"Hurry up and drink it." Draco's cousin demanded as he leaned over Harry's writhing form.
"Don't you dare." Severus barged into the doorway, his wand at the ready, balanced delicately at the tip of his fingers.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here? Get out!" The blonde medic growled, as though startled by the presence of another. How dare this individual attempt to ruin his plans? How did they even find out about them?
"S-Severus." Harry stuttered as another wave of contractions clutched at his abdomen.
"Come Harry, we are getting out of here." Snape dashed to the young wizard's bedside, never once lowering his wand. He knew there was no way they were getting out of there without a fight.
"Where are we going?" Harry whispered as he felt Snape's arm slide under his arm and around his back before raising him from the bed.
"Somewhere safe." Snape muttered, as if not wanting the relative of the Malfoy's to overhear.
"Hey! Where are you taking my patient? You can't leave! It's not safe for him to be walking at such a time! His body isn't made for this! He requires extensive medical care!"
Snape ignored the blonde man as he dragged Harry from the bed.
"Hey! Don't think I'm just going to let you leave!"
"Petrificus Totalus." The professor mumbled, as if bored while aiming his wand at the the so-called medic.
"Your lucky that's all your getting." He added before lugging Harry towards the door.
...
Draco stood paralysed, as if unsure what to do with himself. He had to leave before his presence roused even the slightest suspicion, yet his curiosity appeared to be getting the better of him.
He hovered by the doorway to the corridor, one foot threatened to cross the threshold, while the other remained inside.
He gasped as another door flew open at a great velocity, almost as though it had been kicked open. It was the same door Snape had entered only moment earlier. Draco's heart pounded in his chest as he anticipated the worst case scenario playing out before his eyes. Draco's mouth hung open as Snape staggered out, carrying under one arm, a heavily pregnant and barely able to walk Harry.
"Here, let me help." Draco hardly had time to think as he instinctively stepped toward the pair. He gritted his teeth, attempting to put aside his shock as he stumbled toward the two.
"We just have to get outside, from there we can apparate." Snape advised the origin of this unexpected help, right now he could use any he could get.
"Right." Draco nodded as he darted to the opposite side of Harry before sliding his rival's arm over his shoulder.
Snape led the way as they stumbled toward the main entrance of St Mungo's.
Draco's eyes searched the vicinity of the hospital ward, surprised not to see Dumbledore. Where had he got to? He was here only a few minutes ago? Surely he would stay to oversee Harry's safety?
Snape shoved through the heavy doors and in a matter of mere seconds, they were out in the freezing cold.
"Hold on tight." Snape commanded as the three instantly apparated from the hospital before reappearing on the outskirts of the forbidden forest. Harry felt a cold breeze dance across his skin, a simple reminder that he wasn't exactly dressed appropriately. Snape felt the shudder run through the boy's body as he instinctively shrugged off his robe before wrapping it around Harry's shoulders.
"Hey! What's going on here?" Hagrid's eyes widened as he sat on the steps outside his front door.
"Hagrid!" Harry offered the giant a smile as he felt himself being dragged toward the castle.
"Harry is about to give birth and we need to get him into the castle." Draco filled in the gaps for the giant as began the arduous ascent.
"Well, leave it to me!" Hagrid began as he stepped toward the young wizard before collecting him in his arms.
"Which part of the castle are we heading to?"
"My Chambers." Snape began as the three traipsed up the hill toward Hogwarts castle.
...
Harry pried his eyes open, his vision was blurry before coming steadily into focus.
Where was he now?
His eyes ran over shelves lined with books and bottles filled with what appeared to be various potions ingredients.
Was he inside the castle? He couldn't recall much since passing out in Hagrid's arms.
"What are you going to do Snape?" Draco almost pleaded as he watched Hagrid lay Harry down onto Snape's enormous bed..
"Trying to find something I prepared earlier." Snape mumbled as he tore through his drawers for the much sought after item.
"What is it?"
"An experimental potion." Snape vaguely clarified, not bothering to look around as he continued to fossick at a dangerous pace.
"Experimental? Are you sure it's wise to try it out?" Draco expressed a surprising amount of concern for his fellow rival.
"Of course. Though, I can't exactly practice it now can I? How often do you see wizards getting pregnant around here?"
"I suppose your right." Draco sighed as he knelt down at Harry's bedside.
"Either way, we have little other option I'm afraid." Snape mumbled as he pulled open a final draw. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as his eyes finally beheld the much sought after violet potion.
"You listen to me now Harry, once all this pain is over, your going to have a gorgeous little baby to hold in your arms. Once you lay eyes on it, you'll soon forget the pain."
"How do you know that Hagrid?" Draco questioned the giant, dubious that his words indeed held the truth.
Harry offered a reassuring smile before turning to the blonde wizard.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Don't speak Potter, you need to save your energy." Draco spat as he collected a blanket from the end of the bed before tossing it over the wizard. The truth was he didn't have an answer for the boy.
"So what does this potion do exactly?" Draco returned his attention to the professor as the older wizard knelt down at the edge of the bed.
"It will make for a swift and relatively painless labor, I should have just given it to him from the start, especially had I known this was going to happen."
"You couldn't have known though." Draco muttered, his words marred with a twinge of guilt.
"I owe you a thanks, Draco."
"No you don't."
"I hardly think that's true. What was in that potion you cousin was trying to give him?"
"I'm not exactly sure, but it was supposed to kill the child before it was born."
"But why?" Snape spat out as he instinctively turned to the vulnerable boy laying in his bed.
"The dark lord wants to hurt both you and Potter, he figured this was the best way to do it besides actually killing you both."
"That's dreadful." Hagrid shook his head, his voice breaking as he gazed down at the young wizard on the bed.
"What do you expect from the Dark Lord?" Snape grunted as he pulled the cork from the glass vial.
"Harry, drink this." He whispered softly as he held the bottle to the young wizards lips. Harry obliged without hesitation as his throat tightened around the soothing liquid.
"It won't be long now." Draco added, as if scouring his mind for something to say.
Anything.
"Harry, on your next contraction, I need you to push with all your strength, do you understand?"
"Yes." The young wizard nodded as he collected a ball of blanket in his fingers.
"Good." Snape slid his hand over the boy's before giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"T-thank you." Harry whispered, closing his eyes as he prepared for the onslaught.
"One more push and it will all be over."
Harry nodded as his fingernails sunk into Snape's skin. A torrent of pain was threatening to flood his body once again.
"Here it comes." Harry spat out through gritted teeth as he clenched his fist. The act was soon followed by a scream as a contraction gripped his stomach. It felt as though no amount of screaming was enough to subdue the pain.
"Your almost there Harry."
"Hagrid, take over from here." Snape signaled to the giant as he slid away from Harry's side.
Snape went straight for Harry's knees before pulling back the hospital gown. He needed to find out for sure if the potion was indeed working.
"Come on Harry, your almost there."
Harry gave it his all as he forced all his muscles to their limit.
"Just a bit more!"
Harry's heart pounded in his ears as he summoned the remainder of his strength. A violent scream tore through his throat, an act that was soon followed by the cries of new life.
"I-It's here." Snape whispered, his voice breaking as he drew the new born baby towards his chest.
"Hang on Severus, I'll just get some towels." Hagrid nodded, more to himself than anyone as he rose to his feet before making for the bathroom.
Snape gazed down at the child as it lay so dependently in his arms, it's tiny arms flailing about helplessly. The professor held the baby closer before cradling it in close to his chest. He never expected this would take place in his life, he never imagined he would ever be a father. The sensation was magical, a feeling that transcended all words.
"Aww! Isn't he just adorable! Come on Sev, let me hold him for a bit." Hagrid leaned over, passing the man a black towel before watching as the man wrapped the infant in it.
Snape soon passed the baby over into Hagrid's excited arms.
"Aren't you just the cutest thing, naww." The giant ran his finger teasingly over the babies face.
"He's got your nose there Severus." Hagrid chuckled before passing the baby into Harry's arms.
"Poor child." Snape half smiled as he watched the love of his life struggle to keep his eyes open.
...
Dumbledore paced across the floor of his office, his mind running through all possible solutions for the upcoming trial against him and Severus.
What were his options?
He could implore Cornelius to see reason, make him focus on what is truly important at the moment and investigating a consensual relationship is not it. Even if the relationship was between a member of staff and a student. Though, Dumbledore know this option would only delay the trial but not put an end to it.
He could send Severus and Harry away for the time being, at least until all this unwanted attention blew over and then ensure that he does not disclose their location to anyone.
No.
It was still too dangerous.
Especially with a new born that needed all the protection from the Dark Lord that it could get.
It didn't matter either way, now that the child had been born, there was no way Snape or Harry could deny the existence of their relationship.
The ministry would see the baby as nothing more than physical evidence in their trial.
The old wizard sighed before collapsing into the seat behind his desk.
Perhaps to some problems there were no solutions?
No.
He could not accept such a defeated outlook. Surely the ministry had more productive activities with which to focus their time and energy, such as hunting dark witches and wizards a like.
Unless...
He could somehow beat Lucius at his own game.
Yes.
This just might work.
Who pays attention to a small house fire when the whole town is a blaze?
Yes all he needed was to break a story that would be so scandalous that everyone would forget about Professor Snape and the chosen one. Perhaps a scandal involving Lucius, oh to kill two birds with one stone. After all, it was the blonde death eater who was really behind making sure this case went to trial.
Dumbledore summoned a piece of parchment before collecting his quill within his fingers.
Good day Miss Skeeter,
I wondered if I might have a word at your earliest convenience.
Yours Sincerely,
A. Dumbledore.
"Do me a favour will you Fawkes, and kindly deliver this to the Daily Prophet." The Headmaster smiled at his oldest and dearest friend, as he put the envelope in the phoenix's beak before gently patting it's obedient head.
The bird squawked slightly before spreading its wings and taking flight.
...
Hermione sat at her usual seat in the great hall, twirling her fork around her plate. Where had her friends disappeared to? She understood why Harry wasn't there, but Ron? It seemed as though she was spending more and more of her meal times alone these days.
"There you are Hermione!" Hagrid called out, a smile plastering his face as he strode straight toward the witch. It seemed as if the eyes of every one was upon her as the giddy giant made his presence undeniable.
"What is it Hagrid?" The young witch gazed up at the giant, the air of excitement pooled in her eyes, yet the essence of trepidation also lurked in the background.
"I have big news!" Hagrid grinned before darting his eyes around the hall. A gasped escaped his lips as he suddenly realised the attention of the entire school was upon him.
He leaned forward, bringing his lips as close to the young witch's ear before unveiling his news.
"Harry's had the baby."
Hermione gasped, instinctively covering her mouth as surprise consumed her. She quickly rose to her feet before grasping Hagrid by the wrist.
"Where are they?!"
"In Sna-, 'll take you there." Hagrid hesitated, catching himself before revealing too much information to every eavesdropping student in the vicinity.
"Okay, but I just have to stop by my room, I got a little something for the baby." Hermione stated as they left the dining hall.
"Oh no!"
"What is it Hagrid?"
"I didn't even think to get anything for him!"
...
Snape sat on the edge of his bed, cradling his new bundle of joy within his arms. He was beautiful as his tiny eyes searched the room, it's walls lined with a seemingly endless range of books and potion bottles.
Snape sighed, suddenly realising this wasn't exactly the most 'fun' environment for a child to grow up in, what was there for him to play with?
Perhaps he and Harry could go shopping for toys one weekend.
Well...
Thats if this imminent trial doesn't completely tear apart his new family.
The thought prompted Snape to divert his attention toward the sleeping boy in his bed.
A smile lined his lips, Harry had given him the child he now held within his arms, he had shown him seemingly unconditional love and never asked for anything in return.
...
Harry pried his eyes open, it felt as though he had been asleep for days as his eyes searched the room.
Was it true?
Had he had the baby?
He instantly reached for his stomach, quickly noticing the distinct absence of a bump.
But then where was the baby?
Harry forced himself up on to his elbows as his eyes scanned the room.
Where was Snape?
The young wizard tried to force himself off of the bed but his body would not allow such silliness as every muscle in his stomach ached.
Damn it.
If he couldn't get to Severus, then Severus would have to come to him. The need to see the man and his newborn was brimming desperately within his heart.
"Severus." Harry called out, though it came out more as a whisper.
"What is it Harry?" Snape appeared instantly from the bathroom, still carrying the child within his arms as he strode towards his younger lover.
"I just wondered where you were." Harry's eyes fell to the ground, suddenly feeling stupid for worrying.
"I am right here Harry, here hold our baby, you haven't had the chance to yet." Snape smiled as he placed the infant into the arms of the younger wizard.
Harry couldn't deny the smile that captivated his lips as he looked down at his child.
"He has your eyes." Snape whispered before planting a gentle kiss on Harry's soft cheek.
"Which means he also has my mother's eyes." The young wizard chuckled, if he had a galleon for every time he heard that phrase repeated to him, he would be one wealthy man.
"That's certainly true." Snape smirked unable to deny the suggestion.
"I have something for you." The professor whispered lowly, almost seductively as he withdrew a small black box from the pocket of his robes.
"What is it?" Harry eyed the box curiously as Snape slid it into his obedient fingers.
"The one thing that started it all."
Harry eyed the man skeptically, wondering what exactly was meant by his words. The boy gazed into Snape's eyes, as though doing so would reveal what was contained within the box.
He didn't know why he bothered, Snape had the world's most effective poker face and he should have known better by now.
Harry smiled before deciding it was best just to pry the box open.
Within it's contents lay a folded up piece of parchment.
Harry raised an eyebrow as he withdrew the paper before unfolding it.
His eyes were in shock as they ran over the all too familiar text.
"You kept it? All this time?" Harry chuckled as he held the original parchment in his hands, the one from all those months ago that had earn't him a dreaded detention.
Well, a detention that didn't turn out all that bad in the end.
No, though he also didn't think he would walk out pregnant from it either.
"Your so sweet." Harry smiled as his eyes read once more the entire parchment.
A knock prompted Harry from his reverie as Snape rose from the bed before striding towards the door.
The younger wizard raised an eyebrow as he wondered who would be visiting at this late hour.
The door had barely opened and Hermione pummeled into the room, followed quickly by a very delighted Hagrid.
"Hermione!" Harry yelled out, as though his best friend hadn't already seen him sitting up in Snape's bed. His excitement dominated his hand gestures as he waved his arms frantically.
"Harry!" The witch squeaked as she ran over to his side, before all but drooling over the baby in his arms.
"He's so adorable! And he's got your eyes!" Hermione smiled brightly as she massaged the boy's chin with her finger.
Harry darted his gaze to Snape, instantly rolling his eyes, forcing a chuckle to escape Snape's lips.
"Here, I got this for him." The witch didn't take her eyes off of the new born as she pushed a fluffy white bunny rabbit into Snape's hands.