Disclaimer: Look in the previous twenty-five chapters if you really need to.

Timeline: Early March. I'm moving fast now, all right? Kids are due in May sometime.

Author's Note: I'm going to be making some of you happy, and disappointing others. Sorry, that's how the cookie crumbles. I'm not telling you what I'm talking about, though. You'll figure it out quickly enough.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Grading Pranks

The rest of February passed in relative peace, with very few mishaps. March found Remus aiding Harry in his class, as Harry would often tire quickly and easily, the growing children drawing on his energy and magical reserves, leaving him exhausted and having to pay close attention so as to not overwork himself and inadvertently harm the children.

The students seemed to sense this change and realize that stress would not be good for Professor Potter-Snape, so they did their best to give him no cause to worry in class. Their subdued manner carried over into Severus' class as well, and there were far less explosions, which he appreciated a great deal as it meant he could relax just a little more, keep a watch a little less vigilantly.

The potions professor was often exhausted as well, worrying constantly over his pregnant husband, making sure that he didn't do anything too strenuous, but also trying to avoid making the young man feel smothered in attention. It was a very fine line that he had crossed accidentally several times, leading to numerous squabbles which quickly weakened the younger of the pair.

Harry refused to quit teaching, but had accepted the help that Remus Lupin offered, for which Severus was grateful. Byron would often visit with Sirius while his husband was teaching, and Draco visited every night, and every other weekend. Ron and Hermione had visited, as well as the rest of the Weasleys, all of them taking Harry and Sirius for the day, allowing their husbands a brief reprieve.

With the two wizards entering the most dangerous stage, when their magic was drained so rapidly to support the children, leaving the pregnant parents vulnerable, Severus and Remus were constantly tense, watchful for the slightest hint that something might be wrong with their life mates.

Even Lucius had returned from doing Merlin knows what at the Ministry, spreading his time between Harry, Draco, and Severus, ensuring that his son was content with life and getting to know him better, and working to soothe both the soon-to-be parents of twin boys. Hermione had, much to everyone's utter surprise, dragged HIM, Lucius Malfoy, on a shopping spree for baby items for both Harry and Sirius. Fortunately, she got Filius Flitwick and Minerva McGonagall to help decorate the nursery, as Lucius wasn't entirely sure that his dignity would have survived the humiliation of decorating a room intended for screaming babies.

Unfortunately, Ron and Hermione didn't have nearly as much time as they would have liked to spend with Harry and Sirius, as they still had training and schooling to go to, as well as wedding plans to make. It had been decided that they would be married at the Burrow, with Albus performing the ceremony, right after they had both graduated.

Even Nathan had taken to watching over Harry's well-being, ensuring that the other students in class didn't bother him more than necessary and spending his evenings with the lycanthrope, doing his homework or just talking about nothing in particular while the other man rested or graded various essays. Remus had offered to grade them as well, but Harry had refused, stating that he already felt useless enough as it was and he wasn't about to have the grading taken from him as well. Remus had conceded reluctantly when Harry pointed out that he could get others to do the work if he really had to, and Remus had a pregnant husband to take care of.

The full moon was the worst time for all of them, as Harry had channeled even more magic towards his children in order to protect them. Amarth had spent the night panting in front of the fire, too weak to move even as far as the bed. Severus, terrified for his husband, had shifted into Basilisk form and curled around his mate, offering him what comfort he could.

The next morning found Harry passed out on the rug. Severus had moved them to the bed and hadn't left Harry's side for a moment, letting Lucius take over his potions classes while Remus took over Defense Against the Dark Arts. Three days later—which is as long as Severus was able to force Harry to remain in bed—the violet-eyed wizard was back to teaching.

Now, the first week into March, Harry sat in the study at his desk, grading essays and waiting for Severus to brace himself for whatever he was about to say. Harry figured it had to either be bad news, or else something that he was afraid that Harry might react poorly to. Harry was banking on the latter, since nobody else had seemed particularly worried, just Severus, which made the were-Jachyra all the more curious about what was troubling his husband so much.

Sighing in annoyance, Harry looked up, catching his husband staring intently at him, twisting his wedding band in a sign that indicated a great deal of nervousness. "What is it, Sev?" he asked testily. "Tell me so that I can get back to grading." Severus sighed and visibly steeled himself before saying, "Idontthinkweshouldadopt," really quickly. Harry blinked as he processed this and figured out just who his husband was talking about, and then he just gazed calmly back at Severus. "Why not?"

This had obviously not been what Severus was expecting, for he startled and stared at Harry wide-eyed before recovering his composition. Harry was upset and swore that Severus had better have a very good reason for his decision, but he was far too weak and exhausted to make a fuss. His head was pounding, and he still had three classes worth of essays to read through and grade. The Potions Master obviously noticed this—benefits of having been a Death Eater spy, Harry was sure—and decided to refrain from remarking on Harry's reaction, or lack thereof, and just answer the question.

Severus had obviously been thinking about this for a while, and he laid out his reasons, which covered the whole spectrum between not having the time that Nathan would need once the twins were born and taking up all of their time to the fact that the Ministry would most likely interfere if the children of their Savior lived around a were-leopard. Harry had to admit the credibility in that last statement. Severus and he had gone through a lot of trouble to make sure that these kids would never be able to be taken from them, even if something should happen to force Arthur Weasley out of office. Nathan would only make it more difficult for them.

Harry sighed, "All right. I understand that, and don't worry. I haven't mentioned anything to Nathan about this. However, I'd rather that he not have to go back to that orphanage. They don't give him the attention he needs either, and his lycanthropy may lead to his death there, should something happen and the Ministry decides that Nathan poses too much of a threat to the other children at the orphanage."

Severus nodded and admitted that he had been thinking along those lines as well and was still no closer to having another plan than he had been in the beginning. Albus was getting old, and Byron was too set in his ways to adopt a child that wasn't a member of his pack. Remus and Sirius would have their own problems once Mitena was born, and would face similar obstacles as Harry and Severus should they adopt the were-leopard. Draco and the twins were out, being only slightly older than Nathan and unable to tend to his needs as a parent would. Lucius had shown no interest in having any more children after Draco, so he wouldn't be likely to adopt Nathan either.

"There has to be something we can do," Harry pleaded, wiping in frustration at the tears that refused to stay back and traveled down his cheek in wet trails. Severus nodded and moved over to hold Harry tightly from behind, sending his comforting presence through the bond as well as through the touch of their bodies. "We will, Harry. You care a great deal for young Mr. Schuyler, and I will not let any harm to come to him if I can prevent it. We'll find something." Harry nodded in agreement, knowing that his husband was serious, and turned his head to give the man a kiss of appreciation.

Severus gently broke the kiss to travel along Harry's face, softly smoothing away his mate's tears with his lips and thumbs, brushing Harry's skin in a soothing pattern. Harry shuddered and calmed down, leaning his face into Severus' administrations, purring quietly. Severus smiled, continuing to pet Harry until the younger man was slumped against him, sleeping. Sighing, the Potions Master picked his husband up and carried him into their bedroom for some rest. He could finish grading later, or else Severus would give the essays to Remus, or perhaps one of the older students that he trusted, since they were all first and second year essays.

When Harry woke up later that evening, he groaned. Damn the man—Severus had put him to sleep again and then left him alone, forcing him to rest while he still had essays to grade. Grumbling to himself about sneaky Slytherin bastards, Harry hauled himself clumsily from bed and stood still, regaining his balance after having lain down for several hours.

Harry hated the loss of his balance more than anything. He was used to his lean, toned body that moved just as smoothly on the ground as it did gracefully in the air. Now, with two children growing inside of him, his balance was thrown all out of whack, with more weight up front than he was used to. Not to mention that carrying the extra weight hurt his back and the kids had apparently decided that their father's ribs made good drums. Harry couldn't wait for their birth, so that they could kick everybody equally, not just him.

He smiled, thinking about what his husband had pointed out when he had complained about the extra weight he bore. "Look at it this way, Harry. At least you won't have to worry about gaining breasts to feed your children," he had sneered, smirking as Harry paled in realization and then slumped in relief. "It didn't even cross your mind that you might gain breasts, did it?"

Harry had shaken his head and glared at his husband, before paling again, eyes wide as he realized, "Oh, Merlin. I'm pregnant. I'm going to have children! They're inside my body right now!" Severus had laughed long and hard as the reality suddenly came crashing down on Harry's head.

The lycanthrope shivered as he recalled that particular conversation. Before that, his pregnancy had seemed more like a dream, despite the morning sickness and extra weight. When it had hit, it had done so with all the finesse—and force—of a brick wall. Harry had nearly passed out from the overload of information that realization had brought.

He was going to be a father! He'd have to feed the children, change their diapers, bathe them, wake up in the middle of the night to sooth them, and just take care of them in general. He didn't even know if he could after the Dursleys' stellar treatment of him, and found himself praying that a paternal instinct would kick in from somewhere once they were born.

Shaking his head to rid himself of these thoughts, knowing that dwelling on them would just compound his headache. Walking into the study, he saw Severus bent over his own papers, grading various attempts at detailing the uses of Dragon spine versus Veela hair in healing potions. Quietly, so as to keep his presence unnoticed for a little longer, Harry glanced around the room, taking in the others spread throughout the place.

Remus was sitting behind Harry's desk, apparently grading the essays that Harry had been forced to abandon when Severus had put him to sleep. Sirius was laying on the couch from the living room, which had apparently been moved into the study temporarily, so that Remus could keep an eye on his mate and husband.

Moving forward, Harry noticed the others sense his presence in the room and look up. He smiled at his godfathers, thanking Remus for grading the essays, and then moved to stand in front of his husband. "Do you have something for this headache that will be safe for me to take?"

Severus looked up at him, amused. "I was wondering when you were planning on coming to me for something. You've had several headaches lately, and some of them have seemed pretty bad." Harry snarled at him before shrugging and muttering, "It's never gotten this bad, and I didn't want to endanger the children if I could avoid it. However, it's reached the point where I'm no longer seeing straight."

Severus just nodded and reached into his desk, pulling out an opaque white potion that Harry downed in one gulp, grimacing from the taste. However, his headache went away immediately, and Harry sighed in relief, deciding that the awful taste was a small price to pay if it meant that his head quit trying to split itself open.

Smiling his thanks to Severus, Harry went over to greet his godfathers properly. Sirius appeared to be tired, but happy, his eyes sparkling with suppressed mirth. This, of course, made Harry instantly suspicious. Staring at the animagus through narrowed eyes, Harry only relaxed when Sirius' eyes flicked past him to his husband, who was still grading papers. A prank was about to be played, and it wasn't on him.

Of course, it had probably been intended for him in the first place, but since he wasn't grading papers right now, Remus would have to do instead. At least Harry knew that it was harmless, as Sirius would never risk any pranks that might result in the injury or death of his children.

Nudging Sirius, Harry waited until the other man had propped himself up and pulled his legs in before flopping down on the couch himself. Smirking, he laid his head on the armrest and performed a small bit of wandless magic, making the couch longer and wider.

Sirius glared at him, but he just stared back benignly and shrugged. "I didn't think about it until after I realized just how small and uncomfortable this couch was for two pregnant men." He could tell by Sirius' glare that he didn't believe a word of it, and he smiled innocently at the older wizard, who snorted in mock disgust and turned to face his husband.

Harry lay still, staring at the ceiling, until he heard a yelp, followed by an exasperated cry of, "Sirius Orion Lupin-Black! Fix this, now!" Glancing over, he burst out into peals of laughter, tears of mirth traveling down his face as he held his stomach. Sirius wasn't doing much better, and even Severus was snickering over in the corner. Moony was shining through. Remus now bore wolf ears, canines, and claws. When he stood up, moving towards his husband, Harry caught sight of a wolf's tail wagging behind his godfather.

"Glad I wasn't hit with that," he commented, hoping to save his godfather by distracting the werewolf. His words had the desired effect and Remus looked at Harry confusedly. Sighing, the violet-eyed man explained, "That prank had been intended for me. However, since most pranks aren't person-specific, you were hit with it while grading my papers."

Remus blinked, and then grinned when realization hit him. The paper had been pranked for whoever touched it. Sirius had assumed that it would be Harry, but didn't tell his canine partner when he started grading his godson's paper because it would have ruined his fun. He'd rather see his husband get hit than to have Remus warn Harry of the prank before he had a chance to activate it. Harry would have wound up part Jachyra if he had been the one grading the student's Defense assignments.

Finding out that the prank would last a full forty-eight hours, Remus groaned. That meant that he'd have to go to the Great Hall and teach classes like this. He just hoped that he didn't terrify anybody with his wolfish features. Harry grinned at him, and he wondered idly if the young man had read his mind. Nonetheless, he was startled when a voice said, Of course I am, but you're broadcasting, so it's all right.