Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I can take credit only for the weirdness of the situation. JKR owns the rest.

By the time Severus returned to his room, he had forgotten that Hermione had disappeared. He and Lily had stayed awake into the wee hours of the morning. The bed was empty, though he could tell Hermione had slept at some point.

He entered the bathroom to find her fresh from the shower, looking rather startled to see him. They chatted briefly, and then he went to bed. She never joined him, but at the time, he was so knackered that he slept through until lunch. It never occurred to him where Hermione might have gone. He was equally ignorant of the fact that when they were together, she was almost completely silent.

During the World Cup match, they enjoyed seats in the top box. Severus become aware of the tension between the Mrs. Potters. The female contingent of their group seemed to divide into camps. Again, he failed to see where Hermione was during the match, as the game was truly spectacular. Harry caught the Snitch after four hours of exhausting play.

The young man came into the box to receive the cup with his team. He greeted each of his guests, with kisses for his mother and Hermione. No one but Severus realised that Harry passed over his wife as he thanked everyone for their support.

After the match, they had a bit of a victory celebration at Harry's favourite pub. Severus was drawn into a discussion about an Quidditch match that had taken place between Gryffindor and Slytherin in his school days. He and James recounted James' and Lucius' infamous battle for the snitch. The other wizards present gathered round to laugh and enjoy the moment.

For the first time in living memory, Severus was completely relaxed. Comfort was a heady thing for him. Once again, he failed to realise that a certain curly-haired witch was nowhere to be seen. Ginny Potter sat morosely at the bar, talking despondently to Luna Lovegood. Lily was chatting with a couple of witches that Severus recognised as members of their year at school, though he could not name them.

It had been a wonderful week altogether. He was genuinely sorry to see it end, and he was sure Hermione felt the same way. He thought he ought to apologise to her for all the grief he'd put her through about her friends. He though better of it, since no one seemed to find his behaviour odd. He would hate to arouse suspicion or undue attention.

Severus was entirely wrapped up in his own feelings. He was excited to get home. He had loved his first few days at home with Hermione and was eager for more. He also wanted to continue his research on the history of this---whatever it was.

When they arrived home, he settled into his research, barely noticing that his wife was quieter than she had been before their holiday. Though as time wore on, she became more animated. They enjoyed the rest of their summer holidays together.

It was not until the week before the start of term that things began to take a turn. Hermione had decided to head to London for some shopping. Severus was going to do inventory on his Potion stores, both his private and the student cupboards in preparation for classes. As Hermione had no wish to take part in the tedious dusting, measuring, and refilling of a myriad of tiny bottles and jars, they'd agreed to a day apart.

His morning was spent industriously, and by lunch he'd gotten his supplies well in order. After lunch, he went to the library. Severus took out several books on contemporary wizarding history as well as a handful of Daily Prophets from each of the last dozen years.

He reasoned that this should give him a fairly decent background on the current state of affairs. He was tempted to Legilimize someone, but he couldn't reckon who it should be. Whoever he chose would have to be Obliviated shortly there after, and he'd no wish to risk damaging Hermione's brain. He'd thought of James and Lily, but he'd been sick at the thought of inadvertently encountering any of the memories of their sex life while on a tour of their psyches. He'd just have to keep digging the 'old fashioned' way.

He started with the most recent issues of the Prophet, and he came up empty. He was ready to take a break when there was a knock at the door. He walked to the door, wondering if he'd ever have any answers.

Lily stood on the other side of the door, looking as pale as a ghost.

"My Gods, Lily, you look like someone took out all your blood and replaced it with milk."

She shook her head wordlessly. Severus reached out to put a steadying arm around her. She looked as though a slight breeze would send her flying. He guided her inside, and in his concern, he forgot to latch the door completely.

He led her to the sofa and Summoned the tea and biscuits he'd prepared earlier. "What is it, Lily? You can tell me. I'm here." He sat next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

She started to shake with sobs, her hands covering her face. He pulled her closer and made soothing sounds in her ear as he stroked her hair and back. He wondered what might have happened to upset her so. She and James seemed to get on well. Harry and Ginny, though still a bit distant, seemed to be on the mend. Severus waited, continuing to hold her and offer support. Slowly, her sobbing eased, and she sat up. Her eyes had an odd gleam to them; her face was red and splotchy, but she seemed normal enough.

"Are you ready to talk now?" he asked kindly.

Lily was just beginning to nod when her body seized violently. She clapped a small hand to her mouth and ran toward the bedroom door. Severus stood and turned just in time to see her lunge through the bathroom door. He walked into the bedroom and waited there. He heard her heave several times. By the time he heard her flush, he Summoned a potion to rinse the taste from her mouth and conjured a cool flannel for her face. He also Summoned several other potions, depending on what the cause of the illness might be. Hangover was the least likely, but the anti-anxiety potion might just do the trick.

She sat next to him on the bed, gratefully accepting the flannel and the minty potion. When she'd taken care of herself, he spoke again. "Now. Do you have something you'd like to tell me?"

She nodded and sighed shakily. "Severus. Something has happened, something wonderful that I'd truly given up on." She was looking at him with unshed tears shining in her eyes. "I'm pregnant," she breathed.

Severus stared at her in shock, painfully reminded of the afternoon they'd 'discussed' Harry's impending birth. He moved cautiously away in case she was thinking he'd be up for a repeat performance.

"Lily, that's wonderful. I know James will be thrilled. And Harry. Oh, Harry isn't going to be happy with this, is he? It's only going to underline the fact that all is not well in his family. Lily, how ever will you explain this? Do you think he can take it?"

Lily shook her head. "Why is it that no matter how much I love him, I wind up hurting him?" She buried her face in her hand, and Severus drew near and put an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm here for you. No one has to know but the two of us, if that is what you wish. I want to be here for you. Don't worry. Can't you remember? Didn't we always say that as long as the two of us were together, there was nothing to worry about?" Severus laughed as he stroked her back tenderly.

Lily leaned into him, her voice becoming muffled as her face rested in his lap. "Severus. What did I ever do to deserve you?"

He chuckled and pulled her upright. "Now. No more talk of that. You must go and tell James. Think how pleased he'll be. We'll tell Harry. Talk to James. Perhaps Hermione should tell him. Sometimes I think they're almost as close as the two of us."

As Lily calmed herself, and as Severus made a final offer of support, neither noticed the quiet footsteps retreating from the bedroom door and out into the main hallway.

Several students turned in shock as Professor Granger stormed down the corridor, looking murderous. Upstairs in the safety of her own office, after slamming the door nearly off the hinges, she threw down her shopping and gave in to her need to cry.

Severus never knew that she spent hours curled in her office chair, her heart breaking. He was unaware that Harry Potter happened to Floo, and Hermione told him everything she'd just seen.

No, Severus was busy in his own little world, innocently pleased for his friends. Mentally planning the time when he and his beloved Hermione would be ready for a child. It would be lovely.

A while later, a house-elf delivered a letter to him. It was from Hermione, though her handwriting looked uncharacteristically untidy. He presumed she'd dashed it off in a bit of a rush. She'd owled to say that she'd be staying at her parents' that night and not to worry.

He accepted this news happily; she really did need to reconnect with her family from time to time. He never dreamed that at that very moment, she was divesting herself of her clothing whilst rapidly using non-verbal spells to strip the dark haired wizard who was holding her in strong arms.

People do funny things in their grief and heartbreak. Harry and Hermione reached out to one another in their time of mutual need. Harry didn't care if Ginny ever found out, as she'd done the same to him. Hermione couldn't even think of Severus at that moment. She reasoned that if he ever found out, she would simply play the trump card...at least she'd not conceived a child with someone other than her spouse.

Severus sighed and sipped his tea, content and ignorant. For the millionth time that evening, he thanked any and all deities who might be listening for his blissful, harmonious life.

A/N: I just want to apologize for not explaining his situation. I PROMISE, I will explain. Please stick with me!