Life Happened

By Ammie Hawk

Disclaimer: Ummmm… Nope.

AN: Okay, so writing some of my more obscure fics is going really good for me right now, and I got this one to cooperate. Anyway, while this is a prequel to Hurry Home, I'm going to point out that there are going to be some major changes going on, namely who Harry ends up with, and when I get finished with this one and into the new version of Hurry Home, those inconsistencies will be rectified. So, anyway, on with the show.

Chapter 2: Snape's Dilemma

Severus Snape made his way up the steps of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his mind preoccupied with the pair of letters in his hands. It was one day after term ended and while he would normally be at home at this point, he had to report in to Dumbledore and access his potions lab. The letters were also part of the reason for his visit. One was from someone inquiring about an experimental potion he had created to make it possible for wizards to become pregnant, and while he didn't mind making it, he needed access to supplies he couldn't get on his own. The second was from a distant cousin on his mother's side who was asking if he could use his influence with Dumbledore to have his son, who had been homeschooled up to this point, placed in Hogwarts next term as a fifth year.

As he made his way up to the headmaster's office, he was brought out of his contemplations by the appearance of something, or more someone, who did not belong.

"Did you miss the train, Potter?" he glared at the teen who dared intrude on his summer.

"Uh, no?" green eyes were wide with trepidation.

"No?" a dark brow rose incredulously. "Then what, pray tell, are you doing here?"

"Madam Pomfrey said I was staying here over the summer," Harry glanced from side to side anxiously. "I-I'm gonna go."

Dark eyes followed the boy's retreat. He wasn't sure what was going on but he would get to the bottom of it. Potter wasn't going to ruin his vacation, he wasn't going to let him, even if he had to go to Dumbledore about it.

Speaking of Dumbledore, he had a report to give that meddling old codger. With a quiet sigh, he made his way to the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the headmaster's office. He gave the password and made his way up the spiral staircase. When he reached the door, he knocked quietly and waited to be granted entrance.

A moment later, he was seated in front of the headmaster's desk with a cup of tea and being offered lemon drops. He declined, of course, and gave his report on Voldemort's current whereabouts and plans. They discussed the matter at length, filling in the blanks with much speculation on both their parts.

"Before we conclude, Headmaster," Severus said, once it was clear the main topic was drawing to a close, "I have a few matters I need to discuss with you.

"As do I, my boy," the aged wizard smiled, "but you may go first."

"The first matter, if you approve, concerns a student transferring to Hogwarts for his fifth year," the Potions Master sighed.

"Just one question," Dumbledore held up his hand, a thoughtful look on his face. "Why does this boy want to attend Hogwarts so late in his education?"

"He has been homeschooled up to this point," the dour man explained. "His father, who happens to be a distant relative on my mother's side, feels that he would benefit from a formal education for his O.W.L.s."

"That shouldn't be a problem," the headmaster nodded. "It's not an uncommon practice. If you will give me his information, I will add him to the roster for the coming term. I am assuming his father will be paying the tuition fee?"

"Yes. And that brings me to the second matter," Severus took a deep breath and plunged ahead. "His father has also asked if he could send the boy to me straight away, however, I have been commissioned to make a rather complex and delicate potion, which I will need the potions lab here at Hogwarts for. That means he will be staying here as well, and if I get summoned I will be leaving him here."

"That is perfectly alright," blue eyes twinkled merrily. "In fact, that fits in perfectly with the matter I wanted to discuss with you. Madam Pomfrey requires some potions to be stocked for the foreseeable future. She asked specifically that you make them, so she knows they are done right." He pulled a piece of parchment off his desk and handed it to the Potions Master.

He took the parchment and began reading over them. As he continued down the list, his eyebrows inched upward toward his hairline.

"Dumbledore, these are prenatal potions," Severus said incredulously, "some of them my own creation, specifically designed to aid with male pregnancy. Are you telling me there is a young man running around Hogwarts, pregnant?"

"Severus," Dumbledore turned serious, "what I am about to tell you does not leave this room. I am telling you this in the strictest confidence, and I have the upmost faith that you will keep it to yourself."

"You know I will," the wheels in his head were already turning, and he didn't like the conclusions he was coming to. "Tell me, who is pregnant?"

"It seems that young Harry Potter finds himself pregnant," the headmaster sighed. "Unfortunately, that is all I know on the subject as Madam Pomfrey is being rather tight lipped about the issue, something about patient confidentiality."

"Something you would know nothing about," Severus shook his head and pushed to his feet. "If you would excuse me, I'm going to have a word with Poppy, before I apparently have to brew potions for Potter."

He made his way out of the office and began the trek up to the hospital wing. About halfway there, he once again spotted the boy, lingering in the hallway. A thoughtful look crossed his face and within three strides caught up with him and grabbed his arm in a firm, yet surprisingly gentle grip.

"You are coming with me, Potter," he said in a no nonsense tone. "I have some questions for you and Madam Pomfrey."

Harry barely managed to keep his feet, much less protest, as he was practically dragged along to the hospital wing. Snape didn't slow down until they reached their destination and it was all Harry could do to keep up with his brisk pace. Once they arrived, the Potions Master led him to the nearest bed and forced him to sit, albeit gently.

"Tell me, Potter," dark eyes narrowed as he studied the teen before him, "how did you get into my private potions lab?"

"I-I didn't, sir," Harry stammered slightly under the intense gaze. "I-I thought that was proven at the end of term."

"Do not lie to me, Potter," he said coolly.

"Severus," Madam Pomfrey's voice cut across the wing, "what is going on here? Harry? I thought you were supposed to be settling into your new rooms."

"I was, kinda," the raven haired teen shrugged. "He's the one that dragged me here."

"I have questions that require answers," Snape's gaze flickered briefly to the medi-witch before settling once again on Harry. "The first of which is how Potter managed to break into my private stores and get his hands on the only potion that I have in stock that would make it possible for him to become pregnant."

"He didn't break in anywhere, Severus," Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "Mr. Potter's pregnancy is not the result of a potion, but misused magic by a hormonal teenager."

"That's not possible, Poppy," the Potions Master held up his hand. "There has never been a spell that has had any success in making it possible for a male to conceive. That is why my potion is so revolutionary."

"You should know better than anyone, Severus," she scoffed slightly, "to not underestimate hormonal teenagers when it comes to sex. I won't go into the details just now, but as Mr. Potter is an unprecedented case, I have decided it would be in his best interest for him to remain here for the duration of his pregnancy. Of course, the most practical option would be to send him to St. Mungo's, but given his status in the Wizarding world it would not be sensible to do so."

"I see," dark eyes rolled in annoyance. "Very well. Now, before I make the required potions, I need the complete medical histories of both parents. I would hate to inadvertently poison either patient."

888

Treize Khushrenada stared out the window of the plane as he made his way from Luxemburg to London, reflecting on the events that led him to this point. His father, in his infinite wisdom, had decided that he needed to finish his magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before being sent to the Alliance Military Academy. Of course, these plans had nothing to do with what he wanted, and everything to do with what was best for the family name.

Then again, he was sure all of this stemmed from his father's disapproval of his current girlfriend, Anne, who had recently informed him that she was pregnant. While he didn't exactly relish the thought of being a father at fifteen, he was raised to take responsibility for his mistakes, so he planned to. Somehow, though, his father had found out and said he would take care of it, and had shipped him off to boarding school. He was worried about what his father planned, but there was really nothing he could do about it now.

He was brought out of his thoughts as the plane began its descent into Heathrow. As soon as the plane landed, he grabbed his carry on and made his way off the plane and into the terminal. He was supposed to meet his mother's cousin at baggage claim, the man who was supposed to be his guardian for the coming years. With a sigh, he retrieved his luggage and then began his search for his cousin.

"Treize," a male voice said from directly behind him.

"Cousin Severus," he turned and smiled at the dour older man. "It's good to see you again. It has been too long."

"Indeed it has," the Potions Master nodded. "Do you have everything?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good," Snape nodded again. "I have matters that need attending to, so we should be going."

"Of course," the blond agreed, adjusting his luggage for easier transport.

The Potions Master led them to a deserted corridor. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he pulled an old book from his pocket and held it out to the teen. Cornflower blue eyes rose to meet onyx, before he reached out to take hold of, what was obviously, a portkey. A moment later, there was a hooking sensation behind his navel and they disappeared in a swirl of colors. They came to a stop in a large entrance hall of a huge castle, and the teen barely managed to keep his feet beneath him. He hated traveling by portkey, it was so undignified.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Mr. Khushrenada," an unfamiliar voice greeted.

"Ah, Headmaster," Severus returned, "I see your timing is impeccable, as always."

"Severus," the older man smiled benignly, "why don't I show Mr. Khushrenada around? I believe you have some potions to brew."

"Of course," dark eyes narrowed slightly. "I will leave him in your capable hands. Treize," he turned to the teen, "this is Headmaster Dumbledore. As he stated, I have some potions that need my immediate attention. I will come collect you in time for dinner."

"I will see you then," the blond nodded.

With that, the Potions Master turned on his heel and swept away toward the dungeons. Treize watched him for a moment, before turning his attention back to the Headmaster.

"Well, Mr. Khushrenada, if you will follow me," Dumbledore turned amicably and began heading in the opposite direction of the other man, "I will show you where you will be staying for the summer. We will get you sorted into one of the four houses in time for the new term, but in the meantime this should suffice."

"Will I not be staying with Severus?" a blond, slightly forked brow rose curiously.

"While at Hogwarts, I dare say not," the old man shook his head. "Severus will be quite busy while he is in the castle, and his quarters are not quite suitable for accommodating guests."

"I see," Treize said evenly.

He was skeptical of this information, though. He had read up on Hogwarts on his flight, and from what he understood, the sentient castle was quite accommodating to its students and faculty. He had also heard, from both his parents, that Albus Dumbledore was a master manipulator, and so he would wait and see what game the old man was playing before making his counter move.

Dumbledore led him up a flight of stairs and down a short hallway, finally coming to a stop at a statue of a fierce looking dragon, a Ukrainian Ironbelly if he wasn't mistaken. He gave the password (Sanctuary) and the beast's eyes flashed gold before it turned into the wall, revealing a hidden doorway into a spacious sitting room. Inside, a lone figure lounged on one of the two rather comfortable looking couches.

"Ah, Harry," the Headmaster greeted warmly, "I am so glad to find you here."

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry sat up, setting the book he had been reading (Quidditch Through the Ages) face down over the arm. "Was there something you needed?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," the old man smiled. "But first, allow me to introduce Treize Khushrenada. He will be transferring to Hogwarts for the coming term, as a fifth year."

"It's nice to meet you," the other teen stood and extended his hand. "I'm Harry."

The cornflower gaze assessed the other teen as he made his way across the room. He was shorter than Treize by a few inches, and rather on the skinny side, though it was rather hard to tell with the baggy clothes he wore. His raven hair seemed to naturally just fall all over the place and into his enchanting emerald eyes, if they weren't obscured by those hideous glasses he wore. A faint smirk graced his features as he took the proffered hand. It looked like he had a project to do.

"I assure you, the pleasure is mine, Harry," he bowed formally over their clasped hands.

"Excellent," Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "Mr. Khushrenada will be staying here with you for the summer, Harry. I was hoping that you could show him around, and help him settle in."

"Of course, sir," the raven nodded, a faint blush dusting his cheeks at the other's behavior.

"Then I shall leave him in your capable hands," the headmaster bowed his head as he backed out of the room.

Ammie: Okay, so there it is. Treize arrives on the scene and meets Harry. Let the fun begin. Anyway, please let me know what you think.