Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise. This is for fun only, please don't sue.

Chapter 54: Worlds

The next big event in Severus and Hermione's life was the trip to America when they travelled to Santa Clara. Again, Mémé and Hélène had gone into action and organised the renting of a large property not far from the three university campuses. The whole blended family was going again. The last couple of weeks since Hermione's graduation had been training, training and then more training.

Upon arriving and visiting Silicon Valley, Hermione bullied Severus, Phillip, Fred and George to go on the Technology Adventure Tour. During the visit to some of the biggest players in the non-magical technology world Hermione could see the sparks of ideas lighting up the four of them. She was certainly inspired.

Other activities included visiting Winchester House, which they all found to be a complete hoot. After Hogwarts, the so-called haunted house just did not cut it with them at all. As the stern critics toured through the property they worked out all the tricks that had been used, as well as identifying secret passage entrances where the staff who maintained the tricks entered and exited the various rooms.

It was getting embarrassing for Severus and Hermione when they were strolling alone being a regular couple as she was repeatedly recognised. Apparently there was a strong local chapter of the Scots Kitten fan club. Unfortunately, there was some unpleasantness during the sign-in of competitors, when Hermione observed an old adversary who was apparently a member of the coaching staff for the University of Santa Cruz Kendo Team. It was the former GB Coach, Peter Slattery. Fortunately, the current GB coach Michael Kendal put a word in with several of the International Kendo Association representatives who were there to ensure that the tournament met the requirements to be a valid World Championship and she never saw the horrible man from her past again during her stay.

Michael Kendal was particularly glad to see that Hermione had her minders again and when he was introduced to her husband, he was surprised by the age gap. There was something about this man that was bugging him. The name Severus Snape was familiar and there was some reason why it was so. It really bugged him. When it turned out that he was an academic, he asked around his university coaching friends and then it came to him. This man had done some research on muscle spasms and the regeneration of injured or torn muscles. Michael was speaking to Mr Kawasaki and expressing his concerns about the student marrying her teacher. When Mr Kawasaki explained that Hermione was just as bright and brilliant as her husband, he had to agree that it was a good match.

After winning the team and individual titles again, Hermione and their Kendoka friends went out to party. During the dinner, Mr Kawasaki managed to have a detailed discussion with Severus about his latest research project in conjunction with University of Tokyo. The kind businessman had a proposal for Severus, which he proceeded to sound him out about. Organising a time for a later chat in daylight, Severus was left in an extremely thoughtful mood. Hermione noticed it that night and she tried to distract his musing, since they both had been on short rations in the last couple of weeks as per coach's orders, to ensure that the Kendoka were in the correct aggressive frame of mind.

For the next couple of weeks, the couple travelled around, visiting the different Californian winery regions in the company of the Grangers, Potters, D'Angers, YiaYia and Anastasia. It was a month after the competition when they met up with Madam Sakura and the Kitaguchis.

Hermione managed to get some time to talk privately to the diminutive Japanese witch who was a key individual for guidance in her life, as she could provide a neutral devil's advocate for her to hash out what she really wanted. Madam Sakura was an effective life coach, as it came as part and parcel of matchmaker business. During their discussion, the matchmaker identified that there was something else that was bugging Hermione other than what she had discussed with the woman about how uncertain she was about her next move, career wise.

"Hermione-chan, what else is bothering you? You have several wonderful job offers. You can stay or go from Ghent? If you are interested in moving you would need to discuss it with Severus. You would need to both be on the same on page. Why are you stalling, girl? You can tell me," encouraged the kindly woman.

"I am late," was the quiet answer.

"Did you have another appointment... Oh, that kind of late. Have you done a test?" inquired Madam Sakura. "I take it that is a no to a magical test and a yes to a pee stick. How late are we talking here?" probed the grandmotherly witch.

"Um, two weeks. I first put it down to the stress of the end of my degree and then the stress of the Wold Championships mucking up my cycle. But I've always been like clockwork. Severus brews specifically for me. I'm on a tailored potion and it's not supposed to be possible," mumbled the highly embarrassed witch, who was glad she had a neutral person to talk to about this. If she mentioned it to any of the women in the family they would all be planning the next baby shower and she was not sure that she was ready to become a mother just yet.

"Hermione-chan, a pee stick would not pick it up as early as this but I know a special charm, which we can use to check if you are or not. It is better to know because then you can make informed decision," advised the witch. She was talking in a quiet calming tone because she could see that Hermione was very upset about her situation and highly confused about the potential outcomes. If she was not pregnant, it would been getting her own hopes up, and if she was, well was she ready, and then all the questions like would she be a good mother?

There was a nod and a bite of the lips before she spoke her answer. "Can you please do the charm so we know, Madam Sakura?"

With a wave of her wand in a Japanese character shape they got an answer: positive.

"Congratulations, Hermione-chan. I think you need to take the time to inform Severus and both of you need to have a open and frank discussion. Don't be scared child. He wants children. It was one of the reasons why he wanted to get married. I have seen him looking jealously at the little ones, even with your elfling. Go and talk to him," advised the older woman who could see the heartache the young witch was working herself up into, due to her confusion and fear.

oOoOo

Severus had been tossing up the proposal for days from Mr Kawasaki but he had not had a chance to talk to Hermione. They kept getting interrupted and she had been distracted. Severus was worried about Hermione, as she seemed to be wound tighter than a spring. With a bit of organisation, he managed to set an action plan into place. After hiring a car, he bundled her up with a prepacked bag and then started driving down towards the Californian Central Coast area. Hermione had seemed to shut down on him since she clicked her seat belt. Whatever was bothering her, she needed to think it out now before she talked to him. He had seen this behaviour before when she was a student in school, during the war and over the last two years of marriage. The signs for Monterey and Carmel were all passed and he followed the directions towards the cottage he had hired for two nights. The pair of them needed to get away from the madhouse of the family get-together. They had gotten used to having their own space. He pulled up at the cabin and Hermione blinked a couple of times at him.

"Anique," Severus called. When the elf popped in he went on, saying, "This is where Madam Mimi and I will be staying for the next couple of days. Can you stock the kitchenette with the things we went on the shopping trip for."

Hermione had sat down on one of the chairs on the veranda that looked out onto the forest with its calming treescape. When Anique had popped back, Severus had sent her back to the rest of the family and then proceeded to open a bottle of Pinot Noir. Bringing a glass over to Hermione she took it from him in autopilot and he sat in the chair positioned next to her. Sitting there he waited, sipping the lovely wine. He noticed that she was not drinking it.

"Don't you want some of that Pinot Noir we brought on that winery visit?" he asked, hoping to prod her out of this lethargy.

"Umm," she put the glass down on the small side table. "Severus, it appears that I'm pregnant so there will be no alcohol for me for the next eight months or so."

She did not get a chance to say much more as he had dropped his glass and dived over to pick her up and drag her onto his lap, so that they were sitting together in one chair.

Θεά μου μου δώσατε την πιο υπέροχα νέα. Θα έχουμε ένα μίνι σας. Σ 'αγαπώ" he told her, placing a gentle hand on her belly where their child was currently just a collection of cells. (My goddess you have given me the most wonderful news. We are going to have a mini you. I love you.)

Looking down in wonder at his reaction she whispered "Σ 'αγαπώ πάρα πολύ," (I love you too,) before leaning down to kiss him.

After sitting in silence for a while just absorbing the news that they were going to be parents, Severus pushed Hermione off his lap, carefully ensuring that she was standing steady before leading her into the cabin's kitchen.

"We have to feed our baby, so it is nice and healthy," he advised her.

The couple spent the their stay enjoying their time together and discussing what their next actions would be. Severus explained Mr Kawasaki's offer and Hermione talked about the employment offers that she had received. Together they developed a plan of action before they returned to the Santa Clara base where the rest of the family were staying.

oOoOo

It was round the barbecue table in the back garden after dinner on the night they returned to the holiday house when Severus and Hermione announced their news. The family organised a sudden family celebration long into the night. Tucking Hermione up in his arms early the next morning, he watched her sleep while he wondered about where their life was going. The last three years had been a remarkable journey. Before the end of the war he thought he would never have a chance to have such a good life. Hermione rolled over in her sleep and he heard her whisper, "Σ 'αγαπώ (S'agapo)," before settling down again into a deep sleep, tucked into his shoulder like the Klimt painting.

oOoOo

Σ 'αγαπώ (S'agapo) = I love you

oOoOo

Authors note: It is with great thanks to my beta, the lovely Kallanit, with her encouragement and support I have made it here to this point. Thanks for all the reviews and encouragment that have supported my development and leap back in to creative writing after many many years off from this style of writing.