"Well, what do you expect me to do, toss myself into a Fairy Circle and call out "Supper'?"
"No one would want to consume such a scrawny morsel as you!"
"Bat!"
"Mutt!"
The arguments were getting worse. Only two days after their surprise was revealed to them by their daughter, Severus and Hermione were bombarded by horrid nightmares, seemingly sent by the Fey.
They had called together the Heather Army, and had been in discussion for nine long hours now: emotions were riding high, as the stressed parents were beginning to snap at all and sundry.
"Children, calm yourselves!," Minerva shouted, glaring at her former students.
"I will say this one time only," she said sternly.
She glared at the men who had been in the middle of a heated argument. Hermione was sitting near Severus, trying to hold back tears, and a very pregnant Sonorous had been trying, ineffectually, to separate the two men. Harry and Ron had been taking bets with George, Fred, and Remus, while the rest of the group, and the Pookas, cowered at the excessive emotions of the two men or sat waiting patiently for the fight to be over.
"We are a family: we may disagree, but shouting at one another is not only hurtful, but counter to working together. Now, Sirius has explained why their searching has come up with nothing - the information simply does not seem to exist - and Severus; we understand why you cannot leave the castle: it is simply too dangerous to Amethyste for you to do so."
She looked at the calming men with a wan smile.
"We will get through this - all of us, together - and there will be rejoicing for all involved. Until then: work within your restrictions as far as you are able."
"Now - Hermione, you had something to add?" said the Headmistress with a twinkle in her eye.
Egad, she looks just like Albus! thought Hermione.
She wiped her tears, and stood on shaking legs.
"We received some amazing news the other day - from our daughter, no less: we're pregnant!"
Shouts of congratulations range throughout the room, and the Snapes were enveloped by well wishes.
Sonorous struggled to speak above the din.
"You say Amey told you?"
"Yes - that, and the dreams," she shared a tired look with Severus, "are the reason we asked you to gather with us at this time."
"We feel that they have found us, though they cannot yet get to us, due to Amethyste's growing powers." Severus suddenly collapsed into his chair, and deep, quiet sobs wracked his body.
"Darling...?" Hermione rubbed his back, unsure of what to do. She had never seen him like this - had anyone? - and she was at a loss.
"Damn me!," Severus shouted, his face a study in pain. "I can't even protect my own wife and child! How can I possibly protect another?"
A hand reached for his shoulder, and Hermione looked up in surprise at her brother-in-law.
"Snape, old man, these past years have been trying for you - not least that you can't go out and spy like the sneaky Slytherin we all know and love." He grinned rakishly as small chuckles were heard throughout the Hall.
"But you've had to be strong for your wife and child - and now, a new one on the way! - with nothing to do but sit and wait for the evil to come to you. That's more than enough to break any man. Know... that your burden is shared."
"Even if you are a git."
"Watch your tongue, dog," growled Severus, but they knew his melancholy had been broken, and as he stood, he embraced his long-time rival in a rough hug.
"Thank you, Sirius," he said quietly, and with that, they turned once again to the discussion at hand:
How did they stop the Fair Folk from getting what they wanted?