A/N- Well, I'm glad you are all enjoying it thus far! Sorry about the delay...I haven't really had many chances to use the net...However, you'll all be pleased to know that, at the half way mark, my plan is finally coming together. Without saying too much, I'll tell you that THIS is the chapter you've been anxious to get to, for a couple of reasons. And it's a long 'un. Heheheh. Enjoy. (Notes are at the end, as per usual.)
The holidays were nearing their end. The next day would be Harry's birthday: the last day of his and Snape's holidays. He and Severus would return to Hogwarts bright and early on August the first, an entire month early, as the Professor had a year's worth of classes to prepare; a thought that upset the younger wizard terribly. After all, he would have to confess, preferably that afternoon, and spend his birthday being despised by the father of his child.
The man he'd grown to love.
He was glad, at least, that Dumbledore had provided the materials he'd asked for those few weeks ago, when he'd had his brainwave. For if he hadn't, Harry was certain that he wouldn't have had even the slightest idea how to explain everything to his potions professor. That wasn't to say he was prepared. No; he had no idea where he was going to begin...But at least he had a vague plan...
"Are you quite ready, Harry?" The object of his affections queried from his side.
They were about to leave for another of Harry's check-ups. It would probably be Severus' last.
Harry swallowed. No, he longed to reply. I'm not. I want to stay here, with you, forever. However, the words that left his mouth were quite the opposite.
"Naturally, Severus," He plastered a smile onto his face. "She said she'd be able to tell, today."
That thought cheered him up a little. After four months of carrying the child, he was yearning to know its gender. He wanted to start preparing for his or her arrival. He wanted to spend hours thinking about names, and clothes, and nursery equipment. But, most of all, he wanted someone to do all of the above with. And not just anyone, either. No; he wanted the someone that had supported him thus far. He wanted the genetic father of his child. He wanted the man standing beside him.
Simply put; he wanted Severus Snape.
The man in question gave a close-to-invisible smile. "That she did, Potter. Thus, I suggest we get a move on." He extended his arm, and allowed Harry to settle in his embrace. There was nothing sexual about it; there never was. However, he knew by the younger man's reaction that it had become something of importance.
Perhaps it was merely the physical closeness that made Potter sigh as he did. He was, after all, starved of affection as a child. Or perhaps it was his lingering feelings for the potions master. It might even be a combination of both. Not that it mattered, really.
It wouldn't be allowed to matter once they returned for the school year.
Snape cut his musings short, not liking the direction in which they were headed -and not particularly wanting to know why they'd headed down that path, either- and focused solely on the apparation point.
That, at least, would get him into no trouble.
-?-
"There, you see?" Poppy was gesturing towards the hologram. "You can see her fingers and toes, and, I assure you, the foetus is not missing any appendages." She beamed at the fathers (though one had yet to be informed of his impending parenthood) to-be. "A perfectly healthy girl, Dearies."
Ignoring the woman's pathetic sense of humour, Severus indulged in a small smile. Harry had his answer.
He placed a congratulatory hand on his young friend's shoulder. Harry reached up and gave it a gentle squeeze in response.
A daughter. They were expecting a daughter.
Neither payed much attention to Poppy's disapproving stare.
After the session, they made their way home, talking jovially about the news. Upon reaching Hogsmeade, Severus suggested a celebratory treat.
"Come and enjoy a Butterbeer," He said, pulling his charge in the direction of The Three Broomsticks. "My shout, in light of the good news."
Harry clutched the folder Poppy had given him, containing all of the information of his pregnancy to date, to his chest, and shook his head with a grateful smile. "Can I take up your offer another time?" He asked, "I...I'm not feeling that well."
It hadn't been a complete lie. He genuinely was feeling sick to the stomach. However, the cause on this occasion was guilt and anxiety, rather than morning sickness.
Severus eyed him critically. The young wizard was a bit pale...
"Of course, Potter." He replied. "Let us return to the manor, then."
Harry nodded, and accepted the older man's hand. He was pulled, rather roughly for the sake of public appearances, against his chest, and then they were spinning through space and time, coming to land as they always had, just outside Snape Manor.
Severus made sure the younger man was steady on his feet, before letting him go.
"Thanks," Harry said, silently willing Snape's hand to remain on the small of his back.
Sadly, it did not.
Severus nodded, before leading the way into the Manor.
Harry sighed. He was going to miss this. For the very first time, he was dreading his return to school.
The place he'd learned to call home was now a fortress in his mind's eye. It loomed in his thoughts, promising nothing but solitary confinement and uncomfortable glances in the halls.
He didn't even know if Ron and Hermione would be part of the solution anymore. However, whatever the scenario, he hoped that they would not become part of the problem. He wasn't sure he could handle that. Especially if Snape chose to ignore him.
He followed Severus into the kitchen.
What would become of them?
As he'd grown to know the older man, he'd stumbled upon many similarities linking them together. He knew that once he told Severus the truth, the man would be hurt. Oh, it was certain that he'd mask the pain with his anger, but he'd inevitably feel betrayed. Harry knew that, if placed on the same position himself, he would feel that way, too. But he also knew the man would refuse to hold Harry's actions against his own flesh and blood.
So, where would that leave them? Would Severus continue to accompany Harry to his check ups? Would he want to play an active role in their daughter's life?
Or would he revert back to the days of ignoring Harry in the halls? Of taking house points at every chance, simply to satisfy his thirst for vindication?
Harry hoped for the former, but resigned himself to the latter.
"Are you unwell?"
Green eyes, laced with tears, slowly met concerned obsidian. Harry shook his head.
"No...I'm just...dreading what I have to do."
Snape cocked his head to the side, "Indeed?" He gestured for the younger man to continue.
A small, pained smile appeared on the Gryffindor's lips. "The baby...She deserves both parents..." Harry found that he couldn't meet his Professor's eyes. "So...I have to come clean...Even though I'll lose my friend...I can't keep on lying like this. It's just not fair to..." He hesitated, and, his fear taking over, placed his hand on his gradually rounding belly, and averted his gaze in shame. "Anyone." He finished, lamely.
Severus, who had all but given up on unravelling the mystery surrounding his charge's pregnancy, sighed. "Potter," he began, falling back on the familiar title, as he had done so many times during the break, "Your lover cannot hold the right to despise you for being with child; especially his child. Even if you had been caught in the arms of another-"
Harry snorted. If only the situation was that simple.
Severus chose to ignore the sound, and spoke on; "-The only thing he has the right to be upset over is your decision to keep the information hidden from him, and, in doing so, deprive him of a truly important experience."
The man's dark eyes narrowed as they bore holes into emerald. Snape's voice, when he spoke next, was low and dangerous. It sent unpleasant shivers down the teenager's spine. "You have deprived another man of key moments in his child's life already. You'd do well to inform him immediately. Whether you wish to remain friends should no longer concern you."
As Harry stood there, absorbing the Slytherin's demeanour, he knew that this would be a moment that would plague his nightmares for the rest of his life.
Severus was right, though. He'd been selfish long enough.
Swallowing his pride, and gathering his courage, he prepared himself for the tongue-lashing of a lifetime.
"Severus," He started, attempting to maintain his hold on his outward bravado. "I need to clarify a few things..."
-?-
Ronald Weasley stared out over the meadows surrounding The Burrow; his family's home. He was lost in thought. He'd felt torn between his two best friends at the close of the previous school year, and, as a result, hadn't contacted either of them. Not that he'd have had the chance to if he'd wanted to, mind you. There'd been a huge kerfuffle in his family, between his parents and Charlie, which was only just beginning to fizzle out, leaving him to ponder on his own troubles once more.
And so it was that, on the eve of his best mate's birthday, he was sitting in his bedroom, unable to put quill to parchment.
Exactly what did one say to a boy who, though he was only just exiting adolescence, had saved the Wizarding world numerous times, and was expecting his own child within mere months?
'Hiya, Harry! How's life been treating you lately? Let's hope this next year's a good'un!' ?
He thought not.
And what did one buy him? Another broom servicing kit, when he clearly wasn't allowed to ride? Or perhaps some PlayWizard magazines, when he openly threw the quaffle for the other team?
It was all so difficult.
With a sigh, the youngest Weasley male raked a hand through his hair.
Hermione would know exactly what to say. And she'd know what to buy...
But she wasn't there to consult.
On some level he knew that he'd have to owl her as well. And he knew she'd have her nose out of joint for not contacting her sooner, but, really, he hadn't blamed Harry for snapping one bit. She'd leaped into the carriage and carried on about 'the nerve of him' for the entire journey, as if the poor sod was the only one to fault. And it just wasn't fair of her to look past the fact that sometimes she could come off a bit haughty, and that, on some occasions, people tended to reach a breaking point when being condescended to.
He should have said it to her face. But he hadn't wanted to, because he was attracted to her, and because they were supposed to be best friends. And, had he given her a dose of her own medicine...Well, there would have been a chance that both he and poor Harry would have been in the doghouse. And, quite frankly, when he was determined to get into her knickers, he couldn't risk that sort of set back.
But now he missed them both, having had no contact from either of them, and realised that he'd prefer to have her friendship rather than nothing at all. And Harry, well, he didn't think he'd be able to live without his friendship either.
Overcome by the need to see his friends again, or at least to hear of their wellbeing, he began to hastily scrawl out a letter. Once the first was complete, he penned another, and called Pig, his owl.
"This one," he told the small bird, waving the first bit of parchment, "Goes to Harry. And this one," he gestured to the remaining letter, "Is for Hermione." He sent Pig a steely glare. "Don't mess it up."
The bird twittered at him, before taking off out the window. He watched it leave, wondering, vaguely, who would receive their letter first. Then he raced from his room to find his mother, and let her know that he was heading off to Diagon Alley, to buy Harry the perfect birthday present.
-?-
"And this one?" Hermione eyed the shopkeeper wearily. She was searching for a present for Harry's birthday, feeling decidedly guilty for ignoring him all holidays.
She'd cooled off, having realised that the raven-haired boy had had every right to respond to her meddling the way he had and, though it had hurt, she really couldn't stay upset with him. Not when he was going through something that she knew nothing about.
And now she worried about him. How was Snape treating him? Was he eating properly? Was the baby alright? Had he confessed?
She was shaken from her thoughts as the grubby old wizard in front of her attempted to con her into a sale.
" 'S mighty rare, Miss..." he babbled, holding up the amulet she'd been eyeing. "The centre 'as a real drop o' Vampire's blood..."
She placed her hands on her hips, and glared at him. "I'm not a fool, Sir." She told him, pointing at the jewellery in annoyance. "Vampire blood, even the smallest drop, creates a shimmer so powerful, that the centre of your amulet would be constantly glowing! Now, imitation blood, on the other hand, much like the sample within your jewel there, is pretty, yes, but it is neither powerful, nor rare. So, I apologise, Sir, but I will not allow myself to be swindled today. Good day."
She stormed out of the shop, wondering why the Ministry had yet to crack down on fraudulent businesses.
She was fuming so much that she lost sight of where she was walking, and bumped directly into another person.
"Oof," the other said, as she stumbled backwards.
"I'm terribly sorry," she began, mortified at her clumsiness.
A familiar laugh caused her to look up in surprise. "Ron!" She cried, flinging her arms around his neck. "You great oaf! You walked into me on purpose!"
He grinned, and savoured the feeling of her tiny frame in his embrace. "Couldn't help myself..." He shrugged, still making no move to let her go. "You were clearly in one if your huffs, so I figured you needed a good laugh. Familiar face and all that."
She giggled, and the sound went straight to his groin.
She pushed herself away from him, and stood back, observing the small changes.
"You're taller!" She declared. He smiled.
"Not by much."
"It's enough."
What had she meant by that? Knowing her, the comment was probably intended to be read in literal terms...but he couldn't help but imagine that it was an indication of attraction towards him.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" She asked, linking her arm through his, and walking towards The Leaky Cauldron. "Buying text books and school supplies?"
Ron shook his head. "That's been done already, seein' as the lists came early on this year…" He ordered a couple of Butterbeers from Tom, before turning back to Gryffindor's live-in know-it-all, drinks in hand. "I'm lookin' for Harry's present, actually."
She took her drink and smiled. "So am I." Her face fell. "I've had no luck."
"I've had an idea or two," he took a swig of his drink, relishing the taste as it hit his tongue. "But there's not too much I can really afford..."
"What if we combined our money?" Hermione suggested. "It'd probably mean more than if we each got him small token gifts."
That wasn't exactly true, as Harry would love anything given to him, and they both knew it, but it gave them an excuse to present themselves as a united front.
Ron nodded. "Any suggestions, then?"
"Well," his companion replied, setting her empty bottle down on a nearby bench, "I've got a few..."
-?-
Harry sat at his desk, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He was a coward and a failure. Severus still didn't know the truth. No, instead he merely knew that Harry had not been in a relationship when he fell pregnant. That was Harry's supposed attempt to clarify the situation. It had only made matters worse.
He should have come clean at the very beginning. Now he was in too deep, and had no clue as to how to get out.
Some time into his moping, he was shaken from his thoughts by a hyperactive owl tapping at his window.
"Pig!" He exclaimed in surprise, rushing to let Ron's pet in, "What brings you here?"
The small bird extended its tiny leg, to which two scrolls were attached. Harry removed the one bearing his name, noticing that the other was addressed to Hermione. Had they kept in close contact over the break?
Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and regret.
He knew he was jumping to conclusions, but he'd been out of the loop for so long, or so it seemed, and so many things had happened to him…and they'd not shared anything together…as a trio, at any rate.
Pushing the terrible thoughts from his head, he quickly opened the letter. He couldn't help but grin at the familiar sight of Ron's messy scrawl. Noticing the friendly address -'Dear Harry'- he released the breath he didn't know he'd been holding, and began to read.
"Dear Harry,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sorry I haven't written sooner. There's been a bit of a feud between my parents and Charlie. Don't worry about it, though, they're working through it…Things are almost back to normal! So, now that things have settled down, I can actually sit down and write to you and 'Mione.
Yeah, I haven't written to her, either. Can only imaginehow upset she's gonna be when we get back to school.
Ah well, shite happens, eh? (Here, Harry's grin broadened as he imagined his friend shrugging nonchalantly. And, though he felt guilty for it, he couldn't help but be relieved at the thought of Ron being in the proverbial doghouse, too.)
I hope your hols have been good. How's the little 'un? He or She growin' properly? I haven't told Mum and Dad - didn't think you'd want me to just yet- but they were pretty worried about you to begin with…what with staying at Snape's and all. Must admit, I was as well.
Speakin' of which...Does he know yet?
I don't wanna sound like Hermione, but he really does have the right to know and all that.
…But I wouldn't blame you for putting it off...It is Snape after all. (Harry couldn't help frowning. He didn't blame Ron for his opinion of the Slytherin Head of House, but he truly disliked the fact that his friend wouldn't even attempt to give the older wizard a chance; not even in speech or written form.)
I hope he's been treating you right, mate. You've been through a hard run...and he should be respectful and all that; especially with the baby and all...whether he knows it's his or not.
Ah, well, hols are almost over anyway…Another month and we'll be back to normal...
So, you looking forward to school, then? Never thought I'd say this, but I am. Just think; one more year and it's over. No more ten foot scrolls on the Goblin Rebellion of 1792. No more NEWT preparation classes. No more mum and dad breathing down my neck to get top marks..."
There were a few marks where Ron's quill had hovered over the page. He'd hesitated. Harry read on quickly, to discover why.
"I got Head Boy...But, with all the fuss with Charlie, Mum's not had any time to notice...It's nice, really...Not having her making a big deal of it.
You reckon Hermione's got Head Girl? I can't think of anyone else who would...but she would have owled. Even if she did have her knickers in a twist over my not owling her...
Weird.
Anyway, mate, once Pig comes back I'll send your present...
Hope you're okay...
Ron."
Harry sighed as he set the parchment aside. Ron was Head Boy. He was happy for his friend. Really, he was. He was just a little jealous.
Bloody Dumbledore. He'd probably used the same logic that he had when depriving Harry of Prefect.
It hurt. Even when he wasn't under pressure to kill Voldemort, he had too many responsibilities. His thoughts drifted to his child. His daughter. She was probably one of Dumbledore's excuses this time 'round.
Not that it was her fault.
It was his own, and he knew it.
But he was still jealous, and would be even more so if Hermione was indeed Head Girl.
With a sigh, he picked up his quill and started to write a reply.
If only he'd been normal.
-?-
Ron and Hermione exited the last shop of the day, each extremely happy with their combined purchases.
"I know Harry's going to love this," the bushy haired girl rambled, patting the lid of the box. "I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner."
Her companion rolled his eyes. "It's still a bit creepy if you ask me."
"Well I didn't, did I?"
Before he had the chance to respond, Pig came flying out of nowhere and crashed into his shoulder.
"Bloody owl," he muttered as he bent to retrieve it. He noticed the two scrolls, one addressed to him in what was unmistakeably Harry's handwriting, and the other to Hermione, in his own.
He paused for a moment, before realising that she'd been shopping in Diagon Alley before he'd sent the letter, and then they'd bumped into each other…and it wasn't surprising that his owl had flown off to Harry first… He sighed.
"Thanks, Pig." He said, removing both scrolls. "Er…" he began, extending Hermione's, "I sent this earlier today…"
She laughed and plucked the offending document from his grasp. They took a seat outside a nearby store, and she quickly read through the letter, not thinking it odd that she was sitting beside the sender as she did so. Ron also read through his letter, occasionally frowning at the page.
It seemed that Harry hadn't yet explained himself to the Potions Master. It also seemed that he was lonely and distressed. And he clearly missed the company of his two best friends.
"Oi, 'Mione," he beckoned, nudging the girl beside him. "Read this, will you? Tell us what you make of it?"
She set aside her own scroll and took Ron's. Within moments of reading, she was visibly upset.
"Oh, Ron, I feel like a complete cow…" She thrust the letter down into her lap, and gestured at it. "I shouldn't have been so cold in my last letter…Not when he needs us the most!" She jabbed pointedly at a particular sentence. "Not when he's so isolated!" Raking a hand through her thick locks, she shook her head. "Merlin, I didn't mean to leave him so vulnerable…"
A tear trickled down her cheek. Ron brushed it away without a second thought.
She inhaled sharply, surprised by the sudden contact.
He realised what he'd done, and pulled his hand away quickly. "Sorry," he managed, his face colouring with embarrassment.
She gave him a weak, lopsided smile. "Don't be." She hesitated. I liked it. "I…" Do it again. Please? "It…was nice." Her cheeks, by this stage, were also aflame.
His pulse skyrocketed. "Yeah?" He asked, cupping her face in his hand. "And this?"
She was giddy. All she could do was nod.
He leant forward and placed a chaste kiss onto her lips.
"And that?" His voice was hoarse to even his own ears.
She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Uh-huh."
All thoughts of Harry disappeared as his heart soared. He leant towards her once more, a brief, silly thought filtering through his head.
If I'd known it was this easy to shut Hermione Granger up, I'd have done it ages ago.
Then their lips met again, and the rest of the world no longer existed.
-?-
Later that evening, Pig returned to Snape Manor. Harry was still in his room, pondering the meaning of his existence. The bird tapped quickly on the window. With a sigh, the pregnant teen heaved himself from the bed and let the tiny owl in. He was amazed at the size of the package it carried. It was at least 5 times the bird's size.
"Strong little bugger, aren't you?" He murmured, untying the string. He unfurled the scroll first, having decided that material goods were not as important as conversing with friends.
"Dearest Harry," it read, surprisingly, in Hermione's concise handwriting.
He scanned the rest of the letter. There was a mixture between hers and Ron's writing. Harry frowned. Had his best mate lied to him about not contacting her? If so, it was very bad form. But Ron wasn't like that. He was, more often than not, straightforward and blunt to a fault.
So he decided to reserve judgement until after he'd read the entire thing.
"First of all, I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I'm so incredibly sorry for not writing again…I shouldn't have been so cruel…Will you ever forgive me? There's no excuse for my behaviour…not after you apologised so whole-heartedly…I love you ever so much, and I miss you terribly…"
Harry, who was beginning to tear up, nodded at the letter. Of course he forgave her. He loved her as a sister. She should know that.
Ron's handwriting took over.
"Stop your blubbering, 'Mione! -Ahem- I've said it once today, but I'll say it again, mate. Happy Birthday. I was in Diagon Alley, lookin' for your present, when I bumped into Miss Know-It-All, here…hence the joint letter. And the joint gift.
We know you'll love it. Even though it still weirds me out…"
There was a sharp line where the quill had clearly been stolen from his hand. Hermione's writing predictably followed.
"We won't say much about it, because we don't want to ruin the surprise if you haven't opened the box yet…But it should hopefully make up for us not being there…
Anyway, Harry, we'd best get a move on and allow you to enjoy your gift!
Love always,
Hermione."
"And Ron."
Harry smiled to himself. He felt better now, knowing that things were loosely back to normal. He still wondered if Hermione was Head Girl, but, for some reason, the thought didn't bring out his jealousy as it had earlier.
Opening the box, he had the fright of his life when two tiny, beady eyes stared back at him.
A snake!
They'd brought him a bloody snake!
Why in Merlin's name was that a good idea?
"Hello." It said, and suddenly the knowledge that he was a parselmouth returned to him. He hadn't used the ability in so long, he'd gone and bloody well forgotten about it!
"Er…Hello there," he replied, still not quite sure on Serpentine Etiquette, "My name's Harry. You're…er…my birthday present."
If snakes could glare…
"I am not a pressssent," The answer was fast and it sounded as though the creature was insulted. "I am a guardian, of sssssorts. And, perhapssss, a friend, in time."
"Ah…" Well that was a great choice, he thought. They'd brought him a pet with what they knew to be Snape's attitude. "I'm sorry…I've never really been acquainted with a snake before…except for the time at the zoo…and the Basilisk…"
The dark, unblinking eyes seemed to drill holes into his own, and he was once again reminded of his Potions professor. It was beginning to amuse him.
"Your apology hassss been accsssepted." The creature began to uncoil, and extract itself from the box. "You may call me," it hesitated, and Harry could have sworn that it rolled its beady eyes, "Sssssparklessss."
"Sparkles?" The Boy-Who-Lived repeated. "Interesting name you have there…That can't be your real name, though, surely?"
"That issss what my previoussss…acquaintancsssse…called me. I have no real name. Ssssserpentsssss disssstinguisssssh each other by ssssscent."
"Would you like another name, then? Something a little less…garish?"
The creature considered this for a moment, before nodding its shiny head. "Might I ssssugessst 'Sssssnake'?"
It was simple, yes. But so much better than Sparkles. And if he…or she… wanted it that way…
"Snake it is, then."
Harry grinned, and proffered his arm. Snake was clearly sceptical.
"I won't hurt you," he said, "I'd like to introduce you to someone."
Slowly, Snake slithered up his arm, and settled himself (or herself) across Harry's shoulders.
"You are exsssspecting offssssspring." It said.
Harry started. "How'd you-"
"Ssscent, Harry…I can ssssenssse it."
"Oh, right."
"But you are male…Isss it not rare for that to occur in your ssssspeciessss?"
The Gryffindor chuckled. "Well, yeah, it is…And it's a long story…Which I will relay to you another time." He began to move towards the door, enjoying the odd sensation of the scales slipping along his bare neck. "First, I would like you to meet Severus…"
As he exited the room, he neglected to notice that Pig had flown off with a rather important document. One that had Severus Snape's name written clearly in bold, black ink.
-?-
Severus sat in the library, a snifter of brandy clutched in his hand. Harry had been in his rooms all day. It was unusual behaviour, considering the close contact they'd kept all holidays, and it worried the Potions Master.
Had he upset the young man earlier? It was more than likely. He felt a pang of guilt; an emotion he'd only recently learnt to associate with Potter's name.
Perhaps he should go and apologise? Check up on the younger wizard? For, if he were upset, it would not be good for the baby.
Ah, yes, the baby.
Potter's little girl.
It was a pleasant surprise, that. He, himself, had been expecting the Gryffindor's child to be male. He knew not why. It had been a mere assumption…one that had proved to be wrong.
Then again, most assumptions he'd made regarding Potter had been wrong.
He took a swig of his drink, pondering, as he always had, on the burning sensation it created as it hit the back of his throat.
He loved that feeling. It was so brutal and raw, and yet so tantalising…It made him feel alive.
Should he go and apologise? Though he'd admittedly changed his attitude over the past few weeks, he hadn't yet gone as far as apologising to the boy. But if Harry was truly upset, and it was his doing…The guilt wouldn't leave until the awful deed was done. In fact, neither would Kreeper, once he discovered the younger wizard's bereaved state. If he was indeed upset.
If not; then all the better for the both of them.
In the midst of his musings, he failed to notice the small owl hop into the room, a piece of parchment clasped carefully in its beak.
"Severus," Harry's voice cut into his reverie. He glanced towards the doorway and offered his charge a small smile.
"To what do I owe the distinct pleasure of being graced with your presence?" He drawled, only vaguely surprised to see the serpent across the boy's shoulders.
"I'd like you to meet Snake," The Gryffindor responded, moving closer. "Ron and Hermione sent him...her...it to me for my birthday. But it's not a gift, it assures me. A guardian... perhaps a friend." He sent the Potions Master a wry smirk. "Just what I needed, really."
"Ah, so the Golden Trio are reunited, yet again?" Snape couldn't help the bitterness in his tone. Had he been just a substitute friend these holidays? He felt as though that were the case. He knew he shouldn't have let the brat under his skin...
"Meh," Harry shrugged, clearly unaware of the thoughts brewing in his new-found friend's mind. "I'm not sure it'll be like it was...We're so distanced now...Like we've already moved on..." He stroked the serpent's head absently. "At least we're not arguing."
Severus observed the other man, and felt decidedly guilty for misjudging him, yet again.
Meanwhile, Snake had perked up. It hissed, causing Harry to look quickly to the floor. Snape followed their mutual gaze, his own coming to land on a small owl at his feet. It stretched up towards him, holding out a scroll of slightly faded parchment.
Harry recognised the document immediately, and could only watch in horror as Severus unravelled it and began to read.
'Paternal Father: Severus Snape'
The words jumped out at the man in question before anything else on the page. His eyes jumped to the title and date of the document. It was Potter's child's early statistics.
His eyes flew back down to his name.
Paternal Father.
This had to be some sort of sick, twisted prank. He should have known not to expect any less from the son of the marauder that had tormented him during his school years.
"Just what is the meaning of this, Potter?" He snapped, glaring across at the boy. He waved the piece of parchment angrily. "A ludicrous joke, perhaps?" He sneered, and took a menacing step towards the pregnant teen, "A jab at your lonely, greasy Professor?"
Harry's eyes filled with tears and he shook his head. "No...It's nothing like that!"
Snape advanced on him, not buying into his distress. "Then you'd best explain yourself, Potter."
The Gryffindor clutched his abdomen protectively. "I told you it was complicated..." He whispered, trying not to cry. "I told you had no reason to suspect she was yours."
The words 'And I told you that you wouldn't want her.' remained unspoken, but Severus remembered their conversations clearly.
For the briefest moment his glowering demeanour slipped, and he sank down into the nearest chair.
Harry was telling the truth. He didn't have to read the boy's mind to know it. But how was it even possible?
He stared back at the younger wizard, his eyes cold. "How?" He spoke quietly, but his tone was damn near lethal.
Snake hissed, clearly unimpressed with Harry's upset state. The Gryffindor shook his head. "Nothing I say can explain it..." He wouldn't cry. He would not cry. He forced himself to meet the Slytherin's gaze. The man deserved that much, at least. "I...Let me show you..."
When Snape refused to reply, Harry fled the room, finally allowing the tears to fall.
"Your mate sssseemsss rather upsssset." Snake said, much to Harry's irritation.
"He's not my mate."
"But you are carrying hisss offsssspring." The creature was confused. Yet another trait he shared with Snape at that particular moment. "I can ssssensssse it."
Through his tears, Harry rolled his eyes. "Which is why he's upset." He sighed, though the effect was ruined by a mutated sob. "It's a bit complicated. I'll explain another time."
He set his 'present' down on his bed, and retrieved a large box from the wardrobe.
"I'll be back..." He sniffed, returning to Severus.
In the time he'd been gone, the older wizard had regained his composure. And, having had the last few minutes to assess the situation, he was barely able to conceal his rage.
The logistics were no longer an issue: he'd verified the magical signature on the sheet bearing the foetus' statistics. Potter was pregnant with his daughter. That was all that truly mattered at that point.
And it angered him further to find that Potter had known...He'd known and he'd deliberately concealed the truth!
Severus felt betrayed and more than a little foolish. He should have known better than to trust a Potter.
As if on cue, the brat returned, his eyes bloodshot, and the residue of thousands of shed tears embossed into his cheeks.
His weakened appearance only served to increase Snape's anger.
How dare the boy act so upset when it was he, Severus Snape, that had been used and betrayed!
Harry approached in silence, carrying with him a rather large box. He held it out to the older wizard. "I'm sorry, Severus." His eyes remained focused on the floor.
Once the Slytherin had taken the box, he turned and left, feeling as though he'd been pushed into holding the entire world on his shoulders once more.
A/N- Firstly, I'd like to apologise for the awful (and cliché) spelling when Snake speaks. I was truly determined to avoid it, as I despise reading it in most other fics, but, for some reason, my fingers didn't agree when I went to type everything up. Secondly, I want to make it clear that I don't usually support HG/RW…I hadn't intended on hooking them up, either, but they kind of escaped my control. Ah, well, it's not really going to effect anything…Or will it? (Insert overtly dramatic music here.)
Oh, and before anyone can comment on it; Ron's spelling (etc) in the letter was deliberately thought through. I know I write my notes/letters to my friends in slang, but I do put in the appropriate apostrophes and the like, so that it doesn't look too trashy (or maybe just because I'm pedantic…). I figure that Ron would be very much like me in that case, he's lazy but not stupid.
Aaanyway, please continue leaving reviews…I get a natural high from your feedback, and I simply adore suggestions…
So, I'm gonna leave now…and let you press the little 'submit review' button.
Lots of hugs and Sexy Sevvies to all of you!
Molvanian QueenInExile
PS- Oh, and those waiting on The Tension and The Spark, I'm trying my hardest to write up the new chapter, but writer's block has been a bitch. Give me a couple more weeks and hopefully the next chapter will be up and running.