Chapter 12: Parenthood Exposed

A knock had never been so ominous a noise. Severus stared without really seeing as Sirius went to go answer the door. Perhaps agreeing to do this while the boys were sleeping had been a bad idea after all. He couldn't use them as a distraction now.

The first to enter were the students' former classmates, Ron and Hermione along with Blaise and Neville, who were looking suspiciously comfortable with one another. Severus frowned, perplexed. Longbottom was gay? Oh, just as well-perhaps Zabini could improve the boy's potions skills. The students gave their polite greetings, obviously nervous to be in teachers' quarters, and sat rigidly at the kitchen table.

The next to come were the rest of the Weasley clan, followed by Mad Eye Moody. Severus found it unsurprisingly amusing to witness Sirius' cheery warm greeting in comparison to his own rather aloof and formal one by the red-headed pure bloods. While he knew better than to expect anything else, he had hoped that after two years of marriage to the Animagus that things might have changed.

Hope was an utterly foolish thing.

At least Moody was familiar, consistent. His stiff nod to all was almost comforting. Nymphadora Tonks with her present electric blue hair and the rest of the staff quickly flanked the brooding auror, and Sirius ushered the lot into the living room while Severus conjured more seating.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Sirius said as they finally sat down. "We realize the inconvenience."

"It was no trouble, dear," Molly offered.

Sirius turned to Severus and took his hand in his own. "We came to talk to you about…our children."

A collective frown decorated the faces in the living room. "Professor," Blaise and Hermione both said simultaneously. They blushed, and Blaise motioned for Hermione to proceed. "Professors," she continued, "What children? I didn't know you had any."

Severus almost smirked at the balked expression on Ronald Weasley's face. It seemed to say, Snape, the greasy git, has kids! Sweet Merlin…who the hell would do...do...that...with SNAPE!!! Ewwww...ewww...

"Dumbledore has recently brought Severus and myself into contact with a Soul Scroll," Sirius stated calmly. He waited for the hubbub of gasps and horrified whispers to cease before continuing.

"Please, let us finish. The headmaster used the soul scroll to confirm to us, that Severus and I are part of a dream family. Along with several others-"

"Who?! Who are the others?!"

"A Dream Family? But they're so rare-"

"I can't believe it, I just ca-"

"ENOUGH!" Severus lost his cool. It was hard enough trying to explain this complicated matter without added chatter and disbelief. "We will answer your questions if you'd let us!"

"…Mama," a tiny, tired voice called from the hallway.

Severus' demeanor instantly changed. He turned towards the noise? "Luc? What's wrong, darling? Why aren't you sleeping?" He glided towards the door where a very pale five-year-old stood.

"I don't feel good," he said, using one hand to rub his eyes, and holding out his arm with the other. His voice was harsh, and raspy. Severus immediately scooped him into his arms and Lucius buried his face in his mother's shoulder.

"What's the matter?" he murmured, completely forgetting the others in the room-his child was sick.

"My froat's still sore, Mama. And I'm really cold." He shivered for good measure, and tried to wiggle deeper into Severus' arms.

Severus didn't even bother to correct him and with a frown he lifted a hand to touch his son's forehead. He gasped, "You have a fever, baby. Did you sleep at all?"

A horrible, raspy wet cough that seemed to shake his whole body answered. "A little."

Clutching his son close to his body, Severus hurried to his own rooms, and laid Lucius down in his bed. "Stay here, pet, Mama will be right back."

He went quickly back to the nursery, and cast a health status on the remainder of his children. Thankfully, it appeared that Lucius was the only one sick. Satisfied, he returned to his eldest with a cool, wet cloth, and his wand.

"Put this on your forehead, sweet."

Lucius did as he was told. "Mama," he said, "Am I sick?"

Severus nodded, and waved his wand over the boy, murmuring latin under his breath. In wavy yellow letters 38.8 ۫ C. Sweet Merlin-that was 102 degrees Fahrenheit!(AN: Ok, I know that Severus really wouldn't think that-it was merely for the benefit of those unable to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit)

"Sirius!" he called, reentering the living room. "He's sick-he has a temperature."

"How high?" Sirius asked, coming to his feet.

"Almost 39 degrees."

Sirius blanched, and turned to the guests. "I'm sorry about this-we'll have to explain another time."

"But Sirius!" Tonks interrupted. "What's going on! Who's sick? And who was that little boy? I'd swear, if I didn't know better, I'd say he looked exactly like the two of yo-"

Sirius cut her off with a wave of his hand. "I'm sorry, I can't explain now. You're welcome to stay and make yourselves comfortable, but I have a sick child who needs his parents now." He strode off after his husband, leaving a dazed crowd in his wake.