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-three
One week had passed and Severus and Hermione had managed to get into a routine of looking after Callum, rebuilding their chambers and researching binding potions. They would both look after Callum during the daytime and then at night take the three hourly feeds in turns so that they could both get some measure of rest. They had been staying in Hermione's old chambers; since these were the closest to the Hospital Wing whilst their marital chambers were getting sorted out and the nursery was being decorated. They had had a number of visitors to the infirmary to see their new son and many congratulations and offers of baby-sitting duties had been offered. Hermione felt inclined to take up some of the baby-sitting offers as she was still stuck as to how she would continue to teach and look after Callum when term started back up once again.
The research had continued amongst the other teachers as well and they now had a firm plan set. Everyone was quite literally waiting for Hermione's summons. Then, one morning the very letter they had been waiting for arrived. It was the beginning of the second week of the holidays and an owl had arrived during lunch, landing in front of Hermione as she fed Callum in the infirmary. Severus picked up the scroll and Hermione indicated that he should open it. He did and read it to her.
My Sweet,
I miss you and you must feel lost without me. I bet I have been constantly on your mind. you are constantly on mine. I said I would write and let you know arrangements for when we should meet. I feel now is the time. Meet me in Knockturn Alley tomorrow for lunch in the Dragon's Lair. We can chat about things. I'll be there and make sure that you are too- promptly at 1pm.
Be there. alone. or I may be angry.
"Well, we have time for a reply owl and should be able to make him meet with you on our terms," Severus said as Hermione sat Callum up. She handed him over to Severus to wind as she tidied up and pulled her robes closed again.
"Hopefully, for I don't much like the idea of going to Knockturn Alley, Severus." Hermione told him as a shiver ran down her spine; she had never been there before but had heard many stories about the place from Severus and Harry when he had got out of the floo at the wrong grate during his second year.
"You won't be going there it's far too dangerous, Hermione." Severus told her point blankly. "Write him a reply as we discussed insisting on a meeting in Hogsmede." Hermione nodded and summoned some parchment, a quill and some ink.
"Okay, here goes," Hermione said as she put ink to parchment.
Layton,
I'm too tired to apparate; my pregnancy has taken just about all of my energy and I can no longer do any magic effectively so I would definitely splinch myself. Floo powder is too dangerous for pregnant women and as you know I can't fly. The Knight bus and train would take too long and are not suitable for me in my condition either. You are right though, I really do miss you and I have a lot to discuss with you.
I'm staying with my parents in Hogsmede- they wanted to see the town- I've told them so much about it in the past. Could you meet me in the Hogs Head, as it's so much quieter than the Three Broomsticks? I'll be there at 1pm and dearly hope you can be there for me- as you always are.
Yours,
Hermione Granger
Hermione felt ill after writing it, she would never be his and she was a Snape not a Granger, and as for her hoping he would turn up. well, she only hoped he would so that their plan would work out.
"Alright?" Severus asked as she rolled the parchment up; she was a bit too quiet for his liking. She looked up and nodded.
"Yes," she said standing up. "Come on, we have to send this. Bye, Callum, mummy loves you." She said kissing him on the cheek as Severus stood and placed him back in his incubator. All he seemed to do was eat and sleep. it was a hard life for some.
"See you later, Callum." Severus told him also kissing his cheek. They both left the infirmary for the owlry as Poppy came in to watch over Callum.
~~*~~
"Harry!" Hermione shouted as she and Severus strolled along the corridor with their hands entwined on the way to the owlry. The man who had just rounded a corner suddenly stopped and came back towards them.
"'Mione, Professor Snape," Harry nodded with a big grin on his face as he hugged Hermione tightly.
"It's good to see you again. Where are you off to?" Hermione asked as she moved back to her husband's side once again.
"I was heading off to the Quidditch pitch. Ron and I are going to do some practising, he's been playing baseball so much recently that he wants to run through some moves on his broom in order to not lose his flying skills." Harry said as Severus rolled his eyes and Hermione giggled at him, which caused him to give her a withered look. No official baseball games had yet been played as Ron had simply been training the teams in the rules of the games and tactics. The baseball season was set to start the week after the holidays and the first game would be Slytherin against Hufflepuff.
"I got another letter, Harry." Hermione told him quite seriously.
"Another one?" He asked looking between Hermione and Snape concerned.
"Hermione, I'll be back in our chambers tidying up. You stay and talk to Mr. Potter. Alright?" Severus asked as he kissed her on the cheek and she turned to nod. "I'll see you later." Severus inclined his head to Harry and headed off down the corridor.
"So, what did it say?" Harry asked as he hooked her arm in his and they strolled along the corridor again.
"He wanted me to meet him in Knockturn Alley but Severus and I wrote a reply insisting on Hogsmede due to my inability to travel because of my pregnancy."
"When?" Harry asked.
"Tomorrow at one o'clock." Hermione told him.
"Well don't worry, 'Mione. Our plan will work. We just need to get the book away from him by binding his magic so that the book releases itself from his control. Aurors will be there to take him into custardy and as for the book well, Dumbledore has its new home all sorted out until we find a way to destroy it." Harry told her as they reached the main stairwell where they would part company. "Don't worry. Everything will work out."
"I know. I just wish this was all over." Hermione told him with a loud sigh.
"How's everything between you two now?" Harry asked.
"Severus has been wonderful, understanding and so supportive. I didn't expect him to be after everything I've done to him but he's always there, no matter what." She replied; she loved him so much more than she ever thought.
"Well, that's good to hear. How's Callum doing?" Hermione grinned proudly as she thought about her son.
"He's so much stronger now. He's grown considerably over the last week and put on just over a pound. Poppy said he should only need to stay in the infirmary for another two weeks." Harry smiled, it was good news and she looked so happy now. "Hey, come up and see him later. All he does is eat and sleep right now but you should see quite a difference in him from the last time you visited."
"I will. Must be off now or Ron'll think I'm not coming."
"Okay, see you around five o'clock, that's Callum's next feed so he'll be awake then." They parted ways and Hermione headed off to send her letter.
~~*~~
"Severus? Oh, hello Headmaster." Hermione said as she stepped through the portrait hole and into her marital chambers. Dumbledore was sitting on the couch in front of their fireplace and Severus was busy in the kitchen area making a pot of tea.
"Hello, Hermione. How are you, my dear?" He asked as he stood up to greet her, as any gentleman should.
"Oh, I'm fine. I take it Severus told you we got another letter?" She asked since it was out of the blue that the Headmaster should visit them like this.
"He did indeed, my dear." Dumbledore replied as Severus stepped into the livingroom with tray in hand.
"Hermione, I didn't expect you back for a while. Do you want some tea?" Severus asked as he placed the tray down onto the small table and conjured another cup when she nodded to him.
"Harry went off to play with Ron," she grinned as Severus handed a cup of tea to the Headmaster and herself before taking his own and sitting down next to her. "I sent our reply by the way. I used one of the more common owls so he wouldn't assume I was replying from Hogwarts."
"Good, I doubt we'll get a reply so hopefully he will do as our letter suggests." Severus said.
"I have informed the Aurors and they will be in position tomorrow as planned. Our plan is ready to go. I will just need to speak to Harry and Penny regarding the binding spell and they will both be hidden by invisibility cloaks."
"As will I, Albus," Severus interrupted.
"Very well, Severus." Dumbledore nodded to him after sipping his tea.
"When do you think we will be able to destroy the book, Headmaster?" Hermione asked.
"Soon I hope but until then it will be safe in the sub dungeons. I have set- up a cell which is highly warded." Dumbledore replied. "So, tomorrow you will need to see Poppy and she will cast the pregnancy illusion charm on you. You should then arrive in the Hogs Head for one o'clock travelling by carriage I suppose. I have organised with Rosemerta that she put you and the Granger's onto her books as having stayed in Hogsmede for the past four nights, just in case Mr. Frontera should choose to check up on your story."
"Very good, Headmaster," Hermione said as she took a gulp of her tea.
"I will accompany my wife in the coach under my cloak." Severus told Albus.
"Alright," Dumbledore nodded. "When Harry and Penny have cast their binding spells it will only be after the book has been seen. They will show themselves once they have cast the spell so that you know you will be safe from any form of magical assault from Frontera." Dumbledore explained but Hermione still looked rather worried.
"It is not his potential magical assault that I am worried about, Professor Dumbledore." Hermione told him.
"Hermione I will be right by your side. I promise he will not hurt you." Severus said reassuring her somewhat.
"I just wish this was over with. I want a normal life back." Hermione said.
"We shall have it, we will make certain of this." Severus told her.
"How is your magical ability now, Hermione?" Dumbledore asked.
"Oh, I can cast spells as I used to but I do become very tired quite easily. Poppy said it will simply take time."
"Very well, I will leave you both to it and see you tomorrow no doubt. I must speak with the Ministry." Dumbledore stood up and escaped back to his office through the internal floo.
"A relatively short visit for the Headmaster," Severus commented as he placed his arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"It was, wasn't it." Hermione drank her tea in one go and sighed. "I need some air, Severus. Let's go out."
"Okay," Severus drank his tea and summoned both of their outdoor cloaks. Helping Hermione on with hers first he made sure she was nicely wrapped up before putting his own on and escorting her out of their chambers. "Where to?"
"Let's go down to the pitch and watch Harry and Ron for a bit. I imagine Lavender will be there already with Emily.
"Come on then," Severus said placing his arm around her waist and she snuggled into his shoulder with her arm around him in return.
They headed out of the castle into the cool spring afternoon. The sun was quite high in the sky but quite weak as well. Reaching the Quidditch pitch they found Lavender and Emily quite easily up in the Gryffindor high stands. They ascended the stairs and entered the box already being occupied.
"Aunty My-knee!" Emily cried as she escaped her mother's arms and ran over to hug Hermione, who willingly obliged with a huge grin.
"How's my favourite niece?" Hermione asked the little red headed girl as Lavender approached.
"Hello there, Severus. Hi, Hermione," Lavender said as Hermione stood up holding Emily tightly to her chest.
"Mrs. Weasley," Severus greeted.
"Hi, Lavender, wow, those twins are certainly growing fast." Hermione said as she noted the size of Lavender's abdomen.
"Tell me about it. Poppy thinks they'll not be long in coming now. Twins are usually earlier than normal." They moved to sit down and Emily decided that she would like to sit on Severus' knee instead, much to Hermione's dismay and Severus' alarm.
"Hi," Emily said grinning up at the usually very scary man.
"Hello, Miss Weasley." Severus replied looking down his nose at her.
"I'm called Em-ly, silly." She giggled at Severus' formality. He glared down his nose at her until Hermione cleared her throat loudly and he glanced up to see his wife not looking too happy with him as she mentioned something about 'first impressions'.
"In that case, Emily, my name is Severus."
"Unca Se-wus!" Emily said happily and Severus just rolled his eyes as all three females grinned at him and giggled.
"Hey, Severus!" Everyone looked up to see Ron Weasley hovering near by on his broom.
"Daddy," Emily cried as she noticed her father and waved happily.
"Hi Emily," Ron waved back. "Severus, grab a broom and join us. We've got a spare one near the team entrance and could use someone to hit bludgers for us to dodge."
"Go on, Severus. Just don't do any of this wonky faint thingies." Hermione said giggling again at his look of abstract horror at her mispronunciation.
"It's a Wronski-feint, 'Mione. How many more times!" Harry shouted as he flew over to them as well.
"Severus is a big boy now too, he doesn't need a mere wife telling him what to do. He's a man!" Ron said mischievously.
"Ronald Arthur Weasley! Just wait until you get home." Lavender shouted at him for being a chauvinist.
"Okay, I'll join you. I should enjoy beating bludgers in your directions." Severus said getting up and summoning the broom with his wand.
"Be careful, Severus." Hermione shouted as he raced off into the middle of the pitch and scooped a beater up from the centre of the grass barely slowing down. Ron and Harry both looked on in awe at the skill he was showing.
"Have fun, boys." Lavender said as Harry and Ron looked at each other with jaws dropping. All three females giggled at them again as they sped off to where Severus was hovering.
"So how's everything going with you, Hermione?" Lavender asked as Emily climbed up onto Hermione's knee once more.
"Oh, fine really. Hopefully this thing with Frontera will be over with tomorrow. Our plan is being put into motion tomorrow afternoon. I just can't wait for it to be all over with."
They sat and chatted for an hour before Hermione noticed an owl with a scroll attached to its leg head in her direction. It dropped the scroll and left immediately. Hermione picked it up knowing exactly whom it was from.
My Sweet,
You've changed my plans and I am not happy. I will see you in the Hogs Head and I only bend to this wish knowing you are pregnant and in need of me. I trust you can be there on time, as I will be for you.
Hermione gulped and rolled the scroll up again.
"Hermione, you should tell Severus." Lavender said having read the letter over Hermione's shoulder.
"I will but he's having fun right now. This can wait," Hermione said indicating the letter. "He's disrupted our lives too much as it is already." They sat in silence for around half an hour more before Hermione noticed the time and shouted over to Severus. He flew over to the stands to see what his wife wanted.
"I'm going in to feed Callum, Severus. He should be awake now." Hermione told him.
"Oh, I'll come with you," he replied. "Just let me get off this broom."
"No, it's alright. I'll see you back in our chambers before dinner. Stay a while longer; you look like you're having fun." Severus noticed something was wrong with her; she was acting a little strangely.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" He asked frowning slightly at her.
"I received this," she said standing up and approaching the barrier to hand him the scroll. He took it and read the letter glancing back up at his wife.
"Are you okay, love? Everything will be fine tomorrow and there's no way he will have the chance to hurt you. You should have told me the instant you received this though; we are in this together after all, Hermione."
"I'm okay, Severus. I didn't see the need to allow him to disrupt things yet again. This letter could wait, I didn't deem it necessary to interrupt your game." She told him. "I'll have to go for Callum, finish off your game and I'll see you later."
He looked at her for a long while. "I'm alright, Severus." She repeated trying to make him believe her.
"Alright, the light is fading now anyway so we shouldn't be too much longer. See you soon, love." He leaned over and kissed her tenderly on the lips before speeding back off over to Harry and Ron as Hermione left with Emily and Lavender.
"Are you coming to see Callum with me, Lavender?" Hermione asked as they passed Lavender's home and continued on towards the castle.
"Oh, certainly if that's okay?" Lavender asked.
"Definitely. You should see quite a difference in him I think. He's already gained a pound in weight.
"Emily'll be alright round him as well, she's going to have two little ones with her all day soon enough anyway."
"Oh, she's no bother are you, Emily?" Hermione asked looking down at the little girl holding her hand.
"No, Aunt My-knee."
They entered the infirmary to hear Callum crying quite loudly and Poppy just about to lift him up out of the incubator.
"Sorry, Poppy. We were down at the Quidditch pitch."
"That's okay, Hermione. He just woke up. I was going to try to calm him down and then give him a bottle if you didn't arrive soon."
"Thanks, Poppy but I'll take him from here." Hermione told her.
"Very well, dear. How are the twins coming along then, Lavender?" Poppy asked turning to the other two visitors.
"Just fine, Poppy." Lavendar said with s smile.
"Are you sure you don't want to know the sexes?"
"Positive, I want the surprise." Lavender replied and Poppy nodded before leaving them to it. "Wow, Hermione. You certainly can see the difference in him and it's only been one week."
"Here, would you like to hold him? I can conjure a bottle instead of breast feeding this time." Hermione handed Callum over to Lavender and got her to sit down in the comfortable chair. "Emily, you can see him clearly now your mummy is sitting down. Isn't he tiny?"
"Yeah, he's sleeping too." Emily whispered back as she looked at Callum.
"No, he just can't open his eyes yet, he's too little. He is awake though because he's hungry." Hermione conjured a bottle of milk and handed it over to Lavender.
"You never forget how to do this," she said as she fed Callum his dinner. "Do you think you will have anymore, Hermione?"
"Severus and I would like more, at least one of each." Hermione replied as she sat down on another chair that Severus usually occupied and watched her son.
"He has your nose, Hermione."
"Yes, and Severus' hair colouring. We have a bet as to what colour his eyes will be. I think they will be black and Severus thinks hazel."
"And I'm usually right," Severus said from behind them both and they jumped, startled.
"Severus, don't do that." Hermione protested as she turned to look up at him.
"Bad Unca Se-wus," Emily said from beside Hermione and promptly received a glare from the Potions Master and she grinned sweetly at him in return.
"Sorry, love. How is he?" Severus asked, returning his attention back to his wife.
"Pretty much the same, Severus. He was protesting loudly when we arrived though."
"As babies tend to do if they don't get what they want and as soon as they want it." Lavender said smirking as Callum's bottle finished and she sat him up to wind him.
"Are you all cleaned up for dinner, Severus?" Hermione asked.
"Of course, I took a shower before I came up here."
"Well, we are nearly finished here until the next three hour interval." Hermione replied glancing over at Lavender and Callum.
"Yes, he is fed and burped. So here you go, Severus." Lavender said standing and handing Callum over to his father. "I must take Emily home as it is almost her bed time now and she needs a bath."
"Well, thank you Lavender. I may see you tomorrow." Hermione said as Severus took his son in his arms.
"Yes, if not I hope all goes well with you. Let me know won't you?" Lavender asked.
"Will do." With that Lavender and Emily left the infirmary and Severus and Hermione sat down with Callum.
"Did you have fun this afternoon, Severus?" Hermione asked as he rocked Callum back to sleep.
"I did as a matter of fact. Potter and Weasley were shocked I think." Severus said grinning evilly.
"Well, I think dinner is about to be served so come along, daddy." Severus smiled and placed his son back into the incubator. Just as they were about to leave Madam Pomfrey came back in and headed for them.
"Hermione, Severus. I believe we can keep Callum out of the incubator by the end of this week if he continues to put weight on like he is doing."
"Oh, that is good news, Poppy. Don't you think so, Severus?" Hermione asked her husband.
"Yes, definitely. It will be good to take him home, and then possibly to visit your parents." Severus replied.
"Your mother as well, Severus." Hermione said. "When do you think he will open his eyes?" Hermione asked hopeful that it might be soon.
"Not for a couple of weeks yet I'm afraid. He is doing well though and progressing more quickly than I thought he would. I'm very pleased with him so far." Poppy assured them both. "Now, it isn't just babies who need to eat and sleep so off with you both. I shall see you in three hours time for the next stint."
"Thanks and bye, Poppy." Hermione said.
"Yes, thank you Poppy." Severus and Hermione left the infirmary.
Chapter Twenty-three
One week had passed and Severus and Hermione had managed to get into a routine of looking after Callum, rebuilding their chambers and researching binding potions. They would both look after Callum during the daytime and then at night take the three hourly feeds in turns so that they could both get some measure of rest. They had been staying in Hermione's old chambers; since these were the closest to the Hospital Wing whilst their marital chambers were getting sorted out and the nursery was being decorated. They had had a number of visitors to the infirmary to see their new son and many congratulations and offers of baby-sitting duties had been offered. Hermione felt inclined to take up some of the baby-sitting offers as she was still stuck as to how she would continue to teach and look after Callum when term started back up once again.
The research had continued amongst the other teachers as well and they now had a firm plan set. Everyone was quite literally waiting for Hermione's summons. Then, one morning the very letter they had been waiting for arrived. It was the beginning of the second week of the holidays and an owl had arrived during lunch, landing in front of Hermione as she fed Callum in the infirmary. Severus picked up the scroll and Hermione indicated that he should open it. He did and read it to her.
My Sweet,
I miss you and you must feel lost without me. I bet I have been constantly on your mind. you are constantly on mine. I said I would write and let you know arrangements for when we should meet. I feel now is the time. Meet me in Knockturn Alley tomorrow for lunch in the Dragon's Lair. We can chat about things. I'll be there and make sure that you are too- promptly at 1pm.
Be there. alone. or I may be angry.
"Well, we have time for a reply owl and should be able to make him meet with you on our terms," Severus said as Hermione sat Callum up. She handed him over to Severus to wind as she tidied up and pulled her robes closed again.
"Hopefully, for I don't much like the idea of going to Knockturn Alley, Severus." Hermione told him as a shiver ran down her spine; she had never been there before but had heard many stories about the place from Severus and Harry when he had got out of the floo at the wrong grate during his second year.
"You won't be going there it's far too dangerous, Hermione." Severus told her point blankly. "Write him a reply as we discussed insisting on a meeting in Hogsmede." Hermione nodded and summoned some parchment, a quill and some ink.
"Okay, here goes," Hermione said as she put ink to parchment.
Layton,
I'm too tired to apparate; my pregnancy has taken just about all of my energy and I can no longer do any magic effectively so I would definitely splinch myself. Floo powder is too dangerous for pregnant women and as you know I can't fly. The Knight bus and train would take too long and are not suitable for me in my condition either. You are right though, I really do miss you and I have a lot to discuss with you.
I'm staying with my parents in Hogsmede- they wanted to see the town- I've told them so much about it in the past. Could you meet me in the Hogs Head, as it's so much quieter than the Three Broomsticks? I'll be there at 1pm and dearly hope you can be there for me- as you always are.
Yours,
Hermione Granger
Hermione felt ill after writing it, she would never be his and she was a Snape not a Granger, and as for her hoping he would turn up. well, she only hoped he would so that their plan would work out.
"Alright?" Severus asked as she rolled the parchment up; she was a bit too quiet for his liking. She looked up and nodded.
"Yes," she said standing up. "Come on, we have to send this. Bye, Callum, mummy loves you." She said kissing him on the cheek as Severus stood and placed him back in his incubator. All he seemed to do was eat and sleep. it was a hard life for some.
"See you later, Callum." Severus told him also kissing his cheek. They both left the infirmary for the owlry as Poppy came in to watch over Callum.
~~*~~
"Harry!" Hermione shouted as she and Severus strolled along the corridor with their hands entwined on the way to the owlry. The man who had just rounded a corner suddenly stopped and came back towards them.
"'Mione, Professor Snape," Harry nodded with a big grin on his face as he hugged Hermione tightly.
"It's good to see you again. Where are you off to?" Hermione asked as she moved back to her husband's side once again.
"I was heading off to the Quidditch pitch. Ron and I are going to do some practising, he's been playing baseball so much recently that he wants to run through some moves on his broom in order to not lose his flying skills." Harry said as Severus rolled his eyes and Hermione giggled at him, which caused him to give her a withered look. No official baseball games had yet been played as Ron had simply been training the teams in the rules of the games and tactics. The baseball season was set to start the week after the holidays and the first game would be Slytherin against Hufflepuff.
"I got another letter, Harry." Hermione told him quite seriously.
"Another one?" He asked looking between Hermione and Snape concerned.
"Hermione, I'll be back in our chambers tidying up. You stay and talk to Mr. Potter. Alright?" Severus asked as he kissed her on the cheek and she turned to nod. "I'll see you later." Severus inclined his head to Harry and headed off down the corridor.
"So, what did it say?" Harry asked as he hooked her arm in his and they strolled along the corridor again.
"He wanted me to meet him in Knockturn Alley but Severus and I wrote a reply insisting on Hogsmede due to my inability to travel because of my pregnancy."
"When?" Harry asked.
"Tomorrow at one o'clock." Hermione told him.
"Well don't worry, 'Mione. Our plan will work. We just need to get the book away from him by binding his magic so that the book releases itself from his control. Aurors will be there to take him into custardy and as for the book well, Dumbledore has its new home all sorted out until we find a way to destroy it." Harry told her as they reached the main stairwell where they would part company. "Don't worry. Everything will work out."
"I know. I just wish this was all over." Hermione told him with a loud sigh.
"How's everything between you two now?" Harry asked.
"Severus has been wonderful, understanding and so supportive. I didn't expect him to be after everything I've done to him but he's always there, no matter what." She replied; she loved him so much more than she ever thought.
"Well, that's good to hear. How's Callum doing?" Hermione grinned proudly as she thought about her son.
"He's so much stronger now. He's grown considerably over the last week and put on just over a pound. Poppy said he should only need to stay in the infirmary for another two weeks." Harry smiled, it was good news and she looked so happy now. "Hey, come up and see him later. All he does is eat and sleep right now but you should see quite a difference in him from the last time you visited."
"I will. Must be off now or Ron'll think I'm not coming."
"Okay, see you around five o'clock, that's Callum's next feed so he'll be awake then." They parted ways and Hermione headed off to send her letter.
~~*~~
"Severus? Oh, hello Headmaster." Hermione said as she stepped through the portrait hole and into her marital chambers. Dumbledore was sitting on the couch in front of their fireplace and Severus was busy in the kitchen area making a pot of tea.
"Hello, Hermione. How are you, my dear?" He asked as he stood up to greet her, as any gentleman should.
"Oh, I'm fine. I take it Severus told you we got another letter?" She asked since it was out of the blue that the Headmaster should visit them like this.
"He did indeed, my dear." Dumbledore replied as Severus stepped into the livingroom with tray in hand.
"Hermione, I didn't expect you back for a while. Do you want some tea?" Severus asked as he placed the tray down onto the small table and conjured another cup when she nodded to him.
"Harry went off to play with Ron," she grinned as Severus handed a cup of tea to the Headmaster and herself before taking his own and sitting down next to her. "I sent our reply by the way. I used one of the more common owls so he wouldn't assume I was replying from Hogwarts."
"Good, I doubt we'll get a reply so hopefully he will do as our letter suggests." Severus said.
"I have informed the Aurors and they will be in position tomorrow as planned. Our plan is ready to go. I will just need to speak to Harry and Penny regarding the binding spell and they will both be hidden by invisibility cloaks."
"As will I, Albus," Severus interrupted.
"Very well, Severus." Dumbledore nodded to him after sipping his tea.
"When do you think we will be able to destroy the book, Headmaster?" Hermione asked.
"Soon I hope but until then it will be safe in the sub dungeons. I have set- up a cell which is highly warded." Dumbledore replied. "So, tomorrow you will need to see Poppy and she will cast the pregnancy illusion charm on you. You should then arrive in the Hogs Head for one o'clock travelling by carriage I suppose. I have organised with Rosemerta that she put you and the Granger's onto her books as having stayed in Hogsmede for the past four nights, just in case Mr. Frontera should choose to check up on your story."
"Very good, Headmaster," Hermione said as she took a gulp of her tea.
"I will accompany my wife in the coach under my cloak." Severus told Albus.
"Alright," Dumbledore nodded. "When Harry and Penny have cast their binding spells it will only be after the book has been seen. They will show themselves once they have cast the spell so that you know you will be safe from any form of magical assault from Frontera." Dumbledore explained but Hermione still looked rather worried.
"It is not his potential magical assault that I am worried about, Professor Dumbledore." Hermione told him.
"Hermione I will be right by your side. I promise he will not hurt you." Severus said reassuring her somewhat.
"I just wish this was over with. I want a normal life back." Hermione said.
"We shall have it, we will make certain of this." Severus told her.
"How is your magical ability now, Hermione?" Dumbledore asked.
"Oh, I can cast spells as I used to but I do become very tired quite easily. Poppy said it will simply take time."
"Very well, I will leave you both to it and see you tomorrow no doubt. I must speak with the Ministry." Dumbledore stood up and escaped back to his office through the internal floo.
"A relatively short visit for the Headmaster," Severus commented as he placed his arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"It was, wasn't it." Hermione drank her tea in one go and sighed. "I need some air, Severus. Let's go out."
"Okay," Severus drank his tea and summoned both of their outdoor cloaks. Helping Hermione on with hers first he made sure she was nicely wrapped up before putting his own on and escorting her out of their chambers. "Where to?"
"Let's go down to the pitch and watch Harry and Ron for a bit. I imagine Lavender will be there already with Emily.
"Come on then," Severus said placing his arm around her waist and she snuggled into his shoulder with her arm around him in return.
They headed out of the castle into the cool spring afternoon. The sun was quite high in the sky but quite weak as well. Reaching the Quidditch pitch they found Lavender and Emily quite easily up in the Gryffindor high stands. They ascended the stairs and entered the box already being occupied.
"Aunty My-knee!" Emily cried as she escaped her mother's arms and ran over to hug Hermione, who willingly obliged with a huge grin.
"How's my favourite niece?" Hermione asked the little red headed girl as Lavender approached.
"Hello there, Severus. Hi, Hermione," Lavender said as Hermione stood up holding Emily tightly to her chest.
"Mrs. Weasley," Severus greeted.
"Hi, Lavender, wow, those twins are certainly growing fast." Hermione said as she noted the size of Lavender's abdomen.
"Tell me about it. Poppy thinks they'll not be long in coming now. Twins are usually earlier than normal." They moved to sit down and Emily decided that she would like to sit on Severus' knee instead, much to Hermione's dismay and Severus' alarm.
"Hi," Emily said grinning up at the usually very scary man.
"Hello, Miss Weasley." Severus replied looking down his nose at her.
"I'm called Em-ly, silly." She giggled at Severus' formality. He glared down his nose at her until Hermione cleared her throat loudly and he glanced up to see his wife not looking too happy with him as she mentioned something about 'first impressions'.
"In that case, Emily, my name is Severus."
"Unca Se-wus!" Emily said happily and Severus just rolled his eyes as all three females grinned at him and giggled.
"Hey, Severus!" Everyone looked up to see Ron Weasley hovering near by on his broom.
"Daddy," Emily cried as she noticed her father and waved happily.
"Hi Emily," Ron waved back. "Severus, grab a broom and join us. We've got a spare one near the team entrance and could use someone to hit bludgers for us to dodge."
"Go on, Severus. Just don't do any of this wonky faint thingies." Hermione said giggling again at his look of abstract horror at her mispronunciation.
"It's a Wronski-feint, 'Mione. How many more times!" Harry shouted as he flew over to them as well.
"Severus is a big boy now too, he doesn't need a mere wife telling him what to do. He's a man!" Ron said mischievously.
"Ronald Arthur Weasley! Just wait until you get home." Lavender shouted at him for being a chauvinist.
"Okay, I'll join you. I should enjoy beating bludgers in your directions." Severus said getting up and summoning the broom with his wand.
"Be careful, Severus." Hermione shouted as he raced off into the middle of the pitch and scooped a beater up from the centre of the grass barely slowing down. Ron and Harry both looked on in awe at the skill he was showing.
"Have fun, boys." Lavender said as Harry and Ron looked at each other with jaws dropping. All three females giggled at them again as they sped off to where Severus was hovering.
"So how's everything going with you, Hermione?" Lavender asked as Emily climbed up onto Hermione's knee once more.
"Oh, fine really. Hopefully this thing with Frontera will be over with tomorrow. Our plan is being put into motion tomorrow afternoon. I just can't wait for it to be all over with."
They sat and chatted for an hour before Hermione noticed an owl with a scroll attached to its leg head in her direction. It dropped the scroll and left immediately. Hermione picked it up knowing exactly whom it was from.
My Sweet,
You've changed my plans and I am not happy. I will see you in the Hogs Head and I only bend to this wish knowing you are pregnant and in need of me. I trust you can be there on time, as I will be for you.
Hermione gulped and rolled the scroll up again.
"Hermione, you should tell Severus." Lavender said having read the letter over Hermione's shoulder.
"I will but he's having fun right now. This can wait," Hermione said indicating the letter. "He's disrupted our lives too much as it is already." They sat in silence for around half an hour more before Hermione noticed the time and shouted over to Severus. He flew over to the stands to see what his wife wanted.
"I'm going in to feed Callum, Severus. He should be awake now." Hermione told him.
"Oh, I'll come with you," he replied. "Just let me get off this broom."
"No, it's alright. I'll see you back in our chambers before dinner. Stay a while longer; you look like you're having fun." Severus noticed something was wrong with her; she was acting a little strangely.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" He asked frowning slightly at her.
"I received this," she said standing up and approaching the barrier to hand him the scroll. He took it and read the letter glancing back up at his wife.
"Are you okay, love? Everything will be fine tomorrow and there's no way he will have the chance to hurt you. You should have told me the instant you received this though; we are in this together after all, Hermione."
"I'm okay, Severus. I didn't see the need to allow him to disrupt things yet again. This letter could wait, I didn't deem it necessary to interrupt your game." She told him. "I'll have to go for Callum, finish off your game and I'll see you later."
He looked at her for a long while. "I'm alright, Severus." She repeated trying to make him believe her.
"Alright, the light is fading now anyway so we shouldn't be too much longer. See you soon, love." He leaned over and kissed her tenderly on the lips before speeding back off over to Harry and Ron as Hermione left with Emily and Lavender.
"Are you coming to see Callum with me, Lavender?" Hermione asked as they passed Lavender's home and continued on towards the castle.
"Oh, certainly if that's okay?" Lavender asked.
"Definitely. You should see quite a difference in him I think. He's already gained a pound in weight.
"Emily'll be alright round him as well, she's going to have two little ones with her all day soon enough anyway."
"Oh, she's no bother are you, Emily?" Hermione asked looking down at the little girl holding her hand.
"No, Aunt My-knee."
They entered the infirmary to hear Callum crying quite loudly and Poppy just about to lift him up out of the incubator.
"Sorry, Poppy. We were down at the Quidditch pitch."
"That's okay, Hermione. He just woke up. I was going to try to calm him down and then give him a bottle if you didn't arrive soon."
"Thanks, Poppy but I'll take him from here." Hermione told her.
"Very well, dear. How are the twins coming along then, Lavender?" Poppy asked turning to the other two visitors.
"Just fine, Poppy." Lavendar said with s smile.
"Are you sure you don't want to know the sexes?"
"Positive, I want the surprise." Lavender replied and Poppy nodded before leaving them to it. "Wow, Hermione. You certainly can see the difference in him and it's only been one week."
"Here, would you like to hold him? I can conjure a bottle instead of breast feeding this time." Hermione handed Callum over to Lavender and got her to sit down in the comfortable chair. "Emily, you can see him clearly now your mummy is sitting down. Isn't he tiny?"
"Yeah, he's sleeping too." Emily whispered back as she looked at Callum.
"No, he just can't open his eyes yet, he's too little. He is awake though because he's hungry." Hermione conjured a bottle of milk and handed it over to Lavender.
"You never forget how to do this," she said as she fed Callum his dinner. "Do you think you will have anymore, Hermione?"
"Severus and I would like more, at least one of each." Hermione replied as she sat down on another chair that Severus usually occupied and watched her son.
"He has your nose, Hermione."
"Yes, and Severus' hair colouring. We have a bet as to what colour his eyes will be. I think they will be black and Severus thinks hazel."
"And I'm usually right," Severus said from behind them both and they jumped, startled.
"Severus, don't do that." Hermione protested as she turned to look up at him.
"Bad Unca Se-wus," Emily said from beside Hermione and promptly received a glare from the Potions Master and she grinned sweetly at him in return.
"Sorry, love. How is he?" Severus asked, returning his attention back to his wife.
"Pretty much the same, Severus. He was protesting loudly when we arrived though."
"As babies tend to do if they don't get what they want and as soon as they want it." Lavender said smirking as Callum's bottle finished and she sat him up to wind him.
"Are you all cleaned up for dinner, Severus?" Hermione asked.
"Of course, I took a shower before I came up here."
"Well, we are nearly finished here until the next three hour interval." Hermione replied glancing over at Lavender and Callum.
"Yes, he is fed and burped. So here you go, Severus." Lavender said standing and handing Callum over to his father. "I must take Emily home as it is almost her bed time now and she needs a bath."
"Well, thank you Lavender. I may see you tomorrow." Hermione said as Severus took his son in his arms.
"Yes, if not I hope all goes well with you. Let me know won't you?" Lavender asked.
"Will do." With that Lavender and Emily left the infirmary and Severus and Hermione sat down with Callum.
"Did you have fun this afternoon, Severus?" Hermione asked as he rocked Callum back to sleep.
"I did as a matter of fact. Potter and Weasley were shocked I think." Severus said grinning evilly.
"Well, I think dinner is about to be served so come along, daddy." Severus smiled and placed his son back into the incubator. Just as they were about to leave Madam Pomfrey came back in and headed for them.
"Hermione, Severus. I believe we can keep Callum out of the incubator by the end of this week if he continues to put weight on like he is doing."
"Oh, that is good news, Poppy. Don't you think so, Severus?" Hermione asked her husband.
"Yes, definitely. It will be good to take him home, and then possibly to visit your parents." Severus replied.
"Your mother as well, Severus." Hermione said. "When do you think he will open his eyes?" Hermione asked hopeful that it might be soon.
"Not for a couple of weeks yet I'm afraid. He is doing well though and progressing more quickly than I thought he would. I'm very pleased with him so far." Poppy assured them both. "Now, it isn't just babies who need to eat and sleep so off with you both. I shall see you in three hours time for the next stint."
"Thanks and bye, Poppy." Hermione said.
"Yes, thank you Poppy." Severus and Hermione left the infirmary.