Hermione ran down the dungeon halls. Her brown bushy hair was wild and waving. Her robes had a few tares and were dirtied. She didn't stop running even as she stumbled almost falling on the rough stone floor. She heard some voices and started to panic. She opened the first door she spotted. Luckily it was unlocked. She hurried in shutting the door behind her. She looked around and paled slightly. She had run right into Snape's class room. Luckily it was well past dinner on the night before Christmas break so there were no classes. Snape wasn't there either. Hermione didn't wait another second before she ran to the end of the classroom and dived under one of the desks. She pulled her knees into herself and hugged them to her chest. She made sure that if anyone walked in they wouldn't see her. Hermione held back the tears determined not to let a single drop.

"Care to explain what you are doing in my class Miss Granger?" Came a silky smooth voice.

.--.

Hermione's head whipped up to stare at Snape. Snape looked down at her annoyance and slight curiosity on his face. Snape looked the seventh year know-it-all, over. He scowled more slightly. Her robes were dirty and torn. And she had tears in her eyes but she wasn't letting them fall. She opened her mouth to answer when the door to the room swung open. Snape looked up and glared at Potter and Weasely who had run in. They saw him and froze.

"What is it Potter?" Snape sneered.

"We were looking for Hermione. We're worried about her." Potter muttered.

Snape had the nagging suspicion that they hadn't been worried about her. He glanced discreetly at the now trembling girl under the desk. He blinked at the look of pleading in her eyes.

"I have not seen Miss Granger." Snape drawled. "Twenty points from Gryffindor for entering my class without knocking. Now leave."

The two glared at him but quickly left. As soon as the door clicked shut Snape looked back at Granger. She was trembling slightly.

"Thank you." She half sobbed.

Now Snape was curious and puzzled. He wondered why she was thankful he had sent the two off.

"Stand up Granger." Snape snapped.

The girl slowly crawled out from under his desk and stood up.

"Care to tell me why you are running from those two?" He sneered.

Hermione just looked at the ground.

"…"

Snape was getting irritated but he wished to know why she was hiding. And as a professor, no matter how he loathed it, he had to make sure she was fine. His arm snaked out and grabbed her arm. She gasped in pain and tried to pull away. Snape didn't let go though. He slowly slid her sleeve up her arm and his eyes widened slightly. Her arm was covered in bruises. He looked up at her to see her trying to control her tears. He looked down at her legs and saw bruises on them too. He knew this was serious now.

"What happened, Granger?" He asked.

She just bit her lip and stayed silent. Snape wanted to snarl in impatience. He just turned still holding her arm and half dragged her out of the room. She stumbled to keep up. Once Snape reached his room doors he gave the password and stepped in dragging granger with him. Once inside he pulled her to his sitting room. He rudely motioned her to a chair. He grabbed a glass of pumpkin juice and added a small healing potion to rid her of the bruises and. She took it looking shocked and scared. Snape walked to a chair across from her and dropped down on it. He rubbed his temples. He really didn't want Granger in his rooms but in her condition he knew something was up and wished to know what. She held the glass of juice in her hands her eyes darting around the green and black rooms. Finally she looked at her feet. Snape observed her from over his clasped hands.

"Tell me why you are hurt Granger." He said calmly.

Granger looked up at him but immediately averted her eyes. He could see she hadn't even taken a sip of her drink.

"Have a drink granger." He said.

She glanced at the glass hesitantly lifting it.

"It has a healing potion in it. It is not poisoned." He rolled his eyes.

"I wouldn't much care if it was." She muttered.

Snape's eyebrows shot above his hair line as he starred at her. She took a large gulp of her juice. She had practically said she didn't care if she died. He knew the exams and school were tough in your final year, but to not care if you died? Snape waited till she finished off the juice.

"Why do you wish to die?" He asked.

She looked up at him and he was surprised to find sorrow and anger in her eyes.

"Why do you fucking care?" She spat.

Now Snape was practically gaping at her. The perfect know-it-all, head girl, had sweared.

"Fifty points from-" He started.

"I don't give a damn about house points. Take them all if you want." She half yelled

Snape starred at her.

"Tell me what is wrong Granger." He said finally.

"Only if you tell me why you care." She said quietly.

"I don't care much. But it is my duty as a professor to make sure the students are safe and healthy." He said.

She looked up at him then away.

"Now answer my question." He said.

Granger starred at her feet.

"I don't care if I die, that does not mean I'm going to try and die." She whispered.

"Why don't you care then?" He sighed.

"Because I have no friends, everyone hates me, Krum left me, and my life is ruined."

Snape just starred at her a moment. He saw a tear run down her cheek.

"Why?" He asked.

"Why don't I have any friends? Many reasons. Why does everyone hate me? Many reasons. Why did Krum leave me? Same reasons I don't have any friends." She said slowly.

"Why is your life ruined?" Snape asked.

"Because… I doubt I will be finishing school and I doubt I have any future in which I am happy." She half sobbed half laughed.

Now Snape was actually getting worried.

"What is this about you future?" He asked.

"You know that marriage law the ministry put into effect?"

Snape nodded. It stated every witch that was eighteen or older had to get married. Because the number of wizards was at an all time low, Voldemort had killed off some of the strongest in the war, and not as many witches were marrying. And if the witch refused her magic would be taken away and she would be thrust into the muggle world.

"But you are seventeen, Granger. The law doesn't affect you for a year." Snape drawled.

"You remember in our third year I had a time turner."

Snape's eyes widened.

"The ministry has added that time onto my age. I'm over eighteen in their eyes." She said.

Snape starred at her.

"So you have to get married. That doesn't ruin you future happiness." He said.

"Oh but it does. I have to pick a husband in three days. I can only marry a wizard who sends a petition to the headmaster. And very few know I'm on the list of single witches. "

"Get the wizard you like to petition for you then." He said.

"Who?"

"Ronald Weasely."

"He's marrying Lavender. He doesn't love me."

"Potter?"

"Marrying Ginny."

"Longbottom?"

"Marrying Luna."

Snape couldn't think of anyone else close to Granger.

"I would ask George and Fred but at the moment they are somewhere in France trying to get over the war. Then there is Remus but he still hasn't gotten over Tonks death. Some people have already sent petitions too. I'm now forced to decide between the one's who have asked for my hand."

Snape just shrugged.

"So who asked for you hand?" He asked curiously.

"Two people I hate." She sobbed.

He frowned.

"Who?"

"Percy Weasely is one."

Snape made a face. He had detested that kid more then Granger, Weasely, and Potter put together. He had been an insufferable know-it-all, but he had also been haughty, arrogant, proud, snobby, and boastful. Snape made a disgusted noise.

"And Theodore Nott is the second."

"I seriously hope you won't accept that one."

Snape was being truthful. Nott's family had been very loyal to Voldemort and would most definitely hurt Granger. They would probably break her within the first week. Granger may have grated on his nerves a lot, but Snape didn't want to attend her funeral.

"Pick Percy." He said.

"I won't." She said desperately.

"He's the best choice."

"I'd rather take Nott."

Now Snape starred at her.

"What is wrong with Percy?" He asked.

"He is very old fashioned. He believes women should have no rights and stay at home. I already have a letter from him telling me what my roles would be if I married him. He says I would stay at the house, cook his meals, bare his children, clean the house, and do some of the shopping. I would not be allowed to continue my education here, and I will not be getting a job. I get the idea he doesn't want me to leave the house. Or even use my magic." She said.

Snape starred at her a minute. Some women wouldn't mind being a house wife but he knew for Granger it would be worse then death. He watched her a minute. Then he glanced at the clock.

"I suggest you head to your room for bed." He drawled.

She nodded and bowed her head before sprinting from the room.

"Severus you don't understand the half that is going on with that girl."

Snape spun and realized it was just a portrait with a man from the head masters room, whom travelled to Snape's room at times.

"What do you mean?" Snape sneered.

"Follow her and you'll find out you don't understand the half of her suffering."

The man in the painting walked from the frame. Snape guessed he was heading back to his portrait in the head masters office. Snape slowly stood and sighed. He was slightly curious, for reasons above him, about the bruises on Granger and he still hadn't found out if she was fine, neglecting his duties. He sighed again and swept from his office. He walked down the hall quickly hoping to find the girl. He hadn't even made it to the main floor when he heard a loud yelp. He walked around a corner and starred. Hermione was curled up on the ground as Ron Weasely kicked her hard in the stomach. Harry and Ginny nearby laughed. Ron snickered.

"Can't even take a kick? You are a coward and a weakling." Ron barked.

Hermione just curled up tighter whimpering. Suddenly Snape spotted Nott. He laughed and walked up beside Potter.

"So who are you going to marry mudblood? Me or Weasely's brother?" He sneered.

Hermione didn't answer.

"You should consider yourself lucky that our family will even let you marry our brother.' Ginny snarled.

Snape was very surprised, as Harry hauled Hermione to her feet and Ginny slapped her. Nott was obviously amused. Suddenly Ron grabbed her wand. Hermione gasped as he laughed looking it over.

"Since you won't need this, no mater who you marry I might as well get rid of it for you."

Hermione yelled out and tried to grab her wand but Harry and Ginny held her back. Ran made a move to snap it in half, as Harry and Ginny threw Hermione to the floor. Suddenly McGonagall rounded the corner. Everyone froze but soon smiled.

"What is going on here?" The stern woman asked scowling.

"Hermione fell and I was just handing her, her wand." Ron smiled sweetly.

"How kind of you." McGonagall said smiling back slightly.

"No they were going to snap it." Hermione said frantically.

"Don't lie to me granger." McGonagall snapped.

Snape was a bit surprised with her tone. She seemed to believe Weasely over the head girl.

"I can't believe I made you head girl. I should have known you lied so much. And I bet you cheated on all you quizzes. How else would you get them all right?"

Hermione started to protest. McGonagall glared at her shutting her up.

"Don't lie." She snarled. "Now tell me the truth. Did you cheat on your quizzes and lie to me?"

"No professor!" Hermione yelled.

"Don't you dare raise your tone to me! Give me your badge. You no longer need it since I'm stripping you of your rank."

Hermione gave her a cold glare that even impressed Snape. She ripped it off and threw it at McGonagall. She turned to leave but Ginny tripped her. She landed with a thud. McGonagall didn't seem to care as she stomped of the badge in hand. Once she was out of sight Nott, who Hermione had landed beside, gave a cruel smirk. He pulled out his wand and levelled it with the girl.

"What is going on?" Snape asked stepping in.

Everyone froze again but Nott smiled self assured, he was Slytherin, Snape was always on Slytherin's side.

"She threatened me." He said.

Snape jut glared at all of them.

"I think punishment is in order then. Granger grab you wand and follow me."

Granger grabbed her wand and followed Snape emotionlessly down the hall. He sighed inaudibly once again as he had to lead her back into his sitting room. He wondered why he didn't just leave her out there but somehow he felt sympathy for her. He motioned her to the chair. She tucked her wand away.

"Tell me what happened to make them turn on you." Snape said.

Hermione looked at him.

"I disappeared the night Hogwarts was attacked."

Snape scowled slightly.

"They all thought I had run. They felt betrayed and thought I was a coward. They said if I hadn't run then people like Tonks would still be alive. And it seems somehow that one of the death eaters took my appearance while attacking and they all thought I was under the imperious curse and was too weak to fight it. They labelled me as a weakling, a coward, and a traitor. They easily spread the word. Since Harry defeated Voldemort he is highly respected and everyone believes him." She whispered. "And since Harry doesn't like me no one else does. Even McGonagall doesn't trust me. I told her the truth and she thinks I'm lying to get fame."

Snape raised a brow.

"And what did you tell her?"

"That I cast some spells." Hermione muttered looking at the floor.

"What kind of spells?"

"Protection and healing spells." She said.

"And what did they do?"

"You know how suddenly during the fight Pomfrey said the wounded started to heal better and hang on for longer. She said it was a miracle. I cast a spell to help the dieing and wounded."

Snape's eyes widened. He remembered walking into the great hall to see dead and dying laying every where. Everyone was sure most would die. But then suddenly they had started to heal better and the healers had felt full of energy. They had all said it was a pure miracle from god.

"I cast that spell and one of protection."

"What type of protection spell?" Snape asked.

"I can't remember the name but it rendered the magic powers of all our enemies useless all around Hogwarts."

Snape's eyes widened even more. To cast a large spell was difficult. To cast one around the entire school and have it be a powerful spell like that, would almost kill the person. Snape also remembered when Voldemort had died the death eaters and his followers had fought on. Then suddenly they had stopped and looked panicky and confused before trying to run for it. If Granger had done that she had saved hundreds of lives. Snape just starred at her.

"You expect me to believe this?" He asked.

He knew it was true though.

"I don't care if you believe if it's true enough. I just want to say I'm not a coward and I didn't run. You know that because you saw me during that night."

Snape grimaced and nodded. He grudgingly admitted that he owed this witch a life debt. If she hadn't showed up when she had Snape would be dead. Voldemort had sent his snake at Snape. Snape hadn't had time to do anything. Hermione had showed up and blew the snake back, then killed it before healing Snape, then on top of all of that she had saved him from all the others who had thought him a traitor till he could prove himself, thus she saved him. Snape looked away. Hermione had promised to never mention it and that he owed her nothing. Snape looked to the side. Hermione just shuffled nervously.

"So what did the boys say?" He asked.

"They found me hours later near the edge of the forest. After those spells I had been so weak I couldn't move. They had glared down at me and told me I was a coward for running. They came to the conclusion I had ran for it and been hit by a stray spell."

"How much did those spells take out of you?" He asked.

"I almost died two times. I went through so much pain too. Having all that magic sucked from me at once gave me pain. I was pretty much lying in pain for hours, like being under the crucio. It was all blurred together." Hermione whispered.

"What has Dumbledore said?" Snape asked.

"He says he's sorry. I don't think he believed me but he's the same as always; caring, kind, and nice. He didn't make fun of me, or punish me. He acted like he understood. It wasn't an act either. He stands up for me to." She said. "He's trying to help me out with this marriage thing to but no one he asks would marry me."

Snape nodded. Dumbledore was a lot smarter then he looked. Even if he couldn't believe the story someone told him he could tell if the person was a good person or not. He was always kind too. Snape sighed and rubbed his temples. He sat there in though for a couple minutes. When he looked up he found Granger asleep in the chair. He sighed unhappily. He stood and grabbed a small blanket putting it on the girl. Then he walked out of his room. As he walked from his rooms he blinked at a scowling Draco who was pacing in front of them. As he saw Snape the boy sighed.

"Where is Hermione?"

Snape scowled softly. He wondered why Draco cared enough to ask, and cared enough to call her by her name.

"Sleeping." He answered.

"I heard from Nott you were going to punish her."

"I'm not. But I did take some points off of Slytherin and Gryffindor since I meant punishment for them, though they deserve worse."

Draco nodded.

"Why do you care?" Snape asked his godson.

"She has certain ties with the Malfoy family. My father and I wouldn't be happy if anything happened to her." Draco said.

Snape scowled completely puzzled. Before he could question the boy though, Draco was gone. Snape just shook the thoughts off and swept off down the hall. As he reached the tall gargoyle he sighed.

"Lemon drop." He said.

The gargoyle sprang to life and started to rise showing a staircase. He stepped onto the spiralling stairs and rose until he was in front of a door. He knocked.

"Enter."

He stepped in to see Dumbledore sitting at his desk. Snape saw Hermione's old badge on his desk.

"Take a seat Severus." He said.

Snape sat in a chair in font of his desk.

"Why did you want to see me?" He asked.

"It's about Granger." Snape said.

"Granger?"

"Yes. She is being picked on mercilessly, not only by the students but by McGonagall."

Dumbledore sighed.

"I know. McGonagall won't believe the girl is good. I don't believe her story about the large spells but…" Dumbledore trailed off with a sigh. "Why do you care? As I recall you hated her."

"It is my duty as a teacher to protect the students. And I owe her a personal debt." He hissed.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"I know how much you hate being in debt." He chuckled.

Snape just scowled.

"You have talked with her?" Dumbledore asked.

"She is asleep in my sitting room at the moment."

Dumbledore gave Snape a look of gratitude.

"Thank you. I try to protect her and stand up for her but with the war just over, many still mourning, and so much mess, I can't always keep an eye on her. And now I'm using my spare time to save her from a very unhappy life with one of two people."

"I think she should take Percy." Snape said.

"You think so eh? Well if she marries Percy she will be around Ronald, Ginny, a still hysteric Molly, and a hardened Arthur. She will be picked on relentlessly and with Percy as her husband she can't even defend herself." Dumbledore sighed.

"Have you asked anyone else?" Snape asked.

"Her only friend is Neville. And he just got married."

"Then what about just losing her magic, like all of those who refuse to marry?"

"Where would she go if she was thrust into the muggle world?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

"Get a job, live with her parents, or something." Snape said.

"She has no house, no parents, and no friends."

Snape blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"Her parents died in her third year. And she never had any muggle friends."

"Then where did she go each summer?"

"She lived with her very distant cousins whom she had never met. She had to get a part time job in the summer just to stay with them. Since they had never met she was considered a stranger and had to pay to stay with them. Ever notice who she went to the Weasely's or Grimmauld place earlier then the others?"

Snape was silent. The girl had nothing left. He stood and without another word walked off, in deep though. Dumbledore just watched him a twinkle still in his eyes, though some sorrow for Hermione.

.--.

Snape swept down the empty halls to his quarters in the dungeons. He stopped in his sitting room and looked down at Hermione. She looked tense and uneasy even when sleeping. He leaned over and brushed some hair from her face.

"You are still a know-it-all but you're finally stuck. I owe you too much to just stand to the side and watch your life crumble. I will help you. But sleep well for now." He muttered.

He knew she hadn't heard. But suddenly she started to relax and got a smile on her face, like she knew things would be better. Snape just swept to his room.

.--.

Hermione woke slowly. She sat up slowly and realized she wasn't in her room. She looked around and her eyes widened as she realized she was still in Snape's rooms. Her, in Snape's room, the evil professor's room, sleeping, and still alive. She sat up and saw Snape walk into the room. His eyes rested on Hermione and there was silence a minute. Snape slowly walked to the seat across from her and sat down still watching her. She just looked at the ground.

"Granger …"

Hermione blinked up at Snape.

"You have no other options then to marry Weasely or Nott?"

Hermione shook her head slowly.

"So will you refuse both and just let the ministry take your magic away?"

"My magic is all I have left." Hermione whispered looking down.

"So you need to choose someone to marry by tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"I have a proposition. If you accept it you won't have to have your magic taken away, and you won't have to marry Nott of Weasely."

Hermione held her breath. This was a chance. She looked up at Snape and he looked into her eyes. He slid to the edge of his seat and took Hermione's hands in his. She blinked.

"Would you marry me?"

Hermione just sat there her mouth open and her eyes wide. Marry the potion master Snape? She slowly let her breath out and looked off for a moment.

"If you marry me you would continue your education here. You would live with me in these quarters and have a free reign. And you could get a job after your education, if you wish." Snape said softly.

Hermione looked up. She had never heard Snape use a soft tone. She never would have guessed he would ask for her a hand either. She knew he was doing this to help her. And at the moment this was the best plan. It could save her future. She looked up at him again. Snape wasn't that bad either. Besides one good thing was in the new marriage law it didn't say anything about consummating the marriage since too many would have revolted at that.

"I-I… accept."

Snape just nodded and let her hands go.

"I will talk to Dumbledore about the papers."

Hermione nodded.

"We will go grab your stuff from you former rooms Granger." He said.

"Hermione. Call me Hermione."

"Fine Hermione. And you may call me Severus."

"Okay Sn…Severus."

He nodded and headed for the doors. Before he got far a hand on his robes stopped them. He looked back at the girl.

"Thank you." She breathed quietly.

"You're welcome Gra…Hermione."

Then he motioned for him to follow him. Once they were out in the halls he led her down the halls to the head girl's room. As they reached the large painting of a fairy the fairy waved.

"McGonagall said to tell you, you are to move out immediately." The fairy sang.

Hermione nodded and gave the password. As they walked in Hermione sighed. Snape followed her into her room. He raised an eye brow as he looked around. The room was very organized. Being the head girl she got her own room and more things. She had a four poster bed cover in red covers. Then there was a dresser, a comfy chair, a small desk, and a shelf. Snape smirked. The bookshelf was covered in books and everything was neat and tidy. He had expected it of Granger though. The girl looked to him.

"Pack your things."

She nodded. She instantly started to throw her things in her trunk, which Snape could tell was charmed to hold more then it looked like it could. She did a shrinking charm and shrunk her trunk when she was finished. Once she was ready Severus led her to his quarters again. He got her to set her stuff in his room for the moment.

"Now have a shower, get in some clean clothes, and eat. I will send a house elf with breakfast." Snape said.

She gave him a nod and walked to the bathroom he pointed out. Then he summoned a house elf and ordered it to bring Hermione some breakfast for when she was finished her shower. Then Snape walked to his door. He walked quickly down the hall to the gargoyle. When he reached it, it sprang to the side and he walked up and into the room. Dumbledore looked up at him over his half moon spectacles raising a brow. Snape sighed and sat down.

"How is Miss Granger this morning?" The headmaster asked.

"Good. She has accepted my proposal and we have moved her stuff from her former rooms."

"You asked for her hand?" Dumbledore asked that damned twinkle still in his eyes.

"Yes."

"Well I wish you both happiness then."

Snape just gave Dumbledore glare before sighing. He could see the headmaster's eyes bloody twinkling out of control.

"So I am guessing you came to get your marriage papers?"

"Yes."

Dumbledore smiled. He grabbed some papers from one of his drawers.

"So will she continue to stay in her classes?" He asked.

"Yes." Snape said.

"I am grateful to you for helping her. It hurt to watch the smartest witch to grace this school in over a couple hundred years, be treated so badly and forced into one of two marriages that would have ruined her future."

Snape gave a nod.

"She is probably very grateful to you to Severus."

He nodded again. Dumbledore handed Severus the papers. They sat in silence as Snape just double checked them. When he was finished he signed his name he handed the papers back to Dumbledore. Then the two stood and headed out the door. They walked back to the dungeons each in thought. When they entered Snape was surprised to find Hermione already sitting on the chair again. He starred a minute. He hadn't looked closely at her before. Now that he did he realized she was a lot more grown up then he remembered.

She had very nice curves and filled out in just the right places. Her long hair had become silky and fell in locks not a frizzy mess. It had at the moment been tamed into a braid, and her deep brown eyes looked happier as she read a book. The potion he had put in her pumpkin juice the night before had worked, getting rid of the bruises and cuts. Now she wore some muggle jeans and a t-shirt. She looked up at the two stepped in. She smiled at Dumbledore who smiled back. Then he sat down and started to explain the papers to her. After a few minutes she gave Snape a look before signing the papers.

"You two are officially married now. You may have a ceremony if you wish." Dumbledore said.

"Do you want one Hermione?" Snape asked.

Hermione shook her head, she didn't have anyone to invite anyways. Snape thanked his luck, he had never liked weddings.

"I believe Severus has two wedding rings though." Dumbledore smiled.

Snape nodded and walked back into his room. He grabbed a small black box and opened it. It held two identical deep emerald green rings that had etchings all over them. The rings had been in the Snape family for years. They had been passed down to each heir. Now Snape had them. His parents had died years ago and the rings had become his. Snape shook the thoughts off and grabbed the rings. He walked back to the sitting room to find Dumbledore popping a lemon drop in his mouth. He crouched beside Hermione and took her hand sliding the ring onto her ring finger. It immediately shrunk to fit her finger. She examined it as Snape slid his own one on. Dumbledore was smiling and had a happy look. He seemed happy with their marriage. Then he stood.

"I have some papers to send to the ministry. Good day Mr. and Mrs. Snape."

Then the headmaster used Snape's fire and flooed off. Snape watched the fire a moment. Then he looked to Hermione.

"You will stay in these quarters with me. You may unpack your things in my room. You may tell who ever you wish of this marriage."

"Okay. One question. Why marry me? What do you get from this?"

Snape looked at her a moment.

"I married you to save you from marrying Nott or Weasely. And I get you from this; you."

Snape leaned over and pushed his lips against her. She gasped against the kiss. After a second Snape pulled back and smirked at her widened eyes.

"I have work." He said bluntly before sweeping from the room.

.--.

Hermione starred after Snape. Her hands drifted to her lip. She had never known that Snape's lips were so soft, or his skin so smooth. She shook the thoughts away and stood up. She looked around the sitting form. It had a few chairs, a couple bookshelves, and a coffee table. The room was a mixture of greens, silvers, and blacks. There were also two doorways leading into other rooms. The first led through a large brown door to Snape's room which had a large bed, a dresser, a wardrobe, and a desk. The room was a dark green and had black furniture. It had a door leading to a green bathroom. The second doorway led to a small room that had lot of shelves occupied by books and potion ingredients. There was also a large desk and a place to make potions. This room was just greys, with brown shelves.

Hermione just walked to the bedroom and unpacked her trunk adding her books to the shelves in the third room. When she was finally finished she sat down in the sitting room and fingered her new ring absently. She had just married Snape. It seemed almost unreal. She sighed softly to herself. At least she didn't have to marry Percy or Nott. She looked around the room slowly and then stood. She walked out of the rooms and glanced around. Before she did anything more she made sure her wand was at her ready. Then she quickly walked off down the halls.

As she reached the Owlery she saw the owl she had bought at the beginning of the year. It was a deep black with golden eyes. She called it down and it landed on her shoulder. She grabbed some paper and a quill from a small supply kept in the Owlery. She quickly wrote a note to Remus telling him the news. She attached it to her Owl's legs and gave her the instructions before letting the owl leapt out the window. Hermione shivered slightly and hurried from the Owlery.

As she neared a window on one of the top floors she looked out over the stone courtyard below. She could see all the students gathered with their bags ready to go home for the Christmas holidays. She gulped as she didn't see Ron, Ginny, Nott, Harry, or some of her other enemies. She already knew they would be staying at Hogwarts for the season. She nearly jumped as someone called her a greeting. She turned to smile at nearly headless Nick and watched as he floated off.

Hermione wanted to go to the library but she knew if Harry and they were looking for her that would be the first place they would look. She finally decided to go to the green house. She walked back to the dungeons and grabbed her coat before hurrying back down that hall and out the doors. As she reached the large greenhouses she slipped in the door. As she stepped in she took her coat off so that she didn't get to warm. The greenhouses had spells cast on them to make sure they stayed warm even in the winter.

Hermione just wandered around labelling plants she knew. She ran into professor Sprout after an hour and had a long talk with her. When Hermione finally got bored she walked slowly back outside. She glanced down at Hagrid's hut to see his lights on. She decided to tell him the news and skipped off. She was soon running back to the castle though. She had seen Harry and Ron with Hagrid in the hut and really didn't want to see them. Hermione sniffed in sadness, but slowly walked into Hogwarts. She set off down the halls again towards the kitchen.

As she entered the large kitchen through the fruit bowl painting she smiled softly. Dobby saw her first and escorted her to a chair by the fire place before giving her a mug of hot chocolate. She sat there talking softly with the house elves for an hour. Then she was interrupted by a small house elf notifying her that Potter and his friends were coming. Hermione leapt to her feet and said goodbye before running from the room. She ran around the corner to run right into someone. She gasped as two hands gripped her wrists. She pulled back but the person didn't budge. She looked up to see Percy. He was smirking. She froze.

"Hello dear. Have you agreed to my proposal?"

She shook her head. He scowled.

"You chose Nott?"

She shook her head again.

"Then you haven't chosen at all and the first to talk to the headmaster gets you." He smirked.

He turned to walk off with Hermione. She kicked Percy hard in the shins. He yelped and let go stumbling back.

"Keep your filthy hands off or me." She snarled.

She turned to run but met a scowling Ron and Harry. She glared at them and slid to the side. They blocked her path again.

"You are in trouble now." Harry snarled.

"Yeah. You can't attack my brother." Ron scowled.

"It's called self defence." She snapped.

Ron reached for her and grabbed her one arm. Before he could blink she had punched him like she had Malfoy in the third year.

"I've wanted to do that for so long." She grinned as she saw Ron stumble back holding his bloody nose.

Harry growled. Hermione kicked him between the legs as he raised a fist. He dropped like a stone. Hermione grinned as she saw a map sticking out of his pants pocket. She grabbed it before anyone could stop her. She had forgotten about the damn map, no wonder they had found her. She let a laugh escape and then hoped over him and ran off. She rounded another corner to almost run into someone else. She 'eeped' and stopped herself before she could fall. She looked up at a concerned looking Draco. He looked at her.

"You okay?" he asked.

She gave a nod. He looked around the corner to see Harry still doubled over in pain, Ron with his bloody nose, and Percy clutching his shin and cursing. He let a grin split his face.

"Fought back finally eh?"

"Well there aren't as many consequences now." She smiled.

He spotted her ring. His eyes widened as it took the crest it.

"You married Snape." He choked out

She sighed and nodded. There was a moment of silence.

"Well that's better then Nott or Weasely."

She nodded.

"I'm sorry I couldn't put in my name." He mumbled

She blinked.

"You were the one who cleared our family name and saved my father and I from Azkaban." He said. "I would have offered to marry you but my mother engaged me before she died and I can't break the engagement yet. It will take a while. And my father was excused from the law as one of the recently widowed. He is still upset about her death."

She nodded.

"Thanks anyways." She smiled.

He nodded.

"Well I came to get you because my father is visiting and came to check up on you."

Hermione smiled and allowed Draco to lead her off to the dungeons. When they reached portrait it recognized her and let her in with Draco. As they entered the sitting room they found Snape sitting across from Lucius and both drinking tea.