Chapter 13~
February 2, 2011~
"Severus."
"Mnnh."
Tegan frowned, and then poked him in the ribs.
"Ouch!" He growled, his eyes opening. "What was that for? It's-"
He sat up a bit to look at the muggle alarm clock.
"Tegan, it's three in the morning, for Merlin's sake!" He sighed. "I was sound asleep…"
"Give me your hand." She demanded.
"What?"
"Just give me your hand, now."
He offered her his hand, and she took it, directing it to her belly.
"Feel that?"
"What?"
She huffed, moving his hand a bit.
"That…right there."
"That…" He said quietly, his eyes soft and full of wonder.
"She woke me up, you know." Tegan said. "I thought you might like to wake up with me."
"I…thank you, Tegan." He whispered, drawing her to him, kissing her gently. "Shall we go back to sleep? In four hours, we have to go get breakfast, then get ready to teach class-"
"I'm not sleepy." She replied crossly. "I…call the house elves, Severus. I'm hungry."
"You're hungry?!"
"Yes. I know exactly what I want." She smirked. "I want a ham sandwich. With pickles, those really good ones like we had last week with the garlic. Oh, and some strawberry jam."
"On your sandwich?!" He asked, horrified.
"Oh, don't be so silly." Tegan laughed. "The jam is to dip the pickles in."
Ugh, how revolting. Severus sighed to himself, ringing the bell to call the house elf.
oOo
February 16, 2011~
"Severus."
Wearily, he opened one eye. It was four in the morning.
"What is it, darling?" He sighed.
"I need you, right now."
"I beg your pardon? Is the baby moving again?"
"Give me your hand."
Almost before he could give it to her, she grabbed his hand and pressed it between her legs. It was if his hand had been plunged into a vat of hot oil, she was so ready for him to touch her. She ground herself against his hand, sighing with relief.
"I…ah…had the most sexy dream…ooh…about us…" She moaned, nibbling on his earlobe, kissing his neck. "I need you now, right now."
"Darling, do you really think this is a good idea-"
"Hush. No arguments, I won't have it. I want you, right now. NOW, Severus."
She pushed him over on his back, straddling his hips, grinding herself against him. Sighing in frustration because he wasn't hard yet, she slid down to take him into her mouth, urging him on with her hands.
"Tegan…the baby…" He began weakly, still only half awake, but his traitorous body already succumbing to her frenzied ministrations.
"Hush, Severus, we're fine. She's fine." She hissed, sliding back up, slipping herself onto him and seating him firmly home. "Oh, that's…so good…oh, yes…"
Her lips descended on his, sucking fiercely on his bottom lip, then her tongue slipping in between as she proceeded to devour him.
Oh, Merlin…he thought. How will I survive another four months of this?
February 19, 2011~
Waking up when something cracked him right across the nose, Severus blearily opened his eyes. Three a.m.
Tegan slept serenely next to him, sprawled across the middle of the bed. He gingerly removed her arm from where she had flung it across his face while she slept. As he watched, she sighed in her slumber, a tiny smile coming to her face for a moment.
He sighed. Taking his wand from under his pillow, he carefully enlarged the bed, making a bit more room so he had somewhere to sleep. Again.
oOo
March 1, 2011~
"Severus, you look dreadful." Minerva said, eyeing him as he took his seat at the staff table for breakfast.
"Why, thank you, Headmistress." He hissed, dropping wearily into his chair and waving to one of the house elves to bring him coffee. "It's my new workout plan, the 'no-sleep' workout. Quite the exercise."
"Where's Tegan? You usually show up together-"
"She's angry at me. Mainly because I slept on the couch last night."
"Is that where the black eye came from?"
"No, that was from three nights ago when she flung her arm across me, cracking me in the face."
"She must be a restless sleeper," Minerva said. "The baby is moving more, she told me that yesterday."
"Here she is," Severus sighed. "Should be an interesting breakfast."
Tegan swept into the hall, buttoning her robes over her maternity dress, students parting before her like the Red Sea. She'd only been a professor for six months, but the entire student body had figured out when it was best to avoid the Transfiguration teacher.
"Good morning, Headmistress." She said crisply, taking her seat next to Severus with hardly a glance at him.
"Good morning, Professor Dunham." Minerva said, taking a sip of her tea. "Did you sleep well last night, dear?"
"Fairly well." Tegan said, shooting Severus a glare. "I woke up and I was cold."
He studiously ignored her, cutting up his breakfast of ham and eggs, forking the pieces and eating them with quiet enjoyment.
Tegan eyed the salt shaker, which sat over by Professor Flitwick. She wanted some salt for her eggs, but Severus was sitting between her and Filius. She leaned forward slightly, trying to catch the Charm's professor's attention.
"Ahem." She said, "Professor Flitwick, could you pass me the salt?
Severus sighed, picked up the salt and set it in front of her.
Tegan picked it up, sprinkled some on her eggs, then slammed the shaker down on the table in front of Severus, making most of the staff and some of students jump nervously.
Minerva sighed. This was getting rather tiresome.
oOo
By the time two more weeks of it had passed, Minerva had gotten to where she'd had all the childishness she could stand. That evening, after dinner, she went to Severus' quarters and knocked on the door.
"Yes, Headmistress?" Severus said when he opened the door.
"I need to talk to you. Both of you." She said firmly, pushing past him. "This has gone on too bloody long."
Severus sighed.
"Where is Tegan?" She said, seating herself in his armchair.
"She…is in the bedroom." He said, sitting down on the couch, pushing aside the blanket and pillows. Minerva's eyes narrowed at that.
Just how long does he intend to sleep on the couch? She thought.
"Oh, Headmistress." Tegan said, wrapping herself up in her robe as she padded out into the sitting room. "I thought I heard someone come in-"
"Yes, and I'm here because I've had it with you two!" Minerva snapped. "Everyone is scared to death, walking on eggshells because of you."
"I-"
"No backtalk, young lady!" Now, just what are you two feuding about?"
Tegan sat down on the couch, at the opposite end from Severus.
"He won't sleep with me." She huffed, with an angry glance at him.
"Severus?" Minerva sighed.
"I can't sleep in there." He replied, not looking at Tegan. "She's very active in her sleep, and that gets pretty hazardous sometimes. Then there's the waking me up at all hours of the night. And-"
"Severus Snape!" Snapped the headmistress, "She is pregnant with your child. This is all only temporary, you know."
"Something must be wrong with the fireplaces, too." Tegan said crossly. "It's always freezing cold in the bedroom, no matter how much wood I put on the fire. This one in the sitting room is the same way; I tried sleeping in here on the couch to…give him a good night's sleep…and it was cold in here, too. It's as if the castle…"
Her eyes widened. With a curse, she stood up.
"Castle! Are you doing this to get us back together?! That's a dirty trick-"
"Tegan, dear…" Minerva said, trying to hide her smile, "Listen to you."
"I'm not mad, I swear. The bloody castle is meddling with us again, and I don't like it!"
"No, dear. You just said that you tried sleeping in here 'to give him a good night's sleep'."
Minerva sighed.
"Perhaps, Severus, you need to be a bit more accommodating to her and the baby. It'll be over in about four months, right?" The Headmistress turned her gaze to Tegan. "And as for you, young lady…try to be more forgiving of Severus. This is his first child too, and he's learning as he goes…learning a lot of things he didn't know, or ever expect to do."
She stood up and walked to the door.
"Whatever you two work out, I trust there will be no more…ugliness in front of the students at the staff table. Understood?" She said, raising her eyebrow.
"Yes, ma'am." Tegan and Severus said, almost as one.
After the door closed behind the Headmistress, Tegan sneaked a glance at Severus. He did look terrible; dark shadows under his eyes, paler than usual, slumping on the couch. His eyes did not meet hers; rather he watched the flames lick at the logs in the fireplace.
"Can I come sit next to you?" She said softly, feeling rather ashamed.
"Of course."
She slid over next to him, and he raised his arm to drape it around her shoulders as she nestled there, pulling a blanket over both of their legs. They sat together for a long while, with her idly toying with the buttons on his black vest.
"I'm sorry." She said, feeling like that was inadequate.
"For what?" He replied, hugging her to him. "I left the bed, not you."
"I drove you from it. I've been horrid to you." Tegan sighed, biting her lip.
"Minerva's right; you can't help this. It's a normal part of pregnancy. I need to be more understanding, more accommodating of you. I-"
"Severus, hush." Tegan said, holding a finger to his lips. "I'll be nicer to you. I can't promise that I won't thump you while I'm asleep, so I'll just apologize ahead of time for that. But please don't leave me in there to sleep alone. I get so cold…and I miss…we miss you."
"Alright…I won't leave you from now on. I'm sorry that I did."
He paused for a moment, then looked at her, his expression puzzled.
" 'We miss you'?"
"Well…she is…quieter when you're in the bed. Doesn't seem as anxious, doesn't move around as much." Tegan said, blushing. "You think I'm mad, I can tell."
"Seems plausible to me." He smirked, "You were a daddy's girl, she probably is too."
She huffed at him, playfully hitting him on the chest.
"I do love you, you silly git." She said, "Even when you're being a pain. Even when I'm…angry with you."
"Never doubted that," He replied, "I'm just a bit weary…but I know you're tired, too. Shall we retire early tonight?"
"Sure." Tegan said eagerly. "There's something I'd like to try."
He raised an eyebrow at her, his expression wary.
"Oh, nothing bad. I'd just like to try something my dad did for me."
oOo
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Severus said as they lay in their bed together.
Tegan rolled her eyes and sighed, running her fingers through his hair.
"Yes, Severus." She replied. "Just anything that comes to mind."
"Anything?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Anything." Tegan said, trying not to sound too irritated. She was already a bit embarrassed having told him about it, and was trying to stay calm. A sharp, sudden pain let her know that 'Sarah' as she had come to think of her, was awake…and kicking.
"Just do it, Severus." She sighed.
He hesitated for a long moment, then moved down to her bulging abdomen.
"Hello…darling…" He said softly.
"Her name is Sarah." Tegan whispered. "I've been calling her that. I…um…hope you like that name. She does."
"Sarah is fine." He nodded.
"Hello…Sarah." He said to her belly, to his unborn daughter. "I…this is…your…daddy."
"Oh, she likes that." Tegan smiled, feeling a tiny hand move within her. "Nice deep voice, she likes it."
He was quiet a long time, saying nothing, his cheek against her belly.
"Severus? Are you okay?" She asked, worried now.
Tegan put her hand down to him, touching him first on the side of his head. He turned his head toward her, sighing. She could feel wetness on his cheek.
"Are you alright, darling?" She said softly.
"Yes…I am…more than alright." He sighed. "I am…this is wonderful. Now…if you will excuse me…"
He turned his head back to her belly.
"Sarah…I love you…your mum loves you…and we can hardly wait for you to be here. You were quite a surprise for us…"
Tegan smiled as she felt their daughter move, turning toward her father within the womb.
oOo
April, 2011~
"I don't like it." Minerva said, gazing into the fire as it burned low. "There hasn't been an attack in months."
Harry sighed, glancing over at Draco Malfoy.
"Headmistress, it may be that they are just not strong enough to mount an attack. " Harry said.
"Poppycock." She snapped, using her wand to place another log on the fire neatly. "They are still out there, and they are waiting for something."
"We know that they didn't get what they wanted from Gringotts', at least." Draco observed, leaning against the doorjamb. "For now, my godfather and his fiancée, along with their child, is safe. Even when they were making attacks, they never got brave enough to try Hogwarts."
"I still don't like this, Draco." She sighed. "Not a sign of Lestrange or Travers, anywhere."
"So we wait, Headmistress."
She looked at Draco and shook her head.
"That doesn't mean I like it." She said, pursing her lips in thought. "Tegan is due within the next couple of months, and not knowing what the enemy is up to makes me nervous. Merlin knows, Severus deserves to have this happiness in his life. He's suffered quite enough."
"Yes, I heard about his suffering." Draco smiled. "I heard that she gave him a black eye. Dream-active sleep or something like that."
"Yes, they've had some…difficulties. I believe they have them worked out." Minerva said, and then smirked. "At least, he looks more rested lately, as does she…and no more black eyes."
A knock sounded at the door to the Headmistress' office.
"Come in." Minerva said.
Severus and Tegan entered, and Harry jumped up out of his armchair to offer it to Tegan. She smiled and sat down, watching as Severus greeted Harry and Draco.
"Did we miss much?" Tegan asked, running her hand absently over her belly.
"No, not much." Harry said. "Draco and I were just filling the Headmistress in on all the events as of late."
"Not that there's been any," Draco sighed. "It's been quiet as a church out there. Not a peep from the 'Resurrected Death Eaters', or whatever they name they fancy."
"Indeed." Severus said, putting his hand on Tegan's shoulder as he stood by her chair. She smiled and took hold of it with her free hand, gently rubbing his hand with hers.
"So long as they remain ignorant of the whereabouts of the…item that Lestrange needs," He continued, "they will remain quiet. But they are looking for it."
"Do you have any idea what we should do? After all, you probably know Lestrange better than any of us…" Harry said, wincing as soon as he'd said it.
Severus scowled at him, but said nothing, thinking.
"Let me consider on it. I do have an idea of what we could do, but it will take some research…and careful planning." He replied.
"I don't want you in harm's way." Tegan said firmly, squeezing his hand. "I don't want you hurt again. I couldn't bear losing you-"
"I know, darling." Severus said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze in return. "That's where the careful planning comes in."
oOo
"I'm bored." Bailey said sullenly. Cooper turned and glared at him, hardly breaking his stride.
"You'd best get used to this." Cooper said harshly. "Travers don't like it when folks make trouble."
"I'm not making any trouble! I'm just bored!" Bailey griped. "We've been watching for three months now, and no sign of Snape. Are they sure he's even at Hogwarts?"
"Of course he is, you half-wit!"
"So what's the hold-up? Why aren't we doing something?"
Cooper sighed.
"Bailey, it might have something to do with the number of Aurors what are patrolling the castle. If we wait long enough, they may figure we're gone and leave. Or Snape will come into town, and maybe we can snatch him. Or-"
"Or, what, Cooper." Travers said, eyeing him coldly.
Shit, Cooper thought, How does he move that quiet. Never knew he was there till he spoke to me.
"Uh, nothing, sir." He blustered. "I, uh, was just trying to explain to Bailey here what a stupid idea it was to go against our orders, sir."
"Indeed. Very stupid, Cooper, Bailey." Travers hissed. "Mr. Lestrange does not want anyone making a foolish mistake…because they are bored. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir," Chimed Cooper and Bailey.
"Well, just to remind you," Travers continued, "your mission right now is to watch the town. If you see Snape, allow him to go about his business, but watch where he goes. Do NOT allow him to catch you following or watching him. He's a tricky one, he is, and because of McNair's stupidity last December, he's on his guard."
"Ah, Snape ain't so tough." Bailey scoffed. "I'll shove his fancy wand right up his-"
"Don't deceive yourself," Travers snapped, putting his nose right against Bailey's. "I've seen Snape easily beat Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange in duels. Not your little barroom brawls like you little turds like to play at, real duels that can end with someone being carried out feet first. So don't play hero. Observe and report, that's all you do."
"I'm pretty handy with a wand myself." Bailey said sullenly. "I've killed at least two dozen-"
"Sixteen." Travers scoffed. "Sixteen wizards that didn't know hardly which end of a wand to hold, much less how to point it right. Oh, did I mention that Snape's probably the best at wandless magic I've ever seen personally? Or that he learned quite a bit of the Dark Magic he knows from the Dark Lord himself? He's very proficient with the Unforgivable curses, and probably quite willing to use them on any Death Eaters foolish enough to try him right now."
Bailey had gone nearly ashen, his lower lip trembling. Travers moved closer, pressuring him back until he found himself pinned against the wall behind him.
"Maybe I should owl Severus, ask him if he would like to duel you personally, Bailey. We could find out how good you really are, eh?"
"I…I…um…I didn't –" Bailey stuttered, eyes downcast.
"I didn't think so." Travers smiled cruelly. "Now, I suggest that you do as you were told. When the time comes, there'll be plenty of fun to go around. But in the meanwhile, you might want to brush up on your skills, Bailey. Because if you had to face Snape right now, you wouldn't last five seconds, tops."
Travers turned and stalked off.
