Marriage Vows
In the Morning
Marriage Vows
Disclaimer: This
story was inspired by the Marriage Law Challenge on WIKTT.
Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.
Chapter Twelve
Hermione awakened as the chamber was bathed in Italian
sunlight. She was disoriented at first
at waking up in a strange place but as soon as her brain clicked into gear the
events of the previous evening came flooding back. She was lying in the bed of her husband after the first truly
passionate night of her life and he was lying in the bed behind her, presumably
still asleep. She could hear him
breathing steadily. Would he wake if
she turned over? What time was it?
while he was still sleeping? She was
lying between him and the wall. She was
trapped and also completely naked.
She decided to risk turning over as though still
sleeping. That way he could not be too
cross with her if she disturbed him. As
she rolled she realised she had underestimated their proximity and rolled into
him. He grabbed her, hard.
doing and let her go.
“I’m sorry. Did I
hurt you? Let me see.”
“I’m all right. Just
startled.”
“That makes two of us.
I’m not used to sharing a bed any more.
I think I was just about to wake and my nerves are not very sound.
“I don’t think so.”
“Any ill-effects from last night’s activities?”
“A little soreness.
I’m fine apart from that.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m positive. I’m
happy that things went the way they did.
I liked it.”
“I’m extremely pleased to hear it.”
He kissed her affectionately before rolling over to look at
the small bedside clock.
“What time is it?” asked Hermione.
“Nearly half past nine.
The spell really sapped us. I
don’t usually sleep for more than five hours or so and we’ve slept around the
clock. I took the liberty of preparing
a salve for you if you would like it.”
“Perhaps after a bath?”
“Yes. If you want to
take a bath I could order some breakfast for us. I can wait for my shower.”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Hermione, if I minded I would not be able to conceal it in “Do you have a robe I could borrow?” “Oh, of course, hang on… here borrow this.” He handed her his shirt from the previous day which was When Hermione emerged from the bathroom she found Severus “We can’t possibly eat a tenth of all that,” she said. “I don’t think there were many takers at breakfast this She sat down opposite him and helped herself to some toast “I planned this badly,” she said. “Planned what badly?” he asked trying to sound relaxed. “I moved in here with you last night in the clothes I stood “I think you can be forgiven for that. “What issues do you want to discuss first?” “I don’t want you to be in the Seventh year Potions class “You want me to drop Potions? What happened to supporting my education?” cried Hermione “I never said you had to drop the subject. “Actually that might be interesting,” admitted Hermione “Yes. Although I “All right. We’ve “Daily routines spring to mind. Do we eat together or separately? Are you still under normal curfew arrangements? “It’s too early in the day for all that. “I will concede that. “Perhaps, I thiy Muy Mum and Dad would like to be reassured “You are okay?” “I think so. Dad was “Doom and gloom?” “And carnal lusts. “Even Sybil is capable of predicting my reaction to that “Yes.” “I’ll have this collected and send Dobby to collect some He walked over to the mantelpiece and handed her a small He went into his bathroom and Hermione retreated to the Severus found her there asleep when he came in with a pile “Are you all right,” he asked anxiously. “I didn’t mean to. I “I think the binding spell took a lot of your energy. “Surely it can’t require that much power. “Yes but the spell takes what it finds to use and we have “I wasn’t measuring it.” “Me neither. Albus “The room looked beautiful last night. “I would have conjured you a cot in the dressing room and “The flowers were amazing.” “I cheated a bit and used a stasis charm. “I might put them on the Memorial.” “That would be fitting. “I didn’t use it yet. “Do you want me to apply it?” “Oh… er… I …” “Hermione, we have bonded. “I’m being silly. I He coated his little finger in the salve and eased it into “Severus,” she began, “Did I upset you last night… when we “I find it upsetting to talk about my parents. “I would.” She “Madam Snape,” he said, smiling gently, “I really must “All right. I’ll be Hermione chose some underwear and dressed herself quickly in “Glad you could make it you two,” grinned Molly. Hermione was surprised to see Severus back away without “Severus thinks so. “It’s normal enough,” said Molly. “I’ve never seen a display “So the brightness is related to how strong the couple are “Yes, generally spells require differing amounts of power to “Yes Mum. He was The women grinned at each other. “Now make sure you eat well and get plenty of rest over the “Mum will you tell the men I’ll have food on the table in Molly and Mrs Granger went out round the back of the hut. “I’ll eat Melissa. “I thought you would, being Muggle-born.” “No. My mum works “I was about your age when I started to learn. “Is that why you’ve kept it the same?” “Partly,” said Melissa, bringing a pile of warmed plates to “Do you want lots of children?” “Oh yes. At least “Will you give up teaching then?” “No. Dumbledore “I think so. We They were interrupted by the entry of the rest of the Now that the wedding was over Molly and Arthur were keen to “I don’t imagine Fred and Alicia will be far behind either,” “Molly’s already started on the knitting,” laughed Melissa. “You won’t be laughing when your baby needs clothes,” teased “Give us a couple more years,” said Melissa. “Careers are for single witches,” said Molly. “Now where would my family be if the head couldn’t support Severus and Arthur laughed as Molly had no comeback. “Melissa and Charlie did their binding the other way “Our children won’t be Weasleys,” supplied Charlie, “They’ll “Is that common?” asked Mr Granger. < !su !supportEmptyParas]> “Not very,” said Melissa, “My parents’ families ran afoul of “I’d have thought you’d want to start the ly aly as soon as “It’s a question of culture as well. “And I concur,” stated Charlie. “What about you Hermione? There was a tense silence. “I don’t know. I had “I’m sorry Hermione. &n]> “It’s all right Charlie. “Changing the subject Severus, Albus was telling me you and “Oh yes. I’d forgotten “Is that something to do with the child who’s related to “Yes. She is in “That’s a new one on me,” said Arthur. “And on all of us if it were true, however the Sorting Hat “You’re as pure-blood as they come, Severus,” said “Well according to the Sorting Hat she’s a Malfoy.” “Oh goodness, Olivia!” cried Melissa. “That was mine and Albus’ reaction too.” “She’s just like her. “We didn’t see it either until the Hat said it. “A memory charm?” asked Charlie. “No,” said Hermione. “The purpose of the visit is to see if the parents of Miss “Could they have hidden a squib?” asked Molly. “What is a squib?” asked Mr Granger. “A squib is a child, born into a wizarding family, who has “The irony is that overly ‘pure’ families are more likely to “That will have to be something we look into,” said “They can’t marry? “Well it depends what you mean by marriage,” said “I have a squib cousin,” said Molly. “So all the things in The Prophet about the Marriage Law “Sadly yes,” said Arthur. “But you don’t know why?” “No,” said Severus. “Who is ready for pudding?” Later that afternoon Severus and Hermione saw off their A/N Thanks to Sharon, Raija, KAT1441, azulkan2 and Gia for their There may be another chapter tonight depending on how active
my current caffeine-free condn.”
within his reach on the floor. Hermione
donned it quickly and slipped out behind him.
Severus wrapped himself in his outer robe from the previous day and
summoned a house elf to order food and coffee.
sitting in front of the table, which was covered in food.
his shirt.
morning. And Dobby was rather keen to
make a fuss. Just eat what you can
manage.”
with a serving of mushrooms and tomatoes.
He poured his third cup of coffee and offered it to her.
juice instead. He poured her some and
pushed it over for her.
up in. Not very practical clothes at
that. I can’t even wear the robes to go
back to my room and I don’t want to transfigure them into something else.
impulses, engagement, the attempted murder of your fiancé, wedding planning,
family planning, wedding ceremony, wedding night and moving into your new
home. You did this over the space of
four days. You can’t berate yourself
because we need to collect your trunk at some point later today.
to hammer out this weekend to plan our future.”
anymore. I cannot see you as a child in
the day and as a woman at night.”
angrily.
class. You don’t need to be there.
OWL back in fifth year and scored the top grade. Your time would be better spent if I devised a personal study
programme for you at Apprentice level.
You could use the lesson times for homework and work with me in the evenings
instead.”
grudgingly. “I can still go to my other
classes can’t I?”
suspect you don’t really need any more tuition for Charms and Transfiguration
or Arithmancy if it comes down to it.
However you do have a right to have one year of relatively normal Voldemort
free education and I don’t want to isolate you from your friends any more than
I have done already.”
agreed on that. What else do we need to
think about?”
Give it some thought and we can talk about it later.
invitation?”
I’m okay.”
upset by Professor Trelawney’s visit yesterday.”
Did she try it on with you too?”
superstitious twaddle. Besides I don’t
think she knows where I live. Have you
finished eating?”
clothes for you to wear now. Beautiful
as you look, I don’t want to share the sight of you like that.
jar. “It’s quite safe for internal
use. It’s often used after
childbirth. I’ll go and take my shower…give
you a little privacy.”
bedroom. Sitting down on the bed, she
noted the condition of the sheets. She
could smell the aroma of their combined fluids and the now crushed petals which
brought back fleeting memories of the night before. She stretched out on the bed and gave herself over to
recollection.
of her clothing. He felt a pang of
guilt over how childlike she appeared in sleep. He sat down on the bed beside her and stroked her cheek until she
stirred.
you want to go for lunch we’ll have to be ready to leave in half-an-hour.
just lay back for a minute to think and next thing you were here.”
at once.”
been rather keyed up this last week.
Not every binding creates that dramatic a light display you know.”
commented on it. I don’t seem to be as
badly affected but I’m a lot older and I’ve become rather too used to burning
the candle at both ends.”
to fulfil the bond?”
hidden this from you so I didn’t feel stupid.
I didn’t really have a choice about the decorating.
didn’t cut any corners, as though it were in my nature to do so.
already.”
Did the salve work?”
I fell asleep.”
It is therefore inevitable that I will wish to look after you.
state it plainly. You are in pain and I
can relieve you of it. Not all touch
needs to be sexual.”
have no reason not to trust you after last night. Please go ahead.”
her. The cooling numbing effect was
instant and her discomfort was gone in seconds. He put the lid back on the jar and leaned down to kiss her gently
on the cheek.
talked about your family… when we were… well did I?”
conversation when you saw the scars. If
we had a normal relationship you would have known before our wedding
night. You were bound to be
curious. It is not your fault that
memories of my parents cause me distress.
We can lay the blame for that on my father. You have no reason to reproach yourself.
gathered that you would heal me if you could.”
reached up and stroked his cheek, running her fingers down to touch his
lips. He caught hold of her hand and
softly kissed her fingertips.
insist that you dress yourself in a manner befitting my wife or I will be
compelled to confine you here for the rest of the day while the Weasleys
entertain your parents down at the hut.”
quick.”
the new burgundy robes she had purchased in Hogsmeade.
leave. He was wearing his usual garb of
black high necked frockcoat and trousers with black gown over the top.
attracting quite a few glances. Once
outside he offered his arm, which she accepted, and they walked down to the
hut. Melissa had the door propped open
to let out the heat from the stove and was bustling around in her accustomed
breezy manner. They walked in to find
Mrs Granger and Molly Weasley sitting at the table each drinking a glass of
pumpkin juice.
in the paddock. Charlie’s showing Mike
around the menagerie and we are indulging in women’s talk.
demur. “Sit down Hermione, you looked
exhausted. Is it the bond?”
He’s tired as well. We both
slept round the clock and I have been back to bed since breakfast.”
like the one you two gave us. You’re
holding a lot of power between you.
It’s a good sign. My boys have
all managed a respectable show but nothing like that.”
with magic?” asked Mrs Granger.”
make them work depending on how complex they are but the bonding spell draws
the available energy from the participants to produce a stronger union.
afterwards. Just reassure your Mum he
treated you well and we can let the men back in,” said Molly with a grin.”
good to me. I think it’s going to
work.”
next couple of days and you should be back up to full strength before you know
it,” said Molly.
about ten minutes?” said Melissa, “Take Liz, she shouldn’t pass up the chance
to see the unicorns. I’m surprised
they’ve stayed this long. You can sit
there young lady. I want you awake to
eat your food. It’s tempting to not eat
when you’re tired.”
It smells wonderful,” said Hermione.
I wish I could cook.”
long hours so she tended to buy lots of pre-prepared food to heat up.
was eleven.”
early on and my only living relative and my godmother were both teaching here
so I came to stay. I didn’t start to
look out for myself until I went to live in Hogsmeade.
Hagrid as my baby sitter.”
the table. “Plus we haven’t decided
what to do with it. It does at the
moment with just the two of us but we’ll need to do something when the babies
stao coo come.”
three sons would be good for me and I think Charlie’d like some girls too.”
understands. He thinks Charlie and I’ll
balance everything between us. We’re
not in an immediate rush to start. Are
you and Severus going to have kids?”
haven’t talked about when though.”
party. Charlie helped Molly and Melissa
bring the food to the table.
talk about the advent of their grandchildren.
The arrival of the first was imminent and both Percy and Penelope and
George and Angelina were newly expectant.
mused Molly.
Arthur.
daughter-in-law with a career.”
her dependants,” said Charlie, de-railing what was evidently a familiar
discussion. “I put myself under her
authority and protection and I’m making the most of it.”
around. Melissa took Charlie because
she’s the head of her lind hed he’s a younger son. Legally Melissa is the husband and Charlie the wife.
would have been my heir in Charlie’s place.”
be Graceworthy-Planks.”
Grindelwald like Arthur’s did. They
were both the last of their lines. They
went on to have a big family of which I was the baby. When I was three the Death Eaters came to call one night and
wiped us out. I was a sickly infant and
I’d been put down to sleep in the living room because the fire was lit and they
failed to notice me. When I woke up
they were leaving. I stayed hid and
when I couldn’t wake anyone I flooed to Professor Sprout because I knew how get get to her. The teachers came down to
Hogsmeade and saw off the Death Eaters and I came to live here with my
godmother Professor Sprout and my Great-uncle’s widow, Professor Grubbly-Plank,
who was my only relative. Family and
blood is important to wizards so there is a provision in law to do what Charlie
and I did to preserve a line. It comes
in handy when you get some maniac who decides to wipe out entire families and
you get the inbreeding of centuries causing reproductive problems in others.”
possible though,” said Severus. “You
deserve to have the chance to rebuild your line.”
Magical Creatures and in the Apothecary trade.
How can my family be a rebuilding of my old family line if I can’t give
them that too? I want to establish
myself here first. At a conservative
estimate I have another thirty five childbearing years in front of me and ill ill do it in my own time.”
Are you going to have a career or rebuild the Snape family?”
Charlie realised he may have put his foot in it as both Severus and Mr
Granger glared at him. Hermione tried
to fill the silence.
thought to have a career, possibly in research for the Ministry but that was when
I needed to earn a living. Now I could
do independent research or have children now and put off the career until
later. To be honest Severus and I
haven’t really had a chance to think about the rest of this year yet let alone
make long term plans. Everything has
come about so quickly…”
I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.
It’s actually easy to forget your situation. We got so used to seeing you working together… I just get a bit
sick of the family pressuring Melissa.”
Like Melissa we’ve decided there will be an heir but there’s no rush,”
stated Severus.
I are going to have an excursio the the Abbott family this week.”
that.”
you?” asked Hermione.
Slytherin as you know but according to our records she’s Muggle-born.”
suggests she isn’t what she appears to be.”
Molly. “What kind of relation is she?”
I can’t believe it didn’t click at once.”
pictures of her even though she died before he was born.”
“I’ve seen a picture of Olivia and the penny only just dropped with me
but I didn’t know Olivia so who would have cast a charm on me?
Abbott are hiding anything or have had their minds interfered with.
connected.”
find in a dictionary.
no powers. They used to be locked up or
meet with unfortunate childhood accidents in aristocratic families.
more to live as Muggles. They’re seen
as bad blood. Even now it’s considered
a disgrace to have one in polite circles,” said Mr Weasley.
have them. If I had married a Muggle my
magical genes would largely have won out over his ordinary ones when we had
children. In an inbred pure-blood
family you will tend to get recessive weak genes duplicated which is assumed to
be what causes a squib. Squibs aren’t
allowed to marry but in theory they can have magical offspring,” said Hermione.
Severus. “A family such as the Malfoy’s
can hide many secrets.”
That seems ratcruecruel,” said Mrs Granger.
Severus. If a squib found a Witch or
Wizard willing to marry them they could do so under a contract.
any of the Muggle ways. What they can’t
do is marry as Hermione and I have because they have no magical energy to
contribute to the binding and that is the common form of marriage in our
community.”
children. There are a lot more squibs
than there used to be. Most families
have them. Arthur and I stand out a bit
because big Wizard families are unusual.”
were right? About falling birth rate
and so on?” asked Mr Granger.
“But that doesn’t mean we approve of enslaving Muggle-Born Witches.
lot of money into getting that Law passed.”
“We don’t know yet. But if we
can find out we will.”
<
wedding guests and returned home to the dungeons. Hermione was so exhausted that she agreed to let Dobby pack her
trunk for her while she went to bed.
Severus woke her for some food later on and had to physically carry her
back to bed after she fell asleep over the fruit bowl.
doing so took up the last of his reserves and he decided to join her.
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the board is later on.