Disclaimer – (See previous chapters)
Sorry I didn't update sooner, I was busy. Well, I'll try to make this chapter longer for you guys.
Like I said before, there will be explanations for what I've written, just bare with me, I know what I'm doing and hopefully it will have a happy ending. Also, I do plan on exploring how Severus and Hermione got together and I will do so in later chapters, right now, I can't find any good ways of including her memories, but I will, don't worry.
Chapter 6The next day Hermione woke up feeling a lot worse, but thankfully her head was clearer. How could she have been so stupid? There must be a way to reverse this. She could just ask someone. As if someone had read her thoughts, a doctor came into her room. He smiled at her.
"I see you have woken up then. How do you feel?"
"Absolutely terrible... and guilty," she added quietly.
"Well, I hope you will feel better to know that you can go home as soon as we have checked you over." Seeing no change in her expression, he continued, "A nurse will be in to see you at about ten, so if you would like anything to eat, you will have to do so now."
"No thanks, I'm not so hungry. I would like to ask you some things though."
"Sure, I'll do my best to answer. What do you want to know?"
Hermione looked at her hands folded in her lap. "Well, you said that I wouldn't be able to have another child, because of the damage that has been done. Isn't there a way to reverse it?"
The doctor sighed and sat in a chair next to her. "It is true that in some cases we have been able to reverse the effects, but they had all tested it in the hospital. Unfortunately, you had been left for too long. The toxins had completely destroyed the ovaries. We had to remove them before the infection spread any further. I'm sorry, but no amount of magic would stop it."
Hermione was shaking, she had to find a way. "Well, isn't there anyone who doesn't want children? Maybe they could help…" She knew it sounded selfish, but she didn't care, she was desperate.
"The possibility of that happening is very rare, but it is possible. However, there are quite a few witches in your position. The best you can do is sign up and hope for the best, but even then you could be waiting for at least twenty years for that."
"Oh, so I guess there isn't anything I can do," she replied, once again berating herself for being so stupid.
"No, there isn't." He stood up and checked his watch. "Well, it's almost time for your check up. I'll leave you to it. Goodbye."
"Thanks," she replied sarcastically and closed her eyes letting out a sigh.
When Hermione had came back, everyone agreed that she had changed. She had a tougher look about her and got angry a lot quicker, making her more scary to Ron and Harry when she shouted at them. She had also lost weight, so now she looked too thin. Fred and George had lightened the mood by playfully nicknaming her 'beanpole.'
A week later Hermione was still trying to pick up where she left off. But she was finding it difficult. She needed to talk to someone and the boys were out of the question. She needed someone who would keep quiet, so Mrs Weasley was no good either. Finally she decided it would be better to talk to her friend, Ginny.
They were getting ready for bed when Hermione had finally found the courage to speak with her. She took out her wand, locked the door and cast a silencing charm. Ginny looked at her confused and slightly scared.
"Why did you do that?"
"Relax, Gin, I just need to talk to you and we can't be disturbed."
"Oh," Ginny visibly relaxed, "what do you want to talk about?"
Hermione sighed before replying, "Everything. About what's happened."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, but please, swear to me that this conversation won't leave this room and you won't say anything to anyone."
"Of course I won't. You can trust me."
"Thanks Ginny, now just listen, ok? I really need to get this out. You can ask questions once I'm finished."
"Sure, Mione. Go ahead."
Hermione took a deep breath. Well, no point in backing out now.
"I guess I should start from the beginning. I don't want to go into detail, I'm not ready for that yet. Well, I don't know when it happened, but I fell in love with Professor Snape…"
"What?"
"Don't interrupt, I told you to listen now, ask later."
Ginny blushed. "Sorry, Mione.I didn't expect that, it was a shock you know?"
Hermione smiled slightly. "I know, it was for me too. But it happened. At the start of my seventh year I felt something towards him. I didn't know what but then I noticed small things about him. Like his voice, his eyes, the way he wrote, how he ate and more. Then he asked me to assist him with some research. He was different in private. Almost civil. There was a small friendship between us. Well, not a friendship exactly, but a mutual respect towards each other. Then during the Christmas holidays it turned into something more. I don't know how it happened, but we had a sort of relationship for the next six months. But then at the end of June, after the leaving feast, he broke it off. I was devastated. I loved him, Gin, I really did. Then I find out I'm pregnant to top it off! Me pregnant with a child that would forever remind me of him. I couldn't tell him, I didn't want him to think he had to take me back because of the child. I didn't want him to either. I still love him, but I hate him because he has hurt me."
Ginny stared at her in awe. She hadn't realised how hard this had been for her. She didn't know what to say. Hermione looked at her expectantly.
"Mione, I really don't know what to say. I mean, there's not much I can say."
"I understand, Gin, you probably hate me. I mean I did lie to everyone and I fell in love with someone you can't stand."
Ginny got up and sat next to Hermione, pulling her into a hug. "I don't hate you, Mione. I'm just shocked. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. But why Snape? Of all people."
Hermione smiled, relived Ginny was still talking to her. "I don't know. I guess I just saw him in a different light. He was different when we were alone, easier to talk to. He didn't treat me like a child. I just can't believe he did that to me." She sighed and turned to Ginny. "Well, it's late, we should get some sleep."
"Ok, thank you for telling me. It means a lot that you trust me."
"No problem, Gin, goodnight."
"Night."
Hermione lay down and stared into the darkness. She felt so much lighter now that she had told someone. She smiled slightly and drifted to sleep, for once not dreaming about Severus or her baby.
The rest of the holidays flew by. Hermione had gradually went back to her old self, but with her shorter temper still remaining. She was glad of the fact that no one mentioned the incident and that Harry and Ron didn't ask about who the father of her child was. She hung out with her friends more often, knowing they wouldn't get another chance to, having left Hogwarts.
Soon, Ginny would be starting seventh year. Harry and Ron would go into training to become Aurors, while Hermione would be off to university to major in Charms. Hopefully she could get a degree in teaching the subject.
Although she was happy her life was back on track, she couldn't help but feel sad. Voldemort still hadn't shown any signs of an attack and she worried for her friend. How long would he have to wait before he could have a normal life? Only time could tell and if luck was on their side, it would be soon.
There ya go everyone! Chapter 6 all done. Ok, things will be speeding up now. But it ain't gonna be pretty! So just bare with me and eventually Severus and Hermione will get together again! Let me know what you think of this one. And stay tuned for next time!