*********Hermione*******

A baby.

She was pregnant. The news hit Hermione like a ton of bricks. She never imagined herself as a mother. Up until recently she was just worried about whether or not she would live or die. Those moments with Severus had been very few but logically she knew it only took one time for this to happen. Still, Hermione nearly fainted purely from the shock of it all. Her mind was racing with so many emotions and with all of the implications that came with being with child. And not just any child, the child of Severus Snape. A man who currently was in a coma. Now Remus's concerns about her health hit very close to home. She would definitely need to try harder to take care of herself. After all, it wasn't just her she was hurting.

A baby.

A slow smile crept up on her face as she pressed a hand to her belly. Feeling just how thin she was made something inside her snap. Hermione knew she had to start eating right and getting better sleep. A practice she had now kept up for two weeks since she found out about the baby. She hadn't told a soul about her expecting save for Remus. He was the only person still visiting. Not as often as her of course, but it was touching to see. Although Hermione certainly didn't blame the others for moving on with their lives. A lot of work needed to be done since Voldemort's defeat.

They had to completely revamp their government and its structure as well as rebuild several homes and businesses that were ravaged during Voldemort's reign. That included Hogwarts itself. So yes, it was very easy to understand why Severus's visitors had become few and far in-between. But Hermione was determined to go there as often as possible. Including today. She was getting dressed when she felt the wards alert her to someone at her door. Or Severus's door rather. Slipping on her shoes, Hermione hurried downstairs to answer, inwardly wondering who would be visiting her.

It was Remus Lupin, and he had little Teddy and Vonn Tage with him as well which was a surprise. Hermione offered them a tiny smile. "Oh, hey guys. It's good to see you, but I must admit I'm puzzled. I wasn't expecting anyone today, I was actually just about to head out."

"Yes, I know, but Vonn asked me about you and I got to thinking that you wouldn't be opposed to some company," Remus explained, blushing faintly. "I hadn't thought to warn you before. It's good to see you looking so well. I assume you're off to see Snape?"

Hermione nodded, having waived for them all to come inside the manor. "Yeah I was, but I'm happy to see my friends any day. And thank you for expressing concern when you did. You have no idea how much I appreciate you bringing my health to my attention."

"Yes, I think we all were concerned about your health. But you weren't the only one who went into decline after the final battle, it affected all of us. I'm glad your doing better," Vonn replied with a kind smile. They had all settled into the living room, Remus and Vonn on one couch and Hermione sitting opposite of them, with Teddy in her lap. Before she would have thought nothing of this, but knowing that she was currently with child made holding Teddy much more surreal. One day soon this could be her own son or daughter in her lap.

"Thank you, and how are you doing? To be honest I expected for you to head back to the States by now," Hermione commented while gently bouncing the small boy on her knee.

The brown skinned witch looked visibly bashful. "Yes, I know most of the Americans have left since the war is over, but I felt like I couldn't leave when there's still so much to be done. I know this isn't my home, but that doesn't mean i shouldn't offer my continued assistance. Plus I've begun to make some connections with you all…"

Hermione grinned, looking curiously between the American witch and the British wizard. Perhaps there was something there more than what could be seen on the surface. "You know Hermione, I was just telling Vonn that you and her were so similar. Always going above and beyond the call of duty. Especially for your friends."

Both women blushed.

They continued to chat between themselves, mostly Hermione inquiring after everyone and Vonn and Remus taking turns giving her an update. Hermione had just came back from the kitchen, having made them tea when an owl knocked rather incessantly on the window. Hermione's heart leapt seeing the official seal on the envelope. With shaking hands she ripped it open, a subsequent gasp escaping her lips as she read over the letter quickly.

"What is it?" Lupin urged, on the edge on his seat.

Hermione's voice was clearly one of shock. "I-It's from St. Mungos, they said that Severus has woken up."

There was an instant flurry of activity as Hermione, and her guests, rushed to the hospital. She was panting by the time she made it to Severus's room. And when she saw him, eyes open and scowling at the medi witches and wizards surrounding him, she cried tears of joy. "Oh Severus! Oh thank God you're awake!" Hermione exclaimed as she moved swiftly to his side, planting a kiss on his lips.

"What on earth are you doing Miss Granger? That was highly inappropriate!" A flabbergasted Snape demanded, his eyes wide with confusion. "Lupin! What are you doing here?!"

Hermione looked to the werewolf and then back to Snape with a frown, "Severus, it's okay. We won. There's no need to hide or be formal with each other."

A small flicker of recognition lit in the former Death Eater's eyes. "We…..won? What exactly did we win? The last thing I remember was having Miss Granger dumped on my doorstep? How much time has passed since then? Tell me, what happened to the Dark Lord?!"

The whole room froze as the gravity of Snape's admission sunk in. The silence was only broken by one young witch's pained voice. "So…..you really don't remember? Not the ball, or your birthday…..or…." She paused, a stricken expression in her face.

"Or what? Spit it out Miss Granger!" Severus bellowed in frustration, causing her to flinch.

Hermione held back a sob. "Or me, Severus? You….don't remember me. You don't remember us."