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Chapter Text

Hermione was barely aware of the feeling of the bed beneath her limbs, but she knew she felt good. A comfortable ache between her thighs and soft sheets around her kind of good. It had been a while since she felt this relaxed. In that still strange space between dreaming and awake, her mind surfaced some of the moments from the night before...

A dark head of hair between her thighs and the feeling of his tongue on her as he ate her out, she groaned into the growing light of the dim room. Where had this come from? Had she been dreaming? Certainly not. She could feel the evidence of her encounter, specifically the lack of clothing. There had been drinking earlier last evening and stumbling… where? She knew they were laughing a bit, stripping off clothes. Who...? The sensation of him inside her, she almost rolled her eyes back into her head at the memory of it. Lips on her neck… fuuuuck . 

Rolling over, she felt the dip of someone else in the bed.

In her hazy, lust-filled state, she reached for them. She didn’t know what time it was but knew another go sounded fabulous. Luckily, it seemed the other person was also interested or half asleep. She felt soft, wet kisses being pressed to her chest and shoulders. 

Hermione sighed, especially when the attention made it to her quickly hardening nipples. The feeling had her desire slide between her legs, and she wanted to keep going. The sensation of a slight nip to one of her breasts made her whine and she pressed them closer, lifting her chest, offering more. They obliged wet kisses pressing to her nipple, sending heat coursing through her. God, this was good, but she just needed to remember something… finally opening her eyes, she saw a dark head against her. Dark hair, unmistakable.

“Pro-professor!” She was awake now, and everything came flooding back. 

He raised his head lazily and then, too, seemed to clock who he was with. Then he seemed to have the same realisation dawn on him: The Order party, the drinking, they were in the library, and then they went home together.

Hermione’s breath caught at the look of him still against her chest, sleepy; she’d wanted to sleep with him for a while but hadn’t dared to ask him out, but he now seemed shaken by this. Like he hadn’t realised, like she'd been moments before too sleepy to recognise fully. There was a pause and a breath between them, and Hermione hoped for the best, but his eyes shot down to their bodies, him hovering over her. He nearly jumped to his feet, running a hand through his hair, searching for his clothes. 

Shit, shit, shit. 

He was clearly so embarrassed it was unbelievable. Hermione felt her cheeks reden, and she thought of the night before. A drunken mistake to him. Clearly .

She needed to get out of there. Sitting up, she found her clothes scattered about the floor, tugging her dress over her head. Hermione felt her face grow perhaps hotter and redder when she saw the torn remnants of her knickers on the floor. The image of him pulling them off with his teeth partially, then ripping them down the centre, had her pinching her legs together in hot and bothered agony. She only remembered part of it, and it had been the best sex of her life, very possibly. 

“Uh, there is a- you can use the shower if you’d like.” She heard him mutter from the doorway. 

They hadn’t been this awkward since they started working together a few years after the war. Now, they went to weekly drinks and worked on projects together. Sure, he was gruff, and she’d had to give him the silent treatment every once in a while for being a git when he was particularly prickly, but they were… friends. 

Not anymore, Mione. 

This is what she had been trying to avoid. She didn’t want to ruin what they had with her feelings. She was going to fix this somehow.

“Um, I am okay, thank you…”

When she turned to see him at the door, she thought perhaps he looked hopeful, but his eyes roved over her face and quickly hardened. It had been a mistake on his part, easy to see.

“I will get out of your… hair.” Images of tugging his hair the night before when he was inside of her made Hermione want to squeal with embarrassment. Instead, she headed for the floo. She knew where it was; she’d been to his home before. 

Trying her best at light and cheery a - it's OKAY, I always have meaningless, drunk sex with my friend and coworker who I’ve had a crush on for years now-  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then she left without waiting to hear his reply. 

…

Rubbing a hand over his face for the fifth time that morning, Severus waited for the coffee machine to finish his morning beverage. Despite having thought about this through most of Sunday with a wicked hangover that the potion didn’t entirely take away, he still couldn’t wrap his mind around what to do.

Now, it was Monday. He was going to have to see her. She’d looked thoroughly and utterly embarrassed- and fucking beautiful - Like she’d realised the gravest mistake anyone could have ever made; sure, he was… well, him, ugly, mean, but he hadn’t expected her to be so obviously callous towards him. Severus had thought they’d developed a rapport of some kind, a friendship. 

That’s where it should have stayed. 

He’d lusted after her for some time, but he knew it never would have worked. She’d been with Weasley and then dated Draco even for a while. He wasn’t her type. She knew too much about him.

Most of his casual encounters were with women who knew very little of who he actually was. Only what the media put out and it was always saccharine, making him out to be some Byronic hero. Not what he was, a dull, old man who probably had some form of Neurodivergence based on his rather annoying lack of social skills and pension for things to be precisely as he wished them to be. So, it was always casual, and most didn’t care. That's what most women wanted: a night with the dreaded deatheater turned hero. It did the trick, but last night, it wasn’t like that. 

Granger was… well, she was so much, everything he’d needed in his life after the war. She pushed past his defences and allowed him to see the real her, and in turn, he had lightened up a little and allowed her in. Now, that was surely gone.

How much alcohol had Molly put in that damn punch was the question? He’d not been so pissed in years. It was also unfortunate because he didn’t remember all of it; he had wanted her for years and finally had her, but he didn’t even have the memory to go off of. Well, he had some, but not the whole thing, and he wanted every detail for his memory. Some images were there, her sounds in his ear… His name coming from her lips as she tightened around him… He bit his knuckles and headed out of the house.

As he stopped at his usual coffee place on the way to work, fidgeting with his attire, he half wondered if he should just quit his job. He could move; he meant to move from the UK after the war, but he didn’t. Severus sighed; that was an absurd notion; he was not going to just up and quit because he’d had a one-night stand, and he liked his job. Bossing around young and impressionable minds was his forte anyway. He was the Director of Research and Development in the potions department. Perfect for him. He managed apprenticeships and worked on experimentation and research. The apprentices were dunderheads, but he survived.

Granger- he thought of her as he carried his hot coffee across the street to the Ministry entrance; she headed the political and technical side of things. Council meetings, presentation preparation on new potion patents, all of what Severus would find incredibly boring, still being the Director of Potions Operations, seemed to suit her. 

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the doors open to the office, and luckily, no one was in there, at least. He could hear sounds from the lab, but here, he was alone, only the sound of his boots hitting the tile floor. That lasted for a mere few seconds, though, when one of his brewers popped their head in. 

“Staff meeting, Sir?” 

F.U.C.K. 

That was indeed his luck right there. Nodding toward the younger man Severus gathered the file and notes he’d put together on Friday before he had gone and used his weekend to royally fuck up his personal and professional life and headed for the lab. He was absolutely an idiot. Would she tell people? Make fun of stupid old Snape, thinking he was attractive enough for her. He shut his eyes before entering and took his usual seat to address the others, but she was not there. 

He wasn’t usually so self-deprecating, not this long after the war. He had really been sure he was a changed man in some ways, at least, but he wasn’t stupid enough to believe that Hermione bloody Granger would sleep with him without the influence of alcohol or anything else. 

“Morning,” he said finally, trying his best to calibrate so this would not throw him off.

The employees looked at him expectantly.

“Director Granger is…” He trailed off, unsure what to say. He had no idea where she was; she’d never been late in all the time they’d worked together. 

Oh bugger. 

“Right here!” Hermione came rushing in, coat still on, looking a bit dishevelled but in that adorable way that Severus constantly found stunning. “So sorry! I had an earlier meeting and lost track of time.” 

Hermione never lost track of time. Snape gulped and hoped no one noticed. She shrugged off her coat and sat beside him, altogether avoiding his gaze, even as the smell of her perfume engulfed him.

Enlarging her packet of paperwork, she began while he paused in this unwell state. “We need to be better about tracking ingredients…” She started at the top of their list, as they always did. 

Relax, Severus, she is just being normal. 

Surprisingly, he made it through the rest of the meeting without having a heart attack or some other fatal failure. He was about to dismiss everyone when Hermione cut in 

“I wanted to let everyone know I am going on a work trip with a few others for the next three or so months. It will be to collect data and examine how the French Ministry’s potions department functions. I will still be working there via Owl and other, so if you need me, owl me, but preferably go to Master Snape.” 

There was a general consensus of understanding, though he doubted they were at all happy to have to deal with him more often than sunny Hermione Granger. His mouth was mainly open, like a fish. He knew this trip might happen, but so soon? That did get him thinking, though. Maybe it was good. It could set things right between them. 

He tried his best to act natural as he turned and strode toward their office. They shared one, always had; initially, it had been odd, but it became normal 10 years later. They had become friends… and he had fucked it up, literally. 

She was screaming your name, mate, in your bed-

“I didn’t mean to blindside you with that.” Hermione’s voice came from the doorway. He was turned the other way, making coffee. He hadn’t even noticed he’d started, but then again, they always had coffee at this time. It had become routine all of this, her even. Despite his best efforts, he had been falling for her perhaps longer than he had even noticed. 

Cool, collected, Snape, don’t make her feel uncomfortable. Then the other part of his brain screamed: YOU WERE ALWAYS DESTINED TO BE ALONE!

“I knew the opportunity had arisen; I just didn’t know when.” Fall back on those Occlumency shields, he thought to himself. If he could stay cool and confident, then perhaps this would all simply blow over. 

Hermione nodded, “Sorry, it's last minute that you have to supervise on your own.” She wasn’t looking at him, and when she finally did, meeting his eyes, there was a sense of discomfort, and then a blush spread over her cheeks. 

Severus looked away, busying himself with the coffee machine and his cup. Things were clearly very awkward between them. He only waved a hand, finally catching a glance up at her face. He saw hope there, but he wasn’t entirely sure what it was about. 

“I know this has been coming, and it means a great deal to you. We will survive here.” 

She nodded, her gaze drifting toward the coffee maker as she made her way over to pour herself a steaming cup of the rich brew. The aroma filled the air, a small comfort amid the tension that lingered between them. They settled into their workday, an unspoken agreement hanging over them to avoid discussing the incident. It replayed in Severus’s mind like a stubborn film looping on repeat, each fragment of memory surface with vivid clarity, tugging at him.

...

It was a whirlwind, Hermione had thought at least it would be a few weeks before she would be leaving on the work trip. It seemed perhaps this was a good thing, though; Severus seemed to be completely unable to be around her, at least in any capacity that they used to. Avoiding her, when they were in the office, instead of the calm silence they usually shared, he had begun to play music lowly on his side of the room, building a wall bit by bit between them. She was under the impression that he sorely regretted what had occurred between them and it made Hermione want to scream, she couldn’t remember all that much of the encounter but what she was able to recall had been incredible. They’d been friends for a long while, and clearly, that is where he had wanted it to stop, but whatever he had gleaned about her needs in the bedroom from various conversations he had taken to heart. It had been the best sex of her life and she didn’t even remember all of it. 

Puttering away at some of her last minute work she checked her muggle cell phone and saw a few texts from Arthur who really did love having a mobile and also one from her mother. Granda’s party in mid April. Can you make it with your work trip? 

Grumbling a bit, she shot off a quick text saying she would be back and attend and threw her phone down perhaps a bit too hard. Wincing she turned back to her work, out of the corner of her eye she caught Severus staring at her. 

“Alright?” His deep voice sent a delicate shiver down her spine. 

“Hmm?” 

“You seem rather angry at that mobile.” 

Rolling her eyes Hermione met his and had to stop herself from actually gasping, those dark eyes were something else entirely and now that she knew the way they looked between her thighs… He asked you a question!- “Oh, just my mum. My grandad has a birthday in a few months.” 

“You don’t get along if I remember correctly?” His soft rumble floated across the room to her even as he was looking back at a few pages he had in front of him. 

“No, he’s difficult… Never quite got over his grandchild being a witch .” She didn’t really want to get into it at the moment. Something she had often realised about Severus in the time she’d known him was that despite the spiky exterior he was rather adept at knowing what to say and when to say it, if he felt you worthy of such a thing. 

“It goes against muggles' normal idea of the world. That can be scary I think, my own father was similar, I don’t think that removed their part in such things, but perhaps it helps us understand where they come from.” 

Hermione looked up meeting his eyes, she longed to tell him how badly she wanted that the other night, to tell him that despite their past she thought he was so insightful and kind even- but he almost instantly looked away. Clearing his throat and moving swiftly from the room, muttering something about getting a vial of something from the lab. 

He was clearly horrified, and she just couldn’t bear it. It had been so nice to have him as a friend for the last few years and now that seemed to be fully shot in the foot. She just had to go and catch feelings for him. Some time away would be very beneficial. 

…

Usually, they went and got a drink at a pub nearby at the end of a Monday or Friday. Severus had been acting downright standoffish the whole day, though, so Hermione wouldn’t even bring it up. Usually, they talked about potions, a book they’d read, or made fun of some new antics the Order was getting up to; the whole while, Hermione would try not to feel such an intense pull of attraction to him. And now, despite only remembering bits and pieces of Saturday night, little sparks of pleasure would shoot through her when she remembered his head between her legs or the way he had trailed his lips over her ankle. 

She shut her eyes to try to stave off the memory, and when she opened them, Severus had caught her. He looked concerned or mildly worried; she wasn’t sure. “I'm just tired,” she lied. 

He nodded and went to grab his coat. He stopped and looked back at her. She hoped he would ask her to go to the pub so things could be normal again… “Have a good time working in France.” He finally gave her just the slightest tip-up of his lips, which she knew to be as close to a smile as he ever got. 

She swallowed hard and nodded, “owl me with news and any other items I should know.” 

He nodded and stepped out of the door, leaving her alone. 

…

He didn’t really even know what he was doing. Usually, it was his preferred move to wallow after something like this; he wasn’t adept at dealing with people, ones he liked and also ones he didn’t like, but it didn’t matter in this scenario, instead of apparating to his home, as he usually would. Severus found himself standing outside of Malfoy Manor. The place was lit up, at least in the main living area; Narcissa had sealed off the other parts ‘for renovating’ though he doubted they would ever get to it or have the funds for it.

After the war, Lucius had spent years in Azkaban, perhaps less horrific of a place under Kingsley, but it had changed him. Narcissa under house arrest had also been something that changed the couple. Severus hadn’t spoken to them in years until one day, four years ago, Severus had run into them by accident. They’d got talking, and it seemed they missed their youthful days before everything had taken a turn. Not that Deatheater wannabes had ever not been stuck up or foul, but it was different now; everything was. 

Now, Severus was there often for dinner or drinks. Still, he had never shown up unannounced, though he had no other friends… Except for the Order, perhaps, and Hermione, which was likely over. So he used the ornate knocker and waited.

The huge door creaked and groaned as it was pulled open. Narcissa on the other side of it.

“Severus?” She wore a velvet dressing gown, not the kind for actual sleeping, the kind that rich people lounged around a house in—dark emerald and crossed over her front, exposing the swells of her breasts. Severus would have been gobsmacked as a teen; he’d always found Narcissa outrageously attractive back then. She was still beautiful now, but… things were different. He didn't feel interested at all.

“Evening, I uh,” he paused. What was he doing here? “Well, I needed to…” 

A wry smile came over Narcissa’s lips, “come in.” 

Following her down the hall and to the study, he could already see cigar smoke.

“Darling? Who is it?” Lucius’s smooth voice sounded posh even when he thought no one was around. Turning, he saw them walk in blue-grey eyes surveying the two of them. 

“What in the devil are you doing here?” The older man muttered. I never thought we would get a simple call; you’re usually too bloody pent up for that.” 

Severus let out a rush of air somewhere between a groan and a huff. 

Lucius got up, gesturing to the other leather armchair. Strolling to the glass bar cart, he held up a bottle of scotch, swinging it in question. 

Severus nodded and sat heavily in the chair. The room was warm, perhaps too much so. A fire lapped at never-disappearing wood, the flames reflecting off the green marble of the fireplace. It made Severus perspire, and the unease that had been circling in him came with it. 

Narcissa draped herself on the sofa across from him. “Is this about a girl?” 

Placing his head in his hands, Severus didn’t respond. 

“That answered my question then.” 

When he lifted his head, she was smirking. “Is it Granger?” 

This time, his head fell back against the chair. “It was that obvious then?” 

Lucius pressed a drink into his hand, “wildly so. Now tell us what happened.”

Chapter Text

3 Months Later

Hermione held her breath, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty swirling in her mind. A few months later, her life had taken an unexpected turn. Initially, she attributed the changes to her new culinary habits—indulging in rich French bread and buttery croissants slathered with sweet jam. Weight gain had never sent her spiralling, and she had been enjoying herself in France.

However, she noticed a more significant shift over the past two weeks. Once comfortably loose, the tee she wore now clung to her curves in ways it hadn’t just three months ago. Then, recently, bouts of nausea, it had progressively gotten worse. That was when Hermione began to be concerned.

Now, she was in the Heathrow airport loo because she had been far too sick to take a portkey, standing in a stall wondering exactly how she had gotten herself into this mess at the ripe age of 28. She should be too clever to make a mistake like this. She chewed her lip.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

Her boobs were so tender it was nearly painful, and she was on the verge of losing control of her emotions at just about anything the past week or so. She raised her wand to just get it over with and take the damn test, but someone walked in. 

“Shit,” she mumbled very quietly. Exiting the stall she went to wash her hands, Ginny would be there soon to pick her up anyway, and she didn’t want some unsuspecting Muggle to see light through the stall door and maybe… perhaps… Hermione didn’t want to know just yet. 

When she reached the exit doors after the baggage claim, the drizzling London sky and her friend's red hair came into view against the grey backdrop. Rushing towards her, Hermione had to fight back tears. Her emotions would be very irritating if they kept up like this. She missed her friends, and she missed… ugh !

Blinking tears from her eyes, Hermione tried hard to focus and not lose it when any emotion popped up. Last week, Pierre, one of the potioneers she’d been working with, had brought in his new puppy… suffice it to say Hermione had been in tears almost instantly. It was humiliating; luckily, he didn’t bat an eye. From the get-go, Pierre had been so open with his emotions; it was refreshing and made her not feel so bad now that she was losing her cool at the mere mention of a fluffy creature. 

“Okay, flight?” Ginny grabbed her attention then. 

“Mhmm, Hermione mumbled. 

Picking up one of Hermione’s long chestnut locks, “your hair looks fab, damn, what are you doing to it?” 

Shrugging, she tried to move on. “Can we get a taxi? I don’t think I can apparate.” 

“I brought Dad's new and improved car; it actually drives.” She winked cheekily, and they both headed for the car park. 

“Do you have a new and improved driving permit?” 

The redhead only laughed. Very comforting. 

…

Safely ensconced in Ginny’s and Harry’s house with a warm cup of tea and the fire roaring in its grate, Hermione finally let herself tell her friends what had happened after the party. She carefully avoided speaking of what she had told Ginny in the car. She didn't want Harry to know she was potentially pregnant, not at this point.

“We were just starting to be normal again; our owls were better while I was in France, and things seemed better, almost like normal. We even floo called one night to discuss a potion patent getting passed." Hermione groaned and pulled her feet up, resting her cup of tea on her knees.

“He didn’t seem strange about the whole thing, and now… I have to go back to work with him."

“I am still pretty surprised that you shagged Snape.” Harry blinked, his big green eyes looking astonished through his glasses. 

Ginny chuckled, “she didn’t just shag Snape, Harry. She fuuuc-” 

“Stop!” Harry raised his voice, looking like he might jump up from the sofa. 

Ginny laughed, and Hermione dropped her head, mortified. 

“I’d told you that I liked him.” Hermione sounded frustrated to her own ears. 

“Yes,” Harry said slowly, “but I just didn’t think it would turn into anything. I thought maybe it was a passing fancy or something. And even after the end of the war, he’s…”

“Prickly?” Hermione finished. 

Ginny replied, “I would say brooding or downright caustic, but yes. Are you into that? The whole Edward Cullen thing? That, by the way, I only find slightly less creepy with Snape.” 

"I don't think you could compare him to that," Hermione wrinkled her nose.

Harry got up then, “Twilight being mentioned is my cue to leave,” he mumbled something to Ginny and headed up the stairs. The sound of a computer coming to life upstairs signalled where he had gone.

Ginny shuffled in her seat, plucking up her glass of wine. Signalling Hermione to continue. 

Hermione groaned, “I wish I didn’t care that much. I barely remember that night, and it was still the best shag of my life. You should have seen his face, it was like I punched him when he realised it was me. We were friends sort of before… This derailed the whole thing, and now… Well, do I have to tell him? Is that legal? I just… Jesus, Severus is going to freak out.” 

“Well, we don’t know for sure you’re pregnant,” Ginny said, and Hermione shushed her, glancing at the stairs. “Harry is probably so lost in that damn computer game he’s playing he won't know what the hell we are talking about.” She sounded irritated actually about the fact that he was even playing a game.

Trouble in paradise?  

“Don’t tell him, for sure, when I find out, please, I just… can’t deal with that right now.” 

Ginny nodded. “We are dealing with some stuff at the moment anyway…” Even when Hermione raised an eyebrow, she didn't say more, just added, “you better do a test, Mione.” 

Hermione nodded and shut her eyes. A deep, stored-away part of her wanted it to be true, to have a bit of Snape that didn’t get shoved away after their night together, to prove that, at some point, he had wanted her. Taking a deep breath, she whispered the spell, eyes still shut. 

She could hear Ginny’s release of breath, Hermione knew. She already knew. What was she going to do?

"Ginny, what am I going to do?"

"I think you're goin' to need to tell him and see what happens."

…

It was Monday morning, and Hermione would be back. Severus had done his absolute best to fix their relationship over her time away. He did not want her to feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable. So, he had swallowed his pride. They had owled, and things had been really good; it seemed routine. She had been the one to ask about floo calling one evening, and of course, he had agreed, glutton for punishment that he was.

You're so absolutely lost to this woman.

For the past couple of weeks, he has avoided Narcissa and Lucius, who have been pestering him for news about Hermione. He had nothing to give, and neither seemed to think he shouldn't try to tell her how he felt. Were they insane? Of course, they were. Happily married for decades, during a war even. Of course, they wouldn't understand what unrequited love was like. Severus, on the other hand, was all too familiar with the concept.

He was ready for the day, coffee in hand and prepared to face whatever came up. Or as ready as he ever was. He may like his job, but the Ministry was full of idiots. Swarming with them.

As soon as he entered the lab, there were questions from the brewing team about paperwork, and to his left, a potion exploded, splattering the area and himself with a greyish-sticky fluid. So much for an easy start to the day. Snape cleaned the space with a wave of his wand and barked some well-timed orders at the masses, who scurried away to fulfil what he expected.

It wasn’t that he got a kick out of hissing at dunderheaded people… or perhaps it was. No one would ever call him a nurturer of young minds, even if he had been a teacher for the better part of his adult life. 

With slight disgust, he sat at his desk and opened the cap of his protein shake, chasing it with coffee to rid himself of the flavour. It was ridiculous for him to drink these things, but it had been recommended by his doctor. To maintain muscle mass as he aged. He wanted to roll his eyes at that, but since the war, he had tried to be healthier, get enough sun, eat some greens and exercise, and after all, now, he had the time.

It also meant when he glimpsed his reflection, at the very least, he looked less gaunt and sallow, and the past couple of years, more than anything, he had wanted to look pleasingly for her… Granger was beautiful. Snape did his best to deny it when they began to work together, but he had reached a point where it was useless; she was stunning. Dark eyes, always framed by shadowy lashes, a touch of pink on her cheeks, and those cascading brown curls that she hadn’t cut once since they’d been working together.

It had been in his mind that this passing fancy would fade as time went on, that he would find himself losing interest, but that wasn’t the case, and now… now he knew it wouldn’t be after what had occurred between them. He knew he tended to be obsessive, which scared him, even as an adult with a fully developed mind, but he couldn't help but remember Lily. He regretted being so young and naive, not thinking of her as a person. Was he doing that again with Hermione? Severus didn't think so, but it was hard to tell .

Raising his eyes up to the ceiling in absolution, Severus was ready to begin his morning ritual of looking over paperwork and mainlining a coffee when the most irritating man alive strolled in.

That may be a stretch.

Nathan Unnis, the current vice chair of the Board of Governors and the chattiest man to ever disgrace Severus with his presence. That was truly saying something; Snape frequently interacted with Arthur Weasley and had spent many years sitting at a dinner table near Pomona Sprout in the Great Hall. Yet, Unnis took the cake for being most interested in chatting with anyone in his general vicinity, no matter how clearly said person showed to be uninterested, and in the case of Severus, he was thoroughly hostile towards small talk.  

Nathan was Muggleborn, not an issue, of course. However, he had worked in Muggle corporate before deciding to work in the magical world. He brought with him self-help books, mandated team-building exercises, and employee engagement activities, so the antithesis of Snape. It was Severus’s own particular brand of torture, which was saying something as he had experienced actual torture in his lifetime. 

“Snape!” 

Severus sighed aloud. “Unnis, what can I do for you?” 

“I’ve told you, mate, call me Nathan or Nate if you prefer.” 

Snape nodded, as always, when the man brought up that notion. He would not be doing that. “What can I do for you?” Severus repeated. 

“When's Hermione back?” 

“Today, I believe.” He didn't believe it; he bloody well knew it; Snape was just short of a sodding countdown on that wall.

The man nodded, “good, good. I have some questions about the next few meetings she’ll be attending and a couple of HR things I was sent with by Kinglsey’s office since I was on my way down here.” 

He shoved a packet of papers over to Snape, and Severus used that as an opportunity to turn his back on the man to ensure Nathan knew the conversation was over.

Setting the packet on her desk, luckily, Unnis was gone when Severus turned around. He’d come to realise that Unnis was the sort of person to be very, very happy and positive. If anyone was the least bit realistic, or god forbid cynical, Unnis thought you were a flawed individual or, at the very least, a downer. So, Snape usually was able to get him to go away fairly quickly with his bad attitude and general disposition. 

“Good morning,” a small throat cleared. 

He looked up, and there she was, the woman of his nearly every waking thought and some sleeping thoughts as well… looking well, lovely as ever or even more so, he couldn’t be sure. 

Severus stood straight, ever awkward, as he tried not to look like some pent-up Regency-era man standing when a woman entered the room.

“Welcome back.” Her large, pale blue jumper looked beautiful with her dark hair against it. Her lip was pinned between her teeth, and he realised she looked nervous, perhaps?

“Is that my desk?” Her voice was a bit shaky as she pointed, a wry smile changing her face. “I’d almost forgotten what it looked like.” There was a soft chuckle as she stepped around to place her stuff on the chair. 

“As far as I know, it hasn’t been touched or anything moved at all.” He noticed that she appeared tense. God, he just wished they could move past this. He tried his hardest to look open and not at all his average frustrated self.

“Tea?” He motioned to the station for such drinks a few meters away. 

She nodded, allowing him time to focus on a task and not have to gaze at her. Glowing perfect skin, beautiful hair… get it fucking together, Snape, what in gods name are you doing?

Too soon, he had to turn back to her, depositing her drink to the little coaster on her desktop before stepping back. A whiff of her perfume, and he might actually pass out from pure ecstasy. 

She straightened and turned to face him, leaning a hip against the desk (he’d like to sink his teeth into that hip). “All right, fill me in; what's gone on?” Then she smirked, “you haven’t sacked anyone out of pure annoyance, have you?” 

…

After a brief meeting with the team and a discussion she had downstairs, they both ascended the stairs to their office on the second floor of the labs. Hermione felt a bit winded and grimaced at the reason behind that. She was learning many things in the past few days about why her body was doing what it was doing to her. Prior to all this, Hermione had been getting into excellent shape, going to a muggle gym… now... she felt miserable thinking about any workout except perhaps a walk. She was so tired.

Watching Severus from the corner of her eye, Hermione wanted to groan aloud as he ran a large hand through his black hair and checked the time on his watch. Younger Hermione would have been gobsmacked to know she would find Severus Snape sexy just standing there. 

Damn. 

“Do you want to get some lunch?” His deep voice nearly startled her, so lost in her own world, daydreaming about the bloody man standing right there. 

He was looking at a piece of parchment on his desk, not at her. 

What had he asked her? “Uh, sorry, what?” 

Snape didn’t look up, perusing things, but cleared his throat. “Lunch? Just to talk about a few housekeeping things, of course… for the lab.” 

He was talking to her like she was 5. God, she really must have been acting a fool since she got back. “Yes,” she said too brightly, “of course!” 

You’re absolutely cooked, Granger.

Seeing him was like warming the sun's rays after a frigid early morning, thawing her out. Or whatever other trite poetic thing her gushy mind could think of. Was this pheromones or something? Evolution calling her to him? It almost made her forget her predicament. Almost . Inside, Hermione felt the slight notion that he seemed to be happy to see her; that was something, right? Surely . 

They went to a small cafe they frequented for coffee and ordered some toasties. Hermione had already had one coffee that morning and declined another. She had read somewhere that you should limit coffee when pregnant, but she really needed to research; there was so much she didn’t know. Severus looked at her strangely; she was never one to turn down a second cup of coffee. 

“Just, uh, a bit jittery, first day back.” She looked away, trying to keep her cool.

He nodded and led them to their seats near the window. It was interesting that the two of them developed a sort of friendship and a substantial routine over the years. Sometimes, no, many times over the years, she had felt that he was the only person who understood her quite well. It was often that they had been able to connect about things; he seemed interested in listening to her blab on about potions of course, but also whatever muggle book she had been reading. The night she and Ronald had broken up for the last time, nearly 6 years ago now, Snape had noticed she was staying late at the lab and asked her to grab a pint at the pub up the way, and it was obvious that something was wrong without her having to say it. He had allowed her to cry about the situation and didn’t make fun of her for it.

That was how their weekly pub nights had begun. Surprisingly gentle and often gruff, but there was also a kindness to Snape.  Which was strange because he had been such a hated teacher. Hermione had never hated him that much, though; mostly, she didn’t like that he never gave her credit for how smart she was and, of course, Dumbledore… but she looked at that much differently now. 

A flashback to a few years ago popped into her head, the two of them trying to figure out a particularly tricky potion recipe. When Hermione was finally able to select how they needed to modify it to give the potion more longevity, she turned to find him gawking a bit at her. Then he said words she had wished to hear throughout school: “good job, Granger.” Simple, but it had made her want to tear up right there in front of him.

No doubt he would make a good dad… oh god . 

“Are you sure you’re alright?” They were sitting, and Snape looked at her like a patient. His dark eyes roved her face, and his brows knitted together in consternation.

The heat in her cheeks signalled her going red and she nodded, quickly sipping her peppermint tea. “Yes, uh, sorry, jet lag, I suppose.” Though that didn’t make sense at all, there was a 1-hour difference between Paris and London.

Snape didn’t seem to lock onto that fact, though. Instead, he sipped his flat white, which looked bloody good compared to her own lukewarm herbal tea.

Hermione watched him as he took a sip, throat bobbing.

“That moron, Unnis, has been meddling in our work recently. I don’t know what he’s got planned, but it cannot be good.” Severus sat back, folding his arms over his chest, and Hermione had to admire how his shirt tightened over his chest. Had he been working out? Was she just this incredibly horny?

Hermione smirked, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. She knew all too well that Snape had a deep-seated loathing for Nathan. While she didn’t share the same intensity of dislike, she found Nathan tolerable in small doses. “I see that hasn’t changed,” she remarked, her voice laced with mirth.

Snape shook his head slowly, his expression serious. “It’s different this time,” he insisted, his brows furrowing slightly. “I can tell he’s scheming. He was actively looking for you earlier today and dropped off some paperwork from HR…” He paused, his usually composed demeanour shifting ever so slightly as he glanced at her, revealing an unusual hint of anxiety. “Are you considering leaving the department?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.

“What?! No!” She'd seen the paperwork.

Apparently, the Ministry was automatically notified when someone's pregnancy charm was positive; the packet of information was the various options a witch had, along with information on the help she could receive if she was in an abusive relationship. Despite Hermione not liking that Magical Records knew her business, it was a nice gesture, and it seemed to be private, the records all confidential.

“I am not leaving the department, just some… information about my trip and per-diem and stuff.” Hermione knew she was a bad liar, so she tried to look away so he couldn’t see her eyes. Severus was good at spotting liars.

He nodded, seemingly fooled and took a bite of his toasty before going on, “so, where did we end up with the French Ministry?” 

“On rather good terms, I’d say.” Hermione tried to bite her toasty, but it made her feel queasy. Instead, placing it back on the plate. “They are interested in the programs we have implemented with magical hospitals and want to start something similar there.” She couldn’t help but beam.

The French Minister was a widely known grump and she felt proud to have won him over. “Pierre, Minister Aubert’s Potions Director, was invaluable. He and I got on very well, and I think that really helped me get words in with Aubert.”

“Good. We’ve had some trouble with paperwork here, but I don’t think we fucked it up too royally whilst you were away.” Severus smirked a bit, and Hermione’s stomach fluttered wildly. 

Unable to help herself, she tracked the movement of his neck as he swallowed another sip of coffee. She wanted him so bad. “I am sure you did fine,” her voice sounded breezy, much to her satisfaction. "You’re far more meticulous than I.” 

“Perhaps,” another barely there smirk, “but paperwork is ghastly and dull.” 

They chatted back and forth over some of Snape’s new potion experiment ideas. He usually threw the ideas at her before any of their team just to gauge if they were doable or if she had any ideas that could help. It felt reasonably standard. Only once did she catch him looking at her oddly. He had said something in that dark-witted, dry humour he utilised, and she couldn’t help but laugh and reach out a hand to pat him over the table. The look on his face had been… shock? Horror ? She really wasn’t sure at all… but she jerked her hand back like he’d burned her. 

“We should probably get back,” Hermione murmured, tucking a strand of hair away from her face. She was beginning to feel nauseous, and she wasn’t sure whether that was him or…

“You’ve barely eaten.” That was very abnormal for her, she knew. If there was one thing the war and that miserable camping trip in the Forest of Dean had done, it was make her appreciate food.

“Just not feeling like myself.” 

He nodded in answer. Severus got a second coffee to go, and they headed back to the Ministry. The tension never quite went away again. They were both interacting with one another on high alert. 

…

The rest of the week went genuinely well. Hermione was happy to be back in her routine, and the nagging there quieted down just a bit. That is until Thursday evening. She flooed home as she always did, to her little chocolate box cottage in the countryside. It was a beautiful little brick thing, something straight out of the film The Holiday. When she had purchased it five years ago, she thought she could never be happier or want anything more.

As she entered the cottage, she waved a hand, and all the half-melted candles came to light in a soft glow. The place was stuffed full of books and the walls hung with paintings and art she had collected whilst travelling. It was perfect; a little stove in the kitchen kept it hot and the fireplace in the loft and the sitting room also helped. It was always quiet and snowy in the winter, but she didn’t mind all that much. Luckily, being a witch and all, she could get around without the use of motorised vehicles. At the moment, the leaves were gone, but she knew with spring on the horizon, the leaves would soon return, and everything would be colourful and sweet-smelling again.

It felt wonderful being home—all week long… until she was changing into her pyjamas. Her top was feeling too tight, her breasts had clearly gotten bigger. It was so very, very slight, but she could see a slight rounding to the edges of her stomach that hadn’t been there before. 

God. What was she going to do? 

Finally, after being as rational and pragmatic as she could throughout the week, Hermione flopped herself down on the bed and allowed herself to cry. She cried for the life that she had expected, one where this was planned and someone loved her and wanted this with her. She cried for her hope of something more with Severus. Until no tears were left, she sat up and wiped her puffy eyes. Perhaps this was as it was meant to be. It wasn’t as if relationships had worked out ever in her past either. Maybe she was better off alone and this was how she would get her family.

Chapter Text

"So, Granger is back, then?" Lucius said, taking a leisurely drag from his thick cigar, the smoke curling up into the evening air. He leaned casually against the manor's expansive marble balcony railing, which overlooked the meticulously kept gardens, their buds beginning to form in the very early spring days. The sun had bathed the grounds in golden light all day, casting long shadows that danced across the stone floor.

Severus glanced up from his glass of deep red wine, swirling it slowly, the movement deliberate as he struggled to conceal his thoughts. He let out a noncommittal grunt, reluctant to engage in the conversation.

"Oh, come now," Lucius said with an amused smirk, shaking his finger playfully at Snape. "I know you aren’t that indifferent."

Snape sighed, knowing he couldn’t hide the tension in his demeanour. It unsettled him that Lucius was privy to this situation; sharing such personal feelings with another felt strange and disarming. He had always meticulously guarded his inner thoughts, painstakingly keeping others at a distance. He had chosen solitude even in the times between the wars. It had always been better that way. Now, he found himself revealing to Malfoy what he was thinking and feeling. Merlin, what a tangled web he had woven.

"She is back, and I am happy to have all that bloody paperwork off my desk and on hers."

Smoke puffed from his lips as he scoffed. "I don't believe you for a second."

Shrugging, Severus took another sip of the wine; the Malfoys always did have good wine. "Things seem average, back to the way they were before, nearly."

"Except now you know what her tits look like."

Severus scowled as Lucius chortled, taking another drag. Unfortunately, Severus knew he was partially correct. As much as Snape tried to ignore it, he had glimpses of that night popping in and out of his head at the most inconvenient of times and also sometimes when he was alone in his bed. Now that he knew Hermione in that way... he was fairly convinced he would be ruined for women, no one would ever live up, and he might be stuck in the same cycle as before. Pining for a woman who didn't want him.

...

Severus had been in the lab all day. He felt terrible and tired from dunderheaded idiots fucking up experiments. He could almost hear Hermione's voice in his head, 'They are only interns, Severus, give them a break... were you a perfect Potions Master at 22?' . The thought made him smirk, mostly because she was back in the UK, and he wouldn't have to have their made-up conversation with her. The woman herself was... he strode into their office... not there.

Severus frowned, looking around, his dragon hide boots scuffing against the floor. This may be for the best. He had been struggling to keep his cool whenever he saw her. It wasn’t as if things hadn’t been better between them. It had been another week gone, and they were settling back into some routine. Things had been pretty average, Hermione had been busy, and really, they hadn't needed to be alone together much, but overall, he would say they were doing quite well at being normal .

Severus was grateful. Though finding her beautiful in nearly every moment of the day was distracting, to the point where he felt relief at not having to be perceived and was on alert concerning how he acted in every possible moment.

Collapsing into his chair, Severus felt the ache of his sore muscles and that twinge in his back that never entirely went away. He was surprised that he had stuck with his New Year's resolution to exercise more, but he had. Snape was feeling more fit every day, and actually… he had begun to like how he looked in the mirror more. That in and of itself was a massive feat for someone who had hated their appearance since childhood. 

Stretching again, he tried to ease some of the soreness in his shoulders and noticed a note on his desk.

At Nathan’s office. Take a look at the proposal on my desk for the Polyjuice Restriction hearing. I want your opinion before I move forward with presenting it. 

-H :)

She had scribbled a little smiley face next to her initial. Despite himself, Severus smiled down at the notes and her neat, tiny scrawl. He was a fool. Completely lost to a woman once again… fuck. Would he ever learn?

He busied himself cleaning up a bit, setting a few charms on his clothes and hair to remove potion fumes. It was Friday, so they used to go to the pub together; he hoped she would still want to. 

“Severus?” Lucius Malfoy’s drawl came through the fireplace. 

“Yes?”

“Apologies catching you at work. Narcissa wanted to check in about brunch tomorrow.” 

Shit , he’d forgotten to RSVP, he wasn’t used to such things. Being invited to places, another New Year goal: get out more, see people, don’t be such a downer. Perhaps then he would find greater fulfilment. Doubtful.

“Yes, tell her I will be there.” 

“Good man, see you then.” The fire went back to its usual red and orange flames. 

What had he been doing?

Rubbing his eyes, Snape tried to remember what he had been doing before thinking about his life choices and suddenly trying to be more social. You can work out and talk to people, but deep down, you are still just an old man who likes a woman 20 years younger than you… Oh yes, there it is, Hermione, The Polyjuice proposal.

Giving his head a little shake, he went over to her desk, trying to find the proposal she needed him to look at. Rifling through a few items, his fingers stilled when he saw the packet that Nathan had brought in on the Monday before… open and detailing the benefits she would be entitled to at the Ministry due to her newest medical condition.

Swallowing hard, Snape tried to keep himself from reading, but the spy in him just couldn’t help it.

Was she ill?

Then his eyes stilled on the last bit of the letter.

Hermione was pregnant. 

The room spun a bit, and Severus had to grip the desktop for support. It was as if he had gotten up too fast, and his blood pressure had skyrocketed. An odd mix of guilt and jealousy was warring within him. Sure, he was okay with her not caring for him as he did her; that was anything but unexpected. He was old and mean and ugly. It had been lucky to get what he did, but the fact that she had so easily fallen into another man's arms in France... It shouldn’t have hit him hard, but it did.

Was he going to again have to suffer from afar as a woman he cared about was swept off her feet by someone who wasn’t him? Damn it , he had promised himself to never get in this deep again. Feeling this much for someone had always gotten him hurt in the past. Really, he hadn’t even realised how much he enjoyed Hermione’s company until she was gone, and he had mucked this all up royally. 

He stepped away from her desk, the lingering scent of jasmine perfume permeated the space, and sank heavily into his own chair, feeling the familiar tension in his shoulders. Snape wouldn't put himself through this torment again—this hopeless longing for a woman who cared for someone else, a reality that twisted like a knife in his gut. The last time had nearly broken him; he had spent countless nights haunted by regret and sleepless dreams, unsure if he could endure that kind of heartache once more. He needed to find a way to move on soon. The weight of unspoken emotions pressed down on him, making him feel as if he were too deep already. Just contemplating it made him feel queasy. His cowardly side whispered dark thoughts, suggesting he might even consider quitting his job and fleeing to some distant place where he could escape.

When she returned, Severus had schooled his features, the picture of calm. He would wait until she could tell him of her new beau and happy news when she felt it best. That is what a normal, not codependent weirdo would do. Still, the gross feeling in his stomach did not abate. 

“Meeting alright?”

She shrugged, “Nathan really wants us involved in those team-building activities occasionally and seems very interested in finding ways to help the Potions Department so that part is good.”  

Severus glanced up, one eyebrow nearly in his hairline. He didn’t want that overly cheerful man anywhere near his department, nor did he wish to participate in any kind of rubbish the man had come up with to have a 'good time.'

“I’ve put him off at this point, but eventually, we’ll have to do something; he’s really into that sort of thing.” 

“Potion-making tends to be a solitary practice.” It was muttered under his breath, interrupted slightly by Hermione groaning a bit as she sat. “Alright?” He swallowed hard. 

“Just some back pain…” she didn’t look at him. 

He nodded, “pub tonight?” He asked, part of him hoping she’d say no, and also unable to help himself from wanting to be around her. Though it felt like actual torture at this point. 

“Um,” she turned, and he thought for a moment he saw hope. Or maybe she was just working up to telling him? Whatever it was, she stopped. "Sure, I have missed that potato leek pie.” 

There was quiet between them. He could hear her moving bits and bobs around her desk, but they were mostly quiet for a while. That was part of this whole mess. He felt at ease around her, at least he had until recently.

“Did you see my note?” Granger held up the proposal he’d been initially looking for.

Cover up your snooping, you twat; surely, 10 years hasn’t made your skills as a spy so utterly useless.

“Ah, yes,” nonchalant, good . “I looked but didn’t see it,” he cleared his throat, accepting the proffered parchment. “Thank you.” 

He then spent the rest of the afternoon pretending to peruse the proposal or finding an excuse to check on the labs until the blessed end of the day finally came. As they donned their jackets and headed across the street, Severus couldn’t help but notice the faint red tint that coloured her face when the cool outside air hit it. It was lovely, she was lovely. The pub was just up the road and frequented by Ministry employees. They luckily still caught a nice corner booth and ordered their meals, he with a pint and her without one, which was not usual at all. She was a beer lover, like himself. Now he knew why, of course. 

It was in his nature to… not pry but push for an answer in a sly way and damn him, he just couldn’t help it. “No beer?” 

She looked a little alarmed, unsure even; that was answer enough. “No, um, not in the mood.” She looked away quickly and fidgeted with a piece of her long, curly hair. 

There was a pause. "Are you happy to be home?” He tried. His deep voice came out solid and sure, luckily.

“Oh, yes, France was interesting, but I missed my house… and my life.” 

Interesting, would the baby's father move here?

Severus tried his best to give it a rest, instead asking her some questions about the potion text he had sent her while she was there. Hermione seemed all too happy to talk about it, which descended into their usual debate surrounding pioneering books and various authors. 

“Pierre actually met Lucinda Monjerro once; he told me all about it when we were visiting a lab in the south of France.” 

That was the moment it hit Snape. She had been talking incessantly about Pierre, the Head of Potions at the French Ministry. Surely, that must be her new boyfriend. Severus had read some of the man's writings, and they were… adequate.

“Well, that must have been fascinating for him,” with little preamble, he downed the rest of his pint in one go. 

Luckily, they didn’t stay speaking about France for long, moving on to the Polyjuice dilemma and all that had been hashed out at the Ministry board meetings that she had missed. Odious as it was for Severus to actually have to attend those blasted things, he was pleased to have discovered more of the ins and outs of Granger’s job. He had already started respecting her years into their working together, but now he had an even better understanding of just how much shite she saved him from by doing that part of the job.

Snape was so engrossed in their discussion even after the food was gone that he barely registered when Potter and Ginerva came to stand near their table.

“Hi,” Potter said with considerable enthusiasm. The two stood apart as if they were not all that happy to be next to one another. That was a bit odd. Usually, Potter was hanging all over the redhead like he couldn’t get enough of her. Hmmm . Severus had found that generally unappealed in previous interactions, but now… well, perhaps he understood. If he could touch Hermione like that he would... often.

Ginerva and Hermione shared a look that Snape didn’t quite understand. 

“Potter,” Snape replied civilly. “How are you?” 

“Alright, yourself?” Potter pushed his frames up his nose and they slipped right back down as if he hadn't touched them.

“Not bad.” God, but small talk would be the bloody death of him. 

“You two coming to Minerva’s party on Sunday?” 

Shit . He’d forgotten. It seemed Hermione had as well. 

“Yes,” they both replied at the same time. 

Ginerva chuckled and made a face towards Hermione that Severus couldn’t quite decipher. “Great! Mione, are we still on to get our nails done tomorrow?” 

“Um, yes,” Granger was chewing her lip, looking ill at ease. 

“I’ll pick you up.” The redhead turned to Snape and said, "see you at the party, Professor.” 

They headed for the door before Severus could utter something scathing about no longer being a Professor; Ginerva seemed to get a kick out of pushing buttons. Turning back to Hermione, he could tell something had shifted during that interaction. Did she feel guilty for being out with another man? Surely, her best friends knew about her situation and her new flame. There were too many possibilities. He wished he had the nerve to just ask her about it. Her mobile went off, startling both of them. 

She groaned, reading the message. “I better go,” she answered before he could ask, looking down at the phone and not him. “I need to call my mum.” 

Her reaction made him want to chuckle a bit. “I will see you this weekend then, " he said, getting up and stretching. They had been there over an hour now. They, too, exited the pub. The rush of cool air felt much nicer than expected. 

He noticed her biting her nail. Reaching out, he gently pulled her hand away from her lips. Severus knew she had a horrible habit of biting her nails, which seemed worse than usual by the look of her hangnails. She’d tried to curb this habit for years and had gotten a better handle on it before France. They were so close now, he looking down at her from above, and her meeting his eyes then, the caramel depths warm in the street light; hand warm in his, so tiny. She had these small hands that fit- damn . Shaking himself, Severus released her hand fast, realising what he had been doing, the spell broken.

Clearing her throat, Granger pinched her lips together, glancing away, clasping her hands behind her back. “I have gotten back into the habit of biting them. Ginny is hoping a gel manicure will help… we’ll see.” 

She was so bloody beautiful, even when she was embarrassed, her cheeks red. God, had she always been so much shorter than him? He had always thought he liked taller women, but she was so small, and he just wanted to pull her against him... tip her head up and...

She was the first to speak, amber eyes darting around, not entirely looking at him. “I actually need to talk to you about something, Severus.” 

Shocking him from his reverie, shattering the fragile bubble of denial he had wrapped around himself. No! He couldn't bear to hear this, not yet. Both his mind and body screamed at him to run, to escape the suffocating atmosphere, to cling to his refusal to accept reality for just a little while longer.

“Perhaps we can talk on Sunday? Get home safely,” he said with forced politeness, his voice steady despite the chaotic turmoil within. With that, he turned and strode away.

It may have seemed impolite, but he simply couldn’t confront this—not yet. He refused to look back as he walked away, desperate not to see the hurt he might have inflicted and eager to distance himself from the fallout of his words.

…

Hermione stared blankly at the spot he had just been in. She had been working herself up to telling him all evening. Ginny had given her that look, and Hermione knew there was nothing for it; she had to tell him. Then... what had that been? He'd just walked away. She stood there another moment, puzzled, until the chill of the evening air made her shiver.

The thought of apparation—a disorienting and often nauseating experience at the best of times—made her stomach twist uncomfortably. Yet, she realised it was too late to rely on the Floo Network at the Ministry, which was usually a more pleasant option. Instead, she headed toward a narrow alley a few blocks away, a spot frequented by Ministry employees who needed to escape the bustling streets of London. Steeling herself for the sensation, Hermione took a deep breath. It did little to help. As soon as she materialised in her living room, the overwhelming urge to be sick surged, forcing her to sprint toward the loo. She barely made it, doubling over in front of the toilet as she expelled the remnants of her dinner. After she finished, she leaned back against the cool porcelain of the bathtub, rubbing her forehead. This was turning out to be an utterly wretched evening. Suddenly, another wave of sickness surged through her, and she turned back to the toilet, feeling utterly defeated.

Once the nausea had finally passed, Hermione forced herself to brush her teeth, gripping the sink counter multiple times to prevent another bout of retching. With a flick of her wand, she dressed in her soft, comfortable pyjamas and tied her hair up in a messy bun, trying to find some semblance of normalcy. Finally, she made her way into her dimly lit bedroom, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. She would have to call her mum back later, she didn't have it in her. This was just splendid—exactly how she had hoped the evening would go. Perhaps she could get some sleep and pretend for a few hours that none of this was real, that there wasn't a tiny human inside of her.

...

The smell of rashers made Severus's stomach growl uncomfortably. The table had been laid out with all the fixings of a full English, and he truly commended Narcissa's cook; it looked incredible.

"Have at it," Lucius muttered, pointing at the plate before him. He was skimming the copy of the Prophet from Friday—ah, to be retired or wealthy enough to never have to really work—Severus thought.

"How was the week?" Narcissa called from the doorway, striding in.

"Something is wrong with Severus, but he won't tell me." Malfoy's eyes were mischievous, glinting.

Severus cut into his eggs and scooped them onto a bit of fried bread, but he was not about to tell these two about Hermione's business.

"Will you tell me?" Severus had his eyes trained on his plate, but he knew that Narcissa must be fluttering her eyelashes and pretending to be coy.

"No."

He could almost hear her frown.

Snape's deep voice cut through the room. "It's not something for me to tell. Move on, I beg of you. You won't get anywhere trying to pry it out of me."

"Surely not," Narcissa muttered. She plucked up a delicate teacup and sipped primly. "I liked Hermione and I rather wish she and Draco had been more serious."

"Don't say that to the poor man," Lucius countered, folding the paper and placing it down. "He's already far gone as it is. We don't need him worrying about something else."

"He won't make a move, so I don't see how it matters."

When Snape glanced up, Narcissa was smirking at him from across the table, absolutely teasing him from behind her tea cup.

Lucius snorted.

Going back to his breakfast, Severus pretended to be nonplussed. Was this what having friends got him? He may want to rethink this one of his New Year's Resolutions.

Chapter Text

The narrow road twisted through a landscape adorned with small farms and quaint, picturesque stone walls. Hermione kept pace, cradling a steaming cup of coffee that filled the air with its rich aroma. The fresh morning air brushed against her skin, invigorating her senses, even though a crisp chill lingered—spring was still easing its way in. The cottages, including her home, nestled in the heart of the Lake District, were a warm and inviting place. Something straight out of a film. The neighbours were all kind and had welcomed her readily when she moved there a few years ago. A peace came with living somewhere so far from the bustle of London and the peering eyes of the Ministry. Hermione loved her job, but she didn't much like getting the interested looks and gawking that came with being Harry Potter's best friend, who followed her wherever she went. This little part of her life was the perfect balance from that.

Her hand drifted without thought to her belly. It was a bit swollen, but nothing too noticeable just yet. Her jeans didn't button, but that was reasonably well hidden under a jumper. Would a dark-haired child go for walks here with her in a few years? Would Hermione still be alone? Shutting her eyes, she tried to refocus herself. It was only too soon, and she would need to get to the Burrow. It would be nice to be among friends. She could act as if everything was normal... And it was about celebrating Minerva's retirement. Perhaps he would skip it; he often found excuses not to attend such things. Introvert that he was. 

This had her smiling as she reached her front gate, the clang and creak of wrought iron following her as she closed it behind her. There were so many things to like about Severus, despite his often grumpy exterior, or perhaps in spite of it, which made him possibly kinder when he showed his softer side. Unlocking the door, she heard a voice call from behind. 

“Hermione!” A small, older woman waved from the entry to her garden. “Have time for a spot of tea, dear?” 

Glancing at her watch. “Sure, Imogen.” She waved the old woman inside and stepped towards the kitchen to get the kettle going. “Have a seat by the fire.” 

They often dropped in on one another, Imogen just up the street from Hermione, in another chocolate box cottage. There was an ease about Imogen that Hermione enjoyed, and it was nice to have a friendly face close by; her own family didn't live close enough to see all that often.

Busying herself with putting a few biscuits down, the cinnamon ones she kept just for Imogen, she discreetly sent a book on the magical effects of unicorn horns to a cubbord nearby. Checking to ensure the older woman wasn't paying attention. Then set the tea service out and went to the fire, stoking it lightly, stooping down to blow on the embers, and getting it burning again. Imogen was always a little cold.

“How was your work trip then?” Tea in hand, the woman's sparkling blue eyes peered at Hermione over the rim of her cup. 

“Good, productive.” 

“Hmm, and what else?” A grey eyebrow raised in question. "Anything new at work?"

“Nothing, just plugging along.” The woman had a strange way of reading her; if she hadn’t been a Muggle, Hermione would have recommended she take over Trelawny's position at Hogwarts. 

“You can’t fool me, dear.” 

“I am just a little tense,” Hermione mumbled, frowning, "I thought things might be going somewhere with my… coworker, and they aren’t.” 

“The one you like, I presume.” Another glint in her eyes reminded Hermione almost eerily of Dumbledore, perhaps less mischievous and more meddling, but the general sense was there.

“The very one.” 

“What’s his name again, something different, like yours-” 

“Severus,” Hermione supplied, taking a too hot gulp of tea. Bollocks.

“Yes, a strong Roman name. Would you like to name the baby after him if they are a boy?” 

Hermione's eyes shot to Imogen's, and her mouth fell open… how had she ? "I-"

Imogen pointed towards the doorway, where, near the coat rack, was a book titled Pregnancy, Babies, and How to Do It All on Your Own . 

Shit . 

“Does he know?” 

Hermione shook her head; there was no use in denying it now.

"Why?"

“Well, it is very complicated.” 

“How so?"

"Well... he hates children." Hermione took another sip of scalding tea, burning her tongue for a second time.

"Has he said that?" The older woman peered at her oddly.

Swallowing, Hermione thought before answering. "Well, I guess he's never said it, but... I've told you, he was my teacher in school. I think it was obvious there was a distaste for children." Hermione could still hear how he sneered at her from his desk at Hogwarts, despite how she saw him now. 

"Not his own child."

Hermione only shook her head. She couldn't explain all of this to Imogen. There was too much history between her and Severus. Things that wouldn't make sense unless you unloaded everything about the war. A megalomaniac wizard, her best friend's mum... things that Imogen knew nothing about.

"I would only say that sometimes things are not as complicated as they seem.” Reaching across the small coffee table, Imogen patted Hermione’s hand and threw back the rest of her tea. “Now, I will get going. If you tell him, bring him over for tea after things have settled. I need to try a new brown butter biscuit recipe for company." With a small smile, the woman donned her hand-knit beanie and headed out the door. 

Blowing out a long breath, Hermione tried to reason about all of this and came up blank. 

…

Hermione could barely keep herself together as she flooed to the Burrow, nerves plaguing her. She had been so ready to tell Snape when they had been out for drinks; things had seemed normal, and he had seemed to care for her. Despite her knowing how he despised kids and his reaction that morning after the one-night stand, well, she had some hope perhaps, even as stupid as it may have seemed. Hermione had been working herself up, too, telling him the whole conversation at the pub, and then, out of nowhere, he had just walked off as if he didn’t want to hear what she had to say. Like she had totally freaked him out… 

Now, here she was, barely able to fit into her jeans (she really needed to size up) and feeling utterly sick to her stomach from worry and the current situation that was causing her worry to begin with. As soon as she was out of the floo, Hermione felt as if she would be sick. Ginny stepped in quickly and pulled her toward the loo. Hermione tried to yank down her jumper to cover the fact that her button was not done up… ughh, just as James shouted ‘ Auntie Mione ’ from behind her somewhere and she ignored the poor boy as his mother pulled her into the Burrow's nearest loo. 

“I’ll come find you soon, James!” she tried to sound cheery as Ginny shut the door behind them. 

Oh no… she was going to boke!

Hermione leaned over the sink, but kept it together. A few seconds ticked by, “I am okay,” holding a hand to her lips. Hermione tried to breathe deeply through her nose.

“Have you told him?!” Ginny asked in a hushed exclamation. “I mean, I don’t think Snape’s been pregnant before, but anyone who has is gonna notice.” 

“No,” Hermione bit her lip, “I tried, but he just sort of buggered off on Friday night… You don’t think he knows, do you?” 

“What? No, how could he?” 

Hermione ran a hand down her face. “I don’t know. He just seemed... off, terrified, almost like I was going to tell him the worst news ever.” Hermione felt her stomach turn again, this time with apprehension.

Ginny furrowed her brow, “I had to shove the spell in Harry’s face the last time, he was dead set on not believing it. I don’t think Snape knows… Unless you have been running around with your hands up,” Ginny pointed to her exposed midriff and ill-fitting jeans. 

Hermione dropped her hands quickly from her face, yanking the jumper down again. “I just need to get through this party, come on.” She gestured to the door, and they headed out into the now busier sitting room. Hermione saw Severus’s dark hair across the way, talking to Minerva, and a vice gripped her heart when she wondered whether her baby would have his hair or eyes. Without thinking, she touched her belly, and his face angled towards her, then from across the room. She spun and walked towards George and Charlie, perhaps she just needed to distract herself. 

…

“So, what have you been up to then?” Minerva was questioning him yet again, an hour or so into the party. They had parted ways after a brief congratulations he’d said to her when he’d arrived. Now, she was back at it, always there to ensure that he was not in fact able to exist in the corner of one of these functions alone. Severus wanted to get out of here; every moment he stayed, he heard Hermione’s laugh or saw her press a hand to her stomach without thinking. Undoubtedly, no one else knew… but he could see the signs now that he was aware.

“Nothing, working, existing,” he swallowed the last of his scotch, cracking his shoulders, trying to relax, at least marginally. He would have a bloody heart attack if he didn't keep his stress in check.

Minerva chuckled at his grumpiness, as she usually did. His bite did not have any effect on her after all these years. “You look healthy.” 

He snorted at this.

“You do! Are you seeing someone? Is that why you’re taking better care of yourself?” The older woman reached out, pinching his bicep, “I have never seen muscles on you like these… You were always a lanky thing…” 

He rolled his eyes; this was true. He had never put much stock in working out until recently because he didn’t want to die early and also… to impress, which was something that would never leave the confines of his mind. Still, he glowered at Minerva.

“So, who is she??” Minerva pressed again. 

He sighed aloud, “I go to the gym. I play football on the weekends. He pinched the bridge of his nose at Minerva’s shocked expression. 

“With other people?” Her wrinkled brow creased further. 

“No, I kick a ball about all on my own in the park,” his sarcasm was simply scathing. "Yes, with other people, it's a community league.” 

“No need to get testy,” Minerva pursed her lips.

“I still have a cigarette on occasion, so don’t think I am totally turning towards the light,” he mumbled, earning a laugh in return.

Severus’s eyes drifted to Hermione across the room. She looked distressed. He watched her press a hand to her mouth and run for the back garden.

“I… I need to go.” He walked past Minerva and through the crowds to the garden. He didn’t have a reason; he just didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. Ensuring no one had followed him, he looked around and saw Hermione being sick in one of Molly's bushes. 

…

Fuuuuck . Wiping her mouth, Hermione cast a breath freshening charm and leaned back against the stump nearby. This was rough. Thankfully, no one had noticed her mad dash-. 

“Are you alright?” Severus’s deep voice made her look up in surprise. 

No. No. No. 

You have to do it, Hermione, you’ve got to tell him.  

He stooped down near her, and she caught a whiff of the empty scotch glass in his hand. “Oh fuck.” Leaning over into the bush, she was sick again. When she could move back to a sitting position, she covered her mouth and nose, “could you please get rid of the glass, the smell it-” 

Severus disappeared the drink instantly, then cast a breath-freshening charm on himself. The smell of alcohol fully gone.

“Thank you…” 

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” He sounded defeated, perhaps? Like he had simply resigned himself to admitting something he already knew.

Hermione breathed in deeply, “yes.” 

Snape rolled his neck and looked down at the dirt. “That is what you wanted to tell me on Friday, I assume.” 

“Severus, I just want to say that I don’t-” 

He cut her off, ”I need to apologise. I saw your paperwork on the desk. It was not my intention, but I knew that day.” 

Hermione blinked, eyes wide, and he didn’t seem angry or sad, more than anything. “Oh.” That was all she could think to say then.

“I am sorry.” He sat on the ground next to her.

Hermione shook her head, patting his hand without thinking. “It's alright, I left the paperwork out, I just can’t seem to think clearly recently…” 

They sat in silence for a moment. 

“So, I am guessing you didn’t get back with Weasley, since he and his wife are in there looking like the picture of happiness. Who's the lucky man? Someone in France?” His voice was trying at nonchalance, she knew, but there was a layer of something, a gloom.

“France?”

“Well, this Pierre keeps coming up in conversation. It seems that you dated?”

“No,” she shook her head, wondering exactly what he was getting at. Then she laughed aloud, realising that he knew she was pregnant but not… well, there was no hope for it now.  “I am nearly 4 months gone.”

The bloody daft man.  

Severus furrowed his brow, then understanding hit, and his eyebrows were in his hairline. 

Biting her lip hard, she kept quiet, allowing him to come to his own realisation.

When he spoke, his deep voice shook just a little. “So, the baby is…” 

“Yours, Severus.”

Chapter Text

“Yours, Severus.” 

He had always prided himself on not feeling surprised, or at least not often. Always stay two steps ahead; that is how he hadn't been killed by Voldemort or become a casualty of Albus's plans. His head spun. “What?” was all he could croak. 

Hermione’s brow furrowed, like he was wildly dense, and perhaps he was. He had known her secret for days and yet never put two and two together. He was supposed to be intelligent; that was the one merit of his that Severus had always been able to pride himself on.

“Are you alright?” Reaching out, she touched his arm; he was swaying a bit. 

Get it together, you prat. 

Severus took a deep breath, in and out, shutting his eyes, centring his mind and body the best he could. When he opened them, Hermione looked even more worried.

“I am alright,” glancing down, he saw her light green lacquered nails against his arm, holding him. Was this the hope he had been looking for? Did she want-

Hermione pulled back her hand and blew a strand of hair from her forehead, crossing her arms. “I think we should talk in private.” 

Severus glanced around; they were alone. 

“More private,” she stated, “I know this is... a lot.” 

Severus' eyes tracked down to where her shirt came up, revealing her unbuttoned jeans, clearly not fitting anymore. He felt his world shift again. This time, he kept it together on the outside. “Yes, of course.” 

…

They rushed out of the Burrow, doing their best to avoid anyone on their way out. Right before they slipped out the door, Hermione caught Ginny’s eye, and the redhead beamed, giving her two enthusiastic thumbs up.

When they reached the drive, Severus turned to her expectantly. “Yours or mine?”

He was so close to her, she could smell his cologne, making her a bit dizzy in a good way. She bent her head up to meet his dark gaze. This was cruel, whatever fate was doing this to her.

Biting her lip, Hermione said, “mine." Before she could say anything, he had reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, and apparated them into her home.

“Fuck,” was all she could get out, breaking away from him she ran to the kitchen and was sick in the sink. 

She felt Severus behind her, pulling her hair out of the way and soothingly rubbing her back; it made her heart clench.

His brow was creased with worry. “It was the apparation, wasn’t it? I didn’t think…” 

When she was able to move back, Hermione waved a hand at his worry. “I need to brush my teeth and change.” She sheepishly lifted her jumper and showed him where she had to tuck the waistband instead of buttoning it. 

She watched his eyes track down her body, and he swallowed hard, not replying.  

Fuck. 

Was he that upset? His face had been stony and unyielding, but there had been something when she showed off her very small baby bump.

This is just a shock for him. Give the man a break.

Turning, Hermione headed up the stairs, calling to him, "make some tea if you'd like some." He had been there a few times and knew his way around the place at least a little.

Standing at the bathroom sink, her heart raced wildly, feeling like it might burst from her chest. As she brushed her teeth, each stroke of the toothbrush was almost a desperate attempt to calm her nerves. She hurriedly slipped into a pair of well-worn jogging bottoms, the fabric soft against her skin, a small comfort amidst the turmoil in her mind.

She couldn’t shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, once she confessed her feelings, Severus would realise she was someone worth pursuing—someone he truly wanted to be with. Yet, the vision of his reaction played over and over in her mind, and it was far from the response she had secretly hoped for. It wasn't dismissive or cold, but she couldn't help feeling like he hadn't wanted to hear that.

She took a deep breath, trying to gather her scattered thoughts. This was utterly ridiculous; she was a grown woman, and in just a few months, she would be someone's mum—a strange but daunting reality. This wasn't some whimsical fairy tale unfolding in a storybook; this was her life, filled with choices and consequences, and she needed to navigate it with clarity and strength.

Steeling herself, she made for the stairs, entering the room and sitting on the other end of the sofa. Snape was staring at the wall with a cup of tea in hand. 

“Hi,” she murmured. 

“Hello.” His deep voice shook just a little.

“So…” 

“So.” 

Hermione sighed aloud, “I am sorry, Severus, I… don’t remember if we even attempted a charm.”

She had gone over what she could remember repeatedly, and still there was not a time that she could think of when they had tried that. She hadn’t been on the potion for over a year, she hadn’t had sex with anyone but him for over a year. The harrowing thought hit her: Would she ever get laid again? Who wanted to fuck someone’s mum? That made her feel a little unwell. Though really, she was not interested in sleeping with anyone except the man sitting next to her.

“I don’t think we did.” He rubbed a hand down his face. " And do not apologise for that." Snape blew out a long breath. "This is my responsibility as well.” 

The word responsibility hung over her like a heavy weight. That was all this was. She had known that objectively, it wasn’t as if this would change his mind when they had already half agreed not to talk about what had happened ever again.

“I understand if you don’t want to do this, I would under-” 

“Is that what you want? For me not to be involved.” It was a harsh question, and the way his dark eyes met hers, there was distinct pain, showing.

Hermione swallowed hard. “I just don’t want to force you—I mean, I know how you feel about children.” Hermione was beginning to feel nervous. He seemed slightly offended when she glanced at him, her face creasing and eyes narrowed. Hermione dropped her gaze, picking a piece of lint off her joggers and tried to remain calm.

This was always going to be an immensely awkward interaction. 

“Other children,” his voice rose, then he quieted, running a hand over his face, “not m-my child.” The last bit was quieter. "You wouldn’t be forcing me. I… this is not what I expected…” His words trailed off again. "Certainly you feel the same,” he scoffed at himself, "this affects you far more than it does me."

After another moment, Severus spoke, his voice more certain now: “I plan on being a part of this child's life. If that is acceptable to you," he finished and looked at her, dark eyes boring into hers, face set in a serious expression.

Hermione didn’t know what to say. She felt a bit of anxiety ease. Then it ramped up more. Having Severus around for more than just work. Could she handle that? She was barely keeping it together. The scent of his spicy cologne had been making her nearly light-headed this whole time. They were close on the sofa, just a breath apart. She could scoot over and be in his space, feel the warmth of him… Tell him that she wanted more...

“As long as that is alright with you.” He repeated.

“Yes, of course, I would never say no, Severus I-” Hermione reached out to grab his hand. Then thinking better, she yanked hers back, meeting his eyes. She didn’t feel she knew where they stood or what they were going to do. Hermione swallowed, nervous. 

“Don’t worry,” he said softly, looking away. "It will be strictly about the baby. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” 

Her heart fell, and so did her hand. "Oh, of course, yeah.” It was almost certainly the hormones, but Hermione felt like she might cry. Sucking in a deep breath, she blinked, trying to get a grip. This was silly. She should have known that telling him wouldn’t change anything, really, at least, how he felt about her. 

“Severus,” she tried to keep her voice steady. “I think that is all I can handle talking about for tonight, can we speak again next week? I'm sure you have more questions.” 

“Of course,” he stood before she finished saying the last word. “I will see you on Monday.” 

…

It had been an evening of shock. Severus felt his stomach turn over a few times before he could finally settle down. Dinner time came and passed, and the thought of food made him want to be sick. Then that would send him spiralling, thinking of Hermione and how his stupidity now had her nauseous at apparation. He had always been bloody meticulous about contraception. Even in his younger years, Severus had always thought about that. He knew what could happen when a couple that barely liked each other became pregnant. He was the result of a situation like that.

He knew he and Hermione were different from his parents, and of course, he would never allow something to happen to his child, never let anyone be cruel to them if it was in his power. He could remember just a few small bits of his night with Hermione, but what he did remember was pure, unadulterated bliss. He had not been in his right mind and now... something pinched in his chest, so hard he had to reach a hand up and massage the spot. Now, he was going to be someone's dad.

...

Monday morning, and he still didn’t know how to feel; it had never occurred to him that he would ever have a child. The thought still seemed so far off and strange that he couldn’t really comprehend it. What was that even going to entail? Would they call him dad? Well, of course, they would.

He ran a hand over his face. He had thought his morning workout would clear his head, but it hadn't. It still felt unreal, like he was just a stand-in, and someone else would come in and take over at some point, be the child’s actual father.

Oh god. That thought sent some sort of primal, male rage through him. Severus was shocked by it, taken aback by how much that thought hurt.

What if Hermione eventually dated and got married? Having a random man with his child? With his- with Hermione? His mind moved back to the Frenchman; she had never said they weren't together, had she? His mind was racing, jealousy running through him. Reaching out a hand, he gripped the counter, steadying himself.

This was precisely the nonsense that would end him; he couldn’t dwell on any of this, or he would explode.

It may have been too long since he felt the need to test his Occlumency. When was the last time he had meditated? His emotions weren't in check. If he was going to survive without turning into a sappy pining mess, he needed to get a grip on himself. He was lucky she decided to tell him and not simply pretend so people didn’t know she had slept with the Great Bat of the Hogwarts dungeons. 

Severus didn’t want to risk Hermione being upset with him. He was going to be mature about this; his feelings for her would not intervene. This might be the closest he was ever going to get to being with Hermione, and he could be her friend. They had been this way for at least this long. She was the only person that he didn't find draining at least some of the time, and that was saying something. 

...

The office was quiet when he entered, and it was a relief to collect his thoughts before he had to see Hermione again. He ran a hand through his hair, setting up his desk for the day and week. The quiet calmed his mind, and he was able to centre himself a bit more. Perhaps it was the smell of potions or sterile lab equipment, but something about the environment soothed him.

Sucking in a breath and blowing it out through his mouth, Severus threw a spell at the small CD player across the room. It began to play a Led Zeppelin album. The tune of "Going To California" filled the space and made him breathe even easier. The lab felt normal and like something he was used to. 

“Morning,” her voice trilled from the door, shirking off her coat and hanging it on the hook they kept. “I brought you a coffee.” 

Severus smiled at her, carefully moving the one he had picked up for himself to the side. It was mostly gone anyway. “Thank you.” He was going to say something else, but she began to talk rapidly. Clearly, she was nervous.

“I have my first proper doctor's appointment today…" she blushed furiously. "You can come if you want, but only if you want to.” She tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear and looked away, not meeting his eyes. 

His heart jolted in his chest. This was real, bloody real. The calm he had carefully crafted was going away rather quickly. His heart was now galloping in his chest. 

“Yes, of course I will.” He was finally able to stutter out. 

“Okay,” she smiled shyly, “3:00.” 

“Right, we can leave together.” 

They met each other’s eyes again and then quickly darted away. Hermione glanced at her watch. 

“Shit, I have a meeting downstairs in 5 minutes. I'll see you later.” Rushing out of the room and leaving Severus to his thoughts. 

He went about the rest of his day in relative peace. Not everyone in the lab was working up to his standard, but that was fine. They were doing well enough—they were dunderheads, after all.

There were a few files he needed, so at the very least, he could get up and take some steps. Groaning a bit at the sensation of a sore back, he headed out, nearly running into Kingsley. 

“Severus, how are you?” Reaching out to shake, as usual, not adverse to physical touch.

Snape took his hand. “Fine, Minister, you?” 

“I tried to catch you at Minerva’s party, I thought you did a hell of a good job on that new patent… I can really see that going somewhere. I am just waiting to hear back from a few boards, but well done.” 

“Yes, well, Granger mostly got us on the map for that. Penelope and I are still tinkering with a few ingredients."

Kingsley chuckled, "Hermione is a wonder. I always thought so when she was young; it has become even truer. You two do well now, don’t you? I know when you first realised who your partner was, you were concerned.” 

Waving a hand a bit, Snape tried not to look guilty. "We are fine. It's been a long while since we started, and I think we make a decent team.” The reminder that he and Kingsley had known Hermione as a child and young adult made his stomach turn.

“I’d say so!” The older man chuckled a bit. “You have a coveted team, functioning so well that people want it for their own.” 

That caught Severus’s attention, but Kingsley barreled on, talking about something else then. Severus sat through a 15-minute conversation of Kingsley going on about some other boring nonsense until Snape interrupted the man. “I have an appointment I need to get to.” 

“Right, right, Hermione said she was headed to one too. Hopefully, that potions lab of yours doesn’t explode in the meantime,” the Minister chortled, and Severus did his best not to grimace.

…

When Severus reached her, Hermione felt jittery at best, a full-on mental episode at worst. 

“Sorry, Shacklebolt caught me and was talking my ear off, are you ready?” He looked like something else was bothering him, but he didn’t say more. 

Hermione shook her head, looking very fearful. By the way, his eyes softened, and he reached out to gently run a soothing hand down her arm. 

“It’ll be all right,” he murmured so gently in a way that felt reserved for her, though she knew it wasn't. Hermione sighed and nodded. “The office is up the road; I still can’t apparate without puking.” 

“Okay,” he shrugged on his wool jacket, and they left the Ministry. “Not Mungos?” 

“I wanted to talk to you about that," Hermione bit her lip. "I think keeping this on the quiet for a while might be best, given both of our… celebrity status.” 

His eyes moved, looking away from her face, perhaps sad? “Right, of course.” 

“I just worry about the papers. I don’t want you to feel even more uncomfortable and in the spotlight. Rita Skeeter will have a field day once she finds out.” 

He nodded again, looking at the road in front of him. His shoulders slumped a little, as if he were feeling self-conscious.  

Hermione didn’t know how to approach all of this; it was as if they didn’t even know each other. The awkward air as they went to the office was nearly unbearable. Hermione was ready to scream as he opened the glass door for her, leading into the sterile white walls and a counter right at the front. He pressed a hand to her low back, and the sensation, even just that polite gesture, had butterflies rolling around in her belly.

“We-uh I have an appointment.” 

“Name?” The woman behind the counter didn’t look up. Her face was a hard line, and she tapped at a keyboard.

“Hermio-“

“Gotcha, different from any name on our list today.” The woman sniffed a bit, and Hermione felt her face redden. “Is he going to be coming to the appointments?” She pointed at Severus, popping her gum.

Glancing at Severus, Hermione saw him waffle a bit. This was his decision.

“Yes.” He finally said. 

Did he feel forced to do this? Hermione just knew this was a bad idea!

“And your full name?” 

He cleared his throat. “Severus Tobias Snape.”

Tobias? Hermione didn't think she had ever known his middle name.

The woman finally glanced up. “Right… are you two going to keep with this naming tradition?” 

Hermione blushed, and Severus just sneered at the woman. It made Hermione chuckle a bit and ignore the woman at the desk. She was getting so bogged down with what people might think of her that she didn’t even realise for a moment that it didn’t have to matter to her. She glanced at Severus and smiled slightly at him, mouthing a thank you. 

His return was a small but assertive nod. His eyes almost said 'I've got you', almost.

It was a routine doctor's appointment, but Hermione was so unused to Muggle doctors now that she knew she would need to do some research. Severus sat in a chair nearby, looking like a picture of someone who had it all together. Despite his black clothing and long dark hair, it seemed odd, almost foreign, against the white walls. He didn’t look worried in the least; he looked calm. Hermione wondered if that was a product of having just found out, unlike herself. Or that he wasn’t the one sitting on the crinkly paper, having a nurse rub cold, clear jelly over her belly. Either way, it irritated her a bit.

Hermione had asked him about keeping it a secret, partially because she was scared of the press in the Wizarding World and wanted to gauge his reaction. He seemed far less shaken by all this than she had expected. His careful gaze slid over the nurse's movements, and when the doctor entered. From her viewpoint, Severus Snape could look like any other father, cool and collected.

“Things look good,” Dr Daniels interrupted Hermione's thoughts, “due date, October 23rd.” 

There was a flutter in Hermione’s chest at the thought. That felt so far away and too soon as well. “Thank you,” murmured Hermione, pressing a palm to her belly. The feeling sinking in.

"Would you like to know the sex?" The Dr glanced from Hermione to Severus.

Severus tipped his lips up just a little, but inclined his head towards Hermione. Passing the decision to her.

Hermione felt her stomach flutter and shook her head, biting her lip. "Maybe next time?"

"Of course." The Doctor gave a few more words of encouragement and then left the room. Hermione felt a bit numb.

“Ready?” Snape asked after a moment. 

“Oh, yes.” Getting down from the bed, Hermione righted her clothing. Severus followed her out onto the sidewalk.

“Alright?” He asked from behind.

Hermione turned to respond and nearly ran straight into him. He caught her arm when she wobbled a bit. They were so close, and she had to crane her head up to look at him. She felt a pull in her lower belly, the idea that they were so near to one another. His lips were right there. What would it be like to kiss him again? Biting her lip, she forced herself to look away and take a step back. 

“Yes, fine, just…” she waved a hand vaguely, “it's all a lot… I just feel a bit dazed.” Her eyes met his again, “I am sorry, Severus. I am sure this is not how you expected your week to begin. Or life, I suppose."

He pursed his lips, a look of concern wrinkling his brow. “I have had very low expectations, most of my life. I finally feel that I am in a good place. I am fine. I want to ensure that you are okay." He stepped towards her, a hand lifting from his side and dropping before he touched her.

“I…” Hermione trailed off; there was so much on her mind. So much to take in to think about. “I take it day by day,” she murmured. 

He nodded, "Let's grab a bite to eat. Let me just check—" Severus scanned the time on his watch and frowned: "Actually, I have a meeting with a collaborator in 10 minutes. I had forgotten." His look was apologetic, "are you coming back to the office?” 

“I think I may go home, not feeling my best.” 

Severus nodded, “If you need anything, please just floo or even my mobile. Don’t hesitate.” He meant it, Hermione could tell.

“Thank you. Who is meeting with?” They headed back towards the Ministry together. The floo wasn’t much better than apparition, but she would take it. 

“Penelope Lancaster. We have that proposal. Shacklebolt mentioned that he was hearing good things about the patent."

“Oh, right. I had almost forgotten about that. Congrats, Severus, sorry my head hasn't been... well, I haven't been myself."

He shook his head as they made it to the discreet entrance to the Ministry. "You have a valid excuse." He smirked, his eyes tracking down to her stomach, before he cleared his throat. "We are meeting for drinks to discuss the next steps in the proposal.” 

Hermione turned away before he could see her face grow hot. She knew Penny; she was a beautiful, vastly intelligent witch, and for some reason, the idea of Severus meeting with her made Hermione feel ill. 

You have no right to feel that way, Granger!

“Have a good time!” Hermione's voice came out a bit too cheery then, but she didn’t turn back to see if he was suspicious, just headed into the Ministry.

Chapter Text

“God, yes.” Hermione looked down and could see his dark eyes meet hers. Shoulders slotted between her thighs and tongue… fuck , his tongue was working magic on her clit, stroking her lightly and then with more pressure, just where she needed- 

The sound of her alarm pierced the moment, waking her. Hermione opened her eyes to see the ceiling of her room. She was not in Severus’s house, and he was not between her legs, but that ache was still there…

It had been a bloody week since she told him, and Hermione was convinced that since then, her body and mind had fully realised that Severus was the one who had put this baby in her. Obviously, she had known that in a logical sense before, but this was something else, and it made her feel hot and bothered in a way she hadn't expected. It felt sinful and kinky, yet she couldn’t get over it. She couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that he was the one that got her pregnant, and there was something so bloody hot about that. Or, maybe it was just him?

“Fuck it,” Hermione bit her lip allowing her hand to drift down, running it over her clit in circles, just the right amount of pressure, not too much. Damn her, but she closed her eyes and pretended it was his hands, those hands she watched dropping ingredients into cauldrons. Plucking stems from flowers and touching her, the brief small touches here and there, but that sent fire blazing through her. She knew it was all friendly, platonic, surely and yet here she was. 

Groaning softly, she came, wanting to shout his name as she did. It was absurd. She tried to think if there was a way she was ever getting over him, and Hermione just wasn’t sure that she would. Brushing a hand over her belly, she smiled; at least this meant that he would be around, close by and even if she had to think of him as just a friend, the father of her child… perhaps that was enough; Hermione was almost sure she would take Severus Snape in whatever way she could. 

…

As he finished a few notes, Severus leaned back against the metal table behind him. Penny's lab was sterile and slightly cold, with plenty of exposed brick and industrial details. It was undeniably cool in temperature and atmosphere. Aesthetics had never been a significant concern for Severus, and the lab functioned well enough for his needs. So, he wasn't sure why he was considering it at all—perhaps it was the warmth he had been feeling lately.

There was a sense of comfort since finding out he was going to be a father. It was something he had never wanted, never really put much thought into and yet here he was… eager ? Nervous ? Concerned ? Very, but he wasn’t upset. He had realised that, despite the surprise of it, the feeling of worry that was present, he wanted this. A warmth settled inside his chest at the thought, even at the same time as nerves made themselves ever known as well.

“Should we try using something to make it more palatable?” Penelope’s voice penetrated his thoughts. She was leaning over a cauldron nearby, looking down into the liquid with a frown on her red lips. “Maybe peppermint?” 

“That would make the shelf life shorter.”

“Hmm, you’re right.” She huffed a little and stepped back, tapping at the table with a long manicured nail.

“I think they are going to be fine with it either way. We all know many potions taste like shit.” 

Penny chuckled and walked past, giving his arm a squeeze, “I just want it to be perfect… for you.” 

Snape brushed that off, “I just want it done and ready to sell.” He did. This project was taking forever. He enjoyed the tinkering in the beginning, but as they went through trial stages, it became more and more tedious.

“Want to grab a coffee?” She asked, one perfectly shaped eyebrow raised. 

He looked around the dim lab located off her office in the Department of Mysteries. He hadn’t seen the sun since before 9 this morning. “Yes.” 

They made their way to exit the building, one of the various options to leave. Luckily, their new government had seen fit to make the Ministry less of a winding maze with very few exits and far too many elevators. Out on the street, Severus blinked at the bright sun, rare for London, even at the end of May. Wispy clouds could be seen against the bright blue of the sky.

“Lovely day,” murmured Penny as they continued down the street to a coffee shop. 

As Severus walked, he couldn't help but wonder what Hermione was doing in the office. He hadn’t seen her once today, unusual given how often they crossed paths. Perhaps he should surprise her with a decaf coffee. That thought brought a small smile to his lips. He imagined her face lighting up with delight, eyes sparkling as she accepted the cup with that warm, grateful smile that always made his chest ache with a mix of affection and longing. Realising how easily his thoughts drifted to her, he knew he needed to gather his emotions and get himself together. He couldn't afford to show how much of a love-sick idiot he was. Especially now, she had other things to focus on and worry about.

“What are you up to this evening?” Penny’s voice again interrupted his thoughts. 

Severus opened the door for her and was about to respond when someone noticed him by the till.

“Severus, alright?” Leo, a Muggle that Snape played football with. “Ready for the game tonight?” 

“As ready as I ever am,” he muttered, still shaking the man's hand. “Getting out run by you lot puts a damper on the evening.” 

Leo waved him off, “you scored twice last week-” he glanced at his watch, “gotta run, see ya, mate.” 

Severus stood there for a moment, feeling unfamiliar at the camaraderie, a sensation he was not entirely accustomed to—this easy banter, this sense of belonging amongst others. It had never been something he had felt in school or otherwise; now, he was awkward and unsure about it.

“Football? Like the Muggle sport?” Penny spoke. 

“Mhm,” he tried to sound noncommittal. He tended to avoid allowing this to ruin his intimidating persona in the wizarding world.

“That sounds interesting!"

He grunted again, looking over her head at the menu.

"Can I come watch?” 

“Well, I-” 

“What time is it?” Penny asked, "it's like Quidditch, isn't it?"

He cringed inwardly, “5, it's just a community league, nothing fancy."

“I want to see,” she whispered conspiratorially, “I never do Muggle things.” 

“Alright…” 

… 

Hermione typed a few notes into the document she had opened and then bit the top of her pen, then wrote herself a sticky note. She did not receive enough credit for her contributions to the Ministry. The amount that she was going through and fixing small mistakes that should have been caught long before a document got to her was... startling, to say the least. Severus’s work was always relatively flawless, though she knew he would disagree. However, the Commissioners on the Potions Board Members and other officials always turned in the most half-arsed work. It pissed her off. They got paid far more than she or Severus and did sub-par work that she inevitably had to fix and adjust, all while they sat around talking to one another.

Hermione rolled her eyes and scowled, slamming her fingers down on the keys with a bit more force than perhaps necessary.

“That is some face.”

His deep baritone had her unwrinkling her brow, shoulders relaxing marginally.

Hermione smiled softly at him. “Just going over some Commissioner comments from the last agenda briefing, bloody idiots.” 

“Hmm, I haven’t any doubt.” He deposited a paper cup on her desktop. “A mocha with cinnamon.” 

“Oh,” she frowned, “Thank you, but I am trying to cut back on caff-” 

“It's decaf.”

Hermione sucked in a breath and tried not to grin from ear to ear. He was listening... he cared. Picking up the cup, she took a sip, closing her eyes with a sigh. “Thank you.” 

“Of course,” he was studying something on his desk, not looking at her. Getting to observe him was something she enjoyed immensely, even if it was just in passing. That's probably why she had so many images of his hands for her mind to bring up in dreams... or other points.

Blinking, she stopped staring like a fool. "Were you working on some things with Penny this morning?"

"Yes, we are almost where we need to be."

They had been spending a lot of time together and Hermione was really starting to wonder if their relationship was not just professional.

“Have you told anyone?” She asked suddenly, "about the baby?"

Raising his head, Severus’s eyebrow shot up, face disapproving, almost like the Professor she had once known. “No. I would never do that after you asked me not to.” 

“I know! Well, I mean… I just wanted to make sure you feel that you can, if you want or need to, tell anyone you’re, um, close to that you can." Hermione sounded like a babbling idiot. "I… I guess I have been feeling a little guilty, Ginny knows. I just wanted to make sure that if someone should know, you could tell them.” She wanted to drop her head to the desk in embarrassment at her ineloquently but decided that would only make things worse.

He nodded, graciously not looking at her like she was mad or speaking gibberish. “I appreciate that." 

Biting her lip, she asked, “I have an appointment this afternoon. Do you want to grab dinner… or something?” Hermione felt her cheeks flush at her hesitancy. It hadn’t been too long ago that she would have been unworried asking him something like that, and now, it felt so loaded. 

“I didn’t realise you had an appointment. Let me just rearrange a few things-” he broke off, picking up his diary, brow furrowing.

“Oh, no. Not one of those, it's just the dentist.” She blushed again. “The office is near your flat. Don't worry if you have plans.” 

Severus looked back up at her, a soft upturn of his lips changing his face. “Well, I am playing football this evening, but after that, I am free… if you don’t mind that, I will smell of sweat and grass…” 

Hermione smiled, “all right with me. I am glad you’re still doing that. You enjoy it, don't you?" Her smile turned wry; she knew he wouldn't want to admit it.  

He shrugged. 

“I will meet you there around 7?” 

“Sure, I am sure I'll need a beer after getting my arse kicked by all those 30-year-olds.” 

…

When Hermione arrived at the park, she was very interested in seeing Severus. It still seemed odd to her that he enjoyed this, or at least tolerated it, she supposed. Still, she was glad he was doing something other than brewing and reading. She should really do that sometimes as well. Spending far too much time with just her own company was something Hermione was rather proficient at.

Coming around the corner and gazing out at the pitch, they seem to have just finished the game. She'd timed it like that, knowing Severus wouldn’t really want her to watch; it would make him feel too perceived, and she wanted to respect that about him. He was often forced out of his comfort; she didn't want to do that; Hermione wanted him to feel safe around her.

Snape stood with a few other guys who were chatting and kicking a ball around a bit. Any kind of sport was not really Hermione’s thing, but now that she saw him... Clearly, a little sweaty, hair pulled back and dressed in a t-shirt and track bottoms… well, perhaps she could be, into sports?

A slight smile changed his face, and she wondered if part of the ease was that he was with Muggles. She knew that feeling on some level; here, no one knew who he was and the things he had done; he just seemed like a normal person, perhaps a little dour and less chipper than some of the other blokes, but not the stern Professor Snape that most of the wizarding world had in their minds.

Hermione felt butterflies flutter in her belly, preparing to walk over to him when she noticed Penelope bounding toward him with an exuberance that felt out of place. Penny was dressed in an outfit that was undoubtedly intended to be Muggle-style, but it didn't quite seem appropriate for the current gathering. Hermione knew she was a pureblood, and they could not often seamlessly integrate into Muggle settings... though Hermione herself had been to plenty of Quidditch events with the Weasleys, and they all seemed to know what a t-shirt was.

Severus's expression seemed to shift from its usual stoicism to an air of mild discomfort. However, he managed to offer Penelope a polite smile, his lips curling up just enough to appear welcoming as she chatted animatedly, her hands gesturing expressively and her short, black bob bouncing as she spoke. Despite her wardrobe being somewhat unusual for a sporting event, her tall, slender frame and stunning features had many of the men there ogling her.

As Hermione observed this interaction, a wave of apprehension washed over her, twisting her stomach in a tight knot. She couldn’t help but glance down at her own clothes, a simple choice, jeans and a white tee, and tried to steady her breathing, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. This feeling was utterly ridiculous; she really had no right to feel this way, and yet it had a hold on her, leaving Hermione feeling vulnerable in the crowded area.

Breaking away from the crowd, Severus and Penny walked to a bench. Hermione couldn’t help watching them. Voyeurism wasn't really something that suited her, but at the moment, she wasn’t sure what else to do. She wanted to see them interact.

Penny grabbed onto his upper arm and laughed loudly at something he said… Hermione wondered if Severus liked that? She had always thought being overly vivacious like that would bother him? And he didn't like to be touched very much. Come to think of it, she wasn’t sure he had ever talked about dating or what he wanted in a partner around her. She was just making assumptions, really. 

Or it's that you have observed him, worked with him for years, learned what he likes and doesn't like, and even become friends. The non-emotional part of her mind was much more challenging to access at the moment, but it whispered more factual thoughts.

Severus ran a towel over the back of his neck, and Hermione had to bite her lip. She could just text him, say she wasn’t feeling well… not ruin his evening with Penny. Perhaps he felt obligated to go to dinner with Hermione? His eyes shifted from Penny and locked with Hermione. Severus's face was moody, a little uncomfortable; when he saw her, though, his eyes softened, and Hermione felt something warm buzzing around in her stomach. 

She smiled a little, feeling her cheeks heat, and lifted a hand to wave. 

Snape turned back, muttering something to her and gathering his bag in a swift motion. With determined strides, he walked towards Hermione, leaving Penny standing behind with a frown etched across her face. She cast a frustrated glance at his retreating figure, her shoulders slightly slumped in disappointment. With a huff, she turned away and began walking in the other direction.

“Hi,” he said when he got close, slinging the towel over his bag handle. 

“Did you win?” Hermione asked with a small smirk. 

“No,” his deep chuckle was self-deprecating. The sweat glistening on his temples was... something. “Ready for food?” 

“Mhm, was that Penelope?” 

He looked back up at her eyes, “uh, yeah, she said she really wanted to see a Muggle sports game.” 

Hermione raised her eyebrows. “Interesting.” 

He didn’t say more, just looked back at her, his dark eyes studying her as if they often did. Something in them that she couldn’t quite place. “Indian?” 

“Sounds great!” She had been craving it and mentioned it to him a few days earlier. Stomach doing a summersault, she tried not to grin. Hermione was a bit lighter, the idea that his sole focus was on her. It sounded a bit selfish and a bit possessive, but she craved his attention in some bottomless way, wanted him to see her in a way that she didn’t with most people. 

…

He excused himself to the restroom as soon as they entered the softly lit restaurant. Ensuring that the coast was clear and no one else occupied the space, Severus cast a few freshening charms to cleanse his hair and ensure he smelled better. A wave of doubt washed over him—maybe he shouldn’t have done this after all. Yet, when he thought of the way her eyes lit up at the sight of him, he knew he was a glutton for punishment. He would do anything to see a reaction from her like that.

Gazing into the mirror, Snape willed his reflection to appear younger, more handsome, a vision he couldn’t quite conjure. He hadn’t felt this anxious about his appearance in ages, and the gnawing sensation of inadequacy clawed at him. Over the years since the war, he had managed to cast off such burdens, but now they returned with intensity that left him unsettled.

He forced himself to leave the loo and go back to the table. Hermione was perusing the menu. It was a small place with low lighting and a secluded booth, just the way he liked it.  

“I ordered some garlic naan for the table.” 

“Good choice.” Glancing at his own menu, though he knew what he would order, he came here once or twice a week. Panag Curry. He was a creature of habit if nothing else. 

Hermione set down the menu and steepled her fingers, “so, you lost the game; anything else of note since earlier today?” 

He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “No, how are your teeth?” 

She made an aghast face. “How dare you even ask. Fantastic, I am the child of dentists, you know?” 

Severus chuckled and then shut his mouth, remembering his own teeth. He had been able to take care of them a bit better in recent years, but they weren’t anything good. It wasn’t her actions or words that made him feel that way; he knew he was doing it to himself. 

The waiter came over, and he smiled at Severus. “Mr Snape, what can I get you?” 

Snape gestured to Hermione to go first. 

“Butter chicken, please and Pakoras.” 

The man nodded, gesturing to Snape next, “usual?” 

“Yes, thank you.” 

Nodding, the waiter gave them a smile. “We’ll have that right out. Cheers.” 

Hermione pursed her lips. “You come here a lot?” 

“Yes, when I don’t feel like cooking.” 

Hermione snorted, “I never feel like cooking.” 

He tilted his head, “well, next time that happens, I am happy to cook for you. I often end up with more food than I can eat by myself.” He attempted to sound casual, trying to mask his eagerness, but deep down, he wasn't sure if he had succeeded.

A blush rose up her neck, and she nodded before glancing down at her mobile. It had buzzed against the table.

“Parents?” He asked then. He hated those damn mobiles; it wasn’t the Muggle technology that bothered him necessarily. It was constantly being accessible. It seemed as if it would wear on you.

“Mhmm,” she shot off a quick text and looked back at him. “They are just… well, I think they worry about me, and my grandfather is getting older. I think I just haven’t been as involved in the family as they would like.” She blew out a breath, and it moved some curls on her forehead. “I swear I know what they are going to say before they say it. My mum just asked me to call her, but I will do it later.” 

“You’re sure?” 

Hermione nodded a bit glumly, but her face lit up again when their food was brought over. 

“It's about time you bring a date, Mr Snape.” The waiter winked at Hermione. She blushed, and Snape didn’t correct him before he left.

“They even feel like they can joke with you. You must tip well if they aren’t terrified of you like most people you encounter.” Grinning, she bit into a pakora, clearly trying to get a rise out of him. 

His mouth descended into a firm line, but when he felt her nudge him under the table, Snape let the corner of his mouth tip up. “You’re not going to get out of talking about your family just by criticising me.” 

“What! I wasn’t criticising you-” Then she seemed to notice his sly look. Scrunching her nose, she plated some rice. “I just feel like they don’t know me, my family.” 

“I always thought you were fairly close with your parents.” 

Hermione frowned, “I am…” 

“But?” He tried. He didn't know much about these things, but he was willing to listen.

She sighed. 

“If you don’t want to discuss it, I understand,” Severus held up a hand. He wouldn’t push her; he just had the feeling that she wanted to talk about it. 

“No, I don’t mind,” Hermione furrowed a brow, chewing, “well, I think there is something- I feel… I am just not like them. My parents, I am, I suppose, but my mum is so different from her family, and I think I just feel very apart from them, so when it gets brought up, well, I don’t know quite what to say. I know my mum has always felt that way, and I feel bad that she has tried so hard to fit in with her family as just a Muggle, and then she has a daughter that is weird… well, on principle because I am a witch and more than that.” 

“You aren’t weird,” Severus couldn’t help but scoff. Hermione was beautiful, intelligent, and kind, and she had been a war hero. He couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't be dazzled by her, though perhaps that was his own bias.

“Says the man that spent most of his 30s chasing me around while I did ridiculous things and often made commentary on my bookish-ness, my eccentricities.” She scooped a bit of curry onto her spoon and popped it into her mouth, not looking at him. 

He felt something cold settle in his chest. “Hermione…” 

“Oh god. That was horrible to say, I am sorry, Severus,” she shook her head, “I really don’t know why I said that, sorry.” 

Snape didn’t feel better even with her apology, and he didn’t blame her for that either. “I don’t know if I have ever actually apologised.” 

“Please don't —you had so much to deal with, and I really was obnoxious.” 

“Hermione, I am very sorry for anything horrible I said to you as a child; I was an appalling adult when you were young, and none of what I said was true or even about you; it was about me.” The fact that he had contributed to the way she felt made Severus want to be sick… She was the best person he knew and really one of his closest friends, and he had made her feel that way. 

“I know, really, I do, and I forgive you, I had long before now.” 

Something dreadful and cruel came up in his mind. “You know that I would never… I would never say something like that to a child ever again, but especially I wouldn’t-” He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling out of his depth and not speaking in the eloquent way that he usually did. “I want to be a good father.” 

“Oh, Severus! I know!” She lept up from her spot across from his and scooted into the other side of the booth, entirely at ease with him in a way that other people just weren’t.

Hermione pulled him into a hug, and Severus embraced her back. Wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her close to him. “Don’t you ever doubt that, okay?” Her voice was emotional against his neck, and he could feel her warm breath.

For a moment, Severus felt entirely at home, wrapped in her arms.

Chapter Text

Things were going well… Great even.

Severus asked how she was feeling often and checked in to see if there was anything she needed. During the past few weeks since the match, they had gradually fallen back into their familiar, comfortable routine, marked by easy conversations and teasing. The moment after the football match had ignited a flicker of hope for Hermione—an idea that there was potential for something deeper between them; surely, there had been a connection, hadn’t there?

That shared moment reminded her of the whispered conversations they had shared the previous year, especially during the trip to Ireland with the Order—a time when she had truly come to understand the depth of her feelings for him. The sense of safety and trust she felt in his presence. This added to the security of her current little bubble, where only they knew this secret. It was a secret they cherished, a beautiful refuge that the wider world didn’t have access to. Hermione tried to push away the idea that she had given him leave to tell others close to him... Penny potentially... That made her sick to her stomach.

Hermione didn’t want the wizarding world to know that she was single and pregnant. That would make it all too real that Severus was not her partner, and truly, this whole thing had been an accident. They weren't a couple, and she would have to address that with her colleagues, friends, the entire bloody world, really. It was bound to make headlines. And they were reaching a very real turning point. There was really only so much more she could do with an oversized jumper. It was beginning to get ridiculous.

At work, she had noticed some of their interns giving her a sideways glance. Or perhaps that was in her head; Hermione felt like everyone knew because it was so apparent to her. Lying wasn't one of her favourite pastimes, especially about something she was actually so very excited about.

Hermione had said no to three dinners with her friends, worried that they would notice. At every meeting she attended, Hermione carried the largest bag she could possibly manage to ensure that she could at least add a little extra coverage to her midsection. Surely, she could tell them, but Ginny and Harry seemed to be dealing with their own issues; it seemed unfair to make herself the centre of attention.

It was getting much warmer now, too. Some spring days were better than others, even in the volatile weather in London. All that culminated in currently fanning herself with a folder as she sweat in her oversized jumper.

Fuck . 

Severus strode into the office then, wearing his usual all-black, but the uniquely warm day had even he forgoing the frock coat in favour of only a button-down and slacks. His face set in a serious, thinking frown, that crease between his eyes all too obvious, he didn't look up from what he was reading. Hermione watched him reach for something on his desk, trying to ignore the way his shirt tightened over his back and trim waist. God, she found him so sexy… It was criminal, honestly, and just her luck. 

“Do you use cooling charms?” 

“Hmm?” He lifted his eyes from the pages he was looking over, pushing his glasses up onto his head.

“For your clothes,” she gestured towards him vaguely, “I am so hot in these jumpers every day.” 

A small, barely there smile graced his lips, almost affectionate. Waving a hand, their office door closed, “take it off.” Deep voice, precise and clipped as usual.

Hermione's mouth clamped shut at that, and she had to pin her legs together beneath the desk. His voice almost compelling her to obey, Hermione nodded, pulling her jumper over her head and sighing at the relief of only being in a t-shirt. When she looked back at him, Severus’s eyes had dropped to her stomach, now on display; he looked away instantly, down at the papers in his hand, and Hermione felt herself flush. God, here she was lusting over him, and surely she didn’t look at all intriguing to him.

“Cooling charms and closed doors won't work forever,” Hermione mumbled. 

Severus shook his head. "They won't."

“Well, we may need to make a game plan about how to handle this.” 

“Indeed,” his eyes flicked to hers, then away, the very tops of his cheeks turned a bit pink. “I don’t envy whatever nonsense they will say about you having been with me.” 

“Don’t say that-"

A voice from the floo interrupted them. “Severus?” 

He strode towards the fire, greeting her, "Penelope."

“Can you come through to my department? I am having a bit of trouble with this set of formulas.”

“Of course, just give me a moment."

The floo went dark.

Severus turned back to Hermione then, dark eyes apologetic. "I will follow your lead whenever and however you wish to tell people."

There was an unspoken, 'my reputation already sucks, so you're the one that will suffer' to his tone that Hermione didn't like.

Licking her lips, Hermione nodded and watched him step into the floo.

Snape and Penny had been busy. He had skipped dinner with Hermione the previous Friday, his excuse being, you guessed it, helping Penny. Hermione tried not to let it bother her, but it was nearly impossible, and she hated that. Jealousy was an ugly and terrible trait, one she hadn't felt in the past, but boy, did it flare up now. Everything in her screamed mine every time Hermione saw the two of them together. How was she not supposed to think of him? His actual, literal child was growing inside of her. That at least made her smirk, an evil piece of her remembering that Penny didn't have that.

It all had a deep, incessant envy coiling inside of her. The want to grab onto Severus and refuse to let him go. Something that Hermione didn’t seem able to escape; no matter what she tried, she was finding it very difficult to not feel it. It wasn’t just the baby. It was the fact that she was usually Severus’s collaborator. She was the one he would run ideas by and check in with to see if something sounded like it would work… now, well, she felt like the odd man out. 

Lost in thoughts, there was a sound at the door, and before she could fully yank the jumper over her head, Nathan Unnis strolled in. 

“Hermi- oh, so sorry!” He clearly had clocked her somewhat swollen belly, eyes staring, even after she had covered herself with the wool jumper.

“Uh, Nathan, hi! What can I do for you?” Scrambling, she tried to get her papers in order and not appear worried, as that would only make things worse. Inevitably.

“I was wanting to get your opinion on a law we want to push through” He looked at her again, “Sorry, didn’t mean to barge in.” He scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish, boyish despite him being older than her.

Hermione waved a hand, “it’s alright-” she wondered if she should say more. “I am a... war hero, I guess, and that comes with public spectacle. I just wanted to keep this to myself as long as possible, if you understand?” 

Nathan placed a hand over his chest, “yes, I understand. I won't say a thing." He looked curious but didn't pry further, and she didn't say anything in return.

“You use Muggle equipment?” He gestured to her desk and the computer desktop that she had there. 

“Yes, I prefer it to lots of parchment, I was raised by Muggles, and my dad was in tech development before becoming a dentist, so I tend to be used to this type of thing.” Grimacing at her babbling, she placed a light hand on her stomach, “Sorry, I am just a mess; my brain sometimes rambles now, and it ends up coming out my mouth.”  

He waved a hand, “fine, the Mrs had the same issue when she was pregnant.” Coming closer, he looked at her computer, “I am Muggle-born as well, so I understand all these people with their magic but prehistoric equipment.” 

His smirk made Hermione laugh a little; he was open and charismatic, really, and she enjoyed that about him. “I didn’t realise you were married.” 

A frown changed his face. “Separated, actually.” 

Nodding, she didn’t ask more, not wanting to be intrusive. 

“Can’t convince old Snape to get a computer?” He threw a thumb towards Severus’s desk. 

Shrugging, she grinned, “he is highly opposed, though I am unsure if it is his age or being a wizard.” It was a fond jest, one she knew Snape would roll his eyes at. He had a computer at his home, she knew. 

“I am sure it's his being a wizard,” there was just the slight tone of bitterness there that she’d not heard from Nathan before. 

Strange. 

“Anyway, please tell me what you need help with.” Hermione gave him a genial smile and felt that perhaps not everyone looked at her like she was the Gryffindor Princess and Golden Girl. Nathan seemed to see her as simply Hermione. 

…

Narcissa placed food on the table. Severus knew she hadn't made it; of course, the cook just put it in one of their fine dishes. Severus didn’t give a shit either way; they had the means to have someone cook for them, and having been, in his past, a poor, often hungry boy, he didn’t care much for piety when it came to nutrition. It was utilitarian at its root still to this day, after years of having food readily available to him.

The thought of his own child made his heart ache a little, something he never thought he would get to do, but Severus planned to make up for such things. There was no way that his child would ever suffer hunger or a drunk for a parent. Never. 

“So, things are going well enough then?” Narcissa's eyes were on him, watching like a hawk, as usual, trying to see past his barriers and dig her claws into his life. All in good fun, surely.

His grimace was the answer. 

“What?” Lucius interrupted, “you said yourself, you are friendly again?” 

“But, I want her.” 

“I don’t think this is as hard as you are making it out to be, Severus,” Narcissa chimed in.

It was time; he had been avoiding it, but they needed to know to get the full picture. Hermione didn’t want the world to know, but she had said if he needed to tell a few select people, it would be all right. “Hermione is pregnant.” 

Narcissa’s mouth popped open, and Lucius looked a bit gobsmacked. 

“It is mine-” 

Both of the other people’s postures relaxed slightly.

“But she isn’t interested in a relationship with me.” Taking a long sip of his wine, Severus tried to focus on the plate in front of him and not the looks on Lucius and Narcissa’s faces. The part of his statement left unsaid was: who would be?

“She said that?” 

“Well, not that exactly, but it is implied every day.” He ran a hand through his hair, “she wants a friend, that much I can tell… but anything else…” He trailed off. "I find it unlikely."

“Hmm,” Lucius seemed unconvinced, and it annoyed Severus. Did they not realise that he was a pariah, though perhaps they were too, maybe more so, and they loved each other. It had been a long time ago that either of them were pining for someone in this way. It had been Severus’s whole bloody life. 

“She…” He didn’t want to say it out loud, “she doesn’t want us telling anyone. We are recognisable, I am sure that is part of it, but mostly, I think it might be because it's me. I was her professor, we work together, and I am hated.”

“I think you just need to tell her,” Narcissa said in a bored tone, “you’re just torturing yourself.” 

“That is what he does best, Love.” Muttered Malfoy. 

Severus glowered, stabbing a potato aggressively with a fork. “I will be there for her. I will do what I must to not be a burden.” 

“What you must?” Narcissa’s brows rose again. “How do you feel about this, Severus? Have you ever wanted children?” 

“I have never wanted them.” 

“But…?” She prodded. 

Severus sighed, a small flicker of joy starting in his chest, though it could have been nerves as well. “I am… pleased, more than I thought I would be.” 

“That child will be the bloody top of their class… it's actually unfair putting those genes together.” Lucius muttered.

…

 Hermione finally sat down on the sofa, able to relax. She had spent too much time talking to people she didn’t feel like talking to and too little time in the lab recently. It was getting to her. Now, it was finally time to have a cup of tea and a biscuit. She had put on her softest jogging bottoms, and it was finally nice enough to not need a jumper at every hour of the day. At the moment, a T-shirt and no bloody bra were spectacular. Some relaxation was good for her, and she didn't know how much resting she'd be doing in a few months. The thought of a crying infant was a little unnerving, still.

Tonight, if her mind drifted towards Severus, she was not going to indulge that at all. There was surely some terrible television to be getting lost in, and she really had been craving microwave popcorn; there was some stashed away in her cupboards, surely. She got up to search for it and... Her mobile began to ring; it was somewhere in the house, muffled. Hermione sighed and searched for the device. There was most likely only one person who it could be. 

“Hi, Mum!” Trying to fill her voice with enthusiasm and not disappointment at being interrupted. She still hadn’t said a word to her parents about the baby, and that was unlike her. She had a good relationship with them, even after the war, but the worries about her extended family had stopped her.

“Hi bug, when are you going to fly in? Or are you going to take one of those… Port-something, whatever that is?” There was the sound of a mixer somewhere in the back. Jane Granger was baking, as usual.  

Furrowing her brow in thought, Hermione almost fell off the couch when she realised. Her grandfather's party…

F U C K. She had utterly forgotten that it was next weekend.

"Well, I think..."

"We are so excited to see you! Staying this far away from home to help your grandad has been so frustrating- of course, we are happy to do it, but we miss you, sweetie."

Hermione had to go; there was no way around it. It was the anniversary of her late grandmother's and his wedding, as well as his birthday the day after.  

"Miss you too, mum. I will let you know my travel plans in a few days."

She could hear the smile in her mother's voice. "Alright, love you, Hermione."

"Love you too."

The call ended, and Hermione felt like she might pass out from sheer anxiety. How could this have slipped her mind? Was this baby stealing her brain cells? Rubbing a hand over her tired eyes, Hermione tried to think this through.

Her grandfather hated magic when they told him about Hermione as a child, he was furious and ever since then Hermione had tried her best to be very ordinary around him, not only that but he was traditional, so traditional that a granddaughter showing up, pregnant was going to rock his world, maybe cause a heart attack, who really knew.

Groaning, she rubbed her temples. She could Floo Ginny? No. She wouldn't really understand the problem. It was still hard for her to understand the way some Muggles felt about magic.

Hermione knew who she wanted to talk to... but that wasn't a good idea, was it?

…

With another sigh, Severus was finally done making dinner, an easy soup for an evening alone . He liked being alone very much, but lately, he always wished for Hermione’s company. That easy smile she gave him was addictive, like only he knew exactly what she was thinking like they had these inside jokes, and perhaps they did at this point. They had been working together for so long that it seemed relatively easy to be around each other.

That wild hair flashed through his mind, and he remembered the way she had felt underneath him, her body, soft skin beneath his hands… Should he have a wank?

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Severus sighed aloud; it wasn't for thinking on; he pulled out the book he had bought on pregnancy and began to read, taking small bites of soup as he did. He felt his brow furrow as it often did when reading through this material over the past few weeks; it sounded bloody awful, to be honest, pregnancy.

He had reached the labour chapter, his brow furrowing as he absorbed the more disturbing details of the text. Just as he was starting to feel overwhelmed, the sudden chime of the doorbell pierced the silence of his flat.

He assumed it was a salesman, someone trying to peddle their wares at an inconvenient hour. He should ignore it. However, with a begrudging sigh, he hauled himself up from his chair and approached the door, opening it with a dark look etched on his face. For a fleeting moment, he hoped that the longer daylight hours didn't encourage unsolicited visitors in the evenings.

To his surprise, standing at his doorstep was Hermione. The spring rain drizzled down, soaking her grey zip-up hoodie, which clung to her frame. Her hair was damp, and the faint glow of the buzzing streetlights reflected behind her wet curls, making her expression look both determined and hopeful.

He must have been staring at her because she finally prompted. “Can I come in?”

Snape stepped aside, trying to be stoic, normal , anything but the besotted weirdo who he actually was. Sulking home alone, allowing the woman who was pregnant with his baby to stand out in the rain… “Why didn't you floo?” 

“Still makes me sorta sick, and I... well, I didn't want to interrupt; I guess I still am, though.” Hermione chewed her lip, and he could see she was agitated.

Gesturing to the sofa where he had been eating dinner as if he were some kind of bachelor. Which he was...despite having a child on the way. “Would you like some soup?"

“Oh, no, sorry, did I interrupt your dinner? Shit, I should have called first.” She looked sheepish, adorably so.  

Raising a hand, he reached out and brushed her arm gently, trying to stop her sudden nerves; he wanted her to be comfortable more than anything, actually. 

They stayed like that for just a mere moment, his thumb brushing back and forth on her upper arm before he let go. “Don’t worry. Honestly, have you eaten? There is plenty."

Hermione shook her head then, and Severus turned on his heels. Going to the kitchen, he fetched a bowl and some crusty bread and butter as well. 

“Thank you,” Hermione mumbled, accepting the soup. 

Severus wouldn’t admit it aloud, but he loved it, getting to take care of her for just a moment; it sent a thrill through him. 

“God," she moaned a little around a mouthful.

Severus almost couldn't control what that sound did to his body. He coughed, studying his own soup intently.

"This is lovely, Severus,” she muttered around a mouthful. “I didn’t realise you cooked so well.”

“Not so different from potions, really.” Though her liking something he did... Merlin he felt like he was soaring.

“I don’t know about that, I am a horrid cook.” 

They devolved into a bit of silence after that, eating their meal; it was pleasant… too much so; he could get far too used to this.

“Did you need something?” He finally asked and immediately regretted it, knowing after it was out of his mouth how that would sound.

“Oh! God, sorry!” She rubbed a hand down her face.

Reaching out, Severus rubbed fingertips on her forearm. He couldn't help but touch her. “You are welcome for soup anytime; I was only wondering.” 

Her skin was soft and warm under his touch. Severus had to pull away swiftly, clearing his throat. 

“I… well, I have a problem. I needed to run it by someone." She bit her lip.  

Sitting up straighter, he felt panic begin to rise in him. “Is something wrong with the baby?” 

“No! Nothing like that; my grandfather is having a 90th birthday party, which is a big deal. The whole family will be there. He lives in a lovely new house in the States, apparently. I sort of forgot, and it's next weekend.”

“Oh,” he felt his insides move uncomfortably; he felt ill at ease with her travelling; he wanted her near him, where he could ensure she was alright, safe.

She is a grown adult , his mind nearly shouted at him. Yes, but I want to ensure nothing bad ever happens to her and she is constantly happy , the other part of his brain argued.

His response came out collected and calm. “Well, everything will be fine at the lab, I will make sure.” While inside, his gut twisted, a protective nature took hold of him.

“That’s lovely, thank you… The problem is that he hates magic, and he is very traditional… I am concerned about how he will react to me being pregnant alone and with a wizard, and he is archaic…” She chewed on a fingernail; Severus watched her realise, and she sat on her hands to stop. “I am thinking about asking Harry to come with me, just act like he is the one I am seeing or something, but I just worry if word gets out, the Prophet would have a field day."

The sharp flare of jealousy that went through him at the thought of Potter pretending to be her... what?- baby daddy ? Snape wanted to be sick.

Sighing, she looked up at him then, and her eyes betrayed how much this was eating at her. "Basically, I don’t know what to do, but I think I will need to go alone, and we will need to announce to the press before, most likely. I know we wanted to wait, but I just- I really wanted to ask for your thoughts, Severus.” 

He leaned back against the sofa, tugging at his collar; all of a sudden, it felt too tight. He was in the middle of that potion patent proposal. The press was going to eat him alive for knocking up the Gryffindor Princess. Poor Hermione... at least they would think he got a pity fuck out of all of this, but her? Severus knew he would fly off the handle if the press said one ill word.

The idea was pouring out of his mouth before he could think better of it. “What if we just go to the party together, pretend to be a couple? Do you see your grandfather often?” 

“No.”

“Well, then, perhaps you could keep up the lie with him for a while, then…” he waved a hand, “tell your family that we broke up? Have your parents break it to him more easily without you there.” 

Hermione opened and closed her mouth then. 

Severus felt panic rising, and a small bead of sweat slipped down his back as a worry took over. “It was just an option.” He tried to look unconcerned, picking a piece of lint off his wool trousers. 

“You would do that?” Large brown eyes looked at him in almost awe. 

I would do almost anything for you. Severus thought to himself. “Yes.” Then he smirked, "and I've heard-" reaching a finger out, he tapped the book on his coffee table, "-stress isn't good for you."

Hermione shut her eyes, and for a moment, Severus was worried. She looked like she was holding back tears. Opening them, she spoke, sounding choked up. “I know this isn’t really something to cry over, but I am just very emotional at the moment; ignore it, please.”

A low chuckle escaped him, and again, his traitorous hands couldn't stop; he ran fingers over her knuckles, hoping to soothe her.

“My family is not very fun, Severus, particularly my extended family; we will be stuck with them. I am miserable doing it at the best of times. You hate people more than I do, especially ones you don’t know.” 

“I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t wish to,” he muttered, taking up his glass of water and taking a long drink to avoid her eyes. At this point, he wasn’t sure if that was strictly true or not, but he could pretend. 

"Okay," she gave him a watery smile.

When she was distracted again with her food, Severus observed her. She looked so perfect. It was almost painful. She had been complaining about all the weight she had gained the other day, but he really didn’t notice it, except for her belly, which was definitely a week or more away from being too obvious, whether under large clothes or not. Perhaps the trip was another way they could keep it a secret in the Wizarding World longer. He knew that was what she wanted; it felt like a knife to the heart. 

Clearing his throat, he tried to look casual. This was getting exhausting, pretending to be utterly ignorant to the person you were actually obsessed with. “Tea?” 

“Lovely, yes.”

Severus added a few chocolates to her plate; it had been evident that sweets were something of a craving for her. He had found some truffles at a place down the road; he now had them stashed everywhere just in case she wished for one.

“We will need to speak to Kinglsey, I am guessing, to explain why we will both be away from the lab.” 

“Right, yes… Oooh, I like these; they are the same ones as at the office, right?” Picking up a chocolate and unwrapping it to pop in her mouth. 

His own mouth went dry despite the tea. At the look of her savouring the sweet, she groaned around the treat. “Mhmm,” was what he could manage. 

“Are you alright with telling Kings?”

Nodding, “Yes, that should be fine."

She blew out a long breath, “thank you.”

“The least I could do,” he muttered with one of those soft, barely there smiles. He knew that he was in deep, down bad, but that didn’t matter. He would follow her in this until she told him to leave her be. What else was Severus Snape good for, if not trailing after a woman he... lov- cared for.

Chapter Text

Severus rubs his eyes. He was tired. Not just tired but exhausted. It had been hours at this, and he was no closer to understanding why their last round of experiments didn’t go to plan. The formulas, the calculations, all of it was spot on, he knew; his maths were never wrong… and even if they had been wrong, he had checked it twice. Leaning back against the metal of the table behind him, Severus tugged at his cravat, removing it and flipping open the top few buttons of his shirt. If he looked mussed, dishevelled, who gave a shit?

A tired, irritated voice urged him to give it a rest and go home to get some sleep. Penelope could take a look tomorrow and see where he had made an error, but that element of him, the spy, the researcher. The part that had spent so many late nights tinkering with things, moving and adjusting recipes, even as a teenager, was stronger. The lab was quiet, and he was surely the only employee still present at the Ministry, the perfect environment for Severus Snape to work in.

Pushing away from the table, he felt a surge of renewed energy coursing through him. The windows showed a dull navy sky outside, a dark evening, but it seemed to invigorate his senses. He took the steps two at a time, a determined look on his face as he contemplated his next action. Striding purposefully to the coffee bar nestled between his desk and Hermione's desks, he poured water into the machine with precision. As the rich aroma of brewing coffee filled the air, he took a moment to appreciate the comforting scent that always seemed to clear his mind.

Once his cup was full, he savoured the warmth in his palms and walked back to the lab, the coffee steaming gently. He approached a tall oak cabinet on the opposite side of the room, its surface engraved with intricate designs. He raised his wand with a flick, muttering the incantation that would unlock it, and watched as the handle glimmered briefly before the door creaked open.

It was off-limits unless authorised by him or Hermione. A pensieve. If he could go back and see what he had done the first time, Severus could find out what he was doing this time to make the potions' outcome different.

Contrary to what many would think, occlumency made Pensive use frustrating; Snape's memories weren’t so straightforward as others. Especially given that he had tampered with them so much during the war, altering things to fit what the Dark Lord needed to see and not showing him the ones he didn’t. It was a messy business changing one's thoughts to fit a narrative, pulling pieces, adding them, and sometimes not knowing what was real in his memory and what wasn't. Unnerving.

Closing his eyes, he tried to shuffle through his thoughts, thinking of them as labelled tabs to pluck from. Hermione’s name was on so many of those folders in his mind. It would be easy to get lost in- A snippet of a memory surfaced unbidden. He and Hermione, in a foggy haze, leaving the party at New Year… Without much thought, he pulled the thread and stared down at the blue, stringy memory attached to his wand, glimmering and taunting him. 

He hadn’t even thought of it. His mind held the full memory of that night… Even if he didn’t remember it fully, his eyes had seen everything, felt everything, and all he would have to do was look… was that wrong? Perhaps, but it was his memory wasn’t it? He had been there. Didn’t that give him the right to look? Throwing morality and circumspection to the wind, he dropped the memory into the swirling depths of the Pensieve and descended into the cool feeling of magic and memory… 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Pissed. Truly, pissed for the first time since just after the war, and this time Severus wasn’t drowning his sorrows in drink. He felt good, comfortable, floaty. The New Year had come and gone, ensconced in the warm cinnamon-scented sitting room of the Weasleys’ home. It wasn’t his first Christmas or New Year's party there, but it was the best so far.

Luckily, it was a smaller gathering this year, not as many red-headed monsters to chase away the warm liquor in his belly or sensation in his chest. Many were in other places. He didn’t listen too much to the excuses, Bill in France, the twin somewhere else, Severus didn’t care. He hadn’t been focused on anything but Granger the whole night, and everyone had gotten tipsy so quickly that no one really seemed to notice their closeness.

He took another sip of his drink and surveyed the partygoers. His perusal of the intoxicated people in the room was quickly interrupted when Granger plopped unceremoniously next to him. Dropping onto the squishy tangerine sofa, posture relaxed, unguarded, nearly sinking into the cushions.

“This is nice,” she shut her eyes, then opened them again, staring at him intently. Her slightly smudged eyeliner made her brown eyes perhaps even more alluring in the dim light. Her whole aura oozed a lived-in comfort; she was unguarded and easygoing. Severus relished that it was around him she let her guard down.

“It is,” he mumbled back, looking at her was almost painful. Every moment, begging for him to just tell her how much he wanted her. Unlike normal, neither looked away. 

It was like a shock to his system when her hand reached out and brushed over his knuckles. Hazy as he was, the feeling of it was stark and real amid the chaos and music of the room. 

The song wasn’t slow, but it also wasn’t fast enough not to be danced to. Everyone else seemed to be doing alright with it. Mr Ronald Weasley seemed to be grinding on his wife well enough... much to Snape's chagrin.

Severus made a split-second decision and flipped his palm, trapping Hermione's hand in his, pulling her to stand, leaning in close. Close enough that he could smell the vanilla notes in her perfume. “Dance?” 

Hermione pinned her lips together and nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

Severus settled his palms against her hips. The sensation of her against his hands was… otherworldly. They swayed a little, maybe too slow for the music, but Hermione grinned up at him, and no one around them had stopped what they were doing to notice. His grip tightened, palms warming the skin exposed at the open back of her dress. She had pressed herself to him, close, against him, and Severus fought himself to not show his arousal, not let her feel it against her stomach. He couldn’t, not when her fingertips ran over the back of his neck, nails grazing his nape. 

“Do you want to get out of here?” Her voice was husky, and her eyes were glassy and full of want. 

His stomach bottomed out, and his heart rate sped up. “A nightcap?” Snape willed his voice to come across as easy, joking. 

She bit her lip, “maybe.” Voice trailing off, insinuating she was also very tipsy, perhaps more than that like he was. Abnormal for both of them; they weren't heavy drinkers, but it was the holiday.

Snape nodded, unable to think better of it. They had been chatting all evening long. There were surely things that he should think about, should be addressed… but he couldn’t be fucked, and the way Hermione pulled away from him but kept his hand in hers, licking her lips… he was doomed. 

“Thank you, Molly,” Granger called behind her. 

The matriarch hiccuped and waved back at them. “Happy New Year!” 

It wasn’t that unusual for the two of them to leave together; they often were still talking when an event came to a close about work or potions, but Severus felt panic creep up. Would other people know? Guess? 

“No one is looking at us.” Hermione’s sultry smile was sure and a little mischievous. 

“My place?” He asked then; Snape knew what he could do with his voice, dropping it a register to make it all the more inviting.

Hermione sank her teeth into her bottom lip and nodded, following him out into the frigid winter air, suddenly alone. Before he could pull her closer to apparate, she took control, gripping his shirt and yanking him against her, moulding their mouths together. Her lips moved over his with little grace and ceremony, but it was… everything . 

“Fuck,” he breathed when she pulled away. Nothing else was in his head, just her. He tugged her close and pulled them into a steady apparition into his sitting room. 

As soon as their feet touched the floor, Severus felt her against him, lips against his, pushing him back towards the hallway. His thoughts were a foggy, jumbled mess, but every single sensation was strong, overpowering, how badly he wanted her. His back hit the wall of his hallway, and Severus had to tear his mouth away, breathe in deeply, tipping his head back against the wall. “Fuck,” he swore again, apparently he was incapable of anything else.

Hermione’s hand Travells down his thighs, and before he could catch her, she falls to her knees, staring up at him, licking her lips, rubbing him over his trousers, and making his brain turn more than just intoxicated but pliant, mushy, completely in need of her touch and without any thoughts just feeling. Slipping him from his trousers and pants, Hermione’s thumb runs over the head of his cock, smoothing the droplet collecting at the tip over him and making Severus shudder, head tilting back against the wall, his breathing hard and fast, as if he had run a mile.

She kisses him there. The sensation of her hot mouth over his tip is just enough pressure to have him shaking and swearing again. “Fuck-Hermione-fuck.”  

He can hear her slight chuckle from below; somewhere in the back of his mind, the idea that this was just drunken sex made his stomach turn… he should tell her how he felt. The thought was gone almost instantly, fleeting as she ran the flat of her tongue up the underside of him. “Shit.” 

“You’re so big,” her tone seductive and praising in a way that he couldn’t help but enjoy. “I kind of expected it but wondered if it was just my imagination making it up, my own fantasies.” She took all of him in her mouth, pressing forward until her nose touches his pelvis, gagging a bit around his length. It's lewd and so fucking hot. 

Hermione does it again, and Severus curses, fist clenched tight, pushed back against the wall behind him. His other hand gets tangled in her hair, brushing through the curls, holding her tight, worried she's going to disappear. The feeling of her mouth almost overpowering his senses further, but Severus can claim his faculties enough to pull back and help her to her feet.

Beautiful, hair a mess tousled from his fingers, and her cheeks red, lips swollen and wet. And nothing can stop him from kissing her again, pushing her towards his bedroom. There was so much else that he wanted to do, so much more that Severus had in mind, but he couldn't think straight; he just knew he needed to get her to his room, and she was all too willing. Pressing kisses to his chest and neck as they went. 

When they reached the foot of the bed. Hermione smiled up at him, an almost sleepy smile, and he couldn’t help but smile a little back. She's perfect. Everything. She stayed connected with his eyes, reaching back, undoing the strap at her nape, allowing the top of her dress to fall down, exposing her bare breasts to him. 

Severus shut his eyes and then opened them quickly, testing that he wasn't in a dream. Groaning, reaching out to run his thumbs over her soft skin. “Merlin.” His voice is hoarse; apparently, tonight, his vocabulary was limited to sounds and expletives. 

Hermione moved to stand right in front of him, pushing her breasts further into his hands and moaning when he took one part, perfect nipple in his mouth, massaging her other breast, sucking, nipping until shes moaning, fingers threaded through his hair. 

“Please.” She begs, voice low, wanting. 

It ruins Severus; he knows nothing but her, and at this moment, everything else is a haze but her pleas and his need to satisfy her. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Severus wonders about the consequences of this, what there was that could possibly go wrong, why he hadn’t done this before… but it all slips in and out of his mind like a tide washing up on a shore. It feels like nothing could possibly have readied him for this feeling, this reckless, overpowering desire. 

He tugs his mouth away from her and watches her face, the way her mouth falls open and her face is twisted into a silent moan. Severus wants to burn the moment into his brain, the sight, the sound, all of it.

Instead of thinking too hard about that, he pushes her gently back onto the grey of his comforter, her hair splayed out over his pillows. Severus tugs at the rest of her dress, pulling it off her body and leaving her in the smallest pair of knickers he may have ever seen. He licked his lips and let his dark gaze trail over her, watching the sharp inhale, the rise and fall of her chest as he surveys her. 

“Please,” she murmurs again, reaching up and tugging at the waistband of his trousers. 

But Severus couldn’t allow it, despite how his cock strains against his pants. He's harder than he ever remembered being in perhaps all of his life. Still, he needed to wait; has to taste her.

Leaning down, he reaches for her knickers, ready to pull them off and bare her to him. Hermione had other ideas, tugging him down for a kiss by his collar. Then sitting up, she turns around, getting onto her hands and knees, showing him the beautiful contours of her arse… back bent, arched up for him. As she drags the knickers down her legs. Severus can't take it. He grasps her hips in his hands, perhaps a little too hard, but by the way she whines, he knows she likes it, likes his hands on her. 

Leaning forwards, Severus runs his nose and mouth over her cunt. His tongue slid up between her lips, swirling around her clit. Somewhere above, he heard her swear, but he was too focused to listen intently. The taste of her on his tongue was… heaven.

There was something so perfect, delectable about her. He lapped again, testing the waters, this time actually listening, waiting to hear when her breath would quicken, wanting to know what gets a reaction from her. He wanted to know exactly how she liked to be licked; Severus would perfect it. Like a potion recipe, he would know it, test it, and learn how to improve it. He wanted to eat her out forever until she was begging him to stop, begging for more release, whatever she preferred. Severus lived to serve. He stroked her again with his tongue, flat, pressing at her clit, long, slow strokes. 

“Severus!” She calls out, her thighs shaking. He can feel it where he had her hips in his hands. 

Severus moves his tongue faster, side to side, up and down, then sucking. Releasing his hold on one of her hips, he positions his forearm around her, holding her up, his other hand finding her dripping entrance and slipping two fingers inside her tight pussy. 

“Fuck,” he growls against her flesh, relishing the moan she releases at the sensation of his fingers inside her.

He sucks her clit, pumping his fingers faster, feeling the way she tugs at his digits, channel throbbing around his hand. His cock is painfully hard, digging into the mattress, and still, he would do this for hours; he would pleasure her as long as she would allow him to. 

“I-I… god- fuuuuck .” Hermione’s sounds were wild, untamed; there isn't an ounce of regret or shame in any of it as she writhes. The only thing holding her in place, his arm, keeping her there. His mouth on her, making her feel like this. “I’m- Severus, I’m going to-” 

He feels it as she cries out, her body trembling, his face becoming ever wetter as she spasms around his fingers. “Yes,” he croons against her, lewdly licking at her pussy. 

Releasing her, finally, he allows her to fall forward, boneless, onto the mattress.

Turning over, almost sleepily, she has a nearly sheepish, satiated smile on her face. One that makes male pride swell in his chest. There was something utterly remarkable about knowing he had pleased her. 

Almost lazily, reaching out and grabbing the collar of his shirt, pulling him on top of her. Her thighs wrap around his waist, holding him tightly, and the sensation of her hot core against his still-covered erection is… bloody lovely. Snape drops his forehead to hers, pressing errant kisses to her cheek, travelling down her jaw. 

“I want you to fuck me,” she mutters around breathless gasps. 

That was really all he needed. Severus waves a hand, and any leftover clothing is gone. He grinds himself against her, and she gasps into his mouth, tongue stroking his. He can't help it, reaching down, gliding fingers over her slick heat, testing to ensure she's ready. “You’re so wet, fuck,” he growls. 

Hermione mewls a bit and pushes him until he falls onto his back, head at the end of the bed. Then she straddles him, perfect thighs on either side of his hips, right at the place where he could run his hands over them, squeeze the flesh there. Her wet cunt rubbing, her hips tilting, moving over him.

Severus grunts, thrusting upwards, unable to stop himself. 

Throwing her head back, dark curls spilling down her back, Hermione is gasping. Severus, in his daze of lust and drink, touches one of her curls, holding a spiral between his fingers. It's at least once a day that he looks over at her, catches her with a hand shoved into her mane of curls, running her fingers down them. His want to touch them had been a constant that continued to varying degrees throughout the time he had known her as a coworker. 

Their eyes met then, his hand still in her hair, and Severus feels it like a bolt of lightning. The way she is here, the way he was touching her. Sitting up, he threads his fingers in her hair, pulling her towards his mouth and kissing her deeply. Her hand caresses his chest as their mouths move, stuttering against the scars marr his skin but not dwelling on them. Her hands trail down further, and Severus has little time to think or prepare himself as she positions his cock at her entrance and takes him. 

“Fuck-” he breathes into her mouth, breaking their kiss. 

Natural instincts are too much, and he thrusts up inside her, perhaps a little too rough, but she doesn't seem to mind. Hermione cries out, biting his shoulder and dropping her head there to pant as his hands tighten around her back and her waist, holding them chest to chest. The sharp sting of her nip is enough to make him groan again and allow her to push him back to the mattress, settling his hands on her hips as she grinds down on him. So deep inside her, and it's like searing white hot pleasure racing down his spine.

It had been a long while since he was in a similar position. Being more than a little inebriated, Severus didn’t feel like embarrassing himself. So, he slows the movement of her over him. His fingers digging into her hips, moving her slower, back and forth and watching her.

Oh, yes, Severus loved watching her, it was his favourite thing in day-to-day life, but like this… he could do it all day, every day, see pleasure wash over her as he thrust up inside her, his motions and movement making her feel good as she bounces on his cock. 

Placing his fingers on her clit, Severus rubs almost lazy circles over her flesh, and the responding sounds are enough to make him nearly lose control. 

“Severus- I-” She chokes out, and he can feel her spasming around him. 

“Cum on my cock…god, you feel good,” he hums, still moving his fingers. 

When she wails his name, throwing her head back, Severus allows himself to relinquish control. His orgasm coursing over him and filling her, thrusting up inside her again and again until he falls back to the mattress. Spent. 

They glance at each other a bit lazily for a moment, eyes glassy with lust and drink. Hermione moves to his side, and before Severus can think about anything further… he is asleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He felt as if he had been yanked from the Pensieve violently. The moment of pleasure and peace torn from him instantly. Though… his cock was rock hard, even if he was now in the Ministry and not surrounded by Hermione’s scent. 

Running a hand over his face, Severus glances back at the swirling depths where he had just been, deciding it was time to go home. He would figure out whatever nonsense he had gone to the Pensieve for another day at the moment… he had to take a cold shower. 

As Severus flooed home, landing in his sitting room. Running a hand down his face and tried his hardest not to freak the fuck out. It had been his fault, hadn’t it? Best damn night of his life, and he had gone and fucking cum inside of her without even asking her first? Fuck. 

Snape could kick himself for his stupidity. Never once in his life had he done something like that. He had always been safe, always asked… God damn it. 

With very little thought for what he was doing, Severus headed out the door and down to the street. There was a little shop near his flat that he often frequented, open late and always has a few things that he would need in a pinch. Stepping inside, he buys the first pack of cigarettes he can see.

Then, once back in his flat, he throws on the closest pair of trainers and jogging bottoms he could find. Cigarette stowed in his pocket, he headed out into the night; not even bothering to warm up, he starts running. The trail he takes often down streets and through parks. He didn’t know when he would stop, didn’t even know if he would decide to smoke. All Severus knew was that he had to get out of his head and quickly.

Chapter Text

“We are going to need to discuss how we plan to go about this,” Hermione seemed to be in a state, her long hair bound up and plopped on her head. Instead of her usual put-together outfit, it was truly Casual Friday; a Muggle football jumper and loose-fitting jeans. She seemed to be barely holding it together, preparing the lab for their mutual departure the following week.

Snape glanced up; he had been trying to avoid looking at her; she was cute. Her wild hair and casual demeanour, like she was comfortable with him, which it seemed she was, really that was the thing about it, they were friends, they would be co-parents eventually, and then there was that. Yet, ever since the other evening... Snape could barely let a moment pass without thoughts of that night racing through his brain.

It was worse when he remembered that he was the one that hadn't checked to ensure that she was on the potion... Hadn't even said something before he- Snape rubbed his forehead, trying to refocus, even as remembering the second-hand memory of cumming inside her-fuck. He noticed the bump was barely concealable, and she really wasn’t trying in their office. It was disorienting, partially just the idea that he was going to be a father, but it sent a thrill through him, too; she was so… adorable? Perhaps that was trite; she was perfect, smart and bloody sexy, and that was his baby. Now he truly had full knowledge of how they had been conceived... Severus was sure that at some point amidst all of this, he would truly stop functioning.

“Severus?” 

“Hmmm?” 

“Did you hear me?” 

Shit . 

“No, I apologise,” he grimaced, looking down at his desk, then back up, clasping his hands behind his back.

“We are going to need to discuss some plans about going to see my family?” 

He cleared his throat, walking around the desk, leaning back on it, trying to be the picture of ease that he wasn’t. He watched her look at him and swallow, then glance away, almost like she had been looking him up and down, admiring him even. It set something fluttering inside of him.

“What is it that I should know?” 

"My grandfather hates magic; we should avoid it around him at all costs."

Snape nodded, thinking. "Your parents? How do they feel about it?"

"They don't mind; they have always been very supportive... my extended relatives don't know." Her bottom lip was pinned between her teeth, honey eyes darting between him and the tabletop.  

“I see,” that will be bothersome. Severus used his magic almost every moment of the day. To him, it was a badge of honour and now a habit, of course. He had spent years where the only thing he liked about himself was his magic. Partially just to spite his father, who hated it.

“There will be a party and probably some other activities. I am unsure exactly what they have planned. We will need to fly there, my grandfather, as I said-” 

“Hates magic,” he finished, trying to make it clear in his voice that he understood tha he wasn’t upset. "Okay." Severus was willing to do anything she required of him.

“I will try to keep the socialising you have to do to a minimum, but it will be necessary at certain points.” 

Snape nodded, unease sitting at the back of his mind. This was not his forte, nor was it his preferred way of spending some of his PTO. “What are we going to say about us?” 

“What do you mean?” 

He stepped closer, coming to stand near to her desk and the smell of her honey and vanilla shampoo was overwhelming. “Are we dating? Married?” 

“Oh,” her face went scarlet. “Well, I suppose dating, I am sure my grandpa will hate that, but at least that's better than the alternative.” 

Something thrilling entered his mind, the idea of truly being with Hermione. God, he was absolutely losing his mind. “We could be engaged?” It came out of his mouth before Severus had enough time to stop it. He placed a palm down on her desk and leaned over her. “That wouldn’t be too hard to fake, would it?” 

Her mouth stayed open for a moment, then she closed it and opened it again, and Severus had to keep himself from reaching down, pulling her against him and kissing that mouth. “Well, I mean, we know a lot about each other,” she finally said, “but... I, uh, I don't think that is a good idea... faking that."

Faking . Merlin, the word sunk into his flesh like a knife.

He was still leaning over her, and finally, after a moment, he decided that stepping back would be prudent. The pain of wanting someone, being so close to having them, having had them... Fuck, it was horrible and so beautiful at the same time. An ache in his chest that just wouldn't abate.  

It made him wonder if longing was a part of his personality. Perhaps he was never able to simply enjoy the presence of someone but had to be completely and utterly obsessed. That thought was harrowing and isolating.

It was enough to pull himself back and realise that no one should be the face of his deluded fantasies or obsessions. Perhaps this was how they got into this mess in the first place. If his drunken mind hadn’t thought it was a good idea to fuck the woman that he had been secretly fantasising about for years… then maybe they wouldn’t have gotten to this point. It felt a bit pitiful, but Severus was excellent at neglecting himself and even better at blaming himself.

Clearing his throat, he tried to close off his mind to some of the more destructive thoughts he was having. “When do we go talk with Shacklebolt?” 

“An hour?” 

“Do you want to go address the troops? I am sure they would prefer to hear it from you.”

Hermione smirked at him, “yes, but I am so comfy here in my chair, and I am carrying around another human, you know?” She was teasing him, and trying to get out of this.

“Fine,” he grumbled. He saw her blow a long breath out of the corner of his eye. 

…

The smell of him. It was bloody good, something like laundry soap and a spicy cologne. Hermione was trying her hardest not to focus on it, not when he had been right by her desk or now headed towards Kingsley’s office together. She was sure it had to be the pregnancy hormones messing with her. She was so bloody... well, horny! Hermione was going to have to spend a loooong while with him over the next week. She needed to figure out how to subvert this and fast.

Merlin . 

When they reached the Minsiter's office, Hermione had talked herself out of uninviting Severus twice in her mind. Perhaps it was just the hormones, but she was going to have to deal with it eventually. There wasn’t a point that she and Severus would be able to never see each other again, not anymore. They were connected for life, or at least that was the general idea when you had a child; perhaps that meant she would have to either get used to this or move on, eventually. One of those two things would have to happen. 

As they were about to enter, Penny exited the room, and her eyes lit up when she noticed Severus. 

“Severus, hi!” She was stunning, with her dark, long hair and beautiful green eyes. She was the picture of someone Hermione would expect Severus to be with, all long and model-like, with sharp features. She was always wearing some sort of flowy black robes, looking like Morticia Adams, though maybe less pale. It made Hermione feel a bit plain in her jumper and jeans, with her freckles and no makeup at all. 

Penny’s focus shifted to Hermione then, “hey there,” she murmured. Almost like she hadn’t known Hermione’s name. Though that was next to impossible.

“I have a couple things to send over to you; I just haven’t had the time,” Severus murmured; he was looking past Penny to Kingsley’s office then, glancing at Hermione.

“I will be using some PTO, but I will bring some of the research with me to go over. I don't want us to get off track."

Penelope’s smile faltered, then, “oh, I didn’t realise you took holidays,” her smile was wry, red lips curving up at the corner. Coy, seductive. 

The woman was so obviously flirting with him, and Hermione found it annoying despite herself. Bloody hell, did she know anything about Severus? He took a two week holiday every year at the same time. Hermione wanted to huff and roll her eyes, but Severus wasn’t hers to worry about, and she certainly didn’t have a say in who he decided to date or collaborate with. Still, Merlin, if he didn’t realise that Penny was into him, Hermione had to wonder if he really was the smartest wizard alive at the moment. 

“Let's have dinner tonight, debrief some of the formulas you were attempting the other day.” Penny’s prettily manicured hand had travelled to Severus’s bicep, possessive.

Hermione could not do this, watch this, whatever. “I am going to head in,” she squeezed past Penelope, trying not to press her bump to the slim woman who was blocking the door. 

Penny didn’t seem to care much, ignoring Hermione, but Severus looked up, “I’ll be right there.” 

“Hermione,” greeted Kings, looking at some paperwork instead of at her; that wasn’t abnormal; they were used to each other enough to not have to deal with all the nonsense that was small talk. 

“Hey,” she sounded deflated to her own ears. This whole situation was a nightmare. 

At that sound, Kingsley looked up, “are you quitting? Is that why you’re here? I swear if you and Snape go open a lab somewhere-” 

“No, no.” She waved a hand, “I don’t want to deal with all that, don’t worry, and neither does Severus; he hates paperwork.” 

Kinglsey looked relieved, then said, “well, that is why he has you, isn’t it?” 

She sucked in a deep breath, “I suppose…” Was that the only reason they got on? Snape didn’t enjoy the work she did, and he got something good out of this arrangement. What a horrible thought.

“So if you aren’t quitting, what exactly is going on?” 

“Well… we need to take some PTO, both Severus and I.” 

“Oh?” 

Snape entered the room then, the door swinging shut behind him, taking the seat next to Hermione. His face was impassive, Occlumency shields no doubt firmly in place.

“We will have everything ready; really, we just want someone to check in and ensure nothing has exploded or been burnt down. Lionel, our Head Brewer, is excellent; he knows his stuff. I wouldn’t think it would be an issue at all.” Hermione bit the tip of her nail. 

“And you two are going?” 

There was a beat of silence. 

Severus and Hermione exchanged looks with one another. His eyes said, ' This is your choice. ' The dark brown was so comforting to her, and she found it surprisingly patient. 

“Minister…”

“Miss Granger,” Kingsley returned, amused at her use of his official title. 

“Severus and I are going to have a baby in a few months; I need to go see my parents; he needs to come with me, and could you please, please, not tell a soul? I mean that too, Molly included.” 

It felt good to tell another person who wasn’t Ginny, but as she waited for Kings to be upset or worried or anything, he wasn’t.

A slow smile spread across his face, and he rounded the desk to hug Hermione out of her chair.  Then he forced Severus into a hug. Snape looked shocked, staring over the Minister's shoulder at Hermione.

“I just knew the two of you would sort all this out one day!”

Oh no. 

“-you’re just too good for one another. I knew eventually, the tides would turn, and you would see it.” Kingsley continued. 

“Oh, we aren’t together-” Interjected Snape and Hermione at the exact same time. 

Kingsley frowned then. 

“We are going to co-parent,” murmured Severus, and she noticed his tone was a bit annoyed. He folded his arms over his chest and looked off out the window that was to the left of them. 

“We just would prefer no one to know for a while longer.” Waving a hand, Hermione continued, “the press and all that.” 

“I see,” Kingsley had very quickly deflated. Looking at Hermione like, ‘should I have Snape murdered? Throw him in jail, perhaps?’  

Hermione gave a slight shake of the head and tried her best at a smile.

“Right, well, I don’t have many higher-ups to spare at the moment, but I have full faith in the functioning of your lab. I know how... scary Snape can be.” 

Severus snorted at that but didn’t deny it. 

“Have Lionel check in with me every few days, and I will have Nathan pop in, on and off, to see if he can help them at all.” 

Severus surely loathed that idea, but he didn’t say anything, just glanced at the time.

“Thank you, Kings,” Hermione said, giving him a wide smile.  

Nodding, the Minster looked far less enthusiastic than before but still stood and shook both their hands, “Congratulations. You will be lovely- co-parents .” 

As they exited the office, Hermione felt awkward. This was clearly something that not just she had thought about. Were other people in the Order wanting the two of them to get together? Or was this something only Kingsley presumed? 

“Will you be alright getting home?” Snape’s deep voice near her ear surprised her and made her shiver at once. “I now have dinner plans, but I will see you tomorrow."

“Right, yes, all good.” 

“And Friday, do you want me to pick you up?” 

She must have looked confused because the corner of his lip curled just a little. "For the flight?"

"Oh, I was- going to order a taxi."

“I have a car, so it isn't a problem."

She hadn’t realised he had such Muggle things, though that shouldn’t have been shocking, she supposed. "That is a long drive." A couple of hours, at least.

His face was soft, open to her. "I don't mind," he reiterated.

“Okay. Have a good dinner.” With Penny , she wanted to add.

“I won't,” he muttered, more to himself than her, but she caught it. 

…

Hermione was well and truly feeling sorry for herself as she made her way to Grimmauld Place. She had been avoiding her friends, but she really needed them at the moment, just for something to lighten her now very dark mood. She had been self-isolating, and Hermione wasn't totally sure why. She felt raw, fearful of what was to come in her life and didn't know how to articulate that to her friends.

As she approached the imposing front door of the Black family home, she noted that it didn’t seem to be warded. A flurry of footsteps echoed from inside. After a moment, she caught a glimpse of Ginny’s vibrant red hair through the ornate stained glass window, a beautiful upgrade they had recently added, depicting swirling patterns of Gryffindor colours. It momentarily sparked a flicker of warmth in Hermione’s chest. It was doused by the sound of her friend's irritation.

“And I swear Harry-I can’t handle this any longer-” 

Oh shit.

Through the door, she couldn’t hear Harry’s response, but it sounded equally angry, absolutely pissed off. This was not normal. Her friends didn’t… hadn’t ever fought like this. Perhaps this hadn’t been the time to just pop by for a chat. It was too late now, though. Ginny was opening the door and peering out; her brow, which had been crinkled in anger, changed when she saw Hermione. 

“Hi!” Her tone brightened considerably.

“Hey, sorry, I should have flooed first to see if you weren’t busy,” Hermione looked past her a bit down the long hallway but didn’t see anyone. 

“No, no,” Ginny ushered her inside, toward the sitting room. “Don’t worry, we were just… chatting about something. The kids are at Molly and Arthur's."

Something in Hermione’s belly turned at that, and it wasn’t baby. “Is everything okay, Gin?” 

Looking up wide-eyed, caught out, Ginny passed on a fake smile, “Yes! Totally, just a little argument, stuff happens, you know.” She waved a hand and busied herself, moving some cushions on the sofa for Hermione to sit down. 

Clearly, Ginny meant to brush this all off, but Hermione knew something was up. “So tell me, what has been going on? Are you going to your grandpa's party?” Ginny’s eyes fell to the bump that Hermione wasn’t making an effort to hide here. 

“We are going to my family next week…” she bit her nail, “Severus is coming…” holding up a hand, she stopped Ginny’s excited gasp, “as a friend, just to help me get my family sorted out. My grandpa will still be upset, no doubt, but it will be better than going alone." 

“How do you feel about that?” Ginny moved up onto her knees, looking extremely interested.

Hermione shrugged, "it's nice of him to help."  

“Soooo, you’re going to tell him what you feel, right?” 

Biting her lip, Hermione shook her head, “No, Gin, I can’t.” Sighing, “I just don’t want him to feel pressure. He is already trying so hard; he wants to be a really good dad, and more than that, he is trying to be a good support to me."

"So?" Ginny looked completely confused like Hermione was speaking another language.

"I really worry that if I tell him, it won't be real. I don't want him to fake being interested in me just because of the baby.” Tears started to fill her eyes, and she cursed her hormones. “I couldn’t bear it if I thought he was only doing it to be kind,” she chuckled mirthlessly, “Severus Snape being kind , how funny.” 

“Well, exactly, I don’t think he would do that,” Ginny stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I think he has something going on with Penelope Lancaster. Or I think she is definitely interested..."

Ginny seemed to think, "does he seem interested?"

Shrugging, Hermione rubbed a soothing circle against her belly. "I don't really know."

"Are they together a lot?"

"They are working on a project, so yes, and she is always hanging all over him when I am there."

Gin grimaced, "that seems like something Snape wouldn't like."

That is a good point.

"They are always together after work, and she went to his football match a few weeks ago." Sighing, Hermione knew she sounded jealous.

"Snape plays football?"

"Mhm," pinching her lips together, she thought, "she just seems so perfect and sexy-"  

"You have that man's baby inside you. Snape doesn't seem the type to not think about that."

Hermione groaned, "that is the point Ginny. He can be so bloody noble. I worry that's all it would be if I told him." She shoved a hand in her hair, trying to think.

There was a break of quiet, then, "I think you're overthinking. You two have enjoyed each other for years. I don't think sleeping together was an accident, even while drunk."

She had a real point; Hermione was just too chicken shit to take her advice. 

…

As usual, Lucius and Narcissa were relentless, even at a party with other people. They were all over him, wondering what was going on and what he was planning to do now that he and Hermione were A. pregnant (well, Hermione) and B. going to see her extended family, like a happy couple. He had even arrived late after meeting with Penelope. Still, he hadn't been able to escape their notice.

A Malfoy party was something spectacular, and the general splendour of the rooms and the garden, despite the slight chill of the evening, was beautiful. Severus felt a wave of eerie dread slip over him when he thought of the revels he had been to at this home and the fact that it may never leave him, the memories of those days. Despite all the changes in circumstances and others, he was still going to remember it. They would, too, he knew.

Sucking in a deep breath, he tried to focus on what was tangible. Enjoy the good scotch from this secluded side of the party, and people watch for the most part. That was his usual move at these such things, and it seemed that he was going to get away with it now that he had told Lucius that there were no new developments between him and Hermione. They were simply friends, and there was nothing he could do; he was helping her as a friend and as a co-parent . He had now been privy to their night together, but he was not about to tell Lucius about Severus's own somewhat accidental homemade porn. Despite his run the other night, he hadn't been able to escape having a wank before bed. It had been utterly impossible.  

“How’s the corner?” The white, blonde hair of his pseudo-nephew came into view the younger man sidling up next to him.

“Pleasant enough,” Severus took a sip of his scotch. 

There was a beat of silence where the two simply looked out at the crowd and didn’t speak to each other. Then Severus had to state the obvious. “I am assuming you know.” Deadpan, staring straight ahead.

Draco feigned ignorance, with a heavy tone of sarcasm that was definitely inherited from Lucius, “know? Know what? That you knocked up my ex-girlfriend?” A smirk was there, painting his young, handsome face. 

Severus rolled his eyes. “Really?” 

“I had to, my apologies.” 

“You didn’t have to do anything-” Severus murmured, swallowing a bit more liquor and then smirking at Draco, “but I most likely would have made some quip if the roles were reversed.” 

“Of course you would have.” Draco snorted. “I think we are more alike than you sometimes give me credit for. I did grow up around you more than my parents, for the most part.” 

Snape inclined his head in agreement. That was true; the way the Hogwarts system functioned was a bit odd, being away from family for that long, on your own… Like a lot of boarding schools, but there wasn't really another choice for magical children. That made him think of his own child... nerves and interst swirled in his lower belly. These were thoughts, feelings he hadn't really experienced before or every expected to. Letting them pass in and out, getting accustomed to the way it felt to realise he was someone's father or would be later that year.

Draco broke his train of thought. “How is work?” 

“Fine, the same mostly.” 

“I hear you are working on something with Penelope. That must be interesting. She is… hot ,” Draco murmured. 

“You really find anyone attractive, don’t you?” 

“I think people are beautiful,” Draco said with a grin, "I have been seeing a guy recently, though-" he cleared his throat, "or I'd have you set me up." He didn't meet Snape's eyes.

Hmmm.

Snape raised a black eyebrow but nodded, “Penny is perfectly acceptable, just not my type.” 

“Your type has bushy hair and a bossy attitude, yes?” 

Sighing, Snape raised his gaze up to the sky in absolution, “I am going to stop being friends with your parents if they keep spreading my business.”

“They didn’t actually say anything about who it was,” Draco waved a hand, “I just guessed; I mean, you are not really a one-night stand guy, or I guess a sleep with someone you know during a one-night stand guy.” 

He wasn’t; that much was probably obvious to anyone who paid much attention to him at all. Severus loved deeply, and he really didn’t enjoy most people. 

“It wasn’t hard to put two and two together.” 

“You know we broke up because no one was going to live up to you, right?”

To this, Severus paused, “Don’t placate me.” 

“I am serious.” 

Severus was irritated now; he didn’t want to pretend like this could be something like he could have a chance. Narcissa was clearly behind this conversation. “Don’t you think that I would have scooped her up at the first possible opportunity had I thought there was a chance?” It was seething, and he knew he must sound like the Professor Snape that he wasn’t, but it didn’t matter. He swallowed the rest of the scotch and looked around, trying to find somewhere else to be. “She couldn’t get away from me fast enough when she realised who she had slept with that morning after, surely regretting it every single day now, and she can’t get away from it. She is having my baby.”

Draco looked stunned by the anger coming off of Severus, then he sobered a bit. “I think you are being far too hard on yourself.” 

Snape snorted, “excuse me.”

Stepping into the familiar warmth of the house, he breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the solitude it offered. It had been a long time since he allowed himself to truly reflect on how horrified Hermione had been that morning after. Rubbing his temples in frustration, he tried to think clearly. His focus needed to be on her interaction with her family, making it go smoothly. He knew how important they were to her and recognised that if he could smooth over the situation with her parents, it might change how she perceived him. If he could prove himself to them, perhaps Hermione would feel less embarrassed by his presence and see him as someone worthy of her affection and trust.

…

Plopping herself down on her sofa, Hermione felt a bit like crying, or perhaps not; perhaps she wanted to just disappear. She was 5 months pregnant, and in her mind, she had always expected it to be exciting; when this happened, she would be overjoyed, and every moment would mean something. She just felt alone. Packing had been horrible, thinking of seeing her family worse, leaving work, the one place that she quite literally had to pretend nothing was going on... It was overwhelming.

Severus was going to be there to pick her up soon, and Hermione was far from ready, sighing as she plaited her hair and looked at the suitcase on the floor. The whole week had gone by in a rush of preparation, and still, she had found time to stew on this trip and Severus in every spare moment.

They would need to get to London in enough time to board their flight. It would have been so much easier to just go with a Portkey, but her grandpa might find out, and she didn't want to risk puking all over anyone. Her nausea was mostly gone, but she didn't feel like risking any of that. Severus’s response when she had said that he could just take a portkey and she would go on her own: 'Of course not, I am not letting you and the baby go on your own.'  

It had been said in passing, over his shoulder as if it were the most basic statement, something she needn't have even asked in the first place, but to Hermione, it meant more than she could probably ever express to him. 

The back door creaked, signalling someone entering the house. Her neighbour Imogen poked her head round the corner. “Hi, Lovely.” Instantly, the woman's face changed. "Oh, oh," she tutted, "isn't that a sour face. Are you still angry about losing at Bridge last week?"

Pulling a face, "that feels like ages ago now. Headed out of town today and I am... not excited." That was the gist of it, minus almost all the details.

The older woman nodded, walking further into the room. “Oh, going to the parents, I forgot. Need me to water the plants while you’re away?” 

Hermione smacked her forehead, “I completely forgot about that; yes, if you have the time, I would very much appreciate it.”

“Of course, I have the time!" She waggled a wrinkled finger, "You need to stop travelling; I have no one to talk to except Rebecca, and you know she's quite dull.”

Hermione chuckled at that, watching Imogen place a plate of coffee cake on the table; Hermione glanced at it and stopped rubbing her belly to reach for the treat. 

“God, this is lovely, Imogen.” Around a mouthful of the delicious sweet. 

“The babes always crave sweets. At least mine did,” the old woman's laugh was melodious and warm.

Hermione shook her head and patted her belly a little. “Well, this one craves everything that I have noticed.” Rolling her eyes a little. 

Imogen chuckled, “well, then, I am glad I caught you before you left,” patting Hermione’s hand. 

A soft knock at the door had Hermione glancing up and then getting to her feet. “Not sure who-” 

Severus stepped in through the door, looking wary at coming into her house unannounced, though already talking. His deep voice resonating against the old walls. “I haven’t flown in some time. I was feeling anxious about getting there on time-” dark eyes flicking up, he noticed the other woman. “Sorry, I am early.” 

It was odd, perhaps, to see Severus Snape as sheepish; that much was true, but it was also kind of sweet. 

Imogen was out of her chair and over the door, and the dower man standing there before Hermione could say a thing. 

“Imogen Clarity, I am assuming you are Severus.” She thrust a hand out to him. 

“Um, yes.” 

“I have heard so much about you.” The older woman was smiling, and when she let go of his hand and turned back to Hermione, Imogen winked so just Hermione could see. 

“My neighbour and friend,” murmured Hermione. 

“Ah,” Snape said, nonplussed.

“I am not close to ready… I think I got a bit overwhelmed.” Pointing at the mess in the sitting room, all her things strewn out over the floor. “Nothing fits, and I am just... I don't know.” Rubbing her face at the thought of getting all this ready. 

“Well,” Imogen said from the doorway, “I am going to get out of your hair, but please eat the coffee cake before you leave, and I have the spare key for the plants.” Grinning, she waved a hand, "Severus, so nice to meet you. Hermione must invite you round for tea so we can have a proper chat."

The woman was clearly meddling, and Hermione couldn’t blame her. It was surely interesting to have some excitement around these parts for once. 

“Thank you, I will let you know when I get back.”

“Enjoy yourselves!” 

They were left alone, and Severus had his brow furrowed. “She’s…” 

“A very nice lady-” Hermione held up a hand to stop any sort of comment he was going to make, “and one of my only Muggle friends.” She swished her finger at him. “Be careful,” it was a joking smirk; she knew that there was no real malice in what he said. 

“She is very interested in your well-being, and that I can appreciate.” He coughed then, awkwardly. “Well, let’s get this sorted, shall we?” He gestured to the clothing and other items that were strewn about the floor. 

Hermione groaned and caressed her belly. 

“We can transfigure anything we need to, lo- Hermione.” 

Blinking, Hermione could kick herself. Why hadn't she thought of that? “I swear I keep forgetting I am a witch. My brain is just a mess…” 

He gave her an interesting look. "Your body is doing a lot; from my research, this is all very normal." Then he stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I am here to help. You could have called me this morning even."

I am bloody fine, and what if I interrupted you and Penny?

Hermione tried not to focus on his face so close and got up. Taking another slice of the cake, she renewed her efforts. Using her wand to pack the items she needed up into her suitcase. She would transfigure things; he was right, but she also didn’t need him to tell her that she didn’t need him. Hermione was fine. 

You are not. You need him, you want him, just tell him!

“Feel free to make yourself some tea,” she muttered, flicking a hand towards the kitchen, not looking at him. She could feel his eyes on her, but she ignored him, going back to getting packed. She was moody, and really, she didn’t want to deal with this at the moment. This pull towards him. He smelt freshly showered and shaved, and god, she just wanted to melt into him.

Fifteen minutes later, her suitcase was sorted, and she was just getting her purse together when a slight clatter alerted her to him; he placed a teacup and a plate with the coffee cake near her. Hermione glanced up, irritation instantly dissipating. 

“Thank you,” she mumbled, feeling abashed now for being annoyed at him at all.

He slipped one finger under her chin, making her look up at him, and Hermione caught her breath. “Anything you need this week, I am here, alright?” 

Swallowing, she nodded, fighting the urge to lean in and just kiss him.

Chapter Text

Severus had not been in an airport or an aeroplane for a long time. Perhaps since his first holiday after graduating from Hogwarts... and his last until after the war. It was noisy and chaotic walking through the terminals. They needed to get their bags checked; babies were crying, and people were crying. It was louder and more emotional than Severus usually preferred. Their car ride had been pleasant, like there had been some unspoken pact between them not to address where they were going or what they'd be doing. Now, he was worried, and more than that, he wasn't looking forward to flying, not one bit.

Over the noise around them, Hermione touched his arm to get his attention. "I'm going to use the loo. Go ahead and find our seats. I have my boarding pass." She lifted the paper, waving it a bit before heading off to the restroom.

The employee smiled politely as he handed over his boarding pass; the crinkled paper felt slippery in his clammy grip, and he motioned for him to proceed down the narrow, tunnel-like jet bridge leading to the plane. Tugging at his collar, which suddenly felt constricting, Severus glanced nervously at the door that loomed ahead, a barrier between him and the unknown experience inside. As he stepped into the aircraft's cabin, the sound of muffled chatter and the hum of machinery enveloped him, intensifying his awareness of the bustling environment. Overwhelming.

Finding their seats took a moment, and he fumbled slightly with his carry-on bag, shoving it into the overhead compartment with a hasty breath. He tried to steady himself, reminding himself that this was a trivial hurdle compared to the many things he had faced before—battles fought, secrets kept, lives saved. Taking a deep breath, he focused on calming his breathing and slowing the uptick in his heart rate. After all, it was just a flight; he knew he could handle it. He needed to get a grip before Hermione got here.

Taking a deep breath in, he tried to calm himself, resting his head back against the seat and wiping his hands on his thighs. Hermione needed him; he was going to be there for her.

"Sir?" A female voice stirred him. 

"Yes?" Dark eyes opening, the hostess stooped down near his chair, face comforting and serene.

She gave him a warm smile, "are you alright, sir? I can get you some water if it would help the nerves." She was Irish, her voice soft and lilting, soothing. 

Snape knew that it would only cause him more anxiety if he forced himself to drink water and then had to get up and go to the loo. He shook his head. "Thank you. I will be alright; I just haven't flown in years." 

The hostess smiled at him sweetly, "it's normal to feel some nerves when you fly again; we will take good care of you." She reached out, patting him lightly on the shoulder. Then turned and strode away down the aisle. 

Hermione had been waiting behind her, with what he could see as a sour look on her face. "I didn't know you were nervous?" She sounded hurt, voice tinged with dismay. The seat made a soft squeak as she plopped herself down. 

Severus shrugged, looking away, not wanting to voice his fears aloud.

Hermione seemed frustrated, and she usually would be his number one priority. At the moment, though, he was too worried about being in the sky for an extended period of time. He had a white-knuckle grip on the armrests and was doing his best to stare straight forward. If he could just look at the front of the cabin, perhaps he would have the ability to pretend that there was nothing else going on. 

Except for the buzzing sound of the motor, the recycled air, and the uncomfortable seat.

"Is this your first time flying?" Hermione's voice was softer, this time more gentle. 

Severus shook his head. "No, but it has been a long time. I have never liked it." His teeth were clenched between words.

When the flight attendants got up to give their instructions, his stomach gave an awful tug. 

Hermione's warm hand came to settle over his, where it was gripping the armrest. "I really wouldn't have minded flying on my own. On the way back, we'll get you a Port Key." Threading her fingers through his, he knew that it was just to comfort him. Still, it made his heart ache at how much he loved the sensation.

"I will be fine." 

Hermione shook her head; he could see her curls bob out of the corner of his eye. The white noise on the plane began to increase, and he felt his stomach drop as they accelerated over the runway. 

"You can fly, Severus; remember that." 

"Not. The. Same." He was able to force the words out when they were no longer on the ground. His heart pounding.

There had been a few times in his life that he had felt terrified in this way; in a way, he knew that he had no control over what was going to happen and there was nothing he could do; the last had been in the Shrieking Shack. The blood had been rushing from him, and he had known that he could not stop any of it. He hadn't been in control of anything. That was precisely the feeling he was having now.  

"It's alright," Hermione's voice was closer now, leaning in near him and speaking in his ear. "I promise it will be okay." 

That's what she had said to him that day as well when she found him in the shack. That it would be alright. The tension in him eased as they levelled out in the sky; finally, he was able to take in a large breath of air. Hermione's hand didn't leave him, though, and he didn't tell her he was doing a bit better. 

"Severus?" 

"Hmm?" 

She didn't respond verbally; instead, she took his hand and placed it on her belly, pressing his palm against it. There was a slight movement under her skin, and Severus's eyes shot up to hers, his mouth falling open. Suddenly, his mind was completely present; he was fully there at that moment, and he looked up to meet Hermione's caramel-coloured eyes, which were full of excitement. Something shifted in him then; he wanted to win her over, and he wanted this with her. How ? He didn't know, but this was important to him.

A long breath left him, and he didn't even notice when the flight attendant from earlier saddled up next to them. He was just far too busy staring at Hermione, looking between her face and where his hand was resting.

"Drink?" she asked. 

Severus turned and noticed her clock his hand. Maybe she had been flirting with him earlier. She looked peeved at what she was privy to now. This was strange, being flirted with often. He had always been ugly, and women never wanted him. He still felt like that man deep down despite his changed appearance.

"Ginger ale. Please," murmured Hermione. 

"I'll do the same," Severus inclined his head in thanks when she passed them the little cans. Reluctantly, Severus removed his hand from Hermione's stomach. When the attendant left them, Severus gave her the drink. "Was that the first time?" 

"I think," her smile was big, and the slight freckles on her cheeks were more prominent. "I hadn't felt anything so obvious before today." Then she blew out a long breath, “this is real… oh my god.” 

…

The noise had shifted slightly, and it made Hermione open her eyes. She felt tired, aching from the way she'd been sitting. Something moved slightly under her head, and her eyes opened; she was resting against Severus's shoulder. He had a book open on his little table and had moved the armrest up so she could relax against the side of his body. It felt so good to be near him; she almost groaned aloud. He smelled so good, and if she stayed here, perhaps he could pretend this was all real. 

He must have noticed her stirring, "we should be landing soon," she felt his breath against her neck and shivered. 

Forcing herself to move off him, Hermione yawned, stretching a little bit in the space she had. "Sorry," she murmured, "I didn't even realise I was feeling sleepy." 

A small smile played at his lips, "you were out nearly mid-sentence." 

She hit his arm playfully, "it's hard work making a baby." Hermione had almost said, ' your baby .' 

"Indeed." His dark eyes scatted over her face, almost tracing her expression.

Hermione blushed and then yawned, taking a sip from her tiny water bottle. "We need to get our stories straight if we are going to fool them-thank you-." He'd handed her a packet of snack mix, and Hermione tried not to blush; he was always trying to get her to eat, and it felt nice to be taken care of. 

"I thought we had?" Still, he put his book down and looked her in the eyes. He was always so ready to listen to her, as if he were always patiently waiting for her to need him. It felt disarming to Hermione. None of her boyfriends had ever been as attentive as this, and she hadn't really wanted them to be. Independence was something she craved; she needed to survive; she wanted to be allowed her privacy and to deal with things on her own. Severus felt different; she wanted his help, and it irritated her to no end because she didn't understand why she was suddenly so dependent on him. And it wasn't being pregnant.

"Why are you so willing to help me?" 

He narrowed his eyes, brow descending. "We have been... friends for a long time." 

Friends . That's what they were. 

"Right, yes. I just..." Running a hand through her hair, she tried to think clearly, "I just am not used to letting other people help."

"I know," he said, then smirked. "It took me a solid year to realise that when you were frazzled with work, you needed to reach a certain point before I could even try to step in and help, or you wouldn't accept it." 

"Really?" 

He nodded, "you've gotten better over the years." Another little jest.

Not with anyone she'd dated. They were always complaining that she wanted to do things on her own. 

"Alright, I told you about Grandad. He is going to be the most difficult, I think." She thought, tapping her bottom lip, "My mum is nice, just a little friendly; I told her you aren't really the touchy type, so that should hold her back a bit. My dad is the most normal of the bunch. And extended family will be wild cards." 

"Noted."

"When did we start dating?"

"Should we say last summer? That Order trip to Ireland?" 

Hermione had been pining over him the whole trip, his black suits against the green of the landscape... she had been so far gone for him even then. "yes, good," she croaked. 

"Have you thought of any names? I would assume people tend to ask about that." 

Hermione shrugged a bit; this had all happened so fast, and she had been just trying to make it through. Names hadn't really come up in her mind at this point. "I haven't..." Then she paused, looking at him, trying to force her eyes on his instead of lingering on his lips or jaw... "Have you?" 

"A bit." 

Something warm settled in her belly. That was shocking. Severus had never seemed like the type to want children, and most especially not to be excited about them. Most likely, he was doing all of this for her benefit, surely, but he seemed so genuine and so eager for this baby. Hermione had long decided that she didn't trust men, but he felt so genuine all the time like he was an open book to her. "What have you come up with?" 

"Well, we don't know the sex of the baby." 

"We can look, I know the spell." Hermione glanced around then; everyone seemed to be distracted; she pulled Severus's jacket further over her midsection. 

He paused her where she was inching her wand from her extendable bag. "You're sure? I thought you wanted to wait-" 

"I thought you did!" 

His rich chuckle skated over her. "Let's hold off for a bit; I am not sure I am ready... but it's your choice." 

As usual, bouncing it off to her like she was the real parent and he was just there to...? Hermione wasn't sure. "So, you do want to wait," she raised an eyebrow at him then. 

"I suppose I do," he ran a hand through his hair, and, as usual, something came back to Hermione about that night, him above her, running a hand through his hair. 

Fuck . 

"Well, then, what do you have, name-wise?" She began to chew at the sides of her nail bed, and he reached out a hand, pulling hers away from the destruction she was wreaking.

He cleared his throat, "I think it would be strange if we named them Jack or Lucy, something otherwise unassuming that would just be strange given our names."

We. Our. Her heart did flips even as she tried to tamp it all down.

"That makes sense. What were your parents' names? I am sure I knew at some point, but I have forgotten."

Severus glanced down then, his face unyielding. "I don't want to name our child after them." This was a firm line; she knew that his childhood hadn't been pleasant, but she was unsure exactly what had happened. He never went into detail about the specifics. 

"Still, I would like to know unless you don't wish to tell me. I will respect that." Curiosity had always been something of a vice of hers.  

He nodded once, slight, careful, wary. It was interesting, over the years they had known each other, that Hermione noticed Severus was becoming less and less ruffled by things. His past, Lily, and even his time serving as a Deatheater. His childhood was always a topic that never seemed to mend. The wound open and festering if prodded. "My father's name was Tobias, my middle name is the same, and my mother's name is Eileen." 

"Is your mother still alive then?" 

He nodded, "Yes, and I think she remarried. I saw her once after the war." His tone sounded final, and Hermione decided not to push further for more information. Despite her feeling like she was uncovering buried treasure. 

"My parents' names are-" 

"Colin and Jane," Snape replied smoothly. "I do sometimes listen," he joked, though the quip didn't meet the distant look in his eyes. 

She smacked his arm very gently, then bit her lip and glanced back up at him; even seated, he was so much taller than her. "I feel like this isn't going to work... I am a bad liar and a worse actress."

"I believe I can make up for any issues you run into. I happen to have some experience with lying. Some would say extensive." There was a smirk on his face, and perhaps a long time ago, he would have sounded bitter, but now it was more of a joke than it was anything more concerning. 

Hermione felt her mood ease at what he had said; this was true; at the very least, Severus would be there to help her. There was always the worry that she would be on her own; it had been that way for a long time, but now, that wasn't the case, and it was hard to get used to that whilst also not becoming too attached to Severus. "We will be landing soon," she murmured. 

"Great, I'd love to get off this flying contraption." 

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "The fearsome wizard Severus Snape does not like a little flying." 

"That is the truth. I wouldn't say I am all that fearsome now, am I?" 

"I think all of our interns would have an opinion on that." 

He grimaced, "right.”

…

These people were wealthy. That was what Severus gathered as the car that had been sent for them pulled up to the Italian-style house they would be staying at. Though house seemed an understatement, it was a full estate; there was a massive home, as well as gardens and a vineyard, all looking out over the sea. They'd had to make a decent ascent uphill in the car along craggy rocks and cliffs of a hillside in San Diego. Hermione had been ill at ease; it seemed heights were not something she liked when not in a plane, and he was just the opposite. Severus hadn't been able to tear his eyes off the sharp drop and the waves crashing against the rock below. 

His collar felt a little tighter than before as they approached the house. Overall, he had fairly well removed himself from the boy who had grown up in Cokeworth. He had no Mancunian accent to speak of; he had money now, and he lived in London; what else was there? Still, around people with generational wealth, he felt uneasy. Like they would suss him out, notice that he wasn't the same as them. When he was younger, freshly out of Hogwarts, he had felt it around the Malfoys. Even Evans had lived a very different, if working-class, life just a few streets over from him. 

"You seem tense," Hermione mumbled. 

"I am always tense." 

Shrugging, she didn't argue with that. She was using a little handheld mirror to tame her wild hair into a claw clip, something he had watched her do many times in the lab, and each time her hair won, small pieces always slipped out, framing her face. She made a slight sound of annoyance. 

"You look beautiful," Severus couldn't help but state the obvious. He allowed his eyes to trail over her face and watched her intake of breath, the slight hitch to her breath. Had he done that? 

"Thank you." Tearing her gaze away, she busied herself, putting the mirror back in the purse. Then she ran a hand over the side of her abdomen. 

Severus's mouth went dry, watching, as usual, entranced with her and their baby growing inside her. His thoughts drifting in a direction that wasn't safe for work or friendship. He would worship her body if she let him; he would show her how much he cared, how much he wanted her to feel good... and he would do it with his lips, tongue... hands. 

The driver called out, pulling to a stop, "Sei arrivato." The man was Italian, as they had discovered when he picked them up; apparently, he had moved to California relatively recently. 

Hermione responded in fairly good Italian, though Severus had no idea what she said and handed a bill up to the man before climbing out. 

The boot was emptied easily, seeing as they had shrunk most of their belongings into smaller bags. "Grazie," Severus murmured one of the few words he knew to the driver and received a tip of the man's hat in return. 

Finally, alone in front of the great house, Severus eyed the place, more nerves circling in his gut. His mind was screaming at him that he didn't belong here. "Your grandparents have money, then?" 

"Yes, though, my grandma passed away a few years ago. It is just my grandad now. That's why he moved here. It was her aunt who left them the money and this home when she died 20 years ago. They used it as a holiday house for a while." Hermione caught his surprised look, continuing, "before that, they were middle-class; my grandfather ran a small company for many years." 

"I see." He didn't feel much better at that explanation.

Hermione bounced a foot. "Well, shall we?" 

Severus grabbed her bags as well as his own, and they soon stood on the steps of the grand house, both seemingly nervous. 

"I haven't told them," Hermione let this slip; her voice was high-pitched, eyes owlish and worried. 

Severus whipped his head down to look at her with wide eyes. "That I was coming? Or..."

Just then, the door flew open, and a dark-haired woman with eyes that looked precisely like Hermione's stared out at them. "Hermione! And Severus! I swear I have been waiting to meet you for a while now." When she smiled, the corners of her eyes wrinkled, and she seemed to take them in like they were a sight for sore eyes. "I am so happy you are both here-" 

Then the woman paused, looking at Hermione, who was wearing a tight white T-shirt, and her stomach stood out, clearly indicating she was pregnant. Jane Granger looked from her and then up to Severus. 

So, that was the little fact Hermione hadn't told them. That her previous professor, and the most hated man in Britain for a long time after killing the most famed Headmaster of Hogwarts, had knocked up their only child. 

Bloody Brilliant.

Chapter Text

There was a short scream that left her mother's lips before Hermione yanked her mum out the door in the same motion, forcing Severus back as well. If he hadn't been so sturdy, his hands catching her around the waist, as she slammed back against him, they all might have toppled down the stairs. Hermione felt her heartbeat kick up at the idea that she had been so silly as to not tell her parents.

Severus's hands stayed there, on her, and Hermione felt a little twist in her lower belly that felt like fire licking up her spine. She didn't even care that he could clearly feel the extension of her belly at his fingertips; they made small, gentle brushes there, and she now knew that today had been the first time he had actually pressed a hand to her stomach. They had felt the life they created, and it was so special to her in this moment.

"Hermione, what in god's name-" her mother had a hand over her mouth in surprise, but her face was shifting into genuine elation. 

"I am sorry," Hermione took in a deep breath, "I knew that grandad wouldn't be happy and I didn't want anyone to tell him beforehand." Sighing, she pushed a few strands of hair from her face. "I just didn't want to set him off, but now I am wondering if not telling him was worse."

Severus stayed quiet, but was trying to play the part, it seemed; he still had his hands on her, even though she knew he hated physical touch. His fingertips were warm and sturdy against her.

Jane bit her lip, "I think it would have set him off either way..." Then her mother grinned, "but I am delighted with this surprise." 

Hermione knew her parents would be; they had wanted to be grandparents for some time; she just couldn't settle down, and even now, she supposed that she hadn't. That brought her discomfort; she wanted Severus, more than in a staged way.

"What about Dad?" Just then, the door opened and her father stepped out, looking confused. His glasses were low on his nose, and his dark hair fell into his eyes.

"Jane- oh Hermione, darling." He pushed the classes up, a smile lighting his lined face.

Her mother was practically bouncing, "Colin!!" 

Severus removed his hand from Hermione's waist and stuck it out to her father. "Severus Snape," he murmured. Hermione had almost forgotten he was there, even as she was leaning on his comforting presence for her own.

"Oh yes- so sorry!" Jane looked to her husband, "I am Jane, and this is Colin." She gestured in that frazzled way Hermione had come to adore. "So glad to meet you, Severus. We have heard so much about you over the years." 

Crawling into a hole at this point would not be bad at all. Even as an adult, parents could embarrass you.

"What's all the ruckus about?" Colin released Severus's hand, and Hermione glanced back at her former professor to find him looking at ease, calm even. 

What the fuck?

His eyes flicked to hers just briefly, and she heard his voice in her head, smoothly. ' Spy, remember. '

His eyes moved away from hers and back to her parents. He wasn't smiling, but he looked pleasant, genial. "We weren't sure whether it should be a surprise or not," Severus cut in, taking some of the blame for her. His large hand reached around and lovingly caressed her belly. 

That was truly very good, damn him , Hermione was surely seeming like a fish out of water compared to him at this moment. 

Taking a large gulp of air, Hermione smiled at her stunned dad, "Surprise." 

Then there was a moment of brief silence, and her mother and father were both all over them, completely and utterly fawning. There was a bright spark that went spinning around in Hermione's chest, and she knew that, despite the way this was being handled and the lie she was telling her parents, she was happy that she was giving them something they had been wanting. It had been hard after the war; they didn't seem to hold that against her, but Hermione didn't know if she felt the same. She was guilty, and that was a bit disconcerting. This felt like something good she was giving them. A grandbaby.

When the hugging was over, there was a beat of silence. 

"The others are out for dinner except for your Aunt Caroline, you know the headaches she gets. We will get you settled in before they get back," 

"Sounds good," mumbled Severus. He had said very little, but his presence was something that really made Hermione feel better. Soothing and solid. The scent of his cologne was enough to keep her head above water.

Hermione had not been to this house; she had only seen them during holidays in England. It was large, but relatively simple; that was her grandmother's style, no doubt, which is why her grandad had kept it the way it was. The staircase split into two sections, with rooms located down each hall. The paintings on the wall depicted grapes and vineyards, large fields that created a very pretty impressionist-style art.

She had never quite fit in with this side of the family, and that was due not only to her not being a Muggle but also to the fact that even her mother didn't have much in common with her own family. The Granger household had been all about voracious want to learn, there had been Sundays she remembered as a child where Hermione and her parents would lounge around the house reading, all each their own books, her children's books and not too long after that higher level reading, her mother with a romance or a classic and her father always the newest Stephen King or Dean Koontz. The Millers were different; they didn't much like those 'nerdy things ', and it had been clear since she was little that that was the case. Her grandfather had always had a distaste for such things, and most especially any traits she had that were like Colin's. He had never taken to Hermione's dad. Colin Granger was a slight man, willowy, he'd always had kind eyes and a quiet voice. She had heard whispers as a child that Colin wasn't manly enough, was too lost in books. Hermione thought that was a load of rubbish; she loved her father.

Briefly, she wondered if her own child would be able to have the same experience of reading with their parents on a weekend. Then she remembered that this was all a ruse; Severus and she were not partners, they were coworkers, friends even... but weekends wouldn't be spent together. Their child wouldn't catch them sharing a small kiss or leaning over to whisper something in each other's ears.

"This is your room, there is an ensuite and a beautiful balcony!" Jane was beaming, and Hermione knew she wanted to ask questions, but at the moment, Jane knew this wasn't the time. 

"Wonderful, where is Severus staying then?" She turned to Severus, "my grandad is very traditional." 

"Oh no, psh," Jane waved a hand, "Landon and Vanessa stay in the same room all the time, he had eased up."

Hermione felt her stomach drop. "Oh really, we don't want to make anyone uncomfortable." Oh no! Her mind screamed at her, Severus did not sign up for this.

"Honey," her dad scratched at his head, "we all know that you sleep in the same bed... especially now." 

Good fucking god. Ew.

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose and was just about to come clean to her parents about the whole thing when Severus stepped in again, saving her. Placing a sturdy hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "Thank you for this hospitality, Mrs Granger." 

"No such thing, please call me Jane." 

"And Colin! Now, the two of you should get unpacked and take a little rest. We will be having an aperitivo on the deck later this evening." Hermione's father winked at her, and the two of them headed for the stairs. 

Jane turned back and grinned, unshed tears showing in her eyes. "We are just so, so thrilled, Mione, really."

Trying not to look nervous as she smiled back, Hermione hurriedly entered the room and shut the door behind both of them. Leaning against the door, she finally met his eyes. He almost loomed near her, face emotionless.

"Shit! God, Severus, I am so sorry, I really thought they wouldn't allow-" 

He held up a large hand, one that had not too long ago been caressing her... fuck again . "I assumed we would be sharing a room, I am surprised though-" he said, turning to her, his arms crossed over his chest, the fabric stretching pleasingly. "-I did think that they knew about them," he pointed at Hermione's stomach. 

Her stomach bottomed out. Shit . "I just didn't know how... oh god, you're right, that is fucking horrible of me." Dropping her head in her hand, she realised how dreadful that had been to do to someone, especially someone who was already so introverted. 

"I understand, Hermione-" 

"No! That was awful, oh my god, Severus, you should hate me-" 

"I do not," he muttered, something else that she missed. "Relax, you are on vacation, you should not be stressing about anything, but most especially what I think."

This is going to be one of the most stressful times of my life...

He seemed to sense that she was still feeling off, so he changed the subject. "I am going to take a quick shower, unless you need to use the bathroom now?" Jerking his thumb towards the door.

She waved him off, "I will start unpacking." 

He started to turn then stopped, "I touched you earlier without asking first. I thought it was best in the moment, but I need to apologise for not attaining your consent." 

She looked up, stunned, "Oh, it's fine, I don't really mind. We..." She cleared her throat, "We are going to need to touch this week, I think, to make it believable..." You can touch me whenever you want! Please touch me. "I understand, though, if you don't want to. I know that you tend to prefer that people to don't touch you-" 

"I don't mind," he said quickly, "you are free to... touch me as needed."

"Right, okay then. I guess we just do what we need to do then." A swirl of anticipation ran through her.

He gave short nod, "okay." 

When he disappeared into the bathroom Hermione was finally able to let out a breath, this was a mess she was not in any state to be having him touch her or... oh my god were they going to have to kiss? She ran a hand over her face and tried to remain calm. This was an absolute nightmare. This was all going to end badly, she just knew it.

Just take a minute, get yourself together, Hermione.

It was still decently early and they were going to have to go down and have a drink with the others, at least it was something a bit more casual. Pulling her hair from the clip, Hermione ran her fingers through it; the strands were a bit knotted, but it was relatively easy to separate them and smooth out her mane. Sucking in a large breath, she did her best to tame the curls, then, checking the loo door, slipped out of her travel clothes and into a pair of linen shorts and a light jumper, vacation-appropriate and comfortable. Clean clothing after a flight always fetl decadent.

She tugged the fabric up to look at her belly; it was still small, just enough for others to notice really, but enough that it was apparent she was pregnant. Sometimes it all felt unreal, how this had become her life so quickly. Still, she smiled down at the bump, stroking the skin there.

The door to the loo swung open. Through the mirror, she locked eyes with Severus, his gaze trained on her. They stared at each other for a little too long, his eyes drifting down to her belly. Something passed over his gaze, intrigue? Hunger? Maybe just a passing thought, Hermione didn't know. She wanted to grumble aloud, she was hoping to avoid him seeing her like this, but why? It wasn’t as if it made a difference.

She tried to recover, dropping her shirt and turning to look at him. “Ready?”

His mouth was slightly slack, and it seemed that he didn’t know what to do. “Nearly,” he finally said, voice deep and raspy.

Hermione swallowed, tearing her eyes from him, looking down at her hands. Everything in her was constantly pulling towards him; she wanted him, and damn it, the feeling wasn't abating.

He ran a hand through his hair and adjusted his shirt in the mirror. "Ready?" He finally asked, extending a hand out to her.

Hermione nodded, swallowing, and then took his hand. They made their way down the stairs in silence. It was all Hermione could do not to simply scream, he was being so perfect and she was nearly losing her mind at every turn.

“Don’t be nervous,” he spoke in her ear just as she reached the patio and everyone turned to look at them. He kept his hand on her waist, making them look like a proper couple. 

Hermione felt his words in her ear and his breath on her neck, low in her belly.

“There they are,” her mother said, and Hermione felt her stomach turn not in pleasure but discomfort when she noticed her grandfather was there. 

Still, there was the distraction of her cousin Vanessa and her partner Landon who came up to greet them. 

“It's good to see you,” she murmured, hugging V. They had been close as children, but since had drifted apart. Still, Vanessa grinned, seeming genuinely happy to see her.

“You too. Congrats,” V raised her eyebrows then as if to say, ‘ good luck’, cocking her head towards their grandad.

Severus shook hand with Landon too and then Vanessa, murmuring greetings. Quiet, reserved, but more open than was average for him. Damn it, he was trying so hard, Hermione could see it.

"We'll get you drinks, Mione?" Vanessa asked.

"Soda with lime for me... Severus like whiskey, any kind really." She said it without thinking, knowing what he liked. "Or er-" Hermione glanced at him then, cheeks blushing.

"Exactly right." He murmured, just a slight upturn of his lips, giving her waist a squeeze.

Hermione's stomach dropped when Jane led them over to her grandfather.  

“Dad, Hermione and Severus are here.” 

Hermione pulled Severus by the hand over to the chair where her grandfather was sitting. The older man, as usual, looked not angry but irritated, perpetually so. It was just his usual disposition, and that was that. 

“They have a surprise as well,” her mother murmured. 

“The surprise isn’t that she’s dating someone with the name Severus ?” The older man chortled and Hermione had to fight not to roll her eyes. “Surely, that would be a joke, not a surprise.” Despite laughing, the old man didn't seem amused.

She glanced up at Severus, who seemed to be calculating this situation now, as if realising then why she had been worried about all this. His dark eyes roved over the scene, taking in the mannerisms of her grandfather, the way everyone was on tiptoe around him.

“We are having a baby, grandad,” Hermione tried to sound excited even as her hand shook. Severus only squeezed it tighter, his steady presence ever there. 

Jane made an excited little shriek. "Your first great-grandchild, Dad!"

Hermione held her breath as her grandad steepled his fingers. He didn't smile. “So, I suppose you’re getting married then?” 

The groan that wanted to slip past her lips was just begging to be released. “Well, we aren’t sure about that yet,” Hermione murmured, and when she glanced at his face, she knew that it was the wrong thing to say. 

He snorted, “well, you were sure that a baby was an alright thing to try out, might as well do the full monty.” 

Jane's voice was firm, chiding even. “Now, Dad, they are very excited.” 

Finally, fully turning to look at Hermione, her grandfather sized them up. “He doesn’t look excited,” jerking a thumb up towards Severus’s face. “He looks like he hasn’t been excited a day in his life.” 

Something welled inside her at that. Hermione knew he was going to say things to her, but to Severus, that was a different thing entirely. She felt protective of him. Before she could speak, Severus did.

“I am not the most outwardly emotional person.” Then he put out a hand out for the old man to shake. Stepping forward, he towered a bit over him. “Severus Snape.” 

“What a name.” Though he didn’t deny him the handshake, he promptly ignored his new guest, looking around at the gathered crowd. “Don’t worry, you can all have a good time now, I am going to bed.” Getting up, he walked past all of them and into the house, not paying Hermione a second glance.

Vanessa rolled her eyes when he was gone. Pressing drinks into their hands and ensuring they found seats on the outdoor sofa. “It is exciting, Hermione. He just enjoyed being sour."  

Hermione waved it off, trying to look nonchalant. “Thank you." Settling into the seat, she tried not to fight with her shorts and failing when she felt Severus's callused palm slide into hers, holding her hand. Warmth spread through her hand and up her arm, warming the ache in her chest. When she looked at him Severus wasn’t facing her, he was instead listening intently to a story Vanessa was sharing, but he squeezed her palm in reassurance. 

…

The old man had clearly not expected Severus to be older than Hermione. Perhaps he had met Weasley in the past, which had thrown him off. It had been subtle, but Severus was attuned to seeing such things when others didn’t want him to. Her grandfather had been surprised, but he had tried to hide it. He was piecing together the truth about who that man was deep down.

Hermione was usually so self-assured, Severus rarely saw her feeling as if she wasn’t enough or that something was lacking with her, if ever. In the lab, she was confident and sure of her abilities. When they first began working together, she had shoved it right back at him anytime he tried to be ill-tempered towards her. She was the reason he had tried to let go of that; if someone so young had been through all of that shite with Voldemort, then he bloody well could be alright as well. The look on her face had nearly had him lose his cool. Anyone making Hermione feel poorly made a protective side of him crop up. She deserved only respect and care.

Severus sipped at his small espresso; the one whiskey had been plenty for him. There was no doubt the caffeine was going to keep him up past his bedtime, though they were already past that surely. The time difference was already messing with his head. Severus thrived on structure and routine, and this was surely disrupting all of that. So, he tried to keep quiet, listening to the conversation around him and trying to glean what he could from their nonverbal cues and other subtle signs.

Hermione sat close to him, but it didn’t seem entirely genuine, and he was watching her cousin eye them with a bit of confusion. Were they not being touchy enough?

Reaching an arm around her shoulders, Severus pulled Hermione across the cushion to be right against his side, his arm looped around her. She did well not to react to him; instead, he watched her sigh a bit and burrow closer. The little actress. 

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the smell of her hair.

“So, Severus-” 

Oh, this ought to be good. 

London was a sandy-haired man, tall, about Severus’s own height and American. “What do you do for work?” 

Severus didn’t know precisely what Hermione told them they did, and he watched Jane Granger sipping her tea with a nervous look on her face. 

“We work together, actually.” Hermione supplied, the arm that had looped around his waist tightened a little.

“So you’re a scientist as well, then?” Landon had that overly enthusiastic speech that made everything sound bright and cheery, but with a distinctly cheap edge to it. He would get along rather well with Nathan, Severus had to say. 

Nodding, Snape put down his coffee and sat back. “Yes,” and really, they were both in their own way. 

“Severus handles the labs, the experimentation. I am in the administrative bureaucratic portion of the labs.” She waved a hand, as if it was all very dull.

Glancing at her, Severus could see that hint of nerves, that idea that she wasn’t good enough, that she should be better. It lit a fire inside him. Hermione was spectacular, and everyone should be aware of it. “She is being modest, often I go to her when I need a greater mind on experimentation. I just happen to not be good at the paperwork side in the same way.” He grimaced. 

Hermione was blushing, the tops of her cheeks turning red, and he wanted to reach out and brush them with his knuckles. A smug feeling settled inside his chest. Everything he said had been true, but he also loved being able to spoil her with such compliments.

“Well, blimey, the two of you are something special then. You were always smart, though, Hermione.” Vanessa smiled, and it was authentic, Seveurs could tell. So far, the grandfather was the only one he distinctly disliked.

“Vanessa runs a marketing company.” Hermione supplied, “That is how you and London met, right?” 

“Mhmm,” she swallowed another sip of espresso and looked at her boyfriend. “We were at a conference and just hit it off.” 

“I work in grant funding and development.” Landon piped in, clearly looking for an in to talk about his job.

“Sounds fascinating,” it was out of Severus’s mouth before he could think better of it. It seemed that Landon hadn’t noticed the sarcasm in his tone; only Colin seemed to react, coughing into his tea to hide a laugh and looking away. He felt Hermione jab him lightly in the ribs, but when he looked down at her, she only seemed amused.

“I work to ensure that we are selecting the low-hanging fruit for companies that need the extra funding, mostly it is working with non-profits and other organisations...” Landon really did sound like he belonged in a corporate setting, with long meetings, standing up and presenting to a group of men in a glass conference room… “If you all ever need help with funding, I am just a buzz away.” 

“We’ll take you up on that if we need it, Landon,” Hermione murmured, clearly trying not to smirk.

They were one of the most funded departments at the Ministry. Potions were always in need, and there were always advances to be made, and Severus didn’t imagine Landon traded in knuts and galleons. Severus half wondered if that was why Nathan Unnis was so keen to get close to both of them… hmmm. They had some serious funds in their department.

“Anyway, enough of this boring stuff, how did the two of you meet? Just at work?” Vanessa trained her eyes on them. 

“Well…” Hermione started, then glanced at her parents, who had a look that clearly expressed, ‘it's your weird magic school, we can’t help you’. “I went to that boarding school, you know…” 

Severus wanted to drop his head into his hands; she was really going with how they actually met. He gritted his teeth and kept quiet.

“Severus taught there, but um, of course we didn’t become reacquainted until long after I graduated, we worked together and became friends-” 

“A teacher… tsk tsk , Hermione,” Vanessa singsonged. "Though, perhaps I am not surprised."

The blush was back, and it was making her look perhaps even more adorable under the twinkling lights on the patio. Severus ran a hand up her side and watched her shiver imperceptibly.

“Well, um, I suppose, we have a lot of mutual friends and there was a trip we all went on… and we really started dating after that.” She waved a hand vaguely, clearly her throat.

Something about it, the way she was looking out at her family. The tightness in his chest intensified, and he found himself admitting to something. “I liked her long before that holiday to Ireland. It was only a couple of years into working together that I became interested. She is-was too good for me and always dating someone else.” Severus didn’t even have trouble stating this, because it was the truth. He had been in love with her for a long while now.

“Ronald,” muttered Jane, rolling her eyes. 

“Mum-”

“I just never liked him, you know. I do love the Weasley family, though,” Jane added, the end to be kind, no doubt, and who didn’t love the Weasley’s, despite his nature, Severus had always found them to be admirable if overly friendly people. 

“I remember him, the redhead, right? Or was that the blonde? I ran into the two of you in London that one time.” Vanessa chimed in then.

“The blonde is Draco,” murmured Hermione, chewing her lip. The conversation was taking a turn.

“You introduced Draco to them?” Severus asked, looking at her. He was surprised, even from the things she told him, everything had been casual between the two of them.

“We ran into each other, mum and dad never met him.” Then she turned to the others, “Draco’s father and Severus are good friends.” 

Snape gritted his teeth; now they knew he was old, very old. Should have a child Hermione’s age, not have a child with Hermione. 

A dark mood settled over him then. On some level, this was rather disgusting, wasn't it? Did Hermione feel that way? Merlin.  

“Well, I think I am going to turn in. Feel free to go about your days tomorrow, but in the evening we are having dinner at that winery with some of your grandfather's friends.” Jane got up and Colin followed. 

Severus had observed that Colin was relatively quiet and introspective, and that didn’t seem to be a trait that was much liked in Jane’s family. No wonder Hermione was so different, it seemed.

Hermione stood and hugged both her parents goodnight. “We are so excited for you, bug,” muttered Colin, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. Then they were left alone with the cousins. 

“What do you all have planned for tomorrow?”

“I don’t think we have even thought about it,” Hermione supplied.

“We are going to grab some coffee and head to the beach in the morning. If you want to join?"

“I would love to get a little sun,” Hermione piped up a little too cheerfully. “I doubt Severus will want to go though-” 

“No, I will go,” he said, determined to be helpful. He wanted so badly to be what she wanted, damn him. 

“Great, we will see the two of you tomorrow!” Vanessa trilled. 

When Vanessa and Landon had left the house, Hermione lingered, not getting up from the outdoor sofa. The air was nice, a bit humid but not hot. You could hear the city in the distance and the waves crashing nearby. It was peaceful, and Severus could understand why someone would retire here, even if he enjoyed the rainy UK weather. 

Hermione's shiver broke his reverie. 

"Cold?" 

She shook her head, looking up at him. 

Still, he pulled her a little closer, under the guise that there could be any number of people looking at them through the windows, and she didn't protest, silence stretching, but not in a bad way. They were comfortable with each other. Hermione pressed her hand to her stomach, running small circles over the swell of it, and Severus couldn't help but watch mesmerised. 

"I hope the week is nice," she finally said. "My parents seem excited." 

"Are you?" He asked before thinking better of it, wanting to rip the words back and swallow them. They would give him away, his game. 

"About?" She looked up at him, confused, and he watched her eyes fall to his lips for a brief moment. 

Severus felt anticipation swirl within him, and he reached out a hand, covering hers where it lay. "About them."

Her brows ticked up, looking at his large hand on hers, then she met his eyes again. The light brown of hers was almost sparkling in the low light, her curls moving slightly in the breeze. 

Her pause made him worry, but then Hermione smiled. A wide grin. "It wasn't exactly what I expected... I know it wasn't for you either, but... Severus-" she paused, flipping her hand and catching his palm. "I am really happy. I-" She paused, furrowing her brow as if she were about to admit something. Then the lights went out on the patio, and both chuckled; clearly, they needed to make their way inside.

Chapter Text

“You hate the beach.” Hermione folded her arms over her chest when they were inside their room. Leaning back against the door, she tried to control her breathing. Being alone with him out on the patio had been... wonderful.

Snape raised an infuriating eyebrow at her, “do I?” Teasing her, maybe?

“Yes!” 

The eyebrow stayed up, but he unfolded his arms and walked to his suitcase, unzipping and producing what were clearly sleeping clothes. “Have we ever been to a beach together?” His eyes drifted away from her, but the infuriating smirk stayed.

Hermione clamped her lips shut. Well, that was true; they hadn’t really been. She set her jaw, determined to win whatever little game he was playing. “You went on that cruise to the Bahamas, you hated it,” she pointed out. 

“I hate boats and being so close to other people, germs and cruises … the beach was pleasant.” He moved to the loo but kept the door open so they could speak. “Do you not want me to go? Is that why you are so insistent that I hate beaches?” There was just the hint of a smirk in his voice, that sharp edge that she knew held Snape-like humour, his own brand of it. 

“Of course I want you to go, getting stuck talking to Landon about low-hanging fruit and circling back to the power point about next quarter's numbers sounds bloody awful.” 

Snape appeared, having begun brushing his teeth, shrugging as if to say, ‘ Why are you making such a bloody big deal out of this then? ’ It was odd, seeing him in such a domestic way, brushing his teeth. He had unbuttoned his shirt, and it was hanging open just above his belly button. His dark hair was hanging loose, as usual, but it was a bit messy as if he had just run his hand through it.

Hermione had to swallow and look away; he looked… hot. Very, very hot. Hermione tried to right herself, diving headfirst back into the argument they were having. “The thing is, I just feel like you’re doing too much for me. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, and I know you will be, and that makes me feel…" She tugged a hand through her messy curls, loosening them from their clip. "Well, I don’t want that.”

Too much information, Granger. You need to keep things together. 

She heard the sink run. Hermione allowed herself to sit heavily on the bed; her lower back hurt, she wasn’t even that pregnant, and she was uncomfortable. If this was how it was going to be, she was not exactly looking forward to all of it, or at all, potentially. 

“Are you alright?” Severus asked from the doorway, having reentered, this time wearing a black t-shirt and some plaid sleep pants. Hermione felt a bit uncomfortable looking at him, like this was how he looked in private, and it wasn’t for her eyes. It was probably for Penelope. How was Penny feeling about this? Had he told her? Were they even dating?

“Yes, fine.”

“I don’t feel like I am attempting some great feat by doing this. I am happy to say no if I am not interested in doing something.” His dark eyes pierced her with a serious look, coming closer. He had that graceful manner, almost cat-like.

“Okay,” Hermione tried to sound confident, but she felt anything but. Then, realising he was clearly ready for bed and she was not, she hopped up, slipping past him and shutting herself in the loo. Then promptly realising that in her haste she'd forgotten her pyjamas.

Snape didn’t look up from where he had sat on the edge of the bed, reading a paperback. 

Being as methodical as she could be without allowing her nerves to get the best of her, she went through her evening routine as usual and missed her little cottage in the process. She wondered if the baby would like the cottage, long walks in a pram… then she wondered if the cottage was baby-proof and rubbed her eyes tiredly. There was so much to think of. 

Feeling a little more than self-conscious in her overly large tee and sleep shorts, Hermione exited the loo and bounced a bit on one foot or the other. “What side do you normally sleep on?” 

Severus looked up from his book and cleared his throat, immediately looking away from her. Just the slightest hint of pink tinging his cheekbones. “I don’t know, maybe just the centre, I haven’t slept near someone in years…” It was trailed off as if remembering just then that the two of them had all night. 

She chewed her lip. 

“I will take the chair over there or the floor. I don’t want to put you out.” 

“Oh, Severus, no! No,” she shook her head, “I won’t hear of that. It's just a bed, no big deal.” As if to prove that fact, Hermione went to the bed and threw back the covers on one side, sliding beneath and patting the empty portion. 

You already put a baby inside me. Hermione wanted to say, but decided that was best left to her own thoughts.

His face showed hesitancy, but he moved closer, placed his glasses and the book on the nightstand on the opposite side from Hermione. 

Hermione tried to be the picture of relaxation, but really her very existence was thrumming with sharp anxiety. It wasn’t bad; she didn’t feel it the same way she did when she was going to have to present to The Board or something else. It was similar to excitement but with a sharp edge to it. 

The bed dipped next to her, and she could feel heat radiate from the place that he wasn’t touching exactly, but so close to. Silence stretched for a bit, and Hermione wondered how they had gotten themselves into this situation at all. 

“Lights?” 

“Off,” she murmured. 

“Nox.” 

“Do you-”

“Are you-” 

They both chuckled at the exact same time. 

“You first,” Hermione murmured. 

“Have you been worried about the lab?” 

Her brow furrowed, though he couldn't see in the dark. “In what way? I think they are capable of not burning the Ministry to the ground.” 

“Not that,” he sounded frustrated, as if he wasn’t even sure anyone would agree with him before he had even said it. “I just worry that Unnis is… I just don’t trust him.” 

Thinking for a moment, she weighed her words. If it were anyone else, she would probably have ignored it, saying they were being picky, but Severus was not just anyone, and she knew his words to be weighted and measured. He was also a good judge of character. “If you think there might be something amiss, I trust your judgement on that, Severus. Still, I don’t think Kings would let anything happen while we are away.” Or she hoped he wouldn't. The lab was so important to both of them. 

She could feel the motion of Severus nodding slowly against the pillow next to her.

It had stopped feeling awkward, she realised, the two of them like this. It felt so normal, just as everything they did together. Turning to her side, facing him in the dark, Hermione shut her eyes. He was quiet, and perhaps he wanted to go to sleep. His measured breathing, close to her, was soothing.

Yawning, “thank you for coming here, Severus.” Her mind was beginning to feel a bit hazy. 

“I would do whatever you needed of me.” The response was so faint, and Hermione wasn’t sure if she had heard it at all. 

…

The morning light was what made Severus realise it was day, but he felt so comfortable where he lay that he didn’t feel like moving. Was it a weekday? Was he late for work? Hell if he knew. He felt so relaxed, as if he hadn’t moved from his spot here all night, or woken throughout the night. That was rarer than a Niffler without a pension for gold. 

Stretching a bit, he tightened his arm around…? Really, it didn’t matter to him at this point, or his mind was so tired that he pretended it didn’t. The warm body against him was soft and smelled of vanilla and jasmine. Pushing his nose further into the curls around him made Severus suck in a deep breath of the scent. Warm, pliable skin under his hands, he didn't want to let go.

A soft sound had him waking a bit more. A puff of breath against his chest. Then a small gasp. This had him waking more fully. Glancing down, he was met with those chocolate brown eyes… God, Hermione's eyes were stunning, just the perfect shade of warmth… Hermione is in your arms… in your arms… his mind was a mess of-

Then he realised, he was holding her, she was pressed against the front of his body, and she must not have been that far out of sleep because she hadn’t pulled away. Not just that, but she looked hazy. Lips parted, and looking at him with what could only be described as lust. He wanted to kiss those lips. God, he could show her what it was like to be his. He could show her just how good he could make her feel, what he could do for her. That he was worthy of her attention and love. 

Severus should move; she was clearly still sleepy, and he saw it. Her eyes were registering where she was and whose arms she was in. Using all his willpower, he pushed back, releasing his grip around her upper back. 

“Sorry-” he stood quickly and tried not to look at her, grabbing what he could find from his clothing and heading into the bathroom as quick as he was able to. Shutting himself inside and closing his eyes, rubbing a tired hand down his face. Was this going to be his life? This torture? He had meant what he said about feeling totally fine doing this for her, being there for her when she needed it, but this was going to be the end of him, surely. He felt more resolved to win her over. He turned on the tap and tried to get his head on straight. She wanted him in some way; he had seen it in her eyes this morning. 

…

Her cheeks were warm, heated from sleep, but not just that, waking up so close to Severus and the look that had been on his face, a look of pure want. It had been plain as day, despite perhaps sleep clouding his mind. 

Sitting up, Hermione rubbed her belly absently and tried to comb through her wild hair with her fingers. She had been asleep, still mostly, and thought she was still dreaming. It had been a dream often of late, waking up near him, with his scent all around her; she relished any of those she had, despite feeling a bit bad about it. Perhaps, if she had been a braver person, she could have rolled him over and thrown caution to the wind, really finding out if it had just been a fluke thing between them. But she had grown cautious in her older years, and she didn’t want to ruin this tenuous thing they had going on. She cared for their friendship too much. 

Standing, she tried to ignore the ache that had settled in her core. Going about the beginnings of her morning routine, that's when she noticed, as usual, to her surprise, the swell of her stomach, and the thought occurred to her that even if she had been brave, there was no way he would find her sexy now. Or would he? Something about this had made her perhaps even more attracted to him, if that were possible; maybe he was the same?

“Silly,” Hermione mumbled, moving through her clothing to find what she needed. A bathing suit that she would keep a t-shirt over the whole time, and a pair of shorts. 

“What was that?” He asked, exiting the loo right as she’d said it. 

“Um, nothing,” she said, looking up. Hermione felt her stomach do a small jump. Severus was wearing a pair of linen trousers, black, naturally, but what caught her eye was the linen shirt. It wasn’t his usual buttoned-up dress shirt; it was more casual, flowy, and unbuttoned at the top, showing off the dark hair there. He ran a hand through his damp, dark hair, and Hermione felt her stomach swoop again. His face was impassive, as usual; she couldn’t glean anything from him, what he was thinking… but his eyes were watchful, taking in the way she looked at him, assessing. 

Clearing her throat, Hermione tore her gaze away, “I am going to get changed.” 

It was awkward until they reached the kitchen, and there was something for them to do instead of just standing there or going about their morning routines. 

“Would you like coffee?” She asked. There was an espresso machine on the counter, already warmed up; her father, no doubt, was already awake and had his coffee. She came from a family of early risers. 

“Please.” Severus looked a bit uncomfortable, no doubt due to the new place. Her grandfather had a smaller home behind this one that doubled as a den for him. He was always there, so Hermione felt relatively comfortable at the moment knowing he wasn’t going to pop out of nowhere. 

“Oh, there you two are,” Colin Granger entered the room with a slight smile on his face, glasses slipping down his nose and a book in hand. Hermione’s dad always had a rumpled intellectual look about him, with his curling dark hair and slim build. “Morning, sweetheart,” he pressed a kiss to the top of Hermione’s head and leaned back against the counter, sliding his cup near where she was preparing theirs, cheeky. 

Hermione smirked at him, “decaf?”

“You wouldn’t dream of doing that to your old dad, would you?” He raised an eyebrow and scrunched his nose. 

Hermione shrugged, “I know what mum has been saying about your sleep.” 

“That informant,” he murmured absently. “You love your coffee too, lady.” 

“I do, but I am cutting back as best I can. Fetus and overconsumption of coffee don’t mix.” She rubbed her belly and smiled, then, catching Severus’s swarthy eyes, he was studying them, watching to see how they interacted, clearly. His eyes moved, tracking where she rested her palm over her stomach. Hermione moved it instantly, embarrassed, though she wasn't sure why. 

“Ah, I remember those types of things, though a long time ago now.” Colin glanced at Severus, then, “You a caffeine lover, Severus?” 

Hermione snorts, “perhaps worse than you, Dad.” 

“That is an accomplishment.” 

“I drink the perfect amount of caffeine, nothing excessive,” Severus rolled his eyes as she passed him his double shot. He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her close between his legs, where he sat on a barstool. The picture of a couple.

“Hmm,” Hermione mumbles, scrunching her nose at his comment. 

Colin cleared his throat, a bit, accepting his own drink from Hermione, “thanks, love. I would assume that you needed something to fuel you all those years, ay?” 

Biting her lip, Hermione shoots her dad a look, feeling Severus's chest tense where it's pressed to her back. “Maybe let's not bring up that…” 

“It's fine,” Severus mutters to her, breath fanning over the back of her neck, and she can't help but shiver. 

“I did overindulge in caffeine during that and usually a few potions as well.” 

“Have they figured that out, Mungos? Your intolerance to Pepper-Up?” Hermione asked it absently, almost forgetting her dad was there for a second. It was just second nature to talk to Severus. 

Severus shakes his head, “Pepper-up and sleeping draughts have no effect on me at all.” He glances at Colin and says, “Overused to get through hard times, and now if I get a head cold, I am fucked.” 

His sarcastic deadpan had Hermione chuckling. 

“You could use paracetamol?” Colin tried. 

Severus nods. 

“I find all of this so fascinating, and Hermione probably gets bothered that I am always asking her questions about it." 

"No, Dad.” 

This seemed to be an invitation, and Hermione reminded herself to introduce Arthur and her father again; they always got on so well, wanting to know about each other's eccentricities. "Severus, can you fly? I read your newspaper, and I have always wanted to know if it's true. Hermione won't tell me." 

Severus glanced down at her. His fingers had begun a soothing rhythm over her hip, and he hadn't relinquished his grip on her. "Why not?" 

Hermione shrugged, "I didn't want to go telling your business, and I wasn't sure it was true until last year when you told me." 

"So, that is a yes?" Colin cut in. 

Severus broke their eye contact and cleared his throat, "yes." 

"Fascinating." Colin sipped his coffee. "Have you ever taken Hermione? Can you take other people? Is it like Superman... or?" 

Snape tightened his grip on her hip, just enough for Hermione to have to keep from gasping. "I can take others, though she has never asked. Not like Superman, though hard to explain." 

"It's difficult, though, rare?" 

"Dad-" Hermione warned. 

Colin threw up his hands, "alright, alright." Then went in on a new line of questioning. "Does it ever happen the other way? Do magic parents produce un-magical children?” He glances back and forth at them then. 

Nodding, Severus is the first to speak, "yes, and it has been a source of discomfort in the past, but I believe we are moving away from that as a society.” 

“So are they Muggles then?” 

Hermione scratches her head. “In the past, they have been called Squibbs.” 

Severus adds, “I think we are moving away from that moniker. Sometimes, there are varying degrees of magic in children like this as well. It just depends. I would assume, like anything, that it's a combination of genetics and other factors. I have never studied it.” 

Clearly, Colin is very intrigued. “So, pointing to Hermione’s stomach, he asks, "could little peanut here be non-magic?” 

Frowning, Hermione thought about this, “It's possible. Though, given Severus’s abilities, I think it is doubtful.” 

“Not just me,” Severus huffs, looking uncomfortable. 

Raising both eyebrows, she smirks at him, then turns back to her dad, “Severus is probably one of the most powerful wizards in Britain, possibly more than that-” 

“Is that so?” Colin looks intrigued and in awe. 

“That is a stretch, to be sure.” Clearly uncomfortable. 

“Nope.” Hermione folds her arms over her chest, then adds, “and I am not too shabby myself, actually, but who knows.” Would it bother her if her child didn’t have magic? She worried her lip. No, Hermione realised instantly, it wouldn't. 

“It wouldn’t matter to me,” Severus removed himself from the stool, moving to put the mug in the sink. The smell of amber and cedar drifted to her, familiar and warm, making her a bit dizzy. He hesitated just a second but leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her head. 

Vanessa and Landon stepped into the room, then, and they changed the subject. Hermione felt as if she might faint from lack of oxygen when she realised that she hadn’t taken a solid breath in nearly a minute. 

…

“Grandad really pulled out all the stops with this place,” Vanessa murmured. She had locked arms with Hermione and pulled her ahead to chat as they all walked down to the nearby water.

“Yes, he did.” Hermione was trying her hardest not to worry about Severus stuck back there with Corporate Lingo Landon… poor guy. 

Smirking V added, “don’t like it too much, he’s already said that the place is going up for sale when he dies.” Then she was giggling. 

Hermione felt a faint smile reach her lips,\“That's terrible, Vanessa, honestly.” 

The older woman just shrugged, clearly not ill at ease about their grandfather’s lack of approval of both of them. Hermione had to think that it was different for her. For Hermione, it was about who she was…

"And who knows, maybe he will come around, my mum always says he will."

Frowning, Hermione glanced back to see Landon coming up to them.

“Will you put sunscreen on my back, babe?" Landon pulled a bottle out of the bag and handed it to Vanessa.

Hermione turned, placing a towel down on the chair, but she could almost feel Severus, and he came up next to her. He was so close when she stood straight, her chest nearly brushed his.

“How dare you leave me with that pest?” He grumbled out of the corner of his mouth.

Snickering, Hermione reached out, patting his arm. “Sorry, I’ll take the next meeting with Unnis for you.” 

“You'd better, and then some. I want retribution.” His smooth voice held humour at least, despite the spikey words. 

Settling onto the towel, Hermione motioned for him to join her. “This is nice.” She wasn’t a beach person in her heart, usually preferring colder climates, but it was pleasant on occasion, a bit of a holiday. Severus seemed to be the same; he wasn’t complaining, and that was shocking. He usually had something to say. 

It was almost comical as Landon and Vanessa ran to the water. Severus and Hermione both lounged on the chairs, each of them pulling out a book in nearly the exact moment, leaning back and settling in to read in the sun.

Severus, far more covered up in his long sleeves and trousers. Hermione had forgone the shorts at least, though the t-shirt was staying in place. This was new for Hermione, this sort of worry about what she looked like or what other people thought of her body. Perhaps, though, it was just Severus that she worried about.

She glanced sideways at him. He had dark sunglasses on and was reading a potions book she hadn’t seen before. “What's that?” 

He dragged his eyes from the page with slowness as if she had pulled him from some nice thought. “It's Penelope’s new book, she asked me to read it before she sends it out for the final edit.” 

“Oh!” Hermione was troubled by it, but annoyance sparked in her. Jealousy even. “I didn’t realise she was trying to publish.” 

You should stop worrying about this.

“Mhmm,” his eyes were back on the page. 

Must be bloody good then. Penelope probably looked great naked, or in a bikini and most certainly does not have an ever-growing bump. 

“I may take a walk by the water, dip my feet in.” She didn’t want to sit here and have to think about all this. She didn’t wait to hear what Severus had to say, only dropping her book on the chair and starting towards the water.

"Aren't you going to take your shirt off?" His deep voice stopped her.

"Umm, I won't be getting in." She glanced back at him, and Hermione could have sworn he pulled his eyes from where they'd been staring at her arse.

"Right." He looked back at the pages.

The sea was chilly against her toes when she reached it. She avoided the view of Landon and Vanessa making out in the water a few yards away. Instead, thinking about the coolness between her toes and the fresh, salty air, this was good.

“Maybe you will like the sea,” she muttered, running a soothing hand over her stomach. It felt strange to think about what a person you had never met would like, but she had been thinking about it more and more recently. Would they have dark hair? Black like Severus? She chanced a glance back at him and saw that he was very much still engrossed in his book.

Would their baby's skin be pale or freckled like hers? There was so much that she didn’t know how they would be or what they would be like. Intriguing. 

“Hermione!” Vanessa called, “Come in the water!” The blonde was laughing now, soaking wet, waving at her. 

“I think I will stay above for a bit,” Hermione smirked. 

“Boring!” But it wasn’t ill-intended, Hermione could tell; Vanessa was just vivacious, always had been. It had been something Hermione had been jealous of as a kid, but now she knew that it just didn’t suit her personality to be like that. 

She had hoped that perhaps she and Severus could talk while at the beach, but he was clearly too engrossed in his book. Hermione felt her annoyance prickle again. It was silly, really. She should just be an adult and tell him how she felt, and then let the consequences follow from there. But no, she was too much of a coward to do that.

But that wasn't as easy as just brooding over things. 

…

As they returned to the house, Severus felt sweat drip down the centre of his back and not just from the sun. He had been trying not to bloody well stare at Hermione the whole time they were out there. He tried to pretend like he was reading the book, but every time she looked away, his eyes would follow her. Why was he like this? Severus hadn’t a clue. He had noticed her absentmindedly running her hand over her belly, and it sent a strange shot of arousal through him. What the hell did that mean? Was it pheromones or the knowledge of whose baby that was? God, he would never have guessed he'd be resigned to being some kind of strange caveman-like creature. Absurd. 

Then there was the matter of her ass. It was perfect, and God, he had seen that memory; Severus knew what it felt like in both of his hands... He could see the roundness of it where her t-shirt rode up. Perfection. She had nearly caught him oogling her, too.

“I fancy some food, wanna go grab a bite?” Hermione broke his train of thought as they were reaching the kitchen. He needed to keep his cool, or he had no hope of wooing her.

“Of course." He leaned forward, unable to help himself. No one was around, and yet, Severus couldn't stop his hand from reaching up to move a curl from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear.

Hermione's tongue darted out, wetting her lips, and Severus felt his cock react to that motion.

“There you two are!” Jane Granger entered the room with a bright smile, breaking the spell they were under. “Your dad said he saw you this morning.” She glanced at Severus with a smile that looked far too like her daughters, “I was having a lie-in.” 

“Very sensible.” Severus gave a slight nod.

Then Jane seemed to notice that she had walked in on a moment, her cheeks turning pink. "Go on then, kiss her. I didn't mean to interrupt, I know how the first few months of pregnancy can be," the older woman grinned.

Hermione groaned, "Mum."

"Oh come now, kiss her, Severus, she needs it."

Snape knew this was stepping too far, but Hermione had agreed to them touching... Leaning in, Severus towered over her and dipped his head low, pressing his lips to hers, as she moved her hand up to hold his bicep, almost clinging to him. Fitting his mouth against her lower lip. He didn't move his mouth, but the warmth of their lips together made him want to pull her against him. He lingered there, allowing the shield of his hair to hide them from her mother for a moment. Then, he drug his lips against hers in a careful brush before pulling back. Meeting her eyes, that fluttered open. Something passed between them, almost like the other night. Severus felt his chest ache with a need to be hers.

"The two of you should have a lie in one of these mornings," Jane murmured, dutifully looking the other way when Severus and Hermione finally turned their gazes from each other.

"Again, very sensible, Jane," Severus replied, his gaze skating back to Hermione.

Hermione nudged him in the side, “creeping,” she murmured. 

He simply shrugged, the weight of the moment settling on his shoulders. The whole purpose of his presence here was to convince her parents that he was a good person, wasn’t it? He could feel the tension in the air, especially around her grandfather, who seemed like an immovable force. Severus was certain that this man would not be easily swayed. If anyone could penetrate that stern mentality, it certainly wouldn’t be someone as unconventional as Severus Snape, with his dark clothing and brooding persona.

The truth was, Hermione’s grandfather seemed to place a high value on normalcy and tradition, cherishing the mundane over the extraordinary. That was the stark contrast between them: while he and Hermione thrived in their world of oddities and intellect, her grandpa clung to the standard, valuing conformity and what was familiar. As Severus glanced at Hermione, he realised that their bond was a reflection of their differences, and it saddened him to think that her family might never truly understand or accept that she was special. Well, at least not her grandfather. Her parents seemed to adore Hermione as she was.

Perhaps it was a mystery how wizards, witches, and Muggles were created from a biological standpoint, but they were different from one another, and that was not something that Severus could help. He was sure that if he were a Muggle, the peculiarities that existed in him now would be the same. He would still be apathetic and introverted, with a pension for knowledge that was just who he was. Hermione was the same. So very her.

His lips almost buzzed from the phantom sensation of where they had pressed their lips together.

“We were going to grab some lunch, mum.” Hermione sounded a little breathless, and Severus loved it. Loved that he had affected her.

“Oh, there is a wonderful little café down the street, nice walk too,” she raised her eyebrows in succession. “If you want some alone time.” 

Hermione bit her lip, looking peeved. “Alright, then what time are we setting up for things this evening?” 

“Around 7, the neighbours are all bringing some food over, and we will help out.” 

Hermione nodded, “got it."

Jane pressed a kiss to her daughter's cheek and then pulled Severus in for a hug. “I am just so excited for you two and ME! Being a grandma, or nana? I will think about which one I prefer." Jane grinned.

As they walked to the café, there was a silence about them. Hermione seemed unsure about what to say. Almost awkward. He hated that. Had he made her uncomfortable with the kiss? She sure seemed to like it at the moment. Surely he had fucked things up; he was very good at that, had lots of practice, especially around women that he fancied.

“So, what do you think of Penny’s book so far?” 

He had nearly forgotten about that. “Uh, good. Well written, I am not totally sure what the idea is yet, but I am sure that it is very well done.” He had barely paid attention to what he'd been reading on the beach, too busy staring at Hermione's arse.

“I wonder why she hasn't joined the Potion Department and stayed in the Department of Mysteries.” Hermione mused. As they continued to walk, he watched her chew her lip, looking anywhere but at him.

“I would think because she'd want one of our jobs,” he snorted without thinking. He really didn’t want to work Penelope more than he needed to at the moment. She was fine, but a little overbearing, and he didn’t like her overly ambitious attitude; it could be irritating at best and toxic at worst. He enjoyed his work, of course, but he didn’t want it to be his whole life. She was utterly obsessed with her potion work and her work with the ministry; he couldn’t hear about it all day long, as it would ruin his life. 

“Oh, I didn’t think of that.” 

“What about Unnis? Do you think he is vying for my position?” 

Hermione scrunched her nose, and Severus couldn’t help but smile a bit at that. 

“I am not sure.” 

“You wouldn't want to work with smiley Unnis, instead of bitter old me?"

Hermione stopped suddenly, reaching out and grabbing his forearms. "Severus, I have enjoyed working with you since the first day."

He snorted, "I doubt-"

"I mean it," she emphasised, squeezing his arms a little. "You're the best part of my day, despite how grumpy you are." She winked and released him to begin walking again.

He felt his heart squeeze.

“Now, let's not talk about work.” 

He could definitely agree to that. As they arrived at the quaint café, he held the door open for her, a small gesture that made her smile. After scanning the menu and placing their orders at the counter, they found a cosy table tucked away in a quiet corner, surrounded by soft lighting and the gentle hum of conversation. Settling in, he leaned back in his chair, a playful grin on his face. “So, since we are steering clear of work-related chatter. How is the Potter-Weasley clan faring these days?” He took a sip of his coffee, genuinely curious about the latest happenings of the lively family.

Chewing her lip, she took a sip of her sparkling water. “I am not sure, honestly. Harry and Ginny, I think, are having some marriage issues…maybe. They don’t say, but I can tell something is wrong. It's been worrying me."

“How can you tell?” He sipped his espresso and levelled his gaze at her. When they were sitting right across from each other, he could just look at her, without having to feign that he wasn't. Relieving. 

“I just noticed. They don’t really talk to each other, and they aren’t interested in hanging out at the same time. Every time I go over to Grimmauld Place, Harry is upstairs or Ginny is in the kitchen when one of them is with me.” She blew out a breath, “it's just odd. And I caught them arguing the other day” 

Severus furrowed his brow. He hadn’t paid a lot of attention to the Potters’ personal lives, but when they first got married, they seemed very happy. He had gone to their bloody wedding, mostly because he had felt obligated, but still, they looked as if they were interested in each other. 

“That is what scares me." Her voice was small, "I think about relationships. They can end; someone can just stop loving you. It is the most heartbreaking thing.” She looked truly saddened by that statement. 

Severus was willing to bet that if he were allowed to love her, he would never stop. That once he realised fully what he felt for Hermione, he would never be able to get it out of his head again. Still, he couldn’t say that, even if he wanted to make her feel better or just soothe her mind. “I think it's partially the change. You have been so used to them together that now, they seem like a package deal, and it is probably disorienting when you realise that may transform.” 

“That is very wise.” 

Severus shrugged, picking up his cup again. “I am old, I have learned some things in that time.” 

Hermione kicked him lightly under the table. “You’re not old.” 

“I am nearly 50.” He hated bringing attention to their age difference; it was upsetting. Made him look ridiculous and lecherous. Looking away, he gazed out the window, trying to mellow the feelings he was now having. He felt her hand on his forearm. When he glanced up at her, he could tell that she didn’t care about his age. Those brown eyes were looking at him with something warm and kind and … something else he couldn’t tell, but enjoyed. He could spend his whole life looking into Hermione Granger’s eyes, Severus hoped he'd get the opportunity.