Disclaimer: JK owns the characters, locations, anything recognizable. I'm just playing with her characters.
"We are going to die Harry. There's no way out of this!" Hermione was sobbing into Harry's shirt, clinging to him uncomfortably. They were in the Room of Requirement trying to make plans for the battle that seemed inevitable. The DA members that were still in school looked at the hysterical girl in shock. They were not used to seeing the Head Girl of all people lose it.
Ron tried to pull Hermione away from Harry so the meeting could continue. "Come on Hermione; let's just go over what we've talked about. It may not be as bad as you think," Ron told her.
"I'm sorry," Hermione sniffed, looking at the faces of her friends. "I was just overwhelmed for a moment there. I'm fine." She turned to look at Harry. "I'm sorry about your shirt."
Harry just nodded and gave Hermione a half smile. If truth be known, he felt the same way she did. He really felt that this was it, his time to die. He didn't plan to live through the next twenty four hours and it was hard for a seventeen year old boy to take.
They had anticipated the final battle last summer. After Professor Dumbledore had been killed, all signs pointed at a summer war. The leader of the Order of the Phoenix was dead and they were all so broken and lost it would have been the perfect time to attack. Voldemort had other plans though and now all intelligence was leading them to tomorrow. The day when he and most of his friends would die.
There were not very many students left at Hogwarts. There were no first years at all; McGonagall deferred the enrollment of all new students. The parents of the older children made their own decisions about whether their children could come back. It was only the seventh year students, with most of them being of age and able to make their own decisions, that had a nearly full enrollment. The DA started meeting again, officially this time, opening to other students third year and above. They even had their very own faculty advisor.
Professor Snape had returned to Hogwarts, and to the Order a slightly different man. He had never been arrested for the death of Dumbledore, and using a pensive, the Order was able to see the vow he had taken. Dumbledore would have died within the month anyway, there were few options. Forgiveness was given, even by Harry, but Snape had yet to forgive himself. He took up the job as advisor to the DA as a sort of penance. Even though he would never admit it, Harry was glad to have the extra help. He was good at defense but Snape was better.
The remaining DA members huddled around Harry, looking over the plans one more time although it wasn't needed. They all knew what to do, what was coming and that they would most likely lose. Through Snape's spying, he informed them all of the danger they were in. He didn't expect to live either.
After almost everyone had left, Harry and Hermione stayed to pack everything up. Ron had left with Ginny to go back to Gryffindor tower so they could have some family time. The entire Weasley family was staying in a room near the tower so they could spend one more night together.
They were silent as they moved around the room. Hermione ran her hands along the walls, thanking the building for protecting them for so long. She was an adult and her best childhood memories were of this school, of her two best friends, and of her family. Tomorrow that could all be gone. She would either lose her friends, her school or her own life. At least her family was safe in Australia, unaware of any of this.
She finally sat down on the floor, propped against one of the cushions they practiced with. It had a few scorch marks but was still comfortable. She felt that if she could just stay in that room and keep Harry there with her, they would both be safe. Sure they would be abandoning the wizarding world at a crucial time but they would be alive.
Harry sat down next to Hermione and leaned his head on her shoulder. "You mean more to me than almost anyone in this life. I just want you to know that," he whispered.
"I feel the same about you. That's why I was so upset earlier."
"I don't want to die Hermione. I want to finish school, get a great job, marry Ginny, have lots of kids, and be normal."
"I want that too. Well, I don't want to marry Ginny, but I want that too." Hermione sighed, "You should go be with Ginny tonight. She'll need you."
"I can't. I love her too much to be with her tonight. I know that makes no sense but if I'm with her I'm going to cry, lose focus, and I don't stand a chance."
"Can we stay here then?" Hermione asked. "Just stay in this room together and say goodbye."
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Harry leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.
"Will you do me a favor Harry?"
"Anything."
"This is going to sound really odd but I don't want to die a virgin. I want you to make love to me. I know you love Ginny but I can't imagine asking anyone else."
Harry was stunned by her question. "It's not that I'm not flattered but I can't. I'm in love with someone else."
"I'm not looking for a relationship Harry. I don't love you in a romantic way. I just want to feel something else tonight besides sorrow and worry."
"Wouldn't you rather ask Ron?"
"You are the only one I trust. Please Harry?"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
Three Months Later
Hermione and Harry sat in the Room of Requirement. They were very much alive. The battle intelligence was wrong, the Death Eaters had turned on themselves and the minor skirmish at the gates of Hogwarts was almost a joke. The fighting continued, the plotting, the planning. There would be a final battle. The prophecy told him that much. They still weren't safe. They still faced death.
The two friends were sitting close and grasping each other's hands. Hermione felt that if Harry let go, she'd just dissolve into a million pieces. She was barely hanging on. Harry felt much the same way, but he was resolved to do what he had to do. He was about to give up the one thing he wanted most in this world.
Severus Snape sat across from the couple on an uncomfortable chair. He glared at his least favorite student and the know it all that followed him around. They looked nervous and pale. He hoped they didn't have some odd disease that required an unknown potion. He had no patience for things like that.
"Are you two going just going to sit there shaking or are you going to tell me why you called me to this drab room. I am a busy man. I do not have all day," Snape said, using the most bored voice he could muster. In reality, he was curious as to why they would ask him to meet with them. They loathed him as much as he loathed them.
"We wanted to ask you a question," Harry spoke up. At the professor's nod to go ahead, he continued. "I understand that part of the oath that death eaters take is a stipulation to protect the children of other death eaters. Under this stipulation, no harm can come to the child of a death eater at the hand of another or Voldemort himself. Is this correct?"
Snape narrowed his eyes as he looked at Harry. Harry reacted by sitting up straighter, but Hermione turned a little green, looking quite nauseas.
"Yes, that is part of the oath. It expires when the child comes of age. Are you plotting against Draco again?"
"No! Not at all." Harry ran his hands through his hair unsure of how to continue.
"Why would you ask such a thing?" Severus asked, his curiosity peaked.
"We want you to claim our baby," Hermione whispered. "I'm pregnant with Harry's child and we need your help to protect it."
Snape was not expecting that. The idea that Potter would cheat on his girlfriend to get Hermione pregnant was a bit hilarious really. Potter was a do-gooder, he wouldn't cheat on Ginny.
"Would you care to explain how that happened?" Snape said, fighting back a smirk.
"Do you remember back in January when we thought the end was near? That night the DA met to go over last minute plans. After everyone left, Hermione and I stayed to talk. We decided that we didn't want to die virgins, and well now she's pregnant," Harry said.
"My lesson on contraceptive potion was forgotten Miss Granger?" Snape asked.
"It wasn't exactly pre-determined so I didn't have any with me; besides, we both thought we would die so it wouldn't matter anyway," Hermione huffed. She hated for her intelligence to be challenged.
"Professor, we wouldn't be asking for your help if we didn't think this was our only option. Obviously if word got out that I was going to have a child, the danger to Hermione and the baby would be greater than ever. With your status as a Death Eater, you could claim the baby as your own and protect them both. We've been trying to figure out what to do for the last month and you are our only option." Harry explained as calmly as he could.
"I see. Did you not consider the fact that I would surely lose my job if people were to think I impregnated a student? The Head Girl no less. Nobody would believe I would touch Miss Granger," Snape told them, sitting forward and glaring.
"Technically Hermione isn't a student, you know that," Harry answered.
"You know I took my NEWTS before Christmas. I'm not listed as a student, I'm an apprentice. I know it will be hard for you to admit that you touched me, a mudblood, but I'm sure that it can be explained."
"I for one could care less about blood status but the Dark Lord does. He'd have a hard time believing it." He sat back; wondering if this was possible at all. He was surprised at himself for even considering helping the brats, but he knew he was most likely the only hope they had for this baby to be born. "As for your status as a student, I suppose you are correct. If, and that's a big if, I were to agree to help you, what happens after Potter kills the Dark Lord? Assuming you get lucky of course."
"If we all survive, nothing would change. Hermione is prepared to raise the baby alone, one way or another. I can't be a father to this child. There's too much at stake. It would destroy Ginny and the baby would still be in danger. There will still be people trying to kill me for months after Voldemort is defeated, you know that. Any children I have need to be born through marriage, years from now, for them to be accepted into this world and stand a chance at a normal life. I will support Hermione financially through the Black estate but nobody can ever know that it's my child." Harry let go of Hermione and started pacing the cold room. "It kills me but I have to give this child up."
"We're not asking you to be a father Professor Snape. We just need you to claim the baby and allow him or her to have your name. You don't need to be responsible for me or the child at any point," Hermione pleaded.
At Snape's continued silence, Harry spoke up again. "You don't have to decide right now, we've got a little while before the pregnancy is obvious so if you could answer before then that would be great. We'll continue to try to come up with other options."
"Does anyone else know about this? This plan of yours or the pregnancy?" Snape finally asked.
"Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall both know I'm pregnant. The Headmistress knows that Harry is the father, she has been helping us come up with this plan."
"And your friends? Does Mr. Weasley know?"
"Nobody else knows," Harry answered.
"You'll be a target after the baby is born. You won't be protected, only the child." Snape turned toward Hermione.
"I know and I will do what needs to be done at that point. I am more concerned for my baby."
"You are willing to endure the humiliation from your friends that will come from carrying my child?"
"I'll deal with it. Whatever story we come up with will be accepted I'm sure."
Snape sat quietly for a long time. He was processing the information, weighing the responsibilities. At least his name would live on, through this child, even if his bloodline didn't. It wouldn't hurt his reputation in the slightest and he was sure he could convince Voldemort that he had used Hermione to get closer to Harry. It would work.
"Fine." He answered.
"Fine? Fine what?" Hermione asked.
"I'll do it. I'll claim that baby; give it a shot at life. I don't promise anything more."
"Thank you Professor!" Harry walked over to shake the man's hand.
"Thank me later Potter, after it works." He shook the outstretched hand. Hermione walked up to him, smiling the widest smile he'd ever seen directed at him.
"Thank you. This means so much," Hermione whispered behind tears.
"Now, let's get our story straight." The three sat down to discuss the finer details of their momentous lie.
Author's Note: If you could take a moment to review, I'd love it. Reviews are like cookies, you can never have too many.
