Once

For the next couple of weeks Severus and Hermione took things slowly. Neither of them wanted a repeat of what happened before. It was mid-June and Hermione was spending the weekend with Ginny and Harry. They were expecting their first child and they wanted some help with last minute things.

At first Hermione didn't want to go. The thought of being around a heavily pregnant Ginny bothered her. Every time she saw a pregnant woman she would feel a stab of depression. Her and Severus had tried for two long hard years and even after they had given up hope they hadn't bothered with birth control.

So six years of unprotected sex and they still hadn't conceived a child.

Hermione had her bag packed and was standing the sitting room giving her goodbyes to Severus.

"Are you sure you want to go?" he asked kissing her neck. "I know if I can stand being away from you that long."

"Oh stop that," she said giggling. "Ginny needs my help. She is going to have a little one soon."

This statement caused Severus to frown and Hermione knew what he was thinking.

"We tried," she said with a sigh. "We tried hard. Somethings are not meant to be I suppose."

"We're going to keep trying," he said kissing her. "We have a lot of time. After all wizards and witches can live to be two hundred and a capable of producing children until their one hundred."

"You know just how to cheer me up," she said rolling her eyes at him. "The last thing I'll want to do at one hundred is have a baby."

She gave her husband a quick kiss and then dated out of their room while she had a chance. It was so hard to get away from her husband.

--

Things were really crazy at the Potter house. They were still buying baby clothes, the nursery was only half painted, and Ginny looked like she was going out of her mind. Hermione was glad that she had decided to come after all. With Harry working a lot Ginny could really use her help.

The first thing they had tackled was finishing the nursery. Since they already knew the baby was boy the room was painted in two shades of blue. A crib was pressed up against the far wall that was already painted.

"We need to get this done," Ginny said handing Hermione a paint brush. "Harry still needs to move the rest of the furniture in here and all the toys."

Hermione couldn't help but giggle. Ginny seemed so excited and she couldn't blame her. She would be excited if she was pregnant. If she was pregnant. The thought caused Hermione to frown.

"Are you alright with helping me?" Ginny questioned. "I know that being around pregnant women bothers you."

"I'm glad to be here helping you," Hermione said smiling again. "There is always a chance I'll get pregnant."

"You two are still trying I take it," the red head said as she started to paint.

"Of course," Hermione said with a giggle. "And I don't mind all the trying."

For the longest time the two of them sat in that room painting and talking of things to come. Hermione was glad to see that they were so excited about the baby.

---

When it finally came time for bed Hermione practically stumbled off to bed. Even though she had only painted and washed baby clothes all day she felt like she was dead on her feet.

She expected to fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow but she found herself unable to sleep. She normally never had a hard time falling asleep. It felt too weird to sleep in a bed without Severus.

At about two in the morning she found herself wondering downstairs in search of a glass of water. In stead of going into the kitchen she found herself entering the nursery.

She stood in the center of the room looking at the crib. It really was killing her to be there. The fact she didn't have a child of her own killed her. She sat down in the middle of the floor and just stared off into space.

"Hermione?" Came Harry's voice.

Hermione jumped to her feet and spun around. Harry was standing in the doorway with a few concerned look on his face.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said quickly. "I just couldn't sleep. I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," Harry said. "I understand. You know you don't have to stay here if you don't want to. Ginny will understand."

"No," she said shaking her head. "Ginny needs me to be her friend right now. You both do. I'll be alright."

"Well," he said nodding. "That is good. I'm going to bed now. If you need anything just give Ginny or me a shout."

Hermione simply nodded. Harry bid her goodnight and walked out of the room. The witch stood there alone for a few minutes before she returned to bed.