*13*13*13*
Draco, Remus, Hermione and Bill had been over the moon to find out that Harry was still pregnant, though saddened by the loss of the other two children, there was still hope.
Harry was in Remus' office grading first year test when there was a knock on the door. He was surprised to find Severus standing uncertainly in the doorway.
He smiled at the older man, 'come in Severus, I was just finishing up. Did you know that only about 4 percent of these children think that chocolate can be used to cure just about anything?' he asked as Severus took a seat and seemed to relax.
'If I recall that statistic is down from last year's 7 percent.' He replied with a small smile. It was something that Harry told Severus every year.
'It's blasphemy is what that is.' Harry declared.
'It's poor education before coming here.' Severus countered.
Harry shrugged and finished the last paper, 'either way it's a damn shame. I do believe a "Healing Properties of Cacao" essay is in order from someone,' He decided, 'I just don't know who...' he trailed off.
'I don't see why you can't,' Severus said with a put upon sigh.
Harry glanced at Severus before grinning, 'I suppose I could.'
'Harry,' Severus said softly as Harry shuffled the parchments around on the desk. He slid the corrected ones into the blue organizer and jotted a quick note to Remus. When he was finished he looked at Severus giving the man his undivided attention.
'I know this won't ever be enough but I truly am sorry about that night,' when Harry went to protest Severus held up a hand. 'Please, just let me say this,' he said half begging, half commanding. Harry nodded. 'I should have listened to you and even more I should have let you explain. I only had the newspaper, that I later found out was false, and the fact that I hadn't seen you all day and that was my mistake. I know you better than that mo maileachan and I know that you wouldn't sleep with someone else, you are far too pure for something so low brow.
'I, unfortunately, let my low self-esteem and self-doubt get the better of me and I made the biggest mistake of my life, and all things considered that's saying something.' Harry gave him a small smile.
'You were scared Sev, everyone gets scared,' Harry started.
'No, Harry I wasn't, I was fucking petrified. I know that you agreed to marry me and that we have had four wonderful years together but I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was waiting for the day when you would wake up and realise that I wasn't what you wanted or that you had found someone else. Someone younger and prettier and not me.' He gave a short, almost bitter laugh, 'someone more deserving of your affections so when the opportunity came I took it and I took my anger and my fear out on you. I shouldn't have and I know that now but I'm afraid I've mucked it all up and I miss you and I miss having your frigid feet rubbing my calves when you get into bed and I miss it when you massage my shoulders when I'm grading first year essays and I miss your snort of laughter when your stupidly adorable cat tries to cuddle with me and I hate that there isn't anything of yours in our rooms and Merlin Harry I miss you so much it hurts. Please come back,' by this time Severus was on his knees in front of Harry, his head resting awkwardly on Harry's stomach. 'Gato misses you.'