Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything from this story except my plot. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and her associates.

A/N:- Thank you to LadyWinterlight for her beta work on this chapter, and thank you all for your reviews and alerts. I appreciate every one.

Chapter Sixteen – A Very Normal Day

The guest list for Alice's birthday party was a mix of old and new friends, and the afternoon was going along swimmingly. There were four children present, Alice and Scorpius, as well as Lorcan and Lysander Scamander, and this was enough for blind man's bluff and pin the tail on the hippogriff with the assistance of Hermione and Luna.

However, Hermione had sat down now, as Severus had noticed that she'd started to limp, and he'd come over and collected her on the pretext of her spending time with Minerva. She still limped on her restored angle when she'd been running around or walking for too long, but she hated to admit that it still bothered her, even a little bit.

The Gryffindor witch glanced at Luna giving her a quizzical look and she smiled. "I guess I have been neglecting our other guests, but playing with the kids is so much fun," Hermione laughed.

"Yes, you're right," Luna answered, but then turned her dreamy eyes on Kingsley. "But Kingsley will help me keep the kids occupied, won't you?" she asked, walking to him and pulling him by the hand before he'd had a chance to answer. "You go and visit with your other guests," she laughed, already having Kingsley arranged on his hands and knees with Alice and Scorpius riding him around.

Hermione wanted to laugh, but she didn't have the courage to do so in front of Kingsley, so she allowed Severus to lead her over to a lounge. He cast a cooling charm on her ankle and sat beside her, giving Hermione the chance to observe, something she'd been far too busy to do whilst playing with the kids. Hermione was happy that Alice seemed content to stay with the other kids without her, and she turned her eyes to the other three children.

Luna's boys were charming children, and Hermione noticed that Scorpius was better behaved now he had the influence of his grandmother. Several times so far this afternoon Narcissa had expertly cut off the beginnings of one of his tantrums, and it was as she showed this strength of character that something started changing in Hermione's opinion of the formerly haughty witch.

It was very evident that Narcissa loved both her son and grandson very much, and someone who loved their family couldn't be all bad. If you added to all that the fact that Draco now seemed far more settled with his family around him, then Hermione thought that she could tolerate Narcissa. Lucius, on the other hand; that was another story, she wasn't so certain there. She knew that Severus was still in contact with his wayward friend, but Hermione wasn't so sure that Lucius could change.

She took a sip of her drink and turned her eyes back to the laughing couple cavorting on the lawn with the kids. There was a scene that warmed her heart, seeing how well Luna and Kingsley had hit it off. It had been totally unplanned, but they were quickly attaching themselves to one another, and this made Hermione pleasantly surprised. Kingsley was going to become a father in less than three months, and he could use all the female input he could get. He didn't seem to care that the child Abigail Brocklehurst was carrying may not be his; as soon as he'd known that she did not want it he'd stepped in and claimed custody. After all, the other possible father was dead, and Kingsley had been so happy at the prospect of having a child. He'd told Hermione and Severus earlier in the week exactly how happy he was at the prospect of being a father, and that he'd formally made certain that the child would be his regardless of who actually was.

Both Abigail and Ginny were now in Azkaban awaiting trial for among other things high treason, and in Ginny's case coercion, torture and menace as well. Even though Abigail could not be given Veritaserum, Ginny had revealed most of the plan under additional doses of the potion and the case had been sewn up by little James Potter who—distraught after his father's death—revealed many hitherto unknown snippets of information to his Head of House at Hogwarts; his uncle Charlie.

It was the three Potter children whom Hermione felt sorry for, but she realised they were in the best place that they could be; in the loving home of their grandparents, Arthur and Molly. The heads of the Weasley family had remained cheerful and irrepressible according to Minerva, even though they were still suffering terribly from the effects of a war that everyone had thought ended with the demise of the mad wizard at the centre of it.

Hermione exhaled softly. Apparently the war was lingering in many ways that no one had thought of, and Hermione considered how it was probably a bit of a wakeup call for everyone, so they didn't become complacent. She felt sorry for the brave Weasley family, but she found she just could not open her heart enough to contact them and offer actual support. What had happened to her—even though Hogwarts had hidden things well—was still too painful for her; she needed time before she could even contemplate such a thing. No doubt she would meet them again one day, but at present she found herself utterly content in her situation and with no urge to include anyone else in it.

She glanced at Luna; they had now flopped down on the lawn after organising ice creams for all the children, and Alice looked so content that it made Hermione want to cry with happiness. She slipped her hand into Severus', and rested her head on his shoulder. He glanced at her and squeezed their joined hands before returning to his conversation with Draco.

She looked around herself again and noticed that the afternoon was slipping away very quickly. She glanced at the children and found Alice and Scorpius were starting to look very tired.

"I think we better cut the cake soon," she whispered to Severus. "The little ones are starting to flag."

"Mmm," Severus replied, close to her ear. "And it's getting late."

"It's been a very enjoyable afternoon," Hermione sighed, smiling.

"It certainly has," Draco added. "It's good to see Mother able to return to England for an event; I think she's missed coming home terribly."

Hermione watched Severus getting up, as she answered, "Surely now she could come home if she wanted to?" and she started to get up to help to.

"No, love, you rest that ankle," Severus told her. "I'll organise the cake with Shotsie and I'll come and get you when it's ready."

Draco sighed. "Father's the problem, I think he's," and he leaned in closer to Hermione, "embarrassed that he was played so well."

"Oh," Hermione replied. Now, there was something she'd never even considered, that Lucius Malfoy would feel like a fool for believing in Tom Riddle, but then her eyes narrowed. "Does he still hold the same opinions as he did when we were children?" she asked.

"I do not believe so," Draco replied, standing—as custom dictated—as his mother came over to sit in Severus' vacated seat.

To Hermione's surprise, Narcissa reached forward and gently squeezed her forearm. "Thank you so much for including me on your guest list, Madam Snape. I appreciate you being so magnanimous."

Hermione nodded, "Please, I'm Hermione, and it was no trouble," she replied, even though she had thought long and hard about it before agreeing to include Narcissa along with Draco and Scorpius.

A genuine smile lit Narcissa's face. "Narcissa, please," she insisted, and then offered what Hermione had been dreading. "You, Severus and Alice must come and stay with us in France soon."

Hermione may have been dreading it, but she did have a ready reply. "Thank you, perhaps we'll discuss that possibility in the future," she stated, thinking that she may have heard something about Lucius that had just made her feel a little differently, but it was not going to be that easy to overlook what he'd done during the war. "We could start small, and perhaps meet at a restaurant for lunch one day?" the Gryffindor witch conceded

"That's an excellent idea," Draco put in, knowing that Hermione wouldn't be comfortable staying with them just yet. "We'll organise a hotel for the three of you for a weekend soon."

"Actually," Hermione said, smiling as Severus came back towards them carrying an exhausted looking Alice. "We've yet to decide on a honeymoon trip. We've been waiting for the summer holidays, when Minerva has agreed to come and stay with Alice while we take some time away. Perhaps we could stop by in France," and she held her hand out to Severus. "France was one of the stops that we'd tentatively planned for when we get away, wasn't it, Severus?"

"Yes, indeed," Severus replied, he'd been watching as Narcissa had tried to press Hermione into coming to visit them, and he'd been thankful that Draco had stepped in. Hermione was not ready to stay in a house that was owned and occupied by Lucius yet, but she would come to see that he was a changed character, He handed Alice down to her as the little girl held out her arms to her mother, and then helped Hermione to stand. He then turned to their guests. "The cake is ready, if everyone will gather around."

The very beautiful unicorn-inspired cake was set up on the patio on a small table, and Severus lit the three candles.

"Are you going to blow your candles out, sweetie?" Hermione asked the tired Alice.

"No, Mummy, no," she suddenly sobbed. "I too tired," she cried, burying her head in Hermione's shoulder.

Of course, Alice crying started Scorpius and soon were they were both howling loudly.

Luna cackled. "Oh dear, I think we've worn them out, sorry," she said, glancing up at Kingsley.

Minerva, stepped up and tried to coax Alice into blowing out the candles, but the little girl simply kept crying and clung to her mother. "No, Nanny Nerva," she cried.

Narcissa looked at the distraught Hermione trying to comfort her daughter, and she said gently, "Offer to help her blow them out, that what worked for both Draco and Scorpius' third birthday."

"Mother!" Draco gasped, as he tried desperately to soothe his upset son.

"Oh, hush, Dray," she responded. "You know I don't mean to embarrass you, you couldn't help being three, dear."

However, her suggestion worked. Hermione coaxed Alice by saying that if she was tired that maybe Daddy and Mummy could help her blow out her candles.

"Otay, Mummy," Alice answered with a huge sniff, as she grabbed at Severus with snotty fingers.

Minerva took the opportunity of her lifting her head from Hermione's shoulder to clean the little girl up. "There, Poppet," she cooed, wiping her with a flannel that she'd conjured and wet with warm water.

So the candles were finally blown out, and while the adults and older children enjoyed cake and cool drinks, Alice and Scorpius were now both sound asleep in their fathers' laps. The party had officially wound down but everyone kept talking and relaxing, it had been a lovely afternoon.

Kingsley—who seemed to have a new vigour in his demeanour—along with Luna, with the assistance of Molly the enthusiastic terrier, were playing 'I spy' with Lorcan and Lysander on the lawn under the spreading oak.

"It's so good to see Kingsley relaxing," Severus murmured close to Hermione's ear as he sat with his sleeping daughter on his lap and his arm around Hermione while they relaxed in the shade of the patio after the cake cutting.

She looked around and smiled. "Yes, he deserves it too."

"He certainly does," Severus replied, and then nodded towards Argus laughing with Poppy Pomfrey. "Have you noticed that?" he inquired.

"Oh," Hermione gasped. "You don't think…" but then her words morphed into thoughts, and her eyes wandered to the next small group who appeared to be equally relaxed.

Narcissa had gone back to talking with Xenophilius after the cake cutting. The Lovegood patriarch did not look well, and Luna had not been specific about what his problem was. However, he was happily sitting in the shade conversing with Narcissa and Minerva.

Draco—who was sitting with Hermione and Severus—was also watching them and confided that the Lovegoods and the Blacks were related, and then he leant in closer and said, "There is even a distant link to the Filchs on mother's side, but she'd never admit that."

Hermione glanced again at Argus sitting off to the side with Poppy beside him and Mrs Norris under his chair. He was smiling as he talked to Poppy and they were both laughing at the antics of his new dog being boisterous with the children, but then her eyes panned back to Argus and Poppy. Wow, I wonder what is going on there? she thought to herself. Perhaps they're just friends. She reached for Severus' hand where it sat next to her on the two seater lounge, her eyes dipping down to their beautiful little girl sleeping peacefully after having a very normal birthday party with children who Hermione hoped would grow to be her friends as she got older.

Then her eyes returned to the yapping little dog as Mrs Norris' jealousy bubbled over into hissing and swiping at the terrier, and she remembered Severus testing the small mutt much in the same way that he'd tested both her and Alice that day earlier in the week when he'd come back from the ministry. At first they'd thought it too much of a coincidence that a small terrier turned up on their doorstep right when things were wrapping up with all Ginny and Harry's nastiness. Ron's patronus had been a terrier while they'd been at school, and even though Hermione was uncertain that was a reason because Ron was male and the dog was female, it was suspicious to them.

Mind you, she supposed after what had happened they were all on high alert, but Severus' exhaustive testing of the dog had proven that the pleasant little animal was just a dog and not a magical creature in disguise, and she had been allowed to stay.

Hermione sighed happily, and snuggled further into Severus' side. She found that she couldn't have been happier as they sat there relaxing with their friends and family.

xox

As day faded into twilight, people started leaving the party. The Lovegoods had gone first, but Luna left with a promise to come back on Wednesday for coffee. Kingsley had followed Luna and her family out; Hermione had watched them all leaving together and she hoped that it meant something good. The Malfoys were next to leave and, thankfully, Narcissa didn't seem too miffed that Hermione had only agreed to consider her offer of a return visit.

Poppy and Argus actually disappeared after most of the others were gone, and since his gate house was dark, Hermione suspected that they'd gone to Hogwarts, but good on them if they'd found something to hang on to.

Once it was only Minerva, Severus and her, Hermione had picked Alice up off Severus' lap and left them to talk while she put Alice to bed. It was true that her ankle was quite sore, and Severus had asked her if she was all right to do it, but she'd simply kissed him and pointed with her eyes to Minerva.

"I'll be fine, you speak with Minerva," she told him.

He'd given her one of those lovely half smiles that simply curdled her insides and allowed her to go.

Cuddling Alice tightly, Hermione started into the house and up the stairs. Gods she loved that man, he was her perfect match she thought, and she grinned to herself as she walked.

About halfway up the stairs Alice began to stir, and Hermione shushed her gently. "You've had a busy day by lovely girl," she whispered. "Sleep, darling, shhh."

"Mummy," Alice's sleepy voice murmured.

"Yes, my darling," Hermione answered.

"I loves you, Mummy," the little girl declared.

Hermione's grin grew. "I love you too, Alice. Let's get you to bed."

Alice yawned. "Yes, I tired, Mummy."

"I know, sweetheart," and as she said it she realised that she was just as tired as her daughter, but Hermione carefully changed Alice out of her party clothes and used a warm flannel to make her more comfortable before she used a spell to freshen her further and clean her teeth. Then putting her into her pyjamas and tucking her into bed, she picked her favourite story to read her. The little dark-haired girl was soon fast asleep again, and Hermione set all their usual night-time spells around her room and she decided to freshen up too before heading back down.

She slipped into their bedroom and took herself into the bathroom. She'd been only planning on splashing some water on her face and tidying her hair a bit, but after going to the toilet she decided that maybe washing the heat of the day off might be nice. She expected that Minerva and Severus were well into the subject Severus wished to discuss and that it would not be a short conversation. So she stripped off and stepped into the shower.

The warm water cascading over her was lovely, and she picked up the soap and happily washed away the sweat and dirt from the day. It had been a hot day for spring, but then it was almost summer, so she guessed that was to be expected. As she thought that she took a moment to be very satisfied with the successful party they'd just hosted. Their Alice was three.

Turning the water off, Hermione stepped out and grabbed her towel. Life was a wonderful surprise sometimes, she considered as she dried herself. Who would have thought just last year her and Alice were virtual prisoners at Hogwarts, and that moving here and getting to know an incredible man called Severus Snape would have freed them and made them into a family?

She was really looking forward to having some time away with Severus, but she was going to miss Alice terribly, and she was really wishing that they could take Alice with them. She smiled at her thought, but they did deserve at least a few days on their own she supposed, and her smile increased thinking about her husband's current sexual appetite. That was something she really was looking forward to; being able to spend all day lazing with Severus.

A slight blush spread over her as she thought about their current plan to make certain she fell pregnant, and she touched her stomach as she glanced at the bed. She really loved the time they spent alone in that bed, and a pulse started at the juncture of her thighs as she thought about it.

She also realised something else too, her period had been due last Friday and had not arrived yet, but she hurried back down stairs before she gave in to the urge to check if she was pregnant. She slid in next to Severus, who was still deep in conversation with Minerva but welcomed her nevertheless with an arm around her and a kiss on the temple. Swinging her legs up onto the seat she cuddled up to him and listened as they spoke. It appeared that they'd moved on from the headmaster topic and were now simply reminiscing.

"…I couldn't believe it," Minerva was saying. "He was just hanging there in mid-air with a stupid look on his face. Then your next spell hit him and he started tumbling," and she started laughing. "Over, and over, and over," and she added the hand movements. "Then he screamed like a banshee, and 'bang'," and she clapped her hands together, "he hit the wall and slid down, out cold, his bloody perfect hair sticking out all over the place," and neither of them could resist the peals of laughter that came from within them.

They laughed until they cried, and Hermione wondered who they'd been talking about until Severus managed to overcome his mirth explain. "After I whipped his satin-clad derriere in The Great Hall, that idiot Gilderoy Lockheart challenged me in the teacher's lounge once all students were in bed." He cackled a few more times, and then told her, "I'd been holding back in front of the students, but I had no compulsion to do so once he'd told me that I'd 'besmirched his reputation'," he mimicked in a dandy voice.

"Yes," Minerva cackled, wheezing slightly after laughing so long. "It was hilarious." Then she recovered her composure. "Did our girl go back to sleep all right once she was in her bed?"

"Yes, but I couldn't resist having a quick shower," Hermione admitted.

"Ah," Severus said, inhaling deeply. "I thought you smelled even nicer than you did before," and he buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.

Minerva took that as her cue to leave, and she smiled at the pair of them. "Well, I believe it might be time for me to head back to Hogwarts." As she got up she said, "I'm glad we've got that sorted, finally." She grinned at them both. "In five years' time I can sit back and simply enjoy being a grandmother while you two do all the work."

Hermione levered herself up to bid Minerva goodbye, and Severus rose behind her as Hermione hugged her mother.

Minerva hugged her back and then squeezed Severus' arm affectionately. "Let me know what day you wish to leave on your honeymoon and Poppy and I will be here to care for Alice."

"And Argus, it appears," Severus chuckled.

"Mmm," said Minerva. "I'm not so sure about that," and she glanced towards the still darkened gatehouse, her thoughts hidden.

Changing the subject, Severus suggested, "Perhaps we can have Sunday lunch next week and we can tell you all about it if you have time."

"Yes," Hermione agreed. "That's an excellent idea."

Minerva smiled. "Very well, I'll make time, regardless of the end of year events. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it. May I use the Floo, please?"

"Certainly," Severus said, grabbing Hermione around the waist with one arm and pulling her possessively against him while gesturing inside with the other.

xox

They watched Minerva disappear into the Floo, and as soon as she was gone Severus' hands left their perch on Hermione's waist and moved up to cup her breasts as he nuzzled her ear. "You smell divine," and he kissed her neck as he massaged her breasts through her top.

She tilted her head to the side to allow him better access and she pushed back against him.

"Are you hungry, love?" he asked.

"Not for food," she replied in a breathy voice.

"Excellent," he said, smiling against her neck, and as he apparated them upstairs, she heard the house locking itself as they landed in their bedroom.

It wasn't until she felt his hands on her that she realised that somewhere during their apparition he'd stripped her.

"Severus!" she gasped.

"Yes, my love?" he asked innocently, his hands already skimming over her stomach as he watched their progress in the mirror on the wardrobe. He ran this hand over her still flat stomach. "I cannot wait to see you swollen with my child," he whispered.

Hermione smiled at him, her hands coming to rest over his. "Then should we see if we've been successful yet, because my period is a week overdue."

"I know," Severus responded, kissing her neck as their eyes met in the mirror. He whispered the spell, and they both saw the blue glow like a halo around her stomach.

Neither of them could speak, they simply watched until it faded.

Finally, Hermione spluttered, "Oh, Severus." Tears filled her eyes and she laughed softly as she found herself swiftly being picked up and placed on their bed.

"No wonder today wore you out so, my witch," he said, finally seeming able to speak as he climbed on the bed after her and covered her with his body, his legs straddling her thighs.

"I'm fine," she assured him, winding her arms around his neck to pull him closer for a kiss. "Perfect, actually," she whispered against his lips. "We've made a brother for Alice," she added before his lips descended on hers, and she became lost in them.

Of course, their kiss quickly turned heated, but Severus abruptly pulled back when her hands started pulling his very ready member from his trousers. He gasped. "What if it hurts the baby?"

Hermione looked at him like he'd grown an extra head. "Severus, we've been going at it like rabbits for three weeks, our son was already there for some of that time and he's been fine."

Severus looked sceptical. "Nevertheless, I wish to be sure. We will visit Poppy tomorrow, and we will just cuddle tonight."

"Severus," she said in exasperation, even though she was very touched by his concern.

He gave her that imperial eyebrow; somehow it didn't have the same effect while his trousers were open and his erection was jutting out, but she didn't dare laugh, she just nodded and resigned herself to a sexless night.

Once he was laying on his back on his side of the bed, Hermione snuggled up to him and kissed his pectoral muscle. "I love you," she told him.

He returned the gesture to her head. "And I you," he replied.

Hermione sighed, and despite wanting him so badly that she ached, she slipped into slumber, proving that she really had been exhausted.

Severus, however, spent a torturous night with little sleep. But they were going to have a son and making certain that everything was all right before they engaged in their usual passion was worth his uncomfortable aching erection.