Old Friends & Nightmares

'So…' Lucius Malfoy said as he handed his oldest friend a glass of whiskey. 'Who is this new woman?'

Lucius sat across from Severus in the other armchair. He studied his best friend of over 30 years and noticed for the first time in years how relaxed he looked. Obviously Severus was getting some he thought.

Severus downed the whiskey in one and looked towards his blonde friend.

'Hermione Granger.' Severus replied dryly.

Severus watched as his best friend's face changed from shock, horror and then surprise.

'The Granger girl? Harry Potter's friend?' Lucius said in shock.

Severus nodded as he watched his friend who was usually so composed fumble about with his words.

'She's Draco's age.' Lucius spat out.

'I'm well aware of her age Lucius. ' Severus replied. 'I did after all teach her for 7 years.'

Lucius nodded.

'Is this a fling or should I advise my darling Wife to start planning a wedding?' Lucius said with a smirk.

'You can advise Narcissa she can start organising a baby shower.' Severus said as he sat back waiting for the news to sink in for his friend.

'Baby shower?' Lucius said confused. 'You got her pregnant?!'

'Hermione is expecting our baby next summer.' Severus replied. 'She's still very early on in the pregnancy.'

'Are you marrying her?' Lucius replied as he looked at his friend.

'I have plans.' Severus replied. 'You will know soon.'

'I'm sure I will Severus.' Lucius replied with a smile. 'Congratulations my old friend.'

'Thank you.' Severus replied.

Severus returned to Spinner's End to find muggle music playing and Hermione sat on the floor of the kitchen rearranging the kitchen cupboards.

'What are you doing?' Severus said from the kitchen doorway.

Hermione jumped at the sudden presence of her lover who had retuned back home.

'You scared me.' She said as placed her hand on her chest.

'What are you doing Hermione? It's one in the morning.' He asked.

'I couldn't sleep and I just needed to clean.' She said as she grabbed her wand from the floor and pointed it at the muggle CD player turning down the volume.

'Everything okay?' He asked as he looked down at her. 'Nightmares?'

Hermione nodded as she looked up at Severus. 'They've changed.' She said slowly as she reached out her hands to him.

Severus took hold of Hermione's hands and lifted her up to her feet.

'They include the baby now.' She said as she looked at him. 'Bellatrix hurting my…your…our baby.'

Severus pulled Hermione to him crushing her against his chest pressing kisses on top of her head.

'She's dead.' Severus whispered. 'No one will hurt you.'

Hermione looked up and her brown eyes met his dark eyes.

'No one will ever hurt our baby.' He said as he captured her lips with his own.