Title: Hermione's Helping Hand

The Phoenix Flame

Hermione had already eaten dinner by the time Severus returned to their chambers. He checked the egg and then sat down, pulling a plate of food that the house elves had brought up.

" So how did you like teaching again?" Hermione asked.

" It was great," Severus said. " It's not my usual cup of tea, but Remus got the board to vote that I could take over Neville's classes until he gets out of the wing. As long as Remus doesn't pay me."

" And is he?" Hermione asked, without looking up from her Defense Against the Dark Arts work.

Draco had assigned a two-roll essay on dark masses.

" He's paying me under the table and I hid the money in one of the spots that still is enchanted with the former Headmaster's magic. I've got nearly two months left before I'm off of probation and I'm not going to ruin it by being stupid."

Hermione nodded in agreement.

" So what are your plans next month?"

" Well I'm going to go to Hogsmead and order an extra crib," Hermione said. " I've got enough clothes, it's just the crib that I need. I'm also going to get two more toy broomsticks."

Severus looked at his wife.

" So I'm figuring that you plan on raising them in the wizarding world."

Hermione nodded.

" Their witches and a wizard, where else would I raise them!" Hermione stated firmly. " And I know that you'll be grateful."

" Yes, Hermione, I will!"

Several hours later both Snape's were in bed, and soon the rest of the school followed. However the balls that Malfoy had created hatched. The creatures that came out looked like something out of a horror film, with black bodies and many eyes and legs. Malfoy laughed as they looked around.

" Kill the Snape's, kill them now," he ordered.

The creatures charged forward, breaking the door in two.

Meanwhile Hermione was rolling over and over, her dreams filled with creatures making her run for her life. She was screaming so loud that she even screamed making Severus fall out of bed. It didn't take long for Severus to wake up. He popped his head up and saw his wife thrashing around.

" Hermione, Hermione!" Severus cried out.

He went around and tried to shake her awake, but she didn't wake up. Severus ran to his fireplace and lighting the fire, summoned Remus at once.

" What's wrong?" Remus asked.

" I don't know!" Severus said, looking fearful for the first time since he had developed the potion that helped to weaken Voldemort. " Hermione woke me up and she's thrashing around. I can't wake her up!"

" I'll be there," Remus said.

A few moments later, Remus came through the fireplace and went over to the thrashing witch. He tried to shake her awake, but it was no use. He turned to Severus, who's fearful face grew.

" I have to get Madam Pomfrey," he told him. " If I don't, she might lose the babies."

Severus nodded at once, but as he got near the door, which led into the living area, the door broke down and the creatures that had hatched entered the room. It launched at once at Severus, who was thrown across the room. Luckily there was a sofa and he didn't get hurt badly.

" What are these things?" Remus asked.

" Dark masses!" Severus answered. " Someone has summoned them!"

They turned their ugly faces at the thrashing Hermione, but they hadn't even got as close to her as they got to her husband when their was a sound like something breaking. Suddenly a huge ball of golden light came right past them and hit Hermione. Both Severus and Remus had to shield their eyes as Hermione transformed into the form that they had seen before.

" Hay freaks," Hermione yelled. " Want to come for me? "

She pointed at the dark masses and a huge ball of the same golden light came right at them from her hand. It sliced through it like a hot knife on butter. The creature screamed as it exploded, causing both men to duck. The next one launched at her, but she kicked off, hard and rose above them.

" Lets help her out," Remus suggested, taking his wand out.

" I don't have my wand!" Severus said, ducking again as another one came at him.

" Here," Hermione shouted, as she caused another one to meet the same fate as its brother.

She threw the wand at her husband, who caught it. He used the Avada Kedavra curse at it, which caused it to explode at once.

" It seems that the curse works on the!" Remus stated, using the same curse on the third one.

" Let's just watch where we aim our curses at," Severus said. " I don't want to kill my wife."

Remus nodded, but before they could deliver the final blow, Hermione had taken care of it. She landed and suddenly an energy entered her and she at once looked one hundred percent better.

" What was that all about?" Remus asked.

" I think I figured out how come I've been feeling horrible," Hermione said. " Those, whatever they are, have been draining my energy."

She said this as she changed back into her nightgown.

" But-"

He was cut off by the sound of a pipesong and the appearance of a golden phoenix. It landed on Hermione's shoulder, giving off the same warmth that had gone through Hermione's body.

" But who sent it?" Severus restarted.

" I have no idea!" Remus said.

Hermione's eyes narrowed at those words, her mind searching around for answers.

" What person do we know that thinks people like me are scum?"

" If your talking about Malfoy?" Severus said.

" Of course!" Hermione answered. " During my second year he said ' you'll be next Mudbloods,' come on, he might be a Professor, but he's still capable of wanting revenge."

Severus's face went red with anger.

" Oh, if it was him, I'm going to kill him!" Severus vowed.

" Count me in!" Remus answered.