Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter world. It all belongs to the genius creator, J.K. Rowling.
Severus sat next to Hermione's bed, holding her hand and just staring at her. The news had not been promising. She had suffered from severe blood loss and hypothermia. It had taken Poppy four hours to stabilize her, but she still was not sure if Hermione would wake up. She had advised Severus to take this time to talk to Hermione. It was rumored that while comatose, patients could hear people talking to them. While not proven, it was not exactly disproved either. She preferred to believe that they could hear and understand what was being said. Privately, she thought, it also helped the person talking so if the comatose patient never awakened, the loved ones at least got to say what they needed to.
Poppy left Severus with Hermione and flooed the headmaster.
"Albus, I need to speak with you, please, regarding Severus and Hermione."
"Of course, Poppy. If you'd just move aside, I'll come on through, so you will not have to be far from your patient."
Albus stepped into Poppy's office and conjured a comfortable chintz chair.
"Well, Poppy? What is the prognosis?"
She informed Albus of what she had already told Severus, then paused. Albus just looked at her expectantly.
"She lost the baby, Albus. I couldn't save her and the child too. It was either her or neither of them." Poppy had tears in her eyes.
Albus drew a deep breath. "Was she aware she was pregnant, Poppy?"
"I don't believe so. She had come to me a few months ago because of irregular cycles, but with her depression, that is normal. So she may not have thought anything of a missed cycle. She was only two months along, possibly two and a half. I certainly did not diagnose her pregnancy until this evening. As far as I am aware, I am her only medical advisor. And we both know how smart and caring she is Albus. I honestly do not believe she would have tried this had she known there was another life involved. But then again, I did not believe she would have done this at all."
Albus sadly shook his head. "I do not believe, my dear Poppy, that any of us have seen the demons running through Hermione's mind. Normally, I would agree that she would not have attempted suicide. However, after speaking with Severus this afternoon, I see that we have all done a great disservice to our dear Mrs. Snape. She has been depressed. Yes. But who has attempted to console her? The poor girl lost her entire family, her best friends, her familiar, was forced into marriage with a man who can not show emotion, fallen in love with him…There is only so much heartbreak one person can take in a lifetime. And even less in the timeframe that Hermione has. You do realize that all this happened in less than three years? The girl just turned 20 this past September. I know I forget at times how young she is."
The two friends and co-workers fell into a companiable silence. Both thinking of how to advise Severus of the additional news.
Finally, Poppy broke the quiet with a whispered "We have to tell him, don't we?"
"I am afraid so. I do not know how he will react. He actually cried today Poppy. I haven't seen Severus cry since he was in nappies. He loves her, but he has always wanted a child. It was
something he thought he would never have the opportunity for. Can she still have children, should she awaken?"
"Yes, Albus. There was minimal damage to her organs. The hypothermia, actually, helped with that. Magic repaired what needed to be done. Albus, I know that technically, I should tell Severus about the baby. However, given your relationship with him, would you be there when I break the news? I do believe he needs someone to guide him through this. Also, impart some of that omniscient wisdom on the boy, and advise him how to show his emotions to the girl. I think that is the key to bringing her out of her depression. She needs to know someone wants her, cares for her, and enjoys having her around. After all, that is essentially what she has lost."
"Brilliant Poppy! I never thought of that. And of course, I will go with you to tell Severus, as again, you are right. He will need someone there for him. And the more, the better."