First Comes Baby

{3}

A few days later, Hermione was resting in the living room of Spinner's End. It was quiet that evening, as Severus wasn't in the home, staring her down with his disappointment.

He had been so disparaged about it the whole thing, and he even made to apologize to Hermione. She'd hated it, and then it was just awkward. They spoke in short snippets and she did her best to steer clear of his presence, wishing for once someone else knew about what she was going through.

Severus was currently not there because of his date which was the reason Hermione had a thick muggle book in her hands. It didn't do anything to get her mind off the thought, however.

If he was happy then so be it, but if this witch did anything to him at all Hermione would tear her to shreds.

When it got late, and she was tempted to go bed as her eyes drifted close and the book slipped from careless fingers, Hermione heard the fire roar to life.

She looked over, wishing she'd gone to bed sooner, but sadly there she was, and now so was Severus.

"How was your date?" Hermione wondered, speaking quickly as though she were anticipating hearing this.

She wasn't.

"Terrible," he said with a squint of his eyes, then sudden calm, "Positively dismal."

Her heart was racing now, and she really wished she was upstairs under a plethora of covers so maybe no one would see her face turning red. Why had it been terrible? Why was she excited that it had been? He'd made his point, she should get over him.

And she should leave the room soon, before she thought that his rushing forward in a flurry of robes was him rushing for her. No way he would be reaching out to put her face in his hands and bring their lips close together, and never would they actually touch.

Except they did.

Hermione felt the initial warmth of his hand resting on her cheek, then she felt the warmth of his body as his collided with hers to the best of their ability, and lastly the spark of warmth which came from his lips. The skin was soft, and she was so confused. He'd changed his mind. He was there, holding her, and his date had gone horribly.

Really, she should feel sorry, but with such a wonderful sensation of limbs and lips, it was hard to give any care to what he may have just possibly gone through. 

"I am so sorry, Hermione," he whispered into her ear, kissing her cheek as he did so, pulling her closer to him were it possible. 

She didn't have any words for him, not ones that would live up to her normal intelligence level anyways. 

"I was sitting there, across from someone who wasn't you, sharing a meal with them, and I didn't like it one bit. I want it to be you across from me, always. You must understand, however," now he pulled away from her, looking into her eyes as his hands grasped her cheeks with a needy pressure, "That I am determined to raise your child, and if you want no part in that, then I will give you up, as much as it would pain me to do so. I know I can't change your mind in an instant, but-"

"Severus!" 

Hermione giggled, "I've become quite attached to you, but while being here... I've grown fond of the child, too. You needn't worry about me going anywhere once they are here." 

She had never seen a happier smile before in her life, and Hermione was glad to have witnesses it coming from him. 

"Then it's settled."

"I have to tell people now," she realized when he pulled back from another kiss. 

"Must you?" Severus looked worried as he guided her back to the sofa she'd been occupying earlier, his face white. 

"How will I explain raising a child with you if I don't." 

"Right..." His drawl was very enticing, but Hermione never sat well with lying to him, so she wanted him to know who she planned on telling. 

"I want Harry to know... and his family of course. I need to tell my parents-"

"Merlin's beard, you have parents. They're going to hate me." Severus seemed to state this matter-of-factly, and while she was sure they would hate the man she slept with more... she doubted they could loathe someone who was going to help raise her child. 

"Severus, I wouldn't say that. My mum met my dad in his office as a resident. She was six or seven years younger than him." 

He scoffed, "And will they think highly of our twenty year difference?" 

She glared at him, "Can we not simply cross the bridge when we arrive to it. I'm not going to get on the phone and tell them right this instant!" 

This seemed to abate him most of the way, and Hermione was very thankful for that. In fact, she was thankful for whatever witch he'd gone out with being an absolutely abysmal date because now Severus was hers, and that would not be changing for a very long time. 

-

Hermione's parents did not hate Severus. In fact, when they'd gone to visit for the first time with child in-tow, the Granger's were smitten with both father and baby. While it was true that Severus wasn't the child's real father, her parents did not harp her on the fact, they were simply glad she was happy and being taken care of. 

Their little girl had been born in the early summer month of June, and Hermione was smitten with her the moment she arrived. She'd had her doubts up until she had held the little girl in her arms, Severus right there with her. Kinsley Granger was his new pride and joy, god-daughter to no less than Harry and Ginny Potter who adored her almost as much as Severus did. 

He was a great father, one of the other many reasons he'd won her parents over, and while he seldom did get along with Hermione's friends, she couldn't have asked for a better partner. 

Ron did not begrudge her her happiness, though he wasn't exactly pleased to find out anything either. In fact, he even attempted to get her back at one point which had floored Hermione and nearly caused Severus to hex him. 

Kinsley herself was a brilliant young girl who, surprisingly, had a knack for potions. Her blonde hair juxtaposed her parent's very dark hair, but not a single person did not know who she was. 

When she finally went to Hogwarts, she was trailed by not just her parents, but her younger sibling as well, a cute, black-haired child who was undeniably Severus Snape's. 

All in all, they were a happy little family... even if it wasn't exactly love, but baby that came first.