THREE: ORANGE

On the same day her morning sickness ended, Hermione had her first visit with the Dark Lord. It was the strangest meeting of her life. Severus informed her of what the Death Eaters did in his presence, but it was nothing like that. He was kind to her, telling her pregnant woman do not kneel, nor do they stand like the others. She was given a chair to sit in, with a foot rest to use, and water to drink. He treated her like an equal, which was strange. She later found out that it was because of her child, nothing more. It didn't bother her really, until Severus told her Voldemort saw her as nothing but a vessel, as he saw all women. Bellatrix Lestrange was the exception to that of course, since she was the only true female Death Eater. Bellatrix's father had promised his first born, his heir, to Voldemort, and it was her. Hermione found it distasteful that her child was under the same contract, whether Severus or her liked it or not.

Poppy Pomfrey had been helping Hermione by providing child care books and birthing lessons for her every Sunday. With classes on the weekends, Hermione studied during the week. Severus would have breakfast with her in the morning and leave for his classes, becoming cold and harsh toward the student body. After the first week with him, she learned that Severus was really two different people. The Professor she first knew, but she was beginning to know The Man who she married, cared about, and was friends with. The Professor was too cold to become friends with, and she allowed him that façade as long as he wanted it.

Halloween Night…

The knock that came to the door was surprisingly loud, having been dealt by Ron's strong hand. Luna Lovegood, Harry's fiancé of two weeks, came as well. Ginny followed because Hermione was her best friend, and Draco Malfoy, Ron's significant other, followed for entertainment value. He wanted to see everyone's face when they met a different man at that door then they knew.

"Are you sure it's okay for us to be here Draco?" Ginny had put aside her dislike of him for her brother's benefit.

"I asked Severus if it was. Don't worry Gin, it's fine. Hermione will be glad to see all of you, right Ron?" He looked expectantly at his boyfriend.

"Whatever you say, you know Snape better than any of us Gryffindors." The door opened to reveal Hermione. Her expression was of shock for only a moment, then she launched herself at Harry, pulling Ron into the hug, and trying to get Luna and Ginny in as well. Once they all hugged her enough, Draco put his arms around her and hugged her for a moment.

"So I see Severus said you could all come. I'm so glad, I've missed you all so much. It's lonely down here with only Crookshanks."

"Well, now that Draco has so kindly shown us to your quarters, we'll come visit more often!" Harry said as he took his first steps into the room. They looked around for a moment before coming to terms with the sparse surroundings. "Don't worry everyone; the sitting room has enough seats for us. Severus made sure we had enough for visitors whenever they may come."

"Why would he do that?" Ginny sat in the middle of the couch.

"Because I asked him to. He gives me what I need, and almost everything I ask for. I couldn't have a better friend."

"You two are friends? You mean he isn't pressuring you for sex or anything?" Ron couldn't believe his ears.

"Beyond The Professor you know Ron, Severus is a very nice person. Over these past few weeks I have become friends with a wonderful person. He can be cruel, and he is very reserved with whom he lets in; he is two people really. We all see The Professor by day, but here in these rooms he is The Man. I care about Severus The Man, not Snape The Professor. And I want you all to know him. I want you to know he is passionate about things, and my care is now one of those things."

"You're falling in love with him." Luna's soft voice made the silence quieter.

"Whatever do you mean Luna? Severus and I are friends, and we have no other feelings toward one another."

"I'm sorry Hermione, but you are falling in love with him. He might be the perfect person for you, and you are getting to know that person. Be in denial as long as you want, but you will find I am right, one way or another." Luna never looked straight at her, but you could tell she had startled everyone in the room. As they helped her pour tea for everyone, Severus entered the room. Another teacup appeared and Hermione poured his cup. He still appeared to be The Professor until he walked up to her and wrapped her into his arms. Draco smiled at the display; Severus addressed everyone.

"Thank you for coming. Hermione has missed everyone so. I know how much everyone here means to her and I am glad to see her happy." His voice held no harsh tone, it was soft and soothing. It took Harry a few moments before he broke the silence that was created by those words.

"Thank you Professor for allowing us to come and visit. We have missed Hermione so much as well since she moved in with you."

"Yes, I understand. I would feel the same if I were you. If you have missed her so much then you are welcome to visit anytime you want during the week."

"Why not the weekends? We are her best friends." Ron finally spoke.

"She has classes on the weekends since the other professors do not have classes. Hermione is not allowed to mingle with the other students while she is pregnant for her safety. Hogsmeade weekends are the exception. If you would like to visit then, that is fine, but I will not allow her into town. I do not trust the other Death Eaters to not attack her."

"Why would they attack Hermione? She was chosen by the Dark Lord himself for you, right?"

"That is true Miss Weasley, but they resent the fact that my wife is not a pureblood. She was not chosen for her blood but for her ability to give birth. The Dark Lord only cares that I have an heir, or in this case, heirs." That got everyone attention, and Draco fell out of his seat.

"You're having twins Hermione, why didn't you tell me?"

"Sorry Draco, but I just found out yesterday. You and I haven't seen one another since. Severus didn't find out till this morning himself, because Poppy kept me in the Infirmary overnight to get rid of a cold I had."

"That's great Hermione!" Ginny ran over to her friend and hugged her tightly. With that, everyone got a hug in once again. Severus watched from the sidelines, not wanting to spoil this moment. When Hermione saw him, she smiled and pulled him in; everyone moved around them. After the group disbanded, he walked her over to the couch and pulled her into his lap. Hermione snuggled her head under his chin.

"So can we call you by your name Professor? In these room only of course." Only Luna would ask a question like that.

"If you want, and I shall address you by your given names as well. Hermione has been asking me to for some time."

"Thank you. I always found your name to be a nice one. Even if it means to cut harshly. Better than no name at all, right?"

"I suppose I should take that as a compliment Luna. One would wonder about your own name."

"I was born under a full moon, it seems fitting to me." Everyone watched this conversation develop more while Hermione got out of Severus' lap and sat on the floor, playing a few games with her friends. One would never guess that there was once ever any hatred by anyone the way they interacted.

Two months later…

There was a chill in the air, as always. Riddle Manor was a drafty house, and it was freezing outside, the snow white and crisp. As always, the Dark Lord sat by the fire, warming his feet while wrapped in the warmest clothes. Behind sat a quivering sack of blood and bones called Peter Pettigrew. Standing beside the chair was Lucius Malfoy, a smile hidden behind shadows.

"So you claim Severus is a traitor Lucius. And what do you have to support this? A theory, his dislike for you since you offended his wife; what? He is as loyal to me as you are, and you simply follow until you achieve your goal. You would never do what my controlled servants would, or what Bella would do for me."

"Bellatrix is a different matter my Lord. She follows you for the love of power."

"She follows because she loves me, not power. She would die for me if I asked her to; would you? Tell me truthfully Lucius, I will not punish you for answering me."

"No my Lord, I would not without reason. I would die in your place if you wished it, but not just because you asked."

"The same answer Severus gave me. But his answer has changed now. He loves the mudblood, and has for some time."

"What is his answer now?"

"He would die for her and only her. He would kill anyone who threatened her. And that is why he is loyal Lucius, because that is the answer I expected from him. I watched him grow up and he was never truly loved by anyone but his mother. And now he is loved by someone he loves. It means he will do anything for me as long as he knows I would kill her if he doesn't obey."

"You mean that he is more loyal because he loves the mudblood?"

"No, he is more useful now that he loves the mudblood."

"I see my Lord. Thank you for teaching me."

"You may go Lucius."

Christmas Eve, Night…

The moonlight was creeping into the room by the high window in the right corner off the bed. Hermione had put three more blankets over the coverlet because the chill of the dungeons, and Severus was wearing a shirt with his pajama bottoms now. Hermione was wearing a cotton nightgown that skirted the floor when she stood. It made for a very warm bed. As they snuggled together, hoping the cold would leave soon, Severus told Hermione of the meeting he had with the Dark Lord that evening.

"Why does he not want to see me this month?"

"He is afraid you might miscarry if you travel. He wants me to confine you to bed, but I won't since you are already confined to these chambers during the week."

"It's okay Severus. I'm glad I don't have to go see him. He disturbs me actually, the way he treats me. Does Albus know?"

"Yes, and he agrees that you shouldn't go. You are starting your second trimester, and this is a very delicate time for you."

"That is also said for the first trimester, but I traveled then."

"But Apparating is dangerous to the pregnancy after the beginning of the second trimester. You are safer not traveling."

"Whatever Severus. As long as I don't have to see him until the twins are born, I will be happy."

"I'm glad this news makes you happy Hermione. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Severus."

Christmas Morning…

"Happy Christmas Hermione… wake up Hermione…" Severus whispered into her ear.

"Go 'way 'Erus. I's Tired…" She batted him away, or tried to, and was rewarded with the blankets being pulled off her and the cold air rushing over her body. She screamed, scrambling to get something warm over her body.

"Severus Snape! Give me back the blankets or never will you be able to walk again!" He threw one of them back at her, the thickest, and started to fold the others.

"We have a Christmas party to attend in my sitting room, remember? I would like to be ready when everyone arrives. We do kind of have all the presents under our tree." He grabbed his fleece robe, pulling it on and tying the robe around his skinny waist. Hermione followed his example, only her robe was cotton, like her nightgown. She agreed that it was time to get up; it was her idea for everyone to spend Christmas together. And everyone meant Harry and Luna, Ron and Draco, Ginny and Neville (who she had just started dating,) Albus and Minerva, Hagrid, Poppy, Tonks, Lupin, Mad-eye Moody, Dobby and any other house-elf that was close to Hermione, and of course any Weasley who wanted to make the pilgrimage to Hogwarts, which meant everyone. (Except Percy, who was still feuding with his family over this and that.)

The tree was picked out by Hermione, who had been preparing with the house-elves for this party. The presents had been put under the tree randomly to make the party interesting, and were placed mostly by size; the largest in the back, and the smallest in the tree if they weren't too heavy. Hermione had Albus, Minerva, and Draco's help in getting Severus the perfect present by asking them about the things they knew about his interest other than potions. With their information, she got him a journal that would only allow him to see what he had written unless he specifies otherwise. Severus had asked Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Neville (of all people) about the things she gave as presents and the things they got her over the years. He wanted to get her something that she would enjoy, wanted his present to be her favourite. He decided on a necklace that complimented her wedding ring.

Hermione's wedding ring had ½ caret blue topaz marquise in the middle; the band flared around the gem, touching it with a small heart, and in the core of the flare was another heart with a droplet in the center. It fit around her finger perfectly. Severus' wedding ring was a simple silver band with their initials on the inside edge. Hermione's mother had gotten the rings from a trip in America that had been taken that summer.

The moment that Hermione and Severus walked into the sitting room, a knock was heard at the door. It was Ron, telling them that they were there. Severus answered, getting a 'Happy Christmas' from everyone, Draco trailing behind his boyfriend and giving Severus a quick hug. After breakfast, the house-elves, Albus, Minerva, Hagrid, Poppy, and Tonks (who had taken over the Defense position that year) all came down. By lunch Lupin, Mad-eye, and the other Weasleys were there. Before tea time, everyone had brought their remaining presents and everyone was ready to open theirs. Albus had been appointed as Santa, since he almost looked the part, and was passing presents around. Everyone waited while the current person opened theirs, and once done with the 'thank you', another was given out.

The party lasted till dinner, when everyone migrated to the Great Hall for a meal since there was no more room in the Snape's sitting room for dinning. Afterward, when everyone went to bed, Severus picked Hermione up and carried her to their rooms.

"Why are you carrying me Severus?"

"Because you were tired. I didn't want you to overexert yourself."

"Thank you then." Before he left to get the other blankets, he kissed moved to kiss her forehead. But as he did, she moved her head to look up at him and their lips met. For a moment they did nothing, but that didn't last long. The kiss was passionate, and it meant everything that had happened. All the sadness and the happiness; the fear and the hope; everything that had developed over the last three months between them was released and it was drowning them. That night was the first night since that terrible day that Hermione let Severus touch her intimately, but they left it at touches and kisses, nothing more. She was still afraid because of the abuse she was succumbed to before Severus saved her, but she allowed him to show her how much he cared. How much he loved her. And she loved him back.

"I love you Severus." Her voice was a mere whisper, but he heard her.

"I love you too Hermione." He kissed her one last time before falling asleep.