 |
 |
|
Severus looked around for his clothes whilst trying to cover the dignity that he felt was rapidly slipping away from him. Remus chuckled and dropped the Accioed clothing into his lap. Dumbledore tactfully turned away and began fussing around Fawkes while the two men dressed. His eyes were wrinkled with merriment and concern, turning to face the two men as they took chairs by his desk. Remus met the old man’s gaze and smiled. Severus found that he couldn’t look at him. Dumbledore sat down and folded his hands on his desk. “Do you have something to tell me?” There was some fussing and mumbling, Dumbledore continued. “This is somewhat unexpected, considering our last meeting.” Severus finally looked up to meet his eyes. Dumbledore was saddened to see them filled with shame and doubt. “You did what I asked of you Severus.” he said gently, and waited for Severus to respond. Remus opened his mouth to speak but Dumbledore held up a hand to stop him. “I couldn’t accept what happened. I ended up with no choice, but afterwards...” he trailed off, not knowing how to explain, or how much. Dumbledore waved a hand to indicate that they all move over to a comfortable area of the office, one that didn’t have a desk involved – making everyone feel as though they were involved in school discipline. Dumbledore made sure that they all sat so close that their knees were almost touching, he placed a fatherly hand on Severus’ knee and made the man look at him. “Well, obviously as I am here and moments ago I was not here, I can assume that you did something to bring me back. I am afraid that I am at a loss as to what that might be – although that” he swept a hand towards the bloody mess covering the circle behind him, “indicates something rather extreme.” “It was the Vita Verto ritual.” Severus said quietly. Dumbledore’s eyes widened. “The Vita Verto?” he whispered, “What did you offer in sacrifice?” “Myself” Dumbledore smiled sadly, “That was rather foolish. We are both still here however.” It was more of a question than a statement. Severus remained silent. Remus sat up straight and took Severus’ hand in his, Dumbledore’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Aradia refused his offer,” Remus began, “She said that the balance between life and death was wrong, because of the war. She asked a different price.” Dumbledore waited but neither man elaborated further. “Am I to know what the price for my life was?” Dumbledore liked to wait for people to be ready to tell him the things he wanted to know, they usually did. Severus was an entirely different kettle of fish however. Over the years he had managed to get Severus to fill him in on all the things that he needed to know, but never on anything regarding personal matters. Being brought back to life by the friend whom you forced to kill you was something completely outside his experience however and such a serious and dark ritual was not something to be simply accepted. Severus had offered and risked a lot for him and he already realised that this price was something that was to be bourn by Severus; he needed to be able to help the man. Severus eventually spoke again, “The price for the ritual is set, a life for a life. The Goddess changed the specifics of what that meant though. She refused my life and demanded that I create a new life. That was her price.” Dumbledore ingested these words. His gaze settled on Remus’ hand, still firmly clasped round that of the former Potions Master and realisation settled in. A smile broke across his face and spread till there was no more space for any more smile. “A baby” he cooed, “How wonderful.” He waited for Severus’ sceptical sneer, but it never came. Dumbledore was pleasantly surprised. “I think a celebration is in order. Remus, there is a bottle of champagne in my desk. If you would be so kind.” Remus released his lover’s hand and went to get the champagne. “Thank you” Dumbledore offered his thanks softly and personally to Severus. “I never expected to return, never expected you to do something so rash and foolish. It would seem, however, that this works out wonderfully for everyone.” He twinkled and placed his hand over his friend’s once again, “Thank you!” Severus opened his mouth to say something but couldn’t think of anything appropriate. He had not planned this far ahead and was somewhat phased by the success of his plan, despite of and because of the alterations. Remus popped the champagne and handed glasses to the other two. “I don’t think I should be drinking” “Nonsense Severus,” smiled Dumbledore as Severus placed a protective hand over his stomach. The movement was unconscious but it was extremely telling for the old man, “I promise you, one drink will not harm your baby.” Remus poured the champagne and Dumbledore raised his glass in a toast. “To Hogwarts newest addition. May this miraculous child be as brave, as unique, as talented and as handsome it’s parents.” Severus scowled at the word handsome; Remus chuckled and drowned it in the glass. Dumbledore just stood twinkling and gazing down on the new and unlikely family sitting before him. This was going to be interesting.
The main article touted him as a true hero of the war. They no longer skated over his involvement in vanquishing Voldemort and instead screamed his accomplishments in a “Dragon font” across the headlines for issue after issue. Severus remained embarrassed, but he began to feel less ashamed and managed to regain his former dignified stance. The embarrassment he felt drenching his soul did not shift though. The Daily Prophet dealt with the pregnancy in a more dignified manner than they usually managed for such titillating front page gossip, it was understood that this was the “Price” to pay for Dumbledore and they tried to allow Severus to bear it without too much sniggering. But cover it they did and that made Severus’ interactions with others stressful and sparse. Dumbledore, back in control of Hogwarts, wanted the school reopened as soon as possible and pulled out all the stops. He also fought tooth and nail to retain the services of his former Potions and DADA Professors. He had no problem getting the thumbs up from the Ministry of Magic; having resurrected Dumbledore, Severus was their new golden child. The two men themselves however were a different matter. He apparated to Snape Manor regularly to argue with the couple. He managed to talk Remus round fairly quickly, but he wouldn’t go without Severus and the pregnant Professor was not having any of it. Remus made it his personal mission to convince the man who was rapidly becoming his partner of the merits of Dumbledore’s request. He needed to take things carefully with him though, not push too hard. He was still amazed that Severus hadn’t made him leave yet. Little did he realise that that consideration was exactly what was keeping the other man open to him.
He wandered through to the bathroom in his dressing gown, trying to calm his sleep rumpled hair. He gave up. Kneeling down, he pulled his lover’s hair back away from the toilet bowl. “You know, if we were at Hogwarts, Poppy could probably help you with this.” Severus tried to growl but his body had other ideas and he vomited the last of his stomach contents into the bowl. He lay back against Remus, who sat quietly and held him. Severus sighed. “Do you realise what kind of ridicule I will be in for if I go back to Hogwarts. I can almost hear them already. They won’t let this one lie.” “I think you’re wrong Sev.” Remus said gently, stroking his lover’s hair and holding him closer. “Have you seen the papers?” Severus grunted. Remus cradled Severus’ slightly swelled belly, he lifted up the light shirt covering it and stroked the bare swollen flesh. Severus turned his head to look at Remus but found his lips caught in a passionate kiss. As they broke the kiss they stayed wrapped in each other’s arms on the bathroom floor. Neither of them dared to break a connection that they didn’t expect to find. “We’d share quarters?” Remus started at the sudden question before a grin broke across his face. He took a risk. “You think I want to get away from you? No such luck Professor Snape, you’re stuck with me.” They were quiet again for a moment. Severus realised how much this meant to his lover. His year at Hogwarts was one of the few times that Remus had truly felt that he belonged and was valued and he had been the one to destroy that for him. Could he deny him that feeling just because he felt embarrassed about being seen pregnant? He had overcome many things alone, for the greater good or for his own good. Remus had been so loving, so patient, so undemanding and so empathically understanding. He realised that he didn’t want to disappoint him and more importantly that he wanted to make him happy. He also felt the need to atone for revealing Remus’ secret. He could overcome his embarrassment for Remus’ sake and he knew that he wouldn’t have to do it alone. He had Dumbledore and more importantly he had Remus. His head was spinning a little with all the changes as he murmured “Alright then” into his lover’s chest. The students were back at Hogwarts. Many had to repeat the year that they missed during the war. They needed to get their NEWTS and OWLS and no amount of anti-Voldemort heroics could win them free qualifications. Many of the students were disgruntled to have to come back to the year (or school) that they thought that they had left behind but they all secretly felt comforted to be there, especially with Dumbledore back and twinkling all the over the place leaving the sticky scent of sugared lemon in his wake. Snape was also, even more secretly, comforted to back. To have something so stable and recognisable in his life, after all the turmoil of the past year made his advancing pregnancy seem less confusing. Poppy had insisted on seeing him as soon as he arrived. She had read all about his pregnancy in The Daily Prophet, but it didn’t seem quite real until she saw the seven month pregnant Snape walk through the door. How on earth did the man still manage to glide? He still growled and snorted and sneered, but all these expressions seemed to be softer now. More habit than genuine antipathy. He didn’t argue with her at all when she asked him to get up on one of the beds so that she could examine him. He watched her intently as she performed various charms to check on the health of both baby and mother. Good Lord, dare she actually say that out loud? “Do you know what will happen when it is time for the baby to be born?” Severus sighed, “I have absolutely no idea Poppy. This was not the usual outcome of the ritual that I performed and I am afraid it didn’t occur to me to ask at the time. There’s no precedent for this.” Poppy chuckled, “Well that’s not strictly true. There have been plenty of male pregnancies over the years.” She was amused to see Snape’s eyebrows rise in surprise, did he think he was the first? “They aren’t often advertised, which you will probably sympathise with. They are usually deliberate though, so the outcome is known before the pregnancy begins. There are several charms and potions designed to allow male pregnancy. I would have thought that you would be familiar with the potions...” “I have heard of some, their effectiveness is not something that I have personally researched though. It was not something that I considered relevant. Teaching the children how to do this would be foolish to say the least. Although inflicting morning sickness and back cramps onto the Dark Lord might have been interesting, perhaps you should have suggested it.” Poppy wondered if she was getting a glimpse of hitherto smothered Snape humour. She hoped so; he was going to need it over the next few weeks. “Well,” she continued, “most of these charms and potions
incorporate a “final stage” during which the body changes to
allow a normal birth. Assuming that this will go the same way, it should
occur a few days before you go into labour.” “The baby is perfectly healthy and I am pleased to see that you are looking after yourself. I had half expected to find you depressed and half starved.” She may have imagined it but she thought she heard him laugh. She looked up to find him smiling, something she didn’t remember ever seeing before. Alarming as it was initially, it made him look uncommonly handsome. “Poppy, I am concerned about the student’s reactions to me but I am not stupid. I agreed to this but ever since Dumbledore popped back into being, this has not been about the agreement. This is my child, fathered by a man that I...” he hesitated; she sensed a decision was being made, “that I love. We want this child, we love this child and I will not do anything to damage that.” He looked amused by her evident surprise. Poppy was flabbergasted, “Um, well, I can tell you the gender if you like?” “No way!” Professor Lupin strode into the room, straight up his partner and plonked himself down on the bed, immediately taking up the other man’s hand in his. “We want to be surprised, so don’t tell us. Is the baby okay?” “Your baby is perfectly healthy Professor” replied Poppy, regaining her professional manner as quickly as possible after such surprising reactions, “You are obviously looking after them well.” “Absolutely, nothing but the best for my family. That’s why we came back Poppy, I knew no-one could take better care of them than you.” He beamed at the mediwitch and chuckled as she blushed crimson. “However,” she added and both men’s smiles faded, “I want Severus to take it easy for the rest of his pregnancy...” “But the term is about to start...” “Yes and I am not telling you that you can’t teach. What I am telling you is not to do anything that you don’t need to do. Look after yourself, eat well and regularly, rest whenever you have a chance to and ask for help when you need it. If you don’t do these things then I will tell Albus to put you on leave and you will have the embarrassment of someone else taking your class. Have I made myself clear?” “As crystal” responded Snape, with the first real edge that she had heard in his voice since he walked in. “Good, then you are free to go then. I’ll see you again in two weeks unless you need me sooner.” They had all heard the rumours and read the newspapers. They had all had a giggle at the idea of a pregnant Professor Snape. They had all been a little thunderstruck by the idea of Snape as a hero and since he had brought Dumbledore back to life, they didn’t have any choice but to forgive him for killing him in the first place. Harry was kind of glad to not be the lone focus of heroic attention for once, but had to admit being vaguely surprised that it was Snape that had been handed the crown. At least, he thought, he hadn’t had to end up pregnant to fulfil “his” destiny. The fact that Remus was the father was the most confusing element of the whole thing. Had Snape tricked him into it or had he offered to father the child because he knew that it would bring Dumbledore back. God, couldn’t he have gone to a sperm bank? Harry chuckled at the thought of Snape sticking a turkey baster full of cum up his arse but he took the thought too far and almost gagged on the gross out. Ron finished his chess game, from the stormy look on the younger Gryffindor’s face he must have won again. When would they learn to stop challenging him? Ron heard the chuckle and joined him by the fire. “When did Potions become so damn funny?” he asked, checking the cover of Harry’s book. Harry smirked, “I was thinking about Snape, imagining him struggling with a turkey baster...” “Ew,” Ron cringed, “well, that’s a ruddy sight more acceptable than free werewolf love.” He sighed. “What do you think Lupin sees in him?” Harry shrugged, “I guess he did it for Dumbledore.” “You are so mean.” Hermione interrupted, “Maybe they really love each other.” Both men landed her with incredulous looks. “This is Snape we are talking about.” Getting back into the swing of lessons had been odd. There were no new pupils this year, so there had been no sorting ceremony and the teacher’s thought it best to let them settle in without the usual pomp and ceremony. The eleven year olds who would have started this year had started at another school which had a greater capacity to take in extra students. Whether or not any of them would transfer next year would remain to be seen. So, none of the seventh year students had seen Professor Snape before they walked into the Potions classroom. They couldn’t see much for the moment though because his desk was no longer shoved into the corner and he was sitting behind it. Most of them thought that he was hiding; Hermione more kindly considered that he was probably concerned about their reactions. Dumbledore had been back for nearly seven months, so he was at least that far along – he must be huge. “Take your seats quietly and quickly, we have a lot to cover.” His usually watchful eyes barely glanced up from his papers. “Take out your textbooks and turn to section five. Read the essay on anti-depression potions. We will be concentrating on anti-depression potions for the next two lessons, this WILL be covered in the medical section of your Potions NEWT – so make sure you pay attention.” He peered at Harry and Ron as he said this because Ron was trying to whisper to Harry already. “Mr. Weasley, would you care to share your knowledge with the rest of the class.” Ron started and quickly shook his head. “No? Then kindly SHUT UP when I am talking.” He really didn’t have the energy to fight for their attention. Other students were whispering too, he didn’t have to think hard to work out why. “RIGHT” All eyes fixed on Snape instantly, the tone recognisable. He didn’t explode though. He put his hands on the arms of his chair and made to stand up. “Let’s get this over with shall we.” He smirked imperceptibly at the open mouths as he stood up and walked in front of the class, sweeping his cloak behind him so that they could all see exactly how large he now was. No point in delaying the inevitable. At least after this he would be able to shout at them unreservedly again. Hermione smiled, Ron goggled, Harry raised an eyebrow and no-one giggled or whispered. “I do not expect to hear you twittering amongst yourselves. Read the essay and I shall be back in a moment.” He waited until all heads bent towards the text books and then swept out as gracefully as he could manage, hoping that they didn’t realise that he was rushing for the toilet. He would have to make sure he drank less before lessons; it wouldn’t do to keep rushing out. He stood outside the door for a moment when he returned to the classroom, to check whether they were doing as he had instructed. There was a little chatter, but not as much as he had expected. He prepared to sweep in and silence them when Hermione responded loudly to something. “You know Goyle, even Draco wouldn’t have let you say something like that – and if you think you can get away with it because he isn’t then you are sorely mistaken. Professor Snape is your head of house and you should have more respect. Do you have any idea what he has been through? Do you have any idea what he did for us, for the cause, for DUMBLEDORE? You’re a moron Goyle, and if you continue to talk like that then we’ll assume that you really were on Voldemort’s side. You may have gotten away with your involvement with Draco, but that is only because you are stupid – they can review your case again you know and I for one would be perfectly happy to give testimony against you. Why not try to be supportive of your head of house? You loathsome little worm.” Severus was astonished but couldn’t hold back the smirk that broke across his face. He swept in. “Mr. Goyle. As you are looking over to the other side of the classroom, I assume that you have finished reading the essay. Perhaps you could tell us the basics of an anti-depression potion?” Goyle gulped at him like a nearly comatose fish. Hermione’s hand was already waving in the air. Normally he would have ignored her but... “Alright Miss Granger, go ahead.” She looked flummoxed for a moment, but quickly launched into an accurate and well formed analysis of the potion genre. “Very well presented Miss Granger. 5 points to Gryffindor.” The whole class looked as though they had been hit by lightening. It was easier though than if he had given her the points for defending him with such compassion, that he would not have lived down. He was amused by this new form of shocking his students, he would have to be careful he didn’t wear it out too soon though.
“Your eyebrows are purple” he observed. Remus waved a hand in jovial dismissal. “Oh, it’s nothing. We tried duelling and Neville got distracted and sent a curse that he was practising off in my direction. I thought I might keep them purple.” Snape put his book on the table and reached for his wand, Remus sighed and sat down, “No” Severus flicked his wand at his lover with a chuckle, “Ostendum Neville” Remus eyebrows turned back to their normal sandy colour and rose halfway up his forehead. “Ostendum Neville?” he laughed, “What the hell is that?” Severus sighed. “Well he messed up so often that it was easier to come up with a general reversal spell based on his magical resonance than to specifically reverse everything that he did. He seems to have learnt to control himself a little better, but I guess it’s still useful. Don’t tell anyone that I spent time creating a spell about Neville.” “Okay, but you have to come to dinner in the Great Hall.” Severus sighed even deeper and held out a hand for Remus to help him up. This would be fun, his scowl deepened to it’s legendary put upon depth.
General chatter rose as the staff and students tucked into their meals. Severus sat back and took in the scene. Voldemort was gone, as was his dark mark. There would be no more calls, no more spying, no more danger. He could teach without feeling that it was a cover story. There would be no more missions. There was just here. Hogwarts and its ever changing residents, the staff – some of them friends, Remus and himself and their baby. He rested a hand absently on his stomach, the baby kicked and he cradled the familiar feeling with his hand to better feel it. He was most definitely home, it was a new feeling but one that was entirely welcome. “Is it kicking Severus?” Severus came back to reality and turned to Minerva. “Uh, yes, it’s quite active these days,” he smiled at
her and she smiled back at him and at the cradled bulge, He was more than surprised; it hadn’t occurred to him that anyone would want to feel the baby kicking inside him. But he nodded and moved his hand away. Minerva placed her palm gently on her colleague’s stomach and gasped as the baby kicked directly where she touched. “Severus, that’s wonderful. Does it move a lot?” “Yes, most of the time really. I can tell when it’s asleep anyway.” “Which is not when we are trying to sleep unfortunately,” added Remus with a wry smile. Poppy Pomfrey passed a plate of food down towards Severus, “Eat that – carbohydrate in the evening will help the baby to sleep when you do.” “Thank-you Poppy” both men intoned at exactly the same time, Remus laughed. Severus ate – a lot. Dumbledore chuckled at all the whispers and furtive glances up to the top table. “I think gentlemen that it might be time to say something publically. I hope you don’t disapprove?” Remus shrugged in a go ahead kind of way. Severus froze for a moment and then remembered how necessary it had seemed in the two potions classes that he had taken today. He nodded to Dumbledore’s question and steeled himself for whatever response the collected students were going to have to the blunt confirmation of the Daily Prophet’s claims and the general gossip. Dumbledore stood up and held out his hands for silence, he got it immediately. “Ladies and Gentlemen if I may have your attention.” He twinkled at them all, making each and every one of them feel that he was speaking personally to them. “There has been a lot of speculation following certain articles published in the Daily Prophet recently.” All eyes snapped to Snape, he remained rigid. “As I am standing here addressing you, you can have no doubt about certain aspects of these articles. I was indeed restored from death. You may thank your Potions Professor for that, as I have already. I have no doubt that you have read about Professor Snape’s involvement in the war against Voldemort – these tributes to your Professor’s bravery were also well deserved.” Severus felt uncomfortable again and resisted the ridiculous urge to crawl under the table; he remained stiff and immobile except for accepting the hand that Remus offered him under the table, knowing how uncomfortable his lover would be right now. “However,” continued the headmaster, “I believe the tales that are most interesting you all right now are those about Professor Snape’s pregnancy.” He smiled warmly at them all, making them feel that their interest was perfectly understandable, which of course it was. “Now, I do not wish to make Professor Snape any more uncomfortable than he may already feel. But I would like you all to stand (everyone rose), raise a glass (glasses were raised) and join me in congratulating Professor Snape and Professor Lupin on the impending birth of their child.” There was a huge chorus of “Congratulations” and “Snape and Lupin”, shortly followed by a round of applause and the odd whoop from the Slytherin table. Severus gripped Remus’ hand and gritted his teeth against the onslaught, not the one he had expected at all – but one he was emotionally unprepared for nonetheless. Remus made their excuses after a polite amount of time and they left before Severus burst into tears or fits of rage. He expected the latter but thought the former might be a possibility too. “Potter, do you intend to use this contraception potion on your blasted owl? Because that will be all it will be fit for if you add ...Arghh!” Professor Snape collapsed to the floor mid-rant and wrapped his arms protectively round his stomach. He had been having cramps all morning and put it down to the anticipated false contractions that were supposed to start during the week before the birth. He had noticed that his body had changed that morning and had informed Poppy, who had estimated that he would go into labour in about 5 days time. As his water’s broke and gushed across the classroom floor during 7th year potions, he realised that she was wrong. He was panting, his students were all staring at him, but there was nothing that he could do about that. The baby was coming and if the pain was anything to go by, it was coming fast. He tried to think. Remus. Poppy. Help. In class. Oh God this hurts. He cried out again. Someone sensible. “Hermi –arrrrrrrrgh –ne” he looked straight at her but could say no more. Gratifyingly Hermione leapt into action. “It’s alright Professor. Don’t worry.” She turned to her friends, “Harry – get Remus” she mouthed NOW at him. “Ron – get Madame Pomfrey, be quick. Pansy – go and tell the headmaster.” Pansy looked blank, “Tell him what?” Hermione took a deep breath. Severus gripped onto a table and heaved himself upright. “TELL HIM (breath) that I am in LABOUR you stupid girl” Hermione tried to offer physical support but it just wasn’t possible. Thankfully Remus came skidding into the classroom and grabbed Severus, holding him up and helping him move to the door. Harry hesitated and then took his Professor’s other arm – no better time to make peace he supposed. They were nearly to the infirmary when Ron came rushing up with Madame Pomfrey. They moved as quickly as Severus was capable of. Once inside Poppy Pomfrey took the couple into a private room and shooed the students away. “There’s nothing you can do for him now, so get out and let me do my job.” They shuffled slowly away but as the mediwitch rushed straight into the private room, none of them actually left. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall quickly joined them. They tried to usher them out, but they didn’t move until Dumbledore promised to let them know as soon as there was anything to know, after all – it could take hours yet. Remus and Poppy helped Severus into a comfortable gown – Remus had dyed a hospital gown black especially for the occasion, he thought that it might make all the difference. Judging by the furious scowl that met Poppy’s faded blue offering, he had judged right. Thank the Gods he had thought ahead and kept a bag in the DADA classroom. Poppy checked out her patient. “You are fully dilated and the head is fully engaged. You should feel the need to push any moment...” “Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” Severus Snape gritted his teeth and pushed. An hour later he was still pushing. How long could this go on? Sweat coated his whole body. It felt surreal but he could think about nothing else. He was focused so intensely on what was happening to his body. He had no more energy left; it felt as though he was completely used up. He had never felt more useless in his life. Nothing seemed to exist outside each current moment. He couldn’t have anymore anti-pain charms because Poppy said that he needed to feel what was happening so that he could push the baby out. But he couldn’t push it out; all he could do was feel. He felt full, packed unnaturally and trapped in a nightmare that didn’t seem to be ending. Did this baby not want to come out? “I I I can’t. Not any more.” Remus was sitting on the bed with him. One hand being crushed and the other kept trying to move around Severus’ shoulder before it was pushed off again. “Don’t... touch... me.” Remus looked hurt. “Didn’t... mean... oh... god...just...can’t... not touch...too... much... arrrghhhh” he pushed again with strength that didn’t seem to be in him but came out anyway. Poppy smiled up at the frustrated man, “The head is crowning. Remus, do you want to see your baby being born?” Remus moved to the other end of Severus without removing his hand from Severus’ grip. Dumbledore chose that moment to pop his head round to see how things were going. “Is everything...oh my...” Severus screamed as he bore down as hard as he could. Then new cries filled the air – those of... “A little girl!” announced Poppy cheerfully. She passed the baby straight into the waiting arms her mother. “Congratulations gentlemen.” Dumbledore stood just inside the door completely awed, “Oh my” he repeated. Remus finally got his arm around his partner’s shoulders and cradled the other around the naked bundle in Severus arms. Severus gazed in wonder at his daughter and felt the earth shift. He glanced up at Remus and they shared a kind of smile that they had never shared before. This was what complete harmony felt like, perfection shared. It was punctured by the announcement that the afterbirth still had to be delivered, eliciting a groan from the tired man on the bed. Dumbledore stepped forward, “Perhaps I could help” he twinkled, and took the baby – briefly – from her parents. Delivering the placenta didn’t even register with Severus, he pushed and he felt the pain but he didn’t care. His sight fixed firmly on the tiny red miracle lying in his friend’s arms. As soon as the placenta was out Dumbledore passed the little girl back to her mother, who didn’t notice as cleansing charms were cast nor as the blankets were tucked up around him, covering his previous nakedness. He curled up in the bed cradling his daughter and as Remus leaned in to gaze at the pair, he found himself being pulled into the most amazing kiss. He was no longer simply a lover to Severus, he was his partner and their daughter’s father and that made a whole world of difference. This was not something that Remus had trouble understanding, he had felt life shift noticeably too and his admiration and adoration of Severus Snape doubled, tripled, doubled again and kept on rising. He had a daughter, they had a daughter. My God, could life get anymore perfect than this? He wrapped himself around his family, kissed his daughter on the head and pressed his forehead against that of his daughter’s mother and stayed like that till they all fell asleep together. Poppy and Albus snuck quietly out of the room and left the tired new family to rest.
Professor Snape had had a daughter. The newest Slytherin. The newest Gryffindor, her father’s a Gryffindor. Six pounds and seven ounces. Oh my, she must be so tiny. Do you think she has his nose? That would be so cruel. She didn’t get the nose. You grow into a nose. Both doing well. She has black hair. Is she a werewolf? You can’t be born a werewolf. In the medical wing Severus was finding out that he had to (and could) breastfeed. He was horrified, until the baby latched on. At least it wouldn’t be too visible.
Poppy Pomfrey wasn’t sure whether or not she should keep Professor Snape in, but she could find no reason why he couldn’t leave. He was healthy. The baby was healthy. He wanted, no demanded, to leave and Remus was with them, fussing appropriately over them both. She let them leave. “Shall we go back to our quarters?” Remus asked. Severus was soothing the baby. They couldn’t keep calling her “the baby”. “What are we going to call her? I can’t remember any of the names we came up with, can you?” Severus stopped walking and looked at Remus, then at their daughter. “Top of the list for girls were Kali, Kiera, Jetta, Keena and Leoma.” Remus thought for a moment, “Leoma is nice, but...” Severus smiled, “it doesn’t quite seem right?” Remus nodded. “How about Mirari? It means Miracle” Remus smiled and nodded, “Mirari” he tested the sound. Taking his daughter in his arms he asked her, “Are you Mirari? I think your mother is right. Mirari it is!” Looking hesitantly at his partner he asked, “Snape or Lupin?” “I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about that. We are both the last of our families.” He stopped talking to think. “How about both? Snape-Lupin or Lupin-Snape?” “Snape-Lupin sounds a bit better.” “For all of us?” he passed Mirari back to Severus as he asked this. He wanted Severus to feel the slight weight of her in his arms as he realised what Remus was asking him. “All of us? What do you mean? Change our names?” Remus sighed. “Yes, but not simply change them. Severus, I am asking you to marry me. I could get down on one knee...” “No.” “No?” “I mean Yes, but don’t. Get down on one knee, I mean. I don’t think I could cope with that.” Remus chuckled. “But Yes to marrying me?” “Yes” In the middle of the school corridor they kissed, not the heated passionate kisses they shared in private but a gentle kiss to seal the promise. There was a wolf whistle from somewhere above them but they ignored it and Severus repeated his “Yes” with more appropriate passion.
Hagrid jumped up and started waving wildly. He was too overcome with excitement to consider that he might attract more attention than would be wanted. “Perfessors! Over here Perfessors!” Some people turned at the sound of Hagrid’s booming voice, but they soon realised who he was calling to. Word began to spread quickly. As Remus and Severus reached the staff picnic, there was a swelling throng of children making their way as close as they dared to the staff and more specifically to Severus. Severus tried to swirl round on them, but he could manage neither the swirl nor the glare. He managed to frighten a few returning first years with an odd combination of forced grimace and not quite suppressed smile, at which they rapidly backed off before Professor Dumbledore came to the rescue and guided the two men towards the staff picnic. A Slytherin fifth year who had always been a favourite of Snape’s got up the courage to address him. She did it loudly for the benefit of the others, a little more loudly than she had intended but it got his attention. “PLEASE SIR? WE WERE WONDERING SIR, WHAT YOU HAD CALLED YOU DAUGHTER SIR?” She immediately clapped a hand over her mouth as she realised that she had shouted at her Head of House from only a couple of metres away. Professor Snape looked disapproving but he nodded to Professor Lupin, who held out his hands to indicate quiet. “Okay, as you can imagine Professor Snape has had a very difficult night. He needs things to be quiet and calm and preferably not to have hundreds of students crowding around staring.” He smiled at them to let them know that no-one was cross and none of them were in trouble. Especially since he could feel Snape scowling behind him. “Now we can’t exactly hold up a newborn baby for you all to see her, but if we tell you what her name is will you leave us alone for a bit? There was a disjointed chorus of agreement. “OK then. Her name is Mirari Leoma Snape-Lupin. Mirari means miracle and Leoma means brave.” To make sure that the students kept their promise to back off, Professor McGonagall moved over and shooed them all away. They went back to their games hesitantly and full of chatter. Hagrid produced a large cushion and placed in on the large rug next to himself, making quite clear that it was for Severus. Remus helped Severus to sit down, still a very delicate procedure. “Oh Perfessor, she’s bootiful. She’s a proper miracle she is.” “May I hold Mirari? When I held her briefly last night, she didn’t have a name; it seems that it makes something of a difference.” Dumbledore beamed and Severus let the old man take her. There was much cooing and fussing from most of the staff. Professor Trelawney began to sway, her eyes glazed over and before anyone could tell whether it was theatrics or not Severus and Remus had both flicked their wands at her and sent her into a double dose of sleep. There would be none of that. The assembled staff roared with laughter and Professor Sprout tactfully levitated her onto a bench and covered her with a blanket. Colin Creevey was skulking around off to the side of the picnic area. Snape fixed him with a full on withering glare. “You had better not have your camera with you Creevey.” The boy turned pale and began to stammer. Hermione leapt up from her seat and pulled him away, he started jabbering something to her, and to Harry who was handing her a butterbeer. The two of them looked at each other and turned, moving towards the staff picnic. “Sorry Sirs” began Hermione, “Colin came to collect a fang ... er frisbee that flew this away and got too scared to come any closer.” Harry had found the frisbee and lobbed it back to Creevey, who took off at lightening speed. “Shame he can’t do that on a broomstick” observed Harry. Lupin jumped up and gestured to the rug, “Why don’t you come and join us for a moment? I wanted to have a word with you actually Harry.” The staff looked surprised but moved to give the seventh years room. Hermione shuffled a bit, not wanting to just run off but not having been specifically invited. “Sit down Miss Granger and stop hopping about like a piskie; it’s quite tiring to watch.” She immediately obeyed her Potions Professor while trying not to look too over-awed by the baby which Dumbledore was returning to his arms. Snape’s eyebrows rose. He hadn’t thought about Godparents. It seemed to be important to Remus though. At least it wouldn’t be Sirius, he thought, and then mentally slapped himself for it. Albus would make a good Godfather.
Harry looked flabbergasted, Snape had frozen. Remus noticed Snape’s expression. “Do you mind? I mean if you do then...” “I don’t know. I was thinking of Albus, myself.” He wasn’t sure how to go on. Albus Dumbledore was beaming, “Well there is a simple solution. The fashion of recent times has been to name one Godparent, but legally you can name three. Perhaps Harry and I could share the honour?” Remus caught Severus’ gaze with pleading eyes. He knew Severus had relented about Harry before he even said anything. “Very well. If they will accept.” Albus and Harry broke wide smiles at each other and enthused so much that there could be no doubt about their agreement. “Perhaps we should go for all three.” suggested Remus cheerfully. “Well then you will need a Godmother” Dumbledore informed them, “you can have either two Godfathers and One Godmother or vice versa and as Harry and I are most definitely in the Godfather bracket, I would suggest a lady.” “Hmm.” Remus looked deep in thought. “Hermione” Everyone stared at Severus Snape in outright shock, not least of all Hermione herself. Severus tried to explain himself. Hermione had caught the look he shared with her though and knew why this was happening. So she smiled as he explained, “She can teach her how to care for others regardless of their behaviour. She can teach her how to deal with rude and wilful young men. She can teach her how to play by the rules whilst her Godfathers lead her astray.” Dumbledore practically guffawed at this, “She can help to give her a love of knowledge and most importantly she can actually make a decent potion.” Remus joined in the laughter, “She is a brave, level headed, intelligent young woman who knows right from wrong. I think they are adequate reasons.” “I would also be most honoured,” Hermione answered. She didn’t manage to say anymore, even though she would have liked to, she was already close to tears. “I’ve just asked Severus to marry me and he said yes.” Severus leant down to Mirari, not because she needed him but because that way his hair would hang over his face and Remus wouldn’t see how much that outburst had mortified him. Amidst Dumbledore’s joyous cooing and the heightening chatter that
followed, Severus leant back on Hagrid’s giant cushion and he and
Mirari fell asleep in the middle of it all. No-one had the heart to wake
them. |
| Harry Potter© J.K Rowling All fan works are used with authors/artist permission. Site is owned by Shiver. |
