Disclaimer: JKRs world and mostly her characters, with some OCs and AU plot that I have added.
The Snape family went to the Hogsmeade house as soon as the Christmas holidays started. For just about the whole household, it was the first time they had looked forward to the holiday with no concerns at all. They spent their days shopping in Hogsmeade, sharing secrets and preparing for a Christmas party.
The day of the party was a rather trying one for Severus. Barbara had specific orders to sit on the couch with her feet up, but every time her husband turned around he found her climbing up a step ladder or pushing heavy furniture. That meant that he had to stop what he was doing to sit her back down.
Finally, Severus was completely exasperated. "Barbara, there are seven other people in this house who would be happy to do the things you are trying to do. Will you please sit down and let us do them?"
"How do I know you will do it right?" she answered.
"Why are you so sure we'll do it wrong?"
"I just want things done right."
"Barbara, if you get off that couch again, I'm going to jinx you to it," Severus said.
She just looked up at him then, her brown eyes growing big and sad. He sat down next to her and held her hands.
"Don't do that, Barbara..." He looked away from her face. "Barbara, you're killing me. Please, just sit here and tell us how to do it."
"I don't think I can tell you. I need to show you, and then it will be done and you won't have to do it." She looked so winsome at that point that there was nothing to do. He was learning to recognize this mood and be grateful that it alternated with a more practical one. Holding her hand, he walked her up the stairs and into the bedroom, trusting that the teens and the elves would finish the decorating without them.
"Do you know how adorable you are, looking at me like that, and with the braid down your back?" Severus asked.
"And the swollen ankles and everything else?" she responded with a twisted smile.
"Do you mean the ankles that wouldn't be quite so swollen if you would sit down and put your feet up? Yes, you are adorable with all of that."
"I need to get the decorating done."
"As far as you're concerned, it is done. You're going to spend the rest of the afternoon in bed."
"You can't make me."
"Oh, no?" He was unfastening her robes and kissing her neck. "I think I can find a way to occupy your time."
"Way to take one for the team."
"I thought you would appreciate my efforts...Oh...Barbara..."
It seemed that she had found some clothes to unfasten, too.
Kingsley was the first person to arrive at the party, along with a date named Kendra and several aurors. "Where's Barbara?"
Severus sighed and shook his head. "She's on the couch. You can't miss her, she's so beautiful tonight. If you see her any place else, make sure she goes back. It's so close to her time and she's supposed to keep her feet up..." He shook his head again.
"Not making it easy?"
"I may need you as bonder for an Unbreakable Vow."
Kingsley's laugh preceded him into the sitting room. "Barbara, this is Kendra." Barbara stood to shake hands. "Oh, no, you're supposed to stay seated. I've been given orders."
"But Kingsley, you're the Minister. Can't you do something about my husband?"
"Not when what he's doing is trying to take care of you. Sit down and behave yourself. Stop making it so hard for the poor man."
"Can you sit next to me and tell me all the Ministry gossip?"
"That I can do." They chatted for several minutes. Kendra listened but didn't really say much, even when Kingsley specifically asked her something. Barbara didn't have many hopes for this one.
Carissa came in and shyly went to stand by Barbara, handing her some juice to drink. Kingsley shook her hand. "I'm very glad to meet you, Miss Montague."
Barbara said to her, "You can run into the kitchen for something to eat, if you're hungry. Howard and Alice, too." After the girl was gone, Barbara leaned forward and asked, "What has happened with her step father?"
"He's in Azkaban, but not forever. We'll be able to keep him there until she's at least of age, but I'm not sure how long after that."
"That will be long enough"
"He was trying to make deals and scams the whole way there. A thoroughly slimy person all around."
Barbara shuddered.
Kingsley decided to change the subject. "So tell me about my godchild. Do we know if it's a boy or girl yet?"
"Hmmm...we'll find out in about three weeks, and I told you that you're not the godparent until his or her father survives the birth. Poppy says that everything is fine but that I should put my feet up when I can. Certain people have interpreted that as needing to sit every minute of the day."
Kingsley laughed and stood. "I can see that I should be mingling, and there are some people here waiting to talk to you. Be a good girl and sit still. I don't want to get in trouble with your husband any more than I want to get in trouble with you, Mama Bear."
Minerva sat by Barbara next. "Barbara, dear, this is a lovely party."
"Are you sure you don't mind being stuck sitting with me?"
"Oh, no, this the best place to be. It's certainly better than being trapped under the mistletoe with Elphias Doge."
"Oh, no! I'm so sorry!"
"It's not your fault, dear. He does it every year, and you know," Minerva leaned over, "I don't mind it the first once or twice..."
"Minerva!" Barbara acted shocked.
"Well, we're not all happily married, dear." Barbara looked up and saw that her husband was smiling at her. She smiled back. Minerva spoke again. "I'm going to change the subject. When does Professor Malfoy arrive?"
"He is acceptable to you?"
"Quite. I think in the absence of certain rivalries he will do well."
"He is supposed to come when the term starts back up. I think he will probably start right in, too. I will be in the class room, of course, until I can't be, but between you and me, I'm just not able to concentrate properly any more."
Minerva patted her hand. "Quite understandable, dear. It will come back."
"Thank you, Minerva."
"I'm sure there are others who wish for my spot beside you. I need to get back to the school, anyhow. Have a good holiday, Barbara."
"You, too, Minerva."
Barbara watched Minerva wander off toward the door and then craned her neck to see if she could find Severus in the crowd. She turned and looked at the door to the kitchen. She really ought to see how things were going out there. She had stood and was walking around the couch when a voice apprehended her from behind.
"Nice try, Madam, but you're not allowed in there. Now sit back down."
"Severus! Where have you been?"
"I've been watching you plan your escape. I must say that pregnancy is really bringing out the Slytherin in you." His arm stole around her and he guided her back.
"I'm getting so tired of sitting there. Can't I get up for a few minutes just to stretch out?"
"Where would you like to go?"
"I want to go to the kitchen to make sure everything is going well out there."
"That's off limits for you."
"Well, there's one place I really ought to visit..."
"Where?" She made a face and he said, "Aha. Well, go ahead."
As he had suspected, she didn't take the most direct route back to the couch. He caught up with her under the archway between sitting room and dining room, clearly on a path to the kitchen. It was also one of the places where mistletoe had been hung.
He put his hand on her shoulder. "Barbara..." She started and looked up with a guilty face.
He took advantage of the opportunity to kiss her. She used her pent-up energy to deepen the kiss. His hands moved down her back while hers looped around his neck and she raised herself on tiptoe. The were brought back to awareness by the clapping of their guests. Barbara blushed and looked down. Severus slid his arm around his wife and cleared his throat.
"Since we have your attention," he began as several people chuckled, "Barbara and I wanted to welcome you to our home and thank you for sharing your holiday with us." Nod handed him a glass of wine and he raised it. "Merry Christmas, everyone."
The guests all raised their glasses and repeated, "Merry Christmas."
The arm around Barbara was firm as it led her back to the couch. "Is there anything I can get you to eat or drink, Mrs. Snape?" She shook her head. "Let me see if I can find someone to entertain you better."
"Severus, Poppy said I was perfectly fine."
"And I intend to keep you that way. She impressed upon me the need for you to rest." He looked around. "Potter! Come say hello to Barbara." The younger man came over. "Barbara was saying that she wished she knew how the last Dumbledore's Army meeting went. I understand you were present. Please describe it to her." As Harry sat down, Snape whispered in his ear, "See if you can keep her seated. We're trying to keep her from exhausting herself." With that the host went to greet some late-comers.
Harry gave a nervous look to Barbara. "He's being overprotective again, and he can't deduct house points from you or give you detention." she explained.
"Perhaps I should tell you how the meeting went," said Harry, looking toward his host worriedly.
"I've already heard all about it from Howard, of course," answered Barbara, "but tell me, was Professor MacDonald really so nice to everyone?"
"Actually, she was quite pleasant. I was surprised from what I had heard. She loved the pictures we passed around. Colin Creevey; you know, Dennis' brother; used to take pictures all the time and Dennis' parents sent a bunch that had recently been developed. They were from the early days of the DA. Professor MacDonald looked over every picture and there was one that she just loved. She actually teared up when she looked at it."
"Who was in that picture?"
"Our class of Gryffindors, mostly. Ron, Neville, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Hermione, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil...me..."
"Quite interesting. So what did you teach them, and what are your plans for the next couple of months?" After Harry had spoken for a few minutes, they were joined by Ginny Weasley, and then Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Barbara caught up with their doings and was startled to discover after a while that the party was over and her husband was leaning down to lift her to her feet and guide her up the stairs.
A/N: Thank you, kind reviewers!
I have to say that the wierdest part of pregnancy is the one where I start to lose my mind and get fixated on things that end up being silly.