It Started With A Kiss

Chapter 4


After the boys were out of her room, and on their way to their next class, she thought about how wrong she had been about their reaction to her news. Ron took it calmly and Harry was the one to go ballistic! She knew eventually that Harry would calm down and accept the situation, though she hoped it would be soon.

Hermione sat thinking about the Ancients, what they are, and what did they have in store for her and Severus. She knew very little about them, except what the Headmaster told her. Therefore, Hermione went to the one place she could indulge her curiosity and find the answers: the Library! She had hours yet before she would meet again with Severus so she had plenty of time to scrutinize what texts she could find. Entering the library, she gave a quick nod to Madame Pince who acknowledged her presence with a nod in return. Hermione headed straight to the history section, began to look over the titles, and chose which books she thought may be of help.

She strolled through the stacks retrieving a book here and there that she thought might contain some pertinent information. A particular old looking tome caught her attention, gently taking it from the shelf she looked at the title, Ancient Gods, Demons, and Myths. Walking to her favourite table, she put her selections down, took her seat and began with the first book on the stack. Skimming through the first few, she couldn’t find anything even relating to the ‘Ancient Ones’ until she got to the last book. Carefully opening the old cover, she came to a table of contents. Turning to the section on ancient Gods she began to read and quickly came across a section on the ‘Ancient Ones’ and read….

The Ancient Ones, servants of the Gods and Goddesses of the magical world. Controllers of the four elements. Not much is known about the Ancient Ones, but in times of great threat to the magical world, they will intervene and bring together a witch and wizard whose powers are immense in order to counter the threat to our world. There have been two recorded events of this phenomenon. The most notable in the last 600 years was that pairing of Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin.

Hermione could not believe her eyes, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin?!?! Nowhere in Hogwarts: A History was this ever mentioned. Noticing how low the sun was setting Hermione went to check out the book, Madam Pince raised her eyebrow a bit when she saw the title then touched the old tome with her wand checking it out and handing it back to her. She wondered how many of the staff was aware of the situation between her and Professor Snape as she headed back to her rooms to prepare for dinner. She would take the book with her when she met with Severus after supper.

Hermione washed her face and was looking at her reflection in the mirror, in a few short weeks she would be a married woman. She would no longer be Hermione Granger she would be Hermione Snape.

“You really need to something with that hair my dear,” the mirror said. Giving it an annoyed glare, she took her wand and charmed her hair into a tight plait.

“Hmm…maybe a little bit of make up and I really should change into nicer robes,” talking in a low murmur to herself. Charming on a bit of make up Hermione went to her wardrobe she found a nice deep blue robe her Mum had bought for her before she returned to school. They showed that she did indeed have curves in all the right places without showing too much skin. “Thank you, Mum,” she said softly and changed out of her school uniform.

Looking at the more put together version of herself in the mirror, I wonder if Severus will notice, she thought to herself.

“Whoa, Hermione,” she said startled by her own thoughts, “Since when do you care what Snape thinks about how you look? It’s not as if he cares what I look like. Does he? Do I care if he does? Well, I don’t want him thinking he’s being saddled with a scruffy little girl. Oh well, this is the best I can for now.”

With that, Hermione grabbed the book off her desk and headed down to the Great Hall.

Sitting at her usual spot at the Gryffindor table, she greeted Ron and Harry.

“Hey Hermione, you look nice tonight. Got something special planned?”

“Just meeting Professor Snape after supper. There are things we need to discuss.”

Ron nodded in response. She looked to her right at Harry, questioning him with her eyes.

“Harry?”

“It’ll be okay, I just need some time to digest all this,” he looked at her sadly. “It’s just…. you and Snape…,” he looked at the high table seeing Snape looking at Hermione he gave him a hateful glare and turned back towards Hermione. “How is HE with all this?”

“Professor Snape? He seems to have accepted it. It’s out of character for him I know, at first, he was a bit angry about all this also, but it’s as though he’s just accepted his ‘role’ in all this. I just want to make the best of this situation as possible Harry, neither of us chose it but there’s no need for either of us to be miserable.”

“I don’t like it Hermione, I wouldn’t put it past him to have arranged it somehow, but I’ll be here for you if you should need me.”

“Me too, Hermione,” Ron said, adding in his two Knuts.

Hermione smiled at her two best friends. “Thanks, guys, it’s nice to know I can depend on you both.”


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Severus observed the interactions between the three Gryffindors. He was relieved to see that those two idiots hadn’t ostracized their friend. However, Potter did look like he was turning three shades of green.

Shortly after returning to his rooms there was a small knock on his door, he all ready knew it was Hermione. Opening the door allowing her entry he took notice of how she looked, she had changed out of her school uniform and into robes, plaiting her hair making her look more like a young woman instead of a schoolgirl. He took her hand bringing it to his lips giving it a light kiss, while observing the slight blush on her cheeks in reaction to his courtly gesture.

Hermione felt a small jolt of electricity run up her arm when Severus' lips touched her skin. She never felt anything like that before. She liked how his hand felt on hers, and the feel of his lips on her skin. It made her wonder how his hands and lips would feel elsewhere on her body. With that thought, she felt her cheeks redden.

“Good evening, Hermione,” he said.

“Good evening to you, Severus.”

He then guided her to a pair of dark brown leather chairs facing opposite each other by the fireplace. “Would you like tea or perhaps a glass of wine?”

“A glass of wine would be lovely, thank you.”

Waving his hand the bottle of wine he had selected earlier and two glasses floated to him. Another wave and he uncorked the bottle pouring a glass for each of them, handing one to Hermione.

Holding his glass up he said, “A toast: To us, may our future together be more amicable then our past.” Hermione raised her glass in acknowledgement of his words and they each took a drink of the wine.

“Hmmm very nice. Merlot?”

“Yes. An appreciative parent sent it as a gift to me a few years ago. Tonight seemed the occasion to partake of it,” he said.

Taking notice of the book in Hermione’s lap, he looked at her inquisitively. Seeing the look she said, “Oh, I found a book in library today, it has some information about the ‘Ancient Ones’. I thought perhaps you might want to take a look.”

“I should have known you would eventually peruse the library in search of answers. What did you find?”

“This was the only one I found so far with any mention of what has happened to us. It seems the last time it occurred was to ….”

“Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin,” he said finishing her sentence. “Yes, Professor Dumbledore told me about it today. He also found mention of a special marriage ritual we would have to participate in; he is doing more research into that as well.” Taking another sip of his wine, he continued to tell her what else he and the Headmaster discussed. “I enquired about removing you from my class. The Headmaster agrees he had two alternatives to suggest: one I could tutor you privately in the evenings or two you could take on an independent study in Potions.”

Her face lit up at the mention of independent study. “Would you be my consultant?” She enquired hoping he would say yes.

“I see no problem with it. When we meet again with Dumbledore, we can ask. In addition, I have papers here that we must fill out for the ‘idiots’ at the Ministry. The Headmaster will be meeting with the Minister and the Board of Governors tomorrow about our…situation.”

“I didn’t think about them,” she said the panic rising in her voice. “Are they going to sack you and expel me?”

Refilling her glass hoping the wine would settle her nerves a bit he said, “Dumbledore knows how to deal with all of them. Have no fear I will still have a job by the end of tomorrow and you will still be able to graduate.”

“Hermione, have you thought about what you would do after Hogwarts?”

“Yes, I was going to attend the university in Edinburgh I was considering a double major in Potions and Arithmancy.”

“Was? Why past tense? Do you think I would disallow you the opportunity to continue your education?”

“Well, we really have not discussed it Severus. It would be expensive and….”

Interrupting her he said, “The expense is not a question Hermione. I have more then enough funds for you to attend university. I’m sure Albus will be more then happy to establish a Floo connection for you to travel to and from classes daily.”

“But, my parents already…”

“You are to be my wife, I will pay for what you need or want, Hermione. Do not argue with me about this.”

“All right, Severus. We have plenty of time to discuss this before I graduate.”

Severus sighed; she wasn’t going to make this easy was she, “On to another subject; your parents. We need to go see them and you need to tell them about our upcoming marriage.”

“I’m not sure if I want to tell them. I doubt that they will understand when I tell them the ‘Ancient Ones’ have brought us together. They are Muggles, Severus. Even though they love me I’ve had to defend my choice to stay in the Magical World after I graduate. I’ve tried to explain Transfiguration, Runes, Charms, and even Potions to them; they look at me as if I have two heads. Can you even begin to imagine what their reaction to this will be?”

He could hear the dread in her voice. “Nevertheless Hermione, you must try. Do you not want your parents at your binding? You know there is no divorce in the Wizarding world, this will be the only wedding you will have.”

She thought for a moment on his words and on the reality of what she knew her parents’ reaction would be.

He watched the emotions play across her face.

“You will come with me, right?”

“Of course”

“Promise me, that you won’t hex my parents.”

As the evening wore on Hermione and Severus talked about many things and learned a bit more about each other. She filled out the paperwork that was required and Severus sent it to the Headmasters office. Looking at the clock, she noticed how late it was getting.

“I should be getting back to my rooms. It’s just about time for curfew.”

“Allow me to escort you then. It wouldn’t do for my fiancé to get points taken for being late would it?”

They walked silently to her rooms in Gryffindor Tower, not seeing anyone else on the way. As they approached the portrait protecting her rooms she turned towards Severus looking into his eyes, a slight grin came to her face. “Thank you, Severus for seeing me safely back to my rooms. It was an enjoyable evening.”

“I, too, enjoyed our evening, Hermione. Remember to owl your parents that we are going to be there tomorrow evening. I’ll meet you in the Entrance Hall at 6:00 p.m. do not be late.”

“I won’t be late. Good night, Severus.”

He reached out taking her chin gently in his hand lifting it up and slowly bringing his lips to hers and placing a soft kiss upon her. Severus felt a tingle run down his spine, he was pleased when he felt Hermione move a half step closer to him, placing her hands on his chest and kiss him in return. He broke the contact and looked into her half lidded eyes to see warmth, acceptance, and want.

“Till tomorrow then, my dear. Sleep well,” he walked away heading back to his dungeon.

Hermione watched him walking away bringing her fingers to her lips. Who knew he could kiss like that she thought. She was sure she’d have to change her knickers. No boy she had ever kissed made her feel like that. She changed into her nightgown, brushed her teeth, and slid between the sheets of her bed certain she would have very pleasant dreams tonight featuring Severus.