A/N: I thought this story was gonna be light but I have a certain vision for this story and I just had to follow through with it.

—

Severus Snape was a fool.

A complete and utter fool.

But he never imagined that he would be in this situation. Hermione has miscarried. He never even knew that she was pregnant. He never even considered the possibility. Sure, he knew that it was possible. They shagged like rabbits whenever the chance presented itself and to top it off, a lot of those times had been without taking any precautions. But he never even thought about Hermione getting pregnant. Or fatherhood for that matter. Until recently he never would have even dreamed of having a healthy, loving relationship and now this. When the Healer gave them the news he was stunned. To gain and lose something all in the span of a few seconds. He was frozen. Unsure of his own feelings and sensitive to the fact that Hermione's life has changed. When she looked to him for comfort he was still in a state of shock.

He realized now that she must have taken it as a rejection. Damn it! Why didn't he react sooner? And now she was disappointed in him. He chased her down, shouting her name, uncaring of the scene he was making. But she had disapparated without a word; or even a glance in his direction. He prayed that she didn't splinch herself. He wanted to apparate immediately but instead he collected the information from the Healer as well as those pamphlets. The shock was starting to wear off and a cold, sort of sadness was building up inside him, but he was determined to speak with Hermione. However when he reached the manor, Lola informed him that Hermione was gone. And when he entered their bedroom and saw that she had packed up some clothes he knew that he had totally messed up. It was with this that the hardened potions master finally broke. With a heavy sigh, he sank down onto the bed and cried.

Shortly thereafter, Lola returned, boxes of tissues in hand. "Here you are Master Snape sir. Lola is not sure what is wrong with Mistress but Lola is knowing where she is."

"You do? Tell me, please. I need-I need to apologize to her. I need to bring her home and tell her that no matter what I still love her," Severus said, his voice soft.

"Mistress said something about moving back in with the boys," Lola answered dutifully. "Is Miss Hermione gonna be alright? Lola is wondering what happened…"

Severus sighed, wiping at his tears and shook his head. "We….we lost our baby Lola. A baby neither of us knew existed, but I didn't react the right way. Or rather, I didn't react at all. I think she would've had more patience if I had shown my emotions. Instead I instantly Occluded, putting up my mental walls and tried desperately not to show the feelings I felt. I didn't want to appear vulnerable, but I think that's exactly what Hermione wanted to see."

Much to his surprise the small elf hugged him, and he handed her the box of tissues, seeing that she was crying also. "Lola is devastated, Master. You have to get Miss Hermione back! This is a time for family. You need each other to heal."

—-

"I've brought tea," A soft voice came from outside the guest bedroom door. She heard it open and the slightest rattle of china as he entered.

Hermione barely looked up from her fetal position on the bed. "Just leave it on the nightstand, Harry," she directed, sniffling.

"It's Draco actually," the blonde wizard corrected and much to her surprise she felt his weight get added to the bed. She tensed and he sighed and then there was silence. Much to Hermione's surprise he didn't leave. Finally, when she was about to dismiss him, he spoke, "I know we don't have the best history, but I'd like to think in the years that have passed we've built up a sort of acquaintance….?" He began softly. "Harry, well, he told me what happened. I can only imagine how painful this loss is for you. Did you know, my mother has had three miscarriages?"

At this Hermione turned to him, eyes puffy and red, but mostly dry. "She did?"

"Yes," he answered with a nod. "Twice before I was born and then again during my second year at Hogwarts. My mother was so….excited. She was further along than she'd ever been since the first two so she thought there was relatively nothing to worry about. And then she came in for her second checkup and they couldn't get a heartbeat that time." He paused, considering the delicacy of the situation, knowing Hermione's pain was fresh and not wanting to hurt her further. "Needless to say she was devastated. One time, I caught her sobbing as she held onto a baby pink onesie. For a while I thought she would never recover. But then, gradually, she was becoming more of her old self. Years later I asked how she recovered and do you know what she said?"

"What?" She asked, obviously eager. She had a new respect for Mrs. Malfoy. She couldn't imagine enduring this not only once but three times. Narcissa must be a formidable woman indeed. For Hermione, the gaping hole in her heart felt raw and like it would never be healed. Hermione was afraid that she hadn't lost the baby only, but Severus as well. It was like two deaths. "What did she say?"

Draco looked her squarely in the eyes, "Time. And my father. She said she didn't think she could have dealt with it all alone."

Hermione tensed again, a frown on her face. "Draco, why are you bothering to tell me all of this?"

"Because I care about you, Hermione and Uncle Severus. I don't know what he did or didn't do, but I challenge you to give him a chance to explain himself. I can tell that you love each other and you're going to need that to get through this. Please, just think about it." Malfoy implored. He waited for a response but when she said nothing he simply leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "Enjoy your tea." He added, standing up and exiting the bedroom.