The Sound of Noise

Hermione said goodnight to Stephanie and went to her room. She did her bedtime rituals and then crawled into bed. She picked up the day's copy of The Daily Prophet, and looked through it.

She turned to the wizarding equivalent of the classified ads. Brooms for sale, potions, and other wizarding items were offered. She turned the page, shaking her head at the disorganization. Something should be done. She let her thoughts wander. The Prophet could be such a good paper. She made a mental list of things she would change. She shook her head and went back to searching for a job.

An hour later found Hermione asleep with the paper spread around her. Covington appeared in the room. He cleared the paper from the bed, placed it folded on the desk and pulled the blankets over Hermione. With a nod, he left the room and went to his own bed.

***

Steph saw the light go off in her Mother's room. She quickly got out of bed and pulled the necklace from her jewelry box. Lana, the other house-elf, had already been in to check on her. Steph had given her instructions to wake her before Hermione.

She stepped into the hallway and walked to her Mother's room. Quietly, she pushed the door open and crept in. She waited until Hermione turned onto her side before she pushed the pendant into her hand. With a smile, she went back to her bed.

***

Severus pulled the blankets over himself. He sighed at the fell of the bed. Life was good. He shifted to find a comfortable position. Within minutes he was drifting off to sleep. He wondered briefly is he would dream about Hermione tonight. With that thought in his mind, he fell asleep.

***

Hermione looked around her. She was in Hogsmeade, but it was different. She frowned. How had she gotten here? She started to walk down the street and was surprised at how difficult it was. She looked down to see what was wrong and saw that she was pregnant. Very pregnant by the look of things.

She was pondering this when a pair of arms came around her waist. She wasn't scared or frightened, but she felt herself lean back into the body behind her. A voice caressed her ear. "I do not know why I agreed to let you come today. You should be resting."

Her dream self took over at this point and she turned around to see Severus. She leaned up and kissed him. "Severus, I've always loved coming to buy school supplies. I love watching the kids and their faces. Why would I let my pregnancy stop me?" She kissed him again and turned back around.

Steph came out of the nearest shop with a frown on her face. "Good grief! That's what's got us started on this baby thing in the first place. Can't you keep your hands off each other for two seconds?" She grinned widely.

Severus shook his head. "You, young lady, are becoming more like your Mother everyda bla blame her fully for your upbringing and smart mouth."

Hermione playfully elbowed him in the side. She looked at Steph. "Did you get everything?" She watched Steph pull her list from her pocket and look it over.

The girl nodded. "Yeah. I've got all my books, quills, parchment, potions ingredients," she cut her eyes at her Father, then went back to her list. "I think the only thing left out is an owl." She gave her parents a sly look.

Hermione sighed. "We've talked about this."

Steph nodded. "I know, I know, but Mom, I'm a second year now! I can take care of an animal on my own. Dad, there are first years that will have a familiar."

Severus rested his chin on Hermione's head. "Honestly, you Gryiffindor's are all the same. Had you been sorted into Slytherin, you would have noticed this." He bent down and lifted a cage with a small brown owl inside.

Steph grinned and took the cage from him. Hermione smiled. "His name is Flick. I expect a clean cage at all times. He has to be fed, watered and taken out for exercise."

Steph nodded. "I promise, I promise! I'll take good care of him. I swear."

Severus kissed Hermione's cheek. "Let's go home. Your Mother needs to rest." Steph nodded and folded her list. She lifted the cage and followed her parents down the street.

***

Severus shifted in his sleep with a frown on his face. He rolled onto his stomach as his dream changed. Hermione had a similar expression on her face and followed the dream.

***

She was exhausted. She gasped for air and felt a cool cloth against her forehead. She smiled up at Severus. He smiled back. "He's perfect."

She felt herself smile. "He? It's a boy?"

Severus nodded. Her eyes filled with tears. He kissed her gently and then turned. Madam Pomfrey handed him a small bundle. He kissed the baby's head and then handed him to his Mother.

Hermione took the baby and looked at him. Brown hair and that nose! She touched it gently.

Severus sighed. "Somethings can not be helped."

She smiled up at him. "It's perfect." She looked up and saw Steph peeking through the curtain. She motioned her in. "Come see your brother."

The girl came to the bedside and looked at the baby. "Well, we know it's a Snape. Look at that nose!"

***

Severus jerked himself awake. He sat up in bed and looked around. He panicked for a moment until he remembered Hermione didn't live with him. He wiped his hand over his face. How strange. The dream still flitted around in his mind. That was when he heard her voice. "Severus."

He smiled and closed his eyes again. He heard her once more. "I love you." His smile grew wider. He spoke into the darkness. "I love you too Hermione. By the gods, I never stopped."