Child of New Beginnings

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Chapter 14



“You should see the nursery. The elves did a wonderful job in decorating,” Lucius said as he pushed Hermione who was on a wheelchair. She was well enough and had been dismissed from the infirmary. Poppy would go and check up on her anyhow regularly.



Hermione smiled a little as she stared down at Sebastian who she held in her lap. She looked around remembering the dungeon area back when she was a student at Hogwarts. Even though the last time she saw the place was over a year ago, it seemed like ages ago. The memories of the magical world that she pushed back into her head, were starting to resurface. She didn’t like being back, but knew that she had no choice since the death eaters already knew of Sebastian. Again like before, she had to hide herself within the safe walls of Hogwarts.



Once they had passed Severus’s doors to his chambers, Hermione couldn’t help but think of the man. They had never really spoke much or talked at all over the past few days. They also barely so each other. The only actual dialogue between them was a greeting, and a ‘thank you’ when he would either drop off or pick up Sebastian in the infirmary. Ever since she had regained consciousness, Sebastian did spend most of his time with Hermione.



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Hermione slightly gasped as she entered her bed chambers. Instead of expecting the Gryffindor colored design along with old classic designed furniture, the place was designed in a modern fashion. Minimalist furniture with hints of colors around certain areas. She knew that Lucius had probably told Albus how her home was designed in South Kensington. It was very much like the way her chambers were designed.



“Lucius, take Sebastian will you,” Hermione said. She wanted to get out of the wheelchair as soon as possible. She could have walked to the dungeons from in infirmary if Lucius hadn’t ordered her to sit down.



“Upsy-daisy,” Lucius said to Sebastian softly. He somewhere between their journey down to the dungeons, he had fallen asleep. He then helped Hermione get up from the chair, and led her into the nursery.



Hermione gasped as he eyes lit up as soon as she entered the nursery. Never had she seen a room so adorable. The ceiling was sky blue with moving clouds, while the walls showed a forest. There were moving creatures such as baby hippogriffs and centaurs. The crib that was in the center with had a white fluffy cloud beneath it. The cloud moved just a bit, and rocked the crib. Magic was wonderful. Sometimes it still took her breath away.



As Hermione sat herself down on the rocking chair, she watched Lucius put Sebastian into the crib. She looked around, still in awe of the room.



“I will have to go to the Ministry and follow things up with Remus,” Lucius said as he bent down to face her directly. “Will you be okay?”



Hermione nodded with a slight smile.



“The elves will help you if you need anything. And Severus is just beyond the other door,” Lucius informed her. He kissed her on the cheek and then left. He would return later and check up on her. If need be, he would spend the night in her chambers.



Alone, Hermione stared at the door leading into Severus’s room. Part of her wanted to talk to him, and another part was too afraid to. She was surprised by his reactions the past few days when he had passed by the infirmary. Never had he been snide towards her a single bit. Never did she recognize the man who always seemed impassive with his emotions. Like Lucius had told her, Severus felt bad for what he did. She saw the guilt in his eyes.



Hermione bit on the bottom of her lip before she knocked on the door a few times. As more seconds passed, she regretted it. Then, the door opened. Severus stood before her with his black pants and just his white shirt.



“Miss Granger,” Severus greeted softly. He never expected her to knock on the adjoining door.



“Hello Professor,” Hermione nodded.



“Are you in need of anything? Is Sebastian okay?” he asked with worry.



“Everything’s fine Professor. I just wanted to speak with you… if it’s alright.”



The words slowly registered into Severus. She wanted to talk with him? “Very well then,” he said.



As Hermione sat herself down back into the rocking chair, Severus stood feet away from her. He stood right in front of the enchanted window and waited for her to speak. A minute or two passed, neither knowing what to say or where to start.



“I’m sorry if I kept him secret from you,” Hermione said breaking the very awkward silence between them. “If the circumstances were different, then I would have told you.”



“It is I that has to apologize to you,” Severus said as he shook his head. He crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back against the window. “The circumstances are in the past, and they cannot be changed. I would understand if you do not want me to be a part of Sebastian’s life.”



“Why would you say such a thing? I am not denying you from him,” Hermione stated with a frown. Yes, she expected him to probably say that he hated himself, but nothing like denying his son. “You are his father. That cannot be changed.”



“Even with the way he was conceived? I raped you, or are you forgetting?” he said in a dark tone.



Hermione slightly flinched at the mention of the word ‘rape.’ She shook her head. “You didn’t know. It was Voldemort that made you do it.”



“If I had known it was you, I wouldn’t have.” Severus clenched his jaw and made his head hit the window with some force. “Why didn’t you stop me? Why did you keep the charm on?” even though Severus knew the answer, he still wanted to hear it come from her own mouth.



“I had to, or else you and Lucius would have been discovered and we could have lost the war,” Hermione replied.



“Your Gryffindor bravery astounds me,” he said as he looked at her.



“Bravery that no longer exists. Bravery that disappeared once Professor Trelawney had prophesized that bloody prophecy.” Fear had taken over her emotions and she started to cry softly, as she buried her face in her hands.



Severus’s heart clenched at the sight of her crying. He expected her to blame him, but then again, she did nothing but. He didn’t like seeing women in such a state, but Hermione was no ordinary woman. She had been through enough pain, not just for Sebastian, but in a way for him as well. He questioned himself, and thought if he was going to try and comfort her, or just leave her be. He wasn’t sure how he would react if he just laid his hand on her, with a simple touch.



Without even thinking, soon enough, Severus found himself kneeling in front of the crying witch. With a hand, he pulled her hands away from her face. He stiffened when Hermione suddenly threw her arms around his neck, and buried her face in it.



“I just wanted to protect him,” she cried. “I can’t lose him. I can’t!”



Severus’s body loosened as he wrapped his arms around her, as he tried to sooth Hermione. “I promise Hermione, I won’t let anything bad happen to him, or you,” he said softly against her ear. He meant it with every single fiber in his body.



“I’m scared!”



“Hush… There’s no need to be. Not while I’m still here.”



For minutes on end, Hermione continued to cry as Severus continued to comfort her. Then when he had heard her hiccup and breathing even out, he felt her weight lean more heavily against him. She had fallen asleep. Severus lifted Hermione up into his strong arms and walked into her bedroom tucking her in. Thinking that it wasn’t right to watch her sleep, even though he wanted to, he stayed in the living room with the bedroom door slightly open. There, he sat in silence, and couldn’t stop thinking about Hermione.



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AN – I need some tissue. Please do review.