Awaiting Love

A/N~~~~ Well this is my first fanfic, and so far so good! Things will come to me more as I write more. Chapters will get longer, it’s hard to sit down and write for long periods with a 2 month old.
I would like to extend my thanks to my new Beta Reader Fyrehawke75! Without you I would make sooooo many silly mistakes!
Also, thanks to those of you who gave reviews!
Kjsparkles
Mary
azulkan2
It’s gives me a reason to write. Without the reviews I might think no ones likes my fic *sniffles*, and not continue to write *sob*. SO THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now onto the new chapter.

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“Albus, the chit will not accept my offer.” Snape sat pinching the bridge of his nose. “She is the most stubborn girl I

have ever happened to meet!” The Headmaster merely nodded his head.

“You will just have to take more drastic measures, Severus,” Minerva stated flatly. “That is how you have to handle Miss

Granger sometimes. I would think you would be more experienced, since you are her teacher.”

“Enough please.” Dumbledore stood and faced his two Head of Houses. “Severus, petition for the girl, and I will try to

talk some sense in her. Minerva, will you please see if you can locate Miss Granger and inform her that I wish to speak to her?”

“Of course, Albus.” Minerva turned and left the room. Snape sat staring into space.

“Severus, you do have a small attachment towards her don’t you.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Of course, she’s the smartest pupil I’ver ter taught. Wouldn’t you then become slightly attached?”

“You know that’s not the kind of attachment I mean.”

“I know.” Snape stood and headed for the door. He stopped and turned to face the Headmaster. “Albus, I will keep her

safe.”

“I know, my boy, I know.” With that, Snape turned and left.

“Mione, have you found anything out yet?” Harry asked her softly. They were in the Gryffindor common room in their

chairs in front of the fireplace. Hermione sat slouched in a large armchair staring at the flames.

“No, and Malfoy and his spawn have petitioned for me already.”

“You’ve got to be joking!” Ron exclaimed.

“Yes Ron, I’m just joking. This is all one HUGE joke.” Hermione said sourly. Almost Snape-like in fact.

“Mione, I’m sorry. But you know, this is a lot to take in.”

“For who? You?! Why would you need to take it in? This has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with me!”

She jumped from the armchair and clenched her fists at her side.

“Miss Granger.” Professor McGonagall said in a stern voice. Hermione stotraitraight, looking like she’d just come from

a trance.

“Yes Professor?” She said in bewilderment.

“The Headmaster would like to see you in his chambers.”

“Yes Professor.” Hermione moved towards the portrait hole, not once glancing at Ron and Harry. The walk to the

Headmaster’s chambers was long. Professor McGonagall finally stopped and addressed Hermione on the way up.

“Miss Granger…Hermione.” She began. “You are much like a daughter to me. I want to see you happy.”

“Thank you Professor.”

“You know, Severus isn’t a bad person. He’s very intelligent, very thorough….”

\"I do not wish to marry. I want to pursue a career, live my life. Not settle down.” Hermione could feel tears beginning to

well up in her soft, chocolate brown eyes. “But this ridiculous law has made it impossible.”

“Dear, dear Hermione, do you really think that Severus would impede your education or career?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well you won’t until you speak to him.” Professor McGonagall led Hermione the rest of the way to the Headmaster’s

Chambers. As they entered the chambers Hermione could see Snape’s face via floo. He noticed Hermione, spoke quickly to the

Headmaster, and then was gone.

“Ah, Miss Granger, please take a seat.” Dumbledore motioned to one of the chairs in front of his desk. Hermione cast

him a cautious glance and took the seat across from him. “As you are well aware, Miss Granger, the ministry has passed a

marriage law which will affect you directly. Also you are aware of Lucius Malfoy’s petition for Draco towards you.”

“Yes Professor Dumbledore, I am.” Hermione replied quietly.

“Severus has petitioned for you as well. The ministry wants no more petitions for you, since two very old pureblood

families are already interested. Now this is a matter of some delicacy. It requires you to decide which petition you would like

accept.”

“But I declined Professor Snape earlier today!” She cried.

“Hermione,” Dumbledore said gently, “would you rather wed Draco then?” Hermione snorted in response. “Well then,

that leaves you with Professor Snape.”

She hung her head in defeat, and sighed heavily.

“Is there no other way?” She asked pitifully.

“No, I am sorry Hermione, there is not.”

“Then I have no choice do I? I will have to accept Professor Snape’s petition.”

The Headmaster gave her a small smile.

“Hermione, you know that Severus is a good man. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”

“I know. Thank you.” Professor McGonagall patted Hermione on the shoulder and gave her a motherly smile. “When will

the wedding take place?”

“Tonight.” Dumbledore said calmly. Hermione paled with the realization that she was trapped, and there was no way to

hold this off.

“It’s okay, my dear. We will go into Hogsmeade and look for proper robes for tonight,” Professor McGonagall said

warmly. “We will have a feast in the Great Hall instead of our regular dinner, and you can be married privately in the Room of

Requirement.” Hermione just nodded.

“Well Hermione, I will allow you time to prepare yourself and your friends.” Dumbledore stood.

“We will meet in Hogsmeade at Madame Malkins at 3:00 PM, so thatway you will have time to make your own

preparations.” Professor McGonagall said. Hermione stood and walked out of the Chambers, only looking back once.


Snape sat in his private chambers, contemplating the events that would unfold later that night. He would marry

Hermione Granger, save her. Of course, the witty Headmaster had been absolutely correct with his observation of his attraction to

the Gryffindor. She was highly intelligent and as she had grown older, her hair had tamed and her body became softer. Yet, it was

her mind that interested him more. That is what he needed in a partner; it was what she needed as well. She would go mad if she

was married to anyone else, from a lack of stimulation. Indeed, the fact that they would have to consummate the union between

them tonight appealed to his baser self, but it was also a necessity. Less Lucius oppose their union and request a hearing. Of

course, Lucius never requested, he demanded.

They would be performing the GrippaggioAnimAnima ceremony, a silk scarf, magnolia blossoms, and an incantation from the

overseer of the ceremony; requiring blood from both parties from a prick of a rose thorn, of course, ending with the

consummation. It would take no more than twenty minutes to complete the ceremony, they then would be thrust into their

chambers to complete the act. Sadly they would then be forced to endure the “reception” in the Great Hall. He welcomed the

thought that there would be no time to reminisce the private moments before the reception. He leaned back in his chair and

sighed. It was going to be quite a night.


Hermione had wasted as much of her day as she could. She dreaded when 3PM would come. She sat by the huge

entrance to the school and waited for Professor McGonagall to arrive. She knew she didn’t want the traditional robes, for her

situation was far from traditional. Lost in thought, she never realized that Ron and Harry sat on either side of her.

“Mione? What did Professor Dumbledore want?” Harry asked.

“Huh? Oh Harry, Ron, you startled me.” She sighed. “I am not exempt from this marriage law. In fact I get married

tonight.”

“That’s not possible! To who!?” Ron exclaimed.

“Professor Snape.”

“That greasy git!? He’s at least twenty years you senior!”

“Ron I am aware of that fact. But it cannot be helped. It’s him or Malfoy.” Harry hugged Hermione in a tight embrace.

“You know Mione, that you are our friend. We will stand by you.” Harry said lovingly.

“Yes I know.” She felt like crying. They were both taking this better than she had anticipated. Just at that moment

Professor McGonagall arrived smiling.

“Good afternoon Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger.” The three greeted her in unintended unison. “I hope Miss

Granger that you are ready for our outing?”

“Yes Professor.” Hermione nodded.

“Wonderful.”

“Ron, Harry, will you attend the ceremony? Please?” Hermione gave them a begging look.

“Mione, you know we will.” Harry said while Ron nodded.

“Then I suggest you see the Headmaster and let him know Hermione has asked that you attend. It will be a private

ceremony.” Professor McGonagall informed the two youths. They nodded in acknowledgement and hugged Hermione goodbye.

Hermione turned to Professor McGonagall and they headed out to Madame Malkins.

“Girl, will you please stand still!” Madame Malking admonished.

“Sorry” Muttered Hermione. She had been at the shop for over two hours! She couldn’t believe that it was that hard to

make a dress vs. a robe. They had taken up 30 minutes deciding that a creamy white silk fabric would be used. Then Hermione

argued another 30 minutes for the style choice. She wanted an empire waist gown with long loose sleeves that rested off the

shoulder. The train would extend 2 feet behind her, lest she trip. She knew she would if it was any longer. Professor McGonagall

insisted that in the very front of the skirt to be embroidered with a floral design. Hermione had protested to that idea, but her

protests fell on the deaf ears of her professor and the shopkeeper. She had resigned herself to not utter another word and just

hope the process would end quickly.

“….her hair should be up.” She heard Madame Malkin say through the haze of her thoughts. “With, you said that were

performing the Grippaggio Di Anima ceremony?” Professor McGonagall nodded. “Then I would say adorned with magnolias from the

same tree that the ceremony flower comes from.” Her professor only nodded more, seeming much like a bobble-head. Hermione

had to stifle a laugh. Receiving a swat for her efforts.

“Stand still!!!” Madame Malkin cried out.

“Sorry.” She mumbled again. It seemed like agonizing hours later that Madam Malkin. announced that the dress was

complete. Professor McGonagall paid the shopkeeper and they exited the shop.

“We should be getting back. It’s late, and the ceremony will begin soon enough.” Her Professor stated. The walked in

silence, Hermione gripping her packaged dress tightly to her chest. Once they entered Hogwarts Hermione parted with her

professor to get changed.

“Hermione, I will be up in your rooms in thirty minutes. I will help you finish dressing.” Her professor called after her.

She only nodded and headed quickly up to her rooms.

Precisely thirty minutes later, Hermione stood dressed in her wedding attire with her Head of House fussing with her

hair. Professor McGonagall had swept it back from her face, soft tendrils of hair had escaped her ministrations; oddly giving the

whole thing a soft effect. She had magnolia flowers; that had been shrunk to a less gaudy look, scattered throughout her hair. The

only make-up she required was a lip gloss and blush. All together it gave her a soft inviting look.

“It’s time my dear.” McGonagall said softly. Hermione turned to look at the woman who was very much like a mother to

her. She noticed a hint of tears welling up in the older woman’s eyes. Seeing this very human act made Hermione act before she

thought. She quickly embraced her professor.

“Thank you Professor.” Those tears that threatened to spill from her Head of Houses eyes finally let loose.

“Oh child, I am proud of you!” Hermione only hugged tighter. Finally they let loose their near deadly grip on each other

and right Hermione’s dress. “Off we go.”

Dread began to seep into Hermione. The time was now, and there was no escape. She was being forced into a decision that she

could never undo. From her knowledge the Grippaggio Di Anima ceremony was very permanent. They stopped at the door to the

Room of Requirement, Hermione took a deep breath before entering. Her eyes fixed on her future husband, the sight nearly took

her breath away.


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A/N~~~~~~~~~ Thanks for reading chapter 2! Please Reviews!!! I need more reviews. Suggestions, comments, anything!! Just please be gentle! This is my first time…