28. Hellos and Goodbyes
It was the eighth of May and Harry's channel had formed. It had been more painful than Madam Pomfrey had warned but as with everything in his life Harry endured. At least this time Harry knew he would have a wonderful baby boy for his pain.
Harry and Severus knew that Harry could go into labour any day now as he was coming up to his due date. Harry was more than a little nervous about the labour. He had read too many pregnancy books describing the pain of labour.
On the plus side he had bought everything Aeron could possibly need. All of which had been sent to the Hafners. The idea of giving up his son always left a sour taste in Harry's mouth but it was better than letting Voldemort get his hands on their son.
They had at long last come to an agreement over their son's name. He was going to be called Aeron, which was Harry's favourite name, Serpens, for his father's house, Potter-Snape. It had taken many debates to an agreement. True he would be known as Aeron Serpens Hafner unless Voldemort was defeated but even that was worrying.
If Voldemort was defeated Harry and Severus wouldn't just be able to come about their relationship and son. After all Snape was Harry's teacher and Harry was sixteen meaning that if the war ever ended that Severus could go to Azkaban for having sexual relations with his underage student. Aeron would just make it even worse as it meant that Severus had got his underage student pregnant.
They had spoken about claiming to have bonded over the pressures of war as Snape would continue to be Harry's spy. Of course, they wouldn't admit to having started their relationship until after Harry was of age. Severus would then set up false documents of the blood adoption of a young boy, Aeron, which would explain the presence of a child who was born when Harry was sixteen who would have looks of both Harry and Severus.
Meanwhile Dumbledore had been getting weaker and weaker over the last few months. Severus and Dumbledore planned that Dumbledore wouldn't be killed until after Aeron was born. Harry feared that day knowing that he and Severus would be parted as the world bar Harry and Hermione would believe Severus was the killer of the Wizarding World's hero.
Harry and Severus had turned the Potter and Black homes into safe houses. It hadn't been easy but it had been done. Harry and Severus had portkeys to the homes set on identical charm bracelets. Harry had told Severus to try and bring as many prisoners as he could manage without Voldemort becoming suspicious.
Dumbledore had called Harry's lessons to an end as he was so near his due date. That was a relief to Harry as he spent so many of his days sleeping nowadays. Apparently that was usual for male pregnancies that relied on magic to sustain themselves so that by the end of the seven months the bearer was suffering magical exhaustion. Harry would be recommended not to over do it in the magical compartment for around a month after he had given birth.
Currently Harry was lying half asleep in their bed tossing and turning. He hadn't been able to get to sleep all night. Aeron seemed to be really going to town on his stomach. He wished Severus was here but his lover had been summoned by Voldemort earlier in the evening and hadn't arrived since then. Harry suspected that his inability was caused by the fear that Severus would somehow be found out and killed.
As Harry's stomach twisted in fear for his lover Harry felt liquid soak his legs. Harry widened his eyes he knew what was happening but there was no one there to help him. Harry cried out clutching his stomach. He needed Madam Pomfrey.
'D-D-Dobby,' Harry called.
The contraction had faded. Harry knew that the contractions would come and go with increasing regularity as the time went on. As of now they weren't coming full stop. He needed to get help and as his lover wasn't here that would mean he needed someone else.
'Get Dumbledore tell him it's time,' Harry ordered the little elf.
Dobby left with a crack. Harry hoped that Dumbledore wouldn't be too long. He didn't want to be alone for this. He wished that Severus would come back. He needed him more than he'd needed him before which was saying something considering how many times Severus had saved his life since he was eleven years old.
/
Albus was practically asleep on his desk going over where the orphanage had gone on their trip one more time. He was sure that it was a hiding place for a Horcrux. He just hoped that it wasn't the locket or he'd have to start all over again. Albus had no idea where Hufflepuff's cup or the possession of Ravenclaw's was.
That was when Harry's elf friend, Dobby, suddenly appeared looking quite frantic. There was only one person who could make the little elf look like that. Harry! The worry for the boy caused Albus to panic.
'Harry?' Albus asked sharply.
'Harry Potter, sir, told Dobby to get Dumbledore, sir. Harry Potter told Dobby to tell Dumbledore, sir, that it was time, sir,' Dobby squeaked.
Albus' eyes widened he knew that the time was coming up to when the baby Potter-Snape was to be born but he had thought they had a few more weeks yet. He shouldn't have left Harry alone. He and Severus should have arranged something should Severus be called in the middle of the night. As it was they hadn't and now Harry was alone. Dumbledore hurried to the fireplace in his office.
'Severus Snape's quarters,' Albus called.
Albus arrived in Severus – and now Harry's – living room. Unsurprisingly the boy wasn't there. It was the middle of the night he was likely still in bed. Albus had never entered Severus' bedroom – never had reason to until now.
He saw the boy lying, the sheets around him soaked. His waters must have just broken Albus realised. He was obviously in pain. It wasn't any wonder considering what was going on he would just have to hope that everything went okay for both bearer and child.
'Harry,' Albus said.
'Professor,' Harry said weakly.
Albus picked the boy up re-entering the Floo and taking him straight to the Hospital Wing. He placed the boy gently on the bed in one of the private rooms that were rarely used. Albus then made his way down to the main room.
'Poppy,' Albus called.
'Albus I'm a bit busy,' Poppy retorted.
Albus could see quite clearly that the matron was very busy. Apparently first year Natalie Masters had somehow managed to change herself into a rather giant owl. Albus didn't even bother to question how the girl had managed to do that probably yet another child who thought it would be cool to become an Animagus and ended up stuck in the half way state. He would, of course, be able to fix it rather simply. He did have a Mastery in Transfiguration after all.
'It's time,' Albus said simply knowing that Poppy would know what he was talking about. 'I'll sort out Miss Masters.'
'Where is he?' asked Poppy.
'The first private room,' Albus replied.
Poppy nodded and hurried off to tend to Harry as Albus pulled out his wand. He spoke to the girl he was fixing up but his mind was naturally on his apprentice. Albus always worried about Harry but at least this time it was a blessing rather than a curse.
/
Severus arrived back in the castle just as the sun was creeping over the turrets. He was exhausted and knew he'd have to down Pepper Up to last through the day of teaching. Tonight had been horrific. The Dark Lord had raided a Muggle settlement just outside of London slaughtering the entire village. Severus may have managed to discretely plant portkeys on Muggles that would remove them to the Ministry of Magic where Bones and the aurors would modify their memories.
He arrived back just beyond the Hogwarts wards. The Aurors let him pass without any fuss knowing who he was, after his magical signature was checked against their records. Severus wondered what it would be like next year with Dumbledore gone and the Dark Lord in control by then.
Severus began making his way towards his quarters. Severus would first check in with Harry and then Fire Call Albus telling him what had happened. Albus most likely already know about the attack and the few Muggles Severus had managed to save.
Severus entered his quarters everything was quiet, too quiet. Not that it was surprising but some instinct of Severus' knew that something was wrong. It was an instinct honed by over a decade and a half of war, spying and mortal danger. Entering his bedroom Severus realised that his quarters were empty and immediately felt the cold chokehold of fear that he hadn't felt since Lily's death. Harry was gone. Severus knew he didn't leave his quarters much anymore as the pregnancy was exhausting him, usually Granger would visit him here. Severus took note of the sodden bedclothes and he realised what was going on.
Severus all but ran to the infirmary. There was a small brunette girl Severus recognised as a Ravenclaw first year. Neither Harry nor Dumbledore were anywhere to be seen. That didn't surprise Severus. For a situation like this a private room would have been picked out even if it wasn't the Boy Who Lived or Chosen One or whatever they decided to call Harry now.
Severus headed to the back. He looked in the first room where he saw Harry. His lover seemed exhausted, tired eyes met his as Poppy washed a small red faced creature with a tuft of black hair, naturally (it wasn't like a child of Severus and Harry could have anything but black hair). Severus realised it was his son. He had missed his first child's entrance into the Wizarding World.
'Congratulations, Mr Potter,' smiled Poppy. 'You have a healthy son weighing seven pounds. What are you going to call him?'
'Aeron Serpens Potter-S…' Harry cut himself off.
Severus smiled knowing what Harry was going to say. If Poppy was surprised by the very Slytherin middle name she didn't say anything. She probably thought that one of the Slytherin students was Harry's father and had an input on the naming. She would probably have a heart attack if she knew the truth Severus thought amuse.
'Aeron Potter,' Poppy smiled, 'it suits him.'
Poppy passed Aeron to Harry wrapped in a blue blanket. Harry held their son smiling at their baby. In his bearer's arms the black haired baby quickly quieted down. Severus hadn't seen many babies apart from the odd child of Order members and Death Eaters at Meetings but he couldn't help but believe that his and Harry's was perfect.
'He's perfect,' murmured Harry.
'Yes he is,' agreed Albus.
Poppy smiled, 'Harry you should get some sleep it's been a long night.'
Harry clutched Aeron to him as Poppy left a room which apparently only contained Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter. Severus had used a disillusionment charm when Poppy walked past. He didn't want her questioning what he was doing here which would be something of an awkward conversation probably ending up with Severus being hexed.
'Severus,' smiled Harry.
'I'll leave you to it then,' Dumbledore smiled.
Both Harry and Severus nodded two sets of tired eyes meeting one another. Severus took his employer's vacated seat just as the man left. Severus couldn't keep his eyes off of the baby in his young lover's arms.
'You missed it,' Harry said softly.
'I know,' Severus said softly. 'Can I hold him?'
Harry nodded quickly passing the baby over to Severus. Severus had never had much to do with babies before and now he had a newborn in his hands. He couldn't keep his eyes off of the blue eyes that stared into his.
'They're likely to change,' Harry said softly. 'Black or green or hazel like my father's.'
'My parents both had black eyes,' Severus replied. 'Poppy's right you should sleep it's been a long night.'
Severus was annoyed with himself. Harry must have already been going into labour when he had left. Harry had been complaining about back pain and "his son" kicking all night. Severus hadn't expected Harry to go into labour for another week so hadn't realised what was going on.
Then there was the fact that he had missed his son's birth. He hadn't been there for the entire painful process of childbirth. Severus knew that it couldn't be helped. He was a spy. If he missed one meeting the Dark Lord would torture him if not kill him without even asking for an explanation.
/
It was Saturday and Hermione had time to visit Harry. Hermione had started visiting Harry in Snape's quarters. Ron didn't understand why Harry wasn't visiting them especially after his poisoning which Harry barely stayed for. Hermione had tried to keep the peace without revealing that Harry was pregnant but as she couldn't claim Harry was ill when he wasn't in the Hospital Wing it fell on death ears.
When she walked into Snape's quarters the first thing that she heard was the sound of a baby crying. It didn't take a genius to work out. Hermione grinned realising that she would be able to see Harry's newborn son before he was handed over to Harry's squib relatives.
'Harry,' grinned Hermione.
'Hey, Hermione,' Harry sounded stressed.
Hermione watched as Harry attempted to bottle fed the black haired child dressed in a red baby grow with golden lions chasing themselves around. Hermione was amused by this. She would bet that Severus had put up a fight about buying that particular outfit.
Aeron Serpens Potter-Snape was bawling as his two fathers. But apparently baby Potter-Snape wasn't hungry. Hermione couldn't help but feel relieved that it wasn't her that had gotten pregnant before she had graduated.
Of course, Hermione wanted children – eventually. Not till she was about thirty if Hermione had anything to do with it. Hermione wanted to have a career first before she worried about marriage and children.
'Maybe he needs a change,' Hermione suggested.
Hermione didn't know much about babies but she thought that if a baby wasn't taking food and was crying then it might be dirty. The looks on the two dark haired men's face was amusing. Obviously they were experiencing the joys of parenthood.
'Thanks, Hermione,' Harry said in obvious relief.
Harry was soon bustling about the room changing his son. Hermione watched as Severus hovered slightly. Hermione smiled. She would have never believed how unbelievably sweet Harry and Severus were together. Not that she would ever tell Professor Snape that. He would probably have her scrubbing cauldrons for the rest of her school career.
'So when was he born?' asked Hermione smiling.
'Yesterday morning,' Snape replied, 'quarter past seven.'
Hermione wanted to ask how long that Aeron would be staying with them. However, she knew how insensitive that would be considering that Harry didn't want to give up his son. Hermione pitied him for the choice that he had to make. He wanted to stay with his son but he wanted his son safe. In the end his son's safety was what mattered to Harry the most.
'Can I hold him?' asked Hermione nervously.
Harry smiled, 'sure.'
Harry handed the newborn over to Hermione. Hermione smiled as she held the baby the way Harry showed her to so as not to hurt him. Hermione didn't know what Harry would do when he had to give him up.
'Still Aeron Serpens?' asked Hermione.
'Of course,' Severus said simply.
Harry grinned, 'he couldn't convince me to name him Serpens. I mean what would happen if he ended up in Gryffindor!'
'He could,' Hermione said. 'If he's anything like you.'
'Oh Merlin no,' Severus shuddered. 'If Aeron even thinks about pulling half the stunts Harry pulled he'd be grounded until he's thirty.'
Hermione was again amused by what Snape was saying. Hermione knew that Snape cared for Harry and there baby but to hear him be all protective over his newborn son was heart warming for Hermione. It didn't surprise Hermione that Harry had gone for someone older. Harry had seen too much for him to ever be happy with a mere boy. But Snape wasn't the man that she would have pictured him with.
'I don't care what house he gets in as long as he's happy,' Harry said. 'If he's anything as smart as Severus he'll be a Ravenclaw for sure.'
Severus smiled, 'if he's as loyal as you are he could be a Hufflepuff.'
'I want to put these stupid house prejudices behind us,' Harry declared. 'If I ran the school I'd just disband the houses and have years instead.'
'What about Quidditch?' asked Snape dryly.
Harry shrugged, 'don't the European schools have a Quidditch tournament?'
Hermione nodded, 'yes.'
'Then why can't we just join them,' Harry shrugged.
'Good,' Hermione smiled, 'I just wished Ron would see it that way.'
'Hermione,' Harry said gently, 'I only realised that after I fell for a Slytherin.'
Hermione nodded the three of them spoke about Aeron for a bit longer. None of them mentioned the fact that Aeron probably wouldn't be staying for much longer. She could see it in the undercurrents of what Harry and Severus didn't say though. The way that Harry clutched Aeron to him and Severus kept his arm around Harry.
/
It was a month later Severus had warned Harry that Draco Malfoy was planning to invade Hogwarts tonight with the help of Death Eaters. Albus knew as well which was why he had an increase of Aurors patrolling whilst he and Harry went out to find out the Horcrux in the location Dumbledore had found. Severus had wanted to come but Dumbledore wanted him to stay to protect the students.
Harry knew Albus expected Snape to come through and kill him tonight to spare Malfoy having to do it. Harry knew Albus had little more than a month or two to live. If they did nothing he wouldn't be teaching next year.
Harry knew Severus didn't want to kill Albus. He felt that it would be murder. It was very hard for Harry to convince his lover that this wasn't the case. Harry knew it wasn't murder. It was euthanasia not murder. Severus didn't seem convinced though.
Harry and Severus knew that today might be the last time they saw each other off the battle field for many months. It was why last night they had a long night of passionate lovemaking after Aeron had settled for the night. Harry had spent the whole day with Aeron trying to convince himself he was doing the right thing concerning his son.
Dumbledore's death would remove the only thing keeping Voldemort from gaining entrance to Hogwarts and power over the Ministry. That was if Dumbledore's death didn't cause the immediate closure of Hogwarts. No Dumbledore meant no protection for Harry and Severus' son.
So it was on the thirtieth of June that Severus shrunk down all of Aeron's things placing them in a small bag and portkeyed away from Hogwarts. They once more arrived in the Ranch where what seemed to be the whole of the Hafner family was waiting for them. Harry and Severus had let them know discretely a few days ago that they would be coming with their son.
'Harry, Severus,' smiled Ruth kindly.
Harry was almost in tears at this point, 'his name's Aeron Serpens. Please look after him,' Harry said handing the black haired, black eyed baby.
'Of course I will Harry,' Ruth said softly. 'Look after yourselves.'
They stayed half the evening but eventually they had to go. Harry went in tears. Severus' face may look emotionless but for those few who knew him knew that was the look when he was trying not to show how hurt he was.
'Come on Harry,' Severus said softly.
Almost as soon as they got home Harry collapsed into tears on Severus' chest. Severus didn't say anything. There was nothing he could say to make it better. Severus just held his young lover who sobbed into his chest.
'We did the right thing, didn't we Severus?' whispered Harry.
'Yes,' Severus said. 'If he had stayed with us he would have been killed!'
Harry nodded, 'I know it's just hard.'
'I know,' Severus agreed.
Some time later Dumbledore requested Harry's presence. Harry came but refused to talk about Aeron; it hurt too much. Albus seemed to understand and didn't push Severus or Harry. Severus was left to wait hoping that his lover would make it home in one piece. Severus couldn't bear loosing his son and his lover in one go.
A few hours later and the Longbottom boy arrived to tell him that the Death Eaters had invaded as he knew they would. Severus was just about to leave when he realised that the boy was going to join the fray. Severus couldn't let him do that; not with both Bellatrix and Greback here who would happily "play" with the sixteen year old so he did the only thing he could to keep the boy out of the fight. He knocked him unconscious.
Severus quickly found the rest of the Death Eaters who told him that Draco, Greyback and the higher ranking Death Eaters were on the roof. Severus found Bellatrix, the Carrows, Greyback and Draco cornering Dumbledore. Draco was shaking and Severus could tell that despite the fact that his family would die if he didn't kill Dumbledore he couldn't do it.
Severus realised why it was that Dumbledore hadn't wanted Draco to be the one to kill him. Dumbledore looked worse than ever. If Severus didn't kill him tonight Severus doubted that the old man would survive to see another sunrise anyway.
That was when he saw the fact that there were two broomsticks. Severus felt his stomach curl up. He was expected to kill his mentor in front of his lover. Severus knew Harry was here in his Invisibility Cloak.
'Severus, please,' Dumbledore said.
'Avada Kedavra,' Severus replied in a cold voice.
Severus watched as the body of Albus Dumbledore was blasted off the roof. That was the key sign for the others to flee. Draco was still shaking and Severus had a feeling that he wasn't going to move if he wasn't told to.
'Go, Draco,' Severus ordered. 'It's done.'
Draco didn't need telling twice. Finally Severus and Harry were alone on the roof. Harry pulled his Cloak off. There was even more pain in his eyes than earlier today. But this time Severus knew he had caused it. Then Harry was in his eyes.
'Severus,' Harry whispered, 'I love you. This is not your fault. Go. Stay safe, please, for me.'
'I love you too, Harry,' Severus said softly.
Severus pushed a two mirror into Harry's hands knowing that thanks to Black Harry would know what it was. That was all he could do so that he could stay in contact with Harry. Then he was running to catch up with the Death Eaters and to escape Order members and Aurors who would now want him dead.
