Chapter 12

Disclaimer: The characters all belong to JKR...except that horrid Lucinda!....... The plot is mine though.

Author's Notes: I'm still not worthy of Southern_Witch_69 or Meredith as far as writing is concerned, but I'm very happy to have them!

Chapter 12

Severus was very worked up by the time he arrived at the Leaky Cauldron. He and Lucius were meeting to discuss the supposed Death Eater activity, but all he wanted to talk about was the snake that Potter had told him about. Although he could not prove it, he knew, without a doubt, Lucinda had somehow sent that snake. Lucius arrived shortly after Severus.

"Severus," Lucius greeted, "how did the meeting go? Did you learn anything?"

"Yes, I learnt something quite interesting. I think your dear sister tried to hurt Hermione again. I cannot prove it was her, but someone sent a highly poisonous snake, originally from France, to Hogwarts, placing him in a greenhouse that Hermione often goes in to read. I have told you what I would do, Lucius, if Lucinda tried to harm Hermione or my child, and I mean it. I will not tolerate this!"

Lucius was very upset by the news. After his talk with his sister, he was sure she would leave Severus and Hermione alone. This was most distressing. "I will speak with her on this, Severus, and I will also contact Jean-Paul to see what he knows. This sort of thing will not happen again."

"See to it that it doesn't. This is no game here, Lucius. Now, about the Death Eaters, it sounds like it could be some of the last initiated that joined right before the Dark Lord was defeated...the ones that slipped through prosecution. I don't think the Aurors will have any problems catching these dunderheads."

"Well, that is good news at least. I don't want to worry about some Death Eater bent on revenge to come threatening my family. Narcissa will be relieved. Now, what say you to actually having a late lunch?"

"Thank you, but I must decline. I want to get back and make sure Hermione is okay. Goodbye, Lucius, and remember what I said."

With that, Severus Disapparated back to the gates in front of Hogwarts, intent on seeing to Hermione. To his dismay, she had gone on the shopping trip anyway. He became angrier with each passing minute. How can she be so careless after what happened today! Stupid witch! I am going to wring her pretty little neck when she gets home!

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The shopping trip was exhausting for Hermione. All she wanted to do was come home and soak in the tub before her date with Severus. However, this was not to be. As soon as she walked in, he pounced.

"Why, in the bloody name of Merlin, did you leave Hogwarts with Nymphadora today after what happened with that snake?" His tone was smooth and deadly.

Hermione, who recognized that tone, lifted her chin slightly, and put her hands on her hips. "Severus, I have to have some maternity robes! None of my clothes fit me anymore! What do you want me to do? Walk around naked? Besides, I was with Tonks! She is an Auror, you know!"

I wouldn't mind having you walk around our quarters naked. "From now on, you are not to leave this castle without me. Nymphadora was also at the party. She was sitting right there when Susan was slipped that potion that was meant for you, was she not?" She started to speak, and he lifted his hand to stop her. "Hermione, I just can't risk it. Please."

She averted her eyes, defeated. She would usually not give in so easily, but she had the baby to think of. Also, the pleading tone in Severus' voice almost broke her heart. "Okay. I will agree to leave only when you can escort me, but I want to go to the spa sometime soon." At his confused look, she explained, "Ginny and Draco got me a gift certificate to that spa that specializes in pampering pregnant women, remember?"

Severus fought the urge to snort. A spa, indeed. I could massage her right here just as well...probably better, as I have been doing every night! "Yes, love, I will escort you there. Just make it on a Saturday, okay?"

Hermione's eyebrows shot straight to her hairline. Did he just call me love? Again? He must be getting more comfortable with the endearments. That is something I could get used to hearing on a daily basis! Blushing, she told him that visiting the spa on a Saturday would be fine.

"Okay, go have your bath, and ready yourself for our outing. I made reservations for us at six at Chez Moi. It, too, is in Muggle London."

"Oh, really? I love French food! I have always wanted to dine there, but I could never afford it." She started biting her lower lip in a way that made Severus want to take it in his mouth and soothe it.

"Hermione, I assure you, I can more than afford it. Do you have any Muggle dresses that still fit you?"

"Yes, I can still fit in that dress I wore to Gin's hen party, I think." She frowned, thinking that would be too casual.

"Perfect. Now, go get ready. I will be ready when you are finished."

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Chez Moi turned out to be a wonderful restaurant, as Hermione had suspected. After an appetizer of mushroom caviar, she had flat out refused to eat snails, much to Severus' amusement; they had their first course of avocado stuffed with crab salad.

Then came the main course of roast pork tenderloin with shallots and asparagus for Hermione and roasted cod with red pepper puree for Severus. The conversation flowed easily for them. They both spoke a little more of their childhoods and families. This time, however, Hermione felt brave enough to ask a couple of questions, and to her surprise, Severus answered.

She felt she was getting to know him a lot better. He was starting to act more like the Severus she worked with all those months, and she was very happy about that. He seemed to be opening up to her and slowly letting her in.

For her part, she was trying to be an open book for him. She wanted him to know her and to see how she really felt. She wanted him to know that under no uncertain terms did she plan to leave him or their child. For once, since her parents died, things were starting to look up for her.

By the time their dessert of chocolate and peanut butter sandwiches came, nearly three hours had passed. They were both amazed how quickly the time had gone by. They ended up having to go to a later show than they'd expected, but it was worth it.

For his part, Severus was amazed at how much he was willing to reveal to Hermione. The words just seemed to flow out of his mouth whenever he started talking to her. Not that he minded, really, if they were going to have the kind of future he wanted them to have together, then she needed to know about his past. Even the unpleasant parts. Especially the unpleasant parts. He wanted her going into this with her eyes wide open.

He found he quite enjoyed spending time with his witch, and the more he got to know her, the more he wanted her. He'd known that he had loved her for quite some time, but he didn't realize he would actually like her as well. It looked as if she was on her way to becoming a friend, as well as a lover, to him. He knew it was only a matter of time before they succumbed to those feelings again, and he was rather looking forward to it.

He knew she had been flirting with him and attempting to seduce him. It amazed and delighted him that she put the effort in, but he was very glad she did. He always wondered what she would do next. It was rather endearing, watching her in all her innocence trying, and succeeding, to be alluring.

Severus was very happy and content at the moment. For once, since the Dark Lord had been defeated, things were starting to look up for him.

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Soon, it was the middle of January and time for another visit with Poppy. Severus had only missed one appointment, but he was looking forward to this one anyway. It always amazed him to listen to the heartbeat of his child. He watched as Hermione sat his breakfast in front of him and then started to make her own plate. She was becoming more and more beautiful to him. I wonder if she knows how she glows? I wonder if she feels the life inside her moving and kicking about?

"A Sickle for your thoughts." Hermione smiled warmly at Severus. He had been staring at her ever expanding belly. What goes through your mind when you look at me?

"I was just wondering if you can feel the baby moving in there."

"Sometimes. It is getting stronger each day though. The next time I feel a few good

movements at once, I will let you touch."

"Thank you. I would really appreciate that, Hermione." Severus sighed. "We had better get going. I want to get to my class soon after the dunderheads arrive."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Severus, why in the world do you teach if you hate it so?"

"What else am I going to do, Hermione? Disguise myself and become a gigolo? I have been doing this too long to stop now."

"I suppose. Although, I think you would be brilliant at research. Did you ever consider leaving, doing your own research, and creating your own potions?" We could set up a lab together. I do know we work very well on potions together. Maybe I could even incorporate some of those charms I have been studying up on.

"I used to think of nothing but leaving, but I have found my place here acceptable. I am content with doing my projects during the holidays, and with the baby coming, I don't want to move out of Hogwarts anytime soon."

"Yes, I can see your point there. Well, it's time to go. Are you ready?" Hermione wanted to go before that portion of the conversation continued. She did not want to think of the baby being born and having to leave. She was still holding out hope she would change his mind, and it looked like he was going to, although they have not spoken of it in a long time.

He leant over, kissed her lips, as he had started to do every morning after breakfast, took her hand, and led her to see Poppy.

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As Poppy was finishing up the examination, she told them, "Everything looks really good. Hermione, this is almost a textbook pregnancy." Severus smirked at that. Of course, it is. I would not expect anything less of my little know-it-all! " Everything is exactly the way it should be at twenty-five weeks. If you haven't already, you should be feeling the baby move. It doesn't appear as though you have any stretch marks, although it would be quite normal if you had."

Severus smirked. "I had prepared a cream for Hermione to apply in the first few weeks of her pregnancy to prevent that. It is a highly complicated cream to make, but I can say it was worth it."

Hermione blushed, remembering what happened when he'd applied the cream. "Yes, it was worth it, indeed." She locked eyes with Severus and knew he was remembering as well.

Poppy went on as if she didn't notice the exchange between Hermione and Severus. "Hermione, the heartburn you are experiencing is normal. You may take a potion for that once daily. You can also try eating smaller meals more frequently and less fatty foods. Now, would you like to know the sex of the baby, Severus?"

Severus noticed the way Hermione looked just then. He could tell that she really wanted to know, and if he were being honest with himself, he did as well. "Yes, I would." He felt guilty that Poppy had directed the question to him only, which was how it should be. It just felt so wrong to him. He'd been thinking of the child as their baby...not just his.

"Congratulations, you are going to have a son." Poppy practically beamed at Severus when she made this announcement.

Severus looked at Hermione to see tears glistening in her eyes. He was starting to get a little choked up himself, so he did the only thing he could think to do at the moment. He nodded once and left to go to his classroom.

Hermione was not offended by his abrupt exit. Now that he had gotten to know him, she knew it was his defense against publicly showing emotion. She rubbed her belly and smiled, thinking, I am going to have a son, as the tears fell from her eyes.

Severus stopped outside his classroom door to get his emotions in check. A son! Hermione is giving me a son! Of course, I would love my child, no matter the gender, but I am very pleased. I think I will take her to that spa of hers this weekend to celebrate.

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Before long, it was the week before Valentine's Day. Hermione wanted to get Severus a special gift, but she was having a hard time deciding what to purchase. Her limited choices were beside the fact that Severus watched her like a hawk and would not let her leave the castle without him. In addition to that, she still hadn't been to the spa yet. The weekend Severus was going to take her, Filch got sick, and Severus had to do his rounds. Severus was busy with preparing the students for the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s that were coming up and with grading tests and essays. Therefore, their evenings were spent with him in his office...him grading and her going through his many books. As much as she enjoyed reading, she was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic to say the least.

To top it all off, she was having an extreme craving for those chocolate and peanut butter sandwiches she had eaten at Chez Moi. Needless to say, by the time Severus came in from making his rounds that night, she was in a foul mood. "I have had it, Severus. I absolutely can't take it any more!"

Startled, Severus looked to Hermione. "What's wrong, sweet? What can I do to help?"

"For one thing, I am going stir crazy in this ruddy castle! I have got to get out! And, for another thing, I am having an absolutely maddening craving for a chocolate and peanut butter sandwich from Chez Moi. I have simply got to have one right now!"

"Hermione, it's midnight! I doubt they are even open at this hour!" Severus really did not feel like going out at this time of night, especially for something as silly as that.

Tears welled in her eyes. She knew she was being unreasonable, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. "Fine! Just forget it!" She stomped off towards their bedroom.

Severus sighed. Witches! Still, he decided that letting her have her way wouldn't hurt anyone. He'd be damned if he were going to tromp through Muggle London at midnight to get them though. Instead, he summoned a house-elf.

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By the time she had gotten out of the tub and dried off, Hermione was still craving those sandwiches, which was odd to her, considering she'd only had them that one time. She had just pulled her gown over her head when she felt it. It was a very strong kick followed by a series of wave-like movements. Knickers forgotten, she ran into the bedroom to look for Severus.

He was sitting on the bed with his back against the headboard, legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankle, wearing only his pajama bottoms, and reading a journal on potions. She only vaguely noticed the chocolate and peanut butter sandwiches on the nightstand. She called, "Severus!" In the next instant, she pounced on the bed and straddled him.

"Hermione, what on earth?"

The next thing he knew, she was lifting his hand and placing it underneath her nightgown on her stomach. He looked at her in astonishment for a few seconds until he felt a thump. "Is that..."

"Yes! That's the baby! That's our son doing that!" She beamed at him as he felt the small movement. Then, he lowered his hands to her hips to pull her belly closer to his and discovered she didn't have on any knickers. Good Lord! How could I not have noticed that? He raised his head to look in her eyes, and the mood became intense.

She leant forward and kissed him passionately. When she stopped to catch her breath, she told him, "I want you so very much, Severus. Will you still refuse me?"

Pulling her face to his so that they were only inches apart, he said, "Not now, not ever again." He kissed her then, and his hands were suddenly everywhere. He could not get enough of her. He lifted her gown over her head, threw it onto the floor, and gently took the nearest nipple into his mouth. She moaned with pleasure, pushing firmly into him.

She wanted to be as close to him as possible. His erection was very obvious through his pajama bottoms, and feeling him through the fabric was not enough. Reluctantly interrupting his laving tongue's ministration on her breast, she started easing down so that she could pull his pants off. After she had thrown them onto the floor near her gown, she straddled him again. "I want you now, Severus. I can't wait any longer!"

After making sure she was ready for him by sliding one finger into her depths, he lifted her slightly and positioned her over him. She slowly lowered herself onto him, and they both moaned with pleasure. He nudged his hips upward and helped her establish a slow rhythm, allowing her confidence to build. He could feel the trembling in her body and knew that she was nervous. Before long, she threw her head back, increased the pace a little, and started riding him without his guidance.

He was in awe at the sight of the goddess above him. He lifted his knees for her to lean back against and gently tugged a nipple. She moaned and started riding him harder. Oh, she likes that, does she? Having his back against the headboard already, the position gave him complete access to her breasts, so he took the nipple between his teeth and bit down gently.

"Gods, Severus!"

"Do you like that, sweet? Do you know how good you feel to me?"

His voice was doing things to her...especially when he spoke in that silky purr he used when trying to be seductive. It made her shiver. She grasped his shoulders to keep her body steady as her strokes increased, and he grabbed her hips once again with one hand. He could tell she was close. He used a finger from his other hand to further stimulate her and moved his hips a little faster. Suddenly, she stiffened and called his name. After she relaxed a little, seemingly coming down from her peak, he started moving again, faster and harder, until he found his release with a whispered, "Hermione."

She leant down and kissed him, asking, "Are those sandwiches for me, love?" She had been craving them so much, and now that she had fully noticed them, she just had to have one right then. Talking would have to wait a few minutes.

Severus burst out laughing, deep and rich. He couldn't believe the first thing out of her mouth after that was about food! "Yes, I summoned a house-elf to fix them for you. Please, enjoy them. I got you three." He'd made sure the house-elf had brought milk also, and luckily, it had left their quarters just before Hermione had come bounding into the room. Severus watched in amusement as she ate all three sandwiches in what had to have been record time. She must have really been craving those!

When she was finished, she looked to him shyly. "Severus, please tell me you are not going to stop things this time. I want our relationship to move forward, not backwards. To me, this just seems like the next natural step for us. I want you, and you want me. We care about each other, and this is an expression of our feelings, I say."

"I agree. I want to move forward as well. No restrictions this time. We have waited long enough." After she finished the last of her milk, he pulled her to him, wrapped her in his arms, and kissed the top of her head. "Sleep now. It is growing late. I will owl Draco tomorrow and see if he and Ginny can escort you to that spa sometime soon."

She sighed contentedly before asking, "Should we put our pajamas back on?"

He grinned evilly. "No, I like you just the way you are, sweet." They settled in, spooning tightly with his hand draped possessively on her belly.

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On the morning of Valentine's Day, Severus awoke Hermione with a gift. Snarks had snuggled up to Hermione once Severus had gone for the present, but he picked the Kneazle up and set him on the floor before nudging Hermione awake. "Good morning. I have something for you."

Hermione stretched languidly before opening her eyes to see Severus smiling at her, holding a package. She smiled brightly and said, "Just a second! I have something for you, too." She leant over, opened the drawer of her nightstand, and pulled out a small wrapped box.

When she handed him his gift, he told her to go ahead and open hers first. She opened the package to find a beautiful set of onyx Chinese hair sticks, each side inlaid with beautiful emeralds. "Oh, Severus, these are gorgeous! Truly lovely! Thank you, very much."

Severus smirked. He knew that most people thought that the emeralds given by his family, and most Slytherins, were because of their Slytherin heritage. However, the giving of emeralds in his family was started by his great-grandfather. Severus' great-grandmother let him read a letter her fiancé wrote her when he gave her the engagement ring that had been passed down through the years. He told her he chose the diamond in the center for consistency, but the emeralds stood for hope, fidelity, and the preservation of love. Severus' great-grandparents had been very much in love, and he'd always liked them very much. He hoped that someday he would be able to show that letter to Hermione.

"You are welcome. I was growing tired of seeing you walk around with a quill stuck in your hair to try and hold it up," Severus joked.

She smiled and told him, "It's your turn." She bit her bottom lip nervously. She really hoped he liked the gift.

He opened the box to find a set of cufflinks in the exact shape of the clasp on his dress robes...S-shaped snakes with small emerald eyes. "How did you find these? They are superb."

The cufflinks had put a huge dent in her savings account, but she was glad she'd had them made for Severus, if the look on his face was anything to go by. He seemed nearly awed by the gift, and that made her very happy.

Hermione wondered if he knew what emeralds and onyx really represented. She doubted it. During the Christmas of her sixth year, her father wanted her to help him pick out some jewelry for her mum, so she did what she did best, which was researching all the gems and stones. She knew exactly what each represented. She figured that all Slytherins must give emeralds at one time or the other, so she doubted there was any more to it than that for him.

"I had those made for you. Tonks and Ginny helped me," she said sweetly. Her tone changed to that of exasperation when she added, "Since I can't leave the castle."

"I am sorry about that, sweet, but I won't risk you or the baby. I know it is hard on you, but Lucius said when Lucinda goes back to France next month for Jean-Paul's wedding, she is staying. I will feel much better then. Thank you for these." He placed the cuff links on the nightstand and turned to face her. "Draco said he and his wife will be able to take you to the spa Saturday next. I have a Hogsmeade weekend, so I won't be able to accompany you. Now, I must prepare to go. My class will be starting soon."

He bent to kiss her. Just as he was starting to rise, she deepened the kiss and cupped him, pleased to hear him groan. "None of that! I have class. However, I would most definitely like to pick this up later," he said with a mischievous grin.

"Later is good. I have always wanted to get you in the tub, you know. I have tried several times."

"Yes, I do seem to recall that. Well, I am here to please," he said with a smirk.

She stood up and kissed him again. "Okay, until tonight."

With that, he strode away to get ready for his first class of the day.

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Hermione was in a very good mood. She had never received such a beautiful gift on Valentine's Day. She was also starting to feel really good about where she stood with Severus, and it had been over a month since they had any bad "Lucinda accidents," as she had taken to calling them. Good things never last sometimes.

As she was getting comfortable in her chair, two things happened at once. A house-elf that Hermione didn't recognize popped in with a card, and there was a knock on the door. "Just a minute," she called out while she took the card from the elf. It was in a bright red envelope, and she smiled to herself thinking Severus must have sent her a card. The door momentarily forgotten, she started to break the seal. Just as Snarks jumped up on the table, the knock sounded again.

She rose, placed the card on the table, went to the door, and opened it. "Hi. Ron. What brings you here?"

"I haven't seen you for awhile. I have the day off and thought you might like to have lunch with me. Hey, what's that Kneazle got there?"

Hermione turned to see Snarks playing with some kind of particles that were floating from the card. Just as she started to go see what it was, the Kneazle started hacking and fell over.

"Snarks? SNARKS!" Hermione started to run to him, but she was grabbed from behind with a hand placed over her mouth and nose. She was quickly drug outside the room, and the door was forcefully shut behind her.

"Ron! Let me go! Something is wrong with him!"

"Think, Hermione! That was some kind of poison, that was! You can't breathe that stuff in! As a matter of fact, I am going to have to take you to Madame Pomfrey right now."

"Oh, no! Ron, the baby! Oh, please let him be okay. I don't think I inhaled any of it."

Ron took her to the infirmary and went to get Professor Snape as fast as he could go.

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Severus was in a really good mood. He was very pleased with the way things were progressing with Hermione. He had even made an appointment to go see his solicitor during the Easter holidays. He had some things he wanted to discuss. He was walking around his classroom looking over potions when a loud banging on his door brought him out of his thoughts. The sudden noise startled a student, causing him to drop too much of an ingredient in his cauldron. Immediately, the cauldron melted, and the potion was ruined.

Snarling, Severus said, "Ten points from Ravenclaw for allowing yourself to be distracted." Then, he yelled, "Enter!"

He was surprised to see a frightened looking Ronald Weasley enter his classroom. He didn't even know the boy was visiting the castle. "Mr. Weasley, what on earth are you doing here disrupting my class?"

"Professor, you need to come to the infirmary right away. It's Hermione."

Severus didn't need to be told twice. He ran to Hermione immediately after yelling, "Class dismissed!"

After being told what happened and being assured that Hermione and the baby were fine, he went back to the dungeons to take care of Snarks and get rid of the poison's remnants. He wanted to make sure it was safe before Hermione returned. He was saddened by the little Kneazle's death. He knew how devastated Hermione would be once the situation sunk in.

After he got her settled in and calmed down, he turned to Ron. "Weasley, would you be able to stay with her a bit? I have somewhere I need to go."

"Yes, I can stay as long as you need, Professor."

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Severus arrived at the Ministry of Magic in a flurry of black robes. After checking in, he headed for level two where the Auror Headquarters was located. After spotting Harry, he walked over to where he was seated.

"Potter, I would like to have Lucinda Malfoy picked up for questioning. She is trying to fatally harm Hermione and my son."

"Do you have solid proof, Professor?"

Severus told him what happened at the castle earlier and about the Kneazle dying. "If Hermione had inhaled that, then she and my son would both have died. I want something done immediately before that witch succeeds in her plans!"

"Severus," Tonks started, "I agree something needs to be done, but we can't just waltz into someone's home and bring them in for questioning without solid proof of a crime. You can't just know she sent that card. You have to prove she did."

"I see," Severus said. "And, while I am waiting for this proof, she has more chances to kill Hermione and my son in the meantime? Have you forgotten the Abortion Potion that Miss Bones consumed? What about the snake in the greenhouse? Hermione talked to Pomona, and she had no idea what that snake was doing there. What more proof do you need? Are you waiting for Lucinda to be standing over a dead Hermione shouting that she's the culprit? Never mind. I will see to this myself!"

Before Harry or Tonks could say anything, Severus turned around and walked out.

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Malfoy Manor was quiet. Lucius and Draco were likely still at the office, and Severus had no idea where Narcissa and Ginevra were. At the moment, he did not care. All he wanted was Lucinda. He strode past Dippy and started bellowing, "Lucinda! I want to see you at once! Show yourself now!"

Just then, he heard a voice at the top of the stairs. "This is getting to be a habit with you. What can I do for you? Oh, no," she said as he moved to stand at the bottom of the stairs, "stay where you are. What do you want, Severus?"

"Your head on a platter for starters. I am tired of your attempts to harm Hermione and my son. It stops now." The look in Severus' eye was nearly murderous.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, darling. I have done no such thing. I could care less about your Mudblood, and besides, one would think you would be happy not to have reproduced with such filth. Merlin, Severus, what has happened to you? You used to be so proud and noble. Now, you lie with filth."

Severus started slowly up the stairs towards Lucinda as she tried backing away. Suddenly, she found herself backed against a wall. She quickly drew her wand from a pocket, but before she could cast any spell, Severus had countered with his own incantation and disarmed her. He held his wand to her throat, trapping her.

"It is none of your business where or with whom I lie. I have already told you what I would do if you were to make any further attempts to harm my family." Severus showed no sign of meaning anything less than what he was saying. "I will not let anything risk them, and you are a risk."

For the first time, Lucinda looked truly afraid. Just as Severus started to speak to cast the most unforgivable of curses, he heard a voice call him. He turned quickly, throwing one hand up to Lucinda's neck, pinning her to the wall, and pointing his wand in the direction of the voice.

"Professor, no!" shouted Harry as he ran up the stairs, wand at the ready.

"Stay out of this, Potter!" yelled Severus. "I warned her of the consequences of her actions!"

"You can't kill her, Snape," Harry said, hurriedly climbing the last few stairs. "You're no good to Hermione and your baby in Azkaban."

Both men turned to Lucinda. Her eyes were wide, and her breathing was labored.

"Do you have a suggestion? Because if you do not, there is only one thing I can do to ensure that my Hermione and my heir are safe." Severus said, breaking the silence.

"I can't do anything in an official capacity, and I'm sure she knows that," said Harry, eyeing Lucinda with extreme distaste. "I can, however, put a tracking spell on her and another to alert me if she or anything she touches gets too close to Hermione."

Severus stared at Harry incredulously.

"It's Auror stuff," Harry said with a shrug.

"Fine," he reluctantly agreed. "We can try that, but I say again, if she makes another attempt to harm my family I will kill her." Severus slightly tightened his grip on Lucinda's throat momentarily, then released her to allow Harry room to work. After Harry had completed the incantations, they turned to leave.

"You can't do this to me, Severus!" Lucinda yelled. "You'll have Lucius to deal with over this!"

"Lucinda, I hardly think Lucius will bother concerning himself over you," Severus replied, looking up at her from the bottom of the stairs. "After all, don't they always say bad blood tells? I expect he'll want to wash his hands of you as quickly and painlessly as possible."

Lucinda shrieked at him and moved to come down the stairs. Severus merely lifted his wand and spoke, "Incarcerous!" Lucinda was instantly immobile and fell forward onto the landing. She began screaming anew as Severus and Harry left the manor to Disapparate back to their respective locations.

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Hermione was very depressed about Snarks' death. Nothing could cheer her up, though Severus tried daily. He was very happy when the Saturday for her to go to the spa had arrived. He thought that was just what she needed. Severus made arrangements with Draco to surprise Hermione by planning to meet them for supper when the day was over.

During breakfast, he noticed Hermione had barely touched her eggs. He sighed. "Hermione, you need to eat. I know you are upset about your Kneazle, but you have our son to think about."

Hermione jerked her head up and looked him in the eyes. Our son? He said our son! I don't think he even realized what he said! Suddenly, Hermione was very hungry. "You're right, love. I do need to snap out of it."

He smirked as she started attacking her eggs. I really enjoy her calling me love. I can't wait to surprise her over the Easter Holidays with news from my solicitor. "Draco and Ginevra should be here soon. Are you looking forward to going?"

"Yes, I am. For one thing, I need to get out of this castle for awhile. For another, a day at a spa will be heavenly. I do wish you could go with me."

"As do I. It is just not possible. However, now that Lucinda is being tracked, maybe you can start going out more. With an escort, of course," he amended.

"Of course." At that moment, an owl that neither Hermione nor Severus recognized stopped in front of Hermione with an invitation attached to his leg. Severus reached out and took the envelope before Hermione had a chance to take it. After performing many spells, he deemed it safe and handed it to her to open.

She smiled brightly as she read the card. "It's a marriage invitation. It seems that Neville finally asked Susan to bind with him. The binding is going to be in June."

"I suppose you will be going?"

"The invitation is for us both, Severus. Would you accompany me?"

She knew he would figure out what she was really asking. The baby was due at the end of April, and she wanted to know if she was still going to be in their lives in June.

"We shall see," he said noncommittally.

Well, at least it was not a definite no! That is a good sign. "I better go shower. Draco and Ginny will be here soon."

With that, she stood up, kissed him, and headed for the loo.

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They arrived at the very posh spa, and Hermione was immediately taken aback. She'd never been in such a luxurious establishment. Ginny asked if they could fit her in, and with her being the new Mrs. Malfoy, they quickly found an available spot for her. Even though they specialized in pregnant witches, they serviced all witches. Ginny told Draco to go check on Hermione while she went to ready herself for her own massage.

Just as Draco came to the stairs that would take him to the second floor...the floor where they took the expectant mothers...he heard shouting. Stopping at the bottom to see what was happening, he recognized his aunt's voice.

"You are nothing but a Mudblood! You should not even be allowed to breed, much less reproduce with a pureblood of Severus' stature!"

"Oh, get over yourself you stupid cow! I have had enough of you! You will not intimidate me any longer. Now, kindly move so that I may get on with my massage."

"How dare you? You ill-mannered, rude, dirty-blooded freak! I will not allow you to speak to me this way."

Draco decided he had better go up there and put a halt to it before it worsened. What is Lucinda doing here anyway? She's supposed to be keeping far away from Hermione.

He was almost to the top when he saw Hermione try and shove her way past Lucinda. Enraged that she was being dismissed by someone so obviously beneath her, Lucinda grabbed Hermione's shoulders to shove her back to where she wanted her, and Hermione lost her footing.

With her arms flapping in a circle and trying to gain some balance, Hermione started falling backwards down the stairs. Just as she twisted her ankle and went back, Draco caught her. "Aunt Lucinda, what do you think you are doing? You could have seriously hurt Hermione or the baby! Have you lost your bloody mind?"

"Me? You think I have lost my mind? What about Severus mating with a Mudblood? I think it would be in his best interests if she did lose that child."

Hermione struggled to free herself of Draco. "How dare you speak of my child like he is nothing? Anything to do with me, my child, or Severus has nothing whatsoever to do with you, you stupid bint!" When she jerked her arm free of Draco, she slapped Lucinda with everything she had.

Stunned momentarily, Lucinda staggered and grabbed her cheek. "You will regret doing that, I assure you."

"No, I only regret not doing it sooner."

Just then, Harry arrived at the scene with Lucius. He had been notified that Lucinda had breached the perimeter he had set for Hermione and Flooed Lucius.

"Lucinda, I have had enough. There is only one thing I can think to do now, short of sending you to Azkaban." Lucius looked her right in the eyes, and she immediately knew what he was going to do.

"You cannot be serious. Not the Malfoy Banishment Curse? I would never be able to return to my home, Lucius!"

"It's either that, Azkaban, or possibly death when Severus gets finished with you. There are witnesses here, and Severus has made himself perfectly clear on the matter. I must say, I quite agree with him. You are like a woman possessed, and I fear his heir would not be safe if you remained here. It has to be done. You need to go back to France and stay there. This will ensure that you do."

Lucius knew he would have to do this quickly, so he hurriedly concentrated on the boundaries that he needed to set. Before she could protest any further, he moved his wand in a series of difficult flicks and swishes, spoke the word, "Expulsum!" With a pop, she was gone and would be unable to return to Malfoy Manor or ever be near Hermione, Severus, or their baby unless Lucius decided to remove the spell. He explained to Hermione and Harry that Lucinda could not even send letters to them while under that particular Banishment Curse.

When they asked why the spell even existed, he told them, "Many years ago, there were two Malfoy brothers in love with the same witch. The eldest brother created this curse to be rid his brother, thus leaving the way open for him to court the witch. It has only been used one other time, to my knowledge, when a husband banished a wife for adultery."

When Hermione's nerves caught up with her...causing her to wobble...they decided to get her back to Hogwarts to see Poppy. She sighed. Well, no massage for me today!

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Severus was beside himself when he returned from Hogsmeade. Although Lucius had assured him Hermione only had a sprained ankle, he would not be satisfied until he saw her for himself. He hurried to their quarters where Hermione had been sent after her ankle had been healed to find her lying on their couch, foot resting on a pillow, reading in her Charms book. Had he not been frantic with worry, he would have smiled at the sight.

"Hermione," Severus called to her. Relief flooded though him as she looked up and smiled.

"I am fine, and your son is fine, as well. She has been banished, and we will be okay."

"I just want to hold you, sweet. I need to hold you." I need you in my arms, and I may never let you go!

She held her arms out. "Come here."

He went and settled on the couch, moving her up a bit so that he could sit behind her with her between his legs. He put his arms around her and laid both his hands on her belly protectively. He was glad Lucius had banished his sister. Severus had discovered one thing through all this. He did not want a life without Hermione Granger in it, and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure he did not have to worry about that.

Christy's Notes: Now that Lucinda is gone, what could possibly go wrong?

Southern's Notes: I'm glad things have progressed this much, and I am certainly glad that the ho...er...Lucinda is handled. I would have liked to see her arse fall down the stairs after Hermione smacked her. Nothing liked a bruised ego and arse at the same time, eh?

Meredith's Notes: Finally! The bitch gets slapped! Does that qualify as a genuine bitch slapping? Hmm...yep, it sure does! Go Hermione!