Chapter 6

Thanks to Severus Loves Us for her awesome beta work! You're my comma hero!

Severus paced in his Potions lab. He should be working, but it was his first week on summer break, and he just didn't want to. His mind was racing with thoughts of Hermione. He knew that she needed his protection, and that was the only reason she agreed to stay here. He also knew that he was having thoughts he shouldn't be having about the pregnant girl. He couldn't deny that she had grown into a beautiful woman, and he felt so warm when she smiled at him. He was quite surprised by how easy it was to be around her, and he enjoyed when she touched him, even in passing. Dancing with her the night of the ball had caused feelings to stir in him that he didn't want. He was an old man, old enough to be her father. She wasn't his; that baby wasn't his. He knew that she was most likely in love with Harry Potter. He'd just have to enjoy her company while she was here.

They had settled into a comfortable routine together. She usually slept later than he did and ate breakfast alone, but he had got into the habit of joining her for coffee, and they read the Daily Prophet together. Lunches were shared on the patio if the weather was nice, and dinner was held in the dining room. They had much in common, and they discussed books, experiments, and people they both knew.

*********

At the end of their second week together, Hermione was sitting on the sofa in the sitting room staring at her stomach. It was the first time she had felt the baby move on the outside. She had been reading with one hand on her stomach, and all of a sudden, she felt a ripple under her hand.

Severus found her with a strange expression on her face. "Hermione? Are you ill?"

"No, come sit down!" She scooted her legs off the sofa and sat up. After he sat next to her, she grabbed his hand and pressed it against her stomach. "Feel this!"

His first instinct was to pull away at her touch, but he relaxed and let her put his hand on her rounded stomach. He felt something, like a little fluttering, right under her skin. He looked at her in amazement. "Is that the baby?" he asked quietly.

"Yes. It's the first time I've been able to feel her from the outside. It's amazing." She kept her hands over his as his fingers spread across her abdomen.

"It is. It is amazing." He glanced down at her. He was touched beyond belief that she would share this moment with him. He was growing more worried by the day of his growing attachment to Hermione and the baby. He knew it was dangerous, but if there was one thing he had learned from his affection for Lily, it was that he couldn't help his emotions. He had always felt things passionately, and that was exactly why he had a double life. Finally, he pulled his hand away.

"You should let Potter know. He'll want to feel his child move," he said, his voice coming out a little gruffer than he planned.

"I'll see him next weekend when I visit the Burrow. I don't want to arouse Ginny's suspicion."

"Do you love him?" he asked.

"Of course. I love Harry very much, but I'm not in love with him. Is that what you meant?"

"Yes. I just wonder how you can be so accepting of his relationship with Miss Weasley after what you shared."

"I knew he loved Ginny before we had sex; it wasn't a surprise. We needed to feel something physical that night. To be able to forget and connect. It wasn't just sex because with Harry, it's always something more, but I was never fooled into believing he was in love with me either. We love each other deeply, but we aren't in love. Does that make sense?" Hermione tried to explain as best she could, but she knew she wasn't getting the true feelings correct.

"I think so. I'm just glad you are so at peace with everything."

"I really am. This baby girl is keeping me centered and focused on what I need to do. My research is going well, and I feel positive for the future."

"Good." He nodded as he awkwardly patted her hand.

"May I ask a question?"

"Of course."

"I need a name for my daughter. Was there anyone special in your life that you would name your child after?"

"She's not my daughter, Hermione. That decision is all yours."

"She will carry your last name and the world will think of her as yours. I just thought that if there was a name that meant anything to you, that you would allow her to have, it would be one way to thank you for everything."

"Doesn't Harry have a say in this?" Severus was touched by her offer. He did have a name, one that he'd always planned on naming a daughter. This may be the closest he'd ever get.

"Harry wants to name his daughter Lily, after his mother." She saw Severus flinch at the name. "He should get to do that with the daughter he has with Ginny."

She waited for Severus to say something, and then figuring he didn't have an answer for her, she started to get up to go upstairs. Just as she'd made it to her feet she heard a whisper.

"Callina."

"Callina? That's a lovely name." She sat down again, hoping to hear the story that went with the name. "She was my sister. Only a year younger than I. We did everything together."

Hermione could tell by his use of the past tense that Callina was no longer alive. She'd never heard mention of any siblings and had always assumed he was an only child like she was. "What happened?"

"When I was five years old and Callie was four, we went to visit my grandparents. The Muggle ones. They lived in a busy neighborhood outside of London. We rarely visited. They knew my mother was a witch, and they didn't want their neighbors thinking anything negative. They would come to visit us, but they hated our small home, and they were very uncomfortable by magic. I don't think we'd been to their house in a couple of years. Callie didn't know much about Muggle life since we lived in a wizarding home. We didn't have a car because Father walked to work and Mother used the Floo or Apparated. Callie didn't know the danger. We were playing in the front yard when she ran out into the road and was hit by a car. By the time they got her to a hospital, there was nothing they could do."

Hermione gripped his hand. "Oh, Severus, I'm so sorry. You must have been devastated."

"I was when I finally realized what was happening. I was left with my grandfather while my parents and Grandmum rushed her to the hospital. I knew she was hurt, but I didn't understand. They didn't talk about it after the funeral either. That was when everything changed for my parents. They each blamed themselves and each other, and their marriage was never the same. That's when my father started drinking and Mum shut down."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, but thank you for sharing." Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes and noticed that Severus didn't show any emotion at all.

"The name has a sad story attached to it. You don't have to use it." He abruptly stood and walked out of the room.

"Well, looks like you have a name, little Callina. Now, to figure out your middle name." Hermione rubbed her belly and smiled.

**********

Hermione opened her eyes and tried to process what day of the week it was. When she realized it was Saturday, she did her best to jump out of bed. She was terribly excited to see her friends. There was an anniversary party for Molly and Arthur at the Burrow, and Severus had agreed to take her and stay, even though he could think of a million things he'd rather do more. She showered quickly and went down to breakfast, hoping to get some research done before leaving for the party. She ran right into Snape as she turned the corner.

"Oh! I did it again. I'm always running into you."

"You aren't hurt are you?" he asked, concern on his face.

"No! My big belly protected me!" she laughed.

"Indeed. What time do we need to leave?"

"Lunch is at noon. I thought we could arrive around eleven so I could help with the food."

"Fine." Hermione watched his back as he walked down the hall. He was definitely dreading the party. He had grown so comfortable around her and regularly let his guard down. Seeing his stiff walk, she knew he didn't want to go. Harry and Ron would never believe how different this man really was from the professor who had made them miserable for seven years.

A few minutes before eleven, Hermione and Snape stepped into the Floo and went directly to the Headmistress' office at Hogwarts. From there, they would Floo on to the Burrow. Severus had been assured of the baby's safety, but he was becoming increasingly concerned about Hermione and thought going directly to the Burrow would put her in danger. The Dark Lord had been very quiet lately, and he felt that he may have been left in the dark about a few things.

When they arrived at the Burrow, Hermione was quickly embraced by her friends. She barely had a moment to breathe as she was swept into the commotion that was always at the Burrow. Severus stood uncomfortably while Ron glared at him from the other side of the room. Only Harry met his eyes with a nod and a slight smile.

Hermione headed into the kitchen to get away from the noise while Severus followed quickly at her heels. He wasn't used to a boisterous group that he couldn't threaten with detention. He looked around the small kitchen and sighed. Molly deserved better than this, he thought to himself as he watched Molly at the overflowing stove. She was a good woman and had raised good children, well, most of them, he thought with a grimace. Fred and George were not high on his list of favorite students, although, he did think they were quite brilliant.

"Molly? What can I do?" Hermione asked, going up to give her substitute mother a hug.

"Oh, Hermione! How are you?"

"I'm great, Molly, just fine."

Molly gave Severus a sly look. "Are you being well taken care of?"

"Of course! Severus has a lovely home, and I'm very happy there."

"Good, good. All right, maybe you can cut up this fruit for me?" Molly gestured to a table that appeared to be groaning with the weight of the melons. Hermione pulled her hair back in a tie and grabbed a knife. She was shocked when Severus did the same, joining her at the cutting board and helping to slice the fruit. His hands were proficient, and she watched them as they worked. He was dressed more casually than he did when teaching, but she was disappointed to see him a little more formal in a long-sleeved, black shirt and dark slacks.

They worked well together, and Molly was quite impressed with Severus' cooking skills, making several comments. Hermione realized that although he claimed to be able to cook, she hadn't seen him in the kitchen during the few weeks she had spent at his home. Once all the food was ready, the platters were levitated to the tables outside where the Weasley men were some of the first to flock. The group enjoyed their meal, and there were toasts and speeches to the anniversary couple.

As the festivities wound down, there was a decision made to play a game of Quidditch, and Harry surprised everyone by inviting Severus to play. Even more surprising to everyone gathered, he agreed. Hermione watched him walk toward the field carrying a broom. She couldn't take her eyes off of him and felt a stirring of emotion welling up. She blamed it on hormones, but she knew she was beginning to really care for him.

Molly sat beside her on the bench and patted her knee. "You look good, healthy, and happy," Molly told her.

"I am, Molly. I feel . . . Oh, it's hard to describe. Complete, I suppose. I feel whole, purposeful, and optimistic. I think I love being pregnant." She laughed.

"Oh, I do remember those days. I loved it as well, at least the first few. Fred and George seemed to take everything out of me. And they haven't stopped." She chuckled. "Severus is treating you well?"

"He's amazing, Molly! I never knew he could be so kind. He's very generous, thoughtful, and even though he's a bit prickly at times, it's rare that I see that side."

"Has the baby been moving?"

"Oh yes! Severus and I were both able to feel her last week. It was amazing. She's been busy in there." She lazily rubbed her stomach as she talked.

"Has Harry had a chance to feel his daughter move?" Molly asked quietly.

Hermione gasped. She looked at the woman next to her with fear in her eyes. "What are you talking about, Molly? That's just silly. Severus is the father, you know that."

"No, I do not know that. I know the truth. I know it because every time Harry looks at you, he gets that sad, haunted look in his eyes. He stares at your stomach as if it were the most precious thing in the world to him, which I imagine it is. I'm a wise woman, Hermione. I know my children very well, and Harry has been one of my children since I helped him through the platform at King's Cross. My question is, why the lie?"

"Oh, Molly," Hermione cried. "We had to lie; we had to." She took a few deep breaths before continuing. "Harry loves Ginny so much. What happened between us wasn't a mistake, but it was never anything more than trying to feel a connection during a very bad period. He doesn't love me that way, and I don't love him; you have to know he is completely devoted to Ginny."

"So the lie was to protect my daughter from being hurt?"

"In part it was, and also to protect me and the baby. He knew that if Voldemort found out that I was pregnant with Harry's child, I would be in immediate danger. More danger than I am now. If he knew the truth about whose baby it was, there would be no hope. Voldemort would destroy Harry by destroying his child. Harry knew that Death Eaters take an oath to protect each other's children. Severus was the only person we could think of that was in a position to help. We were shocked that he agreed, but now I see a different side of him. He's a very good man, Mrs. Weasley. Please keep our secret. It's not only my life at stake, but my little girl's. And Ginny's. We never meant to betray her."

"When I said Harry was my child, I should have also mentioned that you are as well. You are as much mine as the rest of those kids out there. I will keep your secret. I do understand why you lied, and it makes sense. I appreciate that you are trying to protect my daughter as well, but what are you planning to do when your little girl gets older and wants to know about her father?"

"She'll never know the truth. She can't. Harry already agreed. He'll be a part of her life, but as an uncle, not a father."

"What if your daughter looks like him?"

"We'll have to wait and see. If she has dark hair, that can be explained, but if she has his eyes, it may be that I have to leave England. I hope it doesn't come to that."

"What of Severus? Is he going to be in her life?"

"I suppose it's up to him. She'll have his last name and will be considered a Snape by the public. I haven't really talked to him about what role he'll have or won't have. My guess is that as soon as the danger is gone, he'll send us on our way out of his life, and he can get back to normal."

"Hmmm, we'll see." Molly got up as the men started coming in for cold drinks. Severus joined Hermione on the bench, breathing hard and holding a cold bottle of butterbeer.

"You all right there?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"It's bloody hot out there today! I haven't played Quidditch for a while, and I've decided I'm just much too old for it."

"You aren't old. You just aren't used to the activity. You looked wonderful on that broom though." Hermione instantly regretted her words as she blushed. She was only telling the truth, but she usually held back a bit with him.

Snape looked down at the young woman beside him. She was looking at her hands, and her face was pink. Did she just tell him he looked wonderful? "Thank you," he croaked out. They sat in silence for a while, watching the twins play tricks on poor Ron. Lavender had arrived late, and he was completely embarrassed by his brothers with his girlfriend around.

"Oh! Wow, that was a good one!" Hermione said, brushing her hand over her stomach. "She's awake."

Severus didn't think about what he was doing and immediately put his hand near hers. She moved it to where the baby's feet seemed to be doing a dance, and Severus smiled as he felt the little girl move. The rest of the party guests had heard Hermione exclaim and were all standing silent as they watched the tender moment between the two. Slowly, they approached her so that they too could feel the baby move, and the silence was broken again. Severus watched as Harry excused himself and ran in the house. He may not like the boy, but he didn't want to see him in that much pain either. Someone else was watching Harry's reaction and sighed in sadness.

After the baby stopped moving, and Hermione had a moment without being groped, Ginny pulled her aside.

"I'm worried about Harry," Ginny whispered.

"What's wrong? Are you two having trouble?"

"No, not at all. He's just becoming distant again. I know he's worried about the upcoming battle. I was wondering if you could talk to him? You always seem to have a fresh perspective on things, and he hasn't talked to you in a while. I saw him go inside earlier. He's probably in his room. Would you mind?"

"Sure, of course, Ginny." Hermione patted Ginny on the arm and headed inside to find Harry. Ginny had just given her the perfect excuse to have some time alone with him.

"Harry? Are you in here?" Hermione asked as she pushed the door open. He was sitting on his bed, staring at the wall. Hermione had seen that look before. She climbed onto the bed next to him and grabbed his hand. "Are you all right?"

"Not really," he muttered. "I thought I could handle this, but I'm beginning to wonder. Seeing Snape feel your...my...baby kick made me a bit nauseous. I've never felt her move."

"You can now. She's moving again."

"Really?" Harry smiled slightly. "Here, put your hand here." Hermione guided him to the right spot and watched his face as he felt his daughter move for the first time.

"That's incredible!"

"I know. It's completely bizarre knowing that there is a life inside of me." Harry gave her a genuine smile and pulled his hand away.

"I'm sorry for acting like a child. I'm jealous, I can't help it."

"You can still stop this all, you know. We still have time."

"No, we are out of time. I can feel Voldemort getting stronger. He's going to make a move soon. Hermione, I'm not going to survive this. You know that, don't you? I'm the Horcrux. I'm the seventh Horcrux. Once we kill Nagini and I am destroyed, the Order can move on to Voldemort."

"No! Harry, I'm working on a plan. I think I know of a way to remove the Horcrux from you without you dying. I just need a little more time. Don't you give up yet!" She grasped his hands.

"I'm not giving up, I'm trying to stay strong, but I'm also being realistic. I'm just telling you that I know. If you can save me, I'll live a life worthy of that, but if you can't, I understand. You and our baby girl will be well taken care of financially. Bill helped me draw up a will. I'm leaving the Black estate to the Weasleys and Remus with specific instructions about how it is to be divided. The money that I inherited from my parents will go to you and the baby. It's enough for you to make a home for her and live comfortably." Tears were running down his face as he said this, and they matched the tears streaming down Hermione's.

"You stop that! You can't talk like that!"

"I told you that I want to live, but I wanted you to know in case I don't. You find a way for me to live, and I promise you I will."

"Promise you'll fight?" Hermione begged.

"With every fiber of my soul, I will fight to see my daughter grow up. I will fight for a lifetime with Ginny. I will fight for my future children and grandchildren." He sobbed into her arms, and the two sat holding tight to each other once more. They pulled away after they heard a knock on the door. Severus peeked in, hoping he wouldn't find them doing anything inappropriate...again.

"Hermione, I'm being called to a meeting." Hermione could see that he was grasping his forearm. "I need to take you home now. I don't feel it's safe for you here anymore tonight. We don't have much time."

Hermione got quickly to her feet, giving Harry a hard hug. "I'll see you soon for your birthday party."

"Thanks for talking to me, Hermione. Professor? Thank you for taking care of them."

With a nod of his head, Snape whisked Hermione down the stairs to the Floo. They arrived in the Headmistress's office, and then without a second to pause, they were back in Spinner's End.