AN: Here's the next chapter! Sorry for the wait, but life was a bit hectic! Im sure though some of you are saying at least it wasn't five years. Also there will be a note at the bottom.
Disclaimer: Obviously I do not own HP, just playing with JK's babbins!
Two Options
"It would be best if you exerted as little energy as possible Mr. Snape," Sirius heard the voice, although low, carry through the door. "I'm glad to see you are awake. There is something very important I need to discuss with you so we can determine how to carry on with your treatment."
"Is he going to be okay," Sirius said walking into the room and over to stand beside Severus. It took too much control not to whine his worries at the too weak looking man.
"Ah Mr. Black yes, and Mr …," he started before looking to Remus.
"Lupin," Remus responded as he made his way over to where Sirius stood next to Severus' bed.
"Mr. Lupin … I'm afraid this inform…," the healer started before Severus interjected.
"It's fine Healer Timbers," he said before motioning for the healer to get on with it.
Sirius almost sighed, leave it to Snape to be flippant even in his current situation.
"Very well. Mr. Snape from what I can tell, you are just about a month pregnant. Your magical core is being depleted seemingly as a result of this. It's been fighting likely for the last month in an attempt to save your unborn child."
Severus, Sirius and Remus were all in different states of shock. Sirius and Severus because they hadn't even thought of the possibility and Remus because that was the last thing he expected to hear.
"You recently gave birth, yes?"
Severus nodded mutely still shocked and Sirius responded, "yes, twins almost 3 months ago."
"Were you given the potion that would breakdown the womb? And did you take it?"
"Yes, I took it just after the twins were born."
"While it doesn't happen often, it is possible to conceive after you have taken the potion. The womb though easily created is not so easy removed wrapped in protective magic, the potion is designed to help redirect the magic so that the womb can be broken down. It's recommended that couples do not have intercourse during the process and certainly not unprotected."
Severus felt like he should have know, should have realized. He knew these things, he was a potions master, one of the best, if not the best. He'd been distracted and now he wondered if the child would make it.
"Will I lose the baby?"
Both Severus and Sirius looked at the healer expectantly.
"At the moment they baby is perfectly fine, it's your life that is in danger. Your magic is trying too hard to save the baby and if the potion to restore your womb doesn't work we may be faced with the possibility of terminating the pregnancy. As your magical core is becoming exhausted."
"Terminating …," Sirius spoke feeling a whirlwind of emotions swelling up inside him. If if they tried to save the baby, there was still the chance they would have to make the decision to lose the baby to save Severus.
"With the way his magic is behaving, that sounds dangerous. Trying to terminate the pregnancy," Remus spoke for the first time since he'd been asked his name.
Timbers nodded, "yes, it's risky. The longer we wait the more risky things become. The best outcome is that everything works out okay and in 8 months you welcome another sweet baby into this world."
"The worst case scenario …," Sirius started but he fell silent.
Severus was silent too. Things couldn't ever be easy for him. He was pregnant again, not planned though that wasn't bad, he wouldn't mind more children, but it felt like the odds were stacked against him. He could feel himself shaking, he just looked to the healer he already knew what he wanted to do. He looked to Sirius, "I want to try to save our child," he said seemingly asking.
Sirius didn't know what to say, this was all too much. His head was swimming and his main thoughts were not on their unborn child but on Severus. He sat down on the bed and wrapped him arms Severus. He could feel the sharp tongued man trembling. He wasn't looking at Severus, but at Remus looking as though he had completely lost his footing. The pair wasn't even an item, even if Sirius wanted to be and there world was being whole rocked once more. What a tumultuous year thus far.
Remus could see Sirius was overwhelmed and for once wasn't in a jump first, ask questions later frame of mine. "Maybe you two should take some time to talk this over. Whatever you decided you know you'll have everyone there to help you out, but this is a very serious decision."
Healer Timbers looked from Remus to the pair, "yes, even if time is of the essence, you should take time to really discuss this. You are stable, at the moment, let's not make any hasty decisions. We can keep Mr. Snape stable for at least a day or two before a decision will be needed. Your magical core is a strong one, which is why I believe you've been able to function so well for so long.
"I will leave you to discuss thing. If you need anything, Mr. Black you can tap your wand on this panel to summon a mediwitch."
Sirius nodded at the healer and looked back to Severus, reaching out and brushing a lock hair away from his face. It wasn't something that happened ever, so it was a bit off balancing for Severus. They barely noticed Remus slipping out to give the pair some privacy. Sirius was sure Mooney would want to talk to him very seriously, but now was not the time."I'll support you whatever the decision, but Severus, I will. Remember though Sirius and Artemis need you. If the potion is rejected then we will lose the baby and we could lose you. I …"
Sirius didn't really know what he was trying to say, he wanted to save their baby to. It sounded like he wanted Severus to choose his own life over the baby inside him, but he wasn't. He wanted them both alive and healthy.
"Don't you think I realize that … of course I realize that. This baby deserves a chance, my core is fighting to save him or her. The baby is worth the risk."
"I would feel much better if you were the one making the potion, more confident. I do not recall any potion orders from the hospital for that one." He gave a lopsided grin, "youngest to achieve the potions mastery in England and I highly doubt it's just England."
Severus relaxed slightly in Sirius's arms, he felt almost like he was making more than one decision here, but that really wasn't a discussion for the moment. "I seem to remember taking on a rather competent apprentice recently. One who I think is more than capable of brewing the potion. One who has even picked up the small variations to the steps in my potions."
Sirius looked surprised and Severus gave a small chuckle, "It hard not to notice when your potions get closer and closer to mine in the way they look and smell, among other things."
Sirius laughed, "yes, well we spend a fair amount of time brewing together."
Severus' face takes on a more somber expression, his demeanor becoming more rigid. Sirius could feel the difference. "Brew the potion Sirius. You are capable. You can have Draco and Hermione help you if you feel the need. I know how grave this situation may seem, but …"
Sirius just held more tightly to Severus not waiting for him to finish before speaking, "how long will it take and do you have notes on the potion."
"Three days," Severus said not looking at Sirius, he knew the doctors would like pushing this out too much, but he hoped that his own variation would hold more strength. He didn't tell Sirius that he also hoped that having him brew, knowing it was his hands in his magic that went to making the potion might make even more difference. No potions, usually didn't have foolish wand waving as he had always frothed at his students, but that didn't mean there was no magic in it. Of course they had a bit of the brewer magic in them.
Sirius released Severus, "I will let Healer Timber know and get started." He was nervous, but that wouldn't stop him from trying. If Severus thought he could do it, than he was going to do it. Still he worried because it had only been a few months that he'd been working with Severus. He for once was being realistic. He was definitely going to utilizing Hermione and Draco. He couldn't afford to mess up.
"Try to get some sleep, Molly says you're a fighter. I know she's right, so make sure you keep fighting."
Severus watched as Sirius walked out of the room. How had they come to this? Honestly even have lived with Sirius for months now, it was still a bit baffling. He felt like a fish out of water and still he hadn't made any efforts really to push Sirius away, had he? Or really even to change the course of things? He'd willing gone to bed with him and he really believed Sirius would be successful in brewing the potion.
Remus walked in and Severus couldn't help but to almost growl at him questioning look. If it wasn't for the gravity of the situation Remus might have laughed. "When you're ready Perks … when you're ready, now really isn't the time."
AN: This is where the story decided to take a drastic turn and its really up in the air, what will happen as far as this particular situation is concern. I literally have not decided if Sirius will succeed or fail! Comments/opionions?
