Family, Howlers, and Dark Lords
In April, Voldemort once again summoned Severus. Since before Christmas You-know-who was who knows where. Every once in a while Snape would suggest that Voldemort was on holiday.
"Now, what makes you think that?" Dumbledore had asked.
"No real reason, it's just that he has always liked the Caribbean this time of year."
"Are you sure?"
"No, he doesn't exactly tell his minions his travel plans Albus, but Narcissa told me that Lucius took his own vacation this time of year. The two of them liked to travel together, Lucius and Voldemort that is."
"That's oddly disturbing."
"You're telling me, they come back bright red and I have to brew the anti-burn potion. Thank the gods that I'm not the minion that has to put it on them. They have no visible burn lines. It scarred me for life Albus, why do you think I came back to you. That and he whined incessantly."
His dark mark had burned signifying Voldemort's return and Severus had to go. He apparated to Voldemort and kneeled before his former Master. He was Voldemort had a sunburn. With the dark lord was Pettigrew, in rat-form, Lucius and some of Severus' other classmates.
"You summoned me my lord," he said.
"Yesss, Severusss," he hissed, "I need you to brew me a anti-burn potion; I am in a colossal amount of pain. And I have heard a rumor about you."
"I will brew your potion, my lord."
"Severusss, I have heard that you are pregnant, is this true."
"No, my lord it is not true."
"Then it is the woman?"
"Yes, my lord, she is pregnant."
"Is she willing to become a death eater, and allow the child to be inducted."
"I have not yet brought it up to her my lord."
"And why not?"
"I fear that if I act too soon she will take the child away from me before it is born."
"Very well, Severusss." Snape brewed the needed anti-burn potion for Voldemort. He had wanted to poison the man but knew that there was nothing he could add to the potion to make it lethal with out someone figuring it out before Voldemort used it. Voldemort had people test out everything that he ate or put on his body, the man was paranoid. Snape apparated back to Hogwarts. Where was met by the headmaster.
"Well, Albus I was right the man was redder than a lobster," Snape said smugly, "but does any one ever listen to me…no, we can't listen to me."
"What did he want?"
"To congratulate me on my pregnancy."
"Severus, I'm sorry."
"Don't be at least this time he didn't cast the cretacius curse on me. That and he was a little confused on where babies come from,"
Aurora Sinistra now several months pregnant was wandering through Diagon Alley to pick up some things for when the twins would be born. She also had some things to order and pick up for a few of her astronomy classes. And on top of that she was meeting her mother for a late lunch. She was not looking forward to this meal; her family was thrilled that she was pregnant, but not necessarily with thrilled with the Snape aspect. She walked into the restaurant where she was meeting her mother and looked to see if she on time.
"You're late," she heard a stern female voice behind her and turned to look at her mothers smiling face, "let me get a look at you."
"Hi mum," she said and rolled her eyes, "Anyways I've been late on a lot of things lately."
"You look beautiful my dear."
"Thanks mum, now can we eat? I'm starving." The two women sat at a corner table and Sinistra dared to bring up the topic that her mother was itching to discuss with her. "Mum how do you really feel about me and Severus?"
Her mother sighed, "I don't think that it's my place to tell you what you can do now."
"You don't like it."
"I didn't say that," her mother protested.
"You didn't have to,"
"It's just that I don't trust that man," she said, "can I ask you a question my dear?"
"Go for it,"
"Do you love him?"
"Yes."
"Does he love you?"
"Yes."
"Has he taken responsibility for this?"
"Yes, in fact that's part of what I wanted to tell you," She paused to drink some water, "Severus and I are getting married."
"What?" her mother asked.
"Severus and I are getting married," she repeated and gave her mother a dazzling smile.
"Honey, that's wonderful news," her mother smiled at her and pulled her into a hug. "Congratulations darling."
"Thanks do you want to see the ring?" she held out her left hand.
"Wow, that's beautiful, have you two set a wedding date?"
"Not yet, we are thinking that we want it to be after the twins are born." After they were finished eating the two women went shopping for things for the twins' rooms. Whereas Snape and Sinistra had not decided which set of rooms they and their children would live in at Hogwarts; they had decided on a color scheme of blues and greens for both the rooms at Hogwarts and at their summer cottage. It had been quite the argument, but with these two professors it was to be expected.
"So might I ask why your young man didn't join us today?" her mother asked, "we would like to meet him before my grandchildren are born."
"He couldn't make it today because he teaches during the day, and today is a school day at Hogwarts," she quipped. After about an hour her mother had to leave. They said goodbye and went their separate ways. Sinistra went to pick up what she had ordered.
"Good afternoon Professor, I have your supplies in the back, I will go retrieve them," the shopkeeper said.
"Aurora, Aurora Sinistra," she heard a familiar voice from behind her and was tapped on her shoulder, she turned around and was face to face with an old friend who gestured towards her pregnancy. "What the hell happened to you?"
"Your brother."
"SEVERUS!!" the woman exclaimed, "Severus Snape MY brother Severus, the one who doesn't like human contact?"
"That's the one," she smirked, "he got over that little personality flaw, and unfortunately, Sydney, he still has the rest of them."
Sydney Snape burst into laughter at Sinistra's comment, "I can't believe he hasn't told us yet. Any other news we aren't privy to?"
"We are going to be getting married as well."
"Congratulations!" Sydney hugged her future sister-in-law, "I'm so happy for you, this was almost as unexpected as when you to started dating."
"Here you are Professor Sinistra," she was handed her packages which she promptly shrunk to fit into her bag.
"Can I send him a howler?" Sydney asked with an evil glint sparkling in her eyes.
"Oh god, he will flip and do you have any idea how many detentions he will hand out if it comes during a meal?"
"Yup."
"Go for it, I'm always up for Snape torture," the women shared a scheming glance. "I have to run, I'll see you later Sydney, and I hope to hear from you soon."
Two nights later at Dinner Severus Snape got a howler. The post came and everyone one stopped eating as they watched the howler. It passed over the student tables and everyone held his or her breath; praying that it wouldn't land on them. The owl flew towards the head table. The students stared in shock. Why would a professor receive a howler? The owl dropped two letters to Severus Snape. The potions master grabbed them deftly out of the air. The students stared in shock.
"Snape's gotta howler!" was whispered at each table. Their professor glared at students and then at the howler, willing it to go away. He looked at the red envelope and recognized his sister's handwriting. He cursed and tossed it on the table. He glared at the women next to him. She had an amused look on her face.
"Severus, you may want to open that," Albus said quietly. Snape's face hardened he took enough punishment from his colleuges and students. He knew his sister well enough that she was just doing it to torture him. He knew that his sister's voice carried so that no matter where he opened it, it would still be heard clearly. He opened the letter. His sister's voice rang out loud and clear.
"SEVERUS ARCHIMEDES SNAPE!!! JUST WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING GETTING SOMEONE PREGNANT YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWEN BETTER, AND YOU A POTIONS MASTER? AND WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL US? AS YOUR ONLY FAMILY WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW! I HAD TO FIND OUT BY RUNNING IN TO AURORA. BE GLAD I HAVEN'T TOLD OUR GRANDFATHER YET. IF YOU THINK THAT THIS IS BAD HE CAN DO WORSE. I STILL WISH THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD ME ATLEAST, REMEMBER ME YOUR FAVORITE SISTER? WERE YOU GOING TO KEEP ME IN THE DARK ABOUT THE WEDDING TOO? MERLIN SEVERUS!"
The hall was silent Sydney Snape's voice still echoing. The professors were hiding their laughter well. The only ones that were not hiding their laughter were Dumbledore and Sinistra. Snape glared around the hall in a silent threat to dock points from any student who laughed or brought this up. He opened the other letter, thankful when no noise came from it. It was also from his sister.
Severus,
I'm sorry, but I just had to. I ran in to Aurora a few days ago, and I couldn't believe that you didn't tell us. But it doesn't really matter. But you had better tell granddad, soon and you both better be there or I go in. And the wedding I had better be invited! By the way Sydney is a good name for a kid. Hint hint.
Love
Sydney
P.S. I'm so sorry
P.P.S. By the way you I'm also so happy for you!