Hermione was terrified. Absolutely and completely terrified. She couldn't believe she was actually getting married. The full weight of what she was doing was finally hitting her like a ton of bricks. It was four days until her wedding and she was writing the letter to her parents, finally. She had put it off until the very last minute but now Severus had practically forced her to write them. She was not re-reading her letter to make sure it was alright before she sent it off.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I've missed you a lot and I have some important news to tell you. As you know already know about me being taken by Lucius I will just cut to the chase. I am pregnant. The baby's father is not Lucius, it is Severus Snape's, the man who has helped me and taken care of me since I was rescued. I don't want you to panic because the baby was not conceived in the conventional way. It is too hard to explain in the letter so I will tell you when I see you in person, which I hope will be February 22nd at me and Severus' wedding. I love him with all my heart and this was my choice. I want to spend the rest of my life with him and I hope you can accept him as part of the family. He really is a kind and caring man and he will take care of me. I hope to see you soon!

Love From,

Hermione.

She guessed that would have to do. The letter was short and to the point but it worked.

"Okay" Hermione said to Severus. "I'm finished."

"Oh really" He said suspiciously. "Let me see it and make sure you told them everything there is to be told. I don't want them coming here not knowing anything."

Hermione glared. "It's my letter and you should trust me, I told them everything they need to know. Now leave me alone while I go and send it." She stalked out.

Severus couldn't help but smile at her. Even when he was irritated with her, it didn't last long. He was very glad she had finally told her parents though. He was rather afraid of what their reactions would be if they just up and got married without contacting them, as was Hermione's plan before he intervened and made her tell them.

Hermione took her time on the way to the owlery, seriously considering shredding up the letter, grabbing her stuff and running as far as she could. But she couldn't. She loved Severus too much and she had to think of her baby. Besides, she was Hermione Jane Granger. She didn't run from anything. Hermione stepped into the owlery and picked out a random brown school owl. She was just tying to the owl's leg when she heard footsteps and looked up to see Harry.

Harry had not spoken to her since she had told him of her wedding. She was a bit angry with him for being so cold.

"Hey Hermione" He said awkwardly.

"Hello" She said coolly.

"I…..we need to talk. Listen Hermione. I'm sorry about how I have been acting. You just have to understand. Its Snape were talking about and no matter how much you love him, he will always be Snape to me. But I hope you can forgive me Hermione…..and I will be coming to you're wedding." He then grinned. "I wouldn't miss you getting married for the world."

Hermione accepted his apology. She knew how hard it was for Harry to come to terms with her marrying one of the people he hated most in the world. "It's okay Harry. I know how you feel and I really appreciate you setting aside your old hatred and coming to my wedding. It really does mean so much to me" She walked over to him and gave him a long hug, glad to be friends with him again.

"So who are you sending a letter to?" Harry asked.

Hermione groaned. "My parents! I'm telling them about my wedding and being pregnant and blah blah blah."

"Oh that doesn't sound fun. Hopefully they won't be too angry that there little girl is getting married" Harry teased her.

"Well there just going to have to accept the fact that their little girl is all grown up and can make choices on her own now. Ugh, I am just not looking forward to seeing my fathers face when he sees Severus. He might tear him apart with his bare hands, and really, Severus might not stand a chance if my father really is angry."

"Hmm I might have to watch that."

Hermione punched him jokingly on the arm. "Harry! That's my fiancé you're talking about!"

Harry laughed and then his face took on a more serious look. "How is the baby Hermione? You're a little over five months by now, aren't you?"

"Yeah I am. Want to see?" She looked to make sure no one was coming and pulled up her robes to reveal her protruding belly. She wasn't huge but you could definitely tell she was pregnant.

Harry placed his hand on her belly and said "It's weird to think of you having a kid. I always imagined you being with Ron actually. He's always had a crush on you. He still does a little bit, but he's mostly gotten over it, since he has this new girl."

"Yeah I used to think me and Ron would end up together. But we tried that and it just didn't work. Were better off friends, really. I'm glad he's found someone else. Even if she is kind of…..creepy. I don't know what it is about her but she just makes me feel strange."

"I actually know what you mean. She never talks, really. And her eyes are so strange. They just seem to like right through you."

"Oh well. It's better her and Lavender" Hermione said, grimacing.

Harry nodded his head in strong agreement. Lavender had been atrocious.

They both left the owlery. Harry went back to Gryffindor common room and Hermione headed back to Severus' chambers.

When she got there she gathered her stuff and went to take a shower. She turned on the water to hot and climbed in. When she was washing her hair with her favorite strawberry shampoo, a thought occurred to her. Something that terrified her. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of this before. If she married Severus, he would expect her to sleep with him wouldn't he? Severus made her feel like no other man could. When he kissed her, her pulsed quickened and her heart burned with desire for him……but she also didn't know if she was ready to take that step yet. She thought about Severus touching her, about rubbing his hands along her body…..she shivered. She didn't know what she wanted? I'm just going to have to talk to Severus she decided.

Hermione was waiting on Severus' bed with a serious look on her face when he came back.

"What is it?" He asked, curious.

"Severus I need to talk to you about something important that concerns our wedding."

A flicker of fear went thought him. Was she regretting her choice? "Alright. What is it?"

"Okay well it's about after we get married. I don't know exactly how to put this….but I didn't know if you expected me to sleep with you? I mean not that I wouldn't want to; it's just that I don't know if I'm ready. I don't know if something like that would bring back the memories of what happened to me."

Severus was relieved that this was the only problem. "Oh Hermione, I would never expect you to do anything that you didn't want to. I will wait until you are ready, as long as that takes. Just know this, I would never harm you. Making love to someone is a wonderful thing that should never be painful or a bad experience. You have never made love someone of your own free will. You were forced which is completely different. One day you will be able to make love, and I will be waiting for you."

Hermione's eyes had filled with tears. "Severus thank you so much. Oh I love you. I'm sorry I'm like this. I'm just afraid." She sank into his arms and kissed him deeply. Pouring out all of her love and affection. He twisted his fingers into her curls and slipped his tongue inside of her mouth, tasting and teasing her. She felt her veins erupt with fire and a warm feeling flow into her stomach. He made her want him so badly. She longed to touch him so much, but she was scared by her own desires.

Severus wanted her just as badly. His body was responding to her touch and he felt himself growing hard. His erection pressed up against her leg. He groaned as she ran he hands down his back, fighting down his urge to make love to her right now. He wanted to make her groan in pleasure….but he knew he would he have to wait. He slowly pulled away from her and smiled.

"Let's go to bed now Hermione."

Author's Notes: Please Review!!!