This has been about a year in the making, in terms of writing various parts of this story, and it's still in progress, but hey it's finally starting to be posted! We'd like to thank our friend Alex (SunshineWands on tiktok/etsy) for reading and re-reading this as a beta at least three times as we've updated it, as well as proper proofreading/Britpicking by Mersheeple. Art on our cover is by the amazing OpalChalice!

We hope to update either weekly or biweekly. This is going to be a long one, so hope you enjoy

~ Kristina & Abby

The Ties That Bind

No cord or cable can draw so forcibly, or bind so fast, as love can do with a single thread. - Robert Burton

Prologue: The Proposal

"Rules and responsibilities: these are the ties that bind us. We do what we do, because of who we are. If we did otherwise, we would not be ourselves. I will do what I have to do. And I will do what I must." - Neil Gaiman

~•~

"I'm sorry, Minerva, but that's the bloody best I could do," Kingsley Shacklebolt sighed wearily as he pinched the bridge of his nose and sat back in his chair.

Though he had had a number of years as Minister for Magic under his belt, and was more than competent to all of his comrades and so forth, he still experienced an utter feeling of inadequacy when it came to the tribulations of the War Trials. Especially for those few that had had conspicuous, and inconspicuous, ties to the Dark Lord. Indeed, the recent trial of one Severus Snape, triple agent extraordinaire (though only to half the population — hence the current bloody problem) had been an arduous, cumbersome affair to be sure. Partly hated, partly revered, partly seen by those who were painfully conflicted between the two, Severus' person to the wizarding world was more than complicated to say the least. And, it had fallen on Kingsley's 'blessed' shoulders to deal with it all. Lucky me.

"Well 'the best you could do' is utter bullshit - if you'll pardon my French," Minerva McGonagall returned bluntly from her seat across the oversized desk separating them. She did hate making appearances at the ministry, ever since her days working there in her youth the entire place had left a bad taste in her mouth, but she found herself having to make a habit out of it lately.

"The entire Malfoy family left that battlefield owing nothing but a hefty fine and Voldemort was using their estate as headquarters! And a man who nearly gave his life trying to stay undercover to protect children is considered lucky to lose his wand and stay out of Azkaban?"

"I've not said I disagree with your very valid points. The Malfoy's have bought their way out, as ever, and, apparently money to repair our world means more to the ministers of the Wizengamot than a triple agent turned war hero's sentencing. I don't know what else to say."

"You know the obvious facts. The man's reputation is hardly gilded in gold. Half the bloody world hates him or doesn't trust him, and the half that does respect him fully, often pretend to be ambiguous about it in public for the sake of their own necks. It's just that the golden trio, yourself, the order, and myself are the only ones who will proudly defend his name. So, I rather think losing his wand is better than the vile alternative, no? I may have removed the semantics, Minerva, but he surely doesn't deserve to be there. Or an outcast in the muggle world proper," Kingsley added after his very long winded speech to her, in which he had folded his arms in quiet steadfastness of his argument to oppose the firmness of her own stance.

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Semantics, indeed. You know that's exactly what will happen anyway, Kingsley. He'll hole up somewhere, probably in that shitty little house of his, one of the most powerful wizards left alive useless to just about everyone," she described with her characteristic stern patience, though her brows ascended towards the end.

"Or... There's an alternative."

"Is there...?" Kingsley rose his brows skeptically, quelling down the intense urge to point out that that fate — to just be left alone — likely could be exactly what he might want after decades of torment, lies and abuse of servitude by his two 'lords' — some bloody peace and quiet!

"This new marriage law everyone hates and you all are determined to push on with - not your idea I know, but regardless," Minerva granted him, but still continued before the minister could impose a comment.

"Surely the same parties in favor of 'managing' his power would see the benefit of it on future generations."

The newest fear mongering technique now that the dark lord was well and truly gone for good had become the dwindling of magical bloodlines. With so many witches and wizards lost to war - and perhaps most notably, so many pure bloods locked up in Azkaban, suddenly everyone thought their numbers were diminishing. Rather stupid in her opinion, but a bargaining chip was a bargaining chip.

"Ha! You really think Severus Snape would prefer to marry someone to keep his magic rather than just retire for the rest of his days and read his library of books? Granted you know the man better than I, but Minerva, come now," Kingsley, now, unable to keep from voicing his former private thoughts, erupted in bemusement and swiftly presented her with his matter-of-fact retort.

"It's not about the magic, Kingsley, you should know better than that," she corrected a bit more wearily.

"It's about spending his entire life trying to redeem himself and still going down as a traitor on paper. He deserves better than that, even if he is a grouch. Now do you want to hear my idea or not?"

"Yes, I know. I do know, Minerva. Believe me. However, I also am aware of how fervently committed they are to appease both halves. And on that front, and I'd be curious to know as well, they'd likely throw back the question of whom in their right mind would willingly marry such a divisive figure of war," Kingsley threw his hands in the air in exclamation before shaking his head softly to relent, "But fine. Fine. Go on. I'll allow you to humour me."

McGonagall looked like she might almost laugh for a brief moment before her expression turned serious again. "Hermione Granger."

"My apologies, but the urge to laugh is great, however, the sudden seriousness of your face right now is making me gravely concerned that you are, actually, quite serious," he commented, lost, leaning forwards and placing his elbows on the desk before steepling his hands slowly.

"I am quite serious, yes," she confirmed though narrowed her eyes shortly after. "And don't look at me like that, Kingsley, you know they couldn't refuse that."

"And you think, or rather it seems you know from the smug look in your eye that she is actually willing to do this? Of her own free will?" He sighed as he pressed his fingers to his lips in fatigued concern.

Minerva scoffed. "Would I suggest it otherwise? She volunteered. Said it was leagues better than getting set up with some random idiot," she replied, glancing at him over her spectacles with a mild hint of accusation, before reaching into one of the pockets of her robe for a roll of parchment which she deposited on his desk.

"She's even sent legal notes. I really couldn't be bothered deciphering the fine print, but the logic seems sound."

Kingsley took the parchments from her with a gentle scowl before skimming over them carefully, humming to himself as his eyes widened here and there. Upon turning over the last paper he tossed them back to her with a resigned sigh and sat back in his chair yet again and sighed.

"As she points out, there isn't exactly anything against one choosing their mate if each is up to the ministry's standards of magical abilities and blood line cross breeding - which is a large goal as we all know to eradicate any pure blood, elitist bullshite mentality that may be left over... And, again, she points out that even a witch or wizard of whom has been placed on trial and found 'innocent' is eligible it seems..."

He paused to run a hand over his face in consideration before finally looking to her to say, "Merlin's balls, fine, fine. I shall propose it to them. However, much to all of our chagrin, Severus is not any wizard to have been found innocent. He is one of the most controversial. So, despite this loophole she's found, they may still very likely say 'piss off!'"

"They very well might. But if they're already concerned about facing a defiant populace, they may be in more of a negotiating mood than you think. Everyone's already coming up with ways around that law, and sooner or later they'll either have to actually enforce it or repeal it all together. Or come up with a way to sell it," she responded, holding a hand up in passive suggestion.

He let out a small groan and rubbed his eyes again.

"Yes, of course. I'm more than certain negotiations shall be had. Of which, I'm sure there will be much back and forth. They might even call the pair in to discuss. But, for his sake at least, perhaps it can be done in a less physically present way. You, however, will do me a favour in return, Minerva," he paused for her to give him a short nod.

"You will be involved in this in whatever way I need you, do you understand? I'm not doing this solely on my own."

She sighed. "Yes, I figured you might say that. And I will do what I can, but I do have a school to run."

"Yes, Minerva, I'm fully aware of that. But, we both owe Severus this. We thought him a traitor for a time. It's our turn to give the ferryman a coin and face the new bloody underworld of this panicked witch-hunt. It's not like I, myself, don't have other matters besides his fare to litter my mind with," he added with a teasing chuckle to lighten his prior serious tone.

"Now then, whilst I speak to the courts, I suggest you have a meeting with our lucky bachelor. No point in pressing them too much if he isn't willing to play, wouldn't you agree?" The towering man finally finished his words to ask her, standing to begin to see her out.

She gave a rather vexed hum of agreement. "Oh it'll be an argument, I'm sure, but nothing new. Just do your part and I'll be in touch," the headmistress replied, raising a brow as she stood and began to move towards the exit, always with some relief.

"Please do. And the sooner you ask him the better. Not looking to put my neck out fully until I have his compliance," Kingsley encouraged her with a look of searching pity.

"It's my next stop," Minerva assured him decidedly, her hand on the door. "I'll send you an owl, but all I ask is that you put up the suggestion."

"Yes, yes, old friend, I shall," he crossed to help her open the door, standing in the frame with her and paused a moment before looking in her eye to say somewhat woefully given his former distrust.

"Please, send Severus my...friendship and support. I'm sure he's still sour with me. I want him to know I'll stand behind him. We'll make this work. We have to."

Minerva nodded, her mouth twitching into a subtle smile. "I'll do that. Good day, Kingsley. And good luck."

~•~

One large hurdle (for the most part) down and one significant pain in the arse to go, or so Minerva stopped to send off to Hermione on her way through London, greatly paraphrased of course. She was going to wait until she'd spoken to Severus, but Merlin knew how long this next venture would take. Though at least she didn't have to apparate all the way to Cokesworth, she self-congratulated as she made the relatively short trek to the flat her old friend was currently confined to until his fate was official.

Severus Snape threw his head back against the waning leather arm chair he was sitting in and sighed as he closed his eyes. Merlin, how long would this bloody decision take?! Honestly, at this point he might welcome whatever it is they decided to punish him with in exchange for his 'innocence'. He rolled his eyes at the outlandish insult after all he had done for their fucking world and his left hand absentmindedly rubbed the now reappearing mark of Nagini's fatal bite.

Having been stripped of his wand under house arrest, as well as his potions kit, even his bloody daily salve in order to hide the damn second 'dark mark' on his body, Severus was left to reluctantly greet its reappearance with the attitude of a scorned lover. Ha, if that wasn't ironic within irony.

"Probably did it on purpose in order to humiliate and crucify me even further," he muttered to himself as his digits fingered the bite marks.

"Where is she?" He muttered, sitting up suddenly as he glanced at the clock. He knew Minerva was going to the ministry for some suspicious reason and as bloody good at hiding her meddling ways as she thought she was, Severus could always observe her. Even without the mind-reading play. She was up to something on his behalf, and he knew it.

Once she'd ascended the stairs of the clean if mildly austere looking building where his flat was located, Minerva finally knocked on the aged wooden door. He was expecting her, of course, though to what end she hadn't explained. That never exactly stopped him from speculating, however.

Severus leaped to his feet once he heard the footsteps in the hallway stairs to the provided flat and whipped open the door just after she had knocked, swallowing as his eyes landed on her anxious face.

"Did it not go as you had planned? You looked worried, Minnie, please sit down. Brandy? Tea? Cigarette?" He offered with a sarcastic smirk as he stepped back to let her in.

Her eyes rolled, though fondly as she stepped in, not commenting until the door shut behind her. "Oh it went about as well as I could expect," the older witch replied, her tone vaguely optimistic as she turned to eye him wryly.

"Now onto the next challenge."

Severus' eyes narrowed at her clear predatory-like stalking of himself as the prey and brushed past her as he headed to the kitchen, "Am I the one that's going to need the brandy? Yes? Cigarette?" He called over his shoulder.

"Well... might want to keep it handy," Minerva relented as she paced after him, glancing around the living space with a keen eye. It was surprisingly decent for what it was worth. Which wasn't, actually, much. "At least they seem to keep you well stocked."

"Probably hoping I'd drink myself to death, but yes," he murmured lowly, as he poured them each a double shot and offered her the glass. "Sit Minerva, before you stumble over your apprehension."

Minerva took it and turned toward the small table and chairs, and settled into one, but not before gesturing to it's companion. "You best settle in too, boy. It'll make it harder for you to stalk off on me."

"Merlin's ballsack, help me," he grumbled as he eyed her agitatedly and pulled the chair back to do as she had instructed. After taking a large sip of his drink he sat back in the chair and continued with, "Go on, before you lose your nerve," he teased her zealously.

"Well, you have two options, as it sits. One they have essentially determined for you and one ...is new but conditional," she established directly but slowly so there was no miscommunication.

"If they have their way, you won't go to Azkaban, you won't be banished, but they will take your wand and you will be unlikely to ever get it back. Or...you can be married..."

The Potions Master gazed at her vacantly, blinking twice before licking his lips and throwing back his drink with a force that could be described as Herculean. Once fully swallowed, and with the most capricious of winces he finally opened his mouth to reply.

"I could only wish you were taking the piss out of me for amusement's sake, however, I can clearly see by your sober look that you are doing anything but," he began despondently, sitting back in his chair with a grunt.

"I highly doubt they would have proposed the latter option initially, am I correct? The giving of a choice hardly seems in their constitution. Which, begs me to ask, just who was behind it? Which then leads me to question, if it's even been officially sanctioned. Though, I rather think I know the answer to my former inquiry," he finished, looking at her accusingly.

Minerva gave a brief, tight-lipped smile. "I can only take partial credit. And it's being negotiated. But Kingsley isn't going to delve too deep unless he has your consent," she elaborated, watching him with mostly calm expectation. The fact he didn't immediately jump to calling her a madwoman gave her some inclination to hope at least.

He brought a hand up to run over his face before bringing it back down to grip the empty glass on the table.

"And I suppose I don't have any ounce of choice in the would-be match?"

Her brow arched, giving something of a shrug. "Well, you have a volunteer that you'd be a fool to refuse, and is already playing legal advocate..."

He matched her steepled brow, running his tongue over his upper gums slowly. "Oh, do I?" He asked with a healthy amount of vitriol. "And who the bloody hell is stupid enough to do that?"

"... Before I answer that question, you do understand the nature of the law that's been put into effect, yes?" Minerva clarified hesitantly, doing the rather uncharacteristic thing and stalling, her fingers shifting the full glass against the table.

He shrugged with slight indifference, waving his hand errantly in the air.

"I know of its bill being passed a bit ago. But as I was on the run, and not privy to many news sources I don't know anything really beyond the thing itself. Not to mention never considering it would be enforced upon me, ancient as I am, and partly loathed. I'm assuming it's to do with forming alliances, as well as the obvious hope that they'll start families to repopulate. But I haven't read the fine print, no. Bloody imbeciles won't let me have access to anything of the outside world."

Minerva's lips pursed. "Lucky you. It's more than a hope, I'm afraid. They've not gone all in with it yet, but everyone says it's only a matter of time. The ministry - well, specific factions within it, I should say - believe that magical blood is in danger of becoming a rare commodity in Britain. With so many lost to war in the last few decades and also such a large number of their precious pure bloods locked up on Azkaban, they are at the very least beginning to enforce the marriage part of the law. It started with seemingly harmless propaganda, of course. A post-war mating season, if you will but they've begun compiling lists of single witches of child bearing age, particularly those with ...exceptional skills and trying to urge them to find a partner, lest one be "suggested" to them." Her tone made clear her disapproval.

Severus scowled at the barbaric, medieval-like evolution the ministry had taken, especially under Kingsley, however, he figured the man didn't have as much say as one might assume given the post war atmosphere with so many divided opinions. He sighed in vexation.

"So, I'm not only going to have to copulate with this pitiful witch? But I'm going to have to stud her, as well? Minerva, between old friends, and forgive the intimate disclosure I'm about to confide in you, but I'm honestly not sure my bloody cock even works any more."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "I imagine the point of the matter is more for the match to be demonstrative than practical, pending some negotiation, though I'm sure they would definitely expect you to try. But if anyone can defy the wizengamot for sport it would be you two," she dismissed passively, somehow managing to encompass amusement and annoyance simultaneously. She finally took a rather sizable sip from her glass in preparation, feeling an inescapable sense of deja vu.

"It's Hermione Granger."

Once again Severus' face fell blank save for the crease between his brows deepening. He stared at her honestly a bit gobsmacked for what felt like an eternity.

He swallowed and slowly opened his mouth to say, "Excuse. Me?"

Minerva honestly had to repress a laugh at the extent of his shock, though luckily she had plenty of practice at keeping a straight face.

"She's 24, she's unattached and has preferred to stay that way for quite awhile but she's been being hounded for months, not only as a young witch with exceptional talent and a muggle born one at that, but an employee at the ministry and a rather unwilling media presence. She's convinced they'd trade just about anything for her compliance with this stunning stupidity and she'd much prefer to spite them in the process than end up with a random idiot they decide to throw at her," she articulated patiently.

He listened thoughtfully, though married with severe concern, staying stoic as ever and barely blinking. When Minerva was finally finished, he, yet again, took his time in speaking.

"So. I'm. A. Pity. Match? Well, spiteful pity," he replied derisively, sneering as he glanced to the right momentarily. "I rather think she's the one being idiotic here. And I'd be even more so for agreeing to this option, no matter how inequitable the other be. It's beyond inappropriate, Minerva," he challenged fiercely.

"No matter her age now, I've known her since she was aged eleven! Don't you know what that will look like to our world?! Not to mention our own tumultuous 'relationship' as student/teacher. Must I really have 'pedophile' hanging over my head as well as 'traitor', and whatever else the populace has assigned me?!"

"Oh Severus, no one thinks about it that way, and anyone who would pretend to would just be trying to get attention," Minerva sighed, looking at him wearily.

"If anything our world is too lax when it comes to things of that nature compared to the muggles. And this has very little to do with pity, and everything to do with defiance and cunning, two things I know very well that you appreciate."

He rolled his eyes contemptuously, though certainly aimed more at himself than either her or her words, and pursed his lips as his hand fingered with the glass.

"Be all that as it may, it doesn't get around the issue of the bloody requirements that will be asked of us. Despite your prior points, the notion of shagging one of my ex students is somewhat nauseating. Not to mention what she must feel on the inevitable conduit. Let alone producing a child," he grimaced lightly.

"I'm not exactly Viktor Krum when it comes to looks. Besides, she detested me. Mostly," he waved his hand in silent recognition of her occasional defense of him, let alone speaking at his trial.

"Oh she has every intention of arguing her way out of - or at the very least delaying - any childbearing requirements as part of the agreement, during which time she has hope of helping Kingsley knock down some of the more oppressive clauses in the legislation, though she's already doing that with...quite a few things," Minerva emphasized with a raise of her brows.

"But, she definitely does not detest you, if anything she just couldn't stand the fact you were the only professor she could never wring any praise out of. You'll have to forgive me if that just strikes me as funny by this point..."

He groaned and threw his eyes to the sky, "Oh, is it and why's that, Minnie?" He asked dryly, folding his arms over his chest defiantly.

The Headmistress just shook her head slightly in rather mysterious amusement. "Are you considering it or not?" She put forward, ignoring his question.

"Will we actually have to consummate? Are we required to live together? Or, can we basically be separated but married? Will they require proof of consummation, if so? Would it be the night of said wedding/marriage license acquisition? I don't see how she plans to argue getting out of the heir clause readily if the entire point of their, perhaps, accepting this proposition is due to the fact that my genes are a power play, and then combined with her own..." he prattled asking a plethora of question he knew she might not know and some of which he prayed she did know, all while absentmindedly running his left hand over his ever-emerging scar.

"Considering then," she observed over his prattling wryly, holding up a gentle hand to halt him. "That will all have to be ironed out in the aftermath. Which I am now stuck in the middle of as well. We'd have to schedule some sort of meeting, I imagine. Though something tells me good publicity will definitely be involved."

"Oh goodie, I get to be made an example of twice," he scowled with a sardonic roll of his eyes. "I suppose I don't. Have. Much. Choice," he sighed despondently. "And what of you, Minnie? Hm? I'm assuming you favour this idea. Hades, you came up with it. Did you ask Miss Granger, then? I'm assuming. To 'volunteer'?" He couldn't help but investigate curiously.

"You could say it was more of a joint venture, actually," Minerva corrected rather fondly. "I would never have come up with it had she not been tearing through the archives on marriage law already. And she was the one who rationalized using herself as leverage."

He quirked his brow in mild surprise, before pursing his lips again to say, "Hmph. How. Very. Gryffindor. Of. Her. You must be proud," he gave her a small smirk of friendly fire.

"But don't you worry about her happiness? Being married to me, let alone the other two constituents..."

"So long as you don't argue with her about house elves, abuse her books, or get in the way of her trying to dismantle the ministry one brick at a time I think she'll be fine," Minerva assured him with another sardonic sip from her glass.

"You two honestly have more in common than you'd think."

"Like I would ever do any of the former actions, Minerva," he scoffed with a small snort of mock offense. "Mmm, well, if this scheme is accepted, I suppose only time will tell. I am skeptical, however..." he paused to look up at his dearest friend.

"I need you to tell me the truth, Minnie. And I really don't mean to keep harping on this, but, you must try and understand why I am, by looking at it from my point of view. But, have you outright asked her her feelings...about….the carnal relations, that will likely be required?

…..Woman to woman? I don't want her to feel..." he inhaled sharply, how to phrase it, "as if it would always be...such an unpleasant act that she would feel sexually...assaulted, for lack of a better idiom," he cringed at the very idea. "Or dissociative within it."

"It was ... briefly assessed, yes," Minerva assured him delicately. "She insisted she wouldn't have suggested it if she were going to be that offended by it."

"Hmph," he regarded her with obvious dubiety, pressing his lips into a fine line as he thought. Or rather, accepted his fate of fighting for this ulterior proposal.

"And just whom will this meeting involve? All three of us? Kingsley too? Please tell me we won't have to go back to the courts to champion for it?"

"Oh, I doubt it. Though they'd probably send a representative, and may have to go debate it or some... nonsense," she mostly speculated. "But, I'll have to firstly tell them both that you're open."

"Well, thank Merlin for small miracles," he sneered, though he had an undertone of genuine gratitude. "Right, well, Minnie… I'll wait patiently for your word, and try not to drink myself to death in the interim," he flashed her a sardonically sweet smile.

Hera's tits, what have I gotten myself into?