Prologue

Ministry of Magic - August 1998

Severus Snape sank back into the deliciously padded chair, hand-stitched leather creaking under his shoulders, and let out a long, satisfied sigh. His highly polished dragonhide boots found the desk and he crossed his legs at the ankles.

He was the Minister. The Minister of Magic.

Fucking…yes.

He stared up at the smooth ceiling, his gaze tracing over the sculpted coving, pricks of magic sparking over the plaster —the necessary shield against the muggle world above them.

And something else… She was right.

A smile tugged at his mouth.

Of course she was. His little know-it-all.

He was well aware that Hermione Granger had put him on the throne, as it were—

A knock at the door —something quick and officious— drew his attention and he sat up, once more the strict and straight-backed former Potions Master. He fixed on his expected look of stern dourness and threaded his fingers over the smooth walnut surface of the vast desk. He drew in a breath.

Maintain the act, Severus Snape.

His lips twitched upwards. That was definitely her voice.

"Come!"

Percy Weasley oozed into the palatial office and strode towards him, the long walk over wood bringing the irritating and echoing clack of his heels. Severus' eyes narrowed on Percy's pointed shoes. Dear Merlin. Red patent leather?

Could he outlaw them as a crime against fashion, with a mandatory five year incarceration in Azkaban? He was Minister, after all…

"Minister."

Percy smirked at him and a hex burned on Severus' tongue. Did the arrogant little prick think that his being pulled back into the bosom of the Weasleys give him a special place in his administration?

Oh, he truly had no idea.

None of them did.

"Mr Weasley."

The smirk dimmed. Yes, one of the perks of teaching a huge swathe of the wizarding world was their name said in his voice.

Percy's Adam's apple bobbed. "Sir…" His fingers flexed and the thick parchment in his hand crumpled. He looked to it. "Your itinerary." He held out it out over the desk. Severus didn't move…and Percy —with a mottled flush to his cheeks— put it on the desk. His fingertip tapped it in a nervous drum. "Hermione Granger insisted on her input. Sir, I know how she's viewed, but she's just a girl, the ink is still fresh on her NEWTs—"

"That is your opinion, Mr Weasley." Severus slid the parchment out from under the younger wizard's fingers and frowned at the print. Hermione's neat handwriting dotted it. She said she'd run his life —properly— from now on.

Little dictator.

"Please send Miss Granger in." He looked up. "She is in the atrium, is she not?"

"She has no official function, Minister—"

Severus pressed his lips together. "Send her in now, Mr Weasley."

Percy's skin flushed into a deeply mottled red that put his hair to shame and he gave a brisk nod, before turning on a sharp heel and stalking from the room. His robes flared and Severus smirked. He needed better charmwork if he wanted a full and proper billow.

The door thudded into its frame and Severus was alone again in his huge office.

But not for long. "Miss Hermione Jean Granger."

Percy bit out her name, his face pinched. Did he see her as a threat to his job?

Well, finally a Weasley with an iota of sense.

"Thank you. Leave us, please."

Percy's mouth opened and closed, but he didn't offer yet more whinging. He nodded, gave Hermione a tight little glare and swept from the room in a snit. The door thudded into place.

Hermione rolled her eyes. She looked around the ornate opulence before she looked to him. "Nice office. So…you."

Severus snorted and pushed himself to his feet. He eased around his desk…and found himself with an armful of smirking witch. She wrapped strong thighs around his waist and looped her arms about his neck. Her dark brown eyes shone with want and devilment…and he had little doubt she'd demand a thorough fucking on the Minister's —on his— desk.

He would be more than happy to oblige.

"Stage one, complete, my beautiful wife."

"Indeed…"

And she sounded so much like him, he couldn't help but snort.

Oh, the wizarding world was in for one hell of a shock.