Chapter re-vamped 2/3/2015

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Disclaimer: None of the characters or the world created by JK Rowling belongs to me nor do I make any money off this story.

**********HP***********

Severus stepped back with a look of disgust on his face as Hermione continued to dry heave against the wall. Pulling his wand he eliminated the mess on his boots and the floor before turning to the sick Gryffindor.

Slowly she straightened, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. With a quick "Evanesco" the floor was clean and she was wiping her mouth with a handkerchief retrieved from her pocket.

"Miss Granger, are you done?"

As Hermione turned toward him, Severus caught the look of shame morphing into anger on her face. Raising an eyebrow he prompted, "Well?"

Nodding she replied coldly. "I'm fine professor, thank you for your concern."

Hoping to avoid more embarrassment, Hermione turned on her heel to continue toward the tower when a strong grip on her upper arm stopped her in her tracks. Her gaze fell down to the pale hand that gripped her arm and the heat that seemed to radiate from it. Shaking herself back to reality, she pulled her arm from his grip.

"Can I help you Professor?"

At her flippant question Severus stepped closer, his aggressive demeanor responding to her blatant disrespect. When she didn't move, he wanted to grin. It was an odd feeling really, no student had ever talked back to him like this, especially one that had been a student of his for six years; nevermind the way he had treated her. However, he had never fucked a student either; new experiences all around.

"The hospital wing is the other way Ms. Granger."

Hermione shook her head and backed up a smidge, trying so hard not to give into the pressure his presence was mounting on her. The fact was, Severus Snape was an intimidating man, expecting things his way and no other. Unfortunately it looked like she had not gotten the owl.

"I don't need the hospital wing. It's just a stomach bug. Again, I thank you for your concern but it isn't needed."

This time Severus did let a vicious grin slip onto his lips. It was to be the hard way then.

***********HP**********

Hermione wanted to cry as Severus levitated her into the hospital wing and onto a bed. It wasn't fair, why did his shoes have to be in the way of her vomit? After all her hiding it looked like the kneazle was trying to escape the bag.

Her gaze fell on the man as he strode toward Madame Pomfrey's office, a slight swagger to his step. What was up with him? He never went out of his way to help a student and she doubted the sex they had was any sort of influence. However he did enjoy feeding off a student's humiliation and nothing was more humiliating than vomiting on your professor's shoes.

Moments later he was headed back in her direction, the matron on his heels. As he stopped in front of her, Hermione couldn't help but steel her jaw and glare at him. What right did he have to interfere with her choice to go back to the tower anyway? She was a legal adult and perfectly capable of making her own decisions about her health. It's not like she didn't know what the cause of her vomiting was anyway.

"Madam Pomfrey, I trust you will look Ms. Granger over thoroughly. Merlin knows how long she's been sick, as hard headed and high handed as she is."

Before Hermione could manage a sufficient retort to his comment, Severus Snape was gone.

********HP********

Severus wasn't sure why his heart was still pounding or why his body was so hot. It was as if his nervous system was in overdrive and he has just run a mile. Gripping the porcelain sink in front of him he leaned over it, trying to get his breathing under control. The mirror was still fogged from his shower, his hair in tangles and dripping water. Moisture still clung to his exposed upper body, muscles tensing under the skin in intervals. Slowly he raised his head, meeting his own hawk like gaze. Without warning he knew exactly what drove him.

He was excited.

In truth he couldn't remember the last time anyone male or female had grabbed his attention and held it for longer than it took to bend them over in a dark alley. Despite what everyone believed he was not asexual and did in fact enjoy the pleasures of the flesh as often as possible and with great fervor.

Looking back he had never seen anything special about Hermione Granger. Granted she was a brilliant mind but it was more of a need for knowledge, not an inherent intellect. Excellent student, genuinely good Gryffindor and all around Know-it-all. That's all there was to her, or so he had thought. Tonight however proved otherwise. She had a spine of steel and a sense of pride. Severus had known it was there, after all, she never would of gotten into the messes she had if it wasn't. But seeing it, that was a whole different story. The spark in her eyes, sarcasm in her voice and turn of her chin got his pulse moving.

Her defiance and blatant disrespect excited him.

**************HP****************

Hermione sat on the roof of Gryffindor tower, looking up at the stars. She was huddled with a thick blanket, two pairs of socks on her feet and a warming charm over herself. Harry sat quietly beside her and gripped her hand tightly. Ron had gone and run interference once again with his sister, trying to give his best mate some peace. He thought they were both crazy for sitting on the roof, out in the cold anyway.

"Maybe you should tell him Hermione. I may not like the man but even I can't deny that he deserves to know."

Hermione snuggled closer into Harry's shoulder with a grimace. She knew it was wrong to keep this from Severus but she wasn't ready to tell him, despite the fact he had almost found her out several hours before. Would he even believe her? Who was to say he would even want anything to do with the child, let alone having it come into this world.

Shaking her head Hermione held her ground.

"It's too soon Harry. I mean the Weasley's don't even know yet so why should he? I need to know they support me before I give him the chance to tear me down."

Harry sighed as he looked anywhere but at his friend. He knew this was hard on her, knew how heavily it weighed on her mind. He would drop the subject for now, it was too cold to let her cry.

****************HP****************

The next morning found the castle buzzing with excitement as students filed downstairs and into the already formed line. Hermione, Harry and Ron got checked off the list early on and headed out. The day wasn't so much planned as there were a list of visits to be made. Hermione needed to visit Scrivenshaft's and wanted to peek in Gladrag's while Harry and Ron had their eyes on Zonko's and Honeydukes.

Hermione stood outside Honeydukes and watched the excited third years racing around in groups. Had she been that excited? Adjusting her sweater Hermione looked up at the sun, happy to have the warmth for another day. Looking behind her at Honeydukes she grimaced, the thought of the store making her stomach turn. Sweet's weren't tolerated by her stomach these days and the smell of the establishment had sent her right back out the door. It was alright though, it wasn't as if Hermione needed the candy to survive.

A few minutes later Harry and Ron exited the shop with sheepish grins on their faces. They both held large bags of candy, while Harry swallowed whatever was in his mouth.

"Sorry Hermione."

Hermione blushed and shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. Not like we could have predicted this turn of events. Shall we hit Zonko's and then Scrivenshaft's? We can go to the Hog's Head for lunch."

Ron shrunk his bag of candy before placing it in his pocket.

"Sounds good. The Hogshead has a nice bratwurst with sauerkraut."

The inside of Zonko's hadn't changed much, a new coat of paint and a new shelf or two but otherwise the place was relatively the same. One wall however was home to Weasley Wizard's Wheezes. The whole wall was brightly colored and host to all sorts of Weasley twins creations. Harry and Ron perused the shelves, looking for something they hadn't seen before but Hermione doubted they would find anything.

After about an hour of perusing even Hermione left with something although she refused to tell her cohorts what she had bought.

Scrivenshaft's as usual was pretty empty, only a few students inside. Hermione wandered over to the parchment, looking for more stationary and a better quality parchment to do her homework with. Sadly she had already used a good amount of her stash, she hadn't anticipated needing more so soon. After selecting a better quality parchment she headed over toward the quills. Selection was easy, ten or so standard issue quill's and a few error correcting ones, however Hermione was more picky when it came to dictation quill's.

Rita Skeeter had forever thrown Quick Quotes Quill's off her radar. Hermione refused to use the same horrendous instrument as that insufferable woman. Finally she selected a few of the classic Goldsby Dictation Quills and on her way to the checkout counter she snatched two bottles of standard issue black ink and one red.

Outside the store Hermione found Harry and Ron throwing Exploding Snaps at each other and anyone who got in the way. Some younger students watched from afar, pointing and laughing at the bystanders who got caught in the confrontation.

"Some friends you have there Granger."

Hermione whipped around, barely restraining her reaction to reach for her wand. Blaise Zabini stepped back, hands in the air, smirk on his face.

"Woah there soldier, stand down."

Hermione relaxed, sliding a glare the Italian's way. A few feet away stood Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass and the sixth years from the train. Looking back at the Italian Hermione asked, "Is there something you need?"

Blaise cocked his head, watching her with wide eyes. He was putting on an innocent act she knew, trying to keep her guard down. Adjusting the purchases in her hand she cocked an eyebrow, emphasizing her question.

Blaise chuckled, the sound like warm honey. He would never admit it but he liked Granger's tenacity and maybe if it had been another time, another place he would've pursued her for his own; despite her being a Gryffindor. Attraction could make you do strange things, even chase a Gryffindor. It wasn't to be however, the cards had already been played.

"Will you be going to The Three Broomsticks for lunch? I'd like to discuss Professor McGonagall's assignment with you. Trade notes if you will."

Harry and Ron had stopped their charades and were watching the exchange with curiosity and apprehension. What did Zabini think he was doing exactly?

Hermione furrowed her brows, the same thought going through her head. She held no grudges and had no problems with any of the current Slytherins but wasn't Zabini taking this 'getting along' thing a bit too far?

Looking back at Harry and Ron she mouthed the question at them, looking for their opinion. Ron shook his head adamantly, the big fat NO written on his face. Harry was thoughtful and turned to Ron, beginning their own exchange. In the end Harry stomped on Ron's foot and as the redhead soothed the sore appendage Harry nodded at Hermione, giving her the go ahead.

Turning back to Zabini she shook her head.

"We're not exactly fans of Rosmerta these days despite circumstances. If you really are interested, you can find us at the Hogs Head in about an hour, although I doubt I've thought of something you haven't."

"You're not scared of the Hogs Head are you Zabini?" Hermione couldn't help needling him when he failed to respond.

The Slytherin shook his head and replied, "Not at all however I'm wondering how well we'll be received there."

Hermione turned toward Harry and Ron, dismissing Blaise's concern with a wave of her hand. "You're choice."

Blaise watched the Gryffindor princess walk back to her friends, a frown on his face. This was truly harder than he thought it would be.

***********HP***************

Their slow and silent walk toward the Hogs Head was interrupted by Ron's quiet statement.

"Do you really think they've changed in a good way? We all know war changes people but it's not always for the better."

Hermione squeezed his hand and smiled at her friend. She had always know his brain was bigger than his mouth but sometimes it was hard to see.

"We'll just have to find out. Feet first and just hope we don't break our legs on the way down."

Harry snorted from her other side.

"We best not. You'd pass out from shock leaving Ron and I veritably screwed. You're the only with any talent toward healing. We'd just bungle it up and I don't feel like imitating Lockhart."

Hermione couldn't help the giggle that escaped her.

"He was such a flunky. How did I ever think he was handsome?"

Ron shoved her with his shoulder and laughed.

"We forgive you."

Passing Madame Puddifoot's tea shop brought back memories of fumbling teenage boy moments that both Harry and Ron preferred to forget.

"Viktor wanted to bring me here once. I told him I would rather go to The Three Broomsticks or sit outside in the snow than step foot in that place."

Harry and Ron looked at Hermione, the blush on her cheeks not pink but red.

"Did he now?"

Hermione nodded. "He really was very sweet, if not a bit one track minded. He offered to marry me, when I told him the news."

Harry stopped in his tracks. "Are you serious?"

Hermione paused as well and suddenly felt like she was under a microscope. "He said it didn't matter and that no matter what he would be here for me. His family doesn't give a lick about blood purity you see."

Ron scratched his neck, suddenly embarrassed. "Did you two ever, ya know? Is that why?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, goodness no. You two may never get our relationship, but he is my friend. He listens and doesn't judge. Though I love you two dearly, he is my silent confessor. You understand that don't you? Viktor takes every secret I have and locks it away without a word, giving his thoughts only when I ask for them. I do the same in return."

Harry shook his head ruefully. He had always know that Viktor Krum was something to Hermione that he and Ron could never be. They could never remain silent, they cared about her too much to do that but the famous Quidditch player possessed a quiet reserve that they did not. No matter what happened, it looked as if their relationship was good for them both, whether he and Ron liked it or not.

"Yeah, I get it. Just like Ron and I share things with each other that could never be shared with you."

They were all silent for a moment, the silence awkward and uncomfortable.

"Shall head for the Hogs Head?"

Ron's smile was clipped, his demeanor shaky as he asked. Though they were the best of friends, the trio had to admit, they all had secrets from each other and themselves.

*****************HP*****************

Hermione settled into the booth they were shown to, Ron sliding in next to her and Harry on the other side. Her stomach rumbled for the first time that day and Hermione realized she was famished. Red meat sounded really, really good. She followed Ron's order of a bratwurst with sauerkraut and a butterbeer. Harry on the other hand ordered the corned beef and cabbage. While they waited on their food and sipped their drinks the trio chattered quietly, the earlier awkward feeling gone as quickly as it had come.

Ron nudged her in the shoulder and grabbed Harry's attention when the Slytherin's walked in the door. It was just Zabini, Malfoy and Greengrass, the sixth years they were with before gone somewhere else.

Blaise waved off the waitress and headed in their direction, the other two in tow. Harry stood, letting Blaise slide in over to the wall so he sat across from Hermione and Draco sat next to him. Greengrass settled herself in the last spot, brushing her body against Ron as she did. Harry smothered a smile, Ron's embarrassed shade of red still clashed horrible with his hair.

The waitress, looking miffed over her dismissal before, came over and took the newcomer's orders. When she left, Hermione set aside her glass and glanced at Daphne, giving the other girl a nod of acknowledgement. The raven haired girl nodded back and reached for her drink. Clearing her throat she looked at Malfoy, giving him the same.

Blaise smiled, his pearly teeth glinting in the dim light. "Well now that we've gotten over that hump, feel like helping me out?"

The rest of lunch was spent in relative silence as Hermione and Blaise debated his methods in their latest transfiguration analysis. Daphne watched with interest while Harry and Ron chatted amongst themselves. Draco however was barely awake, his limp silver locks covering his eyes. Hermione glanced at him, barely keeping her concern from her face. It really was none of her business but the Malfoy heir looked sickly these days. His appearance was unkempt, the bruises under his eyes almost obscene.

Blaise's voice jogged her from her observations, pulling her back toward their conversation. Who was she to show concern for him anyway? Besides, if there was something wrong, she was sure Zabini would take care of him.

**************HP**************

As the days went by, autumn slowly began to turn into winter, the cold gusts coming down from the north. The summer had been stifling so it was only fair that winter show itself early. Early October arrived on the announcement that Hermione's baby was doing exceptionally well and the gender would be determined early, due to magical advancements.

Hermione was so ecstatic that she couldn't help the blinding smile that came across her face. She was currently thirteen and a half weeks, so in another four to five weeks she would be able to see her baby's gender. Madame Pomfrey set aside a few hours in the early morning on November third for the ultrasound. Hermione was loathe to admit it, but after her ultrasound, she was mostly likely going to have a hard time concentrating on classes.

Her stomach had grown as well, only a tiny bit but it gave her a warm feeling whenever she encircled that small bulge with her hands.

Recently Blaise Zabini had taken to picking her mind and bothering her in the library when she was trying to work. She didn't think it was a coincidence that Harry and Ron were busy whenever he decided to approach her. It was always about Transfiguration work, some question or another but Hermione wasn't fooled. He never asked about anything other than Transfiguration, not her personal life or her friends but he was looking for something, that much she was sure of. Hermione had to admit the Slytherin was crafty in his search but she refused to give him anything, despite not knowing exactly what he was looking for.

**************HP**************

Blaise threw himself into the emerald green couch that sat before the Slytherin fireplace.

"This really is much harder than I thought."

Draco looked up from his book and over to his friend.

"What did you expect? Though she may be muggleborn we all know Hermione Granger is no fool. Just leave it alone Blaise, it's none of our business anyway. You're being nosy again and it doesn't suit you."

Blaise chuckled, waving a finger at the blonde. He couldn't explain his urge to know but he had to, it was eating away at him. The drunken mumblings of that night three months ago haunted him, he had to be sure before he approached his head of house.

"I can't let it go Draco. Everything is just now falling back into place and we're all getting back to normal. If it's true Granger and Professor Snape slept together she could be pregnant. As with every scandal, I want to be on the sidelines when it breaks. "

Draco sighed, closing the book in his lap. It was no use, Blaise once again had his teeth into something that though admittedly juicy; was none of their concern. Reaching for his water, Draco gulped it down. Setting the glass back down for the elves to retrieve later, he leveled his best friend with a piercing stare.

"You do know Snape will kill you for meddling in his affairs right? Whether she's pregnant or not, that night is obviously not being talked about by either of them. Don't you think they might want to keep it that way?"

Before Blaise could open his mouth the common room portrait opened and in spilled several lower years, their shouts and laughter echoing off the dungeon walls. Draco gave Blaise a rare smirk as the Italian grumbled about ungrateful brats. Blaise was nosy yes, but he wanted to uncover the truth, not start a rumor.

Draco's hand went to the Dark Mark under his shirt sleeve and rubbed at it carelessly. He grimaced at the ache, wishing it would go away.

Blaise followed the movement, feeling bad for his friend. Ever since the downfall of Voldemort, Draco had been suffering from a form of withdrawals as the Dark Mark faded. Itching, sleeplessness, agitation, anxiety and a host of other annoying side effects. The blonde was certainly paying for his crimes and hopefully it would be over soon. If the annoyance of it didn't drive Blaise to kill him anyway.