—————H—————

It was the oddest day Hermione had ever had.

She was in a white dress, cut like wizarding robes, her hair tamed and pinned and perfect. She'd eaten enough that she felt as though she'd gone up a size, but there was no way she could offend Molly Weasley, who for some strange reason insisted on catering the reception despite being pregnant with five boys at home.

But it wasn't only the pregnant Weasley matriarch Hermione had to worry about. The house-elves at Malfoy Manor would be entirely too offended if the bride and groom didn't partake in the feast prepared for them.

She was, however, grateful for the fact that Severus had perfected the art of quiet Side-Along Apparition. It just looked like that the newlyweds were constantly sneaking off to enjoy marital relations whenever possible. The reality was that they were going between two weddings.

Their binding was made public record from the moment they sealed it with a kiss. Neither thought much of it, she and Severus lazing in bed the following morning, discussing when the best time to publicly wed was, when Minerva Flooed them.

Albus had found out. And he was less than impressed that his spy would do something so spontaneous. It did, however, lead Hermione to wonder how he found out.

"The bastard," Severus had snarled. At the questioning look from his wife and Minerva's twin expression from the fireplace, he explained. "When we told him about our engagement, his reaction hinted that he would try to tamper with the public record. I've no idea how. Maybe he intended to have you bound on paper to someone else, making it impossible for us to marry."

"Whatever his reason," Minerva said, "he's now trying to figure out how to prevent word from getting out to the rest of the Order."

"Well, then, perhaps we should make sure the whole of wizarding Britain knows?" Hermione had countered.

But of course, there was meant to be a wedding. Everyone already knew of their engagement, and there would be so many people hurt or upset that they weren't part of their special day. And there was no way to have everyone who wanted to be there at the same ceremony. So, there were two: the Order and the Death Eaters.

Narcissa insisted they host the extravagant affair for them at the Manor, and as a thank you, Hermione saw Severus slip a vial to their hostess.

"This should help you," he said quietly to her, and at her questioning glance, Severus added, "Lucius had best not name them anything ridiculous."

The Dark Lord, it seemed, had heard, for as he approached them, he gave Severus a nod and an approving smile.

"Severus," he said, his eyes redder than Hermione remembered, making his smile more menacing. "You have found a good match for yourself. You will rise through the ranks, earning power and prominence for your name."

"I'm glad this pleases you, my Lord," he said with a bow, looking over the Dark Lord's shoulder at the woman lingering there. "Bella," Severus greeted.

"Sevvy," she sneered. "You're lucky she's nothing but an orphan. Otherwise, you would not be so lucky to marry so high above your station."

"Bella," the Dark Lord scolded. "We shouldn't say such things, especially today. Severus is one of us, our brother."

"Why? It's only a wedding," Bellatrix countered, causing the Dark Lord to chuckle fondly.

"Not all marry because they must. Some, inexplicably, want to," the Dark Lord said before turning back to them. "I know you are eager to return to your love nest. Do so, with my blessing."

"Thank you, my Lord. My wife and I will take our leave," Severus said, tucking Hermione's arm into his elbow and heading up the stairs leading out of the grand ballroom. Before they Apparated with a deliberate crack, Hermione rolled her eyes at the catcalls and wolf whistles that followed them.

But at the end of the day, their union was set before the eyes of the wizarding world. Unbreakable unless one of them was sent to Azkaban or was visited by death. And despite how much he didn't want to, Albus Dumbledore would have to acknowledge that from now on, Hermione would be known as Apprentice Snape.

Hermione woke next to her husband, feeling his fingers lightly stroke the length of her spine. She hummed happily, turning her head toward him, opening her eyes to see his black ones shining down at her.

"Hello, wife," he said, seeming to never get enough of calling her that, not since their binding in July.

"Hello, husband," she said. And then to test the waters, "Today is the day I was born."

"Yes, I'm aware it's your birthday," he said with a grin.

"No, I mean it was the day I was born . I came into the world," she paused, casting a quick Tempus, "two hours ago."

Severus' strokes froze as his brows drew together in a frown. Then he looked at her, his mouth slowly falling open. "I'm twenty years older than you?"

"Well, nineteen, technically," Hermione corrected. "And that's not really the case anymore, considering I lived the last five years in this era." She rolled to her side, appearing casual but preparing for their first real fight.

Severus' frown deepened. "But you knew me. Which would mean that you knew me... young . You were young. But how? How did you know me? Because of Hogwarts?"

"Perhaps," Hermione said, adding, "You do live here because of me."

"Yes, but... you aren't going to teach, are you? It would seem that would be dangerous, teaching your younger self."

"I can't tell you that," she replied, and he nodded absently.

"My wife has only just been born," he murmured to himself. "I thought that, maybe, it had already happened. But then, I suppose, I should be grateful I won't be in my twenties when you see me the way you did. Though being in my thirties and looking like that..."

"How do you know how old you'll be?" she asked him, and he arched a brow at her as though she were slow.

"Deduction, Hermione. You arrived at Hogwarts when we were fourteen. If you were only born on today, I need only add your age then to how old we are now to figure out the rest."

"Yes, right," she said lamely.

He chuckled. "You were gearing for war."

"To be honest, I was. I didn't expect you to take everything so ... not calmly, but certainly better than expected."

He chuckled again, pinning her down and kissing her. "I can punish you if you'd really like," he said against her lips, causing her eyebrow to tick up.

"Hmmm, as fun as that sounds, we need to be in the Great Hall."

"Alas, if we must," he said, bestowing one last kiss before rising from bed. And Hermione lingered, watching as he made his way to their private washroom. Naked.

They emerged from her bed chambers, only pretending to be as quiet as possible. The map that Sirius had borrowed from James showed that the headmaster was passing by at that exact moment.

"Will he be back tonight?" Sirius asked Hermione in a stage whisper, glancing down at the map and seeing the headmaster stop around the corner from them.

"I don't know," Hermione replied, touching his chest for effect. "I'll let you know this evening if he's back."

It all sounded so clandestine, but there was actually curiosity and sincerity behind the words. After all, Sirius had come to Hermione and Severus the night before, informing them that he hadn't heard from James in days and was starting to worry. Severus had tried to contact Lily but she hadn't responded. Not to the Floo, not to his Patronus, and there wasn't even a ping on his tracing spell he placed on a letter to her to say she'd touched it. When midnight neared, and neither she nor James, nor Remus were heard from, Severus went off.

Shortly after, Remus was contacted, but he hadn't heard from the missing couple either.

So, Sirius stayed the night with Hermione, falling asleep on the couch while waiting for news. Both figured that Severus wouldn't come back until he knew something, and it was possible that during his time investigating, he had been summoned.

"As soon as you know for sure," Sirius said. "I'm not sure I could bear to keep away, not knowing for sure..."

It was Hermione's idea to wait until the headmaster made his way around the school on his early morning stroll through the staff corridor. He'd hinted with minimal subtlety how much he wished Hermione had not gone through with her marriage to Severus. He'd pointed out that the Potions Master spent more time away from her and the school than with her, and he had wished, because she'd lost a part of her family, that she would find who was always there. And he reminded her that with Delia returned to Ireland to be with her family, Hermione was essentially alone in England. Ignoring, of course, the fact that Minerva taught at the school and was still very much an adopted aunt.

She was hoping that if the headmaster was foolish enough to believe that Sirius Black loved her, that maybe he was also gullible enough to believe they were having an affair.

"I know," she replied to Sirius. Then wrapped her arm around his neck, leaning into him in such a way that it looked as though she were trying to kiss him. "He'll find them," she whispered. "Alive, I'm sure of it."

It was just so conveniently timed that as Sirius turned his head toward her, her breath caught with the force of the Vow. She'd essentially admitted she knew the future.

Sirius had put his free hand on her arm, the one holding the map tucked to his side and out of view to the peeping headmaster. He frowned at her, worry sparking in his eyes, but she shook her head. It was merely a reminder that she needed to be careful.

They heard something in the hall, and a glance at the map showed the headmaster had changed his route ever so slightly, heading down the closest staircase instead of venturing further down the hall.

Smiling at one another, laughter suppressed between them, Hermione and Sirius parted and started toward the Great Hall.

An ethereal lioness running toward them made them pause. It stopped in front of them, opening its mouth. "Bring Black to the Three Broomsticks," it said in Severus' voice.

—————H—————

While she and Lily had grown apart, and she was never very fond of James, relief washed over Hermione upon seeing the pair unharmed and sitting across from Severus and Remus.

She and Sirius joined them, and Hermione was barely in her seat when Sirius half-shouted, "What the hell, mate!"

James smiled. "Yes?"

"You can't do that! Not with a war. You can't take off somewhere—"

"Gretna Green," Severus filled in.

"Gretna Green! You can't go running off to places like that without telling us. We were worried. All of us. And why the hell did you go to Gretna Green, anyway?"

"To get married," James said casually.

Hermione frowned, and then after a quick calculation, palmed her face and shook her head. No, no this was not the tale Harry was told. There was no way he was the product of an accident that preceded a quick marriage.

Severus, it seemed when she peeked at him, figured out the reason as well by the way he was eying Lily's stomach, and then turned a deadly glare on James.

"Oh Prongs, no," Remus said. "No, that's... it's not why I think it is."

"Why? What do you think? What do you mean—" Sirius finally caught on. "No! No! I know it's frowned upon, children out of wedlock and all, but there's supposed to be a party. A ceremony where I stand with you and all that."

"Look, it's... we're planning on having a ceremony, just..." Lily shrugged, her cheeks tinting.

"There's a war," James said flatly. "I can't have Lily go uncared for if something happens."

"And with all the precautions possible, you didn't think to use one of the guaranteed methods of contraception? The potion, perhaps?" Severus asked through clenched teeth.

"James told me it doesn't work on Muggle-borns," Lily informed them, and Hermione's jaw clenched just before Severus rose to his feet and pointed his wand at James.

"You loathsome, lying cretin," he hissed.

"Whoa, Severus," Sirius said, looking like he was ready to step in between them before the words sunk in. "Wait, no, that's... that's absolute rubbish."

"Why did you lie?" Hermione demanded.

"Wait, you mean it does work on Muggle-borns?" Lily fumed, rising to her feet.

For his sake, James didn't try to weasel his way out of it. He looked at the table, and quietly admitted, "It's what I was told."

"Isn't your father supposed to be some famous potioneer?" Severus hissed. "Not a Master, no, he didn't want to do the work when he managed to stumble together a potion witches would go mad for. But he would know enough to have told you that wasn't true."

"Well, my father hasn't been around to ask, has he?" James grit his teeth, looking up at Severus.

"You could have asked Severus!" Hermione yelled, and at the scoff James gave, she snarled. "Or me, or Sirius, even. Picked up a book and read the truth! Merlin, is your head shoved so far up your arse that can't be deigned to check the facts?"

"Oh, shove off, Granger," James spat.

"It's Snape!" she countered, getting to her feet and leaning over the table to close in on his personal space. "And you, you are such a..." she bit her tongue, her thoughts screaming at him. He was such an arrogant arse. She was glad he would have no influence over Harry. Glad that his son would never be like him. Her eyes stung as angry tears sprang to her eyes.

"At least tell me that you plan to back out of the fighting," Remus asked. "If you're going to have a baby—"

"If you think I'm going to sit back and let those disgusting Death Eaters try to take over our world—" James cut in.

"And if you get killed?" Sirius asked. "What then?"

Hermione watched James shrug, a cocky grin on his face. "They need to get to me first."

—————H—————

"I want to ask, but I don't want to risk your life," Severus said that night as they sat in front of the fire, a glass of wine in hand. "But I know you know something about their future. I remember a child that looked disturbingly like Potter in your memory."

"Yes," she answered quietly, remembering how eager James was to put himself at risk for the wrong reasons. Remembering the fear that crept into Lily's eyes when she realized her new husband wasn't about to be there for her as much as she expected. She tried to recall the stories Harry had heard about his parents. That they were very much in love. That they were brave and selfless.

"Are they happy?" he asked, and then amended, "Is Lily happy?"

"I can't say," she hedged, and it was a valid answer. She couldn't be sure if Lily was happy in the end. "You're worried about her."

"Of course," Severus replied. "I found them just as they were saying their vows. I actually entered the church as the Minister asked if anyone had any reason why they shouldn't marry. I think Potter was actually stupid enough to think I was going to make some sort of declaration. I considered interrupting, but I didn't think it worth bringing up that no one knew where they were or what they were doing. That Lily's parents would be furious. There's a reason people got to Gretna Green in the first place."

"Lily is a grown woman and capable of making her own choices," Hermione replied. "And besides, it has to have occurred to you that perhaps, one day, I would want you to meet my parents. And by the time you do..."

"We'll have already been married," Severus replied, then after a pause said, "For more than a decade."

She smiled at first, but it faded. It had been a couple months since she'd thought of her parents. She took a bouquet of flowers to the hospital on the day of her birth, asking a nurse's aide if she could bring them by the room. But before then, before her actual birthday, it had been too long. By the time she would be able to go to them and tell them who she was and what had happened, would she be able to? Or would she ask Minerva or Severus to break their hearts with a story that wasn't true, much like the fake stories they told Harry about his parents' romance?

—————S—————

He had barely seen his wife in the last three months. As Severus entered the Hogsmeade cottage, he actually felt a bit of nervousness coursing through his veins.

It wasn't his intention to have his marriage slowly drift to the backburner, but shortly after discovering James and Lily's marriage, the Dark Lord had found need for Severus and his skills. He'd spent a month brewing the most vile, evil potion he'd ever read about. The Drink of Despair. He didn't want it or its fumes anywhere near Hermione, so he'd kept his distance while making it for the Dark Lord. The week after brewing the potion would have likely been better spent with those he loved, but he didn't want to subject his family to the aftereffects of the brew. He had nightmares that had him waking screaming and thrashing. His mind was clouded with suspicion. His stomach recoiled at the thought of food. Once recovered, he'd gotten word from Black that his brother was missing. Feeling a sort of responsibility for the young Death Eater, Severus had tried to find him, venturing to all the haunts across Britain he knew Regulus frequented , attempting to find him by questioning the other Death Eaters. Had it not been for Walburga Black asking her eldest if he warped her precious boy's head with his rubbish, Severus would have assumed he was with his mother while she was still in mourning. But no matter where he went, word of Regulus could not be found. Between that, accompanying the Death Eaters on their many raids and revels, as well as Hermione's own busy schedule and work for the Order, their schedules hardly aligned. Barely six months into their marriage, and they were back to writing one another as they had during their mutual apprenticeships. It was horrid.

And Albus bloody Dumbledore was of no help, his clear dislike of the marriage still very evident. He never failed to mention how often he spotted Hermione with Black.

And didn't it make his new assignment from the Dark Lord that much more hateful?

"Your wife will finish her apprenticeship at the end of the year, will she not?" the Dark Lord had asked Severus casually as they sat on the sidelines during one of the revels.

"Indeed, my Lord," Severus had replied with a bow of his head. "She has been made many offers by the Ministry."

"Has she? Not Hogwarts?"

"No, the Arithmancy professor plans to stay for another few years," he replied.

The Dark Lord tapped his chin thoughtfully. "But rumor is that Horace is longing to retire. So the school will be in need of a new Potions Professor. And you, Severus, my loyal friend, would be able to stay in the castle, be able to report to me Dumbledore's comings and goings. You would even be closer to him than you are now, as part of his employ and not just the spouse of a measly apprentice."

"As you wish, my Lord," Severus had replied, fairly certain that Dumbledore would not want him as part of his staff.

He was wrong.