A Hogwart's Tale: Romeo & Juliet
Act Three, Scene One – I do protest, I never injured thee,
Disclaimer: I neither own JK Rowling's Harry Potter nor Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
A/N: This chapter falls during HBP chapters 18&19. Super long chapter! I had lots that needed to be addressed in order to move the story along.
Answers to questions/comments:
(1) Please check out the poll on my page! 'Should I write a One (or Two)-Shot M-rated story about Severus & Hermione's honeymoon?'
Please be sure to leave reviews and helpful hints. R&R!
Disagreements Run Rampant
The next day started fine for Hermione. Harry was dividing his time between her and Ron rather well. Thus, he was still able to fill her in on the previous night's lesson with Dumbledore.
Hermione was intrigued. 'Professor Slughorn altered his memories? Why? What is a Horcrux?' Her insatiable curiosity threatened to overwhelm her. Gnawing on these questions, Hermione enjoyed classes, that is, until she got to Potions.
Still perturbed at Ron because of his flaunting relationship with Lavender and irritated by Harry's use of the Half-Blood Prince's book, Hermione moved away from them. When Professor Slughorn announced the assignment, Hermione was sure Harry would not be able to do it. Yet, he proved her wrong, sort of. He was not able to do the task, but he came up with a different answer thanks to the Half-Blood Prince.
'Professor Slughorn actually awarded him points! For being cheeky!' When class was over, Hermione stormed out.
Her anger toward Harry, and concern over the Half-Blood Prince, was quickly forgotten as they spent the ext couple weeks trying unsuccessfully to find information on Horcruxes.
vvv
January 9th. Hermione awoke that morning anxious. Not only was she almost 4 months along and starting to show, but today was Severus' birthday!
Hermione looked at herself in the full length mirror. Touchy the baby bump, she smiled. The smile was quickly overtaken by a worried grimace. 'I will tell Severus today… I only hope he is as happy as I am.'
Satisfied with her appearance and spell casting, Hermione gathered her things and set of for the days' routine. 'Tonight… hmm…'
vvv
Severus hated his birthday. Most years he forgot that it even existed, but this year Hermione wanted to celebrate. And, of course, Severus could not deny her, especially with all the ups and downs she had been experiencing lately.
Straightening his room, Severus made sure everything was prepped for there late dinner. Once satisfied, he headed off to his duties.
vvv
That evening, Severus and Hermione sat at the small dining table in his quarters. Hermione had decorated it with a dark blue table cloth, two long white taper candles and a small round chocolate cake. Severus' simple stoneware plates held filet mignon, loaded baked potatoes, and green bean casserole.
Though they were eating in silence, they were communicating. Severus would smirk at Hermione making her blush. Hermione's foot would rub along Severus's leg. Hands would brush briefly.
Clearing his throat, Severus laid his silverware next to his plate. "Thank you for this grand dinner, Mrs. Snape. But, I do not see ay gifts," slyly Severus asked, "Did you have something else in mind?"
Hermione blushed. Shivering inside, from both the emotions Severus had stirred within her and the anxiety of what she had to say. Shyly, Hermione stuttered, "I- I have s- something to t-tell you."
Uncertainty filled Severus as he stared at his wife. Hiding his emotions, he merely lifted an eyebrow as he stared at her.
Needing to fill the silence, Hermione continued, "I… We are pr-pregnant."
vvv
Stunned, Severus stared at his wife. 'Pregnant? Means baby? Now? Why? How?' Speechless, he became lost in his thoughts. "Well, of course I know how… but how?!'
Seeing her husband stunned and staring at her, Hermione began to cry.
Driven from his thoughts by the sounds of sobbing, Severus realized Hermione was crying. Swiftly, he was at her side, engulfing her in his arms.
vvv
Hermione relaxed into Severus' arms. 'Maybe, just maybe, he will be happy about this baby...'
"Shh, my love. Shh, everything is ok." Severus tried to soothe her.
Hermione stiffened. "Everything will be ok?" Pushing away from Severus she stared at him incredulously.
"What do you mean? Everything will be ok? You are SUPPOSED to say that you are HAPPY… Not everything will be ok." Hermione knew she was overreacting, but she couldn't stop herself.
vvv
Severus was frozen. Hermione was yelling at him. 'She never yells at me.' "Hermione, please calm down. I did not mean it like that."
"CALM DOWN!" Hermione sputtered and stood from her chair. Breathing deeply, she spoke in a low, neutral voice, "Calm down. I'll show you calm."
Hermione turned, grabbed her bag along with a handful of dust, and left.
vvv
Hermione awoke the next day exhausted. She hardly slept. Between not being able to get comfortable and feeling horrible about how she treated Severus, she didn't fall asleep until late in the morning.
Groggily, Hermione rose from the bed and began getting ready for the day. Making sure her uniform was decent with her spells in place; Hermione left her room for breakfast.
Hermione arrived in the breakfast hall early, long before Ron or Harry. Glancing at the professors' table, she noticed that Severus was not there. Sighing, Hermione turned from breakfast ad made her way to her husband's quarters, making sure no one saw her.
vvv
Severus was astonished when his wife swept out of his quarters. Too flabbergasted to follow, he sluggishly poured himself a glass of fire whiskey. 'Ugh. Women. What in the hell did I do wrong?'
Perturbed, Severus continued to pour him self drinks as he replayed the events that transpired during his birthday dinner. Eyes drifting shut, he finished the bottle of fire whiskey. His last thought before sleep took him was, 'I am going to be a father. A father…'
vvv
Bang. Bang. Someone was banging on the door.
"Will you stop that infernal racket!?" Severus boomed as he rose from the chair he slept in. Grumpily he marched to the door and swung it open with a sneer. "WHAT!"
Hermione shrunk back as her husband yelled at her.
Shaking the haze of alcohol from his head, Severus focused on the timid woman in front of him. Before she could run, he reached out and pulled her into his quarters.
Caught off balance, Hermione fell towards Severus and into his quarters. Grasping his robes, Hermione began burrowing into them.
Severus slammed and locked the door behind them. Wrapping his arms around his fragile wife, he guided her towards the couch.
"I'm sorry," they spoke in unison.
Embarrassed, Hermione grinned sheepishly at her husband.
Severus bent forward ad kissed her lips gently before continuing. "Hermione, I am sorry I made you unhappy. I am very happy to be the father of our child."
Tears streaming down her face, Hermione smiled. Full of pent up information, words overflowed from her as she told him about the pregnancy, how she found out, how far along she was, the spell she uses and more.
Severus held her lovingly and listened to every word.
vvv
Though they had made up, the disagreements did not stop. In fact they increased as Apparition Lessons approached. They went something like this.
"Hermione, you will not participate in the lessons." Severus would demand.
"Yes I will. You will not tell me what to do." She would retort.
"Splinching could harm the baby!"
"Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall will be there!"
So, the first Saturday of February brought with it the first day of Apparition Lessons, in which Hermione faked participation.
vvv
February 14th. After the dinner fiasco known as Severus' birthday, the couple agreed to not celebrate this year's Valentine's Day. Instead, they made an appointment with Madame Pomfrey to check up on their baby's progress and hopefully found out the sex.
Much to their delight, Hermione was about 21 weeks. Both she and the baby boy were healthy.
vvv
Ron's Birthday
March 1st. Another Saturday dawned. This one brought with it another Apparition Lesson as well as Ron's birthday. Hermione was aware of Ron's birthday when she awoke, though she did not know what to do. She was still perturbed at the adolescent shows in which Ron and Lavender put on for everyone. Yet, Ron was one of her closest friends. Therefore, she had bought a present for him.
Hermione was dressed, spell cast, and on her way to the great hall for her lesson, when Professor McGonagall stopped her. Ron was in the hospital wing. Without thinking, Hermione turned and sprinted towards her friend.
Nearing the hospital wing, Hermione glimpsed Harry. Seeing his worried expression, she felt her face pale as she hurled herself into him. As Harry hugged her reassuringly, then pushed her off of himself, Hermione realized he was talking to Ginny. Yet, she did not hear anything.
Hermione stood their dazed, in front of the entrance to the hospital wing. 'All this time I've been angry at him for things he could not control! What if I lose him now! He is one of my closest friends!' Hermione could hear near around her, only the voices in her head. She saw nothing but the closed door in front of her.
Thus, she stood there, staring at the door, waiting, until Madame Pomfrey allowed them to see Ron.
vvv
When Severus heard the news that Mr. Weasley had been poisoned, his thoughts went to Hermione. 'What if it had been her? How is she handling? What about the baby?'
Moving silently through the shadows and side passages, Severus made his way towards the hospital wing. Once he was close enough to see his wife without being seen, he slipped further into the shadows.
There he stood, watching his wife as she watched the door. A snake of jealousy slithered through him.
vvv
Assured that Ron would be ok, both by Madam Pomfrey and actually seeing it, Hermione and Harry left the infirmary with Hagrid. Relieved that Ron was ok, Hermione followed Harry and Hagrid as they walked toward Gryffindor Tower. Hermione could feel someone watching her as she listened to Harry and Hagrid talked.
"What? Dumbledore's angry with Snape?" Harry spoke.
Hermione forgot about the eyes on her back ad focused on the conversation. 'Severus hasn't said anything about that. Then again, he does keep a lot to himself… After last time, I don't think I should ask him. But what if it's true? Arguing in the forest? Hagrid wouldn't lie…'
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted when she saw Filch's shadow in the corridor ahead of them. "Look out."
Hermione thanked whatever gods were watching as she and Harry ran at Hagrid's command.
vvv
Assured that Hermione made it back to Gryffindor Tower without anymore mishaps, Severus headed to his rooms. He was both relieved the Hermione and her idiot friends were ok as well as unsure of how to deal with the questions she would be asking the next day. 'How the hell do I explain what that git of a giant said! And why should I!'
Once in his rooms, Severus poured himself a glass of fire whiskey and sank into the nearest chair.
vvv
The next day, Hermione awoke felling nothing but dread. She knew it was time to talk to her husband about Harry. She had put it off for too long. Sighing, Hermione readied her self for the day's events, pondering how she would approach Severus. The day itself was naught but a blur, as she continued to mull over her questions.
By the time dinner had passed ad Hermione excused herself to her room she was a bundle of nerves. Yet, she knew she had to address her questions before they turned into doubts.
Resolutely, Hermione tossed the Floo powered and headed to Severus' quarters.
vvv
Severus waited for his wife's arrival. He knew by the concertation on her face throughout the day, that she would confront him tonight.
He readied himself and the room. Placing the two most comfortable chairs by the fire, he poured himself a glass of fire whiskey and waited.
vvv
When Hermione arrived, Severus was sitting comfortably by the fire. Noticing the new arrangement of the chairs, she looked at him quizzically. Severus merely smiled and waved her to the other chair.
"Hermione, I know you have been pondering something today. I felt it best for us to sit down and get it all out." Severus stated calmly and concisely.
Hermione decided to start with Harry's obsession with Malfoy. She described all the times Harry told her he followed him as well as things he had overheard. Finally she ended with, "So why did you follow Malfoy when he left the Christmas party?"
Not expecting that question, Severus thought quickly and answered, "Malfoy failed to appear at my office to discuss his Defense Against Dark Arts O.W.L."
Hermione watched her husband closely, wondering if he was telling her the whole truth. "And what of the Unbreakable Vow you made with Malfoy's mother to protect him?"
Severus smirked, though inwardly he was shaking. 'How did she know so much when he was trying to keep her safe and away from it all?' With a sharp intake of breath, he replied, "Lucius and I attended Hogwart's together. We have remained acquaintances, if not friends since then. When he was imprisoned, Narcissa asked me to watch over her son. Fearing her husband's fate, she requested an Unbreakable Vow."
Though Hermione knew her husband was telling the truth, she was certain it wasn't the whole truth. "What were you trying to assist Malfoy with?"
Feeling as though this was turning into an interrogation, Severus stood and poured himself a glass of fire whiskey. As he did so he asked, "Would you like something to drink, my love?"
Sighing, Hermione shook her head. "No, Severus. Why are you so interested in Malfoy?"
Severus turned toward the fireplace, yet positioned himself so that Hermione could just see the side of his face. "I worry for him, Hermione. Boys do tend to get in trouble. He is both a Malfoy and a Slytherin, which amounts to a lot of trouble and concern."
Hermione rose with some difficulty, from her chair. Approaching Severus from behind, she leaned her head against his back while wrapping her arms around him. "I know you are not lying to me, but I also know you are not telling me everything."
Feeling Severus' muscles tense underneath her arms, Hermione continued. "I trust that you know what you are doing and have your reasons for not telling me, but is it true that Professor Dumbledore is angry with you?"
Severus turned to face his wife, pulling her close to him, he kissed her forehead. "My love, Albus is often angry with me. There are may things we do not always agree on."
Umpf. Severus and Hermione looked at each other. Grinning, Hermione squeaked, "He kicked! Did you feel that?"
Severus' smile matched Hermione's. "Yes, my love, I did."
vvv
The following Saturday found Ron still in the hospital wing and Gryffindor readying to play Hufflepuff in Quidditch. Hermione loathed the idea of speaking to Ron before the match, though they were now talking. She felt guilty about hexing McLaggen earlier in the year and was truly curious as to how they would play today. Thus she headed out to the field early.
Fifteen minutes into the game and she was ready to leave. McLaggen was good, but he was not a team player. Hermione begin to feel sorry for Harry as he was too busy redirecting McLaggen to look for the snitch.
Smack. Harry fell from the sky.
'That dunderhead McLaggen!' Hermione rushed from the stands to her injured friend. Harry hung unconsciously between the shoulders of Cootes ad Peakes, who had caught him mid fall. They were surrounded by the Heads of Houses. Professor McGonagall motioned for Hermione to follow her.
She followed Professor McGonagall, who was now levitating Harry, to the hospital wing. Hermione laughed, slightly hysterically, as the unconscious Harry was settled into the bed next to Ron. Both of her friends were now injured. 'What next?'
Hermione, unsure of what to do, rushed from the hospital wing towards Gryffindor tower. Tears were streaming down her face as she ran. When she made it to the common room she barely registered the silence as she sprinted up to her own room.
Hermione cried herself to sleep.
vvv
Worried for his wife and child, Severus used the Floo network to slip into her room. Finding her sound asleep, he made sure her room was locked. Sitting on the bed next to his wife, he brushed strands of hair off her face. 'I will do anything I can to protect you. Both of you.'
Settling himself into a nearby chair, Severus stayed to watch over his sleeping beauty while she slept.
A/N: Baby names! Any ideas?