an unlikely match...

Tired.

That was how she looked; tired.

She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. Nightmares of being alone were haunting her. Nightmares of being alone and scared, and sad and…What did it matter? She wasn’t any of these things. She was going to be Austere’s wife in a few short hours.

The engagement ring on her hand felt heavy, and she frowned a bit. Recalling Snape’s earlier mention of how there’s had been a secret. Special. She remembered that night, her birthday…

She shook her head, openly berating her childish behavior. She was a woman now, not the silly little girl from so long ago, questioning everything, being suspicious of everything. She had matured.

Her eyes were wide as she looked into her reflection, her dress perhaps making her paler than usual. It\'s creamy color and fabric swung out all around her, so elaborate, such visual decadence. She looked breathtaking, but she felt nothing.

No exhilaration, no worry. Nothing.

It was if all emotions had suddenly shut off to her head, body and mind. She was now a shell of what Hermione Granger once was. What had happened to the young girl so alive with questions? The young girl who wanted more in life than a station as someone\'s wife? She knew Austere wouldn\'t object to her pursuing an education, but she often felt she wanted to be near him all the time.

It had happened really the first day she had met him. At first it was politeness that she had offered to get a drink with him, she had bumped into him looking absently around her, as his parcels went flying and she along with him onto the ground. She had instinctively bent down to pick Austere up by the arm and apologize.

The first thing that had gone through her mind was how much this man in front of her reminded her of Professor Snape. It was actually a bit disturbing. He had introduced himself as the brother of the said Professor, and when she told him her name in return he had seemed surprised and intrigued, and had offered to buy her a drink for her troubles. Sad bad been reluctant to go with him, but had decided that it was the least she could do.

What transpired next at the pub between Hermione and Austere was strange to explain. She was in the middle of a yawn as he continued with another dull story about whatever he did, she barely remembered. All she remembered was feeling all to tired to sit around and listen to this boring dullard drone on and on. And she also couldn\'t stop gaping at the similarity between he and Snape which was minimal but striking enough to garner her immediate and rapt attention.

She had excused herself to go to the washroom a moment, leaving Austere and their wine alone at the table as she left. She had fully intended on going to the washroom, and then apparating the hell out ofre. re. But sadly, she hadn\'t the guts to leave the poor man all alone waiting for her, for it was quite evident he fancied her. She was also the tinniest bit afraid that Professor Snape might hear about it. It didn\'t matter than he wasn\'t her Professor anymore; the thought of him having another grudge on her was worrisome. No need to have an ex DeathEater who hated you.

So she had taken a deep breath as she stood outside the washroom, coming through the doors and had sat down next to Austere once more, preparing herself for another story. She had tentatively taken a sip of her drink and moments later...Austere had suddenly become more than entertaining; he had also become a bit more handsome. Although, he hadn\'t really been ugly in the first place.

And so she had fallen for him, right there in the pub and from that day forward knew she was destined to become his wife. But ever since Severus had arrived, she had had this horrible sinking feeling every time they were intimate. Snape had always been there at the back of her mind, always there and now she knew why. He had been such an intriquiate part of her past....

She suddenly shook herself awake from this horrible nightmare, her dark eyes falling on the mirror in front of her as she fixed a loose tendril of hair. Austere had claimed it would have been lovely up...but she had wanted it down, and won. Snape alway-

Forget. Severus. Snape.

She was done with Snape\'s frequent miasma towards everything. She was sick of feeling so damned confused. She was sick of looking into Austere\'s eyes and instead of feeling revulsion for acts that he very well could have committed, feeling lust that burned inside her. She was sick of forgetting.

The worst though was looking into Snape\'s eyes, seeing the lover that she had left not so long ago. She was sick of having his touch send her at all loose ends, and having his lips beckon her constantly. She was sick of the way his voice caught her attention, demanded it. She was sick of wanting him.

\"Hermione, you look beautiful.\"

Hermione stopped sulking aent ent to turn slowly, looking to Ginny with a faint smile on her lips, a small one indeed. Ginny stood a few paces back, looking to her with a small grin on her face.

“Thank you.”

“Something wrong?”

Hermione was quite a moment, giving an offhanded shrug before looking to Ginny as if she were a completely new person.

\"Is it almost time?\"

“Yes actually.” Ginny gave a curt nod, grinning and squeezing her hands together with Hermione’s. \"Lady Snape wanted me to come fetch you.”

“Of course.”

“C\'mon...wouldn\'t want to be late for your own wedding...very un-Hermione like.\"

Hermione offered a faint smile, nodding as she looked to the redheaded woman beside her. Ginny suddenly noticed the lacking of the veil and dropped her purse onto the bed, moving to grab the veil. She placed it upon Hermione\'s head, marveling at the fact that she looked so beautiful. Her eyes were suddenly caught with Hermione\'s own glazed ones and sauseaused, givinr frr friend a look of utter question.

\"How did you know Harry was the one?\"

Ginny held in a groan, knowing full well this was just Hermione\'s cold feet. For a woman like Hermione who always had things under control, always planned she was sure that this was just one thing Hermione didn\'t know the end to. And who could determine everything with marriage? It was impossible.

“I just knew.” She offered feebly, “Every time he looked at my I’d go weak in the knees. I loved spending time with him.” She ran through a small list of whatever came to mind as small giggled spurted every now and then. Hermione seemed to be taking it all down in her head, making mental notes.

“I was happy.” She concluded, giving Hermione a meaningful look. Hermione nodded, a bit out of sorts as she offered a feeble nod and smile. Not a relaxed one mind you.

“I’m just worried I’m making the wrong decision.”

“You’re not.” She squeezed Hermione’s arm warmly, giving her a small nod and small tug towards the door. “He makes you happy.”

When one is clouded by love or lust and in turn a bit of confusion, Hermione supposed it was completely natural to have questions. With Ginny’s advice now she wasn’t quite sure, and it didn’t occur to her to question them. She was then convinced as she and Ginny strolled down the hall that it didn’t matter any; she was always going to be confused, because that was life.

She was also thoroughly convinced that Ginny was telling her this for her own good, and that clinging to some stupid past with some stupid Professor whom obviously wasn’t interested in a relationship was futile. Why give up marriage to a perfectly amiable man when there were no other options? What was she to do? Trail Snape down like a lovesick puppy and beg him to take her? No. She had dignity.

Snape had made it abundantly clear of what his intentions were, of how he wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship at all, and in Hermione’s mind that was just one less thing to worry about today. Snape didn’t want a relationship? Fine. They had buried that hatchet long ago; it was her own damned fault for digging it up. He had tried to hide it from her. He had tried to stop her. He had tried.

She was to marry Austere, they were to be happy. They were going to be together until death did them part. That was the end of it. She followed Ginny out into the hall with a grimk ofk of determination of her face.

She didn’t bother telling Ginny that sometimes Austere didn’t make her as happy as Snape once had.

* * *

The ceremony was set to be one of traditional Muggle for Austere, and Wizarding for Lady Snape and practically everyone else. Ginny rushed back from the hall and went into a giggling fit as she looked to Hermione.

Hermione was a few feet away trying to breathe, all the guests having been seated a while ago in the hall. Ginny scram ove over to Hermione, breathless as she rearranged Hermione’s veil.

“There are so many people here.” Ginny squealed, all of my family, your Mum and Dad…Your Mum says she’s sorry she wasn’t here earlier.”

Hermione gave a shrug, she hadn’t really been that close with her parents ever since she was young as they were always away or busy. She had grown a lot in her short years of youth. Never really had the standard childhood. She hadn’t expected any words of encouragement from her Mother, no something borrowed something blue… No Father taking her down the aisle.

You see was wasn’t proper Wizarding custom to have the bride being carried down the aisle, in Wizarding marriages, they see Muggle weddings as a trading of property. “Who gives up this woman?” But there are certain Muggle elements in it.

In a Wizard’s wedding, (which Hermione had agreed to readily and Austere grudgingly agreed to later), the bride walks down on her ownwingwing total commitment to her soon to be se, se, and freedom of binds. It’s really quite moving.

The bride then meets her groom halfway down the aisle (Austere had openly objected to this, claiming he would wait for her at the podium) as he walks her the rest of the way and they reach the podium. The main Wizard then recites a small passage from the book of Merlin and then asks the traditional “If there are any who oppose this marriage le him or her speak etc…”

Then of course the two standing across from each other recite magical vows as a small golden thread is placed around their hands, signaling a binding of souls. Whilst a bunch of binding spells goes on and its really sort of boring and long and really quite tedious.

Then there is the traditional kiss in which the string is broken, showing the freedom of love, and the embracing of change and the golden thread suddenly turns into two small golden bangs. You know what that’s all about. It’s quite metaphorical, and takes a good hour and a bit to get through, if you’re quick.

This being a February wedding, the hall wasn’t too stuffy, and really quite pleasant. It was decorated to the brim, and Ginny could scarcely believe that Hermione was marrying into this sort of family. Hermione hadn’t ever seemed like the type of girl to go for this sort of wedding, or groom for that matter.

“Here you are.” She said, handing Hermione a bouquet of magical white roses sprinkled with shimmering glitter. She saw Hermione wobbling a bit nervously looking to the door. Ginny, knowing time was of the essence comforted her a moment with words of encouragement before she heard the band queuing up.

“Good luck.”

She gave Hermione a strangled kiss on the cheek before rushing inside to fine Harry, not wanting to be embarrassed. And sort of wondering what made her say, “Good luck.” A bit of strange thing to say on one’s wedding day.

Hermione had stood then at the doors, a small bouquet in her hands as she trembled, knowing full well who would be the first person she saw in the pews, staring at her as she walked down. She had never felt more alone in her entire life.

Suddenly the doors were open, a whoosh of air surprising her as she tried to get used to the sea of people all standing now, looking to her and “ooohing” and “Awwwing” at her dress as she stood there like a dear in the proverbial headlights.

I can’t go through with it.

Hermione then fully intended on running out, not even making it to the front when suddenly a pair of dark eyes captured her own. Snape stood near the front, looking to her beauty in awe, his lips softly pursing as he looked to her not critically but jealous of what his brother would soon be coveting.

She didn’t know why but she suddenly knew she would have to marry Austere. Not only for her love for him, but because if she didn’t she’d have to admit that she was still in love with Severus Snape.

And she wasn’t.

So with that Hermione took off shakily down the carpet, her eyes transfixed on her soon to be husband. Slowly but surely her gaze began to drift around as she saw various Professors…McGonagall, Dumbledore, Sprout…was that Lupin? She gave them all a small wry smile as she pushed forward. Oh God.

Austere was standing there in a tux, lookso dso dashing as he smiled to her, and Hermione was thrilled to note that Charlotte wasn’t even there. She took a deep breath, this causing her heart to slow down a bit.

Only a few more steps…

Her Mum and Dad waved to her, snapping pictures with their ridiculous Muggle camera as she smiled faintly and then trained her eyes back to Austere….and then finally to Snape who was standing a few feet from Austere, the infamous best man.

He stood rigidly, like she had always known him. Well, not always. He was striking, his dark hair and pale face. He was wearing no robe, but a white shirt, black vest and trousers and a regal looking cape. She saw his full lips in a small thoughtful stance as his eyes captured hers, not letting her go even for a moment. Hypnotizing her. She slightly tripped on her shoes under his surveillance and heard the whispered sympathy all around her from the pews.

She quickly regained balance and continued on with cheeks burning, her chin held high in pride as she pushed forward. Soon though, Snape was even closer to her right and her eyes made their way over his own.

He was trying to read her mind; she was sure of it and dragged her eyes away. Austere was only a few feet away from Snape.

Now or never.

Now. She stepped onto the podium, feeling Snape’s eyes on her and knowing that their separate pride was keeping them apart. Sod him and his pride. In fact, sod pride altogether, its nothing but a big, bloody nuisance.

There. She was at the podium.

Ginny was a few feet away, smiling and nodding to Hermione in encouragement as Snape grimaced at her disgustedly.

Austere was across from Hermione and grasped her hands in his greedily, looking to the Wizard in anticipation. Hoping that her veil covered most of her eyes actions, she snuck a look to the now sitting audience. And then let her eyes travel back and land on the other standing Snape, a few feet away in all his brooding glory.

He had that look he always wore when he was peeved, a look of disdain that he wore when things didn’t go his way. He was frowning and crossing his arms as he saw her gaze and locked onto it, and raised an eyebrow in question.

Her cheeks began pinking again and she dragged her eyes back up to a confused Austere. He glanced over his shoulder at Snape, his eyes registering something a moment before turning back and giving Hermione a terse smile as the Wizard next to them began.

The ceremony was so quick; Hermione had trouble keeping up with the spells and various wishes and well-beings that were going on. Soon though she saw as the Wizard look into the sea of faces, well known, not so well known, faces she knew, faces she didn’t. People who would soon hate or love her.

“And if anyone objects to this marriage.” The ruddy-faced, portly old Wizard started, motioning to Hermione and Austere. “Then speak now or forever hold your peace...”

Hermione felt her heart pounding as Austere’s grip around her hands tightened, his eyes scanning the room and falling on Snape as the two brothers openly glared at each other. This was it. Hermione’s heart was pounding in her ears as she felt her hands growing clammy with sweat, her face burning and ears suddenly ringing as well. She was looking at Austere’s chest, his tux and felt her mind whirling.

No one was objectin
<
This is it Hermione. You’re going to be married to Austere. Divorce is scarcely an option. You will be magically bound to him, this is your-

Suddenly a voice sounded out from the back of the hall, breaking her from her thoughts.

\"I object.\"