My Gift To You

Chapter 2

Hermione spent the day in Severus' chambers. They spent meal times there, due to her not feeling well.

Hermione sent word to Ginny not to worry.

Ginny would find a way to throw Ron and Harry off if they had to ask...or guess.

Hermione sat watching the chess board as Severus made a move. She was about to move when there was a knock at the door.

Severus stood up and answered it. He let the visitor in.

"Professor!" Hermione said with a smile as Dumbledore entered.

"Good day, Miss Granger. I came to see if you had made it through the night with Severus seeing how he's hiding you here," said Dumbledore.

"Oh, that's my fault, Professor. I'm not feeling very well today. The morning sickness is impossible," said Hermione sheepishly.

"No worries, child. As long as you're feeling okay now?" Asked Dumbledore.

"Yes sir, thank you." Hermione said as she smiled at her Headmaster.

"I'm glad. Perhaps Poppy can give you something for the nausea?" Asked Dumbledore.

"She said to try orange juice," said Hermione.

"Oh. Well I'm sure we can make a plan," said Dumbledore with a sparkle in his eye.

"It would help, Albus. She's been at it non stop today," said Severus.

"Right. I will arrange for it and bring it myself," said Dumbledore.

"Thank you, Professor," said Hermione.

"You're welcome. I will arrange with Minerva for Miss Granger to sleep here tonight again," said Dumbledore to Severus.

"Okay I don't mind," said Severus," but what do we say?"

"Well it's simple," said Dumbledore," she has severe nausea. Minerva will understand that we don't want that around the other girls. They're seventh years. They'll figure it out."

"You have a point, Albus," said Severus.

Hermione sat, gazing at them in amusement. The Headmaster had become so involved in her life since he caught her making out with Severus.

Maybe it was out of worry? Or maybe he just really cared about her. She could always ask him. No, that would make her sound like she thought he had alterior motives.

Hermione shook her head. Just let it go, she thought to herself.

Severus continued speaking to Dumbledore as Hermione  stood suddenly.

Both professors looked at her in question. Severus moved closer. He placed his hands on her arms and lowered himself to her eye level.

"Hermione, my love. Are you alright?" He asked in a soft velvety voice.

She looked at him and smiled weakly.

"I'm fine. I just need to cool off," she said as she headed toward the bathroom.

She stood with her hands against the cold basin. It felt good compared to the heat coursing through her body.

She sighed as she splashed cold water on her warm face. She looked in the mirror and was shocked.

Her cheeks were a deep pink. Almost red in a way. She tilted her head. Her eyes danced wildly. Her lips parted slightly as she sighed at the touch of her fingertips.

No, stop it. Calm yourself! She scolded herself.

She couldn't help it. She wet her hands again and placed them on her neck. She whimpered softly.

Hermione heard the door close and footsteps come closer. She held her hands on her neck.

"Hermione?" Severus walked in.

She looked at him in the mirror and smiled brightly. 

"I'm fine," she said as she wet her hands yet again, this time placing them on her chest.

"Are you sure? You look a bit flushed," said Severus.

She sighed softly. Her eyes closed as she drank in the coolness from her hands. She smiled angelically as she turned to Severus.

She titled her head to the side.

"I'm fine. I was just getting a little hot, okay?" She said.

Severus grunted. Women. If they didn't overreact they brushed things off.

He sighed as he gestured for her to go to bed.

She shook her head and took his hand, leading him to the bedroom.

What the hell? He had just showed her to go, she had shook her head and now she was leasing him to the exact same place.

Women don't know what they want, he decided.  He followed her as she walked straight to bed.

***

Hermione walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. She had insisted that it would seem strange if she missed it two days in a row.

Professor Dumbledore raised his eyebrow at her as she entered and greeted him with a nod. 

Severus sat in his chair, obviously not pleased.

Hermione smiled to herself. At least now she knew how to punish him. She peeked a look at him again.

He scowled as Dumbledore spoke to him, who in turn looked rather amused at his unhappiness.

He spoke in low tones with the Headmaster. Suddenly his eyes looked up to meet hers. She dropped her gaze, flushing at being caught.

"So, how was your day yesterday?"

Hermione spun round to see Ginny looking at her expectantly.

"Well?" Repeated Ginny.

"It was okay,"said Hermione with a shrug.

"Okay?" Asked Ginny in an irritated tone.

"Yes," said Hermione as she looked around," I had alot of nausea but it's a bit better today."

Ginny looked at her closely. She shook her head.

"You know you're going to show soon," she said with concern.

"Yeah, thanks for reminding me, Gin," said Hermione as she grabbed grabbed a slice of cheese.

"I'm sorry,"said Ginny,"but you haven't told the boys yet and as stupid as they can be, they would have to be blind to miss it."

Hermione laughed nervously.

"I know," she said with a sigh,"it's just I'm not ready. We only have another two months or so left. So maybe...maybe I won't show."

Ginny looked at her with a sympathetic look.

"I know you want that to happen, 'Mione. But we can't count on that. You have to tell them sometime," said Ginny softly.

"I don't know how they'll react," argued Hermione.

"There's only one way to find out," said Ginny as she sipped her pumpkin juice.

Hermione sighed. Ginny was her best friend. She looked out for her. But what she was suggesting...It was impossible to say the least.

Maybe she would go see Professor McGonagall later. Ask her for advice.

Though she knew if she told the boys, the outcome would not likely be good.

She sighed as she wondered what to do.

This was not going to be easy. And the chances of Harry attacking Sev again...those were very, very high.