Unexpected Places

It hadn’t been easy to convince the Headmistress to allow her to keep the child at school with them but they had done it. Since Hermione was Head Girl, she already had her own rooms and Harry had agreed to sleep in her common room on some nights to help her out. Professor McGonnagall had looked at the child doubtfully and had declined to hold him.

“I get them when they are eleven, Miss Granger. I don’t know what to do with them at any age before that.” She admitted.

She had also been reluctant to allow Hermione to take the baby to classes with her. She had only agreed when Hermione said she would make sure the other students were not disturbed and that the Professor of the class approved. If this didn’t work, other arrangements would be made.

“It is my responsibility. The baby was left in my care and until I find his father, he is mine. I can’t send him to the orphanage. It is my duty to care for him.” Hermione told the Headmistress and if it was one thing Minerva understood, it was duty.

Since the baby had been given up on a Saturday, Hermione had that night and all day Sunday to get everything settled. She and Harry turned part of her room into a nursery, transfiguring the furniture into anything they might need. A crib, a changing table, a rocking chair and a cooler for the baby’s formula took up little space in the large room. She didn’t know what else would be needed and Harry didn’t either. This was all the orphanage had.

“Uh… Hermione… When you aren’t allowed to bring the baby into class, I have a suggestion.” Harry said tentatively.

She gave him a bright look. “I was worried about that! What are you thinking?”

He smiled. “Why don’t you ask one of the house elves to help you. They could also watch him while you study.” He had almost expected her to blow up but she looked thoughtful.

“It’s a good idea. I won’t have them though if they aren’t being paid. Can you take care of it, Harry?” she asked, rocking Alex in her arms. He had eaten again and fallen asleep. She had been warned that he would mostly eat and sleep for a few weeks. She resolved to get a book to find out exactly what was going on with him.

Harry had also shown her how to change a nappy. It seemed evanesco didn’t work that well in that situation so she had learned. She had also been told that he needed to be fed every three hours, which would mean little sleep for her. She hoped that wouldn’t last long.

Harry agreed to talk to the house elves and Hermione decided to talk to Snape. She wanted to get the potion started as soon as possible so that the child could be given to his family. She decided not to take the baby carrier, but grabbed a bottle and a couple of fresh nappies. She didn’t want to be unprepared.

She wrapped the blanket around Alex tightly and covered his face. The dungeon was full of drafts and she didn’t want him to get sick. She didn’t know if he could take a Pepperup Potion. She didn’t know if it would be dangerous. She left the room and made her way to the dungeons and to Snape’s office. He was always there during the day. She passed several people in the halls who looked at her bundle curiously but she didn’t stop to speak with them.

She knocked on the professor’s door and heard the command to enter. She opened the door and he gave her an annoyed look. He was grading papers and that was not a good sign. He was always more disagreeable after grading papers.

“What do you want, Miss Granger?” he asked curtly, barely glancing at the bundle in her arms.

“You said you would help me if I asked you… about the paternity potion?” she said hesitantly, hoping he hadn’t changed his mind. He sighed, rolled his eyes and motioned for her to take a seat. Before she did, she transfigured a cushion from her scarf and sat on it. Everyone knew his chairs had been transfigured to be uncomfortable so people wouldn’t stay long. She settled down, holding the baby close.

“I said I would… unfortunately in a weak moment. You amused me with your banter with Mr. Malfoy. Is this such an urgent matter?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.

She opened her mouth to answer but Alex began to cry. She gave the professor an embarrassed look and pulled the blanket away from his face to look at him. His little face was scrunched up and even inexperienced Hermione could see he was one angry little baby. She didn’t know what to do. He had just been fed and had his nappy changed. She began to rock him back and forth awkwardly.

Snape stared at her in amazement. She had a child? But it couldn’t be hers. She hadn’t been pregnant two months ago during the final battle and the child had to be younger than that. He winced as the baby’s wails grew and finally stood.

“Give it to me” he said. She gave him a doubtful look and he scowled. “I’m not going to hurt it. Give it to me.”

She nodded and handed him the crying baby. The baby screamed as Snape unwrapped it. “He’s wet.” He said coolly and lay the baby on the desk. “I imagine you came prepared?”

Hermione pulled a fresh nappy out of her bag as well as a wipe to clean him with. She watched in astonishment as he pulled the dirty nappy off, cleaned Alex and put the clean nappy on. Of all the people, she would have never imagined Snape knew how to change a nappy. And he was obviously experienced. Seeing the questions in her eyes, he winced.

“Do not ask, Miss Granger, if you want my help. I see that this is an urgent matter…” he finished wryly.

She explained the circumstances and although she didn’t see any emotion in his face, she had the feeling he was saddened by the whole situation. He didn’t say anything for a moment after she finished and she knew not to push anything. As contrary as he was, he might refuse to help her if she did.

“I will allow him in my class when it is possible. Sometimes we work with potions that are too dangerous for distractions but you never know. Maybe he will absorb some of the knowledge and eleven years in the future I won’t have to teach a dunderhead. We will get started on the potion tomorrow afternoon” he said, handing her the baby and ushering her out the door.

“When he cried, check to see if he is wet, even if you just changed him. Try to feed him. If he still cries hold him and rock him… If he cries after that good luck.” He said as he gently shut the door in her face.

She stood there for a moment, wondering where Snape had learned that. It was similar to what Harry had told her. She finally shrugged and began walking to her room. On the way, she met more students, but she didn’t stop. She had too much to think about. As she turned a corner, someone ran into her. She started to fall and turned so that she wouldn’t hurt Alex if she fell, but someone caught her. He straightened her and stepped back.

Draco grinned at her. “You should watch where you are going, Granger.” He said. She glared at him and he noticed the bundle in her arms that she was holding so protectively. “What’s that?” he said reaching out.

She slapped his hand away. “Quit or you’ll wake him!” she hissed and he gaped at her.

“Him?”

“His name is Alexander.” She explained pulling the blanket away from his face. He looked so peaceful in sleep.

Draco stared at her and then at the baby with mouth agape. “He isn’t yours.” He finally said and she laughed.

“No, I think you would have noticed if I was pregnant, Malfoy. He was left with me. His mother is dead and his aunt abandoned him. I am trying to find the father.” She said. He nodded.

“That is what the Paternity Potion was for, right? So you aren’t pregnant?” he said and she heard disappointment in his voice.

“Yes, it is and no I’m not. Did you want to be a father so soon?” she asked.

He looked up at her for a moment and then suddenly seemed to remember he was supposed to hate her because he sneered.

“No, I’m glad I’m not. But I wasn’t about to let you take a Malfoy and raise it.” He said. She sighed.

“I wouldn’t have kept your child away from you, Malfoy, despite what you think.” She moved past him and out of the corner of her eye, she saw him raise a hand to stop her and then it dropped.

Three months before, they had been an item. It had only lasted for a week but it had been hot. It seemed that two people who could argue as passionately as they did, could also find passion elsewhere. She didn’t know how it had started. It seemed one moment they had been fighting fiercely and the next both of them had been naked in bed.

Unfortunately, that was all they did. They were either fighting or shagging. There was no between and most of the time, the moment they finished shagging, they were fighting again. It went on like this for a week before Hermione put a stop to it. She didn’t see a future in it and while the sex was good the rest was too much. He had seemed to agree with her at the time, but then he had avoided her. When they did meet up, he was cold and more like the Malfoy they had known in the first six years of school.

Sometimes she thought maybe he hadn’t wanted to break up but hadn’t known how to tell her so he had reverted to his old self. It was all for the best, she had decided because sooner or later one would have killed the other.

She reached the Head common room to find Harry waiting for her. She filled him in on what had happened in Snape’s office but didn’t tell him about her run-in with Malfoy. She knew how he felt and didn’t want to be a catalyst. He told her that he had found the perfect house elf to watch Alex while she was in class. The house elf would introduce herself Monday morning before the first class.

Hermione nodded wearily and took Alex upstairs. He was sleeping soundly still so she pulled out her seventh year Transfiguration book to go over it just one more time. If everyone was right, she had a long night ahead of her.


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