A/N: Thanks to my reviewers; you are all lovely. I appreciate the fantastic feedback on the last chapter. Thanks bunches, and let me know how this chapter went.
Disclaimer: Not mine, all Harry Potter characters and affiliates belong to JKR.
When Angelina Granger walked into the hospital room the next morning, she found her daughter and son-in-law curled up together in bed, sleeping soundly. As quietly as possible, she snuck out of the room and waited in the chairs opposite the room. David Granger came down the hall shortly thereafter and took a seat next to his wife. Handing her a cup of coffee he inquired, "What are you smiling about?"
She looked at him, pointed to the room, and said, "Take a look for yourself."
He got up and peaked into the room finding much the same scene his wife had previously. He turned around and sat down again. "I guess they've managed to work things out, at least for now."
"They certainly have."
The two sat in quiet for some time before Albus Dumbledore graced them with his presence. "Good morning, David and Angelina. How are the Snapes today?" Angelina pointed and Dumbledore did much the same as David. "Ah, I see. Well, I assume that things are okay for the moment then. Wonderful!" There was a certain glimmer in Dumbledore's eyes once again. "This is good news indeed amongst all the bad."
"I hope so," responded Angelina. "They'll need to take strength from this moment for the future. I'm sure there will be more trouble."
"Indeed, Angelina. You're quite right. I shall have to take note of that and inform Severus at a later time."
"And you should, Albus. He'll need to hear it, especially if Hermione's being stubborn."
David and Dumbledore chuckled at the comment. They were both aware of the couple's penchant for stubbornness.
At the sound of the chuckle, a dark head poked out of the room and responded none to happily, "If you wouldn't mind, my wife needs her rest. I highly suggest you be quiet unless you wish to face her ire when she awakes." Severus strode across the hall and sat himself firmly between Angelina and Albus. Turning to the elder male present, he said, "And why are you here so disturbingly early in the morning, Albus?"
"Severus, come now, I'm just checking up on you, dear boy. There are those who are quite worried back at Hogwarts and wish for an update on Lady Snape's condition. Since I hadn't heard from anyone of late, I thought a visit would not be unwelcome."
Severus exhaled sharply at the comment, but said nothing in return.
David leaned over and asked, "How is she, Severus?"
He considered his response for a moment. "Tired mostly, and a bit distraught. I fear more of it will surface as the days pass. Hermione has no shortage of pain in regards to losing the child." Severus turned toward the headmaster again. "As do I, but time will hopefully be a comfort. However, at the current moment, there is little to be done but be supportive and loving to all involved no matter how much they fight it." The present company nodded to what Severus said. Dumbledore knew he referred more to himself in regards to the last part. It was about the only acknowledgement of his own pain he would and probably could make.
Eventually they moved into the room where they met Hermione tenderly with hugs and words of support and love, which she gladly accepted. All of them were aware that she was a mess of emotions and tread carefully around their words so as to upset her as little as possible. Minutes turned into hours, and hours finally to evening when the mediwitch shooed all present from the room saying Hermione needed to rest and needed to have her condition checked. Dumbledore had left around lunchtime, but Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey came to replace him until the mediwitch requested they leave the room. Severus and the Grangers waited to hear news from the check up and were relieved to discover that she would be able to return to Hogwarts the next morning.
Severus returned to the Grangers for the evening after promising Hermione that he would be with her next thing in the morning. The mediwitch agreed to give her a dreamless sleep potion so she would rest at his insistence. With a kiss and an assurance of his love for her, he left as she drifted off to sleep.
: P
Morning turned out to be pleasant enough in regards to the weather. The birds were singing and the sun was shining as Severus and the Grangers left their house for St. Mungo's to pick up Hermione. David heard Severus mumble something unpleasant about the 'bloody birds and blasted sunshine,' but said nothing opting to simply smile at the other man. Severus amused him to no end with his not so sunny disposition, and he could not quite put his finger on why. Perhaps it was just Severus' different outlook on things, he did not know; however, it may have been the small but noticeable differences in Severus courtesy of Hermione becoming so involved in his life. Severus apparated them to their location and they were taken immediately to Hermione who was being prepared to leave. Severus was handed the proper forms to fill out which he grudgingly proceeded to do, murmuring something about 'ridiculous hospital expenses and foul coffee.' Finally, everything was in order and Severus apparated them all back to the Grangers. Hermione gave her parents each lingering hugs before flooing back to their chambers in Hogwarts.
Sitting tiredly, she said to Severus, "I'd like to just take a long bath right now, if that's okay with you."
"Certainly, my dear. Wait here, and I shall run it for you." He kissed her forehead and she smiled weakly at him.
"Thank you."
Severus returned several moments later to find she had curled up and fallen asleep on the couch. He gently lifted her and carried her to the bedroom laying her carefully on the bed. He lay next to her and was soon sound asleep as well.
: P
He heard her whimpering quietly, but being in a half-asleep state, it took him several moments to realize it. Finally waking enough to comprehend his wife's distress, Severus sat up quickly and proceeded to hug Hermione closer to him whilst whispering soothingly in her ear. She began to calm and hugged him tighter, still not fully awake. As the remnants of the dream wore off, she decreased her hold on him, finally laying back and sighing heavily.
"I'm sorry, Severus. It just seems that every time I try to sleep, the memory comes back to me. This time, though, it was Lucius Malfoy that pushed me and not Pansy. I seem to associate it with him at times."
Severus looked thoughtful for a moment and replied, "There may be something to that. I have reason to believe Parkinson was or is involved with him somehow. I'll speak with Albus about any visitors that may have been to Azkaban of late. It may shed some light on the situation, but I don't wish to give you any false hope."
She looked at him a little sadly again. "I know. Did you ever finish running that bath?" She inquired a little more upbeat.
He got up from the bed while responding, "I did indeed. Shall I warm it for you?"
"That would be lovely," she said simply. He then swept her up from the bed in one fluent motion causing her to squeal. "Severus, what are you doing?"
"Making myself useful?" She hit him lightly on the chest before snuggling closer to him. "Hermione, I love you," he said quietly as he kissed the crown of her head. "And I'm doing my best to take care of you."
"If you take care of me too much, I won't know what to do with myself or you. I'd hate to have to curse you for being too helpful."
"I sincerely doubt that occurrence ever happening," he replied, plopping her down near the bath. "Give a shout when you're done. I'll be back shortly. I need to have a word with the headmaster before he thinks something's happened again." He deftly turned on his heel and left the room, closing the door as he went.
Hermione smiled to herself a bit when she saw the yellow rubber ducky floating amongst the soapsuds in the water. It was very much a Severus touch, if you knew him well enough that is. Being privy to his mischievous and humorous side certainly kept her on her toes if nothing else. She sighed, undressed, and submerged herself into the bath. As always, the temperature was perfect, and the balance of bubbles to water was just how she liked it. That man certainly knew how to draw a proper bath.
: P
Severus easily found his way to Dumbledore's office, as it was a path he took quite often. While he may have little in common with the headmaster, he found the older man to be quite helpful in nearly every situation one could throw at him. Severus spoke the appropriate password to the gargoyle, which opened the staircase to the headmaster's office. Severus wound his way up the stairs and entered the room, but did not find the man he for which he was looking. He peered around several corners before Dumbledore strode from the flames in his fireplace.
"Ah, Severus, my boy, I've just been looking for you. I trust the Mrs. is comfortably situated for the moment?"
"She's doing well enough that I felt I could leave her for a moment."
"What brings you here then?" he asked, motioning to the younger man to take a seat.
Sitting down in the proffered chair, he replied, "I actually came to inquire as to whether or not Lucius has had any visitors of late in Azkaban."
"None that we know of, other than Draco of course."
"Draco's been?" he asked, a bit surprised.
"Yes, I thought it wise to send young Mister Malfoy to have a word with his father after the incident with Miss Parkinson. Unfortunately, the visit yielded little information of use. I'd suggest you have a word with your Godson when you get the chance. You may get more from the exchange than I did having been close to Lucius in the past." For the first time in awhile, Severus noted how tired Dumbledore appeared. It was like he was beginning to actually look his age. Severus found it more than a bit disturbing.
Distractedly, Severus responded, "I'll do so as soon as possible, Albus. If you don't mind, I'd like to get back to my wife, make sure she's doing okay."
"Certainly." Severus stood and turned to go, but Dumbledore stopped him asking, "Lemon drop?" Severus scowled, but took one anyway. He never liked the foul things, but thought there might be something to them. Once he reached the hallway, however, he thought better of it and spit out the object. He suddenly had a very strong urge to pummel Lucius Malfoy once again, but let it pass, instead opting to find his wife and hug her tightly. He was aware of the irony of the mixed feelings and decided a visit to Azkaban would be most worth his while even if it were just to thank Malfoy for bringing him and Hermione together. It would certainly be worth the look on the blond man's face if nothing else came from the meeting.
End Chapter 22