A/N this is a transition chapter. It is short, and I should have the next chapter up no later than tomorrow. This one was actually done for about two days, just didn't have the leisure of time.

Chapter 27

Hermione got as far as looking up before Molly's glow engulfed her again. Then Molly seized her. The older woman embracing the younger one's much larger frame. "Thank you." Molly said pulling back. She noted that even though she was just barely pregnant she had taken on the unmistakable glow.

"You know. You're like a daughter to Arthur and I, and we love you. I can't even explain what this means to the both of us. Arthur actually broke down in tears. He was going to compose himself a little before making his way over. I hope you don't mind."

Hermione shook her head, and one of the babies moved. She placed her hand on top of the large bulge, then realized, there are four pregnant women in the castle. This was probably going to try on the headmasters patience. She stated grinning like mad. "Now, we have to go tell Ginny."

Molly smiled. "I promised Arthur I would at least let him break the news to Ginny with me."

Hermione laughed as Arthur stumbled into the room covered in soot. He hugged her, then looked like a kid that was told to wait to open their presents. "Go tell Ginny, I'm going to go take a nap."

After another round of hugs, and teary thank yous they left. Severus was already asleep by the time she got to the living room. Within moments of waiting her parents were there to take the children. Then she cuddled up with the unresponsive Snape, and fell asleep. Soon enough she felt the familiar pull of the goddess, mixed with an unexpected feeling of urgency. She allowed herself to be slipped into that void that was neither sleep, nor consciousness.

The goddess wasted no time and appeared as the woman that Hermione had come to know her as. Her long black hair blowing in the non existent breeze, her narrowed green eyes zeroing in on her.

As Hermione moved to follow the normal pleasantries she was stopped with a hand to her wrist.

"I know that you want to observe the formalities, but we do not have time. There is a reason why I have brought you here, your children are needed. There is no other way. The dark lord is now 'destroyed by human definition. Although putting someone who has mastered the art of manipulation with people who get bored easily, as you did with Riddle and The Fates, was not a good idea. Your children are the only one's who will be able to cross the land discerning the living, and the fates, without compulsion to either side. It will take time to follow through with his plans, but not his first one. My sisters have decided that I have become to much of a risk, under the compulsion of Riddle, and they are set to let my essence go. My essence is destined to be placed in your younger daughter. If they manage to get rid of me then there will be no way to stop riddle from becoming one of the gods, and stealing their powers."

"What do you mean your essence?"

"My powers, my persona is passed from ethereal to child, and when they grow old and die, I am once again ethereal. I can discuss this with you later. You need to get home. They are planning on releasing my essence tomorrow night. It is the full moon."

"But the potion we used last time took a month to brew!?!"

"When you wake there will be two vials. You are to take the silver one first for time, and the gold one second for action. When you give birth there will be eight more vials, mix the gold and ruby for your newborn daughter, and the silver and ruby for your other children. Write these instructions down, for if you are unable they will still be done. They are critical."

"Why-" Hermione started, but was pulled back into reality.

She woke Severus. She told him of everything, and he questioned nothing only reached out for the silver vial on the coffee table, and without saying a word uncorked it, and handed it to her.

She downed the first bottle and after downing the contents, laid on the sofa.

She slept, what felt like five hours was about one, and she woke up and she felt huge again, covered in nothing but a blanket.

Severus was staring at her.

"What?"

"Have you ever tried to watch a flower bloom or something heal?"

She shook her head.

"Well, that's what you looked like. Small, then bigger, and finally you stopped growing. I informed everyone of whats going on. Ginny, and Harry were out here at one point, but watching you grow was unnerving. They left about ten minutes ago." Then he added with a smirk, "Potter looked absolutely green."

Hermione attempted to sit up, when that proved helpless, she let out a strangled "Help."

When he helped her sit up, she clutched the blanket to her chest, but it still gaped. Well so much for preserved modestly, she thought.

"I figured we would make our way to the bedroom before you take the other vial." She nodded, and he helped her stand. Then they both made their way to the bedroom. At the time it felt like a death sentence, they didn't know how true their thoughts would ring for one of them.