April had gone by quickly and before she knew it, it was time for her baby shower. Hermione's stomach was considerably larger by now and it was becoming harder and harder for her to haul herself around. Severus would now put a weightless spell on her and carry her to and from school. It was now common knowledge that she was married to Severus Snape and having his baby. Some people knew the real truth of how the baby was conceived, others didn't. She didn't really care.
"Hermione, are you ready?" Ginny asked her impatiently. She was in the Gryffindor girl's dormitory getting ready.
"Yeah, I am." Hermione replied. She was wearing a simple pair of berry red robes and had her hair pulled back.
Ginny grabbed her hand and pulled her down the staircase before she could object. They walked the way to the Room of Requirement which left her panting and opened the door. Hermione's first thought was pink. There was pink everywhere. Pink flowers, pink balloons, presents with pink wrapping paper, everything was pink. When everyone saw Hermione they all happily started chattering and waving hello to her. Lavender Brown, Pavarti and Padma Patil, Hanna Abbot, and surprisingly Mrs. Weasley was there.
Mrs. Weasley greeted Hermione sweetly, gathering her into her arms. "Oh Hermione darling, your baby has grown so much! Just look at your stomach!"
Hermione actually had to admit that the happiness and pink was a bit infectious. She found herself smiling and enjoying the party immensely. They had food and drinks too and Mrs. Weasley had made a huge cake with white icing that said in pink "Happy Motherhood Hermione". It was delicious of course, just like everything Mrs. Weasley made.
"Oh Hermione you have to open your presents now!" Pavarti said excitedly to her.
Hermione sat down on the little couch and started opening up the small pile of presents. She opened her way through a various assortment of clothes, diapers, toys, blankets and baby bottles before she got to Mrs. Weasley's present. She had knitted a gorgeous baby blanket that was incredibly soft and warm. Hermione put her face up to it and thanked Mrs. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley smiled "That's not all dear. Arthur made you something too. She moved to the back of the room and took a blanket of something huge.
Hermione gasped with delight. It was a beautifully crafted baby crib made out of mahogany wood. She went up to it and felt the intricate designs and workmanship. "Oh Mrs. Weasley it's beautiful!" She said hugging her. "Tell him I love it and thank you!"
"I will dear." She said. "I'm glad you like it.
"It's perfect." Hermione said.
They shower went on for about another hour until Hermione grew tired and her back started to ache. Being over eight months pregnant was not very comfortable. She couldn't believe she was due in a little over three weeks.
"You guys this was really fun. Thank you so much for doing this for me." Hermione said. She hugged everyone goodbye.
Mrs. Weasley said before leaving "I know your nervous Hermione. I was a wreck when it came close to time for me to give birth, but don't you worry. Any pain you have is worth it when you see your baby's face."
Those words touched Hermione and made her feel a lot better "Thanks Mrs. Weasley" She said before departing to find Severus who was waiting for her in his potions room.
"Come look what I got Severus!" She said happily, leading him to the Room of Requirement.
"Do I want to know what odd contraptions and devices a simpering group of young ladies could provide you with?" He said warily.
"Oh be quiet. Everything I got was not pink and fluffy." They stepped into the room and she walked him over to her new crib.
"Wow, I didn't know Arthur Weasley was capable of making something usable. Maybe he does have a few brain cells in that flaming head of his."
Hermione bristled. "Don't talk about him like that! Mr. Weasley is very nice and I like him a lot."
Severus ignored her and inspected the crib. "This will do nicely. What else did you get?" She showed him the assortment of items and he blanched at anything pink and anything relating to diapers. He helped her pack up her stuff and they proceeded to head home. Hermione thought how odd they must look. A baby crib hovering behind them loaded down with baby items.
Once inside she fell onto the bed exhausted, her back killing her. "Severus could you give me a massage? All this extra weight is not being kind on my back."
"Sure Hermione." He sat down beside her and slipped the robes of her back and started gently massaging her. She sighed with pleasure, it felt good on her tight muscles. "You really shouldn't be lugging around all of your books. I should put a weightless charm on your book bag. I don't know why I didn't think of this before. Are you remembering to take your vitamins like I told you too?" He badgered.
She groaned in annoyance. "Yes Father. I can remember do something as simple as that."
"I am just making sure. I know you neglect yourself sometimes."
"I do not." She grumbled.
She fell asleep still in her clothes and thankful that tomorrow was Sunday. Severus pulled the covers over her and went to the spare bedroom to start grading potions essays. A task that he actually enjoyed. He prided himself on his teaching skills when he read an excellent essay and enjoyed writing nasty, critical comments in the corners of the dreadful ones. Severus, the night owl that he was did not get to bed until 2 o'clock in the morning and woke up surprisingly early at 7 o'clock. Hermione was still sleeping soundly and he went into the kitchen to make himself some coffee. Black coffee was the only kind he could drink. He teased Hermione for ruining the flavor with the copious amounts of cream and sugar that she divvied out into hers. He spent the morning in relaxation, reading The Daily Prophet and occasionally making noise of disgust at the ridiculous articles. At about 8:30 he heard soft sounds of movement from the bedroom and went to make Hermione a cup of decaffeinated coffee. She didn't need caffeine now that she was pregnant. He pulled out a leafy green ceramic mug and poured her coffee, adding the sugar watching as it turned a creamy toffee color as the cream streamed into it.
Severus stepped over the threshold of the room and saw his lovely wife lying there. Her large pregnant stomach protruding against her silky lavender nightgown that he had purchased for her. "Good morning. I brought you some coffee." He said.
She looked at him sleepily took the mug from his hands, taking a sip. She sighed and suddenly her eyes filled with tears. He was at a loss, what had he done. "Umm is there not enough sugar?" He asked.
She shook her head. "No, it's perfect. Actually I have no idea what's wrong exactly. I had this really sweet dream where I was holding my baby girl. I guess it's just the hormones." She let out a shaky laugh as he looked at her like she was crazy. Hermione wiped her eyes and started sipping her coffee, looking content again.
Severus shook his head "Are you sure you're alright? Anything you need?"
"No, no. I'm fine."
"Well alright. I was thinking we could go have dinner at the Oliver's Tavern tonight, if you're feeling up to it"
"That would be wonderful, I haven't been out in a while."
"Well, you should rest until then. You still look a bit strained. Here I'll bring you some more of the potion and your vitamins."
Hermione grimaced but nodded "I have been feeling overwhelmed lately. I think this baby is finally taking a toll on my body. I was fine until the last week or two. She just seems to be growing so big, so fast." Hermione patted her enormous stomach.
Severus swooped over and kissed her, his young eyes sparkling "I'll be back"
He brought her potions and vitamins too her as well as a glass of orange juice. She pinched her nose and swallowed the nasty tonic and then washed it down with the fresh squeezed orange juice. "Could you bring me Frankenstein please? I need to catch up on some reading." She felt a bit bad ordering Severus around but she just couldn't bring herself to get out of the warm, comfy confines of her bed.
"Of course"
He came back with Frankenstein and she thanked him. "I'll be in the other room grading some more homework. Call me if you need me." He then kissed her on the cheek.
Hermione stayed in bed until lunch and then afterwards crawled back into bed with another cup of coffee. She was at a very good part in Frankenstein and just couldn't put it down. At about 4:30 she got up and started to get ready.
She took a hot shower and put a drying charm on her hair, not really caring that it made it frizzy. Hermione decided to wear muggle clothes that day and picked out a pair of black leggings and a large comfy jumper to go over it. She pulled her hair back with a hair band and numerous bobby pins and let the pony tail fall down her back in wild curls.
She put on her black sweater with the big shiny buttons that she loved and told Severus she was ready. Like usual he was wearing his plain black wizard robes.
"I'm going to get you into a pair of jeans one of these days." She said teasingly. "Or at least a different color pair of robes, do you ever tire of black?"
"Not really. I have been told that it goes well with my eyes."
She laughed. "I'm going to force you into jeans whether you like it or not."
"I'd like to see you try." He said as he walked her out into the pleasantly cool night. It was perfect spring weather. Not the biting of cold of winter yet and not the sweltering heat of summer either. Hermione loved spring with its fresh buds of green and flowers blooming into life. It seemed the perfect time of the year to bring a baby into the world.
She and Severus walked hand in hand as they made their way toward Oliver's Tavern. It was beautiful little restaurant and rather expensive too, which is why she had never been there. He led her into the dimly lit restaurant where the waiter seated them. It was very romantic, with the dim lighting and gentle music playing softly in the background.
The waitress came over and introduced herself "Hi, I'm Miranda and I'll be your waitress for tonight." She handed them the menus. "What can I get you to drink?"
"A butterbeer please." She said and then heard Severus cough and remembered with twinge that she couldn't have anything with alcohol in it. "Actually sorry, but I could I change that to an apple cider." The waitress smiled and said "Sure you can." She then turned to Severus "And for you Sir?"
"A water please." He said stoically.
"It's really nice in here." Hermione said while browsing over the menu. She was starving but didn't know what she wanted. She finally settled on fettuccini alfredo with a side salad, while Severus ordered the grilled salmon and vegetables.
Severus looked at her and then brought a small box out of his pocket.
She looked at him wondering what it was. It looked like it would be a ring but he had already gotten her that. "What's this?"
"Oh just a little something that I picked up. I saw it and it reminded me of you."
He opened the box to reveal a beautiful set of earrings and a matching necklace. They both silver inset with a creamy white moonstone.
She took them in her hand and ran her fingers over the smooth stone. "Severus, it's gorgeous."
"Moonstone is a feminine stone believed to help with accepting new beginnings and enhancing perception when making decisions. It also brings confidence and composure, is a stone of rejuvenation and helps with fertility and childbearing. I thought it sounded perfect for you."
Hermione put on the earrings and clasped the necklace around her neck where it fell slightly lower than her silver moon given to her in her dreams. "Thank you so much!"
He smiled "I just thought you might enjoy them. You seemed like you needed a little cheering up."
"I did." Said Hermione. Marveling at how thoughtful he could be.
There food arrived a few minutes later. It was incredibly delicious and tasted like it was all home made. They finished there meals and the waitress came back and asked if they wanted dessert. "No thanks" Hermione said.
"Hermione I know you wanted the double chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream." He said. "We'll share that."
She laughed. "You know me entirely too well. I just didn't want to get it because it's so expensive here!"
"You are eight months pregnant and I am treating you to dinner, the least I can do is get you your ice cream. Which I know your hormones are screaming for."
She smiled. "Maybe so"
Afterwards, Severus led her outside into the dusky twilight. They walked along Hogsmeade together, both of them perfectly content to be with each other. He led her past where they normally stopped at the end of the road and she had no idea where they were going. He finally slowed at a small secluded spot where they could see the early stars through the branches of the trees. He kissed her gently and made love to her right there on the ground, more sweetly than he ever had before.
Author's Notes: Please review and tell me what you think.