AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 9

King Richard poured two glasses of firewhiskey. One was for him, the other for Severus. "Drinking a little helps me calm somewhat," he told Severus.

"I can relate sir, thank you," Severus said as he took his glass. He then sat down as the king gestured him to take a seat across his desk.

"My late wife was a seer," King Richard started as he looked outside the window, his back towards Severus. "She saw what was to happen years ago. She knew the Dark Lord would rise to power and would become a threat. With all that she saw—visions and dreams, it had brought her to a fearful death."

Severus remained silent, and allowed the King to continue. He took a sip of his drink and allowed its warm liquid to travel down his throat.

"Right after her death, I decided that it was best for my family to disappear and go into hiding. I made my son Philip to hide in the muggle world, while I hid here in the castle, and made it invisible to the rest of the world. If we stayed, we all would have died, and my kingdom would have fallen during the first war. She had different visions, and paths of the future, all with different outcomes.

"My son then married a muggle, and then Ellen, his wife got pregnant. My son and I knew what was to happen so I had to put things in plan. I called upon Lucius Malfoy to help me as he and my son grew up together, and our families go way back. Lucius is like family to me. Even though I knew what was to come, I needed help—a spy as you may put it. So, Lucius spied for me, with regards to the Dark Lord and with regards to the Ministry. I am certainly not happy in which Fudge has left my kingdom. He has become corrupt and not trustworthy."

A smirk slightly broke along Severus's lips. He completely agreed with him about Fudge. He was too focused on the galleons in his vault, when he was supposed to focus on the war at hand.

"My son and daughter-in-law's death though, was something I couldn't stop for sure. It was inevitable. I didn't know the exact date of it, but I knew that it was to happen when Hermione was in Hogwarts. With their death's, I have to come back and make myself known to my people. Hermione on the other hand has to be ready to be next in line. Since she is a female, do you know the requirement for her to be able to become queen?"

Severus thought about it for a moment, until he knew the answer. "She has to marry your Majesty."

King Richard nodded. It was still very much a man's world. A woman was not able to rule if she was not married. He then turned to face Severus, and set his glass down on his desk. "That is were you come in Severus."

"Ex-Excuse me sir?" Severus stammered. Was the old man implying what he thought he was implying? If so, he was just as insane, and meddle some as Albus himself.

"You must marry Hermione," King Richard said clearly.

"Your Majesty, with all do respect, I don't think that I am the right man for her. I have a past."

"I know of your past Severus, and I know that you are a good man."

"Surely there has to be someone better. Her friend Ronald Weasley, they were once an item."

The King shook his head.

"Draco!" Severus suddenly said. It occurred to him that Draco's threat towards him earlier, was because of his love for Hermione. "I am sure that he loves her."

"I am well aware of his feelings for her."

"Then why not him?" Severus asked in irritation.

"Simply because she has to marry you."

"Why?"

"It is you my wife saw in her visions."

Severus sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. He could feel a migraine starting to build up. Why him of all people? "Surely you want Hermione to marry for love, for happiness. I am not the man to give her that," he informed the king solemnly.

"You are her soulmate Severus," he then said, and watched as the dark wizard gaped at him. "You must marry her."

"Why me?" Severus finally asked, after a minute of shocked silence. Had Merlin gone crazy?! Why was he Hermione's soulmate? He never imagined being anyone's soulmate.

"Hermione isn't as strong as you think she is," King Richard started to explain. "She thinks of others before thinking for herself. She fights for others as well, before fighting for herself. She cannot fight for herself Severus, she doesn't have the strength to. You, you are a strong wizard. Unselfish, and sacrificing your life. She doesn't just need someone like you, but she needs you—to become her strength, her rock, her protector."

Severus just stared at the King with a deep frown across his brow. He really was serious! "And if I don't marry her?" Severus questioned even though he knew the answer. He needed to hear it come from the King's mouth himself.

"My kingdom will fall into the hands of the devil himself. There is no other option."

Severus brought his fingers up to his brow and slightly massaged it. There was no other option indeed. He had to marry the witch. Part of him didn't want to, and yet he couldn't deny to himself that part of him did want to. Maybe he truly was her soulmate. Too much information had gone into his head all at once. It was still too hard to believe.

"Do I have your answer Severus? Will you marry my granddaughter?"

Severus took a deep breath and then sighed deeply. "I may have already given the answer to your granddaughter the other night your Majesty. I will do everything in my power to protect Hermione, and care for her."

King Richard sighed in relief as he extended his hand out to shake Severus's hand. Severus stood up from his chair and gladly shook it.

"So, does next weekend work well for you?" King Richard asked.

"Next weekend?" Severus asked, not knowing exactly what he was talking about.

"The marriage ceremony," he clarified.

"So soon?" Severus gasped.

"Time is not on our side. Not to mention that you will need to produce an heir soon enough as well," King Richard added. "If anything were to happen to me, it would be best if there was someone in line for the throne after Hermione. It's more secure that way."

"Of course sir," Severus said, not knowing what else to say. He agreed, the line to the throne had to be secure.

"So I guess that you have a week to get to know Hermione better—court her, date her," the King said, his hazel eyes twinkling at Severus.

Severus looked at the King. He seemed very similar to Albus in ways with his twinkling eyes and his meddle some manners. Life, the tragedy of it all.

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Severus walked down the halls of the Wellington castle, very much deep in thought. Fuck! He had to get married to Hermione! Not just marry, but even sleep with her as well. Blast it all to hell! He was her soulmate, and there wasn't a thing he could do about it. One thing he knew for sure was that he didn't want his world to crumble and fall into Voldemort's hands.

"Severus?" Lucius called to him.

Severus looked up and noticed that he had walked into one of the living areas in the castle. He noticed that everyone was looking at him intently. He knew Lucius explained everything to the others as well.

"What is your answer Severus?" Lucius asked.

"You know what my answer was. I already gave her my word the other night. Now if you'll excuse me, I need sometime on my own." Severus then started to walk out of the room. "And tell Narcissa she must plan for the wedding next weekend."

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AN – As some of you have guessed since the beginning, yes, Severus said yes to marrying Hermione. I'm pretty sure everyone knew it actually. Surely I wouldn't have given it away. Where's the suspense in that? Hope you all liked or loved what I had just posted. Review!