This chapter is dedicated to LittlebigmouthOKC.
I really enjoyed writing this one and you will see a very different Professor Snape in this chapter. It does contain swearing so you have been warned.
"We really should discuss names for our little one Sev, he will be here soon" Hermione said as she sat down beside her husband in their study.
Severus put the book down that he had been reading and wrapped his arm around his heavily pregnant wife, pulling her close for a cuddle and placing his other hand on her swollen belly. "Ok well do you have any ideas my love?" He asked as she laid her head on his chest.
"not really no" she sighed.
"What about Octavius?" he suggested.
Hermione wrinkled her nose "No" she replied
"Ok what about Theseus" he suggested again.
"Mmm put that in the maybe pile" She replied.
"Archimedes?"
"No"
"Ares"
"No"
"Hermes"
"Dear Merlin no"
He thought for a moment "OOO what about Zeus?"
"You have got to be kidding me Sev?" Hermione replied not quite sure if her husband was joking or not.
"What is wrong with Zeus?" He replied seriously.
She lifted her head up off his chest to look at him before giving him a look that said 'you can't be serious' before laying her head back down with a sigh.
"What is with you and wanting to name our son after a Greek god?" She said exasperated.
"You know I love Greek Mythology darling, he needs a strong name" Severus replied.
"Well I want him to have a normal name" she said "Anyway what book were you reading before I came in?" she asked attempting to change the conversation, regretting her suggestion to pick baby names.
"Romeo and Juliet" He replied shifting slightly to get more comfortable.
"I love that book, Shakespeare was an amazing writer" She replied with a yawn, her eyelids getting heavy.
"Indeed he was my love" he replied before softly kissing the top of Hermione's head.
"You were reading Romeo and Juliet the first time we read together, do you remember Sev?" she said sleepily.
"Well remembered Hermione, I had just started to read the part where Sampson and Gregory first appear" He replied, genuinely impressed that she had remembered.
"That's a nice name" Hermione whispered.
"Which one?" He asked her before realising she had fallen asleep.
"Never mind my darling" he whispered before kissing her on the head again, breathing in the scent of her hair and enjoying the feeling of her close to him.
He rubbed her stomach gently "Hopefully mummy and daddy will think of a good name for you before you arrive little one" he whispered and he felt a kick of approval from his unborn son.
"You never fail to make me smile when you do that" He said rubbing Hermione's stomach again.
"I told you he likes to hear your voice Sev" Hermione said softly without opening her eyes.
"Sorry I woke you darling, should we go to bed? It will be more comfortable for you" He asked as he noticed Hermione wince as she tried to get comfortable.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, my back is killing me" She replied, standing up and stretching out her back.
Severus stood up and took her hand before they both headed off to bed.
THE NEXT DAY
Severus had left Hermione in bed sleeping, she had been tossing and turning all night so he thought it would be best to let her sleep. She no longer taught in Potions class as she was so close to her due date so there was no need for her to be up early.
As he left their quarters and walked to his classroom, he bumped into Harry.
"Sorry Severus, I was in a world of my own then" Harry apologised.
"Don't worry Harry, what are you doing down here?" He asked as Harry didn't normally come down to the dungeon.
"I wanted to find you actually, can I have one of the potions for burns? I had a little accident yesterday with an over enthusiastic pupil and a miss pronounced spell" Harry said showing Severus the burn on his right arm.
"Why didn't you come to me yesterday or at least go to the hospital wing?" Severus asked, motioning for Harry to follow him to the classroom where he kept his potions.
"I didn't think it was that bad at the time and the poor pupil was so distraught at hitting me, I thought it would be better for me to calm them down first" Harry replied as he walked next to Severus.
They reached the classroom with plenty of time before his first class was going to start so he told Harry to wait at his desk while he got the potion from his stores.
He brought back the potion and applied some to Harry's arm.
"Is the pain getting better?" Severus asked
"Yes thank you" Harry replied gratefully.
"Just apply this to the burn once every 3 hours or so and it will heal in no time" Severus said handing Harry the potion and he sat down in his desk chair.
"Will do Severus" He replied putting the vial in his robes.
"How is Hermione?" Harry asked.
"She is tired, the little scamp keeps kicking her in the night so she doesn't get much sleep, bless her plus her back is killing her" Severus said with a chuckle.
"Well he is just getting ready to join us" Harry replied grinning."Why doesn't she take potions for the back pain?"
"Because my wife is as stubborn as a mule when it comes to pain potions and no matter how many times I tell her the potions won't harm the baby, she still refuses to take them" Severus said with a sigh.
"And how are you doing? You look tired, if you don't mind me saying" Harry said cautiously.
"I am tired. With the combination of Hermione tossing and turning all night and the realisation that I will be a father soon, I barely get any sleep myself" He said with a yawn just to prove the point.
"I am telling you now Severus, you are going to be a wonderful father so there is no need to worry about that. Your son is all you seem to talk about at the moment, I have never seen you so excited" Harry replied honestly.
"I am ridiculously excited, I honestly didn't think I would get the chance to be a father Harry. I didn't think I would ever find anyone who would love me if I'm honest but with Hermione, my dear sweet Hermione, I have finally been given the chance. I wouldn't want children with anyone else but her" he said with a grin and sheer pride in his voice.
"If you are free at any point today, would you keep an eye on her for me please? I have a full day of classes so I don't know if I am going to get the time especially with the new order of Wolfsbane I have to make" he asked with a look of guilt on his face.
"Sure I can, I only have one class today so I will stay with her after that" Harry replied before looking at his watch "Speaking of classes I need to go and teach mine, Thank you for the potion" and with that said Harry rushed out of the class just before the first of Severus' pupils arrived.
So far his day had gone well, all his students seemed to be paying attention and there were no accidents whilst they brewed their potions which he was most grateful for as he was far too tired to worry about exploding cauldrons.
Severus was half way through teaching the first class of the afternoon when the classroom doors burst opened and Harry ran up to his desk, trying to catch his breath.
Severus stopped the lesson and looked at Harry, annoyed at having his class disturbed he crossed his arms and looked severely pissed off.
"You had better have a good reason for disturbing my class, Mr Potter" he said with a stern voice "You know I don't like my classes being disturbed"
"Hermione is in labour Severus, you need to come with me NOW" Harry said his voice full of panic.
Severus dropped his arms and had to use the desk to steady himself, his eyes as wide as saucers as his own panic started to set in.
"HOLY SHIT WHERE IS SHE?" he managed to blurt out, completely forgetting the classroom full of students, before starting to pace about "SHE ISN'T DUE FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS" and then proceeded to mutter 'oh crap, oh crap, oh crap', not quite sure what to do.
Harry took charge and quickly turned to the students telling them that class was dismissed and for them to go to their common rooms. He then turned to the panicked Severus, who was still pacing about, muttering under his breath.
He grabbed hold of Severus by the arms and shook him "Listen to me, she is in your chambers and we have to go now" Harry said forcefully. This caused Severus to snap out of his panic and they both ran out of the room and down the corridor of the dungeon.
They burst through the door of Severus' quarters and found Hermione laying on the floor in the living room, she was drenched in sweat and moaning in pain. Severus fell to his knees beside her and took one of her hands in his before gently brushing some hairs from her face.
"I'm here Hermione, its going to be ok" she said trying to sound as calm as possible.
"It hurts Sev" she replied quietly before another contraction tore through her stomach causing her to scream in pain.
"I know sweetheart, I'm going to apparate us to the hospital wing" he said stroking her back trying to sooth her slightly "Harry will you go before us to warn Madame Pomfrey that we are on our way ?"
"Of course" Harry replied before apparating from sight.
Severus then turned back to his wife "I'm scared Sev" she whispered as tears started to fall down her cheeks.
He bent down and kissed the tears away "I know you are, I am a little frightened too" He lied, he was petrified "But I'm going to be here every step of the way. Are you ready to go?" He asked.
"Yes" Hermione simply replied before closing her eyes, she had always hated apparating.
With that said Severus picked Hermione up bridal style and apparated to the hospital wing where a bed had been set up for her in a private room. Harry patiently waited outside the room as Severus carefully placed his wife onto the bed.
Madame Pomfrey did an exam on Hermione, whilst asking her questions she ran her wand over Hermione's stomach.
"How far apart are the contractions?"
"2 minutes" Hermione replied quickly before another contraction washed over her causing her to squeeze her husband's hand tight, very tight.
"OWWW" he cried as he felt the bones in his hand being crushed by his wife's vice like grip before she let go.
"DON'T GIVE ME THAT CRAP SEVERUS SNAPE, IT'S YOUR DAMN FAULT I'M IN THIS SITUATION" Hermione screamed as another contraction hit "IF YOU EVER WANT ANYMORE KIDS, YOU HAD BETTER GO FUCK SOMEONE ELSE"
"I'm sorry you're in so much pain Hermione. If I could trade places I would, I hate seeing you in pain" he replied stroking her reddened cheek, tears building up in his eyes at the sight of his beloved in so much pain.
"You are fully dilated Hermione" Madame Pomfrey said as she finished the exam and grabbed some clean towels in preparation.
"What really? I've only been in labour for 3 hours can't I have some pain potions or something?" Hermione said in shock.
"Sometimes that's all it takes, Mrs Snape. Unfortunetely you are too far gone for pain potions, now when you get your next contraction I need you to push" Madame Pomfrey explained clearly.
A short time later Hermione got another contraction and at Madame Pomfrey's request, she pushed down as hard as she could and her husband counted to ten.
"Brilliant Hermione, your doing so well" Madame Pomfrey said "When the next one comes do exactly the same and we will have this baby out in no time"
"You're doing so well darling" Severus said as they waited for the next contraction which arrived a short time later.
"Push Hermione, that's a good girl" Madame Pomfrey encouraged "The head is out, one more push is all we need and he will be out"
"Sev I can't do this, it hurts so much" Hermione cried as fatigue set into her body.
"You are doing so well, you are so brave. I only need you to push once more, can you do that for me?" Severus asked as he kissed her forehead
She only managed to nod a reply before the next contraction arrived and she pushed with all her might.
"He's here" Madame Pomfrey announced as the sound of their son's cries filled the room.
Hermione finally relaxed back into the bed as the pain subsided and she sighed in relief.
"You did it Hermione, I'm so proud of you my darling" Severus said as he placed little kisses all over her face "I love you so much" Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"I love you too" she replied exhausted.
"Would you like to hold him" Madame Pomfrey asked Hermione after she had cleaned their son and wrapped him in a soft blanket.
"Yes please" Hermione nodded and Madame Pomfrey placed the child into his mother's arms.
Severus sat beside his wife on the bed and looked at the tiny bundle "He's perfect" he whispered as he bent down and kissed his son's forehead "Just perfect"
"Would you like to hold him Sev?" She asked him.
Severus looked apprehensively at his wife before nodding and sitting in a more comfortable position. Hermione then gently placed their son in his arms and laid back down.
Severus looked at his son, taking all his little features. He had a mop of jet black hair, a little button nose and chubby little cheeks.
"He is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life" He said to his wife giving her a watery smile "apart from you of course" he said before looking back down at his child.
"Hermione, look he has your eyes" Severus gasped as his son looked at him for the first time "Hello little one, I'm your daddy" he managed to say, desperately holding back the urge to cry again ultimately he failed as he let out a sob.
Hermione just watched as her normally strong, tough, war hero husband wept with joy. Her heart melted when their son wrapped his tiny little fingers around his father's thumb. She had never seen Severus as happy as he was now.
"I love you so much Sev" She whispered not wanting to disturb her husband's moment with their son.
He looked at her with pure devotion in his eyes "I love you too Hermione". Tears continued to run down his face onto his robes as he looked at his soul mate, she placed one of her hands on his cheek and his lent into it "I feel like my life is complete, Thank you so much for giving me this gift" he said as he looked back adoringly at his son.
Suddenly the door opened and Madame Pomfrey poked her head around the door "Mr Potter is out here waiting for you, is it alright for him to come in?" she asked.
Severus dried his tears with his sleeve "Of course, send him in" He replied.
Harry then came into the room and walked over to the side of the bed where Severus was sitting and looked at the little bundle in his good friend's' arms.
"He's so cute" Harry whispered with a huge smile on his face.
"Isn't he just?" Severus replied "Thank you for your help early Harry, I'm so grateful you were with Hermione when her labour began, Merlin knows what would have happened if you weren't there" he shuddered at the thought.
"Your more than welcome, I was glad I could help. Plus looking back now it was hilarious to see you freaking out in the classroom, at one point I thought you were going to faint" Harry said with a chuckle.
Severus gave him a pissed off stare before laughing himself "I was a bit of a wreak wasn't I?" Harry replied with a nod.
"So what is his name?" Harry enquired.
Severus looked at his worn out wife "Hermione, my darling you can name him" he said softly his voice filled with love "You deserve it"
Hermione gave him a sleepy smile "Well I chose the name last night after our discussion whilst you were talking to our son"
"I thought you were sleeping" Severus replied.
"I had my eyes closed but I love hearing you talking to him"
"So what would you like to name him?" He asked his sleepy wife.
"Sampson Albus Snape" She replied "Sampson after the Shakespeare character in Romeo and Juliet, I loved the name from the moment you said it plus I want him to have the same initials as his daddy and Albus after Professor Dumbledore because he was like a father to us all" She explained. She couldn't help notice a flash of guilt and pain in her husband's eyes and a single tear fall silently down his cheek after she mentioned Professor Dumbledore's name. She reached out to wipe the tear away and softly caressed his cheek with her thumb.
"He would have been so proud of you Severus, you need to stop blaming yourself" She said gently.
Harry patted Severus' arm "She's right, no one blames you Severus. You did a great deed that day" he said reassuringly.
"I just miss him and regardless of what anyone says I will blame myself for the rest of my life" Severus said quietly.
Hermione didn't say anything else, she wrapped her arms around her husband and sighed.
"Well I'm going to leave you two alone now with little Sampson, I will let the other staff know that he has arrived" Harry said patting Severus on the shoulder before walking around the bed to Hermione.
"Thanks again Harry, feel free to come visit him at any time" Hermione said as Harry bent down and kissed her cheek.
"Oh I will, Sampson is going to be spoilt by his uncle Harry" he said with a chuckle and left the room.
Hermione then turned to Severus "Do you mind if I have a nap Sev? I am exhausted" She said with a sigh.
"Of course not Hermione do you want to snuggle up to me?" He replied.
"Yes please" Hermione replied and Severus shuffled into a better, more comfortable position on the bed whilst still holding his son. He was able to wrap his free arm around Hermione and she snuggled into his chest before closing her eyes.
"Well Sampson I am so happy you have arrived and even more happy that you have your mummy's button nose" he whispered to his son, chuckling softly to himself. "You wait until I show you the little baby grow I bought you, its so cute, it's not as cute as you mind but close" he chuckled again "and when we introduce you officially to my colleagues, I'm going to dress you in the tiny black cape I bought you, then you will match your daddy. I can't wait to show you off Sampson, I'm so proud to be your daddy. You and your mummy are my whole world and I promise you that I will spend the rest of my life protecting you and her because I love you both so much"
Hermione listened to the love of her life talking to their son and she knew that he really would do his utmost to protect them both and she felt truly safe with him by her side. She cuddled up closer to him and with the sounds of his deep but gentle voice acting as a comforting lullaby and the image of him cradling their precious infant in her mind, she fell into a peaceful sleep.