The Bond

EPILOGUE


Severus was pacing, and it was beginning to annoy her. Hermione sat in their bed and watched him as he walked back and forth across the floor of their bedroom. He looked at the green negligee hanging from a hook on the back of the door.
"Bloody thing, tha is the reason I'm going through this now.¨ He muttered.
"Now,now Severus, it is the first one, don't wear yourself out early, it will be hours yet.¨ Madame Pomfrey said as she passed him. She glanced over her shoulder to smile reassuringly at Hermione. "I'll be back in a while Mrs. Snape, if you need me before then, just ring the bell.¨
"What? You're leaving?¨ Severus asked, panicked.
"Yes, there is no need for me to stay here, she will be at this for several hours yet Professor, it always takes longer for the first¨ She disappeared into the living room and Severus could hear the crackle and soft whoosh as she floo'd back to the hospital wing.
"Please darling, sit down!¨ Hermione ordered before clutching her swollen belly as another pain swamped her. Severus watched her, horrified that he was the cause of her distress, damn him and his unruly prick! He thought back to the beginning¡K¡K


It was the first day of second term, and the students were returning from the Christmas holidays. They were late for the morning meeting, and Hermione was still locked in the bathroom.
"My love, are you all right in there?¨ He asked through the door.
"Go ahead Severus, Ill catch up.¨ He had left her there and gone on to the meeting. She didn't show up until the meeting was adjourning, and he had to admit, he had been astounded by her entrance, her robes billowing out behind her, her hair a wild mass around her head. Her eyes had been flashing, wild with her anger.
"You bloody idiot!¨ She cried as she shoved him.
"What in the world?¨ Severus grabbed her by her upper arms, holding her still.
"Hermione has gotten into you?¨ He asked.
"You did it on purpose didn't you?¨
"Did what my love? I don't know what you are talking about.¨ He was vaguely aware of everyone staring, but his primary focus was on his hysterical wife.
"You were suppose to be handling it, the contraception charm you idiot!¨ She started crying then, letting her head fall forward. It was clear to everyone else what was going on, and they hurried from Dumbledore's office. The old man was giddy with the news and it was reflected in that odd twinkling in his eyes. Lucius merely flashed him his rather sardonic smile as he slipped out the door.
"Are you saying that we are...expecting?¨ he asked.
"As though you didn't know, you did this on purpose.¨ She pouted.
"Are you upset?¨ He asked. "Do you not want to have it?¨
"What? No, Im not upset about the baby, I just wish we had discussed it before you failed with the contraception. Of course we are going to have it, we made it, its ours."
"Hermione, I did no fail, even with magic, its not one hundred percent, the bond may have something to do with it as well." He pulled her tight against his chest.
"I don't know what to say, I never expected to be a father. I don't like kids.¨ He said, causing her to laugh.
"Maybe it's just other peoples kids you don't like Severus.¨
"Gods, I hope your right...¨

Now he stood there, helpless as he watched his wife, swollen with his child, writhing in pain on the bed. She had been in labor for over two hours, but Madam Pomfrey said it would be hours yet.
"Severus..." Hermione called.
"Yes my love?¨ He rushed to her side. She shoved the covers away from her and screamed, loud and long. Severus grabbed the bell, ringing it madly. When Madam Pomfrey came running into the room, it was to find Severus clutching a tiny, screaming infant to his chest.
"Oh dear lord...."

Lucius Malfoy stood next to his best friend and stared into the basket containing his new godson.
"Dear lord Severus, the child looks just like you!¨ The baby, Damian Lucius Snape, weighed in at 9lbs 7oz. He was 19inches long, and his head was covered in thick, jet black hair that stuck straight up from his head.
"Don't insult my son Lucius.¨ Severus said. When he had first seen the boy, after he had been cleaned up, his initial thought was that he looked like a little monkey with all that hair sticking out everywhere. But as the moments wore on, he could see that his son, was just that, his son, he was a tiny clone of himself, Hermione called him Severus's "mini me¨ in reference to some idiotic muggle movie.
"God I hope he doesn't have your nose....or his mother's hair.¨ Lucius said drolly.
"That's one of the benefits of being a wizard, we have the power of transfiguration.¨ Severus said in all seriousness. Hermione laid there, listening to them talk about the baby and smiled.

Who would have thought a simple touch would have brought her life to this one, absolutely perfect moment.


***Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this, and give such amazing, positive feedback. I enjoy writing and talking with you all, hope you enjoyed reading the bond as much as I enjoyed writing it¡K¡K ƒº