Disclaimer: Not mine

The Uninvited

Chapter 23

Albus found Severus in his rooms later that evening quite drunk. The Potions Master was attempting to finish the complete bottle of Ogden's finest. He sat, his long legs extended in front of him, ankles crossed, bottle in hand, staring unseeing into the fire.

"I just left Poppy. It seems that Abigail is sleeping," Albus said to start the conversation as he sat next to Severus.

The Potion Master's only response was to tip the bottle to his mouth and take a long tug of the whiskey.

"Severus, this is not the time to lose yourself," Albus said kindly.

"As if I could," Severus spat. "Leave me to my misery old man. I am quite familiar with her. She was once the best friend I had."

"Severus, she needs you now," Albus coaxed.

"No, Albus," Severus said remorsefully, "She does not. Did you know that I had to give her an oath to get her here? One more oath to darken my soul."

"I have not asked you to give more than I am willing to give." Albus said peering over his spectacles.

"You have asked for my soul. I gave it willingly, or what little there is left. I have nothing more to give."

"Severus, she does not want you to give anything, she needs you to take what she offers."

"I have taken too much." Severus finished the bottle, and reached to the floor to pick up another. "I am tired old man. I am tired onto death."

"Severus," the old man shook his head.

"The final battle needs to come quickly," Severus laid his head back on the sofa. "I need this to be over. I can no longer close my mind. If he sees…"

"You must remain strong," Albus said gently.

"You ask too much of me," Severus opened the bottle, raised his head and drank deeply. "Now leave me to this beautifully bottled woman. She seems to be the only one I can truly hold on to."

Albus sighed and stood. He watched Severus for a few moments, then turned and walked slowly to his own chambers. He thought he might have gone too far this time, extracted too much. He feared for Severus.

Severus had made his decision. He drank to forget it, but the full impact of what he knew he had to do, to Albus and to his witch, ate at him. He drank half of the second bottle before passing out where he sat. In the morning, it took two full vials of Hangover Potion for him to feel normal. He added a vial of pepper up, and calming potion and called it breakfast. Feeling better, he headed to the shower taking a raging headache with him.

After dressing for the day, he went into the storage room he had added on to Abigail chambers to hold the books Lenny had been transporting. He lowered himself down onto the floor and started with the book on the top of the pile of the blackest books. He was looking for a spell that he knew to have existed. The spell, banned since the late 1600's, was one he still held out hope of finding.

He turned each page searching for a glimpse of what he was looking for. These books were all hand written. They were more a lifetime of learning, a journal of a wizard's spells, than a true text. The tomes held a lifetime of secrets, they did not instruct.

He discarded the fifth onto the floor and was becoming discouraged. Then on the third page of the sixth book, he sat up straight before stumbling to his feet, his knees screaming at him for having sat too long on the cold stone floor. He hurried to his own chambers, swept everything from his desk onto the floor, and laid the open book carefully on the surface.

As he peered at the ancient writings, he raked his hand though his hair and cursed his inability to decipher what was in front of him. He could make out the basics but one slip-up or one mistranslated word could make things spin horribly out of control.

Putting the book under his arm, he headed for the library, his newly purchased translation text also under his arm. He settled into the restricted section, found a table, grabbed several more books from the shelves and turned for two more items. Finding quill and parchment at the Librarian's table, he prepared for a long night.

Several hours later he felt a tug at his elbow, looking down he saw a tray of food held by a small hand. He lifted the tray, placing it on the table in front of him, and found Lenny.

"Did I ask to be disturbed?" he sneered at the elf.

"No sirs, I is to check on you. Headmaster said he has not seen you this last day. He says no breakfast, no lunch and no dinner did yous have. He said …" the elf appeared ready to continue as Severus waved his hand to shush him.

"I must have lost track of time," he said suddenly weary. "What time is it?"

"Tomorrow sirs," the elf said.

Severus pulled out his pocket watch and looked at it. It was after one in the morning. He had spent the entire day either on the floor, or in the library. He felt suddenly hungry, and took one of the sandwiches on the plate in front of him. Chewing slowly he watched the elf.

"Lenny, have you been to see the witch today?' he asked.

"Yes sir master, she is in the bed in Poppy's big room. She eats all the time, but is much sick." He offered sadly.

"Did you not know she was ill before?" Severus asked, beginning to anger.

"No sirs, I brought her food, she yelled at me and I go."

"That is fine Lenny; you did only as I asked," Severus again felt guilt wrap around him. "Is Poppy still awake?"

"Yes sirs, she is in her office," Lenny informed him.

Severus turned to leave, asking Lenny to leave his research as it was, and to make sure no-one disturbed the pages. Walking quickly to the infirmary, he was not sure how Poppy would receive his presence.

"Severus," the Medi-Witch said stiffly as he walked into her office.

"Poppy, I have decided that we need to consult a Muggle Doctor. Perhaps you have a contact?"

"Yes, Severus. Dr. Harrington is on call for our Muggle born, in the event they catch some Muggle infection and then bring it here. I can ask him for a consultation, but as a Muggle doctor I do not see how he can help."

"You will have him examine the witch. He will see if she is fit to undergo a Caesarean, as I believe it is called," he said looking down his nose at her.

"Severus," she exclaimed jumping to her feet, "I have told you that cannot be done."

"You told me a witch's magic would protect her, I will not ask him to operate on a witch."

Poppy stood watching Severus as he left the ward, his robes billowing behind him. She could not comprehend how he planned to do what he so clearly intended. Shaking her head, she returned to her files.

The next day Severus was up early, only getting a few hours of sleep. He left for Diagon Alley to purchase some ingredients he needed. From Diagon Alley he entered into Knockturn Alley searching for the last one. He entered a much hidden establishment, located under one of the storefronts, only accessible by a secret passage known only to the Death Eaters. There he found the Centaur heartstring he needed.

Taking his purchase, and a tight hold of his wand he walked back through the dark streets toward Diagon Alley. As he entered into the hustle of the mid-day shoppers, he looked around quickly to make sure no-one had observed him. Confident that he had not attracted attention he felt safe to apparate to Hogwarts.

Once he had arrived, he hurried again to the library to verify his information. He wanted to reassure himself just one more time to make sure that this madness would not go awry. He took up his seat again, and read every word of the original work before comparing the original spell to a later one cited in one of the obscure texts he had open on his table.

Both spells were the same, wand movements and timing identical. Each was dependant on the receiver drinking an elixir. The elixir differed in only two ways. The first asked for one-half the amount of Unicorn hair as the second. The first however, included the Centaur heartstring.

It was no-longer feasible to harvest Centaur's hearts. The once proud beasts had been plentiful in the years before men had discovered their magical properties. At one time, the warring herds, forced to leave the dead behind, made it possible for man to harvest what he needed. As time progressed, the Centaur wars ended, and man started to hunt the magical race of beings.

He was sickened to know that he was adding to the poaching trade. He had tried to heal Unicorns, still hunted for the same reason. He knew the last place Centaurs could still run free was in the Forbidden Forest. Although he did not condone this type of act, he was taking part in it knowing what he did.

He studied the potion, knowing that the doubling of Unicorn Blood was to make up for the absence of the Centaur heartstring. He could not find any reference that could assure him that the new potion worked, but he had found five references affirming the older one .

Clearing his work area and returning the reference books to the shelves, he picked up his belongs and returned to his chambers. He needed to sleep if he was going to start brewing the next day. He thought of stopping in to see Abigail, still in the infirmary, but quickly dismissed the notion. He was sure that she would not want to see him and determined to leave it at that.

The Potion took him two days to brew. He had to add ingredients at various intervals, and then stir every four hours. When he finally finished, bottled the potion and looked at the clock, it was late, nearly 11:00 pm.

He had not seen the witch for five days now. He thought of her at odd moments, when he was least expecting it her face would come to his mind. When his mind wandered, he thought he heard her call his name, softly yet with an urgency that had him hardening as he remembered how she looked when she had done so.

He sighed, his back sore from the many hours on his feet. His eyes burned from lack of sleep, as he had only managed an hour of sleep at a time between stirrings. He returned to his chambers, where he showered and fell into a deep sleep.

It was nearly 3:00am when Poppy's Patronus awaked him. She had not even sent a message, just the Patronus. Abigail was having an emergency.

He pulled on his pants and shirt, buttoning them as he headed for his lab. Then picking up the vial of elixir, a small golden chalice and calling Accio Robes, he left at a full out run.

The hospital wing was in chaos when he arrived. Poppy was arguing with the Muggle doctor, Albus was trying to restrain Minerva from becoming involved in the argument, and Abigail was clutching the sides of the bed in obvious pain. Severus walked over to the bed and quickly cast a silencing spell.

"Abigail," he said casting shields around the bed and setting up wards to deny entrance to anyone.

"I have something you must take. You must take it before you deliver."

"Severus, it is still too early," she said gritting her teeth as another pain coursed through her.

"You are a full thirty-three weeks. With twins, it is not unusual to be a little early. The babies will be fine," Severus said, "You must take this, it is a special potion I have brewed for the babies."

He set the chalice on the nightstand, poured the potion into it, and then standing with his body between Abigail and the drink, he used his wand to open his wrist allowing a small amount of his blood to pour into the chalice. He whispered an incantation, feeling the magic swirl and smiled.

He turned and handed her the chalice, looking over to Albus as he did. The old man was watching him, brows set close together. Severus watched him as he guided the elixir to Abigail's lips. As she drank, Severus pulled his wand out, made the few passes he had been practicing, voiced a shorter incantation, and waited.

Abigail finished the entire drink, and then looked at Severus smiling weakly. She began panting as another contraction tore through her.

Severus lifted the wards and removed the silence and shielding spells, but by this time the others were watching. Poppy looked at him oddly as she rushed to her patient and hearing the Medi-Witches sharp intake of breath Minerva followed.

"Severus, what have you done?" Albus sounded both accusatory and angry.

"Dr. Harrington, I believe your patient is ready for you now," Severus said not taking his eyes off Albus. "I shall wait in my quarters. I am no longer needed here."

Albus did nothing to dissuade him. Severus looked at him a moment longer, waiting for a reprimand, then seeing the wand in Albus's hand, walked to the door, expecting at anytime to be slammed to the floor.

Dr. Harrington rushed over to Poppy who looked up at him with tears. Minerva sat in the chair next to the bed holding Abigail's hand, but watching Albus.

Abigail had been stripped of her magic. She was completely devoid of power, not even residual and Poppy could not even detect a flicker of it in the infants.

"Albus," Poppy said, "What has Severus done? Whatever was he thinking?"

"He was thinking to save their lives," Albus said sadly, "However, he may have done so at the cost of his own."

"I don't care about that right now. We must deliver her now." Dr Harrington said already pulling out her bed and pushing the wheeled bed toward the delivery area he had set up. "We have a chance of saving these little ones that we didn't have before. " He smiled down at Abigail. "Relax Abigail; things just got a hell of a lot simpler."

A girl arrived at 3:57am, followed by her brother at 4:02am. Both babies managed a small cry and to everyone's relief, appeared to breathe well on their own. They were cleaned, examined and weighed and although the combined weight of the babies was less than eight pounds, both Poppy and Dr. Harrington assured the awaiting Albus and Minerva that this was normal for early twins.

Abigail had opened her eyes to find the babies swaddled together in the small crib next to her bed. She leaned over to touch them, wanting to hold them, but she was too weak, too sore. She was afraid she would drop them. Resting her head back on the pillow, she could only watch them.

Albus opened the curtains and peeked inside. When he discovered her, awake he stepped in beaming.

"May I my dear?" he asked reaching for one of the infants. She nodded her head happily and struggled to sit up.

'No no, my dear, let me lay them here next to you," he said gently laying the little girl across her arm.

"Now "he said twinkling, "This must be the bonus baby I heard about."

He lifted the infant up and laying it in the crook of his arm sat down in the chair. They both sat and stared at the baby they held for several minutes, and then Albus stood and exchanged bundles with the mother. They then repeated the process of examining toes, fingers and little ears a second time.

"Albus," Abigail whispered fearfully, "has Severus come?"

"No, he has not yet been told of the birth. We wanted to know of your wishes first," he answered kindly.

"It is his decision," she said, her face hard, "I will not force them on him."

Just then Poppy came in and shooed the Headmaster out. She lifted Abigail's gown and examined the incision, waving her wand doing diagnostics she grinned.

"All set there girl. You are a little weak, but your food will stay down now," Poppy smiled. "A Muggle would have to wait at least six weeks to resume relations and such, but you will be ready to go in just two."

Abigail reddened at Poppy's announcement. Poppy saw her embarrassment and quickly recovered.

"Now girl, I am merely saying that the day after tomorrow you will be able resume your normal life. That is if anything is ever going to be normal again with these two little ones around," Poppy said smiling down at the babies.

"Normal Poppy?" Abigail said. "I wonder what normal will be now."

"Oh dear, one thing at a time my dear. Right now I think you need to try to feed the little ones." Poppy sat on the edge of the bed and helped Abigail with the first feeding. Telling her that soon the pain would be gone, explaining how the milk would leak when she heard the babies cry and a host of other things that left Abigail feeling more alone and uncertain then ever.

"Now, you do the best you can but don't expect them to be able to latch on right away. I have some bottles waiting, you do the best you can and then we will finish off the way most Muggles do it."

Abigail had anticipated all the changes the babies would bring. Without magic, she did not know what to do. She did not know how to do things without magic, least of all feed babies, with or without a bottle. The children's magic was gone as well. She worried for their future, and was afraid of her own.

Albus had walked down to the Potion Master's rooms to tell him of the birth of his children. He was angry and worried what the next few days would bring. He knocked on the heavy wooden door and waited until Severus answered it.

"Severus, everything went well. The surgery is over," Albus said slowly.

"Thank you for informing me Albus. I am quite busy now. If there is nothing further I must ask you to leave."

"Oh, but there is Severus. I need to know how long your shield will hold for. How long before the Ministry is alerted?" Albus asked sternly.

"Less than 24 hours. I would assume the Aurors will be here shortly. At least by lunch time," Severus crossed his arms over his chest.

"I shall expect you in the infirmary within the hour Severus," Albus said brokering no protest. "That should give you time to prepare for your time away from us."

"Indeed it shall Headmaster." Severus showed no emotion, but coldly sneered at the Headmaster.

"Be careful, even I have my limits"

.

"And I have oaths to fulfil." Severus struck Albus where it would do the most good. Severus' oath to Narcissa and to Albus could change the outcome of the war. Albus knew that.

Severus had been clearing out his library. He'd shrunk down the more common texts and reference materials enabling Lenny to transport them with ease. He had instructed the elf to move them as quickly as possible. He now only had a few dozen books left to transfer. Severus began tying them in bundles of three each. As the elf appeared, Severus would load one bundle in each of the elves arms. Then with a pop, the elf took the books away.

They worked for nearly an hour completing the task.

"Lenny, the books in Miss Abigail's room must be moved as well," Severus stressed, "If the Ministry finds them they will put her in jeopardy."

"I understands sir, I will finish before theys gets here," the elf said proudly.

Severus looked at the clock and knew it was time. He walked to the mirror and adjusted his waistcoat, refastening the top two buttons that he had loosened. Opting to wear his travelling cloak instead of his Professors robes, he draped the cloak over his arm, and left for the infirmary.

He arrived at the infirmary to find Poppy bustling around. She came up to him and stood, hand on hips looking at him angrily.

"Would you be so good as to inform Miss Haley that I am here?"

"She is waiting for you Sir." Poppy spat out at him. "You watch what you say to her then leave as fast as you came. I am angry at you young man, very angry."

Severus nodded to the Medi-Witch and walked over the curtained-off bed. He could hardly breathe. He was not sure his legs would get him that far. He wanted to run, to throw himself down on his knees and cry out to her, but he remained the ever-cold Potions Master.

When he stepped behind the curtain, he found Abigail with a babe at her breast, still trying to coax the too small mouth to take her nipple. All thoughts fled his mind. This was his child. His heir, and the beautiful woman holding his child, he loved. He loved her more than his life. He would, and indeed had, committed himself to Azkaban for her.

Abigail turned her eyes to him. She did not smile; she just looked at him serenely.

He heard a baby cry, like a cats meowing, and frowned as he looked down at the babe still trying to suckle. Still hearing a baby while this one had its mouth was full, he looked around for the noise.

When he saw the other baby in the crib, he looked at Abigail in wonder. Both had survived. Both his children were here. She nodded her head at him and then smiled. Severus walked to the crib and reached in picking up his son for the first time. He sat down afraid his knees would fail him. He held the child with a sense of awe. The hair was hers, dark brown, but burning with red. His eyes stared back at him, but it was her lips that pouted. He was perfect. He was them.

"Do you want to meet you daughter now?" She asked softly.

They exchanged babies as he smiled down at his daughter. The contrast and similarities were astonishing. Here Abigail's unfocused eyes looked to his. His black lank hair covered her head. She had the same pouty lips as her mother and brother. Severus already knew she would be a heartbreaker.

As he looked at Abigail, he could hear deep male voices. The Aurors had arrived.

He stood to hand the baby back to its mother as he heard the curtain open and turned to see middle-aged, thickset wizard.

"Severus Snape, I have needed to talk to you," the Auror said.

"Can you not see I am busy? I need a couple of minutes," Severus said evenly.

"Is this your wife?" the Auror asked.

"No," Severus answered flatly.

"Leave the whore then," the Auror said seeing no ring on her finger.

"Her name, that you will use when referring to her, is Miss Haley," Severus threatened.

"I need your wand Snape. It will be returned by the Ministry if you are released."

"Severus, what is going on?" Abigail called to him. "Please, let me have a minute with him," she pleaded with the Auror.

"Miss Haley," Severus said handing her the baby. "I have made arrangements for you. You must trust me."

He then laid the baby down in its crib. Handing the Auror his wand, he bowed formally to the woman he loved and left.