One year following the conclusion of the wizarding conflict, a significant number of lives were lost, leaving the Ministry in disarray. In response to the extensive casualties and with the aim of bolstering magical populations, a new marriage decree was enacted. This law mandated that all of-age muggle-born witches and wizards undergo DNA testing, after which they would be paired with either a Pure-blood or Half-blood individual.
Despite the opposition from numerous seasoned wizards and witches, the Ministry, driven by the desire to replenish magical communities, pushed forward with the Marriage Law. Attempts to thwart the legislation were met with frustration, as the prevailing atmosphere of fear allowed the law to secure the necessary votes, cementing its implementation. The introduction of this new legislation instilled a sense of inferiority among muggle-born witches and wizards. The apprehension of being paired with a wizard or witch who embraced the notion of blood superiority intensified the daunting nature of the situation.
A strict deadline of three months was imposed on all eligible witches and wizards to enter into marriage, or face expulsion from the wizarding world with the additional consequence of having their wands snapped. Faced with a seemingly hopeless situation, many young couples hastily tied the knot in the hopes of avoiding the requirement to submit their DNA. While this approach was deemed acceptable by most, there was one lone witch who found herself without a prospective partner. Ultimately, she had no alternative but to reluctantly comply with the enforced marriage law.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Hermione Granger, the once-brilliant Gryffindor witch and war hero, now found herself thrust into this unwanted predicament. Despite her valiant efforts during the war, she stood alone, facing the daunting prospect of being paired with a stranger. As the deadline loomed ever closer, Hermione grappled with the realization that her fate was no longer in her own hands. Forced to reconcile her principles with the harsh reality of the Marriage Law, Hermione reluctantly prepared herself for the inevitable union that awaited her.
As Hermione navigated the tumultuous aftermath of the war, her solitary stance stood in stark contrast to the bustling wizarding world around her. While her friends Harry and Ginny had found solace and companionship in each other's arms, Hermione remained resolute in her decision to prioritize her independence.
With the specter of the Marriage Law looming over her, Hermione grappled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, she was outraged by the blatant infringement on her freedom and autonomy. On the other hand, the constraints of being 19 left her with no luxury of additional time to defy the law's decree.
Her former boyfriend, Ron Weasley, no longer held any appeal for her. Post-wizarding war, both Hermione and Ron had mutually agreed that their compatibility as friends far surpassed their compatibility as a couple. She was determined not to be coerced into a relationship out of necessity, especially with someone she had once considered an ex-boyfriend.
Despite her resolve, Hermione couldn't shake the nagging sense of apprehension that gnawed at her. The thought of being paired with a stranger, someone who may harbor prejudices against muggle-borns, filled her with unease. Yet, as the deadline for compliance approached, Hermione knew she had no choice but to confront her fate head-on.
As the days passed, Hermione's anticipation mingled with trepidation as she awaited the results of her DNA match. Each passing hour seemed to stretch on endlessly, her anxiety mounting with every tick of the clock. Despite her outward appearance of composure, inwardly she battled a storm of uncertainty and fear.
Opting to conceal her predicament from her friends temporarily, she maintained a facade of normalcy, engaging in conversations and laughter while her thoughts strayed to the impending revelation of her match. The prospect of being paired with a stranger, someone whose beliefs and values remained unknown to her, weighed heavily on her mind.
In the midst of her turmoil, Hermione found solace in the familiar surroundings of Hogwarts. Returning to the hallowed halls of the school felt like coming home, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the outside world. With her two closest friends, Harry and Ron, by her side, she found comfort in their unwavering support and camaraderie.
Despite the looming uncertainty of her future, Hermione remained steadfast in her determination to carve out her own path. Refusing to be confined by the constraints of the Marriage Law, she resolved to continue pursuing her dreams and aspirations, whatever the outcome of her DNA match may be.
With each passing day, Hermione's resolve only grew stronger, her determination to defy the forces that sought to dictate her fate unwavering. As she prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead, she drew strength from the knowledge that she was not alone, that she had friends who stood beside her, ready to weather whatever storms may come their way.
Quietly seated in the Great Hall, Hermione Granger enjoyed her breakfast alongside her two companions, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Despite her efforts to concentrate on the forthcoming academic challenges and to embrace the excitement of her final year at Hogwarts, the looming requirement to marry soon cast a shadow over her, leaving her anxious and fearful about the uncertain future ahead. Regretfully, she wished she had been more socially engaged with fellow wizards during her schooling to avoid the current predicament. Now, relying on the Ministry to secure her a suitable match, her optimism waned. The apprehension of being paired with a man who might exploit and mistreat her lingered ominously in her thoughts.
Lost in contemplation, she was jolted back to reality as the mail arrived. Owls swooped into the Great Hall in a flurry, delivering letters, gifts, and newspapers to other students. Among them, an owl approached the Gryffindor table where Hermione sat, depositing a letter onto her plate. With hands trembling, she lifted the letter, glancing at the writing on the envelope. Her eyes widened, and a sense of dread filled her stomach as she recognized the familiar handwriting of the Minister. Closing her eyes, she silently prayed for a favorable outcome. Biting her lip, she mustered the courage to open the letter and read its contents to herself.
The letter bore the official seal of the Ministry of Magic, its emblem embossed in shimmering gold ink. With a shaky hand, Hermione broke the seal and unfolded the parchment, her heart pounding in her chest. As she read the Minister's words, her initial sense of dread slowly gave way to disbelief and incredulity.
"Dear Miss Granger," the letter began, "It is with great pleasure that I inform you of the results of your DNA match. After careful consideration and analysis, we have identified a suitable candidate who we believe would make an excellent match for you. His name is Severus Snape."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she read the name, her mind reeling with shock and disbelief. Severus Snape, the Potions Master at Hogwarts, a man known for his stern demeanor and aloofness, was to be her husband. The realization sent a wave of panic coursing through her veins, her thoughts racing as she tried to comprehend the implications of this unexpected revelation.
Torn between disbelief and resignation, Hermione struggled to process the news. What fate awaited her now that she was to be married to a man she barely knew, a man whose reputation preceded him? Despite her misgivings, she knew that she had little choice but to accept the Ministry's decision and abide by the terms of the Marriage Law.
Upon finishing the letter, she read it a second and third time, slowly absorbing the inked words. As the realization sank in that Professor Snape would be her suitor—a person she believed harbored animosity toward her, and with whom she did not wish to be bound—an overwhelming urge to cry surged through her. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. No longer hungry, she pushed her plate away and departed the Great Hall without uttering a word. Almost running back to her common room, she sought solitude. Once alone, she could no longer contain her tears. Collapsing onto the couch, she began to sob uncontrollably. This brief moment allowed her to indulge in self-pity and contemplate the next steps she needed to take.
As Hermione sat on the couch, her tears flowed freely, each droplet a testament to the turmoil raging within her. She felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of the Ministry's decree and the prospect of spending her life with a man she barely knew, let alone liked. Images of Severus Snape flashed through her mind—his piercing black eyes, his sardonic smirk, and the air of authority that seemed to emanate from him like a palpable force. She shuddered at the thought of being bound to him for eternity, condemned to a loveless union dictated by the whims of the Ministry.
Yet, amid her despair, a small voice of reason whispered in her mind, urging her to consider the possibility that Severus Snape might not be as dreadful a match as she initially presumed. After all, she reasoned, he was a respected member of the wizarding community, a skilled Potions Master, and a former double agent who had risked his life countless times to fight against Voldemort and his followers. Perhaps there was more to him than met the eye, hidden depths waiting to be discovered beneath his stoic exterior.
Even after her tears had dried, the lingering misery persisted. Feeling trapped with no viable options, she faced a dilemma. The decision was stark: either renounce her witchhood and let the Ministry snap her wand or marry the detested Potions Master. Without a moment's hesitation, she dismissed the first choice entirely. Her identity as a witch was ingrained, and she would not permit the Ministry to strip that away from her.
With her resolve strengthened, Hermione began to formulate a plan. She refused to succumb to despair or resignation. Instead, she would approach her impending marriage to Severus Snape with a strategic mindset, seeking out any possible advantage or opportunity that might present itself. Drawing on her intellect and resourcefulness, she resolved to make the best of a dire situation, determined to carve out a future for herself despite the constraints imposed upon her.
Hermione sat up on the couch, glancing once more at her letter, now crumpled from lying on top of it. The Ministry's rationale for deeming them a match eluded her. He was two decades her senior and maintained a distance from everyone. A sense of helplessness enveloped her; she faced the stark choice of marrying him or forfeiting her status as a witch. Frustration replaced her tears, prompting her to crumple the paper into a ball and toss it into the fire. A small satisfaction filled her as she witnessed the parchment turn to ash.
As the flames consumed the parchment, Hermione's frustration gave way to a glimmer of determination. She refused to be resigned to her fate without a fight. Rising from the couch with renewed resolve, she paced the room, her mind racing with possibilities. She couldn't shake the feeling that there must be some way to turn the situation to her advantage, to find a loophole or leverage that would allow her to escape the confines of the Ministry's decree, but even as she thought of it she knew it was hopeless. She would be forced to marry him.
With a begrudging resolve, she rose from the couch and ascended the stairs to her bedroom. There, she swiftly grabbed her school bag, ensuring all her books and supplies were inside. Time was of the essence; there was no room for further contemplation. Classes were about to commence, and she was determined not to be tardy. Slung over her shoulder, her bag in tow, she re-entered the common room. Harry and Ron arrived while she descended the stairs. The trio swiftly grabbed their bags, making their way to class without delay.
As they made their way through the corridors of Hogwarts, Hermione's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and plans. She felt a sense of urgency propelling her forward, driving her to take action and seize control of her own destiny. Despite the weight of the burden she carried, she was determined not to let it hinder her academic pursuits or dampen her spirits.
Harry was the first to break the silence as they made their way to their first class of the day. "Why did you leave the Great Hall earlier, Hermione? Are you okay?"
Hermione bit her lip, hesitant to disclose to her friends that she was compelled into marriage and the prospect of having children. Now that she knew her designated match, the need to keep it a secret from her friends felt even more imperative until the right time. Swallowing thickly, she eventually replied, "I'm sorry, Harry if I worried you. I received a letter from my parents. I just needed a moment alone to process it, but I'm fine."
Arriving at Transfiguration class, Hermione took her usual seat at the front of the room, her posture erect and her expression composed. She refused to allow her inner turmoil to betray her outward demeanor. As Professor McGonagall entered the classroom and began the lesson, Hermione focused intently on the subject matter, channeling her energy into her studies and setting aside her worries, at least for the time being.
Throughout the day, Hermione threw herself into her lessons with characteristic diligence and determination, striving to excel in every subject despite the tumultuous circumstances swirling around her. She refused to let the specter of her forced marriage decree overshadow her academic aspirations or undermine her commitment to her education.
The last class of the day was potions which left Hermione anxious. The trio walked silently to the dungeons, a silence for which Hermione was grateful. She knew she would have to eventually reveal the truth to her friends, but for the time being, she was thankful for the ability to keep her secret a bit longer.
Internally, she fretted at the prospect of encountering her stern Professor. Uncertain of his reaction upon seeing her, the mere thought of him becoming her husband soon sent a slight shiver down her spine. Upon reaching the classroom, she halted in front of the door, her legs feeling like lead. "Find your courage, Hermione. It's just class. You know what to do," she reassured herself with a little pep talk, finally motivating herself to step into the room. She made an effort to push aside her fear and settled in the far back, hoping to avoid drawing attention to herself. Her eyes remained glued to the table.
The classroom door slammed shut as Professor Snape strode purposefully to the front of the room. As he entered the room, Hermione couldn't help but steal a quick glance in his direction. His expression was as inscrutable as ever, his dark eyes flickering across the room with a piercing intensity that made her feel as though he could see right through her facade. Suppressing a shiver of apprehension, she quickly averted her gaze, focusing instead on the textbook open in front of her.
Casting a scathing glance at the entire class, he declared, "Given that this is 7th-year potions, I anticipate each and every one of you to successfully complete a straightforward potion." He brandished his wand, directing it towards the blackboard, where his scratchy handwriting materialized, revealing the day's instructions.
Throughout the lesson, Hermione kept her head down, diligently following Professor Snape's instructions and working diligently on her potion. Despite her best efforts to concentrate, however, her mind kept wandering back to the unsettling reality of her impending marriage. The thought of being bound to someone as enigmatic and intimidating as Severus Snape sent a wave of anxiety coursing through her veins.
Hermione immersed herself in her work, determined to distract herself from dwelling on her predicament. She skillfully chopped each ingredient, avoiding any unnecessary thoughts. Engrossed in her task, she purposely avoided making eye contact with her professor. Slowly and meticulously, she began brewing the potion, ensuring her cauldron maintained the correct temperature. As the class progressed, she noticed Professor Snape approaching her table from the corner of her eye, prompting a sense of panic. She inhaled slowly through her nose, attempting to calm herself. Professor Snape reached her table, peering down into her potion. She refrained from moving, waiting with bated breath for him to move on to the next table.
"How do you think you did?" he inquired quietly, peering into her cauldron.
Hermione mumbled, "I don't know, sir," avoiding looking up from her table as her nervousness persisted.
He took a ladle and carefully scooped some of the potion from the cauldron. Seeing her still fixated on the table, he commanded, "Look at me." She hesitantly raised her eyes to meet his. "Your potion has the right consistency. The color is perfect." A swell of pride filled her. With a quick wave of his hand, he cleaned the ladle and placed it back on the table before moving on to the next one.
Hermione slowly exhaled, releasing the breath she had been holding, and continued with her potion brewing. Upon completing the task, she bottled up her potion and patiently awaited the end of the class.
As the class drew to a close, Hermione felt a sense of relief wash over her. She hastily packed away her belongings, eager to escape the suffocating confines of the dungeon classroom. However, just as she was about to make her exit, Professor Snape's voice cut through the air, freezing her in place.
"Miss Granger," he intoned, his voice cold and measured. Hermione's heart leaped into her throat as she turned to face him, her stomach churning with apprehension.
She watched her friends and classmates exit the room. Nervously, she turned back to her professor. "Did I do something wrong, sir?" she stammered out, the silence becoming deafening. Growing antsy, she waited for the silence to be broken.
Professor Snape regarded her with his trademark expression of stoic severity, his dark eyes seeming to bore into her very soul. For a moment, the silence stretched on, making Hermione's nerves fray even further. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice low and measured. "No, Miss Granger, you did not do anything wrong," he replied, his tone giving nothing away. "I simply wished to speak with you privately for a moment."
Relief flooded through Hermione at his words, though she couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. With a nod, she followed him to the front of the classroom, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I've asked you to stay back for a few minutes because there's an important matter we need to discuss sooner rather than later," his voice was oddly calm. "I noticed you received a letter today from the Ministry."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she realized that Professor Snape was aware of the letter she had received. She nodded hesitantly, her mind racing with thoughts of what he might say next.
"I am aware of the Ministry's decision regarding your marriage arrangement," Snape continued, his tone unreadable. "I understand that this is an... unconventional situation, to say the least."
Her cheeks instantly colored. She wasn't prepared to discuss this, and her eyes quickly became downcast. "Yes, sir," she whispered.
He studied the young witch. "What have you decided?"
Staring angrily at the floor, her cheeks continued to burn. "I don't want my wand snapped, Professor," her words came out in a biting tone. "I haven't told anyone yet," she added quietly.
Professor Snape's expression softened slightly at Hermione's admission. "I understand, Miss Granger," he said, his tone gentler now. "It is a difficult situation you find yourself in."
Hermione nodded, grateful for his understanding. She knew that Professor Snape could be intimidating, but at that moment, she sensed a flicker of empathy in his eyes. "Thank you, Professor," she murmured, feeling a bit of tension leave her shoulders.
Professor Snape reclined in his chair, lost in thought. After a few more minutes of silence, he spoke, "Then I suppose the only other option is to get married."
Hermione's heart sank at the realization that marriage seemed to be the only solution. She had hoped for some alternative, some loophole to avoid this fate, but it appeared there was none. With a heavy sigh, she nodded slowly. "I suppose so, Professor," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Professor Snape regarded her with a mixture of sympathy and resignation. "I will do what I can to assist you through this process, Miss Granger," he assured her, his tone surprisingly gentle. "But you must understand that we are bound by law in this matter."
Hermione fought back the urge to cry. Summoning courage, she looked up from the floor and met his eyes. "How will this work while I am a student here?"
He grimaced at her question, feeling decidedly uncomfortable. He didn't want to think of her solely as his student, yet that was the reality. He couldn't fathom the reasoning behind the Ministry's choice to match him with her, but, as always, he had no say in his own life. Instead of being subjected to a master, he now had to adhere to a law with no foreseeable end. Realizing he hadn't addressed her question, he reluctantly replied, "You would have to move down to the dungeons." Disregarding the brief flicker of panic in her eyes, he pressed on, "You won't be obligated to quit your schooling, but the law explicitly mandates that we must live together and eventually..." His voice trailed off, and his nose wrinkled in disgust. He never wanted children and he surely did not want to sleep with his student, but life unfortunately had other ideas.
She nodded slowly in understanding. "Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked suddenly, her cheeks flushing with the unexpected question.
"I won't lie to you. I am not a nice person, Ms. Granger. I never wanted to marry, nor do I want children, but to answer your silly question, you didn't do anything wrong. I know I am surely not your first choice for a suitor. This is all the Ministry's doing at the end of the day," he replied simply with a shrug.
She gave him a slight smile. Despite not being a particularly nice person, he was handling the situation more maturely than she had expected. "When are we to marry?"
He pondered in silence for a few minutes before responding, "I suppose we should marry soon. There is no point in dragging this out. Give me a few days, and I will have Professor McGonagall see to it that our wedding contract is signed and ready for the Ministry. After that, you will regrettably have to move your belongings into my quarters."
Another question crossed Hermione's mind. She bit her lip and asked, "Am I to continue to call you Professor?"
He wrinkled his nose once more. The notion of being called anything other than Professor did not sit well with him, but he acknowledged the absurdity of having her address him in that way in private when they were meant to be husband and wife. He sighed and replied, "In private, you may call me Severus, but we should maintain our customary roles during class. Unfortunately, another stipulation of the marriage law is for the witch to take the wizard's last name, so you will be Mrs. Snape."
Numerous other questions flooded her mind, but she realized she was already running late for her next class. "I suppose we should discuss this further later. I must hurry to my next class."
Professor Snape inclined his head in agreement. "Indeed, Miss Granger. We will have ample time to address your concerns. Focus on your studies for now."
Hermione nodded, grateful for the reprieve. With a quick "thank you," she hurried out of the classroom, her thoughts consumed by the weight of her newfound circumstances.