My Gift To You

Chapter 11

"Settle down!" Said Professor McGonagall as she entered the room.

Students quited instantly.

"Miss Granger, you are to report to Professor Dumbledore please," said McGonagall.

Hermione nodded and left. She pretended not to hear the murmurs of the other students as she got to the hallway.

Of course they'd be talking about her. She was starting to show. It was slight but it was obvious.

Lavender Brown had started a rumor where everyone had guessed who the father is. So far, no one had guessed right.

As she stopped at the entrance to the office, she said the password. The stairs started moving.

She jumped up as soon as she could pass and waited for them to stop. She reached Dumbledore's door.

Hermione lifted her hand to knock when it opened.

"Come in, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore.

Hermione nodded as she entered. The door closed behind her.

"Sit," said Dumbledore as he gestured to the chair.

Hermione did as she asked. Why was she here?

"Professor, is something the matter?" Asked Hermione.

The Headmaster looked at her with a look she couldn't quite read.

"Hermione," he started with a sigh,"the school is filled with rumors."

"I know," said Hermione.

"Well first they were that you're pregnant, and now that it's obvious you are, they're busy thinking out who the father is," said Dumbledore.

"I know. I've heard them," said Hermione.

"I see. It doesn't bother you?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, I'm not sure. Even if it did, I can't show it. It would only make it worse," said Hermione.

"She has a point, Albus," said Severus as he entered the office.

"Severus," Dumbledore greeted.

Hermione looked at Severus. Someone had definitely pissed him off.

"Albus,is there a reason for her to be here?" Asked Severus.

"Well, I was just checking on her. There have been a lot of rumors lately," said Dumbledore.

"I've heard. Well if there's no other reason, could she go to class?" Asked Severus.

"I--suppose she could. What's going on?" Asked Dumbledore.

"Just...Hermione could you leave us? I need to talk to Albus. It's urgent. Please?" Severus looked at her.

"I'm sure I can handle it," said Hermione.

"No. Go. To. Class. Now," said Severus as he looked at her sternly.

She stood so as to face him. She lifted her head.

"I am your fiancé and I want to stay. I want to know what you want to talk about," said Hermione in a raised voice.

Severus sighed.

"Yes, you are my fiancé but you are also a student. Therefore you will listen to me. Go to class Miss Granger," he snapped.

Hermione slapped him through the face. Her eyes teared up.

"You do not speak to me in that tone of voice," she said between tears,"go to hell, Snape."

She ran out the door as he stared after her. His cheek stung. She knew how to slap. That much he could tell. She had also told him to go to hell. He was going to spank her for that.

"Severus, what might it be that you want to talk about?" Asked Dumbledore impatiently.

"I--" Severus' voice broke. This was unusual for him. He straightened and tried again,"I received word. News about Hermione had reached Bellatrix."

"What?! I thought she's in Azkaban!" Dumbledore growled.

"Apparently not. Not anymore anyway. The bitch got out. Somehow. Now she's after Hermione. She's in hiding though so I figure that gives us a few months?" Said Severus gruffly.

"I hope so, Severus," said Dumbledore with a pensive look,"is that why you were so rude to her?"

"What do you mean?" Snapped Severus.

"Are you going to push her away again?" Asked Dumbledore.

Severus glared at him.

"I have to know, Severus. She can't take any more heartbreak. And she can't work herself up. Not now," said Dumbledore.

"Albus," Severus warned.

"Think it through, Severus. She needs you now. Don't break her again," said Dumbledore.

Severus stormed out of the office. He had to get away.

He moved toward the dungeons at an unbelievable pace.

***

"Shut it!" Snape snapped as the class filed in.

Hermione glared at him as she took her seat. Harry noticed the tension but said nothing. Ron smirked as he saw the look she shot Snape.

Harry looked at him in warning. He sure as hell didn't want to get on her bad side with the mood she was in. If Ron had any brains whatsoever, he would tread lightly too.

Hermione looked at Snape with all the rage she could muster up. She thought she saw him falter when he looked at her, but he quickly recomposed himself.

He was more snappy than usual. When class finished, signalling lunchtime, he called Hermione. She gave him one last look and made her way to the Great Hall.

Her mood with him was so obvious that Ron forgot he was mad at her.

"What did Snape do?" He asked excitedly as they sat.

Hermione shot him a look and answered:
"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, Ronald."

Just then Snape burst into the Great Hall with a very Snape-like scowl on his face. He rushed forward as students ran to safety.

"I'm talking about that," said Ron pointing as he laughed uncontrollably.

Harry gave him  a warning look as Snape neared them.

"Hermione," he said under his breath.

"Piss off," she hissed back.

Snape looked as if she had shot him. His scowl returned, even more sour than before if that was possible.

He straightened and made his way to the Staff table.

"Seriously Mione. What's going on?" Asked Ron again, still snickering.

"He's an asshole. That's what,"Hermione said as she sipped her pumpkin juice.

"Do we have to kill him?" Asked Ron excitedly.

Hermione shook her bead but couldn't help laughing.

"Not necessary. I can handle him," she said as she felt the best she had in weeks.

Ron's smile faded slightly.

"I guess you can pay up," said Harry with a smirk as he put his hand in Ron's direction.

"It doesn't count, Harry!" Ron argued.

"What on earth?" Hermione asked, now curious.

"It bet that you would still be pissed with Snape by lunch and Ron bet that you would let him get his hands on Snape," said Harry with a shrug.

"Okay so how doesn't it count, Ron?"Asked Hermione.

"Because it was obvious you'd still be pissed!" Ron said, shaking his head.

"It still won," said Harry with a smirk.

"I can't belive the two of you," said Hermione as she laughed with them.