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: Warning, this chapter is kind of sad. Two more chapters left! If I get enough reviews requesting to post right away I'll post the last of them either tonight or early tomorrow. R&R please!

Chapter 23

Hermione was still not talking to the Weasley family. Not because they thought she should apologize for that day at Grimmauld Place, but because they wouldn't stop apologizing about it and bringing it up. Severus had turned back into the snarky Potions Professor every student feared. She didn't blame him and she knew that if she hadn't been pregnant or crying that day, Severus would have used his vast knowledge of torture on Ron that day. The ten students that were there were still too scared to make eye contact with her or any of the other teachers that had been there that day.

She felt horrible about what those students had witnessed. Some came from a home were that was prevalent and she had wanted to give them a holiday away from that, but instead it had just been another holiday ruined for them. She could kill Ron alone for that.

"Stop dwelling on it, love. It's over now." Severus said as he walked into her classroom, bringing her a plate of sliced apples and sharp cheddar cheese. "Here love."

"I know, but I just don't understand why he was acting that way. And I can't help but bring it up when I know that every letter I get from Bill, Charlie, Molly, and Arthur is just another fucking apology about that night. It's been two weeks, they should just let it go." Hermione snapped.

"Yes but Hermione, they are your family away from family and they feel horrible that they were not able to stop that idiot from doing what he did." Severus turned around and with a wave of his hand shut and locked her classroom door. "I've put up a silencing charm as well, so feel free to swear and yell and scream all you like."

"Why can't he be my fucking friend? Why does he have to be so vindictive and selfish? What did I do to deserve that? I'm not the one that ran away from Harry during our fourth year! I'm not the one that ran away when we were on the run from Tom Riddle!" Hermione turned from her desk and stared out her window. "I'm not the one that abandoned him in the middle of a war!"

Severus came up behind her and pulled her in to his arms before sitting in her chair and putting her on his lap. "I wish I had the answers for you, Hermione, but I don't. The only one that can answer those questions is Ron and I don't see that happening any time soon."

"Fuck him! I will not let him make me worry about things that I need not worry about." Hermione curled into him more, resting her head on his shoulder and her right hand on his heart.

They sat that way for another ten minutes, just holding each other and offering comfort before Severus broke the silence.

"Okay, love, we need to get up to the Hospital Wing. One of the medi-witches from St. Mungo's should be there soon to let us know how the babies are doing and to let us know what we are having." With that Hermione stood up, took hold of his hand and walked out of her room with him, feeling a little more light hearted then she had when she woke that morning.

"So?" Ginny asked as she and Hermione walked into her and Harry's rooms.

"No. I didn't tell Severus, so I'm not going to tell you. You will just have to wait until they are born." Hermione said with a smirk on her face.

"That is just mean." Ginny walked over to the fireplace and pointed her wand, starting up a fire to warm them up as they sat on the couch. "When are you due?"

"They said I would probably be early, especially with triplets, but they set my due date at April twentieth."

"Mine's March, which means our babies will go to school together!" Ginny said excitedly.

"It will be wonderful for them to come into the school having friends already." Hermione said, leaning her head on Ginny's shoulder. Ginny laid her head on top of the older girls and they just sat there in a contented silence, waiting for the men to get back from whatever it is they were called away from.

"You should write to mom." Ginny whispered she was a little nervous about bringing up the rest of her family around Hermione, knowing that it was still a sore subject.

"I know. I just don't want her or your other brothers to feel like they need to continuously apologize for Ronald's actions." She let out a sigh, "If anything we owe the students and Melissa an apology. Ron owes everyone an apology but that will never happen."

Before Ginny could respond Remus, Harry, and Severus walked into the room. Their faces were blank, but the girls could see shock in their eyes. Shock and… sadness?

"What's wrong?" Ginny looked from each man and finally settled on Harry.

"Albus has died. He and Minerva and laid down for their afternoon nap and whe-" Harry couldn't finish.

"And when Minnie woke up and turned to wake Albus up, she realized that he was no longer breathing." Severus leaned down in front of Hermione. "I'm sorry, love." She was already having a hard enough time cutting off the Weasley's and dealing with no longer being friends with Ron, the last thing she needed was someone she looked at as a silly old grandfather, passing away.

"Take me to see Minerva. Now, please." Severus wanted to object, but he knew there was no point, especially with Ginny telling Harry the same thing.

Slowly the men walked the women up to their old head of house, and the woman who acted a mother while they were in school. No one knew what to say or do and no one wanted to break the silence, afraid of a student over hearing it. It was Minerva's place to tell the school when she was ready or asked someone else to handle it for her.

As the students quieted down, Severus looked from one table to the next. He didn't want to be the one to do this, but there was really no one else able to do it. Minerva was under a calming draught while her daughter sat with her in her chambers, Hermione and Ginny where in the teachers' common area huddled together before one of the many fire places and Remus and Harry were busy helping the ministry. Why the hell are they here anyway? He wondered for what felt like the thousandth time that night.

"Tonight I have the unfortunate duty to inform you that Professor Dumbledore passed away in his sleep this afternoon." Severus paused to allow the students to gasp and murmur to one another. "Professor McGonagall has sent owls to all your parents informing them of this and letting them know that Christmas break will start a week early. Starting tomorrow morning, if you are not staying at the Castle you are to start backing your trunks and sign the list for the Hogwarts Express if that is how you will need to travel to get home. Prefects and Head Boys and Girls please lead your houses to the dorms as quietly as possible. Good night."

Severus walked out of the Great Hall, not waiting to see what the students did next. He decided the news was best left until after they had their fill of dinner. Now he just wanted to hold his witch and listen to her heartbeat all night. To know that she and their babies were still here with him. His heart ached for Minerva, knowing that he would slip away along with Hermione if he ever lost her. He'd have nothing left to live for if he lost her and the babies. Albus watch over your wife, she needs you still; he thought as he walked up to Hermione and pulled her into his arms, holding her close and whispering over and over, "I love you".