Aimee
Harry gaped at the wolf as Severus steered him towards a chair. As Harry sat down, the wolf rested her head on his knees.
"Harry, your mum was bit by Remus last month." Severus said quietly, "We didn't want to tell you in fear of –"
In fear of him never looking at me the same way ever again.
The wolf let out a small sigh, followed by a whine in her throat.
"We were afraid you'd never look at your mum the same way ever again." Severus repeated, looking out the window at the fully visible full moon.
Harry didn't say anything for nearly five minutes. Finally, he looked up at his father, disbelief in his eyes.
"Is that why she's been here this whole time?" he asked feebly.
Severus nodded, "Yes, Harry. She's perfectly harmless, as you can see. Wolfsbane potion; the same I gave to Remus when he taught here."
"Without the potion, she'd try to kill us?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Severus said quietly, looking down at the wolf who was looking up at him with her green eyes. "She does make a gorgeous wolf, doesn't she?"
"She looks sad." Harry said softly.
I'm not… I'm just tired.
"She's not, she's just tired." Severus said for Lily.
Harry looked up at him curiously, "How do you know?"
Severus smiled, "She still has her mind, Harry. I can communicate with her as easily as if she was human."
"But why can't she talk like a normal human being?" Harry asked rather stupidly.
Severus shook his head, "She doesn't have the vocal cords to accompany human speech. Isn't that right, love?"
He reached down and started scratching the wolf behind her ears. Both Dumbledore and Harry started chuckling when the wolf started to growl and Severus withdrew his hand.
Sev…
Yes, love?
I told you, I don't like being petted.
Lily, darling, you've never been petted, so how can you decide whether or not you like it?
It's far too… dogish.
Severus laughed out loud, looking at the other two humans in the room. "She doesn't liked being petted."
"I can imagine why." Harry said scornfully. "What about the babies?"
Severus looked over towards Dumbledore, a pleading expression on his face. Dumbledore nodded, understanding. He cleared his throat and started to stand up before seeming to change his mind and the upward motion of his body ceased.
"Harry." Dumbledore said slowly, in a slightly drawn-out way. Before he could say anymore, the wolf once again turned on her back, all four of her legs stuck up vertically in the air.
Let him touch.
Lily, love… Do you really think that's a good idea?
Bloody hell, Severus. It's the exact same as if I were human.
It's a rather peculiar feeling, love. I'm not sure Harry would know what to make of it.
He asked, he should have a right to know.
If you insist. Severus sighed, turning back towards Harry.
"She wants you to touch her belly." Severus kneeled down with his son, taking his hand and pressing it softly on the wolf's belly. He watched as Harry's eyes widened in amazement.
"They're… they're much bigger than they are when Mum's… err… Human, yes?" Harry asked.
Severus forced a smile. "Werewolf cubs, Harry."
Harry immediately withdrew his hand. "Pardon?"
Piss off, Sev. They're just as human as I am.
My dear, that's not saying too much at the moment.
No need to scare the boy!
If both parents of a child are werewolves, does that mean the child, or children in this case, will become werewolves?
Severus, if you say one more god damned word about that I will not hesitate to bite you.
You know damn well it's a possibility.
How the bloody hell did we get from talking about Harry to talking about the fact Remus –
Has a better than even chance of being the father?
Damn it, Severus. You know it's about a thirty per cent chance –
So you say.
Don't make me walk out of here, Severus.
Lily, love, you can't.
Sarcasm doesn't suit your thoughts, dear.
Neither does it yours, Lily love.
Are you ever going to drop it? If you're so curious, ask Papa, then read his mind.
I can't.
What?
I said, I –
I heard perfectly well what you said. What do you mean, you can't?
I mean, he's much more powerful than we could ever hope to be. He can block me out when he wishes.
God f-cking damnit…
Now, Lily. Using that language around the children…
Piss off, Sev. They can't hear me. Hell, two of them don't even have ears yet.
Which brings me back to my original point –
I know what you said, Severus. They're yours unless proven otherwise. Stick by your words for once, will you?
Harry wasn't mine. Who's to say these babies aren't?
Yet you've raised Harry as if you would if he were your son. Will you truly do any different this time, Sev?
We're older, Lily. You know damn well how I feel
about you and Remus.
It wasn't his fault.
I'm well aware of that fact. He's always the innocent one, Lily. Always.
What on Earth is that supposed to mean? Why are you being like this?
Because your son's standing here next to me, touching two babies that might not be mine. You're a god damn werewolf, Lily, and I'm standing here, completely helpless.
So that's what's making you act like this… Helplessness. Severus, would you enjoy turning into a werewolf? If I bit you, would that make you feel any better? To join my ranks? If I was to allow you to sleep with another woman and impregnate her, would you feel not-so-helpless?
Lily, I -
If you were to have two babies growing inside of you, and you didn't know if they were the products of a binge of despair or the love of your life's, would that make you feel any better? Would being more scared than you had ever been in your entire life make you feel any better, Severus? Would it?
No, it wouldn't.
Then don't you dare be mad at me, Severus, because I sure as hell didn't ask for any of this.
Lily, love, I'm sorry.
The wolf looked up at Severus and rolled over, barring her teeth slightly. A low growl omitted from the wolf's throat, as Harry and Dumbledore looked on with interest.
"And exactly what were you two conversing about?" Dumbledore asked as the wolf jumped up beside him and curled up.
"Nothing, Headmaster." Severus said quietly, eyes downcast.
"Grandpa, did you know about this?" Harry asked suddenly, looking up at Dumbledore with expectant eyes.
"From the day it happened, Harry." The old man answered honestly. He turned towards the wolf, his blue eyes bearing into her green ones. "Are you tired, dear?"
The wolf set her nose down on Dumbledore's knee, a small whine escaping her throat. Dumbledore smiled a bit, then turned towards Harry.
"Son, I believe your Mum is tired… And I daresay your father, also?" Severus gave a small nod. "Why don't you and I go get a cup of hot chocolate and I can answer any questions you might have. Is that ok?"
Harry nodded and stood up with Dumbledore. The two bid Severus and the wolf goodbye, climbing out of the portrait hole swiftly.
Along once more, Severus turned towards the wolf, his face pale and a look of hopelessness filling his features. "Lily, love, I'm sorry."
I know you are, Sev.
I didn't mean to get out of hand like that, love. I just…
You're mad and you don't know what to make of it all. It's perfectly expectable.
Yes, but I'm also sorry.
It's ok… I expect I'm going to do a bit of venting myself, possibly in the form of Severus-torturing, so we'll be even then.
Lily, love, promise me something.
Yes?
You'll stay with me, always.
Of course, Sev. Why wouldn't I?
If these babies are Remus's…
I'd rather drown them than have you leave me.
You say that now, while they're still mere cells.
And what do you think we're made of, Severus? Titanium?
If those babies are Remus's, would you even consider trying to raise them with him?
No, if you hadn't spoken it the thought wouldn't have crossed my mind. Never. You're the father of my children, regardless of blood. We've proved that before, and we'll do it again if we need to. However, if you feel as if seeing the twins on a day by day basis would be a constant reminder of what has happened…
I can't promise anything, love.
I know you can't, Sev. I'm not expecting you to.
But I can tell you I'll try.
Come, Sev. Sit next to me.
Severus obliged and walked over to the bed, sitting next to the wolf. He laid down next to her, touching her head gently.
I admit, someone petting me does feel rather soothing.
I'll have to remember that, love.
Are you tired?
Honestly? I feel as if I've just drank the Draught of the Living Dead.
Then sleep, Sev.
I don't want to leave you.
I'll be here when you wake up, hopefully in human form.
Naked?
Hopefully I'll have time to put some clothes on.
Damn.
I'll try not to wake you up.
No, no… Wake me up when you start to transform. I know it's painful, I want to be there in case you need help.
Or render myself unconscious.
That too, love.
Good night, Sev.
Sleep well, love.