Title: Hermione's Helping Hand

Book Lists

Several days later Minerva appeared to deliver the list of books and supplies that Hermione, Harry, and Ron would need. Hermione sat down and ate one of the cucumber sandwiches that she had made and opened it.

All seventh year students will require the following

The Standard Book of Spells Grade Seven by Miranda Goshawk

" Not much this year!" Hermione commented.

" I guess not," Severus answered. " So when are you going to get your things?"

" Tomorrow!" Hermione answered. " It's going to be so good to back in Diagon Alley, like everything is back to normal."

The next morning Harry, Ron, and Hermione went with Ginny to get their things. Ginny had remained at Hogwarts and had completed her sixth year. Now she was in the same year as everyone else, which Hermione figured Harry liked. She went to Gringotts to get her money, and then went off on her own. She was a grown witch now and she didn't need people to escort her around.

She got her book, refilled on her potion supplies, and got whatever she needed. When she returned to the school, she heard arguing. Wondering where it was coming from, she discovered the source was Minerva and Draco.

" I want to see Severus now," he demanded.

" Are you here on Ministry business, or your own?" Minerva asked him.

Draco glared at her.

" Why should it matter what kind of business I'm on," he said.

Minerva crossed her arms and looked at him darkly.

" It matters to me!" she stated. " Now leave, or I'll have you thrown out."

Draco muttered a curse and left, almost knocking into Hermione and causing her things to go everywhere. When he left, Hermione walked up to Minerva.

" What happened?" Hermione asked.

" He wanted to see Severus and I told him that he couldn't, unless he was on Ministry business," she said. " You can tell from how he acted that he wasn't."

Hermione knew she was right.

Severus was waiting on Hermione when she returned. She at once dumped her things in her room and then told Severus what had happened.

" Minerva warned me that he was coming," Severus said. " I was expecting him to find a way down here, but I guess Minerva is turning out to be a lot more formable then Draco gives her credit for."

Hermione smiled as the memory of Minerva forcing Draco to leave entered her mind.

" So looking forward to Sunday night?" Hermione asked.

Severus went white, which told her that he was still nervous.

" I understand!" Hermione said, giving him an encouraging smile.

" So are we visiting Hermione this weekend?" Harry asked Ron.

" No!" Ron said. " Hermione sent a note telling us that she would see us on Monday afternoon."

Harry looked at him, confused. Hermione was never unable to see them.

" Why can't we see her?" Harry asked.

" Apparently she wants to start a family, which will hit the Malfoy's below the belt," Ron said. " Hermione figures that big, fat Pansy wouldn't have a magical child."

" What do you mean?"

" Well, remember back in our second year I told you that if we hadn't married Muggles we would of died out."

Harry nodded, remembering Ron's words.

" Well it appears that Pansy might not have a magical child," Ron said. " However, we won't know until she gives birth. All those centuries of inbreeding has a habit of causing a magical line to die out. If Hermione does managed to get pregnant, then her child will have magic and that will make Pansy so mad. Just imagine the look on her face when we have a magical party for the Snape's and Pansy can't have one."

Harry gave that idea a thought, then laughed. Anything that made the Malfoy's mad, was fine with him.

" Well I guess we'll see her Monday afternoon," he said.

And they disappeared from sight.

" Does anyone have a paper bag handy?" Hermione asked Tonks.

" Why?" Tonks asked.

" Because it's Sunday and I might need to make him breath through one."

It had been two days since Hermione had gotten her supplies and had made the appointment with Madam Pomfrey for Monday. She knew that she would have to wait two weeks before she knew if she was pregnant, and another three months before she found out if her child was magical. Hermione wondered deep inside her mind if Pansy had gone to see someone to see if her child was magical. She doubt it in the end.

" Well let him know that people have been doing this for centuries," Tonks pointed out. " Me and Remus did."

Hermione blanched. She really didn't need images right now. Tonks laughed at the look on her face, then handed her the paper bag.

" Use wisely, we must all save a tree!"

It was Hermione's turn to laugh.

When Hermione returned to their quarters she locked the door and placed the paper bag on the table. Laying on the table were two glasses filled with the potion that Madam Pomfrey had given her.

" I see your opting for the potion," Hermione pointed out.

Severus nodded.

" I don't think I could stand being a failure!"

Hermione stared at him, wondering what he meant by that.

A/N: The next chapter will be smut; I hope that I do it well and that you don't all burn me at the stake.