A/N: Not much of this is mine. Only a little bit. I make no money writing this. It's only for my enjoyment.

A/N (2): Yes, this is a short chapter. I'm hoping to have some feedback so as to know whether I should continue this or not. Please review :)

Chapter One

A full moon sat in the dark nighttime sky in mid-July, its light showing a cloaked figure rushing towards a row of houses. The figure stopped, and the houses parted, allowing the figure to open the door to 12 Grimmauld Place and step inside. Severus Snape lowered his hood and walked purposely towards the kitchen. From the sounds coming through the door he could tell that the habitants were eating dinner, rather happily and loudly. The professor rolled his eyes and opened the door, standing slightly to the side. Arthur Weasley looked up at the dark professor and sighed, knowing that it was time. Knowing what he was there for. Everyone stopped talking as they followed Mr. Weasley's eyes to the dark man. Snape never came to Grimmauld Place unless it was for an Order meeting.

"I need to speak with Miss Granger." He said silkily, his eyes landing on her face.

Snape watched the girl stand, and smirked as Ron and Harry stood also.

"I just need the brains of the golden trio."

Harry and Ron stopped moving when Hermione put a hand on their shoulders and smiled. She continued to the door, past the professor and up the stairs to the sitting room. Hermione stopped and turned when she heard the door shut, looking at her potions professor with curiosity.

"What is it professor? Is something wrong?" She asked, biting her lower lip slightly.

"Nothing is wrong, Miss Granger." He replied, walking towards her. "But I do need to speak with you about something urgent."

Hermione closed her eyes, fearing that the Death Eaters had found her parents.

"A marriage law has been enacted. Forced into the Ministry by the Dark Lord. You are to marry me." Snape said, deciding to tell her quickly rather than draw it out. Best to get the temper tantrum over with at the beginning.

Hermione stared blankly at her professor, not quite understanding him. A marriage law? Why in the world would they enact a marriage law? And why would they pair her with Professor Snape, of all people? He was at least twice her age, if not more. This was absolutely ridiculous.

"Professor, they cannot possibly expect me to marry you. I'm not even seventeen yet." Hermione protested quietly, looking up to meet his eyes. She had a feeling of triumph for thinking of that part, and not having to bring up the age difference as a problem. Professor Snape wasn't her favorite teacher, but she certainly didn't set out to be mean to him.

"Do to your use of the time turner during your third year, you are in fact seventeen, and of age to be married. The Ministry is aware of the age difference, but The Dark Lord has forced the paperwork through for some god awful reason. He seems to think you'll be an... asset." The Professor sneered, looking down his nose at her. "I, however, find this an absolute nuisance. Be at The Department of Magical Marriages on August 1st at 9 am. You will move into my rooms in the dungeons on that day, and you will live there through the school year. We shall go over the rules then."

He turned to depart, leaving a gaping Hermione in his wake. She finally came to her senses when he was almost down the stairs. She ran after him, grasping his arm as he reached the second flight of stairs.

"Professor, I get no say in this? I also am a victim here." She said, looking at him pleadingly. "I didn't ask to be a "nuisance" to you."

He glared down at her and removed her hand from his arm.

"Miss Granger, you have no say in anything anymore. You are now the fiance' of a Pureblood, which means you are mere property that I possess. Get used to it."

With that final sentence, he swept down the rest of the stairs, leaving Hermione standing there with tears in the corners of her eyes. She sniffed loudly and blinked away the tears, setting her face to an impassive look. Severus Snape looked back at her when he was sure his future wife could not see him, and he watched her gain control of her emotions quickly.

Good, he thought to himself, shaking his head slowly. She will need the ability to control her emotions if she's going to survive even a month living with me.