The Serpent and the Lioness

Chapter 65

"Red, red is bad right...?" Hermione paced their bedroom rubbing her hands over her pajama shorts.

"Not... completely, you need to see a specialist, tomorrow."

"It's your birthday tomorrow. I can't just spend all day in the clinic. I want to spend it with you." Her whiney voice was grating to his senses.

He watched her go back and forth twice more before sitting up on the edge of the bed. He caught her elbow firmly and spun her to face him, "You know what's even better than having you following me around all day tomorrow?"

Hermione shook her head feeling like a school girl caught out after curfew. His tightened grip on her arms quickly caught her attention and she stilled her hands.

"Knowing that you're safe and healthy, that the being attempting to grow inside you, is healthy." His words went straight to her heart.

He could tell by the properly chastised look she gave him and the calming down of her inner mind that his words had hit their mark. He rubbed the place from which he'd grabbed her and pulled her to his chest. "I couldn't have a family without you...I need you, alive and here with me."

The vulnerability in his tone struck a cord hard inside her heart. All her fears about a repeat of last time had not just been her own. She had been lucky—so to speak—to have been exactly where she was, with a properly trained healer. She knew the chances of having that again we're very slim. She felt foolish and selfish at that very moment before he had verbally shaken her back into seeing reason.

There would be other birthdays to spend with him, perhaps even a third to join their own. She hadn't exactly been sure why she'd let her emotions run away from her but she was so thankful he was there to get her back on track.

She curled up against him resting her head on his shoulder. She said nothing as he pressed through, calming her heart. His hands ran over her back soothing away the rest of her anxiety.

"That's it," His tone was just as soothing as his hands and he turned to lay her out on the bed.

Hermione adjusted back to her side of the bed with a heavy pout until he rose up beside her, pulling her back to his chest. They both felt the telltale shift of the comforter from Tabernus coming up from the bottom of the blanket to join them near the head. Hermione scooped the little creature into her hand before resting her head on Severus' chest, letting Tabernus take the small space under her chin.

Severus grunted softly feeling the tiny claws kneed his bare flesh before finally settling down. He starred off listlessly over the top of her curls, lightly tangling a few strays with his fingers, letting his mind drift. The very real possibility of his impending title leaving a rather unusual feeling in his stomach.

oOOo

"Harry! It's so good to see you!" Hermione's tone was pleasant but her face showed her anxiety. She wrapped her best friend tight in a hug before stepping back to look at him properly.

"It's great to see you too." He smiled brightly down from behind his glasses and let out a small breath, "Ginny won't be able to make it, James got rather sick last night and she's with her mom trying to get him well again."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that...Is there anything she needs?"

"Not at present, but she told me why you were meeting today." He looked down pointedly at her stomach, his hands twitching. "Do you think it's true?"