Chapter Twenty Seven

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!

A big thanks to my brilliant beta, Charmed Nay. She always returns anything that I send to her right away.

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Severus sneered impatiently as they were finally led to a table. They had been uncomfortably standing near the entrance while Krum went on about his coach to Hermione. The hook-nosed little bastard had barely greeted Severus before trying to monopolize Hermione's attention. Severus smirked slightly. Who was he to remark on someone's conk? He looked to the window and noted his reflection. Yes, his nose was not as curved as the boy's. "Excuse me, Krum," Severus said, brushing the berk's hands away from Hermione's chair. "I think I can help my wife without the need of your assistance." He noted that Hermione smiled softly as he scooted her chair back to the table.

Krum, looking surly, seemed to shrug and move to the chair on her left. Severus sat at her right and watched the little bastard interact with his wife. Only a fool wouldn't be able to see that he had feelings for Hermione. Severus raised an eyebrow. Apparently, Hermione was one of these fools. She didn't seem to notice. His eyes narrowed. Or did she just not care? Severus, stop being a pillock. You know better than that!

"Severus?" Hermione's voice broke into his thoughts. "What would you like to drink tonight?"

Feeling a dark mood come over him, he replied, "I'll have Ogden's." He looked to the waiter. "Bring an entire bottle for us to share, Krum and I." The nervous man nodded and fled.

"I vill not drink," Krum said.

"You jest. I think a few friendly drinks are in order. After all, it's not often that my wife and I get to visit with her friend, now is it?" Severus said snidely.

"Vell, I guess a couple vould not hurt," the younger wizard relented.

"Indeed," Severus said. The return of their drinks captured his attention. He poured a glass for himself and one for Krum after he'd handed Hermione's juice to her. He felt a moment of triumph, as Krum seemed to choke on his first swallow. "Dear me," he said sarcastically, "are you quite all right?"

Hermione glared at Severus for a moment before speaking. "Perhaps he's just not used to having hard liquor."

Severus didn't reply. He sat silently as they spoke about Krum's Quidditch escapades. She surprised him by saying that Harry didn't really want to play on a professional team any longer. Krum seemed relieved. He's probably afraid that our Harry Potter would be too much of an opponent to handle. He smiled at Hermione's apparent pride about Harry's skills. He also felt victorious when Krum admitted that he'd always respected Harry, and ever since he had met him nearly three years prior, he'd been amazed at the younger wizard's accomplishments. Krum then went on to spout more taradiddles, much to Severus' annoyance. He was relieved when the food appeared on their plates.

"Mmmm, this is great!" Hermione said after tasting a forkful of roast pork.

"It is excellent," Severus agreed, quirking his lips at his wife. His lips thinned as he took in Krum's narrowed gaze. "Something wrong, Krum?"

"No," he said shortly, turning his attention back to his meal.

They ate in silence for a while until Hermione spoke. "Spotted dick is great, isn't it?"

"I do like it," Krum agreed immediately.

Severus shook his head slightly. "I find there are too many currants." He pushed his plate aside, pouring another glass of firewhisky for himself. "I doubt you are ready for another?"

"I'll have one," Krum agreed, holding his glass up. Severus courteously filled it, feeling smug. The tetchy blighter easily succumbed to pressure, didn't he?

"Tell me, Krum," Severus began quietly, "how often do you dream of my wife?"

"Severus!" Hermione admonished.

Krum seemed unperturbed as he took a deep sip of his drink. He leant forward, attempting to appear ominous and said quietly, "Often. Do you alvays open her mail?"

"Viktor, I told Severus. I felt it was rather odd that you had dreams of me after the ones I had of you," Hermione explained. "I apologize if you feel as though he were prying."

Severus glared at his wife. Why was she trying to make it sound as if she didn't share everything with him? He most certainly had every right to read anything another man sent to his wife, the bastard! "I most certainly am concerned about a man writing to my wife!"

"We've been writing to each other for three years. You know that," Hermione said, deftly kicking Severus under the table. "Besides, as I told you, Severus, I think we need to find out more for our research. Viktor, do you remember my mentioning of a Succubus?"

He put his empty glass on the table. "Yes."

"I am compiling all of the information I have on the visits of a Succubus or an Incubus, and Severus will assist me in writing a book. I think people should be warned about their visits and how to stop them," she said softly.

"That sounds interesting," Krum said, ignoring Severus' annoyed expression. "Vhy vould they need to stop them?"

"Because, Viktor, they only visit for their own purposes. They try to take your magic from you to sustain themselves, and they also try to bring forth conception if they feel the resulting child would benefit them somehow." She smiled and touched Severus' hand for a moment. "Our visit brought us together, and we found a way to defeat our tormentors. I just think that it is coincidental that you and I began dreaming about each other."

"I have alvays dreamt about you Hermione," the boy admitted with a smile. "I vanted you to come to Bulgaria after you graduated. I guess your lucky husband would not appreciate such a visit now."

"Too right, you are," Severus said through clenched teeth. "Aren't you courting someone?"

"I have a companion now, yes," Krum said mysteriously. "She and I have been getting along vell."

Hermione smiled. "I'm glad to hear it, Viktor." She took one last sip of her juice. "I'm off to the loo."

Severus stood to help her scoot her chair back. When she was out of earshot, he turned his hardened stare upon Krum. "Listen to me, you miserable toerag. Hermione is my wife, and as such, I will not have any man, famous or no, openly vie for her attention." Severus smirked. "You would do well to remember that she is happily married." Krum nodded, but Severus didn't like the odd smile that played upon the boy's lips. "Dare you find this amusing?" Severus asked as quietly as possible. He itched to hex the brat.

"You just keep her happy, Snape," Krum said. He tried to look innocent. "It's all I can ask of you." Viktor hated the man. Yes, his old headmaster had told him all about Severus Snape of Hogwarts. He was a longtime follower of Lord Voldemort as his old headmaster had once been. Everyone thought that Snape had changed sides, but Karkaroff had disclosed that Snape was on the fence. His loyalties could easily be swayed either way. He watched the arrogant bastard rise to help Hermione back into her chair and inwardly seethed. Hermione would be his at some point in the future. He could guarantee it. He had something on his side that they didn't have.

The Succubus would not betray him. They had come to an agreement. He would impregnate her with an heir that she could train as she saw fit. She would only steal as much of his magic as she needed to solidify her form to have a normal pregnancy. She would always appear as Hermione to him, and he would never be denied sexual pleasures. The woman seemed to have her own vendetta against Snape as well. She had guaranteed that eventually the man would be out of the way, leaving Hermione ripe for the picking. It didn't matter that Hermione was pregnant with his child. He didn't care about that. Besides, the Succubus foresaw their child becoming close to Hermione's. That could only mean that once Hermione came to him after Snape was taken care of, their children would become either friends, lovers, or siblings.

Yes, he would wait for Hermione. She was worth it. He would receive sympathy from her when he told her that his lover had died in childbirth, leaving him to raise a child on his own. Snape was a fool if he thought he could break their bond. Hermione's voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Yes, I am glad ve have had this time together." He waved his hand to summon the parchment to him. Just before the parchment reached his hand, a slight twitch made it falter and drop. That had happened to him earlier when he was racing Potter. Something would wave through his body causing a moment's discomfort. It was as if his magic would falter slightly. He wondered if his Succubus had taken too much of his magic the previous night? Sometimes she would forget herself, and he would be left to shudder and weep. The release of semen and magic instantaneously was a feeling that he could not describe, but he could liken it to what he'd heard of a Vampire's bite. It hurt so good that he would seek her out more often if he could.

"You must have just had a rough day," Hermione commented. "And here we are keeping you from resting. You need to take care of yourself, Viktor."

"I vill, Herm-own-ninny. Don't vorry about me." He smiled reassuringly. "You go on. I vill stay for a vhile longer."

"All right then," she agreed. "I'll be in touch." She leant over and gave him a small hug. "Good night."

Viktor stood, albeit shakily, and held out a hand to her overbearing husband. He flashed a brilliant, fake smile as the man reluctantly shook it. "Good to see you as vell, Snape."

"Indeed," the man said, moving to escort the love of their lives away.

Hermione glanced back once more to smile. She is beautiful. He sat back down to contemplate on what they'd said to each other. Viktor noticed her napkin had been placed back on the table. She'd had it tucked into the top of her blouse. He lifted it to his nose and detected a faint scent of her perfume mingling with the aroma of the restaurant. He pocketed it quickly and left quickly, vowing that she would be his own no matter the price.

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Harry sat across from the headmaster after he handed his book back to him. "Is something wrong?" The way he was being watched made him feel uneasy. He knows. "You want to talk about Bella, don't you?"

"I am here to listen to whatever you would like to tell me, Harry," Dumbledore said kindly, smiling at the boy. "I trust the book gave you some particularly interesting information."

"Yes," Harry replied. Just brilliant! Albus Dumbledore knew what he'd done. Dropping all pretenses, he said, "The transformation was simple enough to complete. After I read what your book had to say on the problems with Transfiguring reptiles, I thought about what Hermione said about the Wizard of the Snakes."

"The original being a direct descendent of Circe?"

"Yes. I had a quick read about her, what with her specialty at turning people into animals, and then it all came to me. I knew exactly what I had to do. Taking care to avoid certain situations, such as the limbs Transfiguring incorrectly, I was able to use my Parseltongue with a mixture of another spell that I'd never imagined before. It put off a blinding purple light for a moment, but the transformation went smoothly." Harry was glad to be able to voice what had truly happened to someone.

"Take me to see her," Albus said.

Harry knew it wasn't a request. It was an order. "Tonight?"

"There is no time like the present," he answered jovially. "Shall we?"

Harry nodded, and they made their way to the bathroom. Moaning Myrtle was crying near one of the faucets. "Hello, Myrtle."

She sniffed a few times and looked up. "Hello, Harry," she said and wailed even louder. When Dumbledore moved closer, she screeched and flew into a stall. They heard a loud splash and continued wailing.

Harry shrugged. "Mione says that's why they never come in here. It's hard to have a pee with her going on all the time." They both chuckled for a moment. Harry opened the entrance, and they made their way into the depths of the Chamber of Secrets.

Once they were near the Basilisk, Harry spoke again. "Hard to believe still, isn't it?"

"A remarkable feat, that," the headmaster replied. "Call her out."

"Sir, why do you really want to see her?"

"Ah, you forget, Harry, that before I was Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, I was Albus Dumbledore, Transfiguration Master of Hogwarts. I would like to see how you fared. If you are to keep this quiet, then it must be perfect. Do you understand?" he asked, peering at him kindly.

Harry nodded and called out for his snakes. Nagini was the first to appear. She slid to Harry quickly, and they conversed as a slower Bella made her way over. Albus waved his hand, and the startled viper lifted into the air before them. Harry watched intently as the headmaster walked around her and eyed her markings and body. "Excellent work, Harry. I daresay, you will receive an Outstanding for your Transfiguration N.E.W.T. if you continue with work such as this."

"Thank you, sir."

The headmaster turned to Harry after allowing Bella to fall lightly to the floor. "Tell me everything, Harry. What exactly took place?"

"Well, I didn't want them to murder her. I'm all for her being punished, as in living her life in Azkaban as deemed by the Wizengamot." Harry smirked for a moment. "Severus showed me a memory yesterday morning, and it put things into perspective. Bella and I had already talked. Instead of death or Azkaban, she agreed to become a familiar. It was a form of punishment that would make everyone happy. She wouldn't be locked up or killed, everyone else would be able to breathe easier thinking that she'd died, and I wouldn't have her murder on my conscience."

"I thought as much. What made you continue on with your plan even after you saw what Severus wanted to show you?"

"Well, for a little while, I wanted to come and rid the world of her myself, but then I knew that I couldn't do it. She'd held up her end of the bargain with Luna, and she compiled all the information for me. I need her to live and be able to communicate with me. I have to really find out what Voldemort did to himself that has affected me. Sometimes... I scare myself," he admitted.

"Continue."

"The plan was to have Ginny here. I was going to leave the room for a moment and hear Bella having a go at her. I was going to go in again to calm them down, accidentally Stunning Ginny in the process. Then, we were going to pretend that Nagini finished her as we've done." Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "Bella, though, thought it would be fun to rough Ginny up a bit. She claims that it made this more believable. I knew Severus and you would likely want her account of things, knowing I was opposed to her death. Anyway, Bella is jealous of her."

"What did you do?"

"When I heard Ginny scream, I lost control. She was already out, and Bella was on top of her chanting some nonsense charm to scare her. I hurt Bella badly." Harry looked away, not wanting to meet the headmaster's eyes. "I nearly killed her with my two hands." He looked down at his hands. "I let her go for a moment to check on Ginny, as Nagini told me that her breathing had gone slack. That's when Bella told me her reasoning. She'd done an odd spell on Ginny to make it seem more plausible." Harry swallowed and met Dumbledore's eyes. "When I looked back at Bella, I saw what I'd done to her. She was bleeding, swelling, and already bruising. It reminded me of something that Voldemort would have done, so instead of killing her as I'd planned, I did something that Voldemort rarely did. I chose to allow her to live."

Dumbledore nodded and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I understand that. There are far worse things than death. I have always tried to explain that to Tom."

"She's serving her penance now though," Harry said. "The new snake would have died soon. It wanted to die to be out of its misery. I gave it a peaceful death and Transfigured it to a sort of misshapen human form. Nagini did her duty and ate it. I warned Bella that the fate could easily be hers with one slight hiss." Harry smiled. "I saw to Ginny and brought her out where I knew she couldn't truly see what was going on. When she awoke, I finished what I'd set out to do in the first place, allowing her to hear me. I knew she would believe my story. I even made sure she saw how Nagini looked after she'd swallowed the imposter."

"A well-executed plan, Harry," Dumbledore said proudly. "How does Bella feel?"

"She is happy to be alive and be able to still serve me," Harry said sarcastically. He moved to her at that moment and laid a hand on her body. She hissed a few times and curled up next to him. "She doesn't like that Nagini is her superior. I've instructed Nagini to kill her immediately if she tries to escape. I've also added a Finding Spell. She'll never be any place that I can't find her. There have been restrictions put into place as with Nagini. She cannot harm anyone due to a magical binding, and if she even tries to do so, I shall know. I will immediately destroy her if Nagini hadn't already done so."

"I am proud of you, Harry. You've thought of everything," Dumbledore said with a kind smile. "I do believe that this is a worse fate for her. She has to crawl upon her belly for the rest of her existence. She seemed to always want to grovel before her Master. Here is her chance then."

Harry chuckled. "She will never harm anyone. I can promise you that. She is simply a familiar now, but she still has her knowledge. Only I can release her from her fate, and I swear, sir, that I will not do so. She knows her place in my life, and I know hers."

"Let's go back up to the castle then. I would like to discuss a few things with you, Harry," Albus said, guiding his young devotee away.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"I want to thank you for still having faith in me. I know I should have told you what I was about, but I didn't know if you would approve or truly believe my reasoning," Harry said softly.

"Harry, it was I that helped to plant the idea in your mind. You are not so affected by Tom as you think. He never kept anyone around that was of no use to him."

"But, sir, that is a good portion of the reasoning behind my keeping her around. I need her knowledge of his spell work," Harry said, sounding disheartened.

Dumbledore sighed. "I think that we are all guilty of that at some point or another, and most of us were never linked to Tom Riddle. Come now. I think a spot of tea would do nicely. Perhaps I still have some of those lemony biscuits in my tin."

Harry grinned and followed his mentor towards the exit. "What of Severus?"

"I instructed Severus to believe what has happened, but I think he has his doubts. Would you like to tell him?"

"I think so," Harry said. "I would like someone to know. I mean, what if something happens to me? Someone would need to keep an eye on her or do with her as needed."

"Good thinking. We shall discuss it further. Come along."

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"Arrogant little bastard!" Severus bellowed as he poured a glass of firewhisky. "Should have hexed him into next week." He began mumbling other curses under his breath as he kicked off his boots. He took a sip from his glass and shrugged out of his robes. A quick spell saw the fire blazing anew. "And another thing," he roared suddenly. "How dare he request that I keep my wife happy?" He narrowed his eyes. "I'll bet he thinks that I can't."

"Oh, honestly! Are you still on about Viktor?" Hermione asked in disbelief. She'd already washed up for the night and changed into her nightclothes.

"I do not like him, Hermione. I saw the way he was looking at you," he said bitterly, taking another sip of his drink. "Ha! And that bit of pretending to act weak near the end! Just looking for pity, I'd say!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and moved next to Severus. He continued to grumble about dinner, so she decided to try something else to gain his attention. She toed off her new slippers and dropped her robe to the floor. Her disgruntled husband plopped down into his favorite chair. "Severus," she said softly.

"And another thing," he said still not looking at her, "why in the hell did he have to...?" His voice trailed off as he spotted her toying with the laces on her nightgown. "Well, I see that you feel the need to undress. Should I join you in your moment of growing dishabille?"

She nodded. He reached down to unbuckle his trousers with one hand, never taking his eyes off of hers as she lowered her knickers. Frustrated with his progress, he dropped his glass, and his free hand quickly discarded his pants. He did not wear any underpants to dinner, so his hardness sprang free immediately. "Oh," she gasped. He looked up to see her smile. "Do I do that to you?"

"Only you," he admitted. He reached up to finish unlacing her nightgown and slid his hands inside to cup her breasts, eliciting a moan from her lips. Her hands, which had been unbuttoning his shirt, left their task and rested on his shoulders. Hermione quickly climbed onto his lap.

"To hell with all this waiting," she mumbled, as she positioned herself over him. "Guide it in."

"You are being truly deman..." Her lips cut off his words as she attacked his mouth. Good Lord, what has gotten into her? Who cares? I am benefiting from it! His hand helped to guide his erect girth into her. He'd intended to slide in slowly, but upon feeling his entrance, she slid down roughly. "Ah."

Her mouth left his and trailed kisses along his jaw before resting near his ear. "I need you," she murmured. Severus closed his eyes, leant his head back, put both hands upon her waist, and helped to steady her movements. "I want only you." Her lusty whispers were feeding his emotions and fueling his need for her. "I'm going to come for you." He concentrated on her words and was completely aroused. "Don't stop." She'd never been so vocal as they made love, aside from the time that he'd tried a bit of role-playing with her. That hadn't gone over too well. She'd told him that she'd felt like a wanton after, but he could get used to her sexy voice moaning and whispering in his ear as he thrust up into her.

"Hermione," he called out minutes later. The orgasm didn't seem to want to stop. It carried on while she reached her summit, and he still felt slight tremors racking his body after her cries died down. Part of him needed to rest for a moment, but part of him wanted another go. It seemed that she felt different as well. He was uncertain if it was the turn on caused by her words, if it was the way she had waylaid him, or if the pregnancy had something to do with it.

Hermione placed small kisses on her lover's jaw before lifting her eyes to meet his. Their breathing had returned to normal only a few moments before. "I love you, Severus. Please never doubt that."

"I do not," he murmured, raking his hand over her partially dressed back.

She giggled. "I can't believe we didn't make it to the bedroom. I'll never think of this chair in the same way again."

"Be silent, wanton. You started this," he pointed out. "I sat here to finish my drink. I do believe I was accosted."

"Oh, honestly. You were on about Viktor and his attempts to flirt with me. He is just being friendly. He knows that I love you and that we are starting a family." She kissed his lips softly. "Besides, one way to shut you up and get you to cheer up is to make love to you."

"A manipulating witch!"

She grinned as she felt his partial flaccidness twitch against her as if trying to find new vigor. "Insatiable witch at the moment. Dare I believe that you want to have me again?" He growled and carried her to their bed.

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Severus eyed the boy suspiciously. Why was he acting nervous? He could sense tension coming off of Harry the moment he'd stepped into his office. "Out with it."

"I want to confide something to you. I know this might not be something that you want to hear, but I would like for you to know, all the same. In fact, I will feel much better once I am able to tell someone," Harry said softly. He looked into Severus' eyes.

"Bella," Severus said finally when Harry seemed to have lost his nerve. He smirked as a twitch passed over Harry's face. Ha! He'd known that all was not as it seemed. "Tell me."

"I don't really know where to start," he said.

"Start with, 'I've lied about what happened to Bella,'" Severus said roughly. "That is what you are about to tell me, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"So, how did you get Ginevra to fake a Pensieve memory? That's quite impressive," he said, feeling the anger rising up within him. Bella had gotten away again. That bitch needed to die.

"She didn't fake anything," Harry bit out. "She doesn't know, and she won't know either."

"Everyone needs to know!"

"No, Dumbledore agrees with me. We've got to keep this quiet. Only a few of us need to know," Harry said urgently. "Just hear me out."

"Go on." This would be good. What cock-and-bull reasoning would he have this time?

"After you showed me that memory about how she truly is, well, I went into a bit of a snit after. I wanted nothing more than to have a go at her. I wanted to harm her myself, but after I thought about it, I knew that I needed to stick to my plan," Harry said.

"Which plan might that be?"

"The one that allows her to live," Harry stated defiantly. "With a good conscience, I couldn't allow you or Lucius to just murder her. Murder is one thing if it is in self-defense in the midst of a battle, but it's completely different when you just go up to someone and off them."

"I think, Harry, that I, of all, people know about murder," Severus said sarcastically.

"But that's not who you are any longer," Harry said. "Nor is Lucius. To do that would make you nearly no better or no more reformed than she is! You would belong in Azkaban as well." Harry sighed. "I don't truly believe that, but you can bet the Wizengamot would."

"So," Severus began, "you've done this to save us, Lucius and I."

"Well, yes and no, I suppose. It was for all of us. I didn't want to condone murder, I didn't want either of you to... kill her, and I wanted her to be punished," Harry said quickly. "I believe she is being punished, Severus, and I do agree that she should be imprisoned for her crimes. I don't think we can ever just turn her back over to Azkaban though."

"I see, so allowing her freedom was a way to fix things." Severus' eyes narrowed. "Explain."

"I set it up. All of it. I bought that snake as a cover. I intended to set the real snake free and turn Bella into its likeness."

"What? That won't hold," Severus said incredulously.

"You forget, Severus, that I am a Wizard of the Snakes, thanks to ruddy Voldemort. You've read what Hermione is compiling. We have had magic passed on for many generations. The original Parselmouth was a direct descendant of Circe, and her talent was..."

"Turning men into animals for sport. Quite a bitch, she was," Severus finished for him. "So, Bella will stay in form as long as you deem it necessary."

"Yes."

"I don't like it. Any number of things could happen, Harry. I shall speak to Albus on this."

Harry stood up to pace near the grate. "I need her alive and around to talk to. Trust me; this is the best possible situation for everyone. Do you think she likes being a snake? No, but she does it to retain some semblance of freedom. Can she harm anyone? Certainly not. I'm not that thick. I've got that covered," he said arrogantly. "Ginny was part of the plan, but things went a bit awry, and I... I almost did it for you. Killing her, I mean. If I hadn't been reminded about Voldemort and how he used to handle things, well, I wouldn't have spared her."

Severus moved closer to face Harry squarely. "What makes you so sure I won't still kill her as she deserves, Harry? How could it be on your conscience when you've fought against it and tried all that you could?"

"Because, Severus, you can't. I have her protected. I would know," Harry said, letting unsaid words linger between them.

Severus smirked. "Know this, Harry. I can and will," his eyebrows lifted in emphasis, "kill her if I deem it necessary."

Harry smirked in return before making his way back to his chair. "Let me tell you the entire plan." He told Severus of his planning with Bella, and he told him the real version of what had happened. "So, you see, if she so much as slithers in the wrong direction, I will know about it. If Nagini doesn't get her, then I will. It's brilliant, really. I think if Dumbledore agrees, well, you should too."

Severus had remained quiet whilst he told his tale. It did make sense, but he still didn't like it. "Just because I am loyal to Dumbledore, Harry, I don't always agree with him on everything. I am a man that can and does form his own opinions. I do not like this. I openly admit that."

"Sir, I just needed to be honest with you. I didn't want this to come between the friendship, is that the right word?" Harry grinned. "Anyway, the friendship that we've formed."

"Yes, we are friends," Severus said, sounding slightly displeased. "I still do not agree with what you have done. Who else knows of this?"

"Just the three of us. I would like to keep it that way," Harry said. "Should something happen to me, then I want one of you to do with her what you will."

"Can another Parselmouth release her?"

"No, but they can talk to her. I will know it if they do though," Harry said. "I've added a few things, spells and such."

"What of Hermione?"

Harry looked away for a moment. "I wanted to tell her, but I wonder if she will be disappointed in me."

Severus sighed. "I doubt she could ever be disappointed in you, Harry. She will likely agree with you on some level. If you don't mind, I will have a talk with her about this."

"Go ahead. I don't mind. That will make things easier," said Harry. "Thanks for listening, and I respect that you don't exactly agree with things."

"I am glad that you've told the truth," Severus replied. "See yourself out. I've things to catch up on."

Harry nodded and made his way to the Owlery. He'd written a letter to Luna's father. He didn't like his fame much, but he hoped that in this one instance it would be of some use. Ron's birthday was in nearly two weeks. He had a bit of planning to do.

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Luna's father watched the sleeping form of his daughter and sighed. He'd received an owl from Harry Potter only moments before. Who was he to deny the greatest wizard of the age a small favor? This was the very wizard that had brought her back to him in the first place. Well, that Snape fellow had something to do with it as well, but it was mostly Potter that had made it happen. He was requesting that Luna attend a function for her old boyfriend, Ronald Weasley. He wanted her to spend the weekend with them at the castle.

How could he deny this? She was getting stronger with each passing week. Some of her magic had come back already, but she still had a long way to go. He'd lost her mother nearly eight years before. He'd nearly lost her as well. His world had been such a void without her actively in it. He simply wanted to protect his daughter at all costs. He'd thought that his problems would be simplified by whisking her away from her friends, bringing her to the old crone for dark remedies, and coercing her to break things off with her boyfriend.

"One day I will have to let you go, sweetheart. I just can't bear to have you out of my sight after I nearly lost you," he whispered, closing her door. He had to get back to work soon. Maybe it wouldn't be amiss to allow her to go for the weekend. He could go into his office and take care of everything that had been slacking. The next edition of The Quibbler would have a featured article about her and the Boy Who Lived. He wanted the world to know who was responsible for saving his little girl. "That Potter will do great things. He has done great things, but I feel he will be even greater than what we've seen so far."

Quickly, he wrote back to his daughter's hero, and he told him that it would be all right for her to come for the weekend. He understood that it needed to be a surprise. He wouldn't tell her anything until they were about to leave. That should please Potter.

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

When it was nearly time for her last class of the day to end, Hermione was relieved. She gave out the assignments and dismissed class. After the students left, she quickly went to use the loo. She'd already been to the loo five times. She supposed the extra water she'd been drinking was flushing her out, and she knew that the growing baby was putting a little pressure on her bladder. As she entered her office, she jumped slightly. "What are you doing here?"

Severus gave her a tight smile. "Do you always leave your class open and unattended, wife? That might not be a good practice. I have learnt from experience that some students can be quite pesky, the buggers. They wouldn't stoop to leaving a nasty surprise or two for you."

"Oh, Severus," she said with a laugh. "They would leave those things for you, but I would say that you give them reason to. As far as I can tell, everyone is pleased with my teaching." She kissed his cheek. "Even your Slytherin students."

"I know one Slytherin that is most pleased with you," he said cupping her arse to pull her closer. They shared a heated kiss before she pulled away slightly.

"What is it?"

"Why does something have to be amiss?"

"Well, you are here in my class, for one, and for another, you feel tense."

"Hermione, I had a talk with Harry earlier after his class. There is something that I need to tell you," Severus said

"All right," she said, sitting on his lap. She waved her wand towards the door. It closed and locked itself. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

"Certainly not," he said with a smirk. She felt a slight twitching under her arse and knew that he was moving his penis against her.

"You are terrible," she said with a laugh. "But I shall accept that as an invitation to ravish you later, love. Tell me about Harry."

"Bella is alive. The entire thing was a plan from the beginning." He held up a hand to stave off her questions. "Only Albus, Harry, and I know of this. The events that Ginevra recalled did happen, but they were manipulated for her to see them that way. His new familiar is, indeed, Bella. He's transformed her."

"Oh, my," Hermione said, stunned. She should have known that Harry would have a plan. "Tell me more," she whispered. The entire tale intrigued her. She felt a little smug knowing that the things she'd researched and told him had influenced him. She wouldn't be telling her husband though. He seemed completely displeased. "Aren't you glad that she won't be able to bother us any longer? We won't have to worry about her coming to seek revenge now."

"Hermione, that snake is still Bella. Her mind is in there. That has not changed. I do not condone this or trust her, regardless of the spells he has bound her with."

"The best that we can do is keep an eye on her and monitor things. If something happens, well..." She left the rest hanging between them.

"You don't understand, Hermione," Severus said, shifting slightly. "I will not allow my daughter..."

"Or son," Hermione interjected.

"Or son," he continued with a smirk, "to go near that bitch. That means that we will be spending less time around Harry in the future. It seems he has chosen."

"Severus! Have you given him an ultimatum?" she asked in disbelief.

"No," he said evenly. "He made that decision when he kept her. I will never trust her, and the moment I see anything out of the ordinary, she will be destroyed."

Hermione nodded. "I don't think I want our little one around her either. Hell, I don't want Nagini around our child either. There is just something... sinister about her. We'll have to deal with these issues as we get to them. We've some time left to think on that."

"Too right," he murmured, moving his lips along her neck. "What have we time for now?"

"It won't be time yet for the evening meal. Want to go down to our chambers? I could use a massage. I am a bit stiff," she suggested.

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

NEARLY TWO WEEKS LATER

"Okay, I don't like to give you such a long assignment for over a weekend, but I have no choice. I want three feet of parchment on the Inanimatus Conjurus Spell." Hermione smiled as she heard a few grumbles. "Don't worry. You have extra time for this. I won't have it due until next Friday, but if you are smart, you'll start on it now." A small hand shot into the air. "Yes, Jouett?"

"Professor Snape, should we also discuss the reverse spell, the Animatus Conjurus, while we are writing?" she asked meekly.

"It is not necessary, but for anyone willing to put in an effort on an acceptable essay, I will give out extra credits. Any questions?" she asked. Seeing no new hands and faces that were eager to leave for the day, she smiled. "Class dismissed."

Minerva came through the door just as the last of the students left. "Hermione, I just want to commend you on a job well done. I do believe that you are finally ready for year seven. How do you feel about that?"

"Nervous," she answered with a grin. "I think I can handle my old mates though. I am much more confident now than I was before. I appreciate that you have the faith in me to handle it."

"Well, I will stay in the back of the class with you for a couple of weeks. You should be able to handle them well enough," Minerva said with a smile.

"Thanks."

"We do need to talk about next year. Your child is due in...?"

"October."

"I thought so," she said. "I've decided that I can cover for you during the months of October, November, and December. You will return to teaching when the students return from the holidays. Is that acceptable?"

"Oh, Minerva! I hadn't even thought that far." Hermione frowned. "I didn't plan this, you know. Poppy's potion to mend me interfered with my Contraceptive Potion. I'm not unhappy that I am expecting, but I would have liked more time."

"Now, I'm not chastising you about your pending motherhood. That will give me a chance to go over my Animagus lessons."

"Oh, no!" Hermione said sadly. "You were supposed to begin my training."

"Hermione, don't be upset. I will cover those classes for you for another year. After you come back next January, we will try to fit in your training. I am only going over this now to let you know ahead of time," Minerva said kindly. "I hoped to ease your mind. It seems I've added to its worries."

"I appreciate this. You have no idea how much." She hugged the woman swiftly in a show of affection. "Thanks." To her horror, she felt like crying. "Oh... blast!"

"Why are you upset?" Minerva asked, concern etched in her face.

"Well, I just wish that my mum would try to contact me. She's sent only a couple of letters and a book, but they've not asked for us to visit yet. What if this is all I will ever have of her?" Hermione asked, grinding away the tears with shaking fingers.

"I would say that is her loss, Hermione." Minerva smiled and hugged the girl again. "I know it's not the same, but I will be here for you as long as you will allow me to be. I care deeply for you."

"Thanks," she said, choking back tears. "I really don't know who I could have turned to these past few months if it hadn't been for you."

"Don't worry about it, Hermione. It's an honor. I wish..." She turned away for a moment. "I do wish that perhaps I had taken the path that my mother chose for me, but this makes up for it. I have Albus, you, and Severus. Soon we will have the little one to worry on." She sniffed. "Oh, come now. Let's go to the staff room."

"Oh, I can't! I promised that I would go down to Hogsmeade to ready some things for Ron's surprise party. It's tonight." She furrowed her brow. "Er, you did know, didn't you?"

"Yes, Albus mentioned it. It slipped my mind." She harrumphed for a moment. "I do think it is inappropriate for select students to be able to leave the castle, but since you will be there as a staff member to oversee things, I'm sure it will be fine. The Weasleys will be there as well, so I guess they can help you."

"Why don't you come along?" Hermione asked hopefully.

"No, I've things to do, but I do thank you for the invite. Rolanda and I are going over some things for her binding ceremony," Minerva said importantly. "It's in two weeks. Why she wants to be married in the Ides of March is beside me! She has been talking nonstop about some Muggle literature that Stuart has given her to read. I think she said something about trying to wear a toga to her wedding. Imagine!"

Hermione giggled. "Too right. I truly hope that she won't go that far! I'll see you later then." She giggled remembering Rolanda saying that Ron was born on the Kalends of March. She truly had gotten into Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. She'd been asking Hermione all sorts of oddities and been checking out books in the library about the great wizard, Romulus, who founded Rome and created their calendar.

Once she began her trek down to her chambers, she wondered if her husband had changed his mind about attending the party. He'd told her that he didn't want to partake in a surprise party for Ronald Weasley. He'd been moody for two days. She wondered what it could be. They hadn't had any disagreements about anything that she could think of. All had been going well with Harry and the Bella situation.

"Watch it!" Ron cried.

Hermione nearly ran straight into him. She'd been so lost in thought. "Sorry, Ron! Hi, Draco. Er, what are you two doing down here?" she asked eyeing them suspiciously.

"Nothing."

"Walking."

Hermione giggled slightly. "Nothing except having a walk, maybe?" Hermione suggested. They looked mighty suspicious.

"Sure."

"Right."

"Okay then," she said feeling oddly strange about the expressions on their faces.

"Oi, Mione. You're starting to show already. That's pretty soon to be showing in pregnancy," Ron said.

"WHAT?"

Draco elbowed Ron. "He's only joking."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the pair and stormed off. What the bloody hell was he on about? She could still fit into her clothes. There was nothing about her belly that was noticeable. Not yet! She slammed into their chambers and strode to the tall mirror against the wall, quickly discarding her set of robes. "Ruddy bastard," she muttered as she looked at herself in the mirror. "My profile looks the same. Well, maybe not."

"What, pray tell, are you doing, Hermione? You slammed in as if something horrid was chasing after you."

"Ron says I look pregnant!"

Severus raised an eyebrow. "You are pregnant."

She narrowed her eyes and growled, "Thanks for the news flash!" Looking back at the mirror, she groaned. "I'm not supposed to look pregnant! I'm not even out of my first trimester!"

"If it's any consolation, I don't think you look pregnant," he said, walking forward to place his hands on her shoulders. He applied a little pressure and began massaging her quickly.

"It sounded as if you wanted to say something more."

"Well, not with your clothes on you don't," he added finally.

Hermione shrugged away from him. "So, I am turning into a right dumpy witch!"

"What?" he asked in disbelief. "I said no such..."

"You," she jabbed a finger into his chest, "didn't have to! It's all over your face. You're trying to not hurt my feelings. Why did you wait for someone else to tell me? No wonder you've been upset and won't come with me tonight."

"You don't look like a dum..."

"Really," she said sarcastically, pointing to her reflection in the mirror.

At that moment, the mirror decided to speak up. "You could do with losing at least a stone if you are worried, dear."

She moved to attack the mirror, and Severus pulled her back. "What the bloody hell has gotten into you, Hermione?"

"You're ashamed of me," she said, tears forming in her eyes.

"What the...?" Severus was lost. "I am not ashamed of you, Hermione. If anything, I am proud to have you as a wife. You are more than I ever dreamed of at one time." The last sentence was nearly a whisper, but she heard him.

"I'm sorry. I'm just emotional." She looked to Severus. "My clothes still fit, you know."

"When I said that I could tell that you were pregnant when you hadn't any clothes on, I didn't mean that you look any bigger, Hermione. I only meant that you are rounding a little, and when I touch you, I can feel your stomach hardening slightly."

"Why won't you come with me tonight?" she asked, moving into his arms to rest her head on his chest.

"Hermione, I have told you how I feel about it. I have been cavorting with my students too much as of late. I think it's about time I reestablish myself as a professor at this school. I don't want anyone thinking that I have... changed my views."

"Don't worry. You are still feared," she said, hoping to reassure him. She knew how much his image meant to him.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, eyeing her curiously.

"Yes."

"Why don't you lie down for a while? You have time before you have to go," he suggested, trying to guide her to the couch.

"No, I have to go to Hogsmeade to meet with Molly to be sure that all is set up."

"I will Floo her, and I'll tell her that you will be late. She has had many children. She will understand."

"All right, but just for a little while."

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

Ron smiled at Draco. "Thanks, mate. You didn't have to get anything for me."

"It's not every day that your best mate turns eighteen," Draco said.

"Draco, if a bloke and another bloke dated, how do they know which one is the bloke in the relationship?" Ron asked looking around to see if anyone had heard. Draco and Harry had convinced him to sneak over to Hogsmeade for a bit of fun. Harry was waiting there already. He'd gone ahead in his cloak to be sure that nobody was about that would report them for being away from Hogwarts.

Draco looked at Ron oddly. "I suppose they are both still blokes. What are you talking about?"

"Well, wouldn't one have to act a little... witchy?"

"No, Ron, as far as I know, that's not the way it works. Why are you asking this?"

"Oh, no reason. I was just curious." Ron shrugged. They walked the rest of the way in awkward silence.

"Here," Draco said, pointing to a stairway.

"Since when do they have stairs on the side of the Three Broomsticks' building?" Ron asked in awe.

"Since Harry paid for a private room," Draco said, wriggling his eyebrows.

"All right," Ron said. "I hope he has firewhisky!"

They got to the top, and Ron opened the door. "Harry?" he asked. The room was completely dark. He reached for his wand. "Lumos!"

"SURPRISE!"

Ron looked around in awe. His family had come to celebrate with him. Harry, Hermione, and bloody hell, even Snape was there! Ron did a double take as his gaze met a silvery-eyed gaze. "Luna!"

He stood there for a moment with his mouth open before he looked to Draco. Draco nodded and smiled. "Go to her, mate."

In a daze, Ron made his way to his former lover. "Luna, you're here. How?"

"Dad said that I could come. He and Harry talked about it. Headmaster Dumbledore is giving me a room for the weekend," she said. "Do you mind?"

"No," he whispered, pulling her into his embrace. "I've missed you, Luna."

"I've missed you, Ronald."

"Happy Birthday...," Fred began.

"...Ickle Ronniekins," George finished.

Molly and Arthur made their way over. "Our sixth and youngest son is finally eighteen," Arthur said with a smile.

"Come and open your gifts, birthday boy," Molly said, pulling him away from Luna. As he sat at the table, he saw Draco slip away from the room quietly. Where the hell is he going? His eyes drifted to Luna. I wonder if it is because of Luna. Damn. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about that. He was glad that she'd come to see him though. He had Harry to thank for this. He didn't want Draco to feel left out. He'd have to have a talk with him about it.

Hermione smiled as Ron quickly opened his presents and ate nearly half of his cake. Severus seemed bored, and she hoped that he wouldn't end up regretting his decision about accompanying her.

"Great," Severus said dryly. "He'd better not set off any of those Dungbombs in my class. If someone does, I shall know where to look first."

"Oh, come on, Severus. You know that Ron wouldn't do that," she defended.

"Indeed? I seem to recall that someone threw a firecracker into..."

"Sshh, let's not talk about that again." She squeezed his hand. "I do appreciate that you've come with me."

"I couldn't let you come here on your own. I thought about it, and it seemed to be the right decision. I couldn't let my wife think that I was ashamed of her," he said, giving her a slight smile.

"Thanks, Severus."

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

TWO WEEKS LATER

"Hermione, could I have a word?" Stuart asked after he'd finished eating. "Privately?"

"Of course," she said. She turned to Severus. "Do you mind?"

"No," he said. "I think that Rolanda wants a word with me. "Do you mind?"

She smiled. "Not in the least." Tapping Stuart on the shoulder to get his attention, she asked, "Want to go for a walk?"

After they'd walked in silence for some time, the seemingly nervous man finally spoke. "Hermione, I have to talk to you about something. Rolanda and I, we've not been intimate yet. Not really. I told her that I respected her entirely too much."

Hermione swallowed uncomfortably. "Well, that's very... noble of you."

"Now don't think that we've not explored some," he offered. "Anyway, what if that is the only reason that she's agreed to marry me? To satisfy Minerva about our inappropriateness and to do things the right way?"

"Oh, Stuart, I don't think that Rolanda would allow anyone to talk her into marriage if it wasn't what she truly wanted. I would say that she loves you. That's an honest opinion," Hermione said. "You are only thinking about this because you are nervous. Tomorrow is the big event. I was nervous as well, but it was all right once I realized that my closest friends were there for me... even if my parents weren't."

"I thank you, Hermione. You are right. I do love her, you know. I don't mind that she pulls me about by my coattails. I have always been a passive fellow. I just hope that I can make her smile at me the way that Snape makes you smile for him," Stuart said thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, Severus was having a similar conversation with the bride to be. Rolanda laughed nervously. "What if he doesn't think I measure up?"

"Rolanda," Severus said, cheeks reddening slightly. "This is not an appropriate conversation to have with me."

"But, Sev, old boy, that little tart was your wife's age! I am older than you. What if he doesn't find me as attractive." Rolanda brought worried yellow eyes to meet his dark gaze.

He sighed. "Edgecombe was not attractive. The only thing that she has on you is her youth, but your experience," he raised both eyebrows to make a point, "will make up for that. The great lout is lucky that you've even accepted his bid for you."

"Severus! That's no way to talk about my man!" Rolanda laughed loudly. "Too right you are, Severus. I feel like a young girl worrying on such trivial things."

"It's just something you feel right before you are married," Severus said knowingly. "You wonder if you are making the correct decision, and you wonder if the person to whom you are binding yourself is worthy of your devotion." He gave his friend a rare smile. "It is worth it."

"I do love him, Severus. He let's me go on about things that no other man would. He's so gentlemanly. We are so opposite that we fit together. Interesting, isn't it?"

"Very. You are lucky to have found such a devoted man," Severus said. Then, he added softly, "Again."

She simply nodded her head and smiled faintly. "Let's find our companions. Shall we?"

"Of course," he murmured. "After you."

---

Southern's Notes: I will include the wedding, what happened when Luna stayed over, and a bit of lemon up next. Cheers.