Chapter Thirty

Disclaimer: Not mine, alas, but I do wish they were. I just want to point out that I have been influenced by many fics and appreciate the talents of many writers.

A big thanks to my brilliant beta, Charmed Nay. Thanks for my friendly muses over at Potter Place!

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Severus was lying on his side with his sleeping wife pressed tightly into his back. As tightly as she could be, that is. Her stomach was now protruding out more than her breasts. He was thinking about how beautiful she looked, rounded with his child, when he felt a slight thump against his back. Realization dawned on him. His child had just placed a sound kick against him! Why? Was it some sort of protest for being cramped? He tried to scoot away slightly, but Hermione pressed against him again in her sleep. He felt the small thud once more. Slowly he turned to his other side and looked down to his wife. One hand reached out to palm her belly. He was rewarded for his patience some time later as his child moved again. Each time he felt it move, he was reminded of what a miracle life was, and he was reminded that Hermione was his miracle. She'd taught him to live again. Now she was giving him a precious gift, a child. His daughter. Hermione didn't want to know the sex of the baby, so they'd never tried the spell that would tell them.

He wanted to know though, and he decided it was time. He took his wand from the nightstand and placed it over her stomach. Whispering the incantation three times, Severus closed his eyes to wait. He felt the wand moving about a little and knew that it was searching. It stilled for nearly half a minute before swaying from side to side slowly. A girl! He was right! They were to have a daughter. His wand stilled again for another thirty seconds before swaying from side to side. A smile lit his face as he placed his wand back on the nightstand. If it had moved in circles, it would symbolize the birth of a son.

He maneuvered slightly to place a kiss on her stomach. Hermione shifted away from him and moved to get out of bed. "Where are you going?" he asked loudly. She'd been talking in her sleep and trying to sleepwalk lately. He wanted to be sure that she was awake.

"I need to have a pee," she said sleepily. He watched as she waddled to the bathroom and smiled again. A couple of minutes later brought her back to bed. "Ouch," she grumbled. "Ruddy legs."

"Again?" he inquired. A nod accompanied with a sigh was his reply. She turned just enough to give him access. With practiced hands, he stroked and kneaded her legs to massage away her cramps.

"Much better," she said, turning onto her back. "Lumos," she muttered.

"What do you need that for?" he asked curiously, moving up to rest on his elbow.

"I want to talk for a moment," she murmured. "I'd rather see your expressions than have to guess them."

Damn! What did she want now? "You have my attention."

"I'm ready to see my parents," she said.

He nodded immediately. "What brought this on? I thought you'd decided to wait until after the baby?" When they'd first come home for the summer, they'd planned to see her parents, but something had changed Hermione's mind. She'd decided that she didn't want them to see her pregnant. "You are very pregnant now, only eight weeks left."

"She sent another letter today. Dad wrote to me in this one. He wishes to see us."

"Ah, so I see," Severus said. She'd been waiting for her father to admit that she was welcome in his home. She wouldn't feel as guilty having them see her pregnant if she knew that both had wanted her to visit. "We can go tomorrow."

"All right," she agreed. "We can stop off at Grimmauld Place while we are at it. Harry says he has news for us."

"Good Lord! What now? Haven't they caused enough trouble this holiday?" he asked, annoyed instantly. "I will not be involved in any of their problems again!"

"Oh, Severus, enough. We don't know what he has to say." She smiled. "It's probably some good news."

"We shall see." He moved a hand down to cover a bare breast. Emboldened by her contented mew, he slid down to run his tongue around the nipples of each full breast while pulling down her knickers. Her hands moved to his hair.

"Love me," she whispered. "Ah!"

He slid two fingers into her and found that she was already moist. A few caresses over her nub had her arching into his hand. "On your side tonight, love," he commanded. She rolled over. "Lift," he said, nudging her leg up. He moved into position, shook on his penis slightly to ensure that it had hardened completely, and moved to her entrance. It was a little awkward, but they finally managed a steady, slow rhythm. "You feel tighter than ever."

She giggled. "I was thinking that you feel bigger than ever."

He paused. "You find me under average in size?" What? His eyes narrowed. "Whom could you compare me to? I, for one, happen to know that you were comp..."

"I don't know what average size is, mind, but I am certain you exceed it," she said. "You worry too much, and you try to read something into my words that isn't there."

"That's right," he said slyly, slamming into her roughly, eliciting a moan. "You did try to scurry off when you saw my girth that first night. I must admit that I was pleased by the reaction."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

She began moving with him and could tell that he was near climax. "Don't wait for me," she said.

"I will try," he panted.

Hermione quickened the pace and squeezed her inner muscles until he had no choice but to spill into her. She knew that she wasn't close, and she didn't want to make him suffer. He'd been going without lately, as they'd been working continuously on their efforts to edit their book and meet with publishers. Before that, they'd been working on their home. The nursery was completely remodeled to their tastes, the house had the feel of a woman's touch, and the grounds had been preened to their liking. Her lover's shudders brought her out of her thoughts. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you," he murmured. "I couldn't wait any longer. I'm sorry."

"'S all right," she said softly. She reached behind her for his arm to pull around her, but he was moving away. "Severus?" A moment later, she was pulled onto her back and had his wand pointed at her lower body.

"Scourgify," he said calmly.

Tingles and heat spread over and within her. She giggled. "What are you about?"

"This," he said, settling betwixt her thighs. "I can't take and not give."

She sucked in a raspy breath as his mouth made contact with her labia. Her hands found their way to his hair. "Severus." His wicked tongue seemed to work with a mind of its own, flicking expertly in circular motions as it found her nub. Two fingers pumped into her steadily as another pair pebbled one of her nipples. Needing him to increase the pressure, she pushed his head down slightly. He chuckled and did as bidden. That far away tingling began causing her to buck against him. "Oh, my God," she said. "I'm nearly... yes!" She was vaguely aware of him moving over her body to her breasts.

"You'll never know how beautiful you are when you succumb to feeling the highest of pleasures. I love watching you reach culmination," her husband whispered minutes later when she returned to her senses and regained normal breathing. With one last nibble on her breast, he moved behind her again, pulling her back to his chest.

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

"Oh, Hermione!" Jane Granger exclaimed as she opened the door. "How I've missed you!" She threw her arms around her daughter. "My, there is a good bit more to you now, isn't there?" she asked happily, placing a palm over her daughter's swelling belly.

Relieved at her welcome, Hermione replied, "A lot more of me. And she's been active for the past hour."

Jane laughed. "Hello, Severus," she said with a small smile. "Please. Come in."

Hermione squeezed his hand as they followed her mum into the living room. "Hi, Daddy," she said, sounding much like a frightened little girl.

"Hermione," he said, rising slowly. The instant he held out his arms, she knew that all would be well. She quickly went to his embrace.

"I've missed you both so much," she said. "Thanks for writing to me."

"Is that why you've stayed away?" he asked.

She sniffed. "I didn't want to come until after I had the baby. I was afraid you'd be even more disappointed in me, and I wasn't exactly sure that you really wanted me here."

"I'm only disappointed in myself," he admitted, moving back. "Marriage and pending motherhood does you well. You look radiant."

"Thanks, Dad," she said with a smile. "Severus takes care of us." She nodded behind her to her husband, watching intently as the pair appraised each other.

"Severus," her father said finally, extending his hand.

Moving forward, Severus said, "Good evening, John." They shook hands, and unspoken words passed between them. "I trust you have been well?"

"Well enough, I suppose."

Hermione stepped back as the pair began talking about things. She moved to stand with her mum. "All okay, Mum?"

"It's good to have you here. Your father may have taken a long time to admit it, but we were wrong to question your judgment or imply anything. We are so sorry, Hermione," she said, tears forming in her eyes. "I hope that your coming here means that you may forgive us."

"There's not much to forgive, mum. I should have come sooner," she said wistfully. "Oh! She's moving! Do you want to see and feel her?"

"Yes," her mother said excitedly. "Please!"

Hermione sat on the davenport and pushed aside her outer robe. Her mother sat on one side while her father sat on the other. Severus took the chair across from them. "Severus, come with us." He furrowed his brow for a moment but moved to kneel by her nonetheless. "I've just discovered this as I was taking a bath before we came here. You might need to be... Oh! See?"

"Nothing," her mother said. All eyes went to Hermione's belly. She pulled her blouse around her tightly. After a few moments, there was a big movement. She felt the shift within her, but seeing her child move was a great thing to behold. Her entire stomach lifted on one side and seemed to roll towards the other side. "I saw!"

"As did I," Severus said, fascinated.

"Me too."

"She's active today," Hermione said.

"She? Is it a girl?" her father asked.

Hermione looked to Severus and smiled. "It is."

"And, how, might I ask, do you know?" Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Last night," she said. "I woke up as you were doing the spell. I'd been thinking of doing it as well, so I allowed you to carry on with it. Congratulations. You were right."

He smiled lightly and nodded. "I might have known."

Her parents invited them to go out for lunch, and they spent the afternoon catching up on all that they'd missed. Hermione explained about the Succubus and Incubus situation while they listened attentively. She told them that they'd just completed the last of the required edits for their book, and it was being looked over by a publishing company. Her parents were ecstatic that she'd had a part in writing a book. They were even more pleased to learn that the Muggle book that her mum had sent had played a big part in piecing things together. It was then that Hermione admitted that she wanted to write another book. It would be a book for Muggles dealing with myths. She'd become fascinated with the subject.

"I've told her that she will need to wait until after the baby is born for that," Severus said. "Once she decides to do something, it seems she puts all else on hold. I think she needs to concentrate on this pregnancy and her health."

"Too right," her father agreed. "She's always been that way, our Hermione. Never stopped until she finished something, she didn't."

Her mum smiled. "You two really are well suited. I can see that now."

"Thanks," Hermione said.

"We would like for you to come to our home. Have you plans for next weekend?" Severus asked.

"No, we don't. We would love to visit. I want to see the nursery! Perhaps I can bring a few things of Hermione's that I have stored away."

They made plans to transport them over via Port Key the following weekend, and then they bid each other good-bye. When Severus called for the Knight Bus and situated them inside, Hermione leaned into him for a soft kiss. "Severus, I really appreciate you trying to get along with them. It makes me happy. It feels like I have my family back. My old family merging with my new family..." She sighed. "It just seems so right."

"I wasn't pretending in there. I truly do like your parents, now they've come to their senses. Your father though," he said in an amused voice, "asked if I would allow him to do something about my teeth."

"Oh, no! I am so sorry, Severus."

"He meant well, I know, but I do think that was a bit forward. He said that magic shouldn't be used on teeth, and then he went into the entire thing about your fourth year." Severus chuckled. "I doubt that will ever be forgiven."

"It is."

"Thank you."

"Oi! You two is war heroes, you are," Stan said, coming to sit across from them. "Don't see many of your types taking the time to ride with us no more." He nodded to her stomach. "But, I can see why you did. You know me and Harry Potter is great friends too, we are. That's right," he said, nodding again. "He came on here about four years ago. Me and Ern here helped him escape from Sirius Black, we did. Ain't that right, Ern?" A grumble was the reply. "Tried to say his name was Neville. I knew better, I did. I knew he wasn't no Neville."

"Interesting," Severus said blandly. "Tell me, sir, if I pay extra, could our destination possibly be next?"

"Right then. No need to pay. I'll let Ern know about it. We'll keep it quiet like, being you are Harry Potter's mates and war heroes."

With a few lurches, near misses, and bangs, they finally made it to Grimmauld Place. "Thanks," Hermione said as she exited the bus. Severus glared at the annoying boy when he shook their hands repeatedly.

"Take 'er away, Ern," Stan called. As the bus sped off, three mailboxes had to jump out of the way to avoid destruction.

"Oh, come on. It's not all that bad," Hermione said with a giggle. She pulled Severus' hand and made way to Harry's door.

"Hermione!" Ginny screeched as she opened the door. "Oh, look! It's so beautiful!" She placed two hands on Hermione's stomach causing her to squeak. "Come in! We're in the sitting room."

The portrait of Mrs. Black began screaming loudly, but this time she was saying things that surprised Hermione. "Welcome to the most Noble House of Black." Severus shrugged when Hermione looked at him questioningly.

"Oh," Ginny explained, "Harry knew some spell."

"Right," Hermione said. When they entered the room, everyone began talking at once. Luna, Ron, Draco, Harry, Neville, and Daphne were all there.

Neville smiled. "Wow, Hermione, you look really nice." His eyes met those of his old Potions master, and he paled slightly. "Hello, Professor Snape."

"Longbottom," Severus acknowledged with a nod.

Hermione was proud of him. He'd come around so much. She giggled when Ron spoke. "Oi! Snape! I just happen to have my chess set. Fancy a game?"

"Do you never tire of losing, Weasley?" Severus countered, making his way to the table.

Hermione pulled Harry to her for a hug. "I've missed you."

"Me too. We've been busy here. You should see the redecorating we've done. I've made the attic into a jungle for Nagini and Bella. Want to see?"

"Maybe before I go, thanks. How have things been around for all?" she nodded slightly towards Draco.

"Quite interesting. Look, I've got to go in the back and start up the pit. We are going to grill like Muggles do. Why don't you catch up with Ginny while we do this?" he suggested happily.

"Sure thing."

She watched as Neville, Draco, and Harry, each drinking a Muggle beer, headed out back to start up the grill. Ron and Severus were oblivious to any others. Daphne and Luna were talking quietly, so Hermione motioned for Ginny to follow her to the kitchen. Once there, Ginny put on a pot of tea. Hermione sat down and summoned some cups for them. Ginny joined her.

"So, tell me about your holiday? How is it being married with a little one on the way?" Ginny asked excitedly. "You and Snape look so happy together, and your belly is just adorable."

"It's been great," Hermione confided. "Being alone with him is just... I can't really describe it. You'll see one day."

Ginny smirked. "Maybe sooner than you think." She winked at Hermione and leaned closer. Before she could say anything, she said, "Damn it! What are you doing down here? Did he let you out?" Hermione followed her gaze and saw that she was looking at Bella. "Thinks she owns the place, this one!" She stood and opened the back door. "Go on. He's out there."

Hermione wondered how it was that Ginny never figured out that she'd been duped. Bella probably loved that Ginny still didn't know. The bitch. She summoned the pot of tea to the table. "Come on." After she poured tea for each of them, she asked, "What were you saying?"

"I was trying to tell you something, but you can't repeat it."

"All right."

"Ever since Ron's birthday back in March, my mum has been making me take a Pregnancy Potion. Harry told her how serious our relationship had turned," she muttered darkly. "Anyway, I took one then, and I took another in June. She ordered another batch for my dose at the end of this month. However, I secretly decided to take a page from your book three weeks ago. I took some of that vile medicine that Madame Pomfrey gave you. I'm making sure that my potion doesn't work!"

"Why?" Hermione asked incredulously. "You've another year of schooling left!"

"Maybe I don't," she said cheekily. "Harry had two meetings with the School Governors and Headmistress McGonagall already about our relationship. They said that they couldn't allow us to publicly carry on because Harry is on the staff while I am still a student. They don't care that we've been together all this year. McGonagall argued with them a little. She told them that she didn't condone any inappropriate business even amongst staff. She pointed out that you and Severus had separate quarters until you were married, and the same went for Hooch and Steward."

"Poor Harry. So, I don't understand. You are going to quit school? You can't do that. You have your N.E.W.T.s to take."

"Well, it's against the rules for a member of the staff to be married to a student unless approved by the School Governors. They said that being it's Harry Potter and all that, they would approve, but he would be put on standard probationary watch. Meaning that if he stepped out of line or was believed to be influencing his colleagues to give me good grades, he could be sacked. I offered to take my courses through exchange courses or to quit, but he won't have it."

"Harry's announcement is that you two are getting married?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"No, that's about Quidditch. He doesn't want to marry me," Ginny said quickly.

"What?" What the hell? "But you just said you've gone off the potion."

Ginny sighed. "He wants to wait until I've completed school. My mum would like to see us married. You know she loves Harry like a son anyway, but she agrees that we should wait. I don't though. He doesn't know what I've done."

"Ginny, that's not thinking clearly. You could drive him away by doin..."

"Hermione, I was at those meetings. They had some good points. They said that a married Harry Potter would be best in any event. The older female students would likely always try to be near him because he is famous. I just see this as a way of reinforcing that he is mine. If I am pregnant, he'll have to marry me, and don't look at me that way, Mione. It's not like he doesn't want to. He does. Just not yet."

"I really wish that you hadn't told me about this. I feel tha..."

"Look. If I'm pregnant, I can marry Harry. We'll be together and be happy. I can request to take my tests early like you did. I can live at the castle with you, and we can still be best mates. I won't have to worry about Harry being influenced by any other witches." She narrowed her eyes. "It's bad enough that I feel as though something more went on between him and Bellatrix. He told me not to worry on it, but it seems like something happened that he doesn't want to talk about. And, isn't it odd that he named that snake after her? The ruddy thing follows him around like a lapdog!"

"Really, Ginny," Hermione said angrily. "This is wrong. This is trying to trap Harry. I think you should tell him the truth."

"No."

"Then, I think that I will. I can't just stand by and let you do this. It's obvious that you aren't thinking clearly."

"Oh, Hermione, I wish that I hadn't said anything. I thought you of all people would understand! I mean, it's what you did."

"WHAT?"

"Well, you knew that medicine would counteract your potion, and you didn't tell Snape. You wanted to be pregnant. I don't blame you. It seals the relationship."

"That, Ginevra, is preposterous! We were married because we chose to be. We didn't know I was pregnant until after! Even then, it was a shock to the both of us. I didn't plan anything."

"Well, that may be," Ginny conceded, "but it's too late for us. I've not had my menses yet. It was due a few days ago."

"Oh, no," Hermione said. "How could you, Ginny?"

"Easy," the redhead said. "I'm looking out for what's mine. That's something Tom taught me a long time ago. Harry is the only one that understands. He'll be upset for what I've done, but he'll understand all the same. You have to take care of what's yours, Mione, and you'll do what you've got to do to see it done."

"Too right," came Harry's voice. "You know, Ginny, I think it's time you go home to your mum's house." He walked by and made his way to the staircase. As he bounded upward, they heard the beginnings of the Phoenix song start.

"Blast! I'll see to him," Hermione said.

"No, I will." Ginny ran up after him.

Hermione shook her head sadly. Ginny had been doing so well, and here she was making a horrible mistake. Instead of building a sturdy foundation for her relationship with Harry, she was trapping him. Hermione knew that Harry loved the girl, but something like this was hard to swallow. I can't believe she thought that I had trapped Severus! They would have had a child eventually anyway, so it worked out well. They just moved things along quicker, thanks to the Succubus. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Hermione nearly fell back as four people Apparated into the kitchen.

"Where are they?" Molly asked furiously.

"Upstairs," Hermione answered quickly. The angry woman stomped off with her husband following closely behind. Hermione turned to face Minerva and Albus. "You know?"

"Yes," Albus answered. "I knew something wasn't right a few seconds before he Flooed me. He asked for Minerva and I to come over right away."

"He said that a complication had come up with Ginevra Weasley and his job," Minerva said, eyeing the ceiling worriedly. They could hear a bit of stomping and clipped yelling. "Oh, dear."

"It's not good," Hermione said.

"They were going to call things off for the year, publicly at least. I told them that I would not frown upon them fraternizing in a group as you have done with your own friends this year," Minerva said. "It was either that or get married. Harry wanted her to finish her classes though."

Hermione didn't want to get into what Ginny had said, as it wasn't her place. She looked to Albus. "When did you get back from holiday, sir?"

"Last week," he said happily. "I had a nice time. I've been working with Harry, going through notes from previous professors, and getting him ready to teach. We've gone to Hogwarts to expand his chambers. He will be taking Quirrell's old chambers since it is closer to his class and Gryffindor Tower." Minerva elbowed him. "Right."

There was something that they weren't saying. She was about to question it when Harry came slamming down the stairs. Draco and Neville had come in from outside at the same time.

"Where's our round of brew, mate?" Draco asked but shrunk back as Harry glared his way. Ron, Severus, Luna, and Daphne came into the room as well.

"What's all the noise?" Ron asked curiously.

Harry turned on his heel and went to the stairway. "GET DOWN HERE NOW!"

Arthur Weasley came down first. "Now, see here, Harry, while I appreciate that you..."

"That'll do," Harry said, moving to pull Ginny to his side. "Well, since you are all here, I suppose some announcements are in order." Hermione cringed. His voice was rough and emotionless. It was horrible. She felt the temperature in the room dropping slightly as a small breeze blew about. The candles began flickering slightly.

Ron began, "Harry, why ar..."

"Harry," Hermione interrupted. He looked her way. "Want some tea?" He smirked slightly and nodded. She felt the change immediately. The room breeze dissipated instantly, and the candle's flames strengthened. Hermione poured him some tea in a cup and walked over to him. "Here."

All eyes watched as he released his grip on the crying Ginny and took the cup from Hermione. "Thanks, Mione," he said calmly. As Hermione seated herself, she noted that Bella had slid up next to her, watching the events taking place. She suddenly pitied the snake and reached down to pat her on the head. "He'll be all right, Bella," she whispered offhandedly. Bella's dark eyes met her own, and she knew instantly that Bella was completely aware of things. She understood all that was happening and could decipher human language unlike any other snake. There was something in Bella's eyes that Hermione understood. Gratitude. She seemed to appreciate that Hermione wanted to take the time to comfort her.

You're right. He'll be fine., a voice hissed into her mind. It was exactly how she remembered the witch sounding. Nobody but my Master pays attention to me, thanks. Don't be alarmed. Nobody else can hear me. He told me that you would be able to since he's Marked you. I just never wanted to talk to you before.

Hermione tore her eyes away from Bella to pay attention to Harry. He spoke calmly. "I wanted you to all know that I've worked out a deal with England to be able to be their Seeker while keeping my job at Hogwarts. I will only need to be present at the games and one weekend of practice each month." He looked at Ron. "Ron has been accepted as part of the coaching staff with them. He'll be training the Keepers and helping to recruit new ones."

Everyone seemed happy. It broke Hermione's heart that there was a tinge of sadness in Harry's voice. Ginny had truly hurt him. She wondered if their relationship would suffer for it. Ron, on the other hand, was jumping for joy. He hadn't known for sure. Hermione knew then that Harry wouldn't have accepted to play for England if they hadn't taken Ron on as well. She nodded appreciatively to Harry when he eyed her.

"I also wanted to tell everyone that I have been chosen as the new Head of House of Gryffindor for Hogwarts. Headmistress McGonagall will oversee the Gryffindors on those days that I am off practicing. Well, Severus," Harry goaded, "I suppose we'll keep the House rivalries going."

"Indeed," Severus said quietly. He looked to Hermione. Would she be upset that she hadn't been chosen? He doubted it. Minerva had told him that she was considering Harry for the job since Hermione would have to take time off and would have the little one soon. He would explain the reasoning to her later. Besides, Harry could always scare the Gryffindors into minding themselves. Hermione tended to be a little lenient.

Harry spoke again. "We decided that it was best for Ginny and I to not see each other privately this year since she was still a student, but we've changed our minds. We are going to be married instead, and Ginny will no longer be a student. She'll still keep to her studies, but she won't be attending classes. At the end of the year, she will test with the others. This will stop any rumors that I or others may give her better grades."

Minerva spoke up. "When will you be married?"

"Right now," Harry said sharply. "Care to bind us, Albus?"

Albus stood up. "I think we should do this elsewhere. The grounds near my cottage up north are nice this time of year."

"Bloody hell," Ron said. "They change their minds quickly. Don't they?"

Severus noticed that Bella was moving towards Potter. She hissed at Ginevra, but a few hisses from Potter saw her sliding upstairs quickly. He chuckled to himself. She was probably angry about the turn of events. Serves her right. "Hermione? Perhaps we should leave?" Everyone had begun to talk at once, and he was getting a headache from the ruckus. He simply wanted to be home in bed and holding his wife. He could guess what had changed Harry's mind, but he wouldn't speculate just yet. His wife would explain everything.

"Silence!" Albus said loudly. Then in a softer voice, once things quieted, he said, "Harry, Ginny, Molly, Arthur, Ron, and Minerva need to come with me. I'm afraid the rest of you will have to fend for yourselves until we return."

Those mentioned moved out the back exit quickly. A series of loud cracks could be heard. Neville and Draco each went to grab another Muggle beer. Luna and Daphne were speculating on what had gone on. "Draco," Severus said, "a word if you please."

"Sure."

Severus looked at Hermione. "I won't be long." She nodded and turned to talk to the others. Once Draco closed the door behind them, he said, "What is going on here? What is Greengrass doing here?"

Draco gulped. "She showed up. Saw Neville at a shop, and he told her what we were up to. She came with him."

"Are you going to start work with your father? I know he is counting on your help now that you will have a sibling at some point in the future."

"Yes, I start the first of September, but I will still be living here with Ron. Harry will be back at the castle. It's an agreement that father and I have worked out." Draco grinned. "Mother is trying to push me into a relationship with Daphne, but I don't think I'm ready for that. Not yet."

"Draco, about Lovegood and Weasley, do you three still see each other?" Severus asked uncomfortably.

The boy seemed shocked that Severus would ask such a question. "I suppose you may as well know. Yes, we do on occasion. I told father a few days ago when we reached our agreement. But, sir, it's our business."

"I'm not asking to lecture you. I do not care where you place your... interests. However, I do understand your father's views."

"Well, they're so set on trying for another child. Let's hope they get another male heir. Maybe he'll be inclined to do things their way. Hell, I have a life that I like right now. Whatever will be, will be. I'm not gay, but I enjoy a good shag with Ron and his girlfriend. So, he and I are both naked and both with the same girl. What's so bloody wrong with that?"

Severus chuckled. "Nothing. Most go through this stage. I asked out of concern for your family of course."

"You mean to say that you..." Draco's mouth gaped open.

"Of course," he said sharply. "Some choose to do things while others are forced. Most others experiment and then move on. Your father has asked me to come to lunch in a few days. I know he'll be questioning me. It will be nice to have something that I can finally tell him."

Draco laughed. "He's persistent, isn't he? What's going on with Harry? I've not seen him like that in a long time. He was really peeved about something. And, he was just saying yesterday that he was glad that Ginny and he were waiting."

"You'll have to talk to Harry about that, as I was in another room until he made his announcement." Severus smirked. "I suggest you go help Longbottom with that grill. If he cooks anything like he brews potions, it's probably already too late."

"Right then," Draco agreed. He followed the man back to the kitchen and bid the pair farewell as they left.

"Neville turned the grill off. It seems that he wanted to escort Daphne home. She's not feeling well," Luna said. "Nice girl. Says her dad wants her to marry into the Malfoy line. Seems they are hoping she'll find a pureblood family."

"Yes, that's how they are."

"I pointed out that Neville is a pureblood."

"Is that so?" Draco asked, moving to stand next to her. "What did she say?"

"Said that she liked Neville, but she hadn't really thought about that. She said you seem preoccupied all the time. It was right after that when she claimed to be ill." Luna moved to put her hands on the button of his trousers. "I think since we're alone now..." She emphasized her unfinished suggestion by reaching a hand into his trousers to fondle him.

"Er..." Draco stammered. He didn't know what to say. They'd never been alone before, even though she'd been staying there for three weeks. When they were together, Ron had always been with them. "W-we shouldn't."

"Oh, I think we should." She removed her hand and led him to the small library. She warded the door in case anyone came back and then began pulling off her clothes. She paused when she saw that he wasn't doing the same. "What is it?"

"Well, you're Ron's girl," he said, feeling uneasy. How would Ron feel about this?

"I am yours as well, Draco. Ron told you that already."

"No, he never sai..."

"He did. He wants both of us to be happy. I think this works. Undress," she commanded. When he didn't move to do it, she spelled his clothes off. His erection gave away the fact that he'd been turned on by her abrupt decision. "Come on, love. We might not have enough time."

"All right," Draco said finally, moving to sit on the settee. As the witch moved to straddle him, he knew that he was where he wanted to be. It felt odd that Ron wasn't with them, but it didn't feel wrong either. As she slid down onto him, they both moaned.

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

"Only three weeks left," Hermione told Harry. He was helping her down the stairs leading to the dungeons. "Sorry about this. I'm just so tired lately."

"Mione, you look really bad. Maybe you should ask Minerva to take over for you earlier. You should have at least gotten them to connect your Floo in your office to your chambers. This is ridiculous. What does Poppy say about those swollen feet? You shouldn't be on them all day," Harry said darkly. "Bella," he called. "Go forward and find Severus." The snake slithered off.

"Really, Harry. He might try to hex her," she said with an annoyed smile. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine."

"Wait," she said, huffing slightly. "I just need a moment to breathe. This is what you've got to look forward to, Harry. Ginny is going to be like this in the future."

"I can't wait to see my child," he said softly.

"Harry, haven't you forgiven her yet? It's been five weeks since we've found out about what she did. You're married with a baby on the way. She's been telling me how lonely she is. She says that after you two consummated the marriage, you sent her back to her mum's and didn't get her until you came here." Harry shrugged and looked away. "You haven't touched her since. I thought you loved her."

"I do, but I don't appreciate someone sabotaging their Contraceptive Potion to trick me into marrying her. Yes, Mione, I was going to marry her, but I was going to do things the right way." He sat down on the stairs. "Have a seat then." When she sat down, he spoke again. "Ron and I had a row over it. I am not speaking to her father or the twins. I mean, things are a mess. This is my first year out of school, and I'm trying to make a name for myself. She could have messed things up for us by doing this."

"I agree, but why keep being angry about it? The Weasleys have always treated us like family. Ginny, well, she wasn't thinking clearly, but she sees her error now, Harry. Have you not even asked how her counseling is going?"

She'd wanted to talk to Harry about his marriage, but the last couple of weeks with school resuming had them all running ragged. Ginny hadn't taken any meals in the Great Hall yet, and she never left their chambers. Hermione had had to visit her when Harry was with Severus to finally get her to open up. It was then that she'd shown Hermione her bedroom, a room separate from Harry's. She'd told Hermione the truth about everything. Whenever Hermione wrote to either, they'd always pretended that all was well.

"I don't talk to her much. I've been concentrating on doing things for my classes, preparing and assignments. You know how it is. It's a lot more work than I imagined, even after I went over things with Albus and Minerva. Then, being Gryffindor's Head of House, well, I have those extra duties as well. This," he said angrily, "is exactly why I wanted to wait."

"So this is her punishment then? Making her sleep in a separate room? Are you too busy to hold your wife at night? Pregnancy is a very emotional time for any woman, Harry. I know. I'm doing it now. She needs you. You could be jeopardizing your child by hurting her. Did you think of that?" Hermione sighed. "I'm not trying to be mean, Harry, really. I just want you to think of things from her perspective. You married her, slept with her, and brought her to her mum's for three weeks. You only exchanged letters with her, and when you brought her here, you sprung that room on her. She's not happy. Don't you love her any longer?"

"Of course I do. I just wanted things to be good for us. I don't like what she did," he said sourly.

"Harry," Hermione said angrily, "I believe I can think of a few things that you've done that she doesn't know about."

He laughed. "Yes, I have done things."

"That's all you have to say?"

"You're right," he said. "I'll start tonight. I'll ask her if she wants to come for dinner in the hall. I'm sure all of her mates have been wondering why she hasn't been about. They don't dare ask me though. After that, I'll have her take a walk with me near the lake where I will tell her that I've been a ruddy boyfr... er... husband. I'll ask her if she wants to try to sleep in my bed again."

"Good for you, Harry, but do look a little more sincere. Try not to keep that smirk on your face when you talk to her," Hermione chided softly. "You'll be fine."

"I suppose so," he said. "That day when I heard the two of you talking, I couldn't believe what she'd done. Her reasoning made sense to me on some level, but I felt forced into something. Do you know how happy I was when Molly Flooed over to tell me that the Healer that checked Ginny over confirmed that she was pregnant?"

"I can imagine."

"Well, I knew she likely was, but having it confirmed was a different feeling. I'm going to be a father and am going to get the chance to do the things that my dad never had the chance to do with me. I guess I just wanted things to be perfect. I wanted to propose properly, have a real wedding, and plan a family the right way." He placed a hand over Hermione's belly.

"Harry, I don't know if..."

"Severus is very lucky, you know," he said softly. "Brilliant! She just moved!" His mouth gaped open. "Good Lord! What's going on in there?"

"I don't know. It feels as though my entire...Oh! My water!" she exclaimed, pointing to the step below. Her fluids were leaking, and her muscles began to spasm. "Harry, it's too early. Something must be wrong."

He scooped her up and slowly made his way back up the stairs. "Ruddy dungeons! Damn stairs," he muttered, nearly out of breath.

"What's going on?" Severus asked, approaching them from behind. A large yelp was his answer. "Hermione!"

"She is leaking... water," Harry said awkwardly. "I think it's time."

"It's too early, Severus," Hermione said, crying. "What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing," her husband said. "I'll take her." He took Harry's burden and moved quickly towards the infirmary with her.

Harry followed closely, calling for Bella to follow. All students jumped out of the way as their Potions master billowed by holding their Transfiguration mistress. Just as they began to relax, Harry passed by with one of his large vipers. They scattered completely. Harry chuckled to himself. Having everyone scatter when he came through wasn't all that bad. Before he entered the infirmary, he saw Luna. "Lovegood," he called.

"Yes, Professor Potter," she said respectfully.

"I need you to ask Headmistress McGonagall if she would be so kind as to meet me here. You'll find her with Madame Hooch and Professor Dumbledore in the staff room."

"Yes, sir," she said with a sly smile and made her way down the corridor.

Harry watched her hurry away. He'd made it clear to everyone that even though they were friends before there would be no special treatment. He was to be a fair professor for the school. Things really were working out well. He entered the infirmary and was met with a loud howl. He quickly summoned a parchment and quill to send a message. "Bella," he said to his friend. "I need you to bring this to Ginny. All right? It's important. Come." He went to Poppy's grate, put the letter in Bella's mouth, and threw in some Floo powder. "Potter's chambers! Be nice, Bella. Stay with Nagini." The snake slid in and was Flooed to his rooms.

He made his way to where Severus was standing. "What are you doing?" he asked the pale man.

"She's not going to try to stop it. She said that three weeks early isn't bad. It's in position already," Severus said through shock.

"Er... are you all right then?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Severus!" Hermione shouted. Both men entered. Harry went to one side, as Severus was at her other. Poppy was moving her wand along her stomach.

"Hermione," the mediwitch said, "I don't think we'll have time to give you anything to help with the pain. Your contractions are too close, and you're dilating quickly. She wants out of there." The old witch smiled. "You're about to become a mum."

"Severus," Hermione said, squirming uncomfortably.

"Right here," Severus said taking her hand.

"It hurts. Something doesn't feel right," she said.

"Harry!" Ginny said, bursting in. "Hermione! All okay?"

Harry shook his head. "She's in labor." He looked to Hermione. "We're going to wait outside and leave you two in privacy now. I just wanted you to know that I was here, and we love you."

"We'll be right outside," Ginny said.

Hermione nodded, and then began to whimper while her feet moved from side to side. "I think I have to go to the loo," she moaned loudly, crying slightly.

"No," Poppy said. "That's just how it feels. Knees up. Part your legs. I need to check you."

Harry looked to Ginny. "I wonder if we should put a Silencing Charm up. That's a little personal."

"I guess they will if they need it," she offered and looked away.

"Look, Ginny, I know I've been an arse lately, but you've not been so great either. Things were fine as they were. I just felt..."

"Stop." She pulled his hand between both of hers. "I'm sorry. It was wrong. Am I forgiven?"

"I suppose," he said giving her a lopsided grin. He placed his hand on her stomach. "I mean how could I not." Hermione howled again in the background. "You'll be going through all of what she's going through, and I did participate in the making of our baby." He kissed her nose. "I love you. I'm sorry. Sorry for all of it. I'll make it up to you."

"I love you," she said softly.

When she brought her lips to Harry's, he could have sank to the floor and made love to her. What the fuck had he been thinking? He was married! He had a child on the way! He could have been shagging her each night. He pulled away and smiled. "I've missed you."

"Likewise," she said, moving to kiss him again.

Minerva, Albus, and Rolanda came in. As Harry told them what happened, Poppy ran out, heading towards her fireplace. "What is it?" Minerva asked, noting the witch's alarm.

"I need another pair of hands. She's having problems. I was going to Floo St. Mungo's," she said. "You'll do well enough." She grabbed Minerva and pulled her into the room. "There's little time."

They heard Severus say, "Like hell I will. I'm staying with my wife." Hermione's crying was the last thing they heard before Albus put up a Silencing Charm. There was nothing to do but wait. They all sat or paced while Hermione was in there fighting to give birth to her child.

Harry hated feeling helpless. An hour passed, and nobody had emerged from the room. He stood up and made his way towards the curtains. "Harry," Albus called. "Let them be."

He nodded and made his way back to his wife. "I want you to go get something to eat. You need to take care of yourself as well. I'll be up as soon as I can."

"What room?"

He knew that she was questioning where she would be sleeping. "Mine." She smiled, kissed his cheek, and scurried off.

"How's it going?" Stuart asked a little later when he'd come in.

"We don't bloody know," Rolanda said. "I must say that I am glad that I never went this route." She took her husband's hand for a brief greeting. "I'm worried. If something happens to either of them, I don't know what Severus will do."

"They'll be fine," Harry snapped. "That's it." He lifted his wand and released the Silencing Charm. "If they had wanted it on there, they'd have put it." Albus simply shrugged, but he looked amused. They all quieted to listen.

"She's beautiful, Severus," a clearly choked Minerva said. "Hold her."

"What about Hermione?" he asked darkly.

"I'm trying to stop the bleeding, Severus. Help Minerva with the child and let me work in peace," Poppy said angrily. "NOW!"

Harry quickly put the charm back up and turned to the others. "Bloody hell!" He went to the grate, threw in some powder, and Flooed Ron. "Ron, Apparate to Hogwarts, mate. It's Mione. No, don't come through here. You know how Poppy is. All right."

He stepped away to look back. Everyone had gone silent. Severus had stepped into the room. "Severus?" He simply shook his head sadly and sank to his knees.

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

Ron looked at Draco. "It doesn't sound good."

Draco looked to his father, who had come over for a drink after a day at the office. "Want to come? Snape might need you."

"I do," Lucius said immediately. "Let's go." He hoped that his friend wouldn't lose his wife. Potter sounded stricken, and if he was calling for their other partner in mischief to come right away, it wasn't good. He wondered if the child was already lost. That would break Severus. God, I hope they are all right. We don't want another enraged Severus Snape on our hands. He would be uncontrollable.

"Should we tell my mum and dad?" Ron asked. "They've always loved Mione."

"Quickly," Lucius said. "Hell, I don't have to wait. I'll go on. See you there." As quickly as he could, he made his way outside to Disapparate to the Apparition site at Hogwarts. He didn't have permission to Disapparate directly out of Potter's home. He didn't blame the boy to have such precautions. He'd only lived most of his life with someone trying to kill him. He hurried onto the grounds and into the castle, making his way towards the infirmary. When he neared the door, a group of people came out. He identified them as Albus, Minerva, Hooch, and Steward. "What's happened?" he asked.

"There have been complications. The child is fine, but as far as we can tell, we've lost Hermione," Albus said brokenly. Minerva collapsed against him and wailed loudly.

"Severus?" Lucius asked.

"Destroyed. He's with Potter," Steward said, holding his wife close to him. The man must have truly adored Hermione. He was crying as much as his wife. "We left them in peace."

When he entered, he saw Severus kneeling on the floor in complete despair. Potter was with him, trying to talk to him, but it seemed that Severus wasn't paying any mind to him. Lucius nodded and made his way to his friend. He stopped when he neared them. Severus was crying. He'd never seen the man like this. "But that's impossible. I love her," he was saying.

"You've got to let me do it, Severus. You know I can," Potter said darkly.

Lucius knew what Potter was about, or he could at least imagine. There must be something he could do, but he likely needed Severus' help. Lucius moved forward, kneeled next to them, nodded to Potter, and pulled Severus to him. "He'll handle it," he told Severus.

Harry scrambled out of sight behind a set of curtains. Almost immediately the harassed looking mediwitch exited the room. She was holding the baby close to her bosom. "He took the umbilical cord. He removed me. How dare he interfere? I am trying to..." She looked at Severus sadly. She kneeled next to the broken man.

Lucius watched as she touched Severus' face and made him look at his child. The child was sleeping as if nothing was wrong in the world. Severus finally calmed enough to really see his child, likely for the first time.

Severus reached out to move one finger along her face gently. "She's like her mother." He looked to his friend. "Lucius, stop trying to have a child. You may lose Narcissa. Be glad you have Draco." He took his child from Poppy. "She didn't even see her. She let go before our daughter took her first breath."

The blond man looked at Severus firmly. "Snap out of it, man. Potter is in there." His eyes widened to try to signify what he meant. "You will see her again, my friend."

A cold chill swept through the room, and a gray blur brushed past them. Lucius spoke to the mediwitch. "Take the baby out of here, Pomfrey. Now. Speak to nobody about this. Just keep them out. Tell them Severus needs a few moments." The woman obeyed, taking the child from the stunned man. As soon as the door closed behind her, he warded it as securely as he could. It would not do for any do-gooder to come in and try to stop things. Severus didn't deserve this fate. He left Severus to grieve on the floor and mumble to himself as he made his way to Potter. The boy was passing his hands along the witch's stomach wound.

"She had to cut the baby out. The cord was wrapped around its neck. Hermione insisted that she take her no matter what," Harry said when he noticed Lucius watching. "She bled to death. It was all too fast and too much for Poppy to handle all at once. Minerva had no idea of how to help, so she mostly calmed Severus."

Three glass vials broke simultaneously, and the cold chill began anew. This time a breeze accompanied it, and the same gray mist swirled around them. Potter began spitting and hissing like a snake, and for the first time in months, Lucius was suddenly afraid. He seriously thought about getting on his knees before him. The Dark Lord had never done anything like this in front of him, but he'd often bragged about the things that a Parselmouth could do. He looked away momentarily as the boy rubbed a portion of the umbilical cord along the hastily sewn up cut. The stained sheet was sliding down her lower half. Lucius moved to make sure it remained over her. It would not do to allow Severus' wife to be seen so inappropriately. The gray mist suddenly appeared between them, hovered over the body, and seemed to seep down into it.

"Good Lord! Was that...?"

Potter, continuously chanting, moved away to plunge a needle into his arm, and siphon his blood to a large container through a short tube. Once the container was full, he added the umbilical cord to the liquid inside, shaking it, and chanting. He moved a hand over her stomach. His chant became louder, and the hissing came out longer. The blood he'd taken from his own body vanished from the container, leaving only the umbilical cord. Lucius shivered and not only from the temperature of the room. "Blankets," Potter said suddenly. Lucius summoned some and placed them over her. "Severus," he breathed before he leant over to place his hands on her temples and chant.

Lucius nearly tripped over his own feet in a haste to get Severus. As quickly as he could, he pulled Severus up. "Your wife needs you," he said urgently. Severus nodded and allowed his friend to lead him in.

"Potter!" he bellowed suddenly. "Get away from her!"

Lucius slapped Severus in the face lightly to draw him out of his shock. "He's helping her. He's doing what Pomfrey could not."

Severus grabbed Lucius by the collar and drew back to hit him. He paused, blinking rapidly. "Hermione," he said, pushing the man away. "Harry, what's happening?"

Weakly, Harry said, "I got her before she went beyond the veil. She's here. I just need a little more time. It just needs a little longer for the healing to be complete. I'm weak."

"He took a large portion of his own blood, and I think he gave it to her," Lucius added. "His magical chants seem to be draining him. What can we do?"

Severus moved behind Harry and helped to keep him upright. Lucius moved to keep Potter's hands on Hermione's face. All the boy had to do was chant. They could hold him up until he was finished. Nearly ten minutes later, Lucius was developing a severe backache and even Severus was slumping. Potter stopped talking all together.

Hermione sucked in a deep breath and coughed slightly. Lucius ran around to help the exhausted Potter to a chair while Severus tended to his wife. He looked back to see that her eyes were barely open, but she was looking directly at Severus. "Lily," the girl breathed.

Severus looked at her oddly. "Hush now. Save your energy. Harry did a lot to help you. I'm not quite sure what he did, but you're here. I don't care what anyone says." He rested his head against hers. "I love you," he said emotionally. "I should have told you that more."

"'S all right," she murmured. "Where... Lily?" Her eyes closed, but she was still breathing. Panicking, Severus checked her pulse.

"She lives."

"So she does."

"She needs Poppy," Severus said. "They both do."

"Severus, we cannot speak of what Potter did here," Lucius warned. "We'll say that she just started breathing again. They'll not likely believe it, but that will be our story."

Severus nodded. "Get Poppy." He placed his head on the pillow next to his wife's and sobbed again.

Lucius knew that it was mostly relief, and for a moment, he thought a tear might come to his eye. He would hate to lose Narcissa as well. He quickly sped away to get the Mediwitch. As soon as he opened the door, Weasley fell in. He'd been leaning against it. "Where is she? What's going on?" he bellowed. "Why were we locked out?"

Lucius pulled his wand to level it at the boy. "Get back, boy." Draco pulled Weasley back. Lucius eyed Pomfrey. "She needs you."

"Is she alive?" Molly asked anxiously. "What's going on?"

"Only just," he said. Pomfrey ran by him. "In good conscience, I would ask that you all stay here. Severus didn't take losing... thinking he'd lost his wife well."

"But I saw it. She was gone," Minerva said emotionally. "How can this be?"

"It was a mistake. She lives," Lucius insisted. He looked around. Everyone seemed to be happy that she was alive, but he knew there would be questions later. They would find a reason to explain it. Maybe they could say that the pulse was still there, and Potter knew some chant to keep her stable while her magic began mending her body. That sounded nice. He moved back in quickly to let the others know. Pomfrey would have to be told the truth of course.

As he made his way back to his friend and his wife, he felt lighter inside. He'd just helped to bring someone back to life. Potter didn't know how lucky he was to have such a gift. Power was not something to take lightly. He'd have to give the boy a few books to read on a few things. Maybe they could be of some use since he was a fairly new professor. It would be his way of saying thanks for allowing him to help. A hand on his shoulder stopped him from entering. Dumbledore. Shit.

"How is Harry?" the old man asked. He knew. The old man knew. It had to be why he'd made everyone leave the room. He must have known that Potter would do something to help her. Why did he allow it? There was nothing darker than what the boy had just done.

Lucius shrugged. "When I came out, he was very weak and needed assistance."

Dumbledore nodded and walked ahead of him. Pomfrey was looking at Harry and moving her wand over his body. "I'll take over from here, Poppy. There is nothing more that you can do for him." With a wave of his hand, Harry lifted and floated behind the man. "I'll put him in the private room where I can attend to him. We shall not be disturbed for an entire day," he told them. Finally, he looked to Severus. They eyed each other warily. "It had to be done."

Severus nodded. "I agree. We'll work through it." Lucius watched as the old man left with the limp body of Harry Potter floating behind him. A door appeared in the wall across the room, and they disappeared inside.

"Severus, I think I should leave you two alone."

"Have Minerva bring my daughter, Lucius. Only Minerva," he added, not looking at his friend. His eyes were fixated on his wife's face. She was still breathing steadily. Pomfrey was again hovering over her. Lucius left.

Once he saw the anxious group outside, he held up his hand to halt the questions. "Severus would like for Minerva to bring his daughter to him. Madame Pomfrey is checking her over again, but she seems all right."

Minerva nodded, took the child from Molly's arms, and made her way to the couple. She began weeping as she neared the bed. Hermione is alive! She was dead. Harry did this. Harry, Lucius, and Severus brought her back. "Severus," she said softly. "I've your lass for you."

He left the bedside to go to her. "She's all right, Minnie. She breathes again," he whispered. Minerva nodded and looked past him to her young friend, so much like the daughter she'd never had. Her heart had broken when she'd ceased to breathe. She'd seen the blood, and the blank look in the girl's eyes. She'd seen the horror in Poppy's eyes as she'd frantically tried to stop the bleeding and heal her. It had happened so fast. Severus took the child from her, placed a kiss on the small forehead, and moved to his wife's side again.

"What will you name her, Severus?" she asked.

He looked at his daughter for a moment and then to Hermione. "She was asking for Lily. I thought at first that maybe she'd seen Lily somehow, but I think that's what she wants to name our daughter. What do you think?"

"I think I would wait until your wife awakens," Minerva said with a chuckle.

Poppy cleared her throat. "It seems that Potter was able to hold her here somehow while her magic mended her body. He's a hero... again. He has been momentarily weakened. It was a great drain on his body. Albus is tending to him." She moved to Minerva's side. "Shall we tell that story to the others? Someone must notify her parents as well."

"We'll leave them to it," Minerva said softly. "Severus, I'll be back to see about the baby. You two have gone through enough tonight. We'll take care of her while you rest." She transfigured Hermione's bed slightly, making it wider to accommodate Severus.

He nodded, eyes never leaving his daughter's face. Once they were gone, he began speaking to Hermione. "She's perfect. I think she is just as I imagined her. We have so much to give her, my love. Things will be all right soon." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "This was a close call. I don't want to go through this again. She is our first and last child, Hermione. When you died, I was broken. You could say that I was lost without you. I don't know that I could have gone on."

A small humph made him look to his wife's face. Her eyes were open slightly again and a faint smile curled her lips. "Beauti... ful."

"Just like her mother," he agreed. "Did you want to name her Lily?" She nodded slightly. "Why?"

"Harry," she explained, "did this. His mum was there. Told me come back."

"You saw Lily?" he asked incredulously.

"I heard her." She swallowed. "Water."

He gripped the baby with one hand while he used the other to get a glass of water. He helped her taste just a bit. "Lillian Elladora Snape?" he questioned his weak wife. "Elladora for my mother. Lillian as a variation of Lily's name in honor of Harry?"

"Yes," she whispered, reaching out a frail hand to touch her daughter's forehead. "Love... you... both." Her hand fell away as she drifted back off to sleep.

I love you as well, Hermione, and as much as I love Lillian, I will be sure that we have no more children. I can't lose you again. Severus looked at his daughter. She opened her eyes at just that moment. He wondered what color they would be. They seemed to be a dark blue, but he was sure that he'd read that most newborn children had similar eye coloring. "I hope you have your mother's eyes."

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

"The first stage of the prophecy is completed," the Succubus murmured, looking at her mistress' feet.

"Yes," came the reply.

"What is the entire prophecy, if I may be so bold? I've only heard part of it once in passing."

"He severed his old ties and thus one day made her his own

Alongside the snake wizard's child will their heir be grown.

Separate, the progeny each possess a particular skill.

Bring them together and end a Dark Lord's reign, they will.

Balance will be had with the alliance of a lion and a snake.

It's the bonds of love and blood that evil cannot forsake."

"Thank you. I have longed to hear it in its entirety. My child grows stronger each day. We shall begin preparing him as soon as you see fit," the Succubus groveled, hoping to please her mistress.

"There is more to the prophecy, but I shall not divulge that. On another note, excellent work. I would think that your host has a lot to do with this. We cannot touch Snape, nor his wife and offspring, but your host can, as can your offspring. We will gain revenge on those that have betrayed us. Your host will have his fantasy fulfilled as a reward." She faced the Succubus. "We will see that the bonds of the children are broken one way or another. They will not join together to defeat the next Dark Lord. We shall join with him when he emerges."

"How do we know who and when?"

"We do not know who, but we know when. It is all I will say for now. Rest assured that we have much time to train your child in the ways of old. He shall be the one to get into the good graces of the new Dark Lord. Either the Lord will help us, or we shall destroy him. Either way, we win. There is much to prepare for. Go. Leave us. Send word after your child is born."

"Yes," the Succubus hissed obediently. She'd promised her lover that she would be his this night. He'd been such a faithful servant thus far. She wouldn't take much of his magic as he erupted within her body. As she made her way back to his home, she wondered what his fascination was with the Granger woman. Why her? Perhaps after they'd found a way to take on permanent, solid forms, she could take the woman's likeness. Maybe her lover would be satisfied with that. Time would tell. According to the High Mistress, they had plenty of time to be ready for this. The Dark Lord was probably just now establishing himself into the Wizarding world, or he'd be doing so soon. The last Dark Lord had killed many fellow night stalkers for sport before they realized that he'd never help them. The new Lord wouldn't be so fortunate as to be a Wizard of the Snakes. Whatever the case, every Succubus and Incubus would eventually be freed from their nightmarish existence.

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Southern's Notes: Well, thanks for sticking with me for the ride, mates. My beta says she would like to see an epilogue, so I will likely be adding that at some point soon. I sort of like the loose ends, as it sets up the sequel.

For those of you that enjoyed this story, I will be writing a sequel and also a prequel (Severus / Lily). I'll post information about those to my Yahoo!Group, Potter_Place. If you are interested, please join us.

I would like to thank everyone for reading. If you've read through the last thirty chapters and haven't reviewed, please do so. I'd like to know if it was worth the read.