Chapter 8

Hermione took another shower as soon as she woke up. She had showered before bed, but having all that blood on her the night before had caused her to have very frightening dreams, and she still didn't feel clean enough. She dressed quickly and pulled her hair back into a messy bun. Before she left the room, she stopped and thought over all the events of the night before.

Her first thoughts were of Draco. She was concerned over how he had slept, if he was awake, and if he really wanted to kill her. She was so focused on running through the steps she took with the potions and healing spells that she had actually forgotten about her time with Severus. Just yesterday she had been chopping up fruit, admiring his hands. That was before he kissed her. Now everything had the potential to be very different. How different was the big question. Would he kiss her again? Were they dating? Were they a couple? Would he want to do more than kiss her? Where would they have the wedding? She shook her head and smiled at her thoughts. She was getting ahead of herself. She wasn't even sure of her own feelings. She sighed and finally left her room.

Her first stop was to check on Draco. Peeking in the room, Draco appeared to still be in a deep sleep. His body was still, and his breathing was soft. The only sound in the room was the light snores of Severus as he slept uncomfortably in a chair. She knew by the blood that was dried on his robes that he had slept there all night.

She crept close to him and then in a bold move, leaned over to brush her lips over his. She wasn't sure if it was something he would like, but she took a chance. When he didn't respond, she ran her fingers down his cheek and kissed him again. This time he jumped awake, causing her to take a step back.

"Oh, Hermione!" he gasped, realizing where he was. "I must have fallen asleep."

"Obviously." She laughed. "You need to go clean up and take a proper rest. I'll stay here with Draco."

"Is it morning?" He looked over at the windows that were covered by heavy shades.

"It is, and you've been up all night. How is he?"

"He woke once a few hours ago, and I gave him some more pain potion. He seemed to be more settled."

"Good. You go at least take a shower."

"You're okay with him? Don't remove the paralysis spell."

"I'm fine, and I won't." She pushed him to the door. As she turned to take his place in the chair, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him. He brought his face to hers and gave her a long, slow kiss. She moaned at the feel of his lips on hers. He pulled away and dropped her hand.

"We haven't discussed what is happening between us yet, but we will," he whispered and left the room. She sighed and smiled as she dropped into the chair. She spent the morning in Draco's room, eventually opening up the window shades for light. Pip brought her breakfast and stood watch while she made regular trips to the bathroom and to pick up books from her room. It was lunchtime before Draco opened his eyes again.

"Granger? Is that you?" he called weakly.

"I'm here." She set her books aside and stood up to walk toward his bed. "Are you in pain?"

"Of course I'm in pain," he snarled. "I've been sliced open by an asshole Dark Lord."

"Well at least you are speaking in complete sentences today." Hermione walked over and looked at his bandages. They appeared to be holding and were still clean. "You don't have to be a prat, you know. I'm only trying to help."

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "It's easier to be a jerk. It's second nature."

"Well, you have an excuse for being in pain, but I sincerely hope we can get past all that old schoolyard rivalry."

"When are you going to let me move?"

"When Severus or Madam Pomfrey give the okay. You still aren't going to be able to move much. It's going to hurt."

"I can handle it. Damn, Granger, you got fat!" he said as she turned to the side to straighten his blanket.

She turned her sharp eyes on him. "I'm pregnant, you idiot. You know that; you spread it around school."

"I know." He smirked. "It was just too juicy to keep quiet. I can't believe you let Uncle Sev knock you up."

"Hmmm, well, it wasn't planned."

"No, I can't imagine it would be. Quite the scandal."

"You should rest. Do you want more pain potion?" Hermione was desperate to change the subject.

"No. I don't want to go back to sleep. I need to ask some questions of Uncle Sev."

"He's still asleep."

"No, he isn't," a deep voice said from the doorway.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he came to stand by Hermione.

"It bloody hurts, but I'm all right."

"You seem to be breathing easier. Madam Pomfrey will be here in an hour or so. If you can manage to stay awake that long, I'm sure she'll want to talk to you."

"I want to ask you some questions."

"Of course, and then I have some questions for you."

"I'll just go then," Hermione said as she started to walk out the door.

"You can stay," Draco called out. "You probably have questions too."

Hermione walked back in and sat in the chair that Severus had pulled near the bed. He sat at the foot of the bed and looked at his godson.

"How did I survive? The last thing I remember was the Dark Lord coming at me with his blade."

"You were gravely injured, and it was believed that you were dead. I volunteered, along with McNair and Goyle, to move your body from the room. We brought you to the woods behind your home and had to leave you."

"How did I get all of the broken bones?"

"McNair and Goyle decided to hit and kick what they thought was a dead man."

"Bastards," Draco hissed.

"Indeed. I came back for you after the meeting was over and brought you here. You are alive because Hermione was able to stop your bleeding and Poppy was able to come and take over."

"My father? He can't be happy."

"No, he's not. He's destroyed," he said as he looked at Draco's stricken face. "I don't mean physically. He was very angry at you for denying the mark, but when he saw your wounded body on the ground, he nearly lost his mind. When I returned from taking you to the woods, he was sitting in a corner screaming for you. Voldemort seemed to take great joy in this."

"He thinks I'm dead?"

"Yes, and I think it should stay that way for the time being. You are safe here, if you choose to remain. You can send an unmarked owl to your mother, telling her that you are recovering. We'll charm it so that only your mother can read it."

"How long can I stay?"

"You are welcome here as long as you need. You are not a prisoner, but you are not safe out in the world either. You can make that decision on your own."

"Thank you. I have nowhere to go," he choked out while he tried to quench the emotions he felt welling up. "You had questions for me?"

"I do. I'm not sure how you will take this, but I need you to tell me the truth."

"Of course."

"I need to ensure that you are telling the truth by taking a form of Veritaserum. It's a new variation. There is no immunity to it yet, and it works quickly. I don't want to offend you by asking you to do this. If it were just us, I wouldn't ask, but I have Hermione and my daughter to think about."

Hermione was shocked that he would ask Draco to do something so drastic, but when she heard him say "my daughter," she thought her heart would burst out of her chest. It warmed her beyond belief. She still didn't know what their future would be, but he laid claim to her baby in front of someone important to him. It meant something.

"I'll take it. I have no secrets," Draco said.

Severus didn't hesitate; he leaned forward and dropped the serum into his mouth. "It shouldn't take long for it to work. Let's start with a control question. What's your full name?"

"Oh, no, I'm not saying that out loud." Draco laughed. "This stuff doesn't work at all!"

"What's your full name, Draco?" Severus asked again.

"I'm not... Oh, shit. My name is Draco Lancelot Caesar Malfoy. Damn it! Don't you laugh, Granger!"

Hermione tried to hold back her snicker, but failed in hiding her smile. "It's a lovely name, Draco. Very regal."

Snape grinned at her and turned back to Draco. "Why did you refuse the Dark Mark?"

"I didn't want to kill anyone. I didn't want to kill Dumbledore last year, and I didn't want to kill Granger. I don't have it in me. I want to fight against Voldemort, not with him."

"There is a plot to kill Hermione?"

"Yes, we had meetings you weren't invited to. The plan is to take Granger and keep her until they can cut the baby out of her and leave her to die."

Hermione gasped at his words. She grabbed Severus by the arm, and he linked his fingers with hers, holding on tight.

"When is this set to happen?"

"In a few weeks. I'm not sure when. They are going to come to your home, bind you, and take her. The Dark Lord was concerned that your feelings for Granger were too strong and that you wouldn't turn her over like you agreed. You'll get your baby back though. They were not going to harm your baby."

Snape's face was like stone and his voice cold when he continued his questioning. "Are you currently working for Voldemort or any of the Death Eaters?"

"No. Absolutely not."

"Are you in my home as part of a plan to harm Hermione, me, or my child?"

"No! I couldn't do that."

"Are you going to assist your father, the other Death Eaters, or Voldemort in killing Hermione, Harry Potter, or other members of the Order of the Phoenix?"

"No. I want to join the Order, not destroy it. I want to help Potter and the rest of them kill Voldemort."

"While you are in my home, are you going to harm Hermione?"

"No! I've already said that. I don't want her harmed."

Snape looked at Hermione; she was still gripping his hand. "Do you feel secure with him?"

"Yes. He means what he says. He's no threat."

"The potion should wear off in a few moments. It doesn't last long. Draco, thank you for cooperating."

"Can I ask you another question?" Draco asked.

"Of course."

"Why did you save my life? You are a Death Eater, aren't you?"

"I saved your life because you are my godson and a decent young man. I am a Death Eater, as I have the Dark Mark, but I am not one of Voldemort's followers. I hate the bastard. I've been a spy for Dumbledore, and now McGonagall, for many years. I am a member of the Order of the Phoenix. I'm on the right side, Draco. I hope you join me."

"I will, Uncle, I will."

Severus removed the paralysis spell, and Draco's rigid body immediately sagged, causing him to groan in pain.

"A little warning first?" he said through clenched teeth.

"My apologies. Let's get you sitting up. You should try eating a little broth."

Hermione went to the other side of the bed, and the two carefully maneuvered Draco into a sitting position. Severus called for Pip and Mosey to bring him some lunch. As he finished eating, Madam Pomfrey came to check on her patient. She was pleased with his progress, and he was allowed to have his wand again as long as he didn't do any strenuous spells. He promptly fell asleep after they got him back into a comfortable position.

After his exam, it was Hermione's turn. Madam Pomfrey followed her into her room and got her into a resting position on her bed. She took measurements, cast revealing spells, and pronounced both mom and baby healthy. "You stay here. I'll be right back," she told Hermione.

Hermione lay back on her bed, her stomach still exposed, and ran her hand over her child. It was hard to believe that in a little over three months she would be a mother. She was surprised when Madam Pomfrey returned with a nervous Severus.

"All right, we are going to learn a few basic relaxation techniques. Don't worry, it won't take long." She looked between Hermione and Severus, who both looked confused. "Hermione, sit up. Severus, get behind her and put your legs on either side of her."

"What?" they both exclaimed. They may have shared a kiss, but they hadn't shared that much yet.

"Oh, don't be a baby, Severus! You got her pregnant; you can help her through the delivery. Get behind her!" Severus didn't like witches with tempers, and he knew Poppy had a big one. He followed her instructions and climbed onto Hermione's bed, sitting behind her.

"Okay, Hermione, lean back and relax." Hermione tried to do what she asked, but she was anything but relaxed. "When Hermione gets closer to her delivery date, she's going to need to relax. You are going to help her by getting into this position and massaging her arms, her shoulders, and her hips. Hermione, you will tell Severus what you need, and he will do it. If women have to give birth, the men at least have to do what they ask. Do you understand, Severus?"

"Yes, ma'am," he muttered, causing Hermione to chuckle.

"Now, while you are both there, I'm going to let you see your baby. It's a projection of sorts, much like a Muggle sonogram, only better. You'll be able to hear her heartbeat as well." She cast a spell, and a mist rose from Hermione's stomach. The mist formed the shape of a womb, and an image of a baby appeared. She was moving only slightly, but Hermione could make out the fluttering of her fingers and the shape of her face. Severus gasped behind her and placed his hands on her stomach. She linked her fingers with his as they watched the image of the tiny baby. The only sound in the room was the baby's heartbeat, clear and strong.

"The image will last a few more minutes. I'll leave you with it and check on Mr. Malfoy one more time before I leave. I'll be back tomorrow." Hermione and Severus didn't even acknowledge the Healer as she left the room with a smile on her face. That was her favorite spell, and the reactions of parents never disappointed her. The stunned look on Severus' face was enough to keep her smiling and running to tell the Headmistress as soon as she was back at Hogwarts.

Hermione and Severus didn't move, afraid to break the spell. Hermione was enchanted by the image of her daughter. She was beautiful and perfect.

"She looks like you," Severus whispered.

"She's amazing," Hermione whispered back. They watched for a few more minutes before the mist started to swirl and dissipate. When it was over, Hermione sighed in disappointment.

"You'll see her again in a few short months. You'll be able to watch her for as long as you want." His soft words were whispered from close behind her ear. He pulled her hair aside and gently kissed her neck. "I don't know what I'm doing here, Hermione. I just feel so connected to you for some reason."

"I'm the only female around," Hermione said and began to breathe hard as his lips worked their way across her shoulder.

"It's more than that. I don't understand it. I grow more attracted to you every day. You are making me content and very happy, having you here in my home." He turned her head to face his as he leaned in for a kiss. She sighed into him, turning slightly to wrap her arm around his neck and pull him closer. His teeth nibbled at her lower lip, and when she gasped, he plunged his tongue into her mouth, tasting her once again. He couldn't get enough.

Hermione couldn't stop from moaning as his tongue explored her mouth. She turned her body so that she was kneeling in front of him, her mouth never leaving his. When they finally came up for air, she leaned her head on his shoulder and breathed deeply. "You... We... Oh, Severus. I've never felt like this before. Your words, your kisses, you. I don't know how to explain. I had no idea I could feel with my whole being. I want to feel so much more."

Severus froze at her words. He finally realized what he was doing and pulled back. She wanted more than he could give her at the moment, and he had vowed to protect her. If they crossed that line, he didn't think he would ever think clearly again. "It's probably your hormones. Your emotions are all over the place." He started to untangle himself from her and rose from the bed. "That can't happen again."

"Why?" she cried out in frustration.

"Because, Miss Granger, my mind finally started working. I was raised better than that. I can't let my physical needs get in the way of what is going on in the world."

"I'm a sexually frustrated, pregnant woman, and you are just going to leave?" she asked as he walked to the door.

"Yes. I'm sorry," he said as he swept from the room trying to hide his raging erection and the fact that he was falling in love with Hermione Granger.