Disclaimer – I own nothing in the Harry Potter universe, it all belongs to J.K. Rowling and company. I also make no monetary compensation for this fanfiction.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the reviews! I was bombarded with quite a few in the first twenty-four hours after chapter 8 was up and I was in stunned appreciation and happiness! I do apologize for the extremely rude cliff hanger, and I hope this chapter sedates the anger from waiting so long.

As per usual, a massive thank you to my boyfriend/BETA reader for being ridiculously patient with my insaneness.

No warning other than a bit of fluff.

"No," she said in a whisper. "No, Mr. Potter, they are not okay."

Harry took a few steps away from her, as though she had punched him. "What... what do you mean 'no'?"

"Sir, I really think that you should take a seat and wait for the doctor," the front-desk woman said calmly.

"My wife is giving birth to my two children," Harry said, his voice rising, "and here you are, telling me that there are complications, and you are expecting me to sit and wait?"

"Sir," the woman said calmly again, "you really need to calm down."

"I will after you tell me what the hell is going on with my wife and children!"

"I do not know all the details, just that they rushed her in for an emergency C-Section," the woman said, her voice losing some of its cool tone. "A C-Section is - ."

"We know what that is, I was raised by Muggles and Hermione is one, so if you please, do not insult our intelligence."

Hermione simply stared at Harry, a bit shocked that he was being so rude. However, it was understandable, seeing as they still didn't know exactly what was going on. "Ma'am," Hermione said politely. "Why don't you call that doctor?"

The woman smiled as much as she could and reached for the phone. Harry, however, was having none of that. "Bloody hell! I am Harry fucking Potter, the one who saved your family and the family you have yet to come, from Voldemort, and all you can do is 'call a doctor' and tell me to stay calm! This is bullshit!" he yelled, slamming his open palms on the countertop once more.

Hermione covered her now-open mouth with her hand, too shocked to do anything other than stand there and gape. In the ten years that she had known Harry, he may have let the fame go to his head a bit, but never had she heard him use it to get his way other than with Slughorn. Apparently, the nurse behind the counter wasn't exactly expecting it either, because she just stood there like Hermione as Harry turned on his heel and made a beeline to the double doors leading to the rest of St. Mungo's.

However, just has Harry was reaching out a hand to open one side of the double doors, the other opened and out walked a calm looking Severus Snape. Harry paused mid-stride and, as if in slow motion from a cartoon, turned to look at the other man. Severus reached out and put a comforting hand on Harry's upper arm.

"What's wrong?" Hermione heard Harry croak out as she approached.

"What did they tell you?" Severus asked in reply.

"That there was complications, Ginny and the babies were not okay, and she was having a C-Section," Harry rattle off quickly.

"Oh, bloody hell, Harry," Severus exclaimed, almost sounding angry. "They took Ginny in for C-Section mostly because it was twins, it's the typical way to deliver twins. The complication was that, because of all the moving and stretching, the placenta had detached, but it had just happened as they ran the typical spells to check on the babies."

"The... the placenta detached?" Harry asked in a strained voice. "Doesn't that mean the babies… that they'll…."

Severus looked at the wet eyed young man in front of him and felt suddenly very affectionate towards him. "No, Harry," he said softly, applying a bit of pressure to Harry's arm. "The babies are fine. The moment they noticed, they began the C-Section almost immediately. I came out here to see what was going on, so you should probably hurry back there to watch your children take their first breaths."

Harry was overcome by his emotions and he blinked heavily, allowing the unshed tears to slide down his cheeks. He took in a shaky breath and tried his best smile before looking back at Severus. "Thank you," he said sincerely before mimicking Severus' position, placing his hand on the other man's arm, and squeezing it gently before rushing through the double doors.

"Is she really going to be okay?" Hermione asked as Severus walked to her.

"They hope so," he said quietly, reaching his hand down and grasping one of hers between both of his. "There are always risks in emergency C-Sections, as well as when a placenta detaches, but they have faith that they caught it soon enough."

Hermione smiled at the concern clearly etched in his face and barely registered her own movements as her other hand found his cheek, brushing it with her fingertips. "Thank you for being so quick to get Ginny here, Sev."

He gave her a small smile, leaning his cheek into her hand. "It's nothing, love. Nothing you or Harry wouldn't do."

"But, see," Hermione said, "we didn't. You did. If you wouldn't have accepted Harry's offer to bring her here, it may have been too late."

"Don't make me out to be the hero, Hermione," he said quietly, not quite meeting her eyes. "You'll just end up disappointed."

She looked at him quizzically. "Severus, where is all this coming from?" she asked in just over a whisper, not stilling her hand stroking his cheek. "I didn't mean to make you to sound like a hero, I was just thanking you for being calm when the rest of us weren't."

"Hermione," he breathed, still not meeting her eyes, "if that was you I would have been like Harry, panicking like that. What happens if that was you and no one else was around? I just kept thinking that if it had been you and I wasn't fast enough to protect you or –."

"Severus," Hermione said quickly, "stop, please. Look at me." Severus lifted his head to look into her eyes and she was stunned by the expression on his face; he looked worried and scared, the few lines in his face showing in sharp relief. "Nothing like that will happen, okay? And if I did end up pregnant, and something were to go wrong, it would never be your fault. Things happen, Severus, and you've already saved me more than any normal human being could."

"What do you mean?" he asked, still talking in a hushed tone, the worry not leaving his face.

"You saved me from a Werewolf in third year, to start, but that's just physically," she said with a small smile. "What I mean is that you have completely changed my life, in the best way possible and I could ask for no one better. I have a feeling that you would be just as calm and collected if something like what happened with Ginny happened to me. You love me, Severus, I know that, and I know you'd do everything in your power to protect me from any harm."

"I'm glad you have that kind of faith in me, love," he said lowly, a little of the worry lifting from his face.

"Always," she whispered before standing on her toes to kiss him soundly.

Severus sighed contently and released her hand, only to wrap his arms around her shoulders, pulling her into a tender hug, holding her flush against him. Hermione smiled as her cheek found its spot on his chest, her arms going around his middle.

"I don't understand you sometimes, Severus."

"What do you mean?" he asked, resting his cheek on top of her head.

"Most of the time you are possibly the sweetest man I have met, which sometimes still amazes me, but sometimes...." She sighed against his chest. "Sometimes Severus, you go into this dark area of your brain and just stay there for awhile, thinking of nothing but terrible things."

Severus mulled this over for a moment before speaking. "Hermione, I will not say you are incorrect, because you are not. I do sometimes dwell in the bad thoughts I have as apposed to the good. However, I do apologize for voicing my concerns in such a negative matter rather than just telling you the general outline."

"Oh, Severus," Hermione said, tightening her arms around him. "I always want to hear your concerns, the full of them, not just an outline. All I meant is that you sometimes you fall back into this dark side of things and I don't think you belong there."

"Well, then I am very lucky to have you to bring me back to the light then, aren't I?" he said, smiling as she nodded her head against his chest.

"So you really think she's going to be okay?" Hermione asked after a few moments, worried tears building in her eyes.

Severus noticed the slight break in her voice and held her tighter. "I honestly believe she will be just fine. I have trust in the maternity ward here, and the doctors I saw working on her are very good, from what I hear. As long as they get those babies out quickly enough, which it looked as though they would, everything should be just fine."

They stood there for a few more moments, Hermione soaking in the comfort Severus was giving her, before finding their way into the sitting room to wait for any news. He noticed that she was fidgeting with the edge of her cloak, so he covered her hand with his, trying his best to give her a small smile. After what felt like hours of sitting in worried silence, Harry came bursting through the door with a large smile on his face.

Severus and Hermione stood quickly, ready to hear anything even though Harry was wearing a smile. Hermione almost fainted when she saw Harry practically run to Severus and throw his arms around the older man. She could vaguely hear her best friend's shaky voice repeating the words 'thank you' and 'you saved her'. Hermione's eyes watered watching Severus awkwardly patting Harry on the back, looking over Harry's shoulder at her, a scared look on his face.

"Dammit, Harry," Hermione said after a few minutes, "is Ginny okay?"

"Oh, Hermione!" Harry said, finally pulling away from Severus, who gave her a grateful look. "She's great, and so are the babies! Oh, 'Moine, they're beautiful!"

Harry stepped forward and threw his arms around her waist, lifting her off her feet and twirling her around before setting her back down. "So all of them are good? No more problems?"

"None," Harry beamed. "If Severus wouldn't have been there to stop the internal bleeding, the babies would have died."

"What?" Hermione asked, looking between Harry and Severus.

"It's nothing," Severus muttered, looking anxious.

"When he brought her in," Harry started, "they did the diagnosis tests immediately and figured out what was wrong. None of them were completely sure what to do, and Severus here just ignored them and placed a sealing charm on the broken pieces of placenta."

"Through her stomach?" Hermione asked in awe.

"Yeah!" Harry exclaimed. "That's what I said too!"

"Amazing," Hermione whispered.

"Yeah," Harry said again, both of them looking wistfully as Severus.

"It was nothing, I assure you," he said, shifting his weight from foot to foot under their stares.

"Ginny also said that you told her she was allowed to name the children whatever she pleased," Harry said, still looking at Severus.

"Yes," Severus said, "whatever she wants."

"Would you care to hear their names?" Harry asked.

"Yes!" exclaimed Hermione before Severus could give a sarcastic reply.

"Well, the girl, who is beautiful, by the way, is Amaya Jean Molly Potter," Harry said with a smile.

"Jean?" Severus asked. "As in, Hermione's middle name?"

"Precisely," said Harry.

"Oh, Harry, you didn't have to," Hermione said.

"I didn't," Harry said simply, "Ginny did. And the boy, who is adorable, is Albus Severus Evan Potter."

"Evan?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Evans was my mother's maiden name," Harry explained. "It sounded a bit odd as Evans Potter so we just took off the 's'."

"Brilliant," Hermione said. She side-glanced Severus, and tried to hide her smile. He was standing there, trying his best to hide the shock on his face.

"I was wondering if you two would be their Godparents?" Harry asked suddenly

Severus shocked Hermione by answering before she could collect her thoughts. "I'm sure I speak for both Hermione and myself when I say we would be honored." Hermione nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Fantastic!" Harry said, hugging Hermione again. "Would you like to come and see them?"

"Is Ginny up to visitors?" Hermione asked.

"She's only been asking for the two of you for the past thirty minutes," Harry said with a chuckle.

Hermione glanced at Severus again. "Harry, I think I'm going to the restroom and maybe grab a stuffed animal for Ginny before I come in. Why don't you take Severus with you and I'll meet you two there in a few minutes."

"Okay, sure," Harry said quickly, looking at Severus expectantly.

"Certainly, love," Severus said, the suspicion heavy in his voice. He leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead before walking after Harry.

Severus glanced back at Hermione, who had yet to move, before following Harry through the double doors. They walked down a few brightly lit hallways before finally reaching Ginny's recovery room. Harry knocked lightly before opening the door completely. Ginny was lying on the bed, two small bundles tucked into either arm.

"Severus," Ginny whispered, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile. "Thank you."

He gave her a small smile. "You're welcome," he said quietly.

"You can come in, you know," she said. She looked at Harry, who nodded, so she continued. "I'd like you to meet your Godchildren."

Severus slowly walked into the room and up to Ginny's bed. Harry gingerly took the baby with the blue blanket and turned to hand it to the other man. Severus seemed a little nervous as he took the delicate thing into his arms. He looked down at the baby and was instantly in love.

"Severus Snape, I'd like you to meet your Godson, Albus Severus Evan Potter," Harry said, trying to express his gratitude.

The baby's eyes were closed, but Severus could see a bit of unmistakable red hair peeking out of its blanket. Severus shifted the baby slightly, making sure it was securely incased in his arms. He couldn't keep the smile from his face as the baby gurgled a little, its small pink lips puckering before turning back to a content solid line. But suddenly the baby opened his little mouth again and a high pitched wail that Severus would never picture coming from something so small, filled the room.

Harry was about to intervene, but Severus started to rock his arms side to side. "Shh, Albus, it's all right, shh. No need to cry now, little guy." He took his arm not cradling the baby and drew his fingers gently down the baby's cherub cheek.

Amazingly, the baby silenced immediately. Harry stood watching in awe as his newborn son struggled to open his eyes to stare up at Severus.

"You have your daddy's eyes, yes you do," Severus cooed, still bouncing the baby in his arms lightly, seemingly completely unaware of anyone else in the room.

The baby shifted around in his blanket until one of his little fists made an appearance. "Look at those cute little fingers," Severus whispered, running his index finger over the soft skin on the back of the baby's hand. Harry watched as baby Albus opened his tiny fingers in order to grasp Severus' finger. Harry smiled as the older man smiled widely down at his son.

"What do you think?" Ginny asked, also watching the exchange.

"He's perfect," Severus said, not taking his eyes off the baby, whose fingers were still wrapped around his index finger.

"Thank you," Ginny said. She looked at Harry and they both gave each other looks that said Yeah, I know right? Scary Professor turned into mush.

Just then, Hermione walked in, looking slightly pink in the cheeks, carrying a vase full of multicolored flowers with balloons, as well as two small stuffed animals. She paused in the doorway, watching Severus coo and rock the baby back and forth. He must have heard her come in, for he looked over at her and smiled widely.

"Come have a look, love," Severus said.

As she stepped closer, he noticed Hermione's eyes were a little glassy, looking as though she were about to cry. "Oh, guys, he's beautiful. He has your eyes, Harry."

"I haven't really seen them yet; Severus seems to have quite the bond with him, though," Harry said with a smile.

"Have you been hogging him, Sev?" Hermione asked with a chuckle.

"Nonsense," Severus muttered, running his thumb over the back of the baby's hand that was still clinging to his finger.

Severus moved out of the way as Hermione walked over to Ginny, placing the vase on the bedside table before leaning over the red headed woman to plant a kiss on her forehead. "You did wonderfully," Hermione told you.

"Thank you. Look at him," Ginny said in a whisper, gesturing with her eyes to Severus.

Hermione looked over to him and smiled. "I know, it's amazing, isn't it? Albus looks so tiny in his arms."

"Hermione, why are you tearing up?" Ginny asked, seeing moisture filling her best friend's eyes.

"It's just seeing him, with a baby, you know?"

Ginny eyed Hermione carefully. "Why would that make you cry?"

"I don't know, Ginny," Hermione said quietly.

"Are you seeing him holding Albus, or are you thinking about what he would look like holding you two's child?"

"Both," Hermione answered.

At this, Ginny didn't really know what to say, so she changed the subject. "Would you like to hold Amaya?"

"Certainly."

Hermione placed the pink and blue stuffed animal dragons on the bed before leaning down to get Amaya from Ginny's arms. After making sure the baby was securely in the cradle of her arms, she stood fully and looked down at her. Hermione could see brown tuffs of hair underneath the blankets and the baby looked unmistakably like Ginny, other than the hair.

"Hi there beautiful," Hermione said quietly.

Severus looked over and took in the most beautiful sight; Hermione was standing just beside the bed, staring down at the baby in her arms with wonderment. He felt his heart expand as she cooed at the baby, thinking only of what she would look like when they had children. When? he thought. And suddenly, the feelings he had for Hermione grew even further than he could imagine. He realized that he wanted children with her. He knew it before, but this just really hit him hard.

Hermione looked over at Severus and met his eyes. They simply stared at each other for a moment, taking in one another holding a baby. In that moment of silence, they both told each other without words, they wanted one, too. It may be rushing things a bit, getting married, having a child, but it just kind of worked for them.

Severus and Hermione switched babies and cooed at them, too, before handing them over to their parents, hugging them both, and silently leaving the building to an Apparation point. Hermione gazed up at him until he looked down at her. He smiled tenderly before leaning down to kiss her soundly on the mouth.

"Ready to go?" he asked when he pulled back.

"Yes," Hermione said simply, smiling up at him.

Severus kissed her forehead before grasping her hand and spinning them both into chest-crushing darkness, landing on the frozen grass just outside the gates of Hogwarts. Severus produced his wand, took down the wards, and led Hermione through the gates before closing and re-warding them. They walked to the dungeons hand-in-hand completely silently, not needing words.

It was once they were in the dungeons, alone and just settling down in their chamber when Hermione finally spoke.

"Severus," she said quietly as they sat on the loveseat, "I lied to you."

"About what, love?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"I didn't really have to go to the bathroom," Hermione said, not quite meeting his eyes.

"Oh," Severus said, looking perplexed. "Why would you lie about that?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "That's not the only thing I lied about, Severus."

"But you came back with the stuffed animals," he reminded her.

"No… no, that's not what I meant." Hermione brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing. "Two months ago, I told you something, and I did not do what I told you I would…."

Severus stared at her for a moment, utterly confused. "I do not understand, Hermione," he finally said.

"I told you that I would talk with you first before I ever did any tests to find out if I was… well… if I was… you know…."

"No," Severus said, shaking his head. "No, Hermione, I do not know."

"If I were to take a pregnancy test," Hermione said in barely a whisper, one single tear sliding down her face.

"You took a pregnancy test?" Severus asked, trying not to let the shock he felt seep into his words.

"Yes."

"And what were the results?" he asked, trying to stay as calm as possible.

When Hermione finally raised her head to meet his eyes, hers were full of tears. "Severus, I…."

A/N: I'm still undecided right now as to where to take this story… I could easily go on for another few chapters, but I'm not sure if I could maintain the same feel to the story as I want, so I'm debating and I apologize for my brain not agreeing with my heart. Review and let me know what you think!!