Chapter 2

Hermione tiptoed down the dark corridors, heart beating erratically in her chest. This is not a good idea. She berated herself for doing something so stupid. But she had to see him when she was guaranteed he would be alone and they would not be disturbed.

Reaching the Potions classroom, she inched the door open wincing slightly when it creaked loudly. Hurrying into the room, she hastily shut the door behind her – afraid that Filch's cat would see her and blow her cover.

The classroom was so dark – the curtains were tightly drawn, not allowing an inch of moonlight to pass. She held her wand out, the tip glowing faintly. Carefully making her way through the classroom, she sighed. Maybe seeing him at night wasn't such a good idea. After all, he would be asleep right? And how was she going to make it back without him deducting house points and giving her detention? The rules at Hogwarts had become even stricter with Voldemort's rising. No doubt Snape would use it to his advantage.

Seeing him tomorrow would be better. Yes, she thought to herself, I'm doing the smart thing. The only challenge left was to head back to the Gryffindor common room without being noticed. She turned around and walked smack into a wall. Well, if one was precise, it was a solid wall of muscle.

She shrieked in alarm and rushed back. Then gasped as, in her haste, she felt herself trip over a cauldron leg and fall backwards. Arms flailing wildly, she tried desperately to grab onto something, anything, to help her regain her balance.

Hermione felt a strong arm loop around her waist and haul her back into that wall of muscle. She squeaked in panic, not being able to make out the features of the individual in the dark.

"Are only screams of fright what you are capable of producing right now Miss Granger?" came Snape's deep baritone.

Hermione looked up and opened her mouth to retort but only a small sound of alarm escaped her. She felt like her heart was going to jump right out of her chest. Calm down! Her hands fisted in Snape's shirt – she could feel his steady heartbeat.

Snape eyed the little Gryffindor in his arms. He almost smirked – seems that she hadn't realised she clutched his shirt while still in his hold. It appeared that the girl was still in a state of shock. He looked pointedly at her hands on his chest. "Let go of me Miss Granger," he drawled. Snape smirked when she let go of his shirt like her hands were burnt. However, his arms were still around her.

"I-I could say the same to you," she stammered.

Slowly letting go of her, he said, "Why are you here? Eager for detention? Maybe you want to lose house points?" His eyes narrowed. "Perhaps you were intent on stealing ingredients from my private stock?" His voice had turned low, deadly.

Might as well do as she initially planned. She summoned up her courage and spoke, "I would like to speak with you. Can you light a few candles? I want to see your face as I talk to you, not a shadow."

Snape narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Very well, come to my office. We can speak privately there." It wouldn't do lighting a few candles then having Filch and his damned cat walking in on their discussion assuming the worse. That man liked to gossip – and gossip travelled fast in Hogwarts.

Making his way to the stairs leading to his rooms, he stopped and turned around when he heard a loud thud and a gasp of pain. It appeared that Miss Granger located a desk with her shin. "Have you forgotten to use your wand Miss Granger?" he sneered.

Hermione scowled up at Snape in the dark before making her wand glow. Could he be more condescending?

"Ah bless the girl. She finally figured out what her wand was meant to do."

Yes. Yes he could. Snarky bastard.

Hermione followed him through the doorway and the glowing tip of her wand faded. She surveyed her surroundings – elegant furniture surrounded her in shades of green and black. The room was lit with a multitude of candles and a fireplace crackled in the corner casting a warm glow. She turned and faced Snape in alarm when she heard the door shut loudly. "W-what are you doi –" her voice broke off as she took in his appearance. Black shirt with a few buttons undone, revealing some crisp black hair on his chest, and black trousers. He actually looks handsome. She swallowed nervously.

His black eyes pierced her. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Ah. Uhm. Well, if I were to marry you what would you expect of me?" May as well get to the point. She twisted her hands, anxious in learning his answer.

Ah, so that's what the late night visit was all about. The girl probably didn't want to be interrupted or overheard talking to him. It was best that he go about answering her question as honestly as possible. "I expect a good wife."

Her brows furrowed. "You need to be more elaborate than that."

"Very well. You need to be able to do the basics: maintaining a house for starters. I've got a house elf, so you will have assistance. I also expect you to listen to me, as I previously mentioned that the Dark Lord wants you."

She nodded. "Anything else?"

"You will also have my child," he said.

She blanched at that. "W-what?"

"Have you forgotten the terms of the Marriage Law?" his eyes narrowed. Apparently she did.

"But that means…" she lowered her head in a failed attempt to conceal the blush that coloured her cheeks – making the direction of her thoughts very clear.

He strode towards her, placed a finger under her chin and gently tipped her head back so she could look at him. "Yes," he said. His voice turned low and was deeper than usual.

She gasped as her head filled with images of Snape and tangled sheets. A small sound escaped her.

His voice still low and deep, he continued, "You will enjoy it. Trust me."

Hermione shuddered, with fear or anticipation? She didn't know. Snape studied her reaction to his words. Her eyes had darkened and her breathing started to change. Letting go of her, he said, "What you can expect from me is a good husband. I will provide you with a home and food to eat. You will be protected from the Dark Lord. I will treat you with the respect you deserve as my wife."

Her eyes widened in surprise at that last one.

Snape smirked at her. "Contrary to popular belief, Miss Granger, I can actually be a gentleman."

Hermione walked to stand by the fireplace, gazing into the flames. Her mind whirred with reasons to not marry him, but it produced twice as many reasons to become his wife. The main reason: she would be protected from Voldemort. He was more than adequate; after all he was a Death Eater.

Making his way to his desk, Snape leaned against it, arms crossed in front of him. What would she do? If things went as he had planned, then the girl would agree to marry him and he could set things in motion.

Hermione swallowed. It was time to tell him of her decision.

Walking towards him, she stopped and said clearly, "I will marry you." She looked at him, gaze unwavering. His dark eyes glittered at her words – with what she did not know but it made her stomach flutter. Her reaction confused her.

Unfolding his arms he said, "Very well. I shall inform Dumbledore." Pulling out sheet of parchment from his desk drawer, he handed it to her. "This is the contract. Read over it and sign your name at the bottom." He handed her a quill.

Hands shaking, she took the quill from him and looked it over twice. Moving to sign her name at the bottom, she hesitated. Her life was going to take a drastic turn. For better or worse? Taking a deep breath, she signed the contract and handed it back to Snape. He read over it as well before signing it.

"You will live with me in my quarters down by the dungeons when we are here on term. During the holidays we will go to my home."

Hermione bristled at his command. He gave her no room to object. Calm down. It wouldn't do to make him angry. Taking a deep breath she said, "Fine. I can move in tomorrow. It's Saturday so it will be quiet." Most of the students would leave to go to Hogsmeade. It was best she get used to living with him as soon as possible. It was the logical way of things after all.

His brows rose elegantly at her words. He didn't think that she would be this eager to begin staying with him. At the very least, he expected an argument of sorts. "Very well. I will see you tomorrow after breakfast."

Silence filled the room.

Hermione nervously cleared her throat. "Uhm. Well, I'm going to go back to bed now. Goodnight Professor."

"Severus," came his reply.

"What?" Hermione was confused.

"Call me Severus in private. We are officially husband and wife now."

"I-I see. You may call me Hermione." With that she left his office and shut the door, heart racing. Bloody hell. I'm a married woman.

She heard a creaking sound behind her and whipped around, wand at the ready.

"Relax, Hermione," Severus said smoothly, "I will escort you back to your dormitory." He was back in his robes, shirt buttoned all the way to the top.

"Why?"

He eyed her, slightly annoyed at her question. "I need to hand the contract to Dumbledore. Besides, I can't have you taking any detours on your way back, can I?" Would she always be like this? Questioning his decisions? He sighed inwardly. She definitely would.

They walked along the dark corridors, side by side. Hermione was slightly surprised at the feeling of security that blanketed her with Severus next to her. Reaching her dormitory, they stopped and she turned and looked at him. "Thank you Professor."

He stared at her for a few seconds. "You're welcome Miss Granger." With those words, he turned around and left Hermione standing in the doorway feeling quite alone. She watched him walk away, robes swirling behind him. When he disappeared around the corner, she shut the door and made her way to bed, staring at the moon until she fell into a restless sleep.