Chapter 7

Sunday afternoon Hermione went to her room after a quick shower with Severus and a few minutes alone. Hermione joined Ginny in the common room knowing Harry and Ron would be playing Quidditch.

"Hi Ginny," Hermione sat down.

Ginny looked up from her book, "Hi Hermione." Ginny looked around making sure they were alone in their area, and in a low voice, "How did your parents take it?"

"All right. They will be coming in three weeks." Hermione said.

"That's good. I'm glad everything worked out all right," Ginny said.

"Me too. My mum knew kind of though, at least she suspected it when I went there. Dad was bit mad at first but after everything was explained he was a bit more relaxed. They even like him," Hermione smiled a little bit.

Ginny nodded, "Good. Now when are we going shopping for your dress robes?"

"Robes?" Hermione questioned.

"Hermione, the ceremony."

"I don't know much about wizard's ceremonies."

"We have a lot to talk about then."

Ginny took Hermione back to her bedroom so they could talk about the wedding.

.......

The next week passed, Hermione and Ginny made plans to go shopping for their robes during the next Hogsmeade trip. Hermione planned on owling her parents for some money sinde they had galleons in the house she had saved over the years for a special occasion and she figured this would warrant a special occasion. Hermione learned more about the wizard's ceremony.

Classes were as usual, nothing too strenuous, but Hermione was glad now she could talk more about her life with Ginny and not having to hide the secret. Harry and Ron were still oblivious to it all. Severus treated Hermione even more considerate then before and was cautious when making love. She told him to stop it saying she was crystal and would break as easily. She liked it when he was more passionate. She knew they couldn't get too rough since she was pregnant but she wanted her old lover back and she got him back after demanding him.

......

Hermione was walking back from a meeting with Professor Vector about Arithmancy. Her office was more in the secluded part of the castle. The meeting went well and Hermione was thinking it over. Vector would allow her to do more university level work and perhaps she could get a credit for it at the time. Hermione was eager to start on it, since Arithmancy was her first choice of subjects much to Severus' displeasure but he still encouraged her. She still wanted to major in Arithmancy and Potions which pleased Severus.

"Granger."

Hermione spun around to see Malfoy from what she could tell he was leaning against a wall leisurely with a smirk on his face while hidden in the shadows.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione sneered at him; she was getting good at it from the patent owner of the sneer, Severus Snape.

"Well, I heard Vector talking about your meeting earlier and I knew you would be alone afterwards. I think we need to have a little talk," Malfoy stood upright from the wall.

Hermione could tell there was something different about Malfoy now but showed no fear. "We have nothing to talk about," Hermione coldly said and turned to leave.

She didn't hear him approach her but felt his hands pull her back and into a secluded alcove, "Not so fast Mudblood." Malfoy was pressed up against her body, "You've been looking delicious lately and I want a taste."

"Never!" Hermione seethed back.

"I'm not giving you a choice," Malfoy said before giving her a bruising kiss.

Hermione tried to push him off her but he was too strong and he grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her with one hand. When he forced his tongue into her mouth she bit him, hard.

"Aaaiioo," Malfoy whined before tasting blood on his tongue. "You bitch!" And he raised his hand to hit her.

Before his fist came around to meet its target, Hermione's face, Malfoy's arm was pulled back and he released Hermione to face the person who stopped him. Much to her relief it was Severus.

"What do you think you are doing, Mr. Malfoy?" Severus said in his most dangerous tone.

"Just having a taste of the Mudblood. You want in?" Malfoy grinned thinking his professor would join in.

"And what would make you think I would do that?" A cold tone asked.

"I've seen the way you look at her. You know you want to fuck her. Who wouldn't? She'd be a nice piece of arse."

Severus slammed Malfoy up against the wall. "Ms. Granger, are you all right?"

"I think so. I need to go to the Infirmary though," Hermione said still overwhelmed at what happened.

Malfoy was looking a bit scared now, he beginning to think he was in trouble after all.

Severus wanted to turn his attention to his fiancée but knew he couldn't take his eyes off Malfoy, but decided he could get some revenge for him and her than Oblivate the memory from the little prick.

"Hermione do you remember my words about anyone touching you?" Severus directed to her, but his eyes stayed focused on Malfoy, whose eyes widen in shock at the use of her first name.

Hermione knew what he was going to do and wanted to see it done. "Yes."

"Would you care to repeat those words to young Mr. Malfoy here?" Severus toned gentle except the name was said with a sneer.

"That I'm yours and if anyone touched me, you would kill them," Hermione said with pleasure looking at Malfoy's reaction.

His eyes were as big as saucers and he gulped in fear. "You mean she's your wh..."

"If you truly wish to live, you will not finish that sentence," Severus' voice dripped with promise of death. "Enough of this," Severus said before raising his fist and punching Malfoy across the jaw. The boy dropped to his hands and knees, spitting out blood. Severus decided it wasn't enough and kicked him a few times in the gut for good measure and just for to ensure he never again thought about touching Hermione or another female Severus' boot met Malfoy's face. Severus withdrew his wand and oblivated the memory of him asking Hermione of his words. A quick stupefy, even though he wanted to kill the boy, he knew better. He had Hermione to think about, so he left the boy on the ground unconscious and went to check on Hermione.

Hermione watched in shock as Severus beat the hell out of Malfoy but was relieved when she knew Malfoy would not bother her again. When he came to her and cupped her cheek softly, "Are you all right love?"

Hermione nodded and finally let several tears drop and she hugged him tightly wanting to feel his protection. Severus wrapped his arms around her tightly trying to comfort her. When he had first seen Malfoy raise a fist at Hermione, he about just used the killing curse but he didn't want to risk the chance of hitting Hermione. At least he had the pleasure of beating the crap out of him. After a few minutes she got control of herself and pulled back.

"You need to go see Poppy," Severus left no room for debate. Hermione nodded her consent.

Pulling his arms from her, Severus used mobilicorpus to move Malfoy with Hermione walking beside him but not close enough to make people think of personal involvement. As the two walked through the halls, students stared at them when they saw Malfoy floating in front of the two. Blood could be seen on Malfoy's lip and his jaw was already turning black and blue and his nose was broken and bleeding. His eyes started to swell from the broken nose. Along the way to the Infirmary, they were spotted by Professor McGonagall and she quickly came over to them and joined in stride.

"Severus what happened?" she demanded.

"Mr. Malfoy made a mistake by attacking another student. Ms. Granger here."

McGonagall looked to Hermione and she saw Hermione was a bit disheveled looking and her eyes were red from tears. "Ms. Granger, are you all right?"

"Yes, I just want to be checked out by Madam Pomfrey," she whispered.

McGonagall agreed. The professors were aware of Hermione's pregnancy but only a few people knew who the father was and McGonagall was not one of them. "Severus, I'll take Ms. Granger to Poppy. You can take Mr. Malfoy to Albus."

"Albus can come to the Infirmary, Mr. Malfoy needs medical attention as well," Severus had no intention of leaving Hermione.

"Why?" McGonagall then took a closer look at the boy.

"I believe he might have a broken jaw, nose and a few cracked ribs. I'm not sure but I believe I heard some popping noises as well," Severus said with distinct distaste.

"What happened to him?" McGonagall asked.

"He made a grave error," was all Severus would say. The three continued to the Infirmary. McGonagall would not leave Hermione, her best student and Head Girl alone. Besides, she was her Head of House and all the children in Gryffindor were her responsibility.

When they reached the Infirmary, Severus dropped Malfoy swiftly and unceremoniously on a cot. Pomfrey heard the entrance of some one and instantly came out to see Malfoy on the bed unconscious and she immediately walked toward him.

"Poppy, Ms. Granger first," Severus directed.

Pomfrey then realized what must have taken place and ignored the boy to look after Hermione. Severus wanted to follow but it would have to wait, knowing Dumbledore would arrive any minute, he was sure the Headmaster would have been warned by now. Severus was right as Dumbledore came through the doors a second later.

"Severus, Minerva, what had happened?"

McGonagall let Severus explain since he was there but she was a bit surprised by Severus' behavior towards his own house member and hers. "Mr. Malfoy attacked Ms. Granger near the Arithmancy classroom," Severus explained. "I proceeded to intervene."

Another thought came to McGonagall, why would Severus be in that part of the castle anyways?

"How is Hermione?" Dumbledore asked showing concern.

"She is being checked out by Poppy now," McGonagall answered quickly.

Dumbledore nodded and the three waited in silence for the medi-witch and student. A few minutes later both came out looking relieved. They joined the other three, Hermione stood next to Severus though she didn't touch him. The three looked to Pomfrey for the report.

"Ms. Granger is all right and so is the baby but I am recommending no more excitement for the weekend and complete rest."

Dumbledore smiled with relief. "That can be arranged, Poppy. Perhaps you can look at Mr. Malfoy now, and please keep him secured until Aurors can be called."

Pomfrey nodded and headed to the boy.

"Will you three please follow me," Dumbledore said to McGonagall, Hermione and Severus. They all followed silently to the Headmaster's office.

Once in the office, Hermione sat down in a chair that Severus stood behind. McGonagall took another chair in front of Dumbledore's desk and the Headmaster sat behind his desk in his own chair. McGonagall was still curious about Severus' behavior and decided to voice her questions.

"Severus how did Mr. Malfoy get in such bad shape?" McGonagall asked.

"He met my fist and foot several times," Severus said in his usual distant tone looking at the witch.

"Why did you do that? Certainly a stunning spell would have been enough to stop the attack," McGonagall was angry the man would use such brutal force.

"Minerva, the boy is lucky I let him live," pure hatred could be heard in Severus' voice.

"Why?" A shocked witch asked.

"I only paid him what he was planning to give Hermione. His hand was raised to strike her, and if he had hit her hard enough he could have injured her or our child." Severus said with no regret about hitting the boy and his temper rising.

"Your child?" McGonagall stammered.

"Yes, I am the father." Severus calmed his temper down.

"But..." McGonagall stopped before continuing to look at Hermione and Severus' joined hands now. That made sense of several things, his wish for Hermione to be checked out first, his protectiveness, his brutal assault on Malfoy, and his being near the Arithmancy classroom he was probably there to greet her.

"Congratulations I believe are in order." McGonagall might make people think she didn't like Severus but she honestly did. The man has had a hard life but she knew he would never hurt the one he loved and he would never be involved with a student unless love was there.

Severus was surprised at McGonagall's words and her easy acceptance, "Thank you."

"Well I'm glad to see that is easily taken care of. Now Hermione would you please tell us what happened from the beginning?" Dumbledore asked kindly.

Hermione related the story from exiting the office until Severus showed up. Dumbledore looked to Severus and asked him to continue with his version of events. "I heard Malfoy call her a bitch and raise a hand ready to strike her. I stopped him and asked what he was doing. He proceeded to tell me he wanted a 'taste' of Hermione and offered me some too. He said he saw the way I looked at her and knew I wanted to..." the older witch and wizard caught his meaning, "I made sure she was all right before I took the pleasure in beating the shit out of him. Then I preceded to Oblivate a certain portion of his memory of a discussion held between myself, Hermione and him."

"What was this discussion about?" Dumbledore asked.

Severus stayed quiet and Dumbledore asked again, looking at Hermione this thime, but she looked to Severus for help. "Albus, the discussion included of me asking Hermione what my words to her were if anybody were to touch her besides myself. Those words included me killing of such a person, but as you can see I failed my own words."

McGonagall and Dumbledore were quite surprised by his protectiveness of Hermione but they couldn't blame him. "Severus I'm glad you didn't follow through on your words. That would have been hard to explain to the Ministry but stopping and defending Hermione from attack will raise no questions as to why Mr. Malfoy was taken to the Infirmary in such a state. Now as for Poppy's orders, Hermione I believe I have a suggestion, but Minerva I would need your help on this," Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling.

McGonagall suspected she knew and agreed without question.

"I knew I could count on you. I will need you to help Gwen Sinistra take over Head of Slytherin for the weekend. Severus, Hermione, I have a cottage that will do fabulous for a nice retreat and relaxation, exactly as ordered." Dumbledore smiled.

"Sir, won't that raise suspicion if Severus and I are away again?" Hermione asked.

"Again?" McGonagall was lost this time.

"Oh, sorry Minerva, you were not aware of last weekend Severus and Hermione left to talk to her parents. Actually I've been meaning to ask you, but we have been busy as of late. Severus and Hermione would like us to proceed over their union in two weeks."

"So soon? Severus you aren't just marrying her because she is pregnant are you?" McGonagall was about to scold the man.

"Of course not. I proposed at the beginning of November, we just decided to move the wedding up so we can take a honeymoon over Easter without worry of a child yet," Severus told her kindly enough.

"I would be honored to," Minerva smiled.

"Thank you Minerva," he sometimes thought of McGonagall as a mother. While his spying years she would always fuss over him privately, not even in front of Dumbledore, but they always kept that private. Now time has past and he has relaxed lately, allowing more emotion to be shown. "Albus that reminds me, do you know where Lupin is?" Severus asked.

"Yes, I'll send him an owl requesting him to come here Monday after you return so you may ask him privately. Now I think I shall owl the Aurors to take Mr. Malfoy in custody. You both will need to give your statements, and I'm sure you can leave minor details out though," Dumbledore smiled.

"Thank you Albus." Severus said.

.......

Awhile later after the Aurors had taken Malfoy away and the statements were taken, a quick trial, mostly of just sentencing had taken place. The word of two heroes from the war was enough evidence to put Malfoy in Azkaban for 4 years. The Malfoy's estate and money were to be given to Malfoy's victim - Hermione. Though this was kept private, the public was told it was seized and auctioned off and given to charities. Hermione in fact did eventually auction off the estates and gave those to charities but kept the money and had it transferred into another vault, intending to put it in Severus' after they married. Records at Gringotts were kept private, the goblins made sure of this.

When Hermione saw her two best friends again, word had spread around a strange tale and they wanted to know what happened.

The boys stood in front of Hermione as she sat on her bed with a pillow in front of her. "Malfoy attacked me after my meeting with Professor Vector." Hermione explained.

"We heard you were walking next to Snape with him floating Malfoy in front of you," Harry said.

"I was."

"Did Snape give you any trouble after you defended yourself from Malfoy?" Ron said thinking Severus played Slytherin favorite.

"No. You have it wrong guys. Snape stopped Malfoy from hitting me after I bit him while he kissed me. If Snape hadn't been there I don't want to think about what could've happened," Hermione said.

"But how did Malfoy get a broken jaw and ribs? We heard Pomfrey talking to the Aurors in the Infirmary when we went to go look for you," Harry said.

"Snape did that, protecting me." Hermione wanted to smile but just said it softly.

"What!?" Both yelped.

"Snape stopped Malfoy from raping me guys." Hermione said it bluntly making sure they knew exactly what happened.