Chapter 18: One Plus One Equals Three

My thanks to all my readers and reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

The Grounds, Hogwarts...

With a crack of thunder Severus Snape had been brought to Hogwarts. His condition had not seemed to improve and it was going on the fifth day since his punishment at the hands of Voldemort via Bellatrix LeStrange. Draco Malfoy had not spoken much to anyone since Snape took off to speak to the dark lord. The albino blond was wondering why Snape had not returned yet and feared he had been killed due to his meddling. He had not know it would be THIS bad when his aunt first approached him with the little task of bringing his godfather's new little wife to where they usually meet. But then again, he should have know that his Aunt Bellatrix was up to no good. She had always seemed to be after something whenever she had taken the time to speak to her lowly nephew.

Draco paced the corridors anxiously awaiting his Godfather for days but there was still no sign until late one night the boy heard the crack of thunder outside the forbidden forest and took off toward it. He was treated to the sight of his father bringing an unconscious Severus Snape back to Hogwarts. Lucius grabbed Draco by the scruff of the neck and pulled him toward his godfather.

"We are going to have a long talk Draco." said the handsome albino blond. "But for now you'd better see to it that your godfather makes it to the infirmary...should he die on the way there I hold you personally responsible."

Draco nodded fearful of what was to come next.

"Yes Father." he said obediently.

Draco shoulder some of the weight of his godfather's battered body and made his way toward the school. Lucius apparated away still very disgusted with his son for his hand in Bellatrix's antics.

He had expected better of him. Sadly, he found himself met with more and more disappointment.

The Corridors, Hogwarts...

Draco had not gotten far with Snape before they caught the attention of Hermione Granger-Snape as she was leaving the library. She had been stunned to see her husband in such a state. So much so that she had forgotten how cold he had been over the past few days. Without thinking she made her way over to Draco and cast a levitating charm on him. The albino blond had been grateful for the assistance though he wasn't too happy to see that it was Hermione herself that lent a hand.

"What happened to him?" she asked with a worried look on her face.

"As if you care." muttered Draco. "You only married him to save your own skin."

Hermione glared at the junior Malfoy.

"Listen you foul loathsome little cockroach, I am his wife wither you like it or not and I am in no mood for your pigheadedness." she snapped.

Draco blinked unsure of what to say.

They managed to get Snape to the infirmary without killing each other but that had appeared to be the only good thing about their association as of late.

The Infirmary, Hogwarts...

Madam Pomfrey looked Snape over once he had been put to bed. The fresh scars from his most recent round of torture had still showed some signs of blood. Whomever had healed him did so to the best of their ability but they were not Madam Pomfrey. With a wave of her wand she had Severus stitched up good and well taken care of. She recommended he get bed rest for a few days but should recover fully soon enough. Hermione sat beside her husband unsure if she had much more of a right to be there than Draco as she looked over his battered body.

She had spent the passed few days being angry at him when all the while he was going through something like this. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she recalled the last time they had actually spoke. He had attempted to make it clear to her that he wasn't sleeping with any other witches and that he ended his association with Bellatrix for her.

Unable to hold herself back from her guilt, Hermione softly stroked his sallow pale cheek.

"Hmmmm." he groaned.

Draco had been surprised her touch had an effect on him. He watched the scene unfold with hopeful eyes.

Hermione touched him again and he responded.

"Her-mi-on-e." he said in semi-broken speech.

The bushy haired witch smiled and leaned next to him.

At the feel of her soft pink lips crashing against his pale ones Snape opened his eyes.

"Hello." said the young Gryffindor witch pleased to see him awake.

"Hello." said Snape a bit drowsy from exhaustion.

She touched his face softly and held his hand in her own.

"You've been through quite an ordeal." she said as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

Snape causally lifted his heavy feeling arm and wiped them away.

"Seems like you have as well." he said in a rough tone.

She gave him a small smile.

Snape took a breath and enjoyed her familiar scent.

"I have something to tell you." said Hermione. "Something private...but it can wait until you recover."

"Nonsense." said Snape. "You've obviously been waiting for long enough."

The bushy haired witch's eyes fell on Draco who had been sitting quietly watching them both for some time.

"I don't feel the need to speak in front of him." she said.

Snape waved his hand and a silencing charm went up around them.

"Tell me." said Snape looking intensely into her amber eyes.

Hermione took a breath and took his hand into both of hers.

"Severus..." she started unsure of herself. "While you were away...Madam Pomfrey told me some interesting news."

Snape arched an eyebrow at this.

"Go on." he said mustering as much patience as he could.

Hermione leaned her cheek against his pale hand. Snape had not known any time when they had shared any intimacy out side of the bedroom. Draco had been looking at them the whole time with his mouth agape. He never expected Hermione and his godfather to have a real relationship during this farce marriage. the junior Malfoy continued to watch the two of them in confusion.

"Severus..." said Hermione still unsure of how to tell him about the baby. "I-I'm pregnant."

Snape's eyes widened for a moment causing Draco to grow tense. Hermione continued stroking his arm hoping that he wouldn't react too badly to the news. To her surprise his expression softened and he tried to sit up.

"You shouldn't be on your feet so much." he said in his usual professor tone.

Hermione had been stunned by his apparent gesture and he motioned for her to join him. She rested her head against his pale chest and he wrapped his arms around her. The bushy haired witch burst into tears. She had been so prepared to have to him get angry and hate her for trapping him in this marriage but he seemed to accept her and the baby.

Snape sighed as he held Hermione close to him. He knew the young witch was terrified, she was expecting a child for Merlin's sake. Not even he was cruel enough to belittle her at this point. Hermione took in the familiar scent of herbs and fresh earth that radiated off him. Snape knew what this meant for him once she told him about their child and he made up his mind to do anything in his power to ensure they survived this war.

Draco took his leave sensing the couple needed time alone. He had not known what was discussed but it seemed to be of great importance. Soon after the junior Malfoy left, Hermione climbed into bed with her husband and fell asleep. Snape however had been unable to sleep. He had no idea how he was going to keep the knowledge of him having a child with Hermione a secret long enough for him to defeat the dark lord. The despot had not been pleased when Bellatrix became pregnant and she was a Pureblood witch.

Unbeknownst to Hermione, a fear coursed through him that he hide rather well. Memories of his previous time in a situation like this began to come at him in rapid succession. The loss of his son had been a significant blow to both him and Bellatrix. He had not wanted that for Hermione, no matter how much of an irritant she had been to him over the years. She was too young and innocent a soul to ever have to endure such suffering.

After seeing how Mr. and Mrs. Snape had been more or less preoccupied with their good news, Madam Pomfrey suggested they retire to their quarters before some unlucky student stumbled upon them. It would be quite difficult to explain how Hermione Granger, a student had not only married the dreaded Potions Master but was effectively carrying his child as well. No doubt it was a headache the young witch had not needed.

Snape's Quarters, Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts...

Snape had not known what to make of what was becoming of his life. He had a young wife who had not only been beautiful but surprisingly intelligent and they were expecting a child. After all those years ago Snape had had a child, a son whom had only taken his first breath before his innocent young life had been cut short.

He did not know what to make of Hermione's pregnancy. It was inevitable given that he was forced to bed his new wife, and they were forbidden to use any means of contraception. Still, he had not expected it to be so...soon. Hermione climbed into bed with him surrounding him with her warmth. The scent of jasmine lingered from her bushy hair and he found himself contented as he drifted off to sleep.

Thought of his innocent son filled his weary mind for the first time in years and in the silence of the night tears streamed down his sallow pale cheeks. Hermione had awoken a time or two to find that he had locked in the grips of a sorrowful dream. She gently kissed him and scooted closer to him. She had not known what the subject of what this dream was but it seemed to have to do with a son. She wondered of the child she had been carrying had been the son he dreamed of as she herself drifted off to sleep.