Hermione felt a surge of relief as she completed all three of her essays by Sunday evening. Despite the persistent nausea in her stomach, the peppermint tea had provided some much-needed relief, allowing her to focus on her work with renewed determination. She closed her textbooks with a sense of accomplishment, grateful for the brief respite from her worries about the impending challenges of motherhood and her academic responsibilities.
As the next morning arrived, Hermione's voice carried a note of frustration as she addressed Ron, her brows furrowing at the sight of him hastily cramming food into his mouth. "Ron, will you slow down and chew your food?" she implored, feeling a wave of nausea intensify as she watched him.
Ron merely shrugged as he continued to shovel more eggs into his mouth. Hermione averted her gaze in disgust. "What's got your panties in a wad?" Ron asked in annoyance.
Hermione shot Ron a glare, her disgust evident in her expression. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk with your mouth full," she retorted sharply. "Sorry, but I don't particularly enjoy the sight of chewed-up egg," she added, her tone laced with irritation.
"You barely see us and when you do all you do is nag," Ron grumbled. "The bat is locking you up in the dungeons with him."
Hermione's expression hardened at Ron's comment, her patience wearing thin. "For your information, Ron, Severus is not a bat, and he certainly doesn't 'lock me up' anywhere," she retorted sharply. "And if you have a problem with my concern for your well-being, maybe you should consider how your behavior affects others."
"You really are irritable today. It was just a joke," Ron tried to explain.
"Jokes are meant to be funny," Hermione pointed out with a frown.
"If you aren't being locked up then why have you been hiding from us for weeks?" Ron insisted.
Ron's question hung in the air, and Hermione felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "I haven't been hiding," she retorted, her tone defensive. "I've been busy with my studies, unlike some people."
"Really, Hermione? Every waking moment you have is dedicated to homework," Ron responded in disbelief.
Hermione bristled at Ron's remark, feeling the weight of exhaustion and frustration pressing down on her. "Well, not everyone can afford to slack off," she shot back, her tone sharp.
"You're still coming with us on Saturday, right?" Harry butted in, trying to break the tension between his two friends.
Hermione's tone was clipped, her irritation evident. "I don't know. Any more jokes you'd like to share, Ronald?"
Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat, realizing he had touched a nerve. "All right, all right, I'm sorry," he apologized, trying to diffuse the tension.
Hermione's eyes bore into Ron's, her voice carrying a stern edge. "Listen, Ron. I'll accompany you and Harry on Saturday, but we need to establish some boundaries. No prying into my personal life, and absolutely no more name-calling. Is that clear?"
Ron nodded in agreement. "No talking about homework," he replied in amusement as he shoveled more eggs into his mouth.
Hermione rolled her eyes, realizing she wasn't going to get anywhere with Ron. "Fine," she muttered, resigning herself to the conversation. "No talking about homework."
Ginny discreetly sent Hermione a note under the table, her eyes flickering with concern. The folded parchment read, "When will you tell them?" Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she read the words, her stomach churning with anxiety. Carefully, she glanced around the bustling hall before jotting down a response. Her fingers trembled slightly as she wrote, "Not now. It's not the right time." With a quick, surreptitious glance, she passed the note back to Ginny, hoping to avoid any further inquiries for the time being.
Ginny shook her head, her expression a mix of concern and disapproval, as she scribbled back a response. "Is there ever a perfect time for this? They'll notice sooner or later." She handed the note back to Hermione, urging her to consider addressing the situation sooner rather than later.
Hermione's scowl deepened as she stared down at the note. Gripping her quill tightly, she scribbled a response. "I'm not ready for them to know yet. Ron can't be trusted to keep quiet." She folded the note and passed it back to Ginny, her frustration evident in her tense posture.
As Ron intercepted the note, Hermione's heart sank. She watched in dismay as he read the contents and then passed it to Harry. Panic surged through her, but she tried to maintain her composure, despite the sudden exposure of their secret.
"Hermione, what aren't you telling us?" Harry asked, concern etched on his face. "You know you can trust us."
"Not here," Hermione replied with a sigh, resigned to the fact that she would have to reveal her secret.
"After class then," Harry insisted with a frown.
Reluctantly, Hermione nodded, her heart pounding with nerves as she contemplated how she was going to gently break the news to them. She hoped they would be understanding and supportive, but the fear of their reaction lingered in the back of her mind.
In the morning's Defence Against the Dark Arts class, Hermione's brows furrowed as she observed the lesson: dueling against classmates for practical application. A knot formed in her stomach realizing she could not participate due to her pregnancy. With apprehension, she raised her hand and waited with bated breath for Professor Calloway to call on her.
"Yes, Mrs. Snape?" Professor Calloway's voice rang out clearly across the room, drawing the attention of Hermione's classmates as they turned to see her response. The weight of his gaze seemed to amplify the significance of her forthcoming decision.
Hermione ignored the snickers emanating from some of the Slytherins, maintaining her focus on Professor Calloway. "Can I please speak with you in private?" she requested, her tone steady despite the rising tension in the room.
"That is quite a peculiar request, Mrs. Snape," Professor Calloway remarked, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity. "If you have something important to share that you don't feel comfortable discussing in front of the class, I suggest you wait until the lesson is over."
Hermione's frustration grew as Professor Calloway dismissed her. "Professor, you don't understand. I need to speak to you urgently," she insisted.
"Well, it's going to have to wait until after class," Professor Calloway responded firmly, turning his attention back to the lesson. "Now then, I want everyone to stand up and pick a partner to duel against. I'll be watching each pair closely and grading your performance."
Effortlessly, once everyone had partnered up, Professor Calloway swiftly moved all the desks and chairs to the corner of the room, creating ample space for the dueling pairs. "All right class, you may begin."
Hermione stood next to Ginny, her expression sour. She mouthed the word "git" to Ginny, clearly displeased with her professor's attitude toward her.
Professor Calloway approached the two of them and shook his head in displeasure. "Why aren't you two dueling?" he demanded.
Having no other choice, Hermione discreetly parted her robes, revealing her pregnant stomach. It wasn't very noticeable, but sure enough, a small bump was starting to show against her white collared shirt. "Sir, can you see why I was trying to get your attention?" Hermione asked, trying very hard to keep her irritation at bay but failing miserably.
Professor Calloway's expression softened as he registered Hermione's condition. His eyes widened in surprise before quickly regaining his composure. "I see," he murmured, his tone shifting to one of understanding. "Please, sit down, Mrs. Snape. We can discuss this after class." He gestured for her to take a seat while he turned his attention back to the rest of the students.
Hermione nodded gratefully and hurriedly sat down in the corner of the classroom, relieved to have finally gotten her professor's attention. She glanced at Ginny, who offered a supportive smile in return.
Hermione's discomfort grew as she felt the weight of curious gazes from her classmates. She tried to focus on the duels happening around her, but the awareness of being singled out gnawed at her nerves. Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled looks, their curiosity evident in their expressions. Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat, acutely aware of the attention she was drawing.
Some students from other houses began to whisper amongst themselves, their eyes flicking towards Hermione with speculative glances. She couldn't blame them for their curiosity; after all, it wasn't common for a student to sit out of a practical lesson like this one.
Hermione clenched her jaw, feeling a surge of indignation at the hurtful rumors circulating around her. She knew she shouldn't let the words of a few Slytherins affect her, but their cruel insinuations stung nonetheless. The whispers of being a teacher's pet and accusations of receiving special treatment due to her marriage to Professor Snape grated on her nerves.
Despite her efforts to brush off the gossip, Hermione couldn't shake off the feeling of being unfairly judged. The weight of their words lingered in the air, casting a shadow over her mood as she sat amidst the murmurs of her peers.
As Professor Calloway silenced the class, Hermione felt a fleeting sense of relief wash over her. His authoritative voice cutting through the chatter momentarily eased the tension in the room. However, the damage had already been done. The rumors had begun to spread like wildfire, fueled by the whispers and gossip of her classmates.
Despite Professor Calloway's intervention, Hermione knew that the truth would inevitably come to light. The thought weighed heavily on her mind, knowing that soon everyone in the school would be privy to her situation. The prospect of facing the judgment and scrutiny of her peers filled her with apprehension and uncertainty about what lay ahead.
As the class concluded and students began to filter out, Hermione couldn't escape the murmurs and laughter that followed in their wake. The whispers and gossip about her situation echoed around her, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that she struggled to ignore. Feeling the weight of judgmental eyes upon her, she took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose, silently counting to ten in an effort to maintain her composure. Despite the urge to react, she reminded herself to stay composed and rise above the taunts and rumors swirling around her.
After restoring order to the classroom, Professor Calloway meticulously rearranged the desks and chairs before approaching Hermione. "Mrs. Snape, are you ready to talk?" he inquired, his tone softened with concern.
Hermione nodded slowly, her gaze meeting Professor Calloway's. "Sir, I will not be able to duel for the rest of the school year due to my pregnancy. It's part of the Marriage Law; I am required to have children with Professor Snape," she explained earnestly. "I would appreciate it if you would keep this between us for now and refrain from disclosing it to the rest of the students."
"Of course, Mrs. Snape. I wouldn't dare disclose something so personal about a student. I will find alternative assignments for you to complete instead. Since your next class is about to start, give this to your professor. It should explain your tardiness," Professor Calloway said, handing her a scrawled note.
With the note tucked away safely in her pocket, Hermione thanked Professor Calloway and headed for her next class, hoping to avoid any further attention.
Hermione hurried through the winding halls of Hogwarts, her robes billowing behind her as she moved as quickly as her body allowed. She was never late to Potions—never—but this morning's conversation with Professor Calloway had taken longer than expected, and now the dread of tardiness gnawed at her. Her hurried footsteps echoed through the otherwise empty corridor, each tap of her shoes against the stone floors a sharp reminder that she was out of time.
As the Potions classroom came into view, she slowed her pace, forcing herself to steady her breathing. The door loomed ahead, closed—a sure sign that class was already in session. Hermione fished the note from Professor Calloway out of her robe pocket, her fingers fumbling slightly in her haste. Taking one final deep breath, she knocked firmly on the door and waited, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
The door was wrenched open abruptly, revealing Professor Snape standing on the other side, his dark eyes already narrowed in irritation. His glare was fierce, and it was clear he assumed her to be another tardy student disrupting his meticulously planned lesson. The low murmur of students inside the classroom ceased almost instantly as dozens of eyes swiveled toward the doorway, their curiosity piqued.
Severus's expression shifted the moment he realized it was Hermione. His scowl softened, and though his posture remained rigid, there was a flicker of concern in his eyes as he opened his mouth to question her absence. Before he could speak, Hermione quickly extended the note she had been clutching.
"Sorry I was late, Professor," she murmured, her voice soft but firm. "I had to speak with Professor Calloway."
Severus raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable as he accepted the note. His long, pale fingers unfolded the parchment with deliberate precision, his eyes scanning the words quickly. The flicker of concern in his gaze lingered, though he gave no indication of what the note said. With a curt nod, he stepped aside, allowing Hermione to slip past him into the classroom.
Her cheeks burned as she walked toward the only empty seat in the room, conveniently beside Ginny. The stares of her classmates followed her every step, and she kept her head down, determined to avoid their curious gazes. Sliding into her seat, she cast Ginny a quick, apologetic glance before setting up her supplies, her heart still racing from the encounter.
At the front of the room, Severus closed the door with a quiet click and returned to the blackboard. He resumed his lecture without missing a beat, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade as he continued explaining the properties of the Draught of Peace. Though his tone was sharp, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that his gaze lingered on her a moment longer than necessary before he turned back to the class.
As she dipped her quill into her inkpot, Hermione felt Ginny nudge her arm gently. "What happened?" Ginny whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the scratch of quills and the bubbling of cauldrons.
"I'll explain later," Hermione whispered back, not daring to meet Ginny's eyes. For now, she forced herself to focus on the task at hand, though the weight of Severus's brief but pointed glance stayed with her, making her acutely aware of his presence at the front of the room.
As the final class of the day concluded, Hermione felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Her mind was already envisioning the sanctuary of her private quarters—a warm bubble bath, the soothing scent of lavender, and a good book to help her unwind from the day's stresses. She gathered her things quickly, eager to escape the bustling corridors of the castle. But before she could make her way to her rooms, Harry appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his hand closing firmly around her arm.
"Hermione, come with me," he said with no room for argument, his tone resolute. Without waiting for her consent, he guided her briskly down the corridor toward the library. She sighed in resignation as Ginny and Ron followed closely behind, sharing concerned glances. Whatever Harry was planning, it was clear the others were in on it.
Upon reaching a secluded corner of the library, away from curious students and Madam Pince's watchful gaze, Harry finally stopped. He released her arm, turning to face her with a determined expression. Ginny and Ron flanked him, their faces equally serious.
"Now spill," Harry said, crossing his arms. "What's going on with you?"
Hermione hesitated, her eyes darting toward the nearby bookshelves as though searching for a way to escape the conversation. "Harry," she began, her voice weary, "it's been... a lot lately. I've been under a tremendous amount of pressure, and I really don't want this to become gossip fodder for the entire school."
"Hermione, we're not going to say anything to anyone," Harry assured her, his green eyes filled with earnest concern. "You know that. But you can't keep shutting us out like this. Whatever's happening, we want to help."
Hermione took a deep, steadying breath, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her robe. She could feel the weight of her friends' expectant gazes pressing down on her, their concern mingling with curiosity. This was it—there was no point in hiding it any longer. She had to tell them.
"Right," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "As you know, the Marriage Law stipulates certain requirements, one of which is... well..." Her words faltered, and she looked away, staring at the floor as if it held the courage she needed. "...to have children in order to ensure the continued magical population."
The silence that followed was deafening. Harry frowned, his brows furrowed in confusion, while Ron remained blissfully oblivious, his arms crossed as he waited for her to continue.
Hermione swallowed hard and finally forced herself to speak the words she had been dreading. "I'm pregnant."
The room fell into stunned silence. Hermione avoided looking at any of them, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for their reactions.
Ron's jaw dropped, his eyes going as wide as saucers. "You're—what?" he blurted out, his voice louder than necessary. A few seconds passed before he seemed to regain some semblance of composure, though his expression was still a mixture of shock and disbelief. "You're actually sleeping with that git?" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with disgust.
"Ron!" Ginny snapped, shooting her brother a withering glare. "Don't be such a prat."
"What?" Ron said defensively, throwing up his hands. "I just—ugh, Merlin, Hermione! Him? Of all people?"
Hermione's cheeks flushed with both embarrassment and irritation. "It's not as though I had a choice, Ron," she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "The law forced us into this situation. Or have you conveniently forgotten that?"
Harry, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "Ron, lay off. This isn't easy for her." He turned to Hermione, his expression softening. "Are you okay? How are you feeling about all of this?"
Hermione let out a weary sigh, her shoulders slumping. "I don't know, Harry. It's a lot to process. I didn't plan for this—not now, not like this—but here I am." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the emotions she was trying so hard to keep in check. "And as much as you all may hate to hear this, Severus has been... supportive. He's trying."
"I'm sorry, but you can't blame me for being a bit surprised by this," Ron said, his voice rising in disbelief. "He's so much older than you, Hermione, and just—look at him! How can you put yourself through that?" His face contorted in disgust, his words laced with judgment.
Hermione's jaw tightened, her patience rapidly thinning. "I don't need your judgment, Ron," she shot back, her tone as sharp as the edge of a blade. "My relationship with Severus is none of your business. You might not like it, but that doesn't give you the right to criticize me or the choices I've had to make."
Ron opened his mouth to retort, but Harry stepped in, cutting off the brewing argument. "Enough, Ron," Harry said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. He turned his attention to Hermione, his expression calm and measured. "How far along are you?" he asked, clearly trying to bring some semblance of reason back into the conversation.
Hermione let out a small sigh of relief at Harry's attempt to de-escalate. "I'm about ten weeks along," she said softly, her voice steady despite the tension in the room. She appreciated his more composed approach, even as Ron fumed beside him.
Harry nodded thoughtfully, his green eyes filled with concern but no trace of judgment. "What are you and Snape going to do?" he asked, his voice careful and even, as though he didn't want to upset her further.
Hermione straightened her posture, her expression resolute. "What choice do we have?" she replied firmly. "We're going to raise our child. You may not understand it, but this is my family now. I may not have planned for this, but I'm not running away from it. Severus and I will work through this together."
Ron's composure shattered. His face mirrored the fiery hue of his hair as he tightly clenched his fists. With an abrupt turn, he stormed out of the library, seething with the revelation.
Ron's composure, fragile as it was, finally shattered. His face turned an alarming shade of red, matching the fiery hue of his hair. His fists clenched tightly at his sides as he glared at Hermione, his frustration boiling over. "Unbelievable," he muttered under his breath, before spinning on his heel and storming out of the library without another word.
Ginny watched him leave with a frustrated shake of her head. "Ignore him," she said softly to Hermione. "He'll come around eventually. He's just... Ron."
Hermione bit her lip, fighting back a mixture of anger and sadness. "I don't need him to 'come around,'" she said quietly. "I need him to grow up. I'm not asking for his approval, just his support. Is that really too much to ask?"
"Is that why you couldn't duel in class today?" Harry asked, his voice quieter now, as if understanding the gravity of her situation. His emerald eyes searched her face for confirmation.
Hermione nodded, clasping her hands in her lap. "Yes. Professor Calloway knows, and... well, obviously, Severus does too. But beyond them, I'm not ready to tell anyone else yet." Her voice was steady, but the weight of the confession hung in the air.
Ginny tilted her head slightly, curiosity sparking in her warm brown eyes. "How did Snape react when you told him?" she asked, her tone gentle but eager to know.
Hermione hesitated, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I was a complete mess," she admitted, her voice tinged with self-consciousness. "I couldn't even get the words out without crying. Don't you dare tell him I said this," she added, narrowing her eyes at the three of them, "but... he was unbelievably sweet and understanding."
Harry's eyebrows shot up, and Ginny leaned in slightly, intrigued. Even Ron's earlier departure didn't dampen the growing curiosity between them.
"He held me while I cried," Hermione continued softly, as though the memory itself was something too delicate to speak aloud. "He promised that no matter what, he'd support me. That we'd figure it all out together." Her voice wavered slightly, and she took a deep breath before continuing.
Hermione's next words came in a near-whisper, her gaze dropping to her lap as if saying them aloud might make them too vulnerable to share. "He's truly been the most supportive husband I could ever ask for."
Ginny and Harry stared at Hermione in utter astonishment, their minds struggling to reconcile the image of their stoic, sharp-tongued professor with the tender, supportive man Hermione described. Harry, still processing, finally broke the silence. "You truly love him?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief, his jaw figuratively hitting the floor.
Hermione didn't hesitate. "Yes," she said firmly, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "Even if the Marriage Law were repealed tomorrow, I wouldn't want to be apart from him." She paused, a small, private smile crossing her lips. "I know it may seem strange to you, and I'll admit, he can be infuriatingly stubborn at times. But he's also patient in ways that truly matter, quietly funny in his own dry way, and undeniably brilliant." Her eyes sparkled with admiration as she added, "He's not the man you think he is. He's so much more than that."
Ginny's lips twitched into a small, knowing smile. "Well, it's obvious he adores you," she said softly. "I've seen the way he watches you when he thinks no one is looking. It's like you're the only thing keeping him grounded."
Harry scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, clearly still adjusting to the revelation but choosing his words carefully. "If he makes you happy, Hermione, that's all that matters. I just… I guess I never imagined Snape capable of this. But then again, you've always had a way of surprising people." He smiled faintly, his tone sincere.
Now that her secret was out, Hermione felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Standing from the table, she glanced at the clock and said, "Dinner is about to start, and if I don't show up, Severus will come find me and force me to eat. He's been relentless about making sure I take care of myself." Her voice carried a mixture of exasperation and fondness, a clear sign of how deeply she valued his concern.
Ginny chuckled. "Sounds like someone's taking their role as a husband—and soon-to-be father—very seriously."
As they exited the library and began making their way to the Great Hall, Hermione's thoughts drifted to Ron. While Harry's acceptance brought her some relief, the memory of Ron's explosive reaction lingered in her mind like a shadow. She tried to push it aside, reminding herself that she couldn't control his feelings. Still, her heart ached at the thought of losing one of her oldest friends over something she couldn't change.