𝙻𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 II SS/HG ✔️

Then Comes More Babies

Severus had sat stock still for the entirety of Hermione's late-night labour. Andrew had paced behind the couch in the waiting room. The corridor was brightly lit, so much so it made Severus squint against the growing headache from the constant tooth-grinding. He wished Andrew would sit but was not able to summon any words to say as much.

Jean and Hermione had been in the delivery room for five hours. Andrew guzzled coffee, anticipating a long night; it only made the man fidget more.

Severus felt something tight within his chest before it snapped. If he was having a heart attack, he figured St Mungo's would be the lucky place to be.

But the nurses and midwives left the room chattering away happily about the tiny new baby and Severus realized his magic was still tangled with Hermione's. Based on the head midwife's smile while she gestured Severus into the room, Hermione would be fine.

Severus swiftly entered the room, Andrew's feet nearly stepping on his cloak he was so close behind.

Hermione looked sweaty and tired but otherwise perfectly healthy, a tiny bundle in her arms. Jean was curled up asleep on the armchair before the window.

"You would think she did all the hard parts," Andrew chuckled as he stood at Hermione's side.

Severus stayed at the foot of the bed trying to catch a glimpse of the tiny new life in the room but the blankets were tucked firmly.

"She's beautiful," Andrew said, one hand on Hermione's shoulder.

Andrew was obligated to say she was beautiful. In eight months, Severus had not been able to predict what their child would look like. He prayed any children of theirs would take after Hermione in appearance and not himself.

"How do you feel, sweetie?"

"Tired," Hermione said.

"I'm sure Severus and Bianca will be fine while you have a kip," Andrew said, still watching the baby. "Actually, I don't think we can get home by ourselves," he laughed.

Severus checked the clock on the wall and found it was well past two in the morning. "I can take you home now, if you wish."

"Stand back," Andrew warned as he made his way over to Jean. She flailed wildly when Andrew poked her shoulder.

Severus watched Hermione. Hermione watched the baby, smiling at whatever it was she saw. Hermione glanced up at him but Severus moved over to her parents and offered both hands.

He was surprised to find his hands shaking.

Jean yawned, rubbing her eye with one hand, holding Severus's with the other. "I'll see you in a few days, sweetie, ring me when you want me to come over."

"I will, Mum."

"Take loads of pictures, will you?" Andrew asked, ignoring Severus's hand for a while longer.

"I will," Hermione promised. "Say goodbye, Bianca."

Severus watched Hermione hold Bianca's tiny wrinkled hand up from the bundle to mimic a wave. Severus twitched when Andrew grasped his hand. Severus Apparated to their back lawn.

"Well, that didn't take as long as I had thought," Jean said around another yawn.

"Took, what, forty-eight hours to deliver Hermione?" Andrew asked, righting his shirt after the harrows of Disapparation.

"Fifty-one hours and thirty-six minutes," Jean reminded him with a scowl.

"Fuck me," Severus said under his breath.

They unfortunately heard and burst out laughing. Severus grimaced; though he was quite an adult himself at forty-four years old, he still didn't want to be caught using profanity around his wife's parents.