Title: Hermione's Helping Hand

New Term

Minerva informed Severus of what happened to his wife. He was as shocked about the whole thing as Tonks and Madam Pomfrey had been. However he was more worried about the safety of his wife, then how she looked. He knew that Draco was still looking for Hermione and the idea of hiding her, when Draco was on the rampage, using whatever means that he needed, didn't make going to bed easy for him. There had to be a reason why this had happened and he was determined to find out.

The next morning Minerva invited the entire Order of the Phoenix to Severus quarters so that Severus wouldn't be left in the dark about what they talked about. Minerva used the ancient wards that Albus had set up when he wanted to talk privately to Severus back during the war. Hermione was also there, which made the place a little hot. Mr. Weasley conjured a table that was big enough for them all to sit, and they took their places.

" Now that were all here, I think we need to get down to business," Minerva said, looking at them all sternly. " Now all of you know what happened to Hermione when her and Tonks returned from Hogsmead."

They all nodded.

" Well do you have any suggestions about why this happened?"

No one said anything for a few minutes, and then the familiar voice of the Headmaster entered the room. Dumbledore had walked right through a wall that happened to be next to Hermione, scaring the living daylights out of her.

" Sorry!" he said.

Hermione clutched her heart in response.

" Albus, what in the world happened to her?" Minerva asked.

" I believe that were seeing the first sign that her offspring has magic," the former Headmaster said. " There are a lot of indications during pregnancy that a witch or wizard is going to be born from a said union. Even Muggle women show signs that their child has been gifted with powers when she's carrying the child. However, the intensity of Hermione's transformation indicates that her child will have extraordinary powers, making them more of a match for any witch or wizard alive."

" So Hermione's child does have magic," said Remus.

Dumbledore smiled then nodded.

" Oh yes, her children will have great power!" Dumbledore said, giving Hermione a wink.

" C-Children!" Severus stammered. " Y-You mean more then o-one."

Dumbledore chuckled, then nodded. Severus fainted.

" Here we go again!" Harry said, while everyone laughed.

While Severus was recovering in his chambers, Dumbledore continued by telling them that the egg that had appeared was a very rare golden phoenix, and that the egg and Hermione's transformation is connected.

" But how?" Ron asked him.

" That part I don't have the answer to," Dumbledore said. " But it seems like me, Hermione has a connection to phoenixes. This one just happens to be the source of the new powers that she has. Her new magic will protect her from any kind of harm that Draco might try and hand to her."

" That part, I'm afraid of," Minerva said.

" I know!" Dumbledore answered.

The rest of the summer past quickly and it was time for the students to return. Madam White had delivered the things that Hermione had ordered, which included an additional crib. She told the women that she might need more, but that she would inform her before winter started.

" Very well, Mrs. Snape."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined the throng of students entering the Great Hall, chatting about how they were all glad that the Dark Lord was gone and that things would be better. The trio sat down at the Gryffindor table and Harry got his first look at the complete, somewhat new, staff members. Remus Lupin was setting in the Headmaster's chair, looking very much at home. Harry had heard that the board on the advice of the Minister of Magic himself had appointed Remus and most of the students liked him.

The front door opened and Professor McGonagall brought in the line of scared first-years and like nothing had happened, the sorting started. There were serious gaps in the Gryffindor table, but once the sorting was over, some of those gaps had been filled. Once McGonagall took the hat and stool away, Remus stood up.

" Welcome back to Hogwarts!" he told them. " I've got a few notices to hand out so please bare with me. First, we have several new positions to announce. First we would like to welcome back Lavender Brown as our Divination teacher."

The Gryffindors all roared and clapped as Lavender got up. Harry remembered her telling him that Trelawney had told her that she had all the makings of a true seer. When the clapping had stopped and she had sat down, Remus started again.

" Due to the war against Voldemort our Herbology teacher, Professor Sprout, died. Neville Longbottom will fill her place. "

The Gryffindors again cheered as Neville stood up, looking all flushed and nervous. When the clapping stopped, Remus started yet again.

" Our third appointment is our beloved Care of Magical Creatures teacher. That position and the position of Head of Hufflepuff house will go to Justin Flinch-Flintchly."

It was the Hufflepuff turn to cheer as their old member of Hufflepuff house stood up. Harry saw the Fat Friar waving merrily at him.

" The fourth appointment is Charms and the head of Ravenclaw house," Remus went on, when the clapping had stopped. " I'm pleased to say that this position will be filled by Padma Patil. "

The Ravenclaws that knew her, cheered as she stood up. Harry noticed that she was wearing new robes, which looked strange on her. When she sat down, Remus started again.

" And to our final appointment," he said this with much distaste. " Since we lost our last Defense against the Dark Arts teacher and the Slytherins didn't have a Head, the board has appointed Draco Malfoy as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and Head of Slytherin house, replacing Severus Snape who had the position for many years."

The Slytherins all roared their delight as Draco stood up and greeted them. Harry and Ron couldn't believe the arrogance that he had. All down the row, the teachers didn't like him and Harry figured like all the others, he wasn't going to last long. Remus finished his notices by telling the students that the joke items that Fred and George Weasley sold were still banned and that if they were caught with them, they would be confiscated.

" Now let the feast begin," he said.

And the tables filled with food.

Hermione piled a small amount of food into a basket and left the Great Hall. She had managed to transform back into her old form, but the new one was trying to bubble to the surface. Hermione was glad that all she had to do was see who her teachers would be and that was it. When she arrived at their quarters, she knocked, and then entered.

" Food from the feast," she informed Severus, putting the basket down.

" Great!" Severus said, helping her with what was inside.

" Thanks!"

As they ate, Hermione told Severus that she had an appointment to see Madam Pomfrey in two weeks. Severus seemed interested in this, which Hermione was glad about. She told him who the new teachers were and about what a prat that Draco had been.

" He was born a stinking prat!" Severus snapped. " I can't believe that I praised him. He's another Lockhart. No brains, some talent, and no hope of anything then selling his good looks to some moron witch that thinks he's worthy of the title."

Hermione stared at him. She had never seen him like this, but then again, she had hardly been around when he had cornered Harry all those years ago. She decided to drop the subject of Draco and return to her meal. Tomorrow the new term started, and she didn't want to be late.

Next chapter: Lessons and are the Gryffindors in for a surprise.