A/N: Hi lovely readers, once ffn is working and let's us see our reviews, I will be responding to you. I like this challenge of 3k, even if I complain about it. It's a good thing. Also: WARNING CHAPTER CONTAINS SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND RAPE (if you think the warnings are unnecessary I might stop them, given how much I've said how much darker this version will be, but still...) the next chapter will not have any if the dark stuff. Also, I've put in a plot element that I think is going to play to this story in an interesting way.

Chapter Two

Hermione sat, turned away from the only mirror in the room as Narcissa brushed her hair. She was still only wearing the towel and fidgeted with the corner of the towel. She had no idea how to feel about the fact that she was about to be married. She knew she should normally be happy, but the circumstances were far from normal. Not only was she being forced into marriage, but it was too her professor, a man whom had tormented her for the last six years. And she was going to be turned against Harry, or they wanted her to.

"What is Draco like at school?" Narcissa asked as she began parting Hermione's hair.

Hermione almost didn't recognize that she had been asked a question. And then when she did, she wasn't sure how to answer it. "He's good competition. Right behind me in grades."

"No, I mean, how does he behave?"

Hermione sighed. She wasn't sure that she should answer the question, but she needed to focus on something else. "He's, I guess it depends on who he's around. With his friends he's incredibly confident, cocky would be more accurate. Harry gets under his skin. I think he's jealous of Harry. Or in love with him," she laughed at the thought. "My parents always said that when a boy teases you, it means he likes you. He calls me...I'm the filthy little Mudblood. Ron is his favorite to pick on though. He takes joy in his superiority to Ron."

Narcissa sighed. "I tried to teach him to be polite, but I'm afraid he didn't pick up too many of those traits."

Hermione stayed silent, wishing desperately for at least a book to read.

"Severus is a good man. I know you don't think much of us, but he is a good man. And many people wouldn't be after the things he's been through."

"You think I should be happy about being kidnapped, held against my will, tortured, and being forced to marry my teachers?"

"No, but I don't think you should give up. Draco never stops talking about stubborn you three are."

Hermione kept quiet. She didn't have anything more she could say. She didn't have the strength to fight anyone right now. Instead she continued to focus on the corner of the towel as her head was jerked gently by Narcissa's slender fingers.

Hermione found a sudden need to know what exactly would happen. She had never attended a wedding in the wizarding world and most certainly had never attended any even held by death eaters.

"What," she started, pausing to decide if she really wanted to know, "what can I expect tonight?"

Narcissa sighed as she placed pins in Hermione's hair. "Well, I'm sure you know, my marriage was arranged. I was lucky, Lucius had to court me first and in the end we did grow to live each other. But it's very terrifying. And magical, not just in the literal sense. There's something about promising to be with someone for the rest of your life that affects your very soul."

"This is a little bit different from your wedding though."

"No it's not. Our wedding too was arranged by The Dark Lord. I think this might be more of a spectacle, but it will be very similar," she corrected as she finished with Hermione's hair. "Oh shoot, I forgot the makeup bag. I'll be right back, do not touch your hair."

Hermione nodded and stood up and walked over to the mirror as soon as she heard the lock click. Her hair looked lovely, pinned back and falling in gentle waves. If it weren't for the circumstances, she would be ecstatic about how lovely it looked.

What she didn't notice was the clock of the door opening until the famille voice spoke, "Well if it isn't Potter's filthy little Mudblood."

She turned around, the towel almost flirting open until she clutched it tight to her body.

"Wh-what are you doing in here?"

"Wh-what are you doing in here?" he mimicked coldly. "Isn't it obvious? I was given a task to punish you and I haven't fulfilled my duty."

He crossed the room quickly and tugged the towel. She struggled to keep it on, and in the end lost. She stood naked in front of her classmate and filled with rage. She tried to punch him for the second time in her life, but this time he caught her hand.

"What's the matter, Granger? Embarrassed?"

He reached out and squeezed one of her breasts hard. She cried out and tried to pull away.

"I always wondered what that would be-"

"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY!"

Narcissa's furious declaration started both of them, causing Draco to let go of Hermione, and she immediately picked up the discarded towel to cover herself.

"I know that I raised you better than that. You were given explicit orders to stay away from her. Get out of here. You'll be lucky if I don't tell your godfather about this. He'll have every right to punish you."

The boy, having lost all of his confidence, ran out of the room.

"Are you okay?"

Hermione shot the woman a glare, using her eyes to answer. She was done. Done with everything.

"You said we didn't have much time, perhaps we should finish in here."

Narcissa nodded and walked over, gesturing for Hermione to sit back in the chair. She did so grudgingly and closed her eyes. Narcissa had a gentle touch as she applied the make up to Hermione's face. Occasionally the touch caused her to jump back slightly.

"Okay, time to get dressed."

Narcissa walked over the bed and picked up the gown. Hermione stood but held the towel close to her.

"Hermione, you're going to have to lose the towel. I know this is hard, but I promise the dress will be an improvement."

Hermione paused and then let the towel drop.

"Hands up," Narcissa commanded as she lifted the gown to go over Hermione's head.

It settled on her nicely, even more so as Narcissa tightened the built in corset. The gown was snow white with silver embroidery and intricate beadwork.

"All done."

Hermione looked in the mirror and almost didn't recognize the woman staring back at her. Beautiful, yes, but small and meek. She'd take back being plain if she could get back her confidence and her freedom.

Narcissa placed a pair of white held on the ground and Hermione lifted the dress so she could step into them.

Just then the door swung open, revealing a far too insane Bellatrix. Hermione couldn't tell if the woman was pleased with the situation or disgusted.

"Is the Mudblood ready?" Bella sneered looking at Hermione. "She almost looks pretty. You've out done yourself, Cissy. Come, it's time to prepare her for the ceremony."

Severus stood in the room that was his when they started at the manor for a few days. His heart pounded in his chest. He never imagined marrying anyone other than Lily, and once she was married, he knew that chance was gone. But he certainly never imagined marrying one of his students. Especially not Granger.

He was angry with himself and embarrassed for the way he had treated her in the dungeon the other day. He wouldn't have done it if they weren't at Malfoy's home. He couldn't do anything to ease Hermione as long as they were here.

His stomach turned at the thoughts of what he would have to do to her tonight. He hated Dumbledore for forcing him to play both sides and he hated him for making him kill him. It was a daily struggle.

He jumped when someone knocked at the door. After composing himself, he opened it to see Dolohov grinning at him.

"Does something entertain you, Dolohov?" Severus angered, sterling out of the room.

"No, happy for a friend. Nothing more, nothing less."

Severus rolled his eyes as they walked down the hall.

"Are you excited to take her tonight? I bet she's a virgin."

Severus' stomach sank, he hadn't given it much thought. Of course he never thought about his students' sex lives. But he hadn't stopped to think about her now that he knew her fate.

"It's trivial."

"But doesn't the thought just arose you? Her screams? Oh man, doesn't just the thought of perfectly round breasts make you hard?"

Dolohov had always been vulgar, and it seemed to be especially true today. "Dolohov, I'd appreciate you not talking about my bride in such a way. Would you talk about Narcissa like that in front of Lucius?"

"Fair enough. I should find myself a wife, lay her every night, whether she wanted it or not."

Severus bit his tongue. Dolohov was a monster. He often sickened Severus to his stomach at his pleasure in torturing young girls.

"I saw something you might care to know," Dolohov stated coolly.

"What would that be?"

"Draco was her room and Narcissa left, Draco snuck in."

Severus grew angry. That stupid boy was always getting his courage at the wrong time. It was no wonder he wasn't a Gryffindor.

"Do me a favor, Dolohov. Keep your mouth shut for the remainder of this walk."

Hermione stood alone at the base of the stairs, waiting for...She wasn't sure what. Narcissa and Bellatrix had told her not to move. It wasn't like she had anywhere to go. She could see the door, but if she tried running, it would be a miserable failure. Instead she took to paving back and forth a small length of the hall.

Finally Narcissa had returned.

"When the music starts, and those doors open, you'll have to enter. Be strong."

Then she was gone once more. Hermione wasn't ready to walk into a room of death eaters while they watched her marry her potions professor and tormenter of six years. But she didn't have a choice.

The doors opened and music spilled out of them. Her cue. Her heart and stomach dropped and she faltered as she took a step.

'Pull yourself together, Hermione. You're a Gryffindor. You may not have any power or control of the situation, but you can control how you present yourself. Remind them that you are a brave and powerful witch!' She thought to herself.

She took a deep breath, stood up straight, and walked through the doors. Death eaters stood on each side, watching her. Some smiled evil grins others stared at her in disgust. Her stomach was twisting and flipping. She hadn't gotten the nerve to look at Severus yet so she used the sight of his shoes to tell her where to stop. His hand reached out and he used a finger to lift her chin until her eyes met his.

Of course instead of any comfort, she was met with his usual icy stare, so instead she turned to the man officiating.

"We are gathered here today, to join this witch and wizard in matrimony. Please, join hands."

Severus held his left hand out, palm up, waiting for her. She sighed, at this point she didn't have anything else she could do. She placed her left hand over his and wrapped her fingers around his wrist and he did the same.

The officiant looked at Hermione and raised his wand. "Colligatum. Do you, Hermione Jean Granger, take this man to be your husband? To care for him in sickness and in health? To be loyal to him and only him? To perform your wifely duties in home and family?"

Her heart pounded and she met Severus' eye. Could she promise all of those things. It didn't matter, she had to. "I do."

A rope like light wrapped around their wrists and tightened. Severus rotated their hands so that his was now the one on top.

"Severus Tobias Snape, do you take this woman to be your wife? To care for her in sickness and in health? To protect at all costs? And to be loyal to her and only her unless otherwise commanded by your Lord?"

"I do."

Another light wrapped around their wrists and the two twisted together. They tightened and began glowing, turning a bright pure white. Hermione had to squint as the light burned her eyes. Her hand burned as the ropes tightened and then they were gone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have just witnessed two soul mates be bonded. With their views they are bonded and officially married. You may kiss your bride."

Severus pulled her closer using the hand he still held, and kissed her. It was quick and insincere, but Hermione was sick on what had been said.

'Soul mates?'

Severus held Hermione as they danced their first dance. He himself was surprised at the revelation of earlier. This girl was his soul mate. Fate sure was a twisted lady. Hermione seemed to be taking the news badly. He wished that there was something he could do to make today less traumatic for her, unfortunately he knew the opposite would be true.

The song ended and Hermione stepped away from him.

"I-I'm going to get something to drink," she stammered, looking for an excuse to get away from him.

"Sseverusss, that wasss a very interesssting development. You'll have to woo her," Voldemort said as he walked up behind Severus. "Two Ssoulmatesss bonding alone isn't enough to bring out the power. You'll have to have be together with complete conssent."

"Of course my Lord."

"I sssuggesst that you complete the bonding however. Everyone elsse has sssettled into the evenings festivitiess."

"Yes, my Lord."

Severus took off to find his wife, but a quick glance around the ballroom told him that she was not in the room. He swiftly made his way to the door and found her sitting on the floor, tears running down her face.

"Get up or you'll ruin that dress."

She looked at him, defeated and angry all at once. "I don't care."

"Hermione, I am sorry about these circumstances. But I need you to be brave for just a little longer and then I can take you home and we can discuss things that need to be discussed."

She hid her face in her arms and cried.

"Hermione, you can either go back in there with me willingly or I can imperious you and force you in there."

"What's going to happen?" She asked.

"We're going to do the last thing we need to and then I am taking you to my-our home."

She stood up and looked at him. He wasn't sure if she understood what was about to happen.

Fortunately his colleagues were all interested in other activities. He led Hermione over a chaise in the corner. He felt eyes on them and made eye contact with Voldemort. If he didn't do this soon, he'd be in trouble.

"Hermione, I'm sorry about this," he whispered as he pushed her back onto the chaise and lifted the skirt of her gown to her waist.

Her eyes grew wide in fear and her instincts made her try to hit him away, but he caught them and held them down with only one hand as he used the other to undo his britches. She was crying and it sickened him, but he didn't have a choice.

'Voluptatem et Protege.' Severus cast wandlessly and nonverbally.

Hermione felt the effects immediately, though she didn't understand. Her body reacted to him as if she were in love with him and as if he had seduced her. Now of it fit. She was still struggling against him as he found her entrance and thrust into her. She gasped, and where she expected to feel pain, she felt pleasure. Her body begged for more despite her own protests. He held her firmly in place as his thrusts became quicker and more forceful. Each thrust caused her body to beg for more and she couldn't suppress the moans as they escaped. Her body tightened around him, building up a pressure that was almost impossible to bear.

Something inside her burst, the pressure released and she cried out. Severus moaned and pulled her tighter to him. Several around them cheered out, embarrassing Hermione even more.

And then the moment was gone. He was off of her and he fixed her dress before buttoning his britches.

She had started crying again, profusely, and he knew he needed to get her out of there. Thankful that he had been given permission to take her home after their marriage was completely official. He pulled Hermione up off the couch and pulled her along behind him as they exited the ballroom. He led her down the path to the gate.

Once they reached it, he scooped her up into his arms and disaparated. They landed in an alley on Spinner's End and he stepped out and walked towards his home. He spelled the door open and carried Hermione over the threshold. She struggled against him still, but she was exhausted. He set her down once they were inside and the door was closed.

"Hermione, I am deeply sorry for everything that happened today. I cannot fully explain why things are the way they are, but I assure you that I mean you no harm."

"It's not like it matters. He'll command it and you'll listen."

"Hermione, I realize that the events are difficult, but you can't give up. I realize that you have a lot you need to think over and digest. I have a room prepared for you, if you would like to change and get some rest."

She only nodded. He reached out for her hand, but she retracted it so he simply turned her towards the stairs and then gestured to the open door.

The room itself was plain, a bed, a dresser and a closet with an adjoining bathroom.

"This is your room. There's clothes in the closet and the dresser, including pyjamas. I'll be back in the morning."

She stepped into the room and he closed it behind her, locking it.