Chapter Thirty Seven: Threats
"It was Draco," replied Lucius to Severus who looked on in shock.
"Why?" stated Severus simply.
"Because, he wanted to protect your daughter as much as any of us."
"It wasn't his task to complete!" bellowed Severus in reply.
"I don't understand you Severus. My son has just saved your daughter from a lifetime of haunted dreams. He has enabled her to lead a normal life. Tell me is she not happier now the deed has been done?"
"Of course she is happier. But it is I, her father, who should have catalysed that happiness."
"Don't be so down right stupid!" bellowed Lucius as he glared at his friend. "As long as she is happy what difference does it make who ridded The Dark Lord?"
"A lot of difference actually. More than you could ever know."
"Then please fill me in on the details because I am growing tired of your attitude."
"I have little time to supply you with inane details and instead must go and visit the hero of the hour."
"By that I presume you mean Draco."
"Indeed I do. That boy has a lot to explain."
"Yes I'm sure he has," finished Lucius as he stood to escort Severus out.
"Thank you once more for seeing me this afternoon Lucius, I'm sure you had more important things to do."
"People, to do Severus, and no, Narcissa can wait until later. Friends first, hey my old friend?"
"Lucius you do have such an interesting way with words. Now if you'll excuse me."
"Oh, hello Severus, what brings you here darling," greeted Marcia as she opened the front door to the black clad wizard.
"I'm here to see Draco if he is around."
"Yes he's just in the gym at the moment, but please come in and I'll call him."
Severus stepped into the hallway as instructed and followed Marcia down a long corridor. She led him inside what he presumed was a small sitting room and he took a seat on the green leather sofa.
"He shan't be long," began Marcia. "Can I get you a whiskey or something whilst you wait?" she asked.
"No thank you, this isn't a social call," he replied more harshly than he expected.
"Oh that's a shame;" Marcia continued, dismissing his cold tone, "we don't have many visitors. You should bring Hermione and Septima over one afternoon. Draco and I would love to see you all again."
"Maybe. With the baby on the way and the wedding to plan, Hermione and I haven't got much time to socialise."
"Don't you get lonely?" she asked.
"Never. My daughter and Hermione are all I need."
"I'm glad that you've finally found a requited happiness Sev. You deserve it." Marcia bent down and kissed him on the fore head.
"Not cavorting with my wife are you Uncle," called a playful voice from the doorway.
Severus turned to face the blonde man who strode into the room and shook his hand.
"No I believe that is your job isn't it Draco," he replied, the moment Marcia had left the room.
"I haven't a clue what you're talking about Severus."
Severus stood and looked down on the younger wizard with menacing intent. Draco, who was looking up at the slightly taller man, remained silent unaware of what was running wildly through his former Head of House's mind.
Severus stepped one step closer to his nephew so that their noses were almost touching.
"Tell me, Draco, when I granted you permission to even look at my wife-to-be?"
"I need not be granted your permission to look at my friend."
"Platonic looks indeed require no permission, but promiscuous looks however do."
"Uncle," began Draco as he sensed Severus' anger and stepped back slightly. Severus once more closed the gap between them.
"If I did not grant you permission to look at Hermione, why did you think that I would allow you to touch her?"
"We have a history Severus, it just happened, I…"
"Regardless of your history you stupid little boy, she is not yours to kiss. Do you not have a wife of your own?"
"You know I do Severus but like I said..." Draco stopped as Severus brought his wand to his throat.
"Like I said, she is not yours to kiss. I am the only one who can kiss her lips and I am the only one who shares her bed. You would do well to remember this little boy, for next time I shall not be so forgiving."
"It was a mistake Severus. A stupid, hurtful mistake."
"Indeed it was. Any further mistakes on your part will prove fatal. You wouldn't want young Scorpius growing up without a father now, would you?"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Do not tempt me!" Severus retorted as he dug his wand further into the young mans throat.
"Oh and with regard to my daughter, never again do anything that will affect her without my knowing!"
"I got rid of Voldemort for her."
"Are you her Father?" asked Severus mockingly.
"Of course not! Hermione and I never…"
"It was a rhetorical question, you fucking idiot!" bellowed Severus as he pushed Draco up against the wall with brutal force. "I was Hermione's first and I will be her last. She is mine as is my daughter. Remember that Draco!"
Severus spun on his heal and turned to leave, leaving Draco gasping for air behind him. 'That will teach him," he thought.
To his dismay, Severus arrived home to a full house. When he walked through the door Albus, Minerva and the Potters all sat in his sitting room enjoying a cup of tea. They all turned to face him as Hermione stormed out of kitchen and up to him.
"Where have you been!" reprimanded Hermione.
"You know where I've been," replied Severus, shocked by her distraught.
"If I did I wouldn't be asking the question would I?"
"I went to see Lucius as I said, and stopped of at Draco's on the way home for a friendly chat."
Hermione's anger faltered and she looked a little nervous at his reply. "Well, erm, you should have informed me because as you can see, we have visitors!"
"Oh yes, so we do," he answered sarcastically as he took his seat. "Come here angel," he said to Hermione. She sat obligingly on his lap.
"So Severus," began Albus as he sipped his tea. "What did Lucius have to say about Septima and Tom's separation?"
"Well, it seems Draco performed the spell and initiated the resurrection stone. The Dark Lord is now free, however he is not fully operational."
"You make him sound like a toy Severus who has not yet been wound up enough to act," interrupted Harry.
"Potter," replied Severus. "When I need your input I shall ask for it!"
"Severus!" snapped Hermione. "Don't be so rude; Harry was only trying to help."
…
Severus rubbed Hermione's now overly protruding stomach lovingly as the conversation progressed.
"Mrs Potter, did Albus accept your application?" asked Severus.
"Yes he did. It is now official that I shall be the new Muggle Studies teacher once the year is out."
"Then I believe congratulations are in order," he replied, before smiling briefly at the red haired, young witch.
"Thank you Severus."
"Speaking of all things Hogwarts," piped up Minerva, "have you and Hermione sorted out which classes you shall be substituting. You should listen to Madam Pomfrey Severus; it will do the baby no good…"
"Baby!" screamed Harry from the opposite armchair.
"You don't know?" queried Minerva McGonagall apologetically.
"Hermione!" continued Harry. "You're pregnant?"
"Yes Harry I am."
"But you can't be! How is that even possible?"
"Well," sniped Severus sarcastically, "when a man and a woman love each other very much…they shag and make lots of babies and be happy!"
Minerva giggled along with Albus and Ginny but Hermione and Harry just looked mortified.
"Fuck off Snape! You know I never meant that and you know that I don't want to hear details."
"Then why did you ask how it happened?"
"I just meant…I didn't think you and he did that," said Harry to Hermione who was still sat on Severus knee.
"What did you think we did when we were in bed Harry, play scrabble?"
"Not just in bed Hermione," corrected Severus, loving Harry's reaction to the whole situation.
"Severus," interrupted Albus, "I think you should stop teasing young Harry. It seems he is feeling a little nauseous at the thought of you and Hermione indulging in such activities."
"Is it upsetting your weak little stomach Potter?" Severus continued. "If so, maybe I should carry on!"
"I think that's enough Severus!" finished Hermione. "Now to answer your previous question Harry, yes I am pregnant. Our son is due in July."
"Oh that's wonderful," began Ginny as she leapt from her seat and hugged Hermione tightly. She kissed Severus on the cheek also in congratulations. "Hadn't you get a move on with the wedding then?" she asked as she sat back down beside her shell shocked Husband.
"Yes we had I suppose. I was thinking that we should have the wedding mid June so that we have plenty of time to prepare both beforehand for the day itself, and afterwards for the baby. Is that okay with you Severus?" she asked as she turned back to her fiancé.
"As long as I get to marry you Hermione, I don't care when, where or even how." He kissed her passionately on the lips and then turned to smirk at Potter who had turned an off shade of green.
"I was wondering Albus, if you could perform the ceremony and if Ginny and Minerva, you would be my bridesmaids?" asked Hermione.
"I would be honoured," smiled Albus as he wiped a stray tear from his blues eyes.
"As would I,"
"And I," finished Ginny.
"Oh and I suppose I'll just stay at home and baby sit!" sniped Harry sulkily at not being included.
"Oh will you Potter? Thank you ever so much. What with Eli being my best Man, I am short of a child minder!" he replied gleefully.
"Ignore him Harry!" interrupted Hermione. "You and Lucius are to be his Best Men so you shan't have the time to baby sit any body."
Hermione turned to Severus whose mouth was ajar in surprise.
"Why thank you for asking me!" smirked Harry to his former Potions Professor. "I am honoured!"
A.N: Review please...if you hadn't already noticed I only update when I have so many reviews. SO the more you review the more I post...please!