Insufferable Attraction

SeverusxHermione

Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Insufferable Attraction

Chapter 36

After Hermione had taken Severus's remodified Fertility Potion, not much happened following at first. However, later that evening, she had begun to experience some abdominal pain. It wasn't bad at first, just a pain every now and then. But by nightfall when they were going to bed, the pain became worse. She had laid on their bed clutching her stomach in a fetal position, letting out cries of pain and tears streaming down her face. Severus knew it was the potion taking effect, and this was probably it healing and restoring her womb. He was glad to know his potion was working, but he hated seeing his wife in pain like this. He held her during this time, wanting to give her something for the pain, only to think twice and not because of the possibility that it would cause something to happen while his potion was working, or it wouldn't work at all. Despite how useless he felt, Severus held her close and murmured comforting words to her. Eventually, Hermione fell into a painful and exhausted sleep, and Severus watched over her the entire night until he too fell asleep.

The next day some time before lunch, Severus and Hermione were outside on the back patio enjoying the fresh air. After the night Hermione had, she was glad to be outside in the elements. She still felt somewhat tired from the ordeal, but otherwise in good health. Severus was doing his usual workout routine—a little later than usual, as he had been caring for her—while she sat on one of the patio chairs watching him. She really did love watching him work out; his muscular body truly was every woman's dream, and he was all hers. Not only was she watching him, she was also reading one of his old potions journals he had brought along in their move to Prince Manor. It was from his early years as a new Potions Master, and his work really was exquisite. There was no doubt her husband was a genius in his craft.

Just as she turned a page in the journal to read a new entry, an owl flew over her head, the flap of its wings gaining her attention. Looking up, she watched as it circled Severus before swooping down and landing on his raised knee from where he was doing sit-ups. Severus looked at the owl and took the envelope in its beak, the owl flying off as soon as he did. Right when that owl disappeared over the manor, another flew towards them, soon flying over Hermione and dropping another envelope in her lap before flying off as well.

"Who is that from?" Severus asked as she picked the envelope up.

Hermione looked at the handwriting before opening the envelope and taking out the piece of folded parchment. Seeing the signed name she answered, "It's from Daphne. Who is yours from?"

"Minerva." Severus quickly opened and read his letter before saying, "She's requested that I meet her for tea during lunch at Hogwarts. I assume she wants to speak about something or other."

"Daphne wants me to meet her for lunch as well, only at Potter Manor. She wants to meet me at Grimmauld Place first, and then we'll head to the manor."

Severus nodded before standing up off the ground. "I suppose I should change and head to Hogwarts, though I can't say I'm thrilled to be summoned to the last place I'd rather be at."

Hermione tilted her head as she looked at her husband. "But you respect McGonagall, and she wants to see you. I think you should go and see what wants. After all, it can't hurt. Besides, I'll be with Daphne, so we'll both be busy."

Severus considered the brunette's words before nodding and heading back inside the manor, Hermione following him. The two of them went upstairs to their bedroom to change clothes to look more presentable, then went back downstairs to leave their home. Once outside the wards, Severus kissed his wife 'goodbye' before Disapparating away, Hermione doing the same to Grimmauld Place to meet Daphne.

Hermione looked around in awe as she stood inside of Potter Manor for the first time. The outside had been absolutely lovely, looking much like a miniature, medieval castle with an exquisite garden; not quite as big as the Prince family gardens, but just as nice. The inside definitely made the home seem bigger, and she could tell Daphne had added her own personal touch here and there, while also leaving the original aesthetics of Harry's family home intact. All in all, Potter Manor was truly marvelous and she hoped Harry felt like some part of him had been filled family-wise upon moving into the home his father had grown up in.

Daphne smiled at Hermione's awed expression before saying, "Come, let us go eat. The House Elves have set up lunch for us in the dining room."

The two women walked together to the dining room, conversing as they did before sitting at the prepared table with their lunch waiting. As they ate, they discussed how things had been for them lately in their lives, laughing about the latest wedding antics of Astoria and Draco, particularly how Astoria was trying to make her wedding the one of the century and how Draco was absolutely no help in making that dream come true. Daphne mentioned how their wedding was supposed to be a week before her scheduled due date—Astoria wanted all attention on her—but no one would care about the newly weds once she had the baby.

Speaking of which, Hermione looked at the blonde's rounded stomach, thinking that pregnancy was really becoming of the other witch. Smiling softly she asked, "So, speaking of your pregnancy, how far along are you now?"

Daphne took a bite of the croissant on her plate and chewed that before swallowing and answering, "Six months now. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant. And when you realized you were in love with Professor Snape."

Hermione blushed at that, as it was true. The day she had realized her true feelings for her husband, Daphne had rushed home to tell Harry that she was expecting their child together. That seemed like so long ago now, especially with everything that had happened within the past few months. Hermione was brought out of her musings when Daphne continued to speak.

"I'm honestly both excited for motherhood, and hope that I will be a good mother to our baby. Harry is excited too, but also nervous, and he said that he's ready to give our baby the best childhood and all the love he never had in his own."

"And I'm sure he will," Hermione said with a smile. She knew Harry would take to fatherhood well, even he felt he was stumbling in the beginning. "Do you know what the baby will be? Do you know its gender?"

The blonde nodded and smiled. "It's a boy; we're having a son."

"Congratulations! Oh, I'm so excited and happy for you both. A little Harry running around is going to be so adorable."

"Well, hopefully he won't get into as much trouble as his father got into growing up. Though, with you being his godmother, I can't say I have much hope considering all the trouble you got into with Harry."

"I haven't agreed to be the godmother yet, nor Severus the godfather."

"But you will."

"Of course, I will. It's Severus that is the wildcard here."

The two women laughed for a bit before calming down. They began to eat again before Daphne asked Hermione a question. "Speaking of you and Snape, when do you two plan on having children? You both are now in love and in a good place and all, not to mention having been married longer than the rest of us. I was just wondering when you plan on taking that step."

Hermione looked down in her plate in thought, contemplating Daphne's words. It was true, she and Severus were in love and in a good place, and they had already discussed children before, but that was before her attack. She wondered if it was alright to confide in Daphne—Harry as well—about the extent of what Ron's attack had done. But that would also include telling about what the B.R.A. expected of her and her husband. Not that there was much they could do because of the bond that was used at their bonding, but Severus had already finished the potion and she'd taken it. Of course, there was no telling if it worked completely yet, but still. She decided she'd discuss if it was okay to tell them with Severus first, as her husband would think it was an invasion of their privacy which was already intruded enough as it was by the B.R.A.

Deciding to answer her basic question, she answered, "Hopefully soon.

Daphne nodded before grinning. "Can you imagine a little Professor Snape crawling around? Or a little you?"

The brunette smiled as she began thinking of what a child between her and Severus would look like. Just thinking of the possibility made her feel giddy. She wanted that, she really did, and she hoped to Merlin that Severus's potion had worked.

"What?" Severus couldn't help but say as she stared at his former colleague in shock, even if the expression wasn't really on his face.

McGonagall looked at the younger wizard in slight amusement before saying, "I'm proposing that you come back to Hogwarts and return as the Potions Professor again. Horace is retiring once the school year is out, and I'm looking for a replacement. And to be honest Severus, you were the best Hogwarts has ever seen."

Severus stared at the older woman before setting his teacup down and leaning back in his seat, his fingers pressed together. "I don't see how this would be a good idea, Minerva. I'm positive there are plenty of parents of the students here who do not want a former Death Eater and Albus's murderer teaching their children again. That, and I will more than likely be ostracized by the other professors."

"Now Severus, you know that they all know you were cleared of all those charges, especially when proof came that you were working with us all that time, and that you killed Albus on his instruction. All will be well, and I know that all, if not most everyone here knows your truth and will support you."

"She's right, my boy," Dumbledore's portrait said from up above them.

Severus looked up at him for a moment before looking back at the Headmistress. Seeing his reluctance in his black eyes, Minerva said, "Please consider, Severus. Like I said, all will be well. That, and all the staff are very fond of your wife, so they wouldn't dare say anything against you."

She had said this with a smirk, causing Severus to flush a bit before turning his head and grumbling under his breath. McGonagall couldn't help but chuckle at the man, thinking he looked very much like the boy he had once been that she had taught herself many years ago. But he was a man now, a man that had been through and seen many hardships that hardened him. But now he seemed lighter, a bit more relaxed, and younger. In fact, if she had to say it, he looked happy now. She wondered if it had to do with him being married to Hermione.

Wondering about her favorite former student, she asked, "How is Hermione, Severus? I know about Mr. Weasley's attack on you both and how she got hurt. Is she doing alright?"

"She's doing fine, Minerva," Severus answered, having recovered from his flushed face. "She's in good spirits now and living day by day."

"That's good to hear. You continue to take good care of her, Severus. And I'm happy that you have found true love and happiness with Ms. Granger. Though, I do hope that you are not trying to make her into some sort of replacement for Lily."

Severus looked absolutely perplexed at that statement. "Why on earth would I do that? My wife is not, nor could ever be Lily. She is better than Lily and I love her more than I ever did Lily."

Minerva looked surprised, as did Dumbledore's portrait. "Oh?"

"Yes. I know it may sound ridiculous after twenty-plus years of having loved and pined for Lily, but with Hermione, I have finally been able to know true love. I've not only loved but am loved in return wholeheartedly. That, and because of her I'm learning to let go of my past and look forward to my future, our future. So no, Hermione is not a replacement for Lily, and I wouldn't dare think of her as such."

Silence followed Severus's impassioned speech before McGonagall smiled absolutely pleased. This was such a proud moment for her concerning Severus. He had grown so much it seemed, and she was happy to know that her favorite student was helping him and walking alongside him through their journey together. Nodding, she said, "Alright then. Well, lunch is about done now, and the students will be heading on to their next classes. I will let you go now Severus, but I must ask that you at least think about my offer."

Severus stood from his seat before saying, "I will. Until next time, Minerva."

McGonagall watched the Potions Master leave her office before her smile turned into a full-on grin, and she couldn't help but laugh. Turning to look up at Albus's portrait, she asked, "Did you hear that?"

Dumbledore nodded with a soft smile of his own. "I did, and I could tell he meant it. He really does love Ms. Granger and has moved on from Lily Potter. That part of his life has finally been laid to rest."

Later that evening, the Snapes were in bed discussing each other's day. Hermione was surprised to hear that Professor McGonagall had offered her husband the position of Potions Professor at Hogwarts, but also understood why he was hesitant and reluctant to accept. Still, she encouraged him to think about accepting the position again.

"After all, you were the best and most brilliant Potions Professor I've ever had," she had told him. Severus had simply chuckled and said, "Flatterer."

When she told him of her lunch with Daphne and that Daphne's pregnancy was going along great, he found he was pleased to hear that. He really did wish Ms. Greengrass and Mr. Potter all the happiness and luck in the world when their little one entered it. Silence flowed between them for a moment afterwards before Hermione said, "You know, Daphne had asked me when we were going to have children of our own while I was there. And it got me wondering, despite the setbacks and attack and demands of the B.R.A., do you want children with me? I know we've discussed it before, but we've never fully come to a consensus."

She took a pause, biting her lip before taking a deep breath a continuing. "I want children, Severus. I want to have children with you and am ready to have them. Do you feel the same way?"

Severus looked at her for a moment before a soft smile appeared on his lips. Gently playing with a strand of her curly hair, he said, "Of course I do. I want to have children with you to, but not because the B.R.A. or anyone else expect us to. I want us to have a child together created from our love, and no other influence. So yes, I am ready to father a baby with you."

Hermione grinned before sitting up and kissing her husband passionately, her arms wrapping around his neck as she did. Severus returned his wife's kiss, holding her close as they did. Their passionate kiss turned even more so, and Severus rolled them over so he was on top of her. Pulling away briefly, he said, "We still have to see if the potion worked."

Giggling, Hermione nodded and replied, "Let's do it."

Severus chuckled and kissed his wife once more, the kiss full of passion and love and all the emotions he felt for Hermione. And that night, he made love to her, loving her sweetly as she did the same.