Warning: Sensitive topic! In this chapter, there is a brief mention of abortion.
Chapter Five:
"Pregnant?" Severus stuttered. 'How can that be? Wait—I know how…but when? After the last time, we swore we wouldn't have any more children.' Severus' mind was racing. After Amelia and her almost dying they swore that two would be enough. A third child? If this were a successful pregnancy, then Severus would otherwise be thrilled. But if it would be anything like the last, it will scare him to death.
"Yes, Severus. Congratulations are in order." Minerva grinned.
"Have you forgotten about her last pregnancy, with Amelia? All the complications?" He noted. Minerva's smile vanished the moment he reminded her.
"I-I remember now. We almost lost her." She was glancing at Hermione. Severus picked up his wife's hand, and gently placed butterfly kisses over her knuckles.
"As much as I would love to have another child, I cannot lose her." Severus murmured. A few moments later, Hermione's eyes start to flicker open.
"S-Sev's?" she muttered.
"I'm here." He confirmed.
"You took a bit a fall Hermione." Minerva said, sitting on the other side of Hermione's bedside. Hermione gave her a sly smile.
"All in all, you're going to be alright. There are a few things we need to discuss with you." Poppy expressed. She took residence in a chair next to Minerva. Severus handed her a small glass of water. After a few sips, she placed it on the small round table next to her.
"Severus told me that you were feeling dizzy this morning. Any other symptoms?" Poppy questioned.
"I had a bad headache this morning."
"Besides today."
"I've felt slightly lightheaded, and… I have felt my energy running low."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Severus queried. Hermione turned over to her husband.
"I didn't think anything of it to be honest Severus. I just thought that turning 39 years old, it comes with age, with everything since the battle, having kids, my body wanted to slow down, so I thought."
"I can understand that, however with you being a witch, 39 is just a turning point. Witches and Wizards can live up to 150 years old." Minerva interrupted.
"If you feel old at 39 Hermione, how do you think I'm feeling at 58?" Severus raised a familiar 'Professor Snape' sneer at her. The three witches laughed.
"In speaking of age, I'm 83, and still going on strong." Minerva smiled. Although there are some days, she feels her age.
"If that's the case…. I beat all of you… 86." Poppy pipped up. The four of them laughed at her response.
"Note taken Poppy. I shall never again blame my age for how I've been feeling." Hermione chuckled.
"On a more serious note, Hermione. There are two reasons why you fainted." Poppy explained the first reason, Anemia.
"You have to take Iron, and B12 daily before breakfast, and drink plenty of water."
"Okay, I can do that…What's the second reason?" Hermione asked.
"You are pregnant." The light heartedness that she felt, left when she heard those three words. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
"I—I'm pregnant, again?' Trying to process the information.
"Yes dear. Regarding your last pregnancy, I know there are concerns."
"I'm keeping it." Hermione didn't even let Poppy finish.
"My dear…remember…" Severus tried, but Hermione snapped at him.
"Severus, I'm keeping the baby. We both are involved in creating the child. We know the risk. I'm not going to kill my baby, and if I die giving birth, then so be it. I will not have an abortion." The tension between the two grew.
"Hermione—"
"I don't want to hear it Severus."
"Now, look here… You expect me to raise three children without a mother and run the school? I almost lost you once, and I can't live without you." His voice cracked, still trying to remain stern.
"If it's meant to be, it will be. I love you, Severus. But I also love this child. Our children. Each one is precious. You don't know if it will be like the last time. Alex was perfect. Maybe this child will be fine." Hermione turned her attention over to Poppy.
"Poppy?" Hermione asked. Poppy is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"I can't say for certain, given the information from the last pregnancy, there is a 50/50 chance of losing the baby."
"How far along am I?' Hermione asked.
"You are three weeks."
"That means, we'd conceived when Alex and Amelia were over at the Potters." He remembered that night very well.
"I'm still willing to take a chance." Hermione saw the look on Severus' face. A mixture of disappointment and concern for her wellbeing.
"You condemn yourself to possible death, with no concern on how it will affect me, or our two children that need you." His words hit Hermione hard. Severus let go of her hand, stood up and walked out of the hospital wing, refusing to allow them to see him cry silent tears of pain and sorrow. Minerva's eyes darted over toward Hermione.
"I can respect the fact that you want to keep the baby, Hermione. But please, for the sake of your husband, at least think about the pros and cons. He loves you dearly. If he loses you, he may not recover." There is a long silence. Poppy attached some fluids to her arm, so she'll feel less dizzy and more stabilized.
"I'm going to leave you to rest Hermione. If you need anything, please let me know." Poppy said softly. Pulling the blanket up towards her mid-section.
"Thank you, Poppy." She watches Minerva leave the hospital wing as well. Soon, she was by herself with her own thoughts. Burying her head in her hands she sobbed.
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Headmaster's Chambers
Severus is outraged. Slamming the door behind him, he paces up and down. He very rarely loses his temper, nowadays. These last few years have been blissful. He was happy, with his wife and his family, even, dare he say it; his extended family that includes the Potters, Weasleys, and Longbottom's. He doesn't feel alone, he hasn't felt alone since he and Hermione had gotten together. He conjured up a punching bag and started to punch it repeatedly like he was one of those muggle boxers. This is one of the few things he allowed himself to do to help relieve stress and anger. Once he tired himself out, he plumped himself in one of his lazy boy chairs, holding his head in his hands. Thinking back to Amelia's birth.
Flashback:
October 31st, 2007, roughly 10am – London, UK
Hermione is nine months pregnant with their second child. She's sitting in the rocking chair in their home, watching Severus attempting to set up the crib. Hermione didn't want Severus using magic on the crib only because of her irrational fear of the crib collapsing if for some reason the magic failed to keep the crib in check. Severus tried to reassure her that the crib would be fine with magic stability, and that it 'hurts him to think that Hermione didn't trust his magic to keep his daughter safe and sound in a crib.' She is determined to do things the muggle way, THEN add the magical touch. Severus rolled his eyes at his wife, but he was obliged to her wish.
"MERLIN'S BALLS!" Severus shouted as for the 10th time he hammered his thumb instead of the nail. Hermione couldn't help but laugh.
"I swear woman, you did this to me for your own amusement. There will be payback witch." Hermione snickered at her husband's dismay. She turns to see her three-year-old son, Alex, playing with monster trucks that her father had given him during their last visit.
"Vroom! Vroom!" Alex yelled out. Suddenly, Hermione leaned forward, shouting in pain. Severus stopped what he was doing immediately.
"Hermione!" he said, standing beside her.
"I-I think my water just broke." Severus looked down only it wasn't water, but blood. whipped out his wand and sent out his patronus, what used to be a doe, now stood a silver panther.
"Harry, Ginny, Hermione's in distress, the water broke. Please come immediately, we are going to St. Mungo's, Alex will be coming with us until you arrive to pick him up." Severus finished the message, he didn't say that there was blood, only because he didn't want to scare Hermione. The panther ran off. Another contraction hit, this one more painful than the last.
"Alex, Mummy and Daddy have to go."
"Meli comin?' Alex asked.
"Yes, my boy, your sister is on the way." He had some difficulty making sure that Hermione didn't fall, while he grabbed the diaper bag and Alex. Alex stood up and grabbed onto Hermione's leg. Apparition is not ideal for a pregnant woman; Severus rented a car since the hospital is only a few blocks away.
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St. Mungo's.
Harry and Ginny met the Snapes at the hospital. Harry took Alex home; a hospital is no place for a three-year-old. Ginny and Severus rushed inside the hospital room where Hermione is located. Ginny noticing the blood between Hermione's thighs and did her best to keep a straight face. Locking eyes with Severus, she could see the fear.
"AHH!" Hermione screamed, squeezing Severus' hand.
"Alright mama, breath…she seems to be coming fast."
"In and out love." Severus reassured her.
"YOU DID THIS TO ME!" Hermione screamed. Ginny couldn't help but laugh at the poor man.
"I believe dear, it takes two to tango, as they say." To this, Hermione squeezed his hand as hard as she could.
"Damn woman, are you trying to break my hand."
"Don't tempt me." Another contraction hit harder. Suddenly, more blood started to leak out. Severus' eyes widened.
"That's not supposed to happen, is it?" The healers didn't say anything, as the baby slipped out and blood pouring everywhere.
"Why isn't she crying?" Hermione cried out, sweat dripping down her face,Ginny and Severus' faces showed tremendous concern.
"Mrs. Potter, Mr. Snape, we're going to have to ask you to leave."
"I WILL NOT LEAVE MY WIFE!" Severus shouted at them. He turned to his wife.
"Sev…" She whispered as she passed out from extreme pain.
"NO!" He didn't hear his daughter crying, or his wife throwing him sarcastic remarks.
"I'll leave the room Severus, just…give me an update." Ginny exclaimed, as much as she wanted to stay, she needed to give them space. The healers didn't say anything else to Severus.
Time seemed to stand still. Standing there as he watched the healers do everything they could, save them. He was crying at the scene before him. The healers had to escort him out with a bit of a fight.
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It seemed like hours, as he was waiting just outside Hermione's hospital room. Ginny is sitting next to him. No matter how many threats he gave the healers, they were persistent in removing his presence. One which told him that if he'd threaten them again, she'd call security and have him removed from the premise. Only then was he forced to listen. As he is sitting, he doesn't even know any updates on his daughter. The anticipation is driving him made.
"They are the best here, Severus. I'm positive everything will be fine."
"Did you not see the amount of blood Hermione lost soon after Amelia came out, and even before?" So many emotions running through him he doesn't know how to react. Ginny placed a gentle hand on his knee, trying to comfort him. She doesn't hide the fact that she is worried as well. Severus gently squeezed her hand. His body, visibly shaking. A Medi-witch came out of Hermione's room with blood covered everywhere. Severus stood up.
"How's Hermione?"
"Your baby is going to be just fine. She's breathing on her own." The Medi-witch led with the positive news.
"I will not ask again impertinent woman."
"The reason for your wife's bleeding is due to cervix being torn from a rapid delivery, due to hemorrhage. She is stable and resting."
"I need to see her." He didn't give her a chance to respond as he rushed inside to be next to his wife.
Sitting next to his wife once more, he clutched her hand into his.
"Hermione…please wake up. I—I need you. Your children need you, Alex…and Amelia." He whispered. Thinking of his newborn daughter, who is resting in a small transportable crib next to him. Dark chocolate brown eyes just like her mother's, and fuzzy black patches of hair like his.
"You must wake up. Our daughter is beautiful…just like you." He encouraged her. Hermione's eyes start to flicker, barely hearing the last bit of what he was saying.
"Sev…rus" His head popped up, tears start pouring down his face, in relief.
"Oh, thank Merlin." He bent down and kissed her temple.
"Amelia…"
"She's beautiful…just like her mother." Severus said. Placing his forehead against hers. Hermione lifted her hand to gently caress cheek, wiping away his tears.
"I'm sorry for scaring you, my love." She kissed the tip of his nose. She felt him visibly shaking.
"You could've died." He whispered.
"But I didn't."
"You didn't."
End of Flashback
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The memory still haunts him. He prays to every higher power that there is that this pregnancy won't be like the last. He doesn't think his heart could take it. But if Hermione wants to keep this child, no matter the consequences. He decided that he would support her, he may have overreacted, but in all due respect, his concern is a legitimate one. Taking a deep breath, he headed back to the hospital wing.
Upon entering the hospital wing, he saw his wife sobbing in pillow. His heart sank as he approached her. She didn't even realize he was in the same room until he spoke her name:
"Hermione…" He called, quietly taking a seat next to her. With his right hand, gently placing it on her shoulder. She looks up at him, eyes all red and puffy.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry." She said repeatedly. In that moment he broke down and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm here, my darling."
"Do—do you still love me?" She hiccupped.
"I'll always love you. Whatever you decide, I will support you. I'm—I'm just scared of losing you." Her head buried in the nape of his neck; she kissed him.
"I'll promise you this, I'll fight and do whatever it takes to make sure we both make it." Hermione whispered to him.
"I love you Hermione Snape." He expressed.
"I love you, Severus Snape."
A/N: I'm on a roll! I've had the longest writer's block and now it's back! I'm glad Severus came through; I knew he would. In all seriousness, if anything in this chapter offends you, it was not my intent. I fully support women's right to choose (As I am woman) as it's her body.