The love of a child
Chapter ten – Separation anxiety
Harry ate with gusto that morning, Severus watched him smiling, he had never seen Harry with such a large appetite before. He himself ate more than his normal amount that morning but it wasn't as if he didn't need it. Bonnie resting on Harry's lap as she didn't seem to want to be put down this morning. However she wasn't starved for attention, most of the teachers were once again begging to hold her again, including Hagrid.
As much as Harry loved Hagrid he didn't think that it was the best idea as she was very small and he was quite big, the two didn't mix. Harry was surprised when Severus spoke up to ask a favour of Minerva.
"Do you think you would be able to baby-sit tonight Minerva, I think I'd like to take Harry out?"
"Oh it will be a pleasure." She said without questioning why they asked her and not Albus, who was looking a bit put out about the whole thing. In truth Snape didn't want his daughter becoming such an annoying know-it-all such as the headmaster and had therefore decided that she should spend as little time in his presence as possible.
The three of them went back to Harry's rooms to wrap Bonnie up in her warmest clothes before placing her in her prams and covering her with two thick blankets. They couldn't risk her catching a cold after all; she seemed to sense that they were going out as she started to move around in her obvious excitement.
Harry had to pack a baby bag before they went anywhere as they were unsure how long they would be out for and didn't want to unprepared.
The walk down to the village was to Harry absolutely magical, he was pushing Bonnie in her pram and Severus had linked their arms in a protective nature. He didn't want to get separated from his family, the need to protect them growing ever stronger each day.
The potions master still couldn't believe how lucky he was to have such a family, it was perfect and he knew it but there was a nagging thought in the back of his mind, one he dare not discuss with Harry. Albus had hinted on his return that there was another group of deatheater's trying to resurrect the Dark Lord or trying to find a more deadly replacement. He didn't want to leave his family but it was his duty to go if he was asked and Severus knew Harry wasn't going to like it.
They tried to avoid the three broomsticks in case Rita Skeeter was around looking for a story. So far Harry and Snape's relation had been a well guarded secret as had Bonnie's birth, they were momentarily unconcerned as to how a small number of deatheater's had found out.
The small coffee shop wasn't that crowded which was blissful as Bonnie had drifted off into her own little dream world and an excessive amount of noise would wake her. Harry and Sev drank their coffee and talked, it was in Harry's opinion the most perfect day he could have wished for. After they had finished they browsed the shops, occasionally buying things that they knew they needed.
It was just as they were heading back up to the castle that they were stopped by Rita Skeeter who had just come out of the Three Broomsticks, her photographer boy in tow. "Oh, Harry Potter what a pleasure." She said silkily, Harry knew she wanted something. Her eyes came to rest on Severus. "And Professor Snape, what a delight, now what is it that the two of you are doing her on this fine afternoon?"
"Excuse me but we really have to be doing." Harry said going to push Bonnie back up to Hogwarts before she was noticed as well. However she had awoken and was whimpering for a bottle.
"And who is this little delight?" Rita asked looking down at Bonnie who made a raspberry sound at the sight of her face, Snape couldn't suppress the smirk.
"This little delight needs a bottle now if you'll excuse us." Harry said but his escape was once again foiled by her standing directly in their path.
Severus was beginning to get angry with the woman's persistent nature. He could tell that Harry was getting distressed and he didn't like it. "Harry doesn't want to talk to you, now either leave us alone or I will be forced to curse you."
"Every protective of the boy aren't you." Rita said as her eyes brightened as everything clicked into place in her mind. Harry at this point was close to crying, he knew that this was going to be all over the papers the following morning.
"Look, I really don't care what you think Rita, but I would very much appreciate it if you would for once leave me and my private life alone to be…well…private."
Having had enough Harry skilfully manoeuvred the pram around Rita and began to push his daughter back up to the castle, Severus almost jogging to keep up with the fast pace Harry was setting, Snape could tell he was thoroughly irritated by that woman. Bonnie would quite clearly feel what Harry was feeling and she had started to cry as loud as her little lungs would allow.
Suddenly Harry's topped and picked her up, blankets and all. "Would you push the pram?" He asked softly, Severus nodded. "That woman irritates me so much, you do realise that this will be announced in the daily Prophet tomorrow morning."
"That I do not doubt." Snape said calmly, he could sense Harry was calming also, as was Bonnie. "Are you still willing to go out tonight?"
"I want to but I'm not sure that I can leave her."
"Harry you need to have some grown up time, I think you have separation anxiety."
"I can't help it, I haven't been separated from her since she was born, except for the day she was kidnapped and you saw how angry I got."
"Yes, but this time you will know exactly where she is and with whom she is with so you can relax and have a good time."
"Aright, I'll go but no longer than two hours at most, we'll do this gradually."
"Ok, whatever you say."
When the time came for Harry and Bonnie to part it was harder than Harry ever thought it could be. It was so hard for him to leave her alone with his once head of house. He held her for at least ten minutes unable to let her down then he lectured Minerva for a further fifteen telling her exactly what to do if she got fussy and what each cry sounded like in detail. Finally Severus interrupted him.
"Harry love we're going to be late." He said in a non irritable way but Harry still couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"But it's so hard to leave, can't we…"
"Harry no, come on, she'll be fine, Minerva knows where we're going to be if anything happens which nothing will." Severus reassured taking Harry's hand and leading him away before he could pick Bonnie up again.
Personally I loved this chapter but any way I hope you liked it just as much. Please review, it does mean alot to me. Let us see if I can get another chapter up, I hope so for your enjoyment. xxx