Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter world. It all belongs to the genius creator, J.K. Rowling.
Albus called Severus into Poppy's office and instructed him to sit down.
"Severus, I have further news." Poppy began. "While Hermione does have a good chance of survival, I had to make a decision you must know about. When and if Hermione awakens, it will be up to you if you tell her about it."
"What is it, Poppy? Your expression and the way you are talking is beginning to alarm me. Will she never completely heal? Will she wake up only to die on me in a few days? What is going on?" Severus was on the bridge of panicking.
"Severus, calm down. First of all, as I said earlier, there is no reason, medically, that she should not have a complete recovery. Secondly, let me finish. This is hard enough to say." Poppy drew in a deep breath and continued. "Hermione was pregnant Severus. I do not believe she was aware of this fact, as she had been experiencing irregular cycles. I could not help her and the baby. It was either her or neither of them. Also, it will never be known if the miscarriage would not have happened anyway. She was only about two months along, and as you know, the first trimester is the most fragile."
"Are you trying to tell me, Poppy, that you believe I would accuse Hermione of killing our child? Is that what you think? I really thought you knew me better than that. I know how often miscarriages happen, especially in the first trimester. I assure you, the health of my wife is of the utmost importance to me. It is unfortunate about the child. As much as I would love to have a baby with her, I want her happy and healthy first. Can you imagine the child's life with a mother who is depressed all the time? I am certain that this has happened for the best. Thank you for taking care of Hermione. Now, if you will excuse me, I will return to her side." Severus snarled at the mediwitch.
"Severus! You are mistaken if you believe I could think that of you. As a mediwitch, I was giving you information. As a friend, and yes, Severus Snape, I am your friend, I was trying to give you a straight answer. I most likely could have done so in a better way, however, it is not something a person wishes to tell anybody, much less a friend when you know how much it will pain him. I am sorry I couldn't think of an easier way to tell you. And as you are having a rough day, I will forgive you for your treatment of me just now, Snarkmaster!" Poppy angrily addressed the departing Severus.
Severus turned around and saw the tears in Poppy's eyes. He went over and did something he had never done before in his life. He hugged her. "I'm sorry Poppy. Thank you." Then he returned to his wife.
Albus had just sat there watching all this happen. Interesting that he had been there for Severus, but was now consoling Poppy, as she had burst into tears.
"There, there, Poppy. All will be well. You did a magnificent job. I do not believe I could have told him any better. And he did listen to your rebuke instead of storming off. That is something I never believed I would have seen." Albus whispered in her hair while softly rubbing her back.
"Albus…. He hugged me! Did you see that? And he thanked me Albus! Thanked me for not being able to help a baby!" Poppy hiccupped.
"My dear Poppy.. I do believe it was more of a thanks of friendship. He still believes himself to be unwanted and uncared for. He has only ever accepted my and Minerva's friendship, as far as I'm aware. This is why he is so upset over Hermione. Did I tell you what was in the journal? No? Well, sit down, sit down! Let's have a talk about our friend Severus, and see if we can come up with a solution to help him with his view on his self-worth…"