Chapter Twenty Four

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling's stuff. I own nothing here except the plot. Alas, no money is being made. This is for entertainment purposes only. Happy reading!

Many thanks go to my beta, Charmed Nay.

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Severus entered Hermione's classroom in record time. "Minerva?" he questioned immediately. He was startled to see the old witch in near tears.

"She's fainted. I thought I would wait for you here. Poppy has carted her off to the infirmary." She sniffed. "Severus, do you think I put too much responsibility on her too quickly? She was teaching a small extra credits class this morning with students from all four Houses."

"Of course not. She can handle it." He beckoned for her to walk with him. "I hope she and the baby will be all right." The words came out automatically. He hadn't thought about his child at first. It was still so new to him. Was something wrong with the pregnancy?

Minerva gasped. "The baby? Why, Severus, is Hermione pregnant?"

Severus smiled faintly. "Yes, we intended to announce it to all tonight."

"Oh, dear. Let's hurry. It wasn't much of a fall. YOU there!" she bellowed suddenly. "Come here."

"Yes, ma'am," Talon said respectfully.

"What were you doing in class?"

"We were going over the correct way to turn a teapot into a tortoise and change it back. She helped us practice most of the period and gave us our assignment. She told us to work on it until the end of class." The boy eyed his Head of House warily. Severus made a gesture for him to go on. "She stood in the front of the class for a few moments, and then I saw that she seemed disoriented. Jouett noticed it as well. We were nearest, and she called out for me to get Professor McGonagall. Then, she just fell."

"Very well," Severus said. "I thank you for your help. Ten points to Slytherin."

When they moved down the hall, Minerva said, "Any excuse to give your House points is a good excuse, eh? I'll have to do the same with Jouett for fetching Poppy."

Severus smirked, but his stomach lurched as they made their way into the infirmary. He could hear Poppy having a go at someone. The old witch better hope it wasn't his wife she was having a ruckus with.

"I feel fine," his wife murmured. "I just haven't been resting and eating enough. Really."

"No extra stress then? That's very dangerous for an early pregnancy, Hermione. I am going to have a talk with Severus. He'll make you listen," Poppy admonished.

"I am right here, Poppy," he said, moving to hold his wife. "Are you all right?" He didn't want to pull her to him too tightly, but she seemed normal.

"Yes. Mostly just my pride is hurt," she said with a smile. "Sorry to disrupt your class. I'm fine really."

"Severus," Poppy began, "you need to be sure that she eats healthy portions at all meals. A nice walk about the grounds each day wouldn't be amiss either. Lots of fluids. Lots of rest. No stress. They are both fine, luckily, but this has to stop. She's got dark circles under her eyes!"

"I will be sure that she does all of that. I have been trying, so perhaps this is something that needed to happen to remind her that she is no longer thinking of just herself," he said quietly.

Minerva smiled. "Hermione, congratulations. I had no idea. I thought maybe the extra session was a bit much for you."

"No," Hermione said sadly. "I just think it's the whole situation with my parents. They aren't taking the news very well. We had a visit with them last night. I'm afraid that was what I was thinking about, and it just overwhelmed me for a moment."

"Have you been taking your medicine?" Poppy asked suspiciously.

"Yes, I have," she said honestly. "Well, I forgot this morning, but I will take them as soon as my afternoon classes are done."

"Oh, no you won't. You are going to go back down to your chambers and rest. Prop your feet up. Take the vitamins. It's for your own good. Your classes can resume tomorrow," Poppy said. She looked to Minerva. "Do you not agree?"

"I do. I will handle the rest of the day's classes, Hermione. Take care of yourself and your little one," she said fondly.

"We'll be all right," Hermione said, hand moving down instinctively to touch her stomach. She grinned at Severus when the two witches moved away. "I can't wait until I'm actually showing. Won't that be great?"

"It will," he said softly. "Let me escort you back to our chambers. I have a little time left before my next class."

"All right," she said, kissing his cheek. Though his voice and mannerisms betrayed no emotion, she could see that he was worried by the expression in his eyes. This great man loved her so much that it made her giddy to think about it. They made their way down to their chambers easily, each silent. Once there, Severus fluffed the pillows for her and pulled back the duvet. Without being asked, he retrieved her favorite white nightgown from her wardrobe. He used magic to remove and replace her robes and dress.

"Come lie down, love," he said, patting the bed.

Hermione smiled and allowed him to tuck her in. This was new. He'd never done anything like this for her, at least not while she was awake to notice. It was very touching. "Severus, you don't have to stay. Go get ready for your next class."

"I've still got some time yet," he murmured, brushing her hair back away from her face. He placed a few small kisses on her cheeks and lips before looking at her. "Are you truly fine?"

"I promise," she said. "I just... my mum and dad, it really bothered me." She pulled his hand into hers as he sat next to her. "I can understand that they would feel left out and maybe disappointed, but deep down, I really believed they would still love me and the baby."

"They do, Hermione. It's just a big shock." He squeezed her hand back. "Think about it. Almost three months ago, they learnt that you and I are an item. I am older than you, and I was once your teacher. If my daughter," he touched her stomach lightly, "brought home an ex-professor nearly nineteen years her senior, I wouldn't take it lightly either."

"I know, but why can't they see that I am old enough to make my own decisions?"

"They do. I think that is the hardest part. Their baby has grown up, and they've missed half of her life whilst she was away at school. This just made them realize that you wouldn't be going home, back to the Muggle world." He bent over to kiss her stomach. "Your place is here in the Wizarding world with your new family."

The tenderness of his gesture, the mixture of love and pride in his voice, and the look of complete adoration in his eyes told her that everything would be all right. Her parents would come around one day. It didn't bode well for her or the baby to dwell on it. "I love you," she whispered.

"And I, you," he said, kissing her lips softly. "I'll go on then. Stay in bed unless you need to use the loo. I will summon a house-elf to bring you a light broth now. Summon your vitamins from Poppy as well." He kissed her again. "I'll be back for lunch."

"Thank you, Severus."

"It's nothing." He could see that she would fall asleep soon. Severus frowned as he left his chambers. He'd thought that he'd done the right thing by letting her sleep late. She hadn't had the time to eat a full breakfast, and she'd worried herself into a fainting spell. Things would change. He would take care of his wife and unborn child. They didn't go through all of this Succubus rubbish to let hurtful words harm them. As he sat at his desk in his office, the door opened. He looked up to find Harry.

"How is she?" he asked cautiously.

"You can come in, Harry," Severus said. "She's fine. She fainted. The baby is fine, too."

"I'm glad to hear it," Harry said. "Look. I know Dumbledore probably told you about what happened two nights ago. He said that you had something for me. When I didn't hear from you, I figured you were busy. Do you still want to meet this week?"

"Harry, I need to know how close you are to figuring out exactly what Voldemort did to himself that would be causing you these visions. Albus maintains what he told you. Your natural Legilimens ability is mixing with your imagination. While it makes sense to me, I would still like to know what he did to himself." Severus moved to the small cabinet on the side of his desk to retrieve something. "Is Bella willing to help?"

"She is willing to do anything for me," Harry said. "She is looking back through her journals right now. There was a series of things done. She's trying to pinpoint exactly what."

"I think she is wasting time. Why can't we just look through the journals ourselves?"

"Severus, she is the one that helped him. We need her on this one," Harry argued. "I know you and Lucius have a plan to kill her, but I won't allow it." At Severus' raised eyebrow, he added, "Not yet."

"Harry, if I were you, I would hurry her along. Here put this on." He held out a silver ring to Harry. It resembled Harry's Dark Mark: two snakes surrounding a Phoenix.

Smiling, Harry put it on. "Brilliant. What is this for?"

Severus quickly chanted an incantation. "You will have to wear this always, Harry. I've just seen to it that it can't be removed except by me. Inside that ring is a small feather from Fawkes. Albus and I have been working on this ring since you first told me about the Phoenix song calming you."

"I feel magic flowing from it. What's it do?" he asked curiously.

"The ring will feel your emotions. If you get too angry or upset, you will hear Fawkes' Phoenix Song," Severus said simply. "What do you think about that?"

"Brilliant. Thanks, Severus. I'll go see the headmaster later to thank him as well." The boy stood up to leave. "I know what you two must think, you and Dumbledore. I'm not getting attached to her. I just wish things would have been different."

"Harry, you don't really know Bella the way that I know her. I've seen her do many horrific things," Severus said. "Just think about that."

"Right. Talk to you later," the boy said, admiring his ring as he left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The hooked-nosed wizard was laying on his back, smiling broadly as Succubus Hermione began undressing next to his bed. He had taken off his clothes the moment he'd seen her enter. A large hand reached down to stroke his ready shaft. Soon his fantasy witch would lower herself down onto him as she had the night before. The feel of her was incredible.

When he came, he could actually feel his seed and magic leaving to mingle with hers. It was very explosive and satisfying. He'd never had an orgasm like it before, and in that moment, he knew he was lost. He'd give her anything if she kept coming back each night. Hell, whatever she wanted. "Herm-own-ninny," he whispered, reaching out to take her hand.

"Viktor, close your eyes. I will do all the work for you," she purred.

"Vell, if you insist," he said, closing his eyes. He felt her warm mouth go down on his erection. "Yes," he hissed.

This amazing creature had been invading his dreams often as of late. They'd had numerous talks, snogs, and even had sex once before. She would never allow him to see her face at first, but then she pulled away her hood to reveal features exactly like his Herm-own-ninny. He could not resist. As long as she remained as Hermione, he would not deny her anything. It was a dream come true for him. He'd wanted her since she was fifteen years old.

The swirling tongue and probing fingers elicited his moans. "Go on." She'd told him that she wanted to have a child with him. Hermione's features mixed with his, she had said. He'd agreed. She explained that she was able to take on the human form at will, but she was a magical creature. She'd never explained what exactly, but he didn't care. He guessed she was a type of Veela from the surge of arousal she produced in him.

His Hermione smiled up at him as she crawled up his body to position herself over him. "Give me all that you can. Come hard for me. Let me feel your essence. I shall let you live to help me raise this child. You will do as I say for always, and I'll come to you each night."

"Yes, okay," he agreed, never realizing what she'd said. To his ears, he heard that she would always be like this with him. His Hermione. In this world, no Snape had come along to snatch her up. For the moment, he just wanted to be sheathed inside her body. "You vill alvays be vith me?"

"Always," she purred before slamming down against him, allowing him to penetrate her fully. "Hermione is always here."

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Hermione sat up in bed breathing heavily. "Oh, my God," she muttered and leaned over the bed to vomit the broth that she'd eaten only an hour before. "A-Accio water," she moaned miserably.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Severus asked. "I just came in and heard you retch. Is it that morning nausea?" He cast a charm to clean the floor.

She shook her head. "I just had a most horrible dream, Severus."

"What about?" he asked, noting her pale face.

"Viktor Krum and I..." She stopped. She couldn't tell this to Severus. He would go mental, and she wouldn't put it past him to try to Apparate to Viktor's home.

"Go on," he said, coming to wipe her face with a cool, damp washcloth.

"Please don't be upset," she warned.

"Hermione, you can't control your dreams. Tell me."

"I was at Viktor's place... in his bedroom. He was naked, and I undressed. We... we had sex," she said, shuddering with revulsion. Severus went still. She could discern a jealous glint in his eyes. "Severus, I didn't like it if that's what you were thinking. I didn't feel anything. It's like I was sitting nearby just watching him and me. There was something odd about it."

"Odd?" he was able to ask finally. The thought of his wife bedding another man, even in her dreams, was unsettling. He had a mind to pay the bastard a visit, though it wasn't his fault.

"Something didn't seem right. She was saying something about having a baby, taking his essence, and letting him live." She took another sip of her water. "What a nightmare!"

"You know, you were moaning in your sleep last night. Do you not remember any dreams that you may have had?" Severus asked calmly.

"Not at all," she said.

"I heard you saying that something was 'rather disgusting' and you wished that they would 'stop acting lewdly' whilst you were around. Perhaps it was another dream," he said.

Hermione shook her head. "I'm sorry. I don't remember any dreams from last night. I think I was just mentally exhausted though. Maybe that was just something left over from the meeting with my parents. I can't be sure."

"It reminded me of an Incubus visit," he admitted. "I know that the creature is gone, and I nearly panicked to be honest. I then realized that you were just having a dream."

"Severus, you don't think that maybe she is visiting Viktor now, do you?" Hermione asked thoughtfully. "I mean, maybe she is still trying to get to me somehow. Why me?"

"No, I wouldn't think so, love. Perhaps you could send him a letter asking after his new girlfriend that he talked about."

"Maybe. It's probably nothing. I just need to push it out of my mind. Stress. Worry. All of it. I just need to concentrate on doing right by the baby and you," she smiled. "What time is it?"

"Just past noon. I wanted to take lunch with you. Do you think you could at least try to eat? Maybe a bit of dry toast?" he asked hopefully.

"I'll try," she agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ginny, we have to talk this out," Harry said.

"I don't know where to start, Harry."

"Come with me. Let's have a private talk. Just the two of us, all right?" Harry knew that if he didn't work things out with her all would be lost. She'd been avoiding him most of the day. That she followed him into the empty classroom was a good sign. "Start from your mum's visit."

"She and I went into Hogsmeade to spend the day together. We talked about a lot of things. Mostly we talked about Percy and Luna. She made me go with her to the spot where we were attacked." Her voice cracked.

Harry reached out to put his arms around her. "Lean your head on me," he commanded. She did as requested.

"We cried for nearly an hour, each in our own world. It felt good to be held by mum again. I felt safe, like nobody could touch me," she admitted. "I didn't realize how much I had missed that."

"I'm here for you, Gin," Harry whispered.

"I know, Harry, but lately things are different for us."

"What do you mean?"

"Ssshh. Let me finish, love," she said. "I have been feeling some really dark things. I've been daydreaming about everything you can imagine. Horrible things, Harry. I've also been thinking some strange things. I wished that Luna had died instead of Percy." She eyed him to see if he looked repulsed. "Don't you think that is twisted?"

He shook his head. "No. After Sirius died, I had sort of wished it had been anyone but him. Moody, Lupin, Tonks... anyone. It wasn't until later that I realized it was meant to be. I can understand that."

"Well, I started resenting my family, all of them but mum. I hated that they claimed to miss Percy when they never tried to contact him. You though, " she said with a smile. "You held him as he died...even though he'd been nasty to you. I love that you did that for him, Harry."

"I used to get angry at others as well. Like Ron and Hermione for starters. They used to say they missed Sirius so much, but I felt as if they couldn't have missed him or cared as much as I did," Harry said. "What did your mum say?"

"She read things from Percy's journal. It seemed that at some point they all did try to contact Percy. It was him that was pushing us all away. He would talk to me because I was his little sister, and he hoped that I could make something of myself. He thought I was young enough to influence," she said ruefully. "After reading some of what he said, I felt my resentment melt away. They did try. Even Ron. Ron sent him a few chocolate frogs for Christmas. It wasn't much, but it was an attempt. Percy didn't even eat them. He opened them and let them hop out of the window at his flat."

"Bugger," Harry said.

"I know. I've just been feeling so down. I didn't want Luna to recover. Petty of me, wasn't it? I'm glad that she has now, but in my mind, I thought she deserved to suffer for living while my brother died." Ginny moved away from him. "I've been fantasizing about killing Bellatrix with poisoned liquor. I've been trying to gain her trust in me. Then, I have other thoughts. Ever since we've been going back to the Chamber of Secrets, it's like Tom is trying to talk to me again. I know that's ridiculous, but the memories are overwhelming me. While I am there, I feel like Bellatrix is looking at me like she wants to sleep with you, me, or both of us."

An epiphany hit Harry. The spell he'd put on Ginny to enable him to sense how she felt that day... it was still working! No wonder he'd been having all these extra dark thoughts. His own were mingling with Ginny's. This made him feel so much better. Maybe Bella had been telling him the truth when he'd asked her about Voldemort's spells. He had kept that from Severus. Why though? Why did it matter so much to him that she wasn't hurt? He didn't particularly care for her. He had begun to pity her. That was it. He'd think about that later. He had to patch things up with the witch he did love. "Ginny, I do love you. I think we both have a few issues right now. I think that we can work through this. Just stop avoiding me."

"Well, I was embarrassed by the way I acted Friday night. I nearly ruined everything for us. I didn't want to face you," she said. "Do you forgive me?"

"Yes." He reached for her hand.

"I love you, Harry. I always will."

"Look, you don't have to come down with me any longer, all right? I'll ask Ron and Draco to come. You know they'll tell you if anything is amiss."

"No, I can handle it," she said quickly.

"End of subject, Ginny. I'll get someone else to come. It was wrong of me to not think of your feelings in the first place. I thought I could deal with my own demons, but I never thought about yours. I'm sorry," he said.

"It's all right. We'll be all right, Harry." She hugged him tightly. "I just hate the thought of her being bolder with you if I'm not there. You don't think I notice the little things that she does while I am there, but I do. I see where she puts her hands and how she looks at you."

"If I don't go along with..."

Ginny cut off his words by putting her finger on his lips. She boldly reached down to touch him. "I can do anything better than she can."

He pulled away. "Ginny, please don't think you have to do this just because... Oi! Is this why you wanted to be with me?" He felt a pang of guilt for a moment, but her answer reassured him.

"I wanted to because I love you. I just want to show you how I feel," she said, leaning in to kiss him. He nodded lightly. Vaguely he heard the rustling of fabric, but he paid no mind. When their lips parted, he warded the door.

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"Bloody hell," Draco said, panting. "We almost got stuck in there with the brats."

"That bastard is shagging my little sister!" Ron said hotly. Draco pulled the top of Harry's cloak more securely around them as they slid to sit against a wall down the corridor. They had taken up Hermione's suggestion and went after Harry thinking he was on his way to the Chamber.

"You heard her, Ron. She wanted to. Don't go meddling in their business. It seems to me they have a lot to work out," Draco rebutted.

"Right. Just hate to think about Ginny growing up, I guess. Did you hear all that? She hated me, hated the family. Twisted," Ron grumbled. "Glad she had mum to talk to though... and Harry."

They were still huddled together near the shadowy wall. Ron said, "Luna sent me a letter today."

"That doesn't sound good," Draco said.

"I didn't read it," Ron admitted. "When Dumbledore tried to bring me for a visit, she was gone. They said she and her father went off and didn't want to be disturbed. I don't think the letter has anything good to say."

"You've got to read it," Draco said. "Where is it?"

"Here," Ron said, pulling the crumpled parchment out of his pocket. "You do it."

Draco opened the parchment uneasily. He pulled out his wand. "Lumos." Clearing his throat, he read the letter aloud. It said:

My Dearest Ronald (Weasley King!),

Father and I have decided to take some time away to spend together. I am not trying to hurt you. I knew each time that you visited me. I heard all the words you said to me. There are terrors that happened that I couldn't even explain to you, Ronald. I need some time for myself.

I'm sure you were told that I have only a little magic left. It's really hard to even get a candle to light. Father says that he knows an old witch that might be able to help me. I think that until I can get myself together, deal with my issues, and attempt to get my magic back, we need to break things off. I'll be keeping your class ring for now to have a part of you with me.

Please write back to me. This isn't permanent unless you want it to be. I still love you, but if I can't offer you anything more than the nervous, near Squib of a woman that I have become, then I don't think you should wait for me. Just give me some time. It's all I ask. I'll be expecting a letter soon.

Always,

Your Looney Luna Lovegood

"Well, that's not too bad," Draco commented. He knew his mate would be upset.

"Sure sounded like a break up to me, mate. We need to break things off, and then this isn't permanent. How much more confusing could she have made it?" Ron asked grumpily. "I don't care if she doesn't have magic. I just want her to get back here."

"Give her some time, mate," Draco said, handing the letter back to him. "You'll be all right."

"No, I won't. Nobody cared the way she did," Ron mumbled.

"I do," Draco said softly. Ron didn't move for a moment, but when he looked at Draco, the blond leaned closer to place a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed, backing away. "What was that for?"

"I don't know," Draco said, clearly embarrassed. "I just wanted to make you feel better. I'm sorry. I have to go." Before Ron could stop him, he fled the corridor, hoping he hadn't alienated Ron.

Ron sat dazed for a moment. He really needed to write back to Luna. He'd wait for her. Nobody else had ever really cared about him after all. Draco does. "Bloody hell," Ron said aloud, placing the Invisibility Cloak back about him. He had to find Draco. The bloke probably thought he hated him. Did he? No. He couldn't believe the blighter had kissed his lips! They needed to talk about this. He'd thought that everything was straightened out the last time they'd talked.

It was nice that his friend was trying to help him, but he could do without the affectionate stuff. Well, it wasn't so bad, but it wasn't the same as kissing a witch. Better to find him now and have it out with him once and for all. They needed to get things straight. He didn't want to lose Draco's friendship. It seemed that he had lost Luna, even if only temporarily. Ginny had drifted away from him, and Harry had his own issues. Mione had gone off and married. She was now pregnant. If he lost Draco, he'd be alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hermione, are you awake?" Severus asked, looking down at his wife.

"Yes," she said. "I'm just resting my eyes. What is it?"

"I have a letter here. It seems your mum sent it."

Hermione shot up to a sitting position to take the parchment from his hands. She tore it open. "It says that they went to the Leaky Cauldron and got help from Tom to send it." She read though the short letter and smiled at her husband. "They are apologizing for being so rude last night. She says that it was just a shock, and she hopes that I don't think that they hate me or love me any less. She says they do love my unborn child and me, but they will have to get used to things. She says to give her regards to you, and if any man could look at me and attend to me the way that you did, then he must be worthy of my loyalty. She says they will be in touch."

"I'm happy for you. That should take a lot off your mind," Severus said, taking the letter to read it for himself.

She smiled again. "It does, but I had already decided not to think on it. I suppose the words do make me feel better though."

"We'll just take things one day at a time. They will come around sooner or later."

"Whom were you talking to in there?" she asked, remembering voices.

"Harry was here. We've made a breakthrough and realized why he was having such odd feelings and visions. Well, part of the reason anyway." Severus placed the letter on the nightstand.

"Why?"

"Ginevra. It seems that he'd never broken the little enchantment he put on her. He was still feeling most of her emotions. In turn, she was feeling his. I think that's why they've both been down. They've been connected. He has broken the enchantment, so we shall wait and see if it makes a difference for either of them."

"Of course! Why didn't we think about this? I had totally forgotten about that. Thank goodness he remembered," Hermione said. "Severus?"

"Yes, love?"

"What is the truth behind the ring you gave to Harry?"

"It is as I told him. Fawkes donated a bit of his magic along with a bit of feather. It will serve to calm Harry in dark times," he said.

"There must be something else. It feels as though you are leaving something out," Hermione persisted.

"My ever persistent wife!" he exclaimed. "I trust this will go no further." She nodded. "Well, we have created a mirror, Albus and I. If the rim glows red, Harry is sad. If the rim glows green, Harry is angry. There are different stages of colorings, but if they are unusually bright, that is when Fawkes is likely to be soothing him. All we have to do is say an enchantment to the mirror, and we will be able to see what Harry is about. He'll always have help from one of us: Fawkes, Albus, or me. Maybe even you, if you can keep this quiet."

"You know I will," she said brightly. For the first time all day, things seemed to be looking up. "I'll always keep your confidences, Severus. I'll not betray you. Ever."

His favorite words. I'll not betray you. "I believe you, Hermione. I honestly do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Let me get this straight," Ron said incredulously. "You like me, but you don't like me. You've never kissed a bloke except for that... kiss." He shuddered. "And you say you've had sex with six girls. No blokes. I am confused." It had been two days since Draco had kissed him. For those two days, Draco had been avoiding him like the plague. He'd finally cornered Draco after dinner for a word. Harry and Ginny were spending most of their time alone. Hermione was on bed rest, and McGonagall had taken over her classes. There were the other blokes, but it wasn't the same as being with his close friends and sister.

"Ha!" Draco barked. "You're confused? How do you think I feel?"

"Well, that's what I'm bloody asking you, isn't it?" Ron retorted. He shook his head. "Look, Draco, I don't like blokes. I mean, since it's you, it's all right, I suppose." Ron blanched. "Hang on. I mean to say, if it would be any other bloke, I'd be forced to do something really bad. I just... I love Luna. I fancy witches."

"So do I," Draco said hotly.

"Love Luna?"

"Stop being thick. I've never been attracted to a male before. I have no idea why I am now or why it's you." Draco pushed back his platinum locks. "It's Hermione's fault." He nodded to himself. "That's right. She asked me about it, and she got me started on thinking about if she may have been on to something."

"She asked you about us?"

"Yes. She did. A while back," Draco drawled. "Had I known this would have happened, I would have Obliviated myself. Really. I don't want to lose your friendship, Ron, but I think maybe we should not hang out for a while."

"Hell, no," Ron said adamantly. "We can handle this. We'll just pretend it never happened."

"I don't think I can do that, Ron. I'm sorry," Draco admitted. "I just... I sort of liked it."

Ron swallowed. "Look, mate. I don't want to stop being friends. You're all I have left. Don't leave me, too."

Draco moved forward. "I'll still be about, Ron. It's just a lot to ask of me. I don't want to feel this way. I don't like wanting someone that feels wrong and right at the same time."

"Want?"

"Well, I don't know if that is the right word, but yes, want."

"Just... don't leave me," Ron pleaded. It was important that it still felt like someone cared. Why the bloody hell did Harry have to start drifting off now? Why did Ginny have to turn against him? Why did Mione have to marry Snape? "Let's just pretend nothing happened for now. Right? We... we'll think about this."

"Think about this? Us?" Draco asked, paling.

"Well, not us, but yes, us."

They both started laughing. Draco smiled. "This is ridiculous. Hermione has just messed with my mind. Everything that has happened has just added to my mental anguish." He hugged Ron quickly and pulled away. "I've never had a true friend before. I think you're the best one that I have ever had. When Hermione said that, I might have mistook my feelings for something deeper. It just feels good to have someone care and not worry about my money or what my name can do for them."

"It's nice that you don't tease me about my lack of money any longer, and you care about what goes on with Harry, Hermione, and me. I say we just put this behind us for now. We're only seventh years after all. We have a long time before we have to worry on things like that." Ron grinned. "Luna is my first priority. I want to give her a go if she'll have me, but she is right. There is no rush on things."

"Fair enough," Draco agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus scowled. His wife was asleep again. He'd had no choice except to make an appearance in the Great Hall for dinner, and he'd had a detention to oversee directly after. He had hoped that she would be awake when he returned. She was taking advantage of McGonagall's insistence that she rest. He wanted her to rest as well, but he couldn't help feeling a bit... jealous. She is carrying your child, arse. He sighed and went to the bathroom for a quick shower. He practically ripped off his clothes in the wake of his sour thoughts.

Yes, she was carrying his child, and he loved her for that. She would be a mother soon, and he knew that things would change. He doubted if things would be too strained for them, but it would change their ability to do things at a moment's notice. They wouldn't be able to make love at their leisure either. "This pregnancy is already interfering with that," he said bitterly to his reflection in the mirror.

Good Lord! What the fuck is wrong with me? This is my child. My little one. She was nurturing his child, and all he could do was complain because it had been a few days since they'd had sex. He didn't mean it. He wouldn't risk their child for anything, even a chance to make love to her numerous times a day for eternity. He just wanted to make the most of the short time that they had left alone. Severus hoped this sickness and tiredness wouldn't last long. He had chosen some books earlier. Perhaps tomorrow he should have a read on the subject. Maybe there was something in there that dealt with both parents' mixed emotions.

He grinned broadly to his reflection. "I am going to be a father," he said brightly.

"Yes, you are. Wonderful, isn't it?" his wife asked.

His cheeks pinked slightly as he turned to look into his wife's eyes. "It is." He figured he wouldn't show her that he was embarrassed to be caught talking to himself or grinning like an idiot. He only hoped that she hadn't heard the bit he'd said about the pregnancy interfering with things. "What are you doing up?"

"I have to use the loo."

"I'll leave," he said.

"Oh, it's fine. Stay. Just a tinkle," she said as she found the toilet.

Severus busied himself with turning on the shower. He'd never been in the bathroom as she had used it. Nor had she invaded his private bathroom time either. It was a very intimate act. Realization hit him. She had to trust him completely and love him fully. No matter what happened, she was always constant, never wavering. He would try to be the same for her. He would try to share intimacies and voice his true thoughts. It was easier to tell her that he loved her now, but he still said it much less than he thought it.

Arms reached around his waist while nails raked down his bare chest. Lips pressed to his shoulder blade and accosted him with a flurry of movements. Her tongue began gliding along his back, and he felt her shift as she stood on her toes to reach his neck and ear. "I would love to shower with you," she whispered. Her sultry voice and her hot breath invading his ear had him hardening.

"I think," he began, turning to face her, "we can arrange that." He kissed her possessively as he peeled away her unbuttoned nightshirt. Hell, that was his shirt she'd been sleeping in. He pulled back and raised an eyebrow. "Filching my shirt?"

"Well, I missed you. I wanted to have something of you to lay with me until you returned. It still smells like you from when you took it off earlier." She winked. "I couldn't resist."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

He reached down to slide her knickers down and knelt as he did so. She stepped out of them when they reached her feet. Severus simply pulled her body to him and rested his head on her stomach. "I wonder what's in here."

She giggled. "I'd like to think it's a little boy. Wouldn't you like that?"

He remembered the little vision he'd had of the bassinet and the little girl that had lain within. "I think I would prefer a daughter. She should have your eyes of course." He kissed her belly. "I would not send back a son, however." His head tilted up as her hands left his hair to cup his face. Their eyes met.

"I love you, Severus."

He paused for a moment. "I love you. I never thought I would have anyone, and you came into my life and wrecked things." His lips curved upward. "Thank you."

She kneeled down on the floor with him. "Thank you." They shared a long, lazy kiss. Severus backed them into the shower, sliding himself to sit against the wall beneath the running water and pulling her to straddle him. She gasped from the sudden spray of warm water. "Like this?" she questioned.

He nodded, knowing what she meant. She began showering his face with small kisses as she reached down to grope his nearly hard penis. A few soft caresses and squeezes had him ready for her. "I've missed this," he said roughly, sucking in a sharp breath as she slid the head of his erection along her cleft.

"So have I, Severus. Very much so," she said. "Oh, God, yes." She slowly let him slide into her. Truth be known, she had been feeling quite randy all day, and she couldn't wait for him to get back from his detention. It was a mere accident that she had fallen asleep, but luckily she had heard him grumbling in the bathroom. He must have had an annoying detention to oversee. She gave a few tentative movements before settling into a slow, unhurried rhythm. Severus nipped at her neck while his hands caressed her breasts and arse. "It always amazes me," she whispered.

"What, love?"

"You. This," she said, grinding herself in circular motions on him, enjoying the sensation it brought to her clit. Her breath caught in her throat as he thrust upwards deeply and groaned. His face was relaxed; his partially wet hair plastered to the sides of his face, and his dark eyes glinted with pleasure. "You are beautiful."

He stilled and looked into her eyes. She knew he was probably searching for truth behind her words, so she stared back, unblinkingly with a small smile. So he didn't have perfect teeth. Big deal. She hadn't had them either until she allowed Poppy to carry on with them after she had been hit by Draco's spell three years earlier. So his hair was greasy most of the time. Plenty of people had oily hair. She didn't have perfect hair either. It was mostly a bushy mess. So he didn't sport a nice tan. If she stayed in the dark dungeons as much as he did, she would never have one either. Everyone had some imperfection. The worst of his was his attitude, and that had even changed drastically in the last couple of months. He didn't treat her with disdain. Ever. He loved and respected her. He had accepted her. Married her. Chose to be with her. To know that she had reached him in a place that no other woman had, filled her with a feeling of power.

"I believe you mean that," he said finally.

"I do," she said, increasing her movements, as he seemed intent on picking up the pace as well. He dipped his head to reach her breasts. Hermione arched her back as she reached behind to steady herself on Severus' legs and threw her head back. She began riding him with abandon as he thrust into her. "Good Lord," she moaned. The man was a bloody genius. He always knew exactly where to aim his stroke, how hard to pound into her, and what speed to thrust. She felt the rising waves of orgasm threatening to overtake her. The shower spray was mostly hitting her in the face, and it had wetted her hair completely. As she flung herself forward to hold onto Severus' shoulders to ride out her orgasm, she noticed many strands of her hair had slapped him about the face and chest. Had she not been so intent at chasing down bliss, she would have laughed.

He simply shook aside the offending locks that threatened to hamper the vision before him. Severus loved to watch her climax. Her lips were parted slightly, her eyes were mere slits, and her face contorted in the most appealing expression of complete ecstasy as her climax raced through her body. He loved the way her brow furrowed just so, and he loved the soft whimpers that escaped her mouth as it built up. If he listened carefully, he could make out nearly intelligible phrases: don't stop, yes, I love you, and oh, God.

The best part of making love to her was the slight widening of her eyes as the final crest hit, and the way she began to moan before screeching out his name. "Severus," she called on cue. Then, she would close her eyes and bite her lip before slowing her movements.

He thrust into her deeply and quickly for as long as he could before he too succumbed to his culmination. "Hermione," he shouted with release. As he came down, he heard himself saying, "Always love you. Always need you. Always want you."

Severus pulled her to slump against him while they enjoyed the afterglow of their shared passion. He wondered if he always told her those sweet little nothings without realizing it, or had he only just begun to say them since her brush with possible death? Fuck it! He didn't care. She was his wife and would be a mother to his child. He tightened his arms around her possessively and let her drift into a lazy slumber until he felt the water turning cold. "We have to get to bed, love."

"All right," she said. "Ow."

"What's wrong?"

"My knees hurt," she said, trying to move off of him. He held her steady and positioned her as if she was a babe in his arms.

There was indeed redness there where she'd rubbed them too roughly against the hard shower floor. He kissed each one before getting up. "I should have remembered to put a Cushioning Charm," he said. "I'm sorry."

"My fault as well," she said with a grin. "It was worth it."

"I hope so," he said, kissing her nose. How had he never noticed what a cute little nose she had? He counted the light dusting of freckles on her nose. Six. He kissed it again as he stooped to pick up his wand. When he laid her on the bed, he charmed away her sore spots. "This should help," he said. His words were lost on her. She'd drifted back to sleep. Grinning, he slipped in next to his wife. He would make love to her again as soon as they awoke. With that thought, he pulled the duvet up around them and held her until he too drifted into dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna smiled as she read Ron's letter again. He did love her, didn't he?

Luna,

I am glad that you wrote to me and explained things, sort of. I was a bit miffed that you and your dad took off without telling anyone. You know, I do understand that you've been through a lot since this all happened, but I've been through a lot as well. I lost my brother, my family has had problems, and I thought I'd lost my girl forever.

Only, it feels as though I did lose her. Can't we just work through this together? I know you need your dad right now, but I just want you to know that you still have me. I'll wait for you. I do love you, and I'll never forget what we shared that night. You know... not just that night, everything. Each day. Each snog. All of it.

Good luck with whatever your dad has planned for you, Luna. I hope it works, but I don't care if you have magic or not. I would stay with you anyway and love you no matter how powerful you would be. It doesn't take all that to be a good mum and wife. Well, all right then. I'll let you go. Keep me updated. I won't write too much and try to influence you. I respect your decision.

Always,

Ron

Her father had pressured her into leaving without owling anyone. He'd become quite possessive it seemed. It was as though he believed she would disappear if he didn't see her in the same room. They were in a small Wizarding village having a visit with an old witch that was known to restore powers for a hefty fee. She only prayed that the woman could help.

Ron loved her, but she wanted to be a real witch for him, not a Squib. Her mother and Molly Weasley were examples of great women. Well, Mrs. Weasley was in any event. Her own mum had been too interested in dabbling with charms to remain safe. Maybe Ron would change his mind eventually when he realized that life would be harder living with a Squib. She wouldn't be able to get a good Wizarding job if she'd lost her magic, and she couldn't just expect to sit home and spit out babies while he worked to support them. He would simply end up like his father and mother. She knew from past talks that he didn't want to live like that. She wouldn't be the one to bring him down either.

She thought back to something Draco had said while she was under the spell. He had said something that had her thinking. If she and Ron didn't get together, Draco would take care of Ron for her. He'd said, "Luna, I doubt you can hear me, but I know Ron loves you as much as you love him. If it's any consolation, I will do what I can to see him happy. I care about him, too. He'll be okay."

Those words played over and over in her mind until the evening that Harry and Snape had come in and began their chanting to release her. She knew that Bella was hiding out and had researched to give Harry a way to help her. She appreciated that Harry put up with the woman, but if she ever crossed paths with her, she would not be able to control her anger. She had done this to her in the first place.

"Luna! Luna! Where are you, dear? Come back inside. You don't want to catch cold," her father said, seeing that she was standing outside.

"Be right there," she called. He meant well, but he was smothering her since she'd come out of her bewitchment. She sighed. He was exactly what she needed though. Family. He would always love her no matter what, magic or no. Ron said he would too, but it was a bit different to hear those words from a lover and to trust in them fully. When it came from a parent, it was more likely to stay true. She just had to have faith that she would one day have something to offer him again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry and Draco made their way to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, and after entering, Harry did a quick check to make sure the ghost was elsewhere before opening the Chamber. "We can just slide down. There is a ladder just to the top, but this is easier going down."

"Will this close?" Draco asked cautiously.

"Yes, as soon as I am at the bottom and instruct it to," Harry said. "See you at the bottom." He slid down into the dark tunnel.

Draco swallowed roughly. Good grief! He felt a bit apprehensive about going down into Salazar's lair. Harry and Ron must have been shitting scared the first time they went down. That was when they knew they would be facing a Basilisk.

"Go on," Ron's voice whispered. "Me and Mione still need to get down as well. Be sure to make some noise as you go down so we can slip in. Don't forget to delay getting out as well. That way we can slip by without him knowing it."

"Right," Draco whispered. "It's just... odd."

"It's fine," Hermione said softly. Draco nodded and slid down to meet Harry. He grunted and whooped a bit, as his body was thrown from side to side quickly.

"Damn! What a rush," he said with a grin. Harry smiled and began speaking loudly in Parseltongue. They heard the opening begin to close up. Draco followed Harry forward uneasily. It was pitch dark ahead of them, but as Harry fearlessly made his way forward, lanterns lit on either side of them. One look behind him, told him that they must only light for Harry. As soon as they passed, it would darken. He knew that Ron and Hermione were following.

They reached another door, which Harry opened quickly. "I'll leave this open while we're down here since we won't be long. Be careful just on the other side. There is a ledge that's sort of slippery. Some water drainage. Just climb down the ladder that I use."

"Right," he said, following the instructions. At least he didn't have to worry about the other two getting shut out. It would have been hard for them to scramble onto the ledge noiselessly before Harry closed the door on them. He followed Harry down a long stretch of concrete, greatly dampened with water. On either side, there was a head of a snake. A lantern in the snake's open mouths would flame up as they passed. He could see different tunnels and walkways leading away from the main path. Straight ahead was the large bust of Salazar Slytherin. Draco smiled, but he nearly backed away in horror as he saw the fleshy, skeletal remains of the Basilisk. "Shit," he breathed.

Harry turned around and smirked at him. "Impressive, isn't it?"

Draco gulped. What the bloody hell was going on? Harry looked... wicked. "Er, all right there, Harry?"

"Of course," he said. He began talking in Parseltongue once more. His two large snakes ambled forward. Draco watched in distaste as his friend reached down to pat each affectionately and talk to them. A few waves of his hand brought down his wards on what was apparently Bella's room. "Here we are."

Draco followed him, noting the snakes had preceded them in. A deep sneer of hatred settled over his features as he entered. He heard an excited squeal.

"My Lord," Bella's voice shouted. "I've been so lonely."

"I've been told that you have been talking to yourself and trying to get out. Now why would you do such a thing?" Harry asked, feigning anger. "Have I not been good to you? Have I not kept you away from Azkaban?"

"Master, I'm sorry," she said, kneeling down.

Draco watched in awe as Harry reached down with a single finger and lifted her face to look at his. This woman was a true follower. He hadn't seen someone look at someone else like that in a very long time. Since before the Dark Lord had been defeated. It was a look of utter adoration and loyalty. Hermione was right. Harry was feeling sorry for her. Draco snarled, "It stinks down here. I wonder if it's not the witch that lives here that is reeking. Do you bathe?"

"Enough," Harry commanded. "Rise, Bella." She did so, sending a hateful glare to Draco. "Tell me, Bellatrix," he hissed almost seductively. "What news have you about Voldemort's meddling."

"Only this, my Lord," she said, moving towards her desk. She handed him two parchments. "I've written and simplified all that I can remember that he had me working on for him. Most of it is fairly easy to be rid of, but some is a bit trickier. I would need resources to research them further."

"The ones you have underlined?" he asked.

"Yes. It isn't much," she said. "Have I pleased you?"

"Immensely." He reached out absently to stroke her hair while he continued reading. "Good girl," he murmured.

Draco made a face as the witch closed her eyes and began to whimper. What in the world was going on here? The witch reached down and began stroking her breasts and panting as if she was having sex. Draco looked around wildly, wondering where Ron and Hermione were. They would definitely need to see this. He didn't know how Ron would handle it though. It was almost like... cheating. Did Harry do this while Ginny was down here? Couldn't be. No, he and Ron would have overheard something.

"Oh, my Lord," she shrieked. "Potter!" Harry stopped smoothing away her hair, and he looked at her for the first time since he'd begun to touch her.

"Liked that, did you?" he asked darkly.

"Yes."

Harry moved to whisper something in her ear. The witch smiled, nodded to Draco, and she moved off to the bathroom. Harry went back to looking at the parchments as if nothing had happened.

A loud hiss from their rear had Draco spinning around. Harry's eyes narrowed, and he made his way out the door, beckoning for Draco to follow. He warded the door behind them and conversed with both snakes. "WHAT?" Harry shouted. He spun around to look at Draco questionably.

"What?" Draco asked, feeling uncomfortable. What the bloody hell was going on? A chill crept up Draco's spine as a cold breeze permeated the area. "H-Harry? Why are you angry?" He certainly hoped it wasn't anything that he'd said to Bella.

Just as Harry pulled his wand and pointed it towards the Basilisk's head, a Phoenix song broke out. He watched while Harry seemed to be fighting conflicting emotions. He lowered his wand and was looking at a ring. "What have you done, Draco?" Harry asked quietly.

"Nothing. Really. Er... Lord Potter," Draco said, uncertain as to what Harry this was and what his role should be.

"No need to call me that. She can't hear you," Harry said sarcastically. "Why have you conspired against me?"

Draco gulped. Not good. He knew. The snakes told him. Somehow they had sensed it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Albus and Severus were in the middle of a discussion about the headmaster's plans after he left his position. Minerva would be taking his place, and it seemed, to Severus' delight, that he would become Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts. Feeling important, he couldn't wait to tell Hermione. She would be pleased as well. He would have extra duties, but they would be worth it. He would have another title to add to his name while his pay increased. He'd never cared before, but he now had a wife to think of. He wanted his child to be proud of his accomplishments.

"I still hate to think of things without you in charge. It's not Hogwarts without you, Albus. Minerva will do well in your stead, but it shan't be the same," Severus said, placing his empty teacup in his saucer.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll still be around. I can't leave Minerva for long. Not at this stage in life. She's become very dear to me, and I really don't want to be away from her for long. I'll still live here at the castle during a good part of the year." His eyes twinkled and then darkened suddenly. Severus followed the direction of his mentor's gaze. Damn! Harry's mirror.

"He's angry," Severus said, reaching for the mirror.

"And look. Sad as well," Albus pointed out, saying the enchantment that would allow them to watch Harry. "They are in the Chamber. Fawkes, go to him." In a burst of flames, the Phoenix was gone. They watched in the mirror for their friend's arrival.

"Draco, you let them come down here," Harry said. "Ron, you should know better! Spying on me, are you? Going to tell Ginny what I did?"

Without trying to keep up any false pretenses, Hermione shrugged off the Invisibility Cloak. "What did you do?" she asked striding forward."

Severus' hands clutched into fists. What the fuck was she doing down in the Chamber of Secrets? Spying on Harry? "Have a little faith, Severus," Albus said softly.

"Didn't you see?" he asked, not minding that she came to him. When Ron stepped forward, he growled, "Stay back."

"No, Harry, I didn't. You have a ward just there. I could feel it. If we had passed it, you would have been alerted to us anyway," she said. "What happened?"

The look in her eyes and the concern in her voice made Harry feel better. "I... would rather not say right now. I think I need to talk to Dumbledore and Severus about it. It came so naturally to me."

"Dark magic?" she asked in a hushed whisper.

"Yes, I'll tell you later," he whispered, nodding to the other two. Hermione reached up to wipe a tear away from Harry's confused face. "I had to do it, Hermione. It was either that or really..." He sighed. "Why did you come?" his voice rose.

"We noticed that you've taken a liking to her," Hermione admitted.

"Wanted to be sure that bitch wasn't putting any bewitchments on your mind, mate," Ron said, stepping forward again. This time Nagini hissed and slid forth menacingly. "Er... Harry?" Harry hissed at Nagini, and the snake coiled up tightly.

"She smelled my scent on Hermione, but she felt malice from you. She wanted permission to attack you." Harry smirked at Draco's yelp. "That's right. She is instructed to protected Bellatrix. She sensed that Ron wanted to harm her."

"But I don't like the bitch either," Draco admitted.

"You were with me," Harry said. He looked to Hermione. "They will always protect you as well. You will always be safe." He reached down to touch her stomach. She stepped away at his boldness. "Your children will be protected as well, Hermione."

"Why that insolent..."

"Severus, he means well. Listen to his words," Albus instructed firmly. "He needs our guidance now. Not our anger or disappointment. He is controlling it on his own."

"It's just... that was an intimate caress on my wife. I don't give a fuck if he is Lily's son or has come to be dear to me. He'll not put his hands on my wife," Severus growled.

Albus shook his head. "How will I ever trust you two together if this is how you both act? You are both impulsive. You see something without fully seeing it and try to attack. He just does something without thinking, meaning well though, and it gets him into tight spots."

"Harry, that feels odd," Hermione said.

"Don't worry. Severus knows that you are like a sister to me. His kids will be like the nieces and nephews that I've never had." Harry hugged her, but he scowled at Ron and Draco. "You two had better keep your mouths shut until I have a talk with Snape and Dumbledore. Don't tell Ginny anything. I know she will be curious. If anyone says anything to her, it will be me."

Draco nodded. "Hell, I don't care. Let's just get the hell out of here. It's creepy." He looked around. "Wait until my father hears about this," he grouched playfully. They all chuckled a little.

Ron spoke after the laughter subsided. "I didn't see anything that went on in there, mate. Hermione wouldn't let me go on. I spent most of my time out here envisioning you having a go at this big bloke." Ron pointed to the carcass near him.

Harry grinned. "I'm glad ruddy Lockhart's charm backfired. I don't know if we could have both gotten away from that blasted beast." He looked up above them to the top of the Slytherin's head. "Come, Fawkes." The Phoenix flew down to land on his shoulder.

"When did he get here?" Hermione asked. "And when did the Phoenix song stop?"

"It sort of faded out when Harry started talking," Ron offered.

"Fawkes came in and perched up there. I guess he was just making sure that all was well. I suppose Dumbledore knows that I am here...unless Fawkes came on his own. Guess we'd better go," he said. "Come on." He hissed instructions to his snakes, and they made their way back through the Chamber.

"Damn right," Severus groused. "I know, Albus. Don't look at me that way. I do feel foolish for jumping to conclusions, but you have to see my point as well. This is my wife, and that is my child she is carrying within her womb. I'll not have someone else groping her stomach. That liberty should be mine alone. Besides, she felt uncomfortable."

"Yes, Severus," Albus said, not bothering to argue with the man. He really could be stubborn at times, couldn't he?

"For now, I intend to meet their party when they exit the Chamber. They have some explaining to do." Severus narrowed his eyes. His Hermione was supposed to be in the library with Ginny Weasley. They would have to discuss this.

"Don't be too hard on her, Severus," Albus said, seemingly reading his thoughts. "Once you talk with Harry, send him my way."

Severus nodded and made his way towards the bathroom as quickly as he could. He paused before he got there. Ginny Weasley was reading a parchment, humming, and walking with her head down. If he hadn't cleared his throat, she would have run into him.

Her eyes widened. "Uh oh."

"Indeed," he said. So, she knew about the sneaking around as well, did she? "What have you there?"

She grinned mischievously. "This is a note saying that I should stay in the library and avoid you until Hermione comes back from helping Ron and Draco spy on Harry." She clamped a hand over her mouth and giggled.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "In a good mood, are we?"

"Yes, I've been feeling really great. It's like I have a whole new outlook on things." She bit her lip, reminding him of Hermione. "My mum said that you and Hermione were concerned about me. Thanks, Professor."

He nodded. "Think nothing of it. I'll go check on my wife now." He stalked away feeling strangely lighthearted. That was nice of her to thank him for something that was his duty. He could see that she meant it, and from what he knew of Harry's emotions just before, it seemed that the breaking of the bond had helped the pair. She didn't feel any of Harry's anger or despair. Severus positioned himself across from the door of the bathroom. They would make their way out soon, and he'd be waiting.

As Hermione opened the bathroom door, she was laughing at something Draco had said. When she saw the boy's face freeze with fear, she turned to have a look in front of them. Before her eyes settled upon his tall frame, which was leaning lazily against the wall, she knew that he was there. His stance belied the fact that he was angry, disappointed, and annoyed with her, with all of them. She could see it in his eyes and face, though she wasn't sure any of the others noticed.

After they were all in the hall, he strode forward. He looked to Draco. "Twenty points from Slytherin, and..."

"Sir, Dumbledore gave me permission to go down with Harry," the boy protested.

Severus talked over him as if he hadn't heard. "And, I daresay, you have sorely disappointed your Head of House, Malfoy. Going along with a plot to sneak others down into the chamber? You will serve detention with Filch tomorrow night and the night after for your cheek. Off to the dungeons, boy."

Draco didn't even look at the others as he sped off to the safety of his common room. Hermione swallowed. She was glad that she wasn't a student. He was completely in his Professor Snape mode.

"Weasley, thirty points from Gryffindor," he said coldly.

"Thirty?" Ron asked incredulously. "Malfoy only got twenty!"

"I do not have to explain why I take a certain amount from one student and a different amount from another. However, suffice it to say that you have stolen that Invisibility Cloak for improper use. Be glad that I do not confiscate it." He took the offending material and threw it into Harry's arms. "Weasley, you will also serve detention tomorrow night and the following night with Filch. Now, get out of here."

Ron sped away giving Severus and the others one last furious look before going. Hermione put her hands on her hips. "I took the cloak, Severus. He didn't. That's unfair."

"Endangering the lives of students, Professor Snape?" he asked in mock shock. "Perhaps, you should really think about your position. Influencing students? Aiding them in breaking the rules? Flouting higher authority?" He stepped closer. "Endangering our child if Harry here hadn't been able to calm himself?" The last question sent a shiver down her spine. He was right. How the hell did he know her whereabouts? Had he seen Ginny? Oh! The mirror!

"But, Severus, Harry would never..."

"Not purposely, no," he said with finality. "Both of you will follow me."

Harry squeezed her hand tightly as they followed her irate husband down the corridor. What the hell crawled inside his arse? Harry let go of Hermione's hand, lest Severus think he was putting the moves on his wife. "I need to speak to you and Dumbledore together," Harry said urgently.

Severus stopped and eyed Harry for a moment. "Hermione and I will go down to the dungeons. I will meet you there." Harry nodded and moved on. Severus looked to Hermione. "I am not treating you like a child. I know that's what you are thinking. I couldn't say it in front of him, but I saw everything through the mirror. I was with Albus."

She simply nodded. He still sounded angry, and his narrowed eyes seemed to be boring into hers. When he resumed their trek down to their chambers, she couldn't help but feel like a student going for detention. Regardless of how he felt about her friends, she knew Harry would never hurt her. It never crossed her mind. However, she could see his point. He'd seen everything. What would she have thought if the tables had been turned?

"Severus," she said softly as they entered their sitting room. "I'm sorry, but I still maintain that we were safe. He wouldn't have hu..."

"Hermione, until we know what Voldemort did to himself that is affecting Harry, we aren't sure what he does at times or who he becomes. I don't have Dumbledore's unwavering faith that Harry might not accidentally explode and hurt a loved one. I've seen him angry," he said, lowering his voice.

"So have I," she said.

"Not like I have, Hermione."

He opened his arms, and she went to him. "All I can say is that I am sorry. I just don't think you've given Harry enough time with her. I wanted to see for myself if she is influencing him for no reason. He had the damn place warded to detect us."

"Did he?" Severus asked curiously. "What other security measures did he take?"

"Well, you need to be a Parselmouth to get into two openings. The lanterns are attuned to him only. If I went alone, I wouldn't know which paths to take. There is a ward that alerts him to anyone passing through, and then he has her actual chambers warded." She took a breath. "And his snakes. They are protecting her as well. He said that Nagini wanted to attack Ron."

"I heard that bit. Interesting," Severus said, rubbing his chin atop her head. "I think he is very protective of her even though he has hated her for all these years. That needs to be stopped, Hermione. She's bad news."

"But, Severus, if she's close to helping him, give him more time. I know you and Lucius plan to... kill her, and I don't think it's fair if she is helping Harry. Talk to Draco. He was in the room. I couldn't see much, but I did see that Draco looked either afraid or shocked... or both. Why don't you start going yourself to see what is happening down there?"

"I might. For now, I must see to Harry and Albus." He kissed her forehead. "Hermione, I don't like that you did this behind my back. I would like to think that I could trust my wife to not lie to me on her whereabouts. See to it that it doesn't happen again."

"Yes, sir," she said tartly.

"Don't be that way. It's only because I care about you. Both of you." Severus swallowed before speaking. "I hated the way he touched you," he said quietly.

"I didn't like it either, but he really meant no harm," she said. "I told him."

"Yes, I heard. I just... you're mine. I can't explain how I feel. I suppose you've landed a jealous old man for a husband," he said with a smirk. "It looked too intimate. I wanted to hex him, I think."

She giggled. "I believe you would have, Severus! You should have seen your face. I did feel like a student again."

"Will you always get drawn into things such as this?"

"I just care about him, Severus. He would do the same for me. I should have told you, but you wouldn't listen to anything I had to say about giving him extra time. I wanted to see for myself that she wasn't doing more harm than good." She kissed his lips softly. "Go to him. Find out what happened. He seemed very upset about something, and he told me that there is something he did that he's not proud of."

"I won't be long. I have some news to share with you as well," he said mysteriously. "Do try to stay awake, or I shall be forced to take matters into my own hands."

"Really?"

"Undoubtedly."

"Perhaps I shall go to sleep accidentally-on-purpose then," she said before sashaying towards their bedchamber. "Hurry back, husband."

Severus shook his head. That went much better than I expected. She hadn't thought about our baby when she went down there with those boys. She will not do it again. I could see the realization in her eyes that something could have gone wrong. Ah, yes. It was always nice when things worked out. Now to see what Harry was about.

---

Southern's Notes: We will find out what Harry did to Bella, and we will find out what his plans for her are (even if the others won't know). Hermione finds out about The Wizard of the Snakes, and Severus finds out about parenting from a father's perspective. Another happy couple's nuptials will be announced. Any guesses?