oO 2 Months Later Oo
"Severus? Have you seen my transfiguration notes?" Hermione called out ruffling through a stack of parchments scattered across the kitchen table.
The man in question raised his head from his coffee pursing his lips. He didn't understand why the woman had decided on taking a make-up NEWTS exam. She could have taught the classes herself with all she had learned on her own. Though he wasn't one to stop someone from seeking knowledge he did find the entire procedure asinine. She had returned to the public eye just three weeks ago when she had registered to take the make-up.
It had been in all the papers. 'War Hero Returns to Health!' Boldly printed everywhere it could be. Hermione hadn't been amused with the articles written about her during her time in St. Mungo's and even less so when she had found an article saying she had been rumored to have run off with some foreign wizard to start a new life. Of course, the actual date and time she had recovered was never officially printed but the higher-ups in the ministry had been made aware of her circumstances bar him. Even the minister was unaware of her current living arrangements.
"Did you leave it in the study?" He pushed himself from the counter coming closer. He could feel her stress and it made him want to grit his teeth. How was she able to function with her mind running three paces ahead of itself?
"No, I checked there this morning." Her tone was starting to whine and that made his brow twitch. As much as he cared for her, he still found some of her little idiosyncrasies to be rather feather ruffling.
"Calm down, you're a witch aren't you?" He came from behind taking hold of her arms using his presence to smooth over her nerves.
"What does that-Oh, my god." She smacked her own forehead and pulled out her wand not trusting her wandless magic given her state of duress. "Accio Transfiguration notes."
There was a small rustle from the other room before something crashed heavily to the floor. Hermione sighed heavily as the roll of parchment sailed toward her, she took hold of it with a grumpy pout and leaned back into Severus' hold.
She tilted her head back giving him a most adorably frustrated pout before puckering her lips.
"What do you want?"
Hermione grunted and lifted her chin higher.
"I don't make a habit of kissing petulant children." He smirked at her scowl, "However, if you'd like to calm down and kiss me properly I might be inclined to oblige."
Hermione huffed softly but made to turn around. He released her arms and gently rubbed at the knot he knew was forming in her lower back. When her arms ran up around his neck he leaned down placing the softest of kisses on her tense brow. He made to pull back when she relaxed her lips and pushed herself up onto her toes. They met again, properly this time and Hermione couldn't help but sigh contently. Her hands ran down from his shoulders to his chest and she pulled against the seam of his jacket a small whine in the back of her throat.
"I need you£..." She licked her lips wolfishly and nudged his nose with hers looking softly into his eyes.
"Mmm, do we have time?" He could never resist her, even on his most hated of days.
Her eyes flicked over his shoulder to the clock on the wall, a smile growing over her lips, "I don't have my written exam for two hours," The first button of his coat came free, and she felt his hands run lower taking hold of her hips that she had very pointedly pressed against him.
"Mmm, what about your stomach?"
"I took both potions you left on the bedside table for me this morning and I've got an appointment to see Healer Darling after the practical. I'm sure it's just stress, I used to get them all the time..." Another button found its way from its catch.
"I think we should wait until he has given you a clean bill of health." Severus pulled his head just out of reach when she tried to lure him back in, "I will, however, give you a message that will make you forget how to walk for at least an hour."
Hermione couldn't refuse.
oOOo
"That concludes your practical Ms. Granger. I must say, I'm very impressed with your potions skills, have you been practicing?" Kingsly smiled gently at the young witch before him, he had been extremely impressed with her performance even the examiners often couldn't do as well as she'd done. Though he had been worried about her defense test initially she had proven herself well beyond even his top Aurors.
Hermione blushed softly taking the praise graciously, "I did have a good tutor." Her smile widened as she thought about who was waiting at home for her.
"That's not what the book says, are you sure I should do it this way? Not that you're wrong, I know you're not but what if they mark off because I don't do it the way it was instructed in the book?"
"They don't care so much about the method just the result." Severus came around the edge of the island pulled away her chopped roots and replacing them with fresh ones, "Do as I said." He was in full lecture mode, his eyes sharp and his tone unforgiving. His hands, however, were very gentle, coming to rest over hers as he helped her press the juice out of the roots and into the small catch. "They will oversupply you with tools to try and confuse you, use them to your advantage."
Hermione nodded her head and when her hands were freed, took notes with the pen she'd tucked into her hair. Once finished, she pulled the small catch free of the tilted cutting board and added the juice seamlessly to her potion.
"They definitely taught you well. There's is no need to wait for the scores, you've passed every test with well above perfect marks and I'm not just saying that because you helped save the wizarding world. Everyone who was present for your exam thinks the same. There's no position here or anywhere else that will be denied to you."
"I really appreciate your vote of confidence Minister, though I haven't really decided exactly where I'd like to pursue my career..."
"Whatever you choose, you will surely excel." He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before leading her back to the main lobby. "Your results will be officially posted and put on record within the fortnight, perhaps you can take that time to decide where you'd like to start your life. All of us here are happy to have you back with us."
Hermione thanked him again and gave him a small wave as he turned back to attend to his duties. She turned away and smiled at Ginny as she stood up from the bench she'd been waiting for her on.
"So? How'd it go?" Ginny could hardly contain herself, she'd been so excited when Hermione had accepted her invitation to have lunch with her after her test. They had been able to work something out that worked for everyone. Basically, no one came to bother them at the farm and Hermione would find time to come and see them. No more following after them, or checking on them.
"Very well, he said I got perfect marks."
She was quite sure they had learned their lesson when Hermione had accidentally on purpose left the amulet, that Harry had poorly try to conceal, turned in their direction during one of their more adventurous explorations during their teenage years. It hadn't been anything too serious but there definitely had been missing clothing and very, very, enjoyable snogging.
"Like you could have gotten anything else." Ginny giggled and wrapped her arm in Hermione's elbow, "What's that blush there?" Ginny teased, she had shamelessly watched the snogging session that she was quite sure Hermione had been aware of. She had so many questions now that the amulet had been returned and they had been left to their own devices for two months.
"Nothing," Hermione quickly ducked her head trying to keep the heat from spreading. Her mind, however, was a traitorous beast and happily supplied her with the memories of their first night.
"You're almost where you need to be." His voice was soft against her ear as he pressed his chest into her back. They laid on the bed, exhausted from their numerous snogging sessions in nearly every possible place in the house. Neither one had been able to control the massive surge of hormones that hit them like a 3 ton truck a little after noon. Not that either of them had wanted to. With the weight of their lives no longer on their shoulders, they had allowed themselves to simply fall victim to the magic that compelled them.
They had spent a good part of the evening reading the journal Koicyte had left behind. It left very detailed accounts of what they were to expect at different stages of their regrowth. It had been written by the only other couple to have been going through what they were and it had proven invaluable to the questions neither of them had thought to ask.
"Mmm, I can feel myself calming down, it's odd but kind of nice too." She turned slowly letting out a soft content sigh, "Are you sure you don't hurt anywhere?"
Her body had regained all of its scars, the one from the department of mysteries, Malfoy Manor and the two she'd acquired at 19. The latter had looked exceptionally awful when they had first appeared but she hadn't even felt an itch when they appeared. They had started to fade by now, but the marks over his skin were starting to look painful. Almost at the same time as her they had burst across his skin like a macabre firework display. The lines around his ribs and the whip marks on his back looked as fresh as the day they were given. She did the math and realized they would have been come to be during Voldemorts first reign of terror. His darkmark was brighter than ever and he had tried to cover it with a glamour but she hadn't let him.
Hermione ran her fingers down his chest lightly tracing the definition of his muscle. He had definitely grown out from the lanky pre-teen into a very firm young man. Her eyes appreciated then soft skin and rigid muscle.
"I'm perfectly fine." His hand ran up her back feeling the familiar muscle adorning her spine. This was the body of the woman he remembered. Soft curves and hidden hills of solid stone. He had been uncomfortable more than once when she had tried to take things further. She was seeing him for the first time but he had to compete with images of her and her idiot friends during his teaching days. It had put a damper on his willingness to proceed, though when he'd explained it to her, she had surprisingly understood.
"I wish I could bring him back just to kill him again." Her voice was hard as she traced a small line around his waist. She scooted closer and pressed herself against him tightly, her fingers continuing their explorations over the gentle lines coming onto his face.
"Do not worry about such things." He placed a kiss to one of her wandering fingers, "I'm here now with you and in another 24 hours we can finally begin a life all our own."
"You've... you've... decided to stay? With me?" Hermione couldn't help the pounding excitement in her heart.
"I can think of nothing else I want to do right now." He sealed his promise with a kiss and let out a soft moan when she rolled him onto his back.
"I can think of something else that you may want to do right now." It was her best sultry voice and despite how silly it sounded to her, it seemed to work on him.
"Earth to Hermione?" Ginny snapped her fingers playfully in front of the elder woman's face. She'd been chatting away long before she noticed the lost far away look and deepening blush moving up to her ears.
"Ah yes! Yes, I'm uh, sorry Ginny, what were you saying?" Her hand subconsciously moved over the small ache in her stomach.
"I said, we should probably go to your appointment first, then we can get something to eat. That way we don't have to worry about the time."
As if to punctuate Ginny's point her stomach rolled and she felt like she was about to lose her breakfast all over the sidewalk. She covered her mouth and grimaced holding back the reflex.
"Yea, good idea..."
"You don't look good, how long have you been feeling sick?"
"About two weeks..." She felt Ginny's arm come around her and happily leaned into her support.
"Come on, I'm sure we can get in to see him a bit sooner. Can you apparate or should we use a floo?"
"Can you apparate?" Hermione nodded to her stomach that had almost doubled in size since she saw her last.
"Good point, floo it is. Come on, we can take the floo at the Leaky Cauldron. It's easier than backtracking."
oOOo
"Harry, I'm just gonna go grab lunch now is that alright?" Ron had started his internship in the Aurors office, his life seemingly mellowing out. Though the memory charm had worn off, he had found himself very busy with work to worry about much else.
They ran him hard, but he enjoyed the work. He was even planning on applying to be an Auror by years end if all things went well. Harry had agreed to train him so he could pass the test and he couldn't be more excited.
"Yea, that's fine, just check in when you get back, I've got to check on this artifact so I'll probably be gone when you return."
"Yep, think I'll go to London that little place you showed me last week is calling my name."
"Oh hey can you pick me up one of their roast beef sandwiches?" Harry pushed his paperwork into his drawer ready to take his leave with his team.
"No worries mate." Ron gave him a wave and set off.
As he stepped through the gate at the Leaky Cauldron he stopped when the bell rang over the door. He'd recognize his sister anywhere and most assuredly the woman she had wrapped under her arm. He hastily moved into the far corner of the room before they spotted him and held his breath trying to keep himself calm.
Hermione looked tired like she'd just been fighting something, or someone. Her face was pale and clammy. His brow furrowed more as they made their way over to the floo he'd just stepped out of, neither one noticing he was there.
"Do you need the bathroom before we go? I don't want you to get sick on the way." Ginny's concerned voice made him worry his hands on his pants.
"No, I'll be alright. I just think I haven't been getting enough rest."
"Can't keep his hands off of you can he?"
Hermione's pale face turned a bit red and she smacked her shoulder hiding a grin.
Her own loud squeal echoed through her mind as replayed the morning Severus held her down on the couch. She had returned to her own age but he was still behind by at least 12 hours.
They had been reading that morning picking up where they had left off the day before too distracted by each other's changing bodies to really put focus into anything. She had been trying to test her previous theory that he might still be ticklish behind his knee when he had quickly taken control.
She kicked and squirmed under him trying to get her hands free. His own now big enough to keep both of her wrists pinned against the cushions while he tickled her sides mercilessly.
"Do you yield?"
"Never!" She managed to get one of her hands free and pushed herself up far enough to squirm her fingers between his thigh and calf. He jerked and pulled her hand free using his weight to keep her pinned. She used it to her advantage however and rocked her hips up into him causing him to groan and go still. She grinned triumphantly and did it again leaning her head up to nip at his jaw.
The memory spiraled out as Hermione forced herself back into focus a goofy grin on her face. She quickly wiped it away and cleared her throat, "We've been studying thank you very much."
"Uh huh, I'm sure that studying extends to the bedroo-Ouch!" Ginny giggled as Hermione pinched her arm.
"He really did help me study."
"Anatomy maybe," Ginny mumbled with a grin as Hermione pinched her again before they stepped into the floo.
"You're really incorrigible, don't you have anyone else's life to meddle in?" Hermione winced as her stomach gave a sharp jolt and had to lean over to sate the burning pain.
"Not at present..." Her mirth died away at the painful grimace on her companions face, "Are you sure you're alright...?"
"I told you, it's just stress." Hermione leaned down taking a bit of floo powder. "St. Mungo's."
As the green flames died away Ron stepped out from the little alcove he'd hidden in. His mind was turning through thousands of possibilities, none of them the least bit on target.
Hermione groaned as she stepped out of the floo. It was like menstrual cramps were doing the tango with her gag reflex. She had felt fine during the test, maybe a little queasy from her nerves but she hadn't felt too horrible. Now, however, she just wanted to take a hot bath and lie down for five days.
Ginny rubbed her back lightly as she waited for her to get her footing, her bottom lip worried in her teeth.
"I'm alright, I'm alright..." Hermione took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The pain ebbed away enough for her to stand straight again.
"What did he say about this?"
"He's worried, but I kept telling him I was fine, it just comes and goes so quickly..."
"I'm surprised he didn't have you on like thirty different potions..."
"He tried, and actually I did take a nausea and stress-reducing potion this morning, they're probably wearing off..."
Ginny smiled a little, at least he was trying to take care of her. Now if Hermione wasn't so stubborn he might have actually been able to cure whatever was wrong.
"Alright, just go sit over there, I'll talk with the receptionist to see if we can see Healer Darling sooner. When was your original appointment?"
Hermione sat where she was told and leaned back rubbing her eyes, "4 o'clock."
"Alright, be right back."
Hermione closed her eyes for what she thought was just a moment, though when she reopened them she was looking into the soft worried eyes of Ginny. The redhead gave her a gentle smile and helped her sit up.
"Man, you really were tired...Healer Darling is coming back from his lunch now and the nurse said we could wait in the room."
"How long was I asleep?" Hermione pushed some hair from her face letting out a deep yawn.
"Maybe an hour, we'd just missed him when we got here." Ginny helped her onto her feet and rubbed her back, "Let's get some answers hm?"
Hermione could only nod and rub at her eyes. She was starting to get a niggling feeling in the back of her mind that she wasn't just stressed.
The nurse led them to the small exam room. Hermione took a seat on the edge of the bed and ran her hands through her hair. She could see Ginny taking a seat near the wall and felt a bit sad that Severus wasn't the one who had come with her. She knew it was her own fault, he surely would have come if she'd asked him to. He had been out with her twice in the two months. He'd put on a rather convincing glamour and helped her navigate the complex legal system that had befallen her bank account and status of being an 'adult'. Since she had been hospitalized her Warden of care had been given to Minerva but as she was obviously in full health again and not in need of a Warden, there were many papers to sort through to give her access to all that was rightfully hers. He'd been exceptionally patient with it all, even though she'd lost her temper at it a few times.
"Ah, Hello, Ms. Granger."
Hermione lifted her head giving the healer a gentle smile, "So sorry to cut your lunch short..."
"No, no it's alright." He gave her an overt look and pursed his lips a bit, "It says on your admittance form that you've been sick for a while?"
"Yes, about two weeks, I just...my stomach hurts and I feel nauseous a lot, Severus, of course, has given me potions to cope with the symptoms...I thought it was just stress related myself...I've been studying for my NEWTS-
"Which she passed with perfect scores!" Ginny chimed in from the corner.
"Congratulations." He gave her a beaming smile to which she ducked her head.
"But...I just want to make sure there's nothing else, you know..."
"Well, let's take a look." He came to stand in front of her and raised his wand running a few basic diagnostic charms, "You are a little dehydrated, and your sodium is a bit low. Have you been eating regularly?"
"Yes, well...mostly."
"Did you have lunch yet today?"
"No, we decided to come here first..." She hissed out the last syllable as a pain ran through her stomach. She instinctually pressed her hand into the area and Darling tilted his head.
"That's where it hurts?"
"Yeah, it's not consistent but its usually the same area.."
"Lie back for me."
Hermione did as asked and let out a small shiver when he pulled the hem of her shirt up just a little, he pressed down gently and she felt a sharp pain all the way up her spine.
"Pain?"
"Mmhm." Hermione's jaw was tight as she tried to stay calm. She lifted her head with her hand and watched him cast another charm.
"Are you sexually active?" His voice was clinical as he pressed his wand gently into the scar around her hip.
"I.. well... that is..." Hermione couldn't help but sputter, her face turned bright red and she lowered her head down before whispering a soft affirmation. She could hear Ginny snickering in the corner.
He gave her a small smirk amused by her bashfulness. He pulled himself back together pressing his fingers gently into her stomach on the other side casting another charm, "Has your menstrual cycle returned to normal?"
Hermione's brow furrowed, now that she thought about it, she hadn't had a menstrual cycle since she woke up, "Actually... I've not had one since...I was first here..."
How brow rose just a bit," Well I would have expected some lapse, given that you weren't healthy enough at the time... however, time has passed, I would have expected it to have returned by now."
"What does that mean?" She could feel her voice going tight with concern.
" Well, everyone's different, I'm actually not that qualified in the field, but there is a likely cause for your current, situation. I just need permission to run the charm."
"Of course." Hermione swallowed thickly glancing to Ginny who seemed to have some bit of information that she wasn't willing to share. By the time she dragged her eyes back to Healer Darling he'd completed the charm and she'd missed the reading.
"I have good news, and bad news." His face had fallen substantially. He helped her sit up and took a small step back.
"What's... the good news?"
"The good news is... you're about 8 weeks pregnant."
Hermione's face dropped in complete and utter shock. Her eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline and her brain ground to a screeching halt. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She wasn't sure if she were ready for a child. After all, she'd literally just taken the first step into getting her own life back in order. How could she even think of being responsible for another? She had asked Severus what he thought about children. Her heart started to pound as her mind played through all sorts of scenarios. She'd just gotten him to be part of her life, what if he didn't want children, what if he would hate her for being so careless?
Ginny could tell Hermione had fallen about a thousand light-years away and came to stand beside her, bringing her back with an arm around her shoulders, "What's the bad news?"
Healer Darling looked at the two of them with a heavy heart, "There's a lot of scar tissue around where the egg is trying to grow...I think you should see a specialist, unfortunately, the one I'd recommend isn't due back from vacation for two more days..."
"What does that mean?" Ginny spoke for her knowing she could hardly process breathing at the moment.
Healer Darling glanced between them before catching Hermione's eyes, his own dim with great sadness. Life truly was unfair, after all she had been through, all she had survived; it just didn't seem fair for her life to turn out this way. Still so, he was obligated to tell her, she had the right to know.
"There's a very high chance... that you're going to lose the baby...it's not impossible but...I don't think it'll make it to term...In fact, based the results of my tests...I don't believe it'll ever be possible for you to carry..."
Hermione's entire world flipped on its end, her mind that had been rolling and turning suddenly went still. A tear slowly rolled it's way down her cheek, her hands covering her stomach protectively. There was only a deep pain from inside her soul.