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Resolution	By : chrmisha Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 8076 -:- 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.

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Resolution: Chapter 9 of 13

As spring approached, Hermione had made remarkable progress on the potion for treating the after effects of the Cruciatus curse. She had solved the problem of both its instability and its need to be used immediately by combining garlic, milk thistle, and taro root. The combination served to retain the potion�s potency while acting as a preservative. She had reduced or eliminated most of the more severe side effects, but had a couple more ideas she wanted to try before claiming success.

Severus had been very supportive of her efforts and not at all offended by the progress she had made. Their evening discussions over wine had generated a great many ideas, which she was more than happy to try. Her latest attempt was currently brewing overnight. By morning, she would know if the side effect of internal bleeding had been curbed or not. If so, that left only the nausea, headaches, and muscle tremors to deal with, none of which were life threatening. She had already conquered the side effect of blurred vision by adding carrot seeds.

She knew she was being overzealous, but she truly hoped to master the potion before the spring break, which was only three weeks away. That would leave her the rest of the semester and the summer to write up their research, submit it for publication, and study ways to produce the potion in mass quantities. If she could accomplish all of that, she could return to school in the fall with an already completed research project that would surely rival any research project she would be assigned at university. She knew she would never go back to Gladwick, even though the president had sent her a personal letter of apology; she would find some other place where she could advance her studies in peace.

***

Hermione was waiting for Professor Snape when his fourth year Potions class let out. Her expression was unusually blank. Normally, he could read her thoughts from a mile away, but not today. When the students had cleared out of the dungeons, she closed the door behind them and locked and warded it. Severus watched her; curious as to what was going on.

He should have known better than to be surprised. In the blink of an eye, she had rushed him, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him fervently. She pulled back just as suddenly as she�d jumped into his arms. �It works, Severus, I did it! We did it!�

�What did we do?�

�The potion! It works! The side effects are gone, it has a shelf life of at least two years, and it needs to be administered within the first 72 hours for maximum effect, but it can be administered anytime within the first two weeks and still be helpful.�

He listened for the next few minutes as she spoke eagerly of her accomplishments. Unfortunately, he had to watch the clock as well. He pulled her to him and kissed her softly while inhaling her sweet scent before setting her back away from him.

�How about we have dinner to celebrate your accomplishments this evening?� He couldn�t help but smile back at the young woman who was beaming up at him. Hermione Granger was back.

He quickly rearranged his face into a scowl. �Miss Granger, I must inform you that my next class of students is waiting for admittance. You may keep me no longer.�

She laughed, planting a quick kiss on his lips before heading for the door. Turning around, she too replaced her smile with something akin to a frown. �Yes, of course, Professor.�

***

Hermione was not in her rooms when he returned that evening. That was odd. She was not one to miss appointments without leaving a note. Still, he was not incredibly worried as she had been in such a good mood that afternoon. Perhaps she was sharing the news with others. After wandering the castle for nearly an hour, though, he was starting to worry. He returned to the dungeons and checked them thoroughly one last time. The only thing that seemed out of order was a torn up piece of parchment that lay spread across her study floor. He bent to examine the pieces. It looked to him as if it was once a wedding invitation, but he couldn�t be sure. Whatever it was, he gathered that it must have upset her. There was one place he hadn�t checked: the towers. The North tower was the closest, and the place she had gone the last time she was upset. That thought did little to ease his mind. The thought of losing her now was more than he could bear. As he climbed the spiral staircase, all he could hear was the howling of the wind. He let out a sigh of relief when he reached the landing. She was looking out over the grounds of Hogwarts, her arms wrapped around herself presumably to ward off the chill in the air. Silently, he walked up behind her, slid his arms around her waist, and pulled her against him.

�It�s captivating, isn�t it?� he said of the approaching sunset.

Her nod against his chest was her only answer.

�Want to talk about it?�

He felt her stiffen against him. �Severus, do you love me?�

�You know that I do.�

�Then what are you waiting for?�

His mind turned over in slow circles. What on earth was she talking about? He�d had the beginnings of a headache before he found her, and he was suddenly certain it would be getting much worse. What was it about women that they couldn�t just say what was on their mind?

He was still pondering her question when she added, �The enchanted flowers were blazing orange today. I ate some. They were for courage.�

�You have never been lacking in courage, Hermione,� he murmured in her ear.

�Maybe you should eat some then.�

He was taken aback by her words. He spun her around in his arms and looked her straight in the eyes. �Tell me what you are getting at, woman.�

�Are you ever going to ask me to marry you?�

�Marry you?� He practically yelled the words at her. He hadn�t meant to. He was just so surprised by her train of thought. He instantly regretted his response when he saw the tears well up in her eyes.

She pulled away from him, turning her gaze back to the Hogwarts grounds. �Never mind. It was foolish of me to think that you would actually want to marry me.�

He almost laughed but restrained himself at the last moment, afraid to make the situation any worse. He walked to her side, knelt down before her, and took her hands in his. �You are an amazing witch. Forgive me for thinking you would never want an old wizard like me. In trying to give you your freedom, it seems I have given you the wrong impression.� He paused then and brought her hands to his lips, kissing them both in turn. �Hermione Granger, if you would have me, I would be more than honored to have you as my wife.�

Before she had clung to him out of desperation; now she clung to him out of hope and sheer happiness. �I would be honored to be your wife, Severus.�

***

After a celebratory dinner dedicated both to her successfully completing the potion to treat the after effects of the Cruciatus curse as well as their engagement, Hermione headed to the Burrow for the week. The entire Weasley family had gathered, so she decided to wait to share her good news. By mid-week, she found herself having lunch with only Molly, Ginny, Ron, and Harry. Everyone had already commented how much better they thought she was doing and how she seemed more relaxed and at ease. She had thanked them while managing to keep her secret.

When everyone had finished eating the lunch Molly had prepared, Hermione cleared her throat.

�Everyone, I have an announcement. Severus and I are engaged.�

Stunned silence followed her proclamation. Harry was the first to recover, patting her on the shoulder and congratulating her. Molly was next, giving her a hug. Ginny also gave her approval. Ron, on the other hand, hung back, his face turning redder by the second.

�You�re marrying that git? Are you crazy? Why on earth would you marry him of all people?� Ron paused and then turned to Harry. �Harry, help me out here.�

Harry shrugged his shoulders. �Who am I to stand in the way of love?�

�Love!� Ron exclaimed. �What does this have to do with love? He doesn�t love her, and she can�t possibly love him.� Ron looked frantically around the table for support, but none was forthcoming.

Harry interjected. �Ron, Snape does love her, that much I know. Hermione can speak for herself.�

Ron looked incredulous.

�Ron, calm down,� Hermione implored. �I do love him. And he�s different when we�re alone,� she said, a dreamy quality to her voice.

At that, Ron clutched his stomach. �You let him do that to you? Oh, I think I�m going to be sick.�

�RONALD WEASLEY!� Molly exclaimed.

Hermione rolled her eyes. �That�s not what I meant. We�ve only kissed, we haven�t�� Hermione gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. �Oh my God.�

�What is it, dear?� Molly said, rushing to her side.

Hermione had paled considerably. �Oh no. I hadn�t thought about that, I couldn�t possibly, not in a month, oh my God, thirty days, that�s just not long enough, I couldn�t, I can�t��

Molly quickly shooed everyone out of the kitchen. She put her arm around Hermione and sat down beside her. �Are you worried about the consummation clause?�

Hermione nodded, tears suddenly springing to her eyes. �I forgot all about that. I can�t possibly marry him. I can�t consummate the marriage. Not in thirty days. Not ever.�

�Have you talked to him about this?�

�No, not really. I mean, we�ve talked about it in general terms. I said that I didn�t think I would ever be able to have sex again but he said that with the right man anything was possible. And he said that the right man would be willing to wait until I was ready. But the law is the law.� She buried her head in her hands. �What am I going to do?�

�Well, you�ll just have to talk to him. If he truly loves you, dear, he�ll understand. You�ll work something out.�

�I never thought it would come to this,� Hermione bemoaned.

�I suggest you send him an owl right away. The sooner you get this worked out, the sooner you�ll feel better. There�s no use stewing over it now, dear. It will all work out in the end.�
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