81
Doing What We Must
As Rhys sprinted across the grass towards the castle, Arthur, with Misty and Nate just behind him, ran to where Professor Morhaven was battling four masked Death Eaters. The boy wasn't exactly sure what he could do, except that he had to do something. He couldn't just stand there and watch as Death Eaters murdered his teacher. He hadn't been there to save his family, but he could at least try and help Professor Morhaven. He lifted his wand as he ran, trying to recall a spell he knew that would take someone out. But the only spell he could recall that incapacitated someone was a Body Bind.
One of the Death Eaters was dueling Morhaven as the kids raced up. Blue and green lightning crackled around them as they fought. Nicholas Morhaven had been in a few duels before, but never against opponents who were out to kill him. He had dueled competitively, but never in a life or death situation. Until now. He backed away as the Death Eater pressed him.
Then he heard a shrill angry voice cry, "Leave our teacher be, you turd-licking asshole!"
Nicholas turned his head and saw to his horror, three students standing there. "No! Get away!" he yelled at them, before turning back to his enemy and fighting harder than before. He had to protect the children. They were more important and it was his duty as a teacher. A Stunning hex streaked from his wand, but bounced off his enemy's shield spell. Blast!
Arthur fired off a Body Bind at another Death Eater, and had the satisfaction of watching one of them topple over. But then one spun around and hissed, "Naughty boy! You don't attack your betters!"
Before he could form a spell to block, a sudden blast of white fire struck him and he felt himself falling into darkness.
"Arthur!" Misty screamed, and tried to rush over to him, fearing he was dead. But a Stunning spell caught her too and though Nate tried to block the spells thrown at him, he too was overwhelmed.
But the children had bought some time, and Nicholas took one of them down, but was blindsided by a third Death Eater.
He found himself on his back, burned and in terrible pain. He expected to die and prepared himself for the end when he saw the odd sight of the Death Eaters gathering up the children and sending them through a portal they'd opened.
Dumbledore, Severus, Minerva, and Filius rushed across the grass towards the group, but before they could get there, the last Death Eater grabbed the body of his companion and disappeared through the portal. It sealed behind them, leaving only a badly injured Nicholas behind.
"Nicholas? Great Merlin, we must get him to the Hospital Wing!" exclaimed Dumbledore as he knelt beside his Defense professor. "He's badly burned and in shock."
"Wait!" cried Severus. "Nicholas can you speak?"
" . . . yes . . .."
"Can you tell me where Arthur is? Or his friends Misty and Nathaniel?"
" . . . gone . . . taken . . ."
"Damn!" Severus swore softly. He had feared that was the case when he arrived and only saw Morhaven on the ground. But he had hoped it wasn't so. He felt bands of terror crackle about his heart. Voldemort had Arthur, Misty, and Nate. He would use them for his infernal machine. He felt an icy cold tremor start at his feet and slowly ooze through his veins. He placed a hand on Nicholas' shoulder. "Don't worry. It's not your fault," he made himself say, knowing the professor probably blamed himself.
" . . . sorry, Sev . . ."
"You've nothing to be sorry for. You tried your best," Severus said softly. He could not blame Morhaven. No, he blamed Voldemort. Voldemort for starting the trend of stealing magical children and himself for not getting there soon enough. "We'll get them back, Nicholas. I swear it."
Minerva conjured a stretcher, her mouth set in a grim line. "Is that even possible, Severus?" she asked sadly. "We've never found hide nor hair of the others that were taken."
"I'll find them. No one touches my ward and gets away with it!" Severus vowed, but his heart was cold.
"Let's get Nicholas to the Hospital Wing," said Filius. "We can plan a rescue mission and inform their parents later."
Severus gritted his teeth. He couldn't believe this had happened. Then again, he had known what orders Voldemort had given his faithful. Where else would they have found enough children to snatch? Arthur, I'm so sorry. I will come for you, boy. If it's the last thing I do, I will come.
Rhys came dashing up to them. "Will Professor Morhaven be all right? How about Art and Misty and Nate?"
Severus turned to the worried Slytherin. "Meet me in my office in ten minutes, Morgan and I'll tell you what I know."
Rhys hurried down to the dungeons while they transported the gravely injured professor to Madam Pomfrey.
After they dropped Morhaven off, Dumbledore called an emergency meeting in his office where he reported the missing children's abduction to the Auror Department and their parents. He told the teachers he would repair and strengthen the wards (what Morhaven had been doing) himself and that they must now escort students everywhere outside and inside the castle until the threat of invasion had passed.
After the meeting he took Severus aside and murmured, "Is there a chance you can get those children back, Severus? Or was it merely wishful thinking?"
"I will do my best, Headmaster. Regulus, Lily, and I know where he might be hiding them and can get there. I will do all in my power to save them."
"I expect no less from you, Severus. Good luck and Merlin favor your hand."
Severus hurried down the stairs to his office to meet Rhys. He informed the shocked Seer of the abduction of his companions and asked him to report to him immediately if he should See something in a vision.
After making sure all his Slytherins were in class still, he Flooed to the cottage to tell Lily what had happened.
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"Took him? Sev, what do you mean, he's gone?" Lily cried as he hugged her on the couch. "He can't be. Hogwarts was supposed to be safe!"
"I know, Lily. But somehow these four Death Eaters managed to get past the wards. They came out of the forest and challenged Morhaven. Arthur and his friends were there, they tried to help, but couldn't. And Death Eaters took them away to the Dark Lord. You know what for."
"Oh, dear sweet Merlin!" Lily wept. "We promised to keep him safe, and now he's a prisoner of that depraved maniac. Sev, what can we do? We need to find him!"
"I know, Lil. And we will. Just calm down." He hugged her to his chest. "I won't fail him. We'll go back to the castle tonight and search. They have to be there. It's the safest place for him and his followers right now." His hands stroked her hair and back, rubbing soothingly.
Lily clutched him and buried her face in his shoulder. She sobbed frantically, fear for the boy and his friends spiraling out of control. Her emotions were ragged from her pregnancy and the knowledge that Voldemort was using children to fuel his insane desire to become immortal. And now he had Arthur. Her nails bit into Severus' shoulder as she cried into his robe. She hated the way she was crying and hated the fact that Arthur might be in danger of losing his life. She could not let that happen. "We have to find him, Sev! And the others!"
"We will, Lily," Severus assured her, ignoring her grip. He continued to hold her while she wept for all the innocents Voldemort had hurt and the agony of discovering their ward was missing. He just hoped nothing else happened as they tried to find the children.
Page~*~*~*~*~Break
The castle in the Carpathians
One night later:
Severus and Zoey had been summoned by Voldemort, as had the rest of his inner circle, to a gala celebrating the capture of more Muggleborn children and the renewal of the Dark Lord's strength and health. Though the last thing Severus wanted was to make merry with the Death Eaters, he could not deny Voldemort's summons, or the fact that this was a perfect opportunity to try and explore some of the castle.
Morhaven still clung stubbornly to life, though he would bear scars from the fire spells ever after from his encounter. For now, the papers were declaring him a hero for standing up to the Death Eaters on their raid, though he still regarded himself as a failure. The children had been taken on his watch, and he held himself partially responsible.
Severus had vowed to get the kidnapped children back and he would start trying to find them tonight, if the opportunity presented itself. He and Lily went to the gala wearing their ash-gray overrobes, she with a fetching comfortable silk maternity gown underneath and he with a suit, since this was supposed to be a party.
First they had cocktails in the main hall while Lucius, Bella, and several others gave speeches to their Lord's health and toasts. Severus and of course Lily as well refrained from drinking. Both of them needed clear heads if they were going to try and explore the castle later. Afterwards, Voldemort led them into the dining hall, with its portraits of old stuffy-looking witches and wizards and a huge oaken table able to sit at least fifty people. They had dinner, asparagus salad with mushrooms and capers, veal in a delicate wine sauce with new potatoes, gravy, and buttered carrots along with lobster cakes. Wine and water were served. For dessert there were an assortment of crème pastries and petit fours, along with rich Turkish coffee and after dinner brandy.
Severus and Lily ate sparingly, they planned to leave the dancing which followed early, claiming illness, so they could explore the castle. About half-an-hour into the dancing in the ballroom, Lily suddenly clutched her belly and groaned, hurrying out of the room.
"Is something wrong?" asked Narcissa, the only one who seemed to notice and be concerned. "Is Zoey all right?"
"She's been feeling sick all day," Severus said quietly. "You know how it is when you're near your time. Let me go and check on her," he told the other witch. He glanced about, then said, "If anyone asks, Cissy, tell them I'm helping my wife, who's sick, and give my apologies if necessary."
"Of course I will, Severus. Go now. Zoey could need you," she urged.
Severus hurried from the room.
It took him five minutes to make his way up the grand staircase, which was old and creaky, to the suite of rooms they'd been given. He opened the door expecting to find Lily waiting on the other side, ready to search.
Instead he found his wife white-face and clinging to a bed post, her teeth clenching. "Severus . . ."
"What is it? Are you ready?" he whispered.
"I . . . I can't . . . not now . . . it's coming . . . too late to leave . . ."
His eyes widened. "What are you saying? Are you really sick?" he came forward to feel her forehead. She was sweating.
"No . . . I'm not sick . . . the baby's coming . . .!"
"Here?" he gasped. "Now? But you're not due for another few days!"
This couldn't be happening. He grasped her arm. "We need to get you to St. Mungos right away!"
"No time . . . Sev . . . can't Floo . . . contractions . . ." she gasped, turning white as another one gripped her.
Severus was horrified. "Lily, I'm not a Healer! We need one . . . we have to leave . . . you can't have the baby here, in the Dark Lord's castle . . .!"
She grimaced, then said sharply, "Like or not, Severus, this baby is ready to be born. I don't care if you're not ready for it, or it's the wrong time! I don't like it either, but I have no say in it!"
He turned and cast some wards of Privacy and Silence about the room and locked the door. He paused then, his heart in his throat. He wasn't supposed to have to deliver this baby on his own! He'd attended the birthing classes, but as a coach, not a mediwitch! "Lily, what should I do?"
Lily gasped, her back arching. "Severus . . . my water just broke!"
He looked and saw a reddish puddle of liquid soaking through the rug by her feet. "Ah, damn! All right, Lily, how far apart are the contractions? Let's time them."
"Five minutes . . . Severus, I'm . . . scared . . ." Her face was ghostly white, her eyes gleaming like a cat's. She clutched her belly and the bed post at intervals.
Severus put his arms about her. "Oh, Lily . . . I'm sorry . . . we were supposed to have this baby in a hospital, not this drafty old castle full of Death Eaters. I told Cissy you weren't feeling well . . ." he laughed sharply. "But I never expected you to go into labor!"
"My timing's awful . . . I know . . . Sev, we need hot water, blankets . . ."
Severus dragged some blankets off the bed and then went to run some hot water in the sink in the bathroom. It was the best he could do on short notice. While he was doing that, Lily grasped the sheets and yanked them off the bed.
"What are you doing?" Severus cried. He was terrified down to his soul, but trying with everything he possessed not to show it. Lily needed him to be strong, to be calm. Not to panic.
"Need . . . to tear up the sheets." Lily panted. "So I can tie my hands to the posts."
"What? That's crazy! Do you want to lie down now?" Severus sputtered.
Lily shook her head as another contraction pressed down on her. "No . . . better to stand . . . crouch down . . . that's how women did it in the old days. Work with gravity. . ."
"All right," Severus wasn't about to argue. Lily was in pain and all he wished was to take it from her. Failing that, he would do what she wanted. He helped her tear up the sheets and tied them around the bedposts and around her wrists.
Lily gripped the sheets hard as contractions shuddered through her. "Sev . . . Merlin help me! They're getting stronger."
"Breathe, honey. Just breathe," he coaxed, wiping her forehead with a damp cloth. He prayed she was fully dilated. He gently felt along her belly. He thought the baby was in the right position. But what if he was wrong? "You're doing good, Lily."
"Trying . . . hurts . . ."
"I know. God, but I'm sorry . . ."
She squeezed his hand hard. He winced, but said nothing.
"Don't be sorry . . . just help me deliver this baby, Severus! If you faint, I'll kill you!"
"I won't!" he promised, though a part of him wanted to go run screaming from the castle. Another part of him wanted to pass out cold on the floor. But he told both those parts to shove it and remained upright, timing the contractions and holding his wife. This was madness, but there was also nothing he could do about it. "Someday, child of mine, we are going to have a long talk about waiting to get born!" he gritted.
Lily half-smiled. She could feel a pressure building within her. "Sev . . . I feel . . . like I need to push . . ."
"Wait! Let me check! Dearest Merlin . . .!" He knelt to peer up her skirt and ended up tying up the dress and throwing the robe beneath her onto the floor. "All right . . . try pushing, Lil. On three! One . . . two . . . three . . .!"
Lily did, biting her lip as she heaved.
"Good! Relax a little! I see part of the head!" Severus called encouragingly.
As the next contraction crested, Lily pushed again. She was floating on a sea of pain and didn't know how much longer she could endure without screaming. She grunted loudly.
Severus gasped. "The head's almost out, Lily! That's it! That's my girl! Give me another." He Summoned a small tube of wound salve and spread it around the tiny head, hoping to ease its passage.
Above him, Lily panted and whimpered. She was being torn apart. Why hadn't Tuney told her how much this hurt? Then again, maybe it didn't hurt that much when you were in a hospital surrounded by Healers giving you pain-blocking spells. Not crouched halfway to the floor in a drafty old castle with only your husband in attendance. What a way to come into the world!
"Lily! Push!"
Severus caught the head as it slid out and then rather swiftly, the rest of the baby followed. "Lily, you did it! The baby's born! Blessed Merlin!" He clutched the baby to him, heedless of the birthing fluids covering the newborn. He was so relieved he almost forgot to see whether it was a boy or girl.
"Sev . . . my baby . . ."
"Is here, Lil," he murmured in awe. "We have a little girl."
"I . . . don't hear her crying . . ."
"She will," Severus replied, noting that the baby had yet to take her first breath. He gently cleared out her tiny nose and mouth and turned her over, giving her a firm spank on the bottom. "Wake up, little one! Welcome to the world, pretty girl."
The baby gasped, drawing air into her tiny lungs. Then she began to wail, and Severus and Lily thought it the most beautiful sound in the world.
"I need to cut the cord. But I don't have a knife," he muttered, cradling the infant. "What do I do?"
"Use magic."
"Magic? Like what?"
"The spell you invented sixth year. You know the one."
"Sectumsempra? You want me to use that near our child?"
"It's the only way. You can do it, Sev."
"You're crazy! But . . ." he concentrated hard, touching the umbilical cord with a finger. Then he spoke the spell, praying it only cut the cord in half. "Sectumsempra!"
The cord fell apart. "It worked!" He grinned in relief. The baby squirmed in his arms, her face red.
"Sev, let me hold her."
"Half a minute. I need to clean her up first." Severus took his baby into the bathroom to bathe her in the warm water and wrap her in a blanket. He almost couldn't believe she was here. His eyes gleamed with sudden tears as he washed her. My daughter. Mine.
While he was doing that, Lily delivered the afterbirth.
Severus tied off the cord with a small piece of string he found and wrapped her in a washcloth and a blanket. "Oh, baby, you look like a refugee, but you're here. In my arms. Hello, I'm your father."
His daughter stared at him and howled. He chuckled and brought her out to see Lily.
He set his daughter on the bed while he helped Lily clean up and get situated on one side of the bed. Then he helped her into the bed, after putting a clean blanket and a sheet on. "Here you go. Here's your mama." He gently placed the baby in Lily's arms.
"Sev, she's beautiful!" Lily exclaimed. "Just . . . beautiful."
"She sure is. Like her mum." He sat on the edge of the bed. The baby had him mesmerized. He couldn't seem to look away, not even when Lily began to nurse her.
Soon contented suckling sounds filled the room and Severus smiled. Everything had gone wrong . . . and yet so right in the end.
"She has your hair, Sev. All soft and silky."
"But your eyes. They'll be green."
"They're blue now."
"But they'll be green," he insisted.
"How do you know . . . Daddy?"
"I just do. She has your nose, thank God."
"And your chin. Stubborn."
"What shall we call her?"
"I think . . . Grace, for my grandma Evans."
"And Serenity, for my grandmother Prince."
"Grace Serenity Snape," Lily announced. "How do you like that?"
The baby continued to suck, ignoring them all. Her parents laughed as they looked down on her.
"Sev, I wish . . . Art could be here."
"We'll find him, Lily. If it takes weeks or months, we'll find him. They can't hide him forever," Severus said firmly. "Right now, just concentrate on getting your strength back. As soon as it's light tomorrow, I'll Floo you and Grace back home and call your mum and mine."
"What about . . . the Dark Lord?"
"He's probably celebrating still and won't miss us. I'll tell him later." Severus snorted. "Right now, just rest, love. I'll be right here." He folded himself down on the bed on the other side, his arm about her and his new daughter.
His heart was so full of love he could hardly speak. Love for his baby and his wife. He gazed down at them, his eyes shining. In spite of it all, a new life had been born from the ashes of the old, and he would die to defend her. "I love you, Lily. And you, Grace."
"We love you too," Lily murmured before starting to fall into a healing sleep. It had been a long night, and she was tired. Once Grace had stopped eating, she placed the baby inbetween them on the bed and fell asleep. So did her husband and her daughter.
A/N: Hope you all liked! Happy Valentine's Day . . . a little early!