The First Summer and Summer Series
Summer Wedding Ch.5
Hermione did not even bother to ask.
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My dearest Severus,
You’ll be very disappointed to hear that the bishop has decided to allow the wedding in the church after all. Everything is almost under control at that end. The other good news is that Ginny has figured out a way around your muggle tux dilemma that is also going to save some money. Themed weddings are quite “in” right now and so we’re going to declare a ‘gothic’ theme for the wedding. Your black dress robes should fall neatly into the gothic category. Now I simply have to find a dress that will go with both ceremonies.
I went shopping for handfasting cords with Ginny yesterday. She and Harry haven’t named the date yet but Ginny is interested inkingking at wedding things now too. She liked some in Maroon with gold thread. Have you a colour preference? I was thinking purple and gold for us.
Have you selected your best man yet?
Love,
Hermione
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My Dearest Hermione,
I would prefer black and silver or green and silver handfasting cords. I admit that I am relieved to be able to wear my own dress robes for the muggle ceremony and not dress up like a buffoon. I am sure you’ll look beautiful in any dress.
Good news, Crookshanks has redeemed himself with Sprout. She finally admitted to me that the boy he has been stalking was recently caught harbouring a stash of bubo tubers (no doubt for malicious mischief). It is more than likely that the cats had simply been trying to alert us to the boy‘s pilfering. I had a very difficult time to keep from saying “I told you so.” Crookshanks and Mrs. Norris have also managed to dislodge a particularly persistent group of gnomes from greenhouse two. She says it’s the first time in years she could leave plants uncovered without worrying the gnomes would be at them during the night. Thus ends the Crookshanks saga, at least until he finds something new to annoy people.
You’ll be pleased to hear I have decided on a best man. I think I will ask Flitwick.
All of my love,
Severus
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My darling Severus,
I am pleased about Crookshanks! He is such a good cat! I never doubted him.
Green and silver is out of the question. It will clash with my wedding colours. I’ll think about the black and silver but really, my love, the maroon and gold is much prettier! I want everything to be beautiful!
You CAN’T ask Professor Flitwick to be your best man! At least, you could for the wizard wedding but not the muggle wedding. Think how it would look! I hope you won’t get annoyed, but perhaps you’d consider Harry?
With Love,
Your Hermione
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My dearest Hermione,
HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES?!?
If you think I’m having Potter as best man then we can cancel this wedding nonsense altogether! I have put up with your ridiculous demands and desires realizing that brides do get a little odd when planning nuptials but this is quite beyond the paln fan fact, I am becoming seriously concerned about this sudden obsession of yours for appearances. Perhaps you should take a good look at your potential groom again? Perhaps Gilderoy Lockhart would be willing to stand in for me as proxy and make your wedding more attractive?
And if you dare to suggest I ask Lockhart to be my best man I really will break the engagement!
Severus
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My Dearest Severus,
Why did you sign your last note just “Severus” instead of “Love, Severus”?
Angry, but STILL WITH LOVE,
Your Hermione
_________________________________________________________
My Dearest Hermione,
I was a little agitated when I wrote the last note, forgive me. I do love you.
With all of my love ALWAYS (even if unstated),
Severus
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My Dearest Severus,
Have you considered Neville’s uncle?
With love,
Hermione
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My Dearest Hermione,
No.
Love, Severus
________________________________________________________
My dearest Severus,
Who then?
With love,
Hermione
___________________________________________________________
My Dearest Hermione,
I am sure Lucius would be willing to appear at both ceremonies. He is not unattractive and could be mistaken for a muggle under some circumstances. Would you consider indulging me in this choice?
All of my love,
Severus
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Severus,
You are a total and complete bastard and I wonder why I’m even considering marrying you! I don’t want that man anywhere near me and you want him as part of the wedding party? Can you even imagine him at ANY muggle function? You are not amusing! I’M the one who is going to call this wedding off if you don’t start cooperating!
Hermione
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My dearest Hermione,
Didn’t you intend to begin your last communication “Dearest Severus” and end it “With love, Hermione”?
With love,
Severus
_______________________________________________________
Severus waited twenty four hours for a reply before he began to worry. Nothing. She must really be angry. Had he gone too far? It was mere levity. Surely she realized it was a joke about Lucius? Yes, rather nasty and sarcastic but a joke nonetheless. Even then, his fourth year potions class took the brunt of his upset. He bullied and insulted them until the majority of the students ended up complaining to Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore.
The latter came down to visit with him in his chambers.
“Anything bothering you, Severus?” Dumbledore asked.
“Why? Should there be?” came the angry reply.
Dumbledore shrugged, and accepted a cup of cocoa. “It occurred to me that we might be getting low on potions ingredients. Perhaps you could pop down to London for a day or two and pick up lieslies?” His eyes twinkled over his half moon glasses.
“My potions cupboard is adequately stocked. Thank you.” Severus replied primly.
“It would be a nice chance to visit friends, get away from here for a bit.”
Severus turned and glared. “Trying to get rid of me?”
“No, Severus. Trying to get you a much needed break. I think you’re under stress. I know this is a difficult time for you.”
The potions master was silent for a moment, then, to his utter disbelief, heard himself pouring out his long tale of wedding woes to Dumbledore. The old wizard sat and nodded patiently.
When the story was done, Dumbledore set down his cocoa cup. “You know it may seem impossible now, but you will live through this. I know that Hermione suddenly seems very silly and hysterical but remember back to when you were at university. The final year is the hardest with a rather large work load. She’s had a change of tutor, and for the worse apparently. She’s also trying to create two perfect wedding ceremonies to please everyone involved and down under it all she’s very distressed because she’s aware she’s upsetting you.”
“You think so?” Severus asked sarcastically.
“You know it yourself, Severus. Go down to London this weekend. Take the girl out to dinner and tell her you love her.”
After another pause, Severus nodded. “I think I will.”
“Would you like a few extra days off?” Dumbledore offered.
“Not yet. I may take you up on that later.”
On Friday, Severus apparated down to London. Although he had doubts about showing up unannounced, he did so anyway. He found Hermione entrenched in her bedroom under a pile of books.
“What are you doing here?” she asked in amazement.
Severus rolled his eyes, “What haed ted to ‘Severus, my darling! I’m so happy to see you!’ ?”
Hermione laughed, “Severus, my darling! I AM so happy to see you!”
She jumped off the bed, scattering books and papers everywhere, and launched herself into his arms. His mouth took possession of hers and all doubts and anger dissipated.
“You look pale,” he announced, when he finally pulled back from the kiss.
“I never see the light of day anymore.” Hermione complained. “It’s study, study, study! In fact,” she looked at him with some concern, “This is not the best weekend for you to have chosen to come down. I really needed to spend tomorrow at the library.”
“I won’t keep you from your work,” he promised. “We’ll just have dinner and I’ll stay the night then you can have the rest of the weekend to yourself.”
“You came all the way down here for one night?”
“One night with my goddess,” he acknowledged, kissing her forehead.
“You haven’t called me that forever.”
“We’ve both been distracted.”
But nothing was distracting them now. Severus lowered his mouth onto hers again and kissed her hungrily. His hands slid down her back, feeling the curves and textures that he already knew by heart. He let one hand glide over her bottom and pull her sharply into him. He heard her suck in her breath. He ended the kiss and looked deeply into her eyes.
“I have something for you.”
“Yes, I can feel it.” she giggled.
“Not that! This,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful gold quill. “I decided you needed treat. Now when you‘re studying you can think of me.”
She thanked him with another kiss, pulling him backwards with her onto the bed. Books and papers slid to the floor as they both kicked off shoes and clothes.
“Tell me you love me?” he asked.
“You know I do,” Hermione replied.
Severus shrugged, “I just wondered. You were rather annoyed in your last letter. Then you didn’t answer mine.”
“Of course I answered yours!” Hermione snapped. “I admit you were irritating but I sent ... oh Merlin! I forgot to post it!” Her hand went up over her mouth, “Severus, I’m so sorry! It’s sitting over there on my chair.”
Severus disentangled himself from her and went over to her chair.
“No! Don’t read it now!” she protested, “I really would rather you didn’t!”
Severus ignored her and opened his letter. After glancing at it briefly he read aloud,
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My Dearest Severus,
You’re still a bastard.
With Love,
Hermione
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He looked at her with one eyebrow raised, “Am I?”
Hermione shook her head. “No. I was just angry. You won’t really ask Lucius Malfoy to be your best man though, will you?”
“No. I was just being a bastard.”
Hermione giggled and held her arms out to him. “Come to bed?”
“What about dinner?” he asked.
“Later.”
When they finally emerged from the bedroom, they found Ron in the sitting room. He gave them a withering glare.
“Do you have any idea of how thin the walls are in this house?” Ron asked.
“I do actually.” Severus replied. “I believe the issue has come up before in regard to your sister.”
“You can leave my little sister out of it! In any case it would have been nice if you’d tried to keep the noise down. Who’d of thought ad mad man like you could be so active? I thought the plaster was going to fall off the walls. And good god Hermione! Do you have to scream?”
“If we had known you were eavesdropping we would have tried to make it more entertaining for you,” Severus sneered.
“Alright you two! That’s enough!” Hermione ordered. “See you later Ron!”
Later, on the way to the cafe she complained, “I wish you and Ron would learn to get along better.”
“We get along perfectly fine,” he acknowledged. “He still carries a slight grudge that you belong to me, however.”
“I don’t exactly BELONG to you,” Hermione corrected.
“Yes, you do.” Severus was smug. “You’re completely mine and Weasley will never have you. I do love to rub it in to him a bit.” Suddenly, he jerked his head up. “That’s it!”
“What’s it?” Hermione asked suspiciously.
Severus started to laugh his evil laugh. “Oh, sometimes I just amuse myself too much! Hermione, my love, I have decided who I’m going to ask to be my best man!”
“Not Ron!” she said aghast.
“Of course! Who better than Mr. Weasel-Boy himself? I can wish nothing worse on him than to have him stand at my side handing me the ring at one proceeding and holding our hand-fasting cords at the other! Imagine forcing him to assist in binding our union.” Severus chuckled again. “I can’t wait to get back to the house tonight and ask him! I want to see his face.”
But if Severus had expected Ron to decline, he was disappointed. Contrary to expectations, Ron took it as a great compliment to be asked to be besn.
n.
“No one’s ever asked me to be his best man before,” Ron marveled. “Thanks Professor!”
“You’re welcome,” Severus replied gruffly. It hadn’t been quite as amusing as he had expected but at least Hermione was appeased and another detail was out of the way.
Hermione slept well that night in her lover’s arms but the next morning began getting a bit panicky when she realized she had let a whole evening go by without studying. Severus saw her starting to worry and immediately gathered his things together.
“I’m going! I’m going!” he grumbled.
“I don’t WANT you to go,” Hermione tried to explain, “I just have to get some more work done.”
“Hmph!” He reached over and kissed her. “I’ll be glad when you’re done with all this.”
“Me too!” Hermione mourned.
As soon as Severus had left, she looked again at the mounds of books and papers surrounding the bedroom. Her neat organized stacks had been scattered. She was tired and she didn’t even know where to begin. This last huge push for her degree was proving to be the hardest. Mind you, if she succeeded, her thesis would rock the academic community. It might even get published!
Hermione sighed and looked at the mess again. She wished she had a time turner but university students weren’t allowed them. There just weren’t enough hours in a day to accomplish everything she needed to get done. A tear ran down her nose, then another and another. She went in the bathroom to wash her face. There, on the shelf, was Dave’s little bottle.
Hermione looked at the bottle for a long time. Then she put her finger on it.
“It can’t hurt to try it,” she said to herself. “Just till I get everything in order.”
Several hours later, Hermione observed with some satisfaction the huge amount of writing she had managed to get done.
“Not bad!” she commented, “Not bad at all. Maybe I can even go out with Ginny and have a drink at the Leakey Caldron tonight. Dave may be an idiot, but that potion isn‘t half bad.”
“Hermione! Are you mad?” Ginny gasped.
The girls had gone out for a drink and Hermione had just admitted trying Dave’s potion.
“No I’m not mad! It worked,” Hermione claimed. “All of a sudden my brain cleared and I was able to work fast and efficient. I was tired before I took it and instantly I wasn’t tired anymore. Dave is an ass but his potion is a gem.”
Ginny looked at her in amazement. “You’re being an idiot! Ask Severus about it before you take anymore.”
“Severus won’t approve of taking anything stronger than coffee to help with my work. I don’t even have to ask, I know. Besides, how can I ask him about it when I don’t know the name of it?”
“Yes!” Ginny continued triumphantly, “That’s exactly what I mean. You don’t even know what it is. You may just have uncovered the reason why Professor Faversham is so odd. He says HE took it when he was a student. Honestly Hermione! Don’t be a fool!”
“I am not a fool,” Hermione blazed. “Wait till your last year and see how busy you are! Anyway, if you’re not using the bottle he gave you, you can just hand it over.”
“No, I can’t,” Ginny said. “I wouldn’t take it from him. If I can’t manage without Dave Faversham’s potions then I have no right to be here at school.”
“What are you trying to say?” Hermione asked dangerously.
“I don’t need to say anything,” Ginny retorted.
“Nor do I!” Hermione snapped.
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
And with that, Hermione and Ginny were no longer on speaking terms.