A/N Warning, Just a bit of light smut in this one.

Chapter 4

Hermione had a lot to think about when she arrived in their rooms. Severus looked up as she came in.

She looked tired and pensive. "Was it that bad my love?"

She looked up at him with such sadness. "What? Oh, you mean Hogsmeade. No, Lydia and I have a truce in place. She even gave me a few things to think about."

Severus was surprised. "You mean you let her get into your head? That's hard to believe. My uncompromising Hermione swallowing drivel like that?"

She became defensive. "It's not drivel! The way she explains things makes it seem perfectly logical. Severus, She knew things. Told me things she couldn't possibly know." Hermione sat in the chair by the fire deep in thought.

"What kind of things?"

Hermione huffed a breath. "I can't explain it, you had to be there. If I just tell you, you're going to think I'm crazy for believing it."

He knelt next to her chair and took her hand. "Number one, I love you and I will never think you're crazy. Number two, If you are this convinced there must be at least some modicum of truth in it. Number three if you don't tell me, I will find a way to get it out of you."

She looked at his dark laughing eyes and put a hand to his cheek. "Let me process it for a bit longer. How about we talk after dinner?"

He kissed her palm and stood, "Almost ready."

Dinner was over quickly and she showed him the books she had bought. They discussed them at length and soon the conversation faltered. Hermione was in a world of her own again when Severus nudged her. "Are you going to tell me what's gotten you so impossibly quiet?" She was not responding. "Hermione?"

"Hm? I think I'm going to take a shower and relax a bit." Severus watched her go into the bathroom and close the door.

Soon the sound of water and thoughts of her body wet and soapy took precedence over his curiosity about her day. He went into the bedroom to undress and surprise her. He was just tying his robe closed when the water shut off. She came out after a few and found him sitting on the bed with two glasses of wine. "I thought you could use something to help you relax."

Hermione crossed the room to him, took the goblet and emptied it. Handing it back to him empty. She dropped her robe and stood naked before him. "Severus I want to give you a child. Will you have a baby with me?"

He sat at the edge of the bed with two wine glasses and a dumbfounded look on his face. "Severus?... Severus say something." He seemed to be in a state of shock staring at the wall behind her. After several minutes she was just about to apologize and tell him to forget it, when without saying a word, he downed his glass of wine, put the glasses on the nightstand, stood up and removed his robe. Picking her up he placed her gently on the bed. Then lay on top of her, nestled between her legs, and kissed her senseless.

There were tears shimmering in his dark eyes as he spoke. "Hermione I want a baby with you more than anything." He teased her lips with a longing kiss. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

There was so much fear and hope in his eyes as he said it, that he didn't notice the relief in hers. "Severus I want a baby. I've been thinking about this for ages, but I didn't think you wanted children. You've never mentioned it, and you are not very parental when it comes to the students. I thought you wouldn't want to come home to one as well." She kissed him and laid his head over her racing heart, holding him tight.

"Hermione I never expected to survive the war let alone find a woman who would love me. I counted my blessings and didn't dare to ask for more." He grew wistful. "Now that same woman wants to give me a child…a child!…You don't know what it means to me." Suddenly he was troubled and looked up at her. "I don't know what kind of father I will be. My own father did not give me a correct understanding of the role, but I swear to you I will cherish and love this child as I love and cherish you."

Hermione pulled him up until she felt him at her entrance. "Give me a baby husband."

oopOqoo

I was glad Hermione and I had an understanding now. I missed my friends and my life back home, and everything here is so different. I guess I have the new job blues. Tomorrow is Sunday and I am looking forward to a sleep in. Then I'm going to cuddle up with my new book and relax all day.

It sounded like a good plan at the time. Trouble with my plans is they never work out the way I want them to. At 8am I was pulled out of my sleep by an upset Headmistress requesting my immediate presence. I let out a string of swear words any sailor would blush at. So much for sleeping in. When I got to her office entrance the bird was already at the top. She really needs an elevator. So, after walking up several floors I made it to the heavy wood door and knocked.

"Come in!" It was said with a little more stress than I wanted to deal with.

I opened the door and sat in the now familiar chair. "What can I do for you Minerva?"

She was busy shuffling through a stack of parchment. "I have received several letters from parents of students who think your classes are extremely inappropriate."

I looked at her in disbelief. "May I ask which parents?"

She let out a huff, "No you may not. I will not allow any retaliation against a student for a parents opinions."

This was tiresome, "Well can I ask what is so inappropriate then?"

She looked at me as if I had no morals whatsoever. "I'm being told the students are required to take their clothes off before class. Lydia In what universe is that acceptable behavior?"

I put my palm to my forehead. I really needed a latte right now. "Minerva I assure you the children are wearing clothes in my class and I am just a bit offended that you would believe otherwise. Now it is true that I have asked them to remove their outer robes and shoes and have something comfortable to wear underneath. My class often begins with light stretches and breathing exercises. They can not do that in those god awful uniforms you stuff them into. I give them plenty of time to change afterwards so they won't be late for their next class. Is there anything else?" Minerva looked as if she didn't know if she should believe me or not. "I understand that you must answer these letters from parents. Please, come to my class and see for yourself."

She seemed to be placated and agreed to come to my class Monday morning. I left her office and walked down the rather tall staircase, grumbling the whole way.