Lucius' lips thinned slightly as he held in his immediate reaction. "Can you... would you tell me why this distresses you so, son?"

Draco thumped his fists in frustration at his side. "Because we were stupid! Uncle Severus warned us, and we had everything all planned out so that we wouldn't do anything to jeopardise our apprenticeships. Uncle Severus will probably yell at me for awhile, but Professor Flitwick is a real fuddy-duddy about se... you know... before marriage. It's even in her contract, for Merlin's sake!"

Lucius frowned in puzzlement. "What's in her contract?"

"Hermione isn't supposed to do anything that will reflect badly upon her Master and that means getting pregnant out of wedlock." He grimaced.

"That's from the Dark Ages!" Lucius declared in surprise.

"I know!" Draco leaned forward and dropped his head into his hands. "Merlin! It was only one, bloody, night."

Lucius smirked and could not stop himself from teasing, "That's all it takes, Dragon."

Draco scowled at his father. "Hermione is distraught, dad. She's making herself sick over this, and all we do is argue, and... and... we've not even done a test, yet."

Lucius' eyebrow rose. "Then you'd better do one and make certain, Dragon. This worry over something that may not even be is making you sick as well." Lucius rose to his feet. "Call Hermione and have her come over tomorrow. I'll go and speak to your godfather tonight so you needn't add his reaction upon all of this."

"Thanks, dad."

"They're what?" Severus shouted through the Floo.

"Will you be quiet, Severus? It is eleven o'clock, after all. Do come over." His smile was smug, and a bit indulged. "I have fire whiskey."

In a few minutes, both men were in Lucius' drawing room, sipping the fire whiskey and staring into the fire.

"I'll have the potion ready for tomorrow," sighed Severus. "I can understand Draco's worry, but if she is pregnant this is going to hurt Hermione more than him."

"Would Flitwick really terminate her apprenticeship for getting pregnant?" Lucius asked in disbelief.

"Flitwick's a genial instructor, but he's rather hard-edged with his apprentices. He's always been rather vocal about how he prefers wizards to witches because witches tend to want to get married and have a family. It's likely the dwarf made an exception for Hermione." Severus sipped again at his fire whiskey and frowned. "I warned those two dunderheads," he groused. "You managed to keep your ardor where it belonged before you and Narcissa married," observed the Potions Master.

"Hardly difficult when I had death threats from my father, and hers. Not to mention that Narcissa was about as inviting as ice." Lucius grimaced, then chuckled softly. He sobered briefly. "Do you think there will be any way to convince Flitwick not to terminate the apprenticeship?"

"Doubtful. I have a few contacts, though. If the test is positive and Hermione wishes to continue an apprenticeship, I may be able to find her one. I'll make a few inquiries tonight before I start on the potion." Severus finished the fire whiskey and stood.

"You're going to work on it tonight?" Lucius asked in surprise. It was now almost midnight.

"Better late than never." He threw Floo powder into the fireplace and vanished through the green flame back to home.

Hermione sat beside Draco in the Malfoy home doing her best to avoid looking at Lucius. She leaned, wearily, against Draco who had a protective arm over her shoulder. They were waiting for Severus to arrive with the potion. Lucius had served tea, but it was untouched.

Finally, the Floo flared and deposited Severus smoothly from its flames. Following him was Echo who went immediately to Hermione, drawing her into an embrace.

"I hope you don't mind me being here," Echo said softly. "I thought you might need the support of another woman." She looked pointedly at the three men.

Hermione smiled thankfully and for a moment, buried her head against Echo's shoulder. Severus interrupted. "Hermione, I'm going to need a drop of your blood for this. Come to the kitchen, if you would?"

Hermione rose, and she was followed first by Echo, then Draco, then Lucius. Severus rolled his eyes at the procession, but once he put down the phial that held a measure of the Pregnancy Testing Potion, he took out a hollow needle and held out his hand towards Hermione. Hermione held out her hand, palm up, and she winced as the Potions Master quickly pricked her finger. A drop of blood welled up from the tiny injury and was drawn up the center of the hollow needle. Severus then gave Hermione a piece of tissue for her finger and then he dropped the blood into the solution.

Everyone watched, Hermione and Draco holding their breaths, as the clear potion began to react to the drop of blood. It swirled turning crimson before finally settling down to a turquoise blue.

Not a single word was spoken in the kitchen until Severus finally asked, "Well, should I congratulate you both?"

Lucius blinked and his jaw dropped open. Draco smiled like the cat that ate the canary until Hermione burst into tears and ran out of the kitchen and back into the living room.

"You've the tact of a Bludger, Severus!" snapped Echo and she ran after the girl.

Draco's jaw then dropped open. "I'm going to be a father?"

Lucius blinked again. "I'm going to be a grandfather?"

Severus merely shook his head at the two Malfoys and made his way to the living room where Echo was trying to console Hermione. He seated himself in Lucius' chair and summoned the fire whiskey. He poured himself, Draco, and Lucius a glass and floated the tumblers to the two men as they emerged from the kitchen, both still looking somewhat dazed. He then floated two of the cups of tea over to Echo and Hermione.

When it appeared everyone was settled and Hermione's tears had settled to sniffles, Severus spoke directly to the young woman. "If you wish, Hermione, I will speak to Master Flitwick on your behalf, but I must be honest that I doubt his opinion on this matter will be swayed. The gentleman has rather parochial views and if he so chooses, he has every right to end your apprenticeship."

"It's ridiculous!" seethed Hermione suddenly. Her anger faded as she saw the stern glare of her old Potions professor aimed her way.

"I refuse to believe that you were ignorant of the tenets of your own apprentice contract, Miss Granger. Had you an objection before signing, you should have said something then," Severus admonished tautly. He ignored the reproving looks Echo was sending his way.

"I didn't think I'd get pregnant!" Hermione replied heatedly, realising too late what she'd just blurted.

"I did try to warn you, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy," Severus continued in that lecturing tone of his that the young couple were uncomfortably familiar with. "It is obvious that neither of you did think."

"Severus," Lucius spoke up, coming to his son and Hermione's defence. "Your condemnation is not helping the situation. I do understand your distress. Especially yours, Hermione." She gave him a grateful nod. Lucius then turned his attention back to his friend. "Last night you said there was someone you could speak to, Severus. Did you get the help you wanted?"

Severus nodded curtly. Hermione looked up hopefully. "I spoke to Gradle, a Potions Mistress I met from the Potions Guild back when I earned my mastery. Mistress Gradle knows of a Charms Mistress she's quite friendly with who is in need of an apprentice. The difficulty is that this would require a move to Giverney for four years."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Giverney? In France? Monet's France?" she suddenly gripped Draco's hand. "But, what about Draco?" she looked askance at her affianced.

"We'll go if that's what you want, 'My," Draco declared firmly. He then glanced towards his godfather. "Uncle Sev... I..."

"I have a possible solution for you as well, Draco," Severus gave the young man a warm smile. "I believe it would be ideal if you were my liaison in France during Hermione's apprenticeship. It would expand my business and allow you to continue in your apprenticeship, although somewhat unconventionally. We would have to expand your contract to include a monthly visit for your exams and practicals, and then add a year for additional training so you qualify when you take your mastery exams."

Both Draco and Hermione let out a breath of relief. Echo smiled at the young couple. "It looks like we'll need to plan a wedding!"

Three months later Hermione and her mother were in the small staff room that was behind the staff table in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Anna Granger was weaving her daughter's hair into a smooth, French braid that would eventually sparkle with snowflake shaped crystals. Echo was doing her make-up and the blushing bride was trying not to think about the fact that Ginny Weasley was late, and she had her dress. Hermione, herself, wore a simple, long slip of white silk.

"Are you sure it doesn't show?" Hermione held one hand over her belly self-consciously.

Anna Granger kissed her daughter's cheek. "You're a new mother, dear. You won't show at least until your fourth month. Unless, of course, you take after me. You didn't show until I was nearly six months. One day, my tummy was flat, then POP! the next morning, it wasn't." Anna laughed and embraced her worried child from behind.

A rapid knock on the door startled Hermione and she jumped from the small, cushioned stool she'd been seated upon. This knocked Echo's hand and she drew across Hermione's cheek with eyeliner.

Hermione paid no mind to the fact she'd just messed up her Echo's work and now wore an oddly fetching black smudge across her cheek. She was at the door and swung it open. "Ginny!"

Ginny Weasley bustled in carrying a light peach lace and satin gown. "I'm sorry I'm late, Hermione. Mum kept making adjustments to the dress, adding this, taking away that, and she just wouldn't let it go."

Hermione grabbed the dress that was carefully wrapped in tissue. The white tissue crinkled as she drew it off to reveal the dress. "Ohhh... oh my... Ginny... oh my..." she mumbled.

Ginny laughed. "Come on! Let's get you into the dress and get your hair and make-up finished. I can't wait to see how you clean up!" Ginny, rather proficient with cosmetic spells, had Hermione's French braid fixed and her make-up neatly applied with a few waves of her wand.

Anna and Echo then helped Hermione into the gown and all four breathed as they viewed the vision in the full length mirror.

Draco was bent over the loo looking whiter than usual and regretting the 100 year old scotch that his father had given him. Slowly he got to his feet and stumbled out into the Headmaster's office. "I thought Hermione was supposed to get the morning sickness," he griped greenly as his father steadied him and drew him over to a chair in front of the fireplace.

Lucius smiled, "I think it's just plain old cold feet, Dragon. You'll survive." He poured the young man tea from the teapot into a China cup and then helped him to wrap his hands around the cup.

"It's just... this is all happening so fast, dad. I mean, I don't regret Hermione having our baby, and I really don't regret making her my wife, but I mean... Giverney? The house you and Uncle Sev helped us to find, the lab..."

"Are you worried?" Lucius asked.

Draco nodded. "We're going to be so far away. I know, it's only a short trip by portkey and international Floo, but this is the first time Hermione and I are just going to have ourselves. No Hogwarts. No Uncle Severus and Aunt Echo. No you or Sophie. No Harry." Draco shook his head, "Merlin! I'm really going to miss Harry."

"He's going to miss you, too, Dragon. Poor Severus is having to deal with that now." sighed Lucius.

"Is he still fussing after all these weeks?" Draco asked incredulously.

Lucius nodded. "He was fine, but I think the wedding today brought it all back. He ran off and Severus had to chase after him which is why he isn't here."

Draco smirked. He knew his little Snapelet was fast and there were lots of places in a castle for a little boy to hide.

Severus Snape was fast being reminded about what he disliked most about Hogwarts. It was endless! Curves, corners, niches, cubbyholes, tapestries, and even a blasted moving room. No one had ever found that! The Room of Requirement might be flexible, but at least it remained in one place.

But, Harry wasn't there.

Severus moved on hoping that Harry wasn't getting into any sort of mischief he'd need to clean up later.

Harry crouched down in a niche behind a large tapestry of some old depiction of a dance of satyrs and nearly naked ladies. His chin rested upon his knees as he glowered at the back of the tapestry.

His big brother was leaving him. Stupid Draco was going to stupid France to be a stupid husband to stupid Hermione.

Harry sniffled and wiped at an angry tear.

"I want Hector!" he declared vehemently. He blinked in surprise as seconds later he heard a startled yelp and the skittering of toenails on flagstones.

Jumping up from his crouch, Harry pushed aside a heavy corner of the tapestry and looked out into the empty corridor.

A little bewildered, since he'd been in the middle of chasing gnomes at the Burrow, Hector, the overly large golden retriever was recovering from his sudden appearance in the corridor of Hogwarts. He was infinitely better when he saw and smelled His Boy. Jumping up and down briefly in excitement he bounded over to His Boy and snuffled his belly, his hand, and was infinitely happy as His Boy wrapped his arms around his neck.

A few minutes later, dog and boy were back behind the tapestry. Neither realised that Hector's tail hadn't quite fit and so it stuck out underneath the tapestry and into the corridor.

Severus was feeling his age, and he didn't like it. If it was this exhausting tearing after one eight year old son, when Nikolas got to the same age and Severus had to chase after him... well, it was just going to kill him.

"Now I know why Minerva and Albus never had any children," he huffed as he ascended a staircase that he was certain he'd been up twice before. "It's how they managed to get so old. Me? I thought I'd die a greasy, young, Death Eater. But, no, my son is going to kill me instead."

Severus reached the top of the stairs where he bent over slightly, supporting himself from outright falling on his face, by bracing his hands against his thighs as he caught his breath. He decided, then and there, that the exercise he'd been so devoted to when he was a spy and a teacher, he'd need to start again, or he'd need a cane before Dumbledore did.

"Maybe I should eat less of Echo's turkey, too," he mumbled, as he propelled himself down a corridor he chose at random.

Severus was halfway down the corridor when he thought he saw one of the tapestries moving. He frowned. The tapestries weren't animated, but there were some of the great, old hangings that covered old open doorways. Sometimes an errant breeze would move the tapestry. This movement had an odd rhythm to it. He moved closer.

Hector's tail swished back and forth as he listened to his boy nattering on. Hector could hear anger, sadness in the words, so he licked his boy's face every now and again to soothe him.

Severus didn't question how Hector's tail, and quite likely the rest of the dog, had made it to the castle. He could hear the soft murmur of his son's voice on the other side of the tapestry pouring his heart out to his furry friend. Leaning against the wall, he listened, allowing Harry to get his worries and angers out in the safety and darkness of the niche.

Hector had smelled the approach of the Tall Man, but since he knew this was His Boy's Tall Man, it was all right for him to come closer. Hector had a job right now to do for His Boy and he was happy when Tall Man remained quiet, and near, just in case.

Finally beginning to wear himself out, Harry nuzzled his face into the soft ruff of fur around Hector's neck and sniffled. "Draco's gonna go away and have his own little boy and then he's gonna forget all about me."

The tears of grief took over and fell into Hector's fur. He gave a short bark, calling to Tall Man. His Boy needed Tall Man to make it all better.

Hearing the bark, and what his son had said stirred Severus from where he leaned against the stone wall. He drew aside the tapestry, crouched down, and simply held out his arms to Harry. The little boy let out a great sob as he saw his father, let go of Hector, and went into the much needed embrace.

After a few minutes, and two knees starting to go numb, Severus cast a Featherlight Charm, lifted his son, and walked him over to a nearby stone bench. He sat down, shifting slightly so his son could better burrow against his chest. While the sobs slowly abated, Severus rocked Harry and patted his back. The nonsense he spoke was like a soft patter of comfort that thrummed through Harry's little body.

Finally, the hiccups came and Harry was nearing the end of his tears. For Severus, he knew they might be late for the ceremony, but as much as he loved his godson, and cared for Hermione, Harry was his son. For Severus, his children would always come first before weddings, clients, or his beloved potions.

Kissing the top of his son's head, he felt small fingers playing at the silk buttons on the black velvet vest of his suit. He had since learned that when his son began tugging at his buttons that he was ready to talk.

"Do you think Draco will forget you when he's so far away?" Severus asked softly.

"If... if he can't see me everyday he'll forget what I look like," sniffled Harry.

Severus conjured a soft square of cloth and wiped away the remnants of tears. He then wiped Harry's nose and had him blow into the cloth. He then vanished it. "I suppose it might be a good idea then to send Draco a photo of you... hm... once a week? Might that help?"

Harry gave serious consideration to the idea. He nodded. "I think I need a photo, too. Of Draco. You know? Just in case?"

Severus smiled over his son's head, "Oh, quite right! I think that would be splendid." He shifted so Harry had a bit more breathing space and he could look down into the child's face. "You do understand, Harry that Draco will be back once a month, don't you?"

Harry frowned. "But that's for lessons, daddy. He's gotta do potions and business and stuff and Draco won't get to do anything fun with me."

Severus' eyebrow rose. He really hadn't considered 'fun' time for Draco's visits. The young man would be working, and hard... however... "I do suppose we could make time for you and Draco to do something, even if it is just a bit of flying? Would you be happy with that, Harry?"

That brought forth a small, timid, but no less welcome smile on his son's face. His hand that had been patting Harry's back reached around and the fingertips brushed the soft cheek, tickling the little boy so that he smiled a bit more.

Severus then asked, "Are you worried about the new baby?"

Harry was quiet for a long moment as he fussed at a button on his father's white, starched cuff. "Draco's gonna be a daddy, won't he?"

"Yes. He will," affirmed Severus.

"He sorta has to like his son more than me, doesn't he," Harry stated with a mournful sigh.

"Draco will love his son, or daughter, as much as I love you, Harry. As much as I love Tabitha, and as much as I love Nikolas."

Harry looked up into his father's deep, dark eyes and felt the warmth of his father's love through them. Still, he was sad, and he was trying so very hard to understand. "But, daddy... if Draco... I mean..." he glowered in frustration. "I don't know what I mean!" Harry threw up his hands, just missing his father's chin, and then dropped his head against his father's chest so he could hear the heartbeat.

Severus was a little unsure himself what to say, and so, for the moment he just continued to hold his son. Then, an idea came to him. "Do you realise, Harry, that since you consider Draco your big brother, when he and Hermione's child is born, that will make you an uncle."

Harry's head snapped up at that revelation. "Me? I'll be an uncle? Like Uncle Lucius?" Severus smiled. "But, I'm just a kid, dad! Is that allowed?"

"Of course it is! As the baby's uncle, do you know what that will mean?" Harry shook his head, but his green eyes remained on his father's intently. "That you'll take care of the baby when Draco and Hermione need help. And, you'll need to love the baby, too. Just like I will."

Harry smiled a bit brighter. "You'll be an uncle, too, dad? Cool!" Harry slid off his father's lap. "Let's go, dad!" He grabbed his father's hand and pulled, in order to help him off the bench.

Severus followed his son, trailed by a rather happy looking Hector.

Hector knew the Tall Man could fix it.

The Great Hall had been trimmed with fragrant cherry blossoms, ivy, and baby's breath. The ceiling had been charmed to show, not the daylit sky, but a glorious night sky sparkling with thousands of stars. Candles illuminated the colourful stain glass windows that lined the hall, and sconces burning with flame lit the Great Hall.

The benches from the student tables had been arranged towards the back of the Great Hall so all the students in attendance at Hogwarts could attend the wedding. Seated at the front were family and friends. Harry and Severus had slipped in just before Draco arrived to take his place at the head of the Great Hall where the staff table usually was. Standing with Draco was his father, resplendent in robes of garnet and black. His white silk cravat displayed the Malfoy crest.

Islabelle Ollivander Malfoy wore a gown of green silk with a bodice of intricate gold embroidery. She and Lucius had wed a month before, somewhat on a whim, in a small ceremony attended by the Snapes, Draco, Sophie, and her father. Sophie sat on her new mother's lap wearing a dress of spring green organza and lace. She gave her father a small wave and grinned at Draco who was still pale, but improving by the second.

In front of Draco and Lucius was Albus Dumbledore rather elegant in purple velvet robes trimmed in gold and ermine. At a wave of his wand, the Wedding March struck up and Hermione, with her father beside her, appeared in the huge doorway to the Great Hall.

Draco's breath caught in his throat. Lucius gave him a slight nudge and Draco huffed out the breath with a smile upon his lips, "Merlin! She's the most beautiful woman in the world!"

Hermione couldn't see any of the guests or the decor of the Great Hall; her eyes were only for Draco, her Dragon. As tall as his father, slim, with his shoulder length hair held back by a black velvet ribbon, she smiled. As she walked up the aisle with her father at her side, her eyes never left Draco's.

For the rest of the ceremony, officiated by Albus Dumbledore, Draco and Hermione were only aware of each other. When they kissed, shouts and applause from all their guests and the students brought them both, momentarily, back to earth.

The next morning the Snapes and the Malfoys all assembled in Dumbledore's office to see Hermione and Draco off through the Floo to the Portkey Station. Lucius embraced his son and kissed the cheek of his daughter-in-law. Sophie hugged and kissed them both, as did Islabelle.

Severus tried to get away with just a handshake (as he reasoned later, the young man would be back in a month's time), but Draco pulled his godfather into a sentimental hug. Echo kissed them both as well, but Harry, as soon as he was allowed to hug Draco, wouldn't let him go.

Draco hoisted the boy up into his arms, grunting exaggeratedly with the effort. "I think Dobby's been sneaking you treacle tart again, Snapelet. You're getting heavy."

"No I'm not!" Harry giggled. He threw his arms around his big brother's neck and whispered into his ear, "Dad says we can go to the zoo when you come visit, Draco. That way, you won't have to work all the time."

"That'll be great, Harry. And, you're going to take lots of photos, right?" He smiled as he felt his heart break just a little. He would miss Harry terribly.

"Yep and I'll owl them every week, too!" Another hug and he kissed Draco's cheek. Draco kissed the boy's cheek and ruffled his hair.

Finally, after almost a half an hour, the newly wed couple stepped through the Floo on their way to Giverney France.

The awkward silence was broken by the Headmaster clapping his hands once together. "Well, since everyone is here, I'd like to talk about my retirement!"