Chasing Destiny

A/n – see! Here’s an extra long chapter to make up for the last one being so short!!









Three months later, the school was nearing the end of the term and the students were eagerly awaiting the Easter holidays and more time away from school.



Severus Snape hadn’t seen Hermione properly since the night of the Yule ball and he had spent every minute since then thinking of her. She had been keeping her head down in his classes and handed all of her work in through Ron or Harry much to his disappointment.



He was sitting at his desk marking some third year essays on the properties of shrinking potion when there was a loud tapping on his window. He opened it to find Fawksholding a small parchment. The magnificent phoenix entered swooping around the classroom eventually finding a suitable place to stop on the back of Snape’s chair. He took the parchment and stroked the bird fondly before it took off out of the window.



“Hmmm. Must not want a reply.” He thought aloud.



Severus opened his letter to find a summons to the headmaster’s office at once. Once the letter had neatly disposed of itself into ashes, as did all letters he received from Dumbledore, he started on his way to the old man’s office. After he arrived he looked around to make sure that no-one could hear him and whispered.



“Marshmallows.”



At once, the staircase began to transcend leading him to the headmaster’s door. He knocked and heard a voice from inside beckoning him in. As he entered, he saw the back of a familiar looking frizzy haired head and winced. He was sure he was in trouble now. She must have told the headmaster what had happened and he was now about to be fired and sent to Azkaban.



“Ahh Severus my boy. Come, take a seat. We have something to discuss with you.”



Not exactly, “Your fired” but it must be coming soon. He thought as he took a seat on the third side of the table they were at.



Hermione was practically glowing and she looked like she had been sleeping better. Unlike him.



“What is it that you have to discuss with me Albus?” He asked carefully as she had not looked up yet.



“Well its more Miss Granger here than me but as you know, Hermione is with child. Madam Pomfrey informed you I believe?” He began to pour some tea for himself.



“Yes that is correct.” Severus swallowed waiting for the dismissal.



“Well she has informed us of her wish to keep her baby and we have respected her decision. In turn, I have agreed that she can stay here at the school until her education is complete and if she’s still here by July, we will find someone to look after her child when it is born and she attends her extra classes. Madam Pomfrey has already practically begged for the responsibility.”



At this Hermione smiled and he continued.



“Well as she is just finishing her last year and hopes to continue her studies in the field of advanced potions, I thought that she could stay here and if her marks meet your approval, she could become your potions apprentice taking the proper examinations and getting all of the relevant qualifications in a fraction of the time. As she has a remarkable ability for learning, she could then go on to get a job and support her new family.” He offered around the cups of tea accordingly.



“And what does Miss Granger think of all this?” Severus asked politely.



“I think that it would benefit me and my unborn child greatly and seen as though the father will be unable to support us without ruining his own education, well I think that it’s appropriate for my situation. If you don’t think I’m good enough, I understand. It was only a thought.” She looked down again.



“So the father is a student here?” He raised his eyebrows.



“Now, now Severus. No need to be nosy. Miss Granger has chosen to keep the identity of him to herself as she has every right to. If it were your child, you wouldn’t want everyone butting their noses in now would you?” The headmaster’s eyes twinkled unnervingly.



“No. No I wouldn’t.” Snape said as he questioned the headmaster’s knowledge in all of this. After all, the man eerily knew everything that went on in the school. So much so that Severus sometimes got changed in the bathroom, just to make sure.



“Well that’s sorted then. We’ll get you through your examinations and then Professor Snape, Madam Pomfrey and I will help you with the rest.” He beamed at Hermione. “And I do hope you will consider Albus as a name dear. You just don’t seem to hear about many young Albus’s these days.” The headmaster finished his tea and ushered them out of his room.



Hermione and Severus exited the room in silence and as they reached the bottom of the stairs, Hermione turned around to face Severus. He noticed her robes were slightly tighter around her waist and could just about make out a small bump. Hermione interrupted his trance.



“If you don’t want to teach me, it’s ok. Just say so and I’ll pretend I’ve changed my mind. I wasn’t even going to go to any higher education. I was planning on getting a job as soon as possible to help support us and Harry and Ron said they’d help all they can so you know… don’t feel like you have to do anything out of obligation.” She rambled.



“Hermione, I would never do anything out of obligation, you should know me by now. I’m doing this because you deserve an education. You one of the brightest minds I know and I cant let it go to waste when minds such as Ronald Weasley’s are going into protecting us all from evil. I need to do something to make the world right again if he becomes an Auror.” He was barely able to stop a small smile from appearing on his lips but manages to turn it into a small smirk.



Hermione smiled and nodded. “Well ok then. I’d better get back. They’ll want to know how it went.” She turned to leave and Snape grabbed her arm.



“Hermione wait. Can we talk about things please?” He looked at her with a softness in his eyes that he reserved only for her.



“Not now. The others are waiting for me.”



“Well how about the weekend then? We could have dinner together in my rooms.” He suggested.



“I can’t. I’m meeting my parents in Hogsmeade. I have yet to tell them of my condition but at least they’ll be happy to hear that my education won’t falter to it.” She looked worried for a second and continued. “But perhaps we can meet up afterwards. In Hogsmeade. We can go for a quiet drink.” She saw his worried look so she added. “Of which, mine will not be alcoholic. I haven’t touched the stuff since Christmas.”



“I was more worried at what your parents will say. I know you made a mistake at Christmas but you were confused. We’ve all been confused and done something stupid.” He said knowingly. “Are you going to tell them who the father is?” He asked.



“I think I’ll tell them that we’re going to talk about things before deciding on what to tell people and hopefully they’ll understand.”



“Ok then. Saturday, in The Three Broomsticks. I’ll be there all afternoon.”



“Ok. That’s where I’m meeting my parents so do try and ignore them.” He nodded, glad that she had agreed to talk and she walked back towards the Gryffindor common rooms.



Hermione made her way back to her friends and told them about everything that had gone on.



“Who knew the greasy git had a sympathetic side?” Ron sneered when she told them about what Snape had offered to do for her.



“Ron. You’re not being fair. Just because he’s a strict teacher doesn’t mean he’s a nasty person.” Hermione defended the man she loved and father of her child.



“Yeah but you have to wonder why he has no-one. I mean, do you think he has any friends that aren’t locked up in Azkaban for helping Voldemort?” He laughed.



“You know Ron, you can be a real mean bastard sometimes.” Hermione stormed out and went back to her own rooms.



The boys looked at each other in shock. “Must be hormones.” Harry shrugged.