Hello readers! I'm trying to get back in the swing of this story - the good thing is that I've successfully managed to plot out the ENTIRE story, so I now exactly what's going to happen - I hope you all like it, I've worked hard! Sorry for taking so long - I'm going to post a few new chapters to make up for my hiatus. As always, read, review, and enjoy!

CHAPTER FIVE

Hermione was horrified. Her brilliant plan had gone awry because of some kiss-up Hufflepuff who obeyed all the rules.

After several minutes, Professor Snape came striding through the trees. "I hope you have a good reason for calling me here," he said irritably.

"Your fiancée claims she was going for a walk, and we called you here to confirm her story," said Ernie, yanking Hermione forward by the arm. "My guess is that she was trying to run away to evade her betrothal, and knowing you, I can understand exactly why she would. Please shed some light on the situation."

"Before anything else takes place, let go of her, MacMillan," said Snape coldly. "I may not be your professor anymore, but I am not about to allow harm to befall a student, especially the one to whom I am…betrothed."

Hermione cringed inwardly at his words, but noticed with relief that Ernie released his grip on her.

"Now," Snape said silkily. "Miss Granger. Were you trying to run away, or were you going for a walk?"

"I was going for a walk," Hermione whispered. "To clear my head. I'm of age… I'm allowed to leave the grounds when I please."

"Indeed you are," said Snape. "And knowing how devoted you are to your studies, I cannot imagine that you would abandon them over some trite Ministry law.

"Of course not," Hermione said stiffly.

"Very good," said Snape, smiling coldly. "Now, MacMillan. If you'll excuse us, my fiancée and I will be returning to the castle." He placed one hand on her back and guided her back toward the castle.

Once they were out of earshot and visibility of Ernie and his cohorts, Snape jerked Hermione by the arm to face him. "How dare you!" he hissed. "You could have gotten both of us thrown in Azkaban!"

"Let go of me!" Hermione snapped, trying to jerk her arm free, but he only tightened his grip.

"Listen to me, you stupid girl! The Headmaster had to fight very hard to keep me from being put in Azkaban! I owe him a great deal, so I am not about to allow you to squander my second chance!"

"I will never marry you," Hermione whispered.

"Yes, you will," Snape snarled. "Now let's go. You're to come live in my quarters."

"Never!" Hermione snapped, revolted.

Snape grabbed her face to make her look at him. "Miss Granger, I've never hit a woman, and I don't ever care to, but you are very quickly running through my patience. Now come with me."

Tears in her eyes, Hermione stopped resisting as he pulled her along by the arm.

Once they were inside, he let go of her, and she unwillingly followed him down to the dungeons, where his quarters were.

The air grew colder as they walked, and eventually they reached a dead end. Snape pressed his palm to the stone wall, and it melted away.

"Well, go in," he said when Hermione hesitated.

She timidly entered his quarters. They were dark and cold, with no windows. She looked around in dismay. The front room was small, with a desk, a desk chair, and an armchair with a footstool. There was a bookshelf beside the armchair, and a dim lamp on a small table.

"In here," Snape said gruffly.

Hermione followed him through another door and was horrified to see that it led to his bedroom. The furniture was all black, and the bedding on the bed consisted of an emerald green duvet and black silk sheets.

"Unpack," said Snape. "You may use half of the wardrobe and the top two drawers of the dresser."

"Oh…I need to go get my things," Hermione said, in a last-ditch effort to evade her fate.

Without a word, Snape reached into the pocket of her jacket and took out the bag. "Oh, look at this… I've found them."

Hermione's face flamed with anger and she glared at him.

"Glare all you want. This is how it is. Unpack. Now."

Hermione began to cry as she slowly unpacked her things. This wasn't fair! This wasn't how she was supposed to get married! She was supposed to fall in love! And who could ever love such a horrid man?

Severus sank into the armchair in his sitting room and closed his eyes. Why was she being so difficult? He didn't want to marry her any more than she wanted to marry him, but at least he wouldn't have gone so far as to send her to Azkaban by his actions! That was just… His mind tried to come up with a word.

Selfish, he decided. She was selfish.

Or is she independent? came an irritating little voice in his head. She's much like another intelligent Muggle-born witch you once knew.

She's selfish, he argued with himself. Only a selfish person would do what she did. Lily wasn't selfish like this.

Ah, but why did she do it? She doesn't want to be tied down by a loveless marriage. She surely wants love.

And why couldn't she have that with me? Severus found himself asking. Just because Lily didn't love me doesn't mean that this girl can't.

Severus sat up straight in his chair, shaking his head. Entertaining thoughts of the girl falling in love with him… Preposterous. She would never love him, and he would never love her. The nonsensicality of it was absurd.

Then why did you protect her from the Macmillan boy? asked the irritating voice.

Because I will not allow harm to befall a student. Especially not a student who has been through so much already.

Severus buried his head in his hands. How was he going to do this? How could he marry this girl?

You'll just have to find a way.