Unexpected Heritage
A/N: I'm going to warn you now that a whole lot happens in this chapter. And I mean a whole lot. Thanks to my wonderful reviewers!!!
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Severus and Harry strolled back down to the dungeons so they could get dressed and ready for the day. Lucius had just woken up when they returned.
"Where did the two of you go so early in the morning?"
"I finally got a certain someone to go see Madame Pomfrey about his morning sickness."
"Morning sickness? Narcissa had that when she was preg…"
Harry smiled brightly. Severus did too.
"Wait a minute. Are you pregnant, Harry?"
The Gryffindor nodded. Lucius pulled him into a tight embrace.
"It will be so nice to have a little baby around here."
"Think in threes, Luc. It seems that our favorite Gryffindor can't do anything the easy way."
Lucius' brow furrowed before stretching out in surprise.
"Triplets?"
Harry nodded into the blonde's robes.
"Oh, Harry, that is wonderful! Congratulations!"
They all smiled and chatted while they got ready for breakfast. The three men headed up to the Great Hall and ad breakfast. Harry sat with Ginny and Hermione, still grinning from ear to ear.
"What are you so happy about, Harry?"
"Umm…I don't exactly know how to say it, 'Mione."
"Just spit it out."
"Alright, but promise not to say anything to anyone, even Padma, Justin, or Draco. I want to keep it quiet for a while, well until absolutely necessary."
The girls nodded, looking at Harry. The Boy-Who-Lived took a deep breath.
"I'm pregnant…with triplets."
Both girls immediately brightened, smiles plastered on their faces. Ginny hugged Harry and Hermione grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
"That it so amazing! Congratulations!"
"Yes, Congratulations, Harry."
"Thank you."
They finished their breakfast and headed to their respective classes. The rest of the day passed quite uneventfully. After dinner, Severus, Harry, and Lucius went to go speak with Dumbledore. They sat in the comfortable chairs in the office, sipping tea and talking to the Headmaster.
"I understand that congratulations are in order."
"Thank you Headmaster, but I was wondering—"
"How you became pregnant?"
"Yes, sir."
"I think you know the mechanics of how it works, but I know what you are really asking me. You all thought that Harry couldn't become with child until after the bonding ceremony, am I correct?"
The three nodded. Dumbledore continued.
"The ceremony is just that. The actually bonding takes place when two people…consummate their relationship. You have already done that, so having a bonding ceremony now would just serve to be a public ceremony for your friends and family. Would you still like to have the ceremony?"
Harry looked at Severus and nodded when he saw Severus smile softly. This was something that they had talked about in private, but hadn't mentioned anything to Lucius.
"Headmaster, is there any way to perform the ceremony with three people?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a little while. Then he smiled.
"I can't recall ever performing such a ceremony, but I think that I could come up with something."
Lucius looked at Harry and Severus, totally confused. Harry took one of the blonde's hands in his.
"Luc, we would like you to do us the great honor of bonding with us. We love you and want to be with you for the rest of our lives."
"Are you serious, Harry, Severus?"
"Absolutely," Severus said as he placed a gentle hand on Lucius' shoulder.
"Thank you. I would love to."
Harry leaned over and hugged Lucius. The blonde Slytherin placed a soft kiss on Severus' lips and smiled. The Potions Master looked to the Headmaster, who was smiling quite brightly.
"Why don't the three of you go back to your rooms and talk about plans for the ceremony? I'll see you all tomorrow at breakfast."
Harry, Severus, and Lucius thanked the Headmaster and went back to the dungeons. They talked for a while before going off and doing their own thing. Harry did his homework, Severus did some research, and Lucius read a magazine. After the day's tasks were done, the three curled up together in bed. Severus was in the middle, as usual, and put his hand lightly on Harry's stomach.
"You are miracles, in there."
Harry smiled and put his hand on top of Severus'.
"And you are my miracle, Sev."
"I love you too, Harry."
They all fell asleep very happy.
It was now the middle of April, the day before the spring break. Severus, Harry, and Lucius were getting ready for their bonding ceremony. Harry was 4 months pregnant (I know in the last chapter it was March and I said he was 2 months pregnant, but he should have been three by then) and starting to show quite nicely. The triplets were growing and, thankfully, Harry's morning sickness had ended. The three men were getting dressed. They were all wearing deep blue robes with white silk shirts and black tuxedo pants. Precisely at 3pm, Harry, Severus, and Lucius headed up to the Great Hall. They walked up the center aisle, their friends, Severus' family, and Draco in the white chairs that were set up facing where Dumbledore was standing. They stood in front of the Headmaster, holding hands in a triangle.
"This afternoon, we have been brought together to witness the bonding of Severus Anton Snape, Lucius Thane Malfoy, and Harry James Potter. This is a very joyous occasion because I am not just bonding two souls, but three, joining together three of the oldest and most powerful magic families. I am very pleased to see them joined in peace. These three families have seen much hardship and now it is my sincere hope that together, they will be able to survive any trials and tribulations that may come their way."
Dumbledore took the bonding ropes and tied them around each of their wrists. He spoke the Latin incantation and the ropes started to glow, and then finally disappeared. Harry, Lucius, and Severus smiled, staring into each other's eyes. It was a very simple, but incredibly powerful ceremony. Dumbledore lifted his head to look at the three men.
"Now you will feel no rain
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no loneliness for you
For you will be companion to the other.
Now you are three persons
But there is one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place
To enter into the days of your togetherness
And may your days be good and long upon this earth.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Thank you all for joining us for this momentous occasion. It is my pleasure to present to all of you gathered here Harry Potter-Snape, Lucius Malfoy-Snape, and Severus Snape-Potter. Let us give them a hearty round of applause."
Everyone clapped loudly, filling the room with a roar. The three men walked back down the aisle and out of the Great Hall. They stood outside the closed doors, placing quick kisses on each other's lips. After a couple minutes, they went back in. All of the chairs had been rearranged, placed around round tables. Dumbledore was sitting at the end of the head table with Draco, Jessilyn, Jocelyn, Marguerite, and Remus. Lucius, Severus, and Harry sat down at the center of the table and the meal appeared on the plates in front of everyone. Once everyone had eaten, the tables were moved to the side and a dance floor formed in the center. Dance music filtered through the air and everyone got up to dance. They all danced and had a wonderful time. At the end of the night, Severus, Lucius, and Harry bid all of their guests a good night and strolled peacefully down to the dungeons. After removing their robes, the three men crawled into bed, curled together, and fell asleep.
The week off the newlyweds shared flew by. Harry spent a lot of the time with Lucius, growing to love him nearly as much as he did Severus. Life under the sheets was rather quiet, as Harry had grown a little too big to do much comfortably. So Lucius and Severus agreed that they would all wait to fully complete the bonding until after the triplets were born so that Harry could be involved other than just watching. The end of May rolled around and the Gryffindor was immensely thankful that the N.E.W.T.s were being held early that year. He breezed through his tests; they were difficult, but he was very well prepared. He was sitting by the fire talking with Hermione when Lucius hurried past him, heading for the door.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry, Luc?"
"I can't believe that I nearly forgot about Sev's birthday. I don't have a gift for him. So I'm heading to Hogsmeade to try to find something. I'll be back soon."
"Can I come?"
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Harry. You're a lot more vulnerable 5 months pregnant than you were even last month. But I promise we'll go out together once the babies are here. Do you need anything?"
"I ordered a new pair of boots, for Severus, from Gladrags, could you please pick them up?"
"Of course, see you in a few hours. Goodbye Miss Granger."
"Bye Mr. Malfoy."
Lucius placed a soft, but lingering kiss on Harry's lips and left. Harry and Hermione kept talking for a little while, before heading up to lunch. He played a couple game of chess with Justin and just generally had some fun. They all went to dinner and Harry sat watching television with Severus after the meal."
"Harry, where's Luc?"
"He went to Hogsmeade to do a little shopping. He'll be back soon."
"Alright. What do you want to do for your birthday?"
"I think that there is nothing I would like more than to have a nice, quiet dinner with my two favorite people."
"Oh, come on…there has to be something more that you want to do."
"I don't need much at all to be happy. Spending time with you and Lucius, maybe a game of chess with Draco, there's not much that I need."
"I love you, Severus."
"I love you too. I'm tired. You can stay up and watch the rest of the movie if you want."
"I think I'll lie down too, but I'll leave the television on."
They settled in under the covers, snuggled together. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep. Lucius still wasn't home. They woke up the next morning and the blonde Slytherin was still nowhere to be seen. Harry and Severus were both getting very worried. They went quickly up to see Dumbledore, but they met the Headmaster a short ways out the portrait hole in the dungeons. There was no sparkle in his eyes nor was there a smile playing on his lips.
"Lucius di—"
"I know. Get Draco and go to my office quickly."
Dumbledore turned around and walked quite quickly back to his office. Severus went into Draco's rooms and woke the sleepy Slytherin. The three raced up to the Headmaster's office and went in. They took seats and looked at Dumbledore expectantly.
"There was a Death Eater attack yesterday evening. It seems they cornered Mr. Malfoy and held him captive overnight. He was dropped on the steps to the Entrance Hall some time this morning. I am afraid he's not doing well. He was held under Cruciatus for a very long time. From learning to fight it, his mind was spared, but his body was irreversibly damaged. Madame Pomfrey's done everything that she can and she's consulting some specialists at St. Mungo's right now."
"Can we see him, Albus?"
"Of course. Draco, Harry, go now. I need a moment alone with Severus."
Harry and Draco quickly left to go to the Hospital Wing. Severus stared at Dumbledore, fighting the tears that were filling his eyes.
"He's not going to make it through the day, is he? I want the truth"
The Headmaster closed his eyes and slowly shook his head.
"I am very sorry, Severus. Your classes will be cancelled for the rest of the week. Go be with your family."
Severus nodded and rose from his seat.
"Please get Miss Zabini and tell her to meet us in the Infirmary. Draco will need someone…less attached…to Lucius for support."
Dumbledore nodded and Severus left, racing to the Hospital Wing. When he got there, he saw Lucius propped up on a bunch of pillows with Draco holding one hand and Harry holding the other hand against his swollen stomach. The Potions Master could see the both of them fighting back tears. Lucius looked up to see Severus and smiled slightly. Severus sat on the edge of the bed, resting a hand on Lucius' knee.
"Sev…good. My whole family's here now. I'm…I'm not going here much longer."
"No, Dad, don't say that."
"It's the truth Dray. But the three of you are here, so I can say goodbye. Harry, I know we haven't been together long, but I love you. Don't believe anything bad that people say about you because it's a lie."
A few tears slid down Harry's cheeks as he nodded. Lucius turned his head a little to look at Severus.
"Who would have thought we'd both survive Voldemort? And we ended up together. The Gods meant us to be together, my love. Please take care of Draco."
"I will. Goodbye, love."
Harry took one of Severus' hands in his, still holding Lucius' hand. Lucius lifted his hand from Draco's to caress the young Slytherin's cheek. Tears started streaming freely down the youngest Slytherin's cheeks. Blaise had been standing in the doorway when Lucius spoke to Severus; she came in and stood behind Draco when she saw her boyfriend start crying. Lucius closed his eyes and smiled when he saw Blaise lovingly drape one arm around Draco's waist.
"My dragon, my little boy, I love you so much. I don't want to leave you, but I know you won't be alone. You have Harry, and Sev, and Blaise. Be good to her. Love her like your mother and I never did. I know I will see you again someday. It's okay to be sad, or mad. It's okay to cry or scream, or do whatever you want to, but don't bottle up your feelings. You don't have to be strong for anyone. In my pocket where I keep my wand is something my father gave to me when he died. It's time for me to give it to you."
Severus reached into the wand pocket of Lucius' torn robes and pulled out a worn piece of parchment. The Potions Master handed it to Lucius who pressed the parchment into Draco's hand. The elder Malfoy's breathing was becoming labored and wheezy. He took one raspy breath and closed his eyes before whispering "I love you."
"Dad? I love you, Dad. Please…please don't go. Not yet, please Dad."
Severus pulled Harry into his arms as Draco pressed a soft kiss on his father's forehead. Silent tears were wetting Blaise's cheeks, but she pulled Draco closer and hugged him tightly, letting his cry as much as he needed. It took Severus several minutes to realize that Harry wasn't moving or doing much of anything. The Potions Master shook him lightly; the Gryffindor coughed a couple times, but didn't open his eyes or move much.
"Harry? Harry!"
The only response from the Boy-Who-Lived was a few more coughs. Blaise watched, slightly frightened, as Severus scooped up the pregnant man and gently laid him on the cot next to Lucius. He quickly got Madame Pomfrey, who pulled the curtain around Harry, bustling around him without anyone else watching.
"Severus, go get the Headmaster. I have no idea what's wrong with him."
Severus raced up to Dumbledore's office, not caring if students saw him with red, puffy eyes and a tear stained face. He got up into the office. He didn't even care that Professors Lupin and McGonagall were sitting there in a meeting with the Headmaster. McGonagall took one look at Severus and didn't even bother to protest his bursting in.
"What is the matter, Severus?"
"It's Harry…Poppy doesn't…doesn't know what's wrong with him."
Dumbledore got up, as did Remus and Minerva. They all went up to the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomfrey had drawn privacy curtains around Draco and Blaise and Lucius. The Headmaster gently brushed his fingers over the Gryffindor's forehead and cheeks, then his chest.
"When did he give you his life force, Severus?"
"October, the day before Halloween, why?"
"You are what's keeping him alive. Watching one of his husbands die must have broken his heart. Unless you can pull him out of this somehow, he will stay like this for the rest of your lives. But don't try to force him. His healing will have to go at his pace."
Severus nodded, sitting on the bed by Harry and pulling him into his arms. The Gryffindor shifted into the embrace a little and sighed. Dumbledore ushered the other two professors out of the Hospital Wing so that Madame Pomfrey could take care of Lucius' body. The medi-witch bustled about after calling one Mr. Winnifield who would take care of arranging the funeral. Draco talked with him for a little while before going back to his rooms with Blaise. Severus called Madame Pomfrey over to Harry's bed.
"How are the babies, Poppy?"
"They seem to be fine, Severus, but I do not know if they will be fine for long. I've contacted one of the elven specialists at St. Mungo's and he should be here sometime today. Dr. Cresten will be able to tell if Harry's heart-break will affect the children. But for now, all I can suppose we can do is make sure someone is with Harry at all times. He seems to respond to contact. Since you've had him in your arms, his breathing has come easier."
Severus nodded and pulled Harry closer, if that was possible. The Slytherin closed his eyes, rested his head on top of Harry's and fell asleep.
A/N: Okay, so I think I need to watch out for assassins. Please review, even if you hated the fact that Severus is now the only conscious member of the trio.