AN - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

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Chapter 22

"Bloody hell Hermione!" Severus said as he shielded his face from her hands. "Ow! Must you always pull my hair?"

"Take it back!" Hermione said in anger. "I am not fat!"

"I didn't say you were fat. I merely said that you can barely fit in that summer dress of yours. Big was the word that I used," Severus said in defense.

"That's the same thing!"

"And you didn't mind that I called you a whale the other night?!"

"That was the other night. And if you're complaining that I am getting bigger and bigger, it's all your fault!" She reached behind her and grabbed at his crotch area. "Should I rip your balls off?"

"Now hang on a minute Love," Severus gasped in nervousness. If Hermione held onto his balls any tighter, it would definitely hurt. He felt his cock twitch and couldn't help but feel slightly aroused. Still, he feared that if he pushed Hermione's buttons any more, she would literally rip his balls off.

"Don't 'Love' me Severus!" Hermione said glaring down at him dangerously.

"You are getting bigger, and it's making you sexier," he purred placing his hands on her hips, and running it up to the sides of her stomach. He thought of what proper words to say. "The bigger you are, the more I have of you for myself. I was only teasing."

"Well it wasn't funny," Hermione huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. For now, she didn't feel like being teased. It hurt her feelings and she took it on with seriousness and not as a joke.

Severus sighed in relief as Hermione no longer had a grip on his manhood. Was he ever going to understand her? There was no harm behind it. Or were her hormones to blame again, making her moody?

"Problems?" Lucius smirked as he and Minerva approached the couple.

"He's always being a git!" Hermione grunted, standing on her feet, by pushing herself off Severus' chest with her hands. She saw Minerva, nodded at her in greeting and walked away. "I'm hungry, and I'll be eating alone!" she shouted over her shoulder.

"Hello Minerva," Severus greeted her as he stood on his feet. He dusted himself off, and grumbled to himself.

"What have you done this time?" Lucius asked.

"Nothing really," Severus replied. "She's the one making such a big deal over something so minuscule."

"Never under estimate the wrath of a pregnant woman," Lucius chuckled.

"I think I am learning that the hard way. Thanks for the useless warning," Severus sneered.

"Well, I'll give you two some privacy to talk," he said pulling his arm away from Minerva. With that, he walked back inside.

"You look good Severus," Minerva said, trying to start a conversation.

"For a dead man you mean?" Severus asked as he started to walk slowly with Minerva by his side.

Minerva didn't say anything, and looked at her feet as it brushed through the rich green grass. She imagined herself apologizing to Severus over and over again in her head if the chance were possible. And here she was, never thinking that she would have the chance. It was harder than she had imagined.

"I suppose you're angry at me for not informing you that I was alive, and that I faked my death?" Severus asked breaking the silence between them. "Like you're still mad at me over killing Albus?"

"I—I really apologize for being so angry with you in the past. It was an error in everyone's judgment, most of all mine," Minerva said as she looked up at him. "And if it means anything to you, I'm not angry at you, but at myself. You can't be blamed for wanting to disappear. But then the truth came out and things changed when I read Albus' letter after the war ended."

"I knew nothing of a letter until Lucius told me a few days ago; but then part of me still feels like I deserve to be in Azkaban, despite my… happiness."

"You shouldn't think that you deserve to be in Azkaban. We all had to do hard things and make sacrifices for the war." Minerva tried to catch a glimpse of his no longer impassive face as they continued along the way. Every step or so, Severus's hair would curtain the said of his face. "And are you happy?"

"With Hermione?" Severus placed his hands in his pockets. "I never thought it possible, but yes. That Gryffindor of yours though has a bark and a bite to match. She's never afraid to speak her mind."

"Albus and I always wanted you to be happy."

"Of all the things, it's with Hermione," Severus said with a light chuckle. "Can you believe it?"

"If Albus were alive, I have no doubt that he would probably try to set the both of you up," Minerva smiled. She was surprised to hear and see Severus chuckle. It had been years, or in fact decades since she last saw him chuckle. "She's good for you, you know? Don't ruin it."

"Trust me, I already know that."

"Forgive me Severus, please," Minerva said softly, unable to hold back the tears in her eyes.

Severus stopped walking, and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to her. "It is I that should ask for your forgiveness." He then wondered if he was ever going to forgive himself for his own mistakes.

Minerva could only nod as she moved forward and embraced Severus tightly. With her face buried in his chest, she started to sob. All these years, she had thought that he was dead. Now, she couldn't be more pleased than to see him alive and happy.

Severus wrapped his arms around Minerva and tried to comfort the older witch. Honestly, it felt awkward to him. In the past, he had never had to comfort her. She was always one to hide her own tears, or go to Molly Weasley if she needed a shoulder to lean on.

At least he knew everything was well between them and he and Minerva were on good terms again.

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Lunch had arrived promptly, making everyone gather around the dining table in the dining hall. Of course, Hermione was already there as she had started eating minutes ago on her own. With a napkin on her like a bib, she kept focus on unpeeling her jumbo prawns, not bothering to look up at her companions that walked into the room.

"My God woman, are you even planning on leaving anything for the rest of us?" Severus asked in disbelief as he took his seat right next to Hermione. It already seemed like everything on the table was disappearing.

"Bugger off Sev!" Hermione spat out as she reached out for the plate of prawns right in front of him as he attempted to grab hold of it. "That's mine!"

"What the—What am I going to eat?"

"Relax Severus, there's more in the kitchen. It will be served soon," Lucius assured him. "Ever since you arrived, Hermione has been having a very hearty appetite."

"And she'll always be eating my food," he sneered. "With you pregnant, I'm worried that there'll be nothing for me."

"Do you two always fight?" Draco asked curiously. "I swear, sometimes your worse than little kids."

"It's because he's such an arrogant bastard!" Hermione answered.

Everyone at the table just laughed, except for Severus.

Lunch was eaten joyously, with some chit chat, and nice conversation.

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AN – Chapter is not as long as I'd like it to be. Hope you enjoyed the read. Review!