A/N I have edited the previous chapters. So please read from the beginning.

Chapter-3

Harry and Ron were waiting for her in the Common Room. They didn't say anything but their silent reassurances comforted Hermione.

The war has made them both grow up

.

The old Ron would have made a fuss about her marrying the "greasy git", "dungeon bat" and cold shouldered her. Harry wouldn't say anything but you could have seen the disappointment in his eyes. But now they offered her silent support and the warmth of their friendship.

Maybe she could get through this after all.

She explained in detail what happened in the dungeons.

"Hermione I have got to say that your fiancée is one sure git. But who else could control you? "Ron sniggered which was immediately stopped by a smack on the head from Hermione.

"I can't believe that joke came true though" said Harry.

"Yeah. It did, didn't it? I had forgotten about it though" Hermione smiled.

Ron tried to interrupt but stopped at the thoughtful look on Hermione's face. What Harry said flashed in her mind along with her own thoughts from that day. She had been deeply bothered by that incident. She didn't want to think about it then but now she understood it was because there was some truth in what Harry suggested. Otherwise how did she end up matched to him?

"At least there is one good thing in this law. They are lenient towards the students who are included in the law." said Ron surprising everybody.

"What? " said Hermione .

"Yeah. Didn't you know? If either or both of them are students they are excluded from producing children. Only after graduation will they place the charms regulating the use of contraceptives, the infidelity charms. It is also mentioned that you only have to consummate the marriage after studies unless you…you know" trailed Ron. He had gone red around the ears.

Hermione remembered the parchment Snape gave and started to read it. Yes it looked like what Ron said was true. At least they are sparing the students. She felt Kingsley must have behind this new amendment and mentally thanked him.

"So Ron did you and Luna talked?" asked Hermione teasingly.

"Yeah. Right after leaving the dungeons. Nothing much really. But we agreed to meet for a butterbeer at Three Broomsticks for, you know, planning the wedding" said Ron going red again.

"Good luck on that mate. Maybe she will have us make toast on Gurdyroot infusion instead of champagne!" laughed Harry.

"Shut it, will you?" said Ron but with a small smile.

"What about you Hermione? How is it going to be-poisons or more poisons?" Harry turned on Hermione.

"I think Snape would murder all of us before agreeing to a lavish wedding with toasts and dances" Hermione shot back.

The other two laughed and soon Hermione joined them. She knew she was acting a bit hysterically but then again they all were. Well maybe not Harry. He seemed to be in a genuinely good mood over this. He has no reason not to be. Hermione thought their life would be a bit easier after the war. But obviously it is not going to be like that and she had no choice but to live with that.

Snape's classes continued to be horrible and they had never seen him in a worse mood. Snape didn't meet with Hermione to plan their wedding and other matters but left it to be dealt between Hermione and McGonagall. However he insisted on having the function at Hogwarts itself. Hermione decided she only wanted a simple wedding with close friends and family only. She also decided to wear simple dress robes rather than elaborate wedding dresses which Ginny wanted her to wear.

"You are going to have only one wedding Hermione. Don't you want it to be the best? Haven't you imagined it like that?"

"Yes I have. But the situation is not ideal and as matter of face my husband-to-be isn't ideal either. Can you imagine the look on his face when I come swathed in veil and a poofy white dress?"

"That would be fun to see."

"More like terrifying."

"So no beautiful white gowns" said Ginny and Hermione joined her sigh.

The wedding day dawned bright and sunny. The ceremony was to take place in the evening near Dumbledore's tomb. Hermione supposed Snape wanted Dumbledore to be representing his side. She arrived escorted by her father, who was surprisingly accepting of the match. Her mother also accepted her decision without protests. They trusted their daughter to live the life she wanted. The Weasleys, Harry and her mother were already there. Professor McGonagall was there on the groom's side. Snape was standing with the ministry official glaring at everybody. Hermione sighed. She has been sighing a lot these days.

She was wearing simple midnight blue robes with sensible matching flats. She had managed to tame her hair into a bun. He was wearing black dress robes and his usual scowl. On reaching them her father kissed her and left to sit with her mother.

The ministry official wasted no time in starting the ceremony which was boring as usual. They said the traditional vows and exchanged rings. They did their bindings and were declared to be husband and wife. The official asked them to kiss and Hermione became nervous but Snape, without missing a beat, kissed her on the cheek.

Hermione was then pulled into the redheaded crowd. She was hugged and kissed and patted. She felt strangely numb. It would take some time for it to sink in.

It was after dinner and she was being escorted to their rooms by Snape. She had spent the remainder of the day in her friends company. She was not looking forward to moving to the dungeons permanently.

They reached his quarters. The air was different from his classrooms. More welcome. She was surprised.

"You shall have the room on the right side and the other one is mine. The sitting room is through this way and it is acceptable for you to be there. My study however is not open to you. You can peruse the books I have here. Do be careful with those. They are ancient and priceless texts."

She didn't say anything and only nodded at him. She was excited at the prospect of getting her hands on those books and was surprised he indulged her. He went back to his room without saying anything and she was left alone. She sighed again.

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