A/N: Some fantastic reviews on the prologue. Thanks for that. I hope to get such encouraging reviews for the rest of the story. Anyway, on with the story. Review!

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Snape was feeling surprisingly well rested when he awoke the next morning. However, something was . . . off. He quickly realized what and his reaction was very ungraceful. Hermione's head had been resting on his shoulder, and, when Snape violently jumped from the bed, she was jarred awake. Snape quickly grabbed a pillow in an attempt to cover himself as he realized he was naked.

Hermione was very disoriented by her sudden awakening. She clanked around her and noticed Snape warily eyeing her. He was naked except for the pillow he was using to cover himself, she noted. It was at that moment she realized her own nakedness. She desperately hid under the covers. Both looked at each other fearfully for a moment. Snape spoke first.

'Miss Granger, if you'd please turn the other way for a moment, we could get out of this unpleasant situation."

She nodded and turned the other direction, waiting to hear the click of the door before she turned around again. Hermione would have quickly found her clothes and dressed, but she was quite sore. She managed it in enough time to wait for a moment or two before Snape knocked on the door.

"Miss Granger," Snape said softly as he entered the bedroom, "I trust you will speak of this to no one."

"What is there to talk about? I don't even remember what happened."

"Neither to do I, but I can surmise that we have done something quite inappropriate for a student-teacher relationship given our state this morning."

"I'm aware, sir. As such, I'll tell no one." She started to leave, but turned around, a question in her eyes.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Professor, what if I'm . . . that is, could I possibly be, well . . ."

"Miss Granger, if you become pregnant from this encounter, I promise I will do whatever I can to help you. However, we shall worry about that if the circumstance arises. That is, of course, assuming we had sex."

"Thank you, sir," she said sadly, as she left.

"Miss Granger, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"I will look into this matter as it seems this was not the natural coarse of events. Please, do not worry over the matter."

"I'll try not to, sir."

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In the chaos that was Hogwarts the morning after the end of the war, no one noticed Hermione leaving Snape's quarters. It assured that neither would be questioned at the time or later as to what would happen between the two in the future. In fact, neither would speak of the matter for nearly a month as Dumbledore had allowed the students to go home for two weeks for clean up of Hogwarts. The school was a mess, and the entire staff would be needed to repair the damage.

Hermione was sent to stay with the Weasley family to ensure their safety during the two-week vacation. Since a number of Death Eaters were running free, it was decided that muggle born and their families would be safer if the children stayed with a wizard family. It was a difficult two weeks for Hermione who, try as she might, could not remember what had happened between her and Snape. Also, she was worried about Harry who was in St. Mungo's. He had not regained consciousness after collapsing that night.

As it was, the Weasleys were quite busy. Arthur and Molly were constantly gone on either Ministry or Order business. Neither Ginny nor Ron really felt like doing anything, so they, along with Hermione, would spend their days with their unconscious friend.

After the break had ended, and classes were to start again, Hermione realized how different everything felt. A number of students were dead or still recuperating from injuries. Some of the staff had changed as well. Professor Binns had crossed over during the battle, and Professors Flitwick and Sprout were still recovering from their battle injuries. Remus Lupin had rejoined the staffs to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts while Bill Weasley came aboard to help with the overload the other professors were carrying. McGonagall was covering some of Binns' classes while Snape was even doing double time in Potions and Herbology. Nothing felt the same to Hermione.

Hermione realized Potions was her first class after break and that made her more nervous than anything. However, Snape made no indication of the affair. He was, however, a bit more relaxed. His trademark glare was missing, as were the snide comments and intimidation. Neville managed to get through class without blowing up his cauldron, but only just. As she settled into her schedule, and the differences, Hermione felt like she was just going through the motions. She and Ron would talk, but both were too worried about Harry to really do much. Ron and Ginny were Hermione's anchors. She thought she would have gone crazy if not for her friends.

Friday of the second week of classes, Hermione woke with a strange feeling that something was wrong. She had a bad feeling about whatever it was. She thought a trip to see Madam Pomfrey was in order.

"Madam Pomfrey, I know you're busy, but I need to talk to you alone for a moment," Hermione said to the medi-witch.

"Hermione, dear, do come in," she said, ushering Hermione into her office. "What is the matter? Is everything all right?"

"Well, um," Hermione began, unsure of what to say. "The thing is, I think I might be pregnant." This took the medi-witch by surprise. "I was wondering if you would be able to confirm it."

Madam Pomfrey performed the necessary tests and looked at the results.

"Well, Hermione, it seems you are indeed pregnant. As soon as possible, I wish to talk with the other responsible party. Are you all right?"

"I'm, well, it's a bit of a shock, but I'm okay for now. I am late for Potions though." Madam Pomfrey quickly wrote Hermione a note and made sure the girl was okay before sending her on her way. She also agreed she would not tell anyone as Hermione had yet to tell the father. Hermione hustled to class as she was late already and Snape's moods were inconsistent at best, as he was overworked recently.

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"Miss Granger, you're late!" Snape scolded her.

"I'm aware that I'm late, sir, but I have a good excuse." She handed him the note. Snape glanced at it and waved her off to her desk.

"We'll discuss this after class."

"Yes, sir."

Normally a student being late for class would not worry Snape, but, due to the current circumstances, Hermione's absence had indeed been cause for him to worry him. He feared the worst. With Madam Pomfrey's note and Hermione's hinting (which the class would have seen as frustration), he knew something was wrong. Snape's preoccupation with his thoughts was obvious to the class. There were a few rumblings from students as they were leaving, but no one was going to say anything.

"Miss Granger, a moment please?" Snape requested.

"Of course, Professor."

"We'll go to my office," he responded, escorting her from the classroom to the office. Hermione was incredibly restless all of a sudden. She did not sit when she entered the office, but rather paused. "Miss Granger, please sit."

"You might wish to do so, sir," she replied nervously.

"Hermione, let's just make it easier for the both or us. Tell me, are you . . ." he looked at her, almost pleadingly.

She sighed before responding. "I'm, that is, you're . . . I mean, we're having a baby, Professor."

A torrent of emotions flooded Snape at that moment. As he thought about the situation, he realized it was not a shock or disappointment. Hermione's pregnancy was more of a complication, especially since he was the father. He knew their options were few. He would be exposed as the father eventually. They could not keep it a secret. Everything had a way of finding light at Hogwarts. There was only one thing to do for it at the moment. Snape wandered to his desk and pulled a small sack from one of the drawers before proceeding to the fireplace.

"Where are you going?'

"We, Miss Granger, are going to see the headmaster." Snape threw some floo powder in the fireplace and announced "Dumbledore's office!" Hermione found herself face to face with a surprised Headmaster.

"Miss Granger, Severus, this is a pleasant surprise. What brings the two of you here?"

End Part 1