Chapter 17 - Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Chapter 17 – Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Hermione was officially in confinement. After all the excitement of the past couple of months, she was more than happy to stay at home with just close friends and family visiting her. The weather had turned colder as the holiday season approached.

"Good afternoon, dear," Narcissa said as she entered the sitting room.

"Hello, Mother," Hermione greeted in return. She poured a cup of tea for her mother as she sat next to her.

"How are you today?" asked Narcissa as she accepted the cup of tea and turned to look at her daughter.

"Besides not being able to walk normally, and being mothered by Severus, I am doing well," Hermione grumbled.

"Well, you look wonderful. Just think! In a couple of weeks, I will be a grandmother!" Narcissa couldn't wait to hold her grandchild. She loved children and looked forward to spoiling this one.

"And I will be an uncle," Draco drawled from his usual position, leaning in the doorway. "You look radiant, little sister. You have a special glow."

"Draco. What are you up to?" Hermione asked.

"I invited him," Severus said as he stepped around his brother-in-law. He greeted Narcissa and then turned to his wife. "Is there anything you need? More pillows? Draco and I are going to run a couple of errands, and then I will be back. Did you need me to pick anything up?"

"No. Just go," Hermione grumped as Severus fussed with the blanket she had across her lap. "Severus. If I need anything, there are plenty of servants to fetch for me. Stop it!" she snapped as she swatted at his hand.

"She seems to have developed a shorter temper," he mused to nobody in particular. He didn't mind. It was the only way he was able to show his concern and that he cared for her. He knew that she understood. He couldn't help it that he continued with the behavior just to irritate her; he loved the way her eyes snapped at him.

"Did you need anything, Mother?" Draco asked as he kissed his sister and mother on the cheek.

"No. I have your father running errands for me," Narcissa said with a smile.

"Really? He must be getting on in years to allow you to order him around," he commented.

"Maybe," Narcissa chuckled. "Let me know if you act differently when you get to be his age with a loving wife."

"Ugh! Severus, let us go before she starts match making." Draco blanched.

"That reminds me, Draco. Miss Ginny will be dining with us this evening. She is going to visit Hermione while the servants pack upstairs. We want to be settled at Snape Manor before the baby is born," Hermione reminded her brother. "You are still dining with us this evening?"

"Of course," he said. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Don't say anything, Mother," he said as Narcissa turned to look at him with an excited gleam in her eye.

"We will see you later, dear," Severus said as he kissed his wife and followed Draco out the door.

"Darling, that is absolutely inspired! I have been trying to think of ways to get him together with Ginny." Narcissa could already picture her son happily married and giving her more grandchildren.

"Well, she is my best friend. Just don't push him too hard, Mother."

"Of course not. You know me," she said innocently.

"Exactly," Hermione laughed. "Are you going to join us in the country for the holidays?"

"Of course. We have most of the packing done and the servants are ready to close the house at a moment's notice. You know I wouldn't miss the birth of my first grandchild for the world." Narcissa laid her hand against her daughter's cheek.

"Yet she doesn't even inform me of what is going on. I wake up and find most of the rooms draped in dust cloths," Lucius drawled as he entered the room.

"Does Peeves announce company anymore?" Hermione frowned.

"I told him not to bother. And you know Draco; he just walks past them as if they weren't there. Here is your package, my love," Lucius said as he handed a small bundle to his wife.

"Would you like some tea, Father?" Hermione asked as she turned to get another cup.

"No, thank you. I need to get home and finish my business correspondence before we rusticate for the holidays." He kissed his wife and daughter and left the house.

"What was so important that you had Father run the errand?" Hermione asked. She loved surprises, even if they weren't for her.

"It is actually for the baby," Narcissa said softly. She unwrapped the bundle and handed it over to Hermione.

"Oh! How beautiful," she breathed. She held up an antique silver rattle. It had been polished, and she shook it, laughing with delight at the light tinkle it gave out.

"If you look closely, you will see your name and Draco's engraved on it. Every Malfoy child has their name engraved on it. Your child will be next. And when Draco has children, theirs will be added also," Narcissa said with pride. "It passes to the male heir unless there isn't one. But since you are having the first grandchild, your child will, of course, be on there."

"It is beautiful, Mother." Hermione felt the tears burning in her eyes. She had never felt so loved and part of something bigger in her whole life. Narcissa leaned over and hugged her tightly, tears gleaming in her own eyes.

"Miss Ginny Weasley is here, Ma'am," Peeves announced.

"Please, show her in," Hermione said as she wiped her eyes.

"Lady Malfoy," Ginny said as she entered. She saw both women wiping their eyes. "What is the matter? Has something happened?" she cried in alarm.

"No, my dear. I was just giving Hermione a gift," Narcissa said gently. She showed Ginny the rattle and explained its history. Ginny thought it was a beautiful tradition and wiped her own tears.

The women spent the rest of the afternoon in pleasant talk and tea. They made plans for the winter since Ginny's family had a small home near Snape Manor. Hermione joined in the talk, but secretly wondered if she would still be there once the baby came.

"Peeves does a wonderful job," Ginny commented. Peeves had just left the room after informing Hermione that everything was ready for the move to the country.

"He has proven to be invaluable," Hermione agreed. "He will be coming with us to the country. He is almost like family according to Minerva."

"I should be getting home. Your father becomes inconsolable when I am not there to share dinner with him," Narcissa said as she rose from the sofa. She laid her hand against Hermione's cheek again. "I will see you in a couple of days, darling. Lucius informed me that we are going to travel together."

"Good evening, Mother. Give Father a kiss for me," Hermione said as she returned her mother's embrace.

"I will see you in a few days also, Ginny?" Narcissa asked.

"Yes, I believe Papa said we were moving this weekend also," Ginny said, rising to walk the older woman to the door.

"Then you must call upon me when you get settled." They bid each other farewell, and Ginny returned to keep Hermione company.

"Really, Ginny. You don't have to sit with me," Hermione said, even though she was happy to have her there.

"I know. But if your husband returned home and you were alone, I would never have any peace," Ginny laughed.

"For some reason, he has become a mother hen," Hermione grumbled. She was secretly pleased at how caring he had become.

"I am not a member of the poultry family," Severus stated as he entered the room with Draco. He walked to his wife's side and kissed her gently on the temple. "How was your day, dear?"

"Wonderful. Thanks to Peeves, we are ready to move," Hermione said as she took her husband's hand.

"Come along, Ginny. I hear the carriage pulling up. These two are making me ill," Draco drawled. He held his arm for Ginny.

"Good evening, Severus. Hermione," Ginny said as she took Draco's arm. She couldn't stop the fluttering in her stomach as his hand curled around hers.

Hermione noticed her brother's gesture and narrowed her eyes. She was happy for her friend and promised herself to talk to Draco the first chance she got. Which would be a while considering that she couldn't move very fast at the moment.

"Severus. I can't wait until our child is born," Hermione whispered as Severus helped her up from the sofa. "I am tired of feeling like a balloon."

"You are beautiful," he said as he looked at her with tenderness.

"For a cow," she grumbled.

"No, you are a beautiful balloon," he laughed at her outraged expression. "You are the one who said you were a balloon."

"I said I felt like one," Hermione said indignantly. She started to cry.

"I am sorry," Severus said in alarm. "I didn't say it to make you cry. I was teasing you, love."

"I know," she continued to cry. "I just can't help it."

Severus looked at her in dismay. He had heard from Lucius that women became more emotional, and so far, his wife had not been too bad. "Come. Let's just go to our room and have something brought to us."

"Severus, how can you think of that when I look like this?" Hermione dabbed at her tears. She really hated crying.

"I wasn't thinking of that, dear. I just thought that you would like to relax and have an impromptu picnic. A cuddle or two, and that would be all. Promise," Severus said quickly.

"That is so thoughtful," Hermione said. And, promptly started crying again.

Severus sighed. He took her hand and led her to the hall. He gave quick instructions to Peeves and then led his poor wife up the stairs. He couldn't wait to get the old, rational Hermione back.

She had calmed by the time they made it to the master suite. They laughed and fed each other tidbits from their plates. By the time they were finished, both were relaxed and very tired. Severus even got more than two cuddles. All in all, it had been a good day. Hermione fell asleep on her side, with her husband curled around her.

***

"Hermione, dear! Are you sure you are going to be warm enough?" Narcissa asked her as they were bundling into the waiting carriages.

"Yes, Mother. I can hardly see around all of these robes and blankets. Aren't you riding with me?"

"No. Your father said he couldn't survive the trip without my charming company." Narcissa giggled like a girl. "Now that you and your brother are grown, he seems to think that he is entitled to all of my attention. It really is flattering."

Hermione smiled at the obvious love between her parents. She nodded and snuggled into the blankets. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to, as the ride was long. She looked up in surprise when Severus entered the carriage.

"I thought you were going to ride with Draco," Hermione said in confusion.

"I would have, but he is slightly under the weather," Severus said with a snicker.

"Nothing too terrible?" she asked in concern.

"No. Just out too late last night," was all Severus would say. "Are you warm enough?" he asked as he laid another robe across her lap.

"You sound just like Mother," Hermione said as she pushed the robe off. "I am too warm. However, you can share with me." She held up the corner of her blanket.

Severus slid next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He sighed in satisfaction as she curled against his side.

"Severus," she murmured a while later.

"Yes?"

"Do you think we might be close to getting home?" she asked.

"I suppose. It should be an hour or two," his weary voice replied.

"No. I mean getting back to Hogwarts." She was fighting to keep her eyes open also. The gentle swaying of the carriage was lulling her to sleep.

"Oh. That. Yes. I don't see why not," came the uncomfortable answer.

"Is it wrong to wish that we could stay here? Have a family, and not have to worry about going back to our former lives?"

"No. I must admit I catch myself wishing that also," he said.

Hermione nodded as she heard his deep voice rumble through his chest. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. A small smile appeared on her lips when Severus pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

***

"Cissy, where are you off to now?" Lucius asked.

"Careful, dear heart. It almost sounded like you were whining," she said coyly.

"Why don't you give me more attention?" he said with a lift of his aristocratic brow.

"No. I promised Hermione to call on her early. She is really starting to get uncomfortable. Come and visit us later. She misses you," Cissy said as she leaned in to give her husband a very passionate kiss.

"If that is the only way I can spend time with you," he sighed. He grabbed the ribbon her maid had threaded through her blonde curls.

"Lucius! It took almost an hour to get my hair the way I like it. Surely you want to see your daughter also?" she asked with an arched brow of her own.

"Of course. But her temper is something to be feared," he said. "I suppose I could talk Severus into a game of chess. Poor man." He laughed when he thought of Severus having to deal with his daughter's mood swings. "Did you want me to take you over?"

"No, dear. Draco is going to take me." She saw Lucius look at her in shock. "We are picking Ginny up on our way to Hermione's. You don't mind, do you?"

Lucius thought for a moment. "No. The sooner he gets settled down, the sooner I can have you all to myself." He laughed at Narcissa's blush. "Go. Tell Severus I will call on them this afternoon."

Narcissa kissed his cheek and went to the carriage that pulled up. She greeted her handsome son as they went to get the lovely girl she hoped to someday have as a daughter-in-law.

Severus greeted them at the door. Narcissa looked closely at him. He looked tired and more than a little worried.

"Is something the matter, Severus?" she asked.

"I don't know. She didn't sleep well and snaps at anything I do or say," he said as he ran a hand through his hair.

Narcissa nodded. Severus hardly ever fidgeted. "Ginny and I will go and see her. Lucius said he would be by this afternoon. Draco will keep you company until then." She shot her son a warning look.

Draco gulped softly and nodded. "How about a game of billiards, old man?" Since Ginny was also here, he couldn't think of anywhere else he wanted to be.

The two men took off at a fast pace. Narcissa shook her head and turned to Ginny. She was pleased to see the younger woman calm and smiling. "Care to wager I will be a grandmother soon?" she laughed.

"Not at all!" Ginny laughed with her. She was excited and couldn't wait to see her friend.

The two women went up to Hermione's room. The drapes were partially open. The bed was empty.

"Is she in here?" Ginny asked Narcissa.

"I am right here," Hermione grumbled from the far corner of the room. She was standing beside the drapes. "I have been pacing because it feels better than lying in that bed.

Narcissa noticed her hand fisted in the velvet material. "Ginny, find Severus and send him to me," she said quietly.

The younger girl left quickly. Narcissa walked to Hermione. "Do you want me to walk with you?" she asked gently.

"Please. Is it supposed to feel like this?" Hermione asked. She could handle the cramping. She just didn't like how the little pains peaked every so often.

Narcissa looked at her with sympathy. She remembered the pain even after all these years, but it had faded over time. She walked to Hermione's dressing table and got a brush and hair ribbon. "Come sit next to me." She patted the side of the bed.

"Ginny said you wanted to see me?" Severus asked as he came into the bedroom.

"Do you have a midwife available?" Narcissa asked.

Severus looked at Hermione. "Yes. She is in the guest suite. I didn't want to chance not having one available so she is staying until the baby is born."

Narcissa nodded at his foresight. "You might want to send for her to examine Hermione."

Severus blanched and left the room.

"Mother, there was no need to scare him," Hermione said quietly. She bit her lip when she felt a sharp pain lance through her lower back and stomach.

"And, you didn't just grab my hand in a death grip," Narcissa retorted gently as she pulled her hand from her daughter's grasp. She pulled Hermione's hair back with the ribbon to help keep it out of her face.

"Thank you, Mother. I am so glad you are here. I am a little bit scared," Hermione admitted.

"Don't worry, dear. I was terrified." Both women turned when the door opened again. This time, the midwife and Minerva entered the room.

"Where is Severus?" Hermione asked.

"I believe he said he needed to make sure Draco is okay," Minerva said with a smile.

"Please leave me to examine Lady Snape," the midwife said with quiet authority. The women left the room after promising to return shortly.

They waited in the hall until the door opened again. Minerva and Narcissa looked up when the door opened again. The midwife requested that Narcissa join her and sent Minerva down to the game room to join the others.

Lucius was shown into the drawing room later that day. He looked around at the tense faces and frowned. He noticed his daughter and wife were absent. He took at Severus's drawn face and smiled.

"Severus, you really should relax. It could be hours," he said as he poured himself a brandy.

"Thank you for those comforting words," Severus growled. He took the snifter that Lucius had poured.

Lucius raised an eyebrow and poured another. "Would you like this one too?"

Severus glared at his friend. Lucius laughed. This is such fun, he thought.

"How long has Narcissa been with Hermione?" he asked seriously.

"Five hours, sir," Ginny said quietly. She sat with Draco reading a book of poetry.

Lucius smiled at the domestic scene. "Thank you. If that is the case, you really should sit. Draco and Hermione were much longer than that." He grimaced as he remembered the anxiety he had gone through at the time.

He had no sooner said that when Narcissa opened the door and beckoned Severus to her. She spoke softly and Severus almost ran from the room. She smiled wistfully after him. She turned to everyone else and smiled tiredly. Lucius went to his wife and kissed her temple as he drew her into the room.

"You ruined my fun, love. I was just telling Severus it would be hours yet," he said softly.

"You really are wicked. He will be down shortly with the new addition to the Snape family," Narcissa said. Happiness shone in her blue eyes.

"Aren't you going to tell us if it is a girl or a boy?" Draco asked. He wanted to know if he had a new niece to spoil or a nephew to play with.

"That is for Severus to let us know," his mother said gently.

Upstairs, Severus stood outside the door. He was nervous, elated, and anxious. He wiped his palms on his trousers, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. He squinted a bit in the dark of the room and then saw his wife sitting up in bed. He quietly walked over to her side.

"Severus," she said quietly.

He leaned down to kiss her. The midwife came over and laid a little bundle in his arms. He looked down at the sleeping infant. He felt tears burn his eyes. The little baby was warm and smelled of lightly scented powder. A dark fuzz covered the top of the baby's head. He gently ran his finger over the cheek and lowered his head to kiss the baby. Turning, he showed Hermione the baby.

Hermione smiled with love as she looked at Severus and her new baby. Her heart felt like it would burst with happiness.

She touched his hand and smiled. Just as she started to say something, she felt a sickening lurch. When she opened her eyes again, she saw that she was in a different room. She looked into the shocked face of Professor Severus Snape. They were back at the library of Hogwarts.

Author's Notes: Sorry, I felt like a cliffhanger! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Many thanks to Tinnidawg, my very dedicated beta. Without her help, this story would never have been posted!