Headmaster's Secret

Interview with a Vampire

Severus waited in his chambers on his couch for a few hours for Hermione. He was happy to have the simple quiet time after the year he's had. A couple different books from a muggle store near Hogwarts was open on his side table about post pardum depression for pregnant women. It was very interesting to read about the difference between muggle and wizard in healing. 

When his door opened and Hermione came in with a sheepish look on her face, he smirked as he put the book down again. She stood by the door and kept her head down as if she was in trouble. "Hermione, why are you acting like you just got detention?" Severus asked amused. 

She shrugged. "Because Ginny knows and you're probably mad," she responded, looking up at him. 

He motioned for her to come to him at the couch. She did slowly. When she was leaning against his side comfortably, he wrapped his arm around her front and rubbed her stomach. "I could never be mad at you. You've given me a son and a reason to live. I don't know the story of how Miss Weasley found out, but I trust that you had a good reason for either telling her or confirming it with her," he explained. 

She sighed. "She sort of found out and I sort of told her at the same time." 

Severus furrowed his brow in confusion. Hermione turned to face him, placing her feet on the ground with a small smile. "I was writing both the names we chose, different ways, such as Samuel Jonathan Prince, Seth Tyler Prince in a secluded corner in the common room. Many were elsewhere packing, saying their goodbyes, since the train was coming tomorrow. Ginny came to me to ask if I was going back home first or coming to the burrow for Charlie's wedding first, since it was a couple days after school ends. She saw the names on my journal and I couldn't get out of telling her. She could see that I was a little more 'puffier' than normal, but never said anything. We went for a walk around the lake and I finally told her everything that's happened this year. She was upset at first, but then got over it when I explained all that Ronald has done and why I did what I did." 

He understood then. Nodding, he smiled. "What did you say then?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'll write to mum and day and tell them I'm staying at the burrow for a few days then coming home. I haven't even told them I'm pregnant, so it will be an utter shock for them as well."

Severus thought for a second. They needed to start telling the world what was going on, and the best way to do that was getting an interview with the Daily Prophet. He growled to himself. Rita Skeeter has been itching for an interview with him ever since that hogwash about removing him from his headmaster position. It was finally time to take her up on that interview, with several conditions. 

The next day, Severus was dressed in his best, black frock, as usual, waiting in his office for Rita to floo in. She accepted his offer for an exclusive interview right away. Hermione was pacing the office, slightly steaming. Her experiences with Rita has been less than satisfactory in the past. "Love, please sit. You're working yourself into a panic attack," Severus gently told Hermione. She glared at him then softened. 

"Sorry, I'm just not looking forward to giving Rita this interview. What if she butchers our words like she normally does?" Hermione asked as she came to sit beside him. 

Severus took her hand and gave it a kiss. "Don't worry, I have a plan."

A few moments later, the fireplace lit up its familiar green flames and out popped Rita in her flashy outfit with that ugly alligator skin purse. She looked at Hermione sitting beside Severus and smirked. Her quill popped out of her bag as soon as she unclasped the latch. "Severus Snape and Hermione Granger, holding hands. What will the world think?"

Severus stood up slowly, menacingly.  "Miss Skeeter, I asked for an interview for one reason alone and I intend to get to it. You will write down exactly what Miss Granger and I say or I will find you and when I find you, it won't be pleasant," Severus threatened with narrowed eyes. 

Rita swallowed hard, her cat glasses not hiding her worried eyes. Though she sounded chipper when she spoke. "Not a problem Headmaster." Severus smirked at her and motioned for her to sit in the chair he provided, facing he and Hermione. 

"Now, judging by the hand holding, I assume you called me for this interview to announce your involvement with each other," Rita said with a bitter tone. She glared at Hermione, who hadn't gotten her nose to unwrinkle itself from looking like she stepped into something squishy. The history between the two women was very hostile and tense. 

Severus nodded. "Yes, in short, we have been involved for around ten months and our son will be born in another month and a half. There is a prophecy that was sent to me about us, causing our relationship to be forced into the open."

The quill was furiously writing while Rita took mental notes. "How did this come to light?"

Severus took in a breath. "Her previous boyfriend was jealous of how much time she was spending with me trying to make her new student teacher program work in its infancy. He started ignoring her and she came to me for comfort. Love ended up blooming out of her pain."  

"Previous boyfriend being -- Ronald Weasley, correct?" Rita asked, eyes traveling between Severus and Hermione, trying to catch a small glimpse of the bump. 

"Yes," Hermione answered curtly. 

"Any names for the baby boy?" Rita asked with a shrug. 

Severus and Hermione exchanged looks. They hadn't settled on a name for good yet. "Prince, the last name will be Prince," Hermione stated, turning her head back to Rita. Rita's eyes shown surprise, but didn't say anything. 

"Headmaster, as you are well aware, the new Blood Status test is being implemented into all newborns. How do you feel about your child being among the firsts?" She leaned forward, eager to hang onto each word Severus said. 

He hesitated, unsure on how to word things. "My relationship with Miss Granger did not include her blood status. Our child will be born into the wizarding world by two of the brightest people in the magical world. Blood has nothing to do with a wizards magical abilities. I will refuse my child to be tested. Blood status should finally be phased out of our world once and for all."

Rita said nothing but pursed her lips. She kept the rest of her questions short and left abruptly after saying the interview will appear in the morning paper as it was too late for the evening. Severus reminded her of his warning and to make sure to say that he and Hermione refused to cooperate in the Blood Status tests on their son.