I hit 6K reads this week. Thank you guys for sticking with me for this long. H.x 

"What?" Hermione's mouth hung open, tear tracks visible on her face. "Severus Snape, you better not have told me that just to get me to marry you! That would be... That would be unforgivable." 

If you asked him later, Severus would say that he had no idea what on earth than possessed him to say those three words to Hermione. Even he knew how manipulative he sounded. He knew exactly what kind of person it made him seem like. Perhaps his past had trained him well,  but Severus Snape was not the conniving snake he used to be. 

"I-I-I I know my timing is downright atrocious. But please, agree to marry me. I love you, Hermione." His voice was thick. "Merlin knows I haven't had a great life, but please, let me have one last happiness before I am condemned."

Hearing the emotion in his voice shook Hermione to her core. Severus Snape did not express emotions. He was not someone who offered compliments freely. He was far more comfortable handing out bitter comments and harsh insults. He did not engage in physical touch. He did not involve himself in something as tiresome as a romance. Yet here they were. 

Severus had been nothing but kind to Hermione. He had given her space when she needed it and offered his condolences when they were required. He had placed tender kisses on parts of her body she cared not to mention and had held her like she was the most valuable thing in the world to him. Severus had shown Hermione that she was immune to him. He had only ever been his true self when they had been alone together. If his gestures didn't speak of love and trust and genuineness, then she wondered how much of a bigger sign she would need. 

The last piece of the jigsaw fell into place with a rather satisfying click.

"Yes." Hermione whispered. "I'll marry you."

There was no fanfare. No squealing or crying or laughing like one would associate with a successful marriage proposal. Severus simply smiled. It was the biggest smile that Hermione had ever seen decorate his face. It was dangerously infectious. 

"Really? You'll truly marry me?" Severus, it seemed, hadn't really expected her to say yes. 

Hermione beamed. "Yes, you idiot." Neither of them had made any effort to embrace, but the moment was perfect. 

____

Hermione and Severus wed a couple of days later at The Ministry of Magic. It was a quiet and modest affair. In fact, it was nothing like the wedding Hermione had always pictured for herself. But she discovered that necessity trumped disappointment. She would simply have to insist that she and Severus have a proper wedding once this nonsense was all over. 

Severus had to admit Hermione's friends had taken the news of their engagement much better than he had hoped. He recalled how his fiancee had dragged him by the arm, through the floo, and into the Potter's living room at Grimmauld Place shortly after their engagement. Ginevra had cried as though Hermione had just announced she was going to marry the man of her dreams, and not just her cantankerous old Potion's professor. Harry had clapped Severus on the shoulder and congratulated him like he hadn't just spent the last 7 years hating the sight of his old teacher. 

The world was certainly turning upside down. 

Naturally, Hermione had blushed furiously the following morning as eager owls had swooped into their kitchen with messages of felicitations. Molly and Arthur Weasley had offered to host their wedding, to which they both respectfully declined. Ron Weasley had sent a very mature letter of congratulations, which was lost by the fact that the envelope was addressed to Mione and Snape." Even Draco had apparently caught wind of the news and had sent a letter insinuating that Hermione was "knocked up." 

Damn Potter and his big bloody mouth.

Severus had nothing to complain about in regards to the wedding itself, though. Hermione wore a smart, a-line dress that she had charmed to be a subtle shade of silver. Severus wore his black dress robes and tied his hair back with a ribbon. Neither of them had any time to purchase any proper wedding attire.

They congregated in a large oak-paneled room in the bowels of The Ministry, which was clearly set up for wedding ceremonies. There were vast rows of chairs, set out to accommodate their meagre guests. Harry, Ginny, and Draco sat together on the front row in an uncomfortable silence. There was a large table at the front of the room, before which an elderly wizard stood wearing moth eaten robes and smelling faintly of cigar smoke.

Hermione and Severus stood at the front of the empty room, feeling rather exposed as they repeated the vows, they had each desperately tried to memorize the day earlier. 

"I take you, Hermione Jean Granger, to be my wife. I, Severus Snape, vow to cherish and support you, to celebrate and encourage you, until the very end. I promise to be faithful to you during the good times and the bad. I will love you and honour you for the rest of my life. Always." 

Tears had spilled shamelessly down Hermione's face as Severus read out his vows. She knew that this was a wedding of convenience, in that it wouldn't have happened so soon had Severus not faced prison, but Hermione truly hadn't expected to get this emotional. Ginny, the ever sensitive best friend, had discreetly passed Hermione a tissue to which she was most grateful for. 

Severus had fought to retain his emotionless expression when Hermione repeated her vows to him. He was unable to stop his hands from shaking, something he doubted their guests would notice, but he was sure Hermione would pick up on. 

Never in a million years did Severus think he would ever see himself get married. It seemed unlikely that he would ever meet a woman of such quality that he saw fit to be permanently bonded to. It was a sick joke that their marriage was not as natural as most. Instead, the consequences of Severus's actions had inclined Hermione to marry him sooner than they both had hoped. 

Perhaps, if he had any fortune at all, fate would allow him to marry her properly one day. 

The elderly wizard had then wrapped a long length of cloth around Severus and Hermione's adjoined hands and began to chant their bonding spells. A warmth spread through them both, followed by what could only be described as a feeling of wholeness and unity. Shared magic coursed through their veins, each of them feeling stronger with the new addition. 

When the officiant had released them from their bindings, Severus and Hermione shared a satisfying kiss. Hermione had worried that something would change between them. But it turned out that Severus was as comforting and familiar as he had been to her for the past couple of months.

Severus didn't want to walk his new wife back down the aisle, because that would mean that their small interlude of bliss would come to an end, and they would have to face the realities of the world once more. 

____

Harry and Ginny had insisted that Hermione and Severus have a "low key" gathering at Grimmauld Place after their wedding. However, their version of "low key" was apparently vastly different than Severus's. Packed into the reformed townhouse were a total of 25 guests including Mr and Mrs Weasley, four of the Weasley children and their spouses, alongside a few of Hermione's old classmates, a handful of Severus's teacher colleagues, and a couple of other Order members.

There was barely enough room for one to form a thought.

A feast fit for royalty was squeezed across the wooden kitchen table, courtesy of the combined efforts of Kreacher the house elf and Molly Weasley. Decorative streamers hung off of the ceiling and bunting garnished the walls.

Ever the wallflower, Severus tried to blend in with the decorations. He held a generous glass of firewhiskey, which he was sipping on carefully. He dared not imbibe too much. He was likely to need his senses later in the evening.

Severus watched the whole situation from the outside. It was odd to think that so many people had gathered to celebrate this happy couple. A number of factors made this union a hard pill to swallow, in Severus's opinion. The age difference. Their previous student-teacher relationship. Their blatant personality clash. The list went on, each reason another insecurity that Severus would push to the back of his mind.

He marveled at how little anyone seemed to care about these things. Perhaps his associates just enjoyed the excuse to get together and drink alcohol.

Hermione looked radiant as she accepted the offered wishes of congratulations with a warm smile and a hug. She was dealing with all of this remarkably well.

Severus was surprised at his own possessiveness and desire. He wanted nothing more than to take her home and slip pretty little dress off of her shoulders. He craved the feel of her skin underneath him. Severus wanted to take her to his bed and not let her leave.

"You look lost in thought, my boy." Minerva cornered Severus. "How does it feel to be a married man?"

"No different from being a single man, to be honest." Severus moaned.

Minerva had a sparkle in her eye. "You've been unable to take your eyes off of your new wife all evening."

Clearly unimpressed at being caught out, Severus sipped his drink. "I thought you would have been unhappy to see your prized lioness marry a great dirty snake."

The witch chuckled. "If you had told me 2 years ago that you were to marry Miss Granger, I would have suggested you get your head examined! As it happens, I think that you and Hermione are a lovely match. She has more than enough kindness to counter your sour demeanor. You're both extraordinarily clever. Any children you share will be exceedingly talented."

Severus snorted. "Who mentioned anything about children?"

He eyed Hermione as she engaged in conversation with Bill and Fleur Weasley across the room. The blonde witch was cradling her modestly round tummy with one hand. Weasley's truly did breed like rabbits.

Minerva just gave Severus an annoyingly omniscient look. "Did you two even discuss children before you married?"

"No. Of course not. If you hadn't noticed, I'm facing Azkaban any day now. We can hardly procreate if I'm left to rot in a cell somewhere. In fact, I'm sure that carrying my offspring would be the last thing that Hermione would want." Severus argued, hoping that no one else was earwigging such a delicate conversation.

"How do you know if you haven't asked her?" Minerva bated.

Severus scoffed. "Did you seek me out just to infuriate me, woman?"

Minerva laughed. "You are so easy to rile up, Severus."

"I'm glad that you find me amusing." Severus's voice oozed with sarcasm

The Headmistress gazed upon Hermione, and smiled. "Congratulations on your marriage, Severus. I hope that you'll finally find happiness.

"I already have." Severus thought.

____

Hermione glanced at her new husband from across the room. Severus seemed to be in a reluctant conversation with Minerva, who had isolated him with interference skills that would rival Dumbledore's. Hermione considered saving Severus, but decided that her husband could fight his own battle this time. 

She felt greatly humbled at the sight of all of her school friends gathered together for their marriage. Hermione knew that most of them, if not all, had reason to hate Severus Snape. Regardless of his heroism, Severus had been an utter bastard as their Potions Professor. Hermione had expected rejection upon the announcement of their marriage. Perhaps she should give her friends more credit.

"Great party, Mione." Ron interrupted her thoughts, as always, with a mouthful of one of his mother's desserts.

Harry followed in tow, wearing a wide smile, "You look stunning. Where did our library dwelling bookworm go?" He indicated her dress.

"I'm still here, Harry!" Hermione giggled.

"We came to offer our congratulations." He grinned. Hermione looked upon her two best friends with a great fondness. She was glad that they were kind enough to support her decision to marry Severus. 

Ron swallowed his mouthful, and wiped his face on his sleeve. Hermione waged that his mother might have something to say if she saw him. "Have you decided if you're going back to school yet?" 

Harry interrupted. "Of course she's going back to school! She's Hermione Granger!" 

"Hermione Snape." Ron corrected, pointing his finger at Harry.

It would certainly take her a while to get used to her name change. Hermione had spent an embarrassing amount of time repeating those words in her mind, since Severus had proposed. It was almost like their marriage had forged a different person out of her. When she thought of the name "Snape" she always associated it with dignity, self-preservation and an over-bearing sense of intelligence. Now that she too shared the name "Snape" she would have to conduct herself with the same stoicism that Severus did. Hermione would no longer wear her heart on her sleeve.

"Oh yeah, sorry." Harry looked bashful.

Hermione smiled. "It's ok. I'm still getting used to it myself." 

"You are going back to school, aren't you?" Ron pressed.

She shrugged. "I want to finish my NEWT's, don't get me wrong. But I don't think I could face the humiliation of going to back to school if Severus went to prison. I'd just be the mudblood who married the Death Eater."

Harry frowned. "I think you'd be surprised at how much people have changed after the war, Hermione. A lot of people think that Severus is a hero."

"What about the people who don't think he's a hero? I don't want to spend my last year at Hogwarts being bullied ." Hermione admitted. "Especially if you guys aren't going to be there." 

Ron argued. "Who says we aren't going back to Hogwarts?"

"C'mon guys. I know that neither of you want to go back." Hermione said. 

"There's tonnes of people going back to school. What about Ginny? and Luna? and Neville?" Harry suggested. 

Hermione sighed. "I'll decide when the trial is over. Besides, Severus and I haven't discussed it either. He's my husband now, we have to make decisions together."

She still wasn't entirely comfortable referring to Severus as her "husband" either. Hermione had never planned to be tied down to someone at such a young age. Not that she had decided on a life of promiscuity either, but she had always pictured herself to have a few light relationships before finding "the one".

"Don't let him make decision for you, Mione." Harry warned. "If Snape tries to manipulate you in any way-"

"Enough. Severus isn't like that!" Hermione interrupted. 

"I'm just saying that if he hurts you, he'll have me and Ron to answer to." Harry puffed out his chest. Ron stood beside him, nodding enthusiastically.

A similar voice sneered being the boys, making them both jump a foot into the air. Severus had appeared suddenly and silently. "That's very gallant of you ,Mr Potter."

Hermione laughed at the mortification on her friend's faces. They slowly turned around to greet their Ex-Professor who was smirking. Harry and Ron both looked at Hermione, silently pleading her to save them.

"I didn't see you there, Sir" Harry stuttered. "We were just offering Hermione our congratulations."

"Clearly." Severus replied. "Kinglsey tells me that you've both been offered positions as junior aurors, despite having not completed your NEWT's."

Hermione's eyebrows shot up her forehead. "What!? Why didn't you tell me?"

Ron gave her a sheepish look. "We didn't want to over shadow your big day." 

"Ronald Weasley that is bullshit and you know it." Hermione shrieked, at risk of sounding like Molly. Severus looked on in amusement, as his wife berated her two best friends as though they were nothing more than mischievous 5-year-olds.

Harry groaned. "Keep your voice down, Mione. You're causing a scene. Ron and I didn't want you to be upset that you weren't offered you a position." 

"I don't even want to be a bloody auror, why would I be upset?" Hermione asked.

Harry looked startled. Like he had expected Hermione to break down into tears and weep upon hearing the news. Ron looked gormless. Severus saw no difference from his usual disposition. He pitied the woman that the boy would end up with. Both boys held their tails between their legs, clearly threatened by Hermione's outburst. 

Merlin help them all had Hermione not been present to keep Potter and Weasley check over the years. 

"Gentlemen, perhaps you could excuse us. I wish to have a moment alone with my wife." Severus nodded, taking Hermione by the elbow. Her friends stuttered their goodbyes as Hermione was led out of the room, up the stairs and into the less populated hallway. 

The wallpaper that had once been peeling off of the walls had somehow been removed and replaced with an elegant light grey patterned design. The once overpowering smell of dust and damp had been removed, and the layer of filth that Hermione had become accustomed to had been cleaned. Grimmauld place, turned out to be quite pleasant once it had been spiffed up a bit.  

Hermione doubted that Severus had brought her into the hallway to admire the wallpaper. 

"I'm ready to go home." He admitted. They stood facing each other in the narrow hallway, still wearing their wedding clothes. It was incredibly surreal.

"We can go home." Hermione said amiably. 

Severus sighed. "I didn't want to separate you from your friends."

The truth was, seeing Hermione act so authoritative had turned Severus on a little. He was mesmerized by her argumentative passion. His new wife was a Goddess sent from above. The best part was, Hermione belonged to him.

"Well I can see my friends at any time. We only have one wedding night." She said with a sly look. 

Severus grinned. "I like how you think, witch."