The Dark Summer

Prologue

Hermione contemplated her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes swept cautiously over her hair, tamed into submission by magic. Her eyes strayed down her face, observing her expertly applied makeup. In this light, with the magic of the house-elves, she supposed she looked beautiful. Except for her eyes, of course. Her eyes held no light, only defeat and fear. This was certainly not the way she had imagined her wedding day. A shiver ran up her spine as she considered the implications of that thought: her wedding day. After today (and tonight), she would be truly and utterly damned. Never, in all her wildest dreams or darkest terrors had she ever considered the possibility that her bridegroom would be the man she despised above all others, save for Voldemort himself. Never had she imagined this fate worse than death. Today, she would marry Severus Snape.

A tall, platinum blond stood behind her, careful adjusting the delicate tiara that crowned her head. Narcissa Malfoy stood back, appraising her handiwork.

"Well," she simpered, "You certainly will never be mistaken for a pureblood witch. But, this will have to do." She gently adjusted Hermione's full curls, sighing thoughtfully. "Yes, this will have to do. Although, I doubt your intended expects much. I still cannot fathom why he is insisting upon marrying you. He could have chosen any woman in the Wizarding World."

Hermione's eyes met Narcissa's in the reflection of the mirror. "I wish he had chosen any other woman," she said softly. She gasped in pain as her arm was gripped fiercely, sharp talons pinching into her skin.

"Severus Snape is a good man," Narcissa hissed. "He is the only reason you live and breathe today. But for him, your body would have been discarded carelessly, along with all the other Mudbloods and Order members after the Dark Lord's victory. You owe him your life, and you will do well to remember that."

Hermione closed her eyes, her mind swirling with memories and painful visions. It had been a very dark summer indeed.