Chapter 5 – The Reason
Albus Dumbledore, stationed in front of the fire with his face in his hands, was waiting for Severus to arrive back in his rooms. He'd been gone for more hours than he was normally away. Albus was starting to worry, this was very unusual, and he didn't know what to make of it.
Meanwhile, the Death Eaters were still standing around the Dark Lord. They all nodded in succession as Voldemort told them his plans. After a very long discussion, he asked if Severus would step forward. A masked man stepped forward from the middle of the group and walked hesitantly forward towards his master. He then got down on his knees and bowed.
'Severus, what is happening with your dear friend the mudblood? Has she been enjoying her time since the Yule Ball?' Voldemort snickered and looked at Severus expectantly. 'Has she been feeling a little…off lately?'
Severus looked up at Voldemort, 'How do you know about that?' Again, Voldemort snickered.
'I know all about it, one of these people who stand around you had a hand in carrying out my plan. It worked better than I thought it was going to.' Voldemort waved his hand in the direction of a smaller man in a black cloak. 'Mister Malfoy here helped me. He made sure that you and Granger were close to the punch bowl, and then spiked it just before you two drank some. It worked perfectly; Granger is now impregnated with your child. This child will do great things, the product of two of the most brilliant minds that I could have asked for.'
Severus knew better than to ask more, he did not want the physical consequences. Instead he just bowed lower and then backed away.
'Now, all of you go back before it is noticed that you are away. I will be calling you again soon. And Severus, take care of that child, we'll be needing it in the near future.'
Severus made it back to the castle and ran to Albus' office. Albus was still sitting by the fire, waiting for Severus to make it back. He'd fallen asleep in the many hours of waiting, but was quickly awoken when the door was opened.
'Albus, the Dark Lord wants the child. He used Draco Malfoy to put the potion in the punch. It was all planned, Albus, he's going to use the child.' Severus panicked, it wasn't like him, but this time he wasn't concerned about himself, he was concerned with the child that was growing inside Hermione's womb.
'Severus, calm down. We will figure out what to do; do you know why Voldemort wants the child?'
'I don't know that, he didn't explain himself. He never does. He just said to take care of the child, he needed it.'
'There is an ancient branch of magic that not many people these days are even aware of. Voldemort can select a person; it is most often a baby, who will continue on with his crusades. This used to happen a lot in the medieval times, but has been almost non-existant since then. Voldemort can transfer all of the powers that he wants to the child and when the child is ready to use it, he or she can. Voldemort is not human enough for him to produce an heir, so he has chosen you and Miss. Granger to bear a child for him.'
Albus gave Severus a minute to think through the information that was just presented to him. Severus just shook his head and rubbed his eyes. 'I should go tell Miss. Granger.' Albus held up his hand.
'Give yourself a little time, Severus. Miss. Granger is probably going to be very upset and you're in no state to deal with that. Why don't you go down to your study and try to sleep.' Severus just nodded, knowing he had no intention of sleeping. He got up, thanked Albus and closed the door.
Severus did go down to his study, he sat in his chair and sighed. He knew that the right thing to do was to tell Hermione what was happening. He knew it was late, but he felt that she had a right to know. He got up and left his study and started on his journey to the Head Girl's room.
When he got there, he knocked lightly. He could see a light was still on from under the door. The door opened soon after, revealing Hermione in a nightgown. Her face was pale and she looked tired.
'I'm sorry if I woke you up, but I think we need to discuss something' Hermione stepped back to allow him in. She closed the door behind her and walked towards her bed. Severus took a seat on the chair across from her bed.
'You didn't wake me, I've been up all night. I finally got tired, but the morning sickness has started already' Hermione looked like she'd been up all night, her eyes were bloodshot and she looked like she could barely keep them open.
'You're not feeling well again? It'll end soon enough.'
'Soon enough, try another three months.' Hermione snorted.
'I'm sorry Miss. Granger. But there is something I need to tell you and it can't wait. I was called tonight, the Dark Lord is aware of your pregnancy.' Severus paused for a second, but Hermione interjected.
'How does he know? I don't understand, why did you tell him?'
'I didn't tell him, he already knew before I got there. He had this planned, he got someone to plant the potion and make sure we were there at the right time.' Hermione shook her head.
'But, wait, why did he want me to get pregnant. It's not like he'd be worried if I graduate or not.'
'He wants the child. He can transfer his powers to the child and then the baby, when old enough, can finish his work.' Severus stopped; it was a lot of information especially at this hour.
'Voldemort wants the child? I can't, I can't give the baby away.' Severus looked at Hermione, whose eyes were filling with tears.
'I understand, but he isn't going to. I don't know if there is a way around it.' Hermione had started crying, she was weeping loudly with her head in her hands. 'It's going to be okay.' At this, Hermione started crying louder. Severus reached over towards her, and very awkwardly, held her. Hermione collapsed into his arms, she didn't know what to do anymore. She was exhausted.
'Miss. Granger, you don't need to be worrying about this right now. Professor Dumbledore'll be trying to prevent this. Don't think about what might happen, focus on getting through what is happening. You're strong; you're going to make it through. This is just a setback, what you want is what you're going to get.' Severus continued to awkwardly hold Hermione until she'd finally fallen asleep.
The sun was just beginning stream through the window. Severus pulled out his wand and pulled the blind down. He let himself from Hermione and walked towards the fire, he flooed to Dumbledore's office.
'Albus, Miss. Granger just fell asleep. I'm going to stay here until she wakes up, I think she'll be wanting to talk then. Can you get a replacement for me? I probably won't be back all day.
