Severus sat in front of his parents Eileen and Tobias at Prince Manor. Eileen had slick jet black blue hair, fare skin, blue eyes, pink full lips and a slender womanly figure. Tobias had black hair, black eyes, thin mouth and had a board frame.
Eileen gently squeezed his son's hand in comfort. Severus had broke down and told them what happened at the Granger home. He laid his head down on the cold kitchen table as he did as a child when he was troubled. Eileen ran her elegant fingers through his baby fine hair.
"I don't know what to do." he whispered. "She can't go unprotected." He lifted his head and looked at his parents. "I've protected her for seven years. Now she only holds fear. I broke one of the most loving, understanding, brightest women I know."
"Tobias what can we do?" asked Eileen.
"She must marry into the Snape family." he told them.
"What?! You know I never wanted to marry not after Lily."
"Son listen to me." said Tobias strongly but gently, "Lily has been gone for seventeen years. She would want you to move on, and you must get out of the past and live for the future."
Severus sighed heavily. "What do you suggest?"
"Miss Granger must marry in the old customs and that of our family line. Just as your mother and I had done 53 years ago." said Tobias. "It's time to bring in new blood into the family line. Your sister, Sarah is a squirb because our family lines are coming crossed. It's time for someone to marry a muggleborn or a muggle."
"I agree with your father. You must do this. You don't have to share a bed son. The marriage will bond you to her and her to you. Then no other man can touch her. Your cords could be tied after the war." said Eileen.
"Mother, Miss Granger can never marry another. She will never marry someone she doesn't love. And don't you say, "It will grow in time," I am not the marrying man nor am I the fathering type. I told her that."
"Bring Hermione here over for a few days during Christmas break and we will explain things to her together. We should have Albus and Minerva over as well. You did say that they are the child's godparents or will be once the boy is born."
"Yes sir. I'll do as you request." said Severus and said farewell to his parents and returned to Hogwarts classes began the following day.
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Ginny sat on Hermione's bed watching her best friend pack for Prince Manor. The redhead knew that she was terrified from the way she was packing. Hermione only packed the muggle way if she was scared, worried or angry.
"Mione don't worry. Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore will be there. Snape isn't going to hurt you." said Ginny gently.
Hermione folded her shirt with shaky hands and sat it down in the trunk. She brushed away fallen tears with the back of her hand. "I know Ginny. I can barely be in the same room with him. I know he had no choice, but the idea of him being so close to me scares me."
Ginny sat back in thought, "Maybe if the house is big the Snapes' will put you in a whole different part of the house for you to get some sleep. It's worth asking. Don't you think?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't want to disrespect them Ginny. Mrs. Snape is doing this for my protection that's what Dumbledore said anyway."
Ginny got up from the bed and pulled her "sister," into her arms comforting her best she could. "I'm an owl away sweetie." Hermione nodded her head. She pulled back and kissed Hermione on the forehead. "I love you. If he does anything no ward is going to stop me for getting to you."
Hermione gave Ginny a watery smile and the girls returned back to packing Hermione's trunk. The girls looked up when there was a knock on the door. They saw Albus and Minerva enter the room.
"Are you ready dear?" asked Minerva. Hermione nodded her head. "If Hermione needs you I'll come and get you." She told Ginny. The redhead nodded her head. "We better get going."
The trio left the head girl's dorm. Hermione looked back and Ginny gave her a reassuring smile. She left the room to get packed for her trip home.
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Hermione stood in the entrance hall of Prince Manor. She had never seen anything like it before. The hall had wooden floors, white walls, stairs that led to the two upper floors, a large chandelier hung from the ceiling lighting the area. A large grandfather clock stood in front of her.
"You must be Hermione." said a gentle famine voice. Hermione turned to see a beautiful woman dressed in blue robes. "I'm Eileen."
Hermione bit her lower lip not knowing what to do. She had never felt so unsure about anything in her life. She didn't know why she was so terrified. She nodded her head. She looked down at her feet.
Eileen's brow frowned at the sight of the young woman in front of her. She stepped closer to Hermione and gently placed her index finger under Hermione's chin and lifted her face look at her. "You have no need to fear in this house. You are safe here sweetie. You have no need to feel ashamed."
Hermione let several tears fall down her angelic face. She nodded her head. Eileen looked at Albus and Minerva who stood nearby watching the scene. They hoped they did the right thing by bringing Hermione to Prince Manor.
"You can stay in the west wing. I'll show you to your room." said Eileen. "I'm sorry Tobias isn't here. He's with my son gathering potion ingredients. Tobias thought it was wise to let you have some time alone. I'm pleased he has done so." She said leading the trio up the stairs to the west wing. "Albus, Minerva you will across the hall from Hermione. She might need you. I know this is going to be hard Hermione, but you must find that Gryffindor courage you have." Hermione only nodded her head.
Eileen opened a cherry wooden door revealing a large room with wooden walls, white carpet, four post bed, walk in closet and dresser, a large bathroom that had large tub and shower. Hermione looked around and sat down on the red comforter.
"Thank you Mrs. Snape." said Hermione quietly.
"You're welcome sweetheart." said Eileen and turned to Albus and Minerva, "I'll show you to your rooms," and the couple followed the elegant woman across the hall.
Hermione looked at the opened door and lay down on the bed. She pulled a pillow to her chest and buried her face into it and cried. She was scared to be so close the man that had caused all the pain, the man that had raped her, the man who's baby she carried inside her, the man that had changed her life for what she didn't know was for the better or for worse.
She pulled the pillow way from her face and took several deep breathes. She knew it was time to stop her crying for the day. She got up from the bed and walked over to the mirror. She lifted her shirt exposing her five month growing belly. She rubbed her hands over it.
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Meanwhile out in the hall unseen by Hermione, Severus stood watching the woman that was carrying his heir. He rested his head against the doorframe. He could despite how the child was conceived she cared deeply for the baby. She named John. He couldn't blame her from naming him after her late father. He stepped a little closer when he heard her speak to the baby.
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"I know you weren't made out of love or even planned, but Mummy does love you." said Hermione gently. "I know your grandma and grandpa," a sob slipped through her full lips, "would I have loved you too no matter what." She lowered her shirt.
Hermione sat down on the bed and hugged herself and rocked back and forth and sobbed. She always told herself she'd only cry one time a day, but lately it had been more then one time a day.
"Pull herself together Hermione. Pull yourself together." she told herself. "I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't be here." she whispered and gasped for air. "I can't do this." She gasped unable to catch her breathe.
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Severus's brow frowned. He had never seen her so vulnerable. He looked around in hope to find someone else besides himself to help her. He knew that he'd only frighten her more if he swept into the bedroom.
"Damn it Severus you're not a child. She's in distress." he told himself and swept into the bedroom.
Severus knelt down in front of Hermione hoping she wouldn't scream out in fear or cause her to panic even more. He only knew he had to help her.
Severus rested his hands over her small hands that rested in her lap. "You're safe here Hermione." he said gently knowing if he called her, "Miss Granger," it would make her jump. "I swear to you no harm will come to you by me in this house."
Hermione looked into a pair of black eyes gasping for air as tears fell down her face. "I can't breathe." she gasped.
"I know you've lost all trust me Hermione, but you must trust me now. You are safe here." He told her in a smooth gentle voice.
"I can't-br-breathe." gasped Hermione.
Severus looked around the room in hope not to scare her anymore. "I need you to trust me. Please Hermione." She only nodded her head and he pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back. "Hush, you're safe. You're safe. You're here so I can protect you and John."
Hermione closed her eyes and her body slowly relaxed under the sound of his slick smooth voice and the gentle feel of his hand rubbing her back. Severus felt her breathing even and heartbeat stabilize. He carefully pulled back and found she had fallen asleep. He gently laid her down in the middle of the bed. He pulled out his wand and waved it over her belly.
Severus gasped at the sight of the image of John. He had five small fingers and toes. A strong heartbeat and he was right weight. He smiled when he saw him move his foot into Hermione's right rib. Severus put his wand away back up his sleeve.
"You're safe here Hermione." He whispered, crested her cheek and left her to her slumber.
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The button and tell me what you think about small tender moment.