Disclaimer: They're not mine, I'm just playing with them.
A/N: Thanks to Sunglow for beta reading, and everyone who has reviewed and criticised the story so far. I'm going to introduce another new character in the next couple of chapters, but not due to pressure from any outside sources. I have the story mapped out roughly, so if anyone reads anything that they may have suggested, it obviously means that great minds think alike!
Sev and the Family Snape
Chapter 9 - Preparations
The students soon got used to two other dark figures roaming the hallways at night. The pair was so alike it was uncanny, except Sage had a small scar over his eyebrow. That didn't help in the darkness though. Albus wondered why he hadn't thought of employing the Snape brothers sooner; it was keeping mischief down to non-existent levels. Mind; the fact that the three main perpetrators of mischief had graduated the previous summer helped too.
Saxen and Sage had been provided rooms near to Severus and Hermione, and the small family group were often found in the married couple's living room, discussing literature, potions, music or just playing chess. Saxen particularly enjoyed giving Severus a run for his money, as he knew all of his twins' moves by heart. Severus was unpredictable, and the games often stretched over the course of two or three evenings.
Hermione sometimes found Sage watching her with an expression she couldn't read, and wondered about it. She was getting slightly clumsy as her pregnancy proceeded and at eight months was over the size of a normal woman nine months gone. Severus insisted she put her feet up at every opportunity and for once she was glad of his stubborn ways. Her back ached and her feet were swelling and she itched. The twins were still fairly active and she could feel them turning around, jabbing her with elbows and feet. She shifted on the sofa again and yawned.
Sage immediately got up and interrupted the game of chess taking place in front of the fireplace.
"Hermione's tired, it's time we left." He said to his twin.
"Don't go on my account." She said, and held out a hand for one of them to help her up. Sage beat Severus to it by only seconds and carefully pulled her into a standing position. Saxen watched in amusement as his youngest brother put his arm around his wife. He knew what was going on with his twin, and would have to tell Severus, if only to prevent bloodshed through any misunderstandings.
"You go on, Sage, I just want to finish this move. Severus doesn't stand a chance."
"Dream on." Severus was torn between Hermione and one of the most challenging games yet. Hermione nudged him in the ribs.
"Go on, I'll see Sage out." She pushed him back towards the chess set and turned to link an arm with Sage. He drew her arm through his and they walked to the door.
"How's that translation text coming along?" she asked him.
"Very well. I could use some help with one part."
"Is that a request?"
"Are you free tomorrow?"
"I have to see Poppy in the morning, but I'll be free after lunch."
"I'll meet you in the library then." He kissed her cheek and let himself out. Hermione made her way back to Severus, yawning.
"Don't be long." She said softly, her hand on his shoulder, and he looked up.
"Ten minutes, I promise."
"I lock the door at eleven minutes." She warned, smiling, and walked slowly to their bedroom.
"Hurry up and make your move, Saxen."
"Don't worry, it'll all be over soon." He moved a pawn. "Unless you care to forfeit?" he nodded towards the bedroom door.
"Never. We can always carry on tomorrow." He paused. "Saxen – have you noticed Sage acting..strange..around Hermione?"
"Has Hermione said anything to you?"
"No. But I'm not blind."
"It's..complicated..and if you don't want to be locked out of your bedroom, I suggest we discuss this tomorrow. Sage will be in the Library after lunch, will you be available then?"
"I'm free until three. Will that be enough time?"
"Yes. I'll see myself out." Saxen put his hand on his brothers' shoulder, and then let himself out.
Severus extinguished the fire and lights, walking in darkness to the slight glow coming from under the bedroom door. Making his way to the bathroom, he found his wife cleaning her teeth, one hand supporting her stomach. He brushed her hand away and circled her with his arms, nuzzling her neck at the same time. The twins moved lazily under his hands, the skin rippling under her nightgown.
"Only another month to go." He whispered.
"I can't wait to actually see my feet again." She leant back against him, allowing him to take her weight. She felt huge and ungainly, and was glad they lived in the dungeons. The heat from the June sun was unbearable sometimes and the coolness she found down here soothed her.
"Term will be over soon, so I'll be able to spend more time with you. I'm sorry if I've been neglecting you lately."
"Don't be silly, Severus. N.E.W.T.S. are always stressful, not only for the students. You have a heavy workload as well."
"I just want us to have a breather before the babies come."
"Only a week left, then we can relax." She sighed, and moved slightly so he could have access to the sink. He released her reluctantly and watched as she climbed awkwardly onto their bed, sinking into the pillows with a sigh. He knew she was uncomfortable, but there was nothing he could do to help her.
Hermione rubbed her back and waited for Severus to join her. He padded over to the bed and extinguished the lights, sliding in beside Hermione. He moved her hand aside and with his long fingers kneaded the small of her back, easing the ache for her with a back rub. She sighed appreciatively.
"Saxen said something strange tonight." He murmured.
"Doesn't he always?"
"It was about Sage."
"Oh Yes?" she turned her head to look at him.
"I asked him if he'd noticed him acting differently when he was with you."
"And?"
"He said he'd tell me tomorrow."
"I have noticed Sage being a bit.."
"Possessive?"
"Not exactly."
"How 'not exactly' exactly?"
"He's more overprotective than anything else. He's never said or done anything to warrant me bringing it to your attention. It's rather nice having three men at my beck and call."
"Five, if you count Lupin and Black."
"I'm so spoilt for choice."
"So what do you think is the matter with him?"
"If he were a woman I'd say it was his biological clock ticking."
"He's broody?"
"It's possible. He's been here for three months, my love, and how long have they both been isolated in that castle you lot called home?"
"Twenty years."
"And no female company apart from your mother? I'm not surprised."
"About what?"
"Let's see, shall we?" she turned over with difficulty and held up a hand, ticking the items off on her fingers. "One, he's lonely; two, he's not had sex in twenty years that we know of; three, he comes into an environment where his younger, sexy brother has got a teenage wife and is having regular sex; four, if he's got a sensitive nose anywhere near like yours, he's been sniffing female hormones for three months. Am I making sense?"
"So he needs to get laid."
"Put crudely, yes, or he wants a wife."
"Well he's not having mine."
"So, any ideas?"
"None. It's pushing it a bit with twenty years between us, so it's no use suggesting a seventh year, and there's no-one suitable amongst the faculty."
"Shame there isn't a dating agency we can use to set him up."
"I think I'd better have that talk with Saxen." He nuzzled her neck. "So you think I'm sexy, do you?"
"You have to ask?" she rubbed her foot up and down his calf.
"Just like to be absolutely certain."
"It's not like anyone's going to find me attractive now, is it?" she grumbled, and he raised his head to look at her.
"What on earth gave you that idea? Have you seen the looks you've been getting lately?"
"What, the 'there goes the blimp' looks?"
"Gods, woman! I meant the 'I wish I were in Snape's shoes' looks. I swear even Black wishes he were straight."
"I feel fat!"
"Hermione, you're pregnant with twins. You're not fat. From the back you don't even look pregnant!" he kept his fingers crossed. OK, she'd widened a little, but not a lot.
"Really?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"No."
"Well then."
"Thank you for that, Severus. Are you sure I don't look fat?"
"Yes."
"Severus.."
"Yes?"
"Can you turn me over please? I think I'm stuck."
Severus laughed softly as he helped her to find a comfortable position. She often slept on her side with one leg raised and resting on the mattress. This alleviated the pressure on her stomach, and also allowed him to sleep spooned against her, his hand resting on the swell of her abdomen.
~~~
"I wonder if Molly knows of anyone." Hermione mused.
"Molly Weasley?"
"Yes. She must do, with all the sons she's got."
"Wouldn't she be looking for someone for them?"
"There's really only Charlie and Bill available now, since Percy married Penelope."
"Let me speak to Saxen tomorrow. We could be wrong, you know."
"No, I think we're on to something."
"Care to make a wager on that?"
"No, the last time I lost to you I pulled a muscle."
"I promise it won't involve any strenuous activity on your part."
"All right. If I win, you change the nappies for a week."
"Urgh. And if I win, you rest when I tell you to."
"I think I've got the better deal."
"I'd better brush up on cleaning charms then."
"Hah! I've seen you clean your classroom, don't forget."
"Well it has to be done properly, not just left to recalcitrant teenagers with a toothbrush."
"So why make us do it then?"
"Makes you think twice about playing up around dangerous potions."
"That's sneaky."
"That's Slytherin."
~~~
Hermione settled herself next to Sage in the Library after lunch the next day, and pulled the book he wanted help with towards her. Immersing herself in the text, she didn't notice him watching her until she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. She looked up and his eyes skittered away from hers. She reached out a hand and touched the back of his gently, drawing his attention to her.
"Sage? Is anything the matter?"
"What attracted you to Severus?" he asked unexpectedly.
"Pardon?"
"What was it about him?"
"I don't know." She shrugged. "I think it's always been there, really. There's just..something..about him."
"Even if he's not what you call conventionally handsome?"
"Watch it, Sage, this is my husband you're talking about." She frowned at him.
"I'm serious, Hermione."
"I can only go by my own experience, Sage. Severus can't understand it sometimes either." She shrugged again and smiled. "He's my other half." As if that explained it. "Why do you ask?"
"You both look happy."
"We are."
"I'm not." He muttered, and pushed back his chair to pace restlessly up and down.
"Don't you like it here? You're a popular tutor, and it's nice to have family around."
"But you'll both be busy with the babies soon. I'm not like Saxen, who can walk into any room and find someone to talk to."
"Like Sirius can." Now she understood. The twins were like two sides of a coin; Sage was the more studious, quiet one, Saxen was more outgoing, gregarious. She had no doubt that Saxen had no shortage of female admirers.
"Yes." He threw himself back into his chair and ran his fingers through his long hair, so very much like Severus did when he was frustrated.
"Have you told anyone else this?"
"And have Saxen set me up with every woman he knows? You have to be joking!"
"At least he knows some." She pointed out gently.
"I don't want anyone's leftovers." He growled. He reminded her again of Severus.
"So you want a pureblood virgin between the age of twenty five and forty? You're not asking for much." She snorted, and he looked up, seeing the smile in her eyes.
"I'd settle just for the pureblood."
"What, us muggleborns not good enough?"
"You may have Father wrapped around your little finger, but I don't think I'm lucky enough to find another like you."
"Sage, you're forty four years old. Don't you think it's time to do something for yourself, rather than allow your father to dictate your life for you?"
"Am I that pathetic?"
"Of course not! I just come from a different generation and culture, so perhaps I see it differently. Don't you pureblood families have something like Debrett's?"
"Debrett's?"
"Debrett's Peerage. Muggle book listing all the aristocracy."
"No, we don't."
"So how do you know who's who?"
"That's what parents are for."
"So why haven't yours arranged a marriage for you already?"
"Because I didn't want an arranged marriage."
"You get a choice?"
"This is not the Dark Ages, Hermione. Of course we get a choice."
"Oh. I'm glad."
"Why?"
"I'd hate to see you unhappy."
"But I am unhappy."
"But at least you're not stuck with someone you hate."
"Better to be alone and miserable?"
"It's your choice. Only you can do anything about it."
"And where, may I ask, am I going to meet anyone?"
"Give me a few days to think about it." Hermione decided.
"Am I allowed to ask what you have planned, or do I really not want to know?"
"You really don't want to know."
~~~
Saxen made his way down to the dungeons to meet with his younger brother. He found him at his desk in the classroom, slashing red marks all over a pile of parchment.
"Busy?"
"Fourth year. Stupid lot. Don't even know the difference between..oh what's the use, it looks like I'll have to go over that lesson again." Severus sat back and pinched the bridge of his nose against an impending headache.
"Admit it, Severus. You love this job."
"Hmmph."
"So, can you spare a few minutes?"
"Come on through to my office. Less chance of interruption." Severus stood up and made his way to the back of the classroom.
Sitting down in one of the two chairs there, Severus summoned a pot of tea and waited for Saxen to start talking.
"He's lonely."
"Sage?"
"Yes. Oh, he hasn't said anything to me, but wants what you've got. Someone to come home to."
"Why hasn't he said anything to you?"
"He's picky. He knows the sort of women I go for, and they're not his type."
"I didn't know you two had a type."
"You obviously don't remember our seventh year here."
"Not really. I do recall the Quidditch groupies, though."
"Ah yes. The one perk of all those early morning training sessions, and the after match parties."
"I wouldn't know."
"Oh come on, now. Surely you had them when you were a Chaser."
"Not really, they usually hung around Lucius."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I was always too knackered at the end of a match to do much anyway."
"Hope you've got a bit more stamina now." Saxen grinned.
"I don't hear Hermione complaining." He paused. "Sod it."
"What?"
"I've just lost a bet with my lovely wife."
"Oh?"
"You don't want to know."
"Yes I do."
"Suffice to say that I'll be on nappy duty for a week when the babies arrive."
"Urgh."
"My thought exactly."
"So what do we do about Sage?"
"Nothing. Hermione will sort him out."
"You've discussed this with her?"
"She knew there was something going on with him. It will take all of five minutes for her to find out, and a few days to come up with a solution."
"You sound as though you've had experience."
"I spent all of last year catching her 'helping' the other students. Why do you thing she's Student Counsellor now?"
"You must have great faith in her."
"She's not failed in anything she's set her heart on yet." Severus skipped over the hellish two months he'd spent apart from her.
"I'm thinking she may not find this so easy."
"Care to make a wager?"
"I might."
"If Hermione finds him someone before the end of the summer, you baby-sit the twins for a whole weekend."
"And if she doesn't?"
"You choose." Severus didn't care; he knew he was on to a winner.
"Anything?"
"Within reason."
"You're on." Saxen didn't care; he could always rope in Lupin and Black to help out. He was only too happy to lose if it meant his twin would be happy. Saxen had no intentions of ever settling down; since leaving the wilds of Cornwall he had had no shortage of offers, and he took full advantage. Sage, however, was different. He'd never been one for casual encounters, so it was no use him introducing Sage to any of his female acquaintances as they had the same agenda as Saxen; no commitments.
~~~
Three days later, Hermione tossed a pinch of floo powder in the fire in their quarters, safe in the knowledge that Severus was still teaching. This was one conversation that she didn't want him to overhear.
"Molly Weasley." She said and watched the fire turn green. Molly's head appeared in the flames.
"Hermione! How are you? Babies all right?" Molly was delighted to see Hermione. It reminded her so much of when she was carrying Fred and George.
"Fine thanks, Molly. Everyone OK?"
"Yes. Anything I can help you with?"
"Can you spare me a few minutes for a chat?"
"Of course." And with that, Molly stepped through the flames, brushing herself off as she appeared on the hearth.
Hermione summoned some tea and they chatted for a while, comparing notes on their pregnancies. Hermione asked after the family and Molly regaled her with the latest Fred and George disasters.
"So how are Charlie and Bill?"
"Bill has finally met someone! I'd given up hope of him ever settling down. Charlie I've given up on; it looks like he'll always be the eternal bachelor. Kailani says he's too involved with his dragons!" she snorted. "She should talk!"
"Who is this Kailani?"
"She works with Charlie. Lovely girl." Molly sighed. "I had hopes of her for Charlie, but he said she was like another sister. Has a real way with dragons, according to him. Took on that dragon of Hagrid's when no-one else would."
"Norbert? I expect he's almost fully grown now, isn't he?"
"Goodness, no! He's still a baby according to Charlie. Kailani has formed quite a bond with him."
"Charlie or Norbert?" Hermione smiled, and Molly smiled back at her.
"The dragon, of course. You know, Hagrid could have got into quite a lot of trouble back then."
"Yes, instead Harry and Ron did." Hermione remembered when Molly had found out about that from Charlie during the Triwizard tournament. Hagrid had been ecstatic over the dragons when they had arrived, and had plagued Charlie for information about 'his' dragon that he'd hatched back in their first year. They chatted a bit more about Harry and Ginny's wedding that would be taking place over the summer. Neither of them had wanted a long engagement, and Molly was delighted that Harry was finally becoming one of the family. Hermione was pleased that it was taking place after the babies arrived, and she hoped that she could get her figure back before then.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Molly brought her attention back to business.
"It's rather a delicate matter."
"Oh?"
"Have you ever done any matchmaking?"
Molly laughed. "With the amount of children I've got? Seriously, I've only ever tried recently with Charlie and Bill; the others seem to be doing very well without my help. I did try to encourage Charlie and Kailani, but they're both not interested in each other. It's a shame, really."
"So is this Kailani available?"
"Why do you ask?"
"How old is she?"
"Thirty two, and now tell me why you want to know." Molly frowned at her.
"I've sort of agreed to find someone for a friend." Hermione didn't want to reveal whom just yet.
"I doubt very much Kailani would agree, Hermione. She's very independent, and in all the time she's known Charlie not once has she been seen with a man. Mind you, the dragons don't help. Is it anyone I know?"
"I'd rather not say."
"Well, good luck, Hermione. You know, your friend could always try the personals in the Daily Prophet."
"They have a section like that?"
"Of course."
"Thanks, Molly. You've been a great help."
"You're welcome, dear. Anytime you need a babysitter, you know you can always call on me. I just wish the boys would hurry up and give me some grandchildren." Molly hugged her and then flooed away, leaving Hermione to her thoughts.
~~~
"How are you, Hermione?" Albus lowered himself into the chair opposite her in the Library and offered a bag of lemon drops. To his enormous surprise, she took one.
"Tired. I don't think I'm up to staying long at the graduation feast tonight."
"Perfectly understandable, my dear. Not long now, eh?"
"Poppy tells me I have three more weeks to go." She shifted uncomfortably. "But I have a feeling they won't wait that long."
"I seem to recall Severus being impatient too."
"Camille tells me he was two weeks early."
"Do you have everything ready?"
"I'll say. Poppy is all set, and she's put aside the main ward apparently for all our guests." Hermione wrinkled her nose a bit at the thought of the birthing tradition.
"Ah, yes. I think you'll have quite a crowd." Albus twinkled at her.
"Yes. Our parents, Saxen and Sage plan to be there, so do Sirius and Remus, Ginny is twisting Harry and Ron's arms as well, plus Molly and Arthur would like to be included, not to mention all the teachers. All I need now is Colin Creevey turning up with his camera." She rolled her eyes and then looked hard at Dumbledore as he choked slightly on his lemon drop. "You didn't." she warned.
"I thought it would be nice to have a memento of the occasion. He did take your wedding snaps, after all."
"Honestly, Albus! Why don't I just give birth in the Great Hall?"
"You'd never get Severus to agree." He smiled. Hermione rolled her eyes again; it was no use being annoyed with him, especially as she wanted a favour from him. She leaned forward in her seat towards him.
"So, Headmaster, what do you know about dragons?"
~~~
Harry watched proudly as Ginny stepped forward to receive her scroll at the graduation feast that night. He and Ron sat with her parents, grinning like Cheshire cats as she finally completed her education. This was what Harry had been waiting for; now they could officially announce their engagement and start on the preparations for the wedding. He couldn't wait to have Ginny all to himself at last.
He looked across at Hermione and Snape, sitting at the head table, watching as each student came up to Dumbledore to collect their ticket to the outside world. Hermione had a serene expression on her face as she rested one hand on her protruding stomach. Both Ron and he had been shocked at the size of her belly earlier; he didn't think pregnant women could get that big. Ron had made his usual tactless remark that had earned him a smack round the head from Ginny and a glare from Snape that reminded him of past Potions lessons.
It didn't look as though it would be long now before Hermione gave birth; he'd shuddered at the mention of the birthing tradition. How could having a crowd of relatives and friends around make what should have been a very private, intimate experience, more meaningful? The only thing he could possibly think of for that many people being there would be to bring the expectant father out of a dead faint. And he knew for a fact that Snape had a very strong stomach, so a bit of blood and gore shouldn't affect him too much.
Harry looked again at the head table, and spotted the other two Snapes, sitting with Sirius and Remus. He smiled to himself; this was the first year that Hogwarts had had more than one teacher under the age of seventy, although technically, Saxen and Sage were only extra tutors, rather than proper teachers. Ginny had mentioned Sage in her letters to him, and he might have been worried if she hadn't added those extra lines about what she was planning to do to him when she got him alone… Harry shifted in his seat uncomfortably as the details replayed in his mind, and wondered if it would be possible to sneak her away to the Quidditch pitch later.
At last the presentations were over and the students were allowed to join their families. Ginny rushed down and was hugged by her parents, Ron, Fred and George, Charlie, Bill and Percy. Finally she was pushed towards Harry, who swung her around in his arms. He held her tight against him and groaned inaudibly as she twitched against him, their dressrobes concealing where she plastered herself against him.
"Oy, save that for later." Fred slapped him on the back, and Ginny glared at him over Harry's shoulder.
"Look out, ship in full sail approaching." Ron joked as Hermione glided across the floor towards them, flanked by the three dark figures of the Snapes.
"I heard that, Ron Weasley, and don't think I'm going to forget it when Susan's time comes." She said, smiling at him all the same. She'd had a niggling pain in her back ever since her conversation with Albus earlier that day, but it wasn't enough to put her in a bad mood. Yet.
"Congratulations, Ginny." She hugged her friend as much as her stomach would allow her to. Ginny smiled back, and her eyes widened as she felt Hermione's bump roll against her.
"Wow, Hermione. Lively, aren't they?"
"I'll say." Her muscles tingled under her bump, followed by a sharp pain and she frowned. That didn't feel like the normal Braxton Hicks contractions she'd been having recently. Another pain rippled across the base of her spine and she rubbed it absently, arching her spine. She shifted from one foot to the other and Severus looked concernedly at her. She shook her head at him, but accepted his supporting arm.
"Are you alright, Hermione?" Molly asked.
"Just a bit tired, that's all." Hermione didn't want to spoil Ginny's moment by confessing that she wasn't feeling too good. The babies had settled low in her pelvis and the pain in her back was increasing.
"Don't let her stay on her feet too long, Severus. I remember when Molly was carrying the twins, and she used to have to sit down every ten minutes." Arthur smiled fondly down at his wife.
"The only reason I did that was because you used to follow me around with a chair." Molly rolled her eyes at her husband and the others laughed. Hermione's giggle caught in her throat as another spasm shot across her stomach and she gasped. She looked frantically up at her husband and squeezed his arm as she bent forward a little.
"I think we'd better go and see Poppy." Severus decided. Saxen squeezed his shoulder to attract his attention.
"Do you want me to contact Mother and Father?"
"Not yet. I'll let you know what Poppy has to say. You stay here and enjoy yourselves." He glanced round at everyone, who smiled at him in return. He turned and tightened his arm around Hermione, supporting more of her weight as they walked slowly towards the main doors. Ron and Harry watched anxiously as Hermione paused and held onto her side, then looked downwards. Severus turned back and caught Saxen's eye, who hurried over. There was a short conversation and then Severus swept Hermione up in his arms and swiftly left the room.
"He'll do his back in like that." Ron murmured, secretly impressed.
Saxen made his way back to the group, ignoring all the stares the drama was attracting.
"Hermione's waters have broken. Looks like the twins are in a hurry to be born. I have to contact my parents. Mr Potter, can you do the same for Hermione's?"
"Of course. Are they connected to the floo network?"
"Yes. Then we'd all better get to the hospital wing." Saxen swept away, very Snape-like, followed by Sage.
There was a surge of noise as the news spread, and the group that had been invited to be present, made their way to the infirmary. Tradition was that they be present from the time labour started to the time the baby or babies arrived.
They could be in the hospital wing for a long time.
TBC
A/N: Two, possibly three more chapters to go, and then that's it, I'm afraid.