A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Chapter 78 ~ An Agreement

When Rita and Bilbo walked into Prophet Editor Barnabas Cuffe’s office, the gray-haired, gray-eyed wizard turned his sharp eyes on the pair with a look of resignation.

”It’s about time, Rita. What have you got for me today? I hope no more rumors about the illegitimate child of Bigfoot and a Crumple-horned Snorkack running about the mountains of America, seeking muggle women to mate with,” the editor said as Rita winced and handed him her parchment. Bilbo slid a photograph across the large mahogany desk.

“Well, it was interesting,” Rita said lamely.

”But it wasn’t news. Save that crap for the Quibbler,” Barnabas snorted, shaking out the parchment and taking a look at it.

His bushy eyebrows lifted, then he grabbed Bilbo’s photo and stared at it. Then he looked up at Rita, his face pure white with shock.

“Merlin’s tattered boxers, Rita! How did you find out about this?” he asked her in a low, controlled voice, staring at the photograph again.

“A little witch told me,” Rita smirked, “So, Barnabas, you think that might make it to the front page? Or maybe I should hop a broom over to the Quibbler. It’s not about a Snorkack…but they might still be interested, don’t you think?”

Rita and Bilbo went back to Hogwarts with Hermione and Rita grilled a hesitant Remus Lupin, a delighted Albus Dumbledore, a thoughtful Rubin Fezwig and a scowling, rather snappish Severus Snape about the death of Fenrir, then set up an interview with Eloise to share her views concerning being the only werewolf with full human rights in the wizarding world.

”Rita Skeeter, don’t even joke about that. This is SENSATIONAL!” Barnabas shouted, jumping up and doing a little dance of glee. Rita and Bilbo looked at each other.

“My gods, the papers are going to fly off the shelves when they get a gander at this picture. It’s a bit gory but hell…it’s going to sell, sell, sell! You’ve both outdone yourselves.”

”I forgot to tell you, it’s an exclusive. No one else has this information. We’ve scooped it,” Rita added.

Barnabas’ mouth dropped opened and he turned all kinds of alarming colors as he gripped the article in his hand even tighter. Suddenly, the editor ran around his desk with such speed both Rita’s and Bilbo’s robes rustled as he passed.

”I’ve got to get this to press immediately! Immediately! Expect one hell of a bonus for this, you two. One hell of a bonus!” he cried, disappearing out the door.

Normally, Barnabas had one of his clerks take articles to press, but this article was too valuable to place in the hands of a clerk. Barnabas would hover over the printing for the rest of the evening.

Rita looked at Bilbo with a satisfied expression.

“Well, Bilbo, looks like we’re back on top,” she said to the chubby photographer, who nodded enthusiastically, “Come on…I want to get over to the Ministry and do a little background research on Mr. Fenrir Greyback. He is dead after all…and we all know he was a killer, but how did he become a werewolf? Who were his parents? Was he always vicious? Did he lead a life of crime from the very beginning? The people have a right to know the profile of a killer, don’t you think, Bilbo? I think so, and what I think…goes.”

Rita walked quickly out of the office, Bilbo following behind.

As nosey, annoying and mudslinging as Rita Skeeter was, the reporter sure knew how to make a story blow up.

There was going to be a world of fallout from this one.

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Remus, Severus, Rubin and Albus sat in the Headmaster’s office relaxing, enjoying a few firewhiskeys and talking among themselves. Well, Albus, Remus and Rubin were talking. Severus was just listening, mulling over his own thoughts.

“I want to marry Eloise,” Remus said suddenly.

Every eye in the room turned on the wizard.

“Marry her, Remus?” Rubin repeated, a small grin on his face, “Don’t tell me the wolf is ready to be collared?”

”More than ready,” Remus said, his eyes getting a faraway look, “We are mates for life now. It’s only right we marry and make it legal in the eyes of the law.”

Albus looked at him, then said softly, "Remus, you know it is against the law for werewolves to marry.”

Severus studied Remus. He had known the muggle for such a short time but was willing to make a lifelong commitment to her. He certainly didn’t hedge when it came to matters of love. This made the Potions Master think of Hermione. He was no longer a spy, but a free wizard. A free man.

”Yes, I know Albus, but I’m hoping since Eloise has rights, they will extend to her right to marry who she chooses,” Remus said, “I don’t want anyone else trying to take her from me. I can be constantly challenged for her if I don’t marry her. It would be battle after battle and I don’t want that. I want peace in my life…I’ve never had it until her.”

Severus snorted.

“Yes…peace. That’s what you call fighting and defeating the most vicious werewolf in existence? That peace came at quite a high price, Remus,” Severus observed, taking a sip of his firewhiskey.

”It was worth it, Severus. Love is worth fighting for,” the werewolf replied, looking into the flames and imagining Eloise in his arms, crying out with passion. His eyes went black-veined for a moment as he remembered her fire for him. “I’d fight a thousand Fenrirs for her. She means that much to me.”

”Be glad there was only one Fenrir in that case,” Severus snorted.

But his snort wasn’t as derisive as it sounded.

Two years ago, the Potions Master would have branded Remus a damn fool, led by his libido. But now that he was in love himself, he knew how the werewolf felt. He too would face a thousand enemies to keep Hermione in his life. The witch was part of him now. Oh, he still had his own life, his own separate existence and being. He still found satisfaction in his own pursuits and treasured his time alone with himself. It was just that Hermione added light to his solitary existence…a new dimension of possibility and growth. She added humanity, kindness, understanding and most of all love. He was more with her than he would be alone.

If Hermione were to ever leave him, he would feel her loss for the rest of his life. It would be as if the sun itself had been blanketed with darkness.

He was used to the sun now.

He finished his drink as the three wizards continued their conversation. Yet Severus wasn’t truly there.

Later that evening, he returned to his rooms, brooding and thoughtful. He looked around his study, then walked into his bedroom and looked at his empty bed. He stood there, his dark eyes scanning the rather stark, stoic room. For some reason, it felt cold…colder than it had ever felt before.

Severus suddenly had a strong desire to see Hermione…just to see her smile softly at him, her amber eyes full of affection…of love. The Potions Master shook his head as if trying to throw off the feeling of need washing over him. He stood there, his belly growing tight as he realized what was coming over him.

“Damn Remus,” he growled, “All that talk of marriage is haunting me.”

But wasn’t that what he planned all along? To ask Hermione to marry him when the spy work was over? Yes it was. But was Hermione willing to marry him? She was still attending school and had so much she wanted to do. Not that he would stop her. Getting married wouldn’t mean they’d be joined at the hip. She would be free to do what she wanted, with the exception of ever engaging another wizard as long as she drew breath, that is.

Most of all, marriage would let other wizards know Hermione belonged to him. They had kept their relationship in the dark for far too long, and there were times Severus had to bear the obvious flirtations of other wizards, unable to do anything but clench his hands with jealousy, and of course take Hermione thoroughly when he got her in his bed again, making her tell him over and over that she only belonged to him and wanted no one else.

The wizard wasn’t as secure as he appeared to be. Severus felt Hermione was a gem, and like all gems, subject to theft. Hermione was his treasure. He didn’t want anyone to steal her away. Yes, he could always confront a suitor, or even duel one, but the answer was to marry the witch.

Severus began to rationalize a situation that was primarily born of great emotion, something he wasn’t comfortable with. Breaking marriage down into something based on logic made it easier to pretend it just plain made sense to do it.

If he proposed to Hermione and she accepted, it would just be an agreement. A binding contract between two people with similar tastes who got along well and would like to continue exclusively. Getting married would simply would mean they each were committed to the other.

Yes…that was what it would mean. They were committed to each other…for life.

Life could be a long time.
Severus thought it would be even longer without her.

The wizard stood there for several moments more, before he turned and exited his rooms, intent on finding Hermione.

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Hermione was in her rooms, making signs with moving pictures on them. One sign had an image of two werewolves that changed into two humans, a male and a female holding hands. The caption below read:

”WEREWOLVES ARE PEOPLE TOO.”

Another sign had a picture of Remus on it, looking rather dashing. It had taken Bilbo a whole roll of magical film to catch the werewolf just right. Remus didn’t like being photographed. Rita told him he’d better get used to it and to stick his jaw out more. This sign had a caption that changed. The first read.

‘REMUS LUPIN, A TRUE HERO!”

The sign then changed to the next caption:

”FREEDOM IS FOR EVERYONE!”

And the final caption read:

”IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE!”

Hermione stepped back and admired her handiwork, then began duplicating the signs, just in case FOW needed more or people joined the demonstration. She was looking forward to this battle. It could be the beginning for a new and better life for werewolves, particularly since Rubin Fezwig was able to go into the presence of fully transformed werewolves and not be ripped to bits. Of course, he did take some rather strong precautions.

Hermione shuddered as she thought about Remus pissing on him. Oh good gods. But Eloise never showed any aggression toward Rubin. She said that she knew who he was in werewolf form and knew he was no threat. If Eloise could discern that difference only after a couple of months as a werewolf, then that bode well for others used to their transformations.

Hermione believed that any werewolf aggression toward humans stemmed from their terrible treatment when in human forms. There had been cases of people being chased by werewolves, but Fenrir was the only one who purposely killed them. For all anyone knew, the werewolves were simply driving people away from areas they considered their territories, and was reciprocal treatment since werewolves were banned from many human areas. It was worth looking into. Perhaps she could get permission to do an independent study at University.

Severus entered her room as Hermione was focused on recreating the signs. He read them and rolled his eyes. She was certainly gung-ho about this and most likely would join the crowd, waving signs and chanting slogans in weeks to come. Severus would be supportive, he knew mistreatment only bred anger and malevolence, but he wouldn’t be waving any banners.

“Ready to rage against the machine I see,” the wizard said silkily.

Hermione turned and smiled at him.

There it was. That love. Severus felt his heart skip a bit, then scowled inwardly at himself. He was reacting like a smitten sixth-year. He cleared his throat.

”Oh yes. More than ready,” Hermione agreed, “What do you think?”

Severus studied the signs, focusing on the brave, dashing Remus image.

”I think they will be quite effective,” he said honestly, “Remus is fortunate to have you in his corner…as am I.”

Hermione stared at him.

“Severus, that’s so sweet,” she said, putting down her wand.

Severus tried to ignore the “sweet” statement, and cleared his throat again…walking up to the witch and taking her hand.

”Hermione, sit down,” he said, leading her to the sofa and moving a pile of signs aside.

He helped her sit, then sat down beside her, still holding on to her hand.

”Remember several months ago I told you there were things I wanted for us, things I wanted to pursue with you?” he asked the witch.

Gods, his stomach was starting to churn.

”Yes, I do, Severus,” Hermione said softly, looking at him curiously.

“Hermione, I think we should enter into an agreement,” he said firmly.

Both of Hermione’s eyebrows rose.

”An agreement? What kind of agreement?” she asked him.

”Well,” the Potions Master said, hedging a bit, “The kind of agreement that…that makes a commitment between us.”

”A commitment?” Hermione said, then it started to dawn on her what Severus was attempting to do, “What kind of commitment?”

“I will give you my name, and you will give me your fidelity. And children,” the wizard said as if this were the most normal thing in the world, “After you do all you want to do, of course. I don’t want to hinder you in any way. I just want to…to secure you and our future.”

“Secure me? Tell me, Severus…does love happen to…I don’t know…have something to do with this…this agreement you want to strike up with me?” Hermione asked him.

“Of course it does,” he snapped, “Why would I want to make an agreement like this with a witch I didn’t love? It’s for a lifetime, Hermione.”

Hermione stared at the wizard. Severus Snape was really in over his head here. For a moment, she felt like laughing at him, trying to make a proposal into an agreement. Then her heart caught as she realized that the wizard loved her enough to want to marry her. She felt dizzy a moment, but managed to let the feeling pass. Hermione loved him enough to agree to become his wife…but, if he wanted to marry her, his proposal would have to be much better than this.

“Well Severus, it sounds like you just want control over me. Give me your name…I give you my fidelity. You want to secure me…like tie me to you. I don’t know if I like how that sounds. It’s all so…clinical,” she said, “I don’t think I’d like to have such a clinical, cold agreement.”

”Clinical? There’s nothing clinical about the way I feel about you, witch,” Severus said to her frowning, “I want you for my own. Forever, with my name, my protection…”

Severus faltered here as Hermione looked at him expectantly. The wizard sighed.

“…with my undying love to keep you safe and comforted,” he said softly, “I have never known any woman like you, Hermione Granger, and I know I will never know another. You have brought light into my life and I don’t want it ever extinguished. The only way that can happen is if you will agree to become my wife. I treasure you and will be a good husband to you. I know you are young and have much you wish to accomplish. I will help you accomplish every dream you have, witch. I will never hinder you or attempt to control you…”

Here the wizard hesitated. He didn’t want to lie. They both knew he had a controlling nature.

”Well, I will be willing to discuss any matters we disagree upon in a reasonable manner, like we do now,” he said, blinking.

Hermione gave him a soft smile. Their “discussions” often deteriorated into skirmishes, ending with a rousing round of sex, after which Hermione did what she wanted to do anyway. She could live with that…for now. They’d have to eventually find a better way to deal with their disagreement, but for now it worked.

”So what are you actually asking me, Severus?” she asked him softly, “Say it plainly so there are no misunderstandings between us.”

Severus cleared his throat and looked into Hermione’s eyes. They were soft, warm and full of love for him. He never believed anyone could ever feel such a way about him. But Hermione did. The wizard stood up, moved in front of Hermione and knelt on one knee, taking her hand and looking into her beautiful eyes, which were tearing up.

“Hermione Granger, my beloved and my only, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and accept my love for you for the rest of our days?” he asked the witch softly, his heart tight in his chest as he awaited Hermione’s answer.

Hermione looked at him, tears brimming in her eyes. Severus did love her, deeply and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. The tears began to fall, running down her cheeks and dripping on to the back Severus’ hand. His eyes flicked downward as the warm liquid coursed across his pale skin and into the gap of their clasped hands, like a seal between them. He looked back up at her.

”Your answer, Hermione?” he pressed softly.

Hermione swallowed and wiped at her eyes with one hand.

”Yes, Severus. Yes, I will marry you and love you until the end of our days,” the witch replied.

His heart full, Severus leaned forward and kissed her gently on the mouth, lingering as her sweetness washed over him. His. Hermione Granger had agreed to be his forever. He pulled back, licking his lips slightly. Then he froze.

“I don’t…I don’t have a ring to give you, Hermione,” he said, shaking his head.

He really hadn’t thought this through. What kind of wizard proposed to a witch without a ring?

Hermione looked at him and smiled. Obviously, Severus had been driven by great emotion to ask her to marry him this way. It wasn’t planned. He was normally so meticulous about things. She couldn’t help but feel that this was more proof that his love was from his heart and his passion.

”That’s all right, Severus…we can get a ring later,” she said, kissing the wizard’s cheek, “It isn’t the ring that binds us after all. It’s the love. No ring can match that.”

Severus gave her a small smile.

”You are a gem,” Hermione Granger…my gem,” he said softly, kissing her again.

Of course they found another way to cement their newly-formed bond.

”This might not be a finger,” Severus purred as he nestled himself between Hermione’s thighs and adjusted his cock against the sighing witch’s apex, “And you might not be a ring, witch, but let’s just slip this on for size.”

Severus locked his mouth to Hermione’s lips tenderly and entered the witch slowly and reverently, murmuring his love as she slid around him.

No ring could have fit them better.

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A/N: Sorry for the wait. Thanks for reading, ya’ll.