Three days later the news that should have been the happiest news in his life Severus received when Poppy confirmed that Fabian was pregnant with two healthy foetuses, only days apart in age. Severus had always wanted to be a father. He should have been celebrating with his husband. Instead his husband was out, the baby was growing in someone else and he had no idea if he would have either of them ever.

The weeks passed slowly as Severus rarely left his husband's side. Remus tried to keep him company. They spoke sometimes but usually sat in silence.

Fabian came in a few weeks before the three month mark. "I think that a change of scenery is needed."

Severus looked up at the man. "I am not leaving my husband's side. I've had enough walks out in the garden."

Fabian shook his head. "I was thinking actually about Harry. I think it's perhaps time to take your husband back home."

Severus looked down at Harry. "Home? Harry has never really had a home except for Hogwarts. Even with Dumbledore ousted, it's not safe there for him."

Fabian took a seat next to Harry. "You told me that Harry was starting to feel at home in Prince Manor before you guys left for Ireland."

Severus nodded his head. "He did. I think Grimmauld will always have too many memories of Sirius who felt as a prisoner there."

Fabian placed a hand on his belly. "We'll take him to Prince Manor. He'll be more at home there when we wakes. When your child is placed in his arms as well."

Severus knew he made sense. "You're right. This has never been home. He'd be happier home in England and Prince Manor is safe. Will you come?"

Regulus answered for his husband. "We had been speaking of returning to the UK for some time. We had said Ireland but we'd like to remain close to Harry."

Severus was grateful for the men and decided that if Madam Pomfrey believed it was safe enough for Harry to travel to the UK that he'd take his husband to their home. The order worked and spent most of their time in the UK, he'd still be surrounded by those he considered his family and friends.

Madam Pomfrey as all for it. "Harry is in no physical danger any more. Familiar surroundings would help him."

Severus was relieved. "That is what his Uncles and I thought. I know he will probably not wake until after the rite is done but..."

Poppy shook her head. "Even the rite is not assured and even if it was Harry will need time to recover. Being home will put him at ease."

Fabian spoke. "And being in England myself and Harry will be closer to you. I know coming all the way to France for us is not easy with your work."

She nodded. "You know for Harry I have happily done so but you're right. It would make me taking care of Harry and your babies, much easier."

It took about a week for the preparations to be made to get Harry safely back into the UK. Though Harry was technically able to come and leave the country when he chose, there was still concerns someone might find out he was back in the country. Oddly it was Cornelius who helped arrange a portkey for them though they made sure the destination, even with the fidelius charm protecting the house, was physically placed on it by a member of their order.

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The day they were supposed to leave Severus stood in the gardens with his husband on a magical stretcher, Fabian and his husband standing beside them, prepared to leave when the portkey was ready.

Lucius and his family came up to see them off. Lucius looked down at Harry. "Take care of him. I wish we could return with you."

Severus shook his head. "He knows as I do that you'd come if you could. We both know that it's not safe in the UK for you to return."

Remus, Hagrid, Lucius and his family would come when and if needed but with both the ministry as well as their enemies against them, they put their lives at risk every time they came. Lucius and his family were considered criminals by the ministry and traitors by both Voldemort and Dumbledore.

Remus looked down at Harry. "You are too Severus but you're going. I should be there with my godson. His father and Sirius would have."

Severus placed a hand on his arm. "Neither James or Sirius would have you die for the boy. I go because he's my husband. You'll be there for the rite, and when the baby is born."

Remus knew that Severus was right but it didn't make it any easier. "You'll contact me if anything goes wrong? I want to know. I want to be with Harry."

Severus nodded. "I will." And then turning to the two Uncles. "Grab the portkey. It's about time for it to take off and we don't want you two left behind."

The others stood back as the party of four took off. Severus smiled when they appeared on the grounds of Prince Manor. He looked at the gates and the fields, remembering going riding with Harry before they had gone in search of his Uncle.

Fabian noticed the look on his face. "What were you thinking about?"

As he was leading them up the front drive to the house he pointed towards the stables. "Harry took to riding when we were here before. He loved his horse a lot."

Regulus laughed thinking of the stories he heard. "My nephew sure does seem to love to ride, broom or horse. Kind of like Sirius, if it wasn't a broom it was his motorbike."

Severus sighed. "I hope we can ride again. Quaker will be missing him. That horse had got used to having a rider again. He won't let anyone other then Harry."

They had entered the house by then and Reg laid a hand on his arm. "A few more weeks and we can perform the ceremony. Your husband will come back to you."

Severus looked at his husband. "Will he be the same though? He might come back but after all of that torture."

Fabian knew it was possible. "Look at all I have suffered. Harry is stronger then I am. With you and the baby to fight for, he'll get better. Just keep faith."



They took him up to the master bedroom and Severus had his husband settled into the bed once again. Harry looked like he was just sleeping. He wished he could lean down and kiss his husband and he'd wake up. It was perhaps the hardest part about all of this. If Harry had been sick and on machines and more, it would be easier for him to understand. He just felt helpless.

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The time started to pass a bit quicker as Severus started throwing himself into his potions lab he had there. He had no idea why he was brewing potions or what for but being in his lab had always been a way for him to get away from the world. Harry always had company but some how here it was easier for Severus to leave his side.

The greatest discomfort came in seeing Fabian. Regulus noticed after a time seeing Sev's looks. He found Severus in the stables one day. "Quaker?"

Severus nodded as he looked at the horse. "He won't even let me touch him. The house elves feed and exercise him but Harry is the only human who touches him."

Regulus came towards the horse. "You know that if you want to spend time with your husband alone, Fabian would leave his side as long as you want him too."

Severus looked over at the man. "Have I been that obvious?"

Reg shook his head. "Fabian hasn't noticed. I know it must be hard to see him carrying your baby."

Severus felt guilty. "Your husband is risking your own baby to give me and Harry a blessing and a chance. I shouldn't be having these feelings."

Regulus squeezed his shoulder. "I understand. It should be Harry or you with the baby, and it would if possible. The baby is yours and you will have her soon."

Severus looked at the man with shock in his face. "Her?"

Regulus realized he let it slip. "Poppy told us last visit. My husband is carrying two little girls."

Severus slumped down on a bale of hay. "A daughter? I'm going to have a little girl?"

Regulus sat down next to him. "We both are. Fabian thought we should wait until Harry was awake to tell you if you wanted to know. I didn't mean to let it slip."

Severus was grateful though. "Thank you for telling me."

When he returned to his husband's side that evening he looked at Fabian and for the first time since the man was impregnated with his and Harry's baby, he didn't feel any jealousy or guilt over it. He only felt happiness over the news of his daughter. A week and the other founders would come, and the ceremony performed, he would hopefully have his husband back.