AN: A bit of fluff in this chapter; this one might get the same treatment as 19 and 20 in terms of editing. I'm still not completely happy with it. ! Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 21

News of their impromptu wedding on Christmas Eve spread like fiendfyre throughout magical Britain and they found new paperwork from the Board of Governors, assuring them that old standards would still be in place and that no favoritism would be shown to the newly married professor of potions. Hermione opted to keep her name, not only for her research but to keep things from being confusing in meetings with constant 'Professor Snape' references. She did legally hyphenate her name on their official wedding certificate and wanted to hyphenate the name of their children, should they ever have any. At first she'd worried that Severus was going to be adverse to the idea, but he seemed just as agreeable, not particularly attached to the 'Snape' name and certainly not old fashioned enough to assume she would take his name in the first place- he'd been surprised when he watched her sign the certificate, admittedly an odd protective sense invaded him when he saw her write 'Hermione Jean Granger-Snape', as though it hadn't been real until they both signed. The events of their wedding and honeymoon transfixed her whenever she had a moment to think, to take in all that had transpired while they had been together. From the very first kiss he'd placed on her neck, behind her ear, to the one he'd given her that very morning, Hermione was still shocked that they'd come so far. Inasmuch as she could, Hermione tried not to dwell on the darker parts of the previous four years, the misunderstandings and her own over-thinking, how much time she wasted being critical of her husband when he was learning how to open up to her, and even though she wished wholeheartedly that she could take the wasted time back, to allow herself rationality, she knew that it had molded them and made their relationship stronger, even if the misunderstandings had been hard to bear. When she looked at Severus over breakfast, their first day back from their honeymoon, she found she loved the gentle and soft look on his face, discussing the rotating duty roster and how she'd not be in the mix until she was feeling completely free of her residual issues concerning the pneumonia.

"You know the staff will think I'm getting special treatment." Smiling wryly across their table in the office, Hermione chewed an edge of toast and brought her tea to her lips, watching the myriad of emotions playing across her typically stoic husband's face.

"Bugger them, you aren't well. I will take the extra duties if need be." It endeared him to her, his duty to making sure she was well and taken care of. She'd never thought she wanted someone to take care of her, in fact when Ron had tried, she immediately balked. With Severus it was different, he wasn't trying to micromanage her life, he wasn't limiting her opportunities, he simply wanted to make sure she was her best self, and that was all she'd really wanted from a spouse, if she was being honest with herself.

"Patrick said he'd help and you know Neville will. I don't want your deputy angry at me for something else, love." Her hand split the chasm of table between them, and rested on top of his and she immediately felt the warmth she'd been seeking as she felt perpetually cold since she'd been sick.

"Your bevy of supporters."

"You are the only one I'd happily…" But she couldn't quite put into words what she was feeling, overwhelmed by the words of their vows suddenly replaying in her brain and how he'd said those vows to her, in his rich baritone practically velvet in her ears, and in front of all their loved ones. Suddenly, she dusted off her chest and lap from crumbs and came to his side of the table, wandlessly moving the table inches over so she could rest softly on his lap, her legs across his and her arms around his neck, planting kisses along his jawline before capturing his chin in between her thumb and index finger.

"You're rather chipper this morning." If it was possible, she felt his voice drop several octaves, vibrating against the soft skin of her cheek as she leaned into his ear.

"I'll show you chipper." Her reply sent obvious chills down his spine but she wasn't surprised by his reaction until he lifted her in his arms and carried her back to their bedroom.

(((())))

Although he'd wanted nothing special again for his birthday as December faded into January, Hermione arranged a special dinner at Stieg's flat for him, inviting the Potters and Malfoys, as well as Patrick and Violet. When they walked to Hogsmeade for their usual Sunday dinner, she knew Severus did not suspect he would be celebrating his birthday, but as soon as they walked up the stairs to the flat, Draco opening the door with Scorpius in his arms, Severus turned to her with a fretted brow and she knew he'd caught on.

"Scorpius has gotten so big!" Hermione kissed Draco's cheek and reached for the blond boy, his face such a pleasant mixture of Draco and Astoria. As they went through the small mudroom to the sitting room, Hermione saw the Potter boys and Teddy, who were playing with Stieg, and found immediately a jealous look on Albus' face because she was holding Scorpius.

"Come over here, then." Sitting on the floor as Albus ran over, she held them both and gave them the licorice she'd brought them and watched as they giggled with each other, their little laughs like music to her ears. Looking back to Severus, she noted him in conversation with Harry and Draco, looking formidable and almost concerned, she wondered what had happened, but Ginny distracted her with a quick intake of breath.

"Contraction?" Hermione asked, reaching out to touch her belly and offer her a seat by the fire.

"Yes, but nothing to be worried about, even though they always come early, this one has some cooking to do, still." Hermione placed a hand on Ginny's stomach and searched her face for pain, hoping it wasn't the baby trying to come as early as her brother's had.

"Cooking? Babies cook?" Teddy joked, his hair turning a spectacular blue, his eyes the same.

"Joke all you want, Edward Remus Lupin, but you'll be wishing this baby was still cooking when you're helping change nappies." Ginny pulled him into a hug and ruffled his hair as she normally did when he was being silly and then led him to the dining room where Stieg had put out the bread and butter, the Shepard's pie and asparagus came through as Hermione took her seat. It was Severus' favorite meal, made with real veal which they didn't get at Hogwarts and for pudding, she'd ordered banoffee pies from his favorite pie shop in London, hoping he would be surprised by that at least.

"Happy birthday, Severus." Her words hit his ears as her mouth kissed his cheek, sitting next to her at the table, finding the children happily singing to him as though he was one of their peers. He hadn't had birthday parties as a child, nor as an adult, and found himself surprised at how much he enjoyed their happiness for him. For once, he didn't seem to mind the attention all directed at him, even if the singing was bad and the waiting for it to end made him slightly nervous. His birthdays had never been celebrated until Hermione came along, aside from a few outings with Lily Evans when they were children, which had all ended after he'd lashed out at her. For a moment, once the singing stopped, he looked to the candle on the cake and made a wish, no a promise really, to endeavor never to hurt Hermione, to never push her away again. As though reading his mind, Hermione leaned down to him and captured him in another kiss, assuaging his mind for the moment as conversation resumed.

"How are you enjoying the new job, Draco?" He'd been promoted from her old job within the Magical Law Enforcement division to controlling the division of creatures.

"I'll miss working with Arthur, but so far, it's been better than working with some of the rather simple ilk in that division. Did you ever work with Frederick Darlington from Ukraine?"

"Actually, no, but we've conversed frequently on potions ingredients many times and he's written loads about jarvies, his particular interest. Why?" Taking the asparagus as it passed, Hermione turned to Draco completely, almost whispering as she did not to annoy the others at the table of ministry talk.

"He's moving to Britain and is working with the department, at least for a few months. I've been running his name through contacts to learn more about him, but so far no one has been familiar with him." Hermione started to respond, but found her attention pulled by Severus over to the children's table where Albus and Scorpius were levitating their potatoes.

"Hogwarts will certainly be a dangerous place if those two remain friends." Harry and Draco acknowledged Severus' words, then returned to their food, though they'd buried the hatchet many years before, there were still old wounds that sometimes made it difficult to be friends. When Hermione turned back to Draco, she found him fretting a bit over Astoria who had excused herself to the washroom and dropped her opinion of Darlington for the banoffee pie.

"Did you get this at Moe's?" Severus asked her after sampling a bite of his favorite dessert.

"Of course, it's your birthday. It's not everyday my husband turns forty-eight and I know it's your favorite." His kiss tasted like whipped cream and bananas. "Besides, you never let me celebrate your birthday really, aside from a card or small present, I knew I had to be a little cunning in my tactics and assuage your annoyance with a sweet gift."

"You have my permission to celebrate my birthday this way in future." She threw her arms around him, practically knocking him back in his chair, but she didn't care, he seemed genuinely happy about his birthday surprise and it was the best gift she could give him.

"Newlyweds." Draco sniped, bringing Scorpius on his lap and sharing his banoffee pie. Astoria came to sit next to them and Hermione watched as Draco placed his arm gently around her, protectively like Severus did when he was nervous or worried about something. The thought passed when she heard Severus lightly snort, eating more of his banoffee pie.

"Tell me when you've seen your godfather so happy to celebrate his birthday and I'll throw myself at you, too." Hermione dared, but Draco relented, a satisfied smirk on both of their faces. The remainder of the evening passed in catching up, though not much had happened since Christmas, they drank cinnamon tea and watched as the kids played with charmed marionette dolls, Hermione listened mostly, watching the interactions between Severus and Stieg, Draco and Patrick, who had surprisingly similar upbringings, and Violet, Ginny, and Astoria talking about children. When everyone left, Hermione and Stieg found themselves in the kitchen cleaning up while Patrick and Severus transfigured the table back to normal size and rearranged the room, both sitting in quiet as Hermione hummed her away around Stieg, washing dishes and stacking them as the dried.

"You seem better, how have your lungs been?"

"Better, for sure, but every now and then I still feel fatigued, as though I cannot sleep enough for ten people, and I cannot seem to get warm enough. On a separate note, Kingsley sent me some paperwork on the cure, apparently the trials are ending by the summer and then the research team will compile the data, I guess I'll be presenting again with final numbers and it will be made public by the Autumn, though I think it's hasty. What?" Hermione paused, wiping her face as though she might have something on it, then folded her arms as he scrutinized her, looking at her like her father always had when she was being stubborn or overworked.

"You must take a break, Hermione, you won't heal if you remain this tightly wound. Perhaps Severus can present for you this summer? I can handle the review of the data for this month, if you would like me too. All you need to be concerned with are your classes and healing." Admonished like a child caught in a lie, Hermione tried to hide her annoyance at not being able to do everything she felt she needed to do, but knew he was right. In her entire life she'd never felt so exhausted or worn down, but the responsibility of her life took precedence in her mind over almost everything else, Severus being the exception.

"I'll be fine by June, but you know I am always happy to work on the data with you. Come to the castle this week and I'll show you what he sent me, or I can come here, I do need to tend the morning glory." Stieg grinned at her, before placing his warm hand on hers, his bright eyes examining her more closely now that they stood beside each other. He could see the stress of her illness in the darkened circles of her eyes; he knew she needed to stop working at full speed.

"You know I have taken care of the morning glory already, my dear, and I will come to the castle, the less you are in this weather the better for your lungs. Besides, I'll get to harass Severus about the new series we're going to sell in February, one of his former classmates has written some interesting essays about Grindelwald." Her interest piqued, Hermione watched as Stieg walked to his table and brought her the works, drying her hands on the towel, she read the first paragraph and then looked back to Stieg.

"You can only read these if you promise to rest tomorrow, no brewing and no research, just read and drink tea." As though they'd been in each others lives all along, Stieg knew how to handle Hermione.

"You're worse than Poppy." She meant it but still hugged him tightly and kissed his cheeks. Severus bundled her up, even though they were going through the floo, and they returned to their quarters. Though Hermione had read many works about Grindelwald, she had never paid much attention to his relationship with the Dumbeldores nor his influence on those like Voldemort or many in Eastern Europe. The images throughout the essay of Grindelwald reminded her of the Malfoys, though his hair didn't quite seem as platinum as Draco or Lucius' hair. Reading about Grindelwald's intimate relationship with Albus Dumbledore didn't quite shock her as much as she thought it would; instead she found herself saddened for her former headmaster, that he'd fallen in love with someone who, in the end, disappointed him. It was obvious that Dumbledore had never loved again or at least not to the veracity of Gellart Grindelwald. Severus finally broke her concentration, taking her hand in his and leading her to their bedroom.

"Did you have a pleasant birthday?" She asked Severus as they changed for bed, her hair in a tight braid and her skin still cool to the touch as though they'd been outside for hours.

"The best of my life." Hermione knew he wasn't being facetious but found herself studying him all the same, though his expression remained practically unreadable, his arms around her made it clear he was pleased with the day.

"You're frozen, here, take this." He pulled away and handed her the medicine she normally took at night, finding herself a bit anemic from being sick and still run down, the potions seemed to warm her right up.

"I'll be glad for Spring." His flannel warmed her before she finally closed her eyes, he remained awake for hours more, worried about her still feeling the effects of her pneumonia, curious as to whether there wasn't something else he could do to improve her health. When she rolled away from him hours later and Minka jumped on the bed, kneading the duvet at his feet, he decided it was no use trying to sleep. Looking back over the information about the trial patients she'd worked with and then her own scans, he could find no connection that proved she'd picked up something unknown from one of the patients, but he then thought about Patrick's natural immunity to so many illnesses and wondered if his rich white blood cells would do anything for Hermione. He sent a quick message to Stieg and then returned to bed, trying not to wake Hermione who seemed to be sleeping far better than she normally did, and finally finding sleep for himself within moments of closing his eyes.

((()))

When students returned a week later, they were glad to have Hermione back as their professor, though it was obvious some missed Stieg's sense of humor, not knowing how lucky they were to have him as a professor at that juncture in his life and not when he was a young professor like Hermione. Although they were completely caught up and on pace, Hermione reviewed some of the material with them before moving on the new potions and theories. It felt good to be back in the laboratory, but it wore her down quickly, making her thankful for the help Stieg and Patrick had offered her.

Though it took them a few tries, Stieg and Severus formulated a restorative potion for Hermione after consulting with Patrick and Hermione's notes on the initial work she'd done for the wolfsbane potion. The infusion she'd managed to make when the potion was simply to suppress the effects of lycanthropy were key to making her feel closer to illness-free, but neither man wanted to admit it might not work.

"Hermione, Stieg and I have been working on something unique for you, but it might not be successful." Severus handed her a vial of restorative medicine he and Stieg had been working on for her, additionally he handed her their research knowing she wouldn't consume a potion she didn't know enough about. After reading through the paperwork, she took the stopper off and swallowed it whole, noting that they'd use the base from the potion she'd made for the cure for lycanthropy, but before she could even imagine to thank them, she felt her throat constricting, her skin burned and she passed out, writhing on the floor in pain and unable to breath. Severus and Stieg immediately jumped into action, both unaware as to why she was having such a dramatic reaction to the potion, though from the welts on her arms, throat, chest, Severus assumed it was an allergic reaction. Without hesitation, he poured an antihistamine potion down her throat, flooing her to the hospital wing as soon as he was sure she had swallowed the antihistamine.

"What in Neptune's name has happened? She was fine an hour ago." Poppy called out as Severus lay Hermione quickly on the same bed she'd spent over a week in.

"We gave her a potion we thought would fix her lung problem, but she's had a reaction." Poppy eyed him oddly, but she knew Severus and Stieg were careful brewers who would never purposely hurt a patient, little alone a spouse. Stieg came through the floo with their research and the ingredient list, putting it in Poppy's hands after she administered a quick dose of epinephrine to Hermione, whose eyes opened, but her throat was still so swollen she couldn't speak.

"Juniper berries? You've given her juniper berries, it's in her file, has been since she entered this school." Hermione nodded quickly, motioning to Poppy that she was correct. Hermione chastised herself for not realizing they'd added juniper berries to her base; she only used the berries for the cure and not for the initial potion, which she thought that they and used.

"But she works with them each time she brews this potion." Stieg countered, looking between Hermione and Poppy.

"She does, but she doesn't ingest them, she cannot even touch them. Have you been with her when she's brewed this?" Severus and Stieg both nodded. "You're both former spies, not terribly observant, though, it's a wonder either of you survived two wars." Hermione's eyes were watering, either from tears or the allergy, they couldn't tell, but she looked like her breathing had steadied.

"Actually, this infernal berry may be the key to her illness in the first place. Hermione, were you using this berry in October, getting ready for the November trials?" She nodded furiously. "And did something happen?" Reaching for the paper Stieg offered, Hermione quickly wrote.

'My gloves broke and even though I washed my hands, I must've touched my face.' Poppy smirked.

"The three of you have given me enough trouble for a lifetime." Hermione tried to wipe her eyes, but found she could barely raise her arms. "You'll need to stay, I'm afraid, until we get this swelling down and then we'll talk about treatment." Poppy ushered Severus and Stieg from the room so she could move Hermione to a cool bath of witch hazel and told them they could check on her a few hours later.

"Those two obviously care about you, Professor Granger, but perhaps a list of your allergies in the lab wouldn't be remiss?"

"I thought Severus remembered from school, I even wear a mask with the juniper berries normally. I guess in October, too much got in my lungs, I was so distracted. And I've been helping brew it recently for more trials, but I guess I didn't think…" Hermione felt foolish, not realizing that her mistakes, ones she wouldn't have normally made, were due to the level of perfection and dedication to all her tasks she'd placed upon herself.

"Obviously." But Poppy's tone was not as cynical as Severus' would be saying the same word. After her relaxing and relieving bath, Hermione returned to the bed and drank more antihistamine before Severus brought her papers to grade and some dinner from the Great Hall.

"I have to say until the hives are down." Taking the papers, Hermione sat with her legs folded and started combing through them.

"I will teach your lessons tomorrow." She noted the look of dismay and sullen tone of his voice as he sat next to her. It was obvious Severus felt incredibly guilty.

"Severus, what you and Stieg did was honorable, you wanted to help me and I sincerely appreciate that." Hermione put her hand over his, pulling at his ring as he finally met her gaze.

"I didn't remember your allergy, we never worked with juniper berries when you were a student."

"Well, I'm allergic to cedar and white oak, as well, just in case we ever need it for a potion or put it in our house." Her gentle laugh made him ease, but she could see that he was going to punish himself for a while before he let it go.

"Look, you tried to free me from my fatigue and gave me a day off, I'd say that's win." Putting the papers aside, Hermione hugged her husband, whose arm went reluctantly around her, the heat of her skin warming his hands instantly. "Now give me a kiss and go eat with the staff before your deputy comes in here and yells at us for caring too much about each other." Severus gave her a quick kiss and stalked out, his robes billowing as they had so often when she was a student in his classes. The next day, she returned to their quarters covered in a protective layer of witch hazel and calamine, and Severus found her lounging on the sofa, finishing her grading and ready to sleep next to him again, lungs clearing and skin finally improving.

Hermione's classes resumed not long after and she felt herself finally falling into a rhythm again. It had taken a few weeks, but she completely caught up on grading, planning, and brewing for the infirmary, all while finally feeling free of the residual effects of the pneumonia. Her energy returned almost full force as February arrived.

(((()))

Lily Luna Potter was born at 12:01 am on Valentine's Day, a week before her due date but long after Ginny Potter believed she would be born. Not only was everyone, except Hermione, surprised she was a girl, but to be born on Valentine's Day had been a real surprise. Hermione and Severus went to St. Mungos early before classes started, leaving the helm with Sinistra and Stieg respectively, hoping to see the Potters before they were released from the hospital. When they finally made it to Ginny's room, they saw that Molly and Arthur were leaving with the boys.

"A girl!" Hermione said, going into the room where Ginny was holding a tiny baby bundled in purple and yellow. Immediately, Hermione noticed the red hair and deep, corkscrew dimples, the same that Albus Severus had.

"Red hair, so much red hair." Harry laughed, hugging Hermione and shaking Severus' hand, as Ginny handed the bundle to Hermione, the immediate feeling of the newborn in her arms reminding her of the births of James and Albus. Happiness immediately pervaded any other feeling she felt.

"How have you done this three times?" Pulling the blanket back a bit, Hermione immediately noticed that Lily had the same expressions as Albus but her red hair stood out the most, red eyelashes and red eyebrows also caught her attention, and a perfect rosebud mouth. She looked exactly like Albus aside from the red hair. It was obvious to her that Severus was far more comfortable with newborns than he had been when James was born because after she'd held Lily for a while, he reached for her of his own volition. Standing and allowing him to sit, Hermione handed her over, kissing her sweet swath of red hair and watching her slowly yawn over Severus' shoulder.

"She looks so much like Albus."

"And her grandmother." Severus added, all knowing he didn't mean Molly Weasley. Hermione looked to Harry who had the same solemn expression on his face that Severus did- somehow having a girl made them both react differently this time. Hermione went to Ginny for a moment, hugging her softly and kissing her cheek.

"It's your turn now, you know." Ginny joked, loud enough to catch Severus' attention.

"When Hermione is completely well." Severus looked up to both women who were clearly shocked by his words, and then stood with Lily, bringing her back to her mother and regrettably handing her over.

"Congratulations, she's truly gorgeous. Did the boys love her?" Hermione asked.

"James asked if he really needed another sibling and Albus immediately kissed her, he wanted to take her to the Burrow to show her to Grandma and Grandpa, who were just outside the room. I have a feeling he will be her protector. Teddy is coming later with Neville, thanks for that, Severus." Hermione kissed Lily one more time and then hugged Harry tightly.

"It's not every day one gains a new family member, although in this family it does seem to be more frequently." They all had a good chuckle, then it was back to Hogwarts. Hermione and Severus stepped through the floo, going first to the G and T and then walking to Hogwarts slowly through Hogsmeade. Her steps were measured, her brain completely consumed by baby Lily Luna, as she tucked her arm into Severus'.

"Do you think we're really ready for all that?" Hermione asked when they were a few steps from the gates, stopping him for a moment as snow started falling.

"I did brew the potions for you, if that is an answer."

"Yes, you brewed me potions, but…"

"I meant what I said, when you are well and if you are ready, take the potions." He'd stepped closer to her and pulled her lips towards his. "I look forward to the day when you tell me the potions have worked." Hermione was shocked by his admission, but even more so by his kiss so close to the gates of the school. He rarely showed affection within viewing distance of students, who were most certainly awake and bustling around.

"Very well, then." Turning back towards the school, Hermione followed her husband with thoughts of Lily Luna Potter on her brain, completely lost in thought as she wound herself down the stairs to her classroom and eventually relieved Stieg, who promised her he would be happy to take her classes. Although Hermione had been thinking about her possible child with Severus for years, she wasn't quite sure how they would manage on between their work schedules and the store, would she have to take off a semester or more? Who would help watch the child when she did work and how would it be to have a child, an infant at Hogwarts? Trying to recall when Albus had stayed with them, Hermione fixated on the calm she'd felt when he left, knowing they'd made it work, though school hadn't been in session then. Turning to Stieg before he left the room, she motioned him over.

"If Severus and I have a child…" But she couldn't ask all of her questions without looking foolish, in her mind at least, so she waved him off. "I'm just hormonal, Lily is the sweetest thing and Severus said he was ready." Stieg smiled as only he could and Hermione was reminded it had been six months since his promise to her, to give life a good try.

"Then I will be happy man, if you two have a child. Children are truly a gift and a great responsibility, and I'll be happy to help any way I can. What is your concern?" His blue eyes twinkled like Father Christmas as he watched her fighting within herself.

"I only have about a thousand." She whispered as students filtered past them; Stieg took her hand and led her through the lab to her office, forcing her to sit and calling for tea.

"It's just, this is the closest we've ever been to actually trying, I'm worried we're too busy or we have too much going on...what if I'm too selfish now, that I've devoted my life to potions so much I cannot be a proper mother?" As an elf brought in the tea tray, Stieg poured them both a cup and offered her a chocolate biscuit.

"Ah, the plight of mothers. Rarely a man asks himself the same questions. Look, you and Severus will not be traditional parents, your child will be raised in a castle surrounded by more people than most children meet in a lifetime, but you will make it work as you always do. If you need to take a semester or two off, Severus can hire someone, and if you're worried about working, look at your schedule, your child would be in someone's care for three to four periods a day, that's far less than most kids and finding care for the child will be easy. If those are your concerns, you should feel at ease." Biting into another biscuit, Hermione nodded quietly and then sipped her tea, trying to take in his words.

"I'm just shocked, I think. I guess I never expected Severus to be ready, but he truly is...I mean he brewed me a conception potion as a Christmas present." Her hand shook slightly as she raised the teacup to her lips.

"If you aren't ready, he will understand."

"I am, I think, just nervous and completely terrified." Stieg chuckled and finished his tea, taking a biscuit from the tray as he watched her mind turn.

"That's completely normal, imagine how you'll feel when you actually get pregnant. When Daniella told me she was pregnant with Sean Patrick I drank for two straight days in terror, it's normal." Hermione finally smiled at him, imagining Severus' facial expression when she finally told him they were expecting...she was almost giddy with joy thinking about it.

"Thank you, I feel so much better."

"It's what I do." Hugging him tightly, she heard the next class coming in so she finished her tea and kissed his cheek, walking out to meet her seventh year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, who were surprised to see her instead of Professor Davenport, who they must've expected from the previous classes rumors. Turning to them as they sat, she opened her notes to NEWT levels works, starting them on the practical uses of witch hazel, something she'd become all too familiar with over the previous weeks, and got them started on brewing an acne cure.

That evening at dinner in the Great Hall, Hermione watched as Neville and Teddy returned, both looking as happy as she'd felt when they left St. Mungos that morning, so she turned to Severus who was talking to Patrick about the new suppliers for glass vials they'd been ordering for the store, and waited for the pause she knew would come because Severus rarely talked at dinner if he could avoid it, but she was wrong that evening, he and Patrick conversed so long she excused herself and went to their quarters. She composed a quick letter to Harry and Ginny congratulating them again and then fell asleep on the sofa waking when Severus came through two hours later. Falling into bed after brushing her hair and teeth, Hermione completely forgot what she'd wanted to say to him until his pulled her close, his hand traveling up her shirt like a randy teenager.

"After the conference this summer, I think."

"What?" He had obviously not been dwelling on their earlier conversation quite like she had all day. Hermione did overthink things most of the time.

"I think that's when we should try, after the conference, that way I can take it easy over the summer and we'll have time to get things in order. Plus we'll have been married half a year by then." He didn't immediately reply with words, but removed her clothes painstakingly slowly, eyeing her the entire time.

"As you wish." He finally said, removing his trousers.

"I love you, Severus." Hermione pulled his shirt off, smoothing her hands against his chest before pushing him back on the bed and climbing on top of him.

"I love you more." He replied, making her smile wickedly at him. Neither knew it would be a short Easter sojourn to visit Grimmauld Place for an extended weekend wherein Hermione actually got pregnant, almost three months before she'd actually planned, her contraceptive potion corrupted by the treatment for her allergies Poppy had given her. Her hormones had been wicked that weekend surrounded by the love of her Potter family, the sweet boys and Lily, and her husband who continued to surprise her daily.

(((()))

The morning Hermione finally suspected she was pregnant was not due to morning sickness or even fatigue, it was Severus' smell. Normally, she loved the way he smelled and longed to be near him often just to smell his natural musk with the aftershave he used with bergamot and sandalwood, but the morning of the NEWT exams, Hermione knew something was off. She'd been quite off for a while, but she attributed it to her potions and the stress from getting students prepared for the exams, and though she'd missed her period for two months, that had happened to her before, so she hadn't even considered she was pregnant, in fact Poppy had to perform the spell three times before she could believe it was true.

"You'll be due at the end of December, perfect timing." Hermione blinked and nodded, completely in shock. "Your potions are all safe but you'll need to add these for gestational health and make sure Severus helps you in and out of a bath if you take one, don't soak for more than ten minutes unless it's infrequently. Any questions?" Hermione was still staring blankly at the wall, but looked at Poppy again when she heard the mediwitch cast an amplifying spell, the tiny heartbeat beating rapidly. Hermione's eyes filled with tears.

"Congratulations, dear." Without a pause, Hermione thanked Poppy and took her potions back to her rooms, wondering how she would tell Severus they were having baby; she was thankful it was Sunday, but knowing she had to meet Severus to walk to the G and T shortly, she decided she would tell him after dinner. He deserved to know before Stieg, but Hermione hadn't thought about the actual dinner or how differently she would have to consider things now that she knew she was pregnant. She'd had wine, soft cheese, and seafood since she must've gotten pregnant. As Stieg brought out the carbonara he'd made, she exhaled, thankful she wouldn't have to say anything about the food, but then he brought out wine, and she tried to avoid it as long as she could, both the wine and Severus' scent forcing bile to rise in her throat.

"Excuse me." She left the table barely making it to the washroom before throwing up the little carbonara she'd already eaten. Tears instantly flooded her eyes as they always did when she vomited. She turned immediately to the door as Severus came in, helping her wipe her face and smoothing the errant wisps of hair around her face.

"I've been waiting for you to tell me all evening." He whispered against her, pulling her hair into a bun and kissing her lips, even with vomit breath. "Poppy came to me before we left to walk, thinking you'd already told me."

"I wanted to tell you when we got home tonight by casting the spell to hear the heartbeat. It's glorious." Hermione pushed him away slightly and cast the spell, watching his eyes as the heartbeat reverberated through the washroom, the acoustics alerting everyone inside and out of the room to the new life.

"You are going to be a father, a little earlier than we thought. Are you pleased?" Stopping the spell, Hermione threw herself into his arms and held him tightly, though it was difficult because the aftershave was making her stomach turn again. When she pulled away, she saw how happy he was and how dearly he loved her, so clearly in his eyes that her hormonal heart burst.

"There are not words; I never believed I would have all this, at no point in my life." Severus kissed her again, holding her softly in his arms but flush against his body, feeling the tiny shaking of her crying.

"You two mind telling the rest of the flat so we can celebrate openly?" She heard Stieg say through the door. Severus took her hand and led her back to the table.

"We're expecting, due in December." Severus turned to her, he hadn't known exactly when she was due yet, and did the math in his brain. She was certainly further along that he'd thought she was at first.

"Congratulations!" Patrick and Violet said in unison, as Stieg toasted them, looking to his former apprentice with an air of fatherly love, how he normally looked at Hermione.

"We'll have so much to celebrate come Christmas." Severus still hadn't said anything, thinking she was much earlier in the pregnancy than she was, but grinned as only he could towards her and took her hand in his, running his thumb across her palm.

"I need to owl Ginny and Harry, they always tell us so soon." Stieg brought her a quill and parchment, watching as Hermione composed a short, but truly sweet missive to them, and then used the shop owl to send it away. By the time Hermione and Severus made it back to Hogwarts, they had replied as congratulatory as Stieg and family had been. Although she was still in shock, Hermione felt herself warming greatly to the tiny being in her abdomen and though she knew it was too soon, she looked at herself in the mirror, trying to see if there was any difference in her belly. Severus watched her from the washroom door, finally coming behind her and placing his hand on the small of her stomach.

"You are going to be glorious, let me hear it again." Hermione reached for her wand and the both waited for the steady thumping of the fetus' heart, it was still an oddity, one that Hermione could listen to for hours.

"We can see a muggle doctor to get a sonogram, if you'd like, it's a picture…"

"I know what a sonogram is, and St. Mungos does them now." Hermione jumped to kiss his cheek, and then pulled on her pajamas, slightly cold with the stone floor. Minka curled around her legs as she walked to their bedroom.

"I should've known at least a month ago, Minka has been sleeping on my stomach, like she slept on my back when I was sick. She knew...I wish you'd clued me in, cat." Crawling into bed with Severus, Hermione was too giddy to sleep.

"Do you like the name Evangeline?" She asked, curling her arm around his waist.

"I do, but don't you think we should consider that it might be a boy?" Hermione thought about it for a moment and then turned back to him.

"I am, I was just curious about Evangeline because I apparently chose that name for a girl in a feverish state and if we don't like it, I don't want to consider it at all."

"I'm partial to old fashioned names, not quite as old as mine or maniacal for example."

"Yes, Severus is rather severe. I assume you don't care to pass down Tobias?" He snorted and tickled her side, she was glad he was happy as she was, even if they were both shocked.

"How about Samuel or Matthias?"

"Let us allow the reality that we will be parents soon to sink in for a while and then we can decide on names, agreed?" But Hermione wanted to get the easy things out of the way, names didn't seem to matter as much to her as the actual logistics of having a child.

"Alright, but those are my suggestions, Headmaster Snape." Kissing him and hoping she could fall asleep at some point that night, Hermione turned away from him and stared at the wall, petting Minkas as she jumped up to join them and sighed contentedly.

"They are fine names, Hermione, now go to sleep. I won't have Poppy haranguing me for abusing my wife again this semester." Hermione turned back to him as he leaned over to kiss her.

"I love you so much, Severus, I didn't think it was possible to love you more and I know I sound ridiculous, but I do, I love you more than I ever thought I'd love another person." When he heard her words, he fell back on his elbow and tried to fathom how lucky he was to have her when he'd been so miserable most of his life. He couldn't respond in the moment, he simply held her tightly, kissing her lips and then her neck, wishing he had married her sooner, that he hadn't been so stubborn and fearful, but thankful she'd married him at all. Resting his hand on her abdomen, they eventually drifted off to sleep and awoke to a beautiful basket of gifts from Stieg and an invitation to tea for afternoon.