Chapter 11
Harry and Ron were waiting for her when she exited the horseless carriages. They greeted each other and they walked back up to Gryffindor Tower.
"How was your week Hermione?" Harry asked.
Hermione smirked, "The best."
Later that night the boys played chess while Hermione read a book. They just hung out sometimes, not talking, but still enjoying each other's company. When it was time for bed, they all said goodnight. Hermione got ready and walked to the fireplace and with some floo powder, she said, "Snape's room."
An instant later she appeared in Severus' quarters with him reading in a chair waiting for her. He stood up after putting down the book and kissed her briefly before they went to bed to sleep for the night. Tomorrow was going to be hectic enough for both of them. Students after holidays were always distracted and for Hermione, teachers would be piling on the work for N.E.W.T.s.
......
The following week Hermione and Severus were in McGonagall's office. They wanted to tell her first of their child's name in honor of her.
"Minerva, we chose a name for our child," Severus started.
"Wonderful! When did you find out the sex?" she asked.
"A few weeks before our honeymoon. We had been discussing names and finally chose one on our trip."
"What it is?" she asked eagerly.
"A girl," Hermione smiled.
"And the name?" McGonagall smiled.
"Athena," Severus said.
McGonagall looked at the couple surprised by the name. "Are you saying..."
"Yes we are." Hermione answered the incomplete question.
The older witch smiled and hugged Hermione and then Severus. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," Hermione said.
"And thank you for being there for me always Minerva. I know I wasn't the easiest patient through the years," Severus said meaningfully.
McGonagall smirked and nodded.
......
Hermione had owled her parents telling them the name of their grandchild and she received post back saying they loved the name. Dumbledore and Pomfrey also agreed it was wonderful. Ginny was thrilled to know the name finally and said it would be fun to have that name. Remus was informed of the name also and he said it was beautiful, just like the child's mother.
Severus and Hermione started to study for N.E.W.T.s early so she would not be too stressed when the time finally came for them.
Hermione had been thinking and wanted to ask Severus something but kept putting it off because she didn't know how he was going to react, but she knew she needed to bring it up.
"Severus?"
"Yes love?" Severus put down his book.
"I wanted to talk about godparents," Hermione started.
Severus nodded. "Who were you thinking about?"
"Ginny for godmother."
"Certainly." Severus had no problem with Ginny he liked the girl.
"And Harry and Ron for godfathers or Remus," she tentatively said.
Severus thought for a moment. He would have to pick Remus for his first choice, they had owled each other several times since the handfasting and were be coming friends surprisingly. "I would ask for Remus."
Hermione smiled, "I thought so." She knew of their posts.
"When did you want to tell them?"
"After the birth."
......
"Severus I know what I want for my third wish," Hermione tentatively said. She didn't know why she was feeling like this but it was probably due to pregnancy hormones.
Severus stopped marking the essays he was looking at, "Yes love?"
"Um... I want you to tell me if you are ever unhappy in our marriage," Hermione said but avoided eye contact with him.
Severus got up from his chair and kneeled in front of her, "Hermione what brought this on?"
"I don't know," Hermione ventured to look at him.
Severus figured hormones. Pomfrey had warned him early on things like this might just come up out of the blue. He wished to reassure her, "Hermione if you wish for this to be your third wish, I will do that. But let me assure you, you are everything I could have ever dreamed of. After I joined Voldemort, I thought I had lost all rights to be happy but you being in my life has changed that. I owe my happiness to you and I can never see myself without you."
Tears ran down her cheeks at the emotion that he invoked within her. His thumb pads smoothly took the tears away and he smiled before kissing her tenderly.
Hermione was reassured of their future and happiness.
......
Time passed swiftly over the next two months and the students were soon to be found in the library studying or in the common room, which was quickly be coming quieter as more people studied. The 5th and 7th year students studied the most and hardest considering the major tests that were coming up. The homework piled on from all the teachers wanting to ensure their students had the information needed for the tests.
Hermione's stomach and grown more obvious with the two months and Pomfrey said that was indeed good though she was still small for how far along she was. Severus helped as much as he could with studying and homework. He wished he could help more and in public. He hated having to see her carrying her oversize bag with all the books, which is why he put a few charms on the bag to make it weigh less but it was still heavy for a pregnant woman.
......
Harry, Ron and Hermione were studying for their N.E.W.T.s, which were only a few weeks off. Harry leaned across Hermione as she swiftly tried to back up but it was too late before Harry felt the small flutter and swell of Hermione's invisible tummy. Harry paused and stared at Hermione who quickly got up and left. Harry got up and followed immediately. Ron, sensing something serious, followed suit.
Hermione tried to hide before they caught up with her but she couldn't make it out of the common room, knowing they would be following.
"Hermione!" Harry called and caught up with her thanks to his speed and skill as a Seeker.
Ron wasn't far behind and they moved over to an isolated area with no portraits so they could talk in private, assuring no paintings heard the conversation.
"What's going on?" Ron asked confused. He saw the silent tears in Hermione's eyes as a few rolled down her pink cheeks.
"Hermione are you?" Harry asked in bewilderment.
"Is she what?" Ron asked still confused.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered softly.
"WHAT!?" Ron bellowed.
"Quiet!" Harry shushed him.
"Hermione whose is it?" Harry asked knowing it wasn't Ron's or his.
"I can't tell you." Hermione avoided their eyes.
"You have to!" Harry growled.
Hermione locked eyes with Harry, "I do not have to just because you demand it." And she walked away.
"Harry... how did you know?" Ron asked.
"I just felt it, just now when I reached for more ink." Harry watched Hermione leave, but then thought she might be going to see the father. "Come on!" Harry called going back to the common room.
Ron followed Harry up to the boys' dorm and Harry went through his trunk to get his invisibility cloak and map. Ron realized what they were going to do and nodded eagerly. They left the common room again hiding both items and opened the map and watched as the dot of Hermione Granger walked toward the dungeons. Both boys looked at each other with puzzlement before they set out after her running full speed.
When they reached the dungeons, they put on the invisibility cloak and hurried after Hermione silently. They noticed she was looking around making sure no one was around when she entered the potions classroom. Before she could close the door behind her the boys snuck in stealthily.
Severus noticed his door opening to Hermione and saw she was in tears. He immediately put down his quill and went to her, "Hermione what's wrong?" Hermione hugged Severus and cried. "Hermione tell me please," Severus urged, he knew she only cried when something was really wrong. She would cry a little with the hormonal sides of pregnancy but not to this degree.
"They know, Severus." Hermione wailed.
Severus understood then. "Potter and Weasley?" He felt her head nodded against his chest. "It's all right, we knew this time would come." Severus offered.
That was when Harry and Ron threw the cloak off and confronted them.
"You bastard!" Harry yelled.
Ron kept quiet thinking Harry said it perfectly.
Severus and Hermione looked up at the two boys in surprise. Severus was glad then he kept a silencing charm on the potions classroom when he was by himself at all times. It was an old habit in case Voldemort ever sent someone to talk to him by surprise or when his mark burned insistently. "And Mr. Potter would you like to explain why I am a bastard?" Severus sneered.
"You got Hermione pregnant and she has to deal with your mistakes!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry..." Hermione started.
"Shh..." Severus soothed Hermione knowing that getting upset was not good for her or the baby. "Potter calm down, you are upsetting Hermione," Severus scowled but kept his temper under control.
"Well, she should be upset. First you seduce her and now you knock her up and she's left with your child!" Harry kept on.
"I did not 'seduce' Hermione and yes she is expecting my child," Severus explained with his silky commanding voice.
"Right, as if Hermione would allow you to touch her otherwise. You probably put a potion or spell on her," Ron sneered, finally speaking up. "You'll never touch her again."
"Weasley do you really think you can stop me from touching my own wife?" a cold dangerous voice purred.
"Wife?" Ron squeaked out.
Harry was as shocked as Ron.
Silence reigned over the classroom for a very long sixty seconds.
"You're lying," Harry finally said.
"He's not, we are married." Hermione said forcefully.
"Since when?"
"March 9th."
"Over two months?" Ron said in surprise.
"Yes," Hermione answered.
"You married after you got pregnant, didn't you?" Harry asked in hatred.
"Yes."
"You didn't have to marry the bastard Hermione. We would have helped you." Harry pleaded.
"I didn't marry him because of the baby, we planned to marry since November. The plans just got moved up further with the pregnancy."
"But..." Ron stammered.
"Potter, Weasley follow me. This is not the place to discuss this and Hermione is stressed enough and it's not good for her as it is," Severus ordered, guiding Hermione into his office.
There was only a single green couch in addition to his office chair. He left the couch to the boys and pulled Hermione into his lap while sitting in the chair. The boys looked like they were going to be sick when seeing how affectionate and concerned Severus was with Hermione and she did not even look disgusted by his touch but appeared to be wanting more of it. She leaned into his embrace, placing her head in the hallow of his neck and shoulder. Severus took his wand out, frightening the boys but he just placed more silencing charms and locking charms ensuring their privacy.
"Snape, once Dumbledore knows about this, he is going to fire your arse and have you sent to Azkaban for seducing a student!" Harry sneered.
"Potter get it through that head of yours, I did not seduce Hermione."
"Why else would she allow you to touch her?" he asked sarcastically.
"Because I love him," Hermione explained, pulling her head up and staring at her friends.
"Hermione you have to be under a spell!" Ron exclaimed.
"I am not under a spell Ron."
"Still Dumbledore will see you in Azkaban," Harry smirked, thinking of Severus' supposed fate.
Severus shook his head and whispered in Hermione's ear. She nodded and got off his lap and went to the fireplace taking some Floo powder, and calling, "Albus we need you in Severus' office."
Harry and Ron were once again surprised. Within a few seconds Dumbledore was stepping out of the fireplace and dusting off his robes. Hermione already went back to sit in Severus' lap.
"Ahh I see the time as come for this conversation," Dumbledore said fondly.
"Yes, it is apparently so, but you'll need to conjure up a chair though, I'm afraid we're tight for seating." Severus said.
"Certainly," Dumbledore said before taking out his own wand and conjuring up a very comfortable looking chair facing the door. This allowed him to see both parties.
"Sir, you know of this?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"You'll have to explain which part Harry," Dumbledore's eye twinkled.
"Marriage. Baby. Them." Harry stated.
"Yes I know of all of this."
"And you allowed it?" Harry asked in disgust.
"Why wouldn't I? They are both of legal age and can make choices of their own. I was pleased they allowed me to proceed over their union."
"You married them?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Yes." Dumbledore answered.
"But he's her teacher!" Harry reasoned.
"As far as I am concerned, he was not when they got together. They have kept their union quiet and no one is being injured so what is wrong with letting them be together?" Dumbledore said gently to the boys.
"What do you mean he wasn't her teacher when they got together?" Harry questioned.
"During the summer holidays he is not a teacher, but a Potions Master," Dumbledore explained.
"Over the summer?" Ron glared at Hermione with confusion.
"Yes, while I was in Paris. I was his research assistant and things progressed from there," Hermione explained looking at her two friends while sitting on Severus' lap with his arms folded around her middle in a protected embrace.
"You've been seeing him this whole year?" Ron screeched.
"Mr. Weasley if you cannot control your temper I will be forced to Oblivate your memory," Severus warned.
"Now, Severus I can't allow you to go Oblivatering their memories," Dumbledore placated.
"If they can't keep their cool I very much will put a memory charm on them until school is over. I have warned them twice about their temper and if I must do so again, I will not pause before you have altered memories. Do I make myself clear?" Severus demanded in his best classroom voice.
The boys knew he was serious and knew Dumbledore couldn't even stop him if he really wanted to. They nodded in understanding.
"Now Harry, Ron, what is your concern over this matter?" Dumbledore asked nicely.
"It's Snape! He's a Death Eater and old enough to be her father!" Harry exclaimed in a lower voice.
"Professor Snape was a Death Eater and is no longer. You know he fought on our side... by your side. The age difference is of no concern. You know how long wizards live," Dumbledore shot down the reasons easily.
"In class he always chose me and my friends as targets for his comments. He has no heart," Harry said coldly.
"Harry, he was acting as a spy. Look at this year. He's treating the Slytherins as he does the Gryffindors. He is being fair. He never had the chance before," Hermione explained.
"He still has no heart," Harry muttered.
Hermione got off Severus' lap and went to sit between the guys forcing them to move over and have a very tight fit. "Guys, please be happy for me. I know this is hard for you to understand considering our past but please give it a chance."
Harry and Ron looked at their best friend with tenderness. "But Hermione your goals of going to the University... you can't do that now. Your whole future is different with this baby and marrying him." Harry said.
"Harry, I'm still going to University. I'm not giving up my dreams."
"Who's going to take care of it? Him? Are you going to give up teaching Snape? How will you support your wife and child?" Harry scowled.
"Harry, stop it. Severus and I have worked it out. We will have a nanny to help when I'm in school and he is teaching. He has offered to stop teaching but I won't let him. Please trust me," Hermione almost begged.
"But Hermione, a nanny is expensive and so is school. How can you afford all this?" Ron asked knowing how hard it was being poor and he didn't want his best friend to go through what his family has to.
Hermione blushed a bit, "Severus is well off, so he can afford it."
"Hermione we are well off. The money in Gringotts is also yours," Severus said in a soft tone.
The three students looked at Severus.
"Explain well off. University, baby, wife, and nanny even with the help of teaching salary is going to drain your vault," Harry said with concern. He was protective of his friends to the end.
"Potter, our financial situation is hardly any of your concern but if it will reduce some of the stress that you are putting on my wife, I will tell you. Gringotts has several vaults filled with Galleons in mine and Hermione's name. Would you also like to know which estates I own?" Severus sneered hating having to explain himself.
Harry and Ron had the grace to flush now, knowing how big the vaults were.
"Why do you teach then?" Harry finally asked.
"It was first as a cover for being a spy for Albus. Now because I honestly enjoy it, sometimes," Severus said in a distant tone.
"You enjoy teaching?" Ron asked in bewilderment, "It sure doesn't seem like it!"
"If you would pay more attention in class and less to Quidditch you might see that," Severus sneered.
Ron looked away a bit guilty.
"Harry, Ron, you will both need to keep this quiet for the rest of the school year. You both have practice in keeping secrets and I'm sure you can do this same with this. Please do not talk about this in the corridors, as you know the walls have ears," Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, sir," both answered.
"Thank you, now let's leave and let Severus and Hermione a chance to talk alone." Dumbledore stood and the chair vanished behind him.
Harry and Ron stood, looking at Hermione. They were almost afraid to leave her but she nodded her head and they followed Dumbledore out after he released the locking spells.
When Severus and Hermione were alone once again, Severus took a seat next to Hermione and pulled her close.
"That went better than I expected," he said softly.
"Why, because they didn't draw their wands?" she teased.
"Yes."
"I know. Thank you for keeping your temper, love." Hermione placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Your welcome. I did try. Let's go to bed," Severus pulled her up.
"It's only 7:30," she said.
"I'm sure we can keep ourselves occupied until we fall asleep, Mrs. Snape," he growled playfully into her ear.
