Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN: I have never been pregnant. Everything in this chapter about pregnancy comes from friends, reviewers, and the internet. So if I have something wrong I apologize.
AN2: Thank you to all those who reviewed the last chapter as well as all the others. I was having a cranky weekend until I opened my email and started reading all the words of encouragement. This chapter is dedicated to all the reviewers.
Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 46 Take Me As I Am
I don't need a bed of roses
'Cause roses wither away
All I really need is honesty
From someone with a strong heart, a gentle hand
Who'll take me as I am
Baby, I need for you to know
Just exactly how I feel
Fiery passions come and go
I'd trade a million pretty words for one touch that is real
Faith Hill "Take Me As I Am
Whenever Alexis started feeling guilty about pranking Snape so completely, she consoled herself with the thought that there was a definite difference in morale around Hogwarts since Valentine's Day. Insidiously the dementors' presence had effected everyone, whether they realized it or not, and spirits had been low. Now people were laughing again and instead of worrying about Sirius Black, they were discussing who could have been brave enough to prank Professor Snape.
The general consensus had been that the Weasley twins were the only ones who could have pulled off something of this magnitude. Alexis hadn't even had to do anything to deflect attention away from them; Draco Malfoy had done that for her, not even realizing that he was helping her out. He had been heard commenting loudly and repeatedly that no Weasley would have been able to afford the money required for such an expensive exhibition.
Alexis couldn't wait until April 1st, that is when the true beauty of her plan would bear fruit.
Snape knew her well enough by now to expect her to try at least something small for April Fools Day, so he would constantly be on his guard. He would spend the whole day looking over his shoulder and checking under chairs waiting for something to happen, and nothing would. It would also lull him into a false sense of security, for the next time she wanted to pull something on him. That would teach him to try to keep chocolate from a pregnant witch.
Also on the plus side for Alexis, Snape had been very attentive in an effort to reassure her that she was the only woman for him. Alexis considered her money well spent. The hidden supply of chocolate was another bonus. Alexis had Slinky store the chocolate instead of destroy it.
Poppy had given Snape a diet for Alexis to follow during her pregnancy and Snape was determined that she would follow it to the letter. He would not listen to any excuses about her eating for three, or cravings indicating that she needed some nutrient that the craved for food would supply. That attempt had resulted in him preparing a special vitamin and mineral potion for her that smelled like rotten eggs.
Chocolate was the number one craving she had. Snape had caught her dipping broccoli in the chocolate body paint at one point to satisfy her hunger. Alexis had even tried to get Snape to make her vitamin and mineral potion to at least taste like chocolate. He had refused saying that the additives would have kept the potion from working properly.
Slinky wasn't the perfect ally but he was all she had. Slinky would carefully dole out the chocolate to her a couple of pieces a day. She had almost lost Slinky's help when she had threatened him with clothes if he didn't bring her more chocolate. It had taken a trip to the kitchens to apologize before he would come back. Even Remus and Amber had refused to sneak her any of the food she was craving.
Poppy had also told Snape that Alexis had to stay hydrated. So Snape had supplied her with a special goblet that would stay full of water until she had drunk eight full glasses a day. It couldn't be fooled by her pouring the water out either. Someway or other it could tell when she drank from it. Constantly drinking water along with her advancing pregnancy kept her constantly in the loo. Alexis had considered doing research, to see if there was some type of catheter charm because it felt as if she was spending ninety percent of her waking time and half of the time she should have been sleeping in the bathroom.
Her stomach had started to swell, and her breasts were bigger and very tender. Snape had made a special potion, for her to help with the tenderness. He had insisted upon applying it to the effected areas with predictable results. Alexis sighed wondering when she could convince him she needed another application. He had also prepared a lotion to help prevent stretch marks. Alexis had insisted that it be applied twice a day by Snape personally. Her hormones were in full on mode resulting in her constantly being horny.
Snape had banned her from his classroom for a week after she had taken advantage of him in the storeroom. He wouldn't have minded so much, but they had almost gotten caught by his third year class arriving early. He also wouldn't let her help him supervise detentions anymore. That one she didn't think was fair at all. How was she to have known that Mr. Kendrick was Muggleborn and had spent the last two summers working as a dishwasher in a Muggle restaurant? No one should have been able to clean all those cauldrons so quickly without using magic. It didn't matter to Snape that Mr. Kendrick hadn't seen anything, although if he had been one minute later he really would have gotten an eyeful.
Poppy had also insisted that Alexis get plenty of rest. So everyday after lunch, Alexis had to take a nap. She found the nap not to onerous, but her hormones were so out of whack that she was hot and sweaty whenever she tried to lay down.
The coolest place in their quarters turned out to be right in front of the empty fireplace. Alexis found that if she opened the chimney flue, she got a wonderful draft. She had taken to stripping down to just her panties and sleeping on the couch in front of the fireplace.
Alexis woke up one afternoon to hear Snape trying to quietly come in, "I'll just be a moment, the paper is on my desk."
Alexis heard Remus's voice but couldn't make out what he had said. She was desperately looking around from something to pull over her; but, she had left her robes in the bedroom and she never used any type of cover when she napped.
Deciding to be very still and very quiet and hope that they would never even know that she was here and not in the bedroom, she huddled as still as she could. Until she heard Snape say, "Blast, it is not here. This is going to take me longer than I thought. Why don't you take a seat while I look through these folders?"
Alexis heard Remus' footsteps coming toward the couch, so peeking just her head over, she smiled at him, "Hello Remus, would you mind waiting right there for just a moment?"
"Hello Alexis, I thought you were asleep?" Remus continued to head over to the couch.
Snape not looking up from his desk, "Yes, Alexis, you still have another hour that you are supposed to be napping."
"I've taken to sleeping on the couch, because it is cooler. Remus, please stop," Alexis pleaded with a touch of desperation in her voice.
Snape looked up at that and noticed that Alexis was naked and his eyes got wide, "Lupin don't move another inch," he demanded sharply.
Remus stopped abruptly looking puzzled, "What's going on?"
"Just don't move a muscle," Snape snapped heading into the bedroom and returning with Alexis' robes.
"Thank you," Alexis giggled at him.
Snape held her robe just out of reach with a wicked look in his eyes, "What will you give me for them?"
"Give me the robes," Alexis hissed.
"Lupin, why don't you come have a seat?" Snape invited.
"Remus don't you move another step, Severus you wouldn't dare," Alexis alternately shouted and hissed.
Remus realizing that something was up grinned conspiratorially at Snape, "I am feeling rather fatigued Alexis, I really should sit down."
"Remus Lupin if you move another inch, I will tell Amber that you and I spent all day Christmas together in your bed," Alexis threatened.
Snape's look darkened, "What did you just say?"
"You heard what I said," Alexis snarled.
Snape glared at Remus, "Lupin, is that true?"
"Now Severus, first of all you know it was the full moon and I was in no condition to do anything but lay there," as Snape's look turned lethal, Remus realized he could have explained it better, "What I meant to say, was that even if I had wanted to do something with Alexis, I would not have physically been capable of it."
Alexis had taken advantage of Snape being distracted to try to make a grab for her robes.
Snape moved them away at the last moment and Alexis almost fell off the couch, "Give me the bloody robes," she demanded.
"What happened Christmas day?" Snape demanded.
"Remus and I played monopoly. He was under the covers on the bed and I was on top of the covers at the foot of the bed. Nothing happened. Now give me those before I stand up before God and everyone and walk into the bedroom and get my own blasted robes," Alexis growled out through gritted teeth.
"Nothing happened?"
"Nothing happened."
"Then why did you try to make it sound like something happened?" Snape questioned still holding the robes tantalizingly out of reach.
"Because it wouldn't have been much of a threat if I had said I was going to tell Amber that Remus and I had played monopoly all day Christmas, now would it?" Alexis asked sarcastically.
After considering for a moment Snape looked over at Remus, "Lupin turn around and close your eyes."
Remus grinned as he complied.
Snape helped Alexis sit up and put her robes on. Making sure she was completely covered, he kissed her briefly before scooping her up and carrying her into the bedroom, "Now finish your nap."
Alexis stuck out her tongue at him causing him to capture it in his mouth and give her a kiss that left them both aching for more.
"Tease," Alexis accused.
"More like a promise for later," Snape smirked as he turned to head back into the sitting room but before he could leave, Alexis grabbed his hand.
"Wait," her eyes were bright and glowing with excitement.
"What is it?"
"I just felt the babies move," she grinned and taking his hand slipped it under her robes and pressed if firmly to the mound of belly, "wait a moment, there, did you feel it?"
Snape's face held a look of awe, before he managed to quickly mask it, "Does it hurt?"
"Not yet, but I expect that soon enough they will start kicking and wrestling inside and that will be a bit uncomfortable."
Snape waited another few minutes and felt the movement twice more before Remus cleared his throat from the other room. Kissing Alexis one last time, he went to find the paper that had brought him here in the first place.
When Snape looked in on her a few minutes later to let her know they were leaving, Alexis was curled up on top of the covers with her hands on her belly, fast asleep.
In her fifth month of pregnancy, Alexis was really starting to show. Poppy had told her because of her petite size and the fact that she was carrying twins, she would start showing sooner.
Alexis felt that was the understatement of the decade. Another announcement had been made to the students that Professor and Mrs. Snape were expecting their first child. No other details were given. Of course the next day The Daily Prophet had an article on Alexis' pregnancy and to cap it all off, Lucius Malfoy had visited them.
"Congratulations Severus, Alexis," Lucius smiled as he held out a packaged beautifully wrapped in pink baby paper and ribbons.
"Thank you Lucius," Severus returned as he handed the gift to Alexis.
"Go ahead and open it," Lucius urged, "Narcissa will be anxious to see how you like it."
With none of her usual exuberance for present opening, Alexis carefully unwrapped the package to reveal a beautiful christening gown. Alexis could not help but smile at the tiny little garment and run a tentative finger down the delicate lace, "Thank you Lucius. I must be sure to write Narcissa a note to tell her how beautiful the gown is and how very appreciative we are."
Snape looked at Lucius with hooded eyes, "Yes, we will have a hard time finding one to match it."
"Match it? I don't understand," Lucius trailed off before smirking, "You are having twins?"
"Yes, they are due at the end of July," Snape supplied carefully leaving out the part about them being boys.
"Double congratulations then," Lucius was mentally rubbing his hands together in glee and going over a list of other Malfoy males to offer in betrothal to the second daughter, "Don't worry about trying to find a matching gown, I will have Narcissa send another one as soon as it can be made."
"That is too generous of you Lucius," Alexis smiled sweetly while mentally sticking her tongue out at him.
"I insist," Lucius replied graciously.
"If you would like a moment with Draco, I can send for him," Alexis offered knowing how much a visit from his father would mean to the boy.
"Oh, thank you for offering, but I really must be heading home," Lucius said absently still trying to determine which nephew should be fortunate enough to be offered the chance to form an alliance with the Draluck money.
Snape offered quietly, "Then may I walk you to the gates."
"I know my way out; you stay here and take care of your beautiful wife," Lucius waved him off, "Good evening. I will have Narcissa send the gown and perhaps the two of you could get together and discuss when you would like for us to have your reception?"
"Perhaps," Alexis offered, "Thank you for the lovely gown Lucius."
"My pleasure," as Snape walked him to the door.
The next visitor was much more welcome. Amber had stopped by to talk with Severus. Giving Alexis a hug in greeting, "Pretty soon I won't be able to get my arms around you," she teased.
"I'm starting to get the beached whale feeling," Alexis grinned at her friend.
"And you have four more months to get through," Amber rubbed it in.
Alexis just gave her a rude hand gesture, "When can I start my Animagus lessons again?"
"As soon as you stop nursing the babies," Amber replied before continuing, "actually I was here to ask Severus a favor."
"Indeed," Snape replied blandly. He had learned with Alexis to have all the facts before agreeing to anything. He suppressed a shudder as he remembered the favor she had gotten him to agree to do for Hagrid. He still had nightmares and would wake up to count all his fingers just to make sure they were all still there.
"I was hoping that you would teach me how to brew the Wolfsbane potion?" Amber asked.
"That's all?" Snape verified.
"Well, after I have learned to brew it I was hoping that we could collaborate and maybe find a way to improve the potion?" Amber's look was beseeching.
"That would be a challenge," Snape allowed thoughtfully, "I will teach you the potion and we will see how apt a pupil you are. If you show promise then we will talk further about trying to improve it. When is your next free day?"
"I am off next Thursday through Monday," Amber answered.
"Perfect, what time could you get here Thursday morning? I can set you up in the classroom and you can work on the potion while I teach."
"Just tell me what time to be here."
"Nine," Snape replied succinctly.
"Thank you," Amber replied softly, "Now if you will excuse me, Remus and I are meeting for dinner."
The Gryffindor Ravenclaw Quidditch match was Saturday. Alexis had warned Snape that if he expected her to sit through the majority of the game that she would have to lay off all the water, unless he wanted to help her up and down all those steps so she could go potty. Snape had reluctantly agreed that she could make up her water consumption after the match.
Alexis and Amber had gotten together and decided that Amber and Remus would sit with the Gryffindors while Alexis sat with Snape in the Slytherin section. Neither Snape nor McGonagall had been pleased with the compromise. Minerva had insisted that as a former Gryffindor, Alexis should sit with them while Snape had insisted that since Amber was Alexis' friend Amber should sit with them.
Alexis and Amber had told the two that they could always sit with the Hufflepuffs. Snape and McGonagall both shut up at that point. Snape asked later, "You wouldn't really have sat with the Hufflepuffs?"
"Of course not darling, I would have sat under the stands with Snuffles if you and Minerva hadn't stopped all the bickering," Alexis smirked.
"That is disgusting," Snape stated flatly, "I don't like you being around that mutt. There is no telling what diseases you might catch from him."
Alexis didn't tell him that Snuffles no longer came around. He had stopped right after the wedding. She had gone to pet him and the sun had shone on her wedding ring highlighting the Lion and Serpent design. Snuffles had backed away from her growling before taking off into the Forbidden Forest. Alexis had returned every evening for a week, but Snuffles never came back.
Star nuzzled Alexis' cheek sensing her sadness and worry about the big, black dog. Absently petting the crooning dragon lizard, Alexis smiled at Snape, "Well it is a moot point now. I am sitting with you."
"As you should," Snape said arrogantly.
It was a bright sunny day: perfect Quidditch weather. The Great Hall was in a buzz about Harry Potter's new broom, a Firebolt. Alexis had waddled over to him to offer her congratulations on his new broom. While she was at the table, Draco walked up and the two started exchanging insults. Alexis distracted them both with a soft grunt.
"Mrs. Snape, are you okay?" both boys asked her at the same time before turning and giving each other glares.
"I'm fine, the babies are just moving," as she spoke her belly rippled under her robes causing the group to gasp.
Realizing that Harry at least had not been around any pregnant witches, "Would you like to feel the babies move?"
Harry nodded cautiously while Draco looked slighted.
Taking Harry's left hand and Draco's right hand, Alexis pressed both of them firmly to her abdomen, "Wait just a moment."
There was a large ripple that went from one side to the other causing both boys to look up at her in amazement, "What are they doing in there?" Harry asked.
"That was one of them or both of them rolling over. Hold on, let me find it," Alexis started pressing her hands around her stomach. Neither boy moved their hands away though, both were hoping the babies would move again.
"Here it is," Alexis kept one hand on the spot and then took Draco's hand and placed it under her hand, "can you feel that lump?"
"What is it?" Draco's eyes were wide.
"Well Madame Pomfrey told me that it either a foot or a head," Alexis took Harry's hand and placed it next to Draco's so he could feel it too.
Dumbledore smiled at Snape, "That is something I never thought I would see," nodding at the group surrounding Alexis, "Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy standing so close together and sharing a moment like that."
Snape nodded slowly in agreement. Not sure how he felt about his wife being pawed by a bunch of students, for now more of the children from all the tables but Slytherin had encircled her and requested a chance to feel the babies moving.
Alexis let Draco assist her over to the Slytherin table where he seated her and served her orange juice and sliced fruit. Before long, even the sophisticated Slytherins were taking the chance to feel the babies move.
Snape collected Alexis on his way to the Quidditch field. He kept a careful arm around her as they made their way up to their seats. Alexis' balance was out of kilter and stairs made her nervous.
The game was exciting to watch. Lee Jordan was doing an admirable job of commentating on the game and Harry's new Firebolt. Alexis was watching Minerva trying to control Lee and keep his attention on the game. Amber was giggling into Remus' shoulder at the spectacle.
"What is that boy doing?" Snape sneered looking up at Harry.
Alexis searched the sky until she found Harry, just in time to see him shoot an enormous silver-white cloud out of the tip of his wand. The Patronus headed for three dementors who had made their way onto the field.
"It appears his lessons with Remus have paid off," Alexis grinned up at Snape as the other side of the stands erupted into cheers when Harry caught the snitch.
Snape closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose briefly as if he had a headache.
"What's wrong Severus?" Alexis asked in concern.
Snape just nodded at the three dementors, who were now lying on the ground. Alexis tried to control a snicker at the sight of Crabbe, Goyle, Malfoy and Flint tangled in the long black robes they had used to impersonate dementors. Malfoy had been standing on Goyle's shoulders and poor Gregory's head was still trapped in the thick black folds.
"You had better go and take care of it before Goyle suffocates; unless Minerva finishes them off first," Professor McGonagall was standing over the four teens with a furious expression on her face, "I don't know that I have ever seen her that angry," Alexis urged Snape.
Glancing over the few students who still remained in the stands, "Mr. Bodziner," Snape called to an extremely tall and burly seventh year.
"Yes sir?"
"Would you escort Mrs. Snape back to the castle? She is having some difficulty maneuvering the stairs."
Lawrence Bodziner silently offered his arm to Alexis.
"Thank you Lawrence," Alexis hauled herself to her feet with the aid of the proffered arm, "Severus go rescue Malfoy and company."
Snape gave Bodziner a look that warned him of dire consequences if anything were to happen to Alexis while she was under his protection before heading down onto the field.
"So Lawrence, are you still planning on joining your father's business when you graduate?" Alexis smiled up at one of the Slytherin loners whom she had taken under her wing.
Mr. Bodziner made sure Alexis got safely back to her quarters. He accepted the invitation to come in for some tea and cookies and they spent a pleasant half hour discussing his plans for after graduation. His unusual size and strength coupled with his innate reserve had caused most of the other students in his house to avoid him. Alexis had drawn him out over the last couple of months.
He left when Snape returned looking surprised to find Lawrence still with Alexis.
"Did you get everything straightened out?" Alexis questioned.
"Fifty points from Slytherin and a weeks worth of detention for the four," Snape replied tiredly.
Alexis made room for him on the couch and snuggled next to him. Snape shifted her until she was resting across his lap and placed a hand on her stomach rubbing it gently.
Alexis began to kiss his neck.
"What do you think you are doing?" he asked.
"Trying to kiss it and make it all better?"
"That's not the way to do it you know," he replied.
"It's not? Than how do I kiss it and make it better?" she questioned with faux innocence.
"Like this," and he took her mouth in a deep passionate kiss that soon had her moaning into his mouth.
Breaking the kiss, "I thought I was supposed to be kissing you better?" she teased as she shifted to give him better access to the front of her robes.
"It works either way," he said, "why don't we continue this in the bedroom," he suggested with a leer.
"It is time for my nap. But with all the excitement I don't feel very tired. Can you think of anything that we could do to tire me out?" Alexis flirted.
"I might have a few ideas," Snape conceded as he helped her to her feet. With her growing pregnancy they had developed some new and interesting positions. Alexis had teased that she was going to write a book about sex and pregnancy. Then other pregnant couples would not have to go through the trial and errors phase and could skip straight to the fun stuff. Although there were a couple of errors that Alexis had made a mental note to try again when she was no longer pregnant.
They had enjoyed a quiet dinner in their rooms before having an early night. Alexis had found that one of the few comfortable positions to sleep in was on her side. Snape had taken to spooning around her. This allowed him to rub her tummy or back until she fell asleep.
Around two thirty in the morning, a pounding on their door woke them up. Snape hurried to see what the commotion was all about. Returning to the bedroom, he began to quickly dress, "Sirius Black got into Gryffindor Tower and attacked Ron Weasley," at her look of concern, "Weasley is unharmed and the staff is searching the castle," when she moved to get up, "Alexis you are to stay here in bed with Aniya and Star until I return. You can send Star for me if you need me," when she looked rebellious, "Alexis you have trouble managing the stairs. How do you think you are going to help search the castle?"
Nodding her head unable to refute his reasons, "Promise me you will be careful."
Snape kissed her before heading out.
Once again, Black had managed to slip in and out of the castle. Security was tightened even further and Snape had told Dumbledore under no circumstance was Alexis returning to guarding Harry.
There had been talk among the staff of canceling the Hogsmeade visit for the upcoming Saturday. After careful consideration it was decided that such a drastic measure was not necessary and the students were allowed the treat.
Alexis was in the bathroom trying to remove all the extra hair that she seemed to have sprouted lately, some in very embarrassing not to mention strange places. She heard Snape come in slamming the door behind him muttering curses.
Alexis came out of the bathroom tweezers in hand, "Severus what happened?"
"That bloody werewolf and precious, perfect Potter is what happened," he snarled as he paced back and forth.
"Severus why are you so angry?"
"I'll tell you why," he threw himself onto the couch still fuming, "Malfoy came to me saying that he saw Potter's head in Hogsmeade. As you know, precious Potter does not have permission to go to Hogsmeade. I went to investigate Malfoy's story and found Potter in the hallway. I took him back to my office and began to question him," Snape paused to glare at the empty fireplace.
Alexis handed him the drink she had poured for him and watched as he gulped it down.
"He tried to give me some cock and bull story about Malfoy having hallucinations. I made him turn out his pockets. He had a bag of Zonko products that he claimed Weasley had given him from the last Hogsmeade visit and a blank piece of parchment. When I tried to get the parchment to reveal what it truly was," Snape stopped again to take another gulp of his drink, "it insulted me."
Alexis settled next to him on the couch, "Harry insulted you?"
"No, the blasted piece of parchment started writing out insults about my abnormally large nose, it called me an ugly git, a greasy slimeball and an idiot," Snape hissed.
"I see," Alexis allowed as she refilled his glass.
"So I called Lupin," and the disgust Snape infused in the name caused Alexis to shiver, "since he is the 'expert' on dark magic."
"Was Remus able to determine what the parchment was?"
"He covered up for Potter. Lupin told me it must be a Zonko's product and took the damn thing. He completely undermined my authority," Snape growled, "I should have known a werewolf can't change its mangy, flea bitten fur."
"Well, I for one am extremely fond of your noble proboscis," Alexis said caressing it with her forefinger.
"Are you also fond of this ugly, greasy, slimeball git of an idiot?" he asked sarcastically.
"Nope," Alexis replied to his surprise before continuing, "I am deeply, madly, hopelessly, in love with this wonderful, sexy genius of a Potions master."
"I believe that you are in dire need of glasses," Snape said as he started to relax.
"No thank you. I am content with the rose colored ones I currently have," Alexis smirked as she snuggled against him.
"So am I," she barely heard Snape whisper as he kissed her forehead.
AN: I went back and reread the part where Snape "chides her playfully." What I was going for there was Snape himself deliberately acting out of character. He was trying to convince her that they had just spent the night together having wild hot monkey love and that she couldn't remember it. He was trying to confuse her by acting as lovey dovey as he is capable of acting.
