The Marriage

A/N Don’t own anything *sob*

Chapter 3: (Getting to Know Each Other)

The library was deserted like it is during the night and there were nobody else there except the librarian and themselves.

\"You do know what the news about our engagement will do to the gossip mill, don\'t you?\" Severus asked, sitting down at the table Hermione was sitting at and they talked together about themselves and their interests.

\"Yeah, but we won\'t let them get to us, will we? Besides, just think how we were when you decided to have me for your potion\'s apprentice. Ron went ballistic. First he decided to kiss me. Did you know that he kissed me the day that I found out about the apprenticeship? He thought that we were going out but I soon filled him in on how I really feel about him. I mean, I love him alright, but just as a friend, not as a lover. Do you get what I\'m saying?\" Hermione asked him, knowing that him of all people would understand what she was saying.

\"I think that all the feelings you have for Mr. Weasley are of a platonic sort and not of an intimate sort like a grand passionate love affair kind of love?\" Severus guessed. The thought of Ron kissing her made his blood run cold. It also raised in him a knowledge of what they called the Green Monster, jealousy. It hurt the ego and the brain to know that he was jealous of a Weasley, but knowing that him, and him alone, would be the one to make Hermione happy for the rest of her life.

With a laugh Hermione answered and gave his arm a playful swat. \"You have one strange sense of humor, Severus. Yes the platonic sort of love and I would appreciate it if you will help me point out to him the kind of love I mean. You being my fiance and all.\"

Making as if the swat on his arm was deadly painful, he said, \"Ow. That hurt. Why did you have to hit me so hard?\" He complained and put his most pained look on his face to try to help her laugh again.

\"Your not hurt that bad, you big baby. Maybe if you wouldn\'t be such a big baby, it wouldn\'t hurt as much.\" Hermione teased right back.

Something in both of them clicked. They were flirting with each other. And they were enjoying it too. Looking as if they were exchanging practical jokes to the other, they decided to talk some more, but mostly about the school year and the upcoming N.E.W.T.s that were practically right behind the corner. (It being more than 6 months away.)

Severus, noticing the time, stood up and held out his hand. \"We have class in a few hours. Do you want to go anywhere to get a better breakfast? Knowing your friends, the news shocked them so much they bugged you and prevented you from having anything to eat.\" He suggested, trying to not insult her friends in front of her.

Hermione, realizing that she was hungry, took his hand and gave the affirmative. \"I would love to go somewhere for a breakfast because I haven\'t eaten since dinner yesterday.\"

With that, and a wave to Madame Pince, the librarian, they were off to the Entrance Hall.
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Severus and Hermione got to the Entrance Hall with no chance encounters from anybody. Not even the poltergeist Peeves, the menace that only the Bloody Baron, of Slytherin House, could control. But their luck was just about to change in the form of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, Hermione\'s friends.

\"Where are you off to, Hermione? Going for a walk outside with your lover boy?\" Ron asked snidedly, not caring that he was insulting a professor, and Professor Snape at that.

\"Twenty points from Gryffindor for insulting both Miss Granger and myself. Please note Mr. Weasley, that if I hear anymore derogatory remarks to fiance again, it will be a detention with Filtch and a meeting with the Headmaster. But to answer your first question, I am taking Hermione out for some breakfast considering that neither her or myself had anything to eat at breakfast because of you two twits.\" Severus remarked, taking pleasure for treatening Mr. Weasley with detention and for taking points off. The thing he said about Hermione and the tone of voice made him want to hex Ron until he was a bloody pulp.

\"Ron, you knew since last year that I didn\'t have any feelings for you other than brotherly love and I feel the same about Harry. It\'s just that, Severus and I have alot more in common than you or I have. I would appreciate if you would let me and my fiance through. We are both quite hungry.\" With those words, Hermione and Severus made their way toward the doors and out to the grounds. Leaving both Harry and Ron behind looking perplexed that she had just called their Potions professor by his first name and sounding as if she was familiar with saying it.
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The walk to the edge of the grounds of Hogwarts took the couple about ten minutes to get to. Taking Hermione into his arms, Severus apparated them to Diagon Alley. They were having breakfast at the Prancing Hippogriff, the best resturant in Diagon Alley.

It also was the most expensive resturant in Diagon Alley, Hermione was soon to find when they were escorted to their seats by a classy dressed waiter.

\"Oh, Severus. This is the most expensive place in Diagon Alley. Are you sure--?\" Hermione was cut off by Severus.

\"Hermione, this place is the best. And I can afford the best. So don\'t worry about the prices. I wanted to treat my new fiance to breakfast that will energize you for the whole day.\" With that they ordered their breakfast and dug in when it was served.

During the after breakfast coffee they were both enjoying, Severus had a thought.

\"Hermione, does your parents know about the Marriage Law and do they know that you are indeed getting married in a week and a half?\" Severus asked.

Hermione looked horrified. She hadn\'t thought about what her parents would think about the engagement but knew that they would have to be notified and would literaly explode, her father especially. \"No they don\'t. I think that we should have a short visit with them. Today if at all possible.\"

Nodding his head, Severus asked if he could use the fireplace for a moment from one of the waiters, explaining that he had an urgent message to send to Dumbledore.

Having given the address, Severus stuck his head into the fire and called out, \"Albus?\"

\"Yes, Severus?\" Albus asked from the other side of the fire.

\"Could you cancel my classes and give Hermione the day off? We need to visit with her parents and it could take all day.\" Severus explained.

\"Of course, take all the time you need. Hermione doesn\'t have that many pressing classes and no homework to work on so she could be excused. Oh and Severus?\" Albus called out when Severus was taking his head out of the fire, \"Try not to hex them. They are going to be your in-laws.\"

\"I\'ll try not to, Albus.\" With that, he cut the conversation.

\"Well?\" Hermione asked, wondering if they were free for the day.

\"Looks like we\'re going to visit your parents.\"