The Mandatory Reproduction Statute

I spent the afternoon settling into my new abode. Everything had been moved in but it still wasn't me. I didn't feel at home, so I started moving things around over and over again. For a few moments I debated where to put up a framed picture of Harry, Ron and myself. It had been taken while visiting Hagrid our third year, when we were all happy and jovial. I finally settled on putting it up on the mantle, took it down and put it back up. I had to walk away before I changed my mind again.

 



Just as I went to go into my…our...bedroom, a voice resounded around the chambers. "Headmistress Minerva McGonagall wishes to be granted entrance."

 

"Euhm, okay," I whispered, not realizing that the entrance would respond to my voice commands; I hadn't been paying attention when Severus had left. The statue moved out of the way to reveal Minerva and a nervous looking house elf holding a tea tray. 





"Hello dear, may I come in? I thought you might like to see a friendly face," Minerva said with a smile, patiently waiting to be invited in. I had spent the afternoon in a daze and hadn't realized it was already tea time. Or that I was in need of some familiar interaction. I numbly beckoned her in, showing her to the living area. 





The elf set the tray down and disappeared with a snap of its fingers. I ran on autopilot, making tea for myself and Minerva with a sense of detachment I had never experienced before. 

"That's a lovely photograph, Hermione, where was it taken?" My guest was looking at the picture on the fireplace mantle. The three of us were squished together but still managed to take up the whole frame, very little could be seen of the grounds.

 

"I came here to comfort you, to make you feel at ease and all I've done is say how disappointed I am with our Ministry," she tutted, shaking her head.





"Minerva, Severus has been extremely kind throughout this ordeal. I have to try and look on the bright side: he is intelligent, brave, and kind in his own way." These were the words Minerva had meant to tell me. I knew them by heart because I had told myself a number of times already. 



 

The tea stood forgotten between us as we sat in silence, each absorbed in our own thoughts. After a few moments Minerva shook her head, "I will see you at dinner, dear. Do not forget, tomorrow we start on your lesson plans." I watched her get up, ask the statue to move and walk away from me. It was a terrifying thought to realize that not even Minerva could help me now.



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Dinner came and went in a blur. I shared many "nice to see you again” and a number or "nice to finally meet you”. I was one of two brand new Professors; the other was the new Arithmancy Professor, Abigail Lewis.



 

The cups on the table kept on refilling themselves. Every time I told myself it was the last glass of elf-made wine for the evening, it would fill back up. As I stood up, I felt how much I truly had to drink. I was thoroughly pissed. My head felt light and I was barely standing on my own. A firm hand was put on my lower back, I knew it was Severus immediately. 





Silently we made our way back up to our chambers. Not once did Severus remove his hand. He helped me each step of the way, as I stumbled up stairs and around corners. I heard Severus open our chambers and nudge me in first. 



 

I plopped down on the sofa and started undressing; throwing my sweater towards the fireplace without even noticing. 

"Careful there, Hermione, wouldn't want to set the castle on fire because you had too much to drink." He snapped my jumper away from the flames and caught my attention.



 

With a hollow laugh I stood up and walk towards our bedroom, taking off a garment with each step and throwing it at Severus. "Don't we have something to do?" 



 

My words were slurred and full of sarcasm. I was down to my undergarments, reaching behind myself to unclasp my bra when I felt his strong hands cover mine. 



 

"No, not like this." His tone was firm and reassuring. It was clear that this was not the way for him. 



 

"Maybe you should just get pissed too." I ripped myself away from his grip. I felt rejected, something I had felt my whole life, but never when it came to sex. I walked into the bedroom and slammed the door in his startled face. How dare he? I might not have had a line out the door, but why would he tell me no?



 

I walked over to the alcove and sat on the plush cushions, staring out of the window. The sway I felt in my head was uncomfortable and nauseating. I heard the door open and close, the almost silent step to my side and the blanket unfurling. He draped it around me; making sure I kept warm, before he sat down and put my feet in his lap. He slowly started rubbing them, massaging away some of my tension. 



 

"I don't expect you to love me, Hermione. Especially not this soon. But I do not wish to...have my way with you...when you are inebriated. I do not wish to take advantage of you like that." I snorted in irony and tried to pull my feet away. Instead he moved his hands to massage my calves. His agile and calloused fingers carefully forcing me to relax again. "We're in this together for at least a year, Hermione. We might as well make the best of it. Together."



 

I knew he made sense and I felt that he was being sincere. As his fingers worked their magic I fell asleep. I felt Severus lift me, blanket and all, and walk me over to the bed.