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 39

4 Months Later…

Life had been going well for Hermione, Severus, and those around them. The brunette was now four and a half, almost five months pregnant, and her stomach was already showing. She loved the look of her growing stomach, letting her know the baby was growing as well. Severus would rub her stomach while lying in bed most nights, and it made her excited for when the little one finally arrived. She noticed that her feet and ankles were beginning to swell a little, and her legs having a mild ache, but her mother had told her it was normal to experience. Still, if it meant things were going the way they needed with the baby, then she would endure it all, and love every minute of it.

Severus was working at St. Mungo's Potions lab, and he seemed to enjoy his work. To his wife, he seemed more relaxed, letting her know he wasn't stressed like he had been when working at Hogwarts. Not only that, but because of his skillset and ability to improve potions with desired results, he was highly praised by the other potioneers and Healers. Severus had told her he didn't need the praise, but she could tell that he liked his job being rewarding.

Life for them wasn't the only thing that happened well. Draco had had his wedding to Astoria, the news of the newly wed Malfoys all over the Daily Prophet, though Hermione and Severus were in attendance. And a week following, Daphne went into labor and gave birth to hers and Harry's baby boy. The newborn was absolutely precious, and looked just like his mother, though Daphne was positive his features would turn into those of his father as he got older; Harry just hoped he didn't have his unruly hair. Harry and Daphne named their child Finley Duncan Potter, and he had light brown hair (which was sure to darken over time) and green eyes, just like Harry's. As for Luna and Rabastan, they were happy to announce that they were expecting as well. Because Rabastan was a twin, Luna was positive they were bound to have twins as well. Hermione didn't think she could base it off that, but Luna seemed positive, and Rabastan agreed as well.

Within the past four months, Ron had still yet to be captured. However, there had been plenty of sightings of him all over Wizarding Britain. Along with those sightings, there had been two near captures of him. But alas, the redhaired wizard had been able to get away. The Aurors not being able to catch him aggravated Severus, but Harry would insist that they were close to getting him; they just needed to give them time. Hermione knew her husband had wanted to retort to that, but he had restrained himself and simply walked away. Like Severus, she too was annoyed that catching Ron was taking too long as far as she was concerned, but she supposed it was only a matter of time before he was caught.

All in all, life was good for everyone, and everyone was looking forward to the future, whatever it may bring.

Hermione laid back on the hospital bed as Healer Durdridge waved her wand over her and her stomach, checking up on her and the baby. It was the day of her checkup, and Healer Durdridge wanted to make sure everything was progressing the way it should with no hiccups now that she was in her second trimester. She waited patiently for her to stop waving her wand, and once she did, she sat up while her Healer looked over her diagnostic.

"Well? How does everything look?" Hermione asked.

Healer Durdridge looked up from the brunette's diagnostic and replied with a smile, "Everything is looking good so far. The fetus is healthy, and the pregnancy is progressing nicely. However, I must tell you that your magic may begin to act up soon if it hasn't already."

Hermione frowned in confusion asking, "What do you mean?"

"In most cases, many pregnant witches have experienced changes in their magic where their magic suddenly becomes unstable; they aren't able to control it like they usually can. This is due to most of the witch's magic going towards the fetus, protecting it as well as providing magical nutrients. Not all witch's experience this, but most of them do."

"Is there any discovery as to why?"

"Some researchers and Healers believe the less magical mishaps a witch experiences during pregnancy, the weaker or more normal the fetus will be magically. The more however, the more likely that the fetus will have great power in their own magic once they are old enough to use it and harness it. One case in particular is Lily Potter. You are friends with her son, Harry, and he is a very powerful wizard for him to be so young. She had many mishaps in correlation to her magic. I wasn't a full Healer at the time, but I remember her quite well. But as I said, your magic may begin acting up, Lady Prince. But do not worry, for it is completely normal if it does, so there isn't anything to worry about. The only thing I would advise right now concerning it is no strenuous magical activity, especially when you enter the third trimester."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "I see. Thank you for telling me, Healer Durdridge. And thank you for looking me over for my checkup."

Waving her hand, Durdridge replied, "It's no trouble, Lady Prince. And since we are done here, you can leave now. I'll see you again in a month's time."

The two women bid each other 'goodbye' before Hermione left the hospital room, going to leave St. Mungo's and head home. As she went to leave, she stopped and looked down a corridor that led to the St. Mungo's Potions lab. Severus was in there currently working, but he also knew she would be there for her checkup. Deciding to pay her husband a visit, she turned down that corridor and walked to the Potions lab, entering it as she came upon the door.

Brown eyes looked around the lab for a moment, the lab filled with bubbling cauldrons and phials ready to be filled or already filled, shelves lined with completed potions with labels underneath them, as well as shelves and tables of different potion ingredients. It certain was a sight to behold and every potion lover's dream. She continued looking around until her eyes finally fell on her husband. Severus was standing at a table over a cauldron, busy brewing with a look of pure concentration on his handsome face. His long hair was pulled back in a ponytail, his face no longer hidden from view as he worked. Merlin, that man certainly was hot when he was in his element.

She was just about to walk over to him when another potioneer, a witch, walked over to her husband. It seemed like she was consulting with Severus about a potion, as she had a notebook in her hand and pointing and looking over the notes written. However, as Severus looked over the notes, Hermione saw the witch's eyes not looking at the notes with him, but rather lingering on him. And whatever Severus said in response to her question, the witch smiled much to brightly for Hermione's liking, and she even batted her lashes, putting on a look of concealed, lustful desire on her face. Severus may not realize it, but she certainly did: that woman was flirting with her husband.

Narrowing her eyes, Hermione walked over to Severus's worktable, clearing her throat as she approached to make her presence known. Severus and the witch both looked up at her, the witch's eyes growing wide as the brunette stopped before them. Severus looked at his wife, taking in her annoyed expression and greeted, "Hello Hermione."

"Hello Severus," Hermione replied, though her eyes were staring intently at the witch next to him. Raising an eyebrow, she looked her over once before addressing her saying much too calmly, "You can leave now. He's married and not interested, and I can be very vindictive to those that cross me."

Whatever it was the witch saw in her eyes, it made her quickly scurry away, an apology on her lips and her face red with embarrassment. As soon as the potioneer was gone, Severus chuckled and stood up, walking to Hermione's side, and said, "You know I would never cheat on you. Our vows wouldn't allow it, and I only love and want you. Though, I do like seeing you jealous."

Hermione smiled in response saying, "I know, but I thought I'd let her know you're mine anyway. And I wasn't jealous, I was simply telling her you were taken."

Severus chuckled once more and gave the brunette a sweet kiss on the cheek. Pulling away he asked, "How did the checkup go?"

"It went well, everything is normal. Healer Durdridge says that there is nothing to worry about right now. Though, she did tell me to start expecting my magic to begin acting funny because of it going o protect and baby and such."

"Yes, I've heard of tales of witch's having strange experiences with their magic, or lack thereof sometimes."

Hermione nodded before looking at the cauldron Severus was working on. It looked like it was done, or at least mostly. Thinking her husband needed a break from all his brewing so far, she suggested they go have lunch together; only if he could, of course. Agreeing, Severus waved his wand over his cauldron, putting it in a state of stasis before he and his wife left the Potions lab and St. Mungo's altogether hand in hand.

The Snapes had ended up going to the Leaky Cauldron and were having a nice lunch together. They had ordered a large order of bangers and mash, the two of them eating off the same large plate and had ordered a Butterbeer for Hermione and tea for Severus. As they ate, the couple conversed about a bit of everything—the Potters and their baby, Draco and him being a husband, the latest party Narcissa had thrown, the Grangers and their life in Australia, etc.—including their baby. They talked about shopping for the baby, putting in some Muggle influence on their child since they both grew up in the Muggle World, as well as who the baby would probably look at. This then led into a discussion of what gender the baby would be.

Taking a sip of his tea, Severus asked, "What would you like to have? A son or a daughter?"

Hermione chewed her bite of banger and swallowed it before answering, "I honestly don't care either way. It doesn't matter to me whether the baby is a boy or a girl. So long as the baby is healthy, I don't care what gender it is."

Nodding in understanding, Severus replied, "I feel the same way. So long as the child is healthy, I'll welcome whatever gender the baby will be."

The brunette smiled at her husband. "Thanks, Severus. But since you asked me, what about you? Would you prefer a son or a daughter?"

"Well, like I said, so long as the baby is healthy it doesn't matter. But if I had to make a choice…I'd want to have a daughter."

Hermione couldn't help but smile in response to Severus's words. It was honestly so sweet and cute that he would want to have a baby girl. In her head, she could already see him holding and doting on a baby girl that was the perfect mix of both of them. As she thought of this, she couldn't help but think about the day when she and Severus became parents for real, the day when their baby would enter the world and it was game on after that. Her smile fading as she thought of that, she said, "I'm scared, Severus. I'm scared that I'll mess up as a parent or end up being a terrible mother. What if I mess up royally in some way? I'm so excited for this and looking forward to it. But what if it all goes downhill?"

Severus reached across the table and took a gentle hold of her hand, holding it tightly and reassuringly. "I have these same thoughts every day, but I don't let them frighten me. The reason I don't do that is because I know that whatever challenges arise in raising our child, we will get through it then and we'll do our best. Our child will be loved above all else and know that we care and are doing our very best."

The brunette was silent for a moment before she smiled lovingly at the wizard across from her. Her husband's words touched her greatly and his honest, heartfelt response to her questions made her love him all the more than she already did. Lifting their joined hands, she gave his a sweet kiss and smiled at him, Severus returning the smile, his smile sweet and love-filled.

Before they knew it, lunch was over, and it was time for Severus to return to St. Mungo's. They left the Leaky Cauldron, leaving money on the table to pay for their meal, then went their separate ways, but not before Severus gave his wife a kiss. Hermione smiled as he Disapparated in front of her before turning on the spot and doing the same back to Prince Manor.

The next day, Hermione sat at the desk in the Prince Lady's personal office, writing on a piece of parchment. She had received a letter from her old friend Viktor Krum in the late afternoon of the previous day, but only now had a chance to reply. Severus was at the Ministry at the moment, having been summoned by Kingsley and the representatives of the Bloodline Restoration Act, so it was the perfect time to tend to her letter. It wasn't just Severus, though. Harry and Rabastan had been summoned as well, since the three of them were all Heads of their families. She had no idea what they wanted with them, but she just hoped it didn't require making any more unnecessary demands on their part.

In his letter, Viktor had congratulated her on her marriage to Severus, though expressed his shock that she had married her old professor. However, he did have much respect for the older wizard from his time at Hogwarts during the Tri-Wizard Tournament—she didn't even know he had spoken any with Severus during that time; then again, Viktor didn't talk much at all—and stated that he knew she would take good care of her. He had also congratulated her on her pregnancy, saying her beauty was sure to be enhanced with her pregnancy glow, and that she was bound to have a little girl that was just as beautiful as her mother. That made Hermione think the Bulgarian possibly still held a torch for her. That, or he was just being a nice, complimenting friend. To end his letter, Viktor wished her happiness and that she and Severus have a long, happy marriage and lives together.

Hermione finished penning her reply and had folded the letter, placing it in an envelope, then writing the addressee on the front. Once that was done, she handed it off to Viktor's awaiting owl, as the owl decided to stay and rest from its long flight from the day before. She gave the owl an owl treat before opening the window and watching it fly off to deliver her letter to its owner. No sooner had Viktor's owl left did another owl come into view, flying into her office, and dropping an envelope before leaving just as abruptly.

Picking up the envelope, Hermione frowned at seeing that there was no writing on it, not at all letting her know who it was from or who to, though it was obvious it was to her. Perplexed, she frowned further and opened the envelope, taking out the folded piece of parchment inside and opening the letter to read. However, her blood ran cold due to recognizing the penmanship on the parchment, penmanship that she had known for years at Hogwarts. This letter, it was from Ron.

Hermione,

Let me first start off by saying congratulations. It seems the news of your pregnancy by the Dungeon Bat has been going around, and I finally know about it. Again, congratulations. However, this is the final straw. You have betrayed me for the last time by having that wicked Death Eater's evil spawn, and you will pay for it.

I am currently in Australia with some very precious cargo of yours. And let us just say, the extra cargo can be easily gotten rid of. If you want to save your parents, then I suggest you do as I say in this letter. Come to me here in Australia and come alone. Do not alert anyone of this letter or that I've contacted you, or there will be dire consequences.

I expect to see you soon. And remember, come alone, or else.

Ron

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will stay tuned for the next one to come. Also, let the games begin. Love, SehunsBae37.