A/N: 'Nother chapter done! Yea! Some people may take issue with the interactions between Harry and Snape in this chapter, but I choose to believe that Snape was a decent person who simply was not allowed to let it show due to his circumstances. That being said, I did still try to keep him somewhat in character. Hope you like it!

Madame Pomfrey decided that Harry was to spend the entire next week in the infirmary. He was allowed up to use the loo, have a quick wash each day, and the occasional stretch. She said she would consider allowing him short excursion towards the end of the week if all went well. For the first two days he was monitored constantly by the contraction monitoring charm, but thankfully they showed no signs of returning. By the third day Harry figured that at least half of the student body had been by to see how he was holding up. Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were constantly in and out between classes.

He had a breakthrough with his wandless magic studies on his fourth day of confinement. He almost pounced on Hermione when she walked through the doors to bring him his homework for the day.

"Hermione, you have to see this!" He exclaimed as she walked toward his bed. She smiled at his excitement as he grabbed her arm and pulled her down to sit beside him on the bed. He pulled his tray table in front of them and placed a sheet of parchment on it. "Don't say anything. Just watch." He said. She nodded and sat silently, watching him.

He placed his hands on the table on either side of the paper and stared at it, concentrating more intently than she'd ever seen him do. After a few seconds the sheet of paper started to tremble. A few seconds more and it was hovering an inch or so above the table. Hermione gasped in surprise and grabbed his arm, breaking his concentration. Harry watched forlornly as the paper drifted serenely off of the table and onto the floor.

"Hermione!" He said, clearly exasperated. She giggled and hopped up to chase his escaping paper.

"I'm sorry Harry." She said as she laid the sheet back on the table. "But, that was amazing! I've never heard of anyone being able to do that. You're not only doing it without a wand, you're also doing it non-verbally." He smiled at her and shrugged.

"I tried saying the spells aloud, but I couldn't get it to work. I just think them. It's still hard though. You really have to concentrate." He sighed and sat back.

"Have you managed any others, or just Wingardium Leviosa?" Harry smiled broadly and drew her back down to sit beside him.

"Be quiet this time!" He ordered. She mimed zipping and locking her lips and he settled deeper into his pillows. He rested his hands on either side of his belly and closed his eyes. A few seconds later the steady whooshing sound of the baby's heartbeat became audible. Hermione's smile broadened but she dutifully remained silent. After a few moments more Harry opened his eyes and the sound faded away. "I love that sound." He said as he rubbed his belly affectionately.

"That was wonderful Harry." Hermione praised. "I think you're going to find that it gets easier with each spell you master. You might end up not even needing a wand." Harry shook his head.

"It's definitely nice to have this for backup, but for everyday…It's much easier to use a wand. It just makes focusing your magic much easier." She nodded in agreement.

"I want that book when you're through with it. That is definitely a skill I'd like to learn." She pulled her school bag up on to the bed and started to unload it onto the tray table. "Are you ready to go over today's class work?" His face fell and she laughed. "I know. It's not nearly as exciting, but it's still important."

Madame Pomfrey came through about an hour later to tell them that it was just about time for dinner.

"Harry, I am going to allow you to go to the great hall for dinner this evening, but I want you back up here and resting afterwards." Harry perked up.

"Really?" He asked. He looked down at his current attire. "I'll need to go get dressed first. I'm not going down there in these." He said, gesturing at his pajamas.

"Yes, yes, that's fine." Madame Pomfrey said as she waved them off. "I want you right back in that bed though if you have even the teeniest little twinge. Is that understood?" Harry nodded as he eagerly started to put on his slippers and dressing gown while Hermione packed up her books.

The common room was full when they entered a few minutes later and they were greeted by a chorus of voices asking Harry how he was doing. Ron and Ginny walked over, smiling.

"Hey Harry!" Ron said, looking very pleased to see his friend. "Did Madame Pomfrey release you early?" Harry shook his head.

"She's just letting me go down for dinner. I have to go right back afterwards." He said as he headed for the dorms. "I have to change though. I'm not going down in my pajamas." He chose to ignore the fact that Hermione sent Ron up to keep an eye on him, but changed quickly in the bathroom. They still had a few minutes before dinner appeared on the tables so he had a little time to chat and catch up with his classmates. Lavender Brown suddenly appeared at his side and laid her hands brazenly on his belly, hoping to feel the baby move. Harry looked down at the offending appendages and then back up at their owner. He gently, but firmly removed her hands from his belly.

"She's asleep Lavender, and I would appreciate it if you would ask before touching my belly." She pulled her hands back and blushed.

"Sorry!" She said, clearly flustered. "Ginny and Hermione do it without asking. I didn't think you would mind." Harry shook his head.

"Well, I do mind, and I'm a lot closer to Ginny and Hermione than I am to you." She muttered sorry again and hurried out of the common room. Ron snickered.

"I don't think she'll do that again." He said as they watched her go. Harry just smiled as they all stood and started out of the room themselves.

"For some reason people seem to think that pregnant bellies are public property. They're not." He said with annoyance. "I can't tell you how many groping hands I've had to fend off in the last couple of days." The group all chuckled good naturedly at his aggravation and the topic changed to the upcoming weekend and its accompanying Hogsmeade outing. Harry started to drop back a bit at that point. He wasn't going on anymore Hogsmeade trips and the group was moving just a bit quicker then he felt he ought to go. Ginny looked back and saw him lagging behind. She stopped and waited for him to catch up to her. Harry smiled as he joined her, but she had a pensive look to her.

"What's up?" He asked as they walk on together. Ginny matched her step to his and glanced sideways at him.

"What you said in the common room, about people treating your belly like public property…I'm sorry Harry. I do it all the time. I never ask first. You should have said something if it was bothering you." She looked genuinely upset, but Harry just smiled. He stopped, turned to face her and took her hand, placing it on his belly.

"I don't mind when it's you." He said softly. She smiled shyly back at him and blushed slightly. He took her hand and tucking it into the crook of his arm started them moving toward the great hall again.

Harry half expected the great hall to fall silent when they entered. He imagined everyone turning to stare as he walked to the Gryffindor table. So, he was there for relieved when he was largely ignored upon their entry. Two or three people called out a greeting to him or asked how he was feeling, but the atmosphere was pretty much normal. He sighed with relief and moved on to his seat. He was chatting with Ron and Neville and just starting into his steak and kidney pie when he started to feel like he was being watched. He glanced surreptitiously around and noticed Draco Malfoy glaring fiercely in his direction. He leaned over toward Ron.

"What's Malfoy's problem?" He asked as he took up a forkful of savory pie filling. Ron glanced in the Slytherin's direction and smirked.

"You are not his favorite person right now Mate. Not that you ever were, but…" He scooped up a fork full of his own dinner. "His dad has been in hiding ever since Snape's rescue. The ministry is charging him with aiding and abetting a wanted fugitive. If he gets caught, he's going straight to Azkaban." Harry groaned.

"Oh, that's just wonderful." He said remorsefully as he stabbed at the food on his plate. "Just what I needed, yet another reason to have to watch my back." Ron patted him soothingly on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about it Harry. You have too many people looking out for you now. He wouldn't dare to try anything." Harry sighed.

"I hope you're right Ron. I've got less than three months now until the baby comes. It would be nice to be able to relax for once, just for a bit." He laid his fork down and picked up his goblet of milk hoping it would help quench the heartburn that was starting to flare up. Over the last few days the baby had developed the very annoying habit of tumbling about whenever he tried to eat, making his heartburn worse. Hermione noticed his pained look.

"Are you alright Harry?" She asked, laying a hand on his back. He nodded and took another gulp of his milk, laying a hand over his belly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just heartburn. I'm starting to get used to it." He said morosely. "It's starting to happen every time I eat and the baby doesn't help matters any when she starts doing gymnastics halfway through my meal." He rubbed at his breastbone, grimacing, and then smoothed the hand down over his belly and sighed. Hermione rubbed his back soothingly.

"Maybe you should try eating smaller meals, but more frequently. It might help if you don't get too full." She suggested. Harry shrugged.

"How can I do that though? I can't exactly tuck a serving of meat pie into my bag to save for later." Ginny spoke up from across the table.

"Just tell Madame Pomfrey Harry. I'm sure she'll give permission for Dobby to bring you a snack during your break periods. You just have to explain why." He nodded and pushed his plate away. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well though." She said. Harry was just about to reply when a small bowl of some sort of fruit appeared on the table in front of him. He looked down at it quizzically. There was a napkin tucked under the bowl with a note written on it in what looked like a child's handwriting.

Harry Potter, Dobby is hearing that you are having heartburn. Mistress Malfoy used to get it too. She always made Dobby serve her this melon. Dobby hopes it helps you feel better.

Ron's brow furrowed in confusion as he looked over the note.

"I didn't know house elves could read and write." He said, looking at Hermione for explanation. She rolled her eyes.

"Of course they can read and write, if someone is willing to teach them." She said. "They aren't stupid. Most of the pure blood households wouldn't be able to function if they suddenly lost all of their elves. They handle everything from the finances down to the cleaning." Ron looked a bit irritated.

"You're not going to start going on about spew again are you?" Hermione threw a haughty look back in his direction.

"It's S.P.E.W. Ronald, not spew. And I happen to think it's a very good cause." She said coldly, fiddling with the S.P.E.W. badge pinned to her sweater. Harry and Ginny looked at each other and rolled their eyes, grinning. Harry picked up his fork and speared a piece of the green colored melon. He didn't think he'd ever had it before. He lifted it to his nose and smelled it. It smelled fresh and sweet. He took a bite and liked it immediately. It was as sweet as its smell promised and the juice seemed to cool and soothe as it ran down his throat.

"Merlin, that's good" He moaned as he closed his eyes and sighed in relief. "Do you know what kind of melon this is?" He asked as he looked up at Ginny.

"Umm, honey dew, I think." She peered at the pieces and popped a small one into her mouth. "Yummy." She said around the chunk of fruit. "Definitely honey dew." Harry skewered another piece on his fork.

"Well, it's my new favorite food." He said before putting it in his mouth and chewing slowly. "I love Dobby." He said blissfully. Ginny giggled and turned her attention back to her own plate, leaving Harry to his melon.

Later that evening Harry was tucked back into his bed working on his homework when he heard a noise and looked up. He was surprised to see Snape, of all people, standing in his doorway.

"Professor Snape," He said. "How are you?" He gestured to the chair beside his bed, offering it to his teacher.

"I've been better." Snape replied as he walked toward the chair. "But I'm alive, and that for the most part is thanks to you." He stopped beside Harry and held out his good hand to the boy. Harry slowly set down his quill and shook the potion Master's hand. "I'm sorry it had to land you in the hospital wing, but you have my gratitude Mr. Potter." Harry nodded and Snape released his hand and sat in the chair, using his good arm to brace his sore ribs. "I trust you and the child are out of danger for the moment?"

"Yeah, we're doing well." Harry said as he laid his hand on his belly. "No more contractions. Madame Pomfrey says that I can go back to Gryffindor tower Friday evening if things keep going the way they are." Snape nodded and shifted in the chair, still holding his ribs. "Can't Madame Pomfrey give you some Skele-grow or something to heal your ribs?" Snape snorted and actually gave half a smile. The first one Harry had ever seen on his face.

"That particular potion lost its effectiveness for me quite a few years ago Mr. Potter. That can happen with over use, unfortunately." Harry grimace in sympathy. "I did have another purpose for this visit." Snape said after a few moments of awkward silence. "In light of your reaction to the incident the other night, the Headmaster has asked me to try to teach you the art of occlumancy. It is used to keep someone from gaining access to your mind. It would require the utmost in effort and concentration. Do you think you're up for it Mr. Potter?" Harry looked at him a second before he replied.

"May I show you something?" He asked. Snape raised an eyebrow and tipped his head a fraction, indicating that Harry could proceed. Harry started to demonstrate the expertise he was gaining with the wandless Wingardium Leviosa but stopped suddenly and looked up at Snape as a thought occurred to him. "You're done with Voldemort, right?" He asked. "You're not going back?" The older man looked at him for a second before answering.

"No, I am not going back Harry. I've lost his trust and if he ever sees me again, I would most likely not survive the encounter." Harry nodded and took a deep breath, focusing intently on his homework paper. It did not tremble this time, but instead shot straight up and hovered steadily about two feet above the table. Harry stared at it for another moment and it slowly floated over to the teacher. Snape reached out and took the parchment. Harry relaxed and smiled.

"My potion's homework, Sir. Would you care to check it over?" Snape stared intently at him for a moment and then glanced quickly over the paper.

"You missed one of the properties of vervain." He said as he handed it back. "How many people know that you are learning to do wandless magic Harry?" He was very serious and Harry suddenly got worried.

"Just Ron, Hermione and Ginny. And now you." He replied. "Why? I am doing something I shouldn't be?" Snape shook his head.

"No, on the contrary, I think it a very valuable skill for you to learn. However, I think it would be prudent for you to keep it a secret." Snape relied. "If word gets out you will lose the element of surprise that this particular skill can offer. It's a tremendous asset when you have it available." Harry nodded his agreement. "Have you mastered any other spells or just Wingaurdium Leviosa?"

"The first one I learned was Madame Pomfrey's heart rate tracking charm, and now I'm working on the accio spell." Snape reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a mint, holding it out flat on his palm. He quirked an eyebrow at Harry, a clear indication to have a go at it. Harry smiled and sat up straighter, locking his gaze onto the small red and white candy. He started to repeat 'Accio candy' over and over again in his mind. The candy twitched in Snape's hand but that was all that Harry was able to manage. He slumped slightly as he gave up and shook his head.

"It seems harder to bring something to you than it is to push it away." He said. Snape sat forward in his chair and looked at Harry.

"Try this." He said. "Close your eyes and breathe deeply for a few seconds." He watched as Harry complied. "Now, clear all thoughts from your mind. Picture the candy and make it your mind's sole occupation for the moment. You shouldn't be seeing or thinking of anything else." He raised the candy again. "Now, open your eyes and try again." Harry took one more deep breath and opened his eyes, zeroing in on the candy, picturing it flying from Snape's hand to his own. It jolted on Snape's palm and started to rise, but fell back down as Harry gasped in pain and started to rub at the top of his belly.

"The little brat kicked me in the ribs." He explained as he grimaced. "God, that hurts." Snape smirked but looked relieved that it was not a contraction.

"I can honestly say that is one distraction I have never had to deal with. You're going to need to learn to ignore it though, even when it's painful. Absolute concentration is imperative in both this and occlumancy. Is she still moving?" Harry nodded. "Good." He held the candy back up. "Try again." Harry closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to block out the sensation of the baby tumbling about in his belly. He opened his eyes and focused on the candy. Before he knew it, the mint was resting on his own hand.

"I did it!" He exclaimed, staring incredulously at the round candy on his palm. He looked up at his teacher who was getting to his feet.

"Well done Mr. Potter. Keep working on it." He went to the door and stopped, looking back at Harry. "We can start the occlumancy lessons on Saturday. I presume that you were not planning on going to Hogsmeade?" Harry shook his head adamantly.

"Not even if you paid me to go." He said with some vehemence. "That stupid Rita Skeeter hag is most likely going to be there and the place is going to be a mad house of people hoping to get a glimpse of me thanks to her last article." He sat back against his pillows and rubbed absentmindedly at a spot the baby was kicking. "Even if I wanted to go, I doubt Madame Pomfrey would allow it." He looked back up at his teacher and caught the man looking at his stomach as the baby made it undulate slightly. "Have you ever felt an unborn baby move before professor?" Harry asked him. Snape shook his head.

"It looks like it would be quite uncomfortable." He observed. Harry smiled and motioned him back over to the bed.

"It can be, like when she kicks me in the ribs." He said with a wry twist to his smile. "But for the most part, it feels…comforting. It lets me know she's doing okay in there." He said as he looked at Snape questioningly and reached for his hand. Snape gave it voluntarily and Harry laid it across the top of his belly where most of the movement was. "I guess she feels like stretching her legs this evening." Harry said. Snape gave a slight smile and, after a few moments, took his hand away. Harry looked back up at him. "Do we still have to hate each other Sir, now that you're not spying anymore?" Snape sighed.

"No Mr. Potter, I don't think we do." He walked back to the door. "Be in my office at ten a.m. In the meantime, see if you can get Miss Granger to find you a book on meditation. I think it would be beneficial to you in many areas."

"I will Professor, thank you." He looked down at the mint that he still held in his hand as his teacher walked away. He looked from the mint to Snape's retreating form and back again before shrugging his shoulders and popping the mint into his mouth. He sucked happily on it as he opened his potion's text to see which one of vervain's many properties was missing from his paper.

Madame Pomfrey allowed Harry to return to Gryffindor tower on Friday, after classes were over for the day. He was happy to be back. After dinner that evening Harry decided to practice his wandless magic, much to the amusement of Ron and Ginny. He was using the levitation and summoning charms to move people's things when they weren't looking. Hermione was largely trying to ignore them, but having little success in the matter.

"Professor Snape told you to keep it a secret Harry!" She hissed as the other three laughed at Parvati Patil who couldn't understand why her Herbology text kept flopping onto the floor.

"He's not going to get caught Hermione." Ron said, grinning as he watched Parvati give the table a shake to see if it was wobbly. "He's not hurting anything and he needs to practice." Hermione sighed in exasperation and watched, disapprovingly, as Lee Jordan's bag tipped over and disgorged his books onto the floor.

"Your time would be better spent reading the meditation books I found for you. Why did I go to the time and trouble of looking for them if you aren't even going to open them?" She asked, getting very annoyed. "You should have at least a basic understanding of the principles before your first lesson with Snape." She crossed her arms huffily and glared into the fireplace. Harry sighed in defeat.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop." He said, trying to placate her bad mood. He leaned forward and picked up the small stack of books she had found for him in the library. "Which one do you suggest I start with?" He asked. She smiled slightly as she reopened her own book.

"Start with the top. The bottom one is the most advanced. Harry sighed and settling back into his chair, cracked open the first book.