Chapter 34: Parents

When the minister of magic, headmistress of Hogwarts and Harry Potter write letters of recommendation, even an ex-deatheater can adopt a child, despite the oppositions in Rita Skeeters latest article.

It was early September that all the paperwork became finalized and Ephraim Fayden became Ephraim Snape.

Rose and Severus had wondered if being the potions master's son would cause problems for Ephraim, especially since he seemed to have trouble making friends in the first place. However, no one wanted to mess with Snape's kid. What if he was teaching Ephraim to duel? Which Severus certainly was, much to Rose's dismay.

Severus took it upon himself to give Ephraim lessons over the summer. No child of his would end a duel, rolling on the ground like a monkey with a stick (to paraphrase Professor McGonagall).

"It's illegal for him to do magic outside of school," Rose had protested with her hands on her hips.

"The ministry will not be able to trace magic back to him in a wizarding community," Severus had assured her, planting a kiss on her cheek and walking away.

Rose frowned. "Even if he doesn't get caught," she called after him, "it's still illegal."

Rose eased up, however, when she saw how much fun Ephraim seemed to be having. Plus, Severus seemed to be a bit gentler with Ephraim than he had been with Rose that day in Spinner's End.

Not much changed the moment Ephraim agreed to be a part of their family. He already was after all. However, no one let themselves relax until the official papers went through. Rose and Severus did not say as much to Ephraim, but they wondered if they could pull it off at all. Somedays, Severus was convinced that it wouldn't happen.

If they were denied the right to adopt, Severus knew it would be because of him. Despite having a clear left forearm, he would be forever marked as a deatheater. He worried what would happen if he ruined this for Rose. Would she grow to resent him?

But it did happen. Severus and Rose became Ephraim's parents.

The day all the papers were signed, Ephraim was quieter than expected. It was like he was afraid that any level of commotion might wake him from the dream he was having.

He stayed by Rose's side all day, a forced calm about him, making sure he was close enough to touch her, often times, resting his head on her shoulder, allowing her to sooth his nerves with her calming presence.

That night when Rose had tucked him into bed, she kissed his forehead, like she did every night. "Are you happy, Sweetheart?" she asked.

Ephraim nodded shyly.

Rose smiled at him. "We are too," Rose told him gently as she stood. "Goodnight, Ephraim. I love you."

"I love you too," Ephraim mumbled. Rose had been telling him she loved him all summer. It took Ephraim a while before he could say it back even though he knew he felt it. Now that he could actually get the words out, he still burned red every time. He liked to say the words though, he liked to see Rose look so happy when she heard it. He could keep his composure well enough with Rose, as long as he didn't say it to Professor Snape. "Goodnight Rose."

Rose stopped at the doorway and turned back to Ephraim, a timid expression on her face. "Ephraim," she began. "If you'd like you can call me mom." It was Rose's turn to turn red.

"Oh," Ephraim said awkwardly back.

"I mean," Rose continued. "You can call me whatever you feel comfortable with. Rose is fine. I mean that's worked well so far. It is my name." It was moments like these that Rose realized that she was still rather young to be raising a soon-to-be teenager. "It's just if you want to. And you can call Professor Snape…" She trailed off. Both her and Ephraim seemed to be struck with an image of him coming into potions class and calling Severus 'dad.' "We don't have any expectations about it," she added hurriedly.

"Uh," Ephraim stammered. "O-okay."

"It's just a thought," Rose finished lamely. "Anyway, goodnight."

"Goodnight," Ephraim said, his mind buzzing.

Rose retreated into her bedroom feeling frazzled and embarrassed.

Severus was reading a book in bed.

"What is it?" Severus asked as Rose threw herself down beside him.

"Nothing," she said dramatically. "I just realized that I'm still an awkward child who suddenly has a child."

Severus eyed her for a moment before returning his attention back to his book. "Well you better grow up quickly," he said casually, resting a hand over her stomach.

Rose pulled a pillow over her face. She started laughing, relief waving over her. "We actually did it!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled.

Severus smirked down at his book and gently reached out to squeeze Rose's hand.

The next morning, Rose sprung awake. She clasped her hand over her mouth and sprinted to the bathroom. She barely made it in time to throw her head into the toilet before she threw up. She groaned before her stomach further emptied itself. She had made a celebratory dinner last night. It did not feel so great coming back up.

She heard the door crack open.

"Go away," she groaned as Severus knelt beside her.

"Shut up," he responded, pulling her hair back just as she was sick again.

Rose's body was quivering as she backed away from the toilet bowl.

Severus stood briefly to grab a towel. He wet it before sitting on the ground and bringing her close so that she was supported between his knees.

Rose leaned back into Severus chest. He felt her body trembling slightly against him. He carefully brought the wet cloth to her forehead and then dabbed it at the corners of her mouth.

"Uh," Rose sighed in frustration. "I hate morning sickness."

Severus kissed the top of her head and gently stroked her hair behind her ears. "This is not the first time?" he questioned.

"At work a few times," Rose told.

"You didn't tell me," Severus replied, tightening his hold on her.

"It's not a big deal," Rose assured him. "It's normal."

"Perhaps," Severus said, "but it is new for you."

"Just 'your' daughter causing mischief already," Rose played, looking back to send Severus an eyeroll.

He smirked. "So, it is my genes causing the havoc then?"

"Oh yes," Rose teased, cradling her growing belly with both hands. "She is definitely a Snape."

"She certainly better be a Snape," Severus said sarcastically.

Rose laughed. "She is already getting herself into trouble in there," Rose said, looking down at her belly.

Severus rested his hands over Rose's against her abdomen. "Now see here Esme," he said peering down at the little developing bump, making Rose laugh again. "You must behave yourself and stop giving mummy a hard time."

Rose smiled. "Listen to your father," she told her stomach with mock sternness.

Rose bounced against Severus's chest as he chuckled lightly. He pressed his lips into her hair. It was simple moments like these that made them both forget, if only briefly, that they had lost greatly, that Severus was a deatheater, and that they weren't just like any other couple, expecting a baby.

"How do you feel?" Severus said.

"Better," Rose told him. "Really hungry."

"Moments ago, you had you head in the toilet," Severus remarked, "and you really want to eat?"

Rose looked back at him. "My stomach is empty now," she said making her face fall into a mocking pout.

Severus shook his head at her. "You are too intelligent to pout," he mused.

"I'm hungry all the time now, Severus," Rose told him.

"Well let's get you something to eat, shall we?" Severus eased himself into a standing position and then held out his hands to help Rose. She jumped up with her usual youthful vigor. "Why don't you get back in bed and I'll bring you something."

"I'm pregnant, Severus," Rose said, "I'm not an invalid."

Severus looked at her with raised brows. "The healer does not like the roles reversed I see."

Rose shrugged.

"You will have to let that go," Severus told her, running his hands down her body somewhat greedily. She was wearing short pajama bottoms and a lose fitting top that concealed her abdomen, but Severus could obviously feel her growing belly as he ran his hands down her sides. He liked the feel of it. He liked knowing that Rose was carrying his child. It made their bond even stronger. His once constant fear of losing Rose began to fade as the baby grew and he solidified their future through this shared life.

"Not without a fight," Rose played.

Severus rolled his eye. "You worry about carrying our child," he said, "and let me worry about you."

"I'm fine though," she protested.

"Bed. Now," Severus hissed.

"Fine," Rose said, throwing up her hands in defeat. "You're so bossy. Let me brush my teeth first."

"And there is my obedient wife," Severus said sarcastically.

Rose smirked. "You would be so bored if I did everything you say without question," she assured him.

"Maybe you should try, and we can find out," Severus teased her. He quickly stole a kiss from her cheek and walked out before she could rebuttal.

As Severus walked towards the kitchen, he heard Ephraim talking in his bedroom. Ephraim always liked to leave his door cracked. Severus quieted his steps and peered into the room.

Ephraim was sitting on his bed with his back towards the door.

"Good morning…mum," he said to himself. "Hi mum…mother. How are you today, mother? Did you sleep well?" He shook his head. "No," he mumbled. "Hi mum and…dad…father."

Severus pressed his lips together, amusement playing on his face. He carefully moved passed Ephraim's door and into the kitchen to fix breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast was the only thing Severus ever cooked. A mastery in potion making did not necessarily translate to the culinary arts. He loaded the breakfast onto a tray and moved back to the bedroom.

"Ephraim," he called as he passed by.

Ephraim jump and stopped his muttering, hoping that Professor Snape did not hear him. He came to his door. He never thought he would quite get used to seeing his teacher in pajamas, today a white and gray stripped set. Rose was trying to phase out the nightshirts. Usually Professor Snape was up and dressed long before Ephraim even woke.

"There is breakfast in the kitchen," Severus told Ephraim. "You can come eat in our bedroom." Severus peered down at the child thoughtfully. "I think your mother would like your company," he added after a moment and then walked away without another word.

Ephraim stared after Professor Snape, his face growing hot. He quickly fixed himself a plate and walked hesitantly into the master bedroom.

Rose was sitting cross-legged on top of the covers enthusiastically eating her breakfast, Severus was watching her with amusement, his legs stretched out across the bed as he picked at a piece of toast from her plate.

Rose smiled as she saw Ephraim. "Hey Sweetheart," she welcomed. "It's okay, you can come eat in here with us." She scooted herself closer to Severus and patted the new space beside her.

Ephraim didn't move quickly as he usually did to be near Rose. "Okay…Mum."

Rose halted with a fork halfway to her mouth. Her face split into a grin. Ephraim couldn't help but smile too and walked quickly towards her. If felt more natural to call Rose Mum than he had expected, after all, she was his Mum.

Rose hugged Ephraim to her side and kissed the top of his head.

Ephraim slid his eyes over to Professor Snape.

"Might as well just say it and have done with it," Severus told Ephraim.

Rose smirked.

"Dad?" Ephraim mumbled, turning red.

Severus pressed his lips together, processing his new title. He gave Ephraim a tiny nod. "In class you will call me 'Sir'," Severus told him.

"Alright," Ephraim said with relief.

Rose rolled her eyes at her two men. She reached up and quickly kissed Severus's cheek and then Ephraim's.

Ephraim smiled to himself as he leaned into Rose and ate his breakfast, having a quiet morning with his parents.