Saving Grace

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. JK Rowling does.

Saving Grace
Chapter Seven

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Hermione couldn’t breath. The world stopped. Her mind was blank, the kind of blank that happens when you tell a child their parents were killed in a car crash. The brain fixates on the statement, unwilling and unable to think past the words. The meaning sinks in slowly. Married to Severus Snape. Hermione would have laughed at how ridiculous it sounded if she didn’t know the reality of the situation. Married to Severus Snape. Married. Snape. Mrs. Hermione Snape. Hermione Snape. Snape.

“Hermione!” Ginny broke Hermione’s trance

“I’m sorry. What?”

Severus rolled his eyes and continued addressed the Headmaster. “The Dark Lord expects a rapid marriage.”

Dumbledore nodded. “Do you have the petition?”

“It should be delivered mome-“ A fussy little brown owl tapped at the window. Everyone looked at it for a moment before Snape continued, “well don’t just stand there Weasley, let it in.” Ron jerked to action. The bird peeped angrily at the red head for making it wait before sweeping over to Severus. The Professor took the parchment and shooed the ball of fluff away. All eyes were on the man in black as he opened the document and scanned it with bored eyes. The muscle under his left eye twitched agitatedly before he grabbed a quill off the Headmaster’s desk and signed his name. He held it out to Hermione.

“I’m Sorry. What?” Hermione’s eyes were wide and blank.

“Dear spirits the know-it-all has finally gone stupid.” Severus snapped derisively

“No really, that’s it? That can’t be it. There has got to be….another option…” Harry said bewilderedly.

“I’m afraid not Harry…” Dumbledore said softly.

It was around this time that Hermione’s brain kicked in again. Everything went cold. Yes. Married. Married to Snape. No other way. She didn’t think about it, just accepted it. Her mind didn’t race, she didn’t imagine the future, didn’t think of how it ‘could have been.’ Her eyes didn’t well up in despair. She just went cold. An angry, determined, resolute cold. ‘Bare it, just bare it.’

Hermione lifted her eyes and they lit upon the old man. Dumbledore sat, defeated at his desk. And then she realized. ‘This is all his fault. He could have beaten this. He practically runs the ministry. He could have done something.’ She was staring at Dumbledore as if he had betrayed her. And he had. ‘Dumbledore let this happen to me. Its all his fault.’

Dumbledore spoke quietly, “Hermione you have three choices. I would have hoped that other men might have petitioned but Lucius will have stopped that option. So that leaves you to decide between marrying Lucius Malfoy, or Professor Snape. Or you could…” he let the last line go, not wanting to suggest it.

“Or I could what head master?” Hermione asked coldly, knowing what the answer was.

“Or you could leave the magical world.” He whispered, not looking at her

‘Ha! Yes, that would be the easy way out, but then you would lose a capable minion wouldn’t you professor? No, no, I won’t leave I’m stronger than that.’ She thought caustically. She stood up and walked to the window. Her arms crossed in Snape-like fashion. Everyone was silent as they watched her. She stood looking out at a bird. An eagle that was free, not like her. She was a slave.

“Fuck it, give me the damn contract.” She didn’t even look back. Snape walked forward with the petition and quill and gave them to her. She nodded once and, splaying the contract up against the window and sighed in neat flowing cursive, Hermione A. Granger. His name was already there, in dark spiky letters, Severus E Snape. The parchment began to roll itself and then with a puff of smoke and a singsong voice saying, “Congratulations!” It disappeared to go back to the ministry.

Ginny rushed forward to console Hermione but Hermione put a hand up, her expression taught and controlled. She turned to Snape and said, “When is the wedding?”

He stood looking down at her for a moment before saying quietly, “Tonight at dusk.”

‘How romantic.’ She turned to Dumbledore and said sarcastically. “Well I suppose I should go get a dress and a ring.” She turned to leave, Ginny trailing behind.

Just as she got to the door she turned and opened her mouth to ask a question but Snape simply said, “Traditional.” Hermione nodded and walked out her head held high.

The door closed behind her with a loud thump and the four men left in the room were silent for a moment. Ron walked up and stood right in front of Snape. “If you hurt her in anyway. I’ll kill you.” He said menacingly.

Snape laughed derisively again. “You think you are any threat to me what-so-ever Weasley?” He shook his head and Ron turned a bright red. Ron began to swell with anger and looked like he was going to punch the sneering professor. Severus saw this and decided to diffuse the situation. “Don’t worry boy, I may be cruel and heartless but I wont hurt her. I don’t know if I can make her happy but I will do my best not to make her miserable.”

Ron shrank, letting his breath go. “Well I guess that’s all I can ask for”

Severus nodded and then turned to Dumbledore, “If you will excuse me Headmaster there is much I need to attend to. Can you secure a place for the ceremony and do the honor of presiding?” Dumbledore nodded and without another word Snape swept out of the office in a swirl of black robes.

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Hermione walked briskly down the revolving stair in to the corridor and down five flights of stairs with Ginny trailing behind her. At the entrance hall she finally slowed and turned to the red head, “Ginny I have no idea where to look for a dress. Can you help me?” Ginny stood shocked for moment before shaking her self and telling Hermione that she would love to help but that they would need to go to Diagon Ally. Hermione nodded and walked out the front doors. They went to the pub in Hogsmede and flooed to the Leaky Cauldron. Upon walking into the ally the first shop they passed was a jewelry store so they decided to go in and buy Severus’ wedding ring first.

The shop was an old one, with the air of an antique shop. The counters were dusty and dried flowers hung from the rafters. A cat lay on a high shelf, one eye open watching the two girls as its tail flicked back and forth, in time with the tick-tock of the grandfather clock in the corner. There was no salesperson so the two girls walked around the shop for a while looking at various rings. Though there was a wide selection and many were very attractive Hermione had a since of what she was looking for and so she rang the call bell on the counter hoping to get some assistance.

An ancient man dressed in a robe of brown tweed hobbled out from the back. “How may I help you miss?”

Ginny came over to stand beside Hermione as the latter spoke. “I’m engaged and I’m looking for a ring for my fiancé.”

The old man shook his head. “How old are you child?” He asked softly.

“17” Hermione said, standing up straight.

“And your man?”

“42.”

“What is this world coming to?” He said sadly.

Hermione’s expression softened slightly. “He is a good man, don’t worry about me. Can you help me find a ring for him?” The man nodded and motioned for them to follow him as she hobbled back into the back room. Ginny and Hermione traded looks but followed the man. He whispered something and some candles flickered into life. In the back room was a desk with some clay pots on it, an open furnace in the wall and three rough wooden chairs. He motioned for the two girls to sit down as he took the desk chair and stoked the fire.

“I have developed a new kind of jewelry making. It’s for specialty jewelry, meant for one person. What I do is, link the metals with your thoughts and as you think of the person the ring will be made to match and fit only him.”

Hermione looked at Ginny and began to smile, “That sounds perfect.”

The old man, whose names it turned out was Isaiah, instructed Ginny to stand farther away so that her thoughts wouldn’t interfere and then, after putting the spells in place he back away, his wand raised. “Hermione, when I activate the spell, think about your fiancé, about his spirit and characteristics.” Hermione nodded and with a sweep of the wizard’s wand the spell was activated and the metals on the table jumped.

Hermione closed her eyes and thought of Severus. At first she thought only of his coldness, his black persona, and his harsh nature. Then she began to think of his intelligence, his nobility, since of duty and honor, his skill, his strength, and above all his sense of protecting others. While she contemplated this a sudden though came to her – he was protecting her, not trying to be cruel. He honestly was just trying to save her. With this thought came a mental image of her, wrapped up in his arms, him hiding her from the darkness around them. She smiled suddenly and opened her eyes.

A ring lay on the table. It was a wide band of silver but dented artfully, so that it had a rough appearance. Hermione reached for it and felt a spell woven around it, pulling out her wand she probed the spell and could tell that it was a protection spell, placed by her own magic, to protect the wearer from minor curses. She smiled, and continued to study the ring. At closer inspection she saw designs etched into the silver in thin almost indistinguishable emerald. She recognized the designs as old runes and drawing on her lessons from 4th year could see the sign for devotion, loyalty, power, honor, and…love.

Hermione’s smile widened and she stood up, putting the ring in a pocket as she pulled out money to pay the old man. It gave her much needed assurance to know that she honestly did not hate her fiancé. The old man nodded, understanding somehow and walked the two girls out. Ginny desperately wanted to see the ring but she sensed that it would somehow be inappropriate and so she steered Hermione silently into a wedding boutique to find a dress.

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Snape went down into the dungeons, seeking the safe hiding place of his rooms. He abhorred the fact that though his life was going to be disrupted just as much as Hermione’s, no one cared about how he felt about the situation. It wasn’t like he had any choice either.

Upon entering his living room he sank moodily into one of his dark leather chairs, staring into the fire. But suddenly a though came to him – Hermione was going to be living in his rooms starting that night. He jumped up and looked around, wondering what had to be done. An idea of making another room for the girl flitted across his mind but he dismissed it. ‘If we are to be married she must get used to the idea of sleeping with me.’

Then like a meteor another thought struck him completely dumbfounded ‘I am going to have sex with Hermione Granger.’ The thought had honestly never crossed his mind as to the duties he would have to perform as husband. ‘I have to get her pregnant.’ He suddenly understood everyone’s increased apprehension on Hermione’s behalf. But then his pride caught up. ‘Did they think I was going to rape her? I know my way around a woman!’ He thought angrily.

And so he did. Throughout Snape’s life he had often discovered that many women were drawn to that dark, over powering, ‘bad’ looking man. When he desired it he rarely had trouble finding women to satisfy him. Lately he had been with women less and less though. ‘Once you have to rape four women in one night every month you tend to want to let the rest be.’ He thought bitterly.

Snape shook his head to dismiss these thoughts. There was much to be done. ‘First and foremost, contact the Dark Lord and tell him you have succeeds, then going to the family vault and get mothers ring for Hermione…’

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It was almost dusk. Hermione sat at her boudoir in her head girl’s room looking at her reflection in the glass. Ginny was behind her brushing her curls down her back. ‘Well, I must say, Wizard weddings are a hell of a lot easier than muggle ones.’ Hermione thought idly.

Traditional Wizard weddings were as opposite from muggle weddings as the two poles. While muggles have huge gatherings, and flowers and decorations, and are most often in churches; Wizard weddings are extremely private affairs meant to signify that it is a private joining of souls and power, not meant to be shared with the world. There are no decorations, not wanting to hide the true meaning of the union. They are held outside, in a forest clearing with stones placed on the ground to serve as pathways and an alter. The two being wed do not wear any ornamentation what so ever, not jewelry, makeup, hair ribbons, or even fancy clothes. The men wear nothing but white linen slacks and the women a flowing robe of white. Neither is supposed to wear under garments.

So that left Hermione, wearing a simple gown of white and her mass of curls untamed flowing down her back. Ginny stepped back and said softly, “Wow Hermione, you look like an angel.”

Hermione sat and studied her self for a moment. She had grown into a beautiful young woman. She had feminine curves and even though she was only 5’5 her personality and way of carrying her self made her seem bigger. Her hair was no longer bushy but had matured to thick rich curls. She had big brown eyes with long lashes, high cheekbones and full lips. The only thing that saved her from being a classic beauty was her nose; the arch was just a bit overly strong.

“Thanks Gin. I do prefer this much more to the frills and lace of Muggle weddings.” Ginny nodded but had no idea what frills and lace Hermione was talking about.

“Hermione! I just thought, your parents! Shouldn’t you tell them?” Ginny said worriedly.

“Oh, I don’t think I want to handle telling them just now…” she said softly, looking down, “There in America on a business trip/vacation thing for several months anyway.”

Ginny nodded. Just then a knock came at the door. Hermione stood, her robe flowing about her and Ginny went to open the door. Professor McGonagall walked in briskly and went straight to hug Hermione.

“Oh my poor, poor child. Albus had just told me and I can’t even believe it, oh you poor soul. I can’t believe this foolish law!” McGonagall said tearfully. Hermione stood stiffly under these ministrations.

She gently pried the Professor off of her and handed her a handkerchief. “Its fine Professor, honestly, I’m alright.”

McGonagall sniffed loudly, “That good my child, be strong, see the positive. Oh, Severus isn’t really all bad. He is an honorable man; he will do well by you. And don’t worry about…don’t worry about tonight…” She faded off.

“What’s tonight?” asked Hermione truly puzzled.

“Well, you must lay with him…” McGonagall said softly

Hermione was thrown back. She had completely forgotten the rules of the law. ‘I have to have sex with SNAPE!’ Hermione thought shocked. She desperately tried to find a loophole. “No, professor, we have a week!” She said quickly

“No, my child, you don’t. It’s Saturday, and that is the last day of this week and since you and Severus were married in this week the rule applies. You and him must…sleep together tonight.”

Hermione pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes trying to block out this information. ‘I don’t want to think about this, just get married, deal with it all later!’ She thought desperately. “Alright, Professor, I can deal with that, but for now it is almost time, can you lead me to the ceremony?”

McGonagall nodded and stood up from the bed with a loud sniff. She walked out and Hermione followed after a quick goodbye to Ginny.

McGonagall walked like a soldier marching in to war. Her head held high, as if trying to stand up to the world that was punishing her star student. Hermione walked slowly, savoring her last walk through Hogwarts as Miss Granger. McGonagall led her out the front doors, down the sloping lawns, and into the forbidden forest. Hermione didn’t even ask where they were going; she didn’t really care overly much. They stopped outside of a clearing and McGonagall turned to Hermione.

“This is where I leave you child. I wish you the utmost happiness.” With another sniff and a fierce hug she turned and walked away, leaving Hermione.

Hermione looked into the clearing. There was a stone passageway that ran from her end of the meadow straight across to the other side. She supposed that is where Snape came from and they converged in the middle where a stone alter had been set up. Dumbledore was already there, looking up into the night sky.

Hermione looked up and saw the most beautiful night sky she had ever seen. The stars filled up the sky, twinkling and sparkling at her. The moon was bright beacon of light. For a moment, she forgot. She forgot the world around her, the law, the man, the future, everything. For a moment she was just a soul, underneath a vast expanse of diamond-studded black. And for that moment she was happy. The feeling of pure peace and joy swam through her body. She felt so calm, underneath that beautiful vastness.

She let her eyes fall and they connected with two dark brown ones. The feeling of calm joy intensified. The eyes held her. They called to her. She began to walk forward, her bare feet making no noise against cool stone. The moonlight shining on her face. She walked steadily; drawing closer and closer, and then, they met. She didn’t turn away.

Neither blinked, both were held by a connection so strong that nothing else in the world mattered. Words were spoken over them but neither noticed. The wind blew and the crickets chirped but the only thing the two people heard was each other’s breath, and then heartbeat. It seemed like an eternity, Hermione was losing herself in those eyes. She was diving into them, searching the soul behind them. And she felt him do the same.

She felt his hand touch hers and a cool band slip onto her finger. She felt herself doing the same to him.

Then, when each was completely lost in the other so that they were one in soul, they connected. Hermione was lost in a new sensation, soft lips caressing hers. His lips over came her, devouring her in body as his eyes had done to her spirit. And for a moment they were one body, one soul underneath the heavens.

Suddenly a bright flash of light and a loud snap broke the trance like a fright train on a calm night. The spell was broken and both came back to reality. Both jumped back as if scalded and looked around wildly, not knowing where they were.

“Well congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Snape! That was a lovely ceremony, if you guys will just sign this photograph that will be all the documentation the Ministry needs!” A fat balding man said. Both looked at him bewildered and it took them a moment to recover.

‘Oh, the ministry official…where did he come from?’ Thought Hermione dazedly. She felt her hand drop, and then realized that she had been holding hands with Snape. Snape took the photograph from the man silently and she watched him as he gazed at it, his eyes kinder than she had ever seen. He took the quill the man provided and signed at the bottom, then handed both to Hermione.

Hermione looked down at the photograph and her breath caught in her chest. It was a magical photograph so naturally the people moved. She watched as Snape kissed her again and again. The wind was blowing her hair and dress about her. Snape’s hand was holding her neck while her was curled in his hair. It was glorious.

Hermione took the pen and with a steady hand and no hesitation signed her name, Hermione G. Snape.

The man took the picture and quill and with a small bow, walked out of the clearing in the direction of the gates. Hermione and Severus stood for a moment, each completely unsure of what to do. Then Dumbledore strode up, the twinkle back in his eye and a satisfied smile on his face. “My children, I am honored that you allowed me to witness that. I wish you a…long…and happy marriage.” With that he strode off, leaving the two newly weds.

They watched him disappear into the woods and didn’t say anything until his footsteps could no longer be heard. Finally Snape broke the silence. “Hermione…”

“Yes Severus?” she said looking up at him.

“Well, shall we go?” She nodded and turned to follow Dumbledore. His hand caught her arm. “Oh well, we can apperate…” He said slowly. She nodded, understanding and stood waiting for him to move.

He crossed to where he had stood before the ceremony and picked his wand off the ground. He walked back to her and lifted his arm in invitation. She understood and stepped up to him. It was at this point that she became conscious for the first time that he didn’t have a shirt on, just linen pants.

She pressed her self up against his chest, one hand splayed on his stomach, the other on his shoulder. She felt the muscles move as he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. She felt her heart flutter at the feel of his bare skin and a blush crept up to her face

With a word and a loud crack the world spun around her. She clung tightly to Severus and he held her even closer. When she felt the world begin to slow she didn’t let go. Her eyes were shut tightly and she held her breath, her faced pressed into the middle of his chest. Once they had come to a complete stop she felt his whisper against her ear, “Hermione, are you alright?”

She jumped back and nodded, then looked around. They were in the tiny stone room. Severus strode confidently through one of the walls and led her through his bathroom and into the living room. An inviting fire crackled merrily and Hermione’s mind was put to ease. She felt Severus steered her to the love seat and she sat down, him beside her, both watching the fire, transfixed for a moment.

Hermione saw something flash in the corner of her eye. She looked down and saw the firelight reflecting off the ring on her finger. She then realized what ring it was and what it signified. She held it up and studied it. It was obviously old, a family heirloom. It was a thin silver band with large diamond in the middle, set in a tiny emerald snake. Hermione felt like a true Snape. She looked up to see Severus studying his own ring.

He was twirling it around his finger and running his fingers over the dented metal. A smile came to his lips and when their eyes met both new the other approved.

He stood up and offered his hand. She took it and was brought up close to him. He let his hand fall to rest on her lower back he whispered into her ear, “Don’t be afraid.” He stepped aside and walked her across the room and into his bedroom. The candles were lit and a peaceful ambiance was present. The bed looked inviting with soft dark green sheets. He stopped her in the middle of the room and she turned to him…

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Note: a cliffhanger of the worst sort. I made this a long chapter because I am going on vacation next week. However, if I get A LOT of reviews I might be persuaded to give you the lemon before I go. So review! On a different note I am looking for a Beta, any one interested please let me know. Hope you enjoyed that, once again, please review!

- Demos