A/N: Thanks to Corazon for beta reading this story! She caught awful lot of mistakes even after I read it like 5 times!


Chapter 4

Hermione left the Great Hall after breakfast and took a short talk with the guys.

"Hermione, are you all right?" Harry asked.

"Yea, I just need to get another dose of medicine this morning from Madam Pomfrey," Hermione lied.

"All right. We'll see you later then." Harry and Ron rushed off for Quidditch practice.

"Bye, have fun." She called after them.

When Hermione did leave the Great Hall she glanced back and saw Severus leaving through the other entrance that the staff commonly used. She arrived at Pomfrey's office first. The door was open, showing Dumbledore and the medi-witch already waiting for her.

"Hello, Madam Pomfrey, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione greeted a bit nervous.

"Good morning Hermione," Dumbledore greeted.

Pomfrey greet her warmly also.

"Hermione, I take it you are expecting?" Dumbledore asked softly.

Hermione nodded.

"And the father?" Dumbledore asked.

"He's coming, sir." Hermione said with her nerves rising a bit.

The three spent the next few minutes talking about different things besides the pregnancy. It was clear Hermione was nervous enough, so Dumbledore wanted to calm her down by talking mostly about the next Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. There was a knock at the door and every turned to see Severus entering.

"Severus, whatever it is it will have to wait. We're in middle of a meeting," Dumbledore said to his Potions Master.

"Yes, I know. Several Slytherins needed to be dealt with on my way here is the reason for my tardiness," Severus closed the door behind him and put a silencing charm on.

Dumbledore and Pomfrey were shocked when Severus stood by Hermione.

"You're the father?" Pomfrey asked in horror.

"Yes," Severus answered shortly. While he knew it would be a shock to the others he didn't expect horror from his colleagues themselves.

"I must say I am a bit surprised, Severus, Hermione." Dumbledore said gently.

"You're not the only one Albus," Severus said, "we weren't expecting a child so soon."

"Why didn't you fix her a potion? This could have been avoided." Pomfrey angered.

"I can't take the potion, it makes me sick," Hermione told the witch.

"What then have you been using, muggle birth control?" Pomfrey asked in dismay knowing what muggle birth control pills can do to a witch.

"No, we've been using the charm," Hermione answered blushing now. She didn't know why they were going to discuss this. It wasn't like it was mattered now since she already conceived.

"Severus you know the charm isn't as good preventive as the potion," Pomfrey scolded the Potions Master.

"Poppy, I'm very aware of that, which is why we have been using both witch and wizard charms, but apparently it did not work. As Hermione already told you, the potion makes her sick. I modified it several times and it still left her sick so we opted for the charms. Her health is more important than how effective a potion is," Severus' temper was rising. He tried to keep his cool but the witch was irritating him.

"Then you shouldn't have been involved. Besides she is your student!"

"Poppy, relax. It is their choice. They obviously care for each other or they wouldn't have taken the precautions they did," Dumbledore smoothed the medi-witches nerves.

"Well, now he has to make a potion to terminate the fetus! This will not look good," snapped Pomfrey.

"We're not killing our child," Severus silky voice purred dangerously for her suggesting such a thing without even giving other options.

"You have too! She's still in school," Pomfrey was getting protective of her patient thinking it was in her best interest.

"We discussed it last night and I'm keeping our child. Severus knows an illusion charm to hide the pregnancy. I shouldn't be showing much and with the robes it will be easy to hide." Hermione stated to end all debate of aborting their child. Hermione felt Severus' hand rub her back in support.

"Severus, Hermione, I'm curious, how long as this been going on?" Dumbledore asked.

"Since last summer," Severus answered.

"I thought you went to Paris to do some research?" Dumbledore was confused.

"Yes, I did. Hermione was vacationing there with her parents and we ran into each other. On the previous day my assistant quit and I offered the position to Hermione. I knew she would be able to do the work without being intimidated by my personality," Severus said more than Dumbledore asked for but he knew he would have to tell the complete story eventually after being questioned.

"Ahh... Yes I would have to agree Hermione being able to work with you and your personality," Dumbledore grinned.

Severus scowled at Dumbledore's obvious humor. Hermione smiled trying not to laugh at Severus' scowl. Turning back to the point of the meeting they continued to discuss what would happen and the changes that would need to be made by Hermione to ensure her safety and the child's. Pomfrey was a bit more relaxed when she realized Severus did care for the girl by saying things and offering to make the potions that would be needed and making sure they were the best by not making her sick. The biggest surprise for the Headmaster and the medi-witch was that the two were engaged and had been for several months. Questions were raised as to Hermione's future. Pomfrey and Dumbledore knew the young witch wished to continue her education - their fear that she would not be able to was dissipated when Severus and Hermione informed them of their plan of hiring a nanny while Hermione was at school and he taught classes. Severus had a few other plans he wanted to speak to Dumbledore about, but those would be discussed in private. He did not need Madame Pomfrey to hear anymore about his private life, but he would share with Hermione later.

.......

Later that day in Dumbledore's office Severus and Dumbledore were talking.

"Albus, next year I think it would be best if you got Sinistra be Head of Slytherin," Severus told Dumbledore.

"Certainly Severus. I was hoping you would make this suggestion or I would. With family on the way you will have enough to attend with. I assume this is not the only reason for this meeting?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Yes, I know you cannot be pleased that I have kept this from you but please know that I do love Hermione..." Severus stopped when Dumbledore held up his hand.

"Severus it is all right. I was taken back but I see no problem with it. You both have been very discreet, even I didn't have any suspicions about you two. Now ask your request my friend."

"Would you link Hermione's and mine fireplaces to each other via Floo? With her expecting now, it would be less strain on her not having to travel the castle to spend time together," Severus asked with a bit of hesitance.

"Of course it would be best. She will be getting enough exercise with her classes and traipsing around the castle then. Are you pleased to be starting a family finally?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

A small smile graced Severus' lips, "I would have to say I am. I am pleased that Hermione has decided to keep this child, even though I offered to fix the termination potion. I would not have looked forward to in essence killing my own child."

Dumbledore nodded in understanding and was pleased to hear that Severus wanted this family.

The two continued to talk about other subjects and business for the next hour before they went on their ways.

.......

"Hermione, when do you want to get married?" Severus asked when he held the young witch in his arms on Sunday night.

"Before the pregnancy, I was wanting immediately after school ended but now... well I would be bigger and such. We won't have much of a honeymoon," she sounded a bit disappointed.

"Would you like to get married soon? We can take the Easter vacation as our honeymoon?" Severus suggested gently.

"Do you want to get married sooner because of the baby?" Hermione asked looking up at her fiancé.

"In a way of sorts, yes. I was hoping we could get married so we could have the honeymoon - I know a perfect place I planned on taking you, but if we waited until after you gave birth it would have to wait a while since we can't leave our baby. If you wish to wait I have no problem. I will wait as long as you need me to... as long you know you are mine," Severus teased at the end with a kiss on her neck.

Hermione smiled, "I think we can get married sooner then. Where did you want to go?"

"That's a surprise. Do you want to tell your parents before we do though? I'm sure we could arrange a weekend for us to visit them, but we need to inform Albus."

"I would like to, yes. It will be a bit of a surprise for them. They have met you and I think they will be all right with this. The baby might make them a bit mad though..." Hermione said a bit worried.

"Would they think you would stop your education? Hermione I'm going to pay for the University. I want you to achieve all your dreams," Severus offered warmly.

Hermione looked up to Severus, "Are you sure? I mean I can take the scholarship and money from my mum and dad and then maybe if you wouldn't mind the rest..."

"Hermione, you will be the mother of my child and my wife. Leave the scholarship to some one else. Paying for your education would be an honor. Now answer my previous question, would they think you would stop your education?"

"I don't know ... they always expected: University, career, marriage then baby not baby, marriage, University, career."

"That's marriage, then baby love. We planned to marry before this child was thought of, you very well know that," Severus claimed.

"I know but they might think we are only marrying because of the baby. They wouldn't force me to do that and I don't want them thinking that is the only reason. I could go home pregnant and they would be disappointed at first but they would support me."

"Then after the initial surprise I can think of no reason they would not support you now."

"You're right. I'm worrying for nothing. They are the best parents ever and I hope we can do half as well as they did with me."

"Me too, I would have to say they have done an excellent job raising you, but if we have a little girl, she is not allowed to date until she is 22 years old," Severus smirked.

Hermione laughed, "Now love, that's being hypocritical."

"I'm allowed, I'm going to be a father," Severus growled playfully.

"Can my parents be at our wedding?"

"Yes, of course. Would you like anyone else there?"

"Ginny to be my maid of honor."

"What about Potter and Weasley?"

"I don't think they would be ready to hear this," Hermione explained sadly.

"I'm sorry love. I've been trying to be less of a bastard to them so when the time comes to show our relationship they would not cause as much trouble," Severus offered.

Hermione turned her head that was resting on his shoulder and kissed his neck tenderly, "I know and I appreciate it. I think in fact it is helping because they have stopped criticizing you as much now."

"I'm glad. I'll talk to Albus tomorrow night."

......

Severus knocked on the door to Dumbledore's office. This was an unexpected visit since it was a bit after hours but Severus wanted to get the plans finalized so Hermione and he could go see her parents.

"Come in," a voice called from within.

Severus walked in and shut the door. "Albus."

"Good evening Severus and what is the pleasure of your company this evening?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled like he already knew what Severus was going to ask.

"I need to ask of a favor."

"Go on."

"Hermione and I would like to get married sooner than expected, and take our honeymoon over Easter vacation," Severus started.

"Ahh, I can certainly understand that." Dumbledore nodded. "And I take it there is more to this?"

"Yes we would like to inform her parents so they, too can be at the wedding. Also, we would like for you and Minerva to perform the ceremony," Severus finished.

"I would be honored to proceed over the ceremony and I'll ask Minerva after you get back from the Granger's. When did you wish to inform Hermione's parents?" Dumbledore said almost gleefully.

"Next weekend. I know regulations against allowing the students to leave school grounds for overnight without having a holiday but I was wondering if this could be arranged. Hermione will most likely have Ms. Weasley's help since she wishes to have the girl for her bride's maid." Severus explained.

"I'm sure it can be arranged. Have Hermione owl her parents immediately and ask them if they will be available this weekend for a visit. I assume you will be accompanying her?" Dumbledore smiled.

"Of course."

"Good. You have been known to stay in your dungeons for weekends at times. I think this will do and I can have Gwen (Sinistra) take over some weekends, preparing her for next year. As for Hermione's absence allowing only Ms. Weasley to see to her will be good enough. We can have Poppy come up with something about her being sick, the others still think she has the flu correct?"

Severus nodded a confirmation.

"Excellent. Do you plan on apparating there?"

"Yes, I have experience with tandem apparating and Poppy already said it would be all right for her to apparate until the eighth month."

"I'm glad to hear that," Dumbledore thought for a moment. "Do you think we should inform Minerva of this? She is protective of Ms. Granger, as you know."

"Hermione and I haven't discussed it. I think it will be better to hold off until we return. For now only five people know and we wish to keep it limited," Severus said. He wanted to tell Minerva but felt Hermione's parents should have the honor of knowing before others were told.

"I understand. For your wedding, who do you plan to have for best man?"

"I forgot about that," Severus looked pensive for a second. "Ordinarily I would ask you but you already have a position in the ceremony. I will think about it though."

"May I suggest some one?" Dumbledore asked gently.

"Yes," Severus knew he wouldn't like this.

"Remus Lupin might be a good choice."

Severus stayed quiet. "I will consider it." Him and Lupin had come to terms over the years and had a tentative, but respected 'friendship'.