Chapter 3

After breakfast on a Saturday morning, Hermione was called to the Headmistress' office. When she arrived, Professor Snape was already in attendance, looking like he'd been put through hell. His hair was messy, his face was flushed, and she thought there was a scorched mark on his robe. He wouldn't even look at her as she came in the room.

"Miss Granger, thank you for coming. How are things going now that word is out?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Pretty well. I've gotten a few off looks and a few snide remarks, but most people are very curious. It helps that I'm Head Girl; if they think badly of me, they aren't saying anything."

"And Draco Malfoy? Has he been harassing you?" Snape asked, still looking at the floor.

"Not at all. He's been ignoring me, which is fine with me. I don't think I've even seen him look at me."

"Good." The Headmistress nodded. "Professor, do you have any questions? If not, you are free to go. I'm sorry about this morning." Professor McGonagall looked over at Severus with a hint of a smile on her face. Snape nodded, glared, and headed for the door.

"What happened? He looked awful," Hermione asked after the door closed behind him.

"Well, you have a visitor and she came to see him first. Shall we go down to the gates? You are going on an outing today."

"An outing? What's going on?"

"You'll see. Come along, dear."

The two walked together down the stairs and out the large doors. They headed towards the gates that led to Hogsmeade where she saw someone standing and waiting. Someone with red hair. She now understood why Snape looked the way he did. It was Molly Weasley.

"Have fun, dear!" McGonagall called out as she pushed Hermione toward Molly. "See you for dinner." With a wave, the Headmistress hurried away, obviously not wanting to face Molly either.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione called out weakly. She wasn't sure what to expect. She only hoped she'd have mercy on a pregnant woman.

"Oh, Hermione! You poor dear, pregnant at this time in your life!" Molly grabbed her into a strong hug and squeezed and rocked as she talked. "You poor baby! You're just a child. That horrible Severus Snape should be castrated! Taking advantage of a young girl. Just a baby!"

Hermione pulled out of her embrace. "Really, don't blame Severus. I pushed him into everything. He's been wonderful about the whole thing."

"Is he going to marry you, then?" Molly asked.

"Marry me? No! It was only one night. Marriage is the furthest thing from our minds."

"Well, we'll see about that. Come along." Molly started hurrying towards Hogsmeade.

"Where are we going? Mrs. Weasley? What's going on?" She rushed to catch up with her.

"We are going shopping, dear. You are going to need maternity clothes very soon, and it won't be safe for you to be out and about much longer. Quickly now, we've got a lot to do today. We have an appointment at Madame Malkin's in twenty minutes. We need to get to a Floo."

"Mrs. Weasley, I don't have any money with me; we'll need to stop by Gringotts."

"Nonsense! You are not paying for anything. Severus gave me plenty of money to spend on you. It's his fault you need new clothes after all," Molly said as she continued to rush along. She finally noticed that Hermione had stopped and turned around to give her a motherly glare. "What's wrong, dear?"

"I can't take his money. This isn't his fault at all. I must insist you give that money back."

"Let's spend it first, and then you can talk to him about it. I didn't ask him for the money; he just handed it to me. It was his choice."

"He gave you the money on his own?" Hermione couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Why would he do that? She knew he was trying to keep up appearances, but it wasn't his responsibility. With a sigh, she started walking again. She'd pay him back eventually, but for now she didn't have time to process it as Molly was hurrying ahead.

When the two women arrived at Diagon Alley, they made their way to the dress shop. Madame Malkin was waiting and escorted them into a private fitting room in the back.

"Take off your clothes, dear. Bra and knickers only," Madame Malkin told Hermione as she gathered some fabric.

"I'm not really sure I am comfortable disrobing in front of other people," Hermione told Molly and Madame Malkin, clutching her robes tight around her body.

"Nonsense! Miss Granger, in order to fit you properly you must disrobe. Besides, when you are pregnant, all modesty goes out the window."

"That's for sure," Molly agreed. "When I had the twins, I was completely naked in front of my three older boys, Arthur, and the healer from St. Mungo's. They had to bring her to me; I was so far along I couldn't even Floo to the hospital."

"Why were you naked?" Hermione asked as she started removing her clothing.

"I couldn't stand any clothes touching me. It was unbearable. You'll see," Molly told her.

After stalling as long as she could, Hermione removed the last of her clothes and stood in only her undergarments. Molly, like most of the other females she encountered, had to touch her stomach and admire the little pooch that seemed to get bigger every day.

"You only have a few weeks left to wear school uniforms. How are they fitting?" Madame Malkin asked as she walked around Hermione.

"They still fit pretty well. The shirts are fine, but the skirts and pants are a little tight in the waistband. Not uncomfortable yet, but they are getting there."

"And your casual clothes?"

"My jeans are getting uncomfortable."

"I'm going to give you a simple Muggle device that I discovered while shopping in London. It's a simple button extender. Really marvelous things that don't require any spells. You'll be out of school before you are too big. As for your casual clothes, you'll have to go to Muggle London for those. Molly can take you there next." Madame Malkin stood back and looked at Hermione.

She paused a moment and then held out her wand. "I'm going to cast a spell now that will feel a bit odd. It's perfectly safe, but you are going to expand to the largest size you will reach during this pregnancy. Most women who are pregnant for the first time find it a bit jarring, but just relax. Your bra and panties will expand with the spell. Ready?"

"Um, ok, I guess so." Hermione wasn't sure what to think, but all of a sudden she felt herself expanding. Her stomach was jetting out in front of her and her breasts were growing quite large. She looked in the mirror and didn't recognize her own body. Her hips were wider, her thighs heavier, and even her face looked pudgy. Her stomach was huge! She knew she'd get big, but she had no idea. She felt unbalanced and awkward, and she hadn't even moved yet. "Oh my! I'm so fat!"

"No, it's not fat, it's a new life," Molly tried to comfort her. "Just think that soon you'll be able to feel the baby moving around."

"I have felt a few flutterings. This won't hurt the baby, will it?" She couldn't help but rub a hand over her newly expanded stomach. It was so bizarre.

"Not at all, it's just an illusion really. It feels real, but nothing has actually changed in your body. Let me get the rest of these measurements before the spell wears off." Madame Malkin got to work while Hermione continued to admire her body. Molly was talking about all the changes she'd go through, but she was only half listening. She felt such love for this baby all of a sudden. More than she'd felt before. It was like a rush of emotion had grabbed her and pulled her under. She wanted this baby more than anything in her life. She felt she could give up anything to have a chance to hold her child in her arms. She was so intent on her thoughts that she didn't even realize she was crying. It wasn't until Molly put her arms around her that she realized her emotions were on display for everyone and her body had gone back to normal.

"What is it, dear? What's wrong?" Molly soothed, pushing her hair from her face and rubbing her shoulder.

"I just really want this baby to live. I want to hold my child and know that he or she has a future," Hermione sniffed.

"Of course, you do. You are already a mother and want the best for your baby. Now, let's finish picking out material and go get you some lunch. Crying takes a lot out of a woman."

Molly and Madame Malkin left the dressing room so Hermione could get dressed in privacy. She sat down on a bench, holding her blouse in her hands. Her mind was swimming. Even though the plan was in place and had been executed without any problems, she somehow wondered if something would go wrong. Already Severus had put his life in danger. She had seen the burns he had received from Voldemort when he hadn't known she was looking. His sleeve had been pulled up while Madame Pomfrey had treated him, and he hadn't realized she was in the room. She'd heard him talk about the other burns as well. Molly had attacked him, mostly verbally she hoped; although he did have that scorch mark. She knew that the Board of Governors had met to discuss his position as a professor. It was only her non-student status that had saved him. She'd expected to be the one attacked, but she had been pretty well left alone. She wasn't sure she could continue to let him lie about this.

On the other hand, she didn't want to hurt Harry either. Ginny would never forgive them, and their lives would immediately be in danger. She could lie and say that Snape was covering for an unknown father, a one night stand during holidays. She could claim to be farther along than she was and just disappear. She felt very unsettled. Her first stop would be Severus. She wanted to pay him back for the clothes and talk to him about whether it was worth it. She didn't want him to suffer because of her. He wasn't at fault. She hurried to get dressed and joined Molly who was busy looking at material and patterns. Paperwork was signed and Hermione was assured that her new clothes would be delivered to Hogwarts in various sizes in the upcoming weeks.

After leaving the dress shop, Molly treated Hermione to lunch before heading to the twin's shop. Fred and George made several jokes about her getting "knocked up", and begged her to try out some new products. Molly rescued her, and they headed into Muggle London to buy some maternity jeans and undergarments. Hermione was quite embarrassed talking with Molly about nursing bras, but she had joined the ranks of motherhood and had to get over it. As they arrived back at the gates of Hogwarts, Hermione grabbed Molly and hung on.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you for doing my mother's job. I hope someday she can meet her grandchild, but until then, thank you for taking her place even if that wasn't your intention."

"Silly little girl." Molly whispered, her throat tightening with emotion. "You are my daughter in my heart, and I have every intention of mothering you like I have all these years. I've been through six pregnancies, so you can come to me for anything. I've experienced it all. Even being a young mother. I was only 19 when Bill was born, just like you will be with this little one. Owl me if you need anything at all." She pulled away and watched as Hermione walked onto the grounds.

Hermione headed toward her room to drop off the few packages that couldn't be owled and then went straight to the dungeons. She hoped to catch Severus before dinner. She took a deep breath before knocking on his door, ignoring the looks from the passing Slytherins. They were leering at her, and she assumed they thought she was visiting her lover.

Snape opened the door to his office to find a flustered looking Hermione. "Come in," he said, pulling the door wide open. He glared at the students outside and shut the door behind him. It didn't matter what anyone thought at this point. "Can I help you, Miss Granger?" he asked as he settled himself back behind his desk.

"You are supposed to call me Hermione," she scolded.

"Quite true. What do you need, Hermione?"

"I didn't get a chance to get to the bank, but I wanted to let you know I will pay you back for the clothes I purchased today. It was very generous of you, but you are not responsible and I can't accept it."

"Nonsense. I have more money than I will ever be able to spend. It's a gift, Miss Gra . . . Hermione. Take it as one. Besides, it looks better that way. Nobody would question me paying for your maternity wear. I assume you got what you needed?"

"Yes, I did, but you didn't have to do that," Hermione argued.

"I didn't have to do anything, but I wanted to. It also got Molly Weasley off of my back. She stopped hexing me after she realized I was trying to take responsibility."

"I'm still not convinced that I won't pay you back, but I will thank you for your generosity." At his nod, she continued, "I never anticipated what you would go through because of me. I know Voldemort must have hurt you because I saw you in Madame Pomfrey's office. I expected the Board of Governors to meet with you, but I didn't expect them to be so harsh. Molly was also out of hand. If you want to back out, I'll go to America. My cousins would take me in; I would be safe. You don't have to do this."

"Sit down, Hermione," Snape sighed. He watched her sink into the leather chair and moved around his desk to sit in the chair facing her. He leaned forward, trying to come up with the best thing to say. "When you and Potter came to me, my first thought was of horror. Why would I want to help you out at the expense of my so called life? Quickly, I realized that you didn't have another choice. You were right to come to me. I am not the only one who could do this, but I am the only one who would. Yes, this has turned into something more than I expected, but I can handle it. Molly gave me a tongue lashing and some Stinging hexes were sent my way, but I understood why she did it. She loves you." He sat back, hoping he conveyed what he meant to say.

Hermione was moved by his words, but was still not convinced she was doing the right thing. "But your burns? You can't . . ." She was cut off by Severus raising his hand.

"Really Hermione, I've had worse. I don't know how you ever managed to find out about them in the first place. All of your concerns are nonsense. You shouldn't worry. I do have some questions for you, however."

"Of course, ask me anything."

"What will you do after school ends? Do you have a home to go to?"

"I've got a few options. I can't go back to my parents' home because they are still in Australia and the house has been closed up for the time being. Professor McGonagall has agreed to allow me to stay here and continue to apprentice with her. Harry has offered me Grimmauld Place, but I can't imagine being there alone since he plans on going to the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley will let me stay, but with both Harry and Ginny there, it might get awkward. I've also thought that maybe I should just rent a flat in London. My only concern is making sure the baby is safe, and I don't know if I'll feel safe on my own. My best option is to stay here, so I suppose that's my choice. I'll feel safe here."

"I'd like to pose another option to you."

"All right, but I think my mind is made up."

"Because the Wizarding community already believes that we are lovers -- and I know people do not believe we only had relations once like you have been telling everyone -- I would like to invite you to come to my home in Spinner's End. It's a fairly large home, you would have privacy, and it is one of the safest places on earth. Unplottable to those who have not been there and heavily warded against those who have. I know people are coming before they do. I know it seems improper, but I assure you I would stay out of your way. I'm more concerned about making sure our story holds up and that the child is born safely. I can also protect you after the baby is born if you are in my home."

"The baby is due in October, you will be back teaching by then. Would I stay there alone?"

"If you wish, or you may come back to Hogwarts with me and take up the Headmistress on her offer to stay here. I can protect you as easily here as there, but it is important that we retain a connection of some sort."

"That's very generous of you. If I were to come, I would insist on paying you some rent."

"Hermione, did I not mention I didn't need your money? You are a bright girl, surely you can remember a conversation from ten minutes ago."

"I didn't forget Professor. I'm just not looking for charity."

"I'm not offering charity. I'm offering you a home should you want it. If you don't, that is fine as well, but I won't have you paying rent to me. It's insulting." Snape got up from the chair and moved back behind the desk. His gentle demeanor was gone, and he was back to being the hard professor Hermione was used to.

"I'll think about it. Thank you, sir." Hermione got up and quickly left the office, not at all sure she wanted to spend her summer in a dark, dank home that she imagined Spinner's End to be. She'd need to talk to the Headmistress again and maybe even Mrs. Weasley to help her make her decision.

As she walked up from the dungeons, she saw Ron, Harry, and Ginny waiting by the doors to the Great Hall. She gave them a wave and hoped she would be welcome to join them. Ron had ignored her for days and Harry was forced to follow suit.

"Hi, Hermione. I just want to say . . . Um . . . I'm sorry I treated you badly. I really am. I've missed you," Ron apologized.

"Thank you, Ron. I've missed you too." Hermione gave him a genuine smile and turned her attention to Harry who had cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry too, Hermione. I didn't mean to react the way I did. You are my best friend and I should have offered you support, instead of treating you so badly. I promise I'll be here for you from now on," Harry told her.

"Thank you, Harry. That means a lot. Let's go eat; I'm starving!" The four friends went into the Great Hall to enjoy a good meal together.

Later that night, Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati sat in Hermione's room and talked. Hermione finally brought up the offer that Snape had proposed. "He wants me to come live with him this summer," she said shyly.

"What? You are going to live with Snape?" Lavender asked.

"Well, I don't know for sure. I haven't decided. It wouldn't be living with him exactly."

"He won't be there?" asked Parvati.

"Yes, he'll be there, but I'll have my own room and space, and I'll never have to see him."

"It's very romantic," sighed Lavender. "You should do it. You could spend the whole summer in your lover's arms."

"He's not my lover! It was just once," Hermione tried to argue.

"Once was enough to tie you to him forever, though. You should marry him," Lavender told her.

"You sound like Mrs. Weasley! I'm not marrying him; we aren't even friends."

"Yeah, you are more than friends," Ginny giggled.

Hermione couldn't help the blush that crept across her cheeks. Seeing her blush set the girls giggling once again. Just thinking of herself and Snape doing what they were thinking made her feel all warm inside. It must be hormones, she thought. There was no way she would ever dream of having sex with Snape, even though he had surprised her with his kindness earlier and was better looking than she first thought.

"Look at her! She's smiling at the thought!" Parvati exclaimed.

"I am not!" Hermione protested, but then she realized that she had been smiling. It was one of those stupid smiles, too. Hormones. She knew that pregnant women occasionally felt a rush of hormones. That's what it was. That's all it could be.