LP HP: Second Dose- A Story in Twenty-Eight Snippets
by Tavalya Ra
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J. K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Rowling is a goddess; may she have mercy on my soul for writing this.
Author's Notes: Thank you to Mawkish for putting me up to the challenge of writing this and to everyone who read and commented upon the story in April- especially Skip, who never failed to make me laugh.
To whispers of an angel- just imagine what would have happened if Sirius and Severus didn't have brother wands! To little miss imperfect- yes, I have seen "Men in Black II." Snape probably looks like that but with smoother curves. To georgia- hehe. Yes, I am a weirdo. ;-) Thank you also to vita brevis, Elendil Snape, and Exwhyzed for reviewing.
If anyone wishes to archive this story on his or her site, please contact me at clearbluedelphia@yahoo.com.
* * *
Snippet #21: This Moment Alone
Sirius and Severus named their daughter Aurora and appointed Remus as her godfather. The baby seemed to adore both her parents and was quite smitten with Harry from the start, but the werewolf made her anxious.
"I think it's the moon," Remus said. "She senses I'm going to change soon."
After a few days of diapers and odd feeding times, Sirius felt nearly as exhausted as Severus, but they were both very happy.
They knew it would not last. Lurking like a dementor in wait for a Patronus to fail was the impending threat of Voldemort's attack.
* * *
Sirius woke shortly after dawn. He rose and watched the morning mist settle over Hogwarts outside his window. Beyond the fog, he could make out the glimmer of the bubble Severus had conjured around the castle.
Aurora awoke a few minutes later and began to wail. Sirius lifted her from her cradle and correctly conjectured that she wanted her bottle. She was successfully fed, burped, and changed by the time Severus awoke.
Severus stretched with a yawn, then reached out to Sirius. The Animagus placed Aurora in her mother's arms. The baby smiled and blew a spit bubble.
"She's quiet this morning," Severus remarked.
"She likes us," Sirius said.
"I should hope so, seeing as she's stuck with us," he quipped dryly, but as he looked at Aurora, a sudden change came over him and he started to coo, "Hello, Baby. Mummy loves you…"
Sirius blinked. He was certain that if he told Remus about this, the werewolf would not believe him.
Aurora made a few, unintelligible gurgles. Severus settled himself among the pillows and placed her in his lap.
"It's today," he acknowledged with finality, looking wearily at Sirius.
Sirius nodded. "Yes."
"I want to fight alongside you."
"Are you crazy?" Sirius demanded. "You gave birth last week. You're in no condition to fight."
He began to protest, "Sirius-"
"And don't forget," Sirius interrupted, "that you're the anchor for the barrier spell. If you die, the bubble dissolves and we're all dead." He bowed his head. "And I won't leave Aurora an orphan. I'll lock you in the dungeons if I have to. I made Harry an orphan, I won't-"
He stopped and shuddered.
"That wasn't your fault," Severus said.
"I hope I see Peter today," he responded. "I want to be the one who kills him."
Severus rubbed his left arm.
"What's wrong?" Sirius immediately asked.
"It's itching," he replied. "I haven't felt anything from the Mark since Dumbledore cast that spell that numbed it last year. Voldemort's getting closer."
"How close?"
"Not too close. It would be burning otherwise. But that shouldn't happen. With the bubble, he won't be able to get anywhere near the castle."
Sirius went to Severus and embraced both him and Aurora in his arms.
"This moment alone makes up for all twelve years of Azkaban," he said. "I want you to know that just in case…"
"Just in case this is it," Severus finished dully. "In case we never see each other again."
Sirius closed his eyes and held his husband and child a little tighter.
