Echoes of the Soul

Hermione’s face was thunderous. She paced up and down the lab as Severus stood over a bubbling cauldron and tried to avoid her eye.



‘She must have stopped taking the potion. It’s the only answer.’ She stated again firmly. Hermione had sent an owl as soon as they arrived at Hogwarts but so far there was no response.



Severus refrained from pointing out the other obvious answer – that the Potion didn’t work – and tried another tack.



‘We could ask Poppy to test you, Hermione. Then you will know if the potion works. You’ve had enough sex over the last two to get pregnant’ He spoke mildly.



Hermione glared at him. ‘I don’t need to be tested. I have taken the potion every two weeks, there is no way I am pregnant. Unless you think you have super strength sperm or something?’ She fumed and started to pace again.



Severus smirked and refrained from bragging about the strength of his sperm and looked down at the parchment Hermione had reluctantly let him look at. His eyes widened and he brought his hand to his mouth to smother the laughter that was fighting to escape. Oh this was just priceless, he thought. His shoulders started to shake and he closed his eyes tightly, hoping Hermione wouldn’t notice.



‘Oh! You are being ridiculous!’ Hermione threw her arms in the air and walked towards the door.



‘Where are you going?’ He asked her, trying to stop a laugh escaping his lips.



‘To check the post!’ Hermione flounced out of the dungeon.



Severus doubled up as soon as the door closed. Hermione was going to hate him, he just knew it.



***



Hermione stormed towards the main doors, intending to go to the owlery. She was about to step outside when she heard Albus call her.



‘I didn’t expect to see you here at the weekend, Miss Granger.’ He smiled at her.

Hermione flushed a little. ‘Hello Headmaster. No, I…well, that is… em… what I mean to say is, Professor Snape is helping me with my Potions assignment.



Albus watched her closely. ‘Excellent. Did you like the book I sent you?’



‘The book?’ Hermione frowned. ‘Oh! Actually Sir, I haven’t had time to read it yet but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.’ She smiled at him.



‘I urge you to read it, Miss Granger. I think you will find it enlightening.’ He waved at her and walked on.



Hermione watched his retreating back. She knew from experience that Dumbledore never did anything without a reason and resolved to read the book – as soon as she wiped the smirk from a certain Potions Masters’ face.





***



Severus had finished Hermione’s potion and decanted it into four phials. He inspected each one and made a couple of notes on a spare bit of parchment. He lifted one phial to the light and tipped it from side to side, shaking his head incredulously. The witch was remarkable. He just had to convince her of it.



Severus looked up from the workbench to see Hermione standing in the doorway of the lab, holding a letter in her trembling hand. He walked quickly over to her and wrapped his arms around her.



‘It’s OK, Hermione. We’ll be OK…all of us…’ he murmured into her hair.



Hermione pushed him away, not looking at him. She was shaking almost uncontrollably as she walked over to the potions. She lifted one and put it down again.



‘Impossible…’ She whispered and shook her head. She turned to Severus.



‘I have to go home. Albus gave me a book to read.’ she said numbly.



Hermione, are you OK, my love?’ Concern was etched Severus’s face.



Hermione nodded and walked to his private quarters. She stood in front of the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder. Her lower lip trembled as she threw the powder into the fireplace. It flashed green and as she disappeared, the letter fluttered and landed on the hearthrug where she had been standing. Severus lifted it and began to read.



‘Hi Hermione,



I am sorry I didn’t tell you myself but I was a bit scared, to be honest. Albus is right, I am pregnant. We are so excited, Harry cannot stop rubbing my belly! I’m sorry the potion didn’t work Hermione. It’s good in a way, because I would have wanted to stop taking it soon to start a family anyway. Come and see us soon. Love Ginny.’





‘Damn.’ Severus sighed.





***



Poor Hermione. Please review!