The Mandatory Reproduction Statute

I woke up with the ache in between my legs that signified a good night. Severus’ weight still lay next to me, snores coming from his side of the bed. Well, the deed was done. Severus and I were officially Reproduction Mates, for the next year. I was alone with my thoughts as I lay there, waiting for the alarm to go off. I could have done worse, it was true. Severus was intelligent, loyal and not bad looking under those black robes.

Just the thought of his calloused fingers running over my skin awoke a longing in me I hadn’t felt since Krum. It was a basic, animal need. I could feel his muscles moving next to me as he shifted under the sheets. I’d never realized how toned the Professor had been, not under those robes, washboard abs and defined arms. In a way, I couldn’t wait until I ovulated. I literally could not wait.

I traced my fingers up and down his arm, his chest and stomach. “Hermione, are you trying to wake me?” I murmured slightly and nuzzled his neck. Severus bent his head down and found my lips with his, caressing them gently against each other. The warmth of his lips against mine did nothing to alleviate my desires, it only increased them.

Slowly, Severus kissed down my body, inch by inch. My lips, my jaw, my collarbone, my breasts, and bellybutton. A wicked smile crossed his face as he lowered himself between my legs. Gently, he nudged my thighs apart, placing an openmouthed kissed on each. “Severus,” I whimper. I need to feel some kind of contact. I couldn’t but help rock my hips towards him. The gleam in Severus’ eyes told me he was trying to see how long he could drag this out. As revenge I grabbed him by the hair and pulled him to my core. I’d started this and didn’t want to wait any longer.

Dutifully, he parted my nether lips and licked my clit. A low chuckle reverberated from his chest as I keened at the contact. I couldn’t help but moan as the tremor tickled my sensitive nub. Stroke by stroke I felt closer to the edge but not over it. A slight nip as two of his fingers entered me sent my inner walls pulsing. Satisfaction settled over me as Severus crawled back up my body and kissed me lightly on the corner of my mouth. “Think you can go to sleep now?” He murmured into my ear. “Hold me?” was all I could say in return.

The morning post came with a flurry of wings. Once again one of the birds landed in front of us, stretching its paw out to Severus. I could see the same ministry seal on there that had been on the last notice. I cringed, not wanting to know what it said. Severus snatched the letter from the bird. Frustration was evident in every one of his movements, I mean, what more could the Ministry want from us? I could see his black orbs scan over the words and make him frown before he passed the note towards me with a sigh.

We are glad to be the first to congratulate you on the consummation of your contract. You will have until 9.51pm on August 22^rd, 2009 to conceive or be fined and rematched.

Enclosed is a timer that will count down to the final moment of completion of the contract. Once again, congratulations!

Also, we regret to inform you of a fine incurred at 9.26pm on August 22^nd, 2008. A fine of 100 Galleons has been incurred due to waste of genetic material. Payment is due by August 25^th, 2008 to the Department of Reproduction.

“Woah there, firebug.” Severus said, dowsing the flame. I looked at him with the most murderous look I can muster. “How are you not upset about this? We are being fined for doing exactly what they wanted!” My voice was rising above cautious levels. We were surrounded by other Professors, this wasn’t the time nor the place.

Severus raised an eyebrow towards me. “Well, we did waste some genetic material, which could have led to conception. I’m honestly not surprised that we are getting fined for it. But I am infuriated that they know what we are doing.”

“Well, you aren’t showing it.” I said with a huff. My hands were twisting my clothes…I needed an escape from my frustrations. I felt like I was about to jump out of my skin because of the situation I was in.

Finally I pushed back from the table and walked, quickly, out of the Hall. I heard no footsteps behind me—whether from adrenaline or because I truly was alone—and headed straight for the Quidditch pitch. I found myself in the middle of the pitch, screaming at the top of my lungs. I conjured up a dummy, much like a Muggle punching bag, and started slapping, kicking and punching it. Each time my body connected with the doll I screamed again. Pure rage, frustration and disbelief left my body as I pummeled the lifeless being senseless.

I felt like I was going on for hours, hitting and screaming, when I crumpled onto the ground and sobbed. Not only had the Ministry taken away her rights to choose a partner but it went down to what they did in the privacy of our own chambers!

As I crashed from my from my anger I felt the presence of another human being by me. “Hermione,” the hard voice of Severus Snape resounded, “you and I have different ways of expressing our anger. I have spent many years learning how to…handle…my emotions. I prefer to take it out on my students.” Severus winked at me. I couldn’t help but laugh at his comment, it was refreshing to see this other side of Severus.

I slowly got up and dusted myself off. As my hands passed over my clothes I noticed bruising along my knuckles and painful spots along my legs and arms. I had gone a little overboard with the dummy, or so it seemed. “I need to go see Madam Pomfrey,” I said as I started walking towards the castle. Severus silently followed my every step, never leaving my side.

The walk was silent and oddly comfortable. We reached the infirmary door in minutes—it was a well-traveled path that I could walk in my sleep at this point. “It’s quite alright Severus, I appreciate the gestured but I can take it from here,” we had reached for the door knob at the same time. My hand was under his, he ran his hand from my hand to my waist in response. “No, I think I’ll stay.”

I smiled slightly and pushed the door open. “Poppy?” Severus said from besides me. Madame Pomfrey appeared from her office with her usual bustle, as if the school year had started and the infirmary was already in use.

“Oh Severus dear, what brings you in?” She smiled sweetly at my mate. It pulled my heartstrings to see that he was so liked, even adored, amongst the faculty of the castle. “It seems our dear Hermione here has gotten herself some bruises and few split knuckles.”

He pushed me gently forward. Poppy tutted slightly but did a quick diagnostic test. With her typical shuffle she went to the medicine cabinet and back. “Just an anti-swelling potion and a blood-clotter. You’ll be right as rain in a matter of days dear.”

Just as I was about to put the potion to my lips Severus stayed my hand. “Poppy, could you perform a pregnancy diagnostic before she drinks those?” Wizarding pregnancy diagnostic tests could be taken within an hour after copulation. Really, I could have run the test that morning if I had felt like it.

“Oh, I hadn’t even thought…you are quite right Severus,” the elder witch waved her wand at my abdomen, a white light was visible for a minute after, “nothing yet.”

I nodded and drank the potions without a second thought. We’d just have to keep on trying.

The day continued without another hiccup. Minerva and I spent more time working on my lessons in my chambers and enjoyed a quiet lunch of sandwiches during that time. As tea time neared, another house elf popped up and served us a tray with biscuits. “Rumor has it that the deed is done,” Minerva said as she stirred her tea. She and poppy did really spend too much time together, gossiping like little old hags.

“Not that it is any of your business, but a deed was done.” I replied.

Minerva seemed slightly taken aback, but pressed on none the less, “a deed? How do you mean?”

I could not help but sigh and put down my cup. I felt myself rolling my eyes as I said the words, “I’m sure Poppy also told you the test was negative. Which, according to the Ministry is the only important part. They even fined us this morning, for wasting genetic material.”

Minerva looked slightly uncomfortable at these words as if she didn’t realize the full extent of what the Ministry thought was important. We hadn’t realized the full extent either.

“On the bright side, it was amazing,” it was an olive branch, the only one I could extend at this point. At this Minerva scooted closer, an air of teenage excitement around her. I was waiting for her to ask for more information, but instead Severus walked into the room.

He sat down at the table right next to me and made himself some tea. In a way I expected him to lean back and place his feet on the table. Instead, he quietly waited for our conversation to start up again. I cleared my throat and gave Minerva a skittish look.

“Hermione was just telling me about her idea to play games in the classroom.” Minerva said as an excuse. I heard Severus snort next to me. “Really, Hermione?”

“It was just a thought. As a reward for good behavior.” I shrugged lightly. Reality was that I’d never have considered it but it was a good way of distracting the Potions Master. Minerva giggled lightly, once again embracing the air she had earlier while we were gossiping. “Well, I do believe it is time for me to go. Shall I see you both at supper?”

I nod and watch Minerva leave our chambers.

“Now, firebug, what were you truly talking about?” Severus asked, raising his eyes to meet mine. “Minerva was far too excited about the conversation for it to have been more lesson planning.”

Heat rose in my cheeks at being caught, “I might as well tell you, all of the staff will know tomorrow. I confirmed that our contract had been consummated. Told her we had been fined because I gave you oral. And finally, that it had all been fantastic. We were just about to get to what it all had been when you showed up.”

“Aaah, nice and juicy I see. At least I got a rave review out of it,” Severus seemed smug about this news. At the same time I knew I was in trouble. “Hermione, I would greatly appreciate it if you stopped perpetuating the rumor mill. It is bad enough the Ministry is keeping tabs on our sex life, we do not need to invite more curious noses into our business.”

“It was just girl talk Severus, if it had been Ginny she would have known more. And sooner.” I said in reply. “I’m starting to behave like myself again, instead of a selfish little girl, please don’t be a twat about me having a chat with Minerva.” I inched closer and took his hand from around the cup.  I held his in both of mine and traced circles with my thumb. “I know you’re a private person but I share things with my friends. It’s not meant as gossip but as conversation. I’ll try to watch what I say.”

Severus sighed and placed his hands over mine. “It’s your turn to be right.”

I can’t help but smile a little as we sit there, in silence, our hands clasped together.

Author’s note: sorry for the long delay. Thank you to those that are still reading, rating and reviewing. I appreciate it!