A Secret Worth Keeping

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.


A Secret Worth Keeping

Chapter Forty-Five: A Cunning Idea


A door slamming in the distance, following with the thump of running feet, awakened Severus before the actual pounding came on their bedroom door. He quickly slipped out of bed with a look to a disheveled Hermione. She sat up and covered her naked body with his silky satin sheet. Her messy hair pointed in all directions from her sleep but her mind was already wide awake. He looked down at the apprehension in her eyes as he slipped into a robe. She started to get up but was stayed by his hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll be right back,” Severus whispered and slipped quietly to the door. “Stay here until I find out what this is about.”

Hermione reluctantly nodded but got to her feet and donned her robe, just in case she needed it. She was uneasy about the sudden commotion outside, but she needed to check on Sebastian. Whoever it was that had just arrived will have to wait. Her child came first. She crossed to the nursery door and opened it just a crack. A quick peek revealed that the unexpected knocking hadn’t awakened Sebastian at all. He was sleeping on his stomach, his little back rising and falling softly as he slept peacefully. She smiled down at the slumbering baby and closed the door once more, relieved that he was fine. She took a deep, calming breath, trying to lose the anxiety that swept over her. Although she knew in her heart that Sebastian couldn’t be more safe in Hogwarts, it didn’t take much to get her heart racing at just the thought of something happening to him.

Muffled voices carried in from the sitting room and Hermione tip-toed back across the bedroom floor to place her ear against the wood, trying to hear what was going on out there. Excited voices rose and Hermione frowned as one voice drifted through the heavy wood. Severus spoke with the strict tone of the teacher he was.

“Calm down, Draco. Sit and take deep breaths, then try to tell me again what has you so rattled. You are not making any sense.”

“It’s happening. Tomorrow night,” Draco gasped out the words through a tightened chest. Tonight had turned out more frightening than he would have thought. “I went home to talk to Father and I almost walked into a meeting. I was able to hide before they noticed I was there and I heard everything.”

Hermione opened the door as she recognized Draco’s voice. He looked wide-eyed and absolutely terrified. Harry walked in at that point, rubbing at his sleep-filled eyes. “What’s going on? What’s all the ruckus?”

“Don’t know yet, Harry,” Hermione whispered as Harry padded barefoot over to her, his eyes focused on the two Slytherins. “Something’s up though.”

Draco said something low and Severus glanced over to the others, his face showing no sign of anything, although from Draco’s expression something had happened. And that something had struck a feeling of terror in the younger Slytherin.

“Get me a bottle of Scotch. I think Draco could use some,” Severus instructed.

Without voicing her concern about an underage boy drinking, Hermione practically ran over to a cabinet and returned with a nearly full bottle and glass. Severus took the two, quickly poured two fingers of drink into the glass and handed it to Draco.

Draco took the liquor and downed it in one gulp, causing a coughing fit to erupt along with a bit of blurring tears.

“Slowly…Draco…slowly…that’s good. Take some deep breaths.”

Once the coughing got back under control, the young blond turned his eyes to Hermione and Harry. “Tomorrow night…after lights out…someone is going to try to take Sebastian.”

“Who?” Hermione asked, turning to glance towards her son’s room.

“I didn’t hear who, but it’s someone that they know can get inside of the castle. I’m assuming it’s Percy Weasley.”

“I’ll kill him first,” Harry nearly growled.

“You will have to wait.” Severus moved towards a white-faced Hermione and took her into his arms. “Don’t worry, love. Nothing will happen to Sebastian. I swear it.”

“No, Sebastian will be all right. He has too many protectors around him, but we all will keep our eyes open tomorrow and see who shows up,” Harry replied, turning towards the door. “I have to go to the Gryffindor tower. I need to find Ron and inform him of what’s happened. Just in case it is Percy, he’ll want to know.”

“Good idea. Plus, if Percy contacts him in the ruse of visiting, Ron can inform us and we can be ready,” Severus agreed.

“I don’t like this.” Hermione spoke softly, leaning into Severus‘ warm embrace.

“Neither do I, love. Neither do I.”

Draco sat his glass down on the table and got unsteadily to his feet. His eyes seemed a bit out of focus as he let them wander across the two of them. “I am so jealous of you two it hurts.” He shook his head and turned to the door. “I wish I could just hold Susan like that.”

Hermione turned her own eyes back to him. “Go to her.”

“She’s in her common room.”

“Floo her. I think that after today, you could use all the comfort you can gather too.”

Draco nodded absently as he walked away. Once at the door, he turned and grinned at the couple. “Yeah. I think I will. See you two tomorrow.”

With that, the young man opened the door and left Severus and Hermione all alone. She looked up into his eyes and felt the heaviness of his gaze. His arms tightened around her more securely. “It’s late, love. I think we should return to bed.”

Hermione smiled as she led the way back to their room. Sleep would be a long way coming, but at least they won’t be without comfort in each other’s arms.

~0~

There was a thickness in the air the next day at breakfast. Hermione and Harry sat together next to Ron at the Gryffindor table. Hermione left Sebastian with the nanny elf with instructions to not let anyone take the baby out of their chambers unless given permission, in person, from either herself or Severus.

A flock of owls descended on the Great Hall and parchments and packages began falling onto plates and mugs. A particular one landed right next to Ron’s plate and he picked it up, eyeing the handwriting. His eyes darted to Hermione and then to Snape.

“Is it?” Harry leaned forward to take a look and Ron simply nodded.

“Percy.”

“What does it say?” Hermione asked nervously.

Ron tore open the back of the envelope and took out a single folded paper. He scanned it quickly before reading it to the others.

'Dear Ron,

Will be in Hogsmeade today and will drop by Hogwarts later to see you and Ginny. Miss you, baby brother.

Percy.'

Ron tossed the paper onto the table and glared at it, his face turning an awful shade of red. “Wanker! Great big bloody…good for nothing…dirty little wannabe…Wanker!”

“Mr. Weasley, I don’t think that kind of talk is gentlemanly in the company of young females. Ten points from Gryffindor and detention for foul language."

“What?”

“This evening. Oh, and your friends can join you since they didn’t see fit to correct your language.”

Harry and Hermione began sputtering in indignation. “That is so not fair.”

“I don’t think I asked you if you thought it was fair. Tonight, in my office, by seven PM.”

Hermione watched Severus stride away with his robes billowing. The show he displayed caused her to almost roll her eyes at him. She instead turned her gaze towards her friends. Ron’s face was still red as he stared off after Snape.

“Snap out of it, Ron,” Hermione leaned over to whisper. “He did that in order to get us all together under one roof tonight.”

“I bloody well know that, Hermione, but I wanted some time to spend with Pansy before all of this stuff started.”

“I’m sorry, Ron. Perhaps you can get together after classes?”

Ron glanced over at Pansy and Draco, who both were looking at them with curious looks. Ron nodded at the blonde girl then slightly cocked his head over his shoulder. Pansy nodded once and lifted her napkin to her face, whispered something to Draco and left the hall.

“See you after third class at lunch,” Ron said, leaving the table to meet up with Pansy in their favorite Room of Requirement.

“I think this thing between Ron and Pansy is a good thing, don’t you?” Hermione asked, picking at the eggs on her plate. Her stomach protested the food and she took some deep breaths to force down the nausea that rose to her esophagus. The stress was starting to get to her physically now.

“You all right?” Harry leaned over and whispered low.

“Yeah, just scared to death,” Hermione replied, taking deep breaths to regain her control. “With everything going on, I think my body is finally starting to protest.”

“Not pregnant again, are you?” he jested and winked at her, causing Hermione to slug him in the shoulder.

“No, I am not. Thank you very much.” She shook her head at his joking smile.

“Just checking.”

“Hermione?” a small voice beckoned and Hermione turned to see Susan smiling at them.

“Hi, Susan. How was your evening last night?”

Susan had the grace to blush and brought a hand up to push a lock of red hair from her face, her hand slightly quivering. Hermione gasped and grabbed Susan's hand, pulling it down to stare at her finger.

“Is that a…”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe it.” Hermione grinned widely. “When?”

“Late last night. After he was with you all, he met up with me in…well, one of our places. He was a mess, Hermione.” Susan sat down in the vacated space that Ron had left behind. Her eyes were dark with worry. “I was so worried about him. But after we…um…reconnected, he asked me to marry him.”

“I see that you said yes.” Hermione looked at the huge diamond on Susan’s finger.

“Like I had a choice. I love him.” Susan sighed dramatically. “After this is over, we are getting married and having a boat load of children.”

“Did you talk to him about the many children concept?” Hermione teased.

“He’s all for it. He wants four girls and four boys. A big family, something he’s never had.”

“Better you than me.” Hermione laughed. “Sebastian is more than I can handle sometimes.”

Susan’s gaze turned dreamy for a second. “I can’t wait. I want a family all my own. Mine and Draco’s.”

“I’m sure that you will get your wish, Susan. I am happy for the two of you.”

“Me too, Susan. Congratulations,” Harry butted in. “I hope you two are happy for decades to come.”

“Thanks to you and the DaRats,” Susan whispered low. “Without them, Draco and I would never have come together.”

“You would have eventually. Fate has a way of working these things out. You two would have found each other sooner or later.”

Susan grinned and stood up. “I have to get to class. See you in Potions.” She left the Great Hall with a happy flounce, leaving Harry and Hermione to smile after her.

“Were we that happy when we married?” Hermione batted her eyelashes at her pretend husband.

“Delirious.” Harry returned and took her hand, leading her from the Great hall.

~0~

Severus left Albus’ office and strode towards his dungeon. The Headmaster had listened to the situation and come up with an answer. An answer that would protect Sebastian, yet place someone on the inside as well. If Severus smiled in public, he would’ve be grinning from ear to ear. This was a perfect solution. He walked quickly towards the stairs and waited impatiently for them to swing towards him. He wanted to get back to his chambers to talk to Sebastian’s nanny. She would have an idea what to do to help.

“Nanny!“ Severus called out as he entered the nursery. Immediately the nanny elf appeared with a wiggly and bare bottomed Sebastian in her arms. Her eyes were wide and she had a clean nappy draped over her shoulder.

“You’s called?”

“Yes, Nanny. Please have a seat. I have a request and also I would like your advice about something.”

Nanny’s eyes widened at the request and hopped up on a chair. Never had anyone wanted her advice on anything and she was excited to hear it. As she quickly diapered the fussy baby, she listened attentively to what the Professor had to say. Her hairless brows rose and fell at points, thoughts whirling in her brain. When he stopped talking, she closed her eyes as she considered what he had told her. A moment later she sighed deeply and nodded her head.

“So, what do you think?” Severus leaned forward, his eyes on the elf sitting with his son in her arms. The elf glanced down at the now sleeping babe held close to her chest.

“I knows what to do, Professor. I will do it for you.”

“No, Nanny. Hermione will kill me if something happened to you. I need someone else. Someone reliable.”

“No. I’s reliable, Sir. Baby Sebastian is my ‘sponsibility, Mr. Professor Sir. I will do it.” Nanny’s brow furrowed as she raised her dark eyes to the Potions master. “I loves baby Sebastian, Sir. I will help.”

Severus leaned back to look at the nanny. He was impressed with the female elf. Even with the threat of death hanging over this request, she was determined to help.

“Hermione is going to kill me,” He sighed sadly.

“I knows.” Nanny gave him a big grin. “Good help is hards to find.”

“Indeed.” Severus graced the elf a smile before rising to his feet. “If you will excuse me. I have some preparations to do. I will call for you before lights out.”

“Yes, Sir, Professor Snape, Sir,” Nanny elf returned and quickly left the room with Sebastian.

~0~

“She’s agreed to what? No! I won’t allow it,” Hermione bellowed as she turned to face Severus in the sitting room. Harry stood silently nearby for support, but whose support wasn’t exactly clear at the moment. “It’s too dangerous for her. Did you explain everything? No. I don’t want Nanny doing it.”

“Of course, I explained it all, Hermione. I’m not some fifth year student who can’t do his homework. I’ve explained the plan and she volunteered. And before you bellow any more,” he lifted a hand to stop her from tearing into him any further, “I did try to talk her out of it. But she would have none of it. She loves Sebastian, too, Hermione and, like us, will do whatever is in our and her power to help.”

Hermione lowered her eyes before turning them to gaze at Harry. “Did you know of this?”

“Yes. I was the one to suggest an elf.”

“Nanny?”

“No, but she is a proud and brave elf. And a strong one. If anyone can do it, she can,” Harry replied cautiously.

“I don’t like it. Sebastian loves Nanny. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

“Hermione, I know how you are feeling. I don’t like it any more than you do. But the fact of the matter is that if Nanny doesn’t do it, then another elf will have to. Maybe one that doesn’t have as much affection towards Sebastian as Nanny does. Who would you prefer, an elf that adores our child or one that is indifferent?”

Hermione huffed a bit more before consenting. “Fine. But I still don’t like it. She could be seriously hurt.”

“Elves are much stronger than you give them credit for, Hermione. Trust me. Nanny will survive the ordeal but I doubt the same could be said for the Death Eaters.”

Hermione eyes blinked rapidly as she forced her eyes to remain dry. “Fine. Call her in.”

“Nanny!” Severus bellowed.

“Yes, sir?” Nanny popped in; her wide eyes danced between the three. “Is we ready?”

“Not yet, but here is the vial. I want you to keep it on your person. When the time comes, you know what to do.”

“Yes, Sir, I do know. I will not fail young Sebastian,” Nanny answered eagerly and reached for the blue bottle.

“Nanny.” Hermione approached and knelt down to eye level with the nanny-elf. “Thank you. You are a true friend indeed.”

Nanny’s eyes watered as she looked into the young mother’s eyes. “I remember my babies, Miss. I remember the pains of them being taken. I does not want that to happens to you.”

Hermione frowned at her. “What do you mean? What happened to your babies?”

“They’s were taken long ago, Miss. My Master sold them to punish me for wanting my own babies. My mistress was not happy with my babies. She saids that I’s not takings good care of her baby.” Nanny sniffed and wiped her eyes with her apron. “I did takes care of her baby. I tooks good care of her baby, but she didn’t want me to takes care of my own babies, too.”

Hermione wiped her own tears away and leaned forward to hug Nanny. “I’m sorry, Nanny. That must have been awful.”

“Yes, Miss. But it’s long gone. Babies are all grown and with their own Masters. I’s not too sad now.” Nanny gave the others a tiny smile. “I knows they’s fine.”

Hermione glanced up at Severus. “I understand now, Nanny. You want to protect my child, like you couldn’t protect your own.”

Nanny nodded and held the blue potion bottle to her chest. “Yes, Miss.”

“Then just be careful, Nanny. We need you back.”

Nanny’s smile widened even more. “Yes, Miss. I will be back to look after young Master Sebastian.”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


AN: Gennastar: I don’t mind any criticism, harsh or otherwise. I do understand your points and know that in normal circumstances nothing I wrote would truly happen, however…this is a fiction story and I like happy-ever-after endings. Rather you consider yourself the ‘moral minority’ is fine, but I have to point out that this is an ‘ADULT’ Fan Fiction site. Rape isn’t nice and tidy and all warm and cozy, (I know, I’ve been there), But there are many that DO have a happy-ever-after (Again…like me). As to this author wanting all women-girl or woman to go to full term on every pregnancy? I don’t want to get political but, yes. I do want my ladies I write to go full term. I am totally Pro Choice, but I could never abort a child myself, but I don’t believe in telling someone else that they can’t. So, I try to make it a nice ending for all…I hope you can understand that.

Sorry for the long AN everyone!