Hermione and Severus flooed back to Hogwarts the weekend before term was to start. Christmas break has been heavenly; the couple had barely spent a moment apart the entire time. Working on Hermione's school work, brewing for Severus's personal potion stores and reading up on pregnancy to know what to expect; not a single thought had been spared for the brewing war.
Once they had dusted the floo powder off themselves, Hermione gave her husband a loving kiss and excused herself to unpack their bags while Severus went to brew a pot of tea. Hermione returned to the living room twenty minutes later, sniffing the air and smiling "That tea smells delightful!" Severus smiled over his shoulder at his bride "it's lavender tea and I shall add some honey in your cup once it's finished." Hermione smiled gratefully and accepted the cup she was offered, taking a long a drink while Severus sat down beside her. For a while they sat in comfortable silence before Snape said " We should probably talk about your pregnancy. Now don't doubt for a minute that i am not overjoyed, I am and could not be happier. But do you want to use a concealment charm? The other students may not be as kind. And of course we must alert the Headmaster and Poppy." Hermione considered for a moment "You are probably right. Other students, especially the Slytherins, will not take this news kindly. A concealment charm would probably be best, especially once I get a bump large enough to show. Can you alert the Headmaster and Poppy?" Severus nodded kindly before summoning some parchment and writing two letters to the mediwitch and Headmaster and sending them off with his personal owl. Before Severus returned to the couch, Hermione noticed a small almost unnoticeable twitch of his arm. She sighed "You have to go." Her husband nodded before transfiguring into his Death Eater robes "I'll be back shortly, I promise. Take a nap my love." He said as he kissed her forehead and apparated away.
Hours later, long after the sun had set Hermione was being gently shook awake by her Husband. "What time is it?" She asked groggily as she sat up. "Half past midnight. But we need to talk Hermione." Severus removed his Death Eater robes and took a seat next to her on the sofa "The Dark Lord is readying his forces, ordering everyone abroad to report back here. He wants to strike within the next 3 months. And when he does, he will attack Hogwarts first." Hermione sat in shock unsure what to say before her mind finally started working "But we aren't ready! We need to brew healing potions and battle potions. Every above age witch and wizard at this school needs to be trained and Harry isn't ready, we haven't found the..." "Hermione! Breathe for a second." Hermione sat in his arms for a few minutes just working on her breathing and clearing her head "First off the potions are easy enough, me and you will just brew potions whenever we are free. First years can brew healing potions for class assignments, that will help. Second every of age witch or wizard is being trained. Dumbledore approached them at the beginning of the year, those that wanted to fight have been being trained by aurors on the weekends. Evacuation plans are in place for the underage students, and as for Potter. Him and the Headmaster have been hunting down the pieces of Voldemorts soul, very quietly. As of now the Headmaster thinks there are only a few left. But none of that concerns me, I'm more worried for you." Hermione looked puzzled at her husband "me? Whatever are you talking about Severus? You know I'm a perfectly trained and capable witch." Severus smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear "I know my love. I wouldn't want to face you in open battle, but there are other things to consider now." Severus moved his hand from her face to her stomach "You are pregnant with our child. And even with standard and advanced protection spells I could cast on you, battle is dangerous and could harm you and our baby." Hermione looked into her husbands eyes "I know, I know Severus. But after everything that happened with Ron, you can't ask me to sit out now." "A compromise then? Stay off the front lines? Assist in any waves that breakthrough our primary defenses and with healing the injured." Hermione nodded " I can do that. I can do that for our family." Severus nodded gratefully and held his wife close, gently kissing her forehead "Thank you my love."