"Albus suggested it to me this morning" Hermione confessed. "What do you think?"

"I think it's the single most stupid idea you've ever come up with. I would be a terrible father, and you know it." said Severus.

"I don't know it! I actually think you would be a terrific father"

"Few would agree with you, if any."

"Oh Severus, seeing as it was Albus who suggested the idea to me, which he got from Minerva, that argument is completely invalid. It comes down to a simple question. Do you want Harry as your son?" Hermione asked.

Severus looked at Hermione for a moment, and went to reply. Before he could, Albus poked his head through the fireplace. The couple turned to look at him in surprise. Well, Hermione was surprised, Severus was just aggravated.

"Good evening Hermione! Severus, might I borrow you?" said Dumbledore.

"Of course, Albus, I'll floo through now, I can't think of anything I'd rather do" Severus said sarcastically. Albus just twinkled his eyes and disappeared again. Severus turned to Hermione and squeezed her hand, and bent down to kiss her cheek swiftly.

"We shall continue this when I return"

Hermione gave him a quick smile and nodded, so Severus went through to Albus' office.

"What's this about, Albus? Make it quick whatever it is. You should know it is an invasion of our privacy for you to just stick your head into our living room" Severus said, irritated.

"Oh, stop being so melodramatic, Severus. Would I be right in assuming that your topic of discussion was the potential adoption of young Harry Potter?" said Dumbledore, the twinkle returning in his eyes.

"That is none of your business" Severus hissed.

"Actually, it is. The Potter's assigned me the job of looking after Harry should they die and he live".

"Oh yes, because you've been doing an impeccable job of that so far" Severus spat.

The twinkle had left Albus' eyes. "I regret that I haven't taken action before now. Hermione made me see how wrong it was to keep Harry in that situation just in case we all need him someday"

"Well that's what everyone is to you. Just a tool for the greater good." Severus said, getting angrier by the minute.

"Peace Severus. Hermione and I might be able to change the future, but there is nothing I can do about the past."

"I'm not wasting my evening listening to this, I'm returning to my quarters. Please feel free to summon me should a real issue occur. Goodnight Albus." Severus turned and began to billow out of the room.

"Severus!" Albus shouted, in a tone so commanding, Severus conceded and span back around.

"Yes Albus?" Snape asked haughtily.

"I have something to show you. I have no doubt that you and Hermione would make excellent parents to Harry, but I know you won't listen to me. Here is someone that will convince you" Albus said, producing the resurrection stone from his pocket. Then, suddenly, Lily appeared to Severus.

Severus dropped to his knees and whispered "Lily"

"Severus" Lily said, smiling. "I'm so pleased you have found Hermione. She loves you in the way that you deserve."

"I love her too, so much. She showed me what love really was" Severus said, tears in his eyes.

"I am so glad." Lily said.

"Now please, give that love to my son too. You remember what Petunia is like, and her husband is worse. I am forced to watch Harry being treated despicably every day, and there is nothing I can do to stop it. But you can do something, Severus. Hermione is a natural mother, and she is also right, you really would make a fantastic father to Harry. Even James has had to admit that, and that's saying a lot. This is fate Severus."

Severus snorted at the last part; he couldn't give a bezoar what James thought.

Lily disappeared as suddenly as she arrived, and Albus said goodnight. Severus numbly flooed back to Hermione, who was sitting biting her fingernails.

When she noticed him, she ran over to Severus and went to speak. Severus placed a finger on Hermione's lips and simply said ". You were right. It's time for Harry to come home"

Severus went on to explain everything to Hermione, and once he had finished, she jumped on him and squealed with excitement.

"We're going to be parents!" She nuzzled into his neck and breathed in his scent. "I love you so much".

"And I, you"

They stood there for what seemed like hours, wrapped up in each other's arms. About to be parents.

Thanks to my new beta- reader, Akito-Kitsune!