Harry felt the cold air brush against his cheek as he began the ascent back to the castle. He allowed his eyes to close as he stifled a yawn, refusing to admit to himself just how tired he was. It was only 730 and he was ready for bed already, when was he going to stop being so tired? Probably not till the baby is born… Then again… That equalled another set of challenges… Which he dreaded would equal no sleep.

Harry's eyes instantly shot open as a pelt of cold rain made its home on his cheek. He had to get inside, the last thing he needed was a cold on top of everything else. The young wizard darted for the door, the water littering his body until he reached safety.

Harry stopped before allowing his body to slump against the castle wall.

When had he become so unfit? He glanced back to the doorway, his eyes falling on the sun as it became one with the horizon.

"Harry, might I have a word?"

The young wizard jump at the sudden intrusion, looking across as his gaze locked with professor McGonagall's. Where had she come from? He hadn't even heard her approach.

A lump formed in the young wizard's throat, he knew what was coming as let his gaze fall to the stone floor.

"Might I suggest a concealment charm?" the witch advised, not waiting for the boy to answer as genuine concern seeped through her voice. She leaned forward before gently resting her hand on his shoulder.

He could tell she was curious who the father was but had the decency not to ask.

"You know a charm that would work for this?" Harry asked, deciding that denying the pregnancy was suddenly pointless.

"You're not the first witc- or should I say wizard to fall pregnant my dear" McGonagall gave the boy a stern glance before turning around, a wave of her hand the only indication for the boy to follow.

Harry traipsed behind the professor for what seemed like forever as they approached the familiar transfiguration classroom.

"Don't you think it might be a bit late?" Harry wondered before cringing at the realisation the words didn't stay in his head.

"I think perhaps not" McGonagall comforted, gently massaging his shoulder before allowing her hand to slide from the boy.

"Now shall we?"

"Wait, how long does it last for?" Harry panicked, realising he should have asked this question a lot earlier.

"Precisely 6 hours" the professor answered almost too quickly as she withdrew her wand from her robes. She looked at the boy before her, an eyebrow raised.

"Any other questions before we begin Potter?"

"Um, no professor" Harry thought there should be but all other thoughts had vacated his mind.

Harry pushed open the familiar door as he peeked around the corner, he knew Snape was there, he must be, otherwise why would he leave his door open? The young wizard gently pushed further into the room, the smell of something baking greeting his nostrils.

Snape baking? Now he was curious.

Harry glanced around the room not realising how much his heart yearned for the man until he was this close to seeing him again.

His eyes fell on to a cake resting on the kitchen bench, chocolate icing covered almost ceremoniously with rose petals. Did Snape make this? Harry stepped towards the delicious treat, all self control out the window as he slid a finger gently across the icing. The young wizard held the finger to his lips almost tasting the chocolate before it even entered his lips.

"I can think of a better place to put that chocolate" a familiar voice mumbled seductively behind him, causing the boy to almost choke in disbelief.

Harry's eyes widened, when had Snape gotten so bold?

"Is that right?" Harry smiled knowingly before running his tongue around his finger suggestively, his eyes begging for more as they locked with the professor's.

"Indeed" Snape smiled before stepping closer to the boy, gently wrapping his arms around the younger wizard's hips.

"I missed you… So much" Harry whispered, cringing at how pathetic he sounded as the words fell from his lips.

Snape only greeted the comment with a smile before drawing the boy closer against his body.

"Show me" A wicked glint flashed across his eyes as he gently dragged the young wizard across the room before tossing him on to the dining room table. A gasp escaped Harry's lips as he felt his body melt before the man. He closed his eyes in anticipation, his body begging for the man's touch.

Nothing…

Harry opened his eyes, a confused expression plastering his face as he watched Snape step back from before drawing his wand.

The young wizard gasped, a surge of panic tainting his eyes as they were unable to look away from the wand.

"A concealment charm?" Snape whispered before washing the spell away with a flick of his wand.

Harry's eyes narrowed in confusion as he refused to look away from the man.

"I want to see you as you are" Snape stated as he leaned in closer to the boy, pressing his lips to him before deepening the kiss.

A smile engulfed Harry as he welcomed the attention, his body graving more with every touch.

Harry had forgotten how amazing it felt to have Snape buried deep inside him as he felt the man thrust relentlessly into his body. The young wizard threw his head back in pleasure as moans escaped his lips. He wanted more. He cried out as his body ground against the professors, yearning, craving more than he could handle as he felt his body grow close.

How did he ever live without this?

Harry sunk his nails into Snape's bare flesh as he felt his body prepare for release. He couldn't get enough of the man penetrating him as he felt his body begin to shake uncontrollably.

Oh how he needed this.

Snape watched as soft breaths left Harry's lungs, he needed to make sure the boys was asleep before carefully pushing the covers back and crawling out of bed.

He had another dreaded deatheater meeting with Voldemort tonight and he refused to upset Harry by telling him about it.

Snape struggled to stifle yawns as issue after boring issue was discussed, thrown back and forward before being ultimately dismissed between the members seated around the oval table.

"Now, lastly" Voldemort began before turning his attention to Snape. The professor glanced up, feeling the gaze of everyone in the room upon him.

"I have come across some rather disturbing information" Voldemort's eyes darted to Lucius before returning to Severus. Snape's heart skipped a beat as he braced himself for the worst. He forced his body to remain motionless, he couldn't afford to have any expression give him away. He knew what was coming, that glance to Malfoy told him everything. Surely the dark lord would have more tact than to bring up any rumour about him and Potter in front of everyone…

Unless of course he wished to humiliate him in front of everyone, forcing Snape to emotionally remove himself from Harry.

Snape turned his gaze to meet Voldemort, refusing to break the connection, refusing to show any weakness.

"I take it that it concerns me?" Snape stated flatly, not looking away from the man.

"Perhaps" Voldemort didn't offer much reprieve as he leaned further over the table towards the professor.

Severus raised an eyebrow expectantly, his expression of boredom disguising the underlying panic. At least 'perhaps' meant he may still have plausible deniability… maybe… but would he really want to deny Harry? The new love of his otherwise miserable life… After all, the young wizard was the only thing in his life that made it really worth living.

"I've heard the potter boy is… well…" the dark wizard deliberately halted, adding more suspense to the whole situation as Snape tried to ignore the eyes on him.

What was he going to say when Voldemort finally got to the point? Perhaps neither confirm nor deny…?

"Yes?" Snape attempted to hurry the man along, having had enough of the suspense.

"Pregnant"

Snape flinched, although he did well to not let it show. Why had he flinched? It's not like he didn't already know what the dark wizard was going to say… Perhaps he wished his intuition was for once wrong…

A smirk formed on Voldemorts slender lips as he anxiously awaited an answer.

"No idea" Snape stated plainly, praying that would suffice but expecting it wouldn't.

"Is that so?" the doubt rife in the dark wizard's voice as he pushed his body back in his chair. His face pondering whether to push this issue or not.

"You see, that's not what I heard"

Snape flinched, this time not so sure he did well to hide it. He knew the man was reading him carefully, each question worded specifically to capture his instinctive reaction. The truth only being given away in the first split second of the question asked.

"Indulge me" the professor stated flatly, the storm raging behind his calm demeanour.

Silence filled the room as Voldemort refused to break eye contact with the potions professor. The dark wizard leaned in closer, narrowing his eyes as he slipped his hand into his pocket, retrieving something, most likely a wand.

"It is a shame dear Severus" the dark lord began, a smug smile growing on his lips

"What is, my lord?" Snape questioned bluntly, not breaking eye contact with the dark wizard.

"You're not being very, shall we say, forthcoming"

The potions professor remained silent, he knew he had to pick his words carefully, he couldn't afford to make a mistake… Not now.

"Pity" Voldemort glanced down, feigning a look of disappointment and pulled his wand out, placing it carefully on the table between them.

"You see, I was hoping it wouldn't come to this" the dark lord smiled as he raised his wand, aiming it at the professor.

Snape's eyes narrowed on the instrument aimed at his head, unsure exactly what the man had in mind as he braced himself for the worst.

Snape raised his eyebrow, feigning confidence as the wand continued to aim at him.

Time seemed to have stopped as anticipation filled the room. Surely he wouldn't? But then again he wouldn't put much past the dark lord.

"Legilimans" Voldemort called out as he drove his magic into the potions professor's mind, attempting to gain the truth at all costs.

It took all of Snape's strength to block the dark lord from invading his inner most private thoughts.

He had to resist.

He simply had to.

There was no other choice.

The professor felt Voldemort push further into his mind, showing no regard for the man as he violated every fibre of his memories.

He was lying and they both knew it. But he couldn't afford to crack, to give the man the satisfaction of being right.

No way.

Oh how he wished he was with Harry, safely tucked in bed, his arms around him, never wanting to let go. Instead he had the pleasure of this violating and potentially humiliating interrogation. He had to keep his thoughts focused. He couldn't let them drift to Harry, he couldn't compromise his defences. It wasn't worth it.

What would Voldemort do if he managed to confirm Harry was pregnant? Or worse, that he was indeed the father… Oh the consequences were too dire to contemplate. Besides, the dark lord himself couldn't keep this up forever surely?

XOXOXOX

Harry felt the soft sheets against his flesh, the scent of the man he loved filling his nostrils as he rolled over, reaching out for him.

He cringed as another cramp seized his abdomen.

What was this? He wondered, half dazed as his hands instinctively clasped at his stomach, hoping the pain would go away.

It didn't. It only got worse as he reached once more for the potions professor.

Nothing. His eyes tore open.

Where the hell was Snape?

The young wizard's eyes darted around the room, panic seeping into his heart as his eyes failed to locate the man.

His heart pounded as he threw the blankets off, pulling his body from the bed before his stomach was seized by yet another cramp. Harry cried out as he felt his knees hit the floor.

What was wrong with him?

The young wizard began to sob as the cramp intensified, panic beginning to consume him as he crawled towards the light switch.

Where the hell was Snape?!

The young wizard pried his way across the floor, his concern growing as he drew closer to his destination. He Knew there was no way he would be able to get back to sleep until these cramps stopped but why were they happening?

He had to find Snape, he couldn't be far away surely?

But where…

Harry cried out once more as another cramp consumed him.

Why was this happening? He still had months to go until the baby was due to be born.

His heart began to pound as the cramps grew more intense until he could think of nothing else.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen…

XOXOXOX

Snape closed his eyes before using every bit of strength in his being to force the dark lord from his mind.

Relief flooded his veins as he reclaimed his mind and body, feeling entirely his own once again.

Occlumency was his bread and butter after all. Dumbledore wouldn't have asked him to teach Harry if he wasn't an expert.

He could see the frustration building on Voldemort's face as he locked eyes with the man, refusing to look away.

A snide smile grew on the dark lord's lips as a dangerous thought flashed across his eyes. There was no way Snape missed it as his eyes widened, his heart missing a beat as he knew what Voldemort was about to do.

Surely not? But then again, he didn't get what he wanted when he violated his mind, so perhaps…

"Well… Perhaps another strategy then?" Voldemort chuckled before apparating from the room. Snape's eyes widened as he watched the dark wizard disappear before him.

F*ck.

The potions professor didn't need to be a mind reader to know exactly where the wizard had vanished to.

XOXOXOX

Harry gripped at his swollen stomach as he reached up, forcing his fingers to switch the light on, his eyes squinting as light flooded the room.

"How nice to see you again"

Harry's eyes widened. That voice…

Oh no.

Panic surged through the boy's body as he turned to face the impostor.

Voldemort.

A gasp escaped his lips as he eyed up the dark lord.

This evening just got worse and worse.

"So, I see the rumours are true then" Voldemort began as he looked the naked wizard up and down, his eyes falling on his swollen abdomen.

Harry panicked as he tried to figure a way out of this terrible situation.

A satisfied smile formed on the dark lords lips as he witnessed the terror in the young wizards eyes.

"This quite convenient really" the man smiled as he watched the confusion dance across Harry's eyes.

"Now I guess I can take out two birds with one stone" Voldemort forced a chuckle from his lips as he withdrew the wand from his pocket.

"I have to say, I do wonder" the dark lord began as he held his wand the young wizard's head.

"What exactly are you doing in Snape's chambers" a knowing smile plastered across his lips.

"Especially in your current state" Voldemort continued, a snigger escaping his lips as his eyes ran over the nude flesh before him.

Harry felt uncomfortable, violated, but most of all afraid for his life, and of course the life he was carrying in his abdomen.

Surely he wouldn't kill him, would he? He supposed it was the dark lord's ultimate goal after all...

"H-how did you get in here?" Harry stuttered as another wave of cramps ran through his body.

"Why that's none of your business now is it boy?" Voldemort laughed as he flicked his wand back in preparation to cast a spell.

Harry knew exactly which one.

"But seeing as you are about to die, I might as well tell you" the dark lord began, the satisfaction growing within his eyes.

"I had a little help from your friend"

"My friend?" Harry demanded, not believing any of his friends would ever betray him.

"Why Draco of course"

"Draco and I are not friends!" Harry yelled, his voice breaking as the cramps seized control of his body once more.

God, he was hating this. The pain was relentless.

"Of course, I know that, do you think I'm stupid?" Voldemort chuckled before leaning in closer to the boy.

"At least I'm not stupid enough to get myself pregnant" he spat out, his words riddled with spite as his gaze lingered over the boy's stomach.

The look of distain on the older wizard's face turned Harry's stomach as he tried to move away from the man.

XOXOXOX

"You're not really going to go and chase after that foolish boy now are you Severus" Lucius chuckled as he watched Snape stand from the table.

He had to go to him, there was no way he was going to leave Harry alone with that monster but what about the game plan?

Dumbledore would never forgive him if Voldemort learnt he was working for the 'enemy'.

That's probably what this whole experiment was about. He was testing him.

What to do…

"You're not seriously going to rescue that whore" Lucius chuckled as a wild fire of laughter erupted from around the table.

Snape's eyes narrowed at the insulting remark, wanting nothing more than to destroy Lucius.

He had to go. He had to save him. F*ck the game plan.

"You'd be a fool to go to him now" the blonde haired wizard continued to provoke the potions professor, knowing he was about to see the man snap.

"You'd be a fool to think I wouldn't" Snape muttered, no longer caring what everyone thought as he apparated from the room.

XOXOXOX

Harry wondered if all these cramps had something to do with Voldemort's visit. The timing was too precise… Either way it didn't matter, he had to get away and get away now…

"What's wrong there Harry" Voldemort mocked as he watched the boy crawling slowly away from him.

"You don't seriously think you can get away from me, do you?" the dark lord chuckled as he aimed his wand at the young wizard's head.

"It's about time I finally got rid of you, your nothing but a waste of space" Voldemort's eyes narrowed on the boy, the words spitting from his lips like vile poison.

"Avada K-"

Harry closed his eyes, realising it was too late to get away as he cringed, praying for some kind of miracle as he awaited his fate.

Harry flinched, waiting for the spell to be delivered.

Nothing.

What was going on?

The young wizard pried an eye open, his heart skipping a beat as a familiar figure stood before him.

Snape.

His heart began pounding, relief washing over him at the sight of the man he loved.

He was here to save him, to protect him, prepared to take a spell for him.

"What are you hoping to achieve?" Snape stated bluntly, making no effort to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"You best be more careful where you chose to apparate dear Severus, you might have been yet another casualty" the dark lord chuckled as malice raged in his eyes.

Snape eyed Voldemort up and down, trying to figure out what Voldemort's next move was going to be.

He simply couldn't afford to get this wrong…

The dark lord was fast and he had to be prepared for that.

Snape gasped as he felt his wand fly from his fingers, watching helplessly as it ended up in the hands of the very man he wanted to use it against.

F*ck.

The potions professor couldn't afford to let his panic show to the man before him as he refused to step away from Harry.

He simply couldn't let the dark lord get the best of him.

Snape resented the man before him more than ever in that very moment as a smug smile made itself at home on the dark lord's lips.

"You are… Shall we say, full of surprises dear Severus" Voldemort sniggered, a glint of malice flickering in his eyes as he looked the potions professor up and down before trying to get another glance at Harry.

"Leave now" Snape commanded, remaining in front of Harry, his arms outstretched, in an effort to protect the young wizard.

"Why Severus" the dark wizard chuckled as he began to wonder aimlessly around the room, playing with Snape's wand in his fingers.

"You're not exactly in a position to be making demands now, are you?" Voldemort mocked as he stepped closer to the potion's professor.

He knew the dark lord was right but what else could he do? Harry's safety was his number one priority at that point in time and nothing would change that. He knew the chances of him living to see the next sunrise were very slim if not impossible.

Now he had to think carefully, how on earth was he going to get rid of this man from his room? This man he had spent years deceiving, only to have it all unravel in one night.

He prayed it would never come to this but secretly knew it would. Someone had betrayed him and he knew exactly who.

"I always thought you a wise man Severus" Voldemort began as he tip-toed towards the potions professor.

"And as such, have always kept you close to my side"

"But…" the dark wizard gazed aimless at the ceiling, pretending to consider what to say next before turning back to the dark haired wizard before him.

"I see now, I was wrong" his eyes narrowing as he leaned in towards Snape.

"You are nothing but a fool" the dark lord spat in the man's face as he once again lifted his wand before aiming it at the professor's face.

"Now you will pay for the humiliation you have caused me here today" Voldemort promised as he flicked his wrist back, wanting this spell to have a little more kick.

Snape prepared for the worst as he knelt down in front of Harry before holding the boy in his arms. If he was going to die at least it would be like this, with the man he loved.

"I might spare your little boyfriend for a while after you're gone" Voldemort chuckled, hoping to ensnare rage in the potions professor.

"Perhaps have some fun of my own with him" his eyes locked with Snape's. There was no need for words as the thought of the dark lord doing that to Harry infuriated him.

"Hahaha! You're truly pathetic" the dark lord looked down on the man who he once trusted to advise him, there was no doubt in his eyes, no sign of remorse as he swung his wand into action.

Snape pulled Harry in close to him, sorry it had to end this way as he rested the boy's head on his shoulder before pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Avada kadavada"

Snape's heart pounded as he watched the green light head straight towards him. He knew this was it. This was the end.

He closed his eyes, bracing for the impact as he held Harry tighter than ever.

… … …

Moment's had passed and he was sure it should have happened by now…

Why hadn't it happened?

Snape pried his eyes open, a gasp escaping his lips as he watched a bolt of red intercepting the green, forcing it slowly back.

"Now now, that's quite enough dear Tom" Dumbledore's soft calming voice filled the room as both spells ceased.

"I'm afraid I'll have to ask that you leave at once" the old wizard stated politely as he paced slowly in front of Snape and Harry before stopping.

"I fear you have caused enough discomfort for one night" the older wizard smiled as he aimed his want once more toward the dark lord.

All three watched as Voldemort apparated into thin air, praying he would never return but knowing better.

Snape tried to ignore the shaking in his body as relief washed over him, he couldn't believe Harry and him were both still very much alive.

Dumbledore did always have impeccable timing after all.

"I trust you are safe now Severus" Dumbledore nodded in the direction of the potions professor before turning his gaze to Harry.

"Now, my dear boy" the old wizard began before rearranging the glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"You best be more careful" the man smiled down at him as Harry wondered exactly how he could be more careful. His heart pounding at the thought of that happening again, and even if it did, how would he stop the dark lord if Dumbledore wasn't there?

He didn't want to think about it as he glanced over towards Snape.

"Well, I best take my leave" Dumbledore concluded before smiling at them both and turning towards the door.

Harry watched as the old wizard wondered out of Snape's chamber's before feeling familiar arm's tighten around him. He closed his eyes, taking comfort in the safety surrounding him, praying it would never leave.

The young wizard rested a hand on his abdomen, relieved the cramps had stopped at last. Now he had labour to dread even more, especially now he knew what to expect.

Great.

"Here Harry, take this" the young wizard looked up, his eyes falling on the bath robe being handed to him. "We will need to go and see Madam Pomphrey" the man whispered as he watched the boy take the item before wrapping it around his exposed body.

XOXOXOX

"Now what do we have here at this ungodly hour?" Madam Pomphrey's voice rang out through the sick bay as she approached Harry and Snape.

Her eyes ran up and down the potion's professor, confusion reining in her eyes as she pondered why he was here with Harry.

Snape cringed, knowing exactly what the nurse was thinking.

"I found him in the corridor…" the older wizard began, wincing at his own lame excuse before being cut off by the nurse as her attention returned to the patient.

"Right, well, what seems to be the matter dear Harry?"

"I-I ah, had cramps just before" the young wizard began, his eyes instinctively turning to Snape.

He knew he had to stop looking at him but it suddenly seemed so wrong that it 'wasn't appropriate' for the world to know he was the father.

"Perhaps its best if you leave professor" Madam Pomphrey all but barked at the man.

No. That wasn't the intention, Harry cringed at the nurse's reaction.

"No, it's okay…" Harry began before feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion flood over him.

Oh man, why is this suddenly hitting him now?

"Go Professor" the nurse commanded as she indicated towards the door with her finger, saving any possible confusion.

Snape glanced to Harry, his gaze lingering before he started for the door.

Harry made no attempt to mask the sadness in his eyes as he watched the man he loved walk for the door.

"Right Harry, where were we?" the nurse began as she fluffed around with the blankets before placing them over Harry.

"I-I was just telling you about the cramps, but its okay now because they have stopped" the young wizard began, his eyes still instinctively glancing for the door.

"How long ago did they stop now dear?" the concern evident in her voice as she leaned closer to the boy.

"A-about 20 minutes ago"

"Your still a few months off Harry dear" Madam Pomphrey stated factually as she gave the boy a stern gaze.

"What I'll do is, I'll give you something to stop any further contractions"

"Contractions?!"

"Yes dear, we don't want the baby to come this early now do we"

Harry closed his eyes. He knew the baby wasn't coming, it was all because Voldemort paid a visit and that was all…

"No" Harry mumbled, deciding that going along with it would create less wide spread panic than letting the cat out of the bag that Voldemort was well and truly back.

"Right dear, I'll be back in a moment" She whispered, before giving Harry a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

He wished Snape was here…

Is he still just outside the door?

He hoped so.

He wanted to spend the night with him.

He needed to spend the night with him.

Especially after that debarkle with Voldemort earlier, he knew he needed Snape in his life forever. The thought of losing him devastated him.

The man was his everything.

"Right dear, take this and you are free to go" the nurse smiled before handing the young wizard a dark liquid in a weirdly shaped vial.

He brought the vial to his lips before swallowing the fluid in one mouthful.

Oh god it tasted awful but he didn't exactly have a choice.

"Right Harry it's back to bed for you" the nurse commanded as she ushered the boy out of sick bay.

Harry waddled through the door, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Snape in the hallway waiting for him.

How he loved this man.

And how he needed to show him just how much…