The next few months flew by.
Briar started showing up for classes again and would even sometimes talk to Anna as they still sat next to each other in a few classes, including potions. Their interactions remained awkward, but Anna was glad that he was at least trying to be civil.
Anna also continued to see Severus, and not just for private lessons.
She had sent a letter to her aunt and uncle about her intent to marry Severus. They both had sent back letters with their blessings. Her aunt even said she would have a proper wedding gown made. Anna, however, could tell from their letters that they were both concerned about her. She was glad they weren't going to try and stop her, but she still felt anxious.
It didn't help that there were only a couple of months until the N.E.W.T., so that only increased Anna's anxiety. Severus seemed to have more confidence in her than she did at this point. The closer the test came, the more she worried about doing well.
Luckily, Anna's new group of friends, Moira, Neina, and Baxter, would all be taking the exam as well, so they had started studying together regularly on the weekends.
On this particular weekend though, Baxter had Quidditch practice and Neina had an Astronomy club meeting, so it was just Moira and Anna that would be meeting to study in the Slytherin common room. Anna had debated about canceling as she hadn't been feeling too well lately, which she had attributed to the anxiety of the N.E.W.T., but she didn't want to abandon Moira.
She left her room and to her surprise, Moira was waiting for her outside her door. They usually met in the common room.
"We need to talk," Moira whispered, "my room." She grabbed Anna's hand and pulled her down the hall, to the room at the very end.
Anna had never been in any of the other rooms, let alone the head girl's room, but it looked very similar to hers, if not slightly larger.
"Is something wrong?" Anna asked after Moira closed the door.
"You don't look so good," Moira said as she noticed the color drain from Anna's face.
Anna felt another wave of nausea hit her, "I think I'm going to be sick..."
"Bathroom's that way," Moira pointed to the opposite side of the room.
Anna didn't have time to thank Moira and hurriedly made her way to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Moira waited patiently for Anna to reemerge. Moira wasn't positive but had a hunch as to why Anna had been feeling off lately. It also wasn't like her to get involved in another's personal affairs, but she got the vibe that Anna didn't know herself, and this was something she felt Anna needed to know.
"How are you feeling?" Moira asked as Anna left the bathroom.
"A little better," Anna replied.
"Anna," Moira started to speak, but then hesitated.
"Is something wrong?" asked Anna, confused as to why Moira would have dragged her into her room.
Moira sighed. There was no good way to ask what she needed to ask Anna, but she attempted a more subtle approach, "When was the last time you bled?"
"What?" Anna asked, taken aback by such a personal question.
"I'm only asking because you're showing signs…." Moira replied and lowered her voice, "… of being with child…"
The color drained out of Anna's face.
"I'm not trying to pry… unless you want to talk about it," Moira said, "I'm not even positive, it's just a hunch based on how you have been acting… eating more than usual, frequent trips to the bathroom… I was just worried you didn't know… and from the looks of it… I was right…"
Anna barely registered Moira's words. She was trying to think of when she had her last bleeding and realized she hadn't the last two months. Was she really pregnant? She had thought all her ill feelings were from nerves. She never considered them to be pregnancy symptoms. Anna suddenly felt very light-headed.
"Anna," Moira said concerned when Anna hadn't spoken for a while.
"I-I…" Anna stuttered as the room began to spin.
"Let's sit down," Moira helped guide Anna to her bed.
"I just thought it was anxiety," Anna said once the room stopped spinning, "I never even thought..."
"We're all stressing out about the N.E.W.T.," Moira tried to comfort Anna, "It's easy to miss…"
"Does anyone else know?" Anna asked, realizing that if Moira noticed, maybe others did as well.
"No," Moira could tell Anna was panicking and tried to calm her, "No, I didn't mention it to anyone and I don't think anyone else will notice."
"How did you know?"
"You're not the first the girl…. And I was once…" Moira answered quietly.
"I'm sorry," Anna whispered.
"It's alright." Moira replied, "It was a year ago, we weren't ready, not to mention we are still students…. I made my decision then…"
They were silent for a moment before Moira asked, "What are you doing to do?"
"I-I don't know…" Anna replied.
"Are you going to tell the father?"
"The father…" Anna began to panic.
"You don't have to; it's probably still early enough. There are ways… you could..."
"No," Anna said before Moira could finish. She surprised herself when she realized she had already made a decision. Anna wanted the baby; if she really was with child, but would Severus? She had to tell him, but she had no idea how he would react.
"Maybe I should take you to the Hospital Wing…" Moira said as she noticed Anna looked ashen, "Madam Pomfrey could help and confirm..."
"No, I…" Anna stood, "I should go…"
"Anna," Moira spoke worried, "if you aren't feeling well…"
"I have to talk to him first," Anna replied.
Moira wanted to stop her, but understood, "Your secret is safe with me. If you ever want to talk, I'm here."
"Thank you," Anna replied before leaving Moira's room and hurriedly made her way to Snape's office. She was supposed to see him for lessons after dinner, but this couldn't wait.
Her heart was racing as she arrived outside Severus's office. She didn't even bother to knock on the door and just turned the knob. She might have been more surprised that it had turned so easily, that there wasn't a locking charm on the door, except when she entered his office, she found not only Severus but also Dumbledore.
She froze. How was she supposed to talk to Severus with Dumbledore present? What was Dumbledore doing in Severus's office? The room began to spin.
"Miss Snow," Dumbledore spoke in surprise and quickly became concerned when he saw she was trembling.
Severus ran over when he saw her sick complexion. Her legs buckled and he caught her before she hit the floor. Dumbledore walked over.
"Anna," he said, but no response. She was still breathing, just unconscious, "She fainted."
"Let's take her to Madam Pomfrey… just to be safe…" said Dumbledore. He noticed Severus still looked concerned, "It's probably nothing…"
"Nothing?" Severus rebuked. It was obvious something was wrong. Why else would she have come to his office at this time? Why did she look so ill? He cradled her in his arms and stood.
"Stay calm," Dumbledore rested a hand on Severus's shoulder, "Let's see what Poppy has to say before we jump to conclusions."
Dumbledore opened the door. Severus sighed and carried Anna out. They both quickly made their way to the Hospital Wing.
"Dumbledore, Snape," Madam Pomfrey spoke, startled by their sudden appearance as they had entered her office using the back entrance rather than using the main double doors.
"We didn't want to make a scene," Dumbledore explained and it was then Poppy noticed Severus was carrying a student.
"Come with me," Poppy commanded leading them out of her office. The hospital wing was empty, just how she liked it, so she chose a bed closest to her office.
"Lay her down here," she commanded Severus as she put up the white privacy screen.
"Will she be alright?" Severus asked.
"I will let you know after I have had time to examine her. Now leave me so I can tend to my patient," Poppy said shooing the two men away.
Severus was about to argue, but thought better of it and followed Dumbledore back to Poppy's office.
After just over an hour, Poppy reappeared.
"How is she?" Severus asked as soon as she entered the room.
"I have never seen you so concerned over a student before, professor," Poppy commented, taking note of his anxious expression, "but to answer your question, she's going to be fine."
Severus sighed in relief.
"But…" Poppy said and turned her attention to Dumbledore, "Could I talk to you alone Headmaster?"
"If it relates to Miss Snow, Severus can stay," Dumbledore answered as he saw Severus's panicked expression.
Dumbledore's answer and Snape's worried expression made Poppy even more suspicious, but it wouldn't be until she informed them of Anna's condition that her suspicions would be confirmed.
"Very well, if you insist," Poppy said, "Miss Snow is with child." She looked directly at Snape when she spoke the last sentence. He had turned white as a sheet.
"The fainting was probably just a result of her shock…" Poppy explained, "She'll be fine after she rests for a bit."
"Are you certain?" Severus asked quietly.
"Yes," Poppy answered with confidence, "but she's not very far along. You don't have to worry; she'll graduate before she's even showing…" Poppy looked at Severus and she had never seen his eyes open so wide before.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Poppy assured him, but his pale complexion didn't improve. She grabbed a chocolate bar off her desk.
"Here," Poppy handed Severus the chocolate. "Go on, eat it," she commanded. Chocolate was known to have its own healing prosperities and was one of the best remedies for shock.
Severus frowned but took a bite of the chocolate as she had commanded.
"The girl, I can understand, but you, Severus, a grown man…" Poppy rambled as she looked through her medicine cabinet, "she took the news much better..."
"You mentioned she wasn't very far along?" Dumbledore asked while Severus took another bite of chocolate. He was still soaking in the fact that he was going to be a father.
"Yes," Poppy said and sighed, understanding what Dumbledore was truly asking, "there is time to… terminate… but I already asked her if she had considered that option..."
"What did she say?" Severus asked weakly.
"No," Poppy answered.
"I see," Dumbledore said and turned to Severus, "Congratulations!" He smiled.
Severus remained silent, but at least the color was returning to his face.
"I honestly don't know why you are so shocked, Severus," Poppy said, "you do know how babies…."
"Yes, yes, I know…" Severus interrupted her. He wasn't naïve; it just wasn't something he had thought all that much about. "I… I need to talk to her…"
"She needs to rest," Poppy replied, "I don't want you to get her worked up…"
"I won't," Severus said and when she frowned, he added, "I promise."
Poppy sighed, "Very well… "
"Thank you," Severus said before he left her office and made his way to Anna's cot.
"Why do I get the feeling you have something to do with this?" Poppy asked Dumbledore once they were alone.
"Because I might have," Dumbledore winked at her, "Don't worry, I will keep an eye on them." He left the office but stayed on the other side of the privacy screen so Severus and Anna could have some time alone.
Poppy shook her head in disbelief. It wasn't uncommon for students to get pregnant, but this was the first time a professor was involved.
"Severus I…" Anna said as Severus arrived next to her bed.
"Anna…" Severus had spoken at the same time. "You first," he smiled and sat down in a chair next to her cot. He was glad to see that the color had returned to her face and she was no longer trembling.
"I wanted to tell you," Anna continued.
"It's okay," Severus replied, "How are you?"
"Fine," Anna smiled, "Madam Pomfrey said it was just shock. I didn't realize it until Moira…"
"Moira?"
"She doesn't know it's yours," Anna quickly added seeing his panicked expression, "she was just concerned and then, of course, I wanted to talk to you, but then I saw Dumbledore and…"
"Shhh…" Severus hushed her when he saw how worked up she was getting, "it's alright…" He had promised Poppy he wouldn't upset Anna.
"Are you mad?" Anna asked quietly, looking down at her stomach. She anxiously twirled her hair with her fingers.
Severus gently placed his hand on her free hand, which was resting on her stomach.
"I'm not mad," he answered honestly.
She looked at him. Her eyes were glistening.
"I'm just shocked and maybe a little scared," he whispered as his hand moved to her cheek to wipe away a tear, "Are you sure…"
"Yes," Anna whispered before he could finish the question. She knew she wanted the baby and she hoped he did too. It was their baby. "Is that okay?"
"I…" Severus began but then Poppy entered the privacy screen.
"Relax, it's just me," Poppy said as she saw their startled looks. She closed the curtain behind her. "Here," she handed a glass bottle to Anna, "this will help with any nausea you may have."
"Thank you," Anna said taking the bottle from Madam Pomfrey.
"How are you feeling?" Dumbledore asked as he joined them all.
"Fine," Anna smiled.
"Well you are free to go," Madam Pomfrey said, "everything looks normal, but if you have any questions, do no hot hesitate to come to me."
Anna nodded, "Thank you Madam Pomfrey."
"Now you need to eat," Poppy said, "Why don't you get dressed and go to dinner?"
"There's plenty of time for you two to talk after dinner," Dumbledore spoke before Anna or Severus could reply, "I believe you still have your lessons?"
"I don't think lessons are very wise…" Poppy argued, but saw the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes and realized Anna and Professor Snape would not be doing lessons. She shook her head and sighed, "Just take it easy, and make sure you eat well."
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," Anna replied as Poppy gave her back her school robes.
"I'll walk you out," Severus offered, surprising them all, but no one argued.
"Thank you," Anna said as she finished putting her robes back on over her uniform. She tucked the small bottle that Madam Pomfrey had given her in one of the pockets and allowed Severus to escort her out of the hospital wing.
"Are you sure this is wise Dumbledore?" Poppy asked as Severus and Anna left together. She could tell they had chemistry, but it was still quite an age difference.
"They're already engaged," Dumbledore replied.
"Of course they are," grumbled Poppy as she set to work on replacing the sheets on the cot Anna had used, "I just hope you know what you're doing."
"Good night Poppy."
"Good night, Dumbledore," Poppy replied before the headmaster disappeared behind the double doors of the Hospital Wing.
"I'll see you after dinner," Severus whispered once they had arrived outside of the Great Hall.
"Yes, professor," Anna replied awkwardly.
"Anna!" Moira called as she came running up towards her.
"M-Moira," Anna stuttered in surprise.
"Evening Professor," Moira said noticing Professor Snape.
"Miss Blackwood," Snape acknowledged her before he leaving them and entering the Great Hall.
"I was worried about you and you forgot your bag," Moira explained handing Anna her schoolbag.
"I'm fine now, and thank you," Anna said taking her bag and slinging it over her shoulder.
"Do you know…" Moira lowered her voice.
"Yes," Anna whispered before she could finish the question, "I saw Madam Pomfrey."
"Are you…"
"Yes," Anna replied with a smile.
"And the father?" asked Moira.
"I'm not sure…" Anna answered. Severus never did answer her question thanks to Poppy and Dumbledore interrupting them. He said he wasn't mad, but he wasn't ecstatic either.
"Boys can be hard to figure out sometimes," Moira smiled, "let's go eat for now; you might want to bring a bit more food for 'Shadow'…" She winked.
Anna returned her smile and together they made their way to the Slytherin table where Neina and Baxter were already sitting.
"How did studying go?" asked Neina.
"Good," Moira lied before Anna had a chance to panic.
Anna was still a little nervous that anyone besides Severus and Dumbledore knew she was with child, but as Moira had figured it out herself, she had no choice but to trust her.
They made idle chit chat while eating dinner, but even so, Anna couldn't help but worry about Severus. It took more effort than usual to refrain from looking at him at the head table.
After what seemed like the longest dinner ever, Anna took Moira's advice and wrapped up some extra food for later, some would be for Shadow, of course, but the rest was for her.
"Lessons with Snape?" Baxter asked as Anna tucked the wrapped up food in her bag.
"Yes," she replied.
"Good luck," Baxter, Neina, and Moira said in unison.
"Thanks," Anna smiled at them before leaving the table. She had to force herself to walk at a normal pace as she left the Great Hall as she was very eager to see Severus. Once she made it to the staircase, she quickened her pace. Did he want the baby? More importantly, did he still want her?
"How are you feeling?" were the first words out of Severus's mouth when Anna entered his office.
"Fine, physically," Anna answered as he locked the door, "Severus…"
"Not here…" he said and waved his wand to reveal the door to his private quarters, "...just to be safe."
Anna nodded and entered his room. He followed after her, the door disappearing behind him after he entered.
"Do you want the baby?" Anna blurted out. She hadn't meant for the question to fall out of her mouth like that, but it was all she could think about for the last hour and she was desperate.
Severus knew the question was coming, as she had asked back in the Hospital Wing, but he hadn't had a chance to answer then. However, he hadn't expected her to ask so bluntly. He looked into her pleading eyes. He could tell she wanted this child, their child.
"It's not that I don't want children… I certainly didn't think it would happen this soon…" he lowered his voice as he sat down on the bed, "I'm sorry… I know I should be excited…"
"I'm scared too," Anna said as she sat down next to him, "but in my heart I know, I want… I want this baby, our baby." Tears flowed down her cheeks as she spoke.
"Anna," Severus tenderly wiped her tears with his hands. He could feel her trembling and he knew it wasn't being a mother that scared her, no, she would be a wonderful mother, it was him, she was afraid of him leaving her.
"I love you," he said looking into her tear-filled eyes, "I would never leave you or our child." He wrapped his arms around her as she sobbed.
"I'm sorry if I scared you," he whispered holding her closer to him, "I never meant to… it's just… what if… what if I'm a terrible father?"
"Why would you…" Anna began to ask, but then remembered Severus had an abusive father as a child, "You are not your father." She reached for his face to get his attention. "Any child would be lucky to have you for a father," Anna said as her eyes locked on his.
"Anna," Severus mumbled before his lips met hers. He felt all his worries drift away as he lost himself in her sweetness.
"How do you feel about a July wedding?" he breathed as his lips left hers. "I know it's a little rushed, but I would like to be married before the baby is born," he explained.
"I'll send a letter to my aunt to see what she can do," Anna replied, "that is… is it okay if I tell them?"
"Yes," he smiled before kissing her again.
"Oh, why was Dumbledore in your office?" Anna asked as she remembered why she hadn't been able to talk to him originally.
"Dumbledore wanted to see how you were doing," Severus answered, "I told him you were doing very well and I think you are ready for the N.E.W.T." He smiled.
"Well at least one of us thinks so," Anna mumbled. She still felt nervous about the exam. For one, she still had no idea what she wanted to do after school. On top of that, she just found out she was going to be a mom.
"I'm sure you will pass each exam," Severus assured her.
"You have to say that," she sighed as she fell back on to his bed.
"I don't have to," he argued, "I wouldn't lie to you."
"You're still biased," Anna reminded him.
Severus leaned over her. Anna's face flushed as she looked into his eyes.
"Maybe just a little," he whispered, his lips lingering above hers.
Anna eagerly wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest as his mouth melted into hers.
"Madam Pomfrey said you had to rest," Severus breathed.
"I feel fine," Anna argued, causing Severus to frown. She sighed, "Can I at least stay?"
"Yes," he replied, "but sleeping only." He tenderly kissed her forehead. "There's still time, did you want to study a bit?"
"You just said…"
"Classic studying," Severus replied, "with books."
"I suppose," Anna sighed as she left his bed, suddenly it felt as if she wasn't allowed to do anything fun. Severus escorted her out of his room and back into his office. She sat down on the sofa while he brought over a stack of books.
"You're kidding right?" Anna said as she stared at the pile of books.
"We aren't going to read them all," Severus explained, "Just the important parts."
"That kind of sounds like cheating," Anna said as she picked up a book.
"You've never skimmed a book before have you?" asked Severus.
"Yes…" Anna answered and mumbled, "…but after I have read it through once…"
"You know you don't have to know everything," he replied taking the book from her and turning to a specific page he had in mind, "just the important parts; the items most likely to be on the exam."
"Everything is important to someone," Anna replied, "it's just a matter of who you ask." She, however, started reading the page he had opened to rather than going back to the beginning.
Severus's eyes softened. He wondered how someone who had endured what she had, had managed to still end up so kind.
Severus broke out of his trance when he noticed Anna pull out some food from her schoolbag.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"Madam Pomfrey said it's normal as I'm now eating for two," Anna's face flushed from embarrassment.
"It's fine; just tell me," Severus said, "I can get some tea and crumpets if you'd rather?"
"Yes," Anna smiled, "thank you."
Severus returned her smile before leaving his office.
Anna continued to read the book he had given her but found reading about spells boring compared to actually practicing them. She placed her hand on her stomach.
She was going to be a mom.
This whole time she was worried about what she was going to do when graduated. King Bran mentioned the possibility of her ruling the six kingdoms, but that would be years from now. What was she to do until then?
Severus returned shortly with a tray holding a tea set and food.
Maybe Severus would have some input? But first food. She poured herself some tea and began to nibble on a crumpet.
"You mentioned Dumbledore offered you a job as a professor," Anna said as Severus sat down next to her.
"Yes," replied Severus, unsure where she was going with this.
"Did you always want to be a professor?" asked Anna before taking a sip of tea and grabbing another crumpet.
"No, I never even considered it until Dumbledore offered," Severus replied.
"What did you do before you became a professor?"
"I…" Severus hesitated, unsure how Anna would feel, but also knew that he couldn't keep any secrets from her, "I went searching for her…"
"Lily?"
"I didn't actually see her die," he replied, "I just assumed, it wasn't till after Hogwarts, I felt empowered enough to go searching…" he sighed, "but in the end, it was just wasted time…"
"I'm sorry," Anna said quietly as she set her teacup down onto the table.
"Don't be," Severus said, causing Anna's wide surprised eyes to meet his, "I have you."
"Severus…" she whispered
"I may have loved her, but I love you now… more than I ever loved her..." he whispered, his lips just inches away from hers.
"I love you so much," Anna breathed before pressing her lips against. Their kiss started out slow and gentle but soon ignited into fiery passion. Anna could feel her heart racing as her body burned with desire.
"As much as I want to…" Severus said forcing himself to withdraw from her, "we shouldn't…"
"I'm pregnant, not dying," Anna argued.
"You fainted earlier," Severus reminded her, "and Madam Pomfrey said to rest."
Anna sighed, "Do you really think I'm so fragile?"
"No," Severus replied wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close to him, "Quite the opposite, which is the problem…" He lovingly stroked her hair.
"I still don't know what I want to do…" Anna confided.
"Ah, so that's why you asked all those questions," Severus said, "There's no need to worry, I make enough to support you and the baby."
Anna frowned, "If I wanted to just be someone's wife, I wouldn't have come to Hogwarts." She sat up, "I would like to have some purpose... I just don't know what…"
"I just meant there's time," Severus replied, feeling a little hurt by her reaction, "You don't have to decide right away what you want to do… but even if you did decide to just be my wife that would be fine to…"
"Sorry," Anna apologized, "I shouldn't have said it like that." She hadn't meant to hurt him and she felt horrible, "There's nothing I want more than to be yours. It's just, where I'm from, women had no other purpose other than to marry and bear children… and I'd like… I'd like to think I can do more…"
"You are one of the brightest students in this school," Severus smiled, "I'm sure you will do amazing things." He gave her a peck on the cheek, "Now we should get ready for bed."
"Thanks," Anna said still unconvinced but followed him back to his room.
"I wish you could see yourself the way I see you," Severus replied as he closed the door behind them.
"I could say the same," Anna said and they both smiled.