Chapter 40

Lying there, it suddenly occurred to Severus that he'd forgotten his other surprise for Hermione. He reached for his wand and said, "Accio gift."

A huge, white, fluffy teddy bear flew from Poppy's office.

Hermione, who had sat up curiously, caught the soft bear and hugged it to her chest.

"Severus, it's beautiful."

"I hope you like it. I got it for our child," he said, seeing the tears sparkling in her eyes. He caught one with his thumb as it cascaded down her cheek.

"Thank you. I love it, and the baby will, too." They shared another kiss and then lay back. Hermione continued to hug the bear to her side.

*****

They got up after a while and took a Jacuzzi bath, dressed, and went out to walk along the beach and soak up some sun. They watched the seagulls and spent quiet time together. They ventured out onto the Muggle beach and discovered a photographer taking pictures of sunbathers, trying to make a bit of money.

Hermione asked, "Severus, can we pose for a photo? This is a momentous vacation."

He nodded. "Of course. Poppy has a Muggle post box; he can send the pictures there."

They were both dressed in jeans and white shirts. They lay upon the beach with the sea at their backs, and the photographer snapped their picture a few times and took their information, promising to send the pictures the next day.

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Hermione saw Severus pull some cash from his jeans pocket and pay the man. They headed back to their own private beach. "You keep Muggle money on you?"

"When in Rome," he said with a laugh.

Hermione smiled. "You're never caught off guard, are you?"

"Not often," he admitted as they passed through the wards into their private beach.

Hermione grinned and stripped her top and jeans, let them drop, and ran naked down the beach, leaving Severus with his mouth open. Her wand flashed in her hand. He suddenly felt a draft and found his clothing gone.

He laughed and chased after her, muttering, "Maybe I can..."

They spent the rest of the week making love and eating quiet meals together...never in the kitchen but on the floor by the fire or on the beach watching the sun set and sometimes rise. They were tanned by the end of the week and feeling more rested and healthier than they had in many years. Severus had filled out a bit and looked wonderful. His hair, no longer lank and straight, had a healthy glow and was a bit bushy and curly from the salt air.

As they lay together in the huge bed on their last morning of vacation, Severus was thrusting into her, and Hermione was moaning with pleasure as they climaxed. They held each other tightly as their heartbeats quieted.

"I hate for this time together to end," she said, sliding her hand over his hair. His cheek was pressed between her breasts.

"I, too, wish it didn't have to end, but we do need to get back. Your classroom is probably a disaster. Subs never take care of things, and life must go on. Besides, Poppy will be able to tell by now if you are going to have a baby."

"Really?" she said. "It's only been a week."

"It's magic, Hermione. You should know this."

She smiled. "Sorry, I do. I'm so happy to believe I am pregnant, I don't want to be told otherwise."

"It's very unlikely...I'd say almost impossible...that the potion failed."

She continued to caress his hair. "I hope you're right. Our life has been lucky, or preordained, as it's meant to be. So I suppose I shouldn't fear this. If it didn't happen, it will in a few weeks. We can try again until we get it right."

Severus raised his face to look at her. "Now, I can get into that."

She laughed and then pushed him gently away. "I suppose we'd better get packed up."

"Are you bringing the outfit you bought for that special night home with you?" He crawled out of the bed after her.

She nodded. "Uh huh, I'm certainly not leaving it here for Poppy to find," she said, blushing.

"Good." He laughed, capturing her for a kiss. "I wouldn't mind seeing it again. It will work well for entertainment back home without the feathers."

"You didn't like the feathers?" she asked.

"I loved the feathers." He grinned devilishly at her. "I want to keep that memory of the saloon intact. They might not fit in at home as well as they did here."

She smiled, caressing his hand with her cheek. "You and I really need to get married the wizarding way."

Severus nodded. "I know, it is important, but it's not at all necessary for me. We could not be any more married than we are now."

"I agree with you. But if I am pregnant, we need the marriage to seal his or her rights to our properties and heritage in the wizarding world."

"Yes, you're right." He started to dress. "Do you want a big ceremony? Our marriage will be publicized far and wide whether I wish it or not. You are part of the magical three."

"And you are a war hero, Severus, newly returned to the land of the living," she told him as she slipped into a robe. "I know we talked about having the wedding at Hogwarts, but I would be happy with a quiet ceremony in Molly's garden if you do not mind."

"I think that would be wonderful. I think they would be happy to do it," he said, running a brush through his tangled hair.

Hermione came and took the brush and had him sit on the little vanity stool. She brushed his hair till it tamed a bit. "I think Molly would be insulted if we got married anywhere else. But it's a big garden, and she will want to have a say about the guest list."

He took the brush from her and returned the favor. He loved the way her hair glinted in the morning light. He smirked. "Of course, it really doesn't matter to me, ten guests or five hundred, as long as the deed is done, the food is good, and we can have another special wedding night."

Hermione pushed playfully at his hand. "Is sex all you think about?"

"Bloody, hell right. It was denied me all my life. I'm making up for lost time lost," he teased, nibbling at her neck.

"As long as it's always me, as long as I live." She was quiet and then said, "Same applies to you, too, Severus. If something happens to me..."

He grabbed her against his chest and said, "It won't."

She held onto him tightly. "My wish for you is the same as yours is for me. Agree and we will never speak of it again."

"Agree," he whispered against her hair.

She smiled, pushing away from him. "Good," she said as she went about packing.

Thirty minutes later they had the house in order and locked up. They stood arm in arm on the porch for a last minute, looking at the beach. Then Severus took Hermione's arm and they Apparated away. They could have gone through the Floo, but Hermione had wanted to stop at Hogsmead for some supplies and a book. Having sent their luggage and the huge bear through the Floo to their rooms, they walked slowly arm in arm to the different stores to buy a few things and then headed to the castle. Hermione never failed to catch her breath at the majesty of it. "I love this place, Severus. I'm content to live and teach here."

"It used to be an anvil about my neck, more like a prison. Now I think I might enjoy living here for a very long time...as long as you are at my side."

"We will make a new era at Hogwarts when you take over as headmaster," she said, squeezing his arm.

"We will have to move into the headmaster's quarters." His voice was reluctant and dry.

"You will miss your apartment, won't you? You actually like it best in the dungeon," she teased.

"I remember you being pretty excited to get past my wards that first day," he said.

"I was, but mostly because I knew all your stuff was there. I thought if I can't have the man, then I can preserve his things. Imagine my surprise when I found out you had been watching me the entire time there in that bubble. It still makes my face hot to think you saw how pathetic I was there with your night shirt."

Severus let out a rare laugh. "You were adorable. But I was a bit surprised. I thought no one in the whole bloody world had ever cared for me before my death...except perhaps Albus, and you know how that ended."

Severus used his wand to open the gates and reset the wards. They headed up the hill toward the castle. The day was warm, and they enjoyed the sun as they watched a few students flying about on their brooms or kicking balls to each other.

A couple boys broke away from a small crowd and headed toward them.

"Professors Snape," they called, running to the couple.

Hermione reached out to hug Scorpius and Albus. "It's good to see you boys. What's the news from your grandparents, Albus?" she asked the boy, trying to smooth his wild red hair down. He looked a lot like Harry had except for the red hair. It made her nostalgic.

"They are doing well. I got an owl from my dad this morning. Grandma is cooking everything she can think off. It's driving them all nuts. They had all gotten a bit plump and were able to lose weight while she was sick. Now Dad says she's trying to fatten them all up again."

Hermione laughed at the image of Molly cooking, flour half covering her face. "Well, Severus and I will have to go visit. There's nothing better in the whole world than her freshly baked scones."

Severus placed a hand on Scorpius' shoulder. "I hope you boys have been getting a lot of sun and exercise."

Scorpius said, "Yes, sir. Headmistress McGonagall forbid us to go back into the lab. She said we needed to get out and have some fun and get back to our studies.

Albus groaned. "It was nice being excused from classes, but now we have a lot to make up."

"Well, please come to me if you need help. I can tutor you until you catch up," Severus offered, grateful to have something to occupy his time. He had been wondering what he might do with all his time before the end of term.

Albus and Scorpius smiled enthusiastically. "We will, sir, thank you."

Hermione said, "Now run back to your game. It's such a wonderful day."

With waves the boys were gone and Hermione said, "Thank you, Severus. The boys will really need your help. In a few weeks, you will be able to start your DADA classes."

They had finally reached the door to the castle. Severus held the door open and then closed it behind them.

Hermione grabbed his arm. "Let's go see Poppy. I don't want to wait anymore." She turned away from him as she dragged him down the hall.

He was glad she didn't see him go pale. In his mind, he knew there must be a baby there, but having it confirmed by a medi-witch made it real and changed their lives forever. Would they ever have the time for their fantasies, or would that be a thing of the past? In light of their new role as parents, he supposed that leaving the fantasies behind might be okay. The image of bouncing a child of his own on his knee made him feel warm and fuzzy. He balked at the feelings; feeling warm and fuzzy was foreign to him.

He was now being dragged upstairs. He turned his attention to Hermione as they climbed the stairs to the infirmary. The main room was empty, but Severus felt a light ward ripple when they came in, and Poppy came from her rooms. He saw her face light up with pleasure as she took in their suntanned, healthy appearances.

"Well, look at you. The sand and sun seems to have agreed with you. I'm so happy you're back." She hugged Hermione and then grabbed Severus and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Was everything okay at the cottage?"

"It was perfect, Poppy. Thank you for the supplies. That was very kind of you." Hermione hugged the older woman again.

"Come in. I just made a pot of tea." She waved toward her door.

Hermione said, "Poppy ..." She hesitated, still a bit leery about finding out.

Severus finished for her, "We need you to run a pregnancy spell over Hermione."

"What?" Her face lit up with a huge smile. "You think you're pregnant?"

"She took a Conceive Now Potion about a week ago. You should be able to tell now."

Poppy looked into their faces and saw they were both scared. They were scared but excited...typical reactions for new parents-to-be. "Come, Hermione, lie on this bed, and I will get my wand." She vanished back into her rooms and returned with her wand. "I usually have it with me, but as I said, I'd just sat down to have some tea."

Severus helped Hermione up onto the diagnostic bed and fluffed the pillows so she was propped up a bit.

Poppy helped her open the front of her shirt and fold her pants down under her stomach area. She smoothed a green paste over her stomach and then started to run her wand over Hermione, chanting a spell as she did.

Severus stood near the head of the bed and held on to one of Hermione's hands.

The air above her stomach was filled with alternating colors of pink or blue, and they danced over Hermione as the spell continued. Finally the blue settled over her, the paste evaporated, and the color disappeared.

"It's a boy," Poppy exclaimed. Tears were filling her eyes, so she could not see that tears were dripping down Hermione's face, and Severus was blinking tears back.

"It's a boy! Hermione shouted. "I'm pregnant! Severus, we did it!" She'd already readjusted her clothes, and as she swung her legs over the bed, she launched herself at Severus.

He caught her up against him and his mouth sought hers. His heart was pounding at the thought of a son, but he realized he would have been just as happy with a daughter. He whispered, not trusting his voice, "You have made me so happy, Hermione."

He turned and held out his hand to Poppy, and she came close for a group hug. "It looks like you're going to be a grandmother, Poppy."

Her voice was trembling, "I honestly thought this would never happen, Severus. First there was the war, and then you were dead."

"Well," he said, "I guess we all have something to thank the old man for now, don't we."

The two women laughed.

Hermione said, "Yes, I think I will take him a painted, blue booty and attach it to his portrait. I've read that there is a spell to make it actually become a part of the painting."

Severus smiled nastily. "Do you mean I could send that old man a smelly old sock or a pot of spoiled Limburger cheese?"

Hermione punched him. "You wouldn't dare," she said with a laugh.

"He needs to pay for locking me into that bubble for all those years." He caught the pinched look Hermione gave him. "I'm not saying it has not been the best thing he ever did for me, but he took away my freedom of choice just when our contract had been fulfilled."

Hermione turned away, disappointed that he hadn't let it go yet.

He pulled her back to face him. "I'm sorry. Old habits of revenge are hard to break." He smoothed her hair. "I just wanted to play a joke on him. But I suppose that's a little harsh since he would have to keep it permanently.

Poppy was watching them with concern. "The less stress you have, the better this pregnancy will be," she warned, catching Severus' eye.

He nodded. "Let's go have some of that tea, and do you have some of those chocolate biscuits I'm so fond of? We have reason to celebrate. We are having a baby!" he said loudly. The tension was dispelled as they all laughed and made their way to Poppy's apartment.

In bed later that night, Severus was spooned behind Hermione and caressing her stomach. "I can't tell you how happy I am," he said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have such a wonderful wife, let alone be a father." He kissed the back of her neck and shoulder.

Hermione covered his hand with hers. "And I never thought I'd be married to the man of my dreams and having his baby."

Severus murmured, "I guess I do have a lot to thank the old man for. I'm sorry about earlier. Maybe I will think of something nice to add to his portrait after all."

Hermione turned over to face him. "Can you let it go?"

"Absolutely, nothing is more important than you and our baby." He kissed her deeply and sighed as he turned onto his back and felt her snuggle into the cleft of his shoulder.

As he listened to her slip into sleep, he felt his heart lighten, and he did let it go. For all Dumbledore's manipulations, one of them had been the best thing that had ever happened to him. He loved and was loved in return. He was going to be a father. For the last several months he'd felt like his life was really a life... not just an existence. He let himself drift off to sleep.

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Lisa, thank you for your beta work. It has been exemplary.

Angela and Becky, thank you for pre-reading and your comments.