Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Love’s Journeys

Chapter 10- A Time for Christmas Cheer Turns to Christmas Pain


Monday morning Hermione was seated at the table with Ron, Harry, Lavender and Ginny. They all told her how sorry they were and that they were there for her if they needed her. Hermione nodded her thanks and tried to eat her breakfast. Then the group headed off for their first classes. The weeks flew by. Soon it was the week of the exams for the end of the term. That helped Hermione because she had something to focus her mind on other than her parents and Draco Malfoy.


The day after the exams was Hermione’s parent’s funeral. Severus, Ron, Harry, Remus, and Sirius were going with her. Ron and Harry were going simply to help protect Hermione incase Draco shows up. The morning of the funeral Hermione woke up earlier than usual. She looked over at Severus who was sleeping peacefully. She silently and gently climbed out of their bed trying not to wake him. As she left the room she grabbed her bathrobe and headed for the sitting room. She quickly had a roaring fire going in the fire place and sat in the armchair just staring at the dancing flames.


‘What am I going to do? Draco won’t stop till me and all the people that I love are dead. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I know that my Gryffindor courage is being severely tested by these events. I just don’t know how much more I can take.’ Hermione thought sadly as the tears once more began to fall down her cheeks.


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Severus shifted in his sleep and went to wrap his arms tighter around his love but found her missing. He immediately jerked awake and looked next to him expecting to find her there. Alas, no Hermione.


“Where is she? Hermione!” He cried quietly as he jumped out of bed not even bothering to throw on his robe and tore from the room. As he entered the sitting room he let out the breath that he was holding when he saw Hermione was sitting in the arm chair. He quietly walked up to her. It was then he noticed her shoulders were trembling and her face was buried in her arms that were resting on top of her knees. “Hermione are you alright love?”


“Oh Severus!” she whispered as she threw herself into his arms.


Severus just held her, gently rubbing her back. “Sshh. It will all be all right. Things will work out. You’ll see.”


“I know this has to be a test of my Gryffindor courage. But to tell you the truth…I don’t know how much more of this I can take before I break.” She sobbed.


All Severus did was sit there on the floor and hold her trying his best to comfort her, trying to transfer some of his strength to her if he could. Finally he shifted her position in his arms and carried her back to their room. Sitting softly easing down onto the bed with his light, his soul, his life cradled gently in his arms.


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Three hours later found the group heading for the gates of Hogwarts, where they would apparate to the funeral home where her parent’s service was being held. They all held hands and a few seconds later disappeared. The group walked up to the building. Severus reached over and took her tiny hand in his larger one. She looked into his eyes and smiled slightly in thanks. They sat in the front as the funeral began.


“We are here today, to remember the lives of two extraordinary people, Allison and Jonathon Granger. They are survived by their lovely daughter Hermione Elizabeth Granger.” The priest started. Hermione dropped her eyes to her lap as he continued once more.


“It is important that we do not dwell on they died but rather, we focus on the way they lived. Allison and Jonathon were good people. They never bid any ill will on anyone. They always tried to see the good in everyone and everything. At this time I would like for Hermione to come up and say a few words.” The priest said as he motioned for Hermione to take the stage.


Severus helped Hermione to her feet as she walked to the front. The priest took hold of her hand as she walked up the three stairs to the podium. Hermione looked out among the sea of faces. Some she knew, some she didn’t. After taking a shaky breath she began.


“My parents were very generous and loving people. They always tried to teach me right from wrong. All of you have seen their love, devotion, and kindness. That is what they should be remembered for. Not…not remembered for…the horrible and senseless way they…died. I will always remember the good times that I had with my parents.” Hermione took a shaky breath as tears began to slowly fall from her eyes.


“I know they are looking down on us right now from heaven. They wouldn’t want us to mourn. They would want us to celebrate the lives that they lived and the lives that they have changed in some way. That will be their monument.” Hermione turned toward the two caskets behind her. “Mom, dad, I love you and I will miss you.” She kissed the palms of her hand and placed one each on the casket of her mother and father for a few seconds before heading back to her seat.


Once seated she covered her face with her hands. This time it was Harry that held her. Simply because it would look a little funny and cause questions if Severus were to take her into his arms and kiss her forehead. The priest returned to the podium.


“I will now recite Psalms 23:


The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.


We now commit to you oh Lord the bodies of Allison and Jonathon Granger. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.” The priest said as the two caskets slowly began to move toward the flames that would restore their bodies to the dust from whence their bodies had come.


Hermione began to cry into Harry’s shoulder harder as the caskets moved into the flames. Severus simply reached over and rubbed her shoulder gently as the sobs racked her tiny body. Finally the funeral was over and Hermione was holding the urn that held the remains of her parents. The group of 6 headed for the hill that Hermione told them about.

Hermione stepped away from the group and to the edge of the hill. In front of her was a field that she knew would be covered in beautiful flowers once the snow melted in the spring. The removed the lid. As she did the wind began to swirl around her as she tossed the ashes into the air the swirling wind captured them and carried them over the field.


“Rest in peace Mom and Dad, your worrying is over now. Your pain and suffering are gone. We will meet again someday. I love you and will miss you both.” She whispered into the wind.


Once she finished talking she took the urn and, using her wand, buried it into the ground as a silent marker to herself and her parents. She slowly made her way to her friends and her lover, who took her tightly into his strong arms holding her close. The small group returned to the gates of Hogwarts. As they made their way up to the front door Hermione began to feel very dizzy and nauseated. She grabbed on to Severus’s arms and stopped moving. Before Severus even full turned around she fainted into his arms.


“Hermione!” everyone yelled as they gathered around without crowding her.


“We have to get her to Poppy.” Severus said masking his worry as he picked her up and half walked half ran to the hospital wing. Everyone followed close behind as they burst through the double doors of the hospital wing. Poppy looked up from her desk and saw Severus carrying Hermione in his arms.


“What happened?” she asked gently as Hermione was placed on one of the cots.


“We had just returned from the funeral and heading for the castle. All of a sudden I felt her take hold of my arm. She had her hand placed against her forehead then before I could completely turn around she fainted into my arms.” Severus answered, never taking his eyes off Hermione as Poppy quickly had her changed into a hospital gown by use of her wand and was currently trying to find out the reason she fainted.


After about ten minutes she had found the problem. “Severus, I need to speak to you in private. The rest of you, tell Dumbledore that Hermione is alright but will be spending the night her for observation then return to your room. Potter, Weasley, I suggest you begin to pack your things. The train will be leaving at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning to take you to King’s Crossing.” Poppy ordered.


Everyone nodded, each of them kissed Hermione on the forehead, patted Severus on the shoulder, and then they left. Poppy pulled Severus over behind a screen away from any prying eyes and placed a silencing charm around them so no one could hear them.


“Poppy what happened to her?” Severus asked.


“Severus, when was her last period do you know?” Poppy inquired.


“Back in the beginning of October; right before she was taken by Malfoy, why?”


“Severus, Hermione is a month pregnant.”


Severus froze. He stopped breathing, stopped blinking, stopped everything as Poppy’s words sank in. ‘Hermione is a month pregnant.’ Echoed through his mind. “She’s…she’s pregnant.” He stammered.


“Yes.” Poppy said.


Severus suddenly found himself smiling. ‘I’m…I’m going to be a…father. I’m going to be a father!’ his mind screamed as joy filled his very soul at the thought of his beautiful, brave Hermione carrying his child. Then just as quickly as the joy filled him a terrible thought hit him. ‘What if the baby is…Draco Malfoy’s?!’ “Poppy, is there any way to find out who the father of the child is? I mean, it could very well be Malfoy’s. After all he did rape her.” Severus asked in a pleading voice.


“Of course Severus. I’ll go check for you.” She answered as she took down the silencing charm and the two of them walked out from behind the curtain and over to Hermione’s bed.


Poppy pulled out her wand and muttered a charm. A stream of light shot out from her wand down to Hermione’s abdomen. The light started out as white, but quickly turned a green color and moved to settle directly over Severus’s heart. Poppy smiled up at Severus.


“You’re going to be a father Severus.” She whispered smiling broadly.


Severus broke out into a huge smile and hugged the medi witch as tear filled his eyes. “Thank you Poppy. You’ve made so happy by telling me that this child is mine and Hermione’s.”


“You are most welcome Severus. Now, I think you should get some rest. Hermione will wake in a few hours. I suppose you will want to give her the news?” she asked. Severus nodded. “Alright then, you lie down and rest. Today has been long for both of you.”


Severus climbed into the cot next to Hermione and took hold of her hand and began to drift off to sleep. ‘I’m going to be a father!’ he thought as he succumbed to the darkness of sleep.

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A few hours later Hermione awoke to find Severus sleeping in the cot beside her. She reached over and brushed a lock of his ebony black hair away from his closed eyes. ‘Oh my darling Severus, what would I do without you in my life?’ She thought as she just watched him sleep.


“Hello my dear. How do you feel?” Poppy asked as she entered the room.


“Better. What happened? The last thing I remember was grabbing hold of Severus as I began to feel dizzy and nauseated.” Hermione answered.


“I promised Severus I would let him tell you. Once he wakes up you and he can return to your chambers dear.” Poppy said sweetly with a slight twinkle in her eyes.


Hermione looked quizzically at her as Poppy turned and exited the room. Before Hermione could think of anything Severus began to awaken from his nap. He slowly sat up and their eyes locked.


“How do you feel?” He asked as he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.


“Fine. Poppy said we could leave once you woke up. She also said you would tell me why I fainted.” Hermione answered.


Severus rose to his feet and pulled Hermione to her. She started to leave but realized she was wearing a hospital gown. Quickly finding her clothes she changed then she and Severus left the hospital wing and headed for the dungeons. Once in the sitting room Severus pulled her down into his lap as they cuddled on the couch. She rested her head on his shoulder while Severus just held her close.


“Severus why did I faint?” Hermione asked as she pulled up to look into his eyes.


“Well it seems that you are pregnant. A month to be exact.” Severus answered staring into her beautiful eyes.


“I’m…I’m…preg…pregnant.” She stuttered.


“Yes.” Severus said. Hermione began to cry as she covered her face with her hands. “Hey. Hey, what the matter sweetheart? Why are you crying?” Severus asked gently.


“Oh Severus. What if this child is Malfoy’s? What if I’m carrying the child of that…that…bastard.” She cried.


“Hermione. Hermione, look at me.” he said gently as he lifted her face to his. Hermione removed her hands and looked into his handsome face. “I thought the same thing. That’s why I had Poppy perform a paternity charm on you. The child you are carrying is mine. You and I are having a baby.” Severus said. Hermione’s face suddenly light up.


“You mean, you’re the father of this child!” she exclaimed. He nodded. “Oh thank god! I’m so glad you’re the father!” she squealed as she threw her arms around his neck. Severus wrapped his arms around her waist as he returned her hug.


“Severus, I know we never talked about children or even about our future together. I want to keep this child. This child was made from our love for each other. I don’t want to give that up.” She whispered.


“I know. Love, I want to keep this child too. I would never ask you to give up this child. I want to be a father to this child. If you will let me.” He whispered back.


Hermione leaned forward and captured his lips with hers. Severus tightened his hold on her as their tongues began to dance and massage each other. He gently moved her from his lap to where she was now laying underneath him on the couch.


“Hermione, you have just made me so happy. I finally get the chance to be a father. Like love, I had given up the chance of ever having children a long time ago. But now, you me and this child, will be my family. The three of us.” Severus panted against her swollen lips.


Hermione looked into his face for a moment before she spoke, “Severus Damien Snape, will you make me the happiest woman in the world and marry me?”


Severus just stared for a moment then broke into a smile and kissed her fully on the lips. “Yes Hermione Jane Granger. I will marry you. Although, shouldn’t I be the one asking you to marry me?”


“I thought I would switch the roles and surprise you love.” She said as she kissed him once more threading her fingers in his silky shoulder length hair.


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“Well, well, well. Snape got Granger pregnant. It would be such a shame for anything to happen to little Miss Hermione Granger. Oh that would be such a shame. HA! HA! HA! HA!” Draco said sinisterly as he began to plot his next move in this little game of catch and release.


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The next few days were bliss for Hermione and Severus. Hermione had gone with Sirius and Remus to bid Ron, Ginny, Lavender, and Harry good bye at the train station. She and Severus had decided they would wait on telling everyone until they returned from the holiday break. Everyone was happy at the fact that Hermione was finally starting to have some of her old spark back. The spark she had before everything with Draco Malfoy started. The only other person who knew about the baby was Albus and Poppy. On Christmas Eve things took a turn for the worst. Worse than anything else that had happened to her and Severus so far.


“Good night Remus. Good night Sirius.” Hermione said as she started to leave Remus’ chamber where she had spent the last hour having tea with him and Sirius while Severus worked on a potion.


“Night. Are you sure you don’t want one of us to walk you back? I mean just to be safe.” Remus said as he leaned against the door frame.


“I’ll be fine. Besides, there are Aurors all around. I’ll be fine.” Hermione said sweetly.


“If you’re sure. Tell Severus I said good night.” Remus said as Hermione waved and headed toward the dungeons.


“Is it just me or is there something different about Hermione? She seems to be glowing.” Remus commented as he sat in his chair.


“You’ve noticed too.” Sirius said.


The two sat in a comfortable silence when about ten minutes later a shrilling scream broke through the silence of their part of the castle. They immediately jumped to their feet and ran toward the sound of the scream.


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Hermione was making her way to her and Severus’s chambers. Every few corridors she would see a member of the Order of the Phoenix or an Auror. She had just rounded the corner that would lead her to the dungeons when she heard a voice that made her sick yet filled her with fear at the same time.


“How’s the pregnancy going Granger? I suppose congratulations are in order huh?” Draco Malfoy sneered as he stepped out of the shadows. Once he was in full view of her she could hear the sound of footsteps running toward them. “They can’t get here in time to protect you. Not even Snape.” Draco sneered as he gave her one hard shove.


Losing her footing she felt herself scream and tumble down the stair that lead to Severus’ classrooms and private quarters. All she could see were stairs flying toward her then all went black. The last thing she heard was Malfoy’s taunting laughter and shouting from Aurors and Order members.


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Severus was heading to back to his sitting room when he heard the shrill scream. He ran from the room, through his classroom and to the stairs. There lying at the bottom in a heap was Hermione. She had a gash on her forehead, her arms and legs were scraped pretty bad from the fall. What concerned him the most was their baby. He ran to her side and gently turned over on to her back.


“HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!” He screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing of the stone walls.


Remus and Sirius got there just as Draco vanished with an evil looking smirk on his face. The second he vanished they heard the screams of Severus coming from the bottom of the stairs.


“Hermione!” They cried together as they ran down the stairs.


The sight they saw before them scared the living hell out of them. Severus was cradling Hermione’s limp body in his arms. Blood oozing from several cuts all along her body.


“Severus…is she…” Sirius trailed off.


“No. She’s alive. Just unconscious. Let’s get her to Poppy. Severus, we have to get her to Poppy now.” Remus said. Severus looked up at him with tear stained cheeks and nodded slowly. The three men carefully carried Hermione up the stairs and to the hospital wing.


Albus immediately sent word to the Borrow. Within minutes of Hermione being brought in Harry was there by Severus’s side. He had told the Weasleys to stay there and he would let them know what happened. After an hour and a half Poppy stepped out from behind the curtain where Hermione lay. Severus saw the sad look in her eyes. It scared the hell out of him.


‘Please. Please tell me Hermione and the baby are alright. Please Poppy. Don’t tell me they are dead.’ Severus thought frightened.


“Hermione is unconscious. She has a bad cut on her forehead, a bunch of cuts and scrapes, a sprained ankle, a few bruised ribs and a mild concussion. When she wakes up she will be sore, but otherwise will be fine. Severus, can I speak to you in private a moment.” Poppy said somberly.


Severus slowly rose to his feet and followed Poppy away from the others. “Severus, the fall has…has…I’m sorry to have to tell you this but, she…she lost the baby. I am so sorry.” Poppy said as tears filled her eyes.


“No! No! NO! YOU’RE LYING! NO!” Severus screamed as he turned and ran from the hospital wing and straight to his chambers.


Everyone watched as Severus ran out of the room with tears streaming down his face. Harry got up and ran after him. Albus knew what Poppy had to have told him, while everyone else was clueless. Harry entered the chambers and found Severus throwing glasses, books, chairs, and turned his desk over in a fit of rage. Finally Severus collapsed to his knees and began gasping for air. Harry slowly and carefully moved to the older wizard.


“It’ll be all right Severus. Everything will be all right.” Harry said soothingly.


“You…you…don’t understand…Harry. Hermione and I…we…she…was a month pregnant. We…we were going…to…have a baby…in…or…around…September.” Severus stammered as he dug his fingers in his hair trying to keep the tears at bay.


‘Oh god! Poor Severus. Poor Hermione. That bastard! That fucking son-of-a-bitch! I’ll rip his goddamned heart out myself!’ Harry thought as he simply put his hand on Severus’ shoulder.


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Two hours later Severus and Harry returned to the hospital wing. “Guys, there is something you need to know. It will explain why I ran out.” Severus paused and took a deep breath. “Hermione and I were expecting a child. Plus, the night we found out she proposed to me. Yes you heard right, Hermione asked me to marry her. I said yes. Poppy told me that the fall caused her to…to…lose our baby. Draco Malfoy has caused the death of our unborn child.”


“Oh Severus. I’m so sorry.” Sirius said as he pulled the man into a brotherly hug, which Remus and Harry quickly joined in.


Severus just wrapped his arms around the three men, grateful for their concern, loyalty, and friendship. The five men were suddenly brought out of their sorrow by the sound of a soft groan from the cot next to them. Five sets of eyes were turned onto the young witch laying there.


“Sev…Severus? Severus?” Hermione moaned as she came to.


“Sshh. I’m her Hermione. Sirius, Harry, Remus, and Albus are here too.” Severus whispered as he watched Hermione’s eyes fluttered opened.


Hermione turned her head to the five men sitting next to her bed. Before she could speak Poppy entered and gave Hermione a potion to take away the pain. Hermione downed the potion in one gulp. A matter of seconds later Hermione’s pain was gone.


“What happened Hermione?” Remus asked.


“I…I was at the stairs heading to mine and Severus’s quarters when Malfoy was there. He asked how the pregnancy was going and then said I guess congratulations are in order then said too bad they can’t get there in time to help me not even Severus, then he pushed me. I remember seeing the stairs flying toward me and I started screaming, then everything went black.” Hermione answered. She looked around at the sad faces once she mentioned the pregnancy. “What’s wrong? Severus? Tell me. Is something wrong with the baby?”


“Hermione, my love. Poppy told me two hours ago that…the fall caused you to…baby, you lost the baby.” Severus said as tears began to fill his eyes once more.


“No! No! No!” Hermione cried as tears fell from her brown eyes. Severus was by her side in an instant and holding her. “Severus, no. Please tell me this is a nightmare. That I’ll wake up and you and I will be in our room, that I’ll still be pregnant.” Hermione cried into her fiancée’s shoulder. Severus held her as she cried out all of her pain.


‘This is more than likely the final straw for her. How will she ever recover from this heartache.’ Severus thought as he held her in his arms whispering gently into her ear as their tears both flowed like rivers for their greatest loss. Their unborn child.

T.B.C