Chapter 21: The Binding Of Matrimony
{A/N: Here's another update...}
My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.
The Ministry Of Magic Offices, Wizarding World...
Hermione Granger could not believe her eyes once she stepped into the room of requirement and found that she had been transported to the Ministry Of Magic offices. It had appeared that she had not been alone in her evident shock as Snape couldn't seem to believe it either. He turned his attention to Dumbledore not in the least thrilled about being in the corridors leading to the section dealing with wizarding world marriages.
"What the hell is going on?" he asked not in the least worried about his rather aggressive tone.
Dumbledore gave them both his undivided attention.
"In my haste to ensure that Miss Granger did not come to harm under the new marriage law decree, I had forgotten that she was already of age due to the use of a time-turner device during her third year at Hogwarts." explained the elder wizard. "Such a stipulation brought to the attention of the dark lord and all those attempting to gain access to Miss Granger's hand in marriage..."
"Would no doubt spell her certain doom." finished Snape fully understanding the ramifications of what could have happened to the witch if news of her true age were made public.
Hermione had been grateful that both Snape and Dumbledore had come to her aid when they did, there was no telling what might have happened if they had been caught off guard by the Ministry of Magic announcing her engagement to one of Voldemort's less than savory death eaters instead of her Potions Professor.
"So we really are here to be wed." she said finding her voice after being rendered silent from the shock of actually being in the Ministry Of Magic offices.
"Indeed." replied Dumbledore. "It is imperative that this be done as quickly as possible and that the marriage is consummated before news of it is leaked from the inside."
Snape knew all too well what would occur once that leak happened. The shape he had awoken to find himself in that morning was nothing compared to what would be in store for him once the news broke of his unsanctioned marriage to a muggle-born witch right underneath the none existent nose of his dark master.
Dumbledore gave the younger wizard a knowing look before continuing to lead them to the room in which the ceremony would be taking place.
Hermione looked back at Snape feeling more than just a bundle of nerves as she too caught the meaning in the aged Headmaster's expression. Once they were wed and the marriage consummated, Snape would have to bare the consequences of this act and there would be nothing anyone could do about it.
Feeling a bit regretful in her approach to preserve her own life Hermione seemed to hesitate a moment or two before following Dumbledore into the room. Snape swiftly stepped inside as well not having said a word since the news of Hermione's advanced aging presenting them with a rapidly perplexing issue.
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Ceremony Room 213, Ministry Of Magic Offices, Wizarding World...
Once inside the room where the ceremony was to be taken place, Hermione noted the appearance of at least two members of the Order of Phoenix serving as witnesses to the exchange. One had been Arthur Weasley, father of Ron and the rest of the rambunctious Weasley clan and the other had been Remus John Lupin former DADA Professor and an equally former tormentor of Severus Snape when they were children.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me." said Snape taking one look at Lupin whom appeared to be brought in to stand as witness and unofficial "best man" for the ceremony.
"It was either Remus or the ceremony would have had to take place elsewhere." replied Dumbledore knowing full well the wizard would get his meaning. "Your other choice in witnesses is barred from the proceedings for obvious reasons."
"This day just keeps getting better and better." grumbled Snape not at all liking that his options had been the two wizards he dreaded having any sort of contact with work related or otherwise.
Hermione had been happy to see at least two familiar faces on her what was to be her wedding day. She raced toward Lupin and hugged him as well as Arthur Weasley whom had always been kind to her.
"It good to see you Mr. Weasley." said the amber eyed witch. "And you to Professor Lupin...it's good to have some friends here for my wedding day."
"I am a Professor no longer Hermione." replied Lupin with a smile. "You may call me Remus."
"It's good to see you as well Miss Granger." said Arthur returning her smile and kind greeting. "Although I cannot say Severus feels the same about all this."
"I'd wager he is on the verge of contemplating which hex he wants to dish out first." said Lupin with something of a saddened expression. "One can hardly blame him...given our history...but I was hoping that he'd have gotten past all that...at least for now due to the bigger threat in the form of a certain despot trying to eradicate life as we know it."
"I don't think he'd be hexing you any time soon if Dumbledore has anything to say about it." replied Hermione.
Snape remained silent despite his eyes reflecting little more than rage due to his current situation.
"We are here Percy." said Dumbledore turning his attention to the current Ministry Official. "You may proceed with the ceremony."
Percy Weasley had been in a state of absolute shock as he noted the couple standing before him to be wed. Never in all his short number of years had he imagined he'd be officiating a wedding for his former Potions Professor and never had he imagined it would be to Hermione Granger, the unofficial Princess of Gryffindor House."
"I...as you wish." said Percy stammering as he noted Snape's hostile glare. "Will the soon to be joined couple step forward."
Snape folded his arms across his ebony clad chest and Hermione rolled her eyes before stepping forward as Percy instructed. Dumbledore shot Snape a death glare and he did the same. It was clear he had anticipated the fact that the younger wizard intended to be difficult despite saying very little.
The Potions Master had blocked out most of the bumbling Gryffindor's speech and only bothered to pay attention when he got to what appeared to be the part where he mentioned their names in full.
"Do you Severus Sebastian Snape, take Hermione Jean Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife?" asked Percy he thought about going on with the mantra of the ceremony but Snape's impatient glare bid that he keep it short and sweet.
Snape glared at the amber eyed witch before him dreading the words that would come and the implication they had in store for him. Dumbledore's hostile glare seemed to be burning holes in his back as he found himself saying the words none the less.
"I do." he replied in his usual gruff tone.
"And Do you Hermione Jean Granger..." began Percy only to tremble once more at the glare Snape had given him indicating his impatience once more.
"I do." replied Hermione repeating after Snape.
"You many now kiss the bride." said Percy still trembling as he continued the ceremony.
Snape rolled his eyes everyone's eyes fell upon him. He pulled the nervous looking witch into his embrace and sealed their wedding vows with a kiss not so unlike the one from the night he'd taken her on a walk only to be encountered by the death eater Xerius.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." said the still trembling Percy Weasley.
Snape pulled away from Hermione whom had once more been preoccupied with her surge of emotions in the wake of the kiss.
Dumbledore sighed having got the first part of their ordeal out of the way but it had been far from over. He pulled the newly wedded groom to the side and gave him further instruction.
"Take her to Spinner's End." he said making it clear that his instructions were to be met immediately. "Consummate your marriage before the dark lord gets wind of this."
"You speak as if bedding a mere child is an easy task." growled Snape in annoyance.
"You are not allowed to use anything that would conflict with the binding." said Dumbledore making it clear that his words held the utmost importance.
"How am I suppose to...?" began Snape making it clear how dire the situation had become knowing that he had to consummate his marriage to his student without magical aid."
"You are an intelligent wizard Severus, I'm sure you'll think of something." replied Dumbledore. "But the consummation must be done immediately there is no telling how long you'll have before he summons you again and from there we cannot be sure you'd even survive it but Miss Granger must be protected at all costs...do not fail me Severus...but do not bring any more trauma to the girl than is needed."
Snape sighed already dreading the onset of the task before him. It seemed his day was only going to get worse.
"As you wish, Headmaster." he replied as dutifully as he always had.
Dumbledore turned his attention to Hermione.
"Good luck to you Miss Granger, enjoy your wedding night." he said pleasantly.
"Thank you Headmaster." replied Hermione with a smile.
Snape had not been able to resist rolling his eyes as he took the rather startled witch by the hand and lead her toward the exit without so much as a word to Arthur or Lupin. His mind had been on completing the task of consummating his marriage to Hermione Granger and he would if it had been the last aspect of his miserable existence.