Author's Note: Ah. Here we are. The final half of the final chapter. Thank you all so very, very much for reading, and for commenting. It means the world to me! And of course, the biggest and best thanks to Dava for inspiring me, and to debjunk for being my amazing beta for this. Love to all of you! :)

Chapter 6 Part 2

In the end, Severus found a way of bringing up his withdrawal to Hermione in the same way she had done for him—he left her a memory to view of his appointment while he attended the Slytherin vs Hufflepuff Quidditch game—the last match of the year.

He'd nearly chewed the skin off the side of his thumb during the match, a nasty habit he'd thought he'd outgrown as a teen after a rather nasty reaction to an ingredient's residue. Minerva, seated next to him, had thought it was because his team's captain was stuck in detention for upsetting Pomona's current potting of leaping toadstools. Hagrid was currently overseeing the hapless girl's attempts to catch and repot the little bastards, leaving his team without their captain.

Not that the rest of the team were particularly bothered, as they'd had a last-minute practice session the previous night and had worked well together.

He worried over Hermione's reaction to the memory of his session. Over his reticence on engaging with her when she was emotional. Would she take it well? Would she hex him when he walked in the door? Probably.

He clapped out of reflex at a good save by his Keeper. They were only twenty points ahead and it wouldn't do for Hufflepuff to edge them out of the running. After his lambasting two students and removing all of Slytherin's points, his House needed every bit they could earn.

When he returned home to their quarters, Hermione was in the nursery again. She turned at his cautious footsteps, smiling, and embraced him.

"I'm sorry for being a hormonal mess," she mumbled into his cloak.

Severus returned her hug awkwardly. "It is to be expected."

She sighed. "You don't have to withdraw, Severus. Honest. Even if I get mad, I promise it's not your fault, and as soon as I settle I will end up being extremely contrite."

He pressed a kiss into her curls, his lips curving into a reluctant smile. "So you're not upset that I likened you to the Dark Lord?"

Hermione snorted and looked up at him. "No."

Letting out a shaky breath, he met her halfway for a brief kiss. "I don't deserve you."

"Nope." She grinned at him. "And I don't deserve you, but here we are."

They stood in their awkward embrace—only awkward because of her belly—for a moment before she sighed.

"And now I've got to ruin the moment, but I need the loo."

He grimaced and stepped back, releasing her.

"Can we talk when I'm done?"

"Of course."

He was waiting for her when she returned, looking rather...uptight. Poor man. Hermione bussed him on the cheek and went back to folding and sorting clothing. She'd labelled the drawers. Tiny rows of pants. Socks. Hats. Onesies and little Muggle zippered sleepers. They'd both decided that too many buttons on infants were a waste of time.

"I'm sorry we haven't, you know, talked much," Hermione said. She folded another tiny set of pants. "It's been rather stressful, hasn't it?"

"It has," he acknowledged. He tried to relax a bit, but couldn't. She smiled at him over her shoulder. She was beautiful, he thought. In her element, arranging and rearranging.

"Oh!" Hermione's tone brightened. "Do you know what I overheard this morning?"

"Do tell," he drawled.

Severus picked up a stack of tiny clothes to fold. Anything to keep his hands busy.

"I was heading back from my office and heard whispering coming from one of the unused classrooms. Turns out, some of our erstwhile seventh-years took Neville's Defense Q&A session last term seriously – they're planning on using my modified Protean Charm to keep in touch during the summer hols to keep in touch and protest the Marriage Law nonsense."

"Clever," Severus said. He hesitated, seeing his moment. "Hermione..."

"Hmm?" She put a few more folded sleepers on her pile.

"Where would you like to live during the summer?"

She froze, blinking. "I thought we'd live here."

"I meant after this summer." His movements were quick and precise as he folded the clothing. "Hogwarts will be no place for toddlers."

"Oh." She sat back and looked at him, her expression abashed. "You know, I hadn't really thought about it beyond hiring a Free Elf to nanny. I've lived here every summer since taking my post. I also haven't decided if I'm only taking a year for maternity or if I'll relinquish my career entirely, I think I've been avoiding thinking about it."

Well, he wasn't about to press her about the images he'd gleaned from her about a house. Still, he'd opened this particular jar of flobberworms… "I see."

"I suppose I thought living here was a good solution. And you're a Head of House," she added, "so it's not like having property elsewhere would really work during the school year, and I'd never see you then. You wouldn't be able to leave the grounds."

...He hadn't considered that. Sod it.

"I highly doubt you want us all at Spinner's End since you use it for experimental brewing, and I'm not going house-hunting when I can barely waddle around as it is."

Severus snorted. "No, indeed."

Hermione sighed and shrugged. "So I don't know. A house would be lovely, but what do you want to do?"

He was quiet for a moment. "I haven't reached a satisfactory answer yet, either. Teaching, for all that I find the little miscreants detestable, is all I know, and there is no one currently on staff I feel I could trust to hand my House duties to."

"Why don't we think on it over the summer?" Hermione suggested. "Moving would be a huge undertaking, even with magic. And if we don't know what we'll do about our roles here, we should at least discuss it with Minerva and see what she can recommend. It's entirely possible there's an easy solution or a precedent."

He snorted. "Oh yes, because Hogwarts professors are excellent at finding romantic matches and raising families."

"Well, I think we're pretty good at it," she said. Her tone was defensive, and he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Hermione, we were in love with each other and it took marrying for convenience for us to even realise it. And as neither of us are particularly stupid, I find it hard to believe that our coworkers would have any better luck."

She laughed at that. "True! Everyone knew before we did, though, so really, how smart can we be?"

Severus grumbled to himself, swearing. Hermione laughed again.

"Let's just get through finals tomorrow, get the exams graded and the students ushered home where they can harangue the Ministry to their little hearts' content, and prepare for the twins," Hermione said. "With any luck, they'll bring the law down before term starts again."

"And leave us with no devious plotting to encourage?" Severus asked dryly. "You're heartless, Hermione, to take away all of my fun."

"Don't worry, you'll still have points to deduct and snoggers to interrupt as you flap about the corridors," she teased, tossing a onesie at him.

Severus scowled at her, and they both laughed.

Hermione stood on the castle walls, watching the carriages drive away towards Hogsmeade Station. Final exams were over. The farewell feast was done with. The flurry of year-end packing and grading and writing letters of recommendation was finished. Maybe it was hormones, but she was feeling a bit misty-eyed over seeing them go.

"I thought I'd find you here."

She jumped, pressing a hand to her heart even as the instinctive shield charm she'd cast faded.

"Severus!"

He stepped out of the tower's shadow to join her. He'd left his teaching robes somewhere in the bowels of the castle, and the wind stirred his hair. His chin indicated the carriages.

"You'll be happy to know that there was quite a fuss among the students making summer plans." His voice was maliciously pleased. "I forsee a very uncomfortable summer for the Ministry."

Turning back to watch the children leave, Hermione smiled and took his hand. He stared down at their entwined fingers, but didn't pull away. Instead, he squeezed hers, and she smiled wider. Severus had either gotten more comfortable with the demonstrative side of their relationship or, more likely, he took comfort in the lack of students. Either way, she was happy.

"So, I suppose we bow out of the Ministry fight now," she mused. "Leave it to them?"

"I would. We're about to have our hands full. Letters we can send, but I think we should let Weasley handle it from here. He has it well under control, and people are listening to him. Let him have his day in the sun."

Hermione moved closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "Good idea."

His eyebrows nearly rose into his hairline. "And here I thought that would be a bigger fight."

She snorted and smacked him lazily and gently with her free hand. "Cantankerous git."

When he was quiet, she added, "And I love you for it."

Severus looked down at her in mock disdain. "Come along, we've got a final staff meeting to survive before you're allowed to spout such nonsensical drivel outside of our chambers."

"Are you going to pay attention this year?"

"After last year, perhaps I should," he mused. "I am uncertain if I could handle a second wife."

Hermione laughed as they entered the cool corridors of the castle hand in hand.

Severus flipped idly through the papers before him on his desk, knitting as he read. Hermione was at the Potters' home for her baby shower, and although he was her escort to and from the event, he blessedly wasn't expected to stay. Neither had he been roped into something with her male friends, which suited him just fine. He had enough to look over at the castle.

Hermione and he had spoken with Minerva after the year end staff meeting about married staff quarters and raising children, and she had given them properties to look over. As it turned out, married staff wasn't unusual, although it had been a few decades since the last couple. Wars were apparently bad for partnership and family.

Being a Head of House was the more interesting problem, but Minerva was amenable to working something out. Hermione had surprised both Minerva and him by suggesting that they find a Slytherin alumni to take over Muggle Studies this year. Her reasoning was that anyone would be able to follow her syllabus with ease, and it would give them a chance to evaluate the new professor's abilities… and to see if Severus could train them to handle his House.

Tugging some more yarn loose from the ball he'd wound, Severus continued his work, needles clicking. He was torn on relinquishing his role, even if Minerva had agreed that it would be all right for him to step down, and the respite was long overdue. On one hand, he was facing new duties as a father that would undoubtedly require his full attention. On the other, he had been the Head of Slytherin for decades. It was a role and House he knew well. He had worked hard with his House. They flourished. And he cared for his students in his own way, even if he was abysmal at handling certain things. Those things, he'd long decided, were for prefects to handle.

He scowled, undoing the last three stitches in the little bootie, and then flipped to the next property's photograph. This one had merit – a large yard, ideal for both gardening and playing, as children were wont to do, high glass windows to let in the light, good-sized bedrooms, enough space for the twins to have their own rooms and a room in which to play together, a room suitable for a library… the only thing it lacked was a space to brew.

Severus paused. He was keeping Spinner's End, wasn't he? He could brew any daily use potions at the school—or in the decent-sized kitchen—and use his childhood abode for anything experimental, same as he did now. He was perfectly capable of Apparition, after all, and should he actually manage to be too tired or drained to Apparate, his Floo was connected. He'd simply have to Floo home to Hermione.

Thin lips curved into a shape not often seen outside of his private rooms and only during moments with his wife.

Home to Hermione.

Certainly had a ring to it. He set the parchment with the little house aside to show her later.

Hermione stowed the last of the baby shower gifts in the twins' room and stretched her back happily as someone kicked her in the kidneys. It was over. Done.

The school year was finished. Ginny and the lot were on board with Severus and her bowing out of the main fight over the marriage law. The baby shower was over, and they had everything they would need for the twins.

All she had to do now was finish baby-proofing their quarters and get the new things squared away.

"Everything all right?" Severus asked behind her.

She jumped, turning, then smiled and accepted the cup of tea he extended to her.

"Just thinking, really," she said. "I've never had so little to do before."

"Enjoy it," he advised sourly. "It won't last. Just like the time between terms or wars, it will pass far too quickly to be savoured."

Hermione made a face. "True."

She walked past him, closing the bedroom door, and headed to the sofa. She wanted off of her feet. Even letting him fly them from the gates to the doors of Hogwarts, her hands clenched in the wool of his coat, and her eyes squeezed shut against the sight of the ground sliding away beneath their feet. It was still too much walking these days.

He was right behind her, sliding a pillow behind her back even as she sat. She shot him a grateful smile and took a long sip of perfectly-brewed tea while awkwardly pulling her feet up onto the sofa. The room was a bit messier than she'd left it, which wasn't surprising. The parchments on the table indicated that Severus had been working on something, and he always made a bit of a mess when he was focused.

"What's this?" she asked, jutting her chin to indicate the pile.

"Ah."

Severus sat down in his chair, the pile of knitting projects nearly toppling as he bumped it with his foot. It kept growing, but he wouldn't let her put them away until he'd finished the set.

"I was looking over the properties that Minerva said were kept as housing for married staff. There are a few with merit, but one in particular caught my attention."

Hermione perked up. "Oh! Let me see?"

He handed her the small pile of viable properties, deciding not to tell her which he'd liked best. It didn't take her long to skim the descriptions and images, and when she turned to the third in the pile she stopped and looked at him.

"This one, I think."

He peered at the parchment. Yes, she'd selected the one he'd liked best.

"You have exquisite taste."

She laughed. "It just needs a brewing space, unless you'll be using Spinner's End?"

He nodded. "I can either brew at the school or in the kitchen if necessary. Anything more I can go there."

Hermione chewed on her lip, considering. "Is there enough bookshelf space, do you think?"

Severus gave her an exasperated look. "Is there ever enough bookshelf space? The children will simply have to keep their books in their playroom. I can store my reference books and potioneering journals at Spinner's End as well."

"Oh, so you get your own private library," she teased.

He snorted in agreement.

"I've been thinking," she added slowly, her mien sobering. "About what to do once the twins are born. I think...I think I want to take a sabbatical from teaching and raise them."

Severus studied her and frowned. "Why are you nervous to tell me that?"

"I'm nervous deciding it," Hermione replied, concern colouring her voice. "I love teaching at Hogwarts, I do, but I feel that as their mother I should be home with them, even if we do hire an Elf to help. I never really envisioned myself being the sort to just drop children off at daycare and running about when I thought about having kids. And I can't see myself doing it now."

"Minerva would surely hire you back when you are ready," he said. "Or if there was something else you wanted to do, you know I would not stand in your way."

"I know."

He took a deep breath.

"Hermione, I was thinking of your suggestion about a Slytherin alumni for the Muggle Studies post. I've even managed to come up with a few names. I thought perhaps after the first half of the year, I could share my Head of House duties with them."

Her smile was brilliant. "That's...a lot, coming from you."

He shrugged uncomfortably. "I cannot see myself eschewing my duties as a father any more than you can step aside as a mother."

She reached over and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. "Thank you, Severus."

Settling back against the pillow, Hermione looked at the parchment again. "So, this house?"

"We can move in either over Christmas hols or next summer," Severus said.

"Summer," Hermione said decisively. "I'd rather have you nearby as much as possible for when I go completely mental from stress."

"Not to mention the work you've done on their room here. It would be a shame for it to be used so little."

She smiled and nodded. "And that, too!"

July arrived at a rather sedate pace. Hermione dutifully attended her bi-weekly appointments with the doctor, who monitored the twins closely for stress. She was hoping to go into labor naturally, and while the doctor recommended induction for multiples, she agreed that Hermione was having a good, healthy pregnancy and was open to letting her try to continue to do so as long as the twins remained stable. Soon their appointments would be weekly, and she didn't much relish the thought of struggling out of the castle that often.

Appointment days were often a whirlwind of activity. Well, a whirlwind for an exhausted, pregnant Hermione. Severus would fly them to the gates, they would Apparate to a safe spot near the medical building and then walk. After the appointment they would invariably head to Diagon Alley, where they would enjoy lunch. Sometimes Harry or Ginny or both would join them. Sometimes it was Lucius. Often it was just the two of them, enjoying a quiet meal.

They'd listen to the chatter about the demonstrations and protests at the Ministry, at how the students were hassling and haranguing the lawmakers mercilessly. They would invariably browse the shops after lunch, perusing potions ingredients for days he would spend brewing, books for them both, and quills and parchment for Hermione to work on some Arithmantic side-projects she'd picked up to amuse herself with during the summer.

They garnered far less attention than either would have expected, despite the two of them being out and about in public. Severus's usual glower and unpleasant countenance kept passersby from attempting to touch her round belly. Hermione was usually happy about that, though sometimes she felt like hexing someone and was displeased to have missed a chance to do so.

At least she was collecting quite a few books for the twins. Hermione cast a look at the lower shelves, pleased with herself despite the continued twinges of back pain.

Severus had followed her into Waterstones the week before, and they had emerged several hundred pounds lighter. As much as she liked the enchanted books from the Wizarding world, she also liked the thick board books and tales she'd grown up with. He hadn't said anything, just flipped through the stack with raised eyebrows.

Hermione gathered that he hadn't had many age-appropriate books as a child himself because when he thought she wasn't looking he'd read through them all. It was adorable.

Content with the way the shelves were laid out, she headed into the twins' room to see a small bundle on the gliding chair between the cribs.

Tilting her head in curiosity, Hermione moved closer, then gasped in happiness.

It was the things Severus had knit. He was finished.

Overjoyed, she untied the twine he'd used to bind them. The yarn was soft under her fingers, and she handled the sets of booties and hats he'd made. Four of each, which she appreciated, and two blankets. She loved the simple stitch he'd chosen. He really was the better knitter of the two of them, she conceded. Perhaps she'd work on improving.

Or maybe she'd buy him some more yarn for Christmas. He certainly had seemed calmer when he knit, just like when he was brewing something tricky. It was probably good for him, she mused.

Hermione opened the dresser drawers and put two sets of hats and boots neatly in each. She spread her hands over the lush softness of the blankets, hesitating. She didn't want to put them in drawers to wait. They were beautiful labors of love and deserved a place of pride in their home.

With gentle hands she folded them and draped one over the end of each crib to await their tiny recipients.

Hermione stretched her back with a wince as she sat up, chalking it up to the fact that she was hideously pregnant. Her back had been bothering her since before bed last night, and she had thought that the lovely bubble bath she'd taken had alleviated it.

Apparently not.

Grumbling to herself, she set about trying to get out of the nest of pillows and blankets she slept in. She was grateful for the coolness of the dungeons now more than ever. The mid-August heat would have been awful with all of her pillows. Severus's side of the bed was rumpled but unmade, so he hadn't been up long. He was an early riser, and she was becoming one out of necessity to empty her bladder eight hundred times. At least one of the twins had their head jammed right up against her cervix, making her feel like she constantly had to use the facilities. Just a few more weeks to go was what she kept assuring herself.

Hermione sighed and stretched her back again, then tackled her hair. Not for the first time, she contemplated chopping it all off. It was exhausting to comb out the knots and maintain her hair while pregnant. Severus had started helping her wash it. It was strangely comforting to feel his long fingers bury into her curls and massage her scalp. She nearly melted into the bath every time, but it was wonderful. And helpful.

She managed a lopsided bun, getting the heavy mass of curls off her neck, then set about heaving herself out of bed.

Reaching out a hand, she steadied herself with a wince. Her back was really bothering her this morning. Maybe after breakfast she'd ask her husband to rub some balm on it for her. His dislike of physical contact seemed to take second to a medical needs, she'd noticed, and was grateful. It would have been difficult to get through this pregnancy without his help.

Going to the bathroom was another arduous affair she was tired of, but she managed and waddled her way into the sitting room to find Severus blankly stirring his coffee and staring at his beans and toast. Her nose wrinkled and she flicked her wand to use the modified Bubble Head charm they'd come up with to negate her food issues.

"Good morning," she said.

He grunted in acknowledgment, his eyes slowly focusing on her. "I don't know about good, but it's certainly morning."

Ooh, he sounded cross. "Bad night?"

Severus stabbed his spoon into his coffee again. "I've been up for nearly half an hour."

Hermione blinked. "That's late for you. Are you all right?"

"No," he snarled. "I never sleep in. Something must be wrong."

She suppressed a smile. Oh, dear. "Maybe I kept you up and you needed the extra sleep," she suggested. "Or maybe you were having a marvelous dream and didn't want it to end but couldn't recall it."

He shook his head in amusement at her nonsense, lank hair brushing his shoulders. "Perhaps."

Hermione shifted in her seat, pressing a hand to her lower back, and reached for a few toast points. She'd scramble some eggs in a bit, but they both knew that if she didn't have at least a little bread in her stomach, she'd be sick before she could make even a cup of tea.

He caught the movement with narrowed eyes. "Are you in pain?"

"Just my back," she offered.

"Still? I thought it was better after your soak?"

"I probably slept funny, what with two tiny humans growing in me and whatnot."

He hummed thoughtfully, taking a swallow of his brew. "Tell me if it worsens. It could be early labor."

"Or it could be Braxton Hicks," Hermione countered. "I have a few weeks left, after all."

He conceded her point with a nod and set about his breakfast. "There's beans in the kitchen if you want some."

"Thanks."

She had no intention of eating the nasty things. Not until the twins stopped wreaking havoc with her palate.

A squawk from the Prophet's owl startled Hermione as she was just sitting down with her eggs, and she felt a trickle in her knickers. She sighed. Peeing herself was getting old. She was so glad she had bought liners. She never knew day to day when it would occur and drying charms weren't the gentlest.

They both saw the partial headline and made a grab for the paper. Severus snagged it first and tossed both a Knut and a piece of toast at the owl, unrolling the paper eagerly. He moved his chair, pushing himself across the stone floor with one leg so they could both read. MINISTRY REPEALS MARRIAGE LAW AMID MASS PROTESTS

Below was a picture of a triumphant-looking Ron and several recent Hogwarts graduates. Hermione beamed, shoveling eggs into her mouth as she read on.

Severus's blunt finger skimmed across the typeface, his lips moving silently as he also read on, eyes glittering in triumph.

They'd done it. Well, they hadn't done much, but it was done. The Ministry was repealing the law, annulling marriages for any who had wed under its directive, releasing those incarcerated, and pardoning everyone who had mysteriously disappeared to the continent.

The students had certainly banded together, getting in touch with Ron and using every bit of family pull or friendships they had to make quite a showing. They had essentially harassed the Ministry into submission. Endless, relentless witches and wizards with magic and a speedy method of communication had turned into a force that couldn't be caught and wouldn't shut up.

"We won!" Hermione cried. "It's over! No more forced marriages!"

She rose as quickly as she could and flung her arms awkwardly around Severus, kissing his cheek in jubilation.

Severus was quiet, but he turned to kiss her briefly.

Hermione paused, studying him, but he tilted his head so his hair obscured his profile. She rolled her eyes.

"You realise that I'm glad the law existed, right? I wouldn't have you without it."

"Of course," he said stiffly, but she felt the tension leave his shoulders. She decided not to press her luck and stood up, then made a face.

"That's twice this morning," she said, exasperated.

He gave her a curious eyebrow.

"That I've peed myself," she informed him primly. "It's not pleasant."

"Back pain and wetness?" He was on the alert now.

Hermione put her hands on her hips. "Honestly, Severus, it's nothing. Just part of pregnancy. Do you know how much amniotic fluid weighs?"

"Still. Perhaps we should visit St. Mungo's, or the hospital."

"I'm fine!"

She wasn't fine.

In fact, a half-hour later she'd felt the wetness again and gone to change her liner, only to see no tell-tale yellow discoloration. When she'd resignedly lifted it to her nose, it had smelled somewhat sweet.

To his credit, Severus did not say that he had told her so, merely grabbed the bag she'd prepared and brought her shoes, helping her slip into them.

An ice cold lump settled in her gut as they'd walked to the main doors. She wasn't ready. It couldn't be labor. It was too early. First time mothers were usually overdue. She was supposed to have time before delivery. A proper burst of water. Horrid cramps and a tight, hard belly. Not back pain and feeling like she was constantly wetting herself a little.

She took a deep, quaking breath as she turned to enter his arms for their flight to the gates. He met her gaze steadily, and she nodded, tucking her head against his chest and circling his waist with her arms. The tingle of the weightlessness charm swept over her and the overnight bag bumped against her hip as they rose into the air. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"On the way back I'll send a Patronus ahead," he said. "See if Hagrid can't get a carriage for us. I don't fancy flying all four of us back."

Hermione choked out a laugh, burying her face more tightly into the comforting wool of his jacket.

"Thank you."

The wind rushing past them was warm and smelled of flowers and damp earth. Hermione tried to imprint the moment to memory to record later.

"Have you decided where you want to go?" Severus asked as they landed gently.

"The hospital," Hermione said firmly. "It's early. I'd feel better if we could go there because they could monitor what's going on. Your spell may be marvelous, but the Healers would have no idea what they were looking at."

"As you wish."

He grasped her more firmly, and they Disapparated, appearing with a sharp crack in the alleyway they'd been using. Secretly, he was a bit pleased. He didn't want the papers to become distracted from the repeals, and would prefer this time to be private.

Hermione grabbed at her belly. "Ooh, they didn't like that."

"Walk at whatever pace suits you," he advised. "If you need me to carry you, I am here."

"I'm a bit heavier than an industrial cauldron."

"Not by much."

She laughed breathlessly as they headed down the sidewalk towards the hospital, clutching his hand. "I'm terrified."

"I assume that's normal," Severus said. "You will be magnificent."

He wasn't as calm as he sounded, but he didn't want to worry her. A bit early, yes, but she'd chosen the hospital, which he agreed with. They were better equipped to handle anything that would arise. He had a few choice potions in his pocket, reduced and held in stasis, just in case. He was relying heavily on Occlumency to keep his own worries at bay. From what he'd read, Hermione would need him as support. He could not burden her.

It took four hours for them to get a room once they'd confirmed that Hermione's water had partially ruptured. They had less than 24 hours to birth the twins. Hermione's lips had drawn thin and tight but she'd nodded, telling the doctor that she'd be all right with a caesarean if it was necessary, but that she'd prefer to try for a vaginal birth.

Severus had kept quiet, either standing out of the way or sitting on the spousal chair as directed.

Once in their room and the nurse had left them, Hermione sighed and her shoulders drooped.

"Can you help me with the gown? I'm exhausted."

"Of course."

They worked together efficiently to divest her of her clothes and shoes, get the gown in place, and settle her into bed. Now they just had to wait for the doctor to come and break her water fully. Then would come contractions, hopefully. If not, they would attempt medications to induce her. And if that didn't work, well…

Hermione reached over and took his hand. "Talk to me."

He started. "About what?"

"Anything," she said. "Distract me."

"Do you want to adopt a cat?" It was the first thing that came to mind, and she laughed.

"Not right away, but maybe. Why?"

"You used to have one. I assumed you missed it."

"Only a little." Her breath hitched. "Maybe when the twins are older."

"Knock knock," a cheerful voice said, opening the door. A pretty young woman came in holding a clipboard. "Hi there. I'm Doctor Eddins, Doctor Scarpes' partner. We've called her in, but let's see if we can't get things started before she arrives, okay?"

"I'm Hermione, and this is my husband, Severus."

"Nice to meet you." She shook both of their hands, and they got down to business quickly.

In no time, Hermione's gown was pulled up, and Severus was standing by her head as Doctor Eddins ruptured her water. She hated the gush of warm and wet, and noticed the tensing in her back picking up. Monitors were strapped into place, and she was left to sit on her bed with a clean absorbent pad under her.

And wait.

In the end, it took just over six hours from the time they entered their room to the time the first of their children was born. Hermione had called for an epidural when the pain became too much, much to Severus's relief. Seeing her in pain and being unable to help her aside from offering his hand to squeeze was not a comfortable experience for him.

He held one tiny bundle as Hermione held the other. Both babes were sticky and wrapped in a warm blanket and sporting a cap and a wristband, taking turns against her skin. He'd refused to disrobe in front of the staff to put the newborn babe against his skin, but he had cut the cords.

"You were magnificent," Severus said softly. He meant it. She had been.

"I'm just glad I didn't need to be cut open," Hermione muttered sourly.

She sounded as tired as she looked. Her face was pinked, her eyes bloodshot, but she seemed happy, overall.

"And they're here and perfect and there's nothing wrong with them."

"Agreed." Severus bent to brush his lips over her brow. A tiny fist waved from the bundle in her arms, and he smiled softly.

Hermione sighed happily, leaning her head against the door frame. She was exhausted, but in a good way. The past week had gone by in a blur. Witches and wizards had flocked home to Britain, unhappy marriages had been dissolved, and they had stayed the hell out of it. Severus's words, not hers, though she agreed.

The twins were peacefully asleep in their cribs, swaddled in a light muslin blanket under the soft blankets Severus had knit for added warmth in the chill dungeon air. She had fed Rose and Sebastian two hours ago, and her breasts ached, ready for another feeding, but she was loathe to wake them. They were growing well, but the doctor still wanted them to gain a bit more weight.

Severus came behind her, his arms circling her, and she leaned back into him. He was certainly more demonstrative of late, and she wasn't complaining.

She tilted her head back to look up at him. "I love you."

"And I you."

Hermione sighed again, enjoying the moment.

The End