My apologies for the wait. I haven't had any inspiration until now. Here's a brand new story. It is a marriage law story, but it's different from any other, trust me. I do not own anything but new characters (and random potion ingredients and their uses), nor do I profit from submitting these chapters. Lastly, I'm trying my best to keep people in character. I got one review from my story Leech Juice and Snow Angels stating, "Childish and so OOC it was almost unbearable to read." I am trying, but the hardest to write for is Severus. So my apologies if it's not perfectly in character. Plus, they need to be somewhat out of character if there's a love story. Also, it's fanfiction, what's so fun about being just a little OOC. I can write what I please.

*Important: (I highly recommend you read this before reading the chapter) This story takes place after the Second Wizarding War. Severus Snape survived, the reason unknown. Although J.K Rowling said otherwise, Harry and Ginny have returned to Hogwarts, not Ron. Remus Lupin fought in the war, although he survives in my story. Remus is purposely more out of character than usual, given what he's going through. It makes it a more interesting story, as well.

Laurielove's story, Out of the Depths, I highly recommend reading it, it's my inspiration and favorite SS/HG fanfiction.

Enough rambling, enjoy :)


A lovely morning had begun for Hermione Granger. She woke up refreshed and hopeful. It had only been a week since school started, but Hermione felt comfortable with the familiarity of Hogwarts. Especially now since she lost her parents. The cause of the Memory Charm alone was too much for any muggle to sustain, but depleting the vast number of memories caused them to forget forever. No matter how many times she tried, using spells and potions, nothing brought back their memories. There was nowhere else to go besides the Burrow and Hogwarts. Hermione would have loved to spend time with the Weasleys, except she wanted to continue her education. So here she was, with a thirst for knowledge and an eagerness to learn, back at Hogwarts.

She had quarreled with Ron, trying to convince him to return with her. Ron was much more interested in Quidditch than his education. Thus, Hermione had ended their relationship shortly after. Despite this, they remained good friends. Harry and Ginny did agree with Hermione, and those were the two friends she sat with at the Gryffindor table. Since her parents, Hermione had focused more energy on her studies than she ever did, trying to bury her sadness in reading books after books. As Head Girl, luckily, she was able to spend a couple more hours past curfew. She was allowed to wander around the castle at her leisure, with a few exceptions, such as classrooms, teacher's rooms, and the like. Lastly, she knew of many secret passageways throughout the castle. Regardless of all these privileges, Hermione used most her time reading books and studying in the library or the solitary of her room.

After getting ready, she met her friends in the Gryffindor Common Room, leaving with them to breakfast. The entrancing floating candles greeted her as she entered the Great Hall. Harry and Ginny sat across from her, his arm around Ginny's shoulders. Everyone was eating to their heart's desire and talked freely and cheerfully. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. Gladly, she forgot about her parents and her studies at the moment. Ollie Tweltrum, a seventh year, was levitating apple pie slices over a few heads at her table. Everyone was laughing and giggling at the people looking above their heads, nervously. Hermione merely smirked at the charade and continued eating. It was too immature for her. Ollie was an attractive man, broad shoulders, blue eyes, and slick brown hair. Many young witches, from each house, fancied him. Hermione was not one of them. Sure, he was a charming, but Hermione's attention was with someone else.

Her eyes lifted up to look at the Head Table. Minerva McGonagall was now Headmistress. Professor Slughorn, who was reluctant at first, accepted the Headmistress' offer to take over her old class, Transfiguration. Remus Lupin took the Defense Against the Dark Arts like he did in Hermione's third year. He lost Tonks and Teddy in the war. Tonks died in battle, and Teddy was captured by Death Eaters and tortured to death. Hermione couldn't imagine what he was going through. He was still grieving but teaching seemed to help him cope with his losses. All the staff members returned, even Professor Snape, as Potion's Professor once again. She looked at him now. His cold demeanor and dark appearance had never changed. His black, greasy hair hid his eyes away from the world. He survived miraculously, but the reason how was unknown. The only difference she saw was how quiet he was. He still belittled students and criticized their potions like always but more than often did he keep his head down and say nothing. It seemed he wished he had died, that it was not his plan to be still teaching students today. Hermione did not realize how long she was staring at the Potion's Master until she saw his head lift up and piercing black eyes bore into hers instantly. His face wasn't as dark as it usually was, but instead was reflecting curiosity. He had high cheekbones, his skin was pale but smooth, and his eyes were darker than they ever were. As he lifted an eyebrow, wondering why she was still gazing at him, she came to her senses. Her head darted down quickly.

Harry nudged her, "Hermione, you alright? You've gone red?"

"Have I? I just...well," she stammered.

Fortunately, a parliament of owls arrived. Hermione sighed a breath of relief, they forgot about her blushing. Many owls soared above them, dropping envelopes and parchments alike. Harry and Ginny were reading a newspaper while an owl dropped a familiar maroon colored envelope in front of Hermione. Before she could open it, however, something swooped down in front of her. It was a small gray owl with a white streak that ran across its forehead. She did not recognize the owl, but it looked at her, expecting her to grab the letter from its mouth. Hermione took the black letter with a green design and fed the bird a piece of biscuit. She put the first letter in her robes and inspected the other peculiar letter in her hand. She looked up at Harry and Ginny, who studied at the letter curiously, too.

"Who's it from?" asked Ginny.

A wax stamp seal of a serpent was on the back. She flipped it over to the front and saw her name engraved in dark green.

"There's no name, it just says, 'To Miss Hermione Granger,' flipping the letter over to show them, "There's a serpent on the back."

"Well, someone from Slytherin comes to mind?" Harry said, gesturing to Professor Snape.

"One way to find out," Hermione said nervously. She glanced briefly at the Potion's Master. He was looking at her expectantly. She returned to the letter and tore it open quickly. She read the letter to herself.

Miss Hermione Granger,

As a result of the damage implemented by the war, many valuable potion ingredients, cauldrons, bottles, and other brewing instruments were destroyed. Furthermore, there are very few potions remaining. I presume your skills in Potions still exceed over your classmates and the days of stealing ingredients to make Polyjuice Potion are over. I would not be asking your assistance in gathering ingredients and making potions with me, yet by myself, classes will have little to work with and Nurse Poppy has only a few Potions for remedies and other injuries. If you would rather waste time reading book after book in the library, then further expand your knowledge, the ink I used in writing this letter was utterly pointless. I ask for you to respond quickly, regardless of your decision.

Professor Severus Snape

Hermione reread the letter twice before handing it to Harry. She was speechless. The sarcasm was no surprise, but rather the sentiment around it. He wanted her to assist him with restoring Potions, making them, and gathering the correct ingredients? She could not help but smile slightly, and her smile broadened when her eyes met Professor Snape's for a moment. Sure it wasn't an apprentice job, but it was something. She always had an interest in potions - the exotic ingredients, preparation, stirring the brew and smelling the assortment of fumes. She would gladly accept his offer. She could gain experience from helping him. Maybe she could get closer to him, befriend him and...

"So, Hermione. Are you going to accept his offer?" Ginny said as she handed the letter back, interrupting Hermione's thoughts. She smiled softly and nodded in response.

"That's great, Hermione," Harry said. Hermione thought he was joking and just scowled at him.

"No, truly. I just wonder how long it'll take before one of ya chew each other's heads off," Harry joked. Hermione and Ginny laughed with him. Once their laughs subsided, Hermione took another look at his letter. Margret Millstone, the first year with short, curly brown hair, asked her about the letter. Hermione started to explain, but was rudely interrupted by the girl.

"You're going to work with Professor Snape, the greasy dungeon bat!? He's so mean and weird! Why would you ever want to work with him!?" She said it so loudly that Great Hall fell silent. All eyes were on the Gryffindor table. Hermione lowered her head and picked at her nearly empty plate. She could hear whispers all around her. After an age, she lifted her head up and glanced around briefly. Then, returned to Margret sharply. She spoke to Margret specifically, but the entire Great Hall could hear her.

"Yes, I will be working with Professor Snape. He has given me an opportunity to better my understanding with potions, a fascinating subject, I might add. Despite what you or others think of him. Besides, without my help, making a healing potion without mushroom shavings and an extract of Olive Bark sap would be exceedingly difficult, wouldn't it?"

She could tell Margaret didn't quite understand her meaning, but she shook her head and looked down at her hands. Hermione stood from the table, switched Professor Snape's letter with the one previously in her pocket and walked away. As she quickly left the Great Hall, she could hear Harry calling after her and someone crying. Severus Snape noticed the letter in her hand as she walked away, recognizing it was from Minerva McGongall. He knew what the letter pertained to and thought about the way Miss Granger was defending him. He wondered if he should petition for her. Would she even...

Before he could ponder anymore, breakfast ended. Both students and staff started to head to their first class of the day. Little did Severus know, Remus and Horace already had the same idea.

Classes went by faster than Hermione could remember. Even for Transfiguration Class, which Slughorn obviously was still having difficulties teaching. He heard a snarky comment and told a Ravenclaw girl off for disrespect and deducted house points. When he heard more from the same student and getting tiresome of continuous criticism, gave her detention at lunch. Hermione enjoyed all of her classes, except Divination, of course. She regretted her decision of not finishing the ludicrous class like she should of in her third year. Each student was read their palm, describing important aspects of their future. Hermione did agree that meddling with time was very dangerous, so she was thankful Professor Trelawney knew not to tell everything. When it was Hermione's turn, she rolled her eyes and threw out her arm in discouragement. Trelawney took ahold of her arm with one hand and held it completely outstretched. Then, using her spare hand, pushed two fingers down slightly on Hermione's hand, rubbing designs on her palm. Trelawney closed her eyes to concentrate and told her that the future holds many uncertain and unexpected events which she must overcome. Before she could tell Hermione anymore, however, she pulled her arm away quickly. Trelawney woke up from her trance unaware that she didn't hear the rest of her prophecy. Unimpressed, Hermione merely smiled at her and sat down.

Harry and Ginny told her about the witch who was crying as she walked away at breakfast. Hermione felt terrible about the way she snapped at Margaret. She had to apologize to the girl. They walked into the Great Hall at noon. Professor Snape was not seen at the Head table as he usually was. She noticed a few people staring at her as she walked toward her table, but ignored them. Almost instantly after Hermione sat down next to Margaret, the happy chatter among the Gryffindor table stopped. After she apologized and hugged her, she asked if they could take a walk together in the Forbidden Forest. The girl nodded and smiled, wiping her tears on her sleeve. Hermione explained their Professor's bravery and loyalty in the war, not mentioning his love for Lily, believing he entrusted Harry in that particular aspect of his life. Harry only told his closest friends, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, assuming Snape was dead. By the time they entered the Great Hall, they were laughing together.

"Did everything go well?" asked Harry as Hermione and Margaret sat down. Margaret had turned away to talk to her friends.

"Yes, I just explained how Professor Snape was brave and loyal to the very end," Hermione stated matter of factly.

"Anything else?" Ginny whispered teasingly to Hermione.

Hermione didn't know what Ginny was referring to, but it did remind her of something hidden in her robes.

"The letter!" shrieked Hermione. She reached inside her robes and got out the maroon letter. It was from Professor McGonagall. She knew who it was from because she got the same letter previously in the summer, asking if she wanted to be Head Girl. She opened the letter and read, Harry and Ginny crowding around her to read, too.

Miss Hermione Granger,

I have an urgent matter to discuss with you after classes today. Please meet with me, Professor Lupin, and Professor Slughorn tonight as soon as you can. I apologize that I cannot disclose any information, considering anyone can read this letter. After we have spoken, if you must discuss the matter outside my office, only talk with Professor Lupin or Professor Slughorn privately until you have made your decision.

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

"What was all that about?" Harry asked solemnly.

"What does Professor Lupin and Professor Slughorn have to do with it. What do you have to decide?" Ginny pondered.

"I don't know. Hopefully, I'll make the right choice." Hermione said. She seemed uncertain and nervous for tonight. As they continued eating, Harry and Ginny gave ideas of what the issue might be. Some even made Hermione laugh, like Harry's idea of Hermione having to choose one of her Professors to marry. She hoped it wasn't going to be something as ludicrous as that. She left lunch feeling better and walked down to the Quidditch Pitch to see Harry and Ginny practice. They tried to convince her to try riding a broom, but she shook her head and continued to write a letter to Professor Snape. She finished in time to see Ginny successfully score a goal. Eventually, the practice came to an end, Hufflepuff won.

After Astronomy class, which was enlightening and engaging, she had Defense Against the Dark Arts class, when the most unusual encounter occurred. She noticed Professor Lupin staring and smiling at her more than necessarily. Students were taking turns removing poisonous slime off of different beetles. The slime, once extracted, could be used for warding off dark spells if dropped in any potion particular to disguising the drinker. When it was her turn, she moved to the front of his desk. Using the proper wand incantations he taught the class last week, she extracted the red slime off a Dungbeetle's back. After complimenting her work, he placed his hand on hers. She looked down to see two old scars, from his transformations, she presumed. He left it to lay on top of hers a while, caressing slightly before drawing away and smiling brightly. Hermione felt slightly uncomfortable of her Professor's actions but smiled back and returned to her desk.

Thankfully, she forgot about the incident as she arrived for her last class of the day, Potions. She was the first to arrive. As she entered, the room was engulfed in intoxicating fumes. The array of shelves along the wall was empty, spare a few, which sat only a few cauldrons and some brewing instruments. Not enough for all the students to use themselves, but share. When she glanced over at Professor Snape, who was sitting at his desk in the corner of the classroom, he was manipulating a green envelope in his hands. He was even smiling slightly. She kneeled down to grab some books from her bag. From the corner of her eye, she saw the familiar robes of Professor Lupin pass by her a few feet away. Sure enough, when she stood up, Professor Lupin was walking towards Snape. She saw Lupin give Snape a few vials of beetle slime. Snape nodded curtly and put them on his desk. Lupin's eyes followed Snape's hands and saw the green envelope sitting on his desk.

"Severus?" Lupin said.

"Yes," Snape sighed, crossing his arms.

"What...," Lupin grabbed the envelope with a smile, "...is this." He held it up in front of both of them. His smile disappeared soon after, his expression serious.

"You know what is precisely inside that envelope. It also happens to be extremely fragile, so keep your grimy hands off. You shouldn't touch what doesn't belong to you." He reached for his envelope aggressively, but Lupin pulled it away. When Snape returned to his previous posture, Lupin gently held out the envelope.

"You said it was...fragile," Lupin said mockingly. Snape smirked for not more than an instant, grabbing the envelope carefully and put it back on his desk.

Then, so Hermione couldn't hear, Lupin leaned and whispered in Snape's ear, "You're right. You shouldn't touch what doesn't belong to you." When he leaned back, Snape's anger sparked.

He took ahold of Lupin's white shirt, his gray coat covering Hermione's view, but she could tell what he was doing. "You say that as if you're already marrie..." When he saw Hermione with her hand over her mouth and her chocolate brown eyes open wide, he stopped abruptly and quickly let go of Lupin's shirt.

"Miss Granger...I was just..." Snape stumbled. She never heard him so unsure.

Lupin, who was fixing the crumple in his shirt, interrupted him, "It was my fault, Miss Granger. I provoked Professor Snape here. Everything is fine," he now turned to Snape, "Is it not?"

"Excellent," Snape spat out. Hermione noticed Snape's change in posture and expression immediately. He returned to his usual teacher persona.

"I'll take my leave, then." Lupin turned to Hermione, "I'll see you later tonight and apparently I will also see," he turned his head to look at the dark figure next to him, "Professor Snape, too." With that, he left.

She stood there, lost in thought, taking in all she heard and saw. She did not see Professor Snape walk away from behind his desk and step next to her. She did not hear the other students start to walk in.

"Has something caught your interest, Miss Granger?" he hissed at her. She was staring at the envelope on his desk.

Hermione flinched momentarily before responding, "No...no, sir." She stood up straight and lifted her head up to meet his eyes. She noticed his hair was not greasy but almost silky. He had broad shoulders and his body, although covered with his thick black teaching robes, appeared aesthetically intriguing to Hermione.

His voice was deep, "Then kindly take your seat."

Hermione, still lost in thought, did not move, but continued to stare at her Professor. Students were already in their seats, looking curiously at the two standing in front of the classroom.

"Miss Granger!" Her head darting to his, eyes wide. He uttered the next words with tongue-tip precision, "Did you not hear me? Take. Your. Seat."

She did immediately, next to Ginny, who saved her a seat. He began his lecture, discussing the properties of beetles and their uses in potions. Professor Snape walked around looking at each cauldron individually, as they all were working on their potions. Hermione worked efficiently like she always had in Potions, trying to impress her Professor. She was tearing apart wings from the beetles when she, suddenly, felt his presence.

He spoke, "You're doing remarkably well, Miss Granger. I made a wise choice asking you to help me. Speaking of, I'll need to discuss with you about my offer after class." He started to walk away.

"But sir..." she quietly said.

"There is time to spare before we go to Headmistress' Office." he stated.

"We?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"Yes, we. Did you not hear Professor Lupin mention he'd be seeing us both tonight? Continue working, Miss Granger." He left their table to look at the remaining student's cauldrons. Hermione watched him leave, after a while, she looked ahead of her to see Ginny smiling at her.

Hermione whispered, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Leaning over the desk, Ginny murmured, "It's obvious you like him. I saw you blushing today. I've seen you staring at him every chance you get. Merlin, you should have seen your face when he gave that compliment. I've never heard Snape give anyone credit for their work, maybe he fancies you, too."

Hermione frowned a little, "I doubt that. He's my Professor, Ginny. It's prohibited." Then, remembering Ginny's words, she smiled and blushed, "You've noticed me staring."

Ginny nodded, "You were watching him like a hawk not ten seconds ago." Hermione and Ginny both giggled.

"Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, is there something you would like to share with the class."

"No, sir," Ginny said.

"Then politely, finish your potions without babbling like five-year-olds. Five points from Gryffindor for disrupting my class." Snape stated.

Shortly after, class ended. Everyone left except Hermione. Snape had left the classroom to a room in the back. She presumed it was his private chambers. She got the letter out she wrote during Quidditch practice and waited patiently. When he came back, he stood in front of his desk, his hands intertwined in front of him. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He was wearing a dark gray shirt which was tucked into his black pants, revealing his black belt. Hermione's stomach flipped, he was more handsome than she ever saw him before. Surprised, she stood there gazing at him in awe. She heard him clear his throat, bringing her out of her daze. She walked toward him and handed him the letter.

"Here, my letter in response to your letter." He took the letter, brushing her hand slightly. It sent shivers down her spine and slight goosebumps up her arms. After reading the letter, he replaced in its envelope and put it in his desk drawer. Then, he grabbed the green envelope sitting on his desk and stepped towards her.

"I am pleased you have accepted my offer. It would have been pointless to continue reading day and night, every day like you have been." Snape said satirically.

"Pointless? Pointless!? Pardon me, Professor, but I've been reading 'day and night' to distract me from," There were tears in her eyes."Forget it." She didn't want to think about her parents.

"Miss Granger, my apologies, I...," There was some silence. "Perhaps working with me can provide an another distraction."

"Yes, I think it will." she said smiling at him.

"Good," He smiled slightly. "Now, I was hoping to work with you on the weekends and at least one day of the week that suits us both. We can work out the details, tomorrow. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, sir." she said, wiping some tears on her sleeve.

"Here." He said, giving her a gray handkerchief from his jean pocket.

"Thank you." She said, looking up to him. She put on a fake smile.

He put a hand on her shoulder and leaned down till he met her eye level. "Would you like to talk about..." Before he could finish the clock chimed, it was eight o'clock. "We need to leave." He gave her the envelope, "Here. Be careful it's..."

"Fragile?" she giggled.

"Very amusing. We need to go to Headmistress' Office. You can open it there." He said walking past her to the door.

She followed, "Sir, you can't tell me anything?"

He stopped at the door. "I was asked not to, Miss Granger. You'll know soon enough." He spoke with concern. He was waiting by the door, holding it ajar. She walked over and handed him back his handkerchief.

"Keep it. I don't want your snot." he snorted.

"I didn't sneeze into it, Professor." she chuckled.

"Regardless, I want you to have it," he said genuinely. She put it in her pocket and they left, locking the door behind him wordlessly.

They did not utter a word to each other along the way. Once they approached Professor McGonagall's office, he opened the door, letting her in first, following after her. She saw Professor McGonagall behind her desk, looking at some papers. Professor Slughorn was seated to the right on a couch with his head in his hands. Professor Lupin was pacing the unused space near Professor Slughorn.

"Ah, Hermione, dear. We thought you might have forgotten to come. Please, take a seat." She motioned to an empty chair, which faced the desk directly across from the Headmistress. Hermione sat down, holding the green envelope in her lap.

McGonagall spoke, "Severus, don't you look..." She couldn't find the right word. Slughorn and Lupin looked up, shocked to see Snape in different attire. "Dashing. Remus said you would accompany us this evening. I must say, this was very unexpected. If you had waited another day, I wouldn't have accepted your petition. Why, may I ask, did you change your mind?"

Snape had already seated himself, to Hermione's left on a small armchair. Snape opened his mouth to speak but closed it suddenly. McGonagall raised an eyebrow, expecting an answer. He looked at Hermione briefly before returning to McGonagall. "I thought it would be better for Miss Granger to choose from more than two suitors." Standing up, he gestured to the other men, "Especially when one is a werewolf and the other a wizard three times her age!"

Hermione's voice was quiet, "Excuse me, Headmistress." No one heard her.

"Severus, sit down." Minerva looked at Slughorn, sighing before speaking to him. "Horace, since Severus has graciously petitioned for Hermione, yours is not needed anymore. I'm glad you offered but given your age..." she cleared her throat, "copulating..." Snape scoffed in disgust, and Lupin turned away.

Slughorn chuckled, "I understand Minerva. I just wanted to make sure a witch as bright as Hermione didn't have to be sent to Azkaban or cast away from the wizarding world." He stood up and took her hand in his. "Goodluck, Hermione." She nodded and smiled, still utterly confused. He left.

Lupin started yelling,"Minerva, you can't seriously accept Severus' petition for Hermione's hand in marriage! Look at him! He thinks he can put on different clothes, put his hair back, look all spiffy, and walk in here unannounced. I'm twice the man he is. I..." He was cut short.

"Headmistress...please..." Hermione tried again, but her small voice was mixed in with the start of Snape's yelling.

"Twice the man, huh, what about your wife, Remus!? Couldn't protect her, could you? Or your son? What makes you think you're so fucking special, huh!?"

"Don't you ever speak that way about my family again! You bastard, I will..." Lupin was walking towards Snape, fury masking over his periwinkle eyes.

"Enooooough!" the Headmistress screamed, both of her arms outstretched. A blue puff of smoke emitted from her sleeves, blasting Lupin and Snape across the room. Two loud bangs could be heard from their backs hitting against the bookshelves. Startled, Hermione swiftly brought her knees to her chest and held them, her eyes trained on McGonagall. One of Dumbledore's old gadgets, that sat on a small table, broke, in the process.

"Stop it! Both of you! You two are Hermione's only hope..." Before she could finish, however, Hermione stood up abruptly and interrupted her.

"Professor McGonagall! Azkaban!? Hand in marriage!? Copulating!? What in Merlin's name is going on!?" Hermione screamed from the top of her lungs. All three of them looked at Hermione in shock, clearly forgetting she was in the room with them. Snape and Lupin got up and returned to their seats, rubbing their heads and shoulders. Hermione stayed standing, hands on her waist.

"I'm sorry, dear. Let us start at the beginning. Please sit down." Hermione complied. McGonagall spoke clearly,"Are you aware of the Marriage Law the Ministry of Magic has recently put in order?"

Hermione nearly choked, "Marriage Law?"