Chapter 29

"What-" a disbelieving croak passed Remus' gaping mouth.

To say that Remus Lupin was in a state of shock would be a poor statement to describe the current situation. Never had he imagined, not even in his wildest dream, this could happen. The idea that this was even possible was absurdly crazy but what he was seeing was unmistakably a newborn baby.

The sound of clearing throat came from his behind, "Moony, meet Caelum Black, my son ", and Sirius Black spoke with a nervous air.

" Oh Merlin" gasped Remus.

When Remus Lupin was awaken by the nervous looking Gryffindor in the five a.m in the morning, telling him that he and Severus needed his assistance, he did not expect to see a real-life baby.

Although Sirius warned him for a big shock, but how on Earth could he have prepared himself for this?!

" Wha-, HOW? " Remus stuttered, his mouth gaped open quite ungracefully, pointing at the bundle held in Severus Snape s arms.

Severus scowled, offended by his rudeness.

Remus quickly put his hand down, ashamed at his own inappropriate reaction. But he could not hide his astonishment fully. The tall Gryffindor boy turned to his mate, practically pleading for explanation with his eyes.

" Calm down, Remus. I told you I 'll tell you everything. "

And every word came out from Sirius' mouth sent a renew shock through Remus.

…...…...…...…...…...

Meanwhile, Severus was in a tiny room much like the one before it changed into a new one which had a little spare room apparently made up for actual nursery. The entire chamber looked as if built up for a married couple, considering the nursery. Severus grew more and more curious about the identity of this room.

But for now, he had a baby to feed.

He unraveled his shirts front and revealed white chest. He took his baby's mouth near his nipple which Caelum took hungrily. Severus and Sirius both were quite in a fit of shock when they found out that their plan to make formula for the baby was in vain. They didn't know why and how, but somehow Severus was able to nurse his baby.

The feeling of a tiny mouth suckling his nipple was strange and embarrassing as much as amazing, and a little hurt too. But as he stared at his a day-old baby, Severus felt never happier.

The Slytherin boy looked up from his child and gazed at the closed door. Cross the small wooden door, there was Sirius telling Remus Lupin about their affair. Of how Severus got pregnant with his child, of how he managed to fool everyone about it and of how he and Severus became friends. And of course, Sirius was convincing Remus of their endeavor to keep the baby in the dark for his sake and asking for his help in doing so.

Severus frowned in concern.

He didn't like the idea of telling the truth about his child to anyone, especially Gryffindor, but Sirius was adamant that they needed more help.

'Mimny alone cannot take care of Caelum. She's loyal but she's not yours. She belongs to the castle and the duty it requires her to do.'

Severus was wary of anyone, an animalistic instinct warning the danger of exposure.

But Sirius persuaded him, more fervently than ever.

'I know you are scared. But you've just delivered a child and you need a rest. And don't forget that we are still students. We have classes to attend, and even though we have different schedules, we can't always make time for Caelum as much as we want to. If you want to keep Caelum a secret to the castle, we need more hands to take care of him whenever we can't.'

And Sirius thought his friends were the best choice they've got.

Naturally, Severus refused with the intensity even Sirius hadn't expected.

In the end, the Gryffindor boy had to come up with a compromise. That said compromise was sitting in a chair in the main room with Sirius.

Severus had to admit Remus Lupin turned out to be resolute and discreet when he has to. With the amount of time Severus tried to make him give up, Lupin was steadfast.

But what really made him relent to Sirius' persuasion was his words.

'Trust me if you can't trust him. I would never ask you to do this unless I am certain of him. Sev, do you trust me?

Of course he trusts him.

…...…...…...…...…...…..

As Remus tried to take in Sirius' story about the entire affair starting from the potion he brew to the subsequential incident and the episode how he found out about the pregnancy-Remus had to wince at this part- and of how he helped Severus deliver the child. Only thirty two hours ago, right in this place.

Remus paled in horror.

His green eyes gazed the closed door to his left. Inside that small room there was Severus and a baby called Caelum, the product of Sirius' recklessness.

Remus Lupin thought he went through a lot in his youth than others, but clearly he was not trained for such peculiarity.

Sirius gulped nervously as he witnessed Remus face turning pale to white, white to blue, then back to white. He of course prepared himself for such reaction but imagining how he ll react was not enough to deal with real.

However, he was desperate and therefore absolutely determined to confide in his friend so that he could gain all the help he could get. It took hours and hours to convince Severus that they were in need of desperate help to get through the remainder of school days. Persuasion was not Sirius forte and it was extremely difficult to get a yes from Severus.

After naming their son, Sirius opened up about his thoughts with great difficulties and care. For a quite some time, Sirius pondered upon their plan and tried to fix some of it to keep the secret safe. Severus was adamant that this child must be kept secret in this castle but Sirius failed to see how they can manage such huge task without getting any help.

Severus told him he shall nurse the baby in between the classes while having Mimny to take care of other matters such as changing diapers. Newborns sleep most of the day for at least a month or more, he said. That should help them continue their school routine while not risking the baby. At graduation ceremony, he will have Mimny to take the baby to Sirius house and wait for the two to get there through school train.

However, Sirius did not miss the flaws in his plan. Firstly, Mimny was not Severus house-elf and therefore, she cannot stick around for twenty four hours. Secondly, there can always be unexpected occurrences that will hinder them from returning to their baby in time. They required more hands than that of house-elf.

They needed someone who could trust with the secret and the baby. Sirius had the last Quidditch match with the Slytherin next months. If he want to bail it, he could. But Severus thought that would draw suspicions. And even though Severus had little classes than Sirius, he was unfit for athletic challenge as to walk up and down the dungeon dozen times a day.

Severus had to agree with the fact that the two alone, even with the help of a house-elf, cannot take care of the baby while going about their own routine.

So, after a long, heated debate, the Slytherin agreed to ask for help. Remus Lupin was the first they came to agreement(Sirius wanted the entire Marauders but Severus refused).

And he really needed Remus to snap out of his shocked state and start paying attention to him. Because, if Severus comes out in a minute and sees Remus gawking at him, he will probably call the whole thing off and hex the pants out of him and Remus.

"So you pulled your baby out from Severus' body, at this very place, without any medical help?"

Completely scandalised, Remus couldn't held back his agitation. It worsened when Sirius guiltily nodded.

" Siri-" he yelped, his stomach churning in shock. But Sirius hurriedly shushed him gesturing the nursery. Remus followed his gaze to the carved mahogany door with grim expression.

Male pregnancy. Of course, it s a wizarding society. There can be anything in this world. Hell, there are people with afflictions that turn them into a ravaging monster every full moon. Why not twist up the general scientific conception that only women are capable of carrying life? Why not make up a potion or a bizarre room that somehow combined together resulting in a new life formed in the belly of a man.

Honestly, why not?

Remus buried his face in his palms, a heavy sigh ripping out of his body. His head started to pound. He rubbed his temple with the heals of his hands to alleviate the ache. This was no time for a joke but his brain couldn't catch up with the situation.

A baby.

A real life baby.

A real life breathing and living and crying baby.

Oh for the love of Merlin. He knew there was something dangerous about that damn potion. He should have stopped Sirius before he actually drank the concoction. He should have put a brake on his recklessness as he was expected to.

Once again, he failed. And he didn t even know he failed his duty until the situation has gotten this far.

How are they going to raise the child? They were only seventeen. Even worse, they are still in school!

Remus jerked himself up, face rigid with decision, and gazed his friend determinedly.

" We' re going to Professor Dumbledore ", stated Remus.

Sirius rolled his eyes in exasperation. " We can' t" , Sirius returned.

Remus didn t even flinch, " Yes, we are. I don t care what you think, but you need help. "

Sirius rose to his feet, meeting the green eyes with equal determination. " Yes, I am asking for yours. We re not going to Dumbledore. We 're not going to anybody."

" Don 't be thick, Sirius! You need help from grown ups, who can actually help you! Who know how to deal with situations! " Remus countered, with a scandalised voice.

Sirius coldly replied, " My son is not a situation."

Remus winced, startled by the venom in his voice. Bowing his head, Remus quickly composed himself. He didn t mean to insult him or the baby. Breathing deeply through his nose, the taller boy met the grey eyes, this time with more composure.

" I' m sorry. But Sirius, you know that you cannot do this alone. Babies are not a toy or pet. He 's a real living thing and it s going to take lot more than you can ever imagine. Why are you so determined to keep him secret? What could possibly go wrong when we tell the headmaster? He wouldn 't take your child away. "

" No he wouldn t. But the more people are involved, the harder it is to keep the secret" , said the calm voice from the mahogany door.

Sirius turned to looked at Severus who was adjusting his gown as he came out. The Gryffindor drew chair from the near table and offered it. Severus sat down watching the two Gryffindors. They followed suit and settled down.

Remus gazed the boy with an odd expression before quickly hiding it with concerns. He leaned forward and said with an earnest voice, " are you alright, Severus? Was the ...the delivery too painful? "

Severus rolled his eyes. " I am as well as any other people going through labour. Thank you for asking. "

Ignoring the sarcasm in his voice, Remus started, "Severus, thank you for sharing this with me. But I must ask you to listen to me. You and Sirius and your baby need help. From people who can actually take responsibility of a real living child. I am flattered that you think I was capable of helping you and I will help you as much as I can but-", Remus sighed, "you need someone who can take care of you and your baby both. You must see Madame Pomfrey for yourself as well as the baby. And Professor Dumbledore will help you with your child while you go through N.E.W.T. You know what I am telling you is true. You must go and talk to headmaster …..."

Remus trailed off as he witnessed the adamantine look upon Severus s harsh features. He compressed his lips as he felt defeated without hearing any word from Severus.

Severus tutted, pitying the boy.

" Let me ask you, Lupin ", Severus eyebrow rose suggestively, " before Sirius told you about my son, did you know that men can have children on their own?"

Remus didn 't reply. But Severus read the answer from his face and went on.

" Do you know what will happen if the words get out? Did you ever think that this knowledge could be fatal to my child? Have you ever pondered about the possibilities what will You-Know-Who do if he finds out about this?"

Unable to counter his cascading questions, Remus fell silence. Well, he didn 't think about that. But-

" Professor Dumbledore can- "

" He is but one man. Albus Dumbledore cannot control everything." Severus cut him off coldly.

Remus fell silence again. He wanted to press on the matter once more, but he knew his defeat without being pointed.

Sighing, he relented.

"What do you plan to do?" Remus asked the two.

Sirius and Severus looked at each other for a second before turning to him. Remus, despite the circumstance, all but laugh at their resemblance. So, this was their big secret they 've been trying to cover. He smirked inwardly.

"We want you to- "

And so they started with their plan.