The usual disclaimer applies...

A/N...Sorry this is up so late. I was out of town this weekend, then came back with a migraine. I am apologizing for all the mistakes in advance, along with the worse-than-usual Britpicking. Although I am American, I try to catch my obvious 'Americanisms' whenever I can, but I think this might not be as up to par as usual.


Chapter 6

New Life

Hermione sat in the maternity waiting area at St. Mungo's, awaiting an update from Harry. Ginny had gone into labor two weeks early, just as she had hoped, and had been admitted almost twelve hours ago. Hermione had hoped she would have heard something by now, as it was getting really late, but the last update from Harry implied that it would still be a while. Hermione pulled out her Potions Weekly periodical and started perusing the table of contents. She had just picked an article to read when she saw long blond hair out of the corner of her eye.

"Any news yet?" Luna smiled, and sat down next to Hermione.

"Not yet, I was hoping to hear something soon, though. I have to go to work tomorrow, and I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. The only thing keeping me awake is the tapping on my bladder by this little one," she patted her stomach gently as she was talking.

"So how far along are you now, Hermione?"

"Almost twenty weeks, so I am now halfway there. I think I am finally starting to look pregnant rather than podgy. I reluctantly bought new robes last week, so I'm hoping that I'm showing rather than eating too much."

Luna looked down at Hermione's stomach, then smiled at her. "I still can't believe that Harry and Ginny are going to be parents any minute now, assuming they aren't already. I am most surprised that you are going to have a baby. I always thought that you would be too career-oriented to start a family this soon."

"Well, um," Hermione stuttered nervously as she continued, "I didn't exactly plan on starting a family this soon. This...she...wasn't exactly planned."

"Are you at least going to have help with the baby? Your parents or...or the baby's father?"

"My parents are still in Australia. They still don't... remember me, and the baby's father isn't in the picture. I hadn't thought a lot about it, but I guess for the most part I will be doing this alone."

"Oh, Hermione," Luna smiled softly and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I know we aren't as close as we were at Hogwarts, but I will help you any way I can, if you would like me to."

Hermione couldn't help but get emotional from the kind offering from Luna. She hugged Luna tightly as she spoke, "That would be wonderful, Luna."

The women had just ended their embrace when Harry came rushing into the waiting area, a large smile on his face.

"He's here! James Sirius Potter was born about fifteen minutes ago. The midwife is cleaning him up right now. Ginny asked to see you for a few minutes, Hermione." He looked over from Hermione to Luna, and then continued. "Luna, would you like to get a cup of coffee with me in the cafeteria while Hermione visits. I'd love to tell you all about him."

Hermione heard Luna's reply of "Of course" as they headed towards the cafeteria.

-ooOOoo-

Hermione knocked gently on the door as she pushed it slightly open. "Ginny, it is me, Hermione. Is it okay to come in now?"

"Yes, come on in. Mum and dad left a few minutes ago." Ginny was smiling, holding baby James in the crook of her elbow.

Hermione walked slowly towards the bed, and gazed at the alert baby in Ginny's arms. He had a startling amount of soft black hair, and murky blue eyes. As far as she could tell, he looked a lot like Harry.

"James, this is your Aunt Hermione," she cooed at the baby, and then looked up at Hermione.

"Ginny, he is beautiful. He already looks a lot like Harry...he even has his wild black hair."

"Yes, I know," Ginny chuckled quietly. "I carried him for nine months, and he looks nothing like me. I'm even pretty sure that his eyes will eventually turn green like Harry's."

At that moment, James started fussing and thrashing in Ginny's arms. "Hermione, you can leave if you are uncomfortable, but I need to try and feed him now. But you can stay if it doesn't bother you. In fact, I would like the company."

"I'll stay. I am going to be doing this myself in just a few months, so I might as well stay. It isn't as though we haven't seen each other after sharing a bathroom at Hogwarts."

Ginny lowered her gown and started to feed the baby, and Hermione's mind started to drift to thoughts of her own baby. I keep imagining that she is going to look like me, but what if she looks like him? Do I really want to know who he is? Her smiling gaze at Ginny and James turned stoic as these thoughts invaded her mind.

"Hermione? Hermione are you okay?"

"I'm sorry, Ginny. My mind wandered off for a moment. I'm just very tired since it is so late." She subconsciously bit at her lip, hoping that Ginny wouldn't pick up on her depressing thoughts.

"Hermione...something is wrong, I can tell. Just tell me what you were thinking about. It would make you feel better to talk about it."

"Oh, Ginny. I don't want to spoil this beautiful moment between you and James. We can talk about this another time, okay?"

Ginny gave her a stern Molly look, then spoke in a more serious tone. "Spill it, Hermione. I don't want you to bottle this up if it is bothering you."

"It's just...just...I was thinking about how much James looks like Harry. He already is almost a miniature little Harry, and it just got me to thinking. What if...what if she doesn't look like me, but looks like her father. I'm thinking that maybe I should try to recover those memories...maybe I should find out who he is."

"Hermione, I'm not going to push you one way or another. Harry and I both care deeply about you; you are like family to us. You need to think long and hard about whether you want to find out, but we will support you no matter what you decide."

"Thank you, Ginny." She yawned suddenly, and it was a little louder than she hoped it would be. "I guess that really is my cue to head home. I will come by tomorrow and see you again. Hopefully I can talk to Harry more tomorrow as well. Goodbye, Ginny."

-ooOOoo-

She slowly walked towards the public floos at the entrance to St. Mungo's. As she approached, she noticed a familiar billow of black robes walking in front of her. She walked quickly, trying to catch up with him before he left the building.

"Professor Snape? Professor Snape, is that you?"

He stopped so suddenly, that she almost ran into the back of him. He quickly turned, and had a smirk firmly in place before he realised who it was that had addressed him.

"Miss Granger, what are you doing here so late in the evening? I do hope that you are well." He glanced at her stomach as he spoke.

"Um...well, we are fine," she blushed as she answered him. She was embarrassed, but not exactly sure why. "I was just visiting Ginny Potter and baby James."

"James?" He said the name as if it was a bad taste in his mouth.

"Yes, James. Ginny just had the baby this evening, and I was visiting them. What are you doing here so late, Professor?"

"I thought you would still remember that I am testing a potion. With classes at Hogwarts, and Head of House duties, I do the testing and observation when I get the chance."

Hermione would later wonder if it was exhaustion that made her speak, or shear stupidity. "Do you need any help with the testing, Professor? It has been slow at the patent office lately, and I could help you with the research."

"Well, it would help to have someone take notes during the testing. After having you as an apprentice for two years, I do remember that your note taking was more than adequate. But why, pray tell, would you want to help? Aren't you busy enough with work and...personal business?"

"I...I miss research, to be honest with you. And I would kind of like to see how the potion works before I take it myself. I still have several months before the baby comes, so I should be able to help with the first round of the testing."

"Very well," he sighed, "it looks like I now have an assistant. At the moment, I am only visiting here twice a week, and I will let you know the schedule within the week. I suppose having an assistant will help somewhat."

"Thank you, sir. I look forward to working with you...again. Goodnight, Professor Snape."

Hermione walked towards the floo with a slight smile on her face. Research! I get to do research again! The exhaustion was now fading as the adrenaline kicked in. Her ministry job payed well enough, but was quite mundane and boring. She was excited to actually do potions research again, even if it meant dealing with a grouchy potions master.


A/N... I had to get them together, somehow, didn't I. Now let's see how it goes :)

Sorry for all those super-canon Luna fans, but my Luna isn't airy or dimwitted. In my world, she is more serious after spending quite a bit of time in the Malfoy basement. Also, I can't write 'dreamy Luna' worth a crap.