Chapter 21

September 19th

A week after their honeymoon, no one was surprised when Ginny announced that she was pregnant. They, meaning Hermione and Severus plus Emma, Harry and Connie, Ron and Kelly, Ginny and Draco were at Wandwavers celebrating Hermione's 21st birthday. Hermione looked to an absolutely in-love-with-his-wife Draco, who beamed with pride as she announced her news.

"That didn't take long," Hermione said under her breath to Severus, who was resting Emma's head on his shoulder.

Emma had become more animated and noisy at six weeks of age. She was an expressive baby and grabbed at anything that came her way, which was usually someone's hair. She was a beautiful, funny baby already and everyone loved her, but no one more than her parents. As there was a few weeks left of her leave, she was concerned that they had not found a suitable nanny for her. This kept Hermione up many nights as she watched the baby sleep. These thoughts ran through her head as she looked to a silently scheming Harry and Ron. They were up to something, she could tell. After all, she did know them better than anyone else. The two nodded their heads and cleared their throats. Severus noticed also noticed they were up to something.

"What are they up to?" Severus said under his breath. Hermione shrugged.

"Kelly?" Ron asked.

"Connie?" Harry asked.

"Yes?" they answered in twin fashion, just like George and Fred did.

Harry and Ron got up, got down a knee next to their girlfriends and asked at the same time, "Will you marry me?"

You could have heard a pin drop through the surprised silence of the group. Everyone looked to the shocked targets of betrothal and held their breath. The silence was broken when Kelly tackled a blushing Ron with a hug and kiss and said yes. He slipped a ring on her finger. Connie had knelt next to Harry and was nodding yes and kissed him too.

Smooth you two, very smooth! Hermione thought as she looked at Harry and Ron. She dabbed her eyes with a napkin and winked at Harry and Ron when they looked her way. Herrmione got up and hugged Harry and Ron, congratulating them. Kelly and Connie were not jealous in the least, they knew how important Hermione was in Harry and Ron's life. Especially Kelly, knowing how Hermione had saved his life. Hermione hugged the two fiancees as well, telling them to take good care of "her boys."

As the party was wrapping up, her birthday presents gathered and last of the cake distributed, the little Snape family left for home.

"Well what a night!" Hermione said changing Emma's nappy. Emma yawned and Hermione chuckled.

"Mummy's precious is tired huh," Hermione said softly. She sat down in the rocking chair next to the crib and nursed Emma till they both fell alseep. Severus came into the baby's room to find Emma asleep in Hermione's arms. Hermione's head was tipped over and she was snoring softly. Severus carefully took the sleeping baby from her and put her in the crib. Giving Emma a kiss in the forehead, he rubbed Hermione's back until she stirred.

"Did I fall asleep?" Hermione asked through a yawn.

"Yes you did," Severus answered getting her to her feet.

In their bedroom, Severus and Hermione sat down on the bed. He was dressed in black silk sleep pants and her in her tank top and boxers. He summoned a wrapped box and handed it to her.

"I didn't want to give this to you in front of everyone, since I am the only one that will be seeing it," Severus said.

Hermione opened the box to find a beautiful, left-nothing-to-the-imagination black silk nightie that matched the pants Severus had on.

"It's time you got out of that outfit," Severus said.

"It's pretty," Hermione said turning it this way and that. "It shimmers."

"Well put it on," Severus said.

She hopped to the bathroom to put it on. "I want to make an entrance," she said closing the door.

A few minutes later, she merged from the bathroom. Severus froze and swallowed. She was a vision: she had lost most of the weight from pregnancy (although you couldn't convince her of that!) and still retained the full ample breasts. Motherhood had done her body good. Her bright smile and happy glow relected her happiness.

"Like what you see?" she asked turning around.

"Do you have any idea how sexy you are?" Severus asked.

"Hmm, why don't you show me." she stated demurely.

He rose from the bed and, dropped his pants, backed her against the wall and leaned on it, his hands resting on the wall on both sides of her head.

He lowered his head to breathe in the scent of her hair and she pulled his hips closer, grinding herself against him. She grabbed his ass and massaged it while he ran his hands through her hair, sucking and nipping her neck. Off came her new nightie. She kissed and ran her nails over his chest when he started massaging her breasts.

"So good," Hermione gasped.

"Mine," Severus muttered.

"Take me," she whispered. He needed no more encouragement. He took hold of her buttocks, lifted her up, she wrapping her legs around his waist and lowered herself onto him. She moaned with need. He thrust with a grunt and shivered when he was fully in.

"Sev, let yourself go, fuck me," Hermione said waving the bedroom door shut.

Severus blushed at this sudden total lack of inhibition from Hermione. They had never done it this way before, and it was obvious she was loving it. So he obliged her request and lost himself to the feeling of thrusting in and out of her. He took hold of her hips and brought her back down on him hard and deep, causing her to gasp and moan loudly and causing her to shout "YESYESDONTSTOP!" She gripped his shoulders and put her head back, her climax building up. Through all this, Severus was panting and moaning with pleasure, bucking his hips, eyes scrunched shut. He could die happy right now! He looked up as Hermione was coming, and she was looking straight at him as she rode the orgasm out with a squeal and a happy gasp. He could stand it no longer and felt his climax explode and he pounded into her up a few more fast times, milking out the feeling as long as he could. He stopped, still holding her up and laid his forehead on her chest.

"Sweet merlin, Hermione..." he gasped between breaths.

"Mmmhmmm," she said kissing the top of his head. "So good."

He put her down, pulled back the covers on the bed and beckoned her under. They said nothing as they cuddled together. Clearly this element of their life had taken a new, exiting twist that they looked forward to exploring. He felt privileged and extremely lucky that he was the one to see Hermione like this, to be on the receiving end when her passion took over.

Saturday October 1st

Hermione and Hermione were eating lunch that afternoon when the wards signaled a visitor. Severus waved his wand and caused the door to be transparent, but only to him. Ginny, Draco and Molly Weasley were there. He opened the door.

"Good afternoon, what brings you by?" Severus said. He stepped aside and waved them in.

Hermione walked in the room holding Emma. "Hi there, Ginny how are you feeling?" Hermione asked. Judging from how Ginny looked, she said,

"Morning sickness huh," Hermione said. Ginny nodded and ran for the loo.

"She's been doing that all morning," Draco said following her.

"I suppose you wonder what brings us by, I'll tell you when Ginny returns," Molly said.

"Hermione, may I?" Molly said gesturing to Emma.

"Of course," Hermione said handing the baby to Molly. Emma was not one of those shy fussy babies who only takes to one or two people. Emma loved everyone. She gurgled and grabbed at Molly's glasses hanging around her neck. Molly cuddled and tickled her. Ginny emerged from the loo and joined them.

"Alright dear?" Molly asked. Ginny nodded.

"The reason I'm here is a business idea that involves all here, I hope. She handed the group a parchment labeled "Little Wizards and Witches Day Care."

"Huh?" Ginny asked.

"It's a proposal I'm making to the Ministry of Magic. Hermione, I understand that you have not found a nanny as of yet?" Molly asked.

Hermione shook her head. "I love my job, but it doesn't compare to the love I have for Emma. I would hate to not go back, but I won't if we can't find a suitable nanny."

"Ginny will be facing the same thing too," Molly said.

"Myself and some other like-minded ladies who now have empty nests have an idea to start a daycare for employees of the ministry. That would be you Hermione, and my Ginny in about eight months, not to mention the untold number of talented witches who have given up working to stay home. What about Connie and Kelly? A day care site, on premises, would be perfect. You bring them in with you, are able to spend lunch with them, then take them home. I'll be doing what I love to do and will be able to leave and come home with Arthur everyday. So you see that this is a win-win sitution for everyone. Hermione, if you are willing, what I need is a recommendation from you to get the process going. Emma will be my first "client" if you will. Hermione, Severus, what do you think?"

"It is rather a ingenius idea," Severus commented.

Hermione was elated. "That's one of the best ideas I've ever heard! I can think of no one better to care for her than you! Well, maybe my mum..anyway, when do you make your presentation?"

"First thing in the morning," Molly said.

"I'll get to writing that recommendation right now!" Hermione jumped up and hopped down the basement.

The next morning, Molly marched proudly from a conference room at the ministry. Hermione was waiting on a bench in the corridor.

"They accepted my proposal! I can start preparing the day care today!" Molly exclaimed. She was jumping for joy inside. After Ginny left home, Molly wondered what in the world she was going to do. Now she had a purpose once more, she was needed and wanted. Molly had no idea how relieved Hermione was, she could go back to work now, which was in six days. Emma would be in the best of hands.