Chapter 34: Under the Covers

Hermione had been released from the hospital two days later and had been relocated to her and her husband's chambers where her mother and aunt looked after her. The boys visited occasionally but it was only twice a week. Hermione was doing fine and the baby was growing wonderfully but Poppy thought it best to stay on a month's worth of bed rest. The rest of her family stopped in from time to time bringing her new books and sweets that she loved, but she obeyed Poppy's orders hoping to get back into the classroom soon.

However, Hermione wasn't always so positive; she recalled that when she was first told that she still needed bed rest for a month:

Flashback:

Poppy had just left the couple to talk about the situation.

"Hermione this is for the best interest of the baby."

"I know that but this is getting ridiculous, am I not a good enough mother?"

"Hermione you are going to be a fine mother, give yourself some credit…"

"No this is payment for my parents giving me up at birth, this is Karma coming and kicking the Lestrange household name in the ass because of something was out of my control!"

"Hermione…"

"No Severus don't say it, this is my fault I am going to be an unfit mother!"

"Hermione..."

"Get out!"

"But…"

"NO GO!" Severus had learned that it was best not o piss off a pregnant woman from the house of Black, so he left and stayed with his parents for a while until she cooled off.

Hermione cried for days on end before her mother came in and lectured her ear off about how her behavior was getting ridiculous.

"But mother…"

"No I am over this pity Hermione crap that you are pulling. This isn't karma this is LIFE! You are going to be a wonderful mother you just have to embrace yourself and accept the things you cannot change, you are an exceptionally bright witch Hermione, let your husband help you don't push him away."

"But…"

"NO, Hermione if I hear of you doubting yourself again I will personally come here and beat the living day lights out of you!"

Hermione shut her mouth after that and allowed Severus to come back, Minerva and Albus accompanied him every day when checking in on her. She had grown out of her depression gradually but she was finally excepting of all that had happened. So she was able to return when the month was over and help Minerva in the classroom. She was a lot kinder to her students but still very strict, she found that her heart was in the classroom, she loved to learn and helping others understand. Harry and Ron came up to her more often than not and during their off periods they would catch up and laugh about the silly things about life.

One day in particular Harry asked, "Hermione, you're not due for another four months correct?"

"Yes."

"If the battle is anywhere between here and then I don't want you on the field."

"But Harry, we have been planning this battle for seven years…"

"No Hermione, I have already talked to Professors Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore and they agree."

"Oh so now you are going behind my back to my family to keep me from helping."

"No Hermione it's just too risky."

"I am a death eater too Harry, HE expects me to fight, to lead you to him."

"Oh really Mione, he told you this?" Ron asked frustrated with her inability to budge on the topic.

"No but it was hidden in my vows and I will not become a target afterward, and I'll be damned if I am going to let all of you keep me from this."

"We love you Mione, and we just want you to go to full term this time, to experience mother hood without the fear of him."

"Harry, Ron, I appreciate your concern but I don't wish to have this conversation again, you are both dismissed." That last word let them know that she was back in teacher mode and not to be messed with.

"Yes Professor." The both left the office without another word. Little did they know that the war was just around the corner.

Now the end of April, Hermione and Severus were summoned to a very important meeting. The Dark Lord summoned those of importance and had them prepare themselves.

"My loyal followers, the time has come, when a new month rises, we will go after Hogwarts in all of her glory and take that old fool and his pawn down!" A wave of cheers fallowed this. "Hermione and Severus, you are to say nothing to that old coot."

"Yes My Lord."

"Good, Madam Snape, I still expect you to fight, despite the conditions."

"Yes my lord."

"Good you will be summoned on the day I am ready." And they all left.

Of course this lead to the current situation in Albus's office.

"Hermione, you can't be serious. Think about the baby."

"I am thinking about the baby!"

"Obviously not, you are doing this for selfish reasons."

"Oh you mean like you weren't doing something selfish when you three talked to Harry behind my back and then used him to tell me? That was real rich dear husband; I am so glad that our binding means nothing to you. I am doing this," She didn't even wait for a reply she stood and quickly walked out of the office.

"Don't take it to heart Severus, Pregnancy hormones are the devil's work." Albus said.

"No Albus she's right, it was wrong of us to say something to Potter before confronting her, we should have talked to her first."

"I agree with him Albus, I think this is more than hormones, I think this is deep hurt and it is escalated because of her condition."

"I will handle this, if she insists on fighting then we will protect her and the baby as much as possible." He bid his parents goodnight and fallowed his wife out the door. He made it to their chambers without a problem and he found her already in bed. "Hermione?"

"I am not discussing this anymore Severus."

"I don't expect you to; I just wanted to apologize for my going behind your back and using Potter to tell you. You are my wife and I love you with all of my heart, I don't want to hurt you. I am worried about you and the Baby, this is a big deal Hermione, and I am terrified to lose you!" His voice had moved to a pleading tone and she registered the seriousness of the situation.

"Severus, I love you and I am sorry for the way I reacted, it was in the best interest in our family, I just, I hate feeling so helpless and dainty." She felt tears run down her face and onto her pillow, "I just got off of bed rest Love and I get this sprung on me…"

Severus moved to the bed and pulled her into his arms and held her as she cried, "I am not ready for this war, and this is too much."

"I know Hermione, I know." He held her as she cried, kidding her and giving her loving endearments until she fell asleep. Everything he was living for was under these covers.