It All Started with a Kiss

Chapter Three - Wedding? (not yet...)

"So you proposed to her?" Albus asked, stroking his long beard with one hand, pensively staring at the wall.

Severus sighed inwardly. "I seems so, doesn't it?"

"And she accepted?"

"Obviously."

"And you want me to hold the ceremony?"

"Yes." Severus stood up. He and Hermione had decided to pretend that everything had been planned as it was. No one had to know that he hadn't proposed and that she hadn't really accepted. And after some time, they would either have the marriage annulled, or they would simply stay married but without the common restrictions. After all, it was only a marriage on paper to begin with.

"I have to say, this is quite a shock for me," Albus said, finally focussing his gaze on his Potions Professor. "I never would have thought..."

Severus stayed calm under the Headmaster's stare, but on the inside he was fidgeting nervously. "Albus, it's hardly a surprise we kept this a secret," he finally said. "At the end of the month, we will be married. Our relationship will be legal and cannot be contested."

"I understand." Albus sighed. "But I wish you had come to me sooner. How will we get invitations out, and to decorate the Great Hall on such a short notice... We will have to get someone to arrange the-"

"Albus! Hermione doesn't wish a pompous marriage, and neither do I. We just want our closest friends and family to be there. No one else." Severus stood up. "And no reporters."

"Certainly, if that is what you wish."

"We do."

"Very well. I assume Miss Granger is explaining this to Minerva?"

"At this very moment. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to supervise a detention."

At the Headmaster's nod, Severus left the office for his dungeons.

***

"Well, Miss Granger, if this is what you want, then I cannot stop you," Professor McGonagall said, her concerned gaze resting on her prize student. "However, I have to be sure. Do you love him?"

Hermione swallowed hard. She and Severus had talked this through and then decided to play along and pretend to be in love. They would try to lie as little as possible, or at least she tried to. "I, er, I care for him, and I respect him. I think he's wonderful, and funny, and intelligent. And," she took a deep breath. She had to say it at some point. "And I really do love him."

Professor McGonagall nodded slowly. "Congratulations it is, then, Miss Granger. But I hope you will come to me or the Headmaster should Severus give you a hard time, or treat you badly."

"I don't think Severus will ever harm me, Professor." Hermione stood up and picked up her bag. "Excuse me, but I need to go to my room and owl my parents."

"Of course," Professor McGongall said, holding the door open for her.

Hermione thanked her professor for her support and quickly made her way to the common room. Unfortunately, her friends were waiting for her return.

"Hermione!" Ginny cried, grabbing her arm. "Come with me this instant." She dragged Hermione up the stairs to the girls' dormitories, completely ignoring Harry and Ron's angry shouts.

"Ginny! Let go of me!" Hermione freed herself and started down the stairs again, but the staircase was suddenly blocked by Parvati and Lavender, who both wore identical expressions of sensation-hungry gossips.

"Tell us all about it," demanded Parvati.

"Do you really marry Snape?" Lavender asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Okay, since you won't give up... Yes, I am marrying Snape. No, I won't tell you 'all' about it. Yes, he proposed, and yes, I accepted, and no, you are not invited to the wedding because we will have a quiet nice little ceremony with only our families present."

Lavender and Parvati looked decidedly disappointed. "That's all?" Parvati said.

"Did you kiss?" Lavender asked, then gasped. "Did you sleep with him?"

Hermione blushed. She was still a virgin, and from the looks of it, it would stay that way for some time - after all, who would hit on the Potions Master's wife?

"Oh my god, I don't believe it!" Lavender cried. "You slept with Snape."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's none of your business, and now excuse me, I have to go to my room." She wriggled her way past Parvati and Lavender and didn't stop until she finally arrived in her room.

Seconds later the knocking started. Harry, Ron and Ginny.

She sighed. It seemed that she wouldn't have any peace for the rest of the day. She might as well face them now, so she went and opened the door.

"You slept with Snape!" Ron accused instantly, not even greeting her properly.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Did I? And how would you know? I don't seem to remember you there..."

"So you did!" Ron said, pointing his finger at her.

"First of all, I did not," she said, and upon seeing Ron's triumphantly smug expression, she added, "yet!" The smug expression disappeared. "And apart from that, it's none of your business. It only concerns me and Severus."

"Severus?" Harry spluttered. "You...I can't believe you. This is SNAPE! We hate Snape!"

"No, Harry, you and Ron hate Snape. I stopped hating him after I learned what he did for us all. He is an Order member, and a spy. He risks his life for us all!"

"And he's mean, hateful and slimy. How can you possibly marry him?" Ron said.

Harry nodded in agreement. "You can't tell us you really love that bastard!"

Hermione gritted her teeth. Fury welled up inside of her. It wasn't so much because of what they had said, after all, she had to admit that Severus was pretty mean and hateful, but that her friends didn't trust her judgement or at least tried to accept her choices was a hard blow. Her eyes narrowed. They didn't even try to calm down.

"Get out," she hissed.

"What?" Ron and Harry looked at each other incredulously.

"I said get out! I don't want to see you here as long as you don't accept my decisions and trust my judgement." She opened the door. "I thought that we were friends, but now it seems that this friendship doesn't extend as far as I thought. If you want shout and insult me and my fiancé, please do so elsewhere!"

With a quick shove, Harry and Ron were out of the room, and Hermione closed the door in their dumbstruck faces.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"Ginny, not you, too."

"No, I just wanted to tell you that, no matter what, I am still your friend. I don't care whom you marry, and why, as long as I don't have to like him suddenly," the redhead said. "And now show me your wedding dress."

Hermione laughed. "Ginny, I'm glad that you're still my friend."

The rest of the afternoon was spent planning the ceremony and sending out the few invitations. Hermione managed to owl her parents and explain everything as good as she could.

Then it was time for dinner, and the queasy feeling in her stomach was back. Ginny told her not to worry, and linked their arms as a clear sign of friendship and support, and Hermione was glad that she wouldn't have to face the rest of the school alone.

When they sat down at the Gryffindor table, Hermione was aware that almost everyone was staring at her. Exceptions were Harry and Ron, who had averted their eyes out of shame, most of Slytherin House (Hermione assumed they were just uninterested or pretending to be uninterested), and Severus, who had glanced up shortly when they entered the Great Hall, and nodded in greeting, only to continue eating seconds later. She was relieved that he wasn't looking, otherwise she would have blushed, she was sure of that.

The Headmaster interrupted the chatter that had resumed a little later, and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.

"I have an announcement to make," he started, smiling. "it concerns our dear Potions Master, and our Head Girl."

Hermione's head snapped up. Oh God, she thought. He's gonna say it in front of the whole school.

She looked up and caught Severus' eye. He seemed to be as horrified as she was.

"Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to come up here?"

Hermione forced a smile and made her way up to the High Table. "Headmaster, Professors," she said, sending Severus a panicked look. He made a small gesture, signalling his helplessness.

"As some of you might know already, Severus Snape and Hermione Granger will get married on the 29^th this month," the Headmaster said. The chatter started again, but Dumbledore raised his hands, silencing everyone. "That means you have another eight days to decide what to wear, as you are all invited to attend the ceremony, which will be held in the Great Hall around noon."

Hermione and Severus started at the Headmaster, who had started clapping. One after the other, the professors and students joined in.

"Albus," Severus hissed. "I told you we wanted a small ceremony."

"With only family and friends!" Hermione added.

The Headmaster smiled. "Please, let an old man have his way. I will arrange everything. You needn't do a thing. Just relax and enjoy these last days of freedom," he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Severus!" Hermione said. "Do something!"

"What am I supposed to do? Hex him? He can still fire me, you know," Severus said testily, scowling again.

"Great!"

"Great!" Severus mocked her, shooting daggers through his eyes at the Headmaster.

"I need to go."

"Fine!"

"Fine!" she mocked, and he rolled his eyes.

"I need to go, too."

"Then go!"

"I will."

As one, they both turned and left the Great Hall in different directions, oblivious to the fact that their little banter had been witnessed by everyone else.

***

A little more than a week later, Hermione and Severus went down to the Three Broomsticks to pick up Hermione's parents who were supposed to arrive by Floo.

"Hermione dear!" Hermione's mother flung herself into her daughter's arms, hugging her closely. "My little baby! Are you really getting married?"

"Yes, mother. And I'm not little anymore," Hermione replied automatically. She was terribly nervous about this meeting.

"No, I suppose you are not," her mother said earnestly. Her gaze landed on Severus, and she said, "So, this is your, er, fiancé?"

Hermione nodded.

"Severus Snape, Mrs Granger," Severus said. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Yes, it's nice to meet you, too. Finally," she added pointedly.

"We're sorry, Mrs Granger, but all of this didn't go as we planned. We would have loved to inform you sooner, but the circumstances--"

"Where's dad?" Hermione interrupted them, hoping to distract her mum from the topic of 'my daughter suddenly announces her impending marriage to her older professor.'

"Oh, he's coming any minute. He had a little problem with the luggage," he mum answered, looking around in the pub. Hermione was just glad that there weren't that many patrons, or the situation could have been embarrassing. Her mum had a fascination with wizarding items, and she didn't want to know what she would do once they were in Hogwarts. From what she knew of her mum, the paintings were up for some serious talks.

With a whoosh! her dad landed on the stone floor, clutching a huge suitcase and a dress now covered in soot.

"Henry, now look what you've done! My dress is ruined! Now what am I going to wear at the wedding?"

"Let me," said Severus, taking out his wand. A quick spell later, the dress was as good as new, and Hermione's mother had clearly accepted Severus as her new son-in-law, even if he was only a few years younger than her. Hermione watched as her mum clasped a hand around Severus' arm and Severus led her out of the pub and up to the castle. She followed with her dad, every five minutes assuring him that Severus hadn't forced her to do anything, guiltily thinking that it was actually her fault that they were in this mess.

***

"So, do you think you're ready for tomorrow?" Severus asked, idly playing with the quill in his hands.

"Well, I don't have much choice," Hermione said, re-shelving the books she's borrowed a few days before and was now returning. "Do you think they'll expect us to stay there all the day?"

"Why, do you plan to sneak away? Severus asked. "Well, not without me; you can't leave me with those lunatics."

Hermione laughed. "I wasn't planning to, don't worry. But I hope to get away as soon as possible."

"Nice to see we agree on that."

Hermione nodded absently.

Severus grinned. "You know what they'll think when we two sneak off together, don't you?"

"Hmm?"

"They'll think we are off shagging."

"What?!" Hermione's head was spinning. Of course she'd known that people would think they had sex - after all, they were getting married. But hearing her usually stuck-up professor say "shagging" was a bit much, even if she'd seen him from a different side these last days.

"Don't sound so shocked, Hermione," Severus said. "You can't be so naïve."

"I'm not. But it's weird to hear it out loud," she said. "People think we are having sex." She giggled, and shot a look at Severus, which made her laugh out loud. "You are blushing!"

"Am not."

"You are!"

"Well, it's embarrassing," he said, turning away from her.

"You say words like 'shagging' but think it's embarrassing? I don't get you, Severus," she sighed. "I didn't mean to laugh at you, you know."

"Shit!"

"What? I apologised!"

"No, I just realised... God, shit!"

"Severus? Even with my high intellect I cannot possibly understand what you're saying right now," Hermione said, re-shelving the last two books. She went over to his desk, shoved the papers aside and sat down.

"Hey, these were important," Severus protested.

"Don't try to deter me. What was that all about?"

"I just realised - we'll have to kiss tomorrow."

"Shit!"

"That's what I said."

"You are right," Hermione said, her mind working at top speed.

"I have been known to be right on occasion, yes," Severus said dryly.

"Don't joke, this is serious."

"Why? It will be just one short kiss," Severus said, sitting down in his chair.

"No, no, no," she said, looking down at him. "You don't understand. This will be a public kiss, with people watching."

"We'll be married by then, so it won't be inappropriate."

"God, are you really that dense? They will all be closely watching! So what if it's awkward? We're supposed to be in love. That usually includes kissing. No one will believe our story if it looks like an awkward first kiss."

Severus blanched, finally understanding the implications. Hermione could practically hear his brain working. "There's just one solution," he said finally, avoiding to look at her.

"Which one?"

"We can't let it look like it's our first kiss. We have to be familiar with one another - not just be comfortable being on one room, but it has to look like we kiss all the time when we're alone," he said, still not looking at her.

Then realisation dawned on her. "You mean we have to, er, practice."

"It seems like it."

"Well, okay then." She unconsciously licked her lips. Hermione's heart was speeding up from nervousness, and finally Severus raised his gaze and looked her in the eyes.

"This is highly embarrassing."

"I agree," she nodded. "Let's just get it over with."

He nodded. He sat up and leaned forward, bringing his head on one level with hers. Hermione, not sure what she should do with her hands, placed them on his shoulders and closed her eyes. She just hoped it wouldn't be too embarrassing and told the little voice in the back of her head that was constantly screaming "You're going to kiss a teacher!" to shut up.

Then she felt Severus' lips on hers. The kiss was short and dispassionate, they barely touched, and pulled away too quickly. Hermione was well aware that they wouldn't fool anyone like this.

They stared at each other for a few seconds, then Severus seemed to make up his mind.

"Oh, sod it all," he murmured and cupped Hermione's cheek. He pulled her closer, firmly kissing her.

Her heart leapt. Severus had one hand on her neck, his other arm sneaked around her waist. She hadn't even noticed how her own arms came around his neck, or when the kiss deepened. All she knew was that somehow his tongue had found its way into her mouth, and she enjoyed the kiss a lot.

They only parted when they heard the Headmaster, standing in the door, clear his throat, tactfully looking the other way.

Hermione blushed furiously, and stood up, nearly knocking over Severus' inkpot. Severus himself appeared to be calm, but Hermione could see in his eyes that he was embarrassed beyond reason - although she couldn't say if it was because of the kiss, or because they had been caught in flagrante by the Headmaster.

"Headmaster," Hermione greeted. "I, er, need to go."

"There, there, girl, no need to be embarrassed. This time tomorrow night you will be married," the Headmaster said, his eyes twinkling.

"Er, yes," she said. "But I still need to go. Goodnight, Headmaster. Severus." Hermione waited for the Headmaster to step aside and let her pass.

"Goodnight, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, seemingly very amused.

"Sleep well," Severus said, nodding.

Hermione left the dungeons and fell onto her bed, contemplating the kiss and her soon-to-be husband.

***

"So, Severus," Albus started, "it seems that you really like the girl."

"I am marrying her. I wouldn't do that if I didn't like her, would I?" Severus said, bringing his papers back into order.

"No, I don't think you would."

"Albus, did you want something specific, or did you only come to torture me?"

"Although that offer is tempting," Albus laughed, "I am here for a reason. Remus has asked me to get you."

"Get me?"

"For the stag party," the old man replied matter-of-factly.

"The what?" Severus spluttered. "I'm not going."

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," Albus said, in a voice that didn't allow protest.

"But I have work to do," Severus tried.

"A few minutes earlier, it didn't seem as if you were working," the Headmaster said mischievously, pulling Severus out of his chair. "Now come."

Severus rolled his eyes and took a deep breath, before shaking his head and, with a resigned expression, followed the Headmaster.

***

"Hermione!"

Persistent knocking woke Hermione from her light slumber, and she staggered to the door of her room, letting Ginny in.

"Were you asleep already?" Ginny asked. "You're still wearing your robes."

"I must have fallen asleep," Hermione said, rubbing her eyes. "Don't worry about waking me up."

"Good, because we have sort of an emergency up in the dormitory, and since you are Head Girl..."

"Alright, I'm coming," Hermione said, yawning. "I'm awake."

"Good," Ginny said, leading her up to the girls' dormitories.

"SURPRISE!"

Hermione blinked. Her mother, Professors McGonagall and Sprout, as well as Madam Pomfrey and some girls from her year were all sitting on pillows on the floor, he bowels of snacks and bottles of Butterbeer and stronger stuff scattered between them. Hermione half-turned to Ginny, who shrugged.

"Well, we figured since the men are having a stag party for Professor Snape, we can party a bit as well," she said.

"There's a stag party?" Hermione said, frowning.

"Oooh, she's jealous," Parvati chirped, and she and Padma broke out into laughter.

"I'm not," Hermione defended herself. "I just happen to know that Severus doesn't like parties. And neither do I."

"Well, dear, but you're not having a choice here," her mother said, pulling Hermione down to the pillows.

Hermione sighed and gave up her resistance. Maybe this would be fun. Someone handed her a bottle of Butterbeer and a bowl of popcorn. Yes, she decided. Maybe it would be fun.

"So, let's start, ladies!"

"Start what?"

"We're playing Truth or Dare," Lavender said, giggling.

Hermione blanched. "No, we're not."

"Yes, we are, my dear. No way out." Her mother laughed, and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Mum, have you been drinking?"

"Only Minerva's terrific scotch," her mum answered, and Hermione shook her head. At least they wouldn't remember anything of this tomorrow.

"So, Hermione, Truth or Dare?" Ginny asked.

She decided to play safe for now and said, "Truth."

Instantly, the girls and Madam Pomfrey stuck their heads together, discussing a question while her mother, Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout talked about their marriages. She hadn't known that Professors Sprout and McGonagall were married.

"Hermione, when did you last kiss?" Parvati finally asked.

Hermione tried to fight the blush that threatened to colour her cheeks pink, and said, "My mum just gave me a kiss, I'm sure you remember." She smiled slyly, thinking 'I'm really picking up Severus' Slytherin traits'.

"No fair, Hermione," Ginny said. "You know exactly what we mean!"

Hermione sighed. Of course she knew. "Alright, I will tell you. This evening, okay? When I was bringing back the books I'd borrowed."

"So Albus was right," McGonagall chimed in. "I met him on my way to the bathroom, and he was just bringing Severus down to the gates. He sent Severus ahead and told me he caught them snogging in Severus' office!"

The chorus of squeals and laughter echoed in Hermione's ears, and she knew that her head was as red as a ripe tomato.

Several rounds of "Truth or Dare" later, she began to relax. She had managed to avoid all the dangerous questions, and the evening was beginning to be funny. But then it was once again her turn, and she decided for 'Truth.'

The girls held a short conference, obviously torn between two questions, when Professor McGonagall joined the conversation, and Parvati turned to her with an evil smile on her face.

"So tell us, Hermione, when was your first time with Snape?"

Hermione drew in a breath. "I'm not answering that!"

"But you have to!"

"I don't," she said firmly. "I will not talk about my sex life in front of my professors and my mum!"

"Spoilsport," Lavender murmured, and the others followed suit, each a disappointed expression on her face.

"So, you're not talking about your sex life with some of your professors, while it obviously involves another professor? Tsk, tsk, tsk, Hermione," Ginny said. "I think you have to do a Dare instead."

Everyone instantly agreed, and Ginny grinned maliciously.

"I Dare you not to wear underwear tomorrow!"

Hermione groaned, but it was still better than talking about her - not existing - sex life.

"You're on."

They shook hands, and Hermione leaned back, thinking that the evening couldn't possibly get worse. Of course, that was before she had seen Professor McGonagall doing a striptease while under the influence of too much scotch.

***

"We will Apparate to Grimmauld Place Number 12, Severus. And remember, you have to attend, so no Apparating somewhere else!"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, Albus."

Seconds later, Albus rang the bell, and then he was led into the kitchen of the dark house, hoping that everyone had forgotten the date or simply didn't show up. No such luck, he thought, when Remus Lupin came and slapped him on the back in a friendly manner. Arthur Weasley had a red nose already, obviously he'd brought his self-brewed whiskey along. A number of Order members were sitting around the table, and he even spotted Mad-Eye Moody, sitting in the corner and quietly sipping his beer. Moody looked as uncomfortable as Severus felt, and he was sure that they'd both rather be somewhere else.

'Kissing a student?' a voice in his head asked sweetly.

No, he silently replied. And besides, she's my fiancée.

"Where have you been? You were gone ages, Albus," Arthur slurred.

"Well," Albus said, eyes twinkling, "I practically had to extract our Potions Master from the arms of a young lady..."

Severus sighed deeply as the men all cheered and hooted.

"Severus, old man, can't wait 'til tomorrow night, eh?" Kingsley asked, putting an arm around Severus' shoulders. Severus scowled at him as shook off the arm.

"It's none of your business what I do in my private chambers," he said.

"Ah, I understand," Kingsley grinned, "A gentlemen doesn't kiss and tell, eh?"

Severus smiled humourlessly and sat down, pouring himself a glass of vodka. He needed something to survive this night. To his dismay, Kingsley sat down next to him, and started talking about his ex-girlfriends.

Severus closed his eyes for a second, and then downed his shot of vodka, instantly pouring himself another glass. Across the table, Arthur and Remus started talking about Muggle devices, arguing loudly over something called a 'fellytone.' He looked around and only just suppressed a whimper upon seeing a few men, trying to "compare sizes." Pinching the bridge of his nose, he toned out Kingsley's voice and downed his second glass of vodka, again refilling it within seconds.

His eyes fell upon Moody, who, in silent salute, raised his glass and then took a sip. Severus mirrored the gesture and thought he saw something akin to sympathy in the other man's eyes.

Kingsley's arm, that was once again slung around his shoulders, brought him back to reality.

It would be a long night...

End Chapter Three