Chapter 3

Disclaimer: The world of Potter belongs to the great JKR...not Cocoachristy

A/N:I would like to thank my wonder beta's, southern_witch_69 and Meredith, for going above and beyond what beta's do! Without them, this story wouldn't exist!

Chapter 3

With a loud crack, Hermione Apparated at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. She opened the door and tip-toed quietly inside. Unfortunately, they had yet to find a way to remove Mrs. Black's portrait, and a huge, ear-splitting shriek permeated the air as soon as she shut the door behind her. "BLOOD TRAITORS! MUDBLOOD FILTH! THE MOST NOBLE AND ANCIENT HOUSE OF BLACK IS RUINED! CREATURE OF DIRT! PRINCESS OF PUTRESCENCE!" With a sigh, Hermione went to find her friends in the sitting room.

"Well?" Harry asked. "What did the greasy git want with you?"

"It's Professor Snape, Harry. Honestly, when are you going to grow up?"

"Fine; whatever you say, Hermione. What did he want?"

"You guys are never going to believe this. Snape wants an heir and has asked me to be the surrogate mother." Hermione sat down heavily on the sofa.

Draco, who was there with Ginny, looked at Hermione thoughtfully. He had known for some time that his godfather wanted an heir. Severus had even talked to Draco and Lucius about it once. The last Severus had told him, however, was that he planned to use an agency.

Draco understood why Severus would choose Granger. She wasn't the prettiest witch in the coven, but she was highly intelligent and had much in common with his godfather. He had always suspected that Severus had developed some sort of feelings for Granger after they had worked so closely together on the potion that helped kill Voldemort.

Draco and Hermione still did not like each other, but they had decided to be civil for Ginny's sake because they both loved her. He had stopped calling her Mudblood, and she had stopped calling him ferret. Potter's yelling interrupted the silence that had settled and brought Draco out of his thoughts.

"What! He wants to get you pregnant? As in, have sex with you?" Harry asked incredulously, his face a mixture of shock and disgust.

Hermione rolled her eyes with a sigh. "No, Harry. A surrogate mother is artificially inseminated," she explained.

"Why does he want you to do it? What would give him the impression that you would even agree to this, Hermione?"

"Because I owe him a Wizard's debt; that's why!" Hermione snapped back. "This is how he wants me to pay it."

"That does make sense," Ginny interjected. "Snape is the last of his line, and it doesn't look like he has any marriage prospects lined up."

"Actually, I can understand his need for an heir too," said Ron.

"WHAT!" exclaimed Harry. "You agree with this too, Ron? I would have thought that you would be dead against it!"

"Calm down, Harry," replied Ron. "Look, Snape is a pureblood wizard who believes in the old traditions. In our world it is expected to have an heir to carry on the family line, and I don't see why Snape should be any different."

"That is all well and good," said Harry, "but let him go to an agency and find a surrogate!"

"He said he's been to one," Hermione said. "He told me that the witches he interviewed are unacceptable."

"And, don't forget," added Draco. "Granger owes Snape a Wizard's debt."

All eyes turned to Draco. Hermione had been so focused on Harry and Ron that she had forgotten Draco was even in the room.

"That's another thing," said Hermione. "I thought owing a Wizard's debt meant that if someone saves your life, you save theirs. Quid pro quo." She sighed. "But, Snape said I would be saving his line from death, which was the same thing."

"He's right, Hermione," said Ron. "Besides, now that Voldemort," Ron could finally say his name without shuddering, "is dead, and the Death Eaters are taken care of, how many chances are you going to get to literally save his life?"

"Are you people out of your bloody minds? Hermione simply cannot do this. There is no way!" Harry yelled.

"Hermione," Ginny began, ignoring Harry, "what are his terms and conditions? I'm sure he has some."

"Of course. He gave me a contract to read, but I haven't had a chance to yet. I came straight here from our meeting."

"Are you considering it?" Ron asked.

"Well, I need to read the contract over first, but he kind of has my back against a wall with this debt I owe him."

Hermione looked at Ron, who was deep in thought. He had really matured in the last couple of years. She knew Luna Lovegood had a lot to do with that. People called her Loony, but she certainly had a positive effect on Ron.

"What is it, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"I'm just thinking about Snape's situation. He's an ex-Death Eater who is bound to be working at Hogwarts for the rest of his life. Sure, he has enough money so that he never has to work, but someone like Snape would not be happy to sit around idle too long. I mean, he was a spy for at least ten years! Besides, who would hire him if he did leave Hogwarts? Fudge and the Daily Prophet made sure he'd never get another job offer. If he did marry, how many women would be content living at Hogwarts nine months out of the year, if he even leaves the castle during the summer months, that is?" Ron pointed out before adding, with a chuckle, "except you, Hermione."

"He's right, you know," Draco said, "and you do owe him, Granger."

"Shut it, Malfoy!" Harry replied. "Stop trying to talk her into this. Who gives a damn about Snape or his situation? He created it himself!"

"Did he, Harry?" asked Hermione.

Her question was met with silence. After a few moments, Ginny asked Hermione if she could talk to her alone. Relieved to escape the tense atmosphere in the sitting room, they went up to the room Hermione stayed in during school breaks and vacations. After her parents had died, she always stayed at Grimmauld Place with Harry or the Weasleys during the holidays.

"What are you thinking, Ginny?" Hermione asked as she sat down on the bed.

Ginny sat down next to Hermione and turned to face her. "I was just wondering if you are in love with Professor Snape. If so, this could be a major problem."

"What do you mean? I am not, nor have I ever been, in love with Professor Snape!" Hermione nearly cringed at the sound of her voice, hearing a bit of panic in it.

Ginny sighed. "Hermione, this is me you are talking to! I know you probably even better than Harry and Ron know you."

"Why would you think I love Professor Snape, Ginny?"

"Call it a woman's intuition, but I know you do, all right?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "Yes, I have feelings for him. That is not something you can control, you know?"

"Yes, I do know. Look at Draco and me."

"What am I going to do, Ginny?" asked Hermione.

"Well, you can't do anything until you read the contract. That should give you a place to start."

"You think I should do this, don't you?"

"I think Snape deserves an heir as much as anyone else does, and I know it's true that you owe him a debt. You need to think this through, however, and not let your feelings for him cloud your judgment. I am sure it is a wizard's contract, and if you sign it and break it, there are magical consequences," Ginny replied honestly.

"I know. I am just so overwhelmed by this!"

"When do you have to give him your answer?"

"One week."

"Then you had better get started sorting this out!" Ginny said with a grin.

"Right. Thanks, Ginny." Hermione smiled back at her friend.

"Any time, Hermione," Ginny said while leaving the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

Hermione took out the contract and started to read through it. The first thing the contract stated was that she would have to live with Snape during the pregnancy. That's simply not possible, she thought. I still have one more year left at university. Living with Professor Snape was certainly not something that appalled her, but she just didn't feel comfortable with it under these circumstances. Under other circumstances, she would have loved to live with him, but that would never come to pass. She knew what Professor Snape thought of her. He made it perfectly clear every time he called her a silly little girl or Gryffindor know-it-all, not to mention what he thought of her looks. His comment on her teeth during her fourth year proved that he thought her ugly.

She reminded herself that at one time he had been a follower of Voldemort. She knew he switched sides, but Voldemort's followers believed in the purity of blood, ergo, Snape must believe in this. Why else would he have joined the Death Eaters in the first place? No, she couldn't imagine Professor Snape ever loving a Mudblood.

The second thing in the contract was a confidentiality clause. It's a good thing I hadn't signed it yet! It was when she read the second half of the clause that her heart fell. If she agreed to this, she would have a child who would never know she was its mother. She didn't think she could live with that. It would be too hard to create a child with Professor Snape and not be a family with them. This was a fractured nightmare, serving as a poor substitute for her fondest dreams.

She would have no rights whatsoever! Snape could do anything or go anywhere and she wouldn't be able to stop him. Not that Hermione thought he would ever hurt the child, but that was beside the point. She simply would be non-existent to her own child. The only thing she knew for sure at this point was that if she was even going to consider this, they would have to renegotiate this contract!

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"I can't believe that overgrown bat would try to take advantage of Hermione like this!" Harry sulked.

"He's not taking advantage, Potter. Granger owes him!" snapped Draco.

"So you keep saying, Malfoy. She can repay her debt another way. He wants too much!"

"That's up to her, Harry. Whatever she decides, we need to be there for her," Ginny said calmly. Harry was getting way too worked up over this.

"Have you forgotten this is Snape, Ginny?"

"Harry, Snape is not your enemy and never has been. Stop acting like he's Voldemort," Draco said through clenched teeth. He found himself not only becoming impatient with Potter's attitude to his godfather in general but also to his snapping at Ginny.

"I haven't forgotten, Harry," said Ginny, "but this isn't about you or me. It's about Hermione and what she decides to do."

"Am I the only one who thinks this is the worst idea I've ever heard?"

"Apparently," smirked Draco.

"I don't know if this is a good idea or not," Ron said," but what I do think is Hermione will do what she wants to do whether we like it or not. This is her decision, Harry. She is the one who will have to live with it, good or bad. We need to support it, whatever it is."

"That's right, Potter," replied Draco.

Harry said nothing, but thought to himself that he would stop her from doing this if it was the last thing he did.

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Snape met Professor Dumbledore in the hallway outside his office.

"Headmaster, I was wondering if you and Minerva could join me in my chambers for tea."

"Certainly, Severus," the headmaster replied. "Is there something in particular you wish to discuss?"

"Yes, but I would prefer to discuss it in my chambers with the both of you."

"Very well. We will be there directly." Dumbledore turned with a swish of his purple robes. Snape returned to his room and ordered tea from the house-elves. Fifteen minutes later, he opened the door for Albus and Minerva.

"Hello, Severus."

"Hello, Minerva, Albus. Have a seat, please." Snape directed them to his sitting room where tea had been set up.

"You wished to speak with us, Severus?" Dumbledore inquired as he took a bite of a ginger newt.

"Yes, it is a matter of some importance that will indirectly affect you both."

"Does this mean you have found a surrogate mother?"

"Yes, Albus, I have."

"Excellent! It has been too many years since we have had a little one in the castle!" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at Severus.

Minerva noticed a deeper look in Severus' eyes and simply asked, "Who did you choose? Do we know her?"

"Yes. Hermione Granger."

Albus choked on his ginger newt. "Miss Granger? Has she agreed?"

"Not yet, but she will. She owes me a Wizard's debt."

"Be that as it may, I can't believe she would readily accept. Has she seen the contract?" Minerva wanted to know.

"She took it with her this morning to read over, and she will be back next week with her answer."

"Don't get your hopes up, my boy. I cannot see Miss Granger agreeing to those terms." Dumbledore looked quite serious, a rare sight indeed.

"Oh, she will agree. Have no doubt."

Minerva sighed, "Why Miss Granger, Severus?"

"Because, Minerva, I want the best, and she is the best."

"Did you even go to the agency I recommended?" Minerva asked.

"Yes. There were only dunderheads there! I don't know how that place stays in business."

"Are you sure you are not being too picky, Severus?"

"We are talking about my heir, Minerva! My child! Of course I am being picky!" Severus snapped at her.

Severus was being truthful. He really did want the best and hence, was being picky. What he wouldn't tell them, however, was the real reason he was being so picky. He wanted Hermione Granger for more than just a surrogate mother. If he had his way, he would court her and marry her. Then, they could have a child together and be a real family, the natural way.

Severus' pride would not allow him to even ask her to dinner. He knew he would be rejected, and he had been humiliated too many times in his life to purposely set himself up for ridicule. He knew what she really thought of him; it was what they all thought. He was a greasy git or the overgrown bat of the dungeons. No, if he couldn't have the woman he wanted, he would have a least a part of her. It was the best he could do.

"Well," said Albus, "I hope you are not setting yourself up for disappointment. Hermione is a very headstrong witch."

"Yes, but she is also honorable. She will pay her debt, have no doubt."

Albus inwardly chuckled at the confidence Severus had. He knew of Severus' feelings for the girl, even if Severus would never admit them. Albus just hoped everyone would come out unscathed in the end.

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Monday morning came too quickly for Hermione. After she showered and dressed, she found her stomach too nervous to eat anything except dry toast. As she nibbled at her small slice, Harry came into the kitchen.

"Well, what did you decide?" he asked.

"I honestly don't know yet, Harry. There are some things I want to renegotiate in the contract." Like everything, she thought to herself.

"Hermione, you can't do this!"

"Stop it, Harry! This is my decision!"

"But, Hermione, you know how I feel about Snape!"

"Yes I do, Harry, and this is not about you! Get over yourself!" With that, she left the kitchen, slamming the door behind her.

*************** ***************** *******************

Snape was sitting at his desk feeling calm, cool, and collected when Hermione knocked at exactly nine that morning.

"Enter."

"Good morning, Professor."

"Miss Granger. Would you like some tea?"

"No. Thank you." Hermione didn't think she could keep anything in her stomach right now; the toast was barely staying where it should.

"Very well, then. I assume you read the contract?"

"Yes, and let me say that, first, I had already discussed this with Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Draco before I read it."

Snape smirked. He had known her friends would have to be told regardless. "What have you decided?" He asked bluntly again.

"Well, secondly, I would like to renegotiate this contract."

"No. Absolutely not. It is non-negotiable."

"But, sir, how am I supposed to live with you?" Even though that is what I wish more than anything in the world. "I still have one year left at university."

"You can finish your last year by Owl Post, Miss Granger. I am a professor should you require additional assistance, although, I doubt you will."

She sighed. "But why do you want me here?" It would be pure hell for me having you so close and not being allowed to touch you or hold you.

"Why, your health of course! You forget I have seen you stressed at test time and when you have papers due. You neglect yourself and your health. I won't have you skipping meals and barely sleeping, and by doing so, putting my child at risk. Besides, I can make you all the potions you may need, and there is a Mediwitch right here in the castle." I want to see you in all the stages of pregnancy, round with my child. I will cherish the memories of our time together, because I know they will eventually end.

Well, he had her there. She decided to move to the next problem.

"Thirdly, sir, I also have a problem with the child not knowing that I am the mother."

"Why, Miss Granger? The child would be solely mine." It has to be. I would not be able to bear having you in my child's life, knowing you hate me, and knowing that you never will be truly a part of mine. I cannot give in to her demands without appearing weak.

"It is not solely your child! You will be using MY egg!"

"Miss Granger, surrogate mothers do this for families all the time and have absolutely no contact with the child."

"That may be, Professor, but those women chose to do this. I am not choosing to do this, I am being forced." I am being forced to give up a part of myself, created with you. My heart is already breaking in two.

"You are not being forced. You simply have a debt you need to pay." It had to be this way. I could not bear it any other way.

"You expect me to donate my egg, be a human incubator, deliver a baby for you, and then be on my merry way?" Tears sprang to her eyes.

"Yes." Don't you see, Hermione, how having you around afterwards would break what is left of my heart? Dignity and pride are all I have left after everything that the Ministry and the Daily Prophet have said and done to tear away at my redeemed reputation. I can't lose those, even for you.

"I just don't think I have it in me to do that, Professor."

"Yes you do, Miss Granger, and that is exactly what you will do. You owe me. Because of me, you are still here to have a life and children. However, you are quite possibly my last hope and I will not be denied!" Not in this, he thought. If he could not have her, he would have a part of her.

He couldn't possibly understand, Hermione thought. Because of her love for Severus, she would love their baby that much more. How could he expect her to leave? She had to change his mind somehow!

"Miss Granger, when you owe someone something, you pay on their terms, not on your terms. I will not yield on this!" I cannot, for my own sanity. It has to be you, don't you see? "Now, what is your answer?"

"Who will care for the baby while you are at work? Will you continue to stay at Hogwarts? Where will you go during the summer?" Hermione desperately wanted to know what his plans were; she wanted to somehow stay a part of his life, the child's life.

"Miss Granger! None of that is your concern. You will simply carry my child, deliver him or her, and then leave us. You will have no more contact with me or my child after that. It should not be difficult; you have gone three years without contacting me whatsoever."

Hermione just stared at him. He almost sounded hurt that she never kept in touch, but that couldn't be true. He hated her...didn't he?

"Yes, sir, but you didn't have my child with you then."

"You are right, and I will not have your child with me later. I will have my child. I need your answer, Miss Granger. I grow weary of this conversation." I have to end this now; I am weakening.

"I suppose I don't really have a choice, do I? You won't forgive the debt?"

"No, my heir is far too important to me."

"Then, I will sign the contract." Hermione took the quill he offered, trying hard to keep the tears welling behind her eyes from spilling out.

As Hermione signed the contract, she realized something that eased her pain a bit. She would have nine months to change his mind and get him to let her into his and this child's lives. There is no way I can just walk away after I give birth. Surely I can change his mind in that amount of time, considering I will be living with him! I will have to think like a Slytherin! It should be an easy thing to learn to do, since I will be learning from the master.

Snape let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Hermione had signed the contract! He was a very happy man. He would have his heir by the woman he loved. If he couldn't have the complete package, he would have to settle for any part of it he could get.

"Miss Granger, you have another week to get your affairs in order and set up your last year at the university. I will have your rooms ready when you return. I will make an appointment to get us started. Until then, I bid you good day."

"Yes. Good day, Professor."

She walked out with one thought plaguing her. Oh, Merlin! What have I done?

A/N: Up next: Hermione talks with Minerva and finds some legal rights for surrogate mothers.