Disclaimer: Not mine.
The Uninvited
Chapter 22
Severus had told Abigail that he would return the next day to collect her and he had spent most of the night readying her chambers. He dreaded the meeting with Albus he knew he must have. Severus wanted to be selfish. He wanted to spend his evening getting ready for her to come to him, to ready a room for the child, which she had referred to as a she.
She could not have cast the paternity spell without a wand, he thought. Knowing he wouldn't want it done. He wanted it to be his, he wanted and needed her and it, to be his.
He found he did not care if it was a boy or a girl, the saying it does not matter as long as it is healthy ran through his mind. He, Severus Snape, was to be a father.
He wanted to forget Albus, to forget what they had discussed after his meeting with Narcissa. He wanted to recant the oath he had given the old man and the one he had sworn for Draco. The end was coming quickly he could feel it and he knew the final battle would soon take place.
He still figured that he would die with Lucius in the last stages of the battle. As the Dark Lord became aware of their duplicity, he would extract a quick revenge. For now, all Severus wanted was to see his witch and child alive and safe here with him. He wanted to see her with the child at her breast, drinking of her. He wanted to hold them in his arms. Just once, he wanted what other wizards seemed to take for granted.
Unable to sleep that night, he paced and worried about Abigail and the meeting he would soon have with Albus. The Headmaster, although kind and at times fatherly would not take the news that he had impregnated the witch kindly. They both knew what would happen in a few months time.
He took a quick shower, gulped back a cup of tea, and headed up to see Albus.
Albus watched the Professor enter his office. He had not expected to see him this morning, but smiled widely when he came to his desk and took his accustomed chair. Reaching into his desk drawer and pulling out an extra cup, he then poured Severus' tea and pushed it over to him.
"Severus, still not a morning person I see." He peered over his spectacles at his scowl. "I see you have something on your mind. It seems that the only time I am graced with your presence so early, is due to a problem."
"I do not consider this a problem Albus." Severus stared looking directly into Albus' eyes. "I will be collecting Abigail today. She is to live in the dungeons."
Albus raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had not expected Abigail to agree to return, nor was he aware that Severus had talked to her.
"What has changed, my boy?"
"She is with child." Severus saw Albus try not to wince. "She should not have a child in that place, alone with no family, no loved ones near."
"When is the child due?" Albus was frowning.
"In eight weeks," Severus said flatly, and then in answer to the unasked question. "I would assume she conceived the last time we were together."
"How do you feel about this, Severus?" Albus said with all humour gone from his voice.
"I only heard of it yesterday. I care for her Albus, if that is what you are asking. I will take full responsibility for the child."
"Is that all young man?" Albus asked impatiently. "You care for her? You take responsibility?"
"That is all I can promise at this time." Severus rose to his feet. "Until this war is over, until she is no longer wanted as the Dark Lords concubine, what do you expect?"
"What does she have to say about this?" Albus demanded. "Does care and responsibility come into her vocabulary as well?"
"Albus, if I could do this over perhaps I would do it differently from the beginning." Severus raked his hand though his hair. "Albus, let it be."
"Severus, we have discussed the possible outcomes of the final battle," Albus talked sternly. "If our worse fears come true, who will watch over her? Who will take in a witch with your illegitimate child? You know how she will be treated."
"You know I have no other heirs, she will be well taken care of," Severus said angrily.
"I was not speaking of mere financial support."
"Neither am I old man," he raged. "I want this. I want this old man and you will not stop me. I have taken enough oaths to give my entire life to your cause. I have given you my soul. Do not interfere now, not now when only a few months separate me from death."
"Do not hurt her more any more than you already have Severus," Albus stood and leaned over the desk. "Hear my warning Professor Snape. You may as well have signed her death warrant. Use the remaining time we both may have to set your affairs in order."
Severus was furious. He knew he was to blame for the situation, but for Albus to insinuate that they would not be cared for in case of his death was outrageous. He fled to his chambers, needing a drink.
Severus had vaults in Gringotts that held his salary for the past seventeen odd years. Living at Hogwarts, he had spent very little and the amount was sizeable. He had Spinners End. It was a small house in a run down and poor area, but it would offer seclusion, a place to hide. His books alone would fetch a pretty price. Her books, however, were worth more the Malfoy fortune. He knew he did not have to worry about their support.
Then, he remembered Lenny standing smacking his head on the wall because a whore was the only person to help buy a mere dress. Albus was right. She would be an outcast. He smirked at the thought of her being one of the richest outcasts the Wizard world had ever seen.
Severus called Lenny and together they made the trip to the Reyes. Severus gave orders to Lenny to start transporting the books to his quarters at Hogwarts. As he strode into the sitting room, he heard Abigail in the bathroom retching. He stood at the doorway watching her, then stepping in he ran two flannels under cool water and kneeling down he put one on the back of her neck, and leaned to wipe her face with the other. He was startled to see a small amount of blood come away on the cloth as he wiped her mouth. When he determined she was done, he lifted her up gently, noticing how pale she was, how cool her skin, and how sweat beaded on her forehead.
He led her to the sofa and transfigured a footstool for her. Tenderly putting her feet on it, he looked down scowling at her.
"How long has this been going on?" he asked sternly.
"I told you, I do this every day. It passes quickly. Really, it is just after I eat."
"Morning sickness should be over by now," he frowned at her. Although he had taken her, he had not seen her completely naked yesterday, he was so mesmerized by her belly, her breasts and they way she had accepted him, he had not even removed the blanket from her shoulders when he had taken her.
He pulled her forward and began undoing the buttons on her back.
"Severus, I need a moment to rest." she sighed sadly, "Is that all you ever want?"
"Quiet Witch, I need to see your body," he sneered.
"Well, you could be a little more romantic about it." She struggled against him.
"Witch, I am seeing how much weight you have gained," he snipped, still trying to remove her clothes.
"Why, do you think I am hiding something other then a baby the size of a cow in here?"
Finally, he took out his wand, and rid her of her clothing.
"Now sit still!" he yelled at her. "Bloody hell woman, it was so dark in here last night I didn't get a good look, now hold still I say."
He flicked his wand and flooded the room in light. Abigail had lived in the near dark for so long she gasped and threw her hands over her face.
He breasts and belly were all he wanted to see. Just as round and lovely as he remembered. However as he turned her from side to side he could see the out line of each rib. He leaned her forward to notice that each vertebrae on the spine was visible, he ran his hand over her collarbone wincing at the way he could see it under her flesh. Flicking his wand, he clothed her once more.
"Open your mouth." He ordered, grasping her jaw and lifting her lips with his finger, one look at her gums and the let go of her.
"Fuck!" he walked away from her, to stand by the fireplace. Leaning on the mantle with both hands, he was furious at himself for not seeing this earlier. He had been so aroused, so hard that he did not think past his cock. He grabbed the box of floo powder off the mantel and flung it into the wall.
"Abigail, what have you been eating?" he spoke looking into the fire.
"I eat what Lenny brings. I've been very careful. I sometimes can't eat everything, but I do eat Severus, I know what the baby needs. I may not be able to read, but I am not completely stupid."
"After you eat, you are as I found you this morning?"
"Well, yes. But it is not always so bad."
"Severus," she called as she started her sideways crawl up from the sofa, "some days I feel just fine."
"Some days?" he said.
"Must you do that?" she snipped at him. "Repeat every thing I say and turn it into a question?"
"I am concerned about your health," he said more gently, "and that of the baby. I am still getting used to this. I will try, but you need to be patient. I have lived alone, I think forever. When I was a boy, my parents were at odds with each other, and with me. After I started school at age 11, I never lived with a family again. I have never lived with a witch. I have never shared myself. I may need time."
"We make a fine pair don't we?" she laughed up at him.
"Yes we do," he answered, placing two fingers under her chin and lifting her face to kiss. "We most certainly do."
"Severus, I think I should stay here. If I go to Hogwarts you would be at risk as well," she said calmly, "I couldn't take it if anything happened to you and the baby."
"Abigail, I need you," he said turning away, "I have no other way to say this."
"You will take my baby from me. I know it, please don't do this," she whispered.
"I have no wish to take the child Abigail," he said not looking at her. "I only desire to share it with you. If you need an oath I will give it."
"I need the oath, Severus," she said tearfully, "I am sorry. I can't trust you Severus."
"Nor should you." he said darkly, "I have done nothing to earn it."
"I am sorry," she whispered, choking on tears. "I just need it."
"This I oath to you," he stated firmly, "this baby will be kept by your side, until such time its life may become forfeit. Do you accept this oath?"
"Forfeit? I don't understand."
"Abigail, if the only way to save the child is to rip it from you, I will do it," he spat.
"I accept the oath," she looked up at him crying. "Severus? You frighten me. Do you… will you love it?"
"I will care for it," he stated flatly, as he walked to the kitchen to find Lenny.
He was incensed that she had accepted the oath. He had offered it, but it still irked him to know she felt the need of it. When she said she didn't trust him it felt as though a knife had slipped into him. He knew in that moment that she did not really love him. He had hoped that she would come to him willingly, wanting to spend her life with him. Now he would demand it of her. If the only way he could keep her was to be callous, then he would be so.
"Lenny!" He yelled.
"Yes sir master," the elf bowed to him, appearing in an instant.
"How are the books coming?" Severus asked.
"I is moving them sir master, but so many." Lenny smiled weakly.
"Fine, we need to go now, you will take her first, and then return for me."
"Sirs? My magic is strong enough, you both come at once."
"Will your apparation hurt her or the baby?" he asked knowing that normal apparation could be dangerous at this stage of the pregnancy.
"No sir, elf's magic is protective magic. It be used to protect babies and the not your Missus." Lenny smiled.
Severus walked back into the sitting room to find Abigail lowering herself unsteadily on to the sofa.
He went to her, pulling her back up.
"We leave now, if there is anything you need Lenny will come back for it."
"Severus?" she said uneasily, "Are you sure?"
In answer, he took his hand and reached his other to Lenny. As the elf approached them, he pulled her to him, wishing it could be different.
"Lenny, we need to return to the infirmary," Severus said.
He felt Abigail pull against him as Lenny spun them toward Hogwarts. They arrived there only a moment later in a crack of thunder. The usual quiet skills of the elf thrown off by the weight he was dragging along behind him and the struggles of Abigail trying to get free.
Poppy came running at the sound and seeing Abigail she broke into a wide smile. Then as she took in the witch's condition, she stopped approaching, and frowned.
"Poppy, she is in need of medical care." Severus looked at Poppy, taken by surprise. He would not have expected anything from Poppy other than her original reaction, but her reaction to the pregnancy stunned him. He instinctively put an arm around Abigail and sneered at Poppy.
"How dare you Severus Snape," the small Medi-Witch raged. "How dare you get her in this condition and then wait until the baby is almost here to get her attention."
She wrapped both arms around the startled witch, and gave her a huge hug. Then rounding back on Severus, she gave him a look that would have sent lesser men to their graves.
"You wait in the sitting area. I need to examine her."
"I would enjoy being part of this process, I will observe," Severus said stiffly, feeling a sense of relief when he realized Poppy's stern greeting was for him and not directed at Abigail.
The small witch released Abigail long enough to shove Severus to the outer doors and sternly warn him to hold his tongue and sit. Storming back into the infirmary she threw him one more disgusted look before the door slammed behind her. She returned alone nearly an hour later. Waving her hand, she indicated for Severus to remain seated as she came over and pulled a chair to sit in front of him. She reached over and took up his hands in hers.
"Poppy?" Severus knew by the way she walked in that the examination had not gone well.
My dear, she is malnourished and dehydrated. I have given her fluids, and have instructed her and the elf, that she is to drink as much as possible. If she cannot keep it down we will have to deal with that later."
"However," she continued, "the malnourishment is far more serious. I am afraid from the looks of things this has been going on for some time. Has she been eating at all?"
"Yes," he sighed, "I gave Lenny instructions to take three trays a day to her, and tea twice a day. He was to tell me if she did not eat. The witch, however, has informed me just today that she retches with every meal she takes."
"We will have to do something about that, but at this stage of the pregnancy she should be a lot bigger."
"Bigger? Poppy she can barely move now." He huffed at Poppy's obvious lack of observation.
"No, Severus. She has lost so much weight that her stomach is out of proportion, seeming larger than it is. She can hardly move because she is weakened from lack of proper nutrition. I fear for the babies. They are small, but if they are developed that can take care of itself, but a foetus can be … a foetus deprived of nutrients may not develop correctly mentally or physically." Poppy explained biting on her lip.
"There is more," Severus said flatly.
"I am sorry son, but one of the babies has a weak heart beat." She looked at him to see if he comprehended what she was saying. "Severus, the babies can go into distress at any moment."
"Babies?" he asked. He thought that Poppy had said babies, as in the plural of baby, but he thought that he could have been wrong.
"Yes you great idiot," she smiled, "two as in babies. That is the reason she looks so big. Severus, understand it is not the weight of the babies that makes her look this way. The babies are very small, too small in fact."
"I felt it move just this morning Poppy, it felt strong." He desperately sought to have everything return to normal.
"I am not saying that the babies will not be born healthy, I am just saying that the odds of that happening are not as good as we would like them to be."
"One of the babies is in the wrong position as well. I can't tell exactly, and it may yet move, but Severus, in her condition I don't think she can have a hard delivery. There are just so many things that can go wrong with this one. She is young. There can always be more."
His eyes locked on Poppy's. He was a Potions Master; he knew that the Wizarding World lost many women in childbirth as unlike the Muggle world they were years behind in maternity health care. He knew what Poppy was telling him. He may have to make a choice. A choice Abigail would never forgive him for making.
"So," she continued slowly. "We can fix the dehydration. We can make sure she eats many smaller meals. We can build up her strength. However, Severus, this is a double-edged sword. If we build up her weight, the babies grow. One of the babies will not fit through the birth canal in its present position. If it does not turn or if the other …. if the one that is tuned comes first, it will block the second."
"What other options do we have?" he asked coldly, already distancing himself emotionally from the situation.
"The Muggles use a form of surgery. They literally cut the baby out," she saw him wince. "We cannot do that because of her magic. The mother's magic will not allow the invasion of the womb. It will fight against it."
"There are ways of stopping it, to redirect the magic," he frowned at her.
"That would be your decision then? Knowing the babies would die? To save the mother?"
"No, not yet," he looked away, feeling a stinging in his eyes. "She … she seems overly attached to them. I need to think about this."
"Understand this Severus," she continued. "If Abigail dies delivering these children, I will cut them out. I will try to save the children once I know for certain she will not make it."
Severus could hear no more, he rose to his feet and exited the infirmary. He felt bile in his throat as vomit threatened to spill from his mouth. He stopped at one of the many windows along the hallway, and leaned his hands on the sill to steady himself. He gulped air to fill his lungs and try to keep the vomit down. Then sinking to his knees, and for the first time he could remember, he cried.