A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Insane Prompt Challenge: 27: Word – loophole

Warning: dealing with infertility

Word Count: 548

"I found one!" Hermione yelled climbing down the ladder from one of the top bookshelves.

"Found one what?" Severus asked looking up from his tome. He doubted the witch had found what the pair was actually looking for. More like she'd found some iota of ancient information that would greatly help them with their other endeavor.

"A loophole. I found it, Severus, the way out of this stupid travesty of a marriage!" she exclaimed jumping from the ladder to the table where he was working. She slid on the pieces of parchment and straight into his arms.

"And what might that be?"

"If either the witch or wizard is found to be unable to produce children, the marriage will be absolved and the barren party will be free to chose their own partner. Since the point of the law is to flood the wizarding world with little witches and wizards..." Hermione started to say. Severus stared at her.

"Are you imply that simply because we have yet to conceive a child, you believe I am unable?" Hermione shook her head looking down at the floor.

"Not you, sir," she whispered so softly he barely heard her. Gently he lowered her from his arms to the floor. She stood there, her hair covering her face. He pushed it aside and tilted her head until her eyes were meeting his.

"Hermione, talk to me."

"Fifth year, one of the Death Eaters hit me with a spell."

"Yes, I remember vividly."

"It... the scar tissue... There is a very, very good chance I can never conceive, much less carry a child to term. I know I should have told you sir, but...I was afraid." Severus burst out laughing. Hermione blinked staring at him.

"Hermione, have I ever given you a reason to be afraid of me?"

"Not you, sir, the ministry. I was afraid they would throw me out of the wizarding world, take my memories, since I'm not..."

"Good breeding stock?" Severus muttered.

"Yes."

"You are the most brilliant witch I've ever known, of your year, my year, probably years to come. They will throw you out of our world over my dead body."

"Really?" Hermione asked sniffling. Severus pulled her against him.

"Yes, really. As for this loophole, while it does apply to us, do you honestly want to dissolve this marriage?"

"Isn't that what you wanted? To marry someone who could give you a brood of little dungeon bats?" she asked.

"No. That is not what I wanted, that has never been what I wanted. Despite the fact we were thrown together by this law, I would have picked you. You're the only witch who matches me in my drive, the only one who can actually help me with my research without whining about breaking a nail. You want to know what I honestly want, Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"You. Mrs. Hermione Snape, you are the only witch I want, and if we can't have little brats of our own, well, I'm sure there's an orphan out there who will be happy to be part of our little home. Do I make myself clear?" She nodded slowly and pressed her lips against his.

"Perfectly," she whispered laying her head against his chest and smiling as he held her close.