25
******Severus*******
Being back at St. Mungos made Severus nervous. Yes, he knew that they were not there for him, but he was also aware that his memory had yet to return. Still, he had his fiancé by his side and they were in love regardless of his condition. He knew he was extremely lucky. Not many could boast that they had a partner as loyal as Hermione. She stuck with him through his coma and she kept her heart open even now. She never gave up on loving him. With this in mind, Severus found himself relaxing a bit more as they waited for the healer to return. They had spent the afternoon discussing the pregnancy and checking Hermione's vitals. The healer explained a lot of things and Severus was grateful that she was clearly competent. Hermione would be in safe hands.
"I hope everything is alright," Hermione breathed, giving his hand a squeeze. "I know I was underweight in these earlier stages, but I feel like this belly has grown exponentially…." She rubbed said stomach with her free hand as her teeth worried her bottom lip. "I just hope I've done enough catching up."
Severus bent down and kissed her brow. "I'm sure you've done well. You look very healthy in my eyes. I've noticed a bit of a glow about you as well. I always thought that was a myth, but seeing it on you is….enchanting."
Hermione blushed. "Sev, you spoil me with such praise. But don't stop," she giggled, kissing his lips quickly. Just then the Healer returned.
"Well Master Snape, Miss Granger, I have your results back and I've got some interesting news," the Latino healer announced.
Severus looked to Hermione and then back to the healer, his brow raised, "Interesting?"
Healer Maria Lopez nodded, "Yes. The good news is that you're very healthy Miss Granger. I see you've been diligent about eating right and taking your potions. The interesting thing about your results is that it shows this is a multiple pregnancy."
Hermione gasped and Severus felt his heart stutter in his chest. He watched as Hermione placed both on her belly, "Multiple as in….more than one?"
Healer Lopez grinned. "Yes. Three to be exact. Congratulations to you two. You're having triplets." Severus might have fainted. Instead, he drew Hermione in his arms and held her for a long time. After a while, he heard the healer clear her throat. "If you'd like, we can perform a charm so you can hear the little ones' heartbeats…?"
"Oh yes, that would be lovely," a teary eyed Hermione replied, and Severus fetched a handkerchief from his pocket, passing it to her as he nodded in agreement. In a matter of seconds, the healer had waved her wand over Hermione's stomach and not only did the room fill with the sound of hearts beating, but an orb floated above her belly and Severus knew he was looking at his babies.
The heartbeats filled the room, but the tempo seemed a little….off. "Are they supposed to be that fast?" He asked worriedly.
"Yes. Don't worry Mr. Snape, a faster heart rate is normal at this stage. And while these three are a bit small, I anticipate they'll be pretty healthy when they're born," Healer Lopez answered. "Speaking of, you should know that multiples are often born as early as just over seven months. Mom, you might want to take it easy when it gets closer to that time. Now, I can supply you with a recording of their heartbeats as well as wizarding sonograms. Would you also be interested in learning the sex of these little ones?" She offered with a kind smile.
"Yes please," Severus and Hermione replied in unison.
Maria chuckled, "I figured." She pointed to each grouping of shapes, "These two are boys," she replied, gesturing to the ones on each side. "But this one in the middle is a girl."
Two boys and a girl. Amazing. "We are going to have our hands full aren't we Mia?" He murmured, stroking her belly fondly.
Hermione sighed and leaned into his embrace. "Yes, but I think we can handle it. Thanks so much Healer Lopez, you've eased most of my doubts and answered a lot of the questions I had. I'll be sure to take it easy when I get closer to seven months," she promised. Severus thanked her as well and then the healer left to get the recordings and sonograms as promised. Soon they were leaving St. Mungos and on their way to have dinner with Remus and Vonn. And no, it was not lost on him that a Marauder was sort of his friend. More proof of just how much time has helped him heal, grow and change. Past Severus Snape could never befriend an old enemy, nor would he have fallen in love with Hermione.
"I still can't believe we're having triplets. I mean, it's incredibly rare for first time mothers," he noted to his fiancé.
Hermione laughed, "I know! I asked Lopez to explain and she thinks it has something to do with our magical signatures. They're um….very similar and quite powerful apparently."
Severus pulled to a stop, "Does this mean you'll always have multiples?" He asked, eyes wide in fear.
"God no. I think she was just explaining what caused the anomaly," Hermione reassured. "Besides, I think there is enough for now. Unless you wish to compete with the Weasleys?" She grinned.
Severus smirked, "Well it would help to balance out the amount of Gryffindors I have around me."
"What makes you think our children will be Slytherins? With our brains, they could even be Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff considering your loyalty my love," his fiancé teased.
Severus shook his head, "Either way, I shall have more allies. But we needn't have more if you don't want more. I am immeasurably happy already."
"God Sev, sometimes you say the sweetest things," and then his beautiful witch snogged him right there in the middle of Diagon Alley.
