All the way

Although Draco’s sofa had probably been top of the range, Hermione found Severus\' bed a lot more comfortable; probably because he was in it for one thing.

She had missed him so much, it was unbelievable, but she was worried now, that he might be ill. His eyes were blood shot and he had bags under his eyes, leaving the rest of his skin pale. He tried to stifle his yawns, but was generally unsuccessful.

Over all, he looked like he had spent a week in Azkaban and Hermione told him, as they got into bed. He was leaning up on his elbow and smiling slightly.

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

\"It feels like I have.\" Severus told Hermione honestly. Well, not quite. Azkaban was as close to hell as he had been before he had fallen for Hermione. The woman below him had shown him a whole knew meaning of the word.

\"Forget it,\" Hermione sighed, leaning up and kissing him, \"It\'s over and we\'re all ok. Go to sleep.\"

But it wasn\'t that easy for Severus. He watched as Hermione turned over and waved her hand lazily, turning the light off. When his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, Severus stayed leaning on his elbow and watched her sleep.

He reached out and stroked her hair gently, careful not wake her. Any other man might have been frustrated that she wasn\'t more angry about it, but that was part of what Severus loved; the way she would take things in her stride and focus on the present, not the past, however resent it was.

He suspected it was good for him to be with some one like that. If he dwelled on his past all the time, he would live his life regretting almost everything. Hermione and his unborn baby gave him something to think about and focus on now, letting him forget about what he couldn\'t change.

Severus hadn\'t really thought about the age gap. Mainly because wizards lived longer than muggles, and therefore her was still young, but also because Hermione seemed to be able to switch ages in a matter of seconds.

One moment she could be talking to an old man and a second later, she could be playing with a four year old. She had the ability to make any one feel comfortable, no matter how old they were. He knew from the point of view of some critical old woman that he may seem like a cradle snatcher, but to him it was like having a wife his age. Although she was a lot prettier than women his age; just prettier than women of any age to be honest.

Reluctantly, Severus lay back on his pillows. He closed his aching eyes and tried to sleep.

Some minutes later, Severus was leaning over his wife again.

It was no good. He couldn\'t sleep. Every time she stayed still for more than a few minutes or took a breath that was just that little bit too long, he was holding his own breath and waiting for her to show him some sign of life.

He knew he was being stupid and paranoid, but he couldn\'t help it. He knew it was a bit over the top, but it was the way he was.

Severus stared. Finally, Hermione let out a sigh after holding her breath for a couple of pain staking seconds. Right now, he would have preferred it if she snored than this self inflicted torture he was putting himself through.

He knew it wasn\'t her fault, and he didn\'t blame her, but he wished she would have steady breathing or move around; even if she was kicking him all night he wouldn\'t mind.

Severus jumped when he came out of his thoughts and found her staring up at him.

\"Are you ready to sleep yet, or am I going to have to drug you.\" She pouted, but he could see the concern in her eyes.

\"You may just have to do that.\" He said quietly as she pushed her self to lean against the head board.

\"Severus, it\'s...\" she looked at the clock, \"gone midnight. I\'m not going any where, so why are you still awake?\"

\"I just... can\'t sleep...\" He felt it stupid to tell her what she already knew.

Too tired to fight, Severus, unquestioningly, let Hermione pushed him gently back on his pillows and pull the covers up around him. His eyes started to flicker and close, but he noticed Hermione was still stroking his hair from her sitting possession. He looked up at her.

\"What are you doing?\" He asked.

\"I\'ll wait until you\'re asleep.\" She answered softly. She didn\'t say \'so that you know I’m still breathing\' out loud.

\"No,\" Severus protested, \"you...\" he yawned, \"You need to sleep as well.\"

\"Hey,\" She smiled, \"I was out for three days; I’ve had plenty of sleep. You on the other hand...\" she raised and eyebrow, \"Sleep. Now.\"

Severus didn\'t need telling twice.

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Hermione watched her husband sleep. She would be sure to find out -from other people of course- what Severus had been through this week and what he had (or rather hadn\'t) been doing.

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Severus opened his eyes slowly. Remembering how he had finally allowed himself to sleep last night, he looked up. Hermione was dozing against the head board.

She jumped awake and he just plain jumped when there was a pounding on the door. Hermione rolled her eyes and slid out of bed, tying her silk robe around her quickly.

She hurried to the door and as soon what seemed like ten million people entered the room. Severus only just had time to tie his own black robe on before he was kicked out of bed by the load of people shouting and screaming.

He stood by Remus and they watched as Ginny, Pat, Harry, Tonks, Sirius, the twins, Bill and Charlie climbed onto the bed, after hugging Hermione tight. Lily held her arms up and Hermione picked her up.

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

\"Oh God, Hermione, we thought you were gone!\" Ginny smiled with relief.

\"Hey!\" Hermione laughed, \"I\'m a lazy prat, when have you ever known me to go any where for long, huh?\"

They all laughed. Hermione was glad; she hated things to be serious, it just meant dwelling on bad times.

Noticing something was missing, Hermione looked around, \"Where’s Annie?\"

\"The hospital wing, with Malfoy.\" Pat smiled knowingly. Hermione nodded.

\"Hermione,\" Harry started, \"I... if I’d have thought... If I knew Ron -\"

She stopped him straight away, \"You didn\'t know, so it doesn\'t matter. Anyway, I think Draco used some cohesion; Ron was just following.\"

\"Yeah -\" Fred frowned uncharacteristically.

\"Ron was always a prat -\" George was reflecting his brother’s expression.

\"But we never thought he was that demented.\" they said together.

Hermione laughed and looked to Lily on her hip as the small girl pulled on her hair.

\"Daddy said you were going away forever, but now he said you were staying.\" She frowned, \"Why did you want to leave?\"

\"I didn\'t want to leave, but... things happened...\" Hermione shrugged.

\"Did you come back because of me?\" Lily asked eagerly.

Hermione laughed, \"Yeah, of course!\" She turned to the others, \"Now would you lot mind hopping it, so I can get dressed? I have people to see and places to go.\"

\"And she\'s only been back two seconds...\" Fred muttered, to his daughter.

\"You see, she\'s what we normal people call a \'busy body\'.\" George informed his giggling niece.

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

Hermione assured Severus she was fine, but he still wanted her to let Poppy check her over. He had to practically wrestle her over to the floo and hold her still while he grabbed the powder.

Poppy was nearly crying when they walked in. They told her what had happened and she explained that as the baby was now forming its own DNA, the Polyjuice-type potion would not have formed the baby as well; that’s why there were no traces of it in Goyle.

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\"You go back down and sleep,\" Hermione told him, \"You look dead on you feet still.\"

\"And what are you planning to do?\" He asked.

\"Visit some one who has been very, very brave.\" She smiled, turning to the some curtains that were closed around a bed.

She slipped in and the two people behind the curtain went silent. Annie stood up, hugged Hermione and left the blonde and the brunette alone.

Smiling, Hermione sat down on the chair by the Lucius\' bed.

\"How you feeling?\" She asked.

He shrugged and winced, \"A bit stiff.\" Hermione leaned over and stroked the hair out of his face.

\"You\'re younger than I was when I had my first adventure,\" She informed him, \"Only by a few months, though. So, was it exciting, being on a rescue mission?\"

\"Apart from one certain curse it was fun... sort of.\" he said.

\"Thank you for helping,\" Hermione smiled, \"you were so brave and clever...\"

\"How are you?\" He asked tiredly.

\"I\'m fine; don\'t worry about me. You\'re the one stuck in bed.\" Hermione told him.

\"And the baby?\"

\"It\'s fine as well.\"

\"It?\" He smirked.

\"Well, obviously she\'s going to be a girl,\" Hermione said matter-of-factly, \"but, I know for a fact that Harry and Remus want another boy to train in the art of \'maraudering\'. What do you want it to be?\"

Lucius looked taken aback, \"You\'re asking me?\"

Hermione looked around the empty enclosure, \"I don\'t see any one else, do you?\"

He shook his head, and then looked thoughtful, \"I want it to be a... boy... I think... yeah, a boy.\"

Hermione smiled, \"Not into pink, frilly dresses then?\"

Lucius looked like he was going to be sick.
____________________________________________________

\"You know, Minerva\'s having a party for you tomorrow night.\" Severus informed Hermione as she curled into his chest, pulling the bed covers up over them.

\"It\'s not for me. You know how she loves to have a party.\" Hermione shook her head.

Severus looked down on her, \"You under estimate how much you mean to people.\"

\"P-p-probably...\" she yawned. Severus sighed and held her tight.

The next day, Minerva announced that Hermione was indeed alive and pregnant. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors didn\'t try to disguise their happiness. The Ravenclaws were politely joyful. The Slytherins only barely contained their smirks.

Severus and Hermione were the center of attention at Minerva\'s party. All the students were there, as well as Hermiones friends, a.k.a the Weasleys.

Severus and Hermione were sitting down by the drinks table, when the music changed and Ginny rushed over.

\"Hermione!\" The red head beamed, \"Remember when we were in that club! Remember this song! Come and dance with me!\"

Severus watched, interested, as Hermione took the hand Ginny offered and was led to the middle of the dance floor. They counted themselves in and started to dance.

It seemed like a routine that eleven year old girls made up at sleep overs; all in time, with perfect moves and they knew all the words, although some of the moves were definitely not that of an eleven year old girl. It was weird for Severus to see Hermione acting her age for once. He had never seen her dance like this and it made him smile for some unknown reason.

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Hermione was having a great time. Some years ago, she and Ginny had been at the Burrow and this song came on. As they had been getting ready to go out, they had unconsciously made up a sort of dance routine and at the club that night, Ginny had asked the DJ to put it on.

She knew they probably looked like right idiots, but she didn\'t care. It was fun.

It was well after midnight, when Severus Hermione and Lucius walked back down to the dungeons. Lucius had been let out of the hospital wing that morning and had stayed until the end of the party.

Outside the Slytherin common room, Hermione hugged the blonde.

\"Did you have a good time?\" She asked.

\"Great!\"

\"Good,\" Hermione smiled, \"See you tomorrow.\"

After kissing him quickly on the head, Hermione linked arms with Severus and they headed for their rooms.

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Hermione was still in bed when Severus went to the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning. A few minutes after he arrived, Remus took the chair next to him.

\"How\'s Hermione?\" he asked as he sipped his coffee.

\"She says she’s fine, but I’m sure she would say that even if she wasn\'t.\" Severus rolled his eyes.

\"So, what do you want?\" Remus looked up from his eggs, \"Boy? Girl?\"

Severus shrugged, \"I\'m not really bothered, as long as it’s healthy.\"

\"I take it she\'s having it here?\" Remus took a gulp of coffee, \"Don\'t go to St. Mungo\'s. For one, they let you in, and it\'s not a pretty sight, I can tell you. I know Poppy makes you wait until it’s over. After I saw it, it made me appreciate what witches have to go through to have our children - I don\'t know how Molly did it so many times! Anyway, I went out the next day and spent about 200 Galleons on her. The screams... I felt terrible, but then again,\" He had a dreamy look in his eye, \"It was all worth it in the end.\"

Severus wasn’t stupid; he knew child birth would be painful, but he had never really thought about it with Hermione before. Yes, Remus had the right idea, but what to buy Hermione...?

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

Hermione was frustrated; she had nothing to do. Finally, after wandering around her rooms for a long time, she picked up some of Severus\' seventh year essays and went to her office to mark them. She knew he wouldn\'t mind, because he was always moaning about it anyway.

She wasn\'t even half way through, when there was a knock on the door. Hermione looked up.

\"Come in.\"

The door opened, and two men came in. One was short and chubby and the other was tall and thin. They were carrying cases and folders. As they walked into the room, Hermione frowned. Lucius was following them. Hermione stood up.

\"Hermione Snape?\" The short one asked quickly.

\"Yes,\" Hermione nodded, \"How can I help you?\"

\"We are from the Ministry of Magic\'s Child Welfare office.\" the thin one explained, \"Mr. Malfoy’s father in currently in Azkaban, awaiting trial -as you well know-\" he gave her a sharp look, \"and as Mr. Malfoy has no immediate family, he needs a guardian.\"

\"It is in the best interests of the child that they are in the care of some one they know and trust,\" The short one spoke again, \"For this reason, we have asked Mr. Malfoy for some one of that nature and he -surprisingly enough- has come up with you.\"

Hermione blinked, \"Could...\" She cleared her throat and motion for them to sit down in the chairs opposite the desk, \"Could you possibly explain it some more?\"

\"Well, a guardianship entails full responsibility of a child. You would be paid a monthly benefit for the keep of said child.\" The thin one explained, \"The child would have to reside with you and be treated like part of the family. If you decide to take Mr. Malfoy, we will not run checks or inspections, as we only use them for children whose chosen guardian do not want them. If you, for what ever reason, cannot take Mr. Malfoy, then he will have to be put into foster care. We do not recommend you make the decision now, but talk it over with your husband. We do however; need a reply for the end of the week.\"


Hermione nodded slowly, \"Um, alright... I\'ll get back to you. Is that all?\"

\"Unless you have any questions, we are done here.\" The men stood and the tall one handed her a card, \"This is our floo address, when you have come to a decision get in touch.\"

With that, they left Hermione and Lucius alone. The boy was fidgeting in his seat.

\"It\'s alright if... well... they just took me by surprise... I wouldn\'t have... I didn\'t know... if you don\'t -\"

Hermione stopped him, \"Don\'t worry about it. I know you weren\'t expecting them. I\'ll have to talk to Severus-\"

\"I have no chance,\" He sighed, \"Don\'t worry, at least I will only have to stay with the foster parents in the summer Holidays for the next... seven years.\"

Hermione went around her desk and hugged him, \"Just let me talk to Severus.
____________________________________________________

Severus dismissed his class and went back to his rooms. Hermione was sitting on the sofa. He sat next to her and she moved into his arms.

\"Severus,\" Hermione said, stroking his chest, \"I know that you want this baby, right?\"

\"Of course.\"

\"Well,\" she said slowly, \"What if it wasn\'t just a baby? What if it was a baby and... An older child...?\"

\"What are you getting at?\" Severus frowned as Hermione sat back to look up at him.

\"What if we had this baby and an older child? How would you feel?\" She looked quite worried and anxious.

\"How would that work?\" He asked.

\"Well, just say we were to... I don\'t know... become guardians... what would you think of that?\"

\"Hermione, if you want to ask me something, just ask.\" Severus trailed a finger down her cheek, \"You know that I won\'t deny you anything.\"

\"But Severus, this isn\'t something that you can give me.\" She explained, \"This is something that has to be right for both of us. It won\'t change anything drastically. He can stay in the castle with us all year and we get paid if he needs anything. I -\"

\"\'He\'? Who is he?\" Severus asked, feeling his old \'friend\' return; jealousy.

\"Because his fathers in Azkaban, I had a visit from the Child Welfare office and I was asked if we would sort of... foster him, but I said I would have to talk with you. I know what you\'re thinking, but he -\"

\"Hermione!\" Severus finally stopped her ramblings, \"I still don\'t know who this \'he\', that we have been asked to foster, is?\"

\"It\'s... Lucius...\"

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

Hermione watched as Severus scowled.

\"So, let me get this straight, you are asking me if I will let you take in that Malfoy kid. Am I right?\"

Hermione sighed, \"Yes, basically.\"

He just nodded. Hermione got up and went to stand by the fire. His voice startled her, it was so quiet.

\"What would you do if I said no?\"

Hermione turned to him, \"I would beg you. I would promise you anything I could and give you anything I have. Severus, I love you so much and nothing will change that. There is a child in this castle that has no family and that is something he needs. He needs us. Together.\"

He looked at her, before getting up and moving to stand next to her, leaning on the mantle above the fire.

\"Why do you feel so strongly for that child?\" He whispered, most likely to himself.

\"That’s like asking why I feel so strongly for you.\" Hermione stated, \"To answer, I don\'t know. I suppose he needs me... just like you did.\"

\"And still do,\" He turned to her, \"I still need you. Malfoy’s a child; he will get along fine without you. I, on the other hand... well, I’m sure you\'ve been told by various people what I was like last week.\"

Hermione watched as Severus turned away. She sighed and went over to him, placing her hand on his shoulder.

\"Severus, you have me. Any time you want me, I’ll be here. Last week I made a stupid, stupid mistake; I put my trust in the wrong person. But like I’ve said so many times, it is over. Just because we sign a contract that basically says we have an extra child, it doesn\'t mean that anything will change. It isn\'t just me he needs, its you. A Malfoy needs you. Just think what Draco would do if he found out that his only son was being brought up by you.\"

Slowly, he turned and pulled her into his arms. Hermione held him tight, closing her eyes and resting her head against his chest.

\"If I say yes,\" He said softly in her ear, \"it is only to spite Draco, you understand.\"

Hermione leaned up and kissed her husband deeply, reaching up and winding her fingers in his hair. She kissed her way to his ear and whispered softly.

\"You,\" She breathed, \"are going to be a wonderful father, you know that.\"

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

Severus listened to Hermiones steady breathing as she slept. He was not exactly overjoyed about what the Ministry had asked of them, although he knew that some of the blame was with the child himself from choosing them.

Well, not some much them and more her. Severus knew that Hermione had him twisted around her little finger -not that he minded- and he was powerless to deny her anything. Although he was sure she didn\'t know how much influence she had over him. Saying no to her would not have been easy.

She seemed to think so little of herself, but be so sure of who she was at the same time. If Severus was honest, he had married a most peculiar woman. Lovely, beautiful and absolutely brilliant, but definitely peculiar.

Hermione seemed to let people walk all over her, but she knew when enough was enough and she didn\'t seem to care what any one thought about her.

Severus turned onto his side and curled a strand of honey colored hair around his finger. Hermione sighed and moved closer to his body heat, rubbing her foot up his leg.

Severus smiled slightly. She was amazing even when she was sleeping, even when she didn\'t know it.

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Hermione could feel his dark eyes on her; feel his finger gently tugging on her hair as he coiled it tighter around his long finger. She wished she knew what he was thinking when he would watch her, thinking she was asleep.

Gently, Hermione ran her foot back down his leg slightly. The hair covered finger stilled, while his other hand slipped over the mattress like a snake, coming to rest on her hip, the thumb rubbing back and forth slowly.

Hermione wished she could see his expression as he touched her, thinking she was dreaming. She wondered if he was angry about the Lucius thing, although his actions suggested otherwise. She knew he could have easily said no, but she was so happy that he didn\'t.

To be honest, she didn\'t know why he had agreed, because she had a feeling that it wasn\'t all to do with spiting Draco. She had a feeling that allowing Lucius \'into the family\' was Severus\' way of thanking him for helping with her \'rescue\'.

Hermione was just glad that he wasn\'t angry. She hated to see him upset because of something she had said or done; although it was mostly his insecurities that caused his temper to flare, rather than the severity of her words.

The finger enfolded in her hair pulled away and the strands fell into her face. Before she could sneeze, the same finger brushed it behind her ear and then proceeded to trace her cheek and jaw, the tip of his finger barely brushing her skin.

Hermione sighed and let sleep come.

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

Severus continued to watch his wife sleep. He wondered what she was dreaming about, or if she was dreaming at all. He didn\'t think it was a nightmare, she was too peaceful.

Actually, he had never known her to have a nightmare. He expected she wouldn\'t tell him if she had.

Suddenly, Severus realized that he really didn\'t know that much about Hermione. He didn\'t know what he parents had been like when they were alive or how she had been brought up. He didn\'t know what part of the country she came from, or even if she did come from this country.

Severus realized that she knew a lot more about him than he did about her. He was sure that Harry would have told her about the memories he had seen in his fifth year and he was sure that Minerva had told her a few stories that Albus had passed on.

However, Severus also realized, as he stroked Hermione cheek, that he didn\'t need to know all that stuff to love her, and to be honest, he didn\'t care. He didn\'t care where she came from, or how she had been brought up. He could only assume that her parents had been good people, considering the way Hermione had turned out.

Actually, Severus didn\'t care about much, and what he did care about was in his bed right now.