A Secret Worth Keeping

Goddess bless you all and also thank you for your patience in my getting this chapter out…what torture! It really didnt want to get written, but here it is...kicking and screaming all the way! Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, only those that I created myself. Please do not harm me in any way. I only do this for fun.


A personal thank you to my Beta reader, LadyDeathFaerie. Thanks LDF!


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A Secret worth Keeping


Chapter Thirty-Two: Another Revelation


Hermione glanced down at her watch. In five minutes, the class would end and the first day of classes would be over and she could finally go back to her own chambers, back to her haven of solitude and her son. Being away from him, if only for a few hours a day, was more than enough for the young mother and her main thoughts were of getting back to her quarters and back to him. She smiled in after thought. As well as back to Severus.

Some days, it just wasn’t fair to have to get out of bed especially when strong pair of arms was wrapped around your tired body. Hermione sighed, remembering waking up in Severus’s welcome embrace. It’d been nice, very nice, in fact. Much better than the rest of her day had been.

Monday had been one hectic event after another. Hermione had been cornered by almost all of her seventh year schoolmates, all with questions about her seemingly sudden marriage to Harry and, of course, Sebastian. From what Ron had told her at lunchtime, Harry had been given the same kind of unwanted attention. Most mainly wanted to know when the marriage had happened and had it been before or after he’d found out about the baby. It was mostly embarrassing but, once the inconsiderate questioners were giving a severe talking to, they tended to back off again.

But still, as difficult as the day had been, it had been more tolerable than Hermione had expected it to be. The questions thrown at her weren’t too overly personal and most were happy with her answers. Some, unfortunately, weren’t. But then, there were always bound to be those kinds of people. People that just live to get under your skins. People that were like Malfoy and Parkinson, who lived to make other lives miserable.
rmiormione glanced over to Draco to see him working away on his potion, getting ready to bottle it. She watched him for a moment before turning back to her own simmering brew. Well, okay. Maybe not Malfoy any longer, but there were those kinds of people still within Hogwart’s halls. The true Slytherins, those that weren’t trustworthy enough to actually know of the DaRats. Those that could still get everyone killed if they knew. Those like… Manny MacNair and Oliver Puce, two students that were known Dark Lord followers by way of their fathers.

Although Draco was thought of as a known follower, not one of the two boys knew of the DaRats and the displaced loyalty of whom they thought was their leader. Idiots. If they really only knew on which side that most of the Slytherins were fighting for now, they would be hightailing it back to dear old daddy, spilling their guts.

Hermione brought her thoughts back to the classroom, chose a clear vial from her potion’s kit, and filled it to the measured etched line with the sky-blue potion from her cauldron. All through the class, she\'d kept noticing Pansy trying to gain her attention ever so subtly. She knew what it was that Pansy wanted to talk to her about, but as of now she had not yet talked to Severus about it. She gave the girl a quick look followed by a nod. Pansy’s lips quivered momentarily before she turned back to finish her own potion.

Hermione’s eyes wandered around the room to make sure no one was paying any attention to her and Pansy’s quick exchange. Thankfully, no one seemed to be any wiser. It looked as if all were too occupied with finishing up and bottling their potions so they could escape the dungeons for a warmer atmosphere. Her eyes eventually wandered to the front of the classroom falling on Severus’ dark shape as he sat quietly, watching the class with dark eagle eyes. His lips were set in a fierce line as he kept a watch out for any mistakes that could quickly escalate into danger. Always on the watch, always on his toes, to protect his charges whether they liked it or not.

Thankfully, Hermione didn’t have to pretend to hate him today. Neither one of them had tried to command attention from the other or try to draw attention to themselves. The more they seemed to ignore the other during classes, the easier it was to pretend there was nothing going on between them. She was grateful that Neville didn’t need any extra help this day. He seemed to actually know what he was doing with this particular potion. It was a simple potion, actually a remedial one that they had all learned during their fourth year. A simple yet powerful dampening solution that dulled one’s eagerness making them more passive. This particular potion was used at St. Mungo’s Psycho ward to keep the more dangerous patients calm. Hermione assumed that Neville was more in tune to this particular potion because his parents were patients in that particular hospital. Two ex-Aurors that had lost their minds doing their jobs for the Ministry. Neville seemed to have the potion mastered so she didn’t have to intervene and bring down the ire of Severus. After all, a disciplined girlfriend wouldn’t have been a good idea if one were looking forward to a pleasant evening following a hard day at work. Especially if said disciplined girlfriend had been disciplined by one\'s self.


At the front of the classroom, Severus allowed his eyes to settle on her where she sat across the room. She looked straight at him and raised her ink stained quill just slightly, a single action indicating that she needed to talk to him, very subtle. He raised one eyebrow in question, to which she simply nodded once. He didn’t need to use Legilimens to understand that she needed to speak with him. He merely nodded quickly in agreement and lowered is eyes back to the parchments before him. Thankfully, he didn’t have to divert any disasters as the crow cawed, signaling the end of class. He rose from his seat to stand before the desk.

\"Bring your labeled potions to my desk and remember to bring in your homework assignments for Wednesday’s class…and remember, I do NOT want copied papers this time.\" He spoke loudly above the clamoring voices of students. Letting his eyes linger on Potter and Weasley. Their faces flushed as they gathered their things and deposited their potions on the desk. Severus watched with careful eyes as the students, eager to leave his presence, swarmed out of the door. He noticed Hermione taking extra seconds to gather her things. She was giving him time to call to her. Which he did. \"Miss Granger, I wish you to remain behind, I have a matter to discuss with you.\"

Hermione slung her bag over her shoulder and shot Pansy a glance before moving to the front of the room. She could feel eyes on her as depodeposited her vial onto Severus’s desk. Trying to keep her eyes from straying to her, she saw Pansy move up and place her own vial on the desk. The young woman’s hand was shaking as she turned and left the classroom. The poor girl was highly distressed. If she wasn’t careful, her stress levels could easily rid her of her unwanted baby in place of the abortive potion.

***

Once Pansy was outside the classroom, she stopped and leaned against the opposite wall to wait. A little distance down the hall she could see Potter and Weasley standing in quiet conversation. All three appeared to be waiting for Hermione to emerge.

The two boys watched her with curiosity but didn’t seem to want to question why Pansy was waiting around as well. She didn’t give off any indications of wanting to talk to either of them. She stood with her back against the wall with her hands simply wrapped around her upper body as if to ward off the cold. She kept her head down and her eyes glued to the stone floor. Occasionally one hand would twirl a lock of hair then bring it to her mouth in an unconscious act of insecurity and habit on her part.

Harry nudged Ron a few times to bring his attention back to their conversation, but Ron’s curiosity kept getting the best of him. His eyes kept returning to watching the way Pansy kept gnawing on her hair. It was uncommon for the girl to appear self-conscious in any form and the insecurity seemed to be meriting his awareness. One more nudge from Harry and Ron sent him a low growl.

\"Stop doing that, Harry, I’m gonna be bruised, you know.\" He grumbled, rubbing at his shoulder.

\"Then pay attention.\" Harry grinned impishly.

\"I can\'t. Something’s wrong.\" Ron indicated Pansy with a nod of his head. Harry’s eyes fell on the girl and nodded in agreement.

\"I know.\"

Ron frowned at his best friend, then rolled his eyes. Sometimes his best friends could be very exasperating. \"I’ll be right back.\" He said firmly and approached Pansy carefully. He could see a deep sadness in her eyes that somehow seemed to bring something out in him. \"Hey, Parkinson…Are you all right?\"

Her eyes snapped up from the floor to sweep warily over them. There was a momentary spark of fear that was quickly doused with a blink of her eyes. In mere moments, she appeared to be her calm, cool self again. That is until she spoke.

\"Yeah, Weasley…I just…I just need to talk to Granger.\" Her voice, although in her normal tone, appeared to be lacking annoyance, which in it self caused Ron and Harry to glance between each other with an even deeper curiosity. That was weird.
Harry took a step closer to her then, coming to stand next to Ron. Being two of the leaders of the DaRats, he felt it was their duty to see if they could help. \"Is there something wrong? Something I…we…can help you with?\"

Pansy’anceance flitted from one to the other. To her surprise, Weasley’s face actually seemed to be worried, and Potter’s normally bright eyes seemed concerned as well. But, unfortunately for her, she had been taught in the past to never be fooled by outside appearances, especially those that appeared to be concerned for her. Those that did never truly cared. Never gave…only took. She’s been fooled to many times to take their concerns to heart. There was no way in hell she was going to confide in two Gryffindor boys. DaRats be damned if it came to that.

\"No…it’s…girl stuff.\" She tried a shy smile and thankfully, them being boys and being true to form, the young men drifted away, not wanting to go there for any reason.

***

Inside the classroom, Hermione tossed her bag onto a desk before walking up to Severus. He stood before his desk watching her approach with deep caressing eyes. She tossed him a grin and, seemingly without any concern at being caught, stretched up to kiss him. His arms came around her as he pulled her into his embrace.

\"I miss you.\" She whispered into his ear,ishiishing the hug.

\"And I, you.\" he sighed. He didn’t worry about someone walking in on them for he had a very strong feeling that both Potter and Weasley were just outside of that door waiting for her. Knowing that he had another class in just less than twenty minutes, he sighed and moved her warm body slightly away from his own. Time was short and he didn’t want to be derailed. \"Did you need to talk to me about something?\"

Hermione nodded and took a step back away from him. His personal scent was distracting her and she had to put some distance between them to think clearly. \"Its about Pansy. She’s…in trouble.\"

\"Trouble? What did she do this time?\" Severus sighed and rounded his desk to sit heavily onto his leather chair. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. Of course, to make it worse it always had to be a Slytherin. It was always one of his own when trouble came knocking. Slytherins had a penchant for brewing trouble, a penchant that seemed to grow more and more wild in the passing years. He rubbed wearily at his temples before settling his gaze back on Hermione, waiting for the forthcoming disaster report.

\"Its not what she has done, Severus. It’s what has been done to her. She’s…pregnant.\" She paused between words, finding them hard to speak. She was suddenly reminded of her own distressing pregnancy. A pregnancy where she found herself not able to confide in her friends. That was a particularly hard time for her and she knew that Pansy would need her friends. If she had any true friends, that was. A girl like her didn’t make friends easily. At least, not very good friends.

Now, more than ever, Hermione was bound and determined to help Pansy out. Friend or not.

Severus’s eyes widened at the news. \"Did she tell you that?\"

\"Yes, she did, at the DaRats meeting. I was going to talk to you about it last ni but but…\" She blushed prettily. \"You kind of…distracted me.\"

Severus could feel the mixed emotions radiating off of her and felt an overwhelming need to comfort her. He motioned for her and she rounded the desk. His hand reached out and pulled her into his lap where she nestled against him, enjoying the closeness that they have developed over the short amount of time. \"I take it that Miss Parkinson doesn’t want the baby?\"

His warm breath wafted over her hair and she closed her eyes to enjoy the closeness while trying to keep her mind on the business at hand. A deep sigh escaped her chest. \"You take it right. I was to ask you to brew an abortant for her to take.\" Hermione replied, her nervous hands playing with the buttons on the front of his cloak. \"She is terrified of what will happen when her parents find out, especially her father. After all, it is her father’slt tlt that she is in this condition.\"

\"Any abortant I brew will not be…pleasant. Poppy will have to be notified, as she would have to watch over her and the dosages. There will be a total of three dosages Miss Parkinson will have to take over the span of a week. Albus will have to be notified about this, as well. \"

Hermione sighed, nodding slightly. She knew that the Headmaster would have to be told, but it was just so damned awful. Pansy would have to submit to some serious questioning but, if she wanted to be rid of the baby, she would have to suck it up and just do it. Unfortunately, she would probably blame Hermione for telling and breaking the rule of confidence between them, but… Hermione sighed loudly. There was no other way. In order to do what Pansy wanted her secret had to be spilled. Hermione had hoped that the secret wouldn’t go any further than Severus, but she could see the importance of having Poppy involved and what Poppy knew, Dumbledore knew. It was the way of Hogwart’s.

\"So…will you brew it for her?\" Her hand seemed to have found its way inside of his cloak and stroked the fabric of his silk shirt.

\"I will. It will take a few days to complete it, but…\" He paused, taking her hand in his, stopping her from further exploration of his chest. \"I want ho tao take these few days to consider all her options.\"

\"Such as?\" Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder.

\"Adoption, for one. There are many wizarding couples unable to have children.\"

\"True, but she doesn’t want anyone to know that she is pregnant. It’s a pride thing.\"

\"Her pregnancy could be hidden if she wanted.\"

\"I doubt you could hide it during a death-eater revel. I can’t even begin to imagine what she had to go through that night. Her own father…\" Hermione trailed off.

\"I know, my love. It’s never a pretty sight what goes on those evenings.\"

Hermione heard the pain in his voice and pulled away to look into his eyes. Eyes so sad that she immediately wanted to kiss his pain away. She hated the thought that the man she was beginning to love had to do some awful things within those gatherings. She blinked as a thought suddenly hit her. Hoping that she was wrong, she lowered her voice, and not actually hearing the question that she felt obliged to ask. \"Were you there? When her father offered Pansy up?\"

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. If he had been there, and he’d had to take part in the…debasement…then Pansy’s child…could be…

Severus sighed deeply, interrupting her train of thought. \"No, thank the Gods. I was excused from that particular meeting. I had some important brewing that the Dark Lord wanted finished. I was too busy in his personal laboratory to be included in that gathering.\"

\"I’m glad…I…\" Hermione’s eyes darted to his face, then to his hands covering hers. She felt a stab of relief then almost instantly followed by shame at the way her mind twisted over the fact that Severus could have another child, with someone else. She felt his eyes on her and she lifted her face to meet his gaze. Her heart leapt at the questioning look on his face. Knowing that she couldn’t lie to him, she smiled slightly. \"I don’t think I could have handled it if you were there. I…couldn’t handle it if you were there and couldn’t stop what was happening to her or be the one to father her…child.\"

Severus pulled her closer to his body, cuddling her slight form to his, offering shelter and support to her still fragile mind. \" I would have tried anything to keep it from happening, Hermione. If I had been there, I would have done something.\"
Hermione allowed herself to be held, but only for a minute before pulling away and standing from his lap. Her sigh of sadness didn’t go unnoticed by him.

\"I have to go. Pansy is waiting outside, I’m sure.\"

\"Tell her that I will brew the potions, but I want her to think about it in the meantime.\"

\"I’ll tell her, thank you, Severus. I’ll see you tonight.\" She leaned down and gently kissed him.

\"I probably will be very late if I’m to start the potion this evening.\" He spoke low, causing her face to flush at his tone. His voice alone could be registered as a deadly weapon, especially to a woman.

\"I’ll wait up.\" She responded with a wicked grin. She grabbed her bag and walked to the door, tossing him a goodbye wave over her shoulder. \"See you tonight.\"

Hermione heard his chuckle as she passed the door into the hallway. Outside, just as she suspected, leaning against the far wall was Ron and Harry. Their eyes watching Pansy with curiosity and wariness as she leaned against the opposite wall.

Immediately upon seeing her emerge from the classroom, Pansy stood straight and gave Hermione a worried look. Hermione smiled at her then turned towards the boys. \"Guys, I have to talk to Pansy… alone…can you give us a few minutes?\"

Harry and Ron exchanged looks before nodding. Not quite understanding why Hermione and Pansy suddenly seem to be able to stand each other. But without any questions, they turned and started up the hallway, leaving the two girls standing in the cold dark hall.

Once the men were far enough away, Hermione turned and indicated another door. \"We can talk in my rooms, Pansy. I want to check on Sebastian anyway.\"

Hermione offered as she led the other girl into her room and closed the door behind them. Once the door clicked shut, Hermione called out. \"Nanny?\" Immediately, her call was answered with the round eyes and large lipped smile of the nurse-elf.
\"Yes, Mistress Potter?\" The elf squeaked.

Hermione sighed inwardly with relief when the elf seemed to remember their agreement as to how to address her when in ‘others’ presence’s. \"I wish to see my son.\" She informed the elf. \"Please bring him in.\"

\"Yes ma’am.\" Nanny grinned and disappeared with a pop.

Pansy gave Hermione an odd look before settling down into a chair. \"Its weird, you being called Mistress Potter. I can’t get myself to stop thinking of you as Granger. How does it feel?\"

\"Being married?\" Hermione questioned, taking a seat across from her.

\"That…and being a mother.\"

\"It took some getting used to. I mean, I had nine months to get used to the idea of being a mother, but…being a wife…\" Hermione sighed, trying to realign her thoughts into more half truths. \"To tell the truth, I haven’t had that much longer to get used to being a wife. I am sure I haven’t quite gotten the fact around my head, as of yet.\"

\"But you love him.\"

\"Harry?\" Hermione gave Pansy a calculated look before nodding. \"Yes, I do love him. He’s been fantastic about the whole thing.\" And that he had. Some men wouldn’t have been able to pull off such a demanding and delusional fiction. Harry, knowing how important it was for the future, took on the role knowing that he wouldn’t be a permanent part of her, or their, future. Yet, he didn’t question it. As always, he did his duty. \"I couldn’t have done this without him.\"

\"You are lucky, then.\" Pansy sighed sadly. Her lips thinned as she watched the elf re-enter holding a wiggling bundle. Nanny handed the baby over to his mother and quickly disappeared back into the nursery.

Hermione cradled her son and smiled down into his wrinkled face. His eyes were starting to darken more, into Severus’s color and she quickly murmured a glamour charm to turn them into a hazelish green, more like Harry and hers combined. She glanced up to the other girl and noticed the wistful look on her face. \"Would you like to hold him?\"

Pansy’s eyes widened as she looked between mother and child. \"I… I don’t know. Wouldn’t you mind?\"

\"I wouldn’t have offered if I minded… Here, just hold out your arms.\"

Pansy did as instructed and Hermione gently settled Sebastian into the crook of the other woman’s arms.

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed in a fashion that never failed to remind his mother of Severus. The baby was scrutinizing the newcomer, trying to size her up as much as an infant was capable of. Deciding that the new girl was okay, he closed his eyes, drifting into a sleep.

Hermione watched the expressions crossing Pansy’s face as she watched the baby sleeping in her arms. She was trying to size up Pansy’s true emotions in her current state. She knew first hand how these first few weeks of pregnancy were the most thought filled and emotional weeks of the whole nine months. There were days, in the beginning of her pregnancy, when all that she thought about was how could she do this? How much could an abortion hurt? Cost? Could she abort a new life? In the end, she couldn’t…and she was wondering if Pansy was starting to ask herself those same questions.

A sob suddenly emerged from Pansy as she pulled the sleeping baby to her chest. Immediately Hermione was on her knees before the weeping woman, pulling her and Sebastian into her arms, offering comfort.

\"It will be all right, Pansy… Don’t cry… Things will be fine.\" Hermione cooed softly as the woman sobbed heavily into her shoulder. Sebastian, oblivious to it all, slept on between the two women.

\"Did…did you talk to him?\" Pansy’s voice hiccuped.

\"I did. He said that he would start the potions tonight, but… he wants you to think about this, Pansy. Now, it takes a few days to brew the abortant and he wants you to take those days to make sure this is what you really want.\"

\"I don’t have a choice do I?\" Pansy’s voice dipped in anger as she turned blazing eyes to the other woman. \"I can’t have a baby. I don’t…I cant do it alone.\"

\"You wouldn’t be alone, Pansy…you have friends.\"

Pansy snorted in an unladylike fashion. \"Friends…some friends…I don’t have friends, Hermione…I have associates, I have acquaintances…I don’t have ‘friends’. Not everyone can be you.\"

Hermione didn’t answer that. It was true. She didn’t think she could have been luckier than she was. She had two best friends and one man that wanted to be more than her friend. She ht alt all now, unlike most.

\"I know we aren’t ‘friends’ Pansy, but I am here if and when you need me.\" She volunteered and felt the woman\'s shoulders shift in a deep sigh.

\"Thanks Granger.\" Pansy sat back into her chair, looking drained and very pale.

\"Will you think about it?\" Hermione queried.

Pansy’s voice sounded saddened but determined. \"About having the baby? No…I can’t think about that. I can’t do it. Period.\"

\"What?\"

Hermione and Pansy swung around in surprised horror as their eyes found Harry and Ron standing there. It was Ron’s strong voice that rang in the room.

\"You can’t be serious!\"

\"How much of this did you hear?\" A furious Hermione stood kly kly to her feet quickly, taking Sebastian from a now trembling Pansy. The expression of horror on the girl’s face froze, causing Hermione to grow even angrier. Her voice was barely contained so as not to wake Sebastian. \"How long have you been there?\"

Harry looked between the two girls, feeling just a bit guilty at overhearing something that was definitely NOT for their ears. \"You didn’t say how long…we just got here, I…\" He looked over at Ron, seeing the fierce look in Ron’s face.

\"Ron…just…stop it.\"

\"She can’t do it.\" Ron sputtered angrily.

\"Ron…\" Harry warned, seeing the red building up in his friend’s face.

\"But…it’s a baby…she just…can’t.\" Ron’s eyes darted from Harry to Hermione to Pansy.

\"Ron…\" Hermione walked forward to touch the young man’s arm. \"You don’t understand.\"

\"Damned right, I don’t understand. How can one just get rid of a baby?\" His voice grew lr, cr, causing Pansy to shiver and shrink back.

\"Shut up Ron, you don’t know anything about this.\" Hermione yelled right back.

\"It’s a baby, a helpless baby! She can’t…\"

\"I can! It’s MY DECISION!\" Pansy screamed at them all while standing to her feet. Her face a deathly combination of pale and red of anger.

Ron jerked his arm from Hermione and strode over to Pansy. For a moment, Hermione thought he would strike her. But he stopped and just stared down at the girl. \"It’s just a baby…\" His voice dropped to a low whisper. Hermione could hear the sadness in his voice. \"It’s just a…baby.\"

\"What about me?\" Pansy quivered as tears fell down her face. \"This is MY life!\"

\"You should have thought of that before you spread your legs for Malfoy!\" Ron’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

A slap echoed around the room as Pansy’s hand connected with Ron’s face. Hermione’s gasp was loud as she ran forward and echoed Pansy’s slap with her own across the other side of Ron’s face.

\"How dare you!\" Hermione’s voice dipped in anger. \"You don’t know anything about this, Ron.\"

\"It’s none of his business.\" Pansy glared at the two. She made to grab her book bag, but was stopped by Ron’s hand around her wrist.

\"Pansy…wait…\" His eyes softened slightly. \"Look…I’m sorry. But…\"

\"No, Weasley…\" Pansy whispered keeping her eyes downcast. \"It’s my decision.\"

\"But why?\" His voice seemed pleading.

\"Just… because… Look, I don’t have to explain my decisions to you or to anyone!\"

\"Is it Malfoy? Is he making you do this?\" Ron was ready to run out and beat a certain Slytherin within a scant heartbeat of his life.

\"No…Look…It’s not Draco’s, Okay? Now leave me alone.\"

Hermione felt Sebastian waking and sighed. Now Sebastian would be awake for most of the night. Her voice called out. \"Nanny! Please take Sebastian for a bit.\"

The nurse-elf instantly appeared and quietly took the child, then retreated into the sanctuary of the nursery. Once the baby was gone and not in any more danger of being wakened farther, she turned back to the others. Eyes blazing.

\"Okay, that is enough, the both of you\" Hermione turned to the two boys. \"What Pansy and I are discussing has nothing to do with either of you. I would appreciate it if you two would just leave. This is between Pansy and myself.\"

Ron cast Harry a look that Harry shook his head at. \"Come on Ron.\" Harry placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. \"Hermione’s right. This isn’t anything to do with us.\"

Hermione took their arms and crossed to the door, giving Ron a deep glare. \"Ron. Look, I know this is a touchy subject for you. I know your thoughts on babies and children, but this is her decision and only her decision. She doesn’t need some prat giving her hell for something she is already going through hell over. Just…go. And next time.\" Hermione’s eyes darkened at her ‘husband’ \"Knock!\"

Chagrined, Harry and Ron left without another word, leaving Hermione and Pansy staring in silence.

\"It’s going to be all over the school now.\" Pansy whispered while sinking back into the chair.

\"No, it wont. The guys won’t say anything.\"

Pansy gave her a look that said that she didn’t believe her.

\"Trust me on this one, Pansy… No one will be the wiser. I will get back to you about the potions, but now I think you may be being missed by Draco. He may want to talk to you more about this, too.\"

\"I don’t think so. He and Susan had some plans to meet tonight somewhere. I only have my roommates waiting for me.\"

\"Well, you know where I am if you ever need me.\" Hermione offered.

\"Yeah… I guess I do. Thanks, Hermione… for everything.\"

Hermione smiled at the girl and nodded. \"All I ask is that you think this through first. I will let you know when the first dosage is ready. Snape wants Madame Pomfrey there, just in case.\"

\"Pomfrey? No…\"

Hermione raised a hand to her. \"I agree, but she is more experienced with things of this nature. But…we will see. Don’t start to panic just yet.\" She smiled at Pansy reassuringly.

\"Right… right… You’re right… Okay… No panicking now, not yet… Okay. I can do that.\" Pansy smiled wanly at her. \"I’ll see you tomorrow, then.\"

Hermione showed her to the door and held out her hand. \"Friends for now?\"

Pansy eyed the hand before allowing her to shake it. \"Friends for now.\"

Hermione watched the blonde girl walk off with her head held high. With ah, sh, she closed the door. The poor girl had so much on her mind and such little choices in the game of life.

Thinking about her own child, she called out.

\"Nanny! Bring me Sebastian!\"


***


A/N’s and Acknowledgements:

severessa 2004-09-04 id # 276595 I am sooo glad you are still working on this story! You are doing well, even through brain freeze. I attempted to review your last two chapters, but ff.net was having some server problems and I couldn\'t get through. Be assured, though, this is still one of my favorites, and I check in frequently to see how things are going!

Ancientgirl: I know, and I am so sorry for the distance between posting, but I have been having some major blockage. This chapter was particularly stubborn and didn’t want to cooperate. But…its here…Finally!

Spaz141: LOL. Fake marriage and all, I’m glad you are liking this story.

Helen: I hope I lead them to where I want them to go too. Please keep reading.

Midnight tiger: It was hard, but this one was harder to write, took me forever!!!

Read330330: Thanks hon!

Siren: Don’t go nutters, here you go!

Davina Icaras: LOL. Is that boy of your’s STILL distracting you? If so…Tell him to stop. I want to read yours. LOL

BrianDarksoul: I love your talk Hon!!! Thank s for sharing your opinion. I love it!

WriterLady1031: Thanks, I’m sorry for the delay in this chapter, but I will try to do better in the future.

Jen: I will have more moments between the two soon.

Jinx: I would love to thank whoever it was that recommended my story to you. I am glad that you liked it. And I hope you continue to read.

Jewel: No…don’t kidnap Severus…I need him for the rest of my story.

AnyuBoo: Thank you so much for taking the time to review my story, It makes my day to read such kind words. Bless Be!