Severus awoke the next morning next to his wife in bed, no memory of the night before apparent in his mind. He sat up, assuming he'd had a bit too much firewhiskey, and dressed quickly, preparing for their trip to the Burrow. Hermione rised not too much later, a thudding headache wracking her mind.
"Oh, Severus," she groaned as she stumbled into the living room, "I think I have the flu." Her body ached all over, the smell of buttered toast making her queasy. She fell on the couch, holding her head as if it were going to roll off her shoulders if she released it.
"I'll go get some potion for you," he was halfway to the bathroom when a shocking thought hit him. He rushed back to her, drawing his wand.
"What are you doing?" she groaned.
"Just hold still," he snapped, mumuring an incantation over her abdomen. A glowing light emitted from her lower belly and Severus grinned, "We're pregnant!"
Hermione dropped her hands to her sides, her mouth wide open, "W-what?!" she gasped, her hand flying to her open mouth with excitement.
The couple agreed to keep the news private until they reached the Burrow. They'd tell everyone once Christmas Eve was coming to a close. Hermione couldn't wait to see the looks on her 'second' family's faces when they blurted the news. She was so thrilled.
Severus placed a hand over her lower belly, a rare grin upon his face. Hermione kissed him passionately, and with that, they parted and began to ready for their trip to the Burrow.
After discussing who would attend the Weasley's annual Christmas party, Hermione felt relieved. She'd worried about Remus being invited. She wasn't quite sure if she would go if he was. Ever since his arrival to Hogwarts, Hermione had been avoiding him like the plague. After all, Hermione wasn't really sure what to say to him. She felt guilty about hiding Leona from him all of those years, but on the other hand, he didn't try to get into contact with her either. After reassurance from Mrs. Weasley, Hermione put her mind at rest, hoping to avoid him for just one more weekend.
The train ride (It was now dangerous for Hermione to apparate since she was pregnant) was long and tiring. Leona had refused to go, even when Hermione bribed her with a new broomstick (Leona was captain of the Ravenclaw team) and new dress robes. Hermione still had no idea that Leona knew her long-kept secret.
The Snapes finally arrived at their destination, exited the train with their belongings, and were bombarded by a large group of redheaded men and women, all smoothering them with hugs and kisses. Once finally prying herself free, Hermione managed to slip away to speak with Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh! Hermione, dear... It is so wonderful to see you! How is Leona? Did she come with you?" Mrs. Weasley was speaking a thousand miles a minute as those hazel eyes searched for her surrogate grandchild.
"No. Leona wanted to go to the Malfoys' for Christmas. I really didn't have too much of a problem with it... Severus wanted her to come though," Hermione smiled warmly at Molly, loving the attention. She missed the Burrow and all of its inhabitants throughout the year.
"Well... We better get moving!" Mrs. Weasley dragged Hermione along with her by the hand, the crowd following.
Once at the Burrow, Severus settled down with the men to talk money and government, while Hermione sat in the den with the women to speak of babies, children, and cooking. While Hermione only had one child, she got her share of talk in with the other mothers discussing bad eating habits, attitude, and a number of other woes mothers sometimes had. Finally, Christmas Eve was coming to a close and Hermione was nearly bouncing in her seat to spill the news of her pregnancy.
Severus strolled into the den, standing in the entranceway to smile inconspicuously and knowingly at his wife. Hermione grinned and stood, rushing over to him. He wrapped a warm arm around her shoulders as all of the attention in the room turned to the couple.
Remus had followed
"We have some news," Hermione beamed.
"What is it?" Mrs. Weasley looked puzzled.
"We're having a baby!" Hermione giggled, bouncing a bit under her husband's arm.
Mrs. Weasley shrieked, hopping over to Hermione to encase her in an airtight hug. Ginny squealed with delight, a hand over her own pregnant belly.
"How far along are you?" Ginny inquired as Hermione manage to pry herself away from Mrs. Weasley's intensifying grip.
"I'm not sure. Have to go to the doctor after the first of the year," she joined her best friend on the couch, jittery with excitement.
"Well maybe you'll have an easier delivery than with Leona," Ginny suggested. Hermione nodded, remembering the three day long labor she'd had to endure, and the extremely difficult birth. Leona had been too big for Hermione's small frame and therefore she'd had a hard time bringing the ten pound baby into the world.
"I hope so. Don't need a repeat of that incident," she giggled.
"Well, it has been nearly eighteen years since Leona was born. Medicine has changed since then, so you never know," Mrs. Weasley pointed out, "you may not even feel anything. I'm sure they have some potions they can give you that will help you along."
Ginny nodded, "Yeah, with Crystal I didn't feel the delivery... They gave me this potion that pretty much knocked me out. That's how Crystal got her name! When Harry asked me what we should name the baby, I thought he'd asked me what kind of wine glasses I wanted. I don't know how I made the translation but..." Ginny grinned as a burst of giggles erupted from the estrogen cramped room.
Severus sighed, "I'm going to go back and have another whiskey," he kissed Hermione on the forehead. She stroked his cheek lovingly before he exited.
"You just have something for older men, don't you, 'Mio?" Ginny teased. This, however, did not sit right with Hermione, who sneered at her best friend.
"You know just what to say, don't you, Gin?" Hermione stormed upstairs to the room she and Severus were borrowing. The door slammed behind her, but not of Hermione's own accord. She turned to find one Mr. Remus Lupin glaring at her.
"What are you doing here? Molly said you weren't even invited!" Hermione sneered, her hands upon her hips.
"No matter of yours. You won't avoid me anymore. Finally. I knew I could make you talk to me one way or the other," he stood in front of the door to trap her in.
Hermione growled, "Remus, let me out."
"No. Not until we talk about OUR daughter," he charmed the door locked and walked to her, pushing her gently on the bed. He sat down with her and watched as she checked her watch hurriedly, "You have nowhere to go. Don't pretend otherwise."
"How would you know what I have to do?" Hermione's eyes narrowed, her brow furrowing in disgust.
"We need to talk," his tone was business-like but his features showed otherwise.
"Then talk, Remus," Hermione snapped, crossing her legs and arms simultaeneously.
"Fine. Let's start with this little matter," he pointed at her left hand which held a beautiful diamond engagement ring and wedding band.
"What about it?" she sneered.
"When did you marry Snape? And why the hell would you ever do such a thing in the first place?" Remus wore an expression of disgust.
"I married him when Leona was three years old. She doesn't remember. She thinks that he's her father," Hermione watched in horror as Remus shook his head, an evil smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Not anymore," he stared down at her menacingly.
"You didn't!" Hermione's mouth stood agape.
"Yes, I did," he nodded matter-of-factly, "She came to me. She knew before I even met her."
"Well how the hell...?" Hermione stared off a particularly interesting nail in the floor.
"She said that one of the Weasley girls told her yesterday," he sighed, "Look at me." When she failed to do so he gripped her chin gently between his thumb and forefinger, pulling her face toward him. She stared into those blue eyes, losing herself in the ocean deep within. Their lips were an inch apart, both taking in the other's scent. Hermione gasped softly, pulling away. She blushed, staring back at that nail.
"Hermione," he pleaded.
"Did you not expect that I would find someone?" Hermione turned her head back to him.
"I didn't think-"
She cut him off, "No. You didn't think. Severus took care of me when I needed it. He helped me raise your daughter. Where were you? Too scared of your own shadow to find me."
Remus clapped an open hand across her face, leaving a large red mark. Hermione's own hand flew to her face to nurse the blow, her eyes filling with tears. She watched as those blue eyes that had once held so much love iced over with hate.
"I was not scared of anything... Do you think I didn't try to find you? I didn't know where you'd went, and no one here was willing to help me. I wanted to make things right," his voice was harsh, forced, as if every word had to be choked out.
Hermione sat in silence for a while, crying to herself. She stared at him... That scarred face... Those icy eyes... She felt her mind fuzz over as if she were dreaming... This was all so surreal. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she was still in love with him. Remus reached up, caressing the pulsing spot on her face.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, tears welling in his eyes. Hermione sat in silence, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. Remus leaned in, hesitating for a moment. He glanced from her eyes to her lips, and back again... Their lips met and they felt a spark... It was right. Hermione kissed him in return, her hands cupping his face to pull him closer. It wasn't until she felt butterflies in her lower belly that she pulled back, a look of horror in her eyes at what she'd just done.
"I'm pregnant... I can't..." a sharp pain struck her body, collapsing her knees. Her weight all came crashing down on her as she slumped over lifeless on the floor.
Remus scrambled off of the bed, scooping her up in his arms. A moment later the door blasted open, Severus standing there in all of his horrific glory.
"What did you do to her?!" Severus shoved his wand Remus' way, seething with hate for the man.
"I didn't! She just... Fell out!" Remus was panicking. After a moment, Severus decided it was better to tend to his wife than curse Remus into the next week. He took her from Remus, spreading her out delicately on the bed. He stood at her side, murmuring incantations over her body.
"Get my bag from the corner there!" Severus commanded. When Remus didn't move, still in too much shock, Severus growled, shoving the werewolf out of his way. Remus fell, sprawled on the floor, his eyes never leaving Hermione.
Severus rushed back to his wife, pouring a number of potions down her throat. After a moment she spluttered, sitting bolt upright in pain, "Oh! Severus it hurts!" she gripped her lower belly, her eyes wide.
"You're losing the baby," he muttered, wrapping his arms around her. There was nothing else he could do. Hermione felt a wet warmth rush out of her lower body and she let out a sob, her nails dug into his back.
Severus threw a hateful glance at Remus who was still staring from his spot on the floor, "GET OUT!" Severus screamed at the man, making him jump. Hermione pulled back.
"No!" she watched as her husband drew his wand, once more aiming it for Remus' head.
"I'll kill you right here! Right now!" a particularly nasty vein in Severus' neck pulsed with the anger coursing through him.
"It's not his fault, Severus!" Hermione sobbed, falling at her husband's feet. Blood covered the bed where she had miscarried.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Severus yelled, thrusting his wand at Remus. Remus grabbed a hand mirror from the desk, glass flying as the curse hit it, then flew back at Severus, who stood stalk still, his eyes empty. He fell backward, hitting his head on the nightstand.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Hermione screeched, holding onto Severus for dear life. She shook him hard, futile attempts to bring him back.
"I... I didn't..." Remus had gone white.
"HE'S DEAD!" Hermione shrieked, still shaking her husband as hard as she could. Those black eyes stared up at her, lifelessly.
Hermione's eyes popped open. She was sweating profusely, her body shaking with fright. She reached over, slapping the covers to find her husband. Severus groaned, rolling over.
"Oh God!" Hermione sobbed, wrapping her arms around him as tightly as she could manage.
"What the bloody hell is wrong?" Severus blinked at her in the darkness.
"I just had the most terrible dream!" she sobbed into his chest. Severus ran his fingers lovingly through her hair, shushing her.
"It's okay... I'm right here," he held her tightly, snuggling her close.
"You were dead! You tried to kill Remus, but the curse backfired and hit you! And..." she sobbed uncontrollably, all of her words crumpling together into one.
"It's okay..." he shushed again, rubbing her back.
"I've never been so glad to have you in my arms," Hermione whimpered.
(Scared ya, did I? I couldn't kill off my beloved! This won't be the end of Hermione's horrid nightmares. Let me know what you think! -Lupine Despair)