Chapter 4: What is done in the darkness is brought to the light.
Mentions of attempted rape again in this chapter. This is also the chapter where the miscarriage happens.
Although the act they shared had helped both of them sleep, it did not help them stay asleep for very long. They both spent time tossing and turning through the night, attending to Pandora or just watching Lily sleep.
Breakfast was a somber affair as well, but before they knew it, they had to go to the Ministry of Magic. Minerva McGonagall was coming to show her support as well as watch over Lily and Pandora. Minerva kept the children entertained outside of the courtroom as the trial began.
The proprietor that handled the Potters estate was the first one to be questioned. He confirmed that both of the Potters were of sound mind when making the decision for their will.
The Weasley's barrister tried to discredit Luna because of how she sometimes ran off on tangents and because of the invisible creatures that she saw. However, Susan stated that was one of Luna's quirks and had nothing to do with her soundness of mind.
Severus was the next person to be questioned.
"Do you really think that you, Severus Snape, as a former death eater should be guardian of Potter's two children?"
The potions master huffed. "I was cleared of all charges after the war. Me being a death eater has nothing to do with this."
"Actually, I disagree because it speaks to your character." The barrister countered.
Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Chief Warlock and Minister of Magic, nodded. "I will allow it."
"I made a big mistake in my youth and once I realized that mistake, I tried to atone for my actions. I became a spy and had to walk a very thin line. After the Battle of Hogwarts which I thought I would not make it through, I further tried to atone. The first person on my list was Harry Potter. We had a discussion, and I answered any question that he asked. He needed some time to process after that and I thought that would be it because of how I treated him in the past. However, he reached out again and again. We then became friends. He defended me at my trial. He helped me to get my potions owl order service up off the ground. I did not deserve his friendship, I will admit, but I tried my hardest to deserve it and I changed for the better. I still may be sarcastic and grumpy at times. However, I am not that way with Lily and Pandora. Honestly, I questioned the Potters decision myself after I heard the news. See… I did not have a great father figure. My father liked to beat my mother and sometimes me. He was also a drunk. I worried that I would become like my father. After some time spent with Lily and Pandora, I realized that my worries were ridiculous. I am nothing like my father. I was already a good godfather to Lily. I will be a good father to Lily and Pandora. No, I am a good father to Lily and Pandora and will be for the rest of my life."
"Thank you, Master Snape. That will be all." The barrister they hired nodded at him and he went to join Hermione.
Xeno Lovegood was called next. He spoke of how Luna and Harry asked him if it was okay to choose Hermione and Severus as guardians. He said that he completely agreed with their decision and gave his reasons as to why.
Hermione then was up next.
"Why do you think you will make a good mother to Lily and Pandora Potter?"
Hermione locked eyes with Severus before she answered. He gave her a small indiscernible nod.
"I am a good mother to Lily and Pandora. The Potter's named me as Lily's godmother. I have been a part of her life since the beginning although not as much as I am now. I have also been a part of Pandora's life since the beginning, and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life."
"What about the allegations against you from Mr. Weasley?"
"They are all lies." She stated. "I have never been a wanton harlot and never will be."
"You are the one lying." Ronald spouted out. "You are nothing but a sl- "
"Calm yourself this instant." His barrister yelled, interrupting him.
The Chief Warlock raised his eyebrows but decided not to say anything.
"What caused the Potters and you to have a falling out with Ronald Weasley?" Her barrister asked, continuing with the questioning. She knew it was coming, but she was still nervous to admit it in front of everyone.
"Objection! Why is this relevant?" The Weasley's barrister asked.
"It is relevant to Ronald Weasley's character."
"I will allow it." The Chief Warlock stated. "Please answer the question Miss Granger."
"He attempted to rape me." She admitted to gasps all around the room. "Luckily, Harry came in and stopped it. That is what caused our falling out."
"That's a lie." Ronald Weasley yelled out, completely red in the face. "I would never- "
"Calm yourself Mr. Weasley." Kingsley interrupted. "If there is one more outburst from you, I will throw you out of this room. Got it?"
Ronald nodded, still red in the face and clearly trying to bite down his words.
"Why haven't you pressed charges or told anyone?" Ms. Bones continued as if they had not been interrupted.
"I was ashamed that I was put into that position. I didn't have my wand on me, you see. Harry asked me to come forward, but I was scared. Then Mr. Weasley had that first press conference and spewed all those lies about me, and I couldn't bring myself to. What he said about me caused me to get a lot of hate mail and howlers. I couldn't imagine what I would get when I came forward."
"Would you be willing to now submit either your memories or go under Veritaserum?"
"Yes, I would." The process to extract her memories was painless and then once done, she was finished with her testimony. No one had noticed that Lavender Weasley had withdrew herself after Hermione's testimony.
Minerva and Hagrid were called as character witnesses. Hermione took Minerva's place outside with their children while she was testifying. Once she was done, they switched places again. Both spoke vehemently in favor of Severus and Hermione.
The Weasley's barrister called for Lavender to take the stand, but she was not found.
Then they call Ronald Weasley to talk. The words that spewed from his mouth aren't worth repeating. Hermione had her hand clenched in Severus' the entire time.
Next the Weasley's barrister called for Molly Weasley however she did something unexpected. She backed Harry and Luna's decision.
Knowing they were failing, they called it quits and waited for the judgment they knew would come.
Before that happened however, someone interrupted. "I don't know about the rest of my colleagues, but I would like to hear from Lily Potter." Kingsley spoke.
There were nods from the others in attendance.
Hermione nodded at Severus before he went outside to fetch Lily and brought her before everyone. He stayed standing next to her.
"Lily, do you like that Severus and Hermione take care of you?" Susan asked.
She nodded.
"Would you want them to keep taking care of you?"
"Yes." She spoke enthusiastically. "Sev' us does the best voices when reading to me. Hermione makes my owies better and makes the best pancakes."
"What if Hermione and Severus couldn't take care of you? Who you want to take care of you?"
The statement caused Lily to burst into tears and leap to Severus who caught her. "You not dying like dada, right?" She asked through her sobs. "You not going to leave and not come back?"
The glare that Severus gave the Weasley's barrister was cause for the man to almost wet himself. "No, I am not dying, and I don't ever plan to leave." He said while hugging his daughter back. He let her down once she started to squirm in his arms.
Lily then ran to Hermione and asked the same thing.
Hugging her distraught child, she reassured Lily that she was not dying and didn't plan to leave her.
"Well…" Kingsley stated after a moment. "I agree with Harry and Luna Potter's decision and find no worth to the claim of Ronald & Lavender Weasley. All others that approve?"
Ayes were heard all throughout the room.
"Nay?" The Chief Warlock asked.
No one spoke.
"Well then, the contest to guardianship has hereby been dismissed. You can leave." He nodded to Severus, Hermione and Lily. Once, they were gone from the room, he continued. "Now onto the matter of attempted rape charges to one Ronald Bilius Weasley."
Outside the room, the parents were hugging their children enthusiastically. After a long moment, Lily and Pandora started to squirm so the hug was then broken up.
"Excuse me." A voice spoke.
Turning, Hermione regarded her old roommate from Hogwarts.
"Thank you, Hermione, for what you have done." Lavender spoke with tears in her eyes as she clutched her pregnant belly.
"You don't have to thank me. I should have done that a long time ago." The bushy haired mother admitted.
"It's not your fault." The woman clutched Hermione's hand for a brief moment. "Now, I have some of my own testimony to give." The woman stated before heading back inside the courtroom.
"Good luck." The know it all said to the retreating figure.
Severus wrapped his arms around his lover after handing Pandora over to Minerva. "You ready to go home?"
She nodded. "More than ready."
The family had a blissful evening spending time together and had extended an invitation for Draco and Susan to spend some time with Pandora for the upcoming week.
Hermione had pressed her lips against her lovers as soon as they were alone in her bedroom. "We won." She exclaimed in between kisses.
"We did." He replied.
Wrapped her hands around his neck, she peppered his face with kisses. "Now all we have to do is make this family truly official."
"And how soon do you see us getting married?" He asked when he slipped his hands into her shirt, caressing her low back.
"Would as soon as possible be too soon?" She bit her lip, pulling back to look into his eyes.
Shaking his head, he started peppering her neck with kisses. "Not soon enough."
"Good." She smirked at him before divesting both of their clothes to show her appreciation in more carnal ways which lasted all throughout the night.
Hermione and Severus got married in a small ceremony with a smallish gathering in attendance a week later. Xeno Lovegood, Minerva McGonagall, The Grangers, Hagrid, Molly and Arthur, Bill and Fleur, Charlie, Percy and Penelope, Fred and Angelina, George and Katie, Neville and Hannah, Susan and Padma, Draco and Astoria, Lavender Brown (formerly Lavender Weasley) and of course, Lily and Pandora.
Minerva and the Grangers were in a tizzy that week trying to plan the wedding on such short notice. They didn't complain though because they just wanted Severus and Hermione to be happy after everything that happened. When Susan visited, she was asked by Hermione to be her maid of honor. When Draco visited, he was asked to be best man by Severus. Both accepted.
They decided to have the ceremony and reception at their residence. A wedding arch was constructed in the backyard with all sorts of flowers woven into it. Fairy lights were put up all over making the look truly magical.
Wearing beautiful white dress robes with flowers in her braided hair, Hermione promised to love, cherish and protect Severus as her husband.
Severus promised the same to Hermione while wearing black dress robes with silver trim and a green cravat. His hair was pulled back by a black tie.
In a way to incorporate Lily and Pandora into the ceremony, Severus and Hermione expressed their commitment to being their parents.
At the end, they shared a sweet kiss while their friends and family clapped.
The reception was a blur between the conversation, the food and the drinks. The married couple would always remember the day with a fondness and certain moments from the day that stood out to them. The first would be the part of the wedding ceremony with Lily and Pandora. The second was when Severus smushed cake into Hermione's face. The third was when Severus slow danced with Lily in his arms and Hermione did the same with Pandora. The fourth was when Hagrid got so sloshed that he broke the trellis. The new wife thought she would be miffed, but the situation was just too funny to be upset about. The last was after all the guests had left and Lily and Pandora were safely tucked into their beds.
Hermione yawned in exhaustion.
"Well, my wife. It seems you are too tired to consummate this marriage." Severus teased. He started to chuckle, but mid laugh a yawn escaped his mouth.
She raised her eyebrow. "Oh, I'm too tired?"
"I stand corrected." He yawned once more and then gave his wife a kiss on her forehead. "We are too tired."
She grabbed his hand and led them to their bed. "How about a quickie then?"
"Whatever you say wife." He started to kiss behind her ear.
"That is my new favorite phrase husband." She kissed his lips.
"Mmh." He moaned into her mouth, jerking his hips up to rub against her heat. "That is my new favorite word. Now I thought you said this was supposed to be a quickie?"
Raising her brow, she vanished their clothes.
He chuckled. "Now, that's more like it." His fingers probed her folds, finding her already wet for him.
She climbed onto her husband and aligned his member with her entrance. Slowly lowering herself down onto him, she moaned at the contact. His fingers gripped her hips and helped her movement.
Once she got the motion, he moved one of his hands to her button.
Moaning, she clenched down on him in response.
"If you keep that up, it really will be a quickie." He grunted out. "I want you to orgasm first." He rubbed her button a bit faster.
"Right there." She moaned as his fingers rubbed her clit in the right spot.
Her mouth opened in a silent scream as she came.
Flipping them over, he snapped his hips up. After a few moments, he was moaning with his own release. "I love you, my wife." He grunted as he came.
"And I love you, my husband." She smiled at him as he collapsed beside her. They both fell asleep not long after that.
Severus and Hermione decided after their marriage to finally clean out the master bedroom and bathroom and move into the space. It was a sad experience, but it did need to be done. They got rid of anything that was unneeded and kept mementos for Lily and Pandora.
A year after their marriage, Hermione decided that she wanted to add to their family. Severus was a bit reluctant, but he ultimately agreed.
The conception was easy after that point, but two months into pregnancy, Hermione knew something was wrong. She was heavily bleeding and cramping. She explained to Severus quickly and they flood Pandora's godparents to babysit while they went to St. Mungo's. It was there that the mother miscarried their baby.
Both Severus and Hermione lost themselves in their grief. Hermione's grief took more of an outward turn due to her hormones. She would randomly burst out in tears or snap at the smallest thing. Severus' grief became inward. He receded into himself and spoke only mono syllables.
After hearing the news, Susan and Draco decided to give the two sometime. They babysat Lily and Pandora at the Bones residence with Xeno helping as needed.
It all came to a head when Hermione exploded after getting sick of the one-word answers she was getting from her husband. "It's like you don't even care Severus."
"Of course, I care." He yelled back. "That was my baby too and we lost it."
"No, I lost the baby Severus. It was me. There is something wrong with me." She cried back.
Tears fell from his eyes as he drew her into his arms. "There is nothing wrong with you Hermione. I've done some research. One in five pregnancies end up as a miscarriage. It is normal."
"Then why is it not talked about Severus?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I can't answer that. I can however tell you that there is a miscarriage support group that meets every other week at the library in town. I think it would be best if we both go to it."
"I agree Severus." She nodded into his chest, clinging to him.
He clung just as tightly onto her as they both cried for their loss.
They went to Susan's house that day to bring Lily and Pandora home. The family needed to heal together even though Lily and Pandora didn't know the reason their parents were upset.
Xeno and Minerva had agreed to watch the kids while Severus and Hermione went to the miscarriage grief group. There they met many other couples that went and were going through the same thing they were. They really empathized with another couple Kristal and Jace. They had gone through a miscarriage their first pregnancy too.
After sharing their experience, both Severus and Hermione were able to process their grief.
It took some time after that they were ready to try again.