A/N- Well, we're almost there now. This is the second last chapter, so we're pretty much at the end. Again.
To those reading The Tension and The Spark, I promise Chapter 9 will be up very soon. I'm tying up loose ends in the chapter now.
MAJOR SLASH WARNING! Though I doubt anyone with a slash-phobia will be reading at this stage, I feel obliged to warn you that this is a fairly descriptive chapter and that it's a very high M 15+ rating. Hint hint: NO COMPLAINTS. You've seen the warning.
Many hours had passed since the kiss, without either man paying it any particular attention. Harry was in too much pain for the majority of the time, and Severus, for his part, was too anxious to see his daughter brought into the world to notice what he'd done.
Poppy had been summoned when the birth canal began to form. It was better that Harry deliver his child in the privacy of Severus' rooms, rather than in the public arena that was Hogwarts' hospital wing.
Dumbledore wouldn't be notified until well after the babe was born.
Let the old fool remain oblivious, Severus thought to himself. It was exactly what he deserved. Omniscient my arse!
The hours had trickled by at an excruciatingly slow rate. Harry seemed to be in a constant state of pain. Poppy assured them that the first birth was always the worst. Severus wondered, idly, whether she suspected there'd soon be more.
The very instant he'd thought it, a thousand uninvited images swirled about in his head.
There was his Harry; emerald eyes shimmering with unspoken joy, hand resting on the swell of his belly. A little girl with his eyes and Harry's hair tugged at his pregnant mate's robe, whilst another child, this time a boy, chased a familiar snake around their ankles.
It was the picture of domestic bliss, and it scared him.
"Come now, Harry, breath for me..."
He vaguely heard Poppy repeating the words he'd used all those hours ago. But, at the next phrase, he was instantly alert.
"She's almost there, dear, not long now."
Severus felt completely useless. Here he was, clutching the son of his deceased rival's hand, awaiting the moment that said boy gave birth to their daughter, and he could do nothing to help.
He could only watch as the Gryffindor's face contorted in agony. He could only listen as Harry howled and cried out for relief. There was nothing more he could possibly do, and it frustrated him. He was a Potions Master, for Merlin's sake, but there was nothing more he could offer the boy until after the ordeal, and by then it would be too late. Harry would still have felt the pain. And he would always remember it.
Severus no longer remembered that this was completely Harry's doing -that the Gryffindor and Draco had brought it about themselves- and not his doing at all.
The hand he clutched squeezed at his own, and the nails, though short, felt as if they had pierced his skin. But he barely felt it, for, at that moment, a low, keening cry -almost a mewling sound- had broken the air, and his heart had swelled.
Harry's hand fell limp against his for a moment, before half-heartedly gripping down once more. Severus looked to Poppy.
"It's alright, Harry, down hill from here. You've just got to pass the afterbirth now..." The Mediwitch soothed, whilst cleaning off the small, red, squirming creature, otherwise known as the heir to Potter and Snape. "A simple task, after what you've just done..."
Severus stopped listening as Poppy brought his daughter, swaddled in a plush green blanket -probably from his personal linen closet- closer, so that the child could meet her parents...and vice-versa.
Someone gasped; Severus vaguely recognised the sound as his own. However, he was far too preoccupied with the infant now soundly nestled against Harry's chest. She was pink and wrinkled, and definitely didn't resemble anything human as of yet...but, to Severus, she was perfect...
Well, almost perfect. It seemed that she'd, rather unfortunately, inherited his nose!
Harry, too, had noticed the facial feature -how could he not?- and smiled tiredly at the older wizard. "She's yours alright..." He quipped, cautiously stroking her nose with the tip of his pinkie. "So cute..."
Severus grimaced. Cute? Harry was clearly delusional. Poppy must have slipped him a few potions already.
Although, he thought, turning his gaze back to his daughter, on her, the Snape nose mightn't be quite as bad...
It was still hard to tell...perhaps, in a few weeks, she'd grow into it...It might even suit her...
Merlin, Severus hoped it would.
"You want to hold her?"
Snape looked at the younger wizard, his face devoid of emotion. "Hmm?"
Cautiously offering the infant forward, Harry's smile broadened slightly. "Do you want to hold your daughter?"
"Naturally." Severus was back to himself within seconds. He carefully removed the bundle from the younger man's arms and instinctively held her to his chest.
She was so small...so light...so fragile...
So his.
Feeling the weight of Severus' gaze, she opened her eyes and stared back at him, causing him to take another sharp breath.
Her eyes! He'd never seen such a dark hue on a baby! On some level he'd suspected she'd inherit his eyes, but he'd not been prepared for such a calculating stare! She was merely minutes old, for Merlin's sake! Had his own gaze been so unnerving at that age? Had his own eyes conveyed such intelligence back then, as hers did now?
It was vaguely disturbing, and yet it was satisfying at the same time. After all, Lily's eyes would not have been anywhere near as fitting for his daughter.
No; this tiny being was a Snape through and through. And, while he was certain that she'd take after Harry on some level, Severus knew that she would do the Snape name justice.
And she would be a Snape in title. He and Harry had already made that decision, though they dreaded the media backlash it would cause.
Why wouldn't they at least hyphenate her surname? At Harry's insistence, of course. While he cared deeply for the memory of his father, he despised the following that the Potter name drew. Certainly, the entire Wizarding world would know of her Potter lineage, but the Snape title demanded a respect of privacy that 'Potter' did not.
"Congratulations, Severus." Poppy had moved to his side, to observe the child. "She's genuinely remarkable."
He offered the woman a fleeting smile. "Thank you."
"And her name?"
The Slytherin opened his mouth to reply, and hesitated. Though they'd made their decision weeks earlier, Severus felt that Harry deserved the final say.
"That," he began quietly, his gaze trained on his daughter, "Is for her other father to divulge."
Poppy grinned, and nodded in Harry's direction. "Poor dear's worn out." She said, "Fast asleep. I doubt he'll be doing any divulging for a while."
Severus surprised her with a grin of his own. "Then we wait."
-?-
Harry awoke many hours later to the setting of the sun. He was disoriented, at first, and alarmed to find that his baby no longer resided within him. But slowly the memories came back, and he closed his eyes, allowing his brain to process the information.
He was officially a parent. He'd given birth to a perfect little girl.
His relieved smile became a grimace; oh, how his lower body ached! The birth canal was mending itself, turning him back into a relatively normal male once more, and causing a large amount of discomfort as it did so.
But, of all the sensations and memories that flowed through him, there was one that stood out amongst the others: Severus had kissed him.
He'd placed his lips down and sent Harry's mind reeling. Then there had been a tongue, cool and soft, gently pressing against his lips, begging entry...And he -Harry- had obliged.
The kiss hadn't been overtly passionate, but it had felt genuine.
And it had been good.
Harry licked his lips.
Oh, Merlin, had it been good.
"How are you feeling?"
Severus' voice startled him from his musings, and he felt his cheeks burn involuntarily.
After all, the man could read minds...
He cleared his throat. "Like I've been hit by the Knight Bus and then trampled by a hippogriff." This elicited an invisible smirk, and he offered a smile of his own. "I've survived worse."
"Indeed." By now Severus had moved to the foot of the bed, and he sat down gently. "The saviour shall rise again."
Harry pulled a face. "Do you have to?"
"Yes."
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
Harry shook his head, the smile on his face once more, then glanced around the room. "Where is she?" His eyes, Severus noticed, sparkled with unspoken pride.
"The nursery, sleeping soundly."
"Oh..."
"She'll wake soon enough for another feeding." Severus' thumb was rubbing circles over Harry's own. He realised, vaguely, but didn't stop. "I took care of the first couple...It didn't seem fair to wake you."
"Oh..." Harry was now preoccupied with the slender fingers caressing his own. "Er, thanks."
His skin tingled.
"Madame Pomfrey enquired on her name."
"Ah..." The younger wizard struggled to tear his gaze from Severus' lips. "Did you-"
Snape responded before the sentence was complete.
"No." He paused for a moment, as if considering the ramifications of his next sentence. "I felt that privilege belonged to you."
Emerald eyes, shining with adoration, met obsidian. "Severus, I-"
"Don't." Severus released Harry's hand and rose abruptly. At the boy's pained look, he sighed and dropped back down. "Not yet."
Why, oh why, must he continually fuel the brat's hope?
"But I-"
"I know, Harry." His reply was, perhaps, a little more harsh than he'd have liked, and he sighed again. "Now is simply not the right time."
Harry pouted. What was the 'right time', then? And if Snape was so opposed to discussing his feelings, what, exactly, had that kiss been about? Not to mention the touching, and the oh-so meaningful glances...
"Severus," he tried again, "Please..."
The older man pinched the bridge of his nose, and closed his eyes. It was a warning sign. "Leave it, Potter, if only for now."
Harry moved to push the issue further, but was distracted by an unfamiliar sound. He soon realised that it was his daughter's cries, and moved to retrieve her. Long, pale, surprisingly strong arms pressed him back.
"It will do you no good to rush around just yet." Severus explained, as he exited the room.
He returned shortly with the baby, carrying a bottle in his spare hand. Placing the bottle on the nearest surface, he gently sat down at Harry's side.
Within moments he'd transferred the sobbing infant into the younger man's arms, and helped him to hold her correctly, so that her head was properly supported.
Harry savoured the feeling of Severus' arms around his, but found that his attention was soon focused solely on the baby in his arms.
Everything about her intrigued him, from her tiny fingers to her not-so-tiny nose. She really was gorgeous.
Harry had a hard time grasping the notion that she truly was his.
His and Severus'.
Their perfect little girl.
Any fears of Severus despising her that remained vanished. After all, how could he even fathom disliking an angel like her?
Harry glanced up into the older man's eyes, searching for confirmation. He didn't have to look very far, for, in Severus' dark eyes, he easily found amazement and joy for their daughter.
"I don't regret it..." The words left his lips before he could think.
Severus arched an eyebrow as he passed the bottle towards the younger wizard. "Indeed?"
He felt the blush rising on his cheeks. "I just...I didn't mean to..." He shifted his gaze to his daughter, who now suckled noisily at the teat of the bottle. "She's perfect." He hesitated, but Severus allowed him time to consider his phrasing. "I...well...until just now...I've doubted...everything, actually. Am I too young? Am I complicating your life? Is it fair to bring her into the world, when I can't give her the life she deserves?" He sighed, and shifted into a more comfortable position, his eyes never leaving the nursing infant. "But now...I can't help being selfish...And I can't regret...doing what I did."
It was a long spiel, but, once over, Harry felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Severus nodded sagely. He knew exactly how Harry felt.
"Pardon me, sir," a voice interrupted, "but there are students at the door." It was the portrait that stood guard at the entrance to Snape's chambers. He reminded Harry of Sir Cadogan, despite the fact that he was clearly a notable wizard, and not a hyperactive and delusional knight.
Severus turned to face the portrait that his doorman had chosen to inhabit for the discussion. "Thank you, Lord Brychan...Though, I'd prefer it if they were dismissed. I'm rather busy at this moment."
Lord Brychan shook his head. "It's of no use. They are adamant that they speak with you." He stared pointedly in Harry's direction. "I believe they are searching for young Master Potter."
Harry's eyes widened. Of course! He hadn't told anyone, not even Snake, of his plans to visit Severus the previous evening! "Whoops..."
Snape, having read Harry's reaction accurately, sent him a withering glare. Rising to his feet, he turned back to the portrait. "Very well, let them in. I'll greet them in the sitting room. And you," he turned back to Harry, who was now gently attempting to burp their daughter, "will have a lot of explaining to do."
"I know..." Harry diverted his gaze and pouted. It didn't have the desired effect.
"Potter," Severus sighed, "I'm not making any excuses on your behalf. I made my opinion of your sneaking about perfectly clear last night."
Harry knew better than to argue with him, so he nodded sullenly, and went back to cradling their daughter as Severus left the room.
-?-
Hermione leapt to her feet and threw herself into Severus' arms when he entered the room. "Oh, Professor Snape!" She cried, clinging to his robes, "Harry's nowhere to be found! We've looked everywhere-" here she gestured towards Ron and, surprisingly, Draco, "-and there's no sign of him! And considering what happened last time he went off on his own..." She took a deep breath, then, noticing her position, blushed and took a step backwards. Averting her gaze, she added. "We didn't know where else to go."
Severus noticed that, while it was left unsaid, the message that it should be important to him -considering the genealogy of the child that Harry had been carrying- was loud and clear. He fought the urge to sneer at the girl. After all, she was only acting out of concern for her friend. He opted, instead, to arch an eyebrow in calm condescendence.
"Calm yourself, Miss Granger." His voice concealed his vague amusement. "Mr. Potter, though incredibly stupid, is fine. Rather tired, and probably experiencing some degree of pain, but in no danger, I assure you."
Her eyes widened. At first he thought she might have jumped to the wrong conclusion, however, when she spoke, it was clear that her mind was as sharp as ever.
"He's had the baby!" She exclaimed, her voice shrill. "Oh, Sir!" Forgetting herself, she tossed her arms around the stoic man once more, this time hugging him excitedly. "Congratulations!" Pulling away, she sighed. "Oh, I'm so relieved..."
"Quite." Severus punctuated the drawl by picking an abstract piece of hair -undoubtedly Hermione's- from his robes, and discarding it with a look of distaste.
"So he's alright, then?" Ron finally joined the conversation, also looking rather relieved.
"As well as can be expected."
The redhead grinned. "Good."
"It was still a stupid move to bugger off without telling anyone." It was Draco who spoke this time. "He was lucky he didn't go getting into any trouble, the idiot."
Ron moved to protest, but stopped when a sleek, shiny head emerged from under Draco's robe. Snake hissed at the boy, before sniffing the air...And then she was off, down the insides of Draco's robes, and speeding past their ankles...
It didn't take the assembled seventh years long to work out why.
"Can we see Harry?" Hermione asked, turning an imploring gaze onto her Professor. "Please, Sir?"
Severus fought the urge to deny them access. After all, he had already told his young guest that he'd let them through...more or less. He sighed. "If you must." He paused for a moment. "I don't think I need to remind you to remain quiet," he shot a look at Ron and Draco, "or civil."
They shook their heads in unison, then allowed him to lead the way into the master bedroom.
Harry was sitting up in bed, waiting for them. He'd already received an earful from Snake regarding his recklessness and insensitivity, and he knew there'd be more to come from his friends.
Hermione was, unsurprisingly, the first to speak. "You gave us all quite a scare..." She chided, her voice soft. "But, given the circumstances..." she peered down at his daughter, "I'll spare you the rant."
"Thanks," he replied, offering her a small grin.
"Let's see her, then." Ron demanded, moving up beside the bed.
Harry shifted, so that his daughter's face became visible to his friends. Ron and Hermione gasped.
"Merlin, mate, you can't half tell who her Daddy is, eh?"
Harry beamed at Ron's response. "She's perfect, isn't she?" He glanced down to stroke her cheek, missing the mortified look Ron sent to Hermione. He also missed her return scowl.
"I think she's adorable, Harry." The female of the trio put in, shooting her boyfriend a look that oozed the message: 'and you'd best believe it'.
Thankfully, the redhead didn't argue.
"Did a good job, didn't I?"
Draco's comment was spoken so quietly that Harry almost missed it. He glanced back at the blond, catching his eye.
Draco really puzzled him. There were so many extremes to his personality...and he was always prepared to speak his mind...and yet he kept most important things to himself, as if telling others would be the cause of his ultimate demise.
Harry raised an eyebrow, acknowledging the comment, before turning back to the other two.
He and Draco would talk later.
"The Mediwitch approaches," Lord Brychan announced half an hour into the students' discussion. He had already been told that she was to be let into Snape's chambers, regardless as to whether she knew the password or not.
Severus gave Harry's guests a pointed look. "And that, children, is your cue to leave."
Hermione looked as though she might argue, but it was Ron who responded first. "Yes, Professor," he all-but-sneered, grabbing his girlfriend's arm. "Harry needs his rest. Can't be doing him any good, us pestering him like this."
The other Gryffindor, surprised by Ron's thoughtful demeanour, was forced to agree.
"Well done, Weasley." Draco added, making his way back into the living room. "Granger's clearly trained you well."
Only Severus caught the blond's grin as the other two gave chase, intent on hexing him well into the next week.
He almost grinned himself. A Malfoy befriending a Weasley. It obviously hadn't been intentional. More than likely, it was the effects of a wicked plan to destroy the Golden Trio gone horribly wrong, and he hadn't noticed until it was far too late.
No, that was rather far-fetched. Even in the world of witchcraft and wizardry.
In actuality, he probably just wanted to bed Ginevra.
That, naturally, made far more sense.
"Shall I send her through, Sir?" Lord Brychan cut into his musings.
He glanced at the Monet from which the portrait was speaking. "Madame Pomfrey?" He queried, then mentally slapped himself. "Of course."
When he turned back, he found that Harry was grinning at him.
"Wipe that look from your face at once."
This only caused the boy to laugh.
"Oh, Merlin," Harry winced through his chuckles, clutching at his belly, "Oh, you're so cute when you're cranky!"
There it was again! That damnable 'c' word! Severus scowled. Of course, that only served to make Potter's eyes twinkle merrily.
He tried to make excuses for the boy; perhaps the potions were still in his bloodstream? Perhaps one of his 'friends' had slipped him a Zonkos or Weasley product? Perhaps Malfoy had hexed him?
Somehow, nothing seemed plausible.
"I will not allow you to speak to me in that manner."
Harry took one look at the man's frown, the half-pout of his thin lips, and his folded arms...and giggled again.
"I'm sorry," he tried, biting his lip, "But I can't help it...I can't help how I feel...How you make me feel..."
Severus felt even more awkward to hear Poppy interrupting.
"Now, now, Harry, dear...You're bound to be feeling a little -How shall I say it?- excitable for the next few days as your hormone and testosterone levels even out again..."
Harry and Severus groaned in perfect unison. Harry because he hated feeling so...frustrated, and Severus because he knew that the boy's recent display was only the beginning...and he'd volunteered to share his living quarters!
Madame Pomfrey sent them each sympathetic glances, which did nothing to ease either man's situation.
"Let's get a good look at the poppet, then." The Mediwitch said, moving towards the infant. To Severus' extreme displeasure she cooed at her. "Aren't you just a precious bundle?" She asked, making that wretched 'baby voice'.
"She may be a Snape, and thus possesses a superior intellect to most, but I doubt she can understand your foolish ramblings."
Poppy shot him another glance, this time hostile. "Really, Severus!" She admonished, cradling the baby against her chest. "Your ignorance amazes me!"
"Just do your bloody job, woman. I'm in no mood to be insulted today."
Again, he was vaguely aware of Potter's stupid grin, but chose (rather wisely, in fact) to ignore it.
Poppy 'harrumphed', and waved her wand over the child, smiling faintly at the information that formed on her clipboard, which hovered in the air beside her.
"And now, Harry, your turn."
She shifted the wand to her other patient, and repeated the process.
"Good," she muttered. "Very good."
Severus, who was now quite keen to evict the woman from his chambers, nodded. "I take it all is in order?" It was spoken as a statement; one which did not require a response.
However, Poppy had other plans in mind. "Yes, Severus. All but one vital piece of information."
To say that his patience was wearing thin would be understating the issue. He glowered at the woman and asked, through clenched teeth, "And what might that be?"
Poppy looked back at him, smiling in that infuriating way of hers. "Her name, Severus. The documents cannot appear in the registry without it."
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he turned to the younger wizard. "Go on, then."
"Are you sure?" Harry radiated excitement. This would make it all official. Once he told Madame Pomfrey, the birth certificate would appear in the Ministry, and there would be no going back.
Severus softened his expression and nodded.
Glowing with excitement, Harry turned his attention back to the Mediwitch.
"Charlotte." He said, voice wavering slightly. "Charlotte Maria Snape."
-?-
Needless to say, once the birth certificate appeared deep in the bowels of the Ministry, Charlotte's name and date of birth (December 16, 1997) formed in slinky green calligraphy on the school's enrolment list, and a manipulative old wizard was waiting for it.
"Ahh," He said, peering down at the magical parchment, "Charlotte." He leant back in his seat and gazed out the window. "A fine choice, my boys. Very fine indeed."
An owl, dark as a raven, flew to his window. He'd been expecting him.
"Ah, Demetrius, I already know the news...And it appears-" he rose to his feet, "-that I must now go and greet Hogwarts' new arrival."
Demetrius eyed him in a manner almost identical to his owner, the Potions Master.
"Do not fret, my friend. Your family remains safe with me."
The bird didn't look convinced, and flew to Dumbledore's shoulder. He sensed a conflict of interests, and was bound to protect his masters and their young.
-?-
Harry and Severus sat on the bed, cradling their daughter between them. At a glance, anyone would assume that they were hopelessly in love and enjoying the moment of domestic bliss. But a closer look revealed the truth; they were horribly attracted to one another, and were sharing the moment awkwardly. Harry's hormones were wreaking havoc with his reaction to Severus' touch and scent, and Severus...Well, the poor man was scared witless by his new emotions towards both Harry and their child.
"Severus..."
The man in question sighed. He didn't want to discuss the possibility of a relationship. Not until he had at least addressed his emotions first. "Potter?"
"I...I want..."
"I know what you want, boy. You heard Madame Pomfrey. The issue will fix itself within a few-"
"No!" Harry's cheeks were scarlet. "No...I want-"
"Sirs, the Headmaster has arrived."
Thank Merlin! Severus looked at the portrait. "Thank you, Lord Brychan. Send him in. We'll meet in the lounge." Without waiting to hear Harry speak again, he gently placed the baby completely in her other father's arms and exited the room.
-?-
"Ah, Severus, congratulations my boy!" The old wizard's eyes twinkled merrily. "And such a beautiful name..."
"You've kept your eye on the book." Severus' tone relayed his utter lack of surprise.
Albus nodded, "That I have."
Demetrius flew across to his master's shoulder, where he trained his gaze onto the Headmaster.
Severus was not concerned about the other wizard's choice to not comment on the lineage of Harry's child. After all, he'd probably been snooping about many months beforehand. He remained silent, patiently waiting for the older man to ask the inevitable question.
"May I see her?"
Right on cue, Snape thought scornfully.
Knowing that Harry was wide awake -and most likely incredibly agitated- Severus feigned a thoughtful pose. "I will check on Potter," he eventually replied, deliberately taking his time. "He may not be feeling up to taking visitors just yet." It was a damn lie, and both men knew it, but Albus was on Severus' turf, and the younger wizard silently dared him to challenge his authority.
The Headmaster merely nodded and offered an empathetic smile. "Naturally."
With a nod of his own, Severus turned and stalked out of the room and back towards his newfound family.
Harry half-smiled as he entered the bedroom. "Has he left yet?"
"Of course not. He'd like to meet our daughter." Though the words were uttered in derision, Severus couldn't help but feel tongue-tied at the last two. It was surreal. She was his. His and Harry's.
Theirs.
James Potter would be turning in his grave.
The thought brought a smirk to his lips.
There were some positives -other than the infant herself - after all.
Snape shook the thoughts from his head; Harry was speaking. "And he hasn't barged in yet because…?"
"Because he knows that if he even attempts it, he will be evicted from my quarters and will have lost his award-winning Potions professor."
Harry's eyes widened. "Award-winning?"
Allowing the ghost of a smile to fleet across his face, Severus nodded. "That is a conversation best left to another time."
"Alright..." Harry sounded dejected. He waited a beat. "Are you going to get him so we can get this over and done with?"
"If I must."
Harry hid a smirk; Severus could really act like a petulant child sometimes. "I'll make up something to get rid of him as soon as possible." He assured the older man. "After all, I really do need my sleep."
Severus nodded, his eyes gleaming with unspoken mirth. "Indeed..."
-?-
A week or so later found Harry attempting to settle into his new room in Severus' quarters. He'd decorated it himself, choosing to model it on the one in which he'd stayed at Snape Manor; a fact that did not go unnoticed by Snape himself. But, despite the warm and inviting nature of the decor, Harry could not help but feel uncomfortable and out of place. And the fact that his hormones were out of control wasn't exactly helping either.
He sighed to himself and slumped into the nearest armchair.
Everything had been going so well. When did it all change?
A knock at the door interrupted his musings. "It's open," he called, "Come in."
"Potter," Draco's head emerged from behind the door, shortly followed by the rest of his body. "Severus said you were hiding in here..."
The Gryffindor frowned. "I am not hiding." He crossed his arms and stared defiantly. "What do you want, anyway?"
"Thought you might like some company..." Draco replied, easily ignoring the other boy's tone. He turned away, "But, if you'd rather sit here all alone..."
Harry sighed. "Stay." The blond smirked and dropped down onto the bed. Harry eyed him wearily. It still made no sense. Why would the Slytherin want to befriend him? Still, it felt good to have someone else to talk to... "Why are you still here?" He eventually asked. "In the castle, I mean. I'd have thought you'd be spending your hols in a chateau somewhere or something to that effect."
"It, er, gets rather lonely at the manor..." Draco looked away. "Severus suggested that I remain here for the break..."
"Fair enough."
Their eyes met and Harry searched Draco's for the slightest trace of malice. Not surprisingly, he found none. It had been that way for months now, and even Ron had commented on the change in his personality...though he maintained that Draco must have an ulterior motive for it.
"I don't envy you." The words escaped Harry's mouth before he could think. Draco arched an eyebrow in true Slytherin fashion. Harry blushed. "I mean, you used to have the life I wanted, but now..." He trailed off. That hadn't sounded right. "You knew your parents. You were happy. I envied that. But now...Now I think I'm the lucky one because I didn't get the chance to get attached to my mum and dad, so I didn't feel the loss like you..."
The blond quirked his lips. "My parents aren't dead; they're empty shells, rotting in Azkaban."
Harry rolled his eyes. "They might as well be dead, though. Once kissed…" He trailed off, not wanting to upset Draco. "I just…You must have felt some sense of loss...and, no matter what they were like, it was obvious that you had a good relationship with them…"
"Pfft. My father tried to have me branded." The Slytherin boy scowled, subconsciously rubbing his left forearm. "A real Malfoy bows to no-one."
"Oh…" Harry didn't know how to respond. "I didn't know…"
Draco waved the comment away. "Don't bother. You weren't expected to know." He smiled slightly. "If you recall, you and I weren't exactly best of friends."
"Yes, well, that's changing, isn't it?"
Storm-cloud eyes widened in surprise, and Draco opened his mouth to reply, but found no words existed that might express an appropriate response. So he did the only thing he could think to do - he simply nodded, dumbfounded that Harry thought of him as a friend, especially after everything that he'd done over time.
Harry, feeling awkward after the clumsy comment, prepared to speak again, but was interrupted by the sound of his daughter's cries. He shot a look at Draco, who, by that stage, had recovered from the surprise.
"Well?" The blond asked, "Are you just going to sit there, or are you going to go to your kid?"
Harry couldn't help but grin as he left the room.
-?-
"Come on Charlie," Harry cooed a number of days later, "You know you want the bottle…"
It was well past midnight, and he was having an awful time trying to stop his daughter's screams.
"Please?"
Still she howled, and he fought the urge to do the same.
"Charlotte, baby, please…Your father needs sleep! You need sleep!"
He didn't know what her problem was. She didn't want to eat. She didn't need another change. She wasn't enjoying being held and sung to…Nothing was working, and Harry was reaching the end of his tether.
"I don't know what you want," he told her, wishing that she could somehow articulate her problem. "I've tried everything…"
"Perhaps she's ill." Severus spoke from the doorway, and Harry almost jumped out of his skin in fright.
"Don't DO that!" He said, briefly clutching his chest with one hand. "You scared the living daylights out of me!"
The older man smiled tiredly and strode forward. "I didn't do it intentionally, I assure you."
"No, I don't suppose you did." Harry looked back at the screaming infant in his arms. "I doubt there was any chance of me hearing you approach over this racket."
"Indeed."
"I'm sorry we woke you."
Severus reached forward and took the baby into his own arms, so to give Harry a break. "Don't be stupid, Harry. It's not as if she's solely your responsibility." He ushered the younger man to the couch and sat him down. "We're doing this together, if you'll recall."
With a sigh, Harry nodded. "Yeah, I know…It's just…We're invading your space…You had to put up with me while my hormones were out of whack and now-"
"You forget, Potter, that it was ultimately my choice to share my quarters. You are not invading. It is our space now."
Harry couldn't help but beam at those words. They truly had become a family…albeit a dysfunctional one. "Thank you, Severus."
The older wizard nodded, before turning his attention back to their daughter. "Perhaps she is ill…"
Harry was immediately concerned. "She doesn't have a fever…"
"No," Severus agreed, feeling her skin tenderly, "However, it might be an internal problem…"
"Should we get Poppy?"
The Potions master paused to consider the suggestion. "Perhaps…" He stood and paced the room, patting Charlotte's back and jiggling softly. "Shh, little one…"
Harry settled back and watched the intimate display in silence. He'd not yet seen Severus interact like this with their daughter, despite the fact that he knew how much the man adored her. Severus continued to pace and bounce, muttering reassurances every so often. He was clearly not disturbed by the continued wails, and, instead, seemed to possess an infinite patience for the cries.
"Should I firecall Poppy?" Harry eventually asked, hating to break the connection between father and child.
Severus spun around and opened his mouth to reply, but was prevented from doing so, as the baby chose that very moment to throw up all over his dressing gown. Rather than exploding in rage, Severus rubbed her back and murmured to her in the most soothing manner Harry had ever heard. She began to calm down almost instantly.
Turning to the younger wizard, Severus offered another tired smile. "I don't think that will be necessary, Harry. I believe the problem has solved itself."
Harry smiled back, relieved that his daughter was fine and that silence was returning to the room. "Good." He said, getting up from the couch, his eyes never leaving the older man's. "Good."
-?-
Harry woke up later that morning in Severus' bed, with the man's arm wrapped soundly around his body. They were both clothed entirely, which was not a surprise as he remembered the previous night rather well (where he had pathetically followed the older man, begging to share the bed for a sense of comfort and company), but he had unfortunately developed a rather…hard… problem that needed to be dealt with. Preferably before Severus woke up and regretted sharing his bed.
He tried to pull away, but found that moving only caused Severus to stir. He was a light sleeper, it appeared.
Damn it!
Harry would have to stay as still as possible and think highly un-arousing thoughts.
Dumbledore, he thought, Dumbledore naked. It was vile, but that was what he was aiming for. Poppy! Poppy naked! He shuddered and Severus moved so that his arm was now low on his abdomen. Just a little closer and…NO! Suddenly Harry was hard again. So very hard. Dumbledore, he tried to think, but the only images coming to him were of the impostor Severus, naked and writhing over him…Oh, shit, bugger, fuck, wank, arse, head and hell! Now it ached with need. Stupid vivid imagination.
He couldn't help but squirm.
"Damn it, Potter, can't you stay still?"
Severus was awake. Harry blushed. "Sorry," he said, turning to face the other man. It was a mistake, as they came nose to nose and Harry immediately remembered the kiss…the tongue, cool and soft…the way Severus tasted…and he moaned. Low and quietly, yes, but he'd still moaned, and his problem had, if it was possible, gotten worse.
Not surprisingly, Severus had caught the sound, though to his ears it sounded as though Harry was in pain. Concern filled his gaze.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Harry's face was now bright red. "No…not hurt…"
"Then why-" Severus took in the guilty look in the younger man's eyes and then made the connection. "Oh, bloody hell, Potter!" He exclaimed, then regretted the words at the wounded look on Harry's face. He hastily added; "Don't frighten me like that! I thought you were in pain!"
"Well, I'm not exactly comfortable…" Harry couldn't believe he was actually having this conversation, but he couldn't stop the words from forming on his lips. "I mean, I was fine…kind of…until I looked at you…Merlin, that sounds cheesy…but it's just…You're so fucking attractive and I remembered the way your lips felt against mine…and how perfect you've been through everything lately…and how sweet you were by sharing your bed last night, rather than turning me away…"
Severus listened to Harry babble, and watched the way the blush deepened with every sentence, and, instead of being irritated, Severus found that he found it attractive. He'd come to terms with his feelings towards the younger man many days earlier (though he hadn't found the right moment to admit it openly), but he was now feeling severely attracted to him…and was getting slightly hard himself, watching those lips moving, tempting him more than anything had done in a long time.
Yes, he knew the drawbacks to a relationship with Harry. Yes, he knew that there was so much against them…but it no longer bothered him. They were war heroes, for Merlin's sake! Society would just have to learn to shut up and keep their opinions to themselves.
Harry was still babbling. "…And…well…we're a family now, Severus…It was so obvious last night that we are…and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be with you -the real you…I just…I want you…you know that…I don't want to make you uncomfortable…so I'll leave…Just, turn around, would you?"
Severus, by this stage, was looking at him like a predator, but Harry hadn't noticed.
"Potter," He began, leaning forward, "Shut up." And with that he lunged forward and captured Harry's lips with his own.
Harry was surprised, but responded to the kiss with a natural fervour. He whimpered as Severus pulled away to look him in the eye.
"Potter...Harry...Are you very sure that this is what you want? That I am what you want?" Harry nodded and Severus offered him a small smile. "Because, once we've begun, I do not take well to giving up or sharing my partner."
Harry felt his heart leap into his throat. "You know that's not an option for me, Severus." In a bold move, he grabbed the man's hand and placed it over his aching erection. "This is what you do to me. What only you can do to me." He swallowed, and gave a cheeky grin. "I love you, sir."
Severus grinned wickedly in response and kissed Harry hungrily; his hand massaging Harry's stiff member through the material of the younger man's pyjama pants.
Harry moaned and leant further into the contact. It was so good. He gasped as Severus pulled his pants down and continued his previous ministrations.
The touch was familiar, but there was an element of experience behind the real Severus' hands that Draco-Severus hadn't possessed.
Severus' kisses stopped and Harry opened his mouth to protest but his sounds of protest became a moan of approval as Severus took his weeping member in his mouth.
Harry soon discovered that Severus' tongue was capable of many wicked things, as were his lips and fingers.
A raw, familiar tension was building up within him, and he knew that it wouldn't be too long until it all became too much.
Then the pressure was there and he knew the moment was upon him.
"Oh, Merlin..." He panted, attempting to warn the older man, who no doubt knew what was about to happen anyway. "Fuck, I can't last any longer...Sever-" The last of the sentence was replaced by a loud exclamation as he came.
Severus, smirking smugly, moved back up to Harry's side and kissed him soundly. Harry could taste himself on Severus' lips and tongue, but it didn't bother him...especially not now that his wildest dreams were being fulfilled. He continued the kiss and moved his hand to Severus' erection, half expecting the instruction to stop immediately. But that never came and he picked up the pace in excitement.
Harry looked to Severus as his hand made its way to the warm flesh beneath the man's underwear, and smiled upon finding the older man's eyes closed in enjoyment and, ultimately, trust.
"Get on with it, Potter." Severus smirked. "You can admire me all you like once you've finished the job."
Beaming, Harry complied, and lowered his lips to the tip of Snape's erection. "Yes, Professor," he whispered, before getting back on task.
Severus Snape, he soon found, was much easier to please in he bedroom than in the classroom.
-?-
"Severus?"
"Hmm?"
"I…" A sigh. "Never mind."
Papers rustled. "What is it, boy?"
"I…Er…I want to talk about earlier…"
Another sigh; this time from the opposite side of the room, as Severus shifted in his seat to face his new-found lover. Surely the boy wasn't regretting it already… "I thought I'd made everything perfectly clear."
Despite himself, Harry grinned. "You did...But I…I just want to make sure you're sure it's what you want…Because, if it's not, tell me now and I'll…well…I'll try to come to terms with it."
"Foolish brat," The Head of Slytherin replied, shaking his head affectionately. "If I wasn't absolutely certain, I wouldn't have started it, would I?" Merlin, he sounded like a teenager! All this time spent with Potter was rubbing off on him, and he wasn't entirely sure it was a good thing.
The younger wizard hesitated, as if considering the logic behind the statement. "Well, I s'pose…But…I just…" He threw his free hand into the air, as his other was cradling their daughter. "I'm just cautious, is all." He tilted his head to the side and gave a half-hearted pout. "Do you really blame me? After all we've put each other through over the years?"
This time it was Snape's turn to consider the statement. "No…" He eventually replied. "I can imagine you're feeling rather…surprised…by my swift change of heart."
Harry shifted Charlotte into his other arm and offered his partner (But, Gods above, didn't it feel odd to think of Severus in that light!) a small smile. "Yes…Very surprised, actually…And I don't need to know why you changed your mind about us either…but I just needed to make sure it was real…That this morning wasn't some sort of elaborate wet dream or anything like that…"
Fighting the urge to chuckle, Severus nodded. "I assure you that this is all perfectly real, Potter. We are, as you've said, a family now. In every sense of the word." He offered a ghost of a smile at the glow of happiness his comment produced from his young lover. "However," his tone was intentionally stern, and he smirked as Harry's joyful expression faltered, "Our sexual relationship must be put on hold until once you've graduated. For a large number of moral reasons, you understand."
Harry, who had been looking forward to many more mind-numbing sexual encounters, pouted again. But he knew Snape was right. Despite the fact that everyone would assume they were sexually active (with their daughter as living proof), Harry knew that it would feel like a moral victory, and their true friends would believe and support them through whatever life through at them in the meantime.
And, besides, he could always take care of himself until he'd graduated…
Eventually he nodded in agreement. "Yeah…It'd be the right thing to do, wouldn't it?"
Severus nodded, then turned back to his marking, leaving Harry to contemplate over mental images of family life and domestic bliss.
-?-
The next morning, Harry and Severus' breakfast was interrupted by Lord Brychan's announcement that Draco was outside and demanding to be let in.
Harry chose to meet him in the living room, leaving Severus to dine in peace.
"Good Morning," Harry said, forcefully bright. "What do you want?"
Draco rolled his eyes and thrust the morning's Prophet into Harry's grasp. "Front page. Thought you might like a little bit of warning before the howlers arrive."
Harry stared down at the headline.
ABOMINATION IN HOGWARTS: Love Child Born To Potter and Snape
"Fuck."
Draco quirked an eyebrow. "Need I say it?"
"Oh, sod off…" Harry waved him away and collapsed into the nearest seat. "This is terrible…Awful…Horrendous…" He looked up into the blond's eyes. "Really, really bad!"
Shaking his head, Draco dropped onto the seat next to him and patted his shoulder in sympathy. "Come on, Potter. Get it together. You knew this'd happen eventually."
"Yeah, well, I didn't think it'd be before term started!"
By this stage, Severus had finished his breakfast and made his way into the room. He looked between the two young men and asked the obvious question; "Is everything quite alright?"
Without thinking, Harry was out of his seat and in Severus' arms within moments, the paper discarded in his vacated seat. "Oh, what are we going to do?" He murmured into the older man's robes, seeking comfort in the awkward embrace.
Feeling uncomfortable, Severus glanced across at Draco. "And what, precisely, is the cause of…this?" He motioned to the shaking wreck that was Harry.
The younger Slytherin sighed and gestured to the paper, which had opened –upon falling- to an advertisement that read, 'Unhappy in Love? Worried that Mr/Mrs Right is morphing Mr/Mrs Wrong? Afraid that you might just need to turn your partner back into a frog? Mistress Martha has just the solution! Firecall 372 Intern Alley for more information…'
Snape arched an eyebrow.
"No, you git, the front page!" Draco sighed in exasperation, retrieving the discarded paper and thrusting the cover forward. "Don't you read the news?"
"The Daily Prophet," Severus sneered, eyeing the headline and accompanying photograph of the school with distaste, "Is hardly first-class journalism." He sighed. Still, it was one of the Wizarding world's more popular publications, though Merlin only knew why. "And yet, I can see the dilemma."
"Well there's a start."
Snape shot Slytherin's star pupil a withering glare. "Need I remind you, Mr. Malfoy, that I am still your teacher and Head of House, despite the holidays?"
"No, sir." Draco looked purposefully towards Harry, his eyes begging the question as to where the Golden Boy stood in the grand scheme of things.
Severus ignored him. "As to our current quandary," he led Harry to the nearest seat, "we knew this day would arrive, and we will continue to deal with it as we originally planned." He titled Harry's head so that the tearful green eyes met his own. "Is that quite clear, Potter?"
The Gryffindor nodded, though his lower lip quivered. He wasn't prepared yet! It was too soon!
"Potter," Severus tried, softening his tone. "Harry…"
Harry swallowed and titled his head to the side, afraid that if he spoke he'd cry.
"It will sort itself out." Severus wished he could believe his own assurances. "We simply must remain strong in the face of it. I'm not promising that it will be easy, far from it to be sure, however, as with children…and wild dogs, any sense of weakness will bring far worse upon us."
"I know…I just…I thought we'd have 'til beginning of term to prepare ourselves…You know, psych ourselves up, or something?"
Here the older wizard shook his head. "This is not a Quidditch match, Potter. This is real life. You can't train…you take it as it comes." He fought a wince as the words left his mouth. What a bloody cliché! However, this seemed to shut the young man up, and thus Severus was pleased. He was not one for teenage angst…or any angst for that matter. No, instead he took everything in his stride. After all, he was a Snape, and Snapes did not whine.
Much.
-?-
For the next few days, Howlers and journalists haunted their every moment. The castle's wards were strengthened and Howlers were sent back (via a handy bit of magic from Dumbledore) to whence they came. Still, a few of each made their way through the barriers, and had to be dealt with on site, which was never pleasing or tidy.
On the sixth day Harry had had enough. "That's it!" He exclaimed, exploding yet another miscreant howler before it could upset Charlotte, "I've had it! I'll do an interview with bloody Skeeter for the Quibbler again, telling the truth…or near enough to it, at any rate!"
Severus looked at him in mild surprise. "Do you think that wise, Potter? Admitting to theft, impersonation, fraud and illegal conception may, unsurprisingly, cause yet another media backlash."
Harry paused to consider it for only a moment before another Howler found its way in, attached to the claws of a common post-owl. He shot a spell at it before it could open its flap, then turned, red-faced, to his partner. "Yes, actually, I do think it's a good move." He folded his arms over his chest. "Let me clear your name at least. You deserve that much."
"Potter," Snape warned, shifting Charlotte in his arms, "What I deserve is none of your concern."
"That's absolute shit, Sev, and you know it!"
The older wizard narrowed his gaze. "Do not call me by that name!"
Harry blushed, "Sorry…" He waited a beat. "But still, I want to give my version of the bloody story-"
"Which sounds more farfetched than the rumours they are spreading!"
The Gryffindor planted his hands on his hips. "I don't really care. I'm doing it. End of story."
Snape rolled his eyes, and set his attention back on his daughter. "Your father is a true Gryffindor." He told her matter-of-factly. "Do not, and I repeat not, grow up like him, or I fear it will drive me completely mad."
She gave him a wide, toothless grin and burbled.
"Yes, you're quite right," he said, leaning down conspiratorially, "I already am."
-?-
And so it was that, a few days later, Harry was sitting across from Rita Skeeter in Hogwarts' Great Hall. She was, once again, without her evil quill and under strict instructions to only publish Harry's account as told to her, and not any drivel of her own imagination.
"…And that's about it, really." Harry concluded, sending Rita a dazzling smile. (Hell, it wouldn't do him any harm, would it?)
She nodded, and finished her notes. "Thank you, Mr. Potter," She replied, smiling back at him. This exclusive meant big money to her, and for that she was grateful. "It was a pleasure to work with you again." Oddly enough, she was being completely honest.
The Gryffindor grinned. "Yeah, you too, actually."
They stood in awkward silence for a minute, before Harry spoke again. "You know…" he began, shuffling his feet in mock embarrassment, "It wouldn't hurt if you edited it just a little, to, you know, inspire sympathy or something? Make them all feel guilty for judging us without knowing the truth?"
Skeeter smirked wickedly, delighted to be allowed some creative input after all. She would not abuse his trust. Not this time, at any rate.
A/N- Right, before anyone comments on Severus' assumption that Draco has set his sights on Ginny despite his knowledge of Draco's preference in men, I'll argue that bisexuality is probably a common occurrence in my interpretation of the Wizarding world, as it is possible to produce offspring either way. LOL. This is just another way of getting out of a plot hole, but I have actually alluded to Malfoy's bisexuality in previous chapters, so technically there was never a plot hole to cover.
And on that note, please review!