Chapter 13

I was sobbing openly by the time I got to the prefect's dormitories. My hands shook as I drew the paw print to open the dorm. I place my left hand to my belly. I went to my dormitory and warded the door behind me. News would surely get back to the Dark Lord that I was pregnant, but I doubted he would summon me anytime soon.

I crawled into my bed, pulled a pillow close to me, and sobbed into it. Elena, the white tiger Severus had given me, jumped onto my bed and laid down beside me. 'Why does he hate me so?' I sobbed out. She inched forward and licked my hand. 'I know you don't understand me, but thank you.' I whispered as I closed my eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.

I didn't leave my bed all weekend, nor did I leave it Monday morning when classes resumed. I simply sent my excuse to Professor McGonagall and locked my room. I only ate when the pain of hunger outweighed the pain of a broken heart. After Severus had rejected me, I felt nothing. No joy, no happiness, not even anger.

2 weeks later – Ginny's POV

I hadn't seen Hermione since Snape had taken the position of Headmaster. Ron said that she'd stayed cooped up in her room in the Gryffindor prefect's dormitories. She didn't answer when he knocked and she stopped attending classes.

McGonagall had let me enter the prefect's dormitory and that is where I was now. I knocked on Hermione's door and sighed when I didn't get a response. 'Hermione, It's Ginny! Whatever you're going through, I'm here if you need to talk.' I shouted.

I sighed and leaned back against the door. I shrieked when it opened and I fell into the room. 'Ginny? What the bloody hell are you doing here?' Hermione asked as I lay on the floor looking up at her. I stood and wrapped my arms around her. She stood in shock for a moment before returning the hug.

I looked at her and my heart broke for her. Her eyes were red and puffy and her nose was running. She looked like she hadn't slept in weeks, but at least she was eating if I were to judge by the little bump she had going.

'Oh Ginny! I don't know what to do anymore.' She said crying softly. I led her back into the room and sat her on the bed. I noticed the white tiger napping on the bed but thought nothing of it when it sniffed at me then laid its head back down. 'What's going on Hermione?' I asked. She shook her head and started crying again. I took hold of her shoulders and made her look at me. 'You are my sister. I will love you no matter what, you know that.' I said.

She nodded and wiped the back of her hand across her nose and eyes. She sighed and sniffled. 'I'm pregnant.' She said quietly. 'Come again?' I said. 'I'm pregnant.' She said again. 'Hermione, what are you thinking? You're only 16 years old. You have your whole life ahead of you.' I said. She sighed and placed a hand on her stomach. 'Do you even know who the father is? And what of your parents? Do they know?' I asked.

'Ginny, it's a long story.' She said. 'Well, it is Saturday and we don't have any classes today. Better get started on that story.' I said conjuring up two cups of tea. 'Well, 8 months ago, I took my parents' memory of me away. I moved them to Australia a few weeks before summer ended.' She said quietly. She took a sip of her tea and looked at me. 'That's not the whole story.' I said.

'I did it so I could take an assignment for the Order.' She said before taking a deep breath. 'What was the assignment?' I asked. 'I had to infiltrate You-know-who's stronghold. I had to make him think that I wanted to be a Death Eater.' She said so quietly that I almost didn't hear her. 'You're a Death Eater?' I squeaked.

She rolled up her sleeve and showed me her left arm. 'I'm not a Death Eater. I'm his mistress.' She said not meeting my eyes. 'You're pregnant with You-know-who's baby?' I all but shouted. 'There's the rub. It's not his baby. It's one of his followers.' She said. 'Don't tell me it's Malfoy's baby.' I said. 'No, it's not Malfoy's baby. As if I'd let him or Draco touch me in that way.' She said. 'Then who?' I asked. She bit her lip and looked out the window for a moment. 'Severus.' She said closing her eyes and sighing.

'Severus? As in SNAPE?' I asked. She nodded. I sat back and looked at her. 'Is that who got you the tiger?' I asked looking at the sleeping giant feline. She nodded with a sad smile. 'When are you due?' I asked. 'December, if I did the calculations right. Narcissa had her personal healer check me out, and she told me I was a little over 2 months.' She said.

'Wow, you're pregnant.' I said quietly. She nodded. 'I still can't believe it either. But Ginny, now that you know, I need to ask you a favor. One that could be potentially life-threatening.' She said. 'What is it?' I asked.

'I'm leaving with Ron and Harry soon and Merlin knows that I can't hide my pregnancy forever.' She said. 'You want me to take a polyjuice potion don't you?' I asked. 'Yes, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.' She said quickly. 'I'll do it.' I said simply. 'Really? It's dangerous. Snatchers will be following you everywhere. You know most of the protective spells I do, but there's a few I'll teach you before I leave.' She said. I nodded.

Suddenly she threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. 'Thank you Ginny. I couldn't ask for a better friend.' She said. I smiled as I hugged her back. She smiled. 'Anything for my sister.' I said. 'Now, you've been in here for over two weeks. I think it's time to make an appearance, don't you?' I asked. She shrugged. 'Come on. All the teachers are worried about you. Everyone is.' I said as I went to her closet and pulled out a sun dress and sandals as it was a Saturday and we had no classes today.

She changed and sat at her dressing table so I could do her hair and help her get rid of those puffy red eyes. I waved my wand and her hair began straighten and then pulled itself into a neat ponytail with soft curls at the ends. Her eyes became less red and puffy. Eyeliner and eye shadow appeared on her eyes and blush appeared on her pale cheeks. She looked up and smiled. 'Come on, Ron and Harry are down at the Quidditch pitch and I'm sure they'll want to see you.' I said quietly taking her hand.

She nodded and smiled before leaving some food for her tiger and warding her door behind us.

Snape's POV

I looked out the Headmaster's window and saw the Weasley girl walking with the girl I'd rejected for carrying the baby of the Dark Lord. I couldn't help but smile as they walked towards the Quidditch pitch where Potter and Weasley were throwing the Quaffle around.

I sneered and turned away from the window and went to my desk where I reviewed the weekly upkeep of the school, anything to keep my mind off the little witch who'd stolen my heart and then broken it. 'Merlin, I'm an ass.' I said as I began to think about that night over two weeks ago. I'd seen the look on her face when I'd told her that she was no longer privy to my personal activities.

I summoned the firewhiskey from my private stores and a glass. I'd gone through 4 bottles in the last two weeks, but who was counting? I took a large gulp and sighed as the drink burned on the way down. I kept thinking back to her broken plea for her to let explain. Maybe I should have. 'Merlin, you've gone soft Severus.' I thought as I threw back the rest of my drink and poured another drink.

3 weeks later – Hermione's POV

I stood waiting in the Quidditch supply shed, the only place where the Carrows wouldn't look for students twice. I held my wand tightly in my hand as I heard a twig snap outside the shed. 'Mione?' a voice asked. I opened the door to let the boys in. Harry pulled out three small brooms and enlarged them. 'Ready?' Harry asked handing Ron and me a broom each.

I cast disillusionment charms on the three of us and I poked my head out the door to check for patrolling teachers. Ever since a group of fifth years had been caught sneaking off to Hogsmeade, teachers had been patrolling the grounds as well as the castle itself.

We moved quickly and were in the air quickly after leaving the grounds. A group of teachers appeared after we broke through the wards but didn't give chase. I looked back to see a small knowing smile on Professor McGonagall's face.

I looked at Harry and Ron. They smiled back at me and for some reason I just couldn't smile back. I stuck close to Harry as I was still learning to ride a broom and had finally got over my fear of flying. I was still stuck on the falling part. He smiled and led us towards London. 'The sooner we get done, the sooner I can get on with my life.' I thought as I subconsciously placed a hand on my stomach, if only to remind myself why I was doing this insane quest.

Snape's POV

I stood outside the Gryffindor prefects' dorm I looked at the blank wall near the portrait of the fat lady. I debated on going back to the Headmaster's office and finishing off the bottle of firewhiskey. I drew the outline of the Hogwarts Crest and said 'As headmaster of this school, I ask for entrance to this dormitory' and breathed a sigh when the bricks fell away to allow me entrance to the dorm.

I entered the dorm and went to knock on Hermione's dormitory door when I noticed it was open. I drew my wand and pushed open the door to find the dorm empty and void of personal effects. I crossed the hallway, opened the door to Weasley's, and found the same.

I pinched the bridge of my nose with my forefinger and thumb. I was getting a headache. She'd left with those two dunderheads. I heard a ringing in my ears then, signaling the wards had been breached, which only further served to confirm my suspicions. I turned on the spot disappeared with a small pop and appeared near the Carrows. 'Headmaster, we have reason to believe that Potter, Weasley and Granger have escaped the safety of the school.' Alecto said. I sneered. 'And I believe that you and your brother were patrolling the grounds tonight, is that correct?' I said.

The twins blanched before nodding and bowing their heads. 'Just as I thought.' I said before spinning on my heel and striding back towards the castle with McGonagall close behind. 'I do believe you're worried.' She said quietly. 'I have no time for worrying Minerva. Plans are in motion and I need to have my wits about me.' I said as I waved my hand and the doors opened. 'Yes, but you are worried Severus. Your body language says it all.' She pushed.

'Yes, Minerva. Indeed I am worried.' I said before beginning the climb to the 3rd floor where the headmaster's chambers were located. I was hoping the walk would clear my head. When I reached the office, I realized that I was indeed worried about Hermione, but I knew that the Dark Lord would have someone looking for her by morning if the Carrows did inform him that she was no longer under my protection. Of course, I would be punished for letting her out of my sight, but in this moment I realized, I truly didn't give a rat's arse.