"100 points to Gryffindor!" Cried Professor Flitwick before bursting into laughter as he took a sip from Hermione's goblet praising her, again, for the exceptional tasting wine. He nodded proudly at his student, who was the first in many years to charm vinegar into wine.

Naturally, everyone from Gryffindor was excited for the house points and marveled at how quickly Hermione had casted the charm However the other houses and one person from her house were not so pleased. Ron.

He didn't know why, but he just couldn't be happy for Hermione, and he hated how much people noticed her simply for being smart rather than likeable, or some other personable trait. So instead of being a good sport and cheering her on, he turned back to his goblet and his spell book. He said it a few times, his pronunciation changing ever so slightly trying to will the vinegar to change. However he had forgotten the first rule of magic. Never use a new spell with anger.

"Blimey!" Seamus cried out grabbing the back of his neck as a cold piece of ice struck him.

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelled in surprise.

The goblet had exploded when the vinegar turned to ice, just like Professor Flitwick had warned. Although he didn't change the viengar to wine but he achieved something. Everyone's attention. That was better.

"Oh goodness!" Professor Flitwick gasped hurrying over to them.

Hermione stood up to follow. She was worried that Seamus might be hurt, or that Ron might be in shock but she stopped when she saw the disgusting smirk on Ron's face. What was he so smug about?

"We're fine Professor. Plenty fine. Why make wine when you can create a bang!" He joked looking back over to Hermione.
The concern Hermione had for Ron faded almost immediately, and was replaced with hurt, and disgust.

Professor Flitwick started on cleaning up the mess Ron had made, and asked Seamus if he was okay. Ron thought that he should probably go and apologize to Hermione for a split second but he didn't know how or if he could. No, he decided rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

He would have to try before they parted ways to head to their different classes. He however had no such luck though, because by the time class was over, she was gone.

Hermione clasped her books tightly with her arms as she hurried pasted everybody in the hallway. Ron could have seriously hurt someone, but all he cared about was upstaging her? What the hell was this? Primary school?! What the hell had gotten into Ron?
She was so upset with him and his childish behavior! Unfortunately, her anger was forgotten quickly by the time she reached her next class and heared the hush whispers. There seemed to be a great disturbance in the air.

What was going on? Hermione wondered taking her seat in her Divinations class. When the teacher came in, late, she looked to be a little distracted. Now that wasn't out of the ordinary, no. Professor Trelawney was always a bit… not all together. But there was something about the way she was pacing the floor gave all the class something to whisper about. For the most part that was all they did in class today. Watch Professor Trelawney be completely beside herself and wonder if this was some sort of test.

When Lavender Brown whispered to Hermione for some insight, Hermione shook her head. "I don't know what it is, but I think it is bad. Very bad, Trelawney wouldn't just be out of it for no reason…"

Hermione was right.

An announcement came, ending all classes for sixth, and seventh year students and then called for them to report to the Great Hall.

In an orderly fashion, students were dismissed by house to the Great Hall. Everyone was talking about reasons for the cancellation but they were all far from the real reason. Someone said that a student must have died, another said it was the fall of Hogwarts at last and they were calling them because they were better suited to fight.. The real reason?

A law had passed in the wizarding world, due to the rapid rising of Lord Voldemort, and the mass killings. This new law was going only would affect all witches and wizards of age 16 and older and in a big, big way. The Ministry of Magic had declared it as a desperate act to save magic, but Hermione along with others were not pleased by this.
The law required that members of the magical community were to marry in a matter of months. A marriage law.

The Headmaster stood at his podium, and began to brief them, explaining the full context of the law. He said that male purebloods would be able to petition first for a match then female purebloods. He explained that due to high demands the Ministry had voted to start this exchangement by bloodline meaning that anyone that was a muggle born had been casted aside to get to pick last. This was the start to this madness. Hermione thought it was sick that a class of people were going to have priority, and that they were treat this like a sort of auction for the best cow. She didn't want any part of it. However unless she was going to give up on magic and return to the muggle world forever she didn't have any real choice. The only good thing in this law that gave her any hope, was that they allowed to chose who they married.

All sixth year, and seventh year students would end classes until a matrimonial match was made for all of them. Only when the Ministry heard word of the matching would they be allowed to return to their schedule classes.

A state of emergency! She thought annoyed as people reacted around her. They weren't even considered adults but they wanted to... Draft marriage proposals? She thought crossing her arms. Maybe she should give up magic and be completely normal?

She frowned. Then another thought came to her mind, what of her budding relationship with Severus Snape?
Was the end of their relationship already here, before anything had really started?

Severus stood at the head table. They were supposed to have a meeting about this law later on to figure out how to fight it, but it was too late. The law had passed and there was nothing the teachers and staff could do anymore. They were going to have to comply.
His eyes scanned the hall watching different students react to the news, when his eyes landed on Hermione. He didn't know what she was feeling, but he could see the uncertainty and disgust all on her face. Unfortunately there was nothing he could do. He wanted to talk to her, hear her thoughts and help her in any way that he could, but he honestly didn't know if he could his own house out of this mess.

He looked at the other students in her house, and saw Ron and Harry talking quickly between themselves. He hoped, but also didn't, that they were talking about Hermione and her place due to being of an imperfect bloodline. However having taught both boys he knew that the idea probably hadn't popped up into their heads. Ron was from a pure blood family, meaning he got priority choosing over Harry, and by the looks on Ron's face, he was too preoccupied with the gazes from the many women around him to consider anything other than his personal glory. Harry on the other hand, looked worried and concern.

Severus didn't know what he could do to help any of his students. He wasn't completely stone, like they all thought he was. He actually cared for them.

Marriage didn't save anything... It was just a legal binding. He was more than certain that the law was bound to have a loophole about conceiving children. However, it would be years until his students children could do anything. This was all so pointless! It was not well thought out or carefully planned. Did the Ministry honestly expect this to work?
He didn't see how it would, and he feared the repercussions of an ill thought of agenda.

Children came to Hogwarts at age eleven. They left as adults. Severus' brows furrowed in thought wondering just how were they going to actually make this work and help future generations? For once, Severus Snape actually felt some sort of pity for he students, and wished them the best of luck, because they had honestly gotten screwed over. They not only had to worry about the Dark Lord's return, but they now had to worry about adult life, and marriage now.

"Attention... " Dumbledore called out to the students again, but was only met with a loud roar of confusion and anxiety. He needed them to stop and listen to him. He pressed the tip of his wand to his throat and he lowered his wand.
"Attention!" He called loudly now with an amplified charm in place. The Great Hall became quiet at once, and everyone looked up to the front of the room to hear what was to be said, hoping for some sort of light, or guidance in their desperate time of need.
"Attention, I know this new law has come as a shock to you all, however there is nothing we can possibly due to change the law... at the present time. We can call for a reconsideration, but we still have to obey the law as of now. I now ask, that all male pureblood sixth and seventh years, go to the entrance of the Great Hall, and all the female members of a pureblood line to the side entrance."

At the Great Hall entrance stood Professor Twycross, and at the side entrance was Professor McGonagall it was relatively quick for the pureblood lines to form at their designated positions and be taken out of the area to start the progress and contact the Ministry of potential matches. Some students were called for during the first round of negotiations, as not all pureblood lines were shallow enough to only consider other purebloods, there were even whispers that some male bloodline members asked for people a year younger than them. However, no one was more surprised to be called for then Hermione.
She looked around surprised when McGonagall came for her, but quickly got up and hurried with her to the courtyard where to her surprise there were two people waiting. Neville Longbottom, and Ron Weasley.

"Hermione, you don't have to accept either of them, my dear... But they asked for you first over others. " McGonagall told her softly and Hermione nodded.

She was grateful for them both, but to be honest, she didn't want to be married to either of them.
Neville was shy, introverted and well plain.
Ron was a bone head, that brought out the worst in her.
She didn't want to hear what they had to say, but unfortunately Ron always had to make sure that he was heard. "Thanks Neville, but hey, I got it from here. Right 'Minoe. " He said stepping toward her and then smiled. "I'll take care of her, and all will be-"

"No. "

Ronald Weasley, the pompous asshole, had returned to piss her off with his arrogance and foul attitude. She shook her head, wondering where in his small head, did he get the idea that she would be happy marrying him. She would rather marry Draco Malfoy then be with him. The fact that he had the nerve to think he could just shut Neville down, like the shy boy wasn't worth the competition.

McGonagall looked at Hermione surprised, as well as the two boys. "I mean... Neville, I am flattered that you would offer your future to help me, but I can't marry you. " She said and Neville nodded looking at her then to McGonagall.

"No problem, I just wanted to make sure you were okay... " Neville said shifting from one foot to the other.

"Should I call for Miss. Lovegood, Mr. Longbottom?" McGonagall asked with a small smile on her face as the young man turned to her with an excited look on his face, quickly nodding his head while Ron stared at Hermione in disbelief.

"Hermione... What the-" Ron began but she stopped him.

"Ronald, we are friends, but that is all we will ever be. I cannot stand you in the worst ways, imagine being married. It would be legal torture. I'm sorry, but no. " She stated firmly taking a step away from him.

"But you need me!" Ron snapped.

"No. I don't. " She snapped back and shook her head. "I don't need you, or want you as a husband figure."

"Who do you want then, hm? Harry?" He asked glaring at her.

Hermione shook her head, crossing her arms. "I don't want you." She repeated and turned away from him hurrying back to the castle feeling awful. She didn't want to tell him that, but this wasn't any time to be kind, or polite. This was an urgent matter that shouldn't be taken lightly.

Although Ron might have thought he was doing this with all the best intentions, she knew it was just his selfishness that was fueling him.

"Miss. Granger? "

Hermione jumped, and turned to see Severus. She lowered her head, but also acknowledge him, before attempting to walk away from him. "Miss. Granger, just a moment... " He called and then stepped into a classroom that wasn't in use, summoning her to follow him. Hermione bit her lip really thinking about disobeying him. She just didn't want to hear from him that it was over already. But she turned to look up and down the hallway to see if anyone was coming or watching, then walked toward the classroom.

She looked up at him as she entered the classroom sighing heavily, choosing to put distance between the two of them and sit on a desk away from him.

"Ron asked me to marry him... So did Neville... " She whispered out of the blue to break the silence.

Severus frowned looking from her to the front of the room before he moved toward her. "I figured one of your friends would... " He said softly with a small nod.

"I told them both no... I... I can't marry them. I don't know who I can marry… But god… Not them. " She said softly and then sighed lowering her head.

That surprised him.

She had rejected their offer. Yes, he actually thought she would take Ron up on his offer, or even Harry but she wasn't sure who she could marry and that surprised him more. He took Hermione as a girl who could be handed a problem and fix everything at the drop of a hat.

However it brought worry to Severus' mind.

Iif she didn't marry someone, she could lose everything, as well as be imprisoned. He didn't want to scare her, or pressure her but she had to find someone. "I... Hermione, I know this isn't something you want to hear, but you need to find someone to marry, or at least a prospect. The Ministry is only giving us a few days to pair students, before it moves to a more global stance, and becomes court ordered... " He informed her.

"But I can't!" Hermione sobbed covering. She shook her head and then slowly moved her hands from her face and turned facing the window. " I need someone who will test my mind, as much as my body. I want someone who is intelligent, or someone I can tolerate and respect. I don't see anyone in this school doing that for me." She said honestly and then scoffed.

"I mean if I did, I would never had sent you a letter... I wouldn't have ever asked you to... Oh God… I'm a pathetic girl. I know I want to fool around with my teacher but I do know what I am going to do with this stupid law... " She whispered.

"Is that the reason behind your apprenticeship?"

Severus froze.

Hermione gasped and looked to the doorway of the classroom and saw Dumbledore.

The older man walked into the classroom as he waved his hand to close the door behind him. "I had hoped that, that wasn't the reason behind it, and that it was strictly to help Miss. Granger improve and rise as far as her wings would let her, but I'm wrong... " Dumbledore spoke softly.

"Head Master-" Severus interjected, but Dumbledore rose a hand, silencing him.

"Severus, you know the rules very well... Which is why I agreed to the apprenticeship... However I am in a predicament now. " He added on top of what he had said earlier.

Severus frowned listening to him speak, and then shook his head as he tried again to reason with him but Dumbledore wasn't a fool. He was foolish to think that he could pull the wool over his eyes, Dumbledore had lived longer than him, and was very wise compared to him, he should have done what his gut instinct had told him to do... Instead he had fallen prey to what he had hoped he never would. A student's charm. "I'll send in my resignation... " He stated firmly. There was no use denying anything. Dumbledore knew.

"My boy, what makes you think I would want you to resign?" Dumbledore asked, with a slight chuckle. "I was thinking more along the lines that you protect our young Hermione from the repercussions of this law. " Dumbledore smiled looking from him to Hermione to see the same horror reflected on her face, as on Severus'. "If you two are comfortable enough to form a... Sexual relationship... With each other, " The old man said quietly, "Then I believe that the marriage proposal should follow. Call me old fashion... " He smiled and looked to Hermione. "How do you feel about that? "

"Sir, I can't marry her. " Severus stated firmly. He had so many secrets, and he lead a life that was very dangerous. Sure, he could have sex with Hermione, or starting a relationship that was loose but open. That was one thing…

But marrying?

He was dead smack in the middle of the war, did the old man forget that?

Had he finally lost his mind?

Hermione frowned.

Now that she understood what the Headmaster was proposing, she too wasn't really a fan of it. First off, her friends... They would react horribly to the news. Her? Marrying their potion's master? Dear god, she would never live down the name calling and the constant stares. Plus, it would affect her studies greatly.
Secondly, her parents would surely forbid it. There would be no doubt that the community would frown upon it and bring it to Ministry just wanted everyone to get married, and keep magic safe, but she was sure that they would have something to say about it.
"Sir... I... I don't... " She whispered unsure.

"I'll let you two decide on what you would like done. However it would take a lot off my troubled old mind if you would accept my suggestion. I don't think the community could handle a teacher and student scandal along with this marriage law.
"However if you would like to try that route, you're more than welcome to. If I don't have a clear and definite answer in a few hours, I will be visiting Miss. Granger's parents this evening. Either to ask them about the marriage proposal, or to tell them that their daughter was discovered to be in a sexual relationship with a teacher." Dumbledore smiled like the old fool he was and walked out of the classroom leaving the two of them to decide.
Dumbledore was an old blackmailing knew he was asking a lot of Severus, but he also knew that if there was a better pairing than Severus and Hermione, he wouldn't ask. The two were highly intelligent, together they could make things happen, and work together through this war. Then when the time came they could reasonably and responsibly raise a child with a promising future. As much as it was reassuring to know that Hermione saw her professor already in such a way, it also bothered him. He would never had thought that Hermione would instigate a relationship with a teacher, but now he really had seen it all.

Severus shook his head in disbelief. He hadn't even had sex with her! There had been a kiss, yes, and minor… Merlin… He couldn't reason with what hadn't been done, because there was enough to ruin his life for good. He had to seriously think about this.

Hermione looked to Severus from across the room.
She could see his brain hard at work trying to figure out what he was going to do, but she couldn't tell what he had decided by his face. He was emotionless, again.
He was under enough stress and if she hadn't have said anything, they could have continued their relationship in secret and not worried about this. Why did she open her mouth?! She felt absolutely horrible! She was causing him trouble and no doubt had him regretting answering her letters. What could she do now?
Was the damage done?
Severus looked so upset, and she didn't blame him. She just wished she still had her time turner or something so that she never wrote the letter in the first place. "You don't have to marry me Severus... I... I'm sorry... " She whispered softly. "I never meant for anyone to hear this. "

"Miss. Granger, the fact is that someone did hear, and we are lucky that it was someone we can trust. "
Severus took a deep breath, placing his hand over his face as he gave the situation one more thought. "We are in a… Predicament. Either we are in trouble with the ministry on a greater scale than we could ever imagine or we can send in our proposal."
Hermione nodded, looking down to her feet as her hands pulled nervously on her skirt. Severus stepped forward and took her left hand with his, his eyes locked on to hers, "I know you denied Weasley, and Longbottom…"
Hermione looked up surprised. He wasn't really- No! "Severus, we can't…" She whispered trying to pull her hand away.
"Try reimagining rejecting me…" He said softly. "You should know by now I am a fighter. I will fight and use what I can to protect myself."

"Severus you don't... "

"We are not in my chamber's, Miss Granger."
The way Severus said it cut through Hermione in one of the worst ways. She knew he was only trying to protect him, but could he think about her too? She couldn't marry her professor!She opened her mouth but she was speechless.
"You will refrain from using my name, and address me as your professor... " He said harshly and let go of her hand.
To Hermione's surprise, as soon as his hand was gone, a shiny silver ring encircled her finger. "I will see you when you're parents arrive. "
Hermione gasped looking up at him angrily but Severus had already stormed out of the classroom, his robes billowing around him just like he had the first time she had ever seen him, all before she could say anything. She stomped her foot, and grabbed at her hair groaning.
Severus was upset, and it was understandable but he didn't have to be so disgusting! Not in a time like this! They could have found an answer to their problems but he basically gave her an ultimatum just like Dumbledore! Except this time it was an even worst deal…
Marriage willingly or force.

Was she really going to be forced to marry a man she knew nothing about, who was more than twice her age, and not in love with her? What the hell had she done? Hermione lowered her head ashamed.
Merlin, what had she done...