Chapter 6
Throughout the day, Alex had a hard time concentrating. Not sure on rather to tell Amelia or not, if his father isn't present at dinner then he'll say something to her. Luckily, James and Arthur did their best to distract them. The last class of the day, muggle music is a great stress relief. Professor Burns is a great asset to Hogwarts in his opinion.
"Everything is going to be alright Alex, Aunt 'Mione is a strong lady." James said.
"I know she is, fiddling around on the keyboard." He'd rather have a grand piano, but keyboard will work. He peered over to the Slytherins who looked utterly confused. Shaking his head. 'They think they're so smart based on blood purity and family status. But they don't even understand what musical instrument is before them.'
"I'm just worried about how Amelia will take it. I don't even think she knows what had happened today."
"She will, rather it be you or the headmaster. We will know come dinner." Arthur Weasley said.
"Now class, I'm going to need you to practice on your keyboards, your homework tonight, write an essay on explaining what sound is and how pitch and volume influence how we perceive sound, class dismissed." Picking up his items, transfiguring them into his book bag, he, James, and Arthur made their way into the great hall. While on the way there Amelia stopped in front of him.
"Alex! How was your day? Mine was awesome! Do you have a favorite Professor? Well… of course, it must be Professor Burns because of music. Am I right?" Amelia asked enthusiastically. Alex smiled down at his younger sister. He didn't want to burden her with the news of their mother.
"It was great, Amelia. And yes, you're right. Music is my favorite class. Yours?" He tried to sound happy. Must've worked because Amelia just as happily as she could, answered.
"Mine is DADA, have you seen Professor Perrot?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, he was my first class."
"What do you think?"
"He's good, but nowhere near as good as dad." He remembered when his father taught it in his first year.
"I agree. Ready for supper?" Amelia looped her arm around his and headed into the great hall. She almost pulled him down with her practically skipping. By the time they reached the tables, they separated into their perspective houses. Almost all the Professors were there. Amelia noticed that her mother was not sitting in her seat and her father came in just a little late. Alex noticed that he'd been crying. The puffiness in his face showed all. He very rarely cried. In fact, he doesn't know when the last time he saw his father even shed a tear. His father stepped towards the podium.
"I hope your first day at Hogwarts perceives your expectations. I will not keep you long. Enjoy your supper." Severus said and took his seat in the middle of the staff dinner. He had a few sheets of parchment and with a quill, he wrote to both of his kids. Notes appeared in front of Alex and Amelia. Amelia looked slightly confused, as she opened the note.
"You and your brother need to meet me right after dinner in front of the hospital wing. There is something that we need to discuss." Put off by the note, she looked up to her father, locking eyes, she nodded and began eating her food.
"What's that about?" Teagan asked.
"Da-the headmaster wants me to meet him in front of the hospital wing." She quickly corrected herself. Now, a bit concerned.
"Why?" Bailey chimed in.
"It's because your mum is in the hospital wing." A fourth year cut in. Amelia turned.
"What?" Amelia's face fell. Scorpius slid an arm around her shoulders for comfort.
"Your mum had an accident during class. I was there when it happened. James and Alex ran off to inform Madam Pompfry and Headmaster Snape." Tears formed in her eyes as she looked up to the head table. Her father's seat bears empty, and over at the Gryffindor table, Alex is no longer sitting with James and Arthur.
"I—I have to go guys." Teagan and Bailey nodded in understanding. Not bothering to finish the rest of her meal she hurried off to the hospital wing.
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She met her father and brother in front of the hospital wing, they were waiting on her. Giving Alex a hug, turning around to do the same with her father.
"Why didn't you tell me, Alex? I was blabbing about how my day was and you didn't mention mum?"
"I didn't know if it was my place to tell. I also didn't want to ruin your excitement on the first day."
"Son, regarding anything in our family, you have every right as much as I, to inform the others what is taking place. Now come, your mother awaits." He gave a small smile before letting his children lead the way. Amelia sees her mother sitting up right, drinking some tea. She rushed over to her side.
"Mum!" She flung her arms around her neck, almost spilling her tea. Hermione placed it down on the small table next to her and reciprocated her embrace.
"Oh, my darling. How was your day love?" As they separated, Hermione reached up to brush a piece of her daughter's hair, tucking it behind her ear.
"It was great, until I heard you were here." Amelia said, bending down to lean her head upon her chest.
"Hi mum, how are you feeling?" Alex asked. Hermione took his hand into hers.
"I'm feeling better now, how was your day?"
"Stressful. But classes were okay. Music is my favorite." Alex mentioned.
"I figured it would be. Professor Burns is an excellent addition to the staff. Severus bent down and placed a tender kiss above her brow.
"Did you all eat dinner?" Hermione raised her eyebrow. The three of them averted their eyes in different directions.
"I take that as a no."
"Bing!" Hermione called. The house elf popped in.
"Yes, mistress, how can Bing be of service?" The elf asked.
"Can you please bring four plates of food? My family decided that it was unimportant to eat, but I think otherwise."
"Yes mistress. Bing can do that." With a pop the elf vanished.
"We were concerned about you." Alex chimed in, pulling a nearby seat to sit next to her. Severus did the same, on the other side with Amelia.
"What happened mum?" Amelia asked, cutting to the chase.
"I had a fall dear. But there is something that your father and I need to discuss with you two."
"Is it that serious?" Alex asked. Severus nodded.
"Sweetheart, there are two reasons why I fell earlier today." Hermione started. Another pop is heard nearby, Bing appeared with four bowls of a heaping serving of beef stew.
"Bing brings food for house of Snape. Bing wants to make sure that they eat healthy." Bing said.
"Thank you, Bing, you may go." Severus said, waving him off. Bing bowed his head and appeared again. Hermione explained her situation in detail. The anemia and the pregnancy. Alex and Amelia were thrilled to have another sibling. Hermione and Severus decided to keep the complications of the pregnancy to themselves for the time being. To allow them to focus on their education.
"We're having another baby brother or sister!" Amelia exclaimed, with a huge smile across her face.
"Yes, we are. I'm going to be just fine dear. I must take my Iron and B12 for my anemia." Hermione reassured her daughter. She sees Severus in her peripheral vision.
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On the other side of the castle, near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom in the bedchambers nearby, two people are under the sheets as the man just finished pleasuring his female companion plops down next to her. The 5'9, black as night hair with dark brown eyes kissed the cheek of a green-eyed man of 31.
"You never cease to disappoint Stefan Perrot." The lady smiled, Stefan watches his lady as her chest rises and falls from what felt like a never-ending horse race.
"You are remarkable Delphi Lestrange."
"Ahh—while we're here at Hogwarts, what's my name?" Delphi questioned.
"Delphi Diggory." He kissed her passionately.
"How was class?"
"Boring as hell. I finally met Snape." He spoke.
"Which one?"
"His daughter, Amelia. She's a spitfire that one. Just like her mother, a little know-it-all."
"I see, I believe I have her tomorrow, first thing. Hopefully she'll be afraid of heights like her mother as well."
"Have you met her brother?"
"No, not yet. I have him tomorrow." Delphi said.
"Remember our plan my dear. You want to get close to Amelia." Delphi sighed in annoyance.
"Yes yes."
"You can't forget all those years ago, how they killed your and my parents." Stefan said.
"I don't remember, I was so young. I honestly don't remember them."
"We have time my love, we have time." Stefan held her closer.
"Payback will be a bitch." Delphi laughed.
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Slytherin Common Room
Scorpius, Finn, Bailey, and Teagan all waited in the Slytherin common room for Amelia to return. They were worried about the Snape family. It's been the talk of the house, as well as Gryffindor.
"What was your favorite class?"
"Mine was herbology." Finn answered.
"Because your dad is the Professor?" Bailey asked.
"No, I just like the plants, but those mandrakes are a killer though." The group nodded in response.
"I hated that lesson." Teagan agreed.
"That, and he was the only class that didn't assign homework on the first day." The group chuckled.
"Mine is DADA, the professor is pretty cute, but rather scary." Bailey said. The Slytherins around her raised an eyebrow, most intrigued by the first part of her sentence.
"Cute? Somebody already has a crush on the new teacher, and openly admits it. Aren't you a Gryffindor at heart." Teagan teased. Bailey slaps her friend on the shoulder.
"Don't you ever call me a bloody Gryffindor." The group heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Scorpius stood up and rushed over to Amelia.
"Hey, is everything okay?"
"Everything will be okay. Scorpius." She smiled at him. Without even thinking, Scorpius wrapped his arms around the first year, rib-crushing hug.
"If we move a little closer Scorp, I'll tell the group, I'd hate to repeat myself twenty times." She laughed. Releasing the embrace, he placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the common room. She looked around to see her friends, with concerned expressions on their faces.
"So? What's the verdict?" Teagan questioned.
"Mum is having a baby! I'm going to be a big sister!" The group silently cheered as it was late, congratulated Amelia.
"I'm glad she's alright. Now that I know, I'm hitting the sack." Teagan yawned. Giving Amelia a hug, she and Bailey upstairs for the night.
"Same, I'll see you in the morning." Finn smiled before leaving as well.
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Gryffindor Common Room
James Potter and Arthur Weasley is waiting for Alex in the common room. It is getting late and as they stare at the roaring fire in front of them the two began to worry.
"You should've seen her Art, I've never seen 'Aunt 'Mione like that. She's always so poised. That fall was a bit nasty."
"I can't imagine. I know Alex will be coming back soon. We will get an update from her."
"The look on Professor Snape's face when I barged into the room like a mad man, I thought he was going to kill me on the spot." James expressed.
"If looks could kill mate, he'd be the master for sure." Arthur said.
"He was just worried, I mean. Very few times have I ever seen Uncle Severus show emotion like that. But just goes to show how much he loves her." James mentions.
"Well, I would sure hope so. They are my parents after all." They turn around and see Alex coming down the staircase.
"Alex! What's the verdict?" James questioned.
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Headmaster's Chambers
Later, that night when Hermione was released, Severus escorted his wife back to their bedchambers. He helped her get her pajamas on, and even offered to brush her hair. He doesn't do it all the time; nonetheless, he finds that when he does it's calming, and he feels as if it's intimate without intimacy. Hermione is sitting in between his legs on their four-poster king size bed. She is reading a muggle romance novel.
"Nor is the earth the less, or loseth ought,
For whatsoever from one place doth fall,
Is with the tide unto another brought:
For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought."
"What are you reading, love?" Severus asked.
"Sense and Sensibility. Where Colonel Brandon reads to Marianne." Severus places the brush down on the side table. Gently wrapping his arms around the middle of her waist, interloping his fingers around her belly and with his thumb, caressing her bellybutton. Hermione places the book down and tenderly placed her hands above his.
"How are you feeling, love?" Hermione asked. She turned her head to kiss the bottom of his chin. There is a slight pause before he answered.
"You know my concern. However, putting that aside…the knowledge of another child growing inside you, shows the love that we share knows no end. How are you feeling?" Hermione knows that he's trying to be happy about the situation.
"I'm feeling better. Everything is going to be alright. I have a good feeling about this little one." She beams. Severus bends down slightly to smell the sweet scent of lavender from her now relatively straight hair. 'As straight as it could be.' He thought.
"Just take it one day at a time."
"One day at a time, my love." Hermione returned.
A/N- Hope you all are enjoying this story so far! Reviews are very much welcomed!