AN: Thanks so much for reviewing, reading, putting this on alert, for favoriting, and for wishing me well on my trip! I appreciate it all! I've decided to upload tonight since I probably won't have time tomorrow. Thanks again for supporting me!

I don't own anything you'd recognize.

Hermione swallowed as she approached his front door. While she hadn't spent much time speculating about Severus' private home, she certainly hadn't envisioned this. The house looked as if it had seen better days, though it was by no means a shack. Maybe if someone cut the grass… added a fresh coat of paint…

She set her thoughts aside and knocked on the door. Hearing no response, she knocked again.

"I'm coming!" Severus called from inside the house.

Hermione's arm dropped to her side as she heard footsteps approach. Severus opened the door, his face betraying no emotion, although she could sense that he was examining her. While she tried to maintain a stoic facade, he could see both fear and hope in her eyes. "Thank you for coming," he began as he backed away and gestured for her to enter.

"I was honestly surprised that you owled me," she admitted as she stepped inside.

"We have things to discuss," Severus replied.

Hermione nodded as he closed the door behind her and led her into a tiny sitting room. Its furnishings matched the general condition of the house, a bit faded and frayed around the edges. She would never think to rock her baby in the rocking chair in the corner; it appeared too fragile to support even one person.

"Impressive isn't it?" Severus asked.

"I, I didn't mean to stare," she began as her face flushed.

"Think nothing of it. I'm very aware of the condition of my house," Severus answered as he motioned for her to sit down.

Hermione nodded as she sat on the couch. It was firmer than she tended to like, but it was far from uncomfortable. "The couch is nice," she began.

"I don't believe you came here to discuss my furniture with me," he replied, his face as impassive as ever.

"No," she admitted.

He examined her again. "I see that you didn't charm your stomach."

"There was no point in hiding it from you," she replied.

"Agreed," Severus answered before a whistle sounded from the kitchen. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes," she replied.

He stepped out to tend the teapot. The whistle was soon replaced by the clink of cups on saucers and the sounds of pouring and stirring. Snape then returned with the steaming brew. She nodded when he offered her a cup and replied, "Thank you."

Severus sat on a faded green wing-back to her right. "I've been considering your offer," he began.

"Oh," she answered nervously before taking a sip.

"I wonder if you realize the full implications of this scheme you propose," Snape continued.

"I thought we'd both benefit," Hermione replied. "I thought that my child would have a name, and you would have your fortune."

"Yes, but you forget about my… lack of affinity… for children," Severus replied.

"I thought about that," Hermione answered. "But I figured two intelligent people could work around it. I was just holding out hope that we were the answer to each others' problems."

"I come with my own baggage," Severus warned. "I am a solitary man and I have no intention of changing. You also know that I am irritable, as well as obstinate. I have no intention of changing that either. If you agree to this arrangement, you will have to accept me as I am."

"I will," Hermione answered as she considered his words. "I suppose it's only fair to warn you that I don't like to be told what to do. I refuse to be married to a man who has planned out my whole life for me. Also, I am still just as big a know-it-all as I was at Hogwarts. That will never change. While I'm at it, I really hate it when men don't lower the toilet seat."

"Duly noted," Severus answered as his eyes flickered in humor, then grew serious. "There is one factor we haven't discussed."

"My child," she answered as her face fell.

Severus took a deep breath. "Most wizards wouldn't be fool enough to mess with their bloodlines by claiming as their own a child they know isn't theirs. It's an issue of pride as much as preserving the bloodline."

Hermione lowered her head as she prepared herself for rejection. "I'm not one of them," Severus continued. "I couldn't care less about who my heir is."

Her face lit up. "Thank you," she whispered.

"My issue is that I have no desire to make room in my life for any more children. I only considered resuming teaching in order to set aside earnings for my own apothecary. I have never cared for children, and children do not care for me. I suspect that you will find this unacceptable," Severus replied.

"I don't want my child to have a father who hates it," Hermione softly asserted.

"I would not hate your child," Severus promised. "I would never allow it to grow up with the hostility and resentment I experienced. But I also would not be the kind of dad who would make funny faces or tickle it in public."

"But you'd love my baby?" Hermione asked.

"I would not make your baby feel as though he or she was a burden to me. I would not make him or her feel as though he or she was unwanted. That's all I can promise, I'm afraid," Snape replied.

Hermione lowered her head in thought. Finally she looked him directly in the eyes and replied, "That's better than Ron or anyone else will offer my child. I just wonder if you think you could ever grow to like him or her."

Severus sighed. "Let's just say that I already feel some form of empathy for your child. I don't want it to have my childhood. No one should have to endure what I did."

"Were you a bastard?" Hermione blurted out.

She covered her mouth the second the question burst from her mouth. Severus shook his head and exhaled. "No, but I was close enough for my grandmother."

Hermione nodded, deciding to leave that subject. "Does this mean you'll marry me?"

"You're the only non-dunderhead who's responded to my proposal," he answered. "I suppose the answer is then, will you marry me?"

"Yes… Yes I will." She breathed in relief. "Thank you, Severus. You won't regret this."

She reached over to embrace him. Severus took a deep breath and returned the gesture. "I should warn you that I am not used to showing affection," he replied. "I suppose that could change somewhat."

"Children need to be touched… to be hugged," Hermione answered before she released him. "Adults do, too." "

"I'll remember those things," Severus promised.

Silence filled the room. "Do, do you think anyone will question the paternity?" Hermione finally asked.

Severus smirked. "They may have their suspicions, but as I said, most wizards wouldn't claim a baby that wasn't their own. That should be enough to satisfy most people."

"Thank you Severus," she replied. "I wish there was a way I could repay you."

"Just play your part," Severus answered.

"I will," Hermione promised.

"Good. Now we need to set a wedding date…"

"Next week?" Hermione suggested.

Severus gave her a look. "Are you that eager, Miss Granger?"

She shrugged. "It might be best to marry while the concealing charm can still be effective."

"Makes sense," Severus replied. "Do you care where the wedding is?"

"Not particularly."

"Courthouse it is then," Severus replied.

"I do have a question though."

"What?" Snape asked.

Hermione asked, "Who's going to make the announcement?"

Severus felt his stomach sink. "We could flip a coin…" Hermione suggested.