Chapter 14
September 1st
As Hermione had said earlier in the summer, she took a personal day on the first day of term. She really wanted to see everyone's reaction to Severus' new look. Over the summer his hair had grown making his ponytail fuller. His goatee had also taken form, and Hermione told him that he did look, in a way, dashing. That brought a snort and smirk from Severus everytime she said it. The fact that she loved it was enough for him. That day before the students arrived, Severus and Hermione prepared the potions classroom for classes. When that was done, Hermione went around to the rest of the professors (except Trelawney) and helped them as well. When the staff was notified that the students were at the gates, they gathered at the head table. Hermione said,
"I'll just stand over there in the corner," Hermione said.
"You most certainly will not," Severus said. "My wife will never stand in a corner."
"I'm not a professor, I cannot sit here," Hermione said pointing to the table.
"As a former head girl and Hogwarts alumni, and the wife of our beloved potions professor," Dumbledore said earning a eye roll from Severus, "you are welcome to sit here Hermione. Take a seat."
Severus pulled out a chair for her, kissed her hand and they sat down. Then the doors to the great hall opened. The students filed in noisily at first, looking to the head tables. The hall got quieter after a few minutes when the student body got a look at Snape. Hermione tried not to laugh as many jaws dropped, there were dozens of pairs of wide eyes, nudging and pointing along with a few apprasing smiles from some of the female students. Hermione at last had to put her hand over her mouth whehn she glanced at Severus. He had his "Snarky Professor Don't-mess-with-me-Snape" look. But Hermione knew the real deal. Underneath all the outward appearances, a charming, affectionate, funny, loving man sat there, not to mention the father of their future children.
"Oh puhleeze, Sev," Hermione said under her breath. "You can give that smarminess a rest."
Severus looked to her with a smirk and said, "I do have appearances to maintain, Madame Snape."
Everyone was waiting for the first-years to come through. Minerva opened the door and gestured to Ginny Weasley and a seventh year Ravenclaw named Martin Brownlee. Hermione remembered him, he was one of the top Ravenclaws, chaser on his house team and was a big help last year. They went to the doors and left the hall with Minerva. Minutes later, the first year procession arrived. After the sorting, Dumbledore made his speech and introduced the professors to the first years. They stood one by one as their names were called. Hermione looked on in pride as Severus stood, then choked back a laugh when a few students whistled at him. Severus glared at the students, but did not know who did the whistling. He took his seat.
"Last, but not least, I present this year's head students, Martin Brownlee from House Ravenclaw and Ginerva Weasley from House Gryffindor," Dumbledore said. "Let the feast begin."
Hermione sat straight up in her chair at that one. She looked incredulously to Ginny who winked at her.
"Omigosh! Why didn't she tell me?" she whispered to Severus. "Did you know Sev?"
"Yes love, we all knew. She wanted to surprise you," Severus said. "Why don't you join her at the table? I know you want to," Severus teased.
She got up, resisted the urge to kiss his cheek or the top of his head, (knowing how it would look to the students) and merely squeezed his shoulder. She left the head table and made her way to the Gryffindor table, ignoring the many comments directed towards her on the way. She tackled Ginny with a hug saying,
"Gin, why didn't you tell me?" Hermione asked.
"Were you surprised?" Ginny asked.
"Yes very surprised...well, I mean I knew you had the potential, and...oh I'm just so happy and proud of you! Congratulations!" Hermione said.
As they were eating, a fourth year Gryffindor got Hermione's attention.
"Yes Emma?" Hermione said.
"Is it true that you are with Professor Snape?" Emma asked. The whole Gryffindor table got quiet. Ginny was chuckling at Hermione.
"Yes Emma, it is true. We were married in June," Hermione replied. Emma swallowed visibly.
Hermione, while chatting with Ginny, effortlessly summoned a plate of rolls to her waiting hand. Some first years looked on in awe, they had all heard about the former head girl. One said, "Look at her robe, so pretty."
"Mione, you're doing that now without even looking, you just wave a finger and poof, here they come," Ginny said.
"Sev says the same thing, I do it now without even thinking, and Dumbledore says that's how wandless magic is supposed to evolve," Hermione said.
Hermione saw Severus get up from the table out of the corner of her eye. He nodded to the side staff door.
"I have to go Gin," Hermione said.
"Mione you are so whipped," Ginny teased. "And I love your ministry robe!"
"Real funny Gin, me whipped yeah right," Hermione quipped. She gave Ginny one last quick hug then left with Severus.
Am I whipped? Hermione asked herself.
A few hours later, they laid together on Severus' bed in his chambers eating brownies. Severus had removed his robes and laid there in his black slacks and black long-sleeve blouse.
"Aren't you hot in that?'' Hermione asked.
"A tad, yes, old habits are hard to break," Severus said.
"I'll stay tonight. I know you have to stay in residence during the term," she frowned. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep in that flat all alone during the week. I'll probably be spending my weekends here to spend time with you and for babymaking," Hermione said unbuttoning his shirt. "This looks hot so let's get you out of it, and while we are at it, the pants too." She climbed on top of him and finished unbuttoning his shirt scowling at a stubborn buttonhole.
Severus was laughing at her serious teasing then commented, "You know my dear, you have no idea how much it arouses me to think that we may conceive, on this very night, in this very place."
"Ginny said something to me, that was kind of funny, kind of not. She said I was whipped!" Hermione said.
"Hmmm, sounds kinky. Would you like to be?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sev! I'm serious!" Hermione said slapping his chest.
"Mione, if there's one thing I'm sure of it's that you are not whipped and you never will be," Severus said. "There isn't a man on this earth capable of it."
"Got that right. I'm not whipped, just in love," Hermione said. She looked into his eyes as she hurriedly snatched off the rest of his clothes. "I love you," she said then bent down to kiss him with all the love she was feeling.
With a flick of his wand, he removed her clothes. Minutes later, the echoes of their passion echoed off the walls. She was soon asleep, as multiple orgasms can do that to a woman.
"I love you Hermione," Severus said softly listening to her soft snores.
Friday November 1st
Hermione and Severus sat in a medi-wizard's office at St. Mungo's trying to get an explanation as to why after almost four months of trying, Hermione still had not gotten pregnant. The medi-wizard was reviewing the medical file.
"Sir, as much as we i copulate /i we should have conceived by now," Severus stated using the medi-wizard's words.
"That may be true Severus but that's not the problem, it's a matter of fertility. Yours sir seems to be fine. It's your wife's that presents a problem," the wizard said.
"Hermione, it seems that your body has gone through some trauma over the past year and it has taken a toll on you. Your lungs and a kidney had to be repaired back to normal function. Your reproductive organs have suffered stressresulting in limited fertility," the wizard said.
"Is there nothing that be done?" Hermione said softly. She was looking down at her wringing hands in her lap. She quickly wiped a tear. Severus put his arm around her, hugged her and kissed the top of her head. He knew she blamed herself.
"I sympathize with you two, I really do. The most we can do is start a course of fertility potions for you Hermione, to give your ovaries a boost," the wizard said. "Give me a moment to return with a starter set of potions." He swept from the room, returning minutes later. He handed Hermione six vials to be taken over the next six weeks.
"Now Hermione, these may have some side effects. Due to the fluctuating hormones that may result from taking these, you may get hot flashes, moodiness, and hunger more than usual. This is normal however from the potions. Here's a parchment authorizing refills at the hospital apothecary if the need arises. I see from the clock that it is nine a.m. so please take one now, then every Friday the same time," the wizard said. Hermione nodded, looked to Severus then downed the potion. The bitterness made her shudder. The doctor handed her a glass of water to wash away the taste.
"How vile," Hermione said.
"But worth it I assure you if you are giving birth within the next year," the wizard assured. "Are there any questions from the two of you?"
"No sir, you've been very helpful," Hermione said.
"Yes, thank you for your assistance, it is greatly appreciated," Severus said shaking his
hand.
"If that's all, I'll leave you with good luck on a successful conception," the wizard said.
Saturday November 2nd
Severus was eating lunch at Hogwarts that Saturday. The great hall was half filled with students, as some had went to Hogsmeade. Hermione was there, and the hormonal effects had started after she had heard what she believed to be a flippant comment from Severus about female students. She tried her best to control it because of the students present, but ended up storming out of the great hall doors with a large, angry wave of her hands.
"So it begins," Severus muttered.
"Oh Severus, surely you two were not quarreling again," McGonagall said.
"No, she is taking potions that are causing some hormonal fluctuations," Severus said evenly.
"Is something the matter?" Dumbledore asked.
Severus sighed. They would find out sooner or later. "We are trying to conceive a child, and apparently the trauma Mione has endured over the past year has caused her some fertility problems. She's on a course of treatments to hopefully rectify the problem, but results in hormonal fluctuations," Severus explained.
The staff was silent for a few moments.
"Severus, why didn't you two say something?" McGonagall asked gently, patting his hand.
"I assumed the intimate aspects of our life are private," Severus said.
"But Severus, a baby is wonderful news! Everyone that knows you both would be thrilled that you two are trying," Dumbledore said.
"Thank you Albus. Mione needs to hear that, she blames herself," Severus said.
At that point, Hermione re-entered the great hall. She had calmed down and winked at Severus while walking back to him.
"I'm sorry Sev, I should not have flown off the handle like that," Hermione said.
"Think nothing of it, we were warned," Severus said with a smile.
McGonagall jumped up and hugged Hermione. "Hermione! Just think of the baby you two will have!" the old witch exclaimed.
"Thanks Minerva, I needed to hear that," Hermione said.
"Everything will work out for the best," Dumbledore said
"That's what I keep trying to tell myself," Hermione said.
Later in Severus' chambers, Hermione was reading another book from his private library when Severus asked her to look at something. He handed it to her. It was a picture of a nice two-story house lined with pretty flower bushes.
"Do you like it?" Severus asked her.
She shrugged her shoulders then handed the paper back to him. "Yeah, it's nice."
Severus cleared his throat. "I have a proposition Mione. Would you like to hear it?"
"Fire away."
"Very well dearest. It seems that Hogwarts and the ministry have decided that professors can live apart from Hogwarts during the term if the residence is in Hogsmeade. That's where this house is you just saw and there's many more like it. There is a new residential area at the other end of Hogsmeade away from the main village. To attract homebuyers to the area, a discount is being offered to professors," Severus started.
"And as luck would have it, you are one," Hermion teased.
"Thank you for pointing that out my love. As I was saying, I was wondering if you would consider moving to one of these houses," Severus finished.
"Can I see that picture again?" Hermione asked.
"And I believe they are a bargain at sevety thousand galleons a house," Severus added. He saw Hermione's eyebrows raise.
"I'd say, I paid sixty thousand for my flat, and this is a what? It reads a four bedroom, two bath, kitchen with separate dining room with a generous yard," Hermione mused. "Sev, I bought my flat because it was so close to the ministry," Hermione said.
"I know Mione, this was just an idea," Severus said.
"I will think on it, okay?" Hermione said.
"That's all I ask," Severus said.
The next Wednesday, an owl arrived at dinner for Severus.
Sev-
When can you make an appointment with the home sellers in Hogsmeade? Something fortunate has happened that will enable me to get back the cost of buying the flat. I'll be at Hogwarts tonight with Ron and Harry to let you in on what's happening.
Love, Mione
What do Potter and Weasley have to do with this? Severus wondered.
At seven that night, Hermione came into Severus' chambers and greeted him with a kiss.
"Is it alright for them to come in?" Hermione asked.
"If they must," Severus said evenly.
"Alright you two, come in!" Hermione called.
Harry and Ron entered and stood quietly by the door.
"Potter, Weasley good evening, have a seat," Severus said. Hermione waved two chairs over to them. Hermione and Severus sat on the end of the bed.
"Mione, you're getting great at that," Harry said.
"Thanks Harry," Hermione said.
"Now, what have the three of you cooked up?" Severus said.
"Well Sev, it's like this. Harry and Ron here are looking for a place to live," Hermione said.
"Yeah, I'm tired of taking Kelly to the burrow," Ron said. "And we can't exactly go to her place, she lives in a single witches dorm at the ministry. I'd like to have my own place to take her to," Ron finished.
"And I am permitted to have my own residence, which I must admit I have been thinking about doing. My room at the auror dorm is like a broom closet," Harry said.
"I've offered the flat to Harry and Ron at a "best friends discount" of fifty thousand galleons, so I'll get most of my money back for the cost of the flat," Hermione said. "They get a flat, I get my money back, everyone wins."
"I see. Potter, Weasley, can you step out for a moment? I have something to discuss briefly with Hermione," Severus said.
After they stepped out, Severus looked to Hermione. "Mione, why are you so concerned about the money? Did you think you were going to buy the house?" Severus asked.
Hermione didn't know what to say. She shrugged her shoulders.
"Hermione, I do have a sizable fortune, that I've barely spent from inheritance and saved from teaching," Severus said. "I've been saving it for just in case this happens," Severus said.
"In case what happens?' Hermione asked.
"A house, family, children to pass an inheritance to," Severus said. "I just never thought it would happen. So I happily want to spend the money," Severus said hugging her then taking her face in his hands. "I don't intend for you to spend a sickle of your money. I'm taking care of you now. To me it's not about the money."
She stood there silent. The comfort she felt at someone wanting to take care of her warmed her hormonal heart.
"Potter, Weasley, you may come back in now," Severus called.
"So you two, when will you be ready to move into the flat?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron.
"We can go to Gringotts in the morning!" Harry said. Ron gave Harry a high-five clap on the hand.