*~* Disclaimer- I don't own anything you recognize…It all belongs to the goddess J. K. Rowling. I'm just letting them play on my playground. *~*
A/N: Hi all! Sorry for the delay on this chapter. I was really sick and couldn't write but now I'm on my way to recovery (:
~ Chapter 7 ~
"I could ask you the same question, Hermione," Sirius said.
"What does it look like? I had a baby," Hermione replied exhaustedly. Sirius looked at the baby resting in Hermione's arms.
"Why didn't Harry tell me he got you pregnant?"
"Because Harry isn't the father." Hermione stared at him. "And no I'm not about to reveal who is. It doesn't matter."
"Why did you run away, Mione? You know you had places to stay," he stated.
"You didn't answer my question. Why are you here?"
"I was feeling restless and a change in scenery seemed like just the thing for me," he said simply. She looked at him, studying his face.
"Well, you can tell whoever sent you that I'm fine and I will see them in eleven years." Sirius looked confused at her words. He moved into the chair next to the bed.
"Eleven?" he questioned.
"Well I suspect Dumbledore will make sure that she's on the list for Hogwarts as soon as possible. I won't keep her from the proper education she deserves. If that's what she wants, of course." Hermione sighed and looked down at the little one in her arms. She seemed so tiny wrapped up in the hospital blanket, her head barely poking through. Small black hairs dusted the top of her head. Her large black eyes fluttered open and stared up into Hermione's cinnamon ones.
"Do you miss it?" It was a simple question but she found it hard to answer.
"Truthfully? Yes I do. I miss my friends, the professors, and everything."
"Even Snape and Malfoy?" he asked.
"Well maybe not Malfoy per say…" He looked at her. Her hair was a mess and there was a foreign look in her eyes. It was as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders.
"And those books…" He said smiling. She smiled back.
"Sirius could you do me a favor? Will you go get me two instant cameras from the gift shop? Thanks." She handed him some money and he went to get them. Fifteen minutes later he returned.
"I have to ask, Mione. Why two?"
"I'm sending one to Dumbledore," she stated. "Will you take a picture of me and her together?" Just then a nurse walked in.
"Miss, you need to fill out the papers for the baby," she said casting a spell that created a special parchment much like a muggle birth certificate.
"Why don't I go grab something to eat. I promise to come back when I'm done," Sirius told her and he left.
"Baby's name?" the parchment asked.
"Mellody Amanda Snape," she told it. The name appeared on the line.
"Mother's name?"
"Hermione Granger."
"Father's name?" At this she hesitated but answered anyway.
"Severus Snape."
"Sign here please." She pulled out a quill and signed on the flashing line. The parchment disappeared and the nurse left saying she'd be back later to get the baby. When Sirius came back he took some pictures and Hermione sent them to be developed.
A couple of days later they copied the pictures to send to Harry, Ron, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, Sirius and herself. They took turns changing them from muggle photographs to wizarding ones.
"Sirius, you do know that I don't want everyone to know where I am, don't you?" she asked suddenly.
"I figured you didn't and I will respect your decision. Although I sent a letter to Harry and Albus saying I found you and not to worry so much. You're a strong girl Hermione and I have faith that you will make the right decisions for you and Mellody. I only wish that it would have been possible for you to stay in England," he told her.
"Thank you. That means a lot to me. Now if only someone would defeat Voldemort I'd feel safer for Mellody…" she trailed off. Sirius shuddered.
"That reminds me. We must be moving you two into your house soon and I want to add some wards of my own."
"We'll hardly be there. I go back to school on September 1st and she's coming with me."
***At Hogwarts***
Four owls dropped packages in front of their recipients at breakfast. All containing the same picture and a letter.
Dear Harry,
Well here is the letter I promised. I'm sorry it didn't come sooner. I'm sure by now you've heard, I'm in America. No, don't try to find me. I mean it Harry! As you can guess, the picture is of my daughter Mellody and I. I know you are wondering who the father is but I can't tell you. A Death Eater raped me last year and I couldn't give her up. She means everything to me now. I hope you can forgive me for running away. It was something I had to do. Also I enclosed a picture of Sirius. He's been hanging around and helping where he can. We miss you all so much. Take care of everyone there for me. Oh and study hard for the NEWTS!
Your best friend forever,
Hermione
Harry stared at the picture in his hand. There was his best friend looking disheveled but smiling up at him as she tilted the bundle in her arms to show him the sleeping child. Tears welled up in his eyes and he blinked them away while shoving the letter and pictures into his robes. Harry glanced around him.
Dear Ron,
I know by now you have seen the picture of my daughter Mellody and I. I hope you are still reading. Last year a Death Eater raped me. I couldn't bear to give her up and now I'm so glad I didn't. She means everything to me. I ask you not to come looking for me. I am perfectly fine and going to school in America. Please don't worry about me. Sirius is always near by and can help if he is needed. I miss you so much. Take care and study for the NEWTS!
Your best friend forever,
Hermione
Ron's eyes drifted to the picture as he watched Hermione sitting there, looking happier than he'd seen her in quite some time. He couldn't believe that everything had happened without them knowing. He sighed and hid the picture and letter in his bag. His eyes met Harry's and he saw the same emotions he was feeling mirrored in his friend's.
Dear Professor McGonagall,
I've missed you so much. You've been like a mother to me. I hope you can understand that England and Hogwarts aren't the best place for me right now. By the time you get this I will be studying at one of the schools here. Please don't try to find me. I am doing quite well here. Eventually I will find a way to tell Professor Snape about our daughter, Mellody Amanda Snape. Since I am certain you and the Headmaster will want her to go to Hogwarts, it should be sooner than later. Please don't be too hard on him. I know he still blames himself for what happened. Also, I was hoping you would be Mellody's godmother. It would make me very happy. Give your answer to Dumbledore. He will know how to contact me. Enclosed is a picture of Mellody and I. Take care.
Love Always,
Hermione
Minerva bit back tears as she read the letter from her favorite student. She smiled at the picture and glanced down the table at Severus. He seemed even more withdrawn than usual.
Dear Headmaster,
I hope this letter finds you well. I will be attending a school here in America to finish my last two years. Life is good here. I met your little spy not too long ago. Although he is sworn to secrecy on my location. The picture is with my daughter, Mellody Amanda Snape. I have a feeling you shall meet her in at most eleven years. I was hoping you and Minerva would be her godparents. To contact me just send it to Sirius. I can get them from him. I bet you know why I sent you the camera. Please take pictures of some of the things that happen at Hogwarts. Also Mellody might like some pictures of her father. Thanks a lot. I wish you a peaceful year.
Love Always,
Hermione
Albus' eyes twinkled brightly at the picture. It was wonderful seeing Hermione happy again. He couldn't wait for a time when everyone would be together again.
Snape sat in his office that night. 'This is horrible! I caused one of the brightest students this school has seen to drop out. I always ruin everyone's lives. If only I could stop these inappropriate dreams I've been having about her and I. I wish I could let myself take a Dreamless Sleep Potion tonight. I miss the way her potions were always correct, her papers were excellent even if they were too long, and how she always knew the right answer and let me know it with her waving hand. Too bad she wasn't in Slytherin.' He retired to bed only to dream of her face.
A/N: That concludes chapter 9. Ugh! Time is moving too slowly and I'm impatient. Look for a BIG jump in time in the upcoming chapters. Ooh this was supposed to be up last night. Sorry guys. Thanks for your reviews. I wuv you guys!
mylin: Gee, it's very horrible for me to be dragging people around anywhere. I apologize for any injuries you may have sustain in that act of violence. (:
becka: I wouldn't doubt that you are part of the "crazy fan" category. Somehow I don't believe Sev would be as happy as you are to find out that Sirius is there with her.
theSU1C1Dequeen: Glad you didn't see that little twist. I happen to be from Michigan so it seemed like a good enough place to me.
Linis: Here's the next chapter! Hope you didn't go insane with the long wait.
scholcomp1: Thanks for reviewing! I tried not to end with a cliffie this time around.