The Change

A/N: I feel the need to explain the situation. This story will no longer have a beta. For reasons, I do not wish to share, she is gone.



My other beta, didn't write me back. I was turned down by one more.



So..



From this chapter on, this story will not have a beta. Everyone enjoyed the story before when it didn't have one and I didn't like keeping my readers waiting. So without further ado...





I appreciate all the kind words on my Father's passing. While it still hurts some, it's not as bad as before. I did some thinking over this weekend and I know he wouldn't want me to stop writing because it makes me happy. So I am going to attempt the newest chapter and thank you all again for understanding.







Chapter 13







Voldemort sat at the table, going over the list of his followers. Most had gathered tonight to get their placements in the battle and who they would protect or fight. He looked up to see Severus and Lucius conversing and he cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention.





"I have decided that the females will be the backup. I want them mostly to do protection spell and..."



Severus cut him off. "Hermione will not be fighting in the final battle.", he said calmly.



Voldemort opened his mouth only to have Hermione beat him to it. "Excuse me?"





Draco and Ginny backed away slowly. Both knew this wasn't going to be pretty.





Severus turned and lifted his head, his dark gaze locking on her own. "Just as I said, your not fighting. That's the.."



It was then Hermione exploded. "WHAT THE HELL YOU MEAN NOT FIGHTING? I HAVEN'T DONE ALL THIS TRAINING FOR NOTHING! THIS IS MY BATTLE TOO!"



"Your pushing it, Hermione. Sit down and be quiet."



"NO! YOU ARE NOT MY HUSBAND! YOU CAN'T FORCE ME TO STAY AWAY!"





Lucius met his wife's eyes and she shook her head. Everyone was looking at the two of them now and suddenly Severus' outburst made the room go silent.





" YOUR FUCKING PREGNANT HERMIONE AND I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PLACE OUR CHILD, MY HEIR IN DANGER! YOU ARE NOT FIGHTING AND THAT IS FINAL! I WILL TIE YOU TO THE DAMN BED BEFORE I ALLOW YOU TO GET HURT!", he screamed in her face.







The room was so silent you could hear Nagini's scales moving across the floor. Hermione's eyes had went wide and her face was void of color. Suddenly the sound of a chair being slid across the floor, echoed and it came to a stop as Hermione sunk down. Severus gave a nod to Charlie in thanks.





Voldemort cleared his throat and looked from Severus to Hermione. "Well, I.."



"She isn't fighting.", Severus stated again with his arms folded over his chest.







The sound of the chair turning over was the next sound as Hermione jumped up and ran out the door, Narcissa, Ginny, and Bellatrix on her heels.





"She will be fine.", Severus said without looking at the door. "Now, my lord, don't we have a war to plan?"





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Hermione ran into her bedroom and threw herself on the bed, the tears pouring from her eyes. She felt the bed sink and then someone rubbing her back.



"It's going to be alright, Hermione.", Narcissa whispered. "Severus is just trying to protect you both. This is his first child and he doesn't want anything to happen to it or you. "





"But...my..training....my planning..", she sobbed.







Bellatrix cleared her throat. "Yeah well. It came in handy when you were kidnaped. Severus is in his right. He is the child's father..wait, he is the father right?"





Hermione shot a glare over to her. "Of course he is.", she spat. "That redheaded fucker didn't touch me and Severus was the only man I have been with."





Ginny chuckled. "Look, Hermione. Cissy is right. He just wants to protect you both and you know as well as I do that we, being me and you will be targeted the most in the battle. At least Severus is trying to protect you instead of making you fight."







Hermione sighed and wiped her eyes. "But did he have to blurt it out in front of all the Death Eaters?"





Narcissa gave a very un-lady like snort. "You did push him, Hermione. He was pissed. Severus is so use to getting his way. You stood up to him and that pissed him off. We all know you were angry and well, I don't think he expected Voldemort to say we females, were fighting tonight."







Ginny looked out the window and sighed. "You do know that more than likely, none of us will be in the battle, right? Someone will need to be here with Hermione, that's me. Then someone will need to be here to protect us both, using process of elimination, that will be you two."





"But he blurted it out.", Hermione whispered.







A throat being cleared caused the four to look over. "Ginny, Draco is waiting downstairs. Narcissa, Lucius is expecting you home. Bellatrix, Voldemort is looking for you also. I need to speak to Hermione, alone.", Severus said, his face no longer holding the anger of earlier.







The three nodded and with quick hugs to Hermione, they left the room. Severus shut the door and looked at her, trying to get his thoughts straight.



"Hermione, I, we need to talk."



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Hermione raised her head and snapped her fingers. Celeste appeared instantly. "Yes, Mistress?"





"Run me a bath please."



The elf looked from her mistress to master and then went into the bathroom to do her orders.







"Hermione, please. Listen to me.", he begged.





The witch turned, her eyes filling with tears. "You just blurted it out, Severus. How long have you known? When were you going to tell me? That isn't something that you just blurt out at will. Forgive me for being upset that I wasn't the first to know."





Severus sat down on the bed as she sat down to brush out her hair. "Hermione, I have only known a few days myself. I wasn't going to blurt it out but damn it, I was angry that you were questioning me. Haven't these past few months taught you anything about me?"



She met his eyes through the mirror. "Still, you could have told me first."





"Hermione, look. It's better it was blurted out. I was able to inform everyone at the same time instead of having to do it individually. Think of this from my point of view."





Celeste nodded to Severus that her bath was ready. "I will take my leave now Hermione. I just didn't want to take the chance of our child and you being harmed. Forgive me from withholding this from you. I didn't want to get my hopes up only to have them crash down. It's happened before, a woman say she was with my child and then her not be."





When he got to the door, her soft voice stopped him. "You knew the night we had anal sex didn't you?"





"Yes. I suspected then. Your body was reacting different to me. I didn't want to alarm you. But now I know for sure. Good night my love. I'll be in my room if you need me. Just call out."





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When Hermione was in the tub, Celeste climbed up on the stool and started to help her bathe. After her hair was done, Hermione sighed and looked down at her still flat stomach.



"The Master loves the Mistress and his child. He was just trying to do what is best. You shouldn't be angry with him."





Hermione looked over her shoulder. "I really am a fool, aren't I?"





Celeste smiled and took her sponge to do her back. "Not a fool, Mistress. Just upset. We elves, have a bet going on. That when the battle is over, Master will ask you to marry him. Not because of the baby but because he loves you. We think Master had it planned for a while. Did you ever think that perhaps Master got Mistress with child on purpose? You think about what I said, then you get out of tub and go to Master's bedroom where you belong. Do not get cold."





Hermione leaned her head back and thought about what Celeste had said. As she got out of the tub, she realized the elf was speaking the truth. Not once did Severus give her protection against pregnancy. She was guilty also, not casting the charms herself. "I am a fool.", she whispered and quickly dressed, jerking open the door to her room and crossing the hall to his own.





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Severus knew the moment she came into the room but he remained still on the bed. He had said what he needed to say and now it was her turn.





"Did you plan this? To get me pregnant?"





Severus closed his eyes and took a breath. "Yes. Forgive me for not wanting you harmed in this war. Nothing short of pregnancy would keep you off the battle grounds."



"How far along am I?"





Severus looked over. "About a month."





Hermione's mouth flew open. "Then I was pregnant right before Ron got to me."





He nodded. "Yes, you got pregnant the first night we had sex in our manor. Besides, I can't see anyone else having my children but you."





Hermione remained standing and nodded. "Thank you for caring, Severus. I am sorry I made you angry tonight and thank you for this child."





He smirked in the darkness. "Just where do you think you are going? Come to bed and forget this argument. I know three other's who are going to be pissed."





Hermione curled up under his blankets with him. 'Really? Who and why?"





"Ginny, Narcissa and Bellatrix. We come to the agreement that if you weren't fighting then they would be here to protect you."





Hermione chuckled. "Yeah and just how does he intend on keeping Bellatrix out of the battle?"





Severus shrugged. "Don't know, and I don't care but I believe we have an argument to make up for?"





He rolled over and Hermione was lost immediately in his mouth and tounge.





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In two different manors, three females could be heard screaming at the same time. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M NOT FIGHTING IN THE BATTLE?"









Chapter 14 to come soon.