A/N: The world of Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I am just having fun
playing with her characters. This story is rated R for a reason. You have
been warned. I also have this story listed on Whispers, Adult Fan Fiction
and Lord and Lady Snape websites.. In case it gets deleted here.
Chapter Twenty-one
"Headmaster," Severus said as he entered Albus Dumbledore's office for the second time that day. "I have managed to bring Hermione back with me and she is in the hospital wing. Her parents are aware of all that is going on."
"Oh, that is good news but why the need for the infirmary?" Albus asked as he reached for a sherbet lemon and offered one to his Potions Master.
"No, thank you, Albus," Severus declined. "She is exhausted. She is still under what I would say partial control by Frontera but she has managed to break the curse a couple of times this evening."
"I suspect it is due to his distance away from Hermione. I do suspect he will lose control of all those he has under his thumb as he will be away from the students for the entire three weeks I should imagine." Severus nodded but his face still showed much concern. "What else is there, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, his knowing and all-seeing eyes twinkling in the soft illumination within the office.
"Hermione tried to kill me this evening," Albus gasped. "I know her magic levels are so depleted but she did try to cast Avada Kedavera on me none the less." Severus told him quite down cast.
"I see. Apparently Frontera does have quite a strong hold over her after all." Albus noted as he ran his hands down his long white beard, in deep thought.
"Is there nothing you can do, Albus?" Severus almost sounded pleading.
"As I said, the counter curse is being thrown due to her pregnancy, Severus. I do believe we will be able to break the curse once the baby is born though." Severus nodded solemnly.
"Did you know she was attacked this morning by Frontera in the hospital wing?"
"Poppy did indeed inform me once both of you had left Hogwarts." Albus said gravely. Severus nodded. "Has she actually said he did it? Has she named her attacker?"
"Yes, and Poppy heard as well." Severus replied gravely.
"Very well. I believe we can have him arrested but we do need to have this book before we do so or it could be lost to us once more. I believe it should be destroyed once and for all." Albus intoned gravely. "Have you made any progress with your research, Severus?"
"As yet, not a great deal, Professor Clearwater is working on the new binding spell I believe and I have been experimenting with binding potions. We met just before the holidays and she was happy to stick to her own area of expertise and I am more than happy to stick to mine. However, Hermione is aware we are carrying out this research; though she does not know the details."
"I see. It is imperative we keep her from Frontera then. We, after all, don't want our plans falling into the wrong hands."
"What can you tell me about your own endeavours?" Severus asked.
"Well, Harry is still in residence in the castle."
"So, the Boy Wonder has indeed returned for a little longer this time." Severus intoned dryly.
"Severus," Albus warned. "Harry has extensive knowledge with binding spells as you well know from the last battle with Voldemort. He bound Voldemort's powers enabling you to do your job."
"I know," Severus sighed deeply. "Has he been working on this?"
"Yes, he's also been in touch with Quentin Cardoba as well and together with Professor Clearwater they have managed to formulate something which may indeed work. I believe Quentin is coming to Hogwarts over the holidays so they can all work on the spell together. "
"So, how are we to retrieve the book from Frontera?" Severus asked.
"We need to bind his magic separately from that of the book. This should therefore cut his connection with it and leave the book without an owner." Albus explained.
"It will try to attach itself to someone else. whoever touches it will be its new owner." Severus interrupted.
"Quite, and that is why we will move it only with levitation charms to a secret area. I was thinking perhaps the sub dungeons for now."
"Yes, they are still open and the tunnels are still quite sturdy though one or two are now flooded." Severus informed the Headmaster; after all he knew the dungeons like the backs of his hands having lived in them for around twenty years.
"After we have separated the book from Frontera we shall destroy it."
"And how, pray tell, do you propose doing that exactly?" As far as Severus was concerned it could not be destroyed.
"We will find a way. The main priority is to separate it from its current owner. After we hide it in a secret location we will have time to find a way to destroy it." Albus told him and Severus nodded in agreement.
"So, now we need to get Frontera and the book in a place where we can confront him." Severus said. "This plan definitely needs some work Albus before we can even come close to executing it."
"Agreed, but then we do have three weeks at our disposal and I'm sure we'll figure all this out by then." Albus said and they sat back and discussed the plan in greater details.
~~*~~
A few hours after Hermione had been given the dreamless sleep potion she regained partial awareness and was shocked to feel a hard contraction in her abdomen, which made her regain full consciousness quite involuntarily. Her heart rate increased rapidly as she struggled to bring her mind into focus and understand why she was in such great pain.
She tried to unfurl herself and felt very wet and sticky between her legs; her waters must have broken, she thought panic rising in her immediately. She was curled up as tight as she could be when another contraction ripped through her abdomen. "Poppy!" She tried to shout and a strangled word came out. Nevertheless she heard footsteps and the door to the infirmary opened seconds later.
"Yes, my dear?" Poppy asked as she stepped over the threshold straightening her robe as she'd just woken up.
"The baby is coming." Hermione ground out as she felt another contraction and started to pant as the urge to push hit her.
"But, you are only six months pregnant! It's too soon for that, Hermione." Poppy said worriedly as she pulled out her wand and started examining her. Hermione's waters had indeed broken and she was already dilated to eight centimetres.
"Poppy, I agree but he. obviously does not." She screamed as another contraction hit her and she rocked from side to side in agony. She had never felt anything like this before.
"Oh, my word! I need some help here." Poppy exclaimed as she rushed to fetch everything she would need and to summon some medi-witches from St. Mungo's, Severus and the Headmaster. "Hermione, breathe through the pain now, don't hold your breath if you can help it," she instructed as she bustled about.
"Poppy, it hurts!" She complained loudly and groaned through another contraction.
"I know, dear. I've got two sons." Poppy said as the Headmaster and a very flustered Severus Snape rushed into the room moments later after having been disturbed from their discussion about the up and coming plans.
"He can leave. Now!" Hermione said indicating Snape with a raised finger. Severus noted that her eyes were glazed over yet again but he was not going to let her being controlled put him off.
"No, Hermione. I will stay." He said authoritatively and refusing to go.
"I don't want you here, Snape. This baby is nothing to do with you!" She shouted at him.
"I beg to differ, Hermione." He said moving to pull her into a sitting position and wedged himself in behind her for support. "You can tell me whatever you like later but let me help you through this." He was battling his own fatigue very much so by now. It had been late evening when they had both returned from Hermione's parents and he had been speaking with the Headmaster ever since. It was now nearly one in the morning.
"Fine!" She said, screaming as another contraction hit her and she panted through its duration. There was a sudden roar from the fire in the hospital wing and several footsteps were heard as Poppy shouted for the medical team to come into the side ward. They brought in a range of medical devices that Severus had never seen before but Hermione recognised as artificial ventilators and an incubator and it made her start to panic more so and reached up to grasp Severus' arm tightly. "Severus, what's happening?" She asked wide-eyed.
"Hermione, you are back. the medical team are just bringing in equipment to help once the baby is born." Severus explained and hugged her tightly, kissing her on the top of the head. "Poppy, why is she in labour? She's only six months pregnant!" Severus demanded as the medical team bustled about and set up everything they'd brought with them.
"Madam Pomfrey." A medi-wizard said, stepping up to the school nurse and reaching out his hand in greeting. "I am Dr. Rufus O'Hare from St. Mungo's. I'm a specialist in paediatrics and gaenacology." He said in an Irish accent.
"Glad you are here, Dr. O'Hare. Professor Granger is in premature labour; she's little over six months pregnant. Any assistance you can give will be much appreciated." Poppy said as she quickly shook his hand in greeting and moved over to her patient again.
"Certainly, you lead please and I will assist you as needed." Dr. O'Hare replied quite happy to let Poppy nurse her own patient and he would only step in if there were something she couldn't handle.
"Hermione could be in labour for any number of reasons, Severus; one being immense stress." Poppy replied eventually as she finally set out everything she would need. "Now, Hermione, spread your legs open. erm Headmaster could you wait outside please?" Poppy asked as she turned to the momentarily forgotten Headmaster.
"Certainly, let me know if you need anything." Albus said moving into the side room with the porters and closing the door behind him, leaving only Severus and Hermione with Poppy and Dr. O'Hare.
"Hermione, open your legs, dear." Poppy told her again.
"It hurts to, Poppy." Hermione told her.
"I know it does but it is necessary in order to allow the baby to be born." Poppy told her smiling. "Now, let me see, dear." Poppy said raising Hermione's hospital gown so that she could see if the baby's head was showing yet, it was starting to and shouldn't be long in coming now.
"The baby wants out. now." Hermione groaned shaking her head and pleading as tears ran down her face for the whole thing to be over with very quickly. Severus still held her tightly and she was finding it hard to get enough oxygen. "Snape, you can release your tight grip on me now. I need to breathe."
"Oh, sorry," Severus said as he assumed his wife had lost her mind control again though he could not see her eyes from the position he was sitting in.
"Hermione, I've removed your underwear now I want you to recline ever so slightly, bracing yourself against Severus and when I tell you to, I want to you push to the count of ten and then pant. Got it?" Hermione nodded. "Dr. O'Hare, could you set the incubator up and be ready to deliver the after birth?"
"Certainly, Madam Pomfrey," he said, moving away.
"Count aloud for your wife now, Severus, and Hermione, please push." Poppy commanded.
Severus counted and Hermione pushed with all her might before she started to pant and force air back into her lungs and around her body. It seemed to go on forever but after about the tenth cycle she felt the baby finally leave her body and she relaxed against her husband's chest breathing deeply and feeling a great sense of relief.
"It's a boy," Poppy told them grinning broadly before she cut the cord and whisked him away to the incubator and placed him into it, stabilising him as she went. He was so small but he looked fine despite the fact he was three months premature. Dr. O'Hare returned to Hermione and asked if she was ready to deliver the after birth. "One more big push ought to do it, Professor Granger." Hermione pushed and finally it was all over with. Dr. O'Hare stopped the internal bleeding with his wand and repaired the slight vaginal tear that had occurred as Hermione cried tears of joy.
"Well done, love. Well done." Severus said as he kissed her lightly on the temple and hugged her from behind.
"Snape, do not kiss me again." She warned tiredly.
"Do you have a name for him?" Poppy asked from the other side of the room as she tended to the baby to make sure he was alright.
"Callum Andrew." Hermione replied closing her eyes in exhaustion.
"That's lovely. Okay, Callum Andrew Snape." Poppy said as she magically put his name on the side of the incubator.
"No. Callum Andrew Granger." Hermione told them to Severus' disbelief.
"Hermione." Severus began but at a loss for words.
"No. You are to have nothing to do with him, and now he's been expelled from my body, you can leave me in peace as well." She said tiredly and Severus moved out from behind her to gently lay her down flat again. Dr. O'Hare looked at the couple in confusion but decided not to comment.
"Severus. I'm sorry." Poppy told him. Hermione had already fallen asleep behind them and Dr. O'Hare moved over to check on her again. "Come, see your son. He should know his father." Poppy said. Severus thought for a moment, he was inclined to storm out and say to hell with the lot of them but instead he moved over to the nurse quietly and peered into the incubator. "You can put your hands in through the side holes here," Poppy indicated. "He is fine though quite premature and will therefore need a lot of support for a few weeks. He is well developed though."
"And his magic? Will it be affected by the fact he came three months too early?" Severus asked as he gazed at his son in pure wonderment.
"He may develop it a little later than usual but it should not affect him too much." Dr. O'Hare said as he watched Severus put his hand through the hole and stroke Callum's head gently with one finger. "He should be breast fed for as long as possible, this will increase his chances of developing his magical ability- assuming he has any of course, and it will also help him to grow and develop his immune system."
"Would you like to feed him, Severus? He will need some nourishment and Hermione is in no condition right now to do it." Poppy asked as she conjured a bottle of warm milk.
"Er. well." Severus withdrew his hand, stoking his son's head was one thing but feeding him required holding him as well and he had absolutely no idea how to go about doing that anyway. He looked so unbelievably vulnerable and delicate.
"Come on." Poppy said directing him to a comfortable chair and making him sit. She took his son out of the incubator and wrapped him in a warm blanket before handing him over to Severus. "Support his head, that's it, and his bottom. Here's the bottle. Put it in his mouth and he should suckle instinctively." Severus did as instructed and was amazed as Callum did exactly as Poppy said he would. He was completely lost fitting into his father's hands and being no bigger than a baby House Elf. So delicate, so defenceless, so tiny and Severus knew without a shadow of a doubt that he loved this little baby with all of his heart- it was unconditional.
"Thank you, Poppy." Severus said with tears in his eyes as he cradled his son in his arms and smiled proudly down at his son. This was now his world, his entire life and his reason for living and fighting for what was his.
"You are most welcome, Severus." She said rubbing his back. "Now, back to Hermione." She turned and went over to Hermione and Dr. O'Hare and with her wand drawn started to scan her for any injuries and any bleeding.
"She had a slight vaginal tear but I've healed it, no other bleeding and she is just resting now." Dr. O'Hare commented as Poppy completed her own scans. "Exhaustion seemed to have brought about the premature labour. The baby is fine though; I have checked him out fully. I don't see a need for any follow up treatments but he will need to be kept in the incubator for the next month."
"Thank you, Dr. O'Hare. You have been most helpful." Poppy told him gratefully.
"He's also a weight of four pounds and three ounces. I don't think you need my help with anything else here, Madam Pomfrey but if you do just call me. I'm on a late shift at the hospital this evening." Dr. O'Hare told her as he began to pack up the equipment that Madam Pomfrey would not need anymore.
"Thank you so much Doctor, I really couldn't have managed without you and we certainly didn't have anything like an incubator at our disposal here at Hogwarts." Poppy told him.
"Think nothing of it, and the equipment is yours for as long as the boy needs it," he replied. "I'll have to be going now, good bye."
"Bye and thank you again." Poppy said.
"Yes, thank you, Dr. O'Hare." Severus spoke up from his seat still cradling his son in his arms. Poppy moved back to Hermione and made sure she was alright again before returning back to Severus and taking the baby from him.
"Turn him over like this and support his head by his chin, Severus." Poppy said, giving him his son back. "Now, rub and pat his back to bring up any wind. That's right, you're doing just fine. I'll let the Headmaster back in."
"Please, Poppy." Severus said still completely in awe as she moved to open the door and Dumbledore came back in.
"Ah, Severus, this truly is a wondrous sight. I never dreamed I would see you holding a baby, any baby. especially your own." Albus said as he moved over to the father and son and gently stroked the baby on the head with one finger. "Congratulations, my boy."
"I did not believe it would ever happen either, Albus. Particularly not so soon," Severus said as he wrapped Callum back in his blanket and turned him onto his back again, cuddling him into his body warmth and stroking his cheek gently.
"Is he alright, Poppy?" Albus asked quietly.
"Yes, just too small, due to the fact he's premature." Poppy told him.
"Does he have a name as yet?" Albus asked Severus as Poppy put the baby back into his incubator.
"Hermione has decided to name him Callum Andrew. Granger." Severus told him perplexed.
"Oh, I'm sure she will change her mind soon enough, my boy." Albus comforted him.
"Poppy?" Hermione whispered as she opened her eyes and saw three sets of concerned stares on her as they all approached her bed. She swallowed her throat sore and dry with all the screaming and shouting she had done in order to give birth.
"How are you feeling, my dear?" Albus asked.
"I've been better, Professor." She whispered. "Can I have a drink?"
"Certainly," Poppy said conjuring a glass of water and handing it to her.
"Could you tell us how you were injured this morning?" Albus asked as she sipped her water, his eyes twinkling at her in concern.
"I'm not supposed to say." Hermione whispered back and placing the half- full glass down on the side table as her eyes remained glazed over.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Severus asked hotly; he was far too tired to keep his temper in check anymore. Hermione began to cry and Severus immediately regretted it.
"I mean. I'm still being controlled and I've been told. not to tell." Hermione replied shakily. "Help me. please." She pleaded to the three of them as tears streamed down her face suddenly. She was trying to fight the curse again, Severus realised.
"Hermione, you have already mentioned who it was to Poppy and I, the Headmaster needs to hear for himself. Albus, would the counter curse work now Hermione has had the baby?" Severus asked looking at the Headmaster optimistically.
"I do believe so, Severus. Let me try at least." Albus withdrew his wand and muttered the incantation. Everyone looked on holding their breaths as Hermione closed her eyes.
Chapter Twenty-one
"Headmaster," Severus said as he entered Albus Dumbledore's office for the second time that day. "I have managed to bring Hermione back with me and she is in the hospital wing. Her parents are aware of all that is going on."
"Oh, that is good news but why the need for the infirmary?" Albus asked as he reached for a sherbet lemon and offered one to his Potions Master.
"No, thank you, Albus," Severus declined. "She is exhausted. She is still under what I would say partial control by Frontera but she has managed to break the curse a couple of times this evening."
"I suspect it is due to his distance away from Hermione. I do suspect he will lose control of all those he has under his thumb as he will be away from the students for the entire three weeks I should imagine." Severus nodded but his face still showed much concern. "What else is there, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, his knowing and all-seeing eyes twinkling in the soft illumination within the office.
"Hermione tried to kill me this evening," Albus gasped. "I know her magic levels are so depleted but she did try to cast Avada Kedavera on me none the less." Severus told him quite down cast.
"I see. Apparently Frontera does have quite a strong hold over her after all." Albus noted as he ran his hands down his long white beard, in deep thought.
"Is there nothing you can do, Albus?" Severus almost sounded pleading.
"As I said, the counter curse is being thrown due to her pregnancy, Severus. I do believe we will be able to break the curse once the baby is born though." Severus nodded solemnly.
"Did you know she was attacked this morning by Frontera in the hospital wing?"
"Poppy did indeed inform me once both of you had left Hogwarts." Albus said gravely. Severus nodded. "Has she actually said he did it? Has she named her attacker?"
"Yes, and Poppy heard as well." Severus replied gravely.
"Very well. I believe we can have him arrested but we do need to have this book before we do so or it could be lost to us once more. I believe it should be destroyed once and for all." Albus intoned gravely. "Have you made any progress with your research, Severus?"
"As yet, not a great deal, Professor Clearwater is working on the new binding spell I believe and I have been experimenting with binding potions. We met just before the holidays and she was happy to stick to her own area of expertise and I am more than happy to stick to mine. However, Hermione is aware we are carrying out this research; though she does not know the details."
"I see. It is imperative we keep her from Frontera then. We, after all, don't want our plans falling into the wrong hands."
"What can you tell me about your own endeavours?" Severus asked.
"Well, Harry is still in residence in the castle."
"So, the Boy Wonder has indeed returned for a little longer this time." Severus intoned dryly.
"Severus," Albus warned. "Harry has extensive knowledge with binding spells as you well know from the last battle with Voldemort. He bound Voldemort's powers enabling you to do your job."
"I know," Severus sighed deeply. "Has he been working on this?"
"Yes, he's also been in touch with Quentin Cardoba as well and together with Professor Clearwater they have managed to formulate something which may indeed work. I believe Quentin is coming to Hogwarts over the holidays so they can all work on the spell together. "
"So, how are we to retrieve the book from Frontera?" Severus asked.
"We need to bind his magic separately from that of the book. This should therefore cut his connection with it and leave the book without an owner." Albus explained.
"It will try to attach itself to someone else. whoever touches it will be its new owner." Severus interrupted.
"Quite, and that is why we will move it only with levitation charms to a secret area. I was thinking perhaps the sub dungeons for now."
"Yes, they are still open and the tunnels are still quite sturdy though one or two are now flooded." Severus informed the Headmaster; after all he knew the dungeons like the backs of his hands having lived in them for around twenty years.
"After we have separated the book from Frontera we shall destroy it."
"And how, pray tell, do you propose doing that exactly?" As far as Severus was concerned it could not be destroyed.
"We will find a way. The main priority is to separate it from its current owner. After we hide it in a secret location we will have time to find a way to destroy it." Albus told him and Severus nodded in agreement.
"So, now we need to get Frontera and the book in a place where we can confront him." Severus said. "This plan definitely needs some work Albus before we can even come close to executing it."
"Agreed, but then we do have three weeks at our disposal and I'm sure we'll figure all this out by then." Albus said and they sat back and discussed the plan in greater details.
~~*~~
A few hours after Hermione had been given the dreamless sleep potion she regained partial awareness and was shocked to feel a hard contraction in her abdomen, which made her regain full consciousness quite involuntarily. Her heart rate increased rapidly as she struggled to bring her mind into focus and understand why she was in such great pain.
She tried to unfurl herself and felt very wet and sticky between her legs; her waters must have broken, she thought panic rising in her immediately. She was curled up as tight as she could be when another contraction ripped through her abdomen. "Poppy!" She tried to shout and a strangled word came out. Nevertheless she heard footsteps and the door to the infirmary opened seconds later.
"Yes, my dear?" Poppy asked as she stepped over the threshold straightening her robe as she'd just woken up.
"The baby is coming." Hermione ground out as she felt another contraction and started to pant as the urge to push hit her.
"But, you are only six months pregnant! It's too soon for that, Hermione." Poppy said worriedly as she pulled out her wand and started examining her. Hermione's waters had indeed broken and she was already dilated to eight centimetres.
"Poppy, I agree but he. obviously does not." She screamed as another contraction hit her and she rocked from side to side in agony. She had never felt anything like this before.
"Oh, my word! I need some help here." Poppy exclaimed as she rushed to fetch everything she would need and to summon some medi-witches from St. Mungo's, Severus and the Headmaster. "Hermione, breathe through the pain now, don't hold your breath if you can help it," she instructed as she bustled about.
"Poppy, it hurts!" She complained loudly and groaned through another contraction.
"I know, dear. I've got two sons." Poppy said as the Headmaster and a very flustered Severus Snape rushed into the room moments later after having been disturbed from their discussion about the up and coming plans.
"He can leave. Now!" Hermione said indicating Snape with a raised finger. Severus noted that her eyes were glazed over yet again but he was not going to let her being controlled put him off.
"No, Hermione. I will stay." He said authoritatively and refusing to go.
"I don't want you here, Snape. This baby is nothing to do with you!" She shouted at him.
"I beg to differ, Hermione." He said moving to pull her into a sitting position and wedged himself in behind her for support. "You can tell me whatever you like later but let me help you through this." He was battling his own fatigue very much so by now. It had been late evening when they had both returned from Hermione's parents and he had been speaking with the Headmaster ever since. It was now nearly one in the morning.
"Fine!" She said, screaming as another contraction hit her and she panted through its duration. There was a sudden roar from the fire in the hospital wing and several footsteps were heard as Poppy shouted for the medical team to come into the side ward. They brought in a range of medical devices that Severus had never seen before but Hermione recognised as artificial ventilators and an incubator and it made her start to panic more so and reached up to grasp Severus' arm tightly. "Severus, what's happening?" She asked wide-eyed.
"Hermione, you are back. the medical team are just bringing in equipment to help once the baby is born." Severus explained and hugged her tightly, kissing her on the top of the head. "Poppy, why is she in labour? She's only six months pregnant!" Severus demanded as the medical team bustled about and set up everything they'd brought with them.
"Madam Pomfrey." A medi-wizard said, stepping up to the school nurse and reaching out his hand in greeting. "I am Dr. Rufus O'Hare from St. Mungo's. I'm a specialist in paediatrics and gaenacology." He said in an Irish accent.
"Glad you are here, Dr. O'Hare. Professor Granger is in premature labour; she's little over six months pregnant. Any assistance you can give will be much appreciated." Poppy said as she quickly shook his hand in greeting and moved over to her patient again.
"Certainly, you lead please and I will assist you as needed." Dr. O'Hare replied quite happy to let Poppy nurse her own patient and he would only step in if there were something she couldn't handle.
"Hermione could be in labour for any number of reasons, Severus; one being immense stress." Poppy replied eventually as she finally set out everything she would need. "Now, Hermione, spread your legs open. erm Headmaster could you wait outside please?" Poppy asked as she turned to the momentarily forgotten Headmaster.
"Certainly, let me know if you need anything." Albus said moving into the side room with the porters and closing the door behind him, leaving only Severus and Hermione with Poppy and Dr. O'Hare.
"Hermione, open your legs, dear." Poppy told her again.
"It hurts to, Poppy." Hermione told her.
"I know it does but it is necessary in order to allow the baby to be born." Poppy told her smiling. "Now, let me see, dear." Poppy said raising Hermione's hospital gown so that she could see if the baby's head was showing yet, it was starting to and shouldn't be long in coming now.
"The baby wants out. now." Hermione groaned shaking her head and pleading as tears ran down her face for the whole thing to be over with very quickly. Severus still held her tightly and she was finding it hard to get enough oxygen. "Snape, you can release your tight grip on me now. I need to breathe."
"Oh, sorry," Severus said as he assumed his wife had lost her mind control again though he could not see her eyes from the position he was sitting in.
"Hermione, I've removed your underwear now I want you to recline ever so slightly, bracing yourself against Severus and when I tell you to, I want to you push to the count of ten and then pant. Got it?" Hermione nodded. "Dr. O'Hare, could you set the incubator up and be ready to deliver the after birth?"
"Certainly, Madam Pomfrey," he said, moving away.
"Count aloud for your wife now, Severus, and Hermione, please push." Poppy commanded.
Severus counted and Hermione pushed with all her might before she started to pant and force air back into her lungs and around her body. It seemed to go on forever but after about the tenth cycle she felt the baby finally leave her body and she relaxed against her husband's chest breathing deeply and feeling a great sense of relief.
"It's a boy," Poppy told them grinning broadly before she cut the cord and whisked him away to the incubator and placed him into it, stabilising him as she went. He was so small but he looked fine despite the fact he was three months premature. Dr. O'Hare returned to Hermione and asked if she was ready to deliver the after birth. "One more big push ought to do it, Professor Granger." Hermione pushed and finally it was all over with. Dr. O'Hare stopped the internal bleeding with his wand and repaired the slight vaginal tear that had occurred as Hermione cried tears of joy.
"Well done, love. Well done." Severus said as he kissed her lightly on the temple and hugged her from behind.
"Snape, do not kiss me again." She warned tiredly.
"Do you have a name for him?" Poppy asked from the other side of the room as she tended to the baby to make sure he was alright.
"Callum Andrew." Hermione replied closing her eyes in exhaustion.
"That's lovely. Okay, Callum Andrew Snape." Poppy said as she magically put his name on the side of the incubator.
"No. Callum Andrew Granger." Hermione told them to Severus' disbelief.
"Hermione." Severus began but at a loss for words.
"No. You are to have nothing to do with him, and now he's been expelled from my body, you can leave me in peace as well." She said tiredly and Severus moved out from behind her to gently lay her down flat again. Dr. O'Hare looked at the couple in confusion but decided not to comment.
"Severus. I'm sorry." Poppy told him. Hermione had already fallen asleep behind them and Dr. O'Hare moved over to check on her again. "Come, see your son. He should know his father." Poppy said. Severus thought for a moment, he was inclined to storm out and say to hell with the lot of them but instead he moved over to the nurse quietly and peered into the incubator. "You can put your hands in through the side holes here," Poppy indicated. "He is fine though quite premature and will therefore need a lot of support for a few weeks. He is well developed though."
"And his magic? Will it be affected by the fact he came three months too early?" Severus asked as he gazed at his son in pure wonderment.
"He may develop it a little later than usual but it should not affect him too much." Dr. O'Hare said as he watched Severus put his hand through the hole and stroke Callum's head gently with one finger. "He should be breast fed for as long as possible, this will increase his chances of developing his magical ability- assuming he has any of course, and it will also help him to grow and develop his immune system."
"Would you like to feed him, Severus? He will need some nourishment and Hermione is in no condition right now to do it." Poppy asked as she conjured a bottle of warm milk.
"Er. well." Severus withdrew his hand, stoking his son's head was one thing but feeding him required holding him as well and he had absolutely no idea how to go about doing that anyway. He looked so unbelievably vulnerable and delicate.
"Come on." Poppy said directing him to a comfortable chair and making him sit. She took his son out of the incubator and wrapped him in a warm blanket before handing him over to Severus. "Support his head, that's it, and his bottom. Here's the bottle. Put it in his mouth and he should suckle instinctively." Severus did as instructed and was amazed as Callum did exactly as Poppy said he would. He was completely lost fitting into his father's hands and being no bigger than a baby House Elf. So delicate, so defenceless, so tiny and Severus knew without a shadow of a doubt that he loved this little baby with all of his heart- it was unconditional.
"Thank you, Poppy." Severus said with tears in his eyes as he cradled his son in his arms and smiled proudly down at his son. This was now his world, his entire life and his reason for living and fighting for what was his.
"You are most welcome, Severus." She said rubbing his back. "Now, back to Hermione." She turned and went over to Hermione and Dr. O'Hare and with her wand drawn started to scan her for any injuries and any bleeding.
"She had a slight vaginal tear but I've healed it, no other bleeding and she is just resting now." Dr. O'Hare commented as Poppy completed her own scans. "Exhaustion seemed to have brought about the premature labour. The baby is fine though; I have checked him out fully. I don't see a need for any follow up treatments but he will need to be kept in the incubator for the next month."
"Thank you, Dr. O'Hare. You have been most helpful." Poppy told him gratefully.
"He's also a weight of four pounds and three ounces. I don't think you need my help with anything else here, Madam Pomfrey but if you do just call me. I'm on a late shift at the hospital this evening." Dr. O'Hare told her as he began to pack up the equipment that Madam Pomfrey would not need anymore.
"Thank you so much Doctor, I really couldn't have managed without you and we certainly didn't have anything like an incubator at our disposal here at Hogwarts." Poppy told him.
"Think nothing of it, and the equipment is yours for as long as the boy needs it," he replied. "I'll have to be going now, good bye."
"Bye and thank you again." Poppy said.
"Yes, thank you, Dr. O'Hare." Severus spoke up from his seat still cradling his son in his arms. Poppy moved back to Hermione and made sure she was alright again before returning back to Severus and taking the baby from him.
"Turn him over like this and support his head by his chin, Severus." Poppy said, giving him his son back. "Now, rub and pat his back to bring up any wind. That's right, you're doing just fine. I'll let the Headmaster back in."
"Please, Poppy." Severus said still completely in awe as she moved to open the door and Dumbledore came back in.
"Ah, Severus, this truly is a wondrous sight. I never dreamed I would see you holding a baby, any baby. especially your own." Albus said as he moved over to the father and son and gently stroked the baby on the head with one finger. "Congratulations, my boy."
"I did not believe it would ever happen either, Albus. Particularly not so soon," Severus said as he wrapped Callum back in his blanket and turned him onto his back again, cuddling him into his body warmth and stroking his cheek gently.
"Is he alright, Poppy?" Albus asked quietly.
"Yes, just too small, due to the fact he's premature." Poppy told him.
"Does he have a name as yet?" Albus asked Severus as Poppy put the baby back into his incubator.
"Hermione has decided to name him Callum Andrew. Granger." Severus told him perplexed.
"Oh, I'm sure she will change her mind soon enough, my boy." Albus comforted him.
"Poppy?" Hermione whispered as she opened her eyes and saw three sets of concerned stares on her as they all approached her bed. She swallowed her throat sore and dry with all the screaming and shouting she had done in order to give birth.
"How are you feeling, my dear?" Albus asked.
"I've been better, Professor." She whispered. "Can I have a drink?"
"Certainly," Poppy said conjuring a glass of water and handing it to her.
"Could you tell us how you were injured this morning?" Albus asked as she sipped her water, his eyes twinkling at her in concern.
"I'm not supposed to say." Hermione whispered back and placing the half- full glass down on the side table as her eyes remained glazed over.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Severus asked hotly; he was far too tired to keep his temper in check anymore. Hermione began to cry and Severus immediately regretted it.
"I mean. I'm still being controlled and I've been told. not to tell." Hermione replied shakily. "Help me. please." She pleaded to the three of them as tears streamed down her face suddenly. She was trying to fight the curse again, Severus realised.
"Hermione, you have already mentioned who it was to Poppy and I, the Headmaster needs to hear for himself. Albus, would the counter curse work now Hermione has had the baby?" Severus asked looking at the Headmaster optimistically.
"I do believe so, Severus. Let me try at least." Albus withdrew his wand and muttered the incantation. Everyone looked on holding their breaths as Hermione closed her eyes.