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Chapter 7: Not the wedding I dreamed of
Hermione Granger stood in her childhood bedroom, a mix of emotions churning inside her. Her heart felt heavy as she pondered the decision she had made while brushing her hair and staring at the full moon that night. Today was the day she had to fulfill the magical bonding ceremony. Marrying Severus Snape was the only way to save him from a life in Azkaban; she knew it was not a popular choice, and her friends were outraged and heartbroken—especially Ron. As she looked in the mirror, her mother entered the room with a smile.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart," her mother said with tears in her eyes. Though she didn't fully understand Hermione's decision, she stood by her daughter with unwavering support. Her mother entered the room carrying a delicate ivory gown that shimmered in the sunlight. Hermione recognized it as the dress her mother and grandmother had worn on their wedding days; it was a beautiful garment that meant so much to her family, and now it was meant to be passed down to Hermione on this special day. With a weak smile, Hermione touched the soft fabric of the gown and sighed.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Hermione's mother handed her the dress. "Your grandmother wore this, and I wore this on my wedding day," she said with a quavering voice. "Now, it's your turn. If it doesn't fit properly, you can always alter it with your magic."
Hermione gingerly took the dress from her mother's hands and hugged her tightly, knowing full well the significance of donning this beloved heirloom.
As they embraced, Hermione's father entered the room with a pair of blue emerald cufflinks that had been passed down through generations. He presented them as a gift to Snape, a symbol of unity and acceptance.
"I want you to give these to Severus as a token of our support," he said softly. "We may not fully understand your decision, but we want you both to know that we care."
Hermione felt an overwhelming wave of sadness wash over her as she took the cufflinks from her father's hands. She couldn't help but cry, knowing that once she put on the dress and accepted those cufflinks, her life would be changed forever. The weight of her decision weighed heavily on her heart; she never wanted to cause pain to those dearest to her. She knew that Ron was heartbroken over the end of their relationship, and the Weasley family, along with Harry and Ginny, were angry about her decision to marry Snape.
As Hermione wiped away her tears and put on her wedding dress, surrounded by love and support from her parents, she took a deep breath and prepared herself for the future. No matter what it held or how others felt about it, she was determined to do what was right - for herself and Snape. Though it would be a difficult path ahead, one filled with both sacrifices and pain, Hermione Granger was ready to face it head-on.
With one last look at her childhood bedroom, Hermione steeled herself for the ceremony ahead. Wearing her family's traditional gown and with Snape's cufflinks in hand, she was ready to face this new chapter in her life, holding onto the hope that her loved ones would eventually understand and accept her decision.
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As the moon shone brightly over Hogwarts, casting a mystical glow across the grounds, Hermione Granger approached the hidden cottage deep within the Forbidden Forest. Her heart raced in anticipation of the critical conversation she was about to have with Snape. Hermione could hardly believe it herself, but they were to be wed that very evening. With a heavy heart and dressed in her breathtaking wedding gown, she had to face him one last time before they became husband and wife.
When she reached the doorstep, she clutched her father's blue emerald cufflinks tightly and took a deep breath. The door creaked open slowly, revealing a dimly lit room where Snape stood by the fireplace. His eyes widened at the sight of Hermione in her gown – it was forbidden for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, but she didn't really care about traditions anymore at that point.
"Granger," he said with surprise, "What are you doing here? We're not supposed to see each other before the ceremony."
"Professor Snape," Hermione began, her voice shaking ever so slightly. "I-I just wanted to talk to you before...you know." She hesitated briefly before managing to meet his gaze. "I want us to have an understanding while we are married."
Snape stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before finally speaking up, "Go on."
Hermione took a deep breath and continued, "I know our marriage won't necessarily be based on love, but can we at least treat each other with respect? I want us to have that at least."
A tense silence filled the room as Hermione awaited Snape's response. After a moment, he offered a curt nod of agreement. Though it was not exactly what she had hoped for, it was enough - for now.
Hermione handed Severus the blue emerald cufflinks that she had been holding tightly since entering the cottage. "These belonged to my father," she whispered. "Would you wear them tonight? Please, for me?"
For a fleeting moment, Snape's icy stare appeared to soften. He accepted the cufflinks and allowed them to rest in the palm of his hand. "Very well," he replied gruffly.
With their agreement in place, Hermione and Severus walked silently through the Forbidden Forest, the moonlight guiding their path back to Hogwarts. Waiting for them on the grounds were Minerva McGonagall and Rubeus Hagrid, both smiling warmly despite the tension that hung in the air.
Hagrid handed Hermione a bouquet of white roses while McGonagall couldn't help but admire how beautiful Hermione looked, commenting on it unreservedly. Hermione accepted their praise and encouragement as she joined her future husband on the grounds of Hogwarts.
Severus Snape waited in the semi-darkness, cloaked in layers of midnight-black robes. His face was unreadable, but his eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness mixed with anticipation. Minerva McGonagall and Rubeus Hagrid stood beside him as witnesses to this enchanting union.
As Hermione approached, Snape reached out his hand, which she took hesitantly. Silently, he began reciting the matrimonial spell. As he uttered the incantation, a magical ring materialized around their clasped hands, sparkling a beautiful sight to moonlight, and shimmering in the behold.
Suddenly, Hermione felt an uncomfortable sensation in her chest and a small wound appeared on one of her shoulders. She couldn't help it; her mind had unintentionally wandered to Ron Weasley for just a moment, causing the slightest shadow of doubt to creep into her heart. She remembered Snape's words about not having any hint of doubt or it would physically hurt. Sensing a disturbance in their bond, Minerva McGonagall furrowed her brow but proceeded with the next part of the ceremony alongside Hagrid. As they raised their wands in unison, a vibrant red string of destiny appeared before them.
The red string gracefully wrapped itself around the Hermione hands of and clasped Severus, intricately weaving their fates together before finally tightening to solidify their union.
With an air of solemnity and pride, Minerva spoke words that sealed the spell: "By the power vested in us by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, we unite you as one in matrimony."
Snape slipped the blue emerald cufflinks onto his wrists in a subtle act of goodwill.
"Professor Snape," Hermione began hesitantly, "Now that we are married, how will the Ministry know about it? I... I want to make sure everything is in order." A rustle in the air caught their attention. Suddenly, an official-looking envelope appeared out of nowhere and floated gently into Hermione's hands. She tore open the letter and read its contents aloud. "The Ministry of Magic hereby recognizes and approves the union of Hermione Jean Granger and Severus Tobias Snape. May your lives together be filled with happiness and magic. Sincerely, The Department of Magical Marriages." She sighed. "Well... that was quick," she said before the letter evaporated in her right hand like dust.
Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. A smile spread across Snape's face as he whispered, "See? No need to worry."
She hesitated for a moment before finally confiding in her former teacher. "I feel like I have let everyone down and because of my doubt, my arm has this burn mark."
Minerva sighed and gently touched Hermione's arm, as if to soothe her pain. "You did what you felt was right. Your friends may be hurt now, but they will eventually understand your decision."
She sincerely hoped it was true.
