Chapter 4

Morning sunlight coming in through the window brought a sleeping man out of his unconscious state. Moaning as every movement caused his head to pulse and throb, not really remembering all the events of the previous night. Knowing that he was in his, no their bed he reached over to wrap his arm over his husbands slight form. Feeling with his hand across the cold empty bed coming up with no heated touch to soft skin. Severus finally lifted his head calling out his lover's name. "Harry?"

Looking at the mess of the bed informed him that it was not just a dream. The smell of sex and whiskey was over powering to his heightened senses, and did not know if his stomach could handle the smell much longer. Slowly rising from their bed he grabbed the robe that lay on the floor and covered his naked body. Stumbling to the bathroom to check the cabinet for a headache or hang over potion. Not finding any he grumbled as he headed off downstairs to his lab. Hoping to all the gods there would be some form of relief there.

Severus found a few vials that would help his head and was about to sit down at the stool. When he noticed a letter with his name penned on the envelop. He knew it was his lover's hand writing and did not think much of its contents so he opened it quickly. Forgetting about the potions he come to retreive.

Severus

I came back to see if we could work through whatever problem we had. Finding you drunk and ordering me around was not something I could nor will deal with. You were right though in telling me to ask Hermione about the laws. I did not know how much power you held over me and that you would use it against me without a second thought. I thought I married you as an equal but I see I was terribly mistaken. I am sorry Severus but I can not live like this, what you did to me last night was not something I wish to repeat. I have filed a notice with the ministry and they have proof on file. I am allowed to take my children and leave you because of this. Do not come after me; do not look for me. If I have to I will protect my children to the death. I have filed a form with the ministry you should get your owl sometime today, that you are not to see me or the children out or suffer a term in Azkaban.

I thought you loved me but apparently I was wrong.

Harry Potter.

Dropping the letter to the desk he gasped in shock as flashes of the evenings event flickered before his eyes.

He was shocked what had he done? There was such a blank spot in his memory. Harry didn't even sign his name right?

No sooner had he put down the letter an owl swooped in and dropped an official M.O.M sealed parchment in front of him. With shaking hands he opened it and choked down the bile that began to form in his throat.

Professor Severus Snape

This is a notice of separation due to uncivilized living conditions. One Harry Potter-Snape has requested to be given custody of 2 minor children. Younger of the married couple has been granted this privilege when presented at the ministry with signs of abuse on his person. Therefore the MOM has granted custody to they younger of the marriage to Harry Potter and it is requested that you do not seek him out. 4 visits will be allowed per year with your minor children in the presence of an Auror, we ask that you seek council for your mistreatment of your spouse.

Marriage Licenses and Disputes office of M.O.M Lance Alkrin

What did this mean abusive? Severus stood for many minutes just trying to recall the previous nights events what was in his memory was hot passionate sex with his one and only lover. But if this is to be believed, it was not. He could not even say it to himself it meant that he took advantage of his love? Severus turned from the bench and wretched all over the floor falling to his knees in shock. He had hurt his husband, he, he had raped him. Uncontrollable sobs began to rack his body as he convulsed and vomited everything that he had left in his stomach from the previous day. Which wasn't much but whiskey and more whiskey. Light headed and very weak he passed out beside the pool of stench that had once been his stomach contents.

Waking several hours later he cringed at his body. It hurt everywhere and he was still not fully functioning yet. Rolling over to get away from the smell that was too close to his face. His mind began to focus on why he was here on the cold stone floor of the lab unable to move to much without finding a new pain stabbing him someplace. Shock took over his brain again at the memory of the letters he had just received. Harry had left him. Harry had taken their children. Severus had taking his husband by force and couldn't even remember it. Tears once again filled his eyes but he forced them away, he did not deserve to cry. If he had done something as dreadful as hurt his beloved Harry he should be sent to Azkaban without a trial. Defeated he brought his shaky body upright, holding on to the table for support. His eyes once again rested on the letter Harry had written. Dawning on him that what he had wrote did not say what he had done. He needed to find out but who could he go to the ministry? Finally coming up with the one place Harry would turn in times of trouble his friends. Taking a labored breath he walked slowly back up to his room to shower and change hoping that Harry would be at Hermione's or at least she would know where he is.

Harry had got up very early packed and dropped the kids off to a very shocked Hermione Granger. Without saying much she knew what had happened and hugged him close offering her support without words.

"Hermione who do I see about this? Harry said pointing to his face and children.

She told him which office to go to file the necessary paper work and he left through the flames to the Ministry building.

Returning saddened and pale Harry smiled at his long time school friend.

Where will you go? Hermione asked.

"I don't know I might have a place to stay for a while in muggle London. I will find out when I get there. I will keep in touch with you

Harry held onto his littlest child while the other stood holding on to his leg. He brought up his hand and pushed the small glowing button and listened as the music played beyond the door.

"Sir?" a servant questioned as he answered the door.

"May I see Julian?"

"Yes right this way sir," the manservant gestured to him to follow.

Harry and his children were lead into the large livingroom to wait while the servant went to find Julian.

Within moments of being in the room he heard the sound of shoes hitting the marble floors of the hallway. Approaching at a rapid speed.

Smiling the largest smile he had ever seen .Julian came running into the room flushed and very happy to see him. Stopping short when he saw two children with him.

"Harry are you all right?" Julian asked worried about the sad face on his beautiful friend.
"No." Harry said no feelings registering as he spoke.

"Sit down let me get you something to drink? Who are these two lovely children?"
"I, they are mine."

"They are most beautiful too Harry." He smiled at the little toddler that clung to Harry's legs. "Are you sure you are all right? Did you leave him?"
"Yes" Harry said and turned to set his sleeping child down on the couch only to hear a gasp from Julian. Forgetting that he was trying to hide his face from the mans view.

"Harry what happened to your face, did he hit you?" Julian reached over and gently brushed his fingers over the swollen and darkened area.
"I'm fine now, I just need a place to say for a while. I didn't know where to go that he could not find me

"You are always welcome here, stay as long as you like please I insist. I will have the servants prepare rooms for you and your children." He pushed a button on the table and a manservant came in. Gving him the orders to prepare adjoining rooms for Harry and the children.

"Where is your luggage or did you not have time to pack? I will have someone take you shopping to buy anything you and the children need."
"I, Julian I have something to ask, well to tell you about myself. Before you ask me to stay here I would like to be honest with you. If you can not accept what I am about to tell you then I will leave."

"NO! Please stay I don't care if you robbed a bank nothing matters to me, but your safety." Julian pleaded holding Harry's hand in his.

"My life is a bit unbelievable let me tell you before you make your decision."

Over the next few hours Harry explained as much as he thought Julian needed to know about wizards, and that he was indeed the father or mother of these two children. Julian was stunned but listened and accepted everything Harry told him, without question. Sighing Harry looked at the frown that was on Julian's face and said. "I'm sorry Julian I will just go." He was about to get up but was stopped by the warm hand that gently rested on his arm.

"No, stay please. I must admit this is all so unbelievable, if you say it is true I will accept that. I will not betray your confidence and I do wish you would stay."

"Really?" Harry was shocked that Julian was so accepting.

"Yes." Julian smiled his winning smile when Harry nodded. He could not help himself he hugged the slight man and kissed his forehead, before grasping his hands and pulling him to stand.

"Come lets get your children's room's or room set up do you wish them to have separate rooms?"

"No together, they sleep together still." Harry told his friend with a smile while he looked down at his children.

"Fine then lets get you set up." Julian reached down and swooped the toddler up in his arms and smiled making the child smile in return. Harry picked up the sleeping child and followed Julian up the stairs.

"So where is your um luggage?"

Harry pulled out 8 small boxes from his pocket and set them on the floor. Taking out his wand he said stand back please. A wave of his wand made the boxes resize and Julian gasp with delight

"Wonderful this is absolutely grand. I could have used that spell when I moved over sea's, would have saved me a ton in freight charges."

Harry could only smile at the easy way Julian had accepted his magic. Harry began to wave his wand around placing the children's clothes and toys neatly around the room. He brought his own crib for his youngest, and set it on the opposite wall from the toddler's bed. He added a railing to the small bed for safety and a listening spell to the room. The two children were tucked in to take a nap shortly after. Julian wrapped his arm around Harry's waist and led him out of the room closing the door behind them. He called a servant to sit with the children, to make sure they were comfortable before showing Harry to his own room.

"I think you should take a nap yourself, all this must be very stressful on you. That door over there joins you rooms. I hope this will be ok?" Julian asked but could only wish that his beautiful new friend would let him hold and comfort him in his time of need.
"Thank you Julian, I am rather exhausted I..." but he did no finish that thought in only brought back painful memories

"Harry get some rest, I will have someone come and wake you for dinner" Julian smiled.

"Thank you." Was all Harry could get out at the moment.

Julian kissed his forehead one more time before leaving and closing the door softly behind him. Harry flopped down on the bed. Grabbing a pillow he began to sob until no tears came. Sleep finally brought the emotional wizards hiccups to an end with sleep.