Notice: Chapters 3 and 4 were recaps of Harry's whereabouts in the month he was missing, from the time he reappeared just days after he left Severus. Chapter 5 and onward are present day. They have been recently edited with timestamps to indicate this.
Chapter 6
by Taran
Severus stepped out of his bedroom, scratching his head and rubbing his stomach. He still felt groggy from the potions Madame Pomfrey had given him the day before. He was in the middle of a yawn, when a sound from his sofa startled him.
"Black, what the hell are you still doing here," he asked irritably.
Sirius groaned as he stretched, cracking his neck from side to side. "I stayed to make sure you were all right."
"I do not require a babysitter, Mr. Black." Severus was too tired to really be angry, but he couldn't let Black know that.
"It's Sirius, and after the way I found you yesterday... you're damn right you do!" Sirius had appointed himself the task of ensuring the health and well-being of both Severus, and the unborn child, and was taking it very seriously. "Besides, if you're going to carry that child to term without Harry, you're going to need all the help you can get, Sev!"
Severus sat warily in a chair next to Sirius, and rubbed his forehead. He knew Sirius was right. He would need plenty of help just to stay alive until Harry returned to him. Already, he could feel his magic being drained into the child. Soon, everyday tasks would become difficult.
"Okay," he said dejectedly.
"Okay," Sirius repeated. "All right then..." Now that Severus had agreed to let him help, Sirius wasn't sure where to start. "Well, I guess... maybe we should... um, start with... breakfast?"
Severus sighed and raised his red-rimmed eyes, giving Sirius a curt nod. Severus stayed in his chair and watched Sirius stumble around the room, looking for teapots and cups. He had to cover his mouth to stifle his snickers as Sirius' curses got louder and louder.
"Would you like some help?" he asked as Sirius slammed another cupboard door closed.
"No!" Sirius smiled at him and motioned for Severus to stay sitting. "No, no, that's all right, I've got it. You just stay there and relax."
"Well, if you're sure?"
"Oh, yes. Not a problem." Sirius turned back to the rows of cupboards, forgetting which ones he had already checked and mumbling under his breath. "Tea, where's the bloody tea? The man's got jars and vials of everything except bloody tea! There's all sorts of potions ingredients, fine place for those! And... what the hell is this?"
Sirius held up a clear jar filled with red liquid. As he turned it toward the light, something could be seen floating inside. His eyes widened in shock.
"Hippogriff nuts?? The man's got a jar of hippogriff nuts in his cupboard!" Sirius said to himself.
Severus snorted in his attempt to stifle his laughter at the shock and wonder in Sirius' voice.
Sirius finally reached the last cupboard. In small white lettering was the word, 'Tea.' He through the door open with a triumphant, "Yes!" Inside was several boxes of various flavours of tea, a large white teapot, and several cups.
"Tea... in the tea cupboard... figures," he said quietly, shaking his head. "So, Sev, what kind would you prefer," Sirius asked, pointedly ignoring the snickering coming from Severus.
"Peppermint, please."
"Right... peppermint," Sirius said as his eyes scanned the rows of tea. "Peppermint..." Sirius was seeing several mint teas, but none were peppermint. Sirius sneered at the back of Severus' head and took down a box of Candy Cane Mint, figuring it was close enough, and Severus would never know the difference.
Sirius felt rather proud of himself. He set the tray of tea, along with scones and jam he had summoned from the house-elves, on the small table between the two chairs that sat facing the sofa where he had spent the night. He smiled happily as he handed Severus a steaming cup, then sat back to enjoy his own hard earned tea.
Severus could already smell that it was the wrong tea and considered giving the man a hard time about it. The Candy Cane tea was peppermint, but had a sweetness to it, that his regular peppermint didn't have. He decided to let it go at seeing the pride in the man's eyes. Sirius was truly trying to help.
"Thank you, Bla- Sirius," he said sincerely.
"You're welcome, Sev," Sirius replied, giving him a genuine smile.
Severus picked up a scone and took a bite. He immediately felt his stomach roll and placed it back down on the plate.
Sirius looked at him with concern. "You have to eat, Sev."
"I know." Severus closed his eyes for a moment as his stomach settled. He retrieved the scone and ate it slowly, constantly reminding himself of the baby's needs.
This began a trend. Over the next week, Sirius spent nearly all his time in the potions master's presence. He ensured Severus was eating regularly, getting plenty of rest, and not upsetting himself greatly over Harry's continued absence.
During their long daily chats, Sirius began to understand just how much Severus truly loved his godson. Severus' faith that Harry would return, kept them both strong.
~tbc~
