Chapter 22:

Hermione and Ginny sat in Harmony and Remus' sitting room one Saturday in late January, busily helping Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Lupin set up a bassinette. Harry, Ron, Sirius and Remus had been in there before but the women kicked them out in order to get the surprise for Harmony (the bassinette) up without any problems.

Mrs. Anderson noticed the ring on Ginny's finger and decided to ask her about it. "Oh, this? It's a promise ring from Harry," she gushed, blushing a bit.

"What's he promising?" Mrs. Lupin asked.

"He promised that when You-Know-Who is defeated he will propose to me then."

"In other words, that ring is just there to warm your finger for his engagement ring."

"I guess," Ginny responded. She looked up and smiled when she saw the laughing eyes of Mrs. Lupin. "Anyway, I won't be the only one wearing a promise ring after this Valentine's day."

Hermione dropped the instructions she was holding. "Are you dropping me a hint about what your brother is getting me?" she asked Ginny.

"No. I was talking about Luna."

"Luna? Loony Luna? Who is giving her a promise ring?" Hermione asked.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Hermione, you should be more observant. Luna and Neville have been a couple most of the year. He's giving her the promise ring."

"Oh. So, Luna gets a promise ring and Ron's probably going to get me some boring chocolate." With that, Hermione stormed out of the room.

Ginny, Mrs. Lupin and Mrs. Anderson stood there in shock over the girl's sudden departure. "Well, that was a bit unnecessary," Ginny replied.

Mrs. Anderson nodded. "I would have to agree."

"After all, I happen to know my brother has every intention of giving her a ring this Valentine's Day. Just not a promise ring."

"Ohh," Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Lupin said in unison.

Down in the kitchen, two pregnant women were enjoying a chocolate fest not seen in the Hogwarts' castle since the nineteenth century. The house elves worked around the two women and pretended not to take notice of them, but the women knew that this was something quite shocking to them. "So, any news?" Harmony asked Kiki. Her friend shook her head. "Oh. Well then pass the chocolate syrup."

"Here," Severus said, tossing Harmony the bottle. He leaned down and kissed Kiki. "Mmm. Chocolate. I think the Hogwarts house elves think you two have gone insane."

"Judging by the spectrum my mood swings travel, I would agree," Kiki said.

Harmony laughed. "I know we aren't the first pregnant women living in Hogwarts. Minerva was pregnant while living here."

"Yes, but according to Albus, Minerva never indulged in chocolate. Apparently got sick at the sight of it," Severus explained.

"Impossible," Kiki said. "I can't imagine being sick at the sight of this lovely chocolate."

Severus smiled. "Then I'm glad that it's an aphrodisiac."

"Woah, woah, woah! I think you've done enough already," Harmony said, playfully poking her friend's slightly bulging belly.

"Anyway, what brings you down here?"

"I heard my lovely fiancée had brought herself and therefore our daughter down here and decided to come and join them. You don't mind, do you?"

"No," Harmony said. "I was kicked out of my chambers by my mother and mother-in-law. Said it was for a surprise."

"How lovely," Severus said. "When did they say you can return?"

"Hmm, I get the message. Let me finish this sundae and then I think it'll be safe to return."

"Thank you, so much," Severus replied in his sarcastic drawl.

Harmony finished the last few bites and tossed the spoon down. "Now there's the Severus Snape we came to love to annoy all those years ago. Have fun, lovebirds," she said.

Once she was gone, Severus moved to her abandoned seat to face Kiki. "Wow, thanks for chasing out my friend. So, what's the rush?"

"I got word through the Deatheater newsletter—"

"Hold it. You guys have a newsletter?"

"Yes. His name is Fronzy. He's Goyle's house elf."

"Oh. Okay, continue."

Severus smiled. "Anyway, we received word that Minister Peter Arden was arrested today by his own Aurors for being a Deatheater. Also arrested was his son-in-law, a recent recruit. Guess his name."

"Jake Wright. Are we positive?"

"Dumbledore had Moody confirm it."

"I should go and floo my mother. She'll want me to be the one to break the news to her and Tommy. Jenn never did like Jake. Neither did I, and he's family by blood." Kiki stood up as she tossed down her spoon. Severus followed suit and grabbed her arm. "How are you?" she suddenly asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because you were tossing and turning during the night. I thought I was going to have to sleep on the couch if I wanted to get any sleep."

Severus stood in front of her. "If I was thrashing around that much, why didn't you?"

"Because Sam woke up."

"Oh," Severus said as they continued their way to the dungeon.

"You still haven't answered my question. Do I have to turn this lovely stroll around and take you to see Madame Pomfrey?"

"No, I'm fine. It was just a nightmare."

"Oh," Kiki said, leaving it at that.

February started off on a very sour note. Kiki was now the target of her sister-in-law's rage. "Like I'm so scared. How would she know it's me?"

"She knows you're an Auror. Who else could've snitched?"

"How is she not to know we don't have 'Big Brother' in the Ministry here in England?"

"I don't know," Severus sighed, rubbing Kiki's shoulders. "But it's not like you haven't pissed off Deatheater wives before."

She laughed. "I'm still waiting for Narcissa to plunge a knife into my back." She moved down to lay her head on the pillow. "Anyway, so now I'm having all my mail from Wales rerouted so that it can be checked before it ends up in my hands."

"To which I am eternally grateful," Severus replied, encircling her. He kissed her cheek and extinguished the candles.

Harmony had to calm down her frantic husband, who was now peaceful—as a wolf. "Look, Moony, you can go to the party. Don't pull anything suspicious. I won't be able to go, but you and Severus can help. Just remember, Fudge has no power—just the imaginary one he thinks he still has. Don't give him any over you," she cooed. The wolf licked her cheek and laid his head back down next to her stomach.

Hermione was on a rampage for the beginning of February. First, she was barely talking to Ron because she thought her present for the upcoming Valentine's Day was going to be something ordinary. She then slowly began to open up more to her boyfriend and then stopped talking to Luna, who was very confused but took it in her own manner. The straw that broke the camel's back was when Snape confiscated her CD player, charmed to work against the wards placed in the castle, with her favorite CD inside.

Hermione had been on a rampage ever since and only Ron was brave enough to try to calm her down. Neville spent more and more time at the Ravenclaw common room with Luna during these storms. Harry and Ginny decided to duck into the Lupins every so often, the couple always welcoming to the other couple. Neither Harry nor Ginny told their professors why they were stopping by so often, but Harmony did have Hermione in class. Both she and Minerva were concerned over the girl's behavior and Harmony decided to ask Hermione's friends the next time they came by.

"Harry, Ginny, we love you both dearly," Harmony said, leaning back in her seat as Remus placed some cookies down, "but I am just a little curious."

Ginny took a cookie. "Curious as to why we keep popping up?"

"I'm sorry if we're bothering you," Harry said.

"You're not bothering us," Harmony said, stroking the boy's hair in a motherly way. "I was just actually curious if your frequent visits were some way related to Hermione's recent moods."

"Well, honestly, yes," Ginny admitted. "Everyone close to her—except my brother, who is staying by her side—has been trying to avoid her. She's just been crazy."

"Any reason?"

"For Ron? Because he's insane," Ginny replied.

Remus laughed. "Love makes you do crazy things. But we meant Hermione. Any reasons for her?"

"I know she's been testy since the day you guys set up the bassinettes," Harmony said, taking the tea Remus had ordered for her. "Was there a certain conversation that set her off?"

"Yes," Ginny said. "Your mother asked about the promise ring and I mentioned that Neville was giving one to Luna. Hermione then got upset and stormed out the room, muttering something about Ron giving her something plain. I couldn't convince her otherwise since she stopped talking."

"So this is over Ron's Valentine's present that she hasn't even received yet?" Remus asked.

"Apparently," Harry said. "But we know Ron's present is anything but ordinary. He's going to propose."

"Wow," Harmony said. "But, of course, Hermione can't know about it. Anything else adding?"

"Snape confiscated her CD player that had her favorite CD in it," Harry continued. "She was listening to it on the grounds, and he was in a foul mood and confiscated it."

"That's it?" Remus asked.

Harmony shook her head. "There has to be some more." She thanked the two and then sent them on their merry way before Filch could get them for being out after curfew. Remus sat down next to her and rubbed her back. "Stress," she said.

"What?"

"Hermione must be over stressed. That's why all the small things have been setting her off," Harmony explained. Remus nodded and said he would do something to help her.

"You want me to do what?" Severus said, placing down his coffee cup. "Lupin, has Harmony gotten to you?"

"What's going on?" Kiki asked, walking in. She placed a friendly peck on Remus' cheek before kissing Severus. "Will someone tell me?"

"Remus has come down here to ask me to return the CD player I confiscated from Miss Granger to her," Severus explained. "He says it might help her mood."

"Return it to her," Kiki said. "Or else we're going to have to start dodging the girl. She is one of the most powerful witches this school has seen since Minerva, according to Albus and the other headmasters. If she's extremely stressed and returning the CD will help…"

"How will it help?"

"Some people prefer to use music as a way to relieve stress—either by listening to it as an escape or playing an instrument," Remus explained. "It may work."

"And if it doesn't?" Severus asked. "Then guess where my reputation goes."

Kiki hit him on the backside of his head. "You're worried about the students thinking the bat of the dungeons has gone soft? How's this for a solution?" She walked inside their chambers and returned a few minutes later with the CD player. "There. Tell them I gave it to you with Snape's protests behind me. And get Hermione to Madame Pomfrey. Maybe Poppy can do something else."

Remus thanked his friend, gave her a friendly hug and left the Snape chambers. She turned around and smirked at Severus, who was staring at her. "I thought I was starting to rub off on you but then here you go reminding me that you were and always will be a Gryffindor," he said.

She smiled and settled down in his lap. "I know, but that's why you love me," she said, kissing him.

"Then why do you love me?"

"Because of you—Slytherin and all," Kiki responded. "Why?"

"Because you're so Gryffindor and Sirius Black seems to be the alpha-Gryffindor…"

"Wait, wait, wait," Kiki said. "James Potter was the alpha-Gryffindor, and now that has been passed to his son. And Sirius loves Bianca, I love you. What brought this on? I'm the one with out-of-whack hormones that would send my emotions flying."

"I listened to the CD I confiscated from Miss Granger and I liked it. So, I got it for myself. And how about for your birthday, we leave little Sam to bond with her grandmother—"

"AKA my mum."

"—yes. And then we go to the West End to see the London production of Phantom of the Opera. I did like the book."

"Hold the phone!" Kiki said, laughing.

"What phone?"

"It's an expression. It's the same as 'wait a minute.' Anyway. You, Severus Snape, the alpha-Slytherin, just admitted to reading a muggle book?"

"I am not totally against the idea of everything muggle. Yes, I read the book and when I saw Miss Granger's CD, I was curious about how this Llyod Webber guy adapted it. It was pretty good."

"Wait, you've diverted from the subject. Why did you start questioning my love for you and thinking I was—Severus, did you listen to the Phantom CD while you were asleep?"

"Maybe," Severus said. But at a look from Kiki, he changed his statement. "Yes."

"Severus…so that was your nightmare. Will you tell me about it?"

"Later," he said, kissing her gently. "Right now, I have some friends to meet. Um, make sure some healing potions are out tonight."

Kiki stood up to let Severus leave. "Fine. Just do me one favor. Try not to get yourself killed. Please?"

"Fine."

Remus went through the mail delivered by the owls that morning. "A letter for you, a letter for me, and an invitation," he read off. "Dare I open it?"

"Go ahead. I doubt it's charmed to explode," Harmony replied from the couch where she was laying. "I don't think that's Narcissa's style. Nor Fudge's."

"True. That was Lucius' style. Wonder how the old guy is handling Canada."

"We should ask Severus. Maybe he knows."

"Why would he know?" Remus sat down on the chair next to the couch. Harmony grabbed his hand and rubbed it.

"He's Draco's godfather. I'm sure Lucius is still writing to his only son and heir," Harmony explained, kissing her husband's hand.

Remus smiled and opened the letter from the Fudges. "The party is the twentieth of this month. Formal robes are required," he read. "The party will last from seven—that's cocktails—to midnight. I still don't want to go."

"You have to," Harmony said, rolling over to face her husband. "You'll go, stick with Severus and Kiki, have a miserable time, listen to what Fudge says, strike up a conversation with half-drunk Deatheaters, and then return to our warm bed."

"I don't want to leave you so close to the due date," Remus said, rubbing Harmony's stomach. "What if you go into labor early?"

"If I go in labor early, we will get in contact with you so you can rush to my side and let me hurt you," Harmony replied, kissing his cheek. "Otherwise, you are going to go and get back in one piece."

"Yes, ma'am."

Severus groaned as he struggled to sit up. "Don't you dare move any further," Kiki warned, leaning forward to push the man back down. "You came in worse for wear and I had Remus carry you up here so Madame Pomfrey could look you over."

"I told you to have the healing potions ready."

"Right, you were beyond healing potions."

"Impossible. When did I get in last night?"

"Severus…"

"When did I get in last night?"

"You've been unconscious for three days," Kiki replied, squeezing Severus' hand. "Minerva, Sprout and Flitwick have been rotating coverage of your classes."

Severus leaned back on the pillow. "I had nothing for him. It was a surprise visit. It was just supposed to be Goyle, Crabbe, Laurence and me. No Dark Lord. He wasn't happy even though I told him that Dumbledore hasn't had a meeting since I returned from France. And he also wasn't happy about the arrest of the Welsh Minister. Told me to keep you from our business."

"He knows you're engaged to an Auror, right?" Kiki asked. Severus nodded. "Okay, as long as he knows." Severus smiled and brought her down for a kiss.

When the kiss broke, Kiki stood up. "Get better soon. The next time I want to see the hospital wing is when Harmony gives birth, and after that, when I give birth."

"Aye, captain."

"Severus, did you get whacked in the head?"

"Considering the fact I blacked out, probably. Why?"

"No reason," Kiki said. She turned and left the hospital wing while Severus went back to sleep.

"I've decided that I'm probably not going to tell Sirius I'm in labor until a few hours after Sam is born," Kiki told Harmony the next day as the two sat in Harmony's office.

"Any particular reason why?"

"Because Sirius is Sirius and don't you remember how much pain Lily was in?" Kiki said. "I doubt there is a painkilling potion strong enough to block out his antics."

"Who knows? I'm sure Severus probably came up with one after all the torture James and Sirius put him through," Harmony replied, smirking as she graded a paper.

Kiki laughed. "True. But remember how much pain she was in? And that medi-witch only giving her the lowest amount of painkilling potion? Merlin, I hate Saint Mungo's."

"Join the club," another voice joined the other two. Eden walked in and sat down next to Kiki.

"Don't you work for them?" Kiki asked.

Eden nodded. "Why do you think that I agree with you? I have first hand experiences," she explained. "I'm glad neither of you are having your children there and you are under the care of Aunt Poppy."

"True. I think everyone who has left the hospital that was under her care would swear by Poppy Pomfrey," Harmony said. "Anyway, Valentine's Day is coming up and you can tell."

"You mean how all the students are pairing off?" Kiki asked. "I've noticed. And I've heard that Ron Weasley is giving Hermione Granger an engagement ring."

Harmony nodded as the other two women squealed. "But that doesn't leave this room," she said. "They're all trying to keep it secret so that Hermione is completely surprised when Ron purposes."

"And that leaves two questions," Kiki said. "How Ron got hold of a ring and where is he going to pop the question?"

Eden raised a hand. "I can answer the second question, Professor Wright."

"Ug. I hate teaching, don't call me that."

"Sorry. Anyway, I just came from my parents and they're allowing all the seventh years who wish to go into Hogsmeade on dinner dates with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall as chaperones," Eden explained.

Harmony laughed. "That gives them a good cover for their own Valentine's Day celebration," she said.

"Eew, don't give me any more mental images. Cornelius Fudge and Narcissa Malfoy are still emblazoned in my mind," Kiki said, shaking her head. "Anyway, that still doesn't answer my first question. Where did he get the money for the ring?"

"I know, but no one is allowed to tell Molly or Hermione. Ron's been working part time for his brothers at their joke shop. They practically burst with pride when he finally told them what the job was for."

Kiki leaned forward. "When did this happen?"

"Over the summer at Headquarters."

"And where was I?"

"Fooling around with Severus in Germany," Harmony replied. "Ron asked and the twins agreed, they worked something out with Dumbledore where Ron admitted why he needed the job."

"My father the softie," Eden said proudly. "Well, I told the head healer I'd be no more than two hours so I better get a move on before he tears into me for being late."

"Bye, Eden," Kiki and Harmony said together.

A/N: Another week has come and gone. The weather here went from summery to slightly cold today. Oh well. And I have to deal with "Add/Drop"…:mutters about stupid "falling below priority line":…Anyway, thanks again to my lovely reviewes…

Brielle Lupin: I'm glad you liked the chapters! As for McGonagall…well, I'm doing my best. Really I am.

Sarahamanda: Thanks. And all the families thank you too.

SarahtheBardess: My parents got me lotsa chocolate and a stuffed bear that's dressed up as a rabbit. And the rabbit ears come off! And if you want to use the "trapped in a barn surrounded by Deatheaters" plot hole, go ahead. The Spatula of Death was supposed to be a one-time thing, but now it's a running gag. And I love overprotective!Snape as well!

yeah whatever: Everyone really loves that Spatula. Now I know what to give you all for Chirstmas. Anyway, thanks for reviewing.

Just to let you know, I've pretty much almost finished writing this since I write faster than I post. But this is a trilogy, so there is one more part which should be relatively shorter since I won't be following a full year. Anyway, don't worry! There are a few more chapters to go! Mac