Christmas Time

All of the Hogwarts students decided to go home for the Christmas Holiday so Minerva allowed the faculty to leave Hogwarts if they wished to. She, along with Hermione, traveled to McGonagall Manor to relax from the stressful school term. It had been so chaotic with the uprising war reeking havoc throughout the Magical Community and they both had done their fair share of the Order of the Phoenix work.

Minerva, who had removed the concealment charm hiding her condition, was stretched out on the couch reading her new transfiguration book. In her last month of pregnancy, she was miserable. Emotionally she went from one extreme to the other and her swollen belly prohibited her ability to get up and down by herself. If not from the calming affect of her daughter Hermione she would have most likely went insane.

Hermione was settled at one of the tables, close to the couch Minerva was lounging on, nestled into the family's massive library. She had been sitting there for hours trying to finish up all the homework assigned to her over the break so she wouldn't have to worry about it later. She just finished her last essay when she was startled by a cry of pain from Minerva. She looked up in time to see Minerva grab her swollen belly and scrunch her face up in obvious pain. Hermione immediately abandoned her books and dashed to her mother's side. "Should I owl Poppy," Hermione asked slightly panicky.

With a bit of effort Minerva flashed a reassuring smile to her daughter then said, "Yes but help me get changed into a gown and settled in bed first."

Hermione nodded and helped Minerva into the bedroom. With a bit of magic Minerva's robes were changed into a nightgown and Hermione helped her ease under the covers. She then went to the desk, scribbled a note and sent it by an owl to Poppy. She then sat next to Minerva and held her hand while they waited for Poppy.

Poppy arrived within ten minutes by Floo Powder and quickly examined Minerva. After she was satisfied with the results, Poppy announced that Minerva was indeed in labor and that everything was going perfectly fine. She opened her bag and set out all the potions she thought she would need then ordered Hermione to support Minerva's back. Hermione did as she was told and allowed her mama to squeeze her hands when the contractions hit.

Minerva was in labor for nearly nine hours before she gave birth to healthy twin boys, twin boys whom she named Simon and Solomon. She was propped up by several pillows and had the babies lying on a pillow on her lap in order to observe them closely. She noticed they had emerald eyes like hers and her button nose but that was it. The rest of their features came from their father. Their pale skin, midnight hair and lanky features were just like their father's although he still knew nothing of them.

Minerva allowed a few tears to slip past her guard and fall unheeded down her cheeks as she tenderly brushed a lock of unruly hair from both of her sons eyes. How would she ever tell Severus about their sons, she wondered. She had taken away his opportunity to be a father to Hermione and now it seemed he would miss this opportunity as well. She sighed loudly as she thought of how much he would miss out on.

Hermione noticed her tears and gently wiped her tears away. "No need to cry Mama. I'm sure when Voldemort is defeated Daddy will return to us and be thrilled about the twins," she said soothingly.

Minerva offered a small smile before replying, "I hope so wee one."