The Calm Before the Storm

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter Eight: The Calm Before the Storm

“She’s been in there an awfully long time,” Harry stated as he glanced at the closed door with a look of concern.

Severus agreed inwardly and rose to his feet, and crossing the room, he paused to knock lightly on the door, not wanting to scare the baby inside.

“Hermione?”

There were no answering words from inside, and he pushed the door open farther. The door barely made a squeaking sound as he pushed it open to poke his head inside. His eyes scanned the room quickly, and he breathed deeply when they settled on the woman in question by the window. She sat quietly in the false moonlight, leaning back into the rocker with the baby securely attached to one breast. Both appeared to be deep in sleep. He glanced back at Harry who had walked behind him and was viewing the sleeping pair as well.

“Poor thing, she must be exhausted,” Harry whispered.

“Indeed, she’s had a hard life up until now. Let me get them into bed and I will be out in a moment.”

“Need any help?” Harry offered while watching Severus approach mother and child, gently removing the baby from her breast and covering her back up.

“No, Mr. Potter, this will take only a moment. Please wait outside.”

Harry nodded and turned, leaving Severus to gaze down at the baby in his arms, and the mother still sleeping soundly in the chair. The older man gently swept a brown curl from her tired face before carrying his son to the crib, laying him gently onto his back. He picked up a cotton blanket and draped it loosely over the baby.

“There you go, little man, now Daddy has to attend to Mummy,” he whispered softly to his son before leaning down to kiss the tiny head. With an uncharacteristic smile, he turned back to Hermione, studying her as she slept. She did indeed look exhausted. This would be the first time she would ever get help with Sebastian and would actually be able to get full night’s rest. With him being next door, he intended to be there for the two of them. Carefully he stepped before her, deftly shifted her to where he could tuck his hands under her knees and slip his other hand behind her back. With a bit more effort than he expected, he rose with her in his arms. She was heavier than she appeared, it would seem. Her eyes fluttered for a moment before she fell back into sleep.

“That’s it, Hermione, get some sleep. Things will be fine in the morning,” he whispered into her ear and was rewarded with a contented sigh, her arms snaking around his neck as she settled into his chest.

He gazed into her sleeping face and sighed regretfully. If things had been different, if fate had not interfered in both of their lives, this could have been different. Things could have gone in another direction.

But then, if they had, he would not have his son, and Hermione wouldn’t be sleeping in his arms.

Almost.

He gazed at her once more as he carried her to her bed. Laying her down tenderly, he paused and rested a hand on her cheek. Maybe not completely sleeping in his arms, but at the moment, it was the closest he would ever get. He doubted that she would ever let him get any closer to her after what he'd done to her last year.

Soon he was going to have to have her give him back his memory. He dreaded that day, but he had to know, had to know what kind of revenge to foist on Lucius.

He covered her up and lingered a moment more, just watching her sleep. She could be a beauty if she wanted to be. He noted the long thick lashes that curled slightly at the tips, the rosy glow on her cheeks, and the healthy pink tint of her lips as she smiled in her sleep. No, this woman was already a beauty; no amount of makeup could recreate the natural condition of her complexion.

He pulled his gaze from her and turned toward the door. He was barely two steps away when he paused, turned back, and silently bent down to kiss her forehead.

“Sleep well, my sleeping beauty,” he whispered softly before quickly crossing the room and meeting Potter just as he closed the door.

“Everything all right?” the younger man asked, catching a peek inside before the door closed firmly blocking his view.

“Yes, they are both sleeping peacefully.”

“Good… I… ” Harry started to speak when a crackling noise erupted from behind them. Severus quickly stepped in front of Harry to block his form from whoever was trying to communicate through the Floo, just in case it was Lucius doing his weekly interruption.

“Severus?”

Severus tried not to breathe too audibly in relief as he recognized the voice. He stepped towards the hearth as Albus Dumbledore’s head popped through. “Yes, Headmaster?”

“Ah, I was just seeing if you came in yet. Did Miss Granger make it in as well?”

“She did, sir. They are both sleeping at the moment.”

Albus smiled, and then noticed Harry in the room. “Ah, Harry, my boy, I’m glad that you have also returned. All is well I assume?”

Harry glanced at Severus, then the nursery door, before turning back to the head floating in the fire.

“Yes, sir. I see why you asked me to return so early.”

“Good, good. Severus, I wish to see both you and Hermione in my office later this morning.”

Severus glanced at his watch, only then realizing that dawn was beginning to creep in.

“Of course. Let me get a few hours sleep and we both will be there.”

“Certainly. I shall leave you to it.” He grinned. “Goodnight, Severus, and Harry, I do believe you are out past curfew.”

Harry tried not to grin but failed at the good-humored attempt to be authoritative. “Yes, sir, I’m heading out now anyway.”

“Good, all young men need their sleep. Good night, I’ll see you at breakfast. Oh, and Severus, do please bring your son. I would love to see him.”

Severus nodded silently at the older man’s head before the fire died out, leaving the room in a dank coolness.

Severus and Harry bid each other a curt farewell. Harry left quietly, allowing Severus to close the door behind him.

Severus headed towards his room but first made a detour back into Hermione’s room to check on them first. He saw that Hermione and his son had kicked off their blankets. He quickly re-covered her before walking over to the crib to re-cover the baby. Like mother like son. He grinned.

“Good night,” he whispered as he paused at the door, taking in the scene before him.

Tranquility.

The calm before the storm.