AN: Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, putting this on alert, and for favoriting! It really means a lot to me. I know this is a little late, but thanks again for sticking with me! Happy New Years Eve (and a Happy New Year to all those in Australia)!

I don't own anything you'd recognize.

"Tell me again why we're here," Hermione began as they continued up the path to the mansion entrance.

Severus exhaled before looking over at her. "Because Lucius is a dear friend of mine and deserves to know before we tell the press of our impending nuptials. Besides, you wanted to tell Ginevra in person."

"When I said that, I was thinking we could talk in private, not in front of Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco," Hermione answered.

"I thought you said that you and Draco got along better these days," Severus said as they stopped at the door.

"We do," she replied before she bit her lip in discomfort. "But that doesn't mean he's one of my close friends, and I really don't want to tell him I'm pregnant."

"It's not like you'll be able to hide that fact in five months," Severus replied with a quirk of the eyebrow.

"True," she answered.

Severus prepared to knock on the door, but a sharp intake of breath made him glance at Hermione once again. The discomfort in her eyes had become full-fledged fear. He lowered his hand. "Are you going to be okay? Should we ask them to meet us somewhere else?"

"No," she answered. "I've been here a few times since the Great War. I'm just nervous about what they'll say."

"They can't hurt you Hermione. Ginevra and I won't let them," he replied.

She nodded, feeling somewhat reassured. "Okay," she answered.

Severus searched her eyes. "Are you ready now?"

"I think so," she replied.

Severus raised his hand and knocked on the door. "Coming!" a high-pitched voice called.

They stood in patient silence as the door opened to reveal a tiny house elf. "Master Snape! Mistress Granger! Lucius waits for you!"

"Thank you," Snape replied as he stepped in, Hermione close behind.

"How are you?" she asked the elf as it shut the door

"Fine. Work is fine," it answered abruptly before ushering them to the living room.

Lucius sat on a plush white chair, tapping his fingers against the side to a rhythm only he could hear. Narcissa sat in a similar chair beside him, her eyes bright with curiosity. Ginevra and Draco sat snuggled on the green leather couch. Though they were barely touching each other, Hermione could see from their expressions that they'd rather be at home in their bedroom.

"Severus," Lucius began before noticing Hermione behind him. "Good grief, Ginevra, I told you not to use this mansion to enhance your social life."

"I didn't invite her," Ginevra answered.

"Then why is she here?" Lucius asked as Hermione crept closer to Snape.

"I invited her," Snape interrupted.

The spark of curiosity in Narcissa's eyes flared. "Really?" she asked.

"Yes really, Severus. Why is she here?" Lucius asked.

"Because she is part of what I need to discuss with you," Snape answered.

"What did you need to discuss with us?" Draco interrupted.

"The will," Severus answered, thankful that the conversation was back on track.

Silence filled the room. "No way in Merlin…" Lucius muttered.

"I wanted to tell you all before it hit the press that I intend to make Hermione Granger my wife," Severus continued.

Severus examined their faces. Lucius looked as though he'd just been hit by a train, Narcissa appeared to be trying to piece it all together, Draco was shaking his head, while Ginevra looked as though she was about to cry. He glanced at Hermione, who remained stoic.

"Screw you Ron," Ginevra growled, breaking the tense silence.

"What does Ronald have to do with any of this?" Lucius demanded as he began to recover from his shock.

Severus turned to Hermione, who pulled out her wand. After steadying her shaking hand, she removed the concealment charm. "Oh Merlin!" Lucius gasped.

"You got Hermione pregnant?" Draco asked in utter shock.

"Ron did, and he's not coming back to help her!" Ginevra shouted.

All eyes turned to her. She gasped and covered her mouth, realizing the damage that had been done. "Ginevra," Lucius began in a low, threatening voice, "What are you not telling us?"

"I'm pregnant!" Hermione interrupted as a wave of courage overtook her.

"Is Severus the father?" Lucius demanded.

"I will be after we're married," Severus replied in a firm voice.

Lucius turned to Ginevra. "Ronald's the father, isn't he?"

"He's denying it," Ginevra admitted.

Lucius shook his head. "Severus, really? You have almost six more months. You don't need to do this."

"That's not your decision to make," Severus answered.

"Don't act like some spoiled teenager," Lucius hissed. "You know as well as I do the value that wizards put on their bloodlines." Lucius then pointed to Hermione. "Even a muggleborn like her understands the value of having blood heirs, not just some bastard adoptee!"

"I also know the law," Severus answered gravely. "As far as Wizarding law is concerned, the minute she marries me, her baby is mine."

"Maybe we could help you, Hermione," Ginevra interjected. "We could give you money, maybe give you a new home…"

"Thank you for the offer," Hermione interrupted. "But I won't live off your charity simply because you feel guilty."

"What do you call what he's doing?" Lucius demanded.

"With Severus I could at least eventually have a career and my child could have some sort of legitimacy!" Hermione argued.

"Severus, is this really your best choice? Can you not wait another few months to find someone more worthy?" Lucius asked.

"I need the money as soon as possible," Severus replied, "and I can tolerate Hermione."

"What about the child?" Narcissa chimed in.

All eyes turned to her. "You've never been one to like children," she elaborated. "Why take on a child so soon?"

Severus carefully considered his response. Finally, he answered, "Because I need an heir, and this child needs a name."

Narcissa studied his eyes. While she sensed the honesty in his words, she could also see something else entirely, a compassion that wasn't there before, almost as though he already felt a connection to the child. "It's because you had no one, isn't it?" Narcissa finally asked. "That's why you're agreeing to this."

Severus did not say anything, though his eyes told her all she needed to know. "Cissy don't romanticize this," Lucius began before turning back to Ginevra. "You get your brother back here right now so he can marry his woman and Severus can have a proper wife."

"He won't come," Ginevra answered.

"I won't take him back anyway," Hermione interrupted. "We're over."

"Damnit Granger," Lucius growled.

"You can either support me or not," Snape chimed in. "The point is that we are getting married, I will receive my fortune, and her child will become my heir!"

"You're making a huge mistake," Lucius warned.

"Hermione maybe you should think this over…" Ginevra began.

"Our decision is final," Hermione insisted.

"Severus, I'm speaking as your friend!" Lucius answered. "You are making a mistake! Please rethink this."

He shook his head.

"I support your decision."

Everyone looked over at Narcissa, who gave Severus and Hermione a compassionate smile. "If you need any help, call me."

"Thank you," Hermione answered.

"Indeed," Snape answered.

The couple then spun around to leave the room before Lucius could get another word in. "Narcissa!" he began. "You're just going to sit back and let this happen?"

"I'm simply trying to be a friend."

"Hermione deserves better!" Ginevra interrupted.

"Hermione deserves better?" Lucius blurted out. "It's your irresponsible brother who got her pregnant. No, forget that! Hermione's the one who spread her legs. It's Severus who deserves better!"

"Maybe they deserve each other," Narcissa interrupted.

She stood up and glided out of the room with a confident smile on her face. Draco put his head in his hands and groaned, not knowing what to believe.