Draco's POV

I hold my mate close as her sleepy eyes close and her breathing finally evens out.

"Hermione." I say quietly in trial. My wizard calls her that all the time but for me it sounds strange, but I vow to do whatever pleases my mate. If she wishes for me to call her by name I shall.

"May I come in?" A quiet voice asks from the other side of the closed door. I shuffle slightly, curling my wings further around my mate so she is completely hidden from view and no sound will disturb her.

"Yes." I speak loud enough for the wizard on the other side of the door to hear.

"Veela." Snape says as he bows lowly to me.

"Severus. Is something wrong?" I asked carefully wondering why he is here without being called for. The danger I felt from earlier still lingers but I don't sense any new threat.

"No. I just wanted to let you both know the elves have brought food up. Its late, it's time I took my leave until morning." He speaks quietly, and I nod.

"She is asleep, I will feed her when she wakes."

"I'll tell them to keep it aside." He nods slowly. I study him quietly before I'm suddenly pulled away as my m- Hermione, shifts in her sleep. Another quiet noise, barely detectable, shifts with her. I disregard it immediately but then I hear it again, just barely making out the quiet fluttering noise.

"Is something wrong Veela?" Severus asks me carefully.

"Potions…" I say quietly in thought.

"Potions?" He asks me quietly.

"Are they harmful or have any… side effects?" I ask carefully as I turn my gaze back to him. He looks confused but answers me regardless.

"The pain potion for example has no more than the usual side effects of most potions. Can sometimes cause some nausea or headaches depending on how high the dosage. It can also be addictive if taken for too long."

"Is that all?" I press. He hesitates, and I narrow my eyes at him as I curl more protectively around Hermione. He sighs and bows once more when he realises his mistake.

"You misunderstand my hesitation. I don't believe the other possible side effects would apply to Her- your mate."

"Hermione… Tell me." I correct before pressing him to go on.

"It's not recommended that an expectant witch take it, there have been a small number of cases where its caused problems."

"Like?"

"Miscarriage, early labour… still birth. As I said nothing yourself or Hermione need to worry about. Your potions have been modified to protect you both against pregnancy." He explains, and I nod.

"Yes. Just curious." I wave off and he nods, relaxing slightly.

"Of course. Is there anything else before I take my leave?"

"No." I speak as he nods and bows once more before leaving.

I stay still long after he leaves and hold my mate as she sleeps, securely cocooned in my wings.

"Hmm." She sighs in her sleep and I smile as I nuzzle her hair lovingly.

"My Hermione." I whisper before I start to hum soothing her back into a deeper sleep so she rests.

Another barely there flutter interrupts my humming and I pause as I look down at my sleeping mate. I purr as a warmth spreads through me.

"Mine." I purr quietly as I run my hands over my Hermione, my hands taking pause over her stomach.

Snape's POV

I pause outside of Draco and Hermione's room and replay the conversation that just took place. Curiosity, maybe, but I needed to make sure.

I silently left the mated pair's secret room and hurried to hospital wing.

"Severus? Is everything okay? Are they okay? You look pale." Poppy gasps as I come barrelling into the infirmary. I spare a glance around, seeing one or two students occupying beds seemingly asleep but I don't risk it. With a wave of my hand I erect a soundproof bubble around the medi-witch and I.

"Poppy has Draco or Hermione come by to see about the potions?" I ask hurriedly.

"No, but what has- oh Merlin." She says as a look of horror crosses her face.

"I… I think I mentioned it to Draco too late. I thought he'd just… know" I swore angrily at myself for possibly putting them in this situation.

"You don't think…?"

"I think it's possible. He started asking questions about the potions we'd been giving her quite suddenly. He brushed it off as curiosity."

"But you don't believe it." She stated as I shook my head.

"I think he might have sensed something. Why would it bother him otherwise?" I asked deep in thought.

"Severus she can't have those potions if she is. It's too risky." Poppy spoke in a worried tone.

"I know, which is why I'm worried. If something were to happen… Draco's Veela would be…" I trailed off unable to find the right words.
"Devestated." She finished for me.

"And very volatile." I added.

"I have a few modified potions that are safe for now but not enough if she continues to need them." Poppy spoke as she rushed over to her supplies.

"I'll get brewing. Poppy, this stays between us."

"What about Albus?"

"I'll fill him in but no one else can know. If she is, they're in even more danger then before." She paled but nodded quickly in understanding.

"Take these." She spoke as she handed me a few vials of modified pain potion with trembling hands.

"Thank you. I will start brewing straight away along with some others. We need to be prepared." She agrees with a nod and with a wave of my hand and some non-verbal magic I lower the protective spell around us. I take my leave as quickly as I came as I rush back to the dungeons.

Once barricaded in my room I barely pause to send a patronus to Dumbledore before making sure all my wards are still in place.

"Eye of newt… sage…" I mumble as I flit around my storeroom sending all the ingredients I need out to my work station.

"Severus?" A voice calls and I quickly make my way back to my work station.

"Albus." I greet hurriedly as I set up my cauldron.

"Your message, it sounded urgent. Is everything okay?" I pause briefly as I spot Minerva beside him looking worried.

"I can't say for sure, but we may have an issue."

"What issue Severus?" Minerva asks carefully.

"I think Miss Granger may be with child."

"Merlin." Minerva gasps.

"He would know before anyone else." Albus says quietly and I nod.

"Yes, he would. Which is what tipped me off, but Poppy confirmed what I suspected, they never picked up their potions and… that is completely on me." I confessed.

"You Severus?" Albus asked confused.

"I forgot to prewarn Draco…" I trailed off as Albus nodded slowly.

"I see."

"They will be in even more grave danger Albus, what are we going to do?" Minerva asked flustered.

"We'll have to wait for it to be confirmed for starters, but I think its safe to say we need to start planning ahead." Albus spoke deep in thought.

"Yes. I'm brewing potions that she will be able to take. We can't risk giving her any more of the others."

"No. Let them be for now, give Draco the time and space his Veela needs to look after his mate. Severus watch over them and hopefully we are incorrect with our assumptions."

"And if we aren't?" I asked pausing to stare down the headmaster.

"Then we need to be ready. They will need all out help, and this must not be disclosed with anyone else just yet. These are dark times."

"Understood Albus." Minerva nodded.

"Understood. I will keep watch and I will continue to listen for any whispers amongst the Death Eaters." I nodded.

"That would be wise. We will leave you to it Severus, come Minerva, we must start planning." Albus spoke softly as he nodded to me once more before they took leave.