Author's Note: I know it was awfully mean of me to end the last chapter the way I did... but Baby Snape is demanding his/her own chapter when he/she finally arrives. The last chapter was intended to be more about Severus' continued recovery, regaining the memories of that night, spending time with his family. The last bit, and much of this chapter, is just a lead in to the big event!
Thank you to all of my readers/reviewers! Love and hugs to all of you for your patience and your support!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, etc. are the property of JK Rowling, and are not being used here for profit, only for personal enjoyment.
*****
"I'm sure it won't be much longer," Poppy tried to assure a frustrated Hermione as she examined her later that morning, after stopping by for Severus' morning check up. "You're progressing quite nicely as it is, so when the baby is ready to come, your delivery should be fairly quick."
Severus held his hand out to his wife, helping her to sit up on the bed. Propping pillows behind her, he instructed her to stay in bed.
"You need to rest!" he demanded when she tried to protest, insistant on trying to resume some semblance of normalcy in their daily lives.
"I am not an invalid!" Hermione huffed, scowling at him indignantly.
Looking to Poppy for backup, Severus scowled at her when she agreed with Hermione, "Walking may help things move along, Severus. And I suggest getting her out of this dungeon and taking her for a walk this morning. Enjoy the last few hours of quiet in the school, before the students return," she encouraged them. "That is, of course, if you're feeling up to it Severus. If you're still feeling weak... I don't want you passing out in the corridors."
Severus frowned for a few moments as he gave it some thought. Even he couldn't deny that getting up and about sounded better than pacing their quarters all day, and though he was still not up to par, his headache had dulled significantly, and he was feeling much stronger now that he'd had some rest.
"Very well," he finally agreed.
Smiling up at her husband, Hermione asked, "Good! I've been feeling a bit cooped up, after spending no time outside of these quarters, aside from the infirmary, for so long!"
"I've got to get back to the infirmary and finish my inventory before the students arrive,"Poppy smiled at them as she excused herself. "Don't over do it, either of you!" she added before closing the door behind her.
They dressed and gathered Samuel, who had just woken from his late morning nap, and headed out of their quarters for a leisurely stroll, hand in hand, with Samuel holding on to Severus' fingers..
"Are you sure that you are up to this?" Severus asked, his brow furrowed in concern as he looked over at Hermione.
"I'm fine, Severus!" Hermione squeezed his hand in assurance, "It is I who should be concerned, about you. Are YOU sure that you are feeling well enough?"
Without a word, Severus nodded in response to her question. He remained silent as they continued to walk, thinking of the students returning and having mixed feelings about not returning to teach. Admittedly, it would be nice to have time off to spend with Hermione and Samuel... and once the baby arrived, to not have the stress of performing his duties as a Hogwarts professor. On the other hand, he couldn't deny that he would miss it. As aggravating as his job could be, he could not deny that he truly would miss teaching, as well as his duties as head of Slytherin House. His only consolation was his faith that Draco would cover for him adequately. Nonetheless, he was anxious for the day that he could resume his position.
Sensing his melancholy, Hermione broke the silence, "Do not fret about it, Severus. When the baby arrives, you will have plenty to keep you occupied until you can return to teaching."
"Am I that obvious?" he asked, wondering how she could always tell what he was feeling. He had spent years mastering and masking his emotions, and it took merely a year for Hermione to figure him out.
"Only to me, love. You might never say it, but I know how you feel about your job... despite that 'greasy git' act that you put on for the rest of the school, I know that you love teaching."
Severus couldn't supress a snort of laughter at her comment, and Hermione laughed, "Your secret will be safe with me, love."
As they reached the end of the dungeon corridor, Hermione paused for a moment, squeezing his hand tightly, "Severus..."
Severus raised an eyebrow in question as he turned to look at her. Hermione smiled gently in return, "I think we should go visit Mum."
"As you wish," he replied softly.
"Severus..."
"Hmmm?"
"Perhaps we should leave Samuel with her tonight."
Severus sighed, "I thought that I made my wish for him to stay home clear last night."
"Allow me to rephrase that," Hermione chuckled, "Severus, I think we NEED to leave him with my mother tonight."
"But why... oh..." the look of confusion on Severus face slowly turned to excitement as he realized what she was implying. "Are you having contractions again?"
"A few. Nothing regular yet, but I have an inkling that tonight will be the night. And Samuel will need to be taken care of."
"Perhaps we should head home now," he said as Samuel began tugging on his hand, urging them to continue walking.
Hermione huffed, "Severus, I'll be fine!"
"You are certain that there is time?"
Hermione grasped his hand, "You worry too much," she laughed, shaking her head.
Severus scoffed as he reluctantly allowed his wife and son to lead him away.
*****
After visiting with Elizabeth, Severus and Hermione reached a mutual decision to allow Elizabeth to take Samuel to meet Remus for lunch, and watch him for the afternoon. She would return to their quarters later that day, and spend the evening in Severus' old room in the event that she would be needed to tend to Samuel at any time during the night.
By the time that they had returned to their quarters, Hermione's contractions had become more regular, but not any closer than fifteen minutes apart. As she lay in bed to rest, Severus began to pace the room.
"Are you sure that you don't want me to get Poppy?" he asked after an hour had passed.
"Severus, please stop pacing and come lay down with me," Hermione urged him. Severus quickly approached the bed and lay down beside her, gathering her into his arms. "Are you in much pain?"
"Not yet. The contractions are still very mild," Hermione assured him.
Severus pulled her closer to kiss her tenderly, and was surprised when she deepened the kiss.
"Hermione..." he pulled away.
"Don't you dare chastise me for wanting a real kiss!" she before she continued to kiss him passionately. After he responded in kind, Hermione pulled back and smiled "Now that's more like it!"
Chuckling softly, Severus leaned in and kissed her again, only to pull away a few moments later when she gasped in pain.
"That one hurt," she groaned.
"They're getting closer," Severus said as he looked at the clock, "ten minutes."
"Oohhh..." Hermione groaned again.
"Another one already?"
"No... but my back aches!"
Severus urged her to roll onto her side, and reached down to gently rub the small of her back.
"Mmmm... better," she sighed, "don't stop."
They lay there for a few hours, Severus rubbing her back and whispering soothingly in her ear as the contractions became stronger, if not closer together.
By the time Elizabeth returned with Samuel that evening, the contractions had finally started coming closer together, nearly five minutes apart.
"Hello, Mum," Hermione greeted her mother quietly from the bed as Elizabeth handed Samuel over to Severus for a few moments so she could sit with her daughter.
"How are you feeling, darling?"
"Fine. The contractions are much stronger, though thankfully not overwhelming. But they're getting much closer."
Elizabeth leaned over to kiss her daughter, smiling at her as she tucked a few strands of hair behind Hermione's ear, "Can I get you anything?"
"Water, please," Hermione gasped as another contraction hit her, "Ouch!"
Elizabeth hurried to fill a pitcher of water, pouring a glass and handing it to Hermione before setting the pitcher on the night table.
"I think it's time to get Madame Pomfrey," Elizabeth said, reaching out to hold Hermione's hand as she saw her wince with another contraction.
Severus, having settled Samuel onto the floor with some toys, rushed to the fireplace to summon Poppy.
"Poppy will be here directly," he said as he joined Hermione on the bed a minute later, sitting behind her so she could lean against him as he held her in his arms.
"Mum... will you stay?" Hermione after the next pain passed.
"Much as I would love to see my grandchild enter the world, I should probably distract Samuel until it's over."
"Thank you, Mum," Hermione smiled briefly as she braced herself for another contraction, "ooohhh..... that hurts."
"You're doing just fine, darling..." Elizabeth assured her gently, before laughing, "I certainly was not this calm when I delivered you!"
"Yes, I know... eighteen grueling hours of hard labor... ooohhh," she paused for a deep breath, "I hope this one comes as quickly as Samuel did. Though, I must admit that I'm glad that I've gone full term this time."
"I'll be taking Samuel to his room now," Elizabeth smiled as she kissed her daugher again, "I love you, sweetheart."
"Love you too, Mum," Hermione replied as her mother crossed the room to retrieve Samuel and lead him to the nursery.
Rubbing her shoulders soothingly, Severus kissed Hermione's temple, asking, "Are you very disappointed?"
"Disappointed?" she responded in confusion.
"That your mother is unable to stay here with you," Severus frowned, "I'm sure we could find a volunteer to stay with Samuel until bedtime. Perhaps Minerva."
"She'll be busy making sure that the students get settled in," Hermione reminded him.
"Of course," Severus shook his head, "I nearly forgot."
"I'm not disappointed, Severus," Hermione assured him, "As long as you're here, I've got everything I need."
Poppy arrived a few moments later, and barely reached her side when Hermione felt a warm gush of water. "Oh! My water just broke!" Hermione exclaimed, smiling nervously.
"Indeed," Poppy moved aside Hermione's bedcovers, lifting her nightgown to check her progress. "You're progressing nicely, Hermione! Only three centimeters to go, and now that your water broke, it should not take long at all!"
No sooner had she said it than Hermione's contractions intensified significantly. "Breathe your way through them, Hermione," Poppy encouraged her, smiling as Hermione attempted to control her breathing. "That's it, dear."
Hermione groaned and leaned her head back against Severus' shoulder.
"Are you alright, love?"
Nodding her head, Hermione closed her eyes and braced herself as she felt another contraction coming on, "Severus!" she whimpered, "It hurts!"
"I know it does, love..." he tried to soothe her.
"How would you know!" Hermione snapped as she grasped his hand, squeezing his fingers so tightly that he felt as though they might break.
After the pain had passed, Hermione panted, "I'm sorry, Severus... I know you're trying to help..."
"What can I do?" Severus whispered in her ear. "What can I do?" he repeated, this time asking Poppy.
"Just support her, Severus. You're doing fine," Poppy assured him.
Another half an hour passed more or less the same, before Hermione's contractions suddenly started coming back to back, one on top of another, with barely any time for her to catch her breath in between.
"Don't hold your breath, dear," Poppy instructed her, "breathe through it, like you were doing before."
"I. AM. BREATHING." Hermione hissed through gritted teeth.
Severus brushed heavy locks of hair, soaked with prespiration, from Hermione's brow as he tried to encourage and soothe her with soft words. Silently, he marvelled at her strength. She moaned, groaned or whimpered with each contraction, but there was none of the screaming of threats to his life or his manhood, nor the name calling that he had heard tale of from other men who had seen their wives through childbirth. And having delivered Samuel himself, he saw exactly what a woman's body went through to bring forth life. Yes, his wife was handling childbirth amazingly well.
He even wondered if he was more nervous than she was, even though this was not the first time he had seen her give birth. For Samuel's birth, he had been on the other end of the birthing process. He delivered the child, not knowing that it was his own son. This time around, it was a completely different experience. He felt helpless as his wife lay there writhing in pain, as he could do nothing but hold her and try to encourage her. And, to tell the truth, he would have to admit that he was scared out of his mind. When he felt her begin to shake in his arms, he looked up to Poppy, his eyes betraying his panicked state of mind.
"It's time, Hermione. Push with the next contraction," Poppy instructed. Turning to smile at Severus, she said, "Severus, just keep doing what you've been doing."
Severus kissed the crown of Hermione's head, bracing himself to support her better as he murmured to her, "This is it, love!"
Hermione smiled nervously as she prepared to push with the next contraction.
"OK... Now... I'm going to push... NOW!" she panted.
"Yes, go ahead Hermione!" Poppy encouraged her.
Hermione took a deep breath and bore down with all of her might, groaning as she exhaled a few moments later.
"Very good, Hermione! Whenever you are ready, push again."
Severus felt her squeeze his hand tightly, and he braced himself to support her as she pushed again.
"Hermione, I need you to stop pushing now," Poppy instructed her.
Whimpering, Hermione protested, "No... I can't stop now..."
"Just for a moment, Hermione. I don't want you to tear. Try to breath through this contraction, and not push until the next one."
"I can try," Hermione gasped as the contraction hit her. Instinctively, she held her breath.
"You have to breathe, love..." Severus encouraged her, "That's it... yes..." he continued to murmur his support into her ear as she leaned into him, trying to bring her breathing under control.
"Alright, Hermione... one more big push this time, and the worst should be over," Poppy said.
Bearing down heavily, Hermione screamed as she felt the baby's head pass.
"Keep pushing!" Poppy encouraged.
Grunting, Hermione pushed until she could push no more, and just as she was about to give up, she felt the rest of her child slide from her body. Sobbing with a mixture of joy and relief, she collapsed against Severus' chest as Poppy hurriedly cleaned and examined their newborn child.
"You did it, love!" Severus whispered hoarsely, as he gathered her into his arms. A moment later, he looked up at Poppy just as she laid the child across Hermione's chest.
"Congratulations," she smiled, "You have another beautiful son."
___________________________
End Note: I hope the birth scene was up to your expectations! Im afraid that it may have seemed too "easy" to some of you, but as I have had two extremely easy deliveries myself, I didn't know how to write it any other way and still make it believeable.
Thank you to all of my readers/reviewers! Love and hugs to all of you for your patience and your support!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, etc. are the property of JK Rowling, and are not being used here for profit, only for personal enjoyment.
*****
"I'm sure it won't be much longer," Poppy tried to assure a frustrated Hermione as she examined her later that morning, after stopping by for Severus' morning check up. "You're progressing quite nicely as it is, so when the baby is ready to come, your delivery should be fairly quick."
Severus held his hand out to his wife, helping her to sit up on the bed. Propping pillows behind her, he instructed her to stay in bed.
"You need to rest!" he demanded when she tried to protest, insistant on trying to resume some semblance of normalcy in their daily lives.
"I am not an invalid!" Hermione huffed, scowling at him indignantly.
Looking to Poppy for backup, Severus scowled at her when she agreed with Hermione, "Walking may help things move along, Severus. And I suggest getting her out of this dungeon and taking her for a walk this morning. Enjoy the last few hours of quiet in the school, before the students return," she encouraged them. "That is, of course, if you're feeling up to it Severus. If you're still feeling weak... I don't want you passing out in the corridors."
Severus frowned for a few moments as he gave it some thought. Even he couldn't deny that getting up and about sounded better than pacing their quarters all day, and though he was still not up to par, his headache had dulled significantly, and he was feeling much stronger now that he'd had some rest.
"Very well," he finally agreed.
Smiling up at her husband, Hermione asked, "Good! I've been feeling a bit cooped up, after spending no time outside of these quarters, aside from the infirmary, for so long!"
"I've got to get back to the infirmary and finish my inventory before the students arrive,"Poppy smiled at them as she excused herself. "Don't over do it, either of you!" she added before closing the door behind her.
They dressed and gathered Samuel, who had just woken from his late morning nap, and headed out of their quarters for a leisurely stroll, hand in hand, with Samuel holding on to Severus' fingers..
"Are you sure that you are up to this?" Severus asked, his brow furrowed in concern as he looked over at Hermione.
"I'm fine, Severus!" Hermione squeezed his hand in assurance, "It is I who should be concerned, about you. Are YOU sure that you are feeling well enough?"
Without a word, Severus nodded in response to her question. He remained silent as they continued to walk, thinking of the students returning and having mixed feelings about not returning to teach. Admittedly, it would be nice to have time off to spend with Hermione and Samuel... and once the baby arrived, to not have the stress of performing his duties as a Hogwarts professor. On the other hand, he couldn't deny that he would miss it. As aggravating as his job could be, he could not deny that he truly would miss teaching, as well as his duties as head of Slytherin House. His only consolation was his faith that Draco would cover for him adequately. Nonetheless, he was anxious for the day that he could resume his position.
Sensing his melancholy, Hermione broke the silence, "Do not fret about it, Severus. When the baby arrives, you will have plenty to keep you occupied until you can return to teaching."
"Am I that obvious?" he asked, wondering how she could always tell what he was feeling. He had spent years mastering and masking his emotions, and it took merely a year for Hermione to figure him out.
"Only to me, love. You might never say it, but I know how you feel about your job... despite that 'greasy git' act that you put on for the rest of the school, I know that you love teaching."
Severus couldn't supress a snort of laughter at her comment, and Hermione laughed, "Your secret will be safe with me, love."
As they reached the end of the dungeon corridor, Hermione paused for a moment, squeezing his hand tightly, "Severus..."
Severus raised an eyebrow in question as he turned to look at her. Hermione smiled gently in return, "I think we should go visit Mum."
"As you wish," he replied softly.
"Severus..."
"Hmmm?"
"Perhaps we should leave Samuel with her tonight."
Severus sighed, "I thought that I made my wish for him to stay home clear last night."
"Allow me to rephrase that," Hermione chuckled, "Severus, I think we NEED to leave him with my mother tonight."
"But why... oh..." the look of confusion on Severus face slowly turned to excitement as he realized what she was implying. "Are you having contractions again?"
"A few. Nothing regular yet, but I have an inkling that tonight will be the night. And Samuel will need to be taken care of."
"Perhaps we should head home now," he said as Samuel began tugging on his hand, urging them to continue walking.
Hermione huffed, "Severus, I'll be fine!"
"You are certain that there is time?"
Hermione grasped his hand, "You worry too much," she laughed, shaking her head.
Severus scoffed as he reluctantly allowed his wife and son to lead him away.
*****
After visiting with Elizabeth, Severus and Hermione reached a mutual decision to allow Elizabeth to take Samuel to meet Remus for lunch, and watch him for the afternoon. She would return to their quarters later that day, and spend the evening in Severus' old room in the event that she would be needed to tend to Samuel at any time during the night.
By the time that they had returned to their quarters, Hermione's contractions had become more regular, but not any closer than fifteen minutes apart. As she lay in bed to rest, Severus began to pace the room.
"Are you sure that you don't want me to get Poppy?" he asked after an hour had passed.
"Severus, please stop pacing and come lay down with me," Hermione urged him. Severus quickly approached the bed and lay down beside her, gathering her into his arms. "Are you in much pain?"
"Not yet. The contractions are still very mild," Hermione assured him.
Severus pulled her closer to kiss her tenderly, and was surprised when she deepened the kiss.
"Hermione..." he pulled away.
"Don't you dare chastise me for wanting a real kiss!" she before she continued to kiss him passionately. After he responded in kind, Hermione pulled back and smiled "Now that's more like it!"
Chuckling softly, Severus leaned in and kissed her again, only to pull away a few moments later when she gasped in pain.
"That one hurt," she groaned.
"They're getting closer," Severus said as he looked at the clock, "ten minutes."
"Oohhh..." Hermione groaned again.
"Another one already?"
"No... but my back aches!"
Severus urged her to roll onto her side, and reached down to gently rub the small of her back.
"Mmmm... better," she sighed, "don't stop."
They lay there for a few hours, Severus rubbing her back and whispering soothingly in her ear as the contractions became stronger, if not closer together.
By the time Elizabeth returned with Samuel that evening, the contractions had finally started coming closer together, nearly five minutes apart.
"Hello, Mum," Hermione greeted her mother quietly from the bed as Elizabeth handed Samuel over to Severus for a few moments so she could sit with her daughter.
"How are you feeling, darling?"
"Fine. The contractions are much stronger, though thankfully not overwhelming. But they're getting much closer."
Elizabeth leaned over to kiss her daughter, smiling at her as she tucked a few strands of hair behind Hermione's ear, "Can I get you anything?"
"Water, please," Hermione gasped as another contraction hit her, "Ouch!"
Elizabeth hurried to fill a pitcher of water, pouring a glass and handing it to Hermione before setting the pitcher on the night table.
"I think it's time to get Madame Pomfrey," Elizabeth said, reaching out to hold Hermione's hand as she saw her wince with another contraction.
Severus, having settled Samuel onto the floor with some toys, rushed to the fireplace to summon Poppy.
"Poppy will be here directly," he said as he joined Hermione on the bed a minute later, sitting behind her so she could lean against him as he held her in his arms.
"Mum... will you stay?" Hermione after the next pain passed.
"Much as I would love to see my grandchild enter the world, I should probably distract Samuel until it's over."
"Thank you, Mum," Hermione smiled briefly as she braced herself for another contraction, "ooohhh..... that hurts."
"You're doing just fine, darling..." Elizabeth assured her gently, before laughing, "I certainly was not this calm when I delivered you!"
"Yes, I know... eighteen grueling hours of hard labor... ooohhh," she paused for a deep breath, "I hope this one comes as quickly as Samuel did. Though, I must admit that I'm glad that I've gone full term this time."
"I'll be taking Samuel to his room now," Elizabeth smiled as she kissed her daugher again, "I love you, sweetheart."
"Love you too, Mum," Hermione replied as her mother crossed the room to retrieve Samuel and lead him to the nursery.
Rubbing her shoulders soothingly, Severus kissed Hermione's temple, asking, "Are you very disappointed?"
"Disappointed?" she responded in confusion.
"That your mother is unable to stay here with you," Severus frowned, "I'm sure we could find a volunteer to stay with Samuel until bedtime. Perhaps Minerva."
"She'll be busy making sure that the students get settled in," Hermione reminded him.
"Of course," Severus shook his head, "I nearly forgot."
"I'm not disappointed, Severus," Hermione assured him, "As long as you're here, I've got everything I need."
Poppy arrived a few moments later, and barely reached her side when Hermione felt a warm gush of water. "Oh! My water just broke!" Hermione exclaimed, smiling nervously.
"Indeed," Poppy moved aside Hermione's bedcovers, lifting her nightgown to check her progress. "You're progressing nicely, Hermione! Only three centimeters to go, and now that your water broke, it should not take long at all!"
No sooner had she said it than Hermione's contractions intensified significantly. "Breathe your way through them, Hermione," Poppy encouraged her, smiling as Hermione attempted to control her breathing. "That's it, dear."
Hermione groaned and leaned her head back against Severus' shoulder.
"Are you alright, love?"
Nodding her head, Hermione closed her eyes and braced herself as she felt another contraction coming on, "Severus!" she whimpered, "It hurts!"
"I know it does, love..." he tried to soothe her.
"How would you know!" Hermione snapped as she grasped his hand, squeezing his fingers so tightly that he felt as though they might break.
After the pain had passed, Hermione panted, "I'm sorry, Severus... I know you're trying to help..."
"What can I do?" Severus whispered in her ear. "What can I do?" he repeated, this time asking Poppy.
"Just support her, Severus. You're doing fine," Poppy assured him.
Another half an hour passed more or less the same, before Hermione's contractions suddenly started coming back to back, one on top of another, with barely any time for her to catch her breath in between.
"Don't hold your breath, dear," Poppy instructed her, "breathe through it, like you were doing before."
"I. AM. BREATHING." Hermione hissed through gritted teeth.
Severus brushed heavy locks of hair, soaked with prespiration, from Hermione's brow as he tried to encourage and soothe her with soft words. Silently, he marvelled at her strength. She moaned, groaned or whimpered with each contraction, but there was none of the screaming of threats to his life or his manhood, nor the name calling that he had heard tale of from other men who had seen their wives through childbirth. And having delivered Samuel himself, he saw exactly what a woman's body went through to bring forth life. Yes, his wife was handling childbirth amazingly well.
He even wondered if he was more nervous than she was, even though this was not the first time he had seen her give birth. For Samuel's birth, he had been on the other end of the birthing process. He delivered the child, not knowing that it was his own son. This time around, it was a completely different experience. He felt helpless as his wife lay there writhing in pain, as he could do nothing but hold her and try to encourage her. And, to tell the truth, he would have to admit that he was scared out of his mind. When he felt her begin to shake in his arms, he looked up to Poppy, his eyes betraying his panicked state of mind.
"It's time, Hermione. Push with the next contraction," Poppy instructed. Turning to smile at Severus, she said, "Severus, just keep doing what you've been doing."
Severus kissed the crown of Hermione's head, bracing himself to support her better as he murmured to her, "This is it, love!"
Hermione smiled nervously as she prepared to push with the next contraction.
"OK... Now... I'm going to push... NOW!" she panted.
"Yes, go ahead Hermione!" Poppy encouraged her.
Hermione took a deep breath and bore down with all of her might, groaning as she exhaled a few moments later.
"Very good, Hermione! Whenever you are ready, push again."
Severus felt her squeeze his hand tightly, and he braced himself to support her as she pushed again.
"Hermione, I need you to stop pushing now," Poppy instructed her.
Whimpering, Hermione protested, "No... I can't stop now..."
"Just for a moment, Hermione. I don't want you to tear. Try to breath through this contraction, and not push until the next one."
"I can try," Hermione gasped as the contraction hit her. Instinctively, she held her breath.
"You have to breathe, love..." Severus encouraged her, "That's it... yes..." he continued to murmur his support into her ear as she leaned into him, trying to bring her breathing under control.
"Alright, Hermione... one more big push this time, and the worst should be over," Poppy said.
Bearing down heavily, Hermione screamed as she felt the baby's head pass.
"Keep pushing!" Poppy encouraged.
Grunting, Hermione pushed until she could push no more, and just as she was about to give up, she felt the rest of her child slide from her body. Sobbing with a mixture of joy and relief, she collapsed against Severus' chest as Poppy hurriedly cleaned and examined their newborn child.
"You did it, love!" Severus whispered hoarsely, as he gathered her into his arms. A moment later, he looked up at Poppy just as she laid the child across Hermione's chest.
"Congratulations," she smiled, "You have another beautiful son."
___________________________
End Note: I hope the birth scene was up to your expectations! Im afraid that it may have seemed too "easy" to some of you, but as I have had two extremely easy deliveries myself, I didn't know how to write it any other way and still make it believeable.