A/N: Come you guys, you've got to be kidding me here! I don't mean to bitch and believe me I don't include my loyal and regular reviewers (you know who you are) when I do this but this is getting ridiculous. This fic has received 19970 hits and only 65 of you have bothered your backside to review it. I mean, come on that equates to one review per 307.23 readers and yes, as an academic, I did the math! 41 people have alerted it and 22 of you have added it to your favourites list.
All you have to do is write a few words. Is it good? Is it bad? Does it both suck and blow? Do you like where the story is going, or not as the case maybe. Just write something, anything! I bust my arse to entertain fellow fanfic fans and the least you can do when you reach the end of the chapter is click the submit review button and is type a line or two about it.
I found one reader on another fanfic site that shall remain nameless who actually held her chapters to ransom. The author refused to publish the next instalment until someone reviewed her last chapter and kudos to her for doing. I mean I don't want to resort to something so desperate but I will if it becomes necessary.
Help a girl out here!
Thank you to Proper T who could actually be bothered to review chapter 18. I write and post this next chapter for you alone. :)
Sorry to Gem of the Stars, Shizu66, NATWEST, Autumn Snowfall, Die666 and sparkling silver angel wings (my apologies if I have missed out any other, normally regular Adorable reviewers) this rant was not aimed at you guys ;). I'm sure it was just an oversight or that you've been busy.
Chapter 19: Sirius Black Throws a Tantrum
With the holidays over and new school term beginning, the Black's returned to Hogwarts, optimistic in the knowledge that they were shortly to become parents. Severus was still a little apprehensive about the idea but if Sirius wanted this then he would do everything within his power, short of actually carrying the child, to see that he got his wish.
"When are we going to do it then?" Sirius asked, as they two relaxed in their quarters one evening after class.
"The Vir Conceptionus doesn't actually take that long to brew when compared against other complex potions, such as polyjuice. After brewing, it needs to ferment for a week."
"Why don't you just get some that you've already brewed from those you supply it to?"
"I brewed my last batch just before Christmas and besides, I want to make sure the potion is fresh and of exceptional quality. I'm not going to let you just take any old shite you know." He answered slightly affronted.
"Ah bless, you really love me don't you."
"Piss off Padfoot." Snape blustered. "Of course I love you, you mangy mutt. Who would keep my feet warm at night if I didn't have you to cuddle up to?"
"When are you going to start then?" Sirius queried eagerly.
"It just so happens that I checked my stock cupboard earlier today and found that I was out of a number of ingredients required. So I shall pop over to Diagon Alley tomorrow after class and get what I need."
"We can go together. What?" Black asked when he saw Severus' expression. "I want to be involved every step of the way. I have that right you know, seeing as it will be me carrying the little tyke."
Snape gave him an affectionate hug.
"Okay love. Of course you can come along."
As the following day progressed, Sirius could hardly contain his excitement. However, this was unexpectedly cut short at lunchtime when Severus informed him that he'd be unable to go to shopping that evening.
Sirius felt like throwing an infamous Black tantrum.
"What do you mean we can't go tonight?" He said loudly.
The usual buzz of over six hundred students and staff eating and talking over lunch abruptly halted and the main hall went deathly quiet.
"Because Sirius I had the unfortunate job of babysitting the sixth year Slytherin and Gryffindor potion class in detention." He whispered through gritted teeth, embarrassed by his petulant outburst.
"The arrogant little bastards had the audacity to start a common brawl in the middle of a pop quiz and there is absolutely no way that I can allow them to get away with it. It would simply undermine my authority over them. You, more than anyone should know that you show no weakness to students. Why the next thing you know, you've got the little sods pranking you and then where would I be?" He continued.
"Yes, but did it have to be tonight? You knew we had this planned." He whined.
"You have to strike whilst the iron is hot, so to speak. The psychology behind the chastisement of students states that it should be soon after the deed, else they forget why they are being punished and as much as I dislike them, I'm not cruel."
Sirius looked at him down his nose, as if to say 'Yeah, I believe you, NOT!'
"I'm not! And I'm sorry Sirius, you knew my commitment to my job when we married and I'm not about to change that anytime soon. We can go tomorrow after school."
Sirius huffed, turning back into his seat childishly.
He sat there for almost five minutes, before realising that Severus had no plans in giving into him.
He could be so hard and stubborn at times.
His eyes darted furtively across to the man seated next him.
His shoulders were drooped in defeat and he was able to effectively read his husband's body language.
He was upset.
A proud man but subtly he made his feelings known.
Sirius felt guilty. It was true; he was acting like a spoilt brat. There was no rush.
Hell, there was nothing stopping him from going to get the ingredients from Diagon Alley.
Fuck! Why hadn't he thought of that earlier?
"Sev."
Severus laid his knife and folk down and turned to Sirius resignedly. It was almost as if he was expecting a further argument.
Sirius interpreted this and asked tentatively.
"There's nothing stopping me from going is there? What if you wrote me a list of everything that you needed and told me which shops to buy them from that would work?"
"I suppose so Sirius." He replied tiredly and resumed eating.
Sirius slipped his hand under the head table and onto Snape's knee. He stroked it and then gave it a gentle squeeze.
It wasn't a sexual act; done more for reassurance but for which one of them it was meant for, he wasn't sure.
They went their separate ways after lunch, each off to their subsequent classes.
At the end of the day, Sirius made his way back to their private rooms stopping by the potions classroom. The children stood as he entered the lab, as was the protocol when a teacher entered the room.
He approached Severus' desk and smiled wanly at his husband.
"Did you make the list out?"
Severus silently thrust a list into his hand and continued the pile marking parchments on his desk.
"Are they all here; what to get and where to go?"
"If you bother to open the list Sirius and read it, you will see that the instructions are clear." He answered tersely, without raising his head.
"Okay." He stood there, unsure what to say; the pregnant pause clearly evident. "I'm sorry babe." He said quietly, so much so that the closest student would have been unable to hear his endearment.
The last thing he wanted to do was anger Severus further by embarrassing him in front of his pupils.
"Sev." He repeated.
Snape looked up this time.
"I love you." He mouthed.
He didn't say anything, but Sirius didn't miss the way his lips quirked at the ends, as he tried to suppress a smile.
"I'll see you later. I won't be long."
Sirius left the potions lab and headed next door to their quarters. He quickly changed out of his teaching robes and into his travelling cloak. When he was ready, he went to the fireplace in the living room and was about to grab the floo powder when he felt himself being spun around and thrust into his husband's arms.
"I'm a stubborn bastard. I'm sorry I over-reacted. I love you too." He kissed Black passionately, before letting him go. "I really wish I was going with you know."
"I know babe. I better go, or they'll be shut."
"I'll see you a dinner okay."
And with that, Sirius threw the powder into the grate and vanished to the hearth at the Leaky Cauldron.