an unlikely match...

Chapter 2: a reply

\"Do you really think he\'ll come?\" Hermione asked Austere as she made herself some eggs on the stove. \"I mean he\'s never been that fond of me, and from what you\'ve told me, you\'re not exactly his favorite person.\"

It was Friday morning and she and Austere hadn\'t heard anything from the elusive Severus since they sent out their announcements on Tuesday. They had recently arrived at the Snape Manor, getting wedding preparations in order and getting to know Austere\'s mother better.

Austere looked to his fiancée over his shoulder as he help the newspaper in his hands at the kitchen table, \"I hope he comes.\" he paused, \"You know we have maids for that sort of stuff here, Hermione.\"

Hermione shrugged, that was the thing about Austere that grated her nerves at times. Even though they\'d been together almost a year, he was still treating her like she had trouble grasping Muggle concepts.

\"I know.\" she said stiffly, turning the eggs expertly in the pan, \"I happen to enjoy making eggs.\"

Austere nodded from his seat and suddenly dropping his paper he stood, coming up behind her and sliding his arms around her waist whispering, \"I\'m sorry luv, of course you do.\"
He kissed her neck and she couldn\'t help but giggle a bit and oblige him as he leaned in for a kiss on her waiting lips. His kisses were soft and pliable, with something more hidden within them. She smiled against his lips as he made his way out of the kitchen, claiming he was going to take a shower.

Austere Snape was most definitely Severus\' brother, both had that sarcastic undertone to everything they said, but Austere was a gentler approach. He cared about other people, that\'s part of the reason Hermione had fallen for him. Both were brilliant, very analytical and in truth, both were darkly sexy.

Austere wore glasses when he read, although the things he read often had Hermione shaking her head. Austere\'s nose was a bit smaller, his eyes a bit bigger and lighter, and was a bit shorter than Severus. He had ark black hair like his brother but whereas Snape kept his just above his shoulders and in questionable condition, Austere had it trimmed constantly, never below his collar.

Severus did outmatch his brother in one quality, (that Hermione knew about) his voice. That smooth, creamy purr that had girls in all houses ogling over him. Austere had a slightly higher pitch, not as smooth as his elder brother but still quite amiable.

Austere loved and was good to her, and to Hermione that was all that mattered. He didn\'t have to be handsome or brilliant or rich (Although he was) to be perfect for her. All that mattered was he was sweet and he loved her. What more could a girl ask for?

Hermione smiled wistfully to herself and went back to the eggs, minutes later they were done and she set them and some toast onto a plate, and took it outside on the veranda. Even though it was late January she had cast a warming spell around the veranda, and she could sit out there pleasantly, looking to the snow and enjoy her morning breakfast.

The Snape manor had proved to be everything she had anticipated. Large, foreboding and classy. But, due to Lady Snape\'s rather old fashioned theories, the two had separate rooms in opposite sections of the manor.

\"I\'m sorry luv.\" Austere had said hushed as the followed the butler to their respective rooms, \"My mother has certain...theories about marriage now a days.\"

Hermione had kissed his cheek gingerly and giggled, \"I understand Austere. Don\'t worry.\"

Hermione\'s room had been in Gryffindor coloring, red satin sheets covering the large four poster bed. A mahogany desk set with matching armoire. A fireplace with a large red upholstered chair in front of it and rows and rows of books.

\"I told mother of your affection for reading.\" Austere had said before being whisked off to his own room. Hermione had unpacked and spent the evening reading before her presence was requested for dinner.

Dinner itself had gone splendidly. Lady Snape was as kind as she was strict and Hermione respected her for that. She was a lonely widow, Austere\'s father had died years before and Austere himself had confessed that was why he had gone into medicine.

Lady Snape had a certain aura around her that exuded power. She had a small thin and pointed nose, dark beady eyes and maturing skin, she looked quite good for her age. Her long black and silver hair was constantly pulled up in a large bun that sat atop her head held by one small, clip.

Lady Snape found Hermione delightful though; charming and smart as well as kind and she didn\'t hesitate to say so. So found Hermione blushing and thanking her constantly. Lady Snape had commente Aus Austere that he was a lucky young man.

Now this Friday morning Hermione found herself eating eggs out on the warm veranda and wondering why Snape was being such a bugger. Suddenly the door to the patio opened and she turned, expecting Austere coming back from his short shower.

Instead it was Lady Snape, her dark cane in hand and a solemn smile on her aging face. Hermione stood respectively. \"Good morning Lady Snape.\"

Truth be told, Hermione\'s stomach dropped every time she saw the woman, she was frightening even if she didn\'t mean to She She may be older and sweet, but she was still...Severus\' mother! Lady Snape smiled gently, moving to the seat near Hermione \"You needn\'t stand up Hermione. And please, call me Sinistri.\"

\"Of course,\" Hermione said uneasily adding, \"Sinistri.\"

Lady Snape smiled gently and looked out at her land, covered in snow and rather breathtaking this early in the morning. Without looking to the gingerly eating Hermione she spoke.

\"My son Severus...he hasn\'t yet replied?\"

Hermione swallowed the dry toast roughly, wincing as she did so. \"No Ma-Sinistri. Not yet.\"
Lady Snape turned a small frown on her face, and a stray tear in the corner of her left eye.

\"Hermione, you make my son Austere so happy.\" Hermione smiled in thanks and Sinistri went on, \"But, I honestly wish Severus could have found someone like you.\"

Hermione looked askance, \"Err...why me?\"

\"Severus is very lonely, a mother knows these things.\" her frown deepened, Hermione frowned herself at this thought. She had always believed Severus to enjoy his solitude. She voiced this thought and Lady Snape looked taken aback.

\"He may at times, but...I know he is lonely. My poor Severus. If only he had found a woman like you to make him happy perhaps he wouldn\'t...\" she trailed off, looking miserably haggard.

Hermione reached a compassionate hand over the table and placed it gingerly overtop Lady Snape\'s. The older woman looked surprised a moment, and then smiled solemnly. Lady Snape sniffled a bit, blaming it on the weather. This was an obvious lie as they were under the warm confines of the enchanted veranda.

\"Severus I fear, has always believed his father and I never cared for him as much as we did Austere.\"

Hermione frowned, \"Why would that be?\"

Lady Snape was about to answer when a large raven, Chansy flew overhead, looking a bit dizzy and disoriented. He flew into the welcoming arms of Lady Snape and held out one tired limb. Lady Snape took the scroll from the raven and unrolled it, peering at the scrawled script of her son.

Hermione recognized the seal of the letter instantly, feeling her stomach tilt a bit. Professor Snape had always sort of scared her a bit, and even though he was miles away, this didn\'t change her apprehension.

Lady Snape sighed and handed the scroll to Hermione, \"Would you mind reading it aloud Hermione. I\'ve forgotten my spectacles.\"

Hermione nodded, swallowing the egg piece in her mouth and taking the scroll gingerly, looking over the words and attesting that Snape was always straight to the point with everyone, including his family. She spoke the words aloud, trying to make them sound softer, less cold. She excluded some of the stiffer, and unneeded words.

Austere,

I (grudginally) accept your offer. I will be your best

man, (due to family obligations.)I shall arrive at the

manor by nine p.m. on Saturday

(Do not wait up for me if I am later.)

-Severus Snape

P.s. I do remember Miss Granger.

Hermione set the paper down, looking to the suddenly brightened Lady Snape. She smiled, looking off into the distance. Hermione felt a strange and unprecendented feeling engulf her. Surely she had been joking about him remembering her, but the mere fact that he had written so...best not think about that. She looked to Lady Snape once more, and in a small voice offered;

\"He\'s coming.\"