A/N: I love hearing my readers' opinions. Most of you are fairly agreed upon what should happen. And believe me I've thought about it. I've thought about it a lot. I have one thing I REALLY want to happen. But I also really want to make you guys happy. And I'll explain it later but anyway, here it is, the big reveal. Also, I removed that chapter that was nothing more than an author note. so don't worry if you notice this is technically a chapter shorter.
Chapter 35
Hermione paced around their quarters, filled with worry. She had enjoyed spending time with Ginny and Hannah, but her mind was on Severus the whole time. Ginny noticed her mental absence from her friends, who fully supported the "no homework on the weekend" rule, and couldn't refrain from asking if Hermione was thinking about shagging him anytime soon. Hermione blushed and refused to answer, she was too busy worrying to even think about shagging him.
Now she was waiting on him, and probably should have already left to walk to the infirmary, but she didn't want him to miss this. She had been so hesitant to have along at the ultrasound, but she wanted him to be able to be there when they found out what they were having. And things were going so well, she simply wanted him there altogether.
Hermione, I can hear your worries over here, and I'm trying to concentrate on helping the boys, Luna's voice popped into her head.
But Severus isn't back yet.
Maybe he decided to meet you in the infirmary. He might have thought that would be easier.
Hermione could have smacked herself, why didn't she even think about that? Thank you, Luna!
Hermione headed out towards the infirmary with vigor, hoping to arrive just in time. And she did. Unfortunately for her, Severus still wasn't there. She tried to hide the worry and disappointment on her face.
"Hermione, dear, Come in and sit down."
Hermione followed and sat down on one of the hospital beds. She still didn't like sitting on them, it only reminded her of her second year when she had been petrified. The medi-witch went to pull out her wand and Hermione stopped her.
"Could we wait, just a couple more minutes? I really want Severus to be here for this one."
The medi-witch gave a small sympathetic, yet worried smile, "Of course dear, I'll just see to a couple of my other patients."
Hermione smiled nervously, and watched the medi-witch walk away before turning her gaze to the door. At any moment he would walk through and he wouldn't miss the big announcement.
Severus, please, please hurry.
Part of her was tempted to reschedule, wait for a time when Severus would be able to make it, but they never knew when he was being summoned. It was only five after seven o'clock and he was usually gone until well into the night. And so she just watched, hoping that he would walk through.
"Hermione," The medi-witch waved a hand in front of the young witch's face, wondering if she had fallen asleep with her eyes open, "Hermione it's twenty to eight. I don't think he's coming, sweetie."
Hermione slowly came to. She hadn't fallen asleep, but she had zoned out, waiting. She sighed, slightly disappointed, and nodded for the witch to continue.
Poppy nodded and pulled out her wand, "We're just going to start by check your vitals. Sanitatem reprehendo."
Poppy recorded the information that was revealed as Hermione continued to watch the door.
Poppy noted that Hermione's blood pressure was a little high and that her weight had remained approximately the same as from her previous appointments.
"Hermione-"
The door slammed open and Severus walked through. Hermione had to focus all her willpower into not running straight into his arms.
"I'm apologize for my tardiness, I was held up for longer than I thought. Have I missed much?"
"As a matter of fact, we only just start, Hermione wanted to wait until you arrived. And I was just about to go over some things with her."
Severus nodded and walked over to Hermione, standing next to her.
"Alright, now Hermione, I'm a little worried about you're progressing. Your blood pressure is a little high, and if I know you it's mostly worrying about homework. I need you to cut back."
"Severus has just removed my rights to do homework on the weekends anyway."
"That was very good, and we shall see how that affects your blood pressure in a couple of weeks. I'm also concerned about your weight though."
Hermione looked down. She knew she probably wasn't eating as much as she should, and Poppy had already expressed some concerns about her weight, but now that Severus was here, she wouldn't be able to continue the way she had been.
"You haven't gained anything. It's healthy for a woman of your original weight to gain at least 10 pounds throughout the pregnancy. You my dear, have only gained two."
Severus gave his wife a stern look before speaking, "I will make sure she eats, Poppy, now that I am aware of what is going on."
Poppy nodded, "Alright, now let's check the baby. Coercere intra uterum. Project cordis intrinsecus."
Poppy recorded the baby's vitals as a heartbeat filled the room. Hermione fought back tears, as she always found this part to be a bittersweet moment. She looked up to see how Severus was reacting. He had a look of shock on his face, and she thought maybe a few tears being fought back as well.
"It looks like the baby is still very healthy and developing very well. Would you like to see?"
Hermione looked up to Severus, he didn't want to speak, but she could tell his answer was yes, so she nodded.
"Monstro quod ipse sit in ipso."
Poppy's wand revealed an image much like a muggle sonogram. Severus found himself no longer able to stand and sat down next to Hermione, in awe and shock. Hermione felt butterflies in her stomach a his reaction.
"Hermione, would you still like to know what you're having?"
Hermione nodded as she held back a smile at the look on Severus' face.
"Indicate sexus."
Suddenly the sonogram flashed a beautiful light pink, "Congratulations, it looks like you two are having a girl. I'll leave you two be now."
Hermione looked to Severus, smiling at the shock, before placing a hand on his knee, "Severus, shall we go back to our quarters?"
Severus nodded and she took his hand, leading him back to their home. Severus absentmindedly sat on the couch, still lost in thought.
"Dobby," Hermione summoned, knowing they both needed to eat.
"Hermione!" Dobby said as he entered the room with a pop.
"Do you think you could get Severus and I some dinner?"
"Yes, Dobby can most certainly do that, what would you like?"
"Did I hear something about there being ratatouille made tonight?"
"Yes. We made some tonight for dinner."
"That will do just fine, thank you, Dobby."
The elf Disappeared with a pop and Hermione walked back over to Severus.
"Severus, I've just asked dobby to get us some food, and it won't do to have you sitting on the couch staring off into space," She teased. However she still got no response, she had to come up with something else. "I was thinking of naming her Delores."
"IF YOU THINK I AM ALLOWING MY DAUGHTER TO BE NAMED AFTER THAT RIDICULOUS WITCH, THEN YOU ARE MORE INSANE THAN SHE WAS."
"Well, it got you to come back to the real world didn't it?"
Severus took a deep breath, calming himself. To be fair, he had noted the playful sound in her voice.
"I apologize for losing my temper."
"And I'm only half sorry for threatening to name our daughter that."
He gave her a stern look.
"Besides, I would NEVER even consider naming anything after that woman, except maybe a portable-loo."
A pop could be heard, and although there was no elf, the food Hermione had requested was on their table.
"Shall we go eat," She suggested, "We could discuss more possible names."
"I would like that," Severus said as he pulled her in for a tight hug. They were having a daughter. He had heard her heartbeat, loud and strong. And he had seen her, so small and precious. He always thought he would sacrifice his life for the cause, thinking he had nothing to live for. And now he did.
A/N 2: I seriously had so much trouble with this. I wrote it out and then I began to wonder. I wanted you guys to have what you wanted but I had this perfect little, completely clichéd family in my head. And I played with multiple things in this. In the end, this was a huge issue. And my idea for the epilogue is actually funnier this way. Btw, here's a little spell update of the spells used in the last several chapters, using google translate into latin (aka, don't try a reverse translation).
Chapter 28: Alium ceciderunt: (I don't remember exactly what I translated but) To Beat.
sed custodiat finire: Keep but limit
Chapter 35: Sanitatemreprehendo: Check Health, Coercereintra uterum: Check within the womb. Projectcordisintrinsecus: Project the heart within. Monstro quod ipsesit in ipso: Reveal what lies within. Indicatesexus: Reveal the sex.