Serendipity

Disclamier: J.K.R.'s characters. I'm just having a bit of fun with them.

Thanks go to my beta, Charmed_Nay, and to all of my friends at the Yahoo!Group, Potter_Place.

Hermione felt the arm around her waist flex and tighten, and his hand slowly moved from its position on her breast to her only slightly rounded stomach. She wondered if he noticed that the pregnancy was starting to show. Keeping her body completely still, save for her rhythmic breathing, she allowed him to think that she was fast asleep. They'd taken a bath together, eaten, and made love twice before succumbing to sleep. His predawn movements had awoken her. She dared not ask what was on his mind. She knew. He was still thinking of what he'd seen in his father's Pensieve.

His mother had horrified her with many tales from her marriage to his father. Hermione would never believe that Severus could be as cold as that man had been to his wife. Memories from their months together came back to her, and she realized that she was wrong. Severus had been cold. He would have never married her, not if things had continued as they were. That's not right. He was changing. It was a slow change, but things were getting better all the while. He would have grown to love me, just as he does now.

Severus' voice broke into her thoughts. "I wonder if you're a male heir," he said in a low voice, obviously not wanting to wake her. His pondering made her realize that his hand was still circling her stomach, as if searching for the child. She nearly gasped as he said, "I hate you."

Why would he hate our child? Her mind screamed, and she felt tears beginning to prickle behind her closed eyelids. He hates the baby. How could I have ever hoped or believed otherwise? His lips pressing against her shoulder failed to soothe her. The sinking feelings of despair and regret were clouding her thoughts.

"I hate what you did to my mum," he whispered, kissing her shoulder again. "I hate what you did to me."

Relief swept through Hermione. Severus didn't hate their child. He was thinking of his father and the loathing he felt for him. Accidentally, a sound of appeasement slipped from her lips.

"Are you awake?" His silky voice glided over her shoulder.

"Mmmmhmmm," she mumbled. She noted that the hand on her belly had stilled, and he was backing away from her. She deftly pulled the hand to her lips to kiss it and snuggled into his body. "Love you."

"I know," he replied after a lengthy pause.

She found the courage to ask what had been on her mind since she'd gone to his study the previous evening. "Would you like to talk about anything?"

"No," came the clipped reply.

"I'm not trying to pry. I simply want you to know that I'm here for you if you need me," she said softly, reaching for her wand. "Lumos!" Several lamps lit at once. She scooted away from him.

"Where are you going at this early hour?"

"Just to the loo." She washed her body, tamed her hair, and brushed her teeth as quickly as she could. She didn't want him to leave the bed just yet. There had been a moment of disappointment after she'd told him that she loved him. When he began to speak again after such a long pause, she'd thought briefly that he was finally going to let her know that he did love her as well. The love might not be as strong as what she felt for him, but it was a start. She wanted to thank the Lord that it was his father he'd been thinking of when he'd talked of his loathing.

Hermione didn't know if she'd be able to live with him if he hated their child. She'd not allow him to bully any children the way his father had. For a brief moment, she wished that she had read through each parchment that she'd collected for him from the secret room. Those were his father's words. Maybe there was more to the story than what his mother had told. Severus seemed so quiet and reserved. Even in their lovemaking, he'd not been as fervent as normal. She supposed that he'd needed understanding and tenderness after all he'd witnessed.

When she entered the room again, she smiled, seeing his form still upon the bed, snugly burrowed under the duvet. "Severus?" she called softly. There was no reply. She wondered if he was truly asleep or feigning, worried that she'd pester him with questions. No matter how much she longed to discuss what he'd seen or what he was feeling, she'd have to quell the temptation to ask. He would come to her when he was ready.

She slid one hand beneath the duvet and fondled his slight erection. The more firmly her hand prodded, the harder he became. Without thinking, she moved beneath the duvet to bring her mouth to meet her hand. The slight intake of breath when her mouth closed around the head signaled that he was awake. He didn't move, as if wanting to see what she'd do next if left unrestricted. The fingers of one hand caressed his scrotum as the others pumped him in time with her mouth's movements. She took care not to take too much of him into her mouth, as she tended to gag if she went down too far. Nevertheless, her tongue laved along what it came in contact with, her teeth softly nipped at him, and her lips suckled forcefully. She began moving up and down his shaft franticly, hoping that he'd climax quickly, as her mouth was beginning to ache. Just as she thought she'd lose the rhythm and have to stop, one of his hands came up to tangle in her hair, giving her new determination to see it through. After another minute, however, she couldn't handle it any longer, despite the grunts of approval from her lover. She moved her mouth away and both hands pumped him for only a few brief moments before she heard his barely audible gasp and felt the hot liquid drops of semen hitting her skin.

Slowly, she continued to squeeze and stroke him until she was sure that he was completely finished. A few moments later, after some maneuvering, Severus pulled the duvet back and cast a few charms to clean himself and her hands and forearms. Without a word, he pulled her into a tight embrace. She couldn't resist asking a cheeky question. "Did you like that?"

"So it would seem," he said crisply. "Dare I retaliate?"

"You don't have to," she said softly, tracing his jaw with her thumb.

"All right then," he said, closing his eyes.

Damn! I should have said yes. She sighed slightly and tried to cuddle closer only to find herself turned over onto her back in one smooth move.

His mouth closed over one nipple briefly and nipped its way down to her center. Moving between her legs, he said, "But, I want to."

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Severus closed and locked the study door before moving to his desk. Hermione knew to not disturb him, but her curiosity sometimes got the better of her. He was glad that she'd restrained herself from asking pesky questions. He wasn't ready to disclose all that he'd witnessed. Uneasily, he glanced to the mirror. Was his mother's likeness watching him? The expression on his face caught his attention. "Bloody hell," he whispered. He looked paler than normal, lines of worry creased his brow, and his usual impassive expression was gone. One that showed how troubled he truly was had replaced it.

Part of him wished that he hadn't found the bloody room, that he didn't care...no...love his wife. He was weak. Not weak! Human. He'd fallen for her. He'd become comfortable with her, fond of her, and grown accustomed to having her with him. What trickery had she...no! There was no trickery. "I've been through this a dozen times before," he grumbled to himself. She hadn't wanted to be pregnant any more than he'd wanted her to be. It was an accident. They'd taken precautions, albeit not the best. Things had just evolved between them. He would accept his life with her and any children they'd create together. Could he accept her love? Could he give it to her? He could show her how he felt, but if he gave her the words, it would give her something to use against him. As long as she used them, he had something over her.

"I will not be my father," he bellowed suddenly, slamming his fist against his desk. "My love for her will not destroy me!" He directed his words towards the mirror, as if to make a point. He wondered what his mother's portrait had actually disclosed to Hermione. He knew that he should speak with the portrait again, but hearing his mother's voice and seeing her was too much. He could only cope with one thing at a time. First, he would deal with his father's memories, and next, he would deal with the parchments that the man had left. After that was done, he would go to her...his mother's portrait...and listen to anything else she could add to the new insight on his life.

If Hermione did know most of what he'd seen in the Pensieve, how did she feel about that? "Fuck!" he exclaimed suddenly. "She knows." Those two words were spoken in a nearly inaudible whisper. He hadn't taken his father's note from the door. Therefore, she knew the truth as to why he'd finally found the room. She knew that he loved her.

If you can see this, then you've gone against my advice and have fallen in love with someone.

Severus narrowed his eyes and glanced to the study door suspiciously. Why hadn't she flouted her knowledge? Why had she not mentioned it? Didn't she want to hold it over him? Had she already suspected his supposed well-hidden feelings?

Falling in love will bring about weakness if you don't handle it properly.

When he hadn't returned her words of love after she'd awakened, had she thought any snide things about his cowardice for not telling her. "Cowardice?" He was no coward. He was simply cautious. If his mother had known the true extent of his father's love, what would she have done? Would she have tried to make the rules, take over his affairs, or demand things? But, she did know...deep down. She simply couldn't handle the way he treated her even though he loved her. Could Hermione live that way? Would the years take their toll on her? "She's stronger than you," he said, nodding as he looked at the mirror. "She'll fight me. She stopped taking orders from me weeks ago. She even tried to marry someone else to prove a point."

Sudden feelings of resent poured through him. Why couldn't his mother have been like Hermione? She would not have let his father break her! She would have not threatened to leave, she would have simply done so. Hermione. She always gave plenty and was satisfied with the little she received in return. He'd never be disrespectful to her again. There would be no other woman...ever. There would be no roughhousing...ever. Though he could not bring himself to voice the words that so easily slid from her lips, he could show her that things would work out for them through his actions. His father's words had confirmed what she needed to know. That would have to be enough.

Pushing those thoughts away, he sat down in his chair and pulled the parchment stack to him. It seemed that his father commented on everything at some point. He'd taken to doing so long before his mother died. He glanced at the top parchment and read silently.

I've slept with another woman, again. She was acceptable, but her perfume tortured me. Not because it reeked, mind, but because it wasn't yours.

Severus' mind went back to his wedding night when he couldn't get an erection...due to the stress that he'd gone through at getting her to agree and the fact that she wouldn't help. He'd left her to seek out pleasures from a paid woman. When the woman had beckoned to him, he'd excused himself, realizing that he wanted no other woman. How could his father have gone to others while he knew they couldn't compare to his wife? For Severus, that would be the time that flaccidity would make itself known. No matter how good the woman would feel, it wouldn't be Hermione's tight, wet, heat that he'd be buried within. He couldn't deal with that. Is that why his father had the wench Polyjuiced? Appalled, Severus knew that he couldn't do that either. He would still know that it wasn't Hermione. He looked at the next parchment.

Ella, I'm so lonely without you. I need you. Why could I have not told you before when you were alive?

The berk! He'd realized his mistake too late. Severus smirked. "You should have told her that you needed her." His smirk faded immediately. What right did he have to voice his opinion on the matter? It wasn't as if he told Hermione. He mollified himself with the realization that she knew. How could she not? What were words anyway? A simple look said so much more.

I've killed her. I gave her the last of the Polyjuice tonight. When I told her that I needed to get more hair to make more, she began saying things. She said that I was worthless and horrid. It was your face and voice saying those things to me. I couldn't bear it. I strangled her.

An admitted murderer! His own father! How could he have used and abused that woman that way? The man must have gone mad after Severus finally stood up to him and told him he'd not be the dutiful son any longer. He'd gathered that his father had broken into his mother's coffin on at least one occasion, but this simply confirmed it. What would he find if he looked inside his mother's coffin? Surely time would have destroyed her. Wizards had only recently started placing the Mummifying Enchantment on their dead to help preserve them for many years to come.

Severus has walked away from me, from our life. He won't be back. I am disappointed in some aspects. He's become exactly what I taught him to be. That is disappointing. However, there is hope that he's still got some part of you alive in him, a part I did not force away. If he could walk away from me and recount many wrongs that he witnessed me doing to you, then I'd say all might not be lost. I am disappointed in myself for not having the courage to tell him that I did love you. Still love you.

The bastard had spewed so many lies. His mother had warned him to not seemingly disobey the man, but in the years of pretending to go along with him, he'd forgotten his promise to leave as soon as he could and not truly follow his teachings. It wasn't until he was a young adult that he'd been able to stand up to his father. The man had always seemed so strong, but Severus knew that if he could stand up to the Dark Lord, he could stand up to Talfryn Snape.

Severus will be bringing the poison I requested shortly. It is nearly time to be with you, my love. I swear to make amends for all the wrongs I have done you, done our boy.

"Ha!" he barked. "Is this his way of seeking redemption? He was a coward! He couldn't face me! He couldn't bring himself to hear what I would have said to him." What would he have said? He would have likely been cold and not heard the man out. It was his father's fault though. The arse had wanted to raise a monster. Hadn't he? Well, you've succeeded father. I am an uncaring... His thoughts faded away. Even in the safety of his mind, the thoughts didn't hold true. He couldn't lie to himself. He did care. Things did matter.

The next hour was spent going through different parchments, and he learnt a great deal more about the secret life that his father had led. How was it that nobody knew? No wonder he'd dismissed all of their workers, aside from the house-elves. He didn't want anyone to know what he was about. The last strip of parchment horrified him more than those he'd read or the things he'd witnessed as memories the day before.

The Mummifying Enchantment that I've created is working well. You still look as lovely as ever, though you're as cold and as stiff as an icicle to the touch. No matter, I have a new warming lube that handles that. Lucky I thought to position you in a most welcoming way before casting the charm. The money that I received as the anonymous creator of the enchantment has been split between Severus' trust and your brother's family. I've donated in the name of his two children. They'll likely realize that I did it, as I donated it in your name. Perhaps, though, they might think it to be Severus that did it. Maybe they will contact him. That's one way to get him to know your family. After I talk to your portrait, I shall venture back down to see you.

Severus backed away from the desk after he dropped the parchment. Was his father implying that he'd practiced necrophilia? "Disgusting," he breathed. How could he have lived with himself? How could he have desecrated the woman he loved? What would force a man to be so low? As horrible as the other things were, the knowledge that he'd likely... He couldn't think of it. Nothing could propel Severus to do such a thing to Hermione.

A sudden vision came to him. It was of Hermione screaming in childbirth and fading into death...some complication taking her from him. He could see himself holding her and even feel the loss that would overwhelm him, the regret of not doing things differently, the anger at the irony of things. He imagined kissing her lifeless lips and looking into her dull eyes. Knowing that he'd never make love to her again or have anyone else, could he be enticed to visit her as his father had visited his mother? No. He shook the horrific vision away. He would accept the loss and learn to deal with it, but he'd never take another lover. He would not violate his wife's body. No, he would keep her memory alive in other ways. He would use a Pensieve to see and hear her. Hell, he could envision talking to her portrait. "Good Lord. Is that how he started?" He fled from the parchments, the swirling mists of the Pensieve, and the solitude of his study.

Severus wasn't exactly sure of what he was looking for until he found it. "Hermione," he choked, feeling the emotion overtake him. "He was horrible! An abomination as a man, he was. It's all too much."

She put her opened book aside, stood up, and opened her arms to him. He went to her quickly, dropping to his knees before wrapping his arms about her waist and placing his head on her slightly rounding belly. "He's gone now, Severus. I'm sure he's had his penance during those years he lived here alone."

He nodded, but he didn't look up at her. What was he doing? Why was he kneeling before her like a weak fool? Thoughts of moving away fled as her arms tightened around him once before she slid down to kneel with him. His eyes met hers, and he saw understanding in them. "Do I parallel him so much?"

"Not that I can see, Severus," she said honestly. "I think his words and teachings have influenced you greatly, but you are not anything like him. Your mother's portrait said things that..." She swallowed deeply. "You'd never be like him. Don't fear it."

"I would like to take some time to speak to my mother's portrait. I've been closed up in the study for so long today already. Would you like to visit your parents?" he asked. "I've need for time alone."

"But, I want to be here for you. I really think th..."

He placed a finger on her lips. "I am asking this as a favor. If you'd rather stay, go on, but I'll not be disturbed for a few hours. There is too much to think of."

"I'll go to Harry," she said.

He abruptly released her. "What do you mean?"

"I've not had a proper talk with him about things since the baby was lost. I think if I'm being forced from my home that I can go where I'd like. I don't want to deal with my parents' questions."

"But, you can deal with Potter's? Is that it? Can't wait to tell him what a bastard I had for a father? Can't wait to tell him that you knew all along that it was only a matter of time before you could entice your former Potions master to fall in love with you? Want to have a laugh on my account?" he asked angrily, getting to his feet.

She remained on her knees, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. "I would never tell Harry about your father, Severus. That's personal. You should know better than that. I love you. Why would I laugh at you?" She swiped at her eyes.

He looked away from her, but he did hold out a hand for her to grasp. Once she stood within reach, he turned to face her. "What if he tries to get you to stay away from me? Will your loyalty to him reign over what you have accumulated for me?"

"Not even death could keep me from you."

Severus blinked at the ferocity of her words. She meant them. What the hell had made her say that? Had she read the parchments? Did she know the extent of what his father had done? "Hermione, have a care with the words you use," he chided.

Hermione mistook his meaning. "I'm not calling on death, love. I'm simply letting you know that nothing Harry could say would keep me from returning to you. I think a visit with a peer will do me some good. Poppy said that I can go about my normal business again."

He nodded. "I shall see you tonight." He would trust in her. There was no reason to believe that Potter could come between them. Severus turned away and stopped. "You do understand?"

"Yes."

The disappointment in her voice made him turn around. "When I am ready, if ever, we shall talk," he said firmly.

"When you are ready, if ever, I shall listen," she rebutted firmly. "I'll be back later." She watched him walk up the stairway and turn towards his father's old room where he'd find his mother's portrait.

Hermione hated feeling as if she'd been dismissed, but she understood that he wanted to deal with things in his own way and at his own pace. Her eyes drifted towards his desk the moment she entered the study. What had shaken her unshakable husband? She dared not venture over, or she might be inclined to have a read. Before her fingers could extract the Floo powder from its holder, she noticed a parchment on the floor near his desk. Giving in to temptation, she quickly made her way over and picked it up.

"Oh, my God," she said after she read the words.

The Mummifying Enchantment that I've created is working well. You still look as lovely as ever, though you're as cold and as stiff as an icicle to the touch. No matter, I have a new warming lube that handles that. Lucky I thought to position you in a most welcoming way before casting the charm. The money that I received as the anonymous creator of the enchantment has been split between Severus' trust and your brother's family. I've donated in the name of his two children. They'll likely realize that I did it, as I donated it in your name. Perhaps, though, they might think it to be Severus that did it. Maybe they will contact him. That's one way to get him to know your family. After I talk to your portrait, I shall venture back down to see you.

"No wonder Severus was so disturbed." Should she worry that her husband might do something to himself in his current state of mind? No, of course not. He was stronger than that. "His father was the creator of the enchantment widely used to preserve loved ones? Why didn't Severus' family ever try to meet him?" There were so many questions and so many things that she didn't understand. Her family thought of her powers as being strange, but they didn't try to oust her or make her feel badly about herself. Families should all be loving and supportive. "Our children will be loved and supported. Severus and I will see to it. This isn't how a true family lives."

Placing the parchment back where she'd found it, she went to the grate again and Flooed to Harry's home. She stumbled into his kitchen and giggled. Both he and Ron were at the table, spoons suspended in mid air, mouths agape.

"I suppose I could have let you know that I was coming."

"Hermione!" Harry said, coming to her side immediately.

Ron took his bite of food and made his way to her. "Just glad to see you," he said thickly, still chewing. "Want some stew?"

"No, thanks," she said, hugging each of them.

"What's he done?" Harry asked, after she sat down.

"Nothing. He's doing some...research. I told him that I would come here to see you." It was true. He was researching things from the past, and she had told him where she'd be. Her mind kept going back to the horrible note his father had written.

"How is it...being married to Snape?" Ron asked curiously. "I mean, is he still a right arse? Is he different in private than he is in public?"

"Yes. It's not the same when we're alone, especially now that we're home and expecting," she said, hand absently rubbing her stomach.

"You look like you've put on a stone," Ron said.

"Thanks," she said sarcastically, glaring at him.

"I'm only joking," he said, breaking into raucous laughter. "You should see your face! Don't worry. The weight is coming."

"Great. I come here for a visit, and I get ridiculed by my friends," she said lightly, not able to keep the smile from her face. She eyed Harry and noted that he wasn't smiling. "Harry? What is it?"

He shrugged. "You seem happy."

"You say that as if it's a bad thing."

"It's unexpected," he said, looking sheepish. "I would have thought that he wouldn't have changed. Last time I sent an owl to ask if I could Floo in, he turned me down straightaway."

"Well, I suppose he..." She looked away. "Harry, about the baby, I know it's not your fault, but it wasn't Severus' fault either. Poppy said that it would have likely happened anyway. Well, you know what happened. You helped him get the experimental potion that I needed. I just don't want this to cloud our friendship."

Harry pulled her to him into a tight embrace. "I love you, Hermione. I would never want anything to ruin that. I was afraid that you'd never forgive me for having a go at him that morning. Sometimes I wish that we'd never tricked him into playing the part of the gigolo."

"I don't regret it, Harry. I'm married now. I'm going to have a baby." She pulled away. "I do love him, you know."

A cough from across the table drew their attention to their mate. "I'm going to go have a shower and leave you two to talk."

"All right, but hurry back." She smiled as Ron left. "He never changes."

"Speaking of change," Harry began, "has his feelings towards you changed any?"

Hermione shrugged. "We grow closer each day. He took great care of me when I was bed-ridden. My parents came to stay for awhile."

"Does he love you?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

"Isn't it enough that I do know?" she asked cheekily. "I don't feel comfortable talking about these things. In fact, Severus wouldn't like it. I'm sure he feels that what he says or does in the privacy of his home is just that...private."

"Understood," Harry said. "Rolanda asked about you last night."

"Did she?"

"Yeah, she came round with some bloke she's been visiting with," he said, wriggling his eyebrows.

"What of that witch she was to spend part of the summer with?"

"She's been to her place as well. You know how Rolanda is. Does what she pleases, that one."

"Too right. I almost thought that the witch was Vector for some reason," Hermione said with a giggle.

"I think you may be right," Harry agreed.

"Have you been seeing anyone?" Hermione asked slyly, noticing a passion mark on his throat. Who could have caught his attention?

"Well, now that you mention it, I've been friendly with someone. Er...that reminds me, Mione," he said, cheeks reddening, "that I promised she could interview you."

"Me? Interview? Harry Bloody Potter, if you tell me that you've a fling going with that cow Rita Skeeter..."

"WHAT? Good Lord! It's Healer Margaret Richardson. She's the one that created that potion that helped with the baby. She's from Greater Hangleton."

"I'm afraid I don't know of her. Severus said very little to me about that," she admitted.

"Well, I went visiting that day, and when some phials of her potion came up missing, she became suspicious. She remembered that I happened to say that I was there on behalf of someone that miscarried." He shrugged. "I suppose she did a little snooping. Someone from St. Mungo's told her that Poppy had reported a miscarriage here of one twin, but the other survived."

"She questioned you until you told her the truth," Hermione summarized.

"I did. Don't be angry," he said quickly. "She's great. Sort of reminds me of you, what with all of her cleverness, research, and reading. I think you'd like her."

"I'm not angry, Harry. Something was stolen from her, though it was for good reason. I would like to thank her. Without the potion, my baby might not have survived."

"As soon as you are better, I'll invite you over."

"Don't forget Severus."

"What of him?"

"Well, he'll need an invite as well, being my husband and all that," she said cheekily.

"Oh, right. I suppose I can put up with his scowl for one evening. Oof!" Hermione elbowed him soundly. "Sorry," he wheezed.

"Things will change even though we don't want them to, won't they?" she asked sadly. "No matter what happens now, I'll be married with a baby. No more going round with the gang as I did before. I wonder if you or Ron will ever truly warm up to Severus?"

"That's unfair," Harry said hotly. "What about him warming up to us? If you'll remember, I tried at first. The only reason I got nasty was because he was treating you like dirt. Have you forgotten about the way he used to cast you aside after he'd spent the night with you? The way he ignored you in front of all of us as if you hadn't been in bed with him the night before?" He stood up and angrily paced before her. "It just makes me angry that you can just pretend that it didn't happen. A few nice words make it all right, eh? Well, I remember the look on your face, the tears that you cried, and the things you told me! Don't ever ask me to forget about those things and just smile as if nothing ever happened. I'm not the one that tried to bed a whore on my wedding night."

"Just shut up!" she yelled. Hermione had heard enough. She backed away from him, needing to get away from his words. Before she could reach the grate, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her and pulled her back.

"Harry, what the fuck are you on about? You can't stress a pregnant woman!" Ron said angrily.

Hermione allowed him to hold her for a few moments while she collected herself. Harry's words were true. She knew that. It was just hard to hear them so bluntly. She tried to push away those particular memories and months with Severus to another part of her mind while only dwelling on things over the past month.

"Hermione," Harry began, "I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that. It was wrong of me. I should keep those thoughts to myself. Ron's right."

She pulled away from Ron and beckoned for Harry to come to her. Once near, she pulled both of them to her for a group hug. It would likely be the last one that they'd ever share. "You speak the truth, Harry. Things were bad, but they've changed. You'll see that. I don't expect any of you to truly like one another, but I'll have you acting cordially if nothing else. At least while I'm around." She smiled and moved away. "I love you both. I have to get back though." She giggled. Ron's shirt was gone. He must have been undressing when he'd heard Harry's yelling.

"We're always here for you," Ron said. "The arse threatened my life, but he did it for a good reason. I'm willing to let that go and start anew. I'll do that for you, Mione."

Harry nodded. "Right. Past is in the past." He smiled. "But, if he ever so much as..."

"That'll do, mate," Ron said.

"Bye," Hermione said. "I'll talk to him." She Flooed back to their home, knowing that she hadn't been gone long enough to give him time to himself. She'd just bathe, lay down, and read a book. She wouldn't disturb him. She glanced longingly at the Pensieve and parchments upon his desk but left the room quickly. She would not pry any more than she already had. Once under the stream of the shower, she began to mull over what Harry had said. Things had come a long way since those early months in the relationship. He loved her. He'd never said it to her while she was awake, but it felt good to know that he did.

As she manually dried her body, a sudden realization came to her. He had told her he loved her! It was just before she'd gone to Harry's. Why hadn't she realized it then? His words came back to her.

Can't wait to tell him that you knew all along that it was only a matter of time before you could entice your former Potions master to fall in love with you?

"Bloody hell!" she said excitedly. "He said it! He told me!" Tears of joy lit her eyes, and she giggled madly. If she ever needed a verbal proclamation to ensure her happiness, that was it. That one slip and the many things that he'd said while he thought her to be asleep would content her. She doubted that he realized what he'd said to her or what he'd admitted. All the same, his words would be cherished.

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Severus hadn't ventured into the room yet. He was still lying on his father's bed, thinking of all that had transpired. He'd realized that he loved his wife. He'd found a secret room. All that he'd once believed to be true had turned out to be false. His father was far more horrible than he'd ever believed him to be. Severus could be more confused than he was, but he had the sense to distinguish between things. His father had loved his mother, yes, but he'd been too much of a coward to treat her better. When the man realized that it was too late, he'd gone mental with trying for it anyway. He talked to her portrait, he wrote notes, he Polyjuiced a woman to take on the appearance of his wife, and he had even done the unthinkable.

What could he tell his wife about his father? Did he really want her to know everything? If she did know everything, how would she look upon him? Upon their child? It likely wouldn't change her feelings, but he couldn't bear to have her think him like his father. He would just have to sit her down and explain things to her. "What the hell?" It sounded as if Hermione was laughing. What would she be doing back?

He left the room and made his way down the corridor to their room. He opened the door just as she plopped down onto the bed to read. She was on her back and had lifted the book above her to read, not noticing him in the doorway. She was completely naked. His lips curved upward slightly as his eyes were drawn to her stomach. She was rounding. Their child was growing. Would he be able to truly feel the child when it moved? As a moth drawn to flame, he made his way to the bedside.

"Why are you home?" he asked.

Startled, she sat up quickly. "Did the shower disturb you? I didn't feel like visiting. I thought that reading would keep me occupied. I'm sorry."

His hand moved of its own volition to the top of her head where she'd tied her hair up to keep it out of the way in the shower. A few tugs had it released and tumbling down upon her face. The same hand moved to stroke her cheek and move a straying lock out of the way. Slowly, he bent down to place his lips against hers for a brief, chaste kiss. "I shall occupy you."

"But...your mother's portrait. Have you been in to talk to her?"

"Not yet. That can wait."

She was unsure if he was looking for an excuse to prolong things or if he truly wanted to be with her. She didn't question it. She sat up and helped him undress. As he moved over her and placed small kisses along her jaw, she sighed in contentment. Sod Harry and his words. This is all that matters.

"Hermione," he murmured between kisses around her earlobe.

"Hmmm?"

"Did you read the parchment on the door to the secret room?"

She could feel the tension in his body suddenly. He seemed to be holding his breath, not moving, as he awaited her answer. "I did."

"For me to see the door and enter the room, it meant that I had to...meet a requirement set forth by my father." He traced her ear with his tongue for a moment. "You understand then. You know what it means?"

"I know," she said, giving his chosen words back to him, the meaning clear. He moved to look into her eyes questioningly. She would not force him to say it. "It is enough." She pulled him to her for a crushing kiss. She felt his gratitude as he poured his feelings into his actions.

Her legs parted to accommodate him completely, and he slid in. "We've much to talk about." She nodded, and he closed his eyes. Shamelessly, she watched him as he thrust in and out of her body. He was bracing himself with his forearms, and his head was thrown back, face twisted with pleasure. This was the man that she loved. The man that could bring her to the cusp of reality and back, the man that gave all of himself to her when they became one. The road ahead was a long one, but they would travel it together.

Southern's Notes: Hi, mates. Sorry it's taken so long to update. Some things in real life happened, and I hadn't the heart to write.

The tone of this chapter might feel a bit different to you. Maybe it's the change in me, thanks to the ruddy things that have been going on. I'll be back to good soon. I do have a bit of a dilemma. As I finished this chapter, I realized that this would be a lovely place to end this story. What say you? I know there are loose ends, (mum's portrait, and mum's family) but it almost seems right to stop here.

Of course, I will go on with whatever majority says. I could do an epilogue, leave it, or take them through the complete recovery period, showing his mum's family and their child. I'm just unsure. I hate to see it end, but I just think it's right somehow. Of course, it could be my melancholy mood.

What song have I listened to all day while writing this? Rammstein's (love that a great deal of you know this band) song, Klavier. It's another haunting song. Sigh. I adore it. Okay, mates, let me know what you think. As always, you can find me at the Yahoo!Group Potter_Place between postings. Look us up.