The usual disclaimer applies...
A/N... I struggled with this chapter, but I hope it doesn't show. Next chapter probably won't happen til after the 4th of July holiday...I have lots of family coming in. So I hope this one will suffice until then.
Chapter 11
If Only...
No, no, no...this can't be real, he thought to himself as he replayed the memory. He saw himself in the throws of passion with the woman from the bar, but this time he saw her face. Hermione Granger. Her hair was fanned out around her, and she was moaning 'Severus' as she reached her climax. Even though it was only a partial memory, it was the most erotic thing he had ever seen. His heart was racing and his body was responding at just the thought of these memories.
He replayed the memory several times, and wondered how much they had to drink for them to end up in her bed together. Too much, apparently. He desperately wished he could recall all the memories from that night because there were still too many unanswered questions. How did they end up at her flat? Why can neither one remember...did he obliviate them both? Why didn't either of them perform a contraceptive charm?
"Oh, God...a contraceptive charm," he muttered as he put his hands on his temples, and slumped in his chair. "The baby...her baby...it is probably mine."
The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together, and it terrified him. Hermione didn't know who the baby's father was because she was obliviated. He had sex with her, and only could remember because of the memory potion. He had obliviated them both, apparently, then left her flat. The baby had to be his...it was the only logical conclusion.
He downed the rest of his firewhiskey as he thought about his last conversation with her.
"We are both okay. I can't thank you enough for getting help for me so quickly. I'm not sure she," and she subconsciously rubbed her belly as she spoke, "would still be here if you hadn't acted so quickly."
"It was...nothing. I was close, and it only took a few minutes to send a patronus. Anyone would have done it in the same position." He paused for a second, unsure whether to continue, "It...the baby...is a girl?"
"Yes. I think I am going to name her Eleanor, but I have not totally decided for sure." She was unsure why she was telling him this, but the words kept coming out. "I still have about three months to decide on a name."
He was going to have a daughter. He poured himself another glass of firewhiskey and drank it down in one gulp. He needed time to think this through before he saw her again.
-ooOOoo-
Hermione sat nervously in the waiting area at St. Mungo's. It had been two weeks since she had been put on bedrest, and she was hoping that she would be able to go back to work and her research after the appointment. She picked up the battered copy of Your Magical Pregnancy, on loan from Ginny, and started to read.
She had just finished a chapter when she heard the familiar voice of Healer Smythwick calling her name. She nervously followed her to the exam room, hoping for good news.
"Hello, Hermione. How are you doing today? Any more bleeding or cramps the past two weeks?"
"No, and I have been drinking plenty of water as well. I'm hoping that I can return to work this week."
"Well, lay down on the exam table and we are going to have a look."
Hermione looked puzzled. "Have a look? Do you do muggle sonograms here? I thought that magic interferred with sonograms."
"You are right...we can't do sonograms, but we have a spell that shows a similar view to a sonogram. It will show a three dimensional image of the baby as well as the position of the placenta. I'm going to make sure the baby looks okay, and also check that the placenta is no longer bleeding."
Hermione watched the healer perform a series of complicated wand movements, then she gasped as she saw her baby for the first time. It was even clearer than a sonogram, and she could clearly see all of her fingers and toes. She was curled up sucking on one of her fingers.
"She can already suck her thumb?" Hermione asked in astonishment.
"Yes, she can do almost everything she'll be able to do when she is born. In fact, between muggle technology and wizard technology, she'd have a 75% survival rate if she were born now. But we prefer, of course, for her to stay put until at least 38 weeks."
Hermione continued to stare at the image. It was just so amazing to see her daughter...it made it so real. "What is that halo around her head? Is that normal?"
"Perfectly normal, but not that common at this stage. That is her hair, and she seems to have quite a bit already."
"I guess with my hair I shouldn't be too surprised," Hermione chuckled. She looked at Healer Smythwick and noticed she was staring at the ultrasound, now with a more serious expression.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, actually I was just looking at the placenta. There is no sign of bleeding, so it looks like you'll be able to go back to work. You will still have lifting restrictions, though, and intercourse won't be allowed until after she is born."
Hermione sat up on the table, and pulled her robes back down. "Thank you so much, Healer Smythwick."
"I'll see you in two weeks, unless you have any problems or questions before then. Goodbye, Hermione."
-ooOOoo-
Severus dusted off his robes as he stepped out of the floo at St. Mungo's. He really detested floo travel, but it was the quickest way to St. Mungo's since they didn't allow apparating in from outside. He was frustrated enough that he had to come here today. Why couldn't the healer wait until next week for the research notes? He wasn't paying attention as he stepped out of the floo until he walked into something. That something being the very soft, very pregnant Hermione Granger.
"I'm so sorry," she started, until she looked up to see who she had run into. "Oh...Prof...er...Severus! I'm so sorry! I didn't expect to see you here today."
Severus looked at her like a deer caught in headlights. "I...uh...Hello, Miss...Hermione." He was rarely caught off guard, but he did not expect to see her today. He was hoping for at least a few more days to process his newly recovered memories before he had to face her.
"Well...I was going to send you an owl, but since you are here, I might as well tell you the good news. I was released from restrictions today, so I can go back to work...and continue to help with the research." She stopped talking as she noticed the strange expression on his face.
"There isn't a problem with the research, is there? You aren't usually here this time of day."
Severus tried to school his expression to neutral, but he knew he was failing miserably. "No, I just had to bring notes about the potion to the senior healer on the Janus Thickey ward." He took a deep breath, then stared at her stomach for much longer than he had intended to. "You...and the baby are fine?"
She gave him a puzzled look, "Yes. I just had an appointment with my healer. She said the baby is fine, and everything can go back to normal as long as I am careful. I just have to see her more often...every two weeks...until I have my caesarian section in two months."
"Caesarian section? That's barbaric," he mumbled under his breath. Shit, did I really say that out loud.
She continued to stare at him, but continued, "Yes, caesarian section. I have placenta previa, and that is why I had to stay for two weeks. So that is why I have to be careful even though I am allowed to go back to work."
He continued to stare at her belly before he realised what he was doing. He quickly returned his gaze back to her face. "I...need to get to the healer now. I am glad you are well now, Miss Granger. I will contact you next week about the research schedule. Good day."
-ooOOoo-
Hermione just stood there, even though Severus had walked away several minutes ago. She was very puzzled about the way he had acted and spoken to her today. He had stared at her belly several times, and had seemed really anxious or nervous when he spoke to her. Maybe he is just nervous working with me again after having to help me when I collapsed? Maybe he's not sure it is safe for me to be working with him. Several more thoughts popped into her head, but none of them could totally explain his behavior. Hopefully, everything would go back to the way it was when she started working with him again. She really missed the research, and if she was totally honest with herself, she had missed him as well.
A/N...I'm not a good 'lemon' writer, but I still wished I could have given you more. But I am trying to stay within fanfiction dot net's 'm' guidelines.
Hmm...so Severus knows, but Hermione doesn't. Wonder what problems that is going to cause?
