Chapter 20

Hermione and Severus returned to the gathering of friends and family. Hermione had retrieved the letter from the floor, and Severus had tucked it back in his pocket. He was relieved that the letter had helped Hermione say goodbye to old pain. He knew now that it was the right thing to do, having Harry contact Ron. He would always be grateful to the red-headed idiot for rejecting her. If he had not, he – Severus – wouldn't be here today.

The wedding party walked in a loud, laughing, talking group up to the castle and into the Great Hall. It was transformed into a wedding reception, a great mountain of a cake sitting on the stage. A table laden with food stood to one side of the room. There was a clearing for dancing in the center, and the walls were lined in sections with stuffed chairs and couches. It was a warm, comfortable gathering area for people to visit and mingle.

Fairy dust and bubbles fell from the ceiling, but faded before touching anyone or the floor, tall faux-stained white glass windows floated on both sides of the room, veils of iridescent shimmering fabric hung in the air, fluttering as though in a soft breeze you could not feel. It was magical.

They held back a moment till everyone had gone ahead of them, and then Hermione and Severus swept into the room hand in hand, and there was a round of cheering and clapping.

Music came from the bubbles around them; Severus swung Hermione into his arms and they danced. With the aide of the pendant connecting them, they moved as one. It was a faster dance, and they stepped, swinging here and there, her dress and his robes flying. Hermione could not take her eyes away from his. He bent to kiss her, his lips lingering as they slowed, and the tempo of the music left them swaying softly together, barely moving. Their kiss broke as Hermione's dad tapped Severus on the shoulder, and Severus sighed and turned his wife over to her father for their dance. He looked for Hermione's mother, and finding her, he bowed to her and took her hands. They moved onto the dance floor with Hermione and her dad.

Margaret gushed, "Severus, the wedding was perfect. Your mother's magic with plants is amazing. I've never seen anything so wonderful. This place is truly one of a kind."

"Thank you. She worked hard with her plants. She has a magical touch that goes far above a normal Herbologist," Severus told her. He found himself a little uncomfortable with small talk and being this close to Hermione's mom.

"I've been afraid Hermione would never find a man who could look past her bookishness and love her for who she is," she explained to him.

He gave a curt laugh. "It's one of the things I admire most about her."

He felt Hermione slide through his thoughts; she was enjoying her dance with her dad, but she missed him. He sent his love back to her as Margaret continued to talk.

"I am so happy to be here. I am reluctant to go home," Margaret admitted.

will be welcome at any time."

The music came to an end, and Severus placed a kiss on her cheek. "You must come often; I am sure Minerva will be happy to have you visit. I will eventually become the headmaster here, and you and handed her back to her husband. He was going to take Hermione back into his arms when Harry stepped up with an expecting look on his face. Hermione shrugged her shoulders and pecked Severus on the lips. "Go find your mom, Poppy, and Minerva. They worked hard on this wedding and deserve a dance. I want to dance with Neville and visit with Ginny, too."

"After that, no more. You're mine for the evening," he told her.

"We will go to the table up front and deal with the cake shortly after. I'm famished." When she turned to dance a few feet away with Harry, Severus turned to the sidelines and spotted Pomona.

He hurried to her. "Care for a dance, Mom?" he asked.

"I'd like that," she blushed as he took her hands.

To Minerva and Poppy, who had been talking, he said, "Hang around here; I will be back for you next, Minerva, then Poppy."

He took Pomona out on the dance floor, and they danced a slow dance, talking about the wedding, her plants and also about his childhood.

Hermione swayed with Harry, remembering another dance they had had together out in the Forest of Dean. It was sort of like this, no Ron, but Hermione was grateful for the letter. "Thank you, Harry, for talking to Ron."

Harry said, "You know about that? I thought Severus was going to wait a few days. He didn't want you upset on your wedding day."

She smiled. "I spoke about Ron with regret, and he decided to share it with me. It makes me feel so much better. Like I found the missing piece of a puzzle. I've always loved him, Harry. It just wasn't that kind of love. We should have never tried to change our friendship. It was a train wreck."

"True." Harry laughed. "I'm happy it is getting back on track. I'm very glad you're happy, Hermione. You deserve this and so does he." He nodded toward Severus and Pomona, saying, "They seem like an odd pair."

"She gave him a lot of emotional support when he was young. She's really quite a wonderful woman when you get past her curtness. She's brilliant with plants, and plants are a huge part of potions. She taught him a lot when he was a kid. He needed her. Same for her."

A sadness crossed Harry's face. "I'm glad to know his life wasn't all bad. My dad..."

"Harry, he's put that in the past. He's let all that go. He really is quite fond of you, now," she told her friend.

"I am fond of him, too. Can you imagine that?" He blushed a deep shade of red.

Hermione smiled and caressed his cheek. "I'm so happy for all of us." The music came to an end. "Thank you for the dance, Harry. I'll come along in a little while to see Ginny. She's looking a bit bored over there on her couch. You best get over there."

Harry glanced at Ginny. "I'll go get her some food and a drink first." He kissed Hermione's cheek. "Be happy."

Hermione saw Severus take Pomona back to her chair; then he bowed and took Minerva's hand. She scanned the room for Neville. She also spotted her parents sitting with the Weasleys. Arthur must be in seventh heaven. They were deep in conversation, so she headed to where Luna and Neville had their heads together. When she got about ten feet away, Neville bent to kiss Luna, and they took each other's hands and wandered further away from her. Hermione smiled after them and decided to go talk to Ginny.

"Ginny," she said as she came close.

"Hermione! I'm so glad you came over. Harry won't let me get up. I'm feeling wonderful."

Hermione sat by her feet. "Oh, it feels good to be off my feet; these heels are killing me." She kicked one off, crossed her legs and reached down to rub her stocking-clad foot. "How's Albus?" She watched James run in and out of the nearby couches.

Ginny glowed with pride. "He's wonderful." She pulled the blanket away from his sleeping face.

Hermione peered at the tiny face. "He's beautiful, Ginny. I'm so glad I was there to see his birth." She glanced around them. "Severus and I decided to have a baby," she whispered.

"What! Oh, Hermione, that's wonderful. When?"

Hermione giggled. "Maybe last night!"

Ginny gasped. "Oh, my. You don't waste time. That's some news. Imagine Hermione Granger possibly pregnant at her wedding." She giggled now too.

"I know Severus' magic is fool proof, but it's hard to believe I could have a tiny life growing in my womb." She pressed a hand to her flat stomach.

"Believe it," Ginny said.

"Believe what?" Harry asked, coming with a plate and glass in hand. He handed the glass to Ginny, who drank deeply from the spring water.

"Thank you, Harry. I was dying of thirst," Ginny said. "Take the baby, Harry, while I eat." She carefully handed the baby to Harry, who'd forgotten his question, and Hermione saw Ginny wink at her. They visited for a while while Ginny ate."

Finally, Severus appeared at her side, and Hermione took the hand he offered, and he drew her to her feet. "I missed you." he said, slipping an arm about her waist, pulling her close.

"Ginevra, how are you and young Albus tonight?" Severus asked.

"Ginny, sir. You called me Ginny yesterday when I was birthing Albus," she told him.

Severus blushed, trying not remember the intimate details of child birth. He nodded. "Ginny then, and you must call me Severus."

"He's adorable, Hermione," Ginny said.

"Yes, he is." Severus said, thinking she was talking about the baby.

Both girls giggled, and the men exchanged confused looks.

Severus said, "I hope you will excuse us. I am anxious to get this meal and cake thing over with so I can get Hermione to myself. It's been a long day."

Ginny nodded. "Come visit us when you come up for air." She giggled again.

Severus said, "I think your wife's had to much Champagne, Harry." He grinned. "We will, but don't expect to see us soon."

Hermione said, "We'll come say goodbye on our way out." She reached down to stroke the baby's hair and then allowed Severus to guide her toward the stage, the cake, and their meal.

The meal was a blur, but they both forced themselves to eat, as they hadn't had a meal since breakfast, and even then had eaten lightly. People came by to give them their best wishes, and Hermione's mother fussed over her, her dad giving marriage advice.

Hermione just grinned at the look on Severus' face.

Finally, they stepped up to the cake and allowed the photographer to take magical pictures. Hermione's dad had brought his camera and took photos, making sure that the backgrounds were out of focus so as not to show any identifiable landmarks.

The cake was cut, and they fed each other pieces of it. Finally, it was time to go.

Severus led Hermione over to say goodbye to her parents and Ginny and Harry. Little James was still running circles around their couches.

Margaret grabbed Hermione in a tight hug. "Be happy. Keep in touch. Thank you for sharing this all with us." She turned and grabbed Severus in a strong hug. "Take care of my girl."

Severus said, "I will, Margaret. I'm very glad you were able to come here as well." He turned to shake Daniel's hand and said, "I will take care of your Princess." He grinned at the older man.

Daniel said, "See that you do, Severus, or you'll answer to me." He grinned as he said it, though Severus could see that he was serious by the hard glint of his eyes.

Severus drew Hermione to his side. "You have my promise, sir." He drew Hermione away from her parents. Their many friends and family stopped to watch as they neared the Great Hall door. Well wishes and waves followed them out the door. Severus grabbed Hermione's hand, and they ran down the hall toward their quarters. But once down in the hall close to their rooms, Severus drew her to the secret hall and the special room he had there. As they came to the door, Severus bent and picked Hermione up, and the door opened. He carried her over the threshold and into the room. The door closed behind them. Hermione gasped as she took in the room. The decoration had changed. The room was decked out in white and gold. White drapes on the bed decorated in a gold key design. The bed spread matched. An overstuffed couch and chair set off a living area with a white marble fireplace. A fire burned there. The mantle had gold vases filled with white roses. White candles in gold glass and metal glittered from every flat surface.

"Oh, Severus, it's wonderful." She ran to the bathroom and found it was all white and gold as well. The tub was already steaming. Severus had removed his robes and waist coat and had followed her. He now came behind her, and she felt him begin to work on the buttons of her dress. His lips pressed softly against her shoulder. "Is this a payback for all the times you've had to unbutton all of my buttons?"

Hermione turned around, her hands snaking over his shoulders to entwine behind his neck. "I quite enjoy undoing those buttons. It makes unwrapping the wonderful gift that you are so much more fun." She pulled him down till their lips met, and her tongue slid against his lips. He opened his mouth to join his explorations with hers.

"Hummm." He groaned with pleasure. He put his hands around her back and continued to undo the buttons. Her fingers were working on the buttons on his button-down white shirt.

"I'm glad we decided to stay here. They all think we are gone, but we will just stay hidden. A vacation in a tropical setting or a mountain setting is not what I need. I just need you, Severus." She teased his lip by nipping at it.

Severus pulled her dress down over her shoulders, and it slid to the floor. "Hermione, you're beautiful." She wore a white lace teddy under the dress.

Hermione pushed Severus' shirt off, and slowly their clothing made a pile on the floor.

Severus took her hand, helping her down into the huge tub before following her. He drew her to him, and they sighed as bare flesh pressed against bare flesh. Their hands explored, their lips tasted, and they took their time exploring each other. Groans of pleasure and sighs of contentment echoed off the walls of the bath. After some time passed, they dried off, and Severus carried Hermione to the bed where they made love again.

Later, Hermione was propped up against pillows, in a half sitting position, and Severus lay in the bed, his head resting against her breasts and his fingers making slow soft circles around her abdomen. "I'm so blessed that you are my wife. The baby we created or will create is another impossible dream."

Hermione smiled and caressed his hair. "Our both wanting a baby is a dream come true."

He looked up and she kissed him. He crawled up to the pillows and drew her against him so she could rest against his shoulder. They just held each other until sleep took them.

The next days, they woke each morning to a table set with wonderful food and hot coffee. They spent the days lounging in bed, talking, making love, and reading. At night when the castle was sleeping, they walked along the Black Lake, to stretch their legs and get fresh air. They spent some time discussing potions and formulating ideas for improving some existing potions. They sat and played chess, Severus teaching Hermione in a way that finally she was able to appreciate the game. With the use of the pendant, she finally got the game.

Sometimes Hermione wore the pendant as they made love and other times not. One night they found a thick white fleece before the fireplace and made love there. By the end of the week, they were rested, happy and ready to reenter their lives.

The first thing they did was go see Poppy. She would be able to confirm the baby's existence, though Severus was sure of his potion.

They wanted to be sure before telling anyone.

Severus and Hermione entered the infirmary and found Poppy inventorying her stores.

"Hermione, Severus, you're back. Are you okay?" She dusted her hands off on her apron.

Severus said, "We are wonderful. We have a favor to ask."

Hermione clutched Severus hand; she had this fear that something had happened and the potion hadn't worked. She knew it was illogical, but she was nervous about finding out for sure.

"Of course, do you want to come into my parlor for some tea and tell me what you need?" She indicated the door down the right side of the room.

"It might be better out here. We need a diagnosis," Severus explained.

"Which one of you?" She looked back and forth between them, trying to see if one of them showed signs of ill health.

Severus gave her a slight smile. "Hermione," he said.

Poppy watched Hermione slide a nervous hand across her abdomen, and it suddenly dawned on her.

"Well, this is a surprise and quite soon," she said. "Hope up on this bed, Hermione."

Severus said, "It was planned, and I gave her a potion to increase the likelihood, during her fertile period."

"Well then, this should be only a formality," Poppy said with conviction. "Hermione, just lay back and relax. I'm going to pull your t-shirt up and expose your abdomen, and when I say the spell, a light will appear over your womb. Do you know the rune for a boy and for a girl?"

"Yes," Hermione said, clutching Severus' hand.

"Good, I thought you might." She drew her wand from her robe and held it over Hermione's stomach. "You ready?"

"Yes." Hermione took a deep breath and held it.

"Breathe normally, Hermione," Poppy instructed.

Hermione willed herself to relax, though she could feel her heart beating with excitement.

Poppy chanted her spell, and the light appeared, the symbol in the middle of a circle was blurry beyond their ability to decipher, and then it clarified like a lens focusing on a camera.

"A girl," they both whispered, stunned. Then Hermione shouted, "I'm going to have a baby!"

Severus swept her up in his arms, pinning her against him, and she slipped down his body to stand on her own feet as they kissed.

Poppy smiled as she watched the newly married couple continue to kiss, obliviously happy over their impending child. Snape and Hermione Granger-Snape were going to have a baby. There hadn't been a headmaster with a child in many, many years. It would bring new life to the old castle. Life about the castle was going to change. And change was a good thing.

Merrin, thank you for you beta skills. Your help has been much appreciated.