Author Notes: It's been a wicked ride, and we're not even close to ending it yet!
Hermione was pacing and breathing in shallow patterns as she glanced around the elegant sitting room. Astoria and Draco were sipping their tea as Narcissa and Lucius sat with Scorpius on the plush sofa. Hermione hadn't told them what was happening and making matters worse; she was scared.
"So, are you going to speak, girl?" Lucius huffed.
Hermione stopped, her heels digging into the floor, and winced. "The healers told me I couldn't because," she paused as her cheeks warmed.
"Because what, Miss Granger?" Narcissa's tone was gentle despite her expression.
Draco patted his wife's thigh and stood up, opening his arms. "Come here. You're going to shake yourself to the ceiling."
Was she quivering? Hermione held out her hand, and sure enough, it was wobbling in the air. The witch launched into his embrace and broke down. "Draco, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't know," Hermione cried.
"Didn't know what?" He asked with a soft texture to his voice.
"I didn't know I'm. I'm, I'm," Hermione sputtered through sobs.
"You're pregnant?" Astoria gasped.
Hermione wept harder. "Yes, and he doesn't want it. I'm cursed. I'm hexed. I'm unwanted," Hermione exclaimed as she held onto Draco harder.
Draco scowled and took in the image of his mother pressing fingers to her lips. The mixture of pity and sadness hinted on the edge of her stony expression. Lucius bristled, and his frown deepened.
"It's alright, Hermione," Draco soothed. "It truly is," he whispered.
"No, it isn't. I wanted to help you both, and now I can't even do that. I'm going to have to raise this baby on my own," Hermione whimpered. "His child."
Draco growled and pulled away enough to hold her out in front of him. "Listen, Hermione Granger, you're not alone! You have the Weasleys, you have the Potters, and you have us," he said, caressing her shoulders. "If that coward doesn't want to raise that baby, then he doesn't fucking deserve it."
"Language," Narcissa hummed. "He is quite correct, Miss Granger."
Hermione wiped her face and glanced around to see Astoria standing next to Draco, Narcissa soothing the confused toddler, and Lucius wincing. "What do I do?" She asked before returning her eyes to Draco.
"For starters," Draco sighed as he stroked her curls. "You're going to go get cleaned up. Then you, me, and Astoria are going to go over to Potter's house as planned. Tomorrow, you'll come back here, and we are going to take care of the paperwork so that you'll still receive your benefits for the wee bugger in your womb."
Hermione straightened her form and rubbed the tears from her face and eyes. "Alright, that's a decent plan. I don't have to tell him, do I?" Her question came with visible discomfort.
"No, you don't. For now, outside the Potters and us, everyone only needs to know you're pregnant. It is public knowledge that you were our surrogate. You don't have to explain shit to anyone. The most vital thing is for you to relax, breathe, and prepare," Draco rocked his head.
A slender hand landed on her shoulder, and Hermione glanced back to see Narcissa. "We will be positive to help you, Hermione."
"Thank you. Thank you so much," Hermione sniffled with glassy eyes.
"Why, might I ask, are we espousing Severus's mistress?" Lucius hummed.
Hermione cringed, and Narcissa whipped around. "Don't you start this, Lucius Malfoy. This girl needs help, she's going to raise a Slytherin child! Alone! Salazar would stab us in the eye if we didn't care for it."
Despite the difficulties of the day. The disappointments, highs and lows, with all that they came with, Hermione stopped. She thought of the concept and started to giggle, real throaty laughter that raised in her chest. Never, in all of her years of wondering what her children would be like, did she suspect that she would have a Slytherin's child.
"Draco," Hermione laughed. "Draco, I'm having a Slytherin baby," she continued shaking her head. "You were right."
"I usually am," Draco smiled.
Hermione breathed and laughed and shook her head as Narcissa ushered her to the sofa, to Lucius's distaste. "Now, darling, sit with my grandson. I'm going to retrieve a few more things for you. I haven't had to pull them out since Scorpius was just a whispering thought," Narcissa sighed, and she stroked Hermione's hair.
"Let me come help you, mother," Draco nodded.
Astoria sat back down and sipped her tea as Hermione stroked Scorpius's hair.
"Why aren't you going to tell him, girl?" Lucius asked.
Hermione inhaled, and the boy caressed her arm. "He doesn't want to be a father, Mr. Malfoy. He doesn't believe he'd ever make a decent one, and that is why he'd rather break his own heart than to break mine."
"Ignorance is truly bliss," Lucius huffed. "Fine, I will play your ridiculous plot out. He will not hear it from me," he finished and reached for his tea.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
Lucius scowled over at her and waved a hand. "It's impossible to convince a wizard to be a father. He only becomes one when he holds his son for the first time. Witches have it remarkably easier. They know they're in love from the moment they feel the child in their womb."
"You've softened a bit," Hermione stifled a smile.
Lucius groaned and patted the boy on the head. "I have reasons."
"It's alright to be gentle, Lucius. You can still be prideful and gentle. Severus was excellent at that," Hermione sighed and embraced Scorpius. "Right, my lovely?"
"Aunt Nee, dis dragon!" Scorpius exclaimed with a bright smile at her and pointed at the book.
"It most certainly is," She laughed.
"No more crying?" He questioned.
Hermione shook her head. "No more, I promise."
Lucius grunted and turned his head away from her as he tapped Hermione's shoulder with his hand. "You'll be alright, girl. You have to be strong to raise a Slytherin child."
She pressed down the grin that threatened and nodded. "I will keep that in mind."
"It is a bit of relief if I'm honest," Astoria started. "I wanted a bit more time with just Scorpius."
Hermione hummed and doted on the small pale child. "Well, in a couple of years, if you decide, I'll do it regardless of a bill."
Astoria stiffened, and her lips fell apart. "What? Why would you do that, Hermione?"
"Because despite what Draco says, I know he wants more children too. I know you do as well," Hermione explained.
"That's remarkably kind of you," Astoria murmured and dashed away a tear. "You truly are an amazing witch, Hermione."
Lucius groaned and stood up. "Alright, we have work to do, Scorpius. Let us gather your things for your visitation."
Scorpius pulled away from Hermione, and Lucius took him in his arms. "We go to Alus's house?"
Lucius nodded once. "Yes, and we have to prepare for weeks to come. Knowing your father, the witch won't be living alone. That's preposterous to assume she would. It's time to prepare for your cousin."
Hermione realized that it was likely as good as it got for Lucius's acceptance. He walked from the room, and Astoria covered the grin on her lips as the door shut.
"He may say Draco won't let you, but I have a feeling he's going to play a hand to move you in," She laughed.
Hermione tilted her head as she scowled. "I honestly didn't realize to the extremity that Slytherins are loyal to each other."
Astoria beamed and rocked her head. "Oh, yes. Once we love someone, we whole-heartedly do. It may not be outward, but they are always in our thoughts. Our self-preservation is what keeps us from being as loud as your fellow Gryffindors."
"He loves me, you know?" Hermione ducked her chin.
"Yes, we all do. We also know that he is more afraid of himself than he is of losing you," Astoria sighed. "Draco talked to me about Severus at length when you told us what happened. He is covetous and obsessive, but once he loves you, he will until his dying breath."
Hermione bounced her hair and grimaced at the rise of nausea in her stomach. "Yes, I know," she sighed. "I just wish he trusted me enough to take this journey with me."
Astoria reached for her wand and swished it in the air, sending Hermione's teacup floating toward her. "Well, it is our own personal curses that cause weakness in our confidence. I hope he releases his so that he can love you and his child with the loyalty and regard my husband has for Scorpius and me. Draco didn't want Scorpius at first. Many reasons stacked upon themselves. The reason he's so angry with Severus was his own fear of being a father nearly ended our marriage."
Hermione scowled and sipped her tea. "You never told me that."
"For good reason. Draco is guilty of the trials he put me through while we fought over it. It was weeks of fighting and arguing, and finally, I told him I was leaving. He knew his choices were to overcome his fear or lose my love. For obvious reasons, we could never separate, but our marriage would be in ruins until death do us part."
"He left me," Hermione sighed.
Astoria rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, let's see how well he does when you're happily tending to yourself at Hogwarts, and he has to brew potions for his unknown offspring. Don't mourn his departure, Hermione. You have a child to worry for now, and they will be the most important person in your life. Love from a partner is consuming, but love from a child is soul cleansing."
Hermione inhaled and exhaled with a curl to her lips. "Astoria, it is absolutely amazing that you and your husband embraced me so unconditionally."
"You are worth it, Hermione," Astoria smirked and erected herself from the sofa. "Come, let's find Draco and get ready to see Harry and Gin. We need to make a plan as a group."
"I can't say I'm comfortable with moving," Hermione mumbled as she stood up.
"Well, I suggest you find a bit of it. Technically, you would be living here if you were our surrogate."
Hermione rocked her head and puffed. "Alright, but only until the baby is old enough. I don't want to inconvenience anyone."
"You're not, you won't, and you'll stay," Astoria ordered with a firm tone while fussing over her dress.
"And now I see why Draco makes positive to keep you happy," Hermione laughed.
She winked at the pregnant witch and waved her to follow. "Slytherins are inwardly strong, Hermione. We will always prevail to keep the upper hand that way."
Severus sunk to the gravestone and placed a red rose on the snow. He breathed and caressed the cold stone with his gloved fingers.
'You'll always be my little Prince, Sev,' her voice nearly sang.
Decades of sadness over one night. His mother, though imperfect and flawed, was still his mother. It left him in shambles after her death, and the only person who knew was Lily. The first flower of kindness in his life. The first woman he wronged as well.
Severus straightened his form and cleared the snow from the top of the gravestone with a nod. She was at peace, that's all he could ask for in the end. Crunching footsteps in the snow invaded the silent grief.
"Severus," Lucius's voice twirled on the air.
"Lucius," Snape hummed.
Lucius set down a white rose next to his red one. "Once a Prince, always a Prince. 'For we shine on the glowing crown of Purity,'" Lucius declared and straightened his black coat.
"That wasn't always your feelings on muggle marriages," Severus remarked.
Lucius cleared his throat. "I've had," he paused. "Help with the matter."
"How's the girl?"
Lucius offered a gesture and began a stroll. "She's adjusting. Draco will be helping her move her things this week."
Severus breathed as they walked together. "That's reasonable."
"My wife has found a new meaning to over-attentive," Lucius hissed as they reached the shoveled path.
Snape couldn't help the smirk on his lips. "Narcissa has always been quite potent in her love and devotion, Lucius."
"It has been a trait I've still struggled to come to terms with," he murmured.
Severus adjusted his coat and twitched his nose. "How is she?" his voice faltered, and he winced.
"Happy. Still pining, but content with the circumstance," Lucius responded.
"Well, content is better than devastated. I'm pleased she is recovering."
Lucius bristled and struck his cane down a bit rough. "Severus, you realize what you've done."
"I released her," Snape huffed.
"You chained her to you for life! She will never love or seek another wizard because you tore out your bloody heart and gave it to her," Lucius hissed.
"The life she wants I cannot provide, Lucius! Once she is done with the surrogacy, she will know the joys of it and want a continuation. Any wizard alive would be remarkably dim not to accept her love."
"Then you're quite the fool," Lucius snapped.
Severus paused their trek and glowered at the pale man. "You were against this from the beginning, and now you support her? Why, because she carries your grandchild in her abdomen?"
"Because she loves you and for the life of me, I can't figure out why," Lucius huffed, waving his gloved hand. "You're a prick and sodding fool."
"Says the wizard who until recently couldn't stand her."
"Well, I've changed my mind," Lucius hummed. "She may be a muggleborn and Gryffindor, but she most certainly is a portion Slytherin."
Severus groaned and rolled his eyes. "You're an ignorant wanker."
"No," Lucius said with an index finger held up. "I am stubborn, as you are. It took that girl to sit in a waiting room with my wife and talk about how she should care for herself holding our grandchild for me to see it. She gives of herself completely and that that is a quality to reproduce. She's intelligent enough to know what she's doing. However, she listened and held regard to tradition. Tradition is vital."
Severus growled and waved his hand in the air. "That's wonderful!"
"If you just swallowed your guilt and fear and talked to her," Lucius stopped when Severus howled.
"No, now leave me to mourn my mother in peace, Malfoy!" Severus puffed and stomped off.
"She'll always wait for you, Severus. This will never be through," Lucius called back to him.
When Snape glanced back, Lucius was gone. The man crumpled again at the headstone and stifled the vicious heartbreak. His gloved fingers caressed the crown on her stone, and the last memory of her holding his hand came to mind.
'Never let them see you cry. You're my little Prince, always, Sev,' she strained before coughing.
The drunken screams of his father followed it before he shoved him down the stairs and broke his arm. Those were the last memories of either of his parents. That was the year he ruined his friendship with the only witch who cared about him then. It also was the year he decided to seek shelter in a wizard more powerful than his muggle father. He spent summers at other Death Eaters' houses after her funeral. The actual demise of his soul.