Six

Thanks go to fizzabella for beta reading!

Severus frowned at the dour woman before him. "Are you saying that I have to choose one of these three matches? I refuse."

"Are you refusing to follow the law?" she asked in shock.

"I'm trying to follow the law," he retorted snidely, "but I am refusing to even consider a marriage with any of these three women. I don't want to converse with them much less be forced to marry them."

"Oh, I see!" the woman said cheerfully, adjusting her nametag on her shirt. She tapped it with a too-long, curved fingernail. "Call me Joslyn, Mr. Snape. Or shall I say Severus?"

"Mr. Snape will be fine," he said curtly, adding her surname, "Ms. Ulbrook."

"As long as you are cooperating, you won't be penalized. We'll wait two weeks and put your answers through again to see what new matches might turn up. So, I'll see you in two weeks then?"

"That is acceptable." He rose and nodded.

"Lovely. It's a date then."

Severus arched an eyebrow, realizing the older woman was sizing him up. "It's a meeting. That's all."

"Why, of course," she said, a little put out. "I meant nothing more."

"Indeed." He strode out of the office, not bothering to close the door behind him, while thinking of the three choices the Ministry had given him; they were abominable.

The first had been nice, but other than the fact that she tutored Wizarding children in Potions, he truly didn't see what they had in common. She had several cats and lapdogs, wanted just as many children, and never stopped talking. He supposed she was attractive enough, but if he was forced to marry, he wanted to at least have someone he could truly be compatible with.

The second woman, he'd not been attracted to in the least. She'd sneered at his home the entire time she'd met him for the initial interview and had stated up front that he would have to agree to allow her to do with it what she deemed fit. Her attitude had caused him to have one, and things had just gone downhill from there.

The last woman to meet him had been very timid and seemed to think that he would attack her if she spoke her mind. He refused to live that way. He knew how it felt to feel trapped, and he'd never do that to another. She'd been relieved when he'd told her that he was certain they would not be well matched.

At least now he had bought himself more time. It was possible that the stupid new law would be overturned before then. Surely the community would come to its senses. Having reached the Apparition room, he turned and disappeared with a small pop, reappearing on the grounds of Malfoy Manor.

He paused after taking three steps. "Draco? Is something amiss?" The boy's countenance was unlike he'd seen him even as he'd lost one of his best friends in the final battle at Hogwarts.

"She's marrying Adrian Pucey," he said numbly, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Who? What are you talking about?"

"Pansy. She went to the Ministry, put the same answers that I put on the questionnaire, and I was one of the matches, but so was he."

"And... she chose him instead?" Severus asked, also shocked at the girl's audacity. "I don't understand."

"She said... she said they met, and he offered for her right away. She feels he's got more to offer a family, as he's working in the Ministry now."

"I'm sorry, boy. I know how you cared for her."

"Fuck her," Draco said, suddenly angry. "That bitch! She chose him over me! I should have seen it coming. I should have known. Father tried to talk to me, but I wouldn't listen." The blond stalked off towards the barn.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To ride..." was all he replied, not turning around once.

Lucius had been making his way toward them. "He's told you then?" he asked Severus once in speaking distance.

"Yes." Severus shook his head. "I'm surprised. Malfoys have more money than the Puceys."

"I expect it's not only money she's taking into account."

"Ah, yes, clout."

"Indeed." Lucius stared at his son's retreating form. "He's matched with Astoria Greengrass. I've sent an owl for her to meet with him. He's not very pleased about it."

"The girl would be a good match," Severus said, thinking of her as a student. "She was quite bright, a much better student than her dunderhead sister, Daphne."

"And the family is well connected. It would do Draco good."

Severus nodded. "I can't help feeling badly for him."

"What of you? How was your meeting?"

"Horrid," he said with a growl. "I believe the old bat who worked my case fancies me."

"Good Lord. Joslyn Ulbrook?"

"One and the same."

Lucius' nose wrinkled in distaste. "What will they do now that you've refused your three matches?"

"I'm to wait two weeks to have my matches drawn again to give time for new replies to have been entered."

"Well, at least I'm not speaking with you through bars at Azkaban prison. That's encouraging."

"Any news on getting this overturned?"

"None. It looks grim."

"Excellent," Severus sneered, sarcasm lacing his voice.

"Do you want to come in? It's nearly time for tea."

"Might as well. I've nothing else to do."

"Ah, but that will change once you are married, my friend."

"I'm glad you find my situation so amusing, Lucius."

Lucius' smile faded. "I truly don't, but if we can't make light of something dreadful, what hope is there for us?"

"A fine explanation," Severus replied, knowing his friend to be truthful, "though I see the glint in your eyes. Yes, there's nothing so appealing as the Ministry releasing you from its clutches into the custody of a wife."

"Well, the thought of you married is honestly appealing. Think of the things we can do together, our wives included."

"We do enough together now."

"Yes, but it would be nice for Cissy to have feminine company. I know she longs for it. Our conversations tend to be boring to her after a while."

"Agree."

Severus privately wondered if he would ever find a match that met his expectations and wants.

A week had passed since Hermione's dinner with her friends, and she'd just been wondering how Ron was faring when she heard a knock at her door. Upon opening it, she smiled warmly in greeting. "Ron! I was just thinking about you. Come in."

"Took a chance you might not have worked late," he said, handing her a small bouquet of flowers as he entered.

"Orange Gerbera daisies. They're beautiful, Ron."

"I remembered that you liked them."

"So, what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"We need to talk," he said, the smile leaving his eyes. "I've been thinking about something, and I... I want you to know about it before I decide anything."

"Okay," she said, noting his seriousness. "Let me just put these in water."

"All right." He looked around nervously. "Guess I'll sit on the couch for now."

After she found a vase and filled it with fresh water for the flowers, she made her way to sit next to him. However, the moment she sat and faced him, he jumped up and began pacing.

"Ever since last weekend, I've been thinking..."

"About?" she prodded when he paused for too long.

"Neville and Hannah, their plans, how they got together."

"I've thought of them as well."

"They're both ready to settle down. No drawing it out. They both want the same things."

"And you're angry because you and I are at odds."

"No, not angry. Disappointed, but as we decided, we're going to try doing our own thing."

"Right..." Her heart skipped a beat. She feared his next words and yet welcomed them at once.

"I thought I might go on and give it a try, but if you have any doubts or have changed your mind, tell me now." He stopped pacing, turned to her, and sucked in a deep breath and didn't release it until she smiled.

"I don't want you to wait for me. It's not fair. If you've met someone or think that you might like to go on a date, I don't want to stand in your way."

"Well... if you're sure."

"Ha-have you met someone?"

"No, I thought I might, you know, try it."

"Try it? Try what?"

"The Geneamorological Agency at the Ministry."

"You're not serious."

"I am," he said defiantly. "What's wrong with that? Look at how Neville's happy! I could find someone who might want kids now, too." Again, he started pacing. "I just thought I'd try it to see who it picked for me. Maybe there's someone I can..." He stopped and looked out the window. "You're right. It's stupid, isn't it? It just feels like something's missing in my life. All my brothers have started families, except Charlie, and now even Ginny and Harry are going to start one."

"Ron... I'm just surprised by it. That's all." She stood and went to him, turning his face down to look at her. "If you feel strongly about this, maybe you should do it. Who knows? You might find what... what you're looking for."

"Do you think there will be another you, Hermione?"

She hugged him tightly and felt his trembling beneath her arms. "I almost hope not," she admitted, "but it might be best for the both of us if you do."

"Let me make love to you... one last time," he said, pulling back to look into her eyes.

Her answer was an intense kiss.

Much later as they lay in bed, limbs tangled, she listened to the sound of his light snoring and realized that she'd not taken her contraception potion. Instead of getting up to take it, she snuggled closer to her slumbering lover. Whatever happened would be the will of Fate.

Severus looked at his timepiece and hissed a sigh of annoyance. "Of course the girl's late. Why would she want to meet with me? I was her professor for Merlin's sake!" he grumbled, catching his reflection in a nearby mirror. This caused him to grimace. He'd taken a little extra time with his appearance today, and he still didn't feel as though he'd made a difference.

What would a young woman such as she want in such an older man? He'd never particularly cared for her. Although, he'd never outright disliked her either, so that was a plus. She was the first of three matches that he'd received this time around. At that moment, the door to the pub opened and in walked the young lady he'd been waiting for.

She looked much the same...long, dark hair and pleasant figure. He rose when she neared his table.

"Professor Snape!" she said breathlessly. "I'm sorry I'm late. I got lost on the way here, and the Muggle traffic is horrible." She leaned closer and extended her hand. "I wish we'd met somewhere in London at least. Why out here?"

"I live nearby," he said quietly, accepting her hand and shaking it. "Please, have a seat, Miss Brocklehurst."

"Call me Mandy," she said pleasantly.

He nodded, waited for her to sit, and pushed her chair in before returning to his own seat. "I took the liberty of ordering tea. I thought it might be too early for anything else."

"Ah, okay. That's fine. For now." She smiled and began digging in her handbag, then pulled out a parchment. "So, Professor... Should I call you 'Professor'?"

"I am still a professor," he said, not liking the smirk on the girl's face.

"And if we marry, am I to still call you 'Professor' or will it be Severus?" she asked, leaning forward and placing the parchment on the table. "That's a little kinky, isn't it?"

"I wasn't aware that I'd asked for your hand."

At this, she leaned back and wrapped one of her long locks around her index finger, twirling it slowly. "Let's cut the crap," she said, suddenly forceful. "We both need to find spouses. I know you. You know me. I don't see the problem."

"You were one of my students, Miss Brocklehurst. I will agree to nothing until I'm certain I can get past that."

"Once you've seen me in my knickers, Severus, you'll never think of me as a student. Trust me." She glanced at the parchment again and stopped playing with her hair. "It says you own your own home. Why didn't we meet there?"

"Why didn't you offer for us to meet at your home?" he countered, becoming angry at her presumptuousness and tone.

"I live with my parents still, so that wouldn't have been comfortable for us I think."

Truthfully, he hadn't wanted to show any of the women his home until they'd talked at length...after the way one of his previous matches had looked around his home with such disdain. "We'll not be going to my home," he said with finality. "Why are you so interested in finding a spouse?"

"Why are you?"

"I'm not. I'm being forced to."

She waved her hand in dismissal. "Right, the whole Death Eater thing." She cocked an eyebrow. "So what if you've got a bit of a dark past? That's done with."

"You've not answered my question."

Mandy sighed and brought a hand up to rub her eyes in resignation. "I'm pregnant."

"What?"

"He doesn't want anything to do with me or the baby. I need a husband or my dad will disown me."

Severus sat back as if he'd been slapped. "And so you want to marry me and want me to claim the child as my own?"

"Yes. Later, we can go our separate ways. Just for now, I need a husband." She shrugged. "You need a wife. We can do our own thing; there doesn't even need to be any sex between us. In fact, I'd rather there weren't. You should be glad that anyone is considering you anyway, what with the way you treated everyone back at school. I mean, that Ulbrook woman told me that you've been rejected at least five times before now and practically begged me not to bother meeting you. You're as desperate as I am, aren't you?"

He stood and scooted his chair back. "Our meeting is at an end. How dare you think to come here and insult me with..." His words trailed away as he groped for the right thing to say. "Good day, Miss Brocklehurst." Severus strode away, leaving the gobsmacked girl behind without another glance in her direction. He'd never admit it to anyone, but her words had stung him to the core. After listening to Lucius' endless fantasies about how great things could be for him once he married, he'd been expecting too much.

"That shall be rectified," he murmured as he opened the pub's door, feeling ridiculous for having hoped to have something with a woman resembling what Lucius had with Narcissa.

AN: I kind of feel sorry for Snape, but since I know what's in store for him, I won't let it bother me too much. Hehe. Hope you're enjoying!