A Perfect Situation

“Hermione, do you want a pain potion?” Severus asked her, concerned at her current state. She had been achy all morning and now she was curled in her favorite armchair and had abandoned her book on a small table nearby.



“No, I’m fine,” she said and let her head rest against the chair, closing her eyes, “I think I’m about to get my period.”



It looked like more than that to Severus, but he dismissed it for the moment. “How about some tea?” He made a mental note to ask Neville to stop by later. Something about this whole morning didn’t seem right. She was unable to get comfortable, or focus on anything. She was easily irritated, and frustrated.



“Sure.” She answered without opening her eyes.



Severus rose and moved to the kitchen, unable to shake the feeling he was having. He had just reached for the teapot when he heard a blood curdling scream from the other room.



“SEVERUS!” He raced to his wife and found Hermione on the floor, curled in a fetal position with her back to him. Her jeans were soaked with blood and a pool covered the seat of the armchair.



He scooped her up and ran through the floo, right into St. Mungo’s. Two nurses were beside him in moments, ushering him into a room, where he could rest his wife on a bed. While one nurses waved her wand and stripped Hermione’s clothes off, the other one asked him about her symptoms and what brought them in. By the time Severus gave a brief history on her, she had been placed in a gown and was waiting for a healer. Severus told them that Neville Longbottom was her regular healer, and assurances were given that he would be looked for.



They only had to wait a few moments before Neville arrived. Severus stayed silent as the nurse prepped for an exam and Neville looked over her chart. Hermione was still groaning on occasion but had tried to relax as she was settled in stirrups.



Neville looked her over quickly and gently, going through motions that brought a strong groan or two from her and apologizing when he could not ease her comfort more. Soon enough the pain had stopped and Neville was satisfied with what he had done. The floating tray he was using was moved to a nearby counter, as he made notes on the chart while the nurse assisted Hermione. Severus held her hand in both of his, cradling the cold flesh. Neville brought a chair close to them and spoke without any doubt.



“Hermione you’ve had a miscarriage.” His words brought tears to her eyes and she buried her face in her husbands hands, crying out her grief.



“How did this happen?” Severus asked, leaning closer to his wife and gripping her shoulder firmly while she cried.



“Miscarriages this early usually occur when there shouldn’t be a pregnancy in the first place. An unfertilized egg latched onto the uterus, an embryo stops growing and the body ejects the growth, or the cells begin to divide the wrong way and the body doesn’t accept it.” He looked at Hermione who was watching him with teary eyes. “Whatever the reason Hermione, you need to know that this was not your fault in anyway. This was not the result of your actions, do not think that you made this happen.”



She did nothing but look at him, clutching her husband’s hands as tears continued to roll down her cheek. Neville however would not be swayed. “Hermione tell me that you understand me.”



She gave a weak nod, but for the moment Neville was satisfied. He told her he was going to return with two potions, but in the meantime he wanted her to rest and continue laying down.



Severus held her hand and stroked her hair. He had no idea how much she believed Neville, but if he knew his wife, she would blame herself. He was going to have a challenge ahead of him making sure she didn’t sink into depression.



Neville returned with a blood replenisher to combat the amount she had lost, and a sleep aide combined with a pain reliever. He wanted her to rest and if he had to give her potions to make her rest, then so be it. Severus seemed to agree because he assisted in coaxing Hermione took them.



He spoke briefly with Neville who assured him again that a miscarriage is just one of those things that happens. Hermione was young and healthy, and many women have successful pregnancies after losing one.



Severus himself felt better about Hermione’s condition after speaking to Neville. Her color had returned after she had taken the blood replenisher and she was sleeping peacefully now. Neville was confident that she would have children and while he would never use any potion Neville brewed, he was more than confident in his healing abilities.



While Hermione slept, Severus returned home and got her a fresh set of clothes. Neville offered to have her jeans cleaned but Severus told him to burn them. He didn’t want any reminders while it was still fresh in her mind. He would buy her a dozen new jeans if she wanted them. He waved his wand over the armchair and reupholstered it.



When he returned Hermione was still sleeping. Neville was taking her pulse and from the look on his face, he was more than satisfied. “She will sleep for a few more hours. You might want to go get something to eat in the café downstairs.”



“I already left her once to get her clothes.” He set the bag down on the floor and took his seat again.



“I’ll have something sent up to you then.” Neville left him alone and had a dinner ordered. He saw other patients and checked research. When he was told Hermione was waking up he returned and checked her again. The spells he had used on her when she arrived cleaned her out, and her uterus was now sound and normal.



“I’m sending you home now. But I want you to take a blood replenisher with dinner also. You have the potions handy Severus?” At his nod, Neville looked back at Hermione. “I want you to rest and take it easy, and see me in a week.”



Hermione just nodded, remaining in a sitting position on the bed in her hospital gown. He exchanged a look with Severus and then left them alone. He would return in a moment with her discharge parchments. “Do you need help changing?” She silently shook her head and with slow movements pulled on her jeans and cotton shirt. Severus leaned down and slipped her ballet flats on. Hermione was looking toward the floor but her eyes were empty. Her face held a forlorn expression.



“Here’s your brush.” Severus held it out but Hermione made no acknowledgment of having heard him. He sat beside her and carefully brushed her hair, slipping it into a ponytail. She merely sat there doing nothing.



“Hermione, look at me,” he said, and lowly she shifted her eyes to meet his, “this wasn’t your fault. Neville was right. You believe him don’t you?” Her eyes moved about and she blinked a few times. She gave a nod and began playing with the edge of her t shirt, as if she felt guilty for thinking otherwise. “I don’t want you to blame yourself. You didn’t do anything wrong.”



She gave another weak nod and while Severus never once challenged her intelligence, he wondered if she was thinking things through. He would have to keep a close watch on her. Perhaps he could take her away for awhile. A vacation just might be a good idea.



Neville arrived with her discharge parchments and follow up appointment, then gave Hermione a hug, telling her everything would be fine and not to worry. She let her husband lead her away and they took the floo home.











Cathy nearly dropped her small parcel. She had come to St. Mungo’s to get her birth control potions and had seen Severus was leading his wife to the floo network, and she looked like hell. Cathy smiled to herself. Overhearing that they were trying to have a baby was good enough but to see her torn up like that was even better.



Cathy moved to the desk and addressed the nurse. “Excuse me ma’am, I’m looking for Mrs. Severus Snape.”



“She’s been discharged,” the healer behind the nurse turned and spoke, “can I deliver a message?”



“What was she seen for?” Cathy asked, earning a confused look from the healer.



“That’s privileged information.” He told her, closing the file he was holding.



“Listen, I’m a personal friend and I’m concerned.” Cathy tried to keep the cheek out of her words but failed.



“A personal friend huh?” The healer smirked at her. “What’s her maiden name?”



“What?” Cathy frowned to him. “What has that got to do with anything?”



“If you’re a personal friend then you would know her maiden name wouldn’t you? What house was she in at Hogwarts. When is her birthday? Why did she and Severus get married?” The healer kept on after she remained silent.



“I suppose you know the answer to all those.” Cathy said, standing to her full height.



“Yes I do. I’ve know Hermione for many years and if you were a personal friend, you would not be going behind her back trying to find out about her medical history.” He stood to his full height as well and suddenly it dawned on Cathy where she had seen him. In the mirror reflection at the restaurant when she had overheard the information about them trying to have a baby.



Cathy gave him a wicked grin. “I take it that she again failed in getting pregnant.” The healer took a step forward and drilled her with a harsh glare.



“I don’t know who you are or what you are doing, but rest assured if you make any trouble for Hermione and her husband I will file a complaint with the ministry of magic stating that you tried to obtain personal medical information through illegal methods. The ministry and St. Mungo’s doesn’t like things like that.” He glanced aside as a nurse approached.



“Healer Longbottom, the patient in exam 5 is awake.”



“Thank you.” He looked back at Cathy. “Nurse Harris, have this woman escorted out by security. She is to be given no information.” He walked away, leaving Cathy with the nurse who called a big man forward to walk her out.



It would seem that Severus’s little mouse had a protector. He wondered how long they had known each other. Perhaps he was a former love of hers? Cathy grinned again. Did Severus know how much this one protected her? The moment she arrived home she began writing a letter.









The moment Neville was done with his shift he apparated to Spinner’s End. Severus answered the door holding a piece of parchment. “I was just about to owl you.” He stood aside and let the healer enter. “Come in. Hermione’s sleeping.”



“I take it this has to do with an elegant and very nosy blonde.” Neville asked.



“How did you guess?” He gestured to a chair for the man to sit. “Why don’t you tell me what you know first, then I’ll clue you in on this.” He held up the letter.



“Shortly after you left she approached a nurse looking for Mrs. Snape. When I told her that she was released I offered to pass a message along. Then she asked what Hermione was seen for. When I told her that I couldn’t tell her, she claimed to be a personal friend. I asked her Hermione’s maiden name and several other questions but she of course had no answer.”



“I take it she wasn’t pleased?” Severus speculated. Cathy was never one to like being proven wrong.



“No she wasn’t, but I have to say, I was surprised to hear that she knew you were trying to have a baby.” Neville spoke with obvious concern and curiosity.



“How did she know we were having a baby?” Severus asked, although Neville had a feeling he was aware that she knew.



“I don’t know. But I had her escorted out by security and denied any information. She also received a threat of ministry complaint. Although I’m obligated to report if anyone uses notorious means to gain medical information.”



“Yes well, she must have disliked that, because she sent me this right away.” He handed over the letter and watched as Neville read it.



‘Severus,

I’m writing to you with an unsigned parchment so you don’t dismiss it right away. I have some information you should know, and I hope you will listen without ignoring it just because it came from me.

I was at St. Mungo’s to refill my birth control potions when I saw you and your wife leaving. I told the healer I was a friend of yours but he was very guarded when I mentioned your wife.

When I said that he seemed more concerned than that of a normal friend, he grew angry. He said if I spoke to either of you he could have me arrested.

I just wanted to let you know because he seemed overly concerned with secrecy. That could mean that he has something going on with your wife. If she ends up pregnant, I would wonder whose black hair the baby would have. Yours or Healer Longbottom.

Cathy”



“What is she doing?! I didn’t threaten her with arrest, just a formal complaint. And I did not warn her off both of you. I warned her against making things difficult for Hermione.”



“Yes, I gathered it was something like that.” Severus let out a sigh. “She can twist things around to suit herself when she wants to.”



“Who is she?” Neville asked.



“She’s a former girlfriend of mine. I dated her many years ago, but her inability to trust anyone made a relationship difficult.” He sighed again. “We saw her not to long ago and she had some choice words for Hermione.”



“If she is a former girlfriend then why all the problems? Especially if it was years ago.” Neville asked, trying to get some insight into the woman’s thinking.



“We did split many years ago however we fell into a habit of sleeping together whenever she was back in England. We would end up seeing each other about twice a year, maybe three times for a day or two. Until however I married Hermione. She told me that some things would make her feel uncomfortable, such as going out to dinner with former flames. So I made the decision to cut contact from Cathy.”



“Complete contact,” Neville asked, “why completely? Hermione isn’t apposed to remaining friends. She’s done so.”



“Yes I know, but with Cathy is different. She likes things her way and she can be difficult if she doesn’t get what she wants the way she wants it.”



“I can see your point from the brief meeting I had with her.” Neville said thinking on the aggressive behavior the woman showed.



“Well, Cathy saw this as Hermione controlling me, even though she never demanded anything, only that I think about things first hand. I chose simply to move on and put the past behind me.” Severus seemed lost in thought for a moment.



“Something tells me that she doesn’t like having to give up something she saw as ideal.” Neville speculated.



“I imagine you are right. I still want to know how she found out we were trying to get pregnant.”



“You each have your own set of friends, maybe she heard it third or fourth person.” Neville said, unaware of his own part.



“I suppose so, but then again there is this.” He held up the infamous letter. “I don’t want Hermione to see it.” He tossed it into the fire, without a second thought. “I’d appreciate if you didn’t mention your meeting with her.”



“I agree, Hermione has enough to deal with.” Neville said with a nod.



“I was going to ask you during the follow up appointment, if traveling would be safe enough for her.”



“Yes, it will be fine, once I give her the exam. It would be good for her actually. Getting away and relaxing. What did you have in mind?”



“I was thinking Ireland. A trip to the country to a rustic village.”



“It will be nice and green right now, and no stress, which is perfect. Go ahead and make plans for after the appointment.”



Neville took his leave and left Severus alone with this thoughts. He wondered what Cathy was up to, and while he dreaded another meeting with her, he saw no choice.