Title: Forbidden Love
Author: Ordinarily Average
Category: Harry Potter
Pairing: Severus Snape x Hermione Granger
Summary: Marriage Law Fanfic- HG/SS: Marriage is a legally binding contract that says two people stay together until their death. In the Wizarding World, the Minister of Magic passes a law to ensure that the future of their world is saved. Will the Gryffindor Princess be able to handle the Half-Blood Prince? Will love find a way into their hearts?
Rating: Mature audiences only for... well I am not sure. This has been something I have always wanted to read. I love a good Severus/Hermione story. I will ship them forever.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for the story line! All rights belong to J.K Rowling.
Leave a review please- E
"Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs to be present, that love and love in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may have said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal. - William Penn, More Fruits of Solitude. 'HP&THEDEALTHYHALLOWS'
CHAPTER 1. The Beginning of the Fallen Warrior
The man and women appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart, in the narrow, moonlit lane. The stench of dark magic swirled around them. For a second they seemed to stand still, transfixed on each other's gaze, their wands raised at each other's chest, rage and panic strewn across each other's face. Recognition and fear permitted the air from Hermione as she was confronted with the reality of her life on the run. She looked her former Professor up and down, disbelief clouding her senses. What was he doing here? How did he find me? Severus slowly lowered his wand beneath his cloak, branding a white flag of surrender towards the young Gryffindor. Her hands shook noting his stance changing, her gut screaming at her told her to trust him, but her brain told her otherwise. He was on both sides after all. He raised his hands and spoke in a hushed volume, the dark brooding tone of his voice soothing her panicked state of mind ever so slightly.
"Miss Granger... Put the wand away." Severus drawled as he took note of the girl. How ragged her appearance was, her hair wild and untameable as ever, dark bags underneath her eyes, the smudges of dirt across her face, her lips dry with dehydration and the way her clothes hung off her frame. Narcissa would have a field day trying to take care of the girl. He needed to get her back to Hogwarts or the Malfoy Manor as soon as possible.
"No. How did you find me? " Hermione's tone wavered slightly as she licked her dry lips, trying to regain some of the dignity she had left, in front of her Professor. She knew she must have looked worse for wear as she noticed he never took a concerned gaze off her. She still had her wand raised towards the wizard. Her breathing was heavy as she had not slept in days, hell she barely knew what day it was. Ron and Harry had left her stranded with almost nothing to help her take care of herself. Tears filled her eyes as the memories she tried to forget forced their way to the forefront of her mind, their betrayal stung worse than ever. One of her arms clutched her chest, the whole inside of her gaped open burning her ever so slowly. She couldn't breathe. Severus took a step closer to the girl and she backed away from him. The closer he got the more the ache in her chest seemed to dull. Exhaustion seeped into her bones, her arm aching from holding it against his chest. He raised his arm and slowly wrapped his hand around hers, the warmth sending goose bumps down her arm. Warmth was missing from her long, lonely nights, his palm was soft and rough all at the same time, his hands showcasing some of the hard work he endured as a spy and a Potions Master. He took her wand from her and tucked it into her sleeve, not letting go of her hand. She gasped as he brought his hand to his mouth, cupping them, his hot breath warming her hands. It sent shivers and tingles down her spine, her breathing began to calm down but in doing so it allowed the full force of her erratic state to take over her body. She began to slump a little, her stance was more vulnerable now. Severus relaxed slightly.
"It's a long story Mis- Hermione..." he corrected himself, "and, you are in no state to have this conversation. We need to apparate to Hogwarts or at least get you to St Mungos." Her hands were like ice and as soft as porcelain all in one. She took in his words slowly, the idea of going to St Mungos, left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. She did not want to be bombarded by reporters from the Daily Prophet or answer to anyone especially the Weasley's. She shook her head, the stubbornness radiating from her gaze. She couldn't help the overwhelming need to wrap herself in his warmth, but she would rather go anywhere then either of those places looking as she did as well as she didn't know if she could escape Snape's clutches just yet.
"I'd rather go anywhere- even the Malfoy Manner then go back there." Her eyes glazed over slightly, remembering Bellatrix's laugh echoed in her mind, the feeling of her wand slicing into her forearm, the word 'Mudblood,' scarred forever being etched onto her skin. She crossed her arms over her chest, almost regretting letting go of his hand. She shivered, and Severus raised his wand quickly placing a warming charm over her, as well as removing his coat and placing it over her. He took note of just how tiny she was. She was indeed close to hypothermia at this point. Snow began to drizzle over them and he took that as their moment to leave. He took her words seriously and pulled her closer, but before she could protest they took off, like a tornado bursting through a snow storm only combined with the inertia of a roller coaster ride.
As they landed with an abrupt crunch across the gravel, a handsome manor house grew out of the darkness at the end of the straight drive, lights glinting in the diamond-paned downstairs windows. Somewhere in the dark garden beyond the hedge and archway of white roses with a hint of gold specks, a fountain was playing. Severus gently removed himself from the tight grip she had on him. She shuddered, her eyes still shut, nausea rolled through her already empty stomach. Her hand covered her mouth, her head pounding against her skull almost as if she had a construction site, jack hammering away. She wobbled on her feet and Severus moved to hold her. What did they do to her? He thought numbly as he threw her thin arm around his neck, picking her up to carry her through the threshold. They turned right, into a wide driveway that led off the lane. The high hedge curved with them, running off into the distance beyond the pair of impressive wrought-iron gates barring the entrance to the main foyer. Severus sped toward the front door, which swung inward at their approach, though nobody had visibly opened it.
He headed towards the first hallway as it was large, dimly lit, and sumptuously decorated, with a magnificent carpet covering most of the stone floor. The eyes of the pale-faced portraits on the walls followed Snape as he walked through and halted at a heavy wooden door leading into the next room, he hesitated for the space of a heartbeat, then he turned the bronze handle.
The drawing room was full of silent people, sitting at a long and ornate table. The room's usual furniture had been pushed carelessly up against the walls. Illumination came from a roaring fire beneath a handsome marble mantelpiece surmounted by a gilded mirror. Lucius was busy pacing, awaiting of the return of his friend. Narcissa gasped immediately directing Severus to the nearest Quarters in the West Wing. She immediately waved her wand summoning every medical equipment, potions, towels and first aid kits she owned. She flicked the wand hovering over Hermione's frame, taking note as the spell swirled over her body, casting an almost halo like glow revealing the true extent of her major injuries. She had fractures radiating from the crown of her skull to her feet, her kidneys we're beginning to shut down, she summoned her house elf Poppy. She appeared within the snap of Narcissa's fingertips. She kicked the door shut, blocking Severus from coming into the room further. Lucius grabbed his shoulder and directed him into the main dining room.
"Poppy, retrieve the marble bathtub from the East Side Guest Room, retrieve my potion phials and grab the essentials Miss Gran- Hermione... Will need for her bath and summon Pepper to start on health replenishing potions, I believe we're out of stock and make sure she brings in some soup. " Her sharp tone made the House Elf cringe but Narcissa's gaze softened as she began removing Hermione's clothes. She waved her hands over her with a basic cleaning spell, wiping away some of the grime.
Poppy appeared with everything she was requested with and more, she filled the bath with salt water with a touch of lavender essence to relax Hermione's body and mind. Narcissus smeared her own vile of skin repair, replenishing mud clay. She applied the soothing mixture over each cut and bruise, she began to relax noticing all her bruises we're slowly fading before her eyes. She cast a 'Innoculos repairo' on most of the deeper fractures and wrapped her wrists and ankles tight with bandages. She levitated Hermione whilst casting a protection spell on her bandages. She lowered Hermione into the water and Hermione closed her eyes, humiliated that she was being taken care of so intimately. Narcissa did not use her wand to scrub away the grime from the poor girl's skin. She sat down on the stool speaking to her, to distract her for a while.
"Everything's going to be okay," Narcissa said cursing herself as she had watched her sister Bella torture the poor girl for hours, her screams of defiance echoed through the whole manor, it seemed to bounce from wall to wall, it would not have surprised anybody if she took down all the glass in the room with just how high she had screamed. Hermione sighed as the warmth of the water seeped in to her bones. It had been a long time since she had, had the luxury of having a decent bathe. Narcissa turned her hands to the task of fixing the girls hair. She summoned all kinds of hair products to repair months of damage and frizz. She soaked Hermione's hair in Argon oil shampoo, scrubbing away all the dirt and oil gently. She smoothed her hair thoroughly with conditioner to at least salvage some of the length she had left. Her chocolate curls became honey coloured once more, and as she worked her magic through her hair, life began to come back into Hermione. Her almost blue skin was now a rosy red, bruises and her gashes were healed, her cheeks now a blushing tone of pink rather then the shade of green it was prior. Hermione slipped in and out of consciousness, waiting for Narcissa's help to be over. Hermione was completely free of dirt and grime and Narcissa raised her out of the water, casting drying spells and a fresh pair of clothes, leaving Hermione thoroughly refreshed. As Narcissa tucked her into the bed, Pepper finally appeared with the potions as well as a fresh pot of tea and soup. She helped her tuck into the meal, as she could barely keep her head up and eyes open.
Severus remained in the dining room with Lucius. A glass of scotch almost empty in his hand as he contemplated the next step in his plan to take care of Miss Granger. The Daily Prophet sat across from him on the table, the headline mocking his current predicament. "All Witches of the consent age of 18 must adhere to the new Magical Law of Matrimony. All eligible candidates must be wed by the end of the month to ensure the future of the Wizarding World survives… Pregnancy must be proven within the year of the marriage." The Minister of Magic knew all to well the predicament he was putting all the women as the passing of the law had taken a few weeks, thanks to all the protests outside and inside the Ministry. Albus Dumbledore had put Severus on the stop, disregarding the love and loyalty he had shared with the love of his life, Lily Potter, and requested he saved the Brains of the Golden Trio. A request that was almost denied until he realised who would have petitioned for her instead. Death Eater's would not have gone easy on her. He shuddered downing the rest of his glass, relishing in the burn the liquor provided as remembered the conversation with Albus with clarity.
*1 Month Earlier…*
Severus had entered his Quarters just as Albus had ironically flown in through the floo attached to the main hallway, closest to his personal study. The green flames were a sight he was all too familiar with, knowing the Wizard requested something yet again from him. Dumbledore stared at Severus's desk, clapping his hands together as if it had been days since he law saw him.
"Severus my boy, have you given any more thought to my last request?" Albus pulled a bag of lemon drops from his pocket, slowly unwrapping one and popped it into his mouth, his gaze twinkling as Severus sat down, glaring at the Marriage License placed upon his desk. He had spent
days trying to avoid the crazy old kook. He pursed his lips as his thoughts wandered to the whereabout of the Golden Trio. Severus tried to bring attention over to Potter rather than his current predicament.
"You know full too well Albus, the imbeciles had taken off without the girl without as much as an explanation as to where they were headed." Severus had tracked her for a while before her trace vanished from thin air, her spell work must have been exceptional if she was able to throw him off her trail. Dumbledore slowly pushed the license towards Severus, pushing the only leverage he had against the man.
"Severus listen to me, please. Lily did not di-…' Before Albus could finish his sentence, Severus stood, his emotions whiplashing from sneering to a burning rage. His dark cloak swirled around him stirring up forgotten dust and debris. Severus's lost his temper.
"Don't you dare use her against me." Dumbledore froze, though his expression he wore showed boredom, worry sparkled in his gaze.
Snape seemed to peer through a haze of pain, Dumbledore's words appeared to take a long time to sink in. Dumbledore stood over Severus, looking grim and after Severus raised his face, it had never been clearer than in that moment the weight he bore on his shoulders being a spy for both sides.
"You know deep down, if you had really love Lily you would make sure she did not die in vain. Make sure all Muggleborn children have a chance." Dumbledore's tone softened, his eyes crinkling around the edges, if Severus did not know any better he thought the man was being genuinely concerned for other's wellbeing's. There was a long pause before Severus made his way over the marriage license. He turned his gaze to the clock, knowing full too well, it was not only Miss Granger who was running out of time. He pointed his wand at the forms, signing away both of their names. They would be bound together forever, till death shall they part souls. Severus shuddered in shame, the pull on his chest growing ever so softly.
Severus tuned back into the conversation as Lucius began to smart mouth him, the Slytherin couldn't help it.
"You really did sign those paper didn't you Severus?" Lucius's eyes twinkled, the spark of his youth provoking Severus. He knew better then the continue playing games with his friend.
Severus tilted his glass up and two fingers worth of scotch appeared on the rocks out of thin air. He took a long gulp, trying to avoid Lucius's gaze. He sneered back at him and snarled the next few worlds, slamming his glass on the table. Shattering it everywhere. The force leaving tiny imprints in his hand. Blood began trickling out slowly, his rage seething more than ever. He cursed the old crazy man for riling him up so easily.
"You and I both know, she would be far worse off out there. A sheep in a wolf's den, no moment of Gryffindor courage would have saved her." Severus shook his head summoning Narcissa's Skin Replenishing Cream, the paste turning a faded rose pink, as the bleeding began to fade, the cream turned white, indicating that the skin beneath had healed enough for him to carry on drinking. "You saw the state self-righteous Potter and dunderhead Weasley had left her in. She did not deserve that. Even for a Muggleborn she has proven to be the brightest witch of her age. And I'll forever be damned if the war will take that from her." The night he lost Lily, resurfaced in his mind, the look she had given him was very much the one Hermione had given him when she had dozed off. He knew then and there the idiots had left her. Lucius raised his hand, backing down from the Slytherin. Narcissa entered the room then, wiping her hands on a fresh towel. Lucius turned his head towards his wife and stood to greet her back into the room. He kissed her face as she sat down beside him.
Severus turned towards her, nodding his head in acknowledgement. Before Narcissa could feel them in on Hermione's condition her house elf, Poppy, entered the room carrying a tray full of Irish Cream Tea as well as coffee. She curtsied in front of her Masters and bid them goodnight.
"Sweetheart, how is she?" Lucius was indeed interested in the well being of his friend's wife. She grimaced, the smile on her face, a tight line.
"Better then can be expected. Physically, she should be well recovered in a week or two, emotionally and mentally? Who knows, only time will tell with that one." She sighed, adding a dash of whiskey to her tea, hoping for the scotch too soothe her worry's.
Severus began to relax, his chest feeling the all too familiar bond throbbing in his chest. He needed to see his wife right away, but she needed to rest, and she was far from ready to hear the news of their marriage. Narcissa held onto Lucius hand, he kissed her knuckles. Something stirred in Severus's stomach, he looked away from them, the sight of their love was making him uncomfortable. He downed the rest of his glass and retired to his room next door to Hermione's. He used his wand to strip him of his robes, heading for the bathroom, knowing far too well he was going to pass out as soon as he hit the bed. He did just that, blocking out the world, finding some solace in his dreams for the first time in a long time.
Let me know what you think. :)