AN: It's been a very very long tuke since I've updated this, but after rereading it this week my muse slammed me hard and the story is getting new life. It will be taking a bit of a different path, but fear not the final destination is the same. Atm I can only promise one more chapter in a timely manner, as I've already started writing it. Google docs makes things very easy. I hope you enjoy.
Colds and Catastrophe
Severus woke the next morning to his daughter's cries, he felt so warm and comfortable he was finding it hard to wake fully. "Papa's coming Artemis," he called out making to get up only to realize he was wrapped in a pair of arms. The events of the night before jumped forth and he blushed slightly before shaking the sleeping figure beside him.
"Five more minutes," Sirius mumbled at first before the twins cries reached his ears and he released Severus. He woke more fully sitting up in the process, "I hope they haven't been crying long."
Looking Severus shook his head, "I doubt it, it only 6, but we are in for a long day." He stood forgetting he was in his birthday suit and tried not to flush at the eyes he felt on his backside. He scooped up his boxers and night shirt pulling them on and heading out of his room. Sirius followed after quickly getting into his night pants.
"Such fuss," he said entering the room with a chuckle, picking up his son. "Good morning Pup." He nuzzled the whimpering babe smiling as he calmed. "Let's get you out of the wet nappie and go adventuring for breakfast. Sound like a plan?" He tickled Little Siri and grinned as he laughed.
He looked to Severus who was watching the pair with a smile, while he finished changing their daughter. The feisty girl looked at him with demanding eyes and Severus laughed, "don't you worry, as your dad said, we will also being going on an adventure for breakfast."
He looked to Sirius, "she's got a good mix of us, I'm not sure this is a good thing. Merlin help Hogwarts when she turns eleven."
Sirius laughed, "starting to accept you've got a mini marauder on your hands for certain." He headed out the room following behind Severus. Something had changed, he felt it for sure and yet everything was the same. He wondered if Severus would want to talk about the previous night. There was something between them, as surprised as he was by that. That something gave him hope that he'd be more fully able to raise his children up right, the way they should be.
They continued on with their day as they normally would, caring for the twins, working on potions orders and even having a visit with Harry who brought his little one over.
Sirius sat on the couch that night as Severus walked in, the man settling down in the arm chair across from him. Sirius just watched for a moment before Severus gave him a look.
"Can we talk about last night?"
Severus didn't really want to, he just wanted to enjoy the lingering feeling of being touched in that way and feeling desired. He knew though that they should talk about it, to know if maybe it meant something more maybe. He sat the book he picked up down.
"I … it was something I really hadn't expected to happen, but I don't regret it."
Sirius gave him a look, that statement was an odd way to start of the conversation, but still there was a little relief for him in what Severus said.
"I'm not terribly surprised," he started though he paused trying not to laugh at the incredulous look given to him. "I'm being honest. When you laugh, I can't deny that I like it. Those velvety chuckles do something to me. I meant it when I said you had a sexy laugh."
Severus was quiet and Sirius, "it's not just that. You're a totally different person than I thought, well mostly. You're still you, snarky as ever, thorough, calculating, determined, but also kind and loving and even forgiving."
"I see you now and think this man is incredible."
Severus listened to Sirius talk and was shocked. He couldn't believe the other man thought he was incredible. It made his heart hammer and his pride swell. He looked at Sirius, no one would deny he was handsome, but he was more than that and Severus could see and admit that now. Things between them had changed a lot and for the better. The twins needed there dad, or he wouldn't be there. Maybe Severus did too, he couldn't deny he was happier with Sirius around and was feeling unsure of all this coming to an end especially after the night before, but if it was what Sirius wanted, then he would accept it.
Sirius was looking at him expectantly before Sirius started chuckling. "You okay, you look a little lost there."
"I'm fine, but could you repeat the question."
"Now Mr. Snape where are your thoughts," Sirius chided jokingly.
Severus face turned red and Sirius grinned further, "Oh."
"They weren't where you are currently suggesting …"Severus started.
"I sense a but there … maybe a but that's where they are now." Sirius chuckled, "it happens we are men after all."
"I prefer thinking with my brain and we are getting off topic."
Sirius smirked," yes I was saying you are incredible and I can't help wondering if there might be something there with us. I mean I'm not saying rush things or just jumping into anything, but we could try and see if it would work."
Severus gave him a thoughtful look …. a relationship with Sirius. It was a laughable thought, frankly he didn't know anyone who wouldn't laugh. Maybe their family wouldn't, but still. It made him apprehensive. "I think … I'm not sure I'm ready to fully commit to anything yet, but I'm willing to admit that there might be something there."
Sirius nodded, it wasn't exactly the answer he wanted, but pushing the subject or pressing Severus wouldn't help. "I understand." The ball was in Severus court and there was nothing more that Sirius could do, not wanting to push too hard. "Chess," he offered, "or you got some research to do."
"I could go for a game of chess."
Three weeks later things continue on as normal. The twins were sleeping through the night, 3 to 5 nights a week, still to Severus it felt like he simply couldn't get enough sleep. He figured he just wasn't adapting well to the twins new sleeping habits, and envied Sirius. The man could sleep anywhere at any time.
"Severus, maybe you shouldn't brew. You look like you might fall asleep at the cauldron. That could be disastrous. Why don't you take a nap and I'll make you some soup. You might be coming down with something. You've been like this all week."
"I don't feel sick, just really tired. But a nap sounds good, so I'm going to lay down."
Sirius nodded, "I'm going to make the soup and call Remus to pop in on Grimmauld today. I think it's better If I'm here today."
Severus barely heard him as he headed to his room to lay down for a bit. Sirius frowned, they were invited to ministry picnic in just a few days and it would be the first time they took the twins out in public, but Sirius wasn't sure Severus was really going to be up to that. In the past 3 or so days, it seemed like he slept a lot more than normal and it didn't appear to help much. He'd wake up fine, then take like 3 naps in the day and he seemed really weak.
The fire call with Remus, he was certain made his friend a little concerned since he explained Severus wasn't really feeling 100 percent. He agreed to visit Grimmald and said he come by later to check on Severus.
When Remus came Severus was sleeping still. Sirius insisted they let him sleep, but said if he was still not feeling any better it would be St. Mungos they visited. Remus was impressed that Sirius really genuinely seemed concerned for Severus' well being.
Remus told him to let him know if they needed to visit St. Mungos and he and Tonks would watch the twins. Sirius nodded as Remus left promising to let him know and headed upstairs to check on Severus. He stood in the doorway for a second before heading to the twins room as his siren of a daughter sounded off.
He walked in the room and picked up his daughter, looking over to Lil Siri who was still sleeping peacefully. He quickly changed Artemis and headed out of the room, to go feed her, nor wanting tO wake Siri. She was still fussing, but it wasn't really hungry cry. Still he gave her a bottle, but she didn't seem interested. She continued to fuss and whine before breaking down into full on tears. He tried to soothe her, but she didn't calm.
She felt a little warm to him and frowned wondering if maybe there was a bug going around. He took her temperature and sure enough it read 101F. He sighed and headed upstairs to look into the medicine cabinet for the infant fever reducer potion. He measured it out and gave it to his fussy infant before trying to calm her again. It took thirty minute before he could get his daughter to sleep again and he was almost afraid to put her down for fear of waking her. He eventually decided on the swing and went to check on his son and Severus once more.
Severus wasn't in his room, but he could hear his voice coming from the twins room. "Feeling better," he asked walking into the room.
"Yes, much better. Thank you. That nap was needed. Siri here woke me, but I got enough sleep."
"Is he okay," Sirius said worried.
"Yes, why? Is something wrong with Artemis," he asked gather Siri into his arms frowing at Sirius his expression worried.
"She woke with a fever, I gave her the reducer and put her back to sleep. She's in the swing now. Do you want me to call a healer? She might just have a bit of a cold, but you never know."
Severus nodded and headed to check on his little girl straight to living room with Siri in his arms. Artemis was a little flushed, but otherwise seemed to be sleeping fine. He bent to touch her forehead confirming was indeed still a bit warm even with the potion.
He looked to Sirius who had the floo open and was connecting to the twins healer. The doctor confirmed there was a bad cold going around and a lot of children had caught it. They both wondered if one of their nieces or nephews had it. It seemed to Sirius that everything was trying to keep them from the picnic, they certainly weren't going with Artemis sick.
"Let's get them ready, Healer Whittham wants us to bring them both so he can look them over. While we are there you might as well see a healer too … don't look at me like that. I know you feel fine now, but what about in two hours. You're energy levels haven't been lasting."
"I'm fine Sirius … fine fine. I swear you all are worse than Poppy. I have never been overly fond of the hospital, you won't convince me to go very often."
"I'll just have to drag you or carry you. I'm sure you would just love that most dignified way of travel."
"If you tried I'd hex you into the next millennium."
Sirius smirked as they dressed the twins and the banter continued, there was no real malice to it. It dissolved away in the past several months.
Twenty minutes later found them in a room with their twins watching as Artemis was examined and the healer confirmed she had the cold was going around. He checked Siri over, but said he hadn't come down with it, but if he started to develop a fever than the was what it would likely be from. He gave them instructions on treating the cold, saying Artemis would likely be fine in no more than a week.
Severus frowned, the doctors voice seemed far away and he was feeling tired and weak again. He frowned realizing it was probably a good idea for him to get looked over.
Healer Whittham stopped mid sentence looking to Severus. He called to him, trying to get his attention, but he seemed out of it. In the next moment he was taking Artemis from Severus' arms and passing her to Sirius just in time to catch Severus as he started to convulse.
Sirius was horrified, as the calm explanation gave way to a flurry of healers and mediwitches around Severus. He was convulsing like he'd been it with a cruciatus curse before he completely lost consciousness. Sirius was at a lost. He heart was beating a million miles per minute as he followed behind the healers moving and running spells over Severus. They all looked puzzled especially when one Healer said his magical core was more than half depleted.
"WHAT," he exclaimed somewhat frantically. He felt panic rising in him. Artemis whined and he could see her cheeks was flushing more again. How much time had passed? It seemed like a lifetime right now. He needed help.
He turned to find a quiet corner to concentrate whch was not an easy feat with both twins, but he managed to send a message to Molly and Remus explaining the situation.
Remus arrived to see Molly taking Siri from a distraught looking Sirius. He walked over and gently took Artemis. He looked at the flushed whining child, "is she sick?"
Sirius looked to Remus, "yes she is, coming down with a bad cold, but she will be fine. She's been checked over and we had been informed of how to care for cold before Severus just started convulsing and passed out."
"Oh dear," Molly said, "must be the cold James and Eloise came down with." She paused and frowned when Sirius spoke of Severus convulsing. "Is he okay? Have they told you anything."
Both Remus and Molly were looking at Sirius expectantly and he just felt so overwhelmed. "I don't know what's wrong with him, all I heard was his magical core is more that half depleted … but I don't know ... how could that happen? I just …"
His voice dropped to a whisper, " … I don't know what to do."
Molly frowned immensely, " … let me take the twins home. I'll let everyone know what's going on. I'm sure Harry and Draco will likely come sit with you all, while you wait for news. It would be better if the twins, especially Artemis, were home."
"Thank you Molly," Sirius mumbled as Molly retrieved Artemis from Remus. As she made to leave she look at Sirius, "Severus is a fighter Sirius. Remember that. He will make it through this."
Remus put a hand on Sirius shoulder and gave him a light squeeze. "Molly's right. He going to fight whatever this is. Perks is going to be just fine I'm sure."
"Mooney … I don't think I've been that scared in years. I keep thinking, the twins are barely 3 months old. What will happen … They need their Papa Mooney."
He looked down the hall thinking to himself, 'I need him too.'
Remus looked at Sirius with somewhat knowing eyes, but his friend wouldn't notice, lost in his own thought. Clearly things had changed drastically between the pair. He had seen Sirius like this since 5th year when they all weren't talking.
A mediwitch approached, "ah there you are. Mr. Snape is stabilized, he hasn't woken but you can sit with him if you like."
"Healer Timbers, will explain everything that he can at the moment and the rest once Mr. Snape is awake. Follow me, he's in room 557."
See you next chapter!
