Chasing Destiny

A/n – please don’t hate me... its my muse’s fault... yes! thats right, she did this to my story!!

















Hermione stood up and turned to leave The Three Broomsticks when a firm hand met her shoulder and pushed her back into the chair. Turning to look, she was alarmed to find Draco sitting down next to her.



“Don’t try anything Granger. There are people waiting for me outside under strict orders to hex you to oblivion if you leave before me so shut up and relax.” No-one had noticed the exchange so she thought it best to comply.



“What do you want Malfoy?” She glared at him trying not to show her fear.



“I just wanted a chat. Professor Snape should be here but he was otherwise detained so I thought I’d come and keep you company.” He smiled.



“Well I don’t think that we have anything to talk about. Do you?”



“As a matter of fact, yes I do. I think that you and I need to have a long chat.” Draco turned his chair so that he was facing her properly. “So when are you thinking of letting everyone know that your pregnant?” He patted her stomach and she flinched. “Do you think that anyone will believe that it’s professor Snape’s child? Do you think that your little friends will stick by you when they find out that you’ve been banging their near arch nemesis? He’s twice your age and when the ministry find out, they’ll have him fired and discredited. He’ll loose all of his Potions Master titles and go back to being a plain old wizard who can’t get a job. My father will see to that.” He laughed.



“Why does this even concern you Draco? It has nothing to do with you. There’s no law against us being together so the ministry will have no business discrediting anyone.” Hermione wanted to leave but she could see he was getting agitated.



“There will be laws against it when the new “Protection Of Influence” law gets passed later on today. Any student and teacher relationships will be classed as unlawful influence on the teachers side and they will be punished accordingly.”



“But he didn’t influence me and I’ll tell them that.”



“And they’ll use a pensive to see the first and only time that you had sex with him. If it was nice and consensual…” He smiled at her.



“You bastard.” Hermione went to draw her wand but Malfoy got there first.



“I wouldn’t try that again Granger. Duelling can be extremely dangerous if you are with child.”



“So what do you want from me?”



“I want you to marry me.”



Hermione’s jaw dropped. “What? Why?”



“Because, my grandfather is withholding my inheritance just like he did with my father. He says that I have to be married and have a child before I get it. I never intend to marry and there’s no way I want a little brat running around my feet when I have plans in this world.. If you marry me, when the child comes, I get my money and you can do whatever you want.”



“But Wizarding marriages last forever. They are soul binding.” Hermione argued.



“Oh you silly girl. They’re only soul binding if the couple are in love. If the souls want to bind. When we get married, we’ll still loathe each other. We can get the marriage severed whenever we wish. Just don’t go falling in love with me.” Hermione snorted.



“Fat chance.” She thought about things. “So after I’ve married you, if I married you, what would happen to Severus and I?”



“Well, he’d be seen as a saint for taking in the poor Malfoy cast off and there would be no implications that you were with him while you were a student so you can do whatever you want.”



“And that’s everything?” She raised her eyebrows at him.



“Think about it. Discuss it with Snape and then get back to me.” Draco stood and left the pub. Hermione sat wishing there was another choice, but there wasn’t. This was Malfoy blackmail. No way out. She would have to marry Draco. She would be Mrs. Hermione Malfoy. Ugh.



That night, Hermione waited in the dungeons for Severus to return. When he finally did, he was utterly inebriated. He ignored her completely and proceeded to his quarters without even a backwards glance.



“Severus.” She called out to him in the dark.



He turned around and squinted. “Hermione issssat yiu?” He slurred.



Hermione walked over to him and pulled him through the door into his rooms. Snape collapsed onto the chair and attempted to pour himself another drink spilling half of the bottle on the floor.



“I think you’ve had enough. Don’t you?” She pulled the bottle from his grasp and watched as he began to sob quietly into his hands. “What’s wrong?” She asked sitting next to him.



“I’ve ruined your life. My love is like a curse on you. It has been on anyone I’ve ever loved. They’ve all suffered for enduring my affections.” He choked back another round and stared up at her. The light catching the curve of her stomach as she had removed her outer robes and was now sitting in a muggle maternity dress given to her by madam Pomfrey. “You’re going to have to marry him and it’s all my fault. Our child will be known as a Malfoy.” He looked away awaiting her barrage of questions that were bound to follow.



“I know. I got propositioned by my fiancé today. It looks like the father-in-law-to-be, got to you. I’ve thought about it and we have no choice really do we?”



“Yes. Yes we do. We could refuse and then I’d go to prison. I don’t care, I’ve been there before and it’s what I deserve. You could raise the baby with Potter and Weasley. I’m sure they’ve already offered. Anything to save you from the Malfoy clutches.”



“No Severus. I love you far too much to allow that to happen.” She curled into his arm, wrapping it around her. “We’ll be ok now, don’t you see? My parents will be pleased to see me married and there’ll be no scandal about an unwed witch having a child with her teacher.” She tilted her head to look up at him and smiled. “I’m going to have to tell Harry and Ron some warped version of the blackmail because I don’t think they’d believe that I was in love with Malfoy. Then again, I don’t think they’ll believe I’m in love with you when I tell them.” She felt his body jerk as he chuckled lightly. She snuggled up to him and he relaxed placing an arm around her attentively. In minutes, they were both fast asleep.













A/n - as i said... blame the muse!!