Chapter 20: Lines In The Sand
{A/N: Because I was asked so nicely Here's another update}
My thanks to all my readers and reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.
Severus Snape glared murderously at Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny as he stood in the back of some abandoned muggle shop with them. The magical shield he had put in place had along with a silencing charm had been enough to discuss them and their conversation from prying eyes and ears. The Potions Master's shoulders had been hitched like a cat ready to pounce on the first movement from either of them. Harry glared at him defiantly with emerald green eyes that unnerved his professor every time he looked upon him. Ron had been complaining about having to stand too long in the same spot while Ginny just stared at Snape and looked back n forth between him and Hermione.
The bushy haired witch in question had tried to appear indifferent to her husband's vicious glare but it was to no avail. She had not liked it when he was furious at her.
"No doubt this was your idea idiot boy." he said turning his venom on Harry. "Have you learned nothing from your little mishap at the Ministry...or does the death of that nefarious coward Sirius Black mean anything to you?"
Harry growled ready to draw his wand.
Ron grabbed him and held him back.
Hermione cast a quick silencing charm.
"Severus, don't." she said. "I take full responsibility for everything but don't goad Harry please."
Snape had not softened his glare when he looked at her.
"You Mrs. Snape have a lot to answer for when we return to Hogwarts." he said icily.
He waved his hand and canceled the silencing charm.
"You all will report to Filch for detention." he said still very angry with them. "For three weeks."
Collective grips and groans filled the small space.
"Silence!" shouted Snape turning his back to them. "Apparate back to Hogwarts immediately!"
He could not return with them himself lest his actions get called to Voldemort's attention. He could not afford to garner such unwanted attention especially with Hermione carrying his child. He had not known what his master planned to do with her once he believed her to be on their side. The last thing he needed was for her to be dragged into his "punishments" as Bellatrix had been for Rudolphus.
Without a further word Snape took off back to meet the other death eaters. Mask over is face and robes reverted to the coppery scent of blood and soot. He had hoped for her sake she did as he asked and went straight back to Hogwarts with her little friends. There was no telling what would happen should they nearly be caught a second time. He had barely managed to help them this time.
The Corridors, Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts...
Hermione Granger-Snape had been annoyed as her husband Severus Snape dragged her by the wrist down the lengthy corridors as if she had been some child in need of scolding. The young Gryffindor witch had managed to get under his pale skin in more ways than one, only this time as a fumbling student. Snape had been seething as he escorted his wife toward his office and slammed the door shut behind them. Hermione glared at him defiantly as his obsidian eyes fixed on her. She could already tell by the way his shoulders hitched and the scowl on his face extended that he was more than a little disappointed in her actions as of late.
"Sit down!" he ordered her with an icy tone.
Seeing no way out of it, Hermione sat down in one of the available hard chairs. She had been surprised to see that he cast a cushioning charm on it before making his way to his own large leather office chair. He glared at her over his desk piled with various parchments and assignments from his classes.
"Mrs. Snape do tell what the hell you were thinking running off with Potter and Weasley." he said irate.
Hermione sighed.
She had reconciled with her friends some time ago but had yet to mention this to her rather possessive husband lest he think she had some kind of relationship with them. It was no secret that he didn't approve of the company she kept and likewise they had not approved of her marriage to him. Ginny had been the first to come around, given that was the day she saw Snape in the field with Bellatrix. Hermione had tried to keep her heartbreak a secret but she found herself in the company of Ron's little sister.
It turned out that Ginny had known all about Hermione's marriage to Snape and understood why it had to be kept a secret. She had even made Harry understand that neither party had any real choice in this arrangement and that they were simply doing the best they could. The bushy haired witch was amazed that Ginny had such insight given she had not known much about Snape to begin with.
The girls had a long talk about The Potions Professor including what the days prior to their wedding had been like when Snape informed Hermione of his sexual exploits. Ginny burst into giggles stating that she wasn't going to look at Snape the same ever again. The red head witch had even feigned waving the heat from her neck as they giggled.
When Hermione told Ginny what Draco had shown her, it was Ginny that suggested she get the whole story from Snape considering he and Bellatrix had a relationship before she was forced into his life. She had even pointed out how Snape might have felt torn given how long he was with the witch and now he had to constantly prove his loyalties to Hermione.
In short Ginny had bridged the gap between Hermione and the boys making them all friends again. The rest of the school with the exception of Draco had been on the outs about Snape's marriage to Hermione but not her friends. The very same friends whom Hermione ventured with to Diagon Ally where death eaters were ready to spring their trap to get a shot at Harry Potter.
It was rather fortunate that Snape had been among those death eaters and prevented not only Hermione from falling into the clutches of the others but her friends as well.
Now she was staring into the face of that very irate wizard.
"I can explain." said Hermione.
Snape's nostrils flared in frustration.
"You're pregnant!" he shouted unable to control his temper. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU AND MY CHILD HAD ONE OF THE OTHERS CAUGHT YOU!?"
Hermione felt small in his presence as he shouted like some low first year who had not known the rules. She had almost missed the sentiment in his words as she went over what he had said to her. "My child". She had almost forgotten that she was pregnant. Ever the foolish Gryffindor she was so ready to charge into battle and save the day she had forgotten that she was carrying their unborn child.
The sudden realization caused her to place her hands on her face in terror.
Upon seeing the genuine shock Snape's anger dissipated. She had forgotten that she had been pregnant. The Potions Master came around the desk knowing all too well that the Gryffindor sense of guilt was due to set in. As if on cue Hermione burst into tears as she gripped the ebony robes of her less than thrilled husband.
Against his bitter nature, Snape found himself comforting the young witch carrying his child.
Later...
Snape's Quarters, Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts...
Snape had not been surprised when his level of comfort ended up with them being naked in his private chambers. Hermione had been fast asleep with her hand resting rather protectively against her belly. The pale wizard smirked at the sight. Apparently her Gryffindor guilt had even extended beyond her waking hours. The head of Slytherin House marveled at the innocence his young wife still possessed. It was almost contagious if the last few hours had been any indication.
He looked up at the ceiling as the scent of jasmine surrounded him. The young witch had worn him out. Unsurprising since her need for him increased due to pregnancy. She had become less shy about asking for him to "make her feel good". Snape smiled in the dark. Of all the women he had taken to bed and all the years of mastering just how to "make a woman feel good" only Hermione Granger would refer to sex with him with such an innocent phrase.
If he had been truly honest with himself, he would have admitted that she "made him feel good" as well. More so than anyone has in a very long time. His liasons with Bellatrix were mostly about mutual loss and aggression. Hermione shifted some getting his attention. Snape froze watching the witch in question intently.
"Severus." she moaned in sleep.
With a smirk the Potions Professor leaned toward her and kissed her softly on the neck.
"I'm here." he said in a voice as soft as he could manage.
Hermione turned to face him, her amber eyes filled with that unregistered emotion once more.
"Make me feel good again." she said sweetly.
"Of course." he replied crushing his pale lips into her soft pink ones.
Much later...
Severus Snape found himself standing on a sandy beach only there had been no water nor warm sun in sight. He had been dressed in his usual ebony robes and frock coat with black trousers. His pale feet had been bare however and there was a bit of fog blocking his view of what had been before him.
As Snape made his way down the slope of sand until he came to a place where two paths diverged. In the center of the paths was a boy. He had looked to be the near spitting image of Snape himself only his nose had been more attractive. The younger wizard's raven hair had been well kept and his obsidian eyes bright with innocence. The boy stood possibly at the age of 11 wearing what appeared to be a Hogwarts uniform.
Snape arched an eyebrow at the boy as he smiled up at him.
"Hello father." he said in a voice one would expect from a child.
"Father?" asked Snape confused at the boy's familiarity. "I think you are mistaken..."
The boy simply smiled and continued to stare up at him with innocent eyes.
"I was wondering when I would meet you someday." said the boy pleased. "They told me you won't know me but I had to see you anyway."
"They?" asked Snape with an arched eyebrow.
"I forgot I wasn't suppose to say." said the boy still excited to see him none the less. "I might have gone back a little too far but it's good to finally meet you father."
Snape had caught every word the boy had said and like a true Slytherin dissected it to extremes. He had said "gone back" and it's good to "finally meet you". The implication being that he would not be alive in whatever future this boy came from.
"If you are truly my son..." said Snape considering his words carefully. "Then why haven't you met me until now?"
The boy looked at the sand with sorrow filled eyes.
"I'm not allowed to say." he said. "Mother said that I shouldn't come see you and that I can't tell you what happens or it will mess up the future."
Snape had figured as much.
"Then you should listen to your mother." he said conceding the point.
The boy gave him a warm smile.
"Mother said you were a highly intelligent man." he said happily.
Snape knew for sure now that he would not live to see the future where this boy would know him. He decided to change the subject for the time being.
"Do you know where we are?" asked Snape.
The boy nodded.
"Where you draw a line in the sand." he said cryptically.
Once the boy said this the fog lifted and Snape could see the two paths more clearly.
"One path leads to my mother and eventually to me." said the boy. "The other leads to my brother and his mother."
"Your brother?" asked Snape looking around. "I-Is he here?"
The boy shook his head.
"He's with my sister." said the boy. "They...they never get to meet you."
Snape couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Sister?" he said stunned. "How many children did I have?"
"One." replied the boy.
"One?" asked Snape confused. "You said that..."
Snape had been unable to finish his sentence when he saw himself bedding Hermione on one side of the fog and Bellatrix on the other. Both witches apparently had some kind of a hold on him and he couldn't seem to shake it. The boy smiled up at him not at all effected by the images.
"Can I ask whom your mother is?" asked Snape.
The boy shook his head.
"You know her...and that is enough." he replied. "It was nice to see you father."
Snape nodded at the boy who then disappeared. The images of him bedding Bellatrix and Hermione had been quite the contrast. He had been gentle and almost loving with Hermione while he had been rough and aggressive with Bellatrix. One of these witches was to give birth to his son in the future.
Before he could inquire further Snape was suddenly snatched from the bliss of his sleep by a sensation he had thought he dreamed.
Hermione had been moaning his name just as her release ripped through her. Snape felt his own as he struggled to catch his breath. The amber eyed witch smiled at him soaked with sweat and sated.
"I love when you make me feel good Severus." said Hermione kissing him sweetly.
The sated wizard closed his eyes not asleep but more or less basking in the aftermath of what they had done. He had no doubt in his mind that Hermione had been the boy from his dream's mother. She had been the only one pregnant of the two witches. Still He wondered about this unknown daughter he was suppose to have. Could Bellatrix be pregnant as well? It would be surprising given her age but then again witches and wizards do not age in the way that muggles do and she was Pureblood.
He thought back on what the boy had said to him.
{"They never get to meet you."}
He had always believed this war would kill him. It seems that his dream of his future child thought so as well. Snape sighed and scooted closer to Hermione. His large pale calloused hand gently made it's way to her stomach and he found himself being a bit protective as sleep over took him once more. Whom ever this child was going to be he had just hoped it would not have to deal with Voldemort and this war.