Severus watched in delight as his witch started to fill out over the next month. He'd finally managed to outpace the curse. Even Hermione was cautiously optimistic about her progress.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked. Hermione turned to see him standing at the doors to her bedroom balcony. "I'm sorry to intrude, I knocked but…"

The witch waved away his concern and bade him sit. "Have I told you lately how brilliant you are?" she asked.

The potions master smiled as he took his seat. "Yes, but how did I earn this distinction today?" he asked

"I walked out here by myself," she said proudly. He'd noticed that the wheelchair was by the door as he came out. "I know it's not much, but it's more than I've been able to do in a while. I've been practicing. I can get a little farther each day. That's all because of you," she concluded.

Severus chuckled, "You're doing the hard part, Miss Granger, I only putter around in my lab."

Hermione laughed. "You're too modest, Professor," she said reaching over and placing her hand on his. Realizing the intimacy of the gesture, she pulled her hand away and whispered a quick, "Sorry."

Severus stared at his hand amazed by her voluntary caress. "It's quite alright, Miss Granger," he replied softly.

The witch turned back to look over the gardens. "It's lovely out here," she said after a few minutes of awkward silence.

"I'm glad you like it," the wizard responded. "It occurs to me that I never took you to see the gardens. I could take you down," he offered.

Hermione shook her head. "No, this is enough for now. I'm saving it as a reward," she said.

"A reward for what," the wizard asked, curious.

"For when I can make it downstairs on my own," she said, determination in her eyes.

Severus's heart swelled at seeing his bright angel regain a bit of her shine.

*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*

Severus didn't know where he was, but it was dark, so very dark.

"Help!" a shrill cry broke the silence followed by a scream.

Recognizing the voice he sprinted in the direction the cries had come from.

"Hermione!" he called out to her.

"Severus! Please, please help me!" she cried back.

After running what felt like hours, he could finally see her laying on a bed. As he approached he watched as the weight, she so recently gained, start to recede. "Help me!" she screamed again reaching out for the wizard. The potions master took her into his arms. "Please help me, Severus!" she pleaded.

"What's happening?" he asked her, struggling to stay calm, desperate to help. He could feel her getting lighter in his arms.

"Severus! Please!" she screamed. Her skin became chalky and began to flake away.

"Hermione, what happened?" he asked again frantically.

"You have to help me," she sobbed. "Please!"

"I don't know what to do," he confessed. "Please, tell me what to do."

It was no use, she could only scream as her body broke apart in his arms and crumbled into a pile of dust.

*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*

Severus sat up, gasping for breath. He looked around frantically only to find that he was back in his bedroom.

It was a dream, he thought as he caught his breath. Hermione was fine. He didn't lose her. Still, he wanted to check, just to make sure.

He pulled on his dressing gown and padded down the hall. He slipped through her quarters and into her bedroom. She lay on her bed where he'd left her earlier in the day when she fell into one of her unnatural sleeps. She had left her drapes open so now her body was bathed in moonlight. She was radiant, a goddess, his angel.

He stepped closer. He knew he wouldn't wake her. He expected her to sleep for another ten to twelve hours. He reached out a hand and swept her hair away from her face. He cupped her cheek, just to make sure she was real. Her skin with soft and warm on his hand. He let out a sigh of relief.

He sat down next her on the bed. She had touched him a few days ago. Voluntarily she had initiated contact. He'd been waiting for her, being so patient with her, and he was glad she was starting to accept him. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. He hovered his face over hers for a moment before he dipped his head again and kissed her lips.

They were as soft and supple as he'd imagined. He'd waited so long for her. The wizard deepened his kiss, moaning when her jaw fell slack, and he was able to enter her. His tongue gently caressed hers, she tasted sweet. He used his free hand to slide down the side of her body, feeling her curves. She wasn't breakable now.

After indulging a few more moments, Severus pulled back. He rose from the bed and looked upon her again. She was still his angel. Although now her lips were bruised and swollen from his kisses. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before turning and making his way back to his own room.

*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*

Snape walked into his kitchen to grab their breakfast and instead found Hermione at the counter. How did she get down here? He thought as Molly Weasley emerged from the pantry with an armful of goods.

"Oh, Severus, dear. I hope you don't mind that I stopped by a day early. Ginny asked me to help with the boys tomorrow. Albus is such a sweet baby, but James has been quite the handful. Jealous of the little one, I suspect," she said setting her load on the counter next to Hermione.

"Of course not, Molly. I appreciate that you're willing to cook for us," he replied. The matron came by at least once a week with food. She'd commandeer Snape's kitchen and cook all day. He knew food was how the witch cared for people, but he'd only agreed to the arrangement on the condition that he pay for the food. Molly refused to allow him to pay for her time. Although he did slip in a little extra from time to time and so far she'd allowed it.

"Of course, we've got to keep our Hermione strong, and she'll need good food for that," she stated giving the witch in question a kiss on the cheek as she passed her on the way to the stove. "Now, sit. I've made breakfast."

The potions master obeyed the matron, taking a seat at the counter beside Hermione.

"Here you are," the older witch said as she set two plates before them. "Now, eat up. You too, Severus. You could stand to add a few pounds yourself."

Hermione giggled and whispered to Severus, "Be careful or she'll try to adopt you."

"I heard that," Molly responded without taking her attention away from the onions she was now chopping.

"Is everyone still coming on Saturday?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, yes!" the older woman exclaimed. "Harry and Ginny are so excited to introduce you to Albus."

"I'm excited to meet him," she responded.

"Enough chit chat," Molly decreed. "Eat. We can talk later," she said as she turned back to her vegetables.

*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*

Severus walked from his dining room through to his formal parlor mingling with his guests. He'd opened his home to the Weasleys and their close friends to celebrate the birth of their newest member. Ginny Potter held court on the couch with Hermione beside her cuddling little Albus. The potions master's heart stuttered as he gazed upon his angel with a dark-haired babe in her arms. She looked up, seeing him across the room she gave him a small smile before returning her attention to the baby. One day, he hoped.

"May I have a word with you, Sir?" Snape turned to find Harry behind him.

"Of course, Mister Potter," he replied.

"In private?" he asked. Snape nodded and led him to the downstairs study.

Once he'd closed the door he looked to Potter expectantly.

The young man took a deep breath. 'You don't, well you don't have to agree," he started. "But I wanted to ask if you would be Albus's godfather."

Severus was startled by the request. This was something he was in no way expecting. "I'm honored but wouldn't Ronald be a more appropriate choice," he asked.

The other wizard shook his head. "No, I already talked to him about this. In fact I spoke to all the Weasleys about this and they agree. You see, you gave Hermione back to us." The potions master opened his mouth to caution him that he hadn't saved the witch yet, but Harry continued. "I know, I know she isn't out of the woods yet." The young man paused to gather his thoughts.

"When we found out Ginny was pregnant again, we were so excited. I always wanted a family, the bigger the better," Harry said with a wistful smile. "Then we found out that Hermione's magical core was degrading. Merlin, we never thought that she'd have the chance to meet Albus let alone." His voice broke. "She stood today, she walked to me."

"You made it possible for our baby to meet his godmother. That was something we never thought would be possible. It seemed only right that you be his godfather. In fact, it's why we named him Albus Severus Potter."

Shocked Snape took a seat in the nearest chair. "Mister Potter, I am…..humbled by your request. I would truly be honored to be the baby's godfather," he said earnestly.

Harry's face broke out in a wide smile. "Thank you, thank you, Sir. You have no idea how much this means to me, to us. I have to tell Ginny," he said excitedly and exited the room leaving the other wizard behind.

*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*

Severus was in his personal study alone. Hermione had fallen asleep towards the end of the party, and Harry had carried her to bed hours ago. He still couldn't believe he was the godfather of Potter's child, of all people. Sharing that responsibility with Hermione made it all the sweeter.

He drank his firewhiskey as he brought his mind back to Hermione holding Albus. She had looked radiant, so natural with the child in her arms. He longed to see her swell with his child. She had given him so much, but it wasn't until today that he realized that she'd given him a family as well. She was a miracle. His miracle.

Feeling the desperate need to look upon her, he made his way to her rooms. She looked as peaceful as she always did when she slept. He crawled into bed and lay beside her. He pressed her form against his, relishing her growing curves. She was definitely not breakable now.

He thought of how she'd feel with a babe in her belly and grew hard. Severus's hands explored the witch's body as he rutted himself against her. He pulled one of her legs to hook over his waist, opening her to him. He was now able to thrust his clothed member over her center. It took him little time to spill himself into his trousers.

He pulled away and noticed that Hermione's dress had ridden up and there was a wet spot on her knickers. He grabbed his wand to clean his mess when a thought occurred to him. He slowly brought his hand down and slipped a finger into her knickers. He moaned. It wasn't his seed that had stained the garment, but her own emissions. She was wet, gloriously wet. She approved. She enjoyed his touch. His witch really was a wonder.