Veronica's POV
Severus poured a goblet of pumpkin juice while I finished my latest project; Draught of the Living Dead. So…that's what he meant by having pot in his store! Marijuana is the basis of all sleeping potions. Huh.
It was New Year's Eve, so everyone who didn't go home for the holiday would meet in the Great Hall. Ugh… I was definitely not in the mood to deal with a bunch of students younger than me. I blew out a breath and drank some juice, making a face. Everything I ate or drank at certain times had the "made me ill" effect.
"I'm not going to the get-together tonight. I might go to the library to read." Severus raised his attention from the papers he was writing on, but before he could say anything, there was a knock on the classroom door. I hid the goblet, and then went back to standing over the cauldron.
"Enter." Severus' voice sounded weary, mainly because three teachers had already come to talk to him. The door opened, and the idiot Trelawney hurried in. Rolling my eyes, I added the Cannabis and Wormwood to the potion, careful to keep away from the fumes.
"Professor, I must speak with you. It is dire. I've had a vision concerning you." I hid my smirk as Severus pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Do tell, my day could not possibly get better. I am practically giddy with excitement." I stifled a giggle as a cough at Severus' blatant sarcasm. Trelawney glanced at me warily.
"Perhaps we should speak out of earshot of children?" I scowled at the back of her head wishing I had heat vision. Severus smirked.
"I am sure that what ever it is can be said in front of a student. It is not as if I have not heard the, 'grave things lie in your future' speech." Trelawney seemed unaffected by Severus' barbs, which sodding pissed me off.
"I was performing my semesterly psychic reading for the Hogwarts' staff, when I noticed with my Inner Eye that you have two auras arriving for you in the months to come. Beware! One will betray the Light, while the other will be doomed to servitude." My eyes widened.
If Severus was curious, he didn't show it, and I couldn't wait until we were alone to talk about Trelawney's "vision". I lowered the flames under the cauldron to pass the time.
"If that is all, Sybil, please kindly leave my classroom, so I that I could possibly get some work done before the brats return. Oh, and please inform the Headmaster that I will not be joining the 'festivities' tonight, but I am sure you already knew that."
Trelawney spluttered, but pulled together what was left of her dignity and left, muttering, "oh, of course", as she glided out of the door. I lost all control at that moment, bursting into hysterical giggles at the look on Severus' face. I covered my mouth and turned around to try to calm down.
"Are you quite finished?" I sniffed and nodded, trying to maintain a neutral face. "Good, because Sybil's vision bothers me." I sobered quickly.
"Why? She's just some crackpot. She couldn't predict anything—"
She already had predicted very important events, such as Voldemort's return, and also, his demise. While most of her predictions are far-fetched, Sybil's vision mentioned two auras coming in months. Didn't it strike you as odd that it was said that way?"
I bit my bottom lip, turning off the burner to the finished potion. I sat down with a huff, but otherwise kept silent. Two auras? Twins? I finished my notes quietly, though I felt Severus' eyes on me.
"I'm going to go lay down. Everything is ready for you to test." I stood quickly and grabbed my bag before kissing Severus good bye. "Maybe I'll come around for the count down until the new year. I love you."
"Love you too." He sounded distracted. I chewed on my thumbnail as I walked to my dorm room. Two auras… No wonder there's interference so early. I did as I said I was going to after pulling my letter-writing kit out. I lay down, staring at the green fabric of the canopy.
Tears rolled down my face for no particular reason; I wasn't sad, so I blamed it on hormones. In two days the other kids would be coming back, and the third day we'd be continuing classes. The days would just tick by, until I finally started showing. I knew kids wouldn't accept it, but it couldn't be helped.
Luckily, if I did the math right, I wouldn't be due until after classes were over for the summer. Unfortunately, the unknown factor was how my parents would take the news. When would I tell them? The sooner the better, so they don't think I kept it from them…
Snape's POV
I ran a hand through my hair as I paced the length of my classroom. Getting absolutely nothing done since Sybil told me about her vision, I'd simply thought about the mess I'd gotten myself into. I am 39 bloody years old for Salazar's sake. I am in no shape to be a father to one baby, let alone two.
"Sodding hell…" I muttered as I thought of Veronica's health. She was a seventeen-year-old girl! Her body was tiny, and if Sybil was correct, and Veronica was carrying twins, Veronica could be too fragile to carry to full term. Well, it does explain the early magical interference.
Veronica's POV
I woke with a start, my mind trying to tell me where I was. Looking at the clock, I saw it was a quarter 'til twelve. I swore and jumped up, fighting the dizziness as I did so, before pulling on my shoes. Sliding into the corridor, I crept toward Severus' chambers.
Mrs. Norris meowed as she stepped in front of me. To my surprise, she wrapped herself around my legs, purring. My hand shook as I stroked her fur, praying she wouldn't "tell" Filch I was up-and-about.
"My child, I have never seen that cat take so well to anyone." I squeaked, until I realized that it was a portrait talking to me.
"I seem to have a way with surly creatures." The man in the portrait smirked. Did he know something?
"Well, I won't keep you; you obviously are in a hurry." I breathed in and waved, smiling at the man that I saw was named Phineas Nigellus Black before continuing on.
Mrs. Norris followed me for a few minutes, but soon left me alone. I reached Severus' door with no more problems. Knocking, I opened the door quietly, slipping inside.
"Severus?" At my calling, Severus entered the main room from his bedroom.
"I assumed you would stay in your dorm room for the rest of the night." I watched him pour himself what I guessed was brandy before going closer to him.
"I fell asleep after writing my mum a letter. And I think I seem to have made a few friends." I told Severus about Mrs. Norris and Phineas Black.
"Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Happy New Year, Severus." I pulled myself up from laying my head on his legs and kissed him.
"Come along, you need your rest. No one will look for you until tomorrow, and by then you will already be working." I smiled dreamily, and allowed Severus to bring me into the bedroom. Clumsily, I pulled off my clothes until I was down to underwear and bra. The nap did nothing for me, and nearly as soon as Severus climbed into bed beside me, I was asleep.
I had to work hard to write Snape's comments to Trelawney, I couldn't help but geek out when I reread them. This chapter was originally longer, with Jayden's POV, but it didn't fit the time frame, so he'll be in the beginning of the next chapter. The time after chapter 25 will fly by, because I have to cover all of the bases before the pregnancy ends!
Please R&R?