I do not own Harry Potter.

Ch.21

"We need to talk Miss Granger." She took Hermione by the arm and led her to the couch. Severus sat across from them, fuming."

"When were you going to tell us about the baby?" She was smiling.

"I didn't know I had to."

"It's a matter of security. You are an assistant potions master. Potion making can be dangerous and unexpected. If something bad were to happen, both you and your baby can be injured. Severus has made the decision that you work in ancient runes. It is the physically, least strenuous job at Hogwarts."

She turned to Severus," Who said that you could do that? What happened to 'You're a grown woman. You can make your own decisions.'?"

" I made the decision that I thought was best for you and the baby. I've been gone for too long and I think it's time that I took responsibility."

"Wait a second... Minerva." Minerva was already walking out of the door so she turned back to Severus.

"When were you going to tell me you were pregnant?"

"I guess whenever you asked?"

He was yelling now and gripping the arm rests, "What is with that nonchalance?! Don't you care! You were alone, pregnant, and barely had a home to call your own! Why didn't you come for me? Why didn't you ask for help? Why didn't you fight to keep me by your side? Why didn't you tell me!"

She was the picture of calm," You see, I did ask you to stay. I begged you on my hands and knees, with my whole heart, to get you to stay. At the time, I didn't know I would get pregnant. You didn't listen to me. Did you know, that I cried for two days straight after you left. I cried when I learned that I was pregnant. I even cried when I realized that you might not ever come back. All that crying taught me something. I don't need you to take care of me. I learned how to be independent and strong. Also I was not going to force a child between us to keep us together."

"I would have come back anyway. I missed you and now with the baby on the way I realize my mistake even more." He was standing, his fists clenched at his sides.

"What makes you think that I want you back? I have managed just fine without you. You forget, you abandoned me when I needed you most. Isn't that what you were afraid would happen to you? Why would you do that to someone else?"

"I'm sorry Hermione. I'm so sorry. I'm ready to be here for you. I made a terrible mistake as well. Please forgive me." He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Please take your hands off of my shoulders. I need time to think about this. I will definately be taking the job in runes. I'm not that selfish."

He removed his hands and sighed, walking to the door,"Please forgive me love." Then he was gone.

Hermione sank back onto the couch. Without warning, tears began to spill from her eyes. What was with all of this crying. She wasn't even upset. She wanted to follow Severus and tell him everything she had buried deep in her heart. She wanted to yell at him and call him all kinds of names. She wanted him to hold her in his arms like he used to. She knew that the baby needed a father. Ron could only do so much. Her and Severus's relationship had stayed unstable since the day it began. Would a child really change that? Would a child change him? She didn't want to know if it was a girl or boy. She didn't have names either. There wasn't a permanent home for her or her baby either. Hermione didn't want to admit it but she did need him, for the child.

That night was the opening ceremony for incoming and returning students. Like always, Hermione had to sit next to Severus. All through the sorting ceremony, he would continuously glance at her, begging her with his eyes to see reason. Her eyes remained on the students. It wasn't until the food appeared that they spoke.

Severus reached out a hand and gently set it on top of hers, "Hermione, please. I don't want to be out of this baby's life, your life, anymore. I realize that now. No matter what you did, it was my fault for driving you to it. Please take me back."

He was seriously begging!? Hermione was touched. She didn't think he was capable of it. Maybe she should let him help her.

"What can you do or show me, to let me know that you are serious? That you honestly want this baby, me, a family?"

"I was hoping you would ask. Finish your meal and then follow me."

She quickly finished her food and then he took her arm and led her out of the great hall. A great deal of people watched them, but it was not like the first time. Everyone expected them to be a couple.

Once in the dungeons, they rounded a corner into a corridor that ended with a dead end. He was heading towards a large picture on the wall. It was of a family of Chimera.

"What is this Severus?"

"You'll see."

He tapped the picture with his wand. The frame swung open to reveal the most beautiful thing Hermione had ever seen.

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