Disclaimer: HP belongs to Ms. Rowling

A/N: R&R please!

Hermione Granger Snape lay in her bed holding her and Severus' fifth child. She looked small and fragile, she nothing like she used to; she was young, beautiful and full of life. Having five children wore her body down. She as she was drifting to sleep her husband entered the room. Severus Snape walked into his bedroom to find Hermione lying in the bed with their youngest child, she looked awful, and he was terribly concerned about her.

"Hermione," he whispered. "Would you like me to watch Tristan for a bit?"

"Yes, actually that would be marvelous. I need a nap," she replied.

"I think that you should go to the doctor, I'm really worried about you, you haven't been to work in three weeks," said Severus

"I know, how is my replacement doing? I hope she's teaching them well," mused Hermione.

"Oh, you know she is, I keeping my eye on her," said Severus, assuring his wife.

"Sev, you should call in Mazie to keep the children the children tonight after I wake up so we can go enjoy a quiet dinner," Hermione suggested.

"Uh, okay dear, I'll check to make sure she's available she since was helping another elf do something earlier today," he answered.

"Okay," whispered Hermione as she drifted off to sleep.

A couple of hours later Hermione and Severus walked hand in hand down the road to Hogsmeade. They were going to check out a new restaurant that the Potters had recommended to them. Along their walk they held hands, kissed and giggled like they were newlyweds. Once they arrived at the restaurant and had placed their orders the mood turned serious.

"Severus," Hermione began, "I have something important to tell you, and I want to apologize ahead of time for not telling you sooner."

"Okay…"said Severus somewhat impatiently.

"Sev, I'm sick," said Hermione

Severus chuckled and replied "Well I've noticed this the past week or so."

"No Severus, I'm sick as in deathly ill. In fact I was told the other day that it was a miracle that I was still alive. Then I was urged to talk to you soon about er- arrangements," Hermione explained.

Severus stared at Hermione and was quite unsure as to what he should say.

"Hermione, I-I don't know what to say. I don't know why you kept this from me. I think that I of all people should have known a long time ago. We should have been making the most of this time instead of wasting it," Severus said, his voice cracking.

"I don't know why I didn't tell you, but I just didn't and I have to live with that choice. But it's bad, very bad. I have some sort of cancer that developed right around the time I became pregnant with Lara, and then worsen when I became pregnant with Tristan. They have no clue what cancer it is, because very few people have it," said Hermione.

"Wow, this is my entire fault; I shouldn't have wanted so many children. And I know that I can't change any of this but I wish I had known, you know a couple of years ago," Severus fretted.

"No, this is not your fault. I have never regretted anyone of our five children. Tobias, Akira, Adara, Lara, and Tristan have been the biggest joy in my life other than you. We need to sit down with them by the end of the week and tell them what's going on. By then we should have our plans together so we can answer their questions," responded Hermione.

The couple ate in silence. Hermione was thinking about her family and what was going to happen when she wasn't there. Severus was wondering how in the hell he was going to raise five children on his own, and how he was expected to live after his Hermione was gone. The couple left the restaurant and headed back to Hogwarts with a different attitude about them. Severus carried his Hermione back to their home in the castle, kissing her several times along the way, while holding back the tears that Hermione was already spilling.