The Quibbler had been in print for three hours. Luna held her word and only wrote of the information about Severus making a miraculous recovery after calling on Winky, his devoted house elf, during the Battle of Hogwarts. All parties had agreed that Narcissa did not need the scrutiny of having an illegal time turner at her disposal. The article also failed to illuminate on the relationship, and subsequent engagement, of Severus and Hermione.
They knew it was to be published that morning, so they opted to take refuge at Hogwarts before Severus was to walk into the Ministry that afternoon with Harry. Hermione was going to be waiting for him at Thistlebook with Ginny, and her nerves were already starting to fray at the edges at the early hour of the day. She was worried that someone would take exception to Severus' return. That even with Harry at his side and Kingsley meeting them in the atrium, that someone would try to hurt him. She had slept poorly the night before, was unfairly short tempered to Winky that morning, and now sat stoically in Minerva's office for breakfast.
It had been Minerva's idea to have them come to the Head office that morning. A safe place to escape the confines of their home before what promised to be a tumultuous afternoon. Hermione was uncertain about it being the wisest option for spending their day, but Harry had mentioned that Grimmauld had been gaining an audience of reporters in the park across the street after Severus' will had been made public. Hogwarts offered a level of security that was only rivaled by their secret-kept home, and Hermione knew Severus was concerned she would upset Winky far too much by pacing around their sitting room. Additionally, Severus had notified Hermione that there were potion ingredients stored in his private lab, that was still maintained in secret, that he wished to bring back to the house. As both of them were well rehearsed in traversing the castle without drawing attention, Hermione relented and agreed to the Headmistress' request for company.
Hermione was just exiting the bottom of the staircase at the gargoyle entrance to the Head's office-Severus staying behind to conclude a private matter with Minerva-when a familiar voice beckoned her attention. She was pleased to see the warm face of Neville Longbottom approaching her down the hall.
"Why, Hermione Granger! What are you doing here?"
The once round, shy boy had grown into a confident man. The childhood baby fat now complimenting the impressive height he had gained throughout puberty and the last few years. Neville was Professor Sprout's apprentice, he was due to take over the following year when she retired. Hermione smiled warmly at her school friend, it had been quite some time since she had seen him. She walked the few steps to meet him and discreetly changed places with them so he would no longer be looking at the opening to the Head's office, for she knew Severus was not long behind her. "Hello, Neville. It is so good to see you! How is teaching?"
"Oh, it's going really well." Neville replied. Over his shoulder, Hermione could see Severus breech the hallway with Minerva closely behind. She saw the smirk appear on his face, and Hermione inwardly cringed. Severus shifted his entire persona to that of his former teaching position and quietly approached her and Neville, who was still discussing his new occupation. She realized she had stopped paying attention when he cautiously asked, "Hermione?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I caught a glimpse of Peeves." She responded, affixing her gaze back to her former schoolmate as Severus continued to approach. He halted a mere step behind Neville. "What did you say?"
Neville dropped his voice and leaned closer to her. "I was wondering if you were doing alright. With the whole, Snape has a will and left it all to you thing? Can't be easy finding yourself involved in all of that. Right scary that he can still torment you from beyond the grave."
Several things happened at once. As Hermione opened her mouth to brush aside Neville's concerns, Severus drawled his best "Mr. Longbottom" into the space between them.
Hermione watched as Neville's face blanched and hardened simultaneously. He thrusted his arm out and drew his wand with his other hand. Hermione found herself bodily moved behind him as Neville cast a powerful riddikulus at Severus. When the spell had no effect-as it was really Severus and not the boggart version Neville grew up fearing-Neville cast again, silently hurling a stupefy toward the dark haired man. Severus deftly deflected the spell, and with his own wand disarmed Neville. Hermione was fighting a smile, but it appeared Neville still perceived Snape as a threat and would not release her from his hold. The two wizards stood facing each other, clearly at an impasse, and Minerva finally broke the silence.
"Are you both quite finished? I'd hate for this to be interrupted by the students when they are released from class."
Hermione finally managed to step around Neville's protective hold and made her way to Severus. He watched her approach, and as she drew closer he dropped his teaching persona. Upon his face drew the stoic, quiet, and relaxed look she had grown to love over the last year. While still formidable and stern, his features had lost their hardness. He lacked the severity he once had, and his eyes showed a brightness when he looked at her that Hermione had never seen on him before. She knew it was because he loved her.
When she reached him, she ignored their small audience and wrapped her arms around his center, settling her face against his strong chest, and sent Neville's wand back to him as the young man watched with an open mouth shock. "It's alright Neville. Severus would never hurt me, but I am grateful for your thoughtful protection."
Minerva sighed from the entryway of her office. "Come, Mr. Longbottom, I should explain this to you." She address Hermione and Severus next. "You two, get what you need and then get home. By lunch every student will know you're alive. And while I'm certain most would enjoy the surprise Mr. Longbottom just endured, I don't need the chaos in my school."
Severus had kept one arm around her, and she nodded at the Headmistress. "Of course, Minerva. Thank you for breakfast and the refuge. We will owl in a few days to have you come for dinner, if you'd like."
With that, Minerva turned to climb the stairs to her office. Hermione looked to Neville again. His mouth had closed and he seemed to regain himself as Minerva had spoken. There was still shock evident in his eyes, but as he passed the couple he managed a small smile at her. It was the rumble under her ear as she heard Severus speak that gave her a surprise. "Very impressive skills, Mr. Longbottom. 10 points to Gryffindor."
She laughed at that, and noted the small upturn of Severus' mouth. Neville couldn't stop the faint blush that crossed his cheeks, choosing to continue his walk to the office. "Sir."
—xx—
"He thought Severus was a boggart, Ginny!" Hermione was laughing in the kitchen of Thistlebook. The redhead across from her was wiping tears from her eyes as Hermione recounted the morning run-in with Neville at Hogwarts.
"Nice to know Neville didn't let the war effect him that much!" Ginny was laughing jovially with Hermione. Both women were enjoying the respite from the worry they had done a poor job of hiding all afternoon. As their laughter died down, Winky appeared at Hermione's side with a bottle of red wine and one glass.
"Missy Hermione?" The elf offered up the glass and set the bottle on the table.
"Oh, thank you." Hermione eyes the set up before her. "I think you've missed a glass, Winky."
Hermione looked to Ginny briefly and back to the elf. "No," Winky began. "Missy Potter can no be drinking. Baby Potter says so."
With the quietest of pops, the elf left the kitchen and Hermione's eyes flew to Ginny's face. Ginny had the decency to look mildly ashamed at being outed by an elf, and then gave Hermione an indulgent smile. "We were waiting to tell you until after Snape came back from the dead. We only just found out a few days ago, and knew you both have been under a lot of stress."
Hermione surged forward out of her chair, wrapping the younger woman in a tight embrace. "Oh," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Oh, Gin, I am so happy for both of you."
Ginny chuckled out a small relief. "I thought Luna was going to spill it when we all met at Grimmauld for the interview, but luckily she was too distracted by the other soul mates in the room."
The pair parted, returning to their previous positions at the table. Hermione blushed at the mention of her soul mate. She and Severus hadn't decided to invest too much conversation about it, as they mutually agreed they were just happy enough to be together. "How are you feeling? Harry must be over the moon! And your mother!!"
The friends lapsed into a long discussion over Ginny's symptoms and when she would be due, how Harry had reacted ("he fainted, Hermione. Like someone had struck him down with a petrificus, and then he cried."), and the process of telling each Weasley member the news. Hermione tried not to feel stung at being one of the last to know, but given the circumstances of the afternoon, she found she was grateful for the distraction the happy news had given her. Then, in one of her less elegant conversational transitions, Ginny asked, "What about you, Hermione? Do you ever think about kids?"
Hermione put her glass down on the table. She glanced at the clock and noticed the hour creeping toward the evening. As if on cue, Winky returned and began busing herself around the kitchen. She could feel Ginny's expectant eyes on her. "Yes," Hermione conceded. "We haven't discussed it to any great extent, but we would both like a child."
"Well...fuck," Ginny breathed. It wasn't the response Hermione expected, and the shock was clearly stretched across her face. Ginny attempted to explain. "I just meant that Snape has changed-a lot. We can all see that. And the two of you are so oddly well-suited for each other that it makes me a little sick. But I never pictured him as someone that would want a family."
Hermione considered her friend's words, but all other conversation was ended by the opening of the front door and the arrival of Severus and Harry.
—xx—
Hermione had tackled Harry as soon as he made it through the kitchen doorway, and she noted the perturbed look on Severus' face. But when she pulled back and explained that it was because he was an expecting father, she noted his features soften and for the first time they showed a longing Hermione didn't recognize. Luckily, there wasn't much time to address it or talk about babies.
Dinner was a comfortably mild affair. Severus and Harry recounted the experience at the Ministry. And while the pair had been gone much longer than anticipated, it wasn't due to anything concerning. The process of rising from the dead involved a lot of signatures, a medical examination and press. Severus had denied making any comments to the gathering of reporters, choosing to cite The Quibbler, as the publication had already scooped the rest of the wizarding press. Harry had been cornered into a short interview with Kingsley, but it was the only way to avoid having to give an individual statement. Hermione was relieved to hear that her name hadn't been mentioned outside of the references to his will, and as no one was willing to elaborate on that, the press was without much of a story.
The Potters had left not long after their meal was complete, Ginny feeling the exhaustion that often came with the early stages of pregnancy. Harry had clutched Hermione a little stronger than usual before leaving, but there was no need to address why. Hermione knew it was what he did when he couldn't contain his joy, and she knew this was the happiest Harry had ever been in his life. After losing all of his family, the prospect of building his own was immeasurable. Hermione kissed him firmly on the cheek as he left.
After their departure, Hermione and Severus made their way to their room. Once changed into their night clothes, they climbed into their soft bed and Severus immediately drew her to his side. His arm wrapped around her hip and she rested her head against his bare chest while draping a hand across his middle. She was absentmindedly drawing patterns across his skin, ruminating on the future Potter baby when his baritone broke her thoughts.
"Hermione, there is something I need to discuss with you." His voice was laced with worry and immediately was concerned.
She sat up to face him. His countenance was somber, eyes withdrawn and mouth down turned. "What is it?"
He grasped her hands with his own. "At the Ministry, I was required to be examined by a healer to certify my living status."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, it was Draco, correct? Harry was supposed to arrange that. We didn't want you to be alone with anyone that we couldn't trust. Was there a problem?"
"It was Draco." Severus rubbed a thumb across the back of her hand. "He was thorough and professional, but he discovered something that you need to be aware of."
Hermione was beginning to feel deeply troubled. Severus had never acted so sadly and defeated with her before. Even when he discussed Lily and his childhood, his sadness felt more passive as though it no longer touched him. But his entire body was wrapped with this emotion and Hermione worked to dampen her concern until he finished speaking. She squeezed his hand to encourage him.
"It would appear, that there has been some lasting damage from Nagini's venom." He looked at her solemnly. "It is highly unlikely that I will be able to father any children."
A/N: Things were getting a little too comfortable for me. I'm sorry-please don't be mad at me.
This story is going to be finishing up soon. I figure I have another 5 chapters and a potential epilogue. I'm attempting to wrap my mind around what my next story will feature, but it will not be Severus/Hermione. If you've liked my writing, and are willing to follow along with different characters, I'd love to hear who you'd like to see next.
As always, drop me a comment. I'm blown away by how many followers and favorites this has gathered. It is so encouraging and touching. THANK YOU. -Archer
