It had been a devastating blow when Hermione realized she would be unable to break the Memory Charm she'd placed upon her parents, so she could protect them from Death Eaters. It was when she returned home, however, that things got worse, much worse. She sold off her parents' home via Gringotts, and used the money to assist in rebuilding Hogwarts, alongside Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Draco Malfoy, and the rest of the Weasleys. She was pleased when Professor McGonagall took over as headmistress, and stood up for the Malfoy family, as well as for Severus Snape, during the trials.

That summer, after returning from Australia and in between the rebuilding of the castle, Hermione took her NEWTs. She did exceptionally well, gaining ten, all Os, and was pleased when Arthur and Molly invited her to stay at the Burrow while she figured out her next move. It didn't come as a surprise to her when Harry and Ginny announced their engagement, marrying before the two of them returned to Hogwarts in the fall. Neville and Luna began a relationship themselves, and Hermione knew entirely well that all eyes were on her and Ron, as if everyone was wondering if they would get together officially, especially after their passionate kiss during the Battle of Hogwarts.

In the meantime, Hermione casually read The Daily Prophet, and was pleased that Kingsley Shacklebolt, who had been merely been the interim minister, officially won the vote for Minister of Magic. The reforms truly began within the Wizengamot, and Hermione was saddened that Remus and Tonks wouldn't get to see them, but their young son, Teddy, now in Tonks' mother, Andromeda's, custody, would see them for himself. She wasn't surprised when Professor Snape announced that he would be leaving Hogwarts permanently, and then he was largely absent from the public eye, save for a handful of trips to the apothecaries in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

It was when she didn't commit to being in a relationship with Ron that things quickly went sour, and Hermione had to master her Glamor Charms very quickly. First, he'd shaken her when she refused to discuss it at all, leaving bruises on her shoulders and upper arms. Next, he'd shoved her into a wall after he'd tried to kiss her goodnight, and she'd politely declined. Then, close to Halloween, he'd gotten drunk when Bill, Charlie, and George were visiting for the night and Hermione, who had been given Percy's room, woke up to find him on top of her.

Hermione discovered that Ron had hidden her wand, and fear gripped her as he ran his hands all over her body. She'd begged him not to, but he hadn't listened to a word she said, instead covering her mouth with his meaty hand. Her bruises from his attacks over the last few weeks hadn't healed, especially the more recent ones when he'd punched her in the face and given her a black eye ("No, I'm all right, Molly, I just walked into a door"); tripped her down the stairs and bloodied her kneecaps ("I'll be fine, Molly, I just really have to watch where I'm going"); or broke her nose, making it a bit wonky ("Would you believe that I tripped over Crookshanks on my way to the loo last night?").

Ron's hot breath reeked of Firewhiskey, and it didn't arouse Hermione in the slightest; in fact, she all bit quivered with revulsion as his lips descended upon her ear. "You're mine."

"Ron, no, I don't want this," she whispered back, somehow managing to get out from underneath his hand, her tears blinding her vision in the darkness of the bedroom, and he tore open her nightgown and fondled her breasts. "No," she begged. "I know that you don't want to do this either..."

But Ron didn't listen, however, and took what he wanted, as he always did. This continued for seven days and seven nights, with Ron looking hungrily at her at the breakfast table the morning after, almost as if she was going to make an announcement any day now. The announcement, of course, being that Hermione had finally come to her senses, leading her to realize that she couldn't live without him, and that she was pregnant with their child.

Of course, Hermione would inevitably find her wand afterwards, cast the strongest Contraceptive Charms she knew, and vomit; she did not want to breed Ron's spawn. It was on the seventh night that this happened that Hermione officially couldn't take it anymore. She summoned her belongings and stuffed them into her beaded bag, not even waiting until morning. She cast a Silencing Spell as she hurried down the stairs, grabbing Crookshanks on the way, ventured through the living room, and into the kitchen, before she pushed open the back door and hurried across the vast expanse of land allotted to the Weasley family.

Entering the woods was a no brainer, although the howls of wolves and other creatures of the night filled her with trepidation. She ran for the largest tree she could spot in the darkness, and grabbed ahold of its trunk, Crookshanks staring anxiously around them. She was bruised and bloodied, with even a fair amount of blood dripping down her legs, and she was already panting with exertion. She couldn't go on much longer, and going back would be a death sentence, that much she knew. Carefully taking stock of her surroundings, alongside Crookshanks, Hermione summoned the last of her strength into her magical core, gripping onto the cords of her beaded bag, knowing what she had to do.

Apparate me somewhere safe, she begged it, tears falling down her cheeks. I need to get out of here, to somewhere safe, where Ron and the rest of the Weasleys won't find me, and force me back into that prison of my own making. Please... I need to be safe...

Hermione half-expected the tug behind her navel as she Apparated out of the forest in Devon, only to land at the edge of another forest, somewhere she knew was far away, and not in a place that was familiar to her, with Crookshanks needing to be calmed upon arrival. She could tell, however, as the witch and her familiar stepped out of the last line of trees, that there was a warded property beyond, and the wards seem to all but embrace her as she passed through them, a mansion dominating her line of sight as she stepped closer. The lights were still on inside, candles, and Hermione hurried forward, knowing that her magical core wouldn't steer her wrong, and that they would be safe, if not welcomed, here.

The front door to the palatial home opened, and none other than Severus Snape stood upon its threshold, arms crossed and eyes dark. It was when Hermione stepped into the light which gleamed onto the path, however, that his countenance changed, and he moved forward. "Miss Granger, what in Merlin's name have you done to yourself?" he demanded.

Hermione very nearly stumbled forward, tripping on the stones of the walkway beneath her feet, and fell into the potion master's arms, Crookshanks darting from her embrace and all but inviting himself into the man's home himself. "Please...help me," she begged him, and was half-walked, half-carried, towards the man's residence.

"You had better not get your orange hair into my potions!" Snape hollered, before leading her inside the house. "Now, Miss Granger, who did this to you?" he asked again.

"It was Ron," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper as they stepped inside, the door shutting behind them and the wards re-establishing themselves almost immediately.

The man lowered his eyes, and Hermione shivered as they flashed dangerously. "Do you mean to tell me that the youngest Mr. Weasley is the cause for the state you're in?" he growled, settling her down into what appeared to be a parlor, and waved his wand, the fire growing.

Hermione swallowed, leaning back against the cushions of the Victorian piece of furniture, finding it surprisingly comfortable. "Yes," she replied, her voice having a breathy quality to it, one that had never happened to her before. "He... He expected that the two of us would end up together, due to the fact that we kissed during the battle at Hogwarts, and..." She shivered, watching as the man swished his wand, summoning a pouch. "...and, when he refused to take my repeated 'no's' for an answer..."

"He resorted to physical violence," Snape said, gritting his teeth and shaking his head. "Merlin forfend he ever does managed to take a wife and sire children." Snape delved into the pouch after a moment, before handing Hermione one potion bottle at a time. "A regimen of healing potions, which should take care of the bruises and pain," he explained. "Have you any broken bones that you're aware of?"

"No," Hermione responded, shaking her head. "He did trip me down the stairs recently, but I was able to mend the broken bones on my own."

Snape lifted his wand, performing several Diagnostic Charms upon her, before he lowered it and slipped it back into the pocket of his trousers, while Crookshanks rejoined them in the living room, hopped up onto the couch, and crawled into his mistress' lap. "You appear to have no broken bones, Miss Granger—"

"Hermione, please, sir," she said quietly.

"Very well, then, Hermione," he responded. "You may address me as Severus, then." Stopping for a moment, he waited until she had settled a bit more. "You appear to have some bleeding close by..." He cleared his throat, waving his hand in the general direction of her groin.

"Courtesy of Ron," Hermione responded bitterly.

Snape gave a shallow nod, still angry. "Imperturbable Charms are placed upon all pieces of furniture, as well as the floors," he replied, before waving his wand, and Hermione gasped as the bleeding inevitably stopped. With another flourish, a small vial of Blood Replenishing Potion, as well as Calming Draught, flew forth from his potions lab, and he handed them over to her. "I suppose you know what these are."

Hermione gave him a small smile, downing first the Blood Replenishing Potion, the dark red liquid went easily down her throat. Next, she took up the Calming Draught, and, with shaking hands, the deep blue liquid went down her throat as well. "Thank you," she whispered.

The man looked decidedly uncomfortable as he nodded his head. "May I... May I see your bruises, Hermione?" he asked quietly.

Hermione swallowed, but nevertheless lifted her articles of clothing to show them off. She looked away at the man's expression, caught somewhere between pity and rage, and wondered if disgust was lodged in there somewhere. She listened as his wand swished, and the familiar scent of Bruise Paste filled her nose as he rubbed it on her arms, as well as her legs below the knee. It wasn't a trial to turn away from him and permit him to rub it on her back and shoulders, and she was also relieved when he turned away, allowing her to rub the remainder of them. The rest of the bruises were located on her torso, breasts, and upper legs, and she was satisfied when the swelling and discoloration subsided ever so slightly.

"Thank you," she said again.

"You're welcome." The man seemed to hesitate for a moment, catching sight of Crookshanks staring at him. Extending his hand towards the familiar, who leaned forward, inspected it, and lowered his head for petting, purring shortly thereafter, leading the man to smile slowly. "My mother kept cats when I was a child," he observed after a few moments of silence. "I always liked them myself."

"Crookshanks if half-Kneazle, of course," Hermione put in. "He's been the only thing to keep me sane during this trying time." She shifted uncomfortably upon the couch, hoping to Merlin that she wouldn't be thrown out for what she said to the man next. "I hope you know a good Vanishing Spell..."

Severus blinked, scratching Crookshanks once more behind the ear before he pulled his hand and arm back. "And why would I need to know that?"

"Well Ron, he..." Hermione swallowed again. "Ron took...liberties...despite my repeated requests for him not to."

Severus looked incensed at her words; he had thought that she had gotten hurt in the woods, from running and cutting herself upon tree branches or a prickly bush, not because—! "Am I to understand that he forced you, Hermione? That he violated you?"

"On seven occasions, yes. Thank Merlin for Contraceptive Charms," she whispered.

Severus wanted very much to hex Ronald Weasley in that moment, but getting himself locked up in Azkaban after narrowly escaping such a fate just a few months previously certainly wouldn't help Hermione, who had very clearly come to him for help. "Did you happen to mention to anyone what he was doing to you?" the man asked instead.

Hermione gently dug her fingers into Crookshanks' fur, clearly a coping mechanism. "No, I didn't," she told him softly. "Mrs. Weasley... Well, she's a mother, who notices everything. She did see the bruises and other physical marks that her son left on me, but when she questioned me, I made up lies." She shook her head, tears springing to her brown eyes. "I even blamed Crookshanks when he tripped me down the stairs," she whispered, biting down hard upon her lower lip. "I'm so sorry," she continued, speaking directly to her familiar, who merely blinked slowly at her, almost as if in forgiveness.

"You were in a dangerous situation," the said softly, his tone steady. "You couldn't have known how Molly Weasley would have reacted to you accusing her youngest son of abuse... Did she seem open to the notion of the two of you becoming a couple?"

"I think she expected it, like so many others did, because I made the stupid choice of being caught up in the moment during the final battle, and kissed Ron for the first time," Hermione said, and Severus came to the conclusion that she blamed herself.

"Adrenaline makes Muggles and wixen alike do funny things," he remarked. "You mustn't blame yourself for being afflicted by it." He snapped his fingers, causing the fire to build up some more, and then he summoned a blanket, which he deftly moved through the air so that it wrapped around Hermione's shoulders. "May I ask how you came to be here?"

Hermione looked stricken. "If it's an inconvenience..."

Severus immediately shook her head. "Hardly," he assured her. "I am merely curious, as no one knows for sure of my whereabouts, due to my wards. I have only been in contact with Minerva, as well as Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy. They know the country in which I reside in, but are not sure the location."

"Country?" Hermione whispered, looking around, and peering through the windows, as if she could clearly see into the darkness of the night. "Do you mean to tell me that we are no longer in England, then?"

"No," Severus responded, "we are not. We are in Wales."

"Dear Merlin," Hermione breathed, wrapping the soft blanket further around her shoulders. "I had not expected that..." Shaking her head as if to clear it, she moved to speak again, knowing entirely well that her former potions professor deserved an explanation. "I called upon my magical core to save me."

Severus sank into the chair he'd summoned previously, although his movements were heavy and jarring with his shock. "Sorry? Your magical core?"

"I'd read about it in the books that I'd pilfered from the Hogwarts library, before Harry, Ron, and I left to search for the Horcruxes," Hermione explained. "It was an old textbook for the now-defunct class of Ancient Magic, and I could clearly see it hadn't been taken out of the library for quite some time."

"Yes, they discontinued that class even before my mother was a student," Severus mused. "What was the book, then?"

"Ancient Magic: Fact or Fairytale by Alyssa Bayfield," Hermione said quickly, never one to forget book titles which had proven beneficial to her. "She devoted an entire section the magical core in wixen, but the portion which I found to be most fascinating was the entry in which she spoke about summoning it into your subconscious and enabling its ability to assist you in taking you somewhere safe."

"That is indeed powerful magic," Severus said, truly amazed at the young woman sitting before him, who was only nineteen years old. "Had you done it before?"

Hermione shook her head. "No."

"Not only is it amazing, Hermione, that you successfully completed rare magic on your first try, but had not been instructed in it before. Not to mention the notion that you Apparated successfully to a different country," he breathed. "However, I must warn you not to do so again, unless someone is with you... Did you keep the book?"

"Yes," Hermione replied, nodding towards her beaded bag, still secured to her waist. "I showed Minerva, once Voldemort had fallen, the books that had aided us on our journey, as well as the ones which weren't helpful at all. She and Madam Pince got together and looked over the titles, and agreed that I could have this tome, as Ancient Magic was no longer taught at Hogwarts. It was the only book I really wanted, you see, so..." She shrugged, a small smile upon her face at having gotten a new book out of it.

"Might I see it?" Severus asked, hardly daring to breathe.

Hermione nodded. "Of course," she replied, opening her bag and rummaging through it, before she grabbed ahold of something, and handed it over to the man.

Severus took ahold of the old book reverently, his pale, tapered fingers caressing the binding for a moment before he opened it, gazing down at the yellow pages. He went directly to the Table of Contents, scanning it for several moments, before he found the section Hermione had indicated to him previously. Turning the pages to the proper section, he read the words, very moved by the notion that Hermione's core had inadvertently sought him out, despite their previous animosity towards one another, as well as negative shared history.

"You appear to love books as much as I do," Hermione observed.

Severus quickly snapped out of his trance, flushing ever so slightly. "Books became companions after Lily..." He grimaced.

"We got the short version from Harry, once everything had happened," Hermione told him, her tone gentle, to ensure that he would know she wasn't blaming him. "We are all guilty of saying things in anger, to the point where we don't directly consider the potential consequences. I think Lily, without insulting her memory, should have understood that."

"But... But Draco..."

"Yes, he used that filthy word upon me as well," Hermione confirmed. "However, he was younger than you were both times it was uttered. He has since apologized several times over... I know that Ron wasn't too pleased that he and I were owl-ing one another..."

Severus raised his eyebrows. "I had heard that he was seeing someone..."

"Oh, no!" Hermione said quickly, shaking her head. "It's not me he's seeing. If he hasn't told you of his significant other, I probably shouldn't say anything either." She gave him a small smile as Severus looked curiously at her. "Well, I will say that he and his significant other are well-suited for one another, and make the other happy. Draco, as well as his partner, are afraid of potential unrest which will likely follow when their relationship becomes public knowledge, so they're holding off for a while. However, they are going to go to the manor soon as a united front to meet Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, so hopefully that all goes well."

"Is... Is this person...?"

"Not a Death Eater, or from a Death Eater family," Hermione replied, knowing she was permitted to say this much. "They're not a Slytherin either. Sorry."

"Surely, this person is not still attending Hogwarts," Severus said, appearing nervous.

"No, they've graduated, before Draco's and my class, but that's all I'm permitted to say," she told the man, not wanting to give away too much information.

Severus permitted himself to give the young witch a small smile. "I'm pleased that he has taken you into his confidence. He couldn't do much better when it comes to friendship, especially since these uncertain times are over," he mused.

Hermione swallowed. "Oh, no, Severus," she replied, shaking her head. "While Voldemort has definitely fallen for good this time, not all the Death Eaters were killed. Only you and the Malfoy family swore allegiance to the side of the Light, so there are several of them which have to go through trials themselves, or the ones who have gone off on the lam..."

"You truly believe they would risk it?" Severus breathed.

"Well, surely, you know them better than I do," Hermione responded. "After all, despite not siding with them for over fifteen years, you definitely spent quite a bit of time with them. You must have some idea how their minds work..."

"I'm quite positive that it will take months, if not years, to track down the ones who did manage to escape," Severus said softly. "What of Kingsley's offer to you three?"

Hermione pursed her lips. "The one to join the Auror Academy, you mean?"

Severus nodded. "Yes."

The young witch pursed her lips. "Harry accepted, but only after completing his final year at Hogwarts and obtaining his NEWTs. He wanted to be there with Ginny as an official couple, now that they're married, and didn't want to miss another moment with her," Hermione explained, remembering that Minerva was all too happy to have the Boy Who Lived Twice return to the castle, as well as to grant him any favors he wanted. "Neville's begun an apprenticeship with Professor Sprout and declined the offer outright, though he was very thankful towards Kingsley. As for Ron, he jumped at the opportunity, and should finish up his exams by Christmas."

"A bit big-headed, isn't he?" Severus mused.

Hermione shrugged. "You taught him for six years. Surely, you would know by now..."

"Didn't he even consider getting his NEWTs?" the man asked.

Hermione shook her head. "Obtaining NEWTs wasn't a condition put forth by Kingsley. As I'm sure you know, however, I got mine in between the rebuilding of the castle."

Severus looked a bit saddened then. "I had heard that, as soon as the battle was won, you obtained an International Portkey and went to Australia."

"Melbourne, yes," Hermione responded, deliberately averting her eyes.

"Potter had told Minerva about what you did for the sake of your parents' safety," the man continued, and Hermione could hear the sadness in his voice. "It couldn't have been easy for you, letting them go like that..."

"Little did I know that it would be permanent," Hermione said, gritting her teeth in an effort to keep herself from sobbing outright. "I did my best, and spent my time reading about Memory Charms when we were in hiding... Ron left us at one point, due to the fact that Slytherin's locket was manipulating his thoughts into believing that Harry and I were sneaking around, having a torrid affair behind his back..."

"What nonsense," Severus put in.

Hermione laughed bitterly at that. "It was, wasn't it? Harry and I had to actually tell him that we felt like siblings towards one another... Fucking pillock," she practically spat, wrapping her arms around herself as she stared at the floor, at a portion of the wood that was faded a bit in one area, and wondered if it was sun exposure that had gotten it that way. "Anyhow, in between the time that he'd gone and come back, in between my time analyzing my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard from Dumbledore, I devoured all the books I'd gotten from the Hogwarts library about Memory Charms, which Madam Pince wanted back, naturally..."

The potions master sighed. "I take it you took meticulous notes..."

Hermione tapped her fingers upon her arm. "You'd be correct," she confirmed. "However, even when the time came to potentially reverse what I'd done to them, none of it did any good. I just couldn't understand what I did wrong, so when I came back, I threw myself into rebuilding the castle, as well as taking my NEWTs. It was all I could think about, really, and I was decidedly not going to rush into anything with Ron..."

"But, you went to live at the Burrow..."

Hermione's eyes snapped to Severus's. "If you're going to go into a victim blaming rant, Severus Snape, then I'll show myself out right now."

Severus immediately shook his head. "No, of course I'm not doing that, Hermione. Forgive me, I was merely confused as to why you would deliberately move into the childhood home of the very person you sought to avoid..."

Hermione sighed. "It was the only option, really. I sold off my own childhood home, and Harry was having Cursebreakers go over Grimmauld Place. Since I'm a Muggleborn, I don't have any fancy ancestral homes. All my grandparents are deceased as well, and I'm an only child; my parents were only children as well, so I had no living relatives to turn to either."

Severus sighed. "I apologize, Hermione. I had no idea."

"I suppose I hid it well," she said, her voice soft. "The Weasleys practically adopted Harry the moment they could, and it just fell into place when he asked Ginny to marry him. I suppose they all hoped that I would be a part of their family as well, once Ron and I got over childish animosities and grew close, as Harry and Ginny had..."

"But something within you said that Ron was not the correct person for you," Severus said, an odd expression upon his face.

"You could say that, yes," Hermione whispered, shrugging her shoulders. "I suppose all I wanted was a family, and the Weasleys seemed like as good an option as any, at the time..."

"For years, I believed that Albus could have been my family, due to the gratitude I felt for him speaking up for my at the end of the first war," Severus said softly. "However, with his tactics of manipulation, as well as the notion that he would frequently move the goal post in my life debt to him, I suppose I was blinded to...well, everything."

"I'm not sorry he's gone," Hermione whispered, and Severus raised his eyebrows. "In addition to all that he did to you, he also sanctioned child abuse against Harry. Did you know that Harry's Hogwarts letter was addressed to the cupboard under the stairs?"

Severus raised his eyebrows. "Considering that Minerva was in charge of sending out the Hogwarts letters, and I was more inclined to believe my Slytherins when they whispered to one another about how Potter would supposedly make up lies to get attention, do forgive me if I believed them."

Hermione nodded. "We all had roles to play, it seems," she breathed, running her hands through Crookshanks' fur. "You... You never hated any of us, did you?"

"I hate the youngest Mr. Weasley, although I disliked him considerably during your time in school together," Severus responded. "With Potter, I was made to portray the loathsome professor who had a detested student. It was simple to convince myself, as well as everyone else, that I hated him, given my past history with his father. Now, however, I am grateful to him, not only for freeing us from Voldemort, but also for standing up for me, giving me the freedom that I have always craved."

"And me?" Hermione asked. "Do you hate me?"

"I never hated you, Hermione," Severus told her gently. "You really are the brightest witch of your age, and the world is quite literally your oyster, if Minerva's owls about your NEWTs scores are to be believed..."

There was a tapping upon the window across the room, startling the both of them, and causing Crookshanks to growl lowly in his throat. As Hermione shushed him, Severus got to his feet, crossing the parlor and opening the window, once he ascertained that the owl posed no threat from either of them. It was a very impressive eagle owl, which swooped directly into the room and onto the perch close by the fireplace, leading Severus to shut the window again, and make his way towards it.

"That's Kingsley's owl," Hermione observed, straightening up, while Crookshanks remained poised, ready and waiting to defend his mistress if the need called for it.

"Erinle," Severus said, greeting the creature, who seemed to preen when Severus mentioned his name aloud, leading Hermione to believe that he was familiar, as well as comfortable, with Severus as she was. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Erinle held out his mighty talon, permitting Severus to untie the letter, and, once he'd done so, flew into the kitchen beyond the parlor, which Hermione suspected stored the owl treats.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

Severus turned the letter over and felt the seal, the seal of the Minister of Magic. He gazed at the handwriting, which was written with his own name, and whispered a spell, caressing the letters, before he nodded to himself. "The letter is not a forgery," he concluded. "It is written in Kingsley's own hand, as well as stamped with the ministry seal."

Hermione nodded. "All right. What is it, then?" she whispered, her tone quite breathless as she watched Severus break the seal and unfold the parchment.

Dear Severus,

Only a select few will be getting this information before it hits the Morning Edition of The Daily Prophet tomorrow, which I'm quite positive Rita Skeeter will cover with zealousness. Other than you, Minerva, as well as select members of the Order of the Phoenix will be told. If you can trust someone, anyone, with the information before tomorrow, do share it with them.

I've done all I could, but the Wizengamot voted on this, and it's been decided that the Wizarding World will enter into a Marriage Law to rise up our numbers in population once more.

All wixen between the ages of seventeen and sixty-five will be paired off in sanctioned pairs by the Ministry of Magic. However, if you have someone in mind yourself, and you are of a different Blood Status to them, you are permitted to marry them. You will have to the first of January to submit a document, an Intent to Marry, to the Hall of Records at the Ministry of Magic, or marry by that point. Once you send in the Intent to Marry, however, you have a period of six months in which to marry.

All parties who are otherwise unattached must report to the Ministry of Magic at once to be paired off. Again, anyone is allowed to select their own bride or groom. Same-sex couples are allowed, and each pair is given three months to conceive. If by that time no pregnancy is detected, potions and surrogates are permitted and provided to the couples.

I am terribly sorry about this, Severus. My hands, I'm afraid, are tied.

Sincerely,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Minister of Magic

"But... But he can't do that, can he?" Hermione sputtered, trembling at the notion of a wizard getting his hands on her, the images and the sensations of what Ron did to her immediately rushing back into her subconscious.

"I'm afraid he can," Severus said gravely; by this time, he'd sunk into his own seat and shook his head, staring down at the minister's words. "You know entirely well that, once the news breaks, that Mr. Weasley will make a play for you."

"No!" Hermione shouted. "I won't do it! I won't marry him. Any contact between us will be rape, because he's raped me seven times already. I won't subject my children to that, Severus, I won't!" she cried out, tears forming in her eyes.

Severus sighed. "Perhaps... Perhaps you could marry me..."

"But Severus, we'd have to have sex," Hermione sputtered.

"Believe me, I can understand how repugnant the idea would be for you," he replied.

"Severus, I'm not emotionally prepared to have sex with anyone right now," Hermione said quickly, not wanting the man to get the wrong idea. "Especially given that Ron... Well, before him, there was no one."

Severus blinked, locking his eyes with hers. "No one?"

"No," she confirmed. "I mean, I snogged Viktor Krum during the Yule Ball fourth-year, but that was all, really..."

Severus dragged a hand down his face. "I could make you a potion which would act a bit like IVF in Muggles," he replied. "Since you've lost your virginity already, in the barest physical sense of the word... Believe me, rape doesn't count, but it counts in the way that healers or mediwixen will know that..."

"I understand, Severus," Hermione said, sensing just how uncomfortable he was.

"Yes, well," Severus continued awkwardly, "you would become pregnant by this potion, and the ministry would be satisfied. Not only would you be married, but you would be providing children for the future of the Wizarding World."

Hermione sighed. "But you don't love me..."

"You don't love me either," Severus pointed out.

"I do like you," Hermione said quietly.

Severus nodded at her words. "I like you as well, Hermione... So," he said, after a few moments of silence, "could you be happy as my wife?"

Hermione swallowed, but nevertheless gave a short nod. "I could," she confirmed. "I have all I need in my beaded bag, and Crookshanks, of course... Could you be happy as my husband?" she asked, her tone tentative.

"I could," Severus assured her. "Which begs the question, Hermione: Will you marry me?"

Hermione nodded, knowing entirely well that she could be making the biggest mistake of her life, although returning to the Burrow would be a suicide or a death sentence. Here, however, as Severus's wife, she would be safe, although it could quite possibly prove to be yet another prison she couldn't escape from. Although, she mused, anything would be better than being forced to marry Ron...

"Yes," Hermione said quickly, before she could think of other terrible things that Ron could do, once he got his hands on her again. "I'll marry you, Severus."