Making a Life Worthwhile

A.N~ Severus is now going to be referred to as Gabriel. ((Do I really have to keep doing a disclaimer?))

I have had some comments in the reviews about Hermione changing and they will be addressed this chapter.

Chapter 4: And Reality seeps back in

Harry and Hermione were quiet on the walk back to the castle their steps slowing the closer they got.

"Last chance to run away together and come back in a few months" Harry said as they walked passed Hagrid's hut.

"No, we need to do this Harry. Telling the Weasley's and everyone else will take moments then we can leave." Hermione said dropping her hood and looked at Harry who transferred the sleeping Gabriel into Hermione's sling.

"He'll be safer with you. Ginny will tackle me when she see's me."

"Just remember who you are married to" Hermione teased as they walked to wards the doors together, hand in hand.

"Like I would forget a woman like you?" Harry countered as they stepped into the Entrance hall and headed for the Great Hall.

Smiling they entered the Great hall and all activity stopped when they walked in. Casting a discreet and wandless, nonverbal Silencing charm on the sling for Gabriel they were bombarded with cheers. Sure enough Ginny got to her feet and raced at Harry and tackled him in a hug before trying to kiss him only to have him avoid her.

"Ginny we need to talk. You can't just keep doing that to me"

"Why not Harry?" Ginny said pouting as she stood at arm's length from Harry where he had moved her.

"I'm married" He said simply a hush falling over the Great hall.

"Blimey Harry, who's the lucky bird? Not Hermione since she's my girl right?" Ron said getting up and slipping his arm over Hermione's shoulder.

"Merlin Mione you look fit. Since when were your breasts so big" Ron said before Draco Malfoy stood and walked over.

"Congratulations on the baby. How old are they Gra, Hermione?" Draco asked making an effort to be polite and still stay out of hitting distance. Hermione smiled and moved her cloak and lifted Gabriel into her arms.

"Gabriel was born early this morning. Stasis and protective spells kept him safe and hidden during the war." Hermione said before looking up at Draco.

"Thank you though. For everything. Back at the manor when we were caught by the snatchers you didn't betray us."

"Why was that?" Harry asked.

"I realized I was on the wrong side. I can't kill, I knew that but I still was there because at the time it was safer. I'm really sorry that you were tortured by my former Aunt Bellatrix." Draco said aiming the last part at Hermione knowing full well if that was the case she was pregnant at the time that she was tortured.

"Lord Potter? Thank you for telling me Draco was still alive and in the castle." Narcissia said stepping forward and placing a hand on her son's shoulder.

"You are very welcome. You deserve to be together despite everything. As my wife told me once, everyone deserves a second chance." Harry said holding out his hand to Draco.

"So now, Seven years later, does your offer of friendship still stand?" Harry asked calmly his hand not shaking as Hermione looked at him proudly.

"Yes, it does" Draco said taking Harry's hand and shaking it as the silence grew stronger. Most were in shock that Harry Potter was married, and now that Hermione Granger was a mother.

"I would like to extend that hand of Friendship to you as well." Draco said turning to Hermione hoping that she would accept it. Smiling Hermione shifted Gabriel and took the offered hand.

"I will be nice having more friends Draco. Just don't ask me over for tea in the drawing room" Hermione said with a smile.

"Don't worry, the house will be rebuilt if I have anything to say about it." Narcissia said shooting a look at her husband causing him to sigh and nod. Smiling Draco nodded to Hermione and Harry before moving with his mother back to the table, a gentle smile on her face showing how proud she was of him.

"Mate are you mental, those are the Malfoys!"

"Everyone deserves a second chance and I have decided to give one to them. They did help us." Harry said calmly his tone growing slightly cold as he spoke.

"Ok, fine then. But what about this bird that isn't Ginny? I mean my sister is the best right?" Ron said winking at Harry as Hermione slipped out of Ron's hold and walked to Minerva McGonagall to show her Gabriel.

"Well, your sister is great and all but not the one for me. She's been there for me and never betrayed me in the past. She cares and knows what I like and what I don't. I know the same about her. Most people your sister included couldn't do that." Harry said calmly moving away from Ron and walking towards the head table.

"You little backstabbing Harpy! You stole my Harry!" Ginny yelled drawing her wand and pointing it at Hermione who Harry quickly moved to cover. He wasn't blind to Draco also drawing his wand and aiming it at Ginny just in case.

"Your Harry? Since when has he ever been your Harry? He isn't an object or a toy" Hermione said casting a nonverbal protego around herself and Gabriel worried for her son.

"Ginny lower your wand, don't point it at my family" Harry said calmly, his own wand appearing in his hand.

"Mate? Hermione? She was supposed to be mine!" Ron yelled before Harry groaned.

"All you two did was fight. You tore her down and made her feel like nothing Ron." Harry countered before Hermione pulled her wand.

"Not only that but you never saw me as a girl, maybe not ever as a girl. I was just homework help. I liked you once, which I regret now, back in 6th year when you were with Lavender. But you abandoned us Ron. When we always needed you most you abandoned Harry and I. While we were gone hunting, you left us and that was when the last of my feelings left. Harry loves me for who I am. I am his best friend, his confidant, mother of his child and wife." Hermione said standing firm beside her new husband. Around them whispers had started:

"Potter and Granger?" "They are cute together when you think about it." "Tell him girl, tell him for all of us" Were just some of the whispers that were heard.

"You always have everything: Money, the girls" Ron yelled his face red.

"Everything? Money does nothing when you want parents to love you and take care of you and praise you for marks you get or a great catch in Quidditch or scold you for nearly failing a test. Girls who don't know you or don't care about you are a waste of time. So if that's the case Ron then yeah I have pit all. The closest thing I ever had to parents were, Professors McGonagall; Snape and Flitwick. Remus was a good one too, Sirius was like an uncle more so than a godfather or father figure." Harry said looking distressed. Minerva McGonagall looked touched that he saw her as such as did Felius Flitwick, to them that was a high honor.

"You had my parents!"

"That's just it Ron. They were your parents. I was your best friend, and try as they might they never really were there like they are you for and your family.' Harry said before turning his back on the Weasley siblings.

"Be happy most of your family made it Ron, let Harry and I have our family. We never would have worked out anyways." Hermione said gently as she handed Gabriel to Harry.

"PRETEGO!" a Male voice shouted as a blue shield appeared around the Potter couple. Turning they stared stunned as Draco Malfoy cast the shielding charm for them against Ginny's and Ron's hexes. Hugging Hermione and Gabriel close Harry nodded to Draco in thanks.

"Mr. Weasley, Miss. Weasley. This is a school, and furthermore this is a place of mourning for the dead. See to it that your wands never leave their holsters until you are no longer on the grounds." McGonagall's voice rang out sternly, her eyes falling on Arthur who held out his hands for them. It was a suitable punishment for the time being.

AN: Ok so Hermione's body underwent changes so it was like she had a baby. Her breasts are bigger and she has a little tummy on her at the moment, just left over from what would be a birth. It's not big changes to her body that I went for just small ones that would come naturally.