All the way

The next morning, Lucius left the Slytherin common room. He hated the Great Hall when it was full, so he decided to have breakfast early. He got to the Great Hall and strode gracefully over to the Slytherin table.

Knowing that this was about the time that Hermione was usually up -even on Saturdays- , Lucius glanced along the teachers table, but she wasn\'t there. He frowned; she should be up by now. If this was a normal day, she would be leaving in about -he looked at his watch- 10 minutes.

Lucius was determined to wait until she came, so he took time in eating his breakfast. Soon enough, his friend, Tony Crabbe, and his older brother, Jason, joined him.

\"You didn\'t wait for me!\" Tony moaned.

\"No, I -\" Lucius stopped half way through a sneer as the doors to the hall opened. This was bound to be Hermione. As if in slow motion, the door creaked open...

Alas, it was the Weasleys. Lucius was about to turn away, when one of them looked over at him. It was Annie; he could tell because she was slightly shorter than her cousin and had green eyes rather than blue.

She glanced over on a way to her seat and smiled slightly. She seemed to slow down and her cousin tugged on her arm to urge her on.

Lucius found his eyes following her. Annie sat on the opposite side of the table to her cousin, facing him. He watched a she conversed with her many friends, occasionally taking a bite of toast.

Lucius caught him self staring as their eyes locked for a second. He sneered at her and turned to Tony, who was talking to him.

\"... So I nicked it and he was all like \'What the effin \'ell do you fink you\'re doin\' and I just walked off.\" His friend finished, thankfully, as his voice was starting to grate on his nerves and he wanted to keep alert incase Hermione entered.

\"Oh, fuck off!\" Lucius snarled. Tony slapped his hand over his mouth, his eyes wide.

\"You said that word!\" he said in a muffled gasp.

\"I\'m a Malfoy; I say what I like.\" Lucius reminded him.

\"But you\'re only eleven!\" Tony said in awe, \"My mother would kill me if she heard me say that!\"

\"My mother doesn\'t care.\" Lucius said, thinking of Hermione. She wouldn\'t care if he used that type of language; in fact it was rumored that when she cut her finger helping one of her second year students, she cursed so badly that her words would have made a sailor blush.

\"Wow! You\'re so lucky, Lucius.\" Tony smiled. Lucius sneered at his simpering friend and glanced at his watch.

It was too late for Hermione to come in now. Scowling, Lucius stood and glided from the room.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Pat watched Annie, as Annie watched Lucius stride from the room. Her cousin seemed to be contemplating Malfoy. She had noticed more notes flying between them in class and the conversation usually ended in Malfoy Smirking and Annie giggling.

Pat had read some of them and they weren\'t dirty or anything, but there were just little things that screamed \'chemistry\'. She wasn\'t sure what she thought about the notes yet. She had been told about the Malfoy’s and to stay away, but like the good daughter that she wanted to be to her prankster dad, Pat was curious to find out about Lucius for herself, and if Annie was with her, it would be so much better.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Carefully, Hermione opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was sparkling black eyes and the first thing she felt was soft lips and a warm tongue invading her mouth. She moaned and snaked her hands around Severus\' neck, tangling her fingers in his hair.

Wow, Hermione thought, I’m going to be a wife. Severus really had proposed last night! She had never thought of herself as wife before and hadn\'t had dreams of being one since before she had been a student at Hogwarts.

Finally, Severus leaned back slightly and she smiled at him, happier than she could ever remember being.

\"Morning.\" Hermione said softly.

\"Good morning.\" He whispered, before claiming her lips again.

After a while, Hermione twisted away, \"As lovely as it is, I have other things to do today.\"

\"And do they involve me?\" He asked, smirking.

\"Perhaps,\" Hermione smiled, tapping him lightly on the nose. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched. Two arms circled her waist.

\"How are you feeling?\" Severus asked her, and she knew that he wasn\'t inquiring about her physical well being.

\"Honestly?\" Hermione felt his head nod on her shoulder, \"I feel like I could -\" Suddenly a wave of nausea hit Hermione. She fought it down; \"Like I could - shit!\" she covered her mouth with her hand as Severus turned her to him.

\"Are you ok?\" He frowned. Hermione started to nod, but shook her head violently and threw her head away from Severus as she vomited over the floor.

Severus gathered her hair out of the way and rubbed her back. After she was finished, Severus used magic to clean her and the carpet.

\"Come on,\" He helped her up and she held her head, as dizziness grasped, \"Hospital wing. Now.\"

Hermione shook her head, \"I\'m... fine...\" she choked out.

\"No.\" he said firmly, scooping her up and hurrying to the fire. As they started to spin, Hermione closed her eyes and was pulled into blackness.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Severus shouted as he entered the hospital wing.

\"POPPY!!\" The medi-witch bustled out of her office and, upon seeing Hermione, squeaked and pointed to a bed.

Severus placed Hermiones limp body on the white sheets and stepped back, to let Poppy work.

She ran her wand over Hermione, stopping here and there.

\"What happened?\" She asked quickly.

\"We were talking and then she... was just sick!\" he informed her, \"When she stood up she was swaying, probably dizzy, and she fainted just as we stepped into the floo.\"

\"Severus, please wait outside,\" Poppy asked him, sounding annoyed, \"You\'re getting yourself into a state!\"

A state! Severus fumed as he walked out of the room. Of course he was in a state! The woman, who he loved with all his heart, was laying, unconscious in a hospital bed, and he had no idea what was wrong!

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Hermione slowly opened her eyes. It was weird; she felt fine. No sickness or dizziness. Suddenly, Poppy\'s face popped into view.

\"How are you feeling, dear?\" she asked as Hermione sat up.

\"Fine, I feel fine. What happened?\" Hermione frowned as Poppy sat on the edge of her bed.

\"Now, dear, don\'t tell me that a clever witch like you doesn\'t know what happened earlier.\" The woman smiled kindly.

Hermione shook her head, \"I really have no idea what happened, could you please tell me?\"

Poppy grinned, \"Oh, my darling girl, I think I owe Minerva an \'I told you so!\"
____________________________________________________

Three hours later, Hermione closed the last book. Poppy had sent Severus on his way and gave her five small books to read on witch pregnancy.

Hermione could hardly believe it; she was going to be a mummy. It seemed so surreal. She hadn\'t realized that being a pregnant witch could be so different to being a pregnant muggle.

The books had told her that a witch carried her baby for 6 months -instead of 9- and didn\'t start showing until the last month, in which she grew rapidly. 24 hours after the child was conceived, the witch would become sick, dizzy and would often faint. During the 6 months, the witch would not be ill again until the birth itself. The birth would be the same with muggles and witches, but witches could use potions as better pain relief. Also the number 1 rule was NO SEX.

Over all, Hermione was glad to be a witch, although she didn\'t know that being magical could make such a difference. There was only one problem; how did she tell Severus? Although he said he wouldn\'t mind having a family, and he had asked her to marry him, did he want children so soon? If not, would he still want to marry her? Because there was no way that she was having an abortion.

Hermione placed the books on the table next to her bed and swung her legs over the side of the mattress. She was glad that it was Saturday and her smile grew as she realized that yesterday was the last day before the Christmas break. She had no more classes until January.

Waving to Poppy, Hermione left the Hospital wing. As she opened the door, Hermione jumped back slightly. Pat, Annie and Lucius were standing at the front of a throng of students.

Pat and Annie grabbed Hermione around the waist and hugged her, as the other people tried to move forwards, asking questions.

\"Hey, hey, hey!\" Hermione silenced them, \"I thought it was a Hogsmeade weekend. What are you lot doing here?\"

\"I heard Professor Snape telling Professor McGonagall that you were ill, in the hospital wing.\" Said a fourth year Hufflepuff.

\"And she told us.\" Pat said as the cousins stepped back.

\"And we told every one else.\" Annie explained.

\"So we decided to come and see if you were alright.\" Lucius stepped forward a bit, \"But Pomfrey wouldn\'t let us in.\"

\"So we waited out here.\" Pat and Annie finished together.

Hermione was very flattered that they were all there.

\"Well, as you can see,\" She gestured up and down her body, \"I’m fine.\" Smiles broke out on the kids faces, \"Go on,\" she started to usher them away, \"Go do what you lot do on Saturdays.\"

Pat, Annie and Lucius fell into step beside Hermione, as she headed to the stairs.

\"Are you really ok?\" Annie pressed.

\"Really, really ok?\" Pat stressed. Lucius just nodded.

\"Look,\" She stopped and turned to them, \"I\'m. Am. Fine. Just because I’m a teacher doesn\'t mean that I don\'t get ill once in a while. I am human you know.\" They all nodded, \"Really, I’m alright.\"

\"I\'m glad to hear it.\" Said a voice from behind her. Hermione smiled as all three kids went slightly white, stuttered their goodbyes and hurried off.

Two warm hands grasped Hermione shoulders and Severus turned her to him. He held her at arms length and looked her up and down, then searched her face.

\"Are you really alright?\" He asked, \"Poppy wouldn\'t tell me what was wrong. What was it?\"

Hermione knew that she should tell him now. She rehearsed it in her head.

\'Severus, you\'re going to be a daddy.\' Simple, easy and straight to the point. Now all she had to do was say it aloud.

\"Severus...\" but it was easier said than done, \"I\'m fine. It was just a bit of flu or something.\"

He seemed convinced, as he put his arm around her and led her through the nearly empty castle to her rooms. She slumped onto her sofa and Severus sat next to her, pulling her into his arms.

\"Severus?\"

\"Hmmm?\"

\"Can I tell Ginny?\"

\"Tell her what?\"

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat up to kiss him gently.

\"Can I tell her that soon I will be Mrs. Hermione Jane Snape?\"

He kissed her back, swirling his tongue in her mouth. He pulled back and Hermione settle back in his arms.

\"Tell her what ever you want.\"

After an hour of Severus asking her if she was alright, Hermione finally managed to get to the Burrow.

She pushed the door open, calling in, \"Hello?\"

Ginny ran from the living room, \"Hermione!\" they hugged.

\"Ginny,\" Hermione said seriously, \"I need to borrow your mum.\"

\"You borrow my mum anyway.\" Ginny laughed, \"What for this time?\"

\"Well, I’m planning a wedding.\" Hermione clapped her hands together.

\"Who? NO! Let me guess...\" Ginny thought for a moment, \"Minerva? No she\'s too old... umm... I can\'t think of any one else... tell me! Tell me!\"

\"Me!\" There was a silence, as it sunk into Ginny and then the red head screamed and jumped on Hermione.

\"OH MY GOD!\" she screamed, \"YOU\'RE GETTING MARRIED!!\" Ginny pulled back, grinning excitedly, \"Is it...? Are you...? To him...?\"

\"Spit it out!\" Hermione giggled.

\"Are you getting married to Professor Snape?\" she gasped.

\"Yes!\" Hermione squealed and they hugged again.

\"OH MY GOD! YOU\'RE GETTING MARRIED TO PROFESSOR SNAPE!!\" Ginny shouted. Suddenly, she clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.

\"What is it?\" Hermione asked, but as she looked over Ginny’s shoulder, she realized.

\"Congratulations.\" Ron sneered before he apperated from the house.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Lucius and Annie took the drinks back to their table and Pat and Tony. Him and Tony had entered The Three Broomsticks and found it full. They had joined a table with the two Gryffindors so that they could sit down.

Lucius sipped his drink in silence and Tony sneered at the cousin as they plotted their next scam. It was rumored that the Gryffindor common room was a death trap -or at least a prank trap- for people who weren\'t careful.

Bored, Lucius watched as the door opened and a man in a cloak walked in. The man lowered his hood; it was his father. Looking around, his father spotted them and sauntered over.

\"Mr. Malfoy.\" Tony inclined his head and the Weasleys looked up.

\"Hi Mr. Malfoy.\" Annie waved and grimaced as Pat elbowed her in the ribs.

His father sneered at them, \"Weasleys.\"

\"Father.\" Lucius took the attention away from Annie, who was rolling her eyes.

\"Lucius, I need to speak with you.\" His father said, raising his chin a little higher.


\"Of course,\" Lucius followed his father out of the pub and into the street.

\"Lucius, I had a letter today from Hogwarts.\" he started, \"There is to be an evening at the end of January when parents of the first years meet with the teachers to discuss their child’s progress. But,\" He paused, \"Its up to the child who the parent see\'s.\"

Lucius could see where this was going, \"Oh?\"

\"And I want to see these people.\" he pulled out a list and handed it to Lucius,\" I want you to make sure you get the latest times possible. Have a good day.\" With that, his father turned and apperated away.

Lucius opened the list. He sighed and shook his head. It read:

Severus Snape.

Hermione Granger.

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Over the next few days, Severus realized that Hermione was a little distance. Every night she would kiss him, but wouldn\'t go any further. He didn\'t press it, but it was starting to worry him.

He was happy that she had agreed to marry him, but ever since she had been slightly distracted. They had agreed that they were in no hurry to marry and to take it slowly, but Molly and Ginny were fawning over Hermione at every chance.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

It was Christmas Eve and Hermione had made her decision. She would tell Severus tomorrow. It would work to her advantage, because she had no idea what to get him for a present.

They spent the day together, and went to bed late. Hermione woke up, to find Severus watching her again. She leaned up and kissed him.

\"Merry Christmas.\" She smiled.

\"Merry Christmas.\"

Hermione sat up and rubbed her eyes. Severus watched her for a moment.

\"Close your eyes.\" He told her and she obeyed, shifting excitedly. She felt him take her hand and cool metal sliding over her finger.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked down. A diamond sparkled in a silver ring. Smiling, Hermione grabbed Severus and kissed him thoroughly.

\"It\'s Gorgeous! She squealed, hugging him tightly.

\"Just like you,\" He murmured in her ear, making her shiver. Hermione sat back and steeled herself. She could not back out now.

\"Ok, don\'t interrupt, \" She warned, \"I have got a present for you, but you can only have it in 6 months time.\" he looked very confused, \"You know on Saturday, when I was sick?\"

\"Yes.\" He nodded.

\"I... well, I mean that I didn\'t know how to tell you... and it\'s just that...\" Hermione stopped rambling and laughed nervously, \"It wasn\'t the flu. It was... I’m,\" She took his hand and placed it on her flat stomach, finishing in a whisper, \"pregnant.\"

____________________________________________________

Severus stared at his hand, resting lightly on his fiancées silk covered belly. He seemed to be unable to think.

\"No joke?\" He asked, raising his eyes slowly to Hermiones face.

\"No,\" She swallowed, \"No joke.\"

Her emotions were playing across her face like an open book. She was nervous, vulnerable and hopeful all at the same time. In his heart, Severus knew he was overjoyed, but his brain seemed to have needed a few minutes to catch up. Finally he was able to form a sentence that consisted of over two syllables...

... Or nearly. Hermione beat him to it.

\"Please say something,\" She bit on her bottom lip quickly, \"I know it wasn\'t planned and it\'s a bit out of the blue. And I swear I’m not trying to trap you into anything -\"

\"No, I -\" Severus tried to tell her what he thought, but she rambled on, throwing her arms in the air.

\"- And I didn\'t even know until Saturday, and I know I should have told you, but I didn\'t know how. I thought it might be too quick for you, after every thing this year, but -\"

After many attempts at silencing her, Severus practically leaped forward and smashed his lips to hers. She was startled, but leaned into him.

He drew away and pulled her into his chest, smiling into her sleep-tangled brown hair.

Wow, his life felt like a dream. No. Even dreams weren\'t this good. Severus had every thing; or he would in six months, as he planned to be married before the baby was born. There was no Voldemort to hold him back or Death Eaters to shoot their poison into him.

Hermione pulled away.

\"You\'re happy then?\" She asked.

\"I\'m always happy with you.\" He told her, \"But now I can be happy with both of you.\" Severus ran his finger over her flat stomach.

He should have known the signs when he took her to Poppy, but he was too caught up with worry for his new fiancée. Severus wondered if he would be that mad every time Hermione got the flu or scraped her knee.

No, he knew he would be worse, now that Hermione was carrying his baby. His baby. The life he helped to make. With Hermione.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Hermione smiled. She was... well, happy didn\'t cover it by a long shot.

They both started at a knock on the door. Hermione shook her head. Who the hell was it at -she checked the clock- 10:30 on christmas day?

\"Well, daddy,\" She grinned, \"I should go and see who that is. Get dressed.\"

Hermione jumped out of bed and shrugged her red silk robe on. Tying it at the waist, Hermione hurried from the room. She unwarded Severus front door and pulled it open.

\"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!\" Came a chorus of what sounded like 100 joy filled voices from a sea of red.