Disclaimer: Me no ownie.
Life For Rent
Chapter 19
Hermione was enjoying a rare day off from her potions training to spend the afternoon with Harry and Ginny. Severus had insisted that Hermione spend the day with her friends while he completed a few unfinished projects by himself. Hermione was more than eager to leave him be. As happy as they were with one another, working and living in the same space had become increasingly trying on each other's nerves. Hermione knew several girls who could easily forsake all their prior acquaintances and be at the beck and call of the person they love, but Hermione found that behavior smothering and Severus, without a doubt, felt the same way. But today was different. Hermione had something really exciting and important that she wanted to talk to Ginny about and she really wanted to talk to Ginny before she talked to Severus.
So, it was with a cheerful smile on her face that Hermione opened the door to Grimmauld Place to see a very angry looking Ginny gripping the wall with one hand and clutching her belly with the other. The smile on Hermione's face slowly faded as she noticed the puddle on the floor around Ginny's feet.
"Oh my god! Ginny, are you alright?" Hermione immediately felt stupid for the question. Of course the poor girl was not alright, she was bent over in a spasm of pain standing in a pool of amniotic fluid. Nobody would be alright in that situation. Nevertheless Hermione rushed to Ginny and put a supporting arm around her thick waist and led her to the sitting room.
"I'm okay now, I think. My water broke and I was just standing there looking at it with wonder and then I felt this ripping pain across my lower back and abdomen." Ginny was animated even in her descriptions of her labor, making Hermione smile. "I never thought a contraction would feel like that. Mum says that they get worse too!"
"Ginny, where is Harry? I thought he wasn't leaving your side now that you are due so soon." Hermione said rubbing Ginny's back carefully. She knew very little about childbirth but she did know that her next contraction could come in the next two minutes or the next thirty and she was positive Ginny would want her husband to see her through it.
"He took a break from me to go play Quidditch with my brothers." Ginny said despairingly. "Ron is visiting and Harry and I got in a huge argument. He said that I was being intolerable and he needed a break. He should be back within the hour, I hope. I am not being intolerable! He is intolerable expecting me to be happy that he did this to me!"
Ginny was gesturing frantically at her stomach. "I'm hideous! I am huge and uncomfortable and it's all Harry's fault!"
Hermione suppressed a giggle as she listened to Ginny verbally castrate her husband under her breath.
"Okay, Gin. I am going to go clean that mess up out there, then I'm going to go upstairs and get you some clean clothes. After that, I will send a Patronus to your inconsiderate husband to meet us as at St. Mungos. Okay?" Hermione said calmly trying to soothe Ginny's nerves.
Ginny turned her furious glare on Hermione. "Don't patronize me, Hermione. I am not a child."
"Hey, don't blame me! I didn't get you in this situation." Hermione said good naturedly as she exited the sitting room, "are you going to be okay alone for a few minutes?"
Hermione's only answer was a dark glare. As soon as Hermione was out of the room and away from Ginny she collapsed against the wall and took a deep shuddering breath. She had no idea what to do. How did one deal with a laboring chimaera? Ginny was obviously in no mood to be pleasant and Harry was going to get a piece of her mind for leaving his wife to go play Quidditch like that. Hermione was close to panic by the time she had cleaned up the mess and returned with fresh clothes.
"Here's some clean clothes. Do you need my help?" Hermione asked worriedly. Ginny looked pale and nodded slowly.
"I had another one and it was worse. Oh, Hermione, this hurts so much!" Ginny said as Hermione helped her out of the cream colored armchair.
Hermione gasped in shock when she saw the bloody stain that was spreading on the seat. Hermione had no idea if it was normal to bleed when one's water broke but she didn't want Ginny to see it. Turning so that her body was blocking the chair Hermione helped Ginny into some fresh clothes, all manner of modesty and privacy went out the window as Hermione rushed to get Ginny cleaned up. Hermione was not able to hide the blood from Ginny when she took off her pants.
"Oh no!" Ginny exclaimed at the sight of the blood and then she doubled over as a new contraction twisted through her. Ginny made a strange mewling sound that made the hair stand on the back of Hermione's neck. Maybe I don't want kids after all but I think it is too late for that, Hermione couldn't help but think. How was she supposed to handle her own experience with labor if she couldn't handle Ginny's? Ginny squeezed Hermione's hand until she felt a bone snap but fear and worry for her friend made the pain barely noticeable. Nothing that Ginny could do to Hermione would be worse than what the poor girl was going through herself.
Hermione had managed to get Ginny to the fireplace when Harry's answering Patronus filled the room.
"On my way." The stag said in Harry's voice.
"See Ginny, Harry will meet us there. Everything is going to be fine."
"Easy for you to say! You don't have to squeeze two bigheaded Potters out of your vagina right now!" Ginny snapped.
Hermione threw some floo powder into the fireplace and stepped inside with Ginny and her hospital bag in tow. It was a tight fit but Hermione wasn't willing to send Ginny through by herself. Hermione was alarmed at Ginny's nasty tone. She was normally so full of good humour that it was very disturbing for Hermione to deal with the side of her. She had a sharp tongue and an acerbic wit on occasion but this was different. Hermione had never dealt with her in labor though, so maybe that explained it all. If that was the way she was treating Harry over the last few days it was not wonder he took a Quidditch break.
Upon arrival at the hospital's maternity ward they were encapsulated in a sea of redheaded Weasleys and one black haired Potter. Harry and Molly both embraced Ginny who was now crying and clinging to her mother as another contraction overtook her. Hermione broke through the crowd to get the healer's attention who so far was allowing Weasley clan to hover around Ginny.
"You need to get her in a room! She's in labor!" Hermione practically shrieked at the complacent witch who was flipping through a copy of Witch Weekly. Hermione noted that her name tag ironically said 'Ginger.'
"Oh, don't worry I am sure a couple more minutes will be okay. Labor takes time and she will only be allowed two people in the room so let them see her while they can."
Hermione pounded her fist on the counter. "You don't understand, she's bleeding. That's not normal is it?"
That statement got the Mediwitch's attention in a way the crowd of ginger headed people hadn't. She threw down the magazine and broke through the large family to assist Ginny into the nearest empty room calling for help along the way.
Ginny called for Hermione to join them in her room and Hermione went to stand by her head as a couple of Mediwitches examined Ginny. Harry was on Ginny's other side with Molly.
"Oh, Ginny. I am so sorry I left to play Quidditch. I shouldn't have gone and I know it." Harry said stroking Ginny's face looking stricken.
"I'm glad you're hear now, Harry." Ginny said being uncharacteristically nice before turning to Hermione. "I'm really glad you were there too, Hermione."
Hermione looked up at Molly with confusion. Ginny was being really calm and her eyes were slightly glazed.
"They gave her a pain reliever and a mild sedative." Molly answered Hermione's unasked question. Hermione just nodded her understanding and looked at Ginny worriedly offering her hand again. Hermione had forgotten about the broken bone in her hand until Ginny gripped it again as another contraction tightened her stomach. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from shouting in pain herself. The warm coppery blood in her mouth made her stomach turn, something that had been happening a lot lately.
"I'm afraid that we are going to have to deliver the babies right now." The head healer stated over the noise of the people in the room. "The baby on the bottom is turned sideways and won't be able to come the normal way."
Ginny was crying and Harry had a blank expression on her face. Molly had a hand over her mouth.
"What are you going to do?" She cried.
Hermione answered before the healer could. "A Cesarean right?"
The healer nodded at Hermione. "I believe that is what the Muggles call it but I believe the magical method is safer and cleaner."
Hermione nodded in agreement. Of course magic would heal a woman faster than Muggle stitches would. Hermione was shepherded out of the hospital room as the Healer explained the procedure to Ginny, Harry, and Molly.
"Hermione! What's going on in there?" Ron asked in a way of greeting. Hermione was glad to see him, it had been a long time and it was comforting having her friend there. For some reason Ginny being in labor and having complications at that was affecting her much more deeply than she had anticipated. Hermione took a few moments to explain to the clan what was going on and then left them to clear her head.
Hermione went to the small tearoom at the end of the hallway and sat down with a cup of Earl Grey but she couldn't bring herself to drink it. She had wanted to tell Ginny that afternoon that she thought she might be pregnant but after what she just witnessed she wasn't sure if that was good news anymore. The whole thing was terrible. Ginny's pain, the blood, Harry not being there, and now the babies were being cut out of her friend's body. She didn't think she could go through something like that without Severus there every step of the way. Hermione decided that maybe it would be best if she found out for sure if she was pregnant that way at least she wouldn't be wondering and she could truly be there for her friend after the babies were born. Hermione left St. Mungos and walked to the nearest corner store to get a Muggle test, all the while praying to whatever deities were listening that Ginny be okay and the babies too.
Twenty minutes later Hermione sat on the toilet of a public restroom staring at the little stick in her hand. Her relief at finally knowing the truth did nothing to alleviate the confusion she was feeling. The wedding was only a month away so a pregnancy would not have been a big deal in that aspect, but for the first time since she had personally come face to face with Voldemort Hermione felt the tendrils of icy fear piercing through her veins. A sharp throb of pain shot from her hand up her arm and Hermione was grateful for the sensation. It broke through the coldness of the fear she was feeling and helped her regain her senses. She had always wanted children but now she was beginning to wonder why she didn't think about adopting.
Hermione was startled out of her reverie by a banging on the bathroom door. She quickly through the stick in the trash and washed her hands quickly before rushing out the door and heading back to St. Mungos. When she arrived back at the hospital the atmosphere in the maternity ward's waiting room was one of cheerful celebration, a stark contrast to how she left it.
"Hermione! There you are, Ginny wants to see you." Harry grabbed Hermione's arm and dragged her back into the room. Ginny was sitting up in bed with a baby in the crook of each arm.
"Hey Ginny, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked hesitantly her eyes scanning the room quickly. There was no sign that just a couple of short hours ago the lives of mother and babies was on the line. There were already flowers, balloons and stuffed animals decorating the place.
"I feel great, Hermione! I am sorry if I was a little mean earlier. I don't much fancy being in pain." Ginny passed one of the babies off to Harry who walked around the bed to show Hermione.
"This is James Arthur." Harry said not taking his eyes off the baby. The child had a shock of black hair on the top of his head and his little face was red and scrunched up. Hermione couldn't help but think that he was the most beautiful thing she'd ever laid eyes on.
"And this," Ginny said holding up the other bundle, "is Lily Molly. Do you want to hold her?"
Hermione reached out wordlessly for the baby and carefully lifted her into her arms. She had a fine dusting of red hair and Hermione chuckled at that. Lily stretched and opened her mouth in a wide yawn and Hermione felt the urge to coo but she resisted. The little baby opened her eyes and looked blearily up at Hermione. Her eyes were dark and it was impossible to tell what color they would turn out to be. Hermione felt tears prickling at the corner of her own eyes as she stared back at the baby.
"Tell me honestly Ginny, how do you feel right now? I mean after all that pain and everything…" Hermione asked not really sure how to voice the question she was really asking.
Ginny smiled in understanding as Hermione handed her daughter back to her. "You mean, was it worth it, right?"
Hermione felt horrible for feeling the need to ask but she nodded her head slightly in a yes.
"I would do it again and again if I could feel this joy. I have already forgotten the pain and fear of it Hermione. Maybe women are hardwired to forget because if they didn't they wouldn't be willing to have more children." Ginny switched babies with Harry and Hermione felt a tear slide down her cheek as she watched Harry press little kisses on his daughter's face. What would Severus be like with their child?
"Hermione? Are you okay? Hey, what's wrong with your hand?" Ginny reached out and grabbed Hermione's arm. "Did I do that to you? I snapped a bone in Harry's hand too! No less than he deserved leaving me to play to Quidditch today."
Hermione was cheered by Ginny's return to her normally cheerful speech and even managed a small chuckle as Harry had the grace to look slightly ashamed but the tears continued to fall down her face. "I don't think you realize your own strength, Ginny. But it's fine. I will get it taken care of in a minute."
Ginny looked at Hermione carefully. There was something off about her friend and if she didn't know any better she would say that she was pregnant too. She was overly emotional and despite the tears falling down her face her skin was glowing. She had mentioned that she had something big that she wanted to talk to her about. Ginny glanced down at Hermione's stomach automatically and Hermione caught it and gave Ginny a meaningful look willing her to understand.
Ginny reached out for Hermione's unbroken hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I don't think you realize how strong you are either, Hermione."
Hermione recognized the underlying message in Ginny's words. Harry was watching with interest trying to figure out what was going on between the two women. His eyes widened when Hermione placed her palm flat against her stomach and took a shuddering breath before speaking.
"But weren't you scared?" She asked both of them.
Harry placed his daughter back in Ginny's arms and walked around to give his best friend a hug. "Of course we were scared. Don't you remember the panic I was in when I found out it was twins?"
Ginny grinned with a wicked gleam in her eye. "Yeah, but you didn't have to tell Severus Snape that you were pregnant with his child."
Harry shuddered visibly. "Yeah, Ginny's right Hermione. You probably should be scared."
"Oh my god! I have to tell him! Should I tell him now?" Hermione knew her friends were just teasing her but she was too absorbed with the prospect of actually giving birth to consider when she was going to tell Severus. They hadn't even discussed when they were going to consider having children.
"We were just kidding, Hermione. I am sure he will be perfectly receptive to your news. If not, send him to me." Ginny said cheerfully. "Now go get your hand fixed, and then go home to your fiancé. It is getting late and you two have a lot to talk about."
Hermione gave her friends more hugs, kissed each of the babies and flooed about a block away from her house. As she approached she saw that one light was on downstairs and she could see the tell tale flickering in an upstairs window signaling that the television was on. Sure enough when she went in she could see that Severus had left a lamp on for her in the living room. Turning it off, she walked quietly up the stairs clutching her now throbbing hand.
"You're home late." Severus said to Hermione as she entered the room and kicked off her shoes.
Hermione leaned across the bed to give Severus a kiss. "It was a long and interesting day."
Hermione held up her bruised and swollen hand. "Do you mind fixing this?"
Severus immediately jumped out of bed and turned off the television. Grabbing his wand he said the healing charms to mend her hand. Hermione flexed her fingers gratefully.
"How on earth did you break your hand?" Severus asked angrily. "And what do you mean your day was interesting?"
"Calm down. Ginny went into labor today and she squeezed my hand so hard she snapped a bone. She did it to Harry too." Hermione said willing Severus to relax so that he might be more receptive the rest of the news she had.
Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione and pulled her in for a hug. "At least Potter got what was coming to him. So, they had their babies today, huh? I don't envy them for a moment right now."
Hermione broke away from Severus and crossed her arms, fixing Severus with a fierce glare. "What do you mean, you don't envy them?"
Severus rolled his eyes and settled back on the bed. "I am sure they are lovely little babies that will grow into little terrors just like their parents. I just mean, I don't envy their sleepless nights, the crying, and all the dirty nappies."
"You sound like you don't want children at all." Hermione said unable to keep the hurt out of her voice.
Severus knew he was making the classic male mistake of sounding unsympathetic to babies but Hermione just didn't understand what he meant. "I didn't say that."
"What are you saying then?"
Severus sighed in resignation. "I don't know Hermione. I didn't mean I don't want children. I am happy for them, okay? I really am."
"I'm going to go make some tea." Hermione said curtly and she walked out of the room. She wasn't really expecting Severus to jump for joy when he heard Harry had his babies and normally his response probably would not have bothered her very much, but it did. She really wanted to tell him that he was about to be a father but she wanted him to be receptive to the news. She wished she could just wait until the baby was born and then surprise him with it. Yeah, that would go over well.
Hermione fixed herself a sandwich and some tea and stared at the wall in front of her eating mechanically. She wasn't even hungry but she'd missed the last two meals and she knew that it wasn't good for the baby or herself. She figured she should probably just tell Severus the news and get it over with. If he wasn't ready for a baby, then that was his problem but she would be ready for it. The part of her that was moving beyond the initial fear she had felt whilst watching Ginny was beginning to feel incredibly happy and she wanted to share that joy with her soon-to-be husband.
Severus pulled on his dressing gown and waited for a full ten minutes before going downstairs to talk to Hermione. He wasn't willing to argue with her but he wasn't willing to pretend he had the warm fuzzies over Harry's babies either. Of course he knew they would have a child of their own someday but that didn't mean he was excited about the prospect of the screaming and the snot that usually accompanied infants. Besides they hadn't even discussed when they would have a child. He was sure that once they made the decision to actually have the baby he would be more receptive. The thought of being a father terrified him and excited him at the same time; he would just have to reassure Hermione of the latter. Hermione was halfway through a sandwich by the time he made it downstairs but she didn't look up at him when he came in.
"Hermione, don't be angry." He said with ill-disguised annoyance.
She started at the sound of his voice and looked up at him. "I'm not angry at all. I was just hungry. I missed lunch and dinner today so I came down to eat."
Severus looked at her closely. She really didn't look angry, she actually looked kind of happy. Hermione was getting emotional again lately and she hadn't been like that for months. Not since they had almost gone to the Malfoy Manor before she was ready. "Good. I don't want you to think that I don't want a child. I knew when we agreed to the marriage contract that we would be having a child."
"I know. But I am a little worried that since we aren't subject to the law anymore and since we will be at Hogwarts you might have changed your mind."
Severus had to be honest himself; he had abandoned the idea of having children when they both agreed to the posts at Hogwarts. He figured that if they put the topic off long enough Hermione might change her mind about wanting children as well. After all, Hogwarts was full of them. He was perfectly aware that she would probably want a child of her own despite it all and he was prepared to do that with her but it was a distant possibility.
"I haven't changed my mind." Severus said helping himself to a cup of tea and leaning against the counter to sip it.
"Good." Hermione said. "Because I am pregnant."
The only sound in the room was the tinkle of broken glass as Severus dropped his teacup.
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A/N: So I just want to say thanks to all of the people who insisted that I don't end this story soon. I really appreciate your support and your reviews. I will definitely write a little more than I had planned just for you!!! So, thanks for your reviews, opinions, and etc. And of course thanks to all of you who read but don't review, I love you all too. And another thanks to those who have added my story to alerts, favorites, etc. That makes me feel really good!
Whoopsydaisy, I almost forgot to thank my beta whoopsydaisy, NOT! I could never forget her! Also you all need to read her Snape story Uncharmable!
