Severus stands there shocked at her reaction to his proposal. He slams the box shut and shoves it back into his pocket. He thinks about apparating away, but stops when he hears Hermione call his name. His hurt and frustration is quickly replaced by concern as he races over to his love.
"Severus…"
"I'm here, Hermione," he says as he congers up a glass of water for her. She slumps against him and takes slow sips of her drink. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." He smiles as he runs a hand through her hair. "Yes, Severus."
"What?" he asks as she turns slightly to look at him.
"My answer to your proposal is yes," she says with a smile. He takes the box back out of his pocket and opens it again. He smiles as he takes her hand and slides the ring onto her finger. "I love you, Severus."
"I love you, too." Hermione kisses him tenderly then leans back against him becoming nauseous again. "Let's get you to Poppy." He gently picks her up in his arms and apparates them to the path that leads to Hogwarts. From there he carries her all the way to the hospital wing careful not to run into any students.
"Severus, what happened?" Poppy inquires as she hurries over to them.
"We were in the middle of eating dinner when she became nauseous and was sick."
"Well, put her down so I can examine her." He does what he's told to do then moves around to the other side of the bed to take Hermione's hand.
"I see congratulations are in order," Poppy comments with a smile when she sees the ring on Hermione's finger.
"Thank you," the couple says together.
"Now, Miss Granger, did your nausea start this evening or has it been going on for awhile?"
"Off and on over the last week." Poppy has a knowing smile on her face.
"Woman, what are you smiling about? Hermione's sick and you're smiling?" Severus screeches.
"Severus, calm down," Poppy scolds. "Miss Granger isn't dying or seriously ill."
"So, what's going on with me then?" Hermione asks puzzled.
"Now wait just a second. I need to ask you a few more questions." Poppy attempts to hide another smile but knows she's failed when she receives a scowl from Severus. "Are you and Severus involved in an intimate relationship?" Hermione looks at her wide-eyed while Severus has the classic deer caught in headlights look. He coughs as he tries to catch his breathe, then turns a lovely shade of pink and turns away from Poppy.
"Umm…yeah…," squeaks out Hermione.
"Have you had you cycle yet?" Hermione shakes her head no. "Are you feeling more tired than normal or taking more trips to the loo?"
"Yes…"
"Oh for crying out loud, woman, will you stop asking her questions and tell us what's wrong with her?" Severus demands. Poppy looks at him annoyed, but decides to stop beating around the bush.
"Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that Miss Granger is pregnant," she says with a satisfied smirk.
"Pregnant?" Hermione asks stunned.
"Pregnant? How in the world could she be pregnant?" Hermione whaps him across the shoulder.
"I'll be right back. I need to get the potion that will let us know if my suspicions are correct." Poppy walks away from the couple, chuckling to herself.
"How could you ask her that? You know full well how I could be pregnant. Your libido is like that of an adolescent boys." Severus puts his head in his hands.
"I…I'm sorry. It's just that…I'm shocked."
"So am I."
"A baby…" Hermione nods her head and takes his hand. "I'm going to be a father."
"Not so fast, Severus. We have yet to run the test," Poppy says as she holds up the vial of potion. He snarls back at her. "Here you go Miss Granger, drink this. It will take a few minutes to work. If you're pregnant, your abdomen will glow a bright white. It you're not, it will glow black."
"Thank you," Hermione says softly.
"You're welcome, dear. I'll leave you to it then." Poppy gives Hermione's hand a squeeze before heading back to her office.
"Are you ready?" Hermione asks as he looks at her fiancé.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he drawls. She downs the potion in one gulp and tries to keep it from coming back up. They stare at her abdomen for what seems like an eternity.
"How long did she say it would take to work?" Hermione nervously inquires. Just as Severus is about to respond, they see the potion start working.
"I guess that answers our question."
"I guess it does…daddy." Severus looks down at Hermione's glowing bright white abdomen then back up to give her a romantic kiss. "You really weren't lying when you said tonight would be a night of surprises."
"No, I definitely wasn't."
"Oh would you look at that! The first baby to be born at Hogwarts in centuries!" Poppy exclaims happily as she slips back round the curtain that protects Hermione's bed from onlookers. "We haven't had anyone on staff young enough to have children except for Severus. None of us ever thought he'd- "
"Poppy, I suggest that you leave immediately," Severus says coldly. Hermione hits him again.
"Now, Severus. I simply came to give Miss Granger a potion for her nausea. Don't worry, it won't hurt the baby." She hands Hermione the vial and skips off to her office again.
"You realize that this will be all over the school by tomorrow morning," he says, again placing his head in his hands. She puts a finger under his chin, forcing him to look at her.
"I know. But how about we don't worry about that now and you take me to bed?"
"I like the sound of that," he says chuckling softly.