A/N: So it's all over! Now they can have a normal life, right?

Thanks to Amortentia in my Veins for the great beta work!

Chapter 28

Severus stared at his unblemished arm. "It's still hard to believe it's finally over," he said to Hermione.

She reached over and caressed his now unmarked skin. "I know, but thankfully, it is. We got lucky, really. It all came together perfectly, and no one on our side was hurt permanently." Hermione pulled her husband's lips to hers and kissed him lovingly. "Come on, we can't miss the party!"

Severus scowled, but rose and took Hermione's hand. In a flash, they had Apparated to the Potters', where the celebration was to take place.

Dumbledore had been right. The Order members had spent two weeks at the ministry being interviewed by Aurors and every fool bureaucrat that existed in the government. At long last, everyone was released and this party had been planned. When James Potter had shown up at their doorstep to invite them, Severus had sneered at him. Hermione had nodded vigorously, though, promising they would make an appearance. Thus, they were now making their way up the walk to the Potter's door.

"We just say hello, and then leave," Severus stated decisively.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "We should stay a while. You may find you enjoy yourself."

"Yes, and a Blast-Ended Skrewt may become the most sought-after pet in the world."

Hermione chuckled as she knocked on the door while taking her husband's arm and curling it with hers.

"You're lucky I love you," Severus muttered under his breath as the door opened.

"Yes, I am," Hermione replied before it was opened fully.

Lily smiled genuinely at them and beckoned them in. She even hugged Severus, which caused him to look shocked. They moved into the main sitting room and found all of the Order had arrived before them and were scattered around with various forms of drink in their hands. They made small talk with one another, and Severus sneered again as he eyed them all. Dumbledore motioned them over to Minerva and him.

"Severus, Maia, so good to see you both," he said.

Minerva smiled at them. "It's nice to see everybody in a setting that isn't swarming with Aurors," she said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I thought we'd never be released. It's hard to believe they were debating on charging us with attacking the Death Eaters."

"Yes, well, no one said you needed to have brains to work at the Ministry. No offense, Maia," Severus said to her.

Hermione snorted. "None taken."

Hermione frowned suddenly. She was feeling sick to her stomach, and she hadn't even eaten anything yet. She listened to Albus and Severus chat, but her mind was on her body. Maybe she was just hungry. She placed her hand on Severus' arm.

"I'm going to get something to eat," she told him.

He nodded at her and continued speaking with Albus and Minerva. She went over to the kitchen and took a couple of mini-sandwiches. She ate them quickly, waiting for her abdomen to stop hurting. She wandered over to Lily and began to chat with her.

"Severus seems to be happy," Lily said.

"He's happy that the Dark Lord is gone."

"No, I mean with you. He loves you very much."

Hermione blushed. "Yes, he does," she admitted.

"You were right. I underestimated him in school," Lily admitted. "He was more than I gave him credit for."

Hermione gave her a measured look. "You did underestimate him, but that was a long time ago."

Lily gave her a half-smile. "I suppose it's too late for us to be friends again."

Hermione met her eyes. "If you're asking my permission to be friends with Severus, that's totally up to him."

"Maia, it's not that, I just…"

"Oh Lily, just go talk to him!" Hermione said in exasperation.

"Does he hate me?" Lily asked.

"Of course not. You were best friends for a long time." She turned to Lily and grabbed her shoulders, turning her in Severus' direction. "Go," she said demandingly.

"You're sure…"

"Lily, just go!" She gave her a little shove and laughed lightly as she watched Lily approach Severus and begin to chat with him.

"That was nice of you," a voice told her from behind.

She turned to see Sirius Black smiling at her. She shrugged at him.

"I know Severus would enjoy renewing their friendship."

"Well, it seems that fighting in a battle together has allowed us all to see each other in a different light and acquire a new understanding of each other."

"So, you're going to go over and make friends with my husband as well?"

Sirius snorted. "Hardly. Things may be different, but they'll never be different enough where we would actually like one another."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks for being realistic, Sirius."

She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. "If you'll excuse me, I need to use the loo."

Sirius nodded his head and turned to converse with Marlene McKinnon. He gave the woman a sultry smile as Hermione moved to the bathroom. She leaned against the sink and looked in the mirror. She had a pained look on her face. She moved to the toilet and gasped when she lowered her trousers and pants. She was bleeding.

Fear gripped her as she placed her hand on her abdomen, thinking about her baby. Tears formed in her eyes as she cleaned herself up, pulled her trousers back up, and zipped them. She closed her eyes and tried to regulate her breathing, which had become very shallow and quick. When she felt she was put back together, she left the bathroom and made her way to Severus. He was still talking with Lily. She placed her hand on his arm, and Severus glanced at her. He stopped mid-sentence and gave Hermione a concerned look.

"What is it?" he asked with worry.

"I'm bleeding," Hermione said hurriedly.

Severus' eyes grew wide. "The baby?"

She nodded as tears started again to roll down her cheeks.

"You're pregnant?" Lily asked.

Severus turned to her. "I'm sorry, Lily, we need to get to St. Mungo's. Please send our apologies to everyone else."

With that, he'd put his arm around Hermione and led her from the house. He looked to her with fear in his eyes.

"Can you Apparate?"

"I… I don't know!" she cried.

Severus' hand came up to her cheek. "It's all right, Maia. Everything will be all right. We'll take the Floo."

Moving back into the house, Severus and Hermione found Lily, who showed them to the fireplace. Within a minute, they had arrived at St. Mungo's and were hurrying into the waiting area. They came up to the desk.

"Please," Hermione said. "I'm pregnant, and I've started to bleed."

"How far along are you?" the receptionist asked.

"About four months."

The receptionist stood. "Follow me."

They were led to a room and Hermione was told to lie on the bed.

"The Healer will be in shortly," the receptionist stated.

Severus rushed over to her and grasped her hand. Hermione was having a hard time stopping her tears, so Severus gently wiped them from her eyes.

"Oh, Severus, what if…"

"Shh, don't even think it, Maia. You and the baby will be fine."

At that point, the Healer stepped in. She was a stern-looking witch. Hermione felt nervous until the woman smiled, and all the sternness seemed to drop away from her.

"Hello, I'm Healer Smythe. You've been bleeding?" she asked Hermione.

Hermione nodded, unable to say anything as her tears had begun again, and there was a large lump in her throat.

"Well, let's take a look."

The Healer waved her wand over Hermione's abdomen, studying the readings she was seeing. She frowned, and Hermione felt as if she wanted to vomit. The Healer took some more wand readings and mumbled to herself.

"Is the baby going to be all right?" Hermione asked with trepidation.

The Healer put her wand down and looked at Hermione. "It will if I have anything to do with it."

At that moment, pandemonium broke out. The Healer sent a Patronus and several other Healers and Medi-witches rushed in. Two of them grabbed Severus and pulled him out of the room while he bellowed at them to take their hands off him. Hermione tried to sit up but was brusquely pushed back down on the bed.

"The baby's placenta has partially separated from the uterine wall," the Healer explained. "It's unusual to happen so early in the pregnancy, but we are going to attempt to fix it."

With that everyone went to work. Several wands were produced and furiously began to wave over her abdomen. Healer Smythe waved her wand over Hermione, and she felt the spell put her to sleep. Her last thought was worry for the baby before she lost consciousness.

oooOOOooo

Hermione opened her eyes and blinked. Her body felt so weak that she could barely turn her head, but somehow she managed. She looked to her right and saw Severus slumped in the chair next to her. Her slight movement caused him to sit bolt upright and look over at her. His eyes widened, as he quickly rose and sat on the edge of the bed.

"You're awake," he said quietly as his hand came up and caressed her cheek.

Hermione looked at him, trying to piece together why she was in this bed and what had happened. His worried look brought everything back to her.

"The baby?" she cried as it all flooded her mind.

"He's fine," Severus told her as he straightened and caressed her abdomen lovingly.

"You're sure?" Hermione asked. "What happened?"

He took her hand in his as he began to explain. "The baby will be fine, but you will have to spend several days here while you fully heal. Do you remember anything?"

Hermione thought about it. "I remember a bunch of Healers running into the room." She looked back up at Severus. "They pulled you out."

Severus nodded. "I was ready to tear their heads off, those fool Medi-Wizards! I was so incensed that I Stupefied them without saying a word. Two other Medi-Wizards came out then and told me what was going on." He frowned and looked away. "Your placenta partially tore from its attachment to your uterus. You had some internal bleeding. The Healers said it was touch-and-go for a while, but they were able to stop it. They repaired the placental tear, but it took some time. He'll be okay."

Hermione squeezed Severus' hand. He drew his gaze back to her. His eyes searched hers before he squeezed her hand back.

"Maia, I was so frightened, especially when they rushed me out of that room like that. I feared I might lose both of you."

"Severus, I'm ok. I'm so weak I can hardly move, but I'm all right, and I'll be fine. The Healer told you so, right?"

Severus nodded. "She did. I'm relieved that both of you will be all right. The Healer said the baby is actually growing as he should, and that the placenta was the only thing that was damaged. He's growing well."

"He?" Hermione said as Severus' continued referral to the baby sunk in.

Severus smirked. "Healer Smythe let it slip that it's a boy."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "Oh!" she exclaimed as she put her hand up to her mouth.

Severus wiped the tear that was falling down her cheek. "Now, don't cry, Maia. I'm sure our son will have your good qualities and won't be like me at all."

Hermione noticed his self-deprecating smirk and slapped his chest lightly. "You prat! I want our son to be just like you. I'm just thrilled to know it's a boy." She looked at him shyly. "Are you happy?"

Severus chuckled. "I am. But Maia, I would have been happy if she'd said it was a girl too, as long as it's healthy." He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "I can't wait to meet him," he said emotionally as he pulled away.

oooOOOooo

Four days later Hermione was cleared to leave the hospital. They Floo'd home again, as the Healer had advised her not to Apparate for at least another two weeks. Healer Smythe would reevaluate her situation at that point and determine whether she'd be safe to Apparate after that.

Severus handled Hermione with kid gloves, guiding her by holding her arm, helping her up the walk, and literally carrying her up the stairs to their bedroom. He settled her into their bed.

"Severus, I'm fine! I don't need to be in bed anymore."

Severus held his finger in front of her face. "You will stay in bed for the rest of the week just like the Healer advised. I want you to rest."

Hermione huffed. "Severus!"

"No," he said sternly. "You will not leave this bed for the next three days. The Healer said you needed to be in bed recuperating. Do not argue with me about this."

Hermione laid back against the pillows. "Fine," she told him. She glared at him, making sure he understood that she was not happy about his demands. "I'll stay in bed."

Severus motioned to the bedside table. "I've already brought up some of your favorite books to keep you company."

"Why can't you keep me company?" she said with a little pout.

"Well, I have missed several days of work keeping you company, and Master Tumblo has been more than accommodating. I need to go to work today. Miffy is at your beck and call, of course."

Hermione sighed. "Okay," she said finally.

Severus kissed her cheek. "I will be back before you know it."

"Oh, just go!" she said as she pointed at the door. Thinking better of it, she pulled him to her and kissed him. They enjoyed each other for a few minutes before they pulled away, both a little breathless.

"Thank you for watching over me and persuading me to take care of myself," she told him.

"Of course, Maia. I wouldn't leave you alone in the hospital. I wish I could stay with you today as well."

Hermione stroked Severus' cheek. "It's okay. I understand. I'll look forward to when you get home."

Severus kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes.

"Just call Miffy if you need anything. I told him not to let you get out of bed."

Hermione chuckled and shook her head. "Fine!" she said as he rose from the bed and turned to go.

"I'll be home as soon as I can," he said over his shoulder as he left the room. After a bit, she heard the pop of his Apparition. She picked up the book on her side table and sunk into the bed for a good read.

oooOOOooo

Hermione heard voices coming from the stairwell. She sat up in bed, wondering who Severus had brought home from work. She didn't have long to wait before Severus had entered the room with his mother.

"Eileen, what a pleasant surprise!" Hermione said enthusiastically. Then her face fell. Eileen's left eye was blackened and swollen.

"Oh, are you all right?" Hermione cried.

"I'm here to make sure you're all right. Don't worry about my eye. It'll be fine. I want to make sure my grandson and you are doing okay."

Hermione kept looking at Eileen's eye with concern. Eileen raised her eyebrow at Hermione and gave her a caustic look.

"Maia, I said leave it."

Hermione huffed but put her hand on her abdomen.

"I'm okay now, but we could have lost the baby. Had I been Muggle, I would have lost the baby and possibly my own life."

Eileen patted her hand. "Severus asked me to stay with you while you're here getting better."

"Oh!" Hermione said in surprise. "You don't have to do that."

"Yes, she does." Severus gave her a meaningful look.

Hermione looked between the two of them. Eileen stood.

"I should be going. I just came by to make sure you were all right. I'll be back tomorrow morning."

"Mum, why don't you just stay here?"

"No, Severus. Your father would be furious if I wasn't home when he arrived."

Severus scowled and muttered to himself.

"Son, I know what I'm doing."

"Getting yourself killed," Severus said quietly.

"Your father loves me, and I love him."

Severus looked at her steadily. He reached up and gently touched near her black eye.

"He has a funny way of showing it."

Eileen pulled her face away from his hand. "I'll see myself out."

She straightened herself and left the room with her head held high. Severus sighed as he watched her go.

"She needs to leave him," he said quietly.

"I think that's probably easier said than done," Hermione mused.

Severus closed his eyes. "It's hard to see her hurt like that. I about hunted him down at work when I saw her today"

Hermione held her hand out to Severus, and he sat down on the bed, taking it in his.

"It was a good idea asking her to spend time with me; I was so bored today. It will be nice having someone to talk to." She squeezed his hand and was quiet for a bit. "She has to come to the decision to leave herself, Severus. Nothing we say will mean anything unless she's open to hearing it."

Severus' lips thinned. "Of course, you're right. I just…"

Hermione squeezed his hand again and drew him to her. He moved and turned so that he was resting against the headboard with Hermione and drew her close.

"I wish there were more I could do."

"You're including her in our lives. I think that's a lot," Hermione told him. She snuggled down into him and rested her head on his chest. "I'll talk to her tomorrow."