Chapter 15: Bits and Pieces

As the blood flowed freely from the slash in my arm, I lied to my husband, "It only hurts a little." I put my arm on the wall and let the blood run down it. Comprehension spread across my husband's face when symbols began to emerge when my blood passed over the stones. "Ooo, I think that's enough. Can you stop the bleeding?"

"Emmendo." Snape touched his wand to the slash and it closed. "The next time you decide to harm yourself, would you warn me first?" he asked angrily.

After flashing him look of contempt, I turned my eyes to the bloody wall and began to read out loud, translating for my husband as I went along. "Sorcery is the beginning, before the beginning and after the end. Death reverses and life progresses, backward then forward, then backward to the future of the past to live again. You once what you were and shall be again. Older than younger, but younger than old. To the wind, to the sun, to the earth, to the waters: moons and the stars will be all that one sees. If you look very close you'll see nothing at all. If you look very far you'll see something that you are. If you look in between you'll see danger and peace. If you don't look at all you'll hear screaming and laughing, fighting and loving and killing and living. Follow the lines, but mind you stay clear. Evil is goodness and goodness is fear…"

"Blood has been shed of true loves deception. No longer are the days of the pure. Children of The Originators will suffer for her. The husband begets evil, begets powerless lines. The breath of the beginning lies waiting a return. Soul of the mother who's womb will be torn. Betray him not, dark lover and friend. Running from guardians who stole a last chance…the dark lord awaits, the husband was he… born half of magic half of hatred and serpent. Love the woman, no matter the cost. She has to betray you, but all is not lost. If you request that she run to another, the past will be the future and the future torn asunder."

"What? Jibberish! Just like that damned book," he whispered.

"I know." I put my hand to the wall and slid my fingers across the cracks. "It's moving!" I exclaimed in fear. Severus pulled me back, and the wall crumbled. "I see something!"

"It's a crown," he voiced. We crouched down to climb into the room.

"I feel as if I've been here before." I felt out of place, like I had the night I awoke to find Harry in the Shrieking Shack. I walked hand in hand with my husband to look at the crown. "I saw this in the book. I was wearing it." I reached out to touch it. but Severus grabbed my arm to stop me.

"This may be a trap. Look!" Snape pointed to the cloak which was lying beneath the crown. It looked as if a body had vanished from within it.

I recognize that! I…she wore it on my…her wedding day. She married a man out of duty rather than love. I loved the king…she loved the king.

"Severus, it was me?" I whispered.

"We need to get out of here now," he sternly said.

"The crown." I reached my hand out and it flew to me. Instinctively I pulled out a large, yellow stone from its center. It glowed in my hand and filled the room with warm, yellow light. The room began to tremble and the stones fell. Severus grabbed my arm and dragged me out and then we ran for the entrance, barely escaping as dust and rubble sealed the passage.

Bill took my arm as Severus and I coughed and staggered out. "Unbeliveable!" Bill exclaimed.

"Give me that stone, Ellie!" Snape commanded. He snatched it from my hand and warned, "This is coming with me, do you understand? You nearly got us killed back there!"

"I had to get it back. It-it… called to me. It's something important," I said, trance-like. "The king gave it to me when I died so that I would return to him. Something happened and he didn't make it. You came instead," I said to my husband. "There must have been some sort of mistake or miscalculation on the King's part. I can't believe that I remember this! It's like a memory of an old childhood fairy tale or something."

"It's bloody fucking bizarre, is what it is," declared Bill.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley, for that stunning summation of the night's events," spat Snape.

I stared at the stone. "We must destroy this. It will only bring bad things," I whispered.

Severus eyed me with curiousity.

"I love you, Severus. We have to destroy this! Who I was must not become who I am. The king knew he was wrong," I cried.

"This stone will see its end in due time. For now, you must return to Muggle camp and I must go to Hogwarts."

"How are you getting home?" I asked.

"I am Apparating to Cypress then taking the Portkey back to Hogwarts. I am coming back for you at the end of your dig, unless you send for me sooner."

"Severus, don't listen to the lies from the stone. I am your wife, not his," I warned.

"I have no intention of sharing you with a man who has been dead for millennia," he purred silkily. "This is all a bit ridiculous, if you ask me."

"Perhaps it is. I would just really like to know what in the hell all this means!" I complained.

"Either someone is playing a prank of gargantuan proportion or this is for real," Snape surmised.

"Thank you, Mr. Snape, for stating the blatantly obvious in such a way as to annoy the shit out of me," I snapped.

"Hm," he grumbled. "It is time for my departure."

His demeanor softened a little as he kissed me farewell. "I do love you, Mrs. Snape." A wry grin played on his lips as he then said, "In the words of Rob Milner: try not to squat and spit out that kid of yours in the desert."

"You ass!" I exclaimed. "We shall be just fine."

"Then I am off."

With a loud cracking pop, Severus Snape was gone.

I am pregnant and all alone in Egypt.

Bill escorted me back to camp, and we were promptly welcomed by Gilly and the rising sun. I felt exposed and alone, and the last thing I wanted to do was make excuses about my whereabouts last night. Gilly told everyone that I was feeling a bit ill and not to bother me so I could sleep. Ignoring Gilly's protests, Rob entered my tent and I cried myself to sleep in his arms.

"Ellie, did you and Severus have a fight?" Rob asked concerned.

"No, we're fine. He had to go and I had to let him."

"Is there some secret you want to tell me? You have the same look on your face as the day when you melted my record collection."

I giggled. "Yes, but you have to swear that you won't freak out on me, all right? This is going to be the strangest thing you've ever heard, and you won't believe it at first. Just remember that it's me like always, Rob."

"I trust you, sweetie," he assured me.

You say that now, but you ain't seen nothin' yet!

"I have abilities, like well… I can do magic," I stated cautiously. He looked at me cockeyed. "I know it sounds crazy but…" I explained as best I could for over an hour.

"Severus can do this too?" he asked.

"Everyone can at the school where I teach. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but it's just so …" he muttered.

"Unreal, I know. Want to see a little something?"

"Oh, boy," he sighed. "Yeah, but nothing to freaky, okay?"

"Get ready." I summoned his hat from the other side of the tent.

"No Way!" He was amazed but, surprisingly, he was not scared. "Do something else!" I levitated my water jug. "Wicked! One more, Ellie!" I clasped my hands together and opened them to reveal a small ball of blue light, which I then released, blew on it, and it turned into a butterfly.

"Do you still love me?" I asked apprehensively.

"Of course I do! Why didn't you tell me before?" Rob looked really happy.

"We aren't supposed to reveal ourselves to Muggles -- non magical folk. I knew I could trust you not to say a word," I said sternly.

"No way, I would never say anything. You are my friend, and I love you."

"Then please rub my back, It's killing me!" I moaned. Rob worked his hands in my lower back. "Oh, heaven. This belly does a number on my back."

"Will the kid be like you?"

"Well, he will definitely be like Severus. I hope no one will ever be like me. I hope I am the last of my kind."

"I hope not," Rob crooned sweetly, "you are the best."

"Tokey, you are the best."

Rob had always been there for me even when I could not be there for myself.

OOOOOOO

A day after Severus returned to Hogwarts, my team and I went to our next dig site to resume our expedition. Tempted as I was to leave or contact my husband, I resolved myself to 'play Muggle' for a while longer.

How are things back home? Is Malfoy looking for me? Will anyone really believe the affair story? Lucky for me that I have Rob and Gilly to confide in. I miss my husband.

"So, Ellie, how's that baby doing?" asked Gilly.

"Murder on my back! This heat is almost unbearable during the day, Gilly. How far along were you when you did this?" I asked.

"Not that far. I was only in my first trimester. Puking was a daily routine for me."

"Hey, ladies, it's time to work now," Rob called out as he came to greet us. "Sarah is having a fit over there! I have a feeling she might be bailing on us."

I rolled my eyes. "What is wrong with princess now?" I asked. I looked across the campsite and saw a very disgruntled Sarah smacking at her husbands chest.

"You won't like it," Rob mumbled.

"Milner, spit it out!" commanded Gilly.

"First it was the coffee, there was no sugar. That is what started it anyway," he began. Gilly and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. "Uh, then her boots had a scorpion in em. Luckily she took our advice and shook em out first. Now she can't find her hairbrush."

"Give me a damn break!" I yelled angrily. "Let me talk to her!" I could hear Gilly laughing madly as I walked over to Sarah. "Sarah, I hear your morning has been less than good."

"I hate this desert and this stupid filthy place!" Sarah whined.

"Why did you want to be an archeologist?" I asked angrily. "This is the most exciting part?"

"Well, we can't all be as tough as you and your dike buddy Gilly! What the hell are you doing out here anyway? Pregnant women should be at home with their husbands!"

I had a sudden urge to hurl her to the ground and beat that pretty little face to a pulp! "Mind what you say about other people, Princess. I may be as big as a house but I can still kick your prissy little ass!" I pointed my finger directly in her face. "Maybe you are the one who should be at home getting a pedicure and eating bon-bons, bitch!"

Sarah started to cry and ran into her tent. I was fuming and truly hoped she would leave this place immediately. Gilly came over to me and pulled me away before I could go charging into the tent after Sarah. "Come on, Snape. We have work to do," Gilly said.

"That little…she had better leave!" I warned.

"Trust me, she's as good as gone," Rob confirmed.

OOOOOOO

Sarah left on a plane the next day. Matt stayed behind with us, and we soon learned that he was a really nice man. Without his wife around he opened up, and we all had a wonderful time for the rest of our time in Africa.

In mid March my husband returned to me to take me home. Rob and I cried as we hugged goodbye, and I promised I would keep in touch, somehow. Gilly winked at Severus when she shook his hand, and she and Rob watched us sail off into the horizon toward Cypress. We stayed in Cypress for the night, as we could no longer take a Portkey because it would endanger the baby.

"Severus, how are we getting home?" I asked as we cuddled in bed.

"By train. It will take a week but we do not have another option. You have grown much larger since I have been away. I hate to have missed even a moment."

"I feel ready to pop. The last week was nearly unbearable, but Rob helped as best he could."

"Milner will be forever in my debt."

"I told him who I really was and he accepted me without question. I miss him so much. I had forgotten what a good friend he was, but he can never be like you. You are my very best friend."

"That was a bit too sappy," Snape hissed.

OOOOOOO

In the morning I began to feel contractions but didn't tell Severus. They were mild, and I knew it was common to have phantom labor pains this late in my pregnancy. Before we left, however, they grew more intense. "Bugger, that hurts," I complained as I stopped moving and rubbed my belly.

"What? It is too soon for that," he proclaimed.

"I know, it's nearly four weeks early. It will pass," I assured him, but he wasn't convinced.

"Ellie, maybe you should see a healer before we get on the train, just to be sure."

"Here? I don't think so. I want to go home!" I whined.

"We shall stay another night to see if this does indeed pass," he commanded.

"Come on, I want to get home and sleep in my own bed and see my friends."

"I am a man of many talents, but midwifery is not one!" he spat. "We shall have some lunch and then we shall see a healer. No arguments."

I wasn't very hungry and I hated to admit Severus was right because the pains were still getting more intense. I gritted my teeth and tried to pass it off, but he was not buying it. I complained the entire way to the healer's hut but when we met with her I calmed down. She was a tiny old woman with missing teeth, but she smiled like she had them. She examined me and pronounced that I was in the first stages of a real labor.

"But it's too early!" I worried out loud.

"The baby shouldn't come for another month," supported Severus, while I gripped his hand with iron force.

"It cannot be stopped, but it will be all right. The child is very strong and will not have complications," she assured.

"How long is this going to take?" I asked impatiently. "We have a train to catch."

"As long as it takes," she snapped. "You can leave for a while, but when it becomes more frequent and painful you must return at once."

"I'm out of here!" I leapt up from the table.

"Ellie, slow down!" spat Severus.

"She said I could go, so I am."

"You are being ridiculous." he hissed. I took his hand and pouted. "Are you prepared for this?"

"No, but I have to be, don't I? Are you ready?" I asked him as we walked down the street, looking into the store windows.

"As long as you are, I shall be. I haven't a clue how to be a father. Mine was no good," he replied.

"Well I've never been a mother before either, and The Guardians weren't exactly the best parents. I figure, as long as we don't do anything our parents did, we shall be fine."

"Love…that is one thing he shall have that neither of us had. I love him more than I ever thought possible and I have not yet set eyes on him," he said sweetly.

"We'll figure it out together."

"All of our things are at home, so we should stop in here and get some necessities." We saw baby clothes and items in the window. "Nothing too ridiculous," he grumbled.

We bought a few blankets, some nappies, and three outfits, but then Severus surprised me by purchasing the most adorable tiny green booties and a little matching cap. "Bottoms and tops," he proclaimed as he stuffed them into our bag. We took it easy walking around and resting a bit, then shortly after dinner came the pain.

"Son of a …!" I wailed.

Severus was startled and jumped. "Is it time?"

"No, but it is really coming now," I replied. We started the walk back to the hut. "Hold on a minute….oh lord! Don't worry, this will take hours."

OOOOOO

By the time we reached the hut I was highly agitated, but Severus was very attentive and didn't mind my bitching. When it became more frequent, he helped me into the bed and sat next to me. "Do you want me to help with the pain? I can give you something or charm you," he asked gently.

"No, it will hurt like hell but I will manage. It will be worth it, if I don't go mad first," I replied. "Just rub my back a bit and tell me how much you love me."

"Hm," he muttered. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…"

"Shut up!" I bitched. "So, what did you tell Malfoy?"

"I told him that if he ever approached you again I would have him drawn and quartered."

"You did not!" I replied. "What did you really say?"

"I told him that I knew about the affair and that I had decided to forgive you. Furthermore, I informed him that if he ever decided to approach you in a less than proper manner, I would promptly remove his manhood."

I rolled my eyes. "Do you think he bought it?"

"We shall see," mumbled Snape.

OOOOOO

As the night progressed so did the contractions. I was stronger than I realized and Severus was impressed. "Ah!" I screamed as the worst pain in the world split me in two. "I think it's time to get that witch in here! My arse is ripping in half!"

The raggedy old witch entered the room. "Are you ready to push now? It won't be long; you are nearing the end," the witch informed.

"Gods, I hope so! Severus…" He held my hand and put his other on my back.

"Now, when I say push, I mean it! Bear down and let it go. Husband, help her out!" she instructed.

"Ellie, are you ready?" Severus asked, sounding like a Quidditch captain.

"Don't let go of my hand! Ok, I can do this!" I said as I panted.

"Right now, Push!" she yelled. I took a deep breath and squeezed like crazy.

I whimpered and then screamed out loud. When it passed, I lay back on the pillows and Severus kissed my forehead. "This is impossible! The pressure is tremendous," I panted out.

"You are doing an excellent job."

"Another one's coming, ooh…damn it!" I yelled as I groaned and gritted my teeth.

"Push!" yelled the witch, and again I did.

This went on for quite some time, and then it felt different.

"I can see the head now, mummy! Give it the hardest push you've got and then you'll have your baby!"

"Severus, I think I'm dying …ooh… no more. Can't she just pull it out?" I whined.

"This is the last one. Now, compose yourself and give us our child!" he said firmly.

I drew in a deep breath and gave it all I had left.

"It's a boy!" yelled the witch. A moment later the most wonderful sound filled the room. "He's healthy and weighs nearly eight pounds."

Our son was screaming his tiny little lungs out. He arrived at three in the morning on March 17th and was not happy to be awakened so rudely. She magically cleaned him and held him up. I started to cry and Severus squeezed my hand. "Here you are mummy." She handed me my boy. His perfect little head was full of black curls. I thought he looked just like his father.

"Amazing," Severus said stunned as he stared at his son. "How did you do that?"

"We did it, Severus. Here, you should hold him."

"No," he replied, "I do not have the required expertise."

"You won't break him, I promise. Babies are tougher than they appear. Just watch his head because his neck is wobbly. Come closer to me and I'll show you," I said lovingly. Severus sat close to me and looked at our baby with such love and wonder.

"What if the boy dislikes me and starts to wail?" he asked.

"He probably will wail, Severus, but it has nothing to do with his not liking you," I replied. "Here, just hold him like this. See?" I slid his son slowly into his arms. "See, that's it."

"Pleased to meet you. I am Potions Master Severus Snape," he stated very matter-of-factly. "I am your father and this is your mother." The baby stopped fussing. Severus looked at me amused. "I believe he likes me."

"Well, he should because he looks just like you! Look at all that hair! If I had gone full term he would have been twelve pounds with a ponytail," I joked.

"Yes, but I think he has your eyes, Ellie. He is remarkably handsome," he marveled. "Are you sure he's mine? He's just so…perfect."

"No, Severus, he's really Hagrid's kid," I laughed and he sneered at me. "I think we should name him after you, daddy."

"Flattering as that may be, I thought we'd call him…Julian." I was deeply touched and tears filled my eyes. "What do you think? He looks like a 'Julian' to me?"

"Julian Severus Snape. That sounds right," I sniffled.

"Well then, hello, Julian Snape: our first child and Slytherin god," he announced proudly.

I laughed and realized how utterly exhausted I was. "Can I have him back for a minute before I pass out?"

"Here you are." Severus handed him to me. "You've had a long night."

"So did you. Will you be all right if I take a nap?"

"Of, course. Julian and I will be in the chair." He took our son and I kissed my husband passionately. I fell asleep easily and dreamed of Severus and our new addition.

OOOOOOO

When I woke up Severus was asleep in the bed beside me. I looked around and saw that Julian was with the witch being examined. Julian started crying, which woke Severus quickly. "What time is it?" he asked.

"It is just after ten," informed the witch as she brought us our wailing baby. "He is in perfect physical condition." She handed him to me. "He's hungry now. You should all have something to eat after I examine you, Mrs. Snape."

"Severus, you can go eat in a minute." I handed Julian to him. "Madam Relic, when can we leave?"

She began examining me. "Let me see… you seem to be fine. No conjugal activities for six weeks, rest a few days before you get on the train, and eat as much as you like." I blushed a bit and smiled at Severus, who curled his lip. "You can leave the hut tonight after you've eaten and slept for a while. Mr. Snape, you can sleep in the bed again with your wife if she wants."

"Of course I can," he hissed. He handed Julian to me and asked, "What would you like me to bring for you?"

"Some of that roast chicken we saw yesterday, please." I kissed him.

"What should I bring for Julian?"

"I have what he needs." Severus looked confused, and then I looked at my breasts.

"Oh, right," he understood, "A very lucky boy indeed."

I rolled my eyes and pulled out my breast as Severus watched curiously. "Are you hungry, sweetie," I whispered as I tried to figure out what I was doing. Julian knew better. No sooner had I placed my breast in his mouth then he latched on and began feeding. "Well, that was good. I didn't know how I was going to get him to do it, but he sure figured it out."

"He is a Snape, after all," he declared.

Julian's little fist was grasping my finger as he suckled. "I love him so much, Severus."

He kissed my head and then Julian's. "I'll be back in a minute with your rations."

"Can I have some raisin bread as well, the kind with the swirls?" Snape nodded and then went to fetch our meal. I just watched the baby at my breast thinking How can anyone be so amazing?

When he pulled away, I put him over my shoulder and patted his back to get a burp. The good thing about being a magical mom is the diaper changing charm. When he was clean and dry I called for the bag of clothes and delicately put him in soft, green and yellow cotton pajamas. How adorable! I put on his green booties and hat then wrapped him in a yellow blanket. I lifted my knees up and laid him on my legs to just look at him.

"Is everything all right?" asked Severus as he entered the room with a large box of food.

"Yeah, I dressed him up." I smiled and giggled. "He's staring at me."

Severus put the food down on the table and stood behind the bed to have a look. "Those are definitely your eyes," he stated. "He looks happy, not to mention handsome." He bent over me and said to Julian, "Did you enjoy your lunch, little fellow?"

Julian opened his eyes a little wider, and I laughed.

"He really responds to your voice. Look at him! He looks like he wants to say something," I giggled.

I picked him up and cradled him in my arms. I hummed a light tune and watched his little eyes close. A few minutes after he fell asleep, Severus took him and put him in the cot by the bed. "Feed me! I'm starving," I whispered. My husband helped me to sit on the edge of the bed and pulled the table to me. I was really sore all over as if I had run a marathon.

"You look as if you are in pain."

"Just stiff and sore. Can you imagine why?" I took a large bite of chicken. "Thanks. I know you have to be almost as tired as I am."

"After we eat we shall sleep. Ellie, don't shove the whole of that in your mouth!" he snapped. "Charming," he sneered.

Julian whimpered a little, causing us both to look at him, but he did not wake.

"See, he says not to bother Mummy," I said.

"Hm…I think he said not to talk with your mouth full."

OOOOOOO

After a glorious meal Severus helped me to lie down. He fluffed the pillows and covered me with the blankets. He gently got in beside me and I put my head on his shoulder and slung my arms around his chest. Julian woke us a while later with his angry cries. "I bet he's hungry again," I whispered sleepily. "I'll feed him while you gather our things to leave." I started to get up.

Severus got up first and said, "Stay put, I shall bring him to you."

Finally, we could go back to our room at the pub. Severus carried Julian as I waddled slowly beside them. "I wish you could carry me as well," I whined. "He's a lucky little git."

"Yes he is. He has you for a mother," he answered sweetly. "Already you seem as though you've done this before."

I chuckled. "I will give it my best."

"He's staring at me again. I wish I knew what he was thinking." Severus smiled at him. "You are sleeping with us tonight, boy."

The bed felt wonderful and I thought I would sleep forever. Severus laid Julian on his chest and rubbed his little back while I snuggled next to them and put my finger in his miniature hand. "You are wonderful, Severus. Julian and I are so lucky to have you." He looked into my eyes and whispered 'I love you, Ellie.' This was our first night alone with our son. We knew our lives were forever changed for the better. Julian was our life now and always would be.

Julian was such a good baby and only cried when he needed something. We woke several times to feed him and change him but we were happy to do it. Two days passed before we made the train. The ride was exhausting and bumpy and seemed to last a month instead of a week.

"Thank the stars, we are finally in London," I exclaimed as we made our way to Diagon Alley to find our carriage. Severus went to see about it and left us at a table outside Florean Fortescue's ice cream shop.

Lucius Malfoy approached me when we were alone. "Lucius!"

"The baby is here all ready?" Malfoy asked as he came nearer to see. "Are you both all right?"

I was uncertain what to do because Severus and I had forgotten to talk about it, due to Julian's early arrival. "Yes, thank you. We are both perfectly well."

"Where is your husband?" he asked coldly.

"Arranging our carriage home. Lucius, I…don't know what to say." Julian started to cry. "Shh, it's all right," I comforted. "There's my boy…yes." I smiled at him and kissed his little tears.

"Does the little one have a name, or shall I just call him baby?" Lucius didn't seem to be angry.

"His name is Julian," I cooed as I rocked him to stop his cries. "There we are."

"He is good looking boy. Healthy lungs for sure," Lucius replied. "You seem to know just what to do, Ellie. I knew you would be the best mother."

Hm…please go away!

"Well, I love him more than anything in the world, Lucius."

"As well you should. Narcissa handed Draco over to the nanny the minute he was born," he sneered. "I was in charge of his feedings. My boy had a father at least."

"I don't want a nanny raising my son. I don't want to miss a minute of this." I watched Julian sleep in my arms.

"Were you alone when you had him?" he asked slyly.

"Severus was with me, of course," I said defensively. "He is a very attentive father."

Lucius pursed his lips in disgust. "If you ever need me, come at once. Julian will be welcomed with open arms, Ellie. I told you I would love him as my own."

Don't you ever give up, Malfoy?

"I know, Lucius, but Severus and I need to be with our son. He needs both his parents."

Please come back soon, Severus, I need you…Oh, thank gods!

"Malfoy, can I help you with something?" Snape hissed.

"Just meeting your son, Severus," he said cordially. "He is a magnificent boy. Congratulations."

"I know. Now if you will excuse us, I am taking my wife and son home with me," he spat.

"See that you do," Malfoy warned. "I will see you later," he directed at me.

"Goodbye, Lucius," I said politely and joined my angry husband. Malfoy smiled wickedly, bowed, and left. "I thought you'd never return," I sighed as we walked swiftly down the alley.

Through clenched teeth and a curled lip, Severus spat out, "Malfoy didn't waste any time in finding you alone."

"What was I supposed to do? He cornered us back there!"

"I'll not let you out of my sight again! Malfoy won't get his hands on you." Julian started crying again. Severus looked at him and said, "He won't come near you either, son. May I hold him now?"

I handed him over once we were in the carriage and Severus calmed down. "Shh, almost home now," he soothed. Julian curled his fingers around his father's little finger, and Severus smiled sweetly. "That's my boy." My heart leapt at the sight of him and his son. They were going to be very close, they already were.

The gates of the school opened for us. "While we were away this time the addition we talked about was completed. I have not yet seen it," he stated.

"Really? I can't wait to see it. Should we go to dinner with the rest of the school?" I wondered how Julian would do around a crowd of noisy students all peeking at him.

"Perhaps you should feed him first."

"Where could we sneak off to without going back to our rooms?"

He sent our bags home magically then said, "The rose garden is usually empty at this time; in fact Julian was created in there around this time of day."

"Severus," I said, embarrassed.

The white bench under the tree was empty when we arrived. The three of us filled it, and I began to feed our son while Severus watched. "The site of the two of you together is breathtaking."

"Can you believe he's been with us for seven days now? I can't imagine him not being here," I said quietly. Julian was suckling happily and squeezing my finger as usual.

"He will never be apart from us." Severus brushed the dark curls of Julian's hair with his fingers and his little eyelids flickered. "I think we should have another straight away so he will have a playmate."

"Well, I won't do anything to prevent it, but while I am breastfeeding the body naturally has ways of controlling it."

"I never thought I would want even one, then you came back to me. I would have been happy with just you, but now that he's here I feel our family forming. I have a family, can you believe it? When I look at you and our son I can't imagine how either of our parents could have been so cruel. I shall have a hard time punishing him when he misbehaves."

"You say that now, but wait until he's a teenager. Punishment need not involve being locked up or beaten near death," I said testily, thinking about The Guardians.

"No one will dare harm my boy or I shall torture and kill then!" he said angrily. Then he smiled maniacally and said, "That is, if you don't get them first." He seemed proud at the thought of seeing my wrath unleashed and kissed me wickedly. "Six weeks until we can--"

"It is five now, and don't remind me, you evil man," I said slyly. "I have an idea or two that I will be happy to share with you later tonight." I put away my breast and burped my little Snape.

"Oh, Mrs. Snape, shame on you. In front of the children," he scolded flirtatiously.

"Ready for center stage, Professor?" I asked as he helped me stand. Severus sneered and smacked my bottom. "Later," I fussed, which peaked his interest.

We proceeded to the Great Hall to introduce our son to Hogwarts.

ATTENTION: Reviews wanted.