Everyone has their problems

Chapter seven – How do you manage to do this to me?

Harry in an attempt to take his mind off the absence of his four eldest children he had spent the rest of the day preparing the meal he was going to serve to Severus that evening. Draco had been present since just after noon, he had been able to help Harry get ready which included him calming the Gryffindor's nerves as he was literally shaking.

The three, well four if you count Harry's stomach (now under a concealment charm) went down to the park to get some of the energy out of Maria as Draco had given her lemon drops and therefore she was practically bouncing off of the walls. They took turns pushing her on the swing and helping her down the slide, Craig wasn't there but he found himself not minding as he had Draco's company.

Draco left just as Harry was bathing Maria and putting her to bed, he had been told all about Severus jealousy and didn't want to encourage it any more by being there when he turned up for dinner. For a while Harry watched his youngest sleep, a tiny arm curled around a teddy that Severus had given her at birth.

Time past relatively slowly when you're waiting for something to happen. He occupied himself by cleaning the sitting room of toys and books Maria had got out of her toy box however more time past and he still had not made an appearance or even flooed to say he was late or not coming. Harry sat on the sofa biting his nails as the dinner ruined in the oven.

Severus never showed up!

By half eleven Harry was too tired to stay up waiting any more, he threw the entire dinner into the bin without eating anything himself and then he went up to bed trying to convince himself that there was a perfectly god explanation but if it was work then it was over.

Draco was round the following morning all bright and cheery expecting to see not only Harry but Severus as well however the sight that met his eyes was a sombre looking man with eyes red from crying and he couldn't understand what had gone wrong.

"How was your evening?" He asked somewhat cautiously as he watched Harry helped Maria eat her toast that was covered in jam. The child had a sweet tooth that was for sure.

"What part? The bit when the dinner burned as there was no one here to eat it when it was ready or he part where I was up half the night waiting for him to show up or at least floo to apologise for not showing up?"

"He didn't show?" Draco said absolutely bewildered. "But he loves you, why wouldn't he jump at a chance to make it up with you?"

"Maybe because he doesn't want this family any more and I have to face facts, I got myself into this mess, I bonded with a man old enough to be my father, I got pregnant by him countless times, none of which I regret but it was stupid, that's why I'm going to see him when we're finished breakfast."

"Want me to take Maria for the day?"

"No, I don't want to cause any hassle, besides shouldn't you be with your boyfriend, you round here way to much."

"He's working at the moment and any way it would be a pleasure, your daughters are a pleasure to be around, you did a wonderful job raising them. Unless of course you want Maria around while the two of you argue and shout."

"Ok, I don't want to upset her, but could you stay here so I can contact you, don't go out to the park or anything, there's stuff for her lunch in the kitchen and please don't give her an excess of sugar, she's a handful hyper, they all are, it's a shame they've inherited my sweet tooth."

"Ok, you have nothing to worry about, now go and get ready, make him remember the Harry he fell in love with all those years ago."

"I don't think it's as easy as all of that." Harry said wiping the jam residue from his daughter's face and lifting her out of her highchair. "Would you help me get ready?"

An hour and at least seven outfits later Harry was dressed and so was Maria who had sat on the bed the entire time watching the proceedings as she played with one of Constantine's old Barbie dolls. He had finally felt comfortable wearing a pair of trousers that only just managed to fit and a smart but baggy black T-shirt. He couldn't exactly wear the sort of clothes he would normally have worn to see Severus while still a student and trying to seduce him now could he.

Harry was all set to apperate over to the manor; he said goodbye to his daughter and kissed Draco on the cheek. "Wish me luck." He said "Oh and keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow I'm not a single father."

"You won't be, now get going your husband is waiting."

Harry apperated to where the front door was…or should have been as Harry found out upon arrival, there were witches and wizards from the ministry swarming all over the place and Snape Manor was in ruins, it was literally the shell of a building and didn't look to sturdy. It wasn't long until him looking around like a lost puppy attracted attention. A wizard hurried up to him looking disgruntled.

"Your not supposed to be here, no press allowed."

"I'm not the press." Harry said pulling his arm out of the wizard's grip. "This is my home, my name is Harry Potter Snape now please explain what the hell is going on, where's my husband?"

"I am so sorry Harry Potter sir." The wizard inclined his head as a mark of respect. "Your husband, I assume you are referring to Severus Snape was in the room adjacent to his lab where the blast occurred, now please do not jump to conclusions we have found no body as of yet, we are still trying to reach the part of the house he was in."

"He's alive." Harry said as his breathing got heavier, he was trying to control his panic, it wasn't good for the baby to act in such a way. "I know he is, I can feel him through our bond." However he could feel very little through the bond, not only because his emotions were overwhelming him, he had the baby's emotions as well and it was hard to depict Severus' from the confusion inside of him. However there was a faint trace of pain deep inside of him that he knew wasn't connected to him.

"That is encouraging, it means he is a fighter…are you alright?" Harry had doubled over in pain as he clutched at his stomach.

"I need you to do something for me." He gasped, as he felt his waters break, stress apparently was any good for this baby. "Well two things, one when you find Sev taking him to Hogwarts infirmary and the second thing could you take me there, I'm in labour?"


So what do you think? You'll have to wait and find out if Severus survives, depending on what mood I'm in will be the deciding vote me thinks. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, please review xxx.