Title: Forbidden Love
Author: Ordinarily Average
Category: Harry Potter
Pairing: Severus Snape x Hermione Granger

Summary: Marriage Law Fanfic- HG/SS: Marriage is a legally binding contract that says two people stay together until their death. In the Wizarding World, the Minister of Magic passes a law to ensure that the future of their world is saved. Will the Gryffindor Princess be able to handle the Half-Blood Prince? Will love find a way into their hearts?

Rating: Mature audiences only for... well I am not sure. This has been something I have always wanted to read. I love a good Severus/Hermione story. I will ship them forever.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for the story line! All rights belong to J.K Rowling.

Leave a review please- E

CHAPTER 2: Nightmares and Awkward Introductions:

(Hermiones POV)

As Hermione tossed and turned, her mind was heavy with the stench of decay permitting the air. Cackling laughter faded in from the shadows, long black, ringlet curls slowly descended out of the darkness, the light suddenly highlighting the lace of her robes. Hermione pushed her body closer to the wall, hoping for some form of protection. She whimpered as the figure flaunted herself towards the harsh light. Her eyes were wild. Almost insane with her hunger for Hermione's blood. She smiled with utmost glee, the state of her glaringly rotting teeth, sent shivers down Hermione's spine in disgust. Azkaban had not only done a number on Bellatrix, but Lord Voldemort's sting of rejection surpassed her usual level of crazy, making her rage even more worthwhile to be taken out on the 'Mudblood.' Bellatrix raised her wand towards Hermione, laughing hysterically as she cast 'Crucio,' at her chest, throwing Hermione's body to the floor, the crunch of her bones coming together could only just be heard above Hermione's screams of terror, waiting for the torture to stop. Sweat covered her whole body, as she tried to regain some air. She could not move much, but as Bella descended more towards her she tried to crawl away. Bellatrix landed a kick to her chest, hearing a solid crack as her ribs contacted her heel and the floor. She gasped for air as Bellatrix's whip suddenly bonded her feet and hands together, making her escape almost impossible. She began taunting the poor, defenseless Brains of the Golden Trio.

"Itty-Bitty Mudblood Baby can't take the heat… Don't worry… You'll be begging for me to continue once Fenrir deals with what's left of you." She coos dragging the tip of her small blade across Hermione's face. Blood began to ooze slowly from the cut. Showcasing just how sharp the small knife was. She cackled as Hermione's jaw tensed. Tears were slowly flowing down her face. Bellatrix began carving into her skin with a passion. Hermione's throat became raw with screaming, the pain seemed never ending. "Tell me… How did you get into my vault?" Hermione's head thrashed as she gagged on the foul scent of Bellatrix's breath, her stomach heaving although there was nothing to throw back up. Another figure appeared from the darkness. It was Dobby, standing a few feet from her. He snapped his fingers, Bellatrix's wand was suddenly in his hands.

Suddenly Severus entered through the front foyer, his Death Eater robes and Mask, dripping with blood. Footsteps crossed the ceiling overhead, Lucius and Draco entered from the rear of the room. Dobby's enormous, tennis-ball-shaped eyes were wide; he was trembling from his feet to the tips of his ears. He was back in the home of his old masters, and it was clear that he was petrified.

'Hermione Granger,' he squeaked, in the tiniest quiver of a voice, 'Dobby has come to rescue you.' She moved towards him slowly, her arm outstretched, Severus whipped his wand towards Bellatrix. She raised her wand repelling his spell back towards him. She slowly cackled, crouching down, slowly revealing her dark mark on her forearm. 'And now,' she said, in a voice that burst with triumph, 'we call the Dark Lord!' And she pushed back her sleeve and touched her forefinger to the Dark Mark. 'And I think,' said Bellatrix's voice, 'we can dispose of the Mudblood. Greyback, take her if you want her.'

Severus, who had been hiding in the shadows, had suddenly burst into the drawing room; Bellatrix looked round, shocked; she turned her wand to face Severus instead –

'Sectumsempra!' he roared, pointing his wand at Bellatrix, she dodged his hex and threw a 'Stupefy,' his way. Lucius, Narcissa, Draco and Greyback wheeled about; Severus yelled, 'Stupefy!' and Lucius Malfoy collapsed onto the hearth. Jets of light flew from Draco's, Narcissa's and Greyback's wands; Snape threw himself to the floor, rolling behind a sofa to avoid them.

'STOP OR SHE DIES!' Bellatrix screamed, the shrill bouncing off the walls. Hermione, who had been waiting to grab Dobby's hand, struggled against the hold Bellatrix had on her, it was tight.

Panting, Severus peered round the edge of the sofa. Bellatrix was supporting Hermione, who seemed to be unconscious, and was holding her short silver knife to Hermione's throat.

'DROP YOUR WANDS!' she shouted. 'Drop them, or we'll see exactly how filthy her blood is!' Severus stood rigid, clutching his wand. 'I said, drop them!' she screeched, pressing the blade into Hermione's throat: Severus began to feel in a trance, his blood thumping in his ears, he saw beads of blood appear upon her neck.

'All right!' he shouted, and he dropped Bellatrix's wand on to the floor at his feet. He raised his arms in defeat.

'Good!' she leered. 'Draco, pick them up! The Dark Lord is coming, Severus Snape and Hermione Granger… Your death approaches!'

'Now,' said Bellatrix softly, as Draco hurried back with the wands, 'I am sure the Dark Lord will not begrudge you the girl, Greyback, after what you have done tonight.'

At the last word there was a peculiar grinding noise from above. All of them looked upwards in time to see the crystal chandelier tremble; then, with a creak and an ominous jingling, it began to fall. Bellatrix was directly beneath it; dropping Hermione, she threw herself aside with a scream. The chandelier crashed to the floor in an explosion of crystal and chains, falling on top of Hermione. Glittering shards of crystal flew in all directions: Draco doubled over, his hands covering his bloody face.

As Severus ran to pull Hermione out of the wreckage, Bellatrix sprang to her feet, her hair flying as she brandished the silver knife; but Narcissa had directed her wand at the doorway. 'Dobby!' she screamed, and even Bellatrix froze. 'You! You dropped the chandelier –?' The tiny elf trotted into the room, his shaking finger pointing at his old mistress.

'You must not hurt Miss Hermione Granger,' he squeaked. He snapped his fingers and Bellatrix threw her knife in pure fit of rage, the knife plummeting into the house elf, just before he 'popped' out of the room with Hermione attached to his side.

Hermione bolted awake. Tears were streaming down her face. The reminder of the poor house elves sacrifice was still fresh in her mind. She shuddered as the sheets she was laying on were now soaked through completely. She sat up and with each passing breath she regained control over herself. She wiped a hand over her face, swallowing down her emotions.

A House Elf popped up into Hermione's chambers the minute she had opened her eyes, with a tray full of a fresh breakfast spread. The large tennis ball eyes and wingnut ears, watched the girl hesitating. Poppy's rag was nothing like the one she usually saw the house elves in the kitchen at Hogwarts or Dobby wore. She wore a robe that was made of the finest silk in the colour of emerald, the Slytherin and Malfoy crest combined was embedded on the front pocket, which carried an additional handkerchief.

"Miss…Granger. I am the beloved House Elf, of the Pure-Blood Line of Malfoy's. My lady, Narcissa, has advised Poppy to be your hand lady during the time of your stay. Whatever you shall require, I is to lend you a hand." She bowed her head in submission. Hermione gulped, taking in the submissive loyalty this House Elf had for her owners.

Hermione opened and shut her mouth once, and then again. Not really sure what to say.

"Uh, thank you. Poppy? But I will not be requiring your help after all." Poppy's face tilted up and her facial expression was nothing but shame.

"Are you not happy with me, Miss?" Poppy hung her head down and burst into tears, as she had not ever been rejected by a Witch or Wizard before. Hermione raised her hand to comfort the house elf, she had no grown up in a pure-blood household but realised she had just provided Poppy with the utmost disrespect. As Hermione's eyes glazed over her hand she took note instantly how smooth her skin looked... Her nails were not embedded with dirt or chewed to the nub like they had been the night before. Magic really worked wonders...

"Poppy, it is not you. I am so sorry that I offended you... Please feel free to help me. I am just not accustomed to your lifestyle that is all." Hermione's tone softened as the tears began to stop. Poppy turned her head and looked at Hermione with confusion.

"I is confused...?" Poppy mumbled. It had not dawned on Hermione then that she had yet to explain her social status to the old house elf. Poppy covered her mouth with her hand, as if she had spoken out of turn.

"I am a... Muggle Born." Hermione hung her head in shame. Her forearm felt as if it was on fire, Bellatrix engraved the wording onto her skin without a second thought. She would have the reminder of her social status for the rest of her life. Magic could work wonders but not all of them. Poppy's face dropped and she turned her head to the side.

"Muggle born? I does not refer to witches or wizards by blood status other than my Master's. I, is here to serve the Malfoy's as per their request it extends to you miss, as did my mother before her." She bowed again before Hermione and she could not get the look of shock off of her face. She now had a hand maiden in the form of a house elf. Something she was proudly against since first discovering the more than dire conditions they were left in during her first year at Hogwarts. Hogwarts. The memories she shared with Ron and Harry came to the fore front of her mind, Ron arguing against her belief, tossing her knitted work in the fire, saying it was a pointless law to change. Tears filled her eyes immediately and her hands began to ball in fists. There were far too many occasions for her to count with both of her hands, the amount of times Harry and Ron both shut her down or ignored her opinion completely, only to speak to her when she had found something useful with the hunt for the Horcruxes. It filled Hermione with a rage she had not felt since her First Year. Poppy had been standing in front of Hermione the whole entire time she had zoned out, and Hermione turned to look at Poppy, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

"Please excuse me, I have not been around proper company for some time. I forgot my manners." Hermione hung her head in shame. her tone was soft. She wondered where Severus was, and whether or not the Malfoy's were going to kick her out quickly. She was surprised she had been given the courtesy of staying here for as long as she had. Poppy walked closer to Hermione, she grinned widely at her, her big blue eyes shone with happiness.

"You consider me... Proper company?" Poppy's ears bent forward as if she were going to burst into tears again. Hermione's hand held Poppy's and she wailed loud, high pitch, pressing her small face into the now ruined handkerchief.

"Yes? I believe all creatures are to be treated with respect and dignity. You are not beneath us." Hermione's gaze stood firmly. Poppy spluttered some more before bowing before Hermione.

"I, is honored." Poppy snapped her fingers and Hermione's tray of food along side with a pepper up potion was placed on her lap and before she could protest, the house elf had popped out of the room happily.

Hermione fumbled with the tray for a second and placed her hands on top of the lid. Will she be poisoned if she did decide to eat? The smell had not hit her yet but as she lifted the lid, her stomach left off the most ferocious growl. It had been a long time since she had, had a proper, home cooked meal. She popped the lid off of the potion and sculled the surprisingly not bitter contents, she was indeed used to Madam Pomfrey's potions which still had a bit of a kick. The soothing lemon and honey taste, made the blood in her body sing, she took a deep breath and stuck into her breakfast with gusto. As she had dug in she had not noticed the hooded figure in her doorway. Severus Snape stood there in all his glory, and the memories of the night before flashed hotly in her mind. He had found her, and now what was he going to do to her?

(Severus POV)

Severus, however, was still reeling from subconsciously being in her mind. He had no doubt that the dream they both shared was based on true events. He shuddered as her screams echoed in his mind. He recalled how her face scrunched up in fear, as Bellatrix's onslaught of torture, seemed to never dull in intensity. He rubbed his chest, slowly trying to soothe the aching need he had inside of himself to comfort the lonely Gryffindor. He had wondered for many nights where she had been and what had happened to her. It wasn't until now that he finally saw some of the harsh conditions she had to bare by herself. He cursed Bellatrix's name into the realm of the seven hells. IF he ever, no WHEN, he got his hands on her she would pay. He threw back the damp bedding and Poppy appeared before him.

"Mister Snape, breakfast is served." She bowed quickly as he nodded in her direction.

"Thank you. Have you attended to Miss Granger yet?" His tone drawled and was sharp. He was by far, not a morning person. Poppy nodded her head. The ache in his chest became more prominent by minute, his body ached to attend to his wife's... needs.

"Yes sir, as per your request." Her squeaky tone was one of the many reasons he had a short temper with house elves. However, he knew what a privilege it was to have them in your home, so he followed Lucius's request in having one whilst he stayed in the Manor.

"Good, you may leave." Poppy hesitated in the door and he looked up her. The scowl on his face softened. "What is it Poppy?"

"Miss Granger... is awake. I, knows, I am not allowed to gossip sir, she seemed upset?" Severus threw his coffee down in a hast, shoving a piece of toast quickly in his mouth. The bond between him and Mis- Hermione was indeed intact, but he could not feel her emotions like he had when they were both asleep. He was worried about her well being. He grabbed his wand and his black cloak appeared, the fit on him was bit looser than it had been a few months prior. Despite what most thought about him, he was not as heartless as he once was. The bond they were bound to had ensured that. Narcissa's words from the night before echoed in his mind. "Physically, she should be well recovered in a week or two, emotionally and mentally? Who knows, only time will tell with that one..." He looked at himself in the mirror, something he was not accustomed to doing often and he sneered at his reflection. His dark, almost black eyes, were bloodshot, a lack of sleep no doubt, his greasy black hair fell around his face. His sharp hooked nose and crooked teeth were not a sight a woman would want. He knew first hand. He was tall at least, but possessed a lanky body. Her frowned in the mirror and slammed the door on his way out. His anger projected out of him but softened as he reached the last of the steps to her room. Her door was open a crack and he peered at her, she was digging into her breakfast. He looked over the Gryffindor, taking note of how much she had changed in the last year.

Her hair seemed to be a softer main, the curls were more like ringlets, it formed a halo around her face, her cheeks were more round as were her hips, breasts and thighs. She had grown up a lot. More of a woman to match her brilliant brain. Not that he would ever admit that to her. Her head turned up to look at him and he knew he had been caught staring at her, instead of his cheeks flushing with embarrassment, he had a permanent scowl on his face. She had yet to know of their arranged marriage and he was not expecting a good reaction from her at all. It was easier for him to mask his 'real' feelings or the ones he was rapidly adapting due to their bond. Or lack of one. Cornelius Fudge was a master at the Ministry of Magic and his words did not just bond them together but was enchanted to seal the deal. He shuddered and wondered how quick the effects of the bond Miss Granger felt. He never wanted to take advantage of her, or anyone.

The look of fear on her face flashed briefly, making sure he stayed in the arch way, he then proceeded to do a very muggle tradition and knocked on the door, three times to be exact, softly. She arched an eyebrow and nodded, but he still waited for a verbal confirmation.

"You can come in... Professor." Her speech froze as she spat the last word out fast. "Or should I say Headmaster?" Pure venom spat out of her mouth as she stared him down with a vengeance. Severus snapped his head towards he girl and seethed, except she did not cower like she used too.

"Excuse me? Hold your tongue. Do no speak of matters in which you do not understand you foolish girl." He stood closer to her. A figure stood behind him, it was Narcissa.

"Severus, please. Do not speak to her that way, you know she does not know." Narcissa placed her hand on his shoulder in comfort. Inform her. She deserves to know." Narcissa spoke in hushed but soft tones. Encouraging him to pull himself from the rage he felt. He dropped his shoulders and sat down in the chair.

"What? What is she on about?" Hermione's scared tone filled the silent room. Narcissa stood closer to Hermione to offer her the same comfort.

"You're a smart girl, did you not keep track of the Daily Times?" Severus rubbed his temples hard, his heart was trembling at the expectant rejection of the woman in front of him. She was barely of age but she was still a blossoming woman. He was trying to delay the inevitable.

"Yes, I did as a matter of fact... Fudge sent out an order... for Witches of age to be married... " Her words came out in a spur and she looked from Severus to Narcissa back and fourth. "No...No..NO!" She exploded. "The house elf welcome me.. No.. I am a MALFOY?!" Hermione's head snapped back as she lost all consciousness. Severus sighed in annoyance. IF she thought Malfoy was bad how was she going to react to the real news? That he was her husband instead...