Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Chapter 34- The Final Fight, Sleeping Beauty Awakens and Twins


The Easter Holidays came and went. Severus started teaching again but only half-heartedly. Hermione had been moved from the dungeons to a private room in the hospital wing so Poppy could monitor both Hermione and the baby. The whole school had heard what had happened. The same students who had shunned Hermione because she married Severus were now showing support to both her and Severus. After a seventh year potions class a few of Severus’s Slytherins stayed behind.


“What are you still doing here? Class is dismissed!” Severus growled at them as they approached his desk.


“We…we know sir. We just wanted to say we’re sorry about Mrs. Snape.” One boy said.


“Yeah, we also have these flowers we wanted to give to you for your wife. I mean Hermione has always been a sweet caring person. She doesn’t deserve what has happened to her.” Millicent Boulstrod added as she handed Severus a bouquet of red roses.


Severus looked at them and could tell they were sincere. He took the bouquet from them. “Thank you. They are lovely, I’m sure my wife will love them.” Severus replied.


The students nodded their head then exited the classroom. Severus rose to his feet and headed for the infirmary. As he made his way to the hospital wing many more students from other houses gave him more words of sorrow about what happened to Hermione. He reached the room where Hermione was and heard voices from inside. He paused outside the door and listened.


“Hermione, Severus needs you. You are his life. Please fight and come back to us. Hogwarts just isn’t the same without you here. Harry and the others are worried about you as well. Please, please come back.” Sirius said as he held Hermione’s hand gently in his.


Outside the door Severus was almost in tears. He took a few calming breaths then entered the room. He placed the roses in a glass vase then took a seat beside Sirius. “How is she?” Severus asked.


“Poppy came and checked on her. Your baby is coming along fine. Hermione hasn’t changed though. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. I guess it’s good in a way. At least she’s not getting worse.” Sirius answered.


Severus nodded. He reached out a trembling hand and gently brushed her cheek. As he slid his hand over her cheek the tears he had been trying to hold back for weeks broke through. Severus leaned over the bed and cried. Sirius reached over and wrapped his arms around Severus’s shoulders and held the wizard as he cried.


“Sshh. It’s okay to cry. She will get better. I just know it. Hermione has never given up on anything. I know she won’t give up now.” Sirius whispered.


Severus just nodded as the tears continued to flow from his eyes. The two men stayed by Hermione’s side for two hours then reluctantly they headed up to the Great Hall for dinner. Severus sat at the head table with Harry, Ginny, Ron and Lavender.


“How is she?” Lavender asked.


“She’s still the same Lavender. I wish she would wake up. That’s all I want is to have my wife back.” Severus answered sadly.


Both Ginny and Lavender reached over and placed their hands on top of his. He smiled gently at the both of them. Since Hermione slipped into a coma, their friends had been right there. Especially Harry, Ron, Ginny and Lavender. Harry and Ron had helped him grade papers while he would visit with Hermione and Ginny and Lavender would help do inventory of his stores cabinet. He really didn’t know how he would have gotten this far without them.


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Slowly April slipped by and the month of May came. Hermione was still the same. Her once flat stomach was showing signs of pregnancy. It amazed Severus that there was a new life growing inside the only woman he could and would ever love. She was now four months along. Severus would place his hand on her growing belly and gently talk to the child within.


“Hello you. If you can hear me in there please help your mommy come back to us. I know you’ve protected her before, please help her now. She needs help to return to us. When you enter this world I swear you will never want for anything. I will always be there for you. I won’t let you down. I swear I won’t.” Severus whispered.


It was on the 15th of May when things took a turn. Everyone was in the Great Hall for breakfast. The hall was filled with chatter and the clinking of silver wear on the china. Halfway through breakfast the hall doors were blown open. Screams filled the hall as everyone scurried away from the doors. Once the smoke cleared there stood the cause of everyone’s sorrow.


Draco Malfoy.


“Well, well, well. How good to see you all again. I see you weren’t expecting me. Oh well. Ahh. Severus. So, how’s the little wife doing?” Draco asked with a sneer.


“What in the hell have you done to her you fucking psycho!” Severus demanded.


“Oh just a little spell. I told you I’ve already done my job.” Draco laughed.


It just dawned on Severus what he meant. He still had a connection with his wife. He was keeping her in the coma. Severus turned to Harry, who was staring daggers at Draco. “Harry, he is the one keeping Hermione in her coma. We have to destroy him in order for her to wake up.” Severus whispered.


Harry nodded. He drew the Wand of Gryffindor and made his way towards Draco.


“Well, Potter. Should have known. You think you can beat me?” Draco said.


“Yes. You’re a weakling compared to Voldemort. To me, destroying you will be like swatting a fly.” Harry said.


The two young men began circling each other as everyone in the hall watched. Draco made the first move. A simple stunning spell which Harry dodged easily. Harry threw a stronger spell. Draco tried to dodge but the spell hit him in the shoulder. Harry didn’t let up. He began to fire cures and spell after curse and spell. While this was going on in the Great Hall, something else was going on in the hospital wing.


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Poppy was checking up on Hermione when suddenly the young woman’s body was enveloped in a white light. Poppy knew it had to be the child within Hermione. This child was trying to save his or her mother.


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Back in the Great Hall Draco was faltering. Harry had a few bruises and scrapes, but Malfoy was worse. He was bloody and wicked looking bruises were already forming all over his body.


“It’s time to end this. ACCO WAND!” Harry cried.


The wand of Slytherin flew from Draco and straight to Harry’s waiting hand. Once he had the wand he pointed the Wand of Gryffindor at it and began to mumble a spell. The Wand of Slytherin floated above Harry’s hand, flashed emerald green, scarlet red then back to emerald green. Before Harry could grab the wand it floated away towards the head table. Straight to Severus. Severus just stood there as the wand floated toward him. When the wand was within reach he heard a voice inside his head.


‘Severus Damien Snape. The Wand of Slytherin has been purged of all evil. It has chosen you as its wielder. Use this wand for good and you and your family will always have its protection.’ The voice then faded as Severus took hold of the wand.


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Back in the hospital wing Poppy watched as the light around Hermione turned from white to emerald green, and then slowly faded away. Poppy stepped up to the bed where Hermione lay. She watched as Hermione’s eye lids began to flutter then finally open.


“Welcome back my dear.” Poppy said smiling.


“Poppy? Where am I? What happened?” Hermione asked.


“There, there. Take it easy. I’ll send for some chicken broth and while you eat I will explain what I know.” Poppy said. Hermione nodded and the medi-witch disappeared from the room. Back in the Great Hall the fight continued.


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“NO! I can’t and won’t be defeated!” Draco said as he pulled out his wand and aimed it at Severus. “Time to die Snape. ARVADA….” Draco never finished his sentence.


“NO! ARVADA KEDAVRA!” Harry yelled.


The killing curse flew at Draco and hit him square in the back. Draco screamed as he was enveloped in green light. When the light faded Draco fell lifelessly to the floor. The silence in the hall was suffocating. Harry slowly approached Draco. He poked him with the wand. He was dead. Severus and Hermione’s fight was over. Albus approached Harry. He stood beside the young wizard and placed his hand on Harry’s shoulder.


“It’s over Harry. You did the right thing.” Albus said.


“I know sir. It’s still hard. Taking someone else’s life though.” Harry said.


Albus only nodded. Severus, Ron, Lavender and Ginny walked over to them as well. Severus looked at Harry. “Thanks. You saved my life. As well as Hermione’s. I hope that she will awake now.” Severus said as he shook Harry’s hand.


“Why don’t you five go check on Hermione? I will keep everyone here while Minerva sends for the Ministry. Let me know if anything has changed.” Albus said.


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Hermione had just finished her chicken broth as Poppy told her what had happened. “I’ve been here for a month? Is the baby all right? What about Severus?” Hermione asked.


“There, there dear. The babies are fine and Severus is fine. He’s been worried about you but fine.” Poppy smiled.


“That’s good I was… Wait a second! Did you say babies? As in two?” Hermione gasped her eyes as wide as saucers.


“Yes. You and Severus are having twins. Congratulations.” Poppy nodded smiling. Hermione rested her hand on her growing tummy. She couldn’t help but smile. “Also, your children are the ones who helped you awaken. That and Draco Malfoy has just been defeated by Harry.” Poppy said.


“He’s gone? You mean…it’s over?” Hermione asked.


“Yes. Now, you rest. I’m sure your husband and friends will be here soon.” Poppy answered.


Hermione nodded. She laid her head against the pillow and fell asleep. Poppy had just sent the tray and empty bowl back to the kitchens when Severus, Lavender, Ron, Ginny and Harry came into the hospital wing.


“It is over right?” Poppy asked.


“Yes. Draco Malfoy is dead.” Harry nodded.


“Good.” Poppy said as she hugged Harry.


“Poppy, how is Hermione? Is she…” Severus started but Poppy held up her hand to silence him.


“She is fine. She is awake. She may be asleep at the moment, but she is awake. Go to her. She has some good news for you Severus.” Poppy said gently.


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Severus headed for Hermione’s room while the others waited for him. Severus paused at the door, took a breath then entered. He saw his beautiful wife sleeping peacefully. He walked over to her and sat on the bed. He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. Hermione’s eyes slowly opened. A bright smile lit up her face as she laid eyes on her husband.


“Hello Severus.” She said softly.


“Oh Hermione.” Severus cried as he gathered her in his arms and began to cry.


“Sshh. Why are you crying?” Hermione asked.


“I’m so glad you’re alive. I’m sorry I failed you. Please forgive me.” Severus said.


“Severus look at me.” Hermione said as she forced him to look into her eyes. “You didn’t fail me. We didn’t know that Malfoy was capable of doing this. But it’s over now. Draco Malfoy is dead. We can now concentrate on our family.”


Severus nodded and held her close and tightly to him. They stayed that way for a minute or so before he remembered Poppy said Hermione had some good news for him. “Poppy told me you had some good news for me. What is it?” Severus asked.


“Oh. It seems that I or rather we are having…twins.” Hermione answered.

Severus pulled back and looked into her shining brown eyes then down at her growing stomach then back up into her eyes. “We…we’re having…twins? As in two children?” He stuttered.


Hermione nodded as she giggled softly. Severus’s face lit up as he hugged Hermione tighter than before. “Poppy also said it was the children who helped me wake up. I guess while Harry was fighting him our children broke the spell and woke me up.” Hermione said.


“Oh Hermione. You have made me so happy. I have to go and tell the others so they can tell Albus. I’ll be right back.” Severus said.


Hermione nodded. Harry looked up and saw Severus approaching them.


“Well?” Ron asked.


“She’s awake and in perfect health.” Severus answered.


“YES!” everyone cheered.


“There’s more.” Severus added.


“Well, what is it?” Lavender asked.


“We…Hermione and I, are having twins!” Severus said.


“That’s great!”


“Congratulations!”


“Twins? Wow!”


“I’m so happy for you!”


Ginny and Lavender both hugged and kissed his cheek while Ron and Harry shook his hand. “I’ll go tell Albus the great news. Twins? Wow, I hope you two have it better than mum did with Fred and George.” Ron said as he ran from the hospital wing.


Severus, Lavender, Ginny and Harry laughed at Ron’s last statement about his older twin brothers. Albus was talking to Arthur when Ron ran into the room. Everyone turned and looked at him.


“She’s awake!” he cried. The entire hall erupted in cheers. They fell silent when they saw Ron telling them to quiet down. “There’s more. We just found out that Hermione and Professor Snape are having twins!” Ron said. The hall once more erupted in cheers. Ron made his way to Albus and his dad.


“Twins? That’s wonderful. How did Severus take the news?” Arthur asked.


“He’s thrilled. I’m heading back down there to visit with Hermione and congratulate her. Hopefully she will be released soon. I’m sure she’s tired of the hospital wing.” Ron said.


Albus chuckled. “I’m sure she is Ron. Now, tell Severus and Hermione I said welcome back and congratulations. I’ll be down shortly.” Ron nodded and raced off to Hermione.


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After an hour of visiting with Ron, Lavender, Harry and Ginny, it was finally just Severus and Hermione. Severus was lying behind his wife holding her. “I’ve missed you.” He whispered.


“I’ve missed you too.” She whispered back.


There was a soft knock on the door and Albus entered. “Welcome back my dear.” Albus said.


“Thanks. It’s good to be back.” Hermione replied.


Albus didn’t stay long and soon it was just Mr. and Mrs. Snape once more. “Let’s get some sleep my love. We’ve both had a long day.” Severus said.


Hermione nodded. Severus stripped down to his boxers, pulled the sheet and blanket over them. Wrapped his arms around her waist and the two slowly drifted off to sleep.


T.B.C