Disclaimer: Not mine, hers. Rated R for some language
I am Severus Snape: Potions Master, ex-Death Eater, snarkiest bastard on earth…then why do I feel like the strength of my knees is slowly seeping out of my toes? Why do I feel like the outside world is moving way too fast while I'm stuck in slow motion?
It may have to do with the fact that with Hermione's every whimper, I feel like my very soul is being ripped to pieces. Or it could be the fact that I know, in mere hours, I will be face to face with a third person. A person that, incredibly, is a part of me.
Hermione is having our baby. Another person is inside of her, at this very moment, and desperately wants out. My baby. A tiny little human being that I had a part in creating. Careful there boy, don't want to get a God Complex. Damn…who would have thought that a quick shag against the dungeon wall would result in this?
"Do you need to leave, sir?" A mediwitch is looking at me with concern. I must look like an idiot standing here, consumed by my thoughts. Get with it man! Women have babies everyday. Men become fathers all the time.
But this is different. This is my baby. The unexpected has happened, hell has frozen over, the weatherman has been reporting flying pigs all over the place. Severus Snape is in love and starting a family.
Now really, who would have thought?
Dear, sweet Merlin, is it supposed to look like that? Perhaps I'll just move towards the other end. Yes, smooth her hair out of her face. Poor dear, sweat is dripping into her eyes, I'll just wipe—
"Severus, I swear to God above if you ever come near me again I'll feed your balls to Fluffy."
Hmm, perhaps that's not the safest zone to be in. That's it, just sidle away, join the godparents, Potter and Weasley out in the waiting room. Nobody will notice if you just inch away…
"Severus…?"
She sounds so forlorn and pathetic, I'm at her side in an instant. I can't stand her being in such pain. I take her hand and rub it soothingly. Bad idea. At that moment another contraction comes upon her and my wrist somehow finds it's way into her grip. Ah well, at least it wasn't my wand hand, right? Don't wince, smile encouragingly at her.
Ah, ok…yes, erm, the mediwitch wants me to do what? Oh delightful, the first time I meet my child and I'm cutting parts of it's body…that's a good omen. Oh gods, she's so small… No, no, I don't want to hold her, I'll drop her, I'll hurt her, I'll—
Hello there, little one. I'm your daddy.
The fierce desire to protect her washes over me. I've done awful things in my life and suddenly I'm terrified…how do I keep her safe from making the same mistakes? How bad will it hurt me if she does make them? But it doesn't matter, in that moment, for the second time in my life, I hand over my heart without thought to consequences. The first time was with this little darling's mother.
She grips the finger I used to caress the softness of her cheek. Such a strong grip for one so little. She turns her head, making sucking noises.
"She wants to nurse."
I look up. So absorbed was I in my daughter, that I failed to notice that Hermione and I are the only ones left in the room. She looks exhausted but triumphant as she leans against the pillows. Gently, I lay our child in her arms and she bares a breast to suckle her.
Suddenly I am struck by the awe-inspiring picture of the moment. Mother and child: the height of innocence.
I refuse to cry. But I will lean over and lay a hand on Hermione's shoulder as we both gaze down at her.
A daughter. My daughter.
A/N: So…let me know what you think…review! :)