Hermione strode through the halls of Snape manor, not quickly or with a tear-stained face, but with a calm, collected arrogance. From the outside, she looked like a conceded pure blood Lady of the house, gliding through the halls of this home as though it were built for her and her alone. She felt entitled to this, given her award-worthy performance leaving the imbeciles in Snape's library.

Her insides, however, were torn to shreds, like an anchor being dragged from one organ to another. The worst part of it all was that although she was resentful or angry. She didn't blame Pansy or Severus. Not at all. Not for any of this. She didn't blame Draco either. There was no one to aim her turmoil towards, no one technically at fault, no one in the wrong.

The only aspect that irritated her was that Pansy was so obvious in her pettiness. If she wanted to seem genuine she should have chosen a time frame like 15 years. Ah well. Not all Slytherins can be made equal.

Although disappointed, Hermoine knew that her dream by the end had been to have children with Draco. Given the circumstances, she was neither surprised nor devastated by the idea she may not have children after all. Pansy was finally stepping into being Lady Snape, Hermione couldn't blame her. The poor thing wasn't even the main event at her own engagement party.

Six and a half years ago...

Hermione and Draco had finally made it to the bottom of the stairs to the hushed crowd below. This was not atypical. Most pure-blood families expect this kind of reception after a grand entrance, what made this different were the curious eyebrows. One guest turns to their partner to whisper their predictions on the young couple, the other usually frozen with shocked curiosity, nodding or shaking their head.

The Malfoys, however, were oblivious, laughing and giggling as they moved through the halls. Arm and arm they swapped secrets as the crowd followed them towards the now frequently used ballroom. The couple's moment was interrupted by none other than Narcissa Malfoy.

Moving towards Hermione out of respect, Naricissa leaned into her daughter-in-law speaking in a low voice.

"Hermione, Dear, our guests await their signal from within the ballroom. I will have the caterers wait until you are through the ceremony to have them enter."

Hermione smiled at her mother-in-law, appreciating the honour of hosting the best of Wizarding Britain essentially alone. She used to always turn her nose up at these events. A quarter-million pounds towards charities and research later, she found she rather changed her mind on the topic. Perhaps she was built for the wizarding world after all.

"Of course mother, we are ready now." Turning to check in with Draco first, and waiting for a nod from her husband, she smiled at the woman again, " open the doors."

Beaming with excitement the woman scurried off, to find a house-elf no doubt in some quiet corner to make the entrance more...magical.

Feeling a squeeze at her hand, she turned to her husband in time to hear him say, "do you remember the rules?"

Rolling her eyes, she smirked at him, not even dignifying his question. She knew what he was referring to. Hosting a betrothal was much more than a party these days. They had to set up special wards last night to protect the transfer and integration of magic that would be required for a wizard's magic to intertwine with two witches. This would be easy if not for the fact that the wizard was Severus Snape and Amelia was of course, several months pregnant. Luckily for the Snapes, she and Draco are highly talented.

Hermione was jostled from her thoughts by the opening of the doors. The crowd once again became silent, waiting for the show. This was the only moment where Hermione wavered. As the doors opened and the light from the crystal chandeliers inside she thought about Amelia, and how awful tonight would be for her.

It was no secret that Lady Amelia owned Severus Snape. Hook, line and sinker. They had begun his now multimillion-pound potions business. The home that Severus had worked so hard for, was decorated to the nines by his Spanish beauty.

Not two months after Marrying Draco, the Malfoys seniors were invited to spend the weekend at the new Snape Castle in Scotland. They returned giggling and smiling noting that the bat of the dungeon was very informed on the fabric of curtains for a man who insisted his wife could decorate as she liked, so long as she leave him alone.

The news that they were welcoming their first child last fall was very welcome. They met for dinner with the Snapes alongside Draco's parents at the manor once the letters of celebration went out.

Hermione had passively noticed the joy on the man's face. At the time he had been a wizard in a long, long line of witches and wizards she dined with on a weekly basis. They always had much to discuss thanks to their studies. She maintained politeness and even genuinely smiled from time to time at a historical inside joke or two.

Draco's relationship with Severus had become so complex over the years, and yet it remained deep. It was so important that she please her husband when it was easy, even in those early days. Draco had always asked after they said good-night if having a teacher dine with her and talk about old books made her wet. She always replied with the same jib "why don't you check yourself, handsome."

All joking aside, she always envied Amelia, the way Severus looked at her, especially when she wasn't looking. The way he eyed her through the corner of his eye, through the curtain of his hair while he pretended to be casually drinking from his cup, discussing some tedious topic with another guest or wizard.

That woman's Spanish accent always took her to a place where it seemed she would always laugh and always be happy. Especially when they would discuss herbology or plants in general, Hermione always sensed a kindred spirit. She was not embarrassed to say that she would actively research marine plants before Amelia would arrive for another dinner. Happy to have a woman evenly matched to her, but always wishing Draco would look at her like that.

Hermione still struggled to imagine what Severus had been thinking when he decided to take on Pansy. Perhaps years of conflict had given him a proclivity for chaos. Still though, with a child on the way, it didn't seem to fit.

Finally, her moment of meditation ended as the doors fully opened. Stepping inside with Draco, she imagined a forlorn Lady Amelia, tolerating Pansy while she clung to her wife. That was usually the way of things in this new era.

The wife would constantly shadow her husband to remind the crowd who was first, or at least higher rank. The husband would be torn between his two delights, and relish in their bickering over him. The new wife-to-be would flourish in her new place in society and bask in joining the family.

This was not to be the case today.

The doors opened to a grim Severus Snape. In full black, but the best silk, he stood in between his very pregnant wife and the slim blonde beside him.

Amelia stood with her hands gently folded in front of her rounded belly. A gorgeous, shimmering black gown flowed well onto the floor in a puddle of fabric, with a v-neck shape that left very little to the imagination given her condition. In an ode to her husband, she wore a sheer cape that surrounded her shoulders and draped down her back, giving her the presence of a sorceress and warrior in one.

As is the custom, she wore a lace veil across her face, perfectly framing her dark brown hair, cascading down her face and breasts. The veil was meant to represent two aspects of the ritual. A bride, who is celebrating with her husband, as well as the grieving widow, is forced to release the expectations of living life alone with her husband.

Hermione felt such admiration for Amelia and looking at her husband she could see the same emotion coming from him. A sudden tug at her hand lead her to follow his eyes at what could only be described as a pathetic imitation.

Pansy was allowed to wear whatever she wanted today. From the moment of their betrothal, she would have been forced to wear black and move into Snape Castle. To follow around the happy couple as a shadow, to allow her time to appreciate what her position would be if she were to follow through. Today, Pansy was able to choose whatever she likes, it is after all her big day. Never has a second wife received a real wedding. Only a vow renewal ceremony in the comfort and confines of their new home.

For her moment in the sun, Pansy chose to wear a strapless gown, also with cascading hair. This in and of itself would not have been an issue if not for the deep ruby red colour she selected, in combination with a bright red flamenco flower.

This colour choice quickly resonated around the room as the guests first expressed gasps of shock and finally awkward giggles.

Draco was the first to recover, "Godfather, such a gift to host you on such a wondrous day! Pray, tell us the name of your next beloved."

Hermione maintained her gaze on Amelia, noticing a kind and confident smile on the woman as if it was her sister's baptism and not the giving away of a life that could have been. Draco was doing well, right by the book, as always. It would be her turn soon.

Severus replied in that low velvety growl, " Dear Godson, I present to you my dear Pansy Parkinson, she is to join with Amelia and I as one family, under the law and under my magic."

The crowd murmured in his confidence as the man seemed to age in front of them.

With a subtle elbow to the ribs, her husband pulled her focus. looking up to Amelia again, she began, " Lady Snape, do you take this woman to join the fold of your family, willingly and with grace and acceptance?"

Amelia's reply was warm and joyous. "I do Madam Malfoy."

"And you, Ms. Parkinson," Hermione began looking at the blonde, " Do you enter this household willingly, accepting both your position and the support of this existing family?"

The sting landed, and Pansy smugly looked at Hermione " I sure do."

Before anyone could react, Draco drew his hands into the air and began the betrothal ritual. Although short, he did an excellent job. Soon, the job was done, and the caterers entered en masse in perfect harmony.

After Severus and Pansy had their first dance, the party moved into full swing, live music and dancing flooded the ballroom, and it became very clear that Malfoy Manor would become ever famous for this particular event.

As the hours passed, Hermione and Draco took the floor many times, with him whispering into her ears, hair and neck what he planned to do with her, and Hermione threatening to punish the hier if he failed to please her.

Eventually, Hermione found her father-in-law smirking into a glass in the corner of the room and she made way to share whatever gossip he would be ruminating in.

"Father mine, what mouse have you caught?" Hermione chided.

Lucious feigned ignorance for about half a moment until a wicked grin passed his face. Looking out into the crowd, he drew his other hand through his hair, dragging out the theatrics. Finally, looking at her through an arched brow, he sighed. "You know, dear daughter of mine, I was certain that our Severus had lost his mind and forgotten his love for his Spanish prize."

Hermione leaned in closer to join in the amusement. " I am sure he could not have forgotten it if his new bride to be so carefully resembles the woman on the most public day of her life, Father."

Laughing with his aristocratic charm, Lucius placed his glass on a passing waiter tray floating by. " Yes, stealing the woman's exact shade of red while she is forced into black is a touch obvious." With a look back at her, he said, "I think you will find the literature on such situations...stimulating."

With a confused look, Hermione found Draco across the crowd and waved that she would be back. Taking her Father in law's cryptic comment at face value, she made her way to the Malfoy library.

Entering the room, she found it dark, with only the fireplace at the back of the room lit. She eased her way into the room past the shelves, long since knowing them by heart. As she approached the hearth she hear a low mutter sound- no, no a moaning sound.

Approaching the glow on the floor she leaned across a bookshelf to see none other than Severus and Amelia Snape deep in the throws of an obviously passionate round of intercourse over the leather back sofas.

Throwing herself back behind the bookcase, Hermione covered her mouth, eyes wide, unbelieving that she would violate their intimate moment, even accidentally. Eventually, curiosity won out, and she had to see what they were doing to accommodate their baby during their...activity.

She saw Amelia leaning with one leg bent on the sofa, with one arm on the back, and the other on the cushions below. Her other leg was wrapped around her husband's thigh as held her hips in one hand and her breasts in the other. It occurred to Hermione much later that he was not groping or kneading them, but rather holding them up so the weight of them would be off her.

Although his pace was steady, it wasn't fast, and he made sure not to rock her so that she could feel secure and focus on their moment.

She heard her calling his name, quietly, but urgently, as if a plea rather than a sexual moan.

Over and over, she heard Severus reply, desperate to reassure her that he was there.

That's when Hermione left them, knowing that this had nothing to do with lust, and they were grieving their future together.

Hermione made her way slowly back to the balcony of the ballroom, wanting to be seen but hoping to be left alone. She was surprised then, to see Severus Snape, now fully clothed standing at the banister, sipping a drink and watching the guests dancing below.

" Do you always linger in the shadows during your own parties Lord Snape?" Hermione asked.

Without turning around, she heard his smirk. " As a rule, I avoid people in general. When that party is a penance to my Godson, I especially try to behave myself."

With a knowing smile, she stood next to him on the balcony, never meeting his eyes, instead, matching his gaze, following Pansy dance across the room. " I imagine he has it mostly out of his system, Severus. You can imagine his shock."

With a shake of his head the man took another sip from his glass. " I most certainly can."

A long moment passed, and Hermione felt a wave of compassion enter her. " I will try and have him come around. I don't know why you have done this Severus, but I hope you know what you are doing."

More silence, until a low question emerged from her old professor. " Do you mean that? That you will try?"

With a slight smile, Hermione risked reaching for the back of his arm and squeezing. " Perhaps if you name the baby after us, that would help."

Each of them shared a chuckle, not noticing the sound of shifting fabric behind them.

"My dear husband, won't you leave me with the Madam for a short while?" Came the voice of the beautiful Amelia.

Turning immediately, Severus gifted his wife a rare smile, and a shallow bow before nodding to Hermione and leaving the balcony.

Hermione gestured for the woman to join her, and the two looked over the party together.

"Hermione, I hope you will help poor Draco find his way back to his Godfather." Said the Lady.

Nodding, Hermione replied, "of course, I was just telling Severus I would do my best. I know my husband admires him greatly. He will not want to be without him long. Especially, with your little one on the way."

Amelia replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "His Godfather desperately needs him, but will never admit it. I fear that Severus sees himself as unforgivable to his first boy."

Surprised, Hermione looked over to Amelia, " is it a boy then?"

Amelia placed a hand on her belly, the smile now finding its way to lighting up her entire face. "Yes, a Snape heir, but don't tell anyone yet, we want to relish it a little longer."

Feeling a sense of joy Hermione agreed, "yes of course. The last thing you need are pure bloods giving you useless artifacts celebrating a new heir to the line."

Each woman found a sense of calm in the silence that followed, but neither wanted to leave to the garish party below. Hermione made the first move.

"Lucius has said that all is not what it seems, Amelia. I know not what has happened, but I know it must be dire for Severus to share this time in your lives. Please tell me what I can do to help you."

Nodding, a silent tear escaped the always happy woman. She looked at Hermione from the corner of her eye, rather than turning her whole face. " Madam Malfoy, I am so afraid."

A shiver reached down Hermione's spine as the music filtered into nothing and the glare of the lights turned into a blur. "Why Amelia, why are you frightened, you are growing a family with one of the greatest wizards in the world. Who would you have to fear?"

With a shuddering sigh, Amelia Snape squared her shoulders and replaced her charming smile on her face. "It is not always what waits in the shadows that challenges us, dear one, sometimes it is simply the past."

Turning the older woman towards her, Hermione searched Amelia's eyes for answers. " That is true, perhaps, if one were to have a well-connected friend, she would feel safer."

With a gleam of joy, Amelia responded, "safer or not, perhaps one would appreciate a friend because the woman is brave, kind and will one day be a mother in her own right."

The woman reached out her hand, taking Hermione's as well. Clasped together, Hermione realized that in a future that seemed to be written for them, even by well-intentioned husbands, they would need to start making their own rules.