Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Not mine, JKR's. Unfortunately

A/N: I would like to thank my angels in beta disguise, Southern_Witch_69 and Meredith, for all their help and time they have put into helping me with this story!

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Chapter 2

Hermione looked around the room at all the people celebrating and smiled. She had not felt this content in a long time. She had been only two years into her university studies when Death Eaters attacked her parents' home. They savagely killed her parents before burning down her home with Crookshanks locked inside. She knew it was meant to stop her work for the Order, to keep her from helping to bring down Voldemort. It had almost worked. Almost. Hermione had mourned for three solid months. Her grades had slowly dropped; she'd become listless and solitary, shunning those closest to her.

Then one weekend at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, she had an encounter with the Potions master. He had come upon her in the library as she wallowed in self-pity, and instead of coddling her in the same soothing and placating tones everyone else had, he'd harshly snapped, "Miss Granger! What do you think you are doing? We have an Order meeting in five minutes, and I expect to see you there."

"What's the point? Nothing matters! I have lost everything!" she'd replied dully.

"Excuse me? Everything, Miss Granger? Who are all those people in there that care for you? What of Potter, the Weasleys, Minerva, and Albus? They are nothing to you? Then, by all means, continue with your little pity party. I just thought you may want to help us in the effort to defeat the Dark Lord before you lose someone else you love. Clearly, I was mistaken." With that said, he'd swept out of the room with his black robes billowing dramatically behind him.

Professor Snape's words had the effect he'd intended. Five minutes later had seen Hermione at the meeting and back to business. During that meeting, Dumbledore had asked her to work with Snape to look for a potion that might defeat Voldemort. She had agreed, and the two of them had begun working together. Hermione had felt a newfound drive to succeed during that time. She'd desperately wanted to find a way to stop Voldemort, not just for her own sake, but because she'd realized that Professor Snape had been right. There were others she loved and cared about, and she did not think she could bear to lose anyone else.

It had taken her and Professor Snape nearly eight months to develop a potion they thought would work. The potion was designed to counteract the snake venom Voldemort was mixing with Nagini's milk to keep himself alive. Apparently, even though he had a new body, he still needed this mixture to keep his soul bound to its new home. During those eight months of working together, Hermione and Severus slowly came to see each other in a different light.

For his part, Severus learned some things about Hermione that he never realized. He had always known she was an intelligent witch, but he had thought of her as only being book smart. She would always spout information as if she was a walking textbook. He soon realized how very wrong he was. Hermione also possessed a cool intellect and appeared wise beyond her years. As a complete package, she was impressive, and he'd developed a new respect for her.

He had to remind himself several times she was his junior by nineteen years, especially when he started feeling attracted to her. It had happened so gradually that when he'd recognized what he was feeling, he'd felt as though he had been smacked in the face with a Bludger. Even if he acknowledged how he felt, he knew he would never do anything about it. He was certain she would never reciprocate, and pursuing his feelings would only cause them both to be uncomfortable. She need never know of his true feelings, and they could maintain their friendly facade. More than that, he felt she deserved better than him. Severus continued to suffer in silence as they worked together those long months. He'd managed to get through each day by telling himself that it was best that way.

For Hermione, working with Professor Snape had only added fuel to the fire. She had been attracted to Professor Snape since the beginning of her seventh year. She had watched him day after day, knowing he was a spy, risking his life in silence while suffering the ridicule of not only his students but also his fellow Order members. Her heart broke for him. As time went by, her feelings intensified. By the time they started the potion, Hermione had gotten to know Severus as a man, not just as a teacher. She'd learned that he had fears, hopes, and dreams just like everyone else. Hermione wondered if he ever dreamed of a woman, and if so, what type of woman he would dream about? Those thoughts usually depressed Hermione, because she knew he would never think of her like that. To him, she would always be a silly little girl, or the know-it-all Gryffindor, and that would never change. So, to keep the peace, she'd suffered in silence, refusing to give her feelings even a bit of hope. She'd gotten through each day by telling herself that it was best that way.

Finally, one month after the potion was finished, Severus had learned that Voldemort was to attack Hogwarts. Harry had graduated three years earlier, but Voldemort's plan was to kill all those there who loved and protected Harry. By doing so, Voldemort reasoned that Harry would be left defenseless and weak. However, thanks to Snape and Draco's efforts, the Order members had been fully aware of the pending attack and thus prepared. Draco Malfoy himself had administered the poison to Voldemort. By the time Voldemort had felt the effects of the potion and realized what had happened, it was too late, and Harry had been able to take him down.

Tonight, as she listened to various speakers drone on and on, Hermione thought back to the final battle. She remembered Antonin Dolohov's attempt to kill her and suddenly being wrapped in strong arms while being pulled against a hard chest as Dolohov's Killing Curse barely missed her. She had looked into the glinting eyes of Severus Snape and thanked him. Hermione had no idea what made her say the next sentence, but as she'd looked into the inky depths of his eyes, she'd told him that she owed him one.

For a brief moment, everything had stilled around them before Hermione finally caught herself and stepped back. What a fool she had been, acting like a love struck teenager in the middle of a battle! She had looked up just in time to see Lucius Malfoy kill Dolohov. As Dolohov fell to the ground, he'd winked at Hermione and started taking out Death Eaters. She knew Lucius had switched sides at the last minute to keep out of Azkaban, and it worked. He was there with them to receive his own Order of Merlin, although it was only Third Class.

Hermione watched as Harry walked over to Draco and Ginny, and had to laugh as Draco put his arm around Ginny possessively. Harry was not interested in Ginny, nor was Ginny interested in Harry anymore, but he couldn't resist getting a rise out of Draco. Hermione smiled as he kissed Ginny's hand. Old habits died hard. The summer before the trio's seventh year was when Ron and Hermione had become a couple. It was about the same time that Harry and Ginny became one as well. They had been at the Burrow together that summer. There had been no romantic interludes until the night before term started. Ron had kissed Hermione goodnight, and they'd both burst out laughing. There had been no sparks whatsoever. Hermione thought it'd brought new meaning to the term platonic. Ginny later confessed that the same thing had happened between Harry and her. Their friendships had survived the brief foray into romanticism, having only strengthened the bonds they each had with the other.

At last, the award ceremony ended. Hermione had never been so grateful in her life to be able to stand up. She turned to find Ginny when she felt a hand on her shoulder. When she turned to see Professor Snape, she smiled at him warmly. "Good evening, Professor."

"Miss Granger, I was wondering if I might have a word with you?" asked Severus.

"Yes, of course, Sir. What can I do for you?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Could you meet me in my office Monday morning? Say, nine sharp?"

"Yes, Sir, that would be acceptable."

"Very well. Until then, I bid you good evening."

"Good evening, Professor." As Snape walked away, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what that was all about.

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At precisely 9:00 on Monday morning, Snape heard a knock at his door and smirked. Of course she would be exactly on time.

"Enter," he called.

"Good morning, Professor; how are you?" Hermione asked as she took a seat.

"I am fine, Miss Granger. Would you care for some tea?"

Now that surprised her. Snape was being polite and offering her tea. He had been polite to her before, as they worked on the potion together, but his manner today seemed overly solicitous.

"Yes, I would, thanks." She took the cup he proffered and sipped, savoring the brew.

"I will get right down to business, Miss Granger. I suppose you are wondering why I have asked you here today," Severus stated, though it sounded more like a question.

"Yes, Sir. I have to admit that I have been wondering."

"Allow me to borrow a line out of Gryffindor's book and be blunt. I wish for an heir."

This statement was met with total silence. Hermione just stared blankly at her former professor wondering what she was supposed to say to that.

"Did you hear me, Miss Granger?"

"Yes, Sir. I was just wondering what that has to do with me, of all people."

"Allow me to explain. I want you to be the carrier of my child." Snape was careful not to say mother, as he did not intend for her to be in the child's life after the birth. His pride would not allow it. He cared too much for this woman and felt he had to tread very carefully.

"Excuse me? I don't understand. You wish to have a baby with me?" Hermione asked. For a brief moment, her heart leapt with hope.

"No, Miss Granger, I wish for you to carry and deliver my child," Severus explained.

Hermione immediately felt her heart twist inside her chest, aching with rejected need. She set her teacup down with a bit too much force and quickly clasped her slightly shaking hands together.

"I'm sorry, Professor, but the answer is no. I couldn't possibly have your baby, or anyone else's baby for that matter, right now. I still have another year to finish at university." Hermione was desperately trying to maintain her façade of decorum while keeping her pride intact.

"Oh, you can and you will, Miss Granger. You seem to have forgotten you owe me a Wizard's debt for saving your life in the final battle." Severus was nearly holding his breath while awaiting her reaction.

"No, Sir, I have not forgotten. I promise you, the next time your life is in danger you may call me, and I will be more than happy to save you. What you are asking of me is something entirely different!"

"Is it?"

"YES!" Hermione snapped.

"Miss Granger, I saved your life, and now you can save mine...in the form of a child. I am the last Snape of my line. If I don't produce an heir, my family name will die out. I can assure you, that, in itself, is a sort of death."

"Why, you sneaky, Slytherin bastard! You are totally twisting the whole thing around to suit your needs! Surely there is an agency in the Wizarding world you can go to?" Hermione felt as if her heart was going to beat out of her chest. More than once she had dreamt of having Snape's baby, but they were always married in her dreams! This wasn't the way it was supposed to happen!

"Yes, there is, and I assure you that I have been through the process." He sighed. "Several times, in fact. There was not one acceptable witch there!" No one compares to you, Severus thought desperately. He wondered if perhaps he'd known all along that no witch would be adequate. He hated to force her into anything, but when it came down to it, she was his first choice.

"I have a hard time believing that, Professor!" Hermione said in a slightly panicked voice.

"I can guarantee it's the truth. Miss Granger, I want the best in everything, and in this instance, you are the best." He squirmed some as he bit out the unusual compliment. "You are young, healthy, and have above average intelligence."

"Would you be using my egg as well?" asked Hermione. If there was a wizard's equivalent to The Twilight Zone, she felt she was in it. She couldn't believe she hadn't gotten up and stormed out by now.

"Of course, that is the whole purpose of choosing you to do this." Snape could nearly taste her capitulation.

"I see. What exactly would you expect of me?" she asked, clearly intrigued. He was right, after all. She did owe him a Wizard's debt, but what else did he expect?

"I have a contract that you may read over," Severus replied. He picked up a scroll of parchment from his desk and handed it to her.

"I would prefer to take it with me, Sir, and have a read in private," Hermione said, tucking the scroll into her robe pocket.

"Very well, Miss Granger, you may have one week to decide."

"Fair enough, Sir. Same time next week, then?"

"That will be acceptable. Good day."

"Good day, Sir."

Hermione left the dungeons in a daze. Her mind just couldn't wrap around the fact that Professor Snape wanted her to bear him an heir. What she needed now was to talk to her friends. As soon as she stepped out of the gates of Hogwarts, she Disapparated to Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

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Severus leant back in his chair, deep in thought. He wished things were different. Hell, he wished that he could court Hermione, marry her, and have a baby the natural way. He knew many people only saw him as the greasy bat from the dungeons, and she was likely no different. His wishes would never be realized, as he was sure she would never have him. No, he had to use Slytherin cunning to get what he wanted. Hermione Granger is a Gryffindor. Therefore, his best bet would be to play upon her sympathies and, of course, her honor. She owed him a Wizard's debt and would think it only right to pay up. Severus smiled slyly to himself as he realized that he knew just how to play Miss Granger's sympathies.

His child was as good as conceived!

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A/N: Next up: Hermione talks to her friends and gives Severus her decision.