A/N: Thanks so much for reading this. We are finally at the end of our tale. I hope you enjoy it. 3

Chapter 12

Hermione's head thrashed back and forth.

"No… " she muttered.

No matter what she did, the men kept beating her. Her hands were uselessly chained on either side of her head, and she could do nothing to stop the beating the thugs were given her.

"Stop, please," she mumbled. "Please… "

"Nooo!" she screamed.

Two hands took hold of her arms. She thrashed around, but the hands came around her as she was surrounded in a hug.

"Don't touch me!" she shrieked.

"Hermione… Hermione, shhh… "

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of her husband's voice. The nightmare dissolved as she realized the strong arms around her were Severus'. He was whispering in her ear that all was well, and she need not worry about anything.

"Shh, my love. It's just a dream," he whispered.

Hermione's tense body relaxed, and she leaned against Severus. Tears flowed down her face as she gasped.

"It's okay, love. I'm here. You're safe. Everything is okay."

Hermione turned so she was facing Severus and buried her face in his chest. She tried to not fall apart, but she couldn't help herself. She sobbed into his chest.

His hand came up and ran through her curls.

"It's all right. Let it out," he urged, which gave her permission to fall apart. She hugged him to her tightly as she cried.

"I should have killed those bastards when I had the chance," he mumbled under his breath.

Despite his soft utterance, Hermione heard him.

After a while, she'd composed herself and pulled back so she could look into her husband's eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I don't know why I can't put this past me."

Severus leaned in and kissed her gently. "Don't be silly, Hermione. You were almost killed. Those arses beat you almost to death."

"But it's been over two years. Why do I still have these dreams?"

Severus looked at her. "They don't come nearly as often as they used to. Before tonight you haven't had one in months."

Hermione nodded her head and reached up to wipe her eyes. "You're right, of course. I just don't get it."

"Hermione, look at me."

Her eyes moved to his.

"I still have nightmares about the war. We both lived through very traumatic things. Of course, our subconscious is going to bring it up now and then. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

She gave him a watery smile and nodded. "I just feel so weak."

"Of all the people I know, you are one of the strongest. As Weasley likes to say, you're scary sometimes."

Hermione giggled and some of the funk that had come over her lifted. She reached out and caressed Severus' cheek.

"Thank you, my love. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He chortled. "I'm the one that would be lost without you."

He moved over her and captured her lips in his. He was gentle with her, and she loved him all the more for it. She reached up and laced her fingers through his hair and tugged him closer. Her lips worshipped his. Pulling away for a second, her lips moved to his ear.

"I love you," she whispered.

Feeling him shudder, she returned to his mouth. She increased her passion as she kissed him more. Soon they were showing each other just how much they meant to one another.

oooOOOooo

Much later that morning, Hermione hurried to get ready. She had a meeting scheduled with Ministry officials to present her Fortunata Draught. Her research had taken a while, but she felt that the potion was as precise as it was going to get. She smiled to herself. It could predict moments out as far as a year away with startling precision.

Severus came up and kissed her cheek.

"Are you ready?"

She nodded.

"You made the right decision to only market this to the Ministry," he said. "As we discussed, the repercussions of the public, in general, having access to this could be unpleasant, to say the least, and deadly if taken to its furthest extent."

"I know. I just wish people weren't so… well, so evil. There's always someone out in the populace that's trying to get one over on someone else or to do something nefarious to another. I would hate if this potion helped someone like that. I don't think I could forgive myself."

Severus put his arms around her from behind.

"You needn't worry. With the patent and the protections from the Ministry, it will never fall into the wrong hands."

She nodded as she leaned back into him. She turned her head so she could look at him. Her lips brushed his cheek, and she smiled at him.

"Thank you for your constant support with this, Severus. It's really been marvelous working with you to perfect it."

"I do what I can."

He released her as his smirk grew on his face. She shook her head at him. "Don't forget, we're getting together with everyone tonight for dinner at the Three Broomsticks," she said.

He rolled his eyes. "How could I forget? You remind me at least once a day. I'm sure you'll owl me and burst into my office later today to remind me again."

She slapped at his arm playfully. "You're a giant tease."

"I'm just telling it like it is."

She harumphed. "I should be off."

She kissed him quickly, yet passionately and pulled back. Severus took her arms and pulled him to her again. His kiss was all-encompassing and left her weak in the knees.

"There, that's a proper goodbye," he said.

"I'll admit, it will be hard to forget and concentrate on my presentation."

He smirked at her. "Good luck, love."

"I love you," she said before turning to the Floo and disappearing.

oooOOOooo

Hermione passed out vials to the four people who were sitting at the table with her. Albus Dumbledore, as Minister for Magic, was there, of course, as was the head of Magical law enforcement, Artemis Huxby. Regina Hartley, Head Auror, and Head Mugwump Carlotta Figg from the Wizengamot completed the group.

"This potion, called the Fortunata Draught, can predict the future. There are no side effects to taking it, nor is it addicting. This particular version will show something that will happen ten minutes from drinking it. Each imbiber will see something a little different, and the four, or however many you choose to use, will be able to be combined to have a sharp picture of what is to come. Please, everyone, take the draught now."

Hermione sat back and watched them all imbibe the potion and get a faraway look. Soon they all were looking back at her.

"I would ask you not to reveal what you saw until you actually experience it. Now, this potion can be used to predict the future up to a year in advance. Minister Dumbledore is aware that I was developing it before the downfall of Lucius Malfoy, and we were considering using it to break into his Manor to capture him. Obviously, we didn't need to thanks to Harry Potter's plan to use House-elves."

She looked at each one of them. They all nodded.

"I was very pragmatic in preparing this and testing and retesting it. It has been perfected and is ready to use, however, in testing it, I came to realize that this could be used improperly by the general public. It also could be detrimental to them if they see something they weren't expecting, or something tragic. I almost chose not to continue with it, but the possibilities for magical law enforcement to be able to catch wanted criminals is too valuable."

"Ms. Snape, can it predict future perpetrators before they actually commit a crime?" asked Artemis Huxby.

"Yes, and no. If you suspect someone and think about that person when using the draught, it could point to a future crime, but you can't just think of a day or time and have it come up with a new criminal."

"We would have to perform a series of Ministry sponsored tests to prove its infallibility," said Carlotta Figg, deep in thought. "We need to ensure that anytime we need to investigate something, it is admissible in court."

Hermione nodded. "I thought that too. Also, once the trials are finished, the Ministry should patent this so that no one outside of here can get a hold of it."

Regina Hartley gasped. "You speaking about the trials was what I saw when I took the potion!" she cried.

Artemis looked at her. "And I saw your reaction."

"Good," Hermione said, nodding her head. "Like I was saying before, the more people you have take the potion, the more clear the overall vision is. When using this, the imbiber would concentrate on a specific subject. Like, who will win the Quidditch world cup next year? Of course, you'd just need one person to get that information. But when we were thinking of using it to capture Lucius Malfoy… we would concentrate on the day, and think only of capturing Malfoy. Each person would get an impression of what was to come, then each could be repeated to everyone else, and you can get a clear picture of what will happen and how to win in a situation."

"What if you see a negative outcome?" Albus asked.

"That's what I saw! You asking that question!" Carlotta cried. She calmed herself and nodded for Hermione to go on. Hermione smiled at her.

"You can change plans and tactics and retake the potion, or if your plan doesn't change the outcome, you can scrap your plan and do something else. Ultimately, you could make the attack, but if it doesn't work with the potion, it won't in reality, no matter if you know the outcome or not, so it's best to change plans completely."

Albus waved at her. "And there was my vision," he said.

"Okay, so now, if we had shared our visions before the ten minutes, we would have known pretty much how this conversation was going to go. Nothing is foolproof, but I assure you, this is the closest you'll get to being able to plan for the future."

"Thank you, Hermione. That was quite impressive," Dumbledore said. "Would you give us an hour to deliberate?"

"Of course," Hermione acknowledged.

"All right. We'll see you back here at eleven."

"Thank you all for hearing me out," Hermione said as she rose.

She made her way out of the room and only bit her bottom lip in worry once she'd exited it. She shook her head. She knew she'd done a good job presenting the potion. She only hoped the Ministry would find it as useful as she felt it would be.

An hour later she found herself once again in front of the four witches and wizards who were to determine the potion's fate.

"If we are to patent this, it will have to be highly guarded, as even our Aurors are human, and knowledge of this potion being available could be a pull that some could not overcome," Regina said.

Hermione nodded. "I know. It would have to be placed somewhere secret, and as you said, highly guarded. Possibly wand oaths from the guards that they wouldn't touch it or speak of its existence without Ministry cause. I leave the security matters in your capable hands," she said as she looked at Albus.

They asked a few more questions, then all nodded at Albus. He smiled brightly and turned to Hermione.

"Ms. Snape, you have done well. We would be happy to contract with you for the singular use of the Fortunata Draught."

A contract magically appeared in front of her. She grinned at the others before pulling it close to her so she could read it. Excitement filled her as she read the words advising of their purchase of the potion and how it was to be solely distributed to them. She tried to not have her eyes bug out of her head as she saw the amount they were willing to pay for the private rights and the monthly stipend they would pay for her to supply the potion to them. The contract was contingent upon the trials proving what she had been telling them. Her signing it would give the Ministry permission to start the trials, and the contract would become valid as soon as those trials were over and the Ministry had patented the potion. As for the trial samples, the Ministry was happy to pay handsomely for them.

Hermione eyed the contract, making sure it favored her, and that there were no loopholes in it. She marveled at it. She could leave teaching and live quite comfortably on what they were offering her.

A quill appeared in front of her. She noted it was a magically binding quill. She took it and signed her name. The contract rolled up and sped out of the room. Albus smiled at her.

"Well done, Hermione," he said.

"Thank you, sir."

oooOOOooo

"Severus! Severus!" Hermione cried as she burst into the Potions lab.

She knew this was his free period, so she didn't hesitate to cry out his name. She found him in the closet organizing his stores. He turned at her hurried entrance.

"I know, I know, we have dinner with the boys tonight," he said drolly.

Hermione huffed. "That's not why I'm here!"

He smirked and took a step nearer, excitement in his eyes. "So, how did it go?"

"I got it!"

He smiled at her but showed no other sign of his happiness. Hermione knew her husband and wasn't flustered by his taciturn reaction. She would be exuberant for the both of them. She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. She felt his arms come up and surround her.

"I'm proud of you, love."

oooOOOooo

Severus and Hermione entered the pub, looking for their friends. They spied Jacob right off with Amelia. He'd left early to get her for this dinner, so hadn't accompanied Severus and Hermione. He waved them over.

Hermione had stayed close to her boys, including Jacob, after Lucius had been taken down. She had even managed to include Severus in their gatherings. Actually, at first, she had almost pulled Severus along kicking and screaming, but he had wanted her to be happy and had accompanied her, frowning all the way. Eventually, he had stopped frowning and making snide remarks. Now, it was just one of their activities, and he tolerated it as well as Severus Snape could be expected to tolerate anything.

"So, you two, how is everything?" Hermione asked as they came to the table.

Amelia blushed. She was a shy woman but was totally devoted to Jacob. Hermione had been thrilled when Luna had introduced the two to each other. Amelia was truly what Jacob had been searching for.

Jacob's arm went around Amelia. "Never been better," he said.

At that point, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Luna came into the pub en masse. Jacob waved again and soon all four couples were seated at the table catching up with each other. Severus was quiet, but he usually was.

There was a lull in the cacophony for a minute, and Jacob took it as the right time to speak.

"Earlier, Hermione asked how we were doing," he said as he looked at her. "We wanted to wait until everyone was here until we shared our news."

He turned to Amelia. She blushed again as she rose her hand up from her lap and flashed a diamond engagement ring at them.

The women squealed and the men smiled. Everyone rose to either pat Jacob on the back or hug Amelia except for Severus. He nodded at Jacob but refrained from the back-patting.

"This is fantastic, Jacob!" Harry exclaimed. "When is the wedding?"

"We're thinking of this summer, once the school year is done."

"You could have it here at Hogwarts out by the lake," Luna said dreamily.

"We haven't gotten that far in planning yet," Amelia said happily.

"I'm sure Minerva would love to have you do it there. She'd probably insist, if I know her. The chance to be in charge of your nuptials would be better than catnip to the witch," Severus advised.

Jacob looked at Amelia. "We'll think about it."

Food finally came, and everyone enjoyed one another's company while tucking in. Too soon, the evening was at an end. Hermione stood up to hug everyone goodbye but felt strange. Her head felt light and the room started to spin. All of a sudden she was on the floor with Severus gazing over her with a worried look. His arms pulled her up.

"Hermione?"

She tried to say something, but her head spun again and she passed out once more. It didn't take long for her to regain consciousness, but now she found herself in Severus' arms. He cradled her as he talked to her friends.

"I'm taking her to the Infirmary. Jacob, I'll let you know what is going on, and you can fill in everyone else."

"Be safe, Severus," Jacob said.

oooOOOooo

Severus was about to Apparate when Potter spoke up.

"Wait, Severus. Use the Floo. It's connected to the Infirmary."

He looked at the man and arched his eyebrow. "Good thinking, Potter."

In an instant, he'd disappeared into the Floo, appearing in the Infirmary with Hermione in his arms.

"Severus?" Hermione said weakly.

"It's all right, Hermione. Everything is all right. You'll be all right… Poppy!" he cried out.

Taking her to the nearest bed, he placed her on it. He took her hand as all sorts of things raced through his head. He couldn't lose her now. She was his everything.

"Poppy!" he bellowed again.

"Mercy, Severus!" Poppy cried back as she bustled over to the bed. "What's the uproar?"

"Hermione passed out twice in the Three Broomsticks."

"Hmm," Poppy said as she removed her wand and started with diagnostic spells.

Severus watched her and hoped beyond hope that she was just dehydrated or something. Fear coursed through his body at the thought that something very bad could be wrong with his witch.

"Hermione, have you felt ill prior to this?" Poppy asked.

"No," Hermione said weakly. "It just came at me all at once. I wasn't even feeling odd before I stood up and all of a sudden I was on the ground."

"Poppy… " Severus ground out.

Poppy's eyes moved to his. She saw the worry in them. Finishing up her spells, she put her wand away and sat on the bed next to Hermione.

"Well, you're not dying," she said as she looked at Severus.

"What's wrong, then?" Severus asked. All sorts of things were going through his head.

Poppy took Hermione's hand. They'd grown quite close during Hermione's tenure at the school, and Hermione considered Poppy almost like a mother. Poppy finally smiled at her.

"You're expecting."

"Expecting what?" Severus ground out.

Hermione's mouth dropped open and Poppy just laughed.

"A baby, you overgrown git!" Poppy told him.

Severus looked from Poppy to Hermione. His hand tightened as he held his wife's. He began to stutter.

"You… you're… you're pregnant?"

Hermione looked back at Poppy, who nodded.

"It looks like I am," Hermione said.

They stared at each other in silence. Poppy stood.

"Sometimes pregnancy causes fainting, especially early on. Just take it easy for the rest of the day. You should be fine." She looked between Severus and Hermione. "I'll leave you two alone. Congratulations. I'll chat with you tomorrow about checkups and vitamins and what to expect."

Neither looked at her as she left.

"Severus," Hermione whispered.

His eyes met hers. He still couldn't say anything. He'd been totally floored by Poppy's announcement. A baby. They were going to have a baby.

"Severus, say something," Hermione said.

He stared at her. He didn't know how he could convey what he was thinking. His initial thoughts and desires were just not the way he would normally react. Looking at his wife, he noted that she was looking worried. She was pregnant, and he didn't want to upset her.

"Hermione… " He swallowed hard. "I… "

"You're upset," she said in a defeated tone.

"No." He moved to sit on the bed and pulled her to him. "I'm speechless."

He gathered himself together so he could express himself. Finally, pulling back so he could see her face, he spoke.

"Hermione, I'm so happy that I want to shout it off the Astronomy Tower and run through the halls yelling it to everyone I see. I never… never thought I would be a father. I never thought you would be mine and that you would carry a child of mine within you. Having a child with you… It's overwhelming. I am beyond overjoyed."

Hermione laughed finally. "I can't believe it either!"

"You're all right with it?" Severus asked.

"Of course, I am. I couldn't have asked for anything better. I want us to have a child, Severus. I want to have your child."

Severus gave her a little smirk of relief. He stood and held his hand out to her. She placed hers in his and he helped her to get to her feet. Throwing his arms around her, he hugged her for all he was worth.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear.

Hermione giggled. "I love you, too."

Severus pulled back and moved his hand down to her stomach. He gave Hermione a look of wonder as he caressed her abdomen. He was filled with love for his wife. Happiness filled him. He moved in and kissed his lovely wife.

"Come," he told her after he'd pulled back from her again. "Let's get you lying down in your own bed."

"Severus, I don't need… "

Severus held his finger up. "Poppy said you needed to rest."

"Well, I can rest on the couch just as easily as I can in bed."

Severus glowered at her. "You will rest, my dear. I will make sure of it."

"I promise, Severus. I'll even put my feet up."

"Propped on a pillow… " Severus said as he arched his eyebrow at her.

"Yes, sir."

oooOOOooo

Hermione smiled at her husband's worrying. She let him put his arm around her and basically support her as they walked back down to the dungeons. He treated her with kid gloves, and it made her want to giggle. Instead, she smiled at him when he looked at her.

"What?"

"You're completely adorable right now."

His lips thinned and he glared at her. "Hermione," he ground out.

"My love, you may be grumpy and dour with everyone else in this castle, but you are wonderful and adorable with me, and I really appreciate that. It always shows me how much you love me."

"I am not adorable."

Hermione stopped and reached up to squeeze her husband's arm. "I think you are, but if you'd rather, I can label it as caring instead."

Severus nodded crisply. "That would be preferable."

"Okay," she said.

They continued down the stairs with Severus supporting her. They finally made it into their quarters and Severus gently settled her onto the sofa. He picked up her legs and placed them on a pillow, and also made sure there was a pillow against her back. He leaned down and looked into her eyes.

"What can I get for you?"

Tears filled her eyes. Severus looked horrified that he'd made her cry.

"Hermione, what is it?"

"I don't know!" she wailed. "I just love you so much... beyond reason, actually. You are everything to me. I love your personality from your grumpiness to your ability to show me how much you love me to the little things you do to show me your love."

"And this is making you cry?" Severus said as a half-smile came over his face.

"Don't laugh at me!" Hermione cried and burst into tears.

Severus waved his wand and the couch expanded to fit both of them. He sat beside Hermione and pulled her to him.

"Hermione, I have heard that pregnancy brings on emotional swings. Could this be one of those?"

Hermione nodded her head and furiously wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry."

Severus kissed her temple. "No need to apologize," he said.

Hermione snuggled into him. "I love you," she said quietly.

"And I love you… I can't tell you how happy I am, Hermione. I can't believe that we're going to have a baby."

"Do you think it will be a boy or a girl?" Hermione asked.

"Doesn't matter, really."

He reached over and placed his hand on her abdomen again. "It's a girl," he said.

Hermione pulled back and arched an eyebrow at him. "What, did you use Legilimency or something?"

"No. It's just a feeling."

"I think it's a girl too," Hermione admitted. "Either way, this child will be loved."

Severus suddenly became quiet. "Hermione, I promise you I will be the best father I can be. I will not be like the awful man who raised me."

Hermione kissed him then. "You will be a wonderful father, and our child will love you."

"I hope so," Severus mused.

Hermione looked at her husband, a man who had been harsh and withdrawn when she'd first met him. She'd come to this realm a stranger and had been sure he'd never warm up to her, but he had. She'd found that once he had opened his heart, he was loyal and unafraid to show his feelings. She knew without a doubt that his child would receive that love as well. She reached out and grasped his hand.

"I know so, Severus."

His eyes met hers. "Thank you for trusting me."

"And thank you for loving me."

His kiss made her heart flutter. She pulled him closer and ravaged him. He pulled back at long last.

"You need to rest," he said.

She mewled her displeasure at him.

"Now, now. There will be plenty of time for more strenuous activities." He pulled back and stood. "I'll get you some tea..." His gaze traveled over her. "And more pillows."

She smiled at him as he called out to their House-elf and put in an order for tea and watched him disappear into their bedroom to get her pillows. The man was adorable, whether he'd admit to it or not, and she couldn't be happier. She was excited to see what the future would bring for them. She had a feeling it would never be dull. Hermione looked forward to all of it.

The End