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Severus was in his dungeon rooms alone, stalking about his quarters in front of a raging fire, yet another glass of firewhiskey in one hand and anything he could potentially use as a projectile in the other. Smash! Another potions flask hit the wall and shattered into countless pieces, the glass shards glinting with the fire's light. "She is a child, my student" he couldn't help thinking over and over again as he paced about the room. Just then, Severus managed to stomp across his latest conquest, slicing a red gash into his foot. "Bloody fucking hell!" he howled and threw himself into the chair closest the fireplace. He pointed his wand as his foot, muttering a healing spell, but the words came out wrong and all it did was bleed a good bit more. Knowing he was right pissed now, he hobbled off to the bathroom to get some gauze rather than suffer the results of drunken spell casting. A good dose of Sober Up potion would definitely be in order, but he decided he would rather ignore his feelings about the whole mess for just a bit longer. He promised himself one more drink and then he would take the potion.

SSHG SSHG

The house at Grimmauld Place was dark and silent in the middle of the night, the boys having long since given up on Hermione's company and gone to bed. She, however, was still awake and sat crossed legged in the center of her bed settling herself in for what she hoped was a mind calming meditation. Although it was seen as a muggle practice, she found meditation very helpful for focusing both her magic and her thoughts. At this point, her thoughts were what she was mostly concerned about- they were running rampant through her head, scattered in every which way. She took several deep breaths, stilling her body and her mind, working towards shutting off all outside stimuli. Once she had herself together, Hermione got off the bed and sat at her desk, quill in hand. "Might as well make a list of what needs done" she thought. "I suppose the first thing I should do is talk to Professor Snape and see if he will give me more details on the ritual. Next on the list, I will need to... but Oh Merlin! I'm going to have to shag my Professor! What if I am terrible at it? What if... and I still have to tell Harry and Ron about this. Gads they're going to go through the roof! Alright focus Hermione. Back to your list, write down what you know to be concrete." Back to the task at hand, she sat scratching rapidly at the parchment.

SHG SSHG

Severus's one more drink turned into two and then three, really how he was still standing was beyond him. When he finished the last sip of that third drink, he went to pour more only to discover that his supply was gone, either consumed or dashed against the dungeon wall. He sat down hard on the cold stone floor, back against the wall. He pulled the Sober Up potion out of his pocket and downed it quickly, feeling the steadying effects instantly. Sighing, he decided what he really needed to do was speak with Miss Granger. He'd never tell her outright that he thought she had more potential in her little finger than most students had in their entire selves. He just did not understand why she would want to throw that all away. He had to know if it was simply Gryffindor foolishness or if she truly knew what she was in for. He stood up and grabbed a handful of floo powder, stepped into the fire place and declared "Grimmauld Place!" completely ignoring that it was two in the morning.

SSHG SSHG

Hermione started when she heard the rapid tapping on her bedroom door. Getting up, she hurried towards the door assuming it was Ron or Harry. "Sshhhhh do you want to wake Mrs. Black's portrait" she whispered and flung open the door. To say she was surprised at the sight of her potions professor standing on the other side of the door would be a drastic understatement. She stood there, mouth wide, staring at him and then began to blush as she realized she was wearing only her oversized Weird Sisters shirt and her knickers.

"Are you really blushing Miss Granger?" Severus sneered. "You've agreed to let me marry you, fuck you and impregnate you, but you don't want me to see you in your unmentionables?"

At this she blushed an even darker shade, continuing to stare at him, mouth opening and closing, but for once nothing coming out.

"Well don't just stand there gaping like a fish" he sneered. "I believe we have a ritual to discuss."

"Um, yes sir. Come in, I guess" Hermione said, opening the door wider and indicating that Severus take arm chair in the corner.

"I'm sure you are reproaching me in that chatterbox head of yours for arriving unannounced at this hour. But it really rather makes sense as we will not be interrupted and I know neither of us will be able to rest until we have had this discussion" he said as he removed a stack of books from the chair before sitting down.

"I suppose you are quite right Professor" Hermione agreed, returning to her spot on the center of the bed and carefully pulling the shirt around her knees. "Since you have conducted the research on the ritual, would you like to start?"

"How gracious of you" he sneered. "You are correct Miss Granger. You do not know the details of the ritual. Perhaps you would have considered this fact before you offered yourself up on a platter to Dumbledore?"

"I do not offer myself to Dumbledore! I am doing what I can to help the Order defeat Voldemort. Oh, I know that everyone considers me the brains of the Golden Trio, which of course I am, but I can do so much more than that. And I realize that the Headmaster isn't the saint that most make him out to be, but he really is the one who holds the keys to our success. Harry truly has need of him."

Severus was impressed with the girl's reasoning but tried hard not to let it show. "Very well Miss Granger. I suppose I will explain the ritual to you. But first, don't ever let me hear you speak the Dark Lord's name again. His name gives him power.."

"But sir" Hermione interrupted.

"I was not finished" he growled. "As I was saying, his name gives him power. If it is uttered in the presence of a Death Eater, he can feel it being invoked through the tattoo. It is a very unpleasant feeling for me and, believe me, it would be more than unpleasant for you if he were to appear, having been drawn here by your ignorance. "

"I apologize Professor Snape. Please continue. You were starting to tell me about the ritual?" Hermione said, trying to not to stare at the ominous black design inked on the Professor's forearm.

"It will take place at the next new moon as that is when the Earth magics are strongest to bring about new life. There are many things which you will need to do the day prior, not the least of which is to take a potion to ensure you will conceive. We will each need to choose someone in the Order that we trust to help us prepare on that day and to begin the ritual with us. It will involve some delicate matters, so neither Mr. Potter nor Mr. Weasley will be an appropriate choice for you. We will go over the steps of ritual as it nears. Yes, what is it Miss Granger?"

"Sir, what about after the ritual? Once we are married, I mean? Where will I live? Will everyone know?"

"Still with your insufferable questions I see" Snape drawled. "The Headmaster and I are still working on the answers to all of these, but you will share my quarters as I will better be able to protect you there. As to knowledge of our nuptials, it is our plan that it will be announced but not until the Dark Lord is given the information first."

"You're going to tell Vold… er him about the marriage?" Hermione squeaked.

"Foolish girl, do you not think he would be able to sense the bonds the minute I was in his presence? We must let the Dark Lord think that marriage will aid him greatly. He will be persuaded to believe that you lust over me and that I have given used this to gain knowledge of Potter and his doings. The pregnancy will be touted as accidental but he will approve because the Dark Lord is in favor of anything that brings him more supporters."

"But, what if…." Hermione began her questioning again.

"Enough" Snape barked. "We will have plenty of time to discuss this further. For now, I am exhausted and will be returning to Hogwarts. I suggest you get some sleep as well if you can quiet that overly busy mind of yours. Perhaps tomorrow, we can figure out what you will tell those two dunderheads you call friends about this situation you have gotten yourself into."

With that Severus rose from the chair and left room swiftly. Hermione sighed. What had she gotten herself into indeed.