Chapter 26
Saturday May 20
Everyone stood outside the delivery room at St. Mungo's waiting for the news of Ginny and Draco's first baby. Ginny had been in labor a long time, sixteen hours, and they were concerned. A cry was heard from Ginny, then the wail of a baby. Everyone sighed in relief and Molly was crying.
"Another grandchild!" she cried. Ten minutes later, Draco came through the doors, tears in his eyes, enraptured with him and Ginny's son. Everyone gathered around to admire the baby. He had strawberry blond hair, Ginny's facial features and when he opened his eyes to fuss, he had Draco's eyes.
"Everyone, meet our son Ronald William Malfoy," Draco said proudly, smiling at Ron. "She insisted on it Ron," Draco told the stunned brother.
"Arthur, Molly, you can go in. She might be asleep though, this wore her out," Draco said. The delivery ward doors opened and the bed with the sleeping Ginny was rolled down the hall to the maternity ward. Molly and Arthur followed, Draco handing the proud grandmother little Ronald.
Hermione turned to Connie and Harry.
"Don't worry, you will be here soon enough," Hermione teased the two.
They too were expecting, in August as Kelly had conceived on their honeymoon. Harry's dream was coming true: he would have a family of his own with a woman he was crazy about, who was equally crazy about him. They could have found out whether it was a boy or girl this month, but wanted it to be surprise.
"If you see Gin, tell her I'll be by later," Hermione said to Harry then apparated back home.
She popped into the living room and heard Severus talking to Emma in the dining room. She was in a high chair, covered in food. There was also some green mush on the table and floor as well.
"Sev, what in the world?" she exclaimed.
"She looked interested in my food, so I mushed some up to see if she would like it," Severus explained.
"She is almost a year old, I guess it's alright," Hermione said laughing at Emma. "Let me get my camera."
After she took the picture, she told Severus the news.
"Gin had the baby, it was a boy and they named it Ronald William. You should have seen Ron's face, he was stunned. He has strawberry blond hair, Gin's features and Draco's eyes." Hermione said sighing. She bit her bottom lip in thought.
Uh oh, she's got the thinking look!
"Something on your mind my dear?" Severus asked.
"Umm, yes. I think it's high time we give Emma a brother or sister," Hermione said softly sitting in his lap.
Never lose that directness Mione! Severus thought.
"I was wondering when you were going to bring it up," Severus said nipping her ear.
June 10
In a ministry of magic conference room, Hermione, Matthias and the minister of magic were standing on a platform. Severus, most of the staff of Hogwarts, all of Hermione's friends and department co-workers were gathered. Hermione was about to receive her Potions Mistress certification. Matthias took the podium.
"This is indeed a wonderful day for Hermione, I'm sure. It's six months earlier than usual, but her work has been exemplary in just two and a half years. It's rare to see such diligence in someone so young, and her work reflects it. Without further ado, may I present Hermione Snape this potions masters certificate. Congratulations my dear."
He handed the scroll to Hermione who hugged Matthias. Severus was bursting with pride. The staff of Hogwarts erupted in applause and her friends cheered and clapped.
"Now this isn't the end by far, there's so much to be done, which brings me to the next part. Tim, would you bring that here please," Matthias said to Tim, Hermione's lab partner. Tim was rolling a large cart of books and parchment towards the podium.
"I feel confident enough in this research team of Snape and Brightfield to tell them this," Matthias said waving to the cart. "They have a new assignment, finding the cure for lycanthropy," Matthias concluded. The room fell silent. A photographer from The Daily Prophet snapped a picture.
Hermione and Tim looked at each other awestruck. Severus and the rest of the staff stood up slowly, as surprised as Hermione.
"And to think, from Gryffindor!" Minerva gushed.
"My goodness," Albus said.
"I agree," Severus said.
Severus looked fondly to a shocked Hermione who was looking to her scroll, then to the huge cart of material then to Tim.
"I had no idea," Tim said putting his hand on her shoulder. "Think we can do this?"
"We'll see Monday morning I guess," Hermione said.
June 25
Hermione and Severus were eating and dancing in the most elegant club in wizarding Britain for their second anniversary, called "Merlin's Conclave." There was portraits of famous wizards and witches, battles, and magical creatures. The décor was elegant and tasteful with thick carpeting and drapery around each individual booth.
"Sev, this place is beautiful," Hermione said scanning the room.
They had considered going away for a week somewhere to celebrate, but due to Hermione's new assignment, they both agreed that staying put was the best thing to do. That and the looming confrontation with Voldemort. The auror department had been getting good information from captured deatheaters and spies. Harry was taking it personally, he wanted his baby to have a Voldemort-free future and wanted the whole business over with. He trained with a vengeance.
"Let's just put it out of our minds for tonight," Severus said as they danced. "I want to celebrate two years of marriage to the most beautiful and talented witch alive."
"Sev that's so sweet, thank you," Hermione said kissing him.
After the dance, they sat back at the table sipping on some excellent wine.
"Great wine," Hermione commented.
"Excuse me, nature calls," Sev said kissing her hand then going to the loo.
Hermione looked around the room and nodded and smiled at the couples around them. Severus returned a few minutes later, and he was grinning.
"Mione, you need to pay a visit to the ladies loo, it's over there across from the men's loo," Severus nodded.
"Sev, I don't need to go," Hermione replied wondering just how much he had drank already. "Oh alright, over there you say?" she said. He nodded an she left.
When she approached the the loo door she saw a large poster in a fancy frame. Hermione's heart caught her throat when she saw it. It was that picture of her hanging from her broom, arms extended, casting that "arreste memetum" during that quidditch match at school.
Why in the world is that picture in this place? Why is that damned picture everywhere I go? Hermione thought to herself.
Hermione felt someone tap her shoulder. "Can I help you madame?" the waiter asked.
She looked to the waiter and muttered, "No, I'm fine."
The waiter looked from Hermione to the portrait. "Goodness, madame that's you!" the waiter exclaimed. He gestured to a man that was approaching them.
"Madame, this is the owner of this establishment," the waiter gestured to the tuxedoed man that had joined them. The waiter explained that the object of the picture was standing there and the owner said he put it there as a testament to his old house at school.
"And here you stand," the owner gushed.
"So it seems," Hermione said evenly.
"Madame, if it's not too forward, would you sign it?" the owner said.
Hermione sighed. "Might you have a quill I can use?"
He pulled a thick quill from a back pocket. Taking down the frame, he charmed the front glass off to expose the poster. She signed her name and the owner saw the signature.
"Might I ask why you are gracing my humble establishment this evening?" he asked.
"My husband and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary," Hermione said.
The owner looked to the signature. He looked back to Hermione.
"Snape? You mean the Snape from-" the owner asked with wide eyes.
"Yes, one in the same. Now if you will excuse me, I would like to return to him. Good evening gentlemen," she said and strolled away.
Severus was watching from across the room. Hermione was blushing and talking to the waiter. After a few minutes, she signed the picture and casually walked back to the table, threw back the remainder of her wine and said into his ear huskliy,
"Can we leave now? We have another little Snape to make." He didn't have to be asked twice.