Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Wedding	By : Lizski Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 27570 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Hermione sat in bed, reading a novel that one of her Muggle friends had given her. She looked up when she heard footsteps in the hall. Footsteps that stopped right outside her door. She held her breath, wondering who was standing out there. What if it was Snape? What the hell would he want? To humiliate her again? Or, maybe, just maybe, had he changed his mind? But if he had, why did he look away from her before dinner? Damn him. He�d gotten her more excited than she�d felt in a long time, and she would have liked to have had another go at him, but if he didn�t want her, she decided, well, hell, she wasn�t going to pursue him, that was for sure. She waited, her heart thudding in her throat as the seconds ticked by. The person outside her door must have changed their mind moments later, because she heard the footsteps proceed down the hall.
Snape paused. Gods. He couldn�t bring himself to knock on the door. He knew that she wouldn�t want to see him. She had made that clear at dinner. Damn. If he hadn�t acted on impulse last night, he wouldn�t be in this mess now. He could have taken it a little slower, been more certain of what she wanted, and of what he wanted � and not pissed her off to the point that she wouldn�t even look at him. She was clearly not happy with him, but whether it was because of what he had done, or whether it was because he had stopped, he could not say. He walked on to his own room, images of her in his arms running through his head.
****
Hermione decided to actually go to breakfast the next morning. It was going to be a long day, with the rehearsal, and with the impending arrival of all of the not-exactly-pleased Weasleys tomorrow, Ginny was likely to be a little stressed out. Hermione knew she was going to have to put her own concerns aside for a while, and help Ginny with whatever she needed.
Luckily, Lucius was alone in the dining room eating breakfast.
He smiled at her as she came in the room. �How are you doing this morning? Is everything okay with you?�
Hermione smiled back, touched at his concern. �I�m fine, thanks. I think I was just a little tired last night. I was working pretty hard before I came here, and I think it just all sort of caught up with me. But thanks for asking.�
She sat down at the table, and Lucius reached for her hand, his voice soft when he spoke, �Hermione, I have to ask you something. I ask because I feel responsible for you, while you�re a guest in my house.� He paused, gauging her reaction. �Did Severus do anything the other night to hurt you? Or upset you?� Because, Merlin help me, I will hang him by his balls until he turns blue if he has, he added silently.
Hermione looked into Lucius� flint-grey eyes. Gods. This was not a conversation that she wanted to be having with this man at this exact point in time. �Er, no. He didn�t.� She hoped that he wouldn�t ask her to elaborate.
Clearly, she was lying, but he didn�t want to press it. He just nodded thoughtfully and picked up his paper again.
****
Snape paced in his rooms. Lucius had volunteered that Hermione had been in to breakfast early, and that she had said that she was planning on spending the time before the wedding rehearsal with Ginny, so she wouldn�t be around. �And, she looked a lot better this morning; I�m glad you didn�t do anything else to her,� he had added mockingly.
He couldn�t figure where to go from here. He had done things badly � no, completely wrong, he mentally amended � and the results had been disastrous. Snape sighed. When he had heard about the wedding, he had grudgingly admitted to himself that he was hoping that Hermione would be attending. After she left Hogwarts, he had followed her career, secretly proud that she had chosen to go into Potions. He had read the articles that she published, and had attended presentations and talks that she had given at conferences. The more he followed her work, the more impressed with her he was; she was definitely a rising star in the field, but it was more than that. Listening to her talk with colleagues, it was apparent that she was very knowledgeable, and not just in the field of Potions, but in a wide range of areas, from classical literature to languages, to history and even some of the Muggle sciences like physics and mathematics.
Maybe his mistake had been in not approaching her at one of the conferences, and just telling her how impressed he was with her. Or inviting her to coffee, and talking with her. Or something. He wanted to spend some time with her and give her the chance to get to know him. He�d almost approached her a few times, but his confidence had failed him at the last moment, and he had turned away. He ran his fingers through his hair. Damn.
Over time, he had been able to get over the issue of her having once been his student. That wasn�t the problem. No, the problem was with him. He wasn�t young, he knew he wasn�t attractive, and he had never gone out of his way to be friendly with anyone. The problem was that she was young, she was bright, she was friendly, and while she wasn�t beautiful by classical standards, her freckles were cute, and her smile was infectious. He was certain that if he approached her, she would take one look at him and either treat him with a false sense of politeness, out of an ingrained sense of duty to not be rude to one�s old professors, or she�d look at him with a mixture of pity and revulsion, and find some excuse to get away as soon as possible.
He had held out the hope that maybe the wedding would give him a chance to talk with her, for her to get to know him. And, he had convinced himself, if nothing more than a friendship came out of it, he�d be happy. But gods. When he had seen her with Lucius that first day, his hope was replace with fear, anger, and frustration. His anger � at Lucius, and to a lesser extent, Hermione � as well as his fear of what Lucius might do to her, coupled with his frustration at having to compete with Lucius for her attention all boiled inside him.
When he had seen her at dinner that first night, he�d wanted to tell her how sensational she looked, but Lucius had already laid claim to her. And, he knew from past experience, that there was no competing with Lucius on that front. In his frustration, he could barely bring himself to talk to her that night.
And when he saw her with Lucius in the library that next day, he had almost lost it. No, he reminded himself, he had lost it. And then that evening�. His eyes closed. But still, she had wanted him, he told himself � she�d looked so disappointed and hurt when he had pulled away from her.
He sighed, running his hands through his hair again. Gods. Had he permanently screwed any chances of having any sort of relationship � friendly or otherwise - with her?
Gods, Severus, he told himself. This is stupid. You are 46 years old, and yet you�re acting like a hormonal boy. Get a grip. Take the initiative today at the rehearsal. This way you�ll know for certain, one way or another, whether she�d interested in you at any level. Don�t let Lucius just steal her away again. And don�t blame her for Lucius� actions.
He stopped pacing; he had a plan, and it made him feel a little better.
****
The wedding rehearsal went pretty much as expected: it was a complete disaster. The wedding itself was going to be small, and so was going to be held in one of the formal gardens on the estate. Unfortunately, one of the elves had mistakenly watered the lawn earlier in the day, resulting in mud everywhere. Hermione had had to quickly modify a drying spell, which resulted in her being fawned over by Lucius, while Snape tried to stop himself from throttling the senior Malfoy. Then, the officiating wizard had been delayed for over an hour, and so the house elves kept popping in and out of the garden, trying to set up chairs and tables for tomorrow, while Lucius and Draco both kept muttering threats at them. Ginny was on the verge of tears several times because Snape had had to stand in as the father-of-the-bride, reminding Ginny that her parents hadn�t even wanted to come to the rehearsal for the wedding.
Finally, the officiating wizard had decided that they had rehearsed enough. He assured them that he would return tomorrow in plenty of time for the wedding. After he left, Lucius strongly suggested a round of drinks before dinner, since the tension in the air was still palpable. He was just about to approach Hermione to take her arm, when Snape stepped over to her. �Miss � er, Hermione � may I, uh, may I escort you inside? Please?� Hermione looked at him quizzically, uncertain as to his motives, but nodded and took his arm.
Lucius watched the two of them walk out of the garden. Interesting. Severus was finally behaving like a human being, and not just some half-witted troll. Yes, the reasons behind Severus� earlier anger at him were becoming more apparent.
Severus was pleased. It was a first step. He still wasn�t sure how he was going to convince her to leave the others for a while, so that he could talk with her privately, but he�d work on that. He took a breath. Here goes. �Hermione. I�ve been meaning to apologize for my behavior recently. I, uh, have behaved badly.� He paused, uncertain as to what to say next. �I�m sorry,� he added lamely.
Hermione almost choked. Snape? An apology? Who was this man? What had happened to the snarly, surly beast that had been in these clothes? Still, maybe, this was for real. �Okay, I�m game. Let�s pretend that the last few days haven�t happened, and try again.� Damn. That hadn�t come out right. And she didn�t want to completely forget about the last few days. Damn. Still the look of relief in his eyes was visible. Wow. This was too weird. Still, maybe, just maybe� The searing heat that his hands had generated the other night made her want to try again. She�d give him one more chance, and see what happens. He was making an effort, which was something.
Snape nodded. �I�d like that.�
Hermione gulped. Surely he didn�t mean that he wanted to forget everything, did her? Still, he was talking to her, and that was something.
Draco met them in the living room with a large brandy in his hand. �Can I get you something Hermione? Professor?�
Snape inclined his head to Hermione, allowing her to answer first. �Yeah. I think a scotch would really be nice right now. Make it neat if you please.� Draco smiled as Snape raised an eyebrow.
�Make that two scotches.� Draco went over to fetch the drinks, and Snape hoped that Hermione would sit down next to him, but she went over to Draco instead.
�Where�s Ginny?� she asked softly.
�She�s a little, er, distraught at the moment. She�d probably be happy if you talked with her, though. She�s in her room.� Hermione nodded. She had wanted to talk to Snape, but Ginny needed her more right now.
She took the glass of scotch from Draco, and walked behind the couch. She touched Snape briefly on the shoulder; she wanted to talk to him � to see if he really had changed his attitude �I�m going to talk to Ginny. I�ll see you later. Please explain to Lucius if I don�t make it to dinner. Thanks.� She smiled at Snape briefly, tentatively before she left the room.
Severus watched her leave. He didn�t want to see her go, but he was feeling optimistic; in the last half hour they had exchanged more civil words than they had in the last several years. And then he immediately felt chagrined � a few words did not constitute a budding relationship. But it was a start, he tried to remind himself.
Draco saw the glittering hopefulness in Snape�s eyes as Hermione left the room. Ginny was right; Snape was interested in her. And, he was finally being cordial toward her. It was interesting that for a man who had spent so much time in his father�s company, Snape hadn�t learned a bit more about how to effectively approach women. Or, Draco mused reflectively, maybe that was the problem � all Snape had seen was Lucius approaching women, and Snape hadn�t actually had much experience approaching them himself.

****
Hermione spent most of the evening comforting Ginny. The younger girl was definitely distraught. Most of it was nerves and exhaustion; Ginny had been working hard, and the fact that her family was not being supportive in her decision had been wearing on her. Hermione had ordered in some dinner for the two of them, and they spent several hours talking before Ginny realized that she was overtired, and that while her parents may not be happy having to accept Lucius Malfoy as a potential grandparent to any children Ginny and Draco might have, they certainly weren�t going to disown her.
Ginny had finally been able to calm down and relax, although she did accept Hermione�s offer of a mild sleeping potion. Once she was convinced that her friend was going to be able to catch up on her rest before the wedding in the afternoon, Hermione left, promising that she�d be back in the morning.
Helping Ginny relax had left Hermione feeling a little high-strung and restless. Noticing that it was only about 9:30pm, she decided to head to the library, rather than back to her own room. She paused outside the door, hearing voices from inside.
�I doubt I�ll ever get married again. Draco�s going to carry on the family name, and besides, I don�t think there are too many people who�d want to see me marrying their daughter or their sister. Once, maybe, but not now.� Lucius� voice sounded almost wistful. But then there was a chuckle. �Besides, not being married is a lot easier. I don�t have to even attempt to be discreet any more. And if I see something I like, I can go after it. Not that I ever had to really hold back much anyway� But what about you? Going to live the rest of your life in a dungeon, pasty-faced and alone?�
�You have such a delicate way of putting things, Lucius. I don�t know, though. I think I�m getting too old, and I�m not sure she�d have me, anyway�� Snape�s voice trailed off.
Hermione debated turning around and leaving, but she knocked on the door firmly, and heard Lucius� somewhat surprised call to come in.
�Hermione. Come in. Join us. A drink? Scotch? Brandy? Something else? And how�s Ginny doing?� Lucius smiled at her as she came in the room.
�Scotch would be wonderful, thanks. And Ginny�s doing fine. I think she�s just over-tired, and well, she�s worried about tomorrow. You know � with all the people, and with her family and stuff. But I think that after she gets some sleep tonight, she�ll be all ready for tomorrow.� She accepted the glass from Lucius. �Thanks.�
Snape looked at her. She was still dressed the way she was for the rehearsal, in her Potions Master�s clothing: a long grey skirt, and a padded grey jacket. Her hair was pulled into a pony tail, and the look was unsettling to him: very much a young woman, and very much the master of her future. And as unsettling as it was, it most definitely suited her.
Lucius had pulled over a chair, and the three of them sat facing the fire.
�So, Hermione. What about you? Do you plan on getting married someday?� Lucius� voice was soft and drawling.
Hermione looked over at Snape briefly, whose eyes were unfocused, but still resting on her. �I hadn�t really given it much thought. I don�t expect that I ever will, though. A female Potions Master is a bit more of a novelty for most guys, and not actual wife material. And I�m probably not the greatest wife material anyway � I�d rather be at the lab, or in the library, than entertaining guests or redecorating the house.� She didn�t hear Snape sucking in his breath. �Still, who knows.� She smiled. This was not the evening to get maudlin.
Lucius glanced over at Severus, who had flashed a warning look at him. I really should just leave, and let Severus see if he can patch things over with Hermione. That would be the honorable thing to do. The thought brought a smirk to his lips. Honorable? Hell, that wouldn�t be any fun. And totally out of character, he thought, as the smirk broadened.
Not following Lucius� thoughts, Snape thought the smirk was directed toward him. Snape turned to Hermione, a gleam in his eye that was part challenge, and part humor, �I don�t know. Not everyone views a wife as simply another decoration to be put in an expensive house. Some people might actually enjoy someone with whom they could discuss something beyond the new colors for the dining room.�
Hermione chuckled at that comment. Not only had Snape managed to subtly insult the senior Malfoy in his own home, but he had also implied that he was different from Lucius. She nodded thoughtfully. �I�d need someone more like that. I don�t think I�d do the decorative wife thing too well. Wouldn�t suit me at all.�
A faint smile came to Lucius� lips. �Don�t say that. You can be very elegant when you want to be.�
�But an intelligent woman is so much more attractive than one whose head is filled with gossip ��
Hermione was trying hard not to crack up; there was clearly more going on in this conversation than just the words that were being spoken.
�But there still is the issue of physical compatibility. It makes for a rough marriage if your �hungers� differ from your partner�s desires,� Lucius added slyly.
�Of all the people in this room, you would know that best, Lucius,� came the muttered reply from Snape. Lucius shot him a sharp look, while Hermione giggled. Seeing his opportunity, Snape then moved the conversation back to Hermione.
Lucius looked at the two of them and sighed. It was true � Severus really would be a good man for the girl, as much as he hated to admit it. But really, was it his fault that he liked spending time with an intriguing woman who wasn�t after his money, and who certainly wasn�t impressed with the Malfoy name?
The conversation slowly turned to potions and work, while Lucius continued to watch them. It was curious, really. He never would have predicted that Severus would be seriously interested in a girl half his age. Of course, given the last several years, he would have never guess that Severus would be interested in anyone. He rubbed his temples. He really should go, and let the two of them be alone. And, they were so engrossed in each other, they probably wouldn�t even notice if he sat here a little longer.
Damn, his son was getting married tomorrow, Lucius reflected. Married. Draco. His only son. It was astounding that he son was old enough to be getting married. It seemed only a little while ago that he had gone off to school. Lucius looked into his brandy, ruminating on his life. The world had been different then. Hell, he�d been different then, too. Young. Powerful. He�d had the world by the tail. And now. He sighed. Sure the family fortune was intact, and the name would be revered again, in time. But he was alone. And likely to stay that way. Sure he had his home and his land, and the occasional obligatory visit from former friends, a woman here and there, but he was essentially alone.
Lucius glanced over at Severus and Hermione, wrapped up in their personal conversation. He swallowed the last of his brandy and left the library. For the first time, Lucius felt the weight of his years bearing down on him as he descended the stairs.
****
The Hermione didn�t even notice the passage of time until the clock in the library chimed midnight. Snape � no, Severus, she corrected herself � was fascinating. He was so well-read, and had such wide-ranging interests. That, coupled with his dry sense of humor made her see him in a completely different light. So told him so, and immediately blushed, �I�m, sorry. That didn�t quite come out right. I, uh, I�m really enjoying talking with you � spending time with you,� she added.
Severus responded with a rare smile. �I understand. I spend so much time surrounded by students,� Hermione smiled at the distaste in his voice, �and as for my colleagues. Well. I�m not really know as one of the more social faculty members,� he finished, wryly.
�I know what you mean. My colleagues don�t think I�m very social, either. Of course, most of them are either dullards, or so wrapped up in their work that they fail to recognize the rest of the world around them.� Severus� lips twisted at hearing a comment that sounded very much ilke something he would say.
Hermione looked back up at the clock thoughtfully. She really didn�t want to end the evening, but she had no choice � tomorrow would no doubt prove to be a long day. �I�d better head up to my room. I have a feeling Ginny�s going to need a little reassurance tomorrow.�
Severus nodded. �Yes. I guess we�d best be calling it an evening. Still, may I escort you back to your room?� he asked, a little more uncertainly that he would�ve liked.
Hermione smiled. �That would be wonderful, er, Severus.� Even though he had insisted on first names, it still felt a little awkward.
They both stood up and left the library. Walking down the hallway, Severus put his hand on her shoulder. Neither of them said anything as they walked, but Hermione found herself relaxing into Severus� arm.
It�s funny, she mused. The time I spent with Lucius, I always felt like the person that I had to most protect myself from was Lucius. And yet with Severus, I feel, well, safe. Like he would protect me from anything. She sighed happily.
Severus lurched a bit when he heard Hermione�s sigh. Gods. She felt so good against him � and she felt so good in his arm. And to think she found it comfortable, too! His raced. Gods. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance of salvaging this whole thing. Calm down, Severus, he told himself. Just let things take their own course, and see what happens.
As they walked across the main hall to head to their wing of rooms, Hermione reached up and placed her hand over his, saying nothing.
When the two reached Hermione�s door, they paused. Hermione turned to look directly at Severus, grasping his hind firmly. �Severus. Thank you for a wonderful evening. I can�t tell you how much I�ve enjoyed this.� She paused, looking at him, watching the planes in his jaw subtely shifting as he debated his words.
�Her- Hermione,� he whispered, his eyes glittering in the low light. He swallowed, uncertain as to what to say. In a fluid movement, he pulled her to him, hugging her tightly, resting his lips on her hair. Hermione relaxed against him, her head against his chest, enjoying the feeling of strength in his arms. She looked up at Severus, and he gave her a chaste kiss on her lips. �Goodnight, Hermione. And thank you so very much,� he whispered as he released her.
****
- 9
- 10
- 11
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Wedding