Author Note: This chapter is not eventful. I know that after such a long wait, you deserve more. But Chapter 13 will be…intriguing. I wanted to take some time to really just delve into their thoughts. More so Hermione's. And italics for this chapter will show telepathic communication.

Chapter 12

Severus lay in bed, staring at the ceiling thinking. He could only imagine what she was going to do, but she still didn't want it, and her body didn't either. It took all his self control not to take her as she planned. And then he thought of the reason behind it, and imagined the child he would have. Maybe even hold before Voldemort's plans failed and he more than likely died. It was something he thought he'd never have, and now it was being handed to him on a silver platter by both the man he followed and the ministry of magic. The thought was so surreal. He never imagined himself as a father.

And then he thought back to what she said. About wanting a relationship. That would be difficult if she didn't lower those walls. But he understood her mistrust. He always seemed to be playing for the other side. He'd have to put in a lot of effort if he was going to give her what she wanted for their child. What he wanted for their child.

Hermione sat in bed, her eyes almost sealed shit after she fell asleep crying, thinking about the days to come. She couldn't let her walls down. But she and Luna, who would become her replacement, were working on telepathically communicating through an old spell that barely anyone remembered. She could send them any information about Voldemort's plans.

Why had she told Snape she wanted a relationship? She wanted one, but not with him. She wanted to be able to tell her children about how their Mum and Dad fell in love in love over a book or coffee. How he swept her off her feet. Instead she was going to be telling her children that Mum and Dad got married because of the most evil wizard. They were forced to have children from the beginning because of how her body was against her.

"Luna?"

"Yes, Hermione?"

"How can unwanted sex feel so good?"

"How could I possibly know?"

"I thought you and…never mind, I just never imagined life this way."

"I don't think life ever goes the way people imagined. I mean, I'm sure my father imagined life with my mother to be never ending and perfectly happy. But then she died. I bet Harry imagined living under the stairs for the rest of his life, completely friendless, yet here he is, the most important person on the planet at the moment and having a bunch of friends."

"Maybe you're right. But, Severus Snape?Me and the postions bat?"

"Actually Hermione, it might not be a bad match. I mean think about it. You're both incredibly smart, studious. You're both stubborn. And besides, have you ever looked into his eyes? Really looked past the anger?"

"No. Why would I do that?"

"Just do it."

"No. That's just weird. Awkward."

"Hermione, you'll never get what you want in this relationship if you don't try. Look past the angry dungeon bat. Look into his soul. Get to know him. Try to be happy. Be happy and it will happen. Now I need some sleep. Good night Hermione."

"Luna? You can't just leave it there! Luna?"

Life wasn't easy. And Hermione knew that, she just didn't expect it to be this hard and this difficult.

Hermione walked out of her room and towards Severus'. She felt hungry and thought maybe they could go get a bite to eat. She knocked on his door, and prepared to meet his gaze. She wanted to know what Luna meant. What she didn't expect to see was the tears in his eyes when he opened the door.

"Severus? Are you ok?"