A/N: Wow... you people get really nasty when I don't update!! Please don't be mean to me or i'll cry!! And when I cry I can't see the computer screen and it takes even longer!! I know it's taking me a while to get all this up, but I am doing a lot of college work as well so my time is rather limited. Well anyways, here's the next chapter and i'll try and do the next chapter as well, but I can't promise.

I tried desparatly to find a gap for some humour... but there was no way to work it in. I did attemp it at one point by turning Sev into a nuttah, but it isn't all that funny. I hope you like it anyway. Luv Willow D. xxxxx

Chapter Twenty-Three - Severus Plays Hero

"Right, everyone is going to do exactly as I say and everything is going to be alright!" Lucius said loudly. "Harry, go and get Poppy. Draco, I am going to lay you down in your room, okay? And Severus, I need you to go and get Hermione to watch the kids."

Lucius helped Draco up and unsteadily they made there way into the bedroom. Harry ran off at full pelt toward the hospital wing, and Severus swept out of the room and through a secret passage that brough him out in the Griffindor boys dormatory. He poked Ron in the side. "Wake up, get Hermione and go and watch the kids... now! Fast as you can!"

"Why?" Ron looked groggily at his watch. "It's three in the morning..."

"Look, Draco is in a terrible state. I have to go somewhere and Lucius and Harry are looking after Draco. We need you to do this for us."

"Well where are you going?"

"I have some buisness to attend to, and i'll be back before daybreak, but for now GET YOUR LITTLE WEASLEY ARSE OUT OF BED AND GO LOOK AFTER THE KIDS!" He shouted, making Ron jump out of bed without any furth question and he ran out of the room, still in his pyjamas, to get Hermione.

Severus walked down the stare, across the entrance hall and out the front door, across the grounds and stopped at the gate to the school. He pulled open the gate and shut it behind himself, glancing back. "Please let him be alright." He whispered to himself and apperated with a small pop.

Harry and Poppy ran into the bedroom, where Draco had calmed down considerably, but was still in a lot of pain. Poppy cast several quick spells and frowned. "I know that prematurity is common in your family, but this is silly. Draco, I want you to drink these... Severus can make you up more if it doesn't stop the labour."

Draco sipped the potions and Lucius' eyes suddenly snapped up. "Where is Severus? He should be back by now." He said, leaning back from the edge of the bed to see if he was in the living room area.

Draco looked sorrowfully up at his father. "I know where he is." He said quietly. "I knew he didn't really care about me. He doesn't care about any of us."

"Draco, never say that!" Lucius said angrily. "Severus hasn't cared or got upset about anything for years, but earlier on toady he was crying, because of something you said to him. He cares about you, of course he does! He refers to you and Harry as his sons, and he loves you like the children that he never had. Never even dare to think that that man does not love you!"

Poppy put a hand on Lucius' shoulder. "Please, Lucius, I know you're uoset, but upsetting Draco will not help at the moment." She said softly. "If you can't be in here without getting irritated, then would you please leave the room."

"No. No, I'm sorry, I want to stay." He said. He glanced over at Draco, who had pulled the covers up to his chin and was crying. "I'm so sorry Draco." Lucius whispered and pulled him into a hug.

Harry sighed and pressed a kiss against Draco's forehead and stroked a stray strand on blonde hair off of his face. "I'm just going to make sure that Ron and Hermione are okay with Elorah and Kellan." He said, kissing Draco again. Draco half smiled, though it was quickly banished by another pain running through his whole body.

Harry walked back over and sat down again. "It's okay... I'll be alright... go and check on the kids." Draco whispered, and although he was sceptical, Harry slowly got up and walked to the door.

"I'll come and get you if anything happens." Lucius said reasuringly. "And see if Ron or Hermione know exactly where Severus was headed."

Severus stared up at a large, seeingly broken down house. He walked over and kicked open the front door, storming into the living room and grabbing the occupant by the collar, lifting him clear out of his chair and slamming his against the wall. "Why are you doing this to him? The baby can't live at this age, it'll die. It will be of no use to you dead."

The sixteen year old form of Tom Riddle laughed at him. "You think that I want the spawn of a Malfoy for a son? No, I want that baby dead. Powerful though he will be, he is weak, all Malfoy's are. Call it pay back for Lucius leaving my services, call it survival of the fitest, call it what you like, but it won't change the fact that tonight that child is going to die."

Severus recoiled, pulling his hand back. Blood dripped off his fingers from a cut on the upper side of his wrist. Tom Riddle played with the end of his wand, an evil smile on his lips. Severus drew his own wand and pointed it at Tom. Tom laughed again. "You really think that you could kill me Severus? After so many have tried? You think you could cast an unforgivable and I will just die?"

Severus bit his tongue. Tom was right, as much as he hated to admit it. "What have you done to Draco? How did you do it?"

"It's really quite a simple spell, used in all wizarding hospitals, and it's completly effective. It enduces labour, nothing can stop it but me, because it was I who cast the spell."

"Well... that's not entirely true." Severus said, a glint of malice sparkling in his eyes as he lowered his wand. He started inwardly laughing, making his body shake.

"What do you mean, of course it's true." Tom said irritably. He regarded Severus. "What the hell is up with you? Are you a loony or something? What could possibly be funny about standing here, asking for death?"

"You just make me laugh. You're really quite funny Tommy." Severus smiled and walked slowly across the room. "Well if you were dead, the spell would no longer have any effect, because you would not be able to keep it going."

Tom laughed, though it was half hearted, and his eyes never left Severus. The guy was had obviously lost his marbles. "I have already told you Severus, no spell can kill me! Though I know of a spell that could kill you..."

"Harry... it's not working, nothing is working." Draco said tearfully, leaning heavily against Harry. "We're going to loose the baby, I know we are... I'm sorry Harry."

"Why are you sorry? You haven't done anything wrong." Harry said, stroking Draco hair and rubbing his back.

"I'm sorry I wasn't stong enough..."