Disclaimer: All characters that are from the Harry Potter series, along with locations & other things recognizable to Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter 17

Once they all sat down, Severus and Harry took turns explaining to the girls how they worked together to bring back Hermione's parents. It took almost a week to figure out the right spells to reverse the strong magic the young woman had done, but with the help of Albus they had managed to do just that. Harry was there to help keep Mister and Misses Granger calm.

"So that's where you went last week. I knew you didn't have to go to the Aurors office on Monday." Ginny said, realizing that she was both extremely happy that Hermione had her parents back, but hurt that the men had not allowed her to help.

"Yes. It didn't take long. Especially because Hermione had managed to find them, so all Severus and Albus had to do, was find the correct spells to undo the lock, so to speak, on their memories that would not cause any brain damage." Harry turned to Hermione and saw tears sliding down her face. "Mia, you okay?"

She just nodded her head. She couldn't believe that Severus had done this, for her. She knew that he loved her but she never thought that he would go out of his way; take time from his days getting ready for the school year, to bring back her parents memories. "God, I've missed you two so much." Hermione whispered.

"Oh honey. We're here now and we won't leave you again." Helena Granger said, reaching her hand out for her daughters.

"Mum, Daddy. I have so much to tell you both." She said, not realizing that she had given her left hand to her mom.

"Like the fact that you are either engaged or married?" Helena asked with a warm and reassuring smile.

"We're engaged, Mistress Granger." Severus answered. "I asked her last night."

"Severus, you know you can call me Helena." She replied

"That's not the ring you showed me though, Severus." Eric Granger stated, a little shocked that the ring was different.

"You asked my Dad for my hand?" Hermione whispered as she turned her eyes from her parents to Severus' smiling face. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. Both of you."

"As to the ring, it wasn't quite Hermione." Severus explained to Eric. "So this afternoon we decided to head back to the jeweler with our friends and Hermione found the perfect rings. She actually found them when I was on the phone with you setting this dinner up."

"Thank you, Severus." Helena said. She was so happy to see her daughter filled with joy and love. At first the age difference seemed huge, but seeing Severus with her daughter made her realize two things. One, her daughter was older then her eighteen-years. I guess war will do that to a child, she thought to herself. And that two, Severus may look much older but maturity wise, he was the right age for Hermione.

"Well, that's not all we have to tell you." Hermione said as she took hold of Severus's hand for support. "Mum, Daddy. I'm pregnant. I'm only about two weeks along, so we aren't telling a lot of people, but I had to tell you both. I'm going to need you."

"Wow, my baby girl is going to be a wife soon… and a mum." Eric whispered, taking it all in.

"I know this must be hard, Daddy. But we all just found out last night. Granted I had an idea I might be, but didn't find out for sure until Ginny did a sp… trick to let me know for sure." Hermione made the word change quickly when she notice their waiter walking up to the table.

After they ordered the women started talking about babies; what they would need, which store was the best store to shop at. Which formula was better and when they thought the right age was for potty training and for day care. The men were talking about football, jobs, and what fatherhood was like. Severus was extremely nervous. Yes, he had a daughter already but he wasn't in her life day to day like he would be with his child with Hermione. He didn't want to be like his father.

"You know, Severus, I've learned that knowing what behaviors to avoid helps. I was fearful of being like my Grandfather. He was a tough man to please and it seemed that no matter what you did, it was never good enough." Eric stated when he saw Severus looking worried. "I taught Hermione, with the help of Helena, that you study hard and you do your very best and you will not only feel accomplished but you will get farther in life. The other thing to remember is that parenting is a team effort. You have to back each other up. When you disagree with what the other is doing, you discuss it away from the children. You want to show them a united front."

"He has nothing to worry about." Hermione said as she leaned her head on Severus' shoulder. "I've seen him with Mercia. He's amazing. I can't wait until she's old enough to spend weekends with us. She's just so adorable and she loves to laugh."

"Thank you, love." Severus said before placing a kiss on her right hand. He couldn't ask for a more loving and accepting person.

Before long the group was saying their goodbyes and making promises to see each other that weekend. For Hermione, it was too soon to be going separate ways with her parents. She just got them back; she didn't want to let them go.

"You'll see us this weekend." Helena said as she hugged her daughter again. She wasn't ready to let her go yet, either.

"I know. Today just went by too fast." Hermione said as she hugged her mom closer to her and then she turned to her dad. "Keep Mum out of trouble Daddy. This weekend we'll go house hunting. Find just the right place for you two."

"Sounds perfect Mia." He said before picking her up and hugging her. "Keep an eye on my girl, Severus."

"I will, sir. And so will the entire Weasley clan." He replied with a smirk at Ginny.

After a couple more hugs and promises to see each other, the Grangers continued down the street as Hermione, her lover and her friends turned to go back to the light to head to the Leaky Cauldron so they could floo home.

Once they were back at Hogwarts, after dropping Ginny and Harry off at Grimmauld Place, Severus and Hermione sat curled up on the love seat in front of the fire. Severus was reading the latest Potions Journal magazine and Hermione was reading one of her Ancient Runes books, making sure she would be able to teach the class without any problems. Crookshanks was fast asleep in front of the fireplace, snoring as usual.

"I will never grow tired of this." Hermione said as she looked up from her book, taking in her chambers and her soon-to-be husband.

"Of what, love?" Severus asked.

"This. Us. I hope we never get too sidetracked by silly and stupid things; that we always find time to just sit here and be together. And I can't wait until we have a brood of children sitting at our feet." She said as she slid down the couch to lay her head in his lap.

"I feel the same way, Hermione." Severus replied as he watched Hermione's eyes slowly flutter shut. Once he was sure she was asleep, he put his magazine down and pulled her onto his lap so that he could get a better grip on her, and then he stood and carried her to their bed. After lighting the fire, he crawled into bed next to her and held her close. "I will never grow tired of you. You are my heart." He kissed her sweetly and gently on her lips so as not to wake her. "I love you with all I have to give." With that he shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Date posted: 2/26/2012