Loosen The Knot

Chapter Two - Eve

Hermione sat on her bed staring at the dress before her. It was a brilliant white with lace detailing all the way up to the neck. The arms were laced all the way down to where a small loop would be placed around the middle finger on both hands in order to keep the sleeves in place. Mrs Weasley had done well to tailor a dress to her shape and in a short space of time.

She sighed and looked at Crookshanks who was busy grooming his ginger fur.
"Well, this is the last night Crooks. From tomorrow we will be in Professor Snape's quarters or perpetual doom as I would call it," She said as her cat looked at her in mid lick.

She knew that Ginny had planned almost everything and she was grateful for that but it saddened her as she felt like she was saying goodbye to the life she knew and loved. It was meant to be a happy day but Hermione could only see misery and it was made worse as he hadn't said anything to her since he shouted at her a few nights ago.

She picked up her photo of her parents and tears began to form as she thought of what they would have done to remedy the situation. Crookshanks instinctively snuggled up next to her and began purring deeply.
"At least I have you Crooks," she said and sniffed back her tears.

XxX

"So, shall we have a celebratory drink?" Enquired Remus when he saw Severus in his Potions room.

"No. There is nothing to celebrate,"

"You are marrying Hermione tomorrow. No more bachelor life for you!" Remus replied jovially slapping Severus on the shoulder which he instantly regretted as two black eyes pierced his soul.

"Lupin. Your upbeat attitude is quite sickening. Kindly put a stopper in it," the old wizard replied through gritted teeth.

The werewolf cleared his throat and put his hands in his pockets. "Hmm. Married life might be the making of you. Hermione is a lovely woman with a cracking smile,"

Severus became increasingly irritated by Lupin and the final straw had been broken. He immediately stood up and withdrew his wand. "Lupin, get out of my room and do not say one more word. I'm getting married tomorrow and I do not need reminding. Now please leave and don't let it hit you on the arse on the way out!"

Remus put both hands up and hastily left the Potions room. Severus fell back into his chair and put his head in his hands. It soon dawned on him that he hadn't apologised to his fiancé after losing his temper with her only a few days ago. His eyes focused on he clock, ten past ten at night.
Far too late to remedy things, he thought shaking his head. He would have to leave things till tomorrow night.

Severus quickly made his way to his living quarters and almost tripped up on his black teaching robe causing a small tear.
"Bollocks!" He said out loud causing a few disgruntled looks from the paintings in earshot. Once he was in his room he bundled up the robe and left it in the 'rag bag' for Dobby who would find good use for it.

The wizard pulls out his suit for the impending arranged marriage. Black frock coat, black trousers, black dragon scale boots, and a crisp burgundy shirt which was a change from his usual white shirt. He pulled out a black silk cape with delicate embroidery and a drAgon headed cane which was a gift from Lucius Malfoy.

He stood back and looked at everything. He was pleased with his official outfit and deep down he also hoped that his future wife would appreciate it too. Tiredness began to catch up with him as he yawned and looked at his bed which was neatly made by Dobby.
Severus got undressed and slipped under the covers for what would be his last night of sleeping alone. Tomorrow night he would have a female in the same bed who he would have to be intimate with. He shuddered at the thought of attempting to form a relationship when in the past he had got his satisfaction from a half hour session in a whorehouse.