The Greatest Gift

Severus watched the Sunlight from the enchanted window shine across Hermione’s sleeping face, she looked beautiful. Sadly, it was a new day and the reality of their situation set in. They couldn’t do this he thought to himself, she technically wasn’t even legal yet. Severus knew he would hate himself for it later, but he had to let her go, make her believe that he’d only wanted her for the sex. A Teacher/Student relationship would never be a good idea. The thoughts going through his head sent a pang deep into his heart. He wondered if maybe he loved her, but quickly shed the thought. Severus reminded himself that it was best that neither of them get emotionally invested because the only possible outcome to him was heartbreak. His contemplations only saddened him deeper. He looked at her one last time and saw her eyes blink, she was waking and the time had come to say their goodbyes.


“Good morning Severus.” Hermione said sleepily.


“It’s best you don’t call me that anymore, Miss Granger.” Severus said despairingly.


Hermione was puzzled, she looked at him quizzically.” Why. What do you mean?” she asked nervously.


“I’m still your teacher and you still my student.” he replied impassively, “Now get your clothes on and go back to your dorm before everyone notices that you’re missing. I have work to do.”, his face was cold and expressionless.


Tears stung Hermione’s eyes, but she refused to let Professor Snape see her cry. She hurriedly put her clothes back on and stormed out of the dungeons. Thankfully, no one was in the common room to interrogate her. She ran into her dorm, grateful that she didn’t have a room mate this year. The tears began to flow. Hermione hated herself for being so naïve. “So this is what a broken heart must feel like.” she thought to herself sadly. Glad it was the weekend, Hermione had cried herself back to sleep. She wasn’t really sure how she was going to face Professor Snape in class on Monday.


Severus was so ashamed of his self, if only he could’ve controlled his libido, they wouldn’t be in this predicament. This was probably for the better though, she didn’t need a man like him, here he was in his late thirties and she was only seventeen, she had her whole life ahead of her. He didn’t want to come to terms with the fact that he had feelings for her. He knew that after that display, she’d never have anything to do with him again. He too was starting to experience the heartache that Hermione was experiencing. Severus was such a fool and he didn’t even realize it.


Hermione had slept right through breakfast. A soft knock awakened her.


“Come in.” Hermione said drowsily. It was Harry.


“Hermione, me and Ron are worried about you, you’ve been acting so strange lately.” He said anxiously “And where the hell were you last night? You never even came back.”


“It’s nothing really, I just met up with someone and we lost track of the time is.” Hermione retorted indifferently.
“Besides Harry, if there’s anything wrong, you know you and Ron would be the first to know. You two are like brothers to me.” That answer seemed to satisfy Harry.


“Well me and Ginny are about to go for a walk, do want to join us?” he offered.


“As good as it sounds, I’ll pass, and I was going to get some studying done today. Thanks anyway.” Harry smiled and hugged her then left.


Hermione hated lying to Harry and Ron, but they really didn’t need to know what was going on. If they knew, they would have a conniption. The nap did her a lot of good , she was a whole lot calmer now. She figured she would just take a shower and head down to lunch, she was starved.


When Hermione got to the Great Hall, there was no sign of Professor Snape, she was relieved. Hermione hadn’t eaten since dinner the night before and she was starved, she piled her plate high with food, the other students were disgusted at the sight. When her appetite was sated, she left to go back to her dorm, for once she wasn’t in the mood for studying. When she made it to the common room Professor McGonagall was waiting.


“Hermione, I think you need to come with me. It’s important, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you.” Professor McGonagall said nervously. She grabbed Hermione by the hand and pulled her along without waiting for Hermione’s response. When they got there, Professor Snape was already there.


“Miss Granger, please have a seat.” Professor Dumbledore said jovially “There’s a critical matter I need to discuss with both you and Professor Snape.


Hermione’s heart felt like it had sunken into her stomach.


The headmaster went on, “It seems that the two of you have taken part in sexual activity last night.” He paused then continued again, ”The Ministry of Magic has sent a message saying that you must get married and we’ve scheduled your ceremony for tomorrow at dusk.”


“I can’t marry her!” Severus nearly screamed, “She’s not even of age yet!”


“I didn’t seem to matter last night Severus.”, the amusement and sarcasm were dripping from Dumbledore’s voice. “Besides she’ll be of age in a few weeks.”


Hermione just sat there in awe, she never saw this coming and she couldn’t speak.


“Albus I don’t see anything amusing about this quandary” Severus hissed. “I can’t believe those idiots in the industry, Albus please don’t make me do this, it’s a horrible idea” he was whining now partially because he knew there was really nothing he could do about it.


Professor Dumbledore slammed his hand down on his desk, “Severus you know the matter is out of my hands. You will marry this girl whether you like it or not. I’ll see you tomorrow by the enchanted forest at dusk. Do not be late”.


Hermione was surprised to see Professor Dumbledore act in such a fashion. She looked around the room, Professor Snape was pouting. She was still speechless from the disbelief. Professor McGonagall just patted Hermione on her back in silent reassurance. How in the world was she going to explain this to Harry and Ron she wondered. Hermione excused herself and went to go look for Harry, it would be easier to explain the situation to him, then he could help her explain it to Ron. It was going to be easy. Harry was in the common room sitting with Ron, Ginny, and Lavender.


“Harry, can I borrow you for a moment?” she asked hesitantly, everyone looked at her curiously, she grabbed him by his arm and pulled him away before he could respond.


“What’s the hell’s the matter Hermione?”


“Harry I’m getting married tomorrow and I need your help explaining it to Ron because I want you both to be there.” She whispered.


“What in Merlin’s name happened, how’d you get yourself into this mess?”


“Well… to make a long story short… remember how I didn’t come back last night?”


“Yes.”


“Well I sort of had sex with someone and the Ministry of Magic found and said we have to get married now.”


“For Merlin’s sake Hermione, who was it, and please don’t let it be who I think it is.”


“It was Professor Snape Harry. Please don’t be mad at me. I wanted to do it, he didn’t make me do anything” she stammered.


Harry had to sit down so he could take in the gravity of the situation. His best friend was about to marry one of the people he despised most, but he wouldn’t turn his back on her, she was like a sister to him.

“Ok, as much as I hate Professor Snape, I’ll be there for you, but we need to tell Ron now so he’ll at least have time to cool off.”


Hermione was elated for the first time today, she threw her arms around Harry’s neck and kissed him on the cheek, and he blushed. She could always count on him. When they explained it to Ron, he hadn’t reacted nearly as bad as she’d thought, but he did faint. When Ron finally came to, he was a lot calmer and promised he’d be at her wedding along with Harry. They were Hermione’s best friends for a reason, they were always there for her through thick and thin.


For her wedding, Hermione had chosen a traditional muggle wedding dress. The dress was gorgeous, it was long, white, and strapless with a beaded bodice. She figured that since this was her only chance, she might as well do things right.


She heard a knock at her door, “come in” she said. It was Ron and Harry, when they saw her, they were speechless.


“’Mione, you look gorgeous” Ron stuttered. Harry nodded his headed in agreement.


Hermione looked out the window, it was dusk, “We’d better hurry before I’m late to my own wedding”. With that they threw the invisibility cloak over themselves and were gone.


Everyone was waiting when they got there. Professor Snape looked handsome. He was wearing black dress robes with two silver and green snakes intertwined on each cuff and his hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Professor Snape looked up when he heard the golden trio coming. It was as if he only saw Hermione though. She was a breathtakingly beautiful vision in white, the dress hugged all of her womanly curves just right, she was angelic.


All the vows were done being exchanged. Professor Snape put her ring on her finger, it was a gorgeous platinum ring with an onyx and diamond on each side and an emerald in the middle. The kiss Severus had planted on her was as possessive as it was enticing. Hermione could feel her body react to it the same way she had the first time he had kissed her.


“Now that you’re my wife, you’re my property and I fully expect you to act accordingly whether you like it or not, Mrs. Snape.” Severus whispered to her.


Hermione felt that sinking feeling in her stomach again.

---
Author's note: Thanks again for your wonderful reviews. Special thanks to Jen618: I knew something didn't look right, buat i couldn't put my finger on it. Thanks again for the suggestion.