The Hogwarts castle was, as always, busy with its inhabitants going about their day. By evening the castle would be silent with the prefects and teachers going about their rounds without making a sound. After the invasion of Sirius black several years ago, the security had been increased massively. One of the girls sat in Gryffindor tower was combing through her bushy hair making it even poufier. Unsurprisingly she had a book in her lap and was reading whilst trying to her tame her hair. I don't think there was ever a time in which Hermione granger did not have a book with her.

In the dungeons there was a tall man, dressed all in black. Despite the late hour he was still cleaning up with the remains of Longbottom's latest disaster. He summoned the boy to detention to clean it only to find him in the hospital wing after falling down the stairs on his way to fetch the cleaning supplies. The tall man dressed in black, huffed and began to clean up the dreadful mess. I think this was the only time Severus Snape ever cleaned up after his students.

Hermione had recently returned to Hogwarts for her sixth year and so far harry had impressed Slughorn in Defence against the dark arts. Whilst Ron had been trying his best to stay awake and Hermione had been doing so well in all her classes that even Severus had been impressed with her work. He openly admitted that Miss Granger was a high achiever but he would never go further than that to any individual, even to Dumbledore. The truth was that she was beginning to grow on him. He would find himself constantly looking at her at mealtimes and looking for her whenever he was library, even if it was to only look at her for a second while she writing staying out of her sight.

Severus never really had any romantic interests after Lilly had died but now he was becoming very affectionate towards Miss Granger. He just wished showing her his feelings were sanction able for a teacher. He wouldn't say that he loved Miss Granger but he certainly cared for her in a way that was distinctly different to the way he cared about Lilly. When he loved Lilly he felt as though he wanted to be with her every minute of everyday but when he thought of Hermione he just wanted her to do the best she possibly could without giving him a second thought.

After teaching Hermione for the best part of six months into her sixth year, Severus was beginning to wonder what had happened to him. He had developed almost a high school crush on Hermione and he thought it was best to tell Dumbledore because he knew he would never allow a teacher to become so infatuated with a student. One afternoon Dumbledore called for Severus to discuss their next move regarding the dark lord. Severus knew that albus was dying as a result of one of the horcruxes so he didn't really have much to lose. Plus he wanted to make sure that he made the most of his time with albus as he knew that it was limited and he relished his advice.

"Ahh Severus," Albus greeted him his usual way. "Do you have any news for me? I know you've been irritated lately but I'm sure we will have our moment soon enough."

"Albus," He started, sitting down. "Can I tell you something in the utmost confidence?"

Dumbledore looked up and his face was astonished; Dumbledore had kept Severus' double life, kept Harry safe for Severus, looked after his secret about his love for Lilly...was he really asking if he could trust him?

"Severus, I cannot even begin to comprehend as to why you would even think about doubting my trust after all these years."

"It's just that...my love for Lilly is fading."

This got Dumbledore's attention straight away. Never since the day had he first met Severus, did Dumbledore ever consider that Severus' love for Harry's mother would fade.

"Why?"

All Severus had to do was look into Albus' eyes for him to understand. Once Albus had moved his eyes away, deep in thought, Severus looked at his hands in his lap.

"What's her name Severus?"

"I will never tell you, I cannot bring her to any harm or ridicule because I care for her so."

"How old is she?" Albus asked much quieter than before.

"Young," Severus said as his eyes went to the window, glazed over. "So young...so vulnerable...so beautiful...so perfect" He suddenly snapped back to the conversation he was having with Albus and then looked ashamed of how he felt. In truth Albus didn't care how Severus felt about Lilly or any other woman for that matter but he needed to make sure that he was focused when it came to his role as a spy for the order.

"Is this going to interfere with the work you do for me, Severus?"

"Most definitely"

"Then we need to do something but I can't help you if you don't tell me who it is. Maybe we can find a corner to cut or maybe even wipe the memory of this woman from your mind."

"NO...I lost Lilly 16 years ago, I won't lose her too."

Albus went to say something but an owl flying in through the window stopped him. He was carrying a letter with a ministry wax seal. As soon as the letter was out of the bird's beak, he flew off again without waiting around for a treat or water. Albus opened it, knowing the ministry wouldn't have sent it by owl unless it was urgent. Severus huffed and crossed one leg over the other. Albus couldn't believe what he was reading...not knowing what to say he handed the letter to Severus.

Dear Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,

It has come to the attention of the ministry that the squib population has been on the increase whilst the number of able witches and wizards is decreasing. Therefore the minister for magic has decided to pass a law that should help to increase the numbers to benefit the wizarding community.

The ministry will instruct a select few of witches and wizards to marry and produce children. This selection will be based on the opinion of the department of family and marriage. Should a Hogwarts student be selected, they will be free to continue their education with the institution, providing they meet the criteria that are expected of them.

You should also note that this also affects any unmarried members of staff. We reserve the right to bring any student or member of staff to the ministry for marriage purposes or ministry approved appointments.

Hoping you are well,

Amelia Bones

This was unheard of for the ministry. They had actually created a law that would give them the right to order people on who they are going to marry. Severus couldn't take it in; he had just accepted his affection for Hermione Granger and now there was a chance that it could all be taken away. Was he to always lose against another man? Worse of all was that this time, the man who marry the woman he loved may not even love her.

Hermione of course had no knowledge of this and was currently studying in her room, despite the fact she hadn't be assigned any homework yet. When Ginny came into the room later on and found her friend with her nose in a book, she wasn't surprised. She knew Hermione's character well enough to know that she could strip naked and parade around the room and Hermione wouldn't be in the least bit interested.

After around an hour of sitting in stone cold silence, Ginny sprang up a conversation.

"Do you think Snape will ease off this year?" She asked Hermione.

"I can't see it happening, even though you, me, Harry and Ron know about his past, I don't think he's going to be in the least bit lenient." She answered, looking up from her book for the first time in an hour.

"You'd think he would give a little credit to the teenagers who saved his life," Ginny said leaning back against the headboard carefully watching Hermione's face as she answered.

"I didn't save his life Gin," She replied carefully. "I just gave him a sleeping drought and took him to the hospital wing."

"But if you hadn't, he would have been killed by Lupin or the womping willow"

Hermione had admitted to Ginny that she had kept a close eye on Professor Snape, since Lupin's little mishap during the confrontation of Sirus black and peter Pettigrew. He threw himself in front of his charges and then got pushed to the ground with Hermione knocking them both out. Ron was too scared to notice this and ran off back to the castle and harry ran to help his godfather. Hermione saw a lot of blood coming from Snape's head and then gave him a sleeping drought to make sure he wouldn't wake up and took him straight to the hospital wing. After a sincere thank you note and hint of gratefulness, things returned to normal. But Hermione couldn't get him out of her head after that.