Hermione Granger was nothing if not practical. She had her plans mapped out, and each and every one broken down in to achievable steps. At 30 years of age she had fought alongside her closest friends to bring about the defeat of Voldermort, graduated from Hogwarts with the highest NEWT scores in record at the school. Become a successful charms Mistress, and collected an extensive investment portfolio in both wizarding and muggle London. The one thing missing from her life was a child.

While she had dated quite regularly over the years, no one met her criteria as a potential partner or father. Being our practical Hermione she knew that she didn't need a partner to have a child, but deep in her heart she had always thought that some prince charming would come along, sweep her off her feet, and that they would have adorably cute children together.

Cue quickly approaching 31st birthday and things were not anywhere near the stage that Hermione had envisioned.

This brings us to our current location, standing outside the impressive gates to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

With a sigh Hermione pushes through the gates, pulling the hood of her cloak up further to protect herself from the ice cold winds. With a purposeful stride she makes her way quickly up to the front doors, they swing open and she pauses at the threshold to pull her hood off, uncovering her glistening chestnut curls, being a charms mistress had its benefits when it came to dealing with unruly hair.

Professor McGonagall meets her in the entrance hall, quickly pulling her into a friendly hug "My dear you look wonderful. " She murmur's as she releases the younger woman. Hermione smiles brightly "Why thank you Professor, you're looking incredibly well yourself. Being headmistress agrees with you." She looks around, drinking in the familiar sight as she unclips her travelling cloak, revealing a dark grey robe, made of finely spun spider silk, form fitted across her upper body and draping softly around her legs, it attractively accentuates her perfect hourglass figure. McGonagall laughs, tucking her arm into Hermione's "My dear, call me Minerva. It's been a long time since you were at school. I just wanted to catch you before you met Severus for your appointment, and invite you to have lunch in the great hall, once you're done. I did inform him to invite you, but you know what he is like..." She leaves that statement hanging as they reach the stairs to the dungeons. Hermione pats the older woman's hand gently "I would be delighted to. It's been so long since we've had a decent conversation. And I have been eager to catch up with Professor Flitwick to discuss some charms theories." With a nod of her head McGonagall turns away, leaving Hermione to begin her descent into the lower levels of the castle.

She shivers slightly as the air temperature begins to drop, her steps echoing ominously in the empty corridor. The torches cast an eerie glow against the stone walls, the flames flickering as she passes. Hermione shakes her head "Why would any one chose to stay down here?" She murmurs to herself, stopping just outside the heavy wooden door marking the entrance to Severus Snape's office. Taking a deep breath she raises her hand and knocks gently on the worn wood. The door jerks open revealing the intimidating potions master dressed in his customary black. He stands back allowing her entrance with the sweep of an arm. "Professor Snape, I'm so glad you agreed to meet with me today..." She begins as she settles into a straight back chair. "Miss Granger" He interrupts, settling into his chair on the opposite side of the desk to hers "Let us get formalities out of the way before you begin what I am sure is a most enlightening explaination for your visit." He pauses as her cheeks flush at this statement, "Now would you care for some tea or coffee?" He leans back in his chair, his eyes travelling slowly over her as she crosses one knee over the other, the movement causing her grey robes to reveal one bright red high heeled boot. His eyes travel back up to her face, settling on her lips as she answers. "Tea would be lovely, thank you." With a flick of his hand a house elf appears, placing a tea tray onto the desk between them. "That will be all thank you Tibby" with a pop the elf disappears just as quickly as it appeared. "Milk? Sugar?" He enquires, pouring the tea into a dainty looking tea cup, its floral design looking out of place in his sparse and dreary office. "No milk but two sugars please." Hermione answers, her eyes lingering on his hands as they set about their task. She studies him from under her eye lashes as he passes the cup over to her, his hair still thick and black, pulled back by a leather strap, his skin still pale white from too much time underground, all in all he hadn't aged much since she had finished school.

They both take a sip of tea, before Hermione sets her cup down, folding her hands in her lap. "I am sure professor that you are curious as to why I deemed it necessary to arrange a meeting with you." He inclines his head as she looks up at him, taking a deep breath to calm herself, her cheeks flush slightly as she lifts her chin "I want a baby." Severus sets his tea down at her rushed explaination, he leans forward slightly his brow furrowed. "Miss Granger, I fail to see what your desire to breed has to do with me?" He leans back in his chair, watching her closely. Her shoulders straighten as she lifts her eyes to his once more. "I should be more specific Professor. I wish to have a child, yet I do not have a partner. I have been looking into the muggle practice of IVF and am looking for a suitable donor." His brow furrows more, absently repeating her last statement "A suitable donor?" At this she shifts uncomfortably in her seat, her eyes focused on her tea as she takes another sip. "Erm yes, a sperm donor." She glances up as she hears the unmistakable sound of china breaking. Severus is sitting across from her, the handle to his cup still clutched in his fingers. His face going splotchy. "Miss Granger, I still fail to see what this personal matter has to do with myself." He grounds out, emphasising the word personal.

Mumbling a quiet reparo at his cup, Hermione places both feet on the floor, leaning forward. "Sir I would like very much for you to be my donor. " She holds a hand up quickly as he makes to interrupt. "I want a magical child, if I was to use a muggle donor, there would be no guarantee that that would happen. I admire you greatly, your intellect is something to be envied. Just think how intelligent a child born from the both of us would be?" She implores, her cinnamon brown eyes boring into his dark almost black ones. Severus leans back in his chair, silently regarding the witch in front of him. "I am sorry Miss Granger, I have no wish to bore a child outside of wedlock, much less by muggle means. Any witch that carries my child shall also carry my name." He watches as she pales considerably, her knuckles whitening as she grips the edge of the desk. "I don't suppose you want to get married then?" She asks laughing falsely as she blinks back tears.

He reaches for one of her hands, settling it gently between his own, his thumb rubbing lazy circles across her skin. "Miss Granger, even you would not be so desperate as to want to marry the bat of the dungeons. I'm sure you have no end of suitors lining up to make an offer for your hand, that would be only too happy to help you bore the child you so obviously desire." He watches as she sighs, shaking her head. "Any that have shown interest only do so because I am one part of the golden trio, even after all this time. I haven't met anyone that I feel even remotely stimulates me intellectually. I have achieved every goal I have set myself, all except for this one. I have always wanted the husband and the children, however I'm realistic, if the whole happy family isn't meant to be I thought that I could at least still have a child." Hermione looks up a small smile gracing her face "I'm sorry for wasting your time Professor." Severus releases her hand as she gently pulls it back. "Do not sell yourself short Miss Granger, any man would be lucky to have you, if they cannot see you for yourself then they do not deserve you." She smiles tightly as they both stand. "Thank you Professor, I shall probably see you at lunch, Professor McGon... I mean Minerva invited me." With an incline of her head she disappears out the door. Severus watches her go, his heart hammering painfully in his chest.