Ginny stood wide eyed and mouth hung open, "You're Pregnant?!?!"
"Shut up! I don't know that for sure, My periods just late!"
"Who's pregnant?" Harry called from the couch, as Ginny escorted Hermione inside.
"Shut up, Harry! No one said I was pregnant!" Hermione said with a fierce glare. Harry grinned.
"Have you told Severus yet?" Harry asked, as he rocked Lily in his arms. James was asleep beside Harry on the couch, using Harry's leg as a pillow.
"No! I just realized the situation when I came back to get our things", Hermione replied in a hushed tone after seeing the sleeping children. "And I don't even know if I'm pregnant!"
Harry grinned and looked back down at his sleeping daughter.
"Would it really be so awful if you were pregnant?" Ginny asked as she enlarged one of the sitting chairs and sat down with Hermione.
"Well...No, but I'm not sure if this is right time to have another child. Addison isn't even a year old and half the time we can't tell if Abby has lost her marbles or not...."
Harry let out a loud laugh but quickly hushed his voice. "I can assure you Abby has all her marble, I had a most interesting conversation with her the other day about Page Summers. And, I'm positive Addison won't mind another little one running around, James loves helping Ginny and I with Lily."
"Harry's right", Ginny added.
"But, I don't know what Severus will think about this. This may be too much on him. Gods, I thought he going to fly off the deep end last night and that was after we found out Abby was alright."
"That's because he loves you and his children deeply", Ginny remarked. "If something happened to any of you it would kill him."
"I know, I'm just afraid he won't be happy about this. What if he doesn't want anymore children?"
"Really? Are you serious?" Harry asked, as if Hermione had asked the stupidest question ever. "We are talking about the man who if he comes in the same room as one of his children he is pawing all over them. Always hugging and cuddling them. I swear if I would have seen him pawing over Abby when we were students here I would have had a heart attack."
"Me too", Hermione said, grinning.
"Just talk him Hermione. Your right, you may not be pregnant. By the way, how late are you?"
Hermione sighed, "A couple of weeks."
Ginny grinned, "You should defiantly talk to Severus."
Hermione flooed back to the beach house thirty minutes later. She placed everyones things down on hers and Severus' bed and headed downstairs, assuming that was where Severus and the kids were. When she walked down the stairs and turned left she ran into a hard body.
"Oh!" Hermione squealed and started to fall backwards. Two strong arms grabbed her shoulders and pulled her upright.
"My apologies, Hermione." Hermione looked up and saw Lucius smiling down at her.
Hermione smiled, "That's alright, Lucius. I didn't know you were coming over."
"Lucius insisted on coming over", Narcissa said, exiting the floo. "Draco came by and told us what happened at Hogwarts last night."
"Oh, I see. Yes, that upset Severus quite a bit", Hermione said, as she, Lucius, and Narcissa walked into the kitchen. Severus and Abby were putting some things away, Addison was sitting in his highchair playing with a few toys.
"I'm back, love. And we have visitors", Hermione said, as she walked toward Severus. By the time Severus turned around Abby had flung herself into Lucius' chest, hugging him tightly.
"I've missed you godfather!" Abby said as she clung to Lucius. Addison starting kicking his legs and squealing, wanting to be held too.
"Oh, we wouldn't leave you out, love", Narcissa coed as she walked over and picked Addison up from his highchair. "Oh! Just look at your hair! You've got a head full of hair and it's starting to curl at the end!"
"Yes, his hair just started doing that", Hermione said happily, as she leaned into Severus' chest.
"You took longer then expected", Severus commented to Hermione.
"Yes, Well I stopped and had a chat with Ginny and Harry."
"Ah, I see."
"Sorry to barge in unexpected", Narcissa said. "But, once Lucius and I heard about what happened at Hogwarts last night we just had to come see how everyone was doing."
"We are alright now", Severus commented. "We just needed a little time to ourselves."
"Rightly deserved. I could only imagine how you felt. Lucius about had a heart attack when Draco told us what happened, but then Draco quickly informed us that it wasn't Abby on the Astronomy tower."
Abby glared up at Lucius, "You thought it was me too!"
"I'm sorry, my love. You worry us and I just had horrid thoughts running through my mind." Lucius tightened his grip on Abby and looked down at her lovingly. Abby glared but rested her head on Lucius' chest.
"How about you let us take the kids off your hands for a while?" Narcissa suggested as she coed at Addison. "We haven't gotten to spend much time with them and we would just love to take them shopping, we have to go to muggle London."
"I want to go shopping!" Abby said happily.
"Besides, it will give the two of you some alone time", Lucius said to Severus and Hermione.
Severus shrugged, "I don't have a problem with it."
"Neither do I", Hermione said.
"Great!" Narcissa said excitedly. "How about we bring them back after dinner?"
Severus smirked, "That's fine."
"Severus and the kids just brought back lunch so why don't we all eat and then you guys can be off", Hermione suggested.
Forty five minutes later, Severus and Hermione were cuddled on the couch. Lucius and Narcissa had just left with the children. Severus had his eyes closed and his breathing with starting to slow, Hermione was watching him.
"You are very calm today, you're about to fall asleep again", Hermione said with a small smile, as she trailed a finger over Severus' face.
Severus smiled, "It's the potion you gave me last night. This must be why Abby always seems very calm the next day after we give it to her. I'm very relaxed right now."
"Well, that's probably a good thing. I need to speak to you about something." Hermione was now chewing on her bottom lip and looking at Severus' worriedly.
Severus opened his eyes and gazed at Hermione, "What's wrong? Nothing happened to that Higgs girl, did it?"
"Oh, no. She's fine, Harry said Albus seemed to be getting through to her. Carry's parents decided that she will remain at Hogwarts."
"Oh, well, what is it then?" Severus tightened his arms around Hermione to reassure her and smiled. Hermione snuggled her head under Severus' chin, she wasn't sure she wanted to see his face when she told him what she had to say.
"Well, when I went to retrieve our things from Hogwarts, I realized something."
"Mmm hmm."
Hermione paused, she was actually scared to tell him. More scared then she was with Addison.
"What is it, love?" Severus coaxed softly.
"I'm late", she whispered.
"Late for what?" Hermione could hear the confusion in Severus' voice.
"My period."
"Ohh", Severus paused. "How late?"
"A couple weeks", Hermione replied, nervously.
It was silent for what seemed like eternity, but was actually only seconds. Hermione slowly pushed her head up and looked at Severus' face, his eyes were closed but he was grinning.
"Yyyou're not mad?" Hermione stuttered.
Severus snapped his eyes open and cocked an eyebrow. "You seriously thought I'd be angry?" Severus couldn't wipe the grin off his face.
Hermione glared at him. "I wasn't sure, I thought it might upset you with everything going on. Besides, Addison is still a baby."
Severus tightened his arms around Hermione and kissed her temple. "Yes, Addison is still young, but that doesn't matter. Things are a little hectic at the moment, but I think they're going to calm down. Besides, we had Addison when all that horrible stuff happened with Abby last year and things are turning out alright. How could I be angry with you, I helped make this baby too. That is if you are pregnant, have you seen Poppy yet?"
Hermione sighed and snuggled into Severus, "I'm so glad I fell in love with you Severus, you're amazing."
"I know." Hermione grinned at Severus' remark.
"No, I haven't seen Poppy yet. I just did realize I was late when I went back to our chambers."
"Well, perhaps we should go see her now? We need to find out soon and this will be our only time alone until we go back to the castle next week."
"Yes, I agree. Lets go see what Poppy thinks."
Fifteen minutes later found Hermione in a gown on one of the Hogwarts infirmary beds. Severus sat on the bed beside her, gently holding her hand and talking to her.
"I'm nervous", Hermione said anxiously.
"Calm down, love. No matter what, everything will be fine. I'm rather excited now, I hope it's another boy." Severus was still grinning, he hadn't stopped since Hermione told him.
Hermione smiled at him. Poppy walked in through the curtain and shut it behind her.
"So, you think you're brewing another little Snape? Hmm?" Poppy said cheerfully, as she ran her wand over Hermione's stomach.
"Yes, we think that it's a possibility. I'm a couple of weeks late on my period."
"Ah, I see", Poppy said and then remained quiet, concentrating on her work. Poppy made a face and tilted her head slightly.
"What! What's wrong!" Hermione said anxiously, noticing Poppy's expression.
Severus rubbed Hermione's face and took her hand, then turned his head toward Poppy, "Is everything alright."
Poppy smiled, "Mmm hmm, would you like to see the image? I can project it like a sonogram."
"I am pregnant?!" Hermione asked, excitement ringing through her voice.
"Defiantly", Poppy said with a soft smile.
Severus grinned and Hermione threw her hand over her mouth, covering her grin.
"Show us the sonogram then", Severus said, politely.
Poppy smiled and waved her wand, projecting the image above Hermione's stomach.
"This tiny little thing right here is your baby, you are a month a long", Poppy said.
"Oh Severus, look. It's so small."
"This little thing right here is your baby", Poppy said, pointing in the air again, grinning widely.
Severus gave her a strange look, "Are you alright Poppy? You already told us that."
"I don't think you two understand." Poppy pointed to a small fetus, "This is your baby." She pointed over to the left a little more, "AND this is your baby."
Severus' mouth dropped open.
"What?!?!?!" Hermione sat bolt up right on the bed and the picture vanished.
"Congratulations, you're having twins!" Poppy said, giddily.
"Holy Shit!" Severus almost yelled and grinned even wider then before. He pulled Hermione into his arms and held her tightly.
"Oh my gods, Severus. I didn't even think about there being more then one!" Hermione couldn't help but smile.
"I will leave you two alone", Poppy said.
"Wait, can you tell the sex yet?" Severus asked.
"Come back next Monday and I should be able to tell the sex of your little ones."
Hermione sat in between Severus' legs, Severus was leaned up against the couch. They had just gotten done eating dinner and were waiting for Lucius and Narcissa to bring the kids back.
"Gods Severus, I still can't believe it. Twins....", Hermione said in a daze.
"I know, this should be interesting. Two at once", Severus said with a grin.
"We should probably tell Abby before we tell anyone else."
"I agree. Would you like to tell her tonight or do you want to wait?"
"Tonight would be fine."
The floo light up and Narcissa and Lucius stepped out. Narcissa was carrying Addison, he was sound asleep. Lucius had Abby cradled in his arms, she was also asleep.
"Did you drug them", Severus asked, smirking.
"Of course not. Abby was demonstrating her new found powers and after about an hour of reading my mind she was wore out. Addison fell asleep about twenty minutes ago."
"He normally does fall asleep around eight", Hermione said happily.
Severus and Hermione both stood up, Severus took Abby from Lucius and Hermione took Addison from Narcissa.
"What are you two so happy about?" Lucius asked as he noticed Severus and Hermione were nearly glowing.
"We need a reason to be happy?" Severus asked with a smirk.
Lucius eyed him, "I won't probe you about it now, but I can tell something is up."
Narcissa looked them over, "Yes, I agree with Lucius."
Hermione buried her face in Addison's hair to hide her smile. Severus just cocked an eyebrow at Lucius and Narcissa.
"Mmm hmm. We will be back before the weeks over to spend sometime with the children", Lucius said with a suspicious look, as him and Narcissa stepped into the floo. "Good night."
"I suppose we should tell Abby tomorrow. We should probably invite our enormous family over for dinner one day and let everyone know the news", Severus said in mock annoyance.
Hermione grinned and nodded, "Lets get the kids to bed. I think the four of us should have the day to ourselves tomorrow."
"Agreed."
Severus laid on his stomach, across a white sheet. Hermione was laying beside him, they were watching Addison play. Addison was sitting in between the two and digging his hand into the sand. Severus looked up as the cool breeze whipped across his face, he saw Abby sitting on her surfboard in the water.
"I don't know how Abby can be out there for so long, that water has to be freezing", Hermione said lazily.
"It is, but she's using the same warming charm out there that we are using", Severus responded. "Abby would stay out there all day if I would let her. Besides, she'll be worn out and won't have any problems sleeping tonight."
"I don't know. I think it's going to depend on how she responds to hearing I'm pregnant with twins."
"Abby will be excited. You saw how she was when you were expecting Addison."
"I hope so. Abby's seemed so happy since we arrived the other day, I don't want to bring her mood down."
"Don't worry love. Things always have a way of working itself out. Here she comes, lets go inside and get situated and then we will tell her when we are getting ready for dinner."
"Ok", Hermione said grinning.
"I thought we were eating here for dinner", Abby said, as she walked into the sitting room.
"Change of plans, we are celebrating, so all of us are going to muggle London", Severus responded from the couch. He was sitting next to Hermione, who was holding Addison.
"What exactly are we celebrating? That I wasn't the one trying to off myself on the Astronomy tower? Or that you had a mental breakdown?" Abby grinned as she said the last two sentences. Hermione snorted.
Severus tried to glare and hold his smirk back. "I seriously hope your siblings are all boys, because you're a giant pain in my ass."
Abby grinned, "You already said Addison is starting to act just like me...Siblings, huh? When are you two planning on having more."
Severus could hear that Abby wasn't grasping what he was trying to tell her.
"Dad, can we leave? I'm starving."
"Sure, we can go", Severus said as he stood and helped Hermione stand, then smirked. "And, your siblings should be here in about eight months."
Abby's head snapped to Severus. "What!?!?!" She then looked at Hermione, "You're pregnant?"
Hermione nodded and smiled. Abby squealed and ran over to Severus and Hermione, throwing her arms around them. Addison whined, because he was getting smushed.
"Oh, oh!! Do you know what it is yet!" Abby asked, excitedly.
"A baby", Severus responded.
"Shut up!" Abby said as she glared at Severus.
"Poppy can't tell until Monday what the sex is", Hermione responded, now smiling widely.
"Can I go when you find out?!"
"Of course."
"Love, there is something else we need to tell you", Severus said.
"What?"
"Well, there's not just one baby.....It's twins."
Severus winced and covered his ears when Abby let out a high pitched squeal and crushed Hermione and Addison in another hug. Addison whined and reached for Severus, to save him from being smushed, again. Severus laughed and took Addison into his arms.
Severus watched as Hermione and the kids slept on his bed. Severus was laying on his side of the bed, Hermione or her side, and Abby and Addison were in between them.
"How long have you two known Hermione was pregnant?" Abby whispered.
"I thought you were asleep", Severus responded quietly.
"I was for a little while. How long?"
"We just found out yesterday. You were the first person we told. Well, the Potters are under the assumption that Hermione is pregnant, but we haven't confirmed it yet. We are going to have a family dinner at the end of the week and we will tell everyone then."
"You better enlarge the dinning room."
Severus smirked, "I know. Abby, since you're awake, I need to ask you about something. Your grandfather is under the impression that you know more about Carry Higgs then you have let on. I think I would have to agree, you two have seemed civil toward each other."
"Well, I do know something. And, you know it too, you just don't realize it", Abby replied as she moved closer to Severus and rested her head on his arm.
"What's that?"
"Well, I know you know that I've been brewing in Moaning Myrtles bathroom, you just couldn't prove it. I over heard some of the professor's discussing it one morning in the hallway. I also heard that they found the box of razors as well. But, those weren't mine."
"I know. After we found those things in Moaning Myrtles bathroom, you had an appointment with Healer Bronson. He checked you for signs that you were hurting yourself."
"I thought thats what he was doing. I was actually hoping you would confront me about it, but you never did. I wanted to tell you, but I promised Carry I wouldn't, those razors belonged to her."
Severus sighed, "I was afraid to confront you, I didn't want to send you over the edge if they were yours. So, I just kept a closer eye on you. How did you discover they were Carry's?"
"One night, after quidditch practice, I was brewing in the bathroom alone. I had only been in the bathroom a few moments when I heard someone crying. When I opened the stall door I saw Carry sitting on the floor and blood was all over her arms, she was cutting herself. She was angry at first but I started talking to her and helped her heal her wounds. I told her I wouldn't tell on her for cutting if she wouldn't tell on me for brewing my potions. I actually didn't care if she told on me, it's just, I know what it's like to be an outcast and I didn't want her to feel like that. Besides, her sister is still in St. Mungo's and Carry still sorta blames me for that. Carry started coming in with me while I brewed, she did stop cutting, I was actually teaching her some things about brewing. I didn't realize she was that depressed or I would have said something to someone."
"It's alright", Severus said softly, kissing the top of Abby's head. "You did what you thought was best for the situation and everything is alright now. I'm sure Carry was in need of a friend. You have to remember, love, that Dorea Higgs mental breakdown is not your fault."
"I know. Do you think Carry's alright?"
"Your grandfather said she's doing much better. Her parents are going to let her stay at Hogwarts as long as she speaks to someone once a week, to help her along."
"Oh, well that's good", Abby added tiredly.
"It is. I think it would be good for you too, talking to someone."
Abby groaned, "I'm talking to you, isn't that enough."
Severus smirked, "As long as you don't shut me out, again."
"Fine, but I get to skip Muggle studies to speak with you."
"You're pushing it", Severus said grinning.
-Review, please!! So, there may only be one more chapter and a epilogue or two more chapters and an epilogue....I haven't decided yet. I'm sad to see this story end though, I just don't want it to drag out. I received some exciting news over the weekend. I was accepted to graduate school at Middlesex University, in London!! I'm from the United States, so that's kind of crazy for me! I'm pretty sure I'm going, I just have to get a student visa, which is a pain in the ass!