Finally! She is going to tell him the news!
Hope you like the style...

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Soon the school was filling with noisy brats – as Severus referred to them – again. They hadn't spoken any more about their fight and it had died that night. They again lived and slept together in harmony.

Although she wasn't really sure why, she still hadn't told him about their baby yet. She was in her third month now but she didn't show. She often found herself in front of the mirror putting a pillow under her skirt or searching for changes in her body. For her it was clear that it was a girl. She just knew it. The months drifted by and soon it was March. It was then she discovered that her breasts were staring to get fuller and that her flat belly showed some roundness.

Saturday evening she was already lying in their bed reading while he left the bathroom and slipped under the covers, resting the upper part of his body against the headboard before grabbing a Potions book from the night table.

She had decided that she would tell him about their little girl tonight. She was just waiting for the right opportunity. Her eyes drifted every few seconds towards him. She wasn't even sure which book she was holding!

"Could you just do it, Hermione?"

She was startled. "Excuse me?"

Severus laid his book down and sighed. "I can tell that there is something on your mind, woman! So please get it over with so I can read my book in peace."

She blushed and put her book away, turning towards him her feet crossed. She nervously tucked a lock behind her ear. "Do you remember the day I talked with Harry?"

His brows furrowed. "Indeed, I do."

She inhaled deeply. "Well I got some news that day. That was the reason I went to London. In the beginning I wasn't sure what I should think of it. I needed time to figure it out for myself. And then we were fighting and it wasn't the right time. And later, well I don't know why I didn't tell you sooner; maybe I wanted to keep it to myself. Maybe I was afraid of your reaction…"

She stopped to breathe and he interrupted her impatiently. "You are rambling, little one. Just get it out."

" I'm pregnant!" she blurted out, eyeing him carefully.

To her astonishment, nothing spectacular happened. He didn't scream; he didn't pale. Nothing. Severus just looked at her as if he was still waiting for whatever it was she had to say.

"Is that all?" he asked surprised as she continued to stare at him.

"If that's all?" she whispered. How dare he? She just told him that she was pregnant with his child and all he could say was 'is that all'?

Severus enjoyed the play of emotions on her face, immensely. First there was unbelief, then a thoughtful gaze before she finally went over to anger. He decided that this would be the right moment. "I was starting to wonder when you were going to tell me." Again he enjoyed the play of emotions.

"You wondered when…? You knew!" she asked, perplexed.

Severus laughed. "Silly girl, of course I knew. Do you really think I can't count? Your monthly cycle was missing for the last four months. I'm not stupid, little one."

She looked wide-eyed at him. "How would you know?"

"Hermione, you are sleeping in my bed. In fact, most of the time you are sleeping in my arms. We've had sex countless times during the last few months. I would have known, believe me! Besides, your breasts are fuller now and also more sensitive. Your belly has grown and your scent has changed. It's richer now. More earthy."

Suddenly a large pillow attacked him. "And you didn't tell me?" She was furious. All the thinking she had done, all the worries, and the bastard had known all along!

Severus snatched the pillow away. "It is the right of the woman to tell the man." He almost smiled.

"So, you aren't angry?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Angry? What for? We were aware that something like this could occur."

She looked at him, puzzled. "Yes, we were, but what are your feeling towards this, Severus?"

That was indeed a question, which couldn't be answered easily. As he had told her, he had known for months. In the beginning, he had been quite unsure. A baby. She was going to have his baby. He would be a father. Could he be a father? Would she want to be a mother? A mother to his child? He had also thought of the responsibilities. They would have to marry properly, a life-long, legally binding connection to Hermione Granger.

Not that he would mind so much. He had grown quite fond of her. Severus had never lived with a female before but he had to admit that it did have his advantages. He liked having her around and talking with her. He loved to feel her body spooned against his own. He really loved the sex. Somehow, she seemed to make his life brighter, more colorful. But, a marriage? Parenthood?

Because of who he was and his lifestyle, he had never considered having all that she was offering him, now. He opened his mouth to answer in his usual sarcastic way but, as he looked into deep-brown eyes that held an expression of fear, he couldn't. Instead he smiled. "Nervous. I don't know what will occur of this. I can't see myself as a father. I don't know what kind of parent I will be. I never considered having children of my own or being married. But I've learned that the thought isn't as unpleasant as I believed it would be."

-

Two weeks later, Voldemort called his Death Eaters again. After the usual discussion, the revel began and Severus was called to his Lord.

"Severus! Tell me how you fare with the Mudblood."

Severus remembered with regret that he had called her the same not so long ago. "Everything is fine, my Lord. I am on schedule. She trusts me completely and I am making progress with Potter."

Voldemort nodded in approval.

"Splendid. I want you to know, Severus. That I won't forget the sacrifices you make for me."

Severus bent his head. "You are too generous, my Lord!"

Pleased with his answer, Voldemort dismissed him.

It was after Severus had left, that Lucius Malfoy was called to his master. "Lucius, my friend. Do you have any news for me?"

Lucius smiled. This was his time. Finally, the great Snape would be set back into his place. "Indeed my Lord, I have."

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