Disclaimer: Only the plot is mine, everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling, sadly….
Chapter 3
"P-Pregnant… Oh M-Merlin…," Harry sat down heavily on the stairs with his head in his hands.
Concerned, Hermione rushed to over to him. "Harry? Are you alright?"
"P-Pregnant? You don't look pregnant."
"Well, that because I'm only about 18 hours along," she chuckled.
"You're pregnant?"
"Yes Harry, I am."
"Pregnant?"
"Harry no matter how many times you ask me, the answer is always going to be the same. I am pregnant with Draco Malfoy's daughter."
"Merlin," he said again. "I wasn't expecting that." He raised his head to look at her where she sat next to him on the stairs.
Hermione laughed outright at this, "Well my goodness Harry, I don't think anybody was. Snape actually broke something when I told them I was pregnant." Laughing again, this time Harry joined her. "Come on now, lets go pack your things."
A while later Hermione and Harry both emerged into Dumbledore's office. "Ah… Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter. I'm so glad you've finally arrived. Severus has gone ahead to the Manor to make sure everything is prepared for your stay. I though you might have more luggage Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore looked questionably at Harry's one suit case.
"Harry and I have been talking Headmaster. And we agreed that it would be unfair for Harry to have to spend the entire summer away from his home and from the Lupin's who in fact spend quite a bit of time at Grimuald Place. Especially young Teddy, Harry is after all his godfather. And so Harry will only stay this week with me to make sure I'm settled, and then will continue to come on weekends," Hermione explained.
"More like she told me and I agreed at the expense of my life," Harry thought with a roll of his eyes.
"Well then, it seems you have everything in order. What about your things Ms. Granger?"
"Everything I own is here sir, since I sold my parents house just before school began," Hermione told him, trying to suppress such awful memories. Harry, sensing her distress gave her hand a slight squeeze, which she returned with a grateful smile.
"Yes of course. You and Mr. Potter are allowed to stay the night here. And then bright and early we shall get you settled into Snape Manor."
The next morning found, once again, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter in the office of Albus Dumbledore with their luggage at their feet, waiting for Snape so they could floo to his manor.
They had not been waiting too long when the man himself emerged into the Headmaster's office. "I apologize for my tardiness, it took a little more time than I anticipated to calm the house elves of Snape Manor."
"What do you mean by "calm" them Professor?" Hermione asked with a frown, a bit apprehensive.
"They were more than excited at the prospect of once again having guests at the Manor. They have of course taken it upon themselves to clean the entire place from top to bottom. I am sure that there are a few of the rooms will have to be repainted because of this." Hermione giggled. "But I feel you will be very pleased with the living accommodations that they have prepared for the two of you. Now if there are no further delay's we should get going."
"Severus, why don't you and Mr. Potter go on ahead. I would like to have a quick word with Ms. Granger," Dumbledore stated. Then with a nod, Harry and Snape both disappeared into the green flames.
"Headmaster?" Hermione inquired as the two of them had gone.
"Ms. Granger, I know that you are apprehensive about having to spend so much time with Severus, a man you hardly know outside the walls of this school, but I do wish you would give him a chance. You might just discover that the two of you have more in common then you believe."
A few minutes later Hermione emerged in the foyer of Snape Manor. The place we even more extravagant then she had imagined. "Wow…" she breathed taking in the surroundings. It was much grander then she had expected, definitely un-Snapeish.
"You are impressed Ms. Granger?" Snape asked from the doorway.
"Yes sir. It's so…" she couldn't find the right words.
But thankfully Snape found them for her, "Unexpected?"
Hermione grinned sheepishly, "Yes."
"This was my Father and Mother's home before it was mine. A wedding present from my father parents. My mother decorated every room herself she loved this house," Snape explained. "Now then if you will follow me, I have already shown Mr. Potter to his room."
Snape led her out of the foyer and up a beautiful, winding, mahogany stair case. "The house elves have prepared for the two of you something similar to a flat. You have your separate bed rooms, with a sitting room between them, along with a bathroom. I also took the liberty of putting your rooms on the same floor as the Snape library. I thought you might appreciate having something to do during your stay here."
Hermione's eyes brightened at the thought of what might possibly reside inside the Snape Family Library. "Thank you Professor, thank you very much."
"No need for thanks Ms. Granger. In your condition you need to be kept as stress free, and as happy as possible. And since you are under my care, I intend to see to that. Here we are Ms. Granger," he stated when they came to some elaborate set of French doors at the top of the stair case.
The room was beautiful to say the least, thought not as elaborate as the doors, but beautiful none the less. Elegant, that was the word she was looking for. The walls were painted a deep green, not unlike the Slytherin emerald, which Hermione found extremely comforting. The furniture about the room consisted of two cream colored couches that face each other in the middle of the room. There was a beautifully crafted book shelf against one wall that Hermione soon realized was filled with her own personal collection of books. On the wall adjacent to the book shelf was a rather large window with a seat, where she guessed she would be spending quite a bit of time. And then on the opposite wall was an exquisite white desk, clearly her studious nature was anticipated. Looking around the room she noticed various paintings that adorned the walls, simple but beautiful. She smiled, it was perfect. She told Snape so.
"I'm glad you like it. You're bedroom is to the right, Mr. Potters to the left, I believe he's already in there unpacking his bags. Before I go Ms. Granger I would like you to meet someone. Kenni!" he called with a snap of his fingers.
A younger looking house elf appeared next to them. "Ms. Granger this is Kenni, I have assigned him to you. He's a free elf, but I just can't seem to get rid of him," Snape looked at the elf who had a big grin on his face.
"Master Severus!" the elf scolded. "My family has been with your family for many, many years! Since the Snape family's been at this house. You couldn't get rid of me if you kicked me out the door!" the little elf put his hands of his hips and looked pointedly at Snape. Then leaning over to whisper to Hermione, "And believe you me Missy, he's tried it." Hermione couldn't help but giggle at the little creature.
"As you can see Ms. Granger, he's a little outspoken. That's why I thought he would be a good companion for you."
"Thank you Professor Snape, I'm sure Kenni will be a great help," Hermione smiled brightly at the elf.
"Ms. Granger since at this moment I am not your Professor, I do not think that you should call me as such. Draco likes to call me Sev, and he is the only one I allow to do so. But if you like, I give you leave to do the same. Due to your relationship with Draco, that is."
Hermione thought for a moment, and then replied, "I will only agree to call you Sev if you stop all of this "Ms. Granger" nonsense. Hermione will do just fine."
With a nod, Snape excused himself, saying that he had business to attend to and that he would see the two of them at dinner, leaving Hermione with Kenni. Looking down at the elf, Hermione smiled once again, "Well Kenni, how about you show me to my room."
"Of course Missy, just follow me right over here, and Kenni will help you get unpacked," he complied taking Hermione's hand and leading her over to a door on the far side of the room.
Hermione let out a gasp upon entering her bedroom, it was unlike anything she had ever seen before. She really didn't like things to extravagant, and thankfully this room was not, but it was elegant, and just right for her.
Her bed was unique, there was no bed set, just two mattresses stacked on the floor. But they looked unbelievably soft, and Hermione couldn't wait to try the out. There were seven or eight pillows (she didn't feel like counting them right now) alternating in gold and cream colors. The comforter was the same cream with gold accents, along with the walls. There was a wardrobe against one wall, and another window with a seat against the other. And that was it, simple yet beautiful. Perfect once again.
During her looking about the room, there was a knock at her bedroom door. "Hermione? It's me Harry, can I come in?"
"Sure," Hermione called back.
Harry entered her bedroom and let out a whistle, "This is nice, very you."
"Yes I know. What's yours look like?"
"Different. Not anything like yours. Mostly blue, and I have bed posts," he laughed, sitting on her bed. "I guess they didn't spend as much time on mine since they knew I'm not going to be spending as much time here as you."
"Probably," Hermione agreed.
Harry nodded and said, "Come on, we don't have much time until dinner, lets get you unpacked and get ready."
AN/ Okie Dokie there's number three. I hoped you liked it, and our dear Mr. Draco Malfoy makes an appearance in the next chapter!! So be sure to tune in!!
Jeeze….. I'm starting to sound like a commercial……. Anyhoo…. Review!!
--Bug
