Disclaimer: Most characters belong to JKR, not me, except Sev's family and Chastity.
A/N: Thanks to Sunglow for beta reading, and for all the reviews. Sorry this has been a long wait. Hope you enjoy the latest instalment.
Sev and the Family SnapeChapter 5 – Parental guidance
The new term started with everyone eager to see how Professor Snape would be acting now that he was married. He hadn't improved much in the two months between Halloween and Christmas; he had still been a bastard in the classroom, and he hadn't stopped patrolling the halls after curfew. The seventh years put it down to the fact that Hermione hadn't been allowed to stay in his quarters until the wedding. Now, with her installed in his rooms, they had high hopes of him being kept occupied at night; which meant less chance of being caught out after curfew.
They watched carefully at the welcome back feast, but apart from Hermione sitting next to him, nothing seemed different. He had a slightly more relaxed look about him, but he still scanned the room as if on the lookout for trouble. They did notice, however, how he helped Hermione up from her seat as if she was made of glass. Ginny wondered on the protocol of approaching Hermione now she was Snape's wife. Perhaps she should ask Professor McGonagall.
After the feast, Ginny made her way to McGonagall's office and knocked, waiting for the signal to enter.
"Yes, Miss Weasley?"
"Did you have a nice break, Professor?"
"Yes, thank you, Ginny."
"Can I ask you a question Professor?"
"Certainly." Minerva waited expectantly.
"Hermione's my best friend."
"I was aware of that."
"But she's married now."
"And?"
"How do I act?"
"I wasn't aware that you had to act. She's still your friend, Ginny. That hasn't changed. I daresay you'll probably have to allow for the fact that her evening's won't be free anymore, but I'm sure you'll still see plenty of her."
"Do I have to make an appointment to see her?"
"Of course not. Apart from her living in the dungeons, things will go on as before."
"Thank you, Professor."
"You're welcome, Ginny. Would you like me to have a word with her before breakfast tomorrow?"
"Yes, please."
"Off you go then. I'm sure you'll have rounds to make later." Minerva smiled at Ginny.
~~~
The next morning, Minerva took Hermione to one side and expressed Ginny's concerns to her. Hermione decided to track Ginny down after dinner and have a chat with her.
"Problem?" Severus asked as he seated her next to him.
"Not really. Do you mind if I see Ginny tonight?"
"Not at all. I'm on duty tonight anyway."
"Keeping everyone on their toes?"
"Don't want them thinking I've gone soft." He murmured, and Hermione nearly choked on her juice at the double entendre. "Are you going to tell her?" he asked.
"Probably. She can help me compose the letter to Harry and Ron."
"I'll see you at lunch then. Do you want to eat here or at home?"
"Here's fine. I've got some reading to do in the Library afterwards."
"Don't overdo it then, Hermione. If you feel tired, take a nap."
"I feel fine, Severus. I think I'll save the naps until you can be there too." She smiled at him. Severus thanked the gods for his ability to keep a straight face; he had a feeling he was going to need it if they were to continue eating in the great hall. Only his eyes showed his true feelings and they darkened at her.
"Save that thought until later tonight then." He said.
"Astronomy tower?"
"Too clichéd. How about the Quidditch pitch?" his face was impassive but his eyes weren't.
"In January? Going to keep me warm?" Hermione murmured, her eyes on her plate of eggs.
"As toast." He bit into his own, hearing her indrawn breath.
"Going to take me for a ride on your broom?" she whispered, dropping a hand to his thigh. Severus clenched his jaw. This was getting dangerous; he still had a day of lessons to get through. Think man! Ron Weasley in a tutu! Much better, his arousal was almost under control. He ran his thumb over the underside of her wrist and felt the pulse beating there, and he rubbed gently at it.
"I'll see you at lunchtime, Hermione. And no more teasing, young lady."
"That's not teasing, Severus, it was a hint." She looked at him, willing him to remember their lists, and was gratified when the realisation dawned on him.
"Before you get too big, you mean?"
"Precisely."
"Why are we having this conversation at breakfast?" he asked.
"Because we were too busy in the shower earlier?" she squeezed his thigh.
"I'll see you later." He stood up, gathered his robes around him and left his wife smiling at his departing back.
"I love it when he does that." She sighed to Remus.
"Hormones!" Remus snorted and turned back to his bacon, wishing his sensitive werewolf hearing hadn't heard that. All it made him want to do was to go and find Sirius and drag him to the nearest closet.
~~~
Oh joy; first lesson of the day was with seventh year Slytherins and Gryffindors. Severus wondered if they would dare to make any comments about Hermione and decided they wouldn't. Even after Hermione had made him give the points back, Gryffindor was only thirty points ahead. He had high hopes of Slytherin taking the house cup again this year. He smirked to himself; remembering how it came about that his house had won.
He swirled into the classroom and took his place behind his desk, leaning on it to give full force to his opening words.
"Contrary to what you all may be thinking, the change in my living arrangements does not affect my ability to teach, or to deduct points. Should I hear any inappropriate remarks, either first or second hand, I can assure you the source of such will be dealt with in my usual manner."
He stared around the class, daring them to say anything, sure that his reputation was still intact. He caught Ginny's eye and remembered how she had been the most supportive of the Weasley family, even after she had been on the receiving end of his temper at the beginning of the new term. He saw her bite her lip and after making sure they all had their heads bent over their books, he winked almost imperceptibly. Just before she bent her head, her lips quirked up in a smile of acknowledgement.
Severus used the rest of the day to re-establish his authority over his classes. He allowed himself to relax a little, and tried not to lose his temper too much which was hard when you had a fourth year that threatened to be another Longbottom. He decided to have a word with Hermione about him; anything to preserve his sanity before the babies arrived.
Hermione found him at the end of the school day in his classroom, finishing up a new batch of Pepper-Up for Poppy.
"Ready for dinner?" she asked, moving closer to him.
"Just about. You're visiting with Miss Weasley afterwards?"
"You can call her Ginny, you know."
"She's still my student, Hermione."
"So was I once." She reminded him.
"But I didn't want to sleep with her, only you."
"Bloody good job, or you'd have had both Harry and I after you."
"How is she coping without seeing the Boy Wonder?"
"There's holidays and weekends, don't forget. I think he's just waiting for her to graduate and then he's going to propose."
"Bit young, don't you think?"
"Draco's engaged, and I think Ron is serious about Susan. I don't think anyone wants to wait anymore, especially after the last few years." She leaned closer and he pulled her into the shelter of his arms.
"So what will you tell her tonight?"
"That she's going to be a godmother in seven months time."
"Will you need a restorative potion?"
"No. A quick Enervate should do it."
"I'll collect you when I've finished my rounds shall I?"
"Mmmm." She reached up and kissed him. "I can't wait."
"Come along then, Mrs Snape, if we don't get cleaned up now, we'll never make it to the hall for dinner." He reluctantly pulled away and led her back to their rooms for a quick shower and change of clothes.
After dinner, Hermione threaded her way through the groups of students to where Ginny was sitting. With a smile in the direction of her husband, she walked with Ginny to the Head Girl's sitting room.
"I'm not even going to ask how the honeymoon was." Ginny flopped down on the sofa and giggled.
"Good, because I wouldn't tell you anyway."
"That good, eh?"
"Better."
"Well married life obviously suits you."
"It does. I can definitely recommend it."
"It seems really weird not to have you just along the corridor, Hermione."
"You'll get used to it. N.E.W.T.S. will coming soon and you'll be glad of the peace and quiet."
"Trust you to remind me about exams."
"Ginny, any idea what you'll be doing when you've finished here?"
"Harry's asked me to marry him." Ginny confessed.
"So soon? I expected him to wait until you'd graduated."
"He still expects me to get good grades, Hermione."
"Will you be happy just to follow him around while he plays Quidditch?"
"Hermione, I've been following him around for the last seven years, it'll be no different. It's what I want, and we have discussed this, you know."
"What about children?"
"We want to wait a couple of years first. Why do you ask?"
"I just thought it might be nice if our children could play together."
"Hermione..are you..when?" Ginny stuttered.
"Yes, and when did it happen or when are they due?"
"They?"
"Twins."
"When are they due?"
"July."
Ginny did a bit of mental mathematics.
"That means you were.."
"Yes."
"Have you told anyone?"
"The teachers and Poppy know. I haven't told Mum and Dad yet. We're going this weekend."
"So you haven't told Harry or Ron."
"Not yet. Care to help me compose the letter?"
"Dear Harry and Ron, congratulations, you're going to be uncles to the next generation of Snapes. How's that?"
"Perfect. I knew I could count on you, Ginny." Hermione grinned.
"You're not going to write that, surely?"
"Why not? It gives all the relevant information."
"Hermione…you're joking, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. So how do we tell them?"
"In person, I think. Then you can stun them first."
"I can see I'm going to have to persuade Severus to accompany me."
"You won't need to stun them, then. They'll be too petrified to move."
"Perhaps I should turn up when I'm seven months gone and say I've been eating too much." Hermione collapsed in a fit of giggles, and from then on it all became very silly with each of them trying to think of the most outrageous way of telling Harry and Ron of Hermione's pregnancy.
They were still giggling softly when Severus knocked on the door later that night. Hermione felt a rush of desire when she saw her husband at the door, waiting impatiently for her to say her goodnights to Ginny. With a promise to meet up for a while at lunchtimes, Ginny shooed her out of the door, smiling at Severus as she did so. He had that same look on his face that Harry had when he hadn't seen Ginny in a while.
Severus swept his cloak around his wife and hustled her away from Gryffindor tower towards the Quidditch pitch after casting a warming charm around them. Hermione snuggled closer and kept pace with his long strides. There was nothing more of an ego boost to a pregnant woman than having an eager husband panting after her, so Hermione was on a high. She rubbed herself up against Severus as they reached the broom cupboard and he swung her round, gently pushing her against the wall and inserting his thigh in between her legs, leaning down to kiss her as he uncharacteristically fumbled with the door handle.
The door swung open, and with a startled squeak Colin Creevey fell out followed by an sixth year Hufflepuff and four brooms. Severus glared at them as they scrambled up and hurriedly shoved the brooms back in the cupboard. Hermione recognised the Hufflepuff as Amy Brownlow, a rather attractive blonde girl, good at Herbology and Charms.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr Creevey and ten from Hufflepuff, Miss Brownlow, for being out after curfew." Severus hissed, extremely pissed off that his plans for the rest of the evening had been ruined. "Now get back to your dormitories before I make it twenty." And he watched as they scuttled away.
He turned to Hermione, who sighed and leaned back against the wall.
"That's put me right off." He murmured.
"Me too. Shall we just head back home?"
"Good idea. The mere thought of Creevey and his camera makes me want to shudder."
"I didn't notice his camera with him tonight." Hermione smiled, snuggling closer to him as they wandered back to the dungeons.
"I'm just surprised it was a girl with him, after the way he used to follow Potter around."
"You know, Severus? So am I."
~~~
"Do your parents know we're coming?" Severus asked Hermione on the Friday evening. Sirius was coming down later to go over the instructions that Severus insisted on leaving him. He was only going to be away for one day and night, but he took his duties as Head of Slytherin house seriously and he wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any problems.
"Yes, I owled them last week. Dad's got in a bottle of that wine you like."
"You know you won't be able to have any?" Severus frowned at her.
"Yes. No alcohol while I'm pregnant and breast-feeding. I have read the books, Severus, and Poppy gave me strict instructions too."
"So what was all that about on New Year's Eve?"
"It was apple juice, Severus, not wine. I'm not stupid."
"I never said you were, I was just concerned."
"I know you were, and I love you for it." She reached up and tucked a strand of inky hair behind his ear, letting her hand drift down over his cheek to end on his chin. She held him still so she could reach up and press a kiss to his mouth. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. Just as Hermione was sagging against him, there was a knock on their door. Severus growled under his breath at the interruption and Hermione laughed softly.
"You sound just like Sirius."
"Oh Merlin help me!"
"Nope, you're on your own." She pulled away and went to the door, opening it with a smile. Sirius stood there.
"Hope I didn't interrupt anything?"
"Not yet." She smiled, drawing him into the room. "I'll leave you two to your business; I want to get the packing done for tomorrow so we can leave early."
"Not too early, I hope." Sirius commented.
"Have trouble getting up in the morning?" Severus asked, and then regretted opening his mouth as Sirius smirked.
"Not at all, as Remus will tell you."
"I don't want to know, Black, I really don't. Just keep my house in one piece, please."
"Don't worry, Severus, your children will be safe with me."
"Just make sure they don't lose any points, however tempting it may be for you."
"Only twenty points in it now." Sirius frowned, knowing it was Severus who had deducted them.
"I'll be speaking to the prefects just before we leave, so you shouldn't have too much trouble with them."
"Anyone ever tell you that you're paranoid?"
"Yes, that's why I'm head of Slytherin."
"Better you than me."
"For which I am eternally grateful."
~~~
"Severus, stop pacing, Slytherin will be fine without you for a few hours." Hermione was standing by the fireplace, waiting with a pinch of floo powder in her hand. Severus stopped and turned to her.
"I suppose I'll have to start trusting that mongrel sometime."
"Now would be a good time."
"I just have to.."
"No, you don't. You've spoken to your prefects already today, and Mum and Dad are expecting us." Hermione tapped her foot impatiently. "Now, come on."
Severus opened his mouth to say something but stopped when her saw the look in her eye. He felt like an idiot; he knew she was slightly nervous about telling her parents, and here he was, making it worse. He went over to her and hugged her. "Sorry." He murmured into her hair and she hugged him back.
"Come on, let's go." She threw the floo powder into the fire and stepped through after stating their destination. He followed seconds later, and appeared in John and Helen's living room.
"Very impressive, Severus." Helen reached up and kissed his cheek, indicating his black robes.
"I can change, if you prefer."
"No need, if you feel comfortable." She drew him away from the fireplace to where Hermione was sitting on the sofa.
"How is the term going? Any problems?"
"No more than usual, Helen. Hello, John." Severus shook his father-in-law's hand.
"Hello, Severus."
Severus sat next to Hermione and sought her hand under the folds of her robes. She was wearing stretch trousers and jumper under her robes that were comfortable, as she had just started to show a small bump.
"Mum, Dad, we've got something to tell you." She started. Both her parents looked expectantly at her.
"You're going to be grandparents." Severus said. "Twice over."
"Twins?" Helen gasped.
"Yes."
"Oh, my."
"You did say you wanted them before you got too old." Hermione pointed out.
"I just didn't expect them this quickly."
"Neither did we." Severus murmured.
"Are you all right with this, Severus?" John asked.
"Of course. We just didn't expect two for the price of one."
"Do twins run in your family?"
"Yes. I have twin brothers."
"Really? We didn't know you had any family."
"We've been..estranged."
"I am sorry."
"Don't be. They have recently been in touch, and want to meet with Hermione."
"Will you have any trouble?" John was aware of the prejudice some wizards had with muggleborns.
"None that we can't handle." Hermione said firmly.
"Will we be able to meet them?" Helen asked. Hermione looked at Severus, who hid a smile at the thought of his pureblood family meeting these muggles (and he meant that as an affectionate term).
"I don't see any reason why not. You are the babies' grandparents as well, and it's tradition in the wizard community that the grandparents are present at the birth."
Hermione looked horrified. "I am not having everyone in there with me!"
"No, no, my love. They wait outside."
"Bloody good job." John muttered, remembering Hermione's birth.
"So when are the babies due?" Helen asked eagerly.
"Middle to the end of July." Hermione said. She could see her father doing the math.
"Jumped the gun a bit, eh Severus?"
"Just a bit." Severus had the grace to look a little sheepish.
"Don't go blaming him, Dad. If anything, it's my fault."
"I can well believe that." Helen murmured under her breath. "Tea, anyone?" she asked brightly.
~~~
"You were right, Hermione."
"About what?" they were snuggled under the duvet that night.
"I feel a lot better about my baby pictures now. You were an ugly baby."
"That doesn't hold out much hope for our babies, then, if their parents were ugly as sin."
"But at least one of them turned out beautiful."
"Are you implying I'm ugly?" she joked. He snorted and rolled suddenly so she was on top of him.
"As long as they don't get my nose.."
"Or my teeth."
"..I'll be happy."
"I happen to like your nose, Professor Snape." She tapped it affectionately.
"Too big."
"Very aristocratic, and you know what they say about big noses, don't you?" she squirmed against him, her knees parting to straddle his hips.
"All the better to smell you with?" he nuzzled her neck.
"That line was appalling, Severus."
"So you don't want me to do my big bad wolf impression." He growled at her playfully and rolled so she was under him.
"Into role-play now, are you? Want me to get my red cloak?" she tightened her thighs around his hips.
Severus didn't answer, but slid his hands under her hips to pull her closer to his arousal. He growled again against her neck and she whimpered softly as he slid inside her warm depths. The room was silent apart from the soft sighs and moans from the couple under the duvet as they rocked lazily together, drawing out their lovemaking well into the night.
~~~
"So you don't have morning sickness?" Helen asked Hermione as they relaxed around the breakfast table the next morning.
"No. Nothing."
"Lucky girl. I was sick as a dog when I was carrying you. Could your magical abilities be responsible for that?"
"No. Witches are just as susceptible, I'm afraid." Severus said. "Hermione seems to be one of the few lucky ones." Secretly he was relieved that he didn't have to cope with a vomiting wife.
"So when will you be seeing your family, Severus?" John poured him another coffee and then topped up Hermione's milk.
"Probably next month. Albus has agreed to mediate."
"That sounds ominous."
"He's very good at diffusing difficult situations." Hermione said.
"If you have any problems, you know you can always count on us." John looked over at Severus, who smiled at him.
"Thank you, John. That means a great deal to us."
"And you never know, one of them may need an emergency dentist." John grinned wickedly.
~~~
Mid morning found Severus and Hermione saying goodbye to her parents with the promise of regular updates on her progress, and with news of their impending meeting with his family. Both John and Helen had offered their unconditional support, and Severus was grateful. If it didn't work out with his family, at least the twins would have one set of doting grandparents.
Hermione flopped onto the sofa when they arrived back in the dungeons and watched as Severus changed back into his teaching robes, ready to relieve Sirius of his temporary post. He hoped the mutt hadn't disrupted his house too much. Kissing Hermione on the forehead, he swept out of their rooms and on to the Slytherin common room. Speaking the password to the portrait guarding the entrance, he passed silently through and stood in the doorway, observing the scene. Hmmm, everything seemed normal; two seventh years were playing chess, three second years were studying at the large central table and there was a group of first years discussing the merits of the new Nimbus 3000.
He melted back into the shadows and allowed the door to silently close, heading back to his rooms. He'd see Sirius at lunch for an update. Hermione was unpacking their overnight bag when he entered their bedroom a few minutes later. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched her curved bottom sway as she hummed to herself. She'd taken off her outer robes and the trousers clung to the lines of her long legs. He grinned as she bumped and ground her way across to the bathroom and applauded as she swivelled her hips in time to her tune. She spun round, a blush spreading as she realised she'd been caught in the act.
"Very nice. Think you can do that in my direction, Mrs Snape?"
"Now?"
"No time like the present." He smiled, throwing his robe onto a chair and sitting on the bed, then leant back on his elbows. He flicked open the top two buttons of his white shirt and beckoned her over, wondering if she was adventurous enough, especially at this time of day. Tossing her hair over her shoulder she made her way over to the bed towards him, doing an excellent impression of an exotic dancer, slowly undoing the buttons of her blouse as she went. Severus was not expecting this, and sat up straighter as she straddled his lap, her breasts on a level with his face. He grasped her waist to steady her and she laughed as he nuzzled the valley between her breasts, his teeth dragging the lace of her bra down.
Things were just getting interesting when they heard the rush of the fireplace, indicating a floo message coming in. Hermione groaned against his neck and he lifted her off him, adjusting the front of his trousers as he grabbed his robe from the chair.
"Hold that thought for later." He said, and went back into the living room. The fireplace was glowing green.
"Yes?" his voice was clipped due to frustration at being interrupted.
"Severus? Am I disturbing you?" Dumbledore's head appeared in the flames.
"You just did."
"Ah. I do apologise, but something has come up. I wonder if you and Hermione could join me in my office?"
"Now?"
"Yes." Dumbledore was serious.
"We'll be with you in ten minutes."
Hermione emerged from the bedroom to hear the last bit of the conversation, and turned to collect a robe from the wardrobe. She ran a quick brush over her hair and repaired her lipstick, then joined her husband by the fireplace.
"Problem?"
"Not sure. Are you ready?"
"Let's go." She slipped her wand in her pocket and then straightened his collar, brushing his hair out from where it had caught underneath. He caught her hand and kissed it.
They made their way out of the dungeons to the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office. Speaking the password 'Snowballs', they ascended the spiral staircase. Knocking on the door, they heard Dumbledore invite them inside. Severus stepped back to allow his wife to enter first, but was brought up short against her back as she stopped suddenly. Dumbledore was not alone in his office.
"Hello, Severus."
TBC
A/N: I was one of the lucky few women not to have morning sickness in both my pregnancies, so I thought I'd be generous to Hermione. I know, I know, I've left it as a cliffhanger. Ten points to anyone who guesses correctly who's in the office with Dumbledore! I'll try to get the next chapter written as soon as possible Things have been fairly hectic, and an idea for a future chapter distracted me, so I had to get that down in writing before I lost the thread. Also, ff.net have deleted my Percy/Hermione story! Bugger! Now I have to go and repost it.