Last time: Severus and Hermione were startled when from the back door of the Weasley's home they heard a sudden crash and Mrs. Weasley shriek as the couple parted and immediately noticed the garden path covered in pieces of a shattered platter and a clearly flustered and irate Molly Weasley...


"Severus Snape, what on earth do you think you're doing putting your hands on Hermione?!" Molly shouted as she stalked down the path toward the couple. "She was you student Severus, how dare you even consider..." she cut off here, huffing indignantly as she was clearly unwilling to voice out loud what she had just witnessed between the headmaster and her youngest son's best friend. Turning to Hermione, her face softened considerably as she asked, "Are you alright my dear?"

"Of course I'm alright, and let me get one thing straight!" Hermione retorted. "Severus Snape wasn't doing anything untoward or that wasn't reciprocated and you will refrain from assuming the worst of him." Molly regarded her in shock as Hermione continued to ramble, "No matter how difficult it is for you to believe, I love this man wholeheartedly and if you cannot accept that you've got another thing coming!"

Severus attempted to hide his smirk at he watched Hermione's volatile reaction to the assault on his character. He was deeply touched by her vehement defense of him and was about to explain as much to Hermione when all three of them were startled by someone clearing their throat from the direction of the house. Turning toward the noise, he noticed Harry grinning sheepishly from where he stood beside Ginny and the rest of the Weasley men who had emerged from house at the sound of the commotion and were taking in the scene before them.

Hermione blushed profusely as she realized they had not only heard the entire conversation, but her pseudo-brothers were now frantically looking between the couple and waiting for them to confirm what they'd just witnessed. Although Hermione hadn't wanted to spring her news on them so suddenly after arriving, there was no longer a reason to delay any further. "I had not intended to share this news with you all so flippantly; we had prepared to share our relationship with you all after dinner this evening." Hermione sighed.

Realizing she was unsure how to best continue, Severus stepped up to her side and pulled her up against him in a warm, comforting embrace. "Hermione and I have been seeing one another for a little while now..." he glanced down at Hermione, silently requesting her permission to share their additional piece of news. She looked almost relieved he was willing to step up to the task and her nod was only perceptive to him as he continued, "...and we have some additional news to share as well." Hermione smoothed her hands down the front of her sweater pulling the fabric taunt over the swell of her stomach as Severus laid a hand protectively over the bump.

"Severus and I are expecting a new arrival near the end of the spring term." Hermione said hesitantly as she took in the flabbergasted expressions of each of the Weasleys in turn. Harry and Ginny, who of course already knew about the baby, were the first to react and immediately rushed over to the couple to share a congratulatory hug and wish them well. The other Weasley men each followed in turn sheepishly as they expressed their happiness for the pair with Ron bringing up the rear.

He approached Hermione tentatively, obviously still stunned by her news as he asked, "A baby Hermione?" He ran a hand through his tousled locks in a self-soothing gesture as he continued, "I thought you wanted to wait until you were well into your career before you would be ready to start a family?" As he spoke, he appeared confused although not outright angry with her about the revelation.

Hermione looked down and shuffled her feet as she started to attempt to gather her thoughts. "Ron...I...well that was my intent...I didn't think...I didn't want..." she floundered, trying to gather the right words to explain without sharing the circumstances surrounding the baby's arrival in their lives or going back on her feelings on the subject of children she'd expressed to him toward the end of their relationship. She knew he had moved on and was happy, but this was a substantial departure from all the plans she'd ever shared with him for the future, and she didn't want him to feel like she'd lied to him or misled him when she'd shared those aspirations with him.

Seeing that she was struggling to find an answer, Severus decided to step in again and explained, "What Hermione is trying to say is that her condition came as quite a surprise to both of us and was certainly not something we'd planned. However, after we'd recovered from the initial shock, we found we were both excited about the prospect of parenthood."

Ron nodded and remained silent for a moment as he considered what to say. "I'll admit that I never in my wildest imaginings...I never would have...what I mean to say is that the idea of you two together and raising is baby together is going to take some getting used to, but you're my best friend Mione..." he said embracing her in a warm hug, "and as long as you're happy that's all that really matters...but I'd better be the godfather..." he added with a smirk and a quick wink before he followed his brothers back inside.

As most of the family reentered the house, Molly remained outside with the couple, tears welling in her eyes after seeing Ron's reaction to the news. Turning back to Hermione after a few moments of awkward silence, the Weasley matriarch finally admitted, "I won't lie to you and say I'm not disappointed that the child isn't a Weasley, but if Ron can be happy for the two of you I will endeavor to look at this news joyfully as well." she sniffed. Her face screwed up in anger once more as she turned back to Severus and amended, "but so help me if you ever do anything to hurt her Severus Snape..." she trailed off, leaving her threat open-ended before turning on heel and marching back into the house.

"I'm sure she would only be one in a long line of people who would be out for my blood." Severus mumbled as he chuclked darkly. Hermione and Severus were left alone in the back garden for a moment after the rest of the family had retreated inside, and Hermione glanced up at him in wonder before she inquired, "Did you mean it Severus? Are you honestly happy? Even though the baby isn't..."

"Don't even finish that sentence Hermione." Severus interrupted scowling momentarily before he softened considerably and enfolded her in his arms. "Of course I'm happy witch. As long as you are a part of my life, I will remain so. None of this is what either of us expected of our future, but I find as long as we are navigating that future together, I will always look forward to what's yet to come for us." He kissed the top of her head as he gently stroked her back reassuringly. Suddenly remembering the words she'd said aloud for the first time to Molly, he knew he wanted to question her similarly about the interaction. "Did you mean what you said to Molly earlier?" he inquired as he pulled away slightly to meet her gaze as he awaited her response.

"What do you mean Severus? Of course I was going to defend you against Molly's ridiculous accusations...of all the absurd..."

"No, Hermione," Severus clarified, interrupting her and then suddenly hesitating slightly, "did you mean it when you said you loved me?"

Hermione blushed slightly as she remembered she had said as much during the heated exchange but hadn't actually said the words out loud to Severus yet. She had told him once before that she was falling for him, and she assumed he understood the depth of her affections, but she hadn't wanted him to feel pressure to say the words in response if he wasn't yet ready.

"Of course I meant it, Severus." Hermione reassured him in a hushed, nearly whispered tone. "You don't have to respond...I don't want you to feel any obligation to feel the same yet...I know it's so soon..."

Severus stopped her abruptly as he pulled her flush against him and pressed his lips to hers. "I love you too, Hermione." he said as he brushed an errant curl away from her face. He chuckled for a moment before continuing, "Aren't we a pair? You hadn't shared as much yet because you didn't want me to feel pressure to return that level of affection and I was doing the same as I didn't want you to think you should say the words back before you'd fully recovered your memories of our time together." He kissed her again. "I do love you witch, and I hope with time you'll come to see just how much. Now why don't we join the rest of family inside."

Keeping his hand gently upon the small of her back, he led her into the house to join the other Weasleys in an evening celebrating both the holiday, and the recent developments in their lives. Throughout the evening, they were also able to share the news with Neville and Luna and their significant others as they had arrived later to celebrate with the group. Neville had been stunned but happy for the pair once he'd recovered from the initial shock. Luna had simply smiled at Hermione knowingly, and as Luna frequently had the tendency to do, gave the impression that she'd been keenly aware of the situation all along. All in all, Hermione and Severus had been pleasantly surprised by the generally happy responses from the group and hoped the Hogwarts staff would react similarly when they shared the news with them the following week.

Upon returning to Severus's quarters later that evening, Severus made a pot of tea and settled himself on the sofa nearest the fireside. Hermione had slipped into his bedroom, presumably to use the restroom as the child within her increased the frequency of her visits to the loo in recent weeks. She returned a few moments later with a small parcel wrapped in green paper and tied with a shiny silver ribbon and curled up against Severus as she pressed the gift into his hands. "I had one last present for you, Severus. I want you to know just how happy I you will already be so involved in our lives as soon as the baby arrives."

Unwrapping the parcel carefully, he lifted the smallest article of clothing he'd ever laid eyes on from the wrappings and read what was emblazoned on the mint-green fabric: Daddy's Little Potioneer. "I know we would have the option to cast a paternity charm when the baby arrives, but I don't think I want to Severus. In my mind, YOU are the baby's father, and blood relation doesn't matter in the slightest."

He felt his eyes grow moist with happy tears as he gaped at the contents of the parcel for what seemed like an eternity before he finally pulled Hermione into his embrace and kissed her passionately. "I know the baby may not be biologically mine," exclaimed Severus, "but I will endeavor every day to be the best father he or she has ever known." He pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head as he stroked her belly lovingly. After a few moments he asked, "Speaking of him or her, do you intend to ask Poppy to perform the spell to reveal the gender? You're nearly halfway through your pregnancy and the gender charm should be effective at around 20 weeks."

"I've considered it, but I hadn't really decided whether to go through with it. Part of me would like to know; it would certainly make choosing a name easier. On the other hand, how often are we able to remain truly surprised in this day and age? I find the idea of waiting until the baby arrives appealing as well. What do you think Severus? Would you like to know?"

He considered the question for a moment before eventually answering, "I think I'd like to know, Hermione. Of course if you decide you'd like to wait, I will fully support you; you are doing the difficult part in all of this and the decision should be yours. However, I'm drawn to the idea of discussing names and being able to refer to the baby by his or her name as you continue to progress."

Hermione thought for a moment before she agreed. "I didn't really have a strong opinion either way, and the idea of using a name rather than abstract pronouns would be wonderful. I'm due to have Poppy check my progress both with the baby and on the return of my memories just before the New Year next week. I'll see if she can perform the charm then!" She leaned back against him and yawned as she snuggled into his chest, and Severus smiled warmly when she dozed off only a moment later. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom placing her gently on what had become 'her side' of the bed and laid beside her as he dozed off himself. As he drifted into slumber he considered how much his life had changed in only a few short months, and although he could have never anticipated the events of the last few months, he was grateful he would soon have a family to call his own.


A/N: What did you all think of the reactions of the Weasleys' reaction to the news? Although I'm not among those who think Hermione's relationship would have failed spectacularly as it was written in the book, I think they certainly would have faced some challenges and eventually would have developed the maturity to either a) experience significant independence within their relationship (each pursuing their own independent interests apart from one another regularly) or b) realize they were not as well suited as they hoped at the end of a traumatic shared experience and part as friends. I'm sure you can tell from the current pairing which idea appeals to me more (*winks). I love the idea that Ron would be shocked, but supportive of her happiness.

I have the next chapter fully written and just need to edit, so expect another update soon. Things are about to get exciting for our couple, so stay tuned for more within a couple days!

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy! I love seeing your reviews-they keep me motivated to write quickly so please continue sharing your thoughts!