— CHAPTER FOUR —

A week later Harry found out, via a very brief note, that their efforts had been successful. Or rather, in Severus's words, the fertility potions had been successful. Severus was pregnant and Harry was going to be a father in three short months.

Severus was staying in Grimmauld Place now, in a room on the basement level next to the potions laboratory. It had not been discussed, merely accepted. They were married now and they would live in the same household.

Harry had faced everyone the day after the marriage was consummated. Most seemed to have no idea what to say, but his friends made their feelings known - they were incredulous and even angry. Harry refused to give them an explanation when it was demanded of him. Really, Harry didn't think it was any of their business and even if he had tried to explain it to them, he doubted they would have understood. He also knew Severus was a private man and would not appreciate his private life being made public.

Tonight, Harry would be leading another raiding party to clear out yet another known Death Eater hole - a small, strategic hideout. He faced the Order members he had been given charge of and took a moment to meet each individual's gaze in turn before he said, "You all know why we're here and you understand the risks. Those of you who have been on raids with me before also understand that I will do everything in my power to ensure you return alive. I have never lost anyone under my command and I have no intention of losing any of you tonight either."

He paused then smiled and added in a lighter tone, "That being said, I do not expect that this will be an exciting night."

Madison Thatcher snorted and groused playfully, "You lot really don't want to know what this one considers 'exciting'."

Harry chuckled and clapped Thatcher on the shoulder before questioning, "Does anyone have any lingering confusion about the plan of action for tonight? This will be your last opportunity to ask for clarification."

When no one spoke Harry nodded and said, "Good, then let's move out."

Harry's eyes caught on one particular shadow in the doorway that led to the kitchen. He turned his head and paused when he saw Severus, watching him with those unfathomable black eyes of his. Harry noted his condition was already starting to show. Harry gave him a small nod then strode out the opposite door, pulling up his hood over his head.

The battle was over in less than three hours and the hole was secured without any significant complications. Harry's team was riding high on their success when they returned to Grimmauld Place. They met their friends in the common room and regaled them with stories of their triumphs.

Harry did not partake. His eyes found Severus again, standing by the same doorway once more. It was strange for the potions master to be out of the basement, much less twice in the span of a few hours. Harry's attention was diverted by Jacob Mulligan, the youngest of this raiding group, aside from Harry himself.

"You should have seen Harry! He could have single-handedly taken that hole! I've never seen that kind of power before. It was incredible!"

Thatcher smacked Mulligan outside the head, "Hush boy, you're like a star-struck teenage girl. Harry doesn't care for talk of his exploits."

Mulligan flushed with embarrassment, glancing at Harry and stammering out a quiet apology. Harry gave the boy a kind smile, "Mulligan, you did very well tonight. I was impressed by your creative use of that shrinking spell. Quite effective."

Mulligan absolutely beamed. Harry turned away and went to Severus. It was strange to look down when speaking to the other man and strange to see the feminine alterations in that familiar face. He was somewhat surprised that he found Severus just as attractive in his female body as in his original male body. It didn't really seem to affect his perceptions of the other man at all. Harry questioned quietly, "Is something wrong? Are you unwell?"

Severus scowled, "Why do you ask?"

Harry paused, considering the man for a moment, then said, "Forgive me, I merely... I rarely see you, so I thought something might be wrong. Good night, sir. Sleep well."

Harry stepped past Severus and up the stairs without a backwards glance, but he could feel Severus's eyes on his back.

He saw a lot more of Severus over the next weeks but they rarely spoke.

Two months later, Harry was woken by violent pounding on his bedroom door. He was on his feet and fully awake in an instant. He threw open the door and leveled his wand at the knocker. Mulligan hardly seemed to notice the wand. The young man was covered in blood and nearly hysterical, "Raiding pa-party three... w-we walked into a trap and I barely - God, they're all…"

Harry grabbed Mulligan by the shoulders, snapping urgently, "Focus! Are they all dead?"

"N-No. C-captured," Mulligan's voice broke and he started to sob.

Harry released him immediately, "See a healer and stay put."

Harry was already moving past Mulligan. He ran down the stairs, transfiguring his clothes as he went and sending out summons. Those he called either ran down the stairs after him or flooed into the house. Harry's voice rang out above the noise of the gathering group, "Raiding party thee was overcome tonight. We will apparate as two groups and operate under search and rescue protocol. Group Alpha, find our people. If you see an opportunity to disapparate with a prisoner, do so immediately and do not return. Collecting our dead is not a priority. Group Bravo, you will run defense and field any interference. Cast to kill and be prepared to withdraw immediately upon my command."

Harry divided the group with a gesture and pointed to half of them, "You are Group Bravo. You're with me. Let's move."

They all clasped each other's forearms and disapparated as one. They apparated right into the middle of a battle - the enemy was ready for them. Harry led Group Bravo in a relentless push forward, paving the way for Group Alpha.

When red light flared across the sky, every Order member disapparated immediately and returned to the safety of Grimmauld Place. But the night was not over yet.

Harry strode through the dark halls, calling out orders as a makeshift medical room was set up and all of the wounded gathered together. Harry pushed up his sleeves and set to work with the other healers. He was startled when Severus joined them and set to work healing the wounded as well but he could not spare the other man more than a single passing thought.

It was after dawn before the last of the wounded individuals were stabilized. Harry addressed everyone still present, "It has been a long night so get some rest. We will reconvene this evening at five to discuss what went wrong on the raid."

The men and women filed out until only a couple healers remained to take care of those who were still unconscious. Harry left the room as well, heading upstairs. He had barely walked into his bedroom when a sharp knock sounded on his door. Harry sighed and turned back around, opening the door again. He paused and stared at Severus. The potion's master wasn't the very last person he had expected to see, but he was definitely second to last.

Severus stared up at him with those cold eyes of his, "Are you going to invite me in, husband mine?"

Harry barely suppressed a wince, "Of course, sir, you are always welcome here."

Harry stepped away, sitting down heavily on his bed and vanishing his shirt so he could take a look at his own injures. He observed, dispassionately, that they were relatively severe. As he turned his wand on himself he said, "I apologize, I need to deal with these injuries. I really should have done so earlier. But please, you have my full attention, sir, what do you need?"

Harry started as Severus's hand caught his own. His eyes snapped upwards and met Severus's severe gaze, "You are correct, you should have seen to these injuries far earlier than now. I did not realize you had been wounded so severely."

Severus raised his own wand, murmuring a quiet spell under his breath as he set about healing the injuries. Harry let him. He was baffled by the other man's actions but if Severus had decided to be nice for once, then Harry was not about to put a stop to it. Severus muttered, "One day your Gryffindor foolishness will kill you."

"This was not Gryffindor foolishness, sir," Harry replied. "I assure you, I would have seen to my injuries earlier if I had realized that I had sustained significant wounds."

"Most people are able to judge such a thing by a helpful sensation called pain," Severus replied condescendingly as he stopped the bleeding from a particularly large gash.

"I have a high tolerance for pain. It is not that I do not feel it, I suppose, so much as I don't always notice it. I am so used to compartmentalizing I often don't realize I am doing it."

Severus scoffed, "Yes because you must have such great experience with pain."

Harry did not reply. Severus paused and glanced at Harry's face, then frowned and said, "Come now, Potter, you cannot expect me to actually believe that."

"I said nothing, sir," Harry replied mildly. "You may believe what you want to believe about the matter. I do not care to argue with you about it."

Harry hesitated then quickly added, "I am grateful to you for your assistance, sir. Earlier and now."

"I am still a member of the Order. I am obligated to help," Severus replied stiffly.

"I appreciate it just the same."

Severus glared at him and said harshly, "Do not be so arrogant. It was not for you, Potter."

"Yes, of course not, sir, I understand that. Really. I only meant that I am relieved you have helped in spite of your hatred of me."

Severus was silent. He finished healing the last of the injuries then turned to leave.

Harry murmured softly, "Good night, sir."

Severus glanced back before he left but did not reply.