Always Kiss Me Goodnight

Chapter 13 - Hounds of Love

Poppy looked up from her desk to see a worried Hermione.

"Poppy, something is wrong with me. My right side is getting worse. I'm paranoid that I've broken or ruptured something,"

As Poppy gestured for her to get on the examination bed she new that she would have to tell her the truth that she, Minerva, Dumbledore, and Severus had been hiding since the Cruciatus incident. As she took out her wand the tip began to glow as it was expertly glided around her body. Once it was near her lower abdomen is began to pulsate a pink light.

"Well Hermione there is nothing severely wrong but you are pregnant with what appears to be a girl," Poppy said feeling relieved that the truth was finally out in the open.

"No. I can't be. I have no symptoms!" Came the shocked reply. Hermione looked at Poppy in absolute shock then she remembered the night in Shetland.

Poppy went over to her desk and pulled open the bottom draw to take out a small object that was wrapped in blue packaging. She gave it to Hermione who's colour had gone a ghastly shade of white.

"I would say to test in the morning as soon as you arise but judging by the strength of the wand's response you will get a very strong positive now. Not all women have to be throwing up you know," she calmly said as Hermione remained still.

"What am I going to do?"

"You need to speak to Severus. He needs to know especially with all these rumours of an uprising going about," Poppy said calmly and placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione removed herself from the bed and silently made her way to Severus's classroom. A thousand thoughts went through her mind the worst one being that he would leave her or have her banished from Hogwarts. She always thought of the worst situation so she could prepare for it but she had failed to prepare for this.

Poppy watched as the witch left her hospital wing.
I hope his acting is good otherwise she will be so very mad, she thought.

XxX

Severus stood looking out of his classroom window and admired the sunlight and blue sky. It has been a while since there had been a day that was so clear and bright. He folded his arms and took a deep sigh which steamed up a small patch on the glass in front of him. A knocking sound came from the old oak door.
It's time, he thought without taking his eyes off the scenery.

"Severus, are you free?" Came the small voice that he recognised all too well.

"Hermione, are you alright?" He asked turning round to see a very pale looking woman.

"Severus, I'm pregnant,"

He wavered for a moment as he didn't expect to feel shocked as he already knew her condition yet upon hearing it from her mouth it made it quite a strong reality.

"What?! Are you sure?" He said placing his hands gently on her shoulders and looking into her brown eyes.

"Poppy confirmed it. Should I leave? I know you don't want to be burdened with this but I can't have her removed, it would be so horrible. I..I will go," she stuttered with her mind darting from one thing to another.

Without hesitation he pulled her close and wrapped his robe around her like a makeshift cocoon. He rested his head gently on hers to try and calm her.

"No Hermione. I shall not hear you talk like this. You are not going anywhere nor are you going to do anything you may regret. We are in this together no matter what happens. Do you understand?" He said firmly.