It Started With A Kiss

Chapter 5


The next evening found Hermione anxiously waiting for Severus in the Entrance Hall. She dreaded this visit to her parents; she received their reply to her owl at lunch saying they would be home waiting for her. Not only had it been a long day, she had a feeling it was going to be an even longer night.


Severus appeared at the top of the steps that led down to his dungeons, she had yet to take note of his presence. He stood still studying the young woman that would soon be his ‘wife’. The apprehension in her face was obvious to even the most casual observer. Even though she was still in her uniform, he could tell that underneath her body matured most agreeably. Intellectually she was more then his equal, her love of learning was on par with his own. The woman would no doubt excel at whatever she chose to do. He had a good idea that the only knowledge she lacked was that of the sexual nature. In that area, she was sure to be malleable and he would be more then pleased to teach her to the erotic arts. All in all any man, Wizard or Muggle, would feel privileged to have her as his. Ceasing his musings, he approached Hermione.


“Punctual as ever I see. Shall we?” he said offering her his arm.


“I suppose we must.” She said. As they headed out onto the grounds and walked to the front gates.


“I know you're nervous about seeing your parents but may I ask what is the worst you can foresee happening?”


“You mean besides the yelling and screaming? Well, I have never seen my father physically attack anyone, but in this case he just might throw a punch at you.”


“If this chat should degrade to fisticuffs Hermione I will be forced to defend myself with a well cast ‘Impedimenta’.”


“I understand, Severus. But please no more then that, they are still my parents and I do love them.”


“I will not need to do more then that.” He said as they exited the gates of Hogwarts.


“Have you ever Apparated before, Hermione.”


“No, I haven’t. Will you be doing Side-Along-Apparating?”


Looking down at her, he replied teasingly, “Know it all. Yes we will.” He gathered her into his arms. He thought it ‘felt right’ holding her in his arms like this, as if she had always been meant to be there. The fragrance of Night Blooming Jasmine reached his nose and he breathed it in deeply, it smelled wonderful on her.


“Close your eyes and hold on tight.” He said in a soft whisper.


Holding onto his robes tightly, she felt the air around her compress for a few seconds. Still holding tightly onto him she opened her eyes to find they were in her parents’ backyard. She would have to ask him later how he knew where her parents’ home was. Stepping away from him slightly he took her hand and led her to the house. Approaching the rear door it suddenly opened, a woman whose appearance resembled that of Hermione took Hermione in her arms hugging her.


“Hermione, sweets, so good to see you. How have you been? How are you doing in school? Why are you here?”


“Hi, Mum, I’m fine and school is fine. I’m here because I need to tell you and Dad something.” Turning to look at Snape she said, “Mum this is Professor Severus Snape, he teaching Potions at school. Professor, my mother, Anne Granger.”


Taking her hand, he bowed slightly. “A pleasure to meet you Mrs. Granger.”


“Pleased to meet you too, Professor Snape.” Said Anne Granger, looking at Snape as if she was not sure what to make of him. She had seen wizards before, her daughters’ friends, Harry and Ron even that strange Arthur Weasley, but none of them looked like him.


“Where is Dad, Mum?”


“He’s in the den dear. Why don’t you and your Professor have a seat in the living room and I’ll go get him.” They followed her through the kitchen and Hermione led him to the living room. He looked around at the pale blue walls, still pictures of Hermione and her parents on the fireplace mantel. The furniture he assumed was tasteful to Muggles. He sat next to Hermione on the sofa not having to wait long until her mother returned with her father.


Standing up as they came into the room, her father greeted her with a hug and a kiss on her forehead. Mrs. Granger introduced her husband. “Professor Snape, my husband Edward Granger. Edward this is Hermione’s’ Potions instructor, Professor Snape.”


Offering his hand to Snape, Mr Granger said, “Nice to meet Professor. Please have a seat.”


“Would you like something to drink Professor?” Mrs. Granger offered.


“No, thank you.” He said.


“Well then Hermione what is this all about? Your letter was very vague.” Her mother asked as she and her husband each sat on a chair opposite them. Concern written clearly on their faces.


“Well, Mum, Dad I ummm...I’m...getting married.”


“You’re WHAT?” her father yelled. “Are you pregnant Hermione Jane?”


“No, no Dad, nothing like that.”


“Who is this boy dear, you’ve never mentioned you were seeing anyone at school. Is it Ron or that nice boy Harry?” her mother asked hopefully.


“No, Mum not Ron or Harry..you see..”


“You better start explain this young lady. Just who ARE you MARRYING and WHY!” her fathers voice getting steadily angrier.


“Actually, you see,” looking back and forth between her parents and rubbing her hands together, “I’m marrying...Professor Snape.”


That is when, as they say, all HELL broke loose.


“OVER MY DEAD BODY WILL YOU MARRY HIM!” her father said as she shot out of his chair pointing his finger at Snape.


“WHAT do YOU have to say about this Professor? Seducing a student under your charge...is this the kind of thing that goes on at that SCHOOL of yours?!?!”


“I assure you sir, it certainly does not, nor did it in this case.” Snape said trying to keep his voice and his temper under control. “Perhaps if you sit down and listen you will get the answers you seek.”


Placing a hand on her angry husbands arm, Anne Granger spoke, “Edward, please let’s hear what Hermione has to say.”


“Well you see, it all started on my birthday. I was thanking Professor Snape for the gift he sent me, it was just a small peck on the cheek really, when we were suddenly this ‘white light’ seemed to glow around us.” She could tell by the looks on their faces they were disbelieving of her story already, but onward she continued.

“When it was gone each of us was marked with a rune on our right hand.” Turning her hand palm up showing her parents the rune seemingly tattooed on her palm.


They looked at her hand, their scepticism showing clearly as their eyes went from her hand to her face.


“According to Professor Dumbledore, the Ancient Ones have deemed that Professor Snape and I are to be bound and...”


Mr. Granger could no longer contain his thoughts. ”According to ‘Dumbledore’, I’m sick to death of Dumbledore filling your head with these absurd stories, filling your mind with this nonsense. Now he has you convinced some mythical gods claim you have to marry this...this overgrown bat!”


“Really Hermione,” her mother injected, “I thought we raised you better then this. It was obviously a big mistake on our part allowing you to go to this so called ‘school’ it seems to be more of a cult pairing young girls with men old enough to be their fathers...it’s disgusting!”


“You go to your room Hermione. You’re staying here, you are NOT going back to that place ever again.” Her father demanded.


“No, I will not!” Hermione exclaimed. “I’m 18, and considered an adult in the Muggle and Wizarding world. I am going to marry Severus and I am going back to Hogwarts whether you like it or not!”


Severus saw her father raising his hand to Hermione and quickly placed himself between them.


“I would think twice about doing that Muggle. You will not lay a hand on her.” Severus’ voice threatening more then his words did.


“You! You paedophile, how many other young girls have you done this to...poisoning their minds, using them for your own sick pleas...”


“IMPEDIMENTA” Severus yelled out. Freezing the red faced Muggle in his tracks and thankfully shutting him up.


Hermione didn’t see him raise his wand but heard the hex he had cast on her father. She did, however see her mother attempt to attack Severus.


“What did you do to my husband you BASTARD!” she screamed her arms flaying hitting Severus wherever she could. He grabbed both her wrist and held her at bay.

“Nothing compared to what I could have done to him woman. He can see and hear everything, so I will only have to say this once. I know you both have been to Diagon Alley at least once, so how you both can be so ignorant is beyond my comprehension. Magic DOES exist; your daughter is a witch, a brilliant, powerful and beautiful witch. One who WILL be MY WIFE, and neither of you have any say in that any longer. Also, if I ever hear either of you insult Albus Dumbledore again, well, let us just say you will both find out what a real hex feels like. Now Hermione and I are leaving, we will be married at the next full moon, if either of you can come to senses you’re invited to attend. Owl us if you do change your minds.”


Letting go of Anne Granger he took Hermione's hand, “The hex will wear off in about 5 minutes.”


“If you leave with him Hermione don’t bother coming back.” Her mother stated.


“I’m sorry you feel that way Mum. Good bye.” She said walking out the door with Severus.


He Apparated them to the outskirts of Hogsmeade. “What are we doing here?” she said.


“I thought a walk back to the castle would be in order. We could talk more privately that way about what happened at your parents house.” He said.


She took his arm as they started up the path leading to Hogwarts. “Severus, how did you know where my parents lived?”


“I helped Dumbledore place wards on your parent’s home during the war. They would have alerted the Order if someone attempted entry with intent to harm.”


“I guess I should thank you for doing that. I did worry during the war that they could be attacked.”


“You’re welcome, Hermione. The Headmaster had wards placed on the homes of all the Muggle-born students during that time. Though, yours was one of the select few that the Headmaster and I personally saw to.”


They continued walking in the cool night air. Hermione observed the stars shining brightly and the sliver of moon hanging in the sky. She looked at the man on her right he wasn’t handsome by ‘Witch Weekly’ standards, but she thought he was handsome in his own way...he was ‘unique’. His hair wasn’t greasy as most thought, it was silky and thick. His nose seemed to fit him just fine, she thought. His eyes, sometimes she thought she could get lost in the dark depths of his eyes. His voice though, she could listen to him speak for hours on end. He could use his voice to calm or terrify, it was an instrument he used well.


“Did you mean what you said?” she asked him as the walked.


“You’ll have to be more specific.”


“When you told my parents that I was ‘brilliant, powerful and beautiful’. Did you really mean that?”


He stopped, turning her to face him he looked into her eyes, the stars reflecting off her irises. “I meant every word of it Hermione. You are all that and more. Don’t you ever doubt it.”


A/N: A BIG THANK YOU to my Beta Keela for all her help.
To all my reviewers: Megan- I update weekly or at least try to!
Akasha- Heres a tissue...you may need some more for this chapter.
Annie, Dragonero, takemeaway, Slytheringriffindor, Cecilia - Thank you all for the kind words.

I now have a live journal were you can go to get any news on my next chapter. It's valady.livejournal.com
Next chapter will be some time next week. Have a great weekend....and try to keep cool!