Hermione was buzzing with excitement because it was only two days until Christmas. She had decorated Severus' room for Christmas and it looked delightfully cheery. There was a small green Christmas tree in the corner that Hermione had strung with glowing silver and gold baubles, the tree made the whole room smell like crushed pine needles. Hermione had also taken the liberty of hanging garland and mistletoe all over the fireplace. When Severus had first seen her handiwork he had wrinkled his nose in distaste as he was not one for having much holiday spirit, but she had coaxed him into liking it or at least tolerating it.
She was also glad that she longer had to live in fear. She sometimes thought about Lucius and his escape and tears would threaten to overwhelm her and her body would want to curl up in fright, but then she would remember Severus. She would remember their bond and sweet joyous relief would then seep through her veins dispelling all fear.
Hermione had already bought her presents for everyone, including Severus. She was particularly pleased about Severus' present. She was also somewhat nervous about what his response to it would be, but something told her that he would love it.
Hermione was now nearly five months pregnant and definitely starting to show more. She could no longer wear any of her old robes, but had to wear the new maternity ones that were empire-waisted so no one would suspect anything. She could also no longer fit into any of her old muggle clothes. She had to wear leggings and long baggy sweaters now, which Severus found amusing for some reason. He just didn't get the muggle fashion world.
It was the Saturday before Christmas day when Hermione felt the baby kick for the first time. She had been lying on her side; half awake, half asleep when a weird sensation from her stomach had woke her up. When she placed her hand on her tummy she could feel the little bumping of her baby's feet against her stomach.
Hermione quickly shook Severus awake "Wake up, wake up….the baby is kicking!" She squealed with delight dancing in her coffee eyes.
Severus opened his eyes groggily "What…why are you waking me up Hermione? Its way too early and it's a Saturday." He said grumpily.
"Well too bad about that because our baby is kicking!"
Severus lost all traces of sleepiness and put his hand on Hermione's warm, round stomach. His face shown with wonder as he felt the baby's feet kicking against his hand. He was amazed at the signs of life coming from her stomach. The realization hit him again that he was going to have a child. He had helped create this miracle and it was theirs! His and Hermione's. The baby stopped kicking and he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his face into her strawberry scented curls. He wanted so badly at that moment to tell her how much he loved her. But for some reason he just couldn't. Severus had known nothing but loathing, fear, hatred, teasing and rebuttal from everyone he came into contact with. What was so different about her? He had been rejected all of his life and couldn't bear the thought of being rejected by her.
Hermione and Severus lay in bed together for a while, talking about their baby until both of their stomachs started growling for food. Severus wished he and Hermione could just go down to the Great Hall and dine together, but he knew that would raise questions. So they both dressed and parted for their separate tables at the entrance to the Great Hall. He to teachers table and her to the Gryffindor table. Severus watched her retreating back with regret. He knew everyone would find out about their child, the question was just when they would. Hermione would have to tell them soon before her stomach gave her away anyways. He sighed. Well he thought we shall worry about that when the time comes. He then settled into the seat next to Dumbledore to eat his breakfast.
Hermione took a seat across from Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table and cheerily said good morning.
Harry gave her a suspicious look and said "What are you so chipper about? You look like you just got an order from the Ministry of Magic that says to free all the house-elves immediately"
Hermione just smiled and said airily "I'm just glad its Christmas tomorrow." This seamed a satisfactory answer to Harry and Ron, so the resumed there normal conversation.
"So, Hermione. Who are you taking to the New Years Eve Ball?" Ron asked, fixing her with a beady eye.
Hermione blushed crimson, she knew who she wanted to take to the ball, but she also knew that probably wasn't a possibility. So she responded in a would-be-airy tone "Oh I haven't decided yet. I might not even go."
"Hmph, yeah right. I bet you already have somebody to go with. You just don't want to say. Anyways guess who I'm going with?" I'm going with the new girl Andreas Bruselle" He said without waiting for an answer, a satisfied look on his face.
Hermione grinned inwardly. She was glad that Ron had started liking someone else and finally gotten over his four year crush on her. "Well, I'm glad for you Ron. She seems nice enough, even if she is a bit odd, and doesn't talk much."
"It doesn't matter how much she talks" Said Ron with a duh expression on his face. "It matters what she looks like, and if I'm lucky, what she kisses like!"
Hermione kicked him under the table "Grow up Ron." She then turned to Harry. "And who are you taking?"
Harry grinned and said a bit awkwardly "Luna Lovegood"
Hermione laughed at this but she was also glad for Harry and Luna, they were cute together.
After dinner she, Harry, and Ron went to visit Hagrid and have tea. Hermione stayed for a couple of hours but soon grew bored and she was starting to miss Severus. She excused herself around dinnertime saying that she still needed to wrap a few presents and made her way to Severus' room. She gasped in pleasant surprise when she walked in.
Severus was waiting for her with a huge bouquet of orchids, her absolute favorite flower. He also already had dinner waiting for both of them at the table. This was so unlike Severus that she felt extremely flattered. She had the feeling that she was the first person ever to receive flowers from him, and also the very first person ever to eat a romantic dinner with him. It wasn't candlelit but she knew this was probably the closest to candlelit he would ever come. Severus came up to her and awkwardly handed her the flowers, seeming to not know what to do with himself. She never saw the cool, collected professor nervous but he certainly did look it now.
Hermione took the flowers and sniffed them daintily. They smelled wonderful. She then took Severus in her arms and kissed him lovingly, savoring the taste of his mouth and the scent of his musky skin. He pulled back and took her hand to lead her to the table. He had had the house-elves do quite a lot of work tonight but she didn't even notice.
"Severus this is wonderful!" She said delightedly. He pulled the chair out for her as she sat down and then went to his seat.
"You're welcome Hermione. I thought it would be nice to have a Christmas Eve dinner." He said looking somewhat awkward again. "I hope you enjoy it."
"It's really good" She said "As she started to eat her shrimp in a ladylike way.
"So, have you been thinking of names for the baby yet?" Severus said.
"Well" She said grinning shyly. "I was thinking of Madison or Bridgette for a girl and maybe Parker or Gavin for a boy. But I haven't really decided just yet."
Severus didn't think to seem that these ideas suited him. "Hmm, I was thinking more along the lines of Patrick for a boy and Gwyneth for a girl.
Hermione snorted. "Those names are so old fashioned Severus! I want our baby to have a modern name. This isn't the seventeenth century."
"I am perfectly aware of that. I was just stating a few of my choice names."
"Well, I am the mother so I think my names win out."
"Well, I am the father so I have some input."
They continued there dinner, arguing happily about baby names. When it became time for bed, they each fell asleep easily, looking forward to Christmas morning (well at least Hermione was). Severus had to help watch over the first years during there breaks to make sure that no ruckus broke out from the holiday spirit. Hermione was very amused at this.
Hermione woke up the next morning to the smell of Christmas and the dancing lights of the tree. She rolled over, excited as a child (Hermione adored Christmas) and shook Severus awake. He yawned loudly and cursed the early morning but grudgingly got up.
"It's Christmas Severus!" She said gleefully. "She walked over to the Christmas tree that was piled high with presents, which were most, almost all, for Hermione. The house-elves must have brought them all out in the middle of the night. Her's were labeled and so were Severus'.
"Well" He said, looking slightly happier as he became more awake. "I guess its time to open up presents. You can go first. I never thought I would catch myself saying those words" I added sarcastically, even though he was secretly excited about giving Hermione her gift, which wasn't under the tree yet. He had kept it hidden in one of his droors to give to her last.
She ripped open her presents one by one. She had received the usual knitted sweater, mince pies and fudge from Mrs. Weasley and a tin of some unknown candy from Hagrid. Severus had eyed the sweater with great distaste when she had opened it. Ron had given her an encyclopedia of spells which she knew would come in handy and Harry had gotten a beautiful sweater which she looked at sadly because she knew she couldn't wear it in her current state. She finished her presents and looked around expectantly, there was no present from Severus. Her heart sank……
"Did you think I had forgotten you?" He said with a slight grin lingering around his mouth. He then pulled out a brilliantly wrapped package from behind his back and presented it to her.
She opened it and gasped with delight. In it was the most beautiful set of lavender dress robes she had ever seen and a pair of delicately decorated heels to go with it. She could tell the dress was extremely expensive. It was specially made to cover her pregnancy and had an empire waist with a beautiful silver band that would fit right below her chest. The sleeves were long and fluttery and the fabric seemed to float through her fingers as it shimmered and shone in the light. "Oh Severus it's beautiful! How did you know that I needed new dress robes? It's exactly what I wanted!" She threw her arms around him in delight.
"You're welcome Hermione." He said modestly. It was the first Christmas present he had ever given anyone.
Hermione then grabbed Severus' two presents and handed him the one she wanted him to open first. He opened the present slowly and revealed a soft pink baby blanket with white threading and an embroidered rattle on the side. He looked at it and his eyes grew wide in wonder when he realized what it meant.
"Were having a baby girl Severus" Hermione whispered in his ear, tears welling up in her eyes. Severus was at a loss for words as he gathered her in his arms and before he could stop himself or even think, he said what he had been keeping bottled up inside him for months. "I love you Hermione Granger."
She froze in his arms and then pulled away from him. At first he thought that he had repulsed her, that she didn't want to hear these words from him. He thought that maybe she would reject him and then turn and walk away. He thought that she was going to tell him that she no longer felt comfortable with him being part of her life. What he didn't expect was the answer that came from her.
She had not pulled away because she was repulsed by him; she had pulled away because she was overcome by emotion. Happy tears were streaming down her lovely rosy cheeks as she whispered "I love you too Severus."
"Oh, Hermione. You don't know how happy you have just made me. I have loved you for so long and I thought I would never have you. I thought you would be repulsed by me, and turn away, leaving me like everyone else. But you have truly shown me the wonders in life."
Hermione was crying harder than ever but managed to choke out "I could never be repulsed by you Severus. You make me feel as I never have before. I thought that after Lucius molested me I would never be able to feel another mans touch without cringing, but I revel in yours. Your kiss means everything to me and I am so happy we are sharing this baby together." This was the first time she had been able so Lucius name without shrinking in fear, it was Severus' face that allowed her to do that.
She then giggled, and grabbed his second present. "Oh I almost forgot about this present. It's no where near as good as the first one but I know that you need them."
He opened his second present to reveal a new cauldron and a new set of potions beakers, which he had to admit he did desperately need. His old cauldron was extremely outdated even though he kept it spotless and his potions beakers were starting to chip.
"Thank you. You too seem to know exactly what I need."
He then smothered her with kisses and they spent the rest of the afternoon in his room, because they didn't want to have to part, not even changing out of their pajamas. Neither of them had ever been so happy, and it was because of each others love that they felt this way.
Author's Notes: Reviews are welcome and appreciated!