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Chapter 10
Surprise
"Pregnant?" Hermione blinked down at the little muggle test stick in amazement, how did that happen?
Well of course she knew how it happened, she had just not thought about it in the last five months since her marriage. They didn't use contraceptives, as the whole point of this marriage was to procreate, but somehow Hermione had relaxed after the first two months went by without anything happening.
And now, it had happened.
And she was dumbfounded, and amazed; a slow smile spread on her face, she had to tell Severus! Then the smile faltered, but was he ready yet?
True they had gotten along amazingly mostly, if she didn't think of his permanent snarky mood, but in all, they had their routine, they talked about their interest and days, the sex was spectacular. But was that true needed affection there yet?
She felt it; she had felt it since that day from the final battle, even before she had viewed the memories.
She became aware of that emotion the dark wizard evoked in her when they were outside that shack, and she had listened to Voldemort killing him, or attempting to, but was that affection there from his side yet? Or was he still only just bearing her and keeping the peace because of the circumstances?
Hermione's brow furrowed, deep in thought. He didn't know that she had saved him two and a half years ago, she had instructed the few people that knew to never say anything.
As far as he knew, he was just found randomly by someone after the battle.
Maybe she shouldn't have kept it hidden? Maybe that would have helped him to view her in another light? She shook her head; no, she wanted him to accept her for who she is, not what she had done.
Sighing, she put the stick away in its original box and stowed them in her purse.
Time to return to her office and work, that misuse of magic on the muggle child case would not solve itself. And besides; the Department of Misuse on Muggles have been badgering her about it.
She fleetingly thought of Lucretia Avery; that case was mostly in limbo, not being able to find any concrete evidence on the witch, but like Harry, Hermione also knew that there was something.
They just needed to find it.
SSHG
"The Polyjuice potion has arrived my Lady... Although he refused the order – But the potioneer I found instead used Snape's recipe, one sip for twelve hours -" The scarred man bobbed his head at the dark-haired witch in front of him. Her cold eyes fixed on him, a mirthless laugh coming from out her narrow lips.
"Very good Gustav... You served me well. Is everything else in place?" Her voice was cold and hard. The scarred, pit marked man grinned, decaying teeth showing.
"Yes my lady, I have some of his hairs for the potion, and the letter is ready to be owled to him. Just give me the word my lady."
The sneer that was on the woman's face now would have put Severus Snape and the Malfoy's to shame. "Make sure the Mudblood is at work, then owl the letter. Meet me at the place in two hours."
The witch walked off, leaving the room and then the old dark manor completely; Gustav watched from the window as she aparated away in the grounds, past the wards. It was time.
Gustav smiled and extracted the sealed parchment from his cloak, then stomped out of the room to send it off with the hired owl they got especially.
SSHG
Hermione had decided she would tell Severus that very night of the pregnancy, whether he was ready or not, the baby had forced their hands.
She felt strangely happy though, and would constantly find herself holding her still very flat stomach, imagining a dark haired child running around; smiling to herself.
SSHG
Severus heard the tapping on the window and grumbled under his breath; who'd owl him at ten in the morning? The morning mail with his post orders had already arrived as normal at seven that morning before his wife had left for work.
His wife.
Why did every thought he had go back to his wife, it was getting to be aggravating! It was as if the witch was ensnaring his senses and bewitching his mind, without the use of potions; Severus didn't like the feeling he was getting about his wife.
He felt, protective... And felt him checking the time the whole day, counting off till she got home. And then when she was home, that warmness that spread in his stomach was just distracting and infuriatingly unwanted! Not to mention that damnable electricity between them at every contact.
His mind went to Lily. His beautiful, perfect Lily, his heart had always remained loyal to her.
No one could take her place, but why did it feel like her face was getting dimmer in his mind's eye? Unbidden a vision of brown curly hair and warm chocolate eyes flooded his mind, petite face and small nose, her image radiated in his mind's eye, effectively pushing the auburn haired Lily back out. Severus sharply took in his breath; no!
He tried his hardest to recall Lily's face and to push his wife's face out. After what seemed like an interminable struggle, Lily's face finally returned, but it still seemed hazier than normal; Severus covered his eyes in defeat, he'll think on these developments later.
He had in the meantime opened the window and taken the dirty parchment from the dirty scrawny owl and promptly slammed the window shut again in the Owls face, without giving it a treat. He grimaced, if his wife had been here she would have scolded him and fed the owl and forced him to give it a pat. Rolling his eyes he turned around and grabbed a treat from the basket and opened the window, shoving the treat into the Owls face; the owl gingerly took it, gave him a simpering look and flew off.
Severus grunted to himself, once again he found himself thinking of madam wife, and doing something he normally wouldn't bother with because he knew she bothered with it.
The parchment was unsealed, just folded, scrawled untidily was only his name, the dark wizard frowned and unfolded the parchment. What could it be?
Severus Snape
If you wish to help your wife speed up with her case on Avery, meet me in the alley behind Hogs Head in Hogsmeade at eleven this morning.
Come alone or I will not show.
I can promise you concrete information.
G.
Severus frowned; this was a bit too suspicious. He didn't recognise the handwriting, and neither could he think of anyone that would sign off with a G.
He contemplated for a moment, he wanted the Avery case gone, but his wife refused to let it go, she had already spent countless nights on wild hunts after evidence and possible witness reports.
He hated those nights, the house would be dark and empty without her, he told himself he preferred that solitude her absence brought, but the truth was, he had gotten used to her presence.
Yes, he wanted this Avery case closed. And she had told him he could help if he wanted it done and over more quickly; he was no fool, though, he knew there was the possibility of danger, so he scribbled a quick note to his wife and gave it to their owl, and then he shoved the letter into the bottom drawer of the kitchen drawers.
He only told her that he was going away for a bit, and if he was not back by the next morning she should look in the bottom drawer and take it from there. She was a smart witch; she would follow leads if pointed to the right path. Severus had already decided to immediately follow any leads the man may give him, thus not likely returning after the meeting.
He donned his cloak and made sure he had his wand securely in the secret pocket of his robes, then he quickly withdrew the spare wand he and Hermione kept in the hall closet; he then tucked that one into his boot, leaving the house he walked past the wards into the trees and then aparated.
Severus appeared with a pop behind the three broomsticks, he wanted to do a bit of looking around first, and he wanted to make sure he was seen; leave the clues so to speak, if Hermione needed to find him for some reason or other. He still had thirty minutes before the meeting, so he entered the Three Broomsticks and walked to the counter.
He greeted Madam Rosmerta with a smirk and ordered a fire whiskey; raising the glass he swallowed the contents in one gulp.
"So Severus I hear you got married to that Granger girl! Congratulations my dear!" Severus glared at her, then shrugged. "Not much choice in the circumstance Rosmerta. As it is, I'll inform my wife of your good wishes."
She smiled merrily at him and leaned on her elbows in front of him. "So what brings you here Severus? You avoid us so well; there must be a reason for this sighting."
Severus smiled drily, now time for the other needed hint, for in case. "Yes... I have a meeting with someone in a few minutes, behind Hogs Head. May I request something Rosmerta?"
He lifted a brow inquiringly; she pushed her buxom bosom out and squared her shoulders. "Of course Severus! Anytime for you."
He just smiled drily again and glanced intently at her. "Thank you... Will you send your busboy to check on me at just past eleven? He must not be seen. Let him watch through that back window from the loo in Hogs Head. But let him speak to no one of what he sees, and if my wife should come and ask questions, let him tell her, and her only."
Rosmerta frowned at him, as would be expected; it was a very odd request, but she nodded in acceptance and smiled tentatively at him. "Alright Severus, I will do as you ask, I know you always have a reason for everything."
After that he greeted her and left the building, it was just about eleven now; after five minutes Severus entered the dark alleyway behind the bar, he had barely come to a standstill when a female laugh sounded behind him. He stiffened, Lucretia Avery. "Well Severus dear, you showed up. Something told me you would."
He turned and dispassionately looked her up and down, she was dressed in black, an old fashioned witch's dress, and hooded black cloak, she looked like a typical old family dark witch. Her sneer was cold and full of venom, her eyes colder.
"Indeed Lucretia. To what do I owe this displeasure. " He sneered the last word, clearly leaving no room for confusion, that it was no pleasure.
"Now now Severus, that's no way to feel towards old friends." Severus felt the blood drain from him, a figure emerged from the shadows. Himself!
Severus kept his face impassioned and looked enquiringly at Lucretia. "I am flattered Lucretia... Did not know you felt this amorously about my visage to, in fact, create your own version..."
She glowered at him, and then crossed her arms, the sneer back in place. Then the other him stepped around him, blank-faced, Severus felt his gaze boring into his back. Not good.
"Severus do not be flattered, you're coming with me you see. And him-" she jerked her chin to indicate his doppelganger behind him, "will go home to that mudblood wife of yours."
He kept his breathing even, his mind working fast, his eyes flickered around him, seemingly casually, but he was making sure the outline of a head was visible through the dirty window of the wall next to him. Satisfied he made his choice, he will let them take him, he left the needed clues and witness, his wife was brilliant, she'll figure it out, and then they have what's needed to get Lucretia in Azkaban.
But then he realised something, he did not think on the Polyjuice, the double, Hermione would not know to search because she would think he was home. He felt the tip of a wand press into his back, the imposter; Severus shuddered at the thought of the as yet anonymous imposter in his home. And with his wife.
No, he couldn't allow that! He made to subtly move his hand to the secret pocket of his wand but had barely twitched or Lucretia had her wand out and pointing at him.
"Tut tut Severus... If you will remember, I'm an exceptionally gifted dueler... You better stop with those thoughts... I will not hesitate to kill you." She watched him through half-lidded eyes, making her seem snake-like, then he felt the imposter reaching around his chest with his free hand and groping around his cloak folds. After finding the pocket he then extracted his wand and pocketed it.
"Incancerous" the muttered spell came from Lucretia, and Severus knew that now the choice he made first would have to somehow play out; he prayed for a moment to whatever gods there were, that Hermione would realise that it was an imposter in their home.
"Ah yes Lucretia... You were after all one of the Dark Lord's favourite pets. Trained by him personally... Secretly of course." He spoke drily, the ropes binding him tightly, he still stood upright, and his eyes followed the witch as she sauntered over to him.
She came to a standstill in front of him, smirking up at him, her wand pressing against his throat. "Yes... His favourite girl I was indeed. Then because of you, he got killed! You are the traitor Severus Snape! And I will have my vengeance." She spat into his face and then stepped back a few steps again, her wand still pointed at him. "Stupify..."
Her whisper rolled out of her lips... And Severus felt the curse hit him square in the centre of his chest. The last thought he saw was of warm brown eyes and brown luscious curls framing the pale face of his wife.