Maternal Instinct

There was a knock on the door, before it opened slowly and Hermione Granger stepped in. Severus looked up; she was wearing muggle clothes. Obviously she had been home to change.

"Good morning, Professor." She said quietly.

"Miss Granger," He acknowledge, inclining his head slightly, before looking down at the paper on the desk in front of him.

"I'm sorry about falling asleep like that," She said, slowly moving to sit across the table from him, "But did you see how happy Corrin was? You must have - it was impossible to miss the look on her face. You should be really pleased."

Severus nodded absently, his interest held by the article he was reading. Frowning, he looked up. Granger was gazing out of the window, until she felt his eyes on her and turned to look back at him.

As the silence stretched, she shifted in her seat, "What?"

Without speaking, Severus turned the paper around and pushed it across the desk. She pulled it closer and started to read. Her eyes widened in disbelief and then narrowed dangerously.

She pushed the paper away viciously, "How dare they! I am not infertile!"

"It seems that Mr. and Mrs. Krum don't like you." Severus observed.

"They just can't stand the thought of their precious son not being able to have children!" she growled, "I can have children! I'm sorry Professor, but I have to go and speak to Viktor about this -"

Severus cut though her, "Surely he's told his parent that he can't -"

This time, she interrupted him, "He doesn't know. He blames me, but I know I can have children. I... I was pregnant, with Ron, but... I had a miscarriage. The Healers at St. Mungo’s said there was nothing wrong with me, so I know it's not my fault."

"I'm sorry." He said sincerely, "Have you told Krum that?"

She shook her head, "No, he would still blame me. He would say that the Healers got it wrong."

Severus rolled his eyes; there was only so many excuses that a man could make and only so many ways in which he could blame his partner. "Why don't you get him tested and prove that it's him - and not you - that has the problem?"

She sighed, suddenly looking less angry about the paper and more worn down, "Viktor's very... He likes to think... He likes to be seen as very masculine, if you know what I mean. If I suggested getting a test, he would... go mad, basically. It's easier to let him think he's fine... Anyway, Corrin's asleep, so I’ll go and talk to Viktor now. Is that alright, Professor?"

Severus nodded absentmindedly and she left the room. How did Krum feel masculine, when he was blaming a woman for his faults? Surely he had worked it out by now, that he was the problem and not Miss Granger.

But then again, why didn't she just tell him about the miscarriage? It might make him worse in blaming her, but, on the other hand, it might make him realize that it was not her fault.

And what were Krum’s parents thinking, going to the Daily Prophet and telling them that Miss Granger couldn't have children?

Severus knew that he could be a deeply horrible person, but he also knew where to draw the line. Telling the papers something so personal about a young, intelligent woman - who was obviously good with children - was a hateful thing to do. It so was underhanded and cowardly that even the Head of Slytherin wouldn't even consider it.

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Hermione pushed Viktor away, "Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to you!"

"I am sorry, Hermione." he whined, "Let us try to prove my parents wrong. Right now."

Tears of sheer frustration burned at her eyes, "You knew about that interview and you didn't even try to stop it! Give me one good reason why I would ever want to touch you again!"

"Because you love me and you want my baby. That is two good reasons." He said sulkily.

"Well, they're not good enough!" Hermione grabbed her coat and apperated to the hall of Snapes house. Immediately, the sound of crying filled her ears.

Heading upstairs, she found Snape leaning on the wall next to his daughters’ bedroom door, "What's wrong?"

Snape looked like he was about to start tearing his hair out, "I don't know. She won't stop crying." He was genuinely puzzled over what to do.

Hermione went into Corrins bedroom and sat on the edge of the girls bed, "What's the matter, sweetie?"

"M-m-my... t-tummy h-h-hurts!" The girl cried.

"Alright," Hermione said softly, stroking her hair, "I'll -"

Corrin rolled over, spilling the contents of her stomach all over the floor. Hermione rubbed her back and, when the girl was finished, was about to cleaned the carpet with a flick of her wand, when she realized something. Unmistakable red liquid mixed with the other fluids.

She looked up Snape, "Surely you know what to do now."

"St' Mungo's?"

Hermione nodded, "Exactly."