I don't own anything, J.K Rowling does.
WARNING: Mature themes brought up so if you are less than 18 and/or easily triggered by mature content DO NOT READ THIS STORY. You have been warned.
Chapter 28
Hermione was sitting in the library reading a Potion book and taking notes on a little notepad next to her when she read a phrase that made her question herself.
This Potion is capable of ensnaring the senses of the brewer as well as the one drinking the Potion. Be careful to place a protective spell on your person if you do not wish to suffer the consequences of the brewing. (Spell that can be found in the annex of this book on page 1764)
She thought at her first lesson with Severus and how she felt that under this stern and grave mask was an entirely different man. She thought then about school and began crying, how ws she supposed to do now. They hadn't talked about the future, simply. What will they do once the baby was born. Hermione knew she couldn't be a stay-at-home mother, neither could Severus. They both needed to be somewhat mentally stimulated if they wanted not to go mad.
For all her entire life, her professors had talked about how good she was and about how a shame it would be to let her talents go to waste. But today, that's what she was exactly doing. She never thought about the future. Everything with Severus seemed so natural and she had been so stressed out for the past two years always thinking about what could possibly happen or what danger they were facing that it felt good to let herself live day by day.
She saw a tear falling onto the page she was reading before being absorbed by the paper. She wiped her tears away and closed the book and notepad before putting placing the notepad and her quill inside a small drawer underneath the desk.
She then headed towards a small library trolley and placed the book on it. She made sure the trolley left to go and replace the book onto the bookshelves before exiting the library and going down into Severus' lab. When she saw a sign on the door telling her not to enter as the fumes of the potion he was currently brewing could harm the baby; she slipped a small not under the door and waited for a few seconds. The door opened and Severus came out of his lab at Prince's Manor with a large smile on his face.
"Hello love. Had a good time reading?" He asked placing a light kiss onto Hermione's lips.
"I had a great time reading. But we sort of have to talk about something…" Hermione said trying to sound the less worried as possible.
"Are you alright darling? You can tell me anything. You know that love, right?" Severus said looking down at her and taking her into a comforting embrace.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just come on up, I'll make you a nice cup of tea and we can talk for a while. It's nothing too serious. Promise." Hermione said pecking his cheek and taking his hand in her own to lead him into the kitchen.
She made a nice pot of tea and brought it into the living room. Severus followed with a plate of fresh cookies and sat down on the sofa before she gave him his tea and sat on the same sofa opposite him.
"So what is it my love? What is troubling you?" Severus asked taking a sip on his tea.
"It's about the future. I was reading this book a few moments ago when it struck me that we haven't made any plans for after the baby's born. I don't want to be a stay-at-home mother. I want to have a professional life and help. I think I'll go mad if I don't do anything else than change diapers, feed the baby and sleep. I need to do something else. I will stay with our child until he or she is at least five months old, but I don't…" she began semi-embarrassed.
One side of her was telling her that she needed to think about herself, but the other one was telling her she was a bad mother and that her child counted more than anything else. She felt like it was an impossible choice for her to make.
"Hey darling, shhh, come here." Severus said pulling her into a soft hug. "First, do you know what you want to do?"
"In an ideal world, I'd like to pass my NEWTs and then study to become a charms teacher at Hogwarts. I know that professor Flitwick we'll be retiring soon and maybe I could train under him and replace him once he retires? I hope Professor McGonagall will allow me. Do you have any news from Hogwarts?" Hermione explained.
"I have in fact received an owl from Headmistress McGonagall this morning. She was asking whether I would come back to Hogwarts and teach Potions again. She also asked me whether you wanted to come back. She told me that Professor Flitwick will be retiring in a three years' time which would be perfect for you to pass your NEWTs and go under his tutelage for two years before replacing him. If you are wondering how it is all going to work for you and the baby, she told me she would arrange for the two of you to be able to sleep in my quarters. She also told me that she'll make sure there is always one of us to keep an eye on the baby. What do you think love?" Severus said with a big smile to Hermione.
"Darling, it's fantastic. That way I will be able to stay with you and we'll be able to raise our child. I have to write to Professor McGonagall to thank her. It's a dream come true my love. Wait until Ginny hears about this. We are going to be in the same classes and everything and…" Hermione said before Severus placed his lips on hers which had for effect to stop her from speaking.
Before Hermione had time to deepen the kiss, she felt the baby inside her womb kick and placed a hand on her stomach to calm her child. This didn't stop the kicking. On the opposite, the baby kicked harder against her hand.
"Ouch" she gasped when she felt one particularly well-placed kick.
"Calm down little one. Let your mommy rest and enjoy being with me for a few moments. Don't worry, I she still is your mommy and always will be. I am your dada and I'll always be there for you little one" Severus said placing his hands on top of her belly and approaching his head towards her belly.
His baritone voice felt so soft and devoid of any harshness. When he had called himself dada, it made Hermione laugh slightly. It seemed that his small speech had reassured the baby as she felt it settle inside her.
"Thanks love, this little one isn't really cooperative for the moment. When it starts kicking, I can be assured it will go on for at least ten of not twenty minutes. By the way, today is a very important appointment. Poppy is coming over to check on the baby and give us the all clear for the home birth and the wedding which is two weeks. Then we can look into midwives and a doula (a doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support)to accompany us during the labor. It's the part of the pregnancy I am apprehending he most. I really want to do everything possible not to go in a hospital. It would stress me out so much more." She was cradled into his arms while he stroked her belly mechanically with his hand and supported her with the other one.
"Hey darling, don't worry. I'm sure Poppy will give you the all clear for the homebirth. We have got our wedding in two weeks and tomorrow everyone is coming in to set everything up. I want you to promise me you won't overdo it. You need to stay as calm as possible. Ginny is coming over to help you set your dressing room and to help you with the floral arrangements. Do you want to go over the guest list and see who confirmed?" Severus asked knowing that this would calm her.
"I would love to" Hermione said "you really know what I need and when I need it my love."
"I think that's the role of one's husband" Severus said before conjuring up a long list of all the guests that had already confirmed. At the end, there were two figures. Out of the 800-ceremony and cocktail invited guest 789 had responded saying that they would come. Out of the 200-reception guests 198 had confirmed
"Great, 54 more people have confirmed for the ceremony and 34 for the reception. The others have either told us they won't be attending. There is only two persons who haven't told us anything for the moment: Ron and Rose" Severus said to Hermione. He knew she would be happy at knowing Ron had finally come to sense with her relationship with Severus, but unfortunately, it had been worse and worse.
When they had gone to Gringotts and Diagon Alley barely two weeks ago and crossed Ron, he had looked at him like if he was a piece of dirt on a pair of brand-new shoes. The worse had been for Hermione. She smiled and told him hello, he contended himself with a scowl and a brief 'who would have thought Hermione Jean Granger to be such a whore?' before Apparating away. Severus had wanted to curse him into the next millennium but Hermione had stopped him and told him it wasn't of any use.
"I'm sure he'll come. He's my friend after all. At least he didn't say he would not be coming which surely is a good thing. He is still considering coming so let's focus on this." Hermione said trying to gather up all the courage she had.
At those word, a elf apparated in front of them.
"Master and Mistress has a visitor. Poppy is her name. Visitor is saying she has appointment for Mistress because Mistress is pregnant. Can visitor come in?" the elf asked before bowing.
"Yes Wilky, she can. Could you bring her up to the honorary guest room please?" Hermione asked before taking Severus hand as he helped her out of the sofa in a true gentleman fashion.
"Wilky is doing what Mistress wants. Visitor is being bring to the honorary guest room." The small elf bowed again and disappeared with a light crack.
"Thanks for the help love. It's getting harder and harder as the months go by but I'm sure I'll manage it quite well. Come on love, let's go and see our baby. Maybe she'll tell us the gender?" Hermione said excitedly at Severus who just laughed at the antics of her wife.
They arrived in the guest suite and found that Poppy had already organized everything. The double bed had been transfigured into a smaller one and a tray with surgical tools was next to it along with the Mediwitch wand. In the corner of the room, the desk had been moved and two chairs were facing another one behind the desk.
"Hello Poppy, how are you doing today?" Hermione asked as she shook her hand.
"I'm doing fine. How are you both coping with the pressure of the wedding?" She asked taking her wand in her hand.
"Just fine. I always have to tell her to take it slow, but she doesn't seem to be able. Always doing something else. Although you read quietly in the morning and beginning of the afternoon." Severus said with a large smile to Hermione.
"It's true. But I am trying to take things slow. Not that I have the choice very much now that the little one is making itself noticed. It doesn't seem to like being far from its father. As soon as Severus isn't with me the little one wakes up and I can be sure to get fifteen minutes long of good kicking. It's kind of nerve wrecking, but I get used to it." Hermione said placing a hand on her belly. "We were wondering if we could know the sex of the baby too or is it a little too early?" Hermione asked kindly to the Mediwitch
"Well you are 5 months along, we should certainly be able to see the sex of the baby by now. If you would just pop into the bathroom and put this on for me." The Mediwitch told her giving her a long gown for her to wear.
"No underwear?" Hermione asked a little scared.
"I'm afraid not. I have to do a full check-up today so no underwear." Poppy said apological
"Do you want me to stay love? If you want I can just wait for you and you call me for the sonogram." Severus said not wanting to embarrass Hermione.
"No, please stay. I want you to be here for everything. It's your child too afterwards and I need you by my side." Hermione said grasping onto his hand.
She went inside the small bathroom and undressed herself completely before putting the gown on. She got out of the bathroom and laid herself onto the bed.
"Could put your feet on the bed so that I can examine you?" Poppy said "You will feel a small pressure, but don't worry it's totally normal. I am just going to check that there isn't any abnormal bleeding or water coming from the amniotic sac. Then I'll check you aren't dilated." The Mediwitch explained.
Severus held her hand the all way through the examination whispering sweet nothings into her ear to try and make her relax. When the Mediwitch was done, she smiled at the couple as Severus forehead was against Hermione's.
"Looks like everything is perfectly fine. I'll move to the sonogram now. You're sure you want to know the sex of the baby?" The Mediwitch asked. When she saw them look at each other then nod together, she pointed her wand at Hermione's stomach and the same ball as the first two times appeared above Hermione's chest and they looked at it.
"Congratulations, you're having a little girl!" The Mediwitch exclaimed a few moment later.
"Look darling, look at what we have done. What our love has done. I always wanted a little girl." Severus said tearing up as he cupped Hermione face and kissed her softly. His tears were tears of joy and Hermione felt so happy to have given the love of her life a child and above all a little girl.
"We're going to have a little girl Severus. I am so happy, you can't imagine. One part of me always knew we were going to have a little girl. That just confirms that my mother's instinct can be correct." Hermione said laughing and also shedding a few tears of joy with Severus
"The baby is doing perfectly fine. I think you're all clear for the wedding and the homebirth. Hermione, you can go and change yourself and then we'll talk a little more about the details of the following month." The Mediwitch said before making the levitating ball disappear with another flick of her wand.
After a short while, Hermione was back into the main room, she handed Poppy the gown back and sat with Severus opposite the Mediwitch.
"So, you are entering the final trimester of your pregnancy, baby will begin to put on more weight, so I want you to wear a weight supporting belt for your back. Now the baby is going to begin pumping a lot more magic so you need to rest and no more skipping meals. I trust that your morning sickness have now been reduced and you should not experience any more in a week or two. Your delivery date is set to be on the 17th of November, so from the 3rd November, I don't want to see you doing anything at all. Peaceful and stress less rest is what's best for you and the baby.
Now for the birth, I shall recommend you three midwives and a doula. A doula is especially good to help you the first few days while you recover and helps you with the baby until you feel ready to handle everything on your own." The Mediwitch said "Now, I shall recommend you to hire Healer Enelope, Healer Clearwater and Healer Snow. They are all women and young but already very talented. For the doula, I know Miss Chen. She is Chinese and knows a lot about relaxing technique and pain management techniques. I think she will be great for the two of you." The Mediwitch explained.
"I think it's perfect. Could you ask the four of them if they could be available just before school resumes? You see, Severus is returning to Hogwarts to teach Potions while I am going to pass my NEWTs before training under Professor Flitwick to replace him after his retirement in three years." Hermione explained to the Mediwitch.
"Of course, but remember not too much stress and take it easy!" The Mediwitch said to Hermione shaking a finger at her as if she was reprimanding a small child.
"I promise to take it easy Poppy. And anyway, you will be here so I will be able to have my check ups done immediately at school perfect no?" Hermione said reassuring the Mediwitch.
"I hope that the birth won't be at Hogwarts although because even if it's a great place to study. It's not the best environment for the birth of a child. I trust that the birth will be here at Prince's Manor or into the lovely cabin I had the opportunity to see a few months ago" the Mediwitch said looking at Hermione and Severus.
"Yes, the birth will be in the cabin. A peaceful and stress less place." Severus said stroking Hermione's hand with his thumb.
"If you have no other question, I have to get going." Poppy said waving her wand and making everything pack itself into her bag before the bed resumed to its normal size and a chair disappeared at the other end of the desk.
"Thank you, Poppy, for your time, we'll come with you downstairs" Severus said placing his hand on the small of Hermione's back.
When Poppy was gone, Severus took Hermione in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"A little girl love, our little girl." He whispered against her lips before pressing his onto hers once again.