Proposed

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to JKR. I do not profit from writing this story.

Author's Notes: Chapter beta'ed by the brilliant Southernwitch_69.

---

The high-pitched clang of cutlery resisting against metal dinnerware inundated Severus' senses. Idiotic laughs, loud chewing, coughs and screams... He closed his eyes and counted to ten...again.

He'd been clutching his knife and fork so tightly, he knew they'd left a deep impression upon his palms. Just the idea of putting a forkful of food into his mouth made his stomach turn.

What was he doing? What was he thinking? What in Merlin's name had gotten into him?

Snape had been asking himself these questions all bloody day.

This very evening, after dinner, he and Miss Granger were scheduled to depart for Muggle London.

The impulsive Headmistress had given the girl a full weekend's leave. Severus Snape would be staying in that woman's home for the next two nights.

Since learning this, a fearsome sneer had been permanently etched upon his face all week. The students automatically assumed he was as miserable as ever, but Snape knew he'd been rendering Miss Granger increasingly nervous.

Since he'd sent the letter, she'd been making small attempts to shamelessly look at him again.

Severus did not know what to make of that.

Glaring at his plate, he swallowed hard, willing his saliva to stay down. But like every other fully functioning male, the more he tried not to imagine his student in compromising positions, the clearer said images became.

Severus' lip curled nastily because his sneer was so intense. Glancing up through his lashes, he caught Miss Granger's cautious stare. Eyes narrowed with threat, he dared her to continue looking.

She broke contact first, face flaming red.

---

"Don't go..." Ginny whispered. She ignored the swat upon her arm, tugging at Hermione's robes under the table.

"Stop it."

"Don't go! He's planning on murdering your family in their beds!"

"I said stop it! You're being ridiculous."

Harry grabbed Ginny's wrist, disentangling her fingers from Hermione's robes, and pulled her hand into his lap. "The bat does look an awful fright, Hermione."

"I'm aware. Leave him alone."

"Aren't you...?"

"Of course I'm not scared! I actually feel for the poor man."

Ginny choked on her pumpkin juice. "How'd you manage that?"

Hermione sent a quelling look at her uneaten meal. Was she really obliged to explain anything to them? But bit by bit, she sensed her body slowly turning in the direction of the High Table, so tempted was she to glance at Professor Snape once more. Aware of the numerous eyes on her, curious as to why she and a professor were leaving the castle together, Hermione chose the path threatening the least embarrassment.

Hermione straightened her back, forcing out a matter-of-fact tone."Well, it's more than obvious Professor Snape doesn't want to escort me home. But I can't very well go alone. As head of the Order...no doubt Professor McGonagall is forcing him to go. So I can't expect Professor Snape to be happy about it, can I?"

"Have you told your mum?" Harry asked.

"Of course...good lord, he's coming."

"Now?"

"Shh!"

Everyone within earshot followed Hermione's vision in the direction of the High Table. Indeed, Professor Snape was walking towards the Gryffindors. Those who weren't brave enough to continue ogling whirled around in their seats, feigning their best behavior. The only disturbance came in the form of Ron shoving his plate away with as much noise as possible before he rose from the table and left the Great Hall.

"Miss Granger?"

That deep voice vibrated against every bone in her spine. Removing her napkin from her lap, Hermione turned to look up at him.

"Yes, sir?"

He dispassionately gazed down at her for a few seconds, his expression expectant. Sighing dramatically, he then said, "What other reason would I be speaking to you than to remind you of our scheduled departure? Get. Up."

Hermione slammed her palms against the table, rising in a huff. Too angry to say goodbye to her friends, she marched ahead of Professor Snape and out the Great Hall.

---

The evening was cold, but not unbearably so. Moisture saturated the air, stinging their lungs as the two of them walked in uncomfortable silence across Hogwarts' grounds towards Hogsmeade station.

Snape had always been aware of his purposeful stride, so he'd intentionally slowed his pacing to accommodate her. Not that she noticed. He scowled when she walked right past him and increased her speed.

"There's no need to hurry, Miss Granger. I assure you, we shall catch the last train in time."

"Perhaps, sir, I am not hurrying towards the train as much as I'm far too irritated to walk beside you."

"Mind your mouth, girl!" Snape barked at her back. He smirked spitefully to himself, satisfied that his words had stopped the witch in her tracks.

What had surprised him, however, was that she continued waiting until he came up to her side and then silently stepped into the beat of his casual stroll. She maintained her stiff and quiet air while he unlocked Hogwarts' gates and reset the wards behind them.

Once finished, he turned back towards the main road and nearly jumped out of his skin. Miss Granger was standing precisely in front of him, her expression a mixture of emotions that she was obviously struggling to suppress.

"I am going to say this once and only once..."

"Impertinen...!"

"I had not finished, Professor! And if you hadn't noticed, we are outside Hogwarts' grounds, so I will speak to you however I please."

Straightening himself to his full height, Severus crossed his arms over his chest, glaring down at her long and hard. She reddened...severely...under his unwavering eye contact, just as he'd intended her to. His fractured pride now thoroughly repaired, he instructed her to continue with the cocking of one brow.

"N-now, while I've always been fully aware of how much you...enjoy...tormenting others with the use of your station, I simply ask you to treat my family with the same respect Hogwarts' students are obligated to give you."

"I am not an unsophisticated idiot, Miss Granger. I'm perfectly capable...and intending...of acting the role of a civil guest within your home."

"You cannot blame me for fearing otherwise."

"Indeed, I do not. Now if you're quite finished, I think we may have to run for the train after all..."

---

Once boarded upon the train, Hermione reluctantly followed her professor, allowing him the decision on their compartment. She couldn't help wondering if she should find one on her own. The idea of sharing such a confined space with her Potions master, without the company of others to alleviate possible awkward silences...

Finally making his selection, Snape opened their compartment door...and stood to the side...allowing her to enter first.

And once again, her face was red.

What is wrong with me? Can I survive two whole days of this? I should have asked Professor McGonagall for a different escort...

Now seated, the exact atmosphere she had feared engulfed them: the wizard's silent and stoic presence across from her unsettled Hermione's nerves. Despite her anger at those appalling comments she'd overheard weeks ago, it didn't change the fact that Hermione was still physically attracted to the man. More importantly, his prejudicial attitudes against Muggle-borns didn't appear to change the actuality that he was...drawn...to her against his will.

Hermione pulled up the collar of her cloak and braced her temple against the window. Not in the mood to instigate a conversation, Hermione decided to feign sleep instead.

Time passed somewhat peacefully, the train rocking thoughts of her professor out of her mind. But just when she'd nearly succumbed to genuine slumber, a violent whack against the window had her alert.

"What the hell?" she muttered groggily. An owl was flying beside the train, struggling greatly to do so.

"Poor thing!"

Flinging the window open to allow the owl inside, Hermione busied herself with tending to the creature until an annoyed clearing-of-the-throat-sound brought her attention to Professor Snape.

With one look and an impatient lift of his eyebrows, he directed her attention to the owl's leg.

It carried a small note...addressed to her.

Opening the letter, Hermione read:

What, no goodbye?

-D

Before she knew it, the note was snatched from her hands.

... And read without her permission.

"I cannot believe you just...how rude!"

"You appeared flustered. I am merely ensuring the student entrusted in my care was not receiving threatening letters."

Face now forever flustered, Hermione shot him a knowing look and said, "Right. I bet."

"Would you like to have your... love letter... returned to you?"

"... Keep it."

Before the words had completely left her mouth, Professor Snape tapped the parchment with his wand, and it erupted into flames.

---

Unsurprisingly, the two of them passed the remainder of the trip in silence, both mutely fuming while wallowing in their own obsessive thoughts.

Resigned to many, many interactions like that at the Gryffindor table... and outside Hogwarts' gate... and just now in the compartment... Hermione sighed, pushing herself off the seat and stood up with a stretch.

"And where do you think you are going?" Professor Snape asked.

Hermione paused right before she'd reached the compartment door.

Professor Snape spoke again, as if aware of the terse response dancing on the tip of her tongue. "While I may not be your instructor at the moment, Miss Granger, I am your head within the Order. And as a lower-ranking member entrusted in my care, you will not only inform me of your departures but also your reasons and destinations. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal," she answered through gritted teeth.

Snape laughed throatily and said, "Now... where do you think you are going?"

Movements lazy, Hermione turned to face her professor before she spoke. Imitating his patronizing manner, one eyebrow rose as she drawled, "To the toilet, sir. I must relieve my very full bladder and change into my Muggle clothes. May I have your permission to do so?"

"GO!" he snarled suddenly.

---

One hand pressing hard into his lap, Snape shrugged away the image of Miss Granger, bewildered in her awkward flee from his ire. He had more important worries at the moment. Leaning forward against his thighs, Snape prayed the miserable chit would take her time.

He didn't know the reasons behind it, but she had meticulously said the word Muggle...slow and full of meaning. Her lips pursed as the word danced out of her mouth, pink tongue flicking at her two front teeth.

Palm pressing down even harder, Severus clenched his eyes and hoped that a painful strangle of his very hard arousal would quiet it down.

He was almost forty-bloody-years old, for fuck's sake!

What the hell was the matter with him?

---

Hermione's smile had grown wider and wider the closer they'd come to their destination. Now, walking along the streets of a neighborhood she'd missed terribly, Hermione was practically giddy with excitement at finally visiting her parents again.

She'd only seen them once since the Battle of Hogwarts. And that had been when she'd retrieved the two of them from hiding in Australia. In a delirious fog from modified memories and unaware for the reasons behind it, their reunion had been a somber one, so afraid was she of scaring them with too much information at once.

Eventually, they had slowly come to understand the danger they would have been in if Hermione hadn't taken matters into her own hands. More importantly, despite the many consequences that had arisen due to their long absence, her parents were grateful.

Everything would have been perfect...if it wasn't for the dour presence at her side.

Since the moment Hermione had reentered their compartment, Professor Snape was as unbearable as ever, demanding she wear a cloak over her jumper and denim slacks until he gave her permission to take it off.

... What?

Shaking away memories of their abysmal journey, Hermione lunged herself forward. Skipping towards the gated walkway, she paused, suddenly conscious of the lack of Professor Snape's presence.

Standing a few steps behind her, Professor Snape remained on the pavement, concentration engrossed by the house. Face grey and mouth uncharacteristically slack, Hermione feared the man was about to have a fit.

"Professor?" she called softly.

He snapped to attention. "What?"

"Are you all right?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Get a move on."

Whipping away, Hermione plowed through the gate, unconcerned if it smacked her professor on the swing back.

Hermione knocked upon the front door impatiently, resolute to consign all thoughts of this wizard to the very back of her consciousness.

But then, a surprisingly subdued voice behind her asked, "Have you always lived here?"

"I...no. We used to let it...well, it's my grandmother's now."

Snape didn't supply more than an acknowledging grunt before the door was pulled open and Hermione's mum yanked her into the house.

---

Severus swallowed repeatedly, willing his tongue to regain moisture. He was far too disturbed with his own thoughts to act embarrassed by the emotional display Miss Granger was currently having with her parents.

Focusing hard on steadying his breathing, Severus couldn't believe... after all these years... he had returned to the very house that had fueled his nightmares...his dreams...for nearly two decades.

He didn't want to be here. Not now. Not when every day was a never-ending struggle to rid his mind of this girl...this anvil that hung around his neck.

"Professor?" said anvil called to him, her expression curious.

"Miss Granger?"

It was evident that she wanted to ask how he was feeling again, but one look sent that thought scurrying from her mind. Clearing her throat, the girl turned towards her parents and began the necessary introductions.

It had all gone much smoother than Snape had anticipated, house-of-doom considering.

"Well, dinner's still hot," Mrs. Granger said. One hand trailed up the back of her head, as if ensuring all her hair was still perfectly encased within her bun. It immediately reminded Severus of Minerva's staunch mannerisms.

"Thanks, Mum. I'm showing Professor Snape to his room, and after I change, we'll..."

"Grandmother Granger is here," the woman said meaningfully. As if given a cue, Mr. Granger turned and hurried back into the kitchen.

"Oh... oh."

The atmosphere had grown uncomfortable, and Severus had no idea why. What he did know was that if he hadn't been in their company, Miss Granger would probably have been ushered into the kitchen without having been asked if she minded or not.

Deciding to put those 'civilities' to use, Severus said, "Personally, I am famished. Perhaps we could postpone the necessary tour until after the meal?"

Snape forced himself to allow the two women to lead the way down the corridor. He already knew the way to the kitchen. He knew every nook and cranny of this house, but he couldn't let that slip. Entering the kitchen, he was taken aback by the appetizing...and familiar...aromas that greeted him.

"Well... there's the witch now."

"Mum!"

An old woman sat at the head of the long dinner table. Back slightly humped, she leaned most of her weight upon a cane positioned between her knees. Turning towards her son, face full of exaggerated hurt, she continued, "Did I say something wrong? I don't believe I did... That is the correct term they use for one another. Isn't that right... witch?"

"'Tis, Grandmother."

Snape suddenly decided he hated the woman.

Smile strained, Miss Granger waved at the table, encouraging Professor Snape to make himself comfortable wherever he pleased.

Seeing as the seat was left open, he made himself very comfortable opposite the old woman, at the other end of the table. Pulling his chair a good distance away, Severus crossed one ankle over his knee and leaned back with his arms crossed.

One pointed look told him that the old woman didn't like this one bit. And seeing as these were the only eyes trained on him, he allowed the corner of his mouth to rise into a smirk.

"Who is that?" the woman demanded importantly, her vision still trained on him.

"I told you, Grandmother," Mrs. Granger said, her voice tired.

Snape immediately thought it strange that she referred to her own mother-in-law as 'Grandmother.'

Mrs. Granger continued her business by the stove and elaborated, "Professor Snape escorted Hermione on an unorthodox trip home to discuss matters you are very well aware."

Whatever 'matters' these were, the idea of them seemed to please the old woman greatly. Just the mention of them had her content and grinning.

"Shall I assume we're going to begin now?" Miss Granger asked.

"Would that please the witch?" the woman nastily asked, "Or does she have other pressing matters to attend to? Like kidnapping my son and marooning him on another continent!"

"Mum!" Mr. Granger scolded again.

A thin, wrinkled palm slammed upon the table.

"Yes! Yes, we are doing this now!" Directing her words to Miss Granger, she hissed, "I cannot understand why your parents thought it necessary to inform you personally...it's not as if you have a say in the matter...but I am selling this house."

"... What?"

"It is my house now and will do what I want with it!"

"But you bought it for them!"

"They needed the money and I gave it in exchange for this lump of rubbish. Nothing more!"

"Spiteful..."

"Hermione," her father scolded, speaking for the first time.

"Spiteful! This house's been in Mum's family for...you promised you'd give them time to buy it back."

The old woman looked up at the ceiling and shrugged. "I cannot remember saying anything of the sort."

Hermione spun in her chair to ask her mother, "Where will you live?"

"They can move into my home," her grandmother answered with triumph.

Inhaling a deep, shaky breath, Miss Granger meticulously pushed her chair away from the table, stood up, and tucked it back in. It was evident to Professor Snape that she struggled against her desire to flee from the kitchen as fast as she could.

He'd listened to this exchange, remaining silent in his seat, while diverting his attention to the opposite side of the room. Severus was initially resentful that the family dared to indulge themselves in his presence. They could have...should have...waited until he'd left them to their privacy.

However, Snape was aware the family as a whole wasn't responsible.

After a beat of uneasy silence, Mrs. Granger asked, "May I serve you a bit of supper, Severus?"

"Indeed you may," he answered calmly.

"I apologize for the..."

"There's no need," both Professor Snape and the old woman answered at the same time, but with entirely different meanings.

Exchanging long, threatening looks, Severus maintained eye contact with the old woman and repeated, "Indeed, there is no need for apologies. Under the circumstances, high levels of emotions are perfectly understandable."

"I suppose you have something to say of the matter?" asked the old shrew.

"Seeing as it's none of my business, Muggle...no, I do not."

"Wha...WHAT DID HE CALL ME?"

---

Hermione didn't cry.

Thinking of it now, she couldn't remember the last time she had. Her chest ached as this realization struck her. So much...negativity...was congregating within her mind, suffocating her emotions. Hermione feared the idea of it all exploding against her will...

The argument with her grandmother had indeed rendered her distraught, but it had taken every ounce of her energy to abstain from screaming at the woman or hexing something into oblivion.

Now, hours later, Hermione knew she couldn't continue hiding in her room seething for much longer.

She had left her professor to fend for himself.

Accepting the inescapable possibility of a violent tongue-lashing, Hermione sluggishly made her way downstairs in search of Professor Snape.

A short, slouched woman screamed at her from the bottom step.

"YOU!"

"Grandmother?"

One hand clutching the banister, the woman wildly waved her cane in the air as she spoke.

"He locked it! A door to my own house... that... that creature locked me out of my own study!"

And just like that, for reasons unknown, Hermione found her spirits lifted.

"He...what?"

"There isn't even a bolt on the door!"

"Where's Mum and Da...?"

"Nevermind that! Who knows what he's doing in there?"

"I'll take care of it," Hermione said, voice tired.

"See that you do! And maybe you can remind that... man... how one is supposed to act among normal company."

Standing outside said locked door, Hermione whirled around to face her grandmother, wand in hand.

The woman eyed the dreaded twig clutched between her granddaughter's index finger and thumb, and fled without further comment.

"Alohomora!"

Devoid of hesitation or warning, Hermione opened the door to the study, entered, and closed it with her body weight.

There across from her sat Professor Snape. Book in hand, he pulled the tome away from his nose and pressed it against his chest, his expression mildly curious as to her presence.

Hermione snorted, loud and graceless. Recalling everything that had just taken place, a sudden unlucky fit of giggles steadily consumed her.

"I do not enjoy being laughed at."

"Fo...forgive me!" Calming herself, Hermione added, "You should have seen her..."

"I've seen her for the last hour," he reminded her.

Hermione cleared her throat and nodded once. Making her way to a chair opposite her professor, she acknowledged, "I thought you'd resent me for abandoning you to my relatives."

"I'm not a child. I am more than capable of taking care of myself...so long as I am thus accompanied." Severus waved the book in his hand.

"Shall I give you an escorted tour of the house now?"

Hermione smiled as she asked this question, pleased at the idea of sharing something precious with another individual. She watched her professor, momentarily perplexed as he took his time pondering her request.

He looked at the rug, at the door, and somewhere off her shoulder before ultimately making eye contact and answered, "No, thank you."

"All right," she said, ignorant of her crest-fallen expression.

He scowled.

"One... tiny... tour, sir? You won't have to leave the room!"

Professor Snape slammed his book closed, growling under his breath. Standing up to his imposing height, he said, "For Merlin's...get on with it, then! The sooner you release this rambunctiousness, the sooner I'll be able to return to..."

With a flip of her wand, a door in the corner banged open. From his position, Snape couldn't see this elusive room, but his nerves pulsed nonetheless at such a memorably foreboding sound. Thoughts thrown back to the past... for the tenth time this evening... Severus hesitated in turning around.

Laughing under her breath, Hermione dragged the man to the hidden door.

Not until they were half-way through their decent, down the stone steps into the darkness below the house, were the two conscious of the momentary contact that had just taken place.

Hermione had grabbed his elbow...just barely, her grip more determined upon the cloth of his robes.

If Snape hadn't been concentrating on this so intensely, his legs wouldn't have willingly carried him into this dreaded room.

"Lumos!"

The few candles lining the walls illumined, casting a dim orange glow upon the basement. Other than a small number of scattered boxes and haphazard stacks of school texts, the room was virtually empty.

"Grandmother has no idea this is here," Hermione said to him over her shoulder.

Hands behind his back, Snape remained silent as he descended the final step that put him at her side.

Unperturbed by his silence, Hermione spoke again, "This would make an excellent lab."

Severus whirled to face her, his breath catching.

"Indeed...Why did you want to show me this?"

"I've never had...company...here, until you."

"I am the first?"

Hermione turned to look up at him. His choice of words, or perhaps his diction, had caught her off guard.

"... Yes."

---

The following morning, Severus shot up in bed at the sound of two feminine voices warring with one another down stairs.

For the briefest of moments, he thought he was twenty-four years old again, absconded in some forbidden reality while his future wife argued with the family house-elf.

Hazed mind gathering itself into consciousness, Snape was aware of a strange heaviness in his chest at the recognition of such a thing being furthest from the truth.

"Don't you dare ignore me!"

Entering the kitchen for breakfast, Severus could feel his features schooling themselves of their own accord. It wasn't a glare he displayed when he greeted the Granger family upon his entrance...more a look of forced indifference, an air of inflated patience.

The chit briefly made eye contact, then smiled towards her plate.

At least someone appreciated his efforts.

The old shrew slammed her palm upon the table to regain her granddaughter's attention.

"I would never ignore you, Grandmother," the young witch answered impassively.

"Then answer when I'm speaking to you."

Hermione gave the woman her full, exaggerated attention.

"I demand to know why this... this Voldywart... would've had a vendetta against my son?"

By an unfortunate chance, Severus had been sipping his coffee when he'd heard this. Inhaling the hot liquid into his windpipe, he coughed gracelessly for the next few moments.

Miss Granger made great efforts to refrain from showing concern. Pity. His embarrassment was so severe that only a rude comment would properly alleviate it.

"That wizard had nothing against father, specifically, but I had many...reasons... to believe Mum and Dad would've been targeted if I'd gone on the run and left them exposed," Hermione said.

"So sending them to Australia was the most logical choice?"

"Nothing you can say would make me regret it, Grandmother. Nothing."

"You disrespectful...!"

"If I may?"

His voice, thick and raspy from choking, made all four Grangers pause to listen.

"While I do not know the particulars, any efforts Miss Granger had made to protect her family from the war were not an over-reaction in the least. Death Eaters were constantly surveying your old residence not very long after the three of you had fled. Orders were to capture Miss Granger and kill anyone else on sight. An unfortunate group of vandals noticed the abandoned state of your home and broke in with the intention of squatting. They are still missing to this..."

Severus had spoke, his voice disturbingly emotionless. The sudden, loud scrapping of wooden chair legs caught him off guard, forcing him to look at the other individuals in the room with full consciousness.

Mrs. Granger was on the floor, leaning against a chair she had evidently missed in her collapse.

Miss Granger and the woman's husband were instantly at her side. Recalling everything he had just said, Severus did not fault them for the emotional display that followed suit.

One cold glower from his pupil made him question if he probably wasn't in the position to be excusing the faults of others.

---

Eventually, the three women left the kitchen simultaneously, either a mere coincidence or intentionally to discuss matters not involving the men. Snape assumed he'd finally be able to pass the remainder of his meal in silence. After all, he had yet to hear Hermione's father utter more than two-word sentences.

Snape should have realized by now that his expectations had always been proven false in matters involving that witch.

"You're very protective of her."

Something within Snape jolted at hearing the girl's father speak so frankly.

"Am I?" Severus asked, feigning apathy.

"So you don't deny it. From what little Hermione has mentioned of your teaching methods, you either completely ignore your students or verbally abuse them. "

He couldn't help smirking as he said, "She's entirely correct."

"I've yet to see it."

"Perhaps, I am merely threatened at a bit of competition. I don't enjoy the thought of my pupils fearing anyone more than they fear me."

---

The rest of that day had passed in complete silence. Severus had managed to wander from his room, to the study, to the kitchen, and back to the study without ever once encountering another inhabitant of this house. He tried to convince himself that his irritability wasn't the result of disappoint. He also had tried to convince himself that he hadn't intentionally wandered about on the off chance of stumbling upon Miss Granger.

Now, sitting in silence with the morose members of the Granger family, Severus couldn't locate his appetite.

Eventually, before the stillness grew more unbearable than it already was, Mrs. Granger cleared her throat and turned to her daughter.

Hesitant, she spoke with forced good humor and said, "I would like for you to meet the son of a business associate."

Severus' eyes went wide.

---

Chin braced in the palm of her hand, Hermione mindlessly prodded her uneaten food with her fork. Her grandmother issued a loud hiss of disapproval and smacked her elbow off the table.

"Your Mum is speaking to you, witch!"

Jerking upright, Hermione gazed around until meeting the eyes of her expectant mother.

"What was that?"

"I said I would like for you to meet the son of a business associate."

"Meet...are they coming for tea?" Hermione asked slowly, disapproval already evident.

Looking once at her husband, her mum continued, "No. Just the two of you..."

"You cannot be serious? What is this? A blind date?"

"Itsamarriageinterview."

Hermione leaned across the table towards her mother. Did she just say...? No, impossible...

"What?" Hermione demanded. She would never have shown her mother such disrespect if the woman hadn't been fidgeting so uncharacteristically.

Rolling her eyes with a huff, Mrs. Granger threw her hands into the air and clarified, "He's Japanese! They call such arranged dates 'marriage interviews'."

Hermione could believe what she was hearing. Her mouth opened and closed in her struggle to find words. "You want to put me in an arranged marriage!"

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, dear! There's no need to become hysterical. His father's a business associate...at least he will be if you agree to go on this date with their son! Even they don't have expectations beyond the meeting. It's a traditional practice for professionals to arrange such things for their children, but neither of us will force anything if the two of you don't like each other."

Something else was going on here; Hermione could sense it.

"How did this come up?"

"We inadvertently discovered –Satoshi attended Durmstrang."

Perfect! Just bloody perfect!

Now Hermione really knew how this topic came up. She'd been able to keep her parents blissfully ignorant as to the Marriage Enhancement Act, not wanting to overwhelm them with more unneeded stress. Thankfully, Professor Snape had yet to discuss the law. More than anything, Hermione feared his careless manner...like the discussion this morning.

The law affected everyone in the Wizarding World, including this... Satoshi... but thankfully his parents had not discussed the new law either.

"Hermione...?"

"Fine," she answered immediately.

"Honey, you don't have to answer now."

"I said fine! And I know just where to take him, too."

Hermione had still been speaking when a loud clang at the end of the table had caught her attention.

Without one word or look to those around him, Professor Snape had carelessly dropped his fork as he rose from the table and left the kitchen.

---

Things could be worse, she told herself. Things could be so, very much worse.

It was only a blind date...of sorts. A Japanese marriage interview disguised as a blind date, under the pressure of the Marriage Enhancement Act.

A knot in her stomach sucked the air straight from her lungs. The glands at the back of her jaw salivated. When a cold sweat hit her without warning, Hermione knew she was seconds away from a vicious retch.

Hand upon her mouth, Hermione ran down the corridor and flung herself into the bathroom. As her body tensed and convulsed against her will, Hermione released her dinner, vaguely aware of a presence behind her near the washbasin. Bracing her forehead against the porcelain rim of the toilet, Hermione gasped great gulps of air and muttered apologies for intruding.

"I...there's no need," answered a very male voice.

She cringed. Why... of all people? Hermione wanted to crawl into the toilet and disappear down the drain. She'd rather anyone other than this wizard witness her in such a state. Malfoy was even preferable. A faint whimper, filled with dread and loathing, escaped from the back of her throat at the realization that she was going to retch again.

Why didn't he leave? Why was he still standing behind her, watching this? Hermione would have screamed at the hateful man if only she could catch her breath.

A variety of movements were taking place behind her. Bare footed steps upon the tiles. The tap being turned on and off.

And then, without warning, her unruly curls were lifted off her sticky neck. A cool, damp cloth was then placed there. As well as the unmistakable pressure of his palm pressing down.

That explosion of emotion she'd been fearing tore out of her. Throat tight and raw, Hermione inhaled large breaths of air, her chest growing more and more unsteady by the second, willing that loathsome emotion away. But it was pointless. She cried, miserable humiliating tears, all the while hating herself for relishing the sympathy Professor Snape applied to the back of her neck.

It was the second time he'd forced such a reaction out of her. She'd never forgive him for it.

Hermione couldn't bring herself to speak. After a bit more silence passed, right when Hermione thought she was well enough to stand, Professor Snape removed the rag as if sensing her wants. She stood up, facing away from him, her pride too wounded to give him the thanks he deserved.

"Are you... all... right?"

Taken aback, Hermione whirled around to finally face the man. His voice had been so...sincere. Now, looking up into his features, Hermione was suddenly taken aback by his calm expression. Anger, ridicule, mockery, indifference...all these emotions Hermione had seen time and time again. Professor Snape wasn't trying to appear as anything, and this was more overwhelming than any other encounter she'd had with him.

Aware that they'd been standing like this, air hot with moisture and privacy, Hermione forced herself to look at the floor.

But her eyes never made it that far.

He was standing before her in nothing more than a towel tied around his waist. This entire time...

Hermione barely registered his pale, thin features until her vision stopped at his navel...and the line of hair just below it. Hair that thickened as it traveled further down, underneath the towel...

She threw herself against the door, fumbling for the knob. What was she doing in here? And for so long? And what had she just been thinking?

"For-forgive me!"

Eyes clenched, she fled, slamming the door closed behind her.

---

Somehow, the train ride home had managed to be more unbearable than the first.

Hermione sighed, leaning against the window.

Professor Snape had ignored her at breakfast. He ignored her during their walk to the station. And now, sitting across from her, he blatantly ignored her by hiding himself behind an old copy of the Daily Prophet.

He had yet to turn the page even once.

What was wrong with him? What had Hermione done now? Was he angry at her for some reason?

True, she had never thanked him for his attentions in the bathroom last night, but he couldn't possibly be angry over something like that!

Perhaps he was... embarrassed.

Merlin knows Hermione still was! Face growing hot, she had to force herself not to close her eyes. Because whenever she did, that image of him wrapped only in a towel became even clearer.

She was sick of this.

---

"Hermione!" Ginny squealed. Jumping up from the settee, she pushed herself out of Harry's lap to greet Hermione at the portrait.

Hermione smiled, waving and accepting various chants of "welcome back!"

"It was only two days," she said by means of brushing off the unwanted attention.

"That's not the point! How's your family? Why did you have to go home? Is everything okay?" Ginny asked, stepping closer and closer with each question.

Harry grabbed Ginny around the arm and pulled her back with one firm yank. "Enough, she just got back. Let her unpack at least."

"Everything's fine," Hermione insisted. "Nothing to be alarmed about."

"Hey, Hermione!" a student called by the fire. He waved a parchment in the air just as an owl jumped from the table and flew out the window.

Confused, Hermione walked over to the younger group of students, recognizing them to be in Dennis' year. Accepting the letter, Hermione immediately recognized Hogwarts' seal.

"Professor Snape wants you to go to his office?"

Hermione jumped at Dennis' sudden appearance at her side.

"Don't read my letters over my shoulder!"

Frowning, he eyed her strangely and said, "But you just got back."

Hermione didn't possess any answers to his questions. Heart racing, she dropped her things and fled back out the portrait.

---

Hermione had been standing outside Professor Snape's office for at least a full minute. She couldn't find the courage to knock.

The walk from Hogsmeade's train station to the castle had been fairly long, and all the while Snape had intentionally walked ten paces ahead of her. Never once did he turn around.

By the time she had reached the Entrance Hall, he was nowhere to be seen.

That was only moments ago. If he'd made such great efforts to avoid her, why would he summon her the second he got back?

Hermione feared the answer to that question.

The sounds of animated voices echoed from the opposite end of the corridor, forcing Hermione to finally knock.

She had expected the wizard to scream "ENTER!" in his typical manner. Instead, the lock merely clicked and the door opened.

She inhaled once, and stepped inside. Hermione could see her professor from the corner of her eye, standing by his desk with an expectant air. She turned around to shut the door behind her when he spoke.

"Don't close it."

Hermione froze. Turning to glace at him over her shoulder, she said, "Professor?"

"Considering the reason I called you in here, it would be...improper...if the door was closed."

Her heart drummed offbeat. Nodding silently, Hermione made certain the door was open a crack.

Turning around, Hermione folded her hands behind her back and asked, "Why did you want to see me?"

"Come here."

Confused and a bit irritated, Hermione slowly made her way to his desk. Professor Snape wasn't looking at her as she approached him. Standing up, he leaned over his desk while he signed various sheets of parchment.

When she was close enough to place her hands on the edge of his desk, he removed a parchment from the bottom of the pile and handed it to her.

"This is the reason I requested your attendance," he said, still not looking at her.

It took Hermione some time for her to comprehend what she was looking at. But when she did... She couldn't think. What... what was this?

"Professor... why would you hand me this?"

"I should think it obvious."

"It's an application for marriage."

"Indeed."

"Both our names are on it..."

He finally stopped writing, his vision still trained on anything but her. Hermione eyed the parchment for another moment before asking, voice incredulous, "Why?"

Slowly rising to his full height, the wizard finally looked at her. His expression made it very clear that this was not the response Severus had expected.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why should I marry you? Why in God's name would you want to marry me?"

"The law requires us to."

She threw the parchment upon the desk. "You have got to be joking! Did you honestly just utter those words to me?"

"Why are you speaking so irrationally, Miss Granger?"

"I'm irrational! Can you hear yourself? Do you think I'd want to marry a man who I barely know, don't love, and has the audacity to propose in such a heartless manner!"

His eyes narrowed sharply. Crossing his arms, he took a few steps closer and said, "I had expected someone of your intelligence to recognize exactly what it is I am giving. Your family situation should be proof enough that there are greater worries in this world than how one is offered to better their chances in life."

"Do you love me?" she asked in almost a whisper.

Standing rod straight, Professor Snape looked off to the side as he said, "I am certain in time we would become compatible."

"Lucky for you to feel so certain about your future. I'm sorry, sir, but I have no such guarantee!" Unable to bear any more of this, Hermione turned to flee. She couldn't stand the idea of allowing this man to see how much this truly affected her.

Snape quickly followed behind her and spoke just as she reached the door. "You're not thinking clearly, Miss Granger! Surely you're aware there's also no guarantee that you'll get a better offer."

Did he... Did he really just say that?

Hermione reacted before thinking clearly. One had reached for her wand as the other whipped through the air, palm up.

Snape reacted twice as fact.

Oddly emotionless, he held her wrist up in the air, exactly where he had caught it. Snape leaned even closer, his free arm extending over Hermione's shoulder to press his palm against the door.

Hermione lost their silent standoff first, inhaling sharply at the sound of the door closing behind her.

She was too angry to feel fear. But when she analyzed this later, she would realize she had no reason to. Professor Snape didn't yell or sneer. His grip upon her wrist wasn't even violent. More importantly, she was the one with her wand out.

He could have disarmed her, but obviously chose not to...

Swallowing, Hermione pulled against his resistance. "Let go" was all she said, voice calm.

"Do not hit me." He tilted his chin down, aligning his eyes with hers. Hermione would have been unhinged by his unnerving stare if she hadn't detected a bizarre inquisitiveness he was trying to hide.

Almost as if he was waiting for something...

Without moving, he opened his palm. She clenched her hand into a fist, coolly lowering her hand while putting her wand away.

The sneer she had expected long before now slowly etched across his face.

Throwing his shoulders back, Snape crossed his arms and asked, "So you are refusing me, then?"

"I am."

He glared at her, long and fierce before demanding, "If the idea of marrying me is so appalling, then why the bloody hell are you crying?"

"Because you're an unfeeling idiot!"

---

She had slammed the door right against his face. If he hadn't felt the wind rushing towards him, Snape wouldn't have flinched back in time.

That single flinch, saving his nose from another unneeded fracture, was the only movement Snape made for the next painful minutes that followed. He stood against the door, hand clenched into the doorframe. His mind was in a frenzy while his heart pounded erratically in his throat.

He couldn't move so long as the same phrase kept repeating in his head.

"This wasn't how it was supposed to happen..."

---

Author's Notes: Once again, I would like to humbly thank those of you who have nominated and voted for this fic in this round of the OWL awards. Winning Second place for Best Challenge Response and Third place for Best Drama has been unbelievably exciting!

Next Up: To the determent of many a male, Hermione has finally decided who shall escort her to the Halloween Ball.