Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling

Life For Rent

Chapter 2

Severus stared in disbelief at the second Ministry missive he had received that week. 'How To Make Yourself Appear More Attractive to the Opposite Sex' was emblazoned across the top of the pamphlet in bright gold letters. As if there is any hope that this pamphlet has enough advice to transform this hook nosed, greasy haired, snaggle toothed, ex professor into a desirable man, Snape thought sarcastically. Despite himself, Severus perused the brochure carefully. Apparently there was something he could do about his teeth and hair. The pamphlet actually contained contact information for wizard beauticians and a few spells for the daring bachelor.

Severus realized that he was a fairly unattractive man. There had been some women in the past who found his mystery and sarcasm somewhat appealing but he had personally, never seen the point. The uglier he was the more likely his students would fear him. With the prospect of being shackled to a woman he didn't love or leaving the home he did, in front of him he was beginning to think that some beautification might help his prospects if he chose the former. Ashamed that he was even considering it he thrust the pamphlet aside and arose from his desk.

Severus left his library and walked down the hall pausing in front of a gilded mirror hanging on the wall. He carefully examined his face. His teeth were crooked and a little yellow and he did need a haircut. The steam from his cauldrons left it perpetually greasy and limp. If he created a shampoo that resisted steam and kept hair glossy and clean he could make a fortune. He made a mental note to seriously consider that prospect later. The scars from Nagini's snake bites were low on his throat and stretched across his collarbone. They were no longer red, raw, and painful but they were very pink against his pale skin. They were decidedly unattractive but they were as healed as they were ever going to get. No, there was nothing he could do about his nose without plastic surgery or some serious glamour charms, but he wasn't going to stoop that low. Marriage law, or not, it was a good idea to start taking some care of his appearance. He didn't want to stay holed up in his house forever. The Malfoy's had been bombarding him with invitations to socialize relentlessly since the war was over but it was not until very recently that he actually wanted to go out. He had on occasion accepted an invitation here and there to squelch any rumors that he was lying dead in his home being eaten by dogs, but it was always with very little enthusiasm.

Things were starting to feel different. Turning away from his reflection and returning to the desk in his library, he reached over and picked up the pamphlet again. Maybe he would try some of those spells.

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Hermione sighed and stared out the window of her second floor office in Diagon Alley. Ever since her return from Australia two years ago she had been employed as a book buyer for Flourish and Blotts. She really enjoyed her job because books, after all, were among her favorite things in the world. She did have some ambitions to take on an apprenticeship in potions, or transfiguration and earn her teaching credentials but for the meantime she was content. For a brief moment she considered joining Harry at the ministry but then thought better of it. She was more than thrilled to back in the magical world but she still wasn't ready to add any extra drama to her life, and the life of an auror was very dramatic. No, she was going to have to find another way to do some good in the world, when she was ready.

The biggest advantage to being a book buyer was that it was a job David could understand. They never would have been able to talk about work at all if she was working in a potions lab or doing a transfiguration apprenticeship. He would not have been able to relate to any of it, but he did enjoy talking to Hermione about books being a literature major himself. He was fascinated by how many more books the wizarding world opened him to. He was also surprised to learn that a lot of the classics he loved were popular among wizards as well. Beyond that though, their conversations were more focused on what David did. His teaching was something Hermione could relate to so that was all they really focused on. Hermione was slightly disappointed when David was less than supportive when she decided to sit the NEWTs the year before. She didn't have to, the ministry had awarded her, Ron, and Harry full qualifications but it was unlike her to just accept a certification she did not earn. David had avoided Hermione while she practiced wand movements and incantations, studied runes and arithmancy, and brewed practice potions. That was the lowest point of their time together and Hermione was worried that when she did decide to branch away from Flourish and Blotts it might cause strain on their relationship. David understood her magic, but not her desire to pursue a magical career. He just didn't see the purpose.

Hermione had spent the whole week poring over the information the Ministry had provided regarding the marriage law. There were very few options around it. If she stayed with David and had a magical child she could not imagine having enough money to put him or her through school. She had not mentioned the possibility of marriage and children to David. If they did have a magical child she wasn't sure he would want to allow the child to be raised in the magical world. Hermione knew that if she had a magical child she would most definitely want to raise him or her in the magical realm. She briefly considered finding some wizard in a similar situation and entering a marriage of convenience but that idea held little appeal. The marriage would have to be consummated and it was not her modus operandi to sleep with more than one man at once.

The final option before her was to end things with David and allow the ministry to find her a match so she could remain in the wizarding world. That was the most unappealing of the lot. Hermione knew she needed to talk to David about all this. If he was considering marriage he had not brought it up. They had been together a long time and they were having fun but Hermione had not really considered marriage herself until the Marriage Law was enforced. Hermione was torn. She knew deep down that David would want her to give up her wand and leave the magical world but she just didn't think she could do it. Hell, she didn't even know if they would realistically last that long coming from such different worlds. Harry is so lucky that his is not a pureblood, Hermione thought sadly, at least he can stay with Ginny. Even Ron was going to be able to avoid the law. He had joined a French Quidditch team and had taken up residence in France with Pansy, so he would be unaffected as long as he remained out of the country.

She was going to have to tell David about the law. In eleven weeks the ministry was going to match her with someone. The only question was, should she tell him right away? Or, should she enjoy those last eleven weeks and tell him later? The one thing she knew for sure was that leaving England and magic for the rest of her life were not options.

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A/N: Okay another short chapter and I apologize there is no dialogue but I want to get the background details out of the way. There will be more interaction with more people starting in the next chapter, I promise. What do you think though? Should Hermione tell David right away? Or should she wait? The chapters will start to get a little longer from here on out and I hope you will stick with me.

Thanks to all the reviewers who encouraged me to continue with this story. It is really inspiring! I do need a beta for this story, I tend to overlook a lot of missing words etc. and it is just nice to have someone else read your stuff before you thrust it upon innocent readers. Thanks again for reading and I promise the story will start to pick up!