Love and Parenthood

Love and Parenthood

Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


The Conspiracy

“Let’s get you on the bed Hermione,” said Mistress Finch briskly. “I need to take a look at you. Good girl. Severus you may wait downstairs. I promise we’ll take good care of all three of them.”

Severus walked quickly out of the room, a tense look on his face.

“I don’t want him to go,” moaned Hermione.

“Come now, you know how these things are done. I’m going to examine you first and then we’ll see if it’s time to gather for you. It might be that you’ll take a long time in this first stage. You might even manage some sleep.”

Hermione lay back on the bed whilst Mistress Finch gave her an examination.

“The babies are fine. Nice steady heartbeats, both of them. You are slightly dilated and your contractions are quite widely spaced so there’s going to be a delay. I want you to lie here as calmly as you can and Mrs Patil is going to stay with you.”

“I want Severus. I won’t see him for weeks and weeks.”

“Of course you will. No man ever manages to keep to the rules about this. They all come and visit.”

“Severus won’t. He said he won’t and he always means what he says.”

“Ah. Well if you think he’s going to be difficult… there are ways to force his hand. Don’t worry about it for now. I guarantee he’ll be back within two days.”

“You guarantee it?”

“I do. The first thing I’m going to do is to send him back home now. We’ll give him time to fall asleep before we fetch him back in the small hours.”


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Severus paced the floor of the entrance hall. He had allowed himself to be sent back to his quarters and summoned twice before digging his heels in and refusing to vacate the building. He was now only accompanied by his father-in-law who kept lapsing into slumber whenever their conversation stopped.

Ginny’s baby, a girl, had been born safely just after midnight. Neville had sneaked in to see her as soon as his formidable grandmother had retired for the night and had returned beaming all over his face.

At that moment Severus could hardly believe almost eighteen years had passed since he had held the last newborn Longbottom baby in his arms, while the family evacuated their home. Voldemort was fast approaching his first peak in those days and now these babies faced their own, as yet undefined, threat.

“Congratulations,” he offered.

“Thank-you Professor,” he replied, aglow with happiness. “I’m sure Hermione will be fine too. I think we might have increased your odds of having a boy.”

“The gender of the offspring was determined months ago. I will take whatever comes and pray that they are healthy,” he said stiffly.

Neville was far too elated to take any notice of the older man’s tone.

“I’m going to go and spread the news,” he said jovially. “Ron and Harry said they’d wait up. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Neville.”

Neville walked out and Mike Granger stirred into wakefulness as the door closed.

“Go and get some sleep,” said Severus.

“I don’t think you should be here on your own,” protested his father-in-law.

“I am perfectly accustomed to solitude, I assure you. Get some rest. You will be allowed to visit in the morning.”

“Will you go… to see her?” he yawned.

“It would not be proper. I am not so needy of my wife’s attentions that I will distract her from her infants.”

“They are your babies too man.”

“Of course they are, but the bond between a witch and her offspring is different to that between them and their father.”

“Different… yes, but you do need to foster your relationship with them. They change every day at that age. I don’t think Hermione will be happy to be parted from you. Especially not when you might be under attack.”


“In a few days we should have an idea about at least one of our protagonists. I should be able to determine more about the threat then. Go to your wife. I’m company for no man.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I’m positive.”

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Hermione lay back dozing on the bed in the small recovery ward. A cry from one of her babies awakened her and she opened her eyes to see the tall elegant figure of her husband stooped over one of the cribs.

“You came!”

“I was left with little choice. There was a conspiracy to conceal information. All anyone would tell me was that you were all healthy. I couldn’t even get anything with Legilimency. After two days I couldn’t stand it any more.”

“You can pick him up,” she said evenly. “Just support his head as yold old him.”

“He’s a boy?” said Severus.

“They’re both boys.”

“Identical?”

“We’re not sure. Number One is slightly smaller and slightly louder than Number Two. They’re very similar looking at the moment but they might change.”

“Which is which?”

“Number One is crying. He’s looking to make up the weight difference according to Mrs Patil. Bring him over. It’s nearly time for feeding.”

Sus rus reached into the crib and lifted the baby out. His hands seemed rulouulously large for the task. He carried the baby over to his wife, who was now sitting up with pillows in her lap.

“You can breathe while you hold him,” she observed with a smile.

Severus let out the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding. Hermione reached up and she took the child from him. He watched in fascination as she set about the business of breastfeeding his firstborn. His son had obviously caught on to the idea very quickly and suckled single-mindedly. The second baby let out a wail and Severus walked over and picked him up as well. Returning to the bed he laid the child down on the coverlet.

Kneeling down by the bed he inspected the child closely, stroking him with a finger. Impulsively he bent his head and tenderly kissed the arches of the baby’s feet.

Hermione felt tears come into her eyes as she watched him.

“They are exquisite,” he said in a tone of wonder. “I can’t believe that I could have been so blessed. First you and now them... A year ago I never could have imagined… you’re crying. Do you want me to go?”

“No… I’m just emotional all the time. You can stay for a while.”

“I don’t know how I could ever repay you for what you have done for me.”

“You don’t need to repay anything. You gave me the children and now we share them. I love you Severus… I want you to promise to come and see me again.”

“How did you manage to keep the details of the babies from me?” he asked.

“Only Mistress Finch and Mrs Patil knew and they agreed to Obliviate each other.”

“Your idea?”

“No. I was upset about the separation so Mistress Finch told me how to get round it. You being a Legilimens made it harder but not impossible.”

“I’ve been well and truly manipulated,” he said.

Her face fell. He was instantly contrite.

“Don’t look like that,” he said. “Now I’ve seen them and you… I can’t wish that I hadn’t. I’ll call in each day… just for a short time… as a sort of compromise. Is that acceptable?”

“Very acceptable.”


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