"Mum, Dad, there's something I, uh, we, need to tell you." Hermione's nerves began to eat at her more as her parents looked expectantly at her. What could they be thinking? Maybe they thought she would be apprenticed to Professor Snape or something along those lines. Well, she was going to be involved with him, just not in that way. They were going to kill her. She looked to Severus who grabbed her hand from across the table, sending a slight shiver through her at the contact. It was the first time they had really had any physical contact since the incident, but since neither remembered it, the contact was a new sensation. While it bolstered her courage a bit, it also received her questioning looks from both parents. "I know this is going to come as a shock. It was a bit of a shock to us really, but, uh, well, Severus and I are getting married . . ."

"Hermione!" her mother cried in shock and anger. Explosion number one: Mother, vocal disapproval.

"How? When?" Her father spluttered haplessly.

". . . a week from today," she finished. The look in her father's eyes said it all. Explosion number two: Father, silent accusation. "Um, Severus, could you give us a moment?" She knew he was a dead man if he stayed in the room any longer.

"Certainly," he said, excusing himself before the wrath of David Grange fell upon him. He knew that look. It was the same look he received from Lucius Malfoy when he had learned of Snape's true allegiance. Nothing good would come of it.

He knew this was not his argument. It was best for all involved if he just steered clear. Hermione never mentioned if her father was a violent man or not. He doubted David Granger was the sort, but Severus did not wish to find out what would happen if he pushed the doctor too far. It was best to get out before it was too late.

Once Snape was safely out of the room, her mother spoke. "Hermione, I know you think marrying him is a good idea. You may think you love him, but he is older than you. He's old enough to be your father! I surely don't need to mention that he's your professor. And why so soon? What would your classmates say? How can you be so sure Professor Snape is the one for you?" Angelina was full of questions that did not have an easy answer.

Snape was listening to the conversation, his anger at Hermione's parents growing with each word they said. Under normal circumstances, he would probably agree with them. These, however, were not normal circumstances. He knew their decision was for the best. Well, he hoped it was for the best anyway. Snape listened as David began talking, his tone slightly pressing.

"We love you, Hermione, and we've raised you to make your own decisions. However, I agree with you mother. Given your ages, I must ask you, can you honestly say in ten years that this was best for you?" After a moment of silence, he continued. "Hermione, it's quite common for young women your age to make mistakes like this. As your father, I'm looking out for your best interest. I don't want to see you getting hurt. Professor Snape himself admits that he is not known for being the nicest of people. He may seem amiable enough now, but there's no telling what the future may hold. I wish you would think about this. If you feel the same after University, then consider marriage. You're much too young for this right now. You're much to young for this man." Noting the angered look in his daughter's face, he stopped.

Hermione was having trouble keeping her cool. She knew her parents had no idea about the real reason for the marriage. She certainly was not going to enlighten them of that fact for the moment either. It would only make things worse as the explanation itself was not simple and would pain them to no end.

"Hermione, dear, have you and he slept together?" Her mother's question did not register right away, as it was fairly straightforward and Hermione was busy restraining her growing temper.

Snape was intently listening for her answer, but became distracted by an incessant tapping at the window. He noticed a white owl fluttering outside. Letting it in, he found a note attached to its leg.

Meet me at St. Mungo's after your visit. We're expecting you. Bring Hedwig.

Albus

Snape barely finished the letter when Hermione came from the dining room. She made a beeline for the closet and retrieved their cloaks. He realized he would have to find out how she responded later as she obviously was in no mood at the moment. He had heard the yelling, just not the words in his state of preoccupation.

"We're leaving, Severus," she said angrily, not noticing the snowy owl perched on his arm. He followed her out the front door, which slammed behind him. Hedwig was unsettled by the noise and sunk her claws into Snape's arm.

"Ow! Damn it, owl! Settle down!" he snarled at the bird. Hermione realized he was not talking to her, and finally noticed Hedwig.

"Severus, why do you have Harry's owl?" He wordlessly handed her the note. "Maybe Harry's doing better. Perhaps that would cheer me a bit," she responded absent-mindedly. They apparated to St. Mungo's. Hermione and Snape walked to Harry's room in silence, each with their own thoughts. The young man was indeed awake, and Albus Dumbledore was with him.

"Ah, Severus, Hermione, how was dinner?" the headmaster inquired happily.

"Horrible," Hermione responded in a mildly angry tone. Snape did not say a word in his current state of agitation brought on partly by Hermione's parents and partly by the Headmaster's cheerfulness. "Hi, Harry, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked to quickly change the subject. She did not want to deal with what had just transpired between herself and her parents just yet. Fortunately, her anger had largely dissipated at the thought of seeing Harry well.

"I'm a bit light headed, but good other than that. Professor Snape," Harry addressed the cheerless man, "I believe my owl likes you." Hedwig was happily perched on his arm. He scowled in response. "Dumbledore mentioned you were in London so I thought it'd be nice to have some visitors even though I'm being released tomorrow. I'm confused as to why both of you were having dinner with Hermione's parents."

Snape prodded Hermione. Now was as good a time as any to break the news. Harry's reaction could not be as bad her parents, she decided despite not really wanting to tell anyone else at the moment.

"Severus and I are getting married next Saturday," she explained tiredly. "We were telling my parents the news, which, as I'm sure you know by now, they did not take well."

He looked confused. "Wait, you two are . . . getting married? Is this a joke?"

Dumbledore spoke for the two in question. "Harry, they are not joking. It will be a legitimate marriage. Necessity calls for it." He was quite serious.

"Necessity?"

"Severus?" the wizened wizard prodded.

"Huh?" Hedwig, who was beginning to shift restlessly on his arm, had distracted him. "Oh, uh, right. I suppose I should be the one to tell him then. I see how it is." The sarcasm in his voice was quite evident. "It's my fault after all that Lucius Malfoy charmed my libido so that I'd fuck Hermione and get the girl pregnant, which, of course," Snape was getting meaner about the whole situation each passing second, "resulted in us being forced to marry." Hedwig fluttered quite a bit making him even angrier. "Fuck off, owl! I only brought you because I was told!" Hedwig nipped at Snape's fingers before gliding over to Harry's side. "Your owl should be shot, Potter!" Nothing but venom was dripping from Snape's voice. Hermione shot him an irate look that he ignored.

Dumbledore decided it was time Snape was calmed. "Severus, you've had your say. Please, have a seat and relax a bit. This is a difficult situation for all of us. Your anger does not help the matter." The normally calm and collected Potions Master sat in a huff knowing he was acting childish. In all honesty, he did not care what anyone present felt toward him at the moment. Had he not been forced into a situation that would cause him to be unhappy? Somewhere, Lucius Malfoy was enjoying the fact he had the last laugh on Severus Snape. Snape snorted as he remembered Malfoy had been placed under the highest security at Azkaban. Despite that, nothing was going remotely well according to Snape. Turning from the other professor, Dumbledore asked, "Any questions?"

"Uh, yeah. Let me get this straight," Harry replied. "Draco's father put some sort of lust spell on Professor Snape. He and Hermione had sex, and now she's pregnant with his child. In order to avoid a whole to-do at school, they're getting married even though neither is exactly keen on the idea. Why couldn't I have stayed unconscious?" Harry finished, exasperated. Dumbledore chuckled.

"That would mostly be correct, would it not, Miss Granger?"

"Yes, headmaster, except the spell affected me as well so we can avoid having to worry about the thought that it might be rape. I, for one am grateful for that," she said looking at the still fuming Snape. She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. He could be such a bastard sometimes.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm just as, if not more, grateful it was not rape. That would be a death wish for me these days. Anyone involved with the Death Eaters is still under suspicion whether a spy or not!" he spat at her.

"Well, since that's settled, what happened this evening?" Dumbledore inquired, trying to keep the couple from arguing. They were on tenterhooks as was. It would not be good for their relationship to fall apart in the early stages.

Severus just waved at Hermione to answer the question. She glared before responding.

"Dinner and introductions went well enough, I suppose. I mean, they were complimentary to Severus. I was impressed with the effort as well. However, they completely freaked out when I mentioned the marriage. I expected that of them, but it still hurt. No one really understands, so why should they be different.

"Anyway, I got a whole speech about it being a bad decision and everyone at school looking down on me because I'm doing it for better grades or something like that. I told them I was sticking to the decision no matter what they thought, and that I expect them to be present for the wedding. It just wasn't in that nice of terms. I stormed out after that." Hermione collapsed further into the chair in which she was sitting. Snape's expression softened a bit, but he was still obviously tense. Dumbledore did not have his trademark twinkle in his eye after Hermione's report.

"Do you think they will come?" Harry inquired, worried for his friend.

"I'll be receiving an owl by Thursday," she responded surely. "They'll feel guilty about dinner. Besides, my parents haven't missed a major moment like this in my life. They may disagree with the decision, but they'll attempt to be supportive. They always are."

"Very well, Miss Granger. Thank you for your report. Severus and I have some business to discuss. Would you mind staying her for a bit?"

"I don't mind at all, sir." She was mostly just happy that Harry was awake at the moment. It was the bright point in her day. She seriously needed a friend after the encounter with her parents.

The two professors left, leaving Hermione alone with Harry. He at least understood why the marriage was necessary. They decided it was best to not let anyone else in on the reason behind the whole affair. If word got out, Snape could be dismissed and Hermione could be expelled, and that was being generous. They were sure the consequences would be much worse in reality. Although they felt guilty having to keep the truth from Ron, they knew he would just tell someone in the long run, even if by accident. Harry promised to be available to Hermione whenever she needed.

While talking to Harry, Hermione finally came upon the thought of living with Snape. She found the idea challenging, frightening, and exciting all at the same time. She wondered how much he dreaded it. She knew he never fancied himself to be a married man, and this would certainly be intruding on that. Plus, there was the child. That would certainly cause further intrusion in his life. For that, Hermione felt guilty despite knowing it was not her fault. Part of her could not help it though. She had been the one to propose the concept of marriage. He accepted because he was a man of his word and intended to keep that promise he had made that night over a month ago.

End Part 5