Two weeks had passed since the revelation of her pregnancy and Hermione finally felt as if she was ready to return to her classes. She and Severus had talked over it long and hard, and she and him finally agreed that she was ready. He was to also return to being the Potions Master. They had also agreed that while in class and around other teachers and students that he would call her Mrs. Granger and she would call him Professor Snape. Severus did not intend on adding fuel to the fire of rumors by being caught speaking to her on such friendly terms. Although Hermione would return to class like usual, she would still however, be living with Severus in his chambers. She did not feel like she was ready to leave his arms at night for the cold loneliness of her four poster in the girl's dormitory. She shivered at the thought of being so alone at night.
Hermione had also decided that for the time being, she would reveal her pregnancy to no one. The only person who knew besides from her and Severus was Madame Pomfrey and Dumbledore of course. Severus and her had gone and told the old headmaster right after they had found out the miracle of Alena Fulgencia-Latrice. Dumbledore's blue eyes had twinkled with knowing delight at the announcement of this. He never seemed surprised by anything, it was as if he knew something like this would happen. Dumbledore had asked to see Hermione's necklace. As he peered down at it with his crooked nose he had said "This trinket contains magic in its oldest form, it would be wise to wear it always until you have had the baby. It may protect in ways that even I don't know" Hermione had taken heed of his word and wore it always, right now it was tucked away under her robes. Today was to be her first day back to classes and she didn't want people asking awkward questions about where it came from.
Hermione's hand trembled as she picked up the black strap of her school bag. She was so nervous and excited about going back. She hoped that no one would ask her any questions about what had transpired with Lucious, she didn't think she could handle that right now. She had agreed to meet Harry and Ron in the great hall for breakfast. She was grateful that they had all the same classes together, Harry and Ron would make sure no one pestered her about anything. Hermione stepped out of her wearing her black school robes and saw that Severus was clothed in his teachers robes as well. He looked very handsome in them indeed, they gave him an aura of authority and confidence that excited her.
He glanced over at her and smiled "I see you are ready for your first day." He said. "Ah, going back to teaching. It was such a reprieve to be away from those babbling dunderheads but alas now I have to go back."
She laughed merrily, and said teasingly. "Oh, don't lie Severus I know you missed those dunderheads. I can see that none of your days seemed complete without your usual telling off of Neville and taking numerous house points from Harry and Ron."
Severus smiled deviously and shrugged before taking her in his arms. He held her closely for a while and then said. "Well we better get going now. I have to get ready to teach my first class. Which is going to be hell let me tell you, I get to teach the Hufflepuff first years. A group of blubbering idiots if I must say so myself."
She playfully swatted him on the shoulder and said "You know you love it."
Severus and Hermione left for the Great Hall walking side by side. At the entrance to the Great Hall he gave her hand a slight squeeze and whispered "Good luck" before he walked away, his black robes trailing behind him.
Hermione took a deep breath and walked into the great hall. As she looked up she immediately saw Harry and Ron waving frantically at her. She grinned and walked over to him. She noticed that everyone was looking at her, whispering to each other and not wanting to look her in the eye. Well she had expected this. She had been gone for nearly six months, and had been staying with the potions master for two of those months. They were bound to be talking about her. She was relieved when she reached the Gryffindor table and took her place beside Harry.
He gave a huge honest grin and patted her on the back "Welcome back Hermione, you don't know how much we missed you."
"Yeah said Ron" Enthusiastically. "It's been a nightmare without you here to help us in homework" He grimaced.
Hermione laughed. "Well I'm glad to know that my friends only have me around because I allow them to copy my homework!"
"Hey!" Said Ron indignantly. "I didn't say that."
"Well, you implied it." Hermione said, pretending to be annoyed. This simple squabble with Ron brought back familiar memories of the past. She had missed them so much. She, Harry and Ron finished their meal like always. Talking, arguing and laughing. Like everything should be. There next class was Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins.
As they were walking across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut Harry leaned over and said. "Oh yeah we forgot to tell you. We got a new girl this year. Her name is Andreas Bruselle. Her name sounds like she came from one of those old, rich pureblood families. The odd thing is, no one has ever heard of her or knows where she comes from. She's a bit odd, doesn't speak anyone much, you know."
Ron grinned and said "But she is quite good looking."
Harry punched him playfully on the shoulder and said jokingly "Yeah we know what's on your mind."
Harry suddenly pointed across the grounds and said in a loud whisper "Hey, there she is. Walking alone as usual."
Hermione looked where his hand was pointed and saw her. Like Ron said she was good looking, but in an odd way. She was small and slender with stick straight shiny blonde hair that fell to the middle of her back. She had a small heart shaped face with large, round, violet colored eyes. Her eyes had a staring quality to them and seemed slightly too large for her face. For some reason this girl gave Hermione a feeling of unease. Perhaps it was those staring eyes that had locked onto Hermione and didn't seem to want to let go. Hermione forced herself to look away. She thought to herself that she was just being silly and that the uneasy feeling she got from the girl was only because she didn't know her yet. Hermione quickly put the odd girl out of her mind and focused her attention on…
"Hagrid!!!" She squealed in delight. She ran up to him and threw her arms around him.
"How are ya Hermione?" He said, his beetle black eyes shining with kindness and warmth. " Haven't seen you around much, eh?"
"I'm good" She said happily. "Just glad to be back"
"Well you just wait and see." He said. "I've got a real treat for ya today."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked each other apprehensively. Hagrid's idea of a treat could only be something huge and hairy that would eat you as soon as look at you. As it became closer to class time, the Slytherins started to show up. Hermione immediately tensed and fear crept up her spine. She didn't like the smirking look on their faces as they looked her up and down. She stayed very close to Harry and Ron, constantly checking around her. Hagrid then led him back behind his hut where everything suddenly went dark. Hermione jumped and grabbed Harry's arm in terror.
"Settle down, settle down." Hagrid said. "Nothin's the matter. I jus' had Dumbledore enchant this paddock back here to resemble the night. Today were going to be looking at Mooncalf's. They only come out in the moonlight o'course, so this is why I had to make it look like nighttime. During the day they spend their time burrowing underground." He then led them further into the paddock to reveal a snow white creature nestled in some way. There was only word to describe it: adorable. The mooncalf was slightly larger than an actual baby cow. It had a hornless face and large shiny oddly black hooves. Its tail had a big black tuft at the end.
Hermione gasped in delight at the small animal.
"Now can anyone tell me why his hooves are shaped that way?"
Hermione's hand immediately shot into the air and Hagrid called upon her. "They are shaped that way so the mooncalf can burrow its way underground during the day."
Hagrid beamed at her. "Right ye are Hermione, five points to Gryffindor."
The rest of the class went by without a hitch, although Hermione avoided all the Slytherins and never left Harry and Ron's side.
After that they had DADA with the Ravenclaws, History of Magic with the Hufflepuffs, Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws again and then finally Potions, with the Slytherins.
Hermione was excited and apprehensive about this class. She longed to see Severus but knew that she could show him no open affection. She had to make him think that there was nothing but a student-teacher relationship between them. Otherwise, Harry and Ron would have a fit.
They made their familiar down the dungeons and sat down at their old table. As Ron looked up at Professor Snape he voiced the topic that she had dreaded them bringing up.
"So Hermione, why are you still staying with that greasy grimy git now that you returned back to your classes? " He said. "Cant you go back to the girl's dormitory?"
Hermione held back anger at his insult at Severus. She knew she couldn't give away her feelings for him, and in a way she couldn't blame Ron. Severus had never been exactly civil to him. She carefully chose her words as she said. "Well, I just like my room there. It's a lot bigger and nicer than the one in Gryffindor tower and I really enjoy my privacy. I rarely ever see Severus and we hardly talk. I keep to my room and he keeps to his. The only time I really see him is when I use his library. That is another reason I want to stay there too, I can study in peace there."
Ron and Harry looked skeptical at her reason. Ron then said knowingly. "Whatever you say Hermione but I still think he is a slimy piece of filth. If it was me I would have left a long time ago."
She gave him a long hard look and said coldly "Yes but seeing as you are not me, and it is not up to you what I do, I would appreciate it if you stopped badgering me about it."
Ron looked stung and turned to Harry and shrugged. Hermione felt a bit bad for snapping at him. He was only trying to help. Oh well she sighed.
She looked up and saw Severus and had to suppress a smile. His face demanding and authoritive; as always he could quiet a class with a simple look. Today they were to be working on a tricky little potion designed to test their minds. It had to be stirred the perfect number of times, all of the ingredients had to put in at exactly the right moment and so on and so on. Ron had groaned at this but Hermione loved it. She loved testing her mind.
Severus was having a hard time not just staring at Hermione the whole time. She looked beautiful with her wild hair pinned back from her face, the vapors of the potion swirling around her. He saw she was biting her lip, an indication of how challenging the potion was. Someone from Slytherin raised their hand in the back and he rolled his eyes. Well, at least he got to walk by her table on his way over. As he did he lightly and unnoticeably brushed up against her. She immediately tingled all over and smiled to herself. This was a good day indeed.
After all of her classes Hermione was exhausted and wanted to return back to her chambers and Severus. She gave both Ron and Harry a quick hug and told him she would see them tomorrow. They both shook their heads because of where she was headed to but said nothing.
When Hermione reached Severus' sleeping quarters she saw that he was already there. He had lit a fire and the room was warm and cozy. He was busy crouched over his desk grading papers. Hermione secretively crept up behind him and snaked her arms around him. "Guess who?" She whispered.
Severus chuckled and took her in his arms. Hermione fell into them and felt her body was filled with longing for him. This emotion was so alien and strange to her but she embraced it. She leaned back and looked into his eyes, she thought for a moment she could see the same need and want swirling behind his eyes as well.
She whispered slowly "Will you kiss me?"
Severus was floored. Oh, he had wanted nothing more in the world than to hear this from her. He had never thought this day would come, when she would want him the way he wanted her. He knew he had to take things slowly though.
He closed his eyes and slowly leaned into her. He softly captured her lips in a sweet gentle kiss of longing. Her ripe succulent mouth tasted like just as he had imagined it, heavenly and sweet beyond compare. He opened his mouth against hers, taking care not to take things to fast. Then he pulled away leaving her breathless.
Hermione never knew kissing could be so wonderful and gentle. The only man who had ever kissed her before was Lucius. His kisses and been hard and savage, biting into her lips and making her bleed with pain. Severus' kiss was amazing though, her body had responded to that in ways she didn't even know she was capable of.
That night they fell asleep in each others arms again, content and oblivious to the rest of the world.
Author's Notes: Don't forget to review!