Chapter 17: Binding Day Part 2
A/N: Ok guys sorry that I kept you all waiting, here is part two of the binding day!!!!!!! And sorry for the confusion, but I have realized that my times are off in my story, it may not bug most of you but I changed it anyway
After Albus and Minerva were through transforming the Hall, everyone entered leaving the new bride and groom in the Entrance Hall with the in laws and the representative witnesses Ginny and Lucius. The six sat there bracing themselves for the festivities to follow. As soon as everyone was calmed, Bellatrix felt a hand on the small of her back; she looked up at her husband and read his unspoken words as if they were written on his face.
"I think it would be best to go in now, that party isn't going to keep going until we show up."
"Yes we shall fallow right behind you." Lucius said. As soon as Hermione's parents were inside the great doors, Lucius offered his arm to Ginny who smiled and took it. The two walked through the doors and that's when Severus and Hermione heard, "Ladies and Gentlemen, May we stand and welcome the two lovely people that brought us together today," a pause, the couple assumed that Lucius looked at Ginny before continuing, "Severus and Hermione Snape!" There was a loud cheer, as expected with the size of the group, which cued the couple to fallow the two couples that preceded them.
As soon as they entered the doors, they were greeted by numerous rice pieces that Minerva and Bella had so lovely put together in bags for the guests. Both ducked their heads as they continued toward the newly set head table where they were joined by the Maid of Honor and the best man on the left of Hermione and the Lestranges to the right of Severus. When they sat down, everyone followed suit and as if on cue, the tables were stuffed with a lovely lunch for all the guests. Everyone dug in and chatted amongst themselves while the head table was unusually quiet.
Severus couldn't help it, he usually liked the silence when he was eating but there was an eerie shadow hanging over the bunch. "Hermione," he waited for her to look at him, she never did. He reached over and grabbed her hand lovingly and pulled it to his lips, as he expected, his lips touching her soft skin got her attention, and she smiled in response. "Hermione, what is bugging you my dear?"
"Nothing I'm fine."
"You need to work on your poker face."
"What?"
"You are a horrible liar."
"I am not!"
"Then what is wrong?"
She sighed, what could it hurt, "I am nervous about tonight, as you have so politely pointed out, I can't lie worth my life and what if I slip? What if he knows, what if….."
"Hermione calm down alright? He will know, I will explain it all to him if he needs it, I will protect you."
She smiled and said, "I appreciate that," She paused and blushed a deep shade of red.
"Are you embarrassed by your rant of questions?" Her father asked.
She smirked at him before returning her attention to her husband, "No, I am blushing because I have a loving man, great friends, a wonderful family and I simply could not ask for more."
Severus leaned in at her words, "I love you Mrs. Snape." Before she could reply his lips lightly touched hers and his hand instinctively went to her stomach hidden by the bodice of her dress.
She couldn't help but smile back when they broke apart and laid her hand lovingly over his, "I love you too Mr. Snape."
"Ok enough mushy gooshy over here," Ginny said, "I hate to ruin your moment but please remember Hermione, I have him as a professor."
"I know, that's why I asked you to be my maid of honor." Hermione smiled devilishly.
Lucius knew how to resolve this, he stood with his glass of wine and a fork. He clanked the two pieces together, "May I have your attention please, I believe that it is now time for the first toast of the wedding." He turned toward his best friend and his niece, "Severus, you have proven yourself a loyal friend to both to Hermione's parents and to me and my family. I can only hope that that loyalty will continue into your marriage. Hermione, you are a Gryffindor through and through, use those traits to comfort your husband. I cannot ask that you two understand everything about each other in the first year; marriage is all about giving and taking. Give love, compassion, understanding, space and your heart to the person next to you. Take the love given, criticism, the open arms offered, and most importantly, take one day at a time. Love may seem quick and easy, but remember that this relationship will blossom into so much more then it is now. Please be good to each other and drink in every look between the two of you filled with love. To Severus and Hermione."
"To Severus and Hermione," the crown said together picking up their glasses and drinking from them. Severus and Hermione looked at each other and shared another sweet short kiss and looked at the group in front of them. After a half an hour or so, it was Ginny's turn to give works of encouragement to the couple.
She mimicked Lucius's actions to gain everyone's attention, when she had it, she started her speech. "I doubt that my speech will live up to Mr. Malfoy's but I will certainly try. Severus, Hermione, I have had the honor of being part of this union, and I cannot put into words the emotions that have been exposed. Severus, I have known of you since my brother Charlie and the others started school however many years ago. I heard horror stories of how you used to strike fear into their very beings. However today, I have seen how that is just a facade and that it is your way of keeping your students in control so that they might learn the lessons that you give them, some take it in some don't. The way you look at Hermione gives us all something lovely to look at today. Hermione, I have known you since Ron's first year here at school, and I have had the privilege of growing up with you, spending summers together, getting into trouble and simply enjoying each other's company. You are my sister no matter what your last name. The way you two treat each other is amazing, I have never seen two people respect and care about each other, other than a handful of couples, my parents included. You two have so much potential it is unreal, Severus, I am excited to call you extended family, as my brother, please take care of my sister and Hermione, you know that we expect nothing less than from you. Love each other more with each new day; celebrate your love every hour, every minute that you breathe. Smile at each other despite who is looking, touch lovingly every chance you get and never raise a hand out of anger or frustration. And as Lucius said, take care of each other. We raise our glasses to Severus and Hermione."
The group once again raised their glasses and drank to the couple, the couple sharing another kiss.
"Well I am having fun telling the couple words of endearments and all but I do believe that it is time that Hermione and Severus Share a dance, their first dance as Husband and wife." Harry said loudly. 'Here here's' could be heard all around and so the Severus looked at Hermione who shrugged. He stood offering his hand for her to stand and then his arm to escort her to the floor. A calming waltz started to play when they hit the floor and as soon as they reached the center, Severus turned placing his left hand at the small of her back while placing his right hand in hers. He led her around the floor with the hint of a smile on his face, she never took her eyes off of him and smiled the whole time, she didn't try to hide the happiness that she felt. Toward the end of the song, Hermione had tears creeping down her cheeks but she kept dancing. Eventually the song ended and the two stood in place for a moment. Severus reached a loving hand up and swept her tears away before once again kissing her. He couldn't help but love the feel of her lips on his, he felt complete when they were close together.
Neither noticed that there were four sets of eyes on them as the final scene unfolded in front of them. Bella and Rudolfus were smiling seeing their daughter so happy, Rudolfus actually noticed the tears streaking down his own wife's face and he took the same action as Severus wiping them away and kissing her. She smiled and grabbed his hand and their fingers instinctively entwined. After a moment he released her hand and stood going to the edge of the dance floor. The other two sets of eyes belonged to the Headmaster and his deputy, they shared a knowing glance and Albus gently grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers ever so tenderly.
"Well my dear, we have another pair of love birds on our hands don't we."
"It seems that way, Albus." Minerva smiled at her companion and turned her attention back to the couple now leaving the floor.
Before they could step off, they met Rodolfus, He grabbed his daughter's free hand and turned to Severus, "Would you mind if I stole her from you for a dance Severus?"
"Not at all." Severus gave his wife a small squeeze on the hand and continued to his seat where he and Bella watched the two started to dance together. After a round or two, they were joined by other father daughter couples, Ginny and Arthur included. That dance eventually ended and Hermione leaned into her father giving him a kiss on the cheek.
They exited in the same manner that Severus attempted and when they reached the head table, Severus stood and helped Hermione into her chair. As soon as he was seated, a bunch of red headed boys and one with almost black hair stood up. "While giving words of encouragement to the couple is nice, I believe that we all are in agreement that there was one thing not said," harry said smiling at his best friend. "Ron would you do the honors."
"I would, Severus, Ginny is right, Hermione is like a sister, but not just to her, but to the entire Weasley clan, Harry included. If you hurt her in anyway, just know that you will have at least six young men and possibly our father as well after you. Despite your years of experience ahead of all of us, we will take you down." He pointed to Severus and fixed him with a death glare.
"RONALD WEASLEY!!!!" Molly shouted from another table, quiet snickers could be heard from around the room.
"To the happy couple," Ron said with a relaxed demeanor. It took a moment for people to recover from the small speech, but there was another toast. After which, Hermione was swept away by Charlie for a tango, Fred and George for a Mambo and then her two best friends for a simple stress relief dance that they had come up with over a random summer.
Severus watched on, while carrying on random conversations, as his wife smiled and glowed as she was surrounded by those that she cared most about. He could live with Weasley's remark; he knew it was true, if it weren't him, his friend and his brothers, it would be Minerva coming to castrate him for harming her most precious lion. He smiled at the thought of the woman unleashing her Scottish temper on him. Soon it was time for the guests to slowly to trickle out. Each person came up to the couple before departing, shaking Severus' hand and kissing Hermione's cheek wishing them both the best. Finally it was down to the professors, the Weasley's, Potter and the families. Each professor, besides Minerva and Albus, came through extending their hand to Severus and Hermione welcoming her to the staff. The Weasley's followed suite, the brother's first, then Molly and Arthur.
When Molly reached the couple she spoke, "I must apologize for my children, and I know I raised them better than that."
"Please Molly, we all know that they are right, if it's not them, it's going to be Minerva and Albus, and we can all only imagine what will happen if that happened. It's great to know that Hermione will still have her friends to turn to if she should need anything, even after marrying their hated professor." Severus said with a smile. Molly Hugged him and Hermione goodbye before departing with her children. Arthur smiled and gave the couple their wished.
Harry came through soon after that and hugged Hermione as if she was going to disappear, when he pulled away, he said, "Don't be a stranger to the common room now, and you better still cheer for Gryffindor during quiddich."
Hermione tossed her head back and laughed, "Not even you know who could talk me into cheering for my husband's house." She swept her friend into another hug and he shook Severus hand with nothing but a 'Sir.' And he left. The doors shut behind him and Hermione collapsed into a nearby chair. Severus rushed to her side and knelt down in front of her.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am just exhausted from all that dancing, I don't know how molly does it; those boys all have too much energy." She smiled at him and patted his hand. "How long do we have?"
"About two and a half hours," Her mother replied.
"Wow I would have thought that it would have been less, has it really been only five hours?"
"Yes my dear," Albus said, "You know, I don't believe that your soon-to-be Head of house would object to you going and resting up a bit before you have to go tonight."
"Oh my no, I could fix up the bed and you could go lay down, Hermione."
"I don't want to put anyone out."
"nonsense, you and Severus are not married in Voldemort's eyes," Bella, Rudolfus, Lucius, Draco and Severus cringed at the name, but Minerva didn't notice, "So I don't think he would approve of you sleeping in your marital bed before you are 'wed.' and fro what I hear, Severus you have been up since four this morning so you should rest too, Lucius can you come get him when he has an hour?" Lucius nodded; "Ok and then Bella and I can get you Hermione when you have an hour left as well, fair?" everyone nodded and left to their specified destinations.
Lucius and Draco accompanied Severus to Malfoy Manor and let him lay down, since they agreed to let Hermione and Severus to get married in the manor anyway, they didn't see the harm in letting him rest there. Hermione was accompanied by Minerva and Bella to Minerva's quarters where she laid down. She was out in under a minute and so they left the sleeping girl to rest.
"Would you like to rest too Bella, you look exhausted." I would but my husband and I have to go help prepare the manor for the binding this evening, I can be back here to help Hermione get ready when she has an hour left if that's alright with you."
"Of course my dear, why don't you just floo in and we will be waiting for you." And with that Bella left the room to join her husband at the house.
An hour and a half later, everyone was up and going again. Severus being the man that he is was easy to get up but Hermione proved to be a bit more difficult. Minerva shook her, called out after her and finally resorted to saying, 'Hermione dear, your book is on fire." Hermione shot up so fast, the older woman was laughing so hard when she lost her balance and fell to the floor with a thud.
"That wasn't very nice Minerva." She sighed.
"I am terribly sorry my dear, but you now have fifty minutes until you have to leave."
"WHAT?!"
"Yes so we should get started."
Hermione quickly grabbed the bath robe that her mother had so kindly left and quickly changed out of her ivory wedding dress and jumped into the robe quite quickly. She sat down as Minerva helped her pull down her hair so that they could lightly pull it back into a half ponytail, which they accomplished two minutes before Bella flooed into Minerva's office. She was carrying Hermione's robes for the ceremony. Hermione quickly grabbed them and changed in record time. She added the finishing touches to her look and then before she left she went to her professor and hugged her.
"Thank you," she said.
"You are welcome my dear, please inform Albus and myself when you two return."
"I don't want to wake you."
"Hermione, you are soon to be my apprentice, I won't sleep a wink until I know that you and Severus are safely back in the castle, understood."
"yes." And with that the two women were off through the floo to manor.
When they arrived, Bella rushed her daughter off to her room that she and her husband would share on visits. She sat and relaxed, her mother brought her a cup of tea to help her relax. "Is Severus here?"
"Yes he is in a guest room down the hall." Her father answered from the doorway.
"Hello father."
"Hello my beautiful daughter, I wanted to come and make sure that you understood how this ceremony was going to work. You will not be escorted by me. You and Severus will meet at the bottom of the stairs in the entrance hall and you two will walk in front of the death eaters and our lord. He will perform the ceremony, obviously and then we will stay for dinner, after that I am sure that you and Severus will be off to do other things this evening."
"Alright, I understand."
"Above all Hermione, do remember this, it is very important, do not look at him unless it is instructed, and is that clear?"
"Yes mother."
"Ok well then shall we?" Rudolfus and his wife transfigured his wife's robes and his into simple black robes with hoods. The placed the hoods over their heads and their masks appeared instantly in their hands. The lead Hermione out of the room and when they hit the hall way, they placed their masks upon their faces and continued to lead her to the entrance hall where Severus was fidgeting with his robes, no surprise to anyone, they were all black. When Hermione reached him, her parents looked back for one more encouraging nod and then they continued on to go meet with the others.
"Are you ready?"
"As ready as it gets Severus."
He nodded in understanding and then he offered her his arm. There they stood waiting for the doors to open, and when they did, Hermione took a deep breath and continued onward with Severus by her side. They strode up to Voldemort and waited for him to continue.
"My children," he started, "My most loyal followers have gathered here today to witness the joining of one of our own. Severus is choosing this evening to join himself to Hermione Lestrange, to bear an heir with her and to continue our legacy. As is tradition, is there anyone who objects to this binding?" There was no one, "I thought not. Now let us continue. I would love to dawn on about the simplicities of love but it is simply not done, for this isn't a love binding, it is for duty, Severus has a duty to me and Hermione has a duty to her parents, this is no secret, so I will simply ask that these two repeat, one at a time, after me. Severus, please repeat after me. 'Hermione, I promise to protect you from our enemies, and help you grow in our ways that we are destined to live. I vow to honor you and never dishonor you in anyway.'" Severus repeated what was necessary and then Voldemort turned to Hermione, "My darling daughter, Hermione, Please repeat after me, 'I Hermione promise to uphold my family's honor both past and future. I promise to honor and obey my husband as he sees fit. I promise to keep an open mind as I enter this union and to always be faithful to those who vow to protect me.'" Hermione did as instructed. "Please place your rings upon each other's finger and say the enchantment. 'Ego redimio vobis pro infinito, is ego sudo'" Both parties did so and when both rings were placed, there was a green glow around their hands, sealing the deal.
"Now that we have all witnessed this bonding; let us sit down to the first dinner with the married couple." He waved his hands and there was a long table that took up the whole room. Everyone took a seat leaving five seats available at the head of the table; Voldemort obviously took the head with the Snapes on his left and the Lestranges on his right. Dinner went off without a hitch, but as they sat, Hermione had something on her mind.
"My Lord, do I need to receive the Dark Mark? I don't want to be forward, I just thought that since I am here, I should get it that way I don't here second had from my husband that there is a meeting."
"Ah, very good question child. The answer is no, you will not receive the mark, I need you to stay close to Potter as much as you can and report when you I need an update. I will rarely summon you, child, simply because being so close to the boy, I can't have you coming to every meeting. I have them more then I believe you realize for updates, and having my arch enemies best friend here that often would cause suspicions to arise."
"So what do you propose sir?"
Voldemort thought for a moment and transfigured a charm out of air and handed it to her after he tapped it with his wand and muttered a curse she didn't understand. "This charm is to be worn at all times, It will heat up when I require an update from you. I would have you tell Severus but I need him focused on Dumbledore that man is very cunning and I need him on full alert for his job."
"I understand, Severus could you help me?" Severus turned to his wife and helped her clasp the chain of the necklace from Voldemort around her neck.
After a while of sitting, Hermione yawned. She tried to hide it but there was only one person that noticed.
"Are you tired my child?" Voldemort asked in a sickening sweet voice.
"My lord, I regretfully must say yes, it has been a stressful day and I didn't sleep well last night."
"I see, well Severus, you better get her home so that you can both perform the duties required of you before we lose her for the night, you are both dismissed."
"Thank you My Lord." Severus said standing with a bow. Hermione said thank you as well and she curtsied low to her new 'master.' She walked around giving her cousin, aunt, uncle and parents a decent farewell.
As they left the manor and appeared in front of Hogwarts Gates she turned to her 'official' new husband, "Is it too much to ask for one more kiss?"
"Not at all," He bent down and brushed his lips against hers and this time, he let them linger longer then he had all day. He kissed her again and as they kissed, he allowed his arms to snake around her waist pulling her closer to him. In response, she wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss went from a quick show of love to a heated passionate kiss. Hermione felt her feet leave the ground and so she bent her knees, trusting Severus not to drop her. They pulled away when the need for air over came them. He held her for a moment before he lowered her to the ground.
When her feet met the ground again, she looked up at him and said, "Minerva wanted us to alert the two of them when we got back."
"Well then we better not keep them waiting. The sooner we see them, the sooner we can go on with our night." He kissed her once more quickly and then they continued on their journey to the castle. They didn't have to go far to find the two older professors that were so anxious for their return. The second they entered the doors, they noticed that Albus and Minerva were sitting on the grand stair case, as soon as they were in and the door was shut, Hermione was attacked by a very nervous Minerva.
"Oh thank Heaven that you are alright Hermione, I was so nervous."
"She can see that Minerva, would you mind releasing her before you break her in two?"
Albus took this time to step in, "How did it go?"
"Seemingly well considering the fact that we both came back her breathing and with a pulse."
"Severus be nice, they are only concerned, and they have full right to be considering where we just came from."
"Well do we have to get the third degree now?"
"Yes. Now what is it that you wish to know Headmaster?"
Before Albus could ask anything, Minerva jumped in, "Did he force you to get the mark?" in reply, Hermione lifted up both of her sleeves, "No."
"Did you have to do anything?"
"Just say our vows, if they can be called that." She thought, then something occurred to her, "HONOR AND OBEY? What was up with that, does he not know that you can't control a Gryffindor?"
"I didn't write the vows Hermione, besides; the only thing from that ceremony that matters is the enchantment we spoke as the rings were placed upon our finger."
"Speaking of which, what did we say?"
"I bind to you for eternity, this I swear, in Latin. It is a tradition in pure blooded families to keep from cheating."
"Oh, alright."
"Did he say anything about attacks," the headmaster inquired.
"No, if he did it was in code, one that he didn't bother to share."
"Did he know about the ceremony from this morning?"
"Again not that I knew of Albus." Severus replied getting restless.
That was all that Albus had for the two newest couple of Hogwarts before he let them go he turned to Hermione, "Hermione I set up for you to take your NEWTs in eight days, I assume that it will ample enough time for you and Your husband to relax and get settled into your lives?"
"Of course Albus." And with that, Albus was gone pulling Minerva along with him.
The couple walked to Severus' quarters and entered, Severus shut and warded the door. As he turned around, he noticed that his wife had removed her outer robe and was heading toward the couch. Before she could get too far away, he quickly removed his own outer robe and he snaked his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her collarbone. "My beautiful bride, I have a question."
"And what question might that be my dear husband?"
"Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted from our actions this evening?"
"MMM…That's a good question, you know I just can't remember for the life of me," she smiled, "You know, we could just start over."
"That is the greatest idea I have heard from you since we have been wed."
"I thought so." He leaned in and kissed her with all the passion he had inside him. This was the best day of his life; HE was married to the brains of the Golden trio, and the most beautiful witch of her age. He once again wrapped his arms around her waist lifting her off the ground. He carried her to the bedroom where he gently laid her on the bed. He couldn't help but pull away to look at her; she looked positively delightful with her hair sprawled out over the comforter and a smile almost painted on her face.
He leaned over her again placing soft kisses all over her face, then he trailed down her neck, across to her shoulder, he kissed across to the other one too.
"Severus?"
"Mmm."
"Severus!"
"Yes."
"Can we get more on the bed, we are sliding off."
Severus didn't stop his motions, he simply grabbed her waist and hips and pushed her more on to the bed. "Better?"
"Much, now come here." She grabbed her husband around the neck and pulled him to her, where she kissed him passionately once again. As their lips met, she started to undo his shirt while he started to remove her dress. She slipped off his shirt off of each shoulder and down his arms while he slipped the straps of the dress down her arms.
Hermione started to work on her husband's pants as he continued to slowly expose her. Soon they were both nude on the bed. He caressed each part of her lovingly, and was about to enter her when Ron's words ran through his head, she's a virgin, completely untouched. He sighed, "Is everything alright Severus?"
He looked at her, so much care behind those chocolate eyes. "No just had a thought."
"Care to share?"Severus didn't respond he simply leaned over her abdomen and kissed it; Hermione smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. He slowly made his way down to her hips, kissing her everywhere he touched. When he reached her entrance, she moaned. She felt this rush course though her body.
When she opened her eyes, she noticed that Severus was once again covering her body with his. He was looking at her, "Hermione?"
"Severus Please?" she looked at him with pleading eyes, he knew what she was asking before she said it. He positioned himself and slowly entered her. When he looked at her again, she had tears running down her face.
"Hermione?"
"Please Severus, please don't stop." He leaned into her kissing her lovingly as their bodies moved as one. They both reached their climaxes minutes later; both breathing heavily from the bodily reaction and the endless kissing. Before Severus rolled off of her, he kissed her once more and then laid next to her pulling her to him. She leaned into him in exhaustion, within minutes; both were asleep in each other's arms.
A/N: Hello everyone, another long chapter and sorry about all the changes, and I want to let everyone know that I made the rating mature because as I made the outline, I realized that the themes expressed are more mature then I initially thought; there was no easy way to write what I had in mind and still keep the rating TEEN, I hope that it is alright with all of you, I would hate to lose my readers. Please read and review, thanks PUP