Don't take that sinner from me

Chapter 5: The Wedding

A/N: I own nothing except my mistakes. Also, thank you all so much for your sweet reviews and welcome to all my new followers!

Next morning had been rather awkward between the two, as they tried to work around the bathroom uses. It was also Snape that had left off first that morning for breakfast. Not that she minded, for she still had to get used to living with him as well.

That week, Hermione and Snape had been sharing their regular glances whenever eating in the Great Hall, and he kept on smoothly making physical contact with her if needed to be. Like an arm around her waist, or holding her hand as he guided her after silencing some students who had tried to confront Hermione.

She had also been attending her daily appointments with Professor Dumbledore, making great progress with her Patronus. Yet, she knew that she still had a long way until she'd perform it perfectly when in danger.

Midway through her week, her Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher had died of old age, and at last Professor Snape had been appointed the job. Which sure was different, but she wouldn't deny that she had been learning some handy practical tricks. Like using non-verbal spells. The Potions classes had been taken over by Horace Slughorn, who seemed to be rather fond of Harry.

But other than that, her week had seemed to go rather well. However, in her opinion, it ended way too soon as she was now lying awake at Saturday morning, being rudely awoken by the banging on a door.

"Granger!" A voice bellowed and Hermione groaned loudly as she grumpily left her warm bed. Sprinting to the door as to not touch the cold floor, she opened it with a sneer. "Good morning to you too, Professor Snape."

"You've got visitors." He said, cocking an eyebrow at her for her attitude. "Oh.." She said and looked around her, spotting at last the two Weasley women, Professor McGonagall and Tonks. Her mood immediately brightened as she walked past Snape and hugged each one in turn.

"Sorry you had to be awoken so brutally. We offered to go, but he refused to let us in your room." Tonks apologized and Hermione chuckled, but her grin fell as she realized why the women had come to her: it was her wedding day.

Snape's eyes glided over Hermione's hair, cocking yet another eyebrow in amusement upon presumably seeing the bird's nest in her hair from the sleeping. "I'll leave you to it then." Snape informed and with that, he left his own quarters as he gave them some space to do some final preparations.

Professor McGonagall's mouth dropped as she too, took in the appearance of her student. "Oh, sweet Merlin, no offence Miss Granger, but we sure are going to need a couple of potions to tame that hair." She said bewildered and Hermione laughed sheepishly. "I suppose we do, professor."

"Not to worry, I brought a couple along with me!" Ginny grinned and held up four bottles that she had grabbed out of the bag she was carrying.

Tonks dragged Hermione by the arm back to her bedroom, placing her in front of the mirror that hung above her wardrobe at the left corner of the room near the door. Molly conjured a chair and gently made her take the seat.

"Okay, I think we should go over this as we have planned. Tonks, you're in charge of the hair, Ginny, you'll be doing her makeup. But first, Molly, I think a calming bath is in order for her." Professor McGonagall instructed and Hermione looked amused between the women, having been unaware that they had planned this day thoroughly.

"Come on, my dear." Molly urged her on, and she walked with her to the bathroom, where the bathtub was slowly starting to fill with water at a flick of Molly's wand. She threw in some herbs that were unknown to Hermione and then smiled at her with watering eyes.

"Better get in, dear, I'll soon make it steam." Hermione looked uncertainly down at her clothes, not really wanting to strip down in front of Molly. With a sigh, the Weasley mother understood and turned around. Hermione quickly got out of her clothes and got into the bath, which held a pleasant temperature.

Hermione smiled as she felt her body relax in the soothing water – the smell of the herbs hitting her nostrils and bringing her a peaceful calmness. Molly announced that she'd be adding the steam as to exfoliate her skin. Hermione did not object and instead just let it all come at her, willing to go with whatever they all had in mind.

Closing her eyes, she took a moment to truly come to terms with herself. She needed it settled – and what better time was it than right before your wedding? She let her mind carry her to the earlier years where she had so desperately despised her former Potions Master. Never had she even dared to dream that she would be marrying him in a couple of hours. Not once had she imagined that his arm would have been snaked around her waist like it had done a couple of times those past few days – and never would she have imagined to feel safe with that action.

It was surreal to think that the physical contact wouldn't just stop by the arm around the waist. No, it would soon get even more intimate for they had to seal their vows with a kiss.

A hand fell on her arm and Hermione stirred and opened her eyes once more, wondering how long she had let her mind carry her away. Molly motioned for her to get out of the bath and handed her a towel, but told her not to dry herself. Molly gave her wand another wave and her body immediately dried itself, the wetness leaving and she beckoned for Hermione to follow her back to her bedroom.

"Please lay face down on your bed, Hermione." Molly smiled and Hermione did as she was told, making sure to cover her bottom with the towel she had. Molly had tried her best to massage Hermione, and she really appreciated that, for when she got up, she instantly felt way more at ease with a freshly washed and cared for body.

"Miss Granger, if you'd please.." Professor McGonagall held the dress they had chosen a week ago and Hermione momentarily left the room so she could slip into her white lingerie. Walking back into the room, she headed straight for her teacher and smiled gratefully as Professor McGonagall had helped her into her dress, smoothening every crease out for her.

Professor McGonagall smiled proudly at Hermione, and she too, got tears in her eyes just like Molly had gotten. "Come here!" Tonks enthusiastically called out to her and Hermione carefully walked to the two excited women waiting to do her makeup and hair.

The moment she was seated, the women had started their work. Tonks babbled on about how her mother had always done this to her, and Ginny kept on ordering her to close her eyes, then to open them again, only to order her once more to close them. Hermione just went with it, but couldn't help the question escaping her lips as it felt like hours had already passed. "When will the ceremony begin?"

"In less than two hours, so we don't have that long anymore. How far are you, girls?" Professor McGonagall asked the two women working and Tonks gasped, "Blimey, only two hours? I just finished applying the potions. Your hair truly is untamable, Hermione. Yet, it looks decent enough in my opinion now." Mutters of agreement were shared and Hermione let out a relieved sigh, not wanting to walk with a bird's nest on her head at her wedding.

"I'm halfway there, so, I assume that within an hour she'll be all set and ready to go!" Ginny said and continued her work, a concentration line showing on her forehead as she ordered Hermione once more to close her eyes.

Hermione forced herself to not object with whatever they were doing – let Tonks tug on her hair, and let Ginny doodle whatever she wanted on her face. She told herself to not look in the mirror until they were done, for she did not want to know whether it all turned out terrible or not.

And then, at last, the women were done. It had felt like the entire day had passed, but upon glancing at her clock, she noticed that Ginny's predictions had indeed come true. They now still had an hour left to arrive at the Ministry of Magic, and Hermione suddenly started to get incredibly nervous.

"Hermione, we would like to give you a little present. It's not necessarily for you, but it's highly useful nonetheless." Molly said and Hermione rose from her chair, watching the women come together and handed her a small box. She carefully opened with slightly trembling hands and her mouth dropped open as she noticed the beautiful silver ring laying in the small box. It was a very simple silver band, yet, there were two black dots in the middle and the ring somewhat reminded her of a snake and she chuckled as she figured why the women must have chosen for that ring.

But her grin fell as she physically face palmed herself. "Hermione, are you alright?" Tonks asked in concern. "How could I have possibly forgotten about a ring!" Hermione said exasperatedly. She honestly had no clue on how she could have been so stupid to forget the most important thing of her wedding.

Fumbling with the ring in her hand, she slowly started to smile again and tried her hardest to blink away the tears that started to form in her eyes. "Thank you, all of you, so much. I honestly wouldn't know how to have handled this situation without the help of each of you." She softly spoke, looking up from the floor to their faces.

"Oh, Hermione, don't cry! You'll end up ruining your makeup!" Molly said but tears were slowly falling from her eyes as well and she hurried forward to embrace Hermione.

Hermione tried her hardest not to give into the tears, and luckily succeeded thanks to Tonks who had once again knocked something over as she wanted to hurry over to join the hug, earning her a hearty laugh from Hermione.

After hugging every woman tightly, she looked expectantly at her Transfiguration teacher, waiting for further instructions. "Right, we should probably get going. We can use the Floo Network from the fireplace in the drawing room." Professor McGonagall instructed and everyone agreed. "Wait, Hermione!" Tonks exclaimed and hurried over to Hermione's wardrobe, picking a white cloth off it. "I nearly forgot about this!" She said and Hermione allowed herself to look in the mirror as Tonks fumbled with the wedding veil.

She was absolutely astonished by what she saw in the reflection: her makeup made her skin look extremely smooth, and her eyeshadow was kept natural, yet the light eyeliner definitely made them pop out. As for her hair; the curls that were previously sticking out from all places had straightened and had been pushed into a relaxed fishtail braid that gently fell on her back. Into that, Tonks had carefully placed the wedding veil.

They moved out of the bedroom and took their turns using the Floo Network, Hermione offering to go last for she needed to bottle up some much needed courage.

Hermione was immediately greeted by Ron, Harry and Arthur. They all hugged her and spoke encouraging words, and in Ron's case promised to fight Snape if he put one toe out of line. Professor McGonagall had straightened her dress out once more and announced that they'd be changing into their own dresses and told her that they'd see her at the ceremony.

Whilst waiting, she managed to pass fifteen minutes in a somewhat comfortable laughter with her two best friends. But when Arthur had told them to move to the hall because the ceremony would start soon, anxiety hit her once more.

Arthur guided her to the two wooden doors that most likely let to the wedding hall and Hermione took a deep, nervous breath as she hooked her arms with Arthur's. She had not expected to feel this nervous for a wedding she did not agree to, but the reality of it all really got to her, making it unable for her to control her nerves.

And then the doors opened and the soft instrumental music of pianos and violins hit her ears. The ceiling was enchanted to gently drop cherry blossom leaves down on the path she'd soon walk on, the benches were filled with on one side staff from the Ministry, and on the other side the Weasley family, her best friends and people from the Order of the Phoenix.

Hermione slowly walked her way to the altar, using Arthur as her support as she for the first time took in the well-groomed appearance of her betrothed. His hair was less greasy, and his features had seemed to smoothen out a bit. He was dressed in all black, but for once had changed out of his usual attire. Behind him stood Dumbledore with a huge smile on his face. Then, on the right empty space, Professor McGonagall stood at the same line as Dumbledore, matching his smile.

The intensity of the eye contact between Snape and herself had seemed to be a great comfort as she focused solemnly on him. Having reached the end of the path, Arthur had warned Snape to treat her right in a fatherly way and Hermione smiled briefly at Arthur until he had taken his seat at the crowd.

Snape reached out to her hair and carefully took a leaf out of it and she slowly felt herself starting to blush for she had not expected the gentle action. He then held out his right hand and she gladly took it, needing a new someone for support as she mentally cursed Ginny for persuading her to buy heels for this occasion.

The Ministry official had started his speech about the importance of care, love and happiness. Hermione's attention was lost, however, as the official brought the aut cor aut mors enchantment up. Scowling under her breath, she blocked the words out until she was certain that his subject had switched. She felt a squeeze in her left hand and looked up at her soon-to-be husband and noticed the amusement on his face and her cheeks burned in embarrassment as she realized that he must have heard her scowl.

Glad that her back was turned on the crowd, her face had time to get rid of the reddened cheeks before the official's speech was over. The official announced that they were going to start their vows, and they both turned to face each other, now grasping both their hands.

"Do you, Severus Snape, take Hermione Jean Granger to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?" The official read out loud from the book he was holding and Hermione focused her eyes on the man in front of her, who seemed unable himself as well to take his eyes from hers.

"I do." The words were spoken in his usual low drawl and it immediately sent unwanted shivers down her spine.

"Do you, Hermione Jean Granger, take Severus Snape to be your wedded husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love him faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?" The official repeated.

"I do." Her voice was soft, but it was nonetheless gently carried around in the quiet room, where everyone attentively listened to what was said.

They were told to exchange their rings and so Hermione turned to Professor McGonagall, gratefully taking the ring from her outstretched hand. Snape mirroring the action as he had turned to Dumbledore.

"Severus Snape, as you place the ring on Hermione Jean Granger's finger, please repeat after me:" The official said and Snape placed the ring around Hermione's left ring finger and repeated the words after the official in a slow, controlled voice:

"I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring,

so that my word and my love,

will always be with you,

close to your heart."

Hermione looked down at the ring and gasped softly at the beauty of it. With a pave setting, one large stone sat at the center of the band while the rest of the band was covered by many small stones. The sparkling of the diamonds intensified by the light that was cast upon the two of them.

"Hermione Jean Granger, as you place the ring on Severus Snape's finger, please repeat after me:" The official said once more and Hermione repeated the same words, in a slightly quivering voice as her fingers trembled when placing the ring around Severus Snape's left ring finger.

"I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring,

so that my word and my love,

will always be with you,

close to your heart."

"To seal these vows, you are asked to finalize it by a kiss to show your unwavering love and devotion." The official said and Hermione's heart started to beat even faster as he slowly leaned forward, a minor trace of hesitance upon his features, but unable to be seen by the public. Hermione's eyes fluttered close as his soft lips brushed against hers, and allowed herself to relax in the contact.

It for sure was an entire different feeling than she had been expecting from her teacher. She had been prepared for a kiss where he showed his disgust and reluctance, but was surprised to see that he gently caressed her lips as if acknowledging her vulnerability in this situation.

The cheering of the crowd broke them apart, and Hermione felt the blush creep onto her cheeks no matter how much she tried to fight it. The official had silenced the crowd, and went on with what he had written down in his little notebook.

"For the sake of the aut cor aut mors enchantment, I ask of you to prepare yourselves for the Unbreakable Vow." Hermione caught a quick glimpse of Dumbledore, who winked at her with a glimmering smile.

They clasped their right hands around the wrist of the other and looked deeply into each other's eyes as the official came closer and pointed his wand at their clasped hands. Muttering the incantation, a thin golden wire wound its way around their hands.

The bonder – the official – started talking and Hermione did not dare to break her eye contact with her husband.

"Will you, Severus Snape, promise to protect Hermione Granger from harm, to the best of your ability?" The bonder said.

"I will." Snape said and another golden wire wrapped around their arms.

"And will you promise to stay faithful to her until the day you die?"

"I will." Snape said, his voice low as his eyes were focused on hers. A third golden wire wrapped around their arms.

"Will you, Hermione Granger, promise to stay loyal to Severus Snape until the day you die?" The bonder spoke, turning to Hermione.

"I will." Hermione spoke confidently, even though on the inside her blood was pumped through her veins in rapid speed. A fourth golden wire joined and she watched in fascination as it formed a chain around their arms.

"And will you promise to stay by his side, through the good and the bad?"

Hermione stared into his eyes, and practically saw the curiosity dancing in his eyes and she knew that this was a matter of fully accepting him – for working with the good and the bad. Nonetheless, her voice betrayed no hesitation as she spoke: "I will."

A final fifth wire joined, completing the chain as it snaked tightly around their arms. With one last glowing heat, it had disappeared out of sight, but on the inside, she could still feel it floating somewhere through her veins.

The both of them were asked couple of questions by the Ministry, but the interview was mostly handled by Dumbledore, who seemed to be giving them satisfying answers. Then, people started to gather in a line to wish the two a happy and loving marriage.

All the while, Snape and Hermione held hands as they exchanged smiles here and there. Most of the time it was forced in order to keep up their show, but sometimes when she'd look him in the eyes, she'd notice a guard that had been let down as he smiled slyly at her, resulting in making her blush. And of course, that had to be captured by one of the people working for the Daily Prophet.

Not that she minded, for it was only good material to show the outside world how 'in love' they were. Yet, she'd have preferred a picture where she wasn't blushing.

The remainder of the day had been passed with dancing and talking, and Hermione's heart was filled with all sorts of mixed emotions. Even though the circumstances weren't ideal, her wedding had still seemed magical to her. But then when the reality hit her that it was all fake, it totally crushed her day.

As everyone was distracted with dancing, she felt a tugging on her hand and Snape leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Something troubling your mind, Miss Granger?" He whispered in his low voice and a smile spread on her lips before she could stop it. She heard the flashing of a camera and looked to her side, nearly brushing his lips with hers as his face was still positioned near hers.

He retreated his face smoothly and she whispered under her breath, a smile on her face as to not look suspicious. "It's just.. this isn't real." Hermione did not know how to explain what she felt, nor did she know if she even should. But she left it at that for she couldn't talk more as staff from the Ministry of Magic wished them luck and then bid their goodbyes.

Then the moment came at last where Snape and Hermione walked out of the wedding hall, their hands entwined and the cheers of the crowd carrying them down the corridors and out of the building. "Hold onto my arm, Miss Granger." Snape said, letting her hand go immediately as they had disappeared from view out of prying eyes.

Hermione did as told and felt herself swirling and felt like getting sick until it had stopped abruptly. They were now facing the gates of Hogwarts, and gracefully walked through them. Hermione had let go of his arm, and wordlessly followed him to the dungeons as her high of the day slowly subsided.

Snape muttered the password to the wooden door, and it flung open for them. He motioned for her to go in first, and she immediately headed for her bedroom. A low voice made her stop dead in her tracks as he seriously spoke: "The wedding might have not be real to certain extends, Miss Granger. But I stand by the vows I made – and I will do for as long as I live." Hermione turned around with a hand on the door handle, looking at her husband with tear filled eyes.

She was searching for a sign that showed he wasn't serious, that he was merely comforting her with a lie. But she found none of that, and so she nodded. "As will I." And with that, she opened her bedroom door and disappeared through it, allowing the tears to roll down her cheeks.

The events of the day had overpowered her. In both a good and a bad way. It was a day of serious mixed emotions, but most of all, she was confused. For she had felt something simmer in her body, a feeling that had taken the sharp edges off of her husband. The source of it was unknown to her, but she did know something: whatever those vows at the Unbreakable vows had meant, it was engraved deeply into her body. She knew, that whatever kind of magic was involved in the ancient enchantment, it did something to her. And she had yet to decide whether it was good or bad.