Title: At The Midnight Hour
Author: Requiem of a Dream
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.
At The Midnight Hour
Hermione was in her room trying very hard not to fall asleep. It was now 11:30 p.m. and she had been up since 7 this morning. She had been reading quietly and finally sleep over came her. Perhaps it had not been wise to engage in such a sedentary activity.
She heard a soft click as her bedroom door closed. She opened her eyes and hazel met obsidian. Immediately she sat up in her bed as he came to sit next to her. She opened her mouth but shut it again, not knowing what to say. He smirked at her confusion then leaned in and gently kissed her.
His hands went to the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and over her head; tossing it to the floor. He pushed her back onto the bed and his mouth traveled south, kissing her neck and nipping at her collar bone, as he made his way lower towards her breasts.
He took one of the erect buds into his mouth, eagerly sucking and nipping at it. She moaned as the sensations she felt sent electricity straight to her core. Her hands went to his shirt and she hurriedly unbuttoned the crisp white cloth. She pushed the material off his shoulders and he slipped out of it, tossing it to the floor to join her top. Her hands raked up his sides as he bit, then blew onto her nipple. She grabbed his upper arms and guided him back up. She capture his lips in a kiss as her hands pulled loose his belt and attempted to pull off his pants; though she was now being hindered by the fact that he was fading away.
Both Hermione and Severus jolted awake. Each of them located a clock; 12 am. Every night for nearly three weeks they'd both had this dream. For the first two weeks it was just snippets, glimpse of his hands, her hair, a glance at the bedroom, them entwined together. Then at the beginning of the third week and actual dream began to form. The first dream had been him coming into her room and kissing her. The second he had taken her shirt off and lavished her breasts. Then tonight, the third night, she had gotten his shirt off and had attempted to go farther but was stopped. Each night one of them disappeared and each night they woke up at 12 a.m; though neither was aware that the other was having the exact same dream.
Hermione stood from the chair she had fallen asleep in and walked to her bedroom. She changed into a set of cotton pajamas, brushed her teeth and hair, then climbed into bed. She resolved to go to the library the next day and see if perhaps there was a potion she could take to suppress the dreams. Severus settled back into his bed. He too resolved to go to the library, to find a way to suppress the dreams as well.
Both Hermione and Severus woke up at 6 a.m. as usual. They each showered quickly then dressed, hoping to get to the library to do a little research undisturbed. Severus threw on his teaching robes and quickly made his way to the library, hoping to get there before Madam Pince.
Severus arrived about five minutes before Hermione did, and he headed straight for the section on dreams. He was browsing the charms section, and had pulled a few books when suddenly he heard light foot-steps. He whirled around to see Hermione at the end of the aisle that he was on. She seemed to be absorbed in the book that she had in her hands so he turned to leave but found a wall. It was then that Hermione looked up from her book.
"Professor!" She said; quite surprised to see Severus standing there. Quickly she closed the book in her hands and held it to her chest so he could not see the title. As if he didn't know what potion books the library held and what each would look like.
'Interesting; a book on dream suppression.'
"Miss Granger! What are you doing here, before school hours?" He asked suspiciously.
"I needed a book." She answered stupidly. 'Duh Hermione! It's a library, a room full of books, really the only thing you can get here.'
"That much is obvious. Students are not allowed in here without Madam Pince or another living staff member present. Twenty points from Gryffindor! I suggest you get back to your room before I take more!" He sneered. Hermione turned and literally ran from the library. Severus relaxed, grabbed one more book then he too left the library and went back to the dungeons.
During classes both Hermione and Snape read through the books they had taken from the library, searching for a cure to their stubborn dreams. In Transfiguration Hermione was reading through her book while a Quick Quotes Quill took notes for her. About three quarters of her way through the book she found a potion that sounded promising. It was specifically geared towards dreams of a sexual nature. She grabbed another quill and quickly copied the instructions and ingredients down then banished the book back to the library.
Transfiguration, Runes, and Arithmacy went as usual then lunch began. Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table and talked with Harry, Ron, and Ginny about the upcoming Quidditch game against Slytherin. Lunch ended and Hermione hurried to Care of Magical Creatures then down to the Dungeons for Potion's. She walked into the classroom and was surprised to see Severus already there. She set her book bag on her desk then walked up to Severus' desk.
"Sir?" She said timidly.
"Yes Miss Granger?" He asked without looking up from his book.
"I was wondering, if after dinner I could come back here to brew a potion." He glanced up at her.
"What potion?"
"It's a dream suppressant." He eyed her suspiciously.
"Ask Madam Pomfrey for one."
"I already have and it didn't work. This one keeps coming back; nearly three weeks now."
"Show me the ingredients list and brewing instructions."
Hermione walked back to her desk and grabbed the parchment she had written on. She walked back to Severus' desk and laid the parchment on it. He set aside his book and picked up the parchment. He read over the list and then set it back down on the desk.
"Very well you can brew it, but once it is done you can only take one dose with you." Hermione nodded her head and took back the list. As she was sitting down students began piling in.
The lesson went as usual. The students took notes for the first half of class and then brewed a rather easy potion. It was used to reverse a lust spell. Hermione finished brewing her potion, bottled and labeled it, and set it on Severus' desk.
"Miss Granger please come forward." Severus said from his desk. Hermione got up from her desk, wondering just what he wanted.
"Yes sir?" She said tentatively.
"The potion you want to brew must simmer for an hour. If you begin now, it can simmer during dinner."
"Thank you sir. I'll start right now." She turned to go to her seat.
"Miss Granger, use one of the cauldrons in the door next to the Student supply closet." Hermione was shocked. That was Severus' personal supply closet, and his cauldrons that he had to purchase himself. Hermione pulled out one of the cauldrons and then pulled her supplies from the student closet.
For the last thirty minutes of class Hermoine chopped, diced, sliced, minced, shredded, and squeezed the items she needed. She added lavender, jasmine, frog's eye, a powdered beetle, black mushroom, yuka bark, and a half inch of a unicorn hair. Stirring three times counter-clockwise and then five time clockwise, the potion was ready to simmer.
"Bottle and label your potions and set them on my desk. Class dismissed." Severus said as the clock chimed 5 o'clock. Hermione waited until the class had left and then walked up to his desk.
"Sir my potion is ready to simmer."
"Leave it on your desk and I will lock the door to the classroom. I expect you back here in exactly an hour."
"Yes sir." Hermione said. Hermione picked up her book bag and followed the rest of the class to the Great Hall for dinner.
Hermione sat at the Gryffindor Table slightly distracted. She wasn't really listening to the conversations going on around her at all. Snape had only agreed to let her brew th potion after he found out that the one Madam Pomfrey had wasn't working. This wouldn't have raised any flags if it were any other professor but Snape was a bastard and he wouldn't have given in so easily, especially to Hermione. Hermione began to wonder exactly why he would let her brew a potion.
Just before six o'clock Hermione got up from the Gryffindor Table and headed down to the dungeons. When Hermione reached the Potion's classroom the door was unlocked and Snape was inside at his desk. The clock struck six and Hermione put out the very small fire she had going and moved the cauldron to the side. She went to the student supply closet and found a small bottle and then took it back to her desk. She poured the potion into the bottle and took it up to Severus' desk.
"Sir, I've bottled the potion." Snape produced a vial and poured approximately a quarter cup of the potion into the vial.
"You should take this just prior to going to bed. It will take effect almost immediately."
"Yes sir, thank you."
5.927601843 Hours Later
Both Hermione and Severus took the potion at 11:30pm and within five minutes they had fallen asleep; within ten minutes they were dreaming.
She heard a soft click as her bedroom door closed. She opened her eyes and hazel met obsidian. Immediately she sat up in her bed as he came to sit next to her. She opened her mouth but shut it again, not knowing what to say. He smirked at her confusion then leaned in and gently kissed her.
His hands went to the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and over her head; tossing it to the floor. He pushed her back onto the bed and his mouth traveled south, kissing her neck and nipping at her collar bone, as he made his way lower towards her breasts.
He took one of the erect buds into his mouth, eagerly sucking and nipping at it. She moaned as the sensations she felt sent electricity straight to her core. Her hands went to his shirt and she hurriedly unbuttoned the crisp white cloth. She pushed the material off his shoulders and he slipped out of it, tossing it to the floor to join her top. Her hands raked up his sides as he bit, then blew onto her nipple.
She grabbed his upper arms and guided him back up. She capture his lips in a kiss as her hands pulled loose his belt and pulled his pants from his hips. He slipped out of the pants and they fell to the floor. His hands traveled south to the top of her shorts and tugged them off her hips; she smiled coyly as she lifter her hips off the bed and 'accidently' pushed her hips into his. He pulled her shorts and panties off and tossed them to the side.
She moaned as he placed a hand on the small of her back and lifted her hips and pressed her against his erection. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he pushed his erection into her. She threw her head back, groaning in pleasure as he thrust into her again.
He started a moderate rhythm, but she demanded more and he picked up a faster pace and thrusted harder. A soft chanting began, a low male voice saying what sounded like a spell in Latin.
The Next Morning
When Hermione woke up at first she did not look at the clock. She had dreamed again and it was still dark in her room, so Hermione knew that it was midnight, but just in case; 12:01am. Just after she turned on her side and closed her eyes she sat up, ramrod straight and her eyes flew open.
'I'm naked! Why am I naked? And these are not my sheets or comforter.' It was then that she heard the soft noise of someone else's breathing. Slowly Hermione turned to her right and looked down.
"OH MY GOD!!!" Hermione yelled at the top of her lungs. Immediately Severus sprung up and had a wand in his hand.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY BED?!?" Severus yelled as he gathered the sheet around his waist and practically jumped out of the bed.
"I-I-I don't know I woke up and I was here. The last thing I remember was laying in my bed in my room." She went on babbling about how this was breaking a hundred school rules and it would ruin her reputation.
"Miss Granger would you please just shut up." She immediately shut her mouth and looked up at Severus.
"Go in the bathroom and I will bring you some clothes and you will change."
Severus pointed to a door across the room then turned his back while Hermione walked over to the bathroom. After he heard the door shut Severus quickly changed into his teaching robes and then found a pair of pajama pants and a white t-shirt. He knocked lightly on the door an Hermione opened it enough to take the clothes and then shut it again. Just before he left the room he took a look at the clock on the wall; 12:30 am.
After Hermione had dressed she opened the door a crack and was relieved to find that Severus was not in his bedroom. She walked out of the bathroom and then out of the bedroom; unfortunately Severus was standing just inside the living room. She refused to meet his gaze.
"We need to discuss this with the headmaster." Severus said.
"What? Why? No one needs to know, we don't even know what happened." Severus was glaring at her so intently that Hermione could feel it.
"He must be told because I do not want to be accused of rape or molestation." Severus said scathingly
"I swear Professor I wont say a word to anyone. Please just don't tell the headmaster; because either way he has to investigate it and both of us will be put under unnecessary scrutiny." Severus seem to think this over for a minute. Hermione looked up at him.
"Please. If we go to the headmaster, the entire school will find out and it wont matter what the headmaster concludes. My reputation will be ruined and more than likely parents will find out, they'll be furious, and demand that something be done with you."
"We are going to the headmaster." Severus said. He grabbed Hermione by her wrist and dragged her out into the hall way.
"Professor it is 12 am. The headmaster is probably asleep. It would be quite rude to wake him at this hour."
"That may be Miss Granger but we will at least get this out of the way now." He yanked her wrist and dragged her all the way up to the headmaster's office; three flights of stairs and at least half a dozen hallways. Severus knocked loudly on the door; and both of them were surprised to hear the headmaster's voice beckoning them in. Severus opened the door and practically threw Hermione into the room.
"Severus what is the meaning of this?" McGonagall asked as she helped Hermione to her feet.
"This is something I wish only to discuss with the headmaster." Severus said, looking pointedly at Albus.
"Severus; this seems to involve Miss Granger, and since she is in Minerva's house I think she can stay." Both Severus and Hermione groaned.
"What has brought you to my office at this hour? Albus asked Severus.
"I woke up just now to find Miss Granger naked and in my bed." Both McGonagall and Albus stared first at Severus and the Hermione.
"What do you mean?" Albus asked. Severus looked at him like he was daft; but couldn't answer the question.
"Don't blame this on ME!" Hermione yelled then added a little calmer, "He means that it seems we had sex." Hermione said bluntly.
"It seems you had sex? What does seems mean?" McGonagall asked.
"It means that while we don't actually recall having sex; all of the evidence points to that fact. For one we woke up in the same bed and we certainly did not fall asleep in the same one, second we were both naked, third I have marks on my body that were not there just hours ago, and fourth, well I'm sure you can imagine." Hermione said. She was currently sitting in a chair and was trying to disappear into it.
"Is she correct Severus? Did you have sex with Miss Granger?"
"I don't know. We don't know. She is just assuming."
"I am not assuming!!! I for one don't think that is a coincidence; especially considering the dreams that we've been having. And as I have said there is evidence, seeing as how you dragged me up here in the middle of the night without even letting me shower." Then something clicked inside Severus' head and realized what evidence Hermione was talking about.
"Fuck!" He yelled as he slammed his fist into the wall. Hermione then actually had the audacity to smirk.
"Dreams? What dreams?" Albus asked. Hermione explained as Severus paced at the back of the office.
"Severus were you having these dreams as well?" Minerva asked.
"Yes." Severus spat out. Minerva's hand flew to her mouth.
"What is it Minerva?" Albus asked. Both Hermione and Snape were staring at her suspiciously.
"Miss Granger return to your room immediately; tell no one of anything that happened tonight. And Severus I need a word privately with Albus." Hermione rose from her seat, and walked out of the office.
"It is obvious that whatever you are going to tell Albus has to do with Miss Granger and myself. I will not leave until I have heard it." Severus said as he walked into the office behind Minerva and Albus.
"He has a point Minerva." Albus said.
"But before each night twelve dreams for two things that are forbidden. One's thirst, not of water but nature, is quenched by the other. From these sins come three babes to make innocent them who have yet crimes committed."
"What is that?" Albus asked.
"Eight years ago I had to go up to Trelawny's classroom to return a crystal ball that a student had taken. When I reached her room she was in a trance and she had already began to speak before I got there. That is what she said, I believe it was a prophesy."
"And you think it applies to Miss Granger and myself?"
"Who else? Every night at 12 the two of you had dreams of a sexual nature, which is forbidden. Miss Granger has a thirst for knowledge that is quenched by Severus because he is her professor." Minerva said.
"If Miss Granger is pregnant, she will be the first pregnant student Hogwarts has ever had. The ministry will have a fit when they find out." Albus said to himself.
"The ministry will not find out! We don't even know she is pregnant. Trelawny is a fool and a fraud. And besides all of that what woman in her right mind would even think of keeping my child."
"Miss Granger needs to be told of the prophecy immediately." Minerva said.
"I agree; I will tell her tomorrow after her classes." Dumbledore said.
"You mean to say that you will impress upon her the importance of her carrying and bearing thi- - no these children just incase the daft woman you call a divination professor is right."
"What is your point Severus?" Minerva asked.
"Just that you plan to use this girl and the children she bears the same way you used Potter." Severus walked out of the Headmaster's office and down to the dungeons hoping to go to sleep and forget the entire night.
The Next Morning
Hermione woke up at 6:30am as usual. She got out of bed and walked to her bathroom and turned the shower on. She stood under the hot spray for a few minutes before finally washing her hair and body then getting out. She looked at herself in the mirror.
"I am really pale." She said to herself. She pointed her wand at her hair and said the charm that was supposed to dry and straighten her hair. But nothing happened to her hair. Hermione tried three more times to cast the charm but it still did not work. She gave up and pinned her hair up with a clip.
Hermione dragged herself back to her bedroom and dressed in her school uniform. She put her books into her book bag and then stuffed a few rolls of parchment and a couple of quills into her bag as well. At 7:20 am Hermione threw her bag onto her shoulder then headed down to the Great Hall. Just as Hermione was about to open the doors she was yanked to the side. Hermione looked up and was surprised to see Professor Snape.
"Professor what is the meaning of this?"
"You need to be apprised of something that is going to happen after your classes today." He let go of her arm and walked up a set of stairs that were nearby. Hermione watched him for a few seconds and then followed him up the stairs. She followed him to the Room of Requirement. The door opened up and Snape ushered Hermione into the room. Inside was one very comfortable looking chair and a fire-place.
"You may want to sit down Miss Granger." Snape said, uncharacteristically kind. Hermione was taken back by the slight tone of concern in his voice; especially considering the night before. She carefully sat in the armchair and set her book bag on the floor next to her. Snape paced back and forth in front of her then finally began to speak.
"Last night Professor McGonagall brought something to the attention of the Headmaster and myself. It seems that eight years ago Minerva witnessed part of a prophecy made by Professor Trelawny. - - -
"Then each night twelve dreams for two things that are forbidden. One's thirst, not of water but nature, is quenched by the other. From these sins come three babes to make innocent them who have yet crimes committed." But Hermione was only half listening.
"It seems she predicted what happened last night and what would come of it."
"What would come of it sir? What do you mean?"
"If what Trelawny predicted is in fact true and does involve us, she also predicted that you would become pregnant from our encounter." Hermione was speechless. She opened and closed her mouth several times then gave up trying to talk. She placed her hand over her mouth and leaned on the right arm of her chair while subconsciously placing her left hand over her abdomen.
"This can't be true. I have four more months of school, I cannot be pregnant. I- I-I- I can't be pregnant; I'm on birth control."
"Muggle birth control is rendered useless by your magic. Your magic basically turns a birth control into a fertility treatment."
"No! No, I'm not pregnant. I don't believe you!" Hermione got up from her seat and walked to the wall where they had entered and waited a few seconds for the door to appear, but it did not.
"The room cannot register your magic. To this room you are just a muggle and therefore you should not be let out of this room to enter the school." Hermione pulled her wand and pointed it at the wall saying an exploding charm, but not even a puff of smoke emanated from her wand.
"At this moment you don't have any magic. The children you are carrying are taking it from you. This will ensure that they are in fact magical, though we will not know until after they are born what their full capabilities are."
"Children? They? Their? I am supposed to have more than one?!? This can't be! I-I-I don't believe you."
"Yes children, three children. You don't have to believe me Miss Granger, but you are going to hear the same thing from the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall today after your classes; only they are going to try and convince you that the only choice you have is to carry and bear these children."
"Why are you doing this to me? Why are you telling me this? What do you want from me?"
"I don't want anything from you Miss Granger. All I want to do is assure that whatever you decide to do is in fact your decision. Something like this is going to affect you the rest of your life, whether you bear these children, abort them, keep them, or give them up for adoption."
"You have never said a decent word to me, and here you are concerned about me, my decisions, and my future. Why?" Snape glowered at her, but did not answer. Hermione then realized something and her hand went to her abdomen.
"These are not just my children; they are yours too. This not only affects me but you as well."
"Yes but not to the extent it will yours. You will have to carry these children for nine months, or you will have to be the one who suffers when they are aborted, you will have to birth these children, you will have to deal with any emotional bonds or attachments associated with this pregnancy. I do not have any preference for the outcome of this pregnancy, you must do what you deem best for yourself." Snape walked to the back of the room and the door started to form.
"It is 7:45. Classes begin in only 15 minutes but you cannot go, it will be too dangerous."
"I can't miss any classes, exams are in only four months."
"You will have to. You will start to gain your magic back starting tomorrow and will have almost all of your magical capabilities back by the end of a week. Take these next two days off to decide what you are going to do. I will talk to the Headmaster and let him know that you have been told about everything and you are considering your options." Snape opened the door and Hermione picked up her bag and started to walk out of the room but stopped.
"What are the wizarding laws regarding abortion?"
"You cannot abort legally, not even under extreme direst; and I am afraid that any abortion potion in existence will utterly destroy your reproductive system."
"So then I would have to go to a muggle clinic in London and obey their laws?"
"Yes." Hermione walked out of the Room of Requirement and headed for her room, but turned around once she was sure that Snape wasn't following. A few seconds later she saw a glimpse of Snape and followed him straight to Dumbledore's office. She waited for the stairs to circle up and come back down before going up. She stood outside the door and listened to the conversation.
"Severus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Dumbledore asked.
"I have spoken with Miss Granger." Dumbledore's smiling face turned sour.
"Why did you go behind my back?" Dumbledore asked impatiently.
"She needed the truth, not some old fool's notion of truth."
"She holds the key to what sounds like a very profound prophecy."
"Nevertheless you are meddling in her life; this is something only she can decide. She is considering her options."
"Severus you do NOT understand the magnitude of this situation. If she terminates this pregnancy- -"
"If she terminates this pregnancy it will be HER decision and we do not know what will happen! If I loose ANOTHER child it will NOT be due to YOU!" Severus said storming out of Dumbledore's office. He never noticed Hermione crouching in a corner. Hermione waited a few seconds then hopped on the stairs and stayed a level above Severus.
"What was he talking about Albus?" Minerva asked as she walked into the office after Snape left.
"Nothing, nothing. He spoke to Miss Granger this morning." Minerva rolled her eyes.
"What did he tell her?"
"The 'truth' is all he would say. Which it means he told her of the prophecy and told her that she needs to make her own decision and not take anything except herself into consideration."
"Albus perhaps that is not so bad. I mean I do hope she chooses to at least carry and bear these children, but shouldn't she be able to decide whether or not she wants to do that."
"Yes but the last part of the prophecy. . ."
"I know, but doesn't the fact the prophecy exists means it happens?"
"Yes and no. The first half happened, but the second part is a variable. The same as Harry's prophecy had been. A child would survive Voldemort's attack but not necessarily win the war. Things can go wrong."
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