A/N: This is just a short chapter for the wonderful Crowned Tiger. Thanks to everyone who has been reading along and a great many thanks to those of you whom have sent in your thoughts and comments. They bring a smile to my face :-)

Check up with Poppy

Hermione lay in her bed thinking over her holiday. It was wonderful. She'd found her birth parents and they had accepted her. She looked at the clock on her bedside table and guessed she should get to her first lesson, Charms. Then she had a free, then Herbology, Potions another free and then Transfiguration. She loved Monday's but she loved Thursday's even more because she had a whole day of Potions and Transfiguration. Climbing off her bed, Hermione headed off to her class while a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

Minerva sat behind her desk reading herself for the day ahead. She only had three lessons that day and she wanted to get them done and over with as quick as possible so she could go and curl up in the arms of her husband. Minerva pulled her necklace out from beneath her robes and looked at it. The tabby cat was a pale grey indicating that she was stressed and tired. She knew that as soon as Severus looked at his ring he would know that she needed him

Severus sat at his desk marking his first year essays when the serpent on his ring hissed at him. Minerva's name appeared on it's back and it turned grey. Knowing that his wife had a free period, he went to her office and entered knowing she'd be marking too.

"Hey, Min." Severus whispered as he stood behind her and started massaging her shoulders.

"Hey Sev." Minerva whispered, leaning into his touch.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm exhausted, Sev. I know we've only been back a couple of days but I'm so stressed, add that to the sleepless nights ..."

"...And I've got one cranky cat on my hands."

Minerva giggled and stood facing Severus. Severus pulled her into his arms and held her. Once again the tears were flowing which made Minerva even more irritable because she hated to cry, even in front of her own husband.

"Shh, it's okay, Min. I'm here." Severus soothed as he ran his fingers through her raven locks. Minerva gasped and placed a hand on her stomach. "Are you okay, Min?" Severus asked worried.

Minerva nodded and smiled. "It's kicking."

Severus smiled as Minerva placed his hand on her stomach and he felt his wee one kick. Severus brought Minerva in for a passionate and whispered his love for her in her ear. "When's you next check up with Poppy?"

"In half an hour."

"I'm sure she won't mind seeing us early."

"But we agreed that Hermione could come with us, that's why it's after this lesson, because she has a free period."

"What is she in now?"

"Charms."

"Then you go and rest in the living room and I'll go and fetch Hermione."

Minerva nodded, pecked Severus on the lips and headed through the door at the back of her office that led directly to her study and then living room.

Severus dashed out the room and went straight to Flitwick's room. Seeing as Hermione had already perfected that task that they were set and was now reading, Filius was only too happy to let her go.

A little under fifteen minutes the trio walked into the hospital wing where Poppy ushered them into the private side room.

"You're early Min."

"I know Poppy. Daddy here, was too excited to wait."

"I'm guessing it kicked then."

"Yep." Minerva smiled and placed a hand on her stomach.

"Well, if you sit up on the bed, we'll get started."

Minerva lay on the bed with Severus stood on her right holding her hand while Hermione stood and held her mother's hand with both of hers.

"It's okay, kitten." Minerva soothed, sensing that her daughter was nervous.

Hermione simply nodded and watched Poppy as she waved her wand in complicated movements. After five minutes of silence Poppy looked up at the trio and smiled.

"Everything seems to be in order. She's a little small, but seeing that Hermione was small as well, I have no concerns."

Minerva grinned widely. "A girl?"

"Yes Min."

Tears of joy slid down Minerva's cheeks. Severus passionately kissed his wife. Then Hermione climbed onto the bed and snuggled close to her mother. A couple of tear slid down her own cheeks. Some of joy and some of fear.