Love and Parenthood

Love and Parenthood

Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


A Spanner In The Works


Severus burst into the bedroom the following morning brandishing a copy of The Prophet in his hand.

“The news is out,” he announced. “Someone at St Mungo’s must have tipped them off. It’s all over the front page.”

“Let me see,” said Hermione, pushing herself up into a sitting position.

He held the copy out to her. “You won’t like it,” he said. “Shall I order some food for you?”

“I could probably manage some toast and coffee,” she said. “Thank-you.”

He left the room to summon an elf while Hermione settled herself to read the article.


SCHOOL IN CRISIS

The Ministry was rocked last night by the discovery that seventeen Hogwarts students are pregnant. A source at St Mungo’s revealed that staff and students expect a total of twenty-one babies between them. All the women appear to have conceived in early September and experts are at a loss to account for this phenomenon. Par and and teachers are remaining tight-lipped over the matter but concerned people are asking just what activities these girls have participated in for this to happen. Some fear that these babies have been conceived through forced participation in Dark Rituals. This is a grave concern indeed, considering that some of these girls are merely fifteen years of age. Once n Sen Severus Snape, the controversial Potions Master, seems to be at the centre of things, having married one of the pregnant girls using the travesty of the revised Marriage Law and assumed legal guardianship of three others. It seems that even the eccentric Dumbledore tiretired of this man’s activities and Snape is to leave Hogwarts as soon as a replacement can be found. Manwhile everyone who has children at the school can do nothing but wait and wonder.


“I don’t believe that they’re at you again!” she said as he re-entered the room.

“Yes, the gloss seems to have worn off my reputation again. I know it upsets you but it’s something you have to have a thick skin about.”

“Yes but they’re trying to imply that you….”

“That I have fathered more than just your babies. I know but no one of any sense is actually going to believe it. Please try to stay calm. The people at The Prophet are on the look out for Death Eaters. My name will always be tarnished. Whenever anything happens in my vicinity this kind of thing will happen. I’m not hurt, just irritated.”

“And what kind of fall-out can we expect from this?”

“Albus said that a Ministry Official is coming to Hogwarts at 10.30 to investigate matters. I imagine we’ll both have to speak to him or her.”

“In that case I’d better get up now and go and check on the builders straight away so I can be back in time.”

“Eat your breakfast first,” he said firmly. “If the official has to wait then so be it. I don’t want you dashing around with low blood sugar levels.”

“I’m almost done. Honestly the elves at the Manor will push food at me constantly anyway. You’re going to be late for class.”

“I am. I’ll see you later.” Hee hee her a quick peck on the cheek before sweeping out to confront his first class of the day.”

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Hermione had just got back from the Manor when Fawkes materialised beside her, holding a note in his beak.

“Thank-you Fawkes,” she said as took the note away from him. She unfolded it. It was a summons to a meeting in the upstairs sitting room. She offered Fawkes an owl treat, which he turned his head away from before he vanished. Sighing she inspecter apr appearance before using the private staircase leading up from the dressing room.

She could hear Severus before she got to the top. When she walked in he looked about ready to hex the dumpy little witch who had commandeered his chair. Professor Dumbledore was sitting to the side of them. She cleared her throat and both Severus and the visitor looked at her. Severus calmed as he saw her but the visitor looked annoyed.

“I didn’t hear you knock,” she observed snidely.

“I don’t usually knock on my own sitting room door,” she returned sharply.

“I take you are Hermione Granger?”

“I am known as Professor Snape. If you find that confusing you may refer to me as Madam Snape in my husband’s presence.”

“I don’t suppose you have anything enlightening to say about how you came to be in your condition?”

“I became pregnant in the same way as any faithful wife does. We were taking precautions but the binding magic over rode them.”

“So you are sticking to the party line on this?”

“I am telling the truth and it would seem that others are doing likewise. Do you need me for anything further?”

“Take a seat please Madam. I understand you have chosen to involve yourself in the arrangements for the confinements?”

“My husband agreed to loan the school one of our vacant properties and I have been planning the alterations to the property and checking on progress when I’m not required here.”

“Ah yes. I have been hearing about this attempt to limit publicity from your Headmaster.”

Hermione could feel the restrained fury bubblin her her husband. The Headmaster took it into his head to try and calm matters down.

“Madam Snape, this is Mistress Sorrell Fletcher. She is a senior official at the Ministry and has come to offer us her assistance.”

“I’ve come to try to find out what is going on here and why it’s been covered up in this manner!” snapped the angry little witch.

“There has been no cover up,” saumblumbledore mildly. “The school and the parents were notified of events by appropriate channels and as it is a private matter between those directly involved it has stayed between us. Both Professor and Madam Snape felt it was important for the school to respond to the needs of the young mothers and indeed fathers and were able to offer suitable accommodation for them. As Headmaster I am grateful to them both.”

“The Ministry is not happy about this high handed attitude Dumbledore,” spat Mistress Fletcher. “My department has decided that this school needs a Ministry representative and I personally will be making sure that these poor young girls are properly looked after. I am going back to London now to make my report. I will contact you shortly.”

With that she got to her feet and stormed out.

“So does that mean that we aren’t going to run the annexe?” asked Hermione.

“I am Headmaster of this school. It is my decision that you shall go ahead as planned. Howeverlooklooks as though you will have a passenger.”

“I don’t want that woman in my house,” said Severus indignantly.

“I fear we won’t have a choice about that,” said Dumbledore. “Whilst I’m free to run the school as I see fit, I cannot deny the Ministry and Governors access to it. Hopefully, when she sees everything is running properly she’ll give up.”

“And if not?” enquired Severus.

“I have complete confidence in the two of you. If you can bring down Lucius Malfoy and Voldemort then one self-important official should be child’s play.”

“Well if the worst comes to the worst we can always send her to meet the centaurs,” said Hermione, letting out a si
“
“I must calculate how many undetectable poisons I can manufacture. It will calm me down,” said Severus dryly.

“Ah well, as long as it’s constructive. Sherbet Lemon anyone?”