Disclaimer: All characters that are from the Harry Potter series, along with locations & other things recognizable to Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling.
A/N: That's right! Y'all get a twofer tonight LOL. This chapter is rather short, just under a thousand words but they jump back into the thousand+ after this one.

Chapter 18

The school year started up the following week. Hermione and Severus spent a wonderful weekend house hunting with the Grangers and managed to find a wonderful flat near The Leaky Cauldron.

Severus's classes were going just fine. The students could hardly believe the change in their potions master but it soon became clear that it was due to his soon to be wife.

No one was aware that she was pregnant, so they had trouble explaining why she would turn from the sweet Hermione Granger of the Golden Trio into the hard and mean Professor Granger who gave you two-thousand-word essays plus a paper translating a chapter, yes the entire chapter, from their Ancient Runes text book.

Today however found her losing her patience not with a student but with the headmistress. Minerva didn't know where her sweet natured favorite student had gone but she hoped she would return soon.

"Well, I'm sorry I've turned into a fat whale which has caused me to not be able to wear the 'proper' attire of a teacher." Hermione snapped.

Minerva just gaped at the younger witch. She had called Hermione to her office to see how her classes were going and if she had any questions or concerns she wanted to discuss. "Hermione, I did not mean to imply anything by suggesting that you switch up your teaching attire. I just thought it would help get some of the students to take you more seriously."

"Ugh, I know Minnie. I'm sorry, I've just been feeling...I don't know even know how to explain it." Hermione ran her hands over her face. She needed to talk to Severus. She was feeling more tired than she should this early into the pregnancy and she was gaining weight almost as quickly as Ginny had. But she's having twins, and I'm not. Am I?

"Hermione, are you sure you are okay? I don't think I've ever seen you get this sidetracked in your head before." Minerva was starting to believe Albus's ramblings about the couple keeping something under wraps.

"Yes. I'm just tired, I guess. If you don't mind can we pick this back up next week?" She stood from her chair, hugged the older witch and then left for her chambers in hopes she would find Severus there.

As she walked down the hallway she placed her hands in the pocket of her grey hoodie that had the Hogwarts crest on it. It was pared with her favorite acid wash skinny jeans that were tucked into grey Uggs. Her hair was straightened that morning and then pulled back into a ponytail atop her head. She wore no make-up or jewelry besides her engagement slash wedding ring.

As she neared the Great Hall she heard a familiar voice call her name. She hoped she was wrong but as she looked up she saw she wasn't. Now she just hoped he wouldn't cause a scene or tell the entire school she was pregnant.

"Why are you here, Ron? I thought Harry, Ginny, and especially Severus, made it clear you were to stay clear of all of us until you did some growing up?" She seriously was not in the mood to deal with him.

"I'm here because Hagrid invited Harry and me." Ron snapped. "I saw you walking, so I thought I'd say hi."

"Oh. Alright, just try to stir clear of Severus, please." With that Hermione turned to leave, noticing that lunch was starting to wrap up.

"How are you feeling? Morning sickness still getting you?" Ron asked, trying to be friendly but unaware of some Slytherin sixth years walking out of the hall behind him.

"Professor Granger is pregnant?" One of the girls asked loudly as more students were exiting the Great Hall. Soon the entry way was filled with murmurs and whispers.

"Damn it Ronald!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What's going on? If you all do not move, you will each lose one hundred points." Severus snapped. "Hermione what's wrong?"

"Don't you know, Sir? She's pregnant!" One of the Creevey boys said next to him.

"Of course I know you idiot." Just then he caught sight of Ronald being smacked by Ginny, who decided to go back to school pregnant or not. "Why are you here?"

"He was just heading to Hagrid's, Sev- I mean Professor." Ginny said as she pushed her brother towards the front doors.

After a couple more threats from Severus and then Hermione threatening all of the student body with detention under Professors Binns and Trelawney, the students started going their own was.

"Are you okay, Love?" Severus asked as he pulled her into his arms.

"Yes and I wish everyone would stop asking me that." She snapped.

"Ah, tea with Minerva?" Severus asked.

"Yes and it got me thinking. Severus, would you go with me to see Poppy?"

"The nausea getting worse?" He was more curious by her request than nervous.

"No, nothing to do with that. Just need her to check something for me." Hermione wrapped her left arm around his waist as his arm went around her shoulders and they headed up to the hospital wing.

Hermione was looking warm and comfortable while Severus looked casual in his Saturday attire. He was in dark blue Levi 512's and a deep green Slytherin sweatshirt. He finished the look with his black converse and his hair loose and flowing just above his shoulders. He was quickly becoming the female student body's dream teacher.

A/N: As if he wasn't already with that sexy voice of his. I could just imagine him whispering extremely dirty and naughty things in my ear *drool* Yeah, suffice it to say, I'd fail his class & be in detention everyday because I wouldn't be able to focus LOL. Date posted: 2/26/2012