A Strange Twist of Fate

TITLE: A Strange Twist of Fate
SERIES: Yup.
SEQUEL: Doubtful . . . unless i'm feeling majorly
AUTHOR: carol
EMAIL: duckies@bust.com would be for archival.
ARCHIVE: Mpreg. anyone else should ask.
FANDOM: Harry Potter.
PAIRING: Lucius/Severus, James/Severus, Lupin/Severus
RATING: It'll vary from time to time, but i consider this part G
CATEGORY: Mpreg, Angsty, possibly a bit saddish? I don't know yet.
WARNING: Mpreg, blatant butchering of the original storyline . . .
DISCLAIMER: Um, lemme spell it out for you: I'm a poor college student. I have no money. I am making no money. As much as i'd love to own Snape, the wonderful JK Rowling does. *sob*
SUMMARY: There's more to Snape's awful attitude, with a child included. Snape is linked to Harry in a way the young man could never imagine. What will be done?
FEEDBACK: It's a must if you want me to continue this story. I don't like writing stories that i get the impression are no good.

Severus spent most of the morning gathering the required ingredients. He never questioned where the spell book came from, but thanked Merlin they were found. Severus decided the potion would be a good place to start.
When the time came, he talked a reluctant Lucius into helping him. Lucius only joined him to help the raven-haired wizard to play damage control and be there for him should something happen.

After the moon rose high, Severus and Lucius made their way to the astronomy tower. Severus needed to rest from time to time due to his advanced pregnancy.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You're emotional enough as it is, don't you think you're doing that again?"

"It is unfair that I should be the persecuted one. I've heard the rumors. I've been made a mockery and I refuse to put up with it."

"You wanted this child until you saw James again. You can't let him get to you. This child is important! He is not worth losing your child." Lucius' please were ignored as they walked up the last of the stairs.

"Well, Professor," Severus paused, "Where should we set this up? I think it should be in front of the window. More energy can be placed into the potion. Well, that's the thought."

"By the window is fine and there's never been any evidence to suggest that."

"I know, but sometimes I can hope."

"Your hope is misplaced. Your hope should be in the life you're giving to another, not taking. If you joined the death eaters, you'd understand. Spy or not, it's horrific to everyone."

"I can't live with myself Lucius. Yes I wanted this child, but I can't do it now. I can't allow him near the child. I realized he may very well try to take it from me. My motives may seem selfish, but he'd hurt the child little by little. There is no way I could let that happen."

"Legally you would still keep the child. He abandoned you when he learned you were pregnant. That speaks volumes. You don't even realize that do you?" Severus couldn't meet Lucius' eyes. Somewhere inside said the blond was right.

"I'm not out of school and that basically leaves me a child. I couldn't win even then. He'd still get the child, or it would go to some one else and I couldn't handle that any more than I relish the idea of not having this child." Lucius saw the young man as the broken boy the other young man felt like.

He sighed, "Let's do this before I change my mind. Don't think I won't if we wait too long."

Severus hugged him and strained to kiss him on the cheek, "Thank you."

They spent an hour on mixing ingredients. After two hours more of waiting for the potion to strengthen properly, it was ready. Lucius still hosted misgivings but the distraught Severus would not hear them. He truly felt this needed to be done.

Lucius ladled a cup of the potion from the tiny black cauldron and hesitated, "Are you sure we can't figure something else out? Anything but this."

"Lucius it must be done."

"But if you did the wrong one, you curse will strengthen and we don't know what they mean by that. What if you get hurt? We may not have worked out as a couple but I still care deeply for you and couldn't bear to lose you." Severus' eyes softened for a second before he regained his resolve.

"I'm not discounting your worries and feelings," he paused, "But I've got to do this." Severus reached for the glass that Lucius' shaking hand held.

With a calming breath and a silent prayer to Merlin, he drank the mixture. The liquid coated his throat, causing him to cough and gasp for air. His eyes stung and his ears rang. Finally, he lost his strength and collapsed in Lucius' arms.

Severus woke up in the infirmary with his head aching horribly. His whole body hurt, he noticed. Then he remembered what happened and gasped, "My baby!"

Lucius and Dumbledore both shushed and whispered kind words to calm him. Lucius looked as if he'd been crying. Dumbledore's face contained fatherly concern and exhaustion.

"You've had quite an adventure, haven't you? Lucius told me about it."

"It's not his fault. I wanted to do it whether or not he wanted to help."

"I know dear boy. I am relieved to know he was there for you. But there is a matter to discuss. Your pregnancy."

"I can only hope there was an error because I really don't want to terminate my pregnancy."

"I'm sure it was a moment of great duress. I was also told about what the seeming cause was. James came to see you and Remus allowed him to do so." Severus nodded before the older man continued. "I have already discussed this matter with him and James both."

"Oh," Severus felt more helpless than he had ever felt before.

"You will no longer be staying with Remus. He showed that his friend took priority to some one currently in a delicate state. We were all very lucky." He smiled softly, "you didn't lose your child. But you now have twins. They are doing just fine."

Severus could only stare dumbly as he took in that knowledge. "What?"

"You now have twins. Thanks to Lucius."

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe he should tell you the story."

"I put those books in the restricted section. I thought it was unfair for you to not know a thing about your curse. I can't help but be so incredibly angry. And the spell book, I had no intention of you finding until after you were no longer pregnant. . ." He trailed off because the tears choked him.

"You were only trying to help him, even if the desired outcome hadn't happened. The only question is about how the curse affected you." Severus kept his mask firmly in place though Lucius could see the uncertainty in the boy's eyes.

"And how do we do that?"

"Lucius I'm not sure, but Pomfrey is quite talented so we'll see what she has to say about this."

"Severus Snape what in the name of Merlin were you thinking?! You could have died, do you know that? I was so relieved to find you were unharmed other than having another child and barely avoiding a nasty injury." She made an elaborate show of examining him. Severus felt on display in front of everyone. After completing the task, she explained, "The new child advanced to the age of the previously existing child out of necessity, but their parentage is different. You now have an even higher risk of pregnancy without proper protection as well. Other than that, you seem to be fine. You're very lucky the potion allowed you to accommodate the children. You could have died."

"What do you mean the children have different parentage? I've only been with one person," exclaimed Severus

"It seems that an energy transfer occurred. You should know from your third year that one's energy is as good as a muggle's DNA. Lucius must have given you a surge of energy which would explain why you've awakened so soon. You should have been unconscious for hours still."

"So he's carrying my child?" Lucius placed a tentative hand on Severus' stomach and smiled softly."

"How will this affect my pregnancy," asked a worried Severus.

"Your pregnancy will be harder, I can't lie to you about that, but that's because of two children. Everything should be fine though. Even though we let you go about some-which you can't do anymore-you did just fine. You will pretty much have to stay in bed now. I'm sorry but we don't know how this will affect you. There are too many uncertain things." Pomfrey's statement was already known with Dumbledore and Lucius because they'd talk about this while Severus had been unconscious.

"Oh, I see." What could be said of that? He stared at his bed sheets as if they would tell him everything he needed to know but should have known no enlightenment would be found through them. He sighed.

"He's really pregnant with my child?" Lucius needed to hear it again. He needed the confirmation. He was being ignored. So, he raised his voice, "For the third time: He's really pregnant with my child as well?"

"Oh I'm sorry dear Lucius, yes he is." Dumbledore finally answered him. Lucius rewarded him with a smile that could only be explained as amazed happiness crept over his face.

Severus looked over to Lucius to see this look and smiled inwardly. He'd never seen Lucius this happy. The look gratified Severus beyond words. No, they'd never be a couple again but they could share and love this child together. That would be enough for the both of them. They knew that. One thing nagged at the back of his mind, though.

"What happened with Remus?"

"He won't be in charge of your care anymore, like it's been said. You'll probably be staying here. You've only got a little bit longer and we don't want you to have any upsetting happenings." Severus sighed once more. "It's true though, child. I couldn't bear to have anything happen to you. You've drawn yourself close to my heart. What a wonderful son you would have been." Dumbledore beamed at raven-haired boy behind his extremely bushy eyebrows and beard.

"He shouldn't suffer for my sake. I could have left. Or something."

"He should have known you're in a delicate condition and shouldn't have had you talk with James. That was poor judgment and not the thing that should have been done. It was reckless and ill-thought out."

"Okay." Severus couldn't argue with Dumbledore.

"I think it's time you rest, though. If you need anything at all, let us know. You are not to get out of bed. Okay?" A glum nod. "Good. I have some things to see to. Take care."

Part 13

"I suppose I know why you're here, Headmaster." A calm, solemn voice spoke as the Headmaster walked through the door.

"Yes, I suppose you do. It's very important that we talk about what happened. I really am unsure of what to think. I need to hear your side as well as what I've heard from Severus and Lucius."

"Yes sir." He paused, "Two days ago after classes, James confronted me about seeing Severus. I didn't want to but he pleaded until I realized he had to at least explain what happened with everything. He led me to believe that what was going to be explained would be much nobler than what came from his mouth. I feel utterly appalled by this person I claim to know. To think that I thought he was that noble. It's utterly disheartening. I can't believe I let Severus come into harm like I did. You could not possibly make me feel any worse than I do myself. I plan to formally place a letter of resignation upon your desk within the next week or so."

"I don't feel that this school should lose your expertise but I feel that we definitely have to talk about what should be one because this has caused quite a position. This is something very messy and we have to take care of it now. Then we need to see what we can do to take care of this situation. You've allowed a lot of trouble to come to fruition-not that it wouldn't have anyway-and we need to see how we can fix things. All of us need to make the changes. Even I feel that I've failed him in some way. In many, many ways."

"What should I do then? I mean, I've really screwed up and I know for sure now that he'd never give me…" Remus couldn't finish his sentence.

"No, I don' think he'd allow you into his bed anymore, but I do believe there is a chance to at least remain friends. At the very least. I do hope that Lucius and Severus can find a way to get past the things that have happened and allow them to move forward as either close friends or mates. I know this is hard for you to hear, but you must realize that Lucius would be the only man to be able to protect them in some way. Just knowing that Severus was his lover now would protect him. He presents something very special in the magical world, even in this day in age. He needs that protection, especially since the rise of Voldemort."

"I understand that there was no way that I would ever be enough for him but it still hurts to know that I won't ever have the chance to put the glimmer in his eyes like he always had when things hadn't gone wrong for him and James. It's so sad that he was hurt but I would have loved for that chance. It's now over and I have to deal with that."

"You shouldn't say you would never be enough for him, you've just got to find the person that is for you. Eventually you'll find him or her, but you have to focus on your life before you can do anything about it. You also have to deal with your lycanthropy. But, as much as I'd like to talk about this, I think we need to deal with the situation that is known as Severus."

"Well, what are we going to do? I don't know what to think about anything. And I heard about what happened. I just wish I knew what I could do to make up for my mistake that could very well have cost him his life as well as his child's life. I just wish I knew what to do."

"You will have to do that by protecting him. Truly protecting him. Make sure that he is safe no matter what happens. Voldemort will get ideas with what's if he finds out. We need to keep this as quiet as possible. Or quieter. The horrors he'd go through."

They didn't need to comment any further than that. They continued to talk well throughout the night. Hopefully things will be fixed in whatever minute matter they could be. Although, things really were thrown out of order.

"No way." Severus, annoyed beyond belief declined.

"Why can't we name the child Nydia if it's a girl?"

"Because that's not the right name."

"What do you want then?"

"It's not going to be a girl."

"What?"

"My child is going to be a girl, but ours is going to be a boy. Believe me on this."

Sigh. "Okay. Then what should we name him?"

"Hmmmm… How about Draco? In honor of the one who made the first Greek law code."

"I like that. Draco Snape-Malfoy."

"Draco Malfoy should be used. Snape can be much like a muggle middle name."

"Why?"

"He will be ostracized. Because of how he was born. Many, if not most, will already know about his birth. He need not endure more pain. I love our child. I want him to be as happy as possible."

"I really wish that we could have worked things out. I'd love for us to be a family. Even Potter's child because that child is part of you."

"I don't know what to tell you on that. I do believe that you should be given another chance. If for no other reason than you are having a child with me but rules would have to be set up because I won't go through what I went through before. I mean it. I don't deserve to be treated that way at all. I will make my decision in time. That is the best I can do."

"I understand. I accept it too." Lucius placed his hand over Severus' and changed the subject, "How are you feeling? You are due within the week. Feel anything strange?" Severus relaxed.

"I'm feeling fine except for the constant feeling of restlessness from the children and myself. I can't wait to move around again. I want to do potions again!"

"You will soon enough Sev. It's time for bed now, though. And I don't care if you don't want to. You need the rest. It's not going to be an easy labor for you at all. Plus you've got to be ready for all those pictures I'll be taking!"

"You will take no pictures of me. At all." A harrumph coxed a smile.

"We'll see."

"Indeed we shall." A gust of breath extinguished the candle's light.

Two days passed without notice. Severus was as restless as he always was and he craved the moment he could hold his children. Names had been decided on: Draco Snape Malfoy and Lillian Snape. His grandmother's name was Lillian. He chose the name because she was the only one who knew of his lack of interest in girls before all of this. She accepted him even if she did warn him to be careful. Now he understood why.

"I wonder if you'll have your great grandmother's eyes darling girl. I miss those beautiful pale blue eyes."

Days with nothing to do frustrated him because his thoughts often wandered to James. To the life his ex-lover chose over the one that he could have given him. Severus begrudgingly admitted their life would not be 'normal' but at least it could have been happy. The life could have been so very loving, but he gave it up to live with that woman. That woman he had loved before. The woman he loved now.

Right after the betrayal, Severus even wanted to use the Avada Kadavra curse on them. Any curse that would cause great harm. Harm because he lost his family due to this, even if he had no intention of joining Voldemort's legions. After all, he'd even saved Lucius from such a fate-he hoped. Dumbledore had always had ways to persuade even the most stubborn of men. Lucius was, without an inkling of a doubt, a very stubborn man. Lucius wanted nothing to do with joining the Death Eaters, but if Dumbledore ever needed anything, he was there to aid him. This worried Severus because he knew he might lose his friend, ex-lover-possible lover again?-to the dark lord that needed to be conquered. Even when Lucius and he did not get along, he never held much malice for him. There were times when things would happen that Severus felt Lucius deserved them, but that was a little different.

"Damn this indigestion," he thought pointedly. Ever since he'd eaten breakfast this morning, he'd been feeling that way. He figured it was just the food because the omelets at Hogwarts always did this to him. No sense in worrying people. It was just the usual routine. He really needed to talk to some one about the quality of omelets and why it's always good to make sure they're truly edible. Not that he really had any complaints about the other items they made. Just omelets.

After another hour or so, the indigestion increased. Now he was in pain. He bit his lip hard enough because of one stab of pain that he was now bleeding. He wrote a quick, scribbled letter to Lucius to let him know something very wrong was going on. It was NOT the indigestion that he'd assumed earlier and that he needed him.

Lucius burst through the door and gasped in horror at the sight before him. He then sent an owl to both Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore to alert them of the situation. The next thing he did was carry Severus down four doors to the infirmary-which was no small task when you've got a severely pained young man thrashing about-and to the special sickbed in back.

The time had come.

***end for now***