Chapter 12 – Midwife Snape

"Can you tell me who we lost in this world? With nearly everyone I knew dead, it would be nice to know. I don't want to cry every time I see someone I believed dead. Minerva talked to me a lot but we kept to normal everyday life so I didn't want to ask her."

The question was important to her and Hermione had build up the courage to ask it since she stepped into the house.

"We lost Fred, Snape, Tonks and Lupin at the battle of Hogwarts. A lot of Death Eaters and even a few students died, Lavender and Colin among them. But compared to what you lost we were lucky." Harry answered her, suddenly pulled out of his thoughts.

Hermione pondered the answer a few seconds until she continued.

"Yes, I guess. I miss him. Severus I mean. Does anyone know what happened to his daughter?"

"A daughter ? Are you sure Hermione?" Harry asked, his eyes glittering, nearly choking on surprise. He still worshipped his old Professor for what he had done for him. Maybe Snape had been a greasy dungeon bat but without him they would have been lost. Harry still regretted never having told Snape thank you because they couldn't rescue him.

"Yes. Severus hid her, but the Dark Lord wasn't interested in her mostly. She's a Squib. Or was. When Severus angered the Dark Lord again and again after the battle at Hogwarts he had to watch her being tortured to death for his constant failing in finding out where the Order was hiding. Ironic, isn't it? Another person he loved that died for the greater good. He was like a father to me. A sarcastic and strict one, but still a father. And a great grandfather for the kids. If it hadn't been for him, I'm sure Aquila's delivery wouldn't have been so pleasant. He took care of everything."

Hermione giggled remembering that night. Labour was hard on the body but now, years later, she only remembered the good parts. Memory was really faulty sometimes, especially if hormones were added into the mix, she knew that now.

"They had a special bond after that."

There was a big smile on Hermione's face while she momentary forgot all the bad things and remembered her small baby in the arms of one Severus Snape. His stricken look the first time he held her that morphed back into his normal sneer when she started crying.

"But he never really recovered from having to deliver a child. Took him months to be able to look at me again."

"Snape delivered a child. What a crazy world." There was a small laugh, then Harry was serious again.

"If you want I can look into it. See if she's still alive here."

"Don't Harry. Let sleeping dogs lie. I don't even know her surname. I guess I just miss Severus a lot. I can't get my head around the fact that he's dead."

"If you want we can visit his grave." he offered and got a smile in response.

"I would love to. Thank you."

Maybe it wasn't the best moment to bring the topic up but sometimes Harry spoke first and thought later.

"What I can't get my head around is this aversion you have for Ron. Did something happen between the two of you?"

The way Hermione closed down and her smile vanished from her face Harry knew he wouldn't get the answer he was hoping for.

"He's just Ron. You know he doesn't react well under pressure. I forgave him for the stunt he pulled on us in the woods, but for me that wasn't the only time he left me. I love him Harry, but the trust was lost long ago. I'll take time to come to term with this new Ron. It's easier with you, since we only need to catch up. "

"You'll need to come to work soon too Hermione, to catch up." Harry reminded her, but she shook her head.

"I stand by my decision Harry, just as I told Ron. I'm sure he told you about his visit. This job isn't for me. I'll resign as soon as the papers arrive. The Ministry is already informed, but I'm sure keeps it under wraps until it's official with all signatures."

They remained silent afterwards, both lost in their thoughts. Harry tried to understand what this version of his friend had been through. He had taken the last few days to mull over what she told them the first evening they had met and tried not to judge her. With what he knew now he was glad he had given her the possibility to explain it to him.

Still his conscience was nagging at him, telling him it was his fault. He hadn't kept his son from the bad influence around him. While he wanted to continue to blame it all in his son's best friend he knew it wasn't fair. Draco had asked him to help them years ago and he had denied his old school nemesis something that could have been easily given. He was the one who drove his son away. Harry wasn't yet ready to accept it, but deep down he knew, it was his fault. His fault Cedric Diggory and Severus Snape died, his fault his son felt unloved, his fault Ron lost his wife.

Hermione bid her farewell while Harry was still lost in thoughts and apparated back to Hogsmeade. She needed to be alone to get her feelings under control again. She didn't want her friend to see how upset she really was.

I'm late. But I'm in London! I'll have fun and let you guys read and comment. Maybe there'll be some things waiting for me after my holiday. :)