Thanks to 8thWeasleykid, MarissaRosee, Tess4Aria, Cara-tanaka, Ujemaima, Kitana, GothGirl3030, Blazen, Krogasms, Professor Radar, Nannyandpotocrazy, PurplewolfDOTcom, KraZiiePyrozHavemoreFun, MapleAidan, Narutonaruotlove, BlooDsuKkeR69, Phoenix1592, and Gyoro and Ururun for the reviews.
A/N: I chose to have them be girls because I thought it would be easier to see Severus with them and for Lily since she already has a son.
As for the Weasley twins and Lily/Sev's, remember that when they are born Harry will be about four so when he is in his fifth year of school, Sev/Lily's twins will be starting their first year, making the Weasley twins in their last year of school (Seventh year). I don't see it as likely at all that the Weasley boys would have much or anything to do with Severus and Lily's daughters. Not to mention that the twins may not be Gryffindors. Their mum was, but their dad was a Slytherin. They might end up anywhere. Being twins doesn't mean they will be in the same house (Padma and Pavarti-one Gryffindor, other Ravenclaw. Movies have them both as Gryffindor, I know, but they are in separate houses in the books.)
Chapter 51: Oh Barf!
Mid-March 1984
Severus poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip.
"It's a beautiful day." Lily said as she put her fork down.
Severus looked out the kitchen window. "Too bad the look fools you. It's quite cold."
"Ugh." Lily moaned and clutched the top of chest under neck.
"What?" Severus asked.
"Nothing. Just this heartburn." She got up from the table. "I'm going to go check on the potion I have brewing."
Lily went into the lab, closing the lab door back. Severus heard Harry coming down the stairs. Harry entered the kitchen. Severus heard a sob and turned to Harry, who was in tears.
"What's the matter?" Severus asked.
Harry rubbed his eyes.
"Did you have a bad dream?"
Harry nodded, moving toward him. "I-I-saw-him."
"Who?"
"The monster. He came in-into-my-my room."
Severus picked Harry up. Harry laid his head on Severus's shoulder. Harry sniffed a few times.
"It's okay. It was just a dream. It wasn't real."
"I-I-saw him."
Severus walked over to the door with Harry in his arms. "I promise there aren't any monsters in your room. You're safe here."
"He came in-I-saw him."
"There aren't any monsters."
"He-he-shoots green light."
Severus paused in surprise. "Don't worry. You are safe here. I promise." Severus looked outside. "Look outside. See the birds."
Harry turned his head to look outside.
"See that one there by the window?"
"Yeah. What is it doing with the straw in its mouth?"
"She's probably building a nest."
Harry nodded. "That's-that's where they live. That's where birds live. They live in a nests."
"They do live in nests."
"Nests are their houses."
"They are bird's homes-houses." Severus paused, thinking about what he was saying and if it was right. "She is probably going to make a nest and lay her eggs in it."
Harry tilted his head in confusion. "Eggs?"
"Baby birds come out eggs."
"Eggs like we eat?"
"Sort of, but in those eggs a baby bird will hatch from them."
"Like Mummy's babies in her tummy will hatch?"
Severus laughed. "Something like that."
"Will she have two babies like Mummy?"
"She will probably have a few at once. Most birds lay a few eggs at a time."
"How did-how did the baby birds get in the eggs?"
"Well, uh, some eggs just become birds."
"How did Mummy get the babies in her tummy?"
Severus cleared his throat. "That's something to explain when you are older."
Harry cocked his head around behind Severus's arm. "Mummy."
Severus turned around to see Lily standing at the entrance to the kitchen, smiling. "How's the potion?"
"It's almost done."
Severus put Harry down. Harry went to Lily. Lily bent down to pick him up and she realized that was becoming harder to do.
"Here soon." She started, breathing hard. "I won't be able to pick you up."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because-my back won't be able to." Lily looked at Severus. "You best get going before you are late."
Severus nodded and chugged the last of his mug of coffee. He kissed Lily on the lips and felt a light kiss on his forehead by Harry. Severus rubbed Harry's hair. "See you all this evening."
"Bye."
After Severus left, Lily looked at Harry. "Why don't you go up and get dressed and I'll fix you some breakfast."
She set Harry down and watched him go upstairs with a smile.
Late March 1984
Severus was jarred awake by the sound of something in the room. "Huh? What?"
Lily gasped and Severus turned his head over to her side of the bed.
"What?" Severus asked, trying to get his eyes to adjust to the pitch-black room.
"Harry?" Lily asked, trying to let her eyes adjust as well.
Harry whimpered. "My tummy hurts." He sniffed.
Severus sighed and turned on the light. "It's just Harry. I'll go get him some medicine. You stay in bed." He groaned as he got off the bed. "Come on, Harry, let's go downstairs."
Severus carried Harry downstairs and to the lab. He put Harry down at the doorway. "You need to use the bathroom?"
Harry shook his head, holding his stomach. "My tummy hurts."
"I know. Let's get you some medicine and you can sleep it off."
As he opened the lab door, Harry started to cry and behave odd. Severus did not have a good feeling about Harry's belly ache. He conjured up a bowl quickly and put it under Harry's head. Harry whimpered uncomfortably, acting nervous. Harry started to retch and then threw up. Severus sighed as he cleaned up.
"So much for a good night's rest." He mumbled as he searched for stomach potion. He gave Harry the soother. Harry made a face.
"Yuck."
"It'll make your tummy feel better." Severus huffed. "Let's go back up to bed."
Harry paused, tears in his eyes. Severus picked Harry up and carried him upstairs. Harry whimpered and started to act funny again. Severus took Harry into the bathroom and put his head over the toilet. Harry whimpered and acted frightened. Severus put his hand on Harry's back and rubbed a little. Harry threw up again.
Lily entered the bathroom. "Everything okay?"
"He's sick."
"He threw up?"
"Twice so far. Gonna be a long night."
Lily shook her head. "Poor thing."
Severus looked over at Lily. "I think I should put him back to bed."
Lily nodded. "I'll put some towels down in case he wakes up and gets sick."
Severus carried Harry to his room. She put some towels down and Severus laid Harry in his bed and put the covers to his shoulders.
"I guess I need to cancel the meeting with my trainer tomorrow."
Severus almost forgot about Lily needing to do that. "You can't do that. You need to go."
"I can't leave Harry with our neighbours if he's got the stomach flu."
Severus sighed. "No, you go. I'll stay."
"You have classes."
"I will just cancel them tomorrow."
"That's a bad idea."
"Better then you missing your important meeting. It was just a review day anyway. The fifth and seventh years have been starting OWL and NEWT practice. I'll just post some assignments early in the morning and let Dumbledore know I can't make it."
"I'm his mother. I should stay."
"He'll be fine. You need to go to that meeting. I'll stay with Harry. It's not a big deal."
Lily did not say anything for a minute and then sighed. "Okay. Let's go to bed while he's asleep in case he starts getting sick again."
"Yep."
They crawled back into bed. Severus wasn't sure how long it was before he was startled awake.
"Mummy!" Harry cried.
Lily sat up and turned on the lamp. "I think he might me sick again."
"I've got him. You're the one getting up in the morning." Severus groaned as he got off the bed and went across the hall to Harry's bedroom. He flipped in the light and pinched the bridge of his nose as he saw vomit all over Harry's bed and himself.
"Great." Severus got Harry off the bed and removed the soiled covers and towels. Harry stood there, holding his stomach with tears streaming down his face. Severus got clean towels and sheets from the hall closet and put them on Harry's bed. "Let's give you a bath, okay?"
Harry nodded, tears glistening his eyes. "My tummy hurts."
"I know it does. Let's give you a bath and get you into some clean clothes." Severus took Harry to the bathroom and put him in the tub. He put Harry's dirty night clothes into the hamper and got Harry cleaned up.
Lily came in to check on them after she heard Severus giving Harry a bath. "He get sick again?"
"He threw up-everywhere. Gave him a bath."
"That's what I was afraid of."
Severus wrapped Harry in a towel and took him back to his bedroom. Lily tucked Harry in. Harry fell asleep quickly.
"Maybe he will start to feel better soon." Severus whispered as they left the bedroom.
"I hope so."
Severus and Lily were awoken to the sound of someone retching. Harry had thrown up on their floor. Lily and Severus both bolted out of the bed. Severus turned on the light.
Lily got out her wand to clean it up and Severus grabbed Harry, who was whimpering.
"It's almost six." Severus said as Harry snuggled against him.
"May as well stay up then."
Severus nodded and looked at Harry who was quite pale. Severus put his hands against Harry's cheeks. "He's got a little fever. Must have some sort of stomach flu."
Lily took Harry from Severus. "It appears so. You sure you don't want me to stay?"
"No. I'll dress and get to the school here so you can go to your meeting."
"You sure about this?"
"Our kid-we split the responsibility."
Lily smiled. "I think I will put him in our bed, if that's okay."
"Fine. It'll be easier to know when he wakes up anyway."
"Come on, sweetie. You're okay." She left the room and got some towels to lie down on their bed.
"My tummy is hurting."
"I know." She tucked Harry in the middle of their bed. "It'll feel better soon. You just have a bad bug."
Harry's eyes got wide. "A bug?"
"A germ. A bad germ. People just call it a bug. It's not a real bug."
Harry curled up in the covers and closed his eyes. Lily sighed to herself. She wished it was her instead who was sick. She slunk back into the bed beside of Harry and rested while Severus was gone.
Severus flooed to his office. He went to the potions room and posted a notice and the homework for his students to do while off for the day. He went to Dumbledore's office. The halls were still silent since the students were all still in bed. He knew he wouldn't even be up yet if he didn't need to stay home today. He knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Severus entered to Dumbledore sitting at his desk, already wide-awake.
"Morning, Severus. You are here early. Rough night?"
"You could say that. I won't be able to come today. Harry caught some stomach flu and spent half the night throwing up. Lily has to go to an important meeting today so I need to watch Harry. No one wants to babysit for someone else's sick kid."
Dumbledore nodded. "No problem, Severus. I will make the announcement at breakfast. Tell Lily good luck with the meeting and I hope Harry feels better."
"Thank you. Good day." Severus left and went back home. He crawled back into bed with Lily.
Severus was woken up by Harry almost an hour later. Harry started to vomit before Severus could even sit up. He conjured up a bowl quickly to catch the rest. Severus tried to not groan at the vomit that was on his night shirt now. Lily came rushing into the bedroom upon hearing Harry get sick.
"He's okay." Severus reassured her.
"It's going to be a long day for you. I wish I could stay."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure his stomach will settle soon. You go and do what you need to do. Don't feel guilty for leaving Harry. He'll be okay."
Lily smiled for a second and sighed. "I know. I trust you to take care of him."
"Besides-it's best if you stay away. You're pregnant and it won't be good to get sick."
"No. It won't harm the babies as long as I stay hydrated, but it's best to avoid it if possible."
"See?" Severus rubbed Harry's back gently. He hoped Harry would go back to sleep again and start feeling better.
"Okay. I love you two. I'll see you both later this afternoon."
"Bye. Love you too."
Lily left them with a heavy sigh. It was going to be a long day, leaving her sick kid home while she did her job, but she needed to go. She knew Harry would be fine with Severus and that Severus would take good care of him, but that did not make her any happier to leave him behind.
"I need to go potty." Harry said. Severus took Harry to the bathroom.
Severus decided to get up for the day once Harry had gone back to sleep. He changed clothes and went downstairs to start some coffee. He would need it today. Severus sat down in his chair and hoped Harry would not vomit all over their bed or start to have diarrhoea again. He figured he better get used to the messes like that though with two babies coming.
Harry managed to stay asleep for a couple hours before waking up sick again. Severus brought Harry downstairs to keep an eye on him. Harry seemed to be feeling a little better after he had gotten sick and gone to the bathroom again. Severus turned on some cartoons and Harry fell asleep. He woke up an hour later and did not throw up or have diarrhoea. Severus decided to see if Harry could stomach anything. He gave Harry some banana pieces. Harry threw them back up.
Severus waited awhile before trying anything else. Harry spent the rest of the morning and into the afternoon sleeping and watching cartoons. Severus tried some rice and chicken soup, but Harry's stomach rejected both. He decided to not try any more foods that day.
Lily arrived home to Severus lying on the couch with a sleeping Harry. "Hey." She whispered. "How is he?"
"He got sick and had diarrhoea a couple times, but he's doing better. I tried giving him a little bit of food, but his stomach wouldn't have any of it."
Lily took off her coat and sat at the edge of the couch. "At least he's feeling a little better anyway." She turned to Severus. "Thanks for watching him today. I appreciate it."
"It was not a problem. I got caught up on a few things as a result. He watched telly and slept most of the day. Made it easy."
Harry woke up. "Mummy."
"Hey, sweetie. Are you feeling better?"
Harry nodded. "My tummy doesn't hurt any mores."
"That's good. I'm glad."
"I want pizza."
Lily laughed. "How about we try a little soup again first?" She got some of the chicken soup and heated it up. She gave it to Harry. This time, his stomach seemed to take it.
"He told me he was hungry earlier, but his stomach didn't agree."
"Now it is. That's a good sign. I'll probably keep him from school tomorrow just to be on the safe side, but I will stay home with him. You can go back to work."
Severus sighed. "As long as they don't puke in my classroom. Don't want to clean any more puke for awhile."
Two days later
Severus woke up to Lily shoving his shoulder. He moaned.
"Come on. Wake up, Sev. You are going to be late for work if you don't get moving."
Lily sighed as she left the room. Severus groaned as he looked outside at the gray clouds. He moaned to himself as he rolled out of the bed. He went to the bathroom to get ready for work. His stomach gurgled as he showered and ached a little bit. He brushed it off and went downstairs. The smell of eggs made his stomach churn as he came into the kitchen.
Lily turned as he entered the kitchen. "Morning-" She frowned. "You don't look so good, honey."
Severus let out a deep breath. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."
"Maybe you should stay home."
Severus shook his head. "I will be okay. I'll feel better once I get moving."
"I hope you didn't catch Harry's stomach flu."
Severus ran his hand through his hair. "I think I will skip breakfast and head on to work. I will see you all this evening."
He left the kitchen and went to the fireplace in the living room.
Lily looked at Harry, who was sitting at the table and went into the living room. "Are you sure you want to go?"
Severus turned to Lily. "I will be fine."
Lily raised her eyebrows and shook her head. "You really don't look well."
"I should be fine." He flooed to his office and the ride made his stomach queasier. He was glad to have neglected any food that morning. He got his things together and drank some stomach soother.
Severus was not sure how he made through his first class. After they left, he went to his quarters. His stomach rumbled bitterly. As he tried to get himself to head for his next class, the nausea overwhelmed him and he felt bile rise up his throat. He hurried for the bathroom to throw up.
He collapsed onto the couch. Lily was right. He should not have come to work. He forced himself to roll off the couch and back to the classroom. Students were already arriving. He put up a sign on the door.
"Potions classes for the rest of the day are cancelled." He managed to say without retching. He went back to his quarters to throw up again.
Severus let his stomach calm down a little before deciding to head on home. He headed for his office and was stopped by Dumbledore.
"Morning, Severus-you look ill. Feeling under the weather?"
Severus glared at Dumbledore. "I'm going to head home and go to bed."
"That's probably a good idea. Feel better. Ginger tea with some peppermint is always good for soothing an upset stomach."
"I just need rest. Back tomorrow." He entered his office and flooed home. He shut his eyes open landing to not throw up on the carpet.
"Back already?" Lily asked from the couch as she saw him enter. "You look even worse than this morning."
"I'm going to go lay down." Severus slowly climbed the stairs.
Harry looked up at Lily from the floor. "Is he sick?"
"I think so."
Severus went into the bathroom to throw up again. He sat down by the tub to catch his breath and grabbed at his stomach.
Lily got up from the couch and went upstairs a few minutes later to check on him. She saw the bathroom door shut and the light on. She knocked on it. "Sev?"
Severus heard a knock and Lily's voice. The door opened before he could answer.
"God, you look awful."
"I'll be fine. Just a little sick is all."
Lily scoffed. "A little? You are more than a little sick." She wrung out a cold towel and went to put it on his forehead. "You still feel like you are about to vomit or do you want to try and get to bed."
"I'll sleep in my old room so you won't catch anything."
"Nonsense. I will use one of the old beds. You need your rest on a comfortable bed you are used to sleeping on."
"I think I will stay here for awhile. My stomach is still acting up."
Lily looked sympathetic. "I'm going to get you something to drink." She got to her feet unsteadily. "Guess spending the day with Harry didn't do you any good. You caught his stomach flu."
Severus groaned to himself and shut his eyes.
She went downstairs and to the kitchen. Harry followed her.
"What are you doin?"
"Fixing some ginger tea for your dad. He doesn't feel well." Lily sighed as she made the tea and then stopped suddenly as she realized what she had said. Harry did not seem to care.
Harry followed her back up the stairs. Lily knocked on the bathroom door. "Sev?" She jumped slightly as she heard him vomiting. She waited until she heard the toilet flush before opening the door. "No, Harry, stay out here." Lily went into the bathroom. "Brought you some tea and stomach soother."
"Thanks." He mumbled, getting to his feet slowly, using the tub to help himself up. He could feel himself shaking as he took the mug from her. "I'm going to bed."
"That's a good idea."
His legs were wobbly. He walked at a snail's pace to their bedroom, not wanting to jar his stomach. He got out of his robes and into his night clothes. He tossed the covers back carelessly and collapsed onto the bed. Severus curled up in the blankets, moaning. The cold pillow cooled his burning head. He fell asleep quickly.
Lily was downstairs when there was a whoosh from the fireplace. Harry turned with a start. Lily raised her eyebrow at the sight of McGonagall.
"Oh-Professor"
"Is Professor Snape here?" Her eyes drifted to Lily's protruding stomach and glared in shock, but she said nothing.
Lily shook her head from the surprise. "Um, yes. He's upstairs sleeping, but I wouldn't bother him. He's quite sick."
"I saw the note on the door. He's meant to stay tonight though. Thought I would see what is wrong to know if he will make it."
Lily shook her head. "No. He's very ill. He's been throwing up so I don't think it's a good idea."
"He caught that stomach virus going around then?"
"Harry had it a couple days ago so I am sure he got it from him. Hope I'm not next."
She nodded. "Tell him I will take over his shift tonight. He owes me a night however.
Lily laughed. "I'll tell him."
"I hope he feels better soon."
"We do too. It seems to be a 24 hour bug so he'll probably be better tomorrow."
McGonagall nodded. "Nice to see you again, Lily."
"You as well. Take care."
"And good luck to you. Didn't waste any time." She looked down at Lily's stomach.
Lily felt her cheeks burn slightly. "Um, thanks."
"Severus didn't say you were with child already. When are you due?"
"We haven't really told many people. On the down low. And um, oh, we are having two so they will probably be born early, but end of July, beginning of August is when they are due." Lily hoped she wouldn't do the math in her head to figure out that Lily conceived before their marriage.
"Two? You're having twins?" McGonagall grinned slightly for a moment. "That's wonderful. You'll need a lot of luck then."
Lily smiled. "We'll manage. You have a nice day. And thank you."
Lily watched McGonagall leave and turned back to Harry. "Okay. I wanted to order a chicken pot pie."
Harry nodded and pretended to make some food. He gave an empty bowl to Lily. "Here's your pie."
Lily pretended to eat it. "It's good."
"Do the babies eat in your tummy?"
"Yes, a little. They get food from what I eat."
"When will the babies come out of your tummy?" Harry asked, touching her stomach.
"Not for awhile."
"Why can't they come now?"
"Because they are not ready. They are growing in my tummy. When they get big and strong enough, they will come out."
Severus woke up to rain splashing the window panes. His stomach heaved and he bolted out of the bed and for the bathroom. He threw himself back onto his bed with a heavy groan afterward. The room was silent except for the rain pounding against the window and the faint noises of Lily and Harry downstairs. He shut his heavy eyes again.
By the late afternoon, Severus thought he had thrown up his actual stomach. "You-you're gonna get yourself-sick if you stay in here-with me." Severus said through heavy breaths.
Lily shook her head, holding the cold towel against his head. "Nonsense. If I do, it's the luck of living with a three year old who spends most days with other three year olds."
"You don't want this-terrible."
"I can see that. You and Harry have both been quite sick. You have a nasty fever too. I'm sorry you're ill."
"Better me than you. I'm not-pregnant."
"My work doesn't end because I'm pregnant."
"At least I know how Harry felt." He moaned, turning to his side on the bed.
"Are you drinking enough?"
"Water and tea. You've been-filling me up-with them. Just throwing them-back up."
"Well, it's not all come back up. Best to stay hydrated." She started to rub his back.
Severus opened his eyes. "You don't want to get so close."
"I'll live. The babies will be fine, okay? I had a nasty stomach flu when I was pregnant with Harry-around 22 weeks and I just stayed hydrated best I could. Harry turned out fine. The babies will too if I happen to catch the virus. Doesn't mean I will anyway."
"Easy on pressing. My stomach's-a mess."
"I will." She sighed to herself as she caressed his back. She wished he would feel better and hoped she would not catch it too. "You know, when you feel better, maybe this weekend, we should leave Harry with a sitter and go out for the evening."
"And do what?"
"Have dinner? Spend time to ourselves? See an old film at the theatre? Go take a trip into Diagon Alley or Hogmead? Anything that we can't do once I get into the third trimester and will hardly be able to move and before the babies arrive and take over our lives."
"Whatever you want to do-that's fine by me."
"Maybe dinner and a trip through Hogmead for old times' sake? There's this great restaurant in town that serves some of the best Italian food."
"Don't talk about food."
Lily laughed. "Sorry. Guess you aren't ready to see if your stomach can handle some chicken soup yet?"
Severus moaned.
"That'll be a no." She sighed. "You remember that time in third year when we snuck out after dark just to explore the castle?"
Severus sighed contently and nodded as she stroked up his shirt between his shoulder blades. He listened to her recalling that night they had explored the castle alone and sighed to himself. He closed his heavy eyes and drifted back to sleep, happy memories of their childhood clouding his mind.
