Author note:

Please be kind. This is my first ever submission of a story that I've come up with. I understand if you point out mistakes I made but don't be cruel ^^;

I've incorporated a Marriage Law that I came across online when reading another fanfic of Severus and Hermione. So credits to that author for coming up with that one :D

Eventually the story will take a M-rated turn so if you're underage this is a fair warning :)

Also, all the characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling. I am simply having my way with them ;)

Lastly, enjoy the story

~~~ Prologue ~~~

Voldemort almost smiled at his favourite and most loyal servant. Almost. Instead, he bared his teeth.

"Milord?" The Death Eater knelt before him, head bowed in respect for his master.

"Yessss Severus," he hissed in reply, "It is an excellent plan." Rarely did he compliment his followers but it truly was a good plan. One that he didn't think of. "When do you plan to execute this?"

Severus Snape rose and looked him in the eye. None of his Death Eaters had ever done so without his permission. Should he punish him for his insolence or admire his lack of fear? "After this gathering has concluded." Looks like punishment was not the option today. He was feeling merciful.

"I assume you will sway Dumbledore in your favour?"

"Indeed." Eyes the colour of coal glittered with anticipation.

"Very well. You are dismissed."

With those words, Severus vanished, black robes billowing behind him.

Chapter 1

Snape stalked around Dumbledore's desk and eyed the old wizard. "So you agree?"

Dumbledore adjusted the glasses perched on his nose and studied him for a few minutes. Snape felt his patience wearing thin. "Very well, Severus, you have my permission."

Turning around to leave, he halted when he heard the ancient wizard continue. "You have my permission, Severus, if you do what I ask of you next."

Merlin, he wanted to strangle the old man. There was always a catch with him. Always something he needed to do in return. Always some sort of condition. I hate him. He truly did. He lost the only woman he would ever love because this old fool thought it necessary for her to die. And his excuse? "You put your faith in the wrong man, Severus." Pathetic. Had he not been so struck with grief and despair, he would have Crucio'd the old buffoon's wrinkly ass – at the very least. "And what is this condition?" he nearly growled.

"Time will tell, Severus. For now I need you to simply agree to follow it."

Simply? Things were never simple when it came to Dumbledore. The man didn't know the definition of the word. "Fine. It is done."

"Thank you Severus. Now we will summon the witch in question and let her know of the changes that will take place." Dumbledore clapped his hands and a house elf popped into the room, large eyes blinking. "Please send for Miss Hermione Granger to come to my office immediately." The tiny elf bowed and disappeared.

Dumbledore fiddled with his many trinkets that lined his desk and Snape stood in the corner, deep in thought. One minute later, the door to the headmaster's office creaked open and a familiar mane of bushy hair peeked from around the door.

Hermione walked into the office, thinking it strange that Professor Snape was there. He stood to the corner, looking out the window. What was going on? Am I in some kind of trouble? "You wanted to see me Professor?" She looked curiously at Dumbledore. Snape's gaze snapped to the young witch, regarding her.

"Ah yes. Have a seat Miss Granger." He gestured to the chair in front of his desk and she sat down. "Lemon drop?" He offered her a silver tin, full of the tart and sugary sweets. Hermione shook her head. "Ah such a shame, these really are wonderful candies." He smiled at her.

Snape almost snorted in his corner. Dumbledore's kind smiles were akin to a crocodile's tears – they bespoke the destruction of the individual it was aimed at. Run, little girl.

"Miss Granger, could you kindly inform me about the marriage law that's in effect?"

A confused look flitted across Hermione's face, but she cleared her throat and began, "All witches and wizards aged 17 and up are required to be married by the end of the month. After one year, they are expected to have their first child. If unsuccessful, they will be under investigation from the Ministry of Magic. If an individual has not procured a partner by the deadline, then a partner will be provided for them." She took a deep breath. Why was she doing this?

"Have you been successful Miss Granger?" Seems she memorised it word for word, as written on the parchment. Snape expected no less from Gryffindor's brightest student. Brightest and most irritating, that is.

She blushed in shame. "No Professor." The boys here were intimidated by her and her intelligence. No man would want a wife smarter than he is. And it seems they didn't regard her as a member of the female population. She was merely Hermione not Hermione, a girl.

"I would like to make a suggestion, Miss Granger."

She looked at him hopefully.

"Professor Snape."

Hermione began to laugh. Surely he was joking? He wanted her to marry a professor from this school? And not just any professor but Snape of all people? Her laughter stopped when she looked at the headmaster's face.

He was serious. Bloody hell.

"Headmaster, apparently the young Miss Granger thinks this whole scenario is quite amusing," came Snape's deep voice. Hermione jumped. She didn't realise he moved to stand behind her. "Apparently she doesn't realise the danger that her pretty little head is in."

Danger? What sort of danger? And yes, this was a bit funny. Her marry Snape? Ridiculous! Wait…did he just call her pretty?

Snape turned the chair next to Hermione to face her and sat down, crossing his ankle on his other knee. Then he sat back, chin resting on his hand and scrutinised her with those dark eyes of his.

"Perhaps you should enlighten her, Severus, of the danger that she is in."

Snape leaned forward, dark eyes very focused on hers. It was unnerving. She swallowed nervously. "Very well. The Dark Lord plans to use the marriage law to his advantage. He has ordered Draco to marry you, get close to you so you divulge all your secrets regarding our precious Potter, then kill you when you have served your purpose. Of course, considering your muggle background, your death will not be easy. Do you understand?"

The poor girl's eyes had gone round. "B-but why do I need to marry you? Can't I just marry someone else?" Maybe she could marry Ron?

Snape scoffed. "Someone like Mr Weasely? An incompetent wizard if I ever saw one. He wouldn't even last 3 seconds against a Death Eater."

"But why you?" her voice rose, hands forming fists. "I could marry…Neville! Or Seamus! Dean! One of the twins for heaven's sake." Her mind whirred with other possible candidates.

Snape waved his hand, dismissing all her options. "Weak wizards at best. Why, it would insult the Dark Lord to send his skilled servants to kill you both." He smirked at her, knowing his insult would strike home.

She growled at him in anger. He had no right to insult her friends the way he did.

Dumbledore smiled at the two in front of him. They seemed to have forgotten that he was there as well, so caught up they were in their argument. "If I may interrupt the two of you." They both looked at him with expectant eyes. Poor Miss Granger's colour had heightened with her agitation. It was best he calm the young girl down before she was absolutely against marrying Severus.

"Miss Granger, the reason I suggested Professor Snape is because he more than adequate to be able to handle an attack from Death Eaters. He can protect you as he more experienced and more wise than your friends. No disrespect to them of course."

She nodded slowly, finding it difficult to disregard reason. She agreed with Dumbledore. Although her friends were good, they did not have the same amount of skill that a Potions Master, Death Eater or a teacher had. And Snape was all three. "I need to think about this for a while Professor."

Dumbledore smiled at Hermione and nodded. "Be sure to inform me of your decision no later than the day after tomorrow."

"Yes Professor." With that she rose to leave but halted when Dumbledore spoke again.

"I trust, Miss Granger, that you will approach this level headed and assess the various benefits your being married to Professor Snape will have. I advise you to not let differences amid the two of you come between you being alive or dead."

"Yes Professor," she replied, turning around and walking out of the office.

Severus turned to Dumbledore when he thought she was out of ear shot. "You think the girl would agree?"

"She is a smart witch Severus. She will make the right decision and choose to marry you."

Severus smiled when Dumbledore looked away, sorting through the various papers on his desk.

~~~ Meanwhile ~~~

Hermione needed to calm down. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts – it was dizzying. The library. She needed the library. Barely registering the faces of the students she stumbled past, she haphazardly reached her destination.

Hermione smiled as she breathed in the scent of leather and parchment. Books smelt wonderful in her opinion. Her fingers stroked the spines of the books as she ambled down the aisles. She halted when she heard the voices of Draco and his many lackeys.

"Father says that I have to marry Granger. At first I thought he was joking. Me, marry the little mudblood and taint the pureblood of the Malfoys? I think not." Hermione scowled but remained hidden behind the shelf. Draco snickered and continued, "Can you imagine her in bed? Bet she'll be all prudish and proper." A flush coloured her cheeks at those words. Draco mimicked her in a high pitched voice, "No Draco, not while the lights are on." The boys laughed. It sounded like he had Crabbe and Goyle with him – his usual set of minions.

I'd rather die than marry Malfoy. She took a deep breath to calm down before she did something stupid. Like hex his manly bits to fall off or something. She smiled at the thought. She was so preoccupied with thoughts of maiming the younger Malfoy that she failed to notice they had left, the sound of snickering fading.

Biting her lip, she made her way to her favourite spot. It was a secluded corner, very easy to not notice. She stumbled upon it by accident one day, trying to hide from Ronald and his many (failed) advances on her.

Relaxing back into the chair, she looked out the window.

What was she to do?