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.
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Hermione stared unblinkingly at the mirror, palms on either side of her neck. It had been nearly four weeks since her encounter with a very angry, very arousing potions professor. Within that four weeks many things had happened however the biggest event had her feeling guilty.
Her appointment with Madame Pomfrey had gone splendidly. The baby was doing remarkably well, although she was a bit on the small side.
She.
Hermione was having a girl.
Since their encounter Hermione had spotted Severus openly staring at her with an indescribable look on his face. Sometimes it was pensive while others it was an outright excitement and dark lust. Only when nobody else was looking of course. Other than that, they had had no contract in four weeks. His child, their baby was a girl and Hermione had no idea how to approach him about it.
A note was too impersonal but she wasn't confident about getting into close quarters with him again. After all, their last encounter however exciting it had been would not solve the problem at hand, the proverbial hippogriff in the room. Though Hermione was willing to admit, she'd love to finish their last encounter properly.
Turning away from her visage Hermione began cleaning up the books and papers scattered across her desk. Classes would be ending soon; it was time to take care of some things.
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Severus Snape sighed in relief as students rushed out of his classroom, eager for the weekend that had just begun. Rising from his desk he waved a hand and cleared the chalkboard before flicking his wand towards the cauldrons. He watched impassively as they danced their way into the storage cupboard at the back of the room, one after another. Snatching up a stack of papers he turned toward the door and stopped in his tracks.
"Hello Professor. Can we talk?"
Severus eyed Hermione as she stepped into the room, hands clenched tightly in front of her. Throwing the papers back down onto his desk he flicked his wand at the door and waited for it to slam shut before speaking.
"We never did get around to talking last time did we? As I recall there was something much more attention grabbing at hand."
Hermione blushed and walked toward him, wary enough to keep her distance.
"No, no we did not."
Settling himself back into his chair Severus watched the brunette settle herself behind a workbench and run her hands over the scarred marble. Somehow sitting behind a desk, in a place of subservience did not suit her. Hermione's eyes met his and she let out a breath, choosing her words carefully.
"Whether you want to know or not, I'm going to tell you. I'm having a girl. No, we're having a girl."
Severus nodded almost imperceptibly. His face was impassive, but his eyes darkened slightly. A girl. These last few weeks had given him the time to come to terms with not only Hermione's choice in not telling him but the fact that this child was a good thing. He hoped.
"Our last encounter did not go as planned. I was angry and the excitement took away my calm. I got caught up and you know the rest."
Hermione nodded and bit her lip.
"So what comes next?"
Severus wasn't going to kid himself and pretend that they were suddenly going to fall madly in love and live happily ever after. He couldn't deny the attraction they obviously shared, almost dangerous and mindless in its intensity. They had been irresponsible, he had been irresponsible. It was time to act like proper adults and take care of their responsibilities, their child. Leaning forward he rested his elbows on his knees and steeped his fingers.
"We act like adults. We start by communicating. No more lying or omitting things. "
Hermione winced. "I can't say omission was my first choice, although it did seem the best route."
Severus raised an eyebrow inn her direction, watching her fidget.
"Are you sure about this Ms. Granger? You are obviously more than capable of handling dark lords but can you raise a child and finish school? Finish your Apprenticeship?"
Hermione raised her gaze to his own, her dark eyes completely confident.
"I can. Professor McGonagall has already helped me arrange everything. Our daughter will be delivered here by Madame Pomfrey and Winky has already agreed to watch her while I'm in class and teaching. My room is large enough to fit a bassinet and a fold away changing table. I can do this Professor."
Severus held in a smirk and tried to ignore the tingle that raced down his spine. There was that blasted backbone again. Rising from his chair he gathered his papers together and headed for the door.
"I suppose that settles it then."
Hermione scrambled from her seat, watching the dark haired man just walk away.
"That's it? That's all you've really got to say?"
Severus halted but did not turn around.
"What would you have me say Ms. Granger? Should I get down on my knees and beg your forgiveness for putting you in this position?"
"It's not like that and you know it! We're both at fault in this."
Severus turned slightly, gazing at her with dark eyes as another tingle raced through his body at her shout. There was that attitude he loved, this time with temper to match. Flicking his tongue out to wet his dry lips he suppressed a shiver when Hermione's eyes followed the motion in rapt attention.
"Then what is there left to talk about? Neither of us is about to claim an undying love nor am I going to demand things from you. When you're ready and when you're in need I trust you will come to me. For anything."
The purr that fell from his lips floored her. Hermione was loathe to admit it but she had always loved to hear him talk, though rarely had his voice ever taken on such a dangerous tone as this. Thick and deep, honeyed like the finest ambrosia. Nodding dumbly she licked her lips and watched him turn away once more, heading for the door.
"Considering our circumstances it would not be out of the ordinary to call me Hermione when we're alone."
Severus never paused in his stride as he stepped through the classroom door, one long fingered hand caressing the frame as he went.
"If I ever become comfortable enough to use your first name Ms. Granger, I seriously doubt we will be doing much, if any talking."
If anything, the potions master would have her pretty ass bent over his desk and she'd scream his name.
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Over the next week and a half Hermione found herself unusually tired, napping in the afternoons during her free period and after working through the evening she went back to bed early enough that it worried Harry and Ron. One evening she fell asleep in the common room and woke up as Ron carried her upstairs, her things in Harry's arms. Ron helped her strip while Harry dug through her drawers for a nightshirt. Instead he came away with yet another quidditch jersey, this one displaying one of the Weasley Twins numbers.
Turning around Harry held the item aloft.
"How many of these damn things has she snatched?"
Ron shrugged, took the proffered shirt and helped Hermione pull it over her head. His face scrunched with worry at how sluggish she was. Madame Pomfrey had warned them that as the baby grew it would sap Hermione's energy while giving her magic a boost. Pregnant witches always got an extra bit of magic, nature's way of helping protect the child within them. Not to mention the advanced transfiguration she was doing in class, attempting to alter the Patronus charm not to drive away a Dementor but destroy one completely.
The drain on her magic would only increase after Christmas while she attempted the Animagus transformation. Both Harry and Ron had promised to attempt it with her, confident that she could instruct them just as well as Professor McGonagall would her.
Hermione mumbled a thank you as they performed the circus act of tucking her in and avoiding Crookshanks's clawed reach. Snuffing out the light they left and closed the door firmly behind them.
Ron yawned and ran a hand through his hair, angling his body down the hall.
"I think I'll go to sleep myself. Been a long day in Potions, Snape is driving me mad. He's definitely nastier than before."
Harry laughed and slapped a hand on Ron's shoulder.
"I'm glad I dropped it. I don't think I could take it. That and I don't need another class with Ginny. Three is enough."
Ron frowned.
"We've tried to tell her. I guess she's just holding out hope."
Harry shrugged, not wanting to talk about it any longer. With a quick goodnight he closed his door behind him. Sitting down in the desk chair he reached for the open grade book and a small stack of quizzes from that day. Considering Professor Savage was a grizzled Auror, Harry was surprised at how much classwork and homework he gave out. He demanded both practical and academic perfection from his students and for the majority received it.
With a sigh Harry pushed away the last quiz and entered the grade, wincing at the low score. Sometimes he was sure that Professor Savage demanded too much from the younger years and this proved his point. The material wasn't simplified enough, he'd have to show Hermione and get her opinion. Shutting the quizzes into the grade book he put the book in his bag and looked around. It was still relatively early, only around 8:30pm. Rising he walked to the window, staring out over the front courtyard and toward the pitch. Without a second thought he donned a thick knit sweater and grabbed his broom. Opening the widow he flew out into the darkness.
Cold air cut across his face and whipped through his hair as he rocketed toward the pitch. Harry loved being a Seeker, loved quidditch but he loved the act of flying even more. It was the freest thing he had ever felt and nothing came close. Slowing his speed Harry circled the pitch, torches coming to life as he flew by. Movement from the Slytherin stands caught his eye and he turned, looking for the source. Platinum locks shone from below, bringing a frown to his face.
What was Draco Malfoy doing out here? Inching closer from the other boy's blind side he studied the young Slytherin. Platinum shaggy locks framed his face, the cut uneven and ragged in some places. His face had lost all baby fat, the skin pale and taught across his angular jaw and high cheek bones. His body was tall and lean with a frailness about it. Harry had noticed Malfoy's lack of appetite these past weeks, Zabini trying to discreetly get him to eat.
Somehow in that moment all the torment the blonde had put him through the last seven years meant nothing and Harry supposed that was what happened when you grew up, when you put childish things behind you. The steady rise and fall of Draco's chest indicated sleep, eyes moving rapidly behind closed lids announcing his dream state. A gust of wind cut through the air, the cold leaking into Harry's bones. Harry sighed and pulled his wand, before drifting closer to Draco. A quick warming spell stopped the shiver that had taken hold on the boy before Harry levitated him up toward his broom. Situating Draco before him Harry gripped his broom tightly and eased his way back to the castle, trying to ignore the pleasant warmth nestled to his chest and the musky scent that drifted from it.
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Hermione rolled onto her side, still drowsy with sleep. Cracking open an eye she reached for her wand on the nightstand and performed a quick tempus charm. It was nearly three in the morning and Hermione wasn't sure what woke her. Pushing Crookshanks off her shoulder Hermione groaned and rolled again before gasping in surprise. A tight pain enveloped her abdomen, pulsating in time with her heartbeat. Reaching a hand down to her stomach she grimaced at the pain and resisted the urge to curl in on herself. Squeezing her eyes shut she sat up, her arms trembling. What was going on?
Bringing her feet to the side of the bed she stood slowly and began to shuffle toward the window. Frowning she reached out and gripped the armchair, bending forward with another pain. Her back ached, her abdomen hurt and her head was spinning. Reaching up she gripped her necklace tightly, the stone pinching her hand.
A knock at the door got her attention. Light flooded the room from the hall revealing a shirtless Harry and Ron.
"Hermione, are you alright?"
She opened her mouth to answer when a sudden wetness between her legs caught her attention. Panic gripped her tightly and a flow of tears started as if someone turned on a faucet. Shaking her head she tried to control her trembling.
"Something is very wrong. Help me."
Pushing the door open Harry moved inside and stopped, his eyes catching the trickle of blood down one of her pale legs. After a moment of hesitation he scooped her up and headed for the door with long strides.
"Ron, we need Madame Pomfrey!"
Ron gave a jerky nod and raced ahead of him, panic driving his footsteps.
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Severus stepped into the Hospital Wing, a grumpy look on his face. Madame Pomfrey had fircalled minutes earlier, asking for more muscle relaxers and blood replenishers. Vials in hand he headed toward her office at the back of the ward but stopped outside a curtained bed when he heard the Matron behind it.
"Poppy I've brought the items you require."
A few moments later the Matron stuck her head of behind the curtain and Severus was disturbed by her appearance. She still wore a nightgown and slippers, long silver hair in a braid over her shoulder.
"Thank you Severus. Please bring them here."
She held aside the curtain as he dipped inside. Turning to the bed he was shocked to find Hermione laying there. Her face was pale and her body trembled as she slept. Tiny hands rested over her swollen stomach, a thick blanket pulled up to her chest. In her vulnerability her stomach was distinctly visible. A few more weeks and there would be no hiding it. Turning to Madame Pomfrey he asked huskily, "What has happened?"
Madame Pomfrey set the vials down on the bedside table and brushed an errant lock of hair off Hermione's face before turning back to Severus.
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley rushed her here about twenty minutes ago. As you can guess Ms. Granger is our pregnant student. She started experiencing cramps and nausea, then bleeding. I managed to get it stopped and her cervix to relax however she has lost a good bit of blood and I do not want to take any chances. The boys have gone for Minerva. I fear between the child and her studies it caused a magical strain on her body and pre-empted early term labor."
Severus felt cold, dread snaking through him. Hermione had almost gone into labor at roughly twenty-three weeks. He was no medical professional but even with magic he knew a baby's chance of survival before twenty-five weeks was slim. Madame Pomfrey quietly excused herself and stepped away through the curtain.
Unconsciously Severus stepped forward and reached out a shaking hand, placing it over her belly. Her body shivered restlessly and her hands were cool. Closing his eyes Severus let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Hermione had almost lost her baby. No, their baby. Taking one of her hands in his he encased the small appendage.
"I'm sorry Ms. Granger."
"What was that Severus? Oh!"
Severus didn't release Hermione's hand as he turned to see Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall standing behind him. Harry and Ron stood behind them with awkward looks on their faces.
Minerva stepped forward, her hawk like eyes trained on him. Poppy had a hand raised to her mouth in comprehension. Minerva adjusted her glasses.
"Well, this certainly explains things."
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