Chapter 16

December 20

Hogwarts had let out for the holidays. Severus and Hermione planned a couple of holiday dinners at their house, sending out invites. They in turn were invited to a Christmas Eve luncheon at Hogwarts. They also decided that along with the tangible gifts they would give, the news of the baby would be a happy surprise for all. Hermione's parents especially! Severus and Hermione finished the decorations inside and outside of the house and they set to preparing for the first party they would host in their new house. They were glad for the big dining room they had. They would be using every square inch of it. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Kelly, Harry and his new girlfriend, and Ginny and Draco would be present for the party.

The wards on the house signaled the arrival of someone. Severus answered the door. It was the Weasleys, Ginny and Draco.

"Happy Christmas!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

"That's some wards you have on the house here Severus," Mr. Weasley said.

"Yes, they are comparable to the wards at Hogwarts," Severus said.

Handshakes were exchanged, cloaks taken and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny made their way to the kitchen. The gasped in awe as they passed through dining room to get to the kitchen. The room was decorated beautifully and the table looked amazing. They got to the kitchen and Hermione was standing there basting the turkey, wearing an apron that said,

All I Want For Christmas Is You!

Mrs. Weasley, wise mother of many children, noticed something a little different about Hermione. There was a small poof to her stomach, she seemed more serene than usual and had a glow about her. The wards signaled more arrivals, and Hermione heard the rest of the guests enter the house.

"Gracious Hermione, that's the biggest turkey I've ever seen!" Mrs. Weasley gushed.

"It smells great!" Draco called from the doorway, joined by Severus..

"Thanks, now I just have to put it on this platter and get it to the table," she grunted as she attempted to lift the turkey-heavy platter.

"Oh no you don't, I'll do that," Severus said suddenly and rushed to the counter.

Hermione rolled her eyes. They had had this discussion about fifty times already. She was pregnant, not handicapped. Severus would not her lift anything heavier than her Hogwarts, A History book when she was in his sight. He insisted that she sit most of the time, and she threw a fit when Severus wanted her to stop her yoga workouts. She was mad for days until Severus came back from muggle London one day with a book about pregnancy yoga.

The previous day

The only thing that bothered her was some of the smells at work. They seemed so foul at times (they weren't before) that often she was seen running to the loo to throw up. Matthias smiled knowingly, he being father to quite a few children, knew the signs well. Hermione would let the department know in her own time. None of the work she was doing was harmful to her or the baby, and Matthias knew how dedicated she was to her work, admiring how she soldiered on. The day before the party, the 19th, she gave her presentation at the weekly department meeting. She had made much more progress than Matthias expected, actually making a breakthrough on a potions base that had been eluding them for years. Severus arrived that afternoon to surprise her when she got off work. He didn't go into the labs, but watched from the windows on the doors.

The department had gathered in front of her desk, some sitting in chairs. She was standing there in her attractive department robe, pointing to a chart beside her with her wand. She wandlessly summoned a file to her hand, (eliciting grins from some of her colleagues) and passed the file around. She talked as she went to the back of the desk and got two vials of some clear liquid. Going back to the chart, she sniffed one, made a comment then passed it around. She sniffed the next one, grimaced for a second, shuddered then passed it around too. She took the vials back, walked across the room and put the two vials on a stand then stood behind her desk. Hermione and everyone there put on some goggles,

What in the world? Severus thought.

Then Hermione shot a small fireball from her wand at the stand and there was a small explosion. Severus was alarmed, but noticed that everyone sat there as if nothing happened. Hermione wrapped up her presentation then cleaned her desk and two others cleaned up the explosion mess. As everyone gathered to leave, Matthias said something to the group that made Hermione put her hands to her mouth. Everyone clapped, shook her hand and clapped her on the shoulders. She gathered her things and made her way to the door. She looked to the doors and smiled when she saw Severus looking through the window.

"Severus! I'm happy to see you! Have you been waiting long?" she asked stepping through the doors.

"Mione, what in the world was going on in there?" Severus wondered.

"Sev! I got promoted to apprentice second class! Isn't that great!" Hermione's eyes were shining and her big smile captured his heart yet again.

"That's wonderful love, but I'm referring to your presentation," Severus said as they walked to the ministry exit.

"Oh that, I've made some progress on a potion is all," Hermione said.

"Hermione, do you blow things up regularly? In your condition…." Severus started.

"Severus, give me little credit please. I would nothing to harm our baby. The tests we conduct are carefully controlled, safe and are necessary. The great potions master you are should know that. As for my "condition" you say," Hermione said.

Severus put a finger to her lips. She made as if she was going to bite it, causing Severus to say,

"Alright, I'm sorry for getting your pretty little hormonal panties in a twist, just seeing that display alarmed me is all," Severus assured her.

"Well, no reason for alarm. So let's go home, I want to celebrate my promotion. You can tear my pretty little hormonal panties off me," Hermione said. They walked faster to the ministry exit.

Hermoine walked in the door and headed straight for the shower. It was ritual for her, she had to wash off the smells of the day off of her as soon a possible. When she was through with her shower, she stood in front of the mirror and scrutinized herself.

I wonder how big I'm going to get? Hermione mused to herself.

She turned sideways and ran a hand over her stomach. At that point Severus appeared at the bathroom doorway.

"Sev, I'm only six weeks along and I already have a little poof here," Hermione said.

"Mione, it's barely noticeable and I think it's lovely," Severus purred as he stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

He kissed the spot on the lower back of her neck that she loved and she reached back and pulled his hips towards her ass.

"Severus, do you have any idea how worked up I am?" she asked grinding her ass against his erection.

"I have a good idea," he whispered running his hands through her hair.

"We need to practice the "positions for intercourse" that we will have to use as I get bigger," Hermione said teasingly, imitating the doctor's voice and words.

"Practice makes perfect," he teased.

They went into the bedroom, she dropped her towel and she crawled onto the bed. She got on her hands and knees, looked at him demurely and said,

"At your pleasure, sir."

Back to the party

Mrs. Weasley insisted on helping Hermione finish with dinner. After a few minutes, Hermione entered the living room. She kissed Harry and Ron on the cheek, gave a warm welcome to Kelly and introduced herself to Harry's girlfriend.

"Hermione Snape, welcome to our home," Hermione graciously said shaking the young woman's hand.

"Constance Freemantle, thank you for having me in your home, I finally get to meet you," the woman said. "Harry and Ron talk about you so much I feel like I know you."

Hermione turned to Harry and Ron. "You two do not need to be talking about me with your girlfriends, it will kill the mood," she said teasingly. The group laughed.

"Freemantle?" Hermione looked to Ron's girlfriend. Kelly Freemantle and Constance Freemantle laughed.

"We're twins, not identical however," they said at the same time.

"Dinner is ready, and I hope you lot are hungry," Hermione said. "I know I am."

As the party of ten made their way to the living room, Connie pulled on Harry's elbow to slow him down and said softly,

"Harry, you said you never went out with her? Ron either? You're daft. She beautiful and charming, killer combination I'd say."

"Watch Severus and Hermione at dinner and you will see why I never had a chance," Harry said quietly.

Severus and Hermione made sure everyone was seated before Severus pulled out a chair for her at one end of the table. Connie noted how Severus:

1. Kissed her hand

2. Ensured her glass was full and was not far from reach

3. Asked softly if she was alright

4. Adjusted the pillow behind her back

5. Kissed the top of her head

Severus then took a seat at the other end. The turkey was carved, the food passed and dinner passed with funny, pleasant conversation.

Harry and Ron noticed the large amount of food Hermione had on her plate.

"Mione?" Harry asked pointing to her plate. "Hungry much?"

"Famished," Hermione replied biting into a roll, grinning at Severus. He grinned back. Now Mrs. Weasley was certain.

Kelly saw Hermione talking to Harry, nudged Ron and said softly, "As much as she eats, how does she keep that figure? And you said you two never went out? Ron sweetie, you're daft. She's beautiful."

"Me and Harry see her more as a sister than anything else," Ron replied. "And for the record, you are beautiful Kelly."

Hermione heard what Ron said and turned to them, "Why Ron, who ever knew you could be so charming?" she teased.

"He has his moments," Kelly said.

As Hermione was chatting with Ron and Kelly, Connie and Harry chatted.

"I still cannot believe that is Professor Snape, he looks so happy. I know you warned me Harry, but all I have is my memories of him," Connie said looking down the table to a smiling and chatting Severus with his pulled back hair and goatee. "He looks kind of dashing."

"He hates it when people say that," Harry said chuckling.

"So Hermione, how is the department of research?" Connie asked.

"Great, in fact we made a breakthrough with a protection potion yesterday and I got promoted," Hermione said proudly.

"That's wonderful!" Connie said.

"Where do you work Connie?" Hermione asked.

"St. Mungo's as a nurse. That's where I met Harry," Connie said.

"Do I even want to know why he was there?" Hermione asked pointedly.

"Let's just say it was the result of an auror mission, I was unconscious and nude upon arrival," Harry replied.

"I see, I think" Hermione said. "Please do be careful."

"I wish you would take your own advice, sweet," Severus was heard saying.

"Sev please, we have already been over this. The small fireball was the best way to conduct the test. And as I've told you, the tests are safe and necessary," Hermione said.

"Sev?" Connie asked Harry softly.

"Fireball?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Now all eyes were on Hermione.

She sighed. "Occasionally, we have to conduct volatility tests on potions. It's safer to cast a small fireball from across the lab, then standing by it lighting the thing up. Severus happened to be at the lab just as I conducted a test yesterday. The stand is surrounded by a hybrid lead-titanium-ceramic magically enhanced-booth that absorbs ninety percent of the blast. I was standing behind my desk across the room and we do wear goggles," Hermione said.

Hermione gobbled down a large piece of cake that Mrs. Weasley had brought, stood up and went to stand by Severus, putting her hand on a shoulder. She bent down to whisper in his ear and whispered,

"Ready to tell them?" He nodded his head squeezing her hand.

"Before we open gifts, I have an announcement. I am pregnant." she said.

There was a few seconds of silence then the room erupted. Everyone jumped from their chairs, hugging Hermione and shaking Severus' hand. The group retired to the living room to exchange gifts.

To no one's surprise, the party split up into two groups: one of females, one of males. The conversation was predictable. There was the ribbing of Severus and continued congratulations.

As for the female group:

"Herms, when will you find out if it's a boy or girl?" Ginny asked.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders.

"How far along are you?" Connie asked.

"Six weeks," Hermione said.

"What? Oh Mione, you waited six weeks to tell anyone!" Ginny exclaimed.

"The doctors will be able to determine the sex of the baby at five months," Connie said.

"We have been trying for months," Hermione said. "I've had to take fertility potions."

"Well, they worked," Kelly said.

"They certainly did and I'm ecstatic," Hermione said.

"You look it, you're positively glowing" Connie said.

Hermione ushered the group closer and they did, heads together.

"And you wouldn't believe how astounding pregnancy sex is," Hermione said softly.

"Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley gasped. "Behave!"

"Oh girl, do tell!" Kelly encouraged.

The men looked over to the group of females huddled together.

"No telling what they are talking about," Draco said. "Especially with Ginny over there. Mr. Weasley I have to say it, your daughter is a handful."

"Have you two decided on a name?" Ginny asked.

"Yes. Emma if it's a girl, and Everett if it's a boy," Hermione said.

"Great names," Ginny said. "Okay, picture time!" she rose and produced a camera.

After a half hour of picture taking, the party started to break up. Harry and Ron left with their girlfriends, leaving the Weasleys and Draco.

"Time to clean up I suppose," Hermione said sighing picking up glasses from around the living room.

"I don't think so my dear. Mione, you did a lovely job and I can plainly see how tired you are. Rest," Severus said patting the sofa. She didn't argue this time.

"I'll stay to help as well, I insist," Mrs. Weasley.

"Many thanks madame," Severus said.

"Ginny here has a curfew, so I'll get her back home. Ginny, say goodbye to the Snapes and Draco then we can head home," Mr. Weasley said gently. When those three left, Mrs. Weasley and Severus chatted and cleaned up. After a half hour, they finished then went into the living room. Hermione was curled up on the sofa asleep, snoring softly.

"Molly, would you care for an escort to your home?" Severus asked Molly.

"No, but thank you for the offer. May I use the floo?" Molly asked.

"Of course, Happy Christmas madame," Severus said sincerely.

"The same to you Severus," Molly said before disappearing.

The floo noise woke Hermione up. She grumbled about waking up, Severus assisted his wife to her feet and led her to the bedroom. She was asleep again as soon as her head hit the pillow.