Number 12 Grimmauld place was dead silent as the remaining members of the order all stared at the Daily Prophet on the kitchen table. The flashing headline declared the passing of a marriage law that had been- until now- a far away nightmare. Muggleborns were required to marry half bloods or full bloods or be herded to ministry chosen places of living. It vaguely reminded Severus Snape of a time in muggle history that he remembered from his own schooling.
Sitting innocently by the Prophet was a list of names and to his own private horror and curiosity Severus Snape found his name near the top of the list. But, he noted with some dark amusement that Sirius Black was on the list as well.
"This law cannot be allowed to come to fruition!" Minerva McGonagle was outraged as she sat primly in her seat.
"It already has my dear Minerva," Albus Dumbledores said sadly "all we can do is save as many as we can."
"And how do you suppose you go about this? Kidnap every muggleborn we can find and put them in to hiding?" Severus' acerbic tone was not missed.
"Have you ever considered yourself as a married man Severus?" Dumbledores words rang in everyone's ears as any noise in the room quickly silenced.
"My line of work doesn't leave much time for marriage." Severus replied dryly.
"Consider it to include marriage now. I have arranged for you to marry Corinthia Applewood tomorrow morning along with Sirius Black who is marrying Hermione Granger." Severus was glad he was sitting as it made it far easier to hide his shock. Others at the table did not take the news so graciously
"Have you spoken with Miss Applewood?" He asked above the murmurs.
"She agreed last week." Suddenly he felt very much as if he had been proposed to instead of the other way around as the silence resumed once more.
"And Hermione?" Sirius's voice was low and choked as he asked.
"I asked them at the same time. She too agreed. I chose you both because both Miss Granger and Miss Applewood are special cases that require someone far more skilled that a mere schoolboy to protect them."
Arthur Weasley looked as if he were about to complain and he and Molly shared a look. Dumbledore began going down the list of names on the table and muggleborns names began appearing besides the order members who were eligible. Severus however, had already tuned out. His mind had raced back to recollect about Corinthia Applewood.
To lessen the tension the order meeting was ended early and Severus was left sitting in the Black family drawing room with Sirius Black. Something, he would assure himself, was a one off.
Without being asked Sirius black summoned some muggle whiskey and poured two glasses before sending one to Severus.
"I understand doing hairbrained missions that could be deadly but, child brides? At least your witch is nearly out of school." Sirius exclaimed in to his cup.
"Indeed, cradle robbing was never my forté." Severus replied "softly as he sipped his drink.
"Nor mine. I don't know if I can do this." Severus looked across the room at Sirius with a piercing stare.
"I do not believe that although I am in your situation I am the best person to confide in over tea." Sirius snorted at this.
"Of course not, I simply am trying to grasp at this situation. It is, fantastical, to say the least."
"War is never sane and we would be fools to believe that our own sanity has any weight whatsoever on the decisions of those in charge." Severus said, a small hint of understanding bleeding through his words.
The next hour was spent in silence minus the sound of the glasses being refilled many more times. When he finally left to go back to Hogwarts, he assured himself once more that sitting with Sirius Black and drinking was also a one-off that would never be spoken of or hardly remembered at all.
Authors note
Hey everybody! I'm back once more to try my hand at fanfiction after taking about four years off of writing and just reading. As it happens, I've become quite fascinated with Severus Snape but I'm tired of him always becoming paired with Hermione or Lily. Be warned, this story will be dark, touch on some mature themes (kiddos beware), and updated sporadically. I apologise for any spacing mistakes because I type everything on my phone then copy and paste. However if there is any grammar or spelling mistakes please let me know! ~J. Alexander