Severus sat by Hermione's hospital bed, his hand holding on to hers.
"Your wife was hit by a powerful curse across
the chest. She has lost quite a bit of blood, but there doesn't
appear to be any permanent damage." "And our child?"
Severus asked, fearful of the answer. "We were able to save
the baby. Your wife and child are very lucky. If the curse had hit
her just a few inches lower, she would have lost the baby. The curse
hit her just below her chest, so your child was saved by mere
inches."
He felt Hermione's hand move, and he looked at her to see her opening her eyes.
"Severus?" she asked weakly.
"I'm here. How are you feeling?" he asked, looking at her pale face, her dark hair a stark contrast against her skin that was as pale as his own.
"I'm sore and very tired," she said with a sigh. "Severus, what about the baby? Is the baby alright?"
She truly amazed him at times like this. "The baby is fine. Do you remember what happened?"
She shook her head slowly. "No."
"Maybe it's better if you don't," he said, though he wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or not. "The Healer said that you are going to be just fine and that there doesn't appear to be any permanent damage."
Smiling wanly at him, she tried to shift and grimaced in pain. "How did the Sorting go? What House is Nicoletta in?"
"I think she'd like to tell you that. Are you up to another visitor?"
"Of course I want to see her."
"OK, I'll bring her in." Severus bent down and kissed her gently, then stood back up and left the room.
***
Nicoletta sat impatiently with the nurse. She looked up at the door, where her father had disappeared, from time to time, hoping to see him coming out, but he never did. She wished someone would tell her something.
"Don't worry, dear," the nurse beside her said with a smile.
"He'll be out soon. What House were you Sorted into?"
"Gryffindor." Nicoletta was distracted; her voice held nothing of the excitement that had been in it less than an hour ago.
The door opened, and her father walked out. She could tell that his face was stern and that he looked worried.
"Dad? How's Mum?" Nicoletta asked, standing up and going over to him.
"She's fine, and she wants to see you. Just be careful – she had a little accident and got a cut on her chest, so if you hug her, be gentle." He father turned and looked at the nurse who had been sitting with her. "Thank you for staying with my daughter."
"You're welcome."
Nicoletta walked with him to her mum's room and went in slowly. She was glad to see that her mum was sitting up, propped up on pillows, and looking okay.
"Mum! I was so worried about you," she said, going over to her and giving her a gentle hug like her father had told her to do.
"I'm going to be fine, Nicoletta. Your father tells me that you have some news for me." Her mother's voice was soft, but clear.
"I'm in Gryffindor, Mum, just like you were!" she said excitedly. She felt a lot better knowing that her mother was going to be okay. "Mum, is the baby okay?"
"Your brother or sister is fine. We are both fine," Hermione said with a smile.
***
While Nicoletta was visiting with his wife, Severus was making plans. He couldn't let her stay at the house anymore by herself. It wasn't safe. Seeing the Healer who had taken care of Hermione, he went over to him.
"How long will it be before my wife can be discharged?"
"I would like to keep her here overnight at least to make sure that there aren't any lasting effects and so that we can monitor both her and your child's vital signs. If she is still doing well tomorrow, I can discharge her then."
"At some point tonight, I will need to return to Hogwarts. You will station an Auror at the entrance to her room. I want no one entering who does not have permission or who the medical staff do not know."
When Severus returned to his wife's room, she had fallen back to sleep. He stayed as long with her as he could, but he had to take Nicoletta back to Hogwarts.
"Hermione," he said, taking her hand and giving it a kiss, "I'll be back tomorrow, I promise. Please be alright." On his way to the Floo, he stopped at the desk. "I will be leaving now. I was assured that there would be an Auror here to keep an eye on my wife's room."
"Yes, the Auror is on his way. Your wife is in good hands."
"She had better be," he said, then made his way to the Floo with Nicoletta.
***
A few hours later, Hermione awoke and looked around. There was a man that was standing at her door, but he didn't look like Severus.
"Excuse me, do you know where my husband went?"
The man turned so that she could see his face along with his bright red hair.
"Ron!"
