wait, let me help."
"No that's not necessary, I can do it." She grunted after another failed attempt to get her shoe on and the shoe fell to the ground with a clatter.
"Hermione, your being ridiculous," He knelt down in front of her and gently grabbed her foot and the shoe and gently slipped the shoe on her foot and lightly tugged on the strap, he looked at her and asked, "Is this tight enough?" she nodded and he did the same with the other foot. After that they were on their way out and they headed to the restaurant.
Once there and settled in their seats, Severus started, "So, your mother told we what you said when you were shopping for the bonding." Hermione had no expression so he continued. "Hermione, do you really think that this binding is going to be emotionless?"
"I don't know."
"Hermione, you are a bright young woman and I admire that, but I don't think that you don't have feelings about this after shopping for the binding."
"Severus, answer this for me, do you love me?"
He was stunned, how do you answer that, "Well, I'm not sure, I hadn't thought about it." Lie.
"Exactly my point, neither one of us knows our feelings for the other and so I am fully in my right to assume that this binding is going to be loveless."
"I didn't say that I didn't have some feeling for you."
"Severus, you've been my professor for the past six years and I don't expect you to love me, but I do expect you to respect me. Not as a student but as your wife and equal."
"I understand that. Well, this isn't how I expected this evening to go, and we haven't even eaten yet." He laughed to himself.
"What where you expecting?"
"I was hoping that I could have told you that I loved you, but I'm not sure how I feel right now, but I can tell you with the utmost certainty that I DO respect you."
She was stunned, he was going to tell her that he loved her? Totally unexpected. The rest of the dinner fell to the usual topics for a couple, simple ones that helped them get to know each other better. Hermione was very impressed with his answers throughout the night. The two apparated back to the school and instead of going straight back inside, the two walked around the lake just enjoying the other's company, before they walked back into the school, Severus pulled Hermione close to him and he kissed her. Not just a peck, it was a full, emotion filled kiss that grew. This was a bright idea Severus, he thought to himself. The two parted and were so wrapped up into each other that they didn't know that they were being watched by a pair of blue twinkling eyes.