Chapter 17

Hermione walked into the infirmary the next morning. She had to know for sure if she was indeed pregnant. She knocked on Madam Pomfrey's office door, and seconds later, the medi-witch appeared.

"Good Morning, Poppy. I umm…"

Hermione was suddenly speechless. She did not know how to ask, or what to say to the kindly woman who had taken care of her on numerous occasions.

"Is something wrong, dear?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Well, you see, I… umm, I need a…"

"I've been seeing to your health for seven years now, child. You can tell me anything. Now, what do you need from me?"

"I… I think I may be pregnant, Madam Pomfrey." Hermione lowered her eyes, staring at the floor. She knew she had nothing to be ashamed of; she was a married witch after all, but she still felt a bit peculiar talking to Poppy about such things.

Taking Hermione by the hand Madam Pomfrey led her to one of the beds.

"Lay down here, my dear, and let's see if your suspicions are correct."

The medi-witch took her wand and pointed it at Hermione's abdomen, and softly said the word to invoke the spell. "Conceptio." A blue glow radiated from her womb. Madam Pomfrey smiled at Hermione.

"Congratulations. You are indeed pregnant and it's a boy. You appear to be about three weeks into the pregnancy, which means you should give birth around late July or early August."

"H-h-how can that be? I'm on the potion! Severus and I haven't even discussed having children yet. I'm not even out of school!"

"You saw the results yourself, Hermione. You are pregnant. I don't know why the potion failed, but these things do happen. Perhaps if you look at this as 'it was meant to be.' As for Severus, I've known him since he was eleven and I believe, after the initial shock wears off, that he will be thrilled.

"Please Poppy, don't tell anyone else about this. I want to tell Severus first, and I'm not quite sure how and when I'm going to do that."

"I will tell no one, child. Just don't put off telling Severus about this for too long. You will start showing in a few months and then he will know. I do want you to come back before the hols so I can give you a thorough exam, set up a schedule for your prenatal care and answer any questions you may have at that time."

--

Hermione walked down towards the Great Hall still in a bit of shock from learning that she was pregnant, just as she was told in her dream. She needed to tell Severus, but wasn't sure how. They never really discussed children; they were still getting used to being married and discovering each other. It was only a couple of weeks until Christmas, maybe she would wait to tell Severus then, a sort of Christmas present. 'Yes' she thought, 'that would be best, no students around he'll have time to adjust to the news.'

The Headmaster caught sight of the young woman she seemed oblivious to her surroundings as he watched her. A smile came slowly to his face. He had seen that look many times before. It appeared that Mrs. Snape had learned of her condition. He had already known for the last three weeks. He had seen the change in her aura, the subtle change that occurred when a witch carried a new life within her.

"Good morning, Mrs Snape, beautiful day is it not?"

"Oh, uh good morning, Headmaster, yes, yes it is a beautiful day," she said as they continued to walk towards the Great Hall.

"I've always enjoyed the winter season, but spring is my favourite. I so love watching new life blooming and growing."

Hermione touched her abdomen thinking about the new life growing inside of her when the thought came to her. Does the Headmaster know I'm pregnant? How could he? Then again he seems to know everything that goes on in the castle. Her eyes glanced over at the Headmaster.

"Yes, Spring is special, but I think each season holds its own special charm."

"I agree, just like each child is special."

Hermione stopped walking and turned towards the headmaster.

"How did you know? I just left Madam Pomfrey."

"I have the ability to see auras, child. Yours, like every woman's, changed subtly when you conceived your child," he said, a serene smile on his face.

"Congratulations, my dear, I'm thrilled for the both of you."

"Thank you, sir, but please don't say anything to anyone else. I want to tell Severus on Christmas Eve when we are alone."

"No one will hear it from me, Hermione. Now shall we to the Great Hall, you need to keep your strength up, now that you are eating for two."

As Hermione sat eating breakfast she listened to the morning chatter around her, Harry and Ron were talking Quidditch, as usual. She was glad no one else could see what the Headmaster could, if they did, the news would be around school faster than you could say 'SNITCH'.

After breakfast, as they were leaving for their first class, Ginny came up to Hermione.

"You going to Hogsmeade this weekend, Hermione?"

"I really hadn't thought about it, Ginny. I guess I should since I haven't done any Christmas shopping at all yet."

"Great, then you're going with me. It's been too long since we've done anything together. I've missed being able to talk to you like we use to do. Gryffindor House just isn't the same without you."

"I'm sorry, Ginny if it seems I've been neglecting my friends. I'm not doing so intentionally. We'll make a day of it in Hogsmeade."

Ginny gave her a smile.

"Sounds good to me, see you at lunch."

--

Saturday morning, she met Ginny in the Entrance Hall with the other students waiting to head to Hogsmeade.

"You all ready to go, Hermione?"

"All ready. Where do you want go to first?"

"How about the Quidditch shop first. That way we can get Harry and Ron's gifts out of the way. Have you decided what you're getting Professor Snape?"

"Well there is a book I know he doesn't have. I thought about seeing if I could find it at the bookshop. I might have to go to Flourish and Blott's if they don't have it."

They spent the morning going from store to store making their purchases. The last stop was the bookshop.

"I'm going to check and see if they have any new cookbooks for my Mum," Ginny said.

"Okay, I'll be looking around. Find me when you're done."

Hermione went to the clerk to ask where books on pregnancy were and then headed to the section that the witch pointed out. She had hoped to find a book to give Severus that would help lead into her news. She spent thirty minutes going through book after book, finally settling on two. Haemorrhoids and Mood Swings--A Wizard's Guide to Surviving Pregnancy and Stolen Wands and Frog Spawn in Your Shoes--A Wizard's Guide to Surviving Fatherhood. She quickly paid for the books and put them in her bag so that Ginny would not see them.

Hermione began to look for Ginny, when a new potions book caught her eye. She was skimming through it as her friend came up behind her.

"Find what you were looking for?"

"No, I'll have to go to Diagon Alley or Owl Mr Blotts. If he doesn't have it in stock, I'll ask him to order it for me. I hope that it will arrive before the hols. Find a new cookbook for your Mum?"

"Yes, found one I hope she can use."

She handed the book to Hermione. Swish and Flick – Real Gourmet Meals at the Tip of Your Wand.

"I'm sure she will love it. I'm famished. Let's go to the Three Broomsticks and get something to eat."

"Sounds good, just let me go pay for this."

As they were walking towards the pub, Hermione felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She had the distinct feeling she was being watched. She looked discreetly around the vicinity, but she could not see anyone.

Upon entering the Three Broomsticks, they saw Ron and Harry and went to join them at their table. The four talked about classes, their plans for the hols, and the latest gossip. After a filling lunch and more talk, the girls said good-bye to the boys and headed out the door.

Before making their way back to Hogwarts she and Ginny decided to pick up some sweets at Honeydukes. As they headed to the shop, Hermione once again felt as if she was being watched. Ginny entered the shop as Hermione looked to her right, and for a brief moment, she saw a man who could almost pass for Lucius Malfoy. The same pale blond hair, but much shorter and cold grey eyes. She quickly entered the shop behind Ginny. She felt the need to get back to Hogwarts as quickly as possible.

"Hey Gin, do you mind if we make this quick, I just remembered something I promised Severus I would do today."

"Sure, I have an essay I need to get working on anyway."

After making their selections of the delicious sweets offered at the shop, they headed back to Hogwarts. Hermione's senses were on alert for anything out of the ordinary around them as they walked back to the school.

--

Hermione rushed down to the dungeons and into the lab calling out for her husband.

"Severus!"

"I'm right here," he said, as he came out of his private storeroom. He could sense and see the fear on her face and in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he approached her, taking her into his embrace.

"I saw him, Severus, I saw him!"

"Who?"

"I believe I just saw Julius Malfoy in Hogsmeade. I think he was following me."

"We need to go tell Albus about this. Come, we'll use the Floo."

--

Albus Dumbledore was taking a well-deserved break, having caught up with the multitude of paperwork that always seemed to pile up. He sat in his comfortable chair by the fire and sipped tea, and enjoying the serenity. His tranquil moment was disturbed when he saw the fire turn green and watched as Severus and Hermione emerged.

"Severus, Hermione, to what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?"

"We're sorry to disturb you, Headmaster," Hermione said, "I just returned from Hogsmeade and I believe I saw Julius Malfoy. I think he was following me," she said in a rush.

"Did he threaten you in any way?"

"Not directly no, but I didn't feel safe with him in the vicinity."

"Severus, perhaps you should accompany your wife during her outings until all this is resolved. Just to be on the safe side."

"I had planned to do just that, Albus. Maybe I should go to Hogsmeade and see if I can draw him out into the open."

"Not today, not with the children there. I don't know if he is dangerous or not, but we need to find out more about him. Have you heard anything more from Lucius?"

"Not recently, no. However, I do expect we will receive an invitation to Malfoy Manor during the holidays for dinner."

"Perhaps you two should attend if such an invitation is extended. It may give you the chance to search out some answers, Severus."

Severus was not pleased with the prospect of having to endure dinner with the Malfoy's, or putting Hermione within reach of Lucius.

"If you insist, Albus, but I do not think we'll find out much if anything. Lucius would not keep any embarrassing information about the Malfoy family just laying around for anyone to see. It will be well hidden."

"Let's see if we even get invited first," Hermione said. "This whole conversation may be for naught."

"You are correct, Mrs. Snape. We shall just have to wait and see."

"My apologies, again for disturbing you Headmaster. I'm a bit worn out from all the shopping I did today. I think I'd like to go back to our quarters and have a bit of a nap, Severus"

"We'll see you at dinner, Headmaster." Severus and Hermione Flooed back to their quarters.

The Headmaster sat thinking over the current situation when he suddenly felt the wards calling to him. Whoever was near was not trying to breech them, but seemed to be sending him a message.