Hermione scratched out a misspelled word with her quill as she took notes in Charms. Professor Flitwick was bantering away about some charm or another. Hermione wasn't really listening. She was in another world when she suddenly felt a pain in her stomach and liquid gushed out of her. She looked down and saw a huge wet spot on her robes.

She swayed for second and then stood up, staggering. "Professor I think my water just broke." She said trying not to panic.

Everyone turned to look at her and started talking loudly. Ron and Harry jumped up and ran to her side, each taking one her arms to steady her.

"Mrs. Granger! Oh umm well lets get you to hospital wing immediately!" He said jumping up.

Lavender got up too and said "I'll go tell Professor Snape."

She scampered off, looking excited, to go and get him.

Hermione was terrified as Harry, Ron and Professor Flitwick led her to the hospital wing. She had only had one contraction but there was no doubt that labor was beginning because her water had broken. Madame Pomfrey took one look at her damp robes when she came in and immediately realized what had happened.

"Oh Mrs. Granger I mean Snape, your water has broken. How many contractions have you had and how far apart are they?" She said promptly.

"Only one…oh!" Hermione grimaced as another contraction came "No…..make that two."

"Okay Mrs. Snape. Let's get these robes off and get you to a bed." She turned to Harry, Ron and Professor Flitwick. "Out! Now!"

Harry and Ron tried to protest but finally filed out at the look on Madame Pomfrey's face. Seconds later Severs burst through the door, panting as if he had run a mile, his face white as a sheet. "Hermione!" He said rushing to her side. "Mrs. Brown told me your water broke. Are you alright? I brought the labor potion, here take this quickly." He handed her a glass vial and she quickly drank the blue liquid which felt like ice going down her throat.

Madame Pomfrey nodded her approval at this and then turned to Severus. "I want you to calm yourself and sit down. You don't need to be rushing about making her more nervous. Sit."

Severus teetered on the edge of his seat. Watching Hermione anxiously.

Hermione gasped as another contraction racked her body, the potion was taking effect and making the labor faster. Her contractions were now five minutes apart. Severus took her hand and she squeezed it for dear life. Her face was sweaty and her hair was sticking to her cheeks and neck in dark tendrils. To Severus she had never been more beautiful that she was now.

Madame Pomfrey hovered over her giving her encouragement. "Relax Hermione. You have to breathe. You are beginning the active phase of your labor and it will be more uncomfortable but you must relax."

Hermione glared. "What do you mean more uncomfortable? Its uncomfortable enough as it is now!"

Severus tried to speak "You need to relax Hermione. I am here for you."

"Shut up and leave me alone!" Hermione snarled.

Severus took no offense. After all she was pushing a baby out of her body and was in considerable pain. He just held her hand in firm assurance.

Thirty more minutes passed of Hermione's small contractions, growing more uncomfortable the whole time, until the final stage of her labor began.

"Oh god. Oh god. How can I do this? It already hurts so badly and it hasn't even really begun." Hermione said, tears forming in the corner's of her eyes. Her contractions were becoming worse and were racking her small body with pain.

Severus took out a cool cloth and wiped the sweat from her forehead. It was killing him to see her in pain. He would have gladly switched places with her and taken all of her suffering for his own, but he knew that wasn't possible. He pulled the damp strands of hair out of her face and kissed her forehead even though she tried to pull away. "You can do this Hermione. You are strong. You are bringing our baby into this world."

She gritted her teeth and ground his hand as another contraction ripped through her body, but nodded her heard in silent agreement. She was exhausted and didn't know how much longer she could keep this up.

"You are now fully dilated; it's almost time to start pushing." Madame Pomfrey said.

"Push! Are you crazy! I can't push this damn baby out of me. Oh god." She groaned.

"You have to Hermione. Start pushing! Now!" Madame Pomfrey instructed.

Hermione screamed as she gave a large push. It felt like her body was going to break in two.

"The head is crowning! Push Harder!" Madame Pomfrey told her.

Hermione gripped her knees with her hands, her knuckles turning white and her face contorted with pain as she pushed with all her might and then collapsed upon the bed again, waiting for another contraction to come.

Severus was whispering constantly in her ear, telling her how wonderful she was doing. She was amazing and beautiful, her face red and shining with sweat, and her curly hair everywhere and she was his.

Hermione screamed loudly and pushed with all her might, biting her lip until it bled as her body was rent by another pain.

"Its almost here, the head is coming. I can see it." She smiled encouragement at Hermione. "I can see her black hair."

Hermione managed a small smile and took a deep breath before another contraction hit her like a ton of bricks. She pushed with everything she had in her and felt the baby coming.

"Push harder Hermione! It's coming quickly now!"

Hermione groaned and bore down again and this time she felt something slide out of her. She collapsed, panting and exhausted.

Madame Pomfrey caught the crying baby as it slid out, followed by the fluid from Hermione's body. She grabbed a while cloth and wiped it off before handing the wrapped up baby to Hermione.

Hermione eased herself up and looked down at her baby girl. She looked down at her beautiful child and smiled, happier than she could ever remember being. "Our baby Severus. Our baby girl is here." She said to him as she kissed the baby's face. "I'm your Mommy sweetheart."

He looked down at them in wonder, his heart filled with love for the two beautiful girls in his life. He touched the baby's soft, sweet skin and said joyfully "We've got a baby girl!" He kissed Hermione gently and looked down at his baby again.

Madame Pomfrey hovered in the background watching the two young lovers in wonder. Who would have ever thought that the grumpy potions master would fall in love with the bright young witch. She sighed Miracles really do happen.

Several hours later found Hermione and Severus nestled in bed at the cottage and holding their baby girl. She was a beautiful child with a mop of shiny black hair.

"So what are we going to name her?" Hermione asked.

"I have already told you what I think. Gwyneth."

Hermione laughed. "Severus I hate that name! It's so old fashioned and historic sounding. Come on, we have to think of one soon."

"It's not old fashioned and historic. It's sophisticated." Severus said.

Hermione didn't look convinced. "What do you think about Madison?"

"Hmm. Do you like Madelynn?"

"Actually, I really do. Madelynn. It sounds nice."

"Well that's it then." He leaned down and kissed his baby's forehead "Madelynn Snape."

"We finally agree on something, that's a first." She said teasingly.

He looked at Hermione, watching her and the baby. She moved her gown down and brought the baby up to her breast to nurse. Madelynn eagerly grabbed on and started nursing contentedly. Hermione looked up and saw him watching her. "What is it?" She asked.

"Nothing, I was just thinking how lucky I am to be married to someone like you. I love you, you know. I love you more than anything in this world. You gave me life and passion and you gave me our baby girl." He looked down at Madelynn and then kissed Hermione on her soft pink lips.

"I love you too." She whispered, snuggling up against him with Madelynn held in the crook of her arm.

The End

Author's Notes: An epilogue will be added. Please review.