Chapter 17

April 15th

It was the day of Hermione's fifth month appointment. They were eager to see whether the baby was a boy or girl. Hermione's pregnancy was progressing smoothly. She got tired sooner these days, but one look at her and you could see why. At just 5 months, the pregnancy looked huge on the petite Hermione. Her back ached more and she walked slower. Sometimes she felt as if she was taken over by an emotional curse of some sort, enduring spells of weepiness followed by euphoria. Some days she felt like a basket-case and wondered how Severus put up with her.

This appointment day Severus wanted to again surprise Hermione as she left work. He looked through the lab door windows and saw Hermione sitting down making her presentation. Every once in a while she would rub her legs or back absently as she continued the lecture. She passed around parchment and smiled her charming smile as she answered questions.

I have never seen her look more beautiful. Severus thought.

Matthias ended the meeting and Hermione cleaned up her desk.

At least nothing exploded this time. Severus thought wryly.

Hermione walked to the lab doors and smiled when she saw Severus at the doors.

"Ready for your appointment, dear?" Severus said kissing her cheek.

Her colleagues whistled and hooted softly behind her. "Get a room," one of them muttered. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I've had my fill of this lot today," she said waving her arm at her department. "Let's go see if we have an Emma or an Everett."

Laying on the exam bed, Hermione was amazed to see a muggle ultrasound machine rolled in.

"I cannot believe you have that," Hermione told the doctor.

"Although it is a muggle device, we find it works best for prenatal care," the doctor said. The doctor lifted her shirt, squirted some clear gel on her belly and placed a probe on her abdomen and moved it around. He looked on the monitor and peered closely at it.

"Ahh, yes. Here's the feet," the doctor said pointing to the small screen. Severus went to the machine and looked at it.

"Amazing, that's the head I believe," Severus said pointing at the screen.

"Hey! Turn it this way, I want to see" Hermione said.

Hermione watched as the doctor pointed out things on the screen. "You can see the baby's eyes, spine, feet, hands and I believe a spattering of hair. Give me a few more moments to determine the sex," the doctor said.

"I see that the baby is moving, so why can't I feel it?" Hermione asked.

"The movement is so slight and the baby is small so you won't be able to feel movement until maybe next month," the doctor said.

"Okay you two, are you sure you wish to know the baby's sex? Some couples want it to be a surprise," the doctor teased.

"Not this couple," Hermione exclaimed.

"Very well, your little bundle of joy is a girl," the doctor said with a smile. "Have you decided upon a name?"

"Yes, Emma," Hermione said. The doctor typed something on the keyboard.

Hermione put her hand to her mouth. A single tear squeezed from her eye. Severus went to her and hugged her as she lay on the bed.

"A little girl, I hope she's like her mother," Severus said softly kissing her lightly.

"I'll give you a moment. You may have a seat in my office when you have cleaned the gel from yourself ," the doctor said warmly.

Hermione wiped the gel from her stomach and was helped from the bed. In the office, she was given more instructions, stronger vitamin potion instructions and was presented with a picture from the ultrasound.

"Amazing device, what kind of picture is this?" Severus asked fingering the soft paper.

"It's called a thermal image," the doctor answered. "And as a treat, please note the top right hand corner, patients like it."

Severus peered at the small type on the paper. It said,

Snape, Emma April 15, 2000

Hermione took the paper from him and lovingly ran her fingers over it.

"Emma," she said softly.

The doctor cleared his throat. "So I'll see you twice a month starting next month. Please see the nurse outside to set up the day and time, and again, congratulations. And on a personal note, I have 5 daughters, so I know how blessed you two must feel right now. Have a wonderful day."

That night Severus was awakend from his sleep by the sounds of Hermione crying.

"What's wrong?" he asked sitting up suddenly tapping the bedside lamp on with his wand.

"Nothing Sev, I'm just so happy," Hermione said sniffling.

"I see, these are happy tears this time," Severus said.

"I'm hungry too," she said.

"I'll be right back," Severus said leaving the room. He came back with an apple and a bowl of chocolate covered rasberries.

"Will these do?" Severus asked.

"Yes, thanks Sev," she said taking the apple and bowl.

May 25th

At that month's second appointment, Hermione was waiting in the doctor's office on Severus, who had a prior appointment at the ministry. Another physical, more blood tests and was given a clean bill of health and was urged to slow down. Hermione insisted that she never felt better, but was told that she looked a bit peaked.

"As petite as you are Hermione, you might not be saying that next month. These last few months are the biggest growth spurt for the baby," the doctor said.

"Thanks for the warning," Hermione said.

"Tell Severus hello for me, take care" the doctor said.

"Thanks, I will, see you next month," Hermione said.

Hermione made her way to the hospital apparition point when the voice of Adam called out to her.

"I see you took my advice," Adam called.

"Yes, Adam, the next time you see me here I will be having my baby, I remember," Hermione said laughing.

"How far along are you?" Adam asked.

"Six months," Hermione said proudly.

"It's lunchtime, care for a bite to eat? The hospital has a decent cafeteria," Adam offered.

"Now you're talking my language, food," Hermione said. "Lead the way."

Severus appeared at the time Hermione and Adam had rounded the corner heading to the cafeteria. He was late, and knew he probably missed the appointment, and he hoped Mione wouldn't be too upset. Those thoughts faded, however at the sight of his beautiful, young, pregnant wife laughing, talking and walking with the younger man. A surge of jealousy flared in him.

What's wrong with me? Severus thought.

He followed at a discrete distance watching the two. The two grabbed some trays of food, Hermione sniffing some of them then they went to a table. He watched from around a corner. Adam leaned close and said something that made Hermione laugh. She slapped his arm and they both laughed. Hermione knocked over her drink onto her lap and Adam jumped up to assist her. Hermione wiped her lap, waving off his assistance. He rose to get her another glass. Snape had seen enough. He entered the cafeteria and approached the table.

"Severus!" Hermione exclaimed and rose to give him a peck on the cheek.

"I take it the appointment went well?' Severus asked evenly.

"Yes, fine, I gained seven pounds since last month," Hermione said, noticing something wrong. "Sev, what's wrong?" Hermione asked.

"I have a headache," Severus answered.

"I might have something for that here in my pocket," Adam said, digging around in his robe pockets. "Ahh, here. Free of charge," he teased.

"I have a personal analgesic at home that I prefer," Severus answered evenly.

Now Hermione was sure there was something wrong. She felt his forehead, "Are you coming down with something?" she asked concerned.

Yes, but I'm not sure what. Severus thought.

"Hermione, are you through here? I would like to go home, it's been a long day," Severus said.

"I know, a long day with the dunderheads," Hermione said. "Well Adam, it's been fun. Thanks for lunch, see you later," Hermione said shaking his hand.

"Take care Hermione," Adam said then left.

Severus wordlessly left the cafeteria to the community apparition point, waiting for a slower Hermione. She took hold of his hand and they appeared seconds later in their house. He was quiet most of the day, and said little during dinner that night.

"Okay Severus, what is the matter? I cannot stand this anymore. I haven't heard more than five words from you since lunch," Hermione said. "Did Albus vex you again today?"

"No," Severus grunted.

"Oh, now you grunt at me," Hermione said.

"Hermione, why did you go to lunch with that man today?" Severus asked.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Why did you go to lunch with that man?" Severus repeated.

"Because I was hungry?" Hermione answered. She was perplexed.

"You seemed to be having a good time with him," Severus asked.

"Yes, he told me a funny story of the date he had last night with Lavender Brown, you remember her, from my house at school?" Hermione asked. Then it suddenly dawned on her.

"Yes, I remember Miss Brown," Severus said.

"Severus, are you jealous?" Hermione asked quietly.

He didn't answer.

"Oh Severus. How can you be jealous? Adam is a friend who helped me through some rough times, and he's Minerva's nephew. I'm hurt that you would even think…" Hermione left the table and went into the bedroom.

Severus followed. "It's just that you seem to have many male friends," he said standing in the doorway.

"Yes, I do Severus. They are friends, that is all," Hermione replied raising her voice.

"And do they all flirt so openly?" Severus asked evenly. He realized a second too late that he had said the wrong thing.

Hermione gasped. "Oh.my.God. Now you are being silly. Of course they flirt, all men flirt Severus, I just don't pay attention to it, because if I did I would never leave the house!" Hermione flared. "Are you accusing me of flirting with other men?" Hermione yelled. "Are you?"

Severus said nothing. "Great, the silent treatment again," Hermione grumbled. She marched up to him and looked him straight in the eyes and poked him in the chest as she angrily spoke.

"Severus, I'm not some silly little twit who is after every man that looks my way. I am your wife, I am hopelessly in love with you and I am carrying your child. I can't believe you are even thinking these things, I don't know whether to be hurt, insulted or both."

She marched to the bed and, and launched a pillow at him with a flick of her hand. It landed with a solid thud to the face. Her eyes were blazing and on the verge of tears.

"Enjoy the couch tonight, you'll be snuggling with that pillow, not me!" she yelled and slammed the door in his face with another angry wave of her hand.

I deserved that. Severus thought. He heard the sounds of her crying and wanted to crawl under whatever rock he came from.

He left the house to walk around Hogsmeade to find a rock big enough. Hr decided to go to The Three Broomsticks for a drink. He had to think of a way to make this up to her. He trudged to the bar and said, "Ogdens, three fingers." As he lifted the glass to his mouth, he heard Albus call to him,

"Severus, come join us."

Severus turned to see Albus and Minerva sitting at a booth. Reluctantly, he joined them.

"Good evening Severus, how does this night find you? How is Hermione? I heard from Miss Weasley that the baby is a girl, what a blessing," Minerva said. Severus winced at her words and said nothing.

And I went and practically pissed on my blessing. Severus thought.

"Oh Severus, did you two have another quarrel?" Albus asked.

"Once again, I stuck my foot in my mouth and said something I should not have," Severus answered. Severus told the story to the two and was rebuked by Minerva.

"Severus Paul Snape, how could you think that? About Hermione of all people? And Adam is not a philandering cad and is in fact seeing someone."

Severus put his face in his hands and shook his head.

"You have a beautiful young wife that of course is going to be admired. You should note, however, as we all do, that your beautiful young wife only has eyes for you. Jealousy does not become you Severus," Albus lightly scolded.

"You are right, both of you," Severus said throwing back his drink.

"Now go home Severus, enjoy the couch and think of a good way to apologize to her," Albus said patting his hand.

Severus nodded and left the tavern. He walked in the door to the house, flopped down on the couch, staring at the ceiling racking his brain thinking of some way to make this up to her. He wanted to check in on her however. He attempted to open the door but found it locked. He used some charms to open it, but she had used some pretty damn good spells to lock the door.

What did I expect? She is the smartest witch of her age!

After a few minutes of trying, he finally broke through many layers of locking charms. One even gave off a slight electrical charge that made him snatch his hand back. He quietly peeked in and found her curled up, on top of the covers, still fully dressed sound asleep. He had an idea.