Love and Parenthood

Love and Parenthood

Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


The First Birth

“Well Severus, I must say, you seem to have everything under control,” said Mrs Granger approvingly.

“We’ve had a lot of help,” he said. “It’s a rather bigger affair than we had planned. If I’d realised it was going to need so much space I might have relocated to the Welsh house and told the Ministry to relocate the dragons.”

“I think you’ve done an admirable job,” said Mr Granger. “I’m amazed at how much the place has changed since we were up at Christmas. I think it’ll put Liz’s mind at rest to see it as it is now.”

“I don’t know how you stood the drup hup here Mum,” said Hermione. “There’s no way I would have managed it.”

“I wanted to see you. We took our time and made lots of stops. I wish we weren’t due so close together. I should be helping to look after you like your Gran looked after me.”

“I’ll be fine Mum. You should be taking more care of yourself. I couldn’t believe it when you sent the Owl to say you were in the Lake District.”

“I’ve done this before Hermione. I’m in a much better state than you are now.”

“Only because I’m having twins. I swear you can see me getting bigger and bigger each day. I look huge compared to some of the other girls.”

“You look tired. I think you should have a lie down before dinner. I’m sure your parents would like the opportunity to wash and change before they eat.”

“That would be good,” said Mr Granger. “Where are you putting us overnight?”

“I thought you might like to hole up in the Gatehouse with the Weasleys. It’s about a ten minute walk down there but you can shuttle backwards and forwards in the car if you want to. There is some space in the main house but only in a dormitory.”

“We’ll be fine with Molly and Arthur,” said Mrs Granger. “We haven’t seen them since Christmas either.”

“Dinner begins at seven Mum. Severus and I usually go in at about a quarter to.”

“We’ll see you in there. Go to your room and take the weight off your feet. Severus you see that she does.”

“I don’t know why you think she’ll listen to me.”

“Oh I’m such a terrible wife!” proclaimed Hermione sarcastically.

“I suffer in silence,” replied Severus, deadpan.

Hermione batted him lightly in the ribs as they made their way out.

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Hermione managed a decent rest before dinner aet het her parents at the door of the ballroom which was now in use as the refectory.

They were more or less the first people down and took advantage of the fact to secure seats alongside each other so they could chat during the meal. The next members of staff down were Mistress Finch and Madam Minton. They joined the party at Severus’ request and were introduced to the Grangers.

Dinner was a pleasant affair with both Grangers fascinated by Mistress Finch’s methods of practicing medicine. However, by the time coffee was being served Mrs Granger was obviously becoming uncomfortable in her seat.

“Are you all right Mum?” asked Hermione.

“I’ve just been sitting still too long,” she replied. “I need a nice early night.”

Mistress Finch gave her a long appraising stare.

“I think I’d like to take a look at you, if you don’t mind,” she said firmly.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” said Mrs Granger. “At the end of the day, I always feel much too old to be doing all this again.”

“Nevertheless, I am responsible for all the pregnant women on the premises and I will not rest easy until I am satisfied that everything is in order. I promise you I do know my business.”

“I’m sure you do. If you’re sure it won’t be a bother.”

“It’s my vocation. Do you want to walk over now?”

“I think I will, if the rest of you will excuse me…”

The rest of the group murmured assent and so Mrs Granger pulled herself to her feet and made her way out of the room accompanied by Mistress Finch.

Hermione’s father watched his wife carefully until she was out of the room. Turning back to the table he met his son-in-law’s eyes.

“Don’t worry,” said Severus. “She really is one of the foremost in her field.”

“I’m sure she is. Perhaps Liz and I have been trying to fit too much in this week.”

“I don’t imagine she’s any easier to order around than your daughter.”

“I am here remember,” said Hermione.

“I’m not telling your father anything he doesn’t already know. Trying to keep a houseful of pregnant women in order is no easy matter.”

“You think your part of this is hard! You know nothing!” teased Hermione.

People were beginning to move out towards the sitting rooms and library.

“Do you want to adjourn to our parlour?” asked Hermione when all the other residents had left.

“I think I ought to go and wait on your mother.”

“Why don’t we all go?” said Severus. y’lly’ll only be in the stables.”

“Don’t worry Dad. He means where the stables used to be,” said Hermione off his expression. That’s the new building where Mistress Finch has set up shop.”

The trio took a steady walk over to the Maternity block and sat down to wait in the entrance hall. After a few moments Mistress Finch came out.

“Ah, Professor Snape,” she said. “Could you come in for a moment? I’d value your opinion here.”

“Where’s my wife?” cut in Mr Granger sharply.

“She’s in the consulting room. She is in the early stages of her labour. I am trying to decide whether or not to allow her to continue.”

“You can stop it?”

“At this stage I can hold it off but sometimes it’s better to allow the baby to be born if it isn’t happy where it is. If I had seen your wife before today and if she were a witch I would be better placed to decide. Professor Snape is capable of discerning the baby’s emotions so he can inform my decision.”

“The baby isn’t due for four weeks.”

“I am aware of that but as far as I can tell it is developed enough and large enough to have a very good chance if needs be. Professor I don’t want to delay.”

“I’m coming too!” said Mr Granger.

“I know that is your custom. You may observe.”

“Wait here Hermione,” said Severus firmly. “I’ll be two minutes and then I will come back to you. Stay calm.”

Hermione stayed in her chair as the other three went into the examination room. Mr Granger was at his wife’s side in an instant.

“The baby’s coming Mike,” she said. “It’s not time yet.”

“Let’s see what Mistress Finch says,” he said. “She thinks she might be able to stop it. Severus is going to read the baby’s mind to see if it’s poorly or not.”

Severus stood round the other side of the bed, a look of intense concentration on his face. He closed his eyes and flared his nostrils. After about thirty seconds he reopened his eyes.

“You’re going to have to let this happen,” he said. “The baby’s in some discomfort.”

“I thought so from the heartbeat,” she said. “Can you ask Padma to gather a team? We may as well do this thing properly.”

“I’m staying,” said Mr Granger.

“You may stay,” said Mistress Finch. “You may even help if you want to. Severus, we’re gointo nto the larger birthing room. This may take all night.

“I’ll get Miss Patil and then I’ll see to Hermione. Good Luck.”

He strode out to set things in motion.


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I would much happier, Hermione, if you would agree to go to bed,” said Severus tenderly.

“I’m not going anywhere until I know Mum and the baby are all right.”

“Childbirth can take hours. At least let me conjure you a couch so you can lie down. You must have backache by now.”

“I wish I could be in there.”

“It’s not appropriate for you to attend your mother. If you want to learn about attending at births I’m sure Molly or Mrs Patil will be happy to teach you in the future but not until after these babies are born.”

He moved a couple of chairs out of the way to allow him some space to transfigure one of them into a small bed.

“Lie down and try to get some rest. I will wake you when there is news.”

“I’m not going to sleep!”

“No of course not. It’s only 11.30pm after all.”

“Don’t you dare be sarcastic with me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Please lie down so I can concentrat jus just worrying about your parents and your sibling.”

“All right, but I won’t sleep!”

She lay down on the bed and was fast asleep within minutes. Severus kept watch and eventually dozed off himself sitting upright in his chair.

He was roused at 4.00am when his father-in-law came out into the hallway. He didn’t need Legilimency to realise that the news was good.

“It’s a girl!” he said. “A bit on the small side… just under five pounds but perfectly healthy.”

“And Liz?”

“Tired but those potions they kept feeding her seemed to really help. I see Hermione crashed.”

“She did but I promised I would wake her to hear the news.”

“It seems a pity to disturb her.”

“I promised I would and I will. I imagine she’ll want to see her sister.”

“They’re all scurrying around in there at the moment. I was told five minutes.”

Severus leant over his wife and nudged her gently. When she stirred he whispered into her ear.

“Good news, my love.”

It took a moment for that to sink in. When it did she sat up.

“You have a sister.”

“Is Mum all right?”

“Mother and baby are both doing well,” said Mr Granger proudly. “Do you want to come and see?”

“Yes.”

“Come on then. Take it steady. They aren’t going anywhere.”

Father and daughter set off. After a few paces they realised that Severus hadn’t mo

“Are you coming?” asked Mr Granger.

“I wasn’t sure if I should. We don’t do this.”

“You married into a Muggle family Severus. We show babies off at the earliest opportunity. Come and meet your sister-in-law.”

He needed no further urging and followed along.


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Liz Granger was settled in a bed, cradling the baby.

“Just a few minutes,” said Mistress Finch. “She needs to sleep soon.”

The group moved closer to the mother and baby. Liz obligingly rearranged the shawl so more of the tiny red infant’s face could be seen.

“Oh Mum,” said Hermione, tears beginning to spill down her face. “She’s beautiful. What’s she going to be called?”

“We had thought Viola…. Viola Anne. One Shakespearian name and one grandmother’s name like yours.”

“She’s so tiny.”

“She’s going to be fine,” said her father as his wife yawned widely. “I think we need to sneak away. We all need the rest.”

He lifted baby Viola out of her mother’s arms and placed her in the crib at the side of the bed. He planted a kiss on the baby’s head and followed it by kissing his wife on the cheek.

“Go on now Mr Granger,” said Mistress Finch. “I think you can safely leave your wife to us. I’ve got a whole army of nurses and I don’t want to see you in here until you’ve had a good night’s sleep. Am I making myself clear?”

“Yes Ma’am.”


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