Chapter 5: A Secret Union
Addressing everyone in his office, Dumbledore said, "Now that everything is discussed and clear, the marriage must take place, and it must be now."
When everyone remained silent, Dumbledore motioned for Severus and Hermione to step forward.
Their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of understanding, Severus and Hermione stood up and stepped before Dumbledore facing each other.
With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore conjured two golden rings, which hovered in the air before them. He said, "The rings are charmed so that only both of you would be able to see and feel them, once the ceremony is completed."
Dumbledore smiled and continued with the ceremony, "Do you, Severus Tobias Snape, take Hermione Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
Snape's voice was steady as he spoke the words of the vow, his gaze never leaving Hermione's ring. "I do."
Dumbledore turned to Hermione. "And do you, Hermione Jean Granger, take Severus Snape to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
Hermione's voice wavered slightly as she echoed Snape's words, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I do."
When they exchanged the rings, Dumbledore pronounced them husband and wife.
"Please kiss the bride", said Dumbledore looking at Severus.
Hermione took a small gulp and looked up into the stoic face of her husband. Severus bent down and placed a haste kiss on Hermion's lips, sealing their wedding ceremony.
The witnesses looked on in silence, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief. Dumbledore looked cheerful. The other headmasters and headmistresses who were watching the ceremony from their portraits clapped their hands in congratulations to the newlyweds. The sound of the claps broke the silence in the room and one by one, everyone shook the hands of the bride, patted her on the back, or hugged her. Only Minerva was brave enough to hug both the bride and groom.
Dumbledore turned to the portraits lining the walls, his voice solemn. "I ask that you all keep this marriage a secret. The fate of the wizarding world depends on it." The headmasters and headmistresses nodded solemnly, their eyes filled with understanding as they watched Snape and Hermione.
He also cautioned everyone present in the room to never reveal the truth that Severus and Hermione are married. Dumbledore made sure that everyone was clear that, if a need arose that would require this secret to be revealed to anyone in the future, then it should be discussed and cleared with Dumbledore and the couple.
Dumbledore requested the elves to supply some sandwiches and drinks to everyone. As the food appeared on the Headmaster's table, Dumbledore looked at the newlywed couple standing like statues and said, "Severus and Hermione, please use my floo to go to your quarters and complete the consummation".
As a few harsh opinions started flying across the room, Dumbledore hurriedly ushered the newlyweds, Hogwarts Potion Master and the Headgirl, into his fireplace and watched them disappear into the flames before taking a heavy sigh to soothe down the witnesses to the ceremony.
And, as the Floo fire transported them to the Head of Slytherins' quarters, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Snape. She hoped that the witches and wizards they left behind in the Headmaster's office were not discussing and arguing about the consummation process that awaited her now.
Stepping into her new home, her husband's quarters, she looked around. She noticed that they are in an area that looked like a sitting room. All the walls are stuffed with books from top to bottom, wherever possible.
Pointing towards a door at the farther end, Severus said, "The bedroom is through that door."
"Jumping right to it, then" though Hermione panicked.
"Feel free to go and freshen up. If you need anything moved from the Headgirl quarters, call for Dilly. She is assigned as my personal house elf. I will get some food from the kitchen. I need a walk. I will be back in 30 minutes. Do not touch anything unnecessarily. Never touch the books in the red leather cases unless you want to get cursed by the book, " he said and walked towards the door.
He turned back swiftly and said, "Don't wear your school robes". "Please," he added after a few seconds awkwardly, before turning again and walking away, his robes billowing behind him.
Hermione took a breath and slowly entered the bedroom. As Hermione stepped into the bedroom, her heart pounded in her chest. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the floor. The bed, draped in dark green silks, looked imposing and cold. She felt a shiver run down her spine, both from the chill in the air and the dread of what was to come.
She walked to the adjoining bathroom and splashed cold water on her face, trying to steady her nerves. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. She had always been brave, facing countless dangers alongside Harry and Ron, but this felt different. This was deeply personal, and it terrified her.
Hermione changed into a simple nightgown that she requested Dilly to retrieve from her rooms, something modest yet soft against her skin. She took a deep breath and returned to the bedroom, her thoughts racing. She slowly made it to the bed and sat on it waiting for her husband to return to his… their quarters.