In the next few chapters we do a lot of time jumping. I'd be writing forever if I didn't and I feel like I'm dragging this out long enough.
Anyway enjoy the next chapter and don't forget to review at the bottom.
Thanks
H
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When the Easter holidays arrived Ron and Harry came to visit Ginny and Hermione for the day. Hermione had gone back to teaching some of the theory classes all though not practical ones as she didn't want to harm the baby any more then she had done all ready. She still missed Severus but she had a child to look after now and she wouldn't waste away. It was a nice spring day, so Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione got a picnic from Dobby and walked out to sit under the big oak tree by the lake. There were a few students milling around but they were used to seeing the four of them walking around the school together.
Hermione, who was now seven months pregnant, was getting bigger every week. She had just under two months till her baby was due and everyone was very excited. There was a great debate about what the baby would look like and whether it would be a boy or a girl. There was, however one thing they all agreed on, it better not have Severus' nose. Hermione laughed when people said this to her. She would love the child no matter what it looked like.
They had almost finished the Picnic, where they were discussing Hermione's latest baby names when Tonks and Remus walked up to them. They both looked a little serious and when Hermione saw their faces she looked at them.
"They found him dead haven't they?" she asked bluntly, tears forming in her eyes.
Tonks shook her head. "Worse, the head of our department told me this morning, the minister has decided he isn't worth wasting the man power on and have declared him dead. We cant search for him any more."
Hermione felt tears leak down her face. "But they haven't found him. So he may not be dead?" she asked hopefully.
"Your right. He may not be. Bu they have called of the search. If he is alive we have to hope that he will make his own way home." They all stayed in silence till Hermione said
"Has anyone cleared out his rooms? I know I haven't been in there since before he went missing and I have some things in there. But has anyone moved them?"
Lupin shook his head. "No. Minerva and I agreed at the time to leave them as they were, but we have just spoken to her and she says that now the ministry has said that, we have to clear them out so that a new teacher can move in."
Hermione nodded "I will start now. I know I left some things there, but I can't remember what was his there." The other nodded and agreed to help.
That afternoon was spent going through his things. Putting his things in boxes and throwing away things that were of no use. As they came to the last lot of draws in his office, Ginny found a small box. She called Harry over to her. "Should I open it, or just put it in the box?"
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm not sure but I have a feeling."
"Open it then."
They both sat there holding in a breath. When Ginny opened it a small piece of parchment flew out which Harry picked up and in the box was a lovely silver diamond engagement ring.
"Oh Harry. What does the parchment say?"
"My Dearest Hermione. I love you more than life itself. Will you marry me? All my love Severus. Should we tell Hermione."
"Tell me what?"
They both turned around to find Hermione looking at them. "Nothing Hermione. Honest." Ginny said hiding the ring and parchment behind her back
"Don't lie to me Ginny. I know you to well. What is behind your back?"
"Don't freak. We just found it in this draw." Ginny gave Hermione the ring and parchment.
"He was going to ask me to marry him!" Hermione broke down in tears. Her sobs were uncontrollable and she was becoming very distressed.
"Harry, get Lupin out the other room. We need to get Hermione to Madame Pomfrey before the baby is hurt." Harry obeyed Ginny and ran to get Lupin who came running in, picked Hermione up and ran to the infirmary.
As they all waited anxiously Madame Pomfrey ran some tests on Hermione and the baby gave her a calming drought and a sleeping potion, and then returned to the others. "Everything will be ok. I have given her a sleeping potion to help her sleep and she will stay here for the next few nights but then she must rest until the bay is born and not be distressed anymore." They all nodded and went to sit with Hermione with new information to process.