Heart of A Snake

A/N: A huge thanks for all the love and support you've all been giving! I really appreciate it!

Disclaimer: JKR owns Harry Potter, not me.

Chapter 44

Hope was stacking some paper away in her office when she spotted Hermione's file. Pulling it out, she shifted through it. The other day, Hermione had owled her saying that she felt exhausted, despite the potions she was taking and the ten hours of sleep a night she was receiving.

She was reading over her file again when she noticed something from the corner of her eyes. Grabbing the ultrasound picture, she looked closely.

Hermione was doubled over the toilet, throwing up once again. It seemed like in the past two weeks she had gained an incredible amount of weight. Her baby bump was now incredibly visible. Not huge, but big enough where you would know she was pregnant without being told.

Tom pulled back her hair. "I don't understand why the potions aren't working for you," he said, cringing when she heaved violently.

Hermione shook her head. "Maybe it's cause I'm Muggleborn?"

Tom rolled his eyes. "That's ridiculous."

She scoffed. "That was always your answer to everything," she said harshly, before throwing up once more.

Tom was silent. Hermione was right. His answer to everything was based on blood.

Hermione turned away from the toilet, wiping her mouth clean. She quickly grabbed her toothbrush, getting rid of the nasty after taste.

When she finished, Tom pulled her into his arms. "You know I don't feel that way anymore," he whispered, tucking a curl behind her ear.

Hermione sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I know you don't."

Tom led her to the drawing room, so they could look out the large window and see into the gardens.

"It's snowing," Hermione said, a small smile playing on her lips.

Tom nodded. "It's always beautiful around Christmas here. Narcissa does the decorations up nicely, you'll like them."

Hermione smiled, her hand moving down to her bump. "I still can't believe we're having a little girl."

Tom placed his hand overs hers. "I'm so lucky," he said, nuzzling her neck.

There was a cough from behind them. Turning, they saw Draco standing there, Hope a few feet away.

"Hope? What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, confusion on her face.

Hope shook her head. "I figured out why none of the potions are working! Hermione, you're having twins!"

Her eyes widened. "No I'm not, we saw the picture, and it's just one baby."

Hope shook her head. "No, it's definitely twins. I thought I was seeing a shadow, but after looking closer, I realized there might be another child in there. It would explain why none of the dosages are correct for you."

Hermione took a deep breath. "Do you need to run the test again?"

"Just take a seat," she said, glancing nervously at the Dark Lord.

Tom gave Hermione's hand a tight squeeze. "Do you want me to leave?"

She shook her head. "You can stay if you'd like."

Tom nodded. "I will. Draco, you can leave though."

Draco nodded, quickly leaving the couple to it.

Hope quietly murmured the spell, causing the image to appear on the wall once more. She shifted the view a bit more, then "Voila!" she said. "Two babies!"

Hermione internally groaned. She wasn't sure how she would be able to handle one baby, and now she had to handle two?

Tom stared at the image, heaviness in his heart. Those were his babies. His beautiful babies, instead of his beautiful woman. Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to Hermione's temple.

"What's the gender of the second one?"

"A boy!" Hope answered. "Twins, a boy and a girl, no doubt they'll be powerful, just like their parents."

Hermione smiled, rubbing her tummy.

"I'll just give Severus your new prescriptions."

"Thank you Hope," Hermione said standing up.

Hope shifted nervously. "I'm sorry for not catching it earlier."

Hermione dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand. "It's fine Hope, you did catch it, and that's all that matters."

Hope smiled. "Well, just owl me if you need anything. Sorry again!" She disappeared out the doorway quickly, leaving Tom and Hermione alone once more.

"Two babies," Hermione said, nervousness in her voice.

"We'll be fine Hermione," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She looked up at him, smiling softly. Tom slowly bent down and kissed her. His lips were warm and he smelled delicious. Hermione moaned. The kiss was soft and nice, and it made her want more. He broke apart, still standing close to her. Her hands were on his chest while his rested on her shoulders. She smiled up at him.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied.

He then kissed her again, this time with more fervor. Tom deepened the kiss, and her arms moved up around his shoulders. Hermione felt him moan, causing a jolt of desire to run through her. Tom was everything she could have ever wanted. She would just kiss him for the rest of her life if she could, not worrying about anyone else.

But Tom pulled away, leaving them both panting. Hermione shivered, giving him a smile. "You are amazing," she whispered.

Tom smiled. "I'm glad you think so, but we actually need to discuss something."

Hermione took a seat on the couch, Tom sitting next to her.

"Hermione, being with you has changed me more than I could have ever imagined. With you, I feel love, happiness, remorse…"

Hermione's eyes widened at that. She couldn't believe they hadn't thought of it earlier. "Oh Tom!"

He nodded. "I'm going to find them, and merge them back with my body."

"Is it actually possible?" she asked, looking up at him.

"I'm not sure," he replied, standing up and pacing across the room. "I know remorse is the only thing that can redo what's been done, but I just don't know…"

Hermione stood. "It'll work, we'll figure it out."

He shook his head. "I don't want you anywhere near those things! There's dark magic in them Hermione, you could get hurt."

"Is Nagini okay to be around?"

Tom was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I'm sure she's fine. But Severus and I are going out tomorrow to gather a few of them."

"Harry's still trying to destroy them."

Tom nodded. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to kill him you know."

Hermione intertwined her fingers with his. "I know," she whispered, leaning up to kiss him.