Severus was stunned. He knew she wouldn't agree, but he didn't expect her to reject his offer with such vehemence. She wouldn't even consider it. Instead, she looked at him as if her world had crumbled around her ears. Was he that repulsive? He had never felt so insecure in his life, and that nearly made him bolt out of her room. No woman, or man, had ever made him feel so self-doubting about himself. But, he stayed. Athena needed a father, and it will rain meteors before he deserted her.

"Minerva, please. Listen to me," he said, and the old feeling of anger returned, but he suppressed it. She shook her head violently, if possible her face becoming paler and she clutched Athena closer to her chest.

"You can not hide her forever. Someone will find out, and questions will be asked. Hell, she'll probably be the one asking them," he said, trying hard not to sound irritated.

"Are you going to lie about her father?" he asked her. Minerva shook her head, losing a little of her defiance, but not a lot.

"I'll tackle that hurdle when it comes. I can't marry you!" she said adamantly, her voice slightly high pitched.

"Why?"

"Why? Why? WHY? Because people will talk, THAT'S WHY!" she cried, then lowered her tone when Athena began to whimper. Minerva rocked her a little.

"Can you just imagine what people, what the wizarding community will say when they find out I married someone half my age AFTER having his child?!" she continued, her blue eyes glinting in terror.

"I'll be ruined! I'll have to go and live in a leper colony, or maybe I'll be forced to live in isolation..." her tone was becoming hysterical. Severus had to do something. He walked up to her in two strides and slapped her hard. Minerva was stunned, but her eyes had lost its insane look.

"Oh Merlin, Severus, I can't, I can't..." she said dejectedly. Her body suddenly felt so tired, and she didn't flinch when he guided her to her familiar armchair. He knelt by her side. Athena had already snuggled into her bosom and was starting to fall asleep. Severus took a deep breath.

"Minerva, listen to yourself. You're being selfish. Don't you care about Athena?" he asked. She looked at him murderously.

"Of course I care. How dare you imply such a thing!?" she snapped. Okay, he thought, her sanity had returned.

"Then you should know there's no other choice. As it is, news must be traveling around the school already. The damage would be even worst if we didn't get married than if we did. Imagine her growing up without a family name, and I can't give her mine unless we're legally married," he continued, and then stopped as he saw her brow furrow. His words were leaving its mark inside her stubborn brain.

"I hate it when you're right, Severus," she finally said. A small smile lit his face, but he wiped it quickly.

"So, will you marry me?" he asked. It wasn't exactly the proposal of the year but he was already on his knees. The only thing missing was a ring. And Minerva's agreement to it. She still looked skeptical.

"Isn't there another way? Wizard marriages are so final, so permanent," she said, thinking of the soul-binding oath the bride and groom have to say to each other.

"Is the thought or marrying me that horrid?" he asked sadly. She quickly shook her head.

"No, it isn't that. It's us. We've never agreed on anything and now we have to live with each other? Severus, we'll end up killing each other! Do you realize the amount of hostility that could arise from this? It's a horrible environment to bring up a child," she argued back. Damn, she's right. We could never get along. He sighed.

"Let's go talk to Albus, hopefully he knows," he said.

She wished he hadn't said that. She knew he was right, if anybody knew what to do, it'd be Albus. But how could she face her friend? What would he think of her?

"He'll suggest we get married. It is the only way Severus," she replied.

"So..."

"Do you want to?" she asked suddenly. Severus was taken aback by her question.

"Want to marry you? Yes, of course, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to," he answered.

"Would you have asked even we didn't have her?" she asked again softly. Now Severus was really stumped. What a weird question. And he didn't know how to answer.

"Minerva... I don't understand... do you...have..." he stammered. She shook her head, and for the first time that day, she smiled a little.

"Forget it Severus... I was being stupid," she said. Severus let out a relieved sigh. That was close; she was upset enough without him adding on to her fury.

"Alright, Severus we'll marry, but only because Athena needs a name. Nothing else changes," she said suddenly standing up, her tone serious. The old, no nonsense Minerva McGonagall was back.

"Elaborate please," he said standing up too. He moved closer to her to stroke the sleeping baby, and Minerva felt her ability of speech fly out the window. Get a grip, woman.

"We'll get married, and Athena becomes Athena Snape, but I retain my last name, and we continue living our lives that doesn't involve each other. No wedding bands, no living together," she explained. Severus just stared at her. Then his eyes became darker, his expression contorted in anger. Minerva stared back at him, her eyes as dark as his. An angry Snape she could handle.

"You will not keep me away from my daughter, Minerva," his voice was low but deadly. Minerva answered back with equal venom.

"Nobody is trying to separate you with your daughter, least of all me. But Athena needs me, she's still nursing. I cannot live with you Severus. And I won't bring her up in a home where the two adults are constantly at each other's throat. You can visit her anytime you like, I'll give you access to my room, but that's all. At the end of the day, she returns to me and you return to your room, in the dungeons," she said, stressing the 'his room' part.

Severus wanted to argue, but he knew it would be futile. She would be given first priority, as she was the mother. At least she was giving him free reign of her room, and he could visit Athena anytime. His anger left him and he sat down heavily on the armchair that she had been sitting on only a few minutes ago. Before she dropped the axe on him. So they would only be married in name only. He still had to return to an empty room after school hours and a cold bed at night. He didn't even realize how glum that made him feel. Like he was looking forward to marrying Minerva... but that was rubbish.

"Fine."

A/N: Now, before y'all flame me for McGonagall's OOC, do remember she is human and if any of us were in her position, I doubt we'd act differently