Warning

This story is not suitable for readers under the age of sixteen. It contains sexual content, including some non-consensual, and may offend some readers. If this subject is offensive to you, please do not read this story.

Author's Note

I feel I need to add a note, here, to remind readers that this story is a completed work, written in 2001/2002, which I am re-uploading. Much as I would like to claim credit for writing everything already uploaded in two days, I'm afraid that even when I'm writing (which I'm not at the moment, due to illness), I'm not that fast!

Thanks for the reviews - I always love reading them. I'm uploading a few chapters at a time, as I have a couple of formatting adjustments I have to make to some chapters, but I should have the whole thing (51 chapters)uploaded in the next few days!

Chapter 33 – Questions and Answers

Snape had never enjoyed the few days after Christmas, and this year was no exception, although the reasons were somewhat different from usual. The excitement of the holidays took a long time to wear off, and the students were always restless. With his strong teaching style, he had no trouble in subduing them, of course, but getting their minds truly on their work was no easy task. This was added to by his own thoughts of the holidays – his terrible days alone, the letter from Hermione, their perfect time together and, naturally, the still unanswered question of whether or not Hermione was pregnant. Not a state of mind particularly conducive, he thought, to driving home the finer principles of the delicate art of potion brewing to a bunch of adolescent incompetents!

He had received all three of the sixth-year Potions project drafts, and reviewed them with interest. Bale and Gem had done some exceptional work on poisons and antidotes, and their draft showed some promising results. He had called them both into his office, and given them carefully restrained praise for their efforts, along with some stern words about the areas where they needed to improve, and a warning about ensuring that their work was unique. "If I find that your final reports are simply re-phrasing each other," he told them, "I shall assign a percentage for the whole project, and split the marks between you both!"

He reflected for a moment on the way that he spoke to students. He had always been severe on them, and had found it to be an effective approach. It made them want to work hard to avoid scorn and criticism. True, it terrified some of them, such as Longbottom, to the point where they were barely able to function in the class, but these were few and far between, and it did them good. The world was a tough place, and if they couldn't cope with an overbearing teacher, how would they cope in the harsh reality that was life? Whatever other people – even Hermione – thought about it, his style of teaching worked. Alex Bale and Thomas Gem stood in front of him as he gave them his comments on their work, heads held high, and confident in themselves. The ones that had the sense enough to learn knew when he was pleased with them. The others struggled along acceptably, and for the worst – well, for every Neville Longbottom, there was a Hermione Granger to whisper instructions. He made sure that they never sat too far apart!

As for Hermione's project – it was excellent, of course, but somehow it lacked the energy that he had expected. Technically, it was faultless, although it did sway heavily on the side of Potions, with little emphasis put on the Historical aspects, but he had been expecting more impact – more of her enthusiasm to come through. He would have to talk to her about that. In the meantime, the person he needed to see first about it was Professor Binns. He had received his own copy, and their comments back to the student would have to cover both subjects. He set off for the staffroom, to find him in his usual chair by the fire. They discussed Hermione's results, and agreed where she needed to focus her work. Definitely more research needed on the history side – probably a deeper analysis of whether the wizards in question were developing truly unique approaches, or were simply continuing earlier work. Snape almost smiled at the uncharacteristic enthusiasm Binns showed in the project. It seemed that Hermione was one of the few students who took a genuine interest in the History of Magic, and it was unusual to see the ghost acting as though he were not dead, for once.

Snape turned to leave the staffroom, but stopped as Professor McGonagall entered. "Ah, Severus. Just the wizard I wanted to see," she smiled. "May we talk?"

"Of course." They moved to two armchairs at the side of the staffroom, and sat, Severus wondering what this would be about. Probably nothing, he told himself. Just House business – nothing to do with Hermione Granger!

"It's about Hermione Granger," began McGonagall, dashing his theory to the rocks.

Snape managed to get some impatience into his voice. "What about her, Minerva?"

McGonagall faced him squarely, clearly showing some puzzlement. "Albus told me of your wish to put her in for her Potions N.E.W.T. a year early, and I was curious as to your reasons."

He fielded this with a question. "Don't you think she's ready for it?" he asked her, knowing that she could give only one answer.

"Of course she's ready, Severus," came the quick reply, " but over the years that you have been teaching here, there must have been plenty of other students who would also have qualified. What is so special about Miss Granger?"

Everything was special about her - the way she smiled, her hair in the sunlight, the touch of her hands on his bare skin, the sighs of pleasure as they made love. He caught himself, and forced his thoughts back to the conversation. He could go on for hours about what was so special about Miss Granger, but that probably wasn't what her head of house meant!

He steepled his fingers together in front of him, hoping that whatever he said would sound completely professional and logical as an explanation. "Ms. Granger is an exceptional student, Minerva, and you know that I am not one to over exaggerate the competencies of a student. Not only does she have ability far beyond anyone I have ever taught, she also has a genuine 'feel' for Potions. She understands the mystery and the art, and I do not feel that I could, with conscience, hold her back."

McGonagall considered this, thoughtfully. "I don't doubt that," she said, "but why should that imply she should take the test early? Surely, she would be better to remain in the class to continue learning, even if she is well beyond the rest of the year?"

Damn! She did have a point about this. "Ms. Granger is no longer learning much in my class," he stated, truthfully. "There is little value in a lesson that cannot challenge an agile mind, and I cannot give her that challenge without taking time from the rest of the class. If she chooses to pursue her Potions studies after completion of her N.E.W.T., which I am confident she will do, then I would be more able to challenge her by involving her in more complex subjects."

"Are you suggesting independent research during her final year?"

Why was she interfering like this, he wondered, irritably. "I am suggesting that she take the exam at the point when she is ready for it, and that she decides on the further direction, when the time comes!"

McGonagall at last seemed to accept this, even if she was not completely satisfied with the answer. Once Dumbledore had agreed, there was little for McGonagall to do but accept, but he supposed he couldn't question her wish to protect the interests of the woman he loved.

After a long pause, the deputy Headmistress smiled, and said, "Very well. I see no reason why Miss Granger should not be permitted to continue, if this is what she wishes."

"Thank you, Minerva," he replied, trying his best not to sound too cold. Whatever happened in the future, maintaining civility now would likely make life easier. He nodded to the Professor, stood from the chair, and left the staffroom.

- - -

At the same time that Snape was heading back to his office, Hermione was facing a serious looking Madam Pomfrey.

"Pregnant, Hermione?" the witch was asking her, surprised. "I admit that you are not someone I would have expected to be having this conversation with." Hermione said nothing, looking down at her lap, and Madam Pomfrey continued. "When do you think it might have happened?"

Hermione told her that it had been two weeks previously. It suddenly occurred to her that the Matron did not know that she knew about the spell on Hogwarts, and it was crucial that she play along and pretend to be ignorant of this. Only a teacher could have told her, so she had to keep this information to herself.

The inevitable lecture began, as Madam Pomfrey stood to rummage in a cupboard for something. It was all the things that Hermione had expected – relationships not to be taken lightly, should wait, if possible, take appropriate precautions if you must, disappointed in Hermione's behavior, usually such a sensible girl – and she listened on the grounds that she had little choice. Throughout the lecture, Hermione was more interested in watching the matron than listening to her. She had eventually found a small box, which she brought back to the desk with her. She took out what looked like an old fashioned watch on a chain, and dangled it in front of her, then she instructed the girl to lay on the little table she had in the office. Holding the device above Hermione's stomach, she muttered a complex spell, the words of which, Hermione could not pick out.

Hermione held her breath as the 'watch' was held for several minutes, then examined carefully. At Madam Pomfrey's instruction, she sat up and returned to her chair by the desk. Madam Pomfrey sat opposite her, a somber expression on her face.

"Well, Hermione," she began. "I'm sure you will be pleased to know that you are not pregnant."

It took a long time for Hermione fully to register this information. Not pregnant! The emotions that hit her were unclear, but the overwhelming feeling she got was simply that, good or bad, at least now she knew.

Thanking Madam Pomfrey, Hermione got up to leave, but the matron had other plans. Because the spell around Hogwarts was totally secret, there was no way that Madam Pomfrey could tell Hermione about it, so the girl realized that they would both have to keep up the pretence. The lecture was far from over, and it was almost another hour before Hermione was finally able to escape. For a moment, her guard had almost slipped when she was asked what form of protection had been used except for the day when they 'forgot'. She had been on the point of saying that they had prepared a potion, but the matron would know that the potions were so difficult, and that not all of the ingredients were easily available. Thinking quickly, Hermione did the best thing all round, and told the older witch that that had been the only time, and that he wasn't even a Hogwarts student. This seemed both to pacify her a little and worry her at the same time – on the one hand, there was relief that the student was not in an ongoing sexual relationship, but this also implied that the event had been entered into without much thought or even in a steady relationship.

Finally, Hermione managed to escape the Hospital Wing, and her feet led her straight to the dungeon.

- - -

Snape held the woman he loved in his arms, and kissed the top of her head. She was trembling, and he embraced her tightly, as though trying to absorb the shakes into himself. She wasn't pregnant. She had arrived ten minutes earlier, and headed straight for his arms. The news had been whispered into his chest, and since then they had remained together, simply holding each other.

The relief was strong. He had been so worried for her – now was not the time for her to get pregnant. She had exams coming up, whether in a few months or a year, and with the problems with her parents, her friends, the fact that they were still loving each other in secret – it would have been all wrong. No – not all wrong – there would have been something perfectly right about Hermione carrying his child, but not right now.

"Someday, my darling, we are going to have beautiful children," he whispered gently, "but it will be when the time is right." He felt her nod against his chest, and sighed deeply.

Lovingly, he stroked her back, enjoying the feeling as she relaxed into him. As her body pressed against him, he felt his excitement grow. A few moments later, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to his bed.

- - -

Severus studied Hermione's naked body as she slept beside him. Soon, he would have to wake her, so she could get back to Gryffindor tower, but for now she was all his. He traced the lines of her body with his eyes – her soft face, those tender breasts, smooth skin – his gaze fell on the pendant he had given her for Christmas. It lay against her chest, glowing softly, and he smiled. Thinking of that had been a moment of inspiration, and he knew how much she loved it.

He would not be seeing her that evening, and he thought, regretfully, about the fact that he had to last the whole day without her. He woke her with a kiss, and she stretched luxuriously as she stirred. The arching movement of that lithe, supple body made his own respond quickly and visibly. Leaning over her, he pressed his hardness against her thigh, and she smiled at the touch.

"I can tell you're wide awake this morning," she whispered.

By the time he fell into bed, alone, that night, he would look back on this moment and reflect that making love to Hermione that morning had been the only good thing that had happened to him all day.