Harry Potter sat on his bed at the Borrow listening to his best mate, Ron Weasely complain about their best friend, Hermione that she had barely spoken more then two words to the the entire time at school.
Harry had messy black hair, slightly toned skin, bright green eyes that were behind a pair of round glasses. He had a lighting bolt scar on his forehead labeling him as the Boy-Who-Lived.
Ron had short red hair, fare freckled skin, brown eyes, leaky frame and was the youngest male out of the Weasely family. He had a somewhat of a jealous streak and tended to jump to quick conclusions without hearing all the facts.
"Ron, mate chill. Mione has her reasons remember." said Harry, "Dumbledore told us what happened. We can only wait until she's ready to talk to us."
"Still we're her friends. She should trust us." hissed the redhead.
"She was attacked Ron by death eaters her parents killed right in front of her. Oh and one more thing she was RAPED! I'd be afraid to be in the room with guy too." Harry shook his head and walked down the stairs to the living room where he found his girl friend, Ginny.
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Harry sat down on the couch and pulled her into his arms. She laid her head down on his shoulder. "Have you gotten any letters from Mione?"
"Not yet." She told him. "But I'll get one soon."
Harry nodded and twisted a strain of Ginny's red hair on his finger. "I'm glad she's letting you near her even if I'm the one that can't help." He kissed her forehead.
Molly walked into the room and found her only daughter snuggled up with Harry. She smiled at the sweet scene. She was grateful that she had found a good young man that loved her for her.
Molly was a plump woman with red hair, fare skin and was a cheery woman and a mother of seven children.
"Ginny dear why don't you write Hermione and invite her for Christmas dinner." said Molly wanting to see the young woman she saw as another daughter. She smiled and ran up the stairs to her bedroom followed by Harry to write Hermione.
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After Hermione had seen Professor Snape's break down she became a little bit more comfortable to be around him alone. But every so often fear would creep in, and she would go spend time with Sarah. She had grown very fond of Tobias and Eileen and Prince Manor was no longer a strange uncomfortable place, but became a comfort to her.
"Hermione you have a letter." said Severus as he sat down on the couch holding out the letter.
She smiled and took it from him. They had started calling each other by their given names to get use to things once they were married. Hermione quickly opened the envelope, a single square shape diamond that rested on a gold band shined in the candle light.
"It's from Ginny." said Hermione and she read it to herself.
Hey Sis,
I hope things are going ok since I haven't received any letters or a visit from McGonagall to come and fetch me. I know that Mr. and Mrs. Snape are taking good care of you because from what Dumbledore told me before you left that they were very loving and kind people.
Anyway Mum wants you to come to the Burrow for Christmas dinner. I don't know if you have plans with the Snapes' or not, but don't worry they still don't know were you're at and wow was Mum mad when I couldn't or better yet wouldn't tell her. I only said you were safe, and you are in a safe place.
Write me and let me know what plans you have for Christmas, but be warned if you don't come Mum will have kittens. She hasn't seen you in months! Wow she's been going on and on about you not being here. Write soon.
I love you,
Ginny
Hermione pushed herself up off the couch and walked over to the fireplace and poked it with the poker making the flames grow. She sat it back into the holder. She turned and faced the man she was to marry. She rested her hands on her now newly six month belly.
"Mrs. Weasely wants me over for Christmas dinner." said Hermione supporting her back. "She doesn't know about John. I kept the news about him from her. I didn't want her saying your too young."
"You can't avoid her for ever Hermione." said Severus gently.
"Ow son get your foot out of my rib." said Hermione with a hiss. He kicked her hard in the side causing her to gasp. "I swear what ever potions you're giving me are making him move around more and more." She lifted her shirt and point to her right side, "Look he's bruised me."
Severus chuckled slightly and pulled out a potions bag. He tapped it with his wand and it grew larger. He opened it and pulled out a jar full of cream. He opened the lid and scooped some into his hand, and he walked over to Hermione.
She stepped back slightly not use to him touching her. Hermione looked into his eyes and saw a shoot of hurt. She stepped forward and nodded her head. Severus gently rubbed the cream over the bruise.
"John why must you kick Mummy so hard?" said Severus gently to his growing son. "He's dropped a good bit Hermione." He told her feeling him move around inside her womb as he rubbed the cream into her skin. "I need to keep an eye on him. I don't want him to be born too early."
"Ok," whispered Hermione and she rested her hand over his hand. "Thank you for everything."
Severus nodded and knelt down in front of her until he was eye level with her belly. He gently rubbed it with both hands. "You are going to a brave, powerful wizard John. I will always protect you. I swear on my magic my sweet baby boy." He rested his ear against her belly and closed his eyes listening to his son's heart beat rapidly and strong.
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"Not the fathering type." said Tobias with laugh. He turned to Eileen, "He's the same way I was when you we're pregnant." He pulled his wife into his arms. She leaned back into his chest and smiled.
"They're slowly healing." she whispered. "Let's leave them." He nodded and they left the library before they were noticed by the couple.
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Hermione stepped back when she became uncomfortable. Severus rose to his feet and lowered her shirt. He knew when she stepped back it was time to give her some space. She would have flashes of her attack, but at lest she was letting him touch her. Severus sat down on the couch waiting for her nerves to settle down before she sat down next to him.
Hermione took several deep breathes and sat back down on the couch, but not as close as before. She looked at the letter that was still clutched in her hand. "What do you think I should do?"
"The choice is yours." he told her gently.
Hermione got up from the couch and walked to the door. "I need some time to-"
"It's all right. I understand. Go find Sarah and talk." He told her gently knowing fear was starting to show in her brown eyes.
Hermione quickly left the room in search for Sarah. She hated when the fear of being alone with him would come to mind. It scared her and nothing could stop it from flashing in her mind.
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Hermione found Sarah in the garden sitting in her favorite swing reading a book. She sat the book down and opened her arms to Hermione. Hermione quickly as possible threw herself into her arms.
"I got so scared Sarah." whispered Hermione as the tears flowed down her cheeks. "My nightmares returned last night."
Sarah rocked Hermione gently. "It's ok. They come back from time to time. My nightmares show themselves too." She pulled back and cupped Hermione's face gently in her hands. "The pain will never full go away. You can talk about it and it will ease itself away for a little while. Tell me what made your flashes come back."
Hermione rested her head on Sarah's shoulder and quietly told her what happened in the library. Sarah kissed Hermione's forehead gently.
"Severus got a little too close for comfort." whispered Sarah and Hermione nodded her head. "Was he showing little man some loving attention?"
She nodded again, "He was rubbing my stomach and then, all of sudden flashes of him running his hands roughly over my stomach came to mind."
"What brought it on so strongly Mi?" asked Sarah.
Hermione body shook with sobs and Sarah waited until she gained control over emotions. "I saw the craved initials on my stomach," and she cried harder.
Sarah held Hermione close and she told her about the man that had raped her. Sarah lifted her shirt showing Hermione the deep cut marks on her stomach that were made with a knife, and how her attacker had left her in alley way under a bridge to die. Hermione held Sarah close as they both sobbed in each others arms.
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Meanwhile Severus stood nearby hidden behind rose bush listening to the girls talk about their rapes. He sighed heavily. He should have known not to touch her so much. He only wanted to show John some attention. He jumped when he felt a hand on his arm. He looked over and saw his mother standing next to him.
"Come along dear. Let us leave them in peace. Sarah and Hermione need each other right now, and if Hermione sees you she won't let you near her. Then all that healing will be worthless." He opened his mouth to protest. "Come along now son." She told him a little bit more forcefully.
"Yes ma'am" said Severus and let his mother lead him out of the garden.
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Hermione and Sarah dried their faces and laughed slightly at each for their melt downs, but they both felt better after it.
"My friend Ginny wants me to come over of Christmas dinner." said Hermione. She looked down at her hands. "I don't know if I want to go. Mrs. Weasely doesn't know about John. I'm scared. Can you believe it? Me scared of a woman that's known since I was twelve."
Sarah squeezed her soon to be sister in law's hand. "Do you want me to come with you for support?"
"What about your family? They'll miss you." said Hermione.
Sarah tapped Hermione on the nose and smiled. "They'll understand Mi. I promise. Now you go write Ginny and tell her you're coming and your bring me along, and if it gets too much we'll come back here."
Hermione threw her arms around Sarah's neck. She pulled back and kissed her cheek. She got up and made her way back to the house to write Ginny. Sarah smiled gently and returned back to her book she was reading.
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Ginny ran into the kitchen with a letter in her hand. "Mione's coming for dinner Mum."
Molly smiled at her daughter, "Oh wonderful!"
"Mione's bringing a friend with her."
"Oh," said Molly and her brow frowned, "and who is she bringing?"
"A girl named Sarah. Hermione says she really sweet." said Ginny.
"Well all right go on up stairs dinner won't be ready until another hour." Molly told her daughter. Ginny nodded and went back upstairs.
Arthur walked into the house after a long day at the Ministry. He hung his hat up on the hook along with his coat. "Molly dear what's wrong?"
"Hermione's coming over for Christmas dinner."
"That's wonderful! But what's the matter?" asked Arthur again.
"She's bringing a friend with her. Ginny said her name was Sarah. I only wanted Hermione to come. I want her to spend some time with Ron. They need to get back together. I was going to have-"
"No Molly." said Arthur. "I'm tired of you trying to put them together. Hermione is not happy with Ron. I want that young woman happy. Do you hear me Molly?"
"Yes dear." she said, but let it enter one ear and leave out the other. She watched her husband leave the kitchen. "I'll get them together if it's last thing I do."
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