The waxing Moon shall guard their birth.
Severus headed unsteadily to a chair and fell into it, his head in his hands. Molly sat beside him and offered him her silent support. Potter walked in at that very moment, and Severus looked up, surprised. He had forgotten about him.
"I just found a place to park", Harry said. "It's crowded around here. How's Fiddler?"
Severus breathed in deeply and braced himself to speak, but Molly guessed his distress and rescued him, informing Harry herself.
"They've taken her already?", Harry asked. "That was quick".
Severus glanced at the clock on the wall and he was astounded again when he learned it had only been ten minutes since their arrival. It had felt like a lot more. He leaned back against the wall and sighed heavily. His head was throbbing and he felt queasy. He looked down at himself and noticed his grey sleeping attire was drenched in Fiddler's tears and blood. He looked like the Bloody Baron. He felt Molly's hand on his arm and heard her say:
"I brought some fresh garments if you want to change, Severus. Right out from the drier machine".
He looked at her thankfully and took the bag from her hands. Trust Molly to think of that kind of details, he mused. He got to his feet and slipped into the first men's room that crossed his way. Once changed into a pair of black trousers and a black knitted jumper he felt a lot better. He threw his sleeping clothes away, after taking out Fiddler's rings from his night robe. He always carried them with him since she'd given them back to him, and he put them on a pocket absent-mindedly. He then splashed some water to his face before joining Potter and Molly in the waiting room.
"I brought Fiddler one of her scrubs and some slippers as well", Molly said, smiling. "And her toiletries".
"Thank you, Molly", Severus said formally.
"I am going to get some coffee", Harry said, and he added awkwardly: "Er— Prof—Severus… Thank you for your trust. I am sure she'll be fine, sir… She's too stubborn to die that easily".
The three of them chuckled softly at that, and Severus' spirit lifted slightly. Harry walked towards a coffee machine and got three cappuccinos that tasted like sugared warm water with only the slightest hint of coffee to justify the name. Severus drank it absently, thinking about the prophecy.
The life of the Unforgivable shall end with Birth.
Born to the embrace of bloodred waters,
Engendered by the sinner who regained innocence,
Carried by the Moonwitch of the dark mane.
Bliss to the Serpent and the Wolverine.
Thus shall the Liquid shield His equal,
Hence shall her mane bond their births,
Await for the Summer Solstice,
A time of triumph for the light;
The waxing Moon shall guard their birth.
…Bloodred waters… Innocent sinner… carried by the dark haired Moonwitch…
He straightened his spine abruptly.
"Severus?", Molly inquired.
"I think I have deciphered the prophecy", Severus answered hastily. "What happened to Fiddler is part of it. Born to bloodred waters, Molly. Under the eye of the waxing Moon… On Midsummer Day. Today. It had to happen for them to be born in the date they were predestined to".
Molly and Harry looked at him intently.
"But that's… That's awful", Harry said, thunderstruck.
Indeed? Severus thought bitterly. But he didn't feel like snap at Potter for his obvious remark, so he just finished his previous thought instead:
"And the Liquid… I think it might be Fiddler's amniotic fluid".
"That's going to shield Harry?", Molly wailed, disbelieving.
"I am not sure how", Severus conceded. "But it is the only Liquid that comes to my mind".
"It makes sense", Harry said. "But how do we know how much do we need? Better yet, how do we let Fiddler know we need it?"
Severus closed his eyes and concentrated hard, trying to form an image in his head, one that Fiddler could sense and understand. He remained silent for a while; focused on the hues of color and the shapes he was creating, praying that Fiddler would get them.
They waited quietly for what it seemed a long time, silence only broken when Harry said:
"You know, prof—Severus, you should get her some flowers".
Severus eyed him with a raised brow and replied:
"Is three o'clock in the morning, Potter. Unless you are suggesting I should sprout them, I am afraid flowers will have to wait for a more appropriate time".
Harry blushed slightly, but he was saved the trouble of answering because it was then when they saw the figure of Dr. Jeremy Dennen approaching them.
He was smiling widely.
"Fiddler is perfectly fine!" he announced happily. "Mind you, she even woke up when we were about to incise her uterus and asked me to bottle up some amniotic fluid! That was a weird request, but then again, Fiddler's always been an odd character, so I did as told".
Molly, Harry and Severus looked at each other and then grinned. Molly beat Severus to the question:
"And the babies?" she asked.
"Oh, they're doing wonderfully! Congratulations, Mr. Snape, You're the proud father of two incredibly loud wailing devices!" they all laughed freely now, tension forgotten. "Honest, I've never seen two premature infants with that kind of lungs before. Taken after the mother, I daresay!" more chuckles. "They didn't even need a tube or anything, they're breathing all on their own. You have a daughter and a son, Mr. Snape, and they will remain at the NICU for surveillance, but you will be allowed short visit periods".
Severus nodded and thanked Jeremy.
"It was my pleasure", he replied. "Now, Fiddler is in room 513. You may go and see her now. And, if you'll excuse me, I am afraid I must go. Lots of work to do".
"Go right ahead", Severus said. "And thank you again".
"You're welcome. Congratulations!" and, with one last smile, he walked away.
Allowing Severus to run and see his wife.
He entered the room quietly, noticing that Molly and Harry had discreetly decided not to come with him. He supposed they were calling Elvenpath and spreading the news.
Fiddler was in bed, still connected to tubes and monitors, and there was a bag of blood dripping slowly into her vein. Severus approached the bed and sat on the chair beside it. She seemed to be asleep, but he still reached for her hand and sheathed it in both his own, glancing at her midriff somewhat longily. He had grown attached to her rounded form. He rubbed her hand gently, and noticed someone had gathered her hair in a thick braid. She didn't look as pale as the last time he'd seen her, but she had dark smudges around her eyes and her arm felt light like a feather to him.
Fiddler opened her eyes slowly and smiled when she saw her husband.
"Hey", she murmured.
"Hello. How are you?"
"Tired…"
Severus brought her hand to his lips.
"I am told I was supposed to get you flowers", he said in his best Snape-ish tone. "But I am afraid I have neglected to get them".
She laughed faintly.
"Don't worry… I am allergic", she replied. "There are your bloodred waters", she pointed her chin to the bedside table where a bottle containing a rosy liquid rested. "Your thoughts were strong enough to wake me… I startled the wits out of everybody".
"Yes, Dr. Dennen told me", Severus said. "He has also informed me that our children seem to have inherited your unique voice".
They both chuckled this time and he tightened his grip on her hand, thinking of how close he'd been of never hearing her laughter again. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. If he could fall asleep right now, with her hand in his…
"You look exhausted", Fiddler said, eyeing him critically. "Did you sleep?"
"Not a bit", he said, and he tried to look smug… but failed. "I was busy worrying about the three of you".
She smacked his cheek softly and moved away on the bed.
"Come on", she said, holding out her arms to him. "The bed's big enough for the both of us. Medical doctor's privilege I am sure." She smiled lightly and took a deep breath. It seemed like she was gathering up the nerve to say something else. "Have a nap. That is... if… if you want."
Severus didn't need to be asked twice. He kicked off his shoes and slipped into the sheets beside Fiddler. He wrapped his arms around her carefully, as she settled her head on his chest and embraced him as well.
"Do you forgive me?" he asked, his voice raw.
He felt her nod against his chest.
"I forgive you… But please, don't do it again".
"I will not", he promised fiercely. "I love you, Fiddler. I am sorry".
She looked up at him and kissed his chin.
"I love you too".
He reached for his pocket and took out the rings.
"I think these belong to you", he said, not daring to look at her even as he slid them on her left ring finger. He felt her lips on his neck, just above the turtleneck of his sweater, and shivered. He held her tightly and kissed her forehead.
Not five minutes had passed when they fell asleep.
Severus opened his eyes, thinking idly that he should get out of bed before someone walked in and saw them. He looked at the clock and realised it was nearly nine o'clock. He then regarded his wife, sound asleep in his arms and kissed her forehead.
The door opened in that very same minute, catching Severus off-guard, and he could not hide his awkwardness as a redhead nurse walked in pushing a wheelchair and stopped dead at the sight of them.
"Um— Good morning", she said. "I came for… Doctor Greene".
"Good morning", Severus replied, stiffly. "As you can see, though, she is asleep".
He felt a soothing hand on his chest and Fiddler's hoarse voice say:
"I'm up, I'm up… Hiya, Cynthia".
"Hello, Doctor Greene. Congratulations! I thought you'd like to see the babies…"
"Yes, thank you".
Fiddler moved laboriously to leave the bed, and her face frowned in pain. Severus, then, solved matters by jumping out of bed and gathering her in his arms to put her on the wheelchair. He followed them down the halls, pushing around the tripod with Fiddler's IV fluids and blood bags, until they reached a glass door that said NICU. He looked down at Fiddler, inquiringly.
"Neonatal Intensive Care Unit", she translated.
The nurse gave them two surgical coats and caps, and mouth coverers as well.
"It's an sterile area", Fiddler informed Severus when he surveyed the sterile stuff distastefully.
Cynthia opened the door and pushed Fiddler's wheelchair inside. Severus followed them into a wide room full of plastic boxes containing babies connected to an assorted collection of hoses, wires, bottles and monitors. The room was bright-lighted and nurses and doctors could be seen roaming around the boxes, peering at charts and examining babies all over. Cynthia stopped in front of two boxes right in the middle of the NICU and Severus Snape regarded his children for the very first time.
He was a Slytherin, and hence, naturally biased; he surveyed the rest of the boxes and he couldn't honestly find another baby that could be compared to his own, no matter how small and wrinkled.
His chest expanded proudly and he sought for Fiddler's hand. She circled his waist with her other arm and leaned her head on his hip.
"Couldn't we put them in the same incubator?" she asked.
"I— guess…", one of the nurses said, looking at Fiddler as if wondering how dared she to give out suggestions.
"It has been demonstrated that premature twins that share incubators have a better outcome than those that do not", it was undoubtedly Doctor Greene talking.
The nurse frowned and then her expression cleared.
"Oh, my God! Doctor Greene! I am sorry, I didn't—"
"That's OK, Carla, I must look dreadful", Fiddler smiled.
"Are they yours?", Carla asked.
"Yes", Fiddler answered with undeniable pride, and then she gestured at Severus. "They're ours. Carla, meet my husband, Severus Snape".
Sheila eyed the tall, pale, dark haired and menacing man standing next to Fiddler and smiled graciously as they shook hands.
"My pleasure. Carla Cork's the name. I'll see that they are put in the same incubator, Doctor Greene".
"I would like to feed them", Fiddler said, and Severus looked at her rather astonished without knowing why.
He watched Fiddler open the nearer 'incubator' with expert movements and took out the tiny bundle holding its head tenderly.
"That's the boy", Carla said. "He was born first".
A beautiful smile lit Fiddler's face. She kissed her son's head softly and whispered:
"Hello, precious… I'm your mommy…"
Severus saw a tear rolling down her cheek as he bent to get a better glimpse of the baby.
His son.
His heart ached with a rather violent emotion and he kissed Fiddler out of instinct. He couldn't believe he had been stupid enough to risk losing what he had before him for the sake of lust. He smiled at Fiddler when she looked at him, astounded, smiling through her tears, and they both looked at their child who was wailing loudly in protest at the sudden lost of artificial warmth, swaying his little fists uncoordinatedly. He had but the slightest dusting of black hair, taken after both his parents and his frowned face revealed he had also a strong temper indeed. He had yellow eyes like the sun, shining and unwavering, surrounded by thick dark lashes.
Fiddler and Severus were so enthralled observing their son they didn't notice when Carla approached them holding the other baby.
"Here's the girl", she said softly, and Fiddler handed the baby boy to Severus so she could hold her.
Severus took hold of their child awkwardly, listening to Fiddler and watching his head indeed, and as he looked at their daughter his jaw dropped, unable to believe she was a living creature.
She was minuscule, even smaller than the boy, and she was as pale-skinned as Fiddler and himself. She barely had hair, but the delicate wisps that covered her little head were of the same golden red as Wallace McGonagall's library portrait.
"She looks like an angel…" Fiddler murmured ecstatic.
Their angelical daughter extended a little hand and gave her mother an angelical and surprisingly strong tug at her hair. She then issued an ear-splitting scream. Her screeching also resembled a very out of tune violin.
"Ow! Nevermind. Hello, screamer… It's your mother you nearly scalped here!" Fiddler said, kissing the graceful red head. The baby girl instantly calmed and opened her eyes to look at her mother. They were a little blurred, unlike her brother's, but they showed an undeniable tendency to Fiddler's greenish blue.
"Congratulations, Fiddler", Carla said. "They're gorgeous".
Fiddler thanked her and Carla gave Severus a chair and retreated discreetly, leaving the new parents alone. Severus sat next to Fiddler holding the baby boy as she fed the girl, his marveled gaze wandering from one baby to the other and to his wife's face.
Their son thumped him delicately on his chest with his foot and he looked at him.
He thought of Lucas, he couldn't help it, and apparently Fiddler sensed it because she raised her eyes from their nursing daughter and fixed them on him.
"Severus", she said, softly. "Do you want to name him Lucas?"
Severus looked at Fiddler, feeling his heart go out to her. He had never even mentioned the possibility, fearing that it would upset her, but she had offered it willingly, without a trace of other feeling than love and understanding. He mused for a while and finally answered:
"No."
She didn't ask why not. Severus knew she had no need. She merely smiled and continued.
"How then?"
Severus looked at their son's dark mane and his mouth opened of its own volition, not knowing what he'd say:
"Douglas", was what came out.
Fiddler smiled again.
"Welsh for Dark Stranger. Fitting enough".
"I knew you'd agree. And what about the Screamer? Will she be Fiddler the Second?"
They both laughed looking at the redhead baby clinging to her mother's hospital coat as she fed.
"Oh, I was thinking we'd follow old Folk Tradition of naming banshees after a noteworthy feature… I think Rubria would suit her perfectly".
"Latin for Red. Suiting indeed".
"Glad you like it. Right… Hand Douglas over, love. I think Rubria's done here".
She was right, as Rubria was dozing off in her mother's arms. Severus and Fiddler exchanged babies and as Douglas fed, Severus had the chance to examine their little girl, marveling at the perfection of her tiny body, her red lips, and her pale skin crisscrossed by purple delicate veins, touching her slender fingers as if fearing they'd break.
"You could try to burp her", Fiddler said, holding Douglas in the crook of her arm as he suckled at her nipple.
"To what her?"
"Burp her… Carla? Could you get my husband a towel, please? Thank you. Now. Put the towel to your shoulder and hold Rubria to it. Good. Now, pat her back, gently, but firmly until she burps".
"Ah". He did as told and nearly tumbled Rubria to the floor when she issued the most incredibly loud belch Severus had ever heard.
Fiddler laughed at his surprise and nodded.
"You did it quite all right", she approved.
Unbelievably, he actually felt proud of it. He also burped Douglas, who turned out to be as noisy as his sister, and soon enough they had to leave the NICU, reluctantly all right, but with the promise they'd be able to return in three hours so Fiddler could feed the twins.