Extra Chapter Part 2

Ministry of Magic

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Hermione stared at the older male.

Albus Dumbledore had changed. At a glance, nobody would make him for the previous Headmaster of Hogwarts. No more colorful robes. Gone where the half-moon spectacles that had once adorned his face. Robes of dark blue and boots that were probably made of Dragon Hide gave the illusion of power and mystery.

But there was no mystery here. Unless one counted the reason for his claims.

"Dumbledore."

"Miss Granger."

Hermione tipped her head, eyes narrowing. "Mrs. Snape actually."

A slight tightening around the mouth. "Of course. Pardon the mistake."

Severus growled. "Don't play games, Albus. She might put up with it but I won't."

"Stop. Don't give him your attention. He is undeserving of it." Hermione whispered across their link. Rage traveled back, scorching her with its intensity. Yet, he twisted away from them. Listening to her. Understanding what she had to do.

Hermione took a seat across from the old wizard, thankful that Amelia had given them her office for the moment. Not that they were alone. Adrian and Dimitry stood by the door. Amelia and Percy were right outside with a few Aurors.

"I didn't ask Severus about the conversation he had with you before. I wanted to hear it from you myself. So, tell me, why were you following me?"

Dumbledore glanced at Severus. Probably questioning as to why. But he knew she wouldn't answer him if he asked so he looked back at her.

"I have been approached with those that...are displeased with the outcome of the war. Especially those that had hoped to see me win it for them. I was asked to take lead with my own version of my story and to twist it to fit their needs. I said no. The fact that they didn't ask twice let me know that they had already planned ahead of a said answer. So I followed you, trying to see if they would do as I expected them to. But instead of seeing them last night, I saw an unknown person attacking you."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you come forth with said information before? Or the list of the people who have approached you. We could have taken care of it all. But there is something that doesn't make sense to me."

Dumbledore grimaced. Acting like he didn't know. But oh, he did. He was a crafty old fool. But she wasn't stupid. The plan would've worked if it had been another person.

"Why wait so long? I could have died any of the other times and I didn't. What were you waiting for? Unless," Hermione tapped her knee with her wand. "You were waiting for me to die."

Severus came up behind her chair and laid a hand on her shoulder, his control in shreds. He hadn't wanted her in the man's presence in the first place. Dumbledore tried to hide it. He truly did.

But she had recognized what lay behind the nice old man facade. He was old but had power most didn't. He was cunning in a way nobody saw coming until it was too late.

A glimpse of his real character flashed across his face before he controlled it.

"I hadn't hoped for your death. Or wished for it. But I was curious to see why you were so powerful when you were just a mere girl. Friend to Harry who was only good at reading books and keeping him out of trouble. How you were able to gain so much in such a little time. The time-turner alone wouldn't do that. So how? But I noticed in the past few months that you aren't so different anymore. The day of the battle something changed."

Hermione didn't show it but she was startled. Severus was too. He hadn't thought the old man would admit to anything.

"Is that so. Yet, I don't see how that is any of your business."

A calculated look. "We can work together. I will give you all of my support if you retract what you had previously said about me."

What? Did he just say...Hermione couldn't help the snort of disbelief that escaped her. He expected her to believe that?

"What makes you think I want to? That sounds like a bribe and a threat all wrapped up in a pretty request. You do know that Amelia and Percy will be told of everything you have said now. Even if you don't give us the names of the people who have gone to you; we will find out. It won't be hard since I have a suspicion as to who those people are. But it was only a hunch," she looked away. It pained her to admit it.

"Being sentimental is a bloody bitch. Yet, this needs to stop. So it will. As for you."

The door opened. Right on time. Amelia walked in but wasn't alone. Another person stood behind her.

The Minister of France.

The man was tall and slender. A face that would have stopped traffic in the muggle world. The shallow people would see just that. Hermione saw what lay underneath. A winning smile bloomed across the man's face.

"Hello, Hermione."

"Darius."

Darius shot Severus a look that had none of the sweetness like the one he had given her. Severus swore softly through their link. Hermione patted Severus's hand. Both men had an odd relationship.

Considering Darius was younger than Severus and also a person in power. The youngest Minister to date. At twenty-four, he was closer to her age then Severus. Her lover hadn't minded it until the young Minister had asked to speak to her alone. Once alone...she hadn't asked Severus to shut the link between them. They hid nothing from each other.

Which led to their odd but understandable relationship.

Severus had heard what Darius had said to her. Of course, Hermione had stopped Darius once his interest became obvious.

Being insecure wasn't something Severus had ever felt in their relationship. Having a man flirt with her was something he just didn't like.

It wasn't until later after Darius had given up on his crush that she realized that he now did it for fun. But that wasn't here or now. Darius turned to look at Albus.

"I'm Darius Delavan. Minister of France. Or MOF. I came on the behalf of Minister Bones and Mrs. Snape."

Dumbledore stood up slowly, his face hardening. "Not to be rude, Minister Delavan, but why is your presence required?"

Hermione rose, letting Severus's hand slide off her shoulder. "He is here to honor our agreement. One that involves you and those that have broken the law."

Dumbledore's face clouded with fury and confusion. "What law is it that I have broken?"

Amelia's voice drew his attention. "The one that was set right after the war. One that everyone in the Ministry signed. If a whisper of any uprise from either side came forth there would be consequences. From marked Death Eaters to just followers. Even those that want you in power. One step out of line is enough. The Ministry has failed before by letting go of such things. I can not permit that to happen."

"Let me be frank, Dumbledore," Hermione sauntered right up to him, facing his anger and disbelief head-on. "I can't kill you unless you attack me directly. Don't look so shocked. I can kill you if I wanted to. But I can't. That is not who I am. Out of respect for Harry. The boy you betrayed will always carry a soft spot for you. I don't. That is why I made a decision that Harry and I could live with. Darius."

Darius had lost his smile and sweet demeanor. In its place now stood Minister Delavan, the merciful.

"In exchange for ten of our prisoners, we are receiving ten wizards or witches. You won't be free to leave the country. There are many other restrictions and more will be added. But you won't be kept in shackles in a dark cell. That doesn't mean it can't happen. You are essentially being enslaved to the Ministry of France for however long Minister Bones wishes it. A word of advice. Those that work for my Ministry hold contempt for...the likes of you and yours. Nothing will tempt them."

"That is an outrage! I'm Albus Dumbledore. I can't be treated like a common criminal or as means to an alliance between countries. This is breaking the law!"

Amelia shook her head. "It's not. You are a criminal by your own admission. As for the common part...well that is up to debate. Now, you can leave like a criminal or be transported. But you are to leave the country today with Minister Delavan. Somebody has already been sent to your residence to pick up all of your items. I'm sorry, Albus. But it must be done. For the safety of the Wizardly world and yours."

Amelia walked over to the door, opening it to let in Darius's personal guard and a group of Aurors. Dumbledore turned to face them but spoke to her as they approached him.

"This is not what he would have wanted. Or those that still want me to lead them. Those that I have helped for decades."

Hermione stepped around the chair so she could face him, cutting off the Auror's.

"You are right. But completely wrong. It was either this or be killed by me later on. You would have risen. Just like Riddle did. Maybe not to murder and riot. It would still hurt people. Letting you free is just not good for anybody involved. Go with them and don't come back."

The Aurors passed her by and surrounded the older wizard. He didn't say anything as they placed magical bracelets on his wrist, taking his wand away as they did so. He seethed silently as he glared at her. But they held no true intent. He knew he was defeated. He was too much of a coward to kill her off himself.

Hermione moved aside as they led him out. But before they escorted him out she called his name. He looked back at her, defeat and fury swirling in his eyes.

"If you come back...I'll kill you. Even if it's a year or ten from now. Don't make me do it."

Something dark flashed across his face before he was out of her sight. Darius didn't look back as he followed them out. He was still in his Minister's facade.

Percy came in, followed by Dimitry and Adrian. Severus had moved so that now he stood behind her and he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her so that they lay across her chest. She reached up, grabbing his forearm.

"He won't come back. He's a fool but not a stupid one." Dimitry stated as he leaned back against the wall that faced the tall windows. Adrian sat down in the chair Dumbledore had occupied.

"Father is right. He will only ever come back if he knows he can win. By the way, who are the other nine wizards that are being sent with him?" Adrian questioned her.

It was Percy who answered this time. "Bill is one of them. But only until he lets go of his anger towards Hermione. He'll go for a year. After the year is out, he will have to choose. Mother isn't talking to him as it is. He will come back."

Amelia took her desk chair. "The others, including Alastor Moody, will be staying until they prove that they hold no motive or give up on trying to blame Hermione. It's basically imprisonment for them. None of them, aside from Dumbledore, have family here. They have no reason to come back. But if they do, we'll deal with them."

Hermione leaned back into Severus's arms. "Dumbledore will answer to me. The rest you can handle. But I have a feeling that unless something surprising happens on his side; he won't be coming back. I leave the rest to you, for now, Amelia."

"Go home. Rest up. We have more raids to do in a few days."

o0o

1st Wedding Anniversary, May 1997

Location: A Sandy Beach

"When do you want to have kids. Now? Or in a couple of years?"

Severus lowered the glass of lemonade to stare at her.

"Are you pregnant?"

Hermione snickered. "No. I'm not. But I was curious as to when you wanted to have them? These things usually take time."

He sat the glass down and strolled over to where she was reclining. He moved her legs and sat down.

"I'm not getting any young-"

She slapped his leg. "Stop. We're not muggles. You're not going to go grey anytime soon. I do want one or two now and have more later. Like a few years in between."

He stroked her calves, a thoughtful look on his face. "That sounds good. You'll have to stop taking the contraceptive potion this month for it to clear from your system."

Hermione grinned. "I'm supposed to take it tomorrow. Now I won't."

He flashed her a rare boyish smile. One that held just a hint of rare mischief.

"Suppose we could practice for now."

A laugh escaped her lips just as he parted her legs, gently brushing his fingers up her legs.

"Sounds like a plan."

o0o

Hermione pushed her hair pack as she carefully lowered her wand.

She had spent the previous month researching anything from spells to potions on births and diagnostic tests since she knew Severus wouldn't want to go to St. Mungo's for check-ups and such.

There was a tricky spell that Healers used to determine if a witch was pregnant. Hermione had practiced the spell for two weeks until she had perfected it. During which she had practiced it on Heidi and Gabe.

The latter had thought of it as a grand joke until the first mistake which had come out positive for him. Hermione smirked, remembering the choking sound that had left his body. Heidi had dropped onto the couch in a fit of laughter.

Leaning forward, she read the diagnostic spell result as it wrote itself out on the parchment paper in front of her.

She was three months pregnant. There wasn't any other way to tell if it was female or male. No spell or charm existed that could. At least not yet.

Pregnant. She was pregnant.

It happened faster than she had anticipated or planned. But it was damn welcomed. She had been feeling a little off for the past month or so. Now she knew why. Taking a deep breath, she folded the parchment and tucked into her robes.

She had dinner going and was waiting for Severus to come home from the shop. Now she had more than just dinner to give him. Excited to the bone, she did a mini dance and whirled when a deep amused voice came from the doorway.

"Now that is something I don't get to see often."

Hermione let out an uncharacteristic giggle and jumped into his arms. He staggered back as she drew his head down for a kiss.

"I'm pregnant!"

Silence. But the link exploded with so many emotions. But love was the dominant emotion.

"You're pregnant. When did you find out? How long?" Is the baby okay?"

All those questions. But they were all bouncing off inside her head as he lifted her higher so she could wrap her legs around his waist. She leaned back and grinned.

"I just found out. We'll have to ask my mother which doctor to go to but I'm almost one hundred percent sure I'm pregnant," her grin faded as she remembered what Luna had said to her when they had first moved in.

Severus frowned, concerned as any other lover and soon to be a father would.

"What's wrong? Am I holding you too-"

But she was already shaking her head. "Luna said something about twins. When we first moved in. I brushed it off or at least tried to until now. Bloody hell, Severus. What if it is two of them?" Panic was setting in. One was already a lot of work.

Her husband chuckled, his deep voice full of laughter. "We survived a war, love. I'm sure we will handle it just well if it is two babies."

Hermione froze and was silent for a few seconds before giving him a deadpan stare.

"What a load of bullshit. I see just a bit of panic you're trying to hide from me, Professor Snape."

He mockingly smiled. "Miss Granger…"

…...o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o…..

Thanks for reading this story! I have more chapters coming. I'm debating if I will write mini-stories centered around their children. But if it does happen it will be much later. See you in the next chapter.

Vanee